New Year's Chance

      Once upon a time, they loved each other. At times they quarreled and at the same moment made up. We had dinner, walked, spent time together, enjoying each other's company. All the things that couples are usually supposed to do. But here comes another scandal. A phrase thrown accidentally, in a fit of anger, makes you stop and go out of sight. And so the fragile vase of patience cracks and breaks into pieces, forcing you to take extreme measures. Nicole and Kaeya no longer remember what caused this quarrel, but it could not be reversed. They parted, like ships at sea that do not plan or cannot meet again. Dull pride, like an iron vice around the throat, stifles the desire to come up and just talk. Or is it the fear of aggravating the situation and losing the opportunity to even just see each other that entangles the body with its slippery tentacles, not allowing you to take a single step. Their friends saw them thrashing around and tried to help, but to no avail. As if fate itself was against this.       New Year has arrived. During this period, the peaceful, quiet city comes to life. Conversations, noise, and laughter of residents can be heard everywhere. Everyone is busy with their own business. Some are working, some are decorating the streets, and some are already celebrating by sitting in a bar with a glass of Mondstatt wine. Towards evening, having finished their business, old acquaintances decide to gather at the distillery to relax and drink another glass. Sitting on a soft sofa, Nicole, Jeanne and Barbara shared stories that had happened during the day. At the table, Kaeya and Diluc were talking about their own things, or rather, Captain Ordo Fovonius was doing most of the talking. And somewhere in the corner, Rosaria, Lisa and Venti were hiding, holding a glass in their hands. The sister of the church looked around the room with a bored look, only half-listening to her interlocutors. - Little Nicole needs a little nudge to talk. - Otherwise, they will continue to avoid each other. – the librarian whispers with a conspiratorial look. – The same can be said about Kay. Sometimes they are so stubborn. – concludes the bard. – Whatever you think, this is a bad idea. - Rosaria intervenes. - As if you weren’t tired of watching this yourself. – the guy frowns, to which she sighs. - So we need to do something. I even have a plan. – a sly smile touches Lisa’s lips.       Beckoning them with her finger, the woman outlines her plan in a whisper. After discussing a couple more details, they diverge in accordance with the task. Venti and Rosaria approach the sitting guys, and Lisa approaches the girls. The most difficult thing was to notify others about the plan without the main culprits suspecting anything. Venti unobtrusively pours wine into a glass and starts chatting with Kaeya, thereby capturing his attention. Meanwhile, Rosaria unobtrusively passes a note to Diluc. Only the Archons know when she managed to write it. And Venti was definitely not included in this list of deities. The man looked questioningly at the girl, but decided to remain silent. Let them do what they want. Deep down, he was also worried about his brother, even if he didn’t show it. The first step has been taken. Now it's the librarian's turn. Noticing a half-empty bottle, Lisa decides to take advantage of it. - Eh, the wine is almost finished. – the woman sighs defiantly, but then adds. – Nicole, isn’t it difficult for you to find Adelinda and ask for more wine? – including all her charm, she asks. - Certainly. – Veltman answers friendly and gets up. - And now, my dears. We need your help. – Lisa carefully lifts them by the shoulders and switches to a whisper. - I think you’re not the only one who wants them to make peace, so we have a plan. -Are you sure this is a good idea? – Genie asks warily. - Definitely.       Unlike her sister, Barbara immediately agreed. Seeing Veltman approaching, the master still decided to help. Even though she didn't really like the idea, it was worth a try. Noticing the winking bard, Lisa pushes the Genie into action. Now the mechanism has started and there is no turning back. – N-Nicole, I’m not feeling well. Can we go outside? – as a woman can say tiredly. - Something happened? – Nicole asks excitedly. - Maybe we can go with you? - Barbara suggests. - No need. I just need to get some fresh air, that's all. – she glances towards the brunette. - Okay, let's go. – Veltman carefully takes the master’s arm and they hastily disappear behind the door.       Those sitting at the table also watched this “performance”. – Maybe we should go after them? - asks Kaeya. - Don't worry. Probably nothing serious, otherwise they would have warned us. – Rosaria waves it off. - Master Diluc. – emphasizing the name, Venti moves towards him. – I heard the wine is especially good this year. – he subtly hints. - Yes, the harvest turned out to be good.       