Chapter 3

She decided it was time to go congratulate Xiangling on her degree and had to climb the steps a bit to see over the crowd to find her. Once she was spotted, Yuuki made her way over to her childhood friend, sneaking up behind her to lightly tug on one of her braids. Xiangling spun around with a big smile and a bigger hug.

"Yuuki! I'm so happy to see you here! Risu said she wasn't sure if you would show." She exclaimed while squeezing the breath out of Yuuki.

Damn, did everyone think she was gonna chicken out? She thought without showing her upset on her face. Maybe she shouldn't shy away from gatherings as much she has in the past.

"Of course, I'd be here! I just wasn't sure if I was going to get my orders done in time to make it here before everyone left. You know I wouldn't miss your celebration." Smiling big to really bring home she definitely didn't think of just going home and passing out.

Xiangling giggled, Yuuki knew full well that her friend knew she would have probably gone home if she had to stay at the shop even a few minutes after closing. It's not that Yuuki preferred to be alone, but she suffered from sleepless nights and anxiety that sometimes made it easier to just head home then socialize. Xiangling wouldn't have minded visiting her friend at home after the party if she hadn't shown up, but she was incredibly happy to see her in such a good mood.

Yuuki and Xiangling spent some time catching up and apparently their conversation carried them long enough that they noticed the crowd was beginning to thin as people made their way home. They were near the entrance, so they were able to say their 'goodbyes' and 'goodnights' to friends as they made their way out the door. Xiangling's father showed up to take his daughter home and you waved goodbye to the both of them, closing the door behind you. Inside there were still a few people, some you didn't recognize but you spotted Risu and Childe sitting on the couch together. Xinyan had stopped playing and was packing up her equipment with the help of Chongyun and Xingqui. She wasn't exactly looking for a certain tall man, but she didn't expect to be so caught up she bumped into Venti.

"Oof! Oh hey, what'cha lookin' for?" Venti beamed at you with a knowing look in his eye, he was more then aware you were looking for tall, dark, and handsome.

"Oh, Venti, I'm sorry for bumping into you…" Before getting to finish your sentence, he lifted your hand with the now empty glass in it and filled it with wine from the bottle he was holding.

"Here! On the house! Can't let it go to waste!" He skipped away before you could protest but not before turning back quickly, "By the way, he is looking for you! It sounded urgent." Loud enough for Risu to hear and you could hear her muffled giggles as Childe covered her mouth with his hand.

Glaring daggers at Risu, she decided to take her time walking back to the kitchen, draining the delicious wine in her glass as she made her way in that direction. She was happily tipsy by now and after having those snacks earlier, in a much better mood then when she arrived. The nasty twist in her stomach had disappeared as well, replaced by a giddiness she didn't feel too often. Someone had turned on the stereo and from the sound of the music playing, it was Risu's music. She tapped her fingers on the quickly emptying glass to the beat of the music as she entered the kitchen.

He was facing away from her, and she couldn't help but stare at his back. He had removed his dress shirt and it was on the stool she had occupied a few times during the night. Under he had on a tighter fitting plain white tee that hugged him a little too well. Appreciating the view, she walked up to the counter island and took the seat next to his shirt. It didn't seem like he noticed she had come in and she made no noise to signal her presence. Nothing escaped him though, without stopping what he was doing or glancing back he spoke to her.

"Could you help me out with these dishes? I can handle the washing, but do you mind drying them for me?"

"How did you know it was me who came in?" He would have never asked Risu in a million years to help with dishes, she would throw one and Xiao clearly wasn't back.

"I just…. assumed you ran into Venti since I asked him to go find you." There was a hint of a smile in his voice, like he was telling a joke, she couldn't understand the joke if it was one.

