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Long-awaited has been the night of the coldest, darkest time of the year. The snow keeps on piling up throughout the streets. Many would hate the situation. They’d call it a nuisance and a hassle to deal with. Ajax would like to argue. He might have a bias about the snow and ice. After all, he comes from a land that only knows cold. Was he to blame? He’s grown used to barely seeing the sun for only a certain time of the year. How did Ajax end up in a city that doesn’t seem to have winter?
He can’t help but be a little disappointed. He wasn’t told about the lack of cold weather before he was transferred to this city. The city area is breathtaking though. He wanted to see the vast sea freeze over and see snow everywhere. “What a scam,” he muttered to himself when his hopes were crushed for the first time. All he can do is sigh and complain about it.
That’s exactly what he’s doing now during his time off work. He’s hanging out near the harbor thinking about everything and nothing at all. “What is it about the water that captivates us so much?” a voice behind Ajax says. It sets off his fight or flight senses. He turns his head to see the person who startled him. His eyes are met with a man around his height, with long dark hair, and a few years older than him. The man stands next to him, also looking down the pier they’re standing on. “Something about the mystery of it is so captivating. Wouldn’t you agree?” the man’s smooth, warm voice is like music to Ajax’s ears.
“I think so…” Ajax doesn’t know how to respond to such statements. Who even is this man? Ajax hasn’t seen him at his workplace. He hasn’t seen him around his apartment complex either. This man’s face certainly is one that Ajax would remember seeing around. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but who are you?”
A faint laugh escapes the man’s lips. He takes a second to look at Ajax before opening his mouth to answer. “I’m Zhongli. I didn’t mean to appear as creepy as I appear to. I’m a history professor at Liyue University. I usually walk around the harbor after my lectures are over.”
History professor? Ajax looks at Zhongli up and down. He definitely looks like a history professor would. “Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Zhongli. My name’s Ajax. I’m a marine biology professor. I’m here for a professor exchange program at Liyue Uni.” Zhongli chuckles, for some reason his laugh makes Ajax feel a little flustered. He feels a little proud he made the man laugh. He can tell he’s being ridiculous. He met this man mere minutes ago and he’s acting like he’s known him forever. Oddly, it feels that way.
“Really? I hadn’t heard about such a thing. Maybe it’s my own fault. The history department is quite far from yours.”
“I see. Maybe that’s why I haven’t seen you around campus,” Ajax says. He’s intrigued by this man. Something deep inside him wants to learn more about him. That’s how he gets an idea. “Alright, Mr. Zhongli, would you mind joining me for dinner?” The invitation must’ve surprised Zhongli. His expression indicates so. “Is there a problem?”
“Oh no. You made no mistake, Ajax. I’m just touched by your gesture. I’d love to join you for dinner.”
Just as he’s saying a silent prayer of gratitude to the gods above, Ajax smiles. “It’s a date, I mean-- it’s a deal,” and at that moment, Ajax wishes he could be swallowed up by the earth. He swears his whole face is getting red from the sheer embarrassment of his dumb mouth. Thankfully, Zhongli doesn’t seem to notice what he said; or at least he doesn’t point it out. “Um, shall we get going?”
Zhongli nods, a smile adorning his face and warming Ajax’s soul. Something about him is utterly ethereal. “Yes, lead the way.”
It’s not a shock to say that the two men slowly began to have a very close friendship. Over the next several weeks they spent every free moment they had together. They do such things as eating together, walking down the pier, and talking about everything and anything. Ajax keeps telling himself that it’s all for the sake of not being alone. He didn’t have anyone to spend time with outside of work, and his co-workers weren’t his type of people. On the other hand, Zhongli is his type of person. Whenever he talks, Ajax feels like his world becomes a million times brighter. His heart fills up with joy and life as well.
He can see Zhongli enjoys his company too. He’s stated many times that he looks forward to their hangouts. His cheeks turn red whenever Ajax compliments him. He actively seeks out Ajax’s opinion on cultural food, even the seafood he admits to hating. Somehow their hands keep finding their way to end up near each other. Just casual platonic things. The list could go on for ages. Ajax’s days of feeling miserable and homesick seem distant.
Zhongli was the exact thing he needed.
“Ajax? What would you like to order?” Zhongli’s voice takes him out of his daydreams. Drifting off into his mind palace isn’t unusual for Ajax. It still happens from time to time either way. After a while,assuming Zhongli started to notice when he did. He’s mentioned finding it adorable or something of the sort before. Ajax didn’t know what to make of that comment.
Taking a brief moment to take a quick look at the menu, Ajax turns to the waiter to order his food. “Sorry, I’d like the same thing as him.” The waiter writes it down and takes off to the kitchen after taking their menus with him. “I apologize, Mr. Zhongli. I’m so tired, work has been killing me lately. I can count the number of hours of sleep I’ve gotten with one hand.”
The kind, lovely smile of his makes Ajax’s heart take a critical hit. “Don’t apologize, I understand. You should take a break. I’ll be very upset if you keep overworking yourself.” Zhongli places his hand on Ajax, causing his cheeks to get warm. Being a man of many words but little physical touch, he appears to keep finding ways to touch Ajax. Not that he’s complaining, it’s a mere observation.
“Spring vacation is coming up anyway. I’m going to spend every second of it relaxing.” He can’t remember the last time he got actual time off work. It might’ve been for a holiday or when he was on his trip to this city. Aside from those instances, Ajax probably never had a day away from breaking his back grading so many papers. “I could take a trip around the city. There are a few places I’d like to visit. Oh! Mr. Zhongli, wasn’t there an observatory in the outskirts of the city you wanted to show me? We could visit it.”
For a second, Ajax stops to think about what he said. He’s making an assumption that Zhongli would want to spend more time with him than usual. However, he knows that his dear friend actually likes being with him. He shouldn’t have to worry about it. Zhongli would also be on spring vacation. It seems to be the perfect plan, as simple as it is. “That sounds great. It’s a date!” Zhongli proudly declares with the biggest smile on his face. Meanwhile, Ajax almost chokes on his drink.
“A..a date?”
Zhongli looks at him puzzled. “Of course. Isn’t that what we’ve been doing this whole time?”
Ajax’s heart is beating very quickly. He doesn’t know what to say. Zhongli keeps looking at him. The two don’t break eye contact, even if Ajax’s face is as red as a tomato. Finally, Ajax speaks, his voice shaking and sweat droplets streaking from his forehead to his chin. “I… Yeah! Obviously. It’s a date!” Oh dear heavens. What has Ajax gotten himself into?