𝗘𝘂𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 ✦ 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 [OLD asf]

𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙂𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙨

(I wrote this for Diluc's Bday but forgot to publish it, so here it is. Like a day late 💀)

•••

"It's good to finally have you back at the manor, Young Master Diluc. Although... it would've been nicer if you'd arrived in time for your birthday."

Lorelei did her best not to pout, but still looked rather disappointed as she stood in front of the desk Crepus once sat at. In his place was Diluc, older than the mash time she'd seen him and certainly different.

'What is it, I wonder?' Lorelei thought as she regarded the ruby red eyed once bright and lively now reserved and almost cold, 'The loss of his father, his duel with Kaeya... or y/n being taken away by the Fatui.'

"And you're working too, as soon as you come back." Lorelei grumbled, "You're such a workaholic."

"I left the management and work all up to you, Adelinde, and Elzer these past few years." Diluc replied without looking up from the documents he was reviewing, "You've all worked very hard, so it's only right that I work hard as well."

Lorelei heaved a sigh, 'Like father, like son, I suppose...' "Alright, I'll leave you be. But I'll come right back if I feel like you've stayed up for too long! Remember, you've only just returned, so you need your rest!"

The woman backed out for the room, giving Diluc one last stern look before closing the door behind her.

Diluc simply continued with his work, the silence filled by the sound of shuffling papers and his pen.

Then, the silence was disturbed when Lorelei peeked into the room again with a, "Before I forget..."

She hurried on over to place a box on the desk encore retreating in a bit of a hurry, humming to herself about something Diluc couldn't quite catch.

He gave the box a glance.

It looked familiar, he had a feeling that he knew what was in it, but there was no way of telling without taking a look at it himself.

Diluc gave it a look, then looked away.

Another look, then he looked away again.

Ah, whatever...

Diluc gently lifted the box and set it in front of him, carefully opening it. His brows furrowed eve so slightly at the sight of what was on the inside.

'Just as I thought...'

Various little shiny rocks and dried out flowers laid in the box along with a bunch of cards. Diluc picked out a small card, staring silently at the crude little drawing on the front before opening it up to observe the poor handwriting.

They were birthday gifts, each one of them including something cool that y/n had found along with a card that she'd taken the time to write on her own.

Diluc rested his head on his hand as he gave the card a long stare. He remembered the day her received it rather vividly.

"Diluc!"

The little red haired big gave y/n a curious look as she bounced on her toes eagerly, hopping from one foot to the other and holding out the little piece of paper.

"Mm? What's this?" Diluc murmured as he accepted the tiny card with curious eyes, "A card?"

"Mhm! Mhm! For your day of birth!" y/n chimed as she shifted from one foot to the other, her risk swaying behind her eagerly, "Open it! Quick! Quick!"

"Alright, alright..." Diluc sighed a she opened up the card. On the inside was a little red flower attached to the paper, a little messy message written on the side.