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“Your boyfriend, what’s his name again?”
Diluc rolled his eyes from the sofa bed he was sprawled on. With a grunt he glared at his brother who entered his room without knocking, again. Kaeya just grinned sheepishly in return.
“Zhongli, why do you ask,” questions Diluc a tad bit annoyed.
“So, I was thinking-”
“No,” Diluc cut off whatever the other was about to say because Kaeya is a lot of things but never the one with a good idea.
Ignoring his brother, Kaeya resumes with a shrug, “Apparently Childe knows him and when I told him about you guys, he suggests we eat out together,” says him.
“Like a double date…” mutters Diluc more to himself.
“Like a double date,” Kaeya said with a smirk.
Diluc sat up straighter as he feels blood rushing to his face, his cheeks redden rivalling his hair. Seeing the other’s behavior, Kaeya gasped.
“No way-”
“Shut up,”
“You never had a date with him, didn’t you?”
“I said shut up you ass,” Diluc covers his face as he blindly throws a pillow to now laughing blue haired in front of him.
“What the hell you guys do in your ‘relationship’ then?” Kaeya asks, making quotations mark in the air much to Diluc’s exasperation.
“Well, we chat… we tell each other how our days go. We discuss things like politics, economics-” Kaeya cut him off with a wave of a hand.
“So, like… boring shit?”
“Well, I liked it….” Diluc trailed off before he sighs, teeth worrying his bottom lip. He had some relationships in the past and he admit that it is boring, what he’s doing now. But what can he do? He loves Zhongli and its not like he can easily travel back and forth between Liyue and Mondstadt just for some measly date.
He’s not crazy like Kaeya or Childe.
Speaking of them, Diluc looks up to his sibling who is now perched on the chair typing away something on his phone.
“So, when is the uhh date?”
No pun intended, he thought.
· · ·
The last time Diluc been in Liyue was probably ages ago back when his father, Crepus Ragnvindr was still alive. Diluc hummed at the thought, Liyue is a neighboring town and considering how many times Kaeya has made a back-and-forth trip between Liyue and Mondstadt not to mention his boyfriend lives there, it’s interesting to think that he never steps foot here all this time.
Kaeya tugs his arm gently, pulling him out from the crowded platform. Liyue is a busy city, being Teyvat’s economical center and all. Their train arrives right when people are going back home from work which is why the station is more packed than usual.
A ginger man waved at them with a bright smile. Diluc knows him, Kaeya has brought Childe home a lot of times after all. His brother greeted his lover with an open-mouthed kiss, making Diluc blush and ducked his head. He keeps walking until he bumped to a solid, sturdy chest.
“Oh sorry,” He looks up abruptly, but his embarrassment all gone when he saw a familiar face. There’s Zhongli, smiling softly at him as he steadied the red haired man on his embrace. Diluc wrapped his arms around Zhongli’s shoulder, he holds him close while inhaling the calming sandalwood scent of his lover. Zhongli reciprocated by holding him tighter and whispering I miss yous and I love yous to his ear.
Kaeya clasped his hand together, startling the pair who quickly break away from each other. Childe snickers as he watches the usually calm and collected Zhongli become so lovestruck in front of the red haired man. He took Kaeya’s hand in his and then motioned his chauffeur to take the car and drive them to the restaurant he already reserved.
· · ·
“So Diluc, what have you been up to?” asks Childe to the quiet table. Diluc liked the comfortable silence but apparently his brother’s boyfriend thinks otherwise.
He looked up from his aglio e olio plate, humming, “Mmm nothing much really, the deal with Komore Teahouse in Inazuma went through which is surprising considering they’re-” He stopped himself abruptly. He did not just talk business in front of these people who probably just wanted to have a nice meal and small talk.
Zhongli chuckles, “He meant like how are you doing these days, but considering that deal went through I’m guessing you are doing great,” He paused to push his medium rare steak past his lips, smiling at Diluc who starts blushing profusely, “You haven’t told me about the deal though,” he continued, faux disappointment can be heard in his voice. Diluc pouted, “I was just gonna tell you about it today,” defended him earning a hum from his lover.
Diluc starts to dig in again when two girls he doesn’t recognize approaches their table. “Sir Zhongli?” One of them asks hesitantly. The said man glances at them, “That would be me,” He downed his drink before turning his attention to them, “Do you have any business with me?”
The two of them shares a look at each other, “Actually yes and no sir, we are from your coastal zone management class. We were on our way to city’s library but now that we’ve meet you here, we have some questions for next week assignment,” said one of the two nervously. Diluc noticed the laptop and some papers they’re carrying. Must be tough being a college student, he thought as he pays them no mind and resumes wolfing down his dish.
Zhongli frowned, he was expecting some peace and quiet today, “Email or PM me the details. I don’t work outside my working hours and today is my free day,” said him sternly with a smile on his face. Diluc looks up abruptly, he never sees Zhongli doing his occupation before, but he didn’t have him down as someone so… strict. The girls bowed and left the place abruptly, probably feeling embarrassed.
Diluc coughed uncomfortably cutting the thick air of awkwardness, even Kaeya and Childe opted to not say anything. Zhongli looked at him wide eyed, “Ah,” he strokes the back of his neck nervously, “Sorry about that.”
Diluc shrugged, “You could’ve just given them a time of your day I’m pretty sure it won’t take long. Poor them,” comments Diluc as he reaches for Zhongli’s hand on top of the table. Zhongli scoffed as he gently shakes his head, “Not getting the professor’s reply is also a part of being college student you know.” This reply made Childe snickers from across the table, “You never change. Did you know how much trouble you gave me during my time as your TA because you just can’t let loose,” the ginger ranted, earning a hearty laugh from the blue haired seated beside him.
