vergeltung | 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭

[ Her eyes are still closed when his gloved hand cups her cheek, and it catches her by surprise enough that they snap back open, wide but not unhappy, and her gaze settles on his face once more. It's like this that she notices there's a tenderness to his red eyes that is different, the same gentleness that holds her face, the same softness in his rich voice when he speaks.

A next time. If it weren't for his hand steadying her cheek, she'd answer with a nod. No matter how much it clouds her brain, fills her with anxiety and worries over things that, despite being their cause, only he seems to be able to chase away again— she wants a next time too.

She should tell him that.

Did she tell him that?

Her lips part to reaffirm the statement for herself just as he leans in to take her mouth with his once more, and just like that the thought of answering is dust in the wind, scattered like the worries that build so easily in her mind. Her eyes slide shut, the small distance she put between them before is closed, her arms tighten around him again without any hesitation at all. Where their first and second kiss had her melt to him, this time her movement is yet more fluid, as if a little part of her forgot to freeze back up again once they parted.

Like this, it's easy to forget that she had to worry about anything at all. ]

(Perhaps it's more him trying to let out the side of him that very much like fire, use to be how he once was. Though not completely there it isn't hard to tell that he's capable of some form of romanticism even if Kaeya likes to joke and say he isn't... mainly over him not knowing where dating spots are or really paying attention to that but he is still quite capable.

It's still easy for things to just fall quiet when they do this.

If it wasn't for a lot of the anxiety, the worries, really the other problems floating about for them he'd consider coming up with something better to accommodate them but that'd have to wait.

Focusing on the now is for the best even if he finds it hard to with multiple thoughts striking him over their current states, some of which he rather ignore.

His arms didn't take long to go back around her properly either, the kiss this time lingers before he manages to part just a little from it. If anything he has to wonder what it is she wanted to say next since he thought she wanted to speak; part of why he's curious on what part of her own selfish desires were since he did admit he was selfish enough to want a next time.)

[ She doesn't know how it is that she knows what he wants from her. Perhaps it's the way he pulls back but lingers close. Or perhaps it's a hint of curiosity in the scarlet of his eyes. Either way, as he breaks the kiss, mouth hovering still so close to hers, her eyes open again, looking up into his.

A breath— which, with his lips so close to hers still, feels for a moment like it's been stolen directly from him— and a tremble.

Right. She was meant to tell him... She had something she had to say. Truth, in fair response to the truth he offered her just before. ]

I'd like there to be a next time too.

[ Her words are a little breathier than she would like, enough that usually she would be irritated or annoyed by how affected she is over something as simple as a kiss— ~~or two, or three~~.

...Or four?

The space between them is too easy to close once more. ]

... then I'd be willing to accommodate for that in any way that I can.

(He did manage to get that out at least, before their fourth kiss came. This time he's not certain if they could pull apart for long; with how it's going now after earlier. If this is how it turns out for the time being he can't really say he'd complain about it with his heat traveling back into the kiss in response, making it warmer than it was originally from his resonance.

The thoughts are gone again.

Though he could swear that he could hear Kaeya in a sense telling him he's hopeless for letting himself be this lost in kisses even. But, as hopeless he may perhaps be from how far he's driven himself away from these things he's at a point he doesn't necessarily think that he could stop as easily as he'd have wanted before.

He'll just have to hopefully remind himself harshly that there is a time and place for some things, though something this selfish such as being unable to stop kissing was more than enough for the time being.

Until they could figure out what else they wanted to do in this moment.)

[ The problem now is that Eula doesn't want to stop. Which, on so many different levels, is a terrible, no good, very bad idea. But the other problem is that like this, wrapped up in his arms with her mouth on his, none of those particular levels really matter to her right now.

Which is why it takes her several moments too long to pull back from this next kiss, her breath short and sharp as she tries to catch even a little of it back; even now, though, she lingers too close; it would be easy to close that gap again if he wants to— she wants to, yet for now she holds back. ]

You were right. [ Her voice is soft, the words dusting over his lips. ] It makes the worst of the thoughts go away.

