Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Zhongli wasn’t a negligent parent. Not by any means. He loved both his children dearly and would go to the ends of Teyvat for them. But on days like these, when he gets yet another email in his inbox, he starts to question it a little.

Today’s email is no different than the ones he’s gotten in the past. However since it’s a new school year that means it’s a new teacher sending him the same emails. Some “K. Alberich” reporting to him about yet another fight his precious little Xiao has gotten into.

Hello Mr. Zhongli,

From what I’ve heard, this isn’t the first time you’ve gotten an email similar to this one but as per the school’s protocol, I must send another. Luckily, Xiao made it through the first week of school but today he had another incident. He will be spending the rest of the day in the office until you are able to pick him up.

You will get a report soon from the school but I figured I should be the one to break the news first. This is not another single day of in-school suspension. Xiao has been suspended for the next week. If you want, I can also have Ganyu bring home his work as your daughter is also in my homeroom this year. We can discuss more when you come to pick up Xiao.

K. Alberich

So that was that. Without even bothering with a reply, Zhongli grabbed his coat, wallet and keys, and left the house. The drive to the middle school wasn’t a long one. Ten minutes and he was pulling into the guest parking lot and locking up his car as he headed to the front office. The sight he was greeted with however, was not one he was expecting.

On days when Zhongli had to pick up his son from school after a troublesome fight he was usually met with Xiao sitting in a chair alone in the front office as the office ladies went about their business, muttering under their breaths about how 'troubled' his son is. However this time, as he peeked through the window, Xiao wasn’t the only one sitting there.

A man with long, dark hair sat beside him. An eyepatch covered his right eye as he made small talk (it was more like a one-sided conversation but the thought was still nice) to his son. Even without Xiao answering, the man carried on his "conversation". His mouth came to a halt when Zhongli pushed open the door to the office. 

Having done this time and time again, everybody in the office had the routine down. Xiao would head to whatever classroom Ganyu was in for her after school club (this year she had taken a liking to student council) and they’d both head back to the office together. So just like before, Xiao had walked out of the office without a glance to his father, eyebrows drawn together with a scowl pulling at his face.

“Hello,” the long-haired man had spoken, “I don’t believe I saw you on the parent-teacher introductory night?” 

“Ah, no. Xiao wasn’t particular about attending and Ganyu was feeling a little anxious so we decided not to go this year.”

“Oh that’s too bad. I would’ve liked meeting you,” the other man chuckled as if it was some inside joke Zhongli was meant to know, “Pardon me, where are my manners! I’m Kaeya Alberich. I’m Xiao and Ganyu’s homeroom teacher this year.”

“So you’re the one who sent me the email this morning, correct?”

“Yes, I am. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news to you. However, I hope to be able to help Xiao more. I’m a new faculty member this year so all the things I have heard are just from the other teachers. I’m sure your child is not as bad as they say. And you’d be surprised at the things they say.” Kaeya scoffed.

“I’m not surprised. They do not hide their feelings well. I’m glad you are looking out for my son,” Zhongli paused as the door opened, Ganyu and Xiao looking up at him, “I must be heading out now. Thank you again Mr. Alberich.”

“Kaeya is fine. Have a good evening, you three.”

Chapter Text

The ride back home was quiet, the silence was filled by Ganyu’s soft voice discussing her favorite classes, what she ate for lunch and the conversations she had. A few reminders of homework were spoken and then they were home.

And again, like every other time this happened, Xiao stormed off to his room and shut his door tightly while yelling something about homework and calling with Venti . Without a word, Zhongli and Ganyu made eye contact and Ganyu was off to console her brother while her father made dinner. 

After a tiring day, the only thing Zhongli could really think of making was Bamboo Shoot Soup. So he set off, placing a pot atop the stove, turning on the heat and gathering his ingredients from around the kitchen. 

After finding everything needed, he set the ingredients on the counter and made his way through preparing the food. Once everything was cut up and ready, he added it all to the pot, stirring lightly. 

Quiet voices trailed from the back of the house as the pot simmered, full of food. But it was hard to focus on the food when all Zhongli's mind would think about was his children's teacher. Kaeya was it? He surely was different from past teachers. It was the longest email he had gotten about Xiao in years. Not to mention, the most caring one as well. And besides his caring nature, he wasn't bad to look at either.

What?

Shaking his head, Zhongli quickly got back to stirring his now, boiled-over soup. Turning off the heat and moving the pot to another burner, he salvaged what he could and poured it into three separate bowls. M aking his way back to Xiao's room, the door now open, he saw both children staring down at a phone that was held between the two. Ganyu smiling and waving and Xiao with a blush high on his cheeks. Knocking softly, he watched as both of their eyes shot up to him.

"Dinner's ready. I'll be at the table, don't take too long," he spoke as he walked back to the kitchen while bringing the three bowls to the four-person table. One chair always empty.

Dinner went by without much trouble. A little bit of complaints from Xiao but they were quickly followed by him slurping his soup down faster than anyone at the table and asking if there was enough for seconds. Zhongli took it as a compliment. 

Once Xiao settled back at the table with his third bowl of soup and an apple for his sister, Zhongli thought it'd be an adequate time to bring up Mr. Alberich.

"So," he started, "what do you both think of your homeroom teacher this year? He's new, right?"

"Oh! Mr. Kaeya!" Ganyu started.

"He's alright," Xiao grumbled into his bowl of soup. Zhongli's eyes widened. Xiao hadn't complimented a teacher in years. And while most wouldn’t consider ‘ he’s alright ’ a compliment, Xiao was a middle schooler who regularly got into fights and arguments over petty issues. So really, it was the best Zhongli was going to get from him. 

"He's better than alright! He's really nice. He lets me get water whenever I want and he tells us stories about his eyepatch. None of us know why he wears it because each story is so different from the last!"

