When Is Glorious Masquerade Going To Get A Rerun In The JP Server? (゜-゜)

Helloooo! I hope you day is going well （＾ω＾）

Hiii!! My day is going okay, thank you for asking. ^♡^ I was starting to get sad when I haven't been receiving notifications for you (I hope it isn't my notifications acting up again) And what about you? Are you doing okay? I hope that that's the case. But if you ever need someone to talk to, I am always here! After all, this whole covid thing does mess up some people. :)) ❤

WAIT!! I didn't realize the birthday card was just a swipe away!!

FIRST ROLL ON IT AND GOT HIM. I HAVE AN OPTIMISTIC LOOK FOR THIS YEAR (2022)!!

Belated Happy Birthday! I hope your year ahead will be filled with new opportunities and blessings!

Hey! I remember you. :} Thank you so much for the blessings— I really appreciate it. <3

https://travellingarmy.tumblr.com/post/676368551709458432/i-am-the-anon-of-yan-diasomnias-last-request

Can you make part 2 for the yandere lilia x weak female reader?

Hello! I forgot that this one was in the inbox, but here is your request: Lilia Vanrouge - Sweet and Naive / "Our" Happily Ever After ! Hope you enjoy. :)

Ahh..!! I'm always behind on things with Twisted but now that I've caught up with the event..

Please!! I'm sobbing. She's such a cute old lady. 😭❤️ So sweet.

║Diluc║Found You 1

I was reading this oneshot in Tumblr (I forgot who it was from T^T) and wanted to write my take on how I imagined it would end.

Angst at first, I guess?

Word count: 2.8k

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You left like you were never there- there in Mondstadt, there in Angel's Share, there in Dawn Winery, and in his heart.

Travelling across Teyvat to run away from home, you encountered a fiery-haired young man dressed in foreign clothing. It wasn't a nice encounter in the beginning, of course; You stumbled upon the City of Freedom to hide for a while from the man who you had known as your father and had some encounters with the red-headed man that didn't create the best to be engraved in one's memories.

You later found yourself about to run out of mora thus you seeked out for a job. The job was at a tavern called Angel's Share. You really didn't know anything then but you regretted it once knowing who else was there. It was awkward at first and you certainly despised him. But soon, you found yourself enjoying his company. It started as a small, awkward conversation that slowly began to progress into a longer, and much enjoyable, conversation.

You went by an alias in the City of Freedom in fear that your father's men would find you. "What is your reason for being here?" he had asked one-time when it was just the two of you left at the tavern, cleaning glasses that the customers had drank out of. "Just a break," you had lied. He could tell that there was something more than that but didn't press further, guessing that you'll open up to him someday. Someday. If only that day hadn't come, you would've told him.

One night, you had been found hiding in Mondstadt by one of your father's men. They didn't directly approach you, no. Instead, a letter was given to you by the owner of the inn, saying that they were tasked to hand it to you. One look at it, you felt something drop in the pit of your stomach. There was only two words written in that letter which ended everything for you: found you.

You knew you had to move sooner or else you would have been caught, but because of the fiery-red head, you stayed and now you were found. It was pointless to run away now since you were most likely being watched nearby as you re-read the words.

Stuffing back the sheet of paper into the envelope and then tossing it in the garbage, you went to Angel's Share as usual with him there, waiting, unbeknownst of the eyes that secretly followed you to the tavern; you knew, of course.

You chatted with him as if it was another one of your normal days in hiding going under by your alias. When it was time for closing, you walked with him to the inn and asked if he wanted to come into the room you booked. He agreed blindly. There, you confessed since you were away from the eyes and ears that followed you all day. You confessed that you had been in hiding and that you were found. He knew what it meant and begged you to stay, gripping your shoulders harshly. Tears welled up in your eyes as yoy look away from his teary ones and breaking as you hear him plead, voice cracking up for the first time.

When he found out that pleading didn't work, he did the only he could do at this breaking moment; he kissed you. You stood there paralyzed and felt your heart breaking at his attempt of making you stay. The kiss escalated from that but you didn't stop him.

When all had died down and he fell asleep, head buried into your chest and arms wrapping tightly around you, afraid that you would disappear that night, you played with his hair. It was the first time you had touched his hair and had him touch you in a way you would never let anyone else do, but it would be the last time as well. "I'm sorry, Diluc," you softly whisper. Kissing the top of his head, you waited for the opportune moment where his grip loosened enough for you to escape his grasp without waking him up.

You picked up your clothes that decorated the floor and packed up what little things you had in a suitcase. When you were reaching to open the door, you took one last look back at the sleeping male. You quickly looked away as you were feeling guilty of leaving him after he gave you all of him.

When you walked out of the inn, the man who had followed you throughout the day stepped out of the shadows and greeted you with respect. "Master, the carriage is park just outside of Springvale. We must make haste before your father gets even more furious." You didn't answer him as your gaze remain on the ground before you. Nevertheless, you followed silently to Springvale and entered the carriage.

You departed in the silence of the night, leaving no trace for the red to find you.

-

How long has it been since then, you thought to yourself, staring blankly at the blue sky that seems to mock you in your gloomy state.

You sat alone at a table for one on your balcony, a tall tree in front of the house helping block out most of the sunlight and keep you cool in the heat. "Master/Miss, here's your grape juice and pastry that you wanted." A servant had entered your private room and set down a drink and a sweet for you. "Thanks, you may leave," you ordered in a cold tone. Ever since your return, you acted much different than before you left for Mondstadt. All you had been drinking was either water or grape juice and was feeling more tired by the day. You had completely lost the ball of energy that all of the servants once knew and loved.

You look down at the book on your lap and decided whether or not you wanted to continue reading it. You chose to close the book and wanted to take a nap in this weather. Slowly, you close your eyes but not before catching glimpses of someone in foreign clothing passing by aimlessly in the crowd.

When you awoke, you were gently being tapped on the shoulders by a maid. "Master/Miss, it's getting late and cold so you shouldn't be out here." They helped you straightened up and lead you inside. "I'll be skipping dinner tonight," you said and flopped on your bed, not bothering to change your clothes. The maid said a quick yes and left the room to give you your rest.

Since returning, you barely said a word to your father and ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner in your room. He didn't say anything about it as well so you continued to do just that.

Your hands dug underneath your pillow and felt something cold and hard. You straightened up and pulled it out; it was a red pendant that was given by Diluc many months ago. A smile cracked from your usually frowny lips at the thought of Diluc. Only he could make you smile now.

-

"Master, shouldn't we tell your father that you'll be heading out?" A butler that you had tasked to follow you around today asks, fearing that he would be the one to blame for not telling him. "Tch. He probably knows I'm out right now," you say, exasperated that he had to bring it up.

