adversaries | diluc x fem!reader

4 | sweet escape

In reality, she hadn't really thought things through when she'd ran away from home.

She couldn't really stay at HQ due to the lack of beds and permission from a higher up. How do you ask your higher ups if you can sleep at work when you're basically a nobody? Exactly.

Her other option was Jean. She'd wanted to head to her house, but then she remembered the party Crepus had thrown for Diluc and thought she might still be there. Besides, she had to get something in her system. She didn't have an apetite at all, so she was hoping Crepus might make her something she can down in one go and call it a day. As embarassing as it would be to ask, she didn't know what else to do.

Or maybe those were all excuses to end up at Angel's Share.

The tavern was bursting from customers on the first floor. She looked around, but she couldn't spot Jean, only a few leftover baloons and decorations most likely from the party. She was kinda regretting she hadn't come now.

''A little late to the party, aren't we?'' Crepus's voice hit her ears.

She looked ahead, her eyes falling on the Ragnividr family. Crepus was behind the bar cleaning a cup while Kaeya and Diluc sat in front of him. All three were looking at her with curious eyes and she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Did she look like a mess? She wasn't sure how she looked like at the moment and she wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

''Y/n?'' Diluc was the one to speak this time.

''Hi,'' she managed to get out, taking a few steps closer. ''Did Jean leave already?''

''A while ago,'' Diluc answered. Y/n could see him looking her up and down with furrowed brows, but she tried to ignore it. ''Is there something wrong?''

''Nothing.'' The answer was almost automatic. She looked at Crepus. ''I'm sorry, I don't know if you're still open for orders, but can you maybe make me something to drink?''

''Aren't you too young to drink?'' Crepus quirked an eyebrow.

Y/n sighed. ''Non-alcoholic. As nutritious as possible, maybe?''

''Of course, dear. I was just teasing.'' Crepus got to work immediately, most likely noticing she wasn't in the mood for jokes. ''Go sit upstairs, it's quieter. I'll bring it up in a moment.''

She hadn't planned to stay, but it felt safe here. This was the one place her father wouldn't look at for her, and even if he did, he wouldn't dare approach it. ''Okay. Thank you.''

Quietly, she retreated up the stairs of the tavern. There were a few tables there, but no one on the whole floor, which she was thankful for. She took a seat on a table closer to the corner, putting her small bag on the table and leaning back. Tilting her head, she looked through the window at the empty street, then up at the stars.

What was she going to do?

''Your order's ready.'' Her head snapped forward, meeting Diluc's eyes. He was carrying her glass of blue juice, a Berry and Mint Burst, as well as another one with what looked to be grape juice. He set both glasses down and sat across from her.

''Thank you,'' Y/n said and took a gulp. It tasted refreshing and almost appetizing. But the knot in her stomach wouldn't loosen up and allow her to fully enjoy it without thinking of throwing it up.

They sat in silence for a moment. Y/n wondered if Diluc was going to leave. She wasn't sure if she wanted him to.

''Dare I ask if you're okay?'' He finally spoke and Y/n looked up from her drink.

''I'm fine,'' she said immediately, then looked back down at her drink. ''Don't worry about it.''

''I can't not worry when you stroll in here with puffy eyes and a red cheek and looking like a shell of a human. You know you can tell me anything, right?''

They stared at each other. Could she really?

Diluc sighed. ''Listen, I don't want to pressure you, so if you don't want to tell me, then so be it. But you've been acting so weird the past months and more and I just don't understand why you've been so cold to me.''

''I haven't been cold.'' She couldn't even believe her own words.

''Did I do something to you? If I did, tell me, I swear whatever it was, I didn't mean--''

''It's not you.'' Y/n cut him off and swirled her drink with the straw. ''I'm sorry that I've been acting like a bitch--''

''That's not what I--''

''--but it's not you, trust me. You didn't do anything. It's all on me.'' She licked her lips and refused to meet his eyes. ''But it's fine. I'll change. Everything will change and it'll be alright soon enough.'' She wasn't sure if she was talking to Diluc or herself anymore. Everything was blurred.

''Okay.'' Diluc leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest, pointing at the bag that was still on the table. ''Can I at least ask what's the deal with that?''

Y/n took a look at the bag and placed her hand over it, almost protectively. She could tell him at least that, right? ''I got in a fight with my father and I kinda ran away from home. I have to go to Jean's to see if I can stay over there for tonight. If not, I'll sneak back into my house somehow.''

Diluc's eyes furrowed. He pointed his finger towards his own cheek. ''Is he the one that did that?''

Y/n's hand flew to her cheek. It ached to the touch. ''Is it that visible?''

''So he was.''

''Don't worry about it.''

''Your father hit you.''

''Just once. It's no big deal.''

''Y/n, your father hit you. What do you mean it's no big deal?'' Diluc made a move to stand up. ''I'm gonna--''

She immediately reached over and grabbed his wrist, preventing him from moving. ''Diluc. Sit down.'' He watched her but didn't move. ''I said it's no big deal. I'm a knight, a soldier. I can take it.''

''Yeah, but not from your own father, who does he think--''

''Diluc, drop it,'' Y/n said as she started playing with her straw. ''I can take care of him myself if I'd wanted to, but I can't be bothered. I just want to forget tonight happened.''

Diluc took a moment before he finally sat back down. His eyes moved between her and the bag before he cleared his throat to catch her attention again. ''You can come stay at the Dawn Winery for tonight or as long as you need to. I'm sure your father won't think of looking for you there.''

Y/n shook her head. ''Thank you, Diluc, but I couldn't--''

''We're friends, aren't we? I want to help you,'' Diluc cut her off. Her eyes widened slightly. ''We have spare rooms, you can sleep on a bed. I know Jean doesn't have spares. And the maids will be there to help you if you need. You look exhausted, I know you need a good night's sleep.''

Y/n bit the inside of her cheek. ''I don't know, Diluc, I don't want to bother you.''

''You're not bothering anyone,'' Diluc reassured her again. His eyes looked softly at her, much like his smile. ''Neither Kaeya or my father would mind. Come on, at least for tonight.''

Thinking about it, he was right. The Dawn Winery had spare beds and her father would never think of looking for her there. Besides, she would only take advantage of his offer for one night. It couldn't be so bad, right?

''Fine.''