Hey Vinny, Dom Said You're A Simp / Windbreaker

hey vinny, dom said you're a simp / windbreaker

— Likes to pretend he's this broody, independent, need-no-woman badass. But if he woke up and your side of the bed is empty, he will get up to search for you around the house. Even outside of the house if needed. Honestly, if you're not in bed because you're cooking, he will abandon his sleeping endeavour altogether to spend time with you.

Will be a little pouty because you could've been in bed cuddling, but instead, here you are. He won't be annoying for long though, not when the smell of your cooking chases away much of his bad moods.

— His eating habit is a little... atrocious, to say it nicely. If his mom doesn't cook, then he will sustain himself with whatever he can find. If you cooked for him and prepared homemade lunches for him, he will love you forever. Honestly, the best way to surprise him is getting groceries and cooking with his mom. It warms his heart to see the most important people in his life getting along.

Hearing you calling his mother as “mom” ... not only it makes his knees weak, his eyes burn, his cheeks warm, it also causes him to be so embarrassed that he doesn't know what to do with himself. Can he really chastise you for doing something he doesn't even have the gall to do? (Admitting that he want to spend the future with you?)

— Not... good with emotions, he cares, you know he cares. But when you are in an emotional turmoil, he freezes. Moatly because he doesn't know what to do, he's a problem solver, when there are troubles, he expects to deal with it. However, he can't fight your demons, not when they exist in your mind.

It's ridiculous because he expects himself to fight his own demons without anyone's help, yet when it comes to your troubles, he wants to do it for you. The best he can do is being there for you when it matters, even if he can't find the right words, him being there at least helps you calm down.

— He's a bit troubled with understanding what you want, in general. Being a relationship is not easy for him, it's a completely new territory. It requires him to be emotionally vulnerable and rely on another when the time comes.

There will be times when Vinny shut down and try to recuperate from events from real life. All you need to do is being there for him and gently coaxing him to let you into his mind. This is necessary because he often gets self-destructive when his mind became clouded. Having you there to ground him would help him immensely.

— Not openly affectionate in normal terms, at least, not in front of others. Will hold your hand if you initiated it, sometimes he'd reach out for your hand on his own terms, too. Stands close to you whenever possible, it's mostly a protective thing. Nobody would mess with you while Vinny is around, at least, no one who knows better.

Will let you kiss him on the cheek if you want, but be warned that he will blush all from the moment you asked him to bend down and at least five minutes afterwards.

— Honestly, Vinny will mesh with your life perfectly once he got comfortable with sharing your living spaces. One day you'd come home to seeing him using your makeup headband because his hair was bothering him. He is a bit resistant to self-care things at first, but if you want to do it, who is he to say no?

He will have this moment of existential crisis after he saw how clean and smooth his skin became, but he improved for the better so he can't even compain much himself. Really, he even wore your cutesy house slipper with the rabbits on them when he can't find his own.

— He can get playful sometimes, even if it's only when you initiate first. At least, he knows to hold himself back whenever the two of you play-fight. However, if you somehow managed to tussle and had him pinning you down, you'd get the chance to witness Vinny devious grin. Even if his bastard days are long over, the reminder of it can send a shiver down your spine.

Until, until, he realizes how promiscuous your positions were. And he comes to notice your expression, the blush on your cheeks, the way your lips slightly parted. Cue Vinny jumped away from you like a spooked cat.

— He likes to walk you home, okay, let him do the gallant thing. You don't go to the same school, which is one of his grievance, but he never minded the walk back and forth even if your house is in the opposite direction of his. Since his bike makes the way back less tedious, he has even more reasons to go see you.

He likes knowing you're safe, and on a perverse note, likes being the reason you're safe. Secretly, he likes it when you greet him with a hug whenever you see him at the school's gate, too. Gives him a little peck before you get inside your home, and if he's feeling bold, he'll keep you there for a deeper kiss before letting you go.

— Don't think because Vinny is bashful sometimes that he's reserved. Not really, he's simply shy in the beginning since he's far rougher than you, he doesn't want to accidentally spook you away. Once he overcame his shyness, expects him to be far more intense whenever he kisses you. If he allowed himself to let go, you'll be left with your lips swollen and eyes glazed.

He knows he's a lot to handle, so he doesn't expect you to take all of him. This is why he always gets pleasantly surprised whenever you readily accepted him after his lips left a trail of evidence on your neck and shoulder.

— He has accepted the fact he is simply not... academically gifted, okay. Being badgered again and again that he has no future damaged what motivation for studying left inside him. Since he had accepted long ago that there'd be nothing awaiting for him, seeing you actively trying to help him stirred a weird feeling inside him.

