From celestia(XiaoVen)

[Venti birthday special]

A birthday special for Venti, not a chapter update. If you want to skip, just skip :)

Xiao had practiced and practiced.

He tried his best to bring back the tune that saved him, and practiced it on the dihua flute, over and over. He didn't want to mess up, because he was going to preform it for his one and only love.

Venti. Venti... Venti..... It still felt like a dream that he was able to see his savoir and actually interact with him. The bard was coming to liyue for his birthday, because Zhongli wanted to have a small celebration, but he didn't want to move.

Xiao asked Zhongli if he could participate to go meet Venti, and Zhongli swiftly said an 'Okay'. He did want Xiao to have his freedom, after all. After all he's done for Liyue.. he deserves to have granted a wish of his choice.

After Zhongli said yes, Xiao went onto pondering Venti's gift. It has to be special, it had to be worth it.. He didn't want to fail the bard, and he wanted a good impression.

That's when it hit him. 'I'll just practice the song he played for me. That way, he'll recognize me, and..'

Well, and that's why he's doing this. It's one day before the big event, so he's super nervous. Now he's just getting notes wrong because of it. "Keep calm Xiao," Zhongli softly said as he walked calmly inside the room Xiao was practicing in. "I'll be your practice-audience if you're nervous preforming in front of Venti." Xiao nodded as a thank you, and continued.

~The big day^-^~

"Thank you, and sorry, Barbatos, for burdening you on your special day." Zhongli apologized, as he gave Venti his tea. Venti shook his hands, smiling. "How many times am I supposed to tell you to call me Venti?! Anyways, it's fiiiiine. We know how bad your back is, you shouldn't be travelling anyways. Ehe, I'm fit for travelling unlike someone~!"

Xiao couldn't help but crack a small smile, holding in his laughter. He knows how true that was, for he had seen the Lord of Geo attempt climbing a mountain... And miserably fail, and eventually use his powers to elevate the ground to go up.

"And who's this pretty little fellow?" Venti cooed, as he leaned his face in Xiao's. Zhongli sighed and pushed Venti's temple, causing him to stumble and fall, letting out a surprised squeak. Venti whined while standing up. "It's my birthdaaaaaay!!! Why can't you just not be a blockhead for once, hmm?" He turned his head towards Xiao. "Your name! What is it? Have we met before?"

"Adeptus Xiao, conqueror of demons. And about the last question.. I.. shall let you know later." Xiao could feel his face heat up. 'Calm down Xiao, he's still looking at you..' Apparently, Venti noticed. "Awwww, too bad then... Am I too close to you? Sorry about that, ehehe.. You're blushing, by the way. That's so cute~!" Venti giggled.

Zhongli facepalmed, dragged Venti away, and signalled Xiao to follow. Xiao, finally back on teyvat, did as instructed. When they arrived, they were surrounded by trees and bushes. There was a small table with chairs. Zhongli told the two to sit there, which they both did.

"What a beautiful place!!" Venti exclaimed with sparkling eyes. "How's liyue stuff?"

And the two gods started chattering. Xiao, awkward, waited for a good timing to give Venti his gift. Soon enough, Zhongli gave him his time. "Xiao said he has prepared something for your birthday." Venti clapped. "Ooh YAY!! C'mon, show me!"

Xiao nodded, summoned his flute, and did as practiced.

It felt like they were alone, just the two of them, with Venti hit by nostalgia. Tears started to form in the corner of his eyes, some even trickling down his face. To Xiao, Venti looked beautiful even when he was like that.

When the whole thing finished, Xiao stood stiff, nervous of Venti's reaction. Venti started bawling his eyes out, ran up to Xiao and have him a HUGE hug.

After crying for sometime, Venti said in between tears. "So you are the yaksha from that night.. Do you even know how much I've looked for you..? Worried, fearing what might happen with my music away.. hoping that you're doing fine.. I was worried sick, Xiao." "I love you."

Xiao's mind malfunctioned, and said the wrong words. He started to have a panick attack inside, until Venti kissed him directly on the lips(sorry Zhongli :p). Xiao froze, processing what just happened, but quickly kissed back.

It was celestia itself. They stayed like that for a while, but eventually had to pull away because they still had to breathe. "I hate having to breathe." Venti chuckled. He was still teary, but he was smiling brightly. Xiao kissed those tears away, and brought him into another hug.

"Please don't leave me alone next time."

"I won't be able to even leave you.. I'm sorry Xiao, I'm sorry.. and,"

"Thank you."

[HAPPY BIRTHDAY VENTI, and thank you for bringing my therapist aka my BEST FRIEND to me!! I will forever be grateful, lord Barbatos!💕 Happy birthday!]