Work Text:
The crystal clear waters of the salty Fontaine shores spilled atop golden, shimmering sands in waves. The morning sun had gradually peaked its head over the horizon, illuminating the world in its spotlight. Critters scuttled across the shore, burrowing their spiky legs into the granules of sand below. The warmth swallowed their small, shelled bodies in a blanket of sun-kissed comfort, and they allowed themselves to relax. No being, big or small, would pass up the grand opportunity such as this to lounge under nature's warming rays, listening in as the tranquil waves crashed upon the shore. The atmosphere was hypnotizing in all the right ways.
Furina stirred underneath the covers as she woke gradually, feeling a warmth enveloping her just as the sun hugged the creatures of the ocean tight. The muted scent of Cecilia flower graced her, and she shifted around to face the other side of the mattress. The sun's rays filtered faintly through cloth curtains, blanketing the bed in gleaming light. The aroma of flora hit her much heavier as her head met another body beside her. She inhaled hungrily, dissolving in the dopamine the scent brought her. She felt the other individual rustle in the sheets against her, a soft yawn escaping his lips as he embraced her sleepily. Furinas eyes fluttered open, lovestruck and transfixed on the other before her.
“Has anyone ever told you that you smell beautiful?” She mumbled suavely, the other responding by chuckling lightly against her, she felt how his chest vibrates with every yawny giggle, the warmth his laugh brought her igniting in her chest.
“Morning to you too, ‘rina” His slender fingers weaved themselves through her milky hair. He twirled the delicate blue and white strands akin to harp strings, playing a tune of comfort and security specifically tailored to her. Furina could do nothing but melt into his touch.
“Morning, Bard.” She joked, adding a tinge of snappiness to her tone. The other gasped dramatically.
“Is that all I am too you?! A helpless bard begging for change?! I’ll have you know, the anemo archon is in your midst!” He declared with confidence. All Furina could do was giggle, a lively giggle that shone so bright it put the sun to shame. The bard joined in, his joyous chuckling filling the room with the tenderness of Sunday church bells complimented with dainty white doves. It wasn’t until happy tears threatened to drip down Furinas flushed cheeks did the laughter slowly drown out.
Venti separated himself from Furina, she responded with an offended pout and huffed out her nose. He only shook his head, askew braids bobbing with the movement of his head.
“Such a baby.” He joked, stretching his arms above his head before shaking out his arms and letting out an extensive yawn.
“Well, you're the one so eager to get out of bed! Am I really that uncomfortable to sleep with?” Furina narrowed her eyes at Venti, who scoffed playfully.
“Of course not, and if my memory is crystal clear, a little birdie told me that you wanted to get to going the morning following our arrival at the inn?” He countered. Furina was cornered. She just sighed and accepted her defeat.
“Oh whatever!” She whined, sitting up and pushing him playfully. She must’ve been so spent, as she hadn’t noticed the archon had removed his top to sleep. Two, turquoise crescent scars that periodically pulsed with elemental energy hugged his lower chest. The first time Furina had seen them, Venti had tightened his stance and grew abundantly more defensive, face slathered with what almost seemed like shame. Furina had strutted up to him with supreme actress fashion, and lightly caressed both scars with a gloved hand. In the apprehensive silence, she heard Venti swallow a bundle of saliva that hesitantly brewed within his mouth. She leaned closer, lowering her tone, lathering her words with comfort and security.
“This doesn’t change anything, I hope you know that, my finch.” She wrapped her arms around his chest, pulling him close, suffocating him in the frills of her dress. She felt his form relax, a soft wetness dripping on her shoulder as his chest rose and fell. He hadn’t replied, he mentally was unable. His words of appreciation escaped him, and all he could do was weep with relief. Furina rubbed soothing circles into his back, and when he caught his breath and leaned away from the embrace, she used the fabric of her glove to wipe his tears.
