Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 19

Venti hesitated as he looked up at the modern apartment complex in front of him. When Venti started driving to Xiao's house, he didn't know what he was expecting, but it wasn't this. He took Xiao as more of the type of guy who lived in a shack at the edge of town, the type of place which held horror stories and children went out of their way to avoid on the walk home from school. Not the type of place you'll see advertised in a magazine. 

He walked inside the complex to see a receptionist at the front desk on her phone. She looked up and offered him a warm smile and wave. There were large windows on every wall and it looked like the floors had just been polished. He gulped as he offered the woman a wave back, then started to head up the stairs to apartment number 13. 

He didn't exactly have a plan on how he was going to explain arriving completely unannounced to Xiao, especially since Xiao had no idea who he was. Although, he came to the conclusion that the best thing to do would be to wing it, that's what got him this far in the first place anyway.

He reached Xiao's apartment much quicker then he would have liked. He looked at the modern, marble door. Double, and triple, checking it was the correct number before knocking.

He stood back and waited for an answer. He fiddled with his fingers, uncharacteristically nervous. Suddenly, the door swung open revealing a boy with a scowl on his face. His hair was messy and the familiar necklace he always wore wasn't around his neck.

"What?" Xiao asked, sending a pointed look to Venti, "are you here to collect my rent? I'll get it in by next week."

Venti just stared at him dumbfounded, trying to process the boy in front of him. He was definitely going to have to get used to the same day 'over and over' again thing. 

"Hey?" 

Venti had never before paid too much attention to the beautiful colour of Xiao's hair, and how unique his fashion sense was. It was rather charming to be honest. 

"Hey?!" Xiao repeated, obviously getting annoyed.

"O-oh right, ehe." Venti nervously chuckled, pulling at the braids of his hair. "Uh, I'm uh Venti."

 "Okay...?" Xiao's patience seemed to be running low.

"Yeah..." Venti laughed a bit. He didn't know what had suddenly come over him, he was usually really good at being shameless and not caring what other's thought. However, he suddenly felt super nervous in Xiao's presence, as if he was going to puke. He felt the urge to ensure that this version on Xiao liked him, that all versions of Xiao liked him. 

"Is that all, Venti?" Xiao asked again, giving him a deadpan expression.

"Yeah..." Venti chuckled, although quickly realising what he said as soon as Xiao started to close the door, Venti caught it quickly. "No! No, I mean no that's not all!" 

"Look, I've got somewhere to be soon and I don't have time to waste-" Xiao began rambling as his eyes traced over to the clock behind Venti.

"I know!" Venti interrupted, "Kaeya's welcome home party." 

Xiao eyed him suspicious. "What is it that you want?"

"I uh..." Venti began, trying to grab the right words to somehow explain the situation. "Can I come in?" He opted with.

"I don't know you." Xiao replied back instantaneously.

"Yes, but I know you!" Venti shot back, soon afterwards covering his mouth with his hand. 

Way to not seem creepy.

"What? What do you mean?" Xiao began, underlying worry evident in his voice. That's when it hit Venti, as messed up as it sounded perhaps to gain Xiao's trust he had to first play into his fear.