#tiny angst

A = Adoration (How does they treat you?)

°Ever since he saw your smile and the moon shining on you, Paul has been fascinated by you. He loves you with all his heart, you are the most important thing for him next to his brothers. He adores you, adores your whole being and is grateful to every creature that you exist.

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B = Best friends (What would they be like as best friends? How would the friendship start?)

°Your friendship starts with his good sense of smell. You see in the shadows of the night behind the candyfloss stand you leaned against the railing and brought the joint of your own mixture to your lips. You were taking in the drug when you suddenly saw someone next to you. A good-looking blond man whose look was full of joy. ,,Hey, can I have a go?" he asked, and that was the moment when your two became best friends.

°You two really are the best of friends. Especially when it comes to racing each other every night. Playing tricks on each other, using the funfair or trying out the latest weed mixes and not getting caught by the police. But after an exciting race, when you both sat down in the cool sand, he looked over at you. Saw the glowing joint as you took the train away. Besides the need to take the drug, he felt something else inside him. It was feelings deeper than friendship...it was love.

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C = Cuddling (do they like cuddling? How do they cuddle?)

°Paul is the best cuddler there is. Out of all four vampires he is the one who could just hold you all the time if he could. He just loves to wrap his arms around you and give you a big hug.

°Everywhere. No matter when. No matter how. Paul loves all cuddles. When he or you hug from behind on the motorbike, when you give him a reassuring hug before he went to sleep. After a feast to come down from the adrenaline rush. A long joking one when you're high. It's all right for him.

°,,Come here, I just want to cuddle you".

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D = Domestic (how would they settle? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

°Paul honestly doesn't care where he lives or sleeps. But like Dwayne, he has sworn allegiance to David. As long as he has you with him and his brothers, he really doesn't care where he lives. With his brothers and you, his love, he has everything he needs. But like the others he would not hesitate to use hypnosis as a last resort if you do not give up the idea of leaving with him.

°,,You are all my home"

°He and Marko are the two with the most stuffed corners. From blankets, pillows, joints and random parts he found. Paul will have everything in his corner. What he would call creative chaos. He would also be a bit reluctant to tidy up, but if you asked him nicely I think he would do it. Whether neatly is the other question.

°As for making dinner. A big no. He needs to learn that blood, fried noodles and grass are not staple foods, much to his chagrin. So be prepared for a lot of training, retraining and patience when you teach him that there is even such a thing as a food pyramid. Which seemed to blow his mind.

°,,Wait, that's a system...oh man."

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E = Ending (how would they break up with their partner if they had to?)

°If he would break up with you like the others because of danger or other dangerous things. He would be one of the hardest hit, like Dwayne, he would change. But until then he would do everything to keep you safe. Begging you to stay but hypnotising you at the same time. He hadn't been this torn in a long time.

°,,Just stay with me"

°Paul is vengeful, even worse than Marko, who is in a different category. When you get wounded or even leave him because you can't stand all the dead and blood. He would never let go of his sun. Never. He would rather bind her to him eternally with hypnosis or in a moment of breaking dig his teeth into her neck and suck up everything he could from her. That way she would stay with him forever. She would have no choice.

°,,So we are together forever"

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F = Fiance(e) (how do they feel about agreement? How soon would they want to marry?

°Paul is a complete free spirit about it, he doesn't care if he gets married or not. He doesn't care if you give each other rings or guitars. He doesn't care as long as he has you by his side forever. But if you want to get married on the same night, the bells will ring.

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G = Gentle (how gentle are they mentally and physically?)

°Mentally, Paul is the most alert and excited. Thousands of thoughts go through his head when he's not high. But he loves to listen to you and tell you things. He will lie on his stomach patiently listening and move his legs back and forth like a schoolgirl in love. Or he will tell you something and gesticulate wildly as he goes from one place to another.

°,,Your voice is music to me"

°Physically he is like a cuddly toy. As I said before, he loves to hold you close to him, to have you with him and to hold you. Whether you are happy, sad, angry or whatever, one hug from Paul and everything is fine again. He just loves to have physical contact. As soon as his arms wrap around you it's over. He won't let you go anytime soon.

°,,A little longer you're so comfortable right now"

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H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How are their hugs?)

°The best hugger and lover of them. Paul. He never misses a chance to not put his arms around you or let you hug him. He just loves to be able to hug you, kiss you and put his head on your shoulder. He loves hugs whether they are just giving or receiving. It's something besides drinking blood that he probably couldn't live without.

