Venti and I spend the rest of the day attached at the hip, picking more apples and Cecilias. We lay in the grass and he makes flower crowns, weaving the flowers into my hair. "Diluc," Venti sings when he's done. The day goes like this, he'll do something small and then sing my name in a whisper, giggling when he catches me looking at him.
"Venti, will you sing for me?" I ask, pulling him closer to me. He gasps at the movement but relaxes into my touch nonetheless.
"Of course, any requests?" He giggles, brushing my bangs out of my eyes.
"No, I just want to hear your voice." He smiles at me, summoning his lyre. I don't listen to the words, focusing on his voice. At some point, I fall asleep, and when I wake it's because Venti is shaking me ever so gently.
"Diluc?" Venti asks, pulling himself away from my side. "I have to go, I'm meeting Traveler tonight."
"Are you staying in the teapot again?" I ask, already knowing the answer. He nods, starting to get up. But I hold onto his arm. "Stay with me tonight, at the winery" He pauses for a moment and we both realize what I just said. My chest feels warm and Venti's face is panted the prettiest of pinks.
"Would I be sleeping in your bed?" He asks, both of us growing redder.
"If you wanted to, I won't make you stay if you don't want to."
He thinks about it for a moment, combing his fingers through my hair. "I would love to," He says, kissing me lightly.
Getting up we brush the dirt off of our clothes.
"I'm going to go tell Traveler, will you meet me at the Statue of the Seven?" I nod at him and then I watch him disappear.
Teleporting just outside of Mondstadt, I start walking to Angel's Share. I see Traveler and Paimon talking to Venti, who doesn't spare a glance at me while I walk by. It hurts a little bit, I must admit. The lack of his attention.
I have changed a lot over the last two weeks or so. I've developed a weakness. And Venti is that weakness.
Angel's Share is busy tonight, Charles seems to be having trouble keeping up with the drinks. I don't offer to help, Venti will be waiting for me soon. That and it seems that he's having a run-in with karma. I'm not inclined to help.
The third-floor apartment has what I'm looking for. I was hoping that my trip to Mindstadt wouldn't be for not. My reading glasses are right where I left them, on the side table next to my favorite chair.
I kissed him for the first time in this room meer hours ago. This fact leaves me breathless.
Teleporting always feels weird to me. The blinding white-blue light and then suddenly you're at your chosen waypoint or Statue of the Seven. When I get to my chosen Statue, (the one near the winery) Venti is playing the flute and the wind is a peaceful breeze.
I let him finish before I make myself known, though I think that he already knew I was there. (Right as I arrived, a smile tugged at his lips while he was taking a breath.)
"Venti," I call when the song is done, and he pulls me into a hug.
"Yes, Diluc?" He muses, a song in his voice. My heart flutters, beating as if I've just run a marathon.
"Just letting you know I was here, Wind Sprite," I say into his hair, pulling him closer to me. The winds blows harder for a moment before calming down.
I lead him to the winery, through the back door, and into my room. We both laugh and giggle the whole time, like drunk teenagers sneaking in after curfew.
Venti looks amazed when we walk in. "It was warmer the last time I was in here." He mentions, looking at me. I must look confused because he elaborates. "When I returned your coat, I didn't mean it come in here, I just picked a window." He looks shy like he's worried I'll be mad.
"I was wondering how it got in here. I'm glad you returned it, though it does look good on you." He smiles, turning pink. The coat engulfs him when he wears it, his arms too short to fill the sleeves correctly.
He sits on my bed, motioning for me to come over. "Sit with me." He says, grabbing my hand.
I wrap my arms around him, pulling him close. "Venti?" Venti hums, playing with the hem of my sleeve where my arm wraps around his stomach. "You really don't have to stay if you don't want to."
He laughs. "I said I wanted to, didn't I? I said I would love to, and I meant it." He smiles, laying back. I follow, pulling him closer to me, his back against my chest.
"I really like you, Venti."
"I would hope so, it would be awkward if you didn't like your favorite bard." He muses, a smile in his voice
"Is that a jab?" I ask, grinning. Sure I didn't understand what they meant, but I do now. And Archons am I glad I understand now.
"What? Of course not. I would never." He giggles, shifting to turn around on my hold. He's facing me now, my arms still draped over his waist.
I smile at him, pushing his hair out of his face so I can see him better. His hands grab onto my face as he pulls me in for a kiss, while I pull him even closer to me.
I used to think that I sat too close to him, but now I don't think I could ever be close enough. I want him to stay in my arms. For as long as we breathe I want to hold him. Kiss him breathless until the wind stops blowing and fire stops burning.
And he does stay, my arms wrapped around him. For hours we lay together in my bed, whispering to each other and giggling when Venti makes a joke.
There isn't anywhere in Tayvat I would rather be.
