A/N: This was an idea circling around in my head for a while. Diluc and Jean are one of my favorite couples, and when I was brainstorming ideas for their kiddos this came up in my mind. I think it definitely fits Diluc and offers some good relationship development. I hope you enjoy it :)
"Diluc, you're being bitter," Jean shut the door behind them as they entered their home. Diluc ignored her, took off his coat, and just walked upstairs. Jean folded her arms. One person had asked about if they were having kids some day, and suddenly he had decided to flip out about it. It wasn't like they hadn't discussed the idea before.
It'd been a year since they'd gotten married, and Jean already knew that Diluc had already proved how good of a dad he would be. He always promised that if they had children, he'd be a stay-at-home dad so she could continue being the Acting Grand Master. He could still run Angel's Share while taking care of their kids, whereas being a knight and trying to watch kids would've been rather difficult, as they were always supposed to be going on missions. Besides, Diluc knew how much Jean loved her job, and though he'd been helping protect Mondstadt after leaving the Knights of Favonius, he trusted she could handle things without him…even if the other knights were still extremely incompetent in his eyes.
Now, suddenly, he was acting like he thought having kids was a huge mistake, and he was discouraging her from wanting any. She was nothing but annoyed. She wanted to stay that way until he apologized because his reaction was childish, but that was the problem. It wasn't being childish in a joking manner. Something was up. Her concern for her husband in that moment definitely outweighed her annoyance.
Jean walked up the stairs after a moment of hesitation. He was her husband; they never kept secrets from each other, so she didn't know what could be bothering him.
Diluc was sitting on his side of the bed, his back turned to her. It didn't look like he was angry, just thoughtful. It was worse than she thought. Suddenly, her slight irritation melted into worry.
"Diluc…" Jean said his name slowly, sitting down next to him and placing her hand on his shoulder delicately. "Please tell me what's going on."
"It's a fairly dumb reason, so I don't want to upset you." Was Diluc's reply, "I love you, Jean. I do. That's why… I can't tell you…" He was staring at his hands, which were folded. He was fidgeting with his wedding ring, and she always took note of whenever he did. It was when something was on his mind. Something extremely serious. She'd never really seen him look so… uncomfortable. Not since-
It finally hit her what was up. She felt like an idiot for not thinking about it earlier. Stupid, stupid… She chided herself. It was so obvious to her now what was bothering him, and it hadn't even crossed her mind until then.
"Is it about Crepus, honey?" She asked softly, moving her hand to his back. Diluc shut his eyes, only giving a slight nod. She could tell he was in too much pain to speak.
He ended up speaking anyway. "Say we have kids. I dedicate my life to protecting them, just like my father did for me. We care for them together, and they remind me of you everyday, which I cherish." He grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly as he reopened his eyes.
Her heart dropped. She was scared for what he was going to propose next. "But one day, there's danger, and I die. I leave you and our kids on your own, fatherless for the rest of their lives. I can't… doom them to that life. I don't even have a clue if I'm good with kids." Suddenly, Diluc shut himself up.
She tried to swallow the thought. She didn't want to think about Diluc dying. In fact, she'd never had to worry about the concept of losing him until then. It worried her, at least, it worried her enough that she was holding back tears. She was used to being worried about things going wrong with something within the knights. The feeling wasn't the same, though. It was much, much different- it was on an entirely different level of concern for him.
She remembered to be strong. He needed her so much at the moment because she was the only one who could reassure him. "You're thinking negatively," Jean placed her other hand on his, "You keep forgetting that I'm here. We'd be in it together. Besides, I won't let you die on me. I'll protect you until my final breath."
"As will I, my love…" He murmured, pressing his lips to her hand. "But I had never thought about that before- the idea of them suffering what I had to go through… I wouldn't wish it upon anyone." His eyes reflected the trauma it'd caused him for the past few years.
