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A silent breeze takes place among where Xiao has settled to rest for the night. The top of Wangshu Inn was an incredibly peaceful place, especially at night. The moon shining down on you as the cool breeze softly flows against your skin, the quiet it especially brings… that’s what Xiao was thinking, anyways. It was a nice place to unwind and try to relax, especially after a stressful day. Nothing could feel as peaceful as this quiet night could. Well, except maybe-

As if on cue, a gust of wind swirled up behind him, already knowing who it was (and sort of only one person it COULD be), the adeptus turned around to face the one before him, giving a nod of acknowledgment- and also to show respect. That familiar wind became a familiar face behind him, along with the sound of a whooshing cape and a cheeky grin plastered on his cheeks with turquoise braids framing his face. Not many people who know this braided man would think he’d be a familiar face to the well-known reserved, quiet, and non-people liking adeptus Xiao, but these two are almost as familiar to each other as Xiao and Zhongli are. It would take knowing the two on quite personal levels to even get to the assumption of them being familiar with one another.

“Wow, not even saying hello first?” the green bard teased with a light tone to his voice and a grin on his face, walking over to take a seat next to the adeptus on the railing. Sure, some would call Venti loud, some would call him annoying, but pretty much everyone would say his and Xiao’s personalities clash far too much for them to even remotely get along, especially on the short-tempered adeptus’ end. 

Though those aren’t the descriptions Xiao would use for him… maybe the loud part, but he didn’t exactly mind it. He saw the bard as a kind and gentle soul, someone who makes him feel at peace, and free… even when he spontaneously bursts into song every now and then.

“I already knew it was you, so I didn’t see a need to,” Xiao replied nonchalantly, continuing to keep his gaze on the archon next to him, watching as the pale moonlight reflected off of his dark hair.

Venti let out a light huff, one that Xiao recognized to be a playful tone, “Well then I will start off with saying hello then. So hello to you, Alatus,” the bard let out a light giggle with his introduction, forcing the lightest smile to appear upon Xiao’s lips. 

Alatus , a name that not many are allowed to use- per Xiao’s request, hell, Zhongli rarely mentions him by the name Alatus anymore. The name has an incredibly strong hold over Xiao, he never saw a need to, especially when his old master would use this to his advantage to force the young adeptus to go against his own will for the god’s evil deeds, this is also partly the reason Xiao thinks of Zhongli as such a kind master, he doesn’t have to fear that old torture again. 

The closest to him rarely use the name either, so to foreign ears, it’s quite different to hear someone use his name so casually and with no negative reaction from the yaksha.

“Hello to you too, Barbatos,” the adeptus replied, both onlooking at the field of greenery below them as the gentle winds breezed against them. A comforting and welcoming silence took place over their conversation for a while. Neither particularly mind, especially after a long day… it’s a nice stress reliever; being at the top of Wangshu Inn on a calm night, basking in the moonlight and in each other’s company.

Eventually, after what could be a few moments or a few minutes, Venti spoke, “Oh!” he exclaimed as he sat straight up, an excited look appearing on his face as he turned to Xiao, “do you know what tomorrow is?” pure joy was lit on the green bard’s face.

Tomorrow , Xiao thought, different events that he deemed important ran through his head, but none aligned with the day that ‘tomorrow’ was. Shaking his head, a confused expression pulled upon his face, mostly just hoping that he didn’t somehow forget an important date that Venti would expect him to know- and hopefully a date that wouldn’t upset him in case Xiao did forget.

“It’s the start of the Windblume Festival!” Venti exclaimed, launching himself to wrap both his arms around the other’s shoulders in a sideways hug, “...as well as the… only day… but still!”. Ah, the Windblume Festival, a festival in honor of the Anemo Archon that celebrates love and the bonding of relationships… as well as heavily emphasizes the art of poetry during the festival (and wine, naturally). With Venti being a bard, he has a special place in his heart for poetry and song-like activities, no wonder he’s always so excited when the Windblume Festival season rolls around.

Unfortunately, Xiao doesn’t like it very much. It’s not that he doesn’t like what it symbolizes or celebrates, he just isn’t a fan of festivals, especially being within a crowd of mortal humans- while he wishes to celebrate something in honor of both the anemo archon and the one who saved him all those years ago, he just doesn’t see the need to attend festivals. Hell, it’s hard to get him to go to the Lantern Rite in Liyue, and that’s just a mere walk down the street for him most of the time.

“Sooooo,” Venti continued, “I was hoping that you’d-”

“Not happening,” Xiao interrupted with a stubborn tone and a straight face, already knowing that Venti knows his stance on the matter.

