19 | local drunkards

                                    

                                          
The door to Y/n's office slammed open, hitting the wall and making Y/n screech. She looked up from her paperwork, Jean standing at her door, eyebrows narrowed, almost looking like she was going to jump her. 
''Jean, what the fuck?''
''Did you know Diluc's back?'' Y/n's eyes widened. Jean closed the door behind herself and finally made it to Y/n's desk, crossing her arms and looking down at her. ''Well? Did you?''
''Yes.'' Her voice was meek, so she cleared her throat and stood up to face Jean properly. ''Yes, I knew. He came back yesterday. He ran into me and my troops and helped us out.''
Jean raised an eyebrow. ''Why haven't you said anything all morning? I had to find out from Barbara, who was told by Rosaria.''
''He didn't want anyone to know he was back yet, he was really tired last night,'' Y/n defended, then furrowed her eyerbows. ''How did Rosaria know?''
''Well, she'd gone to day drink, as usual. Diluc was bartending.'' Jean put her hands on her hips. ''You know anything about that? Isn't he coming back?''
Y/n bit the inside of her cheek. She knew Diluc wasn't coming back, he'd told her so just the night before, but she wasn't sure if he'd appreciate her going around telling people his bussiness, even if it was the Acting Grandmaster. ''I'm uh . . . I'm not sure. You're going to have to ask him yourself.''
''Hm.'' Jean's stern expression held for a few more seconds before her features softened and she pressed her lips together. ''So . . . he's back.''
Y/n felt the corner of her lip twitch up. ''Yeah. For good.''
Jean nodded. ''So? How are you feeling?''
How was she feeling? She felt like she could run through the Sumeru desert and back from happiness. ''I mean, I'm glad he's back. It was about time.''
Neither of them addressed Y/n's treath to leave just the day before. There was no need to, because everything was okay now. Mostly. 
''Did you guys talk last night?'' Jean continued. 
Y/n nodded. ''Yeah, for a while. But it was really late, so we had to cut it short.'' Then she remembered his demeanor and furrowed her eyebrows. ''He's . . . different, though. Quieter. I'm not sure if it's because he was tired or because of . . . well.'' 
Jean hummed. ''It's been three years, Y/n. We've all grown up one way or another. We aren't dumb teenagers anymore.'' 
''Right.'' Y/n nodded, biting on her lip. ''Right, you're right. I just, I can't help but remember him how he used to be, you know? But he's still Diluc . . . our Diluc.'' My Diluc. She hoped, at least. 
It got quiet then, and Jean claimed she had to get back to work, leaving Y/n alone with her thoughts and paperwork. 
She tried not to overthink Diluc's demeanor. He wasn't going to tell her what had happened, at least not for now, so there was no reason to overthink his drastic change in personality. She just needed to make the best out of the situation and get to know him again. 
After work, she headed downtown. Before she could take the right turn towards her house, she stopped in her tracks, looking to the right and continuing on that path. Her legs led her to the Angel's share, multiple patrons outside enjoying the end of the work day with some alcohol. Y/n pushed the door open, her eyes widening at the sight. 
Diluc's and Kaeya's voices weren't too loud, but they were the only ones she could register, despite how bustling the tavern was. Kaeya sat at the bar as Diluc was behind it, cleaning glasses. His hand was still, though, so he was most likely too focused on whatever they were fighting about.