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Somehow, Mondstadt was even more serene at night time.
Dandelions and cecilias danced together in the gentle evening breeze. A bright moon shone upon the land, letting people everywhere know that it was time to rest. Most people followed it’s instructions, although a handful of villagers preferred to spend their nights drinking away and partying. Either way, humans were finally getting a small break from their jobs and responsibilities.
Typically Venti, too, would be partying all night. Being an archon, it wasn’t really necessary for him to sleep every twenty-four hours. Rather he rested for a few decades every two centuries or so. It was much easier that way, and ensured that he would get all the rest he needed before he awoke again.
Now this certainly wasn’t the best option, either. It seemed that whenever he returned, there was always some new chaos happening that he missed out on. However, that was something you had to get used to as a god. Immortality may sound great to mortals at times, but Venti truly wishes he could be a human as well.
Technically he had always been a supernatural being of sorts. Back then he was nothing more than a small wisp of wind and now he was an archon. Even if he was happy to receive such an important role, there were still some days where he couldn’t help but regret everything.
Existing, that is. Still being alive centuries later while the true hero of Mondstadt was slowly being forgotten about more and more by the decade. Such a thing was normal, but he always tried his hardest to prevent it.
Everyone knew he was a god, but not everyone knew that it wasn’t he who ended Decarbian’s reign of terror. As a matter of fact, it was a young boy with big dreams - dreams much greater than even a god could have. If it wasn’t for the bard who sang of seeing the world, Mondstadt wouldn’t be the way it is now. If it wasn’t for this bard holding out a hand to a small fluffy creature with wings, freedom wouldn’t even be a thing. It would be something completely out of everyone’s minds, a dream parents would scoff at had their children ever mentioned wanting it to be real.
And today, a day everyone treated as no other, marked the anniversary of that hopeful, persistent bard’s death.
Today marked the last time he played a song for wounded citizens who had been harmed by Decarabian himself as they tried to rebel against him.
Today marked the last day that he held his palms out, cooing blessings and kind words to the small friend he met while playing a beautiful song one day.
And that friend - that small, helpless fluffy creature who that bard described as the ‘only good thing to come from Decarabian’ - was still living. That friend was no other than Venti himself.
As much as he wanted to take his mind off things, he couldn’t. Instead he sat on the edge of Starsnatch Cliff, his legs dangling as he absentmindedly strummed a few notes on his lyre. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from the stars above him, whispering apologies to him. He couldn’t stand it.
It wasn’t until someone took a seat beside him that he startled and snapped out his trance. When he finally looked to the side, his eyes widened and his words fell flat.
Beside him sat none other than the final remaining member of the Five Yakshas. What was even more surprising was that Alatus - no, Xiao - had a cecilia tucked behind his ear as well. As the taller boy finally returned his gaze, his hesitance subdued.
“Xiao?”
“Last time we spoke, you got really drunk and I brought you home from Liyue Harbor. While we walked, you told me all about what happened to your old friend.”
Oh. Venti’s cheeks flustered in embarrassment, chuckling nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m sorry-”
“Two thousand years ago, you heard my sobs in the wind and came to visit me,” Xiao interrupted, turning to look at the sky again, “You comforted me after the final Yaksha besides me died. You listened to me and you helped me by playing that song of yours that your friend used to play. Later on, you gave me a vision and told me that you always believed in me and that I shouldn’t give up. To this very day, you smack me out of my negative thoughts while my own dark energy surrounds me.”
Much to Venti’s surprise, the other dug in a small bag before finally pulling out a flute. The archon fell silent, his eyes widening when the adeptus brought the instrument to his lips.
“And now, I’m going to comfort you,” He whispered, his eyes closing as pink dusted his cheeks in embarrassment, “I’m not the best at it yet, but after hearing the song he played I wanted to learn it, too. Not only to remember him, but for you to be reminded of his presence as well. As you said centuries ago, there’s a huge difference between playing a song yourself and hearing someone else play it for you. You saved my life using this very song that likely saved your life as well.”
Before Venti could even wipe away the tears welling in his eyes, the other began to play.
He was incredible at the flute. Venti quickly realized this as Xiao played the oh-so-familiar notes that he played daily - yet, somehow, the adeptus made them sound even better. The nostalgia that hit him brought back a feeling of wistfulness that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
For the first time in decades, the bard allowed himself to cry. One tear was followed by another, which was then followed by a shaky sob as Xiao played the last note. Before he could even thank the other, the anemo archon began to bawl like a child whose candy bar was just stolen.
Now, some may expect Xiao to sit there awkwardly - and he did, for just a split second. However, he was completely different in private. He opened his arms and allowed Venti to quite literally crash into him, burying his face in his chest as he tried to calm down. Xiao, being the caring person he was, held him close and rubbed circles into his back comfortingly.
The moment Venti finally was able to take a few deep breaths and stop crying, a gentle kiss was placed on his forehead. Surprised, the anemo archon looked up at him, only to see that he had looked away while blushing.
Giggling, the smaller boy wrapped his arms around his neck, quickly pulling the adeptus in for a kiss. Needless to say, one kiss quickly became two kisses, shortly followed by three. This continued for a while and, by the time they were finished, both of them were out of breath.
“Thank you,” Venti finally managed to murmur, falling against the other with that melodic laugh of his, “You’ll need to play for me again sometime.”
Xiao, obviously embarrassed, quickly nodded, “Maybe later… but, for tonight, I want you to tell me all about your friend.”
Venti perked up, a wide grin on his face while he began his tale.
With the cecilias twirling around them and the rising sun introducing them to the beginning of a new day, two hopeless romantics finally found serenity within each other’s arms.