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If there is one thing Zhongli knew from his time as the Geo Archon, then it’s that humans come up with the wildest stories about their surroundings.
Of course, mere mortals would never be able to know what really happened thousands of years before their existence. Even if word of the actual events was passed down from generation to generation, inaccuracies were bound to appear sooner or later.
Recently, once the shock of the events in Liyue has worn off, the people of Liyue seemed to develop a certain hunger for knowledge about ancient times. Especially, the history of Liyue and its “creation” seemed to be of interest to the people of Liyue. Anything to have some sort of memory of their beloved archon.
When strolling through the market district of Liyue one day, Zhongli couldn’t help but stop at a peculiar book display, showing stories and myths of such ancient times.
He’s never seen this stall before and judging by the garments of the vendor as well as the aesthetic of this entire stall, this vendor did not seem to be from Liyue but rather from its neighbouring Mondstadt.
Taking a step closer, his gaze wandered over the wide array of books and legends on display, most of which were surprisingly about Mondstadt and its history. He could make out the cover of “Wind, Courage and Wings” as well as a less poetic book about the history of Mondstadt titled “History of Kings and Clans”. Both were titles that his old friend from Mondstadt has proudly presented to him at some point in history.
However, the book that captured his interest the most was not about Mondstadt but rather about Liyue. It stuck out like a sore thumb with its Liyue-styled cover illustration bound in the typical Mondstadt fashion.
“Welcome, Sir! Interested in some literature from Mondstadt, are you?”, Zhongli lifted his gaze to the source of the noise: A young woman, clad in typical Mondstadt fashion was standing in front of him, smiling widely. She was obviously excited to finally have a customer.
“It is not often that the people of Liyue are interested in what’s happening beyond their Northern borders.”
At that, the Archon let out a small chuckle. “You are correct. Liyue is a proud nation. However, I fear our interest in other parts of Teyvat only reach as far as the market places of each country. It is not often that you see literature from Mondstadt in Liyue though.”
His gaze lingered on her smile for a moment. “It is even rarer to see literature from Mondstadt about Liyue. I was not aware that the people of Mondstadt would bother with Liyue's ancient war-ridden history…", he added. Eventually, he tore his gaze away from her face, instead directing it back to the book that held his attention in its grasp ever since he first laid eyes on it.
“Oh! That one? It’s not about Liyue specifically.” Her eyes lit up as she watched Zhongli pick up the book. " While it does focus on aspects about Liyue's nature, it is more focused on Morax's bond with Barbatos!”
Zhongli raised an eyebrow at that. “Their bond?”
“Yes! Morax and Barbatos are the only ones remaining from the Original Seven after all. It should come as no surprise that their bond would be a special one!”
There was a pause in which she seemed to ponder over what she just uttered.
“They were the only ones remaining. Morax is dead.”, Zhongli corrected her eventually.
"Ah…Right.", her expression seemed to fall at that. "Lord Barbatos must be feeling terribly alone…"
He narrowed his eyes at her as a feeling he couldn't quite place spread out in his chest. "He will be fine. Barbatos has survived losses much greater than that of Morax."
The thought of his Anemo counterpart has always left him puzzled. There was a stinging pain in his chest whenever he was mentioned. And while Zhongli knew of what transpired in Mondstadt, thanks to the traveller who kindly filled him in, the knowledge that he was unaware of his exact whereabouts once more worried him. Not even Aether knew where he went after their last meeting at Windrise. He could only hope that he was alright, getting drunk at that tavern in Mondstadt he so loved.
Still, Barbatos would be alright. He's always been alright. After all, he was one of the few lingering presences in Morax's existence. Barbatos was the one thing that never left. Even when he was slumbering, certain that there would be no more need for his presence, he never seemed to leave the Geo Archon's side.
Each gust of wind seemed to carry his laughter, his bright smile and sometimes even the soft melodies he used to play on his lyre.
Unknowingly, Zhongli's grip on the book tightened as he was lost in thoughts. Only the vendor's voice being able to pull him out of his melancholy. "Sir?" she asked, her face scrunched up in worry "Are you alright?"
He blinked once, twice even, before nodding.
"Ah yes, my apologies. I'm quite well. I think I would like to take this one."
-
He wasn't quite sure what compelled him to buy the book, nor was he sure how he still had the needed mora on his person, yet here he was, the book tightly clutched to his chest as he made his way to the spot in Jueyun Karst where he spent many evenings together with the Anemo Archon.
Much time has passed since Zhongli started reading. So engrossed into the story that he almost missed how the winds have changed. He looked up, eyes scanning the area as he felt an unusually warm breeze tickle his skin.
The way the leaves rustled in the wind was almost enough to bring a smile to his face.
"It has been quite some time since we met here" Zhongli lowered the book into his lap as he looked up at the one who dared to disturb his peaceful evening "Barbatos, say what brings you here?"
Said man was perched atop a rock, hands behind his back and a big grin on his face. It has always amazed him just how weightless the Anemo Archon appeared to be, even when he wasn’t hovering above the ground.
"Is visiting my old friend from Liyue not reason enough?" he asked, bottles of dandelion wine seemingly materialised out of nowhere as he brought them out from behind his back with a smile and a chuckle.
“I suppose it is.”, Zhongli acknowledged with a nod.
His eyes lingered there for a moment, locked onto the bard’s form. The wind brushing through his hair always seemed to compliment him. His braids were gently swaying with the breeze, and from Morax’s seated position, the wind made Venti’s cape appear just like a pair of wings with the setting sun behind him. It was a sight to behold.
