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Spring was here and Mond looked as if it were a Windwheel Aster, it’s liveliness spinning constant.
The sun shone high in the sky, not too hot and not too cold, the perfect temperature for an ordinary mortal. However the one visiting Mondstadt today was no ordinary mortal. The Guardian Yaksha glared at the sun, as if he were imagining himself pulling it down and stomping it to bits.
Xiao glanced down from his place upon the tower near the cathedral, and quietly observed the people bustling back and forth under the statue of The Anemo God Barbatos. His eyes followed a small child running in circles around the base of the statue. He had always disliked small children, yet the beaming smiles radiating from below lessened his displeasure.
The yaksha had come to Mondstadt in time for a specific festival- Windblume. Though he never shared this with anyone, Xiao held a special place in his heart for festivals. The Lantern Rite was his favourite, and Windblume a close second. As his gaze shifted over the citizens enjoying each other’s company, he almost considered joining them himself for a little while, before he noticed a flash of bright green in the corner of his eye.
Swiftly turning his head, the corner of his lips turned upwards ever so slightly at the sight of his old acquaintance, the very Mondstadt Archon. Not even Xiao noticed how his face would shift at the mere thought of Venti.
The bard appeared to be entertaining a small group of stragglers, plucking a lyre in his hand. He was balancing upon a small stone beam, half-kneeling on one leg while his other leg was hugged close to his body. Though Xiao’s senses were sharp, he didn’t have infinite hearing, so he couldn’t quite make out what Venti was singing. Just as the thought of shuffling closer to make out the lyrics passed his head, the archon seemed to have finished his song. The crowd around him started to disperse, and his bright green eyes shifted over to the yaksha’s position. Venti hopped off his beam and began strolling in his direction.
“Well,” he began in his usual carefree tone, keeping constant eye contact with Xiao, sending goosebumps up his arms “Is that the mighty adeptus of Liyue I see on the roof?”
Xiao swiftly plunged down and appeared next to Venti.
“Bard.” He greeted.
“Hahahaha! It is you!”
“Hello.” Xiao said drily. The two gazed at each other, as if drinking in the other’s appearance.
“Last time I met you, you were only this short!” Venti indicated the height by hovering his hands somewhere above his waist. “You sure have grown-”
“Don’t mock me bard.” Xiao interjected with a cold glance. The bard rolled his eyes.
“I was saying that you sure have grown into a fine warrior.”
Xiao hesitated for a moment before responding.
“Thank…you.”
“From the stories I have heard about you,” Venti continued “you are clearly a magnificent adeptus.”
Xiao had heard such compliments on numerous occasions, often said as a way of begging for mercy, or to be favoured. The adeptus never let the praise go to his head, yet this time, Xiao felt a small surge in his heart. Venti was still talking.
“Hmmm, maybe I shall write a poem about you!”
Xiao was taken aback. “You don’t have to go to the trouble-“
“Nonsense! Writing poems is what I do best~! Besides, I need some inspiration these days there’s nothing exiting enough to write a poem about in Mond except for Windblume. If anything, you’re the one doing me a favour!”
“Hm.” Xiao allowed the topic to die down before it got too out of hand. “What…is there to do in Mondstadt now?”
Venti thought for a bit before he began walking in the opposite direction and gesturing for Xiao to follow.
“There are plenty of things! Such as making decorations, photo-taking, picking flowers, playing Windblume games! The festival is mainly a holiday for improving relationships with people. Or…” Venti glanced back at Xiao as he began descending the stone stairs. His gaze could almost be considered flirtatious, but that would be absurd.
“Or, you could gift a Windblume to someone special, with romantic intent.”
A beat passed.
Venti sighed softly as if he thought he would never find true love and continued his path.
“But you could just give anyone a Windblume without any underlying meaning as well, you could give me one! I, as Mondstadt’s archon receive Windblumes on a daily basis though!” It sounded as if Venti was bragging. “My followers offer them up to my statue almost everyday.”
