Chapter Text
Mondstadt was where it all first began, and also where it first ended.
And now he was back here where the curtains would unfurl again.
The morning breeze tickled his face as Diluc gazed upon the winery from the balcony. The winery was already bustling in the morning as the employees scrambled around busily while carts left the winery for deliveries. A knock was heard from the door as Elzer entered the room.
“Good morning Master. Breakfast is ready.” Elzer said.
“Thank you Elzer. I’ll be there shortly.”
Diluc walked back into his room and started to get dressed for the day. As he slipped on his shirt, he wondered when was the last time he had been back here.
Months? Years?
Diluc didn’t know. He pulled his hair into a ponytail. Time didn’t matter anymore. The only time that would matter to him would be the time when he finally reaches his end goal. He made his way down to the dining table where someone was already busily devouring the food.
“Morning! This toast is absolutely delicious. I wish I could bring some home for Teucer to try.” The man exclaimed.
“How are you already so noisy in the morning, Childe.” Diluc grumbled as he took his seat at the table.
“Mean as usual.” Childe quipped. “I thought you’d be happier since we’re back in your hometown. But it seems like I’m more excited than you are.”
“Why would I be happy to be back in this town?”
“Yikes. Not holding back at all. Well at least I’m excited to see what this town has to offer.” Childe chuckled. “I’m looking forward to seeing who I can fight. You have got to bring me around later.”
“Go look around yourself.” Diluc took a sip of his water.
“C’mon! First day back and you’re gonna lock yourself in here all day? We’ll have to do reconnaissance sooner or later anyways.”
“Fine.”
“That’s what I like to hear, comrade!” Childe exclaimed. “Mmm this pancake is so good as well, can I get another plate here please?”
Diluc sighed and shook his head as he took a bite of his meal.
-
"Hmm… This town is interesting and all but there’s no one to fight with."
"All you think is about fighting. You should think about other things sometimes." Diluc said.
Diluc was now walking around Mondstadt in disguise along with Childe. They had just passed by the Favonius Headquarters and now stopped to take a look at the statue of Barbatos.
"Wow. You guys even built such a big statue for your god?"
"A waste of materials and space." Diluc clicked his tongue. “Let’s go.”
"That bard there seems like he's gonna start a song." Childe said. "Let’s listen to it!"
Childe then pranced towards the bard without even waiting for Diluc's reply. Not in the mood for a song, Diluc decided to wait for Childe under the shade of the walkways instead. He leaned on one of the pillars and gazed around the area. The cathedral doors opened to make way for two people.
The world seemed to come to a standstill and the sounds of the world were drowned out by his heartbeat as Diluc recognised one of the two persons.
One of the two caught Diluc’s eye. He still looked the same. With blue hair that pulled into a ponytail, an eyepatch covering his right eye. The only difference now was that his hair was now waist length.
“Like the sun and moon,
We were not meant to be together.”
The bard’s poem suddenly reached Diluc’s ears.
The person seemed to notice Diluc’s gaze as momentarily stopped mid conversation and turned to look in Diluc’s direction.
“Engulfed by the shadows,
I lost your light and returned to the dark.”
Diluc quickly tugged on his wig and looked away.
“We were never meant to be together. " The bard ended his poem with a final strum of his lyre.
Diluc stole a peek at the blue haired person. He was now walking away, eyes crinkled in the shape of a crescent moon as he chuckled at something his companion said. Diluc rubbed his chest absently while his eyes followed them, trying to rid himself of this prickling feeling he was having.
-
“Sir Kaeya?” Amber said.
“Sir Kaeya? Are you alright?”
“Sorry Amber. What were you saying?” Kaeya said, broken out of his daze.
“It was nothing. But what were you looking at?” Amber asked, eyes wide in curiosity.
“You were so focussed on it you didn’t even hear me calling you.”
“I thought I saw someone I recognised. But it seems like it was just a mistake.” Kaeya said, scratching his head.
“It happens to me all the time!” Amber giggled. “And before I forget! Master Jean wanted me to tell you to check up on the side gate again.”
“Again? I understand it’s because of the recent hilichurl attack but this is the 4th time this week.” Kaeya sighed.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry isn’t it? Oh! I’ll part ways with you here! It’s time for the outrider to do some scouting! I’ll see you around Captain!”