°Any way you want it, just pick one. From hanging overhead and hugging, to hugs where you try to pick him up. Everything is inside for him. Whether short or long, intense or gentle, he is open to everything. But he likes it best when he lies on top of you and can lay his head on your chest or upper body. He loves to listen to your heartbeat. It's almost like a melody to fall asleep to.

°,,You don't know what beautiful sounds your heart makes".

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I = I love you (how quickly would they say it?)

°Directly on your first date. He wouldn't even have to think. He knows that he loved you, that you could make his non-beating heart beat. With all he could give you, he loves you. You're his sun in his fucking dead there.

°After that he will always say it over and over again. So often that the others roll their eyes in annoyance when they hear it. But he just has to tell you, he loves you too much for that. Wants to tell you so much more. You are simply the best for him.

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J = Jealousy (how quickly are they jealous? What do they do when they are jealous)

°Not too much he knows that you belong to them and to him. He knows he has nothing to worry about. You knew what you had to say to shake off your tempter in the normal way. But when words and gestures weren't enough, the unmistakable smell of grass would waft around you before Paul would show up and try to control things with spells if not. He was never ashamed of an audience watching him make out. Maybe he's got a bit of a thing for it.

°,,Let's give them a show what do you say?"

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K = Kisses (how are their kisses? where do they love to kiss you?)

°Your first kiss with him was stormy and yet something that almost made you laugh. In a moment when you were high, he had too much desire for you and you finally gave in, you kissed. After that, no one could stop you. Paul, who was always open to anything as far as intimacy was concerned, kissed you as often as he could from then on.

°Everywhere. Really everywhere. He loves everything on your body so why not kiss everything. Kiss you, suck your skin a little underneath and leave hickeys. Maybe suck a little of your blood to get punished? Paul just loves to kiss you all over and praise you for how good you are for him.

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L = Little ones (how are they with kids?)

°He would be pretty good with kids almost as good as Dwayne. He would entertain the kids all the time, whether it was with jokes, fantastic stories, or crafts. I think he would just get a little overwhelmed if a whole pack of kids came rushing at him. The only thing he should leave out is the drug, for many reasons.

°,,Uncle Paul is here and he has new toys".

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M = Morning (How do they spend their morning?)

°He is someone who takes a long time in the morning, I imagine. So if you slept with the boys during the day and woke up with them at night, he would take a long time. He would fly down from the ceiling to you and promptly just lie on top of you and instantly go back to sleep. He would snuggle up to you and be happy to have you. At the latest until Marko would pull the blanket away from you or turn your hammock around so that you would fall to the ground. But even after that he would need a little while until he was completely there, but with your helping words he would make an effort to be fully there.

°,,Yes...five more minutes...please."

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N = Night (how are nights spent with you?)

°Besides the typical things all five of you do together, you'll be high with Paul almost all the time. You'll ride your motorbike high, he'll hold you in his arms and fly around laughing high. He builds you your joints, not quite so high yet. But besides the drug use he loves to talk to you, to build things and to play pranks or jokes and to talk.

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O = Open ( how quickly would they open)

°He would tell you anything whether you were high, at night, mumbling in your sleep or cuddling on the couch. He probably wouldn't stop telling you everything and at some point you could only nod. But when it comes to more personal things, I think he would need a minute to collect himself. To get comfortable and let the joint go.

°,,I...want to tell you about my past."

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P = Patience (how quickly do they get angry?)

°It would take longer for him to get really angry. Because he tries to cover everything up with jokes and comments. He would get sad and angry much quicker if someone smoked his weed stash again. But when he finds out that you or one of the three others is injured or even dead. Revenge. He would be vengeful and almost possessed to avenge the person until it was done. If you were to dissuade him, not understand him or stand in his way in his eyes. He would shout at you from a moment of past helplessness or become louder.

°,,Get out of the way! You must pay for this!"

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Q = Quizzes (how much would they know or remember about you?)

°He would rather lie and guess than admit he knew nothing. He could tell them all your favourite weed, what you like to eat when you're high, but any other questions. Have fun guessing.

°Paul : Runs away and rather than admit he doesn't know

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R = Remember (what is your favourite moment in your relationship?)

