Chapter Text
The leaves underneath the Archon's feet crunch as he skips over to the Winery, carrying a large orange gourd. The heaviness of the gourd impacts the Archon’s weight as his skips become progressively more sloppy and the gourd begins to slip a bit.
Nevertheless, the Archon persists, giving a slight nod towards the maids outside of the Winery.
“Oooh Diluc~!” The Archon shouts in a giddy voice. After waiting for a few moments, Diluc finally opens the door, a few maids and butlers gathering in the background with hushed whispers. “Yes, Venti? Is there something important you need?”
Venti lifts up the large gourd towards Diluc, blocking the Archon’s view of the Strawberry-haired man. Diluc cocks a brow and grabs the gourd out of Venti’s hand, surveying it. “What is this,” he asks, turning it over. “A pumpkin,” Venti exclaims, grabbing the gourd out of Diluc’s grasp. He slouches downwards as the gourd's weight pulls on him again.
“I found it while visiting another Nation! Pretty cool, huh?” Venti puts down the pumpkin with a sigh of relief and looks back up at the taller man. “I brought it back because I thought you could make something out of it!” Venti smiles widely as Diluc walks outside, shutting the door behind him.
“Did you…carry this from the other Nation…?” Concern fills Diluc’s voice as he picks up the heavy pumpkin, re-examining it.
Venti nods and puts his hands on his hips. “Yup! It wasn’t that heavy!” Diluc eyes the Archon, looking at the sweat, eyebags and muscle strain. “Right…” he narrows his vision as he opens up the door to the Winery, maids and butlers scattering to continue their tasks.
“Why don’t you come in,” Diluc offers. “You seem exhasuted and maybe you can tell me more about this pumpkin.”
Practically jumping at the opportunity, Venti skips inside and makes a mad dash for the nearest couch, immediately lying on it with a loud sigh. “Oh sweet plushy rest…How I’ve missed you…”
Diluc puts the pumpkin on his dining table and walks over, sitting next to the Archon. “Why didn’t you just tell me about the pumpkins? I could have shipped over a batch here instead.”
“Because it was HUGE, Diluc!” Venti stands up and points over to the pumpkin with loud hands. “You see it!? If you shipped a batch here it wouldn’t have been so big!” Diluc sighs and nods his head.
“I would have had more, though.” Venti pouts and sits back down, crossing his arms. “I do all this work for you and you don’t even care… Hmph!”
“No, no,” Diluc sighs. “I do care, but I am worried about you. Carrying something so heavy at such a long distance can’t be good for you.” Diluc softly caresses Venti’s cheek, causing the Archon to blush and look away.
“I know… But I really wanted to give you the biggest pumpkin they had, I thought you’d enjoy it…” Diluc smiles and gets closer to Venti, wrapping his arm around the slimmer one's waist.
He kisses Venti’s forehead as the Archon turns back to him, snuggling up to Diluc. “I do appreciate it, Venti, thank you.” Smiling, Venti hugs Diluc back, squeezing him hard. “You’re welcome! I hope the pumpkin can be useful to you!”
“Don’t worry, I bet it can. We can have more recipes during the fall.”
“More alcohol?”
Diluc sighs. “Yes, I’m sure it will be mostly alcoholic drinks.”
“And you’ll give me a discooount?” Venti teases, poking at Diluc’s cheek. Diluc stays silent as Venti pokes him more. “... Maybe,” he responds with a smile. “YES!” Venti cheers, snuggling closer to Diluc.
The two stay like that for hours, the butlers and maid talking about how gay they are.