chaper 29 - burgeon

(Author's note: yes, my humor is broken, but I personally find the title of this chapter very funny)

Once I arrived home I immediately fell into my bed. I wanted to have a shower, but I had no energy left in my body. All the tiredness of the previous days came to me, making my body extremely heavy.

I probably fell asleep in three seconds.

When I woke up the next day, the sun was already high up on the sky.

I decided to take a few days off from adventurer work, and get things done around the house. I wrote my report about our mission for Jean, I cleaned up, spent time with Klee, visited Albedo at Dragonspine, went out for drinks with Kaeya and read books.

Five days passed, and I tried to keep myself busy. I was worried about Diluc, of course, but I knew he was in capable hands. And I needed to get back on track with my life, and rest. Even before that mission, I completed commission after commission.

I was seriously considering another traveling to somewhere. Just a short vacation. Maybe some time in the Liyue countryside...

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door. I stood up from my couch where I was daydreaming, to check who was it.

My eyes widened, seeing Diluc at my door.

"Diluc... you... you healed?" I asked surprised. I saw those wounds on his body. Around a week is definitely not enough for them to heal completely.

"Well, that's not entirely true" he said. "But I am well enough to leave the house and get back to work"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "You should be more responsible than that, you know? What if your wounds re-open? Or you pass out as you are still weak? Or..."

My scolding session was interrupted by him laughing. The sound was so strange from him, and the sight of him laughing... I haven't seen him laugh for years. And the current Diluc I knew was always so serious that I just stood there, completely frozen, like an idiot.

"You act like a grumpy granny right now" he said, with a soft smile. "I am fine, don't worry too much. Will you let me in?"

I blinked. "Yes, of course" I stepped aside from the door so he could enter my house. "Would you like some tea?" I asked.

"Yes, a tea would be nice, thanks" he said. I started preparing the drinks, while he simply looked around in the apartment, reading the titles of the books on the shelves.

For some reason, I felt an awkward tension in the air. No matter what we went through, I started feeling that we were returning to the old condition of our relationship. And also, he did not start the conversation yet and I knew I had to tell him how we escaped.

"Your hands are shaking" I heard his voice dangerously close behind me. When did he come here? Was I so lost in my thoughts that I failed to notice him walking right behind me? "Let me handle it, okay?" he said, taking off his gloves, then softly releasing the kettle from my hands, pouring the hot water on the tea blend.

He was right, I was shaking. I knew he would get angry if I told him the circumstances of how our mission ended. And I didn't want to anger him. Not like I was scared of him. I was scared of losing the relationship we had built so far. He despised the Fatui more than anyone. And the fact that I made a deal with them would probably not be something of his liking.

"Are you nervous because of me?" he asked like he was reading my mind. "If you are worrying about telling me what happened on our mission, you don't have to. Kaeya told me everything"

My eyes widened. "He did what?" I turned around to face him. We were barely a meter apart from each other.

"He visited me... and he told me what he heard from you. Including your deal with that Fatui woman" I bit my lip. Why? Why did Kaeya tell him?

"His intentions were good" Diluc stated. "He said he is telling me because if I get angry then I will not throw all that anger at you right away. He can be a considerate friend sometimes... I'm impressed"

I chuckled nervously. Well, all that mental preparation was for nothing then. At least I didn't have to repeat the same story again.

"And are you angry at me?" I asked, afraid of his answer.

"No" he shook his head. "Well, I can't say I am very happy about it either" he sighed. "But I trust you, Tessa. You saved everyone and you are fine. And that's what matters the most" he was staring deeply in my eyes, so deeply that my cheeks started burning.

I cleared my throat, I was a blushing mess, not by his words, but because of the way he looked at me. I couldn't decipher his gaze. "The tea will get cold" I said, as I turned to the cups.

"Tea can wait" he said, gently grabbing my arm and pulling me to his chest. I was completely shocked by the sudden impact, but I had no time to say anything - my head was empty anyway - as I was silenced immediately with his lips against mine.

The first shock didn't last long, I let the thoughts go and completely melted into him. Our lips had a soft but passionate dance and I was overwhelmed by all the sensations. His familiar scent, his warm touch on my waist, his strong chest under my palms and the sweet taste of his lips.

It felt like a beautiful dream, I couldn't help smiling into that kiss.

He unfortunately broke the moment, he looked down at me, but still held me in his embrace. He lifted his right hand to softly caress my cheek, his beautiful crimson eyes were burning with a hungry fire, threatening to devour me.

"I am sorry I took so long" his voice was barely louder than a whisper. "I... I love you Tessa, and I will not deny it for myself anymore. I love you, I have been loving you since we were kids, and I want to continue to love you til the end of time"

Happy tears gathered in the corners of my eyes by hearing his confession. Finally. It is not a dream. He is here and he loves me.

Instead of answering I tiptoed to be able to reach his lips. My hands slipped up his warm face and I pulled him closer to me for another kiss.

Now his arms were tighter around me, like our current closeness wasn't enough for him. His tongue found its way in my mouth, deepening the kiss.

We both ended up gasping for air.

I giggled as I looked at his reddened cheeks and fiery eyes.

"I love you so much" I said eventually, my fingers gently smoothing his cheeks. A soft smile appeared on his face as he picked me up, like I was completely weightless.

(Author's note There is no descriptive smut here, so you can continue reading. For the ones who expected it, well, I am sorry. I feel like straight ass smutty smut just doesn't fit in this story. But if many people requests it, I can try. But as I said, for me it doesn't fit)

He found his way to my bedroom, gently placing me on the bed. He took his coat off, exposing his strong arms in his short-sleeved black shirt. My fingers found their way to the buttons of his white vest, forcing him to take it off. Our kisses never stopped as we slowly undressed each other.

His toned torso was still wrapped in bandages, so I tried to be gentle as I caressed his skin, running my palms through his chest and his back. He unwrapped me from the white blouse I was wearing, he slid his right hand down my side, my thighs and gently forced me to wrap my legs around his waist. Waves of shivers ran down my spine by his touches.

"I want you, Tessa" he whispered in my mouth. "You can stop me anytime" he chuckled. "But I hope you won't"

I didn't answer just forcefully continued kissing him, biting his lower lip. I wanted him so bad. I wanted him entirely. Words weren't enough. Hugs and kisses weren't enough. And oh my, the touching of our warm skin on each other still wasn't enough.

I wanted everything. I wanted all of the man I loved for so many years. I have waited enough.

I found the buttons of his pants.

"I am yours, Diluc" I touched his face, looking deeply in his eyes. "Don't you dare stopping" I chuckled lightly, as I slowly melted together with him entirely.