"tonight?!" you felt your cheeks burn up, as well as your ears.
"i-i apologize Y/N. i did not mean anything like that." he cleared his throat.
"ah... sorry. that was my fault."
"no i apologize for being so... misleading."
"..."
Why am i so awkward recently?
"so uh, what did you mean by that?" you asked, trying to make things less awkward.
"i meant that as in inviting you over for some tea. Now, not at night." he explained.
"oh.. okay well, I'd love to." You said, still blushing a bit.
he simply smiled at you and looked out the bus window.
"come in." Zhongli told you as he gestured for you to get inside first.
as you went inside, you noticed how well decorated, clean and organized his place was.
"wow! it's so nice here."
"please, take a seat. i'll be with you in a few seconds. i'll just go make the tea." he said as he removed his dark brown leather coat that usually wears.
"alright." you replied as you looked around his place, still in awe.
"how do you like your tea?" he asked while looking at you.
you answered him and removed your coat as well.
"i'll make sure to fulfill your request. you can turn on the Television if you want." he spoke.
"no it's okay. i'll just watch you make the tea."
"if that's what you prefer, go ahead." he answered while smiling as gently as usual.
you sat down on the stool seated infront of his kitchen counter, where he was about to make the tea.
but before getting started, he rolled up the sleeves to his beige button up shirt. revealing his tatto which looked like...
a dragon? is that the tattoo of a dragon? out of all people i know, i never expected him to get a tatto.
"Zhongli?" you called for his name.
"hm?" he replied.
"is that the tattoo of a dragon?"
he looks at his arm and then back at you "ah, that? yes. it's the tattoo of a dragon. It's a mythological creature from a popular traditional folklore from my home country, Liyue."
"oh wow. that's pretty surprising."
"what is?" your brunette friend asks perplexed.
"the fact that you got a tattoo. i never expected you to be the type of person to have one."
"i see. i get that comment a lot but never ask why. would you be willing to answer that for me?"
"uh... how do i explain..." you searched for your words. "you see, i see you as someone wise and mature. someone that's against smoking, alcohol, tattoos or anything like that. if that makes sense?"
"that's an interesting theory. considering i have a tattoo, and sometimes smoke." he chuckled.
you slightly jumped. "you smoke?!"
"i do. is it really that surprising?" he asks you while smiling, or was that a smirk.
"i guess so." you replied as you watched him make the tea. he looked like a professional. wich makes sense since his family owns a tea shop and he works there sometimes.
"I only smoke cigars on special occasions if it is of any comfort to you." He said sarcastically.
You scoffed as you slightly shoved his shoulder.
you watched him fetch a teapot and fill it with water. after filling the water he turned his stove on and put the teapot on top of it to boil it. you found it weird at first, considering he didn't just use a boiler. but you found it nice that he did it old-fashioned. it suited him.
he then added ingredients needed for the tea you asked for and started brewing the tea.
he was making it effortlessly, with ease, like a professional.
'this man just keeps getting more and more impressive to be honest.'
after finishing brewing it, he leaned on the counter waiting for the tea to get ready. he leaned on the counter with his back against it. his legs and arms crossed, his head tilted to the side as he patiently watched the teapot. his hair fell on his face perfectly. Zhongli's amber eyes looked almost closed as he patiently waited for the tea to get ready.
there's no way he doesn't have a girlfriend. i mean, he's perfect. i'd say he's ready for marriage even...
"Zhongli?" you asked.
said man hummed in respones as he turned his head to look at you, his smile never wavering.
"do you have a girlfriend?"
Zhongli suddenly started coughing as he was caught off guard. "Pardon?"
"oh. or a boyfriend if that's what you're into." you spoke.
"no, it's not that. it's just, why the sudden curiosity?" he asked as he cleared his throat.
"it's just because i'd be surprised if you didn't have one so i wanted to ask."
"why would that be surprising?"
'great i pushed myself into a corner that i'd do anything to avoid.'
"you know what i mean..."
"i'm afraid i don't. would you care to enlighten me?"
"Well, you're pretty handsome and..." you tried looking for something to say that didn't sound weird. "and you cook well, you dress well, you're polite and you take care of yourself." you finally answered.
