Chapter Text
When Venti awoke from his long slumber, all he could think about was the throbbing pain in his head and the dull ache that permeated every muscle. He drew a hand to his forehead, squinting into the vast darkness of…wherever he was. What was he doing before he fell asleep? Who had he been with? Where was he now? Questions such as these swirled through his head, but as of right now, his memories didn’t hold any answers.
He flinched when the door slowly creaked open, letting in a sliver of blinding light. Venti squeezed his eyes shut, as even the faint beam that illuminated the room was too much for him at the moment. Above him, he heard a familiar voice let out a sigh of relief.
“Barbatos, I see you are finally awake.” The voice was laced with fondness that sparked a pang of guilt in Venti’s chest.
Now he remembered what happened. Venti grit his teeth as he recalled La Signora ambushing him and the traveler, ripping out one of his organs, and kicking him on the steps of his own church. He shook his head in a feeble attempt to clear his mind. “What happened, Morax? How did you find me?”
Venti flinched again as a dark, geo-infused hand brushed up against his cheek. “You were injured, my love. But I carried you to safety and ensured the traveler’s safety, as well. There’s no need to fret.”
Venti pushed away Zhongli’s hand, letting out an agitated sigh. “You didn’t answer that second question.”
“I’ve simply been watching over you as I do my own people. I get bored in between Rite of Decensions. Some of us are unable to take lengthy naps in between visits.” Zhongli’s words were pointed, and gave no room for Venti to smooth talk his way out.
Venti released a defeated sigh. “I’m sorry, Morax. I should have told you. I was just feeling so overwhelmed. But thank you. I’ll get out of your hair now.” He propped himself up on the large plush bed, and started crawling his way out, ignoring the stabbing pain in his head. He froze when Zhongli firmly took hold of his arm.
His old friend’s stern expression was illuminated by the light of the candle in his hand, and he was relentless in his grip. “You are still injured, Barbatos. I cannot allow you to leave until you are fully healed.”
Venti let out a huff, and slumped back into the bed. “You’re so uptight, Morax. I’m fine! Just let me heal at a statue!” Even raising his voice sent a shooting pain through his neck, and he struggled to keep himself from wincing.
Zhongli gave him a quizzical look, before pressing him down into the bed. “You are not fine. You will only need to rest for a little while longer, so lay back down.”
Venti groaned, but he didn’t attempt to struggle. “If you say so, crazy old man. But I was planning on sending the traveler to Liyue” he grumbled, half expecting Zhongli to throw a rock at him in retaliation.
Zhongli only let out a warm chuckle, and stroked Venti’s forehead. “I’m sure the wind will lead them in the right direction.”
Something felt… off. Zhongli had never been this outwardly affectionate with Venti. Instead, he typically preferred treating him as an unwanted pest that barged into his home from time to time. Sure, they had had their fair share of intimate moments, clinging to each others’ skin in the dead of night the way mortals do, but there was no emotion to it. No real attachment.
Right?
Venti couldn’t help but shift away from Zhongli’s touch. “What happened to you? The Morax I know would’ve already made me face ‘the wrath of the rock’ by now!”
Zhongli cocked his head in confusion. “ What do you mean, Barbatos? I’m the same as I always have been. If I see a beautiful treasure, I wish to cherish and protect it.” He sealed this thought with a soft kiss to Venti’s forehead.
That’s when Venti knew something wasn’t right.
Something had happened to Morax.