"He's a monster," groaned Kaeya, head lolling back as he trudged forward along the beaten path. "Making us work on today of all days."

"Kaeya," chided Jean with a sigh. "The Captain is right. No matter the time of year, it's up to the Knights to safeguard Mondstadt. Especially when our citizens are preparing to celebrate the Year's End."

"Oh, "our citizens"? Is that you talking or our esteemed and respected Cavalry Captain, Diluc Ragnvindr, firstborn son of Crepus Ragnvindr and the man I catch you staring at for what must be hours-ow!"

Jean had slapped the swordsman across the back of his head with her gauntleted hand, holding nothing back even as her features reddened. "The Captain," she emphasized. "Is a friend. Fraternization within the ranks of Ordo Favonius would be extremely unprofessional. Not to mention a hindrance to our mission."

"Hasn't exactly stopped our new Librarian with most of the men in the Knights," commented Kaeya, swinging his blade like a walking stick as he pushed his way into the brush, searching for more Hilichurl camps. "Lisa, was it?"

"Don't you dare." Jean's eyes narrowed, her blue green orbs uncharacteristically dangerous. "Kaeya…"

"Oh, come now…" soothed the dark skinned Knight, his tone coy. "What's one conversation shared over a round of drinks? Barbatos knows you and my brother and could use one."

Kaeya immediately felt himself pulled downwards as his companion yanked him into the bushes of a nearby patch of trees by the scruff of his neck. "Jean! Not that you're not attractive but I am afraid that you and I are just-"

"Shush," hissed the blonde, her gaze focused on the grove amidst Mondtstadt's natural towers. "Over there."

Kaeya followed her direction, his face falling upon seeing what Jean had seen. "More hilichurls!" he growled. "The tenth camp today! And it's not even lunch yet! We've been at this since dawn."

Jean drew her sword, it's curve graceful and gleaming in the morning light. "And we'll be at this until twilight unless we do something."

"Oh, yes." Kaeya rolled his eyes. "We can get home early to listen to my brother heaping praise upon you. Anymore and you'll be getting hugs and headpats-ow!"

Another strike from Jean. This time, her foot had collided with his leg. Leaving him to limp after her as she crept closer to their prey. "Plan?" questioned Kaeya, his voice a pained hiss even as he kept stride with her.

"We distract them. Separate them. Take them down. Those ice swirls of yours. Use them," said Jean.

"Make sure everyone feels the chill. After all, you've got our fair winds on your side. It would also pay to have someone grab the hostage," added Kaeya, pointing to the figure barely visible beneath the looming form of a nearby Mitachurl. "I'll go distract them. You grab that mean who seems to be Cyrus."

"That is Cyrus," replied Jean, her face deadpan as she sighed, displeased with having to once more rescue the adventurer.

Kaeya, meanwhile, made his way to the other side of the grove. After readying himself, he called out to the hilichurls in what he estimated to be some greeting in their language, drawing them away from Cyrus and their spit roasted boar above a bonfire. "Dada!"

Immediately, the hill dwelling creatures turned towards him. Heads cocked, they were obviously curious rather than hostile. It was something the young warrior used to his advantage, demonstrating his rudimentary mastery of their language. With their attention turned towards him, the eyepatch wearer caught Jean crawling towards Cyrus, relief flooding the captured adventurer's features. As the blonde swordswoman began loosening his bonds, one particular knot required a strong pull. Jean provided, giving a tough yank that finally freed Cyrus.

Only for her to fumble into the spit, sending the boar straight into the flames. Coated in oil, the campfire flared up around it, creating a great inferno. And despite their notorious bumbling, the hilichurls turned to her. All stood still then as the beasts pulled their gazes away from the two blondes and trained them on Kaeya.

The mitachurl roared then, hefting its axe. Fortunately, Kaeya was faster, unleashing the icy storm stored within the divine talisman at his hip. A trio of icicles materialized, their ice crawling up the blackened form of each and every hilichurl. Their movements slowed as the young knights drew their swords, leaping into action.

Jean rolled forward, calling forth the strength of her own Vision. With a powerful thrust of her sword, she sent forth gale winds that melded with Kaeya's ice, encasing their foes in frost. Her ally followed her as they fell among the enemy, their twin blades dispatching one hilichurl after the other. When it was all done, three human forms remained.