You wanted a stroll, that was it, but the butler just had to ruin the walk by mentioning your father. You aimlessly wandered the streets and looked at things that you found eye catching before continuing your walk. You speeded up your walk to sort of run away from your butler's worrying questions to save yourself the annoyance.

Amidst the crowd, that seemed to blur around you as they make haste for the place they needed to be, you had caught glimpse of a bright, red hair that made you stop and draw your attention to them. In that moment, you felt something in you drop as well as feel your heart starting to beat faster. It couldn't possibly be..

The thought was soon answered when the back of the fiery-haired male turned around, seeming to look for something or someone.

Your eyes widened and you stood there, stupefied to do anything and felt your throat run dry. Diluc. Why was he here, you asked yourself. Could it have been that he found out where you lived? But, that's highly impossible since you hadn't told him where you were from nor gave hints through your speech and actions that would help distinguish you from others.

Diluc's wandering gaze soon stopped when it landed on you. His cold look soon melted away like ice being melted by the heat when his were on you. As you two hold your ground, metres away from each other, you felt the need to run into his arms and let him take you away, but it was impossible to do that when you can't even go out without having at least one person trailing you from behind.

He slowly reaches his arm out as if he was expecting you to run to him anytime soon and grab his extended hand. "Master/Miss(Y/N)!" Your butler had finally caught up with you and you avert your focus away from him. "Master/Miss, you shouldn't leave my sight like this or else your father will scold you!" You dismissed his statement and mumbled a quick 'let's go' and turned to walk in the opposite direction that Diluc stood.

You were kind of relief that your butler had come at the right time and called you by your name since maybe that'll help with hiding your identity you used in Mondstadt. It crushed you to do this to him but the person he is most likely searching for had gone in the whispers of the night, leaving no trace of existence. You were not the you in Mondstadt that he knew and loved to the point he'd travel across Teyvat just to search for.

-

"Who gave you the right to issue your own orders?" you bellowed as you glare down at the maid who was on her knees. The maid had been working in the household before you had ran away to know you weren't the same anymore. "I'm sorry, Master/Miss, please forgive me," she said, staring at the ground, afraid to stare at your menacing eyes.

Instead of beating her up like a terrible person, you huffed and turned to walk out of the door. No one dared to follow you out in your fuming fit, albeit they might receive a scolding from your father.

You were hoping to see Diluc again but you weren't sure if he had come here for you or for some other matter. He probably hated your guts the moment he woke up in that bright morning to see his lover gone the very night when he pleaded for your stay. It was understandable and you didn't oppose to him being angry with you since you would probably be hurt and angry if you were in his shoes. Oh how cold and selfish of you to do that.

You smiled bitterly as you closed your eyes and recall the night that made you who you are now. Then, without knowing, you walked straight into the person you thought wouldn't loiter around the place till today- Diluc.

He grabbed you by the shoulders gently so that you wouldn't have fallen backwards and hurt yourself. Your eyes widened at the sight of the blanked-face male who towered over you with a menacing gaze far worse than the one you gave the maid.

"Um, my apologies, I-" "Zion?" You felt as if your heart suddenly stopped beating at the call of your alias. Your mind raced and panicked of what to do. Then, "I beg your pardon?" you said, playing him for a fool. Surely, he had heard the butler from your last outing call out your name and not Zion so you pretend to not understand.

Diluc stares at you for a couple more seconds before letting go of your shoulders. "Apologies. You look like someone I know," Diluc says, eyes slightly focusing on the ground. He bought it. But, you also now know that the reason he's here was to search for you- the one who broke him. You really wanted to just hug him at that moment but you knew better since you won't be able to escape with him now that your father knew you hid in Mondstadt.

"Oh, is that so?" you say lowly, slightly feeling yourself feel lighter. You wanted to run from thie situation, but then he'd find out. "Um, I'm sorry that I won't be able to help you. I must be going now.. I wish you luck in finding that person." You hurriedly waved him goodbye as you made a speedy walk away. Diluc, who stood at the same spot as he watched you disappear, had his frown replaced by a smirk and eyes soften from his cold ones. He had found something amusing.

You made a dash past everybody and locked yourself in your room, back leaning against the door. It felt suffocating when you talked with him; his intoxicating smell that you craved for so long suddenly engulfing you, your mind lost it.

-

You stayed home for two weeks, hoping that Diluc would be gone by now, before going out on a gloomy day. The clouds were darker in colour and looked like it was about to rain, but it didn't look like rain clouds. You strolled in the quiet streets early in the morning. It was a perfect time to take a stroll for anybody, really. The air was light of breeze and it wasn't bright-- the perfect whether for thoughts like yours.

"Found you."

The words that escaped from the familiar voice stopped you on your tracks and felt as if your heart was glass that slipped between one's hand. That intoxicating smell immediately wrapped around you as you slowly turn your head to look over your shoulders. There, the man who had been chasing you for months stood there with his stoic face.

He walks closer to you and left no more than a couple centimetres of gap between you and him. His lips cracks into a smile, taking in your pale-faced expression.

"How did you.." You gulped back a lump in your throat. "How did you figure me out?" Your eyes looked as if they were pleading as you stared into his eyes.

"It's what you said to me two weeks ago," he said. "Um, I'm sorry that I won't be able to help you. I must be going now.. I wish you luck in finding that person." That's when Diluc knew that you were the one who he had been looking for. "I didn't say that I was looking for someone, yet you assumed it without asking questions. You slipped up."

Your body now turned to him, your head droop down since you couldn't bear to look at his eyes, feeling the guilt come onto you harder. "I'm really a selfish and cold person, aren't I?" You chuckled, smiling bitterly at the ground. When he didn't say anything, you burst into anger, staring at him with your pleading eyes, grabbing him by the collar. "Please, say something- anything!"

"You're right."

Those two words calmed you down, letting go of him and backing away a little, your eyes returning to the ground. "You showed up in Mondstadt, showed me beautiful parts of you, giving me all of you, but disappeared silently just as you came.. You really are heartless, (Y/N)," Diluc said, crushing you even more. "But.."

Diluc then wrapped an arm around your waist and placed your chin between his index finger and his thumb, giving you no way of avoiding his face. "But, I still love you."

Tears were falling down the side of your face from the build up of many emotions from the moment you left that night. Diluc smiled which made you smile through the tears.

He placed his lips onto yours with the love he'd been wanting to give you and you kissed back with the equal love he gave. When you parted, Diluc said, "Please, come home with me. I know of your father and your situation but I can promise you that I'll protect you."

