#fall festivities

Diluc left a letter for you early in the morning. You weren’t sure when he had the time to write it since his schedule had been unbelievably packed these last few days. It was a stroke of luck that you both were even in the same place long enough for you to wish him well as you escorted him to the door, coffee still in your hands as he kissed you goodbye. He drifted down the path and out of your sight long before you decided to return to your own work. You felt like he spoiled you everyday and the fact that he supported you when things were slow with commissions was a kindness you could never repay.

You nodded your head to the maids and attendants before slipping into the desk just beyond the winery doors. It was here that a lot of the background work was accomplished and, when things were slow for you, you aided him instead. All the documents were handled by you and Elzar, the finances were more of a him thing while you handled the correspondence and shipment orders. It was because of both of your diligence that Diluc could easily run off to deal with fires when they arose … it was just that lately it seemed like they were happening more frequently than normal.

The day went on and you finished the tasks without any issue. Lunch came and went, a small refreshing meal followed by soothing tea. As the afternoon slipped into evening, you couldn’t stop yourself from glancing more frequently out the windows and to the path Diluc traveled. His letter, which you found waiting for you on the top of the paperwork asked you to wait for him, among other things.

My dear,

I have several things to attend to in Mond but I will be back later this evening. I have a request of you, if you can spare me some of your time. Wait for my return and I’ll explain it all in greater detail.

Diluc

Ps. Dress warm

So, as the hour grew late and the sun began to settle behind the cliffs, you departed from the desk to prepare for an evening you could never had anticipated.

“Excuse me.” A maid called to you from the door, her head lowered into a polite bow. “Master Diluc is waiting for you in the front entrance.”

“Thank you, I’ll be right down.” Your heart pounded in your chest as you shifted your coat over your body and wrapped a scarf around your neck. You weren’t sure why you were so nervous but no matter what you tried to do, nothing settled the butterflies in your stomach. That was, until your eyes fell onto his face - that seemed to silence everything else.

“You look comfortable.” He expressed, tugging on his gloves as he turned your way.

“You said dress warm. Is this .. too much?” It wasn’t like you were dressed for an adventure on Dragonspine, but you might have overdone it. It wasn’t your fault that you were chronically cold.

“You look fine, are you ready?” Nodding your head, you felt his hand against your back as he leaned to open the front entrance. “About my request …” He began but when the doors opened and you saw what stretched out before you, you couldn’t help but gasp.

Stepping forward, your hands found your lips while you looked at the Winery. Before you lay lines of tiny candles flickering in the gentle breeze. Lamps and other lights swayed from trees or lit the way, the landscape usually illuminated by the moon was now sparkling and glittering like a magical ball from a fairytale.

“Diluc …”

“Would you be available to join me this evening?” His frame entered your vision, waving yellows and oranges highlighted his face, shined brightly against his hair, brought attention to the hopeful smile that you would never be able to deny. When he presented his elbow to you, your answer was given with a loop of your arm around his.

He escorted you down the lighted path and toward a small carriage surrounded by hay. The bed which was normally covered by a canopy had been removed and now held several bales of rich, earthy smelling hay. In the center were blankets, pillows, and a small basket filled with items you were sure he spent days searching for. At the front was a smiling coachman who nodded to you as you drew near.

“I can’t believe …” Shaking your head, you followed Diluc to the carriage. His hand extended to you so you could climb safely up into the back of it, eyes never once leaving your face. “You did all this?” He only smiled at you which caused you to bite your lip to push away the tears that threatened to spill over. Once the pair of you settled onto the comfortably laid out floor, Diluc quickly worked to cover your already shaking legs in blankets but still made sure you were close enough to feel his warmth. For someone so used to using words you sure were struggling to find any right now.

“Ah, here.” Leaning forward, he pulled out a glass from the basket but before he offered it to you he filled it with something that made your nose tickle and mouth water. “Apple Cider, I’ve adjusted the recipe a bit. Let me know how it tastes.” The cup was warm by the time you got it and you were sure it was because he made it that way. Taking a tentative sip, you let the sweet and crisp liquid fill your mouth before swallowing. The heat spread across your body and made you shiver with excitement.

“Incredible.” You expressed, breathing in the smell.

“Yeah.” Glancing at him, you couldn’t hold back your giggle when he embarrassedly cleared his throat and poured himself a glass. “Connor, if you would.” Just like that, the carriage jolted to life but he made sure you weren’t jostled too intensely.

The sound of hooves against the dirt path, rolling wheels digging into the earth. The scent of cider, sugar, and amber surrounding you. The comfort of your heart as it beat close to its partner. It was all so perfect that it was hard not to get emotional.

His arm rested behind you on a barrel of hay, fingers grazing your coat every once in a while. “So,” You started, fingers running over the rim of your cup, “what did I do to deserve such an incredible experience?” As you looked up at him, you caught sight of the moon in his eyes before he turned to you.

“Do I need a reason?” Searching irises made your heart pound until, eventually, you had to look away.

“I guess not, but you know I’ll have to pay you back somehow.”

“You already do.”

“How?” You inquired, squinting at him.

“You chose me, that’s more than I could ever ask for.” It was like he took all your senses with him, captured all that you were. His hand moved to pull the blanket further up your legs before they moved to cup your face. You felt his thumb run over your cheek and sighed as it caught your love.

“Wow … I really am spoiled aren’t I.”