Walking around the counter she came to stand next to him and picked up a clean towel from the rack to begin drying the large pile of dishes he had already washed. Yuuki was a bit confused, maybe it was the alcohol, but Venti made it seem like Zhongli needed her for more than chores. Either way she was happy for the task to keep her hands and mind busy, even if it was just menial work. They worked in silence for what felt like forever, the only sounds were the water, the clatter of plates and silverware, and the muted sounds of the music outside the kitchen. You wondered if Childe was finally going to tell Risu he liked her. While Yuuki didn't really like him herself, he was so kind to Risu, and it was obvious he cared about her best friend even when they were making fun of each other. She smiled to herself as she died, must be nice to have someone who liked her like that. The tight grip in her chest pulled the smile from her lips, stopping her drying only momentarily. Zhongli seemed to have noticed.

"Are you ok? Do you feel sick?"

"Um, no. Just started thinking about something but it's not important." She went back to cleaning, hoping he would drop the subject and tried to replace the expression on her face with a more peaceful one.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" Yeah, he wasn't going to drop it that easily.

"Don't worry about me, Zhongli, I'm fine." Silence after, you could feel his eyes on you as you picked up another plate to dry.

"You used to tell me everything, did I do something to break your trust?" His voice small, smaller than you liked to hear.

"What? I still tell you everything!" Now she looks at him, he's still washing the dishes but he's moving much slower now with his head down.

"Not as I recall, it always feels like you never even want to look at me anymore and I can't help but feel I've done something to upset you." Now he's starting to break her heart, she had no idea that her flustered state around him had started to look like she didn't trust him anymore. If anything, she trusted him more than anyone else.

Putting down both the half dry plate and the towel on the island she turned to face Zhongli's side.

"Zhongli, I trust you, I always have, and I probably always will. I just…" Cutting herself off, unable to explain how she actually feels, she stands there at a loss for words.

He had stopped washing the dishes and had picked up her towel to dry his hands, looking into her face, waiting for her to continue a sentence she didn't have the words to say. She looks at her shoes, suddenly every aware that he was waiting for her to explain. Why did I have to say more? I could have just left it as I trust him cuz I do. Frantic, panicked thoughts race as she waits for him to say or do anything besides stare at her. She hears a sigh and then his arms are around her small form, chin resting on the top of her head. Besides the fact she feels like she's going to faint, she melts against him, he smells so good, his breathing and heartbeat are soothing, his arms like a protective shield around her. They stay like that in silence for what feels like forever before Zhongli speaks.

"Why do I feel like I've done something wrong?" His voice rumbles in his chest, the vibration not something she was expecting.

"You haven't done anything wrong; I just don't know how to put my thoughts to words without sounding so stupid." Heat was rising to her face, at the closeness, at everything she wanted to say but she was afraid he'd laugh at her or worse, reject her.

She was letting her nerves get to her and he was starting to feel her tremors. He squeezed tight and then pulled her away from his body with his hands on her shoulders.

"Are you ok? You're shaking."

When no response came, he guided her to the kitchen table and sat her in one the plush chairs, pulling his own up across from her so their knees touched. Knowing what to do he began counting slowly backwards from five. While she said nothing, he could see her relax and her hands stop shaking. When she finally looked up, he was holding both of her hands, hers looking so small in his gentle grip. His eyes were full of worry and sadness; this wasn't the first time she had this happen in front of him, but it had been a while since it had happened. He offered her water which she gladly accepted but drank slowly, letting the water wake up her mind.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect that to happen. I won't push you any further." The thumb of his right hand rubbing the back of her hand.

She let out a shaky sigh but was breathing much more easily now, he always knew what to do and say to help her when she needed it most, it made her heart hurt.

"You didn't do anything wrong; I'm just being…really dumb right now." She brought her gaze back to his eyes even though the heat rose to her face. She took a deep breath before trying again.

"It isn't that I don't trust you, I'm just afraid you see me as more of a little sister." Not really how she wanted that to go and by the look on his face she's sure she confused him.

"But you're like family to me." Yuuki lets out a groan at his words, he didn't understand her.

She racks her brain, trying to figure out what she wants to say without being too forward. Zhongli is a little too old school to understand anything but forwardness though and that scares her just to think about.