“Oh come onnn! You’ve never gone! You’d like it!” Venti interjected, “Can you at least go? Just once?” Venti pleaded, leaning against his companion, looking up at him, “For meeee?”

“I don’t like crowds, I’m not going.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Pretty please?”

“No, and that’s final.”

“What if I plan a picnic for us to go on?”

Now that got his attention.

Unfamiliar with the term ‘picnic’, Xiao turned his head to the one below him, a confused expression crossing his face, “What’s that? A picnic?” Probably a human affair was the first thing going through his mind.

“A human affair-” of course “- where, either as a date or a get-together with friends, you bring food to a clearing outdoors, and you just… eat there, it’s usually pretty quiet and reserved, it’s pretty relaxing. Think of it as the times we eat together on this rooftop, except just in the daytime and in Mondstadt,” Venti explained, hoping the description sounded like something that would appeal the loner and introverted adeptus.

After some thought, Xiao spoke up to the eager bard, “And we’ll be alone?” a nod, “people won’t be around to bother us?” another nod.

Much consideration took place in the Yaksha’s mind, considering the possibilities of many outcomes if he attends. After a few moments (Venti would argue hours), and a deep inhale and exhale

“Okay, fine-”

Venti let out a gleeful cheer, throwing an arm up in victory, giving Xiao a tighter hug in the process.

“But only if you promise we won’t be bothered,” he added on, to which Venti eagerly nodded to in agreement. Geez if he nods any faster his head might just fall off . A bright grin made its way to the archon’s face at the news that Xiao will finally attend one of his favorite events to go to in Mondstadt.

Xiao isn’t one to feel empathy much, but he swears he just can’t help the gentle warmth rising to his cheeks as well as a returned soft smile to the one before him- it just feels too natural, he’d be straining to not smile back at him… and goddammit did he love the smile he sees. He isn’t sure why or how Venti brings him to feel the way he does, but hey, he’s not complaining. It’s a relieving feeling. A welcome and peaceful one at that. And he doesn’t get to feel peace very often.

The anemo duo spent the rest of the night idly chatting away as Venti went on and on about the history of the Windblume Festival and the festivities that go on during it, as well as how deeply it all connects to the meaning of freedom. Venti, being one of the original Seven, sure does have many stories to share, especially regarding his beloved Mondstadt, which he cares so greatly about. 

It reminds the adeptus of Rex Lapis in a way, except the stories wouldn’t lull someone to sleep- not that he was a boring storyteller or had nothing interesting to share, not in the slightest (at least Xiao would never admit that his dear master could be boring). It’s just… his way of telling stories could relax or distract you so much that your consciousness starts to slip away, his calm demeanor and deep voice doesn’t help with the feeling of wanting to just take a quick lie down as he tells his stories. 

But Venti, he just had this liveliness and bubbly personality that makes you awake the entire time- not wanting to miss a single detail of what he might have to say next. It could be that he is a bard (and good at being a bard) and it’s his job to make stories snappy as well as their delivery, or it could be Xiao is just really attentive to anything regarding his partner, but those are irrelevant small details (at least that’s what Xiao would argue).

Alas, the night ended eventually, and the two split off, planning to meet again once the sun was high

———

“He’s probably still setting up,” Xiao told himself as he waited over by Dadaupa Gorge, sitting upon a rock as he looked out into the distance, making sure to feel the wind to see if he could tell when Venti was arriving.

He can’t help when his nerves start acting up, ever since Venti’s gnosis was stolen by being ripped from his chest by a surprise attack, he feels unwary whenever they are apart for too long. Yeah, Venti is THE Barbatos, one of the only original seven archons still alive and was able to shape Mondstadt with wind alone… but he still can’t help but worry for Venti’s safety after his gnosis was taken.

…And then his nerves quickly vanished as he saw a bright green figure emerge from the trees, a happy stride in his step as he made his way to the yaksha before him. What got Xiao curious though, is that he didn’t bring the food for the so-called picnic they were supposed to be going on.

“I thought we were going on a picnic?” Xiao asked, hopping down from the perch he had sat himself upon.

“Oh, we are! I just didn’t want to carry it all around with me- it could get in the way,” the bard chirped, standing in front of him at this point. Man, I forget sometimes he’s taller than me , “I already chose a spot! So now we have to just get there, so follow me!” he grinned as he turned around and started to make his way back to the main Mondstadt city, with Xiao following close behind him.

With a pretty-different-than-usual spring in his step, Xiao couldn’t help but notice just how much happier Venti seemed than normal that day, “You seem different than normal.” the yaksha commented, earning the attention of the archon, “did something warrant this change?”

