Chapter Text
The streets were illuminated by strings of bright lanterns hanging above them, and Liyue Harbor was once again as festive and lively as ever. Crowds flocked to the streets to celebrate the Lantern Festival, from the country’s natives to tourists hailing from foreign lands. The tall, dark-haired Wangsheng Funeral Parlor consultant weaved his way through the crowds, dodging and apologizing for every accidental contact he made in these narrow streets, until he finally arrived in front of the inn you were currently staying at.
He was about to enter the lobby when you suddenly came out of the doors to greet him, and he couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful sight before him. In his eyes, you looked radiant in your ankle-length, flowy dress. You only had light make-up on, and there was a simple yet elegant floral ornament adorning your hair. You were breath-taking, he thought, and he must have been gaping at you for quite a while when he suddenly felt your hand hooked around his arm. You gazed up at him with that softness again present in your eyes, and he was certain you must have seen the blush that had now formed in his cheeks.
He took you near the ships in a large, open area where most of the festivities took place. You both hopped from one merchant to the next, enjoying and trying out delicacies that were only prepared and sold during the festival. As usual, he had forgotten his wallet again, and you ended up paying for everything you ate. While it should have annoyed you, tonight it didn’t bother you that much, for you very much enjoyed spending time with him.
As you walked further, you noticed the people had set up a dance floor in the plaza. In your excitement, you hurriedly pulled him towards the dance floor. Taken aback, he barely had time to process what was happening as you pulled his arms towards you, placing one hand on your waist and holding the other in your hand. Time moved slowly as your minds finally registered how close you both were, skin touching skin, in a situation you both had never imagined would happen. And yet, here you both were.
You both slowly swayed to the music being played by the band, and your eyes never left each other’s. His grip on your waist was gentle, but you felt his hand lightly squeeze your skin, pulling you a bit closer to him as the song progressed into a sweeter tune. His gaze upon you was intense, and you had to look away from his face, resting your face on his chest instead in an attempt to hide your blush. You felt a hand gently touch your hair, and somehow you were glad that you did look away from him for you enjoyed his small gesture of affection.
When the music finally ended, he led you away from the crowds and walked around the harbor until you had both reached a deserted elevated part of the city, hoping to get a better view of the lantern release. Down below, you could see the crowds gathered along the stretch of the easement, eagerly anticipating the release. You had already procured a lantern from a merchant stall, and had already written your wishes on the material. Holding the lantern in both of your hands, you prepared yourself to release it up into the air, when you suddenly realized that he didn’t have one. He blinked at you when you had pointed it out, and he explained to you that he preferred to be more of an observer, and had never really released a lantern before. You stared at him with your widened eyes, and he blinked once more as he felt blood heat up his cheeks. You giggled and told him that it was fine, offering to share your lantern with him.
One by one, a few bright, orange spheres started to ascend up to the air until they were joined by dozens, hundreds of lanterns, their light a stark contrast against the dark, black sky. Gently, you released your own into the air, joining the others before you, and you marveled at the sheer number of them all and how beautiful and ethereal they looked against the night sky. So enamored by the fantastic view above you, you failed to notice Zhongli’s gaze turned to you, and you were only made aware of it when you suddenly felt warm lips pressed against yours.
To say that you were shocked was an understatement, and you stood there unmoved as the man before you kissed you. This did not deter him from continuing his rather bold display of affection, and he was so moved by his emotions that he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you towards him. Eventually, you caved in and kissed him back, your emotions and sentiments for him getting you carried away. You kissed him with so much fervor, pressing your body against his tall frame as your hands found their way around his neck. Every affection for him that you had suppressed, every doubt about his affection for you that you had believed so yourself, you showed and dispelled respectively. For a very long time, you had wanted to be with him, had wanted him to want you , and now you couldn’t believe that it was finally already happening.
Likewise, he too did not inhibit himself from showing you how he truly felt about you. His other hand traveled to your face and cupped your cheek, as the arm wrapped around your waist only tightened its embrace, pulling you ever closer to him, if possible. Like you, he had desired you to finally be his, and he yours, and all of his doubts and worries as to whether you reciprocate his feelings for you were dispelled just by gauging the fervor you showed in returning his affections.
He continued to kiss you even as you pulled away and breathed his name, recapturing your lips with his own. When he did finally pull away so you could both catch your breaths, he released his hold from your waist and placed his hand on your other cheek. For a while, he stared at your eyes which he loved so much and leaned his forehead against yours. You released your hands from his neck and wrapped them around his waist, your eyes closing at will as you basked in the glow of your shared bliss.
You both laughed internally at the foolishness of your worries and doubts. In the end, the affections that you had for each other were requited, and you both couldn’t feel any happier.