"He seems very kind," Zhongli finished. "Xiao, you're on dishes tonight. And don't forget homework, both of you. Suspension doesn't mean slacking off." 

For some reason, Zhongli wanted to be the only one to know just what was under that eyepatch. 

Chapter Text

After Xiao’s suspension had ended and he had gone back to school, he hadn’t heard anything else from his children’s new teacher. Which, of course, should be a good thing. This means Xiao hasn’t gotten in any trouble since then (which is surprising to say the least because he hung out with Venti of all people everyday). But, for some reason, Zhongli couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. 

With Kaeya on his mind and a pan of cooking food in front of him, Zhongli carefully stirred the food. He didn't have to worry about picking up anyone today as Venti had offered to start walking Xiao and Ganyu home. And while the offer made Zhongli nervous, Venti had promised he passed his test perfectly and would be absolutely safe on the road every time they were in his car. So Zhongli let it happen and continued to think about a certain teacher.

That is, until the three teenagers he had been expecting came through the door. Turning the heat on low and making his way to the front door, Zhongli froze.

Xiao had a black eye, Ganyu was a mess of tears and Venti had the most panicked look he had ever seen on the kid. 

"...What happened?" Zhongli spoke after too many moments of silence had passed.

"Xiao got punched," Venti started, "then he punched back. I mean honestly, you should see the other guy! This little ol' black eye is nothing compared to what he did to the other guy. You should have seen it! He was like-"

Xiao slapped his hand over Venti's mouth and glared with the most murderous look he could manage with one eye swollen shut. 

Deeming Venti useless and Xiao of course wasn't going to say anything, Zhongli turned to Ganyu wordlessly.

"Xiao and a student a grade above us fought. He won't tell us why though. Have you checked your email, Father? Mr. Alberich said he left something for you."

"Ah, no. I've been busy today. And was just making dinner. Which is ready too, so go grab a plate while I deal with this. Venti, you're welcome to stay for dinner," Zhongli spoke as he moved to the desk and booted up the shared family computer.

After logging in and opening his email, he finds what he's meant to see. An email from a K. Alberich. Even though he knows he shouldn't be excited, his heart rate picks up as he clicks open the email.

Hello again Zhongli,

I am sorry to inform you of this but Xiao has gotten into another fight. This time, it took place after school but still on school grounds so I must report it to you once again. 

Xiao has been an exceptional student and so has Ganyu. In the few weeks I have had them as students, I have seen serious growth from both of them. I hope that I can continue to work with them and assist them. 

Xiao has been suspended from Liyue Middle School for 5 days and will be allowed to return next week. I hope to see both you and him soon. There is parent-teacher conferences coming up soon and I hope to see you then. 

K. Alberich

Zhongli wills his heart rate to decrease back to normal and join the preteens at the dinner table.

After dinner had finished and the dishes had been cleaned up, the three preteens found themselves watching a movie in the living room as Zhongli prepped tomorrow's lunch boxes (three this time to include a spare lunchbox he had gotten ages ago for Venti). Laughs and snickers came from the living room as the actors on TV had joked around. 

From his position in the kitchen, he could see perfectly into the living room from the kitchen. There Venti and Xiao huddled together under a blanket on the couch with Ganyu on the loveseat, wrapped snugly in a large comforter. His heart swells in his chest as love filled him. He loved these children dearly.

Chapter Text

Parent-Teacher conferences came a lot quicker than Zhongli had wanted them to. Three weeks eventually turned into half an hour and suddenly Zhongli was staring at himself in the mirror with a frown.

You'd think a 30-year-old man wouldn't fret so much about his appearance anymore. That's what being a teenager was for. Yet, Zhongli felt more like a worried teenager at this moment than his kids probably ever did. 

Clothes were scattered around his bedroom. shirts laid on the bed, pants hung over the back of the arm chair and shoes lined in front of the full-length mirror. 

"Dad, you have like 30 minutes. Why are you still in pajamas?" Xiao asked as he pushed open the bedroom door. "I wrote the list of my teachers, by the way. It's on the table."

"I can't decide on an outfit to wear," Zhongli returned, still frowning at his reflection.

"Why do you care so much?"

"No reason," Zhongli says, perhaps too quickly because suddenly Xiao's eyebrows furrowed and his nose scrunched up.

"Just- wear this," Xiao said, picking up a white button up and a pair of black dress pants.

"Okay, thank you. I'll finish up soon, so get your shoes on and bag ready."

Arriving at the school was a lot scarier than Zhongli had ever anticipated. Which is probably a crazy thought for a grown man to be having. He's been out of school for years, what should he be worrying about?

Kaeya, his mind answered. Zhongli hit his head against the steering wheel, sounding the horn and promptly scaring many parents.

After Zhongli had made his way inside the actual building and had gone through the brief introduction by the principal, he was allowed to go and meet his children's teachers and supervisors. 

An easy place to start would be Ningguang. A finance teacher who also was the supervisor for the student council. Her and Zhongli knew each other back in college and still had dinners together along with Beidou, her wife. 

Ningguang had been a steady hand in helping raise Ganyu and Xiao, always there to lend a hand when needed. Zhongli was forever grateful. 

When he reached her table, one of many in the gymnasium, he sat down. A smile tilted the corners of his mouth upwards as Ningguang returned the look before speaking.

"Hello, Zhongli. How have you and the kids been?" she prompted.

"I'm sure you already know yourself with seeing Ganyu everyday after school?"

"Ah, that I do. You seem a little on edge tonight, my friend. Anything in particular?"

Zhongli should have expected her to see right through him. 

"Ah, well actually-"

"Ningguang!" a voice spoke, and both adults turned to see who it was, "Albedo asked me to bring these to you. Don't ask me what they're about. He said they were 'confidential'.".

