A Street Dancer with a Black Bandana (Xiaoven)

Twenty-Four: Paper Hearts.

Xiao wakes up with a sudden ache in his body, making him sit up, he somewhat remembers Venti kissing his cheek sometime this morning and saying he went to the studio, and a note as well.

He picks it up, scanning over it, it's a purple envelope with a heart sticker keeping it shut. He slides his finger under it, pulling the tab up: "Went to the studio, I'll be back sometime around nine or ten-thirty <3 Theres fresh coffee in the fridge and breakfast in the oven. I love you!"

He smiles, checking his phone time, it was almost ten.

He swings his legs over the bed, stretching. He walks to the bathroom, rubbing his eyes, yawning.

He nearly trips over Thackery, yelping out in shock as the cat runs from the room, "You're gonna make Venti sick, Thackery!" He says, walking into the bathroom, grabbing his toothbrush, and he looks into the mirror, his face going dark red when he sees the hickies that went down to his chest,
"That fucker-" He hisses, and he hears the door click. "Venti!?" He yells, "Yeah!?" Venti  yells back.

Xiao smiles, and begins to brush his teeth.

Once he finished he walks to Venti, smiling. "You're in my shirt." Venti teases, and Xiao hums, "I am." Xiao nods, watching Venti pick up a piece of blue clothing, "You look good." He says, pulling Xiao into a kiss, "Especially covered in my hickies." He teases, and Xiao playfully hits his arm, "shut up."

"Oh, dont tell me you dont like it."

"Hm~ I do like it. Hey, what time is the performance?" Xiao asks, and Venti smiles, "Very soon. So, I need to change, and get over to where we are at. Which is..somewhere."

"Is it like, a group dance?" Venti nods, "Its gonna like- I dont know how to explain- basically introductions to the faceless dancers, like Diluc, Hu-Tao, Bennett..Others." He says, and Xiao nods, "And- yeah, we are all hiding our faces, though."

Xiao nods, "Okay." He kisses Venti softly, "Well, get changed. I need to see Morax soon as well."

"Mm, okay." Venti smiles.

~

Once Venti was finished Xiao just stares at him. It wasnt something flashy, big. It was simple, a pair of hightoped combat boots,  a crop top button up long sleeved, underneath it is another long sleeve but black, with a mask, the pants are sorta baggy, the black shirt tucks into the waistband, and a black mask. His hair, it was up in his usual braids.

He gently kisses Xiao's cheek, "C'mon. You've seen me in more revealing clothes."

"I've seen you naked." Xiao corrects, making the boy laugh, "Yeah, yeah. Okay, still. You dont need to stare."

"Why not?" Xiao asks, still staring at him, "Because I'm nothing fancy."

Xiao tilts his head, "You're gorgeous, Ah-Ti." Xiao says, and Venti smiles softly, "I'm really not." He whispers, grabbing his keys. "Who said your werent?" Xiao says, standing in front of him, "Dont use my words against me, my love." He teases, "I'm serious! You tell me I'm beautiful, and I wanna tell you that too!" He exclaims, and Venti smiles, "Okay."

Xiao stares at him, "Baby, you're absolutely gorgeous." Xiao kissed him, "I promise you."

"Thank you." He kisses Xiao, soft and caring.

"I love you, Ah-Ti.." Xiao mutters, making Venti smile, "And I you, Xiao."

~

Venti drops Xiao off at the stadium, walking with him to the doors. Zhongli was standing outside it, talking with a ginger male. Both laughing softly.

Xiao stands behind the ginger, making him jump when he notices the boy, "Jesus, Alatus!" He says, "Hello to you to, Ajax."

"Oh, Venti." Zhongli smiles, and Venti smiles, "Hi." He says, awkwardly. "I heard about the news." He says softly, and Venti laughs, "No, lets... Let's just- n-not bring that one up."

Zhongli smiles, "Just make sure Xiao stays safe." He leans down, kissing Xiao softly, "Bye, my love. I'll see you later?"

He nods, "Yeah, bye. I love you, drive safe please."

"I will. I love you too." He bows slightly to 'Ajax', and leaves to the car.

~

Ayato waves to Venti as he walks over, the area is crowded, it was hard to find his group.

Ayato smiles softly, and Venti smiles back, "You okay? You sure you're up for this?" He asks. The look Venti gives him makes him shut up.

Kazuha gently touches Venti's shoulder, smiling at him, "Hey."

"Hi."

"Congratulations on winning that lawsuit." He smiles, "You both doing okay?"

Venti nods, "We honestly just wanna forget what happened. What was said." He speaks, and Kazuha nods, "Understandable, you work tonight?" He asks, and Venti nods, "Unfortunately. Still need to pay bills."

Diluc leans over Venti, smiling, "Hey."

"Hi?" He says, confused, "Passed Xiao today."

"..Okay?"

Ayato stares at the two, "OH!" He practically jumps up, "You di-"
Hes hit with a half empty water bottle, "Dont you finish that sentence. Give me my water back."

Diluc hums, "And yes. We did. Not that it's any of your business." He takes the bottle back from Ayato. He laughs, "Congratulations." Venti sighs. "Everyone else here or..?" He asks, and Diluc nods, "Kinda scattered out." He says.

Ayato looks up as a familiar face stares at him, smiling, "Thoma!" Venti yells, and the boy walks over, smiling.

He hugs Venti, soft, and he smiles, "You look amazing! I told you the outfits would come out great!"

"I cried several times." Venti says, a joking tone but being 100% serious about it.

"Understandable. If you'd asked I couldve helped!" Thoma says, and Venti shrugs, "I made it in time."

Ayato stands, walking to Thoma, gently giving him a soft kiss on the cheek, "Hello, darling. I missed you."

"You saw me before you left this morning." He teases. Venti watches the two, smiling. He was glad to see them happy.

"Well, since everyone is here, we should start."

"Slowly, but start."

so sorry for suddenly disappearing. So much has happened, my mental health has gone way down hill, to the point of wondering if I should harm myself or not. And I've had no motivation bc of this.

My sisters puppy, Ragnar died on the ninth. He was five months old and we lost him. We dont know how. Or why. All we know is all our puppies got sick. He just drew the short straw unfortunately...But..Yeah. that's kinda why I've been..dead in a way. I'm gonna try and write some more..But idk if I can rn. Every things so difficult for me right now. -Bennett

goofy dream <3