#what is the truth? he trusts wrio right? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

glassrowboat · 2 months ago

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Vampire hunter AU (2/4)

Chapter 1 here

Summary: Having everything taken from him, there was only one path left to pursue: revenge.

He would follow that path until the end, Diluc promised himself the need to see a head of blue hair separate from its body all consuming, even as he stumbled. His limbs tried to tell him he couldn't go on, not even as he trekked through a forest path trying to put space between the vampire who had left his shoulder dislocated and body bruised as he followed a lone light up ahead- safety, maybe, or his undoing.

Right now, it didn't matter, for there was a path left to pursue, and he would keep marching on until dawn.

The introductions you promised him had been, to say the least, brief.

Diluc's hair was still damp from the bath after he came downstairs to the sight of the messy frock you had been wearing haphazardly thrown on the back of a chair as you fill empty bottles with the contents of the cauldron, you told Diluc to get off his feet and sit down.

He acquiesced.

You barely looked back at him as you kept yourself busy with grabbing a ladle, scooping up the contents of the cauldron, and pouring it with a surprising amount of care as you made sure not to waste a single drop. Given the state of your home Diluc would have thought you would shrug off a small mess and decide to leave it until later, but here you were eyeing your process with a keen eye. The fact you were using a stack of books as a step stool to reach more of those colorful, empty bottles you had hanging from stringing ropes certainly didn't help his previous opinion when Diluc could tell they were ancient just by looking at them, but you didn't seem to mind them getting ruined by your trampling.

“Go on, then.” You said as you stepped back down. “Tell me your name.”

Diluc's mouth opened only to pause when he was stuck trying to figure out if he should give you one of the many aliases he has picked up or simply...the truth. You had welcomed him in, dressed his wounds, let him use your tub and your towels all while being gracious enough not to openly pry- much- so surely that meant a little trust was permitted. You, however, didn't appreciate his hesitance. “I won't have a complete stranger living in my home, young man. So I'll say it again: ‘tell me your name.’”

In the end he chose to share the same graciousness you've given him. “Diluc.”

“Diluc,” you repeated with your head tilting to the side. “Like diluculum. Dawn.”

Clearing his throat Diluc asked for yours. Your answer helped him shrug off his discomfort at hearing his name said aloud for the first time since he started his solitary sojourn across the nations. It left a warmth blossoming in his chest with the way you pronounce each syllable; not that he would admit to noticing it.

It left Diluc with nothing better to do than to focus on your finger currently pointed down at the familiar. “And that's Wrio. Or Wriothesley. Or-”

The dog you were pointing to snorted, cutting you off before you could call him a mutt again.

“Yes, Your Grace, too.” You patted the dog's head when Wriothesley looked like he was going to bark at you again.

You turned your attention back to Diluc. “You are familiar with what hellhounds are, yes?”

Clearly you were asking because you knew he lacked certain bits of knowledge. It was salt in the wound, really, being rubbed in as Diluc confirmed your statement, much to his own chagrin.

“To put it shortly, they're demons.”

Diluc immediately looked down at the hellhound, who was currently trying to paw at the single flipped over corner of a carpet. He, with all his fur and wagging tail, looked like the complete opposite of the image The Church had once ingrained in Diluc. There were no horns protruding from anywhere, and Wriothesley certainly wasn't walking around with his body alight with flames. Diluc could almost hear a man's teasing tone, feel an arm on his shoulder as a single eye looked at him while the words “Well, isn't that disappointing” filled the air at the sight.

Back then he would have agreed. Said something cheeky as his elbow met Kaeya's side and they would have laughed until someone snapped at them to stop and pay attention to that day's lesson. Just like how your voice pulled Diluc out of his reverie.

“In this particular instance, Wrio became a demon because he’s a murderer.” And you kept talking like nothing was wrong. “Though, he likes to joke it's because he was dating a man.”

And kept talking.

“What was his name again?” You asked.

With Wriothesley's bark, you nodded. “Right, Neuvillette.”

You continued on like that for what had to be a solid five minutes. During which Diluc learned that this “Neuvillette” is a dragon, a woman named Gold had made a dragon- if not multiple-, and that the two were not related by any capacity. All as his eyes flicked back from you to the hellhound.

