Work Text:
“Chocolate?” Venti tilted his head to the side questioningly, “From Morax?”
Aether gave a nod of confirmation as he handed the bard a brown silk purse with golden threads forming the shape of a Cecilia on the front. Actually Aether wondered – which was then voiced out by Paimon beside him – why Venti even felt the need to ask because there wasn’t a second person in Teyvat would hand out such an extravagant-looking gift.
“Extravagant?” Venti blurted out a light laugh, “This is actually modest. That’s why I asked you if it’s really from Morax.”
“That intricate design must cost a hefty amount of mora already, Paimon bet the chocolate inside costs more.” the little fairy-like creature lifted a finger, physically pointed out, “There is nothing modest about this gift at all.”
Venti put a hand over his mouth to partly cover his giggles. A gust of wind circled the bard and snatched the bag in his hand to a certain height above his head.
“Let me tell you the story of the biggest chocolate in humans’ history.” the Anemo Archon said, summoning his lyre and gently strumming a few notes.
…
“Hey, Morax. Won’t it be great if someone is to give me some chocolate next month?”
The Geo Archon gave his friend, who had assumed the form of a young mortal not very long ago after his friend had departed in a revolution in Mondstadt, a totally disinterested look.
Chocolate was recently invented in Fontaine and the Hydro Archon had been giving it around for her fellow gods to try. However, none of the gods cared, or even pretended to care about mortals’ treats, so the Hydro Archon proceeded to introduce a new occasion named ‘Valentine’ – falling on the 14th February every year.
“On this day, people will give out chocolates to the ones dear to them to openly express their love…”
There was more to that speech but that was all Barbatos could recall. This stubborn Morax beside him probably remembered less. With all due respect, Barbatos was certain this was only a marketing trick the humans proposed to the Hydro Archon, yet she was too passionate about it for anyone to reveal the truth to her. Besides, the thought of openly expressing one’s affection was appealing in a sense.
“Why don’t you just give out chocolates if you’re that interested in such a useless custom?” Morax asked dryly.
“But I always express myself properly to people I love.” Barbatos argued, “I think this custom would benefit those who have a hard time with words, like you, for example.”
“I don’t have a hard time with words.” Morax sent him a narrow look.
“Ah, sorry, you just have a hard time expressing your true feelings.” Barbatos corrected.
Morax frowned at the Anemo Archon as if saying that his correction actually made it worse.
“Well, it’s time for us to return. See you later, Morax.” Barbatos stood up, stretching his back and wings. Before departing, he swirled around, beaming at his friend, “I’ll wait for your chocolate.”
“Who says anything about giving you-”
But Barbatos already flew away, and the gale drowned out the remainder of the Geo Archon’s statement.
Not long after, the idle chat was also forgotten.
Deeming that his people could manage by themselves and didn’t need a god to meddle with their development, Barbatos allowed himself a slumber. It would just be a little nap to rest from all grieves and responsibilities that had befallen him since the revolution.
It wouldn’t be long.
Because Barbatos was still waiting for a gift from his friend, wasn’t he?
But what was that gift again?
Well, he could always ask about it the next time he opened his eyes.
One thousand and six hundred years came to pass.
The Anemo Archon rose from his deep sleep to give a hand to his people to overturn the aristocracy.
Just as Barbatos – now known as Venti – had achieved the goal he had woken up for and was currently on a trip to enjoy Mondstadt's landscape, a meteor descended.
The sky blacked out over his head. Winds roared. Trees and grass bent down to the ground under the tremendous pressure. It took Venti more than a few seconds to react because he never expected an assault at this power since the Archon War over a thousand years ago. He gathered the wind enough to form at least a hundred large-scale storms to cushion the meteor and slowly but firmly moved it towards a direction where there was no living creature within the radius. He had intended to cut it into million pieces at first but there was a shield encasing the meteor so he could only put it down somewhere less damaging.
The meteor landed safely, creating a slight tremor that people in Mondstadt later referred to as the gods’ handclap to praise their success.
“What’s the meaning of this, Morax?” Venti gave the message through his winds instantly, knowing the exact location of his friend in Liyue despite not visiting for quite a long time.
There was no reply. However, Venti knew his friend well enough not to send another message but simply waited.
After around fifteen minutes, the ground shook again and a rock emerged beside the meteor. The rock was split open the next moment, revealing the Geo Archon in his new attire – consisting of a white hooded coat, a white shirt and a pair of black pants.
Venti was about to ask which century that attire was from, his friend spoke up first: “Welcome back, Barbatos.”
Uh oh, that tone meant serious bad news. Venti took an instinctive step backwards. “Ur… hi, Morax.” He raised a hand, smiling ever so innocently, “Long time no see. How are you doing?”
The amber eyes stared straight at Venti, enough to drill a hole in his face. “I’m doing well. Thanks for your concern.” he replied monotonously.
Venti wasn’t actually concerned because he had an absolute belief that Morax would survive anything coming his way. However, there was no way he could say that his question was only a casual greeting. “I’m glad you’re doing well.” he decided to follow through, “It’s been some time since we last met, wanna grab a drink?”
Morax didn’t answer, but his stoic face clearly said no.
“If you don’t like drinking then how about some fruit?” Venti suggested, pulling out an apple from his cloak like a magician.
“Isn’t this enough for you to eat?” Morax said coldly, gesturing with his eyes at the meteor – or not, because at closer look, it seemed like a brownish black boulder rather than Morax’s usual complicated-shaped meteor.
Venti blinked. “Ur… I don’t suddenly like to eat soil.” he said, gazing at his friend blankly.
“Who said anything about eating soil?” Morax frowned.
