Contribution for Diluc's birthday.
A/N: I fell asleep while writing so it's late.. I slept for about 2 days..? ^^"
Gender-neutral reader.
Fluff.
Word count: 2.4k
All rights reserved.
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Not many knew of today's occasion and that was okay. It was understandable that others were not in a celebratory mood since they aren't close to the red-haired tycoon. But Diluc not caring for today was a big deal for you.
Birthdays, in your opinion, should be worth celebrating. So, even if he isn't in the mood to celebrate, you will make today very special and reserved just for him.
-
When dawn broke, Dawn Winery was just starting to wake up. A few words exchanged in the halls that was barely audible, light footsteps of the workers across the hall.. But you have longed woken up and was full of energy.
You wanted today to be all about him and so you left the manor without telling him where you were heading. This would mean that Diluc will later wake up to the warm sun shining through the cracks of the curtains, but still be empty and cold, and mostly questioning your whereabouts.
The walk to the city would take a while so you had to get up early if you wanted to meet up with Diluc's.. Somewhat allies.
The streets was quiet, aside from the occasional animal sounds and wind rustling the leaves from trees. There were other early birds like shop owners as well but they were yet to fully get into the Mondstadt groove.
You walked past the shops and stalls and up a couple set of stairs to the Knights of Favonius' headquarters.
When you entered Jean's office, Jean, Lisa, and Amber were already there, chatting as they waited for everyone to arrive. "(Y/N), goodmorning," Jean turns towards you and greets you with a smile.
"Goodmorning." You noticed that there were only three people in front of you and looked around the room before asking, "Where's Kaeya?"
The three women shrugged their shoulders. Just then, as if on cue, the door behind you swung open which drew all of your attention.
There stood none other than Kaeya himself. For someone who is late, he looked disheveled; hair not properly brushed, clothes not properly straightened as he covers his mouth to yawn. "Goodmorning.." he says lazily, blinking away morning tears.
"Uh.." You three stared at him but said nothing and excused his tardiness. "Alright, now that we all are here, let's start with today, shall we?" Jean starts but later decided that you should be the one to break down today's plan for Diluc's birthday.
You know that Diluc will go to the tavern today but you needed him to get out and stay away. You've talked to Charles a couple days back and promised him remuneration if he could take over Diluc's shift, to which he accepted.
It was agreed upon that while you distract Diluc from going to the tavern and think about work, the others will be setting up the surprise.
After separating, you went to look for Diluc who, not surprisingly, was heading to the tavern. "Diluc!" you shouted, drawing the man to a stop and turn his attention to your direction.
You smiled as you run up to him, stopping short by him. "Goodmorning. How did you sleep?" you ask. "Adelinde said that you off to the Knights of Favonius' headquarters. Did you have something you need from them? You do know that I'm right here," he said, clearly not amused that you went to the knights so early in the morning.
You chuckled. "It's nothing important. I was asking for for a simple favour is all." "Then surely you could have asked me to do it." Wanting to dispel the negative energy, you thought fast of a way to make him stop thinking about the knights.
"Oh, Diluc, you're so cute when you're jealous," you said, squishing his cheeks together. He was unimpressed but sighs, deciding to just let it go.
"Alright. I have matters to attend to and the tavern. I'll see you later at home," he said, putting a hand on your head before shortly removing it and continuing his way to the tavern.
"H, hey, wait a moment!" You grab hold of his wrist. He turns his head and look over his shoulders. He hums a questioning tone. "It's a good day today, don't you think? So, let's just stroll around the city."
He arches a brow. "What is it that you want?" he asks, not wasting time to beat around the bush. "I want to spend today with you.."
He gave a simple 'oh' and avert his eyes, saying nothing. "So, can we spend this special day together?" you pleaded. "I can't.. The tavern--" "I asked Charles to take over," you asserted quickly. "Don't worry, I paid him beforehand."
