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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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. ]

( wine and dine, indeed. )

Yes. ( and yet not nearly enough.

his expression is a little smug when he says: ) Had Rex Lapis not passed, I would have offered to fly us back. I am afraid unless you’d like to call the winds, we will have to return by foot.

( less time for wine. )

Aw man, bring him out for a special encore presentation!

[ Teasing, light – he'd never risk his friend losing his little incognito life. His well-earned retirement. ]

Let's travel to east. We'll glide down. It's faster, after all.

[ Any excuse to fly or to glide? Venti's all about it. He's already off – looking back with his feet light and his features unable to pull from Zhongli's gaze. ]

First an adventure, then a mystery solved, now gliding and – ugh. Wine! What a day in Liyue...

( what a day indeed. zhongli can almost forget about how blue his balls are —

he follows faithfully after his friend, a worn smile on his face. )

Gliders have come a long way over the years, haven’t they?

( he’s genuinely impressed by their structure and the fact mortals can take to the sky. )

They have! They've developed gliders, they've increased production of wine, they've bettered their ships...

[ Mortals have improved designs from the gods themselves. He continues on, away from the ruins, whispering a silent goodbye to old lovers waiting for their rings... ]

Our people are quite amazing.

Indeed.

( boners and rings, what a god damn day.

the sun is beginning to slowly set in the sky as they walk. as they traverse, a few carts pass them by. zhongli can’t help but smile at the commerce between their nations. )

There’s a restaurant by the water that serves Mondstadt-imported wines.

( true wine and dine. )

[ They've done so well to lay the foundation. There's ... conflict, sure. But, every nation has it. Some... more than others, but – Venti is proud, just as Zhongli is. It's no Inazuma, at least.

Does Venti brush by a cart to grab an apple slyly? Smack him or not, Venti's offering it to Zhongli. ]

Oh?! Are you a fan? Go ahead, sing Mondstadt's praises. Master Diluc's helped really revitalize the wine scene. Although, I have grown fond of Liyue's offerings...

[ In wine or men? ]

( zhongli sighs. he could have paid for that…

zhongli lifts a brow at the words, though. )

I have never been too proud to admit that Mondstadt is the leader in wine.

( even if he has a soft spot for osmanthus wine. still, he gently nudges the apple back at venti as the city’s skyline comes into view. )

Should we head directly to dinner, then?

[ Don't push the apple back?! It's a gift. Venti pouts and as they pass another cart, he'll toss it into the back for a child traveling with their merchant parents. ]

And with good reason! It's a crucial item in our lifetime. It brings calm, pairs nicely with a good story, and can be enjoyed from friends, lovers, and comrades.

[ It's versatile. As the skyline comes into view – they're at a vantage point. Enough for a shorter glide... The wind kicks up and Venti begins to jog off. ]

Yes! Try not to sweat too much!

[ Because he's climbing the nearest hill and letting the wind take his glider on his best wind – all summoned for Zhongli. ]

( sweat. he doesn’t sweat. he’s fucking rex lapis.

but zhongli calls forth his own glider from his transportable sub space. he quickly attaches it to himself and then trying to catch up with venti. )

Venti. Wait.

( don’t go on ahead without him. wait for him. )

[ Oh? Was that the beautiful deep voice calling out for him? ]

What? Too slow, old man?

[ Because even now... when he's starting to catch feels... he's gotta tease! ]

( he’s going to dunk this idiot.

zhongli reaches out for venti’s hand when he finally catches up to him. let them glide romantically, okay!!

he won’t even fucking comment on it. )

[ Before long, they were literally hand in hand and Venti nearly was ready to hurl them down into the ground below – wings be damned.

He doesn't comment on it either. Gliding is faster, but gliding with someone like Zhongli...? It's the fastest. ]

( it goes by way too quickly.

as they land on the ground outside of liyue harbor, zhongli retrieves his hand smooths down the front on his suit. his gaze is soft as he looks to venti. )

Looks like the perfect hour for a meal. ( REAL FOOD. he isn’t being horny… not terribly so, as he turns to lead them into the city proper. )

[ The time was perfect – twilight, the best of both day and night blending together. It's beautiful. Even when they land and Venti was left rubbing his hands down his face, questioning if it was desperation to be left behind that made Zhongli grab onto him. ]

Sure it won't be too busy?

