Corrupted Love| XIAOVEN

Chapter 4.5 Venti the bard (3/3)

Within a second, he was gone. Xiao's eyes widened in panic and surprise. His mind raced. This was the last thing he had expected. But suddenly everything became clear to him.

This young man had probably wanted to jump on purpose. He must have known of the consequences and willingly taken advantage of them.

In short: suicide.

Unfortunately, this currently happened more often than usual. But Xiao had come up here to save a life, even if it were to end voluntarily.

His pulse was fast, his breath short, and his body tense. For centuries he had fought, protected, and killed.

He, as the only one, had the opportunity to do something right now. The moment the boy had jumped, his head had shut off. He did not blink; his reflexes and instincts had reacted faster than he could think.

Immediately he had run to the edge and jumped after the boy. Without hesitation. Exactly he did not even know why, but before he could even think about it, he was already freefalling.

Quickly he fell. Wind raced past him. Two meters below him, the other boy fell. With widened eyes, he looked up at Xiao.

Surprise and confusion were in them, as clear as the blue sky. Xiao tightened his legs and pressed his arms to his body. With this, he reduced the air resistance and after a brief time caught up with the boy.

Without asking for permission, he grasped Venti's arm abruptly and pressed his body against the yakshas. Within a second, Venti was closed in a tight embrace by Xiao.

It was not nice.

Not a lovely friendly hug and it was also more of a tight hold than a real hug. Xiao knew what he was doing, however, and now focused on the stony ground racing towards them.

The only thing they had to do now was land alive on the floor. Xiao twisted his body so that he would be able to stop the fall with his legs.

Without question, he would break them, but in this position, there was less of a chance that the boy would be injured. What happened to him was not as important as the young man's life.

The latter looked at him in panic, his facial expression quickly turning serious.

Venti closed his eyes, concentrated momentarily, and a strong wind came up within seconds.

From below, both were gently grabbed by the strong air and carefully set down on the stone pavement.

Xiao landed firmly on his legs, which were still tense. With his eyes wide, he looked at the boy, whose blue colour glowed in his eyes and hair.

Xiao knew about this phenomenon in Zhongli. He bowed his head in shock and gave a slight bow.

"Lord Barbatos..." he murmured.

Venti looked at him sternly. Xiao could not hold his gaze and thought he had somehow offended the archon. Venti said nothing at first, then he stepped close to Xiao.

"Don't ever do that again." Said the boy seriously.

Xiao froze. He did not know what he had done wrong but bowed his head again as an apology.

"You knew you were going to die, right? Do not just throw your life away. Even if it's for someone else." Venti looked at Xiao sympathetically.

Xiao's head shot up and he looked at the archon in confusion. "I don't understand." He said honestly.

Venti's cheerful expression returned. Smiling, he put a hand on Xiao's shoulder, who flinched in shock.

"Thank you."

Venti was silent for a while, "I know you wanted to save my life. But..." he raised a finger, "you can't endanger yourself in the process." Now he pointed at Xiao in friendly mock malice, "understood?" Xiao nodded in surprise.

He looked at the smiling boy in confusion. Never had someone mocked him for wanting to save their life. He sighed. And lowered his head exhaustedly.

"Then don't put yourselves in dangerous situations." He said wanly, but without reproach.

Venti laughed. "Agreed."

The two were now on their way to the tavern, where Zhongli and Ganyu were waiting for him. Xiao grabbed Venti harshly by the arm and just said, "Please come with me." Venti had only chuckled and came along. Xiao had not expected this boy to be so cooperative and trustworthy.

Naivety was something he did not know. But Venti wanted it that way. Although he did not know the other, he had an idea of whom he belonged to. And he would be right.

Half an hour later, they were arriving in front of the tavern: Angel's share. Zhongli was leaning against the wall of the tavern and Ganyu was watching some children play. When Xiao came around the corner with Venti, the latter stopped for a moment and then laughed happily.

He ran up to Zhongli and tried to hug him, but Zhongli dodged to the side. Venti boxed Zhongli against the arm.

"I see you're still the same old buffoon as ever." Venti teased amicably.

Zhongli sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "And I see you haven't changed either." He muttered exhaustedly. Venti nodded his head proudly.

"Though Morax, why are you here? You haven't been to Mondstadt for centuries." Venti tilted his head questioningly.

"We have a lot to talk about." Zhongli just said.

"Let's find a place where we can be undisturbed." He turned to his adepti. "You two should rest now, we will meet again later."

Both nodded. Zhongli pulled Venti away by the arm, who waved a friendly goodbye to the two Adepti. Xiao looked after the two archons.

Zhongli had suspected that Venti would suffer greatly and act differently somehow. But the archon seemed to be completely normal. He was behaving as usual and did not seem to be in pain.

That is what Zhongli thought. After this short meeting, it was understandable, but the truth would soon be revealed.