Diluc and Childe are far from perfect.

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Character(s): Childe | Tartaglia (Ajax), Diluc

Relationship(s): Childe/Diluc

Tags & warnings: hurt/comfort, fluff, bit of whump too but not rly, implied/referenced sex, mentions of wounds, scars, Delusion(s), 2.1 archon quest spoiler

Word count: 1106

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As soon as Diluc shuts his bedroom door, Childe seizes his lips for himself, releasing into them all his pent-up longing, frustration and guilt after not being able to see the redhead for so long. In between his Harbinger duties, La Signora's funeral, and his turned-lengthy visit back home right after (since his siblings kept begging for "just one more day"), he's honestly forgotten how long it's been since his last trip to Mondstadt. But all of that is swept aside and forgotten when Diluc returns his kiss just as sweetly, albeit a little less fierce — it must not have been a very relaxing night for the Darknight Hero. His assumption is more or less confirmed when Childe slides his tongue across Diluc's lower lip, lingering on a cut where he can taste metal. "Something happened?"

"Some hilichurl threw a rock at me," explains Diluc, followed by a grunt when Childe pushes him down onto the bed. "Hey."

"Sore?" he teases, smirking at Diluc's furrowed brows before threading his fingers into the other's ponytail, swiftly undoing it. Velvety red locks splay out onto the sheets; Childe eagerly buries his nose into them, detecting pine and windwheel aster and even freshly-fallen dewdrops. He's missed this scent. "You should take better care of yourself."

"And you should talk less," Diluc grumbles, much less threatening than usual. He tugs on the back of Childe's jacket, the latter sliding it off at lightning speed before helping Diluc remove his too. Childe leans down again, scattering kisses all over his lover's face and neck, murmuring against his blushy skin, "And what's this?"

Even Diluc seems surprised at that. "What's what?" he asks; Childe takes his hand and guides it toward a small cut just below his jawline. "Oh. Just a little shaving accident. ... Don't look so displeased."

"I'm not displeased," Childe rolls his eyes, wondering what in his expression gave him away. Still holding Diluc's hands in his own, he unclasps the silvery chains around his fingers and wrists, noticing the other man's contented hum as he curls and flexes the muscles. Unable to help himself, he speaks up again, "Do they hurt?"

Diluc shoots him a look, before suddenly sitting up from underneath him and turning the other way. "You know I'm way past that age when you need to fuss over me, right?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"Don't you think I can handle myself?"

"I do, but 'Luc...."

"Don't misunderstand, I appreciate the sentiment. I do. It's just that—"

"Diluc~"

"What?" Childe barely waits for Diluc to turn around before abruptly seizing him and throwing him down onto the bed, the redhead crashing into the pillows with a surprised 'oomf!' The annoyance all but leaves his face as Childe climbs on top of him and slams his hands down on either side, smile equal parts charming and aggressive. "I'll trust you with my whole life if I need to, honey. But how can you possibly ask me to stop worrying about my love?"

"You—" Diluc starts, but Childe knows he's won when the redhead sighs exasperatedly, before fisting his collar and pulling him down into a kiss. He returns it with great earnestness, letting Diluc take control for a moment before sliding a hand underneath his shirt, feeling his sensitive skin jolt. (Between the two of them, Childe has always have a lower body temperature.) They part, Diluc's expression clouded with lust from what brief glimpse Childe got of it as he pulls the shirt up and over his head — but just before he can lean down again, Diluc's hand, which has wandered past the split hem of his shirt and found the maze of scars streaking all across his torso, freezes. "Ajax, what's this?"

"Didn't you want me to talk less?" Childe hums, and seals Diluc's lips before he can ask any more questions.

Ajax shivers within his embrace. Mond does get a lot colder at night, thinks Diluc sleepily as he tightens his arm around the ginger and pulls him closer. Ajax happily obliges, letting out a noise between a groan and a chuckle as he curls up against his chest, fluffy hair tickling Diluc's chin. His back arches into the redhead's palm, the less-than-subtle scars once again brushing past the other's fingertips.

Diluc traces them warily. They're long and thin, some more prominent than others, like ridges harshly carved into the ginger's flesh. They run all the way from his shoulder blades to the bones of his hips, becoming denser and more twisted the further down Diluc goes. Diluc has seen battle scars before, but these are... something else.

"Ajax, what is this?" There is no answer, but Ajax's breathing is much too shallow for him to be asleep. Diluc runs his fingers along the other's spine, asking again, "Ajax."

"You know."

Diluc presses his lips together. "Flame burn scars are very different from these." He feels Ajax shift, and then sigh, softly as if they were only discussing the weather. "These are electric."

"From?"

"Well, you know. No need for me to spell it out now." The ginger's tone is light, but it weighs Diluc's heart down more than either of them can imagine. He knows Ajax knows his hands still hurt, sometimes, when he overuses his claymore or makes one too many drinks at Angel's Share; it feels as if the chains he wielded back then are still grinding against his very bones. And Ajax knows he knows, that abusing a Delusion never comes with pretty consequences.

"Doesn't hurt anymore, if that makes you feel better." That tone again — so nonchalant, so dismissive it forces Diluc to move away and seize Ajax by the shoulders. "I don't need to feel better; I need you to feel better!"

Even in the darkness, those purplish-black scars are much too stark against Ajax's snowy skin for Diluc's liking. It pains him, sickens him to think how many times the Harbinger has had to use that evil Eye for them to look like this. But the ginger only smiles before pulling him close again, whispering into the space between their lips, "I feel perfect. Right here, with you."

He tucks himself in between the redhead's arms, shivering once more. Diluc wants to push him away, wake him, force him to explain this until he owns up to his stubbornness. But... that would make him too much of a hypocrite.

So instead, he holds Ajax until he feels him relax into his warmth, breaths lulling to a slow, even rhythm. With his aching fingers, Diluc begins to trace the scars again, all the way until his own eyes fall shut.

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pulled the title n summary outta my ass as usual 💀 anw chiluc rly be pulling me out of a 1-yr hiatus tho. 🫶 i'm a bit rusty so pls excuse any wonky writing, but i hope this was enjoyable nonetheless :3

i wanted to do a lil thing w this electro delusion scar hc, and somehow it snowballed into this. kind of also wanted to do the 2 POVs to show their different care styles? i imagine Diluc would be more upfront n upset if sth happened, while Childe would be overly protective all the time (brotherly instincts yk). if it's abt them both would prolly brush it off bc they don't wanna worry others, but for slightly diff reasons ig 🤔 diluc bc he's a gentleman like that, childe bc he's uncomfy w the idea of anyone having to worry for him (who's supposed to be in charge n taking care of everyone else).

but ANYWAY im glad to get this out 💀💀👍 cya in the next one ig 😪