Work Text:
“It’s just apple pie,” Xiao says for what he feels to be the hundredth time in the span of an hour. He doesn’t take his eyes off the road, but he can hear Venti let out an offended huff next to him.
“You don’t get it,” Venti says, and yes, that’s the whole point . He doesn’t understand why Venti is so insistent on going to bumfuck nowhere to get some pie that he could buy anywhere in the city.
Xiao can see Venti cross his arms in his peripheral vision and turns his head ever so slightly just to throw Venti a look - what he doesn’t expect is for him to be pouting, which is simply not fair. Xiao is a man of very few weaknesses, but Venti acting cute is most definitely one of them. He clears his throat and composes himself before speaking again, “Of course I don’t.”
“They make it from apples from their own orchard,” Venti argues, and the pout is noticeable even in his voice. He shifts on his seat to turn his whole body to face Xiao, and he sounds genuinely excited about the whole thing. “And it’s, like, a centuries-old recipe. I’ve read everywhere that it’s one of the things you should try at least once in your life.”
“Okay,” he concedes like one would do with a child, accepting that any effort to make Venti see that he’s being a bit too much would be futile. “You shouldn’t believe everything people say, though.”
Xiao’s not even mad to spend time alone with Venti, he genuinely enjoys having him around. He usually gets emotionally exhausted around people, and it’s hard for him to be around them for long periods of time, but, for some reason, that doesn’t happen with Venti. The fact that he’s been nursing a teeny tiny small little crush on Venti since they’ve known each other has nothing to do with it, or so he tells himself. But he hates driving long distances, and he’s not a big fan of sitting on an uncomfortable car seat for long.
“Xiao,” Venti whines, and throws his arms up in the air like he’s asking the heavens for guidance. “Would it kill you to find joy in small, mundane things?”
Xiao lets out a long hum and takes a moment too long to pretend he’s thinking about it, his eyes trailed on the road in front of him.
“Yes.”
***
It takes them another hour to get there, and as soon as they’re parked, Xiao scrambles out of the car and stretches his arms above his head, making all the knots in his poor back scream in unison. Thankfully, the air is cool and crisp, and it helps to clear his head.
He looks around to take his surroundings in - there’s something very charming about the countryside, with its stone buildings and chimneys that always seem to be on during the colder months, luring him in into the warmth inside. Fall in Mondstadt is mild at best, but as someone who spent most of his life in the heat of Liyue, even the most gentle of breezes makes Xiao shiver and burrow himself deeper in his jacket. The trees surrounding the building are almost bare at this time of year, and Xiao can see a trail in the distance leading up to the forest surrounding the property - Venti mentioned that they used apples from their own orchard, so he mindlessly wonders where it is.
Xiao feels Venti’s hand tug at his sleeve, and as he’s led inside the building, the smell of pie and coffee and the warmth inside the place makes all the remaining tension in his body dissipate.
“Americano, right?” Venti asks, and he fishes a worn-out wallet out of his tote bag - Xiao knows Venti well enough to know it’s not his. “It’s on me.”
“It doesn’t count if you stole the money from someone.”
Venti shrugs, and all but skips to the cashier, his eyes darting from the display of pies to the menu board above the barista. He lets a low hum as he considers what he’s going to order. “I didn’t steal it, that’s an ugly word. I just borrowed it without permission,” Venti mutters under his breath with the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “We’re friends, what’s mine is his, and what’s his is mine.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works,” Xiao rebuts. “He’s going to kill you one day.”
“I like living my life knowing that Diluc could show up and dropkick me at any time,” Venti says too cheerily for what is a blatant death wish. “Makes every day more interesting.”
There are not many people in line, so they get their order fairly quickly and head for a table at the back. Venti plops down on his chair as Xiao gently sets the tray on the table and hands him his drink. It’s some pumpkin spice concoction, and there’s a lump of whipped cream and caramel down the inner side of the cup. Xiao wonders how many families could be fed with the amount of sugar that must be inside that thing.
“I don’t know how you can drink that,” he voices out as he takes a seat and grabs his own cup, and Venti lets out a scoff.
“I don’t know how you can drink that ,” he rebuts, and points a judging finger at the drink in Xiao’s hand like it should be kept away from society. “No milk, no sugar, just bitter bean juice.”
