moralist | college au

college au

[ it has been a long day.

zhongli enjoys his job a great deal. not only does he have the opportunity to discuss his favorite topics for a living, he is involved in the shaping of young minds, which he finds richly rewarding. not everyone is as passionate about history as he is, it is rather a dry subject, yet his lectures are quite popular nonetheless, for which he is very grateful.

even if.. controlling large classes is a bit of a challenge.

a challenge well worth the payoff, however. it can be difficult to get young people interested in history, but zhongli has a gift for storytelling, and his passion for it, while seemingly subdued, comes through in every lecture. there seems to be little enough that he does not know when it comes to the topic of liyue's great history and customs, and the doings of the ancient archons who have long since faded into the pages of time. he is often commended for his great knowledge despite his young age.

though of course, they do not know the truth of who and what he is.

nevertheless, he has taken this new guise, and he is happy in this new skin of his. rex lapis has long since passed from this world, it is now zhongli who moves through time, educating young minds, at least in this era. today's lecture goes the same as they always do, starting with liyue's more modern history yet devolving into, as it almost always does, the subject of archons, for his students never fail to ask, knowing full well he will indulge them. the archons and their stories are by and large what he is asked about most, and he cannot help but allow it.

the last lecture of the night concludes ten minutes late, three students remain to chat for another twenty minutes, while a fourth still lingers after they have gone. zhongli smooths his brown waistcoat and clears his throat. ]

Mister Tartaglia. Do you not have some pressing matter to attend to?

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[ Today, Ajax has decided this is his pressing matter to attend to.

It's not that he has any particular love for history; sure, it's interesting enough, and his professor has a way of making even the dullest of stories sound interesting, but he's not staying after to debate historical accounts or ask for extra credit. Just the thought of that makes his nose wrinkle. As ever, he only does what he wants, ever in pursuit of what will keep him entertained.

That's probably why this is one of the few classes of his general education requirements that he's actually performing adequately in, though he does have a bit of an ulterior motive for that.

No, he hasn't stayed after for the content of the class itself, but for its teacher, Zhongli. Though the semester has been ongoing for several weeks now, Ajax hasn't formally introduced himself to the professor, even though Zhongli certainly knows who he is. After all, no other student arrives late to class covered in scrapes as frequently as Ajax does. He's made himself hard to miss. He always does, but he's made even more of an effort to do so.

Because Zhongli has an allure he can't deny; maybe it's his voice, the way he speaks of his lessons like he was there, or his dark complexion, mysterious and alluring. Maybe it's how composed he is, how much he contrasts with Ajax's own unruly nature.

Or maybe it's not all that complicated at all, and he just finds his professor hot and seemingly unobtainable, which is where the fun begins.

Once he has Zhongli's attention, he summons an easygoing, disarming grin, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his bag over his shoulder. ]

No, not particularly. I thought I might see if you had some time to chat.

Of course.

[ zhongli always has time for his students, even for slightly problematic ones, like ajax. especially for problematic ones, if he is honest. those sorts of students are the ones who most need the support of their teachers, though ajax does well enough for himself so far as grading is concerned, so zhongli isn't entirely sure what he could want. students often linger after class just to chat with him, however, to learn his opinions on this historical fact, or that.

drawing closer to his desk, zhongli adjusts his cuffs and leans comfortably back against it. ]

How can I help?

[ He's counting on the fact that Zhongli is such a responsible teacher who would go to extra lengths to help a student succeed. He also seems very much the type to not form anything beyond a teacher-student relationship with someone in his classes. It's time for Ajax to see what he's capable of. ]

You could help by joining me for drinks. It is officially the weekend now, after all.

[ He's 99% sure this offer will be rejected, but it's where he's starting, as he begins to wheedle at Zhongli's defenses and figure out where he's vulnerable.

It's no different than taking down an opponent, really. ]

[ ajax's assumption is, in fact, right on the mora. zhongli has taken plenty of lovers in his long life, but not since stepping into this new skin, and certainly he has never considered it with a student. not only is it forbidden by the institution, but it is simply wrong to take advantage of a student in such a way. they are here to learn, and he to teach.

.. that is not to say that he hasn't been approached before, however. young as he looks, he has earned plenty of longing looks and propositions that he has politely ignored or declined, and many more that he likely has not entirely noticed, for their subtlety. granted, ajax's demeanor is so easygoing, zhongli can only assume, for now, that the invitation is an innocent one. a low chuckle rumbles in his chest, his hands coming to rest on the desk at either sides of his hips. ]

I'm afraid that would not be appropriate.

