Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Diluc sat inside his home, pretending to read a book, but instead was intently watching the clock. 

It had been months ago when Diluc set a schedule with Razor to train with him on Thursdays. Despite Razor not having any standard unit of measurement for time, he was shockingly punctual. He would teach him how to use a claymore more efficiently. 

It was understandable why Razor was slower at swinging a claymore, he was a teenager. His muscles were still developing and building that up took time. 

But Razor didn't show up today. 

Diluc couldn't help but worry. 

In those months, Razor had not once missed the meetings without telling Diluc. That was what made this so concerning. It was out of character. When Razor came he was so excited and happy to see Diluc. Sometimes Diluc could even convince him to come inside and eat dinner, maybe even spend the night if the weather was bad. 

In those hours Diluc tried to teach the boy whatever he could, ranging from first aid, to reading, to cooking.

Diluc glanced at the clock again. Two hours late was too late. He was too worried. His stomach felt like it was full of lead. 

Diluc sighed, put on his coat, packed a few first aid items into his bag, grabbed his claymore, and headed to the wolvendom. It was probably fine, however just for ease of mind he was just going to check up on the boy. 

Unease set in when he saw signs of a fight. Broken trees, large claw marks on the ground and trees, arrows and scattered hilichurls weapons. 

He took a moment to use his elemental sight. Traces of electro were tied to the claw marks on trees and ground. 

A trademark of Razor as he tended to make electric claws and an electric wolf beast. There were also bursts of cryo, electro, and pyro attached to the arrows. 

They had rather negative reactions when combined. Not good for the well-being of his wolf boy.

He could only follow the electro trails for so long, and they sputtered out before he found Razor. If the boy was hurt, he wanted to find him as fast as possible. Diluc cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed, "Razor!"

He heard shuffling and a weak howl, or rather, a human imitating a wolf howl. Diluc made his way in the direction as the soft howls slowly turned into cries for help. 

It was easy to miss. A small path well hidden by trees and bushes and nearly escaoed his notice. Diluc pushed through the branches down the path. There were several large rocks on the ground, near a large tuft of gray hair. 

"Razor!" Diluc ran over to to the boy. 

Razor was on his stomach, a large rock, about the size of a cart, pinned his leg down to the ground keeping him from moving about or rolling onto his back. There were other injuries than the boulder on his leg, that much was obvious. 

Diluc knelt by Razor and examined him. 

"Razor." 

"Mm… luc?" His voice was raspy and quiet which made it hard to make out what he was saying. 

"I'm here. Can you move?"

Razor shook his head a little. "Leg stuck." 

Right. He wasn't terribly articulate. He would have to get Razor out and do an examination himself. "I know your leg is stuck." Diluc said. "How are your arms?"

"Not hurt." 

Diluc stood and examined the rocks. It looked like an explosion occured causing rocks from the cliff side to fall. A pyro electro combination could do that. Razor was largely uncovered from most the debris save for the colossal rock. "Where is your lupical?"

"Were here. Brought Razor meat." He explained. "Lupical can't move rock." 

Diluc hummed in thought as he examined the rock. It wasn't perfectly round, he didn't know what the underside looked like, if there were sharp points that would hurt Razor more if he tried to roll it off. 

He needed to use a lever system. It didn't take long to set up. Small rocks were nearby, and he found a suitable branch from nearby trees. He had done plenty of work like this in the knights when he was younger. Emergency rescue protocols were common training. He remembered doing it with Kaeya and Jean. It was helpful when he left and traveled for a while. 

He had learned from experience that if this was done wrong, it could further hurt Razor.

"Razor. I'm going to try and lift this. When I do, move forward as far and as fast as you can. I'm not sure how long I can hold it." 

Razor grunted in affirmative. 

Diluc braced himself against the cliff side and pressed down on the lever. There was no movement for a moment, then a cracking noise. The branch broke. The only other thing he could think of to use as a lever would be metal. 

Fuck it. 

Diluc took his Favonius claymore and positioned it as a lever. The rock lifted up and Razor pulled himself away from the boulder. The moment Razor was a safe distance from the boulder it dropped to the ground with a loud thud, the claymore bent out of shape. 

 Diluc scrambled over to Razor. As much as he wanted to scoop the boy up into his arms, he had to look him over first. 

As expected, his leg was broken. Badly. It was swollen and purple, which indicated so many terrible things. From internal bleeding to infection. 

He had several other cuts and scrapes all over his body, and while they were bad, they weren't a priority. 

"Razor. I need to turn you over. It will hurt. But you're going to be okay." Diluc said. Once he got the affirmation Diluc rolled Razor over. The redhead did his best not to think too hard about the cries and whimpers Razor made as he sat Razor up. "How long were you there?"

"Morning." Razor said. 

It was well into the afternoon, meaning he had been trapped for several hours. 

A sick feeling settled in the pit of Diluc's stomach. What would have happened if this happened a few days earlier? Would anyone have noticed in time? Or would days have passed without anyone looking for him?

Diluc handed his water flask over to Razor. The boy drank it fast, barely taking the time to breathe. 

Razor needed a healer desperately soon. Out came the medical kit Diluc carried out of a combination of paranoia and experience.

"I need to splint your leg. I can carry you somewhere safe, and then get you a healer." Diluc said as he prepared the items. He wasn't well trained enough to fully treat this. That was Jean's expertise. "I'm going to teach you a brave trick to help with the pain. You're going to take this," Diluc held Razor's shirt up, "and bite it when it hurts. Okay?" 

Razor sniffled and pressed the heel of his hand against his eyes, trying to dry his tears. A small nod and Razor stuffed the scarf-like object into his mouth. 

Diluc immediately set about making the splint. Razor whined and cried as it happened. Diluc was almost done when Razor let out a guttural scream. Diluc belatedly realized he shouldn't have rolled Razor over before splinting the injury. He swore under his breath and hurriedly finished tying the splint. 

Diluc reached for Razor trying to comfort the boy. He didn't really expect Razor to grip onto him like a lifeline. The redhead cradled the boy in his arms. Razor tucked his head in the crook of Diluc's neck and cried. 

"Razor was… afraid… no one find him." Razor choked out. 

Diluc tightened his hold on the boy. "I've got you. I have you. You're going to be okay." He assured the boy over and over. 

Threatening snarls grabbed Diluc's attention. 

Glowing eyes surrounded them, the wolves that Razor called family were here. Diluc had no doubts in his mind that they wouldn't harm Razor. However, Diluc wasn't so sure they would extend the same courtesy to him. 

Razor took a shaky breath and extended an arm to the wolves. A large one, Diluc had to assume it was something like a leader, approached and lapped at the boy's tear stained face. Razor hugged both Diluc and the wolf, each with one arm. Diluc watched the wolf carefully, wondering if it would harm him. Thoughts that the wolf probably held about Diluc himself. 

"Razor. You need a healer." Diluc said softly. "Can I take you to one?"

Razor nodded and let go of the wolf. 

"Hang on. This won't be comfortable." Diluc said. Razor wrapped his arms around Diluc's shoulders and held on tightly. Diluc adjusted Razor so he held him bridal style, and got up as smoothly as he could manage. 

The winery was closest. There was no way they could make it to Springvale, let alone Mondstadt. Even if Razor could sit through the pain of the trip, Diluc couldn't carry him for that far and that long.

"I'm going to take care of him." Diluc said. He felt a little stupid for saying it. It wasn't like they could understand him. 

Razor laughed weakly and nuzzled closer to Diluc. "Wolf no understand."

"Well then, pup, let's get you home." Diluc said and began his way down the path. "The winery is a safe place for you and I can send for a healer."

"Not… church?"

"Maybe if you were little." Diluc replied. "This will have to do."

The trip was hard, but soon Diluc found himself near the winery. Thank the gods. 

It was spring, the days were still short from winter and had not begun to stretch out like in summer. Light was fading, travel would be slower once it got dark. Diluc kicked at the door of the manor, knowing damn well Moco or Hillie should be near the door to answer it. 

"Master Diluc." Moco stuttered. 

Diluc walked inside, leaving Moco to stumble out of his way. Muscle memory had him up the stairs in no time, Moco running after him. "Open the door to one of the guest rooms. One near mine" Diluc said. 

"Yes… of course." She opened the door and Diluc set Razor down on the bed. 

Diluc wanted to run downstairs, hop on a horse, charge into Mondstadt, grab a healer, likely Barbara, and run her back to help Razor. But his limbs felt like they were made of jelly and was fairly certain he would just tumble down the stairs if he attempted that. 

