fortuity | zhongchi

12

"I WOULD'VE RATHER SPENT MY DAY WITH YOU"

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"move your head a bit over there — yeah, yeah that's it! stay still."

zhongli's scalp was burning from the long exposure in the sun. he felt drops of sweat caress his face, slowly tracing down as he tried to follow childe's instructions to the best of his ability. "i'm deeply sorry, i must look horrible right now." the elder sighed as the student supposedly has taken the final shot.

"oh please, i bet you are handsome even if you cry so don't worry about it too much." childe reassured as he examined the photos in his camera. zhongli approached him, stretching his arms, "i'm guessing we have concluded?" childe grinned, seeming satisfied with the outcome, "indeed."

zhongli exhaled softly, feeling proud on how childe ended up to be. his worries were worthless after all. the boy jumped when a hand was placed on his head, gently shuffling his orange hair, "you will ace this project, no doubt." the brunette complimented.

childe's stomach churned, "you've been touchy lately, mr. zhongli." he said, almost mumbling. the older one retracted his hand, "oh my is that so? i'll halt if my actions are bothering you."

childe looked panicked, "well! i don't mind at all! please, touch me if you'd like!" they stared at each other, as if zhongli's thoughts were spoken through his eyes. a few seconds of silence were spared for childe to reevaluate what he just spat out until the brunette tried to hold in his laughter.

he stood, frozen, deeply embarrassed as zhongli bent over laughing silently. "i — i didn't mean it like that." childe managed to word out, frowning as his ears heated up. zhongli eventually recovered, his face flushed whilst he gasped for air, "such entertainment you provide! you truly are a gem."

the teacher lightly slapped childe's cheek twice, "though... i'll keep your consent in mind." childe was speechless, almost dropping his camera. "just kidding of course." he teased. the ginger made eye contact with him, squinting, "you can be so — forget it. let's just go already."

he squat down, packing his tripod up into its case. the brunette chuckled, "i'm sorry. you are just so fun to mess with, it's amusing when you're flustered." lowering himself to assist childe in tidying up. it wasn't what he was supposed to feel at the time but he — so oddly — felt his heart flutter when a laugh came out of the older one's lips.

"so do you perhaps wish to visit any shops or anything of the sort?" it can serve as my thanks, and apology, for dragging you out here." childe proposed, swinging his duffel bag on his shoulder. zhongli gleefully accepted the offer, "why that would be splendid. but first, let us drop your things in the car." the student nodded and followed shortly behind.

after putting his equipment away, the duo went to various shops, of which mostly contained clothing and accessories. a feeling of relief stroke childe as the sun lowered still with a hand free from bags. "this will be our last stop." zhongli smiled as they both entered.

childe recognized the shop to be filled with jewelry and also noticed zhongli hovering over the rings. 'is he getting one for... no, he wouldn't.' the ginger thought as he posed to scan the nearby necklaces on display.

his attention was then caught when the brunette called out for him, lifting his head. "hey, i'll be back, just hang tight for a bit, alright?" zhongli lowered his face to see childe's. "uh yeah of course, take your time."

the brunette then disappeared into a room with a staff member with elegant, pastel pink hair. childe didn't think much of it and simply placed himself on a bench outside as the teacher instructed. he sat, waiting patiently as he blew into his hands, 'it sure is chilly for a spring day.'

not too long, or more of, not as long as he expected after, zhongli exited the store. childe had wondered why he hadn't called for him to pay but it seems that he didn't make a purchase at all. "what —"

"hm?" the older one faced him as they began walking. "nothing. would you like anything to eat?" childe continued to converse. a smile appeared on zhongli's face, "now that you mentioned it, i do. in fact, let me treat you as a token of gratitude."

childe's eyes widened, waving his hands, "there is no need for that, really. i can pay!" the elder grinned, scoffing, "i'm well aware." he yearned to take the ginger's hand as he led the way to the parking lot but held back, considering the incident that took place earlier.

once childe's hand had been freed from shopping bags, zhongli headed to a restaurant he knew. as they went in, the younger one immediately felt overwhelmed. 'this place looks expensive,' he thought as a waitress assisted zhongli.

the brunette then signaled to follow him as the waitress spoke in a manner similar to albedo's, "can i get you guys something to drink?" childe was distracted by her nun-like appearance until zhongli caught his eye. "i'll get sweet tea please."

the waitress walked away while zhongli looked at the menu. childe did the same and nearly choked at the mere appetizers' prices. a bit later, the same waitress appeared and set down a tea set in front of the teacher and an oddly fancy glass of sweet tea for the other.

"are you ready to order?" she asked, a pen ready in her hand. to be honest, she seemed as if she'd rather be doing something else. childe nodded to answer zhongli's eyes and he went on ahead to order.

as soon as they finished, the two headed out. "i'm surprised you were actually able to pay, it was incredibly expensive." childe looked beat. zhongli chuckled, "i am an adult after all. i'm more than capable of paying for food." the ginger glared at him, "you say that yet you forget to bring your wallet in most occasions." receiving a bittersweet smile from the targeted person.

"anyhow, i'm so sorry for dragging you out here on a day you could've spent tending to your own plans." childe bowed. zhongli stared for a few seconds before raising the younger one's chin with his index finger and thumb, "i would've rather spent my day with you, so don't fret about it."

the ginger so apparently blushed, standing straight and clearing his throat, "there you go with your words again." zhongli leaned into his face as if he had greater intentions, "they're not just 'words', i assure you."

he might've not realized himself, but childe observed zhongli's face closely and for a split second, he looked like as if he was hurt. his eyes, bearing the look of sadness, like a thunder just struck inside of him. it was merely for a second, or even a thousandth, but childe saw it as vivid as day.

snapping back to reality, childe spoke, "if you say so but it seems it's time to go. thank you once again, for accompanying me and for the dinner." the older one smiled. "it's no problem. i'll see you tomorrow and good luck, you'll definitely pass with flying colors." childe bowed once more before going his own direction.

as zhongli headed his way towards his vehicle, he felt his chest beating. getting into his car, the brunette laid his head on his arms on the steering wheel. he was worried, so much to the point that even his breath shook.

so worried and petrified, where he could feel tears waiting to release from his eyes. because at that very moment, when he gazed right into childe's eyes — oh his awfully, depressingly empty eyes, he could see everything. and right then and there, came the realization, that he's been in a state of denial all along.

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