As if it were obvious, the bard let out a stifled laugh, “Of course something warranted the change! I got you with me during Windblume! Why wouldn’t I be happy about it?” he replied with a genuine smile, his hand moving down to meet Xiao’s as he intertwined their fingers, swinging their arms to be in sync with their stride.

Confused by why it changes things whether or not Xiao was there, he prodded further, “Why does it change your mood on whether or not I am attending? You enjoyed the festival before today,” he asked, genuinely clueless. Like a vast majority of adepti, Xiao isn’t that great at understanding human-like concepts or understanding their types of emotions and thoughts, it’s foreign to him and something he never tried understanding until just recently since he only now found it necessary to learn.

Honestly, it made him feel a certain type of vulnerability he was just starting to get comfortable with- these things take time, which he has lots of.

“Becauseee!” the green-clad giggled, “It celebrates looove! And I got you with me!,” he teased as he leaned forward with a little boop onto the tip of Xiao’s nose.

Caught off guard (as well as being slightly flustered), the adeptus let out a light ‘ hmph’ and turned away, a rosy hue rising to his cheeks that he knew was (in his opinion) unfortunately there, and he knew damn well Venti noticed too. 

‘ Love ’, Xiao thought, still something he was getting used to even after him and Venti had sworn each other as partners however many years ago that was. Venti was always more expressional and affectionate with his love than Xiao was, and it caught the yaksha by surprise every damn time he did something slightly romantic- he never got quite used to it or knew when it was coming. 

Perhaps Venti was just better at expressing himself and his emotions because of his familiarity around humans, as well as originally being just a simple elemental being of the wind, not an adeptus- at least that’s what Xiao hypothesizes. 

He adores every gesture Venti makes, he really does, but when he tries to do something in return… well, it’s special to say the least. If you didn’t quite understand or know Xiao well enough, you’d probably think the situation just got real awkward. But even after his many not-so-great attempts at flirting, Venti made sure to show his appreciation towards every attempt, which Xiao doesn’t know if the bard quite understands how much that helps him and just how much he appreciates it.

With another light laugh coming from the man next to him- and a stop from the teasing, they continued onward.

———

Eventually, they reached the gates of Mondstadt; Venti’s home, much livelier than Xiao had previously remembered from the last time he had been to the city… and more flowers, more ribbons- oh, yeah, Windblume . Xiao had almost forgotten the reason for this sudden change in scenery.

The knights at the front acknowledged Venti’s presence, as he is a well-known bard that frequently ventures in and out of the city, he has a very recognizable appearance. However, they looked curiously at Xiao, not having recognized him, and he definitely doesn’t look like a Mondstadter.

Not that he looked suspicious or untrustworthy, especially with Venti the bard by his side. While Venti didn’t have the best reputation (especially with the church), nobody would think for a second he could do anything harmful to his beloved home, he just might be a little bit annoying at times.

“Excuse me, sir,” Swan, one of the knights at the gates, started off to Xiao, “what might be your reasoning for visiting?”

Interrogation? Xiao wondered, though I guess the Millelith wouldn’t be the type to not ask questions to a new person entering Liyue either, so it’s probably standard .

“Ah!” the green bard spoke up next to him, “He’s a visitor from Liyue here for the Windblume festival.”

Honestly being from Liyue helps Xiao feel not as… alien, and helps others not treat him as alien either- at least he hopes. Liyue is Mondstadt’s next-door neighbor, as well as being trading partners and allies for many centuries, so there are many Liyue citizens who roll on over to Mondstadt relatively frequently.

With a nod, Swan and the other knight next to him, Lawrence, gave a salute used throughout the Knights of Favonius, “Mondstadt welcomes you.”

The two were off and entered through the gates, oh and how Mondstadt as both changed a lot and not much at all since Xiao had last seen the City of Freedom. Venti’s eyes had wandered over the scenery, his eyes full of appreciation as if this is the first time he is seeing his city in such a beautiful way. The astonishment in Venti’s eyes isn’t necessarily a rare sight, but it’s always such a beautiful sight to see him be so full of wonder and glee. The bright reflections in his teal blue eyes, the smile that had crept its way onto his face; the adeptus could barely find the words to describe him.

Xiao hadn’t even realized he was looking for a bit too long at the lover by his side until he heard that notorious- and cheeky, giggle escape from his lips.

“What’s that look for?” the bard grinned an all-knowing grin, one that Xiao knows means ‘I caught ya’. 

