Ethereal | Venti x Zhongli

Chapter 2

The door to my bedroom was slightly ajar. He might've fallen asleep by now and, if he's sleeping on my bed, I'll get an extra mattress for myself. I opened the door with a quiet creak. The room was dark so I couldn't see him, and in the end I assumed my guess was right.

"Yahoo!" His sudden shout spooked me. "Ah, sorry, was I too loud?" To keep Xiao from being woken up by us talking, I closed the door. Then he slowly approached me. "Will it be fine with the kid around?" What will be? Talking? "Yes, I don't see any issue with that." I shrugged. "Just don't be too loud, I wouldn't want him to wake up, you know."

"Gotcha! I'll be quiet." He winked at me. His hands laid on my chest, he slowly reached them up to my collar, undoing the buttons. "Excuse me, what are you-" He hushed me by kissing me deeply. This has escalated quickly, what's gotten into him?! I pushed him away, though gently, not wanting to hurt him. "Stop it, okay? I... I think you're going too far." My gaze shifted to the side while I covered my lips with my hand.

"You didn't like it? Alright, I won't kiss you again." I'm glad we've reached an understanding at last. I still have to ask him about this whole- With speed and skill my shirt was completely unbuttoned before I could even process his actions. He ran his fingers on my chest, humming in wonder as he did that. "Look at that..." He whistled. "You're hiding quite the body under all these clothes." His voice sounded as though he was aroused and that's how I knew things had really gone out of control. I couldn't help blushing a little because of his compliment and actions yet I felt lost in this situation more than anything.

"Can we not do this? Please, I don't... u-uhm..." He appeared to be pretty nonchalant about it and not have taken my words seriously. Overwhelmed by a feeling of sheepishness and awkwardness, I just stood there, paralyzed. I didn't know how to react and what to tell him so he'd take me seriously. That's why you have to be wary of drunkards, you can't trust them. Just when I thought he'd give up, he pulled me down on the bed, making me stay on top of him. I tried to get up but he was holding me back with quite a bit of strength for a drunkard.

Through his mannerism and gaze I guessed that he was expecting me to do something to him but obviously that didn't happen. I had no desire to do anything. I barely knew him. And he was drunk. Why's he trying to seduce me so badly...? I was really confused. His hands found their way on me again and fiddled with my clothing playfully. "Playing hard to get, huh... old man, you're kinky, hehe." He huffed, his cheeks were flushed from alcohol and excitement. I need to do something to stop him... it shouldn't be that difficult. I'd definitely take countermeasures sooner but it's been a long time since I was this intimate with anyone so nerves got the best of me.

"Do you wanna be the one to do it or should I...?" His question sent a shiver down my spine. "What are you implying...? Venti, please calm down." He smiled widely with satisfaction. "Your cheeks are getting red, how cute! Old man's flustered, ehe." Hearing that made me feel a little embarrassed. I was already in my thirties and yet still getting easily flustered. I lost my cool, didn't I. "Oh right... I should call you by your name. Zhongli..." He unbuttoned my pants and did it so quickly that I barely registered it. That's it, Venti. I can't let you continue this. I slapped him. "I told you to stop!" I struggled myself away from his grip and sat on the ground close to the bed. He clearly was trying to get in my pants... There's no denying that. My breaths were a bit quicker than usual so before saying anything, I took time to gather my thoughts.

"H-hey... Zhongli. I'm sorry, okay?" He rubbed his cheek while pursuing his lips. "I swear, I'm not a pervert! Hehe... maybe a little bit. But! I really am sorry." He poked my cheek, trying to get me to look his way. "I wanted to pay you back for letting me stay over. I didn't know you'd be against it, usually..." He blushed a little. Pay me back? Ah, so that's why he was so persistent about it. "It goes that way. I stay at someone's place and either they force themselves on me or I initiate something, since well I can't expect people to let me crash at their homes for free, can I?" Even though he'd harassed me just now, I couldn't help feeling bad for him.

