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Diluc absolutely could not go to Thoma’s to hang out that night. No way.
The inviting text shone on his screen, Thoma’s cheerful emoji mocking Diluc from the end of the message. He’d been reluctant to contact any of his friends since what he mentally declared as ‘The Auditory Hallucination’ had happened a few nights prior, it was simply too humiliating. He still wasn’t over it - how could he be?
He’d been dreading their next game night, but Thoma had just made everything so much worse with his kindness and hospitality, damn him. The invite had been sent to their group chat, and Childe had already responded with a ‘prepare to get ur ass beat in smash bros’, similar such phrases thrown around by the twins. Kaeya had said sure, but Xinyan was busy that night, so they would be one person down. Two, if Diluc denied the offer like he was so tempted to do.
Just as his fingered over the screen to decline, he got a notification from Aether, and tapped on it with mild curiosity.
Aether: hiiiiiiii
Diluc: What’s up?
Aether: u havent been replying on the gc for like three days
Aether: u coming to thoma’s?
Diluc paused, and sighed through his nose.
Diluc: I wasn’t planning to.
Aether: pleeeeeease plz plz plz plz plz plz
Aether: :(
Aether: we havent hung out irl in so long diluc plzzzzz
It was true, Diluc hadn’t seen Aether in a while. Lumine, he had, but the last time they’d gathered in person Aether had been bedridden with a fever, unable to join in. Diluc and Aether had always gotten along well, and he liked the other a lot. Enough to perhaps call him a best friend.
Aether: wait why werent u gonna come
Aether: everything ok?
Diluc hesitated.
Diluc: I have some worries on my mind, but not ones I wish to discuss.
Diluc: Not right now, anyway.
Aether: no problemo! but lmk if u wanna at anytime
Aether: and no pressure but i rly would like to see u at thoma’s :) i’ve missed u!!!!
Diluc: Thanks, Aether. I’ll see if I can make it.
Aether: YAAAAAAA
Diluc turned his phone off with a suppressed smile. Aether appeared very carefree, but his seriousness and concern was always present beneath that outer layer. He was a good friend. Diluc did want to see him, and they always had fun when they played smash bros, so maybe…
He sighed again, and went to shower.
-
When Diluc arrived at Thoma’s apartment block, he automatically took the familiar route up four flights of stairs, forsaking the elevator in hopes of working off some of the nervous energy tingling under his skin. It didn’t really help, and his stomach flipped as he approached Thoma’s door, knocking awkwardly, with tentative unease.
It swung open, and Childe greeted him.
“Hey!” He beamed, ushering Diluc inside, totally unbothered, chipper and enthusiastic as he always was. “Glad you could make it, Dee.”
Diluc opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out, his face heating up at the nickname, and at what it now reminded him of. He struggled over his silence, before it was mercifully broken by Aether barrelling into him, latching onto him like a koala.
“Diluc!” He said (yelled), and Diluc had to force himself not to wince. “You’re here!”
“I am.” He said, returning his friend’s hug briefly, but when he stood back up, Aether decided not to let go. “Ugh, Aether.”
“Carry me.” Aether cried, a hand going to his forehead in a dramatic fainting motion. “I am so feeble and incapable.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Diluc heard, and turned to see Lumine standing in the doorway, hands on her hips. “Sorry he’s so annoying. He’s been doing this bit for two days straight and I can’t get him to stop.”
“It’s not a ‘bit’,” Aether seethed. “I am exhausted from carrying this team-”
“You don’t carry shit!” Childe grinned, shoving Aether so that he fell off Diluc, nearly slipping on the varnished wood floor.
“Stop loitering in the entryway.” Lumine said. “Thoma’s making snacks-”
That was all she needed to say, before both Aether and Childe were bolting into the kitchen area, leaving Lumine and Diluc behind.
“Kaeya here?”
“Nah, bailed on us last minute.”
“Why?”
“Albedo invited him out.” Lumine smirked knowingly, and Diluc pushed back his bangs with a roll of his eyes. “Let’s go set up the switch?” She suggested, and Diluc nodded, following behind her.
-
He still felt awkward, but it wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. He had managed to get a seat away from Childe, nearly at the opposite end of the couch, sandwiched between Thoma and Lumine instead, the three of them shouldering each other as their Smash Bros tournament commenced with growing animosity.
