Archive of Our Own

"So, when exactly are you and that acting grand matter of ours finally getting together?"

Standing behind the counter, Diluc fumbled the glass he was cleaning, dropping it back into the sink with a splash, before leveling a glare at Kaeya.

"I fail to see how that's any of your business."

"Ah, how you wound me, Diluc," Kaeya gasped, mockery dripping from his voice as he pretended to clutch his chest in pain. "I'm merely thinking of your future. Just who do you plan to leave the winery to after you're old and gray?"

Silent, Diluc merely held his glare, before Kaeya spun in his seat and gave up.

"Fine, I get it. It seems the most eligible bachelor in Mondstadt just isn't interested in marriage."

"I never said that."

Kaeya turned back in his seat so quickly, he nearly fell off. "Oh? Am I simply off the mark, then? Sniffing up the wrong tree... or wrong sex, perhaps?"

"I didn't say that either," Diluc growled through gritted teeth, fishing out the dirty glass to resume cleaning.

The bar was nearly empty, and Kaeya was the last customer. But it hardly made sense calling him a customer when he was really only here to pester Diluc.

"You're welcome to your own opinions, but Jean and I are just friends," he sighed, resignation in his tone as he further admitted: "and for your information, there's no one in my life right now who I'm interested in like that."

With a hum, Kaeya cocked his head to the side and leaned on his elbow. "No one in your life right now, huh..."

Silence fell between them for a moment or two. But just when Diluc thought the subject had been dropped, Kaeya snapped his fingers.

"Aha! You're still hung up on your first love!"

"You're delusional," Diluc replied, perhaps a bit too quickly. And in Kaeya's eyes, knowing Diluc as well as he did, this all but confirmed it. But he wasn't exactly here for a genuine conversation, so of course, the teasing had to continue.

"Hm. Your second love, then?" A grin slowly spread over his face, as if he were a comedian preparing his penultimate punchline. "...need I remind you once more that we're brothers?"

This time, a dish rag was thrown over the counter, Kaeya expertly dodging it with a laugh. But he was quick to raise his hands in a truce before fiery retribution followed.

"All right, all right, no more teasing you about that one," he said with a laugh. But misunderstandings over innocent childhood crushes aside, Kaeya found himself musing over his previous guess.

"Say, what do you think she's up to these days?"

"Still not going to drop the subject?" Diluc huffed in exasperation, eyes falling on the half empty glass in front of Kaeya. "Aren't you afraid I'm going to cut you off?"

"Oh, you would never! Besides, I was asking a sincere question this time."

"So you admit everything up until this point was insincere?"

"You know me better than that," Kaeya admitted finally, snatching up his drink before Diluc could repossess it from his possession. "But I'm serious. Isn't it strange we never heard from her again? Sure, I suppose it makes sense. After all, we've both since forgotten--"

But before he could finish that thought, the door to the tavern burst open as a new customer stood in the doorway.

"Ah, finally! I hope I'm not too late for a drink? I'm positively parched!"

"Oh, a new face?" Turning in his seat, Kaeya raised his glass and gestured to the spot beside him. "Why, I'd say you're just in time. Barkeep, a drink for our new friend here? You can put it on my tab."

With a sour look on his face, Diluc glanced over at Kaeya before looking towards the young man who just stepped through the front door. With a curly mop of pink hair tucked under a cap, and dressed in dusty work clothes, he gave the impression of someone who just got off work. "Long day, I take it?"

"You bet!" The young man said, pulling himself up onto the stool beside Kaeya. "I just spent the past few hours helping my parents settle into their new home down in Springvale. You wouldn't believe how much stuff they've collected over the years... haah. Next time they feel the itch to move, I'm telling them to hire a few adventurers to take care of it."

"Ah, now that's exciting," Kaeya said with a smirk, leaning on the counter on his elbow. "Whereabouts have you come from?"

"Just from Millhaven, so not all that far." Settling in with a sigh, he leaned onto the counter and smiled up at Diluc. "Ah, might I have a glass of dandelion wine? I've heard they only offer the best batches here at Angel's Share, so naturally I had to come down and confirm it for myself!"

As Diluc grabbed a glass to fill, Kaeya brought a hand to his chin, humming to himself. "Millhaven, huh... funny you should mention that. We were just discussing an old friend of ours who moved there back when we were still kids."

"Oh? What a coincidence!" The young man leaned back, an inquisitive look on his face as he turned in his seat to face Kaeya. "Perhaps it was fate that drew me into this tavern tonight?"

