primos | weekend at zhongli’s 🕶

weekend at zhongli’s 🕶

( continuation of {HERE}.

it’s strange, having any sort of guest in the usually quiet apartment he has learned to call his own. occasionally, he’ll visit what remains of his old domains scattered throughout liyue; now, they are overrun with plant life and monsters and zhongli thinks back to when they were filled with laughter and love, if he dares to even call it that.

nowadays, he resigns himself to the mortal way of living: paying rent for a humble one bedroom apartment close to his place of employment. while he does have a second bedroom, he also has a spare futon that was imported in from inazuma back before the trading embargo really heated up. it’s never served the purpose of what it’s meant to, of course, with his only overnight guest ever being hu tao who had come over to work through some files and then passed out in the guest room from sheer exhaustion.

this is different.

hosting venti, his oldest living friend, seems to make him hyper aware of how little he has to offer as a host. liyue harbor is rich in history and activities, but his apartment itself is bleak. to some degree, he suspects, venti won’t be surprised - zhongli is an old man, after all. a blockhead. his boring apartment, with traditional liyue fixtures and kettles, speaks to that. he supposes venti won’t be spending too much time in it, but it still makes zhongli aware of how mortal they are, now, even as retired gods in name.

so when morning comes, after he’s certain venti is comfortably suited, zhongli can’t stop thinking of how soft venti’s hair was when he touched and how much zhongli wanted to stay up all night with him counting stars and recounting old tales until venti fell asleep, perhaps leaned against him, and zhongli could ensure he slept safely.

he almost burns his hand on the stove as he prepares them breakfast, zoning out like this. his hair is pulled back as usual and he’s wearing something much more casual than his suit - simple house clothes that are a single layer each, that still cover most of his skin but make him look younger. )

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[ Venti nearly topples over when a fish brushes against his leg. He stumbles – but catches himself before he plunges in. Good bard.

'You could take it off, but, ah. I suppose not everyone gets what they want.'

To see a wet Zhongli, looking a fool – there's power in that imagery. There's tension in the air and he didn't need to dance with electro to feel it.

'Expecting only leads to disappointment. The terms of our agreements are outlined, no?'

Childe steps to the side, in front of Zhongli to block his view of Venti as the boy reaches the floating lily pad. Tied to its root, a capsule ball belonging to a child weighs it down. Venti tugs and tugs, hoisting it up until the ball was in his hand – an amber glow radiating from it. A cor lapis capsule ball? A trinket with something inside. ]

Zhongli!! There really was something! I told you, I told you!

[ Childe merely smirks, clapping at such a ... ah, interesting sight. He walks past Zhongli but stops midway, his breath against Zhongli's neck. Sharp like a dagger, smooth like water.

'Perhaps next time our paths cross, you'll give me the same attention as your friend from Mondstadt. Don't make me jealous, xiansheng.' ]

( a few pebbles nearby shake on the ground. his gaze is sharp as he passes a sidelong glance to childe. he doesn’t dare break the terms here, nor would he be the first to breach, but should childe step out of line whatsoever — )

Do not think I will hesitate to broadly interpret our terms should you do anything reckless.

( a beat. ) Enjoy the fair weather.

( for it’s nice weather for now, until childe causes trouble here or for venti.

speaking of venti, he looks back to him, his stony expression instantly melting, looking inexcusably fond. this absolute dork???? )

… so you did.

[ 'Since when am I known for being anything but precise?'

Childe was born to be, it feels like. The rumble does little to shake him – all he does is give a friendly pat on his shoulder as he passes by.

'You as well. Let's hope the wind remains pleasant in Liyue.'

Cryptic and cold, Childe was gone. He'd do well to not bother the two old friends any longer.

Venti, on the other hand was wading back to the edge of the pond, not quite able to pull himself up. All he did was offer up the capsule with a smug look. ]

Doubt me again and you'll go against fate. What do you think it is?

( zhongli is briefly distracted by his own brooding. even if he no longer is the protector of liyue, he still feels the need to expel it of certain threats.

especially if they decide to focus in on certain bards.

he finally looks back to venti yet again, and then the little capsule. oh. )

My apologies. What did you say?

[ Venti, also, fortunately removed his cape which rested with his shoes. No cape flowing out like his name was Kokomi, okay. He was quite mindful of how he would tackle this objective. He awaits, proud of his own courage to dive into the unknown – however... Zhongli seems lost. He doesn't meet amber eyes, instead there's an emptiness. ]

Are you alright? [ With a bit of a pout: ] This would be a boring treasure hunt if I'm doing everything myself.

[ Venti finally begins to crawl up onto the bank himself. Lifting the beautiful capsule up. ]

This was tied to the bottom. I think there's some way to open it... Maybe? Or maybe we can put it in something and open a secret door.

( zhongli has never felt particularly protective over venti before. but right now, he feels like a loyal dragon, fuming and weary over someone who may be daring to harm its mate -

zhongli blinks at venti and then peers at the odd looking item. )

I suppose we should hold on to it and move on to the next location? Perhaps the answer will be clear, then.

