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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( that breathing is not good for zhongli. not when he feels pale skin and a warm hand against his and pretty eyes looking back at him.

he ardently ignores the fact his soaking wet pants are a bit tighter. at least it’s not… terribly noticeable. )

I suppose that is also fine. While that uncertainty may have bothered me in the past, I’m not as worried, now. We have all the time in the world. ( to find the end of the adventure.

so he keeps his hand where it is; if venti isn’t budging, neither is he. )

[ Out away from the city where no one was here but the beasts and the wilds. Just them. Their luck that leads to a peaceful serenity that makes his own chest glow softly. He doesn't mean it, does he?

Venti's eyes shut tightly for just a moment – ]

Zhongli, that's what a novice adventurer like you fails to understand...

[ His words, soft and succulent, roll off his tongue. ]

The end of one adventure begins another.

[ And in that moment, maybe fate would have been kind to them in another life. But now, Venti grows frustrated with his own tightness in his chest. He snaps up into a frenzy, patting at his shorts and looking for Zhongli's clothing. ]

Wait, did you have both of the capsules?

I - yes.

( startled by venti’s own knee-jerk reaction, he sits upright. he drags a finger through his hair and watches his friend for a few moments longer before he reaches into his pants to retrieve the newer capsule. )

The first is in my jacket, over there.

( he gestures to it, stretching a little before he rises to his feet to find the rest of his clothes. alas, half-naked zhongli had a good run. hopefully enough to inspire terribly improper dreams. )

Where was the next mark on the map? ( at least he seems capable of not being too touchy? )

[ He had lost track of where they were. How long they had been laying side by side. How many moments Zhongli's hand had pressed to his side, spurring on a warmth and excitement he feels ashamed to admit.

He'll be drinking heavily tonight.

Venti crawls towards the jacket because, y'know – why not, patting it down for the two capsules. Phew. Last thing he needed to do was lose them. Make Zhongli think he was truly a fool.

Venti goes back to dress now that he knew the treasures were safe. Of course, when he gets to his corset... he lets out a whine. ]

...Can you help again? Please? [ And, at least he can check the map. ] North of here. Towards, I guess, the broken stairs.

( how cruel a fate it must be to have to continuously dress venti when all he wants to do is undress him and gently press him into a shallow part of the pool and kiss—

zhongli buttons his shirt and then nods, going to venti’s rescue. )

If this gives you such a hard time, why do you wear it?

( he’s mindful not to let his hand linger too much on venti’s body. but he does relish how his knuckles incidentally brush venti’s sides as he laces it up. )

North. Up toward Nantianmen?

I like how it looks.

[ And it reminds him of a friend. He's terribly sentimental. Honoring the nameless bard down to the very attire he fancied so. Even as Mondstadt clothes changed... he was timeless with his bard attire. ]

When I'm not in a hurry, I can manage but...

[ He says thanks with a huff, pushing his now fluffier bangs out of his face. ]

Not quite. The next one should still be here, just... thankfully not at the bottom of a flooded hole. [ Even if Zhongli finishes up and the corset gets tighter – he doesn't move. ] Maybe some old friend of yours left it here during some raging party.

[ He snickers, please choke him. ]

( zhongli isn’t sure he has the mental capacity to take venti up to nantianmen and talk about azhdaha.

so he flicks his gaze around the area with growing interest. where else could it be?

well, venti did say the broken steps. so zhongli gestures for venti to follow him up. )

Be careful. These ruins aren’t very stable.

[ One day, Venti will be able to provide the comfort Zhongli needs.

Help heal wounds long since left in this world.

He'd know that Zhongli could do the same – if Venti ever spoke of the nameless bard.

For now, he was happy with his living companions. As they recollect themselves, forget touches and let their thoughts linger – Venti follows behind. Up he goes on shaky ground, skipping a few extra steps when they begin to crumble. ]

You weren't kidding. The map shows a little bit.. up higher? With a small pillar. Uh...

( zhongli keeps an attentive ear out in the event venti trips or loses his footing. even so, he spares a glance back at him. )

A pillar. Hm.

( his gaze wanders across the area until he notices a half-crumbled pillar standing lonesonely amongst a platform. )

Something similar to that? ( he gestures on ahead. it’s a bit too high for him to reach naturally, but if venti used the wind? )

[ His savior.