Zhongli was frozen in his seat. In front of him stood Kaeya Alberich. The man he had been dreading to see because of how sweaty his palms got at even the thought of his smile. Archons, how could he be so smitten? Zhongli couldn't remember a time he felt like this – like a teenager. 

"Oh thank you, Kaeya. Pardon the interruption, Zhongli."

"Zhongli?" Kaeya asked, suddenly aware of the other person at the table. 

"It's no trouble!" Zhongli awkwardly laughed. He had made it weird, hadn’t he?

"Oh," Kaeya started, scratching the back of his neck, "Well, I'll get going. Goodbye." he ended quickly as he rushed back to his own table.

"Well Archons, that was awkward." Ningguang spoke, exasperated, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had a crush."

"I think I do. Is it that obvious?"

"Yes. Did you not just see the way you acted? There really is no hope for you, Zhongli. How you had someone interested in you enough to have children with you is absolutely beyond me." Ningguang finished before placing her head in her hands.

All Zhongli could do was mirror her.

At the end of the night, Zhongli had been to every teacher except Kaeya. And now, he didn't even have the chance as the principal gave a closing talk, thanking the parents who still remained. 

Trying his best to calm his heart, Zhongli dragged himself to Kaeya's partly disassembled table. 

"Ah, Zhongli! What a nice surprise," Kaeya said, standing up and brushing the invisible dust off his knees.

"Hello. Sorry for coming so late." Zhongli bowed his head.

"It's no problem at all, though I'm afraid we can't stay and chat much longer."

"I apologize, I know this is inconvenient."

"Really, it's no problem! Hey, since we couldn't meet tonight, what do you say to dinner this weekend? To, you know, talk about things we would have discussed tonight?" After no response from Zhongli, Kaeya backtracks, "I hope I'm not being too forward." 

Zhongli couldn't let this go to waste.

"Not at all. I could give you my telephone number? To discuss meeting times, of course."

"Oh, yeah, sure thing. To discuss meeting times."

Once he had written his phone number down on a slip of paper and returned to his car, Zhongli sighed. Until he was interrupted by his phone vibrating.

Unknown: This is Kaeya Alberich!

Kaeya Alberich: So, when are you free next?

Chapter Text

"Dad has a date," Ganyu says over her bowl of cereal the next morning.

"Dad has a what?!" Xiao asks. 

"A date."

"What do I have?" Zhongli asks as he walks into the dining room, still dressed in his sleep shirt and too-big pajama pants.

"Nothing." both siblings say in unison. Zhongli furrows his eyebrows but brushes it off and fixes himself breakfast one room over.

"How do you even know that?" Xiao whispers, leaning his head closer to Ganyu's.

"I saw him texting on his phone and blushing. I then saw him pull up his calendar and mark next Saturday as 'Date'."

"I'm not going to even ask how you could see that, you're weird."

"That's not nice at all." Ganyu frowns.

"Xiao, be nice to your sister!" Zhongli scolds from the kitchen. Xiao plants his face onto the table.

After parent-teacher conferences, Xiao and Ganyu noticed something had changed. Their dad's eyes didn’t linger on the empty place at the dinner table nor did he seem to mind the four-person seating in the living room anymore. And of course, the teenagers were happy but it did cause some suspicion. And since Xiao and Ganyu are both 13, they couldn’t just let this slide without doing a little prying.

This starts the “Find Out Who Dad Has Been Talking To That Is Making Him Happy” project. Speaking of which, they need a better name. And who better to enlist than Venti, the best name maker they know.

“Why do you guys care about the name so much? Shouldn’t we just take his phone while he naps or something?” Venti asks the second he opens the door to Xiao’s room.

“I heard that a good named project is the perfect motivator to getting a job done,”

“Whoever told you that, Yu, was lying.” Venti retorts. Ganyu lets out a scandalized gasp.

“Anyways,” Xiao interrupts, “We actually have to come up with a plan. We have nothing.”

“As I suggested before, dear Xiao, why don’t we just take his phone while he naps?”

“He doesn’t nap,” Ganyu says.

“He doesn’t? Isn’t he like 50 or something?” Venti asks.

Xiao drops his head onto the desk with a thud.

The plan turns out to be “take Dad’s phone at any given moment that he leaves it unattended” and it just so happens to be Xiao’s duty now. One moment he was playing Mario Kart on his Switch and the next his father has left for the bathroom.

And there it was, Zhongli’s phone lying alone on the coffee table. With nobody in sight, Xiao picks it up, enters the passcode of 1231, and unlocks the phone. And the last thing Xiao expected to see opened the second he clicked on the Messages app.

Kaeya Alberich: How about Saturday? At 6 pm? We could swing by Wanmin and get something to eat too.

Xiao freezes. Then the toilet flushes and in his stupor, he quickly turns it off and throws the offending phone back onto the coffee table as Zhongli reenters the room. Xiao holds his breath and directs his eyes to the blank wall across from him.

“Xiao,” Zhongli turns to him as he sits down once again, “are you alright? You look a little red.”

“Perfectly fine Dad,” his voice coming out strangled, “I’m cool right now. Speaking of cool, I’m going to get water. Goodbye.” Xiao speaks, standing up and staring directly at the floor as he makes his way to his bedroom where there is no water around. Zhongli stares at his son's back in confusion. 

xiao: update…
xiao: i got ahold of his phone long enough to see his texts

venti: and?!?!?!?!?!

xiao: you won’t believe me

Ganyu: Tell us!!

xiao: it’s mr alberich

venti: huh

xiao: my dad
xiao: is going on a date
xiao: with our homeroom teacher

Ganyu: Oh my Archons

venti: no fucking way

Chapter Text

It's a little awkward. Kaeya sits alone at a table as Zhongli orders at the front counter. After a lot of back and forth text messages, they had finally landed on getting coffee at a café that Zhongli liked and knew the owner of. 

Kaeya wished this was a real date. Really, it's too bad that it wasn't. With a man like Zhongli, even Kaeya feels like he's out of his league.