This was even more confusing than when he first had to sit down in the rows of old wooden pews and listen to a man with a receding hairline talk about the price all sinners must pay one day. If you don't pray every day to show God your devotion? Hell. Sex before marriage? Eternal damnation….

No, actually, the preaching was worse.

Wiping his inexplicably sweaty palms on his borrowed pants, Diluc awkwardly interrupted your conversation. “I can't imagine you two are used to company.”

You let out a questioning “oh” before realization seemed to set in.

“Oh, right, you can only understand me. Heh. Sorry, when you live so far out of reach of everyone else, it's either talk to this one or make dinner aga-” You stopped short, eyes going wide before exclaiming "wait, dinner!”

Immediately you were running off, your skirts trailing after you as you tried to dodge around everything in your way to the kitchen. Pots and pans started banging together after you disappeared from his sight, and for a moment, Diluc looked down at Wriothesley like he was waiting for an explanation. Of course, he didn't receive one.

“She does that more often than not, doesn't she?”

The hellhound barked in response.

With another clatter (Diluc could only hope it was nothing serious), you came back into the room with three plates full of food. A stack of toast, bacon, and two eggs you had somehow managed to burn to the point the outside edges were bubbling up and tinted black was placed before him with a heavy thud. A piece of bacon seemed to flake off onto the table when you did. Below the porcelain, now with a bit of food laying on it, hid away a single stained envelope with the name Scarlett written on the back. It had signs of aging after going unsent for years, but for now, it was being used as a placemat for Diluc’s meal you were currently urging him to chow down on.

“A good meal is important for a healing body, so eat up.” You declared, giving the third plate to Wriothesley on the floor.

With the fork you had placed on the plate ready for his use, Diluc used the prongs to poke the egg for a moment. It wavered, just like the smile Diluc was wearing as it hid away behind the messy strands of his still damp hair.

Under his breath, Diluc whispered “A home cooked meal.”

“What was that?” You asked.

“Nothing. Just- Thank you.”

You flashed him a grin, and with little wrinkles forming in the corners of your eyes, you said “You're welcome, Hunter.”

Diluc's fork met the eggs again, stabbing through the slightly charred ends to avoid the nagging feeling telling Diluc how he wished you would have addressed him by his name again.

After dinner you sent him to bed with a quick pat to Diluc's shoulder and shoved what he could only guess was the potion the note was referring to earlier before you left him to his own devices downstairs with the lumpy cot.

Wriothesley followed after you, claws scratching at the wood flooring before stopping halfway to shoot Diluc a look when he uncorked the bottle with a soft pop.

By the time it was emptied, both the hellhound and the witch were gone.

That's how things settled into place for the next few days, like stones slotting together brick by brick to build something new he couldn't quite make out yet as his routine slipped into resting, sharing tea whenever you were willing to deal with his inquiries, and asking the occasional question. (Ex: why there's salt on all your windowsills).

You, apparently, didn't like to feel like you were being heckled.

Then, of course, there was the matter of sleeping. Diluc woke up when you did, no matter the time of day or night. It was that or you would deem him unfit for any moving at all and threaten to tie him to the cot for the sake of his recovery; the obvious option was to get out of bed. Besides, after the few short years he spent as a hunter always on the move, it wasn't a big adjustment to get used to. It was simply a new routine.

One that now includes you.

And the hellhound.

With nothing better to do most days Diluc was left to read from the multiple stack of books. In those moments he would run a finger over pages so old he could have sworn they would crumble to dust at the slightest touch as latin was laid bare before Diluc's eyes. Snippets were processed, certain words here and there recognized as he tried to retain every last snippet of information revealed to him.

But even an injured man gets restless. Something you seemed to pick up on as you waved Diluc off when he started pestering you too much for your liking with a “Go chop wood or something,” which led Diluc to standing outside, sweat coating his brow as the ax he was holding swung down. Its blade cut through the logs with ease as they splintered off from each other and fell to the ground with a soft thud when they met the grass right next to the slowly accumulating pile of firewood.

He had been at this for a while, long enough to have you come out of the cabin with gloves and a large wicker basket you had placed down next to the patches of turned soil. Plants were already rooted with sprigs of green leaves with a blue tint from the floating lights peeking our. Every now and then the lights would chitter to you before promptly being swat away while you tended to the garden.