"It's just a coincidence," Diluc huffed, prompting a laugh from Kaeya.

"Oh, don't mind him." Giving the young man a nudge, Kaeya set his drink on the counter and gestured back at Diluc. "He's just being a sore loser, after all. And who wouldn't be, if their first love chose someone else instead of them."

But Diluc just huffed and shook his head. And after passing the glass of dandelion wine across the counter, he crossed his arms and scowled at Kaeya. "Don't be ridiculous. We were just children back then. And as I recall, she didn't choose anyone. She returned to living with her parents after that summer, and we lost contact. That's all."

"That's all?" The young man asked with a quirk of his brow, as he grabbed his glass and took a long sip, eyes focused on Diluc. "Huh... you know, the number of folks who move into Millhaven is pretty small. Maybe I know this mystery friend of yours? What's her name?"

"Ah, but that's the real tragedy," Kaeya said in a mock hushed tone. "You see, we've unfortunately forgotten it entirely! And in fact, we were debating what it could have been before you walked in."

"No, we weren't," Diluc snapped back. "Just because you've forgotten doesn't mean I have."

"Wait, hold on," Kaeya leaned up onto the counter. "You're telling me you remember her name, and you've kept it to yourself all these years?"

"You've never asked," Diluc said with a shrug. But, bringing his hand to his chin, he looked briefly troubled. "Although it has been a while... what was it, again? I remember she was named after a flower..."

"Well, that's certainly not going to narrow it down," the young man said with a laugh, bringing his glass to his lips for a drink. "Naming children after a flowers is practically a Millhaven trad-- oh, this is really good stuff! Hah, I've been missing out!"

"Ah, good point. That's where she was from originally, right?" Kaeya pondered with a tap to his chin. "If I recall correctly, she had just moved to the area to stay with some relatives..."

--

It was the year Diluc turned nine years old.

Kaeya had begun living at the winery just a year prior, and Diluc was already completely attached to his new brother. Really, it was as if his father had simply brought home a new friend for him to play with. And living so far from the city, he didn't have too many friends his age otherwise. Jean and her little sister Barbara were both frequently busy with family matters, and while he saw the former frequently enough during knight training, they rarely had time for anything outside of sparring under Frederica's watchful eyes.

"Eight, nine... ten! Ready or not, here I come!"

Hide and seek was always fun at the winery, with just how many spots to hide there were. But in Diluc's eyes, half the fun came from letting Kaeya think his hiding spots were any good.

Likewise, Kaeya enjoyed finding some of the most obvious hiding spots, knowing Diluc would spend upwards of twenty minutes pretending to look him in every spot except the one he was sitting in, both boys giggling all the while.

On this particular occasion, Kaeya was hiding up a tree at the edge of the winery, leading Diluc to investigate the outskirts. The giggling overhead made his hiding spot rather obvious, but given how long it took Kaeya to warm up and start smiling around him, he'd never do anything to make those giggles stop any sooner.

After circling the tree in mock confusion for a moment or two, Diluc slowly turned his head upwards -- and pointed dramatically when he spotted Kaeya amidst the branches. "Aha! Found you!"

"Ah!" Kaeya gasped, sliding down the trunk of the tree on the opposite side, before running off. "Well... you still have to catch me first!"

Laughing, Diluc took chase, the pair running further down the road away from the winery. Now that Diluc was a little older, he was allowed to wander further from home on his own, so long as he kept his sword with him. The blade was dull and light, but more than enough to protect himself and Kaeya from any wandering slimes or hilichurls.

But just when Diluc was about to catch up, Kaeya abruptly stopped, causing Diluc to run right into him with an oof.

"Hey. Do you hear that?"

"Huh?" Diluc frowned, looking around and listening. And in the distance, he heard the sound of someone crying for help. Taking in his surroundings, he drew the sword from his hip. "Go back home and tell Adelinde. She'll know what to do."

"I-I'm not leaving you by yourself!" Kaeya insisted, clinging to Diluc's arm with a frightened expression. "What if it's a really big monster?"

"A knight has to know how to handle monsters. Besides, I can run away faster then you can." Then, with a reassuring smile, "I caught you, didn't I?"

"Only cause I stopped..." Kaeya replied with a pout. But when the sound of the voice cried out again, he gasped -- and then pulled away to start running back towards the winery. "I-I'll be back with help, promise!"

