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Venti loves a myriad of things— he loves apples, he loves to play his lyre under the giant oak tree in Windrise, he loves drinking, and he loves his friends. He loves Kaeya, Jean, and Lisa; he loves spending time with them. Not to mention Diluc. Oh, Diluc.
He loves Diluc, though it differs from the love he feels for his other friends. He loves Diluc’s habit of fidgeting with the bracelet on his left hand, he loves Diluc’s crimson-red eyes, he loves fiery red hair, and often wonders what it would feel like if he runs his hand through it just because (though he’d never admit it out loud).
Venti’s sure Diluc feels the same. Well, almost sure. He’s about ninety percent sure Diluc does love him the same. He’s caught Diluc staring at him over the restaurant table while they were with their friends; he’s noticed Diluc’s fingers lingering a little longer than necessary when they pass items to one another; he’s noticed the way Diluc often allows him to braid his hair even though he isn’t big on physical touch.
He isn’t sure when it started but they had started spending more time together outside of their friend group. Venti enjoys these moments where he’s able to soak up Diluc’s presence beside him, where they allow their fingers to brush as they walk around the streets of Monstadt side by side. He’s sure Diluc enjoys these moments too.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Diluc loves Venti, his heart knows it. It’s hard to look away when Venti beams and his beautiful aqua green eyes crinkle. It’s especially hard to look away when Venti looks at Diluc like he’s the only one in the world, eyes sparkling and focusing only on Diluc.
Diluc indulges in his feelings, knowing Venti feels the same. He knows. Which is why he allows his fingers to linger on Venti’s fair skin when their fingers ‘accidentally’ brush; why he relishes in the joy on Venti’s face when he allows Venti to braid his hair; why he even allows Venti to run his fingers through his hair in the first place.
He knows his friends will undoubtedly catch onto their feelings— their eyes tracking one another’s movements, their fingers lingering longer than necessary, the time they spend together increasing. And Diluc’s suspicions are confirmed when he was making Kaeya a drink when he visited his apartment.
“Do you like Venti?” Kaeya asks as he fixes his periwinkle eyes onto Diluc as Diluc pours whiskey into a cup.
Diluc’s heart starts hammering, though he doesn’t show it with his expertise in maintaining his poker face. Diluc hums a response, “Of course, Venti’s a great friend.”
Kaeya sighs and rolls his eyes in exasperation. “You know what I mean, ‘Luc. You’re not that dumb. Do you like Venti?” Kaeya asks impatiently.
Shit.
Diluc twists the bracelet on his left wrist subconsciously before continuing to mix a drink for Kaeya. “Why?” Diluc asks with a raise of an eyebrow, hoping it comes off as his usual skepticism.
“What do you mean why? You guys are basically stuck to the hip and you guys look at one another all lovey dovey!” Kaeya exclaims, hands waving around in emphasis. “I may only have one eye, but that doesn’t mean I’d miss things like if my two best friends are in love,” Kaeya adds on in exasperation.
Diluc’s heart sinks to his stomach. Shit. Diluc pushes Kaeya’s drink towards him and sighs. “No,” Diluc says, hoping his voice comes out steady and not strained or shaky.
Kaeya blinked and gave Diluc a look. A look that screamed: “You’re lying and we both know that”. Diluc averted his gaze. It wasn’t that he particularly wanted to lie about his feelings— he knows that it’s obvious. Painstakingly so. It just didn’t feel… right to admit it out loud.
Kaeya sighed at Diluc’s reaction (or lack thereof). Kaeya took a sip of his drink then waved his hand dismissively.
“Fine, don’t tell me. But I’m telling you, ‘Luc. At this rate, you’re bound to hurt both yourself and Venti,” Kaeya huffed before taking another sip. Diluc lets out a quiet sigh as Kaeya starts rambling about nothing in particular; he knows.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Kaeya watches as Venti downs another shot of whiskey without the slightest wince and exhales with a hum, content. Kaeya turns his gaze back to his own glass, watching the auburn liquid swirl as he moves the cup. The conversation he had with his adoptive brother lingers in the back of his mind.
“...ya? Earth to Kaeya~” Venti hums as he tilts his head, waving a hand in front of Kaeya’s