Rainy Day Tavern // A Chaeya Fic

Spin With Me, Endlessly

A/N: Hints to one-sided chiluc if that's not your thing. Not explicit but it can be perceived that way.

Summary: An expedition leads to some interesting conversations.

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If Ajax knew that those drinks at Angel's Share earlier were going to lead to the Cavalry Captain seeking him out at every moment, Ajax wouldn't have gotten those free drinks... Diluc seemed almost attached to him, walking up to him with something to say only to hesitate and walk away afterwards. It made this expedition a lot more awkward than necessary, especially since it was just the two of them... Maybe he was finally going to kill Tartaglia? If so, he wouldn't hold back!

Ah, back to the main point, Diluc has been wearing his eyepatch the entire time, which Ajax hopes isn't going to affect his aim once they find those damned abyss creatures that have been piling up. Why did they decide to leave it till much later? Oh well, more enemies for Tartaglia to kill. Wait – no, he's Ajax... He's killing for justice and freedom, not because of his bloodlust.

Sometimes, Ajax feels like Tartaglia bleeds into his personality. After all, Ajax died during that time in the Abyss and out came someone that he never bothered to name until he was given his codename, Childe, and then Tartaglia. Still, there was that place in between where there was some blend of the current Tartaglia and the Ajax that died ages ago.

He feels as If he can't differentiate the different personalities that he made for himself. Tartaglia and Childe took the brute of all the dangers to try and save that kid inside, but then they were created from that kid's terrors and fear. Was he Ajax, or Tartaglia?

Ajax was just the name he used here in Mondstadt for simplicity.

Diluc was currently setting up camp, and Ajax finally snaps out of his thoughts and focuses on the food before he accidentally burns it. The crackling of the fire, courtesy of the Pyro user, soothes his thoughts for a moment. Diluc eventually sits opposite him, and its awkward silence once more. "You've been wanting to tell me something, what?" Ajax asks. The one-eyed Cavalry Captain looks away.

"Nothing," Diluc scowls, hands clenching into a fist. The ex-Harbinger frowns, because he knows Diluc wants to say something, and he'd get it out by all means necessary.

"You're a terrible liar, you know?" Ajax hums. The glares from the Cavalry Captain don't dissuade him, if anything, it adds fuel to the fire. "Come on, just say it, comrade. It's been killing you."

"Just... Stay close."

Ajax doesn't question it. He pats the space beside him, and Diluc seems hesitant but eventually sits beside Ajax. The two Knights watch the fire in silence, but the ex-Harbinger finds that the atmosphere had lightened up a bit. The Hydro user looks to the side, noticing that the usually stone-faced Claymore user was smiling. Ajax turns away, trying to hide his own smile.

Calla Lily Seafood Soup was served soon afterwards. He notices Diluc staring at the orange flower that got left behind, lying on the grassy floor. They didn't hold much flavour, so Ajax normally cuts them off and only uses the white petals. He offers the orange flower to Diluc. He hesitates, but eventually throws it into the fire. Ajax doesn't know what was going on in the Cavalry Captain's head, but he decides to leave it. The two enjoy (at least, he hopes Diluc enjoy) their soup, and soon head to sleep.

"See you tomorrow, comrade," Ajax calls out softly. Diluc doesn't answer, the ex-Harbinger doesn't expect him to. They'd continue their hunt for those Abyss Mages later.

Ajax lies in his tent for what feels like hours before giving up and leaving.

Diluc finds him hours later, covered in blood and Electro crackling at his fingertips. Tartaglia snaps out of whatever haze he was in, feeling miserable. The Cavalry Captain doesn't say anything, besides to go get the blood off of him. Ajax thinks it's because he understands, in some way or another at least.