zhongli had experienced loneliness, many times to be exact. he was used to getting left alone. after all, he's experienced it before hand, right?
yet, why? why was he so devastated when you left him in the funeral parlor? why was he so desperate to grab your arm? he was used to it, wasn't he?
zhongli thought that there was something - something between you two. however, it turns out that there was nothing at all. it was foolish for him to think that you could've gotten a happy ending.
it pains - no, it agonizes him when he heard you. it was too sudden for zhongli to process you words, asking you to repeat yourself. and so you did, "thank you, zhongli. it was nice to be with you, even if it wasn't enough time."
he couldn't understand - why are you leaving him? you were perfectly fine the day before this. he wants to go against you with your decision - to make you rethink it. but he never moved a muscle as you shut the door at him.
-
zhongli soon understood on why you left him.
you were just lonely, you weren't in love at all. you just wanted company - you didn't ask for affection. it wasn't like that at all. it was so foolish for zhongli to think that you would have a chance with him.
maybe, zhongli wasn't used to loneliness after all.
