Work Text:
Chaste.
Two people sat across from each other in silence. Piping hot steam let curling steam escape from the surface of the liquid. Both beings hesitated to reach for the cup first, calculating each movement of each other.
“Ah,” The tall man let out a low sigh escape his lips, taking the first move. His gloved hands reached towards the base of the cup. His fingers curled around the base with a tense grip, pressing slightly harder than usual. His amber eyes drifted from the cup to the lilac haired women in front of him who gazed absentmindedly into the depths of the liquid contained in the ceramic cup. “Keqing.” He raised his head, observing her delicate features. Her long lashes fluttered slightly as she snapped out of her reverie.
“Ah, my apologies Mr. Zhongli. I’m collecting my thoughts…” She murmured into her tea which now rested at the cusp of her lips, which formed into a circular shape to blow gently into the heat. She stuck her tongue out slightly, curling it into a straw for her to slurp the tea, capturing the full aroma of the special leaves. She let out a soft exhale of satisfaction before she lowered her cup. Her bright magenta eyes glittered as she locked eyes with her counterpart. Her mouth parted slightly as if she was about to say something, but she pursed them closed again. She placed her cup back down on the bamboo table in front of them, she shifted in her silk cushion.
The silence thickened again and Zhongli closed his eyes. His mind drifted to fields full of jasmine flowers, the fragrance of the tea flooding his mind with memories of ancient times with soft breezes and open spaced, when times were simpler and there were less people.
“You underestimate us.” Keqing finally said, slicing through the silence with one swift phrase. Her gaze was solid and Zhongli’s eyes opened, searching for anything else in her eyes. “I believe we’re more capable than you lead us on to be.” Her gaze was curious to him. It was doubtless, it was hardened, determined and unwavering.
Zhongli chuckled.
Keqing raised a brow, annoyance twitched at the corner of her lips. Her fingers curled tighter against her cup.
“I did not mean to laugh at your statement.” Zhongli placed his cup back on the table. “I sincerely apologize.” He smiled. “I find your words endearing...and relieving” He finished after a short pause.
A lantern flickered to life, and the two realized that they had been in a heated discussion since the afternoon. The mid evening breeze began to filter it’s way through the open window of the teahouse and the bustle of the harbor merchants began to simmer down as they made their way home from a hard day of work.
“Do you like jasmine?” Keqing pondered out loud, once again tearing the silence between the two.
Without hesitation, Zhongli responded, “I find it agreeable.” He stated. “Jasmine flowers were abundant years ago, but constant harvesting of the wild flowers has now made one of the softest fragrances in tea, a commodity. It’s truly a shame that in order to enjoy the nostalgic flavor, one must pay a hefty sum.” He sighed, placing his cup down and staring at the cup with an uncharacteristic frown.
Keqing giggled softly, having heard of his fabled forgetfulness when it came to mora. She shook her head, “Don’t worry about the price. It is my treat for tonight.” She smiled into her cup of jasmine tea as she sipped away.
Zhongli raised his brows, “I couldn’t…” He hesitated, before his eyes flashed with sudden awareness. “Ah… I may have to take you up on that offer.” He chuckled sheepishly.
“I am aware.” She didn’t look up from her cup, amusement written all over her face. She placed her cup down and they both laughed in harmony for a moment, all differences aside, the company that they offered each other was rather comforting.
What started off as a rather tense greeting, had slowly unraveled to a pleasant rendezvous and Keqing had found herself growing rather fond of him and his little quirks. She watched him as he tapped his finger gently on the table as he clearly appreciated the soft flavor of the tea. Once he placed his cup back down, she politely poured him more, delicately watching the liquid spill forth from the teapot’s spout, the stream expertly fell in the cup without a single drop wasted. Zhongli courteously bowed his head before taking another drink out of politeness.
When he finished, he looked over at Keqing, “Are the Qixing also trained in the arts of tea?” He inquired, his arms folded neatly in his lap. The quiet murmur of the shop had dissipated and Keqing became aware that they were the last remaining customers as it was well past the hour for tea.
“I would assume that all members of the Qixing are well adept in all arts pertaining to Liyue. It is our pride after all.” She said with an air of confidence, barely holding back the smile that threatened to break free. He merely nodded with a smile.
“I have no qualms of Liyue’s future.”
Keqing allowed herself to smile at his comment. They sat in another comfortable silence before a worker approached the two, bowing deeply. “I apologize, but the Yanshang Teahouse is now closed.” Her head remained bowed, afraid to face the Yuheng. Keqing merely waved her hand and placed a satchel of mora on the table.