[ getting drunk with a student is absolutely off-limits!! ]

But you are welcome to stay as long as you like, or join me for coffee, if you have anything you wish to discuss.

[ About the response he expected, which is good. He'd hate it if this were too easy. He has nothing to prove to anyone but himself, yet winning this man over has become his ambition. The pull of attraction is there, yes, but he also just wants to see if he can. If he can work his way under the skin of someone so seemingly unattainable.

It'll be fun to try, if nothing else. Coffee is a better alternative than he would have expected. With a warm, easy smile, he laughs. ]

Coffee it is, then! As a matter of fact, I did have a few things I wanted to run by you.

[ He's trying not to lay it on too thick, but it's a struggle. It would be so fun to be completely straightforward, and tell his teacher he's hitting on him, but even he doesn't want to get straight-up kicked out of class, so. ]

[ ajax does well to hide his intentions skillfully, for zhongli is an incredibly perceptive man, his golden eyes tend to see through even the thickest of veils. it's in his nature to watch people, and his long years have taught him a great deal about the nature of people, how to read body language and between the lines of what they say. he's attentive.

but ajax seems like any other curious student, even if asking him to drinks had been a little.. forward. zhongli only chalks it up to enthusiasm. for now, at least. pushing off of his desk, he gathers his overcoat from where he had left it flung over the back of his chair, and drapes it over one arm. ]

I look forward to it.

[ zhongli is always excited, in his own muted way, to hear what it is that his students have to say. anyway, off they go to the campus starbucks! ]

[ He doesn't suspect a thing, or if he does, Zhongli is incredibly good at hiding it. Ajax is all but certain he doesn't, though. Such a rule-abiding professor wouldn't have followed through if he had even an inkling of what Ajax was entertaining.

He's going to be a tough one to lure in, but Ajax has always enjoyed a challenge. Zhongli might be his toughest opponent yet.

At the Campus Starbucks(TM), they make idle chitchat while ordering their drinks and finding a place to sit. Zhongli has a voice as smooth as silk; Ajax could listen to him read the phonebook and he wouldn't get tired of the sound. Might be why he's doing comparatively well in his class...

Time to put all that hard work on the line! ]

Thanks for meeting with me like this. I can't imagine you have a lot of spare time to throw around, especially when it's not related to schoolwork.

[ He never did say it was related to the class itself... ]

[ that's the secret to why everyone does comparatively well in his class.... even though he has no idea. ]

Well, no, I -

[ he stops, his eyelashes flickering in surprise, his features are so mild it's likely difficult to notice, though his brows do lift almost imperceptibly. he studies ajax's face for a moment, unsure of what to make of him. ajax certainly likes to make himself obvious, zhongli has noticed every time he was tardy, every scrape and bruise - and yet in spite of his apparent delinquency his grades are quite good. he's an interesting case. ]

This is not about your work?

[ zhongli looks.. puzzled. if not classwork, what could he possibly want to discuss? ]

I never said it was, did I?

[ No, he did not, but he knows that's what Zhongli expected and Ajax didn't bother to correct him. A lie of omission, perhaps, but what's done is done.

Folding his hands before him on the table, Ajax levels Zhongli with a saccharine smile and laughs. ]

My mistake. I should have been more clear. But now that I've got you here, I'd love to learn more about you.

[ Nothing inappropriate about that, is there? Just two people getting to know each other? Ajax doubts that his teacher is even all that much older than he is, though he carries the air of one much older. It's one of the most alluring things about him. ]

[ it's quite obvious now, in retrospect, that ajax purposefully omitted this little fact - his act certainly isn't fooling zhongli, who watches him with his heavy, steady gaze, as if taking his measure. one might expect that he would be angry or annoyed, but zhongli remains quite even-tempered, and while it would be well within his rights to simply excuse himself at this point..

he lingers. a soft smile curves his lips. ]

I see.

[ if he's honest with himself, this is on him for not having had the foresight to see through the situation for what it was. he'll take the loss. lifting his cup - a simple black coffee - to his lips, zhongli takes a careful sip. ]

I promise you that there is nothing interesting to know about me, but if you insist, I can spare you an hour.

[ Even with his subterfuge exposed, Zhongli isn't leaving, sparing Ajax the trouble of trying to convince him to stay to at least finish his coffee. It's a little unexpected, but maybe his professor is just as intrigued with Ajax as Ajax is with him. He is an interesting sort of person, after all, the way he lives every day like it might be his last.