“Fuck!” Aether shouted, throwing Diluc off course and leaving him vulnerable on screen. Childe laughed loudly, and wiped the floor with him in his moment of distraction. Lumine moved in, yelling at the screen something about avenging Diluc, and it was, in general, total chaos.
“You guys want actual food yet?” Thoma asked, leaning back on the couch and looking forlornly at the spread of devoured snacks littering his coffee table. “I get that popcorn is good, but we need something more substantial.”
As he finished his question, Lumine shoved Childe off the platform on the screen, a string of curses spilling from him as he failed to save himself. It was just the twins left, battling for the title of champion, whilst the others watched with rapt attention, save for Thoma, who groaned loudly at the lack of response to his suggestion.
“Guys!” He whined, “I’m hungry. C’mon, someone just win already!”
“Okay.” Lumine said, using her special move on Aether, eviscerating him in a split second.
The scores tallied before them, with Lumine (playing Kirby) in the top spot. Aether put his head in his hands mournfully.
“I want takeaway.” Lumine declared; as winner, she had the right to choose their food for the night. “There’s that really good Chinese place nearby, right?”
“I’d hardly call it nearby…” Thoma sighed. “It’s an easy half hour walk. You up for that?”
“Duh.” Lumine said as she stood up, stretching and popping the bones in her neck. “C’mon, let’s move.”
“Some of us should stay here.” Thoma interjected. “To clean up. We really don’t need all five of us going to pick up some food.”
“I’ll clean up,” Diluc offered with a small smile, “I don’t mind.”
“We’ll need enough hands to carry the food back, though.” Aether said, “I’ll come with you guys to help. What does everyone want to order?”
They all made their requests, and Lumine noted it down on her phone.
“Sounds good!” Thoma clapped his hands. “Okay, team, let’s move out! Childe, you’re gonna be in charge of the washing up, so prepare yourself!” He pointed at the man, who sat to attention on the couch, lips parted as if to object, but he was ignored as the twins and Thoma pulled on their respective coats, already bustling out the door, with calls of ‘be back soon’, and ‘remember to tidy up!’
Diluc and Childe sat at opposite ends of the couch in silence.
Unsure of what to do, Diluc stood up and awkwardly began to collect the empty snack bowls on the table, hurrying them into the kitchen and trashing any leftovers. His heart was pounding, just from being alone in the same room as the other. That was a bad sign, right? Nothing should have really changed. All Childe did was help him out of a predicament.
(That really wasn’t true, and he knew it, but he needed some sort of excuse to keep himself sane).
He returned with hesitance to the living room, and saw Childe tidying away the discarded switch controllers, putting them back with their respective consoles. When Diluc walked in, he turned to look at him, smiling lopsidedly, but clearly unsure.
“Hey.” He said, voice quiet.
“Hi.” Diluc said, trying not to choke around his words.
Childe stood up and dusted off his hands.
The tension in the room was so thick, Diluc was certain he could cut it up and serve it on a platter, if only so that Thoma and the others would come back to eat it, and in turn get him out of this awkward atmosphere.
Then, Childe sighed heavily, moving back to the couch and dropping himself onto it, slumping forwards and covering his eyes with his hands, bracing his elbows on his knees.
“Dee, are you uncomfortable?”
“I’m… no.” Diluc shuffled where he stood, wringing his hands out as he lied straight to Childe’s face.
“I’m sorry.” Childe said, peering through his fingers. Diluc swallowed as they met eyes for the first time that night.
“You haven’t done anything.” Diluc brushed him off, though he remained incredibly tense.
“You say that, but…” Childe examined him, frowning, and Diluc felt himself grow hot under his gaze.
Not this again.
He tried to force his body to cooperate, to override the frustrating nerves that welled up inside of him, and decidedly sat on the sofa next to Childe, folding his arms over his chest.
“You’re fine. Really.” Diluc said, meeting his eyes once more and offering a wavering smile.
“Oh- Okay.” Childe stumbled over his words. “If you’re sure.”
Silence.
Diluc kind of wanted the floor to open up and swallow him, to save him from whatever the fuck this was. This was humiliating, even more so than whatever had happened between them over voice call.
“How long till the others get back?” He asked quietly, and Childe’s head whipped around to face him, surprise painted over his features. Diluc didn’t know why he looked so shocked; it was only a simple question.
“Um. About thirty five minutes? Depends on how long the food takes.”
