zhongli ☄️ morax (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
geophysics) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
primos2022-01-23 09:02 pm
geophysics) wrote in 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. )
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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he finishes up and then brushes his fingers through venti’s bangs. )
Yes, you’re right. ( and gentler ) I hope it stays that way for a good while.
( romantic. )
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He doesn't walk the same path as Zhongli nor does he feel the exact pain or discomfort he has. The ghosts of loneliness don't plague him in the same way it does for someone who has a lonely home. Venti closes his eyes a bit, breathing in the scent and just... reflecting on what they were certainly wrapping themselves in.
An affair that went beyond centuries of their obliviousness or their own hesitance. ]
A good while? Like a few minutes? [ He teases, tilting to stand on his tip-toes. ] A few hours...? A few days? Weeks? Months? Y–
[ Sorry, he'll keep going!? ]
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( zhongli cups venti’s cheek and breathes it softly to his lips, against his mouth. his eyes stare at that beautiful face and he feels so certain of it, in that moment, looking at those eyes. )
You’ll always have a place to rest here, to come to, in this life and all the next to come. I can promise you that easily, Barbatos.
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[ He hums a bit, smirking as they find themselves close. Exploring. Teasing something that rivals a young love.
Nothing but pure infatuation caused from their stupid, oblivious past. How many signs had there been? Venti will take that thought to bed tonight, but now... ]
I wasn't aware Morax had a way with words. You're giving me competition. [ But – his nose nuzzles right against Zhongli's with a soft sigh. ] Are you sure you won't tire of me? What if I dump wine on that pretty head of yours? Forge your signature for a loan? Many.. many things brewing in my mind, you know...
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( a low rumble of a purr, no doubt. he nips playfully at the corner of venti’s lips, swipes his thumb along his cheekbone under his eye.
he’s genuinely upset with himself for not having anything they can use as lube here. god damnit. he wants to claim this wind spirit so badly. )
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[ It's intimate, it's sincere – the soft sigh dances against Zhongli's lips when he shows this newfound affection and it's not without Venti leading. He's getting frustrated, getting needy – but it takes all of his strength to be reasonable. For someone as whimsical as the wisp...? It took a lot.
The air escapes his lungs, a tremble that feels like a song on its own. ]
The longer we linger, the more likely... Liyue will become an afterthought... ehe.
[ And they'll both be in trouble. ]