A/N: Oh, whatever, I'll just put up the whole thing at once. I wonder if anyone expected a word bomb. hmmm

Just a little heads up:
1) Please expect a very sulky Venti when you start reading
2) The author HCs that Venti's Anemo Sprite brethren number in the hundreds/thousands and are only seen via Elemental Sight (and that Mihoyo just spared us that for the sake of the game's frame rate... I mean, that's why there aren't furniture on the balconies of Wangshu Inn, right?)
3) Venti might be a tinge OOC... I'm not sure anymore, really.

4) Special thanks to my friend who has trimmed this monster down and made the flow of things way, waaay better!

○ A [Small] Lampgrass

Unfair.

That is the only word that can describe this horrendous, traitorous situation.

Just how much authority does Lumine have over the proud Adeptus Xiao?!

Clearly a whole lot.

She is able to drag him out from his beloved Liyue after all.

And for what reason?

To beat the crap out of Andrius in his little weekly training challenges.

Venti has never had a successful attempt at luring Xiao away from Liyue.

Never.

Venti, the gracious and magnanimous person that he is, simply gave up trying after more than two dozen attempts of separating Xiao from his beloved Liyue and duty, even for a small portion of the day. It is not because of laziness, but rather, out of respect for that contract and duty the Yaksha so preciously upholds for that blissfully retired blockhead of a Geo Archon.

He gets it.

He's just second place.

He knows that no matter how much he whines about it, or how much he replays that confrontation about being Xiao's Savior #2, he's just that: second place.

Venti makes up for it by hogging up the Yaksha's time and patience. At least he has earned the unofficial titles of 'The Most Grating Person Xiao has Met to Date' [2] and 'The Person with the Most Number of Hours Spent with Xiao in the Past Few Months'.

No, he has no right to whine about it. He understands how Morax had claimed and earned that spot.

But watching the Yaksha attack the proud Wolf of the North with those graceful swings and swipes of his polearm and that meticulous, perfect, footwork—acting as Lumine's sword, er, weapon—he couldn't help deflate at the thought that he might have always been seated at third place this whole time.

The form he is in could only slump forward so much. He makes up for it with sighing. Perhaps if he sighed a bit more, his form would be fixed into the defeated slump he's after.

He knows that sighing drives happiness away, but he couldn't help it.

Xiao fights with so much fluidity, grace, and superiority it is hard to look away. Even Bennett and Razor couldn't help pausing, at times with gazes pulled towards the Adeptus, before they helped with their Overload combos.

He sighs once more, but for a different reason.

Did he look so pathetic that an Unusual Hilichurl got the urge to stop scouting around and fussing over its briefcase to sit next to him and offer gentle pats on his back?

It is utterly humiliating, being the former Anemo Archon. But he didn't look like one right now.

He is just one of the many Elemental Spirits, an Anemo Sprite, floating around Mondsdtadt, sending gentle breezes wherever it is needed.

It is his most unassuming form, and it is the most convenient in this situation. It allows him to watch the fight up close without being noticed by the North Wind or the Traveler's party. The last thing he needs right now is to be scolded by the old Wolf god for lazing about or have Xiao and the Traveler see him in this foul mood.

Just because his day has been ruined, it doesn't mean he should bring others down with him. They probably didn't mean him harm anyway.

If anything, this foul mood might be his fault. Of all the places in Mondstadt he could mindlessly stumble in, the wind carries him to the forests of Wolvendom. And as if fate was mocking him, he even sees the moment Lumine and Xiao teleport into the forest where the other Mondstadtians were waiting for them.

Pathetic and overdramatic, that's what he is. Oh, and how could he forget? He is also a clumsy coward.

Could someone remind Venti how did he even convince Xiao to give him the time of day?

Oh, right. He didn't. He is a self-absorbed wretch who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer and involve, or at times cause, mischief for the Yaksha. And, he takes advantage of Xiao's innate kindness to do it over and over again.

He is brought out of his spiral by the Unusual Hilichurl's attempt at conversation, asking if he is alright. He gives a curt nod, cautiously avoiding eye contact.

That's right, he should stop thinking about rankings and biases. They are meaningless to an immortal for all will crumble through the passage of time.

Xiao would only scold him for worrying along the same petty thoughts and having the same ugly emotions as humans do.

Forgive, forget, and move forward!

But… first things first. Surely, he could be afforded to spare some time to mope about it for the rest of the day, right? He'll be bright as rain the very next day, promise!

When the battle finishes, he zooms out, as quickly as his little Sprite body could, away from the arena's edge. He doesn't even look back or thank the silly creature who comforted him. He just wanted a place to mope around by himself peacefully.

Ironically, Wolvendom has the perfect atmosphere for a solitary stay to attune and let go of gloomy thoughts.

Perhaps, he should go to Windrise instead...

Yet, the Sprite finds himself sitting on a tree branch overlooking the floating teleportation device. He tells himself that it should be far enough from the arena to safely remain undetected.