[ She's made a few confessions this evening, but this one might be the deepest, the hardest to say— yet it slips from between her lips like an afterthought in this moment, as if his warmth has shaken enough of the ice free for it feelings to emerge.

She'll regret it in no small way later, opening up so easily, but for now it almost seems natural. ]

(He isn't closing the distance again yet, thankfully, but he does seem to understand clearly neither of them want to stop. It's hard to, difficult more than he expects to stay parted and wait.

To catch his breath; to really not let himself be lost further just yet in this cave with arms around her knowing she can feel them bare and marred both in this way. He almost feels as if he himself drank this time. The feeling was enough to make him near dizzy but he's waiting... patiently for the time being.

He has to remember where they are too.)

It's... like time stops... the only thing that exists is us, it all exists around us but it's not as important... not as important as what we're feeling in that moment...

(Even this confession was hard on him or rather it would have been had he still held himself defensively cradled by his flames, threatening to burn all that stray too far and too close to them as he stays so close to her lips.

Regrets or not... he'll worry about them later.

He didn't want to focus on them now again; not the way that he always has done as it all seems to just slip away from the flames being eased themselves around him.)

[ Color rises up her cheeks once more as he speaks. For a moment, she can't help but think that he sounds a little like his brother might, his words flowery and sweet—

(The difference being that where Kaeya might say such things in a flirtatious, playful tone, Diluc's words are genuine.)

She knows the comparison will offend him, and so she says nothing to that effect, but the warmth from it is still in her cheeks as she absorbs the meaning of the words, her hold on him tightening ever so slightly.

Perhaps it's strange to get so caught up in it, but the thought that, even for a moment, that she can be the only thing that exists to anyone—

She shakes her head, her smile somewhere between amused and gently shy, and no doubt he's the first person to ever see a look like this on her face and live to see the next moment. To be honest, she would have bet against the gods themselves if they'd told her this is what was going to happen...

And yet here they are. ]

I'm not quite used to the part where I feel so much.

[ She doesn't entirely hate it. ]

Guess that makes two of us since I'm not use to talking like this either.

(Though he hates to admit it, Kaeya does have a way with words and he did gradually learn some of it by eavesdropping on his attempts at getting a 'date' for the night. His successes varied obviously but Diluc did use it to learn just a little more how to approach such things in conversation as needed.

Thankfully he tended to prefer using it for more genuine attempts than flirting for the way he performs it.

Offended or not; he'd have at least taken it as a small compliment that he did do well enough for all of his inexperience. His own cheeks were heated up still for the time being while deciding to avoid commenting on her smile. Then again the sight of him blushing and attempting to genuinely flirt is a first in itself too.

As well as really some of his admissions for the evening, gods, he likely would have glared at whoever was brave enough to tell him that he'd wind up in a moment like this with Eula of all people.

But... he didn't hate it either, completely, all the same.)

... and it was enjoyable being locked in that moment too.

(Even if it's dangerous for the two of them. Knowing that one move could head into something they couldn't stop naturally with ease.)

[ This time, his words are met with a glare on Eula's part— although if he looks, he'll see it's not one of anger so much as it is one of warning. She is, after all, trying to toe that line, fearing that if she kisses him again, she won't be able to unentangle herself from him at all before the blizzard ends.

(And would that really be such a terrible thing? something in her wonders, even as she tries to crowd it out.)

The truth is, it was enjoyable being in that moment, as he said. It would be far too easy to let herself melt back into that moment—

And despite the glare, she nods. ]

It was.

[ It's practically a whisper, her eyes drifting to his lips again, and for a moment perhaps there's something soft and vulnerable in her gaze before it freezes, a last-ditch stubbornness finding her and taking hold and her eyes moving up to his instead.

Melting would be dangerous. ]

Tell me not to do it again.

[ It's said in the same tone she would speak to anyone, something clipped and cool— and yet there are chips in it, cracks where if he's looking, he can easily see through the intent of her words to see this for what it is: words spurred on by the knowledge that if they keep talking and acting the way they do, she might find it hard to hold herself back. ]

And if I don't?

