#ler!diluc

It was a stormy day in Mondstadt, and much to the brothers' dismay, they were stuck inside with one another at the Dawn Winery. What was supposedly Kaeya’s short visit to ask Diluc about the recent appearances of the “Dark-night Hero” seen back in town turned into something more. Kaeya wanted to know everything about why his brother was doing it again. After all, it had been a while without any attacks on the town from the Abyss Mages and Hilichurls for it to reoccur once again. Kaeya wanted to team up with Diluc and get to the bottom of the issue like last time. However, Diluc didn’t seem keen on the idea of using his younger brother’s aid for something he could easily deal with on his own.

What they hoped would be a short discussion turned into multiple hours before dealing with Kaeya, which extended into the next day. The thunder was the only sound between the two brothers as they sat near the fireplace until Kaeya finally spoke up.

“Why do you believe you’re the only one who lost someone the day Father died?”

Diluc looked irritated but stayed quiet, not wanting to engage in a conversation that would lead to a pointless argument. But Kaeya continued to speak.

“I had lost Father, but I also lost someone else—my older brother. I want him back!”

Kaeya got up, walked over to Diluc, and grabbed him by the collar flaps of his coat as tears welled in his eyes. “So please…bring my older brother back.”

Diluc stood there, the irritation on his face transforming into guilt and sadness as Kaeya clung to him in tears. It was dead quiet, aside from Kaeya’s sniffles, until Diluc finally spoke up, his hand hesitantly resting on Kaeya’s back, his mind racing to consider what to do. Out of every possibility that could have happened tonight, this was one he hadn’t even thought about.

“I’m sorry.”

Diluc started to rub Kaeya’s back in an attempt to comfort him, but when his fingers barely touched where Kaeya’s ribs were, he felt his younger brother jolt and pull away with a yip, making Diluc worry if he had hurt him.

“Are you okay? Did I touch an injury?”

Kaeya shook his head no, wiping his tears away, his cheeks painted pink with embarrassment. He needed to find an excuse for his reaction without making Diluc worry further.

“No, you didn’t. I just…didn’t expect it.”

Diluc raised a brow in curiosity, easily catching Kaeya’s lie as he put two and two together.

“Really, are you sure? Maybe I should check. You know, injuries can get bad if they aren't acknowledged.”

Kaeya started to step back, his face completely flushed with embarrassment. His mind raced to figure out a way out of the situation. Much to his dismay, Diluc stepped closer to Kaeya, resting his hand on his shoulder, a mischievous expression plastered on his face.

“Diluc, I swear I’m fi-hihine! It was- nohohoho!”

Kaeya practically screeched with laughter as Diluc’s fingers quickly started to spider and skitter on his ribs, making Kaeya wriggle and squirm in a half-hearted attempt to escape.

“You’re still very ticklish, Kaeya! How have you not grown out of such a childish thing?”

Diluc teased as his fingers climbed to Kaeya’s armpits, making him squeal and snort. “Br-brohohohther! Stohohohop ihihit! Ahahaha!”

Kaeya had tears of laughter down his cheeks as he shoved his way out of Diluc’s hold, causing him to hit the floor.

“Oww-heheh! That was uncalled for. Diluc, I should get you back for that!”

Diluc huffed a half chuckle and rolled his eyes as he helped Kaeya off the floor and onto the couch.

“Can’t have the Cavalry Captain crying on me now, can I?”

Venti had been in the tavern for a few hours and had not yet once gotten up to sing or even talk to anyone. Heck, he was still only on his first glass of Dandelion wine of the night, that is when Diluc knew something was amiss.

The Anemo Archon idly twirled the end of one of his teal braids, staring into his untouched wine glass. Something was clearly weighing on his mind.

Just as the pyro user was about to offer a comment to the bard, Kaeya beat him to it.

“You’re awfully quiet this evening,” The cryo users both had their attention on him. “Don’t tell me the wine is no longer living up to your tastes.”