Taking a deep sip of his drink, Ajax licks his lips. ]

An hour? How generous. But you sell yourself short. You're everyone's favorite teacher for a reason.

[ Shallow reasons, perhaps, but there's no arguing that Zhongli knows his subject matter well, and there's more to him that meets the eye, even if Ajax hardly realized just how much. ]

[ ajax is an interesting creature, that much is certain. zhongli has, of course, kept his professional distance, but he's a difficult young man not to notice, for a plethora of reasons. as a teacher he sometimes thinks that perhaps he should intervene in whatever trouble ajax is getting himself into, but in the end he keeps his counsel. ajax is a grown man. if he wants to spend his time in street fights, that is his choice.

zhongli wonders if he is professionally trained. or if he wants to be. ]

Now, that isn't true. There are plenty of wonderful professors here.

[ and some terrible ones, too, but they can't all be winners. zhongli's classes might always be filled to the brim, but he's never been so conceited as to assume it has anything to do with him. perhaps young ones these days simply have a love of history. ]

Flattery will also not improve your grade.

Hey, now. Didn't I say I wasn't here to talk about class?

[ No, hitting on his teacher will only put his grade in jeopardy, but it wouldn't be fun without a little risk, would it? Even if Zhongli rejects his advances, he wonders where he would draw the line. Would he merely start ignoring Ajax, or would he go so far as to kick him out of his class?

Time will inevitably tell, because Ajax will not be deterred. ]

I really do just want to get to know you better. If you tell stories from your life the way you tell stories from history in class, then they'll be well worth listening to.

[ Another sip of his drink, watching his companion closely with dangerous blue eyes. ]

[ this is certainly a first.

not being approached about his past, no, but being approached by a student keen on learning it. he has plenty of enthusiastic pupils who seek him out, but none have been so bold as to request a lecture on his life rather than liyue's history; funny, how the two of them are one and the same.

of course, that was rex lapis's life; zhongli's life, on the other hand, has hardly been anything remarkable. he values honesty in high esteem, but there are some things he simply cannot divulge. there's something in the flash of ajax's eyes that gives him pause, something he tucks away into the annals of his memory. ]

Why are you so curious? I can promise you that my life has hardly been remarkable enough to be of interest in a story. I would rather hear about you. That mark on your face. Where did it come from?

[ Well, as long as it keeps them talking, Ajax doesn't mind talking about himself. It's one of his favorite topics, in fact, and it's not like he has anything to hide. Except for, you know, the part where he's trying to seduce his teacher. In the back of his mind, he wonders how long it will take for Zhongli to catch on. He's a smart man, and no doubt Ajax is not the first to make such an attempt.

But he'll make sure he's the most persistent. ]

Oh, that?

[ He pokes a finger at the scrape on his jaw. Oh, good, it stopped bleeding! ]

Just a little scuffle between classes. Nothing to be worried about, I assure you. Everyone involved just wants to get stronger.

[ Mostly. ]

[ no, ajax is certainly not the first to attempt this, though, so far, he is easily the most.. sneaky. every other student has been quite obvious in their advances, and every one he has politely, gently declined. but ajax is taking a different route, it would seem, one so innocuous that even zhongli's perceptive gaze has yet to pick up on his true intentions.

though he does think it odd, that ajax has approached him in this way at all. he's a charismatic young man, he must have many friends, what would he want with a tired, mild-mannered history professor? ]

I see..

[ his features gather into a slight frown. ]

Why don't you simply get yourself professionally trained?

[ fight clubs aren't the best way, ajax!! ]

[ No, they aren't the best way, but they're sure the most exciting! He chuckles warmly, brushing a hand through his unruly hair. ]

I've explored that option in the past, but every time I've been ejected from class for being...a little too creative.

[ He's not afraid to fight dirty, is more like it, and any kind of professional training he'd tried frowned on that sort of thing. He merely shrugs, sipping his coffee, far more sweet and creamy than his companions. ]

I've been told I'm "difficult" and "a handful".

[ zhongli lifts a brow, but ultimately chuckles, low and velvet in his throat. ]

Well, you do well enough in my class, so I cannot complain.

[ another sip of his coffee, his eyes settling on ajax's smiling face. ]

Still, there is something to be said for disciplined combat, as well. It takes skill to overcome one's own instincts.