(He's not going to stop her. As much as his brain may scream at him to stop he truthfully is at a point he's unable to stop himself. Even if he had tried to resist, tried to make himself say to stop due to his more 'logical' side he just couldn't. He's only staring at her.

Entangling in her... he's truthfully though it's unseen anxious about it. Entangling meant eventually they wouldn't be able to keep holding themselves back as much as they were now.

The blizzard is one thing.

Losing himself completely to a woman with her water and frost like beauty is certainly another as he holds steadfast despite himself.

He's not going to tell her to not do again.)

... I don't think I can tell you to stop without lying to myself or you.

(Even with that admission it's obvious to him; they've lost, they can try and say otherwise but they've truly lost to this. There's no return, there's no going back, not since the first kiss. He highly doubts that he'd be able to stop himself or the thoughts from building.

There's no chance of escape for either of them in what may perhaps turn into a dance of their own kind.)

If you don't...

[ She shouldn't be as surprised as she is by the response. After all, at this point it's clear that he wants this just as much as she does, that he's struggling with it too, that he's being forced to hold himself back just as much as she is.

Maybe she should threaten with vengeance or something, says that small, insistent part of her brain that's still intent on defending her. Start a long feud on account of him not saying the words that she's decided for him that he should say.

Except really, she can't.

There's no vengeance to be sought over something like this, not even in that abstract way in which she often defends herself.

Eula's eyes drift to his lips again. And this time, it's her turn to reach up, to cup his face in one of her hand, her gloved thumb trailing absently across the skin. Her throat feels strangely dry. She swallows against it, as if that will somehow help. ]

I'm not sure I can either.

[ This time, her kiss is a breath more insistent, less of a melt into him and more of a press, the hand at his face trailing up into his hair. ]

(The way she kissed him this time was more a surprise, more in the way that she's crashed into his lips in a sense. His own felt likely more... desperate a little, with the way the heats coming off him, off his lips at that from his resonance traveling upward and growing hotter from the contact.

He would have thought that he was going to deal with her growing upset by how she made it sound yet... neither of them could stop lying to themselves in the end.

He couldn't bring himself to lie to her despite that part of him that was pushing for him to retreat from this. Saying that he shouldn't accept this; that he's not meant to have it to begin with no matter how hard he pushes, he tries yet it was all silent.

His own arms around her tightening just a little, resting on her back no less with him being thankful he didn't remove his gloves when showing her what his own revenge's costs were. It probably would have made it worse feeling the direct heat of them on her skin.

Even if he's certain that likely still won't help much with how far they're falling down.)

[ The desperation in his kiss is as obvious as that in hers, although where his is burning like fire, hers is muted by the cold, a strange contrast in that even as she allows herself to give into it, there's something restrained about her— although perhaps that's less the cold and more the small part of her that is still fighting against this for any number of unrelated reasons.

Yet regardless of that fight her mind is blissfully silent, the space reserved for worry taken instead by their embrace and their kiss as her tongue laps at his lower lip, inviting and seeking all at once, her gloved fingers soft against his scalp as they draw mindless patterns into his skin—

And unlike him there's a part of her regretting the gloves, wanting to pause and remove them so that there's one less barrier between them

(when her thoughts are clear once more she'll be mortified)

but it's too much effort to pull away for anything more than the short, harsh breaths for air against his lips before she dives in again.

Where she was teetering at the edge before, she's now half off the ledge, the protests in her mind largely forgotten in favor of investigating that exact feeling that she knows they both want to explore. ]

(The desperation, the way his heat is consuming him with her ice, he couldn't bring himself to dare think of much else. As thankful as he was to not be not be touching her bare back earlier, it seemed he changed his mind too in the end. Even if it wasn't long before his hands took their spot back up on it after haphazardly removing them. Though well taken care of, they likely felt rough in a sense from years spent training and working at his hardest with his own sword.

He'll likely awkwardly apologize for this later, but, in the moment it was different as his thoughts slowly begin to travel toward only her now. His lips parting before and after they catch their breath though briefly at the feeling of her tongue likely near demanding it earlier.