And as Kaeya disappeared from sight, Diluc hurried towards the sound of the voice.

And as he came upon a clearing with a small pond, he found the source to be a little girl, her leg caught in the ice of a nearby mistflower, as cryo slimes hopped around her.

Hastening his steps, Diluc brandished his sword and took a swing at the closest slime, squishing it to the ground and drawing the attention of the other two. He felt the sting of cryo against his skin, but at the very least, these ones were small, and certainly no match for a promising knight-in-training like Diluc. And with just a few swings, they were gone.

But he wasn't done yet, as he hurried to the girl's side. Hers was a face that was unfamiliar -- her long pink hair tied into two braids on either side of her head, and her lavender eyes filled with tears.

"Hold still, okay? I'm gonna break the ice." He said, taking careful aim with his sword. A decisive strike against the base of the flower saw the rest of the ice crumble and shatter, freeing her leg from the pond. And as she curled back onto dry earth, she sniffled and wiped her face.

"Thank you... I didn't think I'd get stuck so fast, and then those monsters appeared..."

Kneeling at her side, Diluc looked her over to make sure she wasn't hurt. Although her red overalls were cropped into shorts, the boots she was wearing kept her skin from making contact with the ice, preventing any frostbite. And while she seemed startled, the slimes hadn't had time to attack her.

"It's okay, you're safe now." Diluc got to her feet and offered her his hand. "My name is Diluc. What's yours?"

"D... Dahlia." The little girl replied, taking Diluc's hand and getting to her feet. "I was gonna go to the city and buy some apples for my grandma, but... I've never been there. And when I asked someone where I could get some, they said to go this way."

"Huh? But the city is...?" Looking up over the hills in the opposite direction, Diluc pointed past Dahlia in what must have been the direction she came from. "Mondstadt is that way. This road leads to the Dawn Winery. We sell apples, too, but the road isn't as safe as the one to the city."

"A winery?" Dahlia tilted her head to the side, before smiling and reaching out to take Diluc's hand. "Then... could you show me the way?"

Looking down at their joined hands, Diluc felt an unfamiliar flutter in his chest. And with a swell of courage, he nodded and pointed down the road towards the winery.

"Of course! Let me lead the way!"

--

Holding a hand to his forehead, Kaeya appeared perplexed. "Hold on, hold on... I don't recall her being nearly that precious."

"What? Are you doubting my memory?" Diluc asked, folding his arms defensively. "And how would you know? You weren't there."

"Maybe not, but I do remember what happened after that."

Already on his second glass of dandelion wine, the young man was listening in rapt attention. "Oh? What happened next?"

--

After arriving at the winery and explaining the situation to Adelinde, she brought out a whole bustle of apples for little Dahlia to take back to her grandmother. "Here we are. Now make sure to be careful next time you're out on your own. Watch out for mist flowers -- their elemental energy tends to draw slimes."

With a bright smile, Dahlia took the basket in her arms and nodded. "I will! Thank you, Miss Adelinde!"

Unable to resist the call to pat her on the head, Adelinde did just that before turning to Diluc. "Young master Diluc, why don't you go find Elzer and we'll get a cart ready to take her home?"

"Yes, Adelinde!" Diluc replied with an equally bright smile, looking back at Dahlia. "I'll be right back, okay?"

It was a smile Dahlia easily returned, "Okay. I'll wait here."

And soon -- the only ones in the room were Dahlia and Kaeya, who found himself feeling a bit shy around the strange girl he'd never seen before. Even when it came to Jean and Barbara, he still wasn't too outgoing around people other than those here at the winery. And this girl... something about her seemed a bit odd, though he wasn't sure what it was.

And realizing far too late that he was staring at her, he found himself feeling even more flustered when she set the apples aside and skipped over, hands neatly behind her back at she peered up at his face.

"So, you're the one who ran away, huh? When I was yelling for help?"

"H-Huh?" Kaeya's eyes widened as he took a staggered step back. "What are you... I went to go get help! I didn't run away!"

But Dahlia just pouted her lips as she skipped back into place. "Really? Aww, that's too bad. And I was hoping you'd be the one to rescue me..."

Kaeya was in over his head, with no idea how to process this type of social situation. "M-Me?"

"Uh-huh! Grandma said a really cute boy was taken in by the winery, and I wanted to see him for myself!"

"So... you got stuck in the ice on purpose?"

This time, it was Dahlia's turn to look flustered, her cheeks burning red as she looked away. "N-No! ...that was an accident."