It isn't as if the Traveler or Xiao needed this relic to go back to Liyue. He is sure both are capable of returning from their spot in the arena.

That is precisely why his eyes widen at the sight of the Yaksha making his way to the ancient relic, almost making the Sprite fall back from where he is perching on a branch.

Why is Xiao still here? Did the Traveler leave him to fend for his own?

No, that didn't sound right. Xiao would have just teleported back to Liyue.

Did the Traveler ask him to stay and wait for her, then?

For whatever reason it may be, Venti is not the only curious one. A few of his Anemo Sprite brethren hover around the unfamiliar presence to check him out. But when gold eyes make contact with their white ones, they're quick to scurry off

And then a new set of Elemental Sprites come in, sometimes a pair, other times groups of three or four, to repeat the whole cycle again.

Venti the Sprite watches in fascination and underlying heartbreak how each iteration of the encounter hardens the Yaksha's features.

On the first encounter, Venti watched as Xiao's eyes widened into almost full circles, and sparkled in curiosity at the two Anemo sprites that came close to him. The Yaksha reached out for them and the sprites dodged and quickly fled in opposite directions.

There was a look of loss, and possibly disappointment in that gaze.

Xiao looked at his hand, clenched it, and turned to look away.

It was hard for Venti to see it unfold. He had seen it before from a different perspective [3], but never thought it would make him feel so heavy, as though he were struck down by gravity, getting sucked into the ground as if it were quicksand.

The second time around, Xiao didn't attempt to reach out, but his piercing gaze was enough for the sprites to turn tail and flee. The look of loss was replaced by a look of resignation.

The third time, the Adeptus wore a look of boredom and busied himself by looking at a cluster of Small Lampgrass.

Unable to watch anymore, Venti decides that the Traveler can screw herself for not coming over immediately. He will pretend to be a benevolent Anemo Sprite who will guide Xiao out of the woods of Wolvendom and head straight to Stone Gate where Xiao can navigate with ease to wherever it is that he needs to be. And then, he could sort out his feelings in peace.

Sounds like a plan. It is simple—straightforward, nothing convoluted, and very hard to mess up. Now, to put it in action.

Venti the Sprite swooshes out of his hiding spot, and heads straight into Xiao's line of sight. Once he was in front of Xiao, he sways from side to side to get the Yaksha's attention. Once gold eyes warily eye him, he drifts off to the well-trodden path that will lead them out of the woods.

"Venti," Xiao calls out.

The Sprite freezes for a second and spins his little body around to face the Adeptus. He sees the other shake his head.

"No, in that form, Barbatos."

The Sprite feels a whole body shiver pass over him.

This… this isn't part of the plan.

Panic grips at him—he didn't want Xiao to see him in this pathetic state. He quickly zips through the trees when he hears the Yaksha take a step forward. He goes up above a ridge and sees a horde of his brethren high up in the clouds.

The sprites are working together to disperse the heavy rain clouds that have been accumulating for some time.

Venti's mind races. He needs a distraction, some time to gather his thoughts.

And so, he joins them.

It is a simple task. One goes to a patch of grey clouds, then a sprite summons some Anemo to break it apart. Rinse and repeat. After going through the motions for a couple of times, he calms down and one thought remains in his mind.

Xiao recognized him. He called out to him in this form.

And that… that is nice. Xiao stayed true to his word. He really could identify Venti even after meeting others of his kind. He should go back and apologize. He was panicking all for nothing.

He glances down and spots Xiao. He closes his eyes and sighs in relief. Good, that saves him time from figuring out where he had lost the Yaksha in that flurry. He looks down again and then tilts his head in confusion. Where'd Xiao go?

"I've found you!"

The Sprite turns around and is greeted by glowing teal eyes and two tusks protruding from the sides of a very imposing mask—the signature features that strike fear to both gods and demons alike. It is no wonder that the other Anemo sprites have zoomed away, fleeing in fear for their lives.

Barbatos finds himself frozen in place as his world turns teal and black, as Xiao's hand encapsulated his whole form in gloved hands.

Once captured, the Yaksha clasps his hands, bearing his passenger, to his chest.

And they fall.

All of that lasts a couple of seconds, yet it felt an eternity to the Sprite. Overwhelmed, he loses the concentration he held to maintain his form and transforms back to his mortal bard form.

The light alerted Xiao. Already expecting it to happen, he releases his hold on the ball of light.

Poof!

Venti's human form emerges. His eyes,drawn upwards, sees the puffy white clouds, smattered with grey against the blue sky, growing farther and farther away from his reach. He reaches out a tentative hand at the tiny figures of his brethren blending in with the wisps of clouds.

It takes a beat for him to recognize the sensation of falling.

It certainly had been a while since the last time.

He knows that he should deploy the wind glider, or free his wings from their hiding place, or use the powers of Anemo at his disposal.

Yet, part of him wants to savor it—the loss of control, the wind's inability to stop his descent to the ground, a momentary helplessness without consequences.

