The Knight and His Sword • Dainsleif x Diluc fanfic

Introductions - 2

Warnings: None

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Aether left shortly after saying his farewell's to Diluc. I pondered for a while, trying to figure out when the best time to go up to the counter. Finally, I took a deep breath and stood up from my chair to walk over to the counter. Diluc glanced up at me,

"What'll it be?" He asked calmly while putting away the rag he was using to clean. I felt stuck, as if I was unable to open my mouth to speak. Or even find the right words. "Sir?" He asked again, I broke out of my train of thought and cleared my throat.

"Just a glass of water please." Why did I ask that? That's not at all what I was thinking about saying. Then again, this makes it easier to talk for a bit. He nodded and began preparing a glass of water. I decided to sit down at the counter instead of at one of the tables.

"Here you go." He placed the glass down in front of me, "So, what's your name, where you from? You don't look like a local." He asked, I hadn't expected him to speak first. I obviously wasn't open to talking about my old nation. I'll just tell him what I tell everyone else.

"My name is Dainsleif, I come from an old city, you wouldn't know." I lied, "Try me." He dared, I stared at him and began to think,

"Let's just say where I lived is all ruin now. History." I said, this makes it easier. That statement is more truthful than the first. Hopefully, this will stop further questions about my homeland.

"I see, well it's nice to make your acquaintance, Dainsleif." He paused, "Sorry about your home." He continued,

"That's quite alright. It's been so long now that I...don't feel all that bad about it anymore." No one spoke for a long moment; I had been sipping on my water throughout the conversation. Besides my hesitation to think up a lie about my homeland. Diluc hasn't been all that difficult to talk with. He seems easy to talk to, as well as understanding.

"So, what do you do for a living?" He asked breaking the silence between us.

"I travel, and I enjoy learning about the places Teyvat has to offer." I answered,

"Your wardrobe's very extravagant for a traveler don't you think?" He questioned,

"I suppose." I responded bitterly; I didn't mean for it to come off that way. He started putting away the now clean glasses from past patrons. Then he picked up a broom and walked out from behind the counter to sweep the floors. It wasn't sitting right with me that I broke off the conversation. I suppose I could try starting it up again. "Aether's told me about you. Your name is Diluc, yes?" I asked, he stopped.

"Yes. Diluc Ragnvindr, I own this tavern." He replied and continued to sweep, "how do you know the traveler?" He asked,

"I met him in this tavern in fact. I was sitting in one of those tables there and he started talking to me. I'd been wanting to meet him, since I heard of all his achievements. Since then, he's helped me with some things." I paused, "what about you? How do you know him?" I asked to keep the conversation going,

"I heard about a blonde haired outlander roaming through Mondstadt. The Knights of Favonius took him in to help them fight off one of the Four Winds, Dvalin. Then he became the Honorary Knight. Only the Knights of Favonius would recruit an outlander to help them with their own work." He remarked, he seems to speak with resentment towards the Knights of Favonius, I wonder why.

"Yes, I remember hearing about that." He nodded and then started to continue,

"After that he helped me out here at the tavern and at my winery." He said,

"I see. Aether is quite the helpful person." He nodded in agreement, I didn't really want to leave just yet, but I figured that he wanted me to leave so he could close and go home for the night. "I suspect there won't be much time left that the tavern will be open. So, I'll take my leave." I put some Mora down on the counter for the drinks and glass of water.

"Oh please. Drinks are on the house tonight. Don't worry about the cost." Diluc said,

"Are you sure? That's for three drinks, I don't mind paying the tab." I argued,

"It's on the house." Diluc persisted,

"Alright. Thank you, Diluc." I said, I picked up the mora that I had left on the counter and stood up.

"If you'd like to stay longer, I don't mind. It looks like the storm hasn't cleared up much. I would be staying here until it dies down anyway. Since you're a traveler, you probably don't have anywhere to stay in Mondstadt." He offered,

"Are you sure? I can walk in the rain." I asked,

"Yes." He reassured,

"Alright." I sat back down and looked around; the tavern is beautifully decorated. Pictures of places in Mondstadt are hung on the wall. The soft light of the candles on the chandelier bringing a comfortable glow to the area. And the sounds of the rain and Diluc sweeping the floor being the only sounds to fill up the silence. It's very relaxing, especially when there's no one else here but me and Diluc. "It must be nice to have quiet rainy nights like this." I said breaking the silence, he startled a little. He must have been spaced out with how quiet it was.

"Yes, they are my favorite. I've always loved the rain, even since I was a kid. Now that I spend my time in my tavern alone. Nights like these are the most soothing after a long day." I nodded in agreement, he moved to a different area of the tavern to sweep the floors. Pretty soon he had finished sweeping the whole tavern. He came back down from the second floor and put away the broom behind the counter and walked back out.

"Would you like some help?" I asked, he started picking up leftover glassed from the other tables.

"No, that would be rude to ask a patron for help. You are still my customer." He said,

"Isn't the tavern closed? It's after-hours. Thus, I am no longer a patron. Only another person." He looked at me with an annoyed expression,

"Fine, you can help me pick up these glasses. Retrieve all of the glasses from the second floor and set them on the counter." He ordered,

"No problem." I responded, I stood up and took off my cape and set it on the available coat hanger by the entrance door. I headed upstairs and began retrieving the glasses. After I got all the glasses, I carefully headed downstairs to place them on the counter as Diluc instructed.

"Here are the glasses, Diluc." I notified,

"Thank you." He brought his set of glasses over to the counter and set them down. Then he began to clean all of them. There wasn't that many of them. However, it still seemed like a hassle.

"Have you always done things by yourself here?" I asked,

"Yes. I don't work all my shifts. I do have another bartender who works for me here. Other than that, yes." I answered,

"Doesn't it get tiring? I'm sure you are busy at your winery as well."

"Yes, I am a very busy man." He responded, I would've said something else but then I remembered how I act. My actions aren't that far off from his. I do not take breaks or ask for help either. I looked outside, the storm seemed to have paused for the time being.

"Well, since the storm has cleared up. I'll take this moment to leave before it starts back up." I said, he looked up at me,

"I suppose you are right."

"Thank you again for letting me stay longer and paying for me and Aether's drinks."

"Anytime, you are always welcome." With that I grabbed my cape and put it on. Then I walked out of the tavern and began my trail on the Abyss Order once again.

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(A/N)
2nd chapter is out! Funny how Diluc and Dainsleif bond over the traveler isn't it?