Chapter Text

“You have challenged us, Barbatos. We don't appreciate being challenged.”

The voice of the Heavenly Envoys echoed from all directions, pinning him into place. Anxiety pooled in his stomach, and a part of him wished to curl on a little ball on the floor using his deplorable wings as a shield. But Barbatos - no, Venti - refused to wield.

Putting on his best smile, he shook his head and waved a hand dismissively. 

“Me? Surely you jest. I don't make appearances as an Archon precisely to spread the concept of freedom, and to make sure the people of Mondstadt can learn that ideal. So I'm actually doing my job.”

“Barbatos.” A new voice pierced the air, threatening, as much as the red diamond that ripped reality apart to let her appear. The white suit, the pale hair, the bloody-red marks crackling on her skin denoting how she embodied the coldness of a machine..  The Sustainer had personally shown up. 

The anxiety was almost too much to hide. 

“Oh, Susty! Long time no see. To what do I owe the honor?”

“You have been summoned to be punished, Archon of Freedom, not to give excuses.” Her steps made an unnerving sound, every time her bare feet firmly hit the pavement. “You are far from the only one who tested the limits of your obligations, but you were the only one who did so boldly, without suffering any consequences. I trust you are aware of Focalors’ fate?

“I, uh… the winds told me.” His mind raced after the implications. Had his end come? Could the Heavens be more inclined to destroy the throne of Anemo than to leave someone like him in it?

The Sustainer finally deigned to meet his gaze. “So, to answer your question: I am here to do the honors of using you as an example.”

“And here I thought Celestia was weakened…”, he mumbled under his breath, tearing his eyes away.

They caught what he said,  and the voices replied in unison. “We were, yet we were watching. We are always watching.” 

“And soon enough, the rest of my sisters will also awake, and our functions will resume properly”, the Sustainer warned, staring at the cube forming on her hand.

Venti gulped.

For the first time since he landed in the chamber, he dropped the smile, and faced them seriously. In the back of his mind, he was pondering how big were his chances to get away. “So, what is the Fate that awaits me?

“You are too important to be killed. Too useful. Instead, we will simply chain your behavior to your obligations.”

He didn't like the word ‘chain’. “What does that mean, exactly?” His voice was small, although stable. He had his singing career to thank for that. 

In his attempts at self-control, Venti failed to notice the sigils forming on the ground, until they lit up in a flash of red. Blinking to see better, he spun around, and realized he was trapped in a ritual circle, leaking red cubes upwards and buzzing with energy. His heartbeat was out of control.

The Sustainer raised a hand in his direction, palm turned up.

“First, you shall never again hide your identity as an Archon. You will assume it publicly, and promptly attend to your duties.”

Cursing his luck, Venti closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm down as the cubes started forming walls around him, irradiating heat. So much effort put into embodying the ideals of his dearest friend, and letting Mondstadt govern itself, just to have it crumble down so quickly. He didn’t know how he would deal with a punishment of this magnitude, and yet, there was more.

“Second, when acting in an official capacity, you will wear the garments you chose, since you have no shame and claim it fits the ideals of freedom so much. Even outside that context, you shall hide your wings no longer."

Oh, so she was trying to humiliate him as part of the lesson. Yes, he was aware his Archon outfit was revealing, although it wasn’t purposeful at first - his wisp self was still struggling to grasp human culture back then. In time, however, he made the conscious choice to keep it, since he did deem it fitting. He wasn’t going to be ashamed of that now - he was confident in his appearance, and some nudity had nothing wrong… right?

But he never intended to be so exposed to many people, especially not often. And the wings, too… when was the last time he opened them?

The cubes were now past his waist, and enclosing on his figure, as if intent on crushing him. Touching the borders accidentally burned, so he jumped away, although he had little space for maneuver.

The Sustainer continued impassively. “Lastly, given your inclinations to form bonds with humans, you will from now on be dependent on attachments, emotional and otherwise. Failing to attend to your needs regularly will cause you pain. Let us see how free you truly are then…”

A small whine escaped Venti, although he was unsure if it was caused by the threat, or the burning sensation aimed at the leylines, hurting him as collateral damage.

“Wait!”, he found himself saying, unable to move. But he didn’t know what to say either  - his mind was blank.

With a sinister grin, the Sustainer closed her palm.

That was the last thing Venti saw through the hole in his cage, before being engulfed in darkness. The sudden searing pain was too much to handle, but he didn’t have time to scream.  

How ironic. He was always running out of time…

He came to be under a breeze, its caress the gentlest of kisses. He leaned further in, tilting his head to the side, letting it run across his cheek and tousled hair. The scent of spring was thick in the air: wildflowers, and the faintest trace of morning dew still clinging to the grass. The crisp mountain winds sang, while the birds chirped good mornings. 

He let out a slow breath, eyes fluttering open to the endless blue sky above, a sea where clouds drifted.

For a moment, he thought he had simply dozed off here, lulled into slumber by the whisper of the wind - or by the ecstasy of dandelion wine. The warmth of the sun wrapped around him like an embrace, and the petals beneath his fingertips felt so soft, but so real. If this was the waking world, what guaranteed that the visions assaulting his mind were more than remnants of a nightmare?

Perhaps the curse wasn’t real. Perhaps it was just his conscience punishing him, instead of Celestia - it certainly wouldn’t be the first time he was plagued by doubts, wondering if he was doing enough for his beloved city and children.

But something was wrong.

Something heavy attached to his back, crumpled under his weight. Something once fluffy and awe-inspiring, now missing feathers and damaged. Something less familiar than it should be, as if his attempts at hiding it had also tainted his memory.

He resisted the urge to scratch his itching back. 

In fraught silence, he sat up, immediately noticing how they dragged him down. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Shouldn’t wings help him soar in the sky? So why did they feel like a dead weight? It’s your fault for hiding and mistreating them. So what if he wanted to blend with the people he loved, and experience gliding and living just the way they experienced?

Inner debates wouldn't spare him from those foreign wings, like an old memory unearthed from the depths of a dream. It wasn’t a nightmare, nor drunken folly. Celestia’s curse was real, and nothing would absolve him.

Venti’s lips quivered, and he curled, hiding his head against his pulled-up knees. He took a deep-breath, and again, trying to lose himself in the rhythm of the winds. They were trying to lift him up - literally, given how the currents rustled his wings, and yet they passed literally through, without any success.

Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head. There they were, ugly and practically featherless. Not only would he be forced to assume his role as an Archon, the people of Mondstadt would have to accept that the rumors from other nations were true: their Archon truly was pitiful.

By impulse, he tried to hide them. It didn’t work. He tried to move them. The movement was small and stiff, and it brought a discomfort bearing on pain, so he stopped with a grimace. A part of him wanted to get up, accept it, and think of a plan. Another part had given up. No - it had already lost. 

The breath caught in his throat. 

Neither soft nor violent breeze would be able to pick up such mistreated wings. The wind, his longest ally, his voice, his freedom, swirled around him in knowing despondency, unable to comfort him in the way it once had, for it knew any attempt would just remind him further of reality. 

For the first time in centuries, Venti felt caged beneath the open sky, seeing it for the prison it was.

It took him hours to gatter the will to get up, only once the sun was close to the zenith. And yet, his aimless wandering took him away from his beloved city, as if his body knew he wanted to avoid it, even if his mind refused to admit it.

Venti ended up close to the borders of Liyue. The gurgling of the river was calming, which he was thankful for, but it was tempting him to just sit down and rest. Damned wings, they were so heavy! They had been dragging through the ground and getting stuck on things, pulling at his back. Why did they have to be so large? He didn’t have the strength to carry them like this, and because of all the holes, he couldn’t lift them with wind!

With a frustrated sigh, he noticed the approaching seelie. He allowed a small smile to resurface. 

“Hello, little one - seems like we are both a little lost, so let’s help each other.” Scanning the horizons, he spotted the stone garden hidden in the shadows of the Leyline Wayport, both neglected. “There it is, see? Hehe, clearly the traveler hadn’t stepped in Mondstadt in a while - I can probably demand some good drink from another region as compensation.”

Venti gladly guided the seelie while getting lost in his musings, eager for a distraction from his misery. She offered him some Mora as a reward, which he received by joking around and thanking Barbatos for the blessing. 

Comforted by the lukewarm leyline light, he pondered his options. The road connecting Mondstadt to Liyue was a trade route and, with some money, he would be able to ask some merchant for a ride to Liyue, to rest his wings. However, he would need to be careful to keep them hidden under his cloak, and his short walk had proven how difficult that was.

The other option would be to use the teleport - after all, the Traveler wasn’t the only one who could do it. He wasn’t exactly eager to connect to the Leylines again so soon, but it would save him time and energy.

And then what?

In the back of his mind, staring torn at the gold between his fingers, he knew who he could recur to: his oldest friend, Morax. He was the only one who could understand Venti’s plight, and offer him a place to stay for a while, along with abundant wisdom. Even so, Venti was reluctant to bother him - teasing him was one thing, but he always tried to deal with issues pertaining to Mondstadt by himself.

Besides, he hated letting people see him down. 

But he was wasting time. He didn’t know when he was going to feel the paint he was threatened with, or an urge to go back to Mondstadt and assume ‘his duties’, so the sooner he got Zhongli’s advice, the safer he would feel. 

Steadying himself, he placed a palm on the waypoint, and let his being disperse.

Regardless of how much he loved the liveliness of crowds, Venti would rather avoid them for now. Materializing on top of a cliff behind the Funeral Parlor, he sat on the border, asking the winds to locate Zhongli for him. 

Their whispers evoked an image of a kind exchange with that interesting girl, Hu Tao - in many ways, Venti almost deemed her a kindred spirit. Lantern Rite had just ended, and the winged god was aware of what transpired, so it was nice to see how the hardships served only to deepen the bonds between everyone.

Could he dare to hope the same happened to him?

Figuring it was fine to let her build some suspicion - it wasn’t like Hu Tao didn’t have her guesses already - Venti decided he would show up now, instead of waiting for hours until Zhongli was done with work. Everyone knew he had a fairly free schedule, anyway. To get down, he still recurred to the glider he always brought along, that he had way more control over compared to his wings.

He didn’t bother knocking, simply making sure his wings were hidden enough below his cloak, and entering. It didn’t take long to find them both, discussing some matter. Venti left them to it - he wasn’t that desperate - until the girl interrupted.

“But let’s talk about the rest another time, since we have a visitor”, she noticed, twirling around energetically. “Oya, Venti! We haven’t seen each other in a while - are you here for another poetry competition?”

“I’m flattered”, he started, doing his best to match her energy, “but not this time. I am actually here to… consult with Zhongli-Jìngcí! His knowledge precedes him, and there are some matters I could use help with.” That was technically not a lie.

Zhongli, staring at him with those piercing golden eyes that almost gave Venti flashbacks of the Sustainer, put a hand to his chin. “Is that so?”

Hu Tao simply looked between them, unimpressed. “Come on, Zhongli, you can’t say that every time you are hiding something, I know your tells already! You need to switch them up sometimes!”

He blinked at her innocently, holding a polite smile. “Is that so?”

Venti couldn’t help it - he laughed. Who would guess that after such a difficult conflict, the way this once war-mongering buffoon would cheer him up would be not by giving advice, but by demonstrating how much of a troll he became. Zhongli was in no position to scold him anymore.

In places devoid of natural wind-currents, like interiors, Venti’s awareness decreased, so it was with some surprise that he noticed that the man had already gotten up and close. With a reassuring expression, more familiar than it was professional, the consultant made an invitation.

“Should I assume the topics are of private nature? I know a place where we can have such discussions.”

Venti exhaled, realizing how tense his shoulders have been. “Yes, you are correct. Thank you”, he said quietly.

He noticed how Zhongli raised an eyebrow, but he went ahead, keeping his thoughts to himself. 

Out in the city, he took Venti through quiet streets, perhaps sensing his inner turmoil. In turn, Venti appreciated the sensitive person his friend had become over the centuries.

The streets of Liyue were bathed in the golden hues of leftover paper lanterns, decorations not yet removed after the festival, swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. The fragrance of good food, tea, and incense lingered in the air, mingling with the distant salt of the harbor below, where the docks stretched out into the water like the veins of the city itself. 

Venti followed Zhongli in silence, his steps light but his shoulders heavy. Save for a few curious passersby, whose eyes lingered for just a moment on the lump beneath his cloak, not many people took that path, and most who did were too busy to pay any attention to them. Zhongli said nothing, merely walking at a steady, unhurried pace. It was an act of understanding, Venti realized. No probing questions, no concerned glances… just quiet companionship as they wove through Liyue’s winding paths, away from prying eyes.

At last, they arrived. 

Venti knew it once he saw Zhongli take out keys, heading to a house tucked between two taller buildings, unassuming yet dignified. The dark wooden panels of the exterior were adorned with subtle carvings of ancient designs - a hint to the age of the being who called it home. 

Venti hadn’t known what to expect from Zhongli's dwelling, but as he stepped inside, he felt the anxiety in his chest ease.

The air was rich with the scent of aged parchment and polished lacquered wood, and the light filtering through the circular ornamental windows cast long shadows against the walls. And what walls they were, lined with artifacts, scrolls, delicate porcelain, rare jades, and weapons that had long since tasted battle. Some were encased in glass, others displayed openly, each piece telling a story of an era long past - Venti could even swear he recognized a couple of them.

Zhongli closed the door behind them with a click, and only then did Venti truly relax, in one of the rare moments he felt more comfortable indoors than outdoors.

He turned to Zhongli, forcing a small smile. “So, you do have a house after all. I half-expected you to just... fade into the rock, or dissolve into dirt, when the day ended. But a museum is a fitting house for you.”

Zhongli huffed a soft chuckle. “It’s not a museum, but I am glad you can appreciate the value of my collection. We both value the preservation of art and history, after all.”

The taller man hung up his coat, and left his shoes at the entrance. Venti also removed his shoes, but as for his cloak…

Gently, Zhongli extended one hand, to take it from him. He held it, leaving Venti to decide, the invitation open. After a moment of hesitation, Venti gave in, aware that his friend was just trying to help. His wings would not be a surprise, at least - although their current state would. Shrugging internally, he unclasped the cloak from his shoulders, letting it slide down and noticing how Morax took note of the damage.

“I am going to prepare some green tea - you can join me in the kitchen, if you wish", he said simply.

Venti appreciated the companionship, so he went along, sitting at a wooden table. Zhongli moved with practiced grace, treating the process of brewing tea as an ancient art. Every step, from the movement of filling the pot with water and adding the leaves, to the organization of the porcelains at the table, was elegant and familiar. The domestic sounds were comforting, and sunlight adorned the table, already set with tempting lotus seed buns, that Venti reached for while waiting.

Once the tea was ready, Zhongli poured one cup for both, sliding one to Venti. He took the other seat. 

Zhongli sipped from his cup. “I might not know what brought your distress, Barbatos”, he started gently, “but I value the fact that you trust me enough to come to me in moments like this.”

Venti chuckled softly. “Of course I do, Morax. We date a while back, after all.”

“Indeed. However, given the memories formed in the past, I couldn’t help but notice the contrasting state of your wings, which, I presume, correlates to your affliction. I have to wonder: Is the cause a lingering danger, that I should be prepared for? Do you need my protection, or perhaps have a warning for me?”

Deep down, he appreciated how his friend took the initiative to start the conversation, instead of beating around the bush. Subtlety was never his strong suit, Venti thought fondly.

“Oh, well… your guesses are partially right, but there is no immediate danger to any of us. As for the state of my wings… it wasn’t caused by anyone but me.”

Zhongli paused, and Venti could see the calculation behind his eyes. “You used to wear your wings proudly. Since when did you stop using them completely?”

“Since the Cataclysm happened”, he admitted. “It felt… unfair to pierce Durin’s wings, and see a dragon so majestic and good be cast down by my powers, simply because I failed at making him perceive the devastation he brought. The fairest thing I could do was a similar sacrifice - so, after I woke up from my last slumber, I never used them again. And I didn’t intend to. I enjoyed living fully as a human, and sharing their perspective of the world - I’m sure you can understand, since you also reformed your role as an Archon.”

The declarations were met with a low rumble. Both of them appeared to have forgotten their tea, and the cups sat barely touched on the table, no more steam curling into the air.

“Humm. Your assessment is correct, and I pondered for a very long time if it was wise to shred my other form, given the damage it would suffer over time. However, I truly don’t expect to return to the Exuvia. Not now that the city moved on, and the Era of humans arrived.”

“I believed the same, and yet… Celestia is starting to awake.” His voice faltered, and it took Venti some seconds to realize he had been staring into his cup for who knew how long, his mind blank. “And they chose to use me as an example.”

As soon as he finished that sentence, his turmoil bubbled up in the form of a loud sob, shaking him from inside out. His shoulders slumped, and closing his eyes did little to stop the assailing tears. He vaguely registered how Zhongli’s chair scraped the floor as he got up suddenly, and when his friend grabbed his shoulders, Venti finally looked into his eyes.

“Zhongli, they cursed me!” He lamented. He was completely breaking down for reasons he couldn’t even understand, yet his shame wasn’t enough to stifle the crying. “It’s not just the wings that I can’t hide anymore! They forced me to assume that I’m Mondstadt’s Archon, and to use the outfit I chose when acting in an official capacity, a-and…” He couldn’t bring himself to say the last demand. How humiliating that he would be forced to seek people, when love was a feeling that should be given freely.

In a cruel twist of Fate, however, he longed for closeness right now, and Zhongli’s proximity only exacerbated that feeling.

But perhaps the world’s kindness still managed to surpass cruelty. Amongst his sobs, and although he hadn’t given any more details or asked for anything, Venti was rewarded… with a hug, slowly enveloping around him. Zhongli’s arms were so strong, his hands expertly avoiding the stiff wings, and his whole being so reliable, that the relief brought by the gesture even halted the crying for a moment. Venti felt shielded from the world, and by impulse, he leaned forward, sinking against the man’s chest. Unaware at first, the rhythm of his breathing synchronized with the movement. It was... soothing.

A part of him wondered how much the relief was compounded by the curse; Another part knew he always enjoyed physical affection, and remembered how unaware of boundaries he was when he had just gotten a human form, still used to behaving like a wisp. A wave of memories hit him, and a chuckle escaped in-between calmer sobs.

Zhongli sounded confused. “Did you… laugh?”

“I just remembered how I used to sit on your lap, completely unaware of how inappropriate that was. Of other Archons too. You were all too inhibited to explain your reactions, and it took me years to figure it out.” Sniffing, he allowed a smile to flourish, and returned the hug properly.

Zhongli chuckled along. “I recall. I suppose we can say that we both learned more human customs over time, which in your case taught you self-control, while teaching me to be more open.”

“You do a good job at that, for the record”, Venti confessed softly. He was unsure of what was causing his confidence to return, but it was better than feeling depressed, so he was quick to embrace it. “In a way, I miss that carefree side of myself. I might be carefree in many aspects still, and Mondstadt is thankfully quite affectionate, but I can’t just go around latching onto everyone.”

A reply didn’t come immediately. Morax simply hummed, and Venti would be fine with that but, knowing him, he could tell the rockhead was thinking. “I apologize if the question is out of place, Venti… but is it possible that, beyond your current afflictions, you are touch-starved?”

“Uh? Oh. Well, eh-he, aren’t you quite curious?”, he teased in response, but he was already caving in at the demonstration of concern. “I suppose a little. But, truth be told, even if I wasn’t, I will probably be now. You see, there was a third curse, to punish me for enjoying forming close bonds with humans.” He tried to sound nonchalant, almost mockingly of Celestia. “If I don’t get a lot of affection, I will be in pain.”

Morax gave a long sigh. “I wish I could say Celestia took its punishments too far, but we both know this is nothing in comparison to what they could have done. However, I don’t mean to diminish your struggles.”

“Don’t worry, I get it. It could be much worse - I was just a bit overwhelmed before. Well, still am. I don’t want to come across as clingy, my wings are just pitiful, and none of that helps my image as an Archon - especially not if I arrive at Mondstadt, that was doing just fine without my direct help, and demand that they let me rule it. That goes against everything it stands for.”

It made his stomach churn, but Zhongli didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he lifted a startled Venti for a moment, unbothered by the extra weight of the wings, swapping their positions as he took Venti’s chair. Then, he nudged Venti closer, towards his lap. Venti blinked, staring into his eyes for confirmation, but there was no doubt he had permission to go on. 

Hesitantly at first, he sat sideways on the legs, careful with his wings. But the firm arm around his waist and the sound of Zhongli’s slow heartbeat rekindled his longing, and trust, and Venti allowed himself to lean his whole body against the man’s torso, resting his head on his shoulder. They could still look at each other from that angle.

Their closeness suddenly filled Venti’s heart with warmth. He was brimming, unable to contain his smile. 

“By the Archons, I missed this”, he admitted fondly. Noticing Zhongli’s own smile, he couldn’t resist teasing, poking at his face with a finger. “Come on, old man, it’s your turn to say you feel the same way.”

“I-uh…” Zhongli caught himself stammering, and laughed along with Venti - a deep, rich sound that rumbled through his chest. “You are correct, I missed this too. Truth be told, not many are as bold as to sit on the lap of Rex Lapis”, he teased back.

Still holding a smile, Venti closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the moment. The rhythm of Zhongli’s breathing - constant, unhurried - settled over him like a lullaby. His embrace was soft yet steady, gentle yet firm. A faint osmanthus fragrance clung to Zhongli’s robes, grounding Venti in the present while stirring memories of an era long past. Could there be a presence more grounding than the Archon of the land itself?

He sighed, shifting just enough to get comfortable without breaking the moment. The weight of his wings felt less like a burden, rather more of an afterthought, something distant and unimportant compared to the support surrounding him. For the moment, Venti didn’t have to bear anything alone.

Outside, the city murmured, distant voices carried on the evening breeze. But here, within these walls, there was only peace.

“You know,” he mused, his voice softer now, laced with drowsy contentment, “I might need to visit you more times for this. Besides, you are one of the few who knows the full extent of the situation.”

“You may visit as many times as you wish… and your curse allows.” That last part tinged his words with bittersweetness, but Venti recognized he couldn't postpone his problems forever. “That said, I believe the curse is not overly binding. As long as you fulfill your part as an Archon, visiting other nations doesn't detract from the terms of the curse.”

Venti hummed in amusement, although he didn’t bother to lift his head. “You really treat everything like a contract.”

“It's a practical mindset, that stops the mind from wandering and getting anxious over made-up scenarios. Speaking of, I think none of the curses will get in the way of what you, and Mondstadt, value.” 

Venti opened his eyes, perking up just enough to catch Zhongli’s gaze. The golden depths held no distance, no unreadable mystery - just millennia of experience. Regardless of how the feeling could backfire, Venti entertained some hope.  

“How so?”, he dared to ask.

“You are aware of how I governed Liyue until recently. The humans were responsible for everything - I merely descended into the city to offer advice once a year. Through the rest of the year, I mingled in disguise, and only interfered openly or in secret when a crisis really needed me. It's not overly different from what you have been doing, and Celestia never disapproved.”

“That's… true, actually. Although, now that you fully gave up on your title and the Sustainer is around, you need to be careful - they might not approve of this new development.”

There was a pause, then a quiet sigh. “I will think of something. Your situation is more pressing, and letting your nation know that their Archon walks among them, and is there to share the occasional advice, doesn't have to change much.”

“Well, maybe not, but… what if people start seeing me differently?” Venti let his fingers idly trace the fabric of Zhongli’s sleeve, his touch featherlight. Then, a hilarious scenario occurred to him.  “Actually, nevermind, I think the Sisters will be so shocked that the church will refuse to acknowledge me. Problem solved~”

“Amusing as such a situation might be, we both know things won't go that route. But do you have so little faith in your people, that you don't believe they can't keep being free once their Archon shows up?”

Venti felt his eyes widen with realization, as some profound truth struck a cord within. “Of course I trust them! But they are my children, not my people. The people of Mondstadt only belong to themselves,” his throat tightened, “and they would never change their ways just to follow what an Archon said, or treat a god as if it was above them.”

“Then, there is your answer.” Bending forward with the gentlest of smiles, Zhongli wiped a lone tear that fell from Venti’s eyes.

He was moved, and beyond grateful, but also stubbornly decided it was about time to stop the emotional journey - at least for now. Besides, his belly rumbled. Loudly. 

“Upsie… I only ate one apple when I started my trip”, he said apologetically with his best face of 'sorry for the inconvenience!'

“Then let me pour you some hot tea first - that one is cold, and you should hydrate. I will prepare something of substance soon after. Is there anything in particular that you would wish to eat?”

He hummed pensively. “Definitely not Bamboo Shoot Soup - I know it’s your specialty, but I’m hungry and that would take hours. Actually, is there any Lantern Rite special dish that you know how to cook?”

“The only one without seafood that comes to mind is Bountiful Year: A combination of expertly sliced almost-raw fish, meats and vegetables, whose origin is debated since, after being brought by a migrant population in ancient times, has suffered multiple variations until resembling the dish we have today. Two populations in particular are-”

“Okay, okay, you can tell me as you cook”, Venti interrupted, jumping out of the chair and only remembering about his heavy wings after. “Since it doesn’t need to cook for long, it’s decided. Can you show me how it’s done? Just don’t expect me to help much.”

“I am well aware that ‘hard-working’ is not a trait that defines you.”

“Hey!” He bumped their hips together in protest, not that it did much to a man as hard as rock.

They cooked together, another pleasant moment in a row that had much improved Venti’s disposition. The meal was delicious, with the condiments conferring just the right spiciness, making all the flavors melt on the tongue like snow. Stuffed, and after being run through by so many emotions and sensations in quick sequence, Venti was practically slouching on the chair. 

It was already impressive that Zhongli didn’t scold him for his manners, but the jaw-cracking yawn really tested his patience.

“Rest if you need to, Venti. The world will still be here when you awake, and we can discuss the rest at another point.”

For once, Venti found he didn’t want to fight the offer. Instead, he let Zhongli take him to the guest bedroom, and slid under the blankets without much resistance. His eyes slipped closed once more, and as sleep crept closer, he thought - for the first time since waking in that field - that maybe, just maybe, his ideals weren’t broken beyond repair.

Chapter Text

As a poet, Venti had a way with words - but not when he had just woken up.

“Liyue’s beds are way too hard - my neck is cramping”, he complained when stepping into the kitchen, still with a bedhead, and rubbing his eyes. It was a valid complaint - he preferred the feathery texture and softness of Mondstadt beds, far closer to a comfortable nest, but even if it wasn't, he was slightly cranky and someone would have to deal with him.

Zhongli, already fully dressed, turned to him impassively. “Good morning, Venti. You slept for over twelve hours, so that’s another potential cause of your discomfort.”

“I can see that”, he reluctantly accepted. “My wings are still stiff, by the way, and the bed also didn’t help with that.”

“Now that you mention, I wished to discuss the matter of your wings further. But wake up properly - go at least wash your face, and you can have the rest of the Qingxin flower cakes I prepared for breakfast.”

Humming approvingly, he found his way to the bathroom. He took advantage of the fragrances Zhongli had in his home, and made sure to take care of his braids while humming a song, only then feeling like he was seeing himself in the mirror. Myself, and… He huffed fondly, curious as always of what his friend would have thought of the rest of his life.

Twisting his neck to look back, he was confronted with the fact that he didn’t know what to do with the wings. It had been a long time since he groomed them and, now, they were so damaged that even touching would probably send shots of pain up his spine.

So he gave up on caring for them now - they were not dirty yet - and went to enjoy being pampered.

They didn’t try to fill the air with trivial conversation, save for the occasional observation from a proud Zhongli pointing out that Venti seemed better. Apart from that, the man was content to let him eat, while cleaning the dust from some old ornaments on display. Such a simple, normal life he led now - it was hard to believe his status was once comparable to a King.

When Venti was finished, Morax rejoined the table. “Do you have any plans for today?”, he simply asked.

Venti glanced at the hand extended across the tabletop, aware of the longing pooling in his stomach. “Well… If you let me, I will probably hang around for a bit longer”, he opted to reply, resisting the urge.

“I don’t mind letting you remain here, but I’m afraid this house is too constricting for you”, Zhongli pointed out - in a way, Venti had to agree. “My recommendation would be Wangshu Inn - we both know it’s already been approved by a certain Anemo user, one who, in fact, cares about you, and who could empathize with aspects of your situation.”

“And put Xiao through the pain of remembering damaged wings?” He spouted that more harshly than he originally intended, and had to deliberately let go of the grimace. Shaking his head, he tried again, softer. “I would rather not. I just need another day, really. It’s not like I will be able to avoid Mondstadt forever.”

“I understand. In that case, please make yourself at home, and don’t hesitate to ask for anything.”

Venti looked around. At this time of the day, the sunlight didn’t enter directly through the window, making the house colder and darker, although still comfortable. “Perhaps… I will just try to go outside. Even if someone spots my wings, I can always pretend that I’m an Adeptus. It won’t help with the stares, given how my wings look, but I should start getting used to it. Actually, you mentioned wanting to talk about this.”

“I have. I think you should try to recover their condition, and seek advice.”

“Advice? From whom, a veterinary?”, he joked.

But Zhongli wasn’t joking around anymore. “I would take you to Dr. Baizhu, but I’m fairly certain he only specializes in human patients. So, the people I know who might have insight about your wings are Xiao, Cloud Retainer, and Mountain Shaper, since all of them have or had feathered wings. You already made yourself clear on meeting Xiao in this state, but at least we have more options.”

Venti had to recognize how sensible the advice was. “I…suppose. You told me before that Cloud Retainer had moved to the city as well? In that case, I could pay her a visit.”

“Very well. I will accompany you”, Zhongli decided, a not-so-subtle satisfied grin spreading on his face. “It will be easier to guide you than to explain the location of her house, and I can help you tell your story.”

With a twinge of affection, Venti nodded, and finally gave in. He placed his hand on top Zhongli’s, and squeezed in a silent thank you.

Zhongli turned his palm up, and held Venti’s hand in his own.

The streets of Liyue bustled with morning activity, the air thick with the scent of freshly steamed goodies and the crisp tang rolling in from the sea. Venti, dressed in emerald Liyuen garments provided by Zhongli, kept his head high, his gait as carefree as he could given the extra weight he carried. 

The stares were just as heavy. Though Liyue had seen its fair share of adepti with animalistic traits, the sight of his tattered wings, now not even disguised under the cloak, drew too many wandering gazes. He let them think he was just another ancient being passing through, an Adeptus lingering in the mortal realm for reasons unknown, coming to explanations on their own. He always enjoyed catching rumors people made up about him - ehe, he spread fake stories about Barbatos himself - so why should this be any different?

Deep down, however, it was different.

Zhongli’s presence was a pillar of stability. That, at least, remained the same.

Xianyun’s residence, at the end of the street and right above the reputation section, had a splendid view of the docks and ships on the horizon. Venti took note of the scenery, sensing some verses of a poem coming to mind - a peaceful sensation. Tranquilized, he flashed a smile to Morax, who was waiting for confirmation that Venti was ready before knocking.

They were greeted not by Xianyun, but by a small child, dressed in elegant hues of teal.

“Ah, Zhongli-Jìngcí! Are you also here to join us for the meal?”

Zhongli had an affable smile when he bent over to pet her head. “Hello, little Shuyu. It would be our pleasure. Let me introduce you first: this is Venti, an old friend, who is also an acquaintance of your Master.”

“Hi hi~”, he singsang. “I never saw you before - I’m happy to see Xianyun continues her tradition of taking in new pupils.”

“Hu-hum, she is a very good Master! And it’s nice to meet you, Venti-gege.” The girl clearly knew her manners, and pushed the door open in welcome. “Go in, everyone is at the table.”

Once they entered, they were surprised by multiple familiar figures busy in the kitchen: besides Xianyun, who was focused on her machinery, Streetward Rambler and Ganyu were also there, just arriving from the tight inner patio with freshly-picked herbs. They all halted when they saw the visitors.

Xianyun turned to them fully, adjusting her glasses. “One thought it was old age playing tricks, but turns out one recognized the voices correctly. It’s quite a surprise to be graced by both of your presences, especially together.”

Venti imitated Zhongli in a traditional bow, with a fist pressed against the palm of the other hand in front of his chest. Not a commonly practiced gesture nowadays, but it still held value amongst ancient beings. 

“We also didn’t count on such a lively meeting”, Zhongli started, his eyes glinting. “Ganyu, Streetward Rambler, it’s a pleasure to see you both.”

“It’s an honor, Rex Lapis”, Ganyu said formally, bowing more deeply. Madame Ping held an amused smile. “Is there anything you require assistance with?”

“Please, Ganyu, it’s just Zhongli now”, he reminded gently. “And although this meeting is indeed motivated by more than just pleasantries, we will approach the subject in due time. First, let us enjoy the good company.”

Her gaze softened, and she nodded, then turning to Venti. Shyly, she greeted him. “It’s been a while.”

Venti waved at her. “That’s right, long-time no see! Do you still have that bow I gave you?”

“I do. It’s very enduring, and I could confirm over time how what you told me when you offered it was true.” She put a hand to her chest. “I can still sense the aura of the powerful warrior who wielded it, and I’d loathe to part with this gift.”

“Then, Amos would be proud." A vision of a now blurry figure came to mind, her white hair like a mantle of snow moving on the wind, as she braved the storm her lover created. She was a truly admirable figure, and Venti would never regret picking up the bow in her honor - but Ganyu was the better fighter, and deserving of her inheritance more. "May it continue to serve you well.”

“Speaking of gifts,” Madame Ping said, eyes twinkling, “you are not as sneaky as you think, windy-one.”

Venti blinked, then grinned, already suspecting what she meant. “Oh? Have I been caught in some grand act?”

She chuckled warmly, with that funny laugh she acquired in her old form. “Two years ago, during Lantern Rite, there was a sudden, gentle breeze nudging me toward my old guzheng. More indirectly than that, of course - it was quite an elaborate story, involving many people looking for closure. But once I learned the full thing, I knew whose wind it was.”

Ganyu’s eyes widened in realization, and even Zhongli gave a quiet nod, unsurprised. Xianyun gave a knowing hum as she changed the settings in her mechanical pot.

Venti laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “You got me! But in my defense, it was just a suggestion. You were always free to ignore it.”

Madame Ping’s expression softened. “And yet, I am grateful. Though I have not played often since, that night was… special. Healing takes time, and I take it at my own pace. So let us both benefit from the blessing of our long lifespans, alright?”

What a tactful way to simultaneously thank him and express concern… Venti couldn’t help but admire her, and concede to the advice. Maybe the turmoil that weighed him down would be washed away in due time, leaving seeds of stories in its place that would bloom and cover the cracks. 

A forced coughing interrupted the moment.

“Ganyu, Ping? I’m still waiting for the herbs”, Xianyun said strictly.

“Oh, but my poor old bones are tired”, Ping said dramatically, clearly an exaggeration. “I don’t know if I can make it to the other side of the kitchen.”

“I will help you, granny Ping!” Shuyu got up like a storm, rushing to take the herbs from her hands, unaware of the teasing. “Old people should rest. I know, because I took care of my grandma too.”

“Ho, ho! Thank you, sweetheart.”

Venti didn’t try to hide his smirk. Deeming it a good moment, he finally revealed what he had been hiding behind his back. “Anyway, we brought Osmanthus Wine. Let’s celebrate the start of a new year together.”

The moment settled into something light. They continued talking, exchanging stories and news about how the city was faring. Barbatos had lost count of how many meals he shared with loved ones since arriving at Liyue the previous day, but it warmed his soul to see how much importance the local culture put in it. 

A breeze came from the courtyard, through the open doors, mingling with the fragrances and the voices. When it felt just right, Venti took a flute he had tucked in his sleeve, and lifted it to his lips.

The melody he played was one of Liyue’s own, a song woven from mountain winds and the legends from old Chenyu Vale. It danced through the room, wrapping around the pillars and carrying with it the echoes of ancient times. Madame Ping closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her, while Ganyu’s usually tense shoulders eased into something softer. Little Shuyu marveled, while her proud motherly figure smiled knowingly.

In the depths of his mind, Venti stored this moment for later perusal, treasuring the irradiating love.

Satisfied with their meal, they moved on to more pressing issues. Under Cloud Retainer’s thoughtful gaze, Zhongi explained what brought them there, letting Venti provide more details. No one made any remarks, although the winged bard could see from the corner of his eye how Ganyu’s expression shifted to one of sympathy. 

Getting up suddenly, Xianyun moved to stand behind Venti, who allowed her. “Humm… The damage is indeed even more noticeable up close. Missing feathers are the most obvious trait, but the empty patches also expose the issues underneath. However, I don’t believe there is any major bone damage or deformity - you never broke them, and aren’t in pain, correct, Barbatos?”

“Yup, they are intact. Just… very stiff, and heavy”, he tried to say as nonchalantly as possible.

“As expected, given that you hid them for so long”, she pointed out sharply. “So, the main problem is not with your bones, but with your muscles. Muscle atrophy is a major concern, and you will need constant exercise to get back in shape. At least, as an archer, your pectoral muscles are strong - however, One still wishes to recommend some wing exercises.”

He sighed, and signed a sad okay to her while laying his head on the table. “I feel tired already…” It didn’t escape him how Zhongli and Streetward Rambler shared a look, chuckling. “Hey, are you two old fossils laughing at my expense? That’s not fair!”, he scolded, snickering soon after.

Before he realized, something touched the base of his wings, sending a shockwave up his spine. He yelped. “Wait! That, err…”

Xianyun let him go immediately. “My deepest apologies. Seems like One failed to realize the extent of the damage.”

Venti didn’t fault her for that, and he was well familiar with how the inventor liked to work on challenges hands-on. That said, the sudden pain was a reminder of how unwell he remained, and of the problems he would be forced to face. The sting of the awareness was what hurt the most.

Zhongli placed his teacup down, and reached out to hold one of Venti's hands under the table. “Are you alright, Venti?”

“Yes, yes, it was over quickly”, he squeezed his hand reassuringly. 

“Alright. Xianyun, you seem to be thinking - any more feedback on how Venti can recover? We defer to your expertise.”

“Frankly, the recovery will take time, although nothing that long-lived beings like us cannot endure. I predict at least one year until the wings are fully regrown, and some more until they are strong enough for prolonged flights. But with regular exercise, and making sure that the wings regrow properly and are groomed, I’m sure it’s possible.”

In that moment, Venti noticed how Shuyu’s interest peaked, as she was tempted to touch a feather while fearing his reactions. With a smirk, Venti had the impulse to hit her lightly by surprise, yet for some reason, what he moved most naturally was not an arm… but a wing, that jolted closer to her.

And it hurt. The muscles in his back and wings were screaming, and he felt a burn wash over him for a split second, but the worst of it was over fast enough to let him catch the girl’s laughter. Melting, he laughed along through the pain. 

“You scared me, Venti-gege!”

“Oh? Do you also get startled when birds take flight?”

“You’re not a bird! Master is more of a bird than you!”

“Well, I’m offended now”, he joked, making it obvious enough by pouting. After the initial confusion, the girl ended up jiggling.

Madame Ping cackled as well. “I suspect that you’ll end up exercising your wings more through natural circumstances, than through active practice. And I must say, it fits you well.”

“Perhaps, but he should still strive for a proper routine”, Xianyun said harshly. Then, she passed a scroll along. “Here, I’ve written down some exercises, along with notes to do them correctly, and the conditions you should meet to advance to each tier.”

Venti glanced down, for long enough to dread some of the exercises, before storing the scroll for another time. He was about to reply when someone knocked on the door at a maddening pace, startling all of them. Could it be an emergency, or someone in danger?

“New-year discounts! Die now, and get a reservation lateeer!”

Like a spell, everyone laughed at the same time. Oh, if only Hu Tao knew how many people in the room would outlive her - although she likely had her suspicions.

Xianyun was the one who got up to open the door, not even bothering to entertain her. “I see you are already employing your usual antics. One, or rather, I would expect you to have matured after recent developments.” 

“Where would be the fun in that?”, she tilted her head to the side. “Besides, someone who respects death is someone who knows the meaning of life, and after my near-death experience, all the more reason to enjoy my second chance and have fun.”

“I believe there are better tactics to increase business, Hu Tao”, Zhongli said, raising and making her notice him. “That said, I am glad to see you enjoy your life properly - not that you didn't before.”

“Boo, you sound all dusty… Also also, Venti, you’re looking better now!” She waved when poking in, and he waved back at her. Neither commented on the wings, even though there was no hiding that he wasn’t human now. “Maybe I should give a raise to my employee here, since he clearly did a good job at helping. But alas, I can’t do it yet. I’m still paying the debts he put under the name of the Funeral Parlor when he used to forget to carry money around.”

She side-eyed Zhongli, who simply coughed against his hand, face dusted with a pink shade. Venti couldn’t help it, he loved having an accomplice willing to tease the blockhead, and so he eagerly got up to spur more fun at his expense.

But Hu Tao had other plans.

She caught his attention, as a few flaming butterflies fluttered around her. There was no doubt that she was talking to Venti. “ By ghostly decree, it appears our meeting was fated. Let us roam free - melancholy is too outdated. Sooo… have you seen the decorations of this year? I have quite the story to tell about them.”

Appreciating how easily the rhyme rolled out of the tongue, he intuitively responded in tandem, thankful for his improvisation skills. “ The winds have spun, our threads entwined. Let us weave a song - none shall stop our charm combined. ” Not his best work, but it matched hers well enough in cadence and confident energy, and he puffed his chest when she raised on her tiptoes and bounced around happily. “I’ve only seen it from afar. The main lantern is shaped like a tree this time, right?”

She grabbed his hands, almost making him lose balance. “Let’s go see it now! Everyone, I’m going to kidnap Venti for a while.”

“By all means, do it. We could benefit of some quiet”, Xianyun said with arms crossed, although the corner of her lips was tilted.

“Hey!”

But his protests were ignored, as Hu Tao just yanked him out, and before he realized, he was running through the streets pulled by her hand. Anxiety assailed him for a heartbeat, and there were more butterflies in his stomach than those fiery butterflies surrounding Hu Tao as she dashed. His wings were protesting the speed, and people were staring, and-

No. No, it was alright. In fact, it was even kind of fun, staring at her silly face and seeing how people had to sidestep to avoid colliding with them, and people noticed his wings not out of pity or lack of familiarity, but because they were big and demanded the path to be open. No one was surprised by seeing the chaos Hu Tao caused, and they wouldn’t have the guts to scold a newly-formed hero, especially not when she was accompanied by an Adeptus-looking person. 

Eh, thinking about it now, people would probably make some wild guesses about their relationship, perhaps painting her as a maiden who was saved by an Adeptus when on the verge of death, maybe even twisting it into a contract or a romantic partnership. Barbatos’ many tales of love never failed to amuse him, and if people knew he was the same person that showed up in that book about Yakshas, the theories would get extra creative. Perhaps he should spread some misconceptions himself.

Hu Tao’s laughter was contagious, and Venti’s grin spread. The winds were attempting to pick up his wings, and despite the limitations, they were trying to respond.

A butterfly and a bird… That wasn’t a bad combination. 

It was a fun time, and it was rare for Venti to find another yapper like him. However, as he confirmed yet again later, Hu Tao was also perceptive, and liked to use the yapping and the silliness to hide a more serious side. Not that her high-spirited nature was fake, but it was only the most surface-level facet.

That was how, even without direct confrontation on her part, Venti ended up admitting to some of the truth: while he wasn’t an Adeptus, he was a powerful being struggling to heal his wings, who had recently been cursed to not be able to hide them, and to also seek proximity from people. 

“Well, if you keep deteriorating and your death is imminent, you know who to contact for a funerary rite”, she spouted with ease, making him snicker. “What? I’m serious! That said, I also hope you recover, Venti. As my friend and my poetry rival, I still need you to practice, so I wouldn’t be opposed to being visited. But beyond that…”, she turned to lock eyes with him, hands behind her back, her smile unwavering. “A thread of the winds should not be stuck on the ground.”

Ah. Truly, a kindred spirit , he marveled. He hadn’t even told her the truth about his nature, yet somehow her guess was righter than what even people who knew of his godhood would assume.

He hummed weakly, noticing his words fail. Ultimately, he agreed with her, and he hoped everyone was right in thinking his wings would recover and strengthen, just like his bonds. Besides, improving his life as a consequence of a curse would be the biggest fuck you he could give to Celestia, and that was a massive plus.

“I want to give my best”, he finally said, sensing the realization settling in his soul.

“Don’t we all?” She spun around, arms still behind her, looking intently at the bright sky dotted with lights. “Sometimes, people fail, and die. Sometimes, our best isn’t enough, and we depart with unfulfilled wishes.” The somberness, somehow, fit Hu Tao. Followed by her shadow, larger than her, while wishes shone through the floating paper lanterns. “And sometimes, we need other people to help us achieve our goals, either during life, or after death.”

“Birds fly in flocks, wind currents are powerful together. The only arrogance of mankind is wanting to believe that life can be lived alone”, Barbatos concluded, feeling the vibrations of the sound in his chest. He grasped it with a hand, placed over the heart that only his human form had. “But if we work side by side, no dream is too big. That, I am certain of.”

As if summoned, the carrier of wishes, the witness of dreams, was right in front of them. Their paths crossed with none other than the Traveler, accompanied by Paimon, of course, who carried several dishes in her tiny arms. She was eating on top of his head.

“Paimon, for the third time, you need to eat elsewhere. You are leaving crumbs and grease in my hair!”

“It’s not Paimon’s fault that you are in a rush. If we could sit to eat, on a bench, Paimon wouldn’t need to sit in your head.”

“Why don’t you just float, again?”

Their bickering was far from discrete, and Venti and Hu Tao exchanged a glance, their faces contorted with mirth. Venti gladly projected his voice.“Traveler, over here!”

“Oyayaya, did I hear well? You two are leaving already?”

Perking up at the exuberant greeting, the strange traveling duo turned in the direction of the calling simultaneously. A radiant smile spread on their faces, and Aether raised a hand while approaching with that confident pace of his, while Paimon attempted to say something with her mouth stuffed. 

“We were”, Aether replied to Hu Tao's question, “but we can delay it for a few minutes for two friends.” 

Paimon swallowed her food with an audible indignant gulp. “ We can delay it for friends ”, she repeated mockingly. “But not for PAIMON, apparently.”

Aether swatted at her, then laughing in response to Venti's own laughter. Venti happily received his gaze, drinking his permanent radiance, to the point he didn't even feel bad when the Traveler made the unavoidable remark. “So… I finally get to see your wings.”

Venti signed dramatically. “Sadly not in their best state, and I'm afraid the recovery will take a while.” 

He could see the questions in his eyes, yet as per usual, it was Paimon who had the audacity to ask. “Come on, Tone-deaf bard, you can't just say that and don't give any details! Why did you start using your wings so suddenly, if they don't even work?” 

Hu Tao came to the rescue. "Paimon, look, there's a ghost right behind you!”

“Ah! Wait… you're not trying to scare Paimon, are you….?” The pixie had her suspicions, but still took the bite, turning around. Hu Tao's ghost popped into existence, and Paimon yelped, starting a stream of protests that probably even included curse words she picked up in other regions.

Venti chuckled, but the traveler was just unimpressed, exchanging an almost disappointed look with Hu Tao. When Venti was again the target of his attention, he finally bothered to reply. 

“I'm tired of explaining what happened already,  and I still have many explanations to give when I get to Mondstadt”, he admitted. “But once you finally step there again, especially following your discoveries in Natlan… I might have a few tales to tell.”

Legends, hidden knowledge, and images of titans and apocalypses flashed through his mind. Hopefully, the Traveler would pick up on his tone, and consider the offer seriously. He was almost ready to learn more.

“So…”, Hu Tao started, “are you going back to Natlan?”

“I actually planned to visit Inazuma first”, Aether confessed, having the decency to look guilty under Mondstadt's archon gaze. “But yes, Natlan is next, and I will start planning my trip to Nod-Krai very soon.”

“Eh-he, your journey has taken you far already. I still remember when you were a lost child of Mondstadt.” Venti was teasing, but it was the truth. Ah, he was really getting old and nostalgic…

Aether smiled, and opened his arms in invitation. The sun shone brighter.

Without wasting time, Venti accepted and rushed into a hug, in what felt like a long time. Hu Tao followed, laughing mischievously when she almost threw them off-balance. The streets were still humming lively and, behind them, the boundless waves crashed on the shore, the rolling sounds pacifying their fears.

No shadow of Celestia could darken their shared moment.

The soft garments slid through his fingers like silk, and Venti held a small smile as he packed them, having just learned that the outfit was a gift from Zhongli. It made sense, in a way - he had found it strange when the old fossil revealed he had the perfect emerald hanfu for Venti to burrow, especially when the outfit fit his size and was backless, as if in consideration for his wings. Turned out he had simply sneaked out while Venti slept to buy it. 

There was a practical gratitude to it as well - after all, undressing his previous outfit required sloppily cutting his old shirt, already with two holes forcefully created by the appearance of wings, so that the wings could pass through. Frankly, they were going to cause many problems. Just like the adepti, even when he used to have his wings at most times, Venti would dissolve them during actions like changing clothes. Now, because of the curse… hum, he would probably require altered outfits that were mostly backless. 

He heard the familiar footsteps of Morax approaching, slow and heavy, but never frightening. On the contrary, the reassurance made Venti intuitively turn to the door, where the taller man stopped, under the archway and the filtering sunrays.

“See? I even have my things packed already. I promised I would only need to pester you for one day”, he said with a wink.

Zhongli chuckled. “You didn’t pester me - helping you was my pleasure.” 

He approached calmly, taking a seat at the end of the bed, next to Venti. By impulse, Venti leaned against his side, the nerves on his body calming at the contact. He still couldn’t tell if the relief he felt was natural, or a result of the curse, but he wasn’t exactly inclined to complain. Even less when Zhongli passed an arm around his waist, keeping him close.

“How are you feeling?”, Morax asked. “My offer to let you spend more days here still stands.”

Venti shook his head. “Thank you, but no. I want to spend tonight under the stars, readying myself for Mondstadt. But don’t worry, you old buffoon”, he said, the tone of his reassurance teetering on teasing. Bonking his head against Morax’s shoulder, he reflected out loud. “I feel quite alright now. Even… serene, and hopeful.”

There was a pause, and his expression stilled - but it froze in a smile, that still held up even when Venti blinked and looked up, meeting Zhongli’s gaze.

Before Zhongli could answer, Venti’s true feelings tumbled from his tongue.

“I’m glad I came to you first. You’re the person I’ve known the longest, and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

It was Zhongli’s turn to halt, his lips parted as if someone had just stolen his air. Venti could swear he saw him blinking away tears.

Finally, his expression smoothed in fondness. He leaned forward, until their foreheads were pressed together. Venti’s heart beat faster over the closeness, yet it was a kind of excitement he welcomed, along with the opportunity to get lost in those golden eyes. Both were smiling, and yet, there was something deeper being exchanged between them, something that Venti couldn’t name but wouldn’t reject.

Outside, the winds were calm.

Finally, Zhongli replied. “I am glad too, old friend .”

Chapter Text

The sun was still rising when Venti started his antics.

The irony about having dysfunctional wings was the fact that the weight made it harder for Venti to glide and climb. The windows of the upper floor of the  Knights of Favonius Headquarters used to be just some wind currents away, but not anymore. When he finally managed to get to the parapet, he just sat there heaving, double-thinking his decision to talk to Jean before she started her day.

The fact that he was at the window of her bedroom could also pass as indecent. He was sure she wouldn’t be offended… but she wasn’t immune to being jumpscared. 

He should have considered that she was braver than him. When the blinders opened suddenly, he startled, squeaked, and almost fell down. If not for Jean’s quick reflexes, he would have no one to catch him.

Hanging from her arm, he involuntarily looked up, crossing eyes with her. She blinked, both in surprise and to adjust to the light, her expression shifting quickly from a squint to a confused frown. “V-Venti? What…?” 

His heart dropped when her gaze landed on his wings, once again changing - to pity, this time. But she knew how to prioritize, pulling him up in no time. “Don’t worry, I caught you”, she said, making him wonder about how many layers that affirmation had.

“Eh, you didn’t even let me say anything before you already made up your mind”, he tried to joke, the attempt failing to land. “I hope I haven’t startled you as much as you startled me”, he remembered to add.

She coughed. “Somewhat, but I’m glad I caught you. Next time, if possible, schedule an appointment, or at least knock on the door.” 

She made sure he was firmly standing inside before exhaling, and letting her shoulders relax. No one said anything for a moment, and there was a certain shyness to her posture, which he understood. Jean was still in her pajamas, and with a bedhead. Meanwhile, her Archon was in a similar state, in Liyuen clothes still, and also had ruined wings to complete the image.

“Perhaps my judgment wasn’t the best, and I should have simply waited for you to be in the office before showing up. I just… oopsie? Or, well… Sorry.” He ended up saying, genuinely feeling guilty.

She shook her head, and took his hand, leading him to sit on the bed with her. “I’m sure you had your reasons. Tell me, Venti. How can I help?”

A smile crept up his face, and he didn’t fight it. He would always admire the resolve of the Dandelion and Lionfang knight - these were figures of power he could get behind, who knew when to be stern and exert authority, but were also kind and genuinely took care of people. Perhaps the confidence he had in that type of person was the reason behind why he first gravitated toward Zhongli.

Venti would loathe to take her role from her. At least, he had hopes that they could find a solution that would let them work together on behalf of the city, without making his presence overbearing.

“Honestly, I don’t even know where to start”, he sighed, briefly looking into her eyes. “I won’t waste time explaining or apologizing for my absence as an Archon. I wished to keep the people of Mondstadt free, and I don’t regret my rare and hidden interventions, save for some specific situations over time.”

She nodded, putting a hand to her chest as she reassured him. “I am familiar with history. For the record, I don’t blame you, and I know that no one else in Mondstadt does either. The freedom you gave us was a gift, not a curse, Lord Barbatos. So, you can tell me anything.”

He chuckled. “You are quite a fervent believer, aren’t you? Just Venti is fine. Although… it’s funny that you mention a curse, because Celestia doesn’t share your views, and so, as punishment for my absence, they cursed me instead.”

Saying it nonchalantly did little to help.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she crossed her fingers together in a subconscious prayer. “Are you hurt? Is something going to happen to you? Your wings-?”

“Are in this state by my fault alone”, he completed in her place. “I kept them hidden for centuries, with no plans of ever using them again, so now the recovery will take a long time. Celestia didn’t damage them - but they did curse me to never be able to hide them again, along with other conditions”, Venti clarified, his fingers sinking in the blankets. “And I wanted to share those conditions with you, because they will interfere in the relationship between Mondstadt and its Archon, contrary to my wishes. It’s only fair you know first, and I might also need your advice on how to proceed from here.”

Jean's expression softened, her lips curving into a warm smile as she placed a reassuring hand over Venti’s own. “Thank you for trusting me with this,” she said gently. “You don’t have to be afraid, Venti. Mondstadt is strong - not just in its defenses, but in its ideals. The freedom you nurtured here is not so fragile that it will break under change.”

Venti hesitated before voicing the question that gnawed at him. “Even if one of the conditions forces me to participate in the ruling of Mondstadt?”

Jean nodded, unwavering. “Even then. We’ve long governed ourselves, but that doesn’t mean there’s no place for you. Still, I’d like to hear the details, to understand how much will need to be modified. The winds change, and so should we.”

Venti exhaled, appreciating how she quoted one of his values back at him. Letting his gaze drop to his lap, he recounted what had happened in simple terms. The punishment, the restrictions placed upon him, the advice Zhongli had given, how they analyzed the terms of the curse to figure out he still had a margin for maneuver - despite everything, there was still hope.

“But even knowing that,” he admitted, “I still don’t know what I can even help with… or how to announce my presence to the people.”

Jean hummed in thought before offering, “Then allow me to take care of that. I can prepare an official announcement for the city - all you’ll need to do is be there.”

“Thank you, Jean. Truly,” Venti murmured, his voice carrying a rare earnestness. He idly played with wind in his palms, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. “Now I just hope people don’t start seeing me differently. I was fine with you and Diluc figuring out my identity, and was prepared for that possibility before I started to interfere. It’s not the first time in history that I let the citizens of Mondstadt know who I am, either. But there’s always a certain change in the way people defer to me after they know.”

Jean nodded, and studied him carefully. Her expression remained composed, but her brows furrowed slightly, a trace of regret in her gaze. “I suppose I am guilty of that too,” she admitted. “Barbatos is a figure I was raised to believe in, and the church has some very dedicated members that preserve their image, that doesn’t fully correspond with reality.”

A wry chuckle escaped him. “Tell me about it. Do you know how many statues I’ve seen with my bangs and face wrong? I chose this appearance for a reason, you know! It’s no surprise people can’t tell I’m the figure in the statues!” That was a bold exaggeration - the statues got some details wrong at most, to the point he often wondered about the opposite. What spell prevented people from seeing the resemblance?

Besides, Venti was particularly fond of the huge statue in the plaza. It was restored after the aristocratic period was overthrown, in commemoration, and he had always enjoyed feeling like a little wisp in the hands of his friend. The statue was in his image, after all, as much as it was in the image of Barbatos. He would have loved to overlook the city, and see how the children of Mondstadt were free. Or maybe that was just Venti projecting his own feelings…

Jean was amused, but also seemingly lost in thought. Venti tilted his head to the side, inquiring her silently. “I was just thinking that there isn’t any clash between your Barbatos identity, and your more human disguise. Is disguise even the right word?”

“Well, in a way?” Venti shrugged, tapping a finger against his knee. “But it’s still who I am. Just a bard, with a big repertoire of ancient songs and tales, and some extra centuries of practice.”

Jean’s lips twitched into a small, thoughtful smile. The golden morning light filtering through the curtains illuminated her features, conferring a quiet warmth to her usually formal demeanor. The casual garments also contributed to that image, resilient and sweet. Truly, like a dandelion. 

“Being a bard fits you very well, Venti”, she said with certainty. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think anyone will stop seeing you as the bard, and friend, you are. If anything, realizing you are Barbatos will only reinforce how we have always felt - that our god always cared about us, but allowed us to figure out our way, and our trust in you was not misplaced.”

He only partially voluntarily made her argument more difficult, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure that my wings inspire trust?” Despite the attempt at jest in his tone, a hint of vulnerability slipped through the cracks.

She remained serious. “Your wings, in their current state, are proof that you aren’t a distant all-powerful figure, and are instead another being with problems, like all of us. And just like all of us, you love Mondstadt and have a right and wish to participate in its daily life.”

Venti fell quiet for a moment, absorbing her words as he let himself lean slightly into her side. She wasn’t bothered - instead, she placed one hand above his, her thumb brushing soothing circles against the back of his hand, in an almost subconscious act of comfort.

The weight on his chest felt a little lighter. Outside, the city was beginning to stir with life, merchants setting up their stalls, wind chimes singing with the morning breeze, the church's bell… there was even a bard singing in the distance.

And that gave him an idea.

“You know what? You are right. I am a bard, the best bard of Mondstadt. So, if I’m going to be proclaimed as Barbatos, I might as well take the stage properly and give a performance”, he decided suddenly, brimming with inspiration. The way she straightened in concealed excitement was great motivation as well. “Now, eh-he, let me tell you about the rest of the curse.”

“There’s more?” Her voice shook.

“Just one more condition, but don’t be frightened. I am getting the impression that it might even turn into something good, although it’s a little embarrassing”, he confessed. “So…”

He shared the details in a way that got some poorly disguised giggles out of her, in their shared moment of vulnerability and privacy of the bedroom. She volunteered to fetch breakfast, suggesting that they eat it while cuddling side-by-side in bed. It was so natural, so kind, that Venti couldn’t say no.

He was starting to suspect Mondstadt would shower him with affection, and he was never a shy person, but at this point, he didn’t know how he would deal with so much of it.

Venti considered that a success.

He had that slow start of the day to thank, because the rest was far more stressful than he was used to handling. The speech preparations, choice of what to wear (taking into account what he wanted to represent and the adjustments needed for the wings), preparing a performance (even just deciding between composing a new song or a song of old already took some time)... It reminded him of when he was first announced as an Archon to the people of Old Mondstadt, who had just acquired their freedom at much cost.

Jean fussing over him and juggling all of her tasks was practically a ghost of his old friend, the first Gunnhildr. A hero in her own right - the clan even changed its name in her honor. They weren’t the same person, and yet, Venti cherished the way she, Diluc, and himself had so much in common with certain main figures in the rebellion, down to appearance. 

“...nti? Venti, are you listening?”, he heard her call, finally tuning in.

“Ah, sorry, I zoned out!”, he said. “Looks like I will need a lot of practice until I can pay enough attention to be of help.”

Jean shook her head, but was smiling. “That’s alright. I don’t necessarily think you will have to help with bureaucratic matters, and I am more familiar with paperwork. As long as you assume you are Barbatos, much of what you used to do can count as acting in an official capacity. Such as when you give romantic advice during Windblume, or give lessons to the bards. Those are important tasks in Mondstadt.”

He huffed a chuckle. “Jean, I am happy to be rid of paperwork, but now you reminded me I might need to wear my Archon outfit in those scenarios as well.” He flopped dramatically to the floor, regretting the carelessness with his wings as soon as a light pain shot through his body. “Nothing will really be the same…”

He was making light of the situation but, in truth, it still worried him. It was one thing when people sought out his advice because they recognized his capacities as a bard - it was another when they knew their own god was advising them. Would they truly have the willpower to go against his recommendations if they so wished? Or would they blindly trust anything he said, above their own judgment?

A breeze entered through the window and rustled his hair, playful and comforting, but it wasn’t a wind of his own. Noticing a dandelion, he looked up to Jean, caught by surprise. She was sitting at her desk, writing some document, but Venti could see her Vision pulsating faintly with Anemo. 

Venti smirked. Gathering his will, he propped himself up - ugh, he couldn't wait until those wings were more controllable - and sat on the desk. “So, you asked me something?”

She blinked at the reminder, and smiled at her own forgetfulness. “I was just asking if tomorrow at noon was a good time for the proclamation. People won’t want to stay around for long to bombard you with questions, since it will be lunchtime once it ends, and those happy with the announcement can use the meal to commemorate, or discuss it with other people.”

“Seems like you answered your own question”, he teased.

“I did, but I wanted to make sure you would feel ready by then.”

All that pampering was going to make him melt. “I will be, as much as I can. Honestly, the soon I get this over with, the better.”

She hummed. “And we can also start looking into healing your wings.”

That reminded him: he still hadn’t tried the exercises recommended by Xianyun. The first tier was simple - just a few repetitions of minimal movements, also engaging his arms and back muscles, and some brief stretching - and yet, in the current state of his wings, they still sounded tiresome and slightly painful.

But he really wanted to recover…

Leaving her to work, he decided to start practicing. Right there in the office, where he might occasionally hit things and send them flying to the ground, not that it was a problem when he could just catch them with wind. It wasn’t his most brilliant idea, but taverns, the plaza, and most places he enjoyed were off-limits until the announcement. Venti had already spent the night sleeping under Venessa’s tree, so he wasn’t in a rush to go outside. 

He started with the simplest motion: unfurling his wings, not even moving them at the base - just from half of the length to the tip. A small movement, attainable at first and that barely engaged the muscles, but after the third repetition, his body was already protesting. The stiffness was glaringly obvious, given how he had to sit to gather himself once he reached the tenth time.

Now he just had to do it again.

Xianyun’s prescribed routine accounted for that, even recommending how many seconds he should wait before getting back to work again. With the precision and the discipline required, it was no surprise that every child she took under her wing ended up so strong. 

The next exercise involved using his hands and arms to grab his wings, and try to move them with support. The idea was not to hurt, or to build strength, but just to refamiliarize with the movement of closing and spreading them, to rebuild mobility. Even then, Venti found himself gritting his teeth by the end of it, as his joints would rather not move. The touch of his pitiful wings, with feathers missing or already getting greasy, also left a bad impression under his touch.

The discomfort wasn’t unbearable, but the sheer effort it took to move them - when that should have been second nature - was humiliating. It also left a lasting nagging sensation.

The last exercise of this early phase required him to sit on the floor on all fours, hands and knees on the ground, and try to push his wings up against gravity. Keyword was ‘try’. His movements were clumsy and uncoordinated, with one wing always lagging behind even when the other was lifted through a jolt, for the brief moments his body recognized his muscles. He managed to lift them both simultaneously at the sixth attempt, and the sharp pull he felt only served to make him hiss and stop, unable to even complete the sequence.

He should practice that routine at least two times per day. 

Venti knew he was supposed to not push too hard, but frustration clawed at his patience. Ignoring the recommendations on the scroll, as soon as the tugging subsided, he took a deep breath. Sitting, he forced himself to lift his wings, just to catch the breeze entering through the window, before easing them back down.

But nothing about that was easy. He could feel something stretch and snap, not quite breaking, yet enough to spread the burn.

Venti bit his tongue, seeing stars for a moment. Mentally insulting his luck, all he could do was lower himself to the floor, until he was lying on his side, waiting for the throbbing to pass. Even his neck was strained, as if his whole spine protested. 

This doesn’t even make sense… My wings weren’t always attached to my back , he remembered bitterly, as memories of how his wisp self affected his first Archon form came to mind. Or rather, their form - at the time at least. He wasn’t sure when they became connected to his spine, just like he wasn’t sure of when his body markings stopped glowing, or when his sense of self changed. It just happened, slowly, perhaps as a result of bonding with humans further.

“Venti?”, Jean called hesitantly, perking her head. “Are you…?”

Right, of course she noticed. He was just lying on the floor heaving, and no matter how much he silenced himself, he had been still for too long.

Nodding, he figured he was feeling well enough to rise. Realizing she probably couldn’t see the nod from that angle, he spoke up. “I’m alright, just tired. And, well, I might have strained some muscles more than I should. It’s nothing worriso-”

Before he could finish that sentence, the chair was pushed back, and Jean was heading towards him. He felt his eyes widen at first, but quickly melted into a smile. 

“You didn’t have to…”, Venti muttered knowingly, making sure he conveyed his gratitude with the tone of his voice.

As she sat behind his back, carefully placing a palm between his exposed shoulder blades, her humming was affectionate. “I know, but I want to. Is it a more general pain, or localized?”

“It’s mainly at the base of my wings”, he said, letting his head fall back at the immediate relief that healing magic brought. “Yes, exactly there.”

The healing touch was cold, but appreciated, as the magic concentrated on Jean’s palms on the surface of her gloves. It was absorbed by his body, and traveled through his tired spine and muscles. When she pressed lightly against the base of his wings, instead of pain, Venti felt only the undoing of knots. Maybe I should consider massages , he pondered, unsure if people would even know what to do given how his wings were on the way. 

Accompanying the use of Jean’s Vision, the scent of dandelions enveloped them, putting Venti at ease. She took it a step further and started helping in other areas, soothing the tension on his shoulders, then trailing along the rest of his wings.

A light touch in a particularly sensitive spot made him burst into laughter. “Wait, that tickles!”, he explained himself, squirming under her hands.

She removed them immediately. “Ah, I apologize.”

“Jean, are you really apologizing for tickling me accidentally?”, he turned to stare at her with half-lidded eyes, despite being further amused. “I always tickle lots of people with wind.” To demonstrate, he called upon the breeze, fustigating her hair and neck and making her chuckle.

Sharing a smile, they silently agreed to get up. Venti’s legs were wobbly, so he was grateful for her support, allowing himself to lean some of his weight against her side until he was feeling stable. Nodding to her, she let go. 

They looked at each other in silence, an echo of that same morning. Venti held a small smile, not knowing what to say or even what to feel. Gratitude, resignation, frustration? 

He could see in her eyes, more than hear in the winds’ whispers, that she felt just as conflicted. How could she not, when her god was going through this? No matter how much they were friends as well, and what she told him before, the fact was that a lot of her perception of Barbatos had changed in recent years.

And they were about to unleash the same conflict on the rest of Mondstadt…

Venti was about to open his mouth, but Jean beat him to it. Lowering one knee to the ground, he recognized the knightly pose that Mondstadt passed down through tradition, and held his breath. Was she… swearing devotion? To Barbatos, or…?

“Venti”, she started solemnly, putting his doubts to rest. Her head was lowered, and she had a hand on her sword. “I am your friend, and your follower. No matter the nature of our bond, I know you have always, and will always, be here for me and for the rest of Mondstadt, looking out for us in some way. Do you allow me to return the favor?”

He finally exhaled. By impulse, he kneeled too, to catch a glimpse of her expression as they were at eye-level. “How could I refuse?”

She smiled, meeting his gaze. “Then, I will be your Knight.”

Jean picked up his hand, gently, raising it to her lips. She kissed his knuckles, and Venti, heart trembling, could swear he felt the faint brush of a prayer. Ah, Gunnhildr… you really are the one who is always here for me , he thought, hit by the realization. 

Despite closing his eyes, Venti couldn’t stop the single tear from forming.

Chapter Text

The plaza hummed with anticipation, voices merging into a restless murmur as the citizens of Mondstadt gathered before the towering statue of Barbatos. A wooden dais had been set up at its base, simple yet sturdy, with a stone platform placed at the front. At its center, a single Cecilia flower rested, the same bloom that had long been cherished during the Windblume Festival.

Jean stood upon the dais, her presence commanding yet calm. She stood alone, without an escort of knights, a deliberate choice meant to convey trust rather than authority - to not mention that the knights were as unaware of what was going on as the rest of the city. The golden rays of morning bathed the square, catching in her golden hair, as she clasped her hands behind her back, waiting for the last stragglers to fill the space.

High above, perched upon the outstretched hands of his own likeness, Venti observed the scene, unseen. Dressed in his Archon regalia, the cloak draped over his shoulders was like a reluctant mantle. He had considered covering himself further, adding layers to shield against the weight of scrutiny, but he had dismissed the thought at the end. If Celestia wanted him to feel ashamed, all the more reason to assume his appearance fully, and not cower. Not before his people. 

Below, Jean took a measured breath and stepped forward, her voice carrying with practiced ease.

"Thank you, Windborne Citizens, for attending this proclamation."

The crowd hushed, their restless chatter quieting into attentive silence. Venti could feel their curiosity swirling in the air, the way the wind carried their collective breath. He perched forward slightly, feeling the cool stone against his palms as he leaned in to listen.

"First of all," Jean continued, "I would like to reassure you that the urgency of this convocation is not due to any looming threat."

From his vantage point, Venti saw the crowd shift, a ripple of whispered relief passing through them. Some murmured questions to their neighbors, others exhaled softly, tension unwinding from their shoulders. 

"However," Jean went on, "what I have to announce today is of equal importance. It concerns Barbatos, and it will likely change the way some of us perceive them. But I can only hope it does not change the trust, and even friendship, that many of you have placed in them."

The words settled over the crowd like a breeze shifting direction - subtle, yet carrying an unmistakable weight. At first, there was hesitation, as if the gathered citizens couldn’t quite place why Barbatos would be referred to as a friend. It was a curious choice, one that prompted furrowed brows and hesitant glances exchanged between people.

Venti felt a similar anxiety pooling in his stomach, curling uncomfortably like a tangled thread. But despite that, he did not regret the decision to reveal himself to everyone at once. Not that he had a large margin for maneuver, given the curse. But even if he had, more than anything, he was tired of repeating the same explanations in hushed conversations and cautious confessions. It was easier to rip off the bandaid all at once, to let the wind carry his truth to every ear at the same time.

Jean continued, solemn yet serene. “It would be misleading to state that Barbatos has once again descended, since, in reality, they have been with us for several years already.” Venti didn’t know if he wished he could see the look on people’s faces. From the shift in posture alone, the revelation had struck them. “They have looked out for us, both by contributing to the resolution of greater crises in a discrete manner, and by supporting our daily dilemmas. Most of you already know them - him . You just didn’t associate the two identities.”

The murmur of the crowd swelled into a full wave of whispers, to the point of being overwhelming. Venti took stock of the reactions below. Some were unsurprising: From the gasps to the head scratching, the disbelief cascaded through the crowd. There were a few hesitant nods from those who had likely suspected something before. 

But his gaze caught on a few distinct figures: Hans Archibald was nodding to himself. Kaeya stood with arms crossed, his expression dark and difficult to read. Albedo appeared merely intrigued, no more rattled than if he were studying an unfamiliar alchemical formula. Diluc was reserved in the way only someone who knew the truth but not the motivations could be. Some members of the Knights of Favonius were expectant, while Church members were frozen on the spot, their expressions ranging from hope to betrayal.

“Barbatos was recently tasked to be openly involved in the governing of the city.” Venti smirked at Jean’s phrasing, admiring how craftly she understated the situation and kept the burdens of his curse tucked away. She knew how to wield diplomacy, and so she continued, steadfast. “They wish to do so while preserving the freedom we value, and thus, little will change in the way the Knights and the Church of Favonius operate. Instead, they will keep contributing in ways he already has - the only difference is, that now, you will be aware of who he is.”

Once again that seemed to relieve the crowd and, from his perch, Venti felt a small surge of pride. He appreciated how the people of Mondstadt were protective of their freedom, and the more they opposed the interference of an archon, the better. 

Jean was reaching the end of the speech. “There is one last thing you must know, before we break the suspense and Barbatos is revealed.” The crowd held its breadth. “Our books and statues have always depicted them with wings, as you are well familiar. The portrayal is accurate, however, you will notice that the wings are presently in a neglected state. That is caused by misuse”, she explained plainly. “I ask of everyone to understand the situation and to be supportive as our Archon starts using them permanently, as part of a healing journey.”

Venti’s stomach twisted. That was the part of the proclamation that Venti had been more hesitant about. He didn’t want their pity . The mere thought of being looked upon with sorrow or fragile reverence made something within him coil defensively. And yet, he knew the people of Mondstadt deserved an explanation. They would see his wings, ragged and weak from centuries of disuse, and they would wonder. Better to meet their questions with honesty than to let wild assumptions fester.

Still, the moment he saw hands instinctively press over hearts in silent understanding, the tension in his shoulders lessened, just a fraction. No murmurs of doubt, no visible disgust; just quiet acknowledgment. Some exchanged looks, nodding as if to reassure one another and, unknowingly, reassuring Venti too.

Tender-hearted as he was, Venti almost missed Jean’s next words.

“Thank you. In that case… Lord Barbatos, you may make your entrance.”

The words rang in his ears. It was time.

Venti inhaled deeply, filling their lungs with the crisp air. Then, with a practiced ease, they called upon the winds to envelop them. Anemo energy surged through their body. They could feel it in the way their braids lifted, glowing with the radiance of elemental power, fluttering along with their skirt and cloak.

Summoning all bravery they could muster, Barbatos faced the dread, leaping from the hands of the statue.

One with the wind, the currents caught and wrapped around them in a familiar embrace, slowing their descent. They landed graciously, in front of a frozen crowd.

Silence.

When the winds dissipated and people could see them properly, making sense of their features, the shock was palpable. As people processed who they were, some had taken an unconscious step backward, hands covering their mouths. Others blinked as if trying to reconcile what they were seeing with what they had always known. Confusion, disbelief, outright denial… it was all there, plain as day in their expressions.

And yet, among the storm of uncertainty, there were those whose gazes softened in realization. A few nods of recognition, quiet and knowing. 

It made sense to them.

Barbatos’s head throbbed slightly from the tension, but they pushed through it. Their mouth was dry, and they weren’t sure of how to move on with what they meant to say, despite their usual ease with audiences. They could only hope that the windborne children would accept them. 

For a moment, the silence stretched on, thick and unbroken. Then, a young yet unmistakable voice rang out, clear as a bell.

“Oh, it’s Venti!”

The crowd turned as one toward the source: Klee, standing among the citizens with bright, curious eyes. She pointed up and jumped, utterly unfazed by the gravity of the moment. “Klee always thought he looked like the statues!” she added with a hint of ‘I told you so’, as though this revelation was the most obvious thing in the world.

A ripple of laughter broke through the crowd, hesitant at first, then growing into something more genuine. The tension that had gripped the plaza loosened slightly, the ice breaking just a bit.

Venti let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, a grin creeping onto his lips. He chuckled, the sound light and relieved.

“Eh-he, I’m also surprised most of you haven’t realized earlier,” he joked, slipping semi-effortlessly back into his usual relaxed demeanor. The citizens were now adorned with small smiles, some heads nodding in agreement. Oh, so they had noticed the similarities after all. “Hopefully, it’s not too surprising that Barbatos is a bard,” he continued with a playful lilt, “and makes good use of those wines you leave as an offering.”

This time, the laughter was more pronounced, scattered chuckles turning into shared amusement. The tension had not disappeared entirely, but at least now it had softened into something more manageable, something he could work with. Still, beneath the mirth, there was something lingering in the air, that he wasn't sure he would be able to get rid of. Venti felt it, that subtle pull of something unsaid.

Involuntarily, his gaze sought Jean’s. She met his eyes, steady and unwavering, and gave him a small nod.

Something about that gesture grounded him, the way it carried quiet reassurance, the way it called to mind another time, another moment in history. Had she a crown of laurels for him, and once again she would remind him or the original Gunnhildr standing at his side centuries ago, during his first proclamation.

Taking a deep breath, Barbatos - Venti? - once again addressed the crowd

“My beloved children of Mondstadt,” he began, his voice carrying over the plaza, “what the Acting Grandmaster said is true. I did not ask for this role, and nothing brings me more joy than knowing how Mondstadt is free from the influence of gods. Therefore, I am not here to challenge that”, he swore, lowering his head in humility and to hide his shaking lips. Even with all the support, the weight of this moment pressed against his ribs. “When I gave you advice during the Windbluem festival, when I sang for you, when I soaked in the ambience of the tavern… I was doing so as Venti, more than as Barbatos.”

His throat tightened with emotion, and he had to pause to gather himself and stabilize his voice, inhaling deeply before continuing.

“Perhaps it’s time to stop separating the two identities, or maybe they shouldn’t have been separated in the first place. Regardless, I never meant to deceive you - or at the very least, I had no ill-intentions in doing so. I was merely enjoying the freedom of Mondstadt myself”, he explained, hands clenching briefly at his sides. “The way you see me from now on is your own choice, but I genuinely hope you can make peace with this new development: The winds change, and so should we.”

A hush fell over the citizens, their expressions a sea of contemplation and quiet reflection. The tension in the air no longer felt like skepticism or shock. It was something softer, more accepting.

