overworking

      Jean sighs. It was getting late, and the piles of papers on the desk were still piling up. During all this time, she refused three times the tea of the amiable Lisa, who occasionally came into the office of the Magister. She chattered softly as she tidied up the dusty bookshelves and urged her friend to take a break.       Jean was really tired: she'd only been sleeping for what seemed like five or six hours in the past few days, and the work was only getting harder. And not only some paperwork, but also outings that included cleaning up monster camps, listening to and fulfilling everyday, sometimes stupid requests from residents of Mondstadt. She couldn't say "No" to anyone. But she didn't complain either — it was an honor.       The office is silent, and Jean has just noticed that the restless librarian has left. She would certainly come back, and Jean had once again lowered her head and was engrossed in her work.       She came to her senses when hands suddenly touched her tense shoulders. All this time, she occasionally heard the sounds of the door opening, but she did not think to be distracted.       Blue eyes scanned the empty office — where the soft light of sunset filtered through the windows. Stomach clenched uncomfortably. One hand stroked her shoulder, and the other reached down and took the fountain pen from her tired fingers, setting it aside.       "Magister Jean." A soothing voice sounded in her ear. The hand in the elegant black-and-red glove came down on her shoulder again, relaxing and stroking. A soft sigh escaped her lips as grape-scented hair brushed her bare neck and collarbone, and hot breath singed her ear. "Working all day again?"       "Diluc, what are you doing here?"       "Preventing a stubborn lady from dying of exhaustion." With that, other's lips pressed into her hair, and Diluc put his arm around her.       Jean buried her face in the sleeve of black cloak and relaxed. Now not a single thought of papers, reports, and so on flew through in tired head, and eyes closed of their own accord. A small chuckle came from somewhere nearby.       Diluc stroked her hair gently, then scooped her up and carried her to the narrow couch in the corner of the office. It was completely uncomfortable for sleeping, but there were no alternatives. Jean opened her eyes — it was only a moment for her, but she wasn't surprised even when Diluc, grim and fearsome, the terror of the Abyssal mages, calmly lay down beside her.       Head rang pleasantly empty. Maybe she really should get some rest. Only to start working again tomorrow morning. In the warm embrace, she quickly fell into a peaceful sleep and did not feel as fingers, no longer gloved, pulled the elastic band from the tight ponytail, gently and lulling stroked her hair.       Diluc soon fell asleep himself, with Jean sniffing against him and the sweet smell of dandelions. Her breath was on the neck, which was no longer protected by the heavy cloak, and her blond hair was loose around shoulders.       When Lisa stepped on the office, she almost gasped at the sight. Then, with a knowing smile, she fetched a blanket and covered them both with it, careful not to knock her heels too hard on the floor.