The anemo symbol just below his neck, centered on his back, pulsed in time with the scars. A bodily mark to highlight his status as an archon, his version of a vision, the place where his natural elemental abilities stemmed. Even without his gnosis, Venti possessed great power, much beyond her expectations. Even so, the bard had found his own ways to validate her abilities, even with ones such as remarkable as his own. A bard's wordplay was never to be rivaled, he could conjure sincere advice through metaphors, motivation through song. It was irresistible, and Furina drank it up like perfectly sweetened dandelion wine.
“ ‘Rina, you're staring.” He laughed, shooting her a look. Furina flushed promptly, stammering.
He only continued to laugh to himself as he lifted himself out of the bed, kneeling down to his belongings to fetch his clothing. He then motioned for the flustered Furina to do the same.
She only nodded, warmth spiking in her cheeks as she filtered through what she had brought with her, until she retrieved her swimsuit. She turned, holding the garment up to her chest.
“You better not think you’re getting out of this whole surfing thing!” She barked lightheartedly. He scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“I don’t think I’d try. You’d drag me to the crab kingdom to get snipped up by the crab minions.” He joked, and it was Furinas turn to sigh.
“I told you! No crab kingdom actually exists in Fontaine! Mademoiselle Crabaletta did not tell you that!”
“Oh but she did!” He declared cheekily. Furina pointed authoritatively to the restroom door.
“Go change and quit spitting me your nonsense!” She ordered, then promptly stamped her foot. Venti only giggled at her theatrics before excusing himself to change. She crossed her arms and huffed. You could take the stage from the actor, but they’d still find a way to keep preforming.
She turned to the full body mirror beside her, jellyfish-like hair askew, garment dangling from her arms. It had been so long since she had found a chance to wear her suit, but ever since she was necessitated into everyday society, she had found she was spending much more time adorning it. Royalty had the palace to carry them, their lives so preoccupied with their position that stepping down to a civilian level was beyond them. As she sat atop her throne, looking before those with eager eyes as the Oratrice delivered its verdict, she never imagined herself within the sea of bodies, withholding her beauty instead of them withholding hers. She sighed forlornly, tracing the fabric between her fingers. There was an earring delicately wrapped within her suit, shielding it from harm. Custom made, with a clamp to attach her vision. That thing, the orb she hadn’t anticipated. As it floated down from the heavens, her eyes lit with stars. These five hundred years, living a lie, addressing the public as if she held these grand, ancient abilities gifted to every archon. Whatever god or sovereign that pitied her had granted her power when she needed it the least. Was it a token of gratitude for her service, or was it a gift out of sheer guilt and pity? Whatever it be, she couldn’t find herself discarding it. Something within her drew her to the elemental amulet, so her fingers wrapped around it and she felt new vitality surge within her. Even if the object served no purpose now, it made her feel powerful, and settled the rumbling storm within her that shrieked that she was weak.
She delicately combed out her silky hair, fluffing it with her hands to give it some poof. First was the top, tied gently around her neck, hugging her chest firmly. One side was a midnight blue, matching the ocean depths, the other a milky white, mirroring the pearls found only in the darkness. Swirly wave designs in gold fabric decorated the fabric, complimenting the Condessence crystal sewn into the hem. The bottoms mirrored the top, coverup tied over the bikini that hung low similarly to her day to day dress. She then meticulously stuck the earring through her earlobe, reached for her vision, and snapped it in place. She looked at herself in the mirror, grinning confidently, before feeling as if she was forgetting something. That’s when she saw them, the heart shaped sunglasses that matched the color palette of her suit, sitting atop the inn dresser. She skipped over, securing the pair on the top of her head before impatiently knocking for Venti.
He swung open the door, almost smacking Furina in the nose. He was apologizing profusely, but all Furina could occupy herself with was him. He wore forest green swim trunks with white trim on each leg. His false vision was attached at the hip on what appeared to be a golden belt chain. A little charm hung next to the vision, which was sensing the elemental energy within him and pulsed in time with his scars, of an anchor. It was utterly adorable. He wore a throw over, decorated in silhouettes of different plant life from Mondstadt. It was comical, but in such a Venti way he could pull it off. What really dumbfounded her, however, was his hair. The strands he almost always kept in tight braids had been freed, curling angelically and flowing similarly to her own hair. He shot her with one of his signature grins.