°His favourite moment that he will remember for eternity. It was a pretty good night so far, he came back from the hunt with the others, his hunger satisfied for the moment. When he and the others heard music. It was not unusual that you listened to music to make the waiting a little easier while you were doing something. But something seemed different. Instead of the quieter music that you also turned on to relax. Only faster music sounded, more technical, more modern with more beats. He saw that the others also seemed interested before they got over the last metres and were with you again. But what he saw left him speechless, literally speechless. The light of the mind shone on you perfectly, you danced around on the fountain, moved your body so beautifully that he felt his desire come back. That his love for you was only greater. How the smoke of the joint came out from between your lips before you walked up to him and blew the smoke in his face. When the smoke had cleared, a wide, stupidly amorous smile slowly spread across his lips. My beautiful sexy bat" he purred before he pulled you to him and kissed you deeply.

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S = safety (how protective are they? How would they protect you?)

°He wouldn't be too protective because he knows you can defend yourself with words and also with fists. But if you couldn't defend yourself, don't worry, held Paul is here to help you. Joking aside he would be the proud observer with praising comments to you.

°In a situation where you couldn't defend yourself, you'd be told that Paul was putting up a good front. He would give you a reassuring chat and tell you that everything would be all right. Take you back to the cave or home. If necessary, like the others, with hypnosis. But if you ask him the next night how he got the same jacket as the guy yesterday, he will just smile and whistle.

°,,I...found this ?"

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T = Try (how much would they invest in dates, anniversaries, gifts etc?)

°Small gestures and gifts Paul would build artwork for you out of any fabric. A metal figurine is fine, a barrette out of small animal bones is no problem. His creativity is limitless.

°For anniversaries or other things I think he would give you handicraft instructions and nights together where you would laugh and joke and build them. But whether you get them done or find yourselves in bed is of course another matter.

°,,Hey, how was it? Wasn't I good?"

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U = Ugly (what would be a bad habit of theirs?)

°One thing that you and the others would occasionally get an eye roll out of was when he was overly clingy and too excited. Don't get me wrong, they all love Paul for who he was. But in stressful moments when the boys had to rush home because of the sun. When you have your days and you just want the pain to stop. Sometimes he can just come across as a bit inappropriate. But you can't stay mad at the dog's eyes for long.

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V = Vanity (how much do they care about their appearance?)

°Paul is moody when it comes to that. You see, he knows he's handsome, irresistible and can lure his victims with his charm. But I think he'd go all whimsical with his looks. He would look for his clothes scattered all over the cave. But he knows that whatever he wears will always look good. A little wondrously cute bat.

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W = Whole (would they feel incomplete without you?)

°Yes, the usually so joyful, excited and cuddly Paul would go to pieces just like Dwayne. You were his sun. His bright sunlight that was better than day. He would become an unrecognisable shell, sad, quiet and introverted. But in the worst moments the others would have to be careful that he didn't go out in the daytime.

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X = Xtra (a random headcanon for them)

°Paul loves to look in risky containers for new accessories, clothes and other things. He would always ask you to come along. Knowing that David and Dwayne would say no. Since even Marko only came along from time to time when he was looking for patches for his jacket. But you soon found out that a round of swimming in the container is actually really fun together with Paul who had a big smile on his face.

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Y = Yuck (what is something they wouldn't like about their partner?)

°He would get more than annoyed if you smoked his entire stash of weed during the day when he was defenceless. Insecurity would get the better of him if you didn't hug him back even once. It would almost tear him apart and he would spend days feverishly searching for an answer and a reason. They may be small things, but for Paul they were personally important. Be prepared for an annoyed, grumbling Paul.

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Z = Zzz (what is a sleeping habit of theirs?)

°Besides the almost obvious cuddling, the way he pressed himself against you and enjoyed touching your warm body. Is he incredibly cute when he mumbled to himself. From small indecisive words to whole sentences. almost as if he was revealing his experiences of the day and night to you and the others. a sweet sight.

When you met Dio, he was a bartender at your favorite place, QXT's Night Club. You'd been going there for a while. The vibe was comfortable, and the people were great. You became known as a regular face around there, and all the staff knew you by name. You weren't a heavy drinker, you just liked going to hang out and enjoy the ambience.

When Dio started working there, you thought he was a little odd. He was closed off and conceited. He held himself like he was better than those around him, and he claimed that he had the answers to gaining access to the 'next level'. You thought it was pretty goofy, but you listened anyway. He was cute and you liked hearing him talk. Something about his voice made you feel at ease. That, or you just thought he had a sexy voice.

