Chapter Text
The streets of Mondstadt were alive with the hum of the evening crowd, warm lantern light flickering against the cobblestone paths. A cool breeze drifted through the city, ruffling Kaeya’s cape as he made his way toward Angel’s Share. The tavern’s wooden doors creaked slightly as he pushed them open, revealing the familiar scent of wine, oak, and a lingering hint of caramelized fruit.
The usual patrons were scattered across the room, some engaged in lively conversation, others hunched over their drinks in quiet contemplation. Among them, Rosaria sat at the bar, her signature red-and-black attire making her easy to spot. Kaeya smirked as he made his way to the counter, sliding onto the stool beside her with practiced ease.
“Rosaria,” he greeted, his voice carrying its usual teasing lilt.
“Kaeya.” She gave him a sideways glance before knocking back a sip of her drink. “Back for another night of drowning in bad decisions?”
Kaeya chuckled. “You wound me. I’d rather say I’m here for good company.”
Rosaria snorted. “If you call this place ‘good company,’ you must be desperate.”
Before he could respond, the sound of footsteps against the wooden floor signaled the approach of the last person Kaeya both wanted and dreaded to see—Diluc.
Behind the bar, Diluc’s presence was commanding yet cold, his crimson hair a stark contrast to the dim candlelight. His expression remained unreadable as he stood before Kaeya, eyes barely lingering on him. “What will it be?”
Kaeya tilted his head, a knowing smile on his lips. “Ah, Master Diluc, always so straight to business. No warm greetings for an old friend?”
Diluc’s only response was silence. He merely reached for a glass and began preparing Kaeya’s usual order—his movements precise, methodical, distant. Within seconds, the drink was placed before him with practiced efficiency.
Kaeya sighed dramatically. “Still the silent treatment? You wound me more than Rosaria ever could.”
Diluc didn’t react. Instead, he returned to organizing bottles behind the bar, as if Kaeya weren’t even there.
Accepting the inevitable, Kaeya picked up his glass, swirling its contents before taking a sip. He let the taste linger on his tongue before speaking again, softer this time. “Thank you.”
Diluc barely spared him a glance.
Kaeya let his gaze linger on him for a moment longer, something wistful flickering in his expression before he masked it with another smirk. He tried again, making small talk—something about the recent commission reports from the Knights, a light jab about the tavern’s growing popularity. But every word was met with short responses, nods, or just that same piercing glare.
Finally, Kaeya exhaled through his nose, leaning back in his seat. “Alright, alright. I get it. I won’t disturb your work anymore.”
With that, he turned to Rosaria, his tone shifting as he launched into an easy conversation with her instead. She listened, occasionally chiming in with her usual dry remarks. At some point, she gave him a pointed look.
“Why do you keep trying?”
Kaeya blinked, taking a slow sip of his drink. “Hmm?”
“With Diluc,” she clarified, nodding toward the man in question. “He’s always a jerk to you. Not worth the effort.”
Kaeya let out a quiet chuckle. “Oh, it’s nothing.”
Rosaria frowned, unconvinced. “It’s been years, Kaeya. Some things don’t change.”
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took another long sip, letting the alcohol burn his throat slightly.
Rosaria sighed but didn’t push further. Instead, they continued drinking together, the conversation shifting to less weighty topics. Time passed, the room buzzing with the usual background noise of clinking glasses and muffled laughter.
By the time Kaeya felt the familiar light buzz of intoxication, he realized it was time to leave. He reached into his pocket, setting down Mora on the counter before glancing at Diluc one last time. “That should cover it.”
Diluc took the coins without a word.
Kaeya grinned, as if unaffected. “See you around, Master Diluc.”
All he got in return was a small nod.
With that, Kaeya stood, stretching slightly before heading toward the exit. The cool night air greeted him as he stepped outside, the streets of Mondstadt quieter now. His footsteps echoed softly as he walked, his mind inevitably drifting back to Diluc.
No matter how many times he tried, no matter how many nights passed, that gap between them never seemed to close.
And yet…
Kaeya exhaled, looking up at the sky.
He wasn’t quite ready to stop trying.