"So that's what you think of me? I'm afraid you've put me on a pedestal too high. I am flattered though." Zhongli added as he got out of his relaxed position since the tea was now ready.
he got two tea cups and the teapot and set them on a beautiful golden tray. and brought it to his coffee table in his living room. signaling he planned on chatting and drinking there. you followed him in his living room.
you both sat down. he was sitting in the singular couch infront of the larger couch you were sitting in.
he poured you a cup of tea first. "enjoy." he gestured for you to start drinking it. after that, he poured himself a cup of tea and started drinking it. you did the same.
after taking a sip, you say "so? do you have a girlfriend?"
"why so curious?" he smiled.
"As I said, it's surprising. Also I'd feel a bit weird hanging out in your home alone like this if you had a girlfriend." You explained.
"Well, we're not doing anything." He added.
"Yes, but it just doesn't sit right with me. If you were my boyfriend and you had another woman over at your house regardless of what you do I don't think I'd feel comfortable."
"Y/N, if you were my girlfriend I wouldn't even look in another woman's direction." He added as he put sugar cubes in his teacup and stirred.
Your face flushed.
"To answer your question though, no. i am single and always have been. i've never been in love before. though i am quite curious as to how it feels like." he explains. "have you ever... experienced love before Y/N?" he asked a question. a question you wished you could avoid. You hoped he wouldn't press on the matter.
"Yes. I did."
"Would it be alright for you to tell me how it felt?"
you sighed as you remembered everything. but maybe talking about it to someone could help. especially if it's Zhongli. it was eight years ago, yet you could never seem to forget about it. or him. "It was... bitter-sweet, to say the least."
"how so?"
"we were- actually, i believe i was the only one who loved him. i don't know how he felt. i was happy with him for quite some time. but as it turns out, nothing good ever lasts." you reminisced. feeling like you could cry at any moment. it was the first time you had ever talked about it to someone. sure, it was just some sad breakup story, but it deeply hurt you. he hurt you deeply. and you would never forgive him for that.
He got up and sat down next to you, setting his teacup down. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
"no it's alright. you get used to it after eight years."
"you were in this relationship for eight years?"
"No, no. i meant that, it's been eight years ever since."
"Still, if you ever want to talk about it to someone, i hope i'll be your first choice."
"thank you."
you turned away, embarassed as you tried to quietly sniffle your tears away. "well," you got up from your seat. "i should get going now. it's getting quite late."
"alright, let me escort you out." he offered as he got up and started walking behind you.
when you finally made your way to his front door, you grabbed your coat that was hanging on the rack and wrapped it around your body. you left out the front door and turned around.
"goodnight Zhongli, thank you for having me."
he was standing on the other side of the door with his arms crossed. he smiled at you. "it was my pleasure."
and with that, you turned around again to leave. but Zhongli stopped you by reaching for your arm and grabbing it gently.
"Zhongli?"
"Y/N," he let go of your arm. "please, take the time to take care of your mental health. talk to me if you need to. and also, i'm sure you'll end up with someone better. someone you'll smile about while talking about them." he smiled.
"thank you for your offer, and yes. i hope my future boyfriend will be as nice and respectful as you. if i could get someone like that, i'd be very happy." you smiled back as you turned around and left his side to go home.
it was currently 8:04 am and you were in your café. ready for any future customers coming in. and there they arrived.
two of them.
'oh, that's Dawn. nice to see hi- and Kaeya?!'
they both approached you.
"goodmorning uh... Y/N? was it?"
"Yes."
"Y/N." his brother uttered.
"goodmorning Dawn." you replied, quickly changing your mood as you obviously had a favourite between the two brothers. "alright, what can i get you?" you changed the topic.
and so, they ordered their drinks and went to sit down to a table close to the entrance.
in the meantime of you making their drinks, Sam had arrived. Ganyu and Lumine weren't going to come for the whole week because of their exams and other things to take care of.
before you could wave to her, she was already talking to Dawn, her smile as bright as always. even Dawn was smiling.
just like last time Dawn seemed comfortable talking to her. quite funny to see the contrast compared to when he talks to you. he always seems a bit shy and sometimes uncomfortable. Or awkward? Whatever it was, you were going to have to ask Sam how she did it.
after having what seemed like a nice conversation, Sam made her way to you and greeted you. "goodmorning Y/N!"
"hey Sam! goodmorning. you know," you paused to get closer to her ear and wishpered "i think Dawn has a soft spot for you?"
"what?" she replied puzzled.
"Or maybe you're just being you. Everyone loves you." You said.
"Thanks but I didn't do anything. I was just being nice to him. He's unexpectedly polite too. I thought he'd be grumpier. He's always frowning." She chuckled as she pointed with her chin. You looked at him listening to his brother speak. Well, he wasn't really listening. But your friend was right. He did have a frown on his face.
