Chapter 2:

Diluc Ragnvindr

"..."

Humming. That is what I hear. Soft, but very melodic humming. A song, foreign to me, but so very familiar. My eyes felt heavy, not wanting to open.

"Di...lu...c"

No...Stop...let me sleep more...

I say while I try to swat away the bothering hand. I hear some mumbling, and then I feel a soft, cool, hand touch my cheek tenderly. I unconsciously lean into that hand and smile.

As I did that, I heard a muffled and faint chuckle.

I finally try to open my eyes slowly. My eyelids felt heavy, but I force my eyes to open and the view in front of me was really blurry, so I blinked for a few seconds to focus my vision.

I felt the person beside me move away a few inches, but when I was trying to raise myself up from the bed, they helped me up and put some cushions behind me. I groaned in pain, my whole body felt heavy and sluggish. I really didn't want to get up. I coughed.

Something in my throat felt...off, and I didn't really know what. I settled myself into the pillows behind my back and my vision had focused and I saw the person that I least expected to be here...

'Kaeya...?' I widened my eyes and Kaeya gave a nervous chuckle.

"Hey, Diluc..." He said while scratching the back of his head, his flirtatious facade was gone, now replaced with a concerned gaze. I looked down and avoided his concerned eye. I let out a soft sigh.

Ever since we have come back from the Golden Apple Archipelago, we have acted really awkward towards each other. I didn't really know how to approach Kaeya. I have wanted to speak to him and reconcile for a while, but...I feel like...I don't deserve to come into his life again. Not after all that I did to him in the past.

I felt guilty again, but I hide my expression behind my bangs. I don't look at him.

"W-What...what are you doing here?" I say with a slight wince, my voice sounding a bit hoarse. Clearing my throat a couple of times; I asked another question, "How long...have I been asleep?"

Kaeya sighs and sits down on a chair close to the bed.

"Well..." Kaeya then starts explaining, and my eyes widened. My expression then slowly turns into a face of displeasure.

...

'Tch! They caught me off guard, damn it!" I silently curse in my head while Kaeya keeps on speaking, "When I finally got to you, I saw that you were unconscious, so I checked for any wounds and I brought you to my apartment. I then sent for Barbara. She checked you as well and said you were alright, just a bit fatigued, and with a few bruises"

I let out a small sigh, at this. 'At least they did nothing to me...but in the near future, I have to be more careful.' I nod to myself, while Kaeya gets up.

"Well Master Diluc, I should get going now alright? Haha, now that I know the esteemed Master is better, I should go back to my duties now~" He bows in a mocking way.

Andddd, there it was, his mask, and his flirtatious facade was back.

"Tch, well you better get to it, Captain." I leveled him with a glare, and he chuckles. "Really now Master Diluc, Not even a thank you? If I hadn't come to your rescue, who knows what those heathens would've done to you." He puts his hand on his waist in a haughty manner, awaiting my response.

I blushed, 'I should thank him...'

I let out another sigh and under my breath, I say, "Thank you..."

"Hm?" Kaeya says and I turn away, "What was that Master Diluc? I couldn't really hear you~" He comes closer and obnoxiously places his hand near his ear as he gets closer to my face.

I blush even more bright red and I scoff, "I said thanks!" I yell into his ear, to which he winces and steps back.

I smirk a bit, but I then hide it when he grimaces and looks back at me, "Well jeez Diluc, thanks for making my ears ring." He rolls his eyes and starts to head off, "Well at least I got my thanks. Goodbye for now Master Diluc...and also-" He turns around to look at me, " I left the key to my apartment on the nightstand right next to you. When you leave you can give me back my key when I come to your tavern tonight, alright?~ "

He winks, chuckles, raises his hand to wave and finally leaves. Leaving me on his bed, alone, and blushing as red as my hair. I sigh once more and start to get up from the bed. My whole body felt sore, and I was in a bit of pain, but I ignored to pain to stand up. Once I do, I then notice that I wasn't in the clothes of the day before, but I was in some pajamas. (I'm guessing it was Kaeya's.)