Xiao shrugs and takes a sip. “I like being so caffeinated that I stop feeling my hands.”
Venti shrugs in a way that tells him whatever you say , and decides to instead focus on his slice of pie. He grabs the fork and he’s almost vibrating with excitement as he takes a bite and closes his eyes to fully experience it.
Xiao has to bite back a laugh. It’s endearing, really. Well, it’s endearing because it’s Venti doing it - if it were anyone else, Xiao would probably roll his eyes and shake his head. Maybe he’s slightly biased. Maybe.
“Wanna try it?” Venti politely offers with his mouth impolitely full, and Xiao extends his palm to silently ask for the fork on Venti’s hand. Instead of giving it over, the other man clicks his tongue and takes his hand away.
Xiao sighs in defeat but opens his mouth obediently, and Venti feeds him the bite with his eyes focused on Xiao’s face and his body slightly leaning forward like he’s bracing himself for the other man’s opinion. Xiao feels that tightness in his chest that’s almost always present when Venti’s around get heavier, and he hopes and prays that his usual resting bitch face is working overtime not to make himself look like a flustered fool.
It all feels like too much, so Xiao looks up at the ceiling, pretending he’s thinking about the pie to get away from the weight of it. As he chews, the flavor coats his tongue with a simple sweetness that’s unlike anything that they could have gotten in the city. Despite himself, he gets why people would be so enthusiastic about it.
“That’s really good,” he says as he lowers his eyes, and finds out that Venti’s gaze hasn’t moved from his face.
“Best one you’ve ever tried?”
“Yeah, probably,” Xiao concedes, and he can sense Venti’s incoming 'I told you so’ in the way his lips curve into a smirk, so he speaks again before the other man can open his mouth, “But don’t let it get to your head.”
“Oh, I most definitely will,” Venti grins, and Xiao fully believes him. He can already hear Venti’s voice in a few months’ time, interrupting an unrelated conversation to say something along the lines of Hey Xiao, remember when I was right and you were terribly, horribly wrong? “I love being right too much to let the opportunity pass.”
Xiao’s learned through trial and error that there’s no changing Venti’s mind once he’s decided he will be a menace on purpose, so he lets out a defeated sigh and decides to change the topic entirely. “Have you ever come here before?”
“Nope, it’s my first time,” Venti says, hands wrapped around his cup of coffee and lips resting on the edge. His eyes leave Xiao’s for a moment to scan the place, but they’re quickly back on his face like he’s afraid he will miss something if he trails off for too long. “Thought it would be nice to get you out of the house for once.”
“I go outside,” Xiao argues, but his voice sounds unsure even to himself. Maybe he’s a bit of a hermit, but it’s not like there’s anything wrong with that, right?
“Going to work doesn’t count, Xiao.”
Xiao only clicks his tongue as a response, and turns around to properly inspect the place, and he has to reluctantly agree that Venti has made a good pick - it’s clearly family-run, and not so big that the cozy, homey vibe is lost. It seems to be a popular spot, though, because all the tables are occupied, and Xiao can see some people having to sit on the terrace outside despite the chilly weather. He had expected to see families picking up pie for their kids, or groups of friends taking a little excursion to the countryside. But as his eyes scan the place, he notices that they’re all couples. All of them. And Xiao isn’t the type of man who believes in whacky, unbelievable coincidences.
“Venti,” he starts, but the why is everybody here on a date? gets stuck on his lips when he whips his head around and Venti is already looking at him, eyes soft around the edges and a small smile playing on his lips. He tilts his head, chin resting in his palm, and there’s a certain glint of fondness seeping into his gaze, something that Xiao just realizes he’s only seen directed at himself. The implication hits him like a truck. Despite the alarms blaring in his head, he manages to clear his throat and croak out a “It’s peaceful here, I like it.”
Venti raises an eyebrow at the obvious change in what Xiao wanted to say, but he doesn’t press it, and Xiao is thankful for it.
“I knew you would,” Venti’s voice is small, and it sounds almost shy.
