𝑩𝒆 𝑴𝒚 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆?

❀♥𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 10♥❀

Staring down at the plan food he possessed in the mess haul. Diluc would rather not partake in eating these mere and most likely expired food, but his stomach would rather appreciate the energy and nutrients. 

Luckily, yet not so much. All throughout his classes and walks, Diluc didn't come in contact with Venti, his mind was celebrating this while his heart seemed to be rather dull. How peculiar. 

The mess haul was far too busy for his enjoyment this afternoon, students piling at tables. Loud chattering and laughter, the only open seat that he could deal with was by Albedo and Kaeya, but as upon seeing the movements Kaeya was making in hopes of making the blond male flustered, diverted him away from sitting by them this evening.

Feeling annoyed by the overwhelming amount of students, Diluc quickly thought of eating outside in the spring sun, as he turned around, he passed by many students and brushed against a few people as he walked in the opposite direction of the crowd.

His fellow students didn't bat an eye towards him, well except for a duo of two girls, but oh well, that's a story for a different time. A story Diluc wouldn't rather think of.

As he finally broke through the crowd of bustling students  his red hair swayed in the breeze as he stepped outside, the hair tie keeping as much of it in place as it could. feeling the sun shine and reflect off his eyes, he looked up and sighed softly. 

It felt nice to be away from many people, as he walked around the outside of the college campus, it was rather empty due to the time, a few students peppered around the campus as they enjoyed the sun this evening.

feeling content out here, Diluc searched for a spot to sit at. Upon finding nothing other than the grass, Diluc wouldn't mind sitting on the ground much at all,  but as he walked around and passed a few students who were too busy around each other to notice Diluc pass by. he remembered the campus's garden would be perfect for him to enjoy.

as he walked into the campus's garden, he found himself sitting on the stone bench. which was out of view from other people due to the bushes. as he peacefully ate.

Taking small bites and swallowing, a voice rang in his ear that took away the silence of the garden. Now the sound of a cheery voice rang instead of the birds and insects. 

"Diluc!~" the voice exclaimed, looking around Diluc raised a single eyebrow ever so slightly, he looked around until his eyes fell upon Venti.

Who happily took a bite out of a red apple which was planted in his pale hand, instead of the normal uniform he was simply wear the shirt with the tie, no coat, and the pants were cut to be shorts, which was understandable but still..

"Venti." Diluc stated with a deadpan expression. "The one and only~" Venti seemingly playfully responded and walked up to him, his dark brown satchel was with him, with the strap on his shoulder and the bag itself rested upon his hip.

"You know! How fortunate it is that we're both here, i haven't seen you all day!" Venti said with a smile as he took another bite from the apple. Looking up at him, Diluc gave a single nod. 

"And here i thought i would have a relaxing day." Diluc noted, but people would've been offended by that, but luckily for Venti, he caught onto the small sarcastic tone "Oh wow~ I'm impressed, i didn't know you had the ability to be sarcastic, i thought you were just grumpy all day long~ guess not!" Venti teased. sitting down next to him on the bench and throwing the eaten apple into the bush.

Diluc sighed and rolled his eyes. "You could've just thrown that away" he noted. "So what, it came from the ground so it can go back into the ground!" Venti smiled playfully and rested his arms behind his head. Diluc couldn't argue with that logic.

It was surprising Venti was the one who told him.

"you know, it's so hot today. Maybe that's why your hair is so messed up." Venti noted. "Huh? My hair?" Diluc repeated, raising his eyebrows every so slightly.  then it dawned upon him, when he left this morning he didn't brush his hair and only threw it up.

"Mhm~ Very much so, so frizzy" venti teased with a amused smile playing upon those pinks lips, the very pink lips Diluc glanced down at.

"Hn." Was all Diluc responded with, "But hey~ Since I'm such a great person, i can help you with your hair~" Venti playfully said, it felt like his energy never decreased. Only increased.

Feeling his heart beat in his chest at the thought, he thought about it before sighing and putting his food away. "Very well." He stated, reaching his hand up and taking out his hair tie, his hair falling onto his back  without the support the hair tie gave him. 

"Ooh~ Your hair is very fluffy." Venti noted, standing up and walking behind the bench, seemingly being excited to touch the hair diluc had.

"I know." Diluc stated as if it was something that he thought was obvious, but his eyebrows raised in pure surprise when he felt the hands Venti owned, touch his hand, his fingers trail through the hair on his scalp.

Trailing his fingers through the thick locks and slowly unknotting any parts of it with his fingers. Diluc propped his elbow on his own knee and put his chin in his palm, his cheeks burning a rosy hue as he felt Venti touch his hair.

He normally disliked when people touched his hair, he only agreed to this since he didn't have a mirror so he couldn't do it properly himself. But now that Venti started.. He couldn't be more content with answering yes.

"Where's your hair tie?~" Venti playfully asked, holding one hand out in front of Diluc, missing the blush on diluc's rather fair skin.

Shifting his free hand to the side and remaining quiet, he grabbed his hair tie, his hand brushing against Venti's palm as he left the hair tie in his palm. "Thank you~" Venti hummed and went back to his hair.

Feeling his hair being lifted into a ponytail again, Diluc took quiet breaths in hope of calming down before Venti sits beside him again, as soon as he finished. Venti plopped down on the bench beside him.

Taking a small glance in Venti's direction, Diluc quickly sat up. "Hm?" Venti looked up at him. "Our classes are starting soon, we should get going." Diluc stated with his back to venti, his heart pounding in that always quiet chest, he grabbed his bag as he took deep breaths until he felt safe enough with his face to turn around, looking down at Venti.

"Ooh~ Right!" Venti hopped up and stood beside him. Taking a look down at him, Diluc's heart was pounding in his ears, making it hard to hear anything.

What was this? What was this illness he would feeling taking over his heart? He had just barely met venti so for a fact it could not possibly be love, Diluc didn't love anyone. So that just couldn't happen. Maybe he was falling ill, who knows.

As he began walking, he would take subtle glances over, only to see venti happily humming and keeping up with him, sometimes even skipping, how childish. yet how adorable.

This was getting confusing, Diluc didn't understand anything his heart was saying, he couldn't possibly understand it, he spent years ignoring his heart, and now he doesn't know how to understand it.

But maybe one day Venti would be the key to understanding his heart, to understanding the fact no matter how hard he'll try. Fate is going to bring him right back to Venti until he learned the art of love. Until he learned how to love Venti. Or,

until his couldn't hold back his desires anymore.

❀♥❀