I blushed a bit at realizing that Kaeya had changed my clothes. "Oh Archons, why am I acting like such a girl..." I mumbled to myself and shook my head. I collected myself and I head to the bathroom to take a shower, so I could start the day; Also surprised to see my clothes cleaned, and neatly folded on part of the sink. I softly smile at this, and I mentally thank Kaeya.

...

After I was finished with my shower, I got out, changed into my clothes, and sat down at the table Kaeya had in his apartment to eat the food he had made and left out for me. "Wow...he really woke up early to do this for me..." I say surprised and my cheeks heat up a bit. I ate the food, and It tasted good. (Kaeya and his culinary skills didn't really surprise me at this point, since at the archipelago he cooked for us, and his food was really tasteful.)

I smiled and I left to the sink to at least wash the dishes as thanks for the food. Finally, after gathering all my things, I left the apartment. Locking the door, I felt like today was going to be a good day. I mentally smiled and headed off to the winery.

...

I had made it to the winery, but I saw that it was now mid-day. I went to my study to throw myself into paperwork and by the time I looked at the clock, it was time to head to Mondstadt. Adelinde kindly gave me some painkillers just in case any pain flared up out of nowhere, and I started to get ready for my shift at Angel's Share. I put away Kaeya's apartment key in my pocket and got my things ready. I waved goodbye to Adelinde and headed off on my horse towards Mond.

...

The sun was setting on the horizon when I finally got to Angel's Share. I entered the tavern, and I was greeted by Charles. "Hello, Master Diluc! How are you today Sir?" I gave him a very small smile and I grunted, "Well, I'm doing alright I guess, well I will go to the back to get ready for my shift. You can start preparing yourself to go home Charles."

I say while I started walking to the back door of the tavern which led to the storage room where all the wine was. I could feel Charles nod, "Yes sir, I'll just finish this up, and I will get ready."

I hear him say and I step into the room. After Charles had left and I had gotten ready I was now tending the bar. The bar was packed with drunks everywhere. I ignored the stench of alcohol and the rowdiness that was happening on the third floor. They weren't doing anything too alarming, just being the normal kind of rowdy that people were when drunk.

Something though did catch my attention.

"Hey, how would it feel to be in Captain Kaeya's bed?" one of the drunk knights says while he smirks and laughs. I could feel myself stiffen on the spot. 'What the hell are they talking about?' I grip the glass in my hand unconsciously.

"Well I wouldn't know, but...you do know that he has slept with multiple men and women right? Apparently, he is really good in bed.~" The other knight whispers while they both chuckle and they start talking about more obscenities of Kaeya's endeavors at night. My ears were ringing, and my head started to hurt. My emotions were all over the place, sorrow, jealousy, anger, but most of all 'Of course. The Kaeya that I knew back in the past has been gone for a while, This Kaeya was more promiscuous, more flirtatious, and of course...he would have someone to warm his bed (he wouldn't have waited for someone like me...broken, bitter...uptight...even I don't like what I've become..)...why did I expect anything else from him.' I closed my eyes, my throat started to tickle. "The hell?' I placed the glass on the bar and I cleared my throat to see if the weird feeling left, but that didn't work.

The sensation was getting worse and I started coughing. Some people stopped talking and I could feel their stares. I excused myself and went to the storage room; I just wouldn't stop coughing and alarmingly, I felt something start to creep up my throat, so I coughed harder until finally coughing up what was in my throat. I felt something soft, fragile in my hand, so I opened my hand and immediately my eyes widened. 'A...petal?'

"The fuck...this...this couldn't have come out of my throat right?" I touched my throat gingerly in disbelief.

'Also looking at the petal closer, it looks like a calla lily petal...' As I was in my thoughts and hard-knock kicked me out of my head, "Hello? Master Diluc? What are you doing in there?"

