brokebitchmountain | IC INBOX

hey you old blockhead
you still owe me some real wine after last time!
come over and bring me some?♥

-venti

[ Zhongli doesn't actually respond to Venti's message, at all. There's a certain unwillingness in his overall mood that the message goes completely ignored.

After what happened between himself and Childe even after what he and Venti had done...well to say Zhongli was in a bad mood would be an understatement. He does hate how powerless he seemingly was while cursed and even though he's apologized to Childe it still doesn't feel enough. But Venti asking for a drink...it annoys him to some degree and yet he finds himself outside the other archon's home, bottle in hand, as he finally replies to that text. ]

I'm outside. Open up. Why did you not go out and get it yourself? [ He's totally annoyed!! ]

[ Zhongli....................

At first, Venti thinks that Zhongli got his message and decided to ignore it. That wouldn't be out of the ordinary. It's possible Zhongli didn't even know how to use his device, or wasn't sure how to respond to the message. For a moment he entertains the fantasy of Zhongli trying to talk to the device in order to get it to send his reply...and then he actually gets one!

It's so on-brand for Zhongli it hurts though, geez. Even if he's feeling a little down in the dumps, Venti can't help but snort as he reads the message and moves to open his door, smiling up at Zhongli in weary disbelief. ]

You know, most people would've just knocked instead of sending a message...

[ The weariness is visible on Zhongli's features as well. After what happened with Childe...perhaps getting out of the house was for the best. In some ways visiting Venti is a nice reprieve from the anger and frustration he feels at having fallen victim to this place's nonsense once again.

His jaw tightens as he looks away before he calms himself and just...sighs. ]

I had taken some time to respond and therefore had not known of your current state. I felt it best to do both...

[ The subtle tension in Zhongli's form isn't hard to pick up on. He tends to hide his emotions well, but if there's one thing Venti's managed to pick up on after over two thousand years, it's when Zhongli isn't quite feeling himself. It doesn't look like he's angry or annoyed, that's always the most obvious. It's just...the tension. Venti feels it too, a writhing sort of creature inside himself that tries to thrash and fill his inside with doubt and regret.

Venti gives a shake of his head and takes a step back to let Zhongli in, sighing with false dramatics. ]

That's so like you... Come on in, you old blockhead. Did you bring my wine?

It is here as you requested. [ Though he doesn't retort to the blockhead comment, almost as if he's too tired to even do so. He'll enter the apartment silently before the tension in his shoulders breaks a little. ]

Do you remember what has happened?

[ ...Ah. Well, Venti couldn't honestly say he expected Zhongli to beat around the bush about things. He's always been direct like that, never one to preamble or skirt around an issue. All Venti can do is try his best not to freeze up as the door latches closed, fingers curled around the handle. ]

...I remember enough.

[ it doesn't matter if things are blurry; there's more than enough for him to get a sense of what transpired. It wasn't just Aether he attacked; he owes a few people apologies. ]

[ Zhongli is silent as he keeps walking into the apartment. But he does pause as his own grip on that wine bottle tightens enough to make his gloves creak. ]

It was not our fault for what had happened.

[ Even though he himself finds it hard to come to terms with what happened as well. ] Though I am sure I do not need to tell you this.

What, are you trying to cheer me up?

[ The laugh Venti makes is too tense to be as carefree as he's trying to sound. He squeezes the handle hard, but then whirls around quickly with his hands held behind his back. He walks ahead of Zhongli, plastering a smile across his features that doesn't quite reach his eyes--and for that reason, he tries to keep his back to the other. ]

I know that... It's not as if we could control it. We were... We were affected, you know? No sense dwelling on it.

In a way, perhaps I am also trying to cheer myself up as well.

[ Venti was one of the nicer archons, never one to really defer to violence, so he knows how hard it must be on him. That's why he'll drag the other into a warm embrace, amber eyes looking down at him with some concern. ]

There is no sense in doing so. But we will do so regardless. It is not in our nature to act in such a manner. Dwelling upon it especially when we have hurt...the ones we care for, it is not so simple as just forgetting it.

[ For all that he may be stoic and unmovable at times, Zhongli is unfailingly kind. It's not the impression Venti had of him in their first meeting, but he's come to see it in the tender gestures his fellow Archon makes.

The hugs draws him in and Venti is able to bury his face in the front of Zhongli's shirt, hiding the conflict and guilt that wracks his expression despite his best efforts to smother it. Like this, he can hide the subtle tremble of his hands as he curls them into fists against Zhongli's jacket. His voice is muffled so that when he next speaks, the warble in it is only just audible.

Zhongli truly is considerate. Calling him the War God always seemed like a disservice, and never more than in this very instant.

Venti buries his face against the other Archon and tries not to inhale sharply. He fails. ]

It's almost worse that I don't remember some of it at all.

[ The words come out a whisper, no more than a mere ghost. He clings tighter and keeps his face pressed to the other's front. ]

[ Zhongli knows what it feels like to hurt the ones you care for and dare he say...love? It's a strange and unfamiliar term for him to use but he's getting better at actually categorizing his emotions and thoughts on others. He blinks at the suddenness of Venti burying his face against his chest and Zhongli's frown deepens ever so slightly again.

He'll place the wine bottle on the countertop as he gently pulls Venti away from his front momentarily. ]

I do know that Childe does not fault either of us for what we did.

