Archive of Our Own ^beta

To be honest, this weather is some of the worst you’ve ever seen in Mondstadt. You might be able to do heavy rain, crashing thunder and Mondstadt’s famous windy weather, but a snowstorm this heavy? You aren't sure.

It’ll be a learning experience, right?

Diluc calls your name as you reach for the door, “It’s late, and Adelinde is right. It's dangerous to head back to Mondstadt in this weather,”

A branch falls with a loud crunch outside.

You wave a hand in denial, shaking your head. The thought of a night in Diluc's own home makes you more flustered than you'd like to admit. You wrap your hand around the handle to the front door, and pull.

It doesn’t budge.

Another pull, and a sliver of snow falls through the crack. The snow is up to the door.

You chuckle quietly, before turning back to Diluc, who stands arms crossed, a small smile on his lips. To his side, Adelinde tries to hold back a laugh.

“The offer still stands,”

-

After settling in, you join Diluc in his walk down the carefully decorated halls of Dawn Winery. He says he's headed for the kitchen to cook for his staff, and you decide to help out, as an unexpected guest.

As the two of you walk, he ties up his hair in the way you see him do so often during late nights at the tavern. He's shrugged off his thick coat, and the sleeves of his shirt are rolled up to his elbows. "You look like you're ready to work your shift," you comment.

He raises an eyebrow, "Would you like to join me, then?"

"I'll pass; I'll leave handling drunk knights and bards and cavalry captains to you for tonight,"

"I guess you'll be happy working my shift for the next two days, then?" He jokes dryly, and he lets out a small laugh at the face you pull at him.

Looking back at the hall ahead, Diluc starts, "I've already told Adelinde, Hillie and Moco to take a break tonight, it's rare for me to have an opportunity to cook -" he takes his gloves off, discarding them on a nearby shelf. "- besides, i can show you that i can make more than the drinks from the tavern,"

"I can't wait," you've heard rumours about Diluc being an excellent cook, but to be able to taste his cooking for yourself is something to look forward to.

You look up at him, "Thank you for taking me in for the night, by the way. My room is lovely," you mean it. Adelinde had shown you into a room with plush pillows and a round, warm bed, with curtains draped over it - it was the best thing you could've asked for on a cold night like tonight. Guilt pricks at your skin, “Sorry for having to stay over like this so suddenly,”

“I’ve told you, it’s completely fine,” He leans against the doorframe to the kitchen, relaxed. “and.. I do enjoy your company,”

“Oh? What’s this? The Mr. Ragvindr says he enjoys my company? What an honour,” You tease, trying to ignore the heat rushing to your cheeks. You poke him on the shoulder, “you’re not too bad yourself,”

He smiles, genuinely, as he shakes his head.

A small cough draws your attention, followed by a giggle. Glancing in it’s direction, you see Hillie clasping a hand over her mouth, and Adelinde shooting her a disapproving look (you swear you see the ghost of a smile dancing on her lips, though). Moco points at something above your head.

You look up, and your heart stops.

Mistletoe hangs from the door frame.

You can't control the surprised laugh that slips from your lips - but when you look back at Diluc, you pause. His ears and cheeks are the colour of his hair, and his gaze is anywhere but meeting your own. He's clearly at loss for words.

Does Diluc usually leave mistletoe hanging around his home? You wonder. He doesn't seem like he expected this.

From the corner of your eye, you see Adelinde frantically ushering Hillie and Moco into another room.

"That wasn't there this morning," is the only thing Diluc's able to muster out, rubbing a bare hand on the back of his neck. He mumbles something about a mix up in the decorations he ordered weeks ago.

Time feels like it's been slowed down; your heart beats in your throat slowly, but loudly.

The kitchen fireplace crackles a few feet away from you, and its orange glow highlights all the delicate features of Diluc's face. His jawline, the curve of his nose, the blush that tinges his cheeks, the soft pink of his lips.

He looks like a prince - like the ones in the Mondstadt fairy tales.

He radiates warmth - at least, you think he does; it's either that or it's your own nerves getting to you. Or both. You're not too sure.

You don't know why the two of you are still standing there. Neither of you seem to want to move away first - it's as if you're both waiting for something.

Will he…?

You push your bubbling hopes down. As much as you wished for a kiss, you doubt Diluc would be a man to follow lighthearted traditions like this... right?

"May i kiss you?" The words tumble from his lips. It's like he's been waiting ages to ask.

You surprise yourself at how calm you are. "I thought you'd never ask,"

A shy smile slips onto his lips and you swear he glows in the warm light. He holds a thumb to your jaw, his touch gentle, and pulls you in.

His lips are soft on your own. You lean into him, and his hands gently envelope your waist. He smells faintly of pine, lavender and sweet fennel.

It’s perfect.

After a while, you both pull away, short of breath. He’s still blushing, but he looks the happiest you’ve ever seen him.

“This is the best gift I could’ve asked for,” he says.

“I could say the same thing,”

He laughs, and holds your hand to his lips, pressing a small kiss onto your knuckles. "For you, Dawn Winery is always open,"

"Thank you, Diluc,"

From down the hall, you hear the loud clap of a high five, followed by a stern:

"Girls!"