sempiternals | softer than rain, harder than pain

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softer than rain, harder than pain | @dawnbreaked

[ Trusting him was a mistake.

It was easier when she was a free agent, not having to worry about anyone else, focusing only on what she needed, what her company needed, working on a professional and not personal level, keeping her distance from others and letting them keep their distance from her.

It was lonely, but it was easier.

As a free agent, for example, she never would have been pacing the kitchen of the Dawn Winery with clenched fists and burning eyes, trying not to just snap and break something while Diluc's staff tend to him behind closed doors, caring for him through an unconsciousness going on at least a few hours now. She wouldn't be trembling with the cold horror of her Vision's resonance, nor dealing with tears she's unable to hide, sparkling as they are like diamonds frosted to her eyelashes. It wouldn't have been her for whom Kaeya came running, grave anxiety written over his face, tears of his own evident in the redness of his eyes and cheeks despite his attempts to hide them; she wouldn't have even known this was happening—

Somehow the thought does nothing to ease her churning, angry stomach. Eula closes her eyes and cups a hand over her mouth, convinced for a moment she's going to vomit. The free hand waves away whatever staff member it is who's trying to comfort her— she doesn't know these people, not enough for this— before coming to rest on the counter in front of her. She can feel the anxiety trembling through her skin where it contacts the furniture.

I swear, Ragnvindr, she thinks, a tight hold on the counter as if that will somehow make it better, if you get through this I'm going to kill you myself.

...

He'd better get through this. ]

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(Though he did as she instructed, with a manner of care in her 'demand' which she later mentions to do anyway. He knew that he still wouldn't be able to move but it didn't help very much like the first time he found himself unable to look away from her; he stares as he's always done without a second thought. The obvious attraction and thoughts of her still taking his breath away even now hovering there, he couldn't help himself in that regard either.

Diluc can truthfully say even now he'd never lose that feeling he gets from them both laid bare around one another whether it be after such moments of passion or not.

He did have a similar idea that he would have to wait, which is the intention, whenever he's healed he'll answer back with his own feelings and she can be certain of that too in the way that his own gaze softens even if he has his own hunger lacing every part of it in response to her. The heat filling his eyes and everything soft as ever toward her who he thinks now he yearns for deeply.

There's enough room as she wanted too before he near wonders if using his hand on her would count as moving too much. Likely would so he won't dare press that issue unless she chooses to take one of them instead once he finds himself hissing from pleasure again. The thoughts gone as quickly as they came between that and another kiss between them for now.

He'll count this as being enough of a second miracle that Adelinde is choosing to not come up to check on them.)

[ Admittedly, Eula hasn't even considered the idea that someone might come to check on them. It likely comes in part from the fact that deep down she knows she's being selfish with his time, that there might be others who want to check up on him, to make sure he's okay... It's knowledge she has, but pushes down, wanting to focus instead on him, on the fact he's here and next to her, breathing—

—and hissing as he takes her mouth with his, capturing her moan as her hips cant toward her hand, aching in pleasure and need.

(Because oh, does she need—)

Her return of his kiss is a little sloppier than it might otherwise be, distracted in the way she rubs and rolls her fingers over him, slowly coaxing his body into wanting as much as his mind and heart do, fingertips stroking over his slit before cupping and sliding down his length, slow, drawn-out pumps of her open fist— But distracted even more by the way her legs flutter in anticipation; the slow pace is too little for the hunger, and it's almost impossible at this point to keep her hand in steady rhythm with his, her hips arching, body aching and trying to force her to move her fingers faster, push them further in search of pleasure she won't give herself just yet. It has her keening into his mouth even as she returns the kiss as best as she can, as she pants and moans and trembles next to him.

(Would that he could touch her too, she thinks, but the stubborn worry holds him back from asking it aloud.) ]

(This isn't something he's thinking much of either now about others coming to check on him; instead he focuses his attention on her. There's a want to touch her too there, it's obvious in the way his hand near twitches from him attempting to remind himself she said he can't move. Would she mind if he did move his hand at most given he's certain she can feel the heat of it from their current position? And perhaps how it's twitching and easing as a reminder she hasn't taken it herself.

That thought aside, he's also reaching a point his own body is craving more finally too with the way he's starting to throb, to ache, and to just simply crave her further beyond the slow pace. Maybe it's why during the kiss he can't help but murmur:) ... did you... want to use my hand then instead...? (Stubborn worry seems to have gone out the window finally, traded with a desire to touch her instead of holding himself back as he tried to earlier.