Venti’s gaze flickered instinctively across the crowd, searching, and his eyes met Diluc’s. The red-haired man held his gaze, steady and unyielding, like an anchor. For all his distaste for figures of authority, he more than many had grounds to believe Venti, given their casual interactions even after he learned that he was Barbatos. There was no judgement in his gaze, only recognition.

A flutter of wings overhead drew his attention, as a flock of birds took flight, their dark silhouettes streaking against the bright sky. The timing felt almost poetic, as if Mondstadt itself acknowledged this shift.

Then, a voice broke through the silence.

“Lord Barbatos, if I may?”

Venti blinked, caught off guard. The speaker was Hans Archibald - the man who long carried the legacy of his deceased friend, Stanley, and who Venti had once released from the burden of carrying another’s identity. A man who, in some ways, understood the weight of duality.

Venti did not love the formality, but he was not surprised either. He simply nodded.

“I want to believe this change will be for the better,” Hans continued, his voice steady. “Free as you might have been as a bard, I speak from personal experience when I say no one is fully free while hiding their identity. Coupled with the hiding of your wings… I think it was about time Mondstadt embraced all facets of its Archon.”

The words struck something deep within the bewildered god. Venti swallowed thickly, the full weight of Hans’ statement pressing against his heart. Around him, murmurs of agreement echoed through the crowd. Heads nodded, voices murmured words of support. It was not unanimous, but it was enough . So they really were alright with this? They truly believed both Venti and Barbatos could coexist?

By impulse, a breeze responded to his feelings, weaving through the crowd in gentle gratitude. He was known, the children of Mondstadt were known, and they were there for each surrounded by ever-present wind. 

Venti let out a shaky breath, and blinked away the tears. With a small, earnest smile, he summoned his lyre, the familiar weight grounding him.

“Then,” he said, voice lighter now, “allow me to welcome this new period of Mondstadt with a song. It’s a new song I composed, but with some verses of old. I hope you like it.”

And with that, his fingers found the strings, and the first notes of melody filled the air. He raised his voice, which danced to the notes, as the breeze carried the rich sounds to those it was about.

“Children of the Anemo Archon, heed these words:
From the winds we have come, and with the winds we shall go.
When trees are stirred, when the falcon soars,
Our souls rise unshackled, and in tandem we flow.

Never grieve for change, but be ready to fight
like you always have, against tyrants or Fate’s decree.
The sky is our witness, there is no better sight.
Today Mondstadt still stands, unbroken and free.

From the highs you glide, looking down below.
From the breeze you are born, it’s your life’s key.
Your destination is a mystery that none can say.
But your unconstrained dream is for everyone to see.

When you're lost, the winds shall guide your way.
It’s when you pour out your truth that your tale begins.
When flowers bloom, when leaves sway,
That is me who sings the songs of freedom, of the winds.”

The words settled over the plaza like a blessing, the last note lingering as Venti’s voice faded. For a moment, there was only stillness. Then, a wave of warmth, a murmur of voices, and a ripple of applause. Some clasped their hands together, others smiled, and some simply closed their eyes, letting the song sink into their souls.

Venti sighed in relief, shoulders slumping, chuckling along with some citizens who spotted his familiar behavior. Hey, he was the best bard of Mondstadt. Anything less than impressing the crowd would just hurt his pride.

Everyone was at peace, and that was the most he could ask for. The trust was clear, even if the future was not.

There was only one exception to that reaction, staining the success of the moment. Through the corner of his eyes, Venti spotted her, slipping through the crowd and fleeing away in a rush, as if the air had suddenly become suffocating. 

Barbara.

Venti’s stilled, the joy of the moment dimming just slightly. The wind stirred at his back, uncertain, mirroring the pang in his chest. She had always spoken of Barbatos with such devotion, such unwavering faith. And now, that faith had been shattered—not by betrayal, but by the truth and disappointment.

Some things were not so easily reconciled.

During the afternoon, Venti remained playing idly in the plaza, not quite ready to deal with interactions yet. At least he could finally be outside, and change back into most of his usual garments.  The only thing missing was his shirt - he would take it later to a tailor for adjustments to the wings - but with the corset over his white top, hiding most of the metals, there was barely any difference.

Perhaps the outfit was what put people at ease, or perhaps it was the routine of seeing him play for a big portion of the day. The fact was that, little by little, a small crowd started to form like usual, both audience and aspiring bards. They were quieter than they tended to be, but a couple still dared to ask for their favorite ballad, or ask him how he executed certain things. 

“Venti?”, called six-fingered José. “Should we call you Barbatos now?” 

“Humm. I suppose both are correct”, he trailed off, looking at the sky. “I will let people choose. But, in some ways, I'm more attached to Venti.”

He nodded promptly. “Then, can you show me how to do that thing again? That part from the song ‘The princess and the boar’, you know the one.  Sorry, I know I asked you almost 10 times now…”

Venti chuckled. “Alright, I will show you again, but you could really start taking measures to not forget my tips. Maybe write them down?”, he suggested pointedly, despite knowing it would probably take longer until the clumsy bard learned his lesson. “So, first, you place your hands like this…”

The familiarity of that moment almost made him forget that they knew who he was now,  or the weight of the wings. Almost. The occasional glance was enough of a reminder, but it wasn't as bad as Venti feared.

If this was just the first day, perhaps it was worth entertaining hope.

The night had fallen in the city, draping its dark mantle over the only kind of sky people knew. For the most part, it was quiet, save for the occasional daring cat, but not around the tavern. The humming coming from inside grew louder as Venti approached. Angel’s Share was bustling with life, as familiar voices toasting and boisterous laughter emanated from the inside. Staring at the wooden door, the god’s gaze landed on a nearby moth, attracted by the light coming from one of the few buildings still emitting light.

Maybe Venti should open the door? If not for himself, then, to let the moth enter.

Venti finally dared to step inside, and his tiny temporary companion fluttered along. 

His senses were invaded with a heart-twisting familiarity, of visions, sounds and smells, from the aroma of wine to the flickering of the candelabrum. Glasses clinked, and then were drowned by slurping and burping sounds, followed by raucous laughter. Anecdotes, tales and heated drunkard opinions were being shared. José’s customary audience was teasing him for ruining yet again the piece Venti coached him through just some hours ago. 

Giving him an unimpressed stare, Venti went straight towards his favorite bartender. If there was a place where he didn’t need the winds to feel at home, it was this one, and he could only hope that hasn’t changed.

As soon as he flopped on the stool, without preamble, Diluc bombarded him. “So? Why assume your role so suddenly?”

No mercy it was. Tilting his head up, a pair of tired eyes met. “Believe it or not, Jean really was telling the truth”, he said simply. “As for who tasked me with this… well, I’m sure you can guess.”

“I can. I’m just surprised Celestia took so long to interfere.”

Fair enough , he thought, understanding how he reached that conclusion. Venti sighed dramatically. “Fine, I will give you all the details later. I just didn’t have a choice, alright? In using my wings as well.” He gestured vaguely to behind, where the limp feathers stuck out like a sore thumb. “They look ridiculous like this, and are just useless weight.”

“Frankly, yes, I never let one of my birds get to that level of neglect.” As soon as he finished that remark, Diluc caught himself and cleared his throat with a cough, speaking more measuredly as he started to pour a drink. “What I meant to say was that I know a few things about taking care of birds. If you need someone to check up on your wings from time to time, I don’t mind doing that.”

“Oh”, Venti blinked. “That… would be useful, actually.”

Diluc gave a curt nod, before placing the drink on the table with a decisive thud. Venti could recognize it from the fragrance alone, of apples and cinnamon, drifting up: it was a mug of his favorite cider, although he hadn’t asked for it. “It’s on the house. But only this time”, he deadpanned.

“Whoa, and here I was about to say you are so kind!” He dragged out the last word, making sure to sound as insufferable as possible. But deep down, as the warmth of the cider seeped into his hands, Venti found himself thankful for how their dynamic never changed, ever since the redhead learned he was Barbatos.

Sipping his drink, Venti let his gaze wander around the room. At least the patrons didn’t halt their fun when he arrived, although they weren't sure how to approach him, and he could understand. The unhinged nature of their previous interactions, the liveliness and friendly bickering, all of it seemed like crossing a boundary when dealing with a god. Would it be blasphemous to call their god a drunkard, and pass an arm around his shoulders to pull him for another round?

Venti could only hope they came around after seeing how his tendencies and personality didn't change. Not that it nullified the very obvious wings attached to his back, marking him apart.

But without the usual camaraderie, even though Angel’s Share was still the same, something was missing.

Turning to Diluc again, he rested his chin on one hand. The mellow atmosphere was the perfect invitation to laze around, and he started thinking aloud, knowing Diluc would hear him even with his back turned. 

“I’d offer a performance to bring in customers, but I think I’ve met my quota for the day.” He swirled his drink absentmindedly. “Besides, I don’t think the reactions would be the same as usual.”

Diluc didn't even raise his eyes while meticulously cleaning cups, his retort coming flat and matter-of-fact. “I agree, but you better get back at it eventually, or find a job if you want to keep drinking. I'm not going to let you drink for free just because it's known you are the Archon.” 

The harshness wasn’t anything strange for their dynamic - not just because he was the quiet kind, but because they have always acted like that around each other. In other words, Venti didn’t mind in the slightest, but Quinn, sitting nearby, took offense on his behalf. “Master Diluc, don't you think that's a bit much? Barbatos is our god.”

The door swung open abruptly, and Venti’s drinking buddies entered. Kaeya caught the tail of what Quinn said, and wasted no time slipping into the conversation, his grin sharp as ever.

“Don't be silly”, he said smoothly, striding inside with his usual lazy elegance. “Mondstadt has no god.”

That worked like a charm. The tavern was washed in a wave of amusement, with most clients just accepting it with a “oh, of course” and “never had one to begin with”, in a way only true Mondstadters would. Knowing nods ripple through the crowd.

The easy acceptance, the seamless shift back into familiarity—it was enough to lift a weight off Venti’s shoulders.

Kaeya’s words had sounded genuine too, which only cemented him as a true Mondstadter. But Venti knew better than to take them at face value. He had long been aware of Kaeya’s Khaenri’ahn origins, and that knowledge turned the simple jest - on the surface, meant to diffuse the building awkwardness - into something more layered.

Everything Kaeya said held veiled meaning, as much as it held truth. One thing was certain, Venti had to admire his skill.

Was this just his way of reaffirming his place in Mondstadt, aligning himself with its ideals? Or was it wishful thinking, a quiet hope that the city’s independence remained unchanged despite Barbatos’ return? Perhaps merely friendly reassurance, communicating that the nature of their bond wouldn’t have to change just because of the big reveal?

…Or maybe it was something else entirely? A refusal to acknowledge Barbatos as a god, a sentiment shaped by Khaenri’ahn blood and its long-standing resistance to Celestia? With valid reasons , Venti conceded

They always had a cautionary suspicion of each other, circling one another in unspoken understanding. Kaeya had never outright stated that he knew Venti was Barbatos, but Venti had little doubt he had figured it out long ago. Likewise, Venti was aware that Kaeya’s alliances extended beyond Mondstadt. But they were content with a friendship built on wit and votes of trust, just playfully taunting each other about their secrets, for as long as none acted on it and tried to exert power. 

How much of that was ruined by Venti assuming he was Barbatos?

The pair sat at the counter beside Venti, cutting his trail of thought. Rosaria sat between them, like a divide.

“So, Lord Barsibatos, mhm?”, she asked smugly, not even bothering to say the name right. “I must say, your announcement left the church in shambles - many are struggling to believe that the god they prayed to is a drunkard. Personally, I like that - I was never devoted, and yet now we can say I got closer to Mondstadt’s god by drinking with him than they ever have with their prayers.”

Venti couldn’t help it: he barked out a laugh, marveled at how she not only didn’t care, but even got a kick out of the entire ordeal. In many ways, she had always been his favorite nun - he had a thing for rebels. 

Kaeya was laughing too, even though his single eye lingered on Venti for uncomfortably long. But whatever thoughts were brewing in his mind, he shrugged them off, and turned to Diluc. “Bartender, get me one Death After Noon!”, he ordered, as always doing what he could to provoke him, both in tone and choice.

“And one Dandelion Wine for me”, Rosaria added distractedly, playing with the dagger on her palm.

Diluc, predictably, refused to be entertainment for them. A lesser man might have glared, sighed, or even rolled his eyes, but the redhead merely turned to fetch their drinks with professional composure. That, of course, was enough for Kaeya and Rosaria, whose amusement thrived in the knowledge of how hard the redhead tried to stay stoic.

Kaeya clinked his tankard against Rosaria’s, before drinking. Eyeing Venti over the rim of the mug with a teasing glint, he had no problems talking to him directly. “I will say, your Archon outfit is an interesting choice. I can see now why the sculptor who created the statues decided to cover you up.”

Rosaria huffed. “Just say he’s hot.”

Venti nearly choked on his drink, caught off guard by the comment. “That is… quite straightforward,” he managed, his laugh slipping out sheepishly. He let one of his braids fall forward, an instinctive attempt to shield his face.

Kaeya leaned back, peering at him. “My, my. No need to be shy, Venti. It’s not the first time people compliment your looks.”

“I mean, I am aware of that, of course.” It was true, and it pleased him to know people enjoyed his appearance, although he would have honored his old friend’s look even if it wasn’t considered beautiful. “But flattery works better if you go for subtlety instead.”

“Trust me, I know some individuals who react very well to bluntness.” Rosaria exchanged a look with Kaeya, and Venti knew what that meant - reinforced by how one of her hands squeezed his tight. Those two were close in more ways than one. She turned back to Venti, prodding more. “Besides, you always enjoy it when people compliment your songs. Why would this be different?”

“Eh-he, fine. It’s true, you caught me!” He raised his hands in surrender, returning their smiles. “I like it when people praise me. Fun fact, I always thought it was unfair that my statues cover me up when Morax gets to be depicted with his torso perfectly sculpted. He doesn’t even dress like that!”

The group laughed, already getting tipsy, while Diluc shook his head in one corner, clearly regretting every decision that had led to him serving this particular crowd. He said nothing, but the way he poured another drink just a little too forcefully spoke volumes. Even some of the nearby patrons, who had been cautiously weighing how to engage with their now-officially-revealed god, relaxed at the lighthearted exchange that they clearly listening to.

Feeling more relaxed, Venti downed the rest of his cider, appreciating the burning in his stomach, and leaned against Rosaria’s side, who didn’t flinch or pull away. He was secretly craving touches after so long without them, a hunger that was hard to sate - likely influenced by the curse, yes, but also born from his natural desire to be close to others. It was strange, how he could barely go one day without missing them, but he also recognized how privileged he was for having so many friends that were okay with physical contact.

So he just stayed like that, soaking in the atmosphere of the tavern. 

Venti still engaged in talking from time to time. He faked dramatic offense when accused of cheating at music, arguing that centuries of practice were hardly an unfair advantage - just proof of his unending dedication. When someone asked whether the wild tales he spun about Barbatos had ever held a shred of truth, he doubled down, weaving even grander, more contradictory versions that left them no closer to an answer.

The stress of the past days was finally catching up to Venti, who found himself dozing off. At some point, he lowered his head to rest on his folded arms, telling himself it was just for a moment. Just long enough to blink the heaviness from his eyes. But the moment stretched into minutes, and the sounds of the tavern blurred into an indistinct buzzing. Someone ran a hand through his hair, slow, deliberate, tender. He didn’t know who. He didn’t need to know. He leaned into it instinctively.

Maybe I should try to get up, he realized in the back of his mind. But his eyes protested at the thought. Alright, I will just be here for a little longer.

As sounds of home whispered at the corners of his conscience, darkness pulled him under, quiet and soft as a lullaby.

When Venti started drifting in and out of a state of awareness, the first thing he registered was the warmth. The second was the rocking, and the third was the quiet thrum of a heartbeat against his ear.

His mind didn’t immediately care. He just relaxed further, tilting his face to sink into that warmth. 

He couldn’t quite make sense of the hushed voices, muffled by the haze of lingering sleep, but some words got across. 

“Can’t you coordinate better?”, asked a deep irritated voice.

It was followed by a retort dripping with sarcasm. “Oh I am so sorry for not knowing how to hold his hurt wings and not keeping up with your pace.” 

“You’re just drunk, that’s why you can’t coordinate. 

“Tsk.” 

A smile tugged at Venti’s lips, finding the bickering familiar.

Wait…

“-luc? Kaeya?” He croaked.

“It’s us”, Diluc confirmed calmly. “I’m bringing you to one of the rooms of the tavern - don’t worry, I won’t make you pay for that - and Kaeya is helping support your wings.”

“They are quite big”, Kaeya pointed out. “I can barely make them fit through this tight staircase.”

Venti was starting to feel a bit more awake, and perhaps he should just offer to climb the rest of the stairs on his own. And yet, it was as if his body needed the contact, clinging further to the one who carried him. He simply couldn’t say it. When he was forced to let go to be placed in bed, the ache left was sated by the sensation of being tucked under the blankets.

As they turned to leave, Venti spoke without thinking.

“Don’t go just yet”, Venti called, halting them on their way out. Fighting the haziness, he continued. “There are explanations that you deserve. Both of you.”

Without skipping a beat, Diluc approached, but Kaeya remained at the doorway. “Are you going to share your secrets, Lord Barbatos?”, Kaeya asked coldly. That tone stung, prodding at a fear Venti had wanted to ignore.

Gulping, his reply was weak at first. “Some. At the very least, explanations pertaining to this situation. And please don’t call me that - I don’t want to just be a distant god.”

Something in his openness made Kaeya hesitate, letting the hostility go. It was hard to tell in the dimly-lit room, but his expression seemed to turn somewhat regretful and softer. After a moment’s pause, he exhaled and took a reluctant seat at the foot of the bed, mirroring Diluc, who had already settled on the other side.

It was Diluc who broke the silence first, sighing. “Let me just confirm one thing, and show you that I am also aware of it.” His crimson eyes flickered toward Kaeya. “You know about his origins, don’t you?”

“I know that he is a descendant of Khaenri’ah, yes”, Venti confirmed, no judgement in his voice. Glancing at him, Kaeya was staring at his own lap, holding a grimace. “For the record, it never bothered me, and I even appreciate how Mondstadt has citizens from all over the world. They are all my children”, he simply stated, relishing in the way he could just say the truth now. 

Diluc scoffed. “Then you take it better than when I found out.” Kaeyaa huffed in amusement, attracting the redhead’s stare.

“That isn’t hard, is it, Diluc?”, was Kaeya’s comeback. There was a certain pain in his voice, but no heat or anger. “I suppose I should be grateful, and since we are in the mood for confessions… I wasn’t really surprised by the fact that you are Barbatos, Venti. You know that.”

Venti chuckled. “Of course I do - you were constantly hinting at it, from poems in hillichurlian to pointing out all the things about me that didn’t add up. In a sense, I had fun with that. I just hope your suspicions weren’t driven by resentment. Though, if you do hold some caution, I wouldn’t blame you.”

“Because of Khaenri’ahs stance against gods?”

“That, and because you are a true Mondstadtian.” In his sleepy state, he reached out one hand and, after a heartbeat, felt the warmth of Kaeya’s fingers curling around his own. “I’m proud that Mondstadt doesn’t blindly accept divine rule with open arms,” Venti murmured. “That people would fight for their freedom, even against me if it came to it. That’s how it should be.” He squeezed Kaeya’s hand gently before letting go. “And I want to reassure you that I’m not doing this to seize power. I was forced into it.”

“Is this the part where you are going to share more about Celestia?”, Diluc quipped, slightly skeptical.

Venti hummed, and shifted under the blankets. “As much as I can, although there is a limit to how much mortals are allowed to know. Let’s just say that Celestia was dormant until recent times, thus why I managed to get away with being an absentee Archon for so long.” The pair held their breath. “Now, to punish me, I was cursed.”

The silence was deafening. 

“That… is more confidential than I expected”, Diluc admitted, rubbing his chin. His tone softened just a fraction. “Are you alright, Venti?”

“I’m not hurt, and I won’t be”, he said for what felt like the hundredth time. “To be clear, my wings really are like this because I haven’t used them for centuries - and I would never use them again, if one of the conditions of the curse didn’t imply having them out at all times. So, healing it is, I guess.” 

He attempted to laugh it off, but his companions didn’t go along.

“And what are the other conditions?” Ah, Kaeya was too perceptive for his own good.

“Again, nothing that warrants your worry. You already know one of them: I have to contribute to Mondstadt’s governance, openly. The proclamation was part of the requirements, along with me wearing my archon outfit when acting in official capacity.”

Kaeya nodded. “Anything else?”

“Well, yes. It’s just a little embarrassing.” Venti said with a nervous chuckle, hesitating. He was grateful for the darkness, hiding the blush creeping up to his neck and ears. He turned around in bed, sinking his face against the pillow. “If I don’t want to feel pain, I need to seek physical closeness from people, as punishment for getting so close to humans”, he mumbled.

Silence.

Then, Kaeya bent over cackling, and even Diluc's lips were pressed together, shaking with poorly contained amusement. Ugh, betrayal! 

Please,” Kaeya wheezed, clutching his stomach. “Just let me share this part with Rosaria. It’s too funny to not let her know.”

“Oh, soooo funny,” Venti drawled, raising an eyebrow. “Why would I agree to that? So you two can bully me together?” He huffed. “Fine, you can tell her, but you two better help me with this as compensation.”

“Sounds fine to me. It’s not like affection makes me feel inhibited”, Kaeya purred, grazing his fingernails along Venti’s arm, a barely-there touch. It sent goosebumps through his body, and Venti grasped at the sheets. Damn it, he knew how to make it feel good. 

Diluc stood there awkwardly, practically looking away, like a shy maiden from ancient times who would blush at the slightest exposed ankle or demonstration of affection. 

“Kaeya, stop behaving inappropriately”, he muttered stiffly.

“Or what, will you tell us to get a room?”, Kaeya teased. He glanced at Venti before his grin widened. “Besides, why are you scolding me when our dear bard was the one who asked? In fact…” His tone turned mockingly reverent. “You could even say I’m obeying our god’s will.”

“Eugh, please don’t,” Venti groaned, muffling a laugh. “Don’t ever say that again.”

They all laughed together, even Diluc, in that discreet manner of his.

The pair kept him company for a while, with Kaeya still caressing his arm. Venti was comfortable, lulled by the motions and their bickering. His eyelids started to close, and he wasn’t sure if his friends were still around when he was enveloped in sleep’s embrace.

He was happy.

Chapter Text

The birds greeted the morning with song, their melodies drifting through the crisp dawn air. Awakened by their singing, a small god stirred to conscience.

The chirping sounds were muffled by the source of the warmth that cocooned him. Fluffy and snug, the sensation wrapped around his body like a shield against the waking world. A blanket , Venti realized, his mind sluggishly piecing together his surroundings. Right, he was still in the tavern. Curling further, he sighed against the pillow, appreciating how nice Mondstadt’s beds were. Maybe I could sleep indoors more often , he considered. Even though the breeze wasn’t around to caress him, and it lacked nature’s embrace, there was a kind of comfort he couldn’t get outside.

Someone had undone his braids. That much was obvious from the way his hair splayed freely over the pillow. And, now that he was paying attention, his corset and shoes were removed too. Perhaps he had fallen asleep last night in the brief minutes between being carried and placed into bed, but that only made things more amusing. Did he really wake up just in time to stop the pair from leaving, and somehow manage to be perfectly coherent during the following conversations? Or maybe I just dreamed it up. He had to ask Diluc later…

For now, he stayed put, savoring the quiet moments before the day truly began.

After some more minutes in bed, he opted to finally start the day, by practicing the exercises recommended by Xianyun. His breathing was still half-asleep, which made exercising even more tiresome, but a part of his body was starting to get used to stretching, and even enjoying the dull burn that came with deeper movements. Not that the progress on his wings was visible in any way but, at the very least, the aching was tenuous.

Once Venti was finished - or as finished as he would bother to be at this Barbatos-forsaken hour - the sounds coming from below told him that there was someone already tending to the tavern. Angel’s Share was never opened in the morning, accepting clients only for lunch at the earliest. So that meant it was probably just Diluc, or perhaps someone with the keys coming to fetch an item left behind. 

Seeing a good opportunity, Venti rushed down the stairs, grateful that his wings were finally losing their stiffness. The added weight was becoming easier to carry, though they still shifted awkwardly behind him as he moved. Just as he suspected, it was Diluc downstairs, although…

“Hm? You’re not leaving?” Venti called from the second floor, peering over the railing. Below, the man was already busying himself with work, tidying the bar even though it wouldn’t open for hours.

Diluc blinked, and stared up at him. “Can’t I be in my own establishment?”

Venti chuckled. “That’s not what I mean. It’s just that the tavern won’t open anytime soon, and you usually are asleep at this time, so I thought you were just entering to fetch something you forgot.”

The redhead raised an eyebrow, but didn’t question how Venti knew his usual schedule. Evidently, there were few secrets that the winds weren’t privy to. “That’s because I usually spend the night keeping the city safe,” he explained, returning to his task. Since I spent yesterday taking care of you, and I also figured criminals wouldn’t be stupid enough to act when Barbatos had just been announced, I went to sleep relatively early.”

“I see, I see…” Venti mused, hopping down the last few steps. “So that means my conversation with you and Kaeya wasn’t just a dream, huh?”

Diluc huffed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Correct.” Then, as if deciding not to linger on the subject, he added, “Do you want something to eat? I was about to make breakfast.”

Venti tilted his head, considering the offer. “Tempting… but I was actually thinking of using the bathroom first. Maybe even wash up? My feathers are getting dirty.”

“Of course you can. The water takes a while to warm - I can go draw a bath for you.”

His casual offer caught Venti slightly off guard, though he quickly masked it with a grin. “Oh, how generous! How could I refuse such hospitality?”

Minutes later, Venti was sinking into the wooden bathtub, letting the warmth ease the lingering tension in his muscles. 

He carefully tucked his wings to fit into the space, using his hands to guide them, mindful of their size. Fortunately, they weren’t dirty enough to cloud the water, since he suspected Diluc would be less than amused if he had to drain and refill the tub. Instead, Venti simply slid lower, until only his shoulders peeked above the surface, and ran his fingers through the softened feathers, rustling to coax out any lingering grease.

He feared it would be uncomfortable to keep his wings confined to such a small space, but that wasn’t the case at all. Positioned on either side of his body,  they were almost cradling him, evoking memories of a sweeter time when everyone would scoop up his small elemental form. Well, sweeter for him, still innocent and unaware of much. His friends at the time didn’t want to worry a little wisp, but the moments of peace that they knew were few and far between. 

A knock on the door took him out of the reminiscing. “You can come in”, Venti said, sitting and turning around in the bathtub. The tub was positioned under the small window, fr from the doorway  in the opposite end of the room so it wasn’t like Diluc could see his intimate parts from there.

Diluc brought some items with him. “Here’s a robe and extra towels, in case you need it”, he said simply, placing the neatly folded fabrics close to the door. “I figured your wings will take some effort to dry.”

“Oh, ehe, good thing you thought about it, because I had forgotten that detail myself.” He propped his arms on the edge of the tub, resting his chin on them. As he trailed the redhead’s movements, his damp hair dripped onto the floor, cool against his skin. Before he could second-guess himself, he blurted out an impulsive question. “Can you wash my hair?”

Diluc turned so fast that he hit his elbow against the door, hissing. Venti winced in sympathy, and returned his startled expression with a lopsided grimace. 

“Err, sorry? I don’t know what got into me, it was probably just the curse.”

“I get the impression that’s not how it works,” Diluc said flatly, arms crossed. “And that you’re starting to use it as an excuse.”

Venti opened his mouth to protest, but Diluc continued, voice softer now. “No one’s going to fault you for wanting closeness. Especially not in Mondstadt. You know that, right?”

Venti’s eyes flickered downward, a little embarrassed. “I know, it’s just- hmphf!”

Something slammed against his face, soft but heavy, cutting him off mid-sentence. He flailed and protested instinctively, although the sounds were muffled. Disoriented, he picked it up, realizing it was a towel. Still bewildered, he couldn’t contain a laugh. “Hey! I didn’t expect Master Diluc to be so mischievous!”, he teased.

Diluc grunted. “Just put that around your waist - I don’t want to see you naked”, he stated dryly, turning around. 

It took Venti a few beats to process the implications. Did he really take Venti’s request seriously? He was torn between insisting that there was no need, and accepting the special treatment. Venti ended up rising, and haphazardly wrapping the towel around his waist, water splashing over the edge as he settled back down. Not that he cared that much about nudity, or even arbitrary indicators of gender, but after so many centuries getting used to human customs, he understood why Diluc did.

“I’m ready”, he announced with a playful lilt. 

He heard Diluc’s heavy footsteps from behind, approaching, and he couldn’t help but giggle when the redhead finally keeled behind him - out of nerves or amusement, it was hard to tell. “I can’t say I have ever been pampered like this, not even with my cute looks”, he mused, tilting his head back to catch Diluc’s eyes. 

“It’s my first time doing this for someone else, too”, Diluc confessed quietly. There was something fragile and tender in his tone, softening the usual drynesss. The vulnerability also reflected in the way he touched Venti’s hair, firm and strong, yet tentative.

“Then why accept?”, Venti murmured, voice matching the soft cadence. “I was just joking.”

Diluc was silent for a moment. One of his hands scooped the warm water and brought it to Venti’s hair, gently washing his scalp before applying other products. He kept working through his hair with careful fingers, massaging in slow circles. With a shiver, the smaller leaned back into the pleasant touch, almost forgetting he was waiting for a reply.

“When I was a child, Adelinde used to take care of me and Kaeya, almost like a mother. I never knew my real mother, and my father…” He hesitated briefly before continuing. “Well, you know what happened to him later. But I still treasure those memories of being looked after, and I know that Kaeya does too.” 

As he talked, his fingers never halted the methodical work. Venti listened, eyes half-lidded with comfort, his body pliant beneath the gentle touch. Diluc’s voice was quieter than usual, almost thoughtful.

“In some ways, I think I model how I care for others after those memories,” he admitted. “And beyond that… I found myself wondering if you had anyone who would do this for you.”

Venti blinked, then let out a small chuckle. “Ah… technically, I do have a mother. Just not in the sense humans do. I also have friendships with other gods, some very close ones at that. On the other hand, I think the closest I’ve been to someone was…” He closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of whatever herbal mixture Diluc had worked into his hair.  “It was before I became an Archon. I didn’t even look like this back then, you know? I was just an elemental wind wisp.”

“You didn’t…?” Diluc’s hands momentarily slowed before resuming their work. “Nevermind, that makes sense. Rex Lapis also had a non-human form. I just never imagined you looking any different.”

His movements were now more confident, and Venti hummed, both in appreciation and in response to what was said. When Diluc’s fingers dug into his hair, Venti was about to melt. As strong hands brushed against the back of his neck, an unexpected shiver ran through him, and a quiet, breathy noise escaped before he could stop it.

Diluc chuckled. “You like this?”, he asked, doing it again. 

Venti squirmed slightly, but didn’t pull away. “A little too much,” he admitted with a sheepish grin, relaxing further into his friend’s hands.

His friend indulged him, letting his hands slide and press down on Venti’s shoulders, in slow circular motions, before sliding back up, tracing the curve of his neck. One hand kept caressing his nape, while the other moved to the front, contorning his chin and face, until the other joined on the other side. Cupping his face, Diluc’s thumbs smoothed over his skin: jawline, cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead… Then, the hands moved again, this time towards Venti’s ears. It tickled slightly, but it was also oddly soothing. The fact that his hands were always warm was the cherry on top.

He eventually moved back to washing his hair, properly this time. The small god exhaled a contented sigh, shifting under the water. Their conversation drifted back to casual topics, with Diluc commenting on the ease of washing his practically-short hair hair.

“Why do you only leave the front strands long?” he wondered at one point, genuine curiosity lacing his tone. “Why not just grow it evenly, and use the full hair for the braids?”

“It’s lighter like this, and besides, the Archon of Freedom gets to make some bold choices instead of following conventions”, Venti joked, shaking his head slightly so the long strands swayed. “Although… When I said I didn’t always look like this, I left many details out. Even my human appearance changed slightly over time, and the non-human parts, like the wings, changed even more. My wings weren’t always attached to my back, for example - don’t ask me how that worked, I don’t know either.” He raised his hands in mock surrender before Diluc could ask. “That said, some traits, like my face and hair, remain practically the same, and there’s a reason for that.”

Diluc gave him a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow. “Alright, I’ll bite. What’s the reason?”

“Not telling”, he teased, staring back at Diluc in a challenge. Diluc stared back, impassively. Then, he grabbed one of the longer parts of Venti’s hair and pulled it, hard. “Ouch! Fine, fine, I will tell, I was just joking.” Venti whined, his voice as pathetic as he could make it. “You’re so meeean, Diluc!” Despite the complaints, he found the reaction hilarious. Unlocking the more mischievous side of the grumpy redhead was a reward on its own. 

“So?”

Venti clinked his tongue, still pondering if he could drag it longer. But he finally shook his head. “It’s just to honor the appearance of a friend I lost. Old books, passed down the Gunnhildr Clan through generations, still mention him: a nameless bard, who fought against the tyranny of having music taken away, and ended up leading the rebellion against Decarabian, alongside some friends.” He hesitated, then glanced at Diluc from the corner of his eye. “One such friend was me, a tiny wisp who learned almost everything from him. Two others looked a lot like Jean… and you.”

Diluc’s hands stilled for a brief moment before resuming their gentle movements. His expression was unreadable, but something shifted in his gaze. “Sometimes I forget how ancient you are, and how much you have seen that I can’t even dream of.”

“Sometimes, even I do.” He exhaled slowly. “But I treasure the chances to preserve history through song, and to see how the efforts of people I loved bloom in time. It’s not always easy, and I messed up a lot at times.” His voice wavered, and his lips shook. “But it’s worth it.”

Diluc mumbled something under his breath. “...ood archon.”

“Hum?”

“You’re a good Archon”, he repeated, more clearly. 

Venti blinked. Turning to look back, he searched for Diluc’s eyes, who still held his hand up. Hesitating, Venti took his hand, pressing the palm against his face, and offered a smile. “I hope other people think the same, especially now that they know that I’m Barbatos. I don’t want to be worshiped, but I don’t want to fail them either.”

“You never failed us any more than we also failed ourselves”, he said, shaking his head. “No one is perfect. If anything, I think the knowledge that Barbatos is Venti is beneficial for everyone, and fits with the way Mondstadt perceives its freedom. The last thing we needed would be an Archon that made people even more complacent and reliant on divine protection.”

Venti chuckled. “Do you really have to bring up the Knights at every chance you get?”

“Yes, and your debt over drinks as well. You didn’t perform for the clientele yesterday, but I very much hope you start soon.”

Venti couldn’t resist it. He imbued a breeze with Hydro from the bathtub, and threw it against Diluc’s face, who made an indignant sound. 

Kindly enough, Diluc didn’t scold him. “Let’s finish this, we’ve already spent too long with your bath. Your hair is done. Would you like me to have a look at your feathers?”

Trusting him with it, Venti nodded and adjusted his position, letting his friend inspect the wings. Diluc was careful, knowing well how to manipulate them thanks to experience taking care of birds, and even helped clean harder-to-reach areas without causing pain. The sensations were still varied, from slight discomfort to tickling, and some pleasant sensations that made Venti ask him to continue the ministrations. 

“You have no shame”, Diluc complained, while simultaneously prolonging the touch on his bare back. “Since you like this so much, have you considered visiting the Onsen in Inazuma? I heard it reopened recently.”

“In Inazuma?”, he perked up. “Oh, I remember! It was closed last time I visited, sadly. Maybe I can check it out in a few months. Eh-he, would you come with me?”

Diluc sighed. 

After they were done, Venti stayed behind to dress, while Diluc headed to the kitchen. When he finally emerged, the bard was presented with a sight fit for a king: sumptuous pancakes, piled up, dripping with syrup and topped with fresh strawberries. He wasted no time digging in, stuffing himself in record time, and had to admire how much the redhead could eat.

Dangling his legs on the chair, Venti leaned forward, pouring another cup of grape juice. It wouldn’t be his first choice for a drink, but who was he to contradict the tavern owner? He had to admit, it tasted great, and Diluc’s smug satisfaction at watching him want more was another great perk.

“I would entertain the hopes of making you drop alcohol”, Diluc mused, sipping his own drink, “but something tells me that it would take more than a few healthier alternatives.”

“Please, I could never reject alcohol so radically. What about the offerings people leave for Barbatos?”, he asked with a grin.

Diluc snorted. “Knowing that you are Barbatos, I wouldn’t be so sure in your place that people will want to keep feeding your alcoholic tendencies.”

Venti stopped chewing, hit by the sudden realization. Oh no, no no no. He hadn’t thought about it, but it was too unfair to be true. Sharing the brews with Barbatos was a long-standing tradition! People wouldn’t just stop because he already got his fair share throughout the rest of the year, right?

Before he could spiral any further, a rare sound filled the tavern: Diluc’s heartfelt laugh, catching him by surprise. Delighted by that reaction, Venti almost forgot his predicament. Resting his chin on his hands, he smiled as he intertwined their legs under the table.

“Are my problems that amusing to you?”, he asked teasingly. “I’m starting to fear that all of my friends are going to betray me that way.”

“Of course not”, was the retort, barely concealing the glee. “But you should have seen your face.”

Venti pouted, but the sparkle in his eyes gave away how pleased it was to see Diluc so at ease. Diluc finished his portion of the breakfast, and cleaned his lips with a napkin, well-behaved like always, fully emptying his mouth before resuming conversation.

“Speaking of Barbatos’ habits, I’ve wondered about something for a while. Where do you live, Venti? Do you even own a house?”

Venti waved a hand lazily. “Well… Archons have their own personal domains, in a way, so I could always go there at any point. The Traveler also gave me a sigil to access his teapot - you know what I’m talking about - but he is constantly changing the layout, and I would rather not get lost”, he said with a grimace. “Apart from those places, no, I don’t own a house. But I enjoy sleeping out in the open, under the stars, although I admit that beds are also nice.”

Diluc gave it some thought. “We still keep Kaeya’s room intact, just in case, but I’ve been meaning to clean my father’s old room for a while. I inherited most of his belongings, and the little else Crepus kept in there were either secrets you probably know about, or things I already got rid of. It’s about time that room is repurposed.”

“Are you saying what I think you are?”, Venti asked, tilting his head.

“If you want it, yes”, his friend confirmed. “Just make sure to not pass out drunk before you get into the actual room, and to not wake up people at night when entering the mansion. If you promise to behave, it’s yours.”

Venti gasped dramatically. “I don’t know if I should be offended or flattered. Eh-he, are you sure that’s a good idea? Aren’t you afraid I might sneak into your room once I am so close?”

“You could have done such already if you had so little regard for how I feel about it”, he pointed out sharply, the tips of his ears turning a little red. He coughed once. “Besides not having anything to fear from you, I’m sure I made it clear that I am not opposed to affection. Again, it all comes down to your ability to behave.”

Venti burst into laughter, thoroughly delighted. He was already looking forward to his own space, and to be closer to Diluc. 

Maybe this hospitality would extend beyond just the bedroom. Maybe they’d have breakfast together. Maybe he’d get help grooming his wings, or they’d play music in the mansion from time to time. He couldn't quite put a finger on why - he genuinely liked to sleep outdoors, and he was sure he would still do it often - but he was giddy with excitement. His dynamics with people were changing so fast, but he was yet to think negatively of it.

By impulse, he got up, trotting closer to the redhead. He draped his arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug. Diluc froze for a couple of seconds, before returning the gesture, reliable and warm.

“Thank you”, the smaller said. “I promise I will do my best to not be much of a parasite.”

Diluc huffed. “You’d better. And, Venti?”

“Hm?”

“I know I had my rebellious phase, so I have no right to judge. But it was about time you started taking care of yourself.”

Sunlight filtered through the windows, and the birds were still singing, this time in symphony with the bards. Venti still intended to step outside and enjoy the beautiful day.

But for some reason, he decided to stay just a little longer.

Chapter Text

A week had gone by. For all that time doomed, it also brought blessings and settled fears, and that was exactly what had been happening to Venti. The more people started to process he was still the bard they knew, the less the presence of wings was an inconvenient reminder of their differences.

Funnily enough, his two identities were merging in interesting ways, especially in the eyes of Mondstadt’s children. Just as he - they? - were descending the stairways of Diluc’s mansion, they caught whispers from the maids, confirming that very development.

“I think Barbatos has been stealing from the cellar”, one of the maids was saying. “The other day, I was cleaning the place, and one of the shelves was nearly empty.”

“Well, are you surprised? For some reason wine is a common offering to them during festivals.”

Barbatos was not a ‘he’: at least, most religious scriptures tended to refer to the Archon in a neutral way. Frankly, Venti didn’t quite know what they were either, and while masculine pronouns were easier to explain and he grew comfortable with those over time, that wasn’t how he was referred to in the beginning. Neither wisp nor newly-ascended god had been referred to in quite the same way - although the later caused more confusion, with some people even wondering if ‘she’ was righter, just like they had used to wonder about the Bard. 

Venti remembered how their old friend had shrugged it off, and just let people make assumptions. In that aspect, both were similar, since Venti was also fine or even entertained to see what theories people conjured. That was not to say the bard never gave it some thought, or wondered what to make of the things people stated about their person. But the battle for freedom simply took priority, and after that, Venti took the mantle, and their identity was forced to change quickly on many fronts beyond gender. 

As for Barbatos’ anatomy, well, it might not be fully accurate to what humans perceived as either masculine or feminine. They were more aware of the differences now, after years living amongst humans, but still hadn’t bothered to look into it in detail, or change his body intentionally to pick one. If anything, his form would change organically, just like his wings had. Those parts were always hidden away by clothes, anyway.

Venti frowned. He really had been using ‘they’ in his head sometimes, huh? 

It was hard to conciliate all he had been, and all he emulated, without dissociating. Their essence was shifting, as if it was trying to combat the singular soul with time, forcing it to be many, even if they couldn’t be all encapsulated in a single moment. 

Sometimes, Venti’s hands sank in the flow of the Thousand Winds, and emerged tainted by divinity.

Other times, in the blink of an eye, they felt as if the spirit of their friend possessed them. 

For the past few days, when they stared at a mirror, they were thrown back to the first time they saw their just-ascended reflection, not knowing who they became besides no-loonger wisp. Not knowing if they were more human, since they had just taken the appearance of their friend, or more god. 

Their development was composed of two conflicting forces that manifested simultaneously, two essences that were never mixed and, especially in the past, were bound to fight one another. Both pulled Venti in different directions, and freedom of tyranny didn’t grant freedom of the confines of a material body. 

They had forgotten what being thorn was like. It was rarer to feel that way in the present, and mirrors no longer taunted them. They were comfortable enough with the person they have become, and their appearance. But recent developments brought a lot of uncertainty, despite the support, along with the reminder that a body could only store one soul, and had its own demands and constraints.

The heavy wings made that clear. 

The giggling of the maids who said something he lost dragged Venti back to the present, and he realized they were leaving. He shook off the rambly thoughts. No matter! The maids were right, he had been taking one bottle of apple cider every day for his personal stash, and this was his chance to sneak in again.

Minutes later, he was already popping open the cork lid to celebrate another successful heist, when a familiar voice called sharply.

“Good Morning, Venti. I see you have already replenished your reserve of wine.” 

He turned swiftly on his heels. Adelinde stood in the hallway, hands neatly clasped behind her back, wearing a polite but pointed smile. Though her tone was laced with courtesy and wrapped in layers of kindness, yet the unmistakable steel beneath it sent a chill down Venti’s spine.

Still, he wasn’t one to admit defeat so easily. Schooling their expression into an innocent smile, he flashed the expression at her.

“Oh, Adelinde! Eh-he, that’s right, and I am very grateful for the privilege of having direct access to the Winery’s reserve.” Venti raised the bottle in a toast, careful not to spill a drop of its precious contents. “Surely it’s alright as long as I sing in the tavern, to attract clientele? Now that the shock has passed, people are easily compelled.”

“I too am feeling compelled to report the speed of your consumption to Master Diluc”, she squinted slightly. “He will not be opposed to letting you access the cellar, but I believe he expected it to be paced more reasonably.”

Venti could tell she was amused, yet also offering genuine advice. In a way, he appreciated that. She received the news that he was Barbatos quite calmly, hardly flinching at the knowledge that the carefree bard was, in fact, the Anemo Archon. Practical as ever, she had immediately set about ensuring that their new accommodations suited the space their wings required.

I guess that’s what happens when the two kids you raise grow up to have secret identities , he mused, as Kaeya and Diluc came to mind. Adelinde wasn’t necessarily privy to everything, but she knew enough, and was fiercely supportive of those two. 

Honestly, she deserved a ballad in her honor. Those who worked tirelessly in the background, keeping everything running smoothly, were the kind of unsung heroes Venti admired most.

“Fine, fine, I will try to moderate. I was just taking advantage of the situation for a while, no need to bother Diluc with that”, he relented, pressing a hand to their chest in only half-mock solemnity. Then, he winked. “Besides, I can always compensate by making sure Barbatos brings extra-good weather, for a better harvest.”

Adelinde huffed in amusement but said nothing.

“And, Adelinde?”

“Yes?”

“You’re a kind soul, always looking out for everyone. I really don’t want to abuse the hospitality”, he said in earnest, letting sincerity soften his usually jesting voice. The way she blinked, momentarily disarmed, before her expression melted into something warmer—that was exactly the reaction Venti had hoped for. “Thank you for adapting my clothes as well, to fit the wings and all.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Don’t worry about it, little one. I had plenty of practice sewing clothes for two active boys, and let’s say that even as grown ups, their adventures sometimes still result in outfits that need mending.”

He chuckled along. “‘Little one’? I will let you know I have several millennia on you!”, he pointed truthfully, although he was quite amused. 

With a cheerful wave, they continued on their merry way, intent on savoring every last drop of that Dandelion Wine.

After savoring his drink and an apple freshly picked, Venti was ready to tackle the routine wing exercises. Once done with that chore, they could finally go to the city, feeling the chill of the morning breeze on their open back. 

More precisely, they went towards the library.

Lisa had asked for their help with “a little secret room”, and they understood what she meant. The Imaginarium Theater hadn’t been maintained by the witches for a while, and even though Lisa was a competent scholar - one talented enough to receive an invitation to the Hexenzirkel -even she could benefit from a second opinion from an Archon. In some ways, having their identity out in the open meant people could freely reach out to ask for help, and Venti didn’t have an issue with that. 

Inside the library, the scent of parchment and ink swirled in the air, accompanied by the soft scratch of quills and the occasional shifting of books. The purple witch was yawning at her desk, distractedly turning the pages of her book. If Venti weren’t intimately familiar with the fine art of conserving effort until truly necessary, they might have wondered how she managed to be such an extraordinary individual.

She noticed his presence, beckoning him closer with one hand. When he was at talking distance, so she didn’t have to raise her voice, she cast an appreciative look, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

“My, my, what a handsome little lass you are today”, she purred. “Here I thought Barbatos wanted people to think of them as just a bard, but with your new looks, it seems the rumors that you enjoy attention are true instead.”

That made him laugh. “Why not both?”, he quipped, propping to sit at the edge of the desk. “I could want attention as a lovely bard, no? But actually, these clothes are just a necessity, because my old shirt tore when the wings sprouted, and it’s impossible for me to wear anything with a full back. That’s why there is a big hole, and the collar clips together at the back of my neck.” He twisted his body to show her.

“I can see that, but it doesn’t explain the switch from baggy shorts to more… form-fitting pants”, she teased. “I must say, it’s a nice change, and I like how they integrate the old design. Same for your cloak. It’s all well put together.”

“Oh, that!” Slightly embarrassed, he fiddled with the fabric of his cloak for a moment, before he brushed it off with a laugh. “Let’s just say Diluc is a generous patron of the arts. But really, what are those rumors have been going around?”

“Oh, you know…” Lisa’s voice lilted with amusement. “You’ve been closer to people. More affectionate. Cuddly, even. Jean had a few stories to tell, as I’m sure you’re aware of.” She gave him a look, mischief glinting in her eyes. “Sneaking into a lady’s room through her window? That’s the kind of thing great romances are made of. Although, I do wish it had been me.”

“You wish I entered in your room through the window? I mean, that can be arrang-”

“I wish I was the one entering Jean's room, silly!” She covered her chuckle with one hand, thoroughly entertained, and Venti couldn’t help but snort at the misunderstanding. Indeed, that made more sense. “My attempts at wooing her always fall flat when she decides to prioritize work.” Lisa sighed, shaking her head. “And Diluc hasn’t been much luckier. But that’s why we love her.”

“You really enjoy your gossip, don’t you, Miss Lisa?”

“Of course. What else would people talk about over tea?”

Venti’s grin stretched from ear to ear as an idea struck. “Well then, would you like some advice from the god of freedom and love? Normally, I reserve my wisdom for the Windblume Festival, but for you, I’m willing to open an exception.”

Lisa’s smile told him she saw right through his nonsense, but her curiosity won out. She remained still as he leaned forward, bringing his lips close to her ear. He even went so far as to cover his mouth with one hand, as though someone might overhear them in the practically empty library. At last, he whispered the oh-so-wise suggestion, in the conspiratorial tone of someone imparting a great secret:

“If you want to conquer her heart, you should dress as Barbatos, tiny-clothes and all.”

He barely got the words out before he was shaking with laughter, utterly delighted with his silly idea. Poor Lisa Minci… it was rare for her to laugh so hard, her whole body quaking as she leaned against his shoulder for support. Venti had to shift back to avoid getting an eye poked by the tip of her hat.

He was endlessly grateful that Mondstadt lacked the rigid taboos of other nations and that people could simply have fun with suggestive jokes. Frankly, the mental image of Lisa surprising Jean in the bedroom with a sexy-Barbatos cosplay was comedy gold.

Between fits of laughter, Lisa admitted as much, and managed to gasp. “I confess I have my own ideas on how to make Barbatos-inspired lingerie seductive… but I can’t begin to imagine Jean’s face. She’s too pure for her own good, and I doubt she’d even get the message. Most likely, she would just react all knightly and offer to cover me up.”

Venti snickered. “Oh, I can see it. Now imagine how much more fun it would be if I gave the suggestion to Diluc instead.”

That set them both off again, laughing until their stomachs ached and they lacked the strength to continue. It was a good thing the library was so devoid of people, or otherwise the citizens would be in shock, and not because of Lisa’s powers.

“Whew,” Venti exhaled, struggling to stop bending over. “Haven’t laughed that hard in a while. So… you had a favor to ask me?”

Lisa wiped her eyes, still smiling as she replied. “I do. I’m sure that the library’s secret room is not so secret to you?”

“Oh, you know, me and the witches are good pals.”

“Then please come with me, cutie.”

In that magical room suspended in space and time, they drifted together, investigating a strange anomaly.

It wasn’t a leyline disorder - Venti wasn’t even sure if the room could be affected by those, given how the witches so deftly transcended the restrictions of Teyvat. It wasn’t any of the moving pictures, floating objects, or talking stuffed toys either - those were all part of the room’s natural charm.

No, the true anomaly lay in a particular book, one that was writing itself, and the story kept up with the feats of certain familiar faces.

“The Traveler has taken it upon himself to fight the increasingly real actors of the stage. Wolfy here can probably tell you more.”

The pet scurried closer, hopping onto the chair to be able to gesture to the book. “Yes, yes! The golden-haired hero has been helping fight the monsters that take the stage, and even brings friends sometimes! Now, I don’t know what you mean by ‘more real’ - they have always been real to me - but they are getting more dangerous, and the further the hero gets, the more pages appear in this book.”

Venti traced the illustration with his fingers. The figure truly resembled Aether, although not fully accurate. He flipped through a few more pages, letting the story take shape before him. It was… intriguing.

“I don’t get the impression that this book is simply chronicling our Traveler’s journey, neither in the Imaginarium Theater, nor in the rest of Teyvat. Yes, it happens to reflect the achievements of our traveler, but it’s possible that Aether is not the only one with such achievements. Besides, it appears that the story repeats itself”, he noticed.

Wolfy nodded eagerly. “Just like when he restarts the fights.”

Venti hummed pensively. “Wolfy, are the stages similar to the locations painted on the pages? Last time I checked, they weren’t exactly like this. If anything, these places remind me of another story… one with titans, three fate-weaving fairies, and a world destined to restart itself over and over until a new variable helped stop that cycle.” He tapped at the hero’s figure. “Although the variable in question has strong similarities to our Traveler.”

Lisa was silent, contemplating the pages. Venti was unsure if she was familiar with the tale he was referencing. Knowledgeable as she was, there was only so much that mortals had access to, and even amongst the Archons, Barbatos had particular connections to stories and to time that derived from Istaroth.

“So you are saying”, she started, “that this story is happening somewhere else, and yet, Aether’s journey parallels it? Do you think it's a coincidence?”

“Not necessarily coincidence, more like… related origins, and purpose. But I wouldn’t say this is concerning, nor that it constraints what happens to our Traveler. I would just let him keep pursuing his journey. Letting him know of this book might just make him unnecessarily apprehensive.”

Lisa considered his words for only a moment before nodding. With a decisive motion, she shut the book, then allowed it to float back to its rightful place on the inverted shelves. 

“It’s settled, then. I will update you on any new developments.”

With that, Lisa headed towards the intricately carved long table, taking her place. Wolfy trailer after her, responding to the familiarity of the scene. Barbatos, on their part, was tempted to let their thoughts linger on the mysterious book, but the present moment demanded their good spirit more.

“Would you care for some tea, Venti? The cupcakes here are really good too - they resemble fontaine cakes, and never spoil.” Lisa waved her hand to order the tea set into place, perfectly arranged. 

Venti gladly sat beside her, beaming. “Why, of course! I would never refuse free food.”

She chuckled. Pouring a cup of tea for both, conversation flowed easily. “That reminds me… The glass you helped me test some years ago, to see the imaginary friends of children, has gotten popular in Sumeru.”

Venti tilted his head, grabbing one of the cupcakes. “I had almost forgotten about that. You shipped it to the Akademia, right?”

“I have, but its use has grown beyond academic purposes, and is allowing people to confirm that their childhood memories of the Aranara were more real than adults tended to think. Teenagers too have been using it, to avoid saying goodbye to their friends… although I’m unsure how that might affect their development.”

He hummed. “Worried that they won’t mature?”, he guessed. A sigh was the only reply given. “Personally, I think it would be nice if people didn’t have to say goodbye to their childhood.” Wolfy didn’t say anything, but he nodded in agreement, which was endearing - and also made perfect sense for a magical stuffed toy. “But I understand that having a child-like wonder is different from living protected in a dome, where nothing bad happens…”

If anything, he understood too well how a protective dome was also stifling, and that breaking free often required sacrifice and loss…

Shaking off the gloom over past memories, Venti focused on the conversation, determined to not ruin tea time. Having tea with a witch, who knew of his identity… that took him back. 

After a pleasant break, and listening to wolfy’s stories for a while, they decided it was time to go back to Mondstadt. 

Once they pushed the wooden doors, and stepped upon the library, the air vibrated with a sudden, deafening explosion. The entire building trembled beneath their feet, books rattling on their shelves. 

And it came from behind.

Venti’s first instincts were to turn around to where they came, wind howling furiously in his palms, ready to tackle the dangers even if his wings weighed him down. Lisa reacted just s swiftly, taking a stance at his side. Her own hair crackled  with electricity. 

They were ready to face whatever had emerged from the Imaginarium Theater - only to pause.

In hindsight, it was obvious that the explosion didn’t come from the magical room: it had no connection to Mondstadt, and nothing that happened inside its domain could affect the outside. That meant the explosion was coming from the Ordo’s building.

Venti exchanged a glance with Lisa, realization dawning in unison. 

“Klee”, they uttered, deflecting instantaneously.

Lisa let go of the elements, and shook her head, despite holding a smile. “I am all for encouraging creativity, but her mother could have kept the formula to make bombs away from her…”

Venti grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. It wasn’t like he would have tried to stop Alice at the time, so he was in no place to criticize. So he just deflected the topic. “Are the explosions normally this loud? This is something I would have expected from the lab, not from Klee’s room.”

“That’s the other thing: with her brother being an alchemist, it’s very easy for Klee to get access to supplies she shouldn’t. But it might be better to check on her”, she reconsidered. 

Lisa’s heels echoed through the library as she stride, climbing the stairs to the upper floor, toward the exit. 

They stepped into the hallway just in time to witness a scene that was as familiar as it was amusing. Klee stood at the center of the commotion, head bowed, guilt written all over her face as she hugged Dodoco tightly to her chest. In front of her, with arms crossed and lips pressed into a firm line, stood Jean. The Acting Grand Master was every bit the image of a stern figure - yet, to Venti’s trained eyes, she wasn’t unkind. It was just that the exhaustion of dealing with this particular problem for the hundredth time was creeping in at the edges.

She exhaled, finishing her lecture. “Do you understand, Klee?”

“Yes, Jean…” The way the little girl dragged her words almost pulled at Venti’s heartstrings.

Jean’s expression softened, but her decision was final. “Then, you know it’s time for confinement.”

Before Klee could protest, Lisa swept in, voice like honeyed wine. “Oh, come now, is that really necessary, Jean dear? I’m sure Klee didn’t mean to cause such a mess.”

Calling it a mess was an understatement. Peeking behind the tall women, Venti got a glimpse of the state of Jean’s office. Since it was just besides Klee’s room, the impact of the explosion that occurred inside the girl’s reinforced room reverberated to the space, and this time, the candelabrum had even fallen and broken.

But the child was quick at defending her case.

“It was an accident! Klee promised to go explore Wolvendom with Diona, so Klee wanted to make a stroooong bomb”, she opened her arms to explain, “that could protect us if the wolves attacked. Not lupical, the bad ones!”

Jean pinched the bridge of her nose. “I suppose the shaking from the explosion managed to dislodge the sword stuck in my ceiling, so… Not everything about it was bad. However”, she added, halting the child’s brightening expression, “Klee still needs to learn her lesson, and besides, everyone who could take care of her is either away or busy.”

That was Venti’s cue.

With an exaggerated flourish, they spread their arms wide.

“Guided by the winds, tunes of joy just survived! Klee, despair not - a babysitter arrived!”

At his words, Klee’s eyes widened with pure, unfiltered delight. “Really?! You’ll play with Klee and Diona?”

Lisa chuckled, glancing at Jean. “My, my, how convenient. The one person who could possibly keep up with Klee’s energy just so happens to be available.”

Jean gave Venti a wary look. “Are you sure about this? You have responsibilities now.”

“Ah, responsibilities!” Venti waved a dismissive hand. “What kind of Archon would I be if I couldn’t make time for Mondstadt’s cutest little troublemaker?” He knelt before Klee, his grin mischievous. “Besides, the winds have whispered to me… There’s a secret mission only Klee can complete.”

Klee gasped. “A mission?”

“A super important one,” he said as he knelt, voice dropping into an exaggeratedly serious tone. “You see, if we are to prepare for future adventures, we need to test your bombs safely . Therefore, it is my duty to ensure that grand explosions happen outside of city walls. What do you say?”

The little girl attempted to make an Ordo salute. “Yes, Venti!”

Jean hesitated, but when Lisa hugged her arm, she caved in. “Fine. But only if you promise not to get into trouble.”

“Me? Trouble? Humm… alright, that is basically my middle name. However! I promise no fishes will be blasted, and no mountains will be blown. Besides, Diona will be there too, right? That’s a responsible child if I’ve ever seen one. And, and…”, his mind scrambled for more arguments before she could get a word in, “you of all people should have some trust in Barbatos.”

Celestia be screwed. If he was cursed to assume his role, he wasn’t above abusing it to unlock even more freedom to the children of Mondstadt.

Lisa chuckled. “Of course she trusts you, cutie. She is just doubting your... enthusiastic and unrestricted methods. Hopefully the god of freedom will know when to tell ‘no’ to children.”

Venti put a hand to his chest, in dramatic solemnity.

Jean put her hands on her hips, piercing them with her gaze. Klee and Venti cooperated, joining the power of their cute innocent faces.

At last, she sighed. “Go, before I change my mind.”

“Yipeeeee!” 

Klee started running without having to be told twice, and with a laugh, the – god darted after her, out of the headquarters. The winds still brought him the exchange between the two women.

“Between that trio, I’m not sure who’s babysitting who.”

Jean exhaled, watching them go. “Neither am I.”

If only he knew how right they would be…

The moment they were outside the city walls, Klee took off in a sprint, Dodoco swinging wildly in her backpack as she cheered. “Fish blasting!”, she shouted, completely forgetting what Venti promised to Jean. Diona wasn’t far behind, tail flicking with excitement, though she tried to play it cool.

Venti, of course, had other plans. “Now, now, my little adventurers,” he called out, as the wind stirred around them. “What’s an outing without a proper grand entrance? Shall we take to the skies?”

Klee gasped, eyes sparkling. “Gliding?”

Diona frowned, crossing her arms. “Tsk. My paws are fine on the ground, thank you very much.”

“Oh? But what if you had a little assistance?” Venti wiggled his fingers, and a playful gust of wind brought fallen leaves and petals to float around their group. She yelped, then glared at him, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

So, with Klee already strapped into her glider, giggling as the breeze carried her higher, Venti offered a solution to Diona: a wind current that allowed her to hover just enough to experience the thrill without needing to raise too high. She grumbled, but eventually allowed herself to be lifted, arms stretched like a fierce little feline in jump.

After soaring over fields of dandelions and weaving through tree branches, they landed in a clearing not far from Wolvendom, where Klee excitedly unpacked her “toys”.

“I made new ones, to protect you from the big-scary wolves!” she declared to her friend, placing a few handmade bombs in a neat row. Venti was second-guessing his babysitting capabilities. “They don’t just go boom! They can help with hunting, too!”

Diona’s ears twitched. “Hunting? Humpf! My bow and arrows are enough for that.”

Klee shook her head. “Mom always says adventurers need to eat, and we can catch food faster with a big explosion.”

Venti, ever the enabler, clapped his hands. “Let’s put it to the test! We will catch some boars, and after that, we can even have a picnic. It’s almost lunch time, after all.”

With careful positioning (and plenty of safety measures - Venti wasn’t reckless all the time), Klee tossed her creations towards the tall grass where a few unsuspecting boars roamed. A couple of explosions later, they had successfully caught lunch.

Diona, who had been skeptical, hummed in approval. “Not bad. Though I bet I could catch prey without all the noise, but there is no need for it now. We have more than we can eat.”

“You can take some meat back to your village”, Venti suggested. Klee agreed eagerly. 

They complemented the makeshift meal with ingredients that they gathered. Venti started a fire to cook it, even teaching the kids on how to prepare it safely, although the precaution was probably unnecessary considering that one was a hunter and the other created bombs. The combination of roasted boar with baked apples and mushrooms, seasoned with a few herbs they picked, was delicious. It was as earthy as expected, but there was an extra flavor that may or may not have resulted from Diona’s magical talent.

Klee and Diona sat side by side as they ate, talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up. “Klee likes to be a Knight, but my mom is a great adventurer, so Klee wants to be an adventurer too!”, she declared proudly. “And you, Diona? Do you want to be like your dad?”

“My dad?” The girl’s brows furrowed. “Don’t make me laugh. Who would want to be a pathetic drunkard who can’t even keep his promises to his daughter?” She took a sudden bite, chewing with intensity. 

Klee pouted. “Did he break another one?”, she asked, voice small.

Diona turned her back to Klee. “Doesn’t matter. It’s what he always does, anyway.”

Venti could tell that the poor girl was just trying to act strong, and had reasons to struggle. He had pondered several times about some way of interfering to make her dad more responsible, or at least more present in her life, but why would a drunken adult accept the lecture of another? And now, as Barbatos, there were other complications.

Klee was seemingly thinking about the same thing, although in a different direction.

“Venti? Can’t you convince Diona’s dad to be good, because you’re a god?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s not that easy… I don’t want to abuse my power to influence people, not even for a good cause. There might be ways of helping him overcome addiction, but… not like this.”

“Then how? You’re just saying that because you’re a drunkard too”, Diona declared, and he couldn’t exactly fault her conclusion.

Venti gave it some thought. Scooting closer, he offered another portion of his apple to her.

“I know that it’s difficult, Diona, and you’re right to be mad. I don’t think that alcohol is the enemy, but rather the lack of moderation, but you don’t have to agree. Either way, your father needs help to stop, and that shouldn’t be your responsibility”, he assured her. “And since I’m Barbatos… maybe that responsibility should fall on me, yes. I will bring this to Jean, and we will see what we adults can do, alright?”

Diona finally deigned to look at him, and he could swear he saw tears in her eyes. She nodded once, snatching the apple from his palm and turning her back to him again.

The mood lifted during the rest of the meal, but Klee still had more energy to spend. Since they have several hours left until her curfew time, Venti agreed to go gather berries in Wolvendom - in her own words “to give to Jean as a gift!”

As the afternoon settled, golden rays filtered through the canopy of the trees, strong and ancient, untouched by human civilization. Darting in and out of the sunlight streaks, the two girls played catch, sometimes hiding in bushes to jumpscare each other, their task forgotten. Laughter filled the air as Venti trailed behind, humming a lighthearted tune.

It was peaceful - at least, for another hour.

Venti had completely forgotten how much of a hassle his wings could be, until he started getting tired, and noticing their presence more. Due to their damaged state, they dragged behind him with every step. He tried to tread carefully, but the uneven ground of the area was less forgiving than the proper paths of Mondstadt. That meant his feathers kept getting caught, either on the gnarled roots that riddled the way, or on spiky branches. 

The real problem eventually manifested.

He felt another familiar cut, but the sharp tug was new. Bouncing back, Venti did his best to not fall, and he turned slightly to assess the situation, only for another stab of pain to shoot through his shoulders. His wings had gotten tangled in the massive roots, dangerously close to the muscles. He wasn’t pierced - not quite - but stuck so high up, he wasn’t sure if he would manage to free himself without losing some of the precious little feathers he had left. 

Venti sighed, tugging gently, then more urgently when he realized they weren’t budging. He winced. The more he struggled, the tighter the roots seemed to grip, digging in uncomfortably.

Wonderful. The mighty god of freedom, reduced to a trapped bird.

Klee and Diona, still lost in their berry-picking, hadn’t noticed his predicament yet. He considered calling out, but hesitated. Did he really want to admit that he needed help? He was supposed to be their caretaker, not the other way around.

Unfortunately, his next attempt to move sent a visible jolt of pain through him, and Diona’s ears twitched at the sound of a poorly stifled hiss. Glancing in this direction, she exchanged some words with Klee, and the two of them came running.

Klee arrived first, and gasped. “Venti! Are you stuck?”

He gave them a sheepish grin, though it was a bit strained. “Ahaha… just taking a little break, you know? Really appreciating nature up close…”

The girls weren’t buying it. Klee stomped closer, Dodoco bouncing against her backpack. “That doesn’t look like a break! Does it hurt?”

Venti considered lying, but one look at Klee’s worried expression made him sigh. “A bit,” he admitted. “But I’ll get out eventually! Just need to, hum… think about it.”

Diona crossed her arms. “Tsk. You’re not getting out of there on your own, and we aren’t strong enough. We need to call for help.”

Klee immediately perked up. “Razor can help! He’s really strong, and he’s super good with the forest!”

The idea of being rescued by a bunch of kids didn’t exactly do wonders for Venti’s pride - and alright, he wasn’t sure about Razor’s age, it was hard to keep track when humans didn’t even live a single century - but he wasn’t in a position to argue. He gave them a grateful, if somewhat resigned, smile.

“That would be very kind of you.”

Diona volunteered to go. “I am a hunter, so I can navigate Wolvendom well. I’ll go find Razor.”

“No, no!” Klee’s hands moved from side to side to insist further. “Klee knows where Razor’s cave is, and you don’t like wolves. So Klee can go. Diona, make Venti stay put!”

Diona rolled her eyes. “Not like he has a choice”, she said, not opposing the suggestion.

With that, the spark knight turned and ran deeper into the forest, leaving them to their fates.

After several minutes that the pair left behind spent ranting, Razor and Klee arrived with wolfhooks in their arms, and also another companion. More precisely, Bennet, who apologized profusely.

“It’s all my fault, Lord Barbatos! I was in the area with Razor, so my bad luck rubbed on you!”

“Bennet, get up.” Venti’s response came out drier and more disappointed than he intended, so he tried to clarify. “You don’t have to call me Barbatos, or at the very least, do away with the ‘Lord’. I am the same person you have always known. Do I even look very god-like like this?” He raised his arms and cloak, letting him see the state of the stuck wing. “And besides, I am certain this had nothing to do with your luck. I was just careless.”

“Yeah, Bennet, it’s not your fault that the bard didn’t pay attention”, Diona echoed, seemingly having fun taking a jab at him. Venti squinted at her, and she stuck out her tongue.

Bennet was perplexed by their interaction, but the small god could only hope it showed him that there was no authority present to respect. 

“So… Do you want me to help?”, the boy asked, hesitantly. “I really don’t want to make things worse…”

Truth be told, Bennet’s lack of luck wasn’t just imagination. Knowing where he was found as a baby, and the reason why people from Natlan never left their nation, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together. That said, Venti suspected that the recent developments in the region, in part helped by the Traveler, significantly changed the situation - even if Bennet was not yet aware.

So, perhaps this was a chance to show him that things have improved. 

“Sure”, Venti said, smiling through the discomfort. “I don’t think you will make things worse - I just need help parting my feathers to pull the root out. And I can’t quite reach that part of my back, you know?”

“Oh, okay, that doesn’t sound difficult. Razor, what do you think?”

“Razor don’t know, but Razor can pull. Later, berries help lupical.”

It was a struggle, more than Venti had expected. After much pulling, and several hands trying to part the feathers, he still ended up losing a couple, quickly assuring the kids that it was fine since his recovery was still so early on: there was little to lose - although it was still discouraging. His muscles also protested all of that movement, but it was to be expected.

After a brief moment to collect himself, and let the muscular pain subside, it was over. Smashing the berries brought by Razor, they applied some wolfhook juice to the wounds, hoping that the medicinal properties could at least prevent infections, but there was nothing they could do to regrow the lost plumes.

Razor insisted that Venti was checked by his teacher, and while he was sure it wasn't needed, and that Lisa couldn't do much about it… noticing the concerned faces of the kids, he ended up acquiescing.

On the way back, the smaller ones promptly forgot what just transpired, too focused in the present and in pursuing the butterflies. Razor and Bennet, on the other hand, kept up with Venti’s pace.

They were mostly talking to each other, or, well, Bennet was the one making most of the conversation. While Razor didn't particularly care about the big reveal, perhaps because Andrius was such a prominent figure in his life,  Barbatos could sense the apprehension from Bennet, even after recent events. 

They understood where it came from. So, to show how nothing had changed,  they let the scenery be their inspiration: the mostly vanished stream of water, the peaceful darkness of the area, the peculiarity of the berries, the signs of wolf activity… ah, there, their muse. 

Venti took out their lyre, strumming gently, gifting the world with a new poem.

A branch has fallen.
A small part of the whole, and I wonder if their siblings miss them.
The tree still stands, waiting for spring.
It grows and grows and births more branches. Leaves. Flowers.
As a seed, it needed care, yet as it grows, it becomes home to the birds.
And I wonder if it remembers…
The days of sun. The song of the now dry stream.
Is it driven by hope, or fate?
How much does it want to grow?
A branch has fallen.
And, if there's a wish, it shall become another tree.

The last note rang, followed by appreciative silence.

It was welcomed, too. Venti wasn’t sure how they felt about that particular poem, and how much the melancholic tone was fruit of the reflections of the past week. In part, they did wonder how their wisp siblings felt about them, but that wasn't all swirling in their mind. 

They simply waited for the comments of the two boys. Razor spoke first, expressing what he could with his limited vocabulary. 

“Words, pretty. Razor not good with them. But poem, sad.”

Bennet put a hand to his chin. “I wouldn't exactly call it ‘sad’, but it makes me nostalgic. Like… like if I wanted to hug my past self, and tell him that everything would be alright.”

Venti hummed. “That's quite poetic too. Everyone has struggles, and they don't get smaller, but we can learn to move on. Not just for ourselves”, they pointed out.  “The people who hang on are often those who have a duty to others, and to future generations.” 

The pair was listening intently. “I know we are much younger than you, Venti, but even like this, I already feel like I've grown so much… so, the thought of looking back doesn't make it hurt. I just feel… hum, there's a word for when a person is reflective…” He scratched his head.

The bard took a guess. “Contemplative?”

“Yes, that's the one!” At their side, Razor just looked puzzled. “But what about you, Venti? Was this poem because you are sad? You, hum, didn't exactly seem thrilled by needing our help.” 

Venti sighed dramatically, deflating. “Alas, it seems like my acting skills are declining… You're right, I feel somewhat pathetic. I have long accepted that I'm not a strong Archon, but I promised Jean to take care of the children, and not only did I fail at that, I even needed their help instead.”

“Right, err… I can relate to the embarrassment of needing to be helped. But it's okay!” Bennet shook off the negative thoughts, flashing a smile along with a thumbs-up. “There’s nothing wrong in being unlucky and asking for help.”

Razor could understand that part, and he nodded along. 

Venti chuckled, deeply endeared by then. “You're right, but it's amazing to see how you deal with it so well now, Bennet. As a child, unfortunate situations used to make you cry. Ah, humans grow so fast… and they keep making me proud.”

Bennet was beaming, although he didn't know how to respond to the praise. 

It was Razor who continued talking. “Leader of the pack says the same, and teacher. That Razor grew fast.” 

“Did you see us grow, Venti?”, Bennet wondered. “Since, well, you are basically immortal. But I don't remember seeing you when I was a child…”, it occurred to him. “Did you change form?” 

“Ah, well… It's complicated. Barbatos has, let's say, a need to slumber for long periods. Sorry, I can't share much more.” It was his turn to be apologetic. “My present iteration only woke up soon after Dvalin, when he was attacking the city due to corruption. I had a lot to catch up on, and my priority was helping the crisis, and my friend Dvalin, who was suffering. But the winds shared the memories they carried with me - meaning that, in a way, I have recollections of what the people of Mondstadt went through.”

“So that's how it works… it makes sense how everyone remembers old things during Weinlesefest, if the winds can carry memories”, Bennet mumbled to himself. He brightened. “It's really cool that we can ask this kind of thing directly now. I'm glad that you're our Archon, Venti.”

Razor chimed in. “Wings are hurt now, not pretty. But in future, pretty and big.”

Venti blinked, needing to close his eyes for a moment to reign in the overflowing emotions. He took a deep breath.

“Thank you”, he exhaled, letting a smile flourish. “I hope you're right.” 

The breeze swirled contentedly around them, and a bird was singing nearby.

In that moment, he heard Klee call excitedly, catching his attention. “Ventiii! Look, this Seelie is lost, but Klee can't get to the stone garden up there!” She shouted from Diona’s shoulders, that she must have climbed at some point to try to get higher. “Can you help?”

With a laugh, he summoned a strong wind current, that sent her flying up along with the Seelie. The girl reached the top of the pillar, delighting with treasures abound. 

His children were happy, and so was he.

Neither he nor Klee managed to escape a scolding from Jean, while Lisa chuckled from the corner, where she was talking with her pupil. But Klee was rewarded for helping Venti, and not punished. 

Regardless, it was time for her to be in her room, since it was getting late. Seeing how the girl didn't want to be in solitude, Venti offered to keep her company a little longer, in her colorful room. Oh, the bedtime stories he could make up about all of those stuffed toys!...

In the presence of friends, even small prisons could pass as a magical secret room.

Chapter Text

Stirring to a homey note, Venti’s conscience reformed, landing on Mondstadt. They knew it even before opening their eyes: from the sound of the creaking door, to the voices of the knights at a distance, the winds bringing the clashing of swords in the training patio…

Oh. They must have fallen asleep in Klee’s room.

Blinking groggily, they had to chuckle as memories came back - it seemed like the bedtime stories didn’t just put the little girl to sleep. They took in the state of the room: the morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft patterns on the floor, and inside the huge dollhouse, where the dolls were still frozen in time. As for themself, they were half-collapsed against her bed, having somehow managed to fall from the chair without waking up, and their wings softened the landing.

Realizing that there was a third figure in the room, silent like snowflakes, Venti tried to turn his head - that was a big mistake. The previous dull ache from the position he slept in flared up rapidly,  hitting the back of his neck so suddenly that he saw stars.

“Ow ow ow…”, he whined pitifully, making it worse by trying to cover his nape with one hand. 

A princely laugh came from the figure, now recognizable.

“Good morning, Venti. If I may, I believe I have a potion to alleviate the discomfort.”

‘Discomfort’ was putting it mildly, but Venti was in no position to argue. Reaching into his coat, Albedo produced a vial with a greenish liquid, and stories of his feats and risky experiments came to Venti's mind - he wasn't sure of which one surpassed the other. Bending over, the alchemist offered it.

Eyeing the flask, Venti dared to ask. “Is this medicine?”

Albedo simply shrugged. “You can see it like that.”

“You know, if not for your expertise, that answer wouldn't inspire much confidence”, he quipped, with a hint of truth. “Let's hope the great Chief Alchemist of Mondstadt doesn't accidentally kill Barbatos.”

He was simply joking, once again taking advantage of his forced coming-out. However, when he grabbed the potion in Albedo's hands, he couldn't help but notice how his eyes widened for a split second. Right. He was an homunculus, and Rhinedottir's creations tended to lose control, and be of draconic nature, and…

Their hands brushed against each other, the touch feather-light. 

Venti decided against confronting that topic for now. They would have plenty of time, and besides, Klee was right there, albeit asleep.

He uncorked the vial, sniffing, and taking just a sip at first. He tasted the freshness of herbs and the tingling of alchemy. Downing the strange liquid, a refreshing coolness spread through his body, alleviating the worst of the pain and melting away the stiffness in the rest of his spine, even from his wings.

Venti could finally lift his head properly, so he did, even opting to get up. Albedo remained some steps in front of the doorway, staring with his head tilted. Despite the composed expression, the curiosity was undeniable.

“Did it help with the soreness?”, the alchemist wondered.

“A lot, yeah!”, he even stretched briefly to demonstrate. “You always have these on hand?”

Albedo’s lips curved gently, his whole behavior princely. “It pays to be prepared.” Then, after a brief pause, his gaze flickered toward Venti’s back. “Although I must admit, I wasn’t sure if it would work for you. Between the different anatomy, and possibly the composition of a god, much could have strayed from the expected results of the concoction.”