Without hesitation, you nodded. He escorted you to a carriage that was parked closed by and disappeared from the place you no longer called home as silently as you did when you left him in that inn.

"How did you know where I was?" you asked, a bright smile on your face. He smiles and held your hand tighter. "It took a while but I had distributed people across Teyvat and one of them found someone that fit an exact description of you here." The words warmed your heart and you rested your head on his shoulders.

"I found you, (Y/N), and I'm never letting you go."

---

Part two.

Ooff sorry this is my first time requesting and i checked the rules (i don't know if i miss something), can you write a continuation of the Yan!Lilia Vanrouge x fae reader? I mean i'm pretty curious of what happened after that. If you're not comfortable with the request you don't have to (^つωฅ^)

Stay safe and Healthy! Drink lots of water too!

Lilia Vanrouge x reader

Reader: Female pronounce/titles.

Warning(s): Yandere themes. Overuse of words. Abuse.

Word count: 6.4k

You don't need to read part 1 to understand. ^^

All rights reserved. Do not steal/copy and paste and upload it anywhere.

–

Note: Tldr: Reader doesn't get a happy ending. :]

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Part 1: Sweet and Naive

║Lilia Vanrouge║ Sweet and Naive Pt 2. / Invisible Chains

Dark.. Cold.. Those two words repeated in echoes in your head for what you could bet was at least a hundred years.

You were as lifeless as a doll, not even a sound of rattle from your chains. Your body stilled from having given up trying to fight, which you bet was how he would like it. If someone were to see you, they would think you were a sculpture. But you were a beauty that even a sculpture can't hold a candle against.

Your eyes slowly blinked, revealing to no one of just how void it was of activity. Your eyes no longer shined like they once were and quite literally. You couldn't see a thing with having your eyesight been taken from you.

It was futile to hope to have your eyesight back. It was pointless to wish for anything in fact. He would never let you go and him taking your ability to walk or even use your hands was enough proof of that. He even went through such lengths to bind your ankles and wrists to the ground. Even if you could move, you wouldn't be able to go past the door before being yanked back by the chains imbued with his magic that would trigger if you try to escape.

Having known his strengths, you could only have an impossible, crazy dream of the young prince of the Valley of Thorns stumbling down towards this place for a visit and helping you out. You knew no one with strengths that could outdo him. Not even the brave soldier in that storybook you once loved to read as a child who slayed the scariest dragon could hope to beat him. He was second only to the monarchy's strength so in a way, he held supreme over even the strong, mighty creatures of faes.

"Little fairy, are you ready to talk to me now?" A sickening voice you were O' so familiar by now that you've grown to loath speaks just behind you, making the owner of the voice's presence known to you. You would have known that someone was there if you were still considered a fae. Without your distinguishable features of strong magic and being reduced to nothing but a doll, you were all the more average than a human who lacked awareness of magic aura around them.

You didn't answer. If you were to speak now, you would only give him hope of something– anything and you didn't want that. You don't want to see him become so giddy and happy that you were finally falling prey for his traps.

"[Name]." The room's temperature quickly drops by a few degrees thanks to him. His voice was quite stern when he calls your name. Him dropping your silly nickname meant he was about to lose it. Every visit he makes, it seemed that he was slowly losing his patience and sanity with you. "This has gone for far too long."

You can tell that he was seething with anger at your silence. Good, you thought. You hoped that maybe he'd just end your miserable life right then and there, unable to control himself any longer.

The steps of heavy shoes makes sounds as he draws closer to your form. Once you were at arm's reach, he harshly turns your face towards him. His face contorted– but you couldn't see that– and angrily said through gritted teeth, "Stop playing with me, little fairy. What is it that you want?"

What do you want? If he asked you that hundreds of years ago, you would have answered what was in your heart– to set you free. You wanted nothing more than to travel Twisted Wonderland. Now, you couldn't care less. If you answered the same thing as back then, you were sure that he'd ignore it. And even if he granted your wish now, there wasn't any guarantee that he'd let you out for long. He'll always know where you are and will bring you back to your cage when he thinks that you've had enough of exploration.

When you refused to talk to him he roughly let's go of you and stood up. He stare down at your form, seeming distant as he contemplates on something. Having released a deep sigh, he leaves you alone once more.

–

You thought it would be a long while until you would hear the door open and close again, but you were apparently wrong. You mentally sighed at the disturbance of your peace, and just when you were having a conversation with yourself in your head.

When the door shut with a loud thud, you were expecting him to speak. It's just been an hour, you think, since he left so you did wonder what he wanted now. Surely he knows by now that you weren't going to give him any ounce of your limitless time.

"Um, lady..?" Your stoned facial expressions changed when your eyebrows raised. Your ears picked up a voice that was not familiar at all to you. Who was here? You were sure that your capturer locked you somewhere that no one would be able to reach you or to know of your existence. So, who was this person that managed to pass by the great fae and make it to where you were, several feet high above in some tower?

Seeing your head lift up, you hear an audible gasp. "Oh! You're real!?" The soft voice of the person was something refreshing to you as you've never heard of any other voice other than your own and your capturer. But still, you noticed that the voice did not belong to an adult but rather, a male child. What was a child doing all the way here?

You hear light steps make their way around to properly face you. “What are you doing here, Miss?” You weren’t sure where he was in front of you nor how tall he was, so you looked up a bit and hoped that he was there and not an inch off. Your silence made the kid raise a brow. “Um, do you not talk, Miss? Or is it that you can’t talk?”

He squatted down to be on the same eye level as you and rested his face on his knees. You heard him ruffling around so you guided your head to where you assumed he was now at. “Hm, so you can’t talk? That’s a problem then.. Maybe I can get you paper and something to write with!” Their voice was so sweet like a melody and sounded as if it did not belong to a fae of the Valley of Thorns. It sounded so carefree. Befitting of a child of innocence.

Ah. Innocence. Something that you once were. You missed the days where you used to walk around the village and the surrounding forest, oblivious of the crueler side of the world. You were innocent– free of sins and a child of purity who was just a naive– “little fairy”. His voice whispered in your ears and you were disgusted by it.

“There’s no need..” You finally spoke. “You’ll just waste your time.” The softness of your voice caught you off guard, and also the child. You always sounded either harsh or devoid of life.

"Ah, that's good!" By the tone of his voice, you could tell he was smiling and it made you feel like smiling, but your facial features couldn't display it. You once remembered how smiling could affect others and make them smile but you couldn't. "So, why are you here, miss?" He asks again.