Diluc hummed. Thirty five minutes of this? Maybe he should just go home.
“Why,” Childe started, sounding uncharacteristically timid. “Did you want to, um, y’know.”
Diluc frowned, eyebrows furrowing as he examined the weird expression on Childe’s face, an odd mix of discomfort and… hope?
“I just wanted to know when they’d be back.”
“Oh.” Childe was definitely blushing, Diluc could see it, the telltale red burning his ears. “Oh, yeah.”
“What were you thinking?” He asked, stomach in knots again, his fingers suddenly feeling twitchy. Childe wouldn’t look at him, and now his face was going red, too, and oh wow. Diluc really didn’t expect him to get shy so easily.
“Nothing!” Childe’s voice cracked, and Diluc bit his lip to stifle a laugh. The other coughed, hand covering his mouth in a sign of embarrassment. “Nothing.”
“You seem antsy.” Diluc observed, the corners of his lips curling upwards into a barely visible smirk. Childe was always so confident, so forthright and playful, at least when they talked online. Now, though, he was fiddling, foot tapping the wooden floor, throat bobbing as he swallowed repeatedly, and his face was not losing its rosiness. Diluc raised his brows. “Are you pent up, or something?”
Childe gawked at him.
“Do not!” he pointed an accusatory finger in Diluc’s face. “Use my own regretfully-phrased words against me!”
“You’re avoiding the question.”
Diluc didn’t need an answer. He could see that Childe was getting hard, and he was terrible at hiding it. He shifted, trying to cross one leg over the other, but Diluc reached out, resting his hand on Childe’s thigh, pushing it back down onto the couch. Childe looked at him, eyes blown wide.
“So?” Diluc asked. “What say I help you out this time?”
A moment passed between them, a single beat of silence, before Childe grabbed him by the sides of his face and mashed their lips together, fast and clumsy. Diluc was taken aback, steadying himself where he sat, before pushing back with equal fervor and gasping as Childe’s teeth grazed his bottom lip. He didn’t think as he licked into Childe’s mouth, tongue explorative, the sounds of their breaths mingling reverberating in the quiet.
“Is that a yes?” Diluc asked as they pulled away from one another, and Childe rolled his eyes dramatically.
“Of fucking course it is.”
He needn’t say more, as Diluc brought their lips together again, tilting his head for a better, more accessible angle, wrapping his arms around Childe’s neck to pull him closer. Childe’s hands tangled in Diluc’s hair, the crimson strands winding around his fingers. Diluc acted on impulse, throwing one leg over Childe’s lap, straddling him on the couch and shoving harder into the kiss. He could feel Childe’s erection against him already, and felt a sense of pride wash over him. All he’d done was proposition him, and he was already turned on this much?
Childe gasped around Diluc’s mouth as he drew away, giving him room to breathe. Diluc looked down at him, his position sat on Childe’s thighs giving him the height advantage, and licked his lips.
He slid himself off from Childe’s legs, and the other gave him a confused and slightly desperate stare, but breathed out in relief as Diluc made himself comfortable on the floor, kneeling between Childe’s legs, bringing one hand up to palm at the other’s dick through his clothes.
“This okay with you?” Diluc asked.
“What, you sucking my cock? Absolutely.” Childe watched with barely contained excitement as Diluc made a show of unzipping his fly, tugging at the waistband of his jeans until it was just low enough to reveal his underwear, and in turn the precome staining the front. Diluc leaned forwards, mouthing at the bulge through Childe’s underwear, tongue pressed flat against the cotton, soaking the fabric. Childe gulped loudly, body tensing at the sensation, breaths starting to escape him a little quicker.
Diluc toyed with the edge of Childe’s boxers, before pulling them down and freeing his dick, wasting no time as he immediately captured the tip between his lips, not sparing a moment to appraise its size or length. He whet it with his saliva as he bobbed his head, taking Childe further into his mouth. In all honesty, he would have liked to take more time over it, teased the other until he was pleading and whiny, but they had half an hour tops, and that would be cutting it close with what Diluc had in mind. God forbid Thoma and the twins get home before they were finished - how the fuck would Diluc explain this? On his couch, too - Thoma would probably ban them both from ever visiting again.