"Oh..."

Feeling a bit awkward, Kaeya wasn't too sure what to say. But he didn't quite understand why Dahlia would have wanted to meet him after just hearing that he was--

"W-Wait. You... think I'm cute?"

Face still red, Dahlia turned back to Kaeya with a big smile. "Uh-huh! Your hair is really pretty, and your eyes are like stars!" But before he could get too flustered, she upturned her nose and added. "Buuut I'm a whole lot cuter! So my position as cutest in Mondstadt is safe."

"Ah... huh." Kaeya had long since given up trying to make sense of this girl, but it seemed she was committed to confusing him as much as possible. "...what about Diluc?"

He was half expecting her to express disappointment, given she said she had been expecting Kaeya. But instead, she brought her hands up to her cheeks and giggled. "He's reeeally handsome! And so cool! I'm gonna smooch him!"

"What!?" Kaeya, appalled, took a step forward. "No! You can't!"

"Huh? Why not?"

"I... I don't know, but you can't!"

Kaeya only ever knew "smooching" as something drunken adults visiting the winery did with one another when no one was looking. And Diluc was still a kid, and since he couldn't yet drink, logic followed that he couldn't yet smooch either.

Unable to come up with a rebuttal of her own, Dahlia whined in defeat at Kaeya's seemingly ironclad defense. But rather than just give up on the idea entirely, she once more skipped closer to Kaeya. "Is it cause you want me to smooch you instead?"

"Wha-- no!"

Giggling, Dahlia simply left it at that. And not long after, Diluc and Elzer left to take her back home.

--

"Now look who's exaggerating," Diluc scoffed. "You weren't nearly such a flustered child at 9."

"Hey, I'll have you know I'm still quite shy around women," Kaeya lied, blatantly. "It's my charm point, in fact."

"I dunno, I think that was a pretty reasonable reaction for a little kid," the young man added, now on his third glass. "So, who did she end up smooching?"

"That's a rather personal question, don't you think?"

"Oh, what's the harm," Kaeya said, waving his hand. "We've already said this much, we might as well finish the story."

--

The ride back to Springvale was mostly uneventful. But Diluc learned a bit more about Dahlia's situation. Her family home up in Millhaven was being renovated, so her parents sent her down to Springvale to live with her grandparents until the construction was complete. And while she wasn't the only child living in Springvale, she did find herself feeling a bit lonely without her parents around.

Likewise, Diluc found himself sharing aspects of his own life, including his aspirations to join the knights. Saving Dahlia only reaffirmed that desire -- if he could become a proper knight, then he could protect people just like her, until all of Mondstadt's roads were safe for children and travelers alike.

As they finally pulled up to Springvale, it was clear Dahlia was hesitant to part ways. But as Diluc helped her down from the cart, he offered a knightly salute.

"If you ever want to come down to the winery again, you can ask Mister Draff to send a message, and I'll come get you! I'll keep you safe -- just like I did today."

Dahlia's eyes practically sparkled. And despite Kaeya's firm dissent on the matter, before Diluc could so much as blink-- Dahlia hopped forward and gave him a brief peck on the lips.

Staggering back with a little gasp and reddened cheeks, Diluc found himself at a loss for words as the little girl giggled and quickly skipped away, her face as red as the red overalls she wore. "Bye-bye, Diluc! I'll see you later!"

And the whole ride back, all Diluc could think is-- hopefully she sends him a message tomorrow.

--

In the weeks that followed, their little romance continued to bloom, in the way such play between children can only possibly do so. Whenever they played hide and seek, Diluc would always show her the best hiding spots. Whenever they ate lunch together, Diluc would give her an extra sweet or berry from his own meal. And every time Diluc accompanied her on the ride home-- she'd be sure to give him a little smooch goodbye.

But Diluc wasn't the only one pining.

For all that Kaeya enjoyed her company, it was hard not to feel a bit jealous that she was taking up so much of Diluc's attention. He was a lonely child too, after all, with few other friends. But upon noticing this, Dahlia began to course-correct.

On one particular day, while playing hide and seek as they usually did -- Dahlia made a point of finding Kaeya first.

"Aha! I found you!"

"Uwah!"

Specifically-- by sneaking up on him in his hiding spot and tackling him to the ground. Giggling in pride at her accomplishment, she rolled off of him and into the grass, leaves tangling in her messy braids.

