It started with smoke on the horizon—thin and curling like a warning in the wind.

The vineyard workers were the first to shout. You ran outside just as a plume rose above the trees near Dawn Winery, black and bitter in the golden light.

And Diluc?

Nowhere.

You called his name once. Twice. No answer. Only chaos.

By the time the Fatui struck the outer fences, you’d already ushered the younger workers inside, barred the doors, grabbed what little defense you could manage. A sword you barely knew how to use. A lantern. Pure adrenaline.

You thought you could hold the line. Just a little longer.

Then the flames started. Not his. Theirs.

You stood your ground by the front gates. You weren’t going to let them through. Not without a fight. But your arms were trembling.

You whispered, Where are you, Diluc…?

And then—

A crash.

The wind roared as if answering your call.

A Fatui agent was sent flying across the courtyard before you even saw him arrive.

The darkness of the vineyard shifted, and he emerged through the smoke, red hair wild in the firelight, cloak catching in the wind like wings. Vision burning, eyes sharper than any blade. His face was unreadable—but you could see the rage simmering beneath it.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to.

The Fatui were gone within minutes. Flames extinguished. Silence returned.

And only when the last enemy fell did he turn to you.

“You’re not hurt?” he asked, breathless.

You shook your head, and only then did he allow himself to break.

He strode to you in three long steps, wrapped you in his arms—tight, protective, unshakable. Like he needed to remind himself you were there.

“I was gathering intel,” he murmured against your hair. “I didn’t know they’d act so soon.”

You didn’t blame him. You only held him tighter.

You were safe now. Because he was finally home.