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500 years had gone by in a flash.
Teyvat had won against the Abyss.
All was well, and life went on.
The City of Mondstadt was as glorious as it was 500 years ago, albeit with new and improved technology. The bustling city still upheld its ideal of freedom, and the Knights of Favonius still ruled over the wind-blessed land. The stories of the lion-hearted men and women who fought in the far-off war were worn down by time, turning into bedtime stories for the children of the free, entrancing them with the heroic feats and quick wit that saved their kingdom.
Of course, with kids being kids, they would often imitate the historical battles of past, which hardly anyone had a problem with, except Diluc, who was currently working at the Angel’s Share.
Sighing again, the redhead leaned over the counter.
“Kids, go play outside, don’t be a nuisance to my customers. “
The two children( Bennett and Razor were probably their names, he can’t exactly remember) giggled and ran off, nearly knocking into an arriving customer.
“Hey, hey, careful alright?” The customer chuckled at them, before stepping into the bar. His voice was…Pleasant.
No,no, “Pleasant” would be an understatement. It was light and cheerful, making people who heard it feel at ease. Diluc looked up, wanting to see the face of one who could produce such a lovely voice.
To no one’s surprise, the mesmerising voice belonged to an even more gorgeous face. The blue-haired in front of him smiled. Diluc was sure he had felt nothing hotter than the blush creeping up his cheeks, and he was the owner of a pyro vision, for Archons’ sake.
“Siren.” The whispered word escaped from Diluc’s lips.
“What?”
“S-Siren’s Song! Our new concoction! Would you like to try it, Sir?”
The other man simply laughed.
“Sure, but call me Kaeya. It’s my name.”
Kaeya, Diluc repeated internally.
Archons, was everything about this man beautiful? His voice? Charming. His face? Alluring. His smile? Blinding. His name? Breathtaking. This man was a siren, and Diluc was a helpless sailor falling in the ocean of love.
“Get a grip”, Diluc’s inner voice rang out. “You two just met. At least get to know him before you start throwing yourself at his feet?”
He was about to start arguing with his inner self, but a nudge brought him back to reality. Rosaria, his co-worker, was looking at him, her brow raised.
“Siren’s Song huh? I don’t remember us having that on the menu.”
“You just forgot about it.” Diluc lied through his teeth, and brought his gaze to the liquor collection.
How do you make a drink that didn’t exist and wouldn’t have existed if Diluc hadn’t opened his stupid mouth?
Next to him, Rosaria snorted.
“You’re in luck, lover boy. Diona’s been trying out new recipes. “
“Okay, first of all-” Diluc turned to face the other .”-I’m not in love. Second, Diona? Doesn’t she usually experiment with alcohol? ”
“Yup. But she stumbled onto a mocktail recipe a while back and I got it. ” Rosaria was already grabbing bottles of juice and syrup off the shelves. “It’s amazing. Trust me. Here’s her recipe-” She stuffed a piece of paper into Diluc’s palm. “-and good luck, lover boy.”
“I’m not in-” Diluc wanted to protest, but she was already off, serving the next customer. Letting out a sound of disbelief, he turned his attention to the paper.
He had to thank the archons for his natural talent for bartending, mixing together ingredients that he, never in his wildest dreams, thought would go together. Lizard scales? Crystal cores? He sighed and made a mental note to bestow some secrets of the wine industry onto Diona if it worked.
It didn’t take long before he was done, the azure liquid gleaming in the light. Crystal cores decorated the edges of the drink. At first glance, anyone would have mistook it for liquid sapphire, with all its radiance and brilliance.
Diluc gulped.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t blow it.
He gingerly placed the glass onto a tray and made his way over to the personification of beauty, the afternoon sun reflecting off his tan skin.
“Your drink, Kaeya. Hope you enjoy it.”
Hoping his forced smile had hid the frenzied beating of his heart, Diluc watched as Kaeya took a sip, and then turned to look at the bartender.
“It’s amazing, Diluc.”
Eyes wide, his nervousness forgotten, Diluc responded almost immediately.
“What? How do you know my name?” He wrecked his brain, trying to think of a possible reason. Maybe he had met him in a bar? No, he would never let himself be that drunk. He didn’t even like alcohol. Well, by the confused look on Kaeya’s face, it was clear he didn’t know either.
‘You...didn’t tell me your name?”
“Uhm..We just met today.”
“Oh. I..don’t know. When I stepped in, I just knew it, I guess. It’s like I already knew you. “ Kaeya rubbed his neck with his hand, looking very awkward indeed, but still trying to crack a joke. “Maybe we’re star-crossed lovers destined to find each other or something?”
Diluc couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“Star-crossed lovers? You have quite the imagination.”
“Well, what else am I supposed to woo the oh so handsome bartender with?” The awkwardness in the air faded away as it was replaced with Kaeya’s chuckles.
“You could always start with a date.”
“Oh?” Kaeya’s crystal blue eyes met Diluc’s own eyes of fire.
“Yeah. I end my shift at 8.”
The grin on Kaeya’s face grew even bigger.
“How does the Good Hunter sound? I feel that my handsome date would appreciate...hmm...Pile ‘em up?”
“DILUC! STOP FLIRTING AND WORK!” Rosaria’s voice cut through the air, clearly fed up. “FLIRT LATER!”
“YEAH OKAY I’M COMING!” Diluc retorted back, before turning back to Kaeya.
“See you at Good Hunter?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. “