"Moco. Has Eltzer left yet?" Diluc asked. 

"I don't think so."

"Notify him that he needs to send a healer here immediately."

"Yes, sir." She curtsied and ran off. 

A hand held his own. Razor tightened his grip on Diluc's hand. "No leave. Stay close." 

"I'm just going to sit down." He assured. 

Razor patted the bed next to him. It was big enough to fit two people. 

There was no way in hell Diluc could win an argument with a barely literate wolf boy who is badly injured. He shrugged and dropped onto the bed beside Razor. 

His hands were shaking and he could hear his heart drumming in his ears. Diluc closed his eyes for a moment, happy to have Razor safe, and a healer on the way. 

…

"Thank you for coming so late." Diluc said again. "I can't imagine that this was how you wanted to spend your evening." 

"It is all part of my job." Barbara assured. 

"Just because it is your job doesn't mean you don't deserve thanks for it." Diluc replied. 

"It is late. I should head back. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you further."

"It's no inconvenience." Diluc said. "Though I'm certain this place is unfamiliar to you by now. You were very little last time you were here." 

"I.. don't remember that." 

"I'm sure there are photos somewhere. If I find any, I'll be sure to get copies made for you, if you would like." Diluc mentally grimaced at how awkward he was being. He barely knew Barbara anymore. This must be coming off as creepy on so many levels. 

"I would… I hardly have any photos of my sister." 

She really must be tired, forgetting Jean's title. 

"If you would like, you could have a guest room. Midnight is not an ideal time to trek back to the city. However if you insist upon going now I will escort you." Diluc said. 

"I… I really just want to sleep. A bed would be great, if you would be so kind." She sighed. 

That Diluc wasn't too surprised by. He had met plenty of healers before, and many state that healing is very tiring. "Of course." He led her to a guest room, even the winery, which was smaller than the manor, had an abundance of guest rooms. There were a couple of wings, one of which was where Diluc and Razor were, and the other for guests that were less close. That was where he put Barbara in hopes that it would be more comfortable for her. 

He made sure to show here where everything was, just in case. Diluc was a mess and he knew it. 

Once Barbara was settled he checked in with Razor. The boy was looking much better. Adelinde had gotten him to eat some soup, although he picked the meat out and left the vegetables. Diluc grabbed a glass of water and set it down on the nightstand. 

"Do you need anything else? I can stay here if you want." Even though Diluc would much rather sleep in his own bed, he would do so for Razor. 

"No. Razor sleepy." 

"Okay, big guy." Diluc patted the boy on the head. "We will clean you up tomorrow. Goodnight."

Razor hummed and pulled the blanket up to his chin. 

…

Chapter Text

Diluc groggily walked downstairs to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. He had gotten dressed into day clothes before making his way downstairs. When you had staff in your home you tended to try and look presentable for them. 

"Good morning, Master Diluc." Barbara said. 

Diluc blinked in surprise. It took a moment to process what was happening. Barbara… in his kitchen… with Adelinde. Right. The incident yesterday. Razor. Healer. Barbara. 

He was more of a night person. 

"Coffee, sir?" Adelinde asked.

"Yes, please." Diluc sat down by Barbara at the kitchen island. 

"I'd like to head out as soon as possible." Barbara said meekly. "I mean. If that is okay."

"Of course." Diluc said and tried in vain to rub the sleep out of his eyes. 

Adelinde handed him a cup of coffee and turned to Barbara. "Are you sure you want the… chili brew?" Adelinde's voice was ever so slightly tense. Diluc could hear the disdain for such a beverage because he had known her for so long. It didn't seem like Barbara took any notice. 

"Yes please." The young girl answered.

"Show me how much to put in." Adelinde said. "I don't want to make it too hot."

Barbara hopped up and began chopping up chili peppers. Diluc took a long sip of his coffee. 

"Please stay long enough for me to make sandwiches for you two on the road."

"Oh. Please. Don't trouble yourself."

"It would dishonor me as a maid not to." Adelinde replied. 

"Oh…" Barbara's face flushed red with embarrassment. "I suppose that's okay."

"I'll go check on Razor, then we can head out." Diluc said as he headed upstairs. 

Razor was still fast asleep when Diluc checked on him. Barbara had mended the break in the bone, and aided in the swelling. However the muscle still was swollen and sore. It would take a couple of weeks to fully heal, and until then he would have to take it easy. That meant not going into the woods. 

Razor was not going to like that.

It also meant Diluc had to head into town to pick up painkillers for Razor. 

For now he could rest easily. 

Back downstairs he found Adelinde finishing up food for the two, and Barbara drinking something that already smelled strongly of spice. Like some of the dishes he found in Natlan. Perhaps he should offer her some of the recipes he found there, if she liked foods that were very spicy.

"Are we ready to go?" Barbara asked. 

"Yes. Adelinde, can you take care of Razor for me while I'm gone?" Diluc asked as Barbara headed up the stairs. 

"You don't even have to ask. Of course I will." She replied and placed the wrapped sandwiches she made for him and Barbara into his hand. 

"Thank you." Diluc sighed and followed Barbara up the stairs and out the door. He handed the young girl a sandwich and tore into his own. Diluc had a lot to do and not a huge amount of time to do it. He would not have time to eat for a while and he needed to get any energy he could into him. 

It was a long walk, it took about an hour on foot to get to the city. Barbara was especially skittish, looking over her shoulder occasionally. They were well past Springvale when Barbara started talking. "Thank you for walking me back. I do not want to be alone." Barbara said meekly. 

A switch flipped in Diluc. "Are you okay?" 

"Oh. I'm fine." She was silent for a little bit, avoiding any and all eye contact. It was abnormal, at least from what Diluc had observed from the girl over his time back in Mond. "You were a knight… right? That's what I have heard." 

"Yes. It was a while ago." Diluc replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I… I'm not sure if this is serious or not. I don't want to be a bother to the knights."

That was alarming. 

"What happened?"

"Nothing has happened, exactly." Her voice shook a little. "A man has been following me around. I never get to see him for long, but he still follows me. I'm not even sure who he is."

"Have you told anyone about this?" 

"I've mentioned it to a couple of the other sisters. I'm sure it's nothing and I just have to toughen up." She was speaking fast, speeding up as she got more nervous. 

"What about Jean?"

Barbara's face contorted with shame and she looked away. 

"Barbara."

"I don't want to worry her."

Diluc's eyebrows furrowed into worry… although… Kaeya has warned him that his facial expressions tend to veer into annoyed and angry when he is worried or concerned. He supposed he must look rather grouchy at the moment. "This is serious. You really should tell the knights. I'll go with you if you want."

"I… he hasn't done anything that bad… ignoring the letters."

"Letters?"

"Photos taken of me without my knowing."

Diluc's stomach flipped. That was so very unsettling and the fact that Barbara didn't notice the parade of red flags terrified him. What else would she tolerate?

"Barbara. Your safety is important. No good will come of keeping this to yourself."

She chewed on her bottom lip and glanced away. 

"You asked for my opinion. Here it is: this sounds serious. You should seriously consider telling the knights. I can go with you if you wish. It wouldn't hurt to tell Rosaria. If you choose not to, I will tell the knights myself, because that's how much of a threat I see it as." Diluc explained. They were near the city gates now. Barbara would have to make a choice. 

"Are the letters enough evidence?" She asked quietly. 

Diluc didn't like making a promise he couldn't keep… however given the circumstances and what she described. "I believe so." 

"I think I can take it to the knights on my own." Barbara said. 

He had a feeling she was lying. Either way Diluc was going to mention it to Kaeya and find out if she did, and if she didn't he would be able to keep an eye out for her. 

He only had the one. 

"Thank you for walking me to the city." Barbara abruptly said. They were at the gates and Diluc had barely noticed approaching. "Goodbye." She ran off.

Diluc blinked and shook his head. That girl worried him sometimes. He would handle it himself if he didn't have to take care of Razor. 

Medicine for Razor. 

Oh joy. Off to run errands and be around too many people for far too long. 

…

Diluc had spent a couple of hours in town gathering supplies for Razor and tying up his work at the Angel's Share. 

All he had left was to visit Kaeya. He headed to the Knights Headquarters. There had been a time when this was seen as odd, or weird. However, since he and Kaeya had reconciled it became more normal. Some of the knights nodded in acknowledgement as Diluc passed by their posts. No one stopped him as he went upstairs to Kaeya's office. 

