Disclaimer: I do not own Genshin Impact or any of its characters. The world of Teyvat and its inhabitants belongs to miHoYo/HoYoverse. The only characters I own in this story are the OC antagonists.
A/N: I made a post about this on my Tumblr some time ago when the idea struck me in the head. I wondered what it would be like if Kaeya had a father who was determined to get the captain to marry his daughter and wouldn't back down until Kaeya agreed. Then this was born. I'm also writing this to take some time off of the Icy Zombies series so I can get some ideas out of my head and try to get some more ideas for the series. I've already come up with ideas for the titles and a rough timeline for the next six one-shots.
To say that Diluc was in a less than generous mood tonight would be the understatement of the century. Last night, he had a run-in with an Abyss Mage – Pyro, much to his misfortune – and had taken a hit to his leg. While Pyro couldn't do too much damage to him, he had walked away from that fight with a limp. Adelinde had been sure to disinfect the burn, apply a salve to soothe the stinging, and had wrapped it accordingly.
Sometimes, he thinks he would be dead if not for her.
Sadly, his night of misfortune had not come to an end. On his way to Angel's Share to take up a new bartender's shift, the man having come down with an illness that had rendered him incapacitated and bed-bound for at least the next three days. Diluc suspects that it was really because he just didn't want to work. He'll fire him in the morning.
Then the shipments that were supposed to arrive by balloon early this morning were delayed once again. After two other times of this incident, the tavern owner was beginning to believe that they were just incompetent. The other backup had a family emergency, so it wasn't as though he could ask him to take the shift for the night so that he could check the shipment himself.
All of those things together left an exhausted and injured Diluc to take up the mantle of bartender of the night. It just happened to be his luck that the knights had just taken out a large Hilichurl encampment earlier that day and had come to celebrate their victory.
As if he himself hadn't been taking out every monster that slipped inside the city because of their incompetence.
Kaeya, as always, was the center of attention as he regaled the story in a very dramatic fashion, most like embellishing certain parts. He was annoyingly good at it since the wine tycoon had a hard time telling what was a lie or not, having seen Kaeya pull of some things previously thought impossible. Like finding his turtle after it had been missing for a month, getting Adelinde to do what he wanted, or getting the horse who didn't like anyone to let him ride it.
As the night went on, different knights stood to tell their own stories, a few that Diluc could definitely be sure were fake. Kaeya just sat back as he watched them with a look of almost smug humor on his face as if he could also tell they were lying but wasn't gonna say anything.
Kaeya had probably saved more than half of them.
The entire situation could have made Diluc laugh at one point but he only found himself stewing in silence.
About two hours after the story exchange started, the bell above the door let out a jingle that Diluc barely heard over the knights' merrymaking. Looking up, he had a greeting on the tip of his tongue until he saw who had come in, swallowing any politeness he could have put into his greeting.
A middle-aged man with a greying and balding head walked in with a woman who looked to be in her late twenties, or early thirties, close to his side. The woman was fair-skinned like most people in Mondstadt and had vibrant, beautiful green hair and purple eyes. Both were dressed in foreign-looking clothing that seemed to be very expensive, making it probable they were nobles from outside of Mond.
This wasn't the first time the two had entered the tavern and – if the last few nights had been anything to go by – it sadly wouldn't be the last. Between refilling his glass and listening to his men, Kaeya had moved until he was standing against a support beam. The man was quick to spot the captain and nudged the young woman, who lit up at the sight of the captain.
Diluc tried not to make it too apparent that he was scrubbing the glass in his hand harder than usual.
With purpose in their stride, the two made their way over to Kaeya's position. Diluc could tell the exact moment Kaeya saw them when he subtly tensed up for a split second before forcing himself to relax. When Kaeya turned, he greeted the two with a warm smile, though Diluc didn't fail to notice how none of that warmth reached his eyes. He couldn't hear what they were saying from behind the bar but he watched nonetheless.
Kaeya's body language was suave as he obviously said something the man didn't like, going by how his face seemed to go a little red from what he could only guess was anger. He definitely said something Kaeya didn't like afterward because the captain's expression immediately closed off. They said some other things back and forth and Diluc wanted nothing more than to know what they were saying.
