Chapter Text
"The City Of Mondstadt"
The cheers of children could be heard from every corner, the banter between customers and owners was loud as ever and Kathryne was assigning jobs to the Adventurer's Guild members. It sounded exactly like Mondstadt, but for some it didn't feel the same. A slight somberness surrounded the joyfulness of the City.
The Myth of Honorary Knight started from some elders preaching about his courageous behavior, with word of mouth it traveled to many in Mondstadt. The myth was especially popular with kids, who would whine to elders to tell them stories about him. Some would compare him to god, others would make him as a normal person and some would even degrade him.
Though the most famous version was told by none other than the city bard Venti, many children would gather to listen to his songs about the Honorary Knight. Their eyes would twinkle with joy when Venti started singing, they held onto his every word like their life depended on it. Today was no exception, as many children and adults had gathered in front of the statue of Barbatos to listen to him. Venti took a deep breath, before strumming the strings of his lyre. A melodic rhythm soon flowed out, pleasing the ears of the watchers.
"With the gift for god,
he protected the land.
He'd never say much
but that didn't matter.
His charm was all he needed.
With a swing of his sword,
his enemies were defeated.
Still a mystery to all,
The Golden Honorary Knight"
This was the shortest one of his collection, but the most popular. Once he ended a applause rang out in the crowd, Venti thanked them for their support. Some watchers even dropped mora into his hand before leaving. As the crowd skimmed, a figure seemed to catch Venti's eyes. The figure slowly clapped before speaking, "You make him seem better than he was."
Venti rolled his eyes ”It keeps children and people happy, Kaeya." There he stood in all his glory the Cavalry Captain, unlike Venti who didn't change a bit; Kaeya had seemingly cut his ponytail, his features were also shaper than before.
"Anyway let's grab a drink, like always." Kaeya suggested, he noticed Venti walking away "I'll pay," he added and the bard came rushing back. "Let's go what are we waiting for!" Venti exclaimed rushing to Angel's Share. Before Aether would treat them to a drink, but with him gone Kaeya's wallet became lighter. The friendship between him and Venti had blossomed after the disappearance of Aether, they both listen to each other drunkenly rant about missing him.
---
Diluc's frown only deepened when Kaeya and Venti walked in, he was tired of taking care of them when they were drunk. It didn't help that they rant about Aether and their love for him. Diluc was the first one to move on from Aether, he pretended that he never existed. Though when his name was mentioned, Diluc felt an ache in his chest, he’d never admit it but missed Aether a lot. Moving on from his thoughts, Diluc began preparing the drinks for Kaeya and Venti.
"You miss him too don't you" Kaeya questioned his eyes squinting at Diluc and pointed his wobbling hand at him. Unlike Venti who had passed out of the counter, Kaeya is intoxicated and awake. Diluc ignored his ramblings as cleaned the Traven, getting ready to close it.
"Don't ignore me!" Kaeya shouted at the man, Diluc flinched at his tone, "I have moved on so should you and the bard." he scoffed. "I know you still like him, I have proof." Diluc let out a sigh in annoyance asking the man to list his proof. Incoherent mumbles are all that came out of his mouth before he too passed out. Diluc looked at the two with disgust , he couldn't believe Kaeya grief this way. He was only hurting himself and causing others trouble, but Kaeya had a point. Diluc did miss him; he just pretended not to.
He kept Aether alive through the little things; things people wouldn't notice. Like the tiny braid in his locks he made, or how his new wine was named after Aether. He emitted in a healthier way then most, he dealt with loss before. However, this time there was still a chance that they were alive just like the others a part inside him hoped for Aether's return. He roughly garbed Venti and tossed him on one of the Traven's boarding rooms, unlike how he garbed Venti he was carefully with Kaeya cause he was still his brother.
"Your a great brother Diluc"
Diluc's breath hitched, he scanned the area but he found no one there, but swore he heard Aether's voice. Diluc could not believe it now he was hallucinating about him, his day was getting better by the second. He went behind the bar and grabbed a bottle of grape juice, indulging in it all night. Maybe he wasn't handling it better than the others, Diluc thought before succumbing to darkness.