You wished you could tell him, but he was a child and something a child has that could easily be taken away was their purity and innocence and once that's taken, it'll never be returned. But one thing that comes with innocence is curiosity and curiousity is such a dangerous feat to have. You should know it as yours was too long, long ago due to being so curious.

And you worried for the child's safety should you tell. He doesn't want anyone to know.

Seeing your head drop to stare at your lap, the little boy could tell that something saddened you. In fact, when he first saw you, he noticed how your eyes didn't reflect the light from the sun that stared down at you. And though you did not know it, the sun was caressing your form that at first, the child thought you were an angel. However, something didn't sit right with him and concluded that you were a shell of what once was an angel.

"It's okay to not tell me, miss!" he says. "My father taught me not to push people to talk about things they don't wanna talk about!" You were relieved, not that you were going to cave in and tell him anyway.

"Hm? Oh, it's almost time for dinner.. Father is going to start looking for me if I don't show up.." he said after minutes of silence and him staring at you curiously. "But, um.. Will you be okay here?"

Now standing up, he looks down at you who stared at the ground with hands on your lap. "I'll be okay." With that, you hear the light steps of the child make its way to the door. He stopped and turned his head to look back at you with a hand resting on the door. He has questions he has yet to ask with a pitiful look but he knew that his father would worry if he disappears for too long.. Maybe tomorrow he'll sneak back here.

And that's what he did.

–

You never got to ask the boy how he got in but you were sure he'd never come back. With that in mind, you just assumed he was a child of another high-status fae who came for a visit. You don't know of your location, but you assumed somewhere beneath the ground. It was always cold in the room.. Or was it just you?

You were left to your thoughts once more before you felt yourself dozing off. The next thing you know, you hear the shy clicking of the door opening. Not thinking more about it, you continued to close your eyes. You didn't want to talk to him.

"Lady? Are you still asleep?" Hearing the soft, welcoming voice of the same boy from yesterday, your eyes snapped open and your head shot up. "Oh, good! You're awake." You hear him draw close to you before sitting himself down in front of you. "How was your sleep?"

Ah. Did you sleep? You were sure that he was gone for just a few moments. Look at you, not even being able to tell the difference between hours and seconds.

"It was.. Okay," you answered, staring straight ahead with a blank look on your face. "That's good to hear! Father always says that sleep helps you grow tall. But I always fall asleep at random times that I'm not sure if it's a good thing anymore."

You cracked a small smile without noticing it yourself. Not to worry though, your little companion did. "Oh! You smiled!" he pointed out happily. "You didn't smile at all yesterday– I thought you couldn't smile at all." His comment made you quickly drop your smile. You weren’t offended by the comment, but you rather not wish to be able to smile anymore.

"Aw.." You can tell that he was now pouting but you didn't care. "You should smile more, miss! It looks better on you." The comment made you feel bashful, though you remained stone-faced. It has been a long time since someone has made an earnest compliment. You’ve only had few the moment you stepped outside of the protection of your little village– Ah, but now that you think about it, you did catch glances of him looking at the person who had given you words of praise darkly.

Just how long ago did his possessiveness sprout? You were too naive at that time and you curse yourself for it. If you knew about his dark obsession with you, you would have fled, using the darkness of the night as your cloak.

“Hellooo? Miss, are you listening?” The loud voice of the child brought you back and you looked up from your lap to where his voice was. “Oh! I’ve been calling you and even waving my hand in front of your face, but you didn’t react at all.”

“I’m sorry. I was just recalling some things,” you said. And it’s not like you would have been brought back by the action of his hands. “What was it that you were talking about?”

“Mm.. I was wondering what you do here. You look kind of lonely, miss,” he said. “And what’s with these things?” You didn’t see what he was pointing at, but you were sure that it was the chains that bound you to the room.

“These..” Should you tell him? Should you not? How else are you going to explain this? Seeing your reluctance to speak, he tells you yet again to not worry about it and to just ignore his questions. “Sorry for asking a lot of questions.. Father doesn’t tell me much of anything except things related to the Valley of Thorns so I got curious when I saw you.”

“You look like a fae but to me, you look like an angel,” he said, laughing cheekily at his own words. “You don’t look like the faes from the Valley though so is there another kind of faes out there?” This child asks too many questions, one after another, you concluded. He reminds you of the you from back then– ever the curious one. You bit the insides of your cheek, feeling a bit sour of the current situation. It feels as if you’re now taking in the perspective of your capturer and looking at yourself through another’s eyes. But you knew better and won’t allow yourself to spiral into madness because of him.

“Yes. There are other faes out there,” you answered. “I am not a fae of the Valley.” At your confession, the boy lit up. “Really? Since you were from the outside, can you tell me what it was like?” You felt him draw closer to you with enthusiasm. “Father said that I’ll be able to go out one day, but I still have to become strong before that happens.”

“I.. Didn’t do much adventuring,” you confessed, a hint of sadness hung on each word. There was silence after that with a heavy atmosphere bringing burden to both of you. The child opened his mouth to speak but before he could utter a single word, his ears perked up to sounds outside the door. “Shoot! It’s time for my sword training! Father is going to find out I was here.. ” You hear him scramble up to his feet. “Oh! But before I go, I brought you some snacks!” You hear the sliding of a plate that stopped in front of you. “I don’t know if you ate so I got you something! It’s not healthy but it’s all I can carry without being spotted..”

After saying a quick goodbye, you hear him run out the door. You had no need for food and opted that starving your way to freedom was the only option at leaving this hell of a place.. Not that you could even do that since he would find a way. But you appreciated the gesture of kindness. It..

Truly, it has been a long time since you’ve felt kindness from another. You wished you were able to see the young child with your own eyes, but that only meant submitting yourself.

The next time the boy showed up was 2 days after the last parting, though you did not know it since time for you was lost. Since then, he would find a way to sneak to your chambers day after day.

Until one day, you were beginning to question this kid, feeling a bit guarded despite his open nature. You liked how the boy was like a breath of fresh air, but something did not sit right with him finding his way back to you day after day. “How did you manage to get back here?” you asked with a stern tone of voice one day. You felt much more comfortable to ask him a question of your own. At first, you had your reservations about him, thinking that he must have been sent by him to manipulate you so you said little or nothing at all.

"Ah.. Don't tell father this.. He told me not to go here but I got curious," he answered honestly. Right. He’s always talking about his father but who is his father and why is he here? Where exactly were you locked up that this child could easily sneak in? “He kept saying that this part of the manor wasn’t where I should be playing, but I always see him go here with things sometimes.”

Your head shot up to stare straight at the area in front of you, where you assumed the boy to be. His father.. He goes here often? Then that could only mean– “You know.. I started wondering..” The boy started to speak, his cheerful tone gone, and pauses.