At first, he got mad because he thought it was pity, but with times he learned that you did all of it because you cared. You had to talk him out of thinking the worst, but once his mind cleared, he acquired a newfound appreciation for your determination and loyalty.

— He really be like, I'm not cute, I don't do cute, then goes around and uses a cutesy phone case because you bought it for him. You changed his wallpaper to a picture of you two together? It's going to stay there forever, he will never change it. The password of his phone? Your birthday. His password in general? Your name and birthday. His lockscreen is basically one of those silly pictures of you which was sent to him earlier.

No, he's not changing it, he likes it as it is. Your name in his contact list might have been left as is, but if you changed it into something adorable? He's not changing it back, you can live with your decision. Will still blush when he sees the copious amount of heart next to his name in your contact, though. Because he can dish it but he can't take it himself.

— Everyone pretty much know he always saves a seat for you in group settings if he arrived first. But honestly, that doesn't happen enough because Vinny always shows up with you. Somehow, the two of you always know why the other is absent. You're pretty much an unit together at this point, he'd not have it otherwise.

Having you around during the competition always makes him extra motivated to do his best, too. Can't really blame him for wanting to show his best side in front of his girlfriend.

— Although it doesn't happen, it's always funny for the group to see the two of you fight. Since he can never stay mad at you for long, it's always you that drag out the cold war period and whatever he does afterwards is mirroring you. So if you're ignoring him, he's ignoring you back but he always looks so miserable. You would, too, but pride, pride.

The funniest would be when you eventually reconcile because neither of you can handle the distancing period well. You can stick to him like glue afterwards and you'd hear no complaint from Vinny because he wants to make up for lost time too.

— Once showed up to a group meeting with others in the Humming Bird while carrying a huge teddy bear that he saved up to buy for you. It's meant to be an anniversary gift and he knew you had been eyeing it since forever. It's big enough that him holding it was an inconvenience, but you holding it simply looks comical.

Everyone else, including Jay, had to suppress themselves from laughing when the bear swallowed you from view. But the smile you made when seeing it really made Vinny's entire month, so definitely worth it.

— Never makes empty threats when chasing away guys who hit on you. He's an intimidating presence to everyone when he wanted to be. However, if anyone even crossed the line to harass you, suddenly his name is Fearless Hong and he's ready to go jail for, not physical assault, but murder.

He'd get extra physically affectionate after these occasions, too. Mostly in how he holds you and keeps you close to him, would have an arm on your shoulder at every chance possible for a while afterwards.

The price of love

Pairing: Childe x reader(?)

CW: violence, blood, broken bones, unhealthy relationships and mental illness

Synopsis: Childe loves it when you’re angry. There’s nothing better than being beneath you and taking it.

Note: THIS CONTAINS DARK CONTENT. THIS IS DARK CONTENT. I just like this idea. Also not proof read bc I’m too impatient to post.

The deep crack that resonated in the empty room did not phase you. In fact, it didn’t phase Childe either, despite feeling how his nose had broken under your fist. Had it not been for his left eye being swollen shut, he might have been able to see how the blood spewed from his fresh wound. How beautiful it looked while it landed on your skin and seemed to make you even angrier. The simple image had him smiling, but maybe that was simply him going a bit delirious.

“The fuck are you smiling at?” You grumbled, ceasing your attacks, much to his displeasure. Childe felt the beginning of a whine build up in his throat. He was ready to complain and ask (read: beg) you to keep going, before he felt your hands wrap around his throat. “I asked you a fucking question, Tartaglia. Are you not gonna answer?”

You knew damn well how hard it would be for him to reply when you were currently cutting his air supply, and he loved it. His smile widened while his eyes closed (well, only the right one could open and close). In a state of euphoria, Childe could barely remember the fact that you’d possibly choke him to death if he didn’t answer. To be honest, it was the last of his problems.

Because what could possibly be more heavenly than watching you put him back into his place? Than to have you look down at him with those eyes; those eyes with burning fury. Any other man wouldn’t be able to stand it. Any other man would have tried to fight back (in vain). But not Childe. He was smart enough to know this was the epitome of emotion. The climax of your love for him, and his for you. Because time and time again, you’d choose him to bear witness to the feelings you usually bottle up until they explode. Nothing in this world could ever come close to the intimacy this moment held for him.

“I love you.” It came out extremely strained. In fact, if you hadn’t been looking at his mouth when he said it, you probably wouldn’t have understood it at all. Childe’s smile was still spread on his lip, his right eye filled with mirth as he looked at you, practically begging you for more. Something twisted in your stomach; some vile version of affection for the man who would so easily cast his pride aside so that you could take your emotions out of him. And he usually took it so well, too. You almost felt proud of him. And maybe you’d have told him, had your anger not taken such a strong hold of you.

