♥︎ modern au Diluc who is insanely rich but you are completely unaware for awhile - he's rather quiet, sweetly intentional, a gentleman and of course pays for all of your dates, drives a nice but modest enough car, nothing that really starts to raise your suspicions about his financial situation...
You'd met him at a bar — Angels Share, a classic and classy style establishment where you enjoyed a drink but nothing too frivolous, hopping off the bar stool and headed to the bathroom when a patron who was singing too loudly had accidentally knocked into you, and you fell against a sturdy figure that caught you at the shoulders. Diluc on his name tag and his hair a firey mane of red tied up in a ponytail that only accentuated his sharp jawline and gentle eyes. You'd only thought him an employee, black dress shirt sleeves rolled up past his forearms and a white vest that pulled at his waist, the uniform for the other workers there that was familiar. You apologized for such an embarrassing run in to the man, and in time you found that you had caught his attention, and he caught yours in return.
You weren't much of a bar person to be honest, and not really a drinker, so your visits to the establishment where Diluc worked was really to see him. He'd lean over the bar and hand you something new he'd been working on, glittering drinks of blue with fresh sunsettia slices on the rim, to a creamy pink smoothie with a dazzling swirl of whipped cream piled on top that left a mustache on your top lip, and Diluc swallowing softly when you'd licked it away in delight with your tongue. You murmured in curiosity if his boss would add the drinks to the menu, not catching Dilucs hum and the slight lift to the corners of his lips when he replied,
"I'm sure he wont mind at all."
But in any case, you and this man that you met at a bar, Diluc Ragnvindr, had exchanged phone numbers and now dates were being had (ones that he planned and always picked you up, much to your surprise) bouquets of your favorite flowers were being brought up to your tiny apartment just outside of town (because it's all you could afford), and your hand had grown familiar with the feeling of holding his bicep as he escorted you to yet another dinner at some cozy restaurant where you watched him across the candlelight on your table. His eyes would flicker like the flame before you when he reached out to hold your hand, running his thumb over your knuckles.
"I'm very, very fond of you. Do you know that?" he admitted. Lowering his gaze to where your fingers squeezed his. You tried to fight a wider grin than the one you were already sporting.
"I really like you too, Diluc." you replied softly, and you saw a bigger smile from him than you had ever seen before. It made your heart race wildly and before your entrees were brought out, he lifted your hand to his lips and placed a kiss there, and you couldn't move for a second. As if you were a little rabbit caught under the stare of a falcon, but still, your blood grew hot under the heat of his lips on your skin, and you smiled again.
After walking you to his car, and before he opened the door for you to get in he slid an arm around your waist and pressed his forehead to yours. You felt his breath on your face you felt the elation in your chest, knowing that your first kiss with him was coming. Yet after a moment, Diluc took a small step back.
"If we are going to be together, I must admit something to you." he uttered almost woefully, taking your hand and giving you a long glance.
Your heart still thundered at the fact he wanted to be with you, wanted it to be official, but the way he spoke did give you a slight wobble. You nodded and he helped you into the car.
"Would you like to come home with me?" Diluc asked quietly, a flush on his cheeks that you were so endeared by any time he was being a sweetheart to you (which was often) and placed his wide, warm palm on your thigh. You chewed your bottom lip while placing your hand atop of his, and told him yes.
The car ride was long, taking you outside of town and under the stars, the wind making the trees dance and your senses heightened the longer Diluc drove. His hand stayed on your thigh, the other driving and his face set in a neutral line.
He wasn't an axe murderer, right?
Your heart roared in your ears as you peered ahead to what could only be described as a dream. A mansion came into view, surrounded by endless rows of vineyards. The property was vast, the home itself a picture of class and deep wealth, the high peaks of the building giving the illusion of it almost being castle - like. Something fit for royalty. Getting closer to the entrance of the great home, your eyes sparkled at the fat grapes hanging on the vines to the sight of the glimmering lake only a short ways away, to the cobblestone that made up the walkway.
The car came to a stop, and as Diluc came around to retrieve you, your lips pulled into a curious pout.
"What was your big secret, that you were taking me to a vineyard? How romantic Diluc." you swooned and curled yourself into his side. You knew Diluc did not favor drinking, but also was keen on his inherent romantic side that wanted to spoil you. So a place like this felt natural to enjoy with him for a surprise.
He laughed softly at that, shaking his head.
"This...is my home." he replied. He glanced up at the grand house before you and you exhaled, face falling.
"Diluc...you can't be serious. You work at a bar, and not even full time!" you say with a laugh of disbelief.
