Chapter Text
Spring has sprung in Mondstadt, which means Dawn Winery will be the prime subject of idle chit chat in the city. Everyone looks forward to drinking the winery's esteemed Dandelion Wine this season, but also gets excited over the thought of a new batch of wines being carefully processed as they drink the days troubles away.
This is to be expected of the city where even their archon blends in among the masses just to drink his fair share. The expectations set on Dawn Winery do not go unnoticed by the owner. Diluc personally tends to the picking of ripened grapes each spring, sure that he will appease the public by tediously observing each vine, picking only the best of the best.
This year is no different from the rest, as Diluc wills himself out of bed early in the morning to look at the array of grape vines in his yard, peering out of his foggy bedroom window. The process never wavers for harvest days, Diluc getting up earlier than he usually does, taking a quick cold shower then going downstairs and making himself some breakfast before Adelinde could.
A simple fried egg and toast with bacon would make up his meal every year, copying the breakfasts his father would make every harvest for the three of them. Only difference now is that Diluc makes a cup of coffee to kickstart the morning, a tradition he began shortly after becoming the owner.
On early mornings like these, etiquette wasn't too important as Diluc usually opted for standing at the kitchen counter to eat his food instead of at the dining table. The windows in the kitchen always allowed more natural light in, which Diluc preferred when it was still early in the day and the fog on the windows hadn't quite dissipated yet and the soft blue light of dawn hit him with a slight chill. It would prove to be difficult to drag himself away from the familiar yet frigid view.
Before the scene was gone, Diluc washed off his empty plate, picked up his coffee, and headed outside. He stood himself against a wooden post near the front door, letting the cool morning mist envelop him as he drank from his mug in serene silence. The chirping of birds and fluttering of wings the only sound to be heard as the early morning passed.
After many sips of coffee, Diluc's mug was finally empty. With nothing left to sip on and with the atmosphere growing warmer, it was time to head back inside so that the day could really start.
Diluc set his mug in the sink before heading upstairs so that he could get dressed. He put on a white shirt, some worn out jeans with mud stains on the knees, and a pair of old boots. Recently, he realized just how long his hair had gotten, since it was getting warmer out he could feel it sticking to his neck and back. He didn't want to cut it so he opted to put his hair up in a really messy updo and stick a cap on top of it to hold it all in.
By the time he was a few hours into work in the vinyard, his hair debacle was starting to unravel. Strands by strand slowly falling onto Diluc's neck and sticking to the thin layer of sweat he had worked up in the sun. No matter how many times he adjusted the hat and his hair it wouldn't relent, showing it's owner no mercy.
Feeling defeated, Diluc gazed at the basket below him that held an abundance of plump purple grapes. He had so many more vines to pluck at but just couldn't help from feeling tired already. So he sat, squatted on the ground, only done with a third of his harvest, staring at the grapes he'd been looking at all day so far.
"Well what are you doing down there for?", a familiar voice rang out.
Diluc's head swung to his left, his eyes landing on no other than you. He hadn't known you for long, only a few months, but he could recognize you anywhere from all the helping hands you had lent him.
"Ah, it's you", Diluc says through a short breath, "What brings you by?"
A smile formed on your lips, "Well, I heard some talk around town that it was harvest season at the winery, so I thought I'd stop by and see how it was going."
"Hah, to tell you the tuth...it's going a bit slower this year. By this time last year I had the whole front vinyard done", Diluc let out a somber sigh as he thought about how much he could have had done by now.
You sympathized with him after hearing how defeated he must feel. "Maybe you should take a break for a bit, I brought you some stuff anyways, why not just use it now?"
His eyes shifted to the bag you had thrown over your shoulder, then to your eyes, before he looked longingly at his basket of grapes. His head fell limp between his shoulders before rising up again quickly and turning towards you.
"You know what, I'll take you up on that offer. I could use a fresh cup of water by now."
A smile made it's way back onto your face, "Alright then, do you want to stay outside or go inside?"
"Inside."
You laughed, "Sounds good...do you need a hand?"
One of your hands stretched out in Diluc's direction, but he waved your offer away.
"I'm alright, I can get up just fine. Plus, you've helped me enough already by getting me to take a break."
Putting his hands on his knees, Diluc got up with ease. You watched idly as he grew from 3 feet to 6 in a matter of seconds, forgetting just how tall he was since he was squatted down when you first found him.
Diluc brushed the dirt off of his knees before straightening his back, standing a few inches taller now. He quickly observed the field around him, trying to see just how much left he has to work on. As he looked around, you continued your staring, watching the sunlight hit the tiny beads of sweat that adorned his face and trailed down to the partially unbuttoned top of his shirt. Your staring didn't go as unnoticed as you would have liked, Diluc could feel your fixed gaze, not sure what exactly you were staring at but know it was at him.
Trying to not appear like he could feel your gaze, Diluc reached for his hat and removed it swiftly in the hopes that he could at least hide behind his hair some. Yet, he could still feel you staring as your eyes danced around his length of fiery red hair. If anything, Diluc could swear you were looking even more now.
An awkward cough from Diluc broke your trance, "So, uh......"
The silence was thick as you waited for Diluc to finish his thought.
"Actually, can we stay outside? Let's go sit in the shade by the lake, there's a waterfall over there that will feel just as cool as being inside."
You nodded, "Sure, that sounds even better."
Diluc turned around and headed towards the path that leads to the lake, quick to get you behind him so that he didn't have to make eye-contact that would surely feel awkward. You walked briskly behind him for a minute or two before eventually getting on his right side and walking next to him instead.