Your fist rose again and Childe’s stomach did flips when he noticed. His expression became a close-lipped smile when he braced himself for impact. This time, he swore you broke his cheekbone.

He loves you so much.

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xevrq

3 years ago

CHAPTER 223 SPOILERS

🕯 🕯

Draken

🕯 Will 🕯

Survive

🕯 🕯

164 notes View Post

xevrq

3 years ago

CHAPTER THREE // GOLD RUSH

SYPNOSIS (of chapter). in which you decided to spend your day reuniting with old friends and encounter an old flame.

SYPNOSIS (of series). breaking up with your first love was heartbreaking, but not as heartbreaking as getting invited to his wedding after years of not seeing him. that is, until things seem to be easier when you encounter a certain guest, who could end up being more than just a blooming friend to you.

CHARACTERS. kamisato ayato, (later) diluc ragnvindr

CONTENT. fluff/angst, modern!au, mentions of death (minor), mentions of break-ups, mentions of car accident

TAGLIST. @scaraslover @dawgimsohot @kazu-topia @aqualesha @mrkamisato @serami00 @serenareiss @hiqhkey @emperatris-rinaka @bystander36 @irisxiel @coleluuviida @034ven @dear-dairiess @luv3rxcha @hadesaedes @chiro-chiro-kun @hersscherofyatta @mariusvonhangme @yuzuricebun @nejibot @hoshikistarlette @solaaresque @crowbird @lordbugs @estelwrld @giyusimpsassemble @irethepotatosblog @elychee @rion-s @denkineptune @franini @sophisticatedleslie @thedivinepriestess @smashsubs @httpmitsuya @cottonkendi @uchihaeirin @abvolat @kokushiboswife @kyomihann @jiyujinsstuff @durptwit @elegantcecile @crowbird @mnemosyneechan @s-adidass @belovedxiao @deimmortales99 @veyu002

WORD COUNT. 5.1K words

NOTE. please make sure to check the end of the post for extra notes by the time you’re done reading (just to clear certain things up !!)

SPECIAL NOTE. was gone for a few days and came back to life. i will be gone again after posting this probably. have fun with this meal <33333

EVERMORE MASTERLIST \ MAIN MASTERLIST

PREVIOUS || NEXT

You felt sick to your stomach.

Yesterday, as soon as you and Zhongli returned to the Grand Goth Hotel after buying the wedding gift, you suddenly came across Ei and Yae Miko, who were about to leave the hotel for an unexpected reason.

“...You guys were looking for me?” You asked with furrowed eyebrows. “You guys should’ve texted me instead, I was busy finding a wedding gift.”

“We wanted to tell you in person rather than messages since it’s important. Besides, we wanted to spend our dinner somewhere outside since the food in this hotel’s not to our taste, or Ei’s specifically.” Yae explains casually, her mouth curving up. “Do you mind if we could talk in the lounge area? We want to talk about something related to tomorrow.”

Hence how you found out that you’ll be meeting with your old college friends today.

“Are you still uncomfortable, ( Name )?” Zhongli asks with a concerned look as he watches you staring at your food down in deep thought.

Right now, the both of you decided to try and eat in Goth Grand Hotel’s finest restaurant area for breakfast. Although you’ve enjoyed the foods the hotel provided, the thoughts of what will transpire in your reunion has never faded away.

“I wouldn’t say I’m uncomfortable,” You spoke up. “Just… nervous, that’s all.”

Don’t get yourself wrong, you’re truly happy that you’ll get to reunite with your dearest friends after being away from them for so long, but you couldn’t help but feel nervous due to the fact that you haven’t talked to them ever since you went to Liyue after one year of graduating.

Maybe you should just pretend to be sick and try not to go to this meeting–

“You’ll be okay,” Zhongli assures you, cutting your thoughts off with his calm voice. In all honesty, his smooth voice never fails to soothe you no matter what he’s saying. “I’m sure your friends would be delighted to reunite with you after being away for so long. Besides, you have your boss and your colleague with you, am I correct?”

You nodded slowly, your shoulders slowly relaxed. “Yeah.. you’re right…”

He then moves one of the meals forward with a cheeky smile. The food contains plenty of seafood. “Now go eat your breakfast before it runs cold, a good meal can heal one’s mood after all.”

You laughed at his attempts in finding a way to not eat the food – that was offered by some ginger-haired man who was for some reason interested(1) in your friend – and grabbed your eating utensils to take a few bites.

It’s delicious, you admit. The ginger-haired man made a good choice, but it’s too bad that Zhongli despises seafood.

“It’s good,” You hummed in a content tone. “You should try it, that strange man just offered you free food, you know?”

He continues to smile. “Have you decided what to wear? Or will you be going shopping?”

He really just changed the topic, huh. You mused.