He glanced back at Xiao as if trying to gauge a reaction. The adeptus skilfully and casually schooled his face and gazed back at him.
“However!” Venti continued. “The best possible way to enjoy these festivities is yet to be mentioned!”
“…Which is?” Xiao asked to fill the silence. The two finally turned a corner and Venti spun around, throwing his hands in the air as if presenting something of large importance.
“Drinking!!”
“…”
The two had ended up at the entrance of Angel’s Share. Xiao blinked slowly at the bard. To be honest with himself, the adeptus shouldn’t even be surprised. Barbatos had always been like this. No matter what kind of appearances and personalities he took on, drinking was the defining factor amongst all of them.
The archon took his silence as a rejection.
“Oh come on! Great Yaksha, you chose to visit Mondstadt: The City of wine! The city of freedom! The city of wind and the city of wine! Don’t tell me you didn’t expect me to hit up a tavern, especially at this time of night.”
The adeptus looked up at the sky. Venti was right, the sun had long sunk below the horizon since they began their talk, and the faint tint of purple was still in the air. He looked back at the one in front of him, who’s arms were still suspended in the air.
“I don’t drink often.” The adeptus stated plainly.
“You don’t!?” The archon appeared too shocked, as if Xiao has said ‘I don’t breathe often’.
“Mn.”
“Well, just for today- you should try the Dandelion Wine- my absolute favourite wine of all time! So, will you accompany me for this fine evening, my charming friend?” Xiao had to stop himself from coughing as Venti said that so casually.
“Ok.” Xiao reluctantly agreed. “But don’t call me charming.” It wasn’t like he had any pressing matters to tend to. In fact, it was the Traveller who encouraged him to check out the festival, and use it as a ‘break’ from his duties. Although the Traveller assured that they would take care of his patrols, the adeptus still didn’t understand the reasoning behind the mortal concepts of ‘breaks’.
The archon and adeptus entered the tavern, side by side.
“Two glasses of Dandelion Wine please!” Venti called out to Charles, and took a seat by the bar. Xiao pulled up a chair next to him and hopped on.
“I don’t often indulge in mortal delicacies, so this is a rare event.”
“Ahahahh! That’s the spirit!” Venti reached for his glass and gulped it down with twice the speed it took the bartender to pour it.
“…”
“Another round for me! You can add it to my tab- oh and his drinks too!”
“Another addition to your never-ending tab…” Charles muttered.
“Bard…isn’t this a little too fast? Perhaps you should try….taking it slow?” Xiao offered slowly
“Nonsense!!” The bard downed his fourth glass of the night. “This bard can handle his alcohol prett-ty well~!”
Xiao stared down at the alcohol he hadn’t taken a sip out of yet, and swirled it’s content in his hand. He brought the glass to eye level and inspected the faint blue-ish-white hue of it.
“Is this substance really that good?”
The bard began nodding his head enthusiastically.
“But of course! Mondstadt has the best wine! Come on~ try some!” Venti nudged him with his elbow and gazed at him.
Xiao raised the glass to his lips and took a tentative sip.
“So, is it good?” Venti asked. Xiao blanched at the first taste, yet as it slid down his throat, he had a sudden urge for more sips.
“It’s okay.” Xiao tried as he took a larger sip.
“Oh~? Just ‘ok’?”
“It’s a bit…. weird. And warm. And it leaves me wanting more.” Xiao admitted.
“Of course it does! The amazing texture and aftertaste of the wine makes you want to drink it for hours on end, sitting at the top of a tree, staring into the distance.” Venti sighed, his eyes drooping a little.
Xiao raised his eyebrows. Somehow, in that short time, Venti had gulped down even more wine, if the 12 empty glasses lined up on the table was any indication. The adeptus quietly requested for some water, and Charles silently raised an eyebrow at Venti’s state.
“Venti.” Xiao called.
“Hmm~? Yes, Xiao?” The bard slurred.