The yaksha turned his head away suddenly, a warmth lifting to make his ears a suspicious red, uttering a soft but quick, “Ithinkyoulookverylovelyrightnow.” Xiao was never the most… confrontational about feelings like this, he usually shows his endearment in a more subtle way than outright saying it- usually through letting someone just be in his company. It felt unnatural, so it was always a shock to them both when he would go out of his way to say what he was thinking when it comes to romantic feelings.

A burst of light laughter sprung from the bard’s chest as he loosely wrapped both of his arms around the yaksha’s shoulder, pulling him ever so slightly closer to his own form, “Oh dear me! I wasn’t expecting that all of the sudden!” he grinned with the pinkness showing on the apple of his cheeks.

Then they heard a… familiar, shrill voice.

“Is that Xiao and the tone-deaf-bard?!”

Both men turned their heads to see their mutual blonde traveler friend with their floating companion glued by their side, both wearing the same shocked expression that was painted upon their faces.

“Ah! Hello traveler! I’m glad you decided to take up my invitation and make it to another Windblume Festival!” the bard gleefully welcomed his two friends (well… friend and their companion, calling Paimon a friend is a bit of a stretch.)

Almost forgetting to respond, the traveler finally decided to respond, “Yeah, we did. We’re not too busy with anything at the moment and had to stop by Mondstadt anyways, so we figured we would attend the festival… but,” they took a pause and noticeably looked between the Liyue adeptus and Mondstadt Venti, visible confusion plastered on their face, “what is Xiao doing here? And in the city of all places?”

“I’m also here for the Windblume Festival,” Xiao replied, which obviously seemed to confuse the Traveler and Paimon even more . Xiao didn’t even attend the Latern Rite in Liyue (or so he claimed), which involved him basically just having to look outside a window in Wangshu Inn, so why the heck did he go out of his way to attend a Mondstadt festival AND be in the city?

Deciding to voice both of their thoughts, Paimon spoke up, “But- why?? You don’t even attend the Lantern Rite, what made you decide to come ALLLL the way to Mondstadt to attend a festival that doesn’t seem like anything you’d like-” making a realization, she further asked in a more accusatory tone, “Did the tone-deaf-bard force you here for losing a bet or something? I knew he was a part of this somehow!”

With a gasp, Venti went to defend himself, “I did not force him! I simply asked him multiple times and he said yes!” upon saying that out loud… he realized it did sound a little bit like he forced Xiao into attending.

A short side glare was shot to Venti’s side from Xiao, which he knows damn well Venti would be able to feel… as well as a glare from Paimon and the Traveler holding back a laugh, Venti decided to speak up again, “ok but I didn’t force him! I made a promise about something and he decided that promise was worth going! So there! I didn’t force him,” the green bard said with a victorious grin plastered on his face.

Xiao replied, shooting his victory boost down, “and so far that promise doesn’t look very kept right now,” to which Xiao was met with a defeated look from Venti.

Interrupting this little back and forth, the blonde spoke, “Okok, Xiao what are you actually doing here? Are we going to get an explanation?”

Opening his mouth to speak, before Xiao is able to respond, the cheery bard beside him responded to their mutual traveler friend, “Ah well! Come with! We will give a thorough explanation!” scooting closer to the blonde and with a hushed tone, Venti added, “and also to be away from… open ears.”

Quickly, the Traveler and Paimon understood their need for privacy- and just realizing just how many people were nearby (and Xiao’s gradual growing discomfort), they nodded in agreement with going to a more secluded area to chat. Venti then leading the way to his and Xiao’s eventual picnic spot; even if it did give it away to the traveler, but Venti knew Xiao was comfortable with them knowing- the traveler being one of the rare few to know his name Alatus.

After trying to navigate towards the city walls in the outermost part of the city (to avoid people), the group managed to find a tower on the left side of the city onlooking Cider Lake and the Windrise Tree, after finding an entrance inside of the tower, they then climbed up the stairway to reach the top. Venti made sure to spend his time trying to figure out a remote spot that won’t have too much foot traffic below them as well as still being able to bask in the beautiful sights of his city: and he thinks he did a successful job on finding just the spot. Seeing the picnic basket still in place- with an additional cute little blanket rolled out next to the basket, Venti planted a seat on said blanket, Xiao quickly following suit as well as the traveler.

Deciding to break the current silence, the Traveler spoke up, “So… how do you guys even know each other? I mean I get you guys probably met at some point but… how are you guys close enough to even come to Windblume together?” speaking oddly long sentences when they’re normally so quiet.

