A Street Dancer with a Black Bandana (Xiaoven)

Fourty-Two: Exhaustion

Xiao is barely awake when Zhongli talks, giving the schedule for upcoming performances.

Xingqiu is watching him, and Xiao puts his head in his hands, and Zhongli notices immediately. "Alatus, come."
"Okay."

Xiao and Zhongli walk to a corner, backstage.
Zhongli has him sit down, and he kneels infront, "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying, Alatus. What's on your mind?"

"I- my sisters ex cam by. He said some shit he shouldnt have, and it triggered all of us, Venti the most. He-He blamed Venti for what happened when he was a teen. It sent Venti spiraling. Kaeya asked me why Venti didnt show up. And I think- I think hes uhm..Going through a dom drop I think it was called. I-" He gestures to his neck, pulling the hoodie down, faded marks on his neck. "Morax, he didnt even look at me this morning." Xiao's voice wavers, "He looked once and looked away immediately. He hid away in the bedroom. He refused to get up. He uhm, he just-" He shakes his head, "Hm...Its possible. If it is a dom drop...Then, he will need a lot..of comfort. But, be sure you arent forcing it. Ask him if he needs help. And don't touch him without asking. Ajax did that yo me and I panicked. I stayed away for a few days."

"I just. I feel so useless. I left the house, I left without saying anything. I just- Morax I'm so scared...What if I messed up...?"

"You did not. You're new at this, I am not. Venti just...This happens, more often than you can think. Dom drops are a pain, they suck. They can kick the subs and doms asses. It can make you feel horrible, make you sick to your stomach."

"I-"

"Go home, Alatus. I wont hold it against you, kid. Just, head home."

"I have to buy Venti his Christmas gifts."

Zhongli hides Xiao's face in his shoulder, and Xiao just breaks down, sobbing. He hugs him, "Its okay." 

"No its not- Hes hurt and I cant do anything! Hes in pain and I dont know what to do!" He sobs out, "Be there..You tell him you're there, even when he thinks you're not."

"I need-"

"I'll have Ajax pick you up, okay? Just wait back here, tell me what you want to get Venti, and I'll buy it, and bring it by, okay?"

Xiao nods, "I'll-I'll give you the money." He says, wiping his eyes.

Zhongli feels his heart shatter. Hes seen Xiao cry, only once. And that was when he came to Zhongli's at four am with a busted face and cut hands from a belt.

He gently wipes his tears, sighing, "Its okay."

He puts Xiao's head on his shoulder, and grabs his phone, quick dialing Ajax.

~

Its about twenty minutes when Ajax arrives, and another thirty when Xiao gets home. He shuts the door silently, and bangs his head on it slowly.

The apartment is silent.
He walks to the bedroom, and he can see the lump under the blankets, and the occasional movement.

"Venti?" Xiao whispers, walking to the bed. "Go away."

"Do you really want me to go away or do you just not wanting me to see you like this?" He asks, "I dont..Dont want you to see me like this.." He murmurs, and Xiao hums. "Can i..can I lay with you?" He asks, and Venti nods, and Xiao lifts up the blanket, and lays with him, "Can I touch you?" He asks, and Venti nods, "Yeah.."