Venti stared with his eyes semi-closed. “So you were considering that the potion could really harm me.”

This time, Albedo chuckled at the provocation, but still felt the need to clarify. “Not quite. While I expected a range of adverse effects - that might still manifest, quite frankly”, he added not reassuringly, “I was fairly certain that none would be enough to cause harm to a god. More than that, I have seen you eat and ingest other potions before, without any complication. Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen you receive healing from Barbara or other nuns, although I suspect that is more related to secrets you once held than out of fear from elemental reactions.”

Hesitating, Venti nodded. “Me being Barbatos really changes that much, huh?”

They have been talking in ushered voices, to avoid awaking Klee, but the quietness that followed was different. Heavier. Perhaps the question was unfair - if things really had changed that much, the people they knew wouldn’t treat them with the usual kindness and practicality, instead adopting a much-unwelcomed reverence. And even amongst the changes, they weren’t bad ones per se. It was just a lot to process in few days, and when Barbatos stopped having fun at its expense, the reality and the confusion settled in.

In those moments, they always felt the weight of their wings. 

Albedo was the one who replied first, measuring his words. “In the technical sense, yes. In a social way, not necessarily. Mondstadt is… surprisingly adaptable when it comes to accepting people of all sorts, even non-humans.” He wasn’t looking at Venti. He wasn’t talking about Venti, or at least, not just. His gaze was lost in the views, on the other side of the window, staring straight at Dragonspine. “Personally, I value it a lot, and even if someone’s existence, or someone’s way of existing, changes or ceases, its worth is not undone by that Fate.”

Blinking, as if to awake from a dream, Albedo’s eyes focused on Venti again. His smile was composed, he was dressed for the day, his fair complexion was flawless, and there was not a single hair out of place. His features were somewhat androgynous, but not in a cute way like Venti’s, rather more elegant, but hard to place, sitting somewhere between a knight and a scribe. His speech was eloquent, and his manners serene, with just enough emotions under the surface to convey his sincerity, while keeping the distance of an avid researcher taking life as a grand opportunity for understanding. Truly, he was fit for the title of Kreideprinz.

He was taking something else out of his pocket. And when the prince knelt, he closed his palm, summoning particles into changing the form within. With Khemia, he transformed what was probably a seed into a fully grown Cecilia, graciously offering it to the small god.

“The life of a flower is no less meaningful just because it’s going to wither away, and its seeds are a catapult of change.” His smile was as still as undisturbed snow, and yet still melted Venti’s defenses. “Mondstadt knows that well, correct?”

Venti hummed appreciatively when accepting, putting the Cecilia in his hair, diagonally across the one on his hat. “That was quite a smooth delivery - I might have taught the art of romance to Mondstadtians a bit too well”, he joked with a smile. Noticing how Albedo huffed in amusement, his grin spread, and he decided to tease further. “Admit it, the reason you were just standing silent in the doorway before I woke up was because you were entranced by my beauty, wasn’t it?”

Albedo laughs “That’s an interesting theory, and I admit that I was staring. Yet I was merely observing your wings - I confess that they have me intrigued, and I would love the opportunity to study them.”

“Ah, so I am merely a test subject to you”, he exaggerated the rejection. “But I have no reason to oppose. What has you so interested?”

“Well, in a way, I would like to see how they are able to lift a human body - pardon my bluntness, but the anatomy makes no sense. It’s also a great chance to learn more about bird wings, and to compare them with yours, and I would also like to run some comparisons with the wings of different species. I might also try to uncover ways of speeding up the recovery”, he added, and that last option was quite enticing. “I would love to keep a journal, to record notes and the progress. If you’d allow me, of course.”

He gave Albedo a lopsided smile. “Alright, alright. You can have your research - no way I would refuse after seeing your enthusiasm. Just promise you won’t try to turn me into a full alchemy experiment, okay?”

Albedo gave a small bow, as if sealing an honorable agreement. “You have my word.”

“And I’m accepting apples in return.”

“Apples?” The alchemist chuckled. “That reminds me, you must be hungry. It’s already late in the morning. I can go fetch some breakfast for you, and for Klee as well, but if it’s not much to ask, I would like you to stay here for a little longer - I’m sure she would be pleased to see you remained with her throughout the night.”

Venti agreed easily, and Albedo departed, leaving him to reflect on their exchange. 

The alchemist was back shortly, bringing a tray from the cafeteria of the ordo. It had a plate with buttery biscuits, another with toasted bread accompanied by jam, and a third with an apple perfectly cut. For drinks, they both had fruit juice, and there was milk for Klee.

The tray was placed in the small table for kids, still covered with a fake tea set and surrounded by plushies. Venti was already sitting next to it, on the floor with his legs crossed.

“She is still asleep”, Albedo remarked as he sat, looking at the child who had just tossed Dodoco across the bed, as if she was tossing her explosions in her dreams. “Color me impressed. Venti the bard truly is quite the dedicated storyteller.” 

“I try my best,” he said with a carefree grin. “Though I may have underestimated the toll of storytelling marathons.” At least his throat never got sore from singing lullabies.

Something in him was starting to grow uncomfortable, although not in a physical sense, nor emotional, really. It was a deep itching in his whole body, whose origin he couldn't quite pinpoint. Scratching did nothing, so he tried to ignore and attack the food.

They were halfway through their meal when Klee woke up, jumping in bed when she spotted them.

“Venti! Albedooo!” She bounced on the mattress, her smile brighter than the sun.

“Hello, little ball of of energy!”, Venti exclaimed promptly, opening his arms to receive her hug and squeezing her, making the girl giggle. 

Her brother was more moderate, but still clearly happy to see her. “Good morning, Klee, I hope you slept well. I covered your milk, so it’s still warm.”

She wasted no time joining them at the table, and they had a good time letting her lead the conversation, as Klee told them about her colorful dream, describing in detail how the characters from Venti’s tales in the past day were in it.

After that, Albedo helped his sister wash her teeth and prepare for the day. Venti helped her pack her things, occasionally hit with the weirdness of the normalcy of putting explosives in the young girl’s backpack. Not that anyone could contain the child of a witch, and Venti was sure that, even if he tried, the only thing he would achieve would be getting a scolding from Alice, regardless of his Archon status. 

“Albedo, can we go Fish Blasting with Kaeya?”, Klee was asking.

He hummed. “I’ll make sure to schedule the time soon. Kaeya is not back yet, so what about in two days?”

“Okay!”

Once she was happily sent on her way, the pair of adults could finally exhale. 

The bard turned to the Albedo. “Klee is adorable, but she can be a lot. I don’t know how you do it”, he confessed, shaking his head. A joke came to mind. “I’m too old to match her energy.”

That made the alchemist chuckle. “I can imagine. I’m not that young myself, and even then I already feel tired at times.” Venti raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was purposely hinting at his origins, but Albedo just continued. “I will head to my camp soon, since I left most of my equipment there. If you’re free, would you like to come? Perhaps we could get started on researching your wings.”

Venti agreed easily, and they went on their way.

The first thing Barbatos did when he arrived at the camp was scooching as close to the flames as possible, hoping to defrost his wings. He had vastly underestimated the impact of the weather on them, especially when he wasn’t able to move them for proper circulation, and his exposed back also caused extra complications. He did try to bring in some warm wind currents, but there was only so much he could do when surrounded by snow. 

This was as good a time as any to start the stretching routine - the movement would allow him to feel warmer and dispose of the stiffness, and Albedo could take that chance to study him and, well, check how early in his recovery he was. 

“A bit pathetic, isn’t it?”, he ended up wondering between pants, having just finished another set that should have been easy, but wasn’t. 

The alchemist pondered. “I don’t think that’s a good descriptor. There is nothing pathetic about someone starting a journey of healing - not the effort, and not appearance. It’s just one stage of the process.”

“Fine, fine, I’m convinced. I will stop the self-deprecating comments”, he decided, actually partially convinced. Tilting his head, he invited Albedo. “Do you want to get a closer look?”

He didn’t waste time. With a polite nod and his journal at hand, he sat behind Venti still at a small distance from the fire, analysing his wings. They didn’t speak much - the winged god wasn’t sure of what the alchemist was searching for, but he was taking notes, if the sound of the pen scribbling in the pages was anything to go by. After less than 5 minutes, he was met with a question.

“Are you comfortable sitting like that? I would like to sketch the appearance of your wings, to make it easier to see the recovery, but it might take a while, so it’s better for you to be in a more comfortable position.”

Venti gave it some thought. “Yeah, you can go ahead. I will tell you if I stop feeling my legs”, he joked lightly. 

Even emotionally, he was comfortable with the situation, and with the focused silence that followed. While it was somewhat strange, he could sense Albedo’s professionalism and interest, and he was happy to let a friendly-face - an actual friend? - satiate his curiosity. The only thing making him uncomfortable was that deep itching, more noticeable now that Venti got rid of bigger problems like the frost, spreading further. 

He shifted in place. Albedo guessed on the reasons. “Do you want to move somewhere else?”

“No, no, I’m fine sitting like this”, he waved it off. 

Humming, the artist continued. Perhaps he thought Venti was lying and made a point of rushing, or perhaps he was just close to finishing, but he was done soon after their exchange. The whole affair didn’t even take half an hour.

“It’s ready”, he said with a small proud smile, turning the journal for Venti to see. The ‘sketch’ was surprisingly detailed, capturing not just his wings, but also his torso, and most of his spine. “You can see how even at this state, your back muscles are fairly strong, and I suspect they will just develop more as you exercise and engage them to move your wings. It will be fascinating to look back in some years and realize how much has changed.”

That was a good word choice. In part because the drawing was already fascinating by itself, but there was something intimate about letting a friend know his body in such detail, and in being privy to the subtlest changes he went through. 

“You did a really good job”, Venti remarked truthfully. “I don’t even know how to feel besides being impressed. Is there anything else you want to see?”

“Actually, there is”, Albedo admitted, coughing to clear his throat. “Would you allow me to touch your wings, and back? It would help me draw comparisons with types of wings I’m more familiar with.”

Venti chuckled. “You don’t have to be all inhibited, I don’t mind. Besides, at this point I feel like you know every muscle in my body just from drawing it. Here”, he allowed, turning his back to him again. 

Hesitating, Albedo finally breached the distance, touching his feathers at first. He was careful, but also intentional, clearly looking for specific things for his studies. He seemed interested in the way his feathers connected, in comparing how patchy they were, their length and type of wing, and more. He felt the muscles that the feathers were attached to, tickling him, which Venti did his best to explain without squirming. 

“Ah”, he laughed softly. “My apologies. I think I’m mostly done here, anyway.”

He then placed a hand on Venti’s back, so cold that it caused him to shiver. He put pressure with his fingers on certain spots, and the angel could swear he caught him mumbling under his breath about how it was practically the anatomy of a human, sounding perplexed. During that part, Venti was already starting to get an inkling of what the cause of his discomfort was, given how the touching made him feel.

But it was when Albedo’s hands slid to the base of his wings, feeling them, that Venti was sure.

With a shudder, he closed his eyes, and let a controlled gasp escape. It felt way too good, more than it had any right to be. It wasn’t just a slight massage - it was the contact with someone else, and how that interacted with the curse after a couple of days without that kind of affection. He hadn’t expected those needs to show up so suddenly, and they were growing rapidly. 

He must have hid his pleasure worse than he expected, because Albedo noticed something.

“Is everything alright? Please tell me if I’m hurting you, and if you still feel sore, it’s not harmful to take another potion.”

Venti shook his head. “Thank you, but this is not an affliction that can be helped by alchemy.”

Albedo let it be.

After a short while, and scribbling more on his journal, he was ready to give his verdict. “My conclusion might come as a surprise, but you are the perfect blend between a bird and a human. Your back seems to be exactly like that of a human, with just minor differences right at the base of your wings, but then the wings are perfectly bird-like - more specifically, similar to the wings of a dove”, he pointed out. “That shouldn’t make sense, since wings attached to just this part of your back shouldn’t be able to lift your weight, so it’s almost as if your body defied the laws of physics.”

Venti finally sat in another position as he absorbed the information, turning to Albedo. “Truth be told, it may turn out that these wings can’t lift me into the skies, not even after healed”, he considered, the possibility discouraging. “You see, they didn’t use to be like this. They weren’t connected to my back - most often, they seemed to transform from my cloak, and it was as if everything about my body was ethereal.”

“Oh? And did that version help you fly?”

“Humm… It’s hard to say? I floated naturally - I don’t think it was thanks to those wings. Even before I had a human appearance, I was a wind wisp, actually, and not too different from a seelie. I had three wings back them, but they weren’t even attached to me at all. Either way, I’m unable to turn those wings like that anymore.”

“Fascinating. That ties in well with an old theory of mine”, Albedo muttered mostly to himself, flipping through another journal. Venti had to blink, slowly realizing that the alchemist wasn’t shocked in the slightest - he was purely invested in the pursuit of truth. “I have long suspected that Seelies could be a regressed version of angels, or angels with different abilities. Their abilities have too much in common, and even their appearance does as well, with their ethereal form, the horns and color scheme. Given what you just told me, about your angel and wisp form, that strengthens my hypothesis.”

Barbatos was impressed. With how few angels survived with their shape intact, there must have been very little samples from Albedo to draw that conclusion from. In all fairness, he was a student of Rhinedottir, and that witch was old and knew much that should be kept a secret, so she might have given him some hints. But the god knew she never told him everything - that was her challenge to her apprentice, so that meant the merit of this discovery was mostly from his efforts.

As he wondered how much he was allowed to reveal, the winds outside were picking up, as if reminding them of the threat hanging up in the skies. The cave was getting colder, and they should probably close the entrance soon. 

Noticing that, Albedo rose, letting the flaps on top of the rock formation fall down and cover the entrance. Placing his palms on the fabric, he summoned his abilities, completely changing its nature. The entrance was now closed by a pile of rocks, enough to block the elements outside, but with small spaces between each other to let air enter, keeping the space breathable. The cave was much darker now, but with the soft crackling of the flames, casting a dim light around them, the space was comfortable. Cozy, even. 

“I can’t outright tell you what I know, Albedo”, Venti said as he approached again, opting for honesty. “But you are on the right path, and I will say that I admire how knowledgeable you are. Also, I have a hint for you: there is another species that is related to angels and seelies.”

Albedo’s walking slowed to a halt, and his smile wasn’t particularly amused. “You mean dragons, don’t you?” 

Venti’s lips parted, but from them came no sound. The atmosphere had changed in an instance.

“I am starting to realize how much the beings of this world can have their origins traced to dragons”, the alchemist shrugged, as if trying to convince himself that such a revelation wasn’t anything special. “Truly, it makes sense, especially considering the project of my Master. I never quite understood why, in Gold’s attempts at creating the Primordial Human, her first creations resulted in dragons. I never understood”, he continued, staring at his own hands, “why I am the way I am. But now, I think I do.”

Venti gulped. All of their talent with words hadn’t prepared them for this moment, and they weren’t sure if Albedo wanted information or comfort. It truly was strange how his announcement as an Archon was acting as catharsis, propelling everyone else to also share their secrets.

“Albedo…”

“You know what I can become, right, Barbatos?” The confrontation was almost cold. The god nodded, but even if Albedo didn’t see the answer in the darkness, he continued. “So tell me: am I a danger to Mondstadt? If I ever attempt to destroy it, and ruin the lives of those I held dear, will you do everything you can to stop me?”

In the shadows of the cave, with only part of his features illuminated, and arms slightly open at his sides, he looked simultaneously desperate and welcoming an attack. As if telling Barbatos, ‘Come and finish me now while I won’t resist, to prevent me from becoming a threat in the future’. Those were the words brought by the winds curled around his figure, their emotions twisted for a moment.

And Venti didn’t like it. 

“Albedo, come closer. I can’t see your face from there”, they said sternly, unwilling to play that game. 

That response seemed enough to take him off guard, and his posture deflated. The alchemist came back to sit next to Venti, unsure of what to do with his hands now that they weren’t acting dramatically, until he folded them on his lap. His expression was still guarded, but the way he leaned forward told the Archon he was receptive to listen.

With a sigh, Venti summoned his lyre, playing with the strings to avoid his gaze. “I confess I have imagined the scenario you just posed before. When something about your nature snaps or gets corrupted, you attack Mondstadt with powers you shouldn’t have, and I am forced stop you.” He glanced up briefly, noticing Albedo’s undivided attention. “And to answer your questions: yes, I would strike you down if needed to protect Mondstadt, just like I have done with Durin.”

It was Albedo’s turn to sigh, although in his case it sounded more akin to relief. Under the Archon’s inquisitorial look, his laughter was broken and nervous. “That’s oddly comforting to know, if I’m honest. I don’t want to die, but I would gladly accept that fate if it meant sparing the people I love”, he admitted. He was smiling. “And there’s something fitting about meeting the same end as my brother.”

“Then, I hope you can also see having your life improve after tragedy the same way - just as I hope happens with your brother”, Venti shared, ready to explain. “You see, there is much I regret about Durin’s end, and I don’t just mean the fact that it spent my powers and poisoned Dvalin. Durin was a gentle child, unaware of the damage caused by his existence, who just wanted to play. Did you know that?”

“Not… really.” He was a little lost.

“I only realized it a little too late, as well. I keep wishing I could have done something different, to spare him, but since there is no going back - and trust me, much can go wrong in trying - the best I can do is pay some visits, and play him some lullabies to ease his misery.”  They huffed. “I’m sure you must have spotted a bard close to Durin’s heart at least once, before I vanished.”

Barbatos had collected their fair share of regrets, although they rarely spoke about it. The worst part is that their prolonged “sleeps” always aggravated the situation, and made them come back to a world vastly worse than he expected, rushing to fix their mistakes that already festered for too long. 

Perhaps the shame over the problems they caused was another factor that made them drift to a human existence, in the hopes of dissociating their bard side from the figure who messed up so much, so many times. But they were aware of their responsibility, and would never flee from it - regardless of what Celestia thought, they didn’t have to be ordered around to show up for their children. 

Realizing they stood silent for too long, Venti concluded. “So, even if I ever need to strike you down, the least I can do is to offer the same consolations, while waiting for you to awaken, so I can do better. Just like I’m doing for Durin right now - it’s well known that he will come back soon.”

Albedo’s posture was slumped, a rare sight on the alchemist, but his resigned smile held up. His gaze was vacant, yet the reply that came, bittersweet as it was, proved he had been paying attention. 

“I would still wake up to a different world, where the people I knew were gone, at least most of them.” Venti’s heart squeezed in silent agreement. “But I suppose I have no right to complain about that - not to a god that is often gone for long periods too, since you probably understand that anguish. For the record, I appreciate the small mercy. I would very much like the chance to come back.”

He still sounded discouraged, but the reply made Venti smile. There was something sweet in his attempt at being considerate of a god’s feelings, even when talking about his own demise. Slowly, the angel scooted closer, and took Albedo’s delicate hands in their own. Even though Venti was lean and their hands thin, they were callused from playing instruments, and using a bow. In contrast, Albedo’s hands were flawless and frail. Those were the hands of an artist, not of a monster.

“Albedo, you don’t have to think of yourself as a ticking time bomb. At least, no more than many other children of Mondstadt”, Venti pointed out, noticing his curiosity. “I won’t say names, but for starters, we have people with ties to different Nations: a girl with family in Liyue, a boy of Sumerian descendance, and another born in a region of Natlan where the winds do not blow. Then, we have an heir to the lost civilization of Khaenri’ah, who works as a spy, but while it’s hard to know to which Nation he spies, I am undoubtedly certain that he loves Mondstadt. Perhaps it should worry me, but it doesn’t.”

Albedo nodded knowingly, going along with them. “Don’t forget Alice - she is more powerful than any other person I know.”

Venti laughed. “Of course not, how could I? She literally transcends the barriers of this world. And her daughter, the tiny elf you call your sister, besides having connections to the dragon race too, literally plays with bombs. But there’s more: During the day, the Knights are led by a reincarnation of one of my oldest friends, and at night, protected by another, who also has strong intel on the Fatui. We have a nun who doesn’t worship Barbatos, who comes from the north. We have two witches, who just don't belong to the Hexenzirkel by a slim margin, but still know almost as much. We have several people with what can be considered animalistic traits, where instances of atavism manifest in their bloodlines. And I can’t exclude the girl who claims to be from another world. Theatrics as those claims may be, her loyal raven is very much real.”

The alchemist’s reply was tinged with amusement. “When put into perspective like that, I have to agree my situation doesn’t seem as unique.”

Venti hummed. “And if I must say, I take a lot of pride in the way the region developed. It became a fairytale where people of all backgrounds can relax, and live free of chains.”

It was his turn to take the cecilia from his hat, and offer it to Albedo with a flourish, in parallel to their  prior exchange. The chalk prince blinked at first, but quickly regained his composure, accepting it graciously.

Realizing that one of their hands were still joined, Venti allowed himself to be a little selfish, and to relish in the contact. Lacing their fingers together, he kept rambling about personal feelings. “The charm of this city has infected me too, if I’m honest. And even after the curse that changed my dynamics with everything, it’s still a fairytale.”

He had forgotten that nothing escaped the alchemist.

“Oh? Is that curse the reason why you assumed your Archonhood, and why you’ve been so restless?”

The question was like a bucket of cold water, and the small god bit his tongue, realizing he spoke too much. Well, it wasn’t like it had to be kept from Albedo, and they have just been pouring their fears and secrets to each other, so no point in hiding it now. 

With a dramatic sigh of defeat, Venti confirmed it. “...yes, yes it is. Assuming my role as an Archon, and my inability to hide my wings, are just two aspects of the curse imposed by Celestia. A third one makes it, let’s say…”, he hesitated before dropping the truth, and his wings twitched lightly, “somewhat painful for me if I don’t receive affection and physical contact from people. It’s just meant to humiliate and remove some freedom from me, so nothing worrisome.”

Albedo’s eyes widened slightly at the peculiarity of the curse, and he sounded concerned. “Do you need some contact right now? I noticed how you responded to my touching before”, he pointed out, putting his free hand over Venti’s, whose heart started beating faster. “And while we aren’t particularly close, I would say that, after this frank conversation, it wouldn’t be inappropriate or bothersome for either of us to cross some of our previous boundaries. If you need me to attend to you, with a hug or something, I can-”

“Yes. Please”, he found himself saying, his throat clogged with want. How fast could his desire spike? He was almost shaking now, and it was his fault for neglecting his needs for more than one day, but regardless, it was shocking how sudden the symptoms hit him. “Just for a little while should be enough.” He wasn’t sure of that, but he didn’t want to impose.

Albedo hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.”

When he leaned forward, and wrapped Venti in his arms, the relief was instantaneous.

By impulse, the small god dropped all reservations, and latched to Albedo's chest. His arms immediately found Albedo’s sides, almost tempted to go under his cloak, but a voice in the back of his mind still had enough common sense to reign in his behaviour. Venti contented himself with wrapping them around the cloak, feeling slightly guilty at his friend's strangled sound. However, when he was about to back off and apologize, Albedo tightened the hug, not letting him go. 

Venti could swear his mind went blank for a moment. All thoughts turned off, and he could only feel . He felt the pressure of their ribcages together, the contact of their legs through the thin layers of their pantyhose, the rhythm of their breathing. He could feel the icy touch of Albedo’s hand as he started caressing the back of his hair, and keeping Venti’s head where it practically collapsed on his shoulder.

As he trembled, Albedo held him close, never once complaining. 

It took some minutes for the shaking to pass. Once he was feeling more capable, and processing what just happened, Venti couldn't help the slight embarrassment. “Sorry for being so clingy, it was stronger than me…”, he spoke quietly, not daring to meet his eyes yet. “I never got like this before, and the closest I got was with long-term friends. I guess I'm still learning about the effects of the curse.”

They didn't mean to use excuses - it was the truth - but they still hoped they hadn't overwhelmed the alchemist.

“It’s alright, I don’t mind”, Albedo reassured them, continuing to pet their hair. “I wonder if this is some kind of hormonal response, although I’m unsure of how Celestia can cause that. I don’t know if I should be marveled or defensive.”

Venti rolled their eyes, even though Albedo couldn’t see. “Just don’t attempt to replicate any potion with these effects. I joked yesterday with Lisa about Barbatos-inspired lingerie, but the last thing Mondstadt needs is a Barbatos-inspired love potion.”

The alchemist chuckled. “Why not? Not a fan of those?”

“Not really, actually.” Since they were feeling better and were focused on the conversation, Venti put some distance between them to talk, so that they could see each other’s faces. “I’m all for people getting rid of their inhibitions with alcohol and such, but elixirs that make them infatuated can not only be dangerous, but also seem to cross the line of innocent fun.”

“That’s strangely conservative for a god of love and freedom”, Albedo pointed out, his tone non-judgemental.

“Hey, I told you I’m old, remember?”, Venti laughed it off. But they still wanted to clarify. “I think love should be given freely, not necessarily created artificially. For the record, I would never stop people from using aphrodisiacs willingly. It’s just that… I’ve seen several periods when non-consensual actions were more common-place, and I just get bad vibes from anything that might create the illusion of consent and desire. And, well, you’re not that wrong, maybe I can be called conservative in some ways. I am comfortable with affection, and even several degrees of sexiness and nudity, but when it gets to actual sexual topics… I’m just not very experienced. Or at all, really.”

Albedo hummed. “Would you perhaps consider that you don’t feel sexual attraction? Because if so, I would relate, although I still feel curiosity, and could be willing to try it as an experiment.”

“Oh,  that's an interesting question.” In fact, why had he never thought about it so clearly? “Yes, I would say so.”

It was curious to talk about that while being so close, practically sitting between Albedo’s legs. With an amused smile, he leaned further in, this time resting his head against his friend's shoulder properly, and showing that he could do the same by placing a hand behind his nape, and guiding him to rest his head against his own. 

They stood like that for a moment, before Albedo had an offer. “If you’d like, we can go to my makeshift bed. It’s nothing fancy, but should be more comfortable than staying on the floor. And besides, with the storm forming outside, we won’t be able to leave any time soon.”

Venti chuckled. “That’s where you’re wrong. I would be able to tell the winds to take the storm elsewhere, but I won’t complain for having an excuse.”

Albedo laughed softly in response, disentangling himself from Venti’s hug. Getting up, the prince extended one hand to the bard, who accepted, lazily getting up and already missing being clingy. 

They go to the bed, which was more akin to a cot, although not quite - Albedo must have used Alchemy to modify an existing object in order to make it more comfortable. They started getting rid of inconvenient clothing pieces, like Albedo’s high boots, and the corset and shoes in Venti’s case, that he simply kicked. 

It was colder in that part of the cave, further away from the fire - so, after removing his cloak and sliding into bed, the alchemist added it on top of the blankets. Venti did the same with his own cloak, and instinctively grabbed one of his wings with a hand to pull it, in order to envelop their bodies. 

Pressed together in a hug under the pile, their legs entwined, and basically breathing the same air… It was oddly intimate - when was the last time Venti shared a bed with someone? - but also everything he could ask for. It was warm, and nice, and exactly what he needed to calm down his flaring nerves, much better already. He really loved the sensation of being protected by someone else, and feeling like a wisp nesting in his old friend’s chest.

He both felt and heard Albedo sigh in their cocoon, and it was rewarding to know he was enjoying it too. 

“Should I sing you a lullaby?”, Venti murmured to a crown of golden hair. 

He felt the laughter reverberating through his chest. “At this time of the day? If I recall correctly, you woke up just a few hours ago.”

“What can I say? The recent developments are turning me into a spoiled, lazy cat, eh-he.” It wasn’t like he didn’t love sleeping and napping before, anyway.

They sighed contentedly again, now at the same time. 

The pair was silent for a while, listening only to the storm outside, the slow, heavy sounds occasionally broken by sharp whistles. The wind was alive and thriving, relishing the opportunity to break free from restraints, to drag everything with it and soar higher than the peaks. Venti could feel its strength in his core, every heartbeat in tandem with the demonstrations of power. Perhaps by chance, or truly synchronized, Albedo’s heartbeat matched his own, the pulsing of a dragon undoubtedly connected to the very soul of the mountain. To the soil, to the snow… 

He was what Venti wasn’t, the land under the wind.

“I don’t think it makes a big difference to know that you are Barbatos”, Albedo mumbled eventually, his eyelids closed. “It’s similar to having a friend promoted to a high position, and I have many of those. You were right, Venti - none of us are special. My current theory is that… that…”

His words failed, and it took Venti a moment to realize he had fallen asleep. Guess someone spent the night researching , he guessed, finding the alchemist cute.

Tilting his head to the side, 

   he pressed a kiss to Albedo’s neck, 

       and surrendered to sleep.

Chapter Text

The wind carried a clear melody over the fields, yet sadness lingered in the notes. There was a mournful quality to them weighing down Venti’s heart and, recognizing the voice as belonging to Barbara, he felt personally responsible for it. 

He followed the never-faltering sound - Barbara had years of practice as an idol and a nun - stepping lightly through the grass until he spotted her, sitting among the wildflowers. She had found a soft patch between Vennessa’s tree and the riverbed, and was entangling the grasses and flowers in her hands, forming a garland. The flowers were her only audience, and the only witnesses to her sorrow.

Or they were until Venti arrived.

He hesitated. He had been avoiding this moment, waiting for her to seek him out, for the hurt to fade, for things to somehow fix themselves without his interference - did he even have a right to interfere? But seeing her now, looking so small despite the vastness of the world around her, he knew it was time.

He took a deep breath, and stepped forward. “Barbara?”

She startled slightly, cutting off her song mid-verse, but she didn’t jump to her feet or turn away. Instead, she lowered her hands into her lap and let out a quiet breath before lifting her gaze to meet his. “Lord Barbatos.” The title sounded too formal, practically reverent, and her voice held no warmth - only duty, pushing past the pain.

He winced, but offered a smile anyway. “Would you mind if we talked?”

She gave a slow nod, as if she’d expected this conversation to happen eventually. “Of course not, Lord Barbatos.” She scooted aside to make room for him in the grass. 

He sat cross-legged beside her, letting the silence settle before speaking. For as much as he wished to tell her that she didn’t need to refer to him like… that , he feared it would do more harm than good. She was looking for faith, not to have the few lasting remnants destroyed.

The breeze attempted to comfort them, but Venti knew that most of the effort would have to come from him.

Mustering bravery, he started softly. “I keep feeling like I owe you an apology, and I shouldn’t have postponed it for almost two weeks.” He glanced at her. She was still staring at her lap, and simply shook her head. “I know the way I conduct myself as Venti can at times be unbecoming of Barbatos. So it must be hard to conciliate that we are the same person.”

“That’s not it”, she replied in a small voice. “It’s not that simple.”

“Then tell me,” he encouraged, watching her carefully. “Whatever is in your heart, just say it, and let it be taken away by the winds.”

She exhaled, slow and deliberately, staring at the distant horizon. “I think… I’m just lost. I grew up believing in Barbatos, in their freedom, their protection. They were everywhere and nowhere, a presence both distant and comforting. They were someone I could pray to and feel heard, even if I never got an answer.” Her hands tightened in her lap. “But then you-” She paused, then corrected herself. “Then they-” She stopped again, annoyance flickering across her face.

Venti felt the involuntary urge to complete her words. “Then the proclamation happened, and you learned we were the same person?”

“Yes!” Her frustration hit a breaking point, and her face twisted, letting a humorless chuckle escape. “But I don’t think Venti goes against the values of Barbatos - on the contrary, it’s almost too perfect!” Her intensity took him aback, and he blinked, but she wasn’t done. “Venti - you - do everything that Barbatos teaches, but in the most human way possible! While still having lots of wisdom to offer, effort put into studying music, and a love for Mondstadt and for everyone.”

“So, huh… you’re not disappointed?”

“Slightly, but I’m more disappointed at myself for not realizing. It’s a bit ridiculous to pray to a god every day just to not notice when they are present.” Barbara scoffed. She paused for a moment, letting go of the tight grip on the garland, and her feisty burst dissolved. “I just miss having someone to look up to that felt larger than life. I don’t doubt that Lord Barbatos still watches over us - I know you do. But now… I don’t know what to believe anymore, or who to pray to”, she admitted with a sigh.

Ah . In all honesty, it was a relief to know Barbara didn’t see their two identities as conflicting. While she didn’t deny that some of their attitudes vexed her, she apparently managed to see the logic behind much of what they did, and they should have never expected less of her. Frankly, to have someone turn to them and outright say that no, they weren’t hypocritical and their actions always aligned with what they valued… It was reassuring. 

But this wasn’t about them. Barbara was the one who needed to be comforted, and while she wasn’t actually feeling disappointment, they were aware that her beliefs were shattered. Venti couldn’t blame her for feeling adrift.

Feeling adrift… now that was something familiar.

“I understand,” they said finally, voice quieter than before. “You always had this image of Barbatos to lean on, one that felt safe and untouchable. And now you see me, and it’s not the same. You don’t feel like you can share confessions with the wind, because that means letting the silly bard know them.” They glanced at her, giving her a small, wry smile. “But I am still the god who knows you, and just as willing to offer guidance. I’m just a little more real than you expected.”

Barbara looked down, thoughtful, but without rejecting their words.

“Also, Sister Barbara…” Venti was willing to use her title too. “I hope you don’t feel that your devotion has been for nothing”, they said earnestly. “It’s important for an Archon to have believers, even though I have mixed feelings about it, and try to encourage people to believe in freedom more than in myself. But your faith was so bright, that it gave me more strength than the faith of many people combined.”

She perked up slightly, hope gleaming in her eyes. “Really? You aren’t just bluffing?”

Amusement stirred in his chest. “Me? Pfft, since when do I do that?” She rolled her eyes at the joke, her discouraged state broken for a moment, and he counted that as a victory. “Yeah, I shouldn’t have faked the repair of the lyre… Sorry? I mean, it’s technically mine and it was borrowed for a good cause, but… Anyway, what I said just now was the truth, your faith was helpful.”

“I was heartbroken when I realized the lyre was an illusion.” She was pouting at this point, but there was no deep resentment in her voice. 

He smirked, deciding to encourage her. “Yup, and I’m sure you were also angry at me, as you should.”

“But you are Barbatos. I can’t just be angry at you like that”, she argued, fingers clenching around her sleeves. 

They melted. Something in the way she said it made them smile, but on this, the small god was willing to insist. “Yes, you can. And I am Barbatos as much as I am Venti - although you can choose how you wish to see me. Frankly, my sense of identity will probably struggle for a while”, they added with a shrug. “Just don’t feel the need to constrain yourself over me, child of Mondstadt.”

The winds picked up, bringing rustling leaves to dance around the pair. The trees of Windrise swayed gently, including the massive oak of another of Venti’s old friends, but her roots ran deep. Venti couldn’t tell if nature was responding to their emotions, or if it was the other way around. All they knew was that their braids were fluttering along, their teal glow spreading, and they could swear for a moment that their form was more ethereal and translucent than usual. The currents were ready to sweep them up if only they allowed it, once they wished to return to being one with them.

Barbara’s breath caught in her throat, wonder crossing her expression.

Here you have it, a glimpse of godhood for you , they mused when meeting her gaze, although they didn’t say it out loud. 

Graced with an idea, Venti stood, dusting off the dirt. “Tell you what. I can’t exactly take you flying with these things”, they gestured toward their Archon wings, still heavy and ruined, but more pleasant to the eye under the sunlight. “But I can still make it fun.” 

With a snap of his fingers and a teasing grin, he materialised his trusty glider, and extended a hand to Barbara.

“Come on. Let’s see if the wind still listens to an old drunkard like me, and if it can take us both soaring into the sky.”

Barbara hesitated, then let out a breath that sounded suspiciously like a laugh. “If you weren’t Barbatos, I wouldn’t trust you with not letting us fall, but in this case…” Smiling, she took Venti’s hand.

They stared at each other, and chuckled. 

Maybe she wasn’t ready to believe in him the way she once had. But maybe, just maybe, she was ready to learn who he really was.

She strapped one wing to her back, while he made sure to put on the other - they would need to share, since she didn’t have the same kind of abilities as Venti did, and he could only materialize his own things. Pulling her closer so that they could hold onto each other, Barbatos summoned strong currents. Barbara threatened to lose her balance, grabbing his shoulder a bit too strongly, but he made sure to secure her with one hand around her waist.

Then he started running across the fields, pulling her along, and when he heard her laugh, they jumped. 

The winds caught them, and took them higher, higher. 

The breeze dissipated all the awkwardness and tension left, embracing them unconditionally. They glided over the fields and the sea, seeing their figures mirrored down below.

The pair made their way back to Mondstadt through the skies, light and effortlessly, the currents guiding them and allowing for a smooth landing. As their feet touched the stone pavement near the cathedral, Venti stretched his arms above his head, feeling the lingering rush of flight still in his bones.

“That was refreshing!” he said with a grin, tilting his head toward Barbara. “And I even brought the Deaconess on time for her choir - there will be a rehearsal soon, right? So I shall not keep you any longer.”

Barbara let out a soft chuckle, rising happily time and again to her tiptoes. “It was nice,” she admitted, her voice carrying an ease that hadn’t been there before. She glanced toward the cathedral steps. “And usually, I would get going around this time, but I won’t be attending today.”

Venti blinked, momentarily thrown off. “Oh?”

Barbara folded her hands in front of her, hesitating for only a moment before speaking. “I decided to take a short break, and notified the Church, so Sister Grace is taking care of my duties for now,” she explained. “It didn’t feel right to perform while having doubts about my faith, so… I wanted a period to figure things out.”

The honesty in her tone made something tug at Venti’s chest. He shifted his weight, rubbing the back of his neck. “I see… so that is my fault, huh?”

“N-not really”, she added quickly. Her pigtails bounced back and forth as she shook her head. “And you helped me a lot just now, Lord, hum, Barbatos.” His lips quivered in amusement, which only made her sigh at the difficulty of choosing a title. But her next words came out fast, laced with Barbara’s usual determination. “Either way, I want to help you back too, and since you said my faith can achieve that and also allowed me to get through my feelings, I’m sure I can resume my responsibilities soon.”

“That’s appreciated, but don’t force yourself. Return only when you feel ready”, he reminded her. “Speaking of breaks, perhaps I could arrange another trip to the Golden Apple Archipelago meanwhile, at least if I can convince Dvalin to take you there again.”

“Ah, so it was… That makes a lot of sense, now that I think about it.” She was just muttering to herself, but the bard-god could see in her eyes how she was puzzling everything together: why did he know where that mysterious Island was located, and how did he manage to summon Dvalin to take them there.

“For the record, the credits for that special summer don’t just belong to me”, he said with a sly smile, confirming her suspicions. His gaze drifted towards the sky, reminiscing. “Although I technically formed the Island - centuries ago when I was, let’s say, making the land of Mondstadt more hospitable. But the decorations and the idea to turn it into a vacation spot were all Alice’s doing.”

“I can see it, fits the kind of thing she always does”, she commented with a knowing giggle. “But then why didn’t you come as well?”

“Well, with most of Mondstadt’s protectors away, someone had to help keep the city safe, right? Between me, Lisa, Eula, and Rosaria at night of course, I think we did a pretty good job.”

It was her turn to blink. “So you really take your duties seriously sometimes. Ah!” There she was, already getting flustered. “I apologize, that came out too rude, Lord Barbatos.” 

We waved a hand dismissively. “It’s alright, really . More importantly, did you enjoy your time there?”

Barbara hummed, a faraway look in her eyes. “I had a lot of fun. It was nice to spend time with Jean, as well. That doesn’t happen often.”

Venti tilted his head, studying her expression. “You two weren’t raised together, were you? Sorry if the question is too private, you don’t really have to answer, but the winds tell me things and sometimes they are hard to make proper sense of.”

Barbara shook her head. “I don’t mind you asking. When our parents divorced, our dad was the Deacon, so he raised me, while our mom took Jean with her to become an adventurer. When my sister came back, I was happy, but she was so… Jean . Responsible. Busy. Always carrying the weight of Mondstadt on her shoulders.” She hesitated. “We like each other, but sometimes it feels like there’s a gap I don’t know how to bridge.”

Venti tapped his chin in thought before giving her a lopsided smile. “Well, since you’ve got some free time, I could lend a hand.”

Barbara peeked at him, brows slightly arched. “With what?”

“Oh, nothing too dramatic, just a little chat”, he said while rocking on his heels, wondering how to motivate her. “Jean has known about my Archon identity for a while, you see? Even though she never told you.”

Emotions crossed through her eyes: mostly confusion, although Venti could see a hint of betrayal. Wasn’t he so trained in music and sound, however, and he would swear her voice didn’t reveal any of that. “She has?”

He nodded. “If you’re curious about why she kept that to herself, now’s as good a time as any to ask. And while you’re at it, you could let her know that you and I are on good terms now, and that there shouldn’t be any more secrets between the two of you.” He gave her an encouraging grin. “It doesn’t have to be a long heart-to-heart conversation, but even small things can help close gaps.”

Barbara mulled over his words, then let out a breath. “You know… that might not be a bad idea.”

“Great!” Venti beamed. “Let’s go find our beloved Acting Grandmaster, shall we?”

Barbara nodded, and together, they set off toward the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius.

Inside the building, Venti spotted Albedo entrusting Kaeya with his little sister in a corner of the hall. Allowing the memories of their last time together to resurface, Venti’s lips curled up, and he waved at the group in passage, receiving smiles and gestures in return - along with an enthusiastic greeting from Klee. As for Barbara, she was too laser-focused on the office’s door to notice them.

Knocking, she waited for a reply to enter. The small god followed close behind, halting when he saw how the two sisters hesitated, staring at each other. 

Jean’s wide eyes denoted she wasn’t expecting this visit, and she glanced at Venti with an inquisitive expression. He shrugged carelessly, not being of much help but at least communicating there was nothing to worry about. That seemed to help her a little, but the brave knight was still unsure of how to act, if her hand frozen mid-air was anything to go by.

“Sister Barbara, Barbatos, it’s nice to see you both”, she said at last, her voice breaking for only one second as she relied on formalities to keep the nerves at bay. “Please, take a seat.”

Glued to the floor, Barbara took a deep breath, and only then did her feet resolve to move. Sitting slowly, she didn’t even dare to look at her sister properly, making Venti wonder if he rushed that conversation. Did his attempts at killing two rabbits with one stone backfire? If they weren’t ready-

Jean cleared her throat, interrupting his thoughts. “May I help you with anything?

“Acting Grandmaster, are you free?”, Barbara asked, mindful as always. Venti noticed how she was gripping her dress below the table. “What I have to discuss is nothing urgent, and I wouldn’t want to take precious time from you. I was just free myself, so Lord Barbatos encouraged me to discuss more personal matters.”

Jean blinked, starting to grasp what this was about. She shifted her position on the chair, as if trying to get more comfortable while thinking about the best course of action.

The office of the Knights of Favonius was as orderly as ever, the scent of parchment and ink filling the air. The bard-god had stayed back, leaning casually against a bookshelf, wondering if it was time to interfere and nudge them in the right direction - he still wanted to give them space to make that choice themselves. He could almost hear the unspoken tension stretching between them like a taut lyre string.

The older sister eventually settled for an encouraging smile, the words that followed kind. 

“While I always have things to do, as long as nothing is urgent, like now, I will gladly make time for friends. You, as my sister, are no less than them.”

The response had the power to make a small smile bloom in Barbara’s face. “Thank you. I appreciate it… Jean.” The choice to forego titles was paired with a silent question that the winds whispered to Venti, a tentative crossing into personal territory, to build a bridge and start closing the gap. 

The clock was ticking. Barbara continued, putting a hand on her chest. “In that case, I wanted to start by apologizing for running away, during the announcement of Barbatos’ identity. It was quite disrespectful on my part, and my shock is no excuse. I have talked with them meanwhile, and I even agree that Barbatos and Venti have much in common. So, I will resume my Holy duties soon.”

So humble and dedicated , Venti noticed once again, shaking their head to themself. From the corner of their eyes, they saw how Jean was melting, likely observing the same things.

“There’s no need to apologize for that, Barbara. The shock was to be expected, and everyone deserves time to process things”, she said earnestly, getting a shy nod from her sister. “But I’m glad you two are on good terms, and that you have accepted Venti’s identity. Venti, there’s no need to stay so far away - come sit as well.”

Of course not. The role of the wind was to listen and to show the way, not to drag things along. That was only reserved for obstacles.

“Eh-he, I didn’t want to interfere”, they explained simply while rubbing the back of their neck. Succeeding at not making it about them, they hopped towards the desk.

Barbara was looking between them and Jean, mouth agape in awe. “You two really are friends.” 

The statement sounded so puzzled that Venti had to chuckle, and even Jean, exchanging a glance with them, still pursed her lips to try to stay serious. “We are”, she said. “I have known about Venti’s identities for a few years already. More precisely, since the crisis with Dvalin.”

But Barbara’s gaze flickered up and down. Her posture was less strained at this point, yet the niceties didn’t fully get to her. “Barbatos told me that right before we entered, but in that case… why not share that information with me?” 

Jean’s eyebrows raised, lips parted as if to argue the call out, but that was quickly replaced by recoiling and accepting it. Barbara’s own guilt spiked up in turn for making her feel that way. Venti would be tempted to roll their eyes if not out of concern for them, and for genuinely understanding what made communication so troubling. 

Barbara immediately tried to rectify the situation, too fearful of overstepping, and she stumbled over her words as she gesticulated. “Ah, sorry, I don’t want to pressure you, and I completely understand if it was confidential informa-”

“It wasn’t.” Jean cut, sitting completely straight. If Venti’s guess was right, she was about to assume how she had been acting until now. “Venti never asked me to keep it a secret.”

“Yup, that is true”, they chimed in. “I didn’t exactly wish for the whole city to know, since I didn’t want the way Mondstadt operates to change, or to be revered… bah, you know that already”, they waved a hand. “But I would be fine with specific people finding out.”

Jean nodded. She was solemn, even more than usual. “I just wasn’t sure how to break it to you. In part because I feared it would shake your faith, and in part because, if I’m honest, I don’t really know how to speak with my own sister in general.” Her gaze softened, as if contemplating past choices, regret woven into her semblance. As for Barbara, the admission had left her bewildered. “Even when we got the right opportunities, like during summer vacations, I always wondered if it would be kinder to let you enjoy your breaks without ruining them, so I opted to never tell.”

Barbara swallowed. “So was that why you never told? To protect me?” Frustration was slipping into her tone, but she deserved some moments to decompress and let her true feelings rise, so Venti didn’t want to stop her.

Jean nodded again, slowly, her voice calm. Her hands were clasped over the table. “You have every right to feel betrayed. Making the decision for you, and assuming you couldn’t handle it, wasn’t my calling. I don’t want to use my feelings as a clutch, so let me say this: you deserved better, Barbara, and for that, I am sorry.”

Barbara hummed. “I do feel a little betrayed, but… don’t worry, I  understand.” Her smile didn’t fully reach her eyes. “Actually, I often feel similarly, at least when it comes to not knowing how to act around you. Can you just, well, trust me more from now on?”

They met each other’s gaze, and Jean gave a faint smile. “Of course, I will keep that in mind. I never intended to shut you out, and as your older sister, I should-”

“That is not what she means, Jean. It’s not a matter of ‘should’”, Venti felt the need to point out. Otherwise, the pair would keep dancing around each other and never fully meet in the middle. 

Barbara took the chance to gather her words, and reinforce her position. “Yeah, it wasn’t. I don’t want you to trust me just out of obligation. I care about you, so I don’t want to let you carry everything alone. Even with the help of the Knights, and Barbatos, it’s still a lot. Besides, we are sisters - and I don’t like how you feel unreachable just because we were raised separately.”

“Oh.” Jean blinked, then chuckling. “It wasn’t only out of obligation, I just struggle a little to let go of old habits. I care about you too, Barbara - you’re my little sister.” She reached out, placing a hand on top of the hand of the other woman, trembling slightly on the table. “I may not be the best at sharing my duties with others, but I’m glad I can count with your help and care, and beyond thankful that we got to have this conversation.”

Barbara giggled. “So am I! And I’m also happy that we can drop the formalities - oh, and really proud of having you as my sister.” The fainted tears glimmered in her attentive eyes, that she didn’t try to hide. 

Jean was more shy, trying to conceal her smile as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “So am I.”

Sensing the moment was right, he clapped his hands together lightly. “Ah, now this is the kind of harmony I like to see!” The two sisters laughed along. “I guess that coming out and confronting things can also be a form of freedom, hum? Freedom always involves sacrifices, but the paths that open up and the friends that wish to accompany us on our journeys are well worth it.”

The two sisters were fully holding hands now, and Venti was grateful for witnessing their amend.

A heartbeat later, bursting with enthusiasm, Barbara suddenly got up. “Jean, can you come watch me at my next concert?”

Jean put a hand to her chest. “I promise.”

“Great! Then… I hope to see you in two weeks in the plaza!” 

Leaving the garland she created prior on the table, Barbara left hurriedly with light steps, her pigtails bouncing. Her glee was unmistakable, even contagious, not that it was hard to make the other two smile after what just transpired. Venti took that as a cue to give Jean some rest, getting up as well with a grin. 

Hands behind his back, still beaming at Jean, he added: “She even forgave us for breaking the lyre!” Jean chuckled at his victory. “Well, I’ll get going then, see you!”

He dashed out of the office, eagerly awaiting where the wind would lead him.

Mondstadt had plenty of energetic children, not just Barbara. Not even one day later, the wind had very literally led a new adventure to Venti, who got a flash of what the future entailed before those threads of winds were gone, leaving him only with a familiar Liyuen scent and a tingly feeling on his lips. What wasn’t gone, however, was the shadow of the figure gliding right above his head, shouting.

“Ventiiii! I finally found you!”

Amber expertly closed her glider mid-air, spinning and landing without any hassle. She waved her arms to make sure she got her balance back, straightening with a grin and a salute.

“I have a letter for you, that just arrived from Liyue. I figured I could find you faster from the skies.”

The ease with which she referred to him, without an ounce of hesitation in saying his name, was simultaneously amusing and comforting. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he put a hand to his chin, guessing dramatically. 

“Hummm, I wonder who it could be from. I know several people in Liyue - I’m a popular bard, after all - but not many who would be willing to pester me.”

“Well, the letter has a fancy seal, but I don’t know enough about Liyue culture to recognize it.” She took the letter out of her bag, handing it to Venti. Ah, just as he imagined, the golden seal of Morax. Silly old man , he thought fondly.

Amber was in a rush, so she was already preparing to leave, looking for the nearest edge to climb and glide from. “Alright, we can catch up later, I have an important patrol to do next. Oh, and one last thing - it’s okay to call you Venti, right?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, it is - people can call me by the name they find more comfortable.”

“Then I will keep Venti - it fits you very well, actually”, she said happily, unaware of the emotions that affirmation alone stirred inside him. That it is, he thought, remembering who bestowed it.

He invoked some currents to give her extra impulse, watching bemused as she laughed and aimed at the skies. Only then, as things had quieted, did they procure a place to sit and read in peace.

That wasn’t hard. The sun was setting, and people were scurrying to the comfort of their homes, to have dinner, to chatter, to rest. There were still some individuals on the streets, the prominence of their shadows varying under the flickering lanterns already lit, even though there were still vestiges of sun in the pink horizon. 

Night was the period when the energy of Mondstadt diffused, except for the taverns. That was where Venti was heading to, before Amber found him - now that they thought about it, it was surprising that she had a patrol at night. He had been preparing to meet with their drinking buddies, since Kaeya and Rosaria had increasingly proved to be great company, and Diluc a great listener. Only in the tavern did the lively chatter prevailed. Only in the tavern were drinks shared throughout the night, along with music, and stories told in a boisterous manner. Only in the tavern did wine flow, and carried a fragment of what the city of the moon was during the day.

The rest of the city transformed into a landscape of quiet serenity, as if life itself was fading, for the moon put it under the spell of a dream. And yet, nature prevailed, with flowers swaying gently, crickets singing in the bards’ stead, the faraway waves crashing slowly on the shore. 

Seeing the dandelions carried by the breeze, Venti almost gave in to the urge of taking out their lyre and plucking the strings, touched by inspiration. But not yet. They had a letter to read. 

Getting comfortable on the bench, adjusting the wings at their side, they finally broke the seal. They recognized that calligraphy, perhaps more than they should - after all, knowing how to forge it had served them well once upon a time.

With a smile, they registered the polite but passive-aggressive worry in the initial paragraphs. 

To the Anemo Archon Barbatos,

I hope this letter finds you well.

As you have neglected to keep me apprised of your recovery, I found myself uncertain of your present state, and hesitant about making assumptions. I have, of course, read of your proclamation in the newspapers, yet little else has reached my ears. 

Fortunately, while attending one of Master Yun’s opera performances, I had the occasion to share tea with a certain Knight of Favonius - Sir Kaeya, if my recollection serves me correctly. He spoke of having been in your company following the announcement, and assured me that you are well, surrounded by friends who see to your care.

This is heartening news, old friend. If you are so inclined, I would welcome word of how my counsel has fared, or whether your plans have changed since last we spoke. Should you wish, you may even recount such things over tea. My offer to aid in easing the burden of your affliction still stands, although I suspect that with the company you now keep, such assistance is no longer of great necessity. Regardless, your presence will always be welcomed, and I have tales of my own to share: stories far too lengthy to confine to mere ink and parchment.

One final matter: Adeptus Xiao has learned of your proclamation, and sought answers. As you wished to keep the state of your wings and curse from him, he did not find about it through me. However, it seems that Xianyun, as per usual, has spoken of what was not hers to share. Xiao has since requested leave to visit you. Such permission was unnecessary, but I granted my blessing nonetheless, and encouraged him to seek you out. You can expect to see Alatus soon.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Zhongli.

Venti lowered the letter, letting the parchment rest lightly between his fingers. A familiar warmth pulsed in his chest at Zhongli’s calculated words, endearingly archaic and formal, yet so kind and concerned in a non-pressing way. It was hilarious, even, how he had signed such an eloquent letter with a simple name, no titles or more important names attached. 

Yet beneath that warmth, a pang of guilt surfaced.

He had meant to write sooner, truly. After all, Zhongli had been the first he confided in, the first to see the weight of his soul beyond the carefree mask. He had clung to his advice like a lifeline - well, to more than that, really - grasping at steadiness when the curse had left him shaken. However, weeks had passed, and he had failed to reach out. Barbatos wasn’t particularly gifted with time awareness, for a myriad of reasons he didn’t reject , but that distanced him from mortals and immortals alike.

How strange it was to look back now, to recall the unease that had then sipped into his bones and made in his mind a nest. The fear that had curled around his ribs, the weight of the unknown competing with the weight of useless ugly wings. It all felt distant, almost foreign. 

So much had changed. Mondstadt had neither cast him aside, nor started to worship him. His wings were slowly but surely regaining mobility. The need for affection meant to shame him had resulted in stronger bonds. The curse, once an unbearable burden, had lost its hold over him, and it was all thanks to the support he got.

Before he could dwell further, a shift in the air pulled him from his reverie. A breeze stirring from behind, sharp yet familiar, carrying with it a presence he had not expected so soon.

Alatus had arrived.

Chapter Text

The bushes behind rustled as the figure materialized, his fragrance mingling with Venti’s senses. With a slight gasp, they twirled around, facing their visitor.

Like a cat caught in a night escapade, Xiao stood frozen for a moment, tension coiled in his frame. Their eyes met, and, after a moment,  he sighed, forcing his posture to relax. He had arrived at the garden behind Venti's bench and, after a moment of internal debate, he finally decided to close the distance between them. The lightness of his steps contrasted with the dark wisps floating around him, just like his hands were far too gentle for a killer.

One of those hands reached out, timid and awkwardly at first, not sure what to do once it hovered above Venti’s own hand resting on the back of the bench. Glancing briefly to their face, Xiao looked away, yet he mustered the bravery for placing his hand on top of the angel's. Melting at the tender gesture, Venti smiled, covering it with their free palm.

“Hello, Xiao”, they whispered softly. “I confess I didn't expect you so soon, since I just read Morax's letter. It's a surprise to be visited in the city.” Their smile grew. “A nice surprise.”

Xiao simply hummed, offering no remark about the last part. Aloof, he took in the sights of the city of the wind but not of the moon yet, blanketed in the golden hues of dusk, right on the cusp of kissing goodnight to the last rays of sun. The city was deserted at this point, and the small god had chosen a particular serene spot, which seemed to please the yaksha. 

His gaze wandered to the gurgling fountain, to the slow-turning mills, to the leaves dancing on the breeze. He closed his eyes for a moment, and Venti felt compelled to do the same, delivering themselves to the rhythm of nature and letting it calm their nervous hearts.

At last, Xiao deigned to speak. “I wanted to avoid crowds, and I figured you would be in the city. So I opted to visit at night”, he explained. This time, when his eyes flickered to Venti’s, he held them there. “It’s peaceful.”

“It is. Even I, who delight inthe high energy of the day so much, find myself torn between deciding if I prefer the nights more”, Venti confessed. “But frankly, much of myself has been in conflict and going through changes lately. That's why you are here, isn't it?” They asked while pointing with their head to their appendices in their back.

Xiao tsked fondly, looking typically adorable in a way he would never admit to. “I don't need extra reasons to visit.”

Without words, Venti turned again to sit properly on the bench, using their still-entwined hands to guide Xiao to join at their side. 

“Well, General Xiao, I appreciate the visit”, they teased, a lilt to their voice. “But I'm afraid you didn't give me enough time to even get drinks for us.”

“That's unnecessary. I just… wanted to check on you. Especially since you haven’t visited Liyue in some time.”

Bumping against his side, there was more sincerity to the playful question than Venti cared to admit. “Did you miss me?”

Xiao hesitated. “Yes.”

Venti blinked. The answer caught them by surprise, but not because Xiao was honest - he didn't know how to lie. The surprise resided in the revelation that he visited not because of what he learned, but primarily because he missed their company. 

A chuckle bubbled up, and they squeezed his hand. “For some reason, that makes me quite happy to hear.” They could see the slightest smile on the yaksha’s lips. “But if you want to learn more about my wings, and what happened, I don’t mind sharing. I’m sure Xianyun already shared everything she could, but she doesn’t know everything, nor how my recovery is faring.”

“Did Rex Lapis tell you about that?”

“Eh-he, of course! We are good friends, after all.” 

Some centuries ago, Venti might have expected Xiao to scoff at the idea, or at least make a scandalized face, even if he didn’t protest aloud. He had been too reverent of Morax back then, and Venti and Zhongli’s friendship was tentative at best, going back and forth between friendly teasing and genuine loyalty to the occasional conflict. Now, however, the Yaksha had nothing to protest against.

The winds whispered to Barbatos, telling him what he already knew: he was stalling, tiptoeing around the conversation that mattered most with jokes and easy topics - like a coward.

Taking a steadying breath, Venti turned to his dear friend. 

“Xiao?” The somberness caught his attention, and Xiao straightened. “Do you want to see my wings?”

The Yaksha nodded, so Venti acquiesced. Slowly, he opted to sit sideways on the bench, turning his open back from where the wings sprouted to the yaksha. He had made sure to always cover them with his body until now, so it was the first time that Xiao was actually seeing them. 

A sharp inhale - subtle, barely perceptible. Venti wouldn’t have caught it if not for how attuned he was to sound and the whispers of the wind. The reaction made his heart recoil.

Barbatos felt a very light touch poking against some feathers, but the hand retreated almost instantly, making him laugh. “You can touch them”, he reassured gently. “They look miserable, don’t they? But already much better than when I was first cursed to have them out.”

“Cloud Retainer had mentioned the curse, but I still hoped it was an exaggeration”, Xiao commented, ignoring the question about the wings. Venti could feel his fingers graze across the uneven feathers, both old and growing. “I, hum, am aware this isn’t much for Celestia, but still feels unfair to burden you with useless wings while they are more weight than function. Although I suppose it will be better for you long-term.”

Venti’s heart skipped a beat. “Don’t they bother you?”, he blurted, unable to contain the question any longer. 

Xiao’s hand slowed.

The angel swallowed, before continuing. “Since, well… you lost your own wings and all. Even though it was a long time ago, I didn’t want to bring any unwanted memories or traumatic events, so… I avoided you.”

In the silence, he realized that Xiao’s hand had stilled completely, and he didn’t reply immediately. Uncomfortable, and not knowing what he was thinking, Venti shifted in his position.

His friend finally resumed the movements, sliding his hand closer to the base, where frail new plumes were just beginning to peek through the skin. When they brushed against the sensitive area, an involuntary shiver ran down Venti’s spine. It tickled, and heat crept to his face - he had the night to thank for privacy, at least.

The question that followed wasn’t judgemental - not exactly - but it still carried a trace of disappointment. 

“Were you trying to spare me?” 

Venti pursed his lips, not replying. 

The Yaksha continued in his stead. “You didn’t have to. Besides, like you said, it was too long ago. I have made peace with what happened, and my abilities still allow me to taste the skies for brief moments. You, on the other hand, have wings that can be healed, even if it takes many years for you to fly again. It was… unwise to keep them concealed for so long. That was what caused this damage, wasn’t it?”

He wasn’t sure why, but hearing that from Xiao hurt in a very specific way. Those words, though spoken with care and not reproach, pierced something deep inside of him. His chest tightened, and before he knew it, tears prickled at his eyes. He ignored them with a dramatic sigh.

“Aaaah, have some mercy, will you?”, he attempted to joke, but the plea once again came out more genuine than he intended. 

Xiao tensed. “I- I apologize. I didn’t mean to judge”, he said with a semblance of guilt, making Venti roll his eyes while looking back. 

“It’s okay, Xiao, really.” He exhaled a quiet chuckle. “I suppose you just touched on some things I can’t deny. Seems like the one I was trying to spare was myself, uhm?” 

The small god slid back, drawing closer to Xiao. In the movement, Xiao’s hands - steadying him instinctively - brushed against his bare skin. His gloves were thick, blocking out the warmth of his touch, and for some reason, all that Venti’s mind was able to supply was that he wished he didn’t wear them. 

Actually… was there any harm in just saying that? 

“Tell you what”, he started, glancing back with a sheepish expression that made Xiao frown. “If you feel bad and want to make it up for me, I accept compensation~ You could just remove your gloves while feeling my wings, since it would help me with the rest of the curse. Do you know about that?”

Xiao scoffed. “First of all, I am not ‘feeling’ your wings. I am grooming and making sure they are cared for”, he said as he plucked out a brittle old feather, making Venti whine pitifully. “Second, Xianyun told me the little she knew about it, but… is it really true that you need physical contact with people?”

“Some weeks ago, I went two days without contact, and I was doing fine. Then a deep itching started suddenly, and in a matter of hours, it had already grown into pain and I was getting desperate”, he shared with a sigh, slouching. “Needless to say, it’s not an experience I want to repeat. But I don’t want to pressure you to touch me in any way, for the record - I was just teasing. It’s appreciated, but I have enough friends who can take care of me.”

He knew Xiao well enough to be certain that no amount of pressure could make him do something he didn’t want to - just like he never showed up to events unless he chose to. It was something Venti had always admired about him, thus, he wasn’t worried about swaying his desires. Still, it felt right to say it out loud, to remind him that his choices mattered.

The yaksha pondered for a moment. “I… would like to care for you as well”, he said calmly, as if lost in thought. “But I would prefer if we went somewhere more private. There are still houses around, after all.”

Venti couldn’t resist teasing him more, leaning against him and tilting his head mischievously. “Oh? Even more private than this? What are you planning to do with me, General Xiao?” 

Xiao choked on what he was about to say, the tips of his ears red. 

Feeling immensely rewarded, the small god debated continuing the attack, but in the end, he took pity and opted to let it go, just responding in earnest. “I know just the perfect place, actually. It will even help relieve some of your karmic debt, if that’s something you would like.”

Xiao’s eyes widened slightly. “I wasn’t aware that there was a place like that here in Mondstadt.”

Venti hummed. “It’s one of my favorite places, where I always go to recharge. Here, let me show you.”

His gaze softened, and he turned to Xiao fully, extending a hand. His dear yaksha took it, this time without much hesitation, and Venti pulled him along toward the nearby Waypoint. 

Nudging Xiao closer, the god of wind paused briefly before wrapping one arm around Xiao’s waist, securing him to make sure he wouldn’t get lost in the ethereal matter. Xiao tensed briefly, before relaxing and holding onto him. 

Willing his mind to change focus from their proximity to the ancient magic, Barbatos reached out to the Ley Lines. A familiar humming echoed through their core, and in the next breath, their forms fused into one - vanishing into thin air.

The pair materialized in the plains of Windrise, in front of Venessa’s tree.

Xiao inhaled, taking in the crisp night air and the purity radiating from the natural being ahead. Venti felt him tremble against them, as they were wrapped in a powerful aura, connected to the world, to the memories, to the elements. The Anemo Archon was well aware of how the overwhelming presence always ridded them of both worries and any hint of corruption - and every sign pointed to the Yaksha being impacted in the exact same way. 

In the stillness, Barbatos realized his friend was entranced by the tree, himself a statuette of beauty mesmerizing to the god in turn. From up close, they could almost count his eyelashes.

Shaking their head, they focused on the present, noticing Xiao stir as they left his embrace.

By impulse, Venti grinned and kicked off his shoes. Thankful that the outfit that he picked for the day didn’t include pantyhose, he trekked lightly toward the meandering stream nearby. Stepping into the water, he couldn’t contain a laugh when the coolness made him shiver. The currents curled around his ankles like a welcoming embrace, the freshness invigorating. 

He took a few playful steps before glancing back. Xiao was staring.

Venti chuckled. And because he couldn’t help himself, he bent suddenly, and flicked a small splash of water in the yaksha’s direction.

Xiao scoffed, barely dodging, but the corner of his lips were curled up. It made sense that he had visited when he was faring well, in a good stage of his cycles of karmic debt, but seeing him smile and entertain the idea of fun would never fail to move Venti. How he wished the Adeptus never struggled with pain and with his karma…

The moon had taken over the sky now, casting everything in a silver glow. Under the rim light, Xiao looked particularly striking, with his toned yet lean body denoting both sharp and soft angles, an androgynous display of traits that Venti could only partially aspire to. 

Following Venti’s cues, he removed his boots first, feeling the earth under his feet. Then, he pulled out his gloves, the gesture elegant in a way only an experienced warrior could pull. He stood still, contemplative. His presence was always one of quiet intensity, but here, in the gentle hush of Windrise, something about him felt… lighter.

He crouched, dipping one hand in the water, letting it run freely in-between his fingers.

Venti gave in to his excitement and simply approached Xiao, bending as well to imitate what he was doing. When he spotted Xiao glance at him - one time, two - he didn’t think much of it.

The yaksha’s hand moved before he could react, striking him with a wave

“Hey!”, he yelped, drenched. No way he just- “Even my hair is dropping with water!”, he protested between giggles.

There was no way he could get mad seeing how Xiao’s lips quivered in amusement. I want to kiss that smile , he found himself thinking, the intensity of the feeling so strong that it scared him. He halted for a moment, taken aback. Surely, that was just the effect of what the curse made to him, and having him indulge in affections so frequently.

“Venti?”, the calling took him back to the present. “Are you alright? You stopped laughing suddenly.”

Semi-closing his eyes, the bard stared unimpressed, grateful for his quick thinking. “Well, it just occurred to me I am going to spend the rest of the night soaked, and that’s not very funny.”

Xiao cleared his throat, not fully admitting to a guilty conscience. “It was only fair that I got a chance for revenge. Although I concede I overdid it.”

“Well, it’s alright. The wetness will pass to you when we cuddle anyway”, he pointed out while squeezing his clothes, both to annoy the yaksha and to see if he protested the idea of cuddling. He did not, although a vein popped momentarily in his head. Resigning to the fact that he wasn’t getting any dryer, Venti extended one hand. “Come on.”

Hand in hand, they headed towards the base of the tree, finding a nice spot to rest on. The surrounding roots almost felt like a protective nest, while the soft grass beneath made for a comfortable bed. With the moon visible to one side, the sky painted by the stars, and the canopy of the tree as their rooftop, they settled into the embrace of something timeless. The land itself seemed to breathe with each whisper of the wind…

They sat close, their sides pressed against each other. Venti shifted to the side of the moon, partially laying down, simultaneously hearing and feeling Xiao shift as well to accommodate him. He was practically spooning Venti now, his warmth a stark contrast against the cool night, and their bodies fit together in a way that was strangely natural.

There was hardly enough space for proper wing care like this, and Venti was curious to see what Xiao would do. The yaksha hesitated only briefly before his fingers, now bare, traced lightly along the uneven plumes he could reach, skimming, and moving towards the god’s exposed back. The ghostly touch hovered above the naked skin, before bridging the distance. The touch was careful, reverent. It was so delicate that Venti barely suppressed a tremor. He exhaled, relaxing under the wholly welcome sensation, humming contently to let Xiao know he appreciated it.

A few heartbeats passed before Xiao spoke. “Do you… hum, enjoy this?”

Venti let out a pleased sigh. “It’s gentler than I’m used to, but… I like it quite a lot”, he admitted, voice laced with emotions. He huffed a soft laugh. “Though I suspect this position isn’t very conducive to actually taking care of my wings, is it?”

Xiao made a small noise, something between a scoff and a breath. “I was taking care of your other needs first.” There was a pause. When he continued, his voice was steady but quiet, a murmur entrusted to the night. “You are constantly doing that for me, even when you know I might not be able to correspond, and will just wish to retire.”

Well familiar with the assertive way he spoke, Venti was nonetheless hit by his endearing stubbornness. The words struck a cord, and he reminisced of the countless times he visited Wangshuu Inn, patiently waiting with a drink in hand for Xiao to return - to either join him, or crash out in pain. In the former, they would share conversations that extended throughout the night, while in the later, Venti would remain outside of his room, playing quiet songs on the flute, hoping to help him relax and alleviate some of his burden.

Ever since Barbatos awakened in the present, and saved the Yaksha’s soul by piercing it with a very particular melody, he had committed to help. So they got reacquainted over time, and their meeting led to… this. Whatever they had right now. A closeness without few secrets between them, and an admission of vulnerability.

Perhaps it had been unfair of Venti to avoid Xiao. He had always encouraged his friend to be open with him, yet failed to return the trust, hiding away once Celestia cursed him.

He was glad that they finally met again. Accepting the sentiment, Venti whispered, “I missed you.” He wasn’t sure if he was heard, and perhaps that was for the better. 

Venti let his eyes slip shut, giving in to the warmth behind him, to the careful touch that traced over his back without any expectation. Xiao’s presence was grounding, and the motions comforting. He had gotten used to receiving affection in recent weeks, he realized - wait, had it already been more than a month?

He exhaled softly, letting himself sink into it, the sleepiness stripping him of inhibitions. 

Perhaps Xiao was in a similar state, because he pressed his brow against Venti’s nape - so close, that he even felt Xiao’s breath on his skin. Smiling, the angel took one of his hands back, finding Xiao’s arm, and pulling it to rest over his body, stopping the tireless caressing. That put them even closer, basically without any space in between them, and it was simply wonderful . 

Ever since he shared a bed with Albedo, Venti had occasionally entertained the idea of doing it again with other people, although he feared coming across as pushy and overly needy. But not even in his wildest dreams did he expect to sleep with Xiao.

The slow rhythm of Xiao’s heart mingled with the cadence of nature, like a lullaby. Venti couldn’t help but notice his breathing, and the faint fragrance of Qingxin flowers. In the back of his mind, he was vaguely aware that he missed his plans in the tavern, but he didn’t find the strength to mind.

“Are you comfortable like this?”, he asked, his words dragging and heavy with sleep. Xiao hummed, and Venti felt the deep rumble from his chest. “I’m glad. I always thought you put some distance with other people because of your karma.”

“You’re a god, so I would never harm you like I would to most mortals, but… I still wouldn’t risk this proximity in most places”, he explained with a tone of regret. “The Inn is better, since the tree is also ancient and has cleansing abilities. Even so, it can hardly be compared to this one.”

“Guess I need to bring you here more often, Adeptus Xiao”, Venti tried to joke, but was cut off by a jaw-cracking yawn. Curling further against the hug, the angel stared at the white mirage in the sky through half-lidded eyes. “The moon is beautiful tonight.”

Xiao didn’t respond, but Venti could swear he wrapped him just a little tighter.

The wind stirred lazily around them, carrying the scent of distant flowers, and neither of them felt the need to fill the silence. Dozing off, the god simply surrendered.

When Barbatos' conscience stirred, it was to a low pulsing sound, and a steady movement, rising and falling beneath his head. Lulled by it, their conscience faded and returned multiple times, until they finally recognized what they were hearing as a beating heart. 

They noticed other sensations next, before any other senses awakened. One arm was draped around their body still, even if they had been moved to lay down, while another hand carefully pruned their wings. The front of their body was pressed against Xiao’s own, head in the crook of his neck, and arms around his chest, both as a hug and support. Did Xiao do that? Or was it Venti who moved in their sleep, and he simply didn’t oppose?

Regardless, Venti couldn’t quite resist it. Not when Xiao himself, while awake, was so relaxed. Between the faint exhale that rustled their hair, the touches brushing against their wings and skin on occasion, and the gentleness… it would take someone stronger than them to move. They were drier, indicating that some time had passed. Their wings, after being groomed by someone who was winged once upon a time, felt much cleaner too, which filled them with relief. Their body simply wanted to stay put, while their soul soared.

Overwhelmed by love, they tightened the hug.

They felt Xiao shift. Smiling intuitively, Venti propped themself up on their elbows just to get a glimpse of their expression, blinking through the blurriness. They could swear Xiao’s cheeks were dusted in a shade of pink, and their tousled hair was adorable. 

Unable to resist it, Venti leaned forward, pecking his chin - just a featherlight kiss. Xiao, after freezing for a moment, exhaled slowly, welcoming Venti in his arms again when they lowered.

Barbatos didn’t know if their yaksha would be around in the morning.

But for now… for now, they could dream, and they could be loved.

Chapter Text

Melodies filled the skies, sung by the birds and the winds, gently playing with Venti’s hair. They mumbled, turning around with a sigh, comfortable.

When they woke up, an undefined time later, Xiao was nowhere to be seen. That didn’t come as a shock - just quiet acceptance of his needs. They were still at peace, so they lazed around for just a little longer in the soft grass, as the sun continued to rise. They would open their eyes on occasion, enthralled by the beauty of the light reflected in the morning dew.

Everything about them in that moment was… slow. Their movements, while not quite sluggish, took longer to be processed, as if the frequency of the tree chanted to get them back to sleep. Their body wanted to go along, while their mind drifted through an assortment of thoughts that they hadn’t faced properly for a while, finally starting to make sense.

They were keenly aware of their growing wants. Thankfully, they embraced love in all its forms instead of just letting it fester, but to know and to do were different things, and Venti was uncertain of how to proceed and deal with the specifics.

Were labels necessary? Did they need to pick people to call boyfriend and girlfriend? The idea alone gave them an icky feeling, in a way that the concept of romance as an art, or even applied to certain aspects of their relationships, did not. As if giving a name to feelings, talking and singing about love, was distinct from naming a relationship. The second sounded too official and restrictive.

But if they rejected naming their relationships, would people - their… partners? - be okay seeing Venti be close to many others? Mondstadt was far more receptive to non-monogamous relationships than other Nations, and typically rejected possessiveness, but it was still important to communicate clearly and make sure that no one would feel betrayed or neglected.

So far, Venti hadn’t had any issues seeking proximity with different people, even before they knew of the curse, nor did they accuse Venti of leading them on or feeding false hopes. But they still hadn’t pursued the kind of interactions they were finally considering.

Cuddling was something they obviously enjoyed, and the only reason they didn’t get more of it was because they didn’t want to seem overly clingy. Caresses and massages were a great extra, but those didn’t have the same weight - literally - as leaning against someone or sleeping together. They were also comfortable with several degrees of nudity, although probably not fully.

And… kissing was not off the table either, not even kissing on the mouth. Archons, were they really wondering about that after living for centuries? 

And besides all of that, they wanted to care and offer things to make other people feel good as well.

How ironic, how a god of love lacked the answers to those questions…

Shaking their head, Venti decided they would think about it later.

The god washed their face in the nearby stream, seeing more clearly. Grabbing an apple from a tree on the way, they delighted in its freshness and the light juice on their tongue. Given the slowness of their body, Venti wasn’t quite ready to meet with crowds yet, so they opted to instead head towards the Dawn Winery - who knew, perhaps some wine would wake them up~

The morning was already advanced when they got there… and almost crashed with Diluc, also arriving.

They stared at each other, blinking. Venti noticed he had eyebags, and was disgruntled. 

“Someone didn’t sleep, hum? I thought you were taking care of the tavern yesterday”, they remarked. 

Diluc took a deep breath. “I was, but I was eventually warned of suspicious activity. I spent the night chasing a thief, along with Rosaria.” He unlocked the door, and tilted his head in invitation. “Are you coming? I intend to sleep later, but only after eating something, since I’m famished. Do you want me to ask Adelinde to prepare something for you as well?”

Venti grinned. “Well well, that’s nice of you to offer. I’ve already eaten an apple, but I could do with something more, and some drinks.”

“I will ask her - but no wine.”

No pouting was enough to convince him otherwise.

Some minutes later, they were sitting at a table in the upper balcony, with an entrance to Diluc’s room, waiting for the servants to bring their food. The breeze was pleasant - Venti sent the winds a thankful prayer - and the aroma of the ripe vineyards reached the pair. The table was eventually hidden under the plates of pancakes with berries and syrup, a plate of seedless grapes, some biscuits, and two cups, with apple and grape juice respectively.

They munched on their food in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the flavors and the quiet companionship of each other. Venti still felt drowsy, and the serenity of the landscape persuaded his eyes to close from time to time, much to Diluc’s amusement.

“I am the one who didn’t sleep, yet you are the one who can’t keep your eyes open”, he remarked with a poorly hidden smile. Venti replied with a yawn. “And cover your mouth when yawning, that’s basic courtesy.”

That got Venti to chuckle. “Fine, fine, I will keep that in mind. And you’re right… I slept under Vennessa’s tree, and her magical humming always makes me feel extra relaxed.”

“So you’re like that for good reasons. Alright, then.” Seemingly satisfied, the redhead leaned forward on his chair, taking another bite of the pancakes. 

