It's been days since Venti has been in Mondstadt. Traveler and I split up to look for him. Traveler and Paimon went to Liyue and I went as far as to ask Diona for help.
We find nothing.
When Venti walks into the tavern I almost run to hug him. Everyone in the tavern seems to have noticed his absence, because as soon as he walks in the room bursts into noise. His name runs through the tavern. Some people whisper his name and others yell it, all with joy.
He smiles at them, laughing and telling jokes until the floor is settled.
He walks upstairs after the excitement of his return dies down.
Traveler walks in soon after Venti disappears.
"He came into the tavern," Keaya says to them when Traveler walks up to the bar. "Where's Paimon?"
"I sent Piamon to bed. It's late and we've been searching for days." They say "He's in the tavern?"
I nod. "He went upstairs." Traveler moves to leave but Kaeya holds onto the back of their clothes.
"Best not to disturb him if he's resting," Kaeya says, pulling Traveler into their seat.
We sit in silence for a bit while we wait for Venti. I pour Traveler some grape juice and a Death After Noon for Kaeya and Rosaria. She always stays quiet when we talk about Venti, I don't know if she knows, but she's always silent.
When Venti comes down its near closing. He has to weave himself through the lively crowd, it always gets more chaotic the later it gets.
Walking up to the bar, he looks a mix of pissed and worried. Rosaria decides to take her to leave, whispering to Kaeya to give Venti some room. He does, scooting over in his seat a bit.
"Diluc," He starts, waiting for me to stop making the drink I'm currently mixing.
"Yes, Venti?"
"Diluc," He starts again. "Where's my lyre?"
Traveler gives me a worried look, and I try not to let Venti see me nod.
"Your lyre?" Kaeya asks, trying to distract.
"Yes, my lyre. Diluc, where is it?"
"What happened to your lyre?" Kaeya asks, he doesn't know what happened, or at least I don't think he knows what happened. But I'm thankful that he's trying to distract Venti for me.
"It broke a couple days ago, I'm looking for the pieces. Diluc, where's my lyre?" He sounds angry.
Traveler stays silent through the exchange, they can't play it like they don't know like Kaeya can. Traveler and I both know how important that lyre is.
"If it broke why are you looking for it? Get another one." Kaeya says, and if I'm not mistaken, I see a tiny bit of fear in his eye.
"I can't just 'get a new one'" He says, glaring at Kaeya. "Diluc, where's my lyre?" He says again.
"Now is not the time, Venti," I say, trying to distract him further.
I start to turn away but he grabs my wrist. "Where's my lyre, Diluc?"
"I don't have it right now," I say, shocked that he would grab me.
"You don't have it? Are you fucking kidding me? Where the fuck is it?" He asks, his voice a deadly whisper.
"I don't have it right now," I say again.
"Fucking get it."
"I can't, I'm working." I try but he shakes his head.
"I don't care, Diluc. Get my lyre."
"Maybe hold off for a little bit, Venti. We all trust Diluc, right?" Traveler asks, pulling at Venti's sleeve. Near his wrist, the fabric close to my wrist. He's still holding onto me with an iron grip.
"..." Venti pauses, though he's still holding on to me. "Get my lyre." He says finally letting go.
He steps back, letting Traveler lead him to his normal seat. I pour him a drink and he downs it in one drink. Thankfully only Traveler, Kaeya, and I heard the commotion.
The door to the tavern opens and Donna walks in, heading straight for the bar. Pink cheeks and smelling alcohol, she stands in front of me.
"Master Diluc..." She starts, stumbling over. The opening of the door this late and the unexpected guest causes the room to silence.
"Master Diluc, I love you, we should go on a date. Like right now." She says and I hear crickets. No one's moving and I don't know what to do.
"Uh, you're drunk. Maybe you should rest." I try but she grabs onto my coat sleeve.
She starts tugging on me, saying that she doesn't need to rest.
"Um, I'm sorry, I have feelings for another." She stops, looking like I slapped her. She looks like she doesn't believe me so I try again. "Donna, I love another."
"Oh, what a lucky woman to catch the attention of Master Diluc!" She says, tears in her eyes.
I feel guilty, but I don't like Donna. I like Venti.
Keeping her head high, she walks out, not looking back. The tavern stays quiet for a few minutes, until the clock on the wall goes off, signaling the taverns closing.
A beat passes before people start packing up. But when they do there's whispers. They whisper about what just happened and who I could possibly love instead.
Venti looks shocked, so does Traveler. Only Kaeya still has his composure. "Feelings for another, Diluc?" Kaeya says when the tavern is finally empty.
"Yes... a woman...... apparently."
At this, Venti laughs. It's like dandelions in the wind. The sound is magical.
Even Kaeya smiles at the sound.
"I'll get the lyre." I say looking down.
"It can wait." Venti mutters, his hands holding onto his cup.
"Don't let us disturb you." Kaeya says, pulling Traveler up from their seat.
When they leave I let Venti take my hand. He holds it a moment before speaking.
"You love me?"
