Chapter Text
Diluc huffed, he was carrying the drunkard known as his brother the cavalry captain back to where the menace lived. The knights are always so inefficient... He seemed to find himself carrying Kaeya back to where he currently resided more often than he expected when the captain got himself black-out drunk. Of course, sometimes sister Rosaria would supervise Kaeya's walk home. But of course this time the nun didn't come today.
Kaeya Waltzed into the angel's share. Diluc only glanced at him but did nothing else to acknowledge the man, seeing as the tavern was quite full. The captain gave Diluc a sly smile and nod as he walked up to the counter and asked for his usual. He got his drink and went up the stairs. "A change of scenery," he said.
Diluc announced that he was closing up, and the drunkards then made their way out to the streets of Mondstad. He started wiping down the counter, and washing glasses. Stopping he paused, Diluc realized that he had never seen the captain leave. And that menace never leaves without harassing him as he cleans up. He sighs and starts making his way up the stairs.
The captain's body was slumped over. His head down lying on the table. Seemly passed out drunk. He didn't see Kaeya drink that much but that was just a fleeting thought. Diluc sighed.
He made his way over and attempted to wake the man up. He stirred, but all he did was let out a small grumble. A small flash of familiarity, a minuscule flash of regret? Can't just leave him here overnight, no matter how much I want to, "You owe me..." He sighed, again (he's been doing that a lot lately).
Getting Kaeya on his feet, he grabbed his arm and started to make their way out of the Angel's share.
"Sir Kaeya, I need your keys," Diluc said bluntly to the barely conscious man. Kaeya mumbled something. All Diluc heard was 'Luc.' He must be really out of it.
Deciding to ignore the suddenness of their childhood nickname, Diluc spoke "What?" Again came another slurred mumble. This time nothing coherent came out. Sighing, he tried the doorknob, and surprisingly, it opened. Strange...
Diluc pulled Kaeya into his apartment, dragging the man through the poor excuse of a front room then proceeded to unceremoniously throw Kaeya on the couch, the man preceding letting out a weak groan of protest. Again, Kaeya mumbled something again. Diluc could have sworn he heard Kaeya say his name as he left...
There was no sign of Kaeya the next day, but then again, that was understandable. He was probably nursing a shit hangover while doing his 'knightly duties' As he puts it. Diluc picks up a glass and starts wiping it down. It's not like he's worried or anything of the sort . He was quite busy yesterday so he doesn't doubt that Kaeya probably ordered a bunch of drinks as he always does. But there's this itching feeling that won't go away. He exhales. Putting the glass away and taking another. Why say his name like that? It was probably just drunken rambling.
Another few days pass and a group of knights make their way into the tavern, they get their drinks and go sit at the table. Them mindlessly spilling all of the knights' affairs. Useless knights... Diluc let out a huff. And turns his attention to a different customer. Though as usual, he keeps an open ear to the conversation of the knights.
He's serving a woman when the knights start a very interesting conversation. Giving the girl her drink, he starts making himself appear busy while listening in on the conversation.
"Two days ago he was supposed to lead a group to investigate a disturbance, and he just didn't show up!" A female knight spoke with annoyance in her voice.
Another one piped in, "Considering the acting grandmaster's behavior this morning, she doesn't even know where he ran off to. She even asked me if I had seen him!"
This statement caused the whole group to laugh. A feeling of uncertainty ran through Diluc. He shakes the feeling off. The knight's problems aren't mine . Though he can't deny it, this is quite intriguing.
It had been a week when an unexpected guest walked through the door of the tavern. He didn't even look up from what he was doing when they walked through the door, it was the time when the patrons usually got here, so he paid no mind. Or even expecting a sly remark followed by an excuse on why he was gone for so long. He looked up and had to do a double-take on who it was.
"What can I do for you, Acting Grandmaster Jean? " Diluc asked as he placed the glass he was washing down on the counter. She looked exhausted. Her hair was messy, she had huge bags under her eyes and she looked like she hadn't seen the sun all week.
"Have you seen Kaeya?" She inquired with a hint of an accusatory tone in her voice.
“He hasn't been around here all week, at least the times I've manned the bar. I suppose you can ask Charles if he’s seen him.” Diluc paused, allowing Jean to glare daggers at him. “But based on the fact that you are asking me of all people, I am going to assume you haven't seen him either.”
“Are you sure, master Diluc?” She was persistent, and suspicion was lining her voice. “When was the last time you saw him?”
Diluc thought for a moment, “Last Friday.”
Jeans glaze momentarily shifted into one of uncertainty, a hint of fear? but quickly went back to one of stoic (be it exhaustion) demander. “Around what time?”
Dilucs narrowed his eyes at her, “Grandmaster, what is this about?” He said with newfound suspicion. Concern?
She hesitated, “That's none of your concern, master Diluc. ” She looked desperate to tell him, but she didn't spill, “I just need to know where my captain is.” She crossed her arms.
“Oh? None of my concern? I'd say quite the opposite. If the oh-ever-so-wonderful captain is gone, then who knows what enemies could get up to?” he crossed his arms at her.
She sighed, “Lisen Diluc, this is serious, no one has seen him since last week, and this last place he was seen.”
“I took him home last time I saw him, the man was too drunk to walk. And I'm not just going to leave him here alone to raid my alcohol supply.”
“We checked his apartment, he wasn't there Diluc.”
“And when was that?” Diluc said bluntly.
Jean hesitated, “3 days ago.”
“If he's been gone for a week, why did you only check 3 days ago?” his eyebrow raised.
“We don't usually worry too much about it when Kaeya usually disappears for a few days. He always comes back. But he's never been gone this long…”
“And you think I had something to do with it?” Jean looked at him slightly shamefully, “No need to confirm, you already did. But no, I haven't done anything to your captain.” he said bluntly.
“Alright…” she said hesitantly. She preceded to nod at him and left the tavern.