[ Even if the tables were full, Zhongli has that balcony for takeout. Venti isn't picky. ]

I'm pretty starved, actually and ughhhh – overdue for a drink.

I’m sure it’ll be fine.

( people like zhongli, so even if reservations are usually needed, he could score them a table.

so off he goes, leading them into the city. the lights are clicking on at this hour, glowing beautifully, the fire making the city pretty and inviting. he leads them away from the main shopping district and toward the shore.

once there, he stops at a restaurant on the docks. the tables inside seem full, as there’s a breezy wind tonight coming off the water, but there are still a few on the dock itself.

zhongli gets them a table and he breathes a sigh of relief once they’re shown to it. he doesn’t mean to be this romantic, ordering wine to be delivered to the table, but the view and evening is quite … ideal. )

[ So basically Zhongli has his connections that he's fostered over the years – Venti's done the opposite. Besides wanting to entertain and keep his people happy, the value of a bard is often expendable. Having Zhongli treat him? Well, it felt nice. He admires the city, captivated in a glow only Liyue could have.

The docks expand out, showing off a seaside beauty that Mondstadt can't provide unless you're into picnics on a cliff.

When they find their seat, Venti stretches his arms out onto the table, resting his face on his biceps. With his cheek smushed down, he wathes the water. ]

I hope you had fun. We walked away empty-handed but... I think whoever was destined for those rings will find them. Don't you think?

Yes, I believe they will.

( zhongli’s expression catches on venti — the way the twilight dances across his hair and skin, the way the water serves as the perfect backdrop for his friend.

zhongli is thankful when the waiter immediately brings over the bottle of apple wine and two glasses, uncorks it and pours them each a glass.

but then his eyes return to venti. beautiful venti.

he really needs to sleep this off. venti is staying a month and it’s only his second night here and zhongli is so tightly wound-up. )

Are you cold? ( he realizes that the breeze might be a lot for someone as tiny as venti, and he’s actually fucking in the process of shrugging off his jacket. )

[ Before Venti even catches Zhongli's gaze, he scopes the incoming wine. Licking his lips in anticipation, his bias for a fine drink is oh so clear. By the time it's poured, he's already grabbing his – taking in the sight and the smell of the wine together.

Yes. With Zhongli, it pairs nicely... ]

Huh? Oh. I guess a little. [ It was not until he realizes the chilled drink would only rattle his bones further – but... watching him undress from his jacket, Venti tilts his glass. ] It's fine – you'll be cold then...!?

[ He was going to toast but now he's getting distracted, damn it. ]

I have more mass than you.

( a smirk as he finishes peeling off his jacket. he ponders for a second before he rises from his chair and crosses the small distance around the table in order to drop the jacket delicately over venti’s shoulders. )

Don’t ruin it, bard.

( no wine stains or whatever! but zhongli looks terribly fond as he sits back down.

venti in his jacket, jesus christ he’s going to go into cardiac arrest. )

So? Stone often does compared to wind.

[ Before he knows it, Venti is drowning in the beautiful, intricate jacket. It settles on his shoulders and he merely sits there – not sure if he ... was suppose to slip the sleeves on or...

Alas, all he does is let it hang over him like a second cape, his free hand clutching across his chest to keep it in place. ]

To not ruining things.

[ Simple, tasteful – cheeky, most of all. Venti raises his glass to Zhongli. ]

( it’s a bittersweet toast, really, as he clinks glasses.

because aren’t the feelings he’s been having all day risking things? that if he acts too blatantly, he’s at risk of ruining things between them.

zhongli tries not to dwell on it. instead, he sips the wine and sighs out. )

I’ll order us some bamboo shoot soup and a few other appetizers. ( focusing on the menu and not how beautiful venti looks with his coat on painted against the horizon. )

[ There were hundreds of years where Zhongli had to deal with loss. To understand his new purpose in life. The difficult part was that Venti didn't know just how much it split his heart in two.

Everyone would have loss in their life.

Archons were not immune to it.

The bittersweetness was simply sweet to him, leaning further back into the chair to let the jacket just... rest into him. Heavy, sure, made of good quality materials but – he can smell the musk of geo lingering on him. The red of his cheeks returns – but he looks out into the sea. ]

Whichever you prefer. I trust you. Your judgment thus far is nothing short of a gracious host. I'm grateful to trust someone who only wants to show Liyue's best.

[ Because he certainly is Liyue's best... ]

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