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

awww yeah. dead rex lapis is the best host

[windblume]

[ A roof over one's head was the greatest gift someone could be given. Venti, as much as he had drank last night, was no stranger to finding refuge in the homes of others. Despite his lackluster show of manners in bars and taverns, he is quite a good guest.

After falling asleep lazily with his corset undone and shirt loosely draped against his frame. He hadn't decided to dig for any spare clothes, if there was any, and instead found himself just – gone. He had entered a fit of exhaustion staying up so late with Zhongli but he wouldn't trade it for anything. Sleep would rejuvenate him – he, of all people, would know.

Snoring, face plastered and braids loosely undone to his face. Venti dreams of fireworks, dreams of chilled wine on his tongue, and... of Zhongli. It had been a pleasant dream, one that makes the dumb boy glow in his sleep but all good things come to an end. He wakes up a little after Zhongli, makes his bed and groggily drags his corset to the floor like some damn child does a blanket. ]

Zhongli?

[ He calls out, following the smell that wafts through the air. Venti sees his host and he gives a half-hearted wave followed by a yawn. ]

Please don't tell me it's past noon. I tried to get up when I heard the birds singing but... the bed was far too convincing to get me to stay.