Chapter Text
You had wondered why Master Diluc had the Tavern open so early.
Archon’s Sake, he told you that your first shift was right at opening. Of course, you assumed that would mean the afternoon, but he told you it was eight in the morning.
You were able to get this job because you just recently hit the legal age, and he was hiring. What you had with him was less of an interview, and more of a compatibility test. Did your morales line up?
You think the fact that you have a Hydro Vision helped, given that if it comes down to it, you can help put out any fires. Not that you wouldn’t look ridiculous, waving around a claymore at burning fire.
But, he didn’t care. You seemed like a good worker, and you had all the qualifications.
Also, you were the only applicant for such early work.
You got the job, and started today.
---
You sat sit the bar, a book in your hands. It’s nothing terribly special, but it keeps you occupied, and that’s what’s important right now.
Surprisingly, three people arrive around nine in the morning.
They come in together, making a very weird group.
A nun, a bard, and the Calvary Captain walk into a bar…. You’ll have to think of a joke to make with that. Or maybe you’ll just allow this to be a passing memory.
The bard looks young, but Diluc said he was fine to drink. Your boss’s word is over that of anyone else, so you don’t care.
They each order some type of alcohol, making you sputter slightly. This early?
But, you’re just the barkeep, so it’s not your business, truly.
They continue to come back.
Every morning, they return. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Diluc opens the bar so early for them, but you’re not one to press.
The two men make small talk with you, but the woman never does.
Venti, Rosaria, and Kaeya.
Venti absolutely drinks the most out of all of them. It’s surprising how much this small boy can drink. But, Diluc said it was ok, just to write it down on the tab.
His tab is very large.
---
It’s eight am again, but this time you’re exhausted.
You can barely keep your eyes open, brain tumbling through snow.
You work such long shifts, every day. Eight am to four pm, you’re alone in the bar. Not that many people come in. But, after you’re done, you still do commissions for extra mora. So you’re usually out until eleven, and then you can’t fall asleep for a while after that.
Fear of nightmares returning keeps your body from relaxing at night. You just want to sleep, but some part of you is terrified of the possibility of remembering. So, you stay awake. And, with less sleep, the worse they become.
The black, terrifying anger from years ago suffocating you, grabbing at your body and mind. Waking up in a cold sweat, body disgusting. Arriving at work an hour early for no pay, just to be out of your vengeful apartment because you won’t be able to get a decent amount of sleep before waking up again.
Thankfully, you have the weekends off. Just today and tomorrow. Your second week will be done, and you’ll take some time for yourself.
‘Not excited to see me?’ You didn’t even notice that your hands were the only thing supporting your head, your eyes closed.
‘Shit.’ You say, standing up to greet him.
It’s Calvary Captain Kaeya, a smug look on his face.
‘I’m sorry, Captain Kaeya.’ You say, tears stinging your eyes as you look down. You don’t have the time to look for another job, and you don’t mind this one.
‘Hey, hey. What’s with the tears?’ You turn your eyes up to him, a smile on his face. ‘I won’t tell Diluc, if that’s what you’re worried about.’
‘Thank you.’ You say, smiling back.
‘Who knows if they’ll get someone as cute as you for the next keep.’ He sighs, shaking head. ‘Can’t have that taken away from me, you know?’
You feel your face get hot, eyes removing themselves from him again. Laughing, he sits down, and orders a drink.
---
The other two are quick to follow, receiving the same witty banter as they always do.
But you can’t help but feel like your compliments were somehow different.
But that’s not something that you should be thinking about.
He’s a very powerful man, your feelings aren’t important to him. He flirts with everyone, you’ve seen it before you ever even met him. He walks around and shows interest in everyone and everything.
Of course you would feel like yours are different, because they’re to you.
---
They never stay for very long, usually just having a couple drinks before leaving.
But Kaeya stays as the other two leave.
You turn to clean up, wiping off the glasses and placing them away. You don’t know how to feel about the fact that you have your back to him, but you’re able to put it out of your brain quickly.
You almost forget he’s there, but then he begins to talk.
‘Are you alright?’ You jump slightly, setting down the glass before swinging back around to him. His eye is wide, making you give a soft smile. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.’
‘It’s alright!’ You say, picking up the final glass. ‘I’m just jumpy.’
He flinches a little at that, somehow picking up on your lie.
‘Don’t you have work?’ You ask, hoping you didn’t sound rude. ‘I don’t want you missing out on it just to watch me clean up.’
‘Nah.’ He says, waving his hand in front of his face before smiling. ‘I can be a little late.’
‘Oh?’ You ask, putting the final glass away. ‘And what, pray tell, do you have to do here?’
‘Taking care of a resident of the city.’ You suck in your breath. ‘You can’t possibly think that I wouldn’t notice something was up, right?’
‘We barely know each other, Captain.’
It’s true. The most you truly know about each other is whatever you can catch while you’re attending the bar, and whatever you say about yourself while bartending. Which isn’t much.
‘Just Kaeya is fine.’ You blink a couple times, staring into his blue eye. He’s being serious. You nod.
‘We barely know each other Kaeya.’
‘Despite what you may think, your emotions aren’t even close to being too hard for me to figure out what makes you tick.’ You suck in a breath.
‘Care to explain?’
What emotion is he talking about?
‘Hm…. I’ll humor you slightly. But I’m going to keep some things close to my chest. Can’t have you losing intrigue in me, can I?’
Intrigue….?
You would barely call it that.
The connotations of that wash over you, making your face heat up.
Do you really wear your heart on your sleeve like that?
‘You’re exhausted, nearly worked to the bone. You desperately need a couple days to rest, don’t you?’ Your nose twitches, making you sniff. ‘Also, don’t think I don’t see the way you look at me.’
With that, he gets up and leaves.
---
You pile onto your bed, your commissions for the day done.
It’s earlier than you usually would get off, which is nice. But, that just means more time for you to sit around and try to sleep.
Not exactly your version of relaxing.
You sigh, and think back on today. Kaeya clearly cares about people…. Are you one of those people?
Your mind wanders, thinking about how his teasing felt different towards you. It was only when the two of you were alone that he really seemed to show his true colors, not wanting to be labeled as something he’s not.
Your hand wanders down to your waistband, considering. What would it be like for him to tease you like that? In a way that only the two of you could see, because it was sacred, in a sense? What would it be like to make sure that he’s just for you?
Changing your mind, you take off your work clothes and climb into bed.
Maybe another time.