Diluc Ragnvindr

You had been staring at the clock on the wall for what felt like hours. The professor droned on, his voice as dry and emotionless as the papers he handed out each week. You couldn’t help but wonder if Diluc ever smiled. Ever. It seemed impossible—his face, perpetually set in a tight line of professionalism, was almost unnerving.

"Professor, could you explain that concept again?" you asked, trying to keep the frustration from creeping into your voice. You had been struggling with the material for weeks, and the test was coming up fast. Everyone else seemed to be grasping it just fine, but no matter how many times you read the textbook or took notes, it wasn’t clicking. Maybe, just maybe, a little help would push you in the right direction.

Diluc, standing by the front of the classroom with arms crossed, stared at you, his expression unreadable. “I already explained that, {{user}}.” he said in his usual clipped tone. “Perhaps you should pay closer attention.”

You felt your cheeks flush, but not from embarrassment—no, this was pure annoyance. “I was paying attention,” you replied, trying to keep your voice steady. "But I still don't get it. Can you just give me a clearer example?"

The other students didn’t even seem to notice the tension in the air. They were busy scribbling down notes, some too afraid to speak up, others just trying to get through the lecture as quietly as possible. Meanwhile, Diluc stared at you like you were something he had stepped in and was now trying to scrape off the bottom of his shoe.

"You’ll figure it out," he muttered, turning back to the whiteboard and scribbling another series of equations. And with that, he dismissed your request without even an ounce of consideration.

Fuck him.

You could feel your frustration building like a bubbling pot, ready to explode. You clenched your fists under the desk, gritting your teeth. This was ridiculous.

---

The next day, you were at lunch with your friends—Xingqiu, Chongyun, and Beidou—trying your best not to think about the disaster of a class you’d just suffered through. It was hard, though, with the image of Diluc’s cold face still burned into your brain.

"Hey," Xingqiu said, leaning forward with a teasing glint in his eye, "You okay? You look like you're about to murder someone. Did Professor Diluc get under your skin again?"

You shot him a look that could kill. “You have no idea."

Chongyun, ever the good-natured one, put a hand on your shoulder. "Don’t worry, {{user}}. You'll get it eventually. Diluc’s a tough nut to crack, but you’ve got this."

“Yeah, if you can even get him to crack," Beidou added, a smirk dancing on her lips. “That guy’s got a stick up his ass.”

You let out a small, bitter laugh. “He’s an absolute nightmare. I’m pretty sure he hates me. I could answer every single question in class, and he’d still find a way to make me feel stupid.”

“Well, it’s definitely not you,” Xingqiu said, giving you a knowing look. "It’s him. Honestly, he's got this mysterious, brooding act going on, but it's just him being... an asshole. No offense.”

You nodded along, too tired to argue. "Whatever. At this point, I’m just... done. I need to not think about him for at least one night."

Beidou's eyes lit up, a wide grin spreading across her face. "I’ve got an idea. Let’s hit the bar tonight. Have some drinks, forget about that prick of a professor, and actually have some fun."

You felt a wave of relief wash over you. “I’m in. I need something to take my mind off this whole mess.”

---

Hours later, you found yourself sitting at a dimly lit bar with your friends, a shot glass full of tequila in front of you. The warm buzz of the alcohol was already starting to kick in as you downed the first shot.

"To forgetting about assholes," Beidou cheered, raising her own glass, and you all clinked together.

You threw back another shot, feeling the burn in your throat, and then another, your mind clouding with the haze of alcohol. Everything seemed to be slipping away—the stress, the endless days of studying, and most importantly, Diluc and his cold, judgmental gaze.

A few more rounds later, you were no longer just buzzing. You were floating, everything feeling like it was happening in slow motion. Laughter came easily, your body relaxed and warm as the music pulsed through the air.

You’d forgotten the last time you’d let loose like this.

Chongyun had turned into a surprisingly talented singer after a few too many drinks, serenading the entire bar with off-key renditions of random songs, while Xingqiu was enthusiastically challenging Beidou to a dance-off. You watched the scene unfold in front of you, half-amused, and half-dazed.

---

A few more drinks later, you lost sight of your friends. You, however, found a new piece of eye candy to stare at. The person looked... Oddly like your professor? But more relaxed?

His hair was loose, and he was drinking shot after shot, face flushed and expression hazy. You weren't sure when you got up, when you approached him from behind and started flirting with him, but we're were sure of the moment your drunk mind heard his voice for the first time and realised that, oh shit, it is my professor!

You were, however, drunk enough to not give a fuck. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, right? This probably isn't what the saying meant, but after tasting your professor's sweet lips against your own as your flirting escalated, you found that you really didn't care.