Chapter Text
The eyes of the worried people of Mondstad were set right on her as she walked playfully arround. Her long steps and her insects were invading the city with her purple and electrified aura. She couldn't care less over the stares as she walked right through the door of what she heard was one of the most popular taberns in the city of freedom, The cicins following her closely and at the same time whispering in a weird lenguage into her ears, Lenguage that only the Mages were able to understand.
'' Salutations ! Do you make personalized Drinks? i would like to have some Grape Juice with milk, please! ''
her voice sounded almost as it had some kind of filter that made her sound artificial. As if she were some kind of heartless machine made by the evil organization that was tormenting almost all of Teyvat, and even then it was clear that her tone was flirty and playful. She sat down at one of the stools in front of the bar moving her jacket out of the way as she did
In the other side of the bar there was a red head.
All the eyes were on him, but for reasons completely different than the mage's, The man that had the admiration and devotion of almost everyone on town, even to the point of having the title of the ''Uncrowned king of Mondstad'' and yet, he was working for a couple of hours already on the tavern service when he heard her enter.
'' Welcome to Angel's share! what drink may i serv-''
his initial welcoming was interrupted by his own frown as he saw a member of the Fatui enter on his peaceful Tavern. Just as he thought this was going to be a good night since Kaeya seemed too busy to come over to ruin his shift. He didn't put his guard down as he heard her request of drink, specially at hearing the flirtation on her tone, he just served a glass of grape juice and milk with balanced proportions and put it abruptly in front of the hooded mage along with a warning
'' Here, be quick. Drink it and leave. Forget it if you are planning on making any trouble here''
The tone was spiteful as he glared at the insects that were flying arround the Fatui and looking for places on his tabern to stick themselfs.
'' oh im not planning any trouble, other than inside your pants, handsome! ''
She followed the flirtation comment with playful laughter, at the same time as she commands her Cicins to stick to the cieling, Strategically on top of other costumer's tables, in where they would be able to lisen conversations, get information. She has a sip. The only answer she got to her flirting was a bittersweet laugh, barely hearable through the noice of the busy stableshisment.
'' This Grape juice is Delicious!! Excellent quality i must say! ''
A surprising amount of honesty can be heard on her voice, wich she silence with more drinking . If looks could kill the mage would have been dead right there and then
'' Now tell me, pretty boy... Is there any new funny business that i should be aware off? maybe some Gossip that you heard, i know Taberns are the best place to hear the roumors rolling arround...''
her body lenguage was flowy as well as her tone, flirty as usual and her hand and glass was lifted out of the table with a smile
''More please! ''
Diluc was very far from pleased with the prescence of this Fatui on his tabern, the place that his father took care and inhereth to him upon his passing, How disrespectful of her.
'' You certainly must be an idiot if you think i will ever say something of value to you or if you believe that i will allow your stupid games under this roof ''
With a quick swift of his hand, a few knifes flew accross the room and marked an end to each one of the insects that were revolting the area, Making sure that none of the other patrons notice.
''My bar and my city aren't places that will welcome people like you loittering arround. So i would suggest that you leave.. i've heard Liyue is a very warm place this time of year, why don't you give it a try? ''
He made an effort to sound as welcoming as he could with his tone and words. He was talking to a paying costumer after all, and she hadn't done anything suspissius..yet
'' oh but i like the cold from Mondstad! And Dragonspine is simple delightful! it reminds me of Snezdnaya, just without the hopelesness and death arround the streets! its a very pretty city of yours! Perfect to spend my free day, My Harbinger told me to rest so i came to have fun at a tabern! delightful, isn't! ''
She seemed to be inmune to his crudeness, as her smile never leaves her face. Diluc delimits himself to refill her drink in silence
'' also i've heard that the monsters of Liyue are very strong! im not sure how i would be able to survive the attack of a bishap! those things are big and scary!... Although i believe they are not as scary as the Chasm! You have not been there, haven't you? ''
'' Your tricks won't work on me ''
Diluc said as dry as a dessert.
