Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Sir, you’r card declined.” the cashier said as he handed Zhonglis credit card back to him.

Fuck.

Zhongli was never the type to panic over small things, but not having enough money on his card really made his tummy flip because of nervousness.

“Ah…i’ll just return the supplies and will come back when i ‘fix’ my credit card.” He added an awkward chuckle, hoping the cashier will believe him that is just his Credit card system glitching.

But as he was about to pack all his groceries back into the his cart, he felt tapping on his shoulder. “Excuse me.” An taller attractive guy said, looking straight into Brown-heads eyes.

Zhongli had no time to overthink his beauty, as the embarrassing situation was eating him inside out. “Yeah?” He replied, awkwardly smiling.

“Could i help you out a little, Sir? I overheard you cannot pay at the moment, and you have.. quit a lot of stuff.” The ginger requested. He smiled with an angel-like smile. He seemed pretty kind.

This caught Zhonglis full attention. He can’t accept such an offer- he had his month-shopping! That at least good 300€.. “Oh no need-! Its to much money to spend on a stranger..” he refused, he cannot accept such an offer, can he?

“Oh come on.. i’m willing to!” He continued kindly smiling. Ugh, what an embarrassing situation to be in…

“Could you two please hurry up.” A lady from the back said with a lot of diapers, milk and baby powder, it seems shes probably an tired mother with no time…

“Oh yes, yes, were sorry Miss.” Zhongli apologized. He wanted to say another thing, but the Gingers card just clicked as he swiped it and payed for his groceries. Great.

“…” Zhongli dint say anything as he just stared at the Ginger packaging his stuff into an plastic bag with an smile.

After about 5 minutes, the Ginger was following poor Zhongli with the full plastic bags in his hands.

“So, may i come along with you? The bags are pretty heavy, so i would like to help you carry them.” The stranger continued speaking so nicely. Was he an angel? But Zhongli was still fully embarrassed meanwhile they were walking down the street.

Until Zhongli stopped the stranger. “I’m sorry but i-…” he dint know how to express whatever he wanted to say properly. “Would you like for me to treat you with some drink or food of your choice..? I just hope i can request something to return such kindness towards you.” Zhongli is feeling kinda shitty. What can he do to return such kindness? He is really grateful for the stranger paying his stuff, but what does he have to do now to return the money..?

“Oh sure. Id love some drink, I’m pretty thirsty. By the way, my name is Tartaglia! But if you’d like, call me Childe. I don’t mind you calling me either of them.” He was like an happy puppy. His fluffy ginger hair was a bit messy from the light-wind and the busy street, full of different people.

“Ah, nice to meet you…Tartaglia. I’m Zhongli.” Now, they have officially exchanged name.

Not like Tartaglia doesn’t know already.

Chapter Text

“*He must be pretty thirsty…*” Zhongli silently thought as he watched the Ginger drink that 0.5l water cup in ONE GO, plus he ordered a piece of Oreo cake.

Meanwhile Zhongli ordered a small cup with black coffee. He isn’t really an addict to coffee, but doesn’t mind going for a cup every once in a while. He likes his coffee simple- no milk, no sugar, just plain coffee powder with water.

After some minutes of watching the ginger eat and drink at the cafe, he spoke. “I hope you’re enjoying it, it seems like you do..” he awkwardly chuckles, trying to slowly start an conversation with him.

“Yup. I love it, would you like to try the cake?” He boldly asked with an smile. With the fork he took a decent piece of his cake and offered it to Zhongli. “Ahh no need…” he rejected the request.

“Im just trying to return the kindness from you, so. Do you have any ideas on how or what can i do to return the 300€? I do work, but as you saw, i don’t have it at the moment.” Zhongli embarrassedly admitted. He avoided Tartaglias eyes.

That got Tartaglia’s full attention. “I don’t mind, really. But… i would like one small thing.” Ah fuck. Is he gonna request some kind of sex? Please god no. Zhongli’s mind began to go nuts over Tartaglia’s last sentence.

“And that is?” Zhongli curiously asked, he was pretty nervous by the sudden tension.

“I would like you’r phone number.” Oh. Just that? That doesn’t seem so bad…

Zhongli felt a ton of worries disappear from his shoulders. “*My phone number? Oh okay.*”

“I hope you have noticed by now, i’m quite interested in you. You caught my attention so i wanted to talk with you somehow.” The ginger carefully explained, while chuckling slightly.