“Staring again? At this point, I should win an award.” He giggled, putting his hands on his hips.
Furina scoffed, pouting. “It’s not my fault I’ve never seen you this way!”
He continued to chuckle, shaking his head. “You’re the type of hopeless romantic they write songs about.”
She crossed her arms and turned towards the door. “Oh whatever! Let’s go, bard!” She snapped playfully. Her fingers met the door handle and she swung it open, meeting the radiating sun and ocean breeze. She took in a deep breath, the salty aroma sending electrified chills down her spine.
“Come on, finch! No time to lose!” She declared, skipping out the doorway. Her bare feet met toasty sand, hugging them and leaving ruffled footsteps with every step she took. The sun gleamed in her crystalline eyes, and she flipped the sunglasses down on her face. She galloped her way to the side of the beachside cabin, her surfboard propped against the side. She had made sure she rented another for Venti, who seemed less than enthusiastic about riding the waves, but he vowed to attempt the sport for her sake after seeing how her face lit up at the idea.
Venti retrieved his own surfboard, hoisting it over his shoulder. Whenever he performed feats that seemed meant for more burly people, his slender frame still threw her for a loop to this day. She knew he was much more lusty than all those bodybuilders combined, but it still was rather offbeat to see such a scrawny figure lift things two times his own weight. Furina however, hadn’t needed to worry about physical strength. Her vision illuminated, muted blue light radiating on her cheek as salty seawater swirled from the ocean behind her, floating buyoutly to her side before enveloping her surfboard and lifting it off the sand, returning to hover the board aside her. She grinned boastfully.
“Well that’s one way to do it.” Venti noted, Furina nodded in response.
“I’m no archon like yourself, I have to get creative!”
“Ah! Never said it was a bad thing!” He responded, shaking his free hand hastily. “It's so… you.”
Furina felt heat creep to her cheeks. “Ah, thanks.” She mumbled bashfully, twiddling with the hem of her bikini cover up.
Venti ended the interaction with his signature “Hehe!~” before striding beside her and enveloping his hand in hers. She squeezed in response, he squeezed back.
Furina was dragged out to the shore, Venti stopping just as the water lapped up on shore, submerging their feet before sliding back into the endless depths. The midday sun shone high in the horizon, glistening off the water's surface bewitchingly. She released the waters hold on her board, watching the salty orb plop back underneath the surface back into circulation, the board clutched in her free hand. Venti heaved his own board off his shoulder, leaning it against his palm and releasing his hold on Furinas hand. She momentarily longed for the closure again, his warmth against hers, even if it was just slightly. Woefully, surfing couldn’t happen while their hands were intertwined, so she plopped the board down on the sand and watched how the water hugged around its length as it rolled up on the surface.
She noticed how Venti was copying her movements, examining what she did in a desperate attempt to learn. Furina giggled to herself before flipping her head to look at him, sun-swept hair cascading over her shoulders and sunglasses pushed slightly down her nose to get a better look at him. He observed her from below on the sands, as he had just finished positioning his board, and was instantly hypnotized. The sun kissed all her heavenly features, the cool breeze of the ocean whipped through her hair in all the right ways. Her heterochromatic eyes reflected the waves, shimmering almost brighter than them. This was her element, and he was only living in it. He felt the urge to bow, as if she was a queen who had momentarily risen from the depths to grace her presence to those on land. He coughed, warmth flooding his cheeks.
“What? Scared to ask for help?” She quipped, holding out a hand to help him up. He took it, using her weight to stabilize his flustered self. Furina started cackling teasingly and booped his nose.
“Yeah, so, maybe I’ve never done this before.” He sighed bashfully, Furina shot him a warm grin.
“It's really not that difficult! How about this, you observe me first, and try to copy what I do! Just as you’ve been doing now! Withhold my beauty!” She threw her arm in the air, posing dramatically.
He scoffed, “As much as you are full of yourself, it just might work.”
Furina giggled, almost jumping in celebration. An all familiar eagerness flowed through her veins, and she kicked up her board.
