The Wind Reunited Us (Xiaoven)

Chapter 5

Xiao was tugging at the strings in his dream, fighting with them to get back to reality, to wake up. His groans and winces of pain were heard by Venti who kept saying his name with fear and nervousness, shaking Xiao to try and wake him. After a while Xiao's eyes shot wide open, he was gasping for air and there was some sweat on his face. Venti took a sigh of relief at seeing Xiao awake but he knew there was still something wrong.

"Xiao? Cmon let's get you home, maybe you are getting sick. Here, I'll get you onto my back."

Venti knelt down in front of Xiao and hoisted him up onto his back, letting him rest and calm down. It took a while to carry him home but he plopped Xiao right into bed and got a damp rag to place on his forehead. He was seriously worried about the stubborn and feisty man, making sure to get him to drink plenty of water. Xiao was staring at Venti when he decided to ask, "Do you...play any instruments?" Surely he must if he's the reincarnation of Barbatos; music was Barbatos' passion!

"Ah, I do play the guitar although I don't usually play for others..."

"Will you play it for me the next time you come over? I don't mean to be selfish Ba- Venti."

"Gee I don't knowwww~" Venti said as he leaned against the bed, his elbows on the comforter and his hands intertwining with each other as his head used them as a pillow.

"...Please?"

Venti laughed, tucking Xiao in, "Fine, I'll bring my guitar next time. Why are you so interested anyways?"

"I simply like music, can I not?"

"Ah, that's not what I meant...I should probably leave you to rest, so-"

Venti stopped speaking when Xiao grabbed his hand to prevent him from leaving. Xiao felt like he wasn't fully in control, his mind was doing whatever it wanted.

"Don't leave me alone please...I've been alone for too long..."

Venti brought their hands up to his own cheek, kissing Xiao's hand. He sat on the edge of the bed and began to sift his fingers through Xiao's hair, "I'll stay, don't worry...Go ahead and rest, fall asleep."

Xiao fell asleep next to Venti, at ease and falling back into his memories. When he awoke a few hours later he saw Venti looking down at him still, although he didn't remember much of what happened.

"Good morning sleepy head! You feeling better now?"

Xiao sat up, a small smile appearing on his face. He had missed waking up to that voice, all cherry and ready to do anything.

"I'm feeling fine now, how long have I been out? I must've been quite the burden."

"Only a few hours but you looked so peaceful, and that smile of yours is precious."

Xiao got flustered at the compliment and looked away until Venti forced him to look him in the eyes by grabbing his chin.

"Now what would you do if I stole a kiss? Hmmm?"

Xiao got wide eyed and bat away Venti's hand, looking the other way. "Only one person has ever kissed me, and I plan for it to stay that way."

"Wow who was that lucky to score the stubborn Xiao?"

It was silent and then he whispered, "you..."

"But you just rejected my kiss?"

"...May I be selfish?"

"What do you mean by that Xiao?"

"I swore I wouldn't love again, not after my lover passed. But you are almost an identical copy of him, so may I be selfish and act like you're him for tonight?"

Venti blushed and was taken aback, that's why Xiao didn't like looking at him. He reminded him of his lover, he must not be over that heartbreak...Venti pondered to himself and Xiao was about to backtrack until Venti laid his head on Xiao's lap.

"Why not? Go on, be selfish as you call it. I'll be him for tonight, especially if it'll help you mentally. This guy seems really important to you."

Xiao didn't expect a yes, but as soon as he heard one he couldn't help but pull Venti close...No, he pulled Barbatos close, never wanting to let go. Venti was on top of Xiao, his head on Xiao's heart.

"It's ironic now that I'm the one whose being clingy, you used to beg me for hugs and cuddles whenever you'd visit."

Venti giggled and teased him, "Well that's just your stubborn ways, but look whose getting soft~"

Xiao smiled as he undid Venti's braids, combing his fingers through the hair to brush it out. Then Xiao held Venti's cheek and brought him closer to his face, his breath was shaky as he looked at his lips. He was hesitant so Venti leaned in, showing it was okay, which led Xiao to kiss Venti. His lips were so warm...he went back for another kiss, holding the sides of Venti's face with his eyes closed. Their lips departed and Xiao opened his eyes to see the teal pair in front of him, full of sincerity and adoration. He sat the both of them up, Venti going in for one more kiss but Xiao backing his head away.

"Always so greedy, Barbatos. I give you a kiss or two and you need 100 more."

Venti was confused at the name but dismissed it, "Cmonnnn! Please?"

Xiao chuckled and kissed Venti's cheek, then tackled Venti back down. Venti's head was dangling over the edge of the bed frame with Xiao over him causing Venti's face to go a bit pink. Xiao kissed Venti's forehead, then Venti began to tickle him in an attempt to get a large smile. Xiao tried to keep a straight face but couldn't for long, bursting out laughing trying to kick Venti away.

"Barbatos! Stop it!"

"Nope! I want to see that smile some more!" Venti began to laugh with Xiao, and making him fall backwards onto the bed. Then venti plopped down right next to him, cuddling up to him. Xiao laid there and began to cry, Venti wiping those tears. They fell asleep together, Xiao holding Venti like he used to hold Barbatos.

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Every now and then these nights would happen, Xiao would pretend Venti was Barbatos and Venti would love the attention he got. Venti even brought his guitar sometimes since Xiao had asked, it always brought down his karmic debt even if Venti didn't know. However, Xiao slowly began to replace the name "Barbatos" with "Venti". He had originally fallen in love with the memories but as time went on he began to learn a lot about Venti that was different from Barbatos. He would hold hands with Venti in public and sometimes Venti would reach for him. Eventually Venti even settled in, after all Xiao's house was much bigger than his little apartment plus he could get his daily attention. Every morning he would greet Xiao and they'd say goodbye until after work. Xiao knew he couldn't keep Venti in the dark forever about who he really was, and so he found the box in his closet and pulled it out. He opened it up to see his old yaksha clothes, faded vision, mask, spear, and photos the traveler and Barbatos had taken thousands of years ago.

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1228 Words