The little coffeehouse is cute though. Little lights hung up on the walls with bookshelves spanning across one of the entire walls. It was small but sweet. Zhongli would like this place. Kaeya internally groaned at his own thoughts.

"He said the orders would be out in a moment," Zhongli spoke as he returned to the table and sat down, "Thank you for agreeing to meet me here. I find it quite comfortable."

"It is comfortable. I'm sure the food will be just as good." Kaeya grinned.

"It will be. A friend of a friend owns this establishment. Their son works here as well."

"That sounds lovely. Now, Zhongli-" Before Kaeya can even start, he’s cut off by someone approaching their table. It's not the same boy who Zhongli ordered from but instead a woman with long brown hair who also adorns an eyepatch.

"Hey, you two! I've got your stuff here. A plain dark roast and a vanilla latte with two slices of white cake," The woman said as she places down their order. She appears to be the owner Zhongli was speaking of, "Kazuha's taking his break in the back right now so I've got to be the runner. Kids, right?"

Zhongli laughs as Kaeya smiles back, feeling a bit out of place. 

"Thank you Beidou. And make sure to tell Kazuha thank you for me as well." Zhongli speaks.

"Of course. Enjoy you two." She walks away but not before giving Zhongli what seems to be a wink even though one of her eyes is covered. Kaeya would know that move all too well. 

Zhongli takes a sip of his coffee and Kaeya's jaw drops, "Zhongli, you drink your coffee black?!" 

"Yes, I do."

"How can you stand that?"

"I prefer to taste the natural flavor of the coffee than additives like sweeteners or creams. It's quite good. Would you like a try?" Zhongli pushes his cup towards Kaeya.

"Ah- no, no! I'm fine!" Kaeya's cheeks burn darker at the mere thought of sharing the drink. Just how pathetic has he gotten? "But, why don't we talk about your children?"

"Ah yes, I suppose that is the reason for this outing. Where would you like to start?" 

"Ah, I don't have much to say. Honestly, both Ganyu and Xiao are very sweet kids. They just show it differently is what I've learned," Kaeya takes a sip of his drink before continuing, "I could be wrong, but I think most teachers brushed them both off. Xiao because he tends to get in trouble and Ganyu because of her timidness and how she keeps to herself." 

"Yes, you'd be right," Zhongli adds.

"It seems that Xiao is only violent because that’s just what he knows works and he only does it if he’s trying to stick up for Ganyu and Ganyu's quietness leads to people viewing her as a target. And I'm not saying they should change! Definitely not! But no teachers have assisted Ganyu in becoming braver or Xiao in learning how to resolve things differently. It's a shame. I’d like to help them along with the other students I have in my homeroom."

Zhongli's mouth spreads into a smile. "I'm glad you understand them. It's been hard for them." 

"I'm sure you and your spouse have been doing as much as you can, but education and the educators also play a large part in a child's growing up. I hope I can help those two as much as I can this year." Kaeya smiles in return.

"Oh, I'm afraid you're mistaken. My wife passed away many years ago." Zhongli's smile changes quickly into something of a sad smile as he directs his eyes back down to his hands that are holding the coffee cup.

"Zhongli, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. Archons, I should've realized sooner with you being the only emergency contact."

"No need to fret, Kaeya. It's been a while and though I miss her, it's not like how it used to be. She would be upset if I didn't keep living my life fully. Trust me, I'm not offended." Zhongli removes one of his hands to place it on Kaeya's which is laying palm up on the table.

They spend the rest of the night talking about Zhongli's children. Until Beidou and Kazuha come up to them to announce their closing.

"I'll make sure to tell Ningguang you said hello, Zhongli! Have a good night."

As they step out of the café into the chill of the night air, Kaeya's mind processes what Beidou said as the door shuts.

"Wait, does she mean Ningguang as in Mrs. Tianquan? Who teaches at the same school as I do?" Kaeya asks.

"Yes, that'd be the one. I've known Ningguang since high school and with that comes Beidou as well. And of course, once they adopted Kazuha, I knew him as well. He's older than Xiao and Ganyu but they used to play together all the time when they were younger."

The drive back home consists of stories of both families. A sense of longing wraps itself around Kaeya's heart.

Once Kaeya stops the car in front of Zhongli's place, Zhongli steps out. 

"Thank you for tonight. I've talked quite a bit about myself tonight. How about we do this again sometime and we talk more about you?" Zhongli asks.

"I'd love to." Kaeya smiles. Zhongli closes the door and walks to his doorstep and enters it. Kaeya can see Ganyu running up to the door as well as Xiao standing next to her. His heart squeezes inside his chest as he drives off to his lonely apartment. 

Chapter Text

They do end up meeting again the next week at the same coffee shop to talk. Then the week after that, they just so happen to be free again. And the week after that. And the one after that too into the school’s winter break. And soon it turns into something normal.

On Fridays Kaeya and Zhongli get food together as if they were old friends who weren't swallowing the silly crushes they had on each other.

When the last Friday of December rolls around, it turns out to be New Year's Eve. They had discovered this fact when planning the week before.

"Would you like to come over?" Zhongli had started, "We typically don't do much but Ganyu loves that little TV program they put on when the ball drops."

Kaeya chuckles a bit, "It sounds fun but I wouldn't want to intrude and make them uncomfortable."

"Nonsense. I've invited you. And Xiao and Ganyu would be quite alright with it too. They are fond of you too, after all."

His heart squeezed inside his chest (which now seems like a common occurrence when he's with Zhongli). "If it's truly okay, I would like to come. 

Which explains why Kaeya finds himself standing on their porch with the bottle of sparkling apple juice Zhongli had asked him to bring. 

And as he takes a deep breath and reaches for the doorbell, the door swings open.

"Huh? You're not Venti." Xiao says as he looks Kaeya up and down.

