a teyvat mystery － diluc x venti / diluven / venluc | fanfic / one shot

chapter 8

Notes:
Hey it's like 10pm and I'm really exhausted because of trying to finish this but I needed to get this out so.. hope you enjoy!

Summary:
Venti, Diluc, Xingqiu and a surprise guest attend a fatui party. However, before that Master Diluc takes the two of the cutest boys in all of Teyvat to go dress shopping.

The next morning they set out early, their destination being the shopping district of Liyue. Diluc followed behind Venti and Xingqiu as they joyously walked through the streets. The reason for their joy was obvious, today was the day Diluc would buy them whatever they wanted, or so they hoped. The first shop they went into specialized in ancient style dress that would be normally worn for special occasions. There was a wide selection of dress for both men and women. Having seen this store often, nothing really caught Xingqiu's eyes. He was instead looking for a more contemporary dress to wear. Venti on the other hand was quite taken by the traditional Liyue dresses. He particularly liked one that was displayed on a wooden mannequin as a seasonal special. It was long flowing; colored translucent green; had a light pink colored top with loose low hanging sleeves; a then white colored sash around the waist that was tied in the front; another wider pale white sash that ran over the shoulders and back under them, flowing down the length of the dress.
Venti's eyes widened a bit when he saw how much the dress was. I'd feel bad even asking Master Diluc to buy this, it cost almost a month's worth of wine, he thought while looking at the price tag.
Diluc noticed that Venti liked the dress, but also saw his restraint in saying so. When Venti went to look at other dresses with Xingqiu, Diluc took the opportunity to check out the dress. Even Diluc had to blink a few times seeing the price. It was more than all their travel expenses so far! But nothing was more important than Venti's smile. So with no second thoughts at all Diluc went up and bought the dress from the shop owner. Venti and Xingqiu were still looking around when Diluc came up from behind with a bag in his hand.
"Here," Diluc said, handing the bag to Venti while his eyes looked elsewhere.
"Huh?" Venti responded as he took the bag from Diluc. Peering into the bag a face full of shock came over him, "W- W- D-Did you see how much this was!?!?!?"
"Mhm."
"W-Why did you buy it then? IT WAS SO MUCH!!!!"
"I bought it for you."
Venti started blushing, "T-Thank you but umm-"
"I already bought it, so..."
"H-heh I guess."
"Venti you got to try this on! I wanna see, I wanna see," Xingqiu proclaimed with excitement.
"Maybe we should wait until you get your dress."
"Okay, okay. Maybe Master Diluc will spend this much on me too?" Xingqiu playfully teased the already money deficient Diluc.
Diluc watched out of the corner of his eye for that smile he had hoped to see, but instead he saw a nervous, almost guilty looking Venti. When Xingqiu led them out of the shop Diluc took the opportunity to talk to Venti, "You wanted it didn't you?"
"Huh? The dress?"
"Mhm."
"I mean yes but-"
"That's why I bought it, don't worry about the price tag, I have plenty of spare money."
"What about Xingqiu though? I didn't want you to spend all your money on just me."
Diluc looked ahead at Xingqiu then glanced back at Venti, "I'm sure I'll have enough."
"R-Really!!!! That's good," he finally started smiling again.
They arrived at the shop which carried more modern dresses. Xingqiu walked in like he already had an idea what dress he wanted, he marched right past the front and went all the way to the back. "This is the one I want," he said, pointing to a multi-blue colored dress.
"Qiu, how'd you find a dress so fast?"
"Actually I've had my eye on this for quite a while, it's the limited edition blue variant of Lady Keqing's dress. The store released several different versions of Lady Keqing's dress last year for the Lantern Rite celebrations. Most of the dresses sold out the day they were released. It was such a big success that the shop eventually released them again."
"Hmm, well you don't seem too hesitant, so can you hurry up and get one your size," Diluc said, both uninterested in the dress and Xingqiu. His excitement for dress shopping had apparently only extended to Venti. Picking up on the return of Diluc's abrasiveness, Venti subtly elbowed him in the side trying to remind him to be more supportive of Xingqiu. Diluc took the hint and half-heartedly said, "The dress really goes well with your hair. I think it suits you."
"R-Really!?!?"
"Mhm."