Venti’s grin did not meet his eyes as he looked over to them. “Ah! No, no, the wine is as delightful as ever. Sometimes it’s nice to just take in your surroundings.”

“Are you sick?” Rosaria then asked and Venti shook his head.  

“Worry not, friends. I am simply here to enjoy the ambience. The pleasant glow of the lanterns, the chatter of the patrons, the clinking of glasses… it’s all very poetic, wouldn’t you agree?”

Kaeya raised an eyebrow but gave a small chuckle. “If you say so.”

Diluc however, was not convinced, his frown deepening. He recognised evasiveness when he saw it and he knew Kaeya did as well. But of course, why would the knight pry about it if there was nothing to gain, Diluc thought.

Diluc then wondered if this mood was in relation to Venti’s duties as an Archon? A looming threat to Mondstadt that he knew of and carried the burden alone? Diluc wouldn’t stand for it.

“Ahem,” he cleared his throat, grabbing the bard’s attention from across the bar. His head then jerked towards the back room. “A word?”

“Uh,” Venti hesitated for a moment, this request so sudden, but he then nodded, sliding off the stool and walked towards the back room with Diluc. The redhead turning his attention to Kaeya and was about to open his mouth to ask –

“Don’t worry, I’ll cover the bar.” Kaeya smiled, which earned both a huff and a nod from Diluc who then disappeared into the room with the bard.

When Diluc turned, he noticed that Venti was already checking out the stock kept in the room. A mistake that he may regret later, but that was for another time. The bard then turned to face him.

“Is everything alright, Master Diluc?”

“I think it should be me asking you that question,” Diluc had his arms crossed, looking at that unconvincing smile of Venti’s yet again.

“I assure you that everything is fine.”

“You’re not fooling anyone with that. We all know you well enough to see when there is something weighing on your mind. Is Mondstadt in danger?”

“What- No! Of course not, I wouldn’t keep something like that to myself!” Venti defended, his hands waving.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I really am fine,”

“Venti.”

“Really, I… wait, what are you doing?” Venti started backing up when Diluc started to approach him. As he drew near, he could see Venti becoming nervous, which amused Diluc admittedly, considering the bard was a literal god.

Diluc’s looming figure halted once Venti was back against the wall, his piercing gaze locked into Venti’s eyes.

“Last chance, bard. Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or am I going to have to make you talk?”

Venti gulped, clearly anxious. “T-Threatening your Archon? How mean. What a cruel man you are, Mas- Wait!” Venti curled up once Diluc brought his hands to the bard’s ribs. “You’re not really going to hurt me, are you?”

“I have other means of persuasion.”

Venti’s eyes widened with confusion and heightened nerves as Diluc maintained an unreadable expression until he began to dance along the bard’s rib cage.  

“W-Wait! – AHAHAHA! Nohohot thahat!” peals of laughter burst from Venti’s lips as Diluc tickled him relentlessly. “Dohohon’t tihihihickle mehehe!”

Diluc ignored his words as they were not the ones he wanted to hear. Normally, this method would be considered unorthodox to Diluc, but Venti was his Archon and someone he had come to associate as a friend, so this method was probably best.

If Diluc was being completely honest with himself, in this moment, the fact that Venti hadn’t laughed all evening was also something that didn’t sit right with him. So, he was effectively settling both issues with one solution, at least, that’s how he reasoned it with himself.

He grabbed onto one of Venti’s wrists, pulling it up above his head and used his free hand to tickle at the now exposed and somewhat defenceless underarm. The bard practically squealed, his hand coming to try and fight off Diluc’s merciless fingers.

“NAHAHA!”

“It really is quite amusing how sensitive you are, considering you’re the Anemo Archon.” Diluc didn’t even realised he managed to tease the bard until he noticed the blush that decorated across his cheeks.

“Shut up!” Venti laughed, squealing once again when Diluc’s fingers wiggled faster, directly in the centre of his armpit. The fabric barely offering any protection to the sensations. “NOHOHOHO! Yohohou’re a cruel mahahan!””

