CHAPTER ONE // WILLOW

CHAPTER ONE // WILLOW

SYPNOSIS (of chapter). in which you try to look for your plus one who can go with you to the wedding.

CHARACTERS. kamisato ayato, (later) diluc ragnvindr

CONTENT. mentions of break-up, fluff/angst, no cw as far as ik !

TAGLIST. @scaraslover @saving-for-xiao @dawgimsohot @kazu-topia @aqualesha @thcma @serami00 @serenareiss @hiqhkey @emperatris-rinaka @bystander36 @irisxiel @coleluuviida @034ven @dear-dairiess @luv3rxcha @hadesaedes @chiro-chiro-kun @hersscherofyatta @mariusvonhangme @yuzuricebun @nejibot @hoshikistarlette @solaaresque @franini @denkineptune @rion-s @coleluuviida @elychee

WORD COUNT. 3.2k words

EVERMORE MASTERIST / MAIN MASTERLIST

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After having a few thoughts on the invitation, you were starting to have second thoughts on going to the wedding.

Not only were you unsure of the fact that you’re ready to see the man who broke your heart – let alone see him for a week before he marries another person – but you were also unsure if appearing is the best thing since, who on earth would invite their ex to their wedding?! You dread causing a scene just because of your relationship with the groom, not to mention how there’s a high chance that people would raise eyebrows at you for coming to his wedding if they ever find out about you being Ayato’s ex.

However, your boss would beg to say otherwise.

“You have nothing to worry about, ( Name ).” Ei spoke with a reassuring tone as the two of you enjoyed the cafe’s delicacies. “Perhaps he invited you because you two were best friends back then since college, and not because you were his first love.”

“What makes you say that?”

Ever since Ayato broke up with you, you’ve started spending more time with the quiet student council president that many students in the university admire and respect, Ei. If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t have move on from the heartbreak your ex gave you.

Before Ei could answer, someone else chimes in the conversation. “It wouldn’t make sense for your ex to only invite you right?” Yae Miko suddenly comes back from the cash register with two foods in her hands. “Luckily for you, we’ll be going on the wedding trip as well.”

Your mouth opens agape. “Wait, you guys are invited as well?!”

“Yes, strangely.” Ei opens her bag and brings out her very own wedding invitation. “We also found out that a few of our old friends from the university are also invited, so I suppose Kamisato must’ve invited us in hopes of a long-time reunion?” She guesses.

You let out a sigh. Although you’re more than delighted to hear that you’ll have the chance to meet with your old friends, the next thing you have to worry about is to find another plus one who isn’t invited to the wedding.

Suddenly you felt Yae’s hand on your shoulder. “You have no need to worry about this whole thing. Remember, you’ve moved on already. Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste because of that man.” She spoke with an encouraging smile. “Besides, you have us and our old friends — and don’t think about backing out! Ei has already told all of our colleagues and subordinates that we’ll be taking our leave for a week. We’ll have Ei’s sisters, Raiden and Makoto, to take care of our work while we’re gone.”

“Of course you did.” You said with an unsurprised look on your face before sighing in defeat. “Very well then, I’ll try to survive one week. Only because you guys are going as well and the fact that it’s a free week trip.”

Yae places her hands together with a satisfied smile. “Good. It’s been a while since we’ve taken a long-break anyway.”

Ei gave the pink-haired woman a blank stare. “You had a three-day off last week–”

Yae immediately cuts the woman off with a loud laugh, paying no mind to how the customers in the restaurant look at the woman strangely. “What’s in the past is in the past, Ei.”

As the three of you continue to converse with one another, you couldn't help but trail off to thinking about what to do for your plus one. If you could choose one person who can spend a week with you and know about your situation, who would it be?

You can’t exactly bring Beidou, your colleague, with you since she’s currently on a business trip with Ningguang. You can’t bring Heizou either since he’ll most likely cause mischief as well as Hu Tao (who’ll surely advertise her funeral parlor to the guests). You also can’t bring Kazuha due to him traveling abroad with Tomo.

…Are you seriously going to be alone?