'' why would a Harbinger have a pet like you to simply take a free day?, Find another excuse... and i know you are prettending to be weak. I can see your badge, i can see through your lies, you are a General... ''
The Mage tried to hide her slight frown with her glass as she started to drink again, lifter her glass again, asking for more
'' I hope you haven't given me any Liquor! That's not what i asked for, unless you want to make me drunk! hehe! ''
The flirts and giggles came back as she was trying to change the subject.
'' you are right though. I have not been in the chasm, Unlike you, a little dog that can travel arround under your master's orders i have quite a busy life that can't detour to go have a stroll through Liyue. A Busy Life, keeping my city safe.. ''
he leaned closer to the Fatui, just enough so that she can hear him whisper. The Least thing he wanted was to fight her indoors, disturb the people on his tabern or have them at risk, Even though she was getting under his nerves
'' Monstad IS safer than other cities, Monstad is Quieter, Monstad IS like this becouse I, Diluc Ragnvindr had sworn to protect it to make it that way, to Deffend it from scoundrels like you. ''
what was it that this woman wanted, he didn't have a clue. But it was tearing down his patience.
'' why in the seven archons would i want you drunk at my tavern? Its not Liquor, its Milk and Grape Juice just like you requested ''
He reafirmed with an intense frown as he straightend his posture and took the time to have other costumers helped. He had a bit more confidence that the Fatui wasn't there to cause any harm at the moment..
(( So its him, the one and Only Diluc Ragnvindr... this is very interesting ))
This was information, valuable as gold. She knew the name, it was written all over the papers that came throught her office with the plaques of defeated soldiers, the Fatui recogniced the man as a threat and it was known as a danger that shouldn't be played with. But it was a temptation that she was not going to resist.
'' Well thats delightful! allow me to pay for my drink and more of this delicious bevarage ! i will be staying here for much longer! ''
She added, as her grin turned a little bit more sinister with her wording, along with a bag filled with mora that she took out of a pocket on her jacket and placed it next to her glass. The Redhead took the money with a sigh as soon as he returned to the bar and attended this annoying costumer ''
'' I wish you wouldn't if i were honest. I will allow you to stay as long as you don't hurt anyone on my facinities ''
he said, as he started cleaning the glasses with a rag.
'' Aw but im having so much fun here! Unless you wish to take me somewhere else.. how about your place? hehe''
The flirty comments and giggles were back, to Diluc's annoayence
'' and i never planned to hurt anyone inside the city! im aware that if i did there would be a lot of trouble.. Diplomaticly speaking of course.
Now in the Outside of the Cities its another story, as i have to follow the upper rank's orders. And im just a simple soldier that can't question their judgement...
now... Have YOU hurt someone inside the city, Diluc Ragvindr? ''
She asked with a grin, He could tell that she was trying to anger him.. why... he just kept silence while he could feel his blood boiling
'' I guess SOMEONE has to play as the Rook in this chess playthrough, guarding and keeping his stance, attacking only though safe spaces having the excuse of protecting his king to have his way... Unlike me, a simple pawn on this chessboard, useless, Disposable- ''
''you are wrong. ''
he interrupted the mage's speech
'' The pawn is not Useless on a chessboard. When the Pawn reaches the oposite end of the board it can be turned into another piece, that being a Rook, a Knight.. or even a queen ''
as he could feel himself getting frustrated with this conversation he decided to keep himself busy attending the other costumers. The Night was at peak moment and he had more and more clients to attend...
His nightshift had seemenly came back to normal, other by the fact that there was a Fatui sitting at the bar. He could be attending costumers, filling up orders and having his usual routine in wich he had the room filled with the satisfied looks on the patron's faces and laughter of the parties that came into the stablishment. People gathering to have fun, some drinking alcohol and some not, just the way he intended.
