Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 12

After Venti's conversation with Bennett and Razor, he met up with Xiao and they shared information. Xiao told Venti that Diluc was acting strange when they got to the Kaeya part of the conversation, and that he was definitely holding something back, he was just wasn't sure what. Then Venti shared what happened with Razor and Bennett... Let's just say that Xiao wasn't exactly happy with Venti's approach to get information.

That's what led him here, sitting in the corner of the room with a bottle of alcohol in his hand and a sour attitude. Xiao insisted that he was going to do more harm then good if he continued questioning people. Therefore Xiao is doing all the talking.

Venti watched Xiao talk to Chongyun and Xingqiu. Xingqiu certainly seemed to have cheered up as he provoked his boyfriend, a very visible blush spreading across the iced-haired boys cheeks.  Venti took another swing of his alcohol. 

Gosh this was so boring.

This was meant to be Venti's mission, but Xiao was the one talking to everyone on behalf of him. At this point, Venti was unsure whether Xiao continued to help him so much because he was bored, he truly believed Venti and wanted Kaeya to remain breathing or there was an ulterior motive. 

As the night progressed, Venti decided to stand up and stop sulking, thinking that it would be better to at least socialise to some extent. Even if he wasn't talking about what he wanted to talk about.

Amber seemed to be in a happy mood, definitely lighting up since her foul mood at dinner. Venti and Amber talked about all sorts of things, clothes, university homework, sports. They even talked about the sports game Albedo and Amber went to a few weeks back, Venti really wanted a friendship like theirs.

Like the previous time loop, the time came where Chongyun and Xingqiu were making out in the corner, giving everyone the not so subtle cue to leave. Unlike the last loop, people were tipsy, but not completely wasted. So they could make it home by themselves. 

Since Chongyun insisted that he was spending the night with Xingqiu, only Bennett and Venti went home together. Before they left, Venti went to go speak with Xiao to try and obtain the information he found. However, Xiao just brushed him off and told him to get home safe, and that they'll talk more later. 

The drive home was quiet, nothing much was to be said. Bennett still seemed a bit held back since their conversation from before, and Venti could admitted that he didn't take the best approach with Bennett and Razor.

Once they arrived home, Venti wasted no time in having a quick shower and getting changed, collapsing in his bed as soon as he could.

***

Venti awoke to a headache, it wasn't too bad but annoying nonetheless. There was also an annoying sound coming from elsewhere in the house.

Wait.... Was that crying?

Venti's mind filled with panic as all the possibilities went through his head, but instead of pacing he took a deep breath and slowly forced himself to get up and follow the noise. 

Once he reached the destination, the living room, the image in front of him was devastating. Bennett was curled up on the couch, his knees pulled into his chest and his head rested on top of them, his ugly sobs filling the room.

"B-Bennett, what's wrong?" Venti choked out, his voice breaking. He knew what Bennett was going to say but that didn't make things any less painful.

"K-Kaeya-" Bennett spluttered, after a few moments of hesitation. "H-he is dead."