While looking around the room, you noticed a certain cor lapis on a necklace that one of the customers are wearing, and your eyes sparkle from remembering a certain someone.

“Ah, ( Name ). To what do I owe you the pleasure to come here?” Zhongli asks with a surprised tone as you stand in front of his doorstep after arriving at the apartment from your meetup with Ei and Yae.

“I hope I didn’t bother you with anything, but if you’re free right now, may I talk to you?” You explained with an apologetic smile.

Zhongli didn’t have to think about it and opened the door wide for you to enter. “Not to worry, I’m free for a chat.”

Besides Ei, Zhongli has become one of your close friends ever since he moved into the apartment you live in. You often helped him out with certain inconveniences in his unit to the point where you’re now familiar with his unit. The two of you bonded whenever you helped and since then, you started to visit the man to simply hang out.

As you settled down on one of the stools by the kitchen counter, your neighbor walked towards his tea kettle. “What would you like to talk about?” He asks.

“Remember what I told you about my first love back then?” You asked, tapping your fingers on the counter. “He uhm… He invited me to his wedding next week.”

“Quite bold of him.” Zhongli comments, pouring the tea on his cup. “Are you planning on going there?”

You nodded slowly, swallowing the air. “Yeah… Only because I don’t want to waste a free week trip to Mondstadt and because my old friends will be there.”

He hums in response. “That’s good then, at least you won’t be alone.”

You smiled cheekily. “Not exactly… Is it possible if you could come with me?”

You watched as he stopped pouring his tea, turning around to look at you in surprise. “...I beg your pardon?”

“You did say you’re willing to do anything for me after I helped you with the problems in your unit, right?” You ask, watching as he nodded in confirmation. “Then I would like for you to take a week off and come with me to a trip to Mondstadt for my uh… Ex’s wedding.”

“Why exactly?” He requests for clarification.

“Well… The invitation requests the guest to bring a plus one and the ones I was supposed to ask have their own plus ones.” You explained, tapping with your foot. “It’s alright if you’re too busy or not available! I was just wondering since you’re one of the only people who knows about my situation.”

The man places a hand on his chin with deep thought.

“...I suppose that I don’t exactly have many things to do for the week, and I am not one to reject a friend needing my help when they have helped me.” He says with a gentle smile. “Just let me contact my boss and let me know the full– oof.” You eagerly wrapped your arms around your friend, relieved that you finally found yourself a plus one.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll make sure you’ll have a great time on this trip, I promise you that!” You said in excitement.

Zhongli lets out a chuckle before hugging you back as well. “It’s no problem, ( Name ). I’ll make sure that you’ll have a great time as well. Besides, I have a friend who lives in the City of Freedom who will surely take us on a tour around the city.”

Your face beams. “I’ll be looking forward to that then.”

After meeting up with your neighbor, you came back to your unit and immediately threw yourself to your bed, letting out an exhausted sigh as you closed your eyes. Now that you’ve settled with a plus one, all you need to do is to pack your things and prepare for the airplane ticket next week.

You couldn’t help but remember one conversation you had about Ayato when the two of you talked about marriage, something the both of you fantasized about when it comes to talking about the future.

“Ooh, perhaps we should pick Mondstadt as our location! Won’t it be sweet if you and I get married in Mondstadt? I hear they have romantic sceneries that are a wonderful sight.” You said as you scroll down your phone through pictures of the seven lands with Ayato watching you, his arms wrapped around you from behind.

He lets out a chuckle. “Whatever makes you happy, love. It’d be great if the cathedral is available by the time we’re ready, I hear that it can make the wedding altar sceneric with how the sun reflects through the windows.”

“It seems I’m not the only one who has researched.” You teased, closing your eyes as you feel Ayato’s lips planted on your temple.

“Of course. You’re not the only one who’s looking forward to our future together.” He retorts with a smile, relishing your presence with a happy sigh. “Nevertheless, even if things do not go our way, I’m sure we’ll be prepared for everything.”

But you weren’t prepared for you falling out of love. You thought, covering your eyes with your arm. How silly of us to even imagine getting married… You slowly put your arm away from your eyes, staring up at the ceiling above you.