And so he does nothing and simply closes his eyes, a smile gracing his lips.

"Venti!"

Xiao calls out, growling. What in Teyvat is this twit doing? Did he intend to smack head first into the ground as though he were nothing but human?

Venti laughs—to Xiao's bewilderment—when he remembers that he isn't alone. His eyes remain closed.

"Isn't the wind nice?"

Under the mask, Xiao's brows furrow slightly as his mouth parts before grumbling. The Anemo God is truly fitting of his title— with how much air fills the other's head cavity, compared to actual brain matter. He moves closer to the twit and scoops him up in his arms.

He isn't going to let the Anemo Archon disgrace himself by falling to death. Not on his watch.

Venti's eyes fly wide open when he feels Xiao's arms make contact with his upper back and the curve of his knees. He sees the glowing teal eyes and protruding tusks of the mask, obscuring the Yaksha's handsome face. He remembers the reason for feeling so overwhelmed before.

The Adeptus donned his mask to reach him. Why is Xiao willingly hurting himself for him?

A watery wall distorts Venti's vision. He covers them with his arm before the other realizes he is about to cry. He doesn't want Xiao to see him in tears. It would be humiliating.

It takes only a few more seconds for them to land on the grassy meadow. There was no harsh impact—Xiao's feet are light as ever with Anemo supporting his movements whenever he dons the mask.

"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! What do you think you're doing?!" Venti snaps the moment the Xiao's Yaksha mask dematerializes. He pounds his fists on the other's chest and flails in the Yaksha's arms. His voice drips with so much worry and panic, it startles the Adeptus into letting go of his grip on the mortal form of the former Archon. The bard gracefully lands on his feet—to the Yaksha's relief—and continues his tirade. "You needn't go so far as to use your mask to get to me! You could've gotten hurt!"

Venti fusses around him to see if there are external injuries on Xiao's person.

"Calm down, Venti. It isn't much; it was only one jump." Xiao tries to get the bard to stand still by placing his hands on the bard's shoulders. The sight was both foreign and familiar at the same time. He sighs and looks at Venti, whose troubled aqua pools make him a tinge bit guilty. He feels a trickle of cold sweat slide down his cheek. Why is Venti going into hysterics over a trivial matter? "And shouldn't I ask the same of you?"

Venti blatantly ignores the question directed at him.

"Are you in any pain right now? Show me where." Venti takes one of Xiao's hands and lays it on his cheek. He closes his eyes, trying to calm his breathing. He almost swears at his stupidity since he already broadcasted Xiao's. He shouldn't have flown so high up. In his defense, he didn't expect this outcome too. "Sevens, when did Mr. Calm-and-Collected Yaksha become so reckless and impulsive?!"

If Xiao were to get hurt or undergo that kind of pain, he would rather not be on his behalf.

Xiao doesn't answer, but watches intently while Venti calms down.

"You should've just given up, and let me be..." Venti mumbles under his breath, once his breath has stabilized.

"Listen," the Adeptus says gently as he brings the bard closer to him, guiding the other to lean his head on his chest. Venti even rearranges his hands to encircle Xiao's waist. "I cannot bring myself to abandon you when you are troubled."

A small gasp escapes from the bard's lips, and regrets it immediately. He lifts his head to look at Xiao and sees the seriousness in his eyes.

"Answer my question." Xiao's tone was stern, but it did not have any bite to it. "What was that earlier? What were you trying to pull? You could have gotten injured with your carelessness."

Venti sighs and resettles his head on the other's chest, feeling a little better from the fright from earlier. Xiao truly is kind.

"I'm just glad you're here," he says softly before letting go and gives him a weak smile. "Let's go home? I'm tired."

Venti transforms back into Sprite form and settles on top of Xiao's head.

"You're deflecting, and who said you can make yourself comfortable up there?"

The Sprite doesn't answer but tugs on a clump of hair.

"Ngh, what are you up to now?" Xiao grits out, his patience thinning at Venti's baffling actions. He picks up the Sprite off his head and glares at it.

The Sprite beams at him with those upward crescent eyes (another attempt to shy away from his prying, Xiao notes) before he wriggles free from the Yaksha's grasp.

"That a'way, my noble steed! I shall show the way; just follow my lead!" Venti the Sprite happily announces, settling back in his place on Xiao's head. He repeats the tugging motion on the clump of hair, urging the other to get a move on.

Venti's insistence in avoiding the issue did not make Xiao happy. Neither did the sudden demotion from knight to a packhorse (not that it was worth mentioning). A niggling voice at the back of his head tells him that something was wrong.

But the same voice told him to back down for now.

There were days he himself was not in the mood to talk or interact with anyone. Whenever Venti would find him in that mood, he would take this very form and just hang about without uttering a word, aside from the initial teasing. He would hum a melody on occasion, but would otherwise respect his need for silence.

Xiao huffs, and concedes. This… whatever this is, he could allow.