“You?” Venti questioned, pointing at the boulder, “You just asked if that thing was enough for me to eat.”
“Yes, I certainly asked that question.” Morax confirmed, “But I never said anything about eating soil.”
Venti blinked a few more times, then it dawned on him. “Ah, my bad.” he lifted a hand, apologizing, “You mean that is a rock, not soil. But sorry, I don’t eat rock either.”
The frown on Morax’s forehead deepened. He crossed his arms. “What rock are you talking about, Barbatos?” he asked concernedly, “Did you hit your head somewhere? Or did my gift hit you? If that’s the case then I apologize.”
Gift? Venti repeated the word in his mind a million times but his brain couldn’t find an answer to why his friend decided to give him such an assault upon reunion. “That’s your gift?” he questioned unbelievably, staring at the brownish black boulder without batting his eyes because he was afraid it would suddenly change shape and his statement would turn out incorrect.
However, the boulder remained the same no matter what, so Venti turned back to look at his friend.
“Yes,” Morax nodded firmly.
“Why did you suddenly want to murder me?” Venti asked in a sad tone, “I thought we’re friends.”
“Huh?” Morax blurted out, an incredulous look appearing on his face. “Who wants to murder who again?”
Venti sighed, placing a hand on his chest. “You don’t have to pretend anymore, Morax. I know it was wrong of me to fall into a slumber without informing you, but I didn’t expect that would make you want me gone.” he continued with an understanding yet sorrowful smile, “You could’ve used a more straightforward method though, this meteor might harm my people-”
“Barbatos!” Morax interrupted, eyebrows furrowed deeply, “I’ll never ever want you gone. Please remember that.”
The powerful voice of an emperor silenced Venti instantly. They stared at each other. Amber and jade reflected the owners. It had been so long since the last time they had last seen each other. Their appearances might have been altered a lot over time, but now that they stood here face to face in silence, it seemed that nothing had changed at all. Morax was still the stubborn old man who was good at explaining anything aside from his own matters, and Venti was still the talkative wind spirit who always used his voice to fill the quiet moments between them.
“Ah, I miss your scolding.” Venti was the one breaking the silence – as always – as he brought a hand to his lips, giggling.
The look from the pair of amber eyes softened. A smile found its way to Morax’s lips. “The world without your voice was also too silent.”
Venti gasped. “Where did you learn that?” he exclaimed, giving his friend an incredulous look, “It’s too romantic to be from you, Morax!”
“It’s from one of your own songs.” Morax crossed his arms, frowning, “Are you going senile after sleeping for so long?”
“Is it?” Venti smacked a hand to his mouth. Thousands of melodies coursed through his mind. “Ah true,” he said before his friend could remind him, “Sorry, sorry, but it’s still a surprise hearing it from you.”
“I figured you might enjoy hearing something of the old time from an old friend.” Morax said, half-lifting his eyes, “But I see that you don’t.”
“No way, I love it!” Venti yelled excitedly, beaming at his friend.
Morax let out a laughing huff, not saying anything.
“What’s about that thing? Is it something from the old time too?” Venti pointed at the brownish black boulder, “I can’t seem to recall what it is though.”
“You asked for it before, didn’t you?” Morax lifted an eyebrow, “Before you went to sleep.”
Holding his chin in contemplation, Venti observed the boulder a bit more but still couldn’t tell exactly what it was. “I don’t think I’ve ever asked you for a giant rock.”
“It’s your Valentine chocolate.”
A moment of silence passed.
“Sorry, I think I misheard something.” Venti said with a wry smile, “You said that rock is my Valentine chocolate?”
Morax gave a nod, expression betraying nothing.
The memory about the Hydro Archon and the new custom in Fontaine rushed back to Venti’s head, followed by the idle conversation he had had with Morax.
Wow. He had only said that at the spur of the moment. He never expected that this old friend of his would take this to heart.
So… this giant brownish black boulder was actually a huge piece of chocolate?
“I appreciate that you remember my random talk, but don’t you think this piece of chocolate is a bit too big?” Venti asked with a wry smile, “I’d still love it if you give me a small piece, you know.”
“It’s a thousand and six hundred years worth of chocolate, Barbatos.” Morax said. A small smile played on his lips.
Ah.
Morax was still angry at Venti’s sudden disappearance after all.
…
“So what did you do with that huge piece of chocolate?” Paimon asked, eyes sparkling, “Did you build a chocolate house? Or a chocolate mansion? Or did you eat it all?”
Dematerializing the lyre, Venti shook his head with a smile. “There’s no way I could finish that, and I’m not a big fan of sweets either.” he said, “After tasting a handful or two, I placed it on Dragonspine for preservation.”
“Eh, Paimon didn’t see anything like that on Dragonspine the last time we were there.” Paimon looked at Aether, who nodded in agreement, “Are you sure you aren’t making up that story, Tone-deaf bard?”
“You know, construction on Dragonspine is difficult, not only because of the harsh weather but also because the rocks are strengthened by the crystals.” Venti said. Both Paimon and Aether gave him a clueless look due to the sudden topic change. “But your friend Albedo had a cave there, right?”
“Yeah, it looked rough but kinda well-shaped.” Paimon agreed, still wearing a confused look. Meanwhile, Aether’s eyes widened.
“I guess your companion got the answer, Paimon.” Venti grinned.
“Eh, what is that?”
“Don’t tell Albedo, okay?” The Anemo Archon winked at Aether.
“I think he’s already figured out what it is after all this time.” Aether shrugged.
“What is it? Tell me!” Paimon protested, “Don’t leave Paimon in the dark alone!”
End
(14th February 2022)