"I'm right here, Xiao!" a voice startles Kaeya from behind. And when Kaeya turns around, another preteen stands there. "When I got here, Mr. Alberich was already standing at the door so I just texted you!"

"How long have you been standing there?" Kaeya asks.

"Well, I got here 5 minutes ago. But you were already standing here before then. So how long have you been here?" Venti leans in closer.

"Leave him alone Venti," comes a deeper voice and soon enough Zhongli has replaced Xiao in the doorway. "Please, forgive him. He's a different person in and out of school, we've learned. But come on in." 

As Kaeya follows Zhongli inside, it hits him that he's really inside his house. The shelves in the front room are decorated with photos of Xiao and Ganyu mostly, sometimes Zhongli is in one with them. One picture specifically catches his attention.

A woman with long blonde hair tied into a bun stood in between a young Xiao and Ganyu. A soft smile on her face with her eyes fully shut as she held her children.

"You like that one I assume?" Zhongli comes up behind Kaeya, startling him.

"Oh! I didn't mean to stare. If you don't mind me asking, who is she?" 

“That’s my late wife, Guizhong. She’s Ganyu and Xiao’s biological mother.” 

“She was really beautiful,” Kaeya speaks, turning away from the photo to face Zhongli. 

“That she was. I apologize for the change of subject but I came over to ask you something. Ganyu wanted to pour the drinks tonight and is wondering what you wanted.”

“What’s being served?” Kaeya raises an eyebrow.

“Our menu tonight supplies you with water from the tap, 2% milk, or the sparkling apple juice you brought,” Zhongli smiles, “What will your choice be?”

Kaeya chuckles. “Tell her I’ll have the apple juice.”

After everyone has settled on the couch to entertain themselves or, if you’re Ganyu, watch the hour-long New Years’ program on TV, Kaeya finds himself sitting next to Zhongli on the loveseat. How funny.

Xiao and Venti have taken over the couch with blankets and pillows and Ganyu has positioned herself right in front of the TV.

“Ganyu, move back a bit. You’re going to hurt your eyes being that close to the television.” Zhongli calls from next to Kaeya, his arm around the back of the seat. 

“Your house is very lovely, Zhongli. Feels like a home, if you know what I mean.” Kaeya turns to him.

“I’m not sure if I do. Care to explain?”

“It just feels lived in. I’m the only one who lives in my apartment and I moved in there pretty recently so I don’t have many things of my own there. Here though, you have photos and little knick-knacks that have built up over the years. It’s nice.” 

“I suppose I do. You know, Kaeya, if you ever want to come over you’re free to. You don’t need to have a reason.”

“I couldn’t do that to you! I’d be such a hindrance it wouldn’t be fair to you.”

“Then how about we start with just dinners here? You can join us at dinners on Friday instead of us burning holes in our pockets. I’ve never been the best with money anyways. Plus, Venti joins us for dinner on the weekends so you wouldn’t be the only one.”

“I’m not sure just yet.” Kaeya looks down at the empty glass in his hand.

“Think about it will you?” Zhongli asks, his hand moving to place itself on Kaeya’s shoulder and Kaeya does everything in his power not to shiver at the touch. 

When the TV starts counting down the last minute of the year, suddenly everybody is very aware of the voice shouting. Ganyu scrambles to get up and hand out the poppers she had gotten a few weeks earlier. Everyone’s glasses have been topped off with more apple juice as they all stand around the TV.

Ganyu pulls Zhongli’s hand to guide him next to her and Xiao. Just as the last few seconds are counted, Ganyu pulls Zhongli, Venti, and Xiao into a hug as the host on TV announces the New Year. Kaeya’s caught between the ache constricting his chest and the warmth filling his heart. He says goodbye and heads home to his lonely apartment soon after. 

Chapter Text

School becomes overwhelming very quickly after the break. Kaeya had forgotten how nice it was to grade papers at his own leisurely pace. 

Not to mention, Kaeya hadn't seen Zhongli in a couple of weeks as well. With all the work coming in after the school break, he couldn't even find a minute of his schedule that was clear. So that meant no coffee shop visits with Zhongli. It seemed next to impossible to even imagine having time to meet with Zhongli. Faculty meetings after school on top of grading classwork and homework has been nothing but a nightmare for Kaeya. 

The Archons must be against him. Especially when Xiao walks into his classroom one Tuesday morning and greets his teacher by saying "Dad misses you. You two should probably go out for dinner soon."

Kaeya proceeds to drop his head as it thumps when it hits his keyboard which then somehow rotates the computer screen as well. What else could go wrong?

"We must take this into our own hands!" 

"Venti, neither of these men are your parents," Xiao speaks, eyes glued to his Switch as he lays on his bed. Venti and Ganyu lie on either side of him, eyes also on the small handheld screen.

"Yeah, but like, Zhongli seems so down. And Mr. Alberich looks like he's about to pull his hair out."

"True. Maybe we could plan something for them?" Ganyu speaks up.

"That'd be nice. They seem to be having a hard time figuring out a plan, though." 

"Easy fix, my dear Xiao!" Venti sits up, leaning over Xiao." We simply force both of them to go and then they meet up and have their dinner together!" Xiao ducks so his view of the screen isn't obstructed by one of Venti's braids anymore.

"That's smart! I can convince Mr. Alberich if you two convince dad!" Ganyu grins.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Xiao finishes as the fanfare plays, signifying his winning of the Mario Kart race.

"Mr. Zhongli, your son and I have a question for you." Venti starts the next day, tipping backwards in his chair. He sits across from Zhongli at the dining table as Zhongli types away on his laptop.

"Stop tipping, Venti. What is the question?" he says without even looking up from the screen, glasses perched on his nose.

"Are you perhaps free on Friday?"

"I should be. Why do you ask?"