He looks at you and you looked back with doe-like eyes. After a while, he eventually gave in. "Alright.." You smiled brightly. "So, what do you have in mind?" he asks.
"Nothing! I just want to spend time with you and maybe treat you to something," you answered honestly. "I don't really need anything.." Diluc said and that was true. He was one of the richest people of Teyvat after all, ruling over the wine industry. "I will be fine with a stroll."
You nodded and interlaced your hands with his. It was currently quarter past eleven which meant you still had long hours to waste away. You dragged him around the city, looking at everything that is familiar to you yet unfamiliar to him.
Even though Monstadt is his home, he only ever leaves his house to attend to business matters or the tavern, never really taking time off to stroll.
"Oh! Diluc, Diluc, let's get ice cream!" you burst in excitement when your eyes laid upon a familiar shop. "Ice cream? Isn't it a bit early for you to eat that?" His eyes narrows as he gives you a questioning look.
You turn to look at him and grin. "It's nearly afternoon. It's okay!" He sighs, giving in to your pleas and buying you ice cream. Yes, he's the one who paid and this is when he would not allow to be convinced by you.
"You'll have a stomach ache," he said. But in the end, he was happy with his decision. It was a good choice if it meant seeing you happy when you two stepped out of the shop.
You two walked further down the streets with you sneakily steering the walk away from the tavern. Who knows? Kaeya might slip up and the surprise would be ruined.
At the thought of him, your eyes wandered around, looking for signs of him. But instead of Kaeya, you see Amber carrying a party box just up ahead which made you nearly choke on your ice cream that you sucked in out of surprise.
"Hey, are you okay?" Diluc turns his head to you, full of concern. "Yeah, I'm fine.." you said between fits of coughs. After you finally stopped coughing, you looked up and look for Amber. Luckily, she was nowhere to be seen.
You sighed a sigh of relief. She must have heard and see you nearly die that she ran away. Diluc notices this and looks over to where you were staring at before looking back at you. "What are you staring at?" he asks.
"Oh, it's nothing.." You forced a chuckle and smile. "You have been awfully weird today.." he finally says. "First, you left early in the morning when it's your day off.."
"What, I can't go out when it's my day off?" you weakly defended yourself. "There is no issue with that.. If only you do that on a normal basis. Typically, you'd be sleeping until 12 in the afternoon," he said. "And secondly, you went to the knight's headquarters of all places for no reason, you said?"
"Ah.." You had to think of something to say. Otherwise, the surprise birthday won't be a surprise. Your eyes darted around the place until finally, it landed on Flora.
"Oh, come here!" You dragged him to Flora's stall and greet the little girl with a smile. "Welcome to Floral Whisper."
"Hey, Flora, can I buy one Cecilia?" The girl nods and picked out a fresh Cecilia and give it to you and you exchanged it for a pocket change of Mora.
You then turned to Diluc who was still waiting for an answer. Smiling, you leaned close to him and tucked the flower behind his ear and moved away.
He crosses his arms, looking unamused. "(Y/N)." You laughed at how funny he looks with that face while wearing a flower. "Come on and smile for me." You stretch his face upwards.
Seeing that you weren't going to tell him, he gives in and sighs. He figures that he will find out later today just what you were hiding all day.
He walks to Flora and asked for another Cecilia and returned back to you. "Hm? Do you like Cecilias?" you asked, looking at the one in his hand. "Having a favourite flower is silly," he said.
He took a step forward and outstretch his hand and place the flower behind your ears. You face felt warm as he remained silent, inspecting you with the newly added accessory.
"Let's get moving. We still have the whole day to spend," he said, turning around and walking away. Seeing his figure moving away, you blinked from a trance and caught up to him, a smile on your face as you interlaced your hands with him once more.
For the rest of the afternoon, Diluc was out treating you to things that have caught your eyes. Funny, since you were supposed to be the one treating him.
