Look Me in the Eyes (and tell me that it's me) [Zhongchili]

Chapter 40 - Forever and Forever More

Hey Yoimiya,

It's sure been a while, huh? Sorry for not writing to you for a while, life was wild to say the least, and I got tied up in a few things for a bit there. I guess I owe you an explanation, though. Zhongli and I are heading to Liyue soon—if you're around, we'll make a stop in Inazuma. You can show us your family's shop and I can introduce you to Zhongli. I know you were dying to meet him, and I've been telling him about you, too.

Anyway, let me know if you're around and we'll stop by. It'll be a grand adventure!

See you soon,

Ajax

*   *   *

Ajax pops the envelope in the letterbox then jogs to catch up with Zhongli, taking care to avoid the uneven pavement slabs along the street. Although it's been over a month since he walked this road, his muscle memory kicks in, and he makes it safely to Zhongli's side, slotting their hands together and bumping his shoulder against him.

"So, we're nearly there, huh?"

"Indeed we are."

"So, how are you feeling about it?"

Zhongli takes a moment to ponder, then answers him with a single word, "Curious."

"Curious? Not nervous? Not one bit? Let me tell you, I dated a guy for a few weeks in my first year, and he made me meet his parents after the second date. It was awful, Zhongli, being stuck at some guy's house who I barely knew, dressed in my regular clothes while his family had all put on their formal best. He didn't even tell me they were going to do that—talk about awkward!"

Zhongli makes a strange noise in the back of his throat, which Ajax supposes is a suppressed snort.

"What?"

"Are you suggesting that your family shall be wearing formal dress? Would I do better to return home and change?"

"Huh? No way. I don't think Father even owns formalwear."

"Then I am certain I shall be fine."

"Solid point." Ajax comes to a stop in front of his family's apartment building. There's a new piece of blood red graffiti sprayed across the door in the shape of a skull, and one of the windows has been smashed, leaving a jagged hole in the clouded glass, providing a clear view to the empty beer bottles lined up on the lowest step of the stairwell. "Well, we're here," he says, opening the door to let himself and Zhongli in. "Home sweet home."

They enter the building, and Ajax leads Zhongli up to his floor. Fortunately, Zhongli has the grace not to comment on the bottles on the stairs, or the soaked newspaper in the corner from which the sour scent of ammonia seeps, or the splintered door leading to the second floor. However, the silence is just as bad, and even without words of explicit judgement, shame seeps through Ajax's bones. He should've asked his family to meet him at a local cafe. What was he thinking, bringing Zhongli here?

"So, Anthon, Teucer, and Tonia are all really excited to meet you," he says, attempting to fill the silence. "They haven't stopped sending me messages via Tonia since I told them I was bringing someone along with me to visit, and I think Tonia is jealous I got a boyfriend before she did, even though she keeps telling me how much boys suck."

"She is not fond of men?"

Ajax shrugs. "Teenagers. But yeah, right now she's in her 'boys suck' phase. While also being in her 'I want a boyfriend' phase. Don't ask, I don't get it either."

"Would she prefer if I were to take a more feminine guise for this meeting?"

"Ha, who knows? But she's expecting you, and she knows I like you, so it's fine. She's excited, I promise!"