Chapter Text
“Why are you putting posters on a tree?”
Zhongli sighed as he watched Ajax staple yet another poster to the bark before turning around and looking at him.
“What’s it to you, Gramps?” Ajax replied with a grin. “Some of yours are on trees.”
“I told you not to call me that.” Zhongli let out another sigh, his thumb and forefinger going to rub the bridge of his nose.
“Hey, you dress like an old man!”
“I think Albedo would disagree.”
Both he and Ajax turned to Albedo, who was currently watching the discussion unfold, pencil frozen in place on his sketchbook page. Even Sucrose, who typically had to be physically pulled away from her studies, was watching.
“No, no,” Albedo said with a sigh, “he’s right. We… do dress like grandpas. Sucrose included.”
She nodded— a bit more proudly than the situation really warranted, and once again Zhongli heaved a sigh.
“Well, let me rephrase my question, Childe .”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you putting campaign posters on a tree twenty feet off the ground?”
“Gotta get the word out to the birds, my friend!” He replied simply, going back to his satchel and starting to climb back down, landing on the ground with a satisfied grin.
“I don’t think birds make up much of the student body,” Zhongli retorted, only for Ajax to clap him on the shoulder before walking off.
“Whatever, Gramps!”
Zhongli once again sighed.
“H-he’s just messing around,” Sucrose said softly after a moment, gesturing for him to rejoin her and Albedo. “B-besides, um… we wanted to talk to you about something, remember?”
Zhongli cracked a bit of a smile as he sat down with them, seeing the subtle way their hands inched closer and Albedo slowly placed his hand atop hers.
“I suppose it’s more I that should say so?” He asked as he looked at Sucrose, who nodded. Even though they’d grown close over the past few semesters, Sucrose still got anxious easily. A few drinks or an evening of banter could get her to loosen up, but she always seemed touched when Albedo offered to help her out. “I… I’ll be leaving the dorms this weekend.”
Zhongli’s eyes widened— it wasn’t as if it had no precedent, but it still shocked him. “Why? Did things finally come through?”
Sucrose nodded excitedly, and Albedo continued. “Yes. Kaeya got his apartment all settled, so we’ll be moving in with him. Feels sort of weird making it all so official, but…”
Of course he was happy to see them together— some time ago Albedo and Sucrose had opened their relationship up to Kaeya, who spent every moment he had with them doting on them with affection and compliments. In some instances Zhongli might have counted that annoying or even a red flag, but he’d gotten to know them well enough to tell Kaeya’s smile was reaching his eye and that Sucrose and Albedo enjoyed his teasing. Knowing they’d be able to spend more time together alone meant hopefully things might be a bit less embarrassing when he was around.
“I am happy for you, make no mistake,” Zhongli began— he wished he’d thought to put a “roommates must stay roommates till the end of the semester” clause in the contract they’d written up. The last thing he needed was having to get used to a new person’s quirks and inconsistencies and get them to agree to the terms of their contract as roommates. “But I…” He sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose again.
“Um, s-sighing so much won’t really help the headache,” she said softly.
“I suppose I’m just a bit disappointed to hear I’ll be losing my campaign managers.”
Albedo stifled a laugh, squeezing Sucrose’s hand as she giggled a little. “Kaeya’s said you’re welcome to visit any time. Not just to watch our band practice.”
“And, um, if your new roommate is r-really hard to get along with, w-we do have a really nice couch!” Sucrose smiled, her ears twitching excitedly. “I-it isn’t much privacy, b-but…”
Zhongli smiled back, shaking his head. “I do appreciate the offer. I do hope to visit when we all have the time, but I would feel rather bad overstaying my welcome.”
“Oh, Mister Student Council President, I do hope you aren’t suggesting I would kick you out?”
All three turned to the source of the voice— naturally, Kaeya had arrived right on time. He looked a bit out of place next to Sucrose and Albedo— where they looked like old men in their long wool coats and sweater vests in the crisp autumn air, Kaeya looked as if he was bound for a renaissance faire. He wore a flowing shirt that Zhongli often wondered if it actually had buttons or not, tucked into some kind of vest/corset/belt hybrid… Had he not managed to pull the look off so well, he might have dubbed him a fashion disaster.
“Please, I’ve been the one tossed out on the doorstep. I’d never do that to you.”
Zhongli raised an eyebrow, but didn’t question him further. Kaeya was doing that thing where he enunciated just enough that any sarcasm would fly right over their heads— but Sucrose and Albedo seemed pleased enough, so he’d count it a win. “I do appreciate your confidence, though I may be losing the bird vote.”
This time it was Kaeya’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Beg pardon?”
Zhongli mustered all the self control he had to avoid replying then beg — and it seemed the others had a similar impulse. “Apparently that Childe was putting posters in the canopies of trees. To get the attention of birds.”
“... Luc’s gonna hate it.” Kaeya sighed as he looked up, spotting the rather brightly colored poster atop the tree. Vote Ajax for Student Council President! Shneznayan ingenuity, comrade! “Why didn’t you think of that, old man?”
“I told you not to call me—“
He was cut off by an abrupt screech as a hawk flew past, plucking the poster up off the tree— and Kaeya ducked on instinct as they heard, in the distance, a familiar voice shout goddammit!
“... It’s his own fault for training him to pick up trash.” Kaeya said with a sigh, only for him to freeze as the source of that familiar voice turned towards them… and the hawk lifted off his arm…
And flew directly at Kaeya, screeching as it flapped its wings angrily at him.
Zhongli opened his mouth to make a snarky comment, then closed it instead. Whatever Diluc had to say would be funnier than any of his own dry wit.