A/N: Hello again~
This is it! The last part of this ridiculously long 5+1. I meant for it to be short and sweet, but well...
I should've expected as much from myself. ?
Anyways, I hope you enjoy~
Just a heads up: author got a bit indulgent.
I thank my friend who has been editing this with me. She's a blessing, I tell you.
○ A [Xiao] Lantern and A [Faulty Street] Lamp
Xiao knows how good Venti is with children. Despite the bard having the same temperament as the little ones he entertains, one cannot deny that there is maturity that can be glimpsed from the patience and care that he showers them with.
The Yaksha watches from a fair distance away, perched on a tree, as Venti plays with the lone child spirit the Inn takes custody of. He is tasked with bringing the bard back to Wangshu Inn for a performance—the manner with which Venti compensates the inn's services; 'free' staff meals and laundry privileges—whenever he stays over. Venti helps in the food preparation when Smiley's hands are too full, and helps in errands whenever asked.
Xiao knows that Verr Goldet is right and that she wouldn't have trouble uncovering Xiao's obnoxious and persistent visitor. She isn't lacking in connections to verify some details too.
Not to mention, Venti's own loose lips. The former Anemo Archon is too used to the idiots in Mondstadt dismissing his slips of tongue as nonsense—forgetting that there are those who find an ounce of the truth in the useless ramblings and dig it out.
He is thankful that the mysterious woman treats Venti as a free-loading bard she can boss from time to time rather than the alternative. It gives him one less issue to worry about.
Truly, it wouldn't hurt for the former Anemo Archon to be more guarded.
He is brought out of his thoughts when he hears a mechanized voice groan in defeat, and the sound of metal hitting the ground.
"I don't mind playing with you, but please stop reanimating the Ruin Hunter, please?" Venti brings his hands together to plead with the little girl. This pose is a surefire way for him to get what he wants from the older folks in Mondstadt, but he isn't so sure how it will work on Liyuen ghost children. "Pretty please?"
"Hmmmm, but mister said he uses a bow to fight!" Dusky Ming argues and pouts. "Dusky Ming just being helpful."
When the bard doesn't move an inch, she goes on, determined to be in the right.
"Their eyes are sooo bright, they're perfect for target practice! Very hard to miss, right?"
"Oh, I suppose you do have a point there." Venti hmms in thought, making a show of giving her arguments some thought.
Dusky Ming looks very pleased with herself about convincing an older person that she is, in fact, correct.
"But, watching me take down the same thing must be boring! How about you do some more hiding while I do the seeking?" Venti suggests carefully and sweetly, in hopes of avoiding battling with a Ruin Hunter for the sixth time in a row.
"Hmmmm," the little girl thinks aloud. "But mister's so good at hide-n-seek that I don't want to play another round just yet. And besides," the ghost adds with her eyes sparkling. "Mister does a lot of cool moves when he's using the bow!"
At any other time, Venti would've been as pleased as punch—puffing up his chest with his head held high—but he knew better than to fall for the flattery this time around. He gives Dusky Ming a long-suffering smile and goes through the motion of ruffling her hair. He supposes six would be enough to satisfy the little gremlin.
"That's enough playing, you two."
Venti spins around to his savior. He silently celebrates the fact he wouldn't need to battle it out with the Ruin Hunter.
"Big brother!" Dusky Ming runs towards the Yaksha and gives him a hug around the waist—as much as she could without having her arms pass through.
"It's getting dark," Xiao finishes looking at the little girl who lets go of him and runs back to Venti.
"Hey, how come I'm 'mister' and he's the 'big brother'?" Venti kneels to her level and half-cups his mouth to feign whispering. He points to the Yaksha with his thumb, and even has the audacity to wink at him. Xiao scoffs at him. "Surely, when compared to Mr Grumpy over there, I look much younger."
"Watch it," Xiao warns, narrowing his eyes at the bard and crossing his arms.
Venti just blows him a raspberry in return.
Dusky Ming giggles at the exchange. They must be good friends for Big Brother Xiao to react so much to Mr. Bard's insults!
"That's because Big Brother Xiao's been playing with me for a long, loooong time now—even before you came along Mister Bard~"
Venti snickers, covering his mouth.
"Ah, so Mr Workaholic Knight's not all-work-and-no-play after all?" Venti goes over to poke at Xiao's cheek a couple times,a grin on his face. "Kinda had a hunch you'd be good with children, ehe."
"Don't misunderstand," the Adeptus says gruffly. "I don't play with her. I supervise her actions."
"Now, now, you don't have to be so defensive!" Venti coos as he ruffles Xiao's hair. He steps back just in time to avoid a swipe towards his wrist. "Your Master isn't the type to keep tabs on your work. I think he'll agree with me when I say those monsters need some reprieve!"
"What?" Xiao uncrosses his arms, not believing what is coming out of the bard's mouth.
"I jest, I jest. What I mean is no one will sue you if you take a break once in a while."
The bard jests, indeed. There is no reprieve for monsters. Even if it isn't Xiao who would personally hunt them down, there is the Traveler and the Fatui Nutjob eager to pick up the slack even without being advised. May it be for resources or stress relief, it doesn't matter. They'll still get wiped out one way or another.
Before Xiao could retort, an excited ghost pipes in.
"Oooh, I just remembered! Mister Bard, before we go, I wanna show you something as a 'thank you'! Come with me to that tree over there!" Dusky Ming grabs Venti's hand the best she could to whisk him away. "Dusky Ming will show you her treasure because you made Dusky Ming's small wish come true!"
"Ohhh, wait, slow down!" Venti holds onto his beret and spares a glance towards Xiao.
Xiao shooed them off and doesn't follow. He is content with just watching. The corner of his lip curls upward at the thought of how similar the two are, so full of life. It made him entertain the fancy of imagining Venti as a child (the bard already has the temperament and the mannerisms down, in any case).
Venti as a child would have been a ray of sunshine, a ball of energy that bounces off from one person to another. He would make them smile with a rhyme or a tune he'd make on the spot, and laugh at whatever antics he's up to next.