Ragnvindr understood everything perfectly. And why did he even get involved in this? I could just sit and relax, but no. We can only hope that after everything, the house will remain safe and sound. - And you were silent all this time. – the captain’s eyes sparkled at what he heard. - Brother, you simply have to treat us. – the man did not expect to hear a positive answer, but could not help but tease him. - If you so want, you can take one from the cellar. – Master Diluc, are you sure everything is okay? Usually you can’t ask for a glass at a bar, but here there’s a whole bottle. - If you continue to make fun of me, I’ll change my mind. - Come on, don’t be angry. - Well, since things are like this, I suggest you don’t hesitate and go get some alcohol. – Venti squeezes into the conversation.       Rising from the table, they head to the cellar. A few seconds later, Genie and Nicole entered the room. – Are you sure everything is fine? – Veltman is worried. - Yes, the fresh air did me good. So you don't need to babysit me. - Since everything worked out well, I have a little business for you. – Lisa deftly takes Nicole by the elbow. - I heard out of the corner of my ear that Dilyuk hid excellent wine in the cellar. I think I should go and get it. - Are you sure? What about the Genie? - Don't worry. Barbara will take care of her.       Without listening to further protests from Veltman, Lisa dragged her to the ill-fated door. Opening it, he lets you forward. Looking at her friend with suspicion, Nicole still goes downstairs. The librarian follows three steps down, but stopping abruptly takes steps back. Once at the bottom, the girl walks forward and looks around. The cool air hits your face, making you shiver. The room is in twilight, only three candles illuminate it. - Venti, my brother didn’t lie. That's really not bad.....       The soft light of the candle illuminated Kaya's surprised face. In this light, he was like a ghost appearing for sinful souls. Veltman was as amazed as he was. No one definitely expected such a meeting under such circumstances. - Until you make peace, we won’t let you out, lovebirds! – Lisa’s ringing voice came from above, followed by the sound of the door closing. - Hey, we pulled it off cleverly. – a bard appeared out of nowhere. - How did you manage to get out unnoticed? – Barbara gasped in surprise. - I just know secret places. – Venti winked. – And how long do you plan to keep them? – the master asked. - How much do you need. – Lisa smiled slyly.       After standing for a few seconds, Nicole rushed upstairs. She pulled the handle and made sure it was securely locked. - Lisa! If this is your doing, then let us out! – a loud bang was heard. - It's not funny! Her screams were answered only by silent silence. Pulling hopefully a few more times, the girl was convinced that they were not going to release them. Cursing everything in the world, she went back down. - We were locked. - Cleverly. – Kaeya just grinned at this and sat down at the minibar.       In the dim light, his face seemed more gloomy and he seemed depressed. This was not how he dreamed of being alone with her. And I was simply not ready for this. Having opened the bottle, the guy takes out two glasses from under the counter and pours out the ruby liquid. - In that case, would you mind having a drink with me?       After marking time, Veltman finally sat down on the very edge, away from him. There was an awkward silence. While Kaeya was looking at her random companion out of the corner of her eye, she was diligently examining the room, just so as not to collide with the eyes the color of the sea depths, which were so beckoning. A row of barrels of alcohol stacked against the walls, marble, gray walls and floors, a wooden staircase and ceiling, which did not at all fit with the atmosphere of icy and strict sophistication that reigned here, and several recesses in the walls into which an adult man could easily fit. Why they were made is unknown. Perhaps for candles, perhaps for bottles, or maybe just for beauty. After draining her glass, Nicole stands up abruptly. - Thank you for the wine, - the girl hesitantly turns to Alberich and he looks back questioningly. – I wanted... – a suffocating lump appeared across my throat. – in general, nothing. – still unable to cope with her emotions, she answered.       