Then, Venti hopped off of the rock, seemingly gently carried downwards by the wind before he unceremoniously plopped down right next to his Geo counterpart.
“It’s been some time since we came here.”, he said as he opened his wine bottle with practiced ease. Usually, Zhongli would scold him for drinking yet again but this time he only directed his gaze back to the book in his lap with a hum, golden eyes scanning one particular sentence over and over.
“ And so the Geo Archon raised mountains from barren land, one higher than the other, just like he promised to his beloved wind, in hopes that he would one day reach the sky to reunite with him.”
He wasn’t sure what to make of this. This entire novel seemed to focus rather on romance than on actual historic facts or theories.
It should have come as no surprise to him that a book from Mondstadt -the city of freedom and romance- was focusing on romantic aspects rather than facts. This rather poetic interpretation of Liyue’s mountains shouldn’t stun him this much. However, he couldn’t fathom how anyone could possibly have found out about his horrible crush on the Anemo Archon.
Especially, when he himself wasn’t able to figure out his feelings until well after Guizhong’s passing. Only when Barbatos had fallen in a thousand year long slumber did he realize that perhaps he was not as unaffected by it as he previously had thought.
“What’re you reading?”
Zhongli’s head shot up, focusing on the man beside him who was halfway into taking a swig from his drink. However, his arm was suspended mid-air, his gaze instead focused on his friend.
“It’s a book from Mondstadt.”, Zhongli replied.
“Have you taken interest in the amazing stories of my people, oh great Rex Lapis?”
The teasing tone in his voice almost made Zhongli chuckle.
“I must admit, I was quite intrigued when I first spotted it.” He lifted the book out of lap to present its cover to his friend. “After all, it’s not every day you see a Liyue styled illustration on a book from Mondstadt.”
Venti lowered his bottle, his head tilted as teal eyes scanned over every part of the cover before locking onto its title. He narrowed his eyes momentarily, then they widened. So he must know the story written in this book.
“Stories of the Anemo Archon’s influence on Mondstadt’s southern neighbour.” Calmly, Zhongli read out the text on the back of the book, amber eyes occasionally darting back to the smaller man’s face.
“I’m… familiar, yes.” His gaze was still locked in the book, a light tint of pink dusting his cheeks.
“I am currently reading about the creation of Liyue’s mountains.”
There was a beat of silence between them during which Venti seemed to consider his next words.
His gaze was uncharacteristically serious, he almost seemed anxious when he uttered his next question "Is that so?”
The bard’s gaze then moved upwards to lock with golden eyes.
“Then tell me what do you think about it? Is it true?” His voice seemed to match his serious expression, the smile that usually reached his eyes was gone and instead teal orbs were fixated on his face as if to look for any sign of discomfort or disgust.
'No ' Zhongli wanted to say. It's what he should have said. They both knew that this was incorrect. Both of them were aware of the real reason why Liyue's mountains stand as they do now. Yet, he felt as if this question demanded a different reply. One that was much more delicate and much more romantic than what Morax would have ever uttered before.
So instead, he moved his gaze elsewhere, allowing a short moment to pass before uttering a simple "Yes.”
He looked back at Venti, just in time to see his eyes widened -whether in shock or surprise, he wasn’t sure. Though, if the dark blush on his cheeks was anything to go by, then it should’ve been the latter.
Another moment of silence settled in as everything around them seemed to disappear. Their attention was only on the other with solely the sound of the wind around them to remind them that time has in fact not stopped yet.
Finally, a smile broke out on Venti's face. A genuine one, not the teasing or sad smiles he usually wore, but a genuinely happy smile. His eyes grew watery as he blinked away tears, centuries of pent up emotions, anxiety and simply loneliness finally being granted the freedom their owner was supposed to stand for.
"Morax, I-" he began, his voice cracking as he broke eye contact to wipe at his teary eyes with a sniffle.
It was then that Zhongli realized that no matter how much he tried to convince himself that this was a new beginning - a new life so to speak- Morax's feelings for Barbatos would always remain the same.
Even after all these years, after all the things that happened, Morax still was in love with Barbatos. Thus, Zhongli would also be in love with Venti.
"It worked, did it not?" a rare shadow of a smile crept its way onto the older man's face "You're here. With me."
For once, the former Anemo Archon didn't say anything. Seemingly, he was stunned speechless, his teary gaze locked with Zhongli's again as that bright wonderful smile only seemed to stretch bigger on his face.
“Yes, and this time, I won’t leave you.”
Now it was Zhongli’s turn to be stunned by the bard’s words. A moment passed in which the two did nothing but stare at each other’s eyes .Teal and amber eyes locked on each other, not daring to let go, even as they leaned closer.
A soft hand on his cheek however pulled the Geo Archon out of his thoughts. Momentarily, he stiffened at the unexpected contact, however he was quick to relax into the touch. Has the touch of another being always felt this good or was he just touch-starved?
They were mere inches apart, Venti’s breath tickling on his skin when Zhongli spoke up one more time, voice not above a whisper: “I’d like that.”
Then their lips met in a kiss that made all of his worries melt away. And in that instance it all became so clear. This is what he’s been missing all this time.
There is one thing Zhongli knew from his time as the Geo Archon: Humans come up with the wildest stories about their surroundings.
But this time, he couldn’t help but wish that one particular story was correct.