It isn't much different from the present Venti, but he would be much more forgivable, given that his penchant for wine wouldn't have developed just yet.
In his mind's eye, he could see Venti's child form replacing Dusky Ming. The child's hair is long, tied securely into front braids. Instead of a hat, a Cecilia is tucked into the child's right ear. The child would giggle with the same bright tinkling tone that Venti possesses and an equally bright smile would be present.
For his lack of imagination and general knowledge regarding children's clothing in Mondstadt, he settles for the same style Chi Bao that Dusky Ming is wearing—its colors a combination of green, brown, and white.
Xiao sucks in a breath when the child in his mind turns his—their—head towards him. Instead of seeing mischief shining in aqua pools, he sees striking gold irises. At the edges of midnight blue hair, aqua and teal dance, intertwining in the hold of those braids.
He closes his eyes, and sighs.
His imagination has grown too robust.
—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —
"We're here!" Dusky Ming announces as they come to an abrupt stop in front of a withered tree. "Close your eyes and count to three. No peeking until I say so, okay?"
"Ohohoho, what could it be?" Venti closes his eyes and covers them with his hands.
"One… Two… Argh!" the ghost yells in frustration when she sees the small window the older man opened through his fingers. "Mister Bard, Dusky Ming said no peeking! Dusky Ming will change her mind if Mister Bard wouldn't follow the rules..."
Venti giggles at the sight of a pouty child, pointing an accusatory finger at him with her other hand on her waist.
"Oh no, please give this bard another chance!"
"Okay," Dusky Ming concedes, giggling at the bard's theatrics. "But absolutely no peeking this time."
She watches him close the window in between his fingers and starts counting once more.
"One... Two… Three!"
Venti felt a chilling burst of wind.
"You can open your eyes now."
He does what he is told and puts down his hands and opens his eyes. At first, he doesn't see anything different with the tree. He looks at the child who is pointing upwards. He follows the direction of the finger is pointing at and sees a pretty paper lantern hanging above the tree.
"That's Dusky Ming's newest treasure. It's so pretty, right?" The ghost began jumping up and down in excitement. "The Traveler gave it to me during this year's Lantern Rite."
"Yup, it's very pretty!"
The ghost began to climb the tree to reach the Xiao Lantern. Venti positions himself under the tree with his arms outstretched, ready to catch Dusky Ming if she were to fall. She giggles when she gets a hold of the Xiao lantern and begins her descent. She hands it over and smiles when Venti takes it carefully out of her hands.
"Since Mister Bard isn't from around here, Dusky Ming will tell you about it." She gives him a proud smile. "This is a Xiao Lantern. People in Liyue make this during the Lantern Rite. They let it fly off in the sky after they place wishes on it. Sometimes they give it to other people with a little rhyming poem on it."
Venti inspects the Xiao Lantern in his hands, turning it around. This isn't the first time he has seen one, per se. He had seen multitudes of them illuminating the dark sky whenever he stopped by Stone Gate, just in time for when Qingce Village raised up their own Xiao Lanterns.
But this is the first time he had seen one up close. If the Traveler had made this, then she has colored him impressed. It is truly well made, as though it were a product of a skilled artisan. There are no loose or awkward spaces where the ends of the materials meet, and the paint job is done meticulously.
One other thing he notes is the lack of words—not a single character is written on it.
"Oh, Dusky Ming didn't write any wishes on that lantern."
"But why?" Venti looks at her with a small smile.
"Well…" The child began to twist her body from side to side, her arms tucked behind her back. "Dusky Ming doesn't know what kind of wish to write there. And it's the first time someone had given Dusky Ming a Xiao Lantern! It would be a waste to let it go!"
She takes back the lantern from his arms.
"Don't look so sad, Mr. Bard! You see, even if Dusky Ming didn't write her wish, you still came!"
"Huh, where do I—?"
"Everything!" She laughs brightly, before making the lantern disappear. "Dusky Ming doesn't know a lot of things… like how long Dusky Ming could stay here or why is Dusky Ming still here."
She throws herself onto the bard, part of her passing through him.
"But all Dusky Ming wants for now another playmate! And then Mister Bard came along! See? Dusky Ming doesn't have to write wishes on the Xiao Lantern for it to come true!"
Venti kneels to her height and hugs back, to the ghost's delight.
"Have you been lonely?"
"Hm, kinda…" she says thoughtfully before gently pushing Venti back. "But with you and the Traveler as my new playmates, Dusky Ming isn't so lonely anymore!"
"Tell you what, how about I give you something better than a playmate?"
The child looks at him with widened eyes.
"Better than a 'playmate'?"
"Yeah, Mr. Bard here can be your friend." Venti points at himself with his thumb, a proud smile on his face. "That means you can bother me anytime you want. Whether it's for more play time, or if you just want to tell me something because you're happy or sad, with Venti the Bard as your friend, you can do all of that and more!"
Dusky Ming blinks a couple of times, and smiles widely when she begins to understand what the bard is saying. Bits and pieces of her past life's memories with her 'friends' came to mind—the laughter, the chatter, the short 'adventures' she had with them. She was a frail child, so the adventures were limited to the neighbor's backyard, but it had been more than enough and had brought her joy.
"That sounds… nice." She feels something wet on her cheek and uses her hand to touch it. "Huh?"
"So what do you say? Can we be friends?" Venti says, a gentle smile on his face.
Dusky Ming nods enthusiastically before hugging Venti again. Her tackle had so much force it made him fall on his back.
They both laugh. She stayed on top of him for a while as Venti gently passed his hand over her hair. It required quite a bit of effort from the both of them, but they made it work.
Dusky Ming gets off of the bard when she's had her share of cuddling, and the bard stands up to dust himself off.
"Being called 'Mister Bard' is cute and all, but since we're friends now, I'd like it better if you call me 'Venti'." He places his hands on his waist, winking at her. "Think you can do that?"
"Hmmm, Dusky Ming will think about it."
"Awww, but aren't we friends now?" he whines slightly.