Amber bounced away as the duo parted ways. Kaeya continued his leisurely pace, mind lost deep in thought. For some reason today, a certain someone wouldn't leave his mind. Before he knew it, his feet had unknowingly brought him to Angel’s Share.
C’mon Kaeya. Isn’t it too early for drinks?
Kaeya sighed.
“Get yourself together Kaeya.”
Suddenly, a scream pierced through the air. It seemed to come from the direction of the side gate.
Kaeya rushed towards the gate, happy for the distraction from that person.
Upon reaching, he found Guy, the knight guarding the side gate, clutching one of his arms in pain. Even from a distance away, Kaeya could see the blood dripping down Guy’s arm.
A Pyro Abyss Mage had somehow made its way to the side gate. The Abyss mage laughed and raised its wand, launching another attack.
“Guy!” Kaeya shouted as he dashed in front of the injured knight. He summoned a cryo wall, just in time to block the attack.
“Captain Kaeya!” Guy exclaimed, surprised by Kaeya’s entrance.
“Get out of here and guide the civilians away from here, I’ll deal with it!” Kaeya commanded.
“Ye..Yes!” Guy said and made his exit.
“Another challenger?” The Abyss Mage laughed.
“Do your worst, human.” The Abyss Mage raised his wand again, summoning three heads that spewed flames.
“That’s my line.” Kaeya leapt upwards, dodging the attack. He summoned his sword and unleashed a frigid blast to weaken the mage’s shield.
Landing behind the mage, he swifty struck the enemy with his sword, shattering the shield into pieces. Before the dazed enemy could recover, he pinned the enemy down to the ground.
“Captain!” A couple of knights ran towards him.
“Just in time. Take him away for interrogation.” Kaeya commanded.
“Yes Captain!” The knights immediately went into action, dragging the mage away.
Kaeya was just about to relax when a sudden movement behind the crates caught his attention.
“Who’s there? Show yourselves.” He warned, preparing to strike if necessary.
Kaeya was surprised to see a young boy step out from behind the crates. He sighed in relief, at least it wasn’t another enemy.
“What are you doing here little boy?” Kaeya walked towards the boy.
“I was collecting some dandelions for mummy. When the scary red creature appeared.”
“Are you injured?” Kaeya asked in concern.
“Nope. The friendly knight protected me! Is he going to be ok?” The boy asked.
“He’s going to be fine. He’s stronger than you think” Kaeya assured the boy.
“But try not to come here again okay? There’s been many bad guys here recently.”
The boy nodded his head.
“That’s good. You should get going now before your mummy starts worrying.” Kaeya patted the boy’s head.
“Okay!” The boy started to leave, but stopped midway, retrieving something from his basket. He ran back towards Kaeya.
“This dandelion is for you! To thank you for defeating the bad guy!” The boy offered him one of the dandelions he collected.
“Mummy said that when you make a wish with a dandelion and blow it, Barbatos will hear and grant your wish.”
“Thank you.” Kaeya smiled at the boy’s childlike innocence and accepted the dandelion.
“Bye bye then Mr Knight!” The boy waved at him before running back into the city.
Kaeya inspected the surrounding area of the side gate after the boy left, making sure there was nothing else lurking around. He stopped at the end of the pier after making sure the area was clear. He looked up into the morning sky.
The ever present gentle wind of Mondstadt caressed his face, sounds of the pond and birds surrounded him. He sat down on the pier, legs swinging freely, body relaxed as he enjoyed the breeze, taking in the calming sounds of the waves and the animals.
He reached into his pocket and took out the dandelion that the boy had given him earlier. Looking at the dandelion, the boy’s words about wishing with a dandelion came to his mind.
It was what that person had told Kaeya when they were younger. Kaeya smiled fondly at the memory of them collecting dandelions. He wondered how that person was doing now.
Kaeya closed his eyes and made a wish. He blew on it gently and watched the dandelion seeds ride the gentle currents up into the air. Up to where the gods would hear his wish.
Even though he knew that it was just a tale, he still hoped that the gods would hear his simple wish.
His simple wish to see Diluc again.