...

The World

Power is a heady thing. Do you have what it takes to control it? You thought you did, for a long time as you gained more and more. Power only begets more power, after all. Mind your breaking point, mind your load, mind how high you’ve climbed up the ladder; it’s against regulation to stand on the top rung. You could get hurt up there. You could fall. I’m not sure that I could catch you, so high above the rest of us. Don’t look down. Mind the ceiling fan.

Tagged by;  @u-nlmited​, thank you!! :D

Lanterns illuminated the sky as the pair walked along Liyue harbor, fingers intertwined as they quietly shared stories of eventful evenings and personal tales together, followed with the sound of laughter drifting into the air. Tonight never seemed like a more perfect night as Diluc became lost in the sight of golden hues, melting against the embrace of his partner as they stood along the harbor’s edge.

❝ I don’t know, I don’t think I can say it enough, ❞ Diluc murmured, a gentle kiss placed upon Zhongli’s hand as he brought it closer to his lips, his check resting against the palm of the other’s hand once it caressed the side of his face ❝ While today is very special day, I feel like everyday is special .. especially when I’m with you, ❞ Diluc quietly admitted, crimson dusting his cheeks as murmured those words with full conviction. 

❝ Thank you for everything, for always being by my side. ❞

ODE.   Does your muse have a way with words?

Oh Diluc definitely does! He is very eloquent in his speech and he always finds the right things to say at any given moment. He’s usually not one for expressing himself often but when he does, he speaks with honesty straight from the heart. 

EMBRACE.   Does your muse like hugs? what are their hugs like?

Teru is someone who shows affection to very few people (he shows it alot to someone he’s close with in particular) so he enjoys hugs and doesn’t mind receiving them as well. He’s the type of person who gives openly friendly hugs with a nice pat on the back for good measure.

AFFECTION.   How does your muse show affection?

Dimitri is actually a very loving and affectionate person once you melt away the ice and become closer to him, and he will not falter in showing his gratitude to those he loves. He’s the type of person who wants to hold your hand, give you kisses every other time of the day, speak admiration and praise about the one he adores (and he'll never grow tired of doing so), and just showers you with everything you deserve. 

UNREQUITED.   Has your muse had their heart broken?

Haru has in fact had his heart broken a few times before, not that he’ll mention it at all due to his pride. He’s had plenty of bad luck with girls in his past, mainly due to the fact that they were always way out of his league (//coughs like Suzue, a queen). He’s the kind of guy who will immediately erase any memory of failure from his mind of the event so it doesn’t hurt him too much.

The moon cast an ominous glow upon a tall figure as golden spears rained down along the Dark Knight’s path, his claymore clenched in hand as the weight of his sword crashed into the ground mid-swing. Luminescent gold, smeared against his cheek and clothing as the edge of a fatui blade tore into sacred flesh, a pained groan following soon after as Diluc watched in horror.

Blinded by rage — crimson fire overtaking his senses, there was no time to think, no time to make the same mistakes from his past as Diluc charged forward, claymore blazing in his palms as he rushed past Zhongli, ruthlessly swinging his blade and unleashing a phoenix as it devoured everything in its wake, leaving behind ashes and the mask of a fallen fatui member.

Dropping his claymore behind, the Dark Knight rushes over in aid of the Ex Archon, spitting curses under his breath as he examines the bleeding wound of his partner, panic and anger evident in his tone. ❝ Don’t EVER do that again! I don’t care if you were a god, I don’t care if you were able to withstand the force 10,000 meteorites, ❞ Diluc says, frantic despite the his partner’s calm composure. ❝ I’ve lost someone already for being too weak, I can’t live with myself if it ever happens again — ! ❞

A familiar ping from his cell phone signals Haru to reach forward on his desk, an eyebrow twitching the moment he realizes from whom the text is sent from. 

❝ Much funny, very wow, ❞  He texts back sarcastically with minor annoyance, shooting tired daggers back at Kambe from across his work area. ❝ You must be really bored right now to be looking up memes, ❞ Haru murmured to himself, lips quirking into a half amused smile once he returns the favor with a side by side comparison.

❝ You both look pretty identical to me~❞

 A frosted gaze descended on a pair of unfamiliar hands as they began toiling at an injury the exiled king had sustained during a confrontation with guards on the outskirts of his abandoned kingdom. While the injuries he sustained were nothing of major concern to him, Dimitri found himself suddenly in the care of a man he knew little to nothing about. He happened by chance to run across Zhongli while he was aimlessly wandering in the mountains nearby, clutching a bloody shoulder where an arrow of an archer had pierced through. Why these hands filled with warmth offer themselves to him? It was far beyond what he could ever comprehend.

❝ Your attempts are worthless. Save your efforts on someone else, ❞ Dimitri finally speaks, his tone low as he avoids eye contact with Zhongli, shame becoming overbearing despite the urgent care he so desperately needed. In moments like these it was typical for him to push people away and avoid all contact, but the injury to his shoulder left him with no other alternative but to yield, acknowledging that the other was no threat to him.

When it came to many of Kambe’s fancy weaponry and devices, Haru found himself becoming increasingly curious and open to to the idea, though he was a long way from grasping such advanced technology himself. As someone who strongly believed in tradition and the art of being a true detective, Haru found himself slowly growing accustomed to his partner’s bizarre crime solving antics and he wanted learn just as much. Swallowing back his pride, the inspector approaches his partner at his desk, his hands slamming down against the desk as golden hues stare intently into curious blue hues.

