Chapter Text
When will you find out, that all I want is to kiss your lips,
Take all of our clothes off and skinnydip.
Please make sure that we dance under the moonlight,
Hold my hand and let me know you're all mine.
"Thank you, everyone!" the lead vocalist huffs out and holds onto his knees, breathing ragged as he hides behind a mask. "I hope you enjoyed this song dedicated to our one and only School President!" a blush flutters on his face as the roars of the crowd grew wilder, and his chest swells with pride. He giggles into the mic before gripping the mic stand for support, sweat falling down rapidly. "Diluc Ragnvindr, this next song is titled, "Red". If you're listening right now, I want to let you know that I'm all yours, and I hope you're all mine too." He smiles, and the crowd goes wild once more. The drums at the back start playing rapidly, and the lead vocalist starts jumping up and down, grabbing the mic from the mic stand to hype the crowd up.
• ✦ •
"What a performance, Barbatos!" a voice screeches once Barbatos made it backstage, and he chuckles exhaustedly, leaning against the wall for support. He breathes in a gasp for air before taking his mask off, "Thank you, Ei," he smiles at the girl named Ei and she nods her head, before engulfing him in a hug. The tight squeeze had Venti wheezing, and he immediately tapped on her shoulder before she backed away, hand over her mouth, "Oopsies! I totally forgot!" she grimaced, and she sent an apologetic look in Barbatos' direction, before leading him towards a chair.
Once Barbatos was seated, he sighs as he melts into the chair, his other hand desperately grasping in the air for a bottle of water to magically appear. Apparently, a bottle of water did appear and Venti nodded his head and gave a thank you to the person who gave it to him. It only takes him a few sips of the water before he spat a little out, coughing in the process. His whole face heats up and he turns toward the person who gave it to him, realization hitting. "P-President Diluc?! I didn't expect to see you backstage at all!" he laughs airily, and he downs the bottle of water before his mouth could even say anything else that was stupid.
A chuckle made its way out of the President's system and he covers his mouth with his hand; a very polite-looking gesture. "I'm the School Council President. It's only natural that I attend such events," he states the obvious, and the tint of cheekiness in his accent as he said that sent butterflies flocking in the pit of Venti's stomach. He clears his throat and straightens his posture, before slipping into an act, "Well, how was Barbatos' performance this time?" Diluc thinks for a moment and his eyes wander to the light creeping in from the stage. "...He knows how to woe people with words, that's for sure."
A flutter makes its way into Venti's heart and he subconsciously turns in Diluc's direction, who was still standing a few inches away from him. His hands grip the armrest of the chair and his eyes sparkle for a second, "Is that so? I find him exquisitely attractive," he replies almost casually, and Diluc turns his body to his direction, hands still in his pockets. "Why is that, if I may ask?" Venti couldn't even process what happens next, but all he could remember was the fact that the School Council President- a.k.a Diluc Ragnvindr-had reached a hand out to tuck in a strand of his hair, making Venti blush. "I-I find his lyricism to express his love for our School President lovely," he stutters, and he curses himself for doing so.
Diluc's touch lingers for a few seconds before it fades away, and Venti almost felt like whining so he could feel it again. "Ei, would you be a dear and grab that planner by the table there?" Diluc points and Ei follows suit, the planner already in Diluc's hands. Diluc flips a few pages and a sound of approval leaves his mouth before he places it right in front of Venti's face. "Barbatos still remains a mystery to me. As the person behind the lyrics to his songs, do you have any leads to whoever it may be?" Venti didn't miss the way Ei had to look away to refrain herself from laughing, and he scratches the back of his nape, a sweat already forming on his forehead, "Oh, uh..." it was then at that moment that he realized that he was still wearing the attire he used on stage and he panics for a moment before his eyes locked with Ei's.
Ei held a thumbs up and a wink as his outer attire was dangling from her hands; she was hiding it from Diluc this whole time. "You know that pianist guy they have on the band? What was his name again... ah, yes! Morax!" he exclaims as if he didn't already know who it was; not to mention the fact he was literally Barbatos himself. "He was the one who recommended this lead singer to us! You should check in with him!" a confused expression reigns on Diluc's face for a few seconds before he nods, pulling the planner away from Venti's face. "Alright, Venti. Thank you for contributing to the university." the little praise had Venti soaring in the clouds, and if he wasn't dreaming already, he was sure he was now. Diluc walks away and signals Ei to follow him, but not before stopping in his tracks.
"Oh yeah and uh, Venti?" Venti perks up from the chair, an expectant smile on his face, "Yes?"
"The school principal told me to tell you to tone it down with the lyrics a little,"
Venti had never felt more embarrassed than he was now.
• ✦ •
Venti finds himself in a haze as the soft humming of a man plays behind him, and he blinks before he realized where he was. He was in a kitchen. He looks around, confused, before he starts stirring something in a pot. The soft humming becomes louder and louder until suddenly, arms wrapped around him, and a kiss was planted on the top of his head. He looks back to find Diluc, a smile on his face as he sways both of them side to side. Venti takes a soft hold on the arm around him and he leans back to his touch, swaying along with him. "The food will grow cold if you continue bothering me," he mumbles in this very soft tone, and the overall atmosphere in the room seemed to shift; the glow started to make its way to every corner of Venti's vision and the thumping of his chest started to rise in acceleration.