“I have decided. What will you be doing while I'm gone, if I may ask?”

“Perhaps it’s not too bad if I explore around the hotel, and maybe stroll around the city if I have the time to do so.” Zhongli answers, patting his mouth with a napkin gently. “Do you need me to escort you? The restaurant sounds pretty far from what Venti told me.”

You shook your head with a reassuring smile. “No worries, I have Ei and Yae who rented a car, we’ll be meeting by the lobby later at 11:00.”

The man frowns. “Do you think they’ll be late?”

You shook your head once more. “I’m sure they won’t. This is a special occasion, after all.” You said confidently.

If only you knew how you were wrong.

“...Fools.” You mumbled with an irritated look, looking around the lobby to look for the two women. “Why on earth are they late?”

Then again, you know they always have tardiness, but did they seriously have to be late and keep a person waiting for them?!

You huffed before pulling out your phone to contact them.

As you continue texting them, you suddenly hear someone clearing their throat, causing you to flinch slightly and look up at the person in front of you, only for your eyes to widen at the sight of the stranger.

The stranger turns out to be Ayato.

“Hello, ( Name ).” He spoke in a gentle tone.

And somehow, the tardiness of your two friends suddenly became your least of your worries.

You shifted uncomfortably, now realizing that there are people eyeing at your direction in curiosity due to the fact that you’re in front of a successor of an infamous company that everyone knows of. “Hel.. Hello, Mr. Kamisato.”

It was clear that the awkward atmosphere between the two of you is strong, but you knew the very reason why it’s like that in comparison to college.

It was because of how this is your first time having a proper conversation with Ayato after years of not seeing each other.

Everything went downhill ever since you broke up with Ayato.

For the past few weeks, you had never seen your ex at all. When you went to the area that connects all the dormitories where you’d walk to the university with your lover, he was no longer there anymore. Whenever you visit the Student Council, he’s either unavailable or usually takes his leave to buy boba tea. Whenever you tried to come up to him in the cafeteria or some areas around the school, he pretended to not know someone was calling him and continued his day. You hated how he even avoided the places you go to daily, something that you thought was once admirable from your ex, who knows you more than any other person in your life.

It was obvious he was avoiding you.

And it hurts.

“I don’t know what I did wrong..” You spoke solemnly as your friends tried their best to comfort you in your dorm room. “Was I not that good enough for him? Was it because his parents hate me?”

“Nonsense, ( Name). You’re being too harsh on yourself!” Yae told you, trying to soothe your fragile state as Ei continues to offer you food. While the two women comforted you, your other friends went out to buy something you didn’t manage to understand due to your breakdown. “That foolish brute had no right to suddenly break things off like that.. I’m sure the both of you can talk it out-”

“How can I…?” You whispered. “How can I talk to him when he’s been avoiding me like I’m some.. Some plague!”

Ei pats your head, unsure what to do to help you. “Whatever his reason is, it must’ve been a bad one if he’s willing to go all out in avoid–”

The pink-haired woman nudges the blunt woman for her words. “What Ei meant to say is… Whatever his reason is, it’s not worth it. Don’t let him see you being so desperate to come to him, just avoid him too and see if he’ll actually be affected by it.” Yae clarified, shooting the purple-haired woman a warning glance.

“I don’t see how this helps..” Ei mumbled, to which Yae managed to hear but didn't bother retort back.

“If he’s affected by it.. Then he’ll eventually come to you himself.”

You gulped, looking down with a hesitant look on your face. It wouldn’t… hurt to try, right?

Thanks to your friend’s words, you started avoiding Ayato as well.

It was already obvious to everyone in the university that something happened between the two of you, I mean, who wouldn’t notice how the so-called high school sweethearts who are joined at the hip are avoiding each other?

This was a good thing for those who had admired Ayato romantically. Everywhere Ayato went, there’s always one or more people trailing behind trying to make a chat with him in hopes of being close with him, but as always, he made sure to cut the conversation short and run away.

Of course, you felt jealous, but who are you to be jealous of now that he’s no longer yours?

It wasn’t fact that the university knows about your break-up and the fact that Ayato now has admirers didn’t phase you,

What phased you is the fact that your ex did not look affected by your ignorance at all.

It only took a couple of months for you to understand why.

“...What…” You mumbled to yourself, staring down at Ayato – who’s in the area that connects all the dormitories for the first time in months – with a disbelieved look on your face.

It didn’t matter to you that your ex has finally shown up at the place where the both of you always meet.

What mattered to you was the fact that he’s with an unfamiliar woman.

You felt chills run down your spine from how he’s looking at her with a gentle and genuine smile on his face, something that he only showed to you and only you. You despised the fact that envy started to grow in your body.

