chapter 2 - tavern nights

4 days ago

Kaeya sipped on his dandelion wine. He moved around the red liquid in his mouth to enjoy the taste fully. The sourness of the grapes and the refreshing sweetness of the dandelions perfectly combined together.

He had to admit that Master Diluc knew a thing or two about fine wine. Which was surprising considering the fact that he never drinks alcohol. How boring.

That night, wine tasted even sweeter than usually. He couldn't stop grinning. Diluc found it annoying.

Angel's share was quiet that night, but that was expected after previous week's celebrations. Everyone was probably exhausted after the constant parties of Midsummer Festival.

Diluc expected that, all his bartenders were exhausted, so that's why he took the shifts for the week. He liked the quiet, but he didn't like the returning customer who was always there to annoy him.

Kaeya.

He was smiling all night, as if a great joke was playing in his head. Next to him, his drinking buddy, Rosaria. The strange sister rolled her eyes at Kaeya's grinning face. She probably knew why the Cavalry Captain was so happy.

"Master Diluc, would you mind pouring me another glass?" asked Kaeya, giving his glass to the man he used to call his brother.

Diluc just rolled his eyes and filled his glass.

"Oh, Master Diluc, if you knew what I know, you wouldn't wear that expression on your face" Kaeya smirked.

"I'm aware that you can't wait to share your amusement with me. But you can dream about me asking it" Diluc rolled his eyes. He couldn't think of anything that had to do with him in Kaeya's great mood. It's probably another stupid made-up story about pirate treasures.

"Oh? Trust me - you would like this one" Kaeya sipped his drink and kept looking into Diluc's crimson and brown eyes.

Diluc started to lose his patience and looked at Rosaria.

"You know what is it all about, do you?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Not like I care about some childhood friend of yours" she said as she finished her drink.

Diluc's eyes widened.

"You know, Klee received a letter this week" he started. "Her precious sister will arrive in a couple of days. I expect some... interesting events during her stay. Do you think she will remember her childhood friends?" Kaeya rested his chin on his hands, studying Diluc's face.

But Diluc's expression turned back to his usual grumpy attire.

"And why are you so excited, Kaeya?" asked Diluc, while he grabbed some glasses to clean them. "She comes home for Klee, not you"

But he couldn't ruin Kaeya's exceptionally great mood.

————The night before Tessa's arrival

Angel's Share started to return to its usual, crowded state. Diluc couldn't stop all night, he even had to ask for help to one of his bartenders. Every usual customer was there, except one.

Rosaria sat alone by the counter, her head almost fell next to her drink. She looked even more exhausted than usually. But her usual drinking buddy wasn't there by her side.

Usually Kaeya only annoyed Diluc, so he thought his absence would bring him ease. But he felt rather uneasy. "What is he doing?" he thought. "He probably just doing his job once in his life" Diluc tried to convince himself and continued his work.—-But he was wrong. Kaeya wasn't working at all.

He escaped to the Whispering woods - or at least he was feeling like he was escaping- climbed a big tree and sat on one of the big branches.

The excitement he felt about Tessa's arrival started fading and anxiety took its place.

Maybe Diluc was right. She will come home, but not for them.

"She didn't even send a single letter" he sighed.

The truth is, Kaeya was always in love with her. He adored her ever since they were kids. She was her partner in crime, while Diluc tried to clean up after them. They always understood each other perfectly.

But THAT look in Tessa's eyes... That sparkle she always had when she looked at Diluc...

Kaeya hit the tree. It made him angry.

All three of them were inseparable back then... but now... he had to worry about seeing her again.

He looked up at the stars. He genuinely wished he could turn back time. Or at least hope that all these years changed her.

—————Present

I spent the whole day with Klee, in the end I was so exhausted I almost passed out.

We went out to the woods to play with her bombs, I accompanied her to fish blasting and cooked her Mondstadt grilled fish and pie.

After she ate, she wanted to visit the Souvenir Shop for some bomb materials before the store closes.

I tried to enjoy every bit of the day, as I knew that I needed to turn back to my research the next day.

The real reason behind my return to Mondstadt is the excessive amount of books in the library that only can be found in the City of Freedom.

As we strolled the streets, I felt a presence behind me.

"Mr Kaeya" Klee greeted him.

Kaeya?! Seriously?

I turned around to face him. My heart was pounding fast in my chest and I felt my palms getting so wet because of me being nervous. I left after Diluc almost killed him. Everything changed that night. He was still between a teenage boy and a man back then.

But now... a grown man stood before me. His deep blue hair surrounded his face that wasn't chubby anymore. His icy blue eyes were glowing, giving a mischievous touch to that playful smile of his. His clothes also were more... revealing. He looked like those rich artists from Fontaine, except his dark skin.

His aura also felt different. He used to be playful, but now his appearance screamed a dangerous type of trouble.

He wasn't the boy I used to play pranks with.

I took a deep breath in, waved my hand and smiled at him.

"Hello, Kaeya. Long time no see"

"My dear Tessa, welcome home. What a delightful sight you are" I couldn't help it, my face turned red. It wasn't just what he said, but how he said it. "You grew up to be a beautiful woman."

I smiled back even though I felt my face was burning.

"You are... different" I noted.

"Yes, but we all are. How about discussing the past few years with some glasses of dandelion wine?" he offered.

I hesitated. Should I really go and have drinks with him? He felt like a stranger and I had no clue how the night would end. I didn't want to reopen old wounds, but... I still cared about him.

"Fine" I nodded.

"Then... let's meet at Angel's share in an hour. How does that sound?" his voice was dripping with honey. It wasn't like him. Or at least... he wasn't use to be like this.

"Okay" I smiled at him. He smiled back and walked away. Oh shit, what have I done.

——————Klee tried to convince that she is a big girl now and she can sleep alone in our apartment until I come home. But I was way too worried about my baby sister, so she slept in her usual room at the Favonious Headquarters.

I had many thoughts running through my head. I was too scared to talk with Kaeya, but at the same time I missed him. I wanted to talk to him.

And a little voice in my head also encouraged me to go... maybe he will also be there.

The apartment was close to Angel's share.

I walked down the familiar street of Mondstadt, letting in all the sounds and smells.

My hand was sweaty as I placed my hand on the door handle.

I stepped inside, everything was loud and smelled like alcohol and sweat. It was my first time entering the tavern as before I was too young to be here.

I looked in the direction of the bar, Kaeya was sitting there on a stool. And behind the counter, there was the crimson haired boy I always loved.