❝ Oi Kambe... show me how to use one of your fancy .. whatever you use, ❞ Haru declared, his voice trailing off as he speaks, though he remains serious in his composure. A few moments pass before the sound of unsuspecting laughter erupts from the millionaire, causing Haru to double back in his attempt to turn this into a serious conversation. 

 ❝ HEY I’M SERIOUS, KAMBE STOP LAUGHING. ❞

Headcanons: Diluc & his Pet Seelie

Only now does he realize that they have some onlookers, but that’s the last thing he has to worry about. There’s a brief break in his expression where something makes its past calm and collected. “You’re calling me an idiot when you’re always trying to be a martyr? What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Kambe’s brows furrow even more and his lip draws back in a rare display. “You really do have a death wish, don’t you? Well, guess what?! Some people don’t want to watch you die and I happen to be one of those people!”

Ah yes. The bridge incidents. How did he know those would come up? His eyes narrow just a bit more and starts to speak, but words die behind a choked noise. Some paramedics move him back and away, asking questions and already starting to get him onto the stretcher.

Some of them try to stop him from getting on the ambulance, before he shoves his badge at them. His expression borders on absolutely pissed and he pulls himself up into the ambulance, standing close to Haru as they start a blood transfusion and start looking at the wound.

The paramedics start asking him if he’s okay, seeing that he’s shaking a bit. He didn’t even notice but he nods and he takes a deep breath, crossing his arms over his chest and drumming his fingers against his arm.

“This better not do you in. I mean it.”

For once Haru accepts a scolding, from Kambe of all people. He never thought he’d ever live to see the day, but he wouldn’t dare believe what could have happened if he hadn’t taken action the way he did. Was it the pain clouding his mind that made him briefly reconsider his choice? He turns his head to the side, sharply exhaling as he responds.

❝ I couldn’t stand by and watch, ❞ Haru responds, already making a firm decision in his mind as he quietly reflected upon his own actions. There was no doubt in his mind that he would take the plunge again if he knew someone would be safe at the end of it all. He opens his eyes again, finding it hard to focus as he gazes at the other man’s face.

❝ Better that I take the bullet .. you don’t look like you’d last if you took the hit .. Kambe, ❞ He manages a gentle yet snide remark. Before he knew it, he was quickly pulled up onto a stretcher and ushered into an ambulance, unable to make sense of time or space as his consciousness began to fade. The voices seemed more distant the longer he drifted into unconsciousness, but he was still partially aware of who was surrounding him. The I.V. that was now entering his veins put him into further ease as his mind slowed to the pace of a heart monitor settled close by. He steals one more sleepy glance at the worried millionaire as gives him a weak thumbs up.

There was no time to think the moment he saw the glimpse of an onyx plated firearm, unsteady legs had already propelled themselves forward as the inspector tackled the would be assailant to the ground with all his might.

He didn’t realize the bullet that pierced his side until he found himself gripped by the agonizing fire that threatened to consume him like once before. He lets out a shaky breath as he lays helplessly on cold concrete, though he tries his best to keep his focus on Kambe’s safety and the current danger they faced, thoughts that continued to run marathons in the back of his mind.

❝ Idiot, why were you just standing there?!, ❞ Haru heaves in response to Kambe questioning him, the pain overtaking his senses as he attempts to roll himself onto his side into a less vulnerable position. The adrenaline coursing through his veins was more than enough to dull the searing ache left behind from the bullet that tore though his flesh, though he acknowledges the millionaire’s attempt in aiding him. Haru’s expression soon softens as he listens to the rise in worry in Kambe’s tone, a crack in his tone as he weakly laughs to himself.

✦ Diluc is the type of person who rarely gives and shows affection openly, though when he does warm up to someone, he is definately more subtle in his approach. When it comes to his relationship with Zhongli, he adores the smallest of intimate moments. Arms and legs entangled with his partner, gentle kisses and quiet chatter long into the night even if they’re both half dead and babbling nonsense at 4 am in the morning. It’s moments like these that make Diluc feel warm and fuzzy inside.

✦ Knowing Zhongli’s Mora situation, Diluc doesn’t mind giving them the coin to spend or a free drink if they wanted. He would consider it like an allowance of sorts, then again his partner is also entitled to everything he owns. Zhongli has the key to his heart as well as the key to his estate //hit

Bonus: If Zhongli ever paid Diluc back for a drink with the Mora he gave, he would find it lowkey cute and accept the exchange. Bae is still learning how to do the human currency thing and Diluc will allow this.

✦ Diluc is fiercely protective of Zhongli, despite knowing that they can very much hold their own on the battlefield as an Ex Archon. As a former Knight of Favonius, it’s in Diluc’s nature to protect, especially those he loves. As a mortal fighting for someone who happens to be immortal, Diluc still has a great respect for Zhongli when they’re both on the field together and will not get in their way in certain scenarios. He wouldn’t mind cutting through hordes of Hilichurls and Abyss Mages so Zhongli wouldn’t have to lift a finger if he could help himself though.

✦ Since they both have a passive talent with their respectable weapon types (Diluc having Claymores and Zhongli having Polearms), please consider them teaching each other how to craft weapons. Diluc would love to stab some Abyss Mages with a weapon crafted by his bf, ok. He’ll be sure to clean off the elemental traces when he gets home. It will be his prized possession and a little piece of his bf to take along with him during his solo missions as the Dark Knight Hero.