Compared to Jean or little Barbara, Dahlia enjoyed roughhousing nearly as much as the boys did. Kaeya theorized that was why she never wore skirts or dresses.

Still rolling about in the grass, Dahlia looked up at him with a tilt of her head. "Hey-- wanna play a prank on Diluc?"

"Huh? A... prank?" Looking up over the bushes where they were hidden, Diluc was on the wrong track. After all, with him showing Dahlia all the good hiding spots, naturally Kaeya started learning them himself. And as he ducked back down, he whispered, "What kind of prank?"

It wouldn't be the first time Kaeya indulged in genuine mischief, but against Diluc? That would be a first.

But Dahlia's plan was a silly one, and ultimately harmless. They'd sneak away from the game and back into the manor, and lean out a window on the top floor to wait for Diluc to notice them. And when he got close enough-- they'd throw pillows at him.

The first part was the trickiest -- Diluc was the best seeker of the three, so surely it wouldn't be long until he checked their particular hiding spot. But with some unexpected help from one of the maids, who interrupted Diluc briefly to tell him when he and the others should wash up for dinner, they managed to sneak back in through a back door, and then up to one of the guest rooms on the top floor.

The windows at the winery were large, and opened wide enough that someone could easily sit on the sill itself. And Dahlia decided to do just that, scooting under the upper edge of the window and taking a seat.

"Aww, he hasn't looked up yet... should we yell?"

Standing behind her, Kaeya hummed in thought. "I don't wanna disturb the other people in the vineyards... oh! What if we threw something?"

"Ooh, do you have a ball? I bet he'd notice that!"

Nodding eagerly, Kaeya darted out of the room and into his own, looking over his toys for something hefty enough to throw at a distance, and sturdy enough not to break. Finding an old ball from a previous Ludi Harpastum, he realized it would be perfect, and he hurried back with it in hand. "Found one!"

"Great! Give it here -- I can throw it from up here!"

Not thinking anything of it, Kaeya handed off the ball. But given its size, Dahlia would need two hands to throw it. And as she released the edge of the window and raised it over her head -- she lost her balance.

She didn't even have time to cry out, but it didn't matter. Because Kaeya acted quickly -- grabbing her by the back of her clothes and bracing his leg against the windowsill to pull her back in. And as they both tumbled in and onto the floor, the ball landed on the ground below, bouncing harmlessly into the vineyard.

Kaeya was the first one to sit up, groaning in pain from landing on his rear. But as he looked down at Dahlia, panic gripped him. She was gasping and coughing -- the wind knocked out of her from landing flat on her back. "D-Dahlia? Dahlia!"

When she finally took in a breath -- it was followed by a sob. Helping her sit up, he wrapped an arm around her almost protectively, and on an impulse he didn't understand -- he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"It's okay, y-you're okay, see? You didn't fall."

Sniffling, Dahlia clung to him, burying her face into his shoulder as her tears slowly abated. But before Kaeya could check on her again, he heard the sound of someone running up the stairs -- and when he looked up, he saw Diluc standing over them in shock.

After that, Dahlia's grandmother was called to the winery to come pick her up, and they never saw her again.

--

"Wait, you mean it was just an accident? And you're telling me this now?"

The conversation between the brothers had come to a head, with Diluc standing firm, his arms crossed and expression sour.

"I told you it was an accident back then, too," Kaeya snipped, tossing his head back and crossing his own arms for good measure. "Do you really think I would have asked her to climb out onto the window? And she was only clinging to me because she had the wind knocked out of her -- that would be scary for any child."

Even if it had occurred to Diluc that Kaeya wouldn't have known that's what happened, and thus wouldn't have had the words to explain the phenomenon of having the wind knocked out of someone when he was a kid-- it did nothing to settle his temper.

"Gentlemen, please. There's no need to argue." The young man, now on his fifth glass, was quick to try and meditate. "It sounds to me like you both meant a lot to her. And since you were just kids, you can't really blame each other for how things turned out. Besides, isn't it better you didn't let something as silly as a little girl's affections come between you?"

Relenting, Diluc sighed and shook his head. "I suppose you're right. Regardless, it's in the past now."

Following suit, Kaeya leaned back in his seat and waved a hand in the air. "And besides, we had much more important matters come between us later."

"Kaeya."

"What? I'm just being honest. And that's all in the past now, too, isn't it? Really, I just think it's a shame that an argument was the last impression she had of us." He sighed, lifting his glass off the counter. "I don't even remember if we said goodbye. No wonder she never reached out to us."