Xiao doesn’t know what to say to that, so he doesn’t say anything. Silence with Venti is never uncomfortable, and he doesn’t feel like he has to wreck his brain to fill the air with casual conversation he’s not even good at. It’s nice. Venti takes a pen and a little notebook from his bag and gets to writing - the only time Xiao prodded about what he was writing, Venti just replied ‘lyrics’. He didn’t bother to elaborate, so Xiao didn't bother to ask further.
It takes them a while, but once the plate is clear and the drinks are finished, Venti shoves his notebook back into his bag with a pleased hum, and they both get up to head outside again.
“It’s early to head back,” Venti checks his watch and looks up at Xiao. “Let’s take a walk?”
Xiao only hums, and heads for the trail snaking out of the building and into the forest with Venti on toll. The path is flanked by rows of trees with barely any leaves left on them, having fallen and littered the floor. He grabs one leaf in front of him as it falls from the tree and absent-mindedly twirls it between his fingers before letting it fall to the ground. He starts to understand why the place is popular among couples - the view is truly beautiful, and even though he knows they’re in public, the atmosphere feels weirdly private.
He’s brought back to reality when Venti steps closer and links his arm with his. A chilly wind has seemingly picked up while they were inside, ruffling the few remaining leaves on the trees, but it’s not so bad that it would be bothersome, especially not with the fluffy hoodie that Venti’s wearing. “Are you cold?”
“No,” Venti singsongs, and he shuffles himself closer to Xiao’s side. The hand that’s grabbing Xiao’s arm goes lower, and it stops as it reaches his wrist. “I’m just clingy.”
They walk along the path, kicking leaves around to put them in front of the other just to be annoying. Eventually, they reach what seems like the top of a small hill, and Xiao can see a tree stump a little off the path overlooking the fields below it. Venti excitedly drags him there, plopping himself and Xiao unceremoniously on it. There’s not much space, so they’re sitting way too close for Xiao’s blood pressure to be kept in a normal range - their knees are brushing, shoulders pressed together, and Venti hasn’t still let go of his arm.
Venti’s eyes are trailed forward, inspecting the dip in the hill before them that leads to where the orchard is located. There are a few people scattered here and there, only little dots in the distance walking around the trees and picking apples with baskets. Venti makes a comment in passing about coming back another day to pick apples, but Xiao’s brain barely registers it.
As beautiful as the scenery is, Xiao can’t help but glance in Venti’s direction. His braids are moving around with the breeze, and there’s a softness to Venti that Xiao has always found very comforting - it’s not just his features, it’s a deep seethed tenderness in him that makes Xiao warm all over.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Venti finally breaks the silence, and he turns his head so they’re facing each other. Xiao is pretty sure that what Venti’s referring to with looking at him like that is plain and simple staring.
“Like what?”
“Like that ,” Venti elaborates unhelpfully by simply pointing an accusatory finger at Xiao’s face. “Like you’re trying to read my mind.”
“Maybe that’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Okay, then,” Venti lifts his eyebrows and tilts his head in a questioning gesture. “What am I thinking?”
Xiao pauses and takes a moment to properly scan Venti’s face. He searches for something different from usual in his expression that gives him a clue as to what is going on in that pretty head of his, but he comes up empty, so he just shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“You’re terrible at this.”
“Maybe I’m not,” Xiao argues, and it’s his turn to raise his eyebrows. “Maybe your head is empty and that’s why I can’t figure out what you’re thinking.”
“Rude,” Venti chuckles, and he lets go of Xiao’s arm to pinch his side in retaliation. Something shifts in his expression, a glint of determination in his eyes, and he shuffles his weight to sit more comfortably. “Close your eyes.”
Xiao does as instructed without thinking about it twice, and he can hear Venti let out a low chuckle at it. He feels Venti’s fingers lightly tilt his chin up, and he lets his thumb rests on Xiao’s lower lip, not pressing for anything more. Xiao can only hear the pounding of his own heart on his ears, and he doesn’t dare to open his eyes, but he kisses the digit. An invitation.
“I was thinking about this,” Venti whispers as he removes his hand, and the next thing Xiao knows is that there’s a shy press of lips against his. It’s nothing more than a chaste peck, and after waiting for this moment to come for so long, it’s not enough. So as soon as Venti pulls away, Xiao leans in again to blindly catch Venti’s lips with his own, this time deepening the kiss.
