Fire and Gold

The smell of old books, wood polish, and earthy smoke from the crackling fire hit Aether's nose as he enters the room. Pearly moonlight cascades in beams through the panes of the large window on the opposite wall, the chair in front of it carving out a silhouette as though it were imprinted on stained glass. Waterfalls of fire drape over broad shoulders as sturdy as the oak of the chair, small streams spilling over a bright white dress shirt unbuttoned to the upper chest. The figure is poised carefully, engrossed in piles of papers, books, and documents strewn across the desk, one hand clasped firmly around a wine glass. The fire casts warm shadows across a stern looking face, highlighting a strong jawline and high-bridged nose, and thick eyelashes framing eyes of crimson. Aside the crackling fire, only the steady ticking of a grandfather clock could be heard.

"Diluc?" Aether finally speaks, cutting the silence.

Diluc looks up, straightening his back as a hand flies to his unbuttoned collar.

"Traveller." He says, an element of surprise in his baritone voice. "It's late, I wasn't expecting visitors." He stands up, his figure eclipsing the moonlight behind him, "would you like a drink?"

Aether gently shuts the door Diluc hadn't heard him open and nods. "Grape juice?" He grins, and Diluc nods, a hint of a smirk on his stony face.

Glass clacks together as Diluc pours the juice from its decanter into a clean wine glass.

"Say," Aether starts, "why do you use wine glasses for grape juice?" He takes the glass from the other man before settling into an armchair by the window, letting out a content sigh as he feels the tension of a long day leave his muscles. Diluc tops up his own glass, choosing to lean against the desk rather than sit, one hand tucked into his pocket as the other swirls the grape juice around the glass.

"Would you rather I drank from a child's glass? Or a baby's bottle, perhaps?" He says sarcastically, taking a sip as he locks eyes with Aether, who hides his smirk by raising his glass to his lips.

"I suppose you're right – it would look pretty odd. The wine glass certainly suits your aesthetic better." The grandfather clock continues to tick.

Diluc nods in agreement, setting his glass down and folding his arms across his chest, the fabric of his shirt straining at the pull. "Why are you here, Aether?"

The switch from 'Traveller' catches Aether off guard, and he shuffles slightly awkwardly in his chair. "I, uh, need somewhere to live for a short while." The redhead raises an eyebrow, but doesn't seem put out.

"Does this look like a hotel?" He says jokingly, well aware of the number of empty rooms Aether would have passed to reach his office. "Of course, you can stay as long as you need. But... what's caused your living circumstances to change? I hope you're not in any bother? Is it a money issue-" Aether could see Diluc mentally reaching for his claymore, ready to fight a problem he was making up in his own head.

"My room at the inn I've been staying at has flooded." Aether says, quickly, "don't worry I'm not in any trouble."

"Oh," says Diluc, "right... how?" He raises an eyebrow as Aether sighs.

I was out taking a walk with Amber, and came back to my entire room filled with several inches of water – Paimon had been trying to 'escape' a bee that was supposedly chasing her, and err, decided to call Mona. I think the rest is obvious." Aether sipped his drink. While this story was true, he had to admit that the Dawn Winery was not his first choice due to its location – if he was after practicality, any of the Knights of Favonious would have been his best option – rather, he found it a good opportunity to see Diluc... he missed him.

"I see. I did wonder where that flying creature had gotten to." Diluc remarked, admittedly a bit confused.

Paimon was staying with Mona for a few days to give Aether space. He hadn't been the most impressed by their antics.