weekend at zhongli’s 🕶

[geophysics]

( 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. )

Comments

[windblume]

[ Venti's already ... ah, done with his glass. Sorry. It's water to him. He truthfully wouldn't be concerned about what's placed in front of him. He's starved for the companionship as much as the food and wine. He's already reaching over to refill his glass... ]

Hmmm. There's a lot of boats leading out to that bay... Do they do tours?

[ The thought is simple, somewhere secluded while looking into Harbor sounds nice? ...Is it childish to think of bartering with the dock workers for some fruit platter to the mountain overlooking the plaza...? It sounds ... simple.. ]

There seems to be an endless assortment of options. What have you always wanted to show me?

[geophysics]

( a boat ride. he hasn’t been on any that haven’t been the art gallery and museum in ages. it would be nice to just drift along the sea with an old friend. surely he wouldn’t fall victim to this old longing?

the question is a good one. he’s managed to show venti many of the wonders of liyue over the centuries. )

We could take a boat to the Stone Forest. The flora there is particularly unique and breathtaking.

( a gay place for a date. deserted islands made of stone. )

[windblume]

[ The thought does sound pleasant. It fills his heart with a warmth to explore another part of Liyue. To hear stories passed past those kissable lips of Zhongli – when he isn't ensuring a certain... ahem, wrath, is ensued... Venti likes seeing this tour guide version of his old friend. ]

Yes! I'll prepare an agenda of songs. Perhaps you'll have a performance that will bring the isles to tremble in awe. Barbatos' song hasn't reached Liyue in quite some time...

[ Just bring the lube, tho. ]

[geophysics]

( he hasn’t fucked in 500 years the lube is bad!!!

zhongli smiles at venti’s reaction. )

All right. It’s a da— deal.

( a certain nod as he finishes his first glass of wine and hurriedly pours himself another. ah. )

I will eventually need to spend a few hours a day working, but for now, I have the week off. ( vacay hours. stay-cation with the old bestie. )

[windblume]

... Is this our first contract?

[ Light and teasing, he's downing a second. He takes a small break. Briefly. Chilled by the wind, he just tugs Zhongli's jacket tighter onto his form. ]

Right, I'll find a way to entertain myself. Slide some pamphlets around to promote Barbatos. Steal a few of your loyal citizens. [ But, at the mention of work: ] I can sleep in, right? You won't be annoyed if I'm still conked out if you come home from work expecting me at my best?

[geophysics]

( coming home to barbatos?

oh. zhongli inexplicably blushes at something so simple as finding venti still napping in the sheets, hair undone—- the boner threat is back in full force.

more wine it is. )

That’s fine. I don’t expect you to play maid while you’re here. ( unless???? boners are definitely happening. crap.

how fast can he drink this wine? )

[windblume]

[ Maybe he'll be in Zhongli's bed one of these days. There's the real boner material. Venti looks to him with amusement, a hand papping his own feature. ]

Huh? You don't think I can pull it off?

[ But, no time to let it linger – that's for Zhongli to jerk off to tonight. The food was prepared and another bottle of wine offered, Venti approves of it – taking the older bottle and filling his glass off. ]

You've picked the best Mondstadt selections, I know this to be true. The crispiness is just... ah, perfect.

[geophysics]

Yes. It’s one of your favorites, isn’t it?

( he ordered it specifically for venti. he doesn’t realize catering to venti’s tastes and whims this much is an old friend being a good host but also borderline courtship. maybe a lot courtship.

even so, he licks the drop of wine still clinging on his lips and hums in satisfaction. )

Drink your fill. ( THATS UNFAIR TO SAY AFTER THE TONGUE THING. ) It’s on me, tonight. Just this once.

[windblume]

It is. The apples have been in Mondstadt as long as the people have been free. It was my promise to them.

[ He says with a fair smile, knowing how many apples were used to brew a single bottle? Two. And it's said legend destines a bottle to be shared with someone special.

He watches Zhongli lick his lips and his foot anxiously moves, papping against Zhongli's before retreating with a sheepish, awkward laugh. ]

Awwww. Just for tonight? [ He pouts, pouring another glass. Three? Four? When will those turn to double digits? ] Zhongli, you'll have to let me return the hospitality... somehow. If I drink my fill here, I'll be eager to ensure each day of me remaining here is just was fulfilling for you. It's my promise to you.

[geophysics]

I see. I’ll keep that in mind.

( he has a few ideas on that.

two glasses in and zhongli feels a bit tipsy. steamed dumplings arrive and he’s glad for the distraction before he says something dumb.

that doesn’t stop him from moving his foot back closer to venti’s. resting beside his. literally 9/10 of the way to footsies. duh. )

[windblume]

[ Don't mind if Venti gets one immediately and begins munching. A satisfying 'hmmmm' past his lips as he samples the delicious serving. A nice starter. ]

It's fine, though. I'm here for quite some time and I'll do my best to ensure you don't throw me out or throw a meteor. A lot has changed since we practically played tag with our affinity, ahaha.

[ A METEOR ISN'T TAG?

Venti bumps it the extra 1/10th way, just resting it against his foot. Absentmindedly left smiling to his friend. ]

Your guest room is a little dreary, you know. I could go get some things from Mondstadt... let you have a space to rent out once I leave.

[ AIR. BNB?

ANEMO BNB. ]

[geophysics]

( THIS BRAT.

zhongli doesn’t like to think back to the reality of how temporary this visit is. venti will eventually return to mondstadt. let’s not dwell on that right now. )

I’m sorry it’s not up to your flamboyant tastes, Bar— Venti. Some of us have learned to live a more conventional lifestyle.

