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You'd lost your companion a while ago among the busy streets of Liyue, there was a lot of yellow and orange through the well-lit streets and you weren't the only drunk out on New Year's Eve though you were a little annoyed at the loss of your group. Liyue was big enough for a drunk group to be long gone once separated.
With the taste of red wine on your lips, you'd taken to leaning back on a set of steps not far from the bridge. The water far below looked beautiful, so did the path to the pharmacy the water held lanterns that made everything look that little bit more magical. Drunkenly you glance around the passerby's, none of which spared you a second glance. You sat back, just enjoying the sights before you, archons knew you'd never reach the Inn again with that weird kid and a stupid amount of stairs.
"-se me,"
What was that?
"Excuse me," the voice? called again.
You warily blink awake, when had you fallen asleep?
In front of you was a man wearing a long brown detailed coat with a waistcoat and shirt, he had beautiful eyes lined with red makeup that stole your attention thoroughly.
"Well, thank you," he spoke, a bit bashful.
"Huh?" you slurred out, what had you said?
"I'm guessing you didn't mean to say that, but that's alright," he smiled, "Are you okay? You were just lying here alone?"
"O-oh, I musta' fallen asleep! Ah, I haven't missed the New Year have I?" you startled, jumping into a sitting position.
"No, there's about twenty minutes left," he calmly spoke, tilting his head to the sky for a moment.
"That's a relief, I'm looking forward to seein' this year off," you sighed out tiredly, offering a small smile at him.
"What's your name?" you quickly asked, raising to dust yourself off.
"I'm Zhongli, a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Who might you be?"
"Oh, uh, I'm . I'm not from around here," you awkwardly introduce while sticking out your hand.
"A pleasure," Zhongli smiled as he shook your hand.
"It's a bit embarrassin' to admit, but I've lost my friends and I'm a bit tipsy and lost..." you shuffled your feet before straightening, "Do you happen ta know where Wangshu Inn is?"
"Wangshu Inn? It's a bit far for travelling at this time of night," Zhongli mused as he brought his hand to his chin in thought.
"Stupid Bard," you sighed, "Why'd he even force us ta come out if the Inn was such a hassle to get back to!"
Zhongli watched you sulk without you realising until you'd suddenly flushed and looked at him.
"I'msosorryIforgotyouwerehere!" you'd rambled out at an alarming speed before bowing your head and clasping your hands together.
"It's quite alright, though I hope your friends haven't returned for the night. Where did you last see them?"
"Nah, is alright, they'll be gone literally or drunkenly," you huffed, "I'm not much damn better."
"I'll brew a pot of sobering tea if you'd like? It'll be ready in only six hours if you'd like to wait somewhere with me?" Zhongli offered seemingly in earnest.
"Baha, thank you but I'd rather spend that time watching the fireworks and welcoming another year, wouldn't you?"
Maybe it was the friendly smile you'd plastered over your face of the excitement you held towards something as annual as a new year, whatever it was, Zhongli agreed with your sentiment.
"Perhaps, I can offer a quiet place to view the fireworks?" he'd offered softly, almost hesitant.
"Would you?" you tried to hide your excitement (as if the alcohol would let you).
"Of course, I believe we have time for me to stop and get a few things from my apartment?"
"Yep~!" You grinned, "Lead the way!"
Excitedly you'd entertained the walk with ramblings over Liyue's beauty, how it contrasted from your current residence in Mondstadt and how they were both so different from what you remembered of your hometown. Zhongli had piped up here and there with new facts you ate up excitedly, sometimes even daring to pose questions with a hesitant tone.
He'd happily answered and continued the conversation, eyes soft and warm as the streetlights reflected in them and warm colours washed over his form. He really was beautiful, from the detail he wore, the colours of brown and amber in his long hair, the ombre in his eyes, and the golden yellow of his vision you'd caught a peek of.
When you'd reached his apartment, tucked away somewhere peaceful he'd vanished inside while you'd offered to wait on the bench nearby. You'd hardly had to wait five minutes before he came back with a bag over his shoulder. He'd smiled and offered you a hand up before gently letting go, eyes trailing after the hand that fell away before meeting your eyes filled with warmth.
"Shall we go?" he asked.
"Let's," you grinned, offering your hand back to him.
With a somewhat bashful smile, he took your hand and lead you through the streets, winding up a few paths before reaching a small balcony that was dimly lit but still echoed the lights from below.
"Wow," you mused at it looked down over a good portion of the city, "This is beautiful."
"I like to come here on certain days to relax, it's rarely visited by others," Zhongli grinned, "It seems to have been a stroke of luck no one came up here tonight."
"Indeed," you chuckle, happily taking in the views below.
"You know, I have left the tea to brew at home if you change your mind after the celebration," Zhongli offered but continued speaking before you could respond, "In the meantime, I've brought a variation of my favourite wine I hope you can enjoy."
"You're too kind," you softly respond, a bit humbled by him.
"Not at all, do you like red wines?"
"Yes, they're my preferred."
Zhongli made a pleased hum before opening his bag and bringing out two glasses and a bottle of wine, he'd set them down to pour with expert precision before offering you a glass. As you took it the countdown echoed into the sky, people yelling numbers for the archons to hear.
You watched the sky as the numbers got fewer.
"Happy New Year, Zhongli," you smiled, raising your glass.
"Happy New Year, . Here's to a prosperous time."
The glasses clink just before cheer and fireworks boom across the sky. Eyes wide and full of wonder, you take a sip of the wine and are pleasantly surprised to find it rather to your liking. Unable to speak over the roar of the sky and the aura the city presents, the pair of you sit for what feels like a frozen moment in time while the celebration roars on.
After the noise simmers, you turn to Zhongli with a lazy smile, "So what type of wine is this?"
"A more modern variation of what was once called Osmanthus wine," Zhongli smiles, "Is it to your liking?"
"Very much so, it's quite delicious. Thank you for sharing."
"It's my pleasure," Zhongli leans back, resting his gaze up at the dark sky.
...