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Venti sat high above in Vanessa’s tree watching the sun peak above the mountain line with a bleak, tired stare.
The previous night had been rough. He had been so caught up in the whirlwind of recent events. First, Dvalin his closest companion being poisoned and being completely hurt by people who didn't know any better to up in the air fighting, frisking around trying to free Dvalin from his suffering. Then, to top it off getting kicked to the ground like a pebble and Gnosis getting ripped from him. Making him considerably weaker than he already was.
With all that happening he hadn't had a chance to fully process the events, a dreadful high of being caught in the moment until last night to which he released his unplanned inner spiral of raw emotions through wallowing and unkept crying. A once full, cold to the touch bottle of dandelion wine was the closest thing to comfort to drown his sorrows now sat empty next to him.
Venti's thoughts wondered unfiltered on where he had gone wrong; he was the Anemo Archon and his purpose was to stay strong to lead and guide his people but even that one purpose seemed to slip out of his capabilities. He thought he couldn't get any weaker, his power decreasing so much so he can only truly call himself a measly bard. Was he always destined to fall this far, for him to fail?
Roughly rubbing the few stray tears that emerged he peered down to his rippled reflection in the water. He looked like a mess, his hair messy and unkept sprawling in multiple directions with braids undone. His clothes looking ragged with a few spots of yellow dandelion wine staining the pure white he took pride in keeping clean. His face felt grimy with a puffy nose and stinging eyes making him feel worse.
As he was mindlessly staring down at himself he heard some commotion ahead of him and there he saw her. Lumine in all her glory, the strange traveler who heroically saved their world up early in the morning taking down a handful of hilichurls. It brought a sad smile to his face, he of all people had to depend on a traveler to solve his problems, protect his people when he should be able to - heck, her original goal wasn't even to help out but she did anyway. And when she asked for one simple thing in return he could give nothing. The well disguised dejected look on her face that day made him curl into himself.
He watched her move and skillfully slice up opponents. it was almost like a dance, how she moved with such precision - her holy like elegance was unmatched. Head resting on a propped knee he couldn't help but stare for a while, hoping that she would be too caught up in her own endeavors to notice him. Fate had other plans as he caught her eye, a light look on her face from spotting him.
Finishing up the remaining hilichurls she made her way to the base of the tree waving up at him expectantly. Usually she didn't have time to hang around so casually, always so busy with her missions and exploring to actually spend some quality time together. He would love nothing more to spend a afternoon musing and joking together, maybe a few songs but now is not exactly a good time for him. But she was here, he would spare her the worry and plastered on his best smile beckoning her up and summoning his lyre.
Reaching his branch Lumine plopped down next to him, observing him quietly while basking in the tranquility the surroundings offered. Venti was hunched over playing a light familiar melody trying to collect himself, his eyes focusing on anything but her.
As he finished his song he turned to her with a familiar smile. Cheeky and kind, his eyes not meeting it.
"So, what's the great Honorary Knight doing out at the peak of dawn? You deserve some rest, relax after that whole ordeal"
“Could ask you the same thing”
“Who says I'm not? But I am inclined to do my archon-y duties, hehe”
Cringing at the slight hoarseness of his voice he rested his face on his palm and closed his eyes. Oh she wouldn’t make this easy.
What caught him off guard was the gentle touch to his unbraided hair, weaving it between her fingers. Her brows were pulled down in concern. Recently she was getting more comfortable with being physical, giving Amber hugs or giving high fives to Kaeya. It was endearing to see her accept people and affection into her life, opening up. He wanted to be someone she could be comfortable and close with, but he wouldn't push anything. Her soft touches that he hadn't felt in a long time made it hard not to lean in or run away all together. It was all too much and not enough at the same time and his resolve was shaking.
“Did anything else happen?”
“Am I not allowed to take my hair out?”
He tried to lighten the mood but her eyes moved to his staring straight at him, silently asking him permission. Receiving a small nod she began to delicately untangle and smooth out his hair, placing them into sections for braiding. His hair was so light and airy, the turquoise ends seemed to glow. He watched her with held breath as she effortlessly wove the pieces together careful not to pull.
"You're pretty good, seems like you've done this before"
She stopped Momentarily, staring down at her hands.
“I used to braid my brothers hair, I had to be careful cause he was a crybaby if I pulled too hard”
She had a soft reminiscent smile on her face, her eyes glistening just slightly. Even doing something as mundane as this she seemed to glow.
She finished up the braids examining them, pleased with her work. Somewhere deep he yearned for her to race her fingers through his hair, to shower him in affection; he shoved the thought away as soon as it came. He was about to comment on the braids when she interrupted.
“I know what it’s like to feel weak, when I first arrived here I was stripped of my powers, I couldn’t do anything and the only reason I’m here is because of Paimon. She helped me get here but even then I felt useless because I couldn’t even protect my brother. If I can’t even protect myself how am I supposed to save him?”
His train of thought came crashing down as he felt transparent, emotions rushing through him all at once. She staired straight back into his wide eyes.
“Even so I’m getting stronger by the day. Fighting and learning what I once knew, I know you can too. I can tell this has been hurting you but I want you to become stronger with me, for your people. I will have to leave someday but until then I want to support you, you're allowed to depend on your friends Venti”
He couldn't help himself. How was he supposed to contain his emotions when he finally had someone who acknowledged his struggle? Fat tears rolled down his cheeks as he choked out a sob. How did she always get to him? Here he was; a god crying to a mortal but he couldn't care less as he let everything go, telling her every thought that plagued him through blurry vision and shaky words. She held his hands the entire time listening.
After a good while they sat there in silence. The wind blowing a little stronger around them, Lumine gripping his hands staring down into their laps.
“I’m sorry”
“It’s not your fault, none of it is”
He scoffed, he almost felt the doubts come crawling back into his head when in a split second she connected her forehead with his. Venti almost fell off from the sheer shock of the intimacy.
“I mean it”
She stroked his fingers soothingly, a small smile blooming on his face while his cheeks slightly burnt.
“You truly are a beacon, no wonder everyone depends on you”
She huffed bashfully as he gave a light laugh, he was feeling better now. Closing his eyes he felt at peace pressed against Lumine. She always did have that affect on people, he was lucky to have that with her.
Entwining their hands their eyes traced the light oncoming into the land peaking from the mountains, giving them a warm glow.
“It’s a beautiful day isn’t it?”