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Chapter Text

It was an early morning when Rosaria had the realization that Diluc was adorable . The sun was beginning to rise, painting the sky in hues of red and gold. Rosaria was feeling oddly wistful and found herself staring at the ribbons of color. Diluc sat beside her on a random rooftop in Mondstadt, his silence comfortable. 

For a while they sat together, in complete silence. Then a screech sounded in the distance. Rosaria looked up and saw Diluc’s falcon swoop in and land on his arms. He chuckled and held out his fingers for the bird to nip at. Diluc gave a small kiss on the bird’s head and nuzzled its cheek with his nose.

Rosaria watched this interaction with interest. She wasn’t sure why, but watching Diluc interact with animals made a weird flutter settle in her chest. He always had the same gentle smile, scrunched nose, and honey-dipped voice. 

The falcon nipped at Diluc’s cheek and the sun rose softly over Mondstadt as Rosaria heard a sound prettier than any songbird’s symphony: Diluc’s giggling. Rosaria couldn’t breathe, something mushy and squishy and melty and soft , was clogging her airways.

Looking at Diluc now reminded Rosaria of the cat she saw rolling in front of Cat’s Tail, rumbling meows squeaking from deep inside its chest. He reminded her of the moment with Barbara where some urge had possessed her to pinch the Deaconess’ cheek. He reminded her of the moment where Rosaria had found a bird’s nest that was shaped almost like a heart. 

Dear goodness, Diluc ignited every squishy, cutesy feeling she’d ever had by thousands. He was adorable . She had to physically restrain herself from pinching his cheek, tousling his hair, or squeezing his shoulder. Or worse, kiss him. Or something. 

Rosaria averted her eyes and found herself resolutely staring at the sky. She could still hear giggles and coos from next to her, but Rosaria could not stand to look at him. Not if it meant involuntary affectionate actions.

“ Ahem . Diluc. The sun’s up,” Rosaria had to force herself to sound curt so she didn’t sound lovey. 

“Ah, I see. Thank you Rosaria. Alright my dear, time to go home,” Diluc spoke in that same honeyed tone and Rosaria snapped to attention.

WHAT.

Rosaria whipped her head to look at Diluc, only to see that the home invitation was for the bird. Not her.

Ah. That makes more sense.

Rosaria felt herself deflate a little bit. She couldn’t understand why. She couldn’t understand much at all, in fact, considering the realizations that had just barreled into her. 

Rosaria exhaled as Diluc waved her goodbye and walked off with his bird perched on his shoulder. The bird looked back at her with a tilted, curious gaze. Rosaria huffed. 

“I don’t know either. Dear,” She whispered as the redhead and his bird began their journey home. 

-

Rosaria spent the next few days stewing in the revelation that she found her occasional night time vigilante partner not just cute, but adorable. During this time, Diluc made nothing easy. Everything he did was sweet and gave Rosaria the same squishy feelings. 

The way he would sniffle when it got too cold, the way his brow would furrow when Kaeya annoyed him, the way he softened around animals. Rosaria couldn’t stop being observant and it was frustrating. But she also felt herself weirdly relishing the squishy feelings that Diluc gave her.

Everything came to a head the day Rosaria saw Diluc cuddling a cat. She was sitting at Cat’s Tail, hiding from Barbara. Then she saw Diluc walk in. She saw Diona huff and puff a little before talking to him. 

Then Diluc sat down in front of Wagner, setting his cards in front of the blacksmith. Rosaria found herself lost in Diluc’s focus during his TCG match. His hair kept falling in his face and Rosaria wished she could tuck it back into his ponytail. 

Then Diluc won. He shook hands with Wagner, who left soon after. Then Diluc reached down, plucked a cat off the floor. And cradled it. Like a baby. 

Rosaria felt the same mushy mess clog her breathing as Diluc cooed and kissed at the cat. Rosaria could not contain herself this time. She walked over and basically fell down into the seat across from Diluc. He looked up in surprise, but calmed upon seeing her familiar face. 

“Oh, Rosaria. It’s nice to see you,” Diluc spoke quietly, trying not to disturb the cat that had fallen asleep in his arms. It was so sweet . 

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Rosaria didn’t know. She saw the small lock of hair peek out from behind his ear again. Rosaria stood up and undid slowly moved to undo Diluc’s ponytail. He stilled but didn’t stop her.

She ran her silver claws through his hair as he ran his gloved fingers through the cat’s downy fur. Rosaria wrangled the stray lock back into place and tied the black ribbon back into Diluc’s hair. She ran her hands over the waves at the end of his ponytail a few times before stepping away.

Diluc looked up at her as she stepped back, confusion and an adorably sweet and gentle blush on his face. 

“Y-your hair. It was bothering me. Good day,” Rosaria sped off and left Cat’s Tail before Diluc could say anything. Diluc was absolutely adorable. And that was becoming a problem.

Chapter Text

Since that fateful day, Rosaria and Diluc’s dynamic had shifted. She wasn’t sure how to explain. When she saw him, she felt melted and malleable. She’s also noticed him watching her as well.

Tonight, they found themselves in a familiar location: on a rooftop somewhere in Mondstadt, watching the sun set. The night was cold and unfamiliar to most, but not to Rosaria. The moon’s rays seemed to rejuvenate her, boosting her body as though she was built to root out the dark’s evils. 

Diluc was no different. His hair burned like a torch in the daylight, but settled to a quiet whisper of red against the shade. A truly multi-talented man. One Rosaria couldn't help but admire. 