A harsher tug on his scalp brings him out of his thoughts. He begins walking straight ahead. Another tug makes him stop.

"What?"

The Sprite tugs on the same spot, slowly, dragging it out the action.

Xiao closes his eyes and breathes in; he must be patient. He takes a tentative step to his right and waits for a tug.

It doesn't come, and so he continues on that path.

They walk in silence. The Adeptus takes in the view and the little things Mondstadt has to offer, and notes how the terrain differs from Liyue.

The flora under his feet is verdant, full of life; not to mention, unique seeing as there are berries on the ground that could attach themselves onto one's person and luminescent plants that may well be nature's very own guide posts—unlike the yellowing found in most of Liyue's grasslands. The cliffs here are tilted in a myriad ways, as though each represents the glides and stops of a song—unlike the steep verticals of Liyue's mountain ranges. It must be easy for mortals to survive here with the abundance of food lying around, where fruit trees are ever present and the earth offers random patches of root crops—whereas Liyue offers more bounties of a different sort in the form of mineral ore.

He knows this is but a patch of land, but he could already see the love and attention its maker had given as he molded it in his hands.

Yet that very same awe-inspiring deity sits atop of his head, tugging his hair with the same brute force he must have used to level mountains to create bountiful valleys.

Xiao learns the differences of each tug along the way.

Venti would give a quick tug when he needed to make a turn: left or right; two quick successive tugs to warn of a sharp turn; a long hard tug for pausing; and a hard tug upward with its pressure gradually easing meant to glide down.

Even with the lack of verbal communication, they make good progress traversing Wolvendom.

For once, ever since meeting Venti again, silence unnerves him. The Sprite uttered not a word, and hummed not a single note. Only the scampering of animals, and the occasional chanting sounds coming from distant Hilichurl camps could be heard.

Venti was never this silent.

Xiao thought for the longest time he would never be this quiet, and would need to place a gag on the bard to achieve his effect (no, even then, he would still be boisterous).

The disconcerting silence, and the forest's characteristic feel of melancholy, forces the Adeptus to do the unthinkable: initiate small talk.

"The-there weren't major disturbances in the Plains, so I extended my rounds to Nantianmen." Xiao starts out stumbling on the very first word, unsure how to start. He fights the urge to click his tongue and just go on with it. "The Geovishaps have become more active and have started encroaching on Adventurer camps."

He cared not if the topic is interesting or not; the silence needs to be filled somehow. He would pause after each story, hoping that Venti would latch on to a topic and start talking.

Venti doesn't, but continues to give directions via hair tugging.

They eventually reach a deserted Hilichurl camp (the Traveler and her party made quick work of its inhabitants earlier) that led to Andrius's Arena, as indicated by the stone arches that line a slope.

"The Traveler asked me to lend her my strength to face the Wolf of the North earlier."

Xiao stills after feeling Venti shift atop his head. He sighs. He didn't know if it is from relief or exasperation, but at least his efforts are not in vain. He is not one to beat around the bush after all.

He picks up the Sprite from his head, who began thrashing in his hold. He places Sprite Venti on the palm of his other hand and brings him close to his face.

"Are you upset? Did I do something to offend you?" Xiao treads carefully.

"Me, upset? Why would I be?" Venti says in feigned surprise and chuckles weakly. He looks away. He hopes it would be enough not to make Xiao worry. "I'm dandy and happy as I can be!"

"Liar," Xiao accuses, exasperated fondness replacing the venom meant to be there. "There is nothing in Teyvat that would make you stop chattering if there is nothing upsetting you."

The Sprite makes an ineloquent sound before responding.

"There isn't anything to be upset about. I was just having one of those days. Pay it no mind."

Venti has his pride too. He doesn't want him to see just how low his patheticness can reach. He jumps off Xiao's palm and settles back on his spot on the other's head.

If Venti were in his human form right now, Xiao could easily imagine how the bard would puff out both cheeks before he spoke. He has to approach this differently, and settles with making sound of understanding for now.

They continue their trek to whichever destination Venti had in mind. Xiao doesn't ask, and he wouldn't ask. The destination is not of vital importance to him at the moment. He is fine with wandering around with the moody Sprite.

If he could air out one complaint, though, it would be the silence. Silence between them is not oppressive, per se, but uncomfortable still.

He knows Venti will open up on his own, since he was able to get him to speak to him already.

Patience is key, and if anything, Xiao finds out that he is able to extend his as long as it's for Venti's sake.

The day wears on, and the sun has begun to cast its golden, burnt rays onto the landscape. Standing atop a cliff with the view of a grape plantation, Xiao stands captivated at the vineyard as it soaks in that orange light.

"Over there is Dawn Winery. The producer of the tastiest and finest of wines in all of Mondstadt—and dare I say, in all of Teyvat!"

"You speak as though you are the owner," Xiao says drily. "I will assume this is also where they produce your beloved Dandelion Wine."