“I think you should drink this cup of water. You seem to have gone a little overboard.” Xiao’s eyebrows were tightly knitted together, expressing his rare concern.
“I will! But only if you drink another glass of wineee~” The bard giggled before hiccuping. Seeing that Venti was in no position to give up, he slowly raised another glass provided by Patton to his lips. Xiao’s eyes closed as he carefully downed the content of the glass. He sighed and wiped his mouth.
“Happy now?”
“Yes! Very!” Venti all but threw himself at Xiao, attempting to hug him, but failing terribly and only managed to cling to his clothes. If it were anyone else, in any other circumstance, Xiao would have pushed them away and disappeared into the night. However, Xiao only sighed as he tilted Venti’s chin up and gently poured some water down his throat.
Venti accepted the water and eventually sat up on his own.
“Xiao you should drink the water as well, the Dandelion Wind sure is powerful.” Venti slurred.
‘Like you’re one to talk’ Xiao thought but heeded the archons wishes, and tilted his head back. Venti gazed at him as his Adam’s apple bopped up and down, gulp by gulp. Xiao placed the glass back down and locked eyes with the bard and moistened his lips, knowing full well that Venti was paying close attention to his every move.
The adeptus cleared his throat.
“We…. we should head outside for a breather.” He stood up steadily from his chair and gestured upstairs. Venti nodded and hopped off his chair, only for his knees to buckle and fall forward. Xiao had expected this, and his arms shot out, one curling around the archon’s waist and the other supporting his head. Charles merely raised his eyebrows and didn’t utter a word as the pair made their way past the drunkards and up the stairs, onto the balcony. Venti’s face was flushed red, he eyes droopy as he continued gazing at Xiao as if he were the most beautiful flower he had seen.
“I’m so glad you visited” Venti breathed out softly. The two stared out at the sky and the soft night hues of the city. “The stars are so pretty tonight.”
“Are you….alright after all those drinks. You did say so yourself that the wine was strong…” Xiao expressed his worry but Venti only laughed it off
“Hehe, I’m perfectly fine *hiccup*” A beat passed. “What about you? Could you handle that glass and a bit of wine?” Xiao couldn’t tell if Venti was mocking him or genuinely concerned, and guessed it was something between the two. He looked over at the archon leaning on the balcony beside him, wind blowing his small braids around.
“…My head’s slightly dizzy.” He admitted
“Heh” Venti smirked.
“But do not underestimate me bard.” Venti rolled his eyes and hiccuped again.
“…”
“Where are you staying tonight.”
“Hmm…. Probably in the tavern, drinking my sorrows away. *hiccup*” He once more couldn’t tell if Venti was joking or not.
“…Sorrows? How absurd” The adeptus began before hesitating. “What sorrows?”
“This world is full of sorrows, my friend.”
“And drinking will solve them all?” Xiao raised an eyebrow.
“Of *hiccup* course *hiccup*!” The adeptus just gave him a look.
“You shouldn’t sleep in the tavern. Who knows what could happen to you.” Venti rested his head on Xiao’s shoulder.
“Hm? Why do you care so much?” Venti stated, his eyes narrowing.
“… You’re Mondstadt’s archon.” Xiao looked away.
“Oh?” The bard seemed to be feeling especially bold tonight, so he gently placed a hand under Xiao’s chin and guided him back to face him.
“S-stop..that.” Xiao stuttered.
“Why?”
“What are you doing?”
“Why do you care?” A few seconds of silence that felt like years passed by before Venti let go of his chin and looked away himself.
“Ahah, sorry about that. I let those drinks get the better of me for a second.” Xiao sighed inwardly. As if he could tell him why he cared so much. As if he could explain why there was nothing on his mind other than this bard after Lantern Rite. He had tried to forget his century-long pining for the archon, he really had. They hadn’t seen each other in ages, and Xiao had almost given up on him, but when he caught sight of the archon again at the Lantern Rite, he couldn’t feel anything anymore. Xiao felt his heard pounding against his ribs violently. This bard was really going to be the death of him. Although he tried not to show it on his face, he felt a tinge of disappointment when Venti broke their eye-contact, and it seemed that he had noticed.
