Ascension of the Celestial Archon (Genshin Isekai AU)

The Grumpy (But Sexy) Bartender

The sun starts to set, and I feel exhausted. Venti and I had wandered nearly the entire town. We just left the Mondstadt library, which was incredible. It had a whole section dedicated to my world, but it was general things like geography and literature. I still wanted to know about the prophecy and what I needed to do as the chosen one. However, the librarian seemed to have been somewhere else as she was nowhere to be found.

"So what's next on the agenda?" Venti asks as he walks with his hands behind his head.

"Hmmm..." Brief memories of Genshin Impact flood my brain. "Do you know this cute bartender with red hair?"

"You mean Diluc?" He asks as if this is common knowledge. I excitedly nod. "Sure, I can take you to him!"

I follow him to the village square to a quaint medieval tavern. The building stands tall, made of stone, blending perfectly with Mondstadt's charm. Large, arched windows line the front, glowing softly from within, casting a warm amber light that spills onto the cobblestone street.

Above the door hangs a wooden sign, swaying gently in the breeze, carved with the image of a wine barrel surrounded by swirling vines, the tavern's name etched in elegant script beneath it. Ivy climbs along the stone walls, weaving between the beams, giving the place an air of quiet, lived-in comfort.

He leads me inside, and it's packed with people. "Diluc runs the Angel's Share Tavern." Venti explains. "He can be intimidating at first, but he's got a heart of gold beneath that gruff exterior."

We make our way to the bar, where the handsome man sits, watching the lively camaraderie among the customers. Diluc is dark and brooding, just like in my memory.

He doesn't notice us, even though we're only a few feet away. My steps falter as anxiety creeps in. Flirting has never been my strong suit. I had a boyfriend once, but it only lasted a month. He's partly the reason I died. I have always been timid and meek and usually watched them from afar.

Venti notices my anxiety and places a gentle hand on my shoulder. He leans in. "Relax, Kayla. Diluc might look a little... intense, but deep down, he's not as scary as he seems. Just be yourself."

I raise an eyebrow at him, my heart still hammering in my chest. "B-be myself? I am the most socially awkward oaf I know." I mumble, glancing over at Diluc, who now sees us. "What if I say something stupid?"

Venti chuckles. "Just act natural."

The first thing that pops into my mind is that one scene from Spongebob where Patrick gives Spongebob reassurance before his first boating lesson.

Diluc is now standing across from me with his arms crossed in an uninviting fashion. "So, what will it be?"

Coherent words don't form as I start to tremble. Sweat drips down my forehead, and my heart begins to race. "um..ah..eh..moo!"

Venti, of course, bursts into uncontrollable laughter, practically doubling over. "Moo! Oh, Kayla, you never fail to surprise me!" His laughter fills the air, drawing the attention of a few people passing by, but I'm too mortified to care.

Diluc, however, doesn't react. His arms remain crossed, and his gaze remains fixed on me. "I'm sorry, we don't serve cows here," he says flatly.

Panic wells up inside me, but Venti steps in before I can say anything more humiliating. He claps a hand on Diluc's arm, still grinning like this is all one big joke.

"Come now, Diluc. You'll have to excuse Kayla." He looks over at me with a goofy smile. "It's just how people on Earth greet each other."

I know where he is going with this, and I play along. "That's right." I let out a hearty laugh. "Though I've seem to have forgotten what planet I'm on, my apologies."