"Ah, yes, a family recipe passed on for generations, right down to its current Master," Venti agrees, his tone laced with obvious glee as he nods fervently. "By extension, you could say I am as all of the sons and daughters of Mond are inherently mine!"

Xiao didn't know until now that Venti's laughter possesses healing properties or that he would find a thirst that could only be quenched by that melodic sound. Part of him was deeply saddened when the chime-like laughter ceased.

"About earlier, it's nothing… really. No need to worry your little head, my pretty," Venti starts when his laughter ends. He then tells Xiao to glide down—as it will take them to Dawn Winery's outskirts—before continuing with a whine. "And besides, you'll just laugh at me and scold me for thinking too much like a mortal again."

Xiao's eyes widen. The pieces of the puzzle are starting to line up.

"And why, may I ask, would I feel compelled to scold you?"

Venti pauses for a long while, mulling over his options. Xiao lands onto the ground below, and doesn't press him for an answer, which the Sprite appreciates greatly.

The weather by the lake is not the same as Wolvendom's or most of Dawn Winery. There is a veil of grey clouds overhead, bringing with it a light rain shower. Xiao jogs along the water's edge until he finds a shed they can take shelter in for a while.

He is thankful that the Hilichurls nearby are accommodating enough not to mind their presence. [4]

Venti gets up and floats away from Xiao before shaking himself dry. He uses a bit of Anemo to start blow drying the Yaksha's hair.

"First, promise that you won't laugh… and that you won't scold me too harshly!" he says, abrupt, as he goes about his task.

In Xiao's ears, he sounded as though he were a petulant child, negotiating a lighter sentence for a misdeed.

"I can't say for certain—"

"Just hearing you say it will be enough! Please?"

Xiao lets a few chuckles escape him. It finds this useless pleading cute, and is relieved to hear the enthusiasm bleed back into the bard's tone, even if it is tinged with irritation.

"I promise."

That is all he needs to open up to Xiao. A switch is turned on, and the floodgates open.

"I was upset seeing the Traveler succeed in dragging you here to Mondstadt," Venti starts, his tone confident and playful, but Xiao knows better than to trust the bard's tone alone. Cold sweat forms at the back of Xiao's neck.

"You are upset with the Traveler and I. Is it due to my accepting of her request to battle Andrius here in Mondstadt?"

Venti would realize, much, much later on, that he should've just kept his mouth shut.

"An astute observation, my intelligent Yaksha! Yes, I am," the Sprite confirms, sarcasm and venom forming quite the lethal dose of poison in his tone. He stops blowing wind through Xiao's hair, deeming it to be dry enough to settle back in. "But, I am an adult, and an adult can stand to see reason. The Traveler's charm—that charm that I clearly do not possess—makes it hard to refuse her anything. I myself have fallen for it, and so I forgive you."

No, Xiao is not forgiven. The Yaksha just knows it. Bits and pieces of Venti's attempts to convince him to venture out to Mondstadt with him replay in his mind's theater.

He may have seen where wrongdoing lies, but epiphany sets in a second too late.

"I apolo—"

"Save it. I already said that I forgive you," Venti cuts him off before mumbling the rest. "And, I thought you're the kind who doesn't say what he doesn't mean? You fought so valiantly for her after all."

Venti stiffens, realizing he said too much—realizing he is being cruel. He couldn't help it. Once the floodgates were thrown open, he couldn't stop the flow of words that came out of his mouth. He should know better. It was petty, childish and very un-godlike, but at the same time, it felt good to air it out.

He is the worst. He'll simply accept the consequences of that misstep.

"That confirms it, you saw us. Is that why you're in this form? To snoop around?"

Did most of those things go over Xiao's head? That he is only concerned whether he was snooping on him and the Traveler's party or not?

"N-no! I… I wasn't snooping! How rude!" Venti quickly refutes.

Or not. Venti never truly learns the first time around.

He pulls harshly on the Yaksha's hair as revenge. The groan coming from the Yaksha is satisfying. "I just thought it'd be nice for a benevolent Anemo Sprite to guide a lonely Adeptus back to Liyue after he's been ditched by a heartless, yet ever-so-charming, Traveler."

"Were you trying to be a seelie?"

"Perhaps," Venti says sweetly as he soothes the spot he has been abusing these past few minutes. He isn't sorry for the strands of hair he did pull loose, though. "Can't have you saying Mondstadt's unwelcoming to guests."

"Cut that out," Xiao growls out, catching the imp with both of his hands and brings the little menace back to his face again. He is about to scold the brash creature for his actions, but finds the words on the tip of his tongue dying.

Venti didn't resist his capture and is currently looking away, unable to meet his eyes. He is a mess.

White dots they may be, but Xiao could recognize sadness in them. He couldn't find it in himself to push through reprimanding the Sprite with sharp words. He just stares at the creature, and once he thinks it is alright, he uses his index finger to rub circles on the other's little head.

"Let's get going? The rain has stopped." Venti looks up to him and offers when Xiao lifts his finger. "The path is pretty straightforward. You don't need me to give you directions anymore."

