[Diluc is not about to ask a young lady to venture out alone at two in the morning, even if that young lady is the Traveller... so he picks himself up and a few minutes later sends a reply to her.]
Ok. The door isn't locked, since I was thinking of going out.
[It's a minute or two before she sends another text.]
Thank you. I'm sorry.
[When Diluc arrives, Lumine hasn't moved from where she was seated on the floor beneath the far window of the studio apartment. She has her knees hugged to her chest and her face hidden against them.]
[He makes his way quickly through the dark, almost empty streets to the address that she gave to him. Locating the apartments is easy enough, when he used to live there, and he isn't thinking much about restraining himself from scolding her for leaving the door unlocked until he walks in and finds her curled up on the floor.
And he hesitates, but there's something that draws him to this young woman that he can't entirely explain in words. Diluc closes the door behind him and locks it, quickly toeing off his shoes (force of habit, by now) before padding quietly across the room to join her.
He sits down on the floor as well, gently nudging against her shoulder and then putting his arm around her.]
[Lumine doesn't really even react when she hears the door open, then close again and actually lock this time. She was certain it was Diluc, and that if it wasn't she would be fine. She's curled so small there against the wall, pulling her knees closer still as she hears approaching footsteps.
The warmth of the figure settling beside her feels right, familiar, and she doesn't react at first to the nudge. It's only when his arm is around her that the soft tremble of her shoulders would be especially noticeable, and Lumine certainly doesn't stop herself from leaning fully against him.
That she'd been crying is likely clear by this point, though even with telltale trembling she's quiet. The long time habit of someone who felt they had to be strong.
When she finally speaks up, the tremble felt in her shoulders can be heard in her voice, though she tries hard to steady it.] I hope I didn't wake you up with the message...
[He will not confirm one way or another if she woke him. It's hardly the point when he's awake now, here now, and knowing that she disturbed him would only compound guilt on top of whatever sadness she's suffering at the moment.
Lumine may not be the Traveller he knows but he feels a kinship to her regardless of that, even if that sensation of familiarity comes along with wariness. How he interacts with Aether these days has a kind of strain to it that he feels creeping in here, though he is certainly willing to give her a chance to prove him wrong... and perhaps that is the main reason that he is here.]
It can't be easy to be in your position right now. [He says quietly after a few moments have passed.] But you must have already realised that so many of us are more than happy to know you. Myself included.
[It's taking a considerable amount of willpower to let herself be vulnerable here, to let herself continue letting tears fall and not box up all of her unease and sadness. She honestly didn't like to be perceived crying very much, instead preferring to smile and try to uplift others around her...but she wasn't afraid of it either.
She does finally lift her head from her knees, wiping away the trails of tears though she knew more would follow soon enough, and resting her head against Diluc's shoulder.]
It's...more difficult than I thought it would be. [She does laugh, the sound much weaker than he'd heard from her earlier that day.] I thought because everyone I met seemed so willing to get to know me again that I would be okay--and I promise I really do want to get to know everyone again. I want to be friends again.
[She has to take a moment, take a shaking breath and release it slowly, ignoring any fresh tears that fell.] Trying to rest here alone, though, without even Paimon...I guess I started thinking about it too much.
[He hadn't given as much consideration as he should have to how difficult this would be for her. A failing that he would no doubt put some thought into later. And of course she's alone - it would seem that while Nippon can support two different iterations of the Traveller there is only room enough for one Paimon, and she is paired with Aether.
Diluc frowns softly as she leans against him and he curls his fingers around her shoulder, chafing across it lightly with the side of his thumb.]
Lumine...
[It shouldn't be this easy to like her, he thinks. It is dangerously easy to feel an attachment to her, even by the standards he has previously encountered in Nippon. But leaving her like this..? No, that is unthinkable.]
How would you feel about coming to live with me-- and... and Kaeya. Just until you feel better.