You weren’t envious of the woman who managed to win his heart. You weren’t envious of the couple who obviously look happier than you and Ayato. You weren’t envious of how they have each other now.

You were envious of how Ayato moved on.

He continued to avoid you since then.

“What brings you here in the lobby, if I may ask?” Ayato wondered. “Are you perhaps waiting for someone?”

You nodded slowly. “Ye… Yeah. I’m waiting for Ei and Yae to come back down from their room to have lunch together outside the hotel.” You explained. You didn’t bother adding the fact that you’re reuniting with old friends, since him tagging along will only make things awkward. “And you?”

“I’m waiting for a photographer who’ll be taking pictures for the wedding.” He answers.

The two of you then fell silent afterwards.

Despite the fact that you “moved on”, you can’t even manage to have a proper conversation with the man who ruined your heart years ago. Just being near him made you feel uneasy, as if something bad will happen.

“...How’s… Miss Chisato?” You questioned.

“She’s fine. She’s currently shopping for her wedding dress with her bridesmaids and father.”

Before the conversation started to get longer, you felt someone tapping your shoulder lightly.

“We’re here~” Yae spoke up, smiling at you as soon as you looked at the person who tapped your shoulder. “We apologize for being late, Ei just couldn’t decide what to buy.” She explains apologetically.

You looked at Ei's direction, who holds a paper bag that contains what you assume is her dessert and sigh. "It's alright, I'm just glad you guys made it already."

The two women suddenly noticed another person’s presence, if you looked closely, you would’ve noticed how their eyes slightly darkened. “Oh, hello Mr. Kamisato.” Ei spoke up in a nonchalant tone.

Ayato continued to smile, but it no longer reached his eyes like before. “Miss Shogun… Pleasure to see you after all this time. How has your business fared?”

“It’s as smooth as always,” She answered. “I would like to congratulate you once more for your wedding.”

He hums, placing his hand on his chest as a sign of gratitude. “You have my thanks, Miss Shogun.”

While the atmosphere with you and Ayato was tense and awkward, the atmosphere with him and Ei and Yae was always intimidating and far from awkward.

In fear of having the situation go longer than to your liking, you immediately intervened in the “polite” conversation. “We should take our leave before we’re late for our reservation. I heard we won’t be able to apply for another reservation for the next few months due to the overwhelming number of customers if we were to miss it.”

The purple-haired woman clears her throat, her face brightens up quickly. “Ah, right. We shall take our leave then, Mr. Kamisato. I wouldn’t want to let ( Name ) be hungry.”

“( Name ) must be proud to have a friend like you then.” The blue-haired man commented with a small laugh. “I shall see you three again next time.”

You gave him an acknowledged nod before the three of you left towards the exit, your smile immediately drops the moment you’re no longer seen by the groom.

“You guys should’ve been early.” You grumbled.

Yae laughs. “Yes, yes, we apologize again for being so late. You can tell us all the details on our way.”

As the three of you entered the car, you couldn’t help but glance at where Ayato walked away with a frown.

Since when did Ayato stop avoiding you?

It felt like you guys had been driving around for an hour.

“...So how was it?” Yae asks as she focuses on the road while driving. It was the first time one of you spoke up ever since you left the hotel, if it weren’t for the music Ei was handling, the car would’ve fallen to an awkward silence.

You knew what the woman was referring to and answered, “He acted as if he hadn't avoided me.”

“How pathetic,” Ei mumbled with a tsk. “Not even a single apology?”

“It’s fine, I didn’t expect him to do it anyway.” You said, leaning against the window. “Besides, he’s the last thing on my mind right now.”

“Are you still nervous about meeting the others?” Ei asks.

“Of course. I haven’t seen them for so long.”

“Cheer up, I’m sure things will go well. They miss you more than you think.” Just as Yae said that, the car suddenly stopped, and you realized that you finally arrived at the restaurant.

Unlike most restaurants you’ve seen, this one had a more home-y feeling and has the kitchen being in the same room as the customers with the chefs being seen cooking. Not to mention how it’s all decorated nicely and suits the atmosphere outside.

Your eyes then land on a certain group whose table is by the window, and you wipe your sweaty hands on your lap with a gulp. Here goes nothing..

“Welcome to Good Hunter.” The guard stationed in front of the entrance spoke as he opened the doors for you and your friends to enter. You quietly thanked the guard in response, and decided to let Yae and Ei walk in front of you first.

It didn’t take long before the others noticed your presence, and they instantly stood up from their seats and walked towards you three with excitement.

“Took you guys long enough to get here!” Yoimiya(2) exclaims, giving a hug to the two women first before hugging you next. “I missed you three so much! I apologize that our conversation was so short yesterday, ( Name ).”

You hugged your friend back. “It’s alright, I’m just happy I got to see you again.”