Diluc knocked and waited for Kaeya to respond before entering.

"Luc." Kaeya smiled brightly. "What brings you here? I didn't realize we had a meeting."

"We didn't… I… things happened and I thought you should know…" Diluc suddenly couldn't articulate the most basic concepts. 

"Oh? Do tell." Kaeya grinned. 

"Razor didn't show up yesterday. I went looking for him, and found him injured."

Kaeya's mischievous smile died and he suddenly was focused. "How injured? Where? What happened?"

"He had a broken leg. It was pretty bad when I got there. I brought him back to the winery and sent for Barbara. He was in the Wolvendom…" Diluc examined Kaeya's map and tapped the location. "Rocks had pinned him down. And I'm not sure how it happened exactly. Talking doesn't exactly come easy to him, you know."

"I'll investigate." Kaeya said. "How is he doing?"

"Fine… I think?" Diluc answered. "He's going to stay at the winery for a bit. I thought you should know in case people wonder about his whereabouts."

Kaeya hummed in thought. "Probably for the best. Bennett would probably search for him and run into disaster." 

"If his friends are worried, they can visit him. I'm sure it would be good for him." Diluc said. "I wanted to warn you about the wolf boy before you showed up Sunday."

Kaeya smiled a little. "Thank you. And I'll check out the site of the incident." 

"One more thing…" Diluc cleared his throat. "If Barbara doesn't come in today… mind keeping an eye on her? Make sure she knows it's okay to get help for herself…" 

"Do you want to explain that request?" 

"Nope." Diluc shrugged and left. "See you Sunday." He shut the door before Kaeya could protest or complain. 

He headed out the building, and back home.

…

Chapter Text

Adelinde sighed softly and rubbed her temples. Razor was a very energetic boy. She was used to that, since Diluc was very energetic as a young boy, however Diluc was raised in a house, and was able to be reasoned with by the time he was Razor's age. Razor… not so much. 

She didn't blame the boy. Not in the slightest. However she was just trying to do her job and make sure he was okay, and Razor kept trying to get up and walk and explore, a task he shouldn't be doing with his injured leg. It was a behavior one would expect from a small child, however small children can easily be carried and redirected. Razor was much stronger than Adelinde, ignoring his injury, and she couldn't just scoop him up into her arms and offer a distraction. Quite frankly Adelinde was getting to the age where she couldn't keep up with him.

She had tried reading to him, but words were hard for him and "very much struggle" for him. 

She had distracted him with a soup, and asked him to eat some of the vegetables. She worked hard to make it taste good. 

He had complied, and while he ate she had searched through boxes of things the boys had from childhood. A few picture books were selected, many of which were simple puzzles (completed… unfortunately) but also I-Spy books. 

So she sat on the bed beside him reading the I-Spy book. Razor was incredibly good at it and it kept him from trying to walk on his still injured leg. Adelinde guessed Razor was good at spotting things because he lived in the woods and spent quite a lot of his time hunting. He quickly spotted the items with enthusiasm and excitement and make sure she saw it too. 

He was quite bright, given the circumstances. 

"Am I interrupting?" Diluc asked. 

"Diluc!" Razor lit up, smiling from ear to ear. He was like a puppy when their favorite human comes home. 

"Hello, Razor." Diluc set the bag he was carrying down and ruffled Razor's hair. "I got you some medicine."

"Razor.. thank." 

"I need to have a word with Adelinde and I'll be right back." He said, and opened the door for Adelinde. 

He followed her outside and shut the door. "How was he?"

"A lot. I'm not as young as I used to be…" she sighed. "He has a lot of energy that I can't match." 

"Thank you for watching over him." Diluc made a mental note to give her a bonus for this. 

"He is sweet. I just don't think he realizes I can't keep up. I'm sure he could learn quickly." She said. "I do have to start dinner."

"Thank you. You can come in late tomorrow morning if you so wish, take some rest for yourself."

"Thank you Master Diluc." She curtsied and left. 

Diluc returned to Razor and gave him his medicine. "You're covered in dirt. Let's get you cleaned up. You need a bath." Diluc said.

Razor folded his arms and pouted. 

"Razor. I've seen you swim. What is that face about?"

"Cold for swim." Razor explained.

Diluc blinked. Right. The boy probably wasn't too familiar with indoor plumbing. 

"It won't be cold." Diluc assured. 

Razor looked skeptical. 

"Why don't I help you to the bathroom and prove it?" Diluc offered. 

The boy tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrows before giving in with a nod. Diluc offered the boy his arm to help him up, Razor had to lean heavily on Diluc to walk, however he could do it without too much discomfort. 

The bathtub had thick tile sides large enough to sit on, before the actual tub part started. Razor sat on the side of the tub and watched as Diluc turned on the water. "The closer to red the handle it, the hotter it gets, the closer to blue the colder it gets." Diluc began.  Razor startled a little as the water started. Diluc waited a little bit as the water ran. "The water in the faucet cools down, however due to the heating system it only takes a little bit for us to get warm water. See?"  

Razor tentatively reached over and touched the running water. "Warm. Nice." 

Diluc chuckled a little as Razor stared in fascination as the tub filled up and lightly splashed the water.

Diluc got up. "You can get in. I need to see if I have clothes that you can use, and I'll find a comb so I can tackle your hair. Feel free to adjust the temperature to your liking." 

Razor watched as Diluc left, and turned his attention back to the water. It was so fascinating, and warm. He had never experienced such a thing before. He kept his hand in the water, swimming it through the water in little patterns, watching the ripples move out from it. Occasionally he adjusted the temperature, or the amount of water flowing. He turned it off on accident at some point. He had to think back to how Diluc turned it on and recreated it to turn it back on. 

When he decided there was enough, he turned the water off and took off his clothes, tossing them into a pile on the floor, before he clambered into the water. 

He sighed in relief as the water enveloped him. He had been very aware of his leg being hurt, but the warmth of the water drained the ache out of his muscles from the fight yesterday, aches from all over his body. 

He had never experienced something like this before. The lake and rain were cold, and rain was only warm during summer rainstorms. 

He and many of the wolves would run around during summer rainstorms, playing and getting covered in mud…

This was different… but nice.

Diluc returned shortly, carrying a pile of folded clothes in his arms, a comb and a brush, and some other things Razor didn't fully recognize. He had taken several outer article of clothing off, leaving only a white shirt and his pants. His sleeves were rolled up and he wasn't wearing his boots. 

That… made sense. Water and dirt make mud. From previous visits Razor had learned Adelinde didn't seem to like mud. And Diluc cared about Adelinde… she was his lupical. So… Razor cared about her too.

"Alright pup. Let's get you cleaned up." Diluc said and set the items down. 

Razor couldn't help but feel a little excited when Diluc called him pup. A warmth in his chest that blossomed into a smile on his face and a longing to hear Diluc talk to him more. Talk like that. He liked having Diluc around. 

Diluc pulled out a block of what looked like wax. "This is soap." He began. "It cleans dirt off the body and gets rid of germs." 

"Germs?" 

Diluc smiled and hummed. "Nevermind. That's a concept for another day." He took Razor's arm and rubbed the block up and down it, forming white froth and bubbles. 

Razor was a little bewildered at that. He grabbed at the foam and was surprised to find it made his skin slippery. 

"See? It helps you get clean." Diluc offered the soap to Razor. 

"Smells… nice." Razor noted.

"Yes, that is a bonus." Diluc said with a warm smile. "Go ahead and wash up. I can help you wash and detangle your hair when you finish." He sat down on the edge of the tub and began examining Razor's hair. 

Razor nodded and cleaned himself up, getting small comments of guidance from Diluc. It was nice that he helped. This was all new to Razor. Some of the adults would be rude about his lack of knowledge, doubling down and insisting that everyone should know these things… that it was common sense. 

It usually resulted in Fischel scolding them into submission.

Razor handed Diluc the soap when he finished, and the man set it on a ceramic plate next to the tub. 

"Your hair is going to take a lot longer to fix than I thought… let's get you dried and dressed. I don't want you to have to sit in the tub for hours."

"Okay." Razor climbed out of the water and Diluc helped him dry off and get dressed. 

The clothes were some of Diluc's old clothes. Back when he was young… but they fit Razor well. Diluc helped Razor up, and down the hall through the master bedroom to the master bathroom. 

Razor noticed how… empty that bedroom was. Like it hadn't been used in years. Diluc sat him down in a chair in the bathroom. They had an odd sink there… why was there a sink where your head goes in a chair?

