hydrangeabloom | (no subject)

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And all along, I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

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[ Zhongli holds the umbrella over the both of them, the rain splashing gently down on the hem of his coat as he's had to lean in quite a bit to fully cover Ajax?— Childe? (Childe — Zhongli's mind supplies. Until they introduce themselves, he always calls them Childe.) Now that the portfolio has been revealed, it's easy for Zhongli to maneuver to make sure it receives the bulk of the umbrella's protection. ]

Obvious, yes, but not in the way you were probably thinking. You simply had the expression of someone determined to succeed against the odds.

[ Zhongli smiles back gently, the sound of Childe's laughter a welcome warmth. Nostalgic and comforting even if he doesn't know this Childe. ]

It is an honor to be able to assist you in that endeavor.

[ Zhongli straightens up, exposing himself more to the rain as he tilts his wrist to keep Childe and his precious cargo under the hub. ]

Shall we?

[ Ajax can't help but smile; whether or not he believes the other's explanation is questionable even to himself, but he can't deny the idea that even if the stranger doesn't mean it that he's still trying to make him feel better.

That's ... really nice of him, isn't it? Ajax thinks so.

Shifting a little so he can try and make more room under the umbrella so Zhongli doesn't have to get too wet while helping him, Ajax also reaches to take Zhongli's wrist gently as it hold the umbrella to tug him along so they can move at a faster pace. Afterall, just because someone is helping him doesn't mean he is going to be leisurely about this when it concerns their time as much as his own. ]

Okay, okay, this way! It's not too far, promise.

[ He pulls Zhongli with him until they reach the gates of a university campus, leading him through a lush a nicely kept quadrangle and eventually through the doors of a large glass-fronted building with a large atrium. Breathing a big sigh of relief, he chirps happily: ]

Ah ha! We made it.

[ a flash of lightning and a loud crack of thunder accompanying the sudden sound of the rain becoming heavier as it pelts the building has Ajax glancing up before looking behind them both out the doors they just came through. ]

Oh, that's... that's not in the forecast, I don't think?

[ Zhongli's eyes widen slightly as he feels Childe's fingers curl around his wrist though his expression remains the same gentle politeness that is now more a default than anything. Just as he still defaults to covering himself from head to toe except for a sliver of wrist which Childe is currently gripping. There's probably some symbolism there. Some meaning.

But such thoughts are lost in the blur of raindrops and buildings as Childe leads him down a maze of paved sidewalks. Past mom and pop diners where the customers have huddled under the shop awnings, waiting for either the weather to clear or for their ride to come pick them up. Past the gates of the university where Zhongli had spent one lifetime as a professor— history, of course, where he'd been known to contradict the textbook more often than not that made his students (and administration) more than a little uncomfortable.

Zhongli ducks into the student common area after Childe, shaking the water out of his umbrella and coat as best as he can just as the lightning strikes.

Ah, dear Ei (who Zhongli realizes he has not seen in closer to a century than decades). Has something displeased the god of eternity? Or was this just another miracle of science and nature, untouched by the whim of an deity. ]

Not that I recall. Or I would have brought something sturdier than just my umbrella.

[ Zhongli folds it up with a concerned furrow to his brow as the rain's pattering on the roof raises in volume. ]

I hope this was your final destination. I do not believe we shall be going anywhere else— at least for a little while.

This was the goal! [ His voice is confident and reassuring, but he'll turn at hearing the soft sound of a voice calling his name in surprise. A girl with red hair and blue eyes is standing up from a table she's been sitting at by herself. ]

Oh, you're here, Tonia~! I brought it.

[ Bringing the portfolio to the girl, he offers it out to her with a smile. In turn, Tonia takes it, eyes wide before she sets it down on the table in order to hug onto him tightly. "Thanks so much! I promise I'll make it up to you," she insists even as Ajax laughs and hugs her with a reassuring part on the shoulder. ]

What're big brothers good for if they can't deliver important things to their siblings! Now hurry up and get back to class, okay? I gotta thank our friend here who helped me out properly.

[ As Ajax glances back to Zhongli, Tonia peeks out from around to blink owlishly at the older man who has been identified as helping deliver her portfolio. She will move past Ajax once she grabs her stuff (portfolio included) and approach Zhongli with a grateful smile before bowing her head in gratitude.

"Thank you so much, sir! I really appreciate you helping me and my brother. Don't be a stranger, okay?" She waves as she goes to rush off towards her classroom disappearing down one of the halls. Ajax is waving to her as he approaches Zhongli, taking a deep breath and sighing out in relief. ]

All's well that ends well, it looks like. That was my little sister, Tonia. She has to present her portfolio today but she left without it this morning... honestly, I told her she needs to get up earlier to avoid these kind of rushes in the morning.

[ His hands come to his hips for emphasis before looking to the darker haired man again. ]

Now, where were we? I was gonna take you for something to eat in here as thanks, right? I heard they have some good pastries and teas and things!

[ Was that what they were talking about doing? It doesn't seem to matter, because Ajax has apparently decided that it will be what they are doing, no problem. Everyone loves pastries and tea and coffee breaks, he's sure of it. He offers a smile even as he goes to tug gently on Zhongli's sleeve in hopes to get him to come along, winking. ]

It's on me, of course.

[ Zhongli turns to look at the storm outside, dozens of college students squawking at the sudden downpour and lightning as they find refuge in the nearest building. It certainly wasn't weather one should be traveling in. And as a consultant, he was not beholden to be at his place of employment unless he had a meeting of which he was quite light on this week. So surely there was no (or minimal harm to himself) with just a little indulgence. ]

A warm tea sounds like a perfect way to stave off the chill.

[ He allows Childe to tug on his sleeve and lead him further into the building. He seemed an expert in where to go, after all, and Zhongli's own knowledge of the university layout was probably many decades outdated (at the very least!) ]

Though you do not have to trouble yourself with paying. I was not looking for any sort of compensation.

[ A formality and a politeness— Childe in every incarnation always found a way to spoil Zhongli even with his best efforts to return that financial generosity. None had worked so far and the residual nostalgia made any protest die on his lips before it could even take shape. ]

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