Suddenly, you felt huge arms wrapped around you and Yoimiya, causing you to yelp in surprise and look at the person, only for your face to beam at the sight of Itto. “Don’t tell me you forgot about me, ( Name )! Why didn’t you hug me first?” He whines.

“I hugged them first, big guy!” Yoimiya retorted with her tongue out.

Before the two of them could banter, they were instantly smacked in the heads by a certain woman. “Cut it off, you two. We just met ( Name ) after so long and this is how you’re acting in front of them?” Kujou Sara scolded.

You laugh in response. “It’s alright, Sara.” You said reassuringly, your shoulders no longer tensed. What was I even nervous about? You thought as you mentally facepalm yourself.

“If you say so, it’s nice to see you again, by the way.” Sara replied.

“I agree with Sara, it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, ( Name ).” Kokomi spoke up with a warm smile as Gorou waves at you. “...And Ei and Yae as well, we’re glad you guys had time to come here.”

Yae hums, copying Kokomi’s facial expression. “We are happy enough to come here even if we’re busy. I must say, you’ve grown taller than before.” She teases, glancing at the brown-haired man’s direction with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

You notice how Gorou flinches from the tall woman’s stare before avoiding eye contact, causing Yae to giggle. “And it’s nice to see you again, Gorou. You’ve grown more handsome than before. If you still remember what I told you, are you still up for cosplaying as a certain writer for my dearest readers?”

“Wh-What?! No way!” He stumbled.

Before Yae could continue to tease him more, you heard a familiar voice calling your name, causing you to look at the person by the table and see Thoma waving at you.

“Ah ( Name ), come sit here! I saved a seat for you.” Thoma said with a smile as he pulled back the chair that’s beside his. “You should come and order your food as well, I’m sure you must’ve been starving the whole time on your way here.”

Hearing the word food instantly caught Itto’s attention, and he immediately let go of you and Yoimiya before he rushed back to his seat to grab his menu. “Aw man, I forgot what I was supposed to order!”

Yoimiya lets go of you as well, following Itto in a panic. “I forgot what I was supposed to order too! Was it the Barbatos Ratatouille or Sweet Madames?”

Your eyes brighten when you see Thoma, remembering that he’s in the reunion as well. You followed Itto and Yoimiya in excitement to talk with your friend once more after seeing him yesterday.

“Thanks for saving me a seat, if it weren’t for you I would’ve been unsure which seat I should sit on.” You spoke as you sat down on your seat next to him. “How have you been? Isn’t it great that you’re back in your hometown?”

The blonde-haired man nods happily. “Yeah, it’s just the same as I remembered! I visited my mother’s side of the family and they’ve all been well thankfully.”

His smile is quite infectious, you thought, finding yourself smiling as well. “That’s good.”

“What about you? How’s Liyue?” He asks.

“Surprisingly well,” You replied fondly. “I made a few friends here and there, and the prices are certainly not as absurd as our home.”

“I’m guessing that brown-haired man with you yesterday is a friend from Liyue?” Thoma questions, and you nodded in response.

“Yes, he and I are neighbors. He helped me a lot with Liyue’s culture and traditions whenever we hung out in his home. I’m glad I have him as my plus one.” You explained, wondering to yourself what Zhongli is doing back in the hotel. “He’s quite a gentleman too, just like you.”

Thoma felt flattered. “Y-You think I’m a gentleman–?”

“Hey ( Name ), what did you order?” Itto interrupts. “If your order sounds tasty I’ll order the same!”

You chuckled in response, opening the menu as well to check the available meals. “I’m not sure, to be honest. There’s a lot of good food here.” Your eyes scan through the numerous names.

Unnoticed by you, Thoma stayed quiet, still thinking of your compliment.

By the time the server has received your orders, all of you have started talking to one another. Whether it’d be college memories, struggles in certain subjects and topics, and love lives–

Ah, how you despise love lives so much.

The moment someone brought up love life, you could instantly tell what the others are thinking thanks to how they’re glancing at your way with a hint of sympathy in their eyes, especially Itto, who’s easier to read than a children’s book.

“So, ( Name )...” Yae spoke, trying to think of a way to lighten up the conversation. “That plus one of yours seems very interesting, don’t you think so?” She giggles.

You rolled your eyes with a smile, knowing where the woman is going with this conversation. “He is, but we’re only just friends.” You explained. “Don’t tell me you’re interested in an older man, are you?”

She immediately laughs. “Oh my… Don’t make this about me, besides, Mister Zhongli is not my type so you don’t have to worry about me snatching up your man.”

“He’s not my man nor someone I’m interested in that way.” You clarified, crossing your arms. “Besides, I don’t think I’m interested in anyone.”

