Corrupted Love| XIAOVEN

Chapter 13: the longest days in his life

The days went by faster than ever before. Xiao hardly noticed how time passed. A clear night followed a bright day. Again, and again. 

He remembered how he didn't even want to come to Mondstadt in the beginning and now he was sitting here in the evening hours together with the one person he would never forget. 

Soon he would leave again and the two would never see each other after. Centuries would pass as they both would watch civilizations and generations die out and strive again.

 Tonight, the world looked different than usual. The reddish rays of the sun warmed the two faces, and the sea reflected the dawn. An evening could not have been more beautiful. It seemed silly, but Xiao couldn't describe it any other way.

It was all because of him. For a long time, he had been living by now. The story of his life was inhumanly long and painful. Many times before he had had the feeling of drowning in it. Wishing to simply disappear the next night, never to return again.

 He had always held on to it too tightly and now here he was. He had never understood why he had not just died long ago with the rest of his family. His heart continued to be locked away in a golden cage. Nothing more than to finally be free was his desire. 

Such a hopeless and ridiculous wish. But only now did he notice how the lock opened. The golden cage slowly dissolved into warm light. And what was left was freedom. 

Old days were now gone. Only memories and images remained. He was grateful for that. Letting go was a blessing for most people. It was late, but finally, Xiao could smile a little again.

 For centuries he had tried and now, in a few days, amazingly, it was possible for him again. It wasn't easy, but somewhere in his eyes, Venti could tell that Xiao trusted him. 

From morning to night, the two had explored Mondstadt and Venti had shown the region to the yaksha. It had started with a spark and now they were on fire. 

Like two children, they had fun together and saw the world. Under the stars, they had laughed, and their hearts had beat together. In those moments they were more than strangers, neither friends nor lovers. They were everything and nothing at the same time.

 Xiao hadn't understood it at first, but as exhausting as the other was, somehow, he always had that same feeling when they were together. It was as if time stood still. 

He would have loved to tell Venti about it, to ask him what was going on with him, but he didn't feel worthy. What if things changed after that? All that they had would only last a few days until Venti would disappear somewhere far away from the rest of the world. 

At some point, they would travel back to Liyue and never see each other again. That was the way it had always been. They both had duties and as much as he wanted to stay with the archon, he would never leave Liyue for it. "What are you thinking about?" Venti suddenly asked. 

Xiao said nothing at all. "Oh, damn it, Xiao..." Venti sighed as if he knew exactly what he was thinking about. He smiled. "All right, if you don't want to tell me, then come with me."

He suddenly grabbed the Yaksha by the arm and pulled him a few meters through the streets of Mondstadt. In a large stone square, a group of children was playing. 

"Hey!" Venti called out to them. 

"W-wait," muttered Xiao, who had a bad feeling about what was going to happen. 

I guess I really need to tell you something... Xiao thought as Venti smiled broadly and joyfully at him.

 His eyes shone in the light. "I have a task for you," Venti said conspiratorially to the group of children. "This one," he pointed at Xiao, "stole my mask. Grab the green one at his hips and I will tell you any story of your choice." The children were ready for the challenge and looked at the Yaksha belligerently.

 Xiao just sighed. The group started moving, with Xiao only taking simple steps left or right to dodge and skillfully keeping his hands in his pockets. He never thought he would see the day when he would fight a group of children.

 The day passed as quickly as all those beautiful days and Xiao looked up sadly at the starry sky. They sat on the cliffs of the Stormbearer mountains. Venti's legs dangled over the edge. Tomorrow would be the day when they would meet up with the other two again. 

And then these times would end again, just like always. He looked over at Venti, who was watching the sea of stars. True, the sky was beautiful. But not even the thousands of shining stars could match the beauty of the boy sitting here with him.

 Xiao's hand was next to Venti's and he would have liked to touch it, but he knew he would never be allowed to express such a wish.

"Say..." Venti said softly. Xiao looked at him in surprise, "Why did you stay with me? Why did you come along to all of Mondstadt, go along with everything I wanted, and support me in every stupid thing." Xiao was silent. 

He knew why, but would certainly not tell the other. "It was my mission," he murmured, "Rex Lapis wanted to search for a cure with Ganyu, and of course, someone had to stay here. For your protection." Venti did not look at him and continued to watch the stars. "I know it wasn't for my protection." He murmured slowly. Xiao's heart stopped.

 How would the archon react if he found out that they had lied to him? "I still do not understand why you didn't just keep an eye on me though. You did not have to go through all this. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful that you did, but what advantage did you get out of it?" Xiao's face grew warm. He didn't know how to justify his behavior.

 Venti shone even in the deep night. No matter what the weather was like, Venti was like a sun to him, always there. He showed him how to laugh, how to live...how to love. He said nothing and Venti just nodded. "I thank you. For everything you've done for me." 

Xiao looked at him questioningly. Somehow his words sounded like a farewell. "The last few days have been the most fun I've had in a long time. I..." Venti remained silent.

 "Promise me that you will visit me." He then said anxiously.

 Xiao looked at him with open eyes. "Visit? Where?" he asked in feigned cluelessness. "I know what Morax is planning. I knew it from the beginning. He is right about it though, but...never mind. Just take care of yourself and please protect the inhabitants of Mondstadt in my absence."

 He smiled sadly, "Sometimes they do stupid things. They are strong and stubborn and above all free. Make sure that it's not taken away from them." 

 He looked deeply into Xiao's eyes,

 "You know, I remember you." Xiao's heart stopped again and his body did not move an inch.

 His hands trembled so that he clenched them into fists. He had often thought of the boy he had never seen again. One day he would wake up one last time and look back on his life. 

Then he would regret everything he had not done. This time he wanted to do it differently. Just this once. As long as his voice was still there, he would talk. He would run as long as his legs still worked, and as long as he could still love, he would do so. 

"You know what?" Venti suddenly said, but Xiao took his hand and Venti fell silent in surprise. , 

"Since this moment will never come again, I have something to tell you."

 A pause arose. 

Xiao took a deep breath:

...

"I gave you my heart and I beg you, please keep it safe."

"WHAAAAAAAA-?!"