“You can’t see, can you, lady?” Your head snaps towards your left, his voice now in that direction and closer to you. Since when– “Your eyes.. They don’t reflect anything at all.. And they always seem to miss me.” He crouches down by your side. “I don’t know a lot and only what father tells me, but I can tell that you’re sad, lady.”

“I, if that’s the case.. Then maybe my father can help–”

Your heart quickens. “W, who..” You gulp back a lumped in your throat. “Who is your father?” you ask, cutting him off and then silently pray that that one cursed name doesn’t befall upon your ears.

What came afterwards made your eyes widened and your face grew pale. You felt lightheaded as the truth came crashing down on you. “Lilia! Lilia Vanrouge.”

“Silver.”

Your heart stops and drops to the pit of your stomach at that all too familiar, sickening voice. “Father!” The boy with a name that you now know as Silver got up to his feet. Crimson eyes looked at his son for a good few seconds and at you who refused to look at him and have your back do the job.

Lilia’s eyes narrow at the sight and returns to look at his son. A new found anger towards his son that he didn’t think he was capable of. “Silver, I thought I told you many times not to step foot in this area of the house.” He didn’t raise his voice but was quite stern. “I’m sorry, Father.. I was just–”

“Curious?” Lilia finishes and crosses his arms. Silver’s head droops down and fiddles with his fingers. “I’m sorry..” The room was still. You couldn’t see what was happening and it only made you worry for the boy. That was until you heard Lilia let out a heavy sigh.

He uncrosses his arms and softens his expression. “Though I won’t let this matter slide, I won’t make you do harder training to make up for it,” he said which made his son raise his head in hope. “Now, go back to the main part of the house.”

“You’re not coming back with me?” he asks. “No. I will join you shortly after.” His eyes wander from Silver to you. Silver notices it and glances back to where you sat. “Oh! Right, Father..” He looks at Lilia with a determined look in his eyes. “This pretty lady wants to be set free but she can’t because of the chains!” he started. “Can you please help her? She looks a bit sad.”

Lilia blinks owlishly at his son’s request but said, “I will have a talk with her first.” You didn’t want to talk to him and cursed him in your head. “Now, go back to the main area.” At his words, Silver leaves the room after one more look at you.

Both of you said nothing as you listened to the boy’s footsteps slowly fade down the hall and waited in silence a bit more.

“Now, little fairy..” You shuddered, disgusted by his voice and him in general. “Care to tell me exactly how long you’ve been talking with sweet, little Silver?” He leans back against the wall and crosses his arms, a small smirk tugging at his lips. You ignored him like you usually do.

“Still not talking, are we?” You hear him sigh. “Well, no matter.. I can deduce it to be at least a week since Silver has been sneaking around the place.” A week? To you, those peaceful days felt too short but in truth, a week has gone by?

“Hmm~ It’s just been a week but seeing as how Silver wants to set you free, I can surmise that he must be really fond of you,” he said. “Kufufu, just as I thought he would be.”

You clenched your jaw. “Since you now have a wife and family, are you finally going to set me free?” you ask coldly but deep down, there was a sudden spark of hope. Now that he has a sweet child, why would he need you there? “Hm~? A wife? I have no need for one when I have you, kufufu.” He answers. “You know, Silver isn’t really my biological son.”

He isn’t? As if reading your mind, Lilia chuckles. “Did you really think that I would have any other lover, little fairy?” he asks, amused. “Fret not. I am a devoted lover to his one and only wife.” “Shut it. I’m not your wife,” you barked back through gritted teeth, feeling the small hope in you fade away as soon as it came. “Oh? I suppose you are right about that.. Well, that is not something that would become an obstacle. I just need to marry you, yes?”

You bit your tongue, not wanting to talk to him anymore. Lilia sighs once more and zips his mouth– only temporarily though. Sometimes you were like a spoiled brat, Lilia concludes, staring at your back, covered by a single, thin white dress. You look exactly like how he had remembered you in his memory. An angel, he thought. Beings of purity just like how you are and will be like for as long as he lives. He will never let you step outside to the tainted world of Twisted Wonderland.

“Silver..” He begins, changing topics. “He’s a curious, adventurous one.. Doesn’t that remind you of yourself back then, little fairy?” Lilia smiles fondly, recalling memories of long-past history while you bit the inside of your cheeks harder. You hate how he always brings up history, especially about your relationship. He talks as if you two were ever lovers and that you were at fault for the sudden tragedy of an ending of the relationship. “You were much so shy and easy to fluster. Kufufu. Ah, the cute expressions you’d make.”

“Shut it,” you snapped. You hated the ‘you’ from back then and cursed her. You two weren’t the same yet he keeps deluding himself that you two were. “Getting angry now, are we? It’s certainly been a while since I’ve last witnessed such a sight for myself.”

“Anyway, back to the topic.. Silver wishes to release you from your chains,” he said. “I can’t say no to my little boy.. After all, he’s been talking about wanting a mother. He did mention a certain ‘angel’ whom he wishes to be his mother.. I suppose that would be you, yes?”

You said nothing. As much as you have come to adore that boy, no way would you sign yourself up to yet another enslavement.

You hear his shoes clicking against the floor until he stops right in front of you. “Now, I suppose that since Silver has already seen you, it would be rude to not give you two a proper introduction,” you hear him say and before you knew it, you were forced to close your eyes shut to see darkness once more due to the sudden light blinding you, even using your hands to shield your eyes.. Wait–

Squinting your eyes open, you could see the sun’s light passing through the window. You sat there, amazed as you stared at the long-missed sunlight in front of you. You looked down at your hands. They were trembling and felt weird to you but nevertheless, you could move them. “Kufufu. O’ don’t you look so cute, little fairy.” You turn your head to the side and see the face that was etched into your memories for all of eternity.

His long, black hair with pink streaks that made him stand out was the same length as you remembered. “Oh? Miss seeing my face, did you?” You became hostile once again at his comment but he only laughed. “Now, up you go.” He unlocks your chains with magic and pulls you up using his indispensable strength.

Caught off guard, your legs wobbled. “Hm? Oh, I’ve forgotten that your body forgot how to work itself..” he comments, blinking once before a smirk adorns his lips as a shadow cast over his face. “No matter.” He puts one arm behind your legs and the other resting on your back and lifts you up with ease.

“Kufufu, aren’t you adorable,” he comments, which made you knit your brows in anger. You attempted to hit him with your strength, but your arms were too flimsy after just gaining the ability to move. He chuckles at your weak punch at his chest. “Put me down. I rather go back to being blind than to see your despicable face.”

