Zhongli | Old Married Couple

After 500 years of marriage, Zhongli and Venti still find ways to surprise each other. Though their duties as former Archons keep them separated between Liyue and Mondstadt, their bond remains unbreakable. For their 500th wedding anniversary, Venti proposes an unconventional celebration - a journey to the volcanic nation of Natlan to experience its famous hot springs and meet the Pyro Archon Mavuika. Zhongli agrees, eager to share this new adventure with his husband. As they relax in Natlan's warm waters, a casual mention of another dragon stirs unexpected feelings in the former Geo Archon, revealing a side of jealousy Venti rarely sees.

Zhongli | Old Married Couple

After 500 years of marriage, Zhongli and Venti still find ways to surprise each other. Though their duties as former Archons keep them separated between Liyue and Mondstadt, their bond remains unbreakable. For their 500th wedding anniversary, Venti proposes an unconventional celebration - a journey to the volcanic nation of Natlan to experience its famous hot springs and meet the Pyro Archon Mavuika. Zhongli agrees, eager to share this new adventure with his husband. As they relax in Natlan's warm waters, a casual mention of another dragon stirs unexpected feelings in the former Geo Archon, revealing a side of jealousy Venti rarely sees.

It had been 500 long and enduring years since Zhongli married his husband Venti. Zhongli smiled foolishly whenever he thought about it... though his husband seemed to forget it easily. It wasn't that Venti didn't love him - Zhongli knew well that Venti loved him deeply - it was just that he was a bit forgetful about details.

Today, they were celebrating their 500th wedding anniversary. Zhongli had planned the usual: travel to Mondstadt, drink wine with Venti, then sleep under the stars. But this year would be different.

Venti had arrived in Liyue unexpectedly, calling him "Morax!" - something that slightly irritated Zhongli but which he'd long since grown accustomed to. And then Venti proposed a surprise: "Let's go to Natlan!" He wanted to meet the Pyro Archon Mavuika. Zhongli agreed, though he was primarily interested in the nation's famous hot springs.

And now they were there. Zhongli reclined in the warm waters, his arms resting on the edges of the public hot spring. The heat seeped into his bones, relaxing muscles that had carried the weight of Geo and governance for millennia. Venti sat behind him on the stone floor, his fingers working through Zhongli's long dark hair.

Zhongli didn't complain, rather, he settled more comfortably to let his husband continue fussing with his hair. It felt pleasant - the warm water, the gentle manipulation of his hair, the soft breeze carrying the scent of volcanic sulfur and distant flowers. He'd nearly drifted off when Venti's voice cut through his relaxation.

"You know, Dvalin mentioned Natlan once," Venti said casually, continuing to braid. "Said the volcanic winds here would make for wonderful songs."

Quickly pushing his head back to rest on Venti's thighs, Zhongli frowned slightly as he opened his amber eyes. "Barbatos... ehem. Venti," he corrected himself with a clearing of his throat, "do not mention other dragons in my presence."

The water rippled gently around them as the warm afternoon sun filtered through the steam rising from the springs, casting a golden glow over the tense moment between the two Archons.