Xiao, using as few words as possible, “He saved my life once, I decided to give my thanks, and then we started meeting up more often,” he said with a shrug, a look of disappointment coming from the bard next to him, shooting him back a confused look, “What? That’s the story.”

“You make it sound so boring and unromantic!” Venti replied with a dramatic groan, the word ‘unromantic’ sticking the most to Paimon and the Traveler’s ears.

“Unromantic- wait- are you two dating?!” Paimon exclaimed with a shrill and a bit too loud, “You never told us!”

“You never asked,” the anemo duo replied at the same time, earning a quiet ‘touché’ from the traveler.

“Ok so now Paimon HAS to know what the heck is the story between you two now- Paimon never expected the grumpy adeptus Xiao to be associated with the tone-deaf-bard as lovers!” she exclaimed, now curiosity beaming in her eyes.

Venti grinned, glad to answer her questions, “Weeeeell to clear it up, we’re not ‘dating’, we more like… sworn ourselves to each other. Similar to a human marriage, I guess. But rather than just a few words and a piece of paper, we more are connected as one… literally. It’s just different for us immortals, we don’t use the same human terminology or methods,” he started off, “and our first encounter wasn’t much, more like an exchanged glance… and Xiao being mad I called Zhongli a blockhead once or twice-”

“He’s not a blockhead.”

“...point proven, but our first proper meeting was… uh, a little more depressing.”

———

Many Years Ago…

Heavy.

Screams.

Cries.

Heavy.

Heavy was all Xiao could feel.

The weight of the exhaustion of fighting from sunrise to sunset. 

The weight of the burden of his murders carries on his psyche.

The weight of his karmic debt finally taking its toll on him, falling to the ground feeling only pure pain and agony through mind and body. The gods he’s slain, the demons, the guilty, the innocent. All of it, is finally catching up to him.

He wishes he could feel immense regret for leaving so soon, fear of death, and maybe some determination to carry on… but he just… couldn’t.

Sure, there was some there, that he’d be leaving a future behind, but if this is what the gods and Celestia had wanted, who is he to fight it?

At least he’d no longer be alone.

At least he’d no longer feel the guilt on his conscious, especially the guilt from being the last remaining yaksha.

He was finally happy to finally be free from everything that makes the world so cruel.

He’d be free to join his brothers and sisters.

He’d be free.

It’s all a man who has lapped around hell tens of times could wish for. Freedom.

…Until he heard a tune.

A soft and quite lovely tune.

This was quite unlike anything he’d ever felt or even heard of before.

Maybe this is death welcoming me? He couldn’t help but wonder.

Until he started to feel alive again, the heaviness finally going away. His head going quiet for the first time in only the gods know how long. His heart felt full, his head feeling clear. Joy? He can’t help but wonder, a sense of relief washing over him.

This is a type of freedom he’s never thought he could feel.

One he didn’t think he was deserving he was allowed to feel.

The tune felt closer, the ringing in his ears ceasing in order to hear the music with more clarity, a glow over by the shores of Guyun. 

There, he saw a figure. Rex Lapis? No, too bright. It felt familiar, but foreign. There, he saw a man, dressed in green holding a flute. Ah, the source of the noise. Xiao knew he wanted to run from it, to make it stop, it was distracting him.

But

He couldn’t.

He just couldn’t bring himself to run from the noise that made him feel at ease for the first time since before his old master. He couldn’t bring himself to run away from something that just brought such a joy to his chest it made him want to dance. He couldn’t bring himself to run from the source of the noise.

So he went towards it .

My savior , Xiao couldn’t help but think, seeing this green figure in such a light. It was captivating. He was captivating.

All too soon, the lovely tune ceased. Lowering the flute, the figure spoke.

“It seems to me you liked my song, didn’t you?” he grinned, his legs crossed as he looked to the adeptus before him.

“Who are you?” was the first and only thing now currently on Xiao’s mind, knowing his aura feels just too familiar to be a total stranger.

With a light giggle, the figure stepped towards him from the rock he had placed himself upon, wind in his step.

Oh there was no mistake on who the man that can make the winds weave around him with ease could be.

“I’m a little offended you don’t remember my face better, a tragedy truly,” he said with little to no genuineness on how ‘offended’ he felt, “Ah, this would make a great ballad! Two seemingly strange foes cross paths, only one holding the memories of the two of them!”

“What do you want, Barbatos?” Xiao asked again, now declaring his knowledge of the archon in front of him. It’s not every day you meet the archon of a stranger nation, so naturally, his guard was high, “Why did you play that instrument?”