“Ah, I’m afraid I can’t, sweetheart.” He chuckles, clearly amused. Crimson orbs reflected you and he couldn’t help but grin cheekily. Ah, you were always a sight to see. It always hurt him how you wouldn’t talk to him and opted to have your back facing him at all times. You, however, weren’t the slightest bit happy and didn’t consider this act as something teasing that you see your fellow faes back home do when they were a bit younger when they were infatuated with another.

Little Silver, just as told, got comfortable in the living room and waited patiently as Lilia emerged from the dark hallways that lead to your prison with you in hand. You realized that your prison wasn’t actually a cell situated hundreds of feet down the basement and was, in fact, just a room in an old part of the manor that wasn’t used. It wasn’t all that complicated to get there at all and easily accessible should Lilia not have warned Silver to wander in that restricted area.

“Silver.” At the call of his name, Silver’s ears picked up and he turned his head. When his eyes reached yours, it immediately brightened with a cute, big smile on his face. Lilia sees this and smiles as he sat you down on a cushioned chair to the left of the sofa.

“I was hoping that I could give the surprise, but it seems as if you’ve already met her already.” “Silver, come and greet your mother.” You cringed at the title and the way he spoke but before you could do so much as to protest, Silver hopped off of the sofa and ran towards you.

“Wait, Miss, are you really my mom?” He rests his hands on your white dress that Lilia had you wore, still very much clean due to him changing you regularly.

You didn’t say anything. You don’t want to play pretend with your capturer but you didn’t want to hurt the boy. Lilia knows what you were up to but said nothing. He knows his son very much to fall for it anyway. Children.. Such a wonderful creation in this twisted world, he thought to himself.

When you looked at Silver the first thing you noticed was his unnatural hair colour and his bright, pale-coloured eyes. Right beside that, your eyes widened at the sight of his ears.. He wasn’t– “Fufu, I forgot to mention, sweet little Silver here is, in fact, not a fae at all,” Lilia leans in close to your ears to whisper. “Isn’t he just adorable?” He gave a breathy chuckle before pulling back.

“Alright, Silver, your mother is quite exhausted so for now, why don’t you go outside to practice your sword training? Malleus will be here to visit soon so why don’t you show him what you have?” Lilia shoos him away with an excuse just to talk to you one-on-one. He’s sure you have things to say.

He agrees and left the room just as told and when he was gone, you threw a spiteful look at him. “Don’t tell me you kidnapped him?” You ask with venom in each word. Lilia’s face shows shock but quickly returns to his playful look. “Fufufu, do I look like the type to you, my dear?” He said as he sat down on the sofa. ‘In fact, you are one’ you cursed him.

You said nothing more to the man, though it was a challenging thing to completely avoid him later on due to him living under the same roof as you. But that was all to change, you thought. Now that you were unchained to a room by magical chains, you had an opportunity.. You just had to wait. Sure, with Lilia’s strength and power, he can cast a spell on the entire manor itself and bind you to it, but even you knew that even the most powerful of the Great Sevens couldn’t keep up with their own spell for long. Soon enough, they will grow weary.

If he were to do that, you just had to wait until he grew too weak. You didn’t think he would put you back in that room and it was thanks to Silver. You had to let Lilia’s guard down for an opportunity to come. You see, he’s always had his eyes on you whenever you strayed away from either him or Silver. Though you don’t see him when you went on your ‘little walk’ around the place to familiarize the layout, you always felt eyes on you.. Though your escape plan wasn't through some secret passage you'll find. There's no way you can outsmart him this way; you'd just be doing what he thinks you'd do.

"Miss– Um, I mean, mother, can we play together today?" Silver asks with an expectant look in his eyes. "I.." You weren't yet used to hearing your voice, let alone comfortable to use them but what were you supposed to do?

"I'm sorry, I can't right now.." Yes, now isn't the time. After waiting and planning, Lilia has announced that he'd be going to the castle to run some errands for the future king of the Valley of Thorns.

You immediately stood up from your seat and walked past the young boy. You were sure Lilia had put some sort of lock on the escape routes you inspected months prior just as you had predicted when he said that Silver couldn't play outside today. All those exits were locked so neither you nor Silver could escape.. All except the most noticeable exit; the main door.

“Mother?” You hear Silver’s confused voice. You really did enjoy spending time with him but he was not your son and this was not your home.

Making a B-line for the door, your heart thumped loudly that you believed that if people were around you, they would most definitely hear. The exit was right there. You were so close. You could almost taste the missing freedom you hopelessly wished for for the past hundred or so years.

“Where are you going?” The tug of your dress made you halt just a few metres away from the door. You looked down to see Silver, holding you tight with his small hands. “Mother, father said that you’re still sick and that it’s too dangerous for you to go outside.”

“We can play together in the living room while we wait for father!” He smiles, though his eyes that reflected hurt betrayed him. Father this. Father that. Why does he always call him that? He is a good-for-nothing man who played himself in a delusion of pretend-family. And you? When did you sign up to play the role of mother in this entire clownery of an act?

“Let go,” you ordered, voice lowering down a few octaves. “But father said that I shouldn’t–” “I said, let me go!” You roughly tug back on your clothes and in the process, push Silver down. At that moment, you were filled with regret and thought to help him up and apologize but– “Mother, d-did I do something wrong?” Tears started to form in his eyes.

Your jaws clenched. No. No, you didn’t, you wanted to say. You looked at the door behind– the door that would lead to freedom– and to Silver before choosing not to stay any longer. If he could survive in this twisted place, you were sure he himself was no good either.

“Mother! Mother!”

When you opened the door, your heart immediately sank down to your stomach. “Father?” Silver says, standing up and wiping his face. “I thought you were going to the castle.”

Lilia takes one look at Silver, his eyes narrowed at the poor sight before narrowingly further at you with the most disappointed and angry look you’ve ever seen him. At the sound of a snap that echoed around the area, you suddenly felt gravity pushing you down to your knees. You groaned in pain as you felt it crushing you and Silver was quick to run to your side. “Mother? W, what’s wrong? Father, what’s happening?” He looks at Lilia, pleading eyes begging for an answer. Lilia stayed silent, a deep frown adorning his pale face. You struggled to look up but when you did, under the moon that greeted a fae of the Valley’s day and bid them a goodnight, crimson eyes glowed far brighter than you. A contrast to the ever-dark kingdom.

“Father, please!” Lilia ceased his actions and the bright glow of red slowly faded away. You gasped for air. You for sure thought you would die right then and there when you felt a bone in your ribcage break.