"Well, I was hoping that would go smoother," chuckled Kaeya, panting lightly. "At least we got in a light workout. Isn't that right, Cyrus? Now what were you doing out here?"

"Y-yes! I, uh, I was looking for a gift for Marjorie," admitted the Guild Leader, referring to his daughter. "You know how she loves her odds and ends."

'I see. Well, did you find any?"

"Yes! Thank you! I was on my way back when those hilichurls found me."

The Cryo wielder simply nodded. Ever laid back, he saw this as another everyday affair. "Good. Well, the Year's End is coming up. Get back to the city," stated Kaeya with a smirk. "We'll clean up here."

"Oh, uh, yes! Yes! I will! Thank you again," hollered the older man as he rose and sped off into the forest.

But Jean was different. A proud descendant of a knightly house, she held her head low as she bore the weight of her failure. "You go back, Kaeya. I'll stay here to clean up."

Blue eyes widened at her declaration. "You must be joking. What, is this because you tripped?"

Yes," Jean spat. "If I hadn't tripped-"

"We still would have taken them out," argued Kaeya. "If anything, you expedited the process."

"But the Captain never would have-"

"The Captain would agree," cut in Kaeya. "Jean, by the Four Winds, relax."

But before the young woman could bite out another response, a horn rang out. Jean rushed past Kaeya, eyes frantic as she cut down the last hilichurl, its hand curled weakly around the source of the call. "It played dead!" she growled.

Suddenly, the forest around them came to life, thrumming with the sound of roars in the language of the enemy as they neared.

"How many are there?! Jean, we need to run!"

"No! If we do, they'll search the forest and find Cyrus!"

Grim understanding passed between the pair then, standing side by side, ready to fight the coming tide.

But it never came.

For a moment all was quiet. Then bursts of fire and lightning lit up the darkness beneath the trees. Battle cries in hilichurlian turned to screams of pain and retreat. Seconds later, a pack of mitachurls came rushing towards them. Mondstadt's protectors shot forward, only to find the beasts rushing past them, fleeing from something.

That something leapt from the forest, a blazing effigy of a bird that engulfed the mitachurls. One was incinerated while the others changed direction, dropping their weapons to lighten their load. It was all for naught as a predator made himself known, his claymore ablaze and in hand as he leapt from the shadows to end one mitachurl with a ferocious swing. It's compatriots quickly met the same fate as Diluc Ragnvindr, Cavalry Captain of Ordo Favonius, shot into the air. Another fiery slash thinned the Mitachurls, leaving the last one to meet its end as searing metal crushed its head.

"And that takes care of that," said the Pyro wielder, his bearing stalwart despite the evidence of battle on his armor. "Now where were we, Miss Minci? Ah, yes, on the history of tactics used by the Knights. It was only 50 years ago that we…"

The rest of the red haired sword wielder's lecture went unheard by his unwilling student. Clad in purple, Lisa made her way into the clearing. Plucking a pair of twigs from her hair and hat, the mage flung both to the ground and crushed them under one heeled foot. Desperate to prevent him from speaking, she latched onto one of Diluc's arms, earning a laugh from Kaeya once he saw the look of displeasure upon Jean's visage. "Oh, my, Jean. Jealous?"

Jean ignored him, marching over to the Electro wielding nuisance attached to her superior. "Oh, Captain Diluc," practically moaned Lisa, doing her best to hide her boredom with the sultry tone of her voice that melted men. "Perhaps we could take this lesson somewhere more private. Like a nice, cozy tavern in the city."

Or most men. Not all.

"Impossible, Miss Minci. As a new member of our order, I find it essential that you know our history. Especially as our Librarian."

Lisa pulled away then, shooting him a stiff smile as her plan for a lazy afternoon had once more been thwarted. "I understand. But perhaps I could take a break! There's just so much… information to take in."

"Oh, I'm sorry," apologized Diluc with a bow. "Please do."

With a breath of relief, the witch turned away, intent on sneaking back to Mondstadt for a nap. Only to find a very unhappy blonde barring her way.

"Oh, uh, hello," greeted Lisa awkwardly. "You are?"

"Your conduct is unbecoming," spat Jean. "Especially for our Librarian. Your name?"