Wriothesley was basking in the sun's rays cast across the front porch as Diluc approached you, a limp still in his stride from his injured leg. Surely you already knew about it, but Diluc forced himself to fix his limp regardless when he joined you under the shade being provided by a lone apple tree. During this time of year the apples were ripe for the picking, bright red and drawing in multiple flickering lights that seemed to dance around them in excitement. A few even had little bits of their peels dug into, almost like little mouths had bitten at them in hopes of getting the juice stored inside.

Without bothering to look up from the few carrots you had just pulled from the ground you said “Hello, Hunter.”

“I can help you with that.” Diluc offered.

“I take it you got tired of chopping?”

Diluc looked up at the lights, swearing he saw a tiny face in the ball of luminescence before turning his gaze from it as he crossed his arms. “Something like that.”

Another carrot was pulled and promptly tossed into the basket. “They're fairies. Loud buggers. Energetic, too, but they're denizens of the forest.”

With the few ripe vegetables already plucked, you pulled your gloves off and set them to the side. They nestled neatly against you, looking almost out of place next to your dress. Just like many of the things in your house, it looked like it had been plucked right out of the past.

With half a mind to ask for your age knowing witches could live a good few centuries without issue, Diluc knelt down next to you with a single knee pressed to the ground in his attempt to favor his one good leg.

“It's a nice day out, isn't it?” Your eyes strayed over to Wriothesley, watching the hellhound as he laid on the porch only a few feet away, taking in the sunlight, keeping him warm. Every now and then, his ears would twitch as fairies got louder. “During this time of the year, it usually is. Hopefully, it will be just as nice when you finally depart.”

“Right, when I depart.” Diluc's jaw tensed, almost locking in place when he chose to ignore the implications of your statement. At least, for now, anyway. “I haven't asked yet, but do you expect me to repay you for helping me?”

You shook your head. “How about you consider this as…you owe me a favor instead?”

You chuckled softly as Wriothesley tried to scare a fairy that came up to him off, all while Diluc became keenly aware of a heavy ache stirring in his chest right where his father's- his badge was resting. “Owe you… a favor?”

“Before you protest, how about we take a walk?”

You dusted off your skirt as you got up, making sure any bits of dirt still clinging to you were properly shaken off before starting to walk, clearly expecting him to follow. Wriothesley, on the other hand, was told to stay the moment his head started to lift up to look over at you.

This witch clearly expected people- or dogs- to obey anything she said, it seemed, and given his current predicament Diluc didn't have much choice except, to the detriment of his pride, do as she asked.

It took a moment to get back up on his feet, but Diluc quickly caught up to you as you slipped through the underbrush of the forest. A stray twig tried to catch on his pants, and another cracked under his foot as you talked.

“I think I should explain something about this place to you. I was not the one that made this place, Hunter. In fact, it was another witch.”

Looking around the forest again, the fact this place is widely known to be cursed came to mind again. “The one who could read minds?”

“No. No, not her.” You lifted a stray branch, one hanging low enough Diluc was sure it would hit him if you let it go as he ducked underneath it. “I'm talking about my Master.”

When Diluc stood to his full height once again, he was stopped short at the sight of a headstone. The original inscription was barely legible, either from age or improper technique from when it was made, leaving only indents of possible letters. The name was illegible, but there wasn't a need to stop and try to read it when you were whispering the name as you brushed off a few leaves from the stone’s surface.

“I. Ivanovna N.”

“My condolences.”

The moment Diluc's head started to bow in reverie you reached up and titled it back up with a single finger to his chin. “Don't apologize and pick your head back up.

It's not like it was your fault.”

“Still…” Diluc said, his voice trailing off. He, too, knew what it was like to lose the person who took care of you, taught you, guided you, and it was far from a feeling he wished anyone else to become acquainted with.

“I didn't show you this for an apology.” The wind blew past you both, stirring up your hair and his together in its breeze. “So, none of that ‘sorry’ business or I'll think that weary voice of yours is a sign you're coming down with a fever and send you back to bed.”

Diluc’s eyes narrowed on you and he reached up to take your hand in his own to pull it away from its grasp on his chin. He knew rest is important, and he's been giving it the time, but even he couldn't stay huddled up in bed while there were still matters to be handled. “I don't think that's necessary. I can't afford to wait around all day doing nothing.”