"This is designed just for managing hair." Diluc turned the water on. Once it reached a reasonable temperature he leaned Razor back so his hair was in the wash basin. He gently soaked it and rubbed shampoo into it. "Let me know if you ever want to stop. I don't think we can finish today and I don't want you to get uncomfortable." 

"Okay." Razor replied. 

For Diluc, it was a tedious process. He knew Razor lost his family when he was young, and the wolves have been raising him for years. That meant his long hair hadn't been brushed or maintained in years. It was matted with dirt, dead hair that had long since detached from Razor's head, and other oily sticky things. 

His father and Kaeya had always been so much better at this. Kaeya's hair was so straight that clips tended to slide down it. His tangles never were too bad. So when Diluc helped it never was much work, however Kaeya and his father had to help Diluc with his hair often. Especially after missions with the knights.

Razor gazed up at Diluc as he worked. His fingers massaging detangling conditioner into the boy's scalp, and gently working it through his hair. It was a gentle kind of contact. 

It felt alien to Razor. The wolves were lupical… but he never felt like this around them.

"My father used to do this for me." Diluc said absentmindedly, using the pick end of the comb to loosen the ends of the knots and matting. "If you ever need help with it let me know. If we handle it before it gets bad you won't have to endure sitting here for so long."

Father? Is this what having a father was like? "What is father?"

"A father… it means different things to different people. It can be biological…" Diluc noticed the confusion on Razor's face, "like when a boy wolf and a girl wolf have puppies."

"Oh." Disappointment evident in his voice.

"But not always. My father was not Kaeya's by blood. He took Kaeya in, loved him, raised him, and protected him. That made him Kaeya's father." Diluc said. 

Razor liked that. He would like to have that. A hollow ache formed in his chest and he whined a little. 

"Sorry. Did I pull too hard?" Diluc's hands stilled. 

"It's okay." Razor really couldn't articulate what he was feeling. 

He was never cared for like this. It was different from the affection he got from Fischl and Bennett, though he loved them both dearly, his lupical… It felt strange, yet he craved it. He wanted it so badly it hurt. 

Did other people get this every day? Was that the norm? Was he missing that his whole life? 

He might have to go back to that.

Razor wasn't sure if he could do that. 

He closed his eyes and focused on Diluc's movements. Loosening the matting, removing lumps of dead hair. Draining. Rinsing. More conditioner. Over and over. 

It went on for hours and Razor knew there was still so much work to do. 

"Sorry you have to sit still so long. You said you like long hair so I figure you don't want to cut it."

"Razor like long hair." Razor said. "Thank you for care for Razor." 

"Of course." Diluc replied and pat his head. 

Razor liked it when Diluc patted his head.

Pat? Pot? Potted? Petted? 

Why was language so hard for such a simple delightful gesture?

After a couple more hours Razor's stomach growled.

"Hungry?" Diluc asked. 

Razor nodded slightly. 

"Alright." Diluc drained the water and patted Razor's hair dry with a towel, then wrapped it up. "Let's get you some food. We can finish this tomorrow."

Razor internally cried as he hugged Diluc's arm. He loved the affection and didn't want it to stop. 

"I promise I will finish it. Your hair will be nice and smooth and soft." Diluc said with a smile. 

Razor loosened his grip and nodded. 

"Would you like to eat in the dining room?"

Razor nodded. 

He didn't like eating in bed. It had been soup each time. Other times when he had been here before he got to eat at the table and had gotten meat. 

Maybe that was how it worked?

Diluc helped him up and Razor leaned into his touch, savoring it as much as he could. 

"I can find my old crutch after dinner." Diluc said and helped Razor out and down the hall. "That way you can get around a little on your own. Not outside… but around the house in case I'm not there."

"Adelinde." Razor said. 

"Adelinde is not strong enough to help you, Razor. As much as she would like to."

Ohhh. 

Diluc sat Razor down at the table and they ate dinner together. Diluc fetched a crutch for Razor, and they settled down for the evening. 

Razor really liked this.

…

Chapter Text

The next morning after breakfast Diluc and Razor went back to detangling his hair. Diluc was about an hour in when he received unexpected company. 

"Oh sweet Barbatos." Kaeya stood gawking in the hallway. "You've caught a wild Razor. I hear that's incredibly rare."

"Kaeya." Diluc stared in shock at his brother. "I… is it Sunday already? I would have prepared-"

"It is Saturday. You're okay." Kaeya assured. "I came early to warn you that Bennet and Fischl are planning on visiting Razor and I had a feeling you would like a warning. You'll just have to deal with me staying the weekend." Kaeya shifted his bag on his shoulder. 

"Damn." Diluc replied. "Here I was thinking I could escape you." That was clearly sarcasm, and Kaeya knew it.

"Razor happy to see Kaeya." Razor said. 

"I'm happy to see you too, pup." Kaeya walked in. "Need a hand with those tangles?" 

"Please." Diluc replied. 

Kaeya smiled and examined the hair. "Hmm. You might need some oil to loosen those tangles." 

"Oil?"

"We had to use it on you. Don't you remember?" 

Diluc shook his head.

"Yeah well. Reduces friction. Helps it loosen." Kaeya said. "I'll go grab some and the comb in my room. I'll be right back."

 He was back shortly, this time without his bag. Only a few minutes later and he was right by Diluc working on Razor's hair. "When we are done, Razor is going to smell better than he has his whole life." Kaeya mused.

"Smell good?" Razor asked.

"Hate to break it to you kid, but you hit that age where you stink unless you shower frequently." Kaeya said. 

"Shower or bathe with soap." Diluc said. 

"Razor… does not dislike bathing…. Warm water nice." The boy admitted. 

"So… if you come back from commissions with Bennett and I offer you to shower, you'll shower?" Kaeya asked. 

Razor nodded. 

"Diluc I think you have performed a minor miracle." Kaeya bumped his shoulder into Diluc.  

Diluc snorted. "Not really. Razor has been a good boy."

Razor smiled wide at that. 

It took a couple more hours for them to finish untangling Razor's hair. There were a couple of pounds of dead hair in a bucket they had removed. 

Kaeya helped Razor dry his hair, then looked over his injuries. "How did you get hurt?"

"Fight mages and Hilichurls." Razor said. "Lupical help protect Razor." 

"Only hilichurls? Nothing else?"

"Razor didn't see anything…" the boy admitted softly. 

"That's alright. If you remember anything, let me know." Kaeya patted the boy's shoulder. 

Razor got up onto his crutches and nodded. "I will."

"Good lad." 

Kaeya assumed they would head to the family room. It was upstairs and far more private than the parlor, and thus was far smaller. Even the traveler hadn't seen this room. 

Kaeya let Diluc help Razor down the hall and instead went to his room. His bag was there. He had bought some coloring books and pencils for Razor to pass the time. If his leg was hurt, Kaeya had guessed that he couldn't run around and do what he normally does… and he also figured he wouldn't want to sit and read the whole time. Razor was still learning language and it was exhausting to only do that. 

Kaeya examined the family room. It had a fireplace, a couple of couches, a coffee table. Bookshelves. A handful of sentimental items, and some particularly sentimental paintings from Crepus. 

There were also a few photos on the mantle of the fireplace of Diluc and Kaeya. One of two of them with Jean. Most were from before their father… There was one after that. After they reconciled. 

Kaeya liked that one. 

However there was no Razor or Diluc. 

Kaeya headed downstairs and found Razor and Diluc in the parlor. It was larger than the family room, though it still had a large seating area, and tables. It just lacked the personal quality to it. 

Razor was on the couch in front of the coffee table. "Razor. I got you something." Kaeya handed the coloring supplies over. 

"What is it?" Razor asked. 

"It's a coloring book." Kaeya said. "It's full of pictures for you to color in."

Razor sat enraptured with the books. Books you could draw in? He had never heard of such an idea. Lisa took great care to make sure no one ever wrote in books. So this felt a bit like he was getting away with something naughty. He picked out a page he liked and poured the colored pencils onto the table to start coloring. 

Kaeya chuckled as the boy eagerly colored in the page. He was diligent in not going outside the lines, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. 

He ignored the conversation between Kaeya and Diluc, focused on the task at hand. The image was of a fox in a sea of dandelions. He gave the fox orange fur with blue because he liked it. 

"Razor." 

"Hm?"

"You have company." Diluc said. 

Razor looked up from his coloring to find Fischl and Bennett entered the room. 