[Well... now is as good a time as any for her to find out just how close the 'brothers' actually are... Definitely not how he would have wanted to inform her, but he can hardly offer her space in his home and continue to keep that fact under wraps.]
[Lumine looks at Diluc as he offers her space in his and Kaeya's home. It's clear in her expression just how much she desperately wants to accept without a second thought...but when she speaks up it's clear she's thinking about both of them before herself.]
I'm glad...that you and Kaeya have become closer. I'm... are you sure that me staying with you a while won't be strange for the two of you...? We aren't strangers but...
[But would they be comfortable with someone they didn't know as well as she knew them living in their space? She does eventually, almost reluctantly make herself speak honestly.]
Really, I want so badly to just say yes, I would love to. I just...I also don't want to make anything difficult for the two of you.
[Diluc lets out a soft huff of air through his nose and slides his arm away from Lumine's shoulders, only to shift to kneeling in front of her.]
Kaeya and I... don't have the same relationship that you remember. [And his relationship with Kaeya - with anyone, really - is something he so rarely openly talks about that he can feel his face heating up already.]
Things have changed while we've been here. We're... [For Celestia's sake, why is it so difficult to just say it now?] We've been together for over six months. So.
[Diluc rubs the back of his neck, not quite averting his eyes but clearly embarrassed by saying that so plainly out loud. It isn't that he's at all ashamed of the relationship, but discussing it like that is a whole other matter.]
There is no way that you can make things more difficult for us. We've already overcome everything. And I know... that Kae would welcome you as much as I would.
[As Diluc moves to kneel in front of her, Lumine's hand finds the ground where he had been, anchored there to support her as she shifts into a bit more of an open pose. She'd been closed off, curled up the way she was, and with Diluc in front of her now she shifts, knees rested at an angle before her.
In letting herself be emotionally open, Lumine's surprise rises beyond her sadness at the revelation. Of all the developments she expected, that hadn't been one she'd thought of...but even so the surprise gives way to the warmest smile she could manage, given her current emotional state.]
You have been? Diluc I'm so happy for the two of you. I...honestly... I always hoped you could find someone who would support you... and I'm glad to hear it's Kaeya.
[The honesty of her words is clear even through the veil of sadness that covered her. She'd been worried about both of them, really, but especially about Diluc. She had no doubt he could shoulder the responsibilities he had...but she always wished there was someone there to maybe carry it with him.]
If you're really sure it won't be a problem then... then yes...please...I would love to stay with the two of you for a little while.
[Perhaps it was fortunate that she hadn't unpacked her clothing or anything since arriving. She didn't have anything extra to pack that way.]
[The easy acceptance has him flushing slightly again, glancing away from her as he clears his throat. He nods, grateful to not be pressed for more details at the moment, and he pushes himself up to his feet.]
You can come back with me now, then, if you want to. Just bring what you need for the night, and we can come back here in the morning for the rest of your things.
[Despite the awkwardness of the overall situation he still manages to keep his composure, offering his hand down to help her up off the floor. With how upset she is, there's no chance that he would consider leaving her alone after already offering to have her stay with him.]
I left Kaeya in bed, but he probably woke up when I left... [... Ehem.
He's never going to get used to being open about his relationships.]
A... anyway, we have a guest room made up for visitors, so there's a place for you. Shall we go?
[Lumine takes a moment to wipe away her tears, though she knew still more would likely fall, before she accepts the hand to help her to her feet. Her limbs are just a little stiff from how long she was curled up on the floor, so she takes a moment to stretch her legs as she focuses her eyes on the floor.]
Everything I have is still in my bag, I haven't really unpacked much of anything since I arrived. I guess it's lucky I hadn't gotten around to it yet.
[She's still trying to smile, even though Diluc had already seen her tears, as she goes to retrieve her bag from the foot of her bed. Is she smiling for him or for herself, she wonders...she honestly isn't sure at this point. Her voice still trembles softly with each word.]
I'm ready to go whenever you are. [She wouldn't bring up Kaeya, not with Diluc seeming a bit flustered over the topic.]
