geophysics: (pic#15229308)
zhongli ☄️ morax ([personal profile] geophysics) wrote in [community profile] primos2022-01-23 09:02 pm

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. )
windblume: (pic#15190727)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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. ]
windblume: (pic#15309961)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
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.
windblume: (pic#15190737)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
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. ]
windblume: (pic#15214476)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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.
windblume: (pic#15309954)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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? ]
windblume: (pic#15214476)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
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. ]
windblume: (pic#15190736)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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.
windblume: (venti42)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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...
windblume: (venti44)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
No, there's worse ways to spend my days.

[ He's being smug about it. Calm. Casual. If he said how much he enjoyed their adventure tonight, he'd absolutely blush and spill out that seeing Zhongli drenched head to toe was worth everything to him. He polishes off his glass with a clank and taps it impatiently to the table. A hand goes down to pat at his stomach in approval. ]

Sure. Goodbye, Liyue Harbor – may we remember you fondly as we stumble into uncomfortable beds and sleep over the stories of a lifetime!

[ Yes? He calls it out to the masses, standing up and only accenting how boisterous he was while drunk. ]

Your bed awaits, Zhongli.

[ Like that's not suggestive. ]
windblume: (pic#15218918)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The city was still very much awake. Did Liyue ever stop hustling? Late shops, late venues for entertainment – Mora to be spent and there were so many willing to spend it. His feet stumble along as he's tugged, laughing the whole way. ]

It's not laaaate. You're really underestimating yourself here. Do you have a bedtime or something?

[ Or is he wishing to just rest and forget about how Venti looked lit up by lantern glows and enjoying himself so unashamed? He doesn't stop holding onto Zhongli's hand. ]

I missed this. A lot, actually! Didn't you?

[ Being with someone who ... wasn't just a face-value friend or someone who will crumble into dust over time, he means. ]
windblume: (pic#15325082)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Dressed ridiculously? You insult my Mondstadt honor?! Or do you mean –

[ The big gaping hole in his tights? Yeah. He stops right outside of Zhongli's apartment, tilting his leg towards the man. The tear has gotten bigger, exposing flesh and chasing towards his knee. It'd be so easy to just rip further... ]

Ah, it is quite bad, isn't it? Oh well. Part of the adventure.

[ He's definitely still not letting go – leaning back to the wall next to the front door with a huff. ]

Y'know, starting to think you're embarrassed of me.
windblume: (pic#15242142)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-01-27 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ In they go, only a darkness to welcome them. Shadows dance against them and beckon them to the pockets of light where the moon shines through the window. Towards Zhongli's room they go – ]

I know what you're thinking about...

[ Drunken, cryptic... Venti stops and lets the moment linger on. Cruelly, without even meaning to. The mood shifts as he snickers. ]

How horribly uncomfortable my bed is. Sorry to say... you made your bed and I shall enjoy yours greatly.

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he deserves it

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