"Maybe it's for the best," Diluc said, resuming his cleaning of the bar to prepare for closing up. "It's not like we ever made an attempt to reach out, either.

Humming as he stares down at his glass, the young man seemed lost in thought for a moment. "From what you've told me... I don't think it would have mattered, but not in the way you think. I'm sure Dahlia was just as upset, and probably wanted to reach out. But old people in Springvale are pretty superstitious, so they probably saw her getting the wind knocked out of her as a bad omen, and barred her from contacting you before she returned to her parents."

"Dahlia...? Ohh, Dahlia! That's right, that was her name!" Snapping his fingers, Kaeya turned back to the young man. "Guess she's an acquittance of yours after all, Mister... ah, hahah. Why, all this talk of names, and we never did ask for yours."

"Oh? You mean you really don't recognize me?"

A sudden chill settled in the room as Diluc quickly turned on his heel, realizing just a moment too late that this was no mere acquaintance.

"But you know, I didn't expect to run into you two so quickly! Although it seems you both remember me a bit differently than I expected..."

As Diluc's cheeks burned a deep red, Kaeya practically cackled in delight and clapped his hands together as if this was the best day of his life.

"Hah! I knew it! I was sniffing up the wrong tree!" He flashed a grin at Diluc. "Oh, Jean is going to be so disappointed."

"That's enough out of you!"

But still seated between them, Dahlia was all smiles.

"Hey, don't beat yourselves up over it. I was a little kid with pink hair named Dahlia -- it was far more surprising to actually be recognized as a boy back then, so I didn't bother correcting people half the time. And it certainly didn't help that my pious mother insisted I fashion it in the style of Lord Barbatos..."

Still snickering, Kaeya gave Dahlia an appraising look, seeing more of those distinct traits he now recognizes. "You know, blasphemous though it may, I'd say you wore it better than he ever did."

Diluc drew his gaze away from Dahlia to look back at Kaeya, crossing his arms with a cock of his brow. "Now who's sniffing up the wrong tree."

"Hold on, are you saying neither of you are into men?" Pouting, Dahlia leaned on the counter, drawing circles beside his drink with the tip of his finger. "And to think, I was so excited at the prospect of a fateful reunion, ending in fairy tale romance."

But with a lingering gaze down at Dahlia, Diluc turned his back to the pair and spoke quietly. "...I never said that."

Kaeya's head turned so quickly, it might have snapped. But then-- he broke out into an applause. "Marvelous. Simply outstanding, really. I must thank you, Mister Dahlia, for finally allowing my dear brother to come out of the closet after all these years."

This time, the dishrag hits its target, slapping comically into Kaeya's face. "Get out of my bar."

"All right, I know when I've stayed my welcome," Kaeya laughed, sliding out of his seat and leaving some mora on the table. "Until next time, Mister Dahlia. I trust we have lot to catch up on."

Waving him out, Dahlia watched as Kaeya walked out of the bar. But when he remained seated, Diluc looked confused. "Not going to follow him?"

"Why would I?" Dahlia asked, leaning up onto the counter. "The only knight I need is the one standing right here."

Scoffing, Diluc turned to resume cleaning. "I'm afraid you might be confused. There's no knight standing in this establishment."

"So I've heard. I'm sure there's a story there?"

"It's not worth telling."

"And the story of you pining for me for over ten years is?"

"Kaeya is the one who dredged that up, not me."

"You're still not denying it."

Diluc fell silent as he continued to clean, finally snatching up Dahlia's empty glass. But even once that was done, Dahlia remained seated. And though Diluc considered simply telling him to leave, instead: "Are you... going to be okay on your way home? You're probably staying in Springvale with your parents, right?"

Finally sliding off the stool, Dahlia swayed on his feet, the only tell for how much alcohol he's had tonight. "Hmm, it is a pretty far walk. And I'm not as familiar with the area at night."

Silently, Diluc stepped out from behind the bar, methodically putting out every candle and lantern. And as he reached the last one by the door -- he held out his hand to Dahlia.

"It's fine. It's on the way, so we can go together. Perhaps I can make up for not walking you home that last time."

For a moment, as Dahlia smiled up at him, he saw that same little girl who made his heart flutter all those years ago. Taking Diluc's offered hand, they stepped out into the streets, alone save for the stars watching from overhead.

"So... can I give you a smooch goodbye?"

And Diluc just laughed.

"I'll consider it."