luminate | modern au shenanigans!!

[ from here.

zhongli will be happy to know that things are, in fact, hygienic. save perhaps for the dirty dishes. like as not her trash needs to go out, also..

nevertheless! she knows very well that he is teasing, but she falls for the fake guilt trip regardless, quickly taking the few steps between them to throw herself against his back, her arms winding tight around his middle, and as she presses her face into his coat, she smiles. he feels warm and familiar, and already she is so thankful that he agreed to see her tonight, despite his rather considerable workload. ]

Please. Don't think you're getting out of this so easily!

[ how long has it been since last she'd been able to see him, anyway? they keep in contact daily, but they're both so damnably busy that it's difficult to find the time, despite the fact that they live in the same city. the end of semester crunch is quite brutal. lumine laughs, light and musical, and she would hook her chin over his shoulder if not for their substantial difference in height - instead she nudges her nose to his shoulderblade. he agreed to keep her company tonight, there's nothing he could say or do to get himself out of it, now! her voice softens. ]

No matter how cute you are when you pout. Are you upset that I greeted the food before you?

[ she's just so hungry. ]

Threaded | Flat

[ there's a little muffled oof-! as lumine suddenly catches him around his middle. he miraculously manages not to stumble forward, rocking forward on the toe of one foot, his arms spreading out for balance.

with his bearings gathered up again, he stands tall and turns his head to his shoulder. she warms him even through his cat, the weight of her reassuring against his back. she was always surprisingly stronger than she looked.

he smiles, albeit a little bittersweetly. the reason why is yet to be revealed. he lowers his head and sets a hand on her arm. her tinkling laughter is so good to hear in person again. almost as good as her hugs. ]

'Cute'? [ he asks after giving a few soft huffs of laughter. ] That isn't a word I would use for myself.

[ he slides his hand to hers, gently picking her fingers apart from his stomach. he can't steep in that hold of hers for too long. he won't want to leave it.

he's also not going to answer that last question. he'll just turn around instead. ]

I'll stay. [ and off comes his coat. like a good guest, he's left his shoes by the door. ] I propose that we eat before we get your laundry done.

wah... cute 🥺