You sat on the couch, eyes fixed on the previously broken window. Gluestick, ever unbothered by your internal catastrophes, batted playfully at the edge of the window. You let out a soft breath, warm against the rim of your mug, the drink inside long gone lukewarm.

You waited a while waiting for something.. for him to say anything.

The silence pressed in like an awkward third guest. You tapped your nail against the ceramic. The rhythmic motion was the only sound in the room aside from Gluestick's tail thumping against the windowsill.

You sat cross-legged on the couch, your finger circling over your leg nervously. You couldn't help it, it was so awkward...

"Y/N," Scaramouche's voice came through low, quieter than usual. Less like a command and more like a request.

You shudder slightly at the sound of your name, looking up at him attentively listening to what he was going to say

"I'm not good at this," he muttered.

No shit.

"Apologizing. Talking. Being... a person."

You looked away unsure, too nervous to look up for long. Your throat felt like it was holding onto something heavy.

"I shouldn't have kissed you. Not like that. And the whole window thing was really stupid I don't know what I was thinking."

He paused.

"I know I've been a dick. But we're going to be staying together for some time so I want to make sure we're okay.. because I'll be the one protecting you I guess. "

You blinked at the floor.

"That day, you were talking a lot, and I wasn't able to get a word in. My brain just... short-circuited" he stopped talking

You stared at the floor. The tension in your chest shifted from tightness to something duller. Like it was bruised instead of bleeding.

"I don't hate you," you said finally, voice brittle. "But you don't get to kiss me like that and then vanish like it didn't happen."

Gluestick meowed.

He didn't flinch.

Didn't argue.

Didn't try to make excuses.

"Fine," you sighed. "Apology... accepted. Tentatively. With conditions."

"Like what?" He said looking at you

"You're buying me bubble tea. And you're not allowed to ghost me."

A tiny smirk played on his lips. "Deal."

You rolled your eyes, but your fingers finally stilled on your leg.

He didn't stay long after that. Said he had to go home before Ei "materialized out of nowhere and ripped his soul from his body" again.

The cool air rushed in when he opened the door to leave.

He hesitated before stepping outside.

"I meant it, by the way," he said quietly, eyes on the sidewalk. "I really am sorry, Y/N."

You didn't say anything right away.

But your expression softened just enough to let him know that you'd heard him.

The door clicked shut behind him, and you watched the headlights of his car pull away slowly, fading into the growing darkness.

You stood there a few moments longer, letting the silence settle back in.

And then you turned back toward the kitchen, placing your now-cold drink in the sink and giving Gluestick a half-hearted head pat.

⸻

Zhongli arrived just after sunset, shoulders tired, briefcase in hand.

The click of the front door was quiet, followed by the familiar soft shuffle of his steps. His presence always carried a strange calm—like a human embodiment of a sigh.

"Ah, Y/N," he said warmly. "It's good to see you up. I take it the window incident has... been resolved?"

You nodded, curling up again on the couch as he hung his coat. His tone was gentle, but something in his posture said serious conversation pending.

"I also heard from Ei," he continued, turning to face you fully now. "We need to talk."

Your stomach sank a little. You held your breath for a second longer than necessary.

You had a feeling things were about to change,

again.

——————-

A/N : did you guys miss me :333