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[outofoffice]

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[outofoffice]

[ Keeping his face pressed against Zhongli's shoulder. He just . . . doesn't want to move. ]

I could say the same thing to you, you old blockhead.

Well good thing because it ate the original notif

[leaveofabsence]

[ Hair petting will continue, sir, until morale improves. ]

Looking after a handful of people is a much less daunting task than overseeing a nation - even if their problems are ones I am wholly unfamiliar with.

Despite everything - I have found quite a bit of escape from my usual responsibilities.

[outofoffice]

[ He will just continue pretending morale is bad forever, then. ]

Hehe . . . I suppose that's true.

I'm glad.

[leaveofabsence]

So will you rest your wings for awhile?

I think you should be allowed that much after everything you've been through. You do not have to think about anyone but yourself for now.

[outofoffice]

These wings don't exactly fly much anymore . . .

But for you, I will.

[leaveofabsence]

Barbatos...

[ "I would rather you do this for your sake, not mine."

But small steps. This step will be enough for today.

Though he does reach for the guitar, bracing it up against one thigh as he plucks a string experimentally. ]

Someday, we will both fly again.

[outofoffice]

[ Venti makes no move to stop him, just watches his curiosity with mild amusement ]

Someday!

For just a little while, though, I'd like to do nothing but rest here with you.

[leaveofabsence]

You may take all the time that you like. I have no plans for the rest of the day.

[outofoffice]

I get to monopolize you for a whole day? How spoiled you'll make me~~~

[leaveofabsence]

Well a proper Rite of Parting does take a few hours.

[ And tradition will not let him skimp on a single part of it. ]

And I suppose we'll see if by the end you wish to have some peace and distance from me.

[outofoffice]

[ Just chuckling as he demonstrates a simple series of guitar string plucks ]

I seriously doubt it~ You've always been the one to toss me out and tell me to "go home and do my job," [ said with an amount of mirth that suggests this is a hysterical proposition ] remember?

[leaveofabsence]

Oh.

So you were paying attention. I could not tell.

[outofoffice]

Why? Because I refused to leave half the time?

[leaveofabsence]

Yes.

Regardless of how busy I was with my own work.

[outofoffice]

Well, consider that it's rude to always spurn a guest who came from so far away!

[ That he was never actually invited is not an important data point ]

[leaveofabsence]

You could have given me some warning or notice of your arrival so I could have better prepared for it.

...

Even regular intervals of visits would have been welcome.

[outofoffice]

Who plans ahead that far??

I just came whenever I wanted to see you!

[ Which was, apparently, all the time ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He is silent for a long time, bringing a hand to his chin in thought. ]

Ah.

Was I being discourteous to you?

[outofoffice]

Why did you think I came? You're always discourteous! That's why I call you an oaf, a blundering buffoon!

[leaveofabsence]

Sometimes I thought you came to visit myself and the other people and sites in Liyue. Sometimes for distraction. And sometimes merely because you were bored.

[outofoffice]

[ Not a single pebble in his skull . . . ]

Then why would I specifically come to you? Liyue's a big country!

[leaveofabsence]

[ Brain empty. Only governing Liyue.

There is another long considering pause as his brow furrows. He's really concentrating quite hard on this. ]

My first thought would be because we were friends. But our recent talks have made me come to realize that you thought that our friendship was unrequited. So if that is not the reason---

I am unsure why you would be coming to see my specifically since it seems you did not gain anything from our encounters.

[outofoffice]

[ SIR

PLEASE. ]

Because I like being around you, idiot! So I chose to be around you whether you liked it or not.

[leaveofabsence]

[ A long slow nod of comprehension ]

I see.

I shall work on that as well.

2/2

[leaveofabsence]

And before we have a chance to rehash the previous argument - it is because I would like to spend time with you as well.