He's not use to this like Kaeya due to it being really his first in general.

But it isn't hard to pick up on what feels good, what might perhaps feel good for her too by gauging her reactions. He's not going to be far behind her at this rate off the ledge; by this point he couldn't even hear his estranged brothers 'voice' telling him how to go about any of it. He's on his own.

... hopefully he doesn't make many mistakes.)

[ At least for now, she doesn't realize that he's entirely new to this (and not just in the same sense that she is). After all, where confidence lacks, desperation makes up for it, and he responds so naturally to her movements as well as making movements of his own— like the sudden press of warm hands at the bare part of her back, for example.

(...Is it just her, or are they under the leather strap that winds around her bust?)

Of course, it does nothing to calm her, only serving to inspire the sudden coil of heat in her stomach, the fluttering, too-fast beat of her heart, and she breaks the link of their lips to press kisses along his jaw and over his throat, dotting over the skin in a haphazard pattern. And as she does this, she can't help herself from mimicking his movement, somehow continuing the pattern of kisses as she removes her hand from his hair.

It's a bit of a struggle— underscored by the soft breath of chuckled laughter over his larynx— to remove her gloves when her arms are around him and she can't see them, but after a few moments she manages, bringing her hand back to his hair, and now he'll be able to feel the surprising softness of her fingers, the trimmed points of her nails as they brush lightly over his scalp. ]

(Ironically for this being completely new territory for him beyond her own experiences, the desperation aside, he does have some manner of confidence despite himself. He hates to admit it but Kaeya is the best when it comes to explaining these things and his brother did take time to drill back into him all manner of things to remember with things best left in the bedroom; though part of it was to prepare him in the event someone were to try sleeping with him.

Whether it be out of love or an attempt to take his head, that was the intent. So he knows plenty, but, it might not completely make up for his inexperience even as his head goes back somewhat at the feeling of her breath, her lips, and her laughter along his neck.

The sensitivity of it is going to be noticed now, he realizes. Unlike earlier where it was an accident in which she hadn't noticed, this time it's different as his heart was pounding just about out his chest.

He's already down to just the vest and dress shirt he wears outside of his trousers and boots from what he began to remember, somehow he's wondering how long before he can bring himself to speak and to tell her. Especially since at the moment he couldn't so much as breathe out a word much less think properly long enough to dare manage any of it.

If anything it's a wonder he manages to keep himself to slightly harsher breathing with where she is.

Though, that didn't stop him from noting that her hands are much more softer than he'd have originally thought in comparison to his own which had their own set of small scars and calluses trailing about them even with how cared for they are.)

[ When Diluc's head tilts back, there's a surprised lift of her brows, a smile that he'll feel against the skin and for a moment she pulls back enough to look up at him, silently observing the look on his face; and, feeling the strength of the heartbeat against her own chest, she brings her free hand between them, splaying it over his heart through the material of his vest.

A sensitive spot, hm? She'll keep that in mind.

For now, she lowers her lips back to his neck, strokes of tongue and gentle scrapes of teeth as she explores the skin, trying to find whichever part of it is weakest to the feel of her mouth, so that she can focus her kisses there; the hand on his chest moves to the fastening buttons on his vest, fingers flicking idly at the them as if to undo them without much urgency— although after a moment, the other slides down from the caresses against his scalp to join it.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, there's a question: is removing clothing, in this situation, really a good idea? And yet, all she can think about is the fact that she wants to be able to press her hands against his bare skin, the same way his hands burn hot against her back.

(The secret to her soft hands is gloves.

...And maybe some creams.) ]

(The heat from him only seems to rise whenever he feels her manage to find his most sensitive spot along his neck. His breathing gets somewhat harsher at the feeling, a feeling that his body is burning and she's the only one capable of easing the flames licking at him from just about all over with her ice.

His resonance being this active is telling enough on terms of his pleasure from it.

Though he has a sudden feeling she's going to be utilizing this new found knowledge of his body a lot.

