Shattered hearts

To the End

It wasn't easy. Recovering, more or less. Diluc had been struggling to do things properly for the last few days, and feared the less sightings of the Darknight Hero would make people suspicious of him. The knights were already, but Jean herself said he didn't have to worry, and that she had it under control.

Sure. They always told him that. "Everything is under control, make sure to recover properly, and take care of yourself." Jean had told him as he left her house after staying there to recover for a couple of days. It was weird, waking up to her making breakfast for him, and helping him with basic necessities. He thought Kaeya would do all of that, given they were brothers.

But Jean offered to do it. He thought she hated him, but guess not. If you hate someone, you wouldn't take care of them, right?

It's been weeks now, and Diluc has finally recovered. He's never encountered such a situation where he has to fight with everything he has, only to be struck down by a mere enemy.

He felt embarrassed. Weak. Like he couldn't defend Mondtsadt the way he was supposed to. The way he needs to.

Everyone relies on him, even the knights. Everyone adores the Darknight Hero. Even Jean does.

Why did his body give out on him on that day? Why exactly on that day? There had to be something about it. He was sleep deprived, but there had to be some sort of connection. Something or someone else.

Someone who has always been out to get him. Someone who took who he loved the most. Someone who hasn't given up.

Dottore, perhaps? He's a doctor, an evil one, but maybe he has done something to make Diluc so weak, so helpless, in need of help from the knights, whom he hates so much.

There was no chance though. Diluc had strictly forbade Dottore to step foot in Mondstadt again. But who would stop him if Diluc was so weak? So helpless?

Nothing added up anymore. Diluc didn't want it to. He didn't want answers, and he didn't want to keep on asking these questions. These questions that kept him up at night, but to no avail. Nothing at all.

He decided to do what was best in his eyes. Do what he wanted to do. What his heart needed and wanted.

He headed back to Jean's house, hoping she had some answers to his questions as well. His doubts about Dottore, but her doubts about what was happening between them too.

He made sure to knock carefully, and before he knew it, she stood before him, looking beautiful as ever. Her blonde locks were out of her ponytail, and her pale skin shone in the moonlight. Why did everything end between them? Why didn't he take her back?

"Jean." Was all he could muster out of his mute mouth. He didn't know how to explain to her what he was thinking. How much he missed her.

"Diluc, what are you doing here?" Her voice was soft. Gentle. Nothing like before. Nothing like how she told him she wanted nothing to do with him. There was no them. Was that really true?

"I needed someone to talk to. Can I come in?" He responded, now feeling shame rushing over him. She strictly told him she wanted nothing to do with him. Why was he going against that? Was it as fair as when she took care of him? To bring the burden of himself back to her side? He didn't know.

Jean just gave him a quick nod, and closed the door once he was inside. The house was quiet. Empty. Nothing like when they used to have small kitchen dates, making food together, cuddling, and how the nights where the moonlight would shine into her empty room, where they would love each other like no one before. He missed that. Missed her. Missed her voice, her body, her hair, her eyes, her personality, everything about her was perfect. Her flaws were perfect in his eyes. Everything.

"I don't know what happened to me that night. Where I passed out. I was so sleep deprived, but I hadn't passed out like that before. I've been overthinking it a lot, but I think Dottore has something to do with it all. He never leaves me alone." He exclaimed, as he sat down on her comfortable couch. It just brought back memories, but he had brought himself back to her. He was responsible for his own actions.

"Maybe, but it could be sleep deprivation too, I pass out at work sometimes, but that's because I'm just sleep deprived, that's all there is to it, Diluc." Jean explained, sitting down by his side, but he refused to believe it was just that in his case.

"There has to be something to it, Jean, you saw it, you found me there! Please tell me there's some sort of clue to back up my suspicion on Dottore! Please!" He felt insane. Crazy for a matter of fact. He refused to let it go, to believe her simple explanation. Passing out at work wasn't the same. She was safe there, compared to when he passed out. He was anything but safe. He didn't feel that way at all, even when he was out of the situation.

"Diluc, you don't seem okay. You need more rest. Please." She was calmer than he had imagined. Calmer than most nights. Out of every single talk they've had, she decided to be calm and listen to him this once, as if he wasn't going completely crazy.

"I... I need to find out, Jean.. you don't understand.." Diluc felt tired. Weak. He wanted to cry, lean on Jean's shoulder while she told him everything was okay, but he couldn't do that. They were nothing to each other. Friends was probably the closest to whatever this is.

To his surprise, Jean pulled him into a hug, letting him bury his face in her shoulder. She was great at comforting. Calming him down. Telling him it was okay.

"Your thoughts matter, Diluc. You seem to be thinking too much about this specific thing though, but I can reassure you I'll help to find the answers. We'll do it, together, like we've done with most things." He could feel her smile. Feel her warmth. She was an angel, someone he didn't even deserve.

"Thank you." He muttered out. He loved her. Adored her. Every part of her.

"I'm sorry for the other night. I was upset. But I promise, I'll be with you to the end, and I can reassure you that's a long time. We'll solve this, even if it takes everything we have." She pulled away from their hug, looking deeply into his eyes.

There was a hint of something in her eyes. Love.

And before he knew it, he had been bold enough to lean in and kiss her. Deeply. To his surprise, she didn't pull away, and returned the passion in their heartfelt kiss.

His worries could be set aside for now. This was where he belonged, where he felt at home. With Jean.

Authors Note.

Thank you guys so much for being patient! I've been putting off writing this chapter for a while because I've had little to no inspiration on what to write, and what to have it about. I've been dragging these chapters out, but I don't want to stop writing them, and don't plan on it either.

The chapter was also late due to school. I started back in August, and this is an important year for me, since I need good grades to get into a new school next year. I'm gonna try and write more efficiently, and more often, so I don't have to write every two months.

I made this chapter a bit long, so I hope it's enjoyable to read!

Thank you for waiting once again!