Back to the surface

Fake

On Friday afternoon, as agreed, Childesat in the café to wait for his date. Basically, he shouldn't haveleft so easily during his working hours. Pulcinella would kill himprobably if he knew. Just the thought of it pleased him. But more, hewas looking forward to seeing Zhongli again. To avoid necessarilybeing recognized, he wore a scarf and sunglasses. But maybe also alittle bit to look cool. Getting him into bed drunk was one thing,but talking to him normally now, like on a date?

His belovedwas late. It was nothing he couldn't handle, but he was getting moreand more nervous. What if he stood him up? For a moment, he was justabout to talk himself out of everything again when suddenly the dooropened and Zhongli walked in. He was wearing a long brown cardiganand looked very classically handsome, as usual. Childe waved at himand grinned broadly.

"Well, beautiful? Here at last,too? Your prince has been waiting for you," he began flirtingwith him. Zhongli laughed sheepishly.

"Yes, sorry aboutthat. It was a bit inconvenient to get here by public transport. It'sso ...outside...," he explained.

"That's true. ButI like going here, that's why I suggested it as a place. I hope youlike it here," Childe said, handing him the menu whilediscreetly stroking his hand.

"I do so far. Let's seewhat they have here. I don't have that much money with me, so I guessit'll just be coffee," Zhongli said as he began to examine themenu.

"What, okay...?" asked Childe in surprise,"oh, please no. I'm inviting you..."

"Really?You would do that?" asked Zhongli, peering wide-eyed over thecard.

"Uh... Sure. You're my date, after all,"Childe replied, laughing. As long as he could end up with him. Hewouldn't say no to another hot date, after all. Where exactly thejourney should go, he himself didn't know yet, but Zhongli was sofascinating... and he couldn't take his eyes off him, the way hesmiled as he thanked him, the way he read the menu lost inthought.... was he about to fall in love with him right now?

#

Zhongli could hardly believe his luck, and afterpicking out something on the menu, he started talking to Childe. Theconversation went well, perhaps it would not have been necessary toask Hu Tao for advice beforehand. Childe not only invited him, he wasalso forbidden cool and he looked so good....

And the cakehere was pretty delicious too.

"You want some?",Zhongli asked him to let him taste his piece.

"Yeah,sure, move over!" said Childe, leaning over the table slightly.Zhongli took a piece on his fork and fed him. He seemed so happy, sohe continued feeding him.

Suddenly, he got caught on hisscarf and almost pulled it off.

"Haha, sorry, I didn'tmean to," he said, and yet he noticed a spot on his neck wherethe scarf had slipped over his skin. It looked odd, like half-wipedconcealer over an injury.

"No big deal," Childereplied, picking up the scarf, which was now half over the table.

"I'll put it back on you," Zhongli suggested, andas he put the scarf on him, he noticed more of those marks onChilde's neck. Now he knew why Childe had wanted to meet him in sucha secluded place.

With a sigh, he took a sip of coffee,leaving the cake since he had lost his appetite. Since Childe wascertainly very popular as a host, he should have guessed right awaythat he was just one among many with whom he had something going on.But he had generously ignored that. Maybe Xiao had been right withhis warnings, Childe could not be trusted. But it was not onlythat... maybe he was already committed too... the fact that Childemet with him in that look in such a secluded place indicated that hedidn't want to be seen by his lover in town. The morning after, he'dalso left right away, as if he couldn't have stayed with him anotherhour.... now he knew why.

"Hey, baby... are you stilleating that?" asked Childe with a laugh, pointing at the cake.

"No," Zhongli replied tersely and coldly.

"Okay...", Childe shrugged his shoulders and smiledslightly before eating the rest.

Zhongli hated himself somuch for jumping into bed with him so quickly. But most of all, itbothered him that he was now sitting here with him when it was goingnowhere and Childe was actually a shady Casanova who was cheating onhis partner. And so he decided to keep him at a distance for a bit.He wouldn't touch him again... but in case he wanted to give money,kinda as compensation, Zhongli didn't say no. And so, after paying,he took him out for an extended shopping trip....

#

Childedidn't quite understand what was going on now. Zhongli seemedrestless, as if he only wanted to leave. But maybe he was bored hereand wanted to walk. He had therefore gladly agreed to the idea of ashopping spree in the area. Even if he didn't know exactly why hewanted to go shopping when he actually had little money right now.

"Hey, that's pretty, isn't it?" asked Zhongli, whohad put on a stylish kimono-style top that showed quite a bit of skinthrough the wide neckline. Childe bit his lip.

"Ohyeah. Looks hot as hell," he said, grinning broadly.

"Willyou buy it for me?" asked Zhongli, batting his eyelashes.

"Ifyou like," Childe replied, "and if you let me touchyou..."

But before he could touch his cleavage, Zhonglipulled his hand away.

#

"Ah, don't be so hasty.Maybe later, when it's just us..." said Zhongli, smilingslightly. Childe sighed.

"All right," he muttered,but couldn't probably take his eyes off him. Zhongli made him sufferon purpose, especially financially. And so, of course, it didn't stopat one piece. Childe looked like he had the money and he didn't askany questions either. Normally Zhongli didn't do such a thing, butsince he felt betrayed, Childe should pay for it. Literally.

Satisfied and carrying several bags, he sat on the train, asfar away from him as possible, since he had placed the bags next tohim. Childe put his arm around him anyway, he reluctantly let ithappen.

#

Childe didn't know exactly what to do. Nowthey were on their way home, but somehow the mood was strange. Iwonder if Zhongli was just tired from all the shopping. In order tobe able to go home with him and because Zhongli looked so cute withall the clothes, he had willingly opened his wallet but somehow hehad overdone it quite a bit.

But all that didn't matter whenhe was about to join him again at last.... - A violent tug on hissleeve snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Hey. We'll bethere soon. And I got an important message earlier. You can't comewith me, I have to do something for work, sorry," Zhongli toldhim.

"What?" replied Childe in surprise, "Youcan. I won't bother you..."

"I can't. This is tooimportant - some other time, okay?" replied Zhongli seriously.Then he picked up his bags and stood up.

"...Okay...?"replied Childe in surprise. Somehow he felt that something was wrong,but didn't ask. "Alright. I'll just go home then. Take care,"he added, before standing up as well. He leaned over to Zhongli andactually wanted to kiss him, but Zhongli merely gave him a quick hug- and then he was gone. Childe scratched his head indecisively.Something... was wrong. Hopefully, he could see him again soon.