[He doesn't make mention of her crying directly for the take of her dignity, and offers to take her bag from her without assuming she would need - or want - him to carry it. If she does let him take it he will do so and then make a gesture for the door for her to lead the way out.
The walk back to the house where he and Kaeya live is not a terribly long one from the site of the refugee apartments where Lumine was staying. While they walk Diluc does not force any uncharacteristic small talk, but he puts his arm around Lumine when he considers she might be chilly and keeps half an eye on her for any further signs that she's feeling distressed.]
Shall I make you a drink while you get settled? [He asks her when they finally start to draw near to the house.] Warm milk and honey, or a hot chocolate? [The latter is a personal favourite... the former is Kaeya's favourite. He doesn't really mind which one she picks, though.]
[Lumine hadn't intended to ask Diluc to carry anything for her, but when he offers she does hand the bag over as if it's reflex. She pauses only a moment to lock the door to her apartment behind them before following along at Diluc's side.
Her arms, wrapped around herself at the base of her ribs, are a little tense as they walk, almost as if she's holding everything together simply by her willpower and the strength of her arms. She does lean slightly into Diluc once he puts his arm around her, shoulders at least relaxing a little bit from the contact and proximity.]
Oh um... if it wouldn't be any trouble. [She pauses a moment, considering the options presented to her. She had asked him about alcohol at first, but hadn't expected any when she'd been invited to his house. Honestly she was fine with that...and she hums softly in consideration. When she does answer, her voice is quiet, as if she's trying to hide that it's still a little unsteady.] Hot chocolate sounds nice.
[There is alcohol in the house - Kaeya lives there after all, and Venti is a frequent visitor - but Diluc does not partake in it and he thinks that right now, with Lumine's emotional fragility and the late hour, drinking would not be the best of ideas.
But he smiles a little when she makes her choice, nodding once in acknowledgement.]
You know... when I was a child, Adelinde would have to deal with Kaeya and I arguing over which drink we would have before bed. [He doesn't think he has ever spoken much about his childhood to Aether, so it stands to reason that the same would go for Lumine if she had walked his path.]
Hot chocolate was always my favourite. [He wonders if she knows he likes sweet things.] Kaeya preferred milk and honey. I would usually win the argument.
[Lumine feels her expression soften into a small smile as Diluc talks about himself and Kaeya as children, filling her in on parts of his life she'd never heard about before.]
Did you argue every night? [It would make sense to her if they did, really. None of the arguments would be big ones she was sure, but they were both strong willed and that probably meant they were both so cute as children.
Hearing that Diluc usually won, though, is enough to draw the smallest laugh from her. The sound isn't as bright as she often tried to be...but it was clear that she had attained at least a small measure of stability. Honestly, she was sure the company was helping more than she could express...so maybe she wouldn't talk about that just yet.] Usually huh? That means Kaeya probably won a couple times. It wasn't your favorite, but does that mean you also enjoyed milk and honey?
[To be fair, he and Kaeya had barely argued at all when they were young. Diluc had been so thrilled at the prospect of a playmate that he had accepted the younger boy immediately and the two of them had been all but inseparable until... that night.
It's easier to divert his thoughts from that night than it used to be.
Their steps echo softly around them in the quiet, empty street and Diluc keeps a keen eye out for trouble, as he always does, though he isn't really expecting any. Between the two of them he imagines they could take on anything in any case.]
I let him win sometimes. [There's another of those smiles, small but warm, and he shakes his head.] I can tell you more about how we were growing up, if you're curious to know.
[She does hesitate just a little when Diluc offers to tell her more about their childhood. They had never gotten so close as to speak about that back in Teyvat, and Diluc certainly didn't owe her the familiarity here when he knew her brother instead of her... but he had offered. She wanted to get closer to the people she considered friends again...she wanted that so badly.
There's a slight worried quality to her voice that she mostly manages to hide as she speaks up again.] I'd like that, if you don't mind.
