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Sighh...
Yet, its not a sigh of disappointment, more so a sigh of contentment..
Venti was content just watching you play with some kids.
He was slung up in a tree a ways away, the sun was warm against him but the leaves kept him in the shade, giving him a cozy atmosphere, and the perfect place to watch-ahem, admire you from.
You blew a dandelion and picked another up for a kid, Venti could briefly hear your voice getting picked up on the wind, "You can make a wish to Barbatos and blow on these! They'll carry your wish to him." The kids jumped in excitement at this new revelation, excited to try.
Venti's head was crowded with random wishes, as the kids blew on the dandelions, but through their small, squeaky voices he heard one with familiarity.
"Barbatos, please, allow my desire to come true."
Venti furrowed his eyebrows, how the hell is he supposed to make your desire come true if he doesn't know it?
He huffed, not mad at you, but more so himself in his inability to grant you your desire. You deserve anything you desire, and with just a word he'd find a way to give it to you, no matter how difficult it is.
He watched as you bid the kids farewell, it was late, around dinner time, and all the kids had gotten called home.
Once they were gone he sat up and stretched, expecting you to head home, or maybe to good hunter for dinner--or better yet, Angel's share! Then he'd have an excuse to run into you, buy you a drink, I.. even dance with you!
The thought made his heart flutter, but you didn't do anything he expected you to, you merely sat down, twirling a dandelion between your finger tips.
Venti watched in a trance, curious and midly excited, were you about to make another wish, maybe reveal this desire of yours to him? One can only hope.
You brought the dandelion close to your lips and blew it, the seeds flew everywhere, and Venti held his breath, waiting for your next prayer... or wish, as you called it.
"Barbatos,"
Here it is...
"Give me a sign, please."
Venti huffed, what the hell? A sign for WHAT? You're so inconspicuous it almost makes him mad! Almost, you're way to kind to actually get mad at, but Archons, can you be aggravating.
His breathing hitched as he glanced back at your spot and you were gone! Damn! He got so caught up in monologing you had vanished.
He quickly jumped down and headed over to where you were, he looked around and sped for the city, of course he was planning to leave you soon, head off, maybe get a drink, but he couldn't without saying goodbye!
His idea of goodbye was usually blowing wind at you, which would carry sweet melodies, you always got a look in your eyes when it happened, like you were saying your farewell too.
Its likely hes being delusional about it, but an Archon can dream!
When he got into the city he stopped in his tracks, you didn't head far at all, just a little ways over to your house, he watched you shut the door and climbed up onto a roof nearby, careful to not be seen by anyone important.
He glanced at your window, watching you open it, it was a habit he noticed. Whenever you were about to start cooking you'd open your window, allowing the mouth watering aroma of your dishes to fly through the city.
As you took in the scene from your window, Venti sent a soft gust, a soft goodbye, telling you to enjoy dinner, and of course, not stay up too long.
Your hair blew in the wind and you gazed up, your eyes--LANDING ON HIM?
His smile dropped as he knew you noticed him, your serene expression also dropped, your eyes widened a bit.
His heart started pounding, his mind going haywire, did you recognize him? Did you think he was the one who sent the wind? Did you think he was weird asf for sitting on a roof?
Your eyes slowly softened and you gave him a small wave.
His heart rate increased drastically at that, he smiled a bit and returned the wave quickly, maybe a bit too quick.
You slowly turned away and he got up, eager to end the exchange but also wanting you to turn back around.. Beckon him over.
He shook his head and climbed down easily, then headed over to Angel's share.
Cause, what better way to get all this out of his head then to not be able to think at all?
~~~
Who knew what time it was when Charles finally told him to hit the road, I mean, its bad when your regular customer needs to be told to tone it down a bit.
Venti stumbled through the dark, empty streets of Monstadt, you were still on his mind, but he was really just thinking about how much he wants to cuddle up in bed with you.
He found a hammock strung outside someone's home and jumped into it, it swung gently.
His eyelids grew heavy and he slowly drifted off.
~~~
In the morning, Venti woke up a bit groggy, the sun was in his eyes and it looked to be mid morning now.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and hopped up, stretching a bit, his body sore from sleeping in a hammock.
He then began a bit of a morning routine, he got some breakfast from good hunter and played by the cathedral a bit, then it was time...
