maid • kaeya

x

• third person •

"Okay. Okay. I got this. I got this."

"You got this." Jean clasped his hands. "You got this."

Diluc bounced slightly against the pavement before the Knight's Headquarters, his heart pounding in anxiety but also excitement.

His breath fell shaky, the nerves suddenly hitting him like a tsunami, despite how confident he had been this entire time.

Kaeya folded his arms, bursting into chuckles. "You already know you're going to do great. Don't let silly nerves get in your way. Go make the Ragnvindr family proud, just like you always have."

Diluc blushed, abashed. "Really?"

"Really."

Diluc's gaze fell, recalling his father's words before he left.

"Do your best, son. I will always be proud of you."

A soft smile spread across his lips.

Though, abruptly, his eyebrows jumped, the softest touch against his cheek instantly heating them to the same colour as his hair.

Jean had kissed his cheek.

"You'll do amazing," she said with a beam. "We'll be cheering you on!"

Kaeya pretended to gag. A large grin rose upon Diluc's face.

Without any thought, he yanked the two of them into a big hug, his eyes shutting tightly with a sparkling beam.

"Okay! Thank you, both of you!"

"If only (Y/N) could be here too," Diluc sighed. "She's still sick, isn't she?" He pulled away from the hug, meeting eyes with Kaeya.

Kaeya nodded with a frown. "I would've visited her again by now, but I told her yesterday that you have your exams today, so I wouldn't be able to today. She wished you good luck!"

A soft smile spread across Diluc's lips. "And I wish her well. We should all visit her after we get my results!"

Jean nodded eagerly. "Let's!"

• • •

It was a gloomy day.

Clouds had shrouded the morning sky of Springvale, the threat of rain imminent as the winds blew strong.

"There is nothing more I can do."

The doctor stood. Ilse's eyes were clamped shut in agony as the healing bubble was removed.

"It would be more kind at this point... to relieve her from her pain."

Luca stared distraught at the doctor, his lips trembling in silence.

"I will leave you two to have some time alone."

Luca couldn't do anything when the doctor left the room, shutting the door after her.

"Ilse," he cried, tears instantly brimming his waterlines.

Ilse simply smiled. There was nothing they could do but wait now.

"I told you this day would catch up to us..." she joked, her voice barely audible. "Strangely... I feel as though I have already accepted it... While I can tell you're still trying to deny it... you don't seem to be fighting my fate now either... hehe..."