"Venti, Ganyu, and I would like to do something with you, all four of us! School's just tough, y'know?" Venti lets out a dramatic sigh, "After school on Friday do you think you could meet us in front of school so we could all go to dinner together?" 

"Sure?"

"Oh! And make sure to dress nice. Not too nice but like, nice as if you were going on a date." Venti says. Xiao smacks a hand over his boyfriend's mouth as he drags him out of the room. 

"Mr. Alberich," Ganyu says after homeroom on Monday, "Would you be able to help me after school on Friday? I have a test in my math class next week."

"Sure I can. But why don't you ask your math teacher? I thought you liked Mrs. Tianquan?"

"Ah! I do! But she makes me nervous sometimes…" Ganyu trails off. Ganyu internally thanks Venti for teaching her how to lie.

"Okay. Do you want to meet here at," Kaeya checks his watch, "Three?" he says, stacking a pile of graded papers together.

"Um, if it's okay, could we work in the front yard of the school? Three works fine though!"

"Sure, but Ganyu why-" Kaeya starts asking but before he can even finish, Ganyu has run out of the classroom. Kaeya stares at the empty door frame in confusion.

As she enters Ningguang's room for the student council club, she opens her group text with Venti and Xiao.

Ganyu: I have done my part!

xiao: me and venti have too

venti: u didn't do anything except smack me

xiao: you almost gave it away

venti: whatever...

venti: but now we sit and wait hehe

xiao: please be normal

Chapter Text

School becomes overwhelming very quickly after the break. Kaeya had forgotten how nice it was to grade papers at his own leisurely pace. 

Not to mention, Kaeya hadn't seen Zhongli in a couple of weeks as well. With all the work coming in after the school break, he couldn't even find a minute of his schedule that was clear. So that meant no coffee shop visits with Zhongli. It seemed next to impossible to even imagine having time to meet with him. Faculty meetings after school on top of grading classwork and homework as well as planning new lessons has been nothing but a nightmare for Kaeya. 

The Archons must be against him. Especially when Ganyu walks into his classroom one Tuesday morning and greets her teacher by saying, "Dad misses you. You two should go out for dinner soon."

Kaeya quickly turns scarlet and proceeds to drop his head that thumps when it hits his keyboard which then somehow rotates the computer screen as well. What else could go wrong?

"We must take this into our own hands!" 

"Venti, neither of these men are your parents," Xiao speaks, eyes glued to his Switch as he lays on his bed. Venti and Ganyu lie on either side of him, eyes also on the small handheld screen.

"Yeah, but like, Zhongli seems so down. And Mr. Alberich looks like he's about to pull his hair out. He would be so ugly bald."

"True," Ganyu's nose scrunched as if she had envisioned a bald Kaeya, "Maybe we could plan something for them?" 

"That'd be nice. But I don't know if they've even been talking lately." Xiao says.

"Easy fix, my dear Xiao! We simply force both of them to meet up and have their dinner together!" Venti sits up, leaning over Xiao. Xiao ducks so his view of the screen isn't obstructed by one of Venti's braids anymore.

"That's smart! I can convince Mr. Alberich if you two convince dad!" Ganyu grins.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Xiao finishes as the fanfare plays, signifying his winning of the Mario Kart race.

"Mr. Zhongli, your son and I have a question for you." Venti starts the next day, tipping backwards in his chair. He sits across from Zhongli at the dining table as Zhongli types away on his laptop.

"Stop tipping in your chair, Venti. What is the question?" he says without even looking up from the screen, glasses perched on his nose.

"Are you perhaps free on Friday?"

"I should be. Why do you ask?"

"Venti, Ganyu, and I would like to do something with you, all four of us! School's just tough, y'know?" Venti lets out a dramatic sigh, "After school on Friday. Do you think you could meet us in front of school so we could all go to dinner together?" 

"Um… Sure?"

"Oh! And make sure to dress nice. Not too nice but like, nice as if you were going on a date." Venti says. Xiao smacks a hand over his boyfriend's mouth as he drags him out of the room. 

"Mr. Alberich," Ganyu says after homeroom on Monday, "Would you be able to help me after school on Friday? I have a test in my math class next week."

"Sure, I can. But why don't you ask your math teacher? I thought you liked Mrs. Ningguang?"

"Ah, I do! But she makes me nervous sometimes…" Ganyu trails off. Ganyu internally thanks Venti for teaching her how to lie.

"Okay. Do you want to meet here at," Kaeya checks his calendar, "three?" he says, stacking a pile of graded papers together.

"Um, if it's okay, could we work in the front yard of the school? Three works fine though!"

"Sure, but why-" Kaeya starts asking but before he can even finish, Ganyu has run out of the classroom. Kaeya stares at the empty door frame in confusion.

As she enters Ningguang's room for the student council club, she opens her group text with Venti and Xiao.

Ganyu: I have done my part!

xiao: me and venti have too

venti: u didn't do anything except smack me

xiao: you almost gave it away

venti: whatever...

venti: but now we sit and wait hehe

Friday rolls around in no time and Zhongli has gone to pick up the children. They had refused to tell him details about what they wanted to do for dinner. And it just so happens that when he shows up, nobody is around. Well, that’s not entirely true because one person is sitting at the front of the school on one of the metal benches. 

Kaeya doesn’t look up from his place as he lays out multiple sheets of paper, eyebrows knitted together with a frown stretching the corners of his mouth. Zhongli decides to be brave. Getting out of his car, he checks his watch and walks to the bench where Kaeya sits. 

"Seems like we both have gotten stood up, doesn't it?"

Kaeya finally looks up from the many stacks of what Zhongli can now tell is schoolwork. 

"You're not the person I was expecting to see here." Kaeya speaks with an eyebrow raised.

"I wasn't expecting you either. I was supposed to pick up my children but it appears they have forgotten." Zhongli scans the area around them yet there is nobody else to be seen.