“I’m waiting for you to tell me what it is that’s troubling you. Is that not what a good friend does?”

“Nohohot like thihihis!”

“Then tell me, so we can stop.”

“I cahahahan’t! I neHEHEHED A BREHEHEAK! NOHOHO!” Venti barely had time to register that Diluc had removed his hand from his wrist and had plunged it down to the gap in his shorts, where his hip was accessible. The bard was shaking his entire body with laughter. “NOHOT THEHERE! I’LL TAHAHALK!”

Diluc paused his tickling, allowing the bard some breathing time and took a step back. He watched as Venti let his giggles calm down and covered himself defensively.

“I could smite you right now, you know…” Venti narrowed his eyes at the pyro user, who only held a barely visible smirk. “You’re lucky I’m such a merciful Archon.”

“Yes, yes. Now, you were going to tell me, remember?” Diluc took another step closer, sending Venti into a small panic.

“I will, I will! Geez! If you must know…” Venti sighed. “While I was out taking a stroll, I caught sight of myself in one of the lake’s reflections.”

“I see.”

“I know that doesn’t seem like a reason to lower one’s mood, but given my circumstances, I sometimes find myself thinking deeply about the face looking back at me.”

Diluc wasn’t sure if he had ever heard Venti speak with such a sombre tone, but he remained quiet to allow the bard to continue.

“Would he be proud?” Venti’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Diluc wasn’t sure what Venti was talking about, but if he had to guess, it was something to do with his friend that he mentioned from the past. It then began to sink in just how much of a struggle it must be for Venti, having to live years and saying goodbye to so many friends made along the way.

He brought his hand to Venti’s shoulder, a comforting gesture as he gave it a small squeeze. Venti’s eyes looked up into his, sad and vulnerable.  

“He would be.” Diluc confirmed. “Just as we all are. Very proud.”

Venti stared into for a moment before a small smile formed upon his lips. “Thank you, Diluc.”

“You know,” Diluc crossed his arms, his eyes drifting to the stock as he left his comfort zone. “I’m sure I speak for many when I say that you don’t need to feel sad alone. It’s normal to have those days and there’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with people who can help you.”

“I guess… but as someone who has been around for thousands of years, I think I can handle a little mood drop every now and then. Though, I do appreciate the sentiment. But I am quite happy to be everyone’s favorite joyous bard, wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation now, would I?”

“Of course not.” Diluc deadpanned.

“Speaking of,” Venti then gave a nervous giggle. “You won’t tell anyone about what happened in here right? This little incident stays between us?”

“Hm. I don’t know what incident you're referring to.”

"Yehehes! I'm sorry-ackhahha! Dil-Diluhuhuc wahahait!" you laughed, and you tried to jump up and get out of his reach, but this was a game easily won by him. You always failed at tickle fights against your evil boyfriend, no matter how much you tried to win.

It was a combination of those ticklish sensations and the way Diluc would always look whenever he tickled you: so charming and elegant, it made your entire mind and body go weak.

And it happened a lot, actually. Whether you teased him physically or verbally, whether he was trying to be romantic, playful or vengeful, or whenever you were too tired in the morning or too energetic, Diluc would find a reason to tickle you.

It became clear to you that he just enjoyed this way of showing affection, and you might like it even more. Despite the somewhat uncharming noises you made every now and then...

"Heehehehee NAhh! Not thehehere!" you howled when his wiggling fingers reached under your shirt. You weakly grabbed his hands but were unable to stop them from making you laugh. Diluc smirked at your attempts.

"You'd say that no matter where," was his soft answer, and with one hand he swiftly took the hair tie out of his mouth and put it around his wrist. He then pulled you tightly against him into a warm and comfortable hug, but, not without the tickles.

"Eyaaahaha! Okahahay I'm sohohorry! Yehehes?!" you laughed, kicking your legs in hysteria. Diluc merely scratched your tummy and sides and was able to turn you into such an embarrassing orchestra of sounds and noises with only little effort.