Diluc pulled off from sucking Childe’s cock, sparing a moment to lick the underside of his entire length, satisfied at the way his legs jerked with the sensation. He smirked, pressing a feather-light kiss to the tip, looking up at Childe through his eyelashes. That seemed to do something, as the other breathed out incredibly slow, the black of his pupils clouding blue irises.
“Hand.” Diluc said, tilting his head forward. “In hair.”
“You sure?”
“Just hurry up and do it.”
Childe obliged, fisting his hand in Diluc’s red tresses, watching as he took him in his mouth once again, hollowing his cheeks as he bobbed his head up and down. Childe trembled at the sensation, hot and wet and all-encompassing, and struggled not to begin thrusting his hips forward, alarmingly eager to fuck Diluc’s throat until the other was crying and choking around him.
“You can move, you know.” Diluc said dryly, popping off from Childe’s dick again, raising a brow at his stiffness. Childe grimaced.
“I want to, but…” He paused, “I’m not the kindest when it comes to these things, Dee.”
“What?”
“It’s hard to think about the other person, sometimes.” Childe said, and he sounded embarrassed, as if he was admitting some dark secret. “But I want to think about you, y’know? I want it to be good for you, too. So I’m reluctant to just… follow my impulses, I guess.”
“Ajax,” Diluc said, capturing the other’s attention. “I’m giving you permission. Do whatever you want.”
Childe bit his lip, but nodded, his heart pounding in his chest as Diluc’s eyes crinkled in the corners with a smile.
Diluc took Childe in his mouth again, tongue running along the vein before he pressed it against the end of the tip. Childe tightened his grip on his friend’s hair, trying to relax, trying to do what Diluc wanted.
Diluc wanted him to do whatever he wanted.
He huffed out a sharp breath, rolling his neck quickly before making the decision to do as he was told, for once. He leaned forwards, yanked Diluc’s head back so that they met eyes, and gave him a hard stare, a final warning.
Diluc just blinked at him.
That was it, then. Childe let himself thrust forwards into Diluc’s mouth, pushing into his throat, and he heard the other gag, tears immediately springing to the corners of his eyes, which were squeezed shut at the sudden onslaught of movement. But Diluc seemed to gather himself quickly, breathing through his nose as he felt Childe’s cock hit the back of his throat, and he made the effort to hollow his cheeks again, enveloping Childe in the heat of his mouth. He brought both hands up, bracing himself against Childe’s thighs with one, the other coming to rub at the base of his cock, the area not engulfed by Diluc’s tongue and lips. Childe grunted, a low and throaty sound at the additional sensation, fucking harder into Diluc’s mouth, friction unravelling the tight coil in his gut.
Diluc moaned around him, the vibrations of his voice sinking into Childe’s bones as he jerked back and forwards, dragging Diluc’s head along with him, using him to chase his own pleasure. He was getting closer with each passing second, and he shoved himself even further, watching with a low-burning sadistic thrill as Diluc gagged again, choking around his dick, tears trailing down his rosy cheeks, the hand on his thigh gripping harshly into his flesh, nails digging in through the worn denim of Childe’s jeans.
Childe felt his stomach flip, heat spreading to the tips of his fingers as he reached his climax, a few stuttering thrusts of his hips carrying him through as he came.
And, oh. He forgot to warn Diluc.
He watched with a mixture of sick delight and dawning horror as Diluc spluttered around his come, the hot liquid spilling from the corners of his lips, dribbling down his chin and painting his lips in white. Diluc drew back instinctively, but that just made things worse, and he closed his eyes as Childe released over his face, frozen from shock, halfway stuck between a moan and a warning shout.
Silence stretched between them, Childe still twitching as he finally finished, unable to stop himself from stroking his softening cock a few times, working himself through the aftershocks. But he kept his eyes on Diluc, and an apology on the tip of his tongue.
But then, Diluc opened his eyes, brushed his hand over his face, and licked it. Childe watched with wide eyes, breath caught in his throat, as Diluc meticulously swiped Childe’s spend from his face, eyelashes fluttering as he sucked off his own fingers, moaning softly. Maybe Childe was just seeing things through his post-orgasm, rose-coloured lens, but Diluc looked ethereal to him in that moment, all reds and pinks and whites blurring together, like the soft petals of a flower, or the clear sky at dawn.
Diluc pulled off from his fingers with a quiet ‘pop’, and looked at Childe through heavily lidded eyes, before he spoke, voice scratchy and raw.