Turning away from the guy’s piercing gaze, Nicole goes to one of the recesses in the wall. Such simple and easy, at first glance, words of forgiveness turned out to be stupefyingly difficult to pronounce. The click of heels on marble echoes deafeningly throughout the room. Kaeya just silently looked at her retreating figure, listened to this knocking and it seemed to him that the soul itself was bursting at the seams. It always hurt him to watch her silently walk past him, without even looking, as if he were a ghost, just a relic of the past. But Veltman didn’t think so. She was just afraid. I was afraid to look into his eyes and see indifference in them. Having climbed onto a small indentation, the girl presses her back against the cold wall and draws her knees to her chest. - I hope they didn’t lock us in for long. – Nicole decided to break the silence. - If we sit here until midnight, it won’t be funny anymore. - Who knows. You will never understand what is in Lisa's head.       At this point the short dialogue ends. Situated at opposite ends of the room, it was as if they had erected an impenetrable wall between themselves. It seems so close, but at the same time far away. They would have sat there if not for one thing. A couple of hours later, dressed only in a light dress, Veltman began to freeze. If she had the pyro of the god's eye, there would be no problems, but the anemo element was useless in this case. Kaeya was a little luckier. Despite the cryo element, he did not freeze as quickly as the girl. To somehow warm up, Nicole began to rub her shoulders. Noticing the state of his companion, Alberich goes to her, simultaneously taking off his cape with a fur collar. - If you continue to sit, you will eventually get sick. – the guy throws it over his fragile shoulders.       Veltman looks at him in surprise. My heart trembled treacherously from his gaze. Instead of the expected indifference, he looked at her with undisguised tenderness and love. As before, as if there was no quarrel, resentment and separation, as if everything was as before. - Thank you. – cheeks flushed from sudden embarrassment.       Seeing her reaction, Kaeya decided to sit next to her, but keeping enough distance to make the girl feel comfortable. Unconsciously, Nicole buried her nose in the soft fur, inhaling such a familiar minty smell, with light notes of wine. Memories flashed in my head like a bright flame. Previously, while walking around Mondstat at night, the guy always gave it to the girl so that she wouldn’t get sick. Exactly the same as now. From under closed eyelids, Alberich carefully watched her actions, simultaneously examining her face. Thin lips, plump, slightly scarlet cheeks, a straight nose, a small scar on her eyebrow that she received from an unfortunate fall, and dark green eyes that reminded him of a forest clearing after the rain. - You are so beautiful, princess. – giving in to a fleeting impulse, Kaeya tucks a stray strand behind the girl’s ear. - I’m sorry I snapped at you that day.       Nicole looks up in surprise. She definitely didn't expect this. How long has it been since he called her that? - I shouldn’t have snapped back then. It was hard for you. – the guy continues. – Six months have passed since your sister passed away and I should have supported her, but I did the opposite. – one could hear sincere regret in his voice. - Do not apologize. If anyone should ask for forgiveness, it's me. – Veltman takes Alberich’s hand in his, causing him to flinch. - I lost my temper over some cup. Now I understand how stupid the reason for the quarrel was. I didn't mean to hurt you at all. Kaya, you are very dear to me. Always supported, protected, did not let me be sad and lose heart. - We've messed things up with you. We made our friends so worried that they locked us here. - But thanks to this, we were finally able to talk and clear everything up. - Almost all. There is one small detail left. - What do you have....       Kaeya slowly runs his hand over the girl’s cheek, causing her to suddenly fall silent, then pulls her by the chin and presses his lips to hers. For a second, Nicole tenses, but then relaxes. Giving in to her feelings, she hugs the guy by the neck, and he in return grabs her waist, pressing her even closer to him and deepening the kiss. - I love you princess. – Alberich whispers, pulling away. - I love you too. – the girl puts her head on his shoulder, exhaling relaxedly. - Now we just have to wait for them to release us. – In your company, I’m ready to sit here until the morning. Moreover, we have a whole cellar of wine at our disposal. - Diluc will kill you for this. – If you’re nearby, it’s not scary. – Kaeya laughs. - Do not joke so. At this time, upstairs, the organizers of their gatherings crowded at the door. - I think it’s time to check how they are doing. – Lisa announces.       Everyone nods in agreement. When they go down, they find an unexpected, but pleasant picture for everyone. Nicole, in Kaya's fur cape, quietly snoring, lies on the guy's shoulder, and he in response put his head on the top of her head. - We made peace.