Kaeya soon interrupted your little date, casually walking up to the two of you with a smug look to him. "Ah, at last. I found you two," he greets.
"And I was just wondering why you've yet to show up," Diluc spat. "You were slacking off, weren't you?"
Kaeya laughs. "Come now, Diluc, I didn't get to where I am by being a slacker," he said, raising his arms beside him and shrugs. The redhead scoffs. "You all are incompetent so what do you know about work?"
"Don't be so mean, dear brother. You're hurting my feeling, y'know?" Kaeya said but not even lifting a muscle on his face to express a little bit of hurt. "What feelings?"
"Ouch. You should have gotten a Cryo Vision instead. I think the Gods have made a mistake," Kaeya said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Anyways, (Y/N), we've already finished setting up and I was tasked to deliver you this message."
You smiled excitedly. "Thanks for your help, Kaeya," you said, confusing the redhead beside you. "Now, Diluc, let's head to the tavern."
"The tavern? What for?" he asks, allowing himself to be dragged by the arm. You look at him over your shoulder. "You'll see!"
A couple of steps and the three of you soon stopped right in front of Angel's Share. "Well? Go open it!" you urged him on excitedly while you and Kaeya stood behind.
Diluc eyed you suspiciously but did as told. "Surprise!" Inside, friends greeted him with a loud and enthusiastic voice.
"Hey~ Glad you're finally here, Master Diluc!" Venti waves over from the bar. "Huh? Venti, what are you doing here?" you ask, peeking your head from behind Diluc.
"I'm here for the free wi-- err, I mean, to celebrate Master Diluc's birthday!" he answers.
"Hurry up and get in already," Kaeya said from behind you. "It's starting to get too cold for my liking."
You gently push Diluc inside, somewhat listening to Kaeya's demand. "Well, since Master Diluc is finally here, let's get that cake, food, and wine!" Venti said, already holding a wine bottle in his hand.
Jean came from the back of the room, holding a nicely decorated cake that was lit up with a couple of candles. And everything goes as follows: you all sang to him a happy birthday and wasted the night away. You, like the others, took the partying to the next level, finding yourself too wasted to lift a finger.
"Haha, you can't already be drunk, (Y/N)!" Venti laughs from beside you, drinking his 50th glass and nudges you another one on the cheek.
"Alright, I think they have had one too many glass." Diluc intervenes what used to be a drinking competition. "Wha~t? That didn't even last long!" Venti cries.
"They've already passed out," Diluc said, taking off his coat to put it on you. "I'll be taking them home. You all enjoy yourselves."
"Oh? Well, don't mind me!" Venti said, getting another glass and also looking for Kaeya, hoping he wasn't drunk just yet.
Diluc left the tavern and the rest of the guys, carrying a passed out you all the to Dawn Winery where he immediately asked Adelinde to bring him a large glass of water for you.
He knew you were going to drink but he didn't think you'd be dumb enough to accept a drinking challenge from Venti who could drink beyond a mortal's expectation.
Inside his room, he bears the difficult of changing you. Even though you two have been together for a really long time, it felt wrong of him to do something like this, but you were awfully sweaty and needed to be wiped clean with a wet cloth.
He contemplated but after a while, decided to go through with it, caring about your hygiene more than anything.
He only heaved a sigh of relief once he got you into your nightwear. "You're really a difficult one," he mumbles, getting into his own fresh change of clothes and climbing into bed beside you.
It was still early night, not even near midnight when Diluc allowed his eyes to trace every part of your face, the moon helping him to see. You looked at peace but Diluc knows that you wouldn't be able to go to work tomorrow.
He might not have expressed it, but Diluc is truly grateful for today and to have you keeping him company on cold nights.
Gently, he brushes your cheek with a hand while his other wraps around your waist to bring you close for more warmth, and place his lips on your forehead for a short while.
"Thank you for today.. And I hope you know that I will always love you."
~♡~