“We still have time.”
Childe watched in surprise as Diluc stood up, a little shaky at the knees, and tugged off his trousers, followed by his boxers, immediately seating himself back in Childe’s lap, their skin rubbing together. Childe jolted in shock at the sudden contact, eyes remaining wide with amazement as Diluc took him in his hands again, working his sensitive cock until Childe found himself getting hard for the second time that night. But then again, how couldn’t he, with the way Diluc’s nimble hands played with him, the way he sat with bare legs against Childe’s thighs, so focused and intent on more?
“What’re you planning, Dee?” Childe asked, breathless, still reeling from his orgasm. Diluc hummed, eyes remaining downcast, and Childe noticed some remnant come stuck to red bangs. He didn’t say anything, feeling that twisted pleasure again, devouring the sight.
Then, without a moment’s warning, Diluc took his other hand and pushed his index finger into himself, brow furrowed as he did so. Childe gaped, and figured he should help somehow, instead of just sitting back and watching, so he nudged Diluc gently on the shoulder.
“Remember what I said about my fingers?” Childe asked, voice sharp and airy. He splayed his hand out in front of Diluc’s eyes, showing off his long, slim fingers, nails cut short and blunt. “How about it?”
Diluc nodded, quickly pulling out of himself, before taking Childe’s hand in his own and directing it to his abdomen, and then lower.
“Hurry up. We can’t have long left.”
“Yessir!” Childe spoke around a laugh, poking his tongue out the corner of his lips, biting down on it as Diluc lifted himself up on his knees, giving Childe easy access to his pussy. Childe worried for a moment about the lack of lube, and Diluc must have picked up on his hesitance, because he gave Childe a reassuring look.
“It’s fine.” He said hurriedly, voice croaking from the abuse to his throat. “I don’t need it.”
Childe opted not to argue, biting his lip in concentration as he sunk his index into Diluc, surprised at the tight, wet sensation that enveloped him. He watched Diluc’s face for any sign of discomfort, but found none, and so he continued.
No wonder Diluc said he didn’t need lube, Childe mused as he began to pump his finger in and out of the other; he was practically dripping by the time Childe added a second finger.
“Hurry.” Diluc hissed, voice hoarse, as Ajax drew in and out of him slowly. “Isn’t there a fucking clock in here?”
“No.” Childe grunted, doing as he was told and moving his fingers faster. “Who uses clocks these days? Smartphones are in now, Dee.”
“Shut it. Add a third.”
“Already?”
“Just do it.”
“So impatient…” Childe mumbled, but eased his third finger into Diluc’s hole, trying not to waver as the other breathed out sharply through his teeth. He drew them back, and then pushed them in again, and again.
“Probably ready.” Diluc muttered after a few moments, casting a frantic glance to the door. He suddenly turned his attention back to Childe’s dick, running the soft pads of his fingers along the tip, closing his hand around him and jerking him in short, fast motions. After a couple of seconds, he spat into his hand, and resumed until Childe was fully erect. Before Childe could do or say anything, Diluc lifted himself up, lined himself up, and sank down onto Childe’s dick.
Childe grit his teeth and groaned, not expecting to be enveloped so quickly in Diluc’s heat, but not at all in protest. Everything was so overwhelming, and he was still sensitive from his orgasm, but he wouldn’t give up this feeling for the world, the feeling of Diluc’s walls around him, wrapping him in wet warmth. Diluc hissed again, clearly a little uncomfortable, and Childe’s hands automatically moved to cup his face, stroking beneath his eye with his thumb, feeling the tacky remnants of come drying on his skin. Diluc offered him a short smile, which Childe returned, before the other bottomed out, yelping as he sank down fully into Childe’s lap.
They stayed still for a moment, getting used to the feeling, before Diluc decided he’d adjusted well enough, and started to move.
Childe could barely keep up.
Diluc lifted himself up, halfway off Childe’s cock, before dropping harshly back down, hands bracing his weight on Childe’s chest, palms hot through the thin material of his t-shirt. Childe moved his hands to rest on Diluc’s hips, guiding him up and down, following his lead. Sudden sounds were punched out of Diluc each time he sank back down, moans mixing with cries of semi-discomfort as he was stretched around Childe’s dick.
“They’ll be back any minute. Fuck.” Diluc breathed into the shared space between them, face flushing dark crimson.