He really was ravenous, devouring a whole pile quickly, and that detail made Venti smile. They grow so fast , he contemplated, as the winds brought memories of child Diluc playing hide and seek with Kaeya. For a fraction of a second, the moment was so vivid, that it was almost as if the god of wind was present in that scene of the past, the memory clearer than that of any real person who looked back at their experiences. But that only lasted for a moment - they were just one of the many threads of the Thousand Winds of Time, after all.

Drinking his juice while thinking, the angel debated if this was a good opportunity to share how his night went. The pondering was interrupted as soon as he caught Diluc reaching out, and passed the jam to him. 

Diluc raised an eyebrow. “How did you know this was what I wanted?”

Venti offered a sheepish grin in return. “Trade secret.” The redhead was not buying that, so he chuckled. “Please, do you think I wouldn’t notice, after a while living at your house, how you always go for sugary things?” 

The instinctive reply was a defensive huffing. “It's not even that sugary, just a healthy amount. Adelinde cares about that kind of thing. It's not like you have lived here for that long either, and we just cross paths from time to time.” 

“Fortuitous encounters, I would call them. Regardless, it's plain for everyone to see that you are a very sweet man.”

“I couldn’t agree more”, said an older feminine voice from inside the dark room. Adelinde arrived with a new pile of pancakes, not that Venti could make that out yet, but the aroma was telling. 

“Reinforcements?” Diluc blinked when her figure finally made it to the light, staring at the plate. “Ah, you meant seconds. There was no need to give yourself the trouble, although it is appreciated.” 

Adelinde covered a laugh behind a hand, endeared by the politeness. “You aren't growing anymore, Master Diluc, but you should eat well if you want to stay big and strong.” She exchanged a glance with Venti, winking, and he winked right back. 

Despite the rose-tinted face, Diluc accepted the new pancakes without more complaints.

After she left, and a while of idle talking and eating, Venti’s serenity continued. His heart rate sped up when he thought of bringing up the topic he really wanted, making him postpone again and again, yet the wish to do it continued. Any hint of embarrassment was soon coated by the calm that still enveloped him, and the cycle repeated. 

Diluc yawned, covering his mouth, following his own advice. Sensing his opportunities to talk to him were dwindling, the small god finally mustered the courage to say what he had in mind.

“I slept with someone tonight”, he blurted out, resisting the urge to laugh when Diluc practically choked. Alright, he could have worded it better, but now he got to give the redhead a disappointed look just to mess with him. “Not like that - what a dirty mind, Master Diluc… I meant literally sleeping.”

“It’s not my fault that- Ugh, forget it. I don’t need to entertain you.” He drank the rest of his juice to buy some time, but curiosity got the best of him. “Who was it, if I may know?”

Venti’s tone softened. “I doubt you have met him, but he's the last surviving Yaksha from Liyue, Xiao”, he explained, fully aware he couldn’t hide the affection in the way he pronounced that name. “We have known each other for centuries already, and I’m glad he has finally visited Mondstadt. Between his duties and some other troubles he endures, well… you could say I yearned to show him my home for a long time.”

The god dared to look into the eyes of his friend when confessing that, trusting him enough to learn the truth of his feelings. Diluc’s expression was warm, receptive - he was happy for Venti.

As if he doubted that wasn’t clear, he still expressed it out loud. “I am glad it finally happened, then. Venti… hum.” Hesitating, Diluc cleared his throat. “This is merely curiosity, and you don’t need to reply, but do you have strong feelings for your friend?”

“Strong feelings, huh?” The winds tousled his hair, sensing his urge to snicker. Really, wasn’t he obvious? “I do. Quite strong, in fact. But if you mean to ask if we are dating, or if those feelings are romantic, the technical answer is that no, while the real answer is that it’s complicated.”

Diluc was pensive, concerned almost. “Do you think your closeness with other people, in part because of the curse, will inadvertently hurt him and make him jealous? Is that something he is okay with, or something he just tolerates because of your curse? I’m not trying to lecture you”, he clarified. Venti already knew, but a stone sank in his stomach regardless. “I just don’t want to overstep in my own interactions with you if that would bother someone else, and you never mentioned before that you had someone you bonded with for so long.”

Something twisted inside of him. “Right, well… I have been thinking about all of that recently, but I hate framing it that way”, he confessed. “I hate the idea that I couldn’t be close to other people just because of another person that was deemed more special to me than others.”

“I didn’t mean-”

“You sort of did, but don’t worry, Diluc, I understand. Like I said”, he repeated with a hint of frustration, “I have thought about the same things. And while Mondstadt is a bit more free with love, I did indeed share that Xiao is from Liyue, and so he has other customs.” Diluc nodded, confirming that was his line of thought. “Even then, I am quite confident none of us would ever want to restrict the other. Not even if we were a romantic pair, which we aren’t.”

The air was taut with tension, and Venti had to exhale. He opened his mouth, to apologize or make a witty remark - he wasn’t sure - but what came out instead was the string of thoughts he had when waking up. He rambled about how he felt towards labeling relationships, labeling feelings, hierarchy of behaviors, everything he liked and the things that gave him an icky feeling. 

When he was done with pouring his heart out, Diluc was silent. The lack of feedback made Venti momentarily nervous, which manifested in a brief laugh. “Look, I could have tried explaining all of this with a performance, but it’s too convoluted to fit neatly into a song.”

“It’s alright, Venti, I’m just thinking. I see how you feel now”, the redhead kindly reassured. “In many ways, I think it’s fitting for the god of freedom, and for a bard too, to not feel comfortable with easily-named bonds.”

He offered a smile, and Venti melted. 

The angel hummed, vaguely registering how his wings twitched at the base in an attempt to flutter happily. Maybe he was just imagining things, but either way, it was great to have Diluc’s support and understanding. 

“Actually, I agree… but that doesn’t really help me deal with practical questions. I would still like to have terms of endearment and things that denote when someone is dear to me, and that I’m okay with their closeness - without simultaneously creating misunderstandings or rejecting those terms.”

“You are the bard. Can’t you really come up with any word that conveys what you want to be for people, without the aspects that make you uncomfortable? That shows you want to be loved, without being a lover?”

Something in the way he said it ignited Venti’s mind. There was a word - very similar precisely to ‘loved’ - that they were called once upon a time by their first friends. The memory alone left an ache in their chest, and the urge to hear it conflicted with the doubts gnawing at their soul. Were they really ready to entrust other people with that term? 

“...Beloved”, he whispered slowly.

“Beloved?” It sounded like he was calling Venti, who blinked and looked at him, before realizing that wasn’t the case - he was just confirming he heard right. Diluc seemed to understand what happened at the same time, his eyes widening, before his expression settled into something soft. “There you go. It’s a nice term, easy to use too, and fits you, so I’m sure it will come naturally to the people you want to call you by that.”

Heart trembling, Venti took a deep breath, as a smile took care of their expression. “You are on that list of people, you know?”, they quipped tenderly, touching his feet with their own from below the table.

The redhead held his smile. “I suspected.”

Slowly, he leaned forward with a napkin in hand, reaching across the table. Venti stood still, allowing him to wipe probably a bit of syrup that was on their face, chuckling when it tickled. Their eyes locked together, and Venti could swear they saw a hint of mischief in those red eyes. Oh, how he loved when he got to see that side of Diluc…

Their suspicions were proven right not even a second later. “I’m still going to just call you Bard most of the time. I simply refuse to call you ‘beloved’ when you are getting wasted in my tavern.” He pulled at one of their braids.

“Eh-he, it’s more fun that way, and less sappy. I wouldn’t want people thinking that ‘beloved’ was just a different name for some kind of official status. Oh, and”, they added more seriously, catching his fingers and squeezing gently, “I hope you don’t mind if I also call you that from time to time. Don’t get me wrong, I love being pampered and treated affectionately, but I want to return the care.”

Diluc didn’t pull his hand away. “That sounds nice. Just… don’t overdo it in front of other people.”

Venti chuckled. “Tempting, but I will respect that, of course.”

Fitting for where they were, the dawn was breaking, easing into mid-morning livelihood, as the vineyards basked in the golden light. The prior stillness was giving way to the waking of the humans, about to go to work, not too different from busy-bees and as such integrating well with the animals already active. The winds that surrounded the balcony, serene, brought voices to the Anemo Archon, not just from up close, but also from further away: he could listen to the laugher of the children in the city, all the way to the babbling of the waterfall in view, and the cubs born in spring calling for their mama nearby. There were carts on the way, their wheels crossing wood and sinking on soil, producing a rhythmic cadence perfect for a slow morning. There were sounds of cutlery and cooking, some possibly provided by Adelinde now attending to the rest of the mansion’s inhabitants, her devotion tireless.

The plates of Venti and Diluc had long since been pushed aside, a faint trace of fruits and syrup clinging to the air as the pair sat in thoughtful silence, each cradling their own reflections.

As simple as breathing, the bard summoned his lyre. His fingers began to move, coaxing from the strings a soft, meandering tune that mirrored the hush of the world around them. There was no need for singing when the breeze already carried so much and, right now, his composition was meant not as an exercise of creativity, but merely as a quiet transcript and recording of the moment. That melody was his testament and offering to the world, where all its fragments were woven together in an eternal harmony, meant to outlast the composer.

It was a seed of stories. It was an act of preservation. It was an engraving of the present, proof that a time like this existed.

   It was Venti’s legacy. It was his truth. It was proof that he lived and loved this reality, this gilded cage, more beautiful than it had any right to be.

      It was his music - but it didn’t belong to him. Rather, it belonged to the listeners, and to those wonderful beings he gifted it to.

When he finished, his mind was empty of worries, and he got the impression that Diluc was wiping his eyes.

Turning to him again, Venti put a hand over his chest. “Thank you for helping me process all of this. It was already more than what I expected to solve today. Now I just need to find good moments to talk about these things with people, and explain to them how I feel.” He joked with a shrug, despite the seriousness underneath.

The redhead took a deep breath, as if he needed time to land on the rekindling conversation, and looked past the joke. “I imagine that the number of changes is overwhelming for such a short period of time, but you’re doing well, Venti. Frankly, better than I initially expected. You have been radiant in recent days, and everyone else is happy to see you that way, and will surely be understanding.”

“I know. I’m quite lucky, really”, he said earnestly with a smile. “And in many ways, this conversation about names and feelings should be easier than the first round, explaining to everyone that I can’t hide my wings and will get desperate without contact. I still get embarrassed thinking about it, and that’s a lot coming from me. Hey, don’t nod, only I get to call me out!”

Diluc’s lips contorted in a laugh, amusing the bard in turn, but he could sense what they wanted. “Do you need some contact right now? Or was the time you spent with that Liyuen gentleman enough?”

Venti snickered. “I will need to tell Xiao next time that someone called him ‘Liyuen gentleman’. To answer your question, I am feeling fine and don’t really need contact right now. However, I won’t exactly decline. Can I sit on your lap, just for a little bit?” They perked up. “I do that with Kaeya and Rosaria sometimes.”

“I know, I’ve seen it, since you have no shame and act like that in front of my clients.” Despite the light scolding, Diluc glanced around, making sure there was no one close enough to see them on the balcony. What a private man… “Alright, come here”, he offered in a hush, discreetly patting his thigh.

Venti wasted no time, sitting so suddenly that Diluc startled. Venti closed their eyes with a laugh and leaned against his warm chest, melting, and they could feel it as the redhead got more comfortable and enveloped the smaller body in his arms. 

“You could do what you did right now more often”, they heard Diluc said, his chest rumbling as he spoke. “I mean asking people directly for what you want, either when it comes to contact, like you have been doing on occasion, but also to have conversations, to be called certain things, and other needs. Full freedom is not always helpful - sometimes, it’s more practical to make intentional arrangements and formalize things a little.”

Venti sighed. “Oh, I’m aware - my long life has made a point of teaching me that, even though a part of me still wishes it was easier. It would be so much better if I could just go with the wind and luckily have my wishes met because the winds knew what they were doing. Sadly, they don’t always do, and people are more complicated than that.” The currents picked up in protest, but Venti attuned to their element and shooed them away. “I’m thinking I can simply go to people I already had interactions I enjoyed with, and ask if we can do it again. And in those moments, I’m sure an opportunity to discuss relationships will arrive.”

“Sounds like a solid-enough plan.”

They hummed. “And to follow your advice… Can you give me massages again sometimes?” They were only partially teasing. Diluc blinked, but he was quick to recompose, holding a polite smile paired with a raised eyebrow. “That’s a yes?”

“It is.”

“Eh-he, perfect! Not to abuse my luck, but would that also extend to helping wash my hair sometimes? That felt quite nice.” They considered framing it as poetry, since they tended to talk about emotions that way, but that roundabout way would perhaps lack the clarity needed here. 

Diluc nodded again. “Alright - but only sometimes.”

“Don’t worry, I really don’t want to impose too much, and I like my own independence too”, they poked at his nose with a finger. “Oh, and one last thing? The best things come in threes, so…” Venti blinked innocently, completely unphased by the deadpan right above him. “You see, I have always loved sleeping, and I found recently that sleeping with other people is one of the things that replenishes me most, probably not just because of the curse. Besides Xiao, I have slept with Albedo before, so I am going to ask him as well. But…”

“I think I can sense where this is going”, the redhead remarked dryly, but there were pleased undertones that a bard knew how to catch on.

Giddy with excitement, Venti burst with inspiration. “Since I live here now, would you make this vow? To sleep with me when you’re not tired, when you want, when I’m desired?”

Diluc averted his gaze, but Venti could still see the blush creeping up his face. Can’t deal with my smooth lines, huh? , they thought amusedly. “That’s an audacious request, and for the next days I will be arriving late, so it won’t be possible”, he started, implying he had night missions. The god wouldn’t want to interfere with his sleep and goals either. “After that, I am willing to do it on occasion. It’s just… strange. Not in a bad way”, he reinforced, making Venti love him even more. “I just haven’t slept with anyone as an adult, in any way.”

The angel chuckled, the anxiety they previously had over a potential rejection transforming into butterflies in their stomach, and they felt light-headed and out of breath. It was interesting to learn that new tidbit about his friend as well - they were starting to wonder if most of the adults who focused on personal goals ever made time for this kind of closeness, and if not, Venti wouldn’t mind acting as a catalyst for change.

The sensation of being in the clouds was ruined by Diluc’s stern warning:

“But if you ever steal the blankets or start messing up things, I’ll kick you out of my room.”

“Ooooh, so it’s already decided it won’t be in our room? Wait-wait!”, they pleaded when Diluc suddenly opened his legs and almost let Venti fall - Venti clung to him like a lifeline. “I’m not that much of a gremlin”, they finally said when finding their balance, sticking their tongue out. “Oh, and Diluc? Maybe you should follow your own advice and have some direct conversations with Jean.”

Diluc sighed. “Of course you would turn this against me. I… I don’t know. I care about her, of course, but I don’t want to do anything improper or out of place. She is also busy all the time”, he argued, but the god just knew he was mostly trying to convince himself, even though they could recognize it was hard to find time with Jean. They could, despite everything, empathize with the reservations.

“Humm… what if a good opportunity to be with her showed up?”, Barbatos wondered, cupping Diluc’s face with one hand to steal his gaze. “Like in the upcoming Windblume Festival - I will definitely have a more active role this year, to fulfil my duties as an Archon and all of that, so maybe she can relax a little and partake more in the activities. You could join her during some”, they suggested, feeling better about their obligations at the prospect of granting some free time to Jean.

“That’s… not a bad idea, I suppose”, he conceded.

“And I don’t think she would be jealous of my closeness with you - I am close to her myself, after all - but maybe get the chance to discuss relationships and boundaries with her too, like I’m going to do with more people”, Venti pointed out. “You aren’t the only one who doesn’t want to hurt people accidentally.”

Diluc acquiesced with his head, his eyes unfocused for a couple of seconds, pondering. “Fair enough. It’s about time I start being open about my feelings too, isn’t it?”

Venti giggled. “The way you said that makes it sound like a drag. It’s taxing in the beginning, I agree, but it feels pretty great once things are out.”

Content, they jumped out of the redhead’s lap and stretched, then let their lyre vanish in the air. “Well, I’ll finally let you sleep, I am feeling quite energetic right now and I have things to do.”

“Your Archon duties? Exercises for your wings?” 

Venti recoiled under his judging stare. Their friend knew very well that wasn’t what they meant, and still went out of his way to pressure him. “Well… those can wait. First, I will catch up on the drinks I skipped yesterday. A bard has to have priorities.”

Before Diluc could argue, they hooked one leg over the railing of the balcony, and with a hop, fell down. Mid-air, they summoned a wind current to slow their descent, twirling half a pirouette while falling now that they knew how to maneuver around their wings. They landed safely, with a surge of pride. 

Glancing up, they caught Diluc bent over the balcony, probably to make sure Venti didn’t get hurt - he tried to disguise it when he noticed, but it was too late.

Venti spread their arms, and bowed to him, before turning and going on their way.

Chapter Text

• Phanes is the soul of the Primordial One, just like what Cocouik was to Ochkan
• Phanes was created through the Chemical Marriage between the Primordial One and Istaroth

• The chemical marriage / chemical wedding is a concept in alchemy that represents an union of opposites: male and female, sun and moon, gold and silver, sulphur and mercury, body and spirit, red King and white Queen. DON’T mistake this with actual marriages or ship stuff, btw.
• It’s meant to produce a new and improved product, the Rebis (an androgynous being, sometimes called the Philosopher’s child), or according to some tales, the Philosopher's Stone. That stone is a mythic alchemical substance capable of turning base metals such as mercury into gold or silver.
• (I can’t help but recall that Venus/the morning star, aka Istaroth, in Chinese, is called Jīn-xīng (金星), the golden planet of the metal element - and Istaroth and her rhine maidens/moons/fates are likely responsible for the golden ring/crown mentioned in the drama Der Ring des Nibelungen.)
• According to Jakob, the Seal of Chymical Marriage can be used to seal off the source of life, aka the Primordial Sea, which sounds similar to creating a world/pearl/philosopher’s stone/egg/dream bubble that floats in the sea of quanta or wtv is the logic used across Hoyoverse’s worlds. Basically, a necessary process to create the world, or perhaps reshape it and change it to be inhospitable for dragons yet hospitable for humans, essentially what the Primordial One did at the very beginning. In other words, the eggsehll was used to separate the sea, a sea of elements and souls and such that granted shapeshifting and abilities to the dragons, like a sort of hivemind that is incompatible with the individualism of humans. For more info on that, check the Men of Lithin book.
• The Chemical Marriage is hinted at by Albedo, through the stages of the Magnum Opus in his Ascension - although in the game, the 2 last stages are swapped, with Rubedo coming before Citrinitas (perhaps to reinforce the goal to obtain gold) in the game.
• That process also sometimes involves a dove. It’s in consideration to the 3 parts of a person, body (the king), soul (the seelie) and spirit (the dove), and in Christianity, the dove often represents the Holy Spirit. The marriage is sometimes blessed by a descending dove from starry heaven. The dove sometimes is the one that brings the ring. There are other trinities that can be associated with this.
• Last but not least, here are all the pairs I could think of from Genshin that execute this, that I will elaborate in detail on a different post. They are made of a Seelie or prophetic being who shared forbidden knowledge with a King, who tried to save humanity by creating a hivemind, bringing tragedy: Traveler from Afar and Seelie (who may still be Istaroth), Decarabian and Amos, Zhongli and Guizhong, Deshret and the Goddess of Flowers, Liloupar and Ormazd, Remus and Sybilla, Ochkan and Ixlel… and potentially in the future either the Traveler with the Abyss Twin, or the Traveler with Paimon.

• Phanes hatched from the egg of Chronos and Ananke
• Phanes hatched from the cosmic/orphic egg placed in Aether (who was the personification of the bright upper sky and another son of Chronos)
• Phanes is a first-born deity who emerged from the abyss and gave birth to the universe, and is a god of creation, light and goodness. The Abyss part is extra intriguing because the world has an abyss half, and some in-game books even compare wine with the Abyss, and also with the idea that drinking the abyss/wine is a way to acquire Forbidden Knowledge - check this video for more on that.
• Sometimes Nyx is also involved - she is Phanes counterpart. In some tales, she is Phane’s wife, sometimes his daughter, and in others she creates an egg from which Phanes is born, so wtv. I don’t know who Nyx is (besides being likely The Night Mother from the book of the Six Pygmies), but it’s pretty clear that the Abyss half is under her responsibility in some way.
• Fun facts: Sometimes Phanes is created in the form of a black bird OR in the form of wind (thanks to @daydream1437 on tumblr for pointing this out)

• It doesn’t clarify if Phanes and the PO are the same entity or not, the scribe just decides to treat them as the same. I have my own explanation for it, in the next section precisely, but my answer would be “more or less”
• It says that Phanes was birthed from an egg, but then proceeds to give a different purpose to the egg, or at least to the eggshell
• Here is my interpretation: The PO and Istaroth created an egg/pearl with a chemical marriage, and Phanes was born from an egg. Once he broke the eggshell to be born, the eggshell was used (unclear if by the PO or Phanes) to change Teyvat, to create the world as it is now: a bubble separated from the rest of the universe by a fake sky, less hospitable for dragons, where Abyssal matter and the Primordial Sea stuff are separated from humans, etc. So technically, yeah, Phanes was involved in at least one step for creating the world, and that guaranteed step was the breaking of the eggshell.
• This is not in the book, but in the Gnostic Chorus custcene, there is a black serpent tied surrounding the gnostic/genesis pearl. The pearl and an egg are sort of interchangeable, and according to mythology, Phanes is a figure that has the serpent Ananke coiled around him. So that matches up well.

• Color scheme and overall shape is the same, that was literally what everyone first thought when seeing it
• In wisp form, he had 3 wings, or rather, 3 separate parts that didnt even connect to his body, they just floated behind him, sort of like the wings of the twins at the start of the game, and exactly like the 3 wings of Cocouik. And in human form, his Vision has a single wing with 3 parts.
• The power that Cocouik displays against the dragon resembles the power that Venti lends to the traveler to use against Dvalin in the flying sequences. That is the power to supress the corrosive power of the Abyss - it’s what Venti uses, and it’s in the description of Cocouik’s ability too
• The description of Cocouik also mentions a halo, within which the Traveler is protected form the Abyss, and halos are often associated with angels

• Both in his fake Vision and in wisp form, he only has wings on one side of his body. Just like Cocouik. Possibly hinting at an incomplete nature, or at a duality of natures (dragon and seelie, or the others I already considered)
• The wisp wing is formed sort of by 3 wings/parts, and the same is sort of true for the wing in his Vision. The number 3 might just be a coincidence, but it would also fit well with the connections between a chemical marriage and the involvement of the dove, with that third presence representing how a person has 3 parts, body, soul, and spirit. And I already argued why I think Phanes is the PO’s soul.
• It’s also possible that this connects with the idea that angels supposedly have 6 wings. So by just having 3 or 3 parts, that is **half of that, aka half angel/**seelie
• Funnily enough, in Archon Form he has a wing at each side, and I can’t fully point why that contrast given the previous 2 cases. It’s similar to what happens to Arlecchino in boss form.
• Contrary to what the statues portray, the wings in Archon form don’t connect to his back, instead seemingly fusing with his cloak. In Wisp form, and Cocouik’s case, the wings also didn’t connect. That resembles the wings of the twins at the start of the game, the mechanical wings of The Sage of the Stolen Flame, and the wings of the Seelies/envoys always depicted in murals.
• In Archon form, the wings have a circular metallic part further hinting at how the wings might be mechanical/not a part of the body. Besides that, the shape has 3 tips, and strongly resembles the wings of the boss Lord of Eroded Primal Fire / Gosoythoth when imitating the form of the Pyro Sovereign. Once again connecting Venti with dragons, although dragons and seelies are really just variations of the same species.
• Mondstadt's vision case also has wings - specifically 6 wings / 2 wings with 3 parts (thanks to tamare1307 on tumblr for pointing this out)

» Other characteristics:

• Phanes is also described as androgynous, which, yeah, Venti definitely is. Fun fact: His model literally uses parts of the medium female model. The androginity also matters in the context of a chemical marriage between a union of opposites, since Phanes is supposed to reunite the trates of both “parents”. The book Hymns of the Far North also reinforced the androgynous nature - although, just like with Before Sun and Moon, there is no clear distinction between if it refers to the PO or Phanes, which neither confirms nor denyes the theory that they are separate-but-connected, since scribes are not sure themselves if they are the same entity.
• The gender-neutral appearance is not the only fusion relevant here. If he turns out to be part dragon part seelie, that is just as relevant.
• One thing lacking in Venti, that Phanes has, is a crown. Not even his Archon form has one, at least, not so far. But some people point out that the base of his beret hat has a golden intricate line that could kinda be interpreted as a mini-crown. A recent leak also mentioned that he is going to be crowned (if the link goes down, I include a picture in the next section).
• Another interesting point about his appearance is the fact that, in wisp form, the top of his head was shaped like an apple, with even a stem and leaf-shape on top. I will talk about the relevance of apples next.
• His whole wisp form heavily resembles Cocouik, the soul of a dragon, and I already went over why that matters in one of my theories. The powers Venti lends to the traveler to shoot against Dvalin also resemble the powers of Cocouik used against Ochkan.
• As a wisp, he was often refered to as an “elf”. Elf ears, in genshin and other Hoyoverse games, are often attributed to dragons, and sometimes seelies - with the male characters typically having the ears pointing upwards, and female characters point downwards. Yes, I am claiming that Klee, her mom, Nahida, Dahlia and others have connections with dragons - it’s not just based on Neuvillette.
• And ofc, he has a Cecilia in his hat, and I will go over the relevance of that on a later section.
• Mondstadt's vision has a crown. Specifically, a 5 tips crown, with the central tip being bigger, which would tie greatly with the PO and the 4 Shades (thanks to @tamara1307 on tumblr for pointing this out)
• (Thanks to @daydream1437 on tumblr for sharing these images and reminding me): The Primordial One is often associated with Khaslana characters in the Honkai universe, and some of the draconic-modern elements associated with Venti strongly fit design elements especially from Phainon-variants, from Honkai Star Rail. Pahinon also displays often the dawnstar/Khaenriah star associated with Istaroth, and has one art where he literally is surrounded by 4 of those stars where one of them has different colors, just like the PO has 4 Shades and where one of them was a little special (as seen in the book Before Sun and Moon). Many people think Phainon is an equivalent of the Primordial One… and let’s be real, the similarities with the names of Phanes and Paimon and other important characters don’t help. Oh, he also gains elf ears in his alt form.

» Thematic parallels that invoke strong imagery:

• Nibelung/Durin (a massive dark dragon that was corrupted) was defeated by the Primordial One/Venti (winged androgynous being)
• The Primordial One has 4 Shades, and Venti established the 4 Winds

• We know that his Archon form presents him as an angel (source: manga, official arts, and in-game arts and statues) and that angels are seelies (thanks to Natlan’s Archon quest). We also know that the Seelies and Moon kingdom fell, probably symbolizing the end of the Unified Civilization, as a consequence of the marriage between a Seelie and a Traveler from afar, who in turn was likely the Second Who Came, who waged war more a less at the same time as Nibelung and his War of Vengeance. Refer to my (future) other theories for more details. What matters here is that, after that event, the Seelies were cursed to lose their minds and original form, thus why they present as we currently see them in-game. And if angels were seelies, that was probably Venti’s fate too, thus why he showed up as a wisp to the bard.
• Since he is comparing himself with Dvalin, maybe his curse was instead related with abyssal corruption. We don’t know what happened to the Primordial One who is currently afk, but if Venti was his soul, and considering that Nibelung used forbidden knowledge and maybe even abyssal energy (unsure of how much those two things overlap), perhaps Nibelung tainted the PO in the confrontation.
• Alternatively, maybe he was cursed at existence, which could also explain how he somehow got involved with the bard and the rebellion in Mondstadt and possibly didn't have a strong identity before that? If he was derived from the primordial one, and the PO was the Usurper who took the power away from the original dragons, I don’t think it would be unheard of in stories for the off-spring of authority figures to be cursed by those who hated them.

• That’s what he claims, justifying it by saying that the strength of an Archon depends on how much faith the people of the Nation have in their Archon. Since he doesn’t actively rule Mondstadt, and people are free from his influence, he sort of implies that they don’t believe in his enough and that he his willing to let his powers pay the price for his ideals
• He hasn’t showcased particularly strong powers even when Mondstadt was in crisis, or when trying to stop Signora from taking away the Gnosis.
• We also know he has been gone for a long time, returning to Mondstadt during the Stormterror crisis, so it’s possible that he hasn’t regained his powers.
• Maybe he was strong when returning to Mondstadt at present, but he delivered the Anemo Authority to Dvalin by the end of the Archon quest, so even if he lied initially, he is actually weaker now.

• People who defend this argue by using Venti’s own definition of what grants power to an Archon, basically by pointing out how, in some ways, he is more worshipped than many other Archons, even if he doesn’t use that to rule the people. He has a Church, people in Mondstadt clearly pray to Barbatos and mention him often, and they completely adhere and live according to his ideals
• As such, there is no reason for him to have lost the powers he once presented, like when he terraformed the land of Mondstadt and also completely changed its weather (after Old Mondstadt got rid of Decarabian, since at the time Mondatadt was covered in snow)
• Consequently, Venti simply pretended to be weak out of respect for the autonomy and independence of the humans
• Some people who believe this think he was just pretending until the Gnosis was taken, while others think he handed out a fake Gnosis and didn’t even try to resist Signora, and there is even people who think he lost the Gnosis but that hasn’t affected his powers

• Mondstadt is heavily known for its wines, and not just for the production of it. During the distiling process, the portion of alcohol that evaporates is even callled Angel’s Share, the name of Diluc’s tavern. Angels, or seelies, in turn tend to have alcoholic beverages associated with them (really, watch Ashikai’s video for more evidence).
• Wine breewing is also heavily connected to witches, who have strong connections with Mondstadt. The witches are also connected to Venti, as revealed in the second Windblume Festival.
• Speaking of witches, I already mentioned how witches’ rings or fairy rings are made of mushrooms and considered portals.
• Albedo is a famous alchemist created by the witch Rhinedottir. Alcohol is one of the possible solvents used in alchemy, known as alkahest. In Lulian alchemy, quintessence is a solvent distilled from wine, sometimes called aether. Alkahest is the ascension material used for the sword Cinnabar Spindle, and cinnabar in turn refers to the Rubedo stage of the Magnum Opus. That’s typically the final stage, although genshin swaps it, with citrinitas/gold, but usually the Magnum Opus ties with the Chemical Marriage - you know, the thing I said that created Phanes.
• Oceanids are often associated with turning water into Wine. The weapon Dialogues of the Desert Sages supports that idea. The oceanid of Springvale, also sometimes called a fairy, blessed/cursed Diona to always make great alcoholic beverages. Oceanids also strongly resemble Hydro Idolons, and Idolons are the kind of ghost most associated with Istaroth, even being one of the names for the Sin Shades from Enkanomiya.
• In the Alchemy Ascension event, conveniently said by Venti while standing with Diona, he says “If alchemy has the power to transform matter… I wonder if it could also be used to turn water into wine?”
• Kaeya’s Skewers are soaked in Death after Noon, Kaeya’s favorite drink, and if you check the list of examples, you can see that the medicine for Caribert required drawing water in the early AfterNoon, and it was used to water the mushrooms growing on the body of Caribert’s dead mom. The drink is also made with absinthe. The drink, or Kaeya’s skewers, are also mentioned in many sus quests, like Canotila quest about dissolving people and their memories, and in a dialogue with Xamaran.

• The desert is full of such examples, from Apep who got to eat King Deshret after his death to gain his knowledge, to the Consecrated Beasts (”consecreated” even means “blessed”.
• Jacob in Fontaine also turned into a Iniquitous Baptist abyssal creature after consuming the flesh of a dragon, and it’s possible that other abyss creatures - not hillichurls - went through a similar process, especially considering how all of them have a type named after religious positions (even mages, since the word comes from “Magi” who was a Zoroastrian priest).
• Rukkhashava mushrooms, in CN, are called Rukkhadevata Sacramental Mushrooms. Before the description change, it said that the Akademia Sages consumed them to honor the sacrifice of the goddess, and remember her wisdom, like in a Eucharistic ritual. This mushroom is based on the Reishi mushroom (believed to give immortality in Taoism). Wanderer, who tried to ascend to godhood, and Collei who contains remnants of a snake god, need this as an ascension material.
• In the first Caribert quest, we see a red/cinnabar version of these mushrooms. They grew in the body of Clothar’s dead wife, and while mushrooms grow on wood, Norse mythology believes that humans were carved from trees. He also had to draw water in the early afternoon (Death After Noon is the name of Kaeya’s favorite drink) to tend to them, and for the medicine. The medicine for Caribert created from those mushrooms had to be blessed by a god, and it followed a similar recipe to the Memory Recipe taught by the Aranara: a Rukkhashava mushroom variation, a lotus (Kalpalata/Barsam), and a purple flower (Sumeru rose/Yajna grass). It’s a sacramental beverage.
• Fun fact, the taxonomic name for the Reishi mushroom is ganoderma, and there are mushroom-like aquatic ascension materials called Sea Ganoderma in genshin. Their description says “In the folktales told in a certain land, these mouthless, noseless creatures are the transformed souls of children who died young.” They are used by Yae Miko (guards a Irminsul tree) and Kazuha (ganoderma really like mapple trees)
• Xamaran, the giant mushroom in the Chasm, is often taken as the irminsul tree of the area (it even looks like a dragon tree), or instead as a mushroom growing in the body of the main Irminsul (like how mushrooms grow on trees). The name sounds like Shahmaran, a mythological being from Persian mythology who was half human half snake, and the name can be broken into "queen/king of serpents" - and serpents in genshin are somewhat interchangeable with dragons. There are tales both about the queen and the king. What matters is that in the Queen's tale, her flesh leads to recovery, her broth leads to knowledge, and her extract leads to death.

• The Abyss Order uses an inverted Venti Statue, for their ritual in one of the Archon Quests. Could just be coincidence, but with the ritual in Liyue, it would make more sense to use a statue of Morax
• One of the potential origins of mythology Phanes says he emerged from the Abyss
• Venti gives us one half of the apple in that birthday art I mentioned - the other half possibly represents the Abyss
• He is always drinking wine, and wine is called Abyss by the wolves
• He can understand the music of Abyss creatures, even using it to dispel barriers in the prologue
• The Abyss Flower and Divine Key in Honkai 3rd is a Cecilia
• It's possible that he hasn't even been to Celestia, or at least seems to indicate he isn't wanted there, although that voiceline can be interpreted in many ways
• I will just mention how in the recent 5.6 stream art he is mostly in the shadow - tenue connection, but still
• You know the "purifying abilities" of the Traveler, that have the great side effects of healing the beings they target, that are now understood as the Traveler just absorbing the abyss taint for themselves? Venti has multiple times displayed similar purifying abilities, like when lending powers to the Traveler to fight Dvalin (again, like Cocouik), healing Xiao with his music, and maybe more that I forgot.

Decarabian was a participant of the Archon War - but what exactly motivated him?

• The Archon War: It took place right after the fall of the Unified Civilization when Archons were the solution necessary to help stabilize Teyvat after the disasters brought by the War of Vengeance. Decarabian’s opponent was Andrius/Boreas, who likely came from Snezhnaya, and brought snow and blizzards to all of Teyvat. Mondstadt was completely covered in snow.
• The safety of humans: To keep the humans in Mondstadt safe, especially from the cold, Decarabian enclosed them in a wind barrier (some, like the Lawrence Clan and possibly the Gunnhildr Clan not yet named that at the time, managed to leave the city). He micromanaged the city, forbid rebellious songs (although the CN version of Venti’s retelling implies that he only accepted hymns), and his winds were so strong that they forced people to bend their backs. He mistook that as respect, unaware that the humans resented him, which later led to their revolution to take down their god.
• All for a Dream: Becoming a Tyrant in an attempt to protect humanity is not the only similarity he shares with other God-Kings. He was trying to attain a Dream, possibly another hivemind project - according to Fragment of Decarabian’s Epic, "If it were not for the song of freedom that shattered the city in an instant, Decarabian's dream would have gone on forever.” He might even have something akin to Deshret’s mausuleum or projects from other god-kings under his tower, the only location in the whole game that, if we try to access it, makes Paimon say something different than the usual: “Watch out! Don't go near there!”. In the cutscene of his death, he looks like a Sun when exploding, further connecting him to sun-kings or red-kings. Something something eternal dream and hiveminds.

Besides his goals, his appearance might also connect him to God-Kings.

• We never see his appearance - possibly because Hoyo intends to show he was a dragon or had draconic features, which would make sense given that his tower has arches big enough for a dragon, a floating platform above, and was chosen by Dvalin as a nest. More likely than not, he even had the Authority of Anemo and was a Dragon Sovereign - not just because he was the God of Storms, but because he was associated with a divine throne that was destroyed during the rebellion. That has been officially confirmed now in this post (check pics below), but that was actually never hidden. The og ENG translations were simply bad, and replaced throne with crown for the purpose of rhyming, but you can see that this fan translation by dkniade pointed that it said throne in CN, along with mentions to a god’s seat.
• ENG translations also still call Decarabian of Anemo Archon, which is simply incorrect because the Archon War wasn’t over yet, but maybe that was because they mistook it as Anemo Sovereign?

Amos was also far more important han people realize:

• It’s unclear how Decarabian met Amos - maybe under his tower, closer to Leyline stuff? - but she was almost certainly a Seelie.
• Amos became Decarabian’s lover who later joined the rebellion against him.
• Her appearance, white white hair and blue clothes, already gives some slight seelie and moon themes.
• She was the only member of the rebellion with a name (Either because the name of other members was forgotten to history, or maybe something more significant, like them rejecting their names and the roles they represented, or maybe names in Old Mondstadt were just the things people did, like being a Bard. I’m not counting last names, since we have those).
• She had prophetic dreams, as you can see in her quotes in Amos’ Bow, and the biblical figure of Amos was a prophet - and Seelies were prophets too.
• Seelies also often sided and protected humanity, which is what she did by joining the rebellion. Players often assume that she was human because of the dreams she had for humanity, but nothing actually states that.
• Last but not least, she might have been the one who killed Decarabian (again implied in her bow), and it probably takes a non-human powerful being to do so.
• She looks exactly like Istaroth, and I don’t think that is a coincidence in the slightest, especially when it’s implied across the game how Istaroth had several fragments of hers across civilizations. But I will expand on that in my Istaroth’s theory.

What about the other characters involved?

• Like I said before, the others had no names, only last names at most. Possible exlanations: 1) the name of other members was forgotten to history 2) they rejected their names and the roles they represented (since we know how names are tied to a person's fate in Teyvat) 3) maybe names in Old Mondstadt were just the things people did, like being a Bard 4) names were possibly hidden to hide their identities from the Irminsul
• The rebels came up with the Windblume tradition, although it had a different meaning back then
• Nameless Bard: We don’t know much about the Nameless Bard… but he was the rebel who led the rebellion, and whose form Venti took after once he died, due to being a dear friend of Venti. He had a Cecilia pinned to his chest, which is relevant. His lyre was different from the typically large lyres of the time, as mentioned in the description of the teapot lyre. I can’t help but wonder if he is a reincarnation of other rebels from history: The young man (probably an Alberich, but that’s another theory) from the period of the Unified Civilization, that was possessed by the Traveler From Afar and went to the Ancient Seelie to free her. It’s possible that he later reincarnated into story Ajax (the one who ended in Hyperborea) drawn by vague memories of the seelie he once loved. My other guesses, besides the Nameless Bard, are the Crimson-Eyed Youth who rebelled against Och-kan. I am undecided if currently he is represented by Alice or Childe, to be honest - in part because Idk to which extenct we should separate the identities of the female Traveler from Afar and the male figures she possesses.
• Red-haired warrior: He was a traveler who wasn't from Mondstadt (no idea how he managed to enter), and he was with the bard when he died in the cutscene. He is potentially an antecedent of the Ragnvindr family, but it's not certain, since he left Mondstadt after the death of his friend.
• Gunnhildr: The Gunnhildr clan wasn't called that at the time - it changed name in her honor after she was a hero in the rebellion. But before all of that, she and her clan managed to leave the city and, when suffering in the cold outside, she prayed, somehow manifesting or attracting Venti. It's unclear when did she return to the city or how, but we see her in the final battle in the TCG card.
• There are mentions of figures from other clans that were involved, like Lawrence members and the Imulaukr Clan.
• Andrius: After Decarabian was taken down, Andrius realized he wasn’t fit to rule humans and became a ghost, the rebellion leader was dead, so was Amos, and the red-haired warrior felt hurt and left. So the Archon position went to Venti, who took the form of his friend and terraformed Mondstadt, but didn’t take the Divine Throne. That might be the actual reason why he is the “weakest of the archons” if that really is true. He also tried to not exert authority over humans.

• Aristocracy period: Venti ruled Mondstadt alongside Istaroth for a while, with the Temple of the Thousand Winds dedicated to the worship of both. It’s unclear when Istaroth was forgotten by time, and why Venti had to get into slumber, but he was gone for a long period and, when he woke up, the Aristocracy of Mondstadt (especially the Lawrence Clan) had become arrogant, betrayed its principles, and abused their power to crush the freedom of people. The temple was converted into a fighting Arena, much was destroyed (including the original library), and Natlan’s refuggees (Vennessa’s tribe) was turned into slaves and gladiators. Venti helped fix that and, after realizing that full freedom could backfire, established the Knights of Favonius and the Four Winds, with Venessa as part of both groups.
• Dvalin: It is unclear when exactly Dvalin and Barbatos met, but the poet in Breeze Amidst the Forest (implied to be Venti himself) says it occurred in "ancient times, when the gods walked among us in their prime." This puts their meeting somewhere between Barbatos' ascension 2600 years ago, and his departure from Mondstadt between 2000 and 1000 years ago. Venti helped people realize that the dragon didn’t pose any danger, and raised Dvalin, teaching him to speak the human tongue. It’s very possible that Dvalin is a reincarnated Anemo Dragon Sovereign, and that Venti entrusted the Anemo Authority to him. 500 ago, during the cataclysm, Venti and Dvalin fought against Durin’s attack, Venti had to go into slumber and Dvalin got poisoned. Mondstadt’s Prologue was all about about helping save Dvalin from Abyssal corruption and show to the people of the present that he is still a good dragon.
• Mondstadt and witches: The witches deserve their own post, but it’s really interesting how they have such strong ties to Mondstadt, with two witches even taking residence there temporarily (Rhinedottir somewhat, and Alice). The second Windblume Event took us to the floating island where the witches used to reunite over tea, and for the first time told us about the members of the Hezenxirkel. It also told us of how they at some point challenged the Anemo Archon, for unknown reasons, but he befriended them instead. Interesting detail: In the cutscene about the witches, there is a moment that display’s Istaroth’s star, the same that is the symbol of Khaenri’ah - I have a post about Istaroth and that symbol almost ready too, so I won’t elaborate here, so points for another connection between witches-khaenri’ah-istaroth-venti. The Imaginarium Theater, a domain from the witches outside of space and time, also has a portal in Mondstadt. Oh, and the summer events are always connected to Mondstadt AND the witches.
• Mondstadt and Wine: I already have a whole section about that, but it’s definitely no coincidence. It connects to witches, it connects to the Abyss, it connects to seelies (Angel’s Share), it connects to so many things… please go read my section if you haven’t.
• Abyss: The portal is located in Musk Reef - one of the areas terraformed by Venti after he ascended, that was previously he tip of the tallest snowy mountain, known as Pilos Peak. Currently, the island looks suspiciously like multiple moons overlapping (that symbol that everyone went crazy over after the recent web event, despite being present in the game for a while). Its structure is divided into the "Abyss Corridor," which connects worlds (Teyvat was disconnected from other worlds, or at least that’s what the Legend of the Shattered Halberd book implies), and the "Abyssal Moon Spire," which leads to the unknown (possibly the same spire created by the Seelie Ancestor). In each level, we collect stars.
• Flowers: Some of the flowers prominent or exclusive to Mondstadt have very interesting meanings. I already went over Cecilias, so go read that section because it’s huge; Dandelions represent wishes that are carried over to the Anemo Archon when blown, but their seeds can also represent the souls and stories of people, which in a way is almost intercheangeable given how the wishing screen kinda grants us the souls of campanions; Windwheel Asters represent stars, also very relevant for Genshin given the constellation system; Lampgrass only glow at night, so they are part of the series of flowers that change with the moon; Roses don’t seemingly exist in Mondstadt, yet two characters (Lisa and Noelle, and Rosaria has thorns in her attacks) wear them, and associated with secrets in Monds (see Noelle Hangout), and are in the cover of a big chunk of fairytales.
• Gateway to Celestia (thanks to 4clover31 on tumblr for the reminder): The base of Venti's massive statue in Mondstadt has inscribed at the base "Gateway to Celestia" - people have translated and figured that out from the very beginning of the game.
• Eyes of Storm, Istaroth and the Nameless Island: Idk where I'm going with this but it's interesting how, although Eyes of Storm are primarily featured in Mondstadt, the Statue of the Omnipresent God in Inazuma that many people theorize to be a depiction of Istaroth has a necklace shaped like an Eye of Storm. See this image edited by CatWithBlueHat. The quests where we first learned about Istaroth/The Thousand Winds of Time also included Eyes of Storm. (thank you to 4clover31 on tumblr for reminding me of this)
• Windmills with 6 wings: This is barely important, but it's also mentioned in Kaeya's quest so I can't just ignore xD Straight out pointed explicitly. Windmills irl tend to have 4 wings (not always), but in Mondstadt, they have 6, matching the number of wings that special beings in Teyvat typically have.

The important citizens of Mondstadt: There’s just so many that I have to break this in parts, but I really don’t like it when people dismiss Mondstadt, because everything there was a well-done setup to future content:

• Kaeya is one of the few Khaenri’ah survivors, and from the Alberich dynasty no less, who not only took control of Khaenri’ah after King Irmin felt “indisposed”, but also was important far before that, being possibly one of the oldest lineages of Khaenri’ah;
• Diluc is strongly connected with the Fatui, that he opposes, and with a secret organization that is probably the Hexenzirkel, judging by the cups in his mansion, Angel’s share and several other hints;
• Jean is a descendant of Old Mondstadt, more specifically, of the original Gunnhildr who through her wishes attracted wisp Venti, and she is alsoboth the Dandelion Knight and the Lionfang Knight;
• Rosaria has lived with bandits since childhood, was found by Varka and put in the church, and she isn’t a very faithful nun. More importantly, some people suspect she is originally from Nod-Krai - she is canonically from a mountain village and the bandit gang has endured freezing cold.
• Albedo is an homunculus created by Rhinedottir, a witch, through Khemia, that he also practices, and he is technically Durin’s brother and adopted into Klee’s family;
• Klee is Alice’s daughter and might very well become a super strong witch herself, and she also inherited Alice’s book;
• Mona is Barbeloth’s apprentice and therefore can read fates, and another powerful witch;
• Lisa is another powerful witch who was invited to be part of the Hexenzirkel (she declined), who also knows many truths and secrets;
• Eula is a member of the aristocracy who goes against her family, and was taught by Amber’s grandfather;
• Amber has a grandfather from Liyue, who dissapeared;
• Fischl/Amy cosplays book Princess Fischl, who likely represents Istaroth and is from books written by the suspicious Mr.Nine, the author whose codename is A., so probably by Alice;
• Razor has ties to Sumeru family, and his story introduced us to Boreas/Andrius;
• Bennet was likely found in the Mare Jivari, a destroyed region in Natlan where wind doesn’t blow, and his bad luck is probably an extension of the curse that people from Natlan had before the Archon Quest, that prevented them from leaving the region because of Leyline issues;
• Diona was one of the first characters we saw that displayed atavism (regressive animal traits), along with her whole family, and she also introduced us to the concept of fairy oceanids, and their connections with wine.
• Sucrose is another character with atavism, likely a fox, and foxes are important on their own even with fairytale connections like the tale of the dandelion sea. She is another alchemist.
• Noelle is very unsuspicious, but it’s interesting that she wears roses, and the fact that those flowers mean secrets in Mondstadt was even highlighted in her Hangout quest;
• Mika and Barbara don’t seem to have anything weird going on.
• Varka is out in an expedition with most of the Knights of Mondstadt, and will definitely be an important character too;
• Dahlia got his own post: between dragon connections, and the potential to be the nameless bard reincarnated (or even have parts of Decarabian!)... yeah. [Here]

Chapter Text

Venti raised one arm into the air. “Another round for us, bartender!”, they cheerfully demanded.

The wall of red hair didn’t give way to a kind face, with Diluc instead huffing and getting to work. “Sure, as long as none of you forget to pay. And you better not vomit in my tavern”, he said sternly, popping the cork of a new bottle.

“It’s fine, ‘Luc, we are all adults who can hold their alcohol~” Kaeya purred, gracefully accepting his glass even though his lack of inhibition said otherwise.

He and Rosaria were sitting rather close, leaning comfortably against each other, and one of his hands snaked behind her back and around her waist. She wasn’t bothered in the slightest, and her light flustered look was more likely caused by the drinks than by emotions. When her cup was refilled, she clinked it against Kaeya’s own glass before lazily sipping on her drink.

While their favorite redhead turned around again, to get Venti’s drink, the bard bent over the counter to pilfer the shelves below, to add extra cinnamon to their cider. With their defenses down, they didn’t count on the surprise attack as soon as they grabbed what they wanted. There was a loud smack in the room, and they couldn’t help but yelp and jump when the slapping hit their ass, only later processing the warmth that remained.

Simultaneously amused and bewildered, they looked back, realizing a bit too late that they probably looked like a confused animal. But when Rosaria and Kaeya pointed fingers to each other, the bard raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

“Well, you won’t let me know which of you did it, will you?”

“It was obviously Kaeya”, Rosaria muttered, waving a hand without a care in the world.

Kaeya put a hand to his chest, faking offense. “Please, Sister, isn’t lying a sin? How could anyone think so poorly of me?”

Chuckling, Venti glanced at Diluc placing the mug for them down, even more entertained when faced with the redhead’s disappointed stare. “Regretting replacing Charles for the night, are you?”, the bard asked teasingly, attempting to hit him lightly with a wing now that they regained some mobility.

Diluc sighed. “I wouldn’t, if not for you lot.”

Venti knew that, secretly, their favorite redhead enjoyed their company too. He could have just not showed up otherwise, but instead he repeatedly appeared when their little group was present. The warmth of the tavern was already hard to resist, so friends who looked past titles made it even more appealing, as Barbatos knew from personal experience.

That said… they couldn’t just let the boldness from the other pair slide.

Chest tingling with mischief, Venti summoned a sneaky current while hiding their expression behind the mug, drinking away as they controlled their powers. They told it to pinch - and delighted in seeing the pair jump on their seats.

“Ouch!”

“What the fuck?”

As Diluc scolded Rosaria for the poor language, Kaeya stared at the bard, amused in his own way. “My my, I didn’t expect that kind of revenge. Pinching our asses, huh?”

“I have no idea of what you’re talking about”, Venti said with a shrug, not even attempting to conceal their smirk. “It must have been the wind.”

After a moment of silence where the trio challenged each other, the facade broke, and they openly laughed. Even Diluc had a discreet smile on his face, his lips shaking in an attempt to stay composed.

Possessed by a wave of love, Venti purposefully tumbled forward, wrapping the pair in a hug.

They returned the warm gesture with ease, not overly surprised, although the god of music was aware that this was a bit too sappy for their usual interactions. Yes, their trio would pass their arms over each others’ shoulders to sing drunkenly, and that fact remained even after the Barbatos reveal and after several intimate conversations. However, this hug was stripped of the teasing undertones and the casual camaraderie - it was raw and emotional. Overwhelmingly so, and Venti found they had momentarily forgotten to breathe.

They still didn’t know what got into them to act like this so suddenly - and yet, the way their friends squeezed their figure back without hesitation only served to prove to the god that they could trust them with anything.

Taking a deep breath, he let go, starting to put some distance between them… just for Rosaria, still holding on to him, to tilt his body sideways. Venti realized she was guiding him to sit on her legs, so he accepted without ceremony, chuckling as he did. He gladly found a comfortable position sideways with his head leaning on her shoulder, with Kaeya and Diluc in view, who had a satisfied expression. Are they happy for me?

“Alright, this is quite comfy”, he muttered giddily, picking his mug back. He was out of words for a bard, too wrapped up in emotions, and he had already performed in the tavern tonight, so he could just take his time and relax.

With the euphoria subsiding, the group moved to casual conversation, even including contributions from Diluc. Venti was the quiet one this time, content basking in the atmosphere and listening to them, just sharing the occasional input. It was a delight to listen to their routines and the weird episodes that interrupted them, and to learn the one thing each of them had to do every day, or it would keep bothering them throughout the day: Kaeya couldn’t stand not shaving and sensing a beard grow, Diluc had to read at least a little before sleeping, and Rosaria liked to start the day with a cold shower.

The woman poked him. “Don’t sleep yet - what about you?”

Venti pondered for a moment. “Hummm… Ah, I eat apples every day. Honestly, I don’t like the idea of eating anything else before having one apple, it was a struggle when I visited Inazuma.”

“That’s interesting”, Diluc remarked. “And it reminds me of when I was a child, and used to ste- err, eat grapes from the vineyard every day.”

Venti exchanged a glance with Kaeya, certain that they both realized that their redhead almost said ‘steal’, but they let it slide.

“That brings back memories…” Kaeya started, talking with a flourish of wrist while somehow managing to not spill the content of his glass. “You used to feel emboldened in the mansion’s grounds, but when you left it, you were the picture of a perfectly educated boy. Polite, competent, dare I say charming? Even when accepting love letters. Did you ever reply to any?”

“Why does that matter?”

Kaeya raised both hands in surrender. “No need to be offended, it’s just curiosity. I always replied, and still reply, to mine. It doesn’t hurt to reject people kindly.”

After a second of hesitation, Diluc muttered under his breath. “I replied to Jean…”

Venti perked up with a smile, interested in the story, while Kaeya blinked - was he surprised that she actually confessed to Diluc at some point, and wondering why she never told him about it? They were friends, after all.

But then, Kaeya laughed amicably, “Haha, I see. You two were always pretty close, and I imagine the feeling was mutual. That explains the way you two acted when I used to hang out with you, even more than my suspicions.”

Diluc just shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes never rising. “It’s irrelevant. Whatever we were, was broken after I left the Knights and went to Snezhnaya, and we have our lives now.”

Venti couldn’t help but feel the stinging vibrating in his voice, that note of forced acceptance and bittersweetness. The longing for lost times was palpable, and while the small god was aware that the redhead had taken great steps towards recovery, and knew that he was in good terms with everyone, he wondered if the main obstacle in the way of fulfilling relationships was Diluc himself.

Wishing to help, he took the man’s hand slowly, catching his ruby eyes. “Perhaps you burned some bridges when leaving, but most people agree that it wasn’t to the point of no repair, beloved.” Hearing the term of endearment, Diluc melted. “I think everyone has been doing a great job of repairing the damage - right, Kaeya?”

Kaeya, in his hesitation, seemed a little moved. He leaned forward when talking, resting his head on a hand, and his smile was deeply kind. “I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m fairly certain that Jean still cares for you, ‘Luc. Don’t forget that I stayed by her side through all these years - I’m quite confident I can read her well.”

“See?” Venti insisted, right before looking at the Khaenri’ahn again with a smirk. “And Kaeya, I wasn’t just talking about Jean.”

Kaeya blinked. He laughed it off, but admitted to what his drinking buddy was hinting at. “Fine, fine, I also put in some effort. After all, I even gave a beautiful jar for Master Diluc to display in his mansion.”

Diluc’s huffing didn’t come across as annoyed as he probably hoped, and Venti laughed, knowing exactly what he was talking about. “It doesn’t match, but there it stays, a loud reminder of brighter days. The cracks mended will forever clash, but worthy of displays, the bonds are no longer strains.”

Rosaria gave a jaw-cracking yawn, not bothering to cover it. “This is getting too sentimental now, I’ll leave if you keep going down this route. At least don’t ask me about my childhood, you all know I don’t have anything fun to share.”

“Don’t worry, we respect your boundaries”, Kaeya said with a playful lilt, albeit sincere. “Either way, our dearest Diluc is a man of contradictions, and I’m not talking about the past anymore. Even now, how come you’ll toss someone out for putting their feet on the table, but let Venti sing even off-key standing on top of them? Can’t be because they are our Archon, our lovely god of freedom wouldn’t want that kind of special privilege.”

“Mind you, I might not want privileges for being an archon, but I will take every other kind of privilege”, he declared proudly with a hiccup.

Diluc observed his drunken state for a fat second, as if considering what Kaeya said and wanting to scold him, before turning to rearrange the shelves. “Venti is one of our best clients, since he takes a long time to get drunk. And his singing attracts business too. He is worth keeping around.”

“Oh, so that is all I am to you? Just a money-making asset?”, he faked offense. “I might need to rethink my approach to the taverns… If it wasn’t for all the cats, I could start visiting Cat’s Tail more often.”

Rosaria smirked. “How does a god end up with allergies, anyway? If there was one thing that stopped me from being sure you were Barsibatos, it was that, because the big statues give everything away.”

Venti chuckled. “Let’s say the source of inspiration for my form came with some downsides I also inherited. Cats are the favorite familiar of witches as well, and me and witches have a long history. Last but not least… Cats love tormenting birds, and I’m sure you can see I share similarities with those little creatures”, he hinted by swaying his wings.

As if to tease him for what he said, the nun slid her long nails along his back, scratching it lightly, then at the base of his wings. Venti got goosebumps over the sensation, but it was pleasant, and he couldn’t stop grinning and even squirming slightly. When she scratched under his chin, he had to hide his face in the curve of her neck. He could listen to her laugh.

“If you ask me, you’re not so different from a cat”, she remarked.

Kaeya had his own guesses to add. “Perhaps our archon of freedom is a hybrid - it would fit him to not be fully one thing or another.” Venti gulped, and locked eyes with the man. How in Teyvat did he figure out… the thing he was secretly implying. Venti definitely wasn’t part bird and part cat, but other things instead.

He couldn’t just let him go unchallenged so easily. “Oho? Perhaps, but blood is not the only thing that makes a person waltz between identities and loyalties… That is a matter of the heart, and you, Kaeya, have always had a knack for dancing on the edge of things.”

“If I am the dancer, then you are the singer”, he asked promptly, without missing a beat. “However, when you open your heart, you sing of freedom like it’s an old lover - wistful, sacred, and slightly out of reach.” That hit Venti in an unexpected way. “I'll admit, I sometimes wonder if the wind that carries your voice comes from the sky... or from something far deeper below.”

Barbatos was pensive – should they entertain that conversation, or shut it down? They relished the chance to have this kind of double-meaning talk with Kaeya, since it was rarer nowadays given how many secrets were out in the open, but this was no time to discuss details. Instead, they opted for a more personal approach. “Are those songs familiar to you? The ones from below? Because, on my part, I can almost hear the echoes of lost civilizations in the words you don’t say.”

Kaeya blinked, his eyes downcast at first when replying. “Not entirely. It was Mondstadt who taught me music and, as such, I can recognize how you sometimes sing as if you had seen the end of the world - and drink like you’re preparing for it”, he half-joked, his mood recomposed. “I suppose we are not so different in that aspect. There’s a kind of elegance in secrets, don’t you think? They age like fine wine.”

Venti hummed cheerfully, clinking their tankard against his glass “Agreed! We’re both vintage, you and I. Aged in myths, bottled in half-truths.”

Rosaria interrupted. “Get a room”, she told them dryly when Kaeya was about to address Venti again, putting an end to their poetic sparring.

Barbatos’ line indeed came across more romantic than they intended at first, but they were a bard, after all. That was nothing rare. So why was it that their throat was so dry, and no one was saying anything? Grateful for their nearly finished drink, they let Kaeya do the talking.

Kaeya nudged Rosaria closer, addressing her directly. Despite the teasing in his tone, the underlying care and sincerity were easy to hear. “Is someone getting jealous?”

The nun just rolled her eyes. “Please, as if I didn’t know you love whoring around.”

Instead of offended, Kaeya melted, clearly fond of her. He leaned closer to press a wet kiss against her face, perhaps even brushing the corner of her mouth – Venti couldn’t quite see that from their angle, but they noticed how both of their lips curved in a sweet smile. The whole exchange was so caring and, frankly, adorable, and a fuzzy feeling bloomed in the small god’s chest. Besides that, still sitting on Rosaria’s lap, they were very close to both of their faces. Between seeing that scene, catching their fragrance, the sound of the kiss… they surely felt something else too.

Diluc cleared his throat, what he said next an obvious attempt at changing the subject.

“With the Windblume festival coming soon, do you think the Traveler will show up this year? With the Natlan War over, it’s easier to communicate with that Nation, but even then letters take time to arrive. I don’t even know if he remembers the date.”

Venti’s mind still lingered on the conversation they just had, but at mention of the Traveler, they decided to process feelings later and focus on the topic.

“Oh, that reminds me… I once shared a communication tool with him, crafted by Alice, so we could speak in real time.” They completely forgot to use in in a while, truth be told, ever since the Traveler broke theirs. “When I see Alice again, maybe I could ask her to repair it. I have a feeling that will be sooner than expected, eh-he.”

Diluc nodded. “That sounds useful, but sadly just allows you to communicate with few selected people, right? Maybe I should invest more in technological fields. Mondstadt is drastically falling behind without the proper funding, compared to some other nations.”

“It’s quieter this way”, Rosaria expressed, stirring the bottom of her drink distractedly. “Despite all the technology Snezhnaya has, I don’t remember that ever making life better for anyone. At least not in Nod-Krai - it’s all full of thieves and orphans. The Traveler doesn’t know what he is getting into when he heads there.”

“I have to partially agree. I saw my fair bunch of distasteful groups”, the redhead crossed his arms, “and I will make sure to advise Aether before he continues his journey. But the Nation has beautiful things to offer too, that I would have appreciated more if I wasn’t so focused on hunting Fatui during my time there… They are the ones at fault, not technology.”

“Fair enough.” After a pause, noticing Kaeya’s lack of reaction, she nudged him with her elbow. “Why so serious, Kaeya? We all know you have ties with the Treasure Hoarders. Even though we disapprove, we aren’t going to kick you for voicing disagreement.”

 “Treasure hoarders, bounty hunters, secret informants... his list of contacts is longer than Venti’s ballads”, Diluc said, and Venti winked at him.

Not even that comment disrupted Kaeya’s closed off attitude, and his smile was strained. “They are just informants, you guys know that. It’s not like any of us hasn’t had secret jobs, right? It’s all for the protection of Mondstadt.”

The group accepted that explanation, Venti included - they trusted Kaeya’s love for Monds. But they also suspected he had more going on.

They finished their drinks in thoughtful silence. The tavern was emptying as well.

“Well, time’s up. Get off my lap”, Rosaria told Venti, moving her knees to push him off. “Don’t pout, I can’t go to sleep as late as usual today – Dahlia wants us to start learning a new choir he came up with for this year’s Windblume, and is going to start martyrizing us soon after sunrise.”

Venti straightened, excited. “Oh! Dahlia is more active again? I haven’t seen him in a while, I thought he was still locked away focused on religious affairs.” Sometimes, not even the wind reaches him…

Rosaria practically groaned. “I wish he wasn’t… at least he is more fun than most nuns, but I could do with less of his ideas. Do you even need a Herald? Can’t you just tell him to let me skip the choir?”

The archon laughed. “I suppose I can now! Before, it was useful to have someone communicate my word in formal settings. But I’m not going to interfere with the affairs of the church, as long as no one is getting hurt. Sorry, but you having to wake up early doesn’t count”, he reinforced.

His mind was racing. The last time he saw his friend was before the curse was put up - Venti wasn’t even sure if Dahlia knew of everything stated at the announcement, since he wasn’t present, so he definitely didn’t know the details of the curse. Tsk, such a bad Herald I have, who didn’t even attend my first official proclamation , he mused, already noting mentally that he could use the excuse to drag Dahlia to the tavern. It wasn’t like he knew how to refuse him. 

At the very least, he had known Venti and Barbatos were the same entity for a while - although even on that front, things had started to shift. While previously Venti thought of their Barbatos side as something separate, since Celestia troubled him with assuming his Archonhood, it started getting difficult to differentiate. Wondering if it would change their friendship, Venti was slightly nervous, but what was one more detail for his dear friend to find out? 

Kaeya put the payment on the counter, already well familiar with the prices of drinks. “In that case, I might retire a little early too – I have a few things to check on with Albedo. Actually, do you want to come with me, Venti?”

Intrigued, Venti was about to accept, but still turned to Diluc to check on him, “Will you be too lonely without company?”

“Don’t pity me, just go”, the grunted answer contrasted with his soft smile, and he caught the bard’s eyes for a moment. “Really, I enjoy the quiet too. Have fun, Ven-… Beloved.”

Venti blinked, not counting on Diluc using that term in public. Moved by how sweet it was, the love bloomed and spread from his chest, and he could only hope his smile conveyed the radiance. Wanting to show he appreciated what his redhead did, he hoped to sit on the counter, leaning close to him. Endeared by his puzzled look, Venti bent down to peck his cheek.

Diluc’s face turned the color of his hair, naturally sparking some teasing and even a whistle from Kaeya and Rosaria. The bard just giggled.

The group left the tavern, and Rosaria waved before going her own way leaving the other two alone.

Silence. The atmosphere outside contrasted drastically with the inside of the tavern, and Barbatos would always marvel in the way he could appreciate both. Enveloped by the peace, he breathed in the fresh air of the night, closing his eyes for a moment. When he turned around, Kaeya was patiently waiting for him with a faint smile.

The bard trotted closer and, by impulse, extended one hand.

“Shall we go?”

Kaeya accepted easily, taking the smaller hand in his surprisingly warm touch, with only the tips of his fingers tingling with a slight layer of frost, noticeable even through the glove.

They walked comfortably for a while, without the need to disrupt the quietude with conversation. The streets were lit by the golden lamps, but also by the moon high up, its illusion as enchanting as always. When Kaeya went through a hallway to leave food for stray dogs, seemingly out of habit, Barbatos had to wonder if he was also aware of the fakeness of the sky. But those questions melted away upon watching him play a little with the dogs, ruffling their fur – that image was too adorable to not pay attention to.

As they headed to the Knight’s Headquarters, the building already visible high up, the man finally engaged in conversation, sharing what was on his mind.

“I am glad that Diluc is so close to you – and to the rest of us, if I’m honest. But I’m also glad that we can do things like this”, he expressed calmly, pointing with his head while rising their laced hands. “The attitude of Mondstadt toward relationships is relaxing, in part thanks to you, I’m sure. It makes me proud to have grown here.”

Venti’s steps slowed, and the wind twirled around them. It was nice to have some of his contributions recognized, and nothing fulfilled him more than seen his children well. Squeezing his hand, he glanced at Kaeya. “And I am proud that Mondstadt is a place where people are this happy, and to have you here.”

For a moment, Kaeya didn’t reply. They had practically halted, just letting their gaze communicate their feelings. There was indeed a beauty in secrets, but the small god was slowly finding out that they preferred openness, and being understood.

Shaking his head, the taller man opted to not reply to that particular exchange, instead tugging Venti gently along as the walking restarted. “So, he is the beloved of the Anemo Archon, hum?” Ah yes, teasing, the one trick able to redirect any topic.

“He isn’t the only one. You, Albedo, Rosaria, Jean… even people from other nations, and the traveler”, he made a point of reinforcing.

It was not just to make sure Kaeya knew he was valued, but also because he didn’t want people to assume the wrong thing about his relationships. It was strange, since he usually found rumours about Barbatos so amusing. Yet on this, people’s perception could impact the way they acted around him, and he wouldn’t want that.

Finding the moment opportune, he continued. “Besides the already usual affection, I genuinely wouldn’t mind expressing endearment through terms like the one you heard today – while avoiding rigid labels for my relationships. I can explain it better when we are with Albedo, since I also wanted to talk to him about it.”

Kaeya raised an eyebrow. “I have an inkling where this is going, but alright.”

Minutes later, they were knocking at the door of Albedo’s room, but he wasn’t there. Kaeya decided to search for him at his lab, and sure enough, the door opened that time. Albedo, still wearing his lab coat, was rubbing his eyes. So he really is working at these Celestia forsaken hours.

“Hi, Kaeya, I’m almost finished. Ah, Venti, you’re there too – I wasn’t expecting the visit.” Albedo clearly corrected his tone to try to sound more princely, but it wasn’t working when his words were slurring.

Kaeya leaned against the doorway, eyes never leaving the alchemist. “’Bedo, dear, this is an awful hour to be working at. Is this what you do when you’re away in Dragonspine?”

“Some things can only be studied under the light of the moon”, he explained quietly. Venti couldn’t discern if he was hinting at some deeper mystery, or just sounded tired. “But no matter. Let me fetch what I have for you.”

He went back inside and rummaged through the shelves, returning moments later with a small, wrapped package. He placed it on Kaeya’s hands, who was clearly expecting it and made the item ‘dissapear’ somewhere in his clothes, so proficient that he almost seemed like a Fontaine magician. Venti had no idea of what the package contained, and the other two didn’t mention it, so he decided against prying.

To break the tension forming after that exchange, Venti spoke first. “I was going to join you both for a conversation, but seeing how you’re so tired, another day might be better.”

Albedo smiled while lowering his eyes, slightly embarrassed over the concern. “Don’t worry, I can still hang out. Let’s go to my room, then. I know of a refreshing tea that can help me stay more awake.”

He finished locking the lab, and was about to lead the way to his room as Kaeya stared from behind him, observing. Deeming whatever he noticed as unsatisfying, the taller man simply approached and scooped up Albedo in his arms, who startled. A couple of seconds was all it took for him to smirk and resign, hugging the other captain’s neck for stability, sighing comfortably as he was carried. Venti, glancing at the pair, caught the alchemist’s gaze from above Kaeya’s shoulder, his eyes smiling and heavy with sleep.

The god trailed after the pair, even managing to successfully steal the key’s attached to Albedo’s belt without him realizing, and unlocked the door to the room for them.

“There you go”, Kaeya cooed, while placing Albedo gently on the couch.

The room was small compared to the ones in Diluc’s mansion, Venti noticed, but well furnished. The bed was fairly large and looked comfortable, with a kitchen on a raised platform at the opposite end. In direct view from the door, there was a desk in front of the window, with shelves nearby, and a long couch and a coffee-table were in the middle of the room. Albedo’s room was sparsely decorated, consisting more of alchemical tools, scrolls attached to the walls and some strange plants. The only things that could truly be considered decorations were the paintings that he hanged.

Venti wasted no time in cozying up to Albedo’s side on the couch, who chuckled, covering them both with a blanket. Kaeya seemed familiar with the room, being the one heading to the kitchen and searching the cabinets for what he needed to brew tea. Little details like that, captured by the wind or through the god’s observations, were exactly the kind of thing they loved to tuck in a corner of his mind.

“Is this the tea you mentioned?” he asked the alchemist.

“Exactly that”, Albedo confirmed while leaning against Venti’s shoulder, who was quick to welcome the proximity. He adjusted his still-clunky wings by pulling them with an arm, surrounding Albedo in it, then allowing his arm to wrap around the alchemist’s back.

They barely talked for a while, just surrounded by homey sounds, their slow breathing in tandem as drowsiness took over, and the aroma of tea brewing. After all the alcohol he had for the night, Venti could very well use a herbal remedy to clean his stomach and clear his head, although at this rate, he and Albedo would keep dozing off before they got the chance to drink it. But Kaeya did his magic and had everything done on time, sitting on the other side of Venti.

The tea itself was like magic as well, because it really woke him up.

“Whoa, this actually works!”, Venti exclaimed, sitting upright. “Did you change the effects of the leaves with alchemy?”

Albedo covered his chuckle with a hand. “You could say that, but the merit goes to Sucrose. It’s a variant cultivated by her, actually, since she has leapt across significant discoveries for the past months, and potent tea leaves are just one of the bonus of her research.” Taking another sip, he gave an appreciative humming. “You wanted to tell me something, then?”

The bard shrugged, but a smile was already tugging at his lips. “It’s nothing urgent, just thoughts I have had recently about relationships, and everyone I care for. Let’s say Celestia’s curse put me on a journey of self-discovery, and with the affection I’ve been receiving for the past months, I… well, am moved by all the love.” His voice trembled, throat clogged with emotion. Bah, screw it , he thought as he grinned ear to ear. His happiness was reflected in the expressions of the other two, who didn’t for a moment take their eyes off him. “I’ve realized that I also love many of you.”

“We love you too, Venti”, Albedo easily spoke for both, no signs of doubt in what he said. He adjusted his position against Venti’s side, so that they could stare at each other. Then, despite still speaking plainly, he frowned. “Although I am unsure if my way of loving fits well with the way humans tend to use it, but you understand my position more than most.”

Ah, so the other captain also knew he was a Homunculus. Glad to see where everything was going, Venti crossed his legs. “I do. In fact, it’s one of the things I wanted to talk about. While I fully embrace feelings and all that love encompasses, when it comes to relationships, labels feel too restricting.”

From there, he enthusiastically chirped a summary of what he had told Diluc, from what lead to the questioning, to the conclusions he arrived at. The pair was genuinely receptive, and their interested and understanding motivated him – nothing like a good audience to bring the best of a bard, and he might have added a couple of embellishing details. At the end of the tale, he couldn’t help the fuzziness settling in his core.

After some questions, and a moment of silence for the other two to process what was shared, Kaeya was the one to talk first. His posture was relaxed, reflecting well the way Venti was also feeling. “I see now why Diluc called you by that term, ‘Beloved’. I will say, it’s very natural to see you as such.” Giving them some time to process the praise, the man turned to the alchemist. “Don’t be jealous, ‘Bedo, you are cute too.”

Albedo raised eyebrow, but he was smirking. “Don’t presume everyone would want your attention, Captain Kaeya.” The formalities just drove the joke home.

Kaeya cackled wholeheartedly. “I know, I know, I’m not a very inspiring muse to you. Although I still hope to see a better portrait of my person one day.”

“Humm. Perhaps one day.”

Venti wasn’t sure of what they were talking about, but they are clearly fond of each other, and the whole exchange was entertaining. There weren’t any hard feelings between them, even more evident when Albedo extended a hand toward the taller man, who obeyed like a puppy, bending over for a moment to let the alchemist pet his hair.

Curious as always, the Chalk Prince turned to the god. “Venti, since you are so much closer to people now, and said that you are okay with certain romantic gestures, have you kissed anyone meanwhile? I remember that you hadn’t, last time we talked about it.”

Venti had to cough, simultaneously embarrassed and amused. Their response was theatrical. “Aren’t you curious about my love life? But alas, I have not. A shame, I’m well aware.” They forced a sigh.

Albedo and Kaeya exchanged a knowing glance, and the alchemist continue, staring at the bard in challenge. “Then I won on that, since I have.”

Venti blinked, twice, and stared at the pair. Despite the fact that they had the bard in the middle, one of Kaeya’s hands was holding Albedo’s own – both ungloved – and it was clear from Albedo’s expression that he wasn’t referring to something between both. “Waiiit… you two?! Oh!” They laughed. “Eh-he, you are cute together! I don’t even feel surprised to know you are close, you already behaved like you were, but I wasn’t aware it was so official. Not that I’m putting names to your relationship – that would be rather hypocritical of me – but kissing is still quite a big occasion.” They were blabbering, but it was nice to know that no one minded.

Instead of replying, Kaeya slowly enveloped one of Venti’s hands, thumb rubbing the back of their hand in circles, causing a tingling sensation. He was close, closer than Venti had realized before. “If you’d like, we can help you cross that milestone too.”

Barbatos brain froze for a moment, words dying on their throat as their lips felt dry. The only sensation grounding them was the spot where their skin touched Kaeya’s, in the contact between their hands. Only one word crossed their mind: a resounding ‘Yes’. With a ragged breath, his eyes found Kaeya’s, scanning those Khaenri’ahn depths for any sign that it was just a joke. They found only sincerity, with a hint of amusement over their slow reaction. Glancing at Albedo, the alchemist was a silent and interested watcher, avid instead of possessive.

Venti’s lips parted, then shifted into a smirk, trying to sound more confident than he felt. “Aha. Mondstadt taught you well how to be a smooth talker.” Kaeya’s grin widened, like a cat. Cats truly loved playing with birds… “I would actually like that”, they said in a shy murmur, only loud enough for the pair to hear.

The hand pulled him closer, slowly. The other, having let go of Albedo, raised to cup Venti’s face, fingers tracing along his cheek and jaw in a motion so gentle that Venti’s eyelids started to lower, as they delivered themselves to the sensations. Kaeya must be really good at romance if he could put them in that state just from this.

Guided so that they were face to face, Kaeya stopped moving, with an adoring expression, studying Barbatos’ own. The angel, doing their best to ignore the loud beating of their heart, tilted his head further into Kaeya’s palm. He smiled, trusting him.

“Don’t keep them waiting, Kaeya”, Albedo remarked, clearly entertained.

Kaeya chuckled, and even Venti let a laugh escape. Then, without more preamble, they decided to be the one taking initiative and dive in, hoping to at least have the victory of catching the taller man by surprise. No luck there – he was too attentive to miss it, and raised his chin, making Venti miss his still grinning lips.

“Hey, that’s not fa-“ Their protest was muffled by his mouth, and their eyes instinctively fluttered close.

It was sudden, hot, and fun. Venti had the urge to laugh, which didn’t quite work in their predicament, but he couldn’t mind when his  brain was short-circuiting. The sensations were greater than thoughts, greater than anything, their lips fitting together in a way that supposedly only happened in first-kisses from stories. It tasted like wine disguised by the tea they just took, and the kiss was wet and more intense than expected. Despite all the intensity, it was also soft, patient, waiting for Venti to truly return it.

And they did. They did, and went for seconds. He was the one pressing their mouths together this time, keeping their lips locked.

Shifting to sit even closer, their knees were now touching, and Venti’s arms wrapped around Kaeya’s neck by impulse. Along with the kiss, hands trailed around the god’s body, pressuring in just the right way on his waist and nape, occasionally moving and digging, even feelings his wings. It was maddening, and before Venti realized, he had been pulled to sit on Kaeya’s lap, keeping them glued to each other and without the complications of legs on the way or having to bend over. All the angel had to do was tilt their head up slightly, and feel.

When their lips parted, the Anemo god had to catch their breath.

The way they were heaving was almost embarrassing, and they were washed in a wave of shyness when their eyes accidentally met Kaeya’s, averting them. Then they glanced again, shaking their head with a breathy laugh.