With the heat rising from him he hadn't noticed that soon enough his scarred flesh would be exposed to her very eyes in its earnest. He only knew that he felt too hot, hot enough he's certain that he's going lightheaded almost like he's been drinking the very same drinks he's served his patrons for the evening.

It's not a feeling he's use to even as it surges across his body, his pounding heart in response to her wanting to see his bare flesh.

Gods he's certain at this rate he might melt through the cave with the fever pitch he's reaching.)

[ Between the harsh sound of his breath and the pulsing, rising heat emanating from his body, Eula can't help but look up, her own cheeks flushed and a small smile on her face, to see the expression on his—

Although when she does, she pauses in the deft unbuttoning of his vest, drawing back from his neck just enough that her own shuddered breaths aren't gusting cool breath over such a sensitive area of his skin.

His face looks... he looks overwhelmed, almost drunk.

(It's frighteningly attractive on him, and it's enough to send an imperceptible shudder of pleasure through her, knowing that with little more than kisses she can inspire such a look on him. And yet—) ]

...Are you okay?

[ Perhaps it's a weird question to ask when her mouth has just attacked his throat enough to possibly leave a mark telling the tale, but there's a nagging feeling that makes her hesitate, a nagging feeling that for once isn't her own stubborn anxiety or anything along those lines, but rather something borne of genuine concern. ]

My resonance... though I... didn't expect it to flare like this... for being an actual first...

(He's apologetic in that regard too, though he near didn't want to stop it's obvious that pushing now he's not certain how it might go. His bodies on fire, unbearable so, in a way that he feels only she can put it out even as he slowly takes deep breaths. Kaeya's explanations didn't involve his resonance factoring in which Diluc had started to wonder if that was due to not knowing just what it might do.

He can reach a fever pitch from pleasure, huh...? Though he didn't necessarily mind her learning he's a completely virgin. The explanations aside.)

... though you can probably blame Kaeya for me not knowing about this... if you feel like choking him further... he did force me to sit through explanations so I know what to do despite it... just nothing about my resonance being capable of doing this.

(The joke obviously was meant to ease any anxiety, though he's half serious that she can just as easily go after his estranged brother. The difficult part would be cooling. But, with this she does know that he does want to go further down with her anyway.

Over the edge, but perhaps not there even as his scarlet eyes close for a time. He's trying to get the fever to ease just enough, to not make her any uncomfortable.)

[ She nods her understanding— with the way he's been able to warm her up with his Pyro resonance alone, it's not entirely a surprise that his body may overheat in much the same way as hers sometimes feels too cold. Maybe it's something she can help fix, although given their current predicament it might be just as easy as pulling back for just a moment and allowing the frigid air to—

Wait.

Her eyes widen even as his close. Surely he didn't mean— She just assumed he meant a first like it was for her, but—

Oh, this is horribly, terribly bad.

It's all Eula can do to keep her expression calm and without panic as she lets go abruptly of the buttons on his shirt, hands coming up to cup the sides of his face, her skin cool against the heat of his. ]

Diluc. [ She hates how sweet his name tastes in her mouth, despite the cold anxiety quickly pooling in her stomach to replace the heat of her attraction. ] Have you never been with anyone before?

[ She's furious with herself. She should have clarified what his words meant before she allowed herself to melt into him in a place so terribly inappropriate for something like this. She just assumed— and how could she not? If it weren't staring her in the face as a distinct probability, she would have laughed at the idea that Mondstadt's most eligible bachelor would be a virgin.

...And yet, with everything they've talked about this evening, would it really be a surprise? ]

... ironic, right? I drove myself into the ground instead... Mondstadt's most eligible bachelor drove himself into the ground instead chasing Fatui and the Abyss... fighting, hunting, capturing, torturing, and bribing... but I don't blame you for not knowing...

(He's certain if he didn't have a talk with his brother later that Eula might if he were to pull anything like this again just about. He did sigh about it, leaning into her cool hands which seems to be helping to ease it more involving his heat. The fever pitch is bad enough were he a normal person that he likely would have passed out; thankfully he seemed to be okay regardless.

