Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 2

Bennett, Chongyun and Venti knocked on Xingqiu's door. There was a gift held in each of their hands for Kaeya.

Venti could hear faint chatter from inside the apartment, making his inner party-boy excited. The door had a welcome home banner on it, and on each side of the apartment door were balloons. Knowing Xingqiu, of course he would have outdone himself.

The door suddenly opened revealing Xingqiu with a huge grin on his face. He quickly kissed Chongyun on the cheek and grabbed his hand, before turning to face all of them.

"About time. I was getting worried."

"Yeah sorry-" Chongyun began, then he motioned towards Venti. "Somebody didn't want to get up."

Bennett then whispered with a giggle to Xingqiu. "Psssst It's Venti." 

"What a surprise." Xingqiu chuckled sarcastically. "You drink again?"

"I'm not that bad." Venti expressed, gosh people always assumed the worst of him.

"Mhm." Xingqiu replied rolling, his eyes. "Well come in - everyone else is already here and we all need to hide for Kaeya's arrival." 

The four of them all entered the house and were meet by greetings from the majority of people  there. Venti recognised a few of them. There was Diluc, Kaeya's stepbrother. To be honest Venti was surprised Diluc decided to show up - he knew that him and Kaeya didn't have the best relationship.

Then there was Lumine - He met her a few times down the line, but didn't know too much about her personally. He just knew that her brother, Aether, went missing a few years ago. It's a rather sad story really, but Lumine has never given up in attempting to find him. Venti admired that about her. 

In the corner of the room were Scaramouche and Kazuha, obviously deep in conversation. He was in a few classes with Kazuha, and Venti could tell by their few interactions that he is rather gentle and carefree person. On the other hand there was Scaramouche, this was another person Venti didn't know much about, the main thing he knew was that he was Kazuha's boyfriend. However, one of his classmates Mona along with Lumine warned him not too get too close to him.

Then of course there is Razor and Xingqiu, Bennett and Chongyun's boyfriends. Razor is an exchange student, when he first moved over here Bennett offered to tutor him since he was struggling. Venti watched as they, gradually, became closer and fell in love. Of course on the other hand there is Xingqiu, probably the smartest person Venti knows. Xingqiu either always has his head in a book or is planning a way to prank Chongyun. Xingqiu and Chongyun were childhood best friends, and the tension between them was always obvious to everyone except... Well... Them. Luckily, they eventually stopped being oblivious and got together. Honestly, it was painful to watch. 

There was also Amber, Venti also didn't know much about her - except that she is really close with Albedo, Kaeya's boyfriend. Chongyun informed him earlier that Albedo wouldn't be able to make it tonight due to family issues. 

"Hey - come on." Venti heard Xingqiu's voice beside him and nodded, following the other boy to the middle of the room where another boy stood alone.

"Venti - this is Xiao." He began, motioning between the two of them. "Xiao, this is Venti." 

Damn, he was hot. 

The boy looked around the same age as Venti, he had green tattoos on his arm and blueish-aqua hair. His attire was certainly unique, but it's not like Venti could judge. 

Xiao looked Venti up and down quickly, before bowing his head. Xingqiu then winked at Venti and skipped away.

"Uh hey! I'm Venti, nice to meet you!" He introduced again cheerfully.

"I know - I was listening." Xiao commented, he was staring at Venti rather intensely. He had a look in his eyes that Venti couldn't decipher. 

"Uh - yeah, right! So was I..." Venti trailed off with an awkward giggle, suddenly taking great interest in the wall.

"Okay." Xiao said, then he walked away.

Well so much for first impressions.

"Can I get everyone's attention?" Venti turned to face Xingqiu who was standing on a table. "Kaeya's going to be arriving any second now, so can we please all hide?" Mutters of agreement were heard throughout the room as everyone shuffled around to find a hiding spot.

Venti kneeled behind a couch as Xingqiu switched the light off. He felt a presence beside him.

"Isn't this exciting?!" Amber asked with a big smile on her face. "I can't wait to see him again!" 

"Yeah - I can't wait to go to the pub with him again." Venti giggled, which Amber smacked him on the arm for.

They suddenly heard knocking on the door, as Xingqiu got up to open it. Kaeya's voice was heard throughout the room as he was telling Xingqiu it wasn't necessary to put up all these decorations. Then they heard footsteps and a door close.

3.... 2.... 1....

"SURPRISE!" They all screamed out, as a look of shock quickly took over Kaeya's facial features. However, it didn't last for long and was soon replaced with a sincere smile.

One by one, they all went up and hugged him, asking how he was and quickly catching up.

It was really going to be a nice night.