[ it's just another way to become stronger, he thinks! fighting dirty works and all, but disciplining one's body and form is a true art. honing your style.. it's satisfying in a way that the chaos just can't be, for him. ]

[ This conveniently leads him right to something else he's gathered about Zhongli. It didn't take much for him to find out, just some light internet stalking, but he was surprised to find that his mild-mannered professor also knows a bit about combat. As his advice indicates.

If Ajax can't get him out on a date, maybe a fight will suffice. But first he must lay the groundwork. ]

You sound like you know what you're talking about. Sure you haven't gotten into a scuffle or two yourself, teach?

[ He'd love to see Zhongli in action, if he carries his usual grace and poise into combat. ]

Once or twice, perhaps.

[ rex lapis was once the warrior god, after all, but that was a very, very long time ago. still, he has not lapsed in training, though he can hardly remember the last time he faced another living being in combat. perhaps it is time he stretched his legs.. though not against a student, surely. unless, mayhaps, he seeks to learn..

it would certainly be better than relying on fight clubs. ]

Though it has been quite some time. Why is it that you want to get stronger?

[ what threat could he possibly be facing that could require such a thing from him? zhongli cannot know, though the idea makes him worry. ]

[ Asked such a straightforward question, Childe can only offer a straightforward answer. Perhaps it would behoove him to lie, but such deceit isn't really in his nature. Besides, he wants to see what Zhongli will make of him, of his true ambitions.

With a chuckle, he leans back in his seat, one leg crossed over the other. ]

It's simple, really. So I can be the strongest. My path to greatness lies in my might. So long as I am always honing my skills, I am achieving my ambitions.

[ Really, pursuing a college education is just something of a side project done out of convenience. It's not where his passion lies, even if he has found subjects and peers to hold his attention. ]

What do you make of that, I wonder?

I wonder if you are telling the truth, is what I make of it.

[ he speaks mildly, and takes another sip of his drink. ]

Yet it is precisely because it is so outlandish, that I think it must be true.

[ what reason would he have to make up such a thing? and what initially drove him to wish for such a dream, he wonders? it seems so simple in theory, yet it is entirely unique. zhongli has known many, many powerful people, and many, many people who wished to grow stronger, but none that wanted to grow mighty simply for the sake of it. most of them wished to use that might to achieve something else.. whether that be conquering their neighbors to reign over them, or protecting their loved ones.

his gaze remains even as he watches ajax's eyes. ]

What would you do with such power?

[ A fair question, though one a little difficult to answer, because it really is just that simple - he wants to be strong to be the strongest. It isn't that he wants to become a professional fighter, though maybe his path of conquest will take him there eventually. It's not his goal, but a means to an end. ]

Be the strongest that is. Anyone who I may face, I want to be able to take them down and conquer everything in my path.

[ So, you know.

Normal reasons.

He sips his drink, smiling with just enough cheek to let his companion know that he gets how ridiculous it sounds. He's heard it plenty in his life time, how he sounds like someone who should have lived in days long past, but it doesn't matter. He knows who he is, and what he wants. ]

[ it's a little difficult for zhongli to wrap his head entirely around, as he's sure it is difficult for others, but he must give credit where credit is due: ajax knows what he wants out of his life, which is more than can be said for most. not to say that there is anything wrong with not knowing what direction you want to travel in, but such ambition is admirable, even if it seems, to zhongli, to be a bit of a waste. ]

You wish to rival even the gods themselves, I see.

[ though the archons, of course, have long since stepped back from the world, the stories still remain. the belief still remains. ]

And when you sit atop that great peak, what then will you do? Find a way to travel the stars in search of new battlegrounds?

That's right. I want to be even stronger than the archons you tell us about in class. I'd like to make the mighty Morax tremble at my knees.

[ An audaciously bold claim that probably sounds crazy to anyone willing to indulge him long enough to listen. Still, lofty though it may be, he will see it through. It is who he is - what he is.

At the question Zhongli posits, a warm laugh spills from Ajax, as though they are not discussing fighting the actual gods right now. ]

Why not? There's always a higher peak to climb to, you see. There is no end to my ambition until the whole world lies conquered at my feet.

[ he's crazy ]

[ he's absolutely crazy.

and yet, he is talking to one of the few people in teyvat who may in fact understand his ambition. at least, somewhat. rex lapis was, after all, a fearsome and powerful warrior, and when the gods waged war he was among the most ferocious of them all. it may have all been for the sake of a contract, but nevertheless the slaughter he perpetuated was insurmountable. it may have been long, long ago, but zhongli remembers.

a warm chuckle rolls in his throat. ]

A feat that would be indeed, for Morax held many titles, the Warrior God among them. He would have ben a fine opponent against which you could whet your blade.

