Work Text:
“Ugh, Professor Baizhu’s the worst.” Venti drops his plate on the table, not caring for the loud clatter it cuts through the conversation with, and slumps in his chair.
But Xiao, it seems, does care.
His fist clenches around his chopsticks and the glare he sends Venti’s way is nothing but murderous. And he stands, muttering something about “I need to leave,” whisking his food away and walking toward the trash.
The table’s silent.
Aether sighs. “He’s still doing that…”
“So I’m not the only one who’s noticed?” Venti stabs into whatever the fuck he threw on his plate.
“You mean that Xiao suddenly seems to be avoiding you at all costs?” Kaeya leans back in his chair. “Yeah, we noticed.”
“What the hell’s his problem?! Every time I try to ask, he just says something rude and walks away!”
The first time it happened, Venti was willing to let it slide. Xiao seemed to be in a hurry, and his leaving was just coincidentally timed with Venti’s arrival.
And the second time.
And the third.
And the fourth.
But the thing that really set Venti off was when he saw Xiao turn the corner in the dorm hallway, realize he was there, then spin around and leave on the other side of the building.
That was his breaking point.
Because it was so ridiculously petty and completely unnecessary.
The first time Venti asked, he cornered Xiao after Pre-Calc and demanded to know why the hell Xiao’s decided to avoid Venti. But all Xiao did was glare, the most venom Venti’s ever heard dripping from his tongue as he spat out: “I don’t have time for this.”
And then he pushed past Venti and was too fast for him to catch up.
And then it was as Xiao was leaving Aether’s dorm with his Bio 213 notes and Venti refused to let him past the threshold. That’s when Xiao told him: “Take a fucking hint,” and, once again, pushed past and disappeared.
The third was when he followed Xiao across campus demanding that Xiao talk to him. But Xiao only put his headphones on and stared Venti right in the eye as he turned his volume up to deafening levels.
Venti must have done something wrong but he has absolutely no idea what. He’s gone over every second of every moment he was with Xiao the two weeks before this whole thing started and—
And nothing.
There’s nothing he can think of that could’ve pissed Xiao off enough for this.
And it honestly kinda hurts. He thought they had something good going. He thought Xiao was finally letting Venti in, letting him see the cute, awkwardly sweet person he really is.
It felt like a slap to the face.
That one night they were shoulder to shoulder on Xiao’s bed, talking about everything and nothing until he got sleepy and laid his head on Xiao’s shoulder.
And yeah, Xiao tensed up—but he eventually relaxed and leaned his head on Venti’s.
And Venti felt that flutter everyone talks about. The one deep in his stomach that makes him feel sick and giddy at the same time, and so, so warm. And he couldn’t stop smiling.
And then the next morning in the dining hall, Venti sat down across from Xiao like he usually does, and Xiao left in a hurry. He texted Xiao and got no response. Knocked on his door and was granted no entry.
It’s like Xiao was suddenly throwing all his walls back up for no reason and shutting Venti out.
So yeah, it hurt.
But now Venti’s just pissed.
He stands, chair screeching back behind him. Aether’s mouth drops open. And when Venti stalks after Xiao, fists clenched at his sides, he hears Aether say: “Oh, Xiao’s really fucked now.”
He catches up with Xiao just past the rotating dishwasher-rack-thing, grabs his hoodie by the shoulder, and pushes him up against the wall. “Why the fuck won’t you talk to me.”
Xiao’s surprised at first, and then his eyes narrow and he practically snarls, face reddening, breathing speeding up. “You make me feel sick.”
It’s like Venti’s just been dropped into the arctic sea.
His grip loosens, and he hates how small his voice sounds when he says: “...What?”
All the anger bleeds out and is replaced by pure pain.
Did Xiao realize Venti—
But one of his best friends is literally Hu Tao, and she has two girlfriends. He hangs out with Aether and Albedo all the time, even when they’re being gross and lovey-dovey. Jean and Lisa. Amber and Lumine. Chongyun and Xingqiu. Bennett and Razor.
Literally all of their friends are gay.
Why the hell is Venti being gay such an issue now?!
...Is that the issue?
Is it because Xiao realized Venti has a ~thing~ for him?
Did Venti do something else entirely?
He, distantly, watches Xiao’s face grow redder, more constipated than angry. But the thing that really puzzles him is when Xiao covers his face with his hands and Venti hears a quiet, hissed: “Why the fuck did I say that. What the fuck. Fuck.”
