"Traveller, are you heading out? Well then, allow me to accompany you."
It was a beautiful day in Mondstadt when that person approached Aether with an angel smile. While Paimon wondered why he's not dead drunk in a Tavern somewhere, the blonde haired teen held out his hand and welcomed him to team. That person was happy, but not his little travel companion.
"Uh, time out! Just what are you thinking, Aether?!"
"What do you mean? You're the one who always complaining we aren't earning enough on the way. With his help, things should be a breeze."
"Yeah... But this is Tone-deaf Bard we're talking about! What makes you so sure he wouldn't make you spend all the Mora we earned on an expensive bottle of wine?!"
"Oh, you don't need to worry about about that. I'm well capable of covering my own travel expenses." He said while pulling out a big stack of Mora from a magic portal. "There's five million Mora in here along with some rare jewels if I remember right."
"T-that is five-- No, ten times the amount we earned in a month!"
"I never knew you were this rich, Venti." Aether looked at him.
"Hehe. What can I say? I've been saving up. So Paimon, am I qualified to join?"
"Um, I don't know..."
"I'll give you this jewel."
"Welcome to the team, Tone-deaf Bard!"
"Paimon..."
"What's that look? He gave it to me on his free will. Now, let's move out!" With that said, she flew on ahead.
"Traveller, shall we?" Venti held his hand toward him, smiling.
"Hey, what are you two doing? If you don't hurry up, I'm gonna leave you both behind!"
"Mhm, let's go."
And their adventure began. Since then, everyday was a party filled with different flavors and colors. It really reminded Aether about the times when he and his sister travelled from world to world. They have a lot of fun. However, every time he gazed at that person, behind his bright smile was a sadness he couldn't describe.
"Venti, just what are you hiding?"
He thought of asking the bard many time, but could never find the moment to do so. Then, one night, under the soothing melody of the lyre he woke up while Paimon rolled off to the side, hugging a nearby bunny and continued sleeping. Tuggedher back, Aether pushed himself up and made his way to the bard. He was so focus that he didn't realize the long blonde haired teen was right next to him until he opened his mouth.
"Venti."
"Woah! When did you get here?"
"Just now. Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."
"It's fine, I'm not mad. You...just caught me off guard, that's all." He coughed. "So what are you doing up? Don't tell me my new melody was that bad."
"On the contrast, it's quite good. If Paimon was awake, I'm sure she will agree it's your greatest masterpiece. But..."
"But?"
"What's that sorrow it carried?"
"Sorrow? What are you--"
"Why did you want to join my party?"
"Eh? Why so sudden?"
"Just answer the question."
"Well, of couse it's because I thought it would be interesting. Despite being the Ameno God, I'm still a bard. Finding new inspirations is my top priority. Otherwise, I might lose this year bard contest."
"You don't really expect me to believe that."
"No, not really. You're sharp. That's why I like you." He smiled then gazed up the starry sky as he continued. "Though the people of Mondstadt continue to pay, they're no longer in need of my protection. The Stormterror crisis had long ended. And the people I met, the friends I made in the past, they have already returned to the earth. So for what reason am I still alive?"
"Venti..."
"Oh, looks at the time. I better go to bed if I want to wake up on time tomorrow. Wouldn't want Paimon complaining again."
"If it's an answer you seek, I'll give you one. All these time, you have been living for other sakes, so when everything finally comes to an end, you feel lost. Which means it's time you live truly, not as Barbatos, the Anemo God but as Venti, the best bard this world has ever seen."
At that moment, his eyes widened in shock while his mouth turned into the shape of the letter "o". A really long time ago, someone said the same thing to him. Slowly, a smile appeared on his face.
"I see. In that case, this calls for a celebration!" He said as he pulled out a bottle of Dandelion wine.
"Where did you..."
"It's a secret." He winked. "You'll drink with me right?"
"I'm underage."
"Come on! It's not like anyone gonna find out~" Venti said as he hugged Aether's arm tight.
"Alright..." He sighed. "But just one glass."
"Half a bottle, got it!"
"H-hey, that's not what I said!"
A few moments later...
Despite the bard's effort of getting him drunk, the blonde haired teen still remained conscious. On the other hand, the one having a record of chucking thirty eight glasses of Dandelion wine in one night like water was surprisingly drunk after the second sip and was currently singing about how Diluc should shave his head while dancing. Grabbing his hand just when he was about to drink again, Aether pulled him into his lap then quickly snatched the bottle away. However, Venti didn't give up as he tried his best to get it back. Once he realized he couldn't get it back, the bard pouted and called him mean. Putting it to no mind, the teen pushed himself up and carried him to bed. Yet, two steps away from their warm blankets, Venti suddenly hugged his neck and placed a kiss on his lips. While Aether froze, Venti bursted out in laugh.
"Gotcha!"
"...Now you've done it."
"Eh?"
The next thing he knew, he was pressed against a nearby tree while his lips were sealed by a deep kiss. Unable to breath, he attempted to push that person away. However, Aether grabbed his hands and pinned it over his head. By the time he pulled back, a string of silver salivar was dangling at the end of their lips. Flipping him over then used his borrowed Geo power, Aether secured his hands to the tree's trunk then took off his pants, slowly pouring the remaining wine down on his lower body. The sudden cold made him tremble.
"Hey, what are you--" He was cut short as a something was pushed inside him.
"Relax your body."
"E-easy for you to say!" Tears filled his eyes. "Pull it out!"
"I can't do that. If we don't prepare you good, it bounds to hurt." He said as he pushed another finger in, slowly spreading the little hole even further. Meanwhile, Venti tried to his best to hold his voice while scolding him.
"Aether, you idiot! You're the drunk one here!"
"Perhaps." He laughed and leaned down, whispering in that person's ear while moving his other hand to the front, stroking his member. "But Venti, aren't you hard?"
"Wai--Sto--Ah!"
"I'll take responsible for everything, so become mine, Venti."
...
"Err... Why are you carrying Venti on your back, Aether?" Asked Paimon.
"That's because--"
"I couldn't take another step. I'm fragile you know." Venti grinned as he hugged the teen's neck tight.
"I se--Wait! You haven't taken a single step since we woke up! You're just being lazy!"
"Hehe."
"Don't "hehe" me! You're slowing us down! Not to mention, what's that on your head?" She pointed at the strange creature jumping up and down on his hat.
"Oh, that's a wind spirit."
"Mama, mama!" The spirit slided down and rubbed it's cheek against his.
"And why is it calling you that? Paimon pretty sure she heard it calling Aether Papa earlier too."
"J-just look at that time! We better speed up if we want to reach Liyue Harbor before sunset."
At that moment, his eyes glowed and a path of wind currents appeared before them while poor Paimon was blown back quite a distance.
"Aether, now!"
"Hold on!"
"H-hey! Don't leave Paimon behind!"
While she depressing tried to catch up, Aether turned aside slightly gazing at the bard.
"You didn't have to blow her so far."
"I wouldn't if someone had come up with a better excuse." He pouted.
"So it's my fault?"
"Of couse! I hope you haven't forgotten your promise. Lying to a God is a sin." The next second, he felt something warm on his lips.
"Don't worry." He smiled. "In this life or another, I'll always love you, my little bard."