"To tell you the truth, I own that bar. The Angels Share." he corrects, clearing his throat when your eyes widen and your mouth gapes. Here you are, in a shoebox apartment that has barely working heat, and the guy you're falling in love with is what? A millionaire?
"Are you a millionaire?" the question slips out before you can stop yourself and your palm flies to your mouth. You sound like a gold digger. Diluc chuckles softly, pulling you to him and your heels clack on the cobblestone as you blink up at him.
"I am, well I'm very comfortable." he nods.
"In short, I run my late father's business and it's very successful. We have clients that run 50 years with our wines and spirits. All over the place."
Your head feels hot and your knees nearly buckle. He sounds so...elegant as he speaks. Moreso than his usual manner of speaking that makes you think of the victorian era movies you like so much. He's rich rich. You also gave pause to the fact he'd mentioned his late father. It made your chest hurt. Your eyes waver from his gaze and he cranes his neck, leaning down to make you look at him.
"You're frightened." he murmurs. Letting you go. Giving you space.
"I'm not. I'm just.....scared." you breathe.
"Is that not the same as frightened?" Diluc laughs.
You press a cool hand to your cheek. He places his hands in his pockets. You wonder how much his watch is worth.
"Tell me what you're thinking." he asks, voice low.
"I don't want you to think I'm a gold digger. Or that I'm insincere about you." you all but whine. Shuffling your feet a little and coming closer to the redhead who exhales through his nose, giving you a humored look.
"I could never think that about you. Ever." he promises.
"But, I would hope you could understand why I withheld this.....information. If I can be honest, I'm quite nervous myself. I don't want to lose you." he replies. Honest, shoulders straight and he almost looks....businesslike. You snort.
"I'm just glad you're not an axe murderer."
"I beg your pardon?" he raises an eyebrow and you laugh, letting him pull you close once again. "Diluc, you won't lose me. I am of course...very surprised by all this. But I'm really happy that...well that you trust me. I like you so much." you smile up at him and he sighs with relief. The glow from his mansion casts a gentle light across his face as he lowers his head, easily finding your lips.
You hand comes up to cup his jaw, the warmth of his mouth engulfing yours as you make a soft noise of delight as he kisses you gently, and then like he was afraid you would disappear from his grasp. The petal softness of your lips dissolved Dilucs heart, and he wound his arms tighter around you as you melted into each other. He kissed you and you ached for him, parting for a moment to catch his half lidded eyes like a flame, and the spit slick pale pink of his lips and he groaned your name, pulling you to him again for another fierce kiss that you nearly collapsed into.
He let you catch your breath, squeezing your waist and kissing at your heated cheeks while the pale moon beamed down at you as he held your hand and led you around the property for a special tour. You were in wonder, laughing in loud disbelief when you rounded a corner with him to an impressive garage, a few of the vehicles parked there putting to shame his little sedan he tends to pick you up in.
He'd led you into the vineyards where you ate a grape from his fingers that he plucked for you, kissing away the juicy purple from your bottom lip. Then to the stables, Diluc promising to let you ride his favorite stallion on another day (and also promising that his horse would adore you as much as he does), and finally your shoes were kicked off on the shore as you waded in the clear waters of the lake that resided on the vast property, heart still racing at how unreal all of this felt.
"I think I'm in a dream." you sigh, glancing back at Diluc who had rolled his pants up and was slowly walking towards you, the water around you gently lapping at your legs.
"Are you now?" he asks with a bemused lilt, hugging your waist from behind. He kissed your neck under the moon and you shivered, leaning back into his touch.
"I am. But not necessarily because of....all of this. I hope you believe me." you say thoughtfully, hopefully. Diluc kisses your neck again, before pressing his cheek to yours.
"I do. I can assure you. However, I am curious as to know why you would think you're in a dream. I would not want to wake up from such a moment with you if I can be so bold." Diluc murmurs beside you.
"I guess it feels like a dream because of you, Diluc.
It's simple. Someone like you, falling for me? When you clearly could have anything, anyone that you want." you turn in his hold and you're nose to nose.
He kisses it, and then tilts his head to kiss your lips.
"Well arent I lucky then? That in all the world of anything and anyone, I found you?" he whispered, his voice husky. Your eyes then stung, lips parting with a gasp at his words, and he kissed you again with opportunity, squeezing you tightly against his chest.
The water lapped at your ankles as you stood with him under the stars, promising to take you home soon but wanting to hold you just a bit longer. Your eyes fluttered shut and your head rested against his shoulder, enjoying the warmth of his figure in contrast to the cool breeze. You felt his lips on your temple and hummed. Perhaps it felt like a dream but you were truly glad it wasn't.
a/n: this is a REPOST from a previous blog! ♡