'Shit...it's Kaeya!" I quickly composed myself and quietly tried to clear my throat.

"I heard that you started coughing uncontrollably, are you alright? Everyone is worried about you ya know." Kaeya chuckles and I roll my eyes. I let out a sigh and place the petal in the back pocket of my pants. "I'm fine, I'll be out in a minute.." I say with a level voice, to which I hear Kaeya sigh and leave.

I make my face into how it normally was, blank and emotionless, deadpan, and I step outside of the door. I look over to go back to tending the bar and Kaeya waves at me. "Tch..." I click my tongue in annoyance, and once I see Kaeya's smiling face, It reminds me of the conversation that those knights had a moment ago, and my mood sours once more.

I get behind the bar and Kaeya grins, "Well, Well Master Diluc, took you long enough. Now can I have my Death after Noon please?" He smirks while he places his chin on the palm of his hand. I scoff at him, but I start preparing his 'beloved' drink.

Once I was done with it, I grabbed the apartment key out of my back pocket and I set it down on the bar with maybe a bit more force than necessary. To this, Kaeya's eyes widen and he looks at me. I turn around and I ignore him for the rest of the night...

There were some instances where he tried to talk to me, and ask me why I was being like this, but I said nothing. I didn't want to talk to him...I didn't want to see him, but If I kicked him out now without an explanation the other drunks would be suspicious. It was hard, ignoring him, but...after all those rumors, I felt like...I shouldn't even be close to him, that...I should put distance between him and me.

But...why is this so hard? My throat and heart were burning, and I felt like shit. I didn't want to hurt him, but here I am acting cold to him again, and I could tell that me giving him the cold shoulder was hurting him. He would chuckle and smile (fake) to defuse the situation, and I felt guilty, but I needed to put my distance, I can't let him get close to me again, I can't. He should be happy with someone other than me.

After I had kicked everyone out of the tavern, I could see that Kaeya was waiting for me out front. 'Why...why...Why can't you leave me alone?! Why do you care!?' I mentally yell, but my face was blank, without any expression. I sighed, my throat was still feeling uncomfortable, but I pushed on. I wouldn't let this weird thing hold me back. I grab all my things, turn off every light, and finally, I step outside to lock the tavern door.

Kaeya comes to my side and for the first time since today, I look up at him and he has a serious expression. No flirtiness in his expression, his single eye was so serious, yet filled with sincere concern. I turn away from his face, "What do you want...?" I say in a low voice, I was hoping to leave, but Kaeya's expression changes in a flash, and his face turns into one of intent, seriousness. He grabs my hand forcefully and starts leading me to a close alley. I let out a surprised gasp as I was being dragged by Kaeya.

We arrive at the allay and he immediately pins me to the wall. His hands holding my wrists against the wall and I try to pull my wrists from his grip, but for some reason, I could not. So I yell, "WHAT THE FUCK KAEYA?! LET ME GO!"

'Is he drunk?!' I say angrily in my head.

I again try to wiggle free, but Kaeya just stares at me. I was getting really uncomfortable, so what I do is head butt Kaeya's head. He grunts and for a split second his grip loosens to which I take advantage of to break free from his grasp. I push him away and I run towards my horse to go back to the winery...

'What the fuck?! What the hell was wrong with Kaeya?!' I say while running, gasping for air. I look behind me and I saw that I wasn't being followed. I let out a sigh of relief, but I still didn't let my guard down. I grabbed the reins of my horse, hopped on, and I started towards Dawn Winery...

That day...I had no idea what was to come for Kaeya and me, and I had no idea that it would affect our relationship so drastically in the next passing days and weeks...

NekoAyane: Well! There is Chapter 2. Sorry, it took a bit of time. I'm still trying to figure out where this story could go. I might change some things as I go along, but I hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Also, if you see any mistakes, please tell me so I can fix them! (Like sentence structures and what not haha.)