AUTHOR'S NOTE:
READ AT YOUR OWN DESCRETION!
But if you do, PLEASE, PLEASE leave a comment and tell me what you think.
You'd know why I am asking if you read it.
I can't exactly give a summary to this, and if you push through, you might understand why.
~.~.~.~.~.~
When I was born, I was a part of a whole, specifically a half of a whole. I knew this for a fact.
When I met Diluc Ragnvindr, his red hair stood out and then I happened to gaze at those red eyes. I was startled, thinking he looked rather unique and handsome.
His red eyes were cold at first and then it was suddenly filled with warmth as he looked through the many rings inside the glass counters.
I quietly observed his mannerisms behind a glass wall.
His eyes showed how seriously he contemplated each piece of jewelry. I felt that he must be thinking of the person he would give it to.
It brought me joy.
No one ever chooses me. But seeing every face light up at the thought of someone dear to them brought me happiness. It was enough to keep me by.
One day, I would bring happiness to someone too, the way these people come in and out of this brightly lit room, filled with gold, silver and sparkling jewels.
Today, however, I am but a witness to another person's joy, just as always.
Diluc's finger was delicate as he pointed at one ring after the other, as he inspected them carefully as if he himself was a jeweler checking for cracks.
It took him hours to decide. He seemed was hell bent on having the perfect ring for Jean.
Jean, that was a very pretty name. I wondered if Jean was a male or a woman.
The idle chatter of the clerk woman made me aware that Jean was a female and that you and her have been together for a couple years now.
Wow. A couple of years. I could only wish for such a thing.
Diluc talked about resizing the ring and I saw him inspect the beautiful engagement ring that he picked out for Jean.
The ring was breathtaking and from what I inferred from his conversation with the clerk woman, it was exactly how he perceived Jean.
Beautifully breathtaking.
I found myself envious of the words used to describe her.
I wondered, when will my day come?
Well, I at least hoped for the best for this couple.
Diluc left and I did not see him for days, but in turn the stream of people buying jewelry did not seize. There were even a few people looking for an engagement ring to purchase, and I was brought back to the thought of a red haired man with beautiful, cold, red eyes that only lit up at the mention of Jean.
I wondered what happened to him.
I wondered if Jean answered him.
I wondered how she answered him.
And then one day a man came. He was distraught, he looked to be in so much pain. He was returning the engagement ring he bought for his partner with a rueful smile.
It happens more often than anyone would think. A small number compared to those who much later after their proposal was accepted and would return to buy a set of wedding rings. Granted there were couples who bought wedding rings who returned that purchase too, an even smaller amount compared to returned engagement rings.
But I digress.
I admit I was kind of happy at the sight of someone's misery.
It made me aware that I wasn't the only one that wasn't chosen. Granted, they likely got it worse than me.
I then wondered, whatever happened to Diluc's proposal.
I wondered if he would return here, just like that man, dejected and confused as to why their partner said no. Returning a ring they took hours to pick out. The bright lights of the store as if mocking their rejection. And if they were even more unfortunate, they would have to see a person who was like them at one point, happily looking through engagement rings.
Well, I suppose, the fact that I had not seen Diluc in so long conveyed that the proposal was a success. Maybe he decided to go buy wedding rings somewhere else. Maybe he hasn't proposed. Maybe Diluc and Jean decided to marry at a much later time.
I would never know.
And so the days passed just as it always has before I was captivated by a certain redhead. Customers entering and leaving, some returning a purchase, some buying jewelry that was unrelated to weddings. The same cycle over and over.
I started thinking less about the red haired, red eyed man and how fondly he talked about Jean.
A year later, I was still at the same store, having seen many people buying rings and even fewer returning them, in anger or in sadness, it didn't really matter- ultimately it was a rejection. I also witnessed plenty of transactions involving non-wedding related jewelry.
And then, a blonde woman came in, she captured my attention the moment she entered.
I didn't know why.
Blonde hair and silver eyes. I felt drawn by her. It felt like I knew her and as I continued to stare at that blonde hair, I recalled a certain man's voice.
She has blonde hair and silver eyes, when she enters the room her presence cannot be ignored.
I could hear it with Diluc's voice, I could even remember the exact moment he said that to the clerk woman. It was words that I had forgotten due to time and yet, those were the words that made me envious of the warmth caused by the person he wanted to marry.
Just the mere thought of his partner made his cold countenance disappear.
Who wouldn't be envious?
"Hello, I'd like to look at wedding rings." The blonde woman said and was directed to a glass counter, her back facing me. Even just looking at her back I felt like she was someone to be respected.
"Yes, madam-"
"Jean." The blonde interjected and I was startled.
Could it be? Was this Diluc's Jean?
"Madam Jean, these are brand new wedding rings especially crafted in-house with materials imported all over Teyvat." The head clerk said with a pleasing smile from behind the glass counter that Jean was redirected at.
The two talked as Jean carefully studied each ring. I found that this scene was quite similar to when Diluc had entered the store many many months ago.
Wherein Diluc was a cold indifference, Jean was a polite kindness that could be mistaken as distant.
For a second, I thought that if it was those two who were a couple it would finally ease my mind on whatever happened to that red haired gentleman.
As the seconds passed, I found that I did not want to pay attention to the blonde woman anymore. Her pleasing personality was making me want more than I should have and have been allowed since I was born.