It's impossible to ignore it in the need he has, if he can't take her the way they both did desire thanks to his injury for now then he'll give her his heat in any other manner she wishes. Truthfully he doubts at this point he'd have minded if she quite literally found other ways to take advantage of him being unable to move if anything catches her fancy.

... gods, Kaeya would be laughing right now at the thought of Diluc doing something that obscene like letting Eula sit on his face if she wanted to or anything else.

But that isn't the point of him wanting to let her do whatever she chooses with him whether he's injured or not when their heat and more becomes unbearable. He'll let her take as she wishes too to, it wouldn't be fair if it was simply only him taking in the end as is.)

N-No.

[ It's not true; she does want his hand, almost desperately so, especially with the heat she can feel from where it sits, the heat it's generating in response to Diluc's want; she knows he wants to do it just as much as she wants him to do it— And yet her words hold firm between their lips, even as her hips stutter in frustration against her own fingers. ]

Told... told you... mmn. [ It's hard to even finish a sentence. She swallows hard, parting from the kiss long enough to do so, her breath harsh against his lips as she tries again: ] Told you not to move. That... a-ah, that would be moving. So no...

[ She presses her lips against his again, perhaps an effort to prevent him from arguing against her on it, her movements continuing at a pace far too slow for her own liking, although as she feels him hardening under her touch once more she does allow herself to speed up just a little. ]

Is it... it's okay? Not too much too soon?

[ And then, without even a pause for breath, a gasped-out request, the idea striking her lips before it even settles in her mind: ]

Tell me what you would do. If... If I let you touch.

It's not... too soon. (What he would do then for her second question...? It's hard to think of it, the thought of touching her is there but he's certain on one thing about it even as he finds himself having small ideas about it between kisses. Between them both having to breathe; right as he parts his lips in response to it though it took a beat for him to gather his thoughts together just enough.)

... maybe... press the heat into you... slowly... first. Work it into you through my fingers... but not enough to burn. (He wants her to feel pleasure not like she's going to have somewhere that sensitive melting and on fire in a painful way. Though he's positive she'd kill him if he did burn her folds.

His resonance can always complicate things which is maybe why he idly wonders if he should mention the other thought that he knows Kaeya would in fact label him obscene about with his usual tone being all too cheerful about it. Even if he'd want to punch him for it, it's still something Diluc himself wants to potentially do if she wants it more.)

That or... if you wanted my tongue instead... (At the cost of them not being able to kiss for awhile because he'd put it to task on her in retaliation to being driven this insane from want. Like right now with how much he's hardening and gods is it starting to get unbearable in both forms.)

Mm, good... [ It's what Eula says out loud, even though her mind is singing praises of thanks to Barbatos, because she's simply not sure for how much longer she can continue at this pace without breaking; and so having him confirm his readiness for her changes her pace instantly, the hand wrapped around him starting to stroke faster, almost pumping more than stroking, no longer spending the time to slowly and teasingly explore but giving him everything.

And at the same time, she spreads her legs a little wider, two fingers pressing into her entrance in a hard and fast rhythm, just in time for Diluc to start answering her other request, talking about pressing the heat into her... about taking his tongue to her...

She curses against his mouth, hips canting against her fingers almost frantically at this point, her movements against him stuttering just slightly although after a moment she manages to gain her momentum back, matching her own rhythm as she gasps and moans. ]

Gods. Tell me... tell me what you'd do with your tongue, Ragnvindr. Please.

[ Forget his resonance, she's burning up all on her own, practically able to feel the heat of his fingers in her despite the reality of it being her own cool touch, stomach clenching and thighs trembling as she draws ever closer, breath ragged and helpless. ]

(At this point talking near feels impossible even as he tries to get the words together. How would he show her without going there... it's a thought he had until he remembers the way she tortured him before with running her own tongue across his lips. There's enough of an idea springing to mind that if words are going to fail him then maybe he can show her with that to a degree knowing the searing heat of his tongue in these moments.

Though he's grunting quietly against her lips, it isn't long before he starts to use some of his newfound thoughts to his advantage but not before trying to get out some manner of words:) ... it near... feels impossible to think, so I'll show you another way. (Would Kaeya be proud of him? Probably. Whenever he runs that searing tongue of his across her lips, tortuously slowly, he's teasing her just about first knowing the heat of it.