An Hour, maybe 2 had passed while the mage was seemingly Quiet.. too quiet. The Eyes of the bartender scooped arround the perimeter, noticing a pair of purple wings under an occupied table, The walk towards it was direct, but he had managed to grab the insect with enough swift that didn't make the drunks at the table suspissius. Bug in hand he went back to the bar to comfront her.
'' Stop putting your bugs arround the bar, they make me nervous ''
he said as he showed the creature in his hand to the creature sitting in fron of him
''oh? .. i didn't know the great Diluc Ragvindr was afraid of some little bugs... they are harmless arround the city, so why not just letting them be? ''
he almost thought those words belonged to a certain blue haired knight, who was absent today...
'' Im not afraid of them ''
He Deffended himself...
'' Well they are adorable little creatures!! curious and fleety! im sure you would understand and let them stay-''
the words of the girl were interrupted as the bug in Diluc's hand suddenly catched on fire due to his vision and its ashes fell into the wooden floor, just as he smirked
'' ... now that was unnecesary.. ''
she added, with a slight frown on her covered face.
'' You think im some kind of fool? im completely aware that you and your stupid insects are here to gather information about me. Don't you think you are a little too obvious? The fatui have been after me for a while and you just come over and try to take me for some kind of idiot. Im not sure why but i even thought you guys would have been a little bit smarter than that and not send such a dumb Dog to front door ''
he said with a smirk, thinking that he sounded thretening.. but he was met with laughter from her.
'' How adorable!! Dog!! '' she squeemed between his laugh, his face turning red as he started to feel humiliated.
'' First you imply that a simple Pawn like me can turn into a queen and now you call me a Dog? Dogs are cute and loyal! I would even think you are flirting with me! ''
she kept laughing, cracking even
'' IM NOT! THAT'S IT, YOU ARE LEAVING MY BAR ! ''
He had finnally raised his voice, almost as if a kettle reaching his boiling point
She kept laughing as she was not in the slightlest scared of him... Knowing that if he even dared to lay a finger on her, it would be his end, specially since his voice rising was enough to have some stares towards them... Diluc had to get his act toghether..
'' aw im not leaving until i finnish the drinkes i paid for, handsome! ''
She added as she finnally stoped her laughter and started again with the flirtatius and playful tone
'' although... if you want me out of your tabern so badly, why don't we play a game!
If you win, you will not see me for the rest of the night... i will be far away from here
but if I Win
you will give me a passionate kiss ''
A Smirk. A Dirty and playful smirk on her lips as she said it.. Diluc finnally seeing the oportunity to kick her out of the place...
'' A game? is that all that's needed to get you out of my face?... are you THAT attracted to me that you want to put a simple Kiss into balance to stop being an annoyance to me? ''
he started asking, Confidence spitting out of his mouth at the same time that he crossed his arms.
'' well, im not going to lie that you seem to be extremely atractive to me. I like you a lot, in simple wording. ''
she added, smiling when she saw the discomfort on his face
'' what kind of game will it be? some kind of shameful dare? a weird Fatui hussle? ''
'' now... it wouldn't be fair for you if I choose the game in to play, wouldn't be? ''
she said with confidence as she drank more, he served more into the glass...
'' I get to choose the game..? ''
It was very rare for Diluc to loose at anything. Being fighting, darts, singing, dancing, anything that he could think of could be an easy win to him against her, although a quick glance to the little storage space behind the bar, under the drinks gave him an answer. A ChessBoard that was gathering dust under there that belonged to his father, wich he used whenever a friendly costumer came over and they had some spare time to have a playthrough or two, it still had all the pieces even after the long time without use.
He took them out and wiped the dust out of the wooden squared with a rag, at the same time that he handed a matching one to the mage so she could clean the pieces.
'' we are going to play chess? how amusing..''
she said as she started cleaning the white pawns, made of a lighter colored wood.
