The Traveler sighed, having lost track of how many hours they had been laying in this bed tossing and turning, while Paimon lay next to them snoring.
The full moon shining bright bright through the window, with it's curtains pulled back to allow for the summer breeze.
While the comfy bed was much more welcoming compared to their days camping on the ground- or having to find safety being beingly able to make use of their Serenitea Pot; The Traveler had far too many questions on their mind, making the bed feel much too confining.
Having decided to spend a few extra days in Mondstadt after finding themselves being allowed into the previously locked Imaginarium Theater, it had taken Paimon a lot of convincing to pull the Traveler from the Library. If it hadn't been that they where in need of a hefty meal and deep rest, the Traveler would probably still be there sorting through the walls of books instead.
Maybe even sleeping their could have been more comfy as well.
Their thoughts where pulled away from the room as Paimon rolled over in her sleep, almost kicking the Traveler in the face.
Frustrated, they turned over again. This time onto their back, trying their best to imagine sheep to count on the ceiling.
Another breeze entered through the window they had left ajar. It seemingly tickled at the Traveler's foot, causing them to pull their leg inward with a laugh.
In retaliation, a slightly stronger breeze pushed itself through next, playing with the Traveler's hair- tugging and tossing it, more like a ghost rather than air. They couldn't help but shiver at the thought of another ghost following them around unknowingly but blushing at the wind's calling card.
How long was the dear Lord Barbatos feeling bothered by their tossing and turning?
Or perhaps he was just another drunkard this night... A sigh. The last thing the Traveler wanted was to go from babysitting Paimon to babysitting a drunk. At least Paimon listened for the most part.
"Ok, ok..!" They whispered, waving their hand through the air before sitting up.
Finding the window empty of any persons, they peeked out only to find the street was too. Though they weren't too surprised, they were glad to find he wasn't a loud drunk this night.
Glancing at the still sleeping Paimon, the Traveler carefully removed themselves from the bed to get dressed.
Figuring that Venti was 'calling' from his large oak tree in Windrise, they would just have to hope they could get back before the smell of breakfast hit Paimon's nose.
The Traveler hurried in a tip-toe down the wooden steps, spilling out onto the now cold cobbled stone, where they where welcomed by another knowing breeze.
With a finally glance towards their resting place, the Traveler hurried out of Mondstadt City, the gentle breezes leading them through the fields of Windrise to the giant oak tree that they knew Venti would be.
Though they felt surprised to not see him around it's trunk or even high up in it's branching, making them call out.
"Venti..?"
The breeze suddenly picked up into a swirl, winding up their body and caressing the Traveler's cheek.
They smiled, leaning into the warm breeze that smelled of freedom: The deep aroma of fermented fruit mixing with the pleasant smell of Cecilia petals, dew covered grass and loose soil from beneath their feet.
"Drunk again Windborne Bard?" The Traveler questioned, turning away from the giant oak to face the person they knew would be standing behind them.
There he stood, in his normal head-to-toe of green, white and gold. The glowing blue tips of his hair fading after the use of his power, as the wind left the Traveler's skin.
Venti gave a playful chuckle in return, sounding like wind chimes.
"Now, now. Can't a bard just wish to accompany a sleepless wayfarer into the lands of dreams?"
The Traveler gave a playful smirk, "I wouldn't be too surprised if it was you keeping me awake in the first place!"
Venti shook his head, as his lyre appearing in his hands as he started plucking at the strings and leading himself into song.
"When you hear the gently breeze blowing over the fields, that is my voice calling you. Take my hand and journey with me, for to wander alone in distant lands is lonely indeed. Let us pass through forests and long nights together, until we return to the homeland we're yearned for."
The Traveler raised their eyebrow, though they could feel their face grow warmer as they blushed lightly. They couldn't help but to quickly turn to hide their blushing, knowing well not to trust such words, but feeling that longing to be as carefree as Venti could.
"You know Teyvat is not my homeland Venti, I can not find such peace here as you do."
"Hm." Venti frowned, planning his next steps.
He knew better than anyone that there would be a chance that when things came to an end, that the Traveler would not be able to leave Teyvat like they wished...
He used the wind the move in front of them, offering his hand. "Walk with me?"
Wary, the Traveler nervously took his hand and the two headed back towards Mondstadt City in silence.
The Traveler's heart ached as despite holding his hand, Venti continued to feel as light as a feather; As if he would willingly float off at any given second, leaving them all alone.
