Chapter Text
Diluc sighed, dragging the cloth across the counter and catching loose drops of wine that escaped from the bard's glass. It was like every other night was: busy and overwhelming. The social scene had never been a fitting place for the young merchant, who preferred to keep to himself and cut down interaction to a minimum.
"That's a story for another time-" The bard let out an airy laugh, his body lunging over the bar once more, tipping the glass for a refill. "Be a sweetie, Master Diluc, won't you serve a poor bard another drink?"
"Play another song then. You know the deal," The redhead raised a brow, reluctantly unscrewing a cap from another bottle and pouring the thick red liquid into the glass. The wine lapped at the edges as Venti swivelled back to the huddle of customers, all eagerly awaiting their entertainment.
It was a good deal the two had made, and it worked out wonderfully. By night "Angel's Share" was a bustling and busy scene, full of song and dance with joy and booze. The bard was free to drink as much as he wanted so long as he could hold up until the closing hour and perform the following night. Diluc never struck an unfair deal, and he always took great care to help the bard sober up in the morning.
Venti's gentle voice filled the air, his peers silently listening with slack jaws as he spun a tale of a distant land. Though to Diluc, this land seemed so close. He'd heard of it plenty of times before though it had been from a different voice. A voice that was cold and inviting, tricking you into a false sense of security, it's bark was far worse than it's bite. It knew just what hurt the most and when to use it.
A flash of navy caught the bartenders eye, bringing him from his thoughts and into the boozy reality. A feather boa emerged from between the crowd, it's owner flushed red and smirking, a sack of mora in hand. The very sight of the tanned man hit a particular nerve, blurring the lines of anger and sadness: It was bittersweet.
"Luc," Kaeya planted himself down on a free stool, his voice low so as not to disturb the bard. "Not your usual shift, is it? I never thought I'd see you working nights. Tired of playing the hero or something?"
Diluc composed himself, not wanting to give the Cavalry Captain the reaction he so deeply desired. He remained calm, displaying the same jaded eyes and downturned lip, sliding a glass across the counter toward the man. A singular mora rolled back to the merchant in return. There was always a tension between the two, and Venti had picked up on it, nervously glancing behind as he trailed off on his sentence.
Kaeya flashed a toothy grin, raising a full glass to the bard who resumed his work, the words slurring slightly as the effects of alcohol took over. If Diluc was honest, he was jealous. The captain was the light of the party, always bringing in new customers and carrying the crowd's energy. It was a wonderful facade, one that the young merchant was unable to have himself, despite numerous attempts.
A woman's hand snaked around Kaeya's hips as he slid from the stool, leaning into her hold and taking a heavy swig. It was common for this to happen. Women went wild for the young and lively captain. With his cocky charm, he was irresistible, even to the most unsuspecting of folk.
If Kaeya was out in Mond, it meant you had the chance to be his meal for the night. He would devour you amidst satin bedsheets, carefully sampling your flesh and expertly working his body to yours, or so Diluc had heard. Rumours spread fast in the city, and despite them being rather harmful for his reputation as a knight, the captain welcomed them with a wink.
A singular drop of wine hung from Diluc's finger, and as he examined it, he saw his reflection in the liquid. A fruity smell tickled the merchant's nostrils, and he found a child-like curiosity burning up inside as he brought it to his lips. It was bitter and rich, making the redhead gag slightly. At twenty-two years old, he'd never so much as sniffed a bottle of his own wine before, let alone tasted a drop. He had no idea how people drank it as if it were water, namely the bard who took to it like a street dog.
The woman's hand shifted down, circling Kaeya's thigh and earning a slight chuckle from him. The feather boa tickled her neck as he leant into her ear, and whatever sweet lies he'd fed her must have been good ones as she let out a slight gasp. Diluc felt his heart drop ever so slightly, unable to take his gaze off the two.
Why now? Why do I feel this now? I've seen this many times before, so why is this one any different? He's a tramp. Simple, you don't need to concern yourself with those sleazy affairs. You're a Ragnividr. Much better than he could ever hope to be.
Diluc's gloved hand gripped at his dress-shirt, desperately trying to avert his gaze as a heat took ahold of his face.
Though, I always have wondered what it must be like to not be lonely. He's blessed in that way, how unfair.
Kaeya's cod gaze met with Diluc's as he leant back, depositing an empty glass in front of him. There was a brief moment where it almost seemed that the captain's facade dropped, the broad smirk dropping and a remorseful look emerging. Though, it did not last long, broken by the pitiful whines of Kaeyas new victim, who pressed her body to his, desperate for attention.
"Closing time in ten," The bartender's voice wavered slightly, struggling to be heard over the ruckus. A collective complaint confirmed he had been heard, and then a chorus of chairs scraping took over, glasses slamming down onto tables as the drunkards retreated home for the night.
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"Think's he's all that," Grumbled one man, linking arms with another, both equally as drunk. "Acting like he's royalty and we're all charity cases. His wines not even that good, posh fuck."
"Mmm," Agreed the second, tugging at his earlobe. "Give him a taste of his own soon enough, teach him a thing or two about laying me off work."