( sass. but he does kind of? lean his foot to the side more against venti’s. is that how one does this this? he’s so fucking out of touch and practice. )

[windblume]

It's not flamboyant! It's styled nicely. Don't even act like it isn't. Mondstadt is homey.

[ Smiling a bit, he can't help but think so fondly of Mondstadt. To think he could have part of that here... maybe he's a little selfish. Wanting the best of both worlds. ]

Conventional, not lonely. Have you laid in the bed? The sheets are so-so and the wall color... where is the fun?!

[ He impatiently taps his foot, right against Zhongli. Hastily, he'll finish his bun and go into the next one. And, uh, another glass of wine. ]

I'm an expert in fun.

[geophysics]

( why would the guest room be fun? zhongli truly doesn’t get this logic.

he wrinkles his nose, pensively stares, then scoffs. just slightly. )

I haven’t, no. Should I? ( lay in,,, the bed. it’s occupied this month but. but???

he lifts a brow as he finishes another glass of wine. grandpa gets vaguely bold. vaguely. )

[windblume]

For someone who is so keen on making a good impression... my dear friend, you are dense. [ Pretty and stupid, he wanted to say. He'll settle on something less sharp. ] You really haven't even sampled the bed you've expected your guests to enjoy?

[ Furrowing his brow, he tilts his glass with his own dramatics – the wine sloshes out onto the side of the table.... oops. He winces and instead finishes his glass. ANOTHER ONE. ]

When we get back, you'll see what you subject me to.

[ Teasing, he makes it sound like torture. ]

[geophysics]

( is that… is that an offer?

of course it isn’t. venti just wants him to lay down on it. that’s logically all. even so, won’t it faintly smell of venti? … grandpa has it bad. )

If it’s so inhospitably uncomfortable, you are always welcome to mine.

( let that one sink in like zhongli’s near empty third glass of wine. )

[windblume]

[ It will. And if Venti laid upon the soft silken sheets of Zhongli's lonely bed, he'd stuff his face against the earthy musk he's smelling right now. ]

Maybe I will. [ A challenge? Sounds easy enough. ] You'll be begging for your bed back.

[geophysics]

( he isn’t so bold to suggest they could share. he can steep things in implications but to outright say it? not rex lapis. not even when he’s tipsy as all hell right now.

another slight huff. )

I’ll be fine. ( a hard bed would be fine!! he lightly knocks his foot again with venti’s for good measure. )

My coat, my bed… you’re very prone to taking things this visit, old friend.

( take one more. just guess what it could be. )

[windblume]

[ And here, maybe, when he thinks of a luxury that Zhongli would have once afforded... a big, comfortable bed – who would share it? The press of his foot makes him pout and instead, Venti's calf nearly necks against his – butting against it harder for emphasis. ]

Am I taking things when you so readily offer it?

[ His wrath is absolutely the next thing, huh? ]

[geophysics]

( definitely the wrath.

zhongli tries to stifle a snort of a laugh. venti is so unbelievable sometimes. and zhongli is supposed to be the immovable rock! )

I will conceed the coat was more of a gesture, but the bed is in part in efforts to end your needless complaining. ( stop with that foot???? he’ll just lock ankles, maybe. )

[windblume]

A gesture of generosity. Of giving. [ And the bed... ] Who is complaining? If you expect me to sing your praises, rate you the best lay in Liyue –

[ A slip of his tongue and his throat chokes. He immediately laughs, outlandishly trying to cover the perverse thoughts brewing. ]

You the best place to lay in Liyue – ahaha, then you must do better to impress this old bard!

[ Venti pulls his legs away finally. ]

[geophysics]

( they’re both way too tipsy. zhongli doesn’t even dare call venti on that slip because venti’s legs are gone and maybe he really doesn’t have any interest in things of that nature.

so zhongli doesn’t press on it. instead, he rolls his eyes and nurses his last glass of wine as their entrees are brought over. )

Then I will aim to please tomorrow, if you are truly adamant on being a critic.

[windblume]

[ The truth comes out when one is plastered, it seems. There was no denying Venti almost immediately feels the need to put his legs back against Zhongli's. Even if it was childish, it felt... fun?

But, no. He perseveres, instead favoring the entrees brought over. They smell amazing, beautifully prepared and it'll go fine with how he needs to get food in his system or whew... he'll see stars. ]

Ohhhhh, no no, no. Tonight. Let's trade beds. Just so I can be proven right, as always. I do think you'll look nice eating crow.

[geophysics]

( trade beds. venti confirms it. it’s a sad boner now, thanks for asking.

even so, zhongli doesn’t back down from a silly challenge from an even sillier god. )

That’s fine.

( he rolls his eyes as he focuses on his meal. the wine hasn’t completely hit him yet. likely to occur toward the end of the meal and walk back.

for now, he just looks content to enjoy venti’s playful company as they sit and eat by the water. )

[windblume]

[ It's okay. Sad boners are a start.

Venti isn't sure where the shift in their dynamic started or ended – it rolls in ebb and flow. Where Venti once teases, he sobers up further into their meal. "Sobers" in his demeanor only. He still partakes in the wine, discussing small tidbits he learned from a friend and speaks highly of his lands like his name was Rex Lapis.

They bond over old times, reluctant about what the future held. What adventure awaits them.

Venti, over the course of the meal, marvels at everything brought over and laying before him. Honestly – he tilts his head down. ]

You've done well, you know.

[ A compliment, honest. ]

Give them the tools and ability and they carry on Rex Lapis' honor nicely.

[ And curiously with his final glass of wine sipped upon. ]

Now you're stuck with me until the end of your days... watching tides roll in and swill flow between the both of us. What a retirement...