Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 43

27th April 2020:

It came as no surprise that, alike all the previous time loops, the authorities took each of them into questioning. Xiao had told him beforehand to act like he knew nothing, which he was of course going to do anyway. It's not like he could go into the interview like, "hey so... You know, actually, I heard him being strangled. I know I know, unbelievable, right? But actually I attached a microphone to him without his knowledge then sort of spied on him the whole night. Oh? You want to know why? Well I just had a bit of a feeling he was going to be murdered. You know, everyday things, ehe."

Besides that though, they asked him pretty much the exact same questions as they did previously, just altering it a bit to fit the events of the night better. Most of Venti's answers, at this point, were muscle memory.

It seemed he was good at playing the 'clueless, alcoholic, bard' though because the authorities didn't suspect him one bit, instead seeming to get annoyed at his mischievous antics and rambling.

It had been two days now since the questioning ended, and Venti spent the majority of his time laying on his bed drinking... Alcohol. Yet again, Xiao told him to stay at home and let him deal with things alone. At first, Venti was very hesitant to the idea, his trust for the other man barely built up again yet. But Xiao insisted that he would keep Venti updated, and bring him into it if they were going to investigate something specific (whatever that meant).

Anyway, that lead to Venti agreeing, hesitantly, and a bunch of empty wine bottles on his floor two days later as he laid in bed. Not willing to move a muscle. Well, he wasn't willing until he heard Chongyun's voice echo throughout the house,

"Venti! Xiao's here for you!"

Venti groaned loudly as he rubbed his eyes, knowing that he was now probably going to have to use his brain and couldn't just be existing silently. He groaned again as he rolled out of his bed (probably not a good idea as he nearly crashed into two empty bottles).

He wobbly stood up and used the wall as support as he made his way to his wardrobe and threw on a green hoodie, he then turned right and looked in the mirror.

He was an absolute mess.

His long hair was out as he hadn't been bothered to braid it, it also looked like it hadn't been brushed in a week. He had very noticeable bags under his eyes, was unbelievably pale that he looked ill, and couldn't walk without support from the wall.

To be honest, he looked like a dying man.

He sighed again, then opened his door and went on the tedious, painful journey to the entryway of their apartment where Xiao and Chongyun were standing. The second they saw him worry was evident in both their eyes, and Chongyun rushed over to swing an arm around Venti's back to support him.

"Whoa, are you okay?" The blue haired man asked.

"I am just perfect Chongyun, never better. Did I ever tell you how much I love your blue hair?" Venti then giggled, grabbing onto Chongyun's hair and slightly tugging it, making the other boys eyebrows quirk up in confusion.

"I - uh - you m-might've mentioned it once or twice." Chongyun said as his cheeks became red, desperately looking at Xiao for help.

"Is he drunk?" Xiao asked flatly, his face returning to his usual, unreadable, composure.  

"Uh-"

"No!" Venti answered before Chongyun could get another word out. "Nooo I'm not drunk, I'm happy.." He began to giggle, "and just because I compliment my best, best friend in the wholeee world because I love him so much doesn't mean I'm drunk. What, are you jealouss?" Venti slurred, okay maybe he wasn't completely sober either but he was playing into the role a bit.

"Uh, okay, can I take him?" Xiao asked, turning to Chongyun. The blue haired man looked so lost and puzzled it was comedic.

"Uh, I actually don't know. Um, Venti." Chongyun turned to face Venti the best he could considering their stance, then began to talk in a tone similar to as if he was talking to a toddler. "Do you want to go with this man?"

Venti looked between Chongyun and Xiao a few times, before rounding on Xiao. "I don't know... Do I?" He questioned him, innocently titling his head.

"Yes, you do." Xiao answered cautiously.

Venti really didn't know what he wanted at the moment, but if Xiao had something which will help them help Kaeya then he didn't really have a choice now, did he?

"Hmm, okay if you say so." Venti then said, and released himself from Chongyun. He would have slipped if it wasn't for Xiao who then wrapped a strong arm around Venti's waist and held him upright. 

Chongyun still looked skeptical. "Are you sure you'll be okay with him, Xiao? He does seem a bit wasted." 

Venti waved him off before Xiao could answer. "I'll be fineee, it's nothing I haven't been before. But if I end up dead, well you know who did it, ehe." He then giggled, making Chongyun's face transform from confusion to concern as Xiao quickly, harshly, dug his nail's into Venti's hips before letting go.

"He'll be fine. I'll take him to my place and sober him up. I need to talk to him, but not when he's like-" He motioned to Venti's form, "this."

"Okay then.." Chongyun trailed off. "Venti if you need anything, call me, yeah?"

"Yeah, yeah." Venti waved off, then let him be led out of the apartment by Xiao.