Instead, I diverted myself to a different customer who was focused on looking for a necklace for herself. At least this one wouldn't make me want more than I could hope for.
This other customer's gaze was serious but it could never compare to the ones who came here looking for a specific kind of ring for a specific person for a life changing event.
This, at least, was less of a commitment.
This one at least would not bring me to the thought of why couldn't it be me?
And then suddenly the door opened, and I was drawn by the sound. I was so shocked to see the red hair that I was very much enchanted by. He slowly walked forward, in no rush at all. The blonde woman named Jean heard his footsteps and turned. The polite smile she had towards the clerk became dazzling and warm and filled with so much love and affection.
"Diluc." She whispered as her silver eyes crinkled, it seemed that her gaze was stuck at the same smile on his lips.
Yes, it was Diluc.
It really was Diluc's Jean that came today.
They came together. That means that he proposed and she accepted and now they were looking for wedding rings.
"Did any particular ring catch your eyes?" He asked as he stood by Jean's side. She smiled and lifted her left hand and the ring he got her those many months ago sparkled on her finger.
How nice it must have been to have received it.
"Well, there are a few, but they don't speak to me." Jean then locked hands with him.
"Well , we can continue looking as long as you like. It took me hours to find your engagement ring." His tone was so warm, even warmer than when he talked about you when he was buying said ring.
Jean laughed, "And even longer to propose."
It seemed that she was teasing him and he simply smiled at her with all the love clear on his face.
"And after all that, I finally got to propose to you. It was worth it." He replied softly, the clerk looking awkward in front of them.
"Well, let's not make the salesman even more uncomfortable." Jean cut off whilst Diluc chuckled and the salesman awkwardly laughed as he tried to insist that he wasn't feeling awkward at all.
Their relationship seemed good at least, now I can finally be at peace knowing this at least.
At least. What a lonely phrase.
Diluc and Jean continued to browse each set of wedding rings, their serious expression was the exact same one Diluc had a year ago. It almost made me chuckle.
But the thought of not being chosen again was heavy. There was a longing that could never be sated from within me.
They studied each set meticulously, sometimes they would discuss it seriously and sometimes they just looked at one another and knew it wasn't the set for them. It was a relationship that could make anyone envious.
At least I was convinced so.
The couple moved to each glass container slowly and eventually reached my little corner. The fact that they were before me made me feel like my heart was in a race.
Jean's silver eyes were so beautiful up close and so was Diluc's. I felt nervous seeing them so close. Despite having seen Diluc a year prior, this was the closest I had ever been to Diluc and now also his partner.
They looked so beautiful and perfect together.
Whatever ring they choose it must be the most beautiful one here.
"We are actually planning to melt these pieces and make something new." The salesman instantly said and Jean gazed up at Diluc patiently.
"Why is that?" Jean smiled.
"Oh, because these pieces have been here for a while now." Jean nodded to his answer and gazed very carefully at the rings within the glass case.
And then suddenly silver eyes from a blonde woman were on me. Her eyes twinkled at the sight of me. This was the first time I ever met such a gaze and it was directed at me.
"Diluc, this one." Jean whispered softly, her voice sounded so light but her joy was clear.
Diluc followed Jean's pointed finger that was against the glass and his eyes looked satisfied as he gazed at what Jean picked. The smile on his lips was also very soft. It was tender, gentle and exuded so much love and affection.
"Yes, that is perfect." He agreed and I was surprised.
I have been here for many years and no one has ever glanced at me at all.
I was finally chosen!
How odd, I.
Before there was me, there was only us.
I have said this before, I was created to be a part of a whole.
We shared the same thoughts and were one, and then we were cut to be a pair. That was how I became me and the distinction was clear. The 'us' became clearly two different parts now. But as the years passed by of not being chosen, all I ever thought of was me ,as I had become my own.
I had not thought about my pair in so long.
Did they even want to be chosen?
And for the first time in so long, as we were taken out of the glass I felt my partner's faint satisfaction of being chosen.
Diluc and Jean fitted us, I on Jean's finger to my dismay, and my partner on Diluc's finger.
"A perfect fit." Diluc marveled quietly and Jean's eyes sparkled the same sentiments.
Sure, I had wanted to be worn by Diluc as much I had admired him for so long, but seeing Jean's quiet expression, it felt perfect to be on her finger.
When the two got married and were busy at night with nothing but me and my partner on, I would often be against my pair. My other half.
And it felt that as our metals rested against one another, the love that every inch of their skin exudes was being absorbed into ourselves.
The bond my partner and I had lost was then revived. In fact, I could even feel the love Diluc had for Jean, just as my other half can feel Jean's love for Diluc.
I too can feel Jean's emotions as if they were mine to begin with, the same must be felt by the band on Diluc's finger. The other half of me.
"I love you." Diluc whispered into Jean's ear. She was satisfied, she was happy as she screamed his name.
Happiness and love that was unending was what filled me after I- no, we were chosen.
~.~.~.~.~.~
So, what do you think?
I have been wanting to write something like this for Jealuc (I did something similar for another fandom) but found it hard to think of a way to do this for Jealuc.
But since it is here, I finally found away.
So a few questions, again, what did you think?
Who's POV did you think you were reading as?
How did you feel?
Was it unexpected?
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