Corrupted Love| XIAOVEN

Chapter 6.5: the kiss

As in a dream, the two were together in a world of their own. Away from any reality. A separate planet just for them. The light danced in Venti's eyes as he looked at Xiao for a long time.

So much love and sorrow were in his gaze. Infinite affection for his counterpart and long-past sorrow and sadness there. Xiao did not understand. Never before had anyone looked at him like that.

Venti's eyes were now more and more saturated with the deep violet and Xiao knew that Venti was not looking at him now but at someone else. Whom he did not know. But Venti was not looking into the eyes of the Yaksha Xiao, but at some person unknown to the latter.

He cursed himself for his following thought:

I wish someone would look at me like that.

But Venti's affection was not meant for Xiao, even if it probably still appeared that way on the outside. The suffering Archon could no longer distinguish whether he was dreaming or in reality.

Xiao's pulse quickened as Venti stroked a finger down his neck. He was caught in the loving gaze of the other.

The sun was rising now. The first rays of sunlight emerged from behind the horizon. Golden warm light flooded the place. So beautiful and dreamy. With these delicate rays, the new day would now be ushered in. The sky was now slowly turning a delicate red.

But Xiao did not notice any of this. He neither noticed the sunrise nor the surprised looks that were thrown at them. Nor did he notice how he had dropped his spear from his trembling hands.

He had forgotten where he was, and what he was doing here, and for those few seconds stood still. It was so quiet and so peaceful.

But all of Xiao's attention was on the lips that pressed tenderly against his.

Gently and lovingly.

Xiao's heart stood still for a few moments.

His eyes widened in surprise.

Venti's tender mouth kissed his.

His eyes were closed. This simple touch made his body charge electrically. Venti's hands now held Xiao's cheeks and kissed him more passionately.

Xiao could not think. He did not even know if he liked it.

No, he did like it.

The lips were so tender, Venti's hands so loving and soft. His body was so warm. Xiao had never kissed anyone romantically before, and although he was overwhelmed by the event, he wanted this moment to never end.

Yet it did.

Quickly and abruptly, Zhongli's firm voice came out from behind him.

"Barb-Venti!" he shouted.

That brought them both back to reality and Xiao saw the violet in Venti's eyes recede until it was not there at all.

Instead, Xiao now saw pure panic. Venti's whole body trembled and distraught, he took a few steps away from Xiao. The young Yaksha quickly realized that Venti was now back to his senses.

The boy was trembling terribly, and his eyes widened in panic, while tears quickly formed there. He opened his mouth but could say nothing. Helplessly, he looked around like an animal caught in a trap.

"M-Mo- Mo-rax," he stuttered speechlessly, his voice sounding so broken and hurt that Xiao looked at him fearfully.

Venti shook himself in disgust. Like a little child, he stood there. Trembling, helpless, and the only reason he had not burst into tears yet was just his panic.

His mouth opened and closed several times and in a choked voice, he whispered,

"I'm so..."

He could not complete the sentence as tears were now rolling down his face.

Without another glance, he had disappeared.

Where the boy had been standing before, there was now nothing. Zhongli looked around worriedly, but he only shook his head sadly.

If even the Archon had not seen Barbatos disappear, they would have to look for him.

Xiao was already about to leave, having the nagging feeling that he was to blame for what had happened when Zhongli stopped him with a wave of his hand.

"Give him time...you need it as much as he does." He only said and left somberly without another word.

Xiao now looked at the rising sun. Only slowly could he process what had just happened. After minutes, his heartbeat returned to normal, and his body relaxed a little.

The warm summer light warmed his face, but he just sat there.

Silent and unmoving.