After a few months, he started to open up to you, and you learned that about a year ago, he'd been arrested for stabbing a guy, and by dumb luck, the guy decided he didn't want to press charges and they let him walk. He was on parole for a while, and he was sick of working with 'drones'. Once you started getting to know him better, he started to flirt with you. It was unexpected, and his flirting was odd. He offered to take you under his wing and show you 'his ways'. He also defended you from creeps as best he could. It took a while before you caved and agreed to go out with him. He took you to a garden that was near a cemetery late at night, and you had dinner under the moonlight. It was actually very romantic, and it brought out another side of him that you hadn't seen before. As time went on, you grew closer, and you started hanging out at his place. Some nights, you'd wait until he got off work and go back to his apartment with him so you could watch shitty movies and eat takeout. You started dating, and it was actually pretty nice. He put up a kind of facade in public, but behind closed doors, he was a completely different person.

One evening, you'd gone out for a walk with Dio, and you'd stumbled upon a crime scene. You caught a glimpse of the body as they were loading it into the ambulance and gasped quietly, tugging on Dio's sleeve to urge him to leave. He was gazing upon the scene for a moment before something caught his eye and he immediately turned around and the two of you began heading back towards his apartment. He had a slightly panicked look on his face and seemed to be walking hurriedly, so you made sure to match his pace. When you got back to his place, you wanted to ask questions, but it didn't seem like the right time. After a couple hours, there was a knock on his door, and he looked at it, annoyed.

"You want me to get it?"

Dio didn't say anything, so you went ahead and opened the door. You were met by two men in suits. It was pretty obvious they were cops, and your breath caught in your throat when you saw them. You knew that Dio had some issues with the detectives that handled his case, which left him more weary of cops than he was before he got arrested.

"We're looking for Shane Morrissey," one of the men said, trying to peek around you into the apartment.

"Did he do something?"

"We need to ask him a couple of questions. It can either happen here or down at the station in cuffs. Doesn't matter much to me."

You felt Dio's presence behind you before his hand reached around you to grab the edge of the door, pulling it open. "What do you want?"

"Where were you today, Shane?"

"It's Dio. But you already knew that," he sneered, gripping the door tightly. You could feel the tension radiating off of him.

"You gonna answer the question?" The second cop asked, hand moving toward the handcuffs on his belt.

"I was here all day."

"Anyone who can support that, Dio?" The first cop asked, leaning towards him.

"I can," you interrupted, glaring at the detectives in front of you. "I came over last night when he got off work around 3 am. We ate and watched a movie, then we slept. We haven't left this apartment all fucking day, alright? What, you think he killed that guy?"

The second detective almost seemed amused by how defensive you were, but the first one was simply annoyed. "With the way he reacted when we made eye contact at the scene? Absolutely," he responded, and you scoffed. "If any part of this story doesn't check out, we'll be coming back to put your ass in cuffs."

"Eat shit and die, pigs," Dio sneered as they started to walk away. Before he closed the door, you stopped him and shook your head.

"No, eat shit and live. Live with the knowledge of what you've done," you corrected, closing the door.

Dio would've laughed at your add-on if he hadn't been absolutely terrified that he was about to get arrested. When you turned around and saw the look on his face, you immediately understood. You took hold of his hand and brought him back over to the couch, urging him to sit down so you could straddle his thighs and sit in his lap.

He instinctively put his trembling hands on your hips and you scooted closer to him, cupping his face in your hands. His gaze was distant and his breathing was heavy. You'd never seen Dio have a panic attack before and you weren't quite sure what to do, so you just did what you thought would help.

"Hey, it's okay," you whispered, bringing his head to your chest. You ran your fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead. "They’re gone. Besides, you didn’t do anything wrong." You paused. “Did you know those guys?”

Dio's breaths came out shaky and he slowly wrapped his arms around you, squeezing you tightly as he nodded. “Those were the guys who arrested me,” he mumbled into your chest, voice trembling just as much as his hands.

"You're going to be okay, dove," you assured him, using one hand to card your fingers through his hair and the other to rub circles into his back. He began to relax against you and after a little while, his breathing began to even out. He kept you close to him once he started to calm down, and when he finally lifted his face to look at you, you could see the redness of his eyes and the tears that had fallen. You didn't say anything as you wiped his tears away with the sleeve of your hoodie and pressed your forehead to his, gently stroking a thumb across his jaw. "My sweet dove," you murmured, letting your nose brush his.