Venti sighs against his mouth and throws his arms around his neck, and Xiao can feel himself melt into the touch. Venti’s lips are soft against his chapped ones, and he tastes like whipped cream and apples. Xiao is thankful that he’s sitting down, because he’s quite sure that his legs would have given out under him.
“Venti, I…” he starts when they part, still so close that his breath fans over Venti’s lips, but the words don’t come out. He shakes his head to clear his thoughts, but it doesn’t do much. “I’m not good with words,” he states lamely, and Venti gives him an understanding smile.
“That’s okay,” he reassures, and Xiao believes him. “I am, but words can’t explain how you make me feel,” Venti says, almost a whisper. He drags his fingers through the side of Xiao’s face, the touch feather light and so delicate that it seems like he’s scared that touching Xiao with less gentleness will break the moment. Xiao closes his eyes and leans into the warmth of Venti’s palm on instinct. Venti removes his hand to tap Xiao’s nose before speaking again, “Numbers can, though. Five out of ten.”
Xiao opens his eyes and his mouth simultaneously in disbelief, and he must be a sight to behold, because Venti immediately laughs at him, his eyes turning into crescents. Even if Xiao were to take Venti’s words seriously, it would be very hard to stay mad when his smile is one of the brightest things that Xiao has seen in his life.
“A five?” He sputters and gets up from the tree trunk in mock offense, Venti’s laughter ringing bright and loud behind him. He brushes up the dirt in his jeans before he starts to walk away, kicking around the leaves on the ground with nothing but a dismissive wave thrown Venti’s way. “Good luck finding a ride back home.”
“Xiao, no, I was joking,” Venti calls out as he rushes to his feet and trots behind Xiao, catching up in just a few strides and clinging to his arm like his life depends on it. “Please don’t go, I already have abandonment issues,” he tugs on Xiao’s arm to call for his attention, and when he shifts his eyes, Venti gives him a sad puppy eyes and pout combo that squeezes Xiao’s heart in the best way possible. “You wouldn’t leave poor little me straddled in the woods, would you?”
“You’re not getting your way by acting cute,” Xiao sighs and rolls his eyes, but the words do not carry any malice with them, and also, they’re a blatant lie. “That’s a promise.”
“Oh, so you think I’m cute,” Venti muses with a shit-eating grin, and he taps a finger to his lips like he’s deep in thought. “Interesting.”
“Of course I think you’re cute,” Xiao blurts out before the words can get filtered through his brain. The honesty seems to take Venti by surprise, and his mouth forms a little o shape, and he immediately bites his lower lip trying to hide a grin, but it’s a pointless effort. Xiao can see a pretty flush start to creep up Venti’s neck and tries his best to commit the sight to memory. Venti doesn’t reply for a while. He opens his mouth, but he seems to think better of it, and shakes his head without saying anything. “What?”
“Nothing, I just like you a lot.”
Venti’s tone is matter of fact and plainly honest, like he doesn’t notice what a few words can do to Xiao’s poor heart. It’s his turn to get flustered, and he unattractively chokes on his own spit, using the opportunity to hide the heat of his cheeks behind his hand.
Venti doesn’t seem to mind much about his internal turmoil, because he only gives him a knowing smile and scoots closer, grabbing Xiao’s hand and linking their fingers together. It feels weirdly natural to have their intertwined hands swinging between them as they walk around, like it’s something that they should have been doing a long time ago. They follow the path back to the building, reaching the parking lot way too soon for Xiao’s liking, and he reluctantly lets go of Venti’s hand go to climb into the driver’s seat.
“Next time,” Xiao starts as he sticks the key in, and it sounds like a promise. “I’m picking the place, you’re not making me drive two hours again.”
“We’ll see if you can keep your promise,” Venti replies, and even with flushed cheeks and a fond grin, the smugness in his tone is hard to miss. “I bet I’ll be able to get my way.”
Normally, Xiao is a man of his word. If he makes a promise, he keeps it, and if he says he will or will not do something, he follows through. But as Venti leans forward to leave a kiss on his cheek, he decides that he doesn’t mind breaking one little promise to himself if that means that he gets to see Venti smile like that again.