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Zhongli had been known by many names across the vast expanse of his life. Unfortunately, the God of Subtlety was not one of them.
So when he began questioning Venti about an extravagant date, his lover was instantly suspicious. “If you could imagine the ideal outing, where would it be? Liyue, Mondstadt?” Zhongli asked. “Or if you’d rather travel, we could venture to Sumeru? A change of scenery does sound lovely.”
“Just what are you on about?” Venti arched an eyebrow. “You don’t usually think too much into going out.”
“I’m merely suggesting we do something different. When you’re 6,000 years old, you tend to have seen just about everything you can in your native and neighboring lands.”
Venti hummed, tilting his head in thought. “I suppose that is true. I can’t imagine what it must be like, being old as you and old. How tragic.”
Zhongli cleared his throat. “Surely there’s at least one nook or cranny of Mondstadt that I have yet to see.”
“Hmm, I’m sure I’ll think of something! Those off the beaten path locations don’t have booze, though…”
A fond sigh. “All right, somewhere with alcohol then. As you wish. I don’t mind going to an old habit if you don’t.”
“So flexible! I love that in a man.” Venti winked. “Oh! I don’t believe you’ve ever been to Dawn Winery? I can’t believe I haven’t taken you there yet!” He paused. “Well, to be fair, the man who runs the place plays hard to get sometimes. But at least I don’t have to go through a middleman once I charm him enough.”
Zhongli folded his arms. “Really now? Is this man someone I should worry about?”
“No no, it’s not like that!” Venti waved his arms, realizing how bad that must have sounded.
Zhongli just chuckled and softly squished Venti’s cheeks, making the bard pout and blush. “Oh no, now I’ve absolutely got to meet him. Just to be safe, hm? I suppose I’ve still got a few hearts to break from your past. Tragic.”
“Stop it, you jealous old man!” Venti laughed and swooped in to steal a kiss, Zhongli happily allowing himself to be silenced.
~~~
"This is the last one, Xiao...surely this is at least presentable?"
Zhongli emerged from his dressing room, looking like a fine gentleman from Mondstadt. He wore a white vest and golden tie with a pale teal dress shirt that covered his arms, gray pants, and light brown dress shoes that matched the messenger boy hat atop his head.
Xiao studied him, his eyes narrowing, arms folding. After a moment of awkward silence, his expression softened, and the faintest of snickers could be heard.
The hat fell over Zhongli's eyes, and he waved a hand as he departed with a sigh. "I do so appreciate your input. Take care."
~~~
On the day of their rendezvous, Zhongli had told Venti to go ahead to the winery, he'd meet him there shortly. He fussed over every detail of his appearance: his hair, his outfit, even his usual red eyeshadow had to be absolutely perfect.
Studying himself in the mirror, he decided this would have to do lest he keep Venti waiting. He clutched an object in his hands before tucking it into his pocket and departing.
Thankfully, Venti seemed a bit more appreciative of his effort.
A pair of maids greeted him upon reaching the Winery, and he was instantly impressed by the atmosphere and aesthetic of the establishment. Classy, quiet. Perhaps this was the perfect place after all. It looked like they were the only patrons tonight as well.
Venti turned around upon hearing someone enter, not recognizing his lover at first. When he did, his eyes lit up, and one might swear the ends of his hair did as well. "What's all this, then? You've finally created your own ensemble worthy of Mondstadt. It was certainly well worth the wait!"
Venti not so subtly gave Zhongli a once over, looking quite pleased with what he saw. The outfit was modest yet refined, perfectly fitted to the curves of his body.
"Ah, so your guardian did come," Diluc said, glancing back from polishing some glasses. "He probably needs a drink more than you do."
Zhongli laughed good-humoredly. "You have no idea."
Venti puffed his cheeks out and stomped his feet. "Hey! Two against one isn't fair!"
He watched dumbfounded as the two shook hands.
"Zhongli."
"Diluc."
"A pleasure."
Zhongli sat down to join Venti, who was so adorably fuming. "What happened to scoping out the 'competition'?!" he whispered.
"Darling, I just did and he's not. Definitely a kindred spirit, though."