"Razor!" Fischl exclaimed and hugged the boy. Razor grinned and hugged her close and nestled his head into her shoulder. Bennet placed a bag down on the table and joined in the hug, knocking them over into the couch. 

Razor wheezed under their weight but didn't let go, instead opting to hug them back as tightly as he could. 

"We heard you got hurt, so we wanted to visit you." Bennett said.  

"The prinzessen and the ill-fated adventurer created an assortment of items to lessen the woes of your injury." 

"It's a care basket." Bennett said. 

"The prinzessen will bring it to you." Fischl said as she struggled out of his grasp and onto her feet without hurting anyone in the process. 

"Here. Let me help you up." Bennett got up and offered a hand to Razor. Razor smiled and took it, letting Bennett pull him up. "How is your leg feeling, anyways?"

"Alright. Master Diluc help me. Taking care of me." Razor answered. 

"That's nice of him."

Razor looked around the room to see Diluc. He and Kaeya were nowhere to be seen. 

Razor didn't have long to dwell on it. Razor was handed a suspicious looking bag. He glanced at Fischl, silently asking if it was safe. 

It wasn't that he didn't trust Bennett, quite the contrary. He trusted the boy fully. It was just… he wasn't a great cook. Experience had taught Razor to proceed with caution in regard to Bennett's well intended dishes. 

She nodded and he opened it up. 

There was a large sheep plushie on top of the pile. Razor pulled it out. It was big, about as big as his torso, soft, and fluffy. Really fluffy… it reminded him of his lupical. Razor hugged it. 

"I tried making you cookies, but… they caught on fire." Bennett rubbed the back of his neck. "My dads gave me some cookies to replace them. And Fischl made you her meat platter." 

"Thank you." Razor said as he pulled the box of cookies out. "Can Razor share?"

"They are a gift to you, as such one should do whatever one wants with them." Fischl answered. 

"Razor wants to share." The boy said and placed the meat platter on the table. 

"There is also a card." Bennett said. 

Razor pulled out a card. Inside was a message from Fischl (he wasn't even going to attempt to read that until someone could help him), Bennett (ink spilled over part of it), Kaeya (it looked rushed), Klee (she provided a doodle for him), Barbara (she drew him a few stars), and Rosaria. 

Razor smiled. That was so… sweet was the word, wasn't it? It was sweet. Like a warm hug, or sitting by the fire with friends, or cuddling with his lupical.

He missed his lupical. 

Razor hugged the plush sheep tighter. If he closed his eyes he could almost pretend the fur of the toy was the fur of his lupical. 

The couch sank beside him with the weight of Bennett. The bly gave him a hug shortly followed by Razor. 

Razor had a bigger lupical than he thought.

…

"Think they will be okay on their own?" Diluc asked as he shut the door to his office.

"They're teenages. They don't want to be chaperoned by us." Kaeya replied.

"Right. Right. You're right." Diluc conceded.

"Of course I am." Kaeya replied as he dropped onto one of the chairs. 

"Is this official work?" Diluc asked. 

"Do you not want to hear about what I found?"

"Found?"

"I investigated the area you reported Razor got attacked… it looks like he got overwhelmed by mages. I don't think the Fatui had any involvement."

That sounded right. Diluc had been dealing with Fatui for so long that he likely would have noticed any signs of their involvement. 

"I also found your claymore." Kaeya said. 

Right. He had used it as a lever and left it. 

"You shouldn't have been able to lift that boulder. It should not have been humanly possible." Kaeya continued. 

"Well I did-"

"I'm not calling you a liar, Lu." Kaeya soothed. "I'm saying you did something incredible to protect that kid."

Oh. Well that was… sweet of him to say. Diluc smiled at his little brother.

"-And that your claymore is stuck under it and I don't think it can be saved." Kaeya added.

Diluc snorted. "I figured as much."

"You should probably see a healer yourself." Kaeya added. 

"Why?" 

"Because I know you, and I know you ignore your needs for others. And I know you were running on adrenaline, meaning you weren't thinking about your limits. And you mentioned you carried him back. So you might blame your soreness on that and not on lifting a boulder three times your weight off a kid and then carrying him a mile to here." Kaeya listed off.

"Okay, okay." Diluc raised his hands in surrender. "You win again." 

Kaeya leaned back. "You worry me, you know?" 

"Right. Barbara did check on me. I think I'm fine. Probably." Diluc cleared his throat. "Sorry." 

"Do better." Kaeya scolded.

"Yes captain." Diluc fake saluted. 

Kaeya made a disgusted face. "Never do that again."

"I make no promises." Diluc shrugged, yet his shoulders slumped. "Did Barbara… did she get help?"

Kaeya flashed a fiendish smile. "Take a seat."

Diluc did as suggested and gave Kaeya his full attention. He knew his brother. He knew that look. 

"After you were cryptic about Barbara, I went to check on her. Subtlety, of course."

"Of course." Diluc repeated dryly. 

"I offered to buy her lunch as a treat for taking care of Bennet after the bee hive incident." Kaeya waved his hand dismissively. His whole body seemed to bounce with excitement. "I feel like I should have tea with this." Kaeya realized. 

Kaeya didn't mention wine. He was 90 days sober and he wasn't going to ruin it for setting the atmosphere. 

"Anyways," Kaeya snapped his fingers a few times trying to remember where he was, "I took her to Good Hunter. I thanked her for helping Bennett, and told her if she ever needed help I would be happy to provide it. So would her friends and family. She told me about some trouble she was having. We gathered the evidence she had, and took it to Jean." 

"And?" Diluc asked. 

"My, my, Master Diluc. You know I can't go into details on a case with a civilian." Kaeya placed his hand on his chest, miming clutching his pearls. An excited giggle escaped him. "However, on a completely unrelated note, Jean punched Albert."

"Albert?" Diluc asked incredulously. "Twenty-two year old, grown ass adult Albert?" He found himself clenching his fists.

Barbara was fifteen for Barbatos sake. That was disgusting. 

"Mhm." Kaeya nodded. "I also happened to see Eula put him in handcuffs. Barbara is staying with her sister for a bit."

"Thank the archons." Diluc visibly relaxed. "If this was allowed to continue I would handle it myself."

"Get in line." Kaeya rested his head in his hand. "He was quite resistant to arrest until he saw the death glare Rosaria was giving him." 

That was reassuring. 

"Think he will have any chance of getting out?" Diluc's shoulders tensed at the idea of that man wandering the streets to harass Barbara- or anyone else for that matter- in the future. 

"It…" Kaeya sighed heavily. "That is an unfortunate possibility."

"Should that happen…" Diluc tilted his head in thought. "I happen to know a lovely place to vacation. Hundreds of unmapped caves in Liyue. It can be quite beautiful if you know where to look, although dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. We could take a little trip. No one would bat an eye at us bringing a large bag of supplies."

"While I have no problem with that… I think it would distress Barbara. She should have a say in what happens to the piece of shit." Kaeya replied. 

"Pity." Diluc replied. 

"I have a feeling the court will not be kind to him." Kaeya replied. 

Chapter Text

Bennett and Fischl stayed for dinner and into evening, however eventually had to leave, each having their own families to go home to. They did promise they would come back soon to visit. That left Kaeya to stay with Diluc and Razor over the weekend. 

That first evening they rested in the family room. Kaeya picked a record and set it to play. "Shall we play a game?" Kaeya asked. 

"What do you have in mind?" Diluc asked. 

"Razor? Up for playing a board game?" Kaeya stood before the game shelf. 

"What is that?" Razor asked through his yawn. He had wrapped a fluffy blanket around his shoulders and held the stuffed sheep close. 

"Tired, pup?" Diluc asked.

Razor nodded. "Much talking today." 

"Would you be okay with watching Diluc and I play a board game? That way you don't have to learn any new rules?" 

Razor nodded. 

"Luc, I'd ask what game you want to play, but I already know the answer to that question." Kaeya said. "I'm voting for-" Kaeya stopped himself. He couldn't say the actual title in front of Razor. He was a kid. No swearing. Not until he learns the social rules for cursing. He didn't want the boy to unknowingly drop the F-bomb in front of a child. "Cheat. I'm voting for Cheat," Kaeya pulled out a coin, "Lu, call it."

"Tails."

Kaeya caught the coin, "Dammit." He grabbed the chess set and put it down. "Cards tomorrow." 

"Fair enough." Diluc sat down next to Razor. The boy immediately leaned against Diluc and savored the warmth. 

Kaeya set down the chess set and took the armchair. Diluc set the pieces up while Kaeya poured himself a cup of tea. 

