Roland x Diluc

Physical Affection Headcanons

• Overall, surprisingly the both of them are very physically affectionate. For Roland, it’s one of his primary love languages, and Diluc, it’s not exactly far down his list. Despite neither exactly appreciating physical contact, when it comes to their partner, they are extremely affectionate, to the point where if they had their way, they would always be connected in some way, even if just by a finger touch, or brushing each other’s arms.
• Diluc’s just much more subtle about it.

Holding Hands

• The both of them absolutely love holding hands. They just don’t have much opportunity, given their very public lives.
• Diluc thrives off of this form of contact, as it’s just subtle enough to not be obvious, yet secure enough to be reassuring for the both of them. Any chance he gets, he’ll reach forward and clutch Roland’s hand, even if just for a second to remind him that yes, he still loves him.
• For Roland, it’s more… conflicting.
• He absolutely loves being able to touch his partner, clutching his hand and being reminded that he’s still there. He’s always been clingy with his partner, whoever it is, loving to wrap an arm around his partner’s and intertwining his fingers with his other hand. It’s so intimate to him, and he loves it.
• Unfortunately, the sensation of gloved fingertips on the inside of his hand overwhelms him with a wave of fear, helplessness, and nausea.
• Diluc understands this, and makes sure not to cross this boundary. Anytime he wants to hold hands, he makes sure to remove a glove first, or if he can’t, to never touch the inside of his hand. In fact, he’ll often not touch his hand at all, opting to clutch his wrist as a means of showing support.
• Roland is so very grateful. He just wishes Diluc would wear his gloves less.
• On lazier days, where they either are resting at the Winery or it’s a slow day at the tavern, Roland will remove Diluc’s glove and just run his fingertips across the texture of his hand, almost studying it with a half-lidded smile.

“What are you doing?” Diluc would always ask, an amused, endeared smile on his face.

Without a beat, you’d always reply: “Studying.”

A small chuckle left the red-haired man’s lips. “What for?”

You simply hummed absent-mindedly, continuing to run your fingers down the larger man’s hand with closed eyes. “I want to remember.”

He typically doesn’t inquire further.

Kisses

• Surprisingly, Diluc’s the more enthusiastic one on this- at least, when it comes to traditional kisses. Roland’s much more a fan of kisses anywhere but the lips.
• Diluc thinks it might be previous trauma.
• Either way, they both try to understand each other’s wants and boundaries, so whenever Diluc gets the chance to kiss Roland, he makes it as enjoyable as possible for him. He’s not used to that, and melts into it.
• Still, lip kisses aren’t the only kind of kisses, and this type of affection is where Roland thrives.
• Diluc’s hand is slightly further from his body than normal? Kiss.
• Diluc’s coat collar exposes slightly more skin than normal? Kiss.
• Diluc’s hair isn’t covering his cheek? Kiss.
• Diluc’s forehead is within a reasonable kissable range??? Kiss.
• Any bare skin is fair game, and Diluc finds it adorable, though sometimes a bit troublesome. It’s not usually a problem, unless he’s trying to write and he keeps kissing his shoulder and neck.

“Darling, I’m trying to work.”

“I knowwww, you’re just so kissable!” 

“I’m not even doing anything, I’m just trying to work.”

“I knowwwwwwww.”

• Sometimes he can go overboard. At least it’s cute.
• This isn’t to say Dliuc doesn’t do much the same, he just has a bit more self-control. Nothing makes him happier than being in a private enough place to finally press a kiss to Roland’s forehead, or kissing the back of his hand in an effort to be flirtatious courteous.
• Roland doesn’t stand a chance when Diluc gets a craving for neck/shoulder kisses.

Hugs/Cuddles

• When it comes to hugs, they don’t exactly do it often- not because they don’t like it, but rather because neither one of them will initiate it. The two of them will be so awkward about it that they wait until their craving for that type of contact overpowers their nerves, and they just do it.
• So clearly, as Roland has little patience, he’s typically the one to initiate it.
• If it’s out of nowhere, it’s not exactly the sweetest thing. Usually its a desperate craving, wherein he’ll nearly pounce on his partner, quickly wrapping his arms around either his torso or shoulders and clutch his own arms in an attempt to make sure he’s as close as possible.
• These types of hugs are most common, and Diluc is usually caught off guard.
• It’s nearly a 50/50 whether Roland lets go before Diluc can say something about it. If he does, typically he pulls the smaller man back to him, wrapping his arms around him again, and making the effort to savor the moment.
• Other times, Roland will initiate a hug because he’s feeling awkward, embarrassed, or upset for some reason or another. These ones are softer, and Diluc hardly contests.
• Roland will gently nudge himself between Diluc’s arms, burying his face in his chest/collarbone, clutching his back almost in desperation. It’s silent. In response, the taller man will rest his chin on his partner’s head, gently wrapping his arms around him in an effort to remind him that he’s safe with him.
• There are typically two situations wherein Diluc initiates hugs: Roland is stressed/upset/overwhelmed, or he’s stressed.
• The first happens on occasion, usually in the middle of the night when the smaller man wakes from another nightmare. Tears run down his face and even Diluc can see that he needs someone there. So he provides. He wraps his arms around the smaller man, resting a hand on the back or side of his head, and pulls him as close to him as he can, typically trapping the man’s arms as well.
• Most of those times, Roland will melt into it, turning and sobbing into his shirt/shoulder, hands clenching into fists as he just releases all the tension and distress.
• Anything he can do to help his partner, he does. It’s almost comforting for Diluc to help his partner out like that. Its a form of intimacy he’d never had before, from either side, and it warms his heart to be able to have it, even if it was at the cost of nightmares.
• The second happens more frequently than Roland would like. Sure, the hugs and cuddle sessions are nice, and it’s great to have Diluc initiate hugs, but not for the cost of him being stressed.
• Roland is usually doing something, whether it’s looking for a book or cleaning his sword. Diluc will approach him, typically from behind, and simply wrap his arms around him, underneath his, burying his face in his shoulder.

“Do you need attention, or just the contact?”

• Diluc would then tap on the man’s chest, once for attention, twice for contact.
• If he just needed the contact, Roland would continue doing what he was doing, paying half a mind towards his partner, in case he changed his mind. Even as he did whatever he was doing, he’d make an extra effort to rub his hand over his partner’s, or kiss wherever his lips would reach, just to remind him that he cared.
• If he needed attention, Roland would put aside his task, temporarily undoing his partner’s grip around his body- never entirely removing contact. He would then hold the larger man’s hands, and lead him to the nearest couch or bed. He would sit down, opening his arms wide once more; an invitation for the red-haired man to bury himself in his arms and chest.
• Diluc is always thankful for those moments most. Laying his head on his partner’s chest, arms wrapped around his waist, as Roland either played with his hair or braided a small section to remind him where his attention lie. No words exchanged, just silent gestures that spoke so much louder than anything either could attempt to say.

Other

• Roland’s favorite form of enthusiastic affection, aside from body kisses, is nuzzling. Diluc had never felt such an urge, nor had a partner who gained so much pleasure simply from rubbing one’s cheek on him. Nonetheless, it was something Roland took great pleasure and comfort from, and explaining it only seemed to create further confusion.
• For Roland, it wasn’t that complex: his right side was more sensitive than the other side, especially on his face. Nuzzling, especially with that cheek, was a show of affection and trust.
• Diluc would sometimes tease him for this, asking if he was sure he didn’t have cat blood, like Diona or Sucrose. Of course, he’d never push this joke enough to make his partner uncomfortable. However bizarre it seemed to him, it was soothing and intimate for his partner, and he’d never ruin it for him.