For as light as his feet may be, carried on wind and lifted by the Anemo still coursing through him... it was far too easy for him to be mortal, to stumble and make mistakes.

He's made so many. ]

Oh. Huh? Hmmm....

[ He's hurrying past, he's stopping right ahead – where he needs a little bit lifted up. No wind, Venti has a better idea. ]

Can you give me a boost up? I'll see if there's something... we can maybe use? Or steal?

( … venti would prefer zhongli lifting him up than using the wind? wouldn’t the latter be so much easier?

unless.

unless venti wants him to be close again, to touch —

he quickly banishes that thought as he steps over and places a hand warmly on each of venti’s hips. )

Careful, now. And don’t dawdle.

( and then he lifts up, giving venti that little boost, getting a wonderful view of venti’s ass almost in his face.

archons help him. please help him. )

[ You'd think, huh?

But, no. Venti was idle with his thoughts. How far he'd come from his arrival for using the wind in his favor. From blasting beautiful blossoms across the land to help a couple with the perfect proposal or to guide him to the ship with the finest alcohol – now he abandons it. All for Zhongli's touch.

Who knows if he's doing it on purpose now. ]

Do I look like a dwadler!?

[ No, you look like a brat. Either way. As Zhongli gains the courage to touch Venti, hoist him up high – he catches the ledge and tugs himself up. Turning around, he offers a hand to Zhongli. ]

I have you, take my hand.

[ Romantic. ]

( extremely romantic.

but so sad to lose that perfect view of that perfect ass.

zhongli reaches for that hand, wondering why he didn’t just create a platform of stone to help them both. perhaps mortality has its place, in moments like these.

his hand curls tightly around venti as he reaches for the edge to tug himself up as well, a soft grunt following with the exertion. it’s not an exceptionally attractive noise, but it’s still a low, breathy noise all the same.

he hasn’t let go of venti’s hand. )

Is this how you climb trees, usually?

[ Don't worry, it's not going anywhere.

Rebuking power, ignoring the call to their affinity – this was simple. Memories they could share years from now when a mortal grip begins to age them in soul and body...

Venti isn't terribly strong, but he's terribly stubborn. As Zhongli is brought up, Venti would rather keel over than drop him. With their teamwork, they end up successful. Go figure. ]

Yes. It's fun. More mortal, I'd say. It reminds me of simpler times.

[ Idiot isn't letting go either. ]

And appreciating life without... complications.

( what’s a complication is how the more time he spends with venti without the weight of duty, the more he realizes the pull that’s away been there beneath the surface.

zhongli’s eyes drift down to venti’s right leg.

he uses his free hand to gently reach out where there’s a tear in his tights from climbing up. high up on venti’s leg. )

Do you know how to sew?

[ Venti would be a fool if he ignored how haunting Zhongli was the previous night. How his fingers lingered to his braids, how each conversation invigorated him bit by bit. Gave him hope that they could really step away from Archonhood.

Such deep questions fall away when Zhongli barely reaches for the tear. ]

Poorly. I'd rather pay others.

[ Or barter. Or beg. ]

A casualty of adventure, ahaha.

I’ll fix them for you, when we get back.

( fucking domestic.

his fingers linger on his tights, in venti’s hand. both hands on venti in different ways and it takes an actual decent amount of energy to look up to his eyes again. )

You’re welcome to borrow something of mine. ( DOMESTIC. )

[ The moment hangs in the air. Centuries of doubt, of ignoring the beating of his heart when he teased Zhongli. The embarrassment when he drank too much and ruined that adoring look he'd have from the man every so often...

They go through it and have a clearing: for moments where things make sense.

They were wrapped up together and his breath forgets to leave him until he trembles at the touch.

He'll swear it was a chill from the cooled water still lingering behind. ]

You needn't do that... my legs are perfectly fine without them. [ Unless... he wonders: did Zhongli like them? ] ...What would I even borrow? I'd drown in anything your size!

( he enjoys his legs, yes. the tights, too, maybe.

zhongli is hyper-aware of the fact that venti is letting him linger more than usual. or, is it simply that zhongli has never dared to linger in the first place until last night? a good thing to ponder on later.

for now, his palm smooths up from where the tear is, dangerously high on venti’s leg as he pats at the edge of a short and then pulls his hand back. )

I have robes that are decent for around the apartment. You’re welcome to one of those, even if they’re long on you.

[ Those legs are dangerous, but Zhongli's words more so. His touches leave so much more to be desired. To explore.