A smirk twitched at your lips. “Oh, there he is.”

The way you spoke led him to believe you were expecting that reaction.

“Wait..why did you say that?”

“Well, Hunter, I'm sure you're familiar with the rumors of this place, yes? I hate to be the one to break it to you, it's just that this place isn't cursed at all. It's enchanted.”

Your hand slid from his, fingers grazing against Diluc’s worn and calloused ones as you pulled away. He jolted slightly at the feeling only now realizing he had never let it go.

“You see, I've met a few of your colleagues in my time. They were all young, raring to go, full of conviction. Yet all you've done since you got here is lay around and toss a ball whenever Wriothesley comes up to you- not that he doesn't appreciate it.”

“Your point being?” Diluc asked. He was almost certain you would wave him off at any moment again, and your crypticness certainly wasn't helping that assumption.

“My point is: my late Master made this place what it is today. She enchanted it so anyone with a great, undeniable desire can find my home. Those that lack this trait are turned away and returned to the edge of the forest with a hazy memory and only a faint recollection of uneasiness.”

“She,” Diluc paused, trying to find the right words, “must have been a highly skilled witch, then. It's a praise worthy accomplishment.”

“She was.” You agreed, a hand reaching out to trace the faintest hints of an ‘I’ left in the moss covered stone. “And as for any trouble that might come to the person along the way? It's handled by the faeries in exchange for spare bits of my dinners, hence their friendliness. It's a handy trick, really, and keeps all those pesky door to door salesmen going around these days away. After all, this is my paradise lost to the masses, not theirs.”

Diluc's arms crossed when you looked up at him.

“And I think the desire that brought you here was the need for safety. I mean, you were... uh…”

“In dire straits?” Diluc offered to which you agreed.

“Unless you have any other ideas.”

His eyes met yours when you pushed the topic onto him, but the question he was asking himself strayed from what you were asking, leaving his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions.

“My goal isn't just to kill a vampire or two, but to eradicate all evil in this world. They must be purged for the sake of every normal being in this world. It's just…”

Crepus had once told him the world would never turn its back on the faithful before he died. Those words had once rang true in Diluc's heart the same as any oath, only for them to sour at the face of his father's passing. It's likely Crepus would have trusted this witch in a place like this, the promises it gave of being a so-called haven for those who needed salvation and would pat Diluc on the back on his way to the glade full of fairies and a grumpy hellhound. The only issue is: Diluc isn't his father. He wouldn't blindly jump forward again without first asking himself if he's ready to have his faith trampled over again.

“Diluc?”

The same warmth you had spurred in him before awoke again, sparking alight.

The answer was simple.

“I believe it was a desire for help.” He paused. “I need your help to become an actual Vampire Hunter, not a Paladin masquerading around with a badge.”

You hummed, letting his words settle on your mind as another gust of wind passed rustling the leaves around you. One fell from its branches, now turned orange with the coming of fall and catching along the breeze before landing in your open palm. “If that's the case, come back to me and ask again when you're fully healed, Hunter.”

Your fingers closed around the leaf as Diluc promised he would.

Despite the peaceful air he had thought you two had settled into that day, you looked far from pleased as Diluc stood before you now.

“I was hoping you would forget about this…venture of yours.”

“You were the one who said to ask again when I was healed, Miss.”

Your face scrunched up, clearly not liking having your own words thrown back at you. “Fine. Fine. I swear, making that vow about helping the people who come here to my Master was one of my biggest mistakes.”

You quickly turned on your heel, letting your heels stomp across the floor of your cottage with Wriothesley barking something at you.

“Yes, Wrio, I really would have healed him even if you hadn't pressure me into it. I'm not an animal.”

That recived another bark.

“Sorry.”

Then the kitchen door slammed shut right after you told Diluc dinner would be ready in thirty minutes.

Overall, an eventful evening.

Almost all of the trees surrounding the glade had become barren as their leaves had long since fallen to the ground to coat it in a blanket of oranges, yellows, and reds that would stir with every step you took as you walked back and forth before a straw dummy. It was tied loosely to a pike shoved into the ground with its arms held up by rope tied in haphazardly done knots Diluc couldn't help but want to go over and fix as you busied yourself with lecturing him on whatever you thought would be useful; trying to list off various facts about not only vampires, but any creature he should be wary of. You were counting them all off, each fact, each creature, on your extended fingers as you continued your pacing.