"Hmm," Diluc hummed, staring absent-mindedly in the distance while his fingers continued to scribble all over your ticklish areas.

"One more time," he suggested.

"I'm sohohorry for tihihickling you!" you howled, trying the more specific way. And it worked! Diluc only tickled you a little more after that, then he finally stopped.

"Whew. This time, I kinda deserved it," you agreed breathlessly, and you pulled your shirt back down to cover up your tummy which still felt ticklish even when Diluc's attack had stopped seconds ago.

"Hmm," Diluc responded quietly, and he nodded. You smirked, thinking it was so funny that for such a quiet guy, he sure was very tickly.

"So, what will be your next excuse to tickle me?” you asked, and you noticed from the way Diluc blushed that he wasn't ready to suddenly be confronted with his repetitive ways of punishing you, teasing you, and so on.

"Well... I-if you keep giving me reasons to..." Diluc looked you in the eye and paused mid-sentence, changing his mind. He then gave you a tender kiss on your lips and smiled.

"I mean... why would I need an excuse to tickle my boyfriend?" Diluc asked, no longer looking flustered. The one who was blushing like crazy: it was you again. Eep. 2-0 for Diluc! You collapsed against him and couldn't stop smiling, covering your face with your hands while you gathered your breath.

    “I don't believe I'm able to answer this without hurting someone's ego,” Diluc finally said, shooting a glance toward his brother.

    “Oh, I don't think I'd be the one with the hurt ego, brother,” Kaeya shot back as he playfully shoved the redhead.

    Albedo's confusion only grew. He just wanted answers for research on siblings, and Klee was too young to help him out. So obviously the next best thing would be the brothers that never talked to each other. How perfect! 

    “So…? I'm confused, to be honest with you two.”

    “Uh, it's a little complicated. You and Klee don't have these issues since she's so young,” Kaeya answered.

    Albedo stared blankly for a moment. “..what issues?”

    Kaeya fought back a laugh, but Diluc lightly punched him. “It's something of a rivalry?”

    “Rivalry? So you don't… like each other? I thought family was about unconditional love, or at least something of the sorts?”

    “Love him? He's practically unlovable.”

     “Hey! I know deep down in that frozen heart of yours you still love me! Oh oh oh! Maybe you can use your vision to unfreeze it!” Kaeya joked, poking at his brother's side. 

     Diluc jumped, sparking light in Kaeyas eyes, and confusion in Albedos.

     “What was that?” Both asked, one in genuine curiosity and the other in a teasing manner. 

     “Nothing. I don't know what you're talking about.” 

     “Oho? And I thought you would've grown out of it by now,” the younger teased as he grabbed for his brother once again.

     Diluc stepped back, crossing his arms again. “No! I will not be lowering myself to your childish antics, Kaeya.” 

     “Um, not to be a bother, but I am rather curious what these ‘childish antics’ are,” Albedo spoke once again, this time with a bit more of a smile on his face.  

     “Oh, you haven't figured it out?” 

     “Kaeya, don’t-” the redhead interrupted.

     “Diluc is ticklish.”

     “Kaeya- I will make you pay off your tab if you keep this up-”

     Said knight rolled his eyes, “I'll pay it if it means I get to do this again.”

     Kaeya then lunged at the older man, taking him by surprise and, in turn, knocking him to the floor. There were a couple threats thrown before Diluc was pinned to the floor with the cavalry captain sitting on his thighs. 

     “Kaeya I will-”

     “Laugh for the first time in years? Yeah you will, I am so glad you pointed that out!” He said, placing his hands on Diluc’s stomach.

     “Can I just ask something really quickly?” Albedo poked in, sitting by Diluc’s side.

     “Ask away!”

     Diluc groaned. He tried to sit up, but instead got pushed back down by the blonde. “Can you show me what ‘ticklish' is? I've never heard of it before in my studies.”

