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In a dark night, two figures stood on an empty field.
The sun has long hidden behind the horizon and now the only light was the reflection of the moon.
“I am truly sorry.” The shorter person spoke up. “I never intended to hurt you.”
“…”
“From now on, please, do not call for me.”
The voice was calm and collected, not cold, but no warmth could be found in it either. It felt deprived of any emotion. He seemed as still as the air around them, his posture not faltering, simply waiting for the other person to reply.
“But Xiao, why-?” The man opposite of him couldn’t find his words. He reached out his hand towards Xiao yet the other turned his head. Retracting his hand, it started to tremble slightly.
Xiao looked at him pitifully.
“It is not your fault Venti. I do not wish for you to mourn or think of me any more. The problem is in me and I cannot allow myself to bring you down along with me.”
Venti bit the insides of his cheeks. This wasn’t right. That wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
“You are not bringing me down with you. I’ll bring us both up. I love you, I want to stay by your side, I-“
“Stop. It’s enough. It’s okay for things to end. Soon enough, I’ll become another memory, like many people previously in your life. You will find someone better to spend time with. For now, it’s a farawell.”
Xiao turned around and took a few steps. He came to a halt and stood there hesitantly. After a few seconds he looked back at the person he left behind. Venti’s cheeks were red and stained in tears, glimmering in the darkness like silver. Despite the lack of wind, his hair was in more mess than usual. Yet what felt most off, was the lack of light in the usually cheery and bright eyes. When looking into them, one would usually think of a day in spring, giving hope for a new beginning. However now, it felt like diving in a deep dark sea.
Xiao frowned slightly, not enough for the other party to even notice. He wished he could see Venti’s smile for the very last time, but he knew he did not deserve to see it anymore.
“Live a good life Ven- Barbatos.”
And just like that, the man disappeared, leaving Venti all alone.
Amidst the sea of flowers, tears fell.
The quiet night provided no comfort.
Slowly, a light breeze started to pick up.
And as the man on the field shed tears, wind seemed to be weeping with him.
Once reality truly hit him, Venti fell to the ground on his knees.
Not letting himself let out any sound, he bit his hand to keep his voice down. Once he made a noise, everything would spill out, so he just tightened his jaw until he felt a metallic taste in his mouth.
He knew he loved Xiao, of course he did. But he never saw himself as very.. emotional. He had long accepted that some things are out of his control, and watching centuries pass by, he had become numb to it. Appreciating the world, but aware of its fragile nature.
He did not realise, he was still capable of such deep emotions after all.
Xiao. At first, simply another person who has been granted an Anemo vision. Later, an interesting companion who seemed fun to tease. The longer they spent their time together though, the more Venti enjoyed their short meetings, the unwavering presence, following behind him, no matter how clingy or annoying Venti got.
With time, they became closer. There was no real confession. They simply slowly crossed the blurry line between friendship and love, in a silent agreement.
One step at a time, more true feelings were revealed, more bold actions taken.
Xiao made Venti believe in forever again. Seeing people around him pass away, and the city around him evolve, made him accept the temporariness of everything. Yet now, Xiao himself had shattered the hope he had once managed to spark up in the bard.
Sitting on the ground, Venti felt disgusted with himself. Not only did he let himself be fooled, he also couldn’t stop the immense hatred from spurting in his heart. He wanted to rip his body apart, to get that filthy feeling out.
The loathing felt like it would consume him. How dare Xiao make all those promises just to break them. Didn’t he say Venti was his saviour? How dare he lie and lead him on, just to leave him all alone.
He loathed Xiao’s behaviour, but more importantly, he hated himself for feeling this way, since he realised that it was normal for couples to part. But the lump in his throat wouldn’t leave, he felt so wronged.
As he lay there on the grass, the anger and sadness slowly faded along with the brightening sky. A new day was coming, and as always, Venti would rise again to continue his life in the city of Mondstadt.
Amidst the flowers, a bard took out his lyre. And for the last time he performed the song of infinite love, that would never be heard by anyone ever again.