He sighed out your name and you hummed, playing with his hair. "I have no idea what I did to allow the universe to gift me someone as amazing as you, birdie."

"You didn't have to do anything. You just existed."

I huffed, stumbling forward slightly under the weight of the man I currently supported. As if in response, Diluc sighed as he pushed away from me to lean against a wall and rest, “You need to get home. I can make it the rest of the way on my own.” 

I shook my head, straightening to better look him in the eye, “You won’t be making it anywhere very fast at all with your leg like that.” I gestured to his bloodied leg pointedly and he glanced down at it with a grimace.

I didn’t know exactly what had happened, only that the Abyss Order had been involved. The fact that he’d gotten hurt was alarming enough as it was, but the fact he’d been completely oblivious to my presence until I’d run over was even more so.

“How did they hurt you? You’ve never gotten hurt in the past,” Worry crept into my voice as I looked at his injured leg and he raised his head to look at me.

He frowned at my concern before shaking his head, “I just hadn’t expected that many. It looks far worse than it actually is.”

I all but scowled at him from where I now leaned against the wall opposite him. It was frustrating how hard he tried to keep people from helping him.

A part of me understood. Diluc did some dangerous things as the ‘Darknight Hero,’ but he couldn’t keep this up. He was going to have to hide his injury and do his work with no one noticing.

After all, an injury like that was bound to be questioned by numerous individuals. Especially since when he’d last been in the city as ‘Diluc’ he hadn’t been injured.

I rolled my shoulders as I pushed myself off the wall before extending a beckoning arm, “Come on, Angel’s Share isn’t far now. I should be able to help you get sort of patched up there.”

Diluc frowned, but didn’t object as he hobbled over to where I offered support. He did stubbornly hold up more of his weight than he should be trying to though.

I almost sighed at his efforts to keep from burdening me, but didn’t say anything. It was a miracle he was letting me help this much anyway. He’d tried to turn me away when I’d found him earlier. 

I’d been on my way home from closing up the shop when I’d found him kneeling on the ground, hands pressed to his bloody thigh that had a make-shift knife sticking out of it.

I hadn’t asked for specifics, instead rushing over to help him. I’d been met with thanks and reassurances that he could handle it on his own. To his obvious displeasure I’d refused and assisted him to the best of my ability.

Perhaps the worst part of this trek through the streets was getting him to Angel’s Share without being seen. We had to take back alleys in order to avoid the patrolling Knight’s of Favonius who he refused to ask for assistance.

His argument was that they’d connect the dots or that Kaeya would out him to the rest of the knights. In reality, I think he just really did not want help, much less theirs. After all, he’d already tried to send me home three times.

He stumbled and let out a hissing sound, causing me to look over at him with unconcealed worry. His red eyes met mine, holding my gaze for just a few brief seconds before  they darted away as if nothing was wrong, “It’s fine.”

I suppressed the now familiar need to sigh and instead looked forwards. The path that led towards Angel’s Share was welcoming as my eyes found the very building we’d been headed towards, “Look, we’re almost there.”

 I watched through my peripheral, hardly able to keep the smile off my face as he looked forward and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

 I carefully led him over to one of the tall stone walls that encircled Mondstadt and let him prop himself up. Soon I was listening to his calm directions that led me to the hidden key for the back door.

“Okay, come on,” I looped his arm over my shoulder and maneuvered him into the darkened room. Pushing the door shut with my foot as he released me to instead support himself against the wall as he eased himself onto a stool. 

I flicked on the light before looking down at him, “Where are the bandages?” 

His eyes slowly shifted up to meet mine before he glanced off to the side and pointed, “Top shelf, over there.”

My eyes followed his pointed finger and I fought back a grimace as I beheld an impressively sized cabinet. 

Stool it was then. 

As soon as I could reach it I nabbed the box marked with the red cross on it and walked over to where he sat. Ignoring the way his eyes followed my every movement, but never betrayed his thoughts.

“I’m going to have to pull the knife out, so this is gonna hurt.” My eyes flicked up to meet his as I braced myself, “As soon as it’s out I’ll have to apply pressure which will hurt even more. Ready?”

He inhaled slightly but nodded, his eyes not leaving mine until I broke eye contact by looking down.

 I would have far preferred to leave the knife in to block bleeding and get Barbara’s help but he’d already shot that idea down. Twice.

I was surprised by how quickly it all happened once I got started though.