Feeling left out, Diluc nudged his brother silently asking what’s the story. Noticing this Childe leans in closer, “Your boyfriend made everyone who has business with him to speak through me. Not only the students but also academic staffs, it was hell,” He laughed recalling the memory. Zhongli scoffs, “Surely you didn’t think so when you took all the chocolates meant for me for yourself that one valentine,” Childe gasps, he doesn’t know he hold a grudge.
“I thought you didn’t care about valentines?” Asks the ginger in disbelief, throwing his arms in the air. “Well but I could use some chocolates,” Zhongli shrugs as he sipped his coffee. Diluc giggles as he watches the banter between the two before he directs his attention to his brother who just laugh along, “And you know this, how?”
“You two only got together after Childe quits,” Kaeya reasons and that’s true because he doesn’t even know his boyfriend and Kaeya’s are close until recently. Even though he knows Childe for months already.
Just as the atmosphere lighten, a preppy looking man stopped by their table eyes twinkling as he held his hand up in the air, “Ah? Sir Zhongli! Good evening,” Greets him with a smile. Zhongli looks at him shortly and give a little nod before he ignored him completely.
Childe clears his throat, “Hello Sir Osial, what brings you here?” He smiles at him. The man smiles back, “Ah I was just having dinner with my wife when I notices Sir Zhongli and thought I’d say hello. How are you doing… Tar..tania?” Said him adjusting his already tidy shirt.
“It’s Tartaglia, Sir. I’m doing great, I’ve got a job offer right after I left the campus,” He smiles widely. “Oh, that’s great! Also, hey I think I’ve made my wife wait long enough so I’ll get going,” He keeps glancing at Zhongli for some reason, “Uhh see you around Sir Zhongli,” He huffs when he realized the man probably won’t acknowledge his presence anytime soon.
Zhongli said nothing in return and Diluc wonders if this place is close to campus. Only after that he become hyper aware of people on the table around them kept glancing at their direction while mouthing something along the lines of “It’s him” and "why is he here". He throws a questioning look to the ginger across the table who only mouthed ‘you’ll see’.
· · ·
Between the chilly night air of Liyue and them separating themselves from Childe and Kaeya, Diluc found himself standing in front of an announcement board. A very familiar face decorating almost half of its surface. “Sorry the coffee taking longer than I-“ Zhongli stopped abruptly looking at his face plastered all over the announcement board, “So you saw it.”
Diluc wordlessly take the coffee offered to him, before sipping it to get some warmth into his system and to get his brain starts working. “You’re a candidate for rector of Liyue University,” Diluc hummed, disappointed that Zhongli never bother to tell him about such a big thing. “No wonder everyone keeps looking at you. Shouldn’t you make speech right now or whatever?” The red haired flinched hearing a harsh tone taking over his voice.
Zhongli sighed, “I’m a make-believe candidate.”
Diluc stared at him with wide eyes, head cocked to the side silently asking for an explanation.
“Well, the actual candidate was- is Retuo. A week ago, he appeared on some big tv show around here and he invited me along. We converse on a topic, and I think people deem my arguments and points are better than his. So, the public and especially the students start to act like I’m also in the election and has expressed they actually wants me to be the rector,” Zhongli tells his story as he takes Diluc’s hand and resumes their stroll around the town.
“Why don’t you just do it?” Diluc questions.
Zhongli shrugged, “Retuo is perfectly capable, he just haven’t had a chance to show it. People just wanted me because they actually thought I was also a candidate, and the clip of the show went around before we know it. Also, I admit I did kind of stole the show last week,” he said jokingly making Diluc shakes his head in amusement.
“Okay and why didn’t you tell me? Even if its only a misunderstanding, I would be happy if you share things like this with me,” Diluc starts again, tone more relaxed this time.
“I tried, remember when I told you I had a little problem with an old friend? I was talking about Retuo but you start rambling about your deal with Komore Teahouse and start asking me questions about Inazuma. By the time we’re done, you hang up before I can tell you about this,” Zhongli laughed eyeing Diluc who ducks his head down in embarrassment.
“It’s not your fault, love. I was planning to tell you about it during your visit in Liyue anyways. I thought you were going to ask me about it the second you get off the train. Did you not see the posters on the station?” Zhongli asks to which Diluc responds by shaking his head, “It’s too crowded.”
Zhongli hums, “What about on the way to the restaurant?”
“I was busy looking at you…” Diluc trailed off, voice getting smaller.
Zhongli laughed heartily as he steals a quick peck from his boyfriend’s red cheek.
“So now what? Your face is all over Liyue!”
“Well, Retuo is supposed to come out tonight in the same show to talk about his ideas and clarifies things,” Zhongli leans closer to Diluc, gesturing him to show his watch, “It’s in an hour. Do you want to watch it?”
Diluc weighs his options, “Mmm I would rather to go on a… a date… with you,” mumbled him embarrassed. Fuck Kaeya for making him realizes he never done this with Zhongli before.
Finding Zhongli not responding, Diluc lifts his head slowly in shame and fear that Zhongli would think he acts weird unlike his usual self. But what he finds is Zhongli planting his face in his palm seemingly trying to calm down from… something.
“Zhongli?”
“Oh sorry,” the said man lifted his face and just then Diluc realizes Zhongli was blushing. “Can I kiss you?” He whispers, taking Diluc by surprise.
Too stunned to speak he nods as Zhongli eliminates the small distance between them and meets his lips in a slow, languid kiss filled with nothing but love.