"I'm sorry to hear that... it must've been tough on you." His gaze shifted away from me, he appeared a bit irritated. "I don't need pity. Of course, I've had bad experiences at times but in the end, it's just consequences of my choices."

He yawned. "I'm sleepy... Can I sleep on your bed? It's so comfy, ahh..." Not even giving me a chance to give him permission to, he cuddled into my pillow and only a few minutes had passed before he started snoring loudly.

When he wakes up, I'll talk with him about his circumstances. He didn't have many things on him apart from a backpack and his instrument so... he must be living somewhere, right? Maybe it's a matter of him not wanting to go back. I gazed at him and gently caressed his hair to not disturb his sleep. He didn't have the face of a molester but clearly was capable of being one.

I looked down on my bare chest and sighed. All I have to do is to pretend nothing has happened. It was just a misunderstanding. Though feeling a little uneasy about it, I changed to my pajamas and after getting the extra mattress, I too could finally get a much needed rest.

***

Venti's POV

"Morning. Uhm, Venti. How long do you plan on staying here?" What a nice voice to wake up to. Gosh. I mumbled something inaudible at first. "Until you kick me out...?" He chuckled in response. "Heh, I see. It's still early so let's talk more about it once you wake up fully." I groaned. Even if he kicks me out very soon... I'm still in debt to him. It's surprising he cares about my situation this much, honestly. "If you're hungry, I'm eating breakfast with Xiao now." Breakfast... I can't even stand the thought of eating anything with this god-awful hangover. "I'm good but... a glass of water would be nice."

"I can go get y-" I interrupted him. He's too nice, goddammit! "Quit spoiling me, old man or else I'll fall for you, hehe." I teased him and he gave me a puzzled reaction back. "I'll get it myself." I stretched out on the bed. Being a lazy ass I didn't feel like standing up, so I just gazed at the tall man next to me. His long, brown hair was a little messy and left unpinned. He was still wearing pajamas too. It was the type with pants and long sleeved button-up shirt with a very modest look to it. Kind of cute if you ask me. "Help me stand up..." I pleaded but he just left me behind. "I'm not that nice so come on, get up." I sighed and lazily followed him.

"Good morning, dad." The kid greeted him once we were in the kitchen. I grabbed a glass of water in the meantime. "Xiao, go introduce yourself." He gave his son encouragement which he ignored then ruffled his hair. "This is my son Xiao, whom you've already had the pleasure of meeting yesterday. He's a middle schooler and a huge rascal." The little guy pouted. "You're so small, hehe." In order to tease him, I compared our height with my hand which led to him getting salty. "I-I just haven't hit my growth spurt yet..." A wide smile appeared on my face. "Keep telling yourself that. You'll be a shortie, I tell ya." I laughed.

Very quickly I got bored of just sitting around and doing nothing so I started to run my mouth. "Your dad can be quite the brute, did you know? He slapped me last night!" I said with offense. "Look, look! There still might be a mark left here..." To show it off to Xiao, I turned my face to the side making a silly expression while at it.

"There's nothing there." He squinted his eyes. "But it hurt sooo much..." I fake sobbed while rubbing my cheek. I pouted, "I didn't even do anything that horrendous, I swear." I placed my hand on my chest. Seriously though. What did I do again...? I kinda forgot.

"My dad" Xiao got really close to my face, barely controlling his temper. "isn't the sort of guy who just slaps people for nothing." It appeared that I ruined the mood unintentionally. Zhongli bonked the both of us. "Nothing happened yesterday so no fighting, okay?" Wait... something did happen, no? Oh shit-! Sweat began pouring out of me intensely as memories of me trying to strip clothes off of Zhongli resurfaced. My lips twitched into a nervous smile.

"Y-yeah, Xiao! Listen to your dad! Nothing happened, hahaha!" Zhongli facepalmed. "I'm a model citizen, I-I'd never do anything to your da-" My mouth got covered. "That's enough, Venti. We need to talk. Can you leave us alone for a while?" He asked Xiao who gave me a nasty look just before leaving.