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 is going to throttle him. His flushed features turn and Zhongli gets to see the tops of his shorts hanging down over the top of his ass. Congrats. Slipping on the robe, he has more room to move. Tugging down, he kneels to scoot them off and soon – as Venti ties his robe tight. Just, kind of hovering over the front flap to keep his dick from springing out. Turning, Venti lifts the pile of clothes to him. Shorts and all. ]

... You could have said that from the beginning!

[geophysics]

( zhongli truly doesn’t understand the problem here. but he does see that perky ass and he can’t stop staring until it’s completely out of view. oh. geez


that’s definitely enough to make him half hard. he quickly grabs the clothes from venti, face warm as he pivots to the right. )

I’ll go fix these. Keep yourself occupied until I’m done.

( he needs air. )

[windblume]

Don't take forever, you'll leave me in my most vulnerable state.

[ Venti's ass and thighs on the menu apparently. Before he knows it, Zhongli has his clothing and Venti's already exiting back to the balcony. Please let there be alcohol left. ]

[geophysics]

( there’s alcohol left out there.

zhongli quickly mends the tights in the kitchen. after all, he’s lived long enough to learn useful skills.

when he returns to the balcony, he’s almost loathe to return them. venti looks so nice with liyue robes… )

Venti?

[windblume]

[ It's like Zhongli knew Venti would need to refuel that liquid courage. It's not often he does succeed in having the finest swill in the area. So, he drinks. Heavily. It may not take long, but Venti's downing it in nearly record time.

When Zhongli's voice returns – he turns with a small smile. ]

Did you save the day?

[ His tights, he means. ]

[geophysics]

( he did. but fuck, venti looks beautiful. it’s hard not to stare — )

I did. But I don’t think you should wear them, today.

( is that a proposition this time? )

[windblume]

[ And when Zhongli stares, Venti is as well – closing the distance with a few weak steps. ]

What would I wear then?

[ Venti can easily wear his shorts, but they both know that it didn't feel ... right. His question fumbles past his lips before he can catch it. Curiosity getting the better of him. ]

[geophysics]

( what he wants to say is nothing. let venti walk round his apartment with nothing to seprate them.

zhongli’s finger twitch, resisting reaching out to venti. )

What do you think? ( old man please. )

[windblume]

Zhongli?

[ They were stuck in this moment. They tend to be a lot. For two old archons... was this just how they'll always be?

His hand clings to the robe's sash tightly, anxious fingers unable to settle. He finally speaks: ]

Do you have other clothes for me then...? Or... [ Words, Venti, your most powerful weapon. ] Do you like me like this?

[geophysics]

( zhongli would have snapped back to reality with that first question. he could go to the store or let venti borrow something large but comfortable but his mind shortcircuits at venti’s next question.

does he?

with the way the robe rests cutely on venti’s form, knowing he’s naked under it.

he coughs into a curled up fist, face back to red: )

Y… Yes. Like this, is fine. I would say. ( IDIOT. )

[windblume]

[ He's going to just laugh. It breaks the silence, the tension, their insistent denial of their bubbling attraction to one another... ]

So you expect me to walk around Liyue in this.

[ Oh!? ]

[geophysics]

( zhongli huffs, irritably, turning to the side to set venti’s clothes down on the little table. )

Perhaps. ( zhongli??? ) Or we can just stay here.

( and drink? or — other things. )

[windblume]

Here.

[ On the balcony. Alone.

In a state of undress. ]

Will we run out of things to do so soon in your abode, I wonder?

[geophysics]

( this isn’t helping him whatsoever, venti.

a short exhale. )

Aren’t you supposed to be the creative one?

( he’s already admitted he sort of wants venti to stay naked under a robe so. )

[windblume]

For the right reasons. For the right price.

[ With a tilt of his bottle before he takes a sip carefully. ]

Ah, I must be savvy in how I use my services or I'll be broke.

[ MORE BROKE. * ]

[geophysics]

( venti. Venti. )

Your services.

( flatly. he pinches the bridge of his nose. )

You’re being more obtuse than usual.

( kettle. pot. black. )

[windblume]

My mind is quite brilliant, Morax!

[ That imagination is so, so very dangerous... ]

Shall we make an agreement then? I offer my thoughts in exchange for...

[geophysics]

What would you like?

( a loaded question, and zhongli seems strangely receptive to offering a blank check.

indeed dangerous. )

[windblume]

What can you give me, Zhongli?

[ Oh... the way he says it... Was that the end of their vagueness? This stupid dance back and forth? ]

[geophysics]

( zhongli knows he should hesitate or reword this, but, he doesn’t: )

Anything.

[windblume]

Anything?

[ A wash of confusion flushes his face. He's hot – heated, but... ]

Morax.

[ His words a bit sharper, encouraging more. Silently wishing he can get the image of Zhongli bathed in his amber glow mid-orgasm away from his mind. ]

[geophysics]

You’re the … guest, after all.

Whatever you’d like.

( a bold attempt to try and save his lovesick ass. his amendments really didn’t help the cause, ensign up sounding even more helpless. )

[windblume]

Whatever I like?

[ His voice has a twinge of curiosity... ]

There's... many, many things I'd like. Some would say I'm gluttonous.

[geophysics]

Then suggest a couple.

( he stays close but still not touching venti, looking from him to the entry back into his apartment with a shakingly fast heart. )

[windblume]

Follow me.

[ His heart is thumping in his chest. Images of last night, the feelings he had well into the night... Venti says nothing as he walks past Zhongli. Each step brings more difficulty... accepting that instead of living with happiness... he's living with fear.

He's nervous, but he calls out before disappearing down the hallway, towards Zhongli's bedroom. ]

Hurry up.