Fuck their map, Venti thinks of Zhongli's hand exploring North and diving deeper against him. Yet... reality settles back in his mind, a haze of desire not earned. Improper. Unfair.

When Zhongli pulls back, he lets an awkward laugh – clasping his hands together in an amused way. ]

You'll make me look a fool then, but I suppose... it's the least I can do for the hospitality. ...Lounging around in a robe drinking sounds like a nice cool-down, huh?

[ He will DROWN in his robes, but... eh. We'll see. ]

– What was this pillar? [ A topic change, good. To ignore the thought of Zhongli undone from the prim and proper attire he finds himself in. To think of him almost bare... whew, he almost summoned a gust of embarrassment again. ] Do you remember?

( today has indeed already been a long day. he’s seen far too much of venti, touched too much of him, to even think clearly.

his gaze rips itself away from venti again to look along the rest of the pillar.

don’t mind him as he leans in close. his breath is warm near venti’s ear, along his neck, if only because the pillar isn’t that large. his fingers curl down at venti’s side, his waist — and then unearth the map that’s tucked in his shorts. )

The markings don’t give too much away… or perhaps, I’m not trained to think as a child.

( ha ha, old man has jokes as he tries to decipher this. )

[ His hand braces the pillar's side, feeling for any indentation. A groove. A hole that a highly decorated capsule ball could fit into. Nothing. It's a plain decorative pillar, but even the Geo Archon couldn't decipher.

They were both failing at understanding things today, weren't they?

Both of his hands catch the small pillar when Zhongli peers over his shoulder. Venti's ready to turn – to let their chest meet and eyes tell truths their lips just can't.

He's a coward, though.

He avoids it, eyes looking straight ahead despite the shyness in his voice. The tug of the map from his shorts nearly drives him back into Zhongli, but he refrains – they're trapped in this exploration together. ]

Riiiiight. I forgot. You're just old and boring. [ No imagination! ] Let me see the map, maybe I can find something.

( zhongli affectionately curls the map back up, bops venti upside the head with it, and then offers it up back to him.

you cute little brat, you aren’t immune to more teasing! just like old times.

except old times wouldnt require zhongli to sit so close, the side of his leg just barely touching venti’s, his hand resting behind venti, almost touching, too. close but never close enough, dangerously in orbit but never crashing. )

Well? What does your map-reading prowess suggest?

[ His shoulders slump and he drops his head down at the bop. It was better than a meteor, at least?!

He'll take the map and scan it over, his eyes bouncing between the markings. Two done, like... two to go, maybe? He isn't sure. There's a scribble of a ruin guard with a big X over it, so they certainly will steer clear of that in the North.

For this? The pillar was pointed at but there were arrows pointing down.

Hm. ]

Hold on.

[ Venti just... leaves Zhongli behind and climbs up. He's fully standing up, nearly offering a dickful of a view for Zhongli but – as he nearly topples, a hand goes to rest to Zhongli's head to catch himself.

Because, y'know, drama. ]

It's moving.

[ Slight, so damn slight. No resonating geo would have told him but... Venti uh, just goes ahead and tries to jump. Up like some damn child, nearly slipping along the way. He's way too tiny.

Soon, he'll hop off, not aware of how close they had been just now. ]

Summon your beautiful pillar, Zhongli. Right on top. If my hunch is on the right path, the weight of a pillar will be the right kind of stone wrath.

[ Do it. Do the stone thing. Venti takes a couple handfuls of steps back – y'know out of PTSD. ]

( zhongli is beginning to realize the problem with abstaining from sex for five hundred years. everything venti does is sending him into a lowkey crisis.

venti’s hand on his head with his hips so near — he could so easily just bury his face between his thighs and have venti tug on his hair -

stars, he needs to get off before he loses his mind. but not right now. right now, venti is telling him to — put a pillar on top of the other pillar? intriguing.

so he slowly rises from the ground, steadying himself and making sure his jacket hides any tight-pant situation.

the tips of his hair glow golden and with a palm outstretched, he summons a pillar directly on top, the geo energy thrumming in the air. )

That’s - ( he begins but the ground begins to positively rumble and what they’re standing on shakes, too.

instinctively? zhongli reaches out and wraps both arms tightly against venti, hugging him to his chest, his body almost doubling over hmm to protect him in the event of any falling debris or otherwise. )

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