Kaeya pressed their foreheads against each other, the gesture so tender and supportive that it sent Venti’s heart racing again. They felt like they could just vanish in the winds. Instead, he brushed their noses together, and tilted their head again for another brief kiss. That third one was just a peck, with their beloved clearly not wanting to overwhelm them, but it was sweet.

Venti was still shaking after that, and practically deflated over the taller man’s body, who supported his weight. The hug was grounding, protective, even, just like the god liked, and exactly what they currently needed.

The other two gave him some time, in silence, just rubbing his back and, in Albedo’s case, redoing his braids. Venti wasn’t even sure why they were reacting so strongly - it was just a kiss, they were fine with it, wanted it, and had gotten used to many sorts of physical proximity and emotional bareness for a long time already. And yet, their wings kept twitching in an attempt to hide their face and reactions, even though they had to content with hiding it on Kaeya’s nape instead.

“How interesting…” Albedo muttered, in a low tone. “I got flustered too when kissing Kaeya, in part because I was trying to keep everything in mind to study it later, but not to that extent.” The plain way in which the alchemist explained that almost made the angel chuckle. “Could it be that the curse makes you more sensitive to receiving intimacy, and not just to its absence?”

Venti hesitated, gears turning in their brain. “That… actually sounds plausible.”

“Was this too much?”, Kaeya checked on them, putting some distance between their bodies to see their face, but Venti just shook their head, smiling. The relief in the man’s expression was palpable. “That’s good.”

Albedo scooted closer. “In that case, how was your first kiss?”, he asked with a smirk.

Venti chuckled. “Wonderful. Sorry, I know that’s a pitiful description when coming from a bard, but suddenly all the romantic descriptions I have heard are gone from my memory.”

“I think that’s to be expected when dealing with Kaeya”, the prince half-joked, bonking his shoulder slightly against his partner. “What about the other two kisses?”

Venti stuck out his tongue, but went along and replied. “Amazing as well, although they were all different. The whole experience feels a bit surreal, so if you are taking notes for your studies about Barbatos, Albedo, maybe retract points for that.”

“I’ll make sure to do it.” The bastard was actually scribbling down something, and didn’t even let them see what. Then, he leaned closer, catching Venti’s eyes. Slow but firmly, he held the god’s chin between his fingers, turning their face slighty. Oh . “Now, may I test another thing?”

Gulping down, Venti nodded, and accepted the prince’s kiss. It was soft, clean, frosty – entirely distinct from Kaeya’s kisses. The simple fact that they were able to tell the different was a scary discovery to the anemo archon, but that in no way dissuaded them from getting more over time.

Just like a butterfly taking flight from a flower, it ended too fast.

Albedo was unphased, albeit probably aware of Venti’s turmoil, and his next question had a teasing tone. “What about this kiss?”

“I-I… ah… eh-he.” Their brain was complete mush, and maybe the drinks from before were at fault, but it was deeply funny. “Just as great, and unique as well. Please just don’t ask me to describe how all the kisses were different, I don’t think I can do it right now. Maybe another day.”

Kaeya pulled him back into an hug, reassuring him. “It’s alright, Venti, this was already a lot. You should rest now.”

“Speaking of”, Albedo realized, “on a scale of one to ten, how capable are you of going back into the cold and head home?”

“’Bedo dear, the clinical tone is killing the mood. Just let us snuggle in your bed, will you?”

Albedo put a finger on his chin, feigning consideration. “Humm… I can be persuaded if tomorrow you handle a quarter of my reports, Captain Kaeya. Those are taking too much time away from my research, and there is something that I need to conclude before the festival.”

“Oh? An innovation you will gift to the city?”, Kaeya wondered.

“Something like that, yes.” There was something in his tone that caught Venti’s attention, but their head wasn’t capable of processing it yet. Either way, they have had serious conversations before addressing potential risks, so surely the worries were not worth ruining the present moment for.

It was time to rest.

Albedo, who had already hanged his coat previously, wasn’t opposed to shed the rest of his clothing in front of them to change into pajamas, and Barbatos wasn’t either, given what their Archon garments looked like. Kaeya slept shirtless, keeping pants and eyepatch on, and took the middle of the bed, inviting the smaller ones to fit against each of his sides.

Venti used anemo to blow out the candles, and hugged the figures at their side. With a content sigh, they snuggled closer. “I know I told you both today that I love sleeping with other people, but I really wasn’t expecting the follow up to that to be this. Not that I’m complaining”, he clarified in a low voice, muffled against Kaeya’s chest.

He could also see Albedo’s serene expression right in front of them, his eyes closed already, and carefully tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. Albedo’s lips curved up faintly, the only sign he was still awake.

They rambled about anything that crossed their minds, in that drowsy state between awareness and blacking out. Kaeya shared that he was going to start helping Jean more in the upcoming weeks, since she had so much to look into for the festival, prompting Venti to visit her soon as well to help. Not just because Celestia’s curse compelled them to do that, but because they cared about her. Albedo was also seemingly very busy, although he mumbled something about it being too complicated to explain to non-alchemists. Venti found that a little strange – he was typically eloquent and good at finding metaphors – but they weren’t going to push when they were all on the verge of sleep.

In the stillness of the night, and the warmth that enveloped them, Barbatos took a deep breath.

And sang.

It was a soft lullaby, that they heard a long, long time ago. A soothing, brief melody, meant to guide them toward sweet dreams, but also toward the truth – the kind of guidance that Barbatos companions required. A piece they hadn’t thought of in centuries, and didn’t fully fit with the intent of lullabies in current times, having lingered in forgotten corners of their memory.

…For some reason, it felt oddly appropriate.

Prayer is just a lullaby.
Herald birds will steal your sight.
Feathers darken your senses.
Lay down the false pretenses.

Guardian angels in the sky,
In the covert of the night.
It’s their singing that you hear.
Yet you must not fear.

Do not dread the end that’s nigh.
As you drink the Moon up high,
Your spirit they will keep.
Nothing shall trespass your sleep.

Come away, and let them guide
Your soul, that must abide
The woven dances of Fate.
Through the river that leads to the Gate.

Beyond is a new fight,
Freedom only reached by flight.
A Starry Sea, a promised Dream.
Only in slumber can it be seen.

And just like that, they were pulled down, into the dream’s depths.

Chapter Text

“Here you go.”

Albedo raised the flask he had just finished brewing, the light coming from the open windows filtering through the glass, refracting a million colors on the glossy pavement. The laboratory was immaculate, a surprise given how long the alchemist spent laboring on this new medicine, processing ingredients and cutting herbs. Things that people usually failed to register, who tended to just see him wave a hand and use his “magic”. In reality, alchemy was all about transmutation - not even Khemia could get rid of that fact entirely, and most forms of Alchemy didn’t reach Khemia’s levels.

Venti was sitting on the parapet. It was a cozy little nook he had there, that the angel had taken a liking to. Despite the practicality of the rest of the lab, this particular spot offered a chance to rest and, for most of the day, was turned toward the sun. So Venti had just been sitting there for the past hour, letting the warmth seep into their skin and giving them a tan, feeling the breeze and letting their mind soar with the currents. 

Albedo joined them, sitting close enough for their sides to press against each other, and Venti naturally leaned against his shoulder, yawning. 

The alchemist made a curious sound. “How interesting. You tend to be aware at night, but get sleepy under the sunlight. Has it anything to do with your nature, or are you just similarly lazy to a cat?”

Venti chuckled. “I wonder! I have my fair share of connections to the moon, as you are somewhat aware, although the details are complicated. I suppose both things can be true. So…” They glanced at the flask. “Will that taste as horribly as last time?”

“Most likely. I refined the formula, but I doubt it’s any sweeter. You don’t have to take it - your wings are recovering well - but since you used to complain of the itching, you might value this brief unpleasant taste. Just like before, it will dull that discomfort.”

With a dramatic sigh, Barbatos took the flask, uncorking it. Doing their best not to sniff the thing, they gulped it down at once, already sensing their body spasming and trying to regurgitate. Albedo was quick at passing them water, very much needed, but it wasn’t enough to completely get rid of the taste. 

“You are, blegh… such a great alchemist, but can’t find a way to make this more tolerable?”, they asked while heaving. 

Albedo had the audacity to laugh at their misery, taking out his notebook. “Sadly, it’s not that easy, but even if it was possible, I have been too preoccupied with other topics to devote the time necessary by medicine.” Venti raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry, everything has been coordinated with the Knights - you will know the details once things are more defined. It’s a long-term plan anyway, and the less people are privy to the full details, the higher the chances of success.”

“I see, I see! So even though Celestia ordered me to participate more actively, my brave knights still insist on doing things on their own.” They employed a tone meant to sound like light scolding but, deep down, their heart fluttered proudly. “But I trust your capabilities, and will do my best to assist. Although I might feel compelled to have a more active participation - both because of the curse, and because I wouldn’t want to see the children of Mondstadt suffer, when I don’t even have a secret to keep anymore.”

The chalk prince put a hand to his chest. “Help will be welcomed. I will make sure to share more once things settle down - you can expect interesting events around the Windblume Festival.”

“Ah, I think I know what this is about. Durin’s influence is growing, right?” Venti asked with a wink. Seeing how the alchemist blinked, they shook their head, allowing the lament to resurface. “I sensed some dark tendrils on the wind the other day, and once-familiar voices - well, I mean the things that let me recognize the people of Mondstadt, I just call them ‘voices’ for simplicity - are getting a little distorted”, they explained with their hands.

The alchemist nodded. “That is exactly it. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that the Archon is aware of what is going on and, since you are calm about it, all the more reason for us to be as well. Again, worry not, the Knights of Favonius have everything under control.”

With a chuckle, the god took the hand of the prince, kissing its knuckles. “I’m not worried, beloved. I have always known Mondstadt would be able to deal with its problems. But while you deal with the human side of the conflict, I think I will spare some time investigating the cause of all of this”, they said, lowering their eyes.

“Oh?”

“There is something strange on the leylines, that they don’t fully know how to process, and it’s amplifying our dead-dragon problem. While I’m sure we can avert a crisis, there are things that only an Archon can handle. Besides, Durin’s fate is partially my mistake”, they recognized, trying to shrug it off. “Just… remember he was a gentle child, and don’t do anything that stifles his chance to experience this world one day.”

Albedo hesitated. “I’m aware… Not just because of what you told me before, but because my own instincts still pity my unlucky brother, I suppose. However”, his semblance hardened, “he is still dangerous, and I don’t promise he is going to experience Teyvat in the way he currently is, or entirely as the same person. Durin died, and there is no undoing that.”

“But?”

“But he might be able to become similar to myself. I am in contact with another being, and plans to offset Durin’s corrosive taint, transforming him into something like… like a human. An homunculus, more specifically.” He held Venti’s eyes, who felt a pang in their chest. “I still have parts of my Master’s notes to decipher, but I feel like I’m very close. Creating Life is no small matter, and it is perhaps cold on my part to be so willing to sacrifice his original self, but I wholeheartedly believe it’s the best outcome we can ask for.”

Thinking for a couple of seconds, the Archon sighed. “A bitter ending, and a sweet beginning. I suppose we can consider Durin’s fate bittersweet. But your life has been happy, and I’m sure his will be as well.”

Albedo hummed, and let Venti latch onto his side in a hug, which he returned.

Albedo’s projects would soon demand his attention, so he didn’t have time to cuddle and lazy around for long. They got back into business: Venti turned around, and let the alchemist perform some tests on his wings, check for improvements, and write down his notes. 

The god was genuinely grateful for his commitment to their recovery - they suspected that, without his alchemy, just exercising and natural remedies would drag progress. Instead, when compared to Xianyun’s predictions, two months and half was much sooner than expected to have so many plumes already half-grown, and be able to move their wings, despite the small range of movement. He definitely wasn’t in excruciating pain anymore when grabbing and moving them around.

While Albedo worked, they were talking casually, just mentioning anything that crossed their minds. Albedo ranted a little about Rosaria’s poignant distrust of him, evident often when they crossed paths. Venti joked at first, but then seriously considered what could be causing that, since she didn’t know the alchemist was a homunculus. The pair reflected on the meaning of life in one breath, and recent episodes with Klee in the next. The conversation flowed easily, their interaction simple yet enjoyable, helped by the comfortable touching between Albedo’s hands and Venti’s back.

How beautiful it was that small moments like this, of just pure contentment, frequently dotted their lives…

It ended soon - too soon, maybe. But Venti knew there would be more, and went on their way without regrets.

They spent a big chunk of the morning playing with the kids in the city, tossing them into the air with the wind to hear them giggle, then participating in hide and seek.

“Venti, you’re cheating!”

“Me? Never!” They retorted firmly, not even hiding their mischievous giggle.

“But we can’t find you on the roofs, and you can spot us from tall places!” The child stomped, quickly amassing the support of the others.

That was how a group of angry children convinced the Archon of Freedom to play by the rules.

A couple of rounds later, Venti spotted a familiar face skipping work and drinking alone just outside Cat’s Tail, and decided it was time to stop playing, much to the kids’ disappointment and booing. With a slightly mocking bow, they said their goodbye, trotting away.

“Rosaria! Want any company?” They saluted.

She smirked, swirling the cocktail in her hand. “Are you sure you won’t have allergies, with the cats nearby?”, she pointed with her head to the rascals, rolling under the sunlight. “I won’t move somewhere else - the scenery here is pretty, and pairs well with wine. More importantly, I can spot any Church members approaching to drag me back to work before they see me.”

Ah yes, important considerations. The god glanced at the kitties, calculating the risks. They then confidently put their hands on their hips. “I’ll be fine! But I just pray that someone could bring me something to drink too…”, they added, innocently putting a hand to their chin and looking around. “Entering the building would spell disaster for me, with all the cat fur inside.”

“Alright, alright, I will pick something for you.” She ruffled their hair as she got up.

Minutes later, god and nun were enjoying their drinks together. She wasn’t super talkative, as per usual, but Venti could tell she was having a good time just listening to them blabber, so they kept at it. They even shared a new song they were composing, about a busy bee that got drunk on nectar and went around falling in love with all the flowers.

“What do you think? It’s a lighthearted song for the tavern, since my usual repertoire is already well known, and clients require new things from time to time.”

“It’s a simple song, and it rhymes. They will like it.” She sounded amused. “Although I sense there is more to it than what I can grasp.”

Venti chuckled. “What can I say? I can’t help but imbue hints of truth in everything I do.”

They enjoyed some minutes of companionable silence, the bard’s mind drifting to the conversations shared with Albedo, wishing to better the situation. In their own way, although they suspected Rosaria would appreciate it if they dropped the subtlety.

Venti rested their chin on their hands, laced in the air. “Sister Rosaria?”, they started with the title, smirking when she sent a pointed look in return. 

“...Yes?” Her posture was tense, and the winds weren’t needed to clarify how guarded she was.

“We both know you aren’t the most conventional nun out there. I mean, you are literally skipping your job at the church to spend time with your Archon, right?” The irony got her to smile and relax a little, putting Venti at ease in turn. “And you are attentive, and protect Mondstadt in your own way. So I must ask… what drives your visits to Dragonspine?”

Rosaria sighed, and took another sip of her drink. “What is this, an inquiry from a god? Can’t I just be hunting Treasure Hoarders, and keep a look on Fatui? We both know how they litter that mountain.”

“Of course, that is a very reasonable answer, and I’m sure it’s not a lie. But it’s not the full truth either, is it? Especially considering that you haven’t visited it so often in recent times, when it would make more sense otherwise, given the increased dangers in the area.”

She took her knife out, twisting it on her hand. She looked simultaneously distracted and hyperaware, as if considering what to share. Venti had to approve of her resistance - she didn’t just share everything she knew because a god asked her too, and that was a good thing.

“Our prodigy alchemist hasn’t exactly been there as much either, has he?”, she finally spat out, not particularly concerned with disguising it now that she had made up her mind. She was looking at the alchemy shop across the street, squinting. “But when he does, he spends his time in very selective spots, like the improvised lab, around hillichurl camps, strange ruins and that sickening place. The heart of that monster… even I can feel its influence, and I am not nearly as fascinated by strange things as our dear Albedo is.”

“Well, he is the Captain of the Investigation Team. Wouldn’t it make sense for him to check on areas of that kind?”

“Naturally, it does, but there is a difference between investigating and acting all enamored with his morbid discoveries. I can see that you trust Albedo, but I’m not causing any harm by keeping an eye on him, and your judgment hasn’t always been correct throughout history, right?”

“Aw, you didn’t have to call me out like that”, they flinched. Still solemnly, they stared at her. “Look… I am aware of things he is doing, and he is also in coordination with the Knights. You don’t have to pester him.”

At that, Rosaria cackled. “You really want me to back off and stop tormenting your boyfriends, huh?”, she teased, clinking her glass against theirs.

“Ah, well… That’s not…” The fun from the teasing was brought down by her choice of words. “I don’t really have ‘boyfriends’, you know?” She raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “No, really. That title alone almost poisons the relationships I have with them. I have several people who are dear to me - including you, in many ways - and I don’t hesitate to say I love them. But I don’t want to name the bonds I have, and shoulder the perception that I’m complying or rejecting the expected aspects that come with each title. You are all just… beloved of the Anemo Archon”, they said with a smile and a flourish.

“I guess it fits you. Alright, just make sure everyone is communicating and all of that. Don’t come crying to me to confess your sins if you mess up juggling your relationships. Speaking of beloved of yours…” Her eyes trailed something moving, and Venti realized it came from their left. “Here comes another one.”

Venti saw a river of gold, braided and long, and held their breath. The fragrance of countless worlds inundated their senses and, for a moment, they failed to react.

“T-Traveler?”, they stammered sloppily, heart swelling. 

Aether greeted with a raised hand and a radiant smile, ignoring their stuttering. Paimon was nearby, yet too distracted around the Good Hunter restaurant, choosing what to eat.

“Did the Church send you to supervise my work?” Rosaria asked coldly, crossing her arms. “Let me guess… Was it Sister Victoria? Barbara? Or even Dahlia.”

The Traveler halted, confused. “What? Of course not, no one sent me. I just arrived, I haven’t even checked for commissions yet since Paimon was hungry”, he said, glancing back at her fondly. Venti found their bond pretty cute - perhaps it was too much to say the fairy took the role of his missing sister, but they definitely bickered like siblings, spent a long time together, and cared for each other. “Anyway, long time no see! Just how much work have you been skipping?”

“I took off right after morning prayers. Barbara swipes all the minor tasks around the Cathedral, and there wasn’t anything major so, I'd better get some fresh air than stand there doing nothing.”

Venti laughed, admiring her pragmatic nature. “I’m certain that the Traveler wouldn’t just spoil the mood and drag you to Church.” They exchanged a look with their golden hero, whose bright expression confirmed what they were thinking. “I’d wager that, should he face a chance encounter with gathered friends, the only thing he would do is join in on the fun. So, Traveler! What about a drink, without too much ice? My treat.”

“You are paying?!”, came a screech. Paimon had just arrived. “Whoa, Tone-Deaf Bard, that is rare from you. Quick, Traveler, you can’t lose this opportunity!”

“Hey now, I’m not that poor”, Venti argued, delighted to hear Aether’s cute laugh. “Especially now that I get to sleep in Diluc’s mansion and never have to pay for tavern rooms, eh-he.”

Aether’s eyebrows raised, but his grin was wide, infected by their happiness. “I see that much has happened while I was away, besides your wings looking much better. I will go ask for a drink, then - join you in a minute.”

“Since the bard is paying, ask for a whole bottle, so we can all refill”, Rosaria added. “Anything goes, I just want to keep it coming.”

“Drinking on the job…”, he joked, glancing at the empty bottle on the table.

Once the Traveler was back, the little god gave him a rundown of the recent developments, being careful not to reveal Aether’s real name in front of Rosaria. They were aware that they were talking too fast and forgetting important details, but the Sister would sometimes interject to correct the things they made up. At the very least, the traveling duo became aware of the curse, the official proclamation, and of Venti’s closeness to people.

“He’s got loads of friends, and I know well where I stand on that list”, the nun stated dryly. “Sometimes it feels like, if they were left with one of them, they would keep staring and cuddling for the whole day. Even now, Venti is also staring at you.” Venti kicked her from under the table, but she just kicked him back, making good use of those heels.

Paimon nodded vehemently. “Riiight, Paimon was also noticing.”

Rosaria huffed. “You two need some time alone?”

“Haha, don’t be a stranger”, Venti forced a laugh while waving a hand. Ugh, they needed to work on their habit of looking at their favorite people the whole time. Aether was just sipping at his drink, not denying or confirming anything despite the blushing cheeks, keeping with their characteristic silence when convenient. “I’m just observing the varied expressions on an old friend’s face, right, Traveler?”

“Right! Humm… We don’t meet like this often - how about a toast?”, he proposed. 

Heh, way to change the subject. Going along, Venti raised their glass into the air. “Why not? Ahem - thank you, good Sister, for answering my prayer in my hour of utmost need.”

“Prayer? Ah, I just brought the first bottle from Cat’s Tail. No need to thank me.”

“Had I had to do it myself, the plight of facing those felines would ruin my morning. Instead, in doing so, you kept everyone in good spirits. That’s not something you can put a price on”, they insisted, with Aether’s nodding. The Sister relented, smiling slowly. “As the beneficiary of that sterling deed, I would very much like to toast to you on this most beautiful day.”

Accepting the praise, her glass joined theirs. “Humm. In that case, I will toast to the Anemo Archon”, she chose.

Before Venti could protest, Aether eagerly joined to mock them, while Paimon giggled. “To Lord Barbatos!”

“You two…”, the god muttered under their breath, grinning. “To every free life, lived under the sun, and to our precious days of freedom. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Apparently, Venti wasn’t one of Aether’s priorities - they were allowed to feel a little jealous over that, right? Or to feign such as they clung to his arm and pouted. 

Aether had already spent some time with Kaeya, Lisa and Amber, his first friends in the city, and was now looking to be with the rest of the original group. Ideally soon, since the Traveler still had things to finish up in Natlan. So, he and Venti quickly devised a plan: a picnic with them (Paimon approved), Jean and Diluc. He was going to get the wine industry typhoon, along with gathering food for the picnic, while Venti would employ their bardic and godly skills to persuade Jean to join them, today.

Marvelling at how the day was taking them to different friends - the pure definition of going with the wind - Venti practically ran towards the Favonius Headquarters. By impulse, they called upon a current, landing on the office’s window.

They knocked. They could see Jean startling inside the room, swiftly turning around, one hand already on the pommel of her sword. There was another figure there, but that one had already spotted them.

When they waved, and she processed the familiar face, her shoulders visibly relaxed.

She was smiling when she opened the window. “Venti, welcome. You, hum…”

“Could have used the door?” They giggled. “Sorry, I was having a good day and decided to do this on the spur of the moment. Hi, Kaeya.”

“Hi there. I was just discussing some important matters with Jean”, the Captain said nonchalantly, winking at them - well, it looked intentional enough to be a wink, although it was hard to tell with the eyepatch, but that just made the action more adorable. It was simultaneously exciting and infuriating how that alone got Venti’s face to warm up. 

The god hesitated, recalling what Albedo told them before. “Do you need me to wait outside? I don’t bring anything urgent, and I’m aware that there are things that not even the Anemo Archon should be privy to. At least, not yet.” They let them conclude how much they already knew, while leaving out the fact that the winds would probably bring them some details regardless.

Jean shook her head. “We had practically finished, and Kaeya already has enough to work on. Do you require any assistance, Lord Barbatos? As always, I-”

“Jean.” They tried to call her name ever so gently, and yet, interrupting her still left a sting. She didn’t seem overly stressed, but there was a tension on her body, like a lingering problem that was taking its toll. Just lots of work, or could it be related to the Durin situation? The god opened their arms, hopefully conveying their sincerity. “I almost feel bad for saying this, but I really just wanted to invite you out. The Traveler is back in the city, as I’m sure you were informed of, and he suggested a picnic with us and Diluc.”

She blinked. “A… picnic? Now?”

Venti chuckled. “Why not? And besides, being with the group that originally fought Dvalin might give you some insight to deal with current dragon problems.”

Kaeya had a hand on his chin, deep in thought. Venti sent him an intense look, requesting his help, now that they were trying the tactic of convincing Jean it would be good for her work, and not a complete waste of time.

Kaeya quickly forged an alliance. “Frankly, that doesn’t seem like a bad idea, Jean. You have been working very hard, so a change of setting might give you new ideas. Besides, like you said yourself, I have plenty of tasks assigned to me, and so do the other Captains - there isn’t much more that you can delegate or plan at the moment.”

Jean opened her mouth, as if to protest, but reconsidered, nodding once. She turned to Venti. “Kaeya has already been with the Traveler, and told me some of the things he has picked up in Natlan, about the dragons, and certain Leyline changes. We suspected that a certain event there rippled through the rest of the Leyline system, so it might be useful to be with him in person, to ask some questions. However”, she added before the bard could celebrate victory, “the primary goal of the picnic is to get me to relax, isn’t it?” 

She was smiling, although it wasn’t a particularly bright smile. But the bard was glad that she could see through the lies.

Venti scratched the back of their head. “Guilty as charged. But we would genuinely enjoy your company.”

“I know”, she nodded, her expression serene, although still a bit forced. “And I have promised to take breaks, to many friends already. I spent some time with my sister recently, and I frequently visit Lisa in the library, but I admit I haven’t been with the three of you in a long time.”

Venti wasn’t sure what she meant by ‘recently’, and suspected she still talked business in moments spent with her friends, but it was a reasonable compromise that they let slide. “See? All the more reason to come now. You don’t have to worry about anything, Diluc and the Traveler will bring the food and everything else we need. And if you have something pressing that you need support with, well… maybe I can help?”, they offered.

“My, my, are you offering to do paperwork?”, Kaeya was the one who replied. Despite the slight joke, he sounded intrigued.

The god grimaced. When they spoke, their voice was quiet. “Believe it or not, it’s not the first time I've done it. In fact…this is a barely known fact about Barbatos but, when I ascended, already having a grasp of reading taught by some friends, I was trying my best to be a perfect Archon. In fact, I was a lot like our dear Jean here, protecting the freedom of the people at the expense of myself. I was overworking, and surrounded by paperwork up to my neck.”

They didn’t remember those times fondly, especially not considering how, at the time, they were still grieving all the friends they lost, and struggling to learn how to use their new form. Both Kaeya and Jean acted surprised, and full of concern, if their frowns were anything to go by. Jean even put a hand to her chest. “Venti…”

They chuckled. “Eh-he, shocking, isn’t it? Ironically, it was the same Gunnhildr who manifested my existence, that your Clan was named after, who supported me back then. She was the one helping me see that I should learn how to relax again. It’s important to care for others, and I know you enjoy what you do, Jean. Really, it’s a respectable choice. But that pile of work will never end”, they said bitterly. “You need to let go sometimes, and just indulge in life.”

They extended a hand, and she took it. Not just that, she squeezed it, followed by lacing their fingers together. Her calloused hands from constant sword and pen work still retained a semblance of delicateness, and ungloved as they were, the touch was replenishing. In the way Venti understood it, it was a show of trust, and a sign that she accepted their invitation.

It was an honor. 

“It’s decided”, Kaeya said in her place, putting a hand to his hips. “I will handle the office for today, so go pick a pretty outfit to go out.” 

That’s right! , Venti realized, looking at their sweet Jean, who was puzzled.

“I wasn’t thinking about changing clothes”, she formulated slowly.

The captain rolled his eyes. “Tsk, going to a picnic in your work uniform? Come on Jean, how would I explain myself to Lisa if I just let you do that?”

Jean chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re right, she wouldn’t approve of it. She actually bought me a new dress I still haven’t had the opportunity to wear… Maybe I could use that one.”

“Why don’t you try it out, then?”, the bard suggested. “We can wait for you here, in case you want to check our opinion before heading out.”

She nodded and, after a last glance at her desk, left the room.

Kaeya and Venti may or may not have exchanged some flirtatious lines while alone, and perhaps a couple of kisses, that may or may not have been had while sitting on Jean’s chair. But the ambience was relaxed, and they gladly focused on Jean when she arrived. Not just to encourage her to dress up confidently, but because the outfit was actually eye catching - as expected of Lisa. 

It was composed by a main teal piece, the tone not too saturated, with a cream undertone on the bottom layer, raised slightly in the middle of one of the tights, the opening allowing a peek into the strap with golden roses. That same shade of gold adorned the dress, strings of golden pearls falling down the skirt in ripples, and a pair of wings were engraved in the chest area, framing her body nicely. Her shoulders were exposed, but she had separate, small puffy sleeves with some longer cream parts. The top of the dress connected to her dark teal collar through a transparent layer, with white patterns painted on as if they were painted on her skin, and her dark teal sandals, golden earrings, and the teal rose on her hair paired well with the rest of the outfit. 

Venti whistled. “You look impeccable! Better than I imagined for a picnic - now I feel underdressed.”

“So is this too much?”, she asked, slightly unsure. Then she laughed at herself. “Lisa did say this was for special occasions.”

Kaeya shared his own opinion, talking naturally with one hand. “It matches Diluc’s style, since he is also always overdressed - I bet he will present just as refined for this picnic of yours. So don’t stress over that, Jean”, he said kindly to his friend. “You look really beautiful, and you could probably wear the same outfit for the Windblume festival - at least, for the most relaxed moments”, he added seriously, his eye charged with meaning.

She nodded, solemn for a moment, but there was something else to her semblance. She folded her hands in front of her body, and her shoulders raised and lowered in a discreet sigh. Her face was dusted with pink - could it just be shyness? 

“It should be time to depart - I don’t want to make our friends wait. Although I admit that I’m having second thoughts”, she said, crossing eyes with them briefly before lowering them again.

Kaeya gave a dramatic sigh, rising from the office’s chair. He approached Jean with his typical long steps, smiling calmly as she looked bewildered. He started bending down.

“Kaeya? Ah, wait-!”

Venti watched in fascination as Kaeya snatched her, picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder, like a potato bag. All of that to carry her to the outside of the office. Her protests denounced indignation and embarrassment at first, but quickly gave way to laughing, that filled the room. The Anemo Archon was glad to see the two childhood friends indulge their inner child from time to time, and trusting each other to this extent. More than that… it warmed their heart to see the people they loved act all being affectionate with each other.

The emotions Barbatos felt for them were so abundant… it overwhelmed them to the point of tears. Their soul soared, and their heart transboarded from the love poured in so often, not just when directed at themself, but when exchanged between those they held dear. They were just so, so happy for them…

Surely that feeling would have a name - if no bard had ever captured it in a word, they would. 

Just… later. When they finally remembered how to breathe again.

Jean was tapping at Kaeya’s shoulder, silently pleading to be put down, and he obeyed. As Venti hopped closer, they could see her wipe the tears from laughing so hard, not yet ready to face around towards the other knights guarding the doors on the hall. 

“Alright, I’m ready. Where are we going, Venti?”, she finally asked, her smile radiant.

“To Starsnatch Cliff, where we first confronted Dvalin”, they announced with a grin. “Poetic, right? But bring your glider - I’m going to take us there quickly with wind currents.”

Archon and their Knight walked side by side through the cobbled streets, the bridge, and the open fields of Mondstadt, where the grass danced at the rhythm of the gentle breeze. Dandelions floated occasionally in the air, and Jean caught one, blowing it and letting it go. 

They were committed to enjoying the scenery, avoiding disrupting the peaceful silence with conversation - they would have time for it later, during the picnic. Instead, Venti saw their journey as a rare respite for Jean, who likely had information swarming in her head all the time, and could benefit from having it vacant for a while. The god just focused on keeping the currents serene, bringing the fragrance of spring along. 

Starsnatch Cliff stood imposing in the distance, and Venti slowed. Analysing the meadow stretching far, there were no buildings or constructions around, and no humans or creatures that could be swept by the currents. 

“This should be far enough,” he said, turning toward their friend. They closed their eyes for a moment, feeling the pulse of the wind in their chest. “I will invoke the currents here, and form a path that we can use to glide to the top of the cliff.”

“I’m ready”, Jean stated calmly, her glider firmly strapped to her back. Gliding was second nature to any child of Mondstadt, and Venti didn’t really need her confirmation, but her professional behavior and tendency to give feedback were still endearing.

Through intuitive movements, Barbatos attuned with the winds, simultaneously raising their open arms and letting the currents will their body’s movement. As if pulled by an invisible string, they stood on their tiptoes, staring at the sky. The breeze started to stir, then picked up, its presence omnipresent as currents headed from and to the Anemo God. They were around, they were above, they were inside their very souls, learning their secrets.

From their perspective, the path started to form slowly, as currents strong at different points in time converged in the present, where Barbatos guided them to. However, to anyone else watching, the trick would appear easy, and the playful spirals would form in an instant.

And as the winds gathered to take the pair upward, Venti felt something else.

The winds were calling them, to open their wings and join them. They tugged at their plumes, pushed their back, sang like the sweetest mermaid, tempting them to go deeper - or in this case, higher, even if their body wasn’t able to take it.

A tremor ran down their back, wings twitching. The urge to go along was screaming inside their skull, and their breath caught.

Venti glanced at Jean by instinct, whose glider was only half-open, feet still firmly planted on the ground. She was staring at him already, brows lifted inquisitively, even though to her the god had only hesitated for a few seconds.

“I think”, they began slowly, turning slightly so she could see the wings folded tightly against their back, “they want to fly. The winds also want me to try.”

Sometimes, having friends who knew their truth and didn’t require more explanations felt like a blessing. Jean didn’t question how the winds communicated, nor did she pass judgment on their wish. She simply stepped closer, inspecting the still-mistreated wings.

“So you want to try using them instead of your glider?”

Venti bit their lip. “‘Want’ is a strong word, eh-he. My wings aren’t ready for real flight, and I know my muscles will protest and it will hurt,” they put simply, reluctantly certain once those words were out. “So I’m not looking forward to that. But the sensation of being adrift in the currents, feeling the tugging in my own body… I suppose I long for it. It’s… it’s been a while.”

They didn’t notice when they raised a hand toward the skies, but there it was, playing with contrasts and shadows against the sun, as their eyes looked at the expanse of blue in between their own fingers. Like a self-imposed cage, they realized.

They lowered their hand. “Besides, the wings will probably fail me, and I will fall. Not very dignified on the Anemo Archon’s part.”

Jean smiled gently and rested her hand on their shoulder. “Then I’ll glide right beside you, and help stabilize your flight by letting you hold onto me. If you fall, I’ll catch you, and you will still have time to activate your glider.”

Venti chuckled, as grateful as amused. “How very knightly of you, Acting Grandmaster. I was going to rely on an emergency updraft, but I’ll take a second safety net.” They shook off her hand, taking a deep breath. “Alright. Let’s see if these ugly things remember how to function.”

With the help of their own hands, the angel stretched their wings to their fullest, as if it was one of their daily exercises. That alone was enough to create a strain, their tormented muscles making Venti groan internally. But the feathers were responding to the strong currents - some of them, at least - and Barbatos felt a surge of pride when they managed to make their wings flap.

It was just so slow… would it be enough to thrust them up?

In coordinated silence, Jean stepped in front of them, turned to the god. She extended her hands. After the initial hesitation, Barbatos took them. 

Exhaling one last time, they put all the strength they could into flapping, to generate the lift, as Jean hopped into the air in unison.

The initial pain was sharp and blinding, and Venti yelped, almost tumbling forward. Before they had time to regret their idea, they realized that even closing their wings would be a struggle, with the wind around so strong that it posed a barrier to folding them. They resorted to gritting their teeth and keeping their muscles in motion, wings moving pitifully as the angel held onto the human for dear life. 

“Venti, Venti, calm down. If it hurts you, I can help you close your win-”

“No! Ah”, they hadn’t wanted to shout at her. “Sorry, I just… I want to keep trying”, they said, aware of how much it sounded like they were begging.

The squirming and expressions of pain probably weren’t convincing either, but Jean didn’t try to dissuade them. Instead, she put a hand around his waist and pressed Barbatos against her, supporting their body fully while silently showing they wouldn’t overstep just from doing that. She proceeded to try to straighten their back and orient their wings with her free hand. It was almost shameful how much of a difference that made, and for as much as the god didn’t resent being slightly dependent on others, when it came to flight, their mind could only lament how they stopped being a creature of the skies. 

With the relief provided by her help, as their nerves lessened the flaring and the sounding of alarms on their head, Venti could focus on bettering their situation. Exhaling, they called for guiding winds to help sustain the rest of their weight, similarly to how they usually did to slow their landings, without relying too much on their wings. Throughout all of it, they kept flapping them - sloppily, the motions tense and incomplete, but they were moving more in that moment than they had in all the past months combined.

The exertion was almost too much to handle, and they realized they were sweating. This was definitely not the triumphant return to flight they had hoped for. Despite that, their heart thundered, fear and pain mingling with excitement. The wind roared in their ears, and they were actually using their wings to propel their body upwards. That still counted for something, right?

The pair got to the point where the currents formed a horizontal path. It would be hard to glide across if Venti stayed glued to Jean’s body, but she didn’t pressure them to let go, letting the decision of how to approach the problem be their call. 

Venti tried to put some distance between their bodies, immediately noticing how much harder it was to stay afloat and how much faster they had to flap their wings. Glancing down, seeing how far they were from the ground, they felt dizzy, as if some form of vertigo took hold on their soul. No way, I can’t just be afraid of highs, they processed in shock, grasping Jean’s shoulders again. And well, they weren’t, but to sense they couldn’t keep flying left them feeling insecure.

Maybe I should really open the glider for the next part, they considered, feeling dejected. They were about to open their mouth to share their conclusion, when Jean spoke first, whispering in their ear.

“What you lacked was not wind, but courage. It was courage that has allowed you to become the first flying birds in this world .”

Blinking, Venti immediately recognized that quote - how could they not, when they came up with it themself? That storybook inspired many children of Mondstadt, and now, Jean was reminding them of its lesson. It was time to find what mattered the most.

With a gulp, Venti tried again to put some distance between them, moving their wings the best they could. The pain shot up every time, but it also subsided in the next seconds, and they eventually made peace with the fact that it wasn’t going to kill them. They could continue, even if it hurt.

With a shaky nod, they pulled Jean’s hands toward the archways in front of them, leaning their body as they went and settling into a horizontal position. That required letting go of one of her hands. Keeping contact through a single hand, staring at the meadows below, it hit them. I’m flying. Well, gliding, to an extent, since it was easier to keep altitude in that new position without flapping frantically. Yet it still tortured their body, and as such, it was still a victory.

They dived towards the arches, and before they knew it, they were being guided along through the skies.

For a moment, the thrill of flight surpassed the pain, and laughter bubbled up. Venti could hear Jean chuckling along, not just from reveling in the same feeling, but also from the happiness of seeing them enjoy things for a moment, as the angel confirmed when exchanging a glance with her.

Their muscles still ached terribly, but soaring across the skies like this wasn’t so bad.

The clifftop approached. The friends that awaited them came into view, and the winds brought their voices: “Tone-Deaf Bard!! You’re doing it!”, Paimon cried out. Aether’s face lit up as he waved from the edge of the cliff, and Diluc, despite the crossed arms, stared at Venti with faith. 

Venti themself wasn’t as confident…

The final distance was the most daunting, and having to change their position in the air to prepare to land proved difficult. Their breath hitched, the strain becoming too much. 

The wings faltered.

All of their strength vanished at once, and if the currents weren’t so strong, Venti would have plummeted down. The way the winds hit their wings was still forceful enough to press against all the wrong spots and make them whine, even as Jean’s steady arms returned to their side.

“Do you need us to get you, Venti?”, a grave voice asked from the other side of the currents, which they recognized as Diluc’s. 

Gasping, they denied with their head, propelling their body forward for one last push. But they accepted Jean’s help in the air to get them to land without more pain, and lowered into the redhead’s extended arms, who pulled them into a hug.

Venti had the urge to sink their head against his chest, shivering when the man tightened the hug.

There they stayed, heaving. In that moment - moments? - they completely lost track of time, their mind fully set to the strong sensations and incapable of processing what present even was. Their unfitting human heart was the only thing marking the passage of time, while Diluc’s warmth grounded them. 

“Traveler…” they heard Paimon’s voice from behind, sounding discouraged.

Slowly, more arms joined around their body. The Traveler’s small frame wrapped them from behind, taking care not to press against their wings. Then Jean’s reliable figure did the same, covering their other side. Even Paimon figured out a way to join, hugging the top of Venti’s head. Enclosed completely like that, they felt… safe, in a protective cocoon. One of their friends was rubbing comforting circles on their back, distracting them from the still irradiating pain, while Diluc’s large palm cupped their face, caressing it with a thumb. 

An undefined time later, Venti’s breathing was steadier, and they felt the urge to giggle. “Thank you, everyone. This shouldn’t have been so hard, but silly me decided to try flying sooner than I was ready for.”

“Are you hurt, Venti? I could apply some healing on your wings”, Jean promptly offered.

They tried to roll their shoulders, and immediately noticed the pain flare up. With a grimace, they agreed. “That’s quite convenient, actually. My back is extremely sore, let’s put it like that.”

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have encouraged you…”, they caught her muttering as she prepared to heal them.

“Hey, it was my idea, remember?”, Venti smiled, nudging against her palms on their back. “And I’m truly grateful for your support. I know I got a little hurt, but I am happy that I got to taste the skies on my own terms after so long.”

A featherlight touch brushed against the sides of their face, and the bard noticed how Aether was undoing one of their braids, to redo it again. “And it was a good idea. You’ve been years without flying, your wings got atrophied and had a lot to heal, but it’s nice to push our limits sometimes”, they said firmly. “I would have wanted the same, if I could fly…” There was a longing in his tone, but he was quick to let it go. “Either way, it would have been worse if you gave up halfway. That would discourage you from trying again.”

Venti hummed. “Yup, I agree. And that almost happened - but something that Jean told me gave me the courage to continue.”

“Was it a quote from that book? About the birds and the courage to fly?”, Diluc wondered, then shaking his head. “Actually, nevermind, I don’t know what I thought about it”, he added shyly.

Jean was the one who replied, sounding slightly surprised. “That was exactly it. I don’t know why I thought about it either, but it sounded fitting”, she chuckled to herself.

Diluc offered her a kind smile. “Then I suppose the tales of the Anemo Archon really influenced us while growing up.”

His eyes met Venti, who beamed, before the coolness of Jean’s abilities started spreading. It started as a prickling sensation that kept sinking deeper and deeper, past the soreness until it found the root of the problem, where it took hold and started the healing. It made Venti realize how deep down the pain lied, and the restoration of their muscular tissue was both relieving and difficult to endure. They were grateful for Diluc’s proximity, who still held them as they squirmed in silence.

When Jean let go, the angel’s nape and back were completely soaked.

“So much for a fun picnic…”, they lamented with a pout, half-dramatic joke and half sincere. “You are all so well-dressed, meanwhile here is the bard looking like always and sweaty.

Aether chuckled. “Hey, it’s when I’m the sweatiest after finishing battles that people swoon for me the most. I think the effort and the tired look just adds to the charm”, he said with a smile, taking a peek at Venti’s face.

Venti returned it, bonking their head against the Traveler’s. “Heh, I feel like I already have enough people interested in me, but I’ll take it.”

Paimon giggled, and a lighter mood settled over their group just like that.

They set out the picnic blanket, displaying all the food on top. Venti was impressed - they knew that Diluc and the Traveler were good cooks, but to prepare so much so fast?

“Adelinde helped”, the redhead said with a shrug, placing yet another plate down. 

Jean extended a hand. “Paimon, you’re, ah…” She didn’t have the audacity to complete her sentence, but Venti quickly clocked what was happening. Paimon was floating above Diluc’s body to see the contents of the basket even before they were fully taken out, almost drooling on his hair. Aether picked her up and took her out of the way, laughing as she protested.

In their midst laid an assortment of delicious foods, from appetisers to desserts:

As appetisers, there was a bowl of fruit salad, with apples, bananas, sunsettias, strawberries… grapes were on a separate plate, no doubt for Diluc’s own enjoyment. Panipuri, something that the Traveler learned how to make in Sumeru, was expertly served around a bowl of green sauce, and the combination of the stuffing with the crispy frying made Venti’s mouth water. From Inazuma, there was a plate with pink Sakura shrimp crackers, where ground sakura petals and shrimp were baked together with mashed potatoes.

Those three dishes alone would be enough to make most people feel full, but there was more. For the main course, there were typical picnic foods like sandwiches with tomato, lettuce, cheese and blazed meats. There was a plate with boiled eggs with filling, another with Fischerman Toast, Garlic bread probably inspired by Fontaine cuisine, and Grapefruit wraps that the Traveler prepared with ingredients brought from Natlan. To finish up the main meal, there were also Tacos, mixing recipes and ingredients from different Nations, and they looked quite tempting, baked with that vegetable filling and dripping with a sauce that Aether himself invented.

Finally, desserts: Venti’s favorite was the apple roly poly, a pastry with a crust so thin and fragrant that they couldn’t wait to get to. There was also pie, and mint jelly, two Mondstadt classics. The Traveler had seemingly taught Diluc and Adelinde how to prepare some desserts from Fontaine, so that they could speed up the work, and that was how they ended with a plate of Bubbler Profiterole, fluffy tiny cakes filled with cream to the point of bursting, that surely would taste like clouds. There was also Chocolate pudding and some buttery biscuits. To balance the excess of sugar, there was a plate of Almond Tofu, that Venti was well familiar with.

And they couldn’t forget drinks, of course! Grape juice for their redhead, a fruity cocktail, and a still-hot drink from Natlan that Aether called Xocoatl.

It was on the verge of being more food than they could eat, but it was important to take into account the presence of Paimon.

Jean sat sideways on the blanket, carefully tucking her knees under the skirt as she bent over to take a small portion of the fruit salad. “You really outdid yourselves. I just wish I was warned in advance to contribute as well - I could have prepared one of my specialty pizzas…”

With a gentle expression, Diluc shook his head. “You already do more than enough for everyone, and we have plenty of food. But I remember your pizzas were great. I confess I miss them.”

The woman chuckled. “Then maybe I can prepare them for you next time. Ah, for us all, I mean”, she rushed to correct, as a faint blush crept up her face.

Venti didn’t try to hide their laugh, and Paimon and the Traveler snickered at the same time.

They were all silent for a moment, too focused on appreciating the meal and deciding on what to try next. It was a comfortable silence, interrupted only by the occasional humming of delighted surprise when they tasted something new, and Paimon’s unabashed praise. The Traveler personally few some of his cooking to Venti, who gladly ate from his hand. The wind told them that Diluc and Jean, although amused at their behavior, were restraining themselves to not do the same and keep presenting a composed demeanor.

Venti had to change that. 

Theatrically, they scooted closer to them, and took a bite of Diluc’s sandwich without ceremony.

The redhead yanked his hand away, barely muting his startled yelp. “Argh, Venti, you-!...” Diluc coughed to stay calm, embarrassed in Jean’s presence. But when she started laughing, he huffed in a quiet laugh too. “You could have asked, you know?”

“Eh-he, it’s more fun this way.” As soon as the playful side of their beloved started showing up, and Diluc threw one of the biscuits into the air in their direction, Venti jumped up to catch it in their mouth.

“Next thing we know, our archon will be doing dog tricks.”

Venti almost choked at the comment. “Hey! I’m not that pathetic!”

“You’re not”, Aether offered in consolation. Then, with a mischievous grin… “Just a little bit.”

They all laughed. 

Sitting in an uneven circle, everything about the atmosphere was relaxed and content: their poses, their expressions, the slowness with which they thought of topics, since they were too distracted gazing at the clouds or getting lost in each other’s eyes. The wind itself partook in the mood, lazily tugging at their hairs and the picnic cloth, and it had to be Barbatos going out of their way to bring near the fragrance of Cecilias. 

Their used plates and cutlery were placed down at random, covered in crumbs, capturing well how formalities were increasingly forgotten. No urgent requests or diplomatic visits could reach them here and, as such, the pressure looming over daily life was absent. 

Venti sat in-between Aether’s legs, accepting his offer to help cool the sweat with some hydro application. The Traveler’s touch was gentle but firm, extra careful when washing their wings, sometimes causing them to shiver at the pleasant sensations.

Their friends were so caring… even if the curse ended, Venti wouldn’t want to go back to a time they missed out on interactions like this.

Once he was done, Aether didn’t push the bard away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around their waist, pulling them closer and resting his chin on their shoulder. Venti was perfectly comfortable like that, letting their wings drape over the hero’s legs.

“I can hardly believe this is where it all began”, Aether mused, looking at the beach down below. “I woke up in Teyvat in there, or at least, that’s what I remember. Paimon was close by, and we eventually started our journey.”

Venti didn’t say anything. Their golden star didn’t remember their actual first meeting, and the god wasn’t about to introduce more confusion, instead letting the others do the talking.

“Paimon is glad we brought you to Mondstadt first too!”, the pixie announced cheerfully, twirling in the air. “We were considered criminals in almost all other Nations, but here, even when we were found stealing the lyre we technically still worked with the Knights.”

“How long ago was that, five years?”, Diluc wondered, looking fondly at their group. “It’s strange to think how quickly everything changed since then. At the time, I only agreed to help because the situation risked Mondstadt’s safety.” He took a slow sip from his juice, lost in thought. “But I have to admit the Knights have become more competent in the meantime.”

Jean nodded, putting a hand to her chest. “We are lucky to have many incredible people in our ranks. And help is always appreciated, Master Diluc, but rest assured that the Knights are preparing for upcoming dangers.”

“So there are dangers on the way”, he repeated, letting her know she just confirmed his suspicions. He then smiled. “And you should give yourself more credit, Jean. Even if you are just the Acting Grandmaster, you have been leading the Knights for many years already.”

She blinked at first, but accepted the quiet praise with a court nod. She too was smiling, albeit mostly to herself, one of her hands sitting timidly between her and Diluc’s body. Slowly, without words, he reached out, covering her hand with his.

Venti’s heart fluttered, seeing how cute they were, but this was not the moment for teasing. Instead, they helped keep the conversation flowing.

“I’m sure our dear Traveler can comment about changes more than any of us”, they said, turning sideways to look at his face. “Changes in the people and the city, but also in his own perspective of Mondstadt. How does it compare to the other Nations? You can be honest, we can take it”, they poked his nose with a giggle.

Aether stared through half-lidded eyes, unimpressed, but still entertained the question. “Frankly? For a Nation of Anemo, there are too few floating islands - even other Nations have more, although I’m aware I still haven’t visited Dorman’s Port. The center of Mondstadt is almost… basic, by comparison to some places I’ve seen, and the conflicts are minimal and petty at worst.”

Diluc snorted lightly. “You can just say it’s boring. I would agree, although it feels good to be back after my own travels.”

“Exactly”, the Traveler said, grinning. “And that is why it’s Home.”

For a heartbeat, time froze, as their group processed his words. Kind, gentle, they rang true, and that was what was moving. Jean and Diluc’s gaze softened almost equally, their care for the Traveler and appreciation for his words easy to read from a glance. 

As for Barbatos, they chuckled quietly, nudging against the Traveler’s shoulder. It wasn’t just the place that made Mondstadt so dear: it was the people, and the culture. But given the personal stakes involved in getting access to this land, and their effort into making it know spring, the god had a special love for it.

Yes, Mondstadt was home.

“Besides, Mondstadt’s secrets lie much deeper than anyone would expect. Things that I thought of as great mysteries at first are now being unveiled to me as if they had no significance at all, dropping at a pace that is frankly disconcerting. Just to reveal that there are more layers to it, and that is also true for the people.” He casually stroked Venti’s back, looking at them. “Even Venti’s Archonhood… that was such a well-guarded secret, and now, everyone knows about it, and nothing changed. But there is still much more to you, isn’t it?”, he pressed, taking revenge and poking their nose in turn.

Venti just gave a loooong sigh, and slid down on his lap. “Well, if I have more secrets, I can’t really go around revealing them.” Their lips remained curved up, but there was a tighter barrier around their group. The god ignored it, and winked. “But since you are so curious, I really hope you can be around to attend this year’s Windblume - who knows, we might need a little help.”

Aether squinted, but his pixie just sounded confused. “During Windblume? But Paimon thought there were no commissions around that time… isn’t that a tradition?”

Jean cleared her throat. “That is correct, since people wish to achieve things through their own effort as part of the themes of the festival. But Barbatos isn’t talking about commissions. In reality… we anticipate some complications caused by Durin’s reawakening, that are under control, but having you around would still be comforting.”

The Traveler smiled. “So the Honorary Knight isn’t absolutely necessary anymore?” Jean was about to apologize, but he didn’t let her. “I’m joking, Jean. Of course I’ll be here.”

He grabbed the last remaining Bubbler cake, eating half in one bite.

Diluc also reached out for desserts - he glanced at the apple rolls, but decided to leave them, possibly in consideration for Venti. He chose pudding instead, and wondered. “Why is it that you came to visit, then? You said you were going to leave soon, and didn’t even warn us of your visit.”

“Well, humm…”

“We are here for the Marvelous Merchant! We couldn’t lose that deal”, Paimon simply declared, unaware of the Traveler’s attempt at putting it more tactfully.

With a mischievous smirk, Venti sat upright on his lap and grabbed his face with one hand, making sure the Traveler couldn’t avoid their provocation. “Oh, so you just came here to make profit? I should probably feel offended that you don’t care for any of us! You don’t even know who he is yet, do you?”

“I didn’t say it was just… wait, what?” Aether’s eyes widened.

“Nothing, eh-he.”

“Tone-deaf bard, you need to stop teasing us!” 

Seeing Paimon stomp, Venti just put their tongue out, thinking they could get away. They were not prepared to see the fairy fly straight to their face to attack them, and so they jumped out of Aether’s lap as fast as they could. The pair wrestled like that for a while, the small god unable to stop cackling at her fury. A corner of their mind vaguely registered how good it felt to laugh with their whole chest so often, but they had other priorities, and had a lot of fun keeping Paimon away, not with their own physical strength, but with strong wind currents. 

“That is… not… fair!” 

Then she got an idea, and stopped fighting the wind. Instead, she dived towards the picnic blanket… and stole the remaining roly poly.

“Wait, not the last-! Aw…” It was gone. 

Venti started looking around, pitifully, until Diluc just sighed and passed him the cocktail as a small comfort. As thanks, Venti briefly hugged his side. One of their feet was touching Jean’s leg, who didn’t pull away, and she seemed to be dozing off a little. 

The angel summoned their lyre, suddenly inspired.

“What would you all say of a few songs?”, they inquired. “For old times’ sake, since I played the Lyre der Himmel right here when summoning Dvalin, remember?”

“Of course we do”, Diluc said.

“I couldn’t forget one of my first adventures in this world”, the Traveler added tenderly. 

Grateful for the welcoming and acknowledgement of the meaning, the bard’s fingers strummed across the strings, starting with their favorite song. A song that transcended time and fate or, at least, the part they dared to capture in simple notes aimed at the human mind. 

They didn’t bring up lyrics - they were content just humming, a gentle melody to accompany the notes, hovering between the worship of a choir boy, the aspiration of a rebel, and the mundanity of a nobody. Their voice could be it all, for they now understood how their identity was a patchwork of the people who crossed paths with them, and they were eagerly shedding the restrictions once self-imposed.

Their audience wasn’t cheering, but the archon could see appreciation in their tranquil faces. Jean leaned against Diluc’s side, and she was making a flower crown, distracted and comforted by her work, reminding Venti of when they first dared to confront Barbara after Barbatos proclamation. The two sisters were more similar than they suspected…. 

Paimon, already tired, was snoring on the picnic blanket, covered by Aether’s cloak who, in turn, was laying sideways on the grass, looking at Venti and trying to keep his eyes open. Coming full circle, Diluc himself stared at the bright horizon, humming the melody so, so quietly, that only the winds could hear. Unbeknown to him, he was singing a duet with an angel, while the angel knew.

In the afternoon stretching on, the bard played another song. And yet another, one for each party, for they were right where they belong.

Their voice dispersed and mingled, with serenity sublime. The angel wished to partake, laying down after one last chime.

Sun warming the bone, in their skin allowed to roam. The wind’s verses fit the present, despite born from an old tome.

The witness’ hair so golden, a waterfall that could blind. Through the angel’s fingers it ran, weaving Fate a strand at a time. 

Two childhood friends stood back, in idle conversation. Their hidden love still strong, head on her lap, they weren’t alone.

He shared a piece of his mind, how he had fallen behind. But keeping up with Monds brought back dawn and daytime.

She revealed familial efforts, actively working on. Keeping her sister informed was the path for restoring their bond.

Laying side-by-side, the moment was kind. At the drifting clouds gazing, wondering about what they would find.

The breeze took their minds along, its arms impossibly long. The humans were cradled by time, in nature feeling at home. 

A god’s whispering, gentle prayer, idly trying to bind. Their souls brought together, soaring high up in the sky.

A dream within a dream, keeping them in a dome. Their hearts about to surrender,

    three, two, one…

With a yawn, the bard sat at the edge of the rock, in the forest near the top of the cliff, next to the Traveler. They were watching the sunset draping over the city, painting it in warm hues. 

However, the purpose of their isolation went beyond pleasantries. They intended to discuss the matters forgotten in their lazy afternoon, while giving some privacy to their two human friends. Paimon was still sleeping where they left her, no longer bound to attach to the Traveler’s side for reasons Venti could only speculate about.

“You know”, the god started calmly, patting the spot at their side to beckon their hero closer. “The way I convinced Jean to come here, at first, was by reminding her that you probably knew a lot about dragons at this point, and could potentially share valuable information in dealing with our Durin problem.”

Aether hummed. “That’s true, and I don’t mind sharing, although I imagine Jean has access to books about that - and honestly, I don’t understand why they aren’t accessible to the public. Sure, I get that not everyone knew before that the Iudex of Fontaine was a Dragon Sovereign, and that concept alone is poorly understood. But what about Saurians? Or even, well, angels, and seelies?”

Venti giggles. “So you do know about all of that! That’s great, although you sound frustrated.”

“Well, yes, I guess”, he twisted his hands on his lap. “I just feel like my journey would have been faster if I had learned these things sooner. Maybe I would have reunited with my sister already, and… look, I get that the Journey has meaning, and I take my role as the witness seriously. I know that, without experiencing some things on my own, I wouldn’t be able to properly grasp certain perspectives. I just wish I could cut some corners.”

They grow so fast… , the god mused, leaning over with a sad smile. They pecked Aether’s cheek, who accepted it without any fuss, just turning to Venti with a resigned expression. 

Looking at the faint glow on his chest and earring, orange and burning, the Anemo Archon pondered on what to do. Perhaps it was time to share more with him, and they had postponed for too long. Perhaps - just perhaps - they should accept that their friends were ready to shoulder some of the secrets of this world and, if those truths were of any comfort, even better.

“There is a story I’ve been meaning to tell you”, they said finally, as the wind nudged them to. “The true story behind Venessa’s legend, the aristocracy of Mondstadt, and some details forgotten by history, amongst other things.”

So they told him everything. How they woke up after one of their long absences, and were shocked by the despair on the winds, who tried to update them but they couldn’t quite believe. Of the horrors they saw while visiting the city in disguise, and the twisting of traditions that had meant so much to their creators. How freedom itself became a dirty word to be abused, and to commit attrocities for.

They told of how they met Venessa, how she refused a chance to flee with them and instead stayed to fight, a hero through and through. They told of how they helped her fight the cheating aristocrats, when they were about to doom her whole clan, who fled from Natlan - from a region that the Traveler had not yet braved, and who had forgotten about their origins, the consequence of all those that left Natlan before the leylines were restored. Their bad luck was probably an extension of that, but since when did Venti accept such unfair Fate? They could never interfere too directly, but they refused to watch suffering without trying to help.

So Venessa founded the Knights, a compromise to Venti’s original ideal of freedom, and a lesson. They also sought out friends capable of constituting the rest of the four winds, like the ghost of a massive wolf, and a rapidly growing Dvalin. And they made sure that none would obey them blindly. They were friends - Venessa certainly became one as well - but they took care of the city in their own way. In her case, until her greatness became something that caught the attention of the Heavenly Envoys.

“And so peace and order was restored to fair Mondstadt, just as I intended when I raised the city after the first wars. My children deserve the joy of songs and dance, and the right to overthrow vile tyrants.”

Their voice lifted, and they started singing, without daring to look at their friend. 

“To defend justice and fight against the odious, flame-haired Venessa founded the Ordo Favonious.
At the end of the saga of flame-haired Venessa, the gods gave her a seat in Holy Celest-”

“Does entering Celestia make you a god?”

Venti grinned at the interruption. Yet this time, the smile didn’t hold.

Lowering their eyes, they wondered how much they could share. “In other, distant worlds, Pangu gave his blood to form the rivers and the sea. The gods sacrificed Purusha and cut his body to pieces, and then fashioned all living beings with those parts. The brain of the giant Ymir became clouds”, they stated plainly, searching for clouds themself to rest their eyes on, in the hopes of obfuscating memories of Venessa’s final trial. “These songs sing of the primordial ones - their sacrifices seeded life in the unliving cosmos.”

At first, they thought their eyes were playing tricks. But a distinct bird cut through the skies and was approaching, as if in vigil: a hawk. It passed right above their heads and, for a moment, Barbatos could swear it stared at them. 

“Venne-?”

It completed the curve, and ascended, flying back to the top of the cliff. Ah. No doubt it headed towards Diluc.

Venti chuckled, watching it fly. “Venessa is still keeping watch over Mondstadt after all these years. Now I wonder if - with all of your feats across the Nations, and the restoration of Natlan’s leylines that connected them to the rest - the world became a little bit stronger.” They smiled at Aether, not feeling the need to explain how they knew and what they sensed. “She always hoped to see that happen.”

Aether smiled back, a second sun. One that wouldn’t burn Venti’s wings if they fled too close.

So Venti did, clinging to him in a hug.

Later, Venti returned to the mansion with Diluc, already used to the regular comforts, and curious to hear extra details from the redhead about their time with Jean. But there were extra reasons…

Barbatos had invitation letters to write.

Chapter Text

Barbatos knew they had a warped sense of time, but how fast the days flew always caught them by surprise.

The Windblume Festival arrived in the blink of an eye, and preparations were at an all-time high. Between helping Jean like they promised, defining how their Archonhood would fit in it, practicing performances to participate in a concert with Barbara, and spending time with the many people they loved… The past month and a half was a sequence of blurry memories.

And yet, at the end, the angel looked back fondly, and toward the future with hope.

He jumped out of bed, radiant and with light steps, knowing well what day it was: Dahlia was finally out and about.

Venti dashed down the stairs and out of the mansion, cloak forgotten as it was often the case now that he was comfortable with showing his wings, looking fully covered. He grabbed an apple on the way to the city and, once arriving, merely waved at people in passage as he ran all the way to the upper levels of the city.

He barely managed to reach the top before his legs started giving out, holding onto the walls while panting. So… many… stairs… If he could fly already, no more chances would be given to this worthy opponent.

Flying… Looking at the sky, Venti spotted the birds dancing in the air, feeling his mouth dry. He hadn’t attempted to fly again since that whole ordeal with Jean - it would be too much. But he tried to include more vigorous flapping in his daily training, albeit without taking off the floor.

He heard unmistakable steps approaching, from the direction of the church, accompanied by an amused laugh. “Someone here seems tired. Did you miss me that much?”

Venti would have retorted, if their smile wasn’t so wide that it hurt.

Before he could think, he just sprinted towards Dahlia, taking flight briefly as he leaped into his arms.

He got to see Dahlia’s widening eyes as the distance between them closed, quickly giving way to two loving ponds. Barbatos’ Herald caught him promptly, wrapping his arms around Venti’s waist and spinning him once in the air, the sensation causing laughter to bubble out of them both. Slightly dizzy, they stopped, hugging each other tightly.

“Of course I missed you! Do you have any idea of how many things happened without you around?”, Venti protested in his ear - that cute, pointy ear… “You should make it up for me!”

“And I solemnly swear that I will”, Dahlia said with a hand on his chest, yet that grin made it clear that he was anything but solemn. Not that Venti wanted him to be serious, it was more fun otherwise. “How do some trips to the tavern sound?”

“Eh-he, wonderful! But can you also spend the whole day with me? I really have a lot to tell you, and my winds couldn’t reach you for so long…” Venti pouted, a hint of sincerity escaping as he clinged to Dahlia’s arm.

The deacon’s gaze softened. “I know, and I’m sorry.” He reached out, cupping Venti’s face with one hand. “I really want to hear everything about you. About your wings, and your new loves… Heh, don’t look so surprised, as soon as I stepped out of my confines, your winds rushed to at least try to give me a grasp of the situation, and they sang of pure elation.”

“Little traitors…”, the bard mumbled under his breath, blowing a current as a petty gesture.

Dahlia chuckled. He just took Venti’s hand in his, something that always came so naturally to them, and they headed out.

For some time, they didn’t talk about anything that should have mattered. Instead, they went around to enjoy the spirit of the festival, assisting the game booths and small fairs being put up, encouraging people and being the first ones to try the varied activities - cheating on occasion, but was that really unfair when both of them did it?

Many citizens were happy to see Dahlia again, and he in turn was quite receptive to the attention - as he should, and Venti thought he deserved it after being isolated for so long. 

A few people seemed to completely forget he was gone in the first place, and were just thrilled to find the kind deacon they could vent to, and ask for advice - even if that advice was imbued with a silliness befitting of the Archon of Freedom, and even if the Archon in question was right there too, not requiring an Herald to communicate his words. Habits were hard to change, huh?

“I’m glad to see people still rely on my trusty Herald to spread my word”, Venti joked, as they finally dragged Dahlia away to see the rest of the city.

“Shh, they don’t have to remember you’re the Archon. Take that chance to experience again what it’s like to be anonymous - I suspect you haven’t had many of those in recent times.”

Venti’s pacing slowed for a moment, as they were hit by his words - or, more specifically, by the care in them. The Archon hadn’t necessarily missed the anonymity, given how Mondstadt’s children accepted his identity so naturally, and yet… the reveal was still a choice that was taken from him. For Dahlia to take the spotlight, and manage to somehow make people ignore the winged bard right behind, it was…

Really sweet, actually. Really… Venti gulped, his core shaking. Tender .

Dahlia, unsurprisingly, noticed his hesitation. He squeezed his hand.

“Would you like to update me on what caused all of this, Venti?” His voice was soft, unhurried. “This is a pretty spot outside the city’s walls, and befitting to carry your feelings to me.”

It was. They had been trying out the games next to the docks, so those and the river were within view, the water offering an expanse of blue where their eyes could rest, dotted with the occasional duck. The trees offered plenty of shade from the sun, their leaves rustling with small, crunchy sounds, mingling with the chirping of the birds. It was fresh, tranquil, and uncrowded - people concentrated around the fair, their voices complementing the backdrop. 

More importantly, what words Barbatos failed to say, the breeze would communicate to their Herald.

Nodding, Venti headed towards one of the trees, sitting down and patting the spot at his side, inviting Dahlia with a renewed smile. Dahlia took that spot, leaving no space between their bodies, as he always did when getting ready for some gossip. The pair kicked their shoes, leaned in, and got comfortable.

“So… what brought all of this?”, the pink-haired man inquired. “Not even I could predict you would just announce your identity as Barbatos, at least not so publicly. I know well you don’t mind if closer people find out, but this? Kind of ruined the fun you used to have making up tales about the Archon, amongst other things. Or…” Something occurred to him, and he grinned. “Maybe not. Maybe now your lies are even more believable, since people wouldn’t dare question Barbatos about their own feats.”

Venti giggled, and bowed slightly. “Thank you for trusting that I can pull it off. Obviously, I still have fun with that from time to time.”

“Hu-hum. You know I have unwavering faith in you”, the Deacon stated simply, once again reminding Barbatos of that truth. “And everyone seems to be dealing well with the reveal, but how did people react at first? While I missed the announcement, a very distressed Barbara that left it halfway came to me to confess her feelings." Venti grimaced, reminded of that moment. "I'm glad you two are on good terms now, but I hope other people didn’t make you stressed.”

“I think I was the one causing stress to myself. Everyone reacted so much better than I expected, and the advantages of having people know almost overcame the disadvantages. And yet, it took an old friend of mine to convince me of that. Zhongli - you know of him.”

“The Geo Archon, right? Yeah, I remember you telling me. I’m glad he was there for you, dearest, but-”

“You might even meet him during this Windblume! I invited all of the Archons!”

“Wait, that’s actually a big deal. However!”, he raised a finger to Venti’s lips, before he could continue blabbering. “You can tell me about that later. You still haven’t answered my first question.”

With a dry chuckle, Venti rested his head on Dahlia’s shoulder. “Well… Celestia didn’t leave me with much wiggle room after putting up a curse.” They felt his friend’s shoulders tense up. “Don’t worry, it’s all under control, beloved”, he said in a reassuring tone, knowing that, with Dahlia, there would be no need to properly introduce the pet name. “The conditions were… interesting.”

“Let me guess, one of them was forcing you to declare you are Barbatos.”

“Ding-ding-ding~! That is correct!”, the bard singsang, getting a smile out of his Herald. “Along with acting in Archon capacity more often, as you will see to an extent very soon. I have a lot planned with Jean.”

Dahlia locked eyes with his god. “Now that you mention, so do I. You know about the upcoming trial, right?”

“And the crimes of our dear Albedo? I do, yes. It’s a shame that our Alchemist committed such atrocities.” He winked.

“Well, during the trial, I will represent the Church and the will of Barbatos, and sit at the judges’ table. Either way, we are getting off-topic. What are the other conditions of the curse?”

Sighing, the angel slid down. “One makes me unable to hide my wings any longer, and the other makes me feel pain if I don’t receive constant physical affection.”

He expected Dahlia to have some sort of reaction, and waited, unsure of what to make of the elongating silence. What he didn’t expect was to see him just… cackle. Not too loudly, and he looked adorable holding his belly and shaking, containing himself as if Venti had just whispered something silly with the wind when he was in a formal setting - it was always entertaining to see him try to regain composure. But the fact that he found his misery amusing was not just perplexing, but weirdly refreshing.

“Oh? You don’t have any pity to spare for me?”, he asked with a smirk.

Dahlia stared at him through lowered eyelids. “What pity? You finally stopped having excuses to hurt yourself and your wings, and instead gained an excuse to cuddle all the time. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!”

“Pfft, you…! Hah.” Venti’s own laugh erupted suddenly, damp, and taking so much air out of his chest that it almost felt like a sob. “You’re right, it’s just-” There was no denying now that it was a sob that assaulted him.

Ah. It had been a while since he felt such thick drops streaming down his face. They practically burned, and the angel whipped them out with a passion. It wasn’t long before Dahlia pulled him into a hug, impossibly close, trying to absorb the god to protect him. 

Dahlia kissed his tears, and stroked his hair and wings without hesitation, as if he had always done so, and was intimately familiar with the motion. He kept cooing, and whispering sweet nothings into Venti’s ear, intertwined with the occasional depth. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t around when you were struggling”, the deacon whispered, rocking with Barbatos in his embrace. 

“I… I’m fine, everyone reacted well, really. My w-wings”, his chest heaved, “are practically healthy now, and I wouldn’t want you to see how ugly they looked back then.”

“I wouldn’t judge you, and I wouldn’t be disappointed. I know why you decided to mingle with humanity, and it was an honorable decision. I just joked that it’s good that you stopped being able to hide them but, in reality, while I’m glad to see them grow healthy, it’s unfair that you didn’t get to make that decision yourself. Celestia disrespected your freedom, and I take that personally.”

The personal vendetta got the bard to giggle, tears already drying. “Thank you, my sweet Herald, you’re exactly the kind of hero I need.”

Dahlia chuckled too, but there was a hint of bitterness in his reply. “I doubt it, but I guess my despise for Celestia is the reason why I was granted such a weak Vision.”

“Regardless, the creative ways in which you use it, to even imitate some of my abilities, makes me proud.”

Dahlia hummed in response to the earnest praise, caressing Venti’s face once again, and they got lost staring at each other with unabashed smiles. “And you make me proud too. Especially after braving so many hardships at once. Crippled wings that you must show to the world, that just learned you should be a supposedly superior-being, while having to navigate asking closeness from them? Now that is courage.”

Venti rolled his eyes, pouting in an attempt to hide their warming face. “You are always pampering me with praise.”

“And I reclaim my right to do so”, Dahlia retorted, without skipping a beat. “I’m your Herald, and your dear friend - if I can’t praise you to the heavens and make you blush, who can?”

With a breathy laugh, Venti lowered his head back into his friend’s chest, sinking once again into his embrace and drowning in his fragrance. His senses were overwhelmed with an aroma of a distant past, and memories that only Dahlia could unbury. 

But he was done with dwelling in sadness. “Hey, at least I wasn’t alone when dealing with my struggles. Like you said, having an excuse to be clingy is pretty convenient for me.”

Dahlia squinted. “Believe me, I’m eager to hear all about that.”

“Ah, but my Deacon, I have so many sins to confess!” Venti declared dramatically, slumping against his body and taking a hand theatrically to his brow. “Are you sure they are befitting for your ears? I wouldn’t want you to be taunted by the images of what I’ve done.”

Dahlia kicked him lightly, but he was laughing. “We both know that the people of Mondatadt confess far worse sins than you ever can, both in terms of morality and lewdness.” Venti smirked, but he just shook his head, his turn to sigh dramatically. “I suppose it’s my duty to listen, relay their words to Barbatos, and forgive them… but my dedication should be worth something. I think from now on I shall start using the pronouns he/hymn.”

Venti squeaked in delight. “That actually fits you very well!”

“My Lord, I know you would be on board but I think the nuns would see that as a mockery of religion itself.” Wriggling out of Venti’s hug, he got up, dusting off his vest before extending a hand. “Let us go to Angel’s Share - the tavern is the real temple of Barbatos, after all.”

Venti couldn’t agree more, taking his hand.

They spent more than one hour sharing stories over drinks, or more precisely, Venti did, pouring their heart out and sharing all the little details that their deacon treasured, from conclusions about relationships, to tales of kissing that left them lightheaded. The interest and investment in their friend’s eyes, without a drop of jealously, only made the angel’s soul soar higher, and that encouraged them to include a couple of made up details - as a test to see if Dahlia could spot them, which he did.

As Venti drank from Dahlia’s cup, drinking from the same spot where his lips had just been, they wondered about what they were to each other. The two of them had always been close, and went far back, knowing everything about each other. Touching and kissing, to an extent that could pass as friendly, was also normalized between them long ago, before Venti had the excuse of the curse to start acting all affectionate towards most people. Yet they suspected that the recent developments would make them share even more.

Staring at the alcohol, Venti contemplated, a small smile in place. The butterflies in their stomach only confirmed they were into that.

“More wine for my friend here!”, Dahlia asked of Charles, raising a hand to catch attention to their table - short as both were, that was very much needed. Glancing at the bard, he muttered: “Something tells me you’ll need it.”

“Aaah, I can’t help it, you guys make me feel so loved and I don’t know how to react anymore”, they lamented pathetically, throwing arms around their Herald. “You are always in my head now.”

With a laugh, Dahlia kissed the crown of their hair, proceeding to make a religious gesture. “Your confession was heard. May Barbatos forgive you for your transgressions”.

Their laughs harmonized, and they kept drinking for two more rounds. 

They sang a duet, then Dahlia pestered Venti for stealing and breaking the cathedral’s lyre, his lyre.

They exchanged some praise, a love language between them, and the occasional teasing.

Once the pair stepped out of the tavern, however, Venti heard a calling on the winds. A bittersweet crisp fragrance, of qingxin, almond tofu, and not-so-sweet dreams. They heard a flute and a cry, the picture of a soul they would always recognize.

I’ll be there , Venti thought, entrusting the winds to carry the message.

They turned to Dahlia, taking both of his hands. “May I change our plans suddenly? The winds are calling me towards Windrise, to meet with a visiting friend from Liyue.”

Dahlia raised an eyebrow. “Is that… Xiao?” Venti nodded, and their Herald smiled. “Of course you can, don’t leave him hanging after one of his rare visits. I won’t go anywhere, so we can be together some other time. Just promise to tell me all the juicy details after.”

“Eh-he, I wouldn’t dare forget that”, the angel promised, taking Dahlia’s hands and kissing his knuckles. They could see a faint blush on the deacon’s face, matching his hair.

Dahlia followed them towards the closest waypoint, since he was aware Venti could use them. After one quick goodbye, the god vanished with the winds.

Under Venessa’s tree, the last Yaksha waited.

Even from a distance, Venti could see a slight tension to his posture, born from years of vigil even as he slept. Just like always, Xiao trailed the line between relaxation and aloofness, and readiness to fight. He was standing beneath the canopy of Venessa’s tree, not quite pacing, but the urge was easy to see from his restless feet.

He also had a little package tucked under his arm, immediately catching the bard’s curiosity.

“Is that for me?”, they asked cheerfully, approaching from behind and hopping into the air to hover briefly.

Xiao said nothing, not even startled, but Venti could see the corners of his lips tilting up as he huffed. 

“It’s a gift”, he confessed quickly, under the pressure of the bard’s gaze. “I wasn’t going to reveal it so soon but, since that’s the first thing you care about…” He shook his head in slight reproach, deeply amusing to the angel. When Venti tried to grab the package, Xiao pulled it away. “Careful, this is fragile.”

“Please, you don’t really think a musician wouldn’t be good with his hands, do you?”

“I- huh… That wasn't what I meant. And not that either”, he protested under his breath, and Venti chuckled when he saw the tips of his ears reddening, making it almost impossible to resist teasing him further. “I just meant you can’t go around shaking the package, and need to open it with care.”

Taking it into their hands, Venti could feel the weight of a small box, wrapped in a tissue-thin paper that was almost too pretty to rip apart. It had a teal background, with wind currents and birds painted in the style of traditional Liyuen art, and Venti opened with as much care as they could. For their surprise and relief, the box inside was painted to match, so they would be able to preserve and count it as part of the gift. The painting was intricate, and the roughness of wood under touch was softened by layers of resin, that would also contribute to prevent the artwork from degrading. The lid had their name written on it - Venti, not Barbatos - with elegant calligraphy.

Sliding it, they found a glazed sandglass pendant, with supports of jade. Instead of sand on the inside, it had flower petals - of qingxing flowers and cecilias.

