A Street Dancer with a Black Bandana (Xiaoven)

Nine: What a beautiful melody.

September 25th, 3:17 pm.

The day of performance arrived rather quick. But days were going by faster than he expected. He and Xingqiu were preparing for the performance.

Xiao wasn't sure if Venti was gonna come, he had told the younger hed be there, but he couldnt help but worry that he wasnt gonna show.

Another ten-fifteen minutes pass by, and everyones sitting in their chairs, waiting for the curtain to rise.

Venti is pulling Diluc along with him, the other one just letting him.

Venti sits Diluc down, sitting next to the other, "I forgot to mention, you look beautiful." He smiles at Diluc, and she smiles softly, "Thank you, you look beautiful as well."

Diluc wore this purple/blue floral skirt, it went to her ankles almost, her hair up in its usual way, a purple sweater tucked into the skirts waist band, and her freckles shone in the light above them. She had redeye shadow on, faded, with black winged eyeliner.

Venti always found her beautiful. Masculine, feminine, androgynous. Just herself. He never felt romantic feelings for her, Luc was like..A soulmate in a way. Completely platonic. She had Kaeya, anyways.

They get comfortable, watching as people flooded in. People sat in their spots, chattering amongst themselves.
Venti watches as a male, who looked a bit like Xiao walk to a front row seat, and sit.

After about ten minutes or so the room darkens, and Venti leans forward, watching as the curtain rises.

Over ten people were in chairs, each holding their instruments.
Soft tapping makes them all look at their music sheets.

Venti watches as Xiao raises the violin to his shoulder, and he began to slowly play. Followed behind were the others. People with cellos, clarinets, lyres, violins, and flutes. They all completed eachother. Xiao and Xingqiu sat in the middle on the sides.

It felt like..Hours in a way, but the other instruments stop, and then it was a violin, It rings through the stadium, it felt..magical.

And in that moment, where the world seemed like it fell silent, Venti realized, he had fallen in love with Xiao.

Xiao's pov

As I play, I couldnt help but look over just a bit, and Venti's eyes are on me. As if it was only me here.

He stares at him, smiling softly, he seemed..So relaxed.

Our eyes meet, and I feel my heart flutter, and then the noise I make with the violin.

I played the wrong note. Shit shit shit.

No one seems to notice besides Morax, Xingqiu, and...My dad. Fuck fuck fuck.

The others begin to play again, and I cant help but feel nervous.

~

A few hours passed, and I'm in the middle of putting away my Violin, my hands are shaking, my dad noticed it.

Oh god everyone did didnt they-

"Alatus." Morax speaks, and I look at him, "What happened? You've never messed up like that. You missed a few notes."

I inhale, "I- its..its been awhile since I've played infront of people and j-just a friend of mine was there. It just made me nervous." I mutter softly, and Morax nodded, "Right. Let me know if something's bothering you."

"Mm. Okay. Thanks." I say, throwing my violin case over my shoulder, and walking away.

Morax hums, helping others, handing out water bottles.

~

Venti runs over to me, hugging me, "You did so good, Sweetheart !" He's smiling, and I nod, "Thank you.." I mutter, and Diluc nods, "It was an honor to see something like this. Truly an experience I will never be able to forget."
"She is correct! You did amazing!" Hes grinning like a child on Christmas.

I nod softly, "I uhm.." I wiggle from Venti's grasp, "I-I gotta go home. Uhm.." I looked dad as he looks at me, "This isnt gonna be good." I gently touch Venti's arm, "I'm sorry." He nods, "Nahh, not a problem! I'll call you later, love!" I nod, blushing softly, he says something in german as I follow dad.

The car ride home is painful.
He's silent, angry. Hes beyond pissed.

I'm also silent, I'm scared, actually.
He did this before. When I was learning, and when I was younger.

I messed up a few notes. The punishment was so bad..That Ganyu called the police. He bought his way out, and what happened, didnt happen in their eyes.

I remember that day..

~Tw: child @b/se.~
Eight years ago. (Xiao's 14/15 around this time)

I scream at him to stop, but he ignores it, the belt came slamming onto my hands again, and repeatedly. I'm sobbing, trying to pull away, but he has a grip on me that I'm unable to. I cant tell if hes drunk or not.
It may be the glasses I knocked down running, but i can smell it.

The tears are blurring my eyesight, and I can feel the blood trinkling down my arms, dripping down my elbows.

I'm struggling against him, but each time I do the belt hits harder against my palms.

I hear yelling, and the pain stops, but theres still stinging.

My body is thrown against the floor, and I'm just sobbing there, on the ground.

I hear Ganyu screaming, Dad.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!?"

"He deserves it!"

"I'm sorry. He what!? Hes fucking fifteen dad! Why would you do this!? Hes fucking bleeding!" I can feel Ganyu's hands pulling me into her body, and I have my hands against my chest, still sobbing. It hurts so much.

I block out the screaming, and I can tell Ganyu's on the phone now.

Not much longer I hear sirens.

Ganyu whispers to me, but I dont process it. I black out a moment after.

~Present time~

We arrive home, I'm first to get out, and I kinda run inside, slamming open the gate, and the maid opens the door, bowing, "Welco-"

"Stop him, please." I plead, and I run upstairs, slamming my door, and I push a chair infront of it, backing away. I can hear his footsteps, heavy, aggressive.
  
    Hes banging against the door, "Alatus, open the door!" He yells, and I back against my wall, and I slide down against the wall, hugging my knees to my chest. My hands are shaking, and I cant think straight. Oh god I messed up.

"Please go away.." I whimper, looking at my hands, the scars are faded, but still there.

I hear crashing. The realization hits me, he broke the door down. "No!" I'm panicking, and I grab whatever is near me, and I throw. And that only made him even more pissed off.

sorry for not posting had no wifi for a bit just got it back a bit ago soooo yeah! anyways!! -bennett