[ too bad he's dead!! ]

I don't doubt that he would be. If he's still out there somewhere, maybe we'll cross blades one day. Maybe my notoriety will pull him out of his reverie after all these years.

[ He sounds deadly serious, but a moment later he leans back in his chair, hooking one elbow over the back of his seat, and chuckles, warm and light. ]

Now, I've told you a bit about me. Your turn, next.

If you had paid attention during my lectures, you would know that Rex Lapis passed from this world long ago.

[ though to zhongli, it feels like little more than a few days past. still, the geo archon's death was well recorded through the annals of time, and can be found in any liyue history book with ease.

resting his wrists against the table, zhongli cups both hands around his paper cup, his even gaze leveled on ajax's face. ]

What would you like to know? You spoke of your passions, and my own are quite obvious.

[ He says that...and yet Ajax has a hard time accepting it as fact for some reason. It just doesn't sit well with him, such a profound warrior dying in such an unseemly way...but he's already proven his mind works in unusual ways. They don't need to linger on that subject for now; it's far from what brought him here.

Just subtly enough, Ajax's gaze drops from Zhongli's amber eyes to his lips, and then down to the counter, a hand running disarmingly through his hair. ]

Sure, but what about outside of the classroom? You must do more than teach and research. And if that is all you do...why is that? What about it has made it your life's work?

[ He had asked him about his passions, and now he turns the same question back on him. ]

[ zhongli is an incredibly perceptive man, yet still he misses the way ajax's eyes drift to his lips.

or perhaps he does not miss it, but simply thinks nothing of it. for all his years and years of experience, zhongli has always been a little blind to the attractions of others, perhaps because he does not consider himself particularly desirable. nevertheless, he watches as ajax runs a hand through his unruly hair, his gaze unreadable. ]

Well, I'm afraid that teaching and research are in fact my passion. They have been for a very long time.

[ he loves liyue deeply, completely, nothing could bring him more joy than delving into old memories and stories. ]

I find history immensely interesting. What else is it, if not the weaving of many, many stories?

Haha, I have noticed you're something of a storyteller...

[ In fact, listening to Zhongli's lectures almost makes Childe feel as though he were there in those ancient battles himself. Or maybe it's just that he has a vivid imagination - likely, a pairing of both makes this history class so particularly engaging for him. ]

Is that what you always wanted to be? Someone who tells stories and captivates an audience with the weave of his words?

[ If so, he's accomplished it. And Childe isn't the only one; everyone in their class seems to enjoy Zhongli's lessons, and not just for his smooth voice and handsome face. ]

Always? Mm.. I am not sure that I can rightly say.

[ morax was quite different from zhongli, after all, and his desires and ambitions then were very much different. the archon war was violent and vicious and his desire then was to conquer and defeat. the building of liyue and the protection of its peoples was also a passion of his, one dear to his heart. but these are not things that he can rightly disclose.

zhongli hums softly, something like a smile curving his mouth. ]

I suppose I would also like to run a tea shop.

[ Man, Zhongli and Uncle Iroh would be besties, wouldn't they...

Ajax finds the answer quite charming, in fact. Of course his mild-mannered history professor would also enjoy making tea. His entire demeanor is like a smooth, calming chamomile tea. Tucking his fist under his jaw, he chuckles. ]

Ah, truly? Then if you should ever pursue that dream, I'd love to be your first customer. It would suit you, I think.

[ they would absolutely, positively, 100% be besties..

zhongli smiles, a warm chuckle rolling low in his throat, deep and gentle. it almost feels surreal to say such a thing, to think that he could ever do something so simply mundane as running a tea shop. then again, teaching in a university is equally mindane. in his brazen youth, morax never would have considered such things.

how age and time have calmed him. ]

Well, should that time ever come, I'll be sure to let you know, but for now I am quite content where I am.

[ Naturally. He's the sort of man who acts like he has all the time in the world, and that the things he want will come in time, rather unlike Ajax, who is eager to have everything he wants now. He wonders what it might be like, to slow down and take things at Zhongli's pace.

Different, perhaps uncomfortable at first...but not wholly unappealing.

He shakes the thought from his head, chuckling. ]

Oh? And what about your personal life? Any family? Or is education truly your own and only passion?

[ Has anyone stolen his heart and beaten Ajax to the punch? ]

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college au

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