chapter 31 - liyue trip

"Mmm, it was delicious" Diluc exclaimed after the last bite of his dinner. "Thank you for the meal" he smiled. "You are a very good cook."

"Thank you" I chuckled. "I've been taking care of myself for years now, I had to learn how to cook"

He was sitting next to me, but came even closer to give a kiss on my cheek. "And I'm so glad you learned this skill" he smiled softly.

"Listen" I started. "I know that us together is very-very new, but... we should go to Angel's share together tonight"

He rested his forehead on my shoulder. "I would rather stay here with you"

I kissed the top of his head. I was so surprised how natural it felt to be close to him and these small gestures... love is truly an amazing thing. "Me too, but Kaeya slightly threatened me that he will spill it to everyone. And knowing him, he would make up a story like.. he found us naked in bed or something like that"

Diluc sighed. "You're right. And I am pretty sure he invited everyone we know for tonight"

—

...And we were right. The tavern was full of people we knew. There were Kaeya and Rosaria already tipsy, Jean with Lisa casually sipping on cocktails, a very quiet Eula smiling at a very cheerful Amber...

I gently squeezed Diluc's hand. Kaeya turned around, like he sensed our presence.

"Oh, hello there" he raised his glass, talking loud enough for people around to hear. "I'm glad that my new favorite couple honored us with their presence" he chuckled.

Everyone's eyes widened at his words, instantly finding us with their glances. Lisa's eyes shifted to our intertwined fingers. She started giggling. "Finally"

Jean ran towards our direction and locked me in a tight embrace. "Tessa, oh archons, I am so glad" I wrapped my hands around her waist. Seeing my friends happy about the news was the last proof I needed that Diluc and I are finally together.

Kaeya cleared his throat loudly. "Now, I want to separate my amazing friend from her crimson knight for a second" he said. "I want to buy you a drink" he then glanced at Diluc. "Sorry, brother I am not paying for grape juice"

A barely visible smile appeared on Diluc's face. "Just don't get my woman too drunk, Kaeya"

The night went really well. No awkward tension, no unsaid words. Just a lot of fun with friends. I even convinced Diluc to drink at least one cocktail.

We stayed there after closing time, as the boss was present. I sneaked out with Rosaria when she wanted to smoke, as I needed some fresh air.

I never really talked to her. She was Kaeya's close friend, and we had some casual small talk at the tavern on nights like this, but not a real conversation.

"You want one?" she offered me a cigarette, but I refused.

"I only tried once in Sumeru and I threw up right after it" I chuckled. Archons, I was so tipsy.

Rosaria chuckled. "I would never smoke anything that comes from Sumeru"

"Good choice" I answered, breathing in the chilly air of the night. We were chatting for a while, it was surprisingly pleasant. I was always a little afraid of Rosaria.

"Hey" Diluc's head appeared at the door. "I was wondering where you went"

"I just needed some fresh air" I grinned at him.

Rosaria stomped on her finished cigarette. "I'll go and check on Mr. Cavalry" she said. Then she looked me in the eyes. "You know, at first I thought you were a hypocrite bitch"  she said. "But I actually like you a lot" she shrugged, then she returned to the tavern.

I stood there dumbfounded, then I glanced at Diluc. "Can I take this as a compliment?"

"Yeah, I think so" he smiled and came closer to me to lock me in his strong arms. I rested my forehead on his chest, enjoying his warmth.

"I love you" I murmured.

"I love you too" he answered, giving a small kiss on the top of my head.

"Diluc?"

"Hm?"

"Would you come to Liyue with me, for a couple of days?" I asked.

"What's the occasion?"

"Nothing... I just... you know I was thinking about going there as a vacation for a couple of days, and you know, I thought we could go together" I looked up at him. His eyes were glowing, and I expected rejection, but he nodded.

"Let me take care of a few things tomorrow, then we can go the day after" he smiled softly. "We need to celebrate us somehow, and I don't want you to be bored with me" he chuckled.

"I'm not.."

"I was joking" he interrupted with a gentle smile. "I am looking forward to this trip" he kissed me softly and I completely melted into him.

I was so damn happy.

—-Our destination was Qingce village. I wanted to got to a place that is not too far away, but also very quiet. And naturally, my mom had an old friend there, who had a small tavern with one room available for tourists - even if the village wasn't the first destination for any traveler to Liyue.

"Tessa, my dear, I haven't seen you for ages!" Granny Lian greeted me. "Where is your unpredictable mother?"

"Who knows?" I shrugged with a soft giggle.

I introduced Diluc to her.

"My dear, you found a nobleman?" she smiled. "That's the perks of inheriting your mother's beauty, but not her personality"

"Granny Lian!" I glared at her with tomato red face.

"I am joking, sweetheart" she waved her hand. "Enjoy yourselves, youngsters, I will make you dinner"

"Thank you, Granny Lian" we thanked her, and after placing our luggage in the room, we decided to stroll around the village.

"I am not even surprised that Alice has interesting friends everywhere" Diluc commented.

I intertwined my fingers with his as we were walking.

"And she is amongst the nice ones. Mom also has some very questionable connections"

We climbed up to a small cliff looking down the beautiful scenery. I sat down in the grass, Diluc joined me there. I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Tessa..." he started.

"Hmm?" I looked up at him, still holding his hand.

"I know it's only the start of our story... but I want you to know that I am okay with you traveling. I mean... I know that you leave often, and I don't want to tie you to myself"

I squeezed his hand. "Diluc..." I sighed. "I would be more than glad to finally settle. Before I came back to Mondstadt, I traveled often because I never felt home anywhere... And after that, I was mainly running away from you" I let out a small laugh. "But I don't have to run away anymore"

He pulled me into his embrace, gently grabbing my chin and kissing me. His kiss was sweetly passionate. I loved that most of the times he answered with actions and not words. I understood him pretty well.

"But..." I pulled away a little. "Now if I go, and it is not adventurer work... You have to come with me. I have some friends all around Tevyat that I want you to introduce to"

"I am looking forward to it" he answered simply. "I want to know you, Tessa. All parts of you"

"I feel the same" I grinned. "I am looking forward to our journey together.."

———————Author's note

Guuuuys

Okay so quick storytime (?)

I've been playing Genshin since April 2021 and you know, when Diluc first appeared it was like "love" at first sight, I instantly liked him and wanted to get him in the game.

But, he never came home...

...UNTIL TODAY!!!

2 years of waiting and I finally pulled Diluc!!! I literally gave up, like okay I will never get him, it's fine...

so today I had like 4 wishes for standard banner (with a 15 pity lol), I was like okay I will do these pulls, then log out, I went to Angel's share with my freshly re-built Kaeya, sat down, and the third wish was gold and when his silhouette appeared I was like NO WAY DUDE NO FUCKING WAY I was literally crying no cap

So yeaaaaahhhhh I am finally a Diluc haver!!!!

Okay SORRYYYY for the emotional outburst but I'm just fucking happy

See y'all next chapter hehe