[That was the big part of it though, wasn't it? If Diluc didn't mind. She was still in a considerable amount of pain that she'd done incredibly well hiding before reaching out to Diluc tonight. She sort of felt like...like something of a bother, really. She'd troubled him at this hour of the night and for all she was grasping at the stability his presence offered...she likely had a bit more crying ahead of her before she fell asleep that night.]
[It had always been hard to talk about it because of his strained relationship with Kaeya, but that is a thing of the past now. Thinking about how they were as children is no longer tainted with the way they had parted on Diluc's eighteenth birthday, and he shakes his head when she answers him.]
I don't mind.
[Silently he gestures ahead of them, pointing out a house set a little ways back from the road. There's a large maple tree in the front garden, showing over the wall.] I'm sure you've heard me say before that I don't like to keep things that I have no use for. [The reason he had sharply given to Kaeya for the way he had sold off their childhood home and so many of Crepus' possessions... and a not so subtle dig into his abandonment of their brotherhood.
Harsh. Unnecessarily harsh. But he was so stubborn, especially with his grudges.]
But memories are not so easily put aside. I spent ten years of my life almost inseparable from Kaeya, though I never fully realised how much of a shadow I cast over him.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-05-06 02:23 pm (UTC)I'll come to you. Stay there.
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Date: 2022-05-06 02:39 pm (UTC)[It's a minute or two before she sends another text.]
Thank you. I'm sorry.
[When Diluc arrives, Lumine hasn't moved from where she was seated on the floor beneath the far window of the studio apartment. She has her knees hugged to her chest and her face hidden against them.]
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Date: 2022-05-06 02:48 pm (UTC)And he hesitates, but there's something that draws him to this young woman that he can't entirely explain in words. Diluc closes the door behind him and locks it, quickly toeing off his shoes (force of habit, by now) before padding quietly across the room to join her.
He sits down on the floor as well, gently nudging against her shoulder and then putting his arm around her.]
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Date: 2022-05-07 12:35 am (UTC)The warmth of the figure settling beside her feels right, familiar, and she doesn't react at first to the nudge. It's only when his arm is around her that the soft tremble of her shoulders would be especially noticeable, and Lumine certainly doesn't stop herself from leaning fully against him.
That she'd been crying is likely clear by this point, though even with telltale trembling she's quiet. The long time habit of someone who felt they had to be strong.
When she finally speaks up, the tremble felt in her shoulders can be heard in her voice, though she tries hard to steady it.] I hope I didn't wake you up with the message...
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Date: 2022-05-07 09:35 pm (UTC)[He will not confirm one way or another if she woke him. It's hardly the point when he's awake now, here now, and knowing that she disturbed him would only compound guilt on top of whatever sadness she's suffering at the moment.
Lumine may not be the Traveller he knows but he feels a kinship to her regardless of that, even if that sensation of familiarity comes along with wariness. How he interacts with Aether these days has a kind of strain to it that he feels creeping in here, though he is certainly willing to give her a chance to prove him wrong... and perhaps that is the main reason that he is here.]
It can't be easy to be in your position right now. [He says quietly after a few moments have passed.] But you must have already realised that so many of us are more than happy to know you. Myself included.
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Date: 2022-05-08 12:01 am (UTC)She does finally lift her head from her knees, wiping away the trails of tears though she knew more would follow soon enough, and resting her head against Diluc's shoulder.]
It's...more difficult than I thought it would be. [She does laugh, the sound much weaker than he'd heard from her earlier that day.] I thought because everyone I met seemed so willing to get to know me again that I would be okay--and I promise I really do want to get to know everyone again. I want to be friends again.
[She has to take a moment, take a shaking breath and release it slowly, ignoring any fresh tears that fell.] Trying to rest here alone, though, without even Paimon...I guess I started thinking about it too much.
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Date: 2022-05-08 12:58 am (UTC)Diluc frowns softly as she leans against him and he curls his fingers around her shoulder, chafing across it lightly with the side of his thumb.]