"You were? I was supposed to meet with Ganyu after school."

"How odd," Zhongli pauses, "You don't think they did this on purpose, do you?"

"Did what?" Kaeya asks, hands still shuffling through papers.

"Oh, nothing," Zhongli pauses, "But Kaeya,"

"Hm?"

"Would you like to go get something to eat? Since we're already together?" Zhongli smiles.

"Ah, I'm afraid I can't waste any more time. I've got to get back to grading," Kaeya grabs his stack of paper and stands up, "Have a good evening." He speaks as he heads inside.

Zhongli heads home to apparently, a house with three children sitting in the living room.

"You're home early." Xiao says.

"It appears you three didn't want to go out? Or to study, Ganyu?" Zhongli raises an eyebrow.

"We had a whole plan, though." Ganyu says quietly, looking down at the floor.

"I figured. Please don't do something like that again." he finishes, eyebrows drawn together and quickly heads down the hallway to his bedroom. The three preteens just sit in silence.

Chapter Text

The sound of soft talking fills Zhongli's head just a few minutes after finding himself in bed. The source seems to be coming from where he had just been, the living room.

He quickly wipes his eyes and opens the door but before he can even get halfway down the hallway, he's stopped by three kids.

"We want to say we're sorry. We didn't mean to get you hurt with our idea." Ganyu says head hung low as she steps closer to her father. He reaches an arm out to wrap around her as she stands next to him, looking like she might cry any moment.

"Yeah, we thought it'd make you both happy! Mr. Alberich has been so busy and we thought you might miss him after not seeing him for a while." Venti joined eyebrows lifting to scrunch together in the middle.

"Do you guys still want to have some dinner?" Zhongli asks. 

"Um, sure. What's for dinner?" Xiao questions. Zhongli turns to the clean kitchen and realizes it's already past 6 and he hasn't even cooked anything yet. He sighs.

"How about we order out? What do you three want?"

The three preteens look at each other and in (scary) unison, they all yell and cheer some form of "pizza". All Zhongli can do is laugh and pull out his phone. 

The four of them are sitting in the living room. Xiao and Ganyu flanking Zhongli's sides and Venti in front of them on the carpet, propped up on his knees.

"Okay, just to double-check, one gluten-free crust, cheese with no pepperoni, and one extra cheese, cheesy crust pizza?" Zhongli asks, staring intently at his phone. He gets a wild cheer as he laughs.

"Hey dad, I know we already said sorry but, are you okay?" Xiao asks once the cheers die down and Venti has decided to try braiding the tiny bits of the carpet.

"I am," he says, "It's a little odd but I know I'll be okay. I've still got you three after all." He wraps his arms around Xiao and squeezes as Xiao yells out protests, trying to wriggle free before all of them dissolve into giggles. 

The doorbell ringing cuts off the giggles and chatter as the three kids try to race to the door, slipping around on their socks. Zhongli pushes past to tip the driver and brings the pizzas inside to the table.

The four of them all sit together around the table and eat their different pizzas. After a bit of chewing, the silence is broken.

"You know," Venti's eyes are wide open and sparkling, you can practically see the lightbulb above his head. He places his pizza on his plate and after he finishes chewing his mouthful, he says, "we need another plan!"

"Venti, this is what got us into this mess in the first place." Xiao rolls his eyes, looking at him with the Are you stupid? face.

"No, don't give me that look! I mean a plan that we don't make. One good ol' Zhongli makes! He knows Mr. Alberich more than the rest of us."

"Venti, do not call me old while you eat at my dinner table."

"Um, sorry…? But honestly, think about it! Zhongli knows best!"

"Ah, I don't know if it's a good idea though… Considering what just happened," Zhongli sighs, "Thank you for the recommendation, however. I will think about it tonight." 

After everyone had retired to sleep and Venti headed home, Zhongli lay in bed. He was restless and couldn't stop thinking about what Venti had proposed. 

It was scary, honestly. After being brushed off so easily, he didn't know if he even had the confidence to face him anymore. But that was stupid, right?

He'd faced him after many awkward moments and while none of them stung like this one, he wasn't quite ready to give up. He just wanted to have another meal with him, like they used to. 

And just like that, Zhongli had a plan.

Chapter Text

Zhongli's car is parked outside the school. The key isn't in the ignition but he sits there, a slight tremor to his hand as he waits for nothing. There's no sign that's going to light up and tell him to walk inside. There's no invitation and no time mark he has to be there before. But, despite nothing telling him, he knows. Knows he should just walk inside with his little basket of assorted foods he spent all morning preparing and ask.

But it's hard. He feels as if he's glued to the seat and his hands can't move except the slight shaking they're already doing. Then, something catches his eye.

A window opening and a face poking out. A tanned face with long dark hair framing it. And an eyepatch covering an eye. But before Zhongli can even think, Kaeya pulls his head back inside. So Zhongli does the only thing to do next, he gets out of his car.

He grabs the basket and his other belongings, takes a deep breath and lets his legs lead him back inside. He's never been to Kaeya's classroom, always meeting him in other places around the school, but he still remembers Kaeya telling him all about it. He starts his journey down the hallway.

He remembers how Kaeya was proud of the decorations he had, about his view of the front of the school and the number he had for his room just happened to be the same as Zhongli's birthday, 1231.

Zhongli pushed open the door and his eyes met Kaeya's. Wide eyes and eyebrows raised as he stared.

"What are you doing here? School's been out for like an hour," Kaeya asks.

"I know, I drove my kids home. I'm here for you," Zhongli walks over to Kaeya's desk, "Would you like to get some dinner?"

"Zhongli," he sighs, "I'd love to, really, but I'm so busy I don't have any time to go get dinner."

"We don't have to leave," Zhongli lifts up the basket, "I've brought food. And I was hoping we could just catch up? It's been awhile."

