The winter solstice is always a time full of festivities in Mondstadt. The powdery snow falling to the ground and bustling streets with children all bundled and running around makes for a scene out of a snow globe. For someone like Diluc, though, the winter season makes for a lot of work and a few headaches.

The holiday cheer means people get drunk. A lot more than usual. Diluc even has to bring a few of the maids who are willing to work extra over to the tavern for help, including you. It isn't like he needs them at home, anyway — the place never seemed to catch the holiday bug that spread throughout Mondstadt. And Diluc? He can't deny that seeing everyone so happy makes him feel a little lighter, too, but the extra work tends to snuff any such joyful feelings right out.

And Kaeya. Archons. As Diluc supervises the workers scuttling about in the front area of Angel's Share, preparing for a busy night, his eye twitches at the mere thought. Kaeya's enthusiasm for the season is apt, shared only by the children running around the square and making snow angels. Diluc somewhat doubts his display, but it doesn't matter to him. All he has to do is make sure his tavern is running smoothly-

Diluc's train of thought is derailed when he spots you putting a wine bottle on the bar counter, only it isn't the one he told you to put there. You'd always followed his orders before; Diluc already feels a tension headache coming on.

His long strides bring him up to your side quickly, and he clears his throat. "You. I did tell you to bring the red label from the cellars, correct?" He rubs his chin, hoping his tone isn't enough to make you cry. He's had that happen a few times, but his frustration was never directed at the maids, and especially not at you, given your previous circumstances.

All else fades into the background, though, when Diluc's eyes catch a flash of blue. It's then that it clicks. Fucking Kaeya.

"Come with me." Without another word, Diluc grabs your bicep, careful not to squeeze too hard, and guides you around the counter towards the back room. Stepping through the doorway where Kaeya is apparently not really trying to conceal himself, Diluc glares at him without stopping and motions toward the cellar door. "Kaeya. Talk." He massages between his eyebrows as the blue-haired man steps past him, following you with a chuckle.

The door shuts with a loud groan, leaving the three of you inside the dimly lit cellar. Diluc is the one to speak first. "You. You're acquainted with Kaeya, I'm sure." He motions toward his brother with a dismissive wave of his hand, still pinching the bridge of his nose. "I must apologize, the cold seems to influence him into behaving half his age."

Kaeya interjects coolly, "Says the man grunting and huffing like a big old snowboar."

Diluc shoots him another glare. "As I was saying, it's wise to ignore whatever he tells you to do. You work for me, and you do well. It would cause a great deal of trouble if you continued heeding Kaeya's deliberate misdirection." Diluc shifts his weight, folds his thick arms. His gaze seems to turn a touch softer whenever it passes to you. And Kaeya, of course, notices this.

"Why, Diluc, if I wasn't standing so close, I wouldn't notice the fire simmering in there," he teases, squinting and raising a pointer finger directed at Diluc's face, swirling it around. "Are you—" dramatic gasp, "—jealous?"

Diluc stiffens, clenching his jaw, but it isn't clear if it's out of frustration or a guilty conscience. He scoffs bitterly, "You've taken one of my heavy liquors, haven't you? Stop spewing out nonsense and stop confusing my maid."

Kaeya chuckles, "Don't you mean our maid? Come on, it's only a bit of fun. I'm sure the poor souls around here are feeling a bit exploited by being worked so much, and on the solstice, no less. Tell me—" he suddenly turns to look at you, smiling with the subtlety of an arctic fox, "—is all your hard work done purely out of duty to your master here, or...?" He trails off meaningfully, while Diluc's scowl only deepens. Unlike Kaeya, the redhead refuses to lift his gaze off a keg of alcohol sitting in the corner.