“Silver, take this gem and go to Prince Malleus.” He hands Silver a green gem whose glow keeps fading in and out in the same rhythm of a heartbeat. “A teleportation gem?” “Yes. Go play with Prince Malleus and Sebek at the castle. Your mother is very ill right now and I don’t want you sick.”

Silver looks at you before nodding in agreement. “I’ll see you soon, mother.” And at the sight of faint green smoke, Silver vanishes on the spot. “What a wasted stone, really,” Lilia comments cooly and sighs but when he looks down at you, you knew you were going to have it worse now that Silver isn’t around to be a witness to his so-called father’s crimes. “Now..”

He grabs a fistful of your hair and yanks you back inside. You shout in pain and tried to have you be released but his strength was no match for a weak fae who’s been protected all her life in a secluded village.

When he got to your shared room– well, supposed shared room– he releases you once locking the door. “I really don’t know what to do with you, [Name].” “Is that so? Good. Then you should hurry up and release m–” A harsh pain on your right cheek suddenly dulled your mind.

You touched your cheek and looked at Lilia. He had kicked you. His eyes were unreadable when he crouched down to your eye level and harshly grabbed your face. “I really do love you, [Name], but sometimes you are too much of a brat,” he said. “I didn’t want to hurt you but bratty girls like you need to be taught a lesson. Do you understand?”

“You really hurt Silver there.. You don’t think that I’m stupid enough to leave you unsupervised, do you?” With his free hand he beckoned over a small, dark orb with an eye from behind. “I thought I could trust you.. But apparently not.”

“Heh. If you trusted me, you wouldn’t leave that thing hiding close to me,” you said but cursed yourself about not knowing he had a spy on you at all times.

“How funny you are, my dear. I knew quite well of what you were planning to do.” He presses his forehead against yours. “I know you, after all.”

You wanted to bite back and attack him but with nothing– not even your natural magic– you were as hopeless as a human. “So you wanted to escape, huh? Might I need to remind you of how dangerous it is out there?” You called bull on his words. The only monster around here was him.

“My dear, even if you were to escape, where are you going to go? At least a hundred years have already gone by for us.. Do you really think that your home is still intact today?” Your brows furrowed. What was his game here?

With a wickedly wide smile, he tells you, “Your village? All your family, friends.. Anyone from that village? You’ve already seen their end many, many years ago. He had a look of craze in his eyes. You felt another part of you die. What? When? “Do you remember our little game of tag, my dear? The one with a burnt down village as our playground?” That’s when it clicked. “Fufu.. So, even if you were to escape, where would you go? A magicless fae can’t face those monsters out there all alone.”

Your eyes started to tear up and Lilia did nothing to wipe them away. “You’re a liar!” you shouted. “Me? A liar? Fufu, now don’t joke around like that. You know I’m not one to lie– even as a joke. You should know that as we’ve spent so many years together.”

“And remember this.. No matter where you go, I will always find you.”

~♡~

AHH!! He finally came home!! Happy birthday, Lilia! 😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️ May you prosper in yet another year of your very long life.

Since many are asking for a second part to Opposites of the War, I will write it. But, I would like to ask a question: what do you want to expect in the read? :) I'll do my best to fulfill them.

║Diluc║Adopted

Requested from Wattpad.

Child, male reader. Completely platonic.

Fluff.

Word count: 2.2k

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You don't know where you came from and neither did he, but that question doesn't linger on for too long, allowing yourselves to enjoy in each other's presence.

He wasn't one to have an interest in taking care of children, but ever since he found you in a woven basket in Wolvendom, he made you the centre of his life.

"Diluc, I want to train today!" Barging into his office, you greet him an enthusiastic- yet loud- morning, slamming the door wide open to create a booming sound that Diluc no longer gets a fright out of. "Can we go outside today? Please, please, please?"

He looks up from his paper to eye your person before returning his attention to the paper. "We can go out today, but it will be to the tavern. I have something to do."

You pout and slumped onto a nearby chair, your ears slightly drooping down like the hybrid dog you are. There were few people who had an animal appearance like you and perhaps that might have had been the reason he was drawn to you.

"I said I want to train, not follow you on your errands!" head snapping up as you whined. Diluc slowly closes his eyes and sighs, quite tired from the work yesterday and the added work today. However, he knows how persistent you were and how you would get annoying by the day that even Adelinde starts to get a headache. With that knowledge, he stood up shortly and looks towards your petite frame.

Your eyes sparkled and a child-like smile forms on your face, knowing what he'll say next. "Did you have breakfast already?" Diluc asks, although it was nearly afternoon, and you nod almost immediately. "Then we'll go out and quickly visit the tavern. Afterwards, we can practise your archery." If he was going to shut you up while doing his work, this method was always effective.

You hop off the couch and rushed towards the red-head, grabbing his hand and allow him to lead the way.

Although he adopted you, he did not put himself as your father on the paper and asked of you to call him by his name only, but that didn't matter to you.

You bid Adelinde goodbye and outside, you took big leaps, excited to get on with archery. "(Y/N), slow down. You'll trip and then we'll fall," Diluc points out, slightly bending as he chases after you, trying to keep up in the light of your steps.

You slowed down, walking at a more comfortable pace. For you, stamina was everything but since Diluc wasn't a child, he couldn't go as fast as you wanted. "Sorry, Diluc."

However, throughout that walk, you did stray from time to time, sometimes letting go of his hand to peek what could have been hiding in rustling bushes. "(Y/N), come back here," he would say, gaining your attention back to his side.

Upon entering the gates, a particular someone just had to show up. "Oho~ Fancy meeting you here, Master Diluc," the all too familiar Cavalry Captain greets, souring Diluc's day. Kaeya's smirk stretched a bit, looking quite smug as his eyes move from him and to your petite stature.

"And good morning, (Y/N). Are you here to run errands with Master Diluc?" He asks with a close-eyed smile, ignoring the murderous aura coming from his brother as he leans down to your level, hands on his thighs.

You nod. "I want to learn how to charge my arrow like Fish lady!" you say with a gleam. Kaeya stares dumbfoundedly at you before finally realizing that you were referring to Fischl from the Adventurer's Guild. "Oh, I see That's some intense training, but I'm sure that you can pull it off." He ruffles your hair and chuckles.

"Sir Kaeya, as a captain, you have an awful lot of time to waltz around lazily," Diluc comments, his grip on your hand tightening, but not too hard that it would hurt. This comment's venom flies by over the aforementioned male as he chuckles, shrugging. "What can I say? I'm sure you're well aware that Grand Master Varka has taken all of my knights. Who am I supposed to captain?"