Dusky Ming puts on a mischievous grin and raises a finger.
"For us to be good friends, Mr. Bard has to play with me again next time!"
Venti feigns shock, opening his mouth wide to gasp and then covers it with his hand.
"My, my, aren't you one tough customer?" Venti chuckles, outstretching his hand for the ghost to take. "But that's one condition I'm sure I could deliver."
"So that's a promise?" Dusky Ming takes his hand as they start making their way back to Xiao.
"Yup, that's a promise." He leans over and holds out his pinky finger.
"You better keep it, Venti…" She hooks her finger onto his and begins chanting the pinky swear song.
Venti thinks that maybe a hundred years of friendship is quite doable for beings such as them. [5]
—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —
When the Traveler had asked Xiao, many moons ago, what it is that he desires, he was quick to dismiss the idea.
Xiao has never considered the concept of having worldly desires. There is simply no space for them in his life.
His duty to Liyue—his contract to his master, Lord Rex Lapis—takes precedence above all else and occupies all of his waking hours. What else could he want for, other than serving under his Liege, his savior?
And yet… One night in the banks of Dihua Marsh, laying spread-eagle on the ground, he panted as he felt the adrenaline seep away from his system and his ears caught the last few notes from a song carried by the wind. He thought that this would be the night that seizes him—the night when he will breathe his last.
It is not a desire, he would tell himself. It is but a fleeting wish.
If fate would allow it, he would like to show his sincerest gratitude to that person who has given him another chance at life.
And fate did allow it; he met Venti.
"Yoo-hoo~ Anybody home?"
Xiao blinks and sees a hand waving in front of his eyes.
"Oh, you're back?"
"Yup, Dusk Ming just showed me her lovely treasure—one that I'm sure even Big Brother Xiao doesn't know about!" Venti puffs his chest, delighted to have one-upped Xiao in some superficial way.
"That's right! It's our little secret!"
The Adeptus rolls his eyes and holds out his hand for the little girl to hold onto. She eagerly takes it and they start walking back to the inn. After a few minutes, she looks behind her to see Venti trailing behind them.
"Hey, Mister Bard, are you coming back with us?"
"Yup, I've got a performance at the Inn tonight," Venti replies as he summons Der Frühling in his hands. He strums the strings in demonstration, smiling when he sees the ghost's brown eyes shine. "Would you like to watch? I'd dedicate a song to you."
"You would?!"
"Take it as a thank you for your thank you."
Dusky Ming laughs.
"What's that supposed to mean, Mister? You're so silly!" She holds out her free hand for Mister Bard to take. "Let's all go home together then."
Venti pauses. His fingers clutch at some of the lyre strings so tightly that they threaten to break.
Wangshu Inn. Home.
He never thought those two would ever be synonymous.
A warmth surges inside of him. Xiao may not consider Wangshu Inn as his home (although, that may be due to wariness or obliviousness—despite obviously being just that), but having Venti be recognized as part of that 'household' by one of its members makes him extremely happy.
"Hurry up or we'll leave you behind!" Dusky Ming calls out to the bard who is lagging about three meters away from them.
"Coming!" He sing-songs, catching up to the Yaksha and the ghost child. He takes her hand and holds it gently, making sure not let it pass through.
Dusky Ming seems to be pleased to be in between two of her playmates and began swinging their joined hands to and fro while giggling. She also begins singing her favourite song.
"Silly-churl, billy-churl, silly-billy-hilichurl~"
The two older men smile at the child, letting their arms get swung in accordance to her pace. Dusky Ming's voice was sweet yet still quite bone-chilling.
Venti lifts his gaze higher, and aqua meets gold.
"What were you doing standing around like that? You're going to be late."
Venti flashes him a smile. Unbeknownst to him, his braids were already glowing faintly.
"Hmmm, nothing, just thinking about the Inn too," he says nonchalantly. "What time do I need to get there?
"In about two hours."
"Eh? In two hours? Aren't you picking us up a little too early?" Venti squints at Xiao.
"With you two together…" Xiao alternates looking at Venti and Dusky Ming. "It is better to err on the side of caution."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Venti whines, feigning hurt from the implications of Xiao's response.
"OH! The Hilichurls are back!" Dusky Ming lets go of her hold on her elders' hands and runs to the Hilichurl camp nearby. She stops abruptly in her tracks to face Xiao and shouts: "Big Brother Xiao, I'll be back to the Inn when the sun has set! I'll just play with them for a little while!"
Venti is about to run after her when he feels a hand rest on his shoulder. He looks at Xiao who is shaking his head.
"I left one on purpose. She was complaining about not seeing her 'friends' lately."
Venti turns his gaze back to the camp, and sees that the Hilichurls were indeed welcoming her. The Samachurl is hugging her while the others dance in celebration of her visit. Even the Mitachurl had come over to proudly show her the new shield it had carved.
"Oh." Venti blinks at the scene unfolding before him. "I think I see what you mean."
When Venti has slipped up on being the Anemo Archon or had accidentally done something a normal human wouldn't be able to do, most Liyuen citizens just brush it off saying: 'Eh, I have seen stranger things happen in Liyue before'. He was skeptical at first, but seeing an instance of such an event firsthand, he is now a believer of that saying.
"Let's head back." Xiao withdraws his hand, but Venti catches it. He watches as the bard slots his fingers between his.
"My hand's lonely without someone holding it." Venti gives it a squeeze before swinging it once. "Full steam ahead!"
Xiao huffs and starts walking. Glancing in the bard's direction, he could see happiness radiating from him. The tune he hears the other hum makes tugs at the corner of his lip.
He wonders how long they can stay together like this.
He would never admit it if he were his former self, but his days with Venti are like a dream. They are blissful bubbles of peace and playful chaos. Even when the darkness within him gnaws at him, when Venti is around, he would find it more bearable and the comfort he is given afterwards is incomparable.