“Hm? Am I not allowed to simply help out one of my vision bearers? Oh how could you accuse me of ulterior motives!” Barbatos dramatically wept, Xiao completely unamused.

But the archon continued, “the winds tell me when one wants freedom, and you deserve freedom from your pain… but… not that way,” little melancholy was detected in his voice matched with his lips turned downward into a frown as he stepped towards the adeptus, care displayed on his face.

“Well, everything is fixed now. So you can leave,” Xiao quickly responded, physically wanting to step away but just couldn’t find himself able to. He wasn’t restrained in any way, his willpower just wouldn’t let him. Perhaps because he respects Barbatos too much for saving his life? Maybe. At least that’s what he assumes for now.

With a click of his tongue and a sigh, Barbatos shook his head, “Ah, you’re as difficult as Morax claims. A shame, really, but if I can befriend that rock, then I’m sure we can become friends as well.”

“You call Rex Lapis a friend but then you insult him by calling him a rock, that doesn’t seem very friend like to me,” Xiao snipped with his brows furrowed.

“Ah! Friendly banter!” the anemo archon grinned, leaning towards Xiao, “something I’m sure we’ll get used to in due time.”

———

“After that, we started to have frequent get togethers and after however many years of constantly dancing around each other, we finally decided to swear ourselves to one another,” the bard concluded, getting butt in by Xiao.

“More like he forced these get togethers out of me,” a look of offense sprung up from Venti, “but, it turned out to be a good thing in the end,” the adeptus concluded, smiling softly at the archon beside him, the offended look ceasing from his face as a brighter smile was returned.

A light sniffle was heard from the tiny floating companion, “That sounded so sad!! It’s even sadder the second time!” Paimon frowned, earning a gentle pat on the head from their traveler friend, a gentle ‘there there’ accompanied with it.

“But how did you two even get close enough to begin with? I mean… Venti is… Venti. And Xiao you don’t exactly seem like someone who would get along with a Venti personality,” the Traveler pointed out, looking slightly confused. The two are- at least at first glance, near polar opposites. Xiao is quite introverted and doesn’t like being in people’s company for longer than he has to be, and Venti is very much a people person as well as quite chatty… they don’t seem like each other’s cup of tea.

Venti opened his mouth to then be interrupted by Xiao, “He’s great company. He’s quite good at being comforting towards others, he always knows how to help, it’s nice,” he said quite honestly and in a very forward manner. It’s not often he’s able to catch the bard off guard, but the rare moments he can see the man staring back at him wide-eyed with his mouth agape with shock accompanied by rosy cheeks, Xiao gets a little tinge of pride from it.

After a quick cough to clear his throat (and after gaining back his composure), Venti grinned and looked towards the pair, “See! Even Xiao thinks I’m fun to be around!”

“Well… Paimon’s gotta be honest, she wasn’t expecting that one,” she shrugged and looked towards the traveler.

“We never did ask them what or who they like being around, so we can’t say they were an impossible duo,” the Traveler returned, repeating back their previous words just to earn a huff and a pout from Paimon.

“Anyway! What are you two doing wasting your Windblume up here chatting with us? Go have fun! Before you have to leave Mondstadt again!” Venti chimed in, to then interrupt his own thoughts, “Actually… why don’t I give you guys another assignment to do?”

The traveler immediately let out an annoyed groan as Paimon screeched whilst doing a little stomp in the air, “Not more poems again!! That was such a pain last time!”

“Relax relax! I won’t make you guys-” Venti halted his thoughts, “Actually… Traveler, why don’t you write a poem about your sibling? Windblume is meant to also celebrate love for family as well, why don’t you write something to help you feel better when you’re feeling down and miss them? Could be anything you want! As long as it reminds you of your sibling.”

“Oh…” the blonde started, visibly giving it a thought before nodding, “Yeah… I like that, thanks Venti,” they replied with a warm smile with a tinge of sadness behind their eyes, “Maybe Paimon could write about her dear love for food,” they teased, earning an angry ‘Hey!’ to ’... actually that’s a good idea’ from their floating companion, the two getting up to go on their merry way.

Being reminded of food, Venti went to go and start unpacking his and Xiao’s picnic lunch they had planned out, “Great! Well now you two have it figured out, Xiao and I have a lunch date to get to! So shoo!” Venti waved them away with his hand, Xiao now feeling relieved to finally have some alone time with the bard.

“Ooooh lunch? Food?”

“PAIMON!!”

“Okay okay! Paimon’s going!”

With a chuckle and a sigh, Venti reached into the basket to grab a fresh apple he had picked just that morning, taking a bite of the red delicious fruit he adored, a light hum leaving his lips to show his delight of said fruit.