“Oh? Why so glum?”
“… This is just how I am.” Xiao was internally screaming. “The moon does look nice today.”
“Yes, I agree.” The bard cast his gaze towards the moon, occasionally sneaking glances at the man beside him. “The stars blind my eyes, yet when I look at you, the world fades and you become my sky.”
“…”
“I… yes…very much….thank you” Xiao could feel heat pooling in his face, as his words became a jumbled mess. Here he was again, breaking apart at the thought of his bard, yet this time it was in front of the man himself.
The very bard responsible for the mess only laughed gently.
“I didn’t imagine an illuminated adeptus like you could get so flustered.”
The crinkles around Venti’s eyes faded as he focused on Xiao’s face- or more specifically his mouth.
Xiao felt the heat in his face burning now as he opened his mouth to speak, yet nothing came out.
Nothing needed to come out, as his wordless mouth was enveloped in a warm kiss. The adeptus had played out this scene multiple times in his head, and it was always him who had initiated the kiss. Who would have know that it would be Venti instead. Xiao breathed in and the faint scent of Dandelion in the air and the strong scent of alcohol wafting from Venti overloaded his senses, before he pushed him away.
“Xiao?” Venti tentatively called out, looking hurt.
“Venti….I.” He didn’t know what to say. His dreams and fantasies he’d harboured for this man for centuries had finally come to life, and here he was pushing him away. “The wine… are you sure you want to do this?”
The only sound heard for a while was the chirping of crickets and the wind softly brushing against the two, tangled in each other’s embrace.
‘Oh archons I’ve done it now’ Xiao began to think ‘If only I hadn’t opened my big mouth. He’s probably rethinking all his decisions- if only I didn’t interrupt it….Oh but it’s probably for the best-“
The yaksha’s train of thought was interrupted by heart laughter. He squeezed his eyes shut thinking ‘Here it comes’.
His eyes flew open as soft hands carefully cupped his face.
“Oh Xiao, you don’t really think I can’t handle my alcohol? Me? The god of wine himself? Please- I could drink 10x what I drank to reach tipsy. Earlier in the tavern, I was just teasing you, Xiao,” Venti’s voice was gentle, but a glimmer of mischief was evident still in his eyes. He gave Xiao’s cheeks a gentle squeeze before pulling him closer.
“Now where were we?” He embraced the adeptus in another warm kiss. Xiao felt tears of happiness welling in his eyes as he blinked them away, snaking his arms around the smaller man’s waist to hold him tighter. They were just getting lost in the feeling before the two broke apart, panting as Venti gasped.
“I almost forgot!” He cried, reaching frantically into the depths of his coat, and pulled out a smooth, perfect Cecilia.
“This is…?” Xiao asked.
“It’s my Windblume! I’ll admit, it is embarrassing for the anemo archon himself to gift a Windblume but how could I not to the one I’ve admired for so long.” He watched him through his eyelashes, and this time, Xiao allowed a small smile in return before reaching into his coat himself.
“Then this is…for you?” He asked it as if it were a question as he presented a small, crumpled Qingxing. “I found this at the top of a pretty cliff side and it reminded me of you… swaying against the incoming wind, without a care in the world.” The adeptus admitted somewhat hesitantly. Venti chuckled at the state of the flower, but still accepted it nonetheless.
“Well,” he began as he circled his arms around Xiao’s neck again. “I guess you’ll have to show me that spot one day~“
“It’s a date,” Xiao whispered before diving in for a deeper kiss, relishing in the soft noises occasionally coming from Venti.
They fit together perfectly, nose against nose, chest against chest, fingers intertwining. The moon eclipsed behind them, as if they were fated to be together in this very moment. Xiao smiled against Venti’s mouth as he realised that’s for once he had no care for what came to be, only certainty that he had no regrets under this moonlit night.