Diluc could only hum, before tightening the hug on him, slowing down the sway. He places his head on top of Venti's and he hums, his chest thrumming in unison. The vibration calmed Venti down and he melts into his arms, closing his eyes, "Just a little longer, love?" the pet name had Venti screaming internally, and he blinks-
-Only to find himself back in reality, chaos ensuing in the Archery Club. The mixture of one conversation and another had him groaning, and he places his head on the table again. Why'd he had to wake up from such a nice dream?
"Great shot, Gorou!" a girl claps and rises up from her seat, much to Gorou's amusement. He wipes the sweat off his forehead and places a hand behind his head, a little shy from the compliment. "Thanks for the flattery, Yoimiya." He rolls his shoulders and tilts his head, a little tired from all the shooting, but nonetheless, content with the progress he made today. "All your shots scored eight points. I'm impressed, Gorou." another voice perks in, removing the arrows from the target.
The praise made his chest swell with pride. "Much appreciated, Kujou Sara." A chuckle erupted from the woman's lips, turning to Gorou. "No need for formalities, Gorou." Yoimiya hums and wraps an arm around Gorou, startling him. "Yeah, what the ace of the Archery Club said!"
"Alright, alright! Now get out of the clubroom, all of you!" Venti said, a laidback expression on his face as he exclaimed, tapping furiously on his phone. All three of them bowed their heads, "Yes, Barbatos!" they teased, and Venti whipped his head around, growing red. "You-!" his words were interrupted when someone opened the door, scanning the room. "I'm sorry for the intrusion, but has any of you seen Venti?" Yoimiya had a smug look on her face, sending a look in Barbatos' direction. "Oh? You mean Bar-"
"Diluc! Diluc, what brings you to the Archery Club?!" Venti jumped out from his seat, a strained smile on his face. Diluc blinks for a moment before giving him a smile, handing out a piece of paper to him. "Morax, the pianist of our school band, wanted me to give you this." Venti's face flushes and he quickly snatches the paper away from the red-haired man, who remained rooted in his place. "It was odd that they brought you the lyrics that should be handed to Barbatos-"
"We're friends! We're friends!" Venti exclaims, chuckling nervously. He quickly picks up his stuff and shoves the piece of paper in his bag, flustered beyond repair. "He is so obvious." Kujou Sara points out, watching as all of this plays out in front of them. "Gorou! Catch!" Venti throws a key in the air as Gorou effortlessly caught it. "Would you be a dear and close the clubroom for me? I have to uh...give these to Barbatos!" he squeaks, before grabbing Diluc's wrist, who was still rooted in his place. "All of you, out!" he gives a warning look to everyone in the room before sending a smile in Diluc's direction. "School president, it's best if you leave them to their own uhh...activities!" Diluc couldn't even get a word in before he was dragged away, leaving the door open.
Venti drags him down the hallway, and it was only when he turned a corner five minutes later that he realized he was dragging Diluc along with him. He stops in his place and he turns around, retracting his hand away from him. "Oh, uh- I'm so sorry, President this- um- accident? yeah-" he stammers through his words, and he closes his eyes from embarrassment. He starts twiddling with his fingers in the process and when he heard a chuckle, he finally opens his eyes again.
Diluc still had a hand over his mouth to cover his laughter and his smiling face never failed to make Venti's heart flutter. "Back in the Archery Club, you said you and Barbatos were friends, right?" A realization hit Venti once again, and he grips his bookbag before laughing, a forced smile on his face. "D-Did I? I meant to say we were- uh... strangers turning into friends?" after saying that pathetic of an excuse, even Venti had to pity himself for that.
It only takes Diluc a few blinks before he smiles again, amusement on his face. He pockets his hands and he nods his head. "If you say so, Venti." Diluc starts taking a step, and Venti couldn't help but follow after him. Whilst following him, Venti noticed little details of the love of his life. His high ponytail was tied by that one specific scrunchie he always brought (he was praying it wasn't from a girlfriend/boyfriend). He has piercings but he never actually has them on. Venti wonders what it would look like on him.
His eyes wander down further, and he starts to notice more things. His skin was super duper soft to look at, so it was only a matter of time until Venti's body reacted before his mind could. Both of them stopped in their tracks, and Venti internally curses and screams at himself as he realized what he did. He placed a finger on his cheek. Diluc's face contorts for a moment, and to finally feel his face was something Venti didn't even know he was capable of doing. "I'm-" Venti's words were cut off when Diluc laughed again, smiling at Venti. He wipes the imaginary tear falling off his face and he turns to him; the height difference had Venti blushing.
"You are so random, Venti. It's adorable," his heart flutters for a moment before Venti pulls his hand away, clutching it to his chest. He looks away and clutches his bookbag with his other hand, screaming internally. "Shut up, please."