Venti also chimed in, "Qiu, it looks really good. It'll look even better when you wear it though." Xingqiu sorted through the rack of dresses eventually finding one that fit him. He was bubbling with excitement as he handed it to Diluc who had already pulled his bag of mora out. Having checked out the three of them left, but were soon interrupted by a frosty blue haired young man dressed all in white.
"Qiu there you are," he said huffing and puffing as though he had been running all about Liyue.
"What's up Yun?"
"Umm, I saw Mr. Zhongli earlier. He said something came up tonight, so he wanted me to come tell you."
"Ahh I see. So Yun, what are you doing tonight?"
"Not much I was thinking about going to do some training outside the city."
"What if I said I need your help?"
"With an exorcism?"
"Mmm not quite. I need you to escort me to a party."
"Huh!?!?!"
"It's a dangerous party Yun-Yun, I need you to protect me," Xingqiu said with a soft voice.
"I promised myself I would train today. Also who are these people?"
"Oh, I suppose I haven't introduced you all yet. Venti and Diluc meet Chongyun, Chongyun meet Venti and Diluc."
Diluc kept his response brief as always, "Hello."
"Oooooo, so this is the Chongyun you were talking about last n-" Xingqiu rushed over, and put his hand over Venti's mouth to stop him from talking anymore about their conversation from the previous night. Chongyun and Diluc looked on cluelessly as Venti and Xingqiu playfully wrestled against each other. Eventually they stopped, though not before several people looked at them with judgine eyes.
"Tch, I can't even go shopping without you two making a scene."
Xingqiu's face instantly went red as he partially hid behind Venti. "Uh Qiu- you okay?" Venti whispered trying to keep his voice down.
Before Xingqiu could answer, Chongyun responded to what Diluc had said, "Oh, Qiu, did you finally buy a dress?"
"Ahh- yeah."
"That's awesome Qiu, you've talked about for so long, I'm happy you finally did," Chongyun joyously said.
"T-Thanks..."
An awkward silence overtook all four of them as they stood there in the middle of the street. Venti broke the silence when he too suggested that Chongyun join them tonight, "Chongyun, I'm sure if you came with us it would be fun. Plus since we're out so late we may encounter ghosts or spirits."
"That is a good point, it could be worthwhile for me to go. I suppose I can train tomorrow."
"So that means you'll come?"
"Yes."
"That's great, right Xingqiu?"
"Mhmmm......" Xingiqu had no idea why the lie about ghosts had worked and his pleading for Chongyun to protect him hadn't. Honestly, he should've known better given all the times that he had pulled the same trick on poor Chongyun.
"So does that mean I'm going with you then?" Diluc asked Venti.
"I guess it does."
"What are you going to wear?"
"You'll have to wait and find out Master Diluc." Venti said with a slightly teasing tone. Diluc didn't like being teased; however, he put up with it knowing he would like whatever outfit Venti would wear. After this the four of them went back to Xingqiu's manor to prepare for the night's events. Venti, Chongyun, and Xingqiu got ready with each other while Diluc got ready by himself. This allowed for the three to help each other pick-out their outfits for the party. Diluc had obviously rejected any help in picking out his outfit, so he was left alone to do his own thing. Around an hour before the party all four of them met up in the living room of the manor. Diluc had decided to go with a beige turtleneck sweater underneath a black suit coat. He also had on dark pants, dark socks and his signature dark boots. Venti had chosen to wear a loose long sleeved white shirt underneath a fancy black vest, white dress shorts and cute little light brown shoes with a bow on top. Surprisingly, Venti had taken his hat off, however, not the flower which Diluc had placed in his hair. Xingqiu came out in a wonderful blue suit complete with a blue ribbon bow tie and slightly rolled up pants. For his feet he had black shoes similar to the ones Venti wore. Chongyun on the other had obviously not dressed himself, but had been dressed by Venti & Xingqiu. He wore a pink button up dress shirt with white plaid pants that had light pink patterning. Over his shirt he had an icy blue sweater vest. His white shoes were similar to the ones both Venti & Xingqiu had on.
Now dressed for the occasion the four of them left the house heading towards the Northland Bank, the location of that night's party. On the way there Venti finally got the chance to be alone with Diluc, "Hey, Master Diluc," Venti said in a uncharastically soft, almost sad voice.
"What?"