 One second the knife was in his leg with me gripping the hilt and then the next it was out, laying on the floor where I’d dropped it. I applied pressure to the wound that blood was now flowing freely out of, gritting my teeth as I did everything I could to slow the gushing.

He let out a pained grunt and my eyes flicked up to his face before zipping back down to his leg.  I hurriedly grabbed cloth from the box and started stuffing the wound while also trying to keep pressure on it. 

I grimaced in sympathy as I quickly finished my work. Applying a tourniquet so we could get him home where more skilled hands, like Adelinde’s, could handle the rest.

“Are you…?” I stopped myself before I finished the question. 

He was not alright. He was in incredible pain and had somehow kept himself from screaming bloody murder through all that.

He inhaled harshly but nodded, somehow still feigning calm, “Thank you…” I almost grimaced again at his pained sounding words that gave away exactly how much that had hurt.

“Do you need to rest, or-” 

I was cut off with a firm shake of the head, his red eyes now gleaming with determination as he at last succeeded in drawing a sigh out of me.

I should’ve known he wouldn’t rest. Diluc was one of the people who would keep pushing himself to the very moment he shattered into a million pieces.

That was why I stayed with him no matter how many times he tried to distance himself. At the very least I could work at keeping all of the tiny pieces in place and prevent him breaking.

“Come on then. We need to get you home anyway.” I glanced down, looking at my hasty work with a frown, “That won’t be enough, but it’ll last for the trip. Adelaide should be able to handle the rest.” 

He nodded in stiff agreement, but I was already puzzling about how to get him back to his manor. Limping there wasn’t an option, we’d never make it before dawn and he definitely needed rest.

“Do you have a wagon or something we can use?” His eyes met mine with a unique exhaustion and that was answer enough. 

“I’ll ask the knights-”

“No.” His answer was swift, but hardly well thought out.

 I stood, crossing my arms and glaring down at him, “We have to get you home and you said Kaeya already knew about your ‘secret identity.’ We might as well ask the knights for help so that you won’t get an infection and will actually be able to walk in the future.” 

He almost scowled at me but I let out a huff, more annoyed than impressed by his irritation.

“I know you don’t like the knights, but you’re just going to have to deal.” I turned, getting ready to head out into the street and flag down a patrolling knight only to get stopped by Diluc’s attempt to stand that had me turning and sitting him back down.

One of his hands grasped my arm, holding me in place with ease as he firmly held my gaze, “Fine. But… But make sure you get Kaeya…. Anyone else might-” 

I nodded, wishing that I could find it in me to be soothing, but finding it difficult to actually do so as I responded. “Yes, yes I know. Anyone else might figure out your secret. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they get Kaeya.” 

He nodded at my reassurance, noticeably relaxing and at last allowing me to slip outside and onto the street so that I could glance around.

I spotted one of the armored men in the distance and raised my arm, “Sir!” 

He whirled like he’d been shot as soon as I shouted but came trotting over immediately, “Yes, what do you need Ma’am?” 

I almost grinned as I recognized the man. Miles. He would be perfect for the job.

“Miles, can you go get Kaeya? He is needed at Angel’s Share.” I watched the determined look leave the man’s eyes as he sighed.

“I see, a bill to be settled. Very well, he will be here shortly.” I watched as he turned and trotted off, letting out a sigh of relief as he disappeared.

 Saved by Kaeya’s alcohol habits and bad reputation. Who would have thought?

I went back into the tavern and Diluc immediately looked up as I entered. “Miles is getting Kaeya now. He assumed that our beloved cavalry captain had a bill to settle. Your secret is safe.”

Diluc managed an amused grin and nodded at me, “Good.” He fell silent, looking off towards the door, faking patience as we waited for the knight to come.

He shifted on his stool, wincing with motion but looking back towards me, “Again, thank you. This could have been much worse if you hadn’t found me.”

I nodded, a grin making its way onto my face, “Not a problem, can’t have Mondstadt’s one and only Darknight Hero out of commission, now can we? If nothing else Donna would be crushed.” 

She wouldn’t be the only one, but I kept that thought to myself. No need to guilt trip the poor man when he was taking the time to thank me for my assistance.

Diluc’s frown was almost immediate and I snickered as he deadpanned, “Don’t call me that.”

I smiled at him warmly, despite what a pain he’d been, I was been relieved that Diluc was okay, “I guess the Darknight Hero doesn’t always work alone?”