Knowing that she can't get enough of that heat either. It feels almost like as if despite injury he's growing confident enough to experiment or maybe use other methods to express his intentions for these things since he knows that normally he tends to go off her mood. Initiating this is going to be a first since originally it was her tongue coaxing his to act to begin with anyway; a fact which he's hoping he learned enough from.

Honestly Diluc's more thankful that the experience he got from their time... dating? He guesses it's dating, was more than enough to learn from though some things like dirty talk are out of reach. Enough that Kaeya would laugh the two of them aren't use to it; maybe enough that Diluc would pour more mint berry down his throat.)

Edited (I NEED TO STOP DOING THIS WHILE WAKING UP.) 2023-01-22 17:02 (UTC)

[ He'll... show her? Doesn't that mean he's going to move? She's meant to stop, to pull away if he tries to do that, and yet she... she can't stopm not like this, not when she's getting so close, when—

The conflicted thoughts are silenced by the slow, torturous stroke of his tongue over her mouth, mimicking the way he might explore between her legs, and Eula lets out a helpless cry, the movement of her fingers moving in a sudden staccato as the wave of pleasure hits her, hips jerking up in a helpless, untimed motion, walls clenching and pulsing around the intrusion of her fingers. The pumping of her hand on his arousal stutters in much the same way, for a moment losing the rhythm until she steadies again, her breath coming in short and sharp gasps against his lips.

She's still... ]

Just, mm... just once, Ragnvindr?

[ She was trying for something teasing, but the words that come out of her mouth are pleading and helpless, shaking with the onslaught of her orgasm. The truth is, he's right— she can't get enough, not if the rocking of her hips against her own fingers is to be believed, her movements not slowing but actually speeding, keeping pace with her other hand pumping over Diluc's hardness, her mouth against his without seeking to kiss, wanting more of the teasing of his tongue. ]

Please...

(He's not going to move on top of her, thankfully, teasing her mouth like this is enough for him. She won't let him move so this is fine enough with how close he's getting to begin with; he can feel himself nearing the edge fast even now. His tongue soon enough once her mouth is back against his with parted lips, with it teasingly brushing up against hers once given the chance after the last time she speaks. The heat of it being strong, searing in comparison, but keeping a slow rhythm in the way it brushes up against it, the way he's using that to make himself not dare think of moving.

It's hard to focus knowing that he's on his way to his peak but he has to give her this much; he wants her to know what he'd do if he could since he doubts the obscene act coming to mind would be a good idea to begin with knowing he is still injured and he's not certain is suddenly trapping his head between her thighs would help either. Part of why Diluc is deciding to not bring it up is thanks to that.

For now his moans are escaping him into her mouth since it works to make sure nobody could catch them, he thinks, since really he doubts Eula wants to be caught with him tongue deep in her mouth in the middle of them letting out emotions they've both long since avoided. To the point of it being a wonder that he can actually do these things without feeling some manner of repulsion.

Gods. He still remembers how he thought himself hopeless and this just reinforces the belief with him simply wanting to give her what he can knowing he can't move without hurting himself more.

To give her everything he can so that she knows he's still here with him feeling himself near borderline pulsating with how much he's holding back just to let her have that. All with the way he's using his tongue to tease her own, all with him giving her his heat like this.)

[ The slow teasing of his tongue along her mouth, mimicking what he would do between her legs if given the chance, makes her gasp and part her lips a little more to him, hips stuttering against her fingers as if somehow the feeling can be transferred in such a way, even if the slow teasing of it is so different, contrasting so sharply from the quick, near-frantic movements of her hands.

He's doing a good job of staying quiet, and she's trying too but not doing quite as well at this point— whether it's due to the fact that she's recovering from an orgasm or building up to another or perhaps some combination of both, the result is that her moans and gasps against his mouth are a little too loud for her to be okay with later on... even if right now she doesn't notice or care.

Right now, honestly, she doesn't notice or care about anything at all. Even the thoughts of how much she's changed are long gone from her head, clouded over as it is with desperation. ]

Ragn—vindr...

[ It's a helpless, shaky moan against his lips, Eula gasping out as she comes on her own fingers again, and this time her movements over his arousal are stalled for a few seconds, grip a little too tight around his base, forming a barrier of sorts as her fingers tense involuntarily, a curse on her lips after a moment before she loosens the grip— but does not yet start stroking him again. ]

S-sorry, just... just a second, I just need...

