LOYALTY. | diluc x reader

fourteen - a bard, an enemy, a situation

some days, the wind was furious like the sea; picking up everything in its way to wash it up as the shore caved in. it takes every leaf, every penny and every cobble tumbling down the stone made streets.

this was just like one of those days, horrendously windy and cold to the blood. clawing at layers of fabric did nothing for warmth once you realized your ears hurt incredibly.

yet what could you do about that? it's not like you controlled the wind.

you pushed the deathly cold door knob before being met with the tuned singing of drunkards and the heavenly music played by a bard with a lyre who sat on top of a table. the sight alone made you unable to sustain a smile.

–"what can i get you?" the brunette bartender asked as he leaned his body by his palms that rested on the bar top, a dirty cloth slouched over his shoulder.

–"just a glass of red wine, thank you" you told the very familiar man before the other even more familiar bartender walked in through the back doors.

he pulled the movable bar top upwards, allowing himself to pass through to get to behind the counter.

you smiled at him when his eyes met you, his eyes immediately becoming lighter. you went to say something to him before you were met with a bump to your side (even though you were sat on a barstool), a horrid smell of alcohol trailing behind the person with every step they took.

–"op-" the person stammered with a hitch in their tone, waving nonchalantly, "pardon miss!" he giggled, practically throwing himself on the bar top.

you looked to diluc who had been staring at him through crossed arms. he had a dead panned expression painted over his face - as per usual - with a hint of annoyance splattered.

this annoyed look was nothing like the look he was accustomed to giving kaeya, no. the gaze he directed at kaeya was one of much jealousy than what the somewhat short man recieved.

the said man had a stutter to his step, that of a tipsy person, yet when he looked into your eyes his own were steady. there was something so airy, so spacey about him. this was the same bard who was sitting on the table when you came in.

–"what? never seen an archon before?"

you stared at him in pure confusion, as if the booming noise of the others in the tavern didn't get to you.

–"excuse me?" you asked.

–"didn't you say you didn't believe in gods?" the bard asked through a laugh.

if he was truly a god, he was an insanely humorous one. wouldn't gods feel disrespected at the sight of heathens?

–"i never said that" you squinted your eyes at the hiccuping bard.

–"you didn't need to!" he exclaimed, smiling widely, "the wind told me everything about you"

–"bard, i think it's time for you to stop drinking for tonight" diluc said through a shadowy gaze as he looked down at the bard with the aqua green clothing.

the bard waved his hand around as he straightened his spine back up, pushing his cup towards the annoyed man. you couldn't help but chuckle.

–"i think you and i both know i can handle more alcohol than that, master diluc" the bard grinned like a child.

–"yes, we both know that," diluc began, "but we also know your tab is a very concerning high number"

–"hehe" was all the bard could muster up as his round cheeks turned a pink color.