Imeeji Inbox

[leaveofabsence]

[ The default voicemail message greets you. ]

Comments

[leaveofabsence]

[ Pulling him in closer. ]

Perhaps.

But you are not always so straightforward.

[outofoffice]

[ Tilting his head teasingly ]

No? Well then, I can't account for it at all. You'll just have to make your own guesses.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He leans in to place a kiss on Venti's forehead. ]

Thank you.

The gesture was incredibly sweet.

[outofoffice]

[ He closes his eyes with a satisfied sigh, swaying forward to hook his arms around Zhongli's shoulders ]

I can't offer much . . . certainly not riches, or conquests, or that world you dream of, but . . .

Whatever would bring you peace and happiness, I'd do what I can.

[leaveofabsence]

[ His arms wrap around Venti in turn, holding him close. ]

You're part of the world I dream of. Who you are and nothing else.

I do not wish for anything more from you.

[outofoffice]

[ Chuckling a little against his chest ]

I know. Fancy abodes aside, you've never asked much for yourself, you know.

I wondered if it's just because you know how flighty and unreliable I am.

[ #jokes ]

[leaveofabsence]

Barbatos...

I will concede to flighty, but I will not accept you calling yourself unreliable.

[outofoffice]

. . .




This new, softer Morax continues to surprise me every day.

[ He set that roast up for you and everything ]

[leaveofabsence]

This softer Morax sees no need for untrue or unkind accusations.

Especially when there are many existing faults I could name.

[outofoffice]

[ W O W ]

Okay, okay, subject change.

[leaveofabsence]

The floor is yours, great bard of Teyvat.

[outofoffice]

[ Stepping up until they're nose-to-nose ]

What was it you said . . . ? A date to mark endings, but also beginnings?

So why don't we celebrate that? And you can tell me all about the sorts of beginnings you wish to create.

[leaveofabsence]

[ There is no hesitation in his answer. ]

I wish to get to know you better. I wish to know the things that you love and that you have lost as intimately as you know mine.

[outofoffice]

[ Venti blinks up at him for a long moment, clearly taken aback by this answer. ]

. . . That's what you want?

[ That's so dour . . . isn't it? ]

[leaveofabsence]

Do not feel pressured if it something that you do not wish to share.

[outofoffice]

It's not that at all.

I'm just . . . surprised.

[leaveofabsence]

Is it so surprising?

I want to be your friend first, Barbatos, before being your ally.

I wish to enjoy relationships as mortals would. Without obligations.

[outofoffice]

. . . Alright.

I suppose it just takes a while to change expectations after a few millenniums. To be honest, I still don't really know what to expect.

[leaveofabsence]

Then we shall learn and stumble together.

[ A short pause ]

But please do not take that as you cannot call upon my aid whenever you need it. That contract has and will always be set in stone.

[outofoffice]

Surely you know I've never doubted that.

[leaveofabsence]

No, but it bears repeating all the same.

Things are changing -- we are changing. And I do not know what the future will hold except my word that I wish to keep you safe.

[outofoffice]

. . .

[ Placing a hand on Zhongli's forearm ]

I don't have much capacity to keep you safe in return. But I do wish to keep you happy.