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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[ 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. )

[ It was a good idea. The best he'd have since he arrived here. He hustled a map from children and now look what was happening!

The pillar on pillar action sounded like it would make sense. Summoned down, weighting the decaying one like some... well, weight? It had to trigger something. He's seen far more complex devices in Inazuma, after all.

When the pillar summons forth and a few heavy knocks of stone beneath them trigger. A plate begins to open up – a secret 'trap door' a few feet away that rumbles the cover. Venti hadn't a second to think of moving before Zhongli takes hold of him. His ears nearly hurt from the grinding stones, of the change in the pressure. His hands go up to clutch onto Zhongli's forearms and soon. It was over.

There were more debris off closer to the pillar, which – good on Venti for learning him and Geo just don't seemingly mix. If he stayed, they'd both have been dealt damage if Zhongli didn't pop a shield.

Now, he's popping a boner. Go figure. ]

Are you alright?

[ Instinctively, his head tilts up and back – looking through the top of his eyes to him with dripping concern. Forget the supposed treasure. ]

( venti looks sinfully cute like that. that so called boner is only worsened by staring down at those eyes and holding venti close.

he’s vaguely aware that a trap door has been revealed, that the adventure can press on and they can find maybe another capsule.

he also is aware that the danger has passed and he can let venti go. but he keeps blinking, staring down at him with his heart thundering in his ears. )

Yes. I’m fine. Are you?

( gently, to assure venti no rocks or debris had hurt the once god of geo. that must be what venti meant, right? )

[ Whether Venti was ready to admit it or not — it could have ended a lot worse. Even if he can move with the speed of the wind, he’s been making… mortal choices lately. His mind is too focused on — ]

Zhongli.

[ His name slips past his lips, just as time slips between them. They don’t move, just… ]

I am. Thank you, old friend. You’ve made up for all those meteors, I’d say.

[ Uhhhhh. Maybe they should… move! ]

( zhongli stares down into those perfect eyes. he’s lost for a second, recalling all of the times he and barbatos squabbled but always ended up sharing wine by the end of it.

his hand betrays him, thumbing lightly at the edge of the corset, fingertips just barely slipping into the folds of fabric to touch at warm skin just above where venti’s shorts start and —

he quickly pulls away and dusts himself off. )

Made up for? You deserved those, Barbatos.

( TSUNDERE TIME because he was really close to wanting to shove his hand up venti’s shirt and corset to feel at his chest.

what is wrong with him. )

Let’s head over there. ( go the TRAP DOOR AREA. )

[ For every time the wind could leave the rock, lonely and forgotten – he returns.

Always.

The touch wasn't picked up on, he's too concerned with the sight. Amber eyes undeniably catching his interest more than any treasure – and he wants to claim them for his own.

But... he pulls away and he's left clearing his throat. ]

Subjective. For all the order you blab on about, whose to check you?

[ Whatever, man! Just be gay and pine for him harder.

Either way, Venti's off to the trap door there's small stairs leading down to a floor panel. There's two small indentations around the size of the capsules. ]

Okay, three for three. Progress! I wonder if this is the end of the line...

[ Venti gives Zhongli the cor lapis and takes the jade himself, kneeling down onto the ground he looks up to Zhongli with a calm smile. ]

Same time?

[ And he'd drop the capsule into the groove... ]

( it’s very elaborate for a children’s map, honestly. he’s almost impressed.

zhongli cradles the capsule in his hand for a moment longer. how nice it is, that the capsules seem to mirror their own respective affinities. as if destiny. that, or their eyes, and zhongli is almost sad to see the jade go.

but he drops it down at the same time as venti. yes, he’s whipped and even if this isn’t a good idea, he does it anyway.

after the Pillar Incident, no one can blame zhongli for reaching out and clasping a hand gently over venti’s. just in case he needs to tug him to safety or throw up a shield, of course. that’s all there is to it. )

[ Who the fuck even orchestrated this??? Maybe someone was playing a long game to get two former archons together to assassinate them or maybe... hm, maybe children just find a way for the most magical of moments.

With Zhongli's hand snatching against Venti's – there's a rumble of the grooves they've placed their stones into. With a tight, forceful squeeze – the hole tightens and geo energy blasts through. Both capsules are shattered and all that remains are two golden rings.

You are my best adventure. If either of them were picked up, the inscription reads on the inside of the bands.

It seems like this was some old, ancient romantic treasure hunt. Huh! It seems like the map hadn't been massed produced or at the very least, the children knew not of what they gave away for free.

Venti doesn't pull his hand away until Zhongli does. ]

Um... are these –

( zhongli has seen many rings in his life; he’s even assisted making a few for his adepti and their beloved. they glisten in the light and there’s a pang of sentimental yearning.

why would someone bury their rings? why would they put it on a map —

unless?

his hand doesn’t leave venti’s. zhongli blinks owlishly and then says without even thinking: )

Are they yours?

( IS VENTI PROPOSING? was this an elaborate proposal? his old heart may give out any second and he almost said “Yes” before there was any clarity. just a straight up affirmation and that’s equally terrifying to him. )

[ The story would be buried, the truth smothered by geo and mystery. It seems like whomever the rings were meant for never solved the supposed hunt. Or... something prevented them from doing so.

Venti yoinks his hand back when he asks if they're his. ]

Yes, you got me. I learned the geo art like our Traveler friend and buried these myself – NO, you old stone! I...

[ Delicately, Venti takes both into his hands. Soft, gentle, careful – he rubs his thumbs against the bands. ]

My heart feels tight knowing whomever these were meant for ... never found them.

… perhaps it’s best to leave them here, then. There’s still a chance they will be found by their rightful owners one day.

( there’s hope that there’s still time for the lovesick couple. at least, zhongli likes to think so.

he reaches out to take the rings, fingers softly brushing along venti’s finger as he does so. a glow of geo follows, illuminating them. )

As they’re out of their capsules, I’ve added a protective enchantment so that debris and time will not wear them down.

( said as he gently places them back down into the little opening. )

Edited 2022-01-26 21:25 (UTC)

A lovely thought that is, isn't it?

[ Something ripped straight from a ballad and tale of love. Venti wonders if decades from now, he can visit the spot and find the rings missing...

As Zhongli touches him, his eyes shut and a small smile crawls upon his face. When the resonance of geo engulfs the bands and Zhongli places them down into their respective places, Venti stands with a huff of amusement. Less sad, more... ]

Thank you. For giving hope.

[ That they may find their rightful owners. ]

( a younger morax wouldn’t have understood the delicate emotions rings like these could bring. now, with time and friendship and loss, he can only hope for the eternal peace love will bring to the potential couple.

zhongli nods and keeps his hands respectfully to himself for the time being. his gaze wanders back to venti. )

We seem to have reached the end of this particular adventure. Shall we continue exploring, or would you like to return to the harbor to drink?

( HE IS EVEN OFFERING. how kind. )

You should already know the answer. [ A sharp tongue hides behind clenched teeth into a goofy, dumb smirk. ] We're all explored out for the day, wouldn't you say?

[ Wine and dine him. Make Hu Tao pay for 30 bottles, damn it. ]

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