“He's trying to be a vampire hunter first and foremost, so wouldn't it be best to stick to that?” Wriothesley had asked when he pulled up a chair for you to sit yourself in.

“He needs to be fully aware of what danger he could get into, you mutt.” You shot back. The regular banter you shared with the hellhound seemingly neverending.

“So what, you're trying to make him a”- Wriothesley looked down at you as you sat down with your legs crossed- “witcher?”

The look you gave Wriothesley clearly implied you didn't like that name and Diluc’s surety of that fact was only further set in stone when you waved Wriothesley off to go into the nearby town to pick up groceries.

“Groceries...and?”

“I know what you want me to say, Wrio, but there usually isn't a good supply of fabric during this time of year when everyone is buying it all out for the coming winter.”

With Wriothesley's grumbling, you heaved out a sigh and said: “I'll figure something out. Now shoo.”

Immediately the hellhound perked up, causing Wriothesley to let go of the back of the chair he had been holding onto and walk towards the forest line with a relaxed gait. “I'll be back later, you two, so don't do anything I wouldn't do.”

It took Diluc a moment to wish Wriothesley a safe return as he told the other a simple goodbye, half expecting the two legs to once again transform into a quadrupled nature all the while.

You clapped your hands together. “Back to the point. You know how to fight, yes? As an ex Paladin, I would sure hope so. So, go on.”

The dummy you were gesturing to was still slumped over before him, just waiting to be knocked loose by a few well aimed strikes. It wouldn't be hard, especially not with the claymore Diluc summoned. Just like always, it fits into the palms of his hand perfectly and swung with an arch.

You sat nearby, watching every movement Diluc made as the sun fell.

You would be back out there again when it rose; day after day.

Combat lessons were typically in the afternoons when the sun was at its highest to combat the natural chill in the air. The few hand sewn purple shirts made of vaguely familiar fabric you had dropped in his lap and told Diluc to start wearing instead of borrowed clothes helped keep him warm, but certainly not warm enough when frost started to cling to the grass and the dummy alike.

Wriothesley didn't seem to mind the chill. In fact, he was eager to offer to spar instead when all the cold seemed to do was weigh Diluc down.

….The first time the two exchanged blows Diluc certainly wasn't expecting the dog to throw hands. That had been an awkward moment they both agreed not to talk about again after Wriothesley had finished laughing at him.

As for early in the morning? There would be lessons with you and a book laid out before his eyes as you go over the contents with him.

“And here it says that while vampire's can be affected by holy water, it only deters them. None of that banishing them to hell nonsense.”

As you spoke your finger traced the lines in an attempt to guide Diluc along with you, forcing him to stay on track even when you were leaning over him. He could feel the skirts you chose to wear today brushing against his ankle every time you moved closer to turn a page before continuing to recite the script in a steady tone, like you already knew everything it had to share.

“Can you believe such absurdity, though?” You scoffed. “Nothing in life is that easy.”

“It would certainly make my life easier if it was.”

“Oh, I bet. Although…magic sounds much the same, doesn't it? Our entire lives would sound like a novelty to those unaware of what's truly out there.” Your words rang true, coinciding with how Diluc had been only a few short years ago; naive. Even when he knew about the existence of creatures unlike human beings, Diluc had been taught they were manageable under God’s ways. That The Church would ensure the safety of all. In the end, that turned out to be nothing more than a joke. “I was much the same when I came here.”

Diluc stopped short, watching you turn to the next page. “You didn't come here with your Master?”

He could feel your hair moving, hitting against him as you shook your head. “No. Ivanovna had already settled into this place long before I ever met her. The cabin was already erected and the apple tree she planted in her late husband's honor was nothing more than a bush.”

Apple tree…you had to be talking about the same one the fairies decided was fair game in feeding their appetites. Back when he was still busying himself with chores, Diluc would take a seat under its cover and relish in the shade it provided.

“That tree is far from a bush now.”

“I know that.” You laughed. “After all, I was the one watering it and watching it grow for… what? Around five hundred years now?”