[ Though Zhongli's jaw tightens ever so slightly upon saying the other man's name. ] But we have fared through a great deal you and I. Something like this will not bring us down to our knees so easily. Having each other to help bear and hold the burden together does also help. So you must not let the strange machinations of this place sully your upbeat and otherwise optimistic behavior.

[ Seeing Venti like this is strange, for sure, he doesn't exactly like it either. That bubbly, loud, and optimistic bard being replaced by a downtrodden, sad, and guilty being is not something he enjoys seeing. He'll gently lean in to place a light kiss atop the other's head, before grabbing that bottle again. While he's not exactly one for drinking Zhongli can see that it's something they both need right now. ]

Where are your glasses, I will pour us a cup while you sit and rest.

Edited 2021-11-29 04:57 (UTC)

...Cupboard on the right, bottom shelf.

[ All the better for him to reach it while sloshed (and on account of his own shortness), but his usual quip about their location doesn't make it any farther than the thought.

The one saving grace is that although a smile is nowhere to be found on his face right now--in fact, he tries to keep it hidden by turning his chin downward--there are, at least, no remnants of any tears within his eyes. Zhongli's jacket has saved him that trouble. He should offer to clean it later, he thinks. ]

[ Zhongli regards the other momentarily before silently nodding and going to get the cups from their place in the cupboard. He'll take them and place them on the kitchen table before sighing and placing the bottle of wine next to them.

Simple things like this are often needed in healing so he will open it and pour a glass for Venti, offering it to him through the silence. ]

[ Venti accepts the gesture in the spirit it was offered, but for once in his life, doesn't immediately drink from it. In a rare change of pace, he doesn't feel like drinking. For him, it's something to enjoy and to celebrate with. He's doing neither right now.

As he stares into his glass, Venti asks quietly: ]

How is your Fatui Harbinger doing? Is he okay...?

Ah. [ Childe, right, it was a bit of a mess between them recently wasn't it? But Zhongli doesn't falter as he sits down next to Venti and takes a sip of his glass. ]

Childe will be fine. It takes quite a bit to keep that rascal down for any duration of time. You need not worry about him. I have...taken care of whatever manna was drained from him from us both.

[ Though there's something being unsaid that's easy to see in Zhongli's eyes; he does sigh and lean back against the couch as he takes another small sip of his wine. ]

[ It's not hard to catch. Venti is used to Zhongli's intricacies (for as much as he makes fun of them), and he gives a hum of understanding before he moves to take a seat next to Zhongli on the couch. ]

He does seem to be a lively one.

[ a pause ]

Have things changed between you two since?

Changed...perhaps something has. I...I am not sure what exactly to think or feel at the moment. I have been keeping my distance for the time being.

[ Though he too now ruminates as he stares into his own wine glass. ]

I'm unsure if that is the right thing to do. But I wish to give Childe his space.

[ It's hard to know when to give space and when to occupy it in general, and for someone like Zhongli... Venti has no doubts that the task is nigh-insurmountable. He lets out a quiet breath and nods. ]

Have you thought of asking him what he wants?

I am...not sure if that is wise at the moment. I am uncertain as to what that might do. [ He doesn't exactly want to force his way into such matters. ]

Humans and their wants have never been so simple and confusing to define before. [ Zhongli has been and always will be very to the point. It's when things get vague that he has a hard time really understanding it all. ]

I am not sure that I can...give him what he truly wants.

Ah, so you know what it is he wants from you?

[ That's...surprising. Venti's got a bit of an idea (hint: it's an Unhealthy Obsession^TM), but that Zhongli does as well is impressive. Usually that sort of thing is the furthest thought from his mind--the last thing that would ever occur to him.

The situation might not exactly be ideal, but he's glad for it all the same. Who knew all it would take to crack that hard head of his would be a battle-maniac with a jealous streak ]

[ Zhongli sighs as he ponders for a moment before he looks back at his fellow archon. ] I do have an inclination of sorts, yes. But I am unused to such when it comes to humans, never mind that our lifespans are much different than those of humans.

[ What Childe seeks from him...he's not exactly sure if such a thing is possible. ] A god and a mortal...such relationships are destined to fail are they not?

It's not exactly ideal, no...

[ Even friends are hard to keep when one lives such a long life. The Nameless Bard, Vanessa, even Andrius.

Venti fixes Zhongli with a sympathetic crook of his lips, setting his glass aside on the nearby side-table so that he can draw one knee up and rest his head atop it. ]

It's easier when it isn't a human. But...

[ it's always a human....except when it's guizhong i guess ]

But there are some things that one cannot help but feel towards them.

[ Zhongli mutters as he places a hand against his chin. ]

I have never had such feelings towards a human before, a bit strange, but it's not exactly...unwelcome. I do not know exactly what to do in terms of them, however.

[ The confession brings the first glimpses of true warmth into Venti's expression since the other's arrival. There's sadness too, yes, but seeing Zhongli like this and the topic they're discussing makes it impossible for him not to think back on his own beloved humans and the Nameless Bard he once knew.

That love has never truly petered out. Venti's physical form is testament to that. ]

That sounds like something you'll need to figure out together. They do say that communication is the foundation of any relationship. Even for friends.

[ Venti threads his fingers together over his ankle. ]

Perhaps you should consider speaking to him on the matter.

IC INBOX - NOCTIUM

text - post we-boinked-childe's-brain-out-but-also-ate-him-a-little

shh he doesn't want to talk about it ):

))))':

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