[closed] @meteorder | borders

[windblume]

[ Mondstadt's winds carry far, traveling the world during times of rebellion and growth. Once freed, once able – they carry secrets and stories back to the free nation in Teyvat. Through the time after the Archon War, many things remain the same. Travelers began to fill the roads, trades resumed and the nations of Liyue and Mondstadt had a somewhat calm connection.

The sun was particularly strong today, even as Barbatos sails on a slow breeze past Dragonspine. His wings sprawled out, tingling with the warmth, was nothing compared to the kiss of heat his bare back and stomach felt. Lazy as he was, he floats through behind schedule with a leisurely stride. Akin to literally laying in some lazy river and being carried – Barbatos makes no effort to rush his trip to Liyue's Stone Gate. Only a small basket dangles from his hand – a gift to an old ally.

Did he take a nap on the way?

Possibly.

But, as the smell of sunsiettas grow less notable, he smells more earthiness. He's in Liyue by the time he rolls into a normal flying posture, descending from the heavens to his destination. If all goes well, Morax won't have a meteor ready for him. Despite how good it was to travel, he knows the nature was not merely recreational.

Archons still had responsibility, even if Barbatos was in the mind to help guide (not lead) his people. So, he arrives fashionably late – what else was new? ]

Comments

[meteorder]

[ just as Morax closes his eyes to try and relax, Barbatos starts chirping again and making demands of his attention with wildly inaccurate insinuations. one golden eye opens in a thin slit, dark eyebrows drown down to consider him with a slight annoyance. ]

I'm not known for lying.

[ there's a firm, flat tone to his voice.

perhaps they don't know each other as well as they should – or perhaps, which is most likely closer to the truth, Barbatos is learning just how to push against his boundaries. ]

Rest will be difficult if you keep talking.

[windblume]

You're also not known for sitting still with the Archon from Mondstadt, yet here you are. Within arm's reach.

[ There's something sly, whimsical about it. For as truthful as it was, there's a light jab to his words. It bounces nicely on the way Morax responds – but settles when he seems insistent on not resting if there's conversation. ]

Fine. Not a peep, then.

[ For his lips tighten, neck rolls back and the wind carries a pleasant breeze soon after. It brushes to their frames – moves the fabrics of their clothes, tussles their hair... and truthfully, kisses against their skin. It's calming, satisfying, and all encompassing.

Barbatos says nothing. The hawks in the distance cry out, the sound of trees moving back and forth with swaying branches – it was beautiful. He knows it is.

However, five minutes of silence was all he can offer. ]

Are you rested, yet?

[meteorder]

[ Barbatos sounds like he has something in mind, and that makes him ... well, it should make him wary, and it does, but it's also curious. is he so easily manipulated by Mondstadt's Archon?

in fact, the entire time he's quiet he's not really paying attention to the nature at all, but instead thinking about what kind of trickery Barbatos may be planning. finally, when he feels a small vibration of the earth, he begins to relax.

and then ]

Are you finding joy in this?

[ enjoying this – Barbatos has to be enjoying this.

both dark brows draw down, his eyes open and he looks a artfully tousled. ]

[windblume]

Joy in your company, you mean?

[ His tongue is sharp and his words show little restraint. As much as he insists on rest, there is something about 'playtime' that always seems to catch his interest. Trickery and mischief, imagination comes to play and creates something... fun.

...For him, anyway. ]

Are you not relaxed in my presence? When I am still and stable?

[ Then... he poses a challenge: ]

Some people relax better when they're resting against one another. I saw two on the cliff in Mondstadt, one fallen asleep against the other's arm. And another in the fields of Windrise, with their head in the lap of their companion as they stared up at the clouds.

[meteorder]

[ at a time like this, he can't fathom how Barbatos can have fun, but in the same vein can't help but be pulled into it. it's as innerving as it is very grudgingly refreshing.

Morax watches Barbatos with a hint of obvious wariness, as if his lap may contain snake that could bite him at any moment. ]

What you're suggesting is that you'd have my head in your lap.

[ just to be clear here.

well, he doesn't seem to oppose the idea. ]

[windblume]

[ If one can live a simple life, even a breeze can be entertainment. This is what this moment was: simple. Barbatos didn't need to do anything but... be. Nothing called to him but the companion he had here.

Curiously, his suggestion was welcomed with a gut-punch of a too plain explanation. ]

Y-You don't have to make it sound like that!?

