Teen Arc (Diluc & Jean)

Diluc joined the Knights of Favonius at the age of fourteen and today was his inauguration as a knight. He wore the ceremonial uniform and everything went smoothly. He had noticed Jean's figure in the crowd and he even felt prouder of himself at the sight of her silently cheering for him in the guise of an indifferent expression beside Frederica. He knew her well, she might look neutral, but he knew without a doubt that in her heart she was cheering him on the loudest.

When the ceremony finished, he said his greetings to his fellow knights and those who said their congratulations to him and his family. One way or another he managed to slip away and he went to seek out Jean who was hidden behind a building far away from anyone's watchful gaze.

"Whoo, I almost couldn't find you." Diluc playfully spoke as he leaned against the wall. Jean stared at him and then bowed.

"Congratulations, Sir Diluc." Jean said respectfully and Diluc was startled.

"Hey, hey, no need for the Sir and the bowing." He quickly fussed over as he tried to make Jean stand by holding the side of her arms.

"No, you are a knight now." Jean replied as she stood up properly her silver eyes were cold and certain and he was startled by her determination. She never looked at him like that.

For a moment Diluc thought that she didn't see him as a friend anymore. And the thought scared him, when was it that she started looking at him like this?

The time he had snuck her out of her training and she was grounded?

The thought– the memory had come to him and then followed by a rush of guilt.

"This is for you." Jean pulled a white cloth from her pocket and handed it to Diluc. "My gift for you."

His fear was quickly washed away and he totally forgot about his dear friend's cold gaze. Diluc accepted the gift and realized that it was a handkerchief and at one corner in red thread was his name: Diluc Ragnvindr.

"I embroidered it personally." He couldn't help but glance at her fingers when she mentioned this fact. He thought that her fingers seemed fine.

"It is embroidered perfectly." Diluc mumbled, it really shouldn't have been a surprise. After all, Jean was pretty talented and hardworking, she could do anything she put her mind to.

"I guess we won't see each other often anymore." Jean added before Diluc could say his thanks.

"Don't say that. When you join the Knights of Favonius, we will see each other every day. Who knows we might even share a platoon?" Diluc's smile was enchanting and Jean couldn't help but smile back.

"Yes, I haven't been seeing you often anymore, training… it takes precedence." Her tone made her sound guilty and her avoidance at looking at him made it look even more like she was guilty. "I don't think we can hang out as often as before."

He recalled the distance he felt since that day. He pressed his lips together. He had made up his mind, he will work hard to keep their friendship. He cherished it so much.

"I understand, it's your family's legacy." Diluc comforted not trying to pry in her absence but he did feel pain at her words. He was at least comforted with the fact that she probably didn't want to stay away from him. He had noticed that she had been pulling away, but it must be the pressure as a Gunnhildr.

"Thank you for this, I will treasure it." His tone is very sincere, and he did not lie, he truly would cherish it. Just like his friendship with her, he will treasure this handmade gift that Jean had poured her heart into.

Jean smiled at his words, "You're welcome." was her soft reply.

~.~.~.~.~

Their teenage years were quiet, Diluc was mostly busy with the knights and Jean was too busy training. At least to Jean it felt so quiet, in fact, their relationship felt very stagnant since she was confined when she and Diluc snuck out years ago. But this was what she wanted, this was the result she had silently aimed for and yet she couldn't help but feel sad about it.

Even though she tried to look calm, she did feel his absence. Jean often wondered if he felt it too. She was certain that he did but did not ask her about the details. She admired that about him, that tenacity she supposed. It was clear that he valued their friendship and that was all that mattered to him, that was more than enough reason not to question why she was so distant. As long as she didn't say she didn't want to be his friend, then everything was the same. They were still close, even though facts would point otherwise.

Diluc was so very admirable in her eyes.

Jean was going to be fourteen soon but first she will be inaugurated as a member of the Knights of Favonius. This had been what her mother, Frederica wanted.

Jean's only path.

Jean and Diluc tried their best to hang out as much as they could, but it was difficult. She did worry about being a part of the knights, particularly because the friend she had been avoiding is a part of the knights too. There are times she would cross paths with Diluc and his fellow knights and most times she would find herself hiding from him.

