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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Why not? [ Zhongli's bed was his last night and the spare room was his the night prior! ] This one is soft... and –

[ Why did he say it? Why did the words leave his mouth so quickly – ]

It smelled of you. Earthy... raw.

[ One hand traces his chest, cupping at the side of his neck softly. ]

Did you want me to stay so badly so you could see me in such a state of undress? Oh, Zhongli, you're a perv in this form...

( zhongli proceeds to roll his eyes at him.

but that hand to his neck conjures up another smile. tentative, vulnerable.

he lifts himself up off the bedsheets and presses a warm kiss to the corner of venti’s mouth. )

You’re welcome to sleep with me, in it, if you’d like.

( he can be a little more forward. )

[ The kiss feels new. Different. Paints Zhongli in a glow of warmth that wasn't fearful. Like a kitten with no claws – but he'd never say it. He'd rather not have a meteor ruin this moment. ]

Are you sure? You may take the bed up entirely.

[ There wasn't a no. ]

Then sleep on top of me, Barbatos.

( zhongli lifts a brow at him, palms smoothing up and down his body. he closes his eyes and leans in closer, kissing venti’s lips proper, indulging in the taste of the forbidden, of what he’s wanted for so long. )

[ He can sleep on a tree, but not on his lover, apparently. His nose scrunches at the words – ready to tease before they were reunited with the soft caress they wanted so badly. His hands comb through Zhongli's bangs, pushing them out of his eyes to deepen their kiss, enjoying it for what it was.

Freeing.

When he pulls back, he's left gasping softly: ]

We wouldn't be sleeping.

You’d keep me up all night, sweet wind?

( zhongli’s lips twitch into another smile as he catches his breath. he may be addicted to venti already. it doesn’t sound as illogical or terrifying as it once had. how intriguing.

his fingers drift along venti’s scalp and then his spine repeatedly. )

Maybe. [ Venti says into a sigh, nuzzling into Zhongli's features. He's so handsome, beautiful in ways that he tried his best to not notice in the past. He can't any longer. It's so clear to him. ] I've... never slept on anyone.

[ Not even in a wisp form, when he was so close to the nameless bard... And never any of his toss-away lovers. ]

( zhongli is surprised. but, maybe, he shouldn’t be. his hand shifts to cup at his friend’s cheek. )

Retirement is for new things, as you’ve said.

( trying to be encouraging here. he’s willing to try whatever … this, is. though it’ll be difficult for him not to want to talk about it. he likes clarity when dealing with others, after all. )

I’d … like to sleep beside you, while you’re in Liyue.

[ When his cheek was cupped, he lets a small huff of air escape. It feels... nice. More comfortable than he'd envisioned. There's no denial of Zhongli's words – he himself was the source. They had gone on adventures, shared drinks, and had memories they could treasure.

Before long, the request comes clear. His face lights a hot ember at his cheeks. ]

Do you snore?

[ Venti... ]

Not that I’m aware of.

( oh. that color on venti’s face is rather cute. zhongli admires it for a moment longer before his fingers drift along venti’s side and rub at his lower back. )

If you’d prefer a separate bed, I won’t begrudge you.

[ These damn touches... the bard can't help but shift around a bit anxiously...

A hand goes up to cup his palm over Zhongli's mouth. Silencing him before he cuts him off. ]

Do you... grind your teeth? Nod yes or no.

[ That'll stop him from ruining this!! ]

( he’s really not trying to turn him on again! two orgasms is sufficient for him… for now. for this exact moment. he can’t speak for an hour from now —

he blinks. and then slowly, zhongli shakes his head. that’d be a no. no teeth grinding here. )

[ They'll be the death of one another at this rate. Venti does his best to just focus. His line of questioning all the more clear. With his hand still clamped, he can't ignore how soft Zhongli's lips were... ]

And finally, do you steal the blankets?

( what on earth is this bard doing?

zhongli slowly shakes his head again. also a no. not like he’s slept beside someone in plenty of centuries, but he figures that’s a moot point right now.

he’s very compliant, for once being the god of war. )

[ Finally, Venti relinquishes his hand from against Zhongli's mouth. Pulling back – he just sits properly on Zhongli's lower stomach giving a thumbs up in a cheeky kind of way. ]

...Then I suppose your bed would be best.

[ To clarify: ]

Together. Since your guest bed is horrible.

( why does venti have to be so difficult about this? then again? it’s venti. shouldn’t zhongli know better? )

Not because you’d like to spend the night?

( RUTHLESS REX LAPIS. )

[ Because after centuries of dancing back and forth... of wondering and restraint – they were here. As they were. They still don't talk about what they are or what they wanted.

They were bare, but still so closed off. ]

That may be a motivator... [ And sharply: ] How badly do you want me to spend the night? Right here... rooted in this bed of yours?

( it seems if anyone is going to push for more transparency, it’s going to be zhongli, evidently. not like he minds being the forward one.

his hand squeezes at venti’s hip as his brows furrow. )

You wouldn’t be rooted, persay. But if you didn’t opt to spend the night in here, with me, I would be disappointed.

( not mad, just disappointed. which is worse, venti? )

[ The grip on his hip was forceful enough to sober him up. He chews his bottom lip, lost in a thought... thinking of how far they've come. How they're adapting to this call... ]

You make a compelling argument. A wash of disappointment across a dear friend's face... it would break my heart.

[ He leans down, scooping Zhongli's jawline into his grasp. ]

I'll stay the night with you, Morax.

Nights, Barbatos.

( now who is a demanding god? now that he’s had a taste, maybe he’s a little less reluctant to let things fall between his fingertips. he won’t outright admit that he has feelings so strong for barbatos they dizzy him, not yet, but this much firm kindness he can afford the both of them. )

Nights...

[ He sighs in appreciation, at the thought of many nights passing with Zhongli by his side. The bed had certain done its fair job of keeping him satisfied, but now? Not so much. The promise of Zhongli next to him was different... encouraging... ]

Nights it is, Morax. Many of them.

( zhongli cups venti’s cheek, then, admiring the pretty teal and cyan of his eyes. he’s quiet for a second, simply breathing, before he brushes a gentle kiss to venti’s lips. )

Barbatos, I…

( old man, not knowing how to put any of his feelings into words.

he’s never had to. )

[ Such closeness... he never thought he'd need it. They were happy as friends, weren't they...? Did he miss any cues? Any lingering glances? ...Did Venti ignore his own interest at bothering the Liyue leader during their prime?

He unravels centuries of doubt, but holds them to himself. Would his flirtations truly have been returned if he just pushed... a little more? ]

Sh... I know.

[ How difficult it may be to find the words. Barbatos of all having a time to return a sentiment? Ha! He's left deepening a kiss, letting his hair dance down against Zhongli's features. ]

Do you really?

( he doesn’t mean to push too hard, to question venti. he’s just now understanding what he’s been feeling so strongly over the centuries. a warm ember that’s grown into a wildfire.

zhongli returns the kiss, chasing that high, smoothing his tongue along venti’s lips.

he knows patience is a virtue. but perhaps he’s waited long enough. )

[ The bard had done well not to be burnt. Not since the fall of Old Mondstadt. Not since he kept himself so fleeting that no one could hold him.

But Zhongli did. He keeps him for seemingly a month, but there was something else…

Something that feels longing — perhaps further than he’d like to admit.

When he pries his lips away, his forehead pressed to Zhongli with a huff. ]

Use your words, Zhongli.

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