And then Xiao’s literally running away.
Venti wanders back to their table, mind buzzing static. He knows they’re all staring, waiting with baited breath. He doesn’t even bother pushing his chair closer to the table. He just falls into it, barely feeling the impact.
He doesn’t know what they’re expecting.
It obviously didn’t end well, because Venti’s here and Xiao isn’t and Venti’s—
Ah.
Crying.
He’s crying.
Kaeya’s sitting up, brow drawn down. Diluc sets his fries back on his plate, eyes going dark. Aether kneels in front of his seat. “Venti? What happened? Why are you crying?”
He feels like someone else is piloting his body. Like he’s watching from just over his own shoulder. “He...he said I make him feel sick.”
Diluc stands, not even bothering to take his stuff. And Venti’s reaction time is too slow to stop him from storming out of the dining hall.
Aether’s talking. He’s saying things. Venti knows he is. He just doesn’t know what things. Kaeya chimes in and Venti’s eyes drag to him. But he still doesn’t hear anything.
It feels like it takes forever and mere seconds for Diluc to come trudging in, frown on his face. All sounds come rushing back as Diluc opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it. “He’s so fucking stupid.”
And then he sighs, holding his head in his hands.
“T-that’s it? That’s all you’re gonna say?”
Diluc drags his hands down his face. Sighs again. “He begged for me to not say anything more. The poor boy looked so desperate, I couldn’t say no.” Pinches his nose between two fingers. “He doesn’t hate you, at least. I think that’s all I can say.”
“Then why did he say all those things?”
“Because he’s stupid and awkward, Venti. He has no idea what he’s doing.”
What, has no idea he’s breaking Venti’s fucking heart more and more every day? Has no idea he’s making Venti question and doubt every moment they’ve spent together?
Yeah.
Venti has no idea either.
“Where are you going?”
“I...I need to lay down…”
“Okay...you have pre-calc next, right?”
“You can’t make me go.”
Aether huffs a laugh. “I won’t try. I’ll just make sure you get notes.”
Venti nods and nods and nods, turning. “...Thanks.”
And he doesn’t know how he does it, but he’s eventually flopping face first on his bed and thanking everything holy Barbara isn’t here. Bless her heart, she’s the best roommate he’s ever had, but he knows she’d try to make him feel better and all he wants to do is drown in his tears.
He doesn’t care how loud he’s being. He’s dramatic and needy and heartbroken and everyone else can deal with it.
He’s just surprised when he can hear someone talking outside his door, even over his own sobs.
—didn’t mean—make him cry—really fucked up—
He’s up and flinging his door open before he even realizes what he’s doing.
But that also means he scares the shit out of Xiao, who jumps about eight feet in the air, takes one look at him, and scampers off like a terrified little rabbit.
Whatever.
It’s not like Venti wanted to see him, anyway. Or talk to him. Or hug him. Or hold his hand. Or cry on his shoulder.
He sinks to the floor, fresh tears flowing. And it’s, apparently, finally enough for a mop of brown hair to pop out of a room, wide orange eyes staring at him.
Hu Tao looks at Aether, who’s apparently still standing in front of him.
“Xiao’s being an idiot.”
“Aiya, aiya. As usual when it comes to our resident bard.” She steps out of her room, door closing behind her. “What’d he say this time?”
He can hear the way Aether hesitates. “He said...he told Venti he makes him feel sick.”
Venti wails and he hopes the bastard hears it. Let him hear just how much he’s hurt Venti.
What he doesn’t expect, though, is for Hu Tao to start busting up laughing.
“I-I’m sorry, it’s-it’s not funny but it really is, he’s just—” she guffaws, holding her stomach, “he’s such an idiot.”
Venti sniffs. Murmurs against his knees: “Yeah, but I thought he was gonna be my idiot.”
“Oh, he is. Trust me. That boy’s down bad.”
“But he keeps saying—”
Hu Tao squats in front of him, wagging a finger. “Now, now. Lemme tell you a little Xiao-secret. As someone who basically grew up with him, I can tell you he means the exact opposite of everything he’s saying.” She shakes her head. “The boy’s tsundere as all get out, but too awkward for it to be charming.”
She leans in, holding her hand by her mouth like she’s whispering a secret. “Be patient with him, he has absolutely no social skills whatsoever.”