Lumine...
[It shouldn't be this easy to like her, he thinks. It is dangerously easy to feel an attachment to her, even by the standards he has previously encountered in Nippon. But leaving her like this..? No, that is unthinkable.]
How would you feel about coming to live with me-- and... and Kaeya. Just until you feel better.
[Well... now is as good a time as any for her to find out just how close the 'brothers' actually are... Definitely not how he would have wanted to inform her, but he can hardly offer her space in his home and continue to keep that fact under wraps.]
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Date: 2022-05-08 01:32 am (UTC)I'm glad...that you and Kaeya have become closer. I'm... are you sure that me staying with you a while won't be strange for the two of you...? We aren't strangers but...
[But would they be comfortable with someone they didn't know as well as she knew them living in their space? She does eventually, almost reluctantly make herself speak honestly.]
Really, I want so badly to just say yes, I would love to. I just...I also don't want to make anything difficult for the two of you.
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Date: 2022-05-08 01:43 am (UTC)Kaeya and I... don't have the same relationship that you remember. [And his relationship with Kaeya - with anyone, really - is something he so rarely openly talks about that he can feel his face heating up already.]
Things have changed while we've been here. We're... [For Celestia's sake, why is it so difficult to just say it now?] We've been together for over six months. So.
[Diluc rubs the back of his neck, not quite averting his eyes but clearly embarrassed by saying that so plainly out loud. It isn't that he's at all ashamed of the relationship, but discussing it like that is a whole other matter.]
There is no way that you can make things more difficult for us. We've already overcome everything. And I know... that Kae would welcome you as much as I would.
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Date: 2022-05-08 01:52 am (UTC)In letting herself be emotionally open, Lumine's surprise rises beyond her sadness at the revelation. Of all the developments she expected, that hadn't been one she'd thought of...but even so the surprise gives way to the warmest smile she could manage, given her current emotional state.]
You have been? Diluc I'm so happy for the two of you. I...honestly... I always hoped you could find someone who would support you... and I'm glad to hear it's Kaeya.
[The honesty of her words is clear even through the veil of sadness that covered her. She'd been worried about both of them, really, but especially about Diluc. She had no doubt he could shoulder the responsibilities he had...but she always wished there was someone there to maybe carry it with him.]
If you're really sure it won't be a problem then... then yes...please...I would love to stay with the two of you for a little while.
[Perhaps it was fortunate that she hadn't unpacked her clothing or anything since arriving. She didn't have anything extra to pack that way.]
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Date: 2022-05-08 02:27 pm (UTC)You can come back with me now, then, if you want to. Just bring what you need for the night, and we can come back here in the morning for the rest of your things.
[Despite the awkwardness of the overall situation he still manages to keep his composure, offering his hand down to help her up off the floor. With how upset she is, there's no chance that he would consider leaving her alone after already offering to have her stay with him.]
I left Kaeya in bed, but he probably woke up when I left... [... Ehem.
He's never going to get used to being open about his relationships.]
A... anyway, we have a guest room made up for visitors, so there's a place for you. Shall we go?
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Date: 2022-05-09 10:29 am (UTC)Everything I have is still in my bag, I haven't really unpacked much of anything since I arrived. I guess it's lucky I hadn't gotten around to it yet.
[She's still trying to smile, even though Diluc had already seen her tears, as she goes to retrieve her bag from the foot of her bed. Is she smiling for him or for herself, she wonders...she honestly isn't sure at this point. Her voice still trembles softly with each word.]
I'm ready to go whenever you are. [She wouldn't bring up Kaeya, not with Diluc seeming a bit flustered over the topic.]
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Date: 2022-05-12 09:23 pm (UTC)The walk back to the house where he and Kaeya live is not a terribly long one from the site of the refugee apartments where Lumine was staying. While they walk Diluc does not force any uncharacteristic small talk, but he puts his arm around Lumine when he considers she might be chilly and keeps half an eye on her for any further signs that she's feeling distressed.]