Xiao gives him a nod and places him on his shoulder. Stepping out of the shed, they began their journey anew.

By then, the sun had set, and the stars greet them. They look the same as when they are viewed in Liyue.

Does that notion bring comfort or disappointment?

Could it be that it looks the same because they are near Liyue itself?

None of these questions really mattered. Venti realizes he's just projecting onto them. He wanted to be that person Xiao could find comfort in, no matter how cocky that sounded just now. It was a happy coincidence that he also found comfort in Xiao's presence.

But up to this point, he has only proved to be quite a disappointment.

When they reach the bridge, Venti watches as the water below tries to reflect the moon and the stars despite the constant ripples that continuously distorts the image.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I… shouldn't have lashed out at you," Venti says somberly. Just like how he couldn't keep up the image of perfection, he could at least make the effort to set things right brought upon by the ripples of his personality. "You are free to do as you please with your time, go to places you wish to visit with the company of your choosing. I have no right to impose and punish you for your choices."

"Venti…" Xiao stops in his tracks to pick the Sprite up and place him back on his palm. Conversing with Venti in this form is quite the hassle when the Sprite himself doesn't make an effort to face him. He knows better than to chalk it up to laziness on the other's part.

"I was in the wrong. I shouldn't think it unfair that you chose the Traveler. Please scold me. Punish me for being such a disgrace. I-I deserve it."

Xiao stares at the figure in his palm. This is the second most apologetic Venti has ever been since their talk about a month ago. He could feel his sincerity. He brings his other hand close to the Sprite, and the said Sprite closes its eyes in preparation of his punishment.

The Adeptus pinches at the side of the Sprite's head—what he assumes to be Venti's cheek in this form.

"You're overthinking again." He huffs and pinches a bit harder, making the other whimper before letting go. "You are already a handful before this. It isn't outside of what I expected of you."

"Hey!" The Sprite bristles in protest. White eyes widen in realization that he doesn't have the right to refute at the moment.

Xiao chuckles and attempts to flick the creature's forehead.

"Nonetheless, I accept your apology."

Venti shuts his eyes, letting the pain subside and silently regretting choosing this form. He couldn't tend to the inflicted spot.

"Thank you," he manages to say in between winces.

Xiao rolls his eyes at him. The flick wasn't even that hard. He takes it as a sign that Venti's feeling much better than before.

"But let me apologize as well. Properly this time."

The Sprite nods.

"I apologize for taking your efforts and feelings about bringing me to Mondstadt for granted." Xiao bows his head in apology and tentatively looks up after a few seconds to see upward crescents on the Sprite's face. It is a genuine 'smile'.

"Apology accepted." Venti giggles and floats up, positioning himself on Xiao's shoulder. "Now that all's settled, let's get moving? We're almost there."

Xiao composes himself and starts walking again.

The small nagging voice in his head is shouting something again. He could feel that the mood of the creature on his shoulder has lifted already, but he gives into the demands of the voice.

"I'll have you know that I didn't truly willingly accept the Traveler's offer," he starts awkwardly and looks away. "She just… teleported us when I opened my mouth. She thought I was about to agree. She said she was pressed for time."

"What? So you're telling me she just kidnapped you?" Venti barks out a laugh. "Aw, Illuminated Beasts of Liyue could be coerced so easily, who knew?!"

Venti is properly laughing now, his little form shaking and going to and fro—almost making him fall off balance.

"Shut it!" the Adeptus hisses, but is relieved to hear the other rhyming again. "She did apologize when we cleared the misunderstanding."

"Sorry, sorry." Sprite Venti would've loved to be able to wipe a tear from his eye, but he couldn't. "It's just that you're called the 'Vigilant Yaksha' yet she managed to catch you off guard like that. As expected of the Traveler!"

"As if you aren't a master of that art as well," Xiao mutters under his breath and clicks his tongue loudly.

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Bright wide eyes look at him expectantly. He sighs.

"If I may, I'll speak my mind clearly."

"Ugh, I thought we were over that formal talk!" Really, this form is a mistake. He couldn't face-palm in a way that Xiao could see like this. "But fine, I will indulge you. Speak, Adeptus Xiao, you have my permission."

"I... I am not well-versed in human emotions, but I have grown intimately familiar with a few," Xiao says carefully, while also keeping the memories the fallen gods have forced him to watch—and even relive—at bay. "Be honest with me, Venti. Were you jealous?"

The Sprite jolts in surprise. His Yaksha truly is observant and insightful. He peers at Xiao's face to see what sort of expression he would make with such a claim.

It is neutral. He should've expected as much.

"And would you look at that! We're here, Stone Gate!" The Sprite jumps off Xiao's shoulder and transforms back to his human form. He lands on the ground, twirling afterwards, with the same grace as a ballerina. He smiles at the Yaksha when he catches him open his mouth slightly, mesmerized. "It should be easy for you to get back to Wangshu Inn from here, correct?"

