#Yes it's modern coffee shop AU thing 😔

[wifiwuxians]

Zhuliyao, you know it

+ chocolate

The neatly wrapped package sat between them on the coffee table, standing out against the white (Meng Yao's apartment was staggeringly white!), simply waiting to be unfolded, its bright orange exterior discarded to reveal the gift inside.

Meng Yao carefully tugged on the top of the package to open it as Zhao Zhuliu watched him eagerly, and as the wrapping fell, the smaller man gave a little gasp.

Three perfectly round chocolates rested on a gold leaf, powdered lightly with shimmering golden glitter to match.

"Are these from Petit Amour?" Meng Yao asked in surprise.

Zhao Zhuliu nodded, a smile starting to tug at the corner of his lips.

"But they're so expensive! Each one of these is..."

"I'm sorry I couldn't get you more."

Three was already a lot. The place was known for its excellent chocolates- and its ridiculous prices. Meng Yao knew Zhao Zhuliu was barely scraping enough to get by with how much he had to pay his 'employers' off in debt. He didn't have leftover money to be spending on stuff like this.

"It's already so much," Meng Yao reached across the table to hold Zhao Zhuliu's bandaged hand. "Thank you."

"I wanted to make up for not being around lately," Zhao Zhuliu nodded slowly, "and leaving you at the mercy of these dangerous streets."

Meng Yao laughed softly, like he always did at those words. "I work just around the corner. And besides, just having you here is enough."

Zhao Zhuliu's cheeks darkened, and he suddenly found himself at a loss for words. The whiteness of the living room threatened to engulf him, but the yellow accents throughout the apartment filled him with warmth.

"Want to share them with me?" Meng Yao smiled sweetly and brought Zhao Zhuliu's hand towards the chocolates. "We can split the middle one."

His fingers were so light on Zhao Zhuliu's hand that he had to double take that they were actually there. Clearly Meng Yao didn't want to accidentally reopen the wound beneath the bandages. Subtleties like these were what made Zhao Zhuliu's heart grow in size each time they were together.

"I'd love to."