Shall I make you a drink while you get settled? [He asks her when they finally start to draw near to the house.] Warm milk and honey, or a hot chocolate? [The latter is a personal favourite... the former is Kaeya's favourite. He doesn't really mind which one she picks, though.]
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Date: 2022-05-13 10:37 am (UTC)Her arms, wrapped around herself at the base of her ribs, are a little tense as they walk, almost as if she's holding everything together simply by her willpower and the strength of her arms. She does lean slightly into Diluc once he puts his arm around her, shoulders at least relaxing a little bit from the contact and proximity.]
Oh um... if it wouldn't be any trouble. [She pauses a moment, considering the options presented to her. She had asked him about alcohol at first, but hadn't expected any when she'd been invited to his house. Honestly she was fine with that...and she hums softly in consideration. When she does answer, her voice is quiet, as if she's trying to hide that it's still a little unsteady.] Hot chocolate sounds nice.
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Date: 2022-05-14 09:53 pm (UTC)But he smiles a little when she makes her choice, nodding once in acknowledgement.]
You know... when I was a child, Adelinde would have to deal with Kaeya and I arguing over which drink we would have before bed. [He doesn't think he has ever spoken much about his childhood to Aether, so it stands to reason that the same would go for Lumine if she had walked his path.]
Hot chocolate was always my favourite. [He wonders if she knows he likes sweet things.] Kaeya preferred milk and honey. I would usually win the argument.
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Date: 2022-05-15 12:24 pm (UTC)Did you argue every night? [It would make sense to her if they did, really. None of the arguments would be big ones she was sure, but they were both strong willed and that probably meant they were both so cute as children.
Hearing that Diluc usually won, though, is enough to draw the smallest laugh from her. The sound isn't as bright as she often tried to be...but it was clear that she had attained at least a small measure of stability. Honestly, she was sure the company was helping more than she could express...so maybe she wouldn't talk about that just yet.] Usually huh? That means Kaeya probably won a couple times. It wasn't your favorite, but does that mean you also enjoyed milk and honey?
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Date: 2022-05-18 07:08 pm (UTC)[To be fair, he and Kaeya had barely argued at all when they were young. Diluc had been so thrilled at the prospect of a playmate that he had accepted the younger boy immediately and the two of them had been all but inseparable until... that night.
It's easier to divert his thoughts from that night than it used to be.
Their steps echo softly around them in the quiet, empty street and Diluc keeps a keen eye out for trouble, as he always does, though he isn't really expecting any. Between the two of them he imagines they could take on anything in any case.]
I let him win sometimes. [There's another of those smiles, small but warm, and he shakes his head.] I can tell you more about how we were growing up, if you're curious to know.
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Date: 2022-05-23 11:35 am (UTC)There's a slight worried quality to her voice that she mostly manages to hide as she speaks up again.] I'd like that, if you don't mind.
[That was the big part of it though, wasn't it? If Diluc didn't mind. She was still in a considerable amount of pain that she'd done incredibly well hiding before reaching out to Diluc tonight. She sort of felt like...like something of a bother, really. She'd troubled him at this hour of the night and for all she was grasping at the stability his presence offered...she likely had a bit more crying ahead of her before she fell asleep that night.]
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Date: 2022-05-26 04:26 pm (UTC)I don't mind.
[Silently he gestures ahead of them, pointing out a house set a little ways back from the road. There's a large maple tree in the front garden, showing over the wall.] I'm sure you've heard me say before that I don't like to keep things that I have no use for. [The reason he had sharply given to Kaeya for the way he had sold off their childhood home and so many of Crepus' possessions... and a not so subtle dig into his abandonment of their brotherhood.
Harsh. Unnecessarily harsh. But he was so stubborn, especially with his grudges.]
But memories are not so easily put aside. I spent ten years of my life almost inseparable from Kaeya, though I never fully realised how much of a shadow I cast over him.