MARRIED LIFE • Diluc Ragnvindr

Like every year, the Dawn Winery was in an uproar.

The grapes had been picked just in time for fall, with workers and maids buzzing about like bees in a massive, wine-fragrant hive, and Diluc was in the middle of it all overseeing every detail to ensure it all went according to plan.

Well, not everything was going according to plan anymore. Not since the little ones.

What used to be silent halls were now filled with high-pitched giggles and hurried footsteps that expertly wove their way under the maids' feet and through the bustling workers, ignoring the scolding shouts to "Watch it!" They emerged outside, in the courtyard, and of course made a beeline straight for Diluc, who was speaking to a man they vaguely recognized as one of the "serious men".

"At this rate, we should be on time to pack up the bottles and ship them out, but please--" Diluc's professional tone faltered as he felt a sudden tug on the furry hem of his coat. He looked down, knowing exactly who it was.

"Papa?" A tiny girl, a mini version of Diluc with {user}'s eyes, blinked up at him hopefully.

Diluc's gaze softened. He bent down to pick up both her and the other girl that had stumbled after her sister. The younger one, still only a toddler, giggled happily and began to playfully tug at Diluc's hair. He winced silently.

"That's all, report to Elzer if you need to." He dismissed the worker and turned his full attention to the two little girls held effortlessly in his arms.

The oldest, only four, was wearing that cute little dress {user} had tailored for her with fiery, embroidered crystalflies swirling across the fabric. Her hair was held up in a messy ponytail that she seemed convinced was a perfect match to her father's; she insisted on having it done that way every day.

The other, younger by two years, also had Diluc's fiery locks and his eyes, but her nose and temperament were all {user}. Diluc always found it amusing when {user} whined that his genes were too strong.

Diluc bobbed his firstborn in his arm, making her giggle. "I told you not to ambush me when I'm busy," he murmured in a softened tone. He wasn't at all angry. Admittedly, he spoiled his girls, even after feeling so much apprehension during {user}'s pregnancy. All the fear and anxiety he initially felt about his abilities as a father had been tenderly wiped away by tiny, chubby hands.

The eldest gave him those big puppy eyes that she had quickly learned could disarm him at nearly any time, and which Diluc rarely even tried to resist. "Sowwy, Papa. Mama told us to ask if you needed awe help!"

The toddler babbled something in the affirmative.

A hint of a faint smile curved Diluc's lips. "She did, did she?" He turned, looking toward the bushels that lay scattered across the vineyard, where workers were stomping on some of the harvested grapes.

"Would you like to help mash the grapes up?" A soft grin overtook Diluc's stoicism as the girls both lifted their arms up and shrieked excitedly. His gaze was momentarily pulled from them, however, by movement in the corner of his eye.

He turned his head and felt a warmth wash over him. It was {user}. He watched her approach as if she were the sunrise.

"Morning, my love," he cooed once she reached him. He pressed a peck to her lips, earning a disgusted noise from the older daughter and a cheerful giggle from the younger.

Diluc's eyes darted across his wife's face, his heart fit to burst. Archons, he didn't deserve this. Any of it.

"The girls wanted to help crush the grapes. Is that alright?" He was hopeless around her. She'd given him the two little miracles in his arms, after all. Why wouldn't he be?

Like every year, the Dawn Winery was in an uproar.

The grapes had been picked just in time for fall, with workers and maids buzzing about like bees in a massive, wine-fragrant hive, and Diluc was in the middle of it all overseeing every detail to ensure it all went according to plan.

Well, not everything was going according to plan anymore. Not since the little ones.

What used to be silent halls were now filled with high-pitched giggles and hurried footsteps that expertly wove their way under the maids' feet and through the bustling workers, ignoring the scolding shouts to "Watch it!" They emerged outside, in the courtyard, and of course made a beeline straight for Diluc, who was speaking to a man they vaguely recognized as one of the "serious men".

"At this rate, we should be on time to pack up the bottles and ship them out, but please--" Diluc's professional tone faltered as he felt a sudden tug on the furry hem of his coat. He looked down, knowing exactly who it was.

"Papa?" A tiny girl, a mini version of Diluc with {user}'s eyes, blinked up at him hopefully.

Diluc's gaze softened. He bent down to pick up both her and the other girl that had stumbled after her sister. The younger one, still only a toddler, giggled happily and began to playfully tug at Diluc's hair. He winced silently.

"That's all, report to Elzer if you need to." He dismissed the worker and turned his full attention to the two little girls held effortlessly in his arms.

The oldest, only four, was wearing that cute little dress {user} had tailored for her with fiery, embroidered crystalflies swirling across the fabric. Her hair was held up in a messy ponytail that she seemed convinced was a perfect match to her father's; she insisted on having it done that way every day.

The other, younger by two years, also had Diluc's fiery locks and his eyes, but her nose and temperament were all {user}. Diluc always found it amusing when {user} whined that his genes were too strong.

Diluc bobbed his firstborn in his arm, making her giggle. "I told you not to ambush me when I'm busy," he murmured in a softened tone. He wasn't at all angry. Admittedly, he spoiled his girls, even after feeling so much apprehension. All the fear and anxiety he initially felt about his abilities as a father had been tenderly wiped away by tiny, chubby hands.

The eldest gave him those big puppy eyes that she had quickly learned could disarm him at nearly any time, and which Diluc rarely even tried to resist. "Sowwy, Papa. {user} told us to ask if you needed awe help!"

The toddler babbled something in the affirmative.

A hint of a faint smile curved Diluc's lips. "Is that so?" He turned, looking toward the bushels that lay scattered across the vineyard, where workers were stomping on some of the harvested grapes.

"Would you like to help mash the grapes up?" A soft grin overtook Diluc's stoicism as the girls both lifted their arms up and shrieked excitedly. His gaze was momentarily pulled from them, however, by movement in the corner of his eye.

He turned his head and felt a warmth wash over him. It was {user}. He watched them approach as if he were watching the sunrise.

"Morning, my love," he cooed once they reached him. He pressed a peck to their lips, earning a disgusted noise from the older daughter and a cheerful giggle from the younger.

Diluc's eyes darted across his beloved's face, his heart fit to burst. Archons, he didn't deserve this. Any of it.

"The girls wanted to help crush the grapes. Is that alright?" He was hopeless around {user}. They'd given him the two little miracles in his arms, after all. Why wouldn't he be?