“Behold! Furina de Fontaine! The grand surfing champion!” She declared, yelling out to absolutely no one, soaking in the warmth of the sun similarly to how she would bask in the spotlight. “I shall now cause this timid body water to explode with rideable waves!” She spun the board prepilly and put her free hand on her hip.
The vision dangling from her ear illuminated once again. The brightness glistened against her sunglasses, radiating off her rosy cheeks. The once tranquil seawater behind them began to pick up, colossal waves stirring from below and spilling over, rougher waters rolling up on the sands under their feet. Venti gulped.
“Those waves, they won’t drown us will they?” He stammered nervously.
“Of course not! … As long as you know how to swim.”
Venti's eyes went wide.
“Please tell me you know how to swim!” Furina yelped, reaching out to his shoulders and shaking him.
“Ah yes I know how to swim! Stop it!” He pleaded, and she, still with hold on his shoulders, looked deep into his eyes. “Just nervous, that’s all.”
“Well, there’s nothing to be nervous about with me around. I can make them stop whatever I want! Also, I can walk on water!” She perked cheekily, poking his cheek before spinning back to her board. “Watch and learn, finch!”
She could sense the unease stirring in his stomach, but she couldn’t tell if it was for his own safety or hers now. Regardless, she faced the roaring seas before her with her chest out and chin held high, confident expression plastered on her face. She placed one foot on the board, one on the sand, then took off. The sand crunched underneath the board below before losing traction, water taking hold of her fate. Both her feet now positioned on the board, she hooked on an undercurrent, using her arms to steady herself as the board led her to her next destination.
As she was waded further out to sea, the turbulence kicked itself up beneath her as the currents lead her to a capsizing wave. A smirk plastered on her face, she forced her heel down towards the back of the board, steering towards it. She could see Ventis' restless frame fidgeting onshore, for him she couldn’t, she wouldn’t crash. Not that she believed for one second that there was a possibility of that happening, but him seeing her pummel into the depths below would beyond traumatize him, and she couldn’t allow that to happen.
The back of the board caught the wave, dragging her till she was being held up by the momentum alone, arms stabilizing her as the ocean crashed over her, encasing her in a cylinder of seawater. The tropical greens and blues swallowed her with a cool breeze and splashes of elegant color. She allowed her eyes to wander, devouring the sight of cascading water and kaleidoscope like colors. The waves momentum began to fade, pulling her closer and closer to the shore till her board met golden sands, kinetic energy skidding her to a stop. Dripping in seawater, she hopped off the board to the shore once again, kicking it up and stabilizing it with her hand.
“WOOHOO!” She exclaimed, throwing her hair back and basking in the salty breeze and radiating sunlight. Ocean water dripped from her suit, dampening the sand below her. Venti sped towards her, starry-eyed. He was astonished by the amount of skill she had learned within such a short time of practicing the sport. The way the water glinted off her skin, the way the exhilaration glowed in her expression, it made his knees weak. Furina was utterly ravishing when in her element like this, it made him want to vigorously kiss his lips to hers, tasting the sweetness of her zest for himself.
“That was… BREATHTAKING ‘RINA!” He took her cheeks between his hands, squeezing her cheeks lightly. She giggled bashfully in response to his affection.
“Oh please, you flatter me finch!” She flushed, he could feel the warmth springing to her cheeks. He leaned in, pecking her lips with his own. Furina hitched on her breath before composing herself again.
“Ahem! Aha, whoa okay ha!” She stammered, stepping back and modestly covering her face. Venti smirked.
“Still in the clouds?” He quipped, producing a scoff from Furina.
“You would be too! Don’t lie!” She defended. He giggled to himself, copying how she kicked up her board and repositioned it on the shore.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be watching finch.” She assured, appearing behind him and rubbing comforting circles into his back. Furina may have made the sport easy, but he was the anemo archon, he had the world practically in his hands, this was nothing!
Oh how he was wrong.
Furina observed how he positioned his feet and shot himself off into the ocean, his knees already beginning to buckle as the water sloshed him back and forth, sending his balance askew. He eventually stretched his arms, regaining composure, before using his feet in a feeble attempt to steer towards one of the mountainous waves. Furina bit her lip.