When looking over at him from the corner of your eyes, his face looked entirely too stoic, frozen and unchanging, not even a flinch in where his eyes were directed. Diluc tried his hardest to keep a straight face in an attempt to not look as flustered as he currently feels. For the most part, it was working, he had zero emotion on his face, it just happened to concern you a little.
The walk to the waterfall was silent, not a word between you and Diluc was uttered. There was an occaisional greeting from workers at the winery to Diluc, which he reciprocated with a shy smile and a nod each time.
Eventually the walk finally ended with the waterfall in sight. You may have doubted Diluc's choice at first, thinking it was too hot outside to not eat inside, but in the end the setting looked worth it.
The bright rays of the afternoon sun seemed to target the waterfall, making the blue water glow and sparkle as you two stood nearby. While it had gotten somewhat more humid the closer you got to the waterfall, the stickiness in the air eased up as you sat under a nearby tree. Both of you let out a sigh of relief in your discovery of a way to escape the hot sun.
"While I was skeptical at first, this place is perfect Diluc", you said as you turned to share a smile with him.
Diluc's crimson eyes shifted quickly as his small smile sat on his face, his eyes met yours then glanced back towards the waterfall in front of him. You watched as he admired the scenery as if he had never been here before, but he had, as it was a favorite hiding place of his if he was ever out and about.
"The view is quite lovely all year round, but I always prefer it far more in the spring time. The vibrant colors and adequate weather at this time of year make it perfect."
You followed his eyes, staring at the water running down the cliff into the stream. "So you come here quite often?"
"Whenever my work allows me", Diluc said as his eyes travelled back to your face, "I have a busy schedule almost every day, free time like this does not come by often, unfortunately."
Still looking where Diluc was earlier, you did not see the disappointed look on his face. Yet, he observed you still, watching your mouth as you spoke, "Responsibilities feel the worst when you know you're missing out on moments like these."
It was such a simple scene, a waterfall flowing into a stream with lush grass and wildlife around it, but in the moment it left you both with a sense of ease and tranquility. Those were two things neither of you got to experience that often, so you and Diluc chose to appreciate it while you had the opportunity.
"Oh, before we forget", you rustled in the basket next to you, pulling out grape juice, two cups, and a mixture of snack foods.
Diluc's chest warmed at the sight of the grape juice, he didn't know you were aware of his unpopular preference for grape juice. He smiled peacefully as you poured out a cup for him and handed it over.
While you poured a cup for yourself, Diluc smelled the juice in his hands, zoning in on the sweet yet sour scent as it mixed with the smell of freshwater in the air. 'This must be what heaven smells like', he thought to himself.
This must be what heaven feels like too, sitting under a tree on the grass wasn't the most comfortble but you and Diluc both knew when to appreciate free time no matter how it was spent. Enjoying a moment to breathe together was appreciated just as much, both of you happy to have the company of the other there. You both sipped slowly on the grape juice, occaisionally eating some of the snacks you packed.
Opting to be the first to break the silence that has formed, you asked Diluc about grape picking.
"This may be a stupid question, but, is there a specific way to pick grapes or is it a lot more simple than that?"
"Uhh", Diluc thought for a second about what to say, "It isn't anything too specific, but if I were to let you go do what you think you need to do for picking grapes, you might tank our wine sales."
You laughed at his response, "Geez, surely I'm not that incapable. I bet if you told me what all to do I could help you out there and speed up the process. You could even get off of work early."
"Ha ha! Yeah, maybe I doubt you too much. I forget you're wordly reknowned as a hero." Diluc said with a smile.
"Exactly, I bet we could be done here by 3 or 4pm." You smiled a bit sinisterly about what you were going to say next, "We'd even have time to go get dinner and clean up beforehand."
"Oh, really now?" Diluc laughed again, "I'm not quite sure I believe that but who am I to stop you from trying. I don't exactly need the help since I do this myself every year, but if you do a decent job I may employ you for help in the future."
"That sounds like a good deal, let's get started on it when we finish our drinks", you said with a smile, clinking you and Diluc's cups together, then downed yours as fast as you could.
Diluc was speechless, staring at you with his jaw hanging open, looking at you like you were a baffoon.
"You really wanna go work that bad?? You honestly might be just as bad as Jean."
Scoffing at him, you rolled your eyes, stood, and picked up your basket, urging Diluc to chug the rest of his drink like you had done. As you stood above him, looking down at him with a smirk, he accepted defeat, chugging the remains of his grape juice.
"Alright", Diluc said proudly as he stood to his feet, "Time to get back to work."
While he dreaded the thought of going back to picking grapes in the intense sunlight, Diluc couldn't help but be happy you were lending him a hand. The thought of getting off of work early was exciting to him too, he couldn't help but think of what he would get to have for dinner. He had been eating a lot of red meats lately and wanted a break from it all, maybe hexd make some pasta for himself..........and.....you too?
All this talk in his head about what to eat for dinner and he had only just now realized you asked to get a meal with him after. Well now Diluc would have to take in account what you would like to eat, what if you wanted steak? He guessed he'd just deal with it until another thought popped in his head. 'Is a steak dinner too nice?', was it possible that'd be too romantic for just a meal between you two? Or...could that be why you asked him about getting dinner together.....was this supposed to be a date?
Diluc fought with his brain trying to figure out what you meant by getting dinner, so much so he had unconciously walked all the way back to the front of the winery with you in complete silence...again.
"So boss, tell me what to do", you ordered at Diluc.
Snapped away from his mind, Diluc began to recall the process of picking good batches of grapes, even sharing his "secret tips" with you. His insight would surely be helpful but how hard can grape picking really be?