Rainy Day Tavern // A Chaeya Fic

Angel's Advice

Summary: Diluc gets a PhD in love advice

~

Ajax visits the tavern the next day, and is surprised that the sign was swung to 'CLOSED'. He peaks through the window; Kaeya isn't behind the counter for once. The ex-Harbinger finds himself unsure of what to do. Kaeya didn't leave behind a note of any sort, and Ajax feels sort of pathetic for feeling disappointed. Did he do something wrong?

Ajax glances down the street, towards the notice board and the surrounding feelings. His hand twitches, wanting to go down and explore, to finally uncover all the secrets it has. Perhaps it would even leave a clue as to where Kaeya had disappeared off to, considering he had never left the tavern before...

He has a feeling that if he tried to explore the street, Barbatos would kick him out again, so he heads over to the Angel's Share. He hasn't visited the other tavern since Diluc had invited him for free drinks. With a sigh, he reluctantly pushes open the door and enters the tavern, smiling at Diluc, who seemed surprised to see him.

"Tartaglia," Diluc greets. Ajax winces slightly at the sound of his former title but takes a seat anyway.

"One Dandelion Wine, if you so please?" Ajax asks. Diluc nods, walking off to go find a vintage from his supply. Ajax looks around the tavern, finding most of the people he had seen last time he visited were here as well. Seems this place was rather popular among the locals. That, or they want a chance to try and talk to the infamous one-eyed Cavalry Captain.

The drink is served to him shortly. Ajax grabs the drink and grins. "Join me for a toast?" he asks. Diluc looks reluctant but eventually pours himself a glass of grape juice, their glasses clinking together to 'friendship', apparently. Ajax was surprised Diluc didn't question it, and it almost looked like he was going to smile. The ex-Harbinger wisely decides not to prod.

Ajax doesn't really know what to talk to Diluc about, it's a lot harder to converse with him than it is with Kaeya. He sulks over his drink over the lack of company he has here in Angel's Share. He wasn't one to drink alone, usually taking his underlings out for a few drinks in celebration when they'd done exceptionally well. Tartaglia was close to them, especially the ones in Liyue, and they made for good company, considering they were around the same age compared to the Harbingers.

Diluc though? He didn't know where to start, considering this was his superior and also a person he wasn't all that close with (he still didn't know where they stood). Diluc refills his glass before it's even half empty, and Ajax murmurs a thanks. "What's on your mind? You don't usually come here."

"The tavern I usually go to is closed," Ajax says with a shrug. Diluc nods, waiting for elaboration. "And like, I don't know what to do, 'cause I really like the bartender," Ajax mumbles. Diluc nods again in understanding, or some sort. Ajax knows he's going to start rambling, but he'll blame it on the alcohol for loosening his lips. "And he's pretty and shit... But he likes some other guy. I think, anyway... And I can't just stop him from that, he's too good for me."

"Oh, the unrequited love thing," Diluc mumbles. "I'm not particularly experienced in these types of situations." That's like. The third worse thing Ajax wanted to hear right now. He groans, faceplanting into the table and refusing to move when Diluc pokes at him to see if he had passed out. The bartender stops and sighs. "Love is... Confusing," he says after a moment. "Is it a good thing, being in love with him, do you think?"

"Well... Maybe not, knowing he's... He likes someone else," Ajax murmurs. "But I like being in love with him. It... It's a comfort of sorts. So... Maybe it is?" Diluc doesn't have anything to say to that. It sounded confusing to Ajax too. "He just... He always makes me happy," Ajax confesses after a moment. Diluc nods.