You leaned in closer to turn the page again, your finger already going up to find the first word in the text like your chest wasn't pressed to Diluc's back. “Now, will you read this part for me, Hunter?”

Clearing his throat, Diluc tried his best to read along with you, even as he was shrinking back at the slight crack riddling his voice. He’s a grown adult, not a teenager going through puberty again, but here he was trying not to look up at you even as you spoke in his ear.

“Actually…I should be calling you my student, shouldn't I?” You pondered over your question for a moment, letting it settle between you both.

“S-should I be calling you Master then?”

“Oh, no, not ever. You say that and I'll be looking around for my own teacher.” Immediately you were ready to chastise him again, that same tone he had heard almost a hundred times by now quickly registering. “Just call me….oh I don't know…”

“Miss witch?”

“That feels a little impersonal.”

“Ah..then”- Diluc paused to lick his lips- “my witch?”

Diluc was finally able to properly breathe again as you pulled away to sit across from him. Glass bottles hung between you both, swaying slightly without clicking together as they warped your expression, but even then, amusement was clear in your face. “Your witch?”

Diluc’s brows furrowed, forming a crease between them. “That's not-”

“Okay. I can work with that, my dear student.”

His head ducked down in an attempt to hide his face away in the messy curls of red hair he currently had tied up, hoping and maybe a little praying (old habits die hard) you wouldn't notice; to no avail.

“Diluc? Hey- Diluc. Pay attention.”

Your fingers snapped in front of his face, startling Diluc to the point he was jolting back as you stood over him again. He hadn't even processed you walking back to his side, but there you were lecturing him about paying attention in class instead of spacing out. You even added an “This is why I don't go into the village myself to deal with all the people there” before guiding Diluc’s head back down to the texts before him.

Months had passed like that. To the point there was emerald green grass being crushed underneath the now very battered and abused body of the straw puppet you had once upon a time pulled out of storage for him; the blades of dead brown grass a thing of the past.

“Well, that method would certainly work if you were looking for a needle in a haystack.” You kicked at the puppets head, watching it turn the other way so its nonexistent eyes could see the man who had just cut it down.

“I think a vampire could be considered as the needle here.” Diluc breathed out as he tried to catch his breath.

“The lesson from ‘Dele malam hoc': Vampires can easily blend in with humans. To the point you might not even notice the existence of one until their fangs are at your neck.”

“Exactly.”

“It seems I've taught you well.”

“Is this when you say my progress has almost brought a tear to your eye?”

“Cheeky. And no.” You rolled your eyes. “Just what kind of teachers did The Church have for you to think that would be my first reaction?”

“No, it wasn't a teacher.” Diluc’s weapon met a makeshift weapon rack as it slotted into a secure position. He watched it glint in the sun as he spoke. “It's something a fellow student I used to know would have said.”

His phrasing had your eyes narrowing on him, prompting an explanation from Diluc. “It's been a while since I first arrived here, so I used to know a lot of people.”

A half truth, but it satisfied you nonetheless.

“Well, you'll have a chance to catch up with them now that you're planning to leave the glade.”

“I suppose I will.”

Standing off to the side with an arm hang hanging loosely by your side and the other tucked against your chest, you said something Diluc couldn't pick up, prompting him to ask you to repeat yourself.

“Nevermind that. Instead, are you sure you're ready to leave?”

“I'm certain. Someone has to be out there to handle these monsters running around daring to lay their hands on people. As long as The Church won't, I will.”

“So resolute.” Your gaze went from him to the spot in the grass you had once found Diluc. There wasn't a single visible drop of blood left by now as it had all been washed away by the rain. There was nothing to indicate what had happened, but the dirt still nourished off of it nonetheless. “Some would even call you needlessly stubborn.”

“I know someone who would.”

“That fellow student of yours again?”

“No.” Diluc shook his head “You.”

“Ah…looks like you caught me red-handed. Not that I'm happy about it.”

Diluc chuckled, agreeing with you.

“Say, dear student of mine?” After a moment, your eyes tore away from the spot to land on him. “Stay a few more days. Please? After all, you should depart after a giant feast and share drinks. We can even make that...peculiar meal you like so much with the cheese and steak.”

Please, you asked. After all the times you had given him an order and expected Diluc to follow it without delay or lorded the fact you still hadn't cashed in that favor yet over his head when Diluc was being a bit too set in his ways for your liking, you were imploring him.