The 'us' in the "let's go home" earlier was a lie. He didn't intend to stay, especially now that he has said too much—made a fool of himself too much. It is time to draw the curtains closed.

"Now, if you excuse your generous guide, I—"

Finally getting a hold of himself, Xiao cuts him off with a snort. Venti narrows his eyes when he sees the corner of the other's lips curl upward and the mirth in those gold eyes. The bard is about to open his mouth to question the smirking Adeptus when he feels a tug on his cape.

"I'll take your squirming as a 'yes'." The tug becomes a pull as the said Adeptus yanks the bard to his side, sliding an arm around the other's waist.

Venti's jealousy isn't ugly, unlike those he had seen and experiences in those dark, dark memories. It is oddly endearing.

"Oi!" is all Venti could say as he sees the scenery changes before his eyes.

Oh… oh. All those hours of walking around were useless when in fact, they could've teleported back to the inn immediately. He forgot about that itty bitty little detail.

"And here I thought the Anemo Archon was taking me sightseeing around the Mondstadt he takes so much pride in." Xiao lets go when their feet touch the wooden floor of Wangshu Inn, eyeing the bard who once more refuses to look in his direction. "I should've known you were just being a 'blundering buffoon', letting jealousy burn you out."

"Do you have a problem with that?" Venti snaps, clumsily at that as a new emotion consumes him whole—embarrassment. But he refuses to simply give into further provocation. He takes a deep breath, willing the heat on his cheeks to disappear before turns to face Xiao.

"Alat—"

That didn't come out right.

Venti clamps his mouth shut before the whole name comes barrelling out in frustration. He can't let the first time he says the name be so trivial!

Xiao raises an eyebrow, stifling his laughter. Seeing this bard have his feathers ruffled like this is a treat he rarely gets to witness.

Damn it, Venti was supposed to retort with a cool, witty comeback! Now he has to cover up this mess.

"About those Lampgrass back in Wolvendom…" he starts coolly, hoping the Adeptus would think of his accidental slip up as his mouth stumbling on words. "Why were you looking at them so intently?"

Xiao blinks and takes a step closer to him.

"They reminded me of your braids." The Yaksha takes one in his hands, noticing how they were faintly glowing, and shows it to its owner. "They have the same color as the tips of your hair when it glows."

Venti utters a small strangled sound as his mouth hangs agape unflatteringly. He blinks a few times and just slumps forward, burying his head on Xiao's shoulder once more. His arms loop around Xiao's neck too.

"Venti, what's wrong?" Xiao asks.

Archons, he is tired, very much emotionally tired.

"Nothing."

"That can't be 'nothing'," Xiao argues, his curiosity being fanned when he feels a smile forming against his shoulder. "Use your words to make me understand."

But it is a good kind of tired.

Venti doesn't reply anymore—too drunk at the sound of worry lacing Xiao's words. The scraps of gloom that lingers within dissolves into nothingness in that big bubbling pot of happiness inside of him.

Screw Morax, the Traveler, and that ridiculous ranking system he thought of. They can all drown in the Abyss for all he cared.

If Xiao can see him in the smallest of things such as a small lampgrass by the wayside, and literally pick him out of hundreds of look-alikes, then that says something about his importance in this Yaksha's eyes—in his life.

"It's fine. You don't need to answer." Xiao sighs in defeat, seeing as the usually chatty bard adamantly refuses to give him a reply. "But unlike you, I am mature enough to answer yours."

The Adeptus gingerly wraps his arms around the bard's waist and whispers: "No, I don't 'have a problem with that'."

He has grown to accept that Venti is not Venti without the theatrics, the teasing, and the stories he tells, and most importantly, the emotion he put into his words and actions.

"You have made me into your unwilling student. Take responsibility and teach me properly… Teach me about human emotions."

So that I could understand you better.

He then sees Verr Goldet waving him—or them—off in the corner of his eye. She has a knowing look on, a smile gracing her features.

Her gesture meant 'Go get a room, you two'.

A touch of pink graces his cheeks as his cheeks brush against the fluff that is Venti's hair. It is only then does his mind process all the things that came from his mouth the moment they set foot into Wangshu Inn. How utterly shameless.

Venti's hold on him tightens, and a little squeal, followed by a giggle escapes from those smiling lips.

"I take it that you are happy then."

"Uh-huh~"

Venti breaks free from his hold on Xiao and gives him the brightest smile he could.

Xiao's eyes widen.

The bard has always praised the Yaksha's unparalleled beauty under the light of the moon. Xiao would like to differ. In his humble opinion, Venti probably never sees himself reflected onto a mirror under the moon's embrace with that expression on.

Yes, this sight is a treasure indeed.

Venti is glowing—inside and out.

From that bright smile to the tips of his hair. From the light tune he hums to the graceful swaying he does in sync with the tune on his lips.

It is the figure before him that is of unparalleled beauty, not him.