Holding their breath, Venti picked it up, observing it under the sun. The pendant swayed gently on the breeze, the petals already starting to run out in a marvelous visage, and the angel had to wonder about what meaning it conveyed. Was that meant to connect to their powers and origins? Or was it instead about how their meetings were always short, but they just had to meet again for time to restart? Perhaps they were projecting…

Sensing Xiao’s restlessness, Venti’s expression bloomed into a smile, as they caught his eyes. 

“Don’t stress, my dear Yaksha, I’m not serious because I don’t like it. It’s because I admire this so much, that I forgot to react.” His shoulders visibly lowered after the reassurance, and Venti chuckled, as they wore the pendant around their neck. “I truly love it, and feel like it means a lot, yet can’t pinpoint if you are trying to communicate a specific message.”

Xiao lowered his gaze, but his soft smile held. “Some messages are more intentional than others, but I ended up not settling for anything specific. You can interpret it as you wish. It fits the meaning of the Windblume, right?”

Venti blinked. Melting, they leaned close to him, placing their hands on his chest. 

“Humm. Can I give you a thank you kiss, Xiao?”

Pressing his lips together, Xiao nodded stiffly. “Yes. Ah, will it be…?”

The bard could figure out what he meant from the way he blushed. Grinning, they really had to tease him this time. “You agree first, and only then ask if it's a kiss on the mouth?” Xiao was opening his mouth to protest, but Venti silenced him with a finger. “Just on the corner of the lips. Is that alright?" 

Xiao couldn’t help a smile from spreading, as he nodded again with a shaky laugh, and Venti could tell he was excited. Glad for that reaction, they closed their distance, placing a featherlight kiss on the corner of his still-smiling lips. 

A shudder ran down his spine, and they were hit by a wave of shyness. Amused at that sensation, they kissed again, getting more comfortable and wrapping their arms around Xiao’s shoulder, who reciprocated the hug and sneakily kept Venti in place. 

Pleased, the angel kept going, peppering his face with more kisses without a break: on his chin, jaw, cheek, earlobe, tip of the nose… and yes, more on the corner of the lips. Testing the limits, they made a point of exaggerating the kissing sounds, loud and obnoxious ‘mhua’, until Xiao got fed up with that and pulled at one of his braids. In doing so, he once again kept Venti close, and so they eagerly complied, kissing his soft skin for even longer.

Through it all, Xiao cradled them in his strong arms, juxtaposed with the delicate touches and the smallness of his frame. One of his hands, hesitantly at first, snaked along Venti’s back, on occasion finding their hips and wings. The other played with Venti’s hair, perhaps unconsciously, perhaps not. His fingers would graze his face, just to timidly pull away, digging into Venti’s scalp. 

By impulse, Venti slid their lips down towards his neck, and the Yaksha tilted his head up, giving them more access. Drinking up his lines, the angel took great satisfaction in the way their actions produced small shivers on Xiao, who never once opened his eyes or protested, but let escape a couple of strangled sounds. 

Climbing back up, Venti was about to continue their ministrations, but their beloved caught them by surprise. Holding his wrists, Xiao prevented them from jumping away when he changed the direction of his face. Nuzzling against them, their lips brushed together - just a butterfly touch - and Venti felt the weight of love drop into every limb. 

Then, as if they hadn’t just kissed on the mouth, Xiao returned to his original position, however, he was the one planting kisses on Venti this time.

With a nervous giggle, the god allowed him, humming in contentment when they felt teeth prickling and grazing against their skin. “Don’t bite too hard, General Xiao. I don’t want to show up to the festival with visible marks”, they teased. “Not that it would be unusual for people during Windblume, eh-he.”

They felt the laugh reverberate in Xiao’s chest. “I’m not going to bite you. I was just…” He didn’t finish.

“Oh, so you were just tasting me then?” Venti really couldn’t resist some provocation, and felt rewarded when the Yaksha finally opened his eyes to fulminate him. “That’s a pity, honestly.”

Xiao deadpanned. “I thought you had just asked for a single kiss before.”

“And I thought we had already gone far past tha-ah…!”

Before they could finish their comeback, Xiao dug his teeth on the base of their neck, and the angel scrambled to hold onto him, doing their best to avoid moaning. Shaking, they closed his eyes, adrenaline swelling through every nerve. Then, the Yaksha started liking the bite, caressing the base of their spine, as the angel rested their chin on top of their head and indulged in the sensations. Their physical closeness grew significantly over recent meetings, and far from Venti to protest.

Xiao could probably feel their frenzied heart, but he wouldn’t judge when he felt the same.

When he was content, he pulled Venti into a hug, hiding his face from them as if suddenly ashamed. Despite that, when the god twisted their head to the side to place one last peck on his cheek, Xiao returned the gesture, as they melted together.

“I love you, Xiao-xiao.” The whisper was calm, effortless, simply manifesting the words floating in the breeze. The Yaksha’s breath caught for a moment. Then, he relaxed, tightening the hug.

“I… I love you too, Venti.”

Ah, how the angel’s heart would overflow with happiness, were it not for the hesitation in his voice. “I can sense you have something more to say, my beloved. Concerns, perhaps?”

Xiao hummed. “It’s easy for me to forget my duties and burdens when at this place. The ancient magic of the tree makes me relax and, after visiting you here multiple times, I am starting to feel more confident. And yet, I’m afraid that wouldn’t translate well to visits to the city, and that I wouldn’t be a good match for you.”

While Barbatos disagreed, they couldn’t simply brush his concerns under the rug, and sound dismissive. With a sigh, they thought of how to convey their opinion. “I know enough about you to know you won’t attend every festival I participate in, and I respect your time and your past. Although I would love for you to experience more of my world, that was never in the way of my feelings for you. Why would that be any different now?”

“Because… you have many more people in your life that would make great partners. Even if you don’t want a traditional relationship, or picking a single person to love - as you told me before - they are still more present in your life than I am.”

Venti held his face in their hands, meeting his eyes. “Tell me something, my dear Yaksha: are you jealous?”

“I am not”, he stated plainly, and the words rang true. “I wouldn’t want to restrict the god of Freedom, or make you unhappy because of limitations. More than that, I know you wouldn’t claim to love me if it wasn’t true. Regardless, my conclusions aren’t driven by jealously.”

“I would like to understand, then. You don’t feel inferior to other people close to me either, do you?”

“Not inferior, just… more limited. I have grown more comfortable interacting with people and society over the years, and perhaps I will keep learning, but there’s no denying we are very different in that regard. I wish I could reciprocate your feelings without that taint, but… I need time.”

“Hmm. Was that on your mind when you looked at the sandglass pendant?”

Xiao blinked, caught. His gentle smile had a longing to it, woven with gratefulness. “It was.”

The god leaned forward, turning his face slightly to the side so that their noses wouldn’t be on the way, as they approached Xiao’s mouth. Their eyelids lowered, fluttered, as they got lost in the Yaksha’s amber eyes, before he nodded subtly in confirmation. 

Venti closed the distance between them, softly locking lips with Xiao. They eased into each other, fitting perfectly, and sighing into the kiss. The taste of apple cider mingled with almond tofu, a taste of domesticity and the mundane, that not even the Liyuen warrior could escape - no matter what he believed about himself. Their bodies reflected the kiss, tangled with each other, hands traveling along as the pressure amplified to a dizzying degree. The birds chirped, and the low humming from the tree purified their souls, allowing them to forget any worries, and be fully present.

In that moment, they were wholly left at the care of each other, to protect and devour. Their feelings came from admiration, trust, and a deep-seated longing. Finally, they belonged together.

Deepening the kiss, Venti could only unravel in adoration.

Their breathing was heavy when they finally stopped, and it took them a while to fully let go. Red-faced, they were both smiling regardless.

“Happy…-”

Barbatos sensed something.

A dark, twisted hunger came from Dragonspine. Whirling to face in that direction, the archon almost called upon the winds to check on it, mirroring the way Xiao summoned his spear, but it subsided in an instant. Durin is more awake than I expected.

“Should I help deal with this threat? There’s something corrupt in there”, the Yaksha said through gritted teeth.

Barbatos couldn’t resist rolling their eyes. “Believe me, I’m well aware. If the worst comes to pass, different measures will have to be taken, but me and the Knights have plans. Even the Traveler will be around.”

“All the more reason to remember me in times of need - he has the ability to call me.”

Accepting the offer, Venti nodded. “Alright. But do not worry, my dear Yaksha. Mondstadt can deal with its own threats and, if possible, I wish to deal with them more kindly. Durin is but a child, who suffered too unfair fate.”

Xiao nodded. After a second, he reinstated his smile. “Happy Windblume, Venti. It’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it?”

“Eh-he, it was! And soon I need to… wait.” Gears turned on their head. “Oh. Oh, I need to go now, I need to be part of the opening ceremony and I’m not even dressed yet!” Fretting, Venti started to dart away before indecision shackled their steps, and they turned to a bewildered Xiao. “I’m really sorry, I can’t be late this year! Celestia would be pissed at me…”

Huffind, Xiao crossed his arms, but the disappointment was cut off by that smirk. “Of course, I understand. Go, Barbatos, you shouldn’t neglect your duties, and I must return to mine.”

By impulse, Venti ran back to Xiao, to place a clumsy last kiss against his jaw. Only then did they run off, not even giving his Yaksha time to react.

In the thrill of the moment, they used the current to let Dahlia know they were on the way but, more importantly, how euphoric they were. They bet the winds were trying to share some details already, and that the deacon was doing his best to stay composed in the middle of his tasks. 

Touching the nearest waypoint, Venti connected with the Leylines, becoming one with the wind.

The curse from Celestia demanded that Barbatos, when acting in official capacity, was garbed in the Archon outfit.

They obeyed… but that didn’t stop them from wearing other things on top. No, they didn’t just present as a typical bard disguising their garments completely - they embraced it instead, knowing well how the children of Mondstadt were curious to see what their Archon could look like on special occasions. They also embraced the androgynous nature of Barbatos, including elements even more feminine-looking than the usual, while adopting the aesthetics of the Cathedral.

The main piece was a white and teal dress, with layers reminiscent of wedding dresses, parted at the front to expose the shorts underneath. Their glowing markings remained uncovered, a triangular opening on their chest and one exposed tight, while the other was covered in a white stocking, with a band matching the stained-glass window patterns from the sleeves. Their shoulders and feet were exposed, as was their back, from where the wings sprouted. One of their braids was gathered in the back of their head in a bun, with a Cecilia pin keeping it in place, and the wings themselves were adorned with flowers, patching the poorly-healed spots. Bird and flower pins were attached to several points of their head and outfit, along with some pearls, completing the look. They were even wearing some makeup: just a light blush, and something to accentuate their eyelashes.

The nuns and priests took great pleasure in helping Barbatos get ready, and funding the expensive set. In the words of one, their god was the entire wedding: the groom, the bride, the flower girl and the cathedral itself. Everyone laughed at that, while Dahlia expressed his full approval - both at the comment, and at the outfit.

Chuckling at the memory, Venti glanced at the crowd. While the god was not on stage yet, people were already noticing them, slowly puzzling over the fact that yes, they were the silly Archon that typically dressed like any bard. Their excitement was leaving them jittery, and the butterflies in their stomach were getting harder to ignore.

Jean was just finishing her opening speech.

“...and wish you all a Happy Windblume Festival. Now, let us welcome Lord Barbatos themselves.” There was their cue.

Gulping, Barbatos approached the dais, hesitating before stepping up. They loved the stage and the attention that came with it, and it was their own idea to look so dashing, taking the reins from Celestia. The citizens also had months to process the fact that Venti and Barbatos were the same entity, and were there as friends, not worshippers.

They knew that. So why was anxiety pooling in their body?

Before they realized, Jean had extended a hand, paired with a smile. Silently grateful, Barbatos reciprocated, taking it and joining her on stage.

Under the gaze of familiar faces, looking impressed, Venti finally felt a surge of pride. 

There was Kaeya, with Klee sitting on his shoulders. Albedo had just waved at him, while joining Sucrose in heading to the front of the crowd, since they were too short to see properly from the back. Diluc was doing his best to remain composed under Lisa’s teasing, both looking between the god and the knightly woman on the dais. Fischl, Bennet and Razor were talking together, with Oz as a translator. Amber and Eula were holding hands, Amber speaking excitedly while Eula was focused on nodding and agreeing with everything she said. Diona was hissing at someone, although Venti could only listen to her, not spot her - but judging from the way Mika apologized and Noelle chuckled, perhaps it was at him. Mona was shaking her purse in frustration, probably realizing she had spent all of her spare money and wouldn’t get to participate in the activities. 

The Church members delineated the sides of the dais, and Rosaria, Dahlia and Barbara were all in ceremonial robes, still fitting their personalities, but wearing them with very different attitudes. The Knights in service surrounded the area.

The god also spotted a familiar slender figure on top of the tower to the side of the plaza, watchful and interested. Amused, they let the winds tell their beloved that he was found. “ I recall you saying something about attending to your duties, General Xiao. But since you’re here, I hope you like what you see. Stay at least until the end of my first performance, will you?” , they communicated fondly.

Driven by improvisation, Barbatos summoned their lyre, running fingers delicately across the strings. They played the start of their favorite ballad, that eternal song intrinsic to this world, capturing everyone’s attention.

“My friends! Thank you all for coming - my heart swells with joy seeing that the winds brought you here.” They bowed, making a point of raising the skirt in a Fontaine-style greeting for dramatic effect. “You already know what the festival is for: Let the lyres ring, let the dancers spin, and let the breeze carry every wish you dare to make. If you need love and poetry advice, I am keeping my role as advisor, as long as the payment flows as usual: drinks and apples, thank you very much!” The crowd laughed. “And if you spot me with cider in one hand and a bouquet in the other… worry not, I’m simply multitasking as your ever-devoted Archon.”

The jokes were contagious, and Venti quickly found themself laughing along with everyone else. The breeze, pleasant, brought the aroma of spring, calming their senses. Perhaps it was time to be a little sappy, and move on to the rest of the speech.

“I don’t want to bore you with a preachy speech that drags on. Although I must admit that, now that you know that I’m Barbatos, I can hardly pass up the chance to describe how much this festival means to me. I have seen the Windblumes shift from a symbol of rebellion, in the times of Old Mondstadt”, they glanced at Dahlia, “into the symbol of love it is today. Mondstadt’s history is grandiose and full of twists, and I get a little emotional thinking of all that has changed.”

The crowd was silent for the most part, in a sign of respect, perhaps, and introspection. The murmurs that could be heard were mostly in acknowledgment, and expressions of gratitude for the Freedom they got to experience in the present, along with happiness for the new meaning of the symbol. 

And Barbatos was thankful, of course - but they also didn’t want to bring down the mood, so they just put their hands on their hips. “Now… don’t abuse my knowledge to ask me what the Windblume Flower really is”, they said with a wink, getting people to laugh again. “It’s worth more if you come up with your own interpretations, and I look forward to see them.”

The god stepped back to pass the word to the Acting Grandmaster, but she cleared her throat, acting suspiciously. Under their inquisitive eyebrow, Jean explained to them and the crowd in tandem: “About that, well… Lord Barbatos - Venti”, she called, her words and gaze honeyed. “You might still need to share your own preference for that flower. This year, you were chosen as the Windblume Star.” Venti blinked, eyes widening. “Your efforts, and what you went through in recent times, were meaningful, and I’m sure everyone would agree to recognize you for what you represent and have done for Mondstadt, and for who you are as well - both Archon, and bard.”

Her declaration was met with an ovation, clapping and loud agreements. Unsure of how to react at first, the god eventually concluded they were happy for the gesture, if the fuzzy feelings were anything to go by. Outwardly, however, they decided to pout:

“Hey hey, I wasn’t told about this! Even the winds kept it a secret from their god, hum?” Their little tantrum was clearly amusing for people, as they wanted, and Venti leaned into the goofy moment even further. “But I shall accept - it’s almost as if this festival is made for me”, they joked, giving the crowd some time to laugh before turning to them properly. As the chuckles died down, the Archon put a hand to his chest, letting their tone and eyes convey their sincerity. “I am grateful for the recognition, truly, but I must thank all of you. The past months would have been much harder if not for the people around me, and I’m proud of the children of Mondstadt. As thanks”, they smirked fondly, “you can expect a surprise song on the last day of the festival.”

Exchanging a glance with Albedo, the alchemist nodded. A certain turn of events would need more than just the fireworks to keep people distracted, and the powers of Venti’s music would surely be able to entrap the city’s attention.

From the corner of their eye, the god noticed Jean looking between them, well aware of what transpired. But she was skilled at remaining professional, and making use of what they said, taking the spotlight again for a brief statement. “Speaking of song, this is a good moment to transition to the rest of the opening ceremony. Please welcome the performances of the Church - starting with the Favonious Chorus.”

The pair smiled, and each left through a different side, as the nuns took the stage.

Save for Rosaria, their crystal-clear voices emanated purity and faith, their hymn reaching the skies. Rising in waves as they sang distinct parts, with Dahlia, one of the few masculine figures, singing alone and elevating above the chorus. The melody was solemn yet uplifting, a reverent nod to tradition that stilled the crowd into awed silence, heads bowed. It was a blessing on the days to come: tranquil, holy, and filled with light. Venti, as their markings tingled, had mixed feelings about it. But they knew what it meant to the people, especially those who joined their hands in silent prayer.

When the number was over, the crowd held faith in their breaths, and hope in their eyes. Given the battles soon to transpire, the god welcomed it, and hoped it would help those caught by surprise to carry through and avoid despair.

As the nuns left the stage, only the Deacon remained.

Without hesitation this time, Venti took the stage with lyre in hand, standing at his side. Had people not yet seen the similarities between God and Herald, that was certainly clicking now: their outgoing personalities, juxtaposed with unconventional wisdom and layered with a serious, serene, and elegant side… it only made their synergy more striking. They were two branches from the same tree, in more ways than anyone would ever know.

Though they hadn't rehearsed prior, their performances flowed together with ease. They sang an ancient melody from the days of Old Mondstadt, Venti playing with a lost technique that most bards wouldn’t dare to try to comprehend, while Dahlia, the main singer, expertly sang in that old tongue. While close to none in the crowd understood the lyrics, something in the tone - mournful yet tender - stirred the heart. Their voices wrapped around one another like petals on the breeze, and for a fleeting moment, time itself seemed to pause in remembrance.

Venti closed their eyes. They could almost see those long-gone days…

After the last note rang, the crowd took some moments to recover. Even Jean was wiping her eyes, and her sister, who had just reached her side after quickly changing clothes in the Cathedral, was frozen in place. Eventually, they all rose from their trance, and clapped loudly.

Deacon and angel looked at each other briefly, with moved smiles that they couldn’t dwell on. Not yet.

As Dahlia left the stage and checked in on the Deaconess, Barbara nodded vigorously, shaking her head to become more alert. She was about to slap herself, stopped only by Jean and her colleague. Her older sister offered some words that the winds brought to Venti, of encouragement and affection, and the smaller girl smiled, preparing herself. 

She sported an idol outfit, with a skirt above her knees layered in different shades of blue, and with lots of frills and ribbons. She wore cute shorts below, a sleeveless top, and a big bow around her waist whose ends were so long, that they made her silhouette more interesting. Her detached puffy sleeves had frills that matched the skirt, and the rest of her arms were decorated with lacthat would accompany her movement as she danced. She had chunky shoes with a bow on top, and stockings until the middle of her tights, fastened with accessorized belts. It was rare for her to look like that in public, since concerts tended to be indoors, but she definitely looked comfortable, treating the costume like a second skin. Venti would always appreciate how multifaceted the children of Mondstadt were, and how even their own followers didn’t hesitate in breaking away from tradition, in their own ways.

A few background musicians were ready. She climbed the dais, flashing an excited smile at the god-bard, who chuckled. 

“Performing at my side doesn’t annoy you anymore?”, they teased.

“Of course not, you know that!”, she ushered, finally turning to the crowd to do what she did best. “Ta-da~ Barbara is here!” She did that pose with her hand as she hopped, and some excited shouts were heard, along with whistling. “Everyone, I hope you are having a great time. Let the show begin!”

Prior to Barbatos’ revelation, Venti and Barbara had a certain admiration for each other, but weren’t at all in sync: their different ideologies kept them apart, and they couldn’t sing each other’s music. Recently, after things changed, they found a way to meet in the middle, and the pair was eager to showcase the spectacle they had practiced for days, combining the best of both.

The melody had an infectious energy, and the crowd cheered on. The lyrics were catchy, while leaving room for a few elaborate passages with complicated chords, that lasted for just a few moments before mingling back into the main modern melody. They were dancing together, and Venti laughed as they struck a pose back to back, their voices joining under the roaring of the public. Even their wings managed to move enough to keep up, making the movements more interesting to watch.

Clap, dance, hop, turn, Venti was having a lot of fun. 

The rhythm was more complex than it looked on the surface, but since the public didn’t have to keep up with the two of them, they could just follow the simpler beats, dancing and jumping along and singing the main verses. Even the most reserved amongst the crowd couldn’t stop themselves from tapping their feet to the upbeat cadence. Life was pulsing in the plaza, bouncing all over, and it was a joy to be on stage in a moment like this. 

The god looked at their deaconess, sharing a smile as bright as their song. 

They sang the last notes, posing together, raising their arms in unison. The crowd shouted louder, ready to take on the festival.

On top of the tower, the Yaksha who stood there until the end crossed his arms, and Venti’s heart beat faster. With his curiosity satisfied, he evaporated into the air, carrying the spirit of Windblume with him. The angel didn’t mind - they were already thankful for their presence for so long, and they were sure that, right before he left, Xiao was smiling too.

Venti truly didn’t know what to do with so much love, but they would never, ever, complain of having their chest filled to the brim with such unbridled joy.

Everyone had time for themselves and for those they cherished. 

As such, the bard spent a while talking to the citizens who stayed around, offering strongly sought romantic advice. Many people had noticed how he had gotten closer to several gentlemen of Mondstadt, and didn’t hesitate to tease him for it, claiming he finally had enough experience to back the advice he gave. The bard was able to partake in the jokes just fine most of the time, but a couple of comments left him a blushing mess.

Kaeya came for another edition of poetry lessons, just to poke fun at him, until the captain finally decided to be merciful.

Rescuing him from the masses, he made a tempting suggestion. “Want to go to Angel’s Share while it’s empty? Diluc hasn’t opened it yet, but I have spare keys.”

“Oh, eh-he, good to know! I had no idea about that”, Venti remarked, ideas already coming to mind before he realized something. “But why isn’t it open yet? I know Diluc left a few days before his birthday, and had a lot to catch up on since he arrived, but he was at the opening ceremony.”

“Then perhaps he is following the advice of the local god of love, no?” Kaeya grinned. “You did suggest that he invest some time on 'repairing bridges' and rekindling old relationships.”

As they turned a corner, the pair got exactly the confirmation they needed. Lisa was giggling while covering Jean’s eyes from behind, guiding her forward, toward a familiar redhead who was particularly well-dressed. Venti exchanged a glance with Kaeya, and they snickered, happy for their friends. 

They crossed the plaza, through the many shops, including the florist, where Donna was sighing. That particular fact wasn’t surprising, but what she said next as they approached was a little puzzling.

“Where can I find a truly fascinating man…?”, she wondered out loud, as always caught in her own head. Venti had to search their mind to be sure - Doesn’t she fancy Diluc? As soon as the winds started gossiping with a reply, he found it hard to believe. “Humm, is that… Captain Kaeya? Now that I look at him, he is exactly my type. How come I never felt this way?”

Venti halted, part shocked, part entertained, and Kaeya slowed down too. She actually just said that to his face, hum?

Regaining composure quickly, Kaeya approached her, with the calm of someone used to rejecting others politely while also knowing how to stay on good terms, even getting some information out of them - at least, that was what the god expected him to do.

He put his hands on his hips, smiling politely at her. “I'm flattered, Miss Donna. Although, I do wonder whether that was intended for outside ears”, he teased lightly.

That was all it took for her to realize what happened, blushing profusely. “Oh, no. Of course not, I… I’m sorry, Captain. Just pretend I didn’t say anything”, she waved a hand dismissively. “And, hum… have a Happy Windblume!”

“I intend to, my dear”, he practically purred. “But first, a question, if you don’t mind. Why the sudden change of heart?” There it was. “I was under the impression Master Diluc was the object of your affections…”

“So, you knew about that… Well, Master Diluc came into the city not too long ago, but when I saw him, it was like the butterflies just weren’t there anymore.” She shook her head. “If I had to compare it to something, it would be… like waking up and realizing you’re married to a man you don’t love.” Venti bit his tongue at the forceful comparison. He had some sympathy for the girl, and the dramatic metaphor was effective, but the fact that she never attempted to become a poet was for the best - although everyone was able to learn. “But then, I saw you, and it wasn’t that something was different about you. I can’t really explain it. It was just… a feeling!”

Kaeya’s smile was soft. “I understand, and I’m happy that I was able to bring back the butterflies.” The rejection was clear, but kind. “I need to see to some business, so I’ll take my leave, but have a Happy Windblume too.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

By ‘business’, he meant their plan was still up, and Venti trotted to catch up with him to continue their quest to the tavern.

Kaeya unlocked it, and let the bard in before locking it again, since they weren’t supposed to let patrons arrive. 

Without clientele, the place was wrapped in silence, simultaneously lacking and exuding familiarity - on one hand, it had nothing to do with the ambience in which Venti tended to perform, but on the other, it hit him with a memory from a few months ago. Of when he had just revealed his Barbatos identity, got drunk, Kaeya and Diluc carried him upstairs… then, in the following morning, he descended to the quietude and received abundant care from the redhead in a domestic setting. 

In other words, this was Venti’s chance for respite. The calm before the storm. 

Kaeya started pouring drinks for both of them - no Death After Noon for him, which Venti suspected was because of the job he would have to attend soon enough. Dandelion Wine would have to do for now, so they clinked their glasses, and sipped their drinks in the quietude.

As their drinks neared the end, and they felt replenished, the Captain finally broke the silence. Slouching, he rested his head on a hand, turning to the angel. “So, how is the city of romance treating you today, and your curse? Have you already gotten enough affection?”

Venti was unable to suppress a chuckle, as images of the hours prior resurfaced. “Oh, I have, actually. Want to guess from whom?”

Kaeya went along, humming pensively. “You and your herald bestie have spent some time together, or so I heard, but since Dahlia just reappeared, I am assuming it wasn’t him yet ”, he noted. “Diluc was too preoccupied with business at first, and now he has other people around. Albedo was with me and Klee, the Traveler hasn’t arrived yet… And I heard there are some women you are close to outside of Mondstadt, but here, I can only think of Jean, and I don’t think she would give you the kind of affection I was referring to. As for Rosaria, she has more interest in stalking twinks than in dating them.”

“All correct so far”, Venti said with a finger raised, downing the rest of his drink. “Actually, I’m being a little mean, you probably can’t gue-”

“No, no, I got it - it’s Donna!” Now that was outrageous! Venti was about to protest when Kaeya just cackled. “You should have seen your face… I was just joking, of course. However, I spotted a short man on top of the bell tower - with some Liyuen traits, I believe. You also looked at him multiple times.” Venti felt his own eyebrows raise, and the Captain’s grin spread. “So, that’s my answer. May I know his name?”

“He is… Xiao”, he shared, suddenly timidly, as if Xiao could hear his own name in the wind if Venti merely uttered it. “A General, and the last surviving Yaksha, although his titles are not what matter to me.”

“I can imagine. If I were to assume that the pendant you wear is from him, then he seems to have an eye for elegance and subtlety.”

Venti rolled his eyes at the sappiness. “Here I am clad in fancy garments and accessories, and you still managed to notice how the style of this pendant is distinct. I think the one with an eye for subtlety is you, Kaeya.”

The sigh that followed was slightly melancholic, even resigned. “...I have to agree”, he said, the double meaning about his eye implied. But the man simply ended up straightening and reaching for Venti’s single loose braid. “Let’s not talk about boring matters. Is your quota of love filled for today, or would you like some more attention? I’ll admit, that dress is not doing any favors in keeping my mind away from you.”

Venti smirked at him. “Smooth talker…” Without much pondering, the god decided to reply with actions. He simply got up, and sat sideways on Kaeya’s lap, who only hesitated for a couple of seconds before running a hand up his exposed tight, massaging the area. Venti’s body immediately reacted to the pleasant sensation, and he squirmed a little, leaning against the man’s chest. “Is this enough of a reply?”

Kaeya’s humming of approval resulted in a low rumble that the angel could feel. “Shall we share another drink? Or something more?”

Venti’s resolution wavered briefly, but he was determined to be confident today. Besides, it was Windblume. There was no better time to embrace romance. “Why not both?”

Kaeya raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” His stare was provocative, insufferable like always, but Barbatos refused to give up under scrutiny - especially to him, in part because he enjoyed their silent battles of wits and veiled meanings.

Seemingly satisfied, the man uncorked the second bottle he had put on the table in advance, pouring it into his glass as he spoke absent-mindedly. “In that case, I’m sure the Archon of Freedom would say something if they changed their mind, and wanted me to stop.” It was a clear consideration for consent, and an affirmation to respect Venti’s wishes. 

Trusting him fully, Venti nodded, too nervous to trust his own voice. Guess Donna is not the only one who feels butterflies in her stomach… , he mused.

Kaeya took a swig. Placing the glass down, he bent over, capturing Venti’s mouth in a swift movement.

Then, as Kaeya forced his lips to part, Venti realized: he still had wine in his mouth, making the angel drink. Something contorted in his stomach, and his heart rate sped up as he gulped it down, registering only how hot the whole thing was. It was quite a way of doing “both”...

Their kiss halted for a few moments to let them breathe, as they stared into each other’s trembling eyes. Kaeya’s breathing was heavy, and Venti was no different, head clouded. Wrapping his arms around the man’s shoulder, he pulled him close, and they dove for another kiss.

The makeout session lasted for a few minutes, as the pair indulged. Amongst the several people Venti kissed, Kaeya was the only one who was comfortable taking things this far and, while the god wasn’t always in the mood… sometimes, he gave in to the urges.

The Captain’s magnetism definitely played a part.

But there was more that made him feel such desires. Not just because of the curse, no, although he still wasn’t sure if the strong sensations and the dizziness were amplified by that. It was simply nice to put any worries to the side and focus slowly on sensations: the hands caressing his legs and back, fingers digging into his skin, lips dancing against his own… even the fact that he couldn’t stop moving and didn’t know what to do with his hands, given how complicated Kaeya’s outfit was, was frustratingly amusing. His wings would flutter involuntarily at times, and he caught himself moaning lightly into the kiss more than once. It was a little embarrassing, but Barbatos wasn’t one to be bogged down by shame.

They were interrupted by the sound of keys in the lock. 

When the door opened, Venti had already leapt out of Kaeya’s lap, but Diluc still froze on the spot, undoubtedly taking in how flustered they looked and what that meant. Dahlia was right behind, also stopping on the doorway, but his reaction was simply an entertained giggle. 

With a long sigh, the tavern owner simply turned around, put up the ‘open’ sign, closed the door, and headed toward the counter to start preparing for his shift.

“You didn’t have to do it in my tavern”, he muttered as he passed them. 

The tension dissipated, and Kaeya and Venti exchanged a glance, pursing their lips to not laugh out loud. “Do what, ‘Luc?”, Kaeya asked, getting only a grunt in response.

When Dahlia sat at the counter, taking the seat beside Venti, the god dared to stick out his tongue and wink, leaving him to think whatever he wanted. Dahlia’s receptiveness to anything he did was utter relief, and this time his reaction was no different, just opening his arms and welcoming Venti into a hug - besides providing stability when the angel was still light-headed. 

Kaeya leaned towards Venti, asking in his ear. “Just to check, are you feeling alright? Was it too intense?”, he whispered.

Venti shook his head, smiling peacefully. “It was intense, but not too much. Makes me feel inebriated, but I obviously love that.”

“Inebriated, huh?”, Dahlia wondered, obviously able to catch anything they said. “I’m almost tempted to try it too.”

Diluc was having none of that. “Please save those kinds of discussions to have in private. I already dealt with Lisa teasing me and Jean for a while, I don’t need any more talks about physical interactions today”, he stated plainly.

Venti almost pitied him, but that was ruined when he saw Kaeya mocking the ‘physical interactions’ choice of words with his hand behind the redhead’s back. He and Dahlia snickered.

But Kaeya still cared for the redhead, getting a little more serious. “Sincerely, Diluc, if you reject this kind of talk during Windblume, you might want to leave bartending to Charles. The clients will start showing up soon, and they will have their own romantic tales to boast or complain about.”

“I know that, but at least they are not making out in my tavern, where they entered when it should be closed ”, the man pointed out, placing down Dahlia’s favorite drink out of habit. Meanwhile, when Kaeya tried to reach out for his bottle, Diluc just grabbed it and took it away, ignoring the Captain’s disappointed expression.

“Aw, come on, it’s already open!” The redhead wasn’t swayed, so Kaeya changed tactics. “Hah, let me guess, you’re jealous and taking it out on me. I got to kiss our lovely bard first, and now, not even Donna likes you, concluding that I’m the best of the two of us. Must be a deep cut.”

“It’s not, but even if it was, at least I still have horses.”

“That’s a good point”, Venti chimed in, more interested in sewing chaos than in pointing out the flawed comparison. 

He got the impression that the Captain’s sulking was genuine this time.

Their banter continued, casual and personal. People were still busy trying out the many activities available, so clients were few and far between at this hour, with many even just asking for a drink that they could take outside to enjoy alongside spring. That granted some privacy to their group, so they made good use of it, helping Dahlia catch up on everything he missed for the past months.

Between the promise to share details with the deacon, and Kaeya’s previous guessing, he ended up revealing what really transpired with Xiao, contextualizing their history together for those who didn’t know it. Diluc didn’t have much to comment on, just a couple of questions, but he was clearly as curious as the other two. However, Venti couldn’t help but sense some reluctance on his part. Could he really be…? No. He wasn’t jealous, just had the face of someone whose pride was stabbed.

“I can’t say that your romantic adventures surprise me, given what you told me before”, Dahlia started, interrupting the bard’s thoughts, “but learning of all the changes at once, now that I’m around, is still a bit shocking. You’re the same as always, but more radiant than before, Venti.”

Blinking, the angel turned to their Herald. When Dahlia stated things like that, and held their gaze, they usually meant it. “Is it that noticeable?”, they had to ask.

“To me, at least, it is. You are my god, so you were always radiant to me, and your happiness was clear even before. However, the way your identities were kept apart toned it down. You were often melancholic or burdened by your secrets, and I couldn’t relieve you from that weight by myself.”

The cadence of his voice rang in Barbatos’ ears, laced with a concern that made them feel thorn. They weren’t surprised that Dahlia cared for their well-being - that was what friends did - but it still made them feel like they deserved some reassurance.

The god brought a hand to their chest. “You shouldn’t have to. You’re no worse for failing at the impossible.”

“Perhaps, but it still gladdens me to see people get a glimpse of your true worth”, he uttered with a smile, mirroring their gesture.

Their group was silent for a heartbeat, letting the solemnity settle. 

The tavern was tranquil, no taut tension about to break. The subdued conversations of a couple of patrons were mere murmurs in the background, since only those who enjoyed serenity would choose to avoid the festival at this hour. The candelabrum, with flickering candles, conferred a tentative warmth to the room, and their bartender spent the silence busying himself with work: polishing surfaces, cleaning mugs, preparing what he needed to get meals and snacks ready once more clients arrived. The methodical approach was almost hypnotizing, and Venti found themself lulled by it, squished comfortably between their friends while perusing through barely-formed thoughts.

Kaeya yawned, breaking the silence. “I will have to agree with our deacon here. You might not realize, Venti, but even when drunk, people can tell how much happier you are”, he noted. “Your smiles were always genuine, but your wings definitely make you more expressive. Seeing you move them, even involuntarily, is rather cute.”

Their…? “Wait, what do you mean?” They were intrigued, but also feared learning of how much they gave away unconsciously. 

Diluc placed a small bowl with crackers for the group to share, entirely for free. “It’s a recent development, since you just regained mobility, so maybe you haven’t realized”, he explained. “It’s not just when you’re happy. Sometimes, when you are blushing, your wings curve a bit closer to your face, as if you wanted to hide it. When you dislike something, are discouraged or angry, it’s not just your shoulders that slump, but your wings too.”

“Even I have noticed that in my short time with you”, Dahlia added, taking one of the crackers. “You also move them up and down when you’re agitated or uncertain. See, you’re doing it again.”

“I am?”, they glanced back. Seeing their wings move, it was as if something rewired in their brain, and they suddenly started feeling the muscles pulling with the movement. “Oh! Eh-he, ups. That’s a little embarrassing. And it’s going to make it even harder to lie…”

Diluc turned around, but the smile he tried to hide didn’t escape the bard. Endeared, they left their seat, paddling around the counter to join his side. Making sure no clients were too close to warrant shyness, Venti was satisfied, and took the man’s hands in theirs.

That caught his attention, so the smaller took the chance to tease. “I saw your smile - you think I’m adorable too, don’t you?”

“When you’re not being a nuisance, sure”, he retorted fondly.

“Aw, fine, I’ll take that”, they fake-protested, clinging to his side. “Humm… What do you think of my dress?”

Allowing himself to stare properly, Diluc took the appraisal seriously. “It’s very well crafted, and clearly uses high-quality materials.” When he seemed inclined to stop there, Venti raised an eyebrow, and watched as his face slowly blended with the color of his hair. “And… it looks very good on you. Too grandiose for daily life, and it looks almost like a wedding dress. But on special occasions like this one, and given how you are the Windblume Star, it’s fitting. You should dress up more often.”

Venti chuckled. “I think I will, especially since the nuns jumped at the opportunity to contribute to the design. Although this is quite cumbersome to use, you know?” To demonstrate, they pulled one of the strings from below their body, stuck there and already starting to entangle with other parts. “I can’t wait to go back to simpler clothes tomorrow, and only wear this again on the last day of the festival. But it was a great way to satisfy Celestia, while doing it on my own terms - I should really thank Jean and the Church for all the help.”

“You should. She doesn’t demand gratitude for anything, but she appreciates it, and it’s well deserved.”

Kaeya squinted. “I concur, but you don’t have to protect her so fiercely, ‘Luc - she can do so herself. Although I imagine it’s done out of love, no?”

Diluc hesitated, biting his lower lip. Venti, still holding his hand, held his gaze in encouragement, hoping to convey patience and kindness. They summoned a light breeze to play with his hair, bringing a smile to his face, until he nodded.

He opened up at last. “It’s been nice to spend some time with her, and she has admitted to feeling the same way I do”, he stated calmly. The bard would congratulate, but they sensed he hadn’t finished. “But neither of us wants to commit to a traditional relationship, for several reasons.”

“Well, that’s not unusual in Mondstadt”, Dahlia remarked, laying his head on his arms while getting ready to extort the details. His smile was sweet, intoxicatingly so. “Also, we’re happy for you. But what are the reasons? Seems like it’s weighing on your mind, and you are in the presence of your Archon and myself, so you can share them.”

Diluc chuckled. “Why do I feel like this just turned into a confession?” Shaking his head, he focused on what to say, not stopping Kaeya from grabbing his bottle this time. “On one hand, we both prioritize our jobs and tasks over relationships. That works well if we intend to meet casually, and there is mutual understanding in that regard, but a more committed relationship would complicate things.”

Dahlia hummed knowingly. “It would pressure you into feeling like you weren’t devoting enough time to each other, right?” Diluc nodded again.

“Even if none of you actually demanded it?”, Kaeya asked.

“Even so. I think it would be a kind of pressure we would put on ourselves, and we would end up spreading too thin until our relationship broke.”

Empathizing with his struggle, Venti sat on the counter, pulling Diluc close into a hug. The redhead allowed that, wrapping his arms around their body, even resting his head against their shoulder.  The angel enjoyed the moments when they got to care for others, and raised one hand to that flame-kissed hair, untying the ponytail to pet it.

“And the other reasons?”, they nudged gently, still curious. 

Diluc tightened the hug. “Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? No matter what we call it, me and you are in a relationship as well, just like Jean with Lisa. A traditional relationship with her would imply giving up on that, and neither of us wants to do it.”

What he said was so intimately blunt, so raw, that even his breath came out ragged. The love in his voice was just as intense, wrapping up around Venti so suddenly that they melted, returning the fierce hug.

Then, tenderly, their hands slid up Diluc’s body, to his shoulders, neck, head. Cupping his face, Venti slowly made him meet their eyes properly, noticing how the man’s pupils were slightly dilated. 

Their heart skipped a beat.

Slowly, they closed the distance between them, noticing no resistance on Diluc’s part. On the contrary, when they placed their lips on his, they could feel a faint smile. Warm, soft, quietly amused - exactly like the man himself. Their bodies adjusted to fit better together, and Venti’s legs wrapped around his waist. On his part, Diluc’s mouth opened to deepen the kiss, but even then the motions remained gentle.

It was just one kiss, but they made it count.

In one of the rare moments Diluc let his guard down, he laughed softly against Venti’s lips, who couldn’t prevent a bright smile from spreading - and this time, they were aware of how their wings were moving all over. However, for the redhead, awareness was somewhat of a curse, and with familiar faces at each side, he could only hide his face back against the angel’s shoulder - who cooperated not just by hugging his head, but by trying to cover him with their wings, chuckling along with the others. They could hear Diluc’s muffled protests, but his giddiness was both palpable and contagious. Venti dangled their feet happily.

“No need to be shy”, they teased further, with a hint of reassurance. “And now, you can stop feeling bad because I hadn’t kissed you yet.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Liar”, Venti whispered in his ear, provocatively, but sensing that his huffing was an admission of guilt.

Kaeya whistled. “Someone is determined to kiss many people during this festival.”

Venti flashed him a smile. “Hey, I’m the Windblume Star, I think I should get to do that.”

“No one is disapproving of our Archon’s actions”, Dahlia made sure to say, the rest of his sentence only half-jest. “But I must ask… does that include me too?”

Ah, those butterflies were back.

Venti pondered dramatically. “Hummm. Alright, I think my deacon can get a little something as well”, they said mischievously. 

The bard didn’t bother going around the counter. Instead, they just turned while sitting on top, jumping to the other side next to their Herald. They bend down suddenly, smirking with delight upon seeing his eyes widen at first, once Dahlia realized what was really happening. 

But Venti didn’t want to overwhelm him, and thought they still needed more time to figure out some things. They simply pecked the corner of his lips.

Dahlia blinked, looking at Venti like a lost puppy. Finally processing what happened, he giggled, opening his arms to let the angel settle close again. “What a tease.”

“Well, you just came back, so you don’t get all the perks yet”, the Archon argued as he nestled on his lap.

“So we need to earn your affections?”, his voice had a playful lilt, making even Kaeya chuckle. Something in the way he framed that was doing things to Venti’s brain. “Then, I shall be the best Herald you could possibly ask for.”

Although it was said with fake solemnity, Barbatos fully meant their reply. 

“You already are.” They brushed the bangs off his forehead, placing a second, featherlight kiss on his brow. They could listen to Dahlia’s gulping.

“W-well…” His stammering, coupled with a slight blush, only made him cuter in Venti’s eyes. But the god really didn’t want to be pushy, or make things uncomfortable by assuming anything was okay given how close they already were. Their deacon meant too much to them to risk ruining their bond, and they accepted easily when he opted to leave certain things unaddressed. “You know what, I will just drink to drown the sorrows”, Dahlia joked.

“That sad for only getting a half-kiss, huh?” Kaeya teased, getting the deacon to stick out his tongue.

Diluc rolled his eyes, but placed down another drink. “Not that he ever needed an excuse to drink more.” Before Dahlia could pick up his cider, Venti took the first sip from his mug, knowing well that their deacon wouldn’t refuse him. 

More clients arrived meanwhile, and the tavern filled with the usual mirth. However, while the livelihood wasn’t short-lived, it was interrupted by the arrival of Knights. 

“Salutations, Captain Kaeya, Herald of Barbatos”, a man at the doorway made the official greeting. “You’ve been invoked to go to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, to lend your assistance. It’s urgent.”

Time stopped for a moment, as they all stood still. It wasn’t a surprise - for Diluc, perhaps, but not for the other three. But the reluctance to depart had a grip on their bodies, and Dahlia didn’t even bother to turn, just exchanging a glance with Venti.

Kaeya reacted first, playing his role well as he threw up his lucky coin, catching it by instinct. “Urgent, you say? And confidential too, I see.” He threw a last pitiful glance at his unfinished wine, strolling closer to the patrols with languid steps, while the deacon still made a point of downing his own drink at once. The Captain turned to their group, addressing the curious clients as well. “Well, everyone, duty calls. Keep having fun on our behalf. I’m sure everything shall be resolved shortly.”

And with that, the door closed. The lively atmosphere resumed shortly after, with the patrons completely unaware of the plan about to be enacted.

As for the bard, they too finished their drink, winked at the inquisitive bartender, and offered a short bow before taking their leave.

Barbatos had a city to rearrange.

Chapter Text

Damned were those who interfered with Celestia’s plans. However, as long as the world’s Order wasn’t tampered with, humanity was allowed to protect themselves from calamities. 

In other words, the trials of life must be allowed. It was up to the inhabitants of Teyvat to deal with them to the best of their ability and, in helping, Barbatos could technically be considered to be fulfilling their duty as an Archon. Not that they needed Celestia to force them to help…

No one would find it strange to see Venti wandering through the city, especially with the festival at full force. The angel basked in the decorations and happiness, so contagious that it vibrated in their bones, but it wasn’t enough to shake off the reminder of what they had to do. On every spot visited, once people turned their backs around, the Archon would quickly crouch to infuse the soil with Anemo, taking advantage of the overall excitement to disguise the force unleashed. For the next hour, they covered the whole city, readying it to unleash wind currents at his instruction.

Barbatos could have achieved a similar effect without preparation, but it would be less effective, in smaller quantities, and drain them too much to be able to be useful afterwards. Like this, the currents would even allow the pre-established people blessed by the Anemo Archon to communicate with each other.

Just as they had finished, something stirred in the breeze.

Venti felt the exact moment when the golden-haired Traveler arrived at the city, grimacing when the winds brought the screeches of his shocked companion, not much later. Clearly, the pair was noticing how many citizens were out of sorts: Donna, Beatrice, Miles… those were some of the figures suspected of being under the influence of Durin, although not outright replaced. The plan would soon confirm how much they have gotten right.

As planned, the god told the breeze to update Jean on the arrival, so that the Acting Grandmaster could send someone to fetch the Honorary Knight.

They weren’t in on the plan, but Barbatos had faith. 

Aha, here I am, having more faith in others than in my own godhood , they mused, realizing how they joined hands in prayer. They had spent so long living as a simple bard, that even after starting to conciliate their two identities, they still slipped. It was strange, how they would simultaneously think of themself as the Archon as they prayed to that same god, while in other moments seeing himself as Venti but feeling inclined to contribute with his superior powers.

Shaking their head, the last person they had to notify was Dahlia, who let them know he was already sitting in the trial room, waiting for it to start. Their Herald was going to keep them updated.

The deacon was bored at first. Trials in Mondstadt hadn’t been conducted in a long-time, and while The Knights of Favonius oversaw most matters of law and order in Mondstadt to uphold chivalric justice, in the interest of fairness, major cases were tried jointly with the Church, to carry blessings and goodwill wherever the wind can reach. Naturally, that task was better entrusted to the Herald of Barbatos.

Venti sent a wave of affection every time Dahlia nudged their bond. Doing so was like second-nature, almost as if they had never been apart, and the angel cherished that. Being unable to contact each other always hurt at first, even if they eventually got used to it, but falling back into a constant stream of mental exchanges and companionship was shockingly easy. 

Eventually, interesting things started to happen, and the deacon focused. The case was established, with Jean painstakingly repeating the rehashed speech, and relying what the Traveler needed to know: how the identities of the victims were unknown, and the charges that pointed to Albedo as the potential murderer. The back and forth between Kaeya, the defending party, and ‘Hertha’, the accusing party, felt oddly unbalanced to anyone aware of the truth, with the Khaenri’ahn’s arguments almost frustrating to hear - but he was their best candidate to bait others into thinking they were winning, and ‘Hertha’ was clearly overconfident.

When it came to witnesses, Venti echoed the surprise of their Herald - reflecting that of many Knights - in seeing that Diluc was there too. Humming, the god thought back to their last time at the tavern, around one hour ago. The redhead didn’t give any signs to be in on the plan, quite the contrary, so it was possible he didn’t know that their time together was interrupted for this motive. And, even if he was already planning to testify over what he saw, he didn’t connect the pieces until now. Barbatos had to wonder what crossed his head at this point…

Finally, everything had been presented. Dahlia’s words rang clear in Barbatos’ mind:

“A guilty verdict cannot be delivered without sufficient evidence. In order to protect all parties involved, that is what our principles demand. My original assessment was that we lacked said evidence”, he paused. “But, now, it seems the only remaining questions are the identities of the victims and the specific alchemical process used in this case.”

Jean expressed her agreement, stipulating that those unsatisfied with the verdict would have time to submit an objection or appeal - tomorrow, when the second phase of the trial took place. 

In spite of her words, most in the audience appeared hopeless, especially the Traveler. According to Dahlia, his eyes never left Albedo as the alchemist was taken to the headquarters.

“ Do you have the letter for the Traveler ready?” , Venti asked Dahlia, a breezy whisper part-words part-feelings. 

The affirmation resonated through their bond. “ Let me entrust it to Rosaria ”, he replied back.

The Deacon slipped out of the courtroom before anyone noticed, gone with the wind.

---

Herald and Archon were sitting on the edge of Starsnatch Cliff, catching the sun and enjoying the breeze rustling their hairs, waiting for a couple of visitors. Venti’s arm was comfortably wrapped around Dahlia’s back, pulling him close, occasionally turning to the side to dig his nose into his fluffy hair and get lost in the fragrance.

The winds let him know that his friends were close. Dahlia, while not nearly as sensitive to sounds as he was, followed him in standing up.

Venti raised a hand in greeting. “Ah, Traveler, Paimon, Happy Windblume! I could hear your arrival upon the wind. Were you looking for me?”

Paimon replied before the Traveler had a chance, simply smiling more quietly. “Venti! Did you send us that message?”, the pixie urged.

“No, I did”, Dahlia clarified.

“Whoa, where did you come from?” She startled as if he hadn’t been there all along, making the Traveler laugh. “Wait, Venti, do you know this guy? His name is... Um... what is his name again?”

“Didn't think I was that unmemorable…” The deacon crossed his arms. One would think he was frustrated, but his easy smile toned it down. “I'm Dahlia, Deacon of the Church of Favonius and Herald of the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. Not gonna forget next time, right?”, he squinted.

The Traveler glanced between them, a question creeping into his face. “So, you called us here so we could meet with Venti?”

Dahlia nodded, and Venti gladly let him do the talking. “That's right. I noticed you during the trial... the legendary Honorary Knight. You seemed to have a lot of thoughts in your mind, so I figured we should have a chat. After all, I AM the Herald of Barbatos…”, he pointed with a proud grin. “If the people of Mondstadt are in danger, I should keep the Anemo Archon in the loop.”

“Oh?”, Venti smirked, raising an eyebrow at him. “ Getting a little presumptuous, aren’t you? I don’t need you to know what’s going on”, he said in his mind. Dahlia kept smiling innocently - perhaps the Archon got him too used at staying composed when they talked like this.

Traveler and pixie blinked, finally clicking in their minds. Their faces were a perfect mirror of each other, more obvious than ever that they shared one braincell. 

It was Paimon who talked first, stammering. “W-wait, then... You know about…”

Dahlia chuckled. “About what? The fact that my tavern-hopping, nomad of a friend is Barbatos himself? Not quite a secret anymore, but I’ve known for longer than most.”

“Well, Paimon knows that! Paimon meant- hey!”, she protested when the Traveler elbowed her.

“ Don't worry, Dahlia and I are close”, Venti laughed, reassuring them. “He knows everything, even of my connection… to higher powers. Besides, a god needs someone to communicate their will in a formal setting, and no one does that better than Dahlia. I could just show up nowadays, and I suspect Celestia would like that, but I don’t wish to put him out of a job.”

Dahlia giggled. “Right, I’m sure that’s the reason. Anyway, not that I saw our closeness coming when we first met”, the deacon reminisced, turning to Venti. “But, back to the matter at hand. I believe you two already know about Albedo's background.”

The Traveler stared. His reply was cautious, not specifying much. “If you mean his true identity, then yeah, we do.”

“So, you know too, Venti?”, the pixie wondered. “That's surprisingly Archon-like of you…”

“Ah, well, I knew from the moment Rhinedottir and Alice brought Albedo to Mondstadt”, he said, although he was simplifying. When Albedo came to stay, Rhinedottir was too preoccupied with what she found to come along, sending him away with just a letter, differing from previous visits. But the witches had met often before, and it was… memorable. “When those two are in town, no one can afford to slack off, not even me.”

“Well, that’s deserved”, Paimon muttered under her breath. 

Venti stuck out his tongue to her, but continued normally. “The Kreideprinz, a perfect specimen of synthetic life... At this stage of the case, there are countless questions surrounding Albedo's motive. His true identity is a potential weakness”, he tried to hint.

Dahlia hummed, going along to hammer down the point. “A synthetic being loses control of their sanity and goes on a killing spree... That's how a novel would frame the story, and people are inclined to agree.”

The Traveler pondered. With a sigh, he seemed to be thinking back at his interactions with the alchemist, taking what god and deacon said into account. “Albedo has told us before that humans often value the ordinary over the transcendent and miraculous.”

“And the slightest difference is perceived as other - a very common phenomenon”, Dahlia remarked, with a bitter tone that Venti understood. “Mondstadt is generally open-minded, but that trust can crumble once an individual shows signs of cruelty. Which means, we need to find a way to help your friend.”

“Strange to hear that from the Deacon who deemed him guilty”, was Aether’s retort, his turn to cross arms. Seeing Dahlia grimace, he sighed. “Although I understand that you were just doing your job. What do you know about the situation, Venti?”

He blinked innocently. “Me? Well, not much that we haven’t talked about already, including the strange things you already observed”, the bard lied easily. He pouted. “Even though Windblume should be about drinking and having fun. ‘Cruel is said fate, cruel it may be, were it not for a hero who could set us all free.’ Humm, not my best rhyme…”, he mumbled.

Paimon stared, unimpressed. “What are you getting at, Tone-Deaf Bard?

“Oh, just making a comment. There are always unavoidable trials in life - at least, that's what Barbatos would say. A certain someone is going to need to overcome a trial like that and, in such cases, even the Seven know better than to tamper with fate.” He sighed dramatically to reinforce his impotence. “If only there was a brave soul willing to-”

“Alright, alright, I was going to do it already”, Aether cut, his stare just like Paimon’s. “You can quit acting… well, as much as you’re able. I feel like this is about more than just Albedo, and I’m an Honorary Knight, so I can’t just ignore the issue.”

God and Deacon exchanged a glance. Grinning, Venti rummaged for a little something tucked in his dress. “You'll still have help, of course, which is why I prepared a surprise, hehe... Behold!” Sitting on his palm, there was a round red device looking suspiciously like one of Klee’s toys. “It’s the version without the fuse, remember? Say hello to the Dodocommunication Device.”

Paimon ogled the thing. “Waiiit, it’s that one from some summers ago, right? This thing belongs to you now?”

“Hehe, me and Alice are old pals”, he winked. “Don't think she'd care if I borrowed it for a few days. Traveler, do you recall how to use it?”

“I do. By the way, since there are no secrets between you two, you can call me Aether with Dahlia around.” He smiled kindly, the image so blinding that it took the air out of Venti’s lungs, almost shameful for the Anemo Archon. The offer in itself was surprising, but it meant a lot, which Dahlia also recognized with a bow. Seeing their silent exchanges, Venti’s love ignited suddenly, just wishing to hug them.

Likely noticing his flustered state, the Traveler took pity on him, reaching for his hand and squeezing it. “We'll do our best to uncover the truth.”

Venti nodded, more solemnly this time. “That's all I ask. No matter what comes, and no matter where, you have the wind on your side.”

They gazed fondly into each other’s eyes, getting lost in the trust of their bond, until Venti surrendered to his own wishes. Stepping closer, into Aether’s personal space, he deposited a light kiss on his cheek, letting his hero hug him in return. Paimon’s forceful gagging sounds went ignored, while Dahlia giggled, as delight over their cuteness rippled through the connection with his god.

When putting some distance from Aether, by impulse, Venti extended a hand to hold one of Dahlia, linking the three of them together. After a second of hesitation, the deacon approached too, sticking closer to Venti’s side but still around the same tight space. 

Looking at him, Aether commented back at the god. “Your dress is stunning, but you don’t look super comfortable in it”, he remarked, barely noticing Paimon drop on his head. “Is that something you have to bear because of Celestia?”

“Sort of”, Dahlia replied in his place. “Barbatos has to use the Archon outfit as you probably know, but he wanted to disguise it under something extra, so now he is stuck with the consequences of his choices”, he teased, sending the angel a mischievous look. “At least, until certain matters are resolved.”

Venti confirmed. “It was either that, or going around practically naked, and we all know from the covered up statues how it can hurt some sensitivities.”

“Which is a pity”, Dahlia still added, getting their group to laugh. 

“Shush, that’s improper for Paimon”, Aether jokingly reminded, patting the pixie burrowed in his hair. “How did you two meet? Since you’re so close, it can’t be recent.”

“Ah…” How Venti urged to just open his mouth and pour everything about their shared history, but this wasn’t the right moment. “It’s a long story, better left for another time. But your guess is correct.”

“Indeed. I suppose we're old pals, at this point”, Dahlia said, locking eyes with his god.

Humming, Venti brought the deacon’s hand to his lips, kissing its back. “Your companionship is like a breeze that lingers in the air, warm and familiar.”

Dahlia’s eyes narrowed, although his face was dusted in a pinker shade. “In all this time, I've never witnessed Lord Barbatos approach anything in a serious manner. Perhaps, this time, I'm in for something special…”

“Barbatos, serious? Haha, you give him too much credit”, Venti joked, listening to Paimon’s thrilled agreement in the background. 

The Herald shook his head. “Hardly. It's not blind faith, you know? I've always had unwavering belief in the Anemo Archon.”

The intensity of his gaze momentarily shook his core, but Venti wasn’t about to let him peer beyond what their bond revealed, into how much his god was wrapped around his fingers. Putting on their best shit-eating grin, he replied. “Is that so? I wonder what Barbatos thinks about that... Perhaps you should pray to him and find out.”

Aether coughed, but Venti didn’t really care if their aggressive flirting was getting to him, nor did Dahlia, who joked along.

“Good idea! I'll tell him I still haven't deciphered his drunken musings from our previous visits to the tavern, not even after my long meditation on the subject. His wisdom is sure to reveal itself in time…”

“Oh, um…” Upsie . He turned fully to the deacon, letting go of Aether to place his other hand on Dahlia’s shoulder, replying with a mix of mirth and weirdly placed solemnity. “You know what? Forget about Barbatos, Dahlia. Treat me to a drink instead! You wouldn't refuse me, would you?”, he dared to ask, his hand sliding to the deacon’s chin and tilting it up, to capture his eyes.

His Herald never wavered, not even in that compromising position. He simply put his own hands over Venti’s, keeping them in place, and his expression bloomed into the sweetest of smiles.

“A dear friend like you? Never.”

Venti’s mouth dried, his blood tingled, and his inhuman heart went into a frenzy. He still didn’t know what defined a romantic relationship, and rejected the weight of labels. However, in that moment, they were utterly convinced that they knew well what love was. Along with… devotion.

And from Dahlia, he found he didn’t mind.

The Traveler left to do what he must, while Dahlia and Venti stayed back for a while longer, watching the sun lower in the skies. With no pressing matters, for as much as the festivities were enjoyable, the bard still needed a break sometimes, to just listen to the wind. Dahlia had similar reasons to stay away, finding so much social contact, after being isolated for a long period, overwhelming at times. And he would rather be at their best for the second part of the trial. 

Besides, the Traveler offered them a drink brought from Natlan before departing - they couldn’t waste that opportunity, could they?

Sprawled across Venti’s lap, Dahlia reached for the bottle, taking another swig. He was considerate enough to leave one last portion for Venti, who finished it right after. The sun was already starting to set, and the angel could hardly believe how much happened in this first day of the festival: from reuniting with his deacon again, to meeting with Xiao, having fun and kissing so many of his beloved friends, the concert at the start of the festival… and then, all of this involving the trial.

“Say”, the deacon started, equally immersed in thoughts. “Do you really think Aether is going to find what he needs? He is an adventurer, not a detective, even if he isn’t from this world.”

Venti chuckled, running a hand through his pink fluffy hair. “You really haven’t been around for a while… Trust me, he can do it, and Paimon isn’t completely useless either. But let me call them to check.”

Wasting no time, Venti took out the Dodocommunication device. Tweaking with it brought a static sound, until someone connected on the other side. 

After being sure from the buzzing that the voices belonged to the pair, Venti singsang. “How's the investigation going? Find anything?”

“We found stuff alright…” Paimon stressed out. “Stuff that only makes Albedo look even more suspicious.”

The pair explained what they found, getting feedback from Venti. It wasn’t too promising, and if people learned about Albedo’s true identity and his mad creator, the story would be told for them, no matter what truth was out there to be uncovered. At least, that was what the traveling duo feared. It wasn’t that simple, given how many people actually knew of the real events, but the Archon wasn’t about to share that. 

Letting the silence sit for a while, Barbatos prompted them to think of what mattered. “Then, it comes down to trust... Do you trust Albedo?”

Aether didn’t hesitate - not at first. “I do! At least, I want to.”

“Yeah! He's our friend!”, the pixie vehemently agreed. “And, if he really is the culprit, he must have had a reason, right? Maybe he's just not allowed to talk about it... Yeah, that must be it!”

Dahlia clicked his tongue, and even Venti didn’t reply immediately. “Either way, a fair investigation means coming to a conclusion presented by the facts. Remaining objective has its own value”, he insisted. “Remember - none of this is your fault. Just report back with an honest assessment of the facts.”

Paimon was the one who replied, allowing the Traveler to keep his thoughts to himself as per usual. “Yeah…” She sounded despondent, but quickly regained some of her typical motivation. “Well, let's go find Jean and tell her what we learned.”

The call ended. Dahlia was now sitting upright, his focus disconcerting if not for the fact that he was still sitting between Venti’s legs. Smirking, the angel leaned forward, pressing his brow against the deacon’s head and making him blink.

“Night is approaching, and so is a storm”, the poet said, more literally than he wished. “Maybe we should head back. You need sleep to perform well at the trial tomorrow.”

“I’m tired of sleeping so much…”, his deacon mumbled in protest, leaving the implications hanging in the air.

“Humm, I know. But you can’t exactly power through several days awake just because of that.”

The reluctance to say goodbye to today was palpable - they both knew tomorrow would be different. But the pair agreed on what was the most reasonable course of action, so they got up, and Venti summoned a wind current to take them back faster. 

They glided side by side towards the city, slowly covered in a mantle of night.

—

The next day arrived too quickly.

When Venti attuned to what was going on inside the courtroom, their mind was still stuck on the conversation with Diluc when they were both leaving the mansion.

“Kaeya isn’t even nervous, not even when the culprit is a Khaneir’ahn like him that could implicate his impartiality”, he had pointed, crossing his arms. “I’ll go along, but I very much expect an explanation when things are over.”

“Believe it or not, I don’t have all the details myself. Although, yes, many Knights have a plan and access to confidential information”, Venti shared. Then, he took a finger to his lips, asking for Diluc’s secrecy.

The redhead nodded, and they went on their way. Knowing what to expect, the angel didn’t bother to put on the fancy dress again, garbed only in his archon outfit as demanded by the curse. He needed practicality today.

The winds started whispering furiously, taking Venti back to the present. Everyone had convened for the second trial against Albedo, with the same arrangement as before, and they were done with the introductions. In fact, Barbatos had zoned out for long enough to lose the first stage of the prosecution, where the bones found were confirmed to be human, and one of the victims was even identified. Dahlia was currently asking for the defendant’s motive. 

Perched on top of a windmill, Venti was truly an outsider, mostly entertained by what Dahlia and the winds shared, including the way Donna’s report embarrassed Diluc - although he reacted kindly. There was no tension in the trial for the god. No - what concerned him was the rest.

The growls that arrived at his ears made him twist his neck to scan the area around the walls, although the beasts were still too far to be seen. He almost lost the moment the tables started to turn. 

“Traveler, you were the one who uncovered the notes, right?” Albedo was asking. “Then, I'm assuming you've visited the third location marked on the map as well.”

Aether gave an honest account, as advised. Whatever was kept in the hole was gone, and the surrounding area bore the markings of an unknown creature. With everything covered in snow, no one knew there was something to discover in the first place. 

After a heavy pause to think, the Traveler asked for permission to address the court further. Barbatos could hardly suppress the surge of pride for their hero.

While that third hole was big enough to hide a body, there were claws around the last location, and the marks weren’t fresh. All of that indicated a connection to a separate incident, and potentially that the body was dug out by a monster, instead of decomposed by alchemy. That was even more than what Venti expected him to conclude, and they admired the way the Traveler exposed everything so professionally - he clearly learned a lot about trials in Fontaine.

“For those reasons, I believe there's still reasonable doubt in this case, and I hope the verdict reflects that”, Aether concluded, with a curt bow. “Thank you.”

‘Hertha’’s frustration was starting to show. “Questions there may be, but allow me to point out... There is no evidence to suggest that anyone besides the defendant knew about the third location, and the map was found in his notes. That fact alone makes him the most plausible suspect. Unless Mr. Albedo suddenly plans to deny that the map belongs to him?”

Albedo retorted, his stance ice-cold. “Allow me to respond to the Traveler's point. If all I cared about was proving my innocence, I would indeed do as you described, Miss Hertha, and deny any connection to that map. But, that is not what I intend to do... The map does belong to me, and I did hide things at those three locations. I also killed and buried someone on Dragonspine.”

“Hah, so you admit it!”, she sang victorious. “Let the record reflect that the defendant has confessed to his crimes!”

“You're mistaken, Miss Hertha. The story doesn't end there.”

From there, Albedo exposed the rest, sharing an episode experienced in Dragonspine a few years ago, with the Traveler, Eula and Amber as witnesses. A story of someone who looked exactly like him, and had tried to kill him, that Eula confirmed to have seen - but there was a second one, who the alchemist disposed of later. Hertha’s attempts at using the story as further proof of her accusations were exasperating, and even the alchemist was losing his patience, but the court was siding with him.

“Yes, I killed someone that day…”, Albedo said darkly. “Someone who looked nearly identical to me. But, I never said that someone was a "person."

Diluc’s speed in retrieving his accusations was hilarious to see as an outsider. “I see. Then, it appears I need to withdraw my testimony.”

“What!?”

‘Hertha’ didn’t disguise her fury, but at that moment, someone knocked at the door. Knights were authorized to enter, bringing with them the mirror image of the angry woman.

“Everyone! I brought her!”, Note announced.

The last thing Venti needed to see of the trial was Albedo’s smirk, as he got ready to reveal his Homunculus identity even to those still unaware, and expose the false Hertha. The situation inside was perfectly under control.

Barbatos told the winds to just update them if something bad happened - otherwise, they didn’t want distractions from what needed to be done.

Leaping down into the air, the god glided on the currents under the grey skies, landing swiftly on the hands of the huge statue. From there, they had a view of every entrance point that the monsters could use, already catching more growls and screams from the people who crossed paths with them. 

Summoning their bow, the angel closed one eye, and pulled the strings back until they were taut. An arrow made of concentrated wind rested on their fingers, demanding release. Barbatos located the first group of endangered civilians, running away from the main gate, and adjusted to aim at the biggest hillichurl.

They let go of the arrow, whistling as it left.

It pierced the monster, and exploded in strong currents that slashed all the surrounding hillichurls. Their owlings of pain still rang in the Archon’s ears, but at least they were overlaid by the humans’ sighs of relief. Having avoided this kind of spotlight for so long, it was strange to have the children of Mondstadt lift their eyes to stare at their savior, and their gratitude arrived in the form of worship.

Barbatos shivered. The prayer was warm and icy and gentle and intense, sating their thirst while tasting like poison, and-

Before they could process their current role, the people were already seeking refuge, and after sparing a quick glance at Celestia, the Archon focused on the task at hand, summoning another arrow.

They kept at it, destroying and delaying the monsters as much as they could, but the hoard kept coming, and the assault took place from different directions, overwhelming the deployed knights. Some eventually breached the upper levels, approaching the Knight’s Headquarters, alongside the maddened humans under the influence of Durin. 

“ They are really close ”, Barbatos warned Dahlia. 

They were shown as the false Hertha made her escape, and everyone in the room got ready to face battle. Albedo, finally able to drop the charade, took the Traveler aside for a moment, but the Anemo Archon had more pressing matters than keeping up with their conversation.

They kept support for a while longer, until the streets were filled with more knights. Jean, clad in armor, and Mona had just arrived at the plaza. The Acting Grandmaster glanced up and offered a thankful nod, silently communicating they could leave their spot. 

Nodding back, Barbatos glided back towards the cathedral, leaving Jean to share her intel with the approaching Traveler and Albedo. They landed close to Barbara and Rosaria, the first with her hands joined in prayer, caught by surprise.

“No need to pray, I’m already doing what I can to help”, they told her with a wink.

She smiled weakly. “I know, it’s just my way of conveying how I wish everyone stays safe. The situation seems worse than I anticipated... I must do my part to help.”

The other Sister was spinning her spear as a warm up. “That doesn't mean you have to fight. Doing what you're good at is more than enough, so just focus on healing the wounded as they arrive. I will protect your back if monsters approach.”

“I will have to agree with Rosaria’s wisdom”, Venti insisted, smirking at her eyeroll. “Besides, I’m convinced everyone will be fine. The Ordo is protecting the civilians, and you and other healers will prevent any casualties. Jean told you they have been preparing for a long time, right?”

Barbara nodded. “Yes, Albedo warned them in advance. I don’t know the details, since she probably couldn’t tell me, but I knew it had to do with Dragonspine and that there would be fighting.”

The angel hummed, placing a hand on their chest. “Then, I want you to shift your faith from me unto them for the time being, alright? I will only assume a supporting role in this fight.”

She hesitated for a moment. Despite her smile, her voice shook when she replied. “A-alright. Jean promised she would look after herself too, so I have no reason to worry. Ah-” She spotted a wounded soldier limping up the stairs. “I need to go!”

She dashed towards the man, and Barbatos exchanged a nod with Rosaria, who waved a hand in dismissal. Summoning a current, the god opened their glider once again, propelled into the air, this time towards the garden furthest away from houses. That was where they planned to meet with Albedo, and kept shooting the monsters that they could spot while waiting.

Their arms were tired when the winds sang of the arrival.

“Hey, Venti!” 

When the pixie’s greeting reached their ears, they almost fell back into old habits and put on the act of a panicked bard, but that façade stopped working months ago. They turned around, facing the trio, feeling suddenly very exposed wearing so few clothes while being close to people. Gone were the times that their lack of self-awareness would allow them to sit like that on Morax’s lap.

Albedo’s expressions were muted, still weary from the previously played role. Spending the night in prison couldn’t have been easy… “It's about time. I think we can proceed as planned.”

“Mm, I agree. Although, it's been a while since I dealt with something this big. It's going to be pretty exhausting…”, they pouted.

The alchemist chuckled. “Don't worry, I'll treat you to a drink for your trouble.”

“Haha, just what I wanted to hear.”

Paimon, floating with hands on her hips, was looking at them through half-closed eyes. “So, you two openly talk of each other’s identity, and have been close for a while? Was everyone in on the plan except for Paimon and the Traveler?”

“People can make new friends when we're not here, y'know…”, Aether reminded her. “But I’m guessing not everyone knew the same details.”

“Correct”, Albedo confirmed. The less people knew, the smaller the chances of letting things slip and alerting the creatures we wanted to bait, so people were only informed of what they needed to be of help, and as late as possible.”

“What about how advanced the monsters look?”, Aether wondered. “Were most knights just not informed of that, or you just didn’t know?”

“Ah, we just didn’t want to alarm them, but this was expected. The power of evolution cannot be underestimated, especially considering the fact that Durin absorbed the previous imposter and, this time, digested it, acquiring his knowledge and way of thinking”, the alchemist explained. “Ever since then, all creatures spawned from his power have the ability to transform their appearance, learned from Subject 2’s ability to turn the whoppleflower into a clone of myself.”

Traveler and Paimon appreciated the technicalities, but the god couldn’t help but feel a pang of remorse. 

“I am curious about one thing”, they asked tentatively, directed at Albedo. “Hertha was replaced by us on purpose, and most people acting strange are just under the influence of Durin’s power, but the two holes mentioned in the trial really belong to people we’ve lost, right?”

“Yes, and I actually buried their remains, since someone had to do it. I’m sorry, Venti.” The Homunculus was solemn. He valued human life, after all, and the god appreciated the kind words over the people they failed to protect. “Most of those who were replaced had no close relatives, so when their behavior changed, there was no one to notice. The monsters used their disguise to get close to people. I eliminated two who attempted to attack.”

The Traveler was thinking, his brow furrowed. “If you knew that much, why did you stage all of this? Couldn’t you have dealt with the clones and influenced humans first, leaving just the battle to deal with now?”

Venti felt an anxious laugh bubble up. “That presumes we knew who was affected. You can’t imagine how confused I was yesterday when I saw Donna having a crush on Kaeya, but it makes sense after what she shared today, since she ventured into Dragonspine.” They shook their head. “Besides minor discrepancies, Durin’s power remained dormant within them until, finally, it surged to the surface and seized control.”

Albedo resumed the explanation. “If we could force a situation where the imposter had no choice but to unleash that power, all those under its influence would become violent. And, thus, we would know who was affected.”

“Wait, so... What do we do?”, the pixie wondered. “We can't go around hurting innocent people!”

Venti smiled proudly. “That's why I'm here. It would make me look bad if I just lazed around after promising to help! There will be Anemo currents all over the city, that will help let people communicate across different areas, and restrain the impostors. You’ll see what I mean.”

“That should give the Knights the chance to subdue them without harm”, Albedo agreed. “A specialized team will deal with them later.”

Barbatos manifested their lyre, holding it gently, in contrast to the strength of the winds picking up. They didn’t just pluck the strings - their voice joined, in an ethereal, piercing melody, invoking the power of Anemo infusions that had seeped into the land, ending on a fierce note. One by one, the currents shot up, drowning the humans with their roaring, reminiscent of the time Dvalin attacked the city with tornados. The pixie covered her ears, while Aether tensed, as if finally feeling the weight of battle.

As for the Anemo Archon, they refused to let the others see how much they trembled under the urge and trepidation to take flight. 

Albedo stared at the current right in front of them, uncertain at first. “Everyone, can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear!”, came Jean’s voice. “All units, what's your status?”

Different captains reported, and units started coordinating assistance, immediately showing how efficient the currents were. 

Turning a little to the side, the god gesticulated to catch the attention of the traveling duo. “Only people with my blessing can hear what is said on the winds. Besides, if you face away from the current and whisper like this, no one can hear you. You can use it to talk about things you don’t want others to hear.”

A mischievous voice sounded on Venti’s head. “ Unless they are talking to you, because we don’t need the currents to be in contact, and I will probably know what you’re told. ”

Dahlia almost got them to laugh. “ That’s right, and the reverse is also true. So don’t forget to do what you’re supposed to, or I will know. ”

“...nti? Venti?”

“Hum, what?” They startled. “I’m here!”

The pixie sent a concerned look. “You okay? You were zoning out, and we’re about to leave.”

“Don’t worry, the winds were just telling me something, but I will be present during the battle. Fight well, my friends”, they said with a wink. “May the Anemo Archon protect you.”

That had the effect of putting a smile into all of their faces, and Aether’s was the brightest, exuding confidence. “Good luck, Venti.”

They nodded, and let them off, before turning back to the closest walls. 

A pack of monsters was already approaching, and Barbatos’ amicable expression dropped, along with their tone of voice. “I've got things covered here”, they uttered, summoning their bow again.

Barbatos’ conscience shifted between being present in their body, and drifting on the winds, following the currents to check on everyone. 

As wind, they were everywhere: diving down, turning on a corner, straightening the posture of a fighter about to fall, tilting angles of attack, slowing down enemies or throwing them out of balance… and of course, keeping the spotted impostors and the citizens affected by Durin from moving. 

It was a good thing that the god had so much to do. Every time they had a moment of respite, the wind currents grabbed their body and pulled at their wings, attempting to whisk them high up not just mentally, but physically. Barbatos flapped their wings from time to time, but more sudden movements were enough to tear at some tendons, and remind them of how much the last attempt hurt. Their back and palms would start sweating, even in the stormy weather, and they would search for someone in dire situations that they could assist as a distraction.

There was also something else mingling with the currents. Dark tendrils that brought a sorrowful cry, its echoes haunting. 

The Archon’s mind followed the Traveler and Albedo through the main street, to maintain control of the battlefield, as they checked on Sucrose near the crafting bench. She was making potions to help the knights power through the battle, and heal faster, recklessly exposed. Even though her ability to stay calm was impressive, given that she wasn’t much of a fighter, Albedo had to remind her to prioritize safety - and, unbeknown to the group, Venti alerted Dahlia that she could use some extra protection. 

Aether’s group finally enclosed on the bridge, where Barbatos was already supporting Kaeya, with Diluc at his side. The winds made sure to keep the flames of the redhead fed and raging through, while prolonging the lasting effects of the Captain’s cryo, while they disposed of that wave of invaders. The Frostarm Lawachurl fell to its knees, and the pair took a moment to catch their breaths. They verbally spared until the shorter allies arrived, although Albedo only fueled the banter.

“All under control, don't worry”, Kaeya updated them on their status, grinning. “My trusty civilian volunteer and I have this area covered.”

The alchemist countered. “I think you mean the man who held the title of Cavalry Captain before you…”

Chuckling to themself, Venti tore their gaze away. They kept scanning the city, and noticed how some of the units were actively communicating, alongside a certain individual that was clearly following outdated orders. Amber and Mika were offering support from the top of the walls, adding elemental countermeasures to compliment Lisa’s powers, and her student’s. People were also taking advantage of the long-distance communication to chat, with Mika expressing pure relief at seeing that Albedo was alright, and learning where certain rumors came from. 

“But, how did the Knights' internal information even reach Durin and his monsters?”, was asking Paimon.