Diluc looked so happy with his fellow knights. There probably wasn't any space for her in that setting.

It was such a stupid insecurity, she knows it. But her figure would often hide from him before he could notice.

Jean was nervous over the inauguration coming in a few days. The arguments from her parents have greatly escalated too. It seems that they will really call it off soon.

She looked at her reflection on the mirror in front of her and she noticed her sad gaze. She missed Diluc terribly, but– she shook her head.

She is Jean Gunnhildr.

Jean was the top of her class and with that, she was given the responsibility of helping in the preparations. It was surprising when she went to meet her superior that she would help assist– who turned out to be Diluc. In retrospect, it was foolish of her to think that it wouldn't be Diluc, considering that he is so good that everyone thinks he would take over as Grand Master of the Knights.

Now, though, with Jean entering the knights, people believed that he now has competition for the position.

But what Jean remembered was the moment she entered the room and their eyes instantly met. It's been so long since they were in a small space together for many hours, it was heart-warming to be reunited the way they did. But she was aware it was she who pulled away from him. Yet, he still welcomed her so warmly.

That was what he was, he was always so warm.

"Jean?" Diluc's voice came from behind her, which startled her and she flinched. She was at his office to give him an update on the progress of the celebration.

"Oh, Sir Diluc." She turned around and he frowned, she never dropped calling him sir since he was knighted, and he tried to make her stop calling him that, but Jean wouldn't have it.

"Is everything okay, Jean?" He asked cautiously as he approached her. She blinked at him and smiled.

"Yes, just a lot on my head." She cleared her throat. "I have double checked the food and caterer for the inauguration of the incoming knights. Everything is set, Sir Diluc." Jean turned around and picked up a clipboard and handed it over to him.

"Maybe you shouldn't have taken this respon–" He stopped when he noticed Jean's cold gaze, she never looked at him like that.

"It is my responsibility." Her tone was clear and unfriendly. Diluc merely cleared his throat.

"Yes, thank you." He accepted the clipboard, his eyes reading the contents. "Jean, do you have some free time?" She looked at him confusedly. "I'd like to spend some time with my close friend."

She felt guilty at his words, "I mean you Jean." She looked at him and sighed aloud, dispelling the guilt.

"Yes, I am free, Sir Diluc." She nodded and they stared at one another. She felt so awkward at that moment.

"Jean– the people…" He sighed at his hesitance, then suddenly held her fingers gently. "Everyone is saying your parents are about to get a divorce."

Jean stared at him with furrowed brows, his words felt heavy yet his tone was so gentle. This was the Diluc she always knew. Her mouth opened at words that could not even form in her head.

"Hey, when you are ready Jean, I am always here for you." Diluc told her so gently that her heart broke. His fingers squeezing hers lightly.

Jean closed her mouth and then closed her eyes, tilting her head down. She licked her lips then said, "Thank you, Diluc."

Diluc was evidently surprised that she had not used Sir before his name. But Jean did not see his expression, it was clear to him that she intended not to.

~.~.~.~.~

The day of Jean's inauguration finally came; she smiled politely throughout and appeared to be the perfect heir of Frederica Gunnhildr. The formalities were finished and everyone was going inside the Favonius Headquarters for the festivities, but Jean happened to glance at a familiar building that was a bit further away.

She recalled that two years ago she had waited for Diluc behind that very building. She didn't notice the familiar red hair of Diluc in her surroundings and before she knew it she was at the exact spot she was waiting for him after his inauguration.

"Jean, I didn't think you remembered this spot." Jean was startled and turned around and was even more surprised to see the familiar red. Two years ago, he was fourteen and now she is fourteen. He didn't look the way he did two years ago; he was leaner and there was a sharpness in his gaze, it was familiar and yet not.

Jean laughed nervously and looked away, tucking a stray hair. "We-we should probably go to the Headquarters now– the festivities might be starting."

"Before you go–" He blocked her way and she stopped to look at him. "I have something to give you."

"Oh?" Jean accidentally said as she was not expecting anything from him.

"I thought it was just right– I-I still keep the handkerchief you gave me." His face turned pinkish at the confession and so did Jean's face.

"Then…what is it?" She cautiously asked and his eyes lit up at her. He took something black from this pocket.