If they were being completely honest with themselves, this feeling made them want to turn into two completely different people.
One who wanted nothing more than to hold Venti close and be together in their understanding. While the other wanted to run away and never allow themselves to think of such thoughts again...but how could one person hide from the wind?
A sigh.
Despite fighting it, they also knew that even if they found themselves finally leaving Teyvat with their sibling, the elements of any world they visited moving forward would only remind them of it's people for the rest of their lives.
Feeling the suddenly need for this interaction to be over before it got any messier, the Traveler began to turn so they could find themselves in the safety of the city and around other people.
If anything Venti would get drunk again and things could go back to it's normal playful nature. They would even take silently watching the stars from his giant statue hands while he sang about things they didn't quite understand.
Anything but Venti trying to give a rare spout of century old knowledge instead of being his happy-go-lucky self. While he hide much, he never wanted to linger on pain or fear.
The wind picked up with Venti's laugh, spinning the Traveler back onto the path, this time leading towards the Whispering Woods.
"Let us head somewhere a bit more meaningful to us both while you catch me up on your recent travels~" Venti stated as he seemly kept walking ahead of the Traveler.
The Traveler's eyebrow crinkled in confusion as to where Venti meant, but they couldn't help but start following him again none the less.
Maybe it was just the curiosity of the whole situation, maybe it was for the deep seeded want for something more between the two of them.
Or maybe it was the silly thought that maybe in fact, it was that Venti drank so much, that he could use the power to effect those around him.
The Traveler rolled their eyes playfully before glancing back at the city, wondering how such simple words could change their course. Though deep down, they guessed that they too didn't want to be alone, like Venti song echoed.
Who were they to deny the great Anemo Archon? Though they where sure his question was pointless and that he had already heard lots about their travels.
"Hm?" The Traveler mused, starting a joke, "I thought I remember hearing that Lord Barbatos could hear everything through the winds? Or it that only through the church?" and cracking a smile as Venti waved his hand in the air playfully now, mocking them back.
"I would much rather hear it from the source, thank you very much." Venti teased, turning to give a wink as he stuck out his tongue, all but confirming what the Traveler thought they knew about the Archon.
"Ok, ok. Fine." The Traveler started before beginning their detailed account from where they left off since seeing each other during the Alchemical Ascension while the Traveler and Paimon were running their potion shop, going into detail for him.
From helping Chiori and Lynette in Fontaine to the lost kitties of Mondstadt. Furthering testing Jumi's Fayz Potion to helping the crazy Ranjit tame local monsters.
"I think Father went easy on us, if I'm being totally honest.." The Traveler gave a sad sigh. Thinking about Arlecchino zipping across the battle field gave them goose bumps and a shiver.
Venti was the one raising an eyebrow now, though seemingly thinking hard on the matter. "You faced the Knave and still have all your fingers and toes to show~?"
The Traveler smirk, wondering if he really didn't know or was just playing it up. "Well it was a...special case. Everyone says they couldn't have stood up to her without me but to be honest, I don't know how I would have made it through without them..."
"Well you know what they say- Many a hand, make for light work!" Venti chimed in, thinking himself making a point, but the Traveler countered.
"And too many cooks in the kitchen will spoil the broth."
"Maybe the broth needs more wine?" Venti mused, mimicking a playful thinking face as he raised his hand to this face and turned his head to the sky.
The Traveler rolled their eyes with a soft smile.
They sometimes wished the people of Teyvat knew their real age and would let them drink. Of course, the Traveler simply didn't care, for the issue would already be fixed in most of their close circles if they did.
They did not think that drinking would help them, though the idea of letting go in a way they couldn't do fully otherwise did sound inviting.
Feeling the growing tension through the silence, a sudden swirl of wind overtook the two of them. Spinning them up into the air in a dancing movement, up the cliff and landing into the Whispering woods, pulling a laugh from the Traveler.
Venti couldn't help but give a big grin, pulling them closer, his wide eager eyes staring into theirs.
They wondered how he lasted so many years like this, though maybe the long sleeps helped. The Traveler wondered if Venti remembered anything from their sleep or if it was just bleeps in time like it had been for them. Maybe he could teach them just in case it happened again.
Or maybe they could do it together...
"Ok, ok!" The Traveler shook their head and took a step back before this turned into something else. "I'm not saying that I don't cherish all of the friends I've made across Teyvat but.."