The back of the board caught the colossal wave, sending him surfing against its turbulent surface. She noticed how the buckling of his knees had morphed into shaking, the board underneath him trembling unevenly against the roaring waters. She gasped as he hitched an especially turbulent portion of the wave, and his board went flying. He was thwacked brutally against the water's surface before being submerged. Furina knew he could swim, yes, but the protective instinct within her was setting off warning sirens, and she wasted absolutely no time powering down the waves, her vision pulsing to a stop. She sprint for the waters edge, angling her arms above her head and torpedoing herself below, zooming for the utterly disoriented Venti, who was coughing on salty water bubbles, scaring the ocean life around him. She approached him, snagging his arm around hers, and yanked him along to the surface as fast as she could manage. Her head surfaced from the crystalline water, and she heaved the shocked Venti onto the shallows. He hacked and sputtered, Furina promptly pulling herself from the waters to return at his side, patting his back in a feeble attempt to help him cough up whatever water he swallowed.
“It’s alright, just try and breathe.” She assured him, and he wiped his mouth, sitting back on the sandy shallows. With a raspy voice, he joked.
“Gosh, never have I been more excited to see the sun until now.”
Furina smiled pitifully in response. “Maybe we’ve found something the anemo archon isn’t capable of.” She teased in response, emitting a laugh from the winded Venti, which eventually morphed into a coughing fit, Furina returning to patting his back.
“A lot more difficult than I thought.” He rasped, shakily attempting to get to his feet. Furina rose on his side, holding out her forearm to assist him. His weakened knees trembled underneath him for a moment, but soon his balance returned, and he thanked her promptly for her assistance.
“You aren’t injured, are you?” Furina questioned, concerned. Venti examined his torso, before shrugging.
“There might be a minor bruise tomorrow.” He sighed, but upon noticing the disquiet in Furinas eyes, he responded, “but I’ll be fine. Nothing serious, it’ll heal.”
Furina exhaled a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. Venti shot her a sly smile in an attempt to reawaken the cheeriness from before. She met his eyes and returned the grin.
“You don’t mind watching me surf, right? I doubt you want to again. Regardless, I think you’re board is the oceans property now…” she noted, awkwardly staring out at the water's surface.
“I don’t mind, ‘rina. I just want to see you happy.” He stated genuinely, caressing her cheek. When he removed his hand, she held hers to her cheek, feeling the ghost of his warmth. The exhilaration shone once again in her eyes, and she did what she could to contain the excitement swimming through her veins.
“Thanks finch!” She celebrated, pecking him on the cheek before sprinting over to her surfboard, kicking it into position. Venti took a seat onshore, feeling the sunkissed warmth of the sand below radiate on his skin. He ghosted a hand over where he was kissed, beaming to himself as he spectated his lover practice her beloved sport, bewitched by how the ocean breeze swept through her hair, how the salty water glistened on her skin, how the sunglasses atop her head caught the sunlight, sending midnight reflective rays on the waves she rode. As the sun began to set in the horizon, her board came to a stop for the final time onshore, kicking the wood to the sand, she strutted over to him and sat herself at his side, laying her soaked head on his shoulder. He didn’t mind, he never minded. He felt her warmth radiate against his side, snaking an arm around her torso and pulling her closer. She giggled giddily into his neck, and he pulled her back, flopping both of them to the golden sands below. Furina burrowed closer to him, resting her head on his chest, he caressed her salty hair.
The sunset peaked on the horizon, blanketing the world in citrus hues of orange and yellow, radiating down on the both of them. The nighttime critters of the ocean began to scuttle their ways across the sands, emerging from their golden burrows to bask in the oncoming moonlight. Furina yawned, wrapping one of her arms around Venti's abdomen and nuzzling into him. He sighed content and massaged her back, a relaxed noise escaping from her lips.
“Venti?” She mumbled, chest vibrating against his side as she spoke.
“Hm?” He responded, gazing from the horizon down to her.
“Am I too human for you?” She asked, a solemn tone coating her voice. Venti raised an eyebrow, muddled by the question.