He doesn't want to admit it, but this happy-go-lucky, oftentimes unpredictable troublemaker has become a constant in his life. He could not imagine his week being complete without the humming and lyre-strumming during the idle moments, the banter on their walks, the singing and the mischief that comes when others are involved.
It is this attachment that he feared to develop—with the nature of his duty… his destiny, yet… there is no helping it. Like with most things he finds himself in when the bard is involved, he could only sigh in resignation and take things into stride.
Venti made taking what life threw at him easier, more colorful.
Xiao could only hope that all of this is not one long-running dream, where he would find himself alone, or abandoned when he awakens.
The image of his child materializes in his mind. He quickly closes his eyes and shakes his head.
The whims of a god are hard to predict. He should be content with what he is given; never ask for anything more.
"Say, Xiao…" Venti calls out quietly, stopping in his tracks. His eyes stare at the ground. The Yaksha stops with him, tilting his head in silent questioning. Venti lifts his head up, determination burned in his eyes. The street lamp that comes to light, gives him a certain glow that makes Xiao swallow drily.
"Ala—"
Venti closes his mouth and looks away. He couldn't do it. He is scared. He doesn't want to ruin the day. He didn't want to be hated.
Would Xiao hate him for speaking that name without permission?
"A lantern. Let's release a Xiao Lantern on the next Lantern Rite." Venti looks at Xiao with a smile. He hopes his nervousness could pass off as being bashful. "You… you'd know how to make one, right?"
Xiao sighs and starts walking again. To be played with a god is a tiring thing. He makes sure he is far enough from Venti before he clicks his tongue. Their joined hands tugs Venti enough to make him start walking again.
"You want to contribute to the annual defilement of the environment for the sake of a transient lights show?" His disgust in the thought of needless wastage is evident.
"You should know by now that there is beauty in transience." Venti bops the other's nose with a finger. "Boooo, you're no fun for bringing that up again."
He giggles and withdraws his hand when Xiao takes a hold of it and glares at him, momentarily stops in his tracks.
"The Traveler complained to me about how this year's Lantern Rite panned out, you know. Weren't you too harsh on her? She was looking forward to spending her first Lantern Rite with you."
"I…" Xiao looks away. "She-she would have a more fulfilling time with the others."
"You're joking. Please tell me you're joking." Venti sighs, face-palming. Really, this Adeptus… "I get it, you didn't want to feel lonely and alienated from the rest of the mortals."
"Where did you draw upon those baseless assumptions?"
The bard looks at him with a smile. He is gracious enough not to go deeper than what's been said. It doesn't seem to be the time and place for it, and so he'll just have to save them both from the hassle that comes with a sudden heart-to-heart session.
"At any rate, there goes my plans at a side job with you making lanterns and me writing down couplets for willing patrons." Venti sighs in mock disappointment, going as far as to slump his posture as they walked. "Maybe I should rope the Traveler into this; those two wouldn't mind earning some extra spending money after all. She has the skill in both the mallet and the pen."
Venti cups his chin in thought, nodding a few times. Xiao squints his eyes at the display, already picturing the pile of Mora the bard has in mind.
"Is this hare-brained scheme of yours the reason for asking me if I could make Xiao Lanterns?"
Pretending to snap out from his thoughts, the bard lets go of his chin and looks at Yaksha in surprise.
"Well, not exactly… I did say I want to release one with you, and I do have a few people in mind I'd like to give one to. Making a but if Mora on the side wouldn't hurt, would it?" He grins as Xiao huffs.
"You'll spend it all on alcohol."
Venti pauses before answering, his eyes shifting before looking at piercing gold ones.
"Not all of it…"
"So you do admit it."
"Ehe~"
Xiao lets go of Venti's hand in favor of pinching the bard's cheek for that giggle and matching wink. He continues to walk while dragging the other by the cheek
"Ack!"
How could an Archon be so irresponsible?
"Xiao, please! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"
He could feel Venti's relentless tapping against his hand, asking him to stop.
"I'm sorry! I won't spend it on too much alcohol, I swear in Rex Lapis's name!"
Xiao pulls back before letting go. He watches in veiled amusement how Venti's cheek retracts as though it were made of rubber, and the way the bard tearily tends to it with both hands while mumbling about how mean he is.
"I'll be managing your finances," Xiao says offhandedly as he turns his back on the sullen bard and starts walking back to the Inn.
It takes a couple of seconds for realization to dawn on Venti and to bounce back to his cheerful self, speeding towards the Adeptus, with a loud: "Wait, so you're saying you're in?!"
Xiao doesn't reply, refusing to look at shimmering aqua eyes, but accepts Venti's attempt to hold his hand in his again.
"I'll take that as a 'yes' then." The bard giggles, starting to swing their joined hands again. "They honor a specific Adeptus every year in the form of the Mingxiao Lantern, right?"
Xiao gives him a curt nod.
"It's not limited to fallen Adepti, is it?" Venti waits for Xiao's response, but receives none, so he looks far ahead of them and continues in a soft voice. "I wonder when your turn will come…"
He receives a reply then, in the form of a snort, which he finds extremely rude.
"The Xiao Lanterns released during the Lantern Rite do not only carry the personal desires of the people, but wish to guide bygone heroes home," Xiao states plainly, waiting for Venti to look at him again. When Venti realizes his mistake, he sees the other smirking at him. He chooses to look away, whistling.
Cold sweat runs down his neck being at the tail end of that expectant stare.
"My bad, okay?" The bard gives in, turning his attention back to the Yaksha with a pout. "I'm not accustomed with your celebrations and traditions like a certain someone. And NO, I'm not telling you to go die just so you could be the star of that night. Don't get any funny ideas."
"I know. You don't have to explain." Xiao began to rub soothing circles on Venti's hand with his thumb. He doesn't say more, knowing the bard isn't done with his piece yet.
They stop by a tree, only a few paces away from the bridge.
"Having you here is more than enough." Venti rests his head on Xiao's shoulder. "It's just… I was thinking that I might finally see a glimpse of your true form in that future Mingxiao Lantern."