“What if they are?” Childe said, voice light and teasing. “What would you do, Dee? How would you explain that you sucked me off and started riding me in the span of half an hour of us being alone? They’d think you were some kind of slut.”
Diluc bit his lip, ducked his head, and moaned, pace growing faster. Childe tossed his head back as friction built for the second time in the past thirty minutes, his dick throbbing and mind reeling at the sensation of Diluc’s hands grasping his pectorals, nails digging into his skin through the fabric, his thighs quivering with the exertion of riding Childe’s cock, of doing all the work. It was unbelievably arousing to sit back and watch Diluc, to get lost in the rhythm he set, and Childe moaned, low and loud in his throat, jutting his hips up in time with Diluc coming down, creating a new level of friction between them.
“Fuck.” Diluc mouthed, voice completely lost. He took one hand from Childe’s chest to his clit, wobbling as he was set off balance, but Childe caught him, supporting his weight from one side. Diluc gave him a bashful look of thanks, before rubbing himself in frantic circles, carrying himself to his peak. Childe felt pleasure building within him, searing hot and sudden, and it kept rising as Diluc finished first, choking on nothing when he orgasmed, jerking forwards and resting his head against Childe’s sternum.
“Can I-” Childe gripped his hips in panic as the heat began to subside, desperate to orgasm a second time.
“Yes-” Diluc’s voice was a whistle, barely audible, but Childe heard him, and finally took control.
He lifted Diluc up, before slamming him back down onto his cock, over and over in rapid succession. Diluc cried out, squirming from the overstimulation, bunching Childe’s shirt in his fists, grazing his nipples under the taut fabric. That was all it took, apparently, as Childe felt himself hurtle over the edge once again. He didn’t come this time, still too soon after his first for it to happen again, but he shuddered from head to toe, mind clouded in white hot bliss, spots of light bursting behind his eyes. He sank back into the sofa cushions, breathing deeply, sweat sticking his hair to the back of his neck. Diluc collapsed on top of him, going lax in relief, marking the end of their fooling around.
Childe wished they could just lay like that for as long as they wanted. Wished he could reach out and run his hands through Diluc’s messy hair, falling from it’s ponytail, pooling over his shoulder and tickling Childe’s jaw.
But then the front door handle turned, and both men sprung to attention, wild and terrified.
Diluc’s legs gave out beneath him as he lunged for his trousers, and Childe barely caught him before he hit the floor. They could hear Thoma’s voice, responding to something Lumine had said with a laugh, and Childe looked around the apartment in a frenzy. He set his eyes on the bathroom door, hauling Diluc into his arms and practically hurling him across the living room, shoving him through the bathroom door with his pants in tow. Childe quickly did the top button of his jeans, and tried to flatten his hair, which was undoubtedly sticking up every which way, only dropping his hands to his sides as Thoma entered the room, two bags of food in his arms. He frowned, looking confused.
“You good? Why are you standing over there? There’s a perfectly good couch, y’know.”
Lumine followed behind him, suddenly scrunching up her nose and pulling a face. She turned to stare at Childe, long and hard, a stern glint in her eye, threatening an interrogation. Aether shouldered between the two of them, already halfway through a bite of a dumpling, which he was eating with his bare hands.
“Aether!” Thoma said, exasperated. “At least wait till I get you chopsticks, geez.” The two men hurried off into the kitchen together, leaving Childe facing Lumine.
“Smells nice in here.” She said scathingly. "Have fun?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Childe said, unconvincingly.
“Your fly’s undone.” And then she smiled sweetly, before turning on her heel and following her brother into the kitchen.
Childe hung his head forward, cursed under his breath, and zipped up his fly.
-
“Sooo…” Aether sidled up next to Diluc after they’d finished eating. The takeaway had been delicious, absolutely worth the wait, Childe had exclaimed, and Diluc had to suppress the urge to bury his face in his hands.
Now, Childe was washing the dishes in the kitchen, accompanied by Thoma, whilst Lumine scrolled on her phone, pointedly sitting on the floor by the television, avoiding the sofa.
“Hmm?” He waited for Aether to continue, trying not to wince as he shuffled in his seat, thighs burning.
“You glad you came along tonight?” Aether asked, leaning into Diluc’s side with a smile.
Diluc considered this for a moment.
“Yeah.” He said, returning the grin. “I am.”