( his hand goes belatedly to try and hoist venti up the rest of the way, arm snuggly wrapped around his waist. )

[ Venti, while optimistic, was not able to ignore the presence. He'd never seen the look on Zhongli's face. The words fail to describe accurately what look it was, but he feels it.

Something had shaken him.

He'll make note to keep an eye out for a tuft of red hair...

For now, he'll grip onto Zhongli as he's tugged up and there's a second where they were flushed to one another. Where the object nearly fumbles from his grasp. ]

... Yes, the next location!

[ Venti scrambles away with red on his face, to grab his garments and the map in kind. He's tossing the item to Zhongli. ]

Keep it safe for me. I'll keep holding the map.

[ And squish and squeak to their next destination with his wet tights. Go figure. He's not too bothered by it. ]

Okay, let's see... so we'll curve North of here to some old ruins. A Lingju Pass? What was that once?

( zhongli is still too irked over the childe incident to appreciate their moment of brief closeness. which is a damn shame.

especially because he misses the red of venti’s face.

he does manage to catch the object and safely pocket it for the time-being. )

Lingju Pass? Ah. ( history lesson time! that seems to bring back the color in his eyes and warmth in his voice. and yes, the story takes the entire god damn walk there. sorry, venti.

at least zhongli has a really attractive voice? )

[ The history lesson comes and goes. There are times that Venti gets distracted, whines to stop for a second so he can adjust the wet tights clinging to his legs or snag a sunsietta from a low-hanging tree limb.

Zhongli, while long-winded, is in good company with an old friend who loves stories.

By the time they traverse for the better part of an hour, they come up to the expanse of crystal blue water leading into Lingju Pass. ]

– okay, so you really allowed the mortals a celebration for their loyalty?

[ The decaying stronghold certainly did seem vast enough to have a little party somewhere. ]

( venti’s wet tights are very distracting and zhongli blames the heat of the sun for why his neck pricks with heat.

zhongli tosses venti a sidelong, warm glance at the commentary.

he’s missed coming out this way. it’s certainly been awhile, and he pauses by the water to look out on it as a crane flies overheard. absolutely breathtaking. )

Of course. Do you think I’m adverse to a celebration once in awhile? ( don’t answer that… but he pensively turns away from the water - venti may be a nicer view than that. ) Are you suggesting we throw an impromptu one here?

[ Nature was always the best part of their 'job', he feels. Not for the ego associated with sculpting land or tending to the growth – but to see what mortals do with it. To see how they change it, for both the good and bad. Morax provided the domain, but it seems like their safety was better suited in the Harbor.

Venti kicks a rock idly into the water, shrugging with a small laugh. ]

Can you throw a celebration with just two people? [ Apparently in another thread, that notion gets them both laid, so. Here? Who knows. Venti docks his palms behind his own neck and walks the edge of the pathway leading towards the more open pool of water. ] What would we even be celebrating? Your newfound extroversion?

It isn’t newfound. I hosted the Seven for decades, did I not?

( so very rude, barbatos!

but his smile is wistful as he follows after venti. he considers it, then peels off his jacket and neatly sets it beside the water along with his boots that he meticulously undoes. maybe he’ll spite the spirit of childe by taking a dip, he thinks, as he rolls up his sleeves. )

It would be unfair of me, as a host, to let you be the only one to suffer wet clothing.

So I expect visits to Mondstadt or letters from Liyue with proper invitations more often, then!

[ If he really wants to put this to the test. To insist he is extroverted. Venti teases but nearly tumbles into the water with his old friend beginning to disrobe. The jacket off, the boots – ]

What are you doing?! [ Now the red on his face returns like a swift eastern wind. ] When was the last time you've gone swimming, Morax? You'll sink to the bottom.

[ Like a stone!! ]

( zhongli has rolled up the ankles of his pants, too, and for some reason undone the button of his shirt and set aside his tie. like this, he glistens in the bright sun as he steps closer to the edge of the water. )

I went swimming recently, in my domain. ( why wouldn’t he? gosh. ) Are you not curious if these waters outrank the pond you were just treasure-hunting in?

[ Truthfully, imagining Zhongli as unguarded feels like a dishonesty to their friendship. As much as he may pour drinks or end up teasing him — he likes that he posed a more serious nature. It made him trusted, safe — and seeing him in the manner as he was feels foreign. ]

That pond would only be suitable for frogs and the occasional dragonfly. I know these ruins, untouched and still… will still offer a far better thrill.

It’s just…

[ No, stop. Venti pumps the brakes before he gives him too much ammo. ]

Fine. Go on.

( zhongli is oblivious to it.

he steps out into the cool water and exhales with a smile. perhaps the simple pleasures in life were what he was missing all these years. it’s nice to be retired.

his gaze wanders back to venti, and maybe it’s unfair that zhongli looks like a model out in the water. )

Are you staying on shore, old friend?

[ How can he pull his gaze away? Venti was no fool in that regard. That Zhongli as he was now… undone was a sight to behold. He feels the air escape his lungs far too quickly as he kneels down to kick his shoes off once more. ]

I thought the plan was to even the playing field. You’d only further insist I’m a soaking mess. You’d be the one to blame.