“Hey uh… Venti?” the traveler and Paimon peeked back up from the stairwell, looking at him inquisitively.

“Hm?” the green bard mildly mumbled towards them to acknowledge their question, midway through chewing mind you.

“What’s your favorite flower?”

Before Venti was able to respond to tell them that they were trying to cheat (again) and he wouldn’t tell them, Xiao answered before he was able to open his mouth.

“Cecelias,” the adeptus cluelessly responded, earning a look of despair and an odd noise of distress from his partner, “What?”

With the Traveler cheering victoriously, “We got him this time! Thanks Xiao! You’re the best!” Paimon and the blonde exchanged a high five as the duo quickly ran off before the (now angry) archon could follow them, but said archon is now shouting after them.

“Wha- You two are such cheaters!! You have no dignity! None I say!” Venti pouted as he slumped back into his makeshift pillow seat, partially upset his “secret”- that’s not really a secret, got out.

Confused, Xiao looked at the now apparently very upset bard, “What was that about?” now worried he had just upset the lover beside him and had actually ruined something by pure accident.

With a sigh and without having to even ask the yaksha, Venti waved his hand in dismissal as if to signal to Xiao he was not upset with him, “Those two tried to pull the same stunt last year, not your fault. They wanted to be cheaters and offer Barbatos his favorite flower while TOTALLY ignoring the actual meaning of the offering! Utter barbarians I tell you,” he huffed.

Still partially confused about why they would even offer something to Venti to begin with, Xiao pressed on more, “but… why? Why are they offering something to you? And what do you mean by ‘meaning’ behind the offering?” trying to recall if he had forgotten something important during the bard’s infodump of the holiday the night prior.

“Ah Xiao, here let me give you a little history lesson,” the bard sat straight up to tell a tale, “Except it won’t lull you to sleep like how the blockhead usually would-”

“Do not refer to my master as such.”

“...anyway! I won’t tell the story in the same way that he does,” with a clear of his throat, and a light hmph from Xiao because how dare anyone say anything negative about Rex Lapis, Venti went on to tell his tale.

———

Back many years ago, when Barbatos had no voice, no human body, and barely a name, being simply an elemental wisp in the wind that made small changes to the world for the better, a friend to a bard he would later base his appearance off of after his untimely demise. 

Under the old tyrant’s rule, the tyrant who trapped his citizens within harsh Anemo and Cryo surroundings, the tyrant that made Barbatos swear to him and his future people to never become like. The God of Storms.

The people of Mondstadt prayed upon tiny seeds of hope- these seeds of hope contained their drive to overtake their tyrannical god, to free themselves from this torment of life they lived in. These seeds of hope were planted by none other than Barbatos himself, his friend being aid to the start of the revolution.

Back when word of this said revolution was being spoken of, the citizens of Old Mondstadt used a code word to speak of it. A code word that would carry on to become a festival still celebrated 2,600 years later. A word that once was used to speak word of revolution, became a word that spoke of freedom and love.

Freedom.

It was something Barbatos felt strongly about.

So strongly in fact he made the reborn Mondstadt’s ideals be centered around the idea of freedom; the freedom to love, the freedom of adventure, and the freedom to rule over oneself. On the surface, that seems exactly what Barbatos intended, everyone did just get freed from a tyrannical god.

But there was… much more to that, there’s more to his motives that only whispers in the wind may still know.

Fly, fly away.

Like a bird in the sky.

See the world on my behalf…

To the heavens may you fly…

His dear friend, his companion, someone he cherished never got to see the freedom he prayed and fought for. His friend had to perish before he could see the freedom he dreamed of.

Barbatos swore to keep Mondstadt under the notion of freedom for his friend’s sake, it’s the least he could do after all.

The first Windblume festival that took place after Old Mondstadt was destroyed left the citizens partially confused; they first used it to spark a rebellion, to earn their freedom, but they’re not trying to do that anymore… but this Windblume Festival meant a lot to them, and surely they’d want it to remain in history. So they found a new meaning.

This new meaning still symbolized freedom, but this freedom was more in celebration rather than conspiring a harsh battle. 

They also chose to celebrate love, to love one another as family, to love one another as partners, and to love one another as friends. 

It took a bit to figure out a symbol for this meaning, I mean these things got symbols after all. They figured to reuse their rebellion word, Windblume . A Windblume would symbolize your love for someone, whether it be romantic, platonic, or familial. It just meant you loved and adored the one you gave it to.