Xiao's eyes widen at the confession. He tilts his head to see the expression the other was wearing. As usual, a smile rests on the bard's features. It is a slight tug at the lips, but he couldn't tell if it is from sadness, tiredness or both.
"You've seen me in mine multiple times now. I just wonder when I'd have that honor of seeing yours." Venti brushes his fingers against Xiao's tattoo before withdrawing and putting his finger on the Adeptus' lips. "Before you say anything, no, I'm not asking for an exchange. There is no debt to be paid."
The bard giggles and puts down his finger.
"You can take your time, and you know that I'm a patient man." He draws closer, giving Xiao a hug. "You're free to choose when that moment is. It doesn't have to be now or anytime soon."
Xiao tentatively returns the gesture without saying a word. He snuggles against Venti's fluffy hair, appreciating the chuckles he receives in return. They stay like that for a minute before he withdraws.
Venti snatches a quick peck on the lips before separating from him.
"And that's the end of that."
The bard bops the Yaksha's nose again with a finger before holding firmly on the other's hand as they renew their journey back to Wangshu Inn.
This Yaksha truly has grown accustomed to him and his demands. It almost seems like he is being cruel—to put an idea into Xiao's hand and then telling him not to think much about it in the guise of giving him freedom.
And about the Lantern Rite? Even the bard himself is amazed at how easily the words came flying out of his mouth. What was meant to be a cover up turned into a genuine wish, an invitation to spend time and show the other his affections.
Venti never makes or promises specific plans so far out into the future.
Saying 'See you at the statue tonight' or 'Until next time!' is vastly different from asking someone on a date in half a year's time.
A great number of events could certainly happen in that time. Some trivial, some life changing. It takes dedication to see a promise like that through.
Promising to commit to an activity for an extended period of time is also different as it becomes ingrained to one's routine, to the point that it becomes a part of daily living.
Just as Venti finds it hard to create and execute plans, he finds it hard to imagine where he would be in a year's time, or even a month's time. If ever pressed, he could make up an answer, but it would simply be another fabrication to add to the pile—as answering honestly could bring forth some ire.
But Xiao is special. Venti finds himself surprised that he has always been drawn to the Adeptus since he met him once more at Morax's request.
It was but a simple task: deliver some medication. A request, once done, that could easily be forgotten as he gets lost in beauty that Liyue has to offer.
Heh, that probably was it. He found one thing—someone—whose beauty was irresistible enough to compel him to come back, again and again.
It… it is surprising that he is here, walking hand-in-hand with this beautiful creature, just by the neighboring country—instead of some faraway foreign landscape, singing songs of his homeland and of the heroics of a nameless bard to some foreigners' awaiting ears.
The nameless bard… would he be disappointed in Venti—Barbatos—for not upholding his promise to him?
"The past is what makes us who we are, but can shackle us no matter the distance we travel, near or far."
Xiao's grip on his hand tightens; a look of concern is sent his way.
"Oh, no, it's nothing." Venti plays it off, squeezing his hand back in reassurance. "I just remembered about him. Just as he would've been happy to see the birds in flight, I think he'd think that the lanterns flying so high up in the sky would be quite a sight."
"Then go see the lanterns." Xiao pauses, unsure if he will regret the next few words that tumble out of his mouth. "If you need me to, I will accompany you."
Venti's eyes sparkle. If he had a heart, he is sure it would be beating out of his mortal form's ribcage by now. The warmth and fuzziness brought by those words bring him immeasurable happiness.
There is indeed a future he could bring himself to imagine more clearly than others.
—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —
"You truly are pathetic at keeping secrets."
"Huh?" Venti tilts his head at the sudden accusation.
"Dusky Ming's treasure," Xiao starts. "It is a Xiao Lantern, isn't it?"
"How the—?"
"You wouldn't have brought it up otherwise." The Adeptus eyes him cautiously.
Venti opens his mouth, then closes it. His cheeks puff up, and he refuses to meet Xiao's gaze.
Relief, it was relief that floods the Adeptus when Venti invites him to release Xiao Lanterns on the next Lantern Rite. It was a comforting thought that this willy-nilly Anemo Archon would consider spending it with him. It is enough to spark something in him; he couldn't point a finger to what it is or give it a name.
Whatever it is, it is surely related to the bard holding his hand.
How does an Archon—no, how does Venti view the future?
"You've been spacing out for a while." Venti muses aloud, forgetting about his screw up moments ago. It makes Xiao's head snap toward his direction. "A Mora for you thoughts, hm?"
He lets go of Xiao's hand and runs ahead of the Adeptus. He could feel the other's gaze on him.
"Not that I have any on me, of course, ehe~" He looks behind him and smiles when he confirms his suspicions. "Would an apple suffice as a replacement?"
Xiao snorts when Venti stops walking to open his pocket dimension and fishes out an apple right there and then, offering the red fruit to him. He holds up his hand to refuse.
Venti simply shrugs and tosses it back into the portal haphazardly. The void zips close once the apple is gone from view. He looks at the path again and admires the way the street lamps dotting the path to the Inn bathe its surroundings in a warm orange hue. It made the path feel safe and inviting. His eyes zero in on a Silk Flower bush and rushes to it.
"How about a Silk Flower, then?"
"Take your grubby hands off the—"
Xiao sighs when Venti snaps a flower without hesitation whatsoever.
Spending time with the bard is comparable to looking after a child.
The Adeptus sees the said bard skipping towards him with a jovial smile on, humming a little tune. He feels the flower slip onto the shell of his ear and holds it in place when Venti's hand withdraws.
"As I thought, it suits you." The bard goes in front of the other and starts walking backwards, his hands behind his back, admiring the view before him. He laughs when he sees Xiao look away, mumbling something about talking without putting much thought into it. "You're right, with a flower or no, you're quite the looker."
He winks, and enjoys the way a light flush blooms on the other's features.
"Sloven romancer…"
"Oh, was I successful in wooing you, perhaps?"
The grin the bard wears is nothing short of infuriating in Xiao's eyes. He briskly walks to catch up to the bard to flick the other's forehead three consecutive times. None of those flicks were particularly gentle.