Perhaps things wouldn’t be like this if he had told you why he fell out of love instead of avoiding you like a plague and ignoring your existence. Maybe you would’ve understood more and perhaps the two of you still could’ve been friends–

You immediately slapped yourself. “Don’t think about him, he’s not worth it.” You mumble to yourself, sitting up from your bed. “You worked yourself hard on moving on, you cannot–”

You inhale deeply when you remember more moments of him. “You cannot go back to that year. You cannot go back to that year. You cannot go back–”

As you continued to chant the same words over and over, you decided to stand up from your bed and try to find something that can distract you from the overwhelming thoughts about him in your room.

Packing it is then.

Everything has been a blur since then.

By the time a week had passed, you found yourself standing in front of Mondstadt’s Goth Grand Hotel, gulping nervously. If it were not for Zhongli, you would’ve instantly turned around and headed to another hotel instead, not wanting to be involved with the wedding.

“We’ll.. We’ll be okay, right Zhongli?” You ask your friend, who glances at your way in confusion. “Of course, is something plaguing your mind?” He asks.

You nodded honestly, letting out an uneasy breath. “I… I don’t know if it’s really best for me to attend.. Should I just make a run for–”

“( Name )? Is that you?!”

You and Zhongli turned to the stranger’s call in confusion, only for your eyes to widen when you see two familiar women walking towards you.

“It is you! It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you!” Yoimiya giggles as she rushes over to where you are, followed by Ayaka. “You look so different! You look way more attractive in real life than your social media!”

Just listening to your old friend’s rambling easily makes your worries wash away, a smile starts to grow on your weary face. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you as well, Yoimiya. I’m glad you’re still as happy as ever.”

When you look at Ayaka, the both of you share bows as greetings with smiles on your faces.

“It’s nice to see you again, ( Name ).” Ayaka said. You started to realize how the woman in front of you looks more older and elegant than before when she was still in high school. “I hope you are doing well over the past years.”

You nodded. “I have, I hope the same goes with you.”

Before Ayaka could reply, Yoimiya instantly interrupts the conversation by putting both her arms around you and Ayaka’s shoulders. “Enough with the small talk! Mind telling us who’s that guy beside you, ( Name )?” She asks, gesturing towards Zhongli, who was watching the three of you interacting.

“My name is Zhongli,” He answered politely. “I’m ( Name )’s neighbor and plus one for the trip. I’ll be looking forward to getting to know you both as well as ( Name )’s other friends.”

“Woah, what a polite man!” Yoimiya commented without a thought, causing Ayaka to feel embarrassed by her friend. “I’m glad ( Name ) choose the right person to come with them to the wedding, especially when the gr–”

“When the groom and the bride are currently by the lounge area greeting the guests!” Ayaka interrupts in a panicked manner, thinking that Zhongli isn’t aware of your situation with Ayato as Yoimiya covers her own mouth with her hand from that realization. “Speaking of which, I shall take matters and lead you both to them. I’m sure Ayato would be uh, delighted to see another old friend of his.” Ayaka explained before calling one of the bellmen nearby to grab your luggage.

You helplessly watched as she headed towards the entrance, giving you no chance in telling her that you’re okay in going inside to where Ayato is without her support.

There’s no going back now…

“Shall we go inside and greet the couple then?” You asked Zhongli, who nodded in response. “We shall.”

As the both of you enter the lobby, your eyes widen in awe from your new surroundings. The place looks even better than the pictures on their social media!

Everywhere you look, there’s always a dashing gold by the fancy furniture and walls, followed by linens on the ceilings that have fairy lights above it, making the place bright and strangely magical. Not to mention how the music playing in the background is truly euphoric to your ears.

The awestruck look on your face immediately disappears when your eyes land on purple ones.

Not too far away from where you are stands the man who had broken your heart with no words exchanged, staring at you as though he has seen a ghost. He looks just the same as you remembered, just older and more mature.

It felt like you were back to being the same college student who’s helplessly in love with a man who loved them back.

Reality suddenly washes over you when you feel Zhongli’s concerned voice calling you, causing you to look away from the blue-haired man to look at your friend. “Are you alright, ( Name )?” He asks.