Venti whined, and Zhongli just chuckled and kissed his cheek. "Hmph. I'll forgive you if you get two Death After Noons for us."
"This is some strong, unique concoction that's going to have me carrying you home, isn't it?"
"We can only hope!"
Diluc sighed and began pouring the drinks. "Only because he's here to chaperone you."
Venti's eyes lit up with glee, sparkling as the concoction was set before them. "I should warn you, this is one of the strongest drinks in Mondstadt," he said as he clinked his glass against his lover's.
Zhongli couldn't help but laugh. "Just wine? I'm certain it won't be as strong as those in Liyue, but I'm sure I will enjoy it nonetheless."
They both took a sip, and Diluc had a feeling he would regret this.
~~~
Three Death After Noons in for each, and Diluc was absolutely regretting this. Venti was flushed and a bit wobbly, but Zhongli was draped over Venti's shoulders, beside himself with laughter at every little thing.
Even Venti was baffled. "He had more drinks than this at the Lantern Rite, I swear!"
"Seems he underestimated Mondstadt's brewing secrets. Either way, you're both cut off."
Venti pouted, sighing as Zhongli burst out giggling again. "Fair enough." He gently nudged him, attempting to sit him back up straight. "Come on, love, ease up."
Zhongli blinked, staring at Venti stupidly. "Wha?"
"I said, come on love--"
"What? You told me you love me? When?” Zhongli sputtered before keeling over in stitches.
Venti just stared at him. "What?"
Diluc pinched the bridge of his nose. "It was such a nice, quiet night…"
"I don't think I've hic ever once heard you say 'I love you!' Haha! Too many poems, it makes my head spin!"
A shadow fell over Venti's face, and Diluc inhaled before stepping from behind the bar. "You two. Upstairs. Sober up, then please show yourselves out.”
Venti grunt and made a rare display of his strength as he effortlessly hoisted Zhongli up over his shoulder and carried him upstairs, but not before muttering a request to Diluc.
~~~
Zhongli awoke in a haze, staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling.
Venti sat with his back facing him, hunched over. "Your sobering tea is almost done."
The events of the night came flooding back to him, and Zhongli sat up a bit too quickly for his reeling head. "Venti, I--"
Venti shoved a cup at him none too carefully. "Don't burn yourself," he muttered, rather contrary to the gesture.
Zhongli stared vacantly at the pale liquid, hesitating to bring it to his lips. A surge of discomfort throbbed in his head. “I didn’t mean--”
“Is the way I express my affection truly such a vexation to you?” Venti’s lower lip quivered. “You may find it amusing, but to me, it is all still so new. So this is all I can do.”
Zhongli felt his heart drop to his stomach. He brought the cup to his lips and drained its contents, setting it down with a hard clank .
“That’s not what I--”
“Out of a drunkard’s mouth speaks the heart’s abundance, and from what I gather, all you hear is empty redundance.” Venti bit his lip, his shoulders shaking.
Zhongli grunt in frustration, and in an instant, he was kneeling on one knee. He fumbled in his vest pocket before producing the velvet box and thrusting it out towards Venti.
Venti’s eyes went wide, his heart stilled in his chest. His lips slowly dropped, gaping in disbelief. “Zhongli…is that…?”
Earnest amber met glimmering jade. Zhongli opened the box to reveal a brilliant ring made of anemo crystal fly and cor lapis.
“Lord Barbatos of the Four Winds...Venti of Mondstadt. Will you do me the ultimate honor of marrying me?”
Tears welled up in Venti’s eyes, and the wind blew down the mountain as he pounced onto Zhongli. “You idiot! You hopeless, blockheaded buffon!” He sniffled and grinned bright as the sun on a cloudless day. “Of course I will! Yes, yes, yes!”
Words soon lost their meaning all together as they dissolved into a pile of kisses and cuddles, their little spat more than reconciled.
Diluc peeked upstairs and twitched. “Congratulations. Can you two please leave now?”
Venti just smiled and nuzzled his now fiance. "I love you, Zhongli."
"I love you too, Venti."