They both stood in waiting as the citizens of Mond slowly crawled into their houses and fell to sleep. Just like a few days before - when Rosaria had her earth-shattering realization that she found one of the most dangerous men in Mondstadt adorable - the sky was painted in hues of golden rose. 

Don’t. Look. At. Him.

Rosaria tried to contain herself, tried to remember the sheer mushiness that had overcome her the morning Diluc’s hawk had come to him. Rosaria considered herself a strong woman. But Diluc made her knees weak. 

Seeing him with those animals, bathed in soft light, she could barely stop herself from cooing and petting his head. At Cat’s Tail, although she’d ultimately fixed his hair, it could have been worse. She could’ve kissed his scalp or something.

Rosaria breathed in deep. And exhaled. She scrunched her nose in concentration, trying to keep her eyes glued to the alleyways of Mondstadt. But her eyes drifted up anyway.

She found Diluc staring at her as well, eyes wide. As though he was confused about something. His eyes sparkled in the dusky light, and his hair was beginning to dim. But it still managed to look fluffier than any cloud Rosaria had ever seen.

They stayed like that for a while, eyes unable to look away. Rosaria’s fingers twitched. She took a step closer to him. She wasn’t exactly sure why. Diluc huffed a breath, creating a sort of mist between them. Diluc reached out and curled a finger in her hair, trailing down her cheek. Rosaria nuzzled her cheek into his hand, soft breaths on his uncovered fingers.

The moment broke with a scream. Rosaria and Diluc summoned their weapons and scanned the surrounding houses. 

“There!” Rosaria leapt on to the adjacent roof and dropped into an alley, right onto a robber. Diluc dropped after her and began to speak to the woman he was robbing: Donna. Donna began to blush and sputter, fanning herself. 

“Are you alright, miss?” Diluc asked her. Donna nodded.

“Yes, I’m alright. Thank you for saving me, my dashing Darknight Hero!” She leaned forward, pressing her hands against his shoulders. Diluc took a few steps back, trying to calmly reject the frazzled woman. 

Rosaria felt an ugly, green monster curling around her heart. She felt her lungs stutter with the monster’s weight. Rosaria stalked forward and stood in front of Donna, effectively blocking Diluc from her. 

“Where do you live? I can take you there,” Rosaria offered her hand. Donna subtly pouted and looked at Diluc.

“Can you both come with me? I would feel safer with more protection,” Donna said, eyes sparkling with fake tears, hands shuddering at a dramatic level. 

“I’m sure you’ll be fine with just me,” Rosaria gritted out. She hauled Donna by her arm and led the sputtering woman out of the alley.

“Where do you live?”

“O-over by that bend, near the flowers.”

“Hmm,” Rosaria led her to the house, dropped her at the doorstep, then turned away.

Diluc stood waiting a few steps beside Donna’s house, an appreciative smile dancing across his lips.

“Thank you for dealing with Donna,” Diluc said as Rosaria stopped in front of him.

“You looked uncomfortable,” Rosaria responded. Diluc chuckled and his hand twitched at his side. Rosaria smiled and slowly reached for the hand. She brought it up and kissed the inside of Diluc’s wrist. A pretty red blush spread across his cheeks, shining against his red hair. 

Diluc moved forward and tucked his head under her chin. He was on the shorter side, so Rosaria was already a little taller than him. With her heels, the difference was further exaggerated. His hood fell down, leading Rosaria’s face to be cradled in his fluffy curls. She sighed and his hair waved like meadow grass on a windy day. 

“Um, hello? Darknight Hero, sir? I wanted to thank you,” Rosaria and Diluc jolted away from each other and whipped their heads back to find Donna. She stood with a basket of flowers and goodies in her hands.

How did she get that so fast?!

“Donna, go back inside. I thought you were worried about your safety?” Rosaria said, very irritated. Diluc hurriedly stuffed his hair back into the hood behind her. 

“I just wanted to hand the Darknight Hero some gifts. I’m not sure he gets much appreciation regularly, so I wanted to show some.” Donna shoved Rosaria aside with the basket and thrust it to Diluc. He gave a constrained smile and took it gingerly.

“Rosaria took down the robber. Perhaps she’s more deserving of your appreciation?” Donna paused at that, looked at Rosaria, then turned back to Diluc.

“I still just wanted to thank you,” Donna smiled and fluttered her eyelashes. Diluc grinned wanly. 

“Well thank you then.”

“Of course!” Donna skipped back to her door. Rosaria huffed and gathered Diluc in her arms again. 

“I’m not saving that ungrateful woman again.” Diluc chuckled and that melted puddle feeling that Rosaria had become weirdly accustomed to returned. She buried her nose in his hair, smelling the scent of sweet flowers. She placed a kiss among his curls and felt him stiffen.

Huh. 

Rosaria hadn’t really meant to do that. She leapt back and saw Diluc’s burning face and began to uncharacteristically stutter. 

“I-I’m so sorry! I don’t know what came over me-” Diluc’s chuckling started up again, before devolving into giggles. 

“It’s okay. You’re okay,” Diluc spoke through sounds of jubilation. He cupped her face in his hands and planted a kiss on her right cheek. “I’m okay. We’re okay.”

Rosaria smiled and leaned her forehead against Diluc’s. 

A bang sounded in a nearby alley. A trio of stumbling treasure hoarders fell out, arguing. Diluc and Rosaria sighed. 

“They never take breaks, do they?”

Diluc giggled, rejuvenating Rosaria better than the moonlight ever could as she stalked over to the treasure hoarders by his side.