"Lisa," deadpanned the mage, noticing Kaeya standing a few feet away. Immediately, the brown haired Librarian caught his eye, her gaze pleading with him to relieve her of her blonde burden. The Cryo swordsman shot her a wink before striding over.

"Jean," interrupted Kaeya, drawing a sharp glare from his friend. "I can deal with our new friend. How about you get some alone time with the Captain. Give him an after action report?"

"Oh, y-yes. You're right," mumbled Jean, her anger having been dissipated by the mere mention of a moment with Diluc. As the Anemo swordswoman walked over to the redhead, Kaeya extended a hand towards the woman beside him. "The name's Kaeya. I apologize for those two."

"My thanks. I'm Lisa. The Librarian." She took his proffered hand, a firm shake between them signifying their first meeting. "I know the Captain but who's she? And I must say, they're perfect for each other. Sticklers for every rule, regulation and guideline I can think of."

"That's Jean. Just watch."

And so they did.

Jean saluted Diluc.

Lisa shrugged. "Nothing out of the ordinary."

Then she hung her head, her hands suddenly playing with her ponytail as she recounted her perceived failure.

"Ooh," cooed Lisa as she gave Kaeya a smirk. "She's bound to get a stern talking to."

What happened next left Lisa's jaw hanging open.

Diluc's hand caressed the top of Jean's head, the gesture leaving her more relaxed and reassured. But both immediately caught themselves.

"I'm so sorry, Jean," sputtered the young captain, his face warm. And definitely not so from the flames conjured by his Vision.

"It's all right," reassured Jean, pink faced and embarrassed for the second time today. "You were just being nice."

"We should get them together," stated Lisa, having regained herself.

Kaeya shot her a sidelong glance then, a scheming half-smile painted onto his features. "Lisa, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Years later, only three would fondly remember that day on another Year's End celebration. With the entirety of Mondstadt gathered before the Church of Favonius, the Acting Grand Master and her closest allies in the Knights of Favonius stood watch alongside their subordinates.

But Jean couldn't help herself. Every so often, the warm blue hue of her gaze would find itself drawn towards the tables laden with drinks. However, she had no eye for the delicacies shared by the City of Freedom's citizens. Instead, she followed a certain winery master clad in black and red.

Though he no longer lectured, laughed or smiled the way he once did.

The ever reasonable and dedicated Cavalry Captain had been lost years ago, washed away with the blood of Crepus Ragnvindr on a rainy day. Now he was just Diluc. Cold, practical and unflinching Diluc.

Still she struggled, recent developments having led to a semblance of their friendship returning. And something more as well. Back when she'd been his reliable yet fresh faced lieutenant, she knew that Diluc had been more than just any old friend to her.

Back then, she'd been a girl.

Back then, he'd been a boy.

Now she was a woman. And she recognized the man he'd become. In the ways her old ballads and novels spoke of.

Hiding her longing, Jean once more turned to the gathered crowd, hoping that no one had noticed her bout of self-indulgence. Save for a particular pair of old friends.

"Here we go again," sighed Kaeya, the adolescent teasing now tinged with genuine sympathy.

"I know. Jean…" trailed Lisa, far more understanding now. "Talk to him. Even Amber's got someone."

The three of them spied the Outrider nearby, shoulder to shoulder with a certain Honorary Knight and fairy.

"Wanna try climbing up to the top of the Church later? I'll race ya," said Amber, her voice ever cheerful.

"Hey, sure," replied Aether, the Traveler from another world. " I get there first, you pay for all the stuff Paimon'll eat."

"Paimon wants to go too!" said Paimon, the friendly and spunky self-proclaimed Best Traveling Companion in all of the Seven Nations. "But no making googly eyes at each other! You two are always so icky when you're alone together!"

The two teens tried to sputter out responses, failing to do so as Paimon haughtily and comedically lectured them within earshot of the senior Knights.

Jean, encouraged by their banter, offered up a silent prayer to Barbatos. "Guide me."

Those were all the words she offered. Immediately, the Dandelion Knight met the gaze of a cheeky bard, his playful wink a promise of aid as she strode forth. Venti began to strum his lyre, the breeze carrying his tune and drawing the eye of Jean's intended upwards as she approached.

"Ah, Acting Grand Master," greeted Diluc with a slow nod, his features calm. "What brings you here? A drink?"