[meteorder]

[ there's a brief thought of what does he want from me? before he sighs and relents. Barbatos doesn't have much time to prepare, because Morax is already shifting far too gracefully around in the folds of his robes, arranging himself from one stone statue to the next. ]

You should say what you want. I cannot properly weigh my response otherwise.

[ it's a low, silly gruff little complaint that feels like it may give him more control than he feels he has. Morax is surprisingly gentle upon his descent, resting the back of his hooded head in the scoop between Venti's thighs. if there's discomfort, it doesn't look like it bothers him, he's just

contemplative.

this is new, not unwelcome, but certainly something he never saw himself doing. ]

[windblume]

[ What does he want from me? To sit here silently for hours?

They both were at a crossroads. He enjoys lounging and lazing around... but he also enjoys company. The sound of his voice was a comfort he'd readily fly to Liyue for – though he'd try to hide it best he could. Morax was fascinating and the wisp had much of the world to learn about. What better way than his neighbor? ]

I say what I want plenty, you just usually do not indulge or –

[ It happens quickly. Morax moves and both of Venti's hands hover up as if unsure what to do. This wasn't like the mortals but... ]

Your hood.

[ He can't deny it was a different look and makes him just... smile? It tugs at his lips, a warmth that was new as well as terrifying. ]

[meteorder]

[ Morax settles easily and without much extra movement. a breath goes from his lips and out his nose audibly as his body gets heavier. he rests his hands over his chest, weaving golden fingers together as if he were lying in a coffin.

he even closes his eyes for a good measure. ]

What about my hood?

[ even now he still looks like he's a little stony. it's almost admirable. ]

[windblume]

It needs to be pulled all the way back.

[ It didn't need to be. There was no rules, no indication that he had to. But, with Zhongli laying upon his thighs, Venti is left huffing with his own inability to settle his hands.

He still looks a bit more uncomfortable than he'd like. ]

It'll help you... ah, relax more?

[meteorder]

[ Morax's first instinct is to refute it, to say that it doesn't matter how his hood is worn in all efforts to relax, but he certainly knows that Barbatos will turn it into something else, and he thinks better of it. so, he lifts his head just enough to shake his hood free, resting himself back on the warm gap between Barbatos' thighs.

while Morax doesn't fidget, he does shift back and forth with purpose – until the curve behind his head is resting right on the bump of Barbatos' leg. there are gold eyes that close just briefly, but opening again to look up at him shamelessly. ]

Is this what you want?

[ it's hard to tell if he's trying to sate Barbatos, or if it's an accusation, but still, he's there, and he's resting to some extent. ]

IGNORE THAT I USED VENTI AND ZHONGLI IN THE LAST TAGS....

[windblume]

Perhaps.

[ Barbatos may love freedom, but he loves choice as well. He makes a soft plea, one more of a suggestion and holds that the Geo would oblige him. As he does, with his head rested down – one hand tentatively slowly lowers to the crown of Morax's head. Fingers resting, but not distracting, as his gaze tilts to the sky. Those wings curl around, the tips of one of his wings resting at one of Morax's ribs.

It feels like they settled together now, two pieces of a puzzle that barely fit.

And here. Morax gets his silence after a satisfied sigh. All they have to do is bask in the sun and gentle wind. ]

HONEST I DIDNT EVEN NOTICE

[meteorder]

[ perhaps he says, as if that word has any finality to it. Barbatos is already relaxing when the skeptic look passes Morax's face, but he leaves it as it is.

a breath draws in through his nose, and then out his lips. the tension in his shoulders begin to drain, and his body gets a heavy. he would think that this wasn't so bad, if he was stubborn enough to admit it. even Barbatos' hand holds an odd kind of comfort – Morax was not a friendly god, and he inspired loyalty, but consolation.

he would say that Barbatos was soft, but not as an insult, but as a curious term so opposite his own nature. it's the last think that he thinks about before he finds himself dozing, as much as he can, to the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. his body, stiff and tense with war, feels more drained than he remembers it when his muscles unravel.

it's an odd thing to be unused to. ]

[windblume]

[ Barbatos wished he could shield this moment away from the rest of the world. Nature witnesses two Archons at a compromise, one that does satisfy Barbatos more than words could explain. Sadly, it also plants seeds he cannot harvest. Never his specialty, why would that change now?

He is kind in these moments. To let the idle twitch of his fingers - so slight it barely moves a stray bit of his hair – comfort Morax beyond the way he may ever ask for.

Barbatos' wings settle defensively around both of them as he just ...is.

There is nothing else they needed to be but in this moment. With his own eyes shut, his hand grows less tense and perhaps Morax can feel that.

Eventually, there will be a snore, so... ]