Diluc's hand fell away from the hilt of his claymore to place it over his chest. Under his fingers, he could feel each heavy thud of his heart. “Of course I will. I owe you that much.”

“Good. I wasn't actually planning to give you a choice.” You waved towards the puppet, signaling Diluc to pick up his weapon and get back to training for what could possibly be the last time. “Now, continue.”

He didn't get a chance to say even an “Okay” before you were back inside, the front door swinging shut behind you.

After a few hours Diluc followed you in with a towel pressed up against his forehead to wipe off the healthy layer of sweat coating his skin only to be greeted by the sight of you picking through all the spices you currently had and making a grocery list. Smoked paprika was scrawled out under your quill.

The same scent filled the cabin a few days later, along with steak, buttery mashed potatoes, and wine. Diluc could only guess you splurged on it.

The drinks poured.

The food was enjoyed

Wriothesley threw his arm around Diluc's shoulder at one point and told him to “Try and keep your guard up so you don't come back to us a bloody mess, alright?”

You promptly told Wriothesley to stop with the nonsense.

Dessert, talking, the lights slowly turning on as night approached, and then came the time for Diluc to pick up the insubstantially light bag he packed. After all, he couldn't afford to be weighed down. Not much, anyway. You had double-checked earlier, slipping in the leftovers from tonight's meal to assure yourself he would have something to eat so Diluc would leave the containers be. Even if they dug the strap of his bag into his shoulder just a bit more than usual.

It shifted as Diluc stepped outside into the cold air, a red jacket keeping him warm. Just like almost everything else on him, it was a gift from you. It was flexible but sturdy, even with the choker with a single ruby gem in the center digging into Diluc's neck- Apparently Wriothesley had picked it out.

He stopped to simply take in the glade, letting its air pierce his lungs with a cold sting.

“And you're sure you're all set?” Came from behind him, just barely loud enough to hear over the chittering this clearing was always filled with.

“I believe you've asked me that already.”

“Double checking is hardly a sin.” You huffed. You were still acting a little off since your first glass of wine, walking into things just a bit more often than usual and staring off into space like there was something you were gazing at. The same wine lingered on his own tongue, leaving an odd feeling in Diluc's mouth from when you shared your glass. At the time, you were giggling away like nothing was wrong, a stark contrast to the frown you were currently sporting. “So, leaving under the cover of the night, huh?”

“It's more efficient this way. I'll have to get used to being awake at night again or I'll miss the prime hunting hours for vampires. They're always waiting to strike.”

“I guess I was wrong about you leaving on a bright sunny day then. Color me surprised. Or…” Your fingers tapped on the box you were holding, drawing his attention to it. It was resting on the dining table earlier, wrapped up and topped with a neat bow. He hadn't asked about it then, but now you're presenting to Diluc like it's his for the taking.

“This isn't what you wanted to talk about, is it?”

You were making that clear as you were basically trying to shove what you were holding into his hands. “Not necessarily. This, though? Yes.”

Diluc's eyes went back down to the box, trying to avoid the look you were giving that screamed he was being, as you liked to call it, edgy again. “You have already done so much and-”

“The proper response is a thank you.”

“But-”

“No, none of that. Just open it.”

With your assurance, Diluc pulled on the bow. It came undone with one simple tug flowing in the air as it fell to the side when the lid was opened to reveal multiple golden gadgets with a soft luster to them. In their reflection, Diluc met himself, now bearing a familiar determination reigniting with assurity rather than his need for revenge.

“They're made by Alice, a skilled craftsman. I trust they're made to the best of her ability, so I won't say ‘I hope they aid you out there, in the human world’, because I know they will.” As you talked, you fiddled with a strand of hair, tucking it and untuckling it from behind your ear. “You know, convincing her to make them was quite the task. What, with my relationship with the Hexenzirkel being as strained as it is…well, never mind that.”

Reaching over, the box still in his other hand, Diluc pushed the strand back behind your ear again. “Thank you.”

“I don't want a thank you. I just wanted you to stop relying on that Evil Eye so much. But if you really want to thank me, I need you to say something else.”

“And that is?”