"Okay, okay, I get it. I'll stop horsing around." Venti presses gently on the abused spot under his bangs and winces at its tenderness. "Now about those busy thoughts of yours… Is it because I said I would dedicate a song to Dusky Ming?"
"What? No…" Xiao says in disbelief as he passes by the stalling bard. "It's nothing."
Venti makes a sound of disbelief.
"You always say that when it's something." The bard catches up and tuts at him, wagging a finger. "I won't pry if you really don't want me too, but I also won't mind listening to your venting."
"You're too fond of that pun."
"That just means I'm perfect for the job!" Venti giggles, making Xiao huff in fond exasperation. "Don't you think so?"
Xiao finds himself unable to refute, and gives in. He has been finding it hard to refuse Venti's wishes—stated and otherwise—as of late. With Venti's eyes on him, staring with rapt attention, he indulges the imp.
"I… haven't put much thought into the future," Xiao admits, stopping near a storage shed by the foot of the Inn. "It has always been vague. Days bleed into each other, moreso when the tasks are repetitive."
Venti gives him an encouraging nod when the Yaksha turns to look at him solidly for a moment. He tilts his head when Adeptus tears away his gaze from him just as quickly.
The light above them flickers a few times before dying.
"The days aren't so mundane now… You've given me something to look forward to," Xiao mumbles under his breath, still refusing to be drawn in by curious aqua pools lest he says too much. "Thank you."
"There's nothing to thank me for…" Venti reaches for both of the Yaksha's hands and gives them a squeeze. " The future is something filled with hope, yet it is also full of uncertainties. The wind is a fickle thing—one can only assume which direction it will blow next."
Venti pauses, looking straight at Xiao, waiting for gold eyes to lock with his. A few tentative glances are sent his way, and he gently massages the other's hands in an attempt to coax the Adeptus to look at him. It works.
The lights overhead flicker back on.
"But with you, I think I can commit to an activity so far into the future!" The bard giggles and leans in for a quick peck. He doesn't fully withdraw, just hanging there with their noses almost touching. Gold eyes watch him in anticipation of his next move. "Ala—"
The lights flicker off, bathing them in darkness as the moon is obscured by heavy clouds.
Something inside Venti snaps. Whether it is his patience or his lack of it, it makes him irrationally angry. He withdraws fully, untangles his fingers from Xiao's, leaving the other completely confused. Gritting his teeth, he stalks to the faulty street lamp and kicks its base, hard.
How dare this mechanical contraption ruin the mood going on between him and Xiao?! How can it fail its single purpose in life? No, it had nerves of steel to literally put the lights out on them at that crucial moment.
"A lamp post that is faulty is no good!" Venti kicks the street lamp, the subject of his ire, until it flickers back to life. "How come Huai'an hasn't noticed and fixed it like he should!"
"Venti…"
"What would the potential guests say when they spot this lousy piece of contraption failing at its only job? They'll think Wangshu Inn is no good if they can't keep the maintenance up!"
It takes a few seconds for Xiao to pinpoint the real problem Venti has with the street lamp.
"Pfft, is that the best you've got?"
"What, you want me to lift this thing off the ground and snap it in half?" Venti raises an eyebrow.
Xiao shakes his head, pursing his lips to prevent the laughter rising up inside him loose. How much of a child is the former Archon to throw a tantrum because of a faulty street lamp?
"Heh, I thought a bard of your caliber could offer more," the Yaksha taunts once he regains his composure. "The creativity in your attempts is plummeting."
"I'm afraid I do not follow." Venti stops kicking the lamp post and faces the Adeptus fully. "Please do enlighten this misguided servant of the arts, O Wise Adeptus of Guili Plains?"
A testy Venti might be a pain to deal with, but this lunacy has to be laid to rest.
"Honestly, Venti, people would think me a liar when I say you are a constant worrier."
"Oooh that rhymes! Good job, Xiao!" Venti gives him a round of applause with what look like stars in his eyes.
Xiao scoffs. He didn't need to have his point proven to himself. He pinches the space between his brows before looking at his idiot.
"With all that air in your head, no one would be the wiser."
"Hey, that's rude! I've been letting your insults slide, but don't think a payback isn't coming to chomp off your backside!" Venti crosses his arms and sticks out his tongue.
The Adeptus doesn't let the actions distract him. His demeanor remains stern.
"You needlessly fret over the smallest of things." Xiao places his hands on the bard's shoulders, surprising the other at the bold gesture. "It's okay if it's you."
"Huh?"
Even when Venti stubbornly continues his attempt to feign ignorance, Xiao could see those aqua pools shimmer, and the tips of those braids glow. He waits for Venti's next move. When it doesn't come, he continues.
"Just don't abuse it."
"Like I said… what are you talking about?"
Xiao notes how a faint flush has started to dust Venti's features and the braids glow brighter.
The street lamp glitches out. Just before their eyes get used to the loss of light, Xiao lifts Venti's chin to give him a kiss on the lips. He presses deeper when he hears the bard whimper. His hands encircle around the other's lithe waist, pulling him closer. Venti is making him do all the work, but it is fine. He breaks it when the need for air becomes apparent.
"You can call me by that name: Alatus," he whispers softly by Venti's ear. "The past will not change, and fixating on it will do no good. You don't have to worry about it. Use it when you feel it is necessary."
Xiao closes his eyes and gives Venti a kiss on the forehead. He briefly thanks the faulty street lamps for allowing him to see how brightly the former Archon's hair shine in reaction to his impudence.
When the street lamp flickers back to life, the Yaksha withdraws and sees the bard narrow his eyes at him—his cheeks puffed up with a pout to complete the look of a petulant child.
"When and where did you become so smooth?"
"I did read a passage or two from the reference materials you left lying around at the table the other day." Xiao releases his hold on the bard, who is refusing to look at him. He catches the moment the flush deepens in color, making it a proper blush that is even going up to his ears. "I did not understand what they are for, but I see their use now."