And then she’s skipping down the hallway. “Oh, Xiao-Xiao~”
There’s the rapid thudding of footsteps against carpet and Hu Tao cackles, taking off.
A blue notebook appears in Venti’s vision. “Math 111” is written on the front in black sharpie. “Your uh...pre-calc notes.”
Venti stares at it. “This is Xiao’s.”
Aether sighs. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice…”
Venti takes it, tracing his fingers along the letters. “Of course I would. Xiao’s the only person I know who writes his A’s like that.”
“Wow.” Aether snorts. “Guess Xiao isn’t the only one who’s down bad.”
“I just—I sit next to him in class, okay?! That’s the only reason I know!”
“Uh huh, yeah sure. Whatever makes you feel better.”
Venti finds Hu Tao in the library the next day.
Xiao’s with her, but he disappears into thin air the moment Venti rounds the corner. She shakes her head. “Aiya...he’s got almond tofu for brains, I swear.” She gestures for Venti to come closer, but puts a finger to her lips when he opens his mouth.
“Listen. He’s probably about two rows that way.” She’s barely loud enough for Venti to hear, even this close. “I’m gonna pretend to keep talking to you, so you go find him.” Then she goes back to a normal level. “Sorry, I really don’t know where he went.”
Venti sets his bag down, keeping his steps light as he cranes his head around the bookshelves.
“I really wish I could help you, but he’s being stupidly stubborn. Yeah yeah, no I get it. I get it. Trust me. If I knew where he ran off to, I’d tell you.”
Just as she said, he’s two rows down. Venti ducks into another row before he can see.
Okay.
So.
Xiao’s on the far end of the row, just before the end.
So if Venti just…
He’s suddenly so very glad these bookshelves have solid backs. He hears a thump and a sigh. Xiao must be just on the other side. Barely two feet away.
“What the hell am I doing…”
Yeah, Venti’d like to ask the same damn question.
“I’m so bad at this. Why can’t I just talk to him?”
Yeah. Why can’t he just talk to Venti?!
He’s around the corner and grabbing both of Xiao’s shoulders before either of them can blink. “Just do it! Talk to me! Tell me what I did wrong!”
“V-venti?!” His eyes are wide and his cheeks burst into color, but then his eyes narrow and his teeth bare and he starts to pull away—
No.
Venti’s not having it. He’s not letting Xiao run away again. So he does the first thing he can think of and wraps his arms around Xiao’s neck, pulling them flush together.
But that’s apparently the wrong thing to do, because Xiao jerks back.
Stumbles.
And they both lose their balance.
Venti’s hand shoots up, cradling the back of Xiao’s head before it can crack against the floor—soft, carpeted floor, but Venti doesn’t want him to be even a little bit hurt.
Okay, he doesn’t want Xiao to be physically hurt.
But maybe a little emotional suffering as payback for the past two and a half weeks.
When he regains his bearings, he realizes he’s
He’s
He’s on top of Xiao.
Which he would normally be ecstatic about. He’s wanted to top—
UM.
Be on top of Xiao.
Yeah.
That’s what he meant.
Anyway.
He’s wanted this basically since they met. Because Xiao’s the cutest, shyest little thing he’s ever seen and it ignited some raging wildfire in Venti.
Sweet, sweet Xiao.
Oh, he wants to make Xiao feel happy. He wants to make Xiao feel good. He wants to take care of him.
But that’s maybe something he shouldn’t be thinking of when he’s on top of someone who probably actually hates him now.
Xiao is completely frozen beneath him. Venti can feel his heartbeat—and he’s a little worried, honestly, because human hearts probably shouldn’t beat that fast. He raises himself up, hands pressing down on Xiao’s shoulders and thighs straddling his hips.
Xiao’s eyes are wide and they stay wide. He’s just staring up at Venti, mouth open, cheeks dark red. Venti takes in a few deep breaths. “Are you gonna talk to me now?”
Xiao nods, almost eager.
“Good. ‘Cause I’m not moving until you do.”
Xiao’s mouth snaps shut and he looks away, cheeks getting even darker. Venti’s fingers are light on his jaw as he guides Xiao into looking back at him. Raises a brow.
Xiao shifts. It really doesn’t do good things to Venti’s stomach but he can’t focus on that right now. Xiao clears his throat. Opens his mouth. Starts to say something.
Closes his eyes and cringes.