You blinked a few times, letting out the breath you didn’t know you were holding until now. “Ye.. Yes, I’m alright.” You assured him, giving him a small smile. “I just need to–”

“( Name ).” Your breath hitches when you hear his voice.

You slowly turned around to see Ayato, who’s now right in front of you with his future wife beside him. “It’s.. been a while.” He spoke. “I’m glad you took the time to come here, I hope your trip was alright.”

Still formal as ever, you thought. “It’s been a while as well, Kamisato.” You then looked at the bride, who gave you a heartwarming smile. “You must be the lucky bride, I’m–”

“( Name ), right?” The woman interrupts, her eyes beaming. “I’ve heard so much about you! Ayato here told me how you two were best friends for such a long time! I’m honored to meet you, I’m Hiiragi Chisato.”

Ouch, best friends?

You tried not to look confused, thinking that Ayato must’ve not told her about your past relationship with the man. “Yes. I’m honored to meet you as well, Miss Chisato. I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here – Mondstadt’s a beautiful place for a wedding.”

Hiiragi giggles, her cheeks turns red. “Oh I know. Ayato couldn’t stop telling me about how he had always wanted to get married in Mondstadt,” You watched as she wrapped her arms around his arm. “And how could I say no to this man? I’m glad I didn’t, the hotel surely made me amazed.”

You laughed lightly in response. “Ah I see. Oh, I forgot to mention,” You then gestured to Zhongli. “This is my plus one, Zhongli. He’s my close friend and neighbor.” You explained, watching as Zhongli lightly bows at the couple.

“Pleased to meet you both. I’d like to send my congratulations on your wedding.” He spoke smoothly.

Ayato hums in acknowledgement. “You have our gratitude, Mr. Zhongli. Though, I can’t help but point out how you look… familiar. Have we perhaps met before?”

You raised an eyebrow from the groom’s words, shooting Zhongli a confused look.

Zhongli clears his throat, still smiling politely. “Ah well, I don’t think I recall. You must’ve mistaken me for another.”

Before the blue-haired man could persist, Hiiragi instantly interrupts the conversation. “Oh Ayato, look! Your parents have arrived at last, we should greet them!” She said excitedly before looking at you. “Excuse me for a moment. I hope you guys will enjoy your stay!”

“Likewise, Miss Chisato. We’ll be going to our room then.” You said, watching as the bride happily walked towards Ayato's parents eagerly as they both opened their arms to welcome her.

You couldn’t help but wonder what could’ve been if you were in her place.

“...I’ll be going now as well,” Ayato spoke. “It’s nice seeing you again… ( Name).”

You nodded slowly, watching as the groom walked towards where the bride ran off.

You aren’t sure if it was because of you that his smile doesn’t reach his eyes anymore.

“I told you you’ll be alright.” Zhongli spoke with a proud look on his face. “You just need to continue this for the rest of the week and you’ll be okay.”

You chuckled. “I suppose you’re right… I guess I underestimated myself a bit there.” You then pointed at the elevator nearby. “We should check out the room, I heard that the rooms are to die for in one of the hotels’ reviews.” You said enthusiastically.

Zhongli hums. “Is that so?” He asks, and you nodded.

“Then let’s go there. I’m sure you must’ve been exhausted from our trip to the city.”

Before you could respond and start walking, someone accidentally bumps into you, causing you to yelp as Zhongli holds you back from falling to your steps.

While fixing your balance, you suddenly hear the stranger let out a huff before he continues walking to the opposite direction, causing you to raise an eyebrow and turn around to the man who bumped into you, his red-hair striking your eye amongst the busy crowd.

“He’s not even gonna say sorry?” You mumbled.

“I’m sure he has business to do. Let’s go to our room now.” He urges.

You continued to stare at the red-haired man walking away before looking back to the elevator’s direction in defeat. “Yeah whatever, let’s go.”

Unnoticed by you and your friend, the red-haired man stops his tracks and looks back at your direction, his earpiece that’s on his ear has now turned off.

Ah… I should’ve apologized.