"I hope you use it well." He mumbled, his embarrassment clear in his voice. On his palm was a black bow.

Jean slowly picked it up from his palm and it shimmered against the sun, it was still about three in the afternoon. It shimmered in a nice royal blue, she gasped at its beauty.

"Its–"

"I know it isn't anything special." Diluc cut her off, the nervousness even more clear now. "But–" He stopped when the hand that was previously holding the bow, which he was retracting, felt heavy. He looked down at the small hand of Jean that was resting on his hand.

"It's lovely, Diluc." He's brows raised at her using his name alone, he nodded too enthusiastically, he couldn't help but smile. And she gasped at the sight of his beauty.

"This is a hair tie, right?" Jean cleared her throat and looked away, pulling her hand off of his.

"Uh- yes, yes, it is." Diluc automatically responded and she nodded her head.

Jean turned around undoing her hair. "Would-would you help me tie my hair like when we were younger?"

There were moments before where the two tied each other's hair. Diluc nodded but she clearly couldn't see it. He cleared his throat then said yes as he held her soft blonde hair. His expression looked like he was reminiscing. His fingers carefully but expertly tied her hair with the bow he gave.

"I hope you like it." He mumbled to himself, perhaps to shoo away the silence. He finished tying her hair and Jean turned to him.

"Thank you, I love it and I will cherish it." Jean said and the two realized their faces were so close to one another. Their faces turned the same shade of pink.

Jean took a step back, "We should probably go to the headquarters."

"Yeah, the top knight candidate shouldn't keep the people waiting." Diluc looked away from her and looked as if he was checking if anyone saw them. "You-you should go ahead Jean."

"Yeah, alright." Jean agreed instantly and then cleared her throat as she retreated into the headquarters.

The sun had set a couple of hours ago and it was dark out, that was when Jean noticed Diluc enter the mess hall of the Favonius Headquarters, where the celebrations were being held. He looked rather disheveled and lost, but perhaps only disheveled by such a small amount that no one else but Jean had recognized it.

Jean wanted to approach him, but was pulled away by a senior knight as she also noticed a female knight approaching Diluc. Jean quickly looked away and got lost in the festivities instead.

~.~.~.~.~.~

It's been a few months since she joined the Knights of Favonius and because Jean and Diluc are both Knights of Favonius their relationship developed quite well. They even had a few missions together. The friendship they lost for the two years was healing in the few months that they were together. Diluc always welcomed her, even when everyone was walking on eggshells around her, he never did.

Jean gazed at the Statue of Barbatos at Windrise, the glow of the statue bright against the darkness of the sky.

"Jean." She turned around hearing Diluc's voice.

"Oh, hello." She smiled faintly.

"Jean– I–"

"Vannessa's tree has really strong roots." She whispered, cutting him off, turning her head slightly towards the huge tree.

"Uhm…yeah…" Diluc mumbled unsurely. "I heard… about your parents."

"Yeah, well everyone knows about them." Jean snickered, crossing her arms over her chest with her palms pressing on the side of her shoulders. It was like she was colder than anything.

"Jean." He called out again this time placing a hand on her shoulder and she tilted her head a little towards him. "You could talk to me."

"What is there to say. The two finally decided to get a divroce, this was inevitable, they have been arguing since, I don't know– when I was ten, maybe. This was bound to happen; they haven't been staying in the same bedroom for years now." She sighed heavily.

"Jean." The hand on her shoulder felt comforting and was tugging her softly as if he wanted her to turn to him and so she did.

She turned to face him with a blank expression, but he looked at her with gentle eyes. An expression she wished he was not giving to her. And then suddenly she was wrapped in his arms.

Jean's shaky fingers went from under his shoulders and rested on his shoulder blades and she wept as she buried her face on his chest. Inhaling his scent, a scent that had not changed since they were kids.

He squeezed her tighter and continued to cry in his arms.

When she calmed down, he cupped her face and looked down on her slightly. He had grown taller than her, well, when they had met, he was always taller than her. But only now did she realize that they were no longer kids. They were very much full grown.

His thumbs wiped her tears, "I know you are sad, but today you got your vision too." He hesitated. "For that alone, we should also celebrate."

