Morning Breeze (Aether/Venti) [unfinished]

Act 6: Forever

The bard's fingers danced on his lyre's strings. Der Frühling lacked the magical purity of his Holy Lyre Der Himmel. The wooden lyre was a simple tool in comparison, but its songs sounded just as nice up close. It made a good instrument for a bard. Its music only had to reach one person's ears now, the one he was waiting for.

In the distance a blond figure came his way. It waved and he waved back before continuing his song. Aether was right on time for their meeting, as always. Venti watched him come closer. He hadn't seen him in quite some time. The strings of his lyre continued, welcoming him.

"Hey there traveler! What brings you to our little corner of Teyvat?"

"Wine and song!"

They burst out in laughter and Aether sat down next to his bard friend.

"No fairy today?"

"I bribed her with food. She's in Mondstadt right now."

"Ah, good."
Venti pulled something from behind his back.
"I too partook in some of this bribing, ehe~"

He revealed two bottles of vintage wine.

"How's everybody been while i was in Inazuma?"

"Diluc hates me a little less than last time. Jean is still overworking herself. Barbara still gives me a death stare every time im near her."

"You did break Barbatos' holy lyre."

"I am Barbatos! I'll do what i want with my holy lyre!"

More laughter.

"I'm glad everything's going well."

Venti shifted a bit closer and rested his head on Aether's shoulder.
"Did you learn anything about your sister?"

He sighed.
"Nope. More fatui and archon bickering just like in Liyue."

Aether popped open the first bottle and took a swig.
"I'm starting to doubt whether she's even here."

"You'll find her, i'm sure of it."
Venti accepted the bottle when it passed to him and had a couple gulps of his own.

Aether's hand found the bard's and their fingers intertwined.
"I'm going to stay here a bit before continuing my travels."

"How long?"

"I'm not sure. How about you tell me?"
He leaned over and placed his lips on the bard's. They tasted like wine and happiness.

"mh~ I take it you missed me?"

"You could say that. So what are today's plans?"
Aether took the bottle and drank again, making sure the two of them shared it about evenly. Not that he minded sharing but he hadn't had any in a while. No place had wine as good as Mondstadt's.

"I was thinking sing some songs, harrass some slimes, get drunk."
Venti put his hand in the air as if he was looking at a list.

"In that order?"

"Well i've already been singing and we're working on the drunk part."
He took a big swig of the bottle.

Aether stretched his arms out before landing one behind Venti and pulling him closer.
"How about we just relax for now?"

"Are you sure? the slimes won't harrass themselves."

"They'll have to wait, i'm busy."

"With what?"

"Hanging out with the most amazing person in all of teyvat."

Venti felt his cheeks go red and his braids light up.
"And who might that be?"

"I think you've met him. He's kind, sweet, has the voice of an angel, and always shares his wine with me."

Venti giggled.
"I'm not sure, can you tell me more?"

Aether kissed his neck.
"He sings for me and laughs with me, he holds my hands and makes the softest sounds when i kiss him~"

"He sounds amazing."

"He is."
Another kiss on the lips. As their eyes closed, Aether's hand snuck its way to the wine.

"Hey!"

"Hah, tricked you!"
The bottle felt surprisingly light. He felt the last bit of drink disappear down his throat. He surprised himself by how sad that made him, Venti's bad habits were rubbing off on him.

It made him happy somehow, to know they had spent enough time together to start sharing eachother's interests. He leaned back and rested his head in the grass.
"Do you think we'll stay like this forever?"

"Drunk?"
The bard opened the second bottle and smiled warmly.

Aether closed his eyes and relaxed.
"I love you, Venti."

He felt him lay down against him, resting his head on his chest.

"I could stay like this forever."

The wind whispered through the grass around them. They enjoyed the sound of eachother's breathing. It reminded them that they're still alive. Even if they're not really human, not like the other people in this world, they're still people in their own right. Could they really do it? Can they really leave this world behind when the time comes? Can they abandon all the friends they made here just to be together?

Aether pulled Venti closer, making sure to hold him tight. He cherished these moments, hoping one day they'll become a common occurance.

The stranger that fell in love with a god. Maybe he can ask Xingqui to have his story recorded as a romance novel before he leaves. People would eat it up.

"A month."

"What?"

"You asked me to choose how long you're staying this time. How about a month?"

Aether planted a smooch on Venti's forehead.
"A month it is."