modernity - xiaoven

51.

once xiao had calmed down, and had barely slept, he woke to find that venti was still playing with his hair.

"venti?"

"you're awake! zhongli told me a little bit ago that he's spoken with lumine.-"

"alright."

venti smiled softly, as xiao pressed into his hand, as the other continued to run his hands through his hair.

moments later, there was a soft knocking at the door.

"i hope i'm not interupting anything. i've spoken to lumine and she's going to be coming over." zhongli said, as he opened the door, smiling softly.

"lumine's visiting? isn't she in inazuma?"

"it's so close to the anniversary of aether's death, xiao, she's come to visit his grave. that's why she's in liyue."

xiao went silent, before letting out a soft sigh. "i completely forgot it's so close. it's been eight years now, hasn't it? i'm... i'm twenty-four now..."

"xiao, calm down."

"we all forgot about my birthday. it's been a week."

"i'm sorry, since my memories are being changed, it's difficult to remember anything."

"do i have the same birthday?"

"... yes."

xiao sat up and sighed. "how far away is lumine?"

"around ten minutes. we don't live close to aether's grave."

"... after this, can we... can i go visit his grave?"

"yes."