“Hm?”
Sighs.
And then so quietly, Venti can barely hear: “Can you do the opposite?”
Venti tilts his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
Xiao looks pained. Teeth gritting: “Wi-will you...not move...if I do talk?”
He...is he asking for Venti—
Oh.
Oh.
Venti feels his own face warm. “U-um. Yeah. If...if that’s what you want.” When Xiao nods, he clears his throat. “Why are you avoiding me? What did I do wrong?”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” His voice is still quiet. A little choked.
“Then why did you say all those things? Why did you say I—I make you feel...feel sick…”
“Because you do.” And before Venti can vocalize the hurt that shoots through him: “In-in a good way.”
“...What does that even—”
“I have feelings for you. A lot of them.”
Oh.
Xiao starts squirming, looking away, breathing speeding up, but Venti doesn’t miss the way Xiao shudders when he pins him down more. The way Xiao’s mouth drops open with the smallest sound and his pupils blow wide.
“Promise?”
Xiao blinks. Then his brows turn up and his eyes glitter like hope and he’s just. The cutest thing ever. “Y-yeah.”
Venti can’t stop the giddy smile, the giggles, the warmth blooming in his chest.
And he realizes when his mouth is already on Xiao’s that he didn’t ask if he could kiss him. But Xiao doesn’t seem to mind—
Oh, he really doesn’t mind.
Xiao’s hands drag up his thighs, his hips, to settle on the exposed skin of his waist. Pulls their hips flush. Kisses back with a desperate fervor. It’s a little clumsy and a little messy, and Venti can’t stop smiling, but it’s so good.
The warmth in his chest gets hotter and moves down. His smile’s replaced by a gasp as Xiao’s fingers just barely dip below the top of Venti’s shorts.
Oh, how bold.
“Aiya!” Venti jumps back, distantly registering how Xiao curls up to chase after him. “Right in the middle of the library!”
“Um.” Is the only coherent thing he can say. His mind is still stuck in the post-kiss haze. AKA, where it can only think of doing it again. “Yeah?”
“Have you no shame?”
“Not anymore.” His eyes focus back on Xiao’s lips. His cute, pink, soft, kiss-bruised and spit-slicked lips. “Oh, I wanna just take you apart.”
“Okay.” Immediate and breathy, Xiao’s fingers tightening on his waist.
“Ohoho, someone’s eager.”
“Can you blame me?”
“At least go back to your room! How dare you seek to defile the sanctity of the…economics of Old Teyvat...okay this is boring actually. You should’ve chosen a better section to get down and dirty in.”
Venti hums, fingers tracing Xiao’s lips. “I wouldn’t mind going back to your room.”
And then his stomach swoops as Xiao picks him up, standing without using his hands, and starts walking to the stairs.
O-oh.
“X-xiao?! What are you hiding under your hoodies?!”
When Xiao smirks at him, Venti feels his insides go liquidy. “You’re about to find out.”
Fuck.
Well.
They can take turns, right?
He is, not for the first time, so fucking glad Xiao doesn’t have a roommate. Because they’re not leaving his room for a couple hours, at least.
Hu Tao stares at them, not trying to hide her disgust, as Venti plops down in Xiao’s lap. Yoimiya smiles, genuine, and Yanfei looks at Xiao, a glint in her eyes.
Chongyun’s cheeks turn pink, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Don’t you have class in five minutes?”
Venti takes one of Xiao’s bell peppers, popping it in his mouth. It’s a little gross, because Xiao eats the healthiest things the dining hall has to offer—sexy muscles from various martial arts, Venti did indeed find out—so it’s not as fun to steal his food. “Professor canceled. But now I get to eat lunch with you!”
He presses a loud kiss to Xiao’s cheek. He feels them warm under his lips, but Xiao’s arm snakes around his waist to pull him close.
Hu Tao fake gags, draping herself over Yanfei’s shoulder. “You two are gross. I never should’ve helped you.”
“You’re just jealous because we’re cuter than you!”
Yanfei snorts. “Yeah, say that to the fifteen noise complaints I’ve gotten, just this week.”
“All I’m hearing is that Xiao and I are great in—”
A hand slaps over his mouth and Xiao’s face is bright red. “We’ll be quieter.”
Venti pulls Xiao’s hand away from his mouth. “I won’t make any promises.”
Xiao just hides his face in Venti’s neck.