Duplicity Inbox

[fanoperator]

Leave a message

Comments

[fanoperator]

[Huaisang is settled comfortably on the floor in his library in front of a low table spread with paper. Dressed today in a burgundy gown that shows off the soft musculature of his chest and back, Huaisang has streaks of ink on his hands and one on his cheek, but the painting unfurling under his brush is a scene of birds flitting through a tree in bloom.

Looking up with a smile as his lover enters, Huaisang nods gratefully.] That would be lovely, Zhongli, thank you. You look very handsome today, though... perhaps a bit over-dressed.

[contractgod]

[The tray in his hand he looked over the Huaisang with a small smile as he closed the distance and placed the tray on the table near the other. His eyes on the painting as he admired the work. It was quite beautiful the lines and everything was stunning...he had no clue that he had such a talent for art.

A small chuckle.] Am I? Here I am thinking I was dressed down more than usual. Your art is quite beautiful.

[He leaned in to press lips to his forehead before he sat across from him.]

[fanoperator]

You're still wearing clothes, though. Attractive and tasteful though your clothes are, I still think the view would be better without them.

Thank you. I've done all the murals around the house.

[Closing his eyes blissfully at the kiss, Huaisang lifts his brush and smiles over at his lover once Zhongli settles.] I should paint you.

[contractgod]

So you rather I display everything? Wouldn't that rob you of getting to unwrap your prizes?

Stunning. I didn't know you did them all? Do you not sell your art?

[Reaching for a tea cup he stops at the mention of it.] Me?

[fanoperator]

You're right, that's a good point. [Huaisang watches him with a happily lecherous grin, enjoying what a handsome and attentive lover he has.] I do enjoy unwrapping you.

I sell my art occasionally, but these days I do so much design work that it's rare for me to accept a commission that isn't fashion.

Why not you? I love painting beautiful things.

[contractgod]

[A smirk as he looks over to the other man.] So it's good to not always be in the nude for me?

Hm, that makes sense. It would be a shame to lose the passion for doing art as well, though your fashion is quite an artform as well.

I haven't had art done of myself in quite some time.

[fanoperator]

Well, I do love fashion. So I do want you to be exquisitely appareled. And then I want you to be often swiftly un-appareled at home.

Maybe today I'll paint on you. I feel as though I haven't gotten to know you well enough just yet in order to paint you properly. If I'm going to fall in love with you, I want to paint your portrait showing that.

In the meantime I'd love to use you as a canvas a few times.

[contractgod]

Hmm, sounds like a good plan then. You want to dress me and then undress me, I think I can agree to that.

Then I shall look forward to that day.

Me? You want to paint on me?

[The idea sounded foreign to him.]

[fanoperator]

Mhm? [Huaisang nods, looking a little puzzled as to why Zhongli is so puzzled. Permanent modifications like tattoos might be in sacrilegious, but Huaisang's spent so much of his life covered in ink smudges that he can't quite fathom not having paint on one's body on a regular basis.] Why not? You're beautiful, and I love painting on bodies.

[contractgod]

[It wasn't something he was accustom to but that could also do with usually showing humans his dragon form...perhaps?]

Then if you would like I can offer my body as a canvas for you.

[A pause as he looks to his dominant. He had been debating telling Huaisang about what he was before now, since the man has been so kind and for the fact his status does not matter here. Still...he wishes more to know about Huaisang as well.]

But, would you humor me in answering some of my questions? I want to know more about you, I will also offer you some answers for what you may wish to ask of me. Does this sound like a fair deal?

[He offers a little smile.]

[fanoperator]

[Huaisang's head tilts curiously at the offered deal. He's long been wary of offering too much honesty about himself, putting significant effort into keeping conversations limited to surface-level pleasantries.

As such, there are few questions he wants to ask of Zhongli. He'd rather let his lover keep his privacy and secrets so that Huaisang can keep his own. But it would be too impolite to say as much, and now Huaisang needs to know what these questions are that Zhongli feels he has to bargain for.] Certainly. I'll do my best to answer whatever you'd like.

[contractgod]

[Not one to pry too deep he simply wished to know a little more about his partner. Especially since they will be living together for the foreseeable future.

The questions were nothing too invasive but blame natural enjoyment of bargains and contracts for turning this into a bargaining affair. With his agreement he smiles as he started to undo his top.]