It was the real Hertha who replied. “There's an informant among our ranks.”

“Don't worry, I already tracked her down”, it was Venti’s turn to reply. “She doesn't have my blessing, so she can't hear what we're talking about right now.”

“Good job, Barbatos”, Jean joined in. “And Traveler, please forgive us for keeping secrets from you. Enough people were involved in the plan as it was - we had no other choice. Regardless, the Honorary Knight and Paimon will always be friends of Mondstadt. We will never forget that.”

Moved by her caring speech, Barbatos refocused on the fight. The wind guided the group’s steps, passing through Noelle carrying a wounded soldier on her back, and eventually meeting with Fischl and her raven companion, throwing themselves into the fray without a shred of hesitation.

“Vile beasts! The Immernachtreich shall not tolerate such a transgression…” She shocked a hillichurl to death, noticing the arrival of the Traveler and friends. “You arrive at a most opportune time, vassals. Sword at the ready!”

The reinforcements drew their swords in tandem, shuffling with their feet in order to fight back to back, their lethal dance steps improvised. 

Aether was the first to swing his sword at the unshielded hillichurl, knowledge of their origins not enough to deter him. The poor creature tried to counter, but the Traveler made his blade burn with pyro, and it screeched in pain, finished by a second attack. Albedo raised a hand to protect his allies with Geo, and hit the ground with a snappy motion, making the streets reverberate and throwing the enemies off balance. Fischl whirled dramatically, and Electro ricocheted between the horde. 

That battle only lasted minutes. The streets would surely be assaulted by more monsters soon, but it was enough to provide some reassurance to the people inside the nearby houses. 

Bennet had just joined to support Fischl in the meantime, telling their group that people could find refuge in Cat’s Tail. After receiving those news, Albedo and Aether were again on the run, with Venti’s conscience swarming the streets to confirm that people were indeed hiding in the bar, and speed up the steps of slower citizens. 

They hovered in the nearby alchemy shop, where Dahlia was keeping her company - along with a Hydro shield around them both.

“I'm not brave enough…”, she was saying, her ears twitching nervously. 

Dahlia’s inoffensive appearance was very useful. He approached her with a gentle smile, managing to not startle the alchemist. “Hm, I think you should give yourself more credit. You were brave enough to sit through the trial, despite the nature of the allegations. That takes strength.” Sucrose really blushed easily, but he brushed it off. “Either way, two is much better than one, so let me help.”

“Oh, th-thank you! But why are you here? Shouldn’t you be helping at the Church?”, she inquired.

“On-field, I can partially heal knights that need more immediate help before they head to the Church, and besides, Rosaria asked me to come. With Albedo running around protecting the city, she was worried you might be alone.”

Venti prodded at his mind, wondering why he chose to hide the fact that they asked for it. “ Hey, it’s not quite a lie, since Rosaria really asked - just half truth. No point in telling her that Barbatos went out of their way to ask for her protection. That would just leave her embarrassed.” Satisfied, Barbatos’ conscience started to retreat, even going through the trouble of weakening some of the closest wind-currents to give them space to talk comfortably.

Sucrose halted her potion-making half-way, blinking. “I didn't think Miss Rosaria even remembered me…”

“Of course she does”, Dahlia chuckled. “She spent all that time monitoring Albedo, it's only natural that she remembers his most dedicated student.

“Oh, yeah…” She nodded and resumed her work, concluding it made sense. A few seconds went by, she put a lid on the new flask, and something occurred to her. “So, after all this, I doubt Mr. Albedo's identity will be a secret, huh. Not to the higher-ups at least…”

“As far as I know, he shared that information with close members of his order long before these events.” 

Dahlia explained it nonchalantly, but apparently it came as a shock to the girl. 

“Huuuuuuh!? Ah, sorry”, she caught herself. “I guess I didn't expect Mr. Albedo to just reveal it like that…”

The pink-haired deacon raised an eyebrow. “I'm sure he felt the time was right. Besides, you know the truth, I know the truth... It doesn't change anything, right?”

She nodded, and her eyes were glowing with enthusiasm when she spoke. “When Mr. Albedo told me in the library a few days ago, I was pretty shocked. But, more than that... I was amazed!”

“Not afraid?” Dahlia hid his amusement well, but Barbatos felt it through their bond.

“No, not afraid. I trust in knowledge and science. And I trust in Mr. Albedo as a person”, she said firmly, putting a hand to her chest. She then looked around. “Huh, I just noticed, Deacon. There aren't any wind currents around us.”

“Good job” , Barbatos heard, before Dahlia replied. “We lucked out on that front. Otherwise, that conversation would have been for the whole city to hear.”

“Huh? That's how it works? That could have been so embarassing…”

Deeming the situation under control, and knowing they were postponing their duties, the god tore his conscience away, preparing to rain more arrows towards the incoming monsters to lessen the burden on Kaeya and Diluc. 

All the while, they searched for the Traveler - an easy task, given the unmistakable brightness of his soul. 

He was taking a backseat to Albedo, who was comforting an apologetic Eula, feeling guilty over losing Klee. Just like the girl’s brother, Venti wasn’t worried - not for her sake, at least, although the monsters she found had every reason to be - but it was better safe than sorry. Searching for her before the group got that chance, he spotted the little spark knight hidden on top of a tree, getting ready to throw bombs at the enemies. 

The battle that ensued proved to Eula that the young girl could defend herself - she even proclaimed she was there to help the grown ups which, endearing as it was, technically ended being true. 

“We won!”, the girl shouted as she jumped down. 

The chalk prince kneeled next to her, patting her head. “Great work, Klee. I'll be counting on you to protect Eula next time, too”, he said with a smirk, making the Traveler giggle. 

Eula’s face contorted. “Albedo, you can't be ser—”

“No problem! Just leave it to Klee~”, the girl interrupted. The Lawrence didn’t have the courage to refute her. “Are you going on patrol, Mr. Albedo? Klee heard you went camping for a few days, and these monsters followed you back home!”

“That's right, so I need to report back to Master Jean to settle my expenses. If you have some time, I'm sure Eula would be grateful if you escorted her back to headquarters as well.” He glanced pointedly back at Eula, who joined the pretense, putting on a gentle smile.

“Hmph... Of course. I place myself in your capable hands, Spark Knight.”

The last vestiges of battle were dying out, and most units were gathering around the marketplace. So did Barbatos, after disposing of the retreating monsters that they could spot outside the city. Stomping the urge to fly with their wings once and for all, they opened their glider and threw themselves to the currents, flying towards the roofs in the area.

They saw as the group reported to Jean, injury-wise and other relevant factors. For the most part, preparations paid off, and it was a resounding success, although the Acting Grandmaster would only review the full written reports later.

Albedo, and that princely manner of his, made sure to say out loud what everyone was thinking. “Your leadership is what made it possible, Master Jean. It's been a busy few days - you should take a well-deserved break.”

Jean melted, the tension on her shoulders dissipating. “I will. But, I believe you deserve one most of all.”

“My work isn't finished, I'm afraid”, he shook his head. “I have a few loose ends to tie up.

“Loose ends... Ah, yes, of course”, she recalled. “We can talk about it back at headquarters. The Traveler and Paimon should be there too.” She turned to the gathered knights, projecting her voice. “Alright, everyone who has finished their work should head back to their quarters or to the Church, to get some rest.”

No one opposed the suggestion, and Amber and Eula happily guided Klee to have some sweets as a reward for her good job. The people were eager to return to normality: the knights to laze at work, and the other citizens to leave their refuge and enjoy the festival or, at least, some drinks at the tavern.

Sadly, Venti didn’t belong to that group, but rather to the group with Albedo instead. 

Jumping down, they landed gracefully, greeting their friends with a whimsical bow part-bard part-god, since their role was undeniable given their garments - or lack thereof. 

“Hi, everyone”, they said, seeing the smiles spread to their faces.

“Venti!” It was nice when Jean volunteered to call them that, instead of Barbatos. “Thank you for everything. I know there were difficult moments along the way.”

“Oh, well... Wait, does that mean you saw me running for my life?”, they joked.

Clearly she didn’t get that. “Ah, no, I was referring to the wind currents and how you have shooted... Apologies. Just forget I said anything.”

“Hahaha, just kidding. What you saw was correct, I can fight a little as well, you know?” They put their tongue out in jest. “But, you're right - it was tough out there. As for anything notable on the winds, well... I picked up on anxious voices and a child's anger."

The chalk prince immediately understood, along with the Traveler, who perked up. Pensive, Albedo took some steps forward, staring at the cloudy skies.

“Durin has been isolated for centuries, but absorbing Subject Two's emotions allowed him to understand certain truths about this world and his existence, including the fact that he's no longer mother's only child.” He came to stand at Venti’s side, lacing their hands together. The god followed the direction of his gaze, vaguely distracted by Celestia’s looming presence. “Or her most perfect creation. It's obvious he found that fact difficult to accept. The emotions he felt in response were quite genuine and, dare I say, human.”

Human emotions... That made Venti's heart tremble, and they wondered where was the limit between those and the emotions of other beings. Didn't animals feel emotions? Didn't dragons, and more ancient types of humans? What about themself when, still a wisp, experienced loss for the first time? 

Their palm was sweating, while Albedo’s was freezing. Perhaps their fundamental differences also lead to their distinct conclusions. The alchemist was thinking along the same lines as the god, albeit in a harsher manner, and it showed in what he said next.

“‘If I eliminate the 'perfect' creation, I will be the only child mother needs.’”, he quoted, guessing his brethren’s thoughts. “This mindset arose out of Durin's instinct to compete and survive, and came to dominate all those around him. Of course, the absorption of Subject Two's knowledge allowed him to take a more intelligent approach - accusing me of murder. In the end, however, Durin still lacks sufficient social intelligence. The fact that his "army" even got this far is a miracle.”

Barbatos was about to retort, but they sensed something, urging the others in a low tone.

“Speaking of, that same feeling... It's close!”

Jean followed their eyes, glancing towards the alchemy station. The environment turned ice cold, but the Grandmaster didn’t let it show, putting on a polite smile to receive the armored woman. 

“Ah, Miss Phonia. Here to make your report?”, she asked formally. “During the battle, we were talking about your transfer to the 7th Company. You were in charge of patrols and post-battle reconnaissance this time. How did everything go?”

Phonia shifted her weight to the other leg, replying stiffly. “Good. No problems. I don’t have much else to report.”

“I see. If you don't mind me asking, why did you come from that direction? And why are you alone?”, the Acting Grandmaster pressed, undoubtedly knowing the answer already, but buying time to the approaching knights from behind Phonia. “Did you think we were still meeting at the side gate? There was a change of plans. We sent the message over the wind in the last few minutes of the battle.”

Albedo let go of Venti’s hand, joining Jean’s side with his arms crossed. “There were a lot of changes during the operation. But, I imagine you missed those as well, because you're under Durin's influence, and you have been since your trip to Dragonspine over six months ago.”

Phonia staggered back, taking a hand to her head. “I... Argh!” She tried to retreat, but was stopped on both sides. Trying to change course only got the Traveler blocking her path.

The alchemist remained calm. “Don't be scared - I'll figure out a way to free you from his power soon.” It was hard to decipher from his delivery if he saw her as a test subject to further his understanding of this world, or genuinely wanted to communicate professionalism and trust. P erhaps both , Venti’s mind provided. I’m not the only one with a multifaceted existence.

Jean put a hand on Venti’s shoulder, disrupting their gloom.  “Let's continue this discussion back at headquarters.” 

In her office, Albedo, Venti and the Traveler got a chance to rest, while waiting for Jean to return. Dutiful as always, she was the last to take some respite, making sure Phonia and other victims would be properly looked after until Albedo was able to search for a cure. 

Venti kept pacing, even fluttering, feeling a little jittery. That didn’t escape the others in the room, who invited him closer, but that was exactly why he declined. The familiar accommodations and the snacks on the table made him feel comfortable, too comfortable, almost tempted to slouch on the lap of one of his beloved, but the challenges weren’t over yet - neither to Albedo and the Traveler, nor to himself. 

The choking cries coming from the mountain were enough reminder.

The door creaked, and the Acting Grandmaster entered. She was wiping the sweat on her brow with a napkin, showing inadvertently how she trusted them enough to see her with her guard down. She took a seat around the table where they all stood, taking an apple slice to munch on.

The group sat in silence for a while longer, catching their breaths.

It was Paimon who broke the silence, forgetting to eat for once. “Whoa, if Paimon didn’t see how tired you all look, Paimon would think you were angry. This is a little awkward...”

Jean took a deep breath. “Forgive the poor hospitality, Paimon, Traveler. We are just gathering our strength to call a Tripartite Conference. It’s a relatively new tradition, and an idea that Grandmaster Varka came up with a few years ago.”

“I still remember when he approached me about ‘asking the lovely ladies of the Hexenzirkel for a small favor’...”, Venti reminisced with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. “The chumminess caught me off guard. If I hadn't known any different, I'd have thought he was talking about his older sisters or something.”

Aether rested his head on his arms over the table, but he was staring at Jean. “Sounds like something for me too. But what exactly is it, and what is it for?”

Albedo replied. “The goal is to help with my personal project. I've consulted Venti about the possibility, to see if I can ask the witches for some materials.”

“As for what it consists of”, Jean resumed, “the Tripartite Conference is a gathering of three parties: the Hexenzirkel, the joint forces of the Knights and Church of Favonius, and the Anemo Archon as the facilitator. Varka has quite a way with words, so he was able to gain their favor and convince them to agree to a very important request. Namely, that in Mondstadt's greatest time of need, the mages would return and lend their aid to our nation.”

Venti nodded along. “So, I’m here to ask them to convene to help with Albedo’s request. Traveler, pass me the Dodocommunication Device.”

Aether was about to do it, but hesitated. “Wait… I could have used this to talk to the witches all along?”

“Hehe, just watch and learn…”, he said with a wink. He took the toy-device, adjusting a few settings, although Durin’s tantrum was very distracting. “Hmm, okay, I think this should do it…”, he eventually resigned, shaking his head. 

‘Dodo! Dodo! Dodoco!’, made the device, attempting to connect. The angel was just wondering if he had messed up when the blip of the beginning of a call made itself heard.

But that deep voice definitely didn’t belong to Alice. “What's that ringing...? Is it the wind or something?”

Venti recoiled. “Hold on, that's-”

“Wait... Barbatos?”, the voice recognized him.

Venti blinked, after putting two and two together. “Varka?”, he asked, at the same time as Jean went “Grand Master?”, her eyes widening. Apologetically, Venti took a hand behind their head. “Oops, I put in the wrong number. Sorry, Varka. You're probably busy right now…”

“Considering I'm surrounded on both sides with a group on my tail looking to turn me into mince meat, yeah, I'd say so”, he half-joked. “Alright, pass along my regards! Oh, and I still owe you for those drinks, don't I? Just take it from my stash. I keep it in-”

Venti turned off the device, immediately changing the settings. He had already found out the location, and there was no need for the others to learn of that treasure, much to Paimon’s protest - and Aether’s amusement.

This time, the voice that replied was correct. “...Hello? Who is this?”, asked Alice, with that fanciful flair of hers.

“Greetings, Miss Alice. It's Venti”, he said cheerfully.

She feigned unfamiliarity. “Venti? Hm, no. Doesn't ring a bell…”

He felt his face warm up. “You're really gonna tease me like this... Fine. It's Barbatos!”

She laughed, amused to no end. “Apologies, it was just a bit of fun. What can I do for you, dear Barbatos?”

Venti rolled his eyes, even though she couldn’t see it. “You still remember the Tripartite Conference, right? I'm calling on behalf of a friend. He's asking for a meeting.”

“Oh? And which brave soul is it this time?”

Albedo raised his voice, also putting a hand to his chest out of habit. “It's me, Aunt Alice. I, Captain of the Knights of Favonius Investigation Team, request a formal meeting with the Hexenzirkel.”

She hummed. “And what is your wish, dear Albedo? I sense you want to accomplish something unprecedented, but just how much ? Something even your mother, Rhinedottir, never accomplished?”

There was no hesitation in his voice. “In terms of technique, no, but in terms of location and materials, yes.”

“Hm, you've piqued my interest. I'll be right there!”

In their whole group, Jean was the only one who had a strong reaction to what the witch said. “Be right ‘where’? Here?”, she asked, her tone slightly alarmed. “As in, this office?

Just as she finished her question, a giant Dodoco plopped into the room, close to the bookshelves.

“Hello, Aunt Alice”, Albedo said with a serene smile. “I see you've turned yourself into a giant Dodoco.”

“Darling, isn't it? It even has its own hat, hehe”, she mused, touching it with her tail.  “Pleasure to see you all again. It's been a while.” The Dodoco bowed, and Venti gracefully returned the gesture, grinning when he caught Aether imitating the silly gesture through the corner of his eye. “On behalf of the Hexenzirkel, I hereby grant Albedo's request. I'm guessing you still need to prepare? Take your time. Just come find me at the long table when you're ready.”

“Aw, that's nice of you!”, Paimon remarked, her little feet dangling happily in the air.

“Thank you, Aunt Alice, but we’ll head there now.” Alice popped out of existence, and the alchemist turned to Jean. “I assume Lisa is in the library, and can unlock the door for us, correct?”

“Yes, I just came from checking on her”, she replied. 

Before they could leave, one of her hands extended towards Venti, halting halfway. Catching her hesitation, he extended his too, letting their fingers touch. Jean’s shoulders lowered with the easing tension, finally gathering the courage. “You did so much for us this time, Lord Barbatos. I don't even know how to thank you.”

He chuckled. “Don't thank me at all, please. It makes it seem like I'm useless the rest of the time haha…”

Even though she shook her head, a smile was spreading. “You know that's not what I meant... An Archon has their own calculations. Who am I to question their wisdom?”

“Okay, now you give me too much credit”, he argued, clicking his tongue. “I admit, I'm not the most, um... proactive Archon. Especially not before the curse and all of that, although I would have helped in this situation even without Celestia ordering me around. Let’s just say I have a complicated relation with work, shall we? And that I differentiate between kinds of spotlight.”

“I have noticed your reluctance to step on the dais, yesterday. I’m glad you managed to overcome the fear of being perceived differently.”

He melted. By impulse, he took her hand fully, lacing their fingers together. “It was largely thanks to you. Just like this time - you have your own hard work to thank for this result. Oh, and our friends the Honorary Knight and Paimon, of course.”

“I concur”, Albedo added, smugly staring at the way the pixie’s ego inflated. 

Aether joked along, putting his hands on his hips. “We’ve just arrived from the Nation of War, so this was nothing”, he boasted.

But Jean wasn’t so inclined to laugh along. Venti squeezed her hand. “Worried about Albedo's plan?”

“I can't help it”, she admitted. “I have full confidence in his abilities. It's just an instinctual response. But, in the end, if he sets his mind to something”, she continued, looking at the alchemist, “I know he will succeed. I trust him.”

“That's good to hear”, Venti said, nudging against his beloved prince’s side, who offered a smile and bent his head in silent thanks. 

Preventing any more sappy exchanges, the pixie got impatient and pushed them from behind, so all except Jean pretended that her strength was enough to get them out of the door.

Lisa was expecting them - she was probably warned by Alice already, or maybe by the winds, that sometimes had a mind of their own just like Venti liked. She had just finished unlocking the door of the forbidden section, and wished good luck in that flirty manner of hers, despite concern lines engraved in her expression. 

The group slid right in, inside the sumptuous library where the laws of physics didn’t apply. Alice was already at the head of the table, with a box in front of her, and wolfie, perhaps mistaking her Dodoco form for another plushie, was snoring lightly as he slept curled around her. 

“Welcome, one and all. Please sit wherever you like”, she said.

Albedo and the Traveler each took a seat at one of her sides, and Venti followed Aether’s trail, sustaining the light mood with banter. “So, no unspoken rules to be aware of? I don't wanna unwittingly park myself down on some important lady's chair…”

The witch chuckled. “I highly doubt anyone's going to mind where you sit, Lord Barbatos. But thank you for being so considerate. So tell me, Albedo, what is this outrageous and audacious plan of yours that I've been hearing murmurings about?”

“I'll get right to the point. I intend to kill the evil Durin in Dragonspine”, he stated, to no one’s surprise, “and use his heart and soul in an experiment. I'd also like to request some alchemical reagents from the Hexenzirkel.”

Alice’s Dodoco jumped a couple of times in excitement, her voice bursting with intrigue. “Which ones? I'm all ears.”

“First would be the flesh of that immortal monster from the Mare Jivari. The other is a portion of the embryo’ left by my mother, Rhinedottir.”

“Ah, the raw material from which she created her monsters in the past... There's not much of it left”, she lamented. “Dragon blood, monster flesh, and embryo... Sounds to me like a formula for creating life?”

“Correct. Durin's heart has continued to beat ever since the day he died. That means, it's just a matter of time before he eventually returns, and poses a bigger threat than he did now, at less than half of his original strength. Hence why we must eliminate him entirely, or at least, his tainted form.” He leaned forward on his chair and illustrated what he said, by picking a white chess piece and using it to trample the red king. “Unfortunately, Durin is a special entity. Even after death, he could reawaken at any moment. So, the solution is to kill him and then resurrect him in a different form. Upon resurrection, he will no longer be a monster, because I intend to transform him into a human-like being.

“What of his soul?” Alice wondered. “It will still be powerful even in human form, and susceptive to resentment, especially after festering for so long.”

“That is also what I want to know”, Aether insisted. 

Venti would have the same questions, had he not already grasped what the alchemist aimed to do from the notes he left around in his office. Truly, it was a miracle that no one suspected him before, or figured out his Homunculi nature.

Their alchemist was unbothered by the question. “During the summer, Klee and I visited Simulanka, and I met the pure soul M had created, after he experienced a transformation at the hands of the Traveler and other friends. That experience inspired me, and I knew if I wanted to change Durin's fate, he could be the key.”

“I think I see where you’re going”, she said, pensive. “Besides the monster remnants, you intend to use the soul of M’s child, to offset the corrosive nature. A union of opposites, in a way.”

Albedo hummed. “And, in a way, your challenge will involve a similar concept, will it not?”

“So you already knew the ingredients wouldn’t be handled so easily…” She sounded almost betrayed. “And the glint in your eye when you talk about these ideas... you really are your mother's child.”

“Do you see that as a bad thing, Aunt Alice?”, the prince wondered, tilting his head.

The Dodoco huffed. “Of course not. To me, you're both extraordinary individuals. I find you fascinating”, she declared with a hint of pride. “In any case, now I see why you asked Venti for help. The raw materials you seek are extremely valuable, and the misuse of even the tiniest amount could cause unimaginable chaos. You need to prove you can wield them, and so, you must pass the Hexenzirkel's trial.”

“I understand. I figured something like this might happen. That's why I asked the Traveler to come along.”

Aether sent him a half-baked glare. “You're not gonna try to talk me into it? Not even a date first?”

“Oh? You need seduction before joining me in this alchemical marriage?” His flirtatious tone made Paimon groan, but Venti just caught her eyes and put a finger to his mouth, grinning. “I can think of no better partner for such an endeavor, and I thought you'd want to keep an eye on me. Who knows what sort of... outlandish things I might attempt without someone to keep me in check.”

Alice giggled. “Then I suppose Barbatos is here as the dove, and I shall officiate the marriage.”

The white queen of the pair chuckled too. “Aunt Alice has always loved a spectacle - any chance to witness friends come together to support one another.”

“Well, success means little if you have no one to celebrate it with, no?”, she asked cheekily. “Although, I'm afraid dear Paimon will have to sit this one out.”

“What? Why? And what is all of this talk of marriage? Ah!” She gasped. “You’re not stealing the Traveler from Paimon, right?!”

The whole room laughed this time.

Venti tried to cater the speech to the child. “It’s just an alchemical thing, Paimon, older than the Archons themselves. I’m sure you’ve seen vestiges of the ritual during your travels.”

“We have”, Aether confirmed. “She is just forgetful. Although… almost every civilization that attempted something similar ended in ruin. Shouldn’t we worry?”

“Ah, that… was because of a different common factor”, the angel mumbled, feeling the weight of their wings. “It’s not present here, so you won’t meet the same fate.”

Alice didn’t let them derail more. “Back on topic: The Hexenzirkel trials are no walk in the park, my dears. Besides, I already decided on the structure of this challenge, and I’m afraid there's only room for two participants. No more no less... You understand, don't you, Paimon? Don't be too angry with your dear Aunt…”

“Okay, okay, geez, you can turn off the charm…”, the bratty fairy said. “Paimon will stay behind.”

“Hahaha, thank you for being so understanding - I will make sure the table will be full of delicious dishes as compensation.” That immediately cheered her up, and the witch turned to the candidates. “Then, whenever you two are ready, interact with the chessboard on the table - it will guide you through the trial. Get ready for a taste of the Dodo-King's magic.”

Smiling, Albedo extended a hand, that Aether took. Venti could tell from his grin that excitement coursed in his veins.

“Are you ready, Traveler?”

“Let’s do this.”

The chalk prince touched the chessboard… and they started floating in the air, a little lost and wobbling at first, as their sizes shrunk. Paimon was mesmerized at seeing them become smaller than her, worrying only when they started falling without a glider. Venti summoned a current, slowing their descent. 

“Whoa, you're so tiny now!”, the pixie delighted, unaware of how mini-Albedo covered his ears. “Take extra care of yourselves, okay?”

Venti caught how Aether laughed, before turning to say something to his pair, but not even the winds could breach that domain further to catch the content of the message. 

But the cries from the mountain were getting louder. Durin was really agitated… 

Venti turned to Alice's manifestation, certain that she sensed it too. "Apologies for not being here to be the dove as you hoped, but I shall take my leave now - there's an audience in need of my bardic services”, he said, keeping the implications light-hearted. “Please be so kind as to drop the Kreideprinz and the Traveler where they are needed after their victory." 

Alice chuckled. "Of course! But that's assuming that they win..." 

Venti paid one last glance at the chessboard, where the miniature of their friends fought, and his lips tilted up. "I know they will."

—

Approaching the cavern where Durin's heart beat, Barbatos could understand why humans would succumb to his influence. It exuded a nauseating wave of putrid emotions, capable of altering the senses, infecting people with the perception that all of the minor problems experienced in their lives were unfair and outrageous. 

Not even Archons were fully immune - the Archon War had so many casualties for a reason. Barbatos found themself staring at fragments of their past, contemplating their previous anguish. The moment they  debated if it would be easier to switch to the form of the other rebellion members, also gone, just to try it and find that it wasn't; The revolt in seeing pure-hearted Vennessa ascend to Celestia, while keeping their lips sealed; The many moments in their life that they learned of the cruelty that people were capable of, that they never anticipated, and the impotence they felt to help the victims; the obligations they never wanted, and the questioning of the purpose of their existence - never sought, only imposed.

And, more than anything, the fear of becoming another Tyrant. Their people held them in high regard, yet recent times proved that they always saw them as Venti too. But what if that stopped? What if, in the moments they looked up to see Barbatos shoot to protect them, they only thought of worship? 

What if they took a liking to that?

And what if the complete opposite happened, and their love inflated and became all-consuming, triggering another, more ancient curse that ran in the veins of their race, dooming their form, their conscience, and the children of Mondstadt?

For that was the real common factor that doomed all previous civilizations. Angels were never meant to fall in love, nor to take part in an alchemical marriage. 

Gulping, the small god had to stop for a moment before continuing to trudge through the snow.

When they stepped into the cave, they were hit by grippling grief that took them aback. Faltering, the angel was unable to move for a couple of seconds  realizing that the world was spinning. 

They fell face-first into the snow. Barbatos wasn't sure of how long it took them to drag their body forward, towards the frenzied heart. 

Good thing I arrived first , they thought with effort, panting as they sat against the bloody stone. They didn't want to think of how much Albedo and Aether would suffer if Durin's pain wasn't quelled before.

Their energy was unstable, but they still managed to manipulate the ether enough to summon their lyre. 

“Hello, Durin. Do you still remember me?”, they asked with a soothing voice, glad it didn't betray the pain that assaulted their nerves. “I play songs for you from time to time.  How would you like to listen to my new composition?”

Thankfully, Barbatos was skilled enough to dispense seeing properly, although they stayed away from singing for a while. Melody after melody, they alleviated some of the dragon's karma, while calming his deep sadness. He still wailed, he still hungered, but at least now he had company,  someone there to listen and remind him that not everyone forgot him.

After what felt like the 100th song, Barbatos was utterly depleted. 

“I hope you enjoyed my performance", they whispered, their eyes fluttering close. "I'll just rest for a bit, if you don't mind.”

It would be dangerous to fall asleep there for too long, but their heroes were likely on their way. Just... just for a few seconds.

They did not prepare for the onslaught of nightmares that followed.

A huge tree was burning. The... Irminsul? Thousand Winds swirled around it, wisping away the smoke of souls reduced to ashes, and their mother was crying. Or maybe it was cackling? While Barbatos, no Venti, no, ah, they were just singing non-stop, not knowing peace even in their sleep - or was this real? 

Time had no meaning, so why did it feel like they had been singing for eternity? That song of the universe that they should have never sought, Dream Aria, tying them intrinsically to the nature of this world and becoming its sustenance, anchoring this reality in body and soul. 

A golden crown of thorns was stuck in their head, and chains dug into their skin until blood ripped out, so they wept, but even then their coarse voice dragged on. They would never know freedom again. They wouldn't-

“...enti? Venti, can you hear us?”

Gasping, they shot up straight, losing balance. The figure next to him caught him in his arms. It was Albedo, still holding one of his hands, who helped the angel sit properly. As conscience started to settle, Venti realized that the Traveler was crouched in front of him, frowning and with one hand extended, seeping something dark into it.

That darkness came from Venti’s own body. Dahlia’s worry burned through their bond, but something clogged their connection, preventing his words from reaching.

“Are you...?” Aether took a hand to his own face, finishing the question with silence. Imitating his gesture, the angel realized their cheeks were wet, as if they had been crying. They had vague memories of a nightmare, but part of them was thankful for not remembering it fully.

“You scared us, Tone-Deaf bard!”, the pixie shouted from the alchemist's hood, making his ears ring. “We just arrived, and saw you passed out and getting tainted by corruption! Good thing the Traveler was here to absorb it!”

Ah, so that's what happened , they thought weakly, giving a thankful nod. "I'm alright now. I... came to help this child, but I didn't think I would be infected so quickly."

“Well, it will be the last time he taints anyone”, Albedo stated dryly. “Judging from your lyre, I can see you have been playing for him. I hope he enjoyed this last lullaby.” He got up, adjusting his gloves.

The god attempted to raise, their knees weak. “Don't hurt him, alright? And I want to be here to help more. I'm feeling fine, really, and if his mind lashes out, I can use the opportunity to enter his plane of conscience and have a proper talk.”

“Are you sure you can handle it?”, Aether wondered. “He will probably try to attack you.”

“He would attack anyway”, they shrugged. “At least like that, I can distract him a bit and stop him from being fully focused on harming you physically.”

The Traveler didn't seem happy about it, but he resigned. “Humm... fine. I was going to keep the taint from Albedo, so I suppose I can extend that to you too.” Reluctantly, he summoned his sword, only attempting to lighten the mood after he got its reassuring weight on his hand. “You will miss watching how my combat techniques grew. The battle in the city was barely a warm-up.”

“Getting cocky, aren't you?”, Albedo asked with a raised eyebrow, and the pair exchanged a smirk. “Don’t forget I was the one who had to shield us when we entered the second phase of the trial.”

Venti chuckled. “Hey, at least I watched the beginning of you two fight chess pieces. Although I sadly missed the grand finale. But one day, I'll make sure to stay until the end and record your prowess properly into a song.”

“Paimon will hold you to that promise!”, the fairy urged. “The Tales of Paimon and the Traveler are deserving of an epic already. Anyway, let's get this done - the snacks from before weren't enough for Paimon, and the Traveler is used to dealing with dragons at this point. You got this!”

The alchemist straightened, and pulled at his hood. “Sorry, Paimon, I have to get to work now”, he said, urging her to leave. He turned to the others. “You two, stay on guard.”

Venti tensed, facing the heart. Aether stepped protectively in front of him, knowing well that, once his mind reached into the dragon's conscience, his body would cease to move.

The chalk prince held their hands. He hesitated. “Durin, and whatever fragments of my prototype that remain in there... We are all alchemical creations, so to call us kin would be incorrect. But I empathize with your desires. You wished to live my life, and that opportunity, albeit with some changes, will be granted.”

There was no response. The heart simply kept beating, loud and waiting. But the Chalk Prince continued.

“I am perhaps the most unique among humans, in that I'm the only one of my kind”, he stated. “But soon there will be another just like me, assuming this alchemical project proves successful. That will be, to an extent, you, fused with another. It might not be what you wanted, but it is a chance at life regardless, and to find meaning. It’s a chance… to experience humanity.”

Albedo clasped his hands together.

Gold spread from his palms, covering and sipping into the crimson living gemstone, that hissed in a magma-like manner, and started beating even faster. The walls vibrated, almost threatening them with a cave-in, but Albedo's shield grew until it could support the weight of the stone, filling its fissures.

Before any of them could react, a dark substance squished out, aiming straight at the chalk prince.

His shield resisted, but that was only the beginning. More and more tendrils shot out, and this time the Traveler lunged forward to cut them. Venti helped while they were still present, knowing well that Albedo's powers shouldn't be interrupted. The angel picked their lyre and strummed some cords, sending a powerful blast of Anemo that interacted with the elements nearby, freezing the dark mud.

Aether wasted no time. In a circular motion, he slashed all the tendrils at the same time, letting them drop unceremoniously. They could hear a roar from every direction, as if the dragon truly was awakening, and darkened abyssal projectiles were thrown to the ground, where they began to take form. Paimon gasped, but Venti acted before all of the Abyss monsters could materialize fully, unleashing a blackhole that left him breathless. His energy hadn't fully recovered yet, so spending so much was reckless, but pulling all of the creatures into the same spot was worth it. It allowed the Traveler to dash closer and summon lightning, shocking those twisted beings to death.

There was only one who escaped, too heavy to be pulled. Paimon screeched in warning and, ignoring the smoldering pile, Aether turned on his heels to block, but his timing was off, and he almost got knocked back in an undignified manner when the mace of the abyssal-hillichurl hit him. 

Albedo and Venti shouted in tandem, barely processing how their hero would be caught by something so small, but there was no point in concern alone. The angel flapped his wings, and sent it flying back in retaliation. Regaining his balance, Aether drowned him in Hydro, tossing his sword to the other hand as he seamlessly changed his elemental alignment to Pyro to boil the creature alive, reduced to abyss goo like all others. 

It still wasn't over.

A new wave of attacks started, but Venti sensed an opening in Durin's mind. 

Trusting their friends fully, they let go, jumping into his plane of conscience. They still saw how the Traveler dragged his feet through the ground to create a stone barrier that protected the angelical form, before they were surrounded by darkness.

Durin's plane was... lonely. Pitch black, its deafening silence broken only by an incessant dripping sound that would drive anyone mad.

Following it, Venti noticed the red drops that kept falling nearby, emitting a faint light. Glancing up at their origin, they saw it: a single floating eye high up, crying blood. 

Their chest contorted with pity. 

Taking a deep breath, they took some steps to be right under his gaze, opening their hands as they smiled. The drops fell on their head, drenching them in red, a punishment they accepted. “We finally meet again properly, Durin”, they said meekly. “Are you scared? There's no need to be.”

Truth be told, Venti was the one who should be scared. The same tendrils manifesting outside were a part of the dragon's mind, curling around the angel’s ankles and whispering ghostly threats, ready to lunge as soon as they made a wrong move.

At the lack of reply, Venti tried again. “Would you like-?”

“No.” Durin's voice was almost petulant, childish, despite the grave undertone. “I like your songs, but I know now that you never wanted to dance and sing with me. You wanted to kill me.”

Venti faced his gaze head on. “I did, and I have. But I also wanted you to live. Still do.”

“Then why did you kill me? I just wanted to meet people, and sing praises to my homeland.”

“Those are noble desires indeed. Tragically, your form was tainted, and causing pain to everyone you crossed paths with”, he replied truthfully. “It brought me no joy to put you to rest, but also couldn't bear listening to any more of their pleas. Surely, you wouldn't want to survive in a world without people either, or to carry the guilt of their deaths.”

“No... No…” He took a deep breath, and the whole plane shifted, as if stirring from a deep slumber. “Why has Mother sent me on that journey? Why take me away from that lovely dark universe, unlike the oppressive darkness here, if the blessings in my blood were poison to this world?”

“I'm not sure. I feel like there was a distortion of intent, or something that went wrong along the way. Rhinedottir - your mother - is a complicated person, with a lot to attain for herself. But, if you stop struggling, and let your brother help you, you'll get to learn the truth for yourself, and meet mother again.”

“This hurts. It hurts more than the song that put me to rest, and the warmth of that jewel-like dragon on my neck. My heart, it…” Another cry echoed in the plane.

“I know, I know... But it's temporary”, Venti promised, joining their hands together and ignoring the blood dripping to their eyes. “Remember the last thing you told me, when your body was still intact enough to speak? 'Farewell, O lovely bard! And farewell, O lovely dragon! Would that we had met in a different time and place, to meet, to sing and dance together!' I never forgot, and I’ve eagerly waited for a chance to realize your wish. So, please, stop resisting. Trust that this time, we are here to include you in our fairytale.”

The dragon was crying as the tendrils retreated. Venti's heart sank with the anguish he exuded, wishing they could hold the dragon somehow. But the child had grown too much to fit in their arms. In a way, their whole existence had always been too much.

But that was about to change. That hope was the only comfort they cling to.

There was a tear in the obsidian skies. Like glass, the cracks spread, allowing them to glimpse a blinding white light. 

When it shattered, Venti was engulfed by the radiance, finally feeling like they could breathe again.

When he woke up, he was sitting on a couch, leaning against someone. 

Blinking, he recognized the living room of the Dawn Winery, and the redhead sitting in front of him. But Diluc wasn't the one supporting his weight. Still groggy, when he turned around, he saw...

“Hello, cutie~” Lisa greeted with a chuckle. “Would you like a cup of tea? Dear Adelinde is brewing more. We also have apple pie.”

“I... wait, what day is it? And how did I end up here?”

“You were only gone for a few hours”, explained Diluc, moving his chair closer to place one hand over Venti's leg, squeezing in reassurance. “Although it's dawn already. The Traveler and Albedo just finished collecting Durin's heart. Since you were still unconscious, and my mansion was closer than the city, they dropped you here. I happened to be talking to a certain witch with miss Lisa”, he relayed, glancing at the intricate red cup.

A chuckle bubbled up, and he spoke to the cup. “Hello, miss Nicole. What a fortuitous meeting!”

“Barbatos, you are overlooking your own blindspots, and forgetting the warning of dreams. Besides, as an angel, you carry more than one curse, so you should watch your own heart”, her harshness was abrasive, and he anxiously wondered about what she knew. “But no matter - you were always determined to do as you wished. I shall take my leave now.”

“Just that? So rude!”, he pouted, although he didn't mind much. He was too exhausted to deal with her warnings, and he allowed himself to stay pressed against Lisa's side, humming when she petted his hair.

They didn't have much to talk about, surprisingly. Just an update on what they have accomplished for the past hours, but their whole group was too drained to fully commit to a report, and the guarantee that Mondstadt was safe was enough for now. Instead, they allowed Adeline to pamper them, so that they regained energy to attend the rest of the festival.

“Do we really need to go?”, Lisa asked with a yawn. “This couch is so comfortable, and it's too early. No-work days should let us sleep in…”

Diluc huffed in reprimand. “Perhaps not you, but I make a large profit around this time, and Angel's Share needs all the workers it can. As for Venti, he is the Windblume Star. And you also invited the Archons, right?”

He smiled fondly. “I have, and I'm looking forward to meeting some of them for the first time. Just... not yet, alright? They are unlikely to arrive before mid-morning, so I want to finish breakfast before I even think of putting on that complicated dress. Again .”

The other two chuckled, but allowed him to laze around. 

It felt rewarding, in a way, to be cocooned and cared for after putting in so much effort. But Barbatos couldn't quite shake the warning signs, and the whispers from a looming future that refused to be ignored.

Chapter Text

The breeze laughed along with the children of Mondstadt, ecstatic to run around and experience the festival without looming threats. Venti opened his arms in the open streets, and twirled under the sunlight, watching as his dress moved and taking in the pure air. The dark miasma that previously clogged his throat and senses was gone: Mondstadt stood victorious, and Durin was contained, waiting for a chance to be reborn. 

As for what - or more exactly, who - he was waiting for… Mini Durin would come along with the right-hand of Lesser Lord Kusanali. A certain Wanderer that Albedo had been in contact with since last summer, and Venti, attuned to all Anemo vision holders, had a vague impression of. So it was fortuitous how everything fell into place: between the letters sent by the chalk prince, and those sent by the angel to other Archons, there was significant overlap in space and time regarding the people invited.

They simply had to let the wind lead.

“Are you coming to the tavern, Venti?” Quinn was shouting from above the crowd, waving at him as he approached, treating the god normally.

Delighted by the casual tone, the archon noticed how his own wings flapped excitedly, but a dutiful voice in his head halted his steps. “I wish, but I will have to pass this one”, he replied back with a pathetic slump of shoulders. “But tonight, we celebrate properly!”

“Yeah! I will go enjoy myself since I have time, thanks to the festival, and my booth is closed. I haven’t had Windblume’s special brews in so long…”

Congratulating the archon for the prowess in battle didn’t even cross his mind, nor did saying a proper goodbye, forgotten now that the young man set his mind on a more important goal. 

The bard simply shrugged, and headed to the fountain in the heart of the marketplace, where he intended to wait for his honored guests - after painstakingly explaining in the letters that, although most of them wouldn’t be familiar with the city, they would simply have to enter through the main gate and go straight ahead, no risks of getting directions wrong. 

He played a few festive songs while waiting, sitting in the periphery of the fountain and attracting a few passersby. He even played an ode with his Herald who showed up briefly, that he had composed for Dahlia precisely, a few years ago - it was nowadays considered a classic, and people loved watching them perform it together. Giddy with fun, they both took too long to notice when a little spark knight jumped canon-style into the fountain, splashing water everywhere.

Gasps were heard all around.

Soaked head to toe, the pair could only stare at each other processing what happened, before turning simultaneously to the little girl. 

Under their perplexed gazes, her smile froze. “Humm… Klee is sorry?”, the girl volunteered, guilt starting to taint her expression.

But alas, Venti had a soft spot for children, and her attitude was all it took for her to be instantly forgiven. His deacon was much the same. “Sorry for what?”, Dahlia asked with a chuckle. “It’s hot today, so now we are refreshed. Besides, it’s not like water scares me.”

Grinning, he didn’t give her a chance to react before lunging with his arm in an arc towards the water surface, and summoning a trampoline under Klee, launching her up. The girl screeched in excitement, her feet dangling for a few seconds in the air before landing in the fountain again, laughing non-stop - her mirth so contagious that everyone around was either laughing too, or seemed to consider that the trampoline could be better than the games around. 

“Do it again!” Klee pleaded. 

‘No’ just wasn’t an option. Dahlia exchanged a glance with Venti, already resigned to his fate and knowing he would have to do it over and over, but the angel just smirked and hit him with a wing. They didn’t need their connection to make their thoughts obvious, but he abused it anyway. “Don’t expect me to save you. You started it, now you keep playing with this little ball of energy.”

“Well, at least I won’t be bored out of my mind…” , he thought back, raising one hand to repeat the action. 

“Surprise Baptism!”, he shouted, sneakily changing direction to aim at Venti’s feet.

“Whoa!” 

The floor was yanked from under him, giving way to a jelly surface that was rising rapidly, throwing him up. An involuntary chuckle bubbled out of his throat, and his wings sprawled by instinct, flapping to slow down the descent despite the momentary strain on the tendons. He twirled in the air… and fell down face first on the fountain with a huge splash. 

He was coughing water when he sat on his knees, cursing his mischievous deacon while shaking his head from side to side, braids floating like the long ears of a dog drying its fur.

Klee and Dahlia were bent over cackling, and Venti was too, needing to catch his breath before he could say anything.

When he was about to scold his Herald for ‘baptising’ his own god, however, he recognized a familiar sound. 

It was a deep, polite laugher, short yet uncontained, the sound full and rich. It had an inkling of mischief - the kind of subtlety that only someone who could listen to the winds would detect, and they told Venti that the owner was rejoicing at his sorry state, like a petty form of revenge, while also approving of his happiness.

Barbatos’ neck snapped around, immediately finding those golden orbs. 

Zhongli noticed his recognizance, the corner of his eyes squeezed in amusement. 

“It appears my concerns were misplaced, Lord Barbatos, and that you are the same as always.”

Venti couldn’t hold back - he was beaming, his heart jumped, and it took all of his strength to contain himself and not do the same, running to that old fossil and soaking his new suit. “You mean perhaps that I’m even less inhibited?”, he dared, slowly dawning on him how his drenched white dress sticking to his figure was only making things worse. He laughed. “I’m happy to see you again, dear friend.”

“Likewise”, he greeted with a bow of head.

Rex Lapis stepped closer. His expression never faltered under the curious stares of Mondstadters, used as he was to attention. Even when he wasn’t assuming the role of a god, everything about him drew the eye: from his comfortably confident and reliable posture, to the way he dressed. It remained formal, even for a festival, although from a small distance, the bard could make out the details meant to fit with the style of Mondstadt. Noticing the glaze lily pin above a pocket on his chest, the angel made an appreciative sound. 

Morax extended a hand, and Barbatos took it, accepting help to get up.

“So…” Dahlia’s voice popped in his mind, as he started heading away with Klee. “I assume it would be too bad to ruin the moment and launch you right now, but can I at least know who that is? Is he the Archon of Geo? Because if so, that’s a fine gentleman.” 

Venti could hear the giggle reverberating in his mind, and chuckled. “That he is.” 

“Come with me, let’s sit at a table and order some drinks”, the god suggested, leading Zhongli by hand towards The Good Hunter. As they sat, “I wasn’t even sure you would come - you haven’t exactly let your city know you are Morax in the meantime, have you? So I wasn’t sure you would want to share it with the…”, he lowered his voice, “other Archons.”

“I have not, and I would appreciate it if the secret was barred from most mortals, although they are free to guess”, he put calmly, leisurely opening the menu to check his options. “Regardless, I am not opposed to sharing the information with other Archons, and their closest supporters - such as that boy from before, I take it?” He raised an eyebrow, knowingly, and Venti’s grin only widened in reply. “Your connection is strong, at least to my perception.”

“Well, Dahlia is my Herald, and we can even whisper in each other’s mind, so that’s an accurate assessment.” The bard waved to let Sara know they were ready to order. “There are barely any secrets between us, although he is absent for some periods from time to time.”

“I see. Then I’m glad you have such a close friend. Although, I hope, you have others to attend to your… needs in his absence. You implied in your letters that such is the case, and I can tell you are happy and well into recovery. Frankly, it fills my heart with relief, and pride as well.”

Venti blinked, moved. Indeed, looking back, Morax was his first anchor, and saw him at his lowest point - more than once, considering previous episodes, but also regarding the curse from Celestia. Barbatos had almost forgotten - now that his wings were so mobile and intact, and that his bonds with people were a source of jolly - how his old friend was the one seeing his horrible wings first, and the one who suggested solutions. 

To the winged god, the transition occurred gradually over months. But to Zhongli, the only in-betweens that he got were a couple of letters and potentially reports from Xiao, and it was the first time he was seeing him so well.

The breeze swayed around them, gently bringing the fragrance of spring. 

Before he could reply, Sara arrived to take their orders, and not long after he detected brisk steps. 

“Ayo~!” Hu Tao popped up beside them. “There you are, Zhongli! I lost you for a moment, I thought you were being scammed by the many activities or participating without your wallet, so I went around making sure you wouldn’t add more bills to the Funeral Parlor.”

Zhongli laughed. “No need to concern yourself, Director Hu. I don’t do that anymore.”

“Oh?” Venti laid his chin on a hand, smirking. “So that means you are paying for your meal right now, or are you making me pay?”

The god in disguise squinted, entertained. “Surely my old friend would know the rules of hospitality, and treat me to a meal at least once? Unless customs in Mondstadt are different.”

“Hey now, don’t make it about Mondstadt. Of course, we treat people to meals! However, if the ‘once’ you mentioned is now, given that we are just having some mid-morning snacks and drinks, your opportunity to get me to treat you to a full course will be wasted.”

The gears in the geo god’s head were turning. Checkmate. Hu Tao chuckled, taking a seat herself, with legs crossed over the chair. 

Venti turned to her.

“For a moment, I hoped that Xiao would accompany you, but I suppose I should already be content that he visited me on the first day of Windblume”, he said, touching the gift from the Yaksha and turning the sandglass upside-down. His mind distracted him with images of how they spent that visit, and his face started to warm up, before he changed the subject. “At least you have come.”

“Duh. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see my friend Furina again”, she said cheerfully. 

“And here I thought you were motivated by our friendship”, he pouted, faking sadness.  

She winked at him. “Your wings are looking great, Lord Barbatos, but you’re still stuck on the ground. So you better keep up the work! Or you can just fall to your death when you try flying, and become a client of mine instead.”

He rolled his eyes. “Believe me, you wouldn’t say I’m stuck on the ground if you had seen me just some moments ago. Zhongli witnessed my friend Dahlia tossing me up with a hydro trampoline, and here I am”, he stated with an emphatic gesture to his still-wet clothes.

“Sounds like me and that Dahlia should be friends!”

Venti chuckled nervously, both thrilled and terrified at the prospect. Between their mischief, their dealings with death, proximity to archons and tactful nature… their pair would be unstoppable. They even dress in similar color schemes and reference flowers , the angel mused.

They shared a berry and mint cocktail and some chicken-mushroom skewers, as they caught up over what transpired over the last months. Venti shared a very abridged version of all the bonds he formed and how much that helped him, painting some particular tales with a brush of drama, and eagerly listened to what his friends had to say: 

“That reminds me”, Zhongli started. “Isn’t the Traveler around?”

“Oh, eh-he, he is! But I wouldn’t be surprised if he was deep asleep, since, hum, let’s say the last days were eventful.”

He got front-row seats to the old man’s widening eyes as he updated him on Durin’s episode.

“And everyone is acting so normally”, he said pensively when the god was finished, sounding all dusty. “I’m impressed. It’s a far cry from how everyone was shaken in Liyue after the first Osial attack.”

He agreed easily. “Well, I’m sure it’s a different story at the Knight’s Headquarters, but it gladdens me how carefree people here are.”

Hu Tao was casually letting her friendly ghost scare the people around, sipping at her drink. “Humm, I think it’s a good thing. Shows that they trust you and the knights enough not to have fears on their mind all the time. And I like how they are so willing to just forget it and party.”

But a new voice showed up. Shocked and a little childish, bratty almost. Venti wasn’t familiar with it, but the girl clearly recognized his friends. “Wait, Hu Tao? And Mister Zhongli?! Eh?”

“Furinaaa! Long-time no see!”

Hu Tao wasted no time in jumping off her chair and running to the actor of Fontaine’s longest play, present not just because of the role she played, but because Venti would very much like her to enjoy a vacation in Mondstadt. Amongst … other concerns. 

With a smirk, he saw as Hu Tao dashed towards her in a fleet of flaming butterflies, throwing her arms around the other girl, whose smile grew by the second. Furina’s sense of fashion ticked all of Venti’s boxes: androgynous, a little prince-like, with shorts and exposed tights but balanced with the fanciful suits of her Nation, and her short white hair curled in an adorable way. She didn’t particularly look like Egeria, but that was probably for the better - she had already spent too long pretending to be someone she wasn’t.

She was also recognizable enough to anyone who ever read newspapers, and Mondstadt’s citizens were whispering of “ex-Archon” and “isn’t that a Fontaine’s famous actress?”

Furina herself seemed to realize that. “Wow, I didn’t expect people to clock me so easily”, she said, slightly jittery, holding onto her friend’s arms. “Does that mean you also know who I am?”

“Boo, you Archons and standing archons are really bad at disguises”, Hu Tao teased. “I’ve looked up information about you after we met last lantern rite, to try to piece together what you were hiding, and most journals had multiple articles on you - it wasn’t even hard. Either way, what matters is that we are friends - and I’m glad that my other friend Venti didn’t forget to include you in the invitation.”

The fiery girl extended a hand, and Venti took it temporarily, bowing to a puzzled Furina. “Hello there! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Furina. I heard much about the movies you have been directing recently, and how prior to that you gave the greatest performance of all time. Let’s say I know a thing or two about having to inherit the identity and role of someone else.”

“Thank you, miss…  humm, monsieur. Wait, you’re Lord Barbatos?” Her eyes widened, and she took in his appearance. “The dress is most beautiful, I just didn’t expect-”

“To find me completely soaked? Or you thought I would be more masculine and imposing, perhaps?” He chuckled at her embarrassed face. “Don’t worry, I get it. Although I typically dress like a simple bard. I opened an exception for this festival, but I ended up tossing presentations to the wind and playing with a friend and a child on the fountain instead. Oh, and just call me Venti.”

That had the effect of melting her defensiveness, and she chuckled. Hu Tao was looking between them and grinning.

“I see, I see! The atmosphere of this festival is lovely, so it’s certainly a good opportunity to have fun with other people. And you mentioned you're a bard? I would love to hear you perform!”

“Well, consider yourself invited. Not just for my performances, mind you - you can visit Mondstadt anytime you want.”

“I appreciate it, although I don't fully understand why I was called to, hum…” She glanced at Hu Tao, as if unsure if she could state it out loud. “A meeting of Archons”, she ended up whispering, her eyes wandering to Morax smiling innocently from his table. Piecing things together, she shook her head, brightening again. “Either way, let me introduce you to Monsieur Neuvillette. Err… where is…?”

Noticing the absence of the Hydro Sovereign, they all looked back.

There he was on the main road, one foot on the stairs. He was rigid like a rock, almost more fitting to be the Geo Archon at the moment than the real Morax - in fact, from what the angel gathered at a first glance, they were eerily similar. The hostility was what differentiated them the most, since Neuvillette was staring at their group with a stern expression. In particular, his fulminating gaze was directed at the Anemo Archon, and he suspected he was the only target simply because Zhongli was hidden out of sight, at the table behind the corner of the building.

Reconsidering his decision to invite him,  Venti gulped under the stare. But he recomposed quickly, remembering how many enemies he managed to win over with friendship, and started by offering a smile.

“You must be Monsieur Neuvillette, yes? I'm Barbatos, as you've probably guessed. Don't be a stranger, come closer.”

The man hesitated. Furina tilted her head to the side. “Neuvillette? What’s wrong?”

He finally sighted, and forced his feet to unlodge, approaching their group. “Nothing is wrong, Lady Furina. I merely have my… reservations regarding the Archons. But I couldn’t reject a chance for civilized conversation, and to lay certain truths on the table.”

Venti sighed too, playing with the winds, as Furina clicked her tongue in exasperation. “You are saying that, but you never had any issue with me when you thought I was an Archon”, she argued. “Well, at least not pertaining to that particular aspect.”

“We have worked together for a long time”, was his retort. “While I wasn’t always a fan of your antics, and some aspects of the way you cared for your Nation seemed negligent at the time, I had no reasons to think poorly of you otherwise.”

The bard was still holding his smile. “Well then, I hope you can reach the same conclusion about the rest of us. Although I recognize some subjects demand addressing before we can ask for your good-will”, he admitted, extending a hand. “Let us talk tomorrow, after everyone settles in and has a chance to experience the festival.”

It took Neuvillette a few seconds, but he eventually shook Barbatos’ hand, accepting the offer of peace. He spoke plainly. “Nothing will stop me from rendering judgment on each of The Seven. But as a point of consolation, the trial doesn’t necessarily have to lead to physical confrontation, and the Traveler has told me a few things that made me reconsider my assumptions about you. I can only hope to be proven wrong further.”

But his tentative words could hardly withstand the quiet rage forming in his eyes, as Morax finally deigned to join them.

“Deus Auri”, he said coldly, practically snarling.

“Monsieur Neuvillette”, Zhongli retorted, far more politely. He lowered his head once, in a sign of respect and greeting, insincere as it might be. “It appears that we missed each other the last time we were both in Chenyu Vale, but it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. That said, please refrain from using my titles when in public. I am here as the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, together with Director Hu”, he pointed, exchanging a glance with the girl, who grinned.

Venti couldn’t help but feel proud of how their bond grew, and she was entrusted with many more of his secrets.

But Neuvillette was not done. “In the spirit of preserving the friendship between the humans close to us, and given the sensitive request, I’m inclined to fulfill it.”

Venti shook his head. “These dragons will be the death of me…”, he found himself muttering.

Hu Tao leaned closer to whisper in his ear. “Good thing I’m here to bury you.” They laughed together, even more so seeing Furina’s pout for being excluded from the joke.

There was also another giggle, soft and high-pitched like chimes, and a flash nearby. 

Following the source of light, they saw a small girl with white hair dressed in earthy tones. Her arms were outstretched, hands forming a square that framed their group, while followed by a guy with an Anemo Vision and a large hat, his arms crossed. If any doubts about their identities remained, the small dragon hovering beside them was all the confirmation necessary: Buer, her right-hand man, and Mini-Durin had arrived.

And they weren’t alone: the little girl rose on her tiptoes to relay what she heard to the taller, purple-haired woman, this one familiar to Venti. Baal was a bit disoriented, but she appeared completely harmless, which was a good thing - the Traveler had warned Barbatos of the violent tendencies of her puppet form, but also that the two have since changed their dynamic - and the real Archon, Ei, was far gentler. She too was accompanied by someone: that fox youkai who Venti had in high regard, Yae, utterly amused at what she heard from the Dendro Archon. The pink lady turned to say something to the brooding man trailing behind, grinning in that provocative way of hers, and the winds brought fragments of her teasing to Barbatos.

Barbatos also noticed a peculiar behavior: no matter what happened, or who spoke about who, the Hat Guy was making a point of avoiding looking at Baal. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising - many people perished and suffered at the hands of the shogun’s puppet until recent years, and, given his Inazuman attire, it was possible that he hadn’t made peace with some injustice done to him. Or maybe they simply used to be enemies in the past. Venti recalled the anguished song that played when his Vision was granted - he had suffered much, and caused much suffering in turn, that he regretted. In that regard, he shared a journey with other Anemo users that constantly required Venti’s attention. And suffering caused by gods was far more common than it should be…

He realized he was staring when he caught Buer staring back, her eyes piercing his soul. Small as she was, her wisdom was boundless, and he imagined it had just expanded more since she acquired her freedom. 

“You must be the Anemo Archon, yes?” She asked kindly, putting a hand to her chest. “I’m Buer, but you can call me Nahida.”

“I’m happy to finally meet you, Nahida. I hope you enjoy the Windblume Festival - the flowers are not as abundant as in Sumeru festivals, but they are certainly a prominent symbol”, he mirrored her gentleness, catching a windwheel aster floating on the breeze and gifting it to her. She giggled, putting it on her hair. 

Mini Durin flew closer to him. “Hello! So you are the god of this land? Albedo told me about you.”

Venti extended a hand to pat his head. “Hi there! I heard a lot about you too!”

Seeing how fond the little dragon was of praise, the angel chuckled, only then turning his attention to Baal, bowing in the style of Inazuma. “And it’s a pleasure to meet the Raiden Shogun as well, since last time I visited your Nation for Irodori, our paths didn’t cross.”

Yae spoke before her Archon could, approaching her from behind and resting her chin on the god’s shoulder. “Please, bard, as if that was your fault. She was the one that hid back into  her shell after just a brief visit around the city. But, should you visit for more recent festivities, I promise that she will stay around longer”, she purred.

Baal was unaffected by the lack of boundaries, impassive when she returned the greeting.

“I apologize for my absence at the time, but it is true I have been more involved in my Nation since then. It’s my first time meeting with other Archons, and attending Windblume as well, so forgive me if I do something inappropriate. I am grateful for this opportunity. Ah, and you can refer to me as Ei.”

“I don’t think you need to be so formal”, Nahida whispered to her.

Venti chuckled. “Eh-he, that’s right. There are things I wish to discuss with all of you, but first, I want to take you around sightseeing and to enjoy the festival. We are just waiting for another party, since the Tsaritza declined the invitation.” He stated. “But well, introductions are in order. I am Barbatos, but you can call me Venti. This is Zhongli, who, hum”, he lowered his voice momentarily, “is not openly out as Rex Lapis, so keep that in mind.”

Zhongli greeted with a courteous nod.

“And this is Monsieur Neuvillette, the Hydro Sovereign. As for the two shorties, those are Hu Tao and Furina, accompanying Zhongli and Neuvillette respectively, who in turn are the director of a funerary agency and a movie director.” 

“To-da-loo~” Furina greeted by moving her fingers in a quirky way, while Hu Tao let her ghost fly around her as she offered her signature “Ayo~!”

Venti pointed to the others. “Accompanying Ei is Yae Miko, a shrine maiden you are more likely to know from running the Yae Publishing House of lightnovels. And this guy here is Nahida’s right-hand”, he finally said, directed at the standoffish man. He grimaced. “Sorry, I only know you as Wanderer or Hat Guy.”

“That’s really all you need to know”, he said with a sigh, arms still crossed. “Although you can call me Caellum, if you really must. It’s a name that the Traveler picked for me.” His eyes darted off, as if he wished to be anywhere but here.

The rest of the group was more social, quickly overcoming the lack of familiarity and picking small conversation, although with the typical awkwardness from meeting someone from the first time, not yet having their dynamics figured out. Barbatos was much the same, resisting the temptation to position himself closer to the individuals he knew and unlocking parroting mode to speed-through the hesitation, although he was already positive that he and Nahida would be great friends. Ei was also kind, barely passing for a Tyrant god who would enclose her people in a city surrounded by a storm, and- No. Don’t go there. She is not the same as Decarabian, and she has been taking accountability for giving poor instructions to her puppet and addressing her baggage. The Traveler told you that . 

The only one sticking out like a sore thumb was the Hydro Sovereign, his bravado and wish to judge the Archons dying in the presence of all of them together. Zhongli stood as far from him as possible, exchanging a conversation with Baal, while Furina’s pets were delighted by Nahida’s illusions. Furina herself, perhaps out of intimidation or thinking she didn’t belong, was more interested in catching up with the other mortal present, her friend Hu Tao.

Venti took pity on Neuvillette. And, while he wasn’t sure if the man would appreciate his intensity, since when did Barbatos trim parts of himself to please figures of authority?

“How are you feeling?”, he said, holding hands behind his back and leaning closer with a smirk. “Since you are a Hydro dragon, if the sunlight is too intense for you at this hour, we can search for some shade. Or perhaps I could offer you a drink?”

His eyebrows raised in interest. “A drink sounds rather delightful right now, yes. Although there’s no need - I brought my own callice, but I thank you for permission to taste your region’s waters.”

“Hum?” Venti blinked, seeing as the man simply took out an ornate cup from the inside of his suit and headed determinedly towards the fountain. 

It was with much perplexity that he saw the fancy-garbed man bend to dip the cup in the fountain, filling it with water, before taking it to his lips. When he paused after the first gulp, his eyes were closed, too focused on tasting it, and the winds brought his appreciation to the Anemo Archon. He quietly drank the rest, and even went for refills.

Better to not let him know that people were just playing in that fountain less than one hour ago , Venti concluded, shrugging. Furina was less inclined to let his behavior slide, protesting dramatically and scolding him for embarrassing their retinue of two. Hu Tao was giggling, and the other Archons made a point to not stare for long, contrary to the citizens of Mondstadt. But hey, at least that had the positive effect of shifting the humans’ focus from their peculiar group! Not that Barbatos blamed them. Even without the awareness that they were archons, between their striking appearances and the fact that they were talking to the Anemo Archon immediately marked them as important people. 

When Neuvillette rejoined them, Venti decided to act normally. “I hope it was to your taste - although I would love to offer you other kinds of drinks as well, eh-he”

“I am not a big fan of alcohol, but if it uses the same source of water in its process, I might be inclined to try”, he acquiesced. “The waters from Mondstadt have once again proved to be crisp and pure, and I sorely missed their taste.”

Venti hummed, as if he totally understood what he meant, and simply accepted the praise for what it was. “Then we can maybe consider tea as well - Zhongli here is rather knowledgeable about those, and I’m under the impression that you two would become fast friends and find many similarities were you willing to look past old rivalries. I know it’s early to address this, but we aren’t here to hurt anyone or get into conflicts. You know that, right?”

Neuvillette didn’t answer immediately. He simply observed their surroundings, dwelling especially in the festive ambience. 

Even though the game booths were in a separate area - the marketplace was resuming its usual task - the people wandering in and out brought a smile on their lips and a lightness to their steps. Margaret was playing with her cats while mingling with diverse groups to chat, and even Diona was enjoying a break outside, with people congratulating their quick response and the offer of refuge; Couples were together, and even some single individuals brought whole bouquets with them, no doubt offered by admirers; Ingredients were flying off the shelves, since the Festival encouraged people to do things with their own hands, and that included cooking; And for those who didn’t interpret cooking as something they must do, The Good Hunter was open and thriving, and Sara’s satisfaction was palpable despite the amount of work ahead.

In fact, while a laid-back attitude was common in the city, it was distinctly notorious today, yet somehow managed to coexist with the proactiveness. 

The natural breezy atmosphere of Mondstadt also helped. The scent carried on the wind was almost as intense as in flower fields, without being overwhelming, and bringing to dance the occasional flower: just from a quick dance, Barbatos saw Windwheel asters, dandelions, the occasional roses and a lone Cecilia. The warmth of the sun, that would be abrasive in a land without wind, was tamed and comfortable, and there was plenty of shade around. The sounds greatly contributed to the hominess, from the bards playing songs to the chatter, and even more mundane like the exchange of Mora, the gurgling of the fountain or the walking on cobblestones. Then there were also the decorations, from the little colorful flags hanging between the houses, to the flowers that adorned the whole city, in that shade of teal especially cultivated for this festival. 

The Hydro Sovereign gave a long sigh. “I am aware. I can sense the peace and happiness in this city, and my previous trips to Liyue left a similar impression. I don't detect secondary malicious intentions, and despite not approving of the lack of laws on certain Nations, or the way some of you rule, I recognize that it contributes to the ecosystem and individuality of each region”, he stated fairly. “And yet…”

Their pair fell silent. There was no need to clarify what bothered the dragon. 

“Alright, we'll deal with this tomorrow”, Venti decided, bouncing on his heels. “I might even introduce you to my friend Dvalin! He’s a dragon too.”

That caught the man's attention, who turned to him with wide eyes. “There are dragons in Mondstadt?” Catching himself,  he coughed into his hand, clearing his throat. “Forgive me, I wasn't aware. The fact that he is your friend is even more surprising to me.”

Venti gasped. “Am I so impossible to befriend in your eyes? You wound me”, he pretended, chuckling and dropping the fake-offense before the man had a chance to apologize. “I’m just joking. As for what you said, there aren't ‘dragons’ in Mondstadt, this is the only one. But I was the person who raised him, and even taught him the human tongue and music. Ah, they grow so fast…”, Venti semi-lamented. “He doesn't present as a human like you, so if he ever got angry, he could eat me whole. I wasn't always the most present parent, but I think the fact that we are still friends means I didn't do wrong by him.”

“I might need to rethink some of my stances…”, he caught Neuvillette muttering, and his chest swelled with pride.

All attempts at continuing conversation were drowned by a mechanical roaring. Venti knew exactly what that was, since he had once sneaked into Natlan without revealing his identity and check who was the returned Archon, and took the chance to temporarily steal and try her motorcycle.

Haborym’s entrance was show-stopping, as she drove up towards the market with flaming hair, her face concealed by the helmet only increasing the mystery element, and another equally attractive woman was sitting behind holding at her waist. Venti wasn’t one to feel instantly drawn by appearances, although he could understand why other people would, but his knees always quivered momentarily in the presence of strong women staring at him from above. Especially if they have red hair, he thought, recalling his first time meeting Vennessa.

The Pyro Archon spotted them and dismounted in a fell swoop, her movements fluid and practiced. Her friend didn’t bother, seemingly dizzy and holding the motorcycle for stability, and she seemed glad to let the human-god take the spotlight.

Take the spotlight she did. Even once her hair stopped burning from phlogiston-infusion, removing her helmet revealed a confident grin and starry eyes.

“I’m the last one to arrive, I see. I hope I haven’t made you wait for too long.” She shook her head, hair bouncing from side to side, and stepped closer. “I’m Mavuika, the Pyro Archon. I believe I know who most of you are, but since introductions are in order, my friend here is Xilonen.”

“Right, right, hi…” Xilonen waved dismissively while using her other hand as a fawn.

Nahida perked up. “Are you alright? You look like you are about to faint.”

Xilonen shook her head. “I’m fine, just overheating. Mavuika’s hair doesn’t burn, but it still emits too much heat.”

“Ow, you were the one who wanted to ride the motorcycle with me”, the Pyro Archon argued, her tone slightly hurt but with a teasing undertone.

“Only because it was better than skating all the way after you - I was wasting my life away just to keep up! Ah, forget it… Ugh, you’re always like that.” The Archon cackled, so Xilonen just rolled her eyes, but Venti loved Haborym’s disposition.

Mavuika turned to Nahida. “Thank you for caring about my friend, by the way. You must be Buer, correct?”

From there, they exchanged another round of introductions, with Venti tactfully remaining for last. Mavuika seemed to have clocked him already, and was going along with that plan. 

“And you must be the Anemo Archon, Barbatos, right? Thank you for the invitation.”

He winked. “There’s really nothing to thank, it was about time we all reunited, and this is a good chance to boast about Mondstadt, and for some cultural exchange too - in fact, Natlan has a special place in the history of Mondstadt, since the very first Knight of Favonius hailed from your Nation.” Peering into her eyes, he wasn’t sure if Mavuika had any knowledge about that, although she disguised it well. One more thing for them to discuss later. “Besides, I heard from the Traveler that you can hold your drinks, and I would love to test myself against you.”

“Hah! Alright, but let me warn you that I won’t back down.”

After confirming that no one was tired yet, their group went around the city, as Venti eagerly gave them a tour. They visited things without a plan, led by the breeze and to whatever picked their interest, from the plaza in front of the Church to the docks around the city. 

Barbatos had no problem in stopping regularly to let them enjoy the things that caught their attention, too: That’s how he ended up dancing with Furina under the sound of a cheerful flute, trying out the sweets being sold on the streets with Ei, having a long conversation with the florists of the city to satiate Nahida’s thirst for knowledge, and more. Zhongli and Neuvillette weren’t as engaged, more concerned with keeping a distance from each other, but they still didn’t refuse anything offered to them.

Hu Tao suddenly grabbed the Wanderer’s shoulder, startling him.

“...What?”, he spat out dryly, tensing up.

“Look at THAT thing!”, she pointed enthusiastically to balloons carrying people, we were trying to shoot at flying targets. “Seems fun to me~ Wanna play together?”

He crossed his arms, eyeing the game. “Those idiots can’t aim, I would do a much better job than them. Sure, I’m in.”

“But not better than me”, Yae teased joining in. Her grin was unmatched, and Caellum groaned at her.

“I want to play too!”, Mini-Durin exclaimed, twirling in the air. “But humm, I don’t think I can hold a bow.”

Wanderer petted his nuzzle. “There are other games more fit for you. Right?”, he asked, exchanging a glance with Venti.

Happy that he volunteered to interact, Venti was eager to reply. “Worry not, there’s a ton! There’s a more complex version of hide-and-seek, one about finding treasure, races, guess-games… and I’m sure no one would mind if you flew instead of running. Even better, a lot of them involve teamwork, so you can participate with Caellum, and other people too.”

The dragon’s eyes glinted with excitement. “And people aren’t going to fear me?”

“Of course not!”, the angel promptly said. “How could anyone ever fear a cutie-patootie like you?

As if on cue, one of Durin’s friends even showed up. “Aaaah, Mini-Durin! Brother Albedo said you would arrive today!” 

“Klee?” The dragon spun around. “Oh, I haven’t seen you in so long!”

Klee, holding hands with Diona, ran to them at light-speed, jumping to hug the little dragon. Diona hissed at the pulling, and she was too shy to enjoy being in the midst of a large group of strangers, but her tail stopped moving in stress after she clinged to the dragon’s side. It was endearing to watch how they also mistook Nahida for one of them - not that Nahida wasn’t a child too, but her situation was a little different. That said, the Dendro Goddess didn’t mind, chuckling to herself and joining their group, clearly relishing making friends of her size.

The girls were being looked after by Kaeya, Albedo and the Traveler, who followed at a relaxed pace. Noticing their presence, they raised their hands in greeting, save for the Traveler who trotted to say hello to the archons properly.

Their groups split naturally: the kids went to play games where Mini-Durin could participate, while the Hat-Guy, Yae Miko and Hu Tao went to try the archery game - Caellum was too focused on winning against the sly women to spot Albedo’s presence.

Since it was a festival, Xilonen took the initiative to share Natlan music with Mondstadt, taking out her ‘instrument’ - apparently, it was called a DJ mixer. Since it was so unfamiliar, the children of the Anemo Archon were curious, but didn’t quite know how to dance along, so Mavuika decided to teach them. Laughing, she pulled Furina to dance with her, given her aptitude for the stage, and while the shorter girl was out of her depth with this style, she was a quick learner. On her part, Ei was struggling more, getting frustrated until the Traveler offered to give her some tips, taking the opportunity to show off some of the dance-moves he picked up in the Pyro Nation, while Albedo and Kaeya applauded from the sidelines. Even Venti partook briefly. 

“Think of it like a mix of fighting stances and parkouring”, the Traveler pointed, demonstrating what he was trying to learn with Furina, already more dexterous than them.

Barbatos found the moves more challenging than expected, but he loved the improvisation aspect, and goofing around by making-up ways of integrating his wings into the steps. He accidentally hit Furina with one.

“Upsie”, he flinched.

“It’s alright! Your plumes are actually really fluffy”, she said, instinctively burrowing her face on his wing. 

They really were much fuller now, especially since the healing process meant the feathers were new and soft, and regularly cleaned. But the praise was still welcomed, so Barbatos dared to lean in and bend his wings to pull Furina into a cocoon, enjoying her delighted squirm.

“You can get closer if you wish”, he offered, opening his arms slightly. 

She blushed. “I feared it would be considered inappropriate, but I actually want to…” Shaking her head, she stepped into his personal space, giggling as they hugged. As he took her small frame into his arms, that allowed the wings to envelop around them properly, like a blanket. “Ah, so warm… I almost wish I could take a nap.”

“Please don’t tempt me. I love sleeping, but I’m supposed to be a good guide today.” They laughed together.

Noticing how Zhongli was also to the side, Venti opened a wing and pulled him closer, amused at his initial surprise. But the geo archon quickly recomposed, exchanging a smile with him - and Furina as well. 

“I will have to agree that the wings are comfortable”, he commented smoothly. “Truly a far cry from the sorry state they were in just some months ago - I have my suspicions that the recovery wasn’t natural.”

“You caught me there. Albedo took an interest in my wings, and made some potions to help”, Venti admitted.

Morax nodded slowly. “I see. You should really pay a visit to Liyue soon - Xianyun, amongst others, would love to see how you’re faring.” 

It wasn’t a demand - just an invitation, and Venti hummed, resting his head against the man’s chest and closing his eyes for a moment, simply enjoying his earthy fragrance. Furina, despite her initial apprehension, ended up doing the same. They just stood there in silence, appreciating the peace, the pure air, and each others’ company, Archons and humans alike.

The winds brought a certain longing to Barbatos who, peeking above a wing, easily found the source of those emotions. Neuvillette was neither jealous nor sad - not quite - but he isolated, not even participating in the other activities with all of them. It was possible that the games weren’t to his liking, but Venti really wished to find something he would enjoy too.

Instead, for now, he busied himself buying some trinkets to take back to Fontaine, and admiring the calm waters surrounding the city. 

Perhaps he would do better with a friendly face at his side. The Anemo Archon nudged Aether’s attention. The breeze curled around the Traveler’s ankles, pulling at his step and whispering at his ears, until he - not necessarily aware of the influence - ended up walking to the Hydro Dragon, talking with him for a bit. Albeit discrete, Neuvillette had a smile on his face, and he accepted when the Traveler invited him to join the group with the Captains. 

“Believe it or not, Albedo is a cousin of the Melusines”, he said with a chuckle, capturing the dragon’s curiosity.

The sun was high in the sky when the others stopped playing games, a sign that lunch-time was upon them. Paimon suggested a picnic, but Kaeya had to leave, and Albedo and the Traveler also had a moment for themselves planned.

“We’ll come back after the meal”, Albedo suggested. “Caellum, Mini-Durin, should we meet here?”

“Here is fine”, the Wanderer said impassively. 

Kaeya passed a hand around Albedo’s waist. “Well, I shall take my leave”, he said, bending down to peck the alchemist’s cheek. He disentangled from him just as quickly, and ruffled Aether’s hair, finally going away with long strides. 

The Traveler and Albedo also said their goodbyes, specifically exchanging a glance with Venti, who put his tongue out while pointing with his chin to their intertwined hands. Paimon chose to stay with the Archons for a change - she loathed being away from Aether, but she was starting to get used to it and, in her own words, “Anything is better than being a third wheel! Plus, Paimon is hungry.”

So Venti went around with the group to see what they wanted to eat. 

They opted for a picnic outside the city walls, under the canopy of the trees, swaying gently in tandem with the waves. Their picnic blanket was almost invisible under so much food, although it was expected given the size of their group - and Paimon’s presence. 

Besides typical Mondstadt delicacies, and plenty of drinks, everyone was mindful enough to have an offering of their own: special variations cooked by them, that they either brought ready or finished cooking while they were setting up the picnic. 

Morax and Neuvillette really were more similar than they thought: they dressed similarly, both had an interest in maintaining Order, enjoyed water/tea… and they also brought soups. Zhongli’s slow-cooked bamboo shoot soup really had his mark, and used top ingredients like freshly-hunted pork and the densest shoots of Qingce village. It was delicious, if a bit of an acquired taste. On his part, Neuvillette brought Consommé Purete that, according to him, was made from chillest waters from the highest mountains. “Let it not be said that I didn’t treasure this opportunity to meet you all”, he said proudly. No one dared to burst his bubble by revealing it tasted like a very average soup. 

