The city was quiet last night. I don't remember half of it. I found myself thinking about Venti and the song he sang me.
I'm starting to think that I didn't have him sing to me to fill up that pitiful mora cup.
I don't know what I'm doing. Letting that bard distract me. I don't know why he's wiggled into my head like this.
Surely he must be cold in those shorts. I don't think it's made out of thick material. Maybe I should lend him my coat. I'm warm as it is with my vision. But does a god get cold?
"Master Diluc?" I jump a little when Charles speaks behind me. I'm zoning out at the bar, I realize.
Only to realize that Charles is looking out too. Following his gaze, following it to where Venti's performing. The look in Charles's eyes, the red in his cheeks. He likes Venti.
I find my blood boiling. My vision no doubt. Taking off my jacket, my blood is still hot.
"Yes, Charles?' My voice is short, though I don't mean for it to be. "Do you need something from me?"
Looking away from Venti, his eyes meet mine. "Sorry, Master Diluc. But the patrons are getting handsy with a few of the bards tonight. What should be done?"
That's why he was staring. My blood burns hotter. "Taverns closed." Turning to walk away, I start shewing out patrons.
I leave the bards alone, promising a few drinks if they stay inside.
Charles hovers, waiting until everyone is gone before walking up to the group "Are you alright?" He asks everyone.
Venti smiles, doing his small laugh. "We're all fine. Nothing we bards aren't used to."
This makes me angrier. They deal with this often?
"You all can stay here for a bit. Wait for the patrons to stop hanging out outside." There's a chorus of 'thank you's and a few 'thanks' from the group of bards.
An hour later all the patrons and most of the bards are gone. Charles and Venti silently help me clean the tavern.
When we finish I sit, deciding to let Rosaria patrol the city tonight. Charles takes a seat next to where Venti is wiping a table down.
"Are you ok, Venti? You've been wiping down that table for the last twenty minutes." Charles asks. He's right, but it's been closer to thirty.
"I'm fine, ehe. Just tired." It doesn't look like he's slept at all.
"Let me walk you home," Charles says, taking the rag from the bard.
"No, I'm fine, really! I'm staying with Traveler anyway. They should be here soon." Venti backs away from the table, pulling his cape around him.
Gods do get cold.
A slight breeze cuts through the tavern, though I thought all of the windows were closed. Venti seems to flinch at the wind, taking a deep breath when the breeze stops.
"I'll wait with you, Charles you can go home now." Charles looks disappointed about me telling him to go home. Venti seems surprised, the wind picking up again when Charles passes by him.
Pulling out some dandelion wine as Charles leaves, I pour a glass of the wine and a glass of the juice that Venti and Traveler helped me make. "What was happening with the wind? You can control that, can't you?"
He laughs again, though it doesn't sound like his regular carefree laughter. "Sorry about that, again, I'm just a little tired." He takes the glass when I hand it to him.
"I don't believe you."
"What?" Venti looks up from his drink, the shock clear on his face.
"Venti, you rest all of the time. If you're tired, I don't think it's your body." Taking a sip of my juice, I take a stool so I can sit, The counter still between us, but I feel like I'm sitting so close to him. Too close.
"I don't think you know what you're talking about. I'm fine." Venti snaps. I think that's the first time he's been short with anyone.
"I'm just saying." The wind starts to pick up again, and Venti's visibly shaking.
"I don't need your pity. I said I was fine." The wind stop as quickly as it picked up. "I'm going to go find Traveler." Leaving the wine on the counter, Venti storms out of the tavern.
I feel bad like I shouldn't have pushed so hard. But I don't think I pushed all that much. Venti is sensitive, and I should have taken that into account.
I wait a moment before following him out. Giving him just a little bit of space. Walking out I hear Venti before I can see him.
"Charles, I said no." His voice sounds slightly panicked, and the wind is howling through the city.
"I've been trying to ask you out for weeks, please just one date." I see Charles standing over Venti, trapping him against the tavern with his arms.
My blood starts to boil again.
"Charles, I told you to go home for the night." Charles backs off and I try my best to look intimidating.
"Yes, Master Diluc." He scurries off towards Down Winery.
I shrug off my coat, placing it on Venti's shoulders. "The wind is cold tonight."
YOU ARE READING
A Barkeep And His Poet
Romance"No like, you're really pretty." He states, his cheeks pink. "Someone has an admirer." Kaeya snorts, looking from me to Venti. I can't think of an answer so I don't speak, giving other customers their drinks. Rosaria snickers and I look over. Venti...