"Oh, no." Jean offered up a gentle smile in return, willing herself forward. "I was wondering if you'd like to watch the fireworks with me. After all, you paid for them. From Inazuma too. I simply thought that our benefactor should get to see what he paid for. The best view in the house so to speak."

Her request was met with a single scarlet eyebrow quirked upward. "Hm, all right." The former Knight turned to Charles then, informing the barman that Mondstadt's Uncrowned King was going to take his leave.

One nod later, Diluc and Jean were side by side, both silent as they made their way behind the Cathedral. "The fireworks operators are out on the lake," said Diluc. "I just hope those boats are safe. I told them it could be dangerous but they insisted on doing so. Said they didn't want anybody to interrupt their work."

"I do too," agreed Jean. "I even told them the same thing."

"And they said as much to you?"

"Yes, they did," admitted the blonde haired woman with a laugh.

Her companion nodded in return, his eyes traveling upwards to the evening sky as the first salvo of fireworks lit up the dark. "They've started," said Diluc, his face unmoved.

And it was dazzling. One color, one shape and one spark after another. But while Jean was amazed, she still snuck in the occasional glance sideways. As the minutes passed, her heart fell. His face remained unmoved, his handsome features as stoic as ever. Not one mote of enjoyment making itself known upon his stony countenance.

Jean sighed then. Still, she found it within her to appreciate the shining yet fleeting tapestry in the sky before her. "Beautiful."

She didn't notice. Diluc turned to her, his cheeks red as he took her in. "Yes. Did you know they asked me if I had any special requests? They said they could make fireworks of almost any shape. Any color. Any spark. I indulged them. I told them I did."

"Oh." Surprise touched Jean's features. "What did you ask?"

A smile then. A small one. A ghost of one. Like a candle blown out in the wind, it flickered then vanished from his face. "I told them about flowers. Mondstadt's language."

"I never knew you held an interest."

Dawn Winery's owner shrugged. "I don't. There's one I've always liked though. It's lovely. Exquisite. Truly."

"I've never heard you talk so passionately about anything." Jean laughed then. "What flower is it?"

"You should see it right about now. After the tortoise."

The Acting Grand Master giggled. "A tortoise? We used to own a pair."

"I know," acknowledged Diluc. "But here's the one I requested. Any second now."

Jean rolled her playfully eyes then, finding his sudden verboseness amusing.

The show stopped for a moment. Then it came. Like a star rising into the blackness. Trailing gold and green, it rose every so slowly until it reached the apex and burst into a familiar shape.

A shower of sparks in the shape of a dandelion.

Realization hit Jean hard. "D-Diluc?"

As she turned towards him searching for an answer, she received one in no uncertain terms. Diluc pulled back a second later, the breath stolen from him as his heart pounded in his ears. "I certainly hope next year will be better," declared Diluc, the smirk on his face plain as he locked eyes with Jean.

"I hope so too." Jean smiled then, her head on his shoulder as they began to enjoy their evening in earnest.

And as alone as they were, their moment was anything but private.

"Oh, we never talk about it! We never saw them? All right, Amber?" yelped Aether as he and the archer ducked into cover atop the Church.

"Ooh…" hummed Amber, shaking her head. "I can't believe this."

"What is it?" asked the Traveler, linking his fingers with hers.

Immediately Amber threw arms around Aether and made her feelings clear as well.

"Oh, come on! What did Paimon say? Right in front of my Fisherman's Toast too!"

Elsewhere, Barbara was leading the members of the Church in a festive song, singing and chatting taking part in equal measure. When the Deaconess spotted her sister's symbol, she couldn't help but jump for joy. "Oh, a dandelion! Just like my sister!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, yes! The fireworks are amazing," chimed in one of the nuns. "After all, Master Diluc paid for them. And dandelions? Hm, the Acting Grand Master must be impressed."

"My, my! I've heard they've been spending some time together," came the reply of another nun. "Perhaps it was for her."

Barbara's eyes widened then, finally seeing how everything had fallen into place.

Meanwhile, a Cavalry Captain and Librarian couldn't help but roll their eyes.

"The cheesiest…" sighed Kaeya. "Not to mention expensive."

"I know." Lisa shrugged. "You think they've finally gotten together?" Especially after this?"

Both laughed then. But they wouldn't be laughing once the show was over.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!