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If someone were to ask Barbatos, he would say that Morax is the most beautiful person he knows.
Some might say that he is biased because they are close friends. Knowing Morax on a personal level for centuries on end has scratched away any pretence they might have around each other, leaving nothing but the bare surface for him to see. He knows Morax in and out, from the darkest secrets buried deep within him to his favorite flower and song. So yes, he admits that saying there isn't a bias within him would be wrong.
But then again, isn't knowing Morax in and out exactly what makes him unbiased? He bases his judgement of beauty not on shallow looks or public appearance, but precisely on those dark secrets and the Glaze Lily flowers he likes. Morax' beauty is a combination of all the good and bad things he knows about him. Without all those things, he wouldn't be Morax, and Barbatos would not know him at all.
To love an Archon… it was a truly wondrous thing. Though there was no time or space for them to be more than companions, Barbatos was happy to be his friend. He did not need to confess his love to his beloved, for he could write it into songs, and share his feelings through ballads left unsung. There was a stack of torn-up papers stacked away in a locked drawer in his tiny Mondstadt home, containing every word he'd ever put on paper about his fellow Archon. Only he had the key to open said drawer, and it was locked away inside his fingertips. Every few weeks, he opened said drawer by strumming his lyre's strings, and placed another song on top of the evergrowing collection.
How silly of him, to love an Archon. Love amongst the Archons was strictly forbidden, as it was a sin. Being loyal to anyone or anything other than your own people was considered the highest form of betrayal. As the Anemo Archon, his duty was to protect his people and build a thriving community, not to swoon over the Geo Archon's every move.
But how could he help himself, when Morax looked at him like that? When he raised a bottle of dandelion wine in Barbatos' direction, tender lips curled into an even tender smile? When his soft hair curled around his chin and danced in the wind created by Barbatos himself? With dark eyes, dark hair and freckled skin, he was the embodiment of beauty to poor Barbatos, who could only appreciate from afar.
Yes, Morax is undoubtedly the most beautiful person he knows. Barbatos loved him in every era and form, as they adapted to change and fit themselves into modern life. When he shed his wings and took on the identity of Venti the bard, he was able to visit his neighbouring country more often, and said freedom only enhanced his feelings for the Geo Archon. Though Morax spent much time dealing with his duties as an Archon, he always made time for Venti. He would bring wine from his homeland, and they'd spend afternoons and evenings sipping from golden glasses and discussing their past and future.
Morax, always the more serious of the two, would think of Liyue Harbor and how it would prosper in the future. Venti could only lie; after all, how could he ever admit that he only saw Morax in his future?
Perhaps it was selfish of him. He knew for sure that the other Archons would frown upon his actions and thoughts if they knew what was going on in his mind. But Mondstadt was doing well, his people were safe and happy, so he allowed such selfish thoughts every now and then.
He still thinks Morax is beautiful, even now. Venti can see him in the golden skies of Liyue Harbor, in geo crystalflies crossing the Mondstadt border, and in wispy Glaze Lilies crumpled under little children's feet.
"Ah, Morax," he whispers to himself, watching from high above as the Liyue Qixing carefully approach the dragon's vessel to carry it somewhere safe. All light and life has left the body, and he feels the heavy weight of it on his shoulders. "...I guess even the strongest mountains erode over time."
Yes, Morax is beautiful now. Venti looks up to the sky, waiting for his star to appear now that he's taken his place in the heavens. A familiar sadness slowly fills his heart, knowing now that the news of his death was really true. He does not worry for Liyue; a new Archon will take his place over time, and his second homeland will undoubtedly be safe.
Another friend, another Archon gone. Venti is now the last of the original seven; when will it be his time? How can he navigate this world without Morax' steadiness by his side? He had planned to sing at least one of his songs to Morax this year – perhaps at the Windblume festival. But now that time will never come, and the drawer will have to stay locked until Venti's time is up. And then, some Mondstadt inhabitant will find his music, and the whole world will finally know of his love.
Oh, how he wishes he could have told Morax himself… but perhaps it was simply not meant to be.