     “Why of course. Watch and learn, hehe.” With that, Kaeya began roughly squeezing his brother's sides. In response, Diluc sucked in a breath and bit his lip.

     “I thought you said this would cause laughter?” Albedo questioned, tilting his head slightly.

     “It will, he's just being stubborn,” he smirked and moved his hands up to the redheads ribs, scribbling into them.

      There was a muffled yelp as Diluc brought one hand up to cover his face, the other pushing at Kaeyas hands.

      “No no no, you will not be hiding from me!” Suddenly, there was a hand tickling away at Dilucs upper ribs and underarms. Said man choked on a laugh and grabbed Kaeyas wrists, successfully shoving them away and flipping his brother onto his back. 

      Both the blonde and the knight looked taken aback. Kaeya gave him a wonky smile. “No hard feelings, right? It was all fun in games?”

      “Absolutely not.” Then, Diluc pinched away at the other's lower ribs, to which there was a slight scream. 

      “Nohoho! Dihiluhuhuc!”

      “Oh, so it does make one laugh? I wonder why that happens…” Albedo said, looking at the floor for a second before suddenly pouncing on Diluc and pinning both the brothers to the floor. 

       “Whahat is thihis?” Kaeya asked, considering if it was worth it to try and sit up. He eventually decided against it.

       “What do you think you're doing, Albedo?” The redhead snarled, however

there was no malice behind it, thanks to the hand that was resting on his ribs.

       “Conducting research,” he said before he started to tickle both the brothers mercilessly. Kaeya definitely did not squeal, and Diluc definitely did not nearly scream.  

       It went on like that for at least five minutes, with Albedo occasionally teasing them whenever he found a good spot. Once he let up, Kaeya immediately sat up and lunged at the blonde, the older following his lead once he realized what he was doing.

       They both eventually fought him to the floor, Kaeya sitting on his waist and Diluc holding his arms.

       “What? What are you doing?” Albedo half-asked, tugging lightly on his arms.

       “Revenge. If we have to deal with it, you do too!” Kaeya laughed, drilling into his sides. Albedo yelped, giggling into his shoulder and kicking his legs behind the one on his hips. 

       “Nohoho!” He cried. 

       Kaeya only chuckled and shook his head. “You had it coming.”

       Diluc raised his eyebrows. “You're one to talk, aren't you?”

“How many times have I told you not to let me catch you stealing my drinks!?”

Oops. Diluc looked livid. Venti smiled sheepishly even as he saluted and tried to bolt with the drink in hand. 

“Sorry, Pyro but I swear, I’ll pay you back when I perform tomorrow! Later!”

He didn’t get far; Diluc was faster than he thought and he went down rather hard on the wood as the barkeep tackled him and straddled his waist from behind, keeping him firmly pinned.

“Did Kaeya put you up to this? I swear I’m gonna-”

Diluc paused as Venti let out an odd sound as he put pressure on his side. His eyes narrowed and Venti panicked. 

“You can have your drink back! I’m sorry okay? Please just don’t-shihihihit!”

He squealed as Diluc abruptly dug into his ribs, taking the wine bottle and placing it safely away before shooting a smirk at the Anemo God. 

“Oh I’m taking my wine back regardless given it’s not yours. Honestly. Well, if you want to be childish so bad I suppose I’ll teach you in a way appropriate for your level. You. Shouldn’t. Steal. Things. That. Don’t. Belong. To. You!" 

Each emphasized word was a ticklish poke that made Venti squeal and writhe but he didn’t struggle too hard or push the man off him with wind like he could have and that fact was anything but lost on Diluc. 

"Okay I’m shahahahary!! I won’t do it again!”

“If you like this…it isn’t a very effective punishment I’m afraid.”

Venti went from pink to red and shook his head in mortification before hiding his face in his arms on the floor. 

“I-you don’t-that’s not-”

“…So I’m right? Hm. Cute.”

It was all the warning Venti got before rough tickles assaulted his hips and made him buck and burst out laughing. 

“Whahahahahay!?”