Work Text:
Venti had been sitting at the fountain in the middle of town waiting for Barbara to come by. Today they were going to go on a walk just to hang out and talk about life, it was a new favorite pastime of his after the fight with Dvalin. He could use a nice break with a friend from time to time.
Barbara had finally come by, running to sit next to Venti quickly.
“Hi Venti! I’m so sorry for being late! Got caught up with something at the cathedral. I hope you haven’t been waiting too long,” she said frantically with a nervous smile on her face.
Venti waved his hand up and down, “Don’t worry about it! I only just got here a few minutes ago, it was nice to sit alone and look at the town for a bit.”
Barbara was relieved, she had admired Venti for so long because of his stellar talent. He was a musician and one of her biggest inspirations since she met him. He had this comfort to him and she saw him as some sort of older brother figure in her life. He was fun and sort of a breath of fresh air from all the work at the cathedral every day.
Venti stood up and offered his hand to Barbara.
“Shall we?”
Barbara smiled and took his hand.
“We shall!”
She laughed and hooked her arm with his.
“Where shall we go Barbara?”
Venti looked excited, he was happy he got to hang out with his new friend. He hasn’t had a friend who had as much interest in music as he did in a long time. He acted as Barbara’s teacher from time to time but it was nice to just take a stroll with her. She was lively and sweet and just nice to be around in general. He truly understands why she’s such a popular idol and why everyone adores her. She’s like a little sister to him now and it was just, really nice.
They stopped by Good Hunter to get some food before they set out on their mini journey of the city. Chicken-mushroom skewers always hit the spot on a nice chilly day. Especially if they were made by Sara.
Barbara wasn’t a big fan of eating in public, she can be kind of a messy eater sometimes but with Venti she felt at ease, like she wasn’t going to be judged. Venti is kind of a mess a lot of the time so she didn’t think he would judge her for anything like that anyway.
They dug into their food and Venti brought something up.
“Hey Barbara, did you know that Katheryne from the Adventurers Guild is a robot?” Venti asked, almost a little bit too relaxed.
Barbara choked and stopped in her tracks.
“Wh-What? Wait what? Can you repeat that? Say that again? Katheryne is a what?”
Venti bursts out laughing, unable to stand straight.
“Barbara I was kidding! Do you really think Mondstadt, or any other city, has the ability to perfectly create a robot for each adventurers guild around our world with the exact same name so we wouldn’t have to hire a new person for each position?”
Barbara stared blankly. What? What the hell?
Venti could not stop laughing.
They walked by the Adventurer’s Guild and Venti told Barbara to listen closely as they walked by. Barbara really could not believe what she heard.
“Rebooting.”
She actually said that. She truly genuinely just said rebooting. Barbara was freaked out to say the least. Venti had the stupidest grin on his face and slipped a couple mora to Katheryne’s stand for playing along with his little joke. Barbara luckily didn’t see.
Venti totally knew he was telling the truth by the way.
As they walked they decided they would stop by everyone’s shops and stands just to say hello, maybe sing a little tune for the florists. Of course they had to stop by Angel’s Share, Venti wanted to pick up some cider before they got to their last spot. Luckily Diluc was there and feeling nice today for some reason and didn’t berate Venti for not paying him, again.
———
As they walked to their last stop Barbara started humming, Venti of course joined in. They hummed the tune of the city, a sweet smile on both their faces.
They had finally reached the statue of Barbatos in front of the cathedral and decided to sit down and take a break.
Barbara had had a worried look on her face, she had started to wonder about a lot of things on their walk and something her mind constantly landed on was if Jean was proud to be her big sister.
Venti noticed this and decided to ask.
“Hey Barbara, what’s on your mind?”
Barbara looked kinda stunned, she didn’t realize that her mind had pondered off somewhere else. Must’ve been the calming breeze.
She waved her hand to signify there was nothing to worry about and smiled at Venti.
“It’s nothing.”
Venti didn’t believe her, he decided to poke her a little bit. He took his finger and poked her shoulder a few times and whined.
“Oh come on.. we went on this entire bonding journey and you won’t tell me what’s on your mind?”
He looked at her with puppy eyes. Barbara couldn’t resist. What power was this? How is he doing that?
“Okay. You got me. I guess I just started to think about Jean. The warm breeze reminded me of her and then I started thinking about whether or not she was proud to be my big sister. Y’know?”
She looked sad. Barbara has had to live up to Jean her entire life. Despite being an extremely popular idol she still had insecurities when she would look at her big sister. Barbara wasn’t a big fighter and she wasn’t technically a Knight. She was a medic, and she was proud of that. She just felt like she could be doing more. Fighting on the front lines with her sister when a big event happens, traveling and doing more for the city. She didn’t really know why she felt this way, but she did.
“Aw Barbara… Don’t talk like that. Of course Jean is proud of you. Who do you think she fights for? Well. Besides Mondstadt of course.” He laughs, hoping to take the edge off.
Barbara laughs along.
“What I mean to say is, who do you think is Jean’s true drive? Her true muse if you will. You’re her little sister, she’s the most proud of you no matter what you do.”
Venti hoped he said the right words. He looks over to Barbara and her eyes were shining.
“Barbara! Oh no did I say the wrong thing? I’m sorry! I’m better with lyrics not with words..”
Barbara laughed at the bard, she turned and hugged him.
“Thank you Venti, truly.”
She looked up at him and smiled, she knew that Venti was proud of her too.
He laughed and patted her head.
“Do you have any nicknames Barbara?” He asked this rather suddenly, it kinda took Barbara off guard.
“Huh? Oh! My friends like to call me Barbie.”
“Barbie huh? Some of my oldest friends used to call me that.”
Barbara looked beyond confused now. Venti just looked at her and laughed.
“What? Where does… ANY of that come from?!” She just sat there, staring at him with the most confused look on her face.
Venti burst out laughing once again.
“Think about it.” He winked at her. He turned his head to look at the statue of Barbatos and she followed his gaze.
WAIT.
“WAIT A MINUTE.”
She looked around frantically, trying to compose herself from what Venti just practically told her.
Venti laughs and sticks his tongue out. He stands up, bowing before her.
“Ehe! Barbatos at your service Miss Barbara!”
Lets just say Barbara went home that night a little bit freaked out by realizing she had been hanging out with a God all day.