Venti wants to cover his face with his hands. A strangled sound escapes him before he could put himself together.
"Did that blockhead not teach you any manners—not to mess with other people's belongings?"
"You're deflecting again." Xiao huffs, his patience thinning at the other's stalling. "Just get it over with. Call me by that name."
Venti's eyes droop in unamusement. It is one thing to hope for the perfect opportunity to call someone intimately by their true name and another to be given an order to do just that.
"Somehow, I don't want to anymore," Venti mumbles as he heads over to the first flight of stairs of the Inn. "You've sucked up all the fun in it."
"Cheeky brat." Xiao reaches out to grab Venti's wrist. He pulls him close and pinches at the bard's cheek. "I'm just ending your misery!"
"Eh? It's unfair to me, you know! How come you're the only one who gets to be all smug about it?" Venti shakes the hand off easily and slips out of Xiao's hold. He runs near the entrance and summons a wind current going upwards
"And get to look cool about it," he mutters sullenly under his breath before shouting: "I have a performance to attend too. I might need some practice. See you later, Xiao!"
The Yaksha internally winces at the spite he could feel coating his name. And the fact that Venti the Bard never needed to practice before a performance implies the extent his bluntness has displeased the bard. He glances to his right when he hears an uproar of laughter—at his expense, he would assume.
"Oooh~ You got into a fight with Mr Bard." Dusky Ming cackles some more. "I think you're in big trouble, Big Brother Xiao."
The Adeptus clicks his tongue and feels a headache coming on. When one brat leaves, another takes its place.
"I'll go watch Venti's performance now! Good luck!" The little ghost makes herself disappear before running to the direction of the elevator.
Xiao climbs up to the rooftop balcony to wait for Venti as he lets his mind imagine what sort of future awaits him.
—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —
Extra 1
Venti could feel the Boss Lady's eyes train on him as he descended from the stairs leading to the rooftop balcony. He comes to the counter and sighs as he drapes himself on the countertop.
Verr Goldet rolls her eyes but doesn't pry him off.
"Has he been brooding all this time? I checked on him fifteen minutes ago and he hasn't moved an inch." The bard scratches his cheek with a finger and averts his eyes when she doesn't reply. He gulps when he sees the cat make its entrance. "You… you think it could be my fault?"
"You tell me. The Young Master wordlessly went up there about two hours ago and hadn't made a peep." She walks over to the cat and picks it up. "But if you think it is, it probably is."
The bard withdraws with a squeak, as if he were burned, and climbs halfway up the stairs at the sight of the Boss Lady returning to her post by the reception desk.
"You are going to fix it, aren't you, good bard?"
Venti may see a smile on her face and the way it reaches her eyes, but he knows a threat when he hears one—especially with the way she shifts the cats from one arm to another. The mirth in her eyes is amusement from her ability to make him squirm.
"Yes, ma'am," he says rather nervously, giving her a salute before jogging his way back to the rooftop balcony.
The bard slows his pace when he reaches the last flight of stairs. He takes a tentative peek and sees that the Yaksha has not moved or changed his expression from the last time he saw him a few minutes ago.
Xiao stands near the miniature rock formation display with a contemplative look on his face. His eyes are trained on the sparkling spot where the two mountains meet. His arms are crossed over his chest.
It is at times like this that the bard knows better than to disturb the brooding Adeptus. He had learned that Xiao can get like this after an episode of those cursed recurring memories, or when a topic gets the gears in his mind grinding. He hopes this bout of contemplation is about the latter and not because of his mischievousness earlier this evening
Surely, that little act of selfishness isn't enough to faze or throw Xiao into a pit of depression. Surely.
With a deep breath, Venti steps out of his hiding place. Two steps in and he holds his breath. His eyes are drawn towards, and surely enough, they confirm that something extremely sharp almost grazes his neck. He dares not gulp.
"Who goes there?" the Yaksha barks out at the intruder, disdain evident in his tone.
"Um, me?" Venti says weakly, looking up. He sees a terrifying mask rather than Xiao's fierce expression. "Just the jolly good bard who just finished a performance for the esteemed guests of Wangshu Inn."
"O-oh, Venti… It's you." The tone of Xiao's voice softens immediately. He puts the polearm down before dematerializing it. "I… I acted on instinct."
Venti lets go of the breath he held back and giggles. Rather than feel fear, he felt like swooning at the display.
Xiao is sharp and strong, befitting his titles. How could he not swoon?
Though, Venti does feel he ought to reprimand him for donning the mask unnecessarily, but he feels like the Yaksha is hiding something. He crosses the distance between him and the Adeptus with a skip to his step, humming a little tune all the while.
"No need to worry your pretty little head, my sweet~" The former Archon ruffles the Adeptus's hair. He then entirely skips over the curiosity stage about his ability to take off the Yaksha's mask, and dives straight into prying it off. He could feel a hand grip his wrist, but he easily overpowers it. "Now let's see what little secret this mask hides underneath."
Xiao protests are futile because the mask comes off easily and disappears just as quickly. When his eyes meet shimmering, inquisitive aqua jewels, he turns away. He does see the little 'o' that the bard's mouth turns into in the corner of his eye.
"My, my, what could this handsome Adeptus be thinking of for his face to ripen to a rich shade of red?" Venti teases, poking at a cheek, and hums in appreciation at the way Xiao's face reddens further. "I seriously have the urge to kiss you silly…"
The bard goes into the offensive by trapping both of the Yaksha's wrists with his hands, and when the action snaps the other's attention back to him, he lunges forward to capture unsuspecting lips.
Xiao might not have been keen on kissing right now, but Venti's expert maneuverings coax him to return it in earnest. How could Xiao forget for a moment the fact this man is the one who taught him all he knows about… these matters. He feels Venti release his wrists, now that he is unlikely to escape.
Venti breaks the kiss, allowing Xiao to breathe. He leans closer to the other's ear, nibbling on it gently before whispering: "... and if my Alatus is not opposed, we can continue this in bed."
