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#15360511)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
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. ]
windblume: (venti026)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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... ]
windblume: (venti03)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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!! ]
windblume: (venti051)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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?
windblume: (venti04)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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.
windblume: (venti43)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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?
windblume: (ventinew14)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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.
windblume: (ventinew17)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-03 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
windblume: (pic#15190735)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-04 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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. ]
windblume: (Default)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-04 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ 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.
windblume: (venti02)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-04 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ Venti, at his root, can be selfish. Perhaps hearing Zhongli speak – to expand his inner thoughts – would help encourage his own. He had been so sure that he lost Morax and that fear still settles with him. ]

So you're telling me... you aren't Liyue's most eligible bachelor? I don't know... the way the shopkeeps have looked at you...

[ He deflects a serious declaration with his jest – and he sobers up almost immediately. Why does he always do that..? A hand comes up, clutching his neck, holding onto him softly. ]

We haven't... even done much. Yet, I mean. [ Sly with his words, he's honest. ] Do you want to, ahaha.. ...see where the wind takes us?

[ He's not exactly sure how to word anything, lost in a haze of interest that he feels embarrassed to pursue now after so long. ]
windblume: (venti056)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-07 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ The conversation was a fresh wound, in a sense. Their losses, while centuries old, still toes into unfamiliar territories. They had loved and lost. They have sacrificed lives filled with companionship with duty and freedom.

When Zhongli speaks, Venti gulps. ]


How can it be casual if it's new? This... ha, whatever we are right now... It wasn't what we started with when I arrived.

[ What changed? He's a fool for thinking something had – beyond their own courage to seek for more. ]

It's a little exciting, isn't it?
windblume: (ventinew17)

[personal profile] windblume 2022-02-07 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not wrong. [ He thinks he can get off easy. To be fleeting and slip between the cracks of this newly built foundation. It'd be cruel to ignore it, but Venti looks down to Zhongli and thinks of what the people of Liyue saw – of a dead Rex Lapis.

It was only after having experienced the fear of losing him did things begin to click.

He gulps at the lingering uncertainty, but the tenderness he shows ushers him away from olden times. Venti works best working towards a future while honoring the past, after all. ]


You? Plain? If you believe you're capable... [ But, Venti as impulsive. He can't just wait for an answer – ] It doesn't matter... whatever you want, I think... hm. I'm fairly certain I want it too, Zhongli.

he deserves it

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