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Zhongli was so close to snapping.
Just this shift alone he’s had five different alphas hitting on him. And not even in a polite tasteful manner but like vulgar brutes.
He very much enjoyed working at this cafe but sometimes he so badly just wants to quit. There used to be so much peace when he had just started working but now it’s obvious that most of their customers were alphas. Big brutish alphas who think they are owed something and above the rest of the population. It really grated his nerves. And he also feels slightly guilty, he knows that the reason this even happened is because of him. Hu Tao told him how they didn’t used to have these many alpha customers before he started working here, it just became common knowledge in this area that this cafe has many attractive omega staff.
Which wasn’t really true. The only omega staff here were him and Ganyu but she is already taken. Sometimes he envies Ganyu’s relationship with her alpha Keqing.
Being taken means she’s off limits. And since he’s not he’s up for the ‘grabs’. He hates how the society treats omegas, this mentality shouldn’t even be a thing.
In the start he waved it off politely, but his rejection has sort of become some sort of game. Now there are many who come to flirt (harass) him persistently to see if they could win him. Even his seemingly endless patience has been eroded away. But he won’t back down.
That would mean that he’s lost.
Today’s shift was going quite well. Just before this he was able to see his friend Xiao, who had come to do his work here while he waited for Zhongli to finish his shift. Sometimes the younger alpha waits for him to accompany him home when he’s working late shifts.
It’s his turn to wait the cashier and he’s patiently waiting for customers. The bell rings and he looks up instantly freezing. It was a big group of alphas, who looked particularly rough.
Zhongli shivered as he thought about the previous time he’d been cornered by a group after his shift, the cowards butt hurt at his rejection. They waited until he finished up and ambushed him a bit away from the establishment. It was late into the evening so the sky was already quite dark.
The only reason Zhongli escaped was that he was able to outsmart them and make a run for it. Dizzy and heart racing from the pheromones they leaked.
Later the men had been arrested for assault. It was horrible.
He looked up from his daze as he heard someone clearing their throat.
“May I take your order,” he plastered on his polite smile and finally processed the sight before him.
The man was stunning. He was handsome with his blue eyes and ginger locks , with a beautiful smile gracing his lips.
“I would like a coffee please. And make it sweet,”
The man’s voice was youthful and Zhongli realised the man was an alpha from his scent. It was a refreshing mix of ocean and mint, and the man wasn’t trying to pump it out to dominate like other alphas he’s seen do so often.He stood proudly in front of the men he had seen enter before.
As if he was their leader, all of their uniforms quite similar. A feeling of relief fell over him, maybe today just might be a good day of work.
“How sweet would you like it sir?, he asked writing down the man’s order.
“As sweet as you darling,” the ginger says tone full of confidence.
Zhongli can’t control the grimace he makes, inwardly cringing at the awkward pick up line. He still continues smiling before writing down 50%. It’s always a safe option.
“Wait no I was joking. I actually like it 100% alright!,”
The alpha’s expression was twisted in mock sadness and he looked so much like a puppy. Zhongli swooned inwardly, this alpha was so endearing.
“Alright and it will be for?,”
“Ajax sweetheart,”
It was like all the confidence came back as he uttered those words even throwing in a wink.
Zhongli scribbled the words ‘Ajax sweetheart’ and went to make the coffee. The ginger haired man brightened up when he gave him the drink, happily playing.
However the man immediately saddened when he saw what Zhongli had wrote for the name.
‘Ajax sweetheart…,” he could hear him grumbling before someone called him out.
“Boss what about us?,” a beefy man asked causing the ginger to come running back.
“Almost forgot! We’ll also have ten iced teas please,”
Zhongli found himself laughing, it seems this man was the boss of all those big guys behind him and he had seemed to forget about getting them drinks. What a ridiculous scenario.
“Of course. Thank you for your purchase,”
Zhongli’s mood soared as he made the drinks. Todays was one of the best days he’s had at the café. Just simple enjoyment and a ridiculous scene.
After he gave them the drinks all the men lined up and politely thanked him before leaving. Zhongli realised he didn’t give the redhead his receipt yet. He quickly scribbled down something before rushing over to the men leaving.
“Here’s your receipt! Have a good day,”
They all thanked him as the left. What a friendly bunch Zhongli thought.
·:*¨༺ ★ ༻¨*:·.
Childe was smitten with the pretty barista. He’s definitely messed up his chances with his bad flirting however, he thought as he was walking back to his workplace with his men. He looked down at the receipt the barista had given him before stopping in his tracks.
“Call me—> ________ if you’re interested,”
The handwriting was so neat. Childe immediately typed in the number. He put the receipt neatly in his pocket he’s gonna treasure it.
“It worked,” he screamed skipping off, excited to go home and text back the omega.
“Boss has lost it,” his men muttered as they sipped their iced tea, not complaining about getting to be off early.
·:*¨༺ ★ ༻¨*:·.
“Zhongli did you give him my number,” Xiao asked incredulously, as he showed his phone to the omega.
“Yes. I needed to make sure he wouldn’t send anything weird,” the omega answered as of it’s the most logical normal thing to do.
Xiao shook his head in disappointment as he read all the horrendous poems the alpha sent before asking what flowers he likes. Zhongli took his phone from him to type out glaze lilies.
Xiao watched with even more shock as he saw the alpha walk in just 5 minutes later with a giant bouquet of glaze lilies. And what seemed to be a thick note.
Xiao didn’t think he’s ever seen someone so down bad even before going on a single date. Or proper conversation for the matter.
Hopefully this works out he thinks as he sees Zhongli practically bounce towards the alpha, smile so bright it was blinding.