But, that didn't stop him from placing one of his hands over hers.

Really he was more worried he might accidentally do something wrong in its entirety due to knowing that Kaeya did often times mess with him for his own amusement in general.

It's part of why he can't quite blame her for not thinking of the possibility he had drove himself that hard into the ground; to ignore everything for what he felt was necessary.)

... though... Eula... this isn't to say that I don't want to also... just... perhaps not here...

Really I don't blame you for not thinking of it... I'm confident I'm not a lost cause... even if it was Kaeya explaining it... he just so happened to leave out the overheating... and the effects my resonance may perhaps have...

(At the very least he's not going to hide that from her given their mutual attraction. His heat would take time to ease but it's likely a good thing they both noticed that he grew too hot for his own good there.

He did have a feeling the heat would have gone down there as they went further once it had someone else to spread to; yet he isn't going to push his luck explaining that knowing he just overheated a bit too much.)

[ The smile she offers is soft, laced with the understanding of what it means to give yourself over to a mission, and yet at the same time a little wistful, although even if he tracks that expression on her face she's unlikely to open up about it, even with what he's just shared with her.

It is, however, enough to inspire her toward being gentler with this situation than she might otherwise— Eula Lawrence might not be exactly the most given over to sentiment, but her own first time was unpleasant enough that she'd never wish for his to be anything other than positive.

She leans close to him, presses a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth, a tender movement entirely unlike anything even she imagined herself ever doing... and yet here she is, pulling back to offer him that same smile once more. ]

I know. Here would be— [ She pauses, shakes her head. ] I'm confident you're not a lost cause too, you know. But this isn't the right place or time.

[ A thought surfaces, small but ugly: will it ever be the right place or time? He could do so much better than the eldest daughter of the disgraced Lawrence clan...

She snuffs it, not wanting the distress to show on her face, focusing herself and all her thoughts back on him, and when she speaks she tries to keep her voice as cool and detached as possible, although if he looks, he'll probably see the gentle caring reflected in her eyes despite her best attempts. ]

Are you okay like this? Or do you need me to put more space between us?

... ironically it's helping...

(Which isn't a lie. Truthfully he has no intention of changing his mind if she did ever ask if he might due to the ugly thoughts floating around though he didn't realize what she was thinking currently. Diluc Ragnvindr never was the type to abandon or leave people easily unless something in itself triggers it like with his disowning of his brother; he only could just for now hope there was time found.

Then again, he's certain something might come up in some form given midnight rendezvous in the Angel's Share would also get him a glare since that's truly something only Kaeya would suggest. For the time being he's just smiling, if only a little.

He did partly want to keep going but even he knows that it's... not really the best place.

It's why Diluc didn't comment on her showing care for him too. Some things are not easy to let go of, even he knows that much with the way his actions can come off across. Though it didn't stop him from still being surprised by this chain of events.)

So I should be fine without distance... but... who knows... maybe a reason or two might come up for you to see me at the Winery for a better opening...

(Not that he's suggesting she lie or anything. But he does know that Kaeya sneaks off there at times too despite Diluc not enjoying it.)

[ She's happy, she realizes vaguely, that he finds the closeness helpful and doesn't want her to pull away. And it's easy to tell herself that that comes from the fact that any separation between the two of them would be chased by freezing cold that on her own she has no way of dealing with. But there's at least a small part of her too— a big part, if she allows herself to be even slightly honest— that doesn't want to separate from him either, not because of the cold, but because—

Well, the why of it doesn't matter. What matters is that this is nice.

There's still a warm coil in her stomach, a want to press forward, but now that she understands the truth of what this would be for him, it's as if a cold wall of ice has been slammed between them. Not against her, but by her. It's weird, but there's a part of her that feels protective somehow, even though realistically she has no right.

Still, her fingers stay on his face, gently brushing over the skin.

(And later she'll wonder why it wasn't easier to back away.) ]

A reason or two, hm? [ There's a hint of playful to her smile. ] I'm sure I can think of something.

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