Note: This is a continuation of Vignette 3, continuing the tale of Diluc and Jean as they slowly fall deeper into their gentle, supporting relationship.
First Kiss
It was surprisingly difficult to plan for a picnic. With her work, Jean's schedule was never settled until the day of, and even then the weather in Mondstadt was a pickle at the best of times. But he had managed, between rain and a plague of migrating birds, to finally sit on a picnic blanket in the middle of his own vineyard with his unofficial girlfriend.
Though she never directly responded to his question that night, she had accepted his pendant and worn it ever since. Even more beautifully, she only smiled when, during their next dinner date, he had the maids set her place beside his instead of on opposite sides of the table. This fact, together with the myriad of small changes in her body language, helped put his mind at ease, and convinced him that she was just as involved in and dedicated to this relationship as he was.
He was surprised, however, when she arrived at the picnic in a beautiful summer dress. One that spoke of her continued youthfulness, almost as if they were back in high school again, where he was just another staring upperclassman. Even when they were seated side by side, a glass of wine in hand, he still could not help but admire her side profile. From her cascading golden hair downwards, every part of her was seemingly designed to set his desires aflame.
Without even realizing it, as they were discussing the latest happenings in Liyue, his free hand sought out hers on the picnic blanket and covered it with his own. At that moment, their gazes met and time seemed to stop, as eternity descended upon them. Agonizingly slowly, as if pushing against gravity itself, he leaned in closer and closer to the beautiful blonde, his eyes never leaving her own.
When they were mere centimetres apart, a small gust threw her hair between them, giving him just a moment to catch his breath. Suddenly, he realized that he was about to kiss the acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. Catching himself with a small shake of his head, and a rueful smile, Diluc returned to his own seated position on the blanket.
From that moment on, things became awkward in their conversation. Both Jean and himself were glancing furtively at each other and their hands, as if an opportunity was missed. But slowly, the conversation was dragged back on track, with animated discussions on disparate topics like the effects of the Raiden Shogun's decree and the subsequent closure of the Inazuman borders, or the rumour of knew scrolls coming out of Sumeru.
Just as the conversation was getting back on track, a much stronger wind blew from the direction of the Dragonspine. So unprepared was the redhead, that the gust pushed him physically towards Jean, who was pushed to the ground just underneath him, with his elbows holding him up on either side of her head. For one long moment, he simply looked into her beautiful pale eyes and was lost in that gaze.
"S ... sir?"
With her hair fanned out in that haphazard but breathtaking way, he finally made his own decision. Not hesitating another moment, he slowly lowered himself, his lips seeking out hers to share their very first, hesitant, tender kiss.
"I told you. Don't call me that."