''Amusing? i thought it was fitting.. seeing as you had the nerve to call me a rook''
Diluc raised an Eyebrow and placed the board in the table, following by him leaving her in order to attend a few more costumers so he could have some time to spare. The night was becoming a little bit more quiet as midnight was approaching and people were going home.
When he got back, he found all the pieces cleaned and rightly placed in the board, the lighter ones facing his place and the darker one facing the Fatui.
'' you will be using the White ones.. i will be using the Dark ones''
she said in a peaceful tone and made a playful movement with her hand, signaling him to start with the game.
He did, started moving a pawn, She moved, Diluc made his moved and so did she ...
they continued the battle, a fierce fight of both of them, fighting with brains and strategie. Diluc was starting to sweat as every one of his risky moves was met with a murder of one of his pieces, every time he thought he had her in a corner it was one of his pieces falling down the table.. the worse part is that she seemed to be enjoying the fact that he was struggling.
Eventually it was the white king, falling down the table at the final movement of the mague's wrist, sealing the demise of his side of the board.
'' Jaque Mate''
'' was this your sick plan all along? were you just prettending to be an idiot!? how come you just won without even knowing the most basic rules of the game! ''
he was in disbelief
'' dear, this is the most basic game they teach us at the Orphanage... now will you pay your part of the deal or will you throw a tantrum like a big redhead baby?''
He was angry, he grabbed her by the collar of her jacket and lifted her up a couple inches off the seat, over the bar. Only to be met with a Smirk from the only part of her face that was visible.
'' don't come at me with your stupid taunts... ''
Diluc was feeling humiliated, angry, upset... Coulnd't he just kill her right there and then? it would be a lot easier than give her a kiss, Dispossing of her body would be easier than to prettend to like her ... but the bar was still full with people, he didn't have the privilege of being able to dispose of her so easily. And she knew that, she got him cornered by his own pride. He let go of her outfit and she stood next to the stool
'' Im waiting, dear..''
'' You are a really smart bitch, you know that? ... and you made a fool of myself ''
he said as he walked to her side of the bar, he was not about to give her the satisfaction of having an unfulfilled debt.. should be quick, right?
'' you look very pretty when you are angry, hasn't anyone told you that?''
He grabbed the collar of her jacket again and put his lips on top of hers, sealing them with a deep kiss.
Both pair of eyes clossed in order to let themselfs get lost in the passion of a kiss, her arms wrapping arround his neck as his pulled her closer to his body. In between the 2 mouths there is a lot of passion and a little bit of the Mist grass Pollen. The same the mages use to attract the cicins, a faint but very addictive aphrodisiac on humans.
Eventually the kiss ends, both tounges separate from each other only by a single string of saliva wich Diluc proceeds to wipe out of his mouth with a quick movement of his hands.
''There, a kiss just as promised.. Now your drink is empty and you have paid and played. I will ask you nicely to leave my tabern. ''
he said, as he tried to hide his own blushing cheeks with his walk back towards the bar service, leaving the girl standing there like a deer in headlights..
She wasn't new to kisses, wasn't new to anything related to phisical action, then why was this particular man such an intense experience in her? The Mage's face was blushed and a deep sigh left her mouth at the same time as the kiss, wanting for more.
''...Well? ''
The voice of the guy that just kissed her was the thing that pulled her back into reality. The reality in wich she wasn't suppose to have any feelings towards anyone, a simple soldier doing a simple mission of gathering information.. nothing more, although she needed a little pause
'' i... uhm..''
a little stumble on her words as she was trying to piece back toghether her confident persona, prettending that her guarding stance wasn't just destroyed..
'' you know what? i will go check on the OTHER tabern on this city, i've heard the little waitress is pretty cute! Toodles! ''
and away she teleported, seemingly in a rush to the roof of a house. In where she would be laying down ready to set camp on it staring up into the stars
'' The city of freedom... how silly ''