[ She doesn't even realize how she might have affected him, between the fingers still buried deep within her and the haze in her mind trying to find any leftover sanity to recover enough that she might continue.

(By the Archons, it doesn't help that the only thing on her mind is that when he does that to her for real, it's going to break her in two...) ]

... you don't... have to keep going if you want to rest... I can probably... (Probably get it back down even if the ache of it just hit him from being edged like this. Ironically another thing they may have just found out again without intentionally looking; gods, how much more is there they'll find? He's all but positive that it's going to result in them winding up at some point in some manner of compromised position if Kaeya decides to surprise visit during the act.

A thought which would annoy Diluc but right now he's not focused on that knowing that he's more worried about her current state from imagining the heat of his tongue due to his ministrations with just about entangling their tongues together. Admittedly the grip she did have before she loosened up did little to help the ache but not in a bad way.

If anything it pleases him that he has that much of an idea on how to get her imagination going for whenever he could.

For the time being however, he's certain that she'll be pleased to learn with this wiping him out he definitely will not be moving until her next visit. Unless she decides to talk Kaeya into covering for her for awhile to keep an eye on him in which case he wouldn't be fazed by that; really it'd sound about right knowing he shouldn't be moving much.

And his stubbornness can cause issues occasionally.)

Just... take your time, maybe when I heal enough...

[ Right now, Eula's brain is too frazzled to really get much of what's going on, at least to the extent of understanding that she's halted his orgasm right at the edge, much less why he would tell her it's okay if she needs to rest; the only thing on her mind right now is making them both feel good, showing him what her words can't say by sharing this with him, and so he's met with a small confused frown and a shake of her head.

She's silent for a few moments, unmoving except for the returned ministrations of her tongue with his, the soft panting against his lips, the involuntary jerking movements of her hips as they spasm through the last moments of her second release in mere minutes. Only then does she speak, her voice a whisper: ]

I'm fine.

[ And her hand starts moving again over him, a pumping motion at a speed quickly growing to match her movements from before; the other hand with its fingers still pressed into her moves too, slipping out from between her folds and raising between them, pulling back from his exploration of her mouth as without a moment's thought or hesitation she slips those same fingers between his lips, letting him taste her the way he would if his tongue was where she's been imagining it to be.

Involuntarily, she bites her lip, the sight of him sending a shiver of pleasure down her still-tingling spine. ]

(He only suggested it out of worry despite the fact he wanted to keep going too with how she reacted. It did alleviate said worries to see that she isn't as bad off as he would have thought knowing that he did give her enough of an idea on what he wants to do to her, maybe as he thought he doubts he'd be able to talk the way Kaeya does shamelessly but... if actions are enough then that's fine by him. Especially if it makes her want more of it for after he's not laid out in bed.

Diluc does hope she realizes that whenever he's at a point his back isn't an issue that he intends to make good on his 'teasing' in some manner. All by giving her his answer since he couldn't fully now; the answer she'll get is going to result in another day of work missed perhaps even if neither of them mind the thought after memories of when they couldn't hold back in Mondstadt came to mind.

Those thoughts soon enough however were gone, faster than the winds that travel around, faster than they came once she picks up her speed again. He wasn't at the peak as he was earlier but it was making a rather quick return, by how he groans from how drawn out it was. She might not miss he liked this happening but he can't say that it's another thing he dislikes her having knowledge of about his body; it is after all his trust she's getting in the way he gives it to her.

His mind had been distracted enough to at first half notice she was doing something, moving, he almost thought that Eula was about to start on herself again whenever he feels her slip her fingers right into his searing hot mouth. He almost blinks at the realization of what's happening before he runs his tongue along them with a pleased hum at the taste.

Perhaps a good thing she did this since ironically by the time he reaches his peak he near was too loud, without it dampening the sound of him moaning anyway when his second release finally comes. Gods, he's feeling dazed from the heat leaving him fully, returning to its usual pitch in his body until they find themselves unable to hold back again.)

Edited 2023-01-23 17:27 (UTC)

[ Truth be told, he's not wrong in thinking that she'd be pretty badly off right now. Her focus is still shot, and in reality it's only her desperate want for him to feel as good as she does that sees her through; her mind is still very much clouded by her imagination and the thought of what he would do to her with his tongue if he weren't confined by his injury and her words. It's not helped by the moans he makes, the way his tongue slips along her fingers as she feels him spill over her other hand, sending more shudders of pleasure down her spine.