"Can I tell you something? It's something important. Something I- I don't want to say."
"Sure." Diluc tenderly said, noticing how vulnerable Venti sounded,
"I'm scared, scared to be alone again; scared to lose someone I care about again."
"How do you know you'll lose this person?"
"Because-" he checked to make sure Chongyun & Xingqiu weren't looking, "I'm not human."
"You seem pretty human to me. Everybody's scared of losing someone they care about. I know for you it's a bit different given that you're an archon, but you still deserve to be happy."
"But- I- How do I- How can I be happy when I know I'll end up losing the person I care about. "
Diluc sighed, then spoke in a soft voice "Venti... everyone is forced to part ways eventually, but if you truly love someone then every second spent with them is infinitely more important than any amount of time spent without them."
"I- I just can't, I can't... I'm sorry," Venti ran off ahead, not daring to look Diluc in the eyes. Diluc knew what Venti's words had meant, that them being together wouldn't work. His heart sank so low, lower than it ever had before. It felt like something was devouring him from the inside, like a whole had formed where his heart was. They both walked the rest of the way to the party separately, Venti was in front with Xingqiu and Chongyun, Diluc was behind by himself. When they arrived at the party Xingqiu gave the person at the door the four invitations which he had acquired through the guild. The supposed reason for the party was for Fatui merchants to network, so denying the Feiyun Commerce guild an invitation was simply unavoidable. Most of the people there were dressed in fine black and white suits. All the tables were adorned with violet grass set in vases, and glasses of white wine. The four of them stuck together around a table off to the side. They stood there looking around awkwardly, having realized that they had not thought past actually attending the party.
"Master Diluc, do you have any clue as to what we are looking for?" Xingqiu asked.
"No."
"What should we do then?"
"I don't know," Diluc said with abruptness.
Xingqiu picked up on the tension in the air, and thought it might be better if Venti and Diluc were alone for a bit, so he suggested something to Chongyun, "Maybe you and I should go look around Yun."
"What, why? Shouldn't we wait here?"
"Just- I want you to come get food with me, okay?"
"I thought we were going to look around?"
"I- Well- Just COME HERE!!!" Xingqiu said forcefully, finally convincing Chongyun to come along. Once they were over by the food station Xingqiu whispered into Chongyun's ear, "I think something happened between Venti and Diluc."
"Really? Like what?"
"I don't know! Why do you always ask so many questions, Yun?
"Sorry Qiu," Chongyun said solemnly.
"Don't be so sad, here this'll cheer you up," Xingqiu said, handing Chongyun some that looked suspiciously like a pepper. Chongyun naively trusting his friend took a bite without hesitation. The cheeks of his face quickly turned red as the hotness of the pepper overtook him entirely.
"Q- Q-," he started coughing, "Qiu that was-," another cough, "spicy."
"Oh no Yun I had no idea, here let's get you some water." Xingqiu brought Chongyun over to a table where glasses full of water were placed. Chongyun frantically drank a full glass of water, however, it did nothing for his mouth or his tongue. Now in a panic, as he was afraid of losing consciousness, Chongyun grabbed a handful of nearby ice and shoved it into his mouth trying to cool himself down. Still, it wasn't enough he desperately searched his pockets for a popsicle. He managed to take hold of one, but due to the aftereffects of the pepper was unable to open it, in fact he was barely able to stand. Xingqiu being the good friend that he was, held Chongyun up with one arm and with the other he took hold of Chongyun's popsicle. Then Xingqiu temporarily left Chongyun to lean against a table to carefully open the popsicle. After opening the popsicle Xingqiu held it just below his waist, so that it was pointed diagonally towards the ground.
"Come and get some Yun," Xingqiu said, in a hush seductive voice.
Unable to stand Chongyun got down on all fours, and began crawling towards Xingqiu craving the cooling comfort of the popsicle. As he got closer his body began to give out, he spoke with a faint voice, "Qiu please... I- I need it..."
"Oh, Yun, you're so cute. You got it, you're almost there," he said with an encouraging smirk.
"Qiu- I really don't feel good-" Just as Chongyun finished this sentence and was about to reach the popsicle he fell to the ground finally overwhelmed by the heat.