"fine. go get your apron and fetch me a new bag of coffee." you suddenly got serious.
she replied with a simple "yes boss." and went to fulfill your request. by the time she was back, you had already finished both of the brothers' orders. you went to their table.
"there. enjoy." you left them with their drinks. they both thanked you.
time passed and it was time for them to pay their drinks. you saw both of their tall figures stand up and make their way to you standing behind the counter as usual. what was slightly surprising was that Kaeya was a little bit taller than Dawn.
"thank you for the coffee, it was delicious." Kaeya smirked. he really liked smirking it looked like. you kept fighting the urge to slap it right off his face.
"yes. the coffee here is actually surprisingly good." Dawn continued.
"surprisingly?"
"it's surprising because your shop isn't that popular even though your coffee is good." he explained.
you only nodded at his compliment and turned around to see Sam was already re-filling the coffee jars.
"i saw you talk with Dawn just now. it looks like you two made-up." she spoke while re-filling what needed to be.
"i guess so. it's been a few days though, you didn't know?" you asked.
she laughed softly. "did you forget i wasn't here most of the time the past few weeks because of school work or...?"
"But you saw us talk the other day with the other guys didn't you?"
"Well I saw you were seated together. I just didn't see you two talk all that much." She shrugged. "Also what was up with you being surrounded by all of those guys? I'm pretty sure two of them are models."
"Yeah they are. I don't know them though. They're friends of Dawn and Zhongli, the guy with brown hair."
"You're going to have to fill me in the drama some time. I finally finished my exams so im free now."
"How did it go?"
"Don't remind me please."
"it went bad?"
"it didn't. studying for it was horrible." your hijabi friend sighed dramatically.
you two continued on with your conversation.
𝖣𝗂𝗅𝗎𝖼'𝗌 𝖯𝖮𝖵
"well, dear brother, i have a photo-shoot soon. so i'll unfortunately have to leave." Kaeya sarcastically said.
Diluc did the same. "how unlucky of me."
Diluc turned around and made his way to his car, opened it and got in.
before starting the engine, he sighed and pinched his nose bridge.
'let me see. i have two meetings today, i have to review all 12 reports that have been given for the new project, i have to visit the factory to make sure everything is going well and...'
he tried to think of anything else on his to-do list for the week.
'and i have to prepare for the new project's exhibit. how wonderful.'
'i'm gonna need another cup of coffee if i want enough energy for the day.' and with that, Diluc left his car and went back in Y/N's café.
'ding'
"Sam there's a new customer. go take care of them i'll just finish cleaning those brothers' table." you ordered.
Sam nodded. "alrig- Dawn?"
"hello again Sam." he slightly smiled. just slightly.
"did you forget something? Y/N! is there anything on their table."
"nothing." you replied, your eyes still glued on the table you were cleaning.
when you finished with that, you went to the kitchen sink and cleaned the rag you used. after that, you went behind the counter to organize it.
"i actually came here for another cup of coffee. i have a lot of work to get done, as usual. that's why i like coffee." he explained.
"dark coffee? coming right up." Sam then got to work. leaving you in a position to converse with Dawn.
"a lot of work? what kind of job do you have again?" you asked while leaning your behind on the counter and holding the counter's edge with your hands.
"i uh... office work. i'm an assistant." he awkwardly replied.
"oh, cool. that's why you look so fancy. must be nice being rich right?" you asked while smirking.
"i guess so..." he looked away awkwardly. "say," he continued.
"hm?"
"would you... like to..."
"like to what?" you impatiently asked.
"would you like to come to work with me today? we plan on making an opening ceremony soon. you could be one of the rare pre-visitors."
"really? you'd let me? i'm not some sort of rich investor though."
"it's alright, actually, it's better. because investors always give the same praise. they just want to be famous and that's it. whereas, someone like you,"
"continue." you added.
"someone ordinary like you, would give an honest opinion."
"i guess you're right. so when today?" you asked while checking the time on your phone.
"right now."
"right now? already?"
"yes, right now. my schedule is quite packed and it would be better if we got there as soon as possible."
"well alright then... let me get my stuff." you removed your apron and placed it on the rack, took your bag out of your staff room locker and wore your coat.
"are you ready?"
"mhm. let's go." you replied.
you followed him out of the café and went into his car.
hopefully, you wouldn't end up embarassing yourself again.
-♡-