The Traveler frowned but felt it was needed to crush Venti's joy before he got side tracked from whatever this was too.
"I ran into Dainsleif again... I was finally able to learn more about the Loom.. About Caribert but.. Something happened and I can't remember it, and that scares me."
Venti joined in their frown, wondering just how much the Traveler had learned and what they forgot. Though not wanting to be so heartless as to push it now- no matter what his motives be. He stopped to lean against a rock, plucking at his lyre mindlessly.
The Traveler realized that Venti was now resting where they had first seen him and Dvalin all those years ago.
Years? How has it been so long...?
The five hundred years they had lost against their will, but now to be wondering aimlessly over Teyvat at the whim of their Sibling.
The Sibling who was just keeping them busy, like a child, while they worked on some crazy scheme that was turning the people of Teyvat against them as the supposed leader of the Abyss Order.
The Traveler screamed out in anger but Venti's wind matched them, trapping the sound to be carried off and away from any possible sleeping ears.
Their anger truly turned towards the Anemo Archon for the first time since their meeting as the Traveler's eyes snapped in his direction. Getting a few good stomps in to indicate how tired they were of this world, as they started to yell.
"Venti! Can you just take things seriously for one-"
The wind kicked up again, pushing against the small of the Travelers back in a caress and under their feet, pulling them in close in front of Venti.
He placed a finger just before the Traveler's lips, but not touching- maybe out of fear they would lash out and bite him, shushing them. "Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and listen."
The Traveler glared at the relaxed figure in front of them before doing as they requested, and after a few moments of silence they crossed their arms and let out a deep sigh to show their tiredness of the subject.
Venti hummed in return, seemingly mocking them.
"Mondstadt will always being welcoming of it's Honorary Knight." He started, "They would surely let you officially join the Knights of Favonius. I think you would pass with ease, if they even made you test. You would be a Captain in no time!"
"Venti!" The Traveler snapped but they felt his hand cover their eyes, only removing itself when they closed their eyes again.
Venti gave a "Deep breath~" in a sing-song voice.
After what felt like half an hour, they wondered if Venti was even still there or if he had ran off. The Traveler shifted their weight, breathing in deeply and tried to reset their thoughts.
As they listened to the nearby water flow and breathed in the local flora, they found themselves growing cold and gave a shiver.
The wind suddenly moved them closer again, feeling some warm in front of them that they assumed was Venti, barely able to hear his breathing before he started talking again.
"Refreshing springs and flowers, the summer breeze, familiar streets... Every person has a homeland in their hearts that belongs only to them. When you feel exhausted, slow down a little and look to the past. It is the past, after all, that grants us the strength to move forward."
A pain pinged the Travelers heart, knowing just how deep the past went for both of them.
They opened their eyes slowly to find Venti giving a hopeful look, making them sigh again. "Venti-"
"Please, Traveler.." Venti cut them off, grabbing the Traveler's hand and pulling it to his chest, placing it over his heart. "I want to share my homeland with you."
The Traveler frowned slightly before being surprised by how fast Venti's heart was beating. They met his eyes again, realizing then what he was saying. "Venti, my sibling and I.."
Venti shook his head with a smile. "Dear Wayferer, I will always offer my homeland to you- be it forever or just tonight. You will always be a treasure within Teyvat's history and I will sing of you until my last day."
"Just tonight?" The Traveler mumbled, melting into Venti's figure after he nodded in return. "How could I possibly leave you to be alone if I moved forward with this childish whim?"
Venti's hands found themselves at the Traveler's hips, pulling them even closer with a chuckle.
"To be frank my dear Traveler, my heart was shattered long ago. I think we can live through a moment in time. We have the rest of your time here to learn."
"But can I...?" The Traveler whispered, leaning in but stopping short of Venti's lips.
"That choice is yours to make and yours alone.."
"Wait." The Traveler suddenly turned sheepish in this heated moment, "How did you know I liked you back?"
The wind chimes returned to the Traveler's ears, making them feel embarrassed.
Venti leaned in, his hot breath on their ear, "You where right that I can hear everything the wind carries."
The Traveler shivered again, this time for a different reason, as it felt like their whole body turned flush.
"Archons." The Traveler cussed under their breath.
They needed this to be over before Venti said something worse somehow.
Leaning forward, the Travel and Venti started kissing under the full moon light.
Their bodies pressing against one another in a need that both had went far too long without filling.