"Yun? Yunnn? Yun?" Xingqiu kept calling to him hoping he would get up; however, Chongyun showed no signs of still being conscious. Venti and Diluc looked on bewildered at what had just occurred. Xingqiu swiftly glanced around concerned people might be staring at him, luckily the only people looking at him were Venti & Diluc, the rest were too busy talking to each other. Diluc, trying not to make a scene, went over to clean up the mess Xingqiu had made.
"Engaging in foreplay in the middle of a party? I never expected the young master of the Feiyun Commerce guild was so... adventurous."
Xingqiu hid his embarrassed face, "H-eh I think I took my teasing a little too far."
"Teasing huh? I guess it's a type of teasing."
"Stop being so lewd, Master Diluc."
"You first."
"Ga- I didn't MEAN it like that."
"Sure."
"Whatever!!! Just help me get him out of here."
It took Diluc no time to pick up both Xingqiu and Chongyun under his arms.
"What!!! Why are you picking me up too?!?!?!"
"I don't want you 'teasing' someone again."
"I- Sorry, okay. Yun is just so easy to mess with, sometimes I can't help myself."
Venti came over and joined the three of them just as they were nearing the door to leave. "Ahh what happened to Yun?" Venti said wanting to see how Xingqiu would explain himself.
Xingqiu attempted to be honest, "Oh, uhhhhh he had something too spicy."
"Something certainly was spicy wasn't it? You know, if you want to do that type of thing with Chongyun you should be nicer."
"What type of thing?"
"Don't play innocent, you know what I'm talking about."
"I don't know what you mean."
"It's the thing some boyfriends do when they love each other very much."
"Ehhh..."
"I'm saying that if you want Chongyun to suck your popsicle you might want to be a little nicer, hehe."
"V- V- Venti wh- huh."
"Aww Qiu don't get so flustered, you knew what you were doing."
"Whatever...I was teasing him that's all."
"You certainly were teasing him alright."
Xingqiu huffed as they, having come down the stairs, finally arrived back on the streets of Liyue. "Can I be let down now?"
"Are you gonna behave?"
"Yes."
Diluc let Xingqiu down, allowing him to walk by himself. Diluc shifted Chongyun onto his back as they continued back to the manor. Chongyun was still groggy from being tricked into eating the pepper, but was comfortable on the back Diluc's muscular body. "What can we do to make him feel better," Diluc asked, concerned about Chongyun's well-being.
"Usually he eats one of his popsicles and that makes him feel better."
"But Qiu, you want to make him feel better with your popsicle right?"
"Venti stop!!!!!" Xingqiu pleaded.
"Qiu it's okay, it's cute that you like him so much."
"Shut up- I- I..." Xingqiu's voice fell away as his eyes began to become watery.
"Uh- Qiu don't cry."
"B-But I think I might have t-taken it too far."
"I'm sure Yun won't be that mad."
"How can I make this better?"
"I don't know. Maybe say sorry?"
"I guess, if you had done that to Diluc how would you make it up to him?"
"UHHHHHHH- I— Maybe...I don't know."
"Master Diluc what would you want?"
"I don't know."
"Please, I need some help. Not even a hero with the most just cause can do it by themselves."
"Fine. I'd want him to-"
Venti interjected, "I'd comfort him."
Diluc didn't bother finishing what he was about to say. His heart was racing and his stomach had a peculiar feeling going about it. He had felt this same feeling before he couldn't remember exactly when, all he knew was that it had involved Venti. Afterall it always involved Venti.
"Oh I see, so should I do that too, Venti?"
"Maybe you should ask Chongyun what he wants."
"That would be too embarrassing."
"More embarrassing than what you did back there at the party."
"Yes." Once they arrived back at the manor Diluc left the tired Chongyun on one of the couches in the living room. Xingqiu ran to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of ice water to give to Chongyun. "Here you go Yun."
"Thank you Qiu."
"Yun, I'm sorry I didn't realize it was that spicy."
"It's okay Qiu, I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose."
"Yun..." Xingqiu said as he gently ran his hand through Chongyun's hair.
"Qiu, I never got to ask you this, but why didn't you wear your new dress to the dinner?"
"Oh, I- I wasn't sure what people would say."
"Aww, I really want to see you wear it."
"You do?"
"Mhm, you looked so happy when you bought it."
Venti overheard this conversation and interjected to propose an idea, "Why don't we show off our dresses Xingqiu."