He belatedly realizes that comparing the manner Venti's hair glows to a lampgrass—an insignificant plant—sounds more of an insult rather than a compliment.

At the edges of the sea of midnight blue do the hidden treasures below glow so radiantly.

And he has this treasure all for himself.

The Adeptus sears the image in his mind. So intent and preoccupied is he in the task that he doesn't notice his features try to mirror the joy his treasure was showing him.

And just when he thought Venti couldn't be any more radiant, the little imp proves him wrong.

Lesson One on human emotions, duly learned. This is the look of pure happiness.

—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —

Extra

"Who would've known we'd stumble on a new domain out here in Wolvendom?!" Bennett laughs, smiling as he stretches his arms and back. "It's not beyond our level and there really is treasure in there—and not just vegetables!"

"Though, it would've been better if we didn't literally stumble into one!" Paimon whines, placing her hands on her waist, laughing in a way that says 'that never should have happened. Ever.'. "I mean, what idiot puts a domain opening on the literal ground!"

Lumine and Bennett laugh nervously while scratching their cheeks.

Because really, maybe they were the idiots not seeing an entrance that wide.

Then again, there haven't been reports of a Domain appearing in the area.

"Sorry," Bennett apologizes with a weak laugh. "It's probably my bad luck at work again."

Paimon chuckles slowly. Really, those were Luxurious Chests… why did they only have Exquisite Chest drops? She sighs dejectedly and accepts that this is a step up from just Cabbages and Carrots.

"No, no, there's no need to apologize, Bennett! We got a great adventure from that, right?"

"Right! And we got all that loot too!"

"Razor glad… Bennett happy!"

"Oh, and we got lots of Meat and Fowl from some of the chests! We can have a feast!"

"Mm-hm," the wolf boy agrees wholeheartedly.

"I'll cook!"

"NO—" Lumine and Paimon start in unison. Razor just tilts his head and blinks.

"What we mean is…" Paimon starts, her smile is rather forced.

"Let me and Razor handle the cooking, since you'll be in charge of the fire, right?" Lumine finishes for her and looks at Razor for back up.

"Mm," Razor agrees with a nod. "Razor good cooking meat."

"So go and get some kindling for the fire." Lumine gives him a sweet smile as she waved him off. "We'll set camp here."

Once Bennett is out of sight, she rummages her travel bag to see what ingredients they could make use of for dinner. She smiles when she sees they have some they could use to make some dessert.

Dessert…

"Xiao!" Lumine exclaims, almost dropping the cooking ingredients in her hands. "Razor, wait here. I'll just fetch Xiao from the teleportation device."

"Oh right, we made him leave before us!" Paimon screeches, realizing it just now too.

"Lumine's friend…" Razor sniffs the air. "He left long time ago."

Lumine pales. Did she just piss off an Adeptus for making him wait for… hours? Will she incur Adeptal Wrath? After she accidentally forced him to come to Wolvendom too… She collapses to the ground as she distantly hears Paimon panicking, going 'what will we do?' over and over again.

"Lumine! You okay?" Razor hurriedly leaps to her side, and sniffs the air again. "Huh? Green fellow who makes poems lupical likes, with him when Lumine friend left."

"Venti!" Paimon is the first to recover from her descent into fear. She does little loops of joy in the air. "I knew we could really count on Tone-Deaf Bard to pull when in a pinch!"

"Ha… ha… right," Lumine says flatly. While Adeptal Wrath might be off the table… an Archon's wrath now seems more likely. She picks herself from the ground and lifelessly begins to arrange leaves on the ground into a bed for the ingredients.

"You think a week's supply of Delicious Almond Tofu and three bottles of vintage wine will do it?" She turns her attention to the fairy already humming a happy tune without a care in the world.

"Huh? Wine, what'd we need that for?" The fairy's high-pitched voice is starting to sound grating in the Traveler's ears. "I get the Almond Tofu, but Paimon doesn't think Xiao would appreciate the wine."

"Right… right." It was Lumine's turn to laugh maniacally.

She just screwed herself twice.

—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —

Footnotes:

[2] Unfortunately, if Venti were to ask Xiao this, then he would realize that he is completely mistaken.

The rightful holder of the title 'The Most Grating Person Xiao has Met to Date' is Tartaglia, number 11 of the Fatui Harbingers, with the code name: Childe, and unfortunately Lord Rex Lapis's-Er, Zhongli-daren's chosen life partner. [back]

[3] For the newcomers who are curious, you may try reading my other fic 'Venti Incognito'.

For those who aren't interested in reading it, the TL;DR of that is 'Venti the Sprite spends a whole afternoon and night with Xiao as a way to sightsee in Liyue. That is, without Xiao knowing the Anemo Sprite is Venti.'

For those who have read it: Hello, did the nostalgia kick in? [back]

[4] [Please imagine Xiao standing under a wooden shed with two Hilichurl archers further the back, standing on some rocks. Sadly, the picture did not carry over here. (TnT) ] [back]