"I forgot." She wept this time in happiness about getting a vision because she knew that such a feat was a rare thing. It was such an honor to be chosen. She covered her face, but she also couldn't find complete joy in the thought. Getting a vision should have been a happy moment, but it was followed by her parents' decision to get a divorce.

She felt Diluc's strong arms embrace her again and she wept in his arms. He was so warm.

And since that day the two got closer to one another. Somuchso, that the talks of them being together became even louder than it should have.

~.~.~.~.~.~

Diluc was now eighteen and Jean sixteen, they had been working together for two years. They have even had numerous missions together or even patrol schedule or spar with one another quite frequently, it was clear to everyone that they were very close. In fact, to everyone they were certain that the young heir of the Gunnhildr Clan and the Ragnvindr heir were a couple.

The way the two approached and gravitated towards one another, how the two were normally with one another and Jean who was known to have an indifferent countenance would subtly turn gentle in the warmth of the young Pyro user. Everyone was convinced that they were together and that it was a matter of time that they would finally make it official. But the truth was they weren't even together at all.

Evenso, Diluc had arranged for them to have lunch for his birthday, just the two of them. Unfortunately, that plan he had was not going to pull through, he had looked forward to having lunch with her.

Instead Diluc asked Jean to meet him before he left with his father who had asked his son to join his entourage.

"Diluc," She called him. "It's a pity we can't have lunch together." She watched him trudge toward her on his brown horse.

He dismounted; she had almost missed him. "Yeah, there is something I really wanted to tell you. But my father asked me to join him at the last minute." He frowned, glancing down at her hand. He boldly held her fingers.

"Diluc, we are ready to depart." Crepus had yelled for his son not noticing that the said son appeared busy.

Diluc's frown deepened and he let go of her fingers and turned his head to his horse. "I have to go." She simply nodded. "I'm glad you were able to at least see me off." He faintly smiled at her.

He then mounted his steed, he hesitated to trudge to his father then turned to look at the blonde Gunnhildr that he had called out. "When I come back, there is something I have for you, something I have been preparing for a while now. Wait for me, Jean."

Staring at Diluc's red eyes, Jean felt that his eyes were like flames in the way his passion burned within those orbs. It seemed that there was something he wanted to fulfill and had already made up his mind about the matter.

It was supposed to be his birthday, why is it that she was getting a gift?

But she couldn't ask, instead she nodded with a faint shy smile, "Okay, I will wait for you, Diluc." She shyly reached out for his fingers and squeezed them looking up at him, a faint blush on her face.

"Be safe." She whispered.

He nodded and squeezed her fingers back and made his way to his father. Crepus noticed the blonde woman when Diluc moved and there was a clear surprise in his eyes. The two exchanged some words while glancing at Jean who waved a little at them as her little goodbye.

Diluc spared one more glance at her and then headed to their convoy. Had she known what would happen, she would have gone with them.

On that very night, Jean was rushing to the Knight of Favonius headquarters upon hearing the news of what had happened to Diluc's convoy mission for his father. She had been called for work and was far from Mondstadt, but she hoped she would meet him. She couldn't imagine what he was going through.

Jean had rushed to the headquarters just to find out that he had left. She frowned at the revelation and felt lost and confused. She had to find Diluc, she felt very uneasy.

But even when she went to Dawn Winery there was no Diluc Ragnvindr. No word from him either, and yet she couldn't even blame him. Like how much he trusted her, she will trust him. She will keep their friendship as if nothing has happened or changed. At least, this much she should be able to do.

When Diluc returns, she would treat him like the close friend they have always been, even if he hadn't told her his farewells.

After all, she too cherished this friendship.

He told her to wait for him and that she would.

Jean had left a small box filled with handkerchiefs that she had embroidered at Dawn Winery, her gift for his birthday. It was to replace the set that she had given him last year, it seemed that he only ever used the handkerchiefs that she gave him. She recalled that when he noticed that she kept wearing the bow he gave her, he had also given her some more to serve as extras.

She would patiently wait for him, and maybe when he returned to Mondstadt, he would tell her what happened. Maybe she could be a better friend this time.

Jean Gunnhildr would not see Diluc for almost five years.