Chapter Text
“Gentlemen! It is a pleasure to have you here tonight,” Kaeya began, arms spreading open in a graceful gesture. “It’s been far too long since I’ve hosted a proper banquet, so please - don’t hesitate to ask me or one of our lovely maids for anything you might desire.” He let that word hang in the air just long enough before continuing.
“As I mentioned, Master Diluc won’t be joining us this evening. Urgent business, poor thing…so we’re free to speak openly about the arrangement we discussed earlier this month. Luke, have you had time to brief your comrades?”
A young blonde man seated beside Childe straightened in his chair. “Ehm - only the basics, Captain.”
“Ah, I see,” Kaeya replied with a nod. “Then allow me the pleasure of expanding on what we discussed at the Angel’s Share.”
He reached for his wine glass, swirling the deep red liquid before taking a generous sip.
“As you know, Mondstadt’s wine industry is the beating heart of our economy. Unfortunately, recent Ley Line disturbances near the vineyards have led to rotting vines and disappointing harvests. Master Diluc, ever the hands-on type, has been handling the problem personally, cleansing the corrupted nodes one by one. Admirable, yes… but even the biggest sword is useless without the right technique.”
A soft chuckle rippled through the room. It came from the Harbinger, who lounged effortlessly in his chair. His smirk was casual, but his blue eyes gleamed wide open.
“Apologies,” he said, his voice edged with amusement. “I promised the Regrator I’d behave tonight. But Luke wasn’t exaggerating - our host is entertaining.”
Kaeya flashed him a slow smile. “Oh my, a compliment from a Harbinger? I’d better watch myself… or I might stop hating on redheads altogether.”
Childe laughed, as he leaned in just a little closer.
“Hah! Marvelous! Looks like we’re all sharing the same feelings toward your brother.”
“I must apologise on my brother’s behalf for being so narrow-minded when it comes to new business ideas. Especially when it comes to liquor.” Kaeya’s fingers gently caressed the base of his glass.
“I heard you already tried to work with him two years ago, to establish your world famous Firewater here in Mondstadt. But apparently, he declined - without even telling me. What a pity.”
“If I understand correctly… Captain Kaeya, you’d like to revive the idea of selling Firewater in Mondstadt?” Childe asked, visibly intrigued.
“That is correct, Mr. Tartaglia. As long as we keep this relationship on a more intimate basis, that is.”
Kaeya’s middle and index fingers slowly stroked the stem of his glass, his eyes fixed on the Harbinger as he spoke.
“And no need for honorifics on my side. A man like you must have years of experience I couldn’t even begin to compare to.”
He took a sip, then licked a drop of wine from his lips.
The men around the table were clearly affected - enchanted by Kaeya’s flirtatious demeanor, yet flustered by how little he tried to hide it.
At the center of it all sat the redheaded Harbinger, whose cheeks were starting to match the color of his hair. He swallowed hard and tried to steer the conversation back on course.
“Hah… So you want our merchants to smuggle the Firewater? Doing illegal business is risky, you know…and the well-being of our merchants is very important to us.”
Even two of Childe’s men couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
“Hey! I’m trying to bargain here! You two aren’t helping,” Childe said, gritting his teeth.
“Gentlemen, relax,” Kaeya said with a disarming smile. “I’m well aware this little idea of mine won’t come cheap. But if we market Firewater as a luxury item, something not for the average citizen, it could work in our favour. That way, word won’t spread among the city folk.”
He gestured toward Adeline, who swiftly entered with the other maids, carrying trays of freshly prepared food.
“Let’s discuss the details over a proper home-cooked dinner.”
So they did. Discussing the matter for hours while eating and drinking. As the alcohol in their blood began to rise, their inhibitions slowly started to fall.
Childe came to the conclusion that they couldn’t possibly sell a product as strong as Firewater without testing it on a real local. He pulled out a bottle he had brought with him from Snezhnaya and challenged the Cavalry Captain to a drinking game.