“Ooh what about Mister Tartaglia?” Yoimiya chimes in. “I saw him walking towards your table during breakfast, and you seemed like you like the food he offered for free!”

Your eyebrows furrowed. “You were there?”

The girl giggles sheepishly. “Sorry I didn’t come up to you, I didn’t want to ruin your conversation with Mister Zhongli since you looked so serious.”

You nodded in understanding. “I see… But Mister Tartaglia gave the food to my plus one, but Zhongli despises seafood a lot so I decided to eat it to not let free food go to waste.” You clarified.

“Hm.. Mister Albedo seems interesting, have you met him?” Kokomi chimes as well as Gorou agrees with the pink-haired woman’s words. “He has great talent with his art skills, maybe you should try to talk to him–”

Your eyes widened when you realized what the others were trying to do. “Woah, woah, woah! I didn’t ask for you guys to be my wingman and try to pair me up with some guys I don’t even know much!”

“( Name )’s right, you guys should let them choose who they want to choose.” Thoma joins in, patting your shoulder in a reassuring gesture that he has your back.

“You guys should mind your business, ( Name ) can choose whoever they want without our help.” Sara interjected, being on your and Thoma’s side as well.

Unfortunately, your comment as well as Thoma and Sara’s went to deaf ears.

“Mister Albedo? Pfft, please, ( Name )’s better off with uhm…” Itto stops for a moment to think. “Uhm.. Ooh! Why not be with my bro, Xiao?”

“Isn’t he younger than ( Name )?” Ei questioned with raised eyebrows. “He’s the same age as Kunikuzushi–”

“Ei, they’re both the same age as our dear ( Name ).” Yae corrected.

“Ah,” Ei clears her throat, looking away from the pink-haired woman. “Then.. How about Mister Diluc? I heard from a friend of mine that he knows ( Name ).”

Everyone suddenly stops talking the moment the purple-haired woman mentions the fact that he knows you, causing your eyes to widen from the mention of the man who paid for your wedding gift.

Ah shi–

“When did you meet? How did you two meet? What is he like? Is he nice? Is he mean? Is he handsome?” Yoimiya immediately asks, eyes sparkling as everyone curiously tries to hear your answer as well. You honestly forgot how nosey your friends can be, to which you don't mind since they know when to mind their own business.

“Uhm…” You hesitated for a moment, unsure if you should really tell them such unnecessary information. “Well, I guess he and I met when we bumped into each other in the lobby.”

“Then what happened?” Yoimiya asks eagerly, urging you to continue talking.

“...Nothing?”

“Really?”

You look away from the girl’s gaze, and she gasps. “You’re lying! Something did happen!”

“I won’t say it!” You said defensively.

“From the way you look, it’s obvious that something did happen to make you look so embarrassed.” Yae comments with a giggle.

You felt your cheeks warming from being exposed so easily. That woman really can bring out your embarrassed self with just her teases, you can understand why Gorou’s always avoiding her.

“Well.. either way… I don’t like him, he’s rude.” That was a lie, and you knew it. However, you knew mentioning the fact that you don’t mind him as well as the wedding gift incident will only give them – especially Yae – more reasons to tease you and not bring the topic down at all.

“That’s just because he looks like it, if anything, I think he’s quite a gentleman like Mister Zhongli based on my first meeting with him for business reasons.” Ei retorted casually as she took a sip of her drink. “You should give him a chance.”

Before you could respond, the waiter suddenly interrupted the conversation with the meals beside him, causing you to sigh in relief. “Your orders have arrived.”

Thank you, waiter! You thought gratefully, watching as he hands out all the food to your friends, who are all eager to eat the delicious Mondstadt meals that they ordered, the conversation they just had with you had all been forgotten.

Unnoticed by you, a certain man whose table is beside yours heard the whole thing with his ears flushed. It was a coincidence that he’s in the same place as you once more, and you and your friends are pretty loud enough for him and nearby customers to hear.

They’re still mad at me? Diluc thought, bringing out his phone before calling someone with a huff.

“Kaeya you liar, you told me buying an item for a person will make them forgive me.”

As you enter your hotel room, you immediately yawn in exhaustion.

Thankfully, your friends decided to talk about something else besides your love life. In all honesty, you really appreciated them for helping you find someone you can date, but you sincerely think you can’t fall in love just as easily as before. Nevertheless, the reunion ended on a good note as a smile never leaves your face.

“How is it? Did it go well, I hope?” Zhongli asks, looking up to your direction from his book as he lies down on his bed.

You nodded happily. “Yeah.. I don’t even know why I was nervous in the first place.” You answered with a laugh, remembering how you didn’t feel well thanks to your nervousness.

He hums. “I’m glad you enjoyed your day, care to tell me all about it over a cup of tea?” He asks, gesturing towards the table nearby that has a teapot and teacups on it.

