Kaeya and Lisa had always been colleagues. Personable and affable towards one another. Though they'd never particularly close despite a number of similarities. Both possessed a teasing, flirtatious attitude. Both were respected members of the Knights of Favonius. Both were betting on Diluc Ragnvindr and Jean Gunnhildr getting together at some point.
Fate had once again conspired to bring this unruly pair together as they spied the redhead and the blonde outside the former's tavern. Seated across from one another, they seemed to be engaged in harmless, friendly conversation.
"What a waste," thought the Captain and the Librarian as their eyes and conspiratorial grins met.
Deciding to make good use of the situation, they strolled on over with both doing their best to look completely innocent.
"Oh, a fine morning to you two," greeted Kaeya, fighting the teasing smirk that threatened to break the innocuous quirk of his lips he had painted onto his visage.
"I agree," supported Lisa, struggling to keep her own mischievous smile off her features. "What about you two? You both seem comfy this morning."
A pair of deadpan glares met them.
"What do you two want?" Diluc rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms in a show of exasperation.
"What? Nothing," lied Kaeya. "Just checking up on Mondstadt's finest and our own Acting Grand Master."
"Don't you both have work to do?" asked Jean, changing the subject. "Cavalry Captain? Librarian?"
"Oh, stop it," replied Lisa, rushing to counter lest Jean be allowed to scold them into working. "We're just taking a short break. Like you two. Or maybe not like you two. Any plans? Together, maybe?"
And before Kaeya could slip in a teasing remark about the "alchemy between them", Diluc spoke. "Actually, we've made plans to visit Cape Oath. The Acting Grand Master and I think it would be a good chance to discuss Dawn Winery's business with supplying the Knights."
Lisa and Kaeya froze. "C-come again?" stuttered the purple clad mage.
"Master Diluc and I will be visiting Cape Oath together. Consider it securing a supply of drink for our Knights," stated Jean matter of factly.
"Uh, that's quite…" trailed Kaeya, utterly surprised and incapable of mustering his usual remarks. "...something."
"It's business," said the master of Dawn Winery and the Acting Grand Master of Ordo Favonius in unison.
"I should be taking my leave then." Jean stood, giving Diluc a respectful nod.
"I should as well. Later today, Acting Grand Master? At half past three in the afternoon?"
"Yes, Master Diluc," said Jean as she began to make her way down the street.
"Why does this sound like a date?" spat Kaeya.
"Quiet," hissed Diluc. "Or I'll ask the two of you to leave. This is my tavern."
"We're outside of it," said Lisa, her voice surprised and frustrated. "And we're the only four people out here. It's the morning!"
"And we'll be the only four people here for much longer if we don't leave Master Diluc to his business. Let's go," called Jean, prompting Kaeya and Lisa to dumbly follow her back to the Knights' headquarters.
Hours later, when they'd finally managed to sneak away from work, the duo would find themselves in the vicinity of Cape Oath at half past three in the afternoon.
"Where'd you get these?" whispered Lisa, currently disguised as a tree.
"Albedo," responded the tree next to her, who happened to be Kaeya. "Klee said she wanted to play a real version of that game Gygax showed her. Windtrace, was it? Albedo made these for her. Let's just say I found them and said I wouldn't report her to Jean if she handed them over."
"And now we're using them to spy on Jean." Lisa laughed softly.
Kaeya did as well, his guffaws deeper than hers. "Why, yes, yes, we are. Oh, the irony."
Suddenly, a pair of voices familiar to the two became audible, causing them to silence themselves.
"This was a good idea, Jean," came Diluc's voice. "We can finally get down to business without those two around."
Jean's reply followed. "I agree. I swear, I think they spend more time gossiping than working sometimes. Well, I say that based on your stories."
The two came into view then, clutching objects that made their little meeting out to be more for pleasure than anything else.
"Is that a picnic basket?" gasped Lisa, shocked.
"And a blanket?" Kaeya's voice was aghast. "Scandalous."
The apparent lovers then made their way towards the edge of Cape Oath, the drop of the cliff allowing them a wonderful view of the sea. Setting down the basket and blanket, they poured themselves a cup of grape juice, languidly sipping away as they continued their earlier talk.
"Returning to our earlier conversation," paused Diluc as he gulped down more grape juice. "They are good at their jobs, in all fairness. They just tend to slack off."
"Hm, I can't disagree." Jean took a sip from her own cup then. "But they definitely need to improve."
"They will," said Diluc. "I just hope they know that it's important that they do."
"Are they talking about us?" said one disguised tree to another, the blue orb hidden beneath his eye patch twitching. "I do my work. As do you."
"Exactly," confirmed the other talking piece of timber, her voice displaying how insulted she felt. "I mean, I know I take naps liberally but they don't interfere with my work. When we get back to Mondstadt, I'm giving them a piece of my mind."
As they spoke, however, their voices became more and more audible. Soon enough, they were the ones being watched as Jean and Diluc walked over to them, both looking very surprised and disappointed.
Jean's hands found her hips as she called out to her friends and colleagues. "Kaeya, Lisa, why are you both trees?"
Silence.
"By the Seven, we know it's you two," snapped Diluc. "How immature can the both of you be?"
"Well, at least we don't insult people behind their backs," said Lisa, her tone catty.
"Or lie about having meetings when they're dates," added Kaeya, his voice just as unwelcoming. "If you have a problem with our work ethic, why don't you just tell us, oh, great Winery Master and Acting Grand Master?"
Diluc and Jean shot each other quick glances before turning to their voyeurs who still hadn't lost their tree disguises.
The Pyro wielder pinched the bridge of his nose. "First, this isn't a date. Second, we weren't speaking about you."
"What?" said the two trees.
"Moco and Hillie," hissed the Anemo sword wielder as her infuriation grew. "We were speaking about them. The maids at Dawn Winery. You thought we were criticizing you?"
"Uh, well," mumbled Kaeya.
"We, uh, we thought," muttered Lisa.
Jean sighed. "The both of you, get back to Mondstadt. Now. We'll talk about how you deserted your posts later."
And when the pair of troublemakers had finally left as people instead of trees, Diluc and Jean returned to their picnic.
"I had a feeling they'd try something," Jean sighed, irritated. "Thank you, Diluc."
"Not a problem. And wasn't that why you set this up?" Diluc gave her a half-smile. "You knew they weren't working."
"And I was right," admitted Jean with a tired laugh. "I'm glad you agreed to help me."
"Of course." Diluc nodded, ever ready to help his old friend. That is if he'd actually considered her to be nothing more than a friend. "Anything for you, Jean."
Then the implication of his words immediately settled on Diluc, turning his features just as red as his hair. And as he scrambled to amend what he'd said, he felt her gloved hand linked with his.
"Anything?" whispered Jean, the pink hue on her cheeks visible despite how she'd turned to face away from him.
"Y-yes. Anything." Diluc didn't have the heart to remove his hand or hers, leaving them both locked in a stalemate that would last late into the afternoon as they ate and drank one handed with their fingers still intertwined.
I hope you all liked that. Feel free to review! =)