Flowers are the Language of Love - Kokomi x Hu Tao

Chapter Sixteen - 𝕊𝕟𝕒𝕡 𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕘𝕠𝕟

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Hello, this chapter isn't beta read so I'm sorry if there are some typos or problems with story pacing!
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"I don't exactly remember agreeing, however I'd hate to be left out," Zhongli replied in a deadpan tone, it's funny how such a stony voice could speak so open, you'd assume Zhongli to be the type to hide everything; that's not to say he's a man without secrets, he's hiding something, however his honesty was rather refreshing.

"Anyway don't you think a sleepover would be rather fun? Plus I think Ferrylady would be pretty scared to find Meng alone when she wakes up," In all honesty, Hu Tao knew Meng wouldn't lay a finger on Ferrylady, however, Hu Tao had another entirely different reason to plan this. 

Zhongli would finish work at the same time as Hu Tao but wake up much earlier, when does he find the time to sleep? This question perplexed Hu Tao, she had theories, of course, Zhongli might have been an Adepti...wait do Adepti need to sleep? The two higher-ups of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour, a place many were scared of even coming near, were planning a sleepover. Upon reaching the room Hu Tao urged Zhongli to put the blankets and pillows into the corner and help lift Ferrylady, and Meng onto one of the two L-shaped couches.

"Aiyaaaaa~ my arms hurt now, but we can set up a space to sleep on the other couch now!" Hu Tao wiped her temple clean of any sweat residue, she then ran off and set up a comfortable sleeping arrangement for both herself and Zhongli.

"Okay, Mr Zhongli pick which side you'd like to sleep on!" Hu Tao turned to the taller man, beaming like a self-proud grandchild seeking attention and approval.

"Perhaps I'll occupy the horizontal si-" Hu Tao's face dropped, which Zhongli took note of. "By that, I mean the vertical side," Hu Tao's smile returned.

"Yaaaaay I wanted to take that side!" Zhongli was well aware but it's the thought that counts, he justified to himself.

Hu Tao was quick to bundle up inside the blankets and Zhongli soon followed, it felt rather weird for him, he hasn't gone out of his way to wrap up in many many years, well it was never really necessary but it would be a lie to say it wasn't comfortable. The two lied fairly motionless, unspeaking until Hu uttered a few words out of the blue.

"Mr Zhongli, have you ever loved anyone?" Zhongli couldn't help but choke on a non-existent liquid.

"Well, that was rather sudden, to answer your question...I'm not too sure..." Zhongli not being sure about something was rather new, Hu Tao's curiosity had peaked.

"Well, what were they like?" Hu Tao sat up.

"Well she was very patient and had a thirst for knowledge, she was the brains to my brawn. She left the mortal plains far too soon," a soundless pause filled the room. "If I knew her now I think I would have been able to answer a frank no, but even then it does not feel truthful."

"Well, what do you think it means to love someone, like romantically?" Hu Tao felt herself growing distant.

"You seem to be fairly hung on love," Hu Tao shot up waving her arms around frantically. "Sorry Miss Hu, it was unkind of me to tease you, but I believe that all people can feel attracted to someone no matter how much time has past." Hu Tao felt some sort of resolve build up, until the dreaded ' however' "Love and attraction aren't the same thing, it takes time to truly, whole-heartedly love someone,"

Time

"When you first meet someone you're exposed to the version of them they choose to show, but after time their shell will slowly crack, you'll learn this person's desires and passion, things they hate, goals, aspiration, their not so good traits, their favourite food, and many more things,"

"So I don't like her I just feel attracted to her?..." Hu Tao mumbled into her pillow.

"What was that young one- I mean Miss Hu, my apologies,"

"Nothing much..." Hu Tao's sad reply did strike a cord inside of him.

"Is that what this is all about, do you like someone, Miss Hu?" A gasp escaped Hu Tao's lips she tucked her head under her covers.

"Nope! What would give you that idea?" Zhongli laughed, it sounded strange and out of character which only made Hu Tao feel more sheepish and self-conscious.

"No one in Liyue ever struck your fancy before, is it a new person? I wonder when you even had the time to meet someone judging by your work schedule..."

"AIYAAAA I AM SOooOo TIRED! I'm GOING TO SLEEP NOW," Hu Tao dug her head further into her pillow, a low muffled scream made its way out of Hu Tao's mouth. The two lied down down in mutual silence, only the sound of rustling sheets from minor movements could be heard.

Soon Hu Tao settled down completely, her breathing slowed into a gentle repeating rhythm, Zhongli too went silent for a brief period of time before he rose from his ivory quilt sheets. Zhongli had made an escape and was careful to slide the door behind him, the only sound he created was perhaps one or two creaks, unfortunately for him it was enough to awaken the mischievous woman. Hu Tao's head poked out from underneath her duvet, she stayed in place for a good 15-20 minutes or so before she finally grew bored and went after the suspicious man.

Hu Tao tip-toed out of the room like some sort of evil mastermind, she played the role of a spy, doing little floor rolls and crouched sprints whilst trying to make as little sound as possible. Despite being a complete rookie Hu Tao was doing quite well until she grew cocky and rammed her hip into a flower pot (by accident of course), luckily for her she was able to catch the pot, however NOT so luckily for her she was loud enough to warrant suspicion. Zhongli was quick to rip the door open and Hu Tao's only option left was to duck behind the flower pot, cover her mouth, and hope for the best. Zhongli peered his head outside of the door he looked left then right before closing the door once again. Hu Tao could only breath her terror and anxiety out, she was quick to recover and shot up like a bullet.

Hu Tao continued on with her mission, this time she made sure to behave more maturely and be more mindful of the fragile items that decorated the corridor. Upon reaching the employees office, Hu Tao peaked through the small glass window to see Zhongli briskly writing on what seems to be a letter, why on earth would Zhongli stay up to do more work..? Unless he's doing something more sinister, in that case Hu Tao would be sure to catch Mr Zhongli in the act, or so she planned.  Hu Tao tucked behind a nearby corner bend and waited, it wasn't long before her world became blurred before eventually turning black. 

An hour or so later Hu Tao had woken back up in a jolt, however her location wasn't the same as where she went to sleep, in fact, she was back inside her fluffy red doona. The sun glared through the blind, to which Hu Tao glared back, she sat up rather puzzled, but when she saw Meng, Ferrylady, but no Zhongli is when her brain finally made sense of the situation.

"Aiya...that tricky old man..."

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