“A vow. I made one under the guidance of my Master before she passed on, and now it's time for you to make one as well- it’s different from mine, but the principle is the same. More or less.” One of your eyes closed slightly, forming wrinkles in the corner of your eye as his hand fell from the strands of hair to your cheek. “Promise me you will take care of those who need you, unconditionally. You will be the one to purge the doubts from people's minds when it comes to their safety as you become the dawn you were named after. Nestle those people away from the evils of this world until they're purged, my dear student.”

“I promise.”

“Good. Then consider us even. No more favor, no more…needing to be here. Just go accomplish your goal, Diluc.”

“Then, it's time for you to witness my resolve.”

A heat seemed to sear into his hand as Diluc pulled away. It left his fingers twitching, aching to soothe the burn with the cool touch of your skin only to be denied as he placed the box down and took out what he deemed useful. You were giving him a stink eye the entire time Diluc was attaching the golden items to his belt; no doubt you wanted him to take it all.

The same tools shined in the moonlight with every step he took towards the forest's edge. A fairy, glimmering as brightly as ever, floated past him. Already, she was set to lead him through the barrier of the enchantment to the safety of the nearby village. It would be a quiet night for them to the with a tavern and a single inn hoping to welcome anyone into its doors all while Diluc would be slinking through the shadows of their alleys with ease until the sun rises; even when it crests the sky bringing light across these plagued land he wouldn't sleep, not when Diluc has a place in mind for where to start.

It seems, after all the time he's spent avoiding it, there was no option left but to go back home.

The fairy floated past Diluc's head, its blue light coating the endless rows of mangled tree trunks with an unnatural hue as he left this newfound home for another day after looking back at you one last time.

Just like always, you were beautiful as ever waiting up there with the front door propped open, almost like you were waiting to welcome Diluc in again as he walked away.

Your elbow met the salt covered window sill of your bedroom as you sat down to stare up at the full moon, taking in each crater and the hollow smile the floating rock seemed to wear. The cushions below you seems to breathe out dust as you sat down, clearly in need of some airing out and a good whack or two to release every grinded up herb and hellhound dandruff it has collected throughout the years, but that was a task for later as you bathed in the silvery moonlight.

Usually you would be hovering over your cauldron trying to throw a bunch of ingredients into the bubbling pot while you take advantage of the natural magic in the air werewolves barked at as they run around under the sky you both shared, but the idea of picking up your mortar and pestle lacked its regular appeal tonight.

With nothing else to do, you leaned back against the window seat to allow Wriothesley room as he jumped up to join you. His head fell to your lap easily, and you moved to pet his furry head without a second thought. This is just how things used to be. Everything was back to normal.

Gone were the clings of a sword as it met a straw puppet you had gone out of your way to stitch up for him again and again. At this point, you had fixed it so many times it looked like a warped copy of what it once was, but you still were proud of it nonetheless. After all, it served its purpose well.

There was currently a tear in it you would have to fix for when- if- Diluc came back and took to swinging that behemoth of a claymore around again.

The hellhound in your lap, despite the fact he's far too big for this behavior, nudged at your hand as your petting faltered. “Are you thinking about how you made a mistake not telling Diluc he’s free to come back whenever he pleases?”

Roughly tugging at his fluffy ear, you tell Wriothesley to shut up, and just because he has a good nose, it doesn't mean he can stick it in everyone else's business.

Wrio drawled out a long “sure” in response before you two fell back into the same old routine, but for some reason you just couldn't get used to it.

You blamed it on the few items Diluc left behind now resting on your work table. A shame, really, you paid good money for them. They ought to be put to use instead of gathering dust like everything else in your house; they would keep him safe in this idiotic journey of his if nothing else.

“Wrio,” you said,” tell me, how long do humans live again?”

“Seventy, maybe eighty, years. Depends on the person, really.” He grumbled, clearly not happy with your harsh treatment.

“And how long do human vampire hunters tend to live?”

Wriothesley didn't answer you, only letting the unspoken words fill you with an almost choking sense of dread. Through all your years of your long, long life you couldn't ever recall a time when silence was so loud. Not even as a wolf howled in the distance, sending shivers down your spine.

The feeling urged you into doing your best to force out a laugh you managed a simple “Master would have liked him.”

That was your one reverie from the silence that returned now that your student was gone.

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