[ Phrasing. Venti thinks for a moment before finally letting his legs trace into the edge off the sharp drop. Hunched over to hide, uh, a natural reaction. His hand props his chin up casually. He can’t ignore how… nice it was to be like this with his friend. The man provided such nice eye candy, a new sight that makes his heart beat faster. He will join him shortly, give him a minute. ]

You know. There was a circle and number on the map around this part of the entrance. Think there’s something near the bottom?

[ Is Venti going to dive down? Most likely. ]

Edited 2022-01-25 08:20 (UTC)

( it’s been so long since zhongli has laid with anyone, mortal or immortal, so he’s mostly forgotten the normal ways of courtship or temptation. he finds his eyes lingering on venti often, but never in a way to be crass or crude.

having venti join him in the water is nice, though. a true signal that rex lapis has passed and an old god is trying to learn to be free.

he glances from venti to the center of the pool again. )

Another marking?

( well… if venti got the first one, maybe he ought to help? he wades out towards the middle, and then with the grace of a once-dragon, he takes the plunge for them and swims down to the bottom. golden eyes shimmer, lighting the way, and he takes a look or two around before resurfacing. empty handed. but his hair is now wet, and his shirt and pants soaked through, so isn’t that even more of a sight? a soaking wet god. )

[ Venti is a little pervert, but his conquests were far and few between. The ones he may remember were the ones gone with time. A drunken fling had been the usual, but… not like this.

That was Venti.

Barbatos sat on the edge looking at the majesty of a gem too rare for him to ignore. The luster of Zhongli’s body slick with water makes him finally just undo that damn corset and finally his shirt — huffing until he drops down with only tights and shorts.

When Zhongli resurfaces, Venti swims a bit closer. ]

More this way. Come on.

[ The curve of the maps marking he knows well, half a crescent was where the bard swims, floating above a small break in the wall. ]

Morax.

When is the last time you swam with someone?

( zhongli tries not to stare at venti too much. venti is objectively very cute, pretty, alluring, and zhongli does his absolute best to respect an timeless friendship.

still, those pretty anemo markings on venti’s skin -

anyway. )

With someone? … I don’t recall.

( he floats in the water beside venti, staring at him through his soaked bangs.

the last two days have been new to him, completely. refreshing in a way. )

Are we close? ( to the marking. physically? very much so. )

[ A timeless friendship was a value so little enjoyed, but something more lingers under the surface.

And fortunately, they're both still in shallow enough water to not be completely blind by it.

Venti looks to him briefly before looking around – should be. Close, he means. So very close. ]

Look around the ledges, I'm going down.

[ And there he goes, disappearing in the clear waters. His little form beelines for the bottom, pushing apart grass or dirt that settles. With a few air bubbles chasing the surface, Venti spends a bit too long down and erupts back to the surface with a giant huff. ]

G-Ghkk.. ha-ha....ha... I think... ha... there's a – rock - against the wall. Giant. Can you move it? With... [ He wiggles his fingers obnoxiously. Geo? ] Y'know.

( a little skinship never hurt anyone.

zhongli is surprised by venti’s reaction when he resurfaces. so much so that he reaches out to splay a warm palm against venti’s cold back — and honestly? it’s probably the first time he remembers touching barbatos’ skin since the era of that bikini outfit.

he pulls his hand away quickly when he realizes venti is okay and talking about a … rock? oh.

he turns abruptly to the side and dramatically summons all the rocks from beneath the surface into the air at once. someone is deeply embarrassed and overcompensating for feeling flustered. )

Go grab it.

[ If Barbatos was in his bikini outfit, it'd definitely be way worse. This feels more natural, less flashy.

As he floats into the water, he does catch his breath easier with Zhongli's soothing rub. His touch grounds him, funny enough, nearly raises him from the water. Venti's not lost on how close they were and with the raise of the rock, he's diving down frantically. Far less grateful.

Down Venti goes, closer to the small hole in the wall that the rock once blocked. He resurfaces a bit later, triumphant with another capsule. Instead of cor lapis, it's made of nautilus jade. ]

( zhongli misses the touch, of course, and he spends the first few moments that venti is underwater unpacking that and how… unbelievably human and yearning that is.

his eyes land thankfully on the capsule. )

Did a child move that rock to block that? ( maybe with geo. otherwise, he’s surprised. then again, children had tiny hands and could easily shove things into tight spaces that were lost to time.

he reaches out without thinking, not for the capsule but to push venti’s soaking wet bangs out of his face. )

[ It was very likely they had wedged the capsule between the small gaps. Enough so that Venti could have seen the shimmer when he dove down. It too was heavy, ridges on the side making him feel like something was inside. ]

Depends on if you were throwing Visions around for children.

[ He snickers, but stops with a 'huh' right when his bangs were pushed back. Just as Zhongli looked different in such a sopping wet state, so did Venti. Younger, more fresh-faced. There's a curiosity in his eyes and his lips part just briefly.

The moment hangs in the air. ]

Morax?

[ Was this the real celebration, to see how he was looking at him? ]

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