Time to go see you of course! He briskly made his way to your stand, you owned a fruit stand in Monstadt, filled with many specialties from other places.
He browsed other stalls nearby, but kept glancing at you when he thought you weren't looking, he felt a bit embarrassed doing this, but its either this or talk to you, and thats horrifying!!
I mean, what if you think hes weird or something, or he ruins his chance with you?
Usually he wasn't one to worry about this, as he was pretty carefree about everything else, but the way you made his heart flutter and the way you made his knees weak was completely foreign to him.
He couldn't lose you, no matter what, not until he figures out why he reacts the way he does to you.
Archons don't get crushes, especially not on humans, so you must be something different!
A creature from the abyss perhaps.
Or maybe..
You were just you, a regular Monstadt citizen who reduces the Anemo Archon to a puddle.
Nah, definitely a monster from the abyss.
While he was in his little trance he tripped, landing face first on the ground, a few people rushed over and he felt a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
Oh my Archons.
He glanced back and saw your concerned expression, "I-uh..." he couldn't even found the words and he almost prayed to Morax his face wasn't red.
You slowly moved your first hand to cup his chin and the other to his nose, making his breath involuntarily hitch.
"Your nose is a bit scratched... I have some bandages at my stand." You slowly helped him up making sure he was okay, and he tried to keep his knees from wobbling despite how weak they felt in your presence.
You brought him over to your stand and sat him down, cleaning, applying ointment, and placing a cute, pink bandage across his face.
Oh my... Of course youre the type to carry first aid around, and the first to help.. How dare you make him fall for you so hard..
"Are you okay?" You asked again.
Venti gulped, his throat dry, "Yeah.. I am.. Thank you so much." He wasn't usually shy, but his charisma was gone with just the few words you exchanged to him.
"Of course, feel free to rest as long as you need." You replied, standing up straight and putting all your medical supplies away.
He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart--and they worked... Until you made eye contact with him again.
"Do you want some water or something? You look unwell." Oh no.. Hopefully his face isn't red..
"I-no.." He took a deep breath, trying to regain some confidence, "No thank you, I think I'm alright."
You frowned, "You think?"
"I.. Yes.. I'm quite alright!" He suddenly stood up, "Thank you for your dear help!" He quickly moved to leave but felt a hand grip his shoulder.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Ugh! Was it that obvious? Were his knees shaking? perhaps..
He slowly turned to look at you, "I.. Water might be nice."
He didn't know why he said that, but he did, and now he was back in that chair waiting for you to come back with the water helping requested..
Why...whyyy did he do this? He's gonna lose his mind around you, and then you'll think hes weird!
GASP
What if you already think hes weird?!
As he thought he was suddenly broken out when he heard your voice again, "I have the water! Drink up."
You handed the ice water to him and he took a few sips, the cold water felt nice in his throat, a contrast to the hotness he was feeling from your presence.
"Better?" You asked sweetly, almost like you cared about him.
He swallowed hard, "Yep! Ehe... Thank you again." He smiled, a bit embarrassed.
You smiled back, "Of course. Make sure to eat something too."
"I-i will!" With that he quickly waved and headed off, out of monstadt and into the wilderness.
He climbed into a tree, finding a spot where he could play some music to distract himself from you.
He tried playing some, but every time he locked in he imagined himself with you and fiddled--messing up and losing focus.
He cursed himself for being so infatuated with you.
He, after multiple attemps, huffed, tossing his lyre aside, which it poofed into a few sparkles.
He glanced around, wondering if there was anything to take his mind off you, he saw a few hilichurls wandering about, but decided against hurting them, as you'd probably disapprove-
I-..
Whys he care if you'd disapprove or not?!
He groaned and buried his head in his hands, feeling increasingly like a lost cause, his cheeks burned from embarrassment.
"Hey you there!! What are you doing up there?" He suddenly heard an energetic voice..
He peeked through his fingers and saw outrider Amber running over, "--Oh! Its Venti the bard!"
He collected himself quickly, "Ahem, yes~ it is me!~ What can I do for you, Amber?"
Amber stopped under the tree and looked up at him, "Well, I was just doing my usual patrol and saw you, what're you doing up there?"
Venti laughed a bit, "Just getting inspiration, obviously!"