Eventually, the man got close enough to Kaeya that he was practically whispering into Kaeya's ear. Diluc had to calm himself from jumping over the counter and bashing the man over the head with a bottle from under the counter. Suddenly, the tavern felt just slightly colder than he had before and Diluc could have sworn that he saw Kaeya's vision glow just the slightest bit brighter.
Oh, Kaeya was getting angry.
The man pulled back just far enough that the two were now staring at each other, his face now twisted into a self-confidant stare.
For a split second, he and his ex-brother locked eyes. While his eyes were mostly discernable, Diluc could have sworn he saw the worry in those starry eyes. Quickly turning his gaze away, Kaeya gave what could only be a sigh of defeat, startling Diluc.
Just what had the man said?
Looking at the man with clear contempt in his gaze, he must have said something the man was pleased with because his face twisted into a smile that just seemed full of daggers.
Turning to the rest of the tavern, the man climbed onto the table before he threw his hands into the air in a dramatic show of "elation." Then he shouted something that made Diluc's brain stall.
"This is an engagement party," his voice practically dripping with overdramatic cheer. "All drinks are on me tonight!"
The tavern was filled with roars of approval though Diluc noticed some people, including Charles, looked worried. Looking back at Kaeya, he's met with the sight of the young woman having glued herself to his side. While it would be normal for an engaged couple to be lovey dovey and a little handsy, he could clearly tell Kaeya was uncomfortable and clearly wasn't enjoying the contact. Kaeya had settled himself into a chair at a table and the woman had taken the seat next to him.
She was practically sitting in his lap!
Something wasn't sitting right with the tavern owner. Diluc could practically feel Kaeya's skin crawling as the woman ran her hands over the captain's chest and shoulders. He even turned away every time she tried to go in for a kiss, leading to the kisses landing on his cheek or neck instead. He didn't miss how he cringed whenever her lips made contact. He clearly was not interested in this woman, possibly even repulsed by her.
So what had made Kaeya go from turning down every advance to accepting the proposal? And why had he looked so concerned when they had locked eyes earlier?
Suddenly, everything seemed to click together as the man's face darkened.
Those sons of-
Charles's eyes whipped away from the unnerving view of the woman trying to act like an octopus as the sound of shattering glass fills his ears. His boss's hand was clenched shut tightly; the shattered remains of the glass having fallen to the floor by his feet. His expression was murderous as he gazed at the pair across the bar.
Surely, Master Diluc wasn't jealous?
Shaking the absurd thought from his head, he walks over and puts a calming hand on the young man's shoulder. The young man's head snapped in his direction and Charles flinched at the pure bloodlust he felt wafting off of his employer. His glare lightened but the frown remained on his face.
"Is there something you need, Charles," he asks, his politeness obviously forced.
"N-no, Master Diluc," the bartender says cautiously. No use setting him off again. "It's just that it is closing time already, sir."
For a moment, Diluc looked torn at the thought of leaving, stealing another glance at Kaeya and the young woman. Something then seemed to flash across his face before his expression closed off.
"I believe you are right, Charles," the young man says, deceptively calm. Raising his voice, he addressed the rest of the patrons. "Sorry to ruin everyone's fun but it's closing time. Please be sure to pay your tabs and head home."
There were the predictable groans of disappointment and disapproval but a glare was enough to silence them and have them leave. Kaeya looked conflicted about leaving as well but simply gave a sigh and rose from his seat, the female leech rising with him, still clinging to his arm.
Charles could practically feel the heat rolling off of his employer. He waits until Kaeya and his fiancée have exited the tavern before he asks Charles if he can close the tavern himself. With a resigned expression, the older man agrees, watching as Diluc grabs his jacket and makes his way towards the back door. He knew for a fact where the master was going and could only let his shoulders slump in defeat.
The older man just hoped nothing too bad happened. He would hate to have to clean up a big mess.
A/N: The draft was finished on the 12th of May during a slow day at work and the final product was finished on the 21st (that took far too long). This will be multi-chaptered but the number of chapters is still undecided. Just felt like writing Diluc becoming very protective over a woman and her father trying to force Kaeya into a marriage. This work is to help me get over my writer's block with my Icy Zombies AU.
- Addict