About an hour into the game Razor was asleep, head resting on Diluc's lap. The redhead absently ran his fingers through the boy's hair with his free hand while he focused on the game. 

Kaeya made his move and Diluc moved his rook. "Checkmate."

"Damn."

"You did that on purpose. You're too cunning to have actually fallen for that." Diluc said. 

"Maybe. Maybe not." Kaeya held his hands up in a shrug. "Who's to say?"

"Hmm." Diluc hummed. He looked down at Razor, who had half his face buried in the fluff of the toy sheep given to him. Diluc smiled and pulled a few stray hairs out of Razor's face. 

His head snapped up when light flashed. Kaeya was grinning like an imp with a camera in hand. "I had to."

"Sure," Diluc scoffed, "Help me get him to bed. I can carry him if you get the doors and his crutch."

"That, I can do." Kaeya replied. 

Diluc got up and scooped Razor up into his arms. Kaeya was already ahead of him with the crutch and held the door open. Diluc followed behind Kaeya down the hall to Razor's room.

"Watch his head." Kaeya covered Razor's head, protecting it from the doorframe. 

"Thanks." Diluc adjusted Razor in his arms and carried him to the bed. 

"Yep." Kaeya leaned the crutch against the wall, close enough for Razor to be able to reach should he need it. 

They let him sleep and went to their own rooms for the night. 

…

The next morning Diluc sipped his coffee as he sorted through old photos. Razor and Kaeya had been playing card games for a few hours next to him, Razor occasionally asked Diluc for help. 

"What are you doing?" Razor eventually asked. 

"Going through old pictures. Barbara wanted to see some of Jean when we were young." Diluc answered.

"Can… Razor see?" 

Diluc nodded and gestured the boy over.

"You still have those?" Kaeya asked and sat on the other side of Diluc.

Diluc hummed in affirmation. "I was hoping I could ask you to make copies and give them to Barbara. Maybe it would cheer her up." 

"Alright then. It will give me a reason to make sure she is doing okay after everything that happened." Kaeya agreed. 

"There is more to the story than you told me, I assume." Diluc noted. 

"I do value my job. Some things I really can not share." Kaeya responded. "And some things… Barbara has a right to keep to herself, and tell who she chooses."

Diluc nodded somberly and returned to the photos. 

"Barbara was hurt?" Razor asked. 

"Not hurt in the way you think. It is complicated. I can help you write a letter to her and you can find out for yourself." Kaeya assured.

Razor agreed and returned to looking at the photos, as if finding good ones would ensure his friend may feel better. 

There were not too many of Jean. Especially after her parents separated. There was one that stood out. It was of Jean, she looked to be about nine or ten, and in her arms was Barbara. Still just a baby. Jean had a big goofy grin, the first smile that didn't look strained in a photo, a tooth was missing. 

"That one. That one for sure." Kaeya said. 

"Is that… Barbara?" Razor asked. 

"The baby is." Diluc replied. 

"So small. They are sisters?"

"Indeed they are." Kaeya answered. 

"Razor thinks… it is nice. Little sisters…" 

"Well. I imagine so. I liked having a little brother." Dilute replied. "Then his cute levels lowered as he got older and he got taller than me." 

"Hey." Kaeya protested.

 Diluc messed up Kaeya's hair, earning an annoyed yelp from Kaeya as he pushed Diluc away.  

Razor smiled. That sounded really nice. Not so different from lupical. 

"Jean.. tall." Razor picked up another photo. Jean held a wooden sword, Kaeya was the princess, and Diluc was the dragon.

"Right! Jean used to be taller than us." Kaeya grinned. 

They went through the photos, picking a few of the best to make copies of. As time dragged on, Kaeya had to go back to Mondstadt. 

Razor stayed with Diluc for a few days. However as time went on Razor grew more impatient. He hated not being outside this long. He missed it. 

He didn't know what to do with himself. 

Diluc couldn't stay with him all day. He still had a business to run, and while Diluc and Adelinde frequently visited and did things with him it was not the same. 

Razor tried not to show how he felt. He liked being around Diluc. He knew Diluc was doing his best and being nice. It would be mean to not be grateful. 

Razor used his crutch to walk down the hall. It was getting easier to walk. But he still needed it. 

"Hello… Adelinde." He said. 

"Hello, Razor." She set down what she was sewing and stood. "What can I help you with?" 

"R- I am going outside." He said. 

"Would you like some company?" 

Razor shook his head. 

"Alright then. Try to stay close to the winery." 

Razor nodded and headed out the doors. The sun was shining, a perfect spring day. The staff went about working, letting Razor walk around to one of the tables outside. The boy found his gaze drifting to the Wolvendom. 

He was so torn. 

He loves his lupical. But… what if his lupical isn't just there. What if Adelinde and Diluc were lupical too? What if he had to choose? He didn't think his heart could take such a choice. 

"Razor." He perked up at Diluc's voice. 

"Diluc!" 

"What are you doing out here all alone?" Diluc pulled out a chair and joined Razor. 

"I like outside."

"Oh." Diluc followed Razor's gaze. It focused on the Wolvendom. "I see." The man sighed, stood up and offered a hand to Razor. "Want to visit your Lupical?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. We have enough time. Let's visit your canine family."

Razor's smile seemed to make the whole world brighter. "Come on! Let's go see Lupical." Razor hurriedly got up with his crutch and excitedly made his way down the path. 

"Alright. I'm going." Diluc followed behind him. 

Diluc never thought himself a patient person. However he found a profound sense of calm as he walked with Razor, even if the walk took much longer than normal. 

As they walked, Razor spoke about different things. Where the best berry spots were, his favorite nap spots, what plants were poisonous and which were safe to eat. 

It was surprising to hear him talk so much, but not unpleasant. Diluc quite liked hearing the boy talk. 

Diluc jumped a little when Razor suddenly howled. Calling his lupical, Diluc had to assume. They were already deep in the Wolvendom. Out of the woods the wolves ran out and surrounded them. Razor sat down on the ground and several wolves rushed over to him, licking his face and nuzzling him. Razor laughed and hugged them, nuzzling the wolves in response. 

Diluc stared at the animals. It was easy to forget that wolves were much larger than dogs. A dog might be eye level with your knees, most of these were around Diluc's waist in height. With Razor sitting on the ground most of them were taller than him. 

"They think I smell strange." Razor said. 

"I don't imagine wolves bathe often. I doubt they are familiar with soap smells." Diluc replied, cautiously watching as the wolves walked around them. While they excitedly greeted Razor despite the change in scent, however they regarded Diluc with caution. He made a conscious effort not to move suddenly so as to not frighten them. A frightened wolf is a dangerous wolf. 

The wolves were very happy to see Razor. Tails wagging wildly as they took turns getting to see him. Now they were less frantic about it 

"Diluc. Come. Kneel." Razor said. "They want to say hello. Don't look scary."

Well that was a hopeless task. Diluc was well aware that he tended to look angry and intimidating. But he crouched down by Razor, just to try. The wolves walked in circles, the largest, the one Diluc assumed was the leader, sniffed Diluc. 

"Is this the alpha?" Diluc asked. "Or… dad?"

"She is oldest mama." Razor explained. 

Diluc opened his mouth to reply, only to be interrupted by the wolf licking his mouth. He scrunched his face up in disgust as it kept licking him. 

"She likes you." Razor announced. 

If only Diluc could say the same. He wanted to pull away, clean his mouth. He was going to clean his mouth when he got home regardless, however he was going to stay for now just for Razor's sake. 

The boy took Diluc's hand and guided it up to the wolf's side. Her fur was thick and tough, but she was also warm. He pet her gently. 

"So. They don't think I'm a threat?"

"No!" Razor laughed. "If lupical think Diluc bad, lupical no let you take me when hurt." 

"I thought they let me because you trust me." 

"That too." Razor admitted. 

Diluc smiled and ruffled Razor's hair briefly, then returned to petting the mother wolf. 

After a few minutes the wolf trotted away, and made a noise similar to a bark. 

"She wants us to follow." Razor said. 

Diluc nodded and helped Razor up. They headed up the path, following the wolves. "You sure you can handle the trip back?" Diluc asked. "Don't push yourself." 

"I will be okay."

"If you need help, I will carry you."

"Thanks da- Diluc." 

"Mhm." Diluc hummed. It wasn't uncommon for Razor to slip up with words. This wasn't the first time Razor messed up Diluc's name, though it has been happening more often of late.