“...And facial skin care?” You ask with a cheeky grin, imagining Zhongli wearing a face mask with cucumbers on his eyes as he tries to drink his tea.

Besides chatting over a cup of tea and helping Zhongli out with his inconveniences in the apartment, the both of you had also spent the night having a sleepover during occasions when the electricity would go out of nowhere, leaving you to visit Zhongli to have some company and give him a facial skin care routine that he finds himself enjoying a lot.

Your friend laughs. “And facial skin care.”

Your eyes brighten. “Alright, Just give me a moment to change my clothes and get my facial products ready for the both of us.”

He nods in understanding, watching as you grab your clothes from the closet and rush inside the bathroom. It was quite amusing to see you so excited over something such as this, but he didn’t mind. As long as you’re happy, then he’s happy as well.

As soon as you leave, his smile instantly disappears, remembering a certain incident that occurred while you were out with your friends.

“...Good afternoon, Mister Kamisato.” Zhongli greeted, eyes slightly widening in surprise from the sight of Ayato standing in front of the door of his hotel room with an unexplainable look on his face. He doesn’t recall you telling him that Ayato would be visiting. “May I help you?”

“...Is ( Name ) here?” Ayato asks, smiling politely.

The brown-haired man shook his head. “Unfortunately not. They’re outside hanging out with Miss Miko and Miss Shogun.”

He watched as the blue-haired man’s smile slightly dropped at the moment, before regaining his facade once more. “Oh… I see… I was hoping I was going to talk to them about something..”

Zhongli guessed it was about the break-up that you told him, your tear-stained face haunting his mind. “You can visit again tomorrow. From what I remember, ( Name ) won’t be having any plans in mind on that day.”

Ayato nodded slowly. “I understand. Thank you for telling me.”

The man didn’t move at all, still standing in front of Zhongli in silence for a moment. “If… I may be bold to ask, what's your relationship with ( Name )?”

Zhongli tilted his head slightly. Where is he going with this? “...( Name ) and I are neighbors. We’ve been friends ever since they traveled to Liyue.”

“I see,” He murmured, his shoulders slowly relaxed. “...I take it that they’re doing well in Liyue?”

“Why don’t you ask ( Name ) that when you try to talk to them tomorrow?” The brown-haired man retorts with a stiff smile. “I’m sure they’re willing to tell you. That is… If you have good intentions when you come up to them.”

The blue-haired man is taken back for a moment, before he chuckles in response. “You’re a good friend, Mister Zhongli. Rest assured that I don’t have any ill intentions towards ( Name ).” Ayato spoke. “I shall not waste your time any longer, thank you for answering my questions.”

“It’s no problem, Mister Kamisato.” The older man nods. “Have a good day.”

Zhongli lets out a small sigh, hoping that whatever the groom intends to do when he visits your room again will be nothing bad like he claims.

He honestly feels conflicted from how Ayato treated you as if he didn’t break your heart and didn’t even explain himself nor apologize for it. Perhaps it’d be good if apologizing was Ayato’s purpose when visiting your hotel room.

But who’s to say that would be enough to help you officially move on?

The man could recall certain moments when you still had a sad look on your face whenever Ayato was mentioned, and he could tell that you aren’t as happy as you are back in Liyue ever since the both of you had arrived at the hotel for the first time. Not to mention how Zhongli noticed you having a hard time sleeping when he woke up in the middle of the night to pour himself some water, so seeing you so happy after meeting with your old friends is a relief.

For now, the best thing Zhongli can do as a friend is to make you happy and not get sad over that jerk who broke your heart.

“That is what friends do, you know.” Guizhong once told him as he watches her placing her bags by the trunk of her car. “We make each other happy and care for one another.”

“She’s right,” Azhdaha chimes, carrying two more bags towards the car. “That’s why we’ll make sure to video chat with you once we arrive at our universities. Don’t worry about us, Morax!”

The man smiles in sadness from the memory, staring down at the book he’s holding as he fondly remembers how Guizhong used to love reading it.

“I’ll fulfill your promise, my dear friends,” He whispered, trying to forget the image of their corpses inside their car that was hit by a drunk driver as well as the two funerals he had to attend alone.

“I’ll make sure to be a good friend like how you were both to me.”

DAN'S NOTES !

(1) "by some ginger-haired man who was for some reason interested(1) in your friend" - the interest tartaglia has for zhongli depends on how you guys see it, just don't let it boil your blood if you see how some people see it as romantic or however else they see it.

(2) "Yoimiya exclaims" - If you guys wondering why on earth Yoimiya's in the reunion meeting despite being younger and being in the same batch as Ayaka's, it's because of certain circumstances that led Yoimiya and the others to become friends during college.

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2 years ago