Xiao's knees almost fail him. He momentarily slumps over Venti, who readily catches him as he giggles. He narrows his eyes, throwing a withering look at the bard.
The imp is enjoying himself too much. Those brazen eyes and that self-satisfied smile tell him as much.
The Adeptus recovers his balance quickly, and he feels the bard's arms wrap around his neck. He only has himself to blame for this oversight. When he told Venti he was free to use his old name, he did not foresee how much power it would have over him.
Venti's voice saying his true name… and the implication of the words that follow after it makes Xiao shiver and his thoughts race.
"What do you say?" Venti asks him, pecking at the corner of his mouth.
Xiao wordlessly pushes Venti's chest, and the bard disentangles himself from him. He sighs in relief, before he prepares to jump to the roof above them, where his room lies.
Venti's eyes sparkle at the action, and he follows not a second too late.
Or not.
Xiao is not in his room, much less on his bed, and when Venti peers over the other side, he sees the Yaksha leaping farther and farther away from the inn…
The former Archon dejectedly enters Xiao's room and lets himself flop on it, face-first.
Ah~ah, he pushed too hard and scared Xiao away… So much for thinking tonight will be the night.
He'll just have to learn from this experience and see when the next time will crop up.
To think, he was finally able to call the Yaksha by that name… But why does it feel so unrewarding now?
He flips himself over so that his eyes can stare at the ceiling as he puffs his cheeks.
What was his precious Alatus thinking [6] to have him blushing so hard that he had to don his mask, anyway?
Grumbling, Venti jumps out of bed, stretching before he gives chase. He still has to apologize after all.
—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —
Extra 2
"Ah, Alatus, you came~" Venti enthusiastically pats the seat beside him. "I thought you're gonna ditch lunch when you spot our sponsor here."
Everyone at the table, other than Venti, blinks. The bard looks around him and tilts his head in confusion.
Xiao is the first to recover, and comes closer.
"Do you have so little faith in me—" The Adeptus leans a bit closer to Venti's ear and whispers: "—Barbatos?".
A touch of pink blossoms onto Venti's cheeks and he quickly covers his mouth when he realizes what he just called Xiao. He avoids eye contact from everyone.
Childe stands up and places a bag of Mora on the table, making it land with a heavy 'THUD!'. All eyes are on him, even the flustered Venti's. "Ahahaha, how silly of me. I forgot I still have some business to take care of for the bank." His eyes were turned up into upward crescents—a friendly expression that could never be mistaken as menacing. "You guys have a wonderful meal now, okay? Now, if you excuse me…"
"Wait a moment, Childe—"
"You can't leave your guests all alone now, xiansheng." The Northland Bank Manager waves him off. "See you around."
"You're leaving already, Mr. Childe?" Xiangling asks in surprise as she comes out from the kitchen with a tray of Almond Tofu and a teapot of house tea on it.
Childe gives her a smile before sauntering out of the restaurant.
Zhongli visibly deflates in his seat.
"You haven't sorted that out yet?" Venti asks, as he leans closer to the consultant across the table, completely forgetting his embarrassment from a few moments ago.
Zhongli looks at the bard and shakes his head somberly, closing his eyes for a moment.
"Excuse me, miss?" Venti gets the attention of their table server, completely unaware that she is the chef and the daughter of the owner.
"Yes?" Xiangling asks, pausing from arranging the contents of her tray to place onto the table. "Is there anything I could do for Mr. Zhongli's friends?"
"Could you wrap up some of the food we ordered to-go and give it to Mr. Sulky here?" Venti gives her a charming smile before turning to his blockhead of a friend with a knowing look in his eye. "I believe he has a date to apologize and catch up to."
"Venti," Zhongli calls out in warning and stares sternly at the insolent bard. Said insolent bard just winks at him with a bit of his tongue sticking out.
"Roger that!" The young woman salutes and then turns her attention to the consultant. "That's not good, Mr. Zhongli! Fighting without apologizing isn't good! I'll put in a little extra something on the house, so make up with Mr. Childe, okay?"
The energetic cook quickly finishes transferring everything from her tray and runs to the kitchen to get the super important order ready.
The next thing Zhongli knew, he was being pushed out Wanmin's entrance with two food containers in hand by the head chef and a bard with broad smiles on their faces.
"Go get him, Zhongli!" Venti cheers and giggles as he used a little bit of wind to push the stubborn old man toward the street.
"We'll be rooting for you!" Xiangling adds, cupping her hands around her mouth when the consultant relents and makes his way to the bridge.
Two newfound friends hi-five, praising each other for their good work, before they go back into the restaurant.
Vent sits across Xiao who was eating his Almond Tofu as if nothing of importance was happening around him.
"Hey, what's with that smirk on your face?"
"It's nothing." Xiao schools his face back into the usual bored neutrality. "Must be your imagination."
"If you say so… Alatus." The bard chuckles as he scoffs, swinging his legs under the table
Maybe it really is just Venti's imagination. That… that couldn't have just been a genuine smile that flashed on Xiao's face just now…
Right?
—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —
Footnotes:
[5] Author tried to look for the Chinese version of the pink swear, and found an answer on Quora stating that it's about keeping the promise for 100 years. [back]
[6] For the author's safety, the author decided to let Xiao enjoy his private thoughts, lest she gets hunted down for exposing him.
But, the author believes it is acceptable to disclose that started the Guardian Adeptus's brooding:
"In the most unlikely event that a miracle should happen… I cannot afford to impose on Zhongli-daren to house the three of us… simply because we are destitute." [back]
A/N: Just to clears things up: nope, they haven't done the deed yet.
And author believes in Power Bottom Venti + Dom Venti (when it is necessary).
For those who got to this part, thank you for reading and joining me in this ride!
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this~ 😊
(Fufufu, I wonder who'll get what I was trying to hint at there hahaha)
If anyone's interested on reading what comes next or the heart-to-heart that happened before this fic, you may check it out in AO3! (It's under the username 'thelurkingpanda' and is part of the "The Lens of the Kamera Should Have Not Been This Long" series.)