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“I never thought this day would come, Morax”
Zhongli narrowed his eyes and turned his head where he felt the presence of his old friend the most. Friend, what a curious word to call their relationship. The seconds were passing by, turned into minutes but that was okay. They had time. Zhongli couldn’t see the god of wind with his human eyes but Barbatos was all around him still, blowing the wind gently and playfully messing up his hair and clothes.
“We did not get a chance to catch up since my…retirement”
Venti laughed and materialized right in front of him. It was not his usual child form, because Venti did not come here to be a wine lover bard, he came here to be his godself. Taller and so divine Zhongli could barely stand it.
“Come” Zhongli said extending his hand to bring the neighbor god closer to him but Venti just looked at his hand with amusement.
“Morax you call for me after centuries, to this mountain top surrounded by clouds in your land… I come from very far away. If you want me closer, come take it”
Zhongli did not have to be told twice. The rock under Venti’s feet broke apart and violently shook and the god was sent flying towards him but before they could crash into each other Venti landed softly in a gush of wind so strong at first that messed up Zhongli’s mortal garments.
“I’m not falling for that trick anymore Morax… it’s over used”
Venti whispered his lips now inches away from Morax own ones. His huge, turquoise eyes were stabbing daggers into Morax face and the geo god was reminded of how vast, deep and terrifying the God of Wind could be.
“Let’s have some tea” Zhongli whispered back, a low table with a full tea set appearing behind Venti’s back.
“I don’t like tea anyone Morax” Venti replied back, never breaking their intense staring contest.
“I got you some Liyue wine”
“Oh now you are just flirting with me”
And just like that, they sat down in front of each other. Zhongli performed the tea ceremony to perfection and then proceeded to comment on the quality of the ceramic and tea leaves. Venti finished the bottle after the third cup and only stared at the other God as he talked with his pompous words and infuriating know it all face.
“You gave me quite a shock”
Zhongli opened his eyes and pierced Venti with his golden stare.
“Elaborate, please”
“I didn’t know you were into the theatric arts. I thought I was the stage lover out of the two of us”
Zhongli nodded, his lips almost breaking into a small smile.
“It was for the best. My people… the people of Liyue are entering a new era where I was only going to be nuisance, a set back. Also it was time for my retirement. It had to be done and it was long overdue”
“That I agree with, we are old.” Venti said his stare now fixed in the direction of Mondstadt. They were surrounded by clouds and lower mountains but Zhongli had no doubts that Venti was able to see beyond that.
“I’m glad you don’t look any different” The god of wind added and Zhongli pursed his lips in confusion.
“Losing our gnosis never meant for us to lose our divinity”
Venti shrugged and held his stare once again.
“Losing mine left me weak, I had to retire for a little bit, retrieve back to my roots. I wished back then for you to care and remember me”
Zhongli took his time to reply, the sickness in his core elevating to dangerous levels.
“Barbatos… still?”
Venti smiled, actually smiled the brightest of smiles and downed the last drops left in the wine bottle.
“Forever and eternity are not foreign concepts to us. Eons may pass and I will still be burning under the thought of you forgetting me and our history”
“Then come”
“Why did you call for me today?”
“Why did you come?”
Venti narrowed his eyes and crawled over the table knocking the fine, ancient ceramics and wine bottle to the rock ground. To the sound of the objects falling and breaking apart in a thousand pieces he straddled the geo god and proceeded to stare into his eyes once again.
“Why was I cursed with love?”
“Barbatos…” Zhongli said, the next words catching in his throat.
“Am I still the only one that can make you lose your words?” Venti whispered with a little smile.
Zhongli nodded and closed the distance between them.
This mortal games were filling his empty core back with light. As they kissed desperately, their arms and hands gripping tight on each others bodies they made love over and over again with the desperation and devastation only two gods in burning love can bring.
Days passed, maybe months, maybe years or just mere minutes Venti couldn’t care less when he found himself resting his head on Morax’s chest, hard and cold as rock, skin trickled with golden veins like marble.
“Are you satisfied now Morax? Are you going to wait centuries until you call me back to this mountain top again?
“No. I’m not satisfied” He replied and moved his head towards a point in the sky. “Things are changing, I know you have met the Traveler. You must have felt it too”
“I did, that’s why I’m asking. We may not have many more centuries left”
“Oh…we do. We have eternity left. Whether is like this or different. We don’t die the way humans die, we exist in land and wind.”
“How romantic, you are still avoiding my question”
“I love you Barbatos and I wish language was up to the challenge of me making you feel the burning inside me I have for you”
Venti blinked and sighed. This he knew but it was the first time he heard it out loud.
“I confessed to you a long time ago. My feelings never strayed. I waited long enough don’t you think?”
“How can I pay you back? What do you want in exchange?”
Venti laughed, heartily laughed out loud.
“No, you won’t make a contract with me Morax. You lost that privilege long ago”
“I see” Zhongli replied closing his eyes and hugging Venti a little bit tighter against him.
That day Liyue harbor was specially windy, knocking over the light wood stands and forcing the vendors and locals to flee to the town.