Her fingers stroke over him once, twice more, gathering his seed as she nurses him throughout his release, and then she pulls back, that hand lifting to her lips so she can clean her fingers off with her tongue just as he is doing, her eyes on his the whole time—

(and Archons be damned if it doesn't send another spark of pleasure right between her legs)

—before she withdraws her fingers from her mouth and his, her breath still short on her lips. ]

I want you to know that if you ever get hurt like this again, I...

[ She pauses, shaking her head. Honestly, she's not even sure what she would do, between all the different ways her brain is pulling her on the subject: would she cry again like she did before? Rage? Tie him to the bed and not let him touch her until he's healed? Perhaps all of the above, even if this time has proven that her reaction is far more physical than perhaps is good for him.

(Then again, that might have had something to do with those unspoken feelings burning in her breast.) ]

Just... don't get hurt again. And... [ She smiles, an expression somewhat teasing as she shakes her head. ] And hurry and get better so you can show me what you were thinking of for real this time.

(Oh gods, another thing he found attractive, her licking her fingers off the way she did while staring at him. Really it's a wonder he hasn't cracked entirely on breaking her demand with how much he just discovered about himself; too much of it is likely going to be used by her and he can assume that already. Based off the way he swears he noticed the thought was attractive to her too, the action itself anyway though he's not saying a word on that.

They've both worn each other down didn't they enough?

Or she wore him down while he attempted to use her imagination to assist her own movements knowing that he couldn't do it himself.

The words she speaks after does cause Diluc to soften up in turn, she didn't want him hurt if he can help it which he understands. Not on this level again anyway. The concern and his hand soon enough reaching out to cup her cheek once more to remind her that even he could still feel his own unsaid feelings hovering about too.

It's something the two of them sought to show, properly next time, since he's all but positive they might wind up teasing one another to hell and back knowing that he can't move. Or at the very least she might tease him leading up into his recovery in any sort of way that she can get given recent discoveries. He's already thinking Adelinde herself might tie him down instead of Eula with how she would not be thrilled by the idea of him near being a bit too physical mid-recovery.)

I'll still do that... I hold no intentions of getting hurt the way I use to, Eula. I did promise you. (Something he stands by too is keeping that promise to not do as he once would have. He'd let her have his all however once he's healed.) ... it's going to be hard I think keeping my hands off you during this with recent discoveries this time.

[ When his hand cups her cheek, Eula's face turns into it, a small smile and a press of her hips against the palm. As much as she wants to tell him off for making another promise that he can't be guaranteed to keep, she also knows that this time he really did try his best not to get hurt... which admittedly makes her wonder just how bad it's been in the past, the times that left him with the scars he wears now.

...Maybe she needs to give Alberich more credit. Sticking with someone in that frame of mind couldn't have been easy.

Her attention is drawn away but what he says next, though, and her brows raise, a question on her lips that doesn't immediately come. Recent discoveries...? It implies something new, something discovered even just now, but... she's not sure. Of course, with her not realizing exactly what she put him through with cutting off his second release just before he could reach it— and also not really aware of how commanding she got earlier— she can only think of that other thing, the thing both of them have confessed to thinking without saying it, the thing that scares her more than anything despite how much her body and heart wanted to show him.

She frowns slightly. ]

What, ah... what recent discoveries might these be, Ragnvindr?

[ If she sounds a little anxious, it's because she is. Despite how careful he's been so far, there's a small part of her worried that he'll let it slip, and then she'll be back to square one with her own mind and instincts. Still, she manages a small smile to offset that momentary frown, and her hand, still wet with her saliva, comes up to cover his.

Maybe she shouldn't have asked, but... she trusts him, even if she's anxious about it.

Sometimes her brain is tiring. ]

Edited (Third time's a charm?) 2023-01-24 05:33 (UTC)

(Ah, he noticed her anxieties looks like from his choice of words. That was unintentional on his part knowing they were keeping silent on it for her sake.) ... apparently I like being edged? Was that the term? And liked it when you got commanding. (The words felt foreign to say mind you, but he did seem apologetic for nearly making her run away again. Maybe it's why he softens up for the time being with that thought in mind, hand caressing her cheek for the time being as if gathering what he should say first after that.)