You mused at the two brothers' bickering silently and see that Diluc's eyebrows were twitching-- most likely from the annoyance his brother is giving him. "But as a knight, you should have at least something to do."

"I do, and that's speaking to (Y/N)," he says. "It is a knight's duty to make sure the people are safe and so, I am speaking with him to make sure he isn't being forced into training by you. You know how wrong that is, don't you, Master Diluc?"

"Tch. I'm well aware. And on that note, I believe you're more capable of doing that than I," Diluc crosses his arms as he spoke. It was getting to the point that your feet were starting to annoy you. Standing still was not something you like doing. "Diluc, can we go now?" You tug on the hem of his coat with your free hand and pouted slightly.

This got both of the brothers' attention and they looked at each other. "Apologies, but we have to go now. You know how children are," Diluc says, feeling quite happy.

"Aw, (Y/N), doesn't want to stay with me?" Kaeya pouts. You shook your head and smiled. "I want to train!" you voiced. Kaeya hums in acknowledgement. "Hm, I see. Then, I won't keep little (Y/N) too long. But promise me you'll play with me next time." He offers his pinky finger and you took it, lacing your smaller pinky. "I promise!"

After that, Diluc tugs you along lightly, not wanting to stay anywhere near the captain, heading towards the tavern to speak with a waited person. "(Y/N), you sit here, okay? Don't stray away." Diluc says and helps you up on one of the chairs outside. You nod, swinging your legs that dangle off of the chair. Diluc stares at you and shows a small smile, ruffling your hair, and then walking off.

You were left alone, but not truly alone as you see Diluc not too far from you, talking to a man who looked wealthy themselves. It was probably a business negotiation of some sort, but you were too young to be bothered by trivial matters that did not involve you.

"Hey, hey, look at him." Whispers. To an average person, they wouldn't be able to hear it, but you weren't, and so, you heard children whispering behind you. It was also evident that they were talking about you as you heard another whisper, "He has doggy ears. I want one."

You thought they would just talk like every other person, but that thought was dismissed when you hear light footsteps coming your way. You turned your head to look down at the other children. There were two boys and a girl. The girl was most likely younger than you and the boys were older-- older than yourself. They look like trouble, you thought to yourself.

"Hey, you!" The first one to speak was one of the two boys. He has jet-black hair and wore thick glasses. You hopped off of your seat and stare at them silently, waiting for them to continue. "Is that thing on your head real?"

"Uh, yeah, it is," you answered, getting off from the chair to have a proper conversation with them. It was a common question asked to you that you lost count of how many times someone came up to you and ask.

"I don't believe it," he voiced, crossing his arms and lookin smug. "Yeah, let us touch it," the second one spoke. Your brows slightly furrows. Who were these kids and why were they suddenly asking to touch your ears? Yeah, sure it was strange and not human-like, but who gave these kids courage to spew words like that?

"Sorry, but they're really sensitive.." you state, your brows slightly furrowing. "Oh, please. I bet you're just saying that because it's actually fake!" Without warning, he reached for your ears and tug it harshly and you yelped at the pain. "Woaaah! Did you glue it onto your head? You're so weird."

"Please, let go." You knew how much stronger you were compared to average children, seeing as you had a vision and was trained to combat and so, you didn't dare use force to get him to pull away, wrapping both of your tiny hands on the wrist outstretched to you. Diluc always reminded you to never harm others. "Please, let go!" you repeated, slightly louder than before. Water started to form on the corner of your eyes the more he pulled on your ears.

In response to your distress, your vision glowed and sent a tiny shock of electro from your hands that held onto his. It wasn't harmful, but just enough to make the kid hiss and stumble back. "H, hey, what did you do to him?" The girl reached for her friend, looking at the hand that had a slight purple to it from you.

And to make matters worst, an older woman came running towards you four, seemingly to be one of their mother. "What's going on here?" the lady asks. "Mommy, look what he did to me!" the boy showed his wrist with tears on his face.

With one look at it, the lady turns towards you. "Excuse me, do you have any idea what you just did?" "I asked him if his ears were real and he suddenly attacked me!" Liar. He was lying, but you had no one to back your claims.

She huffs. "How dare you! How would you like it if someone were to do that to you." She reached her long, slender arms for your wrist. "Where are your parents? I'll have them know how naughty you are." Grabbing your wrist, she tries and drags you from your spot.

"That won't be necessary." Just in time, Diluc came back with the same, glaring-like expression on his face. The woman's eyes widened and with a gasp, let's go of your wrist. "Master Diluc?" she calls.

Diluc looks at the woman and to the children, inspecting the wrist that had been bruised. He had heard the conversation from where he stood and sped up his meeting with the person.

"Tell me what happened?" he asks, eyes returning their attention to the woman. "Well, this brat here injured my child and I was about to look for his parents."

"Oh, really? (Y/N), don't tell me you've forgotten what I told you about using your vision?" Although when he asks this, he already knows the answer. You shook your head. "I didn't mean to hurt them, I promise! They were pulling in my ears and.." Your voice grew weaker into silence, drooping your head down, thinking that he wouldn't buy your excuses.

Diluc sees this and immediately kneels down to your level, putting a hand on your shoulders and gain your attention. "Hey, look up. If you know that you are in the right, there is  nothing you should shy away from," his voice was low and spoke softly to you.

Your eyes brightened up a bit and Diluc smiled-- not showing it though. He lifts you off of the ground, putting and arm under you for support as the other went on your back.

The lady was confused but most importantly, scared. "If you're looking for his guardian, you're speaking to them," Diluc spoke, eyes glued on you whilst the words directed to her. "But before you do that, demand the truth from your son." With that, he walked away, leaving the mother to ask what really happened while he comforted you.

You wrapped your arms around his neck and bury your face on his shoulders, trying hard not to let a single tear slip. You idolized Diluc for his skills in combat and his ability to never cry and so, you didn't like crying. It made you feel weak and nowhere near to become like Diluc.

"Hey, it's alright." He rubs your back, noticing your shaking body trying hard not to cry. "It's okay to cry, but don't cry for foolish people. You'll just give them what they want." In moments like these, you see Diluc as a father with his comforting words and life lectures.

You hummed and became silent. Yes, you can't cry for those types of people, you comfort yourself. Taking a deep breath, you peel yourself from his shoulders and showed him the smile that he would never admit he loves to see. A smile that gives others strength with the look of fire in your eyes.

"Alright, do you want to train now?" he asks, slightly smiling. You nod, but stopped yourself. "Wait, don't you still have other things to do?" you ask, to which Diluc ruffles your hair with his free hand. "Those can wait tomorrow. I could use some rest right now."

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