She'd never seen him so vulnerable before. It was coming from Diluc- the dark knight hero, the man who had shut everyone out for years, the one who never let down his guard. But in that moment, he was completely defenseless. It was like he had given up. The pain became too unbearable for even him to handle. A tear even slipped down his cheek. He was shaking. She felt even worse seeing him in so much agony. Emotionally, she'd never seen him that bad. It was good, she knew, that he was letting all of his feelings out. No one, not even Diluc, could be strong forever.
Jean wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. "It would be different. They'd have us, and we'd have each other," she whispered softly, holding him close to her. "But I completely understand your hesitance, so I won't force you into anything."
She remembered the day Diluc's father had died. The knights were too late, and Diluc was just on his knees, covered in blood. He was never the same after that incident- he surrendered his vision, he quit after eight years of being the cavalry captain; she'd lost touch with him for a couple years, mostly because Diluc disappeared into the shadows. They'd been close friends because she was the Acting Grand Master and he was the cavalry captain. She knew it sounded cheesy, but she hated to think of the time she'd spent without him.
But they'd found each other again, and that was all that mattered. He'd opened himself up to her, and she mattered more to him than anyone else had. He hugged her back silently, letting her hold him in her arms.
"I'll have to think on it," Diluc decided after a while as he breathed in slowly, stroking the back of her head gently. "No matter what, I love you." He said it in such a clear and calm voice. It was like their entire conversation had put him at ease, which relieved her. She hated when either of them felt tense.
"I love you too, Diluc." Jean enjoyed the warmth she felt whenever he said "I love you" first. It felt like the Diluc she'd known before his father died. The one who brought her flowers on her seventeenth birthday. The one who would affectionately ruffle his adoptive brother's hair and laugh everything off. Lighthearted, caring Diluc. That part of him had never truly left him. It was getting much easier to see it all over again.
Laughter came from the field next to Jean and Diluc's home. In a circle, three children were holding hands and dancing together. Leaves circled around them. The anemo archon was sitting on top of the cliff side, controlling the wind and smiling every time they'd gotten amazed by his tricks. They didn't even seem to realize he was there. He waved below to where their parents were.
From the small fence outside their home, Jean waved back with her free hand. Diluc just nodded at Venti with an approving smile. His hand was placed on top of Jean's other one, which was rested on one of the fence posts. It was early autumn, one of the prettiest times of year. The sky was a bright blue, and it was filled with many different clouds.
"Ten years ago," Diluc cleared his throat, "I told you I didn't know if I wanted kids. Do you remember that?" He asked as he moved his hand to place it on the back of her head. It was always how he knew she was paying attention to him. She knew as soon as he placed his hand there that he wanted her to look him in the eyes.
"I do," She was half a foot shorter than him, so she always had to look up at him if she wanted to look him in the eyes, "I assume you don't regret changing your mind." She smiled, reaching for his other hand with hers.
"I don't," he agreed, kissing her gently on the forehead, "I would've never known what I was missing out on." He wrapped his arm around her waist, as per usual. "I couldn't have asked for a more perfect family."
Jean couldn't help but chuckle. "Even with all of the screaming and crying?"
Diluc nodded with his own laugh. "Always. I'm glad I married you, Jean Ragnvindr." His eyes were a reflection of his soul; he was happy. It seemed he was even more happy than he was on their wedding day. And she couldn't help but feel the same. It was a beautiful, relaxing day with her family.
She nearly got swept away in the moment, but then remembered what he had said and rolled her eyes, punching his arm affectionately. He always seemed to love calling her by her full name. It probably reminded him that everything was real and that she was his. "I'm glad I married you too, Diluc." He rested her head on his chest and looked back at their children.
He was right. Jean beamed, feeling contentment in that very moment. She wasn't being called away by the knights, her husband was right there with her, and she knew her daughters were safe. Everything is perfect.
A/N: I really think that all of the trauma surrounding his father's death would influence his decision of having kids. To me, it fits perfectly. At least Jean helps him get past it :). Thank you for reading!