Dinner Date | Diluc x Reader
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He had asked you in the most unexpectedly sincere way.
You two were out on a sunset stroll. The cobblestone steps echoed underneath your feet. A flutter of wings sounded overhead as a bird took off into the orange sherbet sky.
For once, Diluc actually looked nervous. He avoided meeting your gaze. Gone was his controlled composure as one of the protectors of Mondstadt.
"Can I cook dinner for you?"
You now paced back and forth in your kitchen. You had done an appraisal of your kitchen earlier and thought that you had everything a standard kitchen would have. Oil, salt, pepper.
A fresh batch of homemade sugar cookies sat on the counter. Earlier in the day you meticulously took hours to craft the dessert into chess pieces. You heard that Diluc liked chess and hoped that detail would place you more in his favor. Perhaps even warm his heart. Your cheeks flushed at the thought.
There was a knock at the front door.
You cleared your throat before swinging the door open. "Welcome—" Your breath caught in your throat at the sight before you.
Diluc stood on your front step with a white crisp dress shirt. A color you rarely saw on him. His rolled up sleeves revealed unexpectedly well defined forearms. One dark gloved hand held a wicker basket while the other hand unbuttoned his collar. He looked at you with a smile. "Y/N," he greeted. He could've winked and it wouldn't have looked out of place.
"Come in," you stepped aside and welcomed him into your humble abode. "Let me take that." You reached for the basket and set it on the counter. It was heavier than it appeared; its contents were hidden by a dark cloth that draped over the top of the basket.
You turned back to Diluc and smiled sheepishly at a memory of having one too many drinks at Dawn Winery. "I would give you a tour, but you've been here before."
"It was an honor to carry you home." Diluc teased. His gaze moved to the cookies on the counter. Curiosity and surprise danced across his features. "Did you make these?"
"Yes, I did. I made them into chess pieces because I heard you like chess."
"I do. Thank you. They look delectable. Perhaps we can play a game sometime."
"I actually don't know how to play."
"I can teach you if you'd like."
"That would be nice." You smiled at the thought of spending more time with him.
Your stomach growled. A bright flush appeared on your cheeks.
Diluc chuckled. "I'll get started on the dinner preparations now."
After some preparations and the sizzling of meat flooded your senses, you found yourself seated at the table with a hearty steak in front of you. You nearly drooled at the sight.
With a pop of the bottle, Diluc poured you some dandelion wine. He sat down across from you. "Eat up," he gestured.
You inserted your knife and fork into the meat. The knife cut through the meat without much effort. You ate a piece of it, savoring every bite as the flavors meshed together into a blend of deliciousness.
"Diluc," you said in between bites. "This is amazing."
"It's my specialty meat." He winked at you.
You took a large gulp of wine to hide your blush. How your mind wandered at his teasing words.
"Diluc," you hiccuped. "A charmer who can cook. Protector of Mondstadt. Wine daddy. I'm swooning."
"Hopefully you're not swooning too much from the wine," Diluc chuckled. He reached over to your wine glass and started to pull it away. "Perhaps you should take a break."
You feebly reached out to stop him and ended up flopping your hand on top of his hand instead. A warmth blossomed from the touch. "Did you know that I've always wanted to hold your hand?" You blurted out the confession before you fully processed what you just did.
A teasing smile danced on his lips. "I had a feeling." He rotated his hand so his open palm met yours. "But it's nice to know for certain."
One by one, you intertwined your fingers with Diluc's and clasped your hand around his. His hand felt a tad calloused, most likely from handling his massive sword, but holding his hand also imparted you with a feeling of comfort.
Diluc gently closed his hand around your own, giving you plenty of time to change your mind and pull away.
The fireplace crackled with a seemingly happy hum.
Then you realized it. Being with Diluc was like being with friends around a small campfire on a cool summer night. Warm and safe.
"Why don't you stay the night?" You smiled at him in the same way sunflowers turn toward the sun. Naturally.
He matched your smile. "I'll stay for as long as you want me to."