Kaeya worries his lip between his teeth as he stares at the clock mounted on the wall. He lets out a sigh but smiles.

"Yeah, I can take a moment."

The floor of Kaeya's room that is not taken up by desks has been turned into a picnic. A red gingham-patterned blanket is spread out with a basket full of food in the middle, Kaeya and Zhongli sat across from each other. Zhongli pulls out the different foods, a tupperware packed with sandwiches, a baggie full of cookies, a platter of veggies with different dressings and a container of salad.

"I wasn't sure what you preferred in these scenarios so I made a variety of things." Zhongli explains as he pushes the basket to the side. 

"Anything you make is good. Thank you for this."

"Any time. Shall we eat?" Zhongli smiles.

"We shall," Kaeya grins in return as he picks up a sandwich.

The lunch is spent talking, catching up about classes, work and kids. And soon enough, an hour has passed. An hour that had turned to two and then three and then the sun was setting.

"Oh, Archons, the sun is already down." Kaeya groans.

"It's alright. Are you ready to head home?"

"I was hoping to get back to my place before the sun went down. I live a bit away and walked here this morning. Not sure why I did that."

"No worries, I can drive you."

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Kaeya asks.

"Of course. Let us get our things together and head out." Zhongli says as he starts packing the food and blanket into the basket.

Zhongli pulls up to his house and gets out of the car, following Kaeya up the apartment's staircase to his doorstep.

"Thank you for today, Zhongli."

"Of course. I was worried about you."

"Worried about me?" Kaeya asks.

"You didn't seem like yourself. You were so tired and busy, I wanted to give you a moment of peace, a moment we could spend together, just us two."

Kaeya chuckles and places his hand on Zhongli's cheek, thumb stroking back and forth.

"I appreciate it, more than you know," Kaeya smiles, "Can I kiss you?"

Zhongli nods and soon enough their lips are pressed together. Zhongli feels like a teenager all over again. His heart is light and fluttery and he can't help but smile into the kiss. A smile which is returned and eventually breaks them apart.

"Have a good night, Zhongli." Kaeya whispers, breath mingling with Zhongli's own.

"You too." 

Kaeya smiles and turns to enter his apartment, and Zhongli stares at where he had been, a hand traveling up to his cheek.

Chapter Text

Late nights were nothing new to Kaeya. It came with the territory of being a teacher. Even if he had more experience now and was no longer fresh out of college, grading many worksheets from middle schoolers was an almost thankless job. A sigh pushes its way out his mouth as he checks the time. 12:23 a.m. Archons, he really should be asleep.

These thoughts are quickly interrupted when a mug of steaming tea is placed on a coaster next to him at the table and a hand rests itself on his shoulder. The hand slowly moves itself to under his chin, tipping his entire head back until he makes eye contact with amber eyes. Though his view is upside-down, he can clearly see the way Zhongli's eyebrows draw up, pinched with concern.

"Hi," he says. The first word he’s spoken aloud since 10 p.m., when he said goodnight to the kids. His voice sounds gravelly and distant and tired. 

"Are you about done? It's getting late." Zhongli's voice has always been smooth. Where Kaeya's own grows tired and rough, Zhongli makes up for it with his deep tone. 

"Mm," he groans. He should go to bed. But he can't let the work go ungraded. He'd get too far behind. 

"Do indulge me a little bit, Kaeya. I don't quite like the idea of falling asleep in an empty bed." 

"Wouldn't be empty all night…" Kaeya trails off. It's getting difficult to fight the man behind him. No matter how hard he tries to bring his attention back to the sheets filled with some of the most horrendous handwriting he's ever seen, the warm hands traveling over his skin are just so much better than what a 6th grader could ever write. 

As a palm comes up to run its fingers through his hair, he leans into the touch. It feels too relaxing to not give in.

Zhongli lets out a laugh that ends up being more of a deep rumble in his chest. Suddenly Kaeya feels young all over again. 

Begrudgingly, he pulls himself off his ass and stands to face Zhongli. He smiles at him and soon Zhongli's face is much closer to his and his eyes are closing as lips land on his own.

A swarm of butterflies feels like they're pounding at Kaeya's ribcage, flying in such quick patterns they make his stomach flip every which way. And Gods, he feels young. Just like the first kiss on his old apartment's front step. Just like when Zhongli asked him on a proper date. Just like when Zhongli did anything. No matter how much Kaeya tries to deny it, he can't push the feelings down. But, in all honesty, he's stopped fighting it. 

The kiss ends, and they rest their foreheads against each other. It's nice. Calming and sweet. He can hear soft lullabies play from beneath Ganyu's door and the loud snoring of Venti in Xiao's room. He can't help it, he cries.

He bursts into silent tears, his bottom lip pulled up between his teeth as the tears stream down his cheeks. 

"Kaeya?" Zhongli asks, pulling Kaeya's head back, hands on his cheeks as he tries to wipe away as many tears as he can. "What's happening?"

"Nothing. Gods, nothing is happening but that's what's perfect about it," He says through his tears and wobbling lips. It's perfect. A little family he's always struggled to have, right here. A family that's burrowed its way into his heart and his mind. "I'm happy."

Zhongli does it again, the laugh. He looks like he might cry too, eyes glassy and wet, but nothing spills over. He just brings Kaeya close and whispers a quiet murmur that sounds similar to Let's go to bed. So Kaeya nods and follows him back to their bedroom.

A few kisses are exchanged as they wrap each other in tangles of arms and knees that brush against each other. Soft breaths fan across faces and pillows. It's nice.

The tea is forgotten and cold by now. Kaeya remembers it (and the homework he's yet to grade) right before he's fallen asleep but he can't be bothered to go put the mug in the sink or look at more scrawled writing. It's late and his lover is asleep next to him, so he decides it'd be best to join him. He closes his eyes and sighs. He's happy. Really, truly happy.