The other thing we silently expressed however, I want to say it aloud whenever you don't feel the urge to run again, if that makes sense. I want the words to be something that I want to tell you at the end of it... whenever you can say you feel ready too, to hear it. (Because that was what he desires most of this. To tell her the truth of his heart once she's ready. He won't do it before then, because that's what he felt was best for her knowing that there's some things the two of them objectively aren't use to it. Not the way others are anyway.

Kaeya himself though he stuck with Diluc through thick and thin regardless of his reckless behavior prior to him eventually promising he'd do his best to not get hurt the way he would before. Somehow he wonders if he should tell her to ask Kaeya about the full extent of his recklessness before she came into the picture. It might be best anyway.)

If... you're wondering I guess more on how terrible I was at caring for myself, Kaeya does have stories. I wasn't exactly prone to caring for myself that well. (Not the way he should until after she had him promise to not do anything stupid on terms of it. Which... honestly he knows can be up in the air depending and he is starting to get better at being cautious over enraged.

He can do that much for Eula anyway.)

[ When he answers her, he's met with surprise, an embarrassed parting of her lips as she looks at him with wide eyes, and if it weren't for the gentle caress of his hand she'd probably pull away in her embarrassment, but in the end she stays put under his touch, allowing him to see if he so wishes the cogs turning in her mind, the realization slowly settling as she understands exactly what she did... ]

I... would apologize for accidentally doing that, but if you liked it, I suppose no harm was done, right?

[ No harm, true, although it doesn't do anything to help her— her mind is very suddenly alight with possibilities, Eula's mouth feeling a little too dry suddenly as she thinks back to the time he pinned her to the couch a couple of weeks back. Could she edge him to the point of frustration that he does that again, she wonders? Could she, possibly, push him to more? The involuntary swipe of her tongue over her lower lip is perhaps enough of a sign, if he's looking for it, that she's chased the worry away herself, at least for now—

Although his follow-up words a moment later certainly help in that regard too, an assurance that he won't speak up until he knows that she's ready, knows that she won't be left with an urge to just run and run and never stop. As he speaks, she smiles, the expression gentle compared to the movement of her tongue just moments before, and she loops her fingers through his with a small smile.

How, she catches herself thinking, did she get so lucky as to have this man in front of her? (It's a thought that makes her cheeks color as she chases it away to focus on his words, which this time make her shake her head, a certain sobriety brought back to her through them.) ]

Mm... maybe I won't. It might make me mad to know how little you looked after yourself in the past.

(It might leave him open on one hand to more teasing, maybe to being pushed about in subtle ways depending on where they are, he finds himself idly wondering just what ideas she might get now after taking note of her licking her lips and perhaps the gears turning in her head. What a relief, he succeeded at the cost of not necessarily knowing any sort of rest in a way. It could be worse on terms of trade-offs but this is enough for him anyway; normally he isn't prone to doing these things for just about anyone... well, for anyone at all which is another thing.

Something that he thinks is that she genuinely draws from him parts of him he long since thought were gone. Parts of himself he thought he abandoned, left behind with his decision to carry onward with the choice that he wants to bring forth his retribution in whatever way he must do so. Until the Fatui are finished, dismantled, and scattered to the wind he'll always push onward until he can rest.

Or that had been what he thought originally, now it's another story. For her sake maybe alone, he's not going to keep going as he once did with his objectives. Instead, he'll drive onward more cautiously instead of being as easily ignited, incensed by everything with the gentle contrast of her ice and his fire hitting him along his hand with her looping together their fingers.

It's pleasant. Enough to make him also feel lucky even if the two of them have their own issues to go about through in their own ways.

It won't be easy which he knows even now, enough that he finds himself not minding any the turn of events that may or may not happen in their lives. Maybe once she's ready they'll also wander Mondstadt together one day while everyone else simply stares with their mouths gaping open that Diluc instead of not following his heart, chose really to be happy even if he may feel he didn't deserve that.)

For the best then... I won't be surprised if you start to stay over more often while I'm recovering when you can. (Because he knows he'd miss her too but would take seeing her any chance they had during this over dying.)

[ Oh, there's no "maybe" about it— this will definitely open Diluc up to more teasing in the future. With that knowledge in her mind, it's simply not possible for her to ignore it or not use it in some way, especially if it's a way that will bring pleasure to both of them. And the fact that she knows already that, with enough teasing, he'll snap... even after the swipe of her tongue along her lower lip, her mouth is still too dry, and the dull throbbing ache of want returns between her legs to start a new rhythm despite her recent orgasms.

