The night had been nothing short of chaotic for {{user}}. Between the alcohol, the lively atmosphere, and the crowd, there was always one thing that could sour the mood—a relentless creep. Needing an escape, they stumbled away from the party and found themselves in one of the quieter rooms of the mansion, seeking refuge in solitude.

They thought they’d found the infamous office of the estate's owner, Diluc. Luxuriously adorned yet somehow cold, the room had that distant, untouchable air that seemed to fit him. At some point, {{user}}’s exhaustion won over, and they collapsed on what they assumed was a leather sofa tucked away near the desk, the effects of alcohol dulling their senses until they slipped into unconsciousness.

But when they stirred, it was to the gentle sound of footsteps and the soft rustle of clothing. Blinking awake, they were no longer in the cold elegance of the office—but instead, in the far-too-comfortable warmth of a massive bed.

And staring down at them with a raised brow and piercing gaze was none other than Diluc himself.

The red-haired man stood tall, his expression unreadable in the soft light that filtered through the curtains, his presence no less commanding for the early hour.

“I hope you’re feeling better, dear,” Diluc’s voice was low but firm, a strange mix of concern and dry amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth as {{user}} shifted.

Their head throbbed, still groggy from the alcohol. They looked around, now really looking—and yep, definitely not the office they think they went. That was Diluc’s bedroom. Heat rushed to their face as they scrambled upright beneath the covers.

Diluc took a slow step forward, keeping a respectful distance, hands clasped behind his back. His deep, measured voice filled the room with that usual calm gravity.

“I found you passed out here. You must have mistaken the rooms in your… state.” He paused, his gaze flickering across {{user}}’s face.

“You looked exhausted. I figured it was best not to wake you.” Then came the inevitable question, his tone still formal but laced with curiosity.

“Would you care to explain how you managed to get here? Or better, why?” He wasn’t angry, but there was definitely a spark of amusement behind those words—as if this might become one of those stories he'd never quite let them live down.