“Ah? Interesting in ME?” Zhongli repeated in surprise. He would never even think of someone like HIM be attracted into HIM.

“Haha yes! Im sorry if i’m too straightforward, but i would like to ask you about your status, do you have an partner?” Woah. This guy was really bold for an stranger, but at least he wanted to quickly get to his point

“Uhm… no.” Zhongli answered.

“Does that mean i could have an chance? Like, if we get to know each other and you know, with time of course.” The ginger playfully winked.

“Well see about that.” Zhongli kinda did not like this straightforward behavior, but it is what it is.

The cafe ‘hangout’ ended like 20/30 minutes later. They even got to know each other a bit more, they ended up finding out they share quite a lot of similarities. *Tartaglia’s plan is going smooth as on butter.*

Chapter Text

“Haha, master Wriothesley was sooo right… it’s so easy to get humans trust and they don’t even realize it!” Tartaglia was talking to himself as he was spying on Zhongli while texting him a good night message.

‘Good night Zhongli😄!’

He wanted to put an heart emoji instead of the smiley, but din’t want to be too ‘pushy’ on Zhongli, yet.

The Vampire was on top of some tall building, looking straight into Zhongli’s apartment.

How silly of Zhongli not to close the curtain at nighttime’s.

Without knowing about his vampire-stalker, Zhongli was getting ready to go sleep. “*Hmm i wonder which would suit me better…*” Zhongli thought to himself as he was looking at his two perfumes, debating which would suit him better for tomorrow- he’s going to an job interview.

He’s working as medical technician. Some time ago he thought about the idea of changing work place’s as he disliked his annoying Boss and lazy co-workers who most of the time dint even help with the actual work, rather spending time chatting or being on their phone ignoring the work. Plus the salary was a bit better at that new Hospital.

Anyways, he couldn’t choose which fragrance to use for the big day, so he firstly chooses to ask his Best friend- Venti.

‘Hi, i’m apologizing for texting you at this hour, but i have an IMPORTANT question. Which fragrance should i use for tomorrow?’

He hit the ‘send’ button.

Zhongli waited for a couple of minutes, not seeing any change’s at the ‘delivered’ status of the message.

Zhongli slightly expected not being answered by his buddy, and he was right.

He then checked Venti’s location, and of course, he was at that one cheap Bar he was always at, probably getting drunk for hundredth time.

Zhongli sighed disappointedly, and as he was about to close his phone, he noticed a notification from Tartaglia.

He readed it, finding it quite sweet from his two-weeks new friend.

‘Good night to you too, i hope you din’t fell asleep yet, because i have a question to ask.. could you help me with picking which fragrance should i use for tomorrow’s event?’

He also send the picture of the two fragrances, one was more tropical-smell and the other Vanilla.

Some minutes ago, Tartaglia was curious on what is he writing and to who, and now, he got the notification.

‘*Oh. Cute.*’

Tartaglia slightly smiled, not realizing he felt... hmm… who know’s what was that feeling, he dint even realize. So it probably doesn’t matter.

‘I think the Vanilla one would suit you much more than the Tropical one! By the way, is that the Jean Paul Gaultier one? I have it to. I only wear it in summer, it’s recommended for summer only anyway.’

Tartaglia was smiling the whole time while writing his text.

‘Alright, whatever you recommend, *i trust you*. And yeah, its the Jean Paul Gaultier one. It smell’s so good so I couldn’t choose!! Anyways, i will for real go to sleep now. Thank you once again! Good night☺️.’

And it’s confirmed. Zhongli *does* trust’s Tartaglia. What an great night.

‘*Master Wriothesley is a genius*...’ Tartaglia thought as he was flying back to his apartment— as an cute little bat, satisfied with his ‘confirmed theory’.

-
Tartaglia is 500+ years old, but if anyone ask, hes 26 with an baby face.

Meanwhile Zhongli is 29 years old.

Side info about Tartaglia: He and Wriothesley are last Vampire’s on earth, so of course they both will try their best to make their specie a secret from the other’s. Wriothesley works as an famous Surgeon, so he has quite a lot of money + as much blood as he want’s sometimes. Wriothesley treats Tartaglia like an little brother, meanwhile Tartaglia sees Wriothesley as an older brother. Tartaglia and him live under separated roof’s, both owned by Wriothesley as he bought them. Tartaglia doesn’t work as he get’s all the money he need’s from Wriothesley. Hes unemployed, but its currently trying to get an ‘legal’ paper’s to be wrote as an ‘helper’ of Wriothesley.