"Right now?"
"Yeah, come on," Venti said as he grabbed Xingqiu's hand and pulled him towards a nearby room, so they could help each other get changed into their dresses. They left Diluc and Chongyun alone in the living room while they went to get changed. Eventually, they both reappeared having their dresses on. Xingqiu was hesitant to show himself at first, so Venti held his hand as they both walked into the living room.
"Qiu, you look so pretty!" Yun exclaimed, still lying on the couch.
"T-Thanks Yun," Xingqiu said as he smiled, set at ease by Chongyun's compliment.
"How do I look, Master Diluc?"
"It looks good on you."
Venti stood still for a moment in shock thinking, That's all he has to say?!?!?! I thought for sure he would be more excited. Maybe after what happened earlier...
"Hey Qiu, can you come here?
"Sure, what's up Yun."
"Qiu about what happened earlier-"
"Yun I'm so sorry, I took it too far this time. I'm really sorry I didn't mean to hurt you"
"Qiu do you really think I'm cute?"
"Huh? I- Yeah- I-I do."
"Oh that's cool."
"Y- Yeah."
Venti & Diluc watched this occur and thought the same thing, Is Chongyun stupid?
"Hey Diluc, who do you think is cutest?" Xingqiu asked.
"You're all cute."
"But who would you escort about the town as an honorable gentleman?"
"All of you."
"W-What about y-your room?"
"Are you interested, Xingqiu?"
"N-No, but who would you escort?"
"All of you."
"H-h-how lewd."
Diluc started to get up looking like he was going to bed. Just as he turned to leave he said, "Well aren't you all coming with me?"
"Huh?
"Ehe?"
Xingqiu and Venti said in close unison. Chongyun on the other hand laid on the couch silently watching on. "Heh," Diluc muttered a laugh. Then without any of his pretty princes following him, he headed back inside his room for yet another night's rest.
"By the way Venti did you and Diluc find out any information at the party?"
"Not really, Diluc said he had an idea where to go though."
"Well that's good. How long will you two be in Liyue for?"
"I don't know. Probably only for a few more days."
"Have you confessed yet?"
"Uhhh- No, I don't think I will actually."
"Oh, why not? Is everything okay, Venti?"
"Wait Qiu, who does Venti like?"
"It's someone you know, someone in this house in fact."
"Wait, does Venti like you Qiu?"
"No Chongyun. It's Diluc."
"Oh, that makes more sense."
"Yun you're so silly."
"No Qiu, you said I'm cute."
"H-heh I did say that."
"Hey Qiu? Wanna sleep in the same bed tonight?"
"Sure. We haven't done that in a long time."
"I'll go change into my pajamas and wait in your room."
"Okay, see you in a minute Yun."
"So, Venti, do you not like Diluc?"
"I mean I do, but-"
"Do you love him?"
'Uh—"
"Don't think."
"Yes. I-I love him."
"So why not tell him?"
"Well- I just am struggling. Can I ask you something? Do you love Chongyun?"
"Yes I do. I've liked him for a long time."
"Why don't you tell him?"
"Well I've tried several times, he always ends up misunderstanding what I say though. Now I just ask him to do things with me like he's already my boyfriend, he usually says yes."
Venti started blushing, "That's really cute."
"Hehe."
"Well go get back to your boyfriend," Venti said playfully.
Xingqiu responded just as playfully, "You too Venti."
After they finished talking both went back to their respective rooms to sleep the darkening night away. They both slept next to their sleeping partners... boyfriends... just friends... who knows, relationships are confusing to define. Anyways, while Xingqiu and Chongyun slept comfortably next to each other, Diluc and Venti slept rather awkwardly, not close to each other, but not too far either. Although the day had been rather interesting they had not gotten any closer to finding the missing bottle. Diluc, however, had never needed to go to the party to find the answer he was looking for. He already knew what had happened, now all he needed was to talk to a certain someone. So, early that morning when everyone else was still asleep Diluc left the house to finally get the answer he had been searching for since he started this adventure.

Notes:
I don't even know what happened in this chapter... my brain was just idek
Describing clothes is really hard I don't know how to do it, I'm so sorry
Qiu's such a naughty boy, Yun so cute and pure, Venti really conflicted..? Diluc... well he's Diluc!
Word count: 4111