#dijean

The strong wind could not stop the girl's but it made the wounds on her body sting. Jean tugged back on her jacket, rolling her eyes and glancing around. The Warming Seelie she had been hunting had vanished without a trace, save for a frail trail of warmth that had left before being carried away by the wind.

Jean had run out of spare medication after the last challenging battle with the Abyss Herald troop. She had to acknowledge that she had underestimated the opponents so she went alone, partly because she did not want the Knights to be fighting outside the city during their holiday. Jean had the tendency of doing all the work by herself. These little tasks she could handle on her own, and she did so with just minor scratches.

She thought to herself, I am  the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. I'm strong, and I'll get through this cold and my injuries. Everything will be alright after that. With a proud look on my face, I shall return to Mondstadt. Don't let anyone be concerned about me…

But with each stride, Jean's eyelids and entire body became heavier than ever. The sight in front of her became blurry. Then she collapsed onto the cold, rigid icy ground.

Each bitter breeze passed, followed by a flare of sparks that enveloped Jean in warmth and comfort. She felt her mother's hand gently stroke her hair, and a lullaby poured out of the corner of her lips. Then she found herself at supper with her father; the entire family gathered around the little table, with the fragrant dishes still emitting smoke. There were, too, Barbara and their flower garden. Her little sister placed on her lap a crown made of flowers... It was all beautiful, and warm. But that warmth gradually faded away as the darkness drew back, once again engulfing her in nightmares as everything she loved was destroyed.

“Barbara… Klee… Lisa… Please don’t…”

Jean blinked her eyes wide. The brightness from the fire in front of her caused her eyes to narrow. The surroundings remained black, except for her and another person who were being caressed by the warm glow. She was no longer cold, and there was a scarlet coat with a recognizable style and scent on her body.

At this time, Jean turned to look at the person next to her. His crimson hair hid part of his face. He was still sleeping on the straw that served as backrest for the two of them. Jean immediately realized who it was, and was startled that he was there, with her. With her powerful and abrupt movement, she accidentally awakened him.

"Senpai…"

Jean was puzzled. He had just fallen asleep close to her. It was his coat she was wearing. This was a similar situation to ones in the romantic stories Jean enjoyed reading, in secret. It was hard for her to keep a calm face like usual. She was struggling to figure out what to do next when the other woke up.

"Jean..." Diluc called her name, apparently still not fully awake. But he hurriedly sat up and pulled away a bit after seeing the perplexity in her eyes. "How do you feel?"

"I'm all right..." Jean responded, despite the fact that she was not. Her heart was about to explode. 

"Well... My apologies for taking you here without your will. I could not transport you back to Mondstadt due to the blizzard."

Jean took a glance outside the cave where they were sheltering. The snow was still falling, and with the sound of wind she shivered. She began to recall something while she was half-awake. When she fell, she remembered to be picked up by someone and taken away.

"Did you find me, senpai?" Jean asked.

Diluc's nod validated what she had said. Jean noticed that her wounds were neatly bandaged. She raised her eyes to Diluc. He returned that contact for a brief moment before turning away.

"I'm sorry if I caused senpai any problems."

Jean spoke gently. It had been a long time since she remembered what it was like to be cared for. Since she became the "Dandelion Knight".

"You haven't changed at all, have you?"

Diluc's reply caused Jean to waver. He went on to say:

"You've always been the one who carries everything on your shoulders. You take care of everyone in Mondstadt, except yourself."

"I…"

Jean was speechless. Red flame. Diluc and she sat side by side. The scene was all too familiar. It sent her back somewhere in the past, when the younger version of themselves were sitting by the same fire.

"A knight must first learn to care for herself before she can protect others."

So Diluc said, after seeing Jean's hand bleed during sword practice. He helped her patch her wounds, and so every afternoon, she went to the training ground to practice with him.

Then, it was by the cold winter fire that she couldn't make Diluc stay in the Knights of Favonius.

"I've practiced a lot. I've improved so much. I have the strength to defend Mondstadt now... And I'll do everything I can to help senpai..."

Diluc only stared at her with hollow eyes. As cold as ice.

"You can't do everything, Jean. You have the ability to protect Mondstadt and the Knights. As for me, I'm no longer going to be a part of it."

Diluc turned and walked away, leaving Jean with mixed emotions and unresolved feelings. Their paths had turned in two different directions since that day. 

If given a second choice, Jean would still choose Mondstadt, the Knights, and the task she was born to perform.

While Diluc had always claimed that his route was distinct from the Knights', their efforts were all about the same thing: safeguarding their homeland. The Knights were like the light, while Diluc lurked in the shadows, quietly assisting them under a different guise. Jean quickly realized what he was up to, and she quietly thanked him with all her heart.

Back by the firelight where Dragonspine was ever chilly, Jean sat crouched and rested her chin on her knees. Diluc had the Vision of fire, radiant, warming her as before. Many times she wondered, if she could make him stay that day, he would still be her senpai in the Knights. And what if their relationship would be different now? Was there any chance for her... When Jean looked to the side, she spotted Diluc's worried gaze on her.

"You don't need to apologize to me." He stated. "No need to think that you owe me this time. I just happened to be passing by the place and helping an old friend. That's all."

An old friend...

The words kept echoing in Jean's mind. As cold as the day he left.But she said nothing and merely nodded in silence. Unbeknownst to her, Diluc lied.

He did not have anything to do at Dragonspine at all. It was only because of Kaeya's sneer at the conversation that he learned about Jean being away to the snowy mountain on a mission alone. He was sure that Kaeya had intentionally let him hear that, and constantly emphasized how risky this mission was. Without hesitation, Diluc rushed to find Jean. Upon arrival, the Abyss Herald troop was already defeated by her. He traced the trail she left in the pristine snow and found she had just fainted. He was worried that something terrible might happen. Fortunately, he sought a nearby shelter.

Jean's nearly frozen and wounded body stiffened. Diluc kindled the fire and then handed her his coat. But that was not enough. He used his Vision to warm her up. He let her rest on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her. At that moment, he did not think much, nor was he shy, all he wanted was for her to wake up. Then he, himself, fell into slumber as well.

When he woke up to find Jean very close, Diluc suddenly felt embarrassed. But most of all, he was glad that she was at ease. Jean sneezed suddenly, her body trembling slightly at the cold wind that had just swept through. Diluc leaned forward instantly, his hands clutching his coat and tugging it closer to her. Their breaths intertwined forming a thin puff of smoke. Jean blushed.

"I'm alright, senpai..."

The sight reminded Jean of any fiction she'd ever read. The male and female characters sat side by side by the firelight, so close that they could feel each other's breath. They then would confirm their affection by giving each other a warm kiss... Just thinking about it made Jean's face redder than the setting sun.

Diluc seemed to sense something too. He remained in place and looked into Jean's eyes for a long time. This moment could last forever, if she could hold on without sneezing again.

"Oh..."

Jean silently blamed herself for ruining the beautiful moment just now. Diluc merely smiled slightly and leaned back against the straw.

"You should rest a little more. When this storm passes, I'll take you back to the city."

Jean nodded and took a seat next to Diluc. After a time, he said softly:

"I know you do not seek my assistance. But maybe at some point, I'll be happy to share the burdens with you, if you let me…"

Perhaps Diluc did not want to make things worse, so he left it hanging. In the past, he himself had rejected Jean when she offered her help. Now he was expecting her to reach out to him when she was in trouble. Was he being selfish?

Jean's eyes flickered slightly. Her cheeks and nose were all bright red. She nodded and replied softly:

"Of course. Thank you, senpai."