leaveofabsence | Imeeji Inbox

Okay, okay . . . but let me at least remember to give you this.

[ He passes over the small box, which, once opened, is a Japanese style windchime with Liyue flowers painted on the bulb ]

I've meant to for a while but kept forgetting.

[ He does not open it yet, choosing to set the gift aside for now. But rest assured on every subsequent visit, the wind chime will be prominently displayed at the window, signaling Venti's every arrival.

Instead he just leans against the headboard, tucking Venti close to him with one arm and placing his chin lightly on top of Venti's head. ]

I am sure it is lovely.

But I would rather just hold you right now.

Okay. I'm fine with that too.

[ He leans his head against Zhongli's chest, letting out a long sigh. ]

You have a way of being comforting just by being, Morax. Did I ever mention it? It was of great help to me in my early days of godhood.

The Archon War was you first, was it not? Nor had you ever led people before.

It was only natural that the rest of us would assist you in such matters.

The others did help, to an extent. But don't minimize your importance. None were as steady a reassurance as you, before or since.

I owe you quite a debt for that.

You do not owe me anything.

[ He presses a kiss to the top of Venti's head ]

Nor do I wish for anything more than your happiness and your company.

[ He reaches up to pull Zhongli's ponytail over his shoulder and begins plaiting it, idle energy in need of expenditure ]

I can gladly supply both, and it's good that you wish for them because my company is not optional.

[ He just smiles fondly at Venti, tilting his head to give him better access to his ponytail. It's a surprise his hair is not always slightly wavy consider how often Venti does that. ]

Did everything come to a--- I hesitate to use the word satisfactory, so how about livable conclusion?

[ Silence stretches on for a long moment, and then, thinly: ]

We locked her up. Chains and all.

[ His fingers continue to work, almost feverishly ]

[ One hand cards through Venti's hair ]

I suppose knowing that is only a temporary measure does not ease such a burden.

Not particularly.

Was it right for us to make this choice for her on her behalf? I don't know. It's something we should have spoken about before it came to this, but we never did.

. . .

You often speak of the illusion of choice. A tactic that the producer's use to maximize guilt among its idols.

Are you sure this choice is not one and the same?

Ah . . . ehe, maybe so.

I know that does not make the situation any easier.

Oh, but look at me, feeling sorry for myself when I'm not even the one done wrong by.

[ Sighs, letting the finished plait drop ]

I'll be fine. I'm just . . . very tired. That's why I came here.

[ Morax can fix anything ]

You are being forced to choose between multiple bad outcomes for loved ones who have been hurt.

How are you not wronged?

. . .

[ He's not really sure how to argue for what amounts to a guilt complex, so he opts to say nothing at all, just leaning his head more heavily against Zhongli's chest. ]

If you came here to rest, then we do not have to speak of such things.

But know that needing a safe space after such a tragic event is not feeling sorry for yourself.

. . . Alright.

It does sound so very reasonable when you say it, after all.

Distance is what allows us to see the moon and the stars so clearly.

Give it a night's rest and see how you feel in the morning.

Ehe . . . and I thought I was the poet between us.

It's philosophy, not poetry.

[ But Zhongli does try to lower both of them so they are lying down rather than propped up against the headboard. ]

Semantics.

[ He curls up almost entirely atop Zhongli, fingers tangling in his shirt, and lets out a long sigh as some of the tension leaves him. ]

. . . Thank you, Morax.

You are very welcome, Venti.

[ He pulls up the sheets to cover the both of them ]

You will always have a place to rest your wings here, whether you believe you need it or not.

Careful, or I might not want to ever leave.

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