“No ‘rina, of course not! What makes you believe that?” He responded, concern setting in his tone.
“I was a false archon for five hundred years.” She began, “I forced myself into a race I wasn’t, I played a part, my entire life was a grand performance to keep one person happy. Now that person is gone, and I serve no purpose, I am simply human. I’m really not Furina de Fontaine anymore, I’m just Furina, but I continue to carry her enthrallment with life, it’s a part of me now. However, I’m face to face with an archon, a real one, and a deceiver such as I have somehow won his heart. I sometimes worry you love me out of pity due to my story, you love me for the lost Furina de Fontaine, and not just Furina.”
Venti took a deep breath in, then exhaled. He pondered for a moment on his response, continuing to draw circles into her back to attempt at pacifying her. The words eventually came to him, and he broke the tense silence.
“I love what is left for Furina de Fontaine, yeah, but there’s something so much more special to me about Furina. Furina de Fontaine never found a need for tea party guests, yet Furina does. Furina de Fontaine never went around sampling macaroni styles at home, yet Furina does. Furina de Fontaine never needed the solace of a lover, yet Furina does. Furina has allowed you to express farther than the personality crafted by Furina de Fontaine, and the dynamics of Furina are so much more beautiful than whatever Furina de Fontaine could ever bring to the spotlight. The act is over, there’s no more Furina de Fontaine. There are shards of her, but they’ve all gone into forming Furina, and I love Furina.” He finished, staring off into the sky. The horizon had begun to welcome the twinkling stars, moonlight cascading over their bodies. Venti picked up on a sniffle below, and instantly shot up, turning to her aid, yet she was beaming. Salty tears streamed down her face, but a smile encased her lips.
“Bards and their words.” She cried, hugging him suddenly, burying her face into his chest as she released her emotions. He continued to stroke her, whispering sweet nothings in her ear until the tears faded and she wiped her eyes.
“You, ah you! My tea party guests will hear about this!” She scoffed, chucking to herself. Venti rolled his eyes and nuzzled against her.
“I’m sure they will. They tell me all the time how you swoon about me when I’m not there.” He fibbed, watching as her bratty tone returned once again and she balled a small bit of sand in her fist and chucked it at him. It cracked and shot sand all over him upon impact, and he swiped off his coverup.
“Hey! Meanie!” He yelped back, a gallant laugh escaping her lips. She pushed him back to the sand, throwing herself down to his side while maniacally giggling. Venti allowed her. The happiness acting brought her was beyond anything he ever needed in his life. To listen to her howl gleefully over the facade with that beloved smile plastered over her face was the most beautiful sight his eyes ever laid upon.
Another yawn escaped her lips, she placed her hands behind her head, hooded eyes gazing up at the glinting stars above her. She watched, hypnotized as they twinkled, moonlight bathing her ocean kissed body.
“I love you, Venti.” She mumbled wearily, turning to the side to face him. He rolled to face her in return, caressing her cheek as she sleepily leaned into his touch.
“I love you too, Furina. More than the stars above, more than the creatures in the sea.” He mumbled, watching as she slowly drifted off.
“More than the stars above… more than the creatures in the sea…” she yawned, hooded eyes fluttering closed. It only took a couple minutes being blanketed by the moonlight before sleep embraced her, the warm sand hugging her frame and drifting her into her dreams. Venti sat up, wiping himself free of the sand that had accumulated on his back, before kneeling aside Furina and hoisting her in his arms bridal style. She nestled almost naturally to his chest, humming snuggly upon soaking into his warmth. He smiled to himself, leaning down and kissing her forehead dearly, striding towards the inn once again. He would arrive at the room, gently get her into her nightclothes, and bundle her into bed. Even if she didn’t count as royalty to her country anymore, she was still his archon, she had earned the title in his heart. She was still Furina de Fontaine in his eyes, but she was so much more of Furina, and Furina was the archon he fell in love with. Macaroni eating Furina, Furina who cried over sappy love movies with her tea party friends and devoured full cakes in her momentary depression, the new Furina. The Furina free of her shackles, the true hydro archon Furina.
That’s who he loved, and he was thrilled to know she was here to stay.