“Thank you for your patience. Your hard work is much appreciated.” She smiled, “Please raise your head, I am not Rex Lapis.” She giggled, missing the quirk of Zhongli’s eyebrow as the small jab towards the Geo Archon escaped her lips.
“Thank you, Yuheng. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.” The server bowed again, waving them off as the pair exited the comfortably posh building, stepping into the evening streets of Liyue harbor.
Zhongli followed Keqing out the door, graciously allowing her to exit first before widening his stride to fall into step with her. She tucked her hands behind her back, her eyes twinkling as she observed the setting sun paired with the excitement of the nightlife atmosphere. Zhongli watched her pigtails bobbed up and down with her bouncy steps. She stopped by a small stand, pausing to appreciate the goods being sold at the stand. Zhongli stood behind her, leaning over to see what had captured her attention. He watched curiously as she lifted a figurine of Rex Lapis in the form of a great dragon and brought it closer to inspection.
“How curious.” Zhongli commented beside her ear. He felt her shudder at his hot breath and she placed the figure back down a bit harder than she expected, earning her a look of surprise from the shop owner.
She bowed towards the owner apologetically before she swiveled towards Zhongli. “W-what?” She stammered, feeling the tips of her ears still tingling from his words. She crossed her arms, slightly disappointed at the fact that she was disturbed from her shopping experience.
Zhongli smiled, “Does this...” He walked over to the figure and observed it as well, “Do you enjoy these sorts of trinkets?” He mused.
Keqing flushed, “It’s a hobby I’d rather not disclose.” She stated honestly, feeling at a strange ease with him after the day’s events. Before she could walk away from the stand, she felt a familiar weight in her hand.
“I am honored to know such a lucrative secret of our great Yuheng.” He chuckled, placing the figurine in her hand. Her already red face felt hot, her fingers gingerly wrapped around the figurine. Out of sheer embarrassment she turned to hide her face behind the figure and shied away from the infamous consultant, suddenly very aware of his handsome features. Was he flirting with her? She felt his breath against her ear again. “By the way,” He felt his presence behind her shoulder. “Rex Lapis would not make his subjects bow for such a petty reason.” He leaned away and watched the poor girl fail to function for a brief moment.
She babbled incoherent words before she stomped her foot like a child. “That is just uncalled far!” She grumbled finally, quickening her speed as if she were attempting to escape him.
He chuckled loudly and trailed after her. “I apologize, I just found you quite endearing.” He called after her.
“Urgh! You are impossible! Is there an end to your antics?!” She stopped in the middle of the streets, ignoring the gazes of the pedestrians beside them. Her embarrassment now the least of her problems as she considered her heart rate to be quickening at a rate that would potentially cause her to have a heart attack. She clutched her Rex Lapis figure to her chest and turned to Zhongli, who stood in front of her. “Just what are you trying here, Mr. Consultant?” She sighed, attempting to regain her rapidly dissipating composure.
“I apologize. I am simply stating my honest truth. Your reactions are amusing, and…” He leaned forward, “I wouldn’t oppose another day like this, spent with you.” His face turned serious, and Keqing felt her hands grow slightly clammy.
Sure, she thought he was handsome, but what did he find in her? She couldn’t put her finger on it. Despite what she knew about him, he betrayed all her expectations. Methodical, composed, calculating and intelligent. He was nothing of that sort. He was nothing but an absolute tease. A playboy?
As if he read her mind he chuckled, “And no, I don’t go around telling this to just anyone.” He tucked his arms across his chest. His voice growing low, “I am interested in you, to put it quite simply.”
“Ah..” Keqing felt her mind race. As a workaholic she had never stopped to even consider a relationship with anyone. She had received requests for courtship, but none that she had truly considered and she hated to admit it, but she wouldn’t despise seeking companionship with him even if they had differences.
“Your reply?” He inquired, he took a step forward and Keqing leaned up, realizing how tall he truly was.
All Keqing could do was blink dumbly up at him. She gripped her Rex Lapis figure in one hand and dumbly reached out to the tie on his suit, yanking it forward. He stumbled forward, surprise flashing across his face. She clumsily brushed her lips against his as a chaste kiss. She released him, her mind seeming to lag with her body. She said nothing, simply turning to rush off in complete embarrassment.
Zhongli felt an unfamiliar warmth rise in his cheeks, his gloved fingers delicately touching his lips. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He mused to himself.
Keqing cursed whilst fleeing, realizing she had forgotten to say yes.