But the citizens weren’t satisfied completely. They wanted to celebrate their beloved god and symbol of freedom Barbatos alongside celebrating one another, they owed everything to him and adored him just as much as they adored one another. They too, wanted to offer him a Windblume, but not everyone could offer a Windblume all at once- it’d get way too hectic! So they decided to dedicate one person to offer a formal Windblume to their beloved archon- this person, the citizens decided, would be someone who has made great sacrifices for Mondstadt, and be dubbed the Windblume Star.

It’s unclear who the first Windblume Star was, but that’s not the important part. All that mattered was this tradition was important to the people of Mondstadt, as well as important to Barbatos.

Barbatos loved his children of Mondstadt as much as they loved him after all. He also loved celebrating with them.

———

“And there! That’s the basic summary of the history of the Windblume Festival!” Venti finished with a grin on his face, putting his lyre away that Xiao barely realized was out. 

If anyone else were speaking of the history of a Mondstadt festival, Xiao probably would’ve zoned out long ago, but just… there’s something about Venti when he tells tales. Maybe it’s because he’s a good storyteller or Xiao is just so damn infatuated with him, maybe a mix of both- but either way, Xiao listens so attentively it’s as if he’s studying for a quiz later.

“Wow… and here I assumed it was another festival to excuse drinking,” the yaksha finally spoke, trying to show a playfulness in his tone… but also yeah he also was probably making a correct assumption.

As if on cue with the drinking, the bard brought out limited edition Applebloom cider along with two goblets to go along with the drink, “look, they love to drink, I love to drink, it’s fitting!” he let out a light laugh as he handed his lover one of the goblets, popping open the cork to pour them both a glass, “and maybe their archon’s lover can love a drink once in a while as well?” he offered.

With a reluctant (but not really) sigh, Xiao gestured Venti to pour him a glass, to which the other beamed with glee as he happily poured the yaksha the delicious apple drink he loved. As much as Xiao doesn’t want to admit it… the drink is pretty damn good. Mondstadt sure knows how to whip up a good brew, and he’s pretty sure Venti would make himself known as Barbatos if he disapproved of the quality of these wines just to get them tasting delicious again.

As the pair chat whilst drinking their fill, the adeptus couldn’t help but let a lingering curious thought pester his mind, so much so that he asked out loud, “so... Have you ever participated in windblume traditions?”

With a hum, the archon downed the last of his wine and gazed in the amber eyes of his lover, “Sort of, but I’ve never participated in this one feature of the festival.”

What the hell sorta feature could he be talking about that he’s never done? He’s gone every year, Xiao couldn’t help but wonder

As if to answer his thoughts, Venti carefully took out another item from the basket he had prepared and placed what seemed to be a flower crown made up of cecelia and qingxin flowers- beautifully crafted one might add, right onto Xiao’s head. With a light blush tinted on his cheeks, the bard spoke, “this is my Windblume… to you.”

At first confused, it took a second for Xiao to recall to just a few moments ago as to what this ‘Windblume’ specifically meant.

“During the Windblume Festival, someone may offer another a ‘Windblume’, ‘Windblumes’ are offerings to Barbatos and to those they love and adore to show their love and adoration.”

With this recollection now in Xiao’s memory, he couldn’t help but stare at Venti, almost shocked, and flustered - the red hues creeping up his neck to sprout on his face once again.

A new boost of confidence shot throughout the yaksha, and with a smile on his lips, he tenderly placed his hand upon Venti’s cheek, “Well, here is my Windblume to you.”

And with that, he leaned in for a kiss, one of many that they have shared throughout their many years together, but still felt just as refreshing and lovely every single time. Reminding each other about the care and adoration they have in one another with every kiss they shared, no matter how long or short, they poured all of their love into each kiss that was exchanged between them, knowing the other feels just the same amount of love in return.

A giggle sprung from the bard’s lips after a few seconds as he pulled away, his cheeks now redder than the last time Xiao had opened his eyes, a mischievous glint partially taking over in his irises, “was that an offering because I’m Barbatos or because you love me?”

Of course, both of them knew the answer; with a playful roll of his eyes and a newly formed brighter smile on Xiao’s lips, he responded to his lover, “it’s because I love you, and I will remind you every time.”

“Good,” Venti giggled, his arms now loosely draped over Xiao’s shoulders as the former snaked his arms around the bard’s waist, pulling him ever so closer.

“How about I give you a kiss for every day I have loved you?”

“I like that idea a lot, Alatus. You got good Windblume ideas.”

Both leaning in, their lips softly connected once more. Their heartbeats synced as one, beating together for the years to come.