[He chuckles.] I just like flavor. [It's probably why he doesn't mind Sichuan cooking.
Venti's body language is closed off, not the impish and relaxed draping that he's come to expect. This truly is dire. But now that he knows what has happened, he can... do his best to comfort Venti. It isn't something he's good at, but this is not the first time he's had a sad windy boy turn up at his doorstep. Zhongli has always been a safe haven for Venti and that has not changed in the thousand years or so they've known one another in this life.
As if he would befriend Venti only because he looked like his old best friend... It's more happy coincidence that things ended up the way they did. A blessing, even if Zhongli's well aware he hasn't been the... best kind of friend lately.
He lets Venti take his hand. That hadn't been his intention, but he's fine with this-- fine with the exploratory touches, even though he feels some long-buried part of him tremble. He puts it out of his mind. Venti's feelings are more important at the moment...
... Even if he's saying weird things again.]
Uh, [he starts, clearing his throat,] t-that won't be necessary. I remember what they look like, so please concern yourself with warming up.
[A very gentlemanly response, though Venti's won himself a glimpse of a blush for the boldness. Zhongli takes a sip of tea to ground himself.
Then Venti admits what they both know, that he's not okay. Zhongli is quiet for a moment, too. His gaze is heavy, but not judging. He sets his cup back down.]
... It took a few hundred years to admit that myself, so you're well ahead of me, [he says dryly.] Though that's no surprise.
Tell me what ails you, xīfēng, and perhaps your heart will ease in the telling.
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Venti's body language is closed off, not the impish and relaxed draping that he's come to expect. This truly is dire. But now that he knows what has happened, he can... do his best to comfort Venti. It isn't something he's good at, but this is not the first time he's had a sad windy boy turn up at his doorstep. Zhongli has always been a safe haven for Venti and that has not changed in the thousand years or so they've known one another in this life.
As if he would befriend Venti only because he looked like his old best friend... It's more happy coincidence that things ended up the way they did. A blessing, even if Zhongli's well aware he hasn't been the... best kind of friend lately.
He lets Venti take his hand. That hadn't been his intention, but he's fine with this-- fine with the exploratory touches, even though he feels some long-buried part of him tremble. He puts it out of his mind. Venti's feelings are more important at the moment...
... Even if he's saying weird things again.]
Uh, [he starts, clearing his throat,] t-that won't be necessary. I remember what they look like, so please concern yourself with warming up.
[A very gentlemanly response, though Venti's won himself a glimpse of a blush for the boldness. Zhongli takes a sip of tea to ground himself.
Then Venti admits what they both know, that he's not okay. Zhongli is quiet for a moment, too. His gaze is heavy, but not judging. He sets his cup back down.]
... It took a few hundred years to admit that myself, so you're well ahead of me, [he says dryly.] Though that's no surprise.
Tell me what ails you, xīfēng, and perhaps your heart will ease in the telling.