“We’re gonna play Дурак (Durak)! Which translates to ‘Fool’ in the local tongue,” Childe announced, pulling out a deck of cards.
The Harbinger seemed quite confident in both his card skills and his ability to handle liquor and he clearly looked forward to seeing the ever-composed Cavalry Captain finally lose his cool.
Kaeya, never one to pass up free alcohol (or a challenge), accepted without hesitation.
Childe began explaining the rules.
“The last one holding cards is the Fool. And they have to down as many shots as they’re holding when they lose.”
“The Fool, hmm?” Kaeya mused, swirling his drink. “A title quite fitting for a certain someone.” He shot Childe a look over the rim of his glass.
“Laugh while you can, Cavalry Captain. I’ve been playing this game since I was a child.”
“Can’t have been that long ago, then.” Kaeya fired back smoothly.
Childe let out a deep, pointed sigh - the kind that carried just enough irritation to prove the Captain had gotten under his skin as he began to shuffle the cards.
As they played, it turned out that Childe wasn’t the only one with a knack for card games. The Cavalry Captain tricked the Harbinger multiple times into misplaying - making him the Fool again and again.
Even though Childe was known as a heavy drinker, not even he could handle dozens of Firewater shots.
The other Fatui men were also visibly drunk by now - flushed faces, clumsy laughter.
Only Kaeya, despite having consumed more than his fair share, still held his posture. His movements remained graceful, his words sharp, and that ever-present mischievous grin hadn’t faded once.
“Y-You totally cheated...! I knew you were up to somethin’... you damn little ice f-fox…”
Childe squinted, pointing at Kaeya with a wobbly finger, the accusation losing bite as his grin returned.
“D’you know how distractin’ you are when you swirl that wine like that...? That should be illegal!”
He leaned forward, swaying slightly.
“If I pass out, you’re carryin’ me. *hic …you’re a knight afterall.”
Kaeya burst out laughing, grabbing the edge of the table to steady himself.
“Hahaha! And you said I’m the entertaining one tonight! You guys are hilarious!”
He rose from his chair, wine glass still in hand, and gave a soft clap.
“Alright, gentlemen. I believe that’s enough diplomacy - and debauchery - for one night.”
The room let out a chorus of groans and tired laughter. The Fatui diplomats, thoroughly flushed and swaying in their seats, made no protest as the maids stepped in quietly to assist.
Kaeya turned to Adeline with a pleasant smile.
“Please escort our honored guests to their rooms. I believe they’ve more than earned their rest.”
He paused, glancing at the barely-upright Harbinger.
“Except for Mr. Tartaglia. I’ll handle him personally.”
Adeline gave a small nod.
“As you wish, Master Kaeya.”
One by one, the maids guided the diplomats out - some leaning on their shoulders, others mumbling half-hearted toasts and slurred political strategy. The last chuckle faded into the hallway, and the grand dining hall fell into silence.
Kaeya let it sit for a moment. Then, he set down his glass and approached Childe, who was slumped in his chair with a lazy grin and glassy eyes.
“Come now, Harbinger. Time to disappear for the night.”
Without waiting for permission, Kaeya leaned down and effortlessly hauled Childe up and over his shoulder in one practiced motion.
“Up we go. You wanted me to carry you, didn’t you?”
“Takin’ advantage of a drunk Harbinger... that’s low, Kaeya. Kinda hot, though.”
Childe slurred the words out against his shoulder, the smirk audible in his voice.
“Ohh - so my intent did get through to you. Seems like my flirting wasn’t all for nothing.”
The Cavalry Captain walked with slow, steady steps. Not up the stairs, but down, toward that one locked cellar door.
Kaeya reached into his coat and pulled out a small iron key.
“So... does that mean I do have your consent for the night?”
Childe let out a low laugh, slumping a bit heavier against him.
“Mmh… do as you please, Captain. Just hope you can keep up.”
The lock clicked open with a heavy clunk, and the door creaked as it swung inward into darkness.
Kaeya stepped inside, the dim candlelight flickering behind him and the door closed softly, sealing them both beneath the winery.