digitizedsouls | (open post) (au) maybe it's the moonlight mixed with carnal insight

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(open post) (au) maybe it's the moonlight mixed with carnal insight

violent but it feels right
you make me come unsheathed

¯`·._.·´¯`·._.·´ ¯`·._.·´¯`·._.·´¯

Open post for vampire!Diluc AUs. Any and all scenarios welcome - fellow vampires, vampire hunters, victims, thralled human minions, not-so-thralled human allies, werewolves, other supernatural creatures.... the sky is the limit. ♥

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[He's noticed that something is wrong with Diluc, that he seems paler than usually and like something is weighting on him. Aether fails to recognize what is the real issue though. It never even crossed his mind that Diluc might be something different than human.

That night he finally decides to confront his friend, concern obvious in his golden eyes as he walks up close.]

Hey... You don't look well lately. Did you get sick? Are you hurt? [He presses a hand to his chest, as if in solemn offer.] Please, don't tell me you're okay. I know you're not. And I want to help you no matter what it is.

[His words are honest. He's ready to offer a lot, but he still doesn't even imagine what is it that Diluc needs right now. And so Aether waits, staying close and observing his friend with endless care and worry.]

[Vampirism is an undesirable souvenir that Diluc picked up during his time abroad, although he can't quite begrudge it either. After all, being turned is how the information organization he has since pledged himself to saved his life after he was left for dead by the Fatui Harbingers.

Well, saved his life to an extent. As long as he's cognizant and capable, he doesn't really care about the semantic difference.

Adelinde and Elzer are the only two that know. His undeath is a closely-guarded secret, even moreso than his status as the Darknight Hero.

Unfortunately, it leaves him in something of a quandary when it comes to day-to-day survival. He obviously can't start feeding on the people of Mondstadt--major ethical considerations aside, people would notice. Feeding on animals is out of the question for similar reasons. There are too many hunters who follow the patterns of local wildlife who would certainly spread the word if a spat of them started dying of desanguination.

(He attempted to drink from a hilichurl once and ended up vomiting from drinking blood that tasted stale and ancient.)

So he depends on a combination of Adelinde sourcing blood from local butcheries and the resources of his information network to get what he needs. Almost impossibly, both sources are currently behind schedule, leaving Diluc feeling frustrated and starved.

Of course, perceptive as he is, Aether has noticed. Having been cornered with nowhere to retreat to, he sighs in response to the question.]

It's... not anything you can help with.

[A lie. But he's not able to ask Aether for his own blood.]

[Uncovering that Diluc is the Darknight Hero seemed like an easy task comparing to the man's other secrets. Aether is painfully aware of this especially now, when he is faced with a dear friend so clearly suffering for some reason, yet claiming there is nothing the traveller can do.

...He knows. Aether really knows that he can't save everyone and that no matter what blessing he gets or what powers awaken in him, he won't be able to cure everything that troubles his friends. But that won't stop him. Even if he can make the smallest difference, it's still worth it.]

You're not even going to tell me what's wrong?

[His brows furrow upwards and he sighs. It won't be easy, but he has an idea what to do.]

At least let me help you get home... You should lie down, you really look very pale.

[Maybe if he insists to watch over his friend, he'll find out what is wrong.]

[Aether's response cuts into Diluc more deeply than he expects, and it feels like he's somehow betrayed his trust by continuing to keep this secret. Given all the ways he's already opened himself to Aether, both directly and indirectly, the fact that he's still holding back on this is a betrayal of sorts.

At the very least, he's in no position to refuse the assistance offered. And it will undoubtedly make Aether feel better besides. So he nods his agreement.]

Thank you, Aether. Let's go.

[The fact that Diluc lets him do at least this much is already making Aether smile softly. A small win and it's okay like this. He knows the other has opened up a lot to him already, showing how much he trusts him. Even if it hurts that he can't help him with whatever he's suffering from, the traveler is determined to do as many little things as possible to at least make sure his friend rests well.]

Let's go.

[He stays close and even when they finally reach the mansion, Aether doesn't leave. He insists on helping Diluc get to his room.]

I have to make sure that you lie down and rest. [He explains.] And I can get you some water... or maybe something to eat? You won't recover if you're hungry...

[Aether's too kind to him. It's an ongoing state of being, and not one that he's likely to take action on. Loathe as he is to admit it, he enjoys having someone care without any strings or complicated histories attached. Letting people in, he's realizing, isn't nearly as terrible as he has convinced itself it would be after years of being closed off.

About halfway to the Dawn Winery, Diluc makes a decision. After they arrive and Aether fusses after him to try and anticipate his needs, he doubles down on it. His friend should know the truth, just like he knows every other truth there is to know about him.

Besides, he's entirely confident that he can't stomach the charade of human food right now. And that would only serve to make him more worried in the long run.

With a heavy sigh, he begins.]

Close the door. What I'm about to tell you does not leave this room.

[It surprises him how fast Diluc changes his mind, but Aether doesn't comment. Obediently, he closes the door, then he gently leads Diluc to the bed so they could both sit down at the edge of the mattress. At that time, he notes how cold the other feels to the touch and it's just one more worrying sign.]

Of course. I promise I won't tell anyone.

[His face is serious, his eyes focused and concerned. The promise is made to assure his friend that his secrets are safe with Aether. At the same time, there is a pang of worry in the boy's heart that being unable to talk about this with someone else may prevent him from finding a way to help Diluc.

...But maybe he's worrying prematurely. He still has no idea what is wrong.]

[Diluc's change of mind is a combination of how worn down he feels and how much he's come to trust Aether over the time they've known each other. That, and perhaps a need to be open with someone. Despite his stern demeanor, despite his devotion to his mission at the expense of even his very self... there are times when he yearns for more of a connection with someone.

Later, he may chide himself for this moment of weakness. But for now, it feels right.]

First of all: are you familiar with vampires?

Vampires?

[That question surprises him, since he can't say he would ever expect it from Diluc, especially in this kind of situation.]

I... only know stories. That they drink blood to survive... have to avoid light and dislike garlic.

[He gives Diluc a closer look, before asking very carefully:]

Is your condition... caused by a vampire?

[Or is Diluc...?]

[Well, that's better than starting from nothing.]

That they drink blood is true. They're sensitive to light, but not paralyzed or damaged by it. And the garlic thing is totally false.

[Better to get the misconceptions out of the way ahead of the actual reveal, lest Aether get worked up over things that actually aren't issues.]

You could say my condition was caused by vampire, but that happened years ago. Currently, the problem is that I am a vampire unfed.

[He leaves it there for now, letting it hang in the air between them as he watches Aether closely for his reaction.]

[Aether's eyes widen as Diluc confesses to him the true nature of his poor condition. Many questions come to his mind, but eventually he decides that none of that has any meaning now. With a confident gaze, the traveler reaches out to carefully grasp Diluc's hand in his own. A sign that he's not afraid, that he doesn't think any less of him now.]

So what you need is... blood. [He states, then falls silent for just a moment.] ...If you took mine, would it kill me? Or cause me some permanent harm?

[He serious about it. After all, if all he has to do is offer a bit of his blood without any real danger befalling him afterwards, then he sees no problem here.

He trusts Diluc, even in this new situation.]

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(open post) (au) maybe it's the moonlight mixed with carnal insight

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I may have gotten carried away with building the ~lore~ for this one, hahaha

no worries :D

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