But she says nothing for now— they've already pushed it too far today, if she's honest, doing more than she should have allowed for them given how injured he is, and speaking up will no doubt only bring more of it their way— instead just smiling, her head tilting into his touch and her fingers still coiled loosely with his. ]

If it won't be too much of a hassle for the winery staff, I'd like that.

[ Considering her work usually keeps her outside of Mondstadt, it will actually be easier for her to stay here than go back to the barracks— and certainly more comfortable than camping the way she's been known to in the past. Not to mention that this way she'll get to be with him...

Lately, she's finding she likes to spend time with him more often than not... no doubt another symptom of the feelings about which she can't bring herself to talk. And despite herself, it's a thought that makes her smile, Eula leaning in a little closer to him to press her mouth softly to his. ]

For now... are you tired? [ Yes, he was unconscious for a few hours, but that's a different thing to sleeping... not to mention the physical strain on his body from her earlier ministrations. ] You should rest a little. I'll stay here, if you do.

It shouldn't be a problem. Adelinde kept asking when I'm going to tell you since we haven't had a chance to talk about it yet with our jobs needing attention usually, other things aside. (Like their earlier activities... which isn't helping Diluc still want more. Something that the two of them didn't need to go about doing more of since he did admittedly feel tired from his own releases on top of the physical strain as she thought. Being tired isn't a surprise to him even as he returns her kiss again with a smile of his own.

It might be apparent now and he did want her to stay as long as she could before duty calls. That much he can offer, his hospitality so that she can have a means of resting too knowing their relationship has changed greatly. For the better too if he were asked more on it.

The added bonus of seeing her more is worth that too, is what he thinks before his eyes find themselves unable to fight to stay open for much longer to answer her question. The teasing and more can wait until he feels better; though he did murmur after a bit even with how tired he is:) ... maybe we can celebrate once I heal, dress up nicely and everything.

(It's a thought but a thought nonetheless he shares just as he falls into the depths of slumber not long after with a gentle dozing.)

——————

(About three weeks after this, for good measure given that they didn't want to take any chances Diluc was given a clean bill of health and perhaps a few stern looks from Adelinde lately. He's not even going to ask what she was glaring at him about but he has a feeling that she noticed whenever they did anything she deemed 'inappropriate' for his recovery.

Somehow he has a feeling that she also would have gone on the warpath were she to discover what they did not long after he woke up too.

The thoughts aside he was going to make due on part of what he said while dozing given he's in one of his nicer suit and vest combos, this time with a white dress shirt over one of his black ones. Tie included at that with Kaeya having had made certain that his hair was done for the occasion before leaving him alone followed by a wink and a smile to wish Diluc luck for the evening.

It was a small dinner that was made for the two of them with help from not only Kaeya knowing he was still getting back in shape, but Adelinde too to eat before they went out on their walk or whatever else they desire to do under the cover of darkness along the streets of Mondstadt whilst Diluc sat idly at the table in wait for Eula's entrance.

Gods, he never thought he felt nervous but he was now given this is their first real date isn't it? He hopes he can pull it off.)

[ The last time Eula remembers wearing a dress quite this formal comes alongside the memory of staring with angry eyes into the mirror, a fistful of long hair in one hand and a sharp dagger in the other before the two came together, strands of silken blue falling into the basin in front of her. That, and every other dress-related memory that comes before it, is something similar, stained with the unhappiness that permeated every moment of her life back then, something on which she prefers not to look back.

It makes this moment something even more nerve-wracking than it already is, as she stands before Diluc's door with a bottle of a sweet Liyue wine tucked in one arm and a sleek blue dress embracing her figure. Between the dress itself and the way her hair is elegantly pulled back, she's definitely been noticed on her way through the town, eyes watching her and whispers passed between the few people who are out this late; that on its own is already terrifying, and then there's the memories around dresses to accompany the terror, and of course the fact that she's never before been on a date...

Until now, that is. Until now, and her first date ever is with Diluc Ragnvindr, Mondstadt's most eligible bachelor, the man who is in everything other than the title itself her boyfriend, the man for whom she holds feelings deeper than she's brave enough to speak.

(Also, she hasn't done anything more than kiss him in these three weeks, feeling guilty for how intense things got that first day of his recovery. So she's frustrated with want, too.)