I'm happy to hear that...So I supposed my first question, what is your home like?

[fanoperator]

Qinghe is a mountainous region, and the Nie Sect is one of the foremost martial sects in the cultivation world. We rule over the Qinghe region, and the fortress capital of it: Bujing Shi. It's built around and into a mountain, including deep tunnels and more stairs than anyone could ever count.

[Huaisang tidies up his paints as he speaks, setting aside his work and cleaning his brushes in order to start a new work.] What shall I paint on you?

[contractgod]

Cultivation? Hmmm, there are some places like that in Liyue but it sounds like somewhere I would enjoy visiting.

[Watching as he folds his top and sets it to the side before taking a seat now bare chested.] Hmm...What sort of flowers do you think suit me?

[A pause.] Ah, it is your turn ask a question about me.

[fanoperator]

Tiger lilies, to be sure. Your colors are all gold and black, so it suits. Perhaps some yellow hellebore.

That was my question. Why? Is there something you want to tell me, or something in particular you're hoping I'll ask?

[contractgod]

Hm, a lovely choice. I would love to show you glaze lilies one day...they bloom at night and are quite stunning.

Apologies, I didn't know if that was your first questions. I didn't know if you wanted to ask something more personal?

[fanoperator]

I don't. [Huaisang keeps his eyes on his paints, busying himself with them so that he doesn't have to look up.] I don't want to press or intrude, or ask something you aren't comfortable answering. If you want to tell me something, I'd rather you simply tell me. If there's something you want to know about me, then ask it.

I'd be glad to know more about you, Zhongli, but I want you to talk about yourself and your past when you're eager to share it, not out of a sense of obligation.

[contractgod]

[Zhongli felt the shift in tone between them and he was not a fan of it. Then he heard Huaisang's words and walked over to him to touch his face.]

My apologies...it was not my intention to make you feel uncomfortable, Huaisang. I let my fondness of agreements and contracts influence my desire to speak with you. This is no obligation my dear. I...am simply someone that enjoy knowledge and want to know more about the people I have a fondness for.

Please do not think this is an obligation for me or for you. You are allowed to ask about me, I want you to know more about me as I wish to know more about you. However, if that does cross a line please let me know.

[He presses a soft kiss to the other man's head.]

Forgive this old man.

[fanoperator]

[Huaisang lifted his head when Zhongli came close, looking up at him with timid eyes.

Nodding acceptance of what Zhongli says, Huaisang leans into his chest, resting his forehead against Zhongli's shoulder and closing his eyes to enjoy his lover's warmth.] I... lived through some awful things, Zhongli. It made me paranoid.

[contractgod]

[Hands running over his back in a soothing manner, he continues to keep his lips close to his head. He can see that Huaisang was far more guarded than he had expected and he found himself wondering if he should continue to ask about him.]

While I do not know what happened to you...I can sympathize with awful things in my past but please do not worry about correcting me when I do something out of bounds. [A small sigh.] I must admit I do have trouble understanding things from a humans point of view at times. We do not need to discuss anything that is painful for you.

[fanoperator]

[Nodding, Huaisang cuddles into his arms, grateful for his lover and deeply fond of him even though their relationship is still relatively new. He notes one part of that statement that's unusual, however, and lifts his head curiously to look at Zhongli's face.] You're not human?

[contractgod]

[Holding him tight he continues to rub his back and kiss his head. He was glad to be forgiven by Huaisang he would hate for them to have bad blood over something like this. Though he will now remember to be more careful with his wording. When asked he chuckles a little and nods.]

I am not...for a very long time I was the archon, the god, of Liyue. The god of contracts some called me. I went by many names but I retired from that position.

[fanoperator]

Very impressive. [Huaisang smiles at him, leaning up to kiss Zhongli's cheek.] And now here you are tangled into a contract with a mere human.

[contractgod]

I am still a god just not in as high of a position. After over 6,000 years it felt like it was a good time to retire from that. [Hugging his waist he chuckles softly and kisses his lips.] I am the god of contracts, no matter who you are I honor what I agree to. Plus I am rather fond of this human I am contracted to.

[fanoperator]

I'm very fond of you, too. [Huaisang leans up into the kiss with a happy sigh, then steals another.] So fond of you that I'm tempted to forget entirely about the painting so that I can worship my god with my mouth and hands instead.