"I just want what Risu and Childe have." She says in a very small voice, looking down at their hands, she wasn't sure he heard her until she hears him sigh.

"And what is it they have?" This man was going to be the death of her.

"I like you Zhongli!" She suddenly blurts, pulling her hands out of his grasp to cover her face as tears prick at the corners. Why was she starting to cry?

A rustle of fabric, the scrap of a chair and before she knows it, he has one arm over her shoulders, pulling her sideways against his chest.

"Shh, shh, it's ok." He breaths into her hair as he rocks her slightly, his breath making her ear twitch.

They stayed that way for a bit while they both tried to figure out their next words. His free hand reached up to hold one of her wrists gently, giving a little tug. She let her hands come away from her face but still didn't bare to look at him.

"So, this is why you've been…avoiding me?" He didn't sound hurt but he did sound confused.

"I just get…uncomfortable, I guess. Not uncomfortable because of you but because of me." Archons, I sound pathetic.

He hums at this; the sound vibrates her very soul as she has one ear pressed against his throat. He squeezes her shoulder and the hand on her wrist lets go and moves to her face, his four fingers under the side of her jaw while his thumb strokes her cheek. She closes her eyes to the feeling, it sends a shiver down her spine and she very aware he didn't reject her, but he didn't accept her either. She sighs against his hand.

"Do you understand what I mean? You didn't sound like you really got what I meant by that."

"I think I understand Yuuki. Your feelings developed into something more than the feeling of friends or family with me, you sound rather unsure of those feelings though so you chose to avoid me in hopes they would go away without me finding out. Am I right so far?"

She nods her head against him, and he continues.

"You don't want to hurt me though? Or you're scared I'll reject your feelings? Is that the issue? I'm sorry I didn't see it earlier, I'm sure it didn't feel very good to hear me call you family a few minutes ago." He presses his cheek to the top of her head making her ear flatten on her head, but she doesn't mind.

"I guess that's what I'm most scared about, either making things weird between us or you rejecting me… if you did reject me, I would still want us to remain friends." She closes her eyes, waiting for the painful blow, there's no way he feels the same way.

She hears him swallow and then he's lifting her face until she feels his breath on her face. She doesn't dare open her eyes as her face grows hotter by the second, she probably looks like a tomato by now. He hums again, a delicious sound this time and then he presses the gentlest kiss on her lips. If it wasn't for his firm hold on her she would probably topple over by now. The kiss doesn't last long, only a quick peck before he pulls her back against his chest.

"Is that a good enough answer my dear?" Yuuki is about to combust at the word 'dear', her ears perking up at the pet name.

She shoves her face fully into his chest, bringing her arms around his ribs and squeeze, it doesn't seem to faze him even a bit. He chuckles deep in his chest, a sound she loves to her him make. He hugs her back but without all the force she's putting on him, he's so gentle with her, like he might break her if he handles her too roughly. Odd considering how many times they've sparred in the past, leaving bruises and cuts on each other.

"It's rather late, would you like me to set up one of the guest rooms for you? I overheard Risu say you didn't have work tomorrow; I think it would be best if you stayed." Yuuki pulls away and looks up at him with a nod. Goodness he's giving her the softest smile she's ever seen; he's always been this handsome right?

"I think it would be best if I stayed, I did have a bit to drink." She says with an innocent smile. "Plus, Venti gave me another glass of wine before sending me in here."

He chuckles again, a look of amusement on his face.

"I honestly don't know why I invited him; he tends to stir the pot so to speak."

He glances back at the dishes still piled around the sink and Yuuki gets the hint even if she's reluctant to be out of his embrace. Leaning out from the safety of his arms makes him raise an eyebrow.

"It'll be fine until morning if you'd like the remain like this a bit longer?"

She doesn't know if she heard him right, putting off chores? To be close to her? She's dreaming right?

"No, it's ok, let's finish the dishes so tomorrow can be more relaxing."

The both of them stand and head over to sink, eager to be done with evening chores.