Shattered Recluse

Chapter 3//Evening

Diluc wiped the table, waiting patiently for the first round of patrons to enter through the door. "Hmph, are the bottles and glasses ready, Charles?"

"Yes, Master Diluc. All is ready for tonight's business."

I better not see that Bard come in and drain my stock of wine again, the profits this month are declining because of him. Though he does attract more customers..

They waited, and waited, and waited. No one came through the door for the entire evening, which was extremely shocking to Diluc and Charles, seeing as the Tavern was usually packed with hunters and other citizens looking for a drink after a long day.

"This is..unexpected. Master Diluc, has something occured? There are no customers this evening, as if someone told everyone to not come to the Angel's Share tonight."

Diluc scoffed and shaked his head, "Who would've done that? This will be a huge hit to this month's profits, I'm heading out for a while to question some of our usual patrons. Take care of things here in the meantime, Charles."

"Alright, Master Diluc."

Charles smirked as Diluc left, signaling for Venti to come out from hiding. The bard was hiding inside the cupboard in his wisp form, unseen by Diluc while he was preparing.

"Well, he has left. I suppose you got Kaeya to meet you at the back later? It seems like our plan is going well so far."

"Ehe! Thank yours truly for thinking of such a good plan. I'll be back in an hour with the Calvary Captain with me, fix up a small starter drink for our plans tonight, will you Charles?"

"Gladly." Charles bowed and rushed to start the preparations.

Ehe! Looks like Kaeya will be here in a while. Guess I'll meet him at the back as planned. 

///

Kaeya called out for the bard, "Venti, I'm here. What did you want to talk about? It's not something weird now is it?" Venti turned and looked at him, giving a sly look.

"I know what you've been worrying about, and I'm here to help!"

"What are you talking about?" A bead of sweat rolled down his face, his suspicions rising even further. "What do you know about my thoughts?"

"Well Kaeya, the wind carries thoughts, worries and words all to my ear. I'm afraid I can't help it, really. I know you've been wanting to..talk to Diluc for a while, haven't you?"

Kaeya's face went red, his cool front melting under the fact that his secret was exposed. "W-What? H-How? How can you possibly help me with this-"

Venti smirked at him, his eyes giving a playful and knowing look, "I made preparations with the help of the Traveler and his companion, no one is going to be in the Angel's Share tonight. Just you and Diluc, isn't it a perfect situation?" 

"How exactly did you do that? And who decided that you could help me with this-"

"Shush now, Kaeya. I'm sick of hearing those thoughts of yours, just play by this plan and you'll be able to talk, no, confess, to Diluc tonight." Kaeya's face flushed even further, revealing the true side of him when it came to Diluc. "As for how I did it, this is how!" 

Venti began to explain to him how he set this all up..
.
.
.

///

Venti explained how Kaeya actually felt about Diluc to Aether and Paimon at Good Hunter, asking for their help in the matter.

"-So that's why Kaeya gets so tense when we discuss Diluc! Paimon has info to blackmail Kaeya with now for more Sticky Honey Roasts now~" Paimon put her tiny arms on her hips, donning a teasing look. 

"Now, now, I'd gladly do the same for more Dandelion Wine, but how about we help Kaeya this time?" Venti tried to convince the duo, but Paimon kept interrupting.

"Kaeya has helped us out alot of times before, Paimon. Let's listen to what Venti has to say." Aether looked at Paimon with a pleading look.

"Hmph! Paimon will listen, but make it good!"

"Ehe, glad to hear it. So here's the plan!"

The Plan:

Aether and Paimon will go around Mondstadt persuading people not to come to the Angel's Share on the next day, instead bribing them with a free bottle of Dandelion Wine and a promise of Venti's performance near the Cathedral that evening. Jean will also be informed, asking the knights not to go to the tavern the next day due to "Personal Reasons". No one will be able to interrupt while Kaeya confesses to Diluc, having the whole place to themselves for Barbatos-knows-what.
.
.

.

"So that's what you did, I can't believe they pulled it off on such short notice." Kaeya finally calmed down, sensing a chance to tell Diluc how he feels.

"Ehe, a good plan is it not? Now, get in there and wait for Diluc to come! Charles has prepared some wine for you in case you feel that you need, what they call, "Liquid Courage". Venti playfully nudged Kaeya to the door.

"Venti..thank you. I've been meaning to do this for a while." He gave Venti a grateful look, one that was never seen by him.

"Well, no need to get all sappy now! I'm happy that I got the ever confident Calvary Captain to finally melt down his cool front. Now get in!" Venti waved at him and flew up, finishing his part of the plan.

Kaeya entered and took a seat in the middle, pouring himself a drink.

Diluc, please come back soon. I want to tell you how I feel, I need to apologize for what happened that day.

///

Diluc was in the middle of "interrogating" one of the knights when Aether and Paimon appeared, saving the poor knight from facing his claymore.

"D-Diluc! Paimon thinks that you're scaring him!" Paimon shot a worried look at him.

"Hmph, as ever, The Knights are pathetic."

"You must be wondering why there's no one at the Angel's share, Diluc. Maybe head back? There should be something, or someone there for you."

Diluc looked at the duo with a curious face, "This better not be some sort of prank, my profits are going to suffer this month because of tonight."

"Heh, Paimon thinks that it'll be worth it in the end!" Diluc scoffed, and started to head back to the tavern.

What did they do? Someone in the tavern waiting for me? Who could it possibly be?