Altogether, it's with an anxious expression that her free hand raps on the door, a knock far too business-like for her purpose here, and Eula can taste the chemical stain of the tint on her lips when she bites nervously on the lower, waiting for him to answer. ]

(The suit he wore this time was much more nicer to look at than his standard work attire normally gets. Even with his hair done properly the last time he did this... it was when his father was alive. Formal attire for an event at his side, his fluffy and wild mane he calls his hair properly tied up back then with vague memories of himself and Kaeya idly wondering if they can sneak out while their father did business. Happier yet bitter tasting memories. Like ash on his tongue he's ignoring once he hears the knock.

Diluc typically didn't do dates, that was a given, having a woman who was practically his girlfriend though not said out loud is another thing. Tonight this is different. Nobody knows of their meeting except one person alone though that's not counting those in his inner circle that were in on the loop eventually from her visitations, a thought which he tucked aside upon opening the door to let her inside after a brief moment longer. Nervousness evident since this is completely new for him too.

At the sight of her once he opens the door, he finds himself again breathless. It didn't help they both were left wanting but this just makes it harder, he thinks, to keep focused long enough for dinner at most. Speechless seemed to be another part of the effect she had on him before he forces himself to remember his manners as a gentleman.) Come in... (He should say something, right, about the dress? He thinks so anyway once he tries to come up something to describe it before settling on what he thought most of it.) ... I know we're both out of our element tonight, but, it looks great on you, by the way. (Even if he's currently feeling his face heat up similarly to what it did on Dragonspine from their close proximity back then.

This time instead however he isn't hiding it, he finds himself staring at her because he has no reason to hide it now. She's seen it enough in the end just as he's seen it from her too. Perhaps something she can count as another gift outside of his survival that Diluc found her to be that beautiful he couldn't speak for a time once he moves aside so she can enter.)

[ There's a gasp on her lips when the door opens, something quickly bitten back in favor of offering him a small smile, the expression admittedly a little shy not only as a result of their being on a date, but also the matter of how damn good he looks. It broadens a little when he compliments the dress as she steps through the doorway, and once the door is closed behind them she moves to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth, something chaste and sweet, a proper greeting for a date before she steps back once more.

And then there's the matter of the compliment. She has to say something, of course, she can't just let it pass without commenting on it, but the anxiety is fighting to win this battle, wanting her to brush it off or reject it.

It takes her a moment, and Eula squares her shoulders in determination, managing to keep that smile on her lips. ] I'm glad you like it. And you... you look amazing.

[ It's an understatement, really, but she can't find the words right now to do him justice, to tell him how beautiful and handsome he looks all at once with the neat, tied back style of his hair, the suit fancier than anything she's seen him in before.

Mostly, though, she's glad to see him properly back on his feet and moving around. Even if, she can tell from the way he looks at her, from the words acknowledging their situation, that he's just as nervous as she is. Eula reaches out to take his hand in hers, fingers linking through his in an attempt at comfort. ]

(That compliment only causes him to find himself blushing more honestly. The kiss though chaste and sweet didn't help either as much as it wasn't a full on kiss; he fully intends to spend this evening with her and more as long as they could. With or without it being a pleasant date, even just time spent where they may unwind is fine for him knowing the two of them work harder than most expect.

Ironically it's the thought of her that drives him to push through whatever he must now for her sake too. He can do that much for her. That much is something he swears once he finds himself taking her hand in response, a gentle squeeze given from his own calloused yet scarred one as his own smile makes its appearance. That smile she can say she has laid claim on, the one that makes him almost look his age again.

It's a rarity in itself to get those too but he would give her them no matter what once he has his own thoughts trailing about of how much more gorgeous she is. Out of their element they may be, but, he can't say that he regrets asking her for this evening together.) ... I almost wanted to leave my hair down but Kaeya talked me into properly brushing it with him helping. (Really his estranged brother seemed all too thrilled at the prospect of assisting. He must have wanted to knowing Diluc hadn't been this happy in years.

Although Diluc had no idea if Kaeya explained anything more to Eula before either on it knowing that he wasn't himself for the longest time. Still isn't entirely but letting it out with her is nothing he minds doing anyway.) I worked hard with them at least too... (The dinner itself wasn't anything too fancy, but it shows he put his all into it all, even his specialty was made with something more traditional as well on terms of Mondstadtian based cuisine. Adelinde and Kaeya helping only when Diluc had to pause due to them not wanting him to keep standing.

Thankfully it's just a dinner for two and not a whole army.)

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