For main dishes, Nahida brought Halvamazd, her version of candied Ajilenakh nuts, a syrupy solidified sesame paste with nuts sprinkled on top. Wanderer brought Shimi Chazuke, a delicious unagi eel and rice dish, tasting of the sea; Yae miko brought her Fukuushi udon, noodles topped with delicious fried tofu where a fox was carved, decorated with sakura flowers; Mavuika’s Hymn of Gathered Flame was delicious, the seafood perfectly grilled over magmatic scalding stones, and the symphony of flavors transported Venti to a stadium where an anthem rang alongside unquencheable flames; Hu Tao brought her Ghostly March variant of the Liyuen Vegetarian Abode, primarily made of thinly sliced and grilled Matsuoke Mushrooms, incredibly tasty - although her version, besides looking adorable by forming little ghosts, surprised them by burying the taste under spiciness, truly meant to get her clients. Venti himself contributed with a vegetarian dish too, Buoyant Breeze, not much different from the traditional Barbatos Ratatouille, but decorated with Cecilies and tasting like hope.

Lastly, they had an assortment of desserts to choose from. Xilonen’s Fruit-Flavored Milk Candies were rich in Chocolate or, more precisely, Cacahuatly, which was actually a fruit used for candies. She brought plenty, which was good because everyone wanted to try the different variations, and they were gone in two bites. As for Furina, she managed to bring a whole cake without ruining its fancy decorations, matching her aesthetic. Pour la Justice was a confectionery masterpiece that she apparently needed the help of a chef to achieve, but the sweet manifold layers mingled splendidly with the taste of coffee beans. 

And of course, they couldn’t forget drinks! There was a single tea option, and everything else contained alcohol, since Barbatos wondered about their opinions on wines hightly-regarded by Mondstadt. If no one liked them, more for him~

“Ooooh, Paimon loves all of these foods!”, the pixie exclaimed, her mouth watering. She was the first to dig in. 

They enjoyed their meal amidst casual conversation, with the lively atmosphere as their backdrop. That would be out of place to anyone who knew of their identities, but gods weren’t so different from humans. Especially in the current age, when they could afford the mundane. Whatever ‘now’ means, Barbatos thought as they looked at the sky, letting their conscience expand for a moment. It blended into the cosmos, and winds from past and present invaded their vessel, until-

Until he shot it down, becoming Venti again, or as much of Venti that remained separate.

“The lakes here are serene”, Ei's voice trailed off, alien to his relapse. Her eyes were transfixed on the way the water reflected sunlight, contemplating the view. The plate with cake was forgotten on her lap, and her long hair swayed in the breeze. “Unlike the sea around Inazuma.”

Yae leaned against her side. “And whose fault is that?”, she asked with a grin. Venti caught the Wanderer rolling his eyes, yet said nothing.

The Electro Archon, however, didn’t resist the accusation. “It’s mine. I suppose it’s a good thing that ships can sail freely and more safely now, in and out of my lands. Looking back, I don’t fully grasp why my emotions resulted in those instructions to the Shogun, but I know it’s not an excuse.”

Venti only noticed the tension in his body once it left, thanks to her admission. She is nothing like Decarabian - he refused to listen no matter how many tries, until the very end. He went down the path of a God-King, while Ei did not, nor was she ever the scorching sun. On the contrary: many of her traits had more in common with the faithful silver moonlight... 

With a foot, he nudged Zhongli’s leg at his side, pointing to Ei with his head.

Zhongli smiled, and shifted to look at Ei more directly, kindly offering a napkin. Blinking, she took it, wiping the cake from the corner of her mouth. “As a fellow warring god, I can empathise with having to make harsh decisions in the past that do not reflect our perspective any longer. I’m sure you had your reasons.”

“My reason is the same value I still carry: to preserve Eternity”, she declared. “It’s just that… where I previously thought of Eternity as stillness, I’ve come to embody more the interpretation of my sister, and learned the value of transience.”

Zhongli hummed, exchanging a glance with Venti. The bard repositioned the long skirt to tuck his legs underneath his body, talking calmly as he reached for another bottle of Dandelion Wine.

“Me and Morax are the only ones here who got to meet Makoto… Ah, and I recall the days when you were a kagemusha, seeking to perfect your martial prowess”, he mused with a chuckle, taking the chance to pour wine for her as well. “I was never a battle-hardened god, like you and the blockhead here, but I can instead understand how it feels to change roles so suddenly, not knowing how to deal with the responsibilities of an Archon. And…” Venti closed his eyes, heart skipping for a beat. “And how it is to live in the shadows of someone dear, just to have them die and, looking like them, continue their legacy. Haha, this got heavy fast, didn’t it?”

“Well, I am intrigued”, Ei confessed. “I didn’t expect you to share similar experiences. Did you, hum… Did you have a twin spirit?”

The angel gave a weak chuckle, and Zhongli took pity on him. “Not quite”, he replied in his stead. “My friend here was still in wisp form until a human close to them passed away, after winning a rebellion against a god. Venti was the only candidate available to become Archon in Mondstadt, so their ascension was immediate, and Barbatos assumed the appearance of their human friend.”

“...Yes.” He did his best to hold a smile and shrug, but perhaps he underestimated the toll of finally letting it out amongst other Archons. 

Paimon floated close to him, her face creased. “Venti? Are you alright?”

He was grateful when Hu Tao poked at his cheek with a finger, getting his attention and more time to avoid replying.

“Boo-boo, remember that death is a part of life! With its own rules, granted, and I’m sure any of us here respects it, but without death, life would be less meaningful. Besides…”, she said mysteriously, “it’s just a one-time loss of memories, right? The spirit and fate of that person are bound to come back. Who knows if your friend is back experiencing this world.”

Relief surged through his veins, trying to suppress their Herald from noticing it in their shared bond. He briefly bonked his head against the girl’s shoulder, laughing a bit forcefully. “You’re right! And technically, that has already happened”, he said with a wink. “Although the part of the loss of memories still hurts, you know?”

“Because your friend doesn’t remember your past together, and is technically a different person, yeah? I know”, she chirped lightheartedly.

Ei and Yae seemed to be having a silent conversation, from the way they gazed into each other’s eyes, and Mavuika was oddly quiet. Nahida had taken the Wanderer’s hand, and Neuvillette too was looking down at the water in his calice, lost in thought.

It was Furina who breached the silence, starting by awkwardly clearing her throat.

“I might not be a god, and I never experienced first-hand the toll of losing a close bond to the afterlife. However, due to being cursed to live longer than a human should, I have thought much about the meaning of death”, she explained. “I don’t know anything about revival, and what I learned about Leylines was just meant to try to prevent the prophecy, but I think it would be unfair to dismiss the impact that loss can have on those who stay alive.” Her statement was solemn, and even her pets were quiet, echoing the attitude of everyone around. “I don’t know what mistakes you’ve committed, and perhaps gods should be held to higher standards, but… I disagree with that. You don’t seem that different from people like me. If my mistakes were forgiven, I’m sure that yours, especially while dealing with grief, should be as well.”

Her speech would be moving, if not for Caellum’s scoffing, preventing it from settling. “And who is going to forgive them, if the dead are not around to complain? Do you think the living should forgive on their behalf, is that it?”

“I don’t know”, she shook her head. Her seahorse was on her lap, encouraging her. “Perhaps the way I feel is just selfish and entitled, and I’m not saying that people have to forgive others. I just think that, if the pain caused wasn’t on purpose, and the person responsible is trying their best and is willing to grow, perhaps the opportunity should be given. Wouldn’t you want to be forgiven if you realized that your actions were wrong?”

“Yeah!” Paimon erupted, talking with a full mouth. “It’s not like you’re one to talk!”

The guy blinked, his eyes widening. 

The little dragon deflected her boldness. “Paimon, don’t be so mean! He knows he did wrong things, and he is always working to redeem himself. Besides, Caellum helped me a lot with my own journey!”

“Hmpf”, the fairy crossed her arms. “Paimon knows that, but he was being mean and arrogant first.”

Venti caught how the Wanderer glanced briefly at Baal, before hesitating and putting down his plate. Mini-Durin nuzzled against his thigh in a comforting manner, and Caellum subconsciously petted his back.

“I suppose you’re right…”, he mumbled. “At least if they don’t get complacent, and try to compensate, people should be given more opportunities.” Nahida giggled at his admission, proud over things she did not reveal. 

Furina shrugged. “Perhaps. Either way, we can’t really change the past, can we? We just have to do our best to move on. For what it’s worth”, she said, surprising Venti by turning to him with a smile, “I also inherited the appearance of someone else. Neuvillette met briefly with Focalors, and explained that the reason for our similar appearances is the fact that I’m her human half. Or, well, was, since she isn’t, uh… Anyway, I still see this as my own body, and present the way I wish, you know?”

Venti flashed a small smile, skipping over the implied tragedy and accepting her attempt to cheer him up instead. “Hu-huh, so do I. Took me a while to make peace with the fact I couldn’t live in my friend’s place, yet now…” He summoned a breeze, letting it play amongst their group, watching how the gods’ hairs glowed in resonance with the element. Barbatos took a deep breath, letting it spread through their own body. “I think it would be wrong to mourn the person we’ve become.”

Most of the others were silent, but not Mavuika - at least, not for long. She gave a heartfelt laugh, and raised her tankard towards Venti, her smirk confident. 

“That’s right! Our journey shaped us into who we are, good and bad, so let’s cheer to that”, she declared. 

Venti was quick to take her offer, gladly raising his own tankard. After some hesitation, all others ended up joining, even Nahida with her cup of juice, and the more reluctant ones, like Neuvillette with his water after realizing he was also invited, and the Wanderer, shrugging and accepting the wisdom of those words.

They chugged down their drinks.

Xilonen made a satisfied sound, wiping her mouth with an arm. “Aaah, these wines really are good. Anyway, Mavuika, even though you look like Miss Perfect for most, I hope what you said doesn’t mean you are going to sweep your flaws under the rug. I very much expect you to stop waking me up just to fix your motorcycle, and slow down with the impossible requests.”

“Hey, I helped you with problem-solving”, she flashed a smile, leaning against her companion. “It was a fun project to work on together, and you got to learn about ancient technology.”

“That is NOT enough to compensate for my troubles.”

Ei chuckled, garnering everyone’s attention. “Seems like isolation made me fail to realize how much we have in common. Thank you all for the kind words”, she said, discreetly wiping her eyes. “I also owe you an apology, Barbatos. My initial impression, centuries ago, convinced me I would never see you in a good light, and I couldn’t understand, from the shadows, why my sister befriended a drunkard. It appears I was mistaken.”

“Own, eh-he, there's no need for that”, he waved a hand, fully aware that he was blushing. 

“I beg to disagree”, was Neuvillette’s turn to speak. Now that was surprising, especially given his decisiveness, although he grasped at his calice like a lifeline. “It is only fair to admit when we misjudge someone, and such is a mistake I have also committed. I still look forward to discussing confidential topics tomorrow”, he clarified. “Nonetheless, as people, the Archons seem to have suffered more under the laws of the Usurper than benefited from them. You also don’t display any arrogance over the authority you hold and, from what I understood, many of you never even coveted it. It wouldn’t be just on my part to hold your position against you any longer.”

In the entirety of Venti’s repertoire at improvising, nothing had prepared him to deal with an antagonistic dragon that let his resentment go so willingly. Even the witches put up a bigger fight! Water was known for its fluidity, and easy mutation, but Neuvillette was particularly fast at adopting forgiveness and kindness. Perhaps because negative emotions would leave him feeling impure? It was hard to say, but the angel had no words on the tip of his tongue.

He wasn’t the only one who was shocked. Zhongli was still like a statue, while the Wanderer, on his part, appeared to be bewildered over something different, staring intently at Baal now that she was more focused on the Hydro Dragon, as if he was hung up on her previous words. Someone didn’t expect her to know how to apologize, Barbatos surmised, getting confirmation from the winds.

Mavuika was the most natural, leaning back relaxedly with an easy smile before any of the other gods could react, and extending a hand to Neuvillette. “On my part, apologies accepted. I frankly have my fair share of enemies, but it’s always great when I can bring them to my side, or they realize there were never any sides in the first place. Although I admire any person who is willing to admit their mistakes of their own initiative. Not that I’m calling your prior position a ‘mistake’, mind you”, she clarified. “I can imagine where it comes from, since Natlan’s past was ripe with conflicts between dragons and other species. However, the Pyro Archon emerged from a fair duel, so I don’t intend to apologize from a position I also had to earn.” 

She shook her hand once, insistent, until the dragon took it.

“Of course, nor should you have to”, Neuvillette recognized. “Although the circumstances of all Archons seem to have variations, and the authorities over the elements have a questionable origin. Regardless, I stand corrected. I humbly request that my apologies be considered by the other Archons as well.”

The breeze dragged the flowers that adorned their picnic baskets, but no one paid it any mind. The humming of nature simply provided a bubble of quietude, albeit not stagnant, keeping them shielded from the chaos of the festival. Pleasant as the energetic atmosphere was, it would not be conducive to serious topics, or heavy emotions. 

The weight of the Dragon Sovereign’s words was also heavy. They seemed to dissolve into the peace that surrounded them, and in the waters of the lake, a promise acknowledged by the land. Though no one spoke, tension unwound from shoulders, gazes softened and, in the lull between past grievances and present warmth, it became easy - natural, even - for hearts to meet halfway.

In a twist of Fate, it was Morax of all Archons who managed to reply, after a long, deliberate pause to finish his tea. He didn’t look the dragon in the eyes - not immediately - but his tone was collected and thoughtful, without a hint of irony or resentment in it. “History is convoluted, and has a tendency to pit certain parties against each other in a loop”, he started. “It is only rational to take the chance to break cycles of hate.”

Their eyes finally met. Where Morax was expectant, Neuvillette’s flashed with unexpected admiration. “Then, we are in agreement”, he finally conceded.

Venti sighed with relief. Not only because it would be nice to continue the festival without them wanting to throw themselves at each other’s throat, but because this tentative offering of peace meant even more when between those two. Unable to fully conceal a proud smile, he squeezed Zhongli’s hand.

“Well well, good food and proper communication can really achieve small miracles”, Yae said, hitting the dragon sovereign with her tail provocatively. A vein popped on his brow. 

“That’s true”, Nahida had the good grace of saying earnestly, her wisdom showing in how she dealt with the situation. “Admitting to our mistakes is the first step towards a better future. I hear that playing games is good to bring people together, and I had thought of suggesting that, but seems like it’s no longer necessary to help us bond.”

“Not that we have to give up on that idea - games are always fun”, Venti added. He had his own things to say, but he was happy to let the others have the spotlight.

“I agree, and this festival truly is a well-thought opportunity”. She touched the flower on her hair previously offered by him. “I would also like to restore the tradition of meetings between the Archons, since I lost my memory and those are entirely unfamiliar to me. You are invited too, Monsieur Neuvillette - and any friends we might wish to bring. It’s not a formality, just a way to stay in contact.”

“What a delightful proposal”, Zhongli remarked with a laugh. Venti loved when he laughed like that, the vibrations of his vocal cords resonating through the air in a way only he could detect, denoting the man’s sincerity. “Forgive my sapiness, but I never thought I would see the day I would get to partake in such meetings again, except with Venti, who is the only one besides me who remains of the original Seven with his memories intact.”

Humming contently, the angel hugged his side, his wings fluttering when Morax passed a hand around his shoulder to keep him close. 

“It also offers strategic advantages”, Mavuika pointed out. “Not to bring down the mood, but you have all felt the enclosing of the Abyss, correct? I admit it might be partially driven by recent changes that occurred in Natlan.”

“If you mean the connection to the main Leylines, there is nothing to apologize for. It was what your people deserved”, Nahida stated, one hand over her chest.

The Pyro Archon nodded. “I fully stand behind that sentiment. However, it is also fair that Natlan helps minimize the consequences and, should other Nations need help in fighting the Abyss, we would be willing to offer our forces now that we can leave our birthplace.”

“Ah, and regular meetings would help us stay in contact and coordinate”, Ei concluded. 

“Precisely.”

Venti put a hand to his chin. “Hum… Maybe I should have thought of that before me and the Knights dealt with Durin’s corruption.”

“Yes, you really should, Tone-Deaf Bard”, Paimon nodded vigorously, stomping the air. “We had so much work, when things could have been solved more easily if the other Archons arrived one day earlier!”

Zhongli and Neuvillette were the ones who reacted more intensely. Zhongli was the only one who had been told before, so it shouldn't have come with a surprise, yet the new details seemed to anger him and judge some actions to be reckless. At least, that was what his fulminating gaze communicated, that the angel made a point of avoiding.

“Forgive me for asking”, the Hydro Sovereign asked, puzzled. “But isn’t Durin related to Elynas? The damage it could cause…”

The bard didn't let him finish. “Yes, don’t worry, I’m well aware - since I was the one who had to put him down five-hundred years ago. He wasn’t fully back recently, but his influence and slow reawakening spawned transmutated monsters and harmed some people. It’s dealt with, anyway.”

The others did not let the subject go before he shared more details, reassuring them that everything was under control, and that he only invited them to arrive after things were dealt with for a reason. 

“There is just one step missing, but Caellum, Mini-Durin and our dear alchemist Albedo have things handled. Right?”, he asked them cheerfully.

Perhaps forgetting that he couldn’t be startled, since the winds would announce his presence, a familiar voice came from above him. “Thank you for your trust, Lord Barbatos”, Albedo said teasingly, having just arrived. Aether - and Paimon, who just flew to his side - grinned with hands on their hips, sharing the same braincell as per usual. “In fact, I would like to discuss some things with our guests, if you don’t mind.”

“I thought you were never gonna ask”, the Wanderer said as a greeting, eager to get up and away from the others.

The little dragon spun in the air. “Yes, let’s go! I’m nervous to be revived, but so excited…!”

Albedo chuckled, while Paimon whispered something in Aether's ear. The winds brought her words to Venti, her confusion obvious. “Didn’t that already happen before he left the storybook?”

“It’s different now, since he will get mixed with the parts and ingredients that Albedo collected”, the Traveler whispered back. She looked a little concerned. 

The Chalk Prince extended a hand, which the Hat Guy reluctantly took. They didn’t fully leave the space, instead wandering to a safe distance, still within reach of the Anemo God’s senses.

Venti had originally planned to keep telling popular stories and anecdotes about Mondstadt, as he had been doing at the start of the picnic. However, between the solemn conversation that transpired, and the curiosity to keep an ear on the other group, he was content to sit back and just pay half-attention to Furina and Hu Tao instead.

Once he managed to tune in, the dragon was explaining to the fairy, “Albedo said he can use alchemy to combine me with Durin and turn me into a human.”

“What!?”, she screeched.

Aether was scratching his chin. “Human transmutation... So, you're Albedo's intended subject, and the reason why he said you would be the key”, he eyed the alchemist, who nodded. “But are you sure that’s something you want? That isn’t as simple as just changing form.”

Mini Durin’s flapping slowed for a moment, as he tried to think of the best way to convey his feelings. “I don't know if ‘want’ is the right word... I don't even know if there's a right answer in a situation like this. B-But, I do know this - I have just as much of a right to this name. I don't want to lose to the other Durin. And, if the pure parts of me can balance out the evil parts of him, that would make my life meaningful, as I want it to be.”

Caellum, extending a hand towards the little dragon, flipped his fingers against his muzzle. “He sounds all confident now, but he has been wondering if the resulting human would still be ‘him’ after all of this, or if a ‘him’ ever really existed given his incomplete soul. Either way, those questions are normal, and quite overrated, if you want my opinion.”

When Aether turned to him, his stance was reserved, his posture between open and tense. “Won’t you miss him if he changes drastically?”

“I also changed drastically, but it didn’t spare you from putting up with me, did it?” The Hat-guy put his tongue out, almost in a bratty manner. A kindred-spirit , Venti mused with an internal sense of sarcasm - regardless, it was a relief to see he had a more playful side. “As long as all memories remain, I don’t think either of the three beings can be considered gone, including the one who was already absorbed by Durin. Either way, I’m here to help raise him for some days, since, between my experiences and Albedo’s nature, we are the closest beings that he will be able to relate to. 

Mini-Durin landed on his arms. The angel’s heart squeezed, wondering if he realized he wouldn’t be able to do that with his friend once he assumed a human form, thrown back to his own experiences.

But the dragon just kept talking firmly. “I’m not afraid of change, and Albedo told me he's the ‘Kreideprinz’, a synthetic human. If this works, I'll be one too, so we will be the only two of our kind in the whole world - alchemical creations allowed to live in human form”, he affirmed. Looking at the alchemist, his tone softened. “If all living things are grouped together by species, and there's only one other person like me in this world, I guess that make us... family.”

Albedo bowed slightly, as he held a gentle smile, and Paimon’s attitude was cheerful.

“Definitely! You've just got to trust one another.”

For his part, the Traveler was staring intently at the Wanderer, who had been quiet since the mention of ‘only two of our kind’. That was when it clicked for Venti - he was likely a puppet made with Khemia too, or at least a similar kind of synthetic human. 

Aether gave up on pressing, turning to the alchemist with semi-closed eyes. “Do you see this as an act of ‘creation’?”

Albedo shifted his weight, pondering for a moment. “Well... To an extent, yes. Understood in the broadest sense, this project deals with both the past and future, and stands to profoundly impact many lives. That, primarily, is what makes it worthwhile”, he stated, readying for some endearing monologuing. “Helping Mini Durin become who he wants to be is a secondary consideration, though still a meaningful one. By contrast, my personal motivations are nothing so grand and meaningful. I'm just pursuing something I believe in. In my view, to cultivate life which the world cannot generate endogenously is to cultivate the world itself. Whatever aids life in attaining a greater level of perfection improves the world by doing so.”

“So much talking just to reply to one question”, the Wanderer muttered, nonetheless attentive. “Why do you even feel like this experiment must be done?”

“It is not a question of whether this 'ought' to be done or not, merely whether I wish to”, the prince explained, shaking his head. “The alchemical enterprise is concerned with deciphering and comprehending all forms of knowledge - that is the path I walk. Of course, that's not to say that this is just a science experiment to me. Anything that affects Mondstadt, I approach first and foremost as a member of the Knights of Favonius. Does that answer your question satisfactorily?”

The Traveler and Paimon nodded, while the Caellum just shrugged. “Good enough, I suppose. I wonder what crosses the mind of other creators before using similar techniques, but at least you are taking the responsibility seriously.”

“Of course. And you have my word that, even when you can’t, I will help take care of Durin. Not just because it involves beings close or related to either of us”, he said, eyeing the intrigued dragon, “but because every newborn needs support. But let’s continue this discussion in my office, while I prepare for the ritual.”

When he turned around, the two flying beings trailed right after him, and Venti saw how Traveler and Wanderer walked close, brushing their hands together. Just for a brief moment, their fingers intertwined in a comforting gesture, before Caellum squared his shoulders and caught up to the frontlines, leaving Aether behind.

Smiling, Venti noticed how he was being called, and tore his gaze apart to rejoin the group of gods in mind.

The winds alone would guide their children’s steps.

Chapter Text

The air brittled with alchemy, like electricity prickling at the skin.

Anyone attuned to elemental infusions could sense it. Even mortal allogenes, to some degree, if the way Hu Tao perked up was anything to go by. Xilonen and Furina noticed it soon, and the Archons were tense, even if unsure of what was going on. Mini-Durin had outright declared that he was going to be revived, so that was no secret. However, they weren’t privy to everything Barbatos knew.

The entire city still bore vestiges of the Archon's power, arming them with awareness of what Albedo kept under wraps: Mondstadt turned into an alchemical array. The perimeter of the walls became a transmutation circle, with smaller arrays within; the areas right above them exuded traces of a magic far too ancient. Even most gods were ignorant of its inner workings. Although…

“This is Khemia, is it not?” Ei posed that question, of all people. 

Zhongli turned to her, eyebrows slightly raised, although his tone carried respect. “I didn’t expect you to recognize it. I suppose you are older than the youngest generation of Archons, and our Hydro Sovereign, but that alone doesn't explain it.”

“Yes, the reason goes beyond that. I doubt even my sister was overly familiar with this form of alchemy, since I only had to study it to come up with my current puppet body. It is rare to find alchemists comfortable with this ancient art - that... Albedo must be quite talented.”

Hands held behind their back, Venti smiled innocently. “Don’t worry, he uses Khemia all the time.” It wasn’t a lie, even though he used it to a smaller degree. “Granted, this will be his first attempt at human transmutation, but I’m confident that he knows his limits. So, help cover up for me and don’t act too surprised once the ritual starts, alright?”

The others nodded with a knowing look, their reservations losing against the notion that they shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of other Nations. 

After an afternoon well-spent, it was time for the closing ceremony. It always happened right before the festival ended, but this time Jean decided to hasten it. The goal was to cover up Albedo's ritual, while reassuring the citizens regarding the battle of the previous day. Not that people glanced around frightened - they accepted that everything was under control, and were acting as carefree as ever. The Acting Grandmaster simply felt that they were due an explanation, and Venti approved.

As the Windblume Star, and the Archon of the Nation, Barbatos had the duty to attend. Once that ended, they would finally be free to get rid of that complicated dress.

As soon as she spotted them, Jean’s hand extended to accompany her smile, inviting them to climb to the dais. Smirking, they raised the sides of the skirt for a Fontaine-style bow in jest, before taking her hand. Jean disposed of the pretty dress from the opening ceremony, and shed the armor from battle. Instead, she was back in her usual uniform, having simply replaced her cape for a more ceremonial one, in shades of teal and painted to replicate the open fields of Mondstadt, with dandelions flying above, sewn with a golden thread. 

On the stage, Venti was no longer anxious under the gazes of the children of Mondstadt, yet the scrutiny of the other Archons gave them pause. Zhongli especially. His gaze was fond and encouraging, but it was also profoundly strange to have someone so proud of them just for showing up, aware of how big the steps they took truly were.

Jean’s speech started, interrupting their stream of doubts. 

“As you all know, during this year's Windblume Festival, the people of Mondstadt have banded together to defeat several waves of monsters that tried to invade our city. Accordingly, our Windblume Star made an outstanding contribution to the defense operation”, she stated.

Hand over their chest, Venti rolled their eyes at Dahlia’s teasing, who made a heart with their fingers. Barbara blushed and reprimanded him on the god’s behalf. Kaeya, who was next to Diluc and Aether, caught the exchange and cackled, and Eula and Amber were still in babysitting duty, with Klee sitting on the shoulders of the taller knight, to see above the crowd.

Unaware of the interactions, the Acting Grandmaster continued. “I’m sure many of you witnessed Lord Barbatos as they shot our attackers, and maintained the wind-communication, playing a vital role in gaining control over the conflict. Their words and songs always have a way of lifting people's spirits, and this time, they made an outstanding contribution to the defense operation. Barbatos, or Venti in our hearts, played a role as crucial as the role of the Knights and the Church of Favonius.” Venti silently sent her an embarrassed look, pleading her to spare the praise, but they could swear she was smirking when she delivered the final blow. “Let us give a round of applause to this year's Windblume Star - Venti, the Windborne Bard!”

Windborne Bard. The title echoed in their head, ringing true, and they inhaled sharply.

The audience gave a standing ovation. “Woooooo! Yay, Venti!”, they shouted, to the god’s relief putting their bard identity over their role as Archon. The applause was deafening. Lisa tossed a rose to their feet, and everyone showered them in positive remarks and playful teasing.

“Congrats for finally being useful, Tone-Deaf Bard!”, Paimon screeched, getting Aether to bend laughing at her unhinged mean streak. 

Some guy managed to project his voice over the crowd. “Make me a chil- ouch!” His shouting was interrupted by a woman’s light slap.

“That’s not appropriate for children!”

“But someone always makes this joke every year!...”

It caused a wave of laughter regardless, joined by Venti, heartfelt and not at all offended. It really was a common joke, and kids wouldn’t understand what it implied anyway. Even the gods were laughing along, except for Ei, her head tilted in confusion, while Nahida had a little smile due to knowing too much.

Jean had to be the one reigning in the crowd, composing herself and coughing once into her closed hand, to indicate she was waiting for their attention. 

“Now it’s time to choose the Windblume flower of the year. Venti, have you brought your pick?”

“Eh-he, it’s always with me”, they said with a grin. Reaching for their hair, they took out one of the Cecilias that adorned it, placing it on the stone table in front of the statue. “‘The true feelings of the prodigal son’. A sentiment as sweet and warm as a gentle spring breeze - perfect for the season!”, they said lightly, even though the true meaning went deeper.

In that moment, they caught a movement on the periphery of their vision. Twisting their neck quickly, they caught Albedo at the edge of a rooftop, out of sight for most, observant and calculating. Letting the tension disperse, the angel pointed to the Cecilia with their chin - after all, the Chalk Prince was also represented by that flower.

Realizing that Jean also spotted him, the Anemo Archon exchanged a glance, and they nodded.

Summoning their lyre was as natural as breathing. When the angel addressed the crowd, their markings and braids glowed, their voice was smooth, and their existence was more god than bard.

“It’s almost time to go out for drinks, and this festival was sort of made for me”, they said with a wink. “So, since my identity is known, let me swap the speech for a song. Everyone, the best bard in the land is about to begin a performance. So don't go away! Gather round, and lend me your ears!”

Their fingers danced across the strings, and the breeze carried the notes far and wide. Not aimed only at the audience, no - everyone in the city would get glimpses of their verses, wisdom preached through ethereal song, hypnotising them and averting their attention from the shaking ground.

The ritual was starting. Barbatos opened their mouth.

“When no love remains for the songs to tell, the world becomes naught but an empty shell…
Cruel is said fate, cruel it may be, were it not for a hero who could set us all free.
Through shadows so cold, he sought wisdom untold, chasing a fragrance, the wind only knows.
Thus wistfulness waned and faded into night, as he stepped from the darkness, and into the light.”

As the air filled with notes, overflowing with song, fireworks exploded in the sky above. The first one bloomed into a colorful flower, drawing awestruck gasps from the onlooking crowd. As the others reached the dome above, the city mutated into an alchemical array, glowing with a warm golden light that escaped from the tiniest cracks on the floor.

As the ritual’s magic sang in a crescendo, Venti made sure that their performance remained the focus, ensuring that everyone who saw the light would think it was part of the fireworks display. The gold brought together the power of all, soul, blood and flesh, making the angel’s very bones grapple with the vibrations in the ether. 

Suddenly, it peaked, and their voice faltered for a moment.

It was over in an instant. Barbatos took a deep breath, and their voice rose again, several notes higher, destined to be a star. 

The residents gathered in the square were none the wiser, and knew little of the strange events still occurring, stripped of the dark secrets. They didn’t know why monsters attacked - only that, in the face of danger, the people of Mondstadt had come together to protect their home; They didn’t know what the performance concealed - they simply thought it was a gift; They didn’t know of the dragons being fused - their mere existence was kept under wraps.

Sometimes, that was the price to pay to keep people inside a fairytale. Others had to shelter them, and bear the weight of the secrets. In that regard, Venti could empathize with what Decarabian, amongst other God-Kings, attempted to achieve, and saw the nobility in aiming for a dream where people could live in eternal happiness.

But Barbatos would never stop their children from leaving paradise, if they so wished.

However… for now, they could listen to the lullaby a little longer.

—

Venti had rejoined their friends in the plaza, for a round of last exchanges before heading to the tavern. Some of the Archons decided to retire - they were already shown their accommodations during the previous hours, and the day was hectic, so it was understandable. After goodnight wishes, Ei, Furina, Nahida and Neuvillette left their group, heading to the Goth Grand Hotel. 

Zhongli was getting acquainted with Diluc, and Venti gladly held one hand of each, chirping happily about what came to mind. Kaeya spotted Rosaria approaching, leaving the support of the redhead’s shoulder to go meet her, already with Dahlia in orbit. Mavuika was chatting with Jean, who had her sister and Lisa around, and Xilonen and Hu Tao were getting along with Amber, Eula and Klee. Oh. Someone should probably keep an eye on Hu Tao and Klee , the bard realized.

As for Yae, she was teasing Sucrose endlessly over her cute looks and animal ears. The girl bounced between blushing furiously, and excitedly considering her theory that both of them had fox traits.

“Ah, Mister Albedo!”, she noticed eventually. Aether’s neck snapped in search for the alchemist, trotting towards him with burning questions on his lips.

“Greetings, everyone. I apologize for missing the ending ceremony - but I still got to listen to it from my lab”, the prince said with a polite smile, seeking Venti’s eyes.

Venti retributed with a deadpan look. “From his lab, suuure” , they heard Dahlia whisper in their mind.

The angel turned to the two men with them. “Excuse me for a moment, gentlemen”, they said gleefully.

Diluc raised an eyebrow. “‘Gentlemen’? If you’re behaving because of Mister Zhongli, I might need to ask him to visit more often.”

Chuckling, Venti waved once, and dashed toward the chalk prince and the golden-haired traveler. 

“How did everything go?”, Aether was asking, hand on hip.

Albedo’s chest was subtly puffed out, the reply predictable. “Very smoothly, I'd say. We achieved our goal.”

Paimon frowned. “Really? So... Mini Durin looks like a human now?”

“Correct. However, his newly formed body is still stabilizing. We should give him some time. Days or weeks in isolation, most likely, visited only by me. Although I will allow the Wanderer to check on him sometimes - he is getting quite restless, since he was informed that he can’t interact with Durin yet.”

The angel sneakily passed an arm around Aether’s waist, and the other around Albedo, under his slightly-singed coat. “And you achieved that without destroying the city! Incredible work, Albedo”, they congratulated while tightening the hug.

Getting the reference to an old confrontation of their identities, the alchemist mused. “Indeed, I haven’t yet. I graciously accept the compliment. Mm... It really is rather remarkable, what we've accomplished.”

“‘We’, hum?” The Traveler bonked his brow against the chalk prince, the tenderness slipping through the casual painting of the gesture. “It’s always nice when someone acknowledges my efforts”, he pointed smugly, “but the merit for this final stage is mostly yours. How do you feel right now?”

The question was met with a smile, rather cute, in Venti’s opinion. “Quite good. I did what I set out to do, and achieved a personal goal. I think even she would have made a rare facial expression, had she seen it.”

“‘She’?”, the fairy wondered.

“My master and mother, ‘Gold’ Rhinedottir.”, Albedo simply said. “A long time ago, she sent me to Mondstadt, with the instruction to complete a task of monumental importance: to find the truth of the world. I had a theory about what she meant, and in time, I was able to corroborate it. Sure enough, ‘finding the truth of the world’ basically stood for ‘getting a life’. That might be easy for most people. But for someone like me, it meant doing a lot of learning about a lot of things.”

VentiI hummed, memories rushing to mind - even though they hadn’t been around for some and they were entirely witnessed by the winds. “You had to find out about yourself and the world around you, and even the most basic social cues eluded you for a long time”, they said in a teasing tone. “Becoming human is only the beginning. What follows are the choices a human has to make in life, as well as the kinds of family bonds they will form.”

“And you’re speaking from personal experience”, Aether remarked, more a statement than a question.

Barbatos put their tongue out. “Well, for non-human beings, there is always an overlap between our experiences. So even though I’m not an artificial human, wisp me had a lot to learn.”

Albedo tilted his head, intrigued. “I hadn’t considered that before, but I can see now why you clung to keeping your bard identity separate from your Archon one. It was probably easier to navigate society that way.” The angel nodded, the corner of their lips lowering slightly. “Regardless, ‘Life’ is the space that exists between us and the world. To become truly human, we have to inhabit that space. For an artificial human, that is equivalent to finding the truth of the world.”

Venti sensed how the Traveler tensed up. Looking at him, they were startled by his paleness, and the way he was slowly straightening, a disconcerting thought dawning on him.

“Traveler?”, Albedo asked, having also noticed.

“I’m fine, just…”, he turned to Venti with a charged expression. “Was this why you always told me that ‘the journey itself has meaning’? Is that the truth that I seek, or what will lead me to it?”

“Ah…” The god let out a breathy laugh, and opened their arms as if to deliver a prophecy. “Be not impatient, fall not to doubt. Follow the wind, and you’ll find out.”

The pixie sat on the Traveler’s head, slumping. “And here Paimon thought you would give us something to work with…”

“Humm… You know that my hands are tied, and you aren’t ready to learn certain things either.” Lest it causes a paradox , Venti thought, having enough experience with those to wish to avoid them. “You will learn everything you need to, when you need to. Speaking of… Traveler, give me your hand.”

They reached into a pocket built into the folds of the dress, waiting for Aether to reach out. With a raised eyebrow, he did as asked, his palm turned up. Venti placed on top a little glass sphere, filled with stars. 

“The mages are very pleased that you and Albedo managed to pass their trial, so this is your reward. It contains something entirely one of a kind - a secret of sorts. When the time is right, it will reveal itself to you. I don’t know why they didn’t grant it directly, and it showed up with me when I woke up”, they explained with a shrug.

“People keep giving me mysterious gifts…” Aether muttered, saving it regardless. “It’s always things that will make sense in the future, but never now.”

Before he could retract his hand, Albedo grabbed it, lacing their fingers together. “Perhaps it will make sense ‘now’”, he urged. “Perhaps the future will affect the present, like how actions in the present can affect the past. You have witnessed similar phenomena, have you not?”

“Oh!” The fairy’s eyes widened, as Aether nodded silently. “Like the tree in Inazuma! It was thanks to Ist- err…” She shut up as soon as Venti shot her a freezing gaze.

“Maybe don’t say the name”, they pointed. “But yes, certain higher powers have interfered with history. My family is pretty peculiar”, they joked, to soften the previous coldness.

Albedo chuckled. “I suppose that’s another thing we have in common. Most people would probably see the events of the last few days as something out of a nightmare. Still, for me, it's just part of my family life, from Durin to our shared ‘mother’. I've found this whole series of events has given me new inspiration.”

Venti, stepping back, took another Cecilia from the crown in their hair, offering it to the prince. “There are all kinds of families in the world. Some base their life around the family store, others around the farm. In your family, you tend to the flower beds.”

Smiling, Albedo nodded, bending over to allow the angel to decorate his hair. “And now, I'm a gardener too.” He sounded at peace. Like… “Master never showed her face, but if the Hexenzirkel knows what I've done, that means she knows as well and gave her approval. Since devouring Naberius, it would seem she has finally found a modicum of peace. And if so, then I am truly happy for her. She didn't always have a penchant for madness.”

Aether and Paimon exchanged a glance. “Paimon feels like we heard that name before…”

Albedo nodded solemnly, and Venti prepared for the outburst. “Naberius? It's possible. After all, it’s the name of the Ruler of Life.”

The traveling duo blinked in unison, silent for a heartbeat.

“Whaaaaat!?”, the fairy screeched.

“Aunt Alice told me about it not too long ago, but it came as no surprise. I knew Master would do it sooner or later”, he continued impassively. “As for the Ruler of Life, all I truly know is this: Naberius is not gone. Instead, because of Master's actions, she and Naberius are now one, and-” He halted. Glanced down at his hand, at the way the Traveler’s knuckles were white from the strength, putting pressure on Albedo’s hand still on his. “Uh…”

Aether was fuming. “You! BOTH of you!” Venti wasn’t spared from the piercing stare, and Paimon on top of his head looked purely vindictive, doubling the intensity. “How is it POSSIBLE that both of you have parents who are literally Shades, and never once thought of mentioning that to me? Don’t you know of my journey?! Couldn't you, you know, have given a little help?!”

The chalk prince was startled, his reply hesitant. “My apologies, Traveler. I was so used to it, that it slipped my mind.”

On their part, Venti giggled, but the sound was dry. “You wouldn’t have gone on your journey if you were handed all the answers, would you? If you knew who your sister had become, and that the one who separated you was another Shade?”

Aether pursed his lips. Then, he groaned, silently giving him reason.

A heartfelt laughter came from nearby. “Can I take that as a sign that the conversation is finished?”, came Mavuika’s voice. Looking in her direction, Venti realized that everyone else was already gone. “I stood back to give you a ride to the tavern. The others headed there in advance some minutes ago, but we can still catch up”, she announced with a grin, summoning her bike and leaning against it.”

“Eh-he, music to my ears!” Venti wasted no time, skipping towards her and eager to feel the wind rushing past them.

“I don’t mean to doubt your expertise, but how are we all supposed to fit?”, Albedo pondered.

She put a hand on her hip. “Well, Paimon flies, and you are all so small that I can fit two behind me. As for the Traveler, he can take the chance to practice some tricks learned from Kinich”, she flashed him a look, and he nodded proudly. 

Venti still got to see him attach a kind of rope behind the motorcycle, holding the other end and summoning wind blades under his feet. Trusting his abilities, Venti hopped behind Mavuika, shamelessly holding her waist, opening their wings to let Albedo do the same to them.

“Get ready!”

The engine was turned on, roaring loudly. 

The motorcycle took off, and they sped through the air, laughing as their stomachs twisted. It was similar to the sensation of opening a glider, except that they kept shooting forward. Venti couldn’t even see properly, with Mavuika’s flaming air blocking their vision most of the time, and it irradiated heat, so they could understand Xilonen’s complaint from when she arrived. But every time they caught a glimpse of the world passing through them, the moon as the only constant… the excitement surged in ways that were both overwhelming and delightful, making them squirm and hold more tightly. 

Their wings also rejoiced. This was flying without effort, and Barbatos was hit with hunger for the skies.

But at the speed they went, the tavern was a couple of minutes away. They landed before that feeling had a chance to fester.

“I really thought I could be chosen as the Windblume Star this year…” Dahlia was saying with a dramatic sigh. “I helped sooo many people, and I just came back, so I could use a little reward. But of course, Venti stole the spotlight.”

Venti stuck out his tongue to him, but Albedo, right next to his ear, chuckled and tried to satisfy his curiosity. “Isn’t it just a title? Why the sudden interest?”, he inquired.

Dahlia shook his head. “The one with that title gets to offer a flower to Lord Barbatos, right?” They all nodded. “Well, I had an ingenious idea during my retreat. Since I’m Dahlia, I was planning to offer myself.”

Venti had a fit of cough, his face getting warmer, and the other gremlin took a chance to flee and trot closer to the traveler, to get to know him better. Albedo smirked knowingly, gently pulling Venti to his lap and patting his head in a way that could only be purposefully patronizing. 

Their little group kept talking for a while, their voices mingling with all the other sounds in the bursting tavern. Paimon, next to the shorter boys who were in on the secrets, was trying to put their family-tree together while waiting for her next meal. 

“So… Human Durin is a creation of Albedo, like a son, but he combines Mini-Durin, who is created by one of the witches, and Durin, created by a different witch who created Albedo, so basically his brother. Meaning that Human Durin is Albedo’s son, cousin and brother at the same time? And then, Albedo’s creator and mother who was one of the Sinners, devoured the Shade of Life, so we can say that Albedo’s mom is a Shade, and Venti’s mom is also a Shade, so they are basically cousins too?”

Venti felt suddenly self-conscious of the way he was sitting on Albedo’s lap, drink in hand. Exchanging a glance with Dahlia, the two of them burst out laughing. 

“Put like that, the way our relationship works almost seems questionable”, he pondered. 

Albedo chuckled too. “My apologies. I don’t think anything we’ve done is inappropriate, but I admit that traditional hierarchies of relationships and families are an aspect of human society that I never quite adopted.” 

Venti rested his head against Albedo’s shoulder.  “Do you regret any of this?”

He shook his head, holding his gaze. “Not at all. I used to think that relationships were quite troublesome. Once you establish a relationship with someone, you must continue to maintain it; if you lose contact, you must reestablish the relationship. That sounded taxing to me, yet, now I am close to multiple people, who respect when I need time to deal with my goals and also have interests of their own, so we need very little to rekindle our closeness.”

Paimon, who had taken their conversation as a chance to devour another pie slice, had a mouthful to throw at them. “But what if people think you really are cousins, and find all of that romance wrong?”

“Well, few people know about our family,  and those who do are aware of how complicated it is, so they wouldn’t reduce us to cousins”, Venti pointed out, lifting one finger. He squinted at the fairy when he detected she didn’t like the lesson, but the cute deacon beside her was a worthier recipient of his gaze. “But good thing Deacon Dahlia is here, in case we feel the need to confess”, Venti winked, stretching a leg to place his feet over his Herald’s thigh.

Dahlia grinned, theatrically placing a hand over his chest. “Feel free to come forward with your sins. Although, I’m fairly certain that Lord Barbatos won’t mind the current state of affairs, and will point out that Albedo’s mother only became a Shade after he was created.” He tickled Venti’s feet, who squirmed and yanked it away with a laugh. 

“You are almost more versed in the history of Shades than me”, Aether remarked quietly, before downing his drink. 

Uh. That was unusual. 

Jumping from Albedo’s lap, Venti stepped closer to the Traveler, leaning against his back and resting his chin on Aether’s shoulder, comfortably able to whisper in his ear. He quietly checked on him, getting only insistent reassurance in return.

“Humm… You’re not trusting me”, he semi-gave up, pouting.

Aether sighed, doing his best to offer a consolation smile, yet it came out withered. “Sorry, I’m just tired. The last days were chaotic, and all the talk about Shades is giving me much to think about. It’s… difficult to know who to trust when it seems like everyone is keeping secrets from me.”

“Ah, and the recent episodes didn’t help with that…” The twist of guilt in his stomach made him stop being so clingy, instead taking the seat at the Traveler’s side. “Would it have helped if you were in on the plan against the monsters, or is the part about bigger secrets that’s gnawing at you?”

“Mostly the latter. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy getting to know Teyvat. The only time I tried to rush my search was in Inazuma, after finding my sister for the first time and hearing that I needed to reach the end of my journey, but the saltiness and the walls I put around was burning me out.” He was physically staring at the counter, but his attention was clearly turned inward. “So, I don’t regret taking the walls down, and connecting with people. It’s just…”

The angel knew that words would be insufficient, so they didn’t reply. Instead, they moved a wing, passing it around Aether’s shoulders, like a comforting blanket.

Zhongli must have seen their exchange, because he approached their quiet space at the bar, sitting at the other side of the golden-haired traveler. When Diluc finally got a break and stopped restocking, the Geo Archon raised a hand to catch his attention, letting the others sit in silence as he put down his orders. 

All the while, Aether was ignoring both of them.

“It is rare to see you so frustrated, Traveler”, Morax remarked. “Do you not recall what I once told you?”

Blinking, Aether glanced curiously at him. After a pause to think, the corner of his lips tilted up, and he recited it without fail, as expected of a Witness. “You must be careful to take the time to step back and reexamine yourself. If left unchecked, the wear and tear on your heart may go well past mending.”

Diluc was listening, and didn’t try to disguise it when he placed the tea in front of Zhongli, raising an eyebrow. “Wise words. I should have followed that advice myself some years ago.”

Venti chuckled. “Agreed, but I will need to deduct points for the weak performance of our Traveler. The blockhead doesn’t sound at all like that.”

Aether rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t exactly trying to act it out.”

Zhongli and Venti exchanged an amused glance, and the Geo Archon smiled, turning to Diluc to praise the tea. The Traveler sank his head on his arms, allowing the angel to pluck another Cecilia to adorn his braid, and they stood silent, soaking in the atmosphere of the tavern while listening to the conversations of their friends. 

Morax was asking Diluc about the history of the tavern, and learning of its connection with the witches. It wasn’t everyday that Diluc got to share it with someone, and they hit off well, between their knowledge and politeness; Kaeya, Rosaria, and Albedo were now sharing a table in the upper floor, the first two drinking while Albedo recharged in his partner’s arms and lazily updated him on what went on - in other words, letting Kaeya know that soon enough, he would babysit a second child. Rosaria, on her part, was dryly apologizing to Albedo for doubting him - Venti could hear the exact wording, thanks to Dahlia approaching to remind her of cleaning duties in the next day; Sucrose and Noelle were laughing at something that Hu Tao was telling; Xilonen’s tail kept hitting Yae’s thigh in exasperation, but Mavuika was enough to keep her around; Continuing his pastime of minding other people’s businesses, Dahlia soon joined Jean and Lisa at their table, and he and the librarian joined forces to prevent her from leaving so soon; The door opened to allow Amber to enter, sighing in relief, finally free from babysitting. Eula trailed behind, yawning, and was content to sit in a corner with the smaller woman in her lap.

So much happiness packed in a single room… Venti’s heart was so full, it could burst at any moment.

The only thorn was the Traveler’s disposition, bittersweet at best. 

“It’s hard,” Barbatos finally said, summoning a subtle breeze to gather Aether’s attention, “to know the difference between guidance and manipulation. Between someone keeping a secret to protect you, and to control you. The lines get blurred, even for gods.” He swirled the last bit of cider in his glass. “As you know, we too have figures above us, who know more than we do or, at least, intend for that to be the case.”

That earned him a glance.

“Are you saying that… humm.” Aether frowned. “Wind and Time once ruled Mondstadt together. There is no way your own mother hasn’t told you some of the things she knows. You also told me before that you even know songs of the future.”

The golden-haired traveler stared at the god of wind. The god stared back, for a while unblinking, but not divulging anything either.

The Traveler felt the need to clarify his question. “Venti, do you know what’s going to happen? I know Zhongli has contracts and can’t tell me certain things, but you don’t have those, do you?”

His wings dropped a little. “Well, no, but other things bind me. And I don’t just mean Celestia”, he said bitterly, reminding his friend of the curse put on him. “Including the fact that I could sabotage certain events if I babbled about them, and frankly, your mind would probably implode.” The Dreamer must never know he is in a dream, or that might lead to the death of the dream itself , he thought, tracing circles with a finger on the wood of the counter. “Regardless, it’s not like I know everything, nor do I have an outsider’s perspective. Let’s say I have my means to obtain certain information.”

Surprisingly, the Traveler chuckled, although the sound was a little dry. “All that talk reminds me of when I was stuck in an eternal samsara, in Sumeru. Sorry, Diluc, I never told you about this, only to my other friends here.”

“It’s okay, I don’t need to understand it fully, although I appreciate some context”, he said kindly, placing a plate with sweet grapes on the table for them to take freely.

Aether took one. “It was basically a cyclical dream that felt real, and everyone in the city was trapped in that experiment, unaware that their real bodies were weakening outside”, he summarized. The redhead didn’t comment on its strangeness. “The same day repeated over and over, because that was what the host was dreaming about, but we had no memories of the previous cycles. I needed the help of the Dendro Archon to understand and leave the situation, but I still had to come to the right conclusion on my own.”

Taking a deep breath, Venti searched for Zhongli’s eyes from behind the Traveler’s back, noticing how his nervousness mirrored his own. Aether was so close…

It was Zhongli who replied to the story, solemn and slowly. “Lesser Lord Rukkadevata is a gentle soul, and I’m sure she explained to you at some point why she couldn’t reveal things directly, no matter the cost of the time you took to figure out the truth.” Aether nodded. “We too tell you all we can. So please, dear friend, don’t wonder if we would ever insult you with silence. I promise I will always help to the extent of my abilities, in your fights, in your searches, and in offering you a home in Liyue Harbor, every time you need to rest.”

Even Venti was moved, hiding a snicker behind a hand and turning to the Traveler. “And he always honors his promises, even without a contract”, he reminded the golden-hero, heart dancing in his ribcage when Aether’s smile finally bloomed properly. That said, a bard couldn’t simply let someone else steal the show, so he placed a hand over one of his, offering comforting words. “You shouldn’t have to walk around feeling like everyone has a map except you. But, since there’s only so much we can do to fix that, don’t fault yourself when you commit mistakes you couldn’t predict. I too have failed at preventing tragedies, and had to atone and fix the situation. But I couldn't undo the past.”

Several memories flooded his mind, even things he didn’t experience but were still captured by the winds, hitting him with them every time he came back from slumber. The blood rushing out of his friend’s chest, the screams of people thrown into an arena, the pain and humiliation of slaves, the agony of souls before being siphoned under Durin’s attack…

The Traveler wasn’t the one who yanked him out of those dark thoughts. Instead, there was a childish screech, so loud that it attracted the attention of everyone in the tavern. All heads turned to Paimon, who was staring in horror at the cake dropped on the floor, the cream spilled all over.

“Paimon only got to eat one slice!” She lamented, her face contorting as if she was about to sob. She turned to the Traveler, tears welling in her eyes. “T-Traveler!...”

Chuckling pitifully, he extended his arms in her direction, silently inviting her to come to a hug. 

The pixie slammed against his chest, and he wrapped her in his arms. “There, there. It’s okay, Paimon, I will get you more. Tomorrow, the festival is still up, so we can also make the rounds through the fair to see what you want to eat.” She sobbed harder. “Ow, don’t cry…” 

As he cooed and patted her head, lips occasionally tilting up, the people in the tavern did their best to turn away and not laugh at how she blew the issue out of proportion. Venti wasn’t overly fond of her bratty side, but she was ultimately a child, who had faced much, yes, yet every issue was equally big compared to her size. He was glad that Aether had her at his side. At the end of the day, being responsible for someone was what kept people going, even when it was tempting to give up.

So, the angel kindly put the pair under his wings, shielding them from the mocking world and letting them recover in the cocoon.

Everyone resumed their talks and drinks, flickering like the candles between pretending that nothing happened, and glancing to see if the fairy was okay. Carefree as the people of Mondstadt were, they still worried for everyone’s well-being.

Diluc was talking to Zhongli again, his voice lowered. “Forgive me for the bluntness, Mister Zhongli, but I have to wonder. Are you the Geo Archon? I know that he was supposed to be dead, yet from what I’ve seen…”

Morax gave a heartfelt laugh, and even Venti chuckled. The old-fossil turned to him first, eyes squinted with amusement. “You have some perceptive allies in your city, Barbatos”, he noted.

Venti stuck out his tongue. “You couldn’t be the only one, Morax.”

The pair laughed again, and Diluc stood awkwardly between them, smiling embarrassedly. Zhongli, likely out of cordiality and pity, deigned to give him a proper reply. “I confess I didn’t excel at hiding it, given how I mingled with the other holders of authorities over the elements, ail from Liyue, and just had this conversation with the Traveler. Speaking of, Venti…” 

Tilting his head, Venti followed his gaze, noticing a hand sticking out of the shell he formed with his wings. Feeling the Traveler push against his chest, he opened, letting the pair out. Paimon was asleep against the golden hero’s shoulder, covered in drool, both with their faces red from the warmth. Aether merely sent a grateful nod, and the angel smiled, scooting his seat even closer so that the traveler could lean against his body, standing between his legs. He still kept his wings around them, this time like a blanket instead of a dome.

When Barbatos glanced at the other two again, he caught them looking away, as if they were too shy to admit they were staring at the gentle interactions. Venti chuckled to himself.

Zhongli coughed into his hand, clearing his throat. “As I was saying, Master Diluc, you did a good job at deducing my identity. Naturally, I expect your discretion.”

“Yes, of course. You have my word.” 

His mask of politeness broke for a second as he glared at the bard, no doubt because he didn’t warn him in advance. Venti shrugged - why would he tell when Zhongli just wanted to retire and live like a human? Regardless, the heat diffused quickly, once the Geo Archon offered a gentle smile.

“Thank you.” 

Perhaps Mavuika had been listening in, perhaps not - but, as someone always attentive to clues and the right opportunities to show up, Venti suspected he could detect a kindred spirit when he saw one. When she approached them with that confident smile that she always plastered on her face, heavy empathy pooled in his stomach. Barbatos was hit with awareness of how he used to be before the curse: proud of his people and happy to live amongst them, yes, but never able to properly open up about his burdens. His bonds with others were sincere, yet buried in boundaries, that he wished to put down but never could.

Far from him to deny her a moment of connection. 

“Mavuika! Sit here, sit here”, he welcomed, patting the seat at his other side. 

Aether objected. “She can actually sit in the middle - I’ll get going, to put Paimon in bed”, he explained, stepping away from his stool. “It was a long day”, he apologized with a grimace, before any of them could lament.

Venti didn’t immediately react, understanding but unable to act thrilled about it. Mavuika stood unwavering, simply ruffling Aether’s hair, who was smiling even when rolling his eyes at her.

“Heroes deserve a good rest, and there are other chances to celebrate. Go. But remember that doubt is a means by which we seek the truth, not a weapon we wield against others.”

“I know, I know…” Sighing, he was clearly doing his best not to worry his friends, and it was painfully obvious how draining it was for him to keep up the smile. Despite that, when he turned to them for a goodbye, the gentleness in his tone was real, along with the care in his golden eyes. “Anyway, enjoy your night. Venti, I already paid Diluc, it should be enough to get you at least five free drinks”, he revealed with a smirk.

“Oh!” He straightened, actually caught by surprise, as his heart warmed. “You didn’t have to, but your offerings are appreciated”, he winked, going along to end his night on a good note. 

The Traveler had his hands busy carrying the fairy, so he nodded at the other two, who waved, and he headed to the door. Albedo, perceptive, had caught up to the situation and was waiting for him at the exit, ready to accompany and open the door for him. The pair crossed the threshold, and Venti turned back to the counter, not wanting to see the door close.

Once it did, the tavern became a little colder without their sun.

But at least they had Mavuika in their midst, and she was just as warm. She asked for a tankard of Death After Noon, having heard that it was a strong drink, and the bard whistled once he saw her down a big gulp at once.

“Well, I can see now why the Traveler said you wanted to have a drinking competition against me. Is that proposal still up?”, he asked with a chuckle.

She wiped the foam off her mouth, her smile intact. “Of course! It’s not every day I get to fight against another Archon, even if it’s in a drinking competition. I have wanted to see how I fare against non-human gods for a while, in all honesty.”

Zhongli was the one who responded, his expression denoting a good mood. “For humans such as yourself, that will barely make a difference. I have my fair share of experience with war, but I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize you as equally competent, and a strong fighter. You would not be at a disadvantage against gods, except perhaps when it comes to aging.”

“I believe that.” Grimacing for a second, she shook her head, taking another gulp of her drink. She turned to the angel again, and he raised an eyebrow, sensing a serious topic incoming. “Also, there is something I want to say. From what I understood since we met, Venti, you weren’t publicly out as an Archon before. I have never experienced anonymity, and while I can imagine the appeal, there is a great side to embracing the role of an Archon.”

Barbatos’ wings fluttered. It was his turn to grimace. “Such as?”

“People looking up to you is a sign of respect and a request for guidance, not blind worship. Being able to help them more directly, and reassuring them that we have their back, is both burden and blessing.”

Zhongli was pensive, but his smile was considerate. “Your conviction almost makes me reconsider my decision. I look back fondly at the periods where I guided Liyue, but I fear I’m enjoying retirement too much to change that.”

Diluc’s closed-off posture gave the impression of being inhibited, perhaps due to the three Archons who surrounded him. Barbatos’ lips curved at that, otherwise remaining sealed. 

The pep talk was appreciated, but it was hard to simply nod along. He thought back to how he felt during the most recent battle, taking a stance for his people, and the way they pointed and sent their prayers towards his figure. He thought of the moment he revealed himself in front of Vennessa, and a whole stadium of people, willing to assume his identity if that meant setting things right. He thought of his Ascension, and what that meant for his life.

His hands grasped the overly complicated skirt. He didn’t know how to feel.

“I suppose it’s not a problem on its own, and it has advantages”, he conceded. “But the few people who forget that I’m a friend first still make me uneasy, and it’s hard to escape the eyes when I’m expected to perform certain feats. Anyway”, he shook his head, braids dangling from side to side. “It’s not like it’s a problem in current Mondstadt, and I have enjoyed some aspects of being out.”

She passed a hand over his shoulder. “And that’s exactly what I mean. Master Diluc, can you start sending some rounds our way?”

Diluc sent them a look, and Venti giggled. “Sure, but as a reminder, Venti’s deal to get free drinks as the Windblume Star only lasts until midnight.”

Mavuika laughed, the sound full. “That’s not a problem. I can pay for some, and his friends have paid too, right?”

A high-pitched voice joined from behind. “Certainly, and I have also obtained an ‘all you can drink’ deal for my Archon. You didn’t forget, did you, Diluc?” Dahlia asked, batting innocent eyelashes at him.

He snorted. “I wish I did. I even tried to refuse the Traveler’s money, but he insisted.” He eyed the bard with a frown. “I will never understand why people encourage your bad habits, but don’t expect me to help you walk home if you start vomiting from drinking too much.”

Venti put a hand to his chest, acting all dramatic. “You wound me, Master Diluc! As if you didn’t know already that I’m a capable drinker.”

“And so am I~” Dahlia giggled. Managing to fit in half of Venti’s seat, the bard passed an arm around his waist to secure him in place, betting mentally on what he was about to propose. “Pyro Archon, am I allowed to participate too? I’m a big supporter of drinking competitions, and it’s a pleasure to bond with other wine connoisseurs.”

She cackled, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “The more, the merrier! Anyone who wants can join!”, she declared to the whole tavern, picking the interest of some regulars. “Just be prepared to lose against me.” Venti whistled. Fighting talk, huh? “Now, pink boy, what’s your name?”

“Oh, eh-he, I forgot my introduction. I’m Dahlia, Head Deacon of the Church of Favonius.”

Venti nodded vigorously, unable to hide a smile. “And my Herald!”

Mavuika flashed them a smile. “See? You wouldn’t be able to announce that so proudly if you weren’t out as an Archon.”

Blinking, the angel had to recognize that she was right. It would be a shame to keep the real extension of their bond under wraps, like he had done before, and nurturing his bonds was by far one of the biggest perks of being both archon and bard at all times. He already knew that, but it was easy to forget how that manifested in small acts.

Before he could reply, Diluc placed a large mug in front of the three of them, his thumb grazing the back of Venti’s hand as he did so, as if to reinforce the point. 

The god sank his nose against Dahlia’s side as he looked down, partially hiding his blush.

Their group still tried to invite Kaeya - he was one of their drinking buddies, after all, and the other member responsible for Venti’s ‘all you can drink’ deal. But he refused. In his words, “I am a fan of strong drinks, but my liver can’t handle as much absinthe as divinity”. Venti suspected he didn’t dare to compete against two gods, remnants of his upbringing manifesting when less expected.

All three agreed to opt out of a fixed number of rounds. The winner shall be the last one standing.

Minutes later, a crowd had gathered around the three contenders, laughter rippling through the tavern as empty mugs were swept aside to clear space for more. Mavuika had gotten rid of her leather jacket, Dahlia rolled up his sleeves, and Venti was perched at the edge of his seat, one leg propped up in excitement, for once in his life not winning clearly.

In the four rounds that passed, Hu Tao convinced people to wage bets, extending her hat for collecting. She loudly declared from the top of a table that her money was on the ‘cheeky bard’, and Kaeya bet the same, to which Rosaria smirked before putting pressure on her fellow church member, despite knowing he would lose. Other regulars had faith in them as well, but a few were swayed by Mavuika’s confidence, along with the way she kept persevering drink after drink. Diluc’s protests were barely audible over the cheers and clinking of coins, and Charles, who was helping, merely chuckled and resigned to clean the glasses broken in the chaos. 

At the periphery of the partying, Zhongli sat with impeccable posture, one hand resting on his empty cup of tea out of habit. His brow kept rising to convey his growing disapproval, though he said nothing. Diluc also partook in the judgment as he prepared more drinks, although persistently vocal: after the sixth round, he was cursing under his breath, and thanked Dahlia for conceding defeat halfway through the seventh.

Until the tenth round, it was barely a challenge for Barbatos. The god of wine enjoyed being a little tipsy and surrendering to his senses, and with drinks so smooth and pleasant on his tastebuds, it was as simple as drinking from a pure spring. It was an amazing way to try different flavors in quick succession, and the change between bitterness, sweetness and spiciness was a delight.

At the twelfth round, he was surprised to see Mavuika still standing - was she really human?

She shot her glass high into the air, for a toast. “To a bright future, and many prosperous festivals!”

Venti’s glass joined her. “To stories of the past, and regrettable decisions!”

Another wave of laughter swept the crowd, and he happily downed another glass.

Mavuika’s movements were notoriously more sluggish at the fifteenth round, but so were his. The tavern was spinning, but at least in this sort of contest he wanted to win fair and square, and refused Dahlia’s support. His adorable Deacon was not in the best shape himself, after all, with the tips of his ears tinged in a darker pink than his hair. 

“You sure you don’t need help? It’s been a while since I've seen you drink this much, Lord Barbatos”, he still insisted, after the bard’s hand failed to grab the next mug. 

Venti felt the impulse to giggle - he was seeing two Dahlia’s, and that was too much cuteness for him to handle. Babbling something akin to a ‘of course I’m sure’, he leaned closer to him, but not to cheat at the standing part of the challenge. No, no, having his Herald’s arms around his frame didn’t count, it was temporary! 

Barbatos sniffed his skin, humming in appreciation. He realized that the overwhelming fragrances came from the deacon’s mouth, still lingering from how long he had partaken in the contest. Noticing the foam in the corner of his lips, Venti licked it, chuckling again when Dahlia blinked.

“Oh, you are sooo drunk already”, the deacon shook his head, his reproval tamed by a smile.

Venti disentangled from his arms, getting back into the competition. Mavuika was swaying from side to side, fingers white from how strongly she held onto the counter, but still waited honorably. Venti’s subconscious picked up on how Yae was talking about them - apparently, she had bet on him, while a half-asleep Xilonen insisted that she always knew her friend would be the winner. “She’s an overachiever”, she said. “She would rather crash out away from everyone, than lose in front of a crowd.”

Yae Miko snickered, eyes glinting with amusement. “How very interesting...”

Well, Venti refused such a predictable outcome!

An unknown number of rounds later, the crowd was chanting names, fists pounding on the tabletops to encourage them to go on, his heart pounding at the same cadence. Venti hiccuped, proud of staging the most epic drinking competition of all time, and with a glance at Mavuika - bent over and still swirling a half-full glass in her hand, her stare lifeless - he knew he was about to win. 

Narrowing his eyes, his favorite redhead poured another glass for both, sliding them over the table. This time, Venti missed it thrice, and his hand was shaking as he brought it to his lips.

It smelled of dandelion wine, if his senses could even be trusted at this point. It was weaker than some of the previous drinks, and the angel would voice his disapproval if he could but, alas, his mission was all that mattered. 

Determinedly, he took the glass to his lips, thrusted his head back, and knocked the beverage.

The last thing he remembered was the glass slipping out of his hand, as he started falling back and the world assumed its real orientation, going dark.

“Blegh!...”

Liquid splattered at the end of the bucket, and after blinking a few times to dispel the blurriness, their mind started to process reality. Their stomach contracted again, and they had to spill out more of that deep-seated sickness. It stank, and they realized it was vomit. 

Oh, they didn’t feel well…

Someone was firmly keeping them from flopping down, while another gently held back their single loose braid, to prevent it from getting in the trajectory of their mouth as they puked out their entrails, over and over. Dahlia, in front, kept adjusting the bucket, looking away to avoid feeling disgusted himself.

Diluc muttered from behind the counter. “It’s the last time I allow something like this in my tavern.”

One of the figures behind Venti spoke, and they recognized it as Zhongli. “I didn’t fully approve of the idea, but I know Venti is used to this kind of habit, so I trusted it would go well.” He sighed. “I confess I expected them to know their own limits. Or, if not, that someone else would have the maturity to put a stop to it.”

He sent a harsh stare in Dahlia’s direction, and Venti raised a finger and was about to defend their deacon, yet only more vomit came out, along with a fit of coughing. Ugh, his throat was burning, and it tasted so bad…

Diluc placed a glass of water on the table, and Zhongli brought it to their lips. Nodding thankfully - that mere movement made the world spin again - they took a long sip, having to interrupt it at the urgency of something climbing up their digestive system.

They vomited until their forces left. Even so, he couldn’t shake the sensation of nausea, and the wish to get rid of more poison.

All the while, someone was bawling her eyes out in a corner of the tavern. Sounded awfully like Mavuika, but it couldn't be her, right? It was impossible to tell. Few patrons remained at the tavern, half of the candles snuffed out or flickering, and their friends kept fussing around them.

Venti finished their glass of water, this time more certain that they wouldn’t simply regurgitate it again. “I won the contest, right?”, they asked as soon as they could, taking a deep breath.

Kaeya was the one who had been holding their hair, and the response he purred out was coated in fake ingratiation. “Of course you did, darling.”

Venti didn’t have the strength to argue with him to reinstate their victory, instead leaning deflated against Morax, relishing in the steadiness. 

Dahlia said something about using his limited healing abilities, approaching and placing his palms over Venti’s stomach. The cold sensation made them shiver at first, but the tingling quickly gave way to relief, that spread through their body. Sighing, the angel closed their eyes, pulling Zhongli’s arms tighter around their body.

As they were being cleansed from those accursed impurities, their mind wandered, landing on fragments of conversation.

“I need to thank the bard when he’s sober”, Xilonen was saying, the sound of gum popping sounding extra funny to Venti’s ears. “She rarely gets opponents that put her on the verge of losing. I’ve never seen her crash out, especially not like this, but she probably needed it. I’m going to take her to the hotel now.”

The crying had subsided, but the sobbing still resembled an overwhelmed child. Opening their eyelids briefly, the angel confirmed that Mavuika still clung to her friend’s side, and was the source of the crying, enveloped in Xilonen’s jacket. More words were exchanged, but they didn’t keep up.

It was possible that they were fading in and out of conscience: once they realized that, eyes still shut, they noticed they were being moved around. Something hooked under their wings and arms,  lifting their body to pull them closer, but the winds didn't sound alarms, and so they trusted the manhandling. The fragrance of dhalias put them even more at ease.

They cooperated to the best of their ability, fitting their head in the crook of their Herald’s neck, calm and lethargic. Once picked up properly, they relaxed under the touch, sighing contentedly.

“Diluc, I'm going to take them to your house”, said Dahlia’s voice, clear over the homey sounds of the empty tavern being tidied, to prepare it for the next day.  

The swiping of the counter stopped, and the bard could imagine the redhead’s arched eyebrows. “Do you intend to carry them all the way? No offense, but I feel like that is too much for you. Besides, you have also drunk a lot.” The deacon hiccuped, but didn't deny it. “At least let me accompany you, and carry them half of the way. The tavern is already closing, and I can clean the rest tomorrow. Charles?”, he asked in a different direction.

“Rest assured, master Diluc, I will make sure that no patron stays here passed out before locking the door.”

Venti mumbled something indiscernible even to themself, tightening the hug around their Herald’s shoulders. They felt him nuzzle against them, fluffy strands of hair tickling against their skin, and a shiver ran down their body. Giggling, they hid their face further against Dahlia.

A heavy cloak was wrapped around their body, the smaller boy allowing Diluc to do it, and they departed shortly after.

The night air was pleasant, bringing with it a fresh breeze to shake the stuffiness of the tavern, yet it didn't suffice to subdue the drowsiness. The pull of sleep, the rocking sensation in their friend's arms, and the cadence of steps along the pathway resulted in a powerful lullaby. 

…Well, the drinks from before probably helped. No healing magic could dissipate their effect fully.

Their mind focused intermittently on their friends’ occasional exchange. They weren’t overly close with each other, ironic given what Venti knew regarding the essence of their souls, but they were familiar enough due to constant meetings in the tavern. And… humm…

“Dahlia”, Diluc said at some point, his voice suddenly stern. Venti felt Dahlia straighten. “Don’t take this as confrontation, and I’m sure you had good intentions, but you shouldn’t enter people’s houses without permission. Especially when the owner is away on a trip.”

The deacon’s steps slowed to a halt. “Oh, you knew about that? Let me guess, some maid detected me and told you?”

“Adelinde is more perceptive than most assume”, the redhead said with his chest puffed out. “She also told me that you were dealing with Treasure Hoarders, so I appreciate it. Regardless, my point stands.”

Dahlia cleared his throat for a moment, replying innocently and clearly, in the same tone he used to deliver Barbatos’ teachings. “Lord Barbatos teaches us that barriers are meant to be ignored or torn down - I merely followed what I preach, ignoring socially-constructed property boundaries in order to be of help.”

Venti’s lips compressed in a smile. Diluc gave a long sigh.

“When did you even do that?”, he asked, choosing to not comment. “There was a short window of time between you resuming your presence in the city, and my own return on time for the festival. Don’t tell me that was the first thing you did as soon as you were around.”

“Haha, that was exactly what I did.” The innocent chuckle was the sweetest melody for Venti’s ears, which sadly ended too abruptly, perhaps reacting to Diluc’s expression if the angel’s imagination was correct. He refused to open his eyes at this point. “What? I was bored, I had to get started by doing something fun, and after scooping around and seeing the treasure hoarders entering your house in the middle of the night, that was the perfect opportunity.”

“You don’t even know if those Treasure Hoarders were agents for allies…”, the redhead mumbled under his breath.

Listening to their banter evoked memories of a time lost. Memories of friends that both were and would never be back, so Venti carried them in their heart. The pieces of their souls, so influential in shaping who a tiny wind wisp would become, now put back together as the cycles advanced, yet the pieces didn’t fit in quite the same way as before, and the edges of the shards were blunt, eroded by time. The wind could only carry the seeds of their stories - it could not ensure that the flowers would sprout and grow in the same conditions as before and, ultimately, was at the mercy of time, knowing it would eat away even at the wind itself.

Dahlia, Diluc, Jean… their warmth was the same, their essence was close, but their memories were not. 

A part of them wanted to tell them about who they were, and how much they meant to them. They even opened their mouth, but their voice failed them. By the stars, it’s not like they would be able to string a sentence together in this state…

So, when Dahlia’s arms grew tired and he relinquished the angel’s weight into Diluc’s own arms, the small god huddled closer to his chest.

They kept drifting in and out of conscience, because before they realized, they were at the doorstep of the Winery’s mansion. The sounds of the keys were familiar and comforting, and Venti had to recognize that they already saw that place as home. 

Knowing that the moment of goodbye was close, they mustered the energy to tilt their head to the other side, to catch a glimpse of their pink deacon before it was too late. How dramatic… It’s not like he will die this time, their own mind scolded. But all the rationality halted when they realized that Dahlia caught their eyes, blinking at first.

He grinned, like a cat entertaining mischief. “You know”, he started, getting Diluc’s attention. “Venti slept with both Kaeya and Albedo before, at the same time, and seemed to enjoy it a lot. I imagine Barbatos would like to sleep with two people again.” The delivery was so sheepish that even the angel couldn’t contain a laugh this time. 

The owner of the mansion glanced down at Venti’s reaction, and his lips were tilted up even when he huffed. “And you always speak on behalf of Barbatos, hum?”

Dahlia put a hand to his chest. “Naturally. I am their Herald, after all.”

For a moment, there was silence. Diluc hesitated, the bard in his arms stopping him from gesticulating, and Venti, even though wishing the contrary, wouldn’t fault him for refusing. After all, no matter the closeness of previous lives, in this one he mostly knew Dahlia through encounters in the tavern. Knowing how his friend was still emotionally constipated on some fronts, he likely felt uncomfortable sharing a bed with someone he didn’t know that well, and-

“I accept.”

Venti couldn’t help the happy squeak that escaped, and their feet dangled in the air as they nuzzled against their friend.

Even though the excitement partially woke their brain, getting rid of the dress proved a challenge. There were so many strings, clasps and layers… Diluc left the master bedroom after placing him down, to check on some things before going to sleep, and Dahlia made a point of watching the angel struggle for a while, giggling mercilessly. 

“Come here, my little wind, let me help you”, he finally offered.

Melting at the pet name, Venti was pliant, leaning closer to his friend and adjusting their position as necessary. There was a sort of intimacy in the sensations of someone’s hands working on removing their clothes, shivering on occasion. When Dahlia asked, they raised their arms above their head to let the dress slide up, the relief of being free lasted too little compared to the cold latching to their bare skin, so they wrapped their wings around their body. They didn’t even mind being in such a naked state, but they rushed to slide under the covers, sighting once the warmth settled.

With a chuckle, Dahlia kicked his boots, and started to remove the thicker layers of his uniform. Footsteps outside the room announced Diluc’s arrival and, chivalrous as he was, he even knocked on the door before entering, although he seemed embarrassed upon realizing that Dahlia was undressing. 

“If you’d like, I can lend you some of my sleeping garments”, he suggested, unbuttoning his own shirt. “Well, probably just a shirt, since I doubt my pants would fit you, but at least you don’t have to sleep naked or with something sweaty. To you as well, Venti.”

“I’m fine like this”, the angel said, rolling to their side to sink against the pillow.”

Dahlia accepted, even though he was swimming in that shirt, looking practically like a dress on him. On his part, Diluc put on a pair of the usual robes, that Venti had seen before in the few times they slept together. When their friends climbed into bed and joined each of their sides, their heart beat faster, mind focusing on the pressure against their body. Diluc’s arms enveloped their waist, while Dahlia glued completely to their side and passed one arm around Venti’s shoulder, who in turn positioned their wings to accommodate. Coupled with the contact of naked skin, it was the perfect recipe for recharging. 

Their legs were entangled, one of Venti’s favorite sensations, and they could hear Dahlia gasp and giggle when their bare feet touched. They both tended to wear shorts, so it wasn’t like their bare thighs never pressed against each other when they cuddled before, but a moment like this was even more intimate, and the bard understood his excitement. As for the redhead, even though he was covered from head to toe, the protective way in which he enveloped the smaller ones was endearing, and made them feel safe.

The proximity of both at the same time bore on overwhelming, and Venti let out a shaky breath. Their fragrances invaded the senses, mingling together in the opulent room. The room should be stuffy, but wasn’t, thanks to the night breeze slipping in through the window left partially open, even more than what Mondstadters tended to leave - it was a sign that the uncrowned king of Mondstadt remembered Barbatos’ preferences. The wind, reveling in its god contentment, sang a lullaby for their group.

“I love you”, Venti uttered into the night, chest swelling. Archons… The angel was trembling

Diluc raised momentarily to hover over them, his long hair cascading like curtains around Venti’s face, as he leaned down to place a kiss on their brow. “I love you too, beloved.” He had always been more comfortable showing affection in the dark, especially in the privacy of his room, and Barbatos counted themself blessed for the privilege of witnessing this side of him, being on the receiving end. What they didn’t expect was to see Diluc spontaneously turn to Dahlia, to kiss his forehead too.

“Eh, so you really have a sweet side too”, the deacon teased, grabbing his robe with enough strength to indicate he should wait. Dahlia turned his head to the side, thanking him with a wet kiss on his cheek, and even in the darkness, the bard could see a timid smile take hold of both.

The deacon did the same for Venti, who closed his eyes again, delighting in the pure bliss.

As they cozied up in bed, all Barbatos knew was that there was no curse that could withstand the power of love.