They made their way deeper into the woods, to a little den. Diluc could hear little whines and yaps. 

Razor's eyes went wide with shock and hurried more. Inside the den were a couple of wolves, and some puppies. 

"They are early." Razor said, and knelt by them. The wolf standing by the female nursing the pups bumped into Razor and the boy scooted back, into Diluc's legs. He knelt down by Razor. "That is papa to puppies."

Diluc knelt down by Razor. One of the pups wandered over to Razor. It's eyes were barely open, had it not been so small and cute it would look grumpy. 

Razor chuckled, pet the pup, and turned it around, back to it's parents. 

As nice as this was… it made that ache in his chest return. Razor had lost his parents when he was young. He longed for it… he knew he wasn't a wolf. And that longing was for a human to…

Another wolf whined and licked at his face. Razor sniffled and dried his eyes. 

Why was he so ungrateful? He should be happy with the family he has. He shouldn't want more. 

"It's getting late, want to head home?" Diluc asked. 

Home.

Razor looked outside, only to be stunned that the shadows had grown long and the sun was low in the sky.

"Yes. Let's go home." Razor got up with the help of Diluc, and they headed home. The walk back was fairly quiet, they had only gotten halfway out the woods before Diluc spoke up, "Are you feeling okay?"

Razor nodded. "Happy to see Lupical… but…"

"You miss them?"

"Razor misses them. But Razor also likes Diluc."

Diluc gave Razors an owlish stare in his shock, before snapping himself out of it. "I like you too, pup. It's good to have you around." 

That made Razor feel so warm. He wanted to learn more about humans… but his lupical. 

These feelings were all so confusing and conflicting. Too many feelings for one person to feel at once. 

"Tired." He announced. That summarized what he felt, and there were no contradictory emotions to go with it.

"Need me to carry you?"

Razor nodded. 

Diluc knelt down in front of Razor, and guided the boy's arms around his broad shoulders. He grabbed Razor's legs and picked him up in a piggyback.

Razor nestled himself closer to Diluc, his face pressed against the man's red curls. Diluc smelled… comforting. Like a fireplace. And grapes. 

Razor screwed his eyes shut, and let himself pretend. Pretend that his father did this with him. That he could have buried his face in his mother's shoulder and curls. 

How could you miss someone you don't remember?

They were soon home, and Diluc was carrying Razor up the stairs to his bedroom.

Razor was set down on the bed and Diluc smoothed out his hair, kneeling before the bed. "Do you need anything before I go?"

The boy shook his head, already nestled into the blankets and falling asleep. 

"Okay." Diluc pressed a kiss against Razor's temple, and closed the door behind him after he left. 

Razor whined. 

What if Diluc was my dad? 

…

Chapter Text

Two weeks came and went. It was once again Sunday. 

 "Master Diluc." Eltzer knocked on Diluc's office door.

"Come in." Diluc replied.

Eltzer opened the door to see the man hunched over his desk and writing away. 

"How can I help you, Eltzer?" Diluc set his pen down and looked at Eltzer. 

Eltzer cleared his throat. "There is a package for you…"

"Where is it?"

"At the front door. I'm afraid I can't lift it."

"Really?" Diluc got up. "What is it?" 

"A claymore."

"A claymore?" Diluc raised an eyebrow. He had no idea who would commission a weapon for him. Kaeya and Jean knew he had enough mora for such a thing. "Who would send that?"

"It came with a letter. Addressed to you. I haven't opened it."

"Good choice."

"That's cryptic."

Diluc chuckled. "It's just good practice to be suspicious of unexpected mail."

Especially if that mail might be a trap from one of Diluc's many enemies. 

He opened the door to find a large heavy red and black claymore on the ground, a cloth tied around the middle with a letter. 

Diluc readjusted his gloves and picked up the letter. 

It didn't seem to be laced with anything, though he was going to wash his gloves later just in case. 

He opened the letter. 

"A thank you to Diluc, for helping take care of Razor. Please accept this gift."

-Andrius

This… had to be a joke. Andrius was well known to be one of the four spirits of Mond.

He inspected the blade. It looked like the one at his temple. But why would he care-

Another thing to investigate later. Razor had his friends coming over, and Kaeya was coming too. 

He hefted up the blade and brought it inside, away from where Bennett would likely be. With that boy's luck, he really didn't want to risk him getting hurt.

Razor was much better. He could walk without a crutch most of the time. As of right now he was in the kitchen with Adelinde cooking. 

Diluc returned to his office and went back to staring at the papers before him. 

Child Guardian Consent Form. 

Barbatos, what was he thinking? 

There had to be a better option for Razor. Someone more stable… someone safer than him. Perhaps someone who already had kids? 

Besides. Who was he to assume that Razor would want him- or any human- to be his family. He seemed so happy with the wolves. Maybe even a little annoyed at Diluc's presence. 

But… he wanted to try. He wanted to try for Razor. To give him as good of a life as he could. No matter what Razor chose, even if it was to be in the knights, Diluc would support him whole-heartedly. 

What if he was bad at it? 

He needed a second opinion. A person who would be brutally honest with him. The only person he could trust on that would be Kaeya. 

He just couldn't arrive soon enough. 

Diluc picked up the pen again, glaring at the paperwork that insulted him with its existence, then put it back down. Not right now. He folded the paper up and placed it in his inner jacket pocket.

He headed down to the kitchen instead. Adelinde was mixing dough, while Razor cut thin apple slices. 

"What are you two up to?" Diluc asked.

"Making apple tart." Razor said. "Share."

"Do you like baking?" 

Razor's cutting slowed as he paused in thought. "Lots of reading and measuring. But taste nice."

"Do you need any help?"

Razor shook his head. "Razor can do it." 

Adelinde chuckled. "Don't you have paperwork to do?"

Diluc folded his arms and lost his balance trying to lean on the counter. "Maybe."

"Are you procrastinating? My my. I thought you had outgrown such behavior." Adelinde quipped. 

"It isn't exactly procrastinating. It is a complicated matter and I needed to discuss it with others."

Adelinde sprinkled the flower onto the counter and set the dough on it. "You can keep us company, if you would like."

"Thank you." Diluc took a seat at a chair nearby. 

The man would take any and all time he possibly could to be around Razor. Fear boiled in the pit of his stomach. What if Razor didn't want to stay… what if it upset him so much that Razor avoided him? Diluc didn't want to lose the boy. He had grown attached. 

Time has a funny way of moving in moments like these. It moves too fast. Before he knew it they had finished baking and their company had arrived. 

Razor excitedly brought up the tart he made with Adelinde and set it on the table. 

"Wow! Razor! You made this?" Bennett asked. 

"Yes." Razor replied. "Miss Adelinde help me." 

Adelinde smiled at that as she cut the tart up into slices. 

"Thank you!" Bennett grinned as a slice was placed in front of him. 

"This is quite wonderful." Fischl agreed. 

"I'm glad you like it." Adelinde bowed her head slightly. 

Kaeya poured himself a cup of coffee and sipped at it as he watched the kids. Razor's language skills had improved a lot in the short time he was here. It was really impressive. 

The conversation was light. The usual, how are you, what is new, and bits of gossip. Diluc and Kaeya even managed to persuade Adelinde to sit with them for a little bit. 

After some time talking, Adelinde insisted upon taking the dishes back. Razor, Fischl, and Bennett decided to go outside, leaving Kaeya and Diluc to follow them to be safe. 

The kids went by the lake to skip rocks and talk, Kaeya and Diluc sat under a tree nearby, close enough to see them, not close enough to hear them talking at normal volume. 

Kaeya stared at Diluc. The man had a mildly worried, almost angry look on his face as he stared at Razor. Kaeya knew that meant the man was lost in his own thoughts, and too often he would stay lost without a helping hand. "Okay, Luc. What's wrong?" Kaeya asked. 

Diluc's eyebrows furrowed more. "Do you think I could be a dad?"

Kaeya sighed heavily, "I think you're finally old enough to learn this." he placed a hand on Diluc's shoulder, "You need to know that to have a kid you need to have sex."

Diluc rolled his eyes and playfully pushed Kaeya over, "Not like that- I-" Diluc glared at him, "You know I would never want that."

"The sex or a kid?" Kaeya sat up. 

"The first one."

Kaeya chuckled at how pouty Diluc looked. He was trying to look angry, it just wasn't working. He was blushing. Kaeya took pity on him, and refrained from teasing him further, "What prompted this?"

"Razor," Diluc ran a hand through his hair, "I don't think he should be left in the woods on his own. In fact… I'd like to beat the shit out of Varka for not stopping it."

"You can't beat the shit out of Varka." Kaeya stated.

"Why not?" Diluc looked offended, as though Kaeya doubted his combat ability.

"Because he's in his sixties and I'm pretty sure that's classified as elder abuse." Kaeya scolded. 

Diluc scoffed and looked away.

After about a minute of silence, Kaeya asked a question, "What are you worried about?" 

"He deserves someone better, more put together, than me. What if he doesn't want to live with me?"

Kaeya pondered that for a moment. While he couldn't say there was no chance that wouldn't happen… "The knights found out about him after you had left, other than Varka, and there were numerous attempts to get him to live with people. Even when he was hurt, he left before he fully healed." Kaeya watched the kids. 

Fischl was showing Razor and Bennett how to skip rocks. Razor was starting to get a few skips. Bennett only managed to drop the rocks in water with a big splash. 

Kaeya continued, "No one has gotten him to willingly be inside as long as you. I don't think anyone else could do it." 

"No pressure." Diluc pulled his knees closer to his chest.

Kaeya picked up a few tufts of grass and tossed it at his overly dramatic brother. "Are you worried you'll do a bad job? Or are you worried he will say no?"

"Both."

"Well. If you care that much, it means you're going to try. If you're willing to try your best and learn, I think that is all any parent can do." 

"You'll officially get a new title. Uncle Kaeya." Diluc tried to smile. 

"I will be the best Uncle." Kaeya confirmed. "I will even pick up the official paperwork from the Knights Headquarters for you." 

"No need. I have it partially filled out in my office. I got it from Amber. She even tried to persuade me to try being a foster parent."

Kaeya leaned back against the tree. "That makes sense. She met Collei and decided kids need to be taken care of and she would protect them no matter what."

Diluc didn't answer, lost in thought again as he hummed.

"You're considering it." Kaeya shot back up. "Do you want to be a foster dad?"

"I…maybe?" Diluc swallowed, "I am considering it." 

"Dad would be proud." Kaeya took the opportunity to ruffle Diluc's hair.

Diluc smiled feebly. "That's nice of you to say-"

"OW!" Bennett yelled as a rock he had skipped hit the cliff on the other side of the lake and came back, hitting him in the face. 

Kaeya cupped his hands around his mouth, "You okay?" He yelled.

"I'm okay!" Bennett called.

"He's lying!" Fischl corrected. 

"I'm gonna go check it out, and give him some ice." Kaeya grunted and stood up. "I'll be right there!" He called out to the teens as he made his way over.

Diluc sighed, and steeled his nerves. He was going to foster, no matter what… or at least try it. But he did want to try and adopt Razor, if the boy wanted it… that is.

It was a strange thought. Razor was Barbara's age. In another time, if things went differently, they could have been friends. But Diluc felt nothing but parental towards the boy. Even though he was nearly grown… 

He would ask Razor about it once the others left. That way there would be no pressure from the others to influence him. But he would do it today since he couldn't keep waiting. Putting it off wouldn't help anything… or anyone. 

He saw Kaeya coming back with Bennett, Bennett holding a hand to his face and they walked quickly. Fischl was walking slower with Razor since the boy was still not fully recovered. 

"Luc. You still keep the medical kits in the same place?" Kaeya asked. 

"Yes." 

"Great. I need to patch this one up." 

"Do I need to get a healer?" Diluc asked.

"No. We will be back before you know it." Kaeya assured, and continued to guide the boy back to the house. He pulled Bennett into the main bathroom and instructed him to wash his hands and rinse the injury.

Kaeya searched through the cupboards for that medical kit. It used to be on the top cabinet above the sink, at the very front… now it was pushed to the back. 

Kaeya moved things about and struggled to get the kit out without knocking other things over. He quietly swore and started to pull things out and set them down on the counter to get better access. He got the medical kit and set it down on the counter and put everything else back. 

"Alright, prince pain. Let's see what we can do." Kaeya examined the injury. The bleeding had slowed down, and it revealed a cut a few inches long across his cheek. It probably wouldn't scar. "I'm going to apply an antiseptic gauze, then I can cover it with some bandages." Kaeya said. 

"Thank you."

Kaeya hummed in response. He was methodical in his work, at least in this kind of work. He enjoyed the rush of a fight, the thrill he got, of keeping his men on their toes… just never with the kids. 

Klee, Barbara, Bennett. It didn't matter. Whatever it took to make them feel safe when they needed him. When they didn't, then he was okay with telling spooky stories about souls of fireflies stuck in lanterns, or ghost stories on a cold and stormy night. 

Kaeya finished applying the bandage and ruffled Bennett's hair. "There. All better." 

"I'll try to do better, sorry."Bennett tried to smile, but it was a sad and pathetic attempt. 

"Hey. Is something wrong?" Kaeya asked. 

"No. Just a little bummed about the curse." Bennett got up. "Can we go back now? I want to spend more time with Razor."

Bennett was lying to him. It was baffling to be on the receiving end of this treatment, and unpleasant. 

For the briefest of moments, he wondered if this was what Crepus felt, when Kaeya's lies fell a little short. 

"You don't have to lie to me Bennett."

"I…" Bennett avoided eye contact. "Maybe you shouldn't help me so much. My bad luck might rub off on you too. Just like my curse rubbed off on Barbara."

Barbed wire tightened around Kaeya's chest. 

"Bennett."

He didn't look up. 

"Bennett. Hey. Look at me." Kaeya turned Bennett's head. "You are not the reason bad things happen. Your curse didn't hurt Barbara. And it won't keep me from helping you. A curse won't scare me off." Especially not a curse of bad luck. Kaeya was already cursed. What was one more?

Bennett hugged Kaeya, burying his face in his chest. He could feel tears soaking through his shirt. 

Kaeya sighed and carded his fingers through Bennett's hair. "It's okay to be upset. But I'm here for you. You're not getting rid of me that easily." 

Bennet pulled away and rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand. "I'm not trying to get rid of you. I just don't want anyone else to get hurt."

"Believe it or not, little weirdo, the people who care about you don't want to see you hurt either." Kaeya explained. 

Bennett nodded. 

"Dry those tears. You can still spend time with Razor." 

Bennett ran cold water over his hands and splashed it on his eyes. He dried his eyes, then took a breath. "Okay. Let's go." 

The two went back outside to find Fischl braiding flowers into Razor's hair with Diluc as her accomplice. 

"Bennett!" Razor yelled. He tried to get up but was pushed back into a seated position by Fischl. 

"The prinzessen is gifting you with a lovely hairstyle, now sit still." She hissed as she adjusted the hair once more, then continued braiding. 

Razor stilled and let her braid his hair. Bennett sat down by them. "Thats a pretty braid."

Razor tried to turn his head to see what Bennett was referring too. 

"Hold still." Fischl reminded. 

"Yes." Razor conceded. 

"Good boy." Razor sat a little straighter and smiled. 

When Fischl finished Razor's braid, she made a flower crown for Bennett, and they had to go home. 

Razor joined Diluc inside. "Have fun today?" 

"Yes." 

"Good…" Diluc paused. Now or never. "Razor. I wanted to speak with you about your living situation."

Razor's chest tightened. Had he overstayed his welcome? Did Diluc want him to leave? 

"I understand you care about your Lupical- and I would never want to damage that- but I- I want to make sure you are safe and taken care of." Diluc found himself stuttering, the adoption paper in his jacket burning a hole through his chest. "I wanted to ask if I could adopt you."

"Adopt… like Kaeya was by your papa." Razor spoke slowly. 

"Yes. You can still be close with your lupical. I'd be responsible for making sure you were taken care of. Meaning I'd need to know where you are and plan on getting back so if something happens I can make sure to find you…" Diluc found himself rambling. But Razor hadn't really changed his expression. He just kept going. "You can say no. I won't be mad."

"You would be my papa." Razor said slowly. 

"Only if you want." Diluc's voice was shaking with nerves. How was this the most nervous he has ever been? "I don't want you to be uncomfortable- oof." 

Razor slammed into Diluc, hugging the man tightly. "Razor… happy. Thinks Diluc will be a good papa." 

Diluc brought his shaky hands up and embraced the boy, hand holding Razor's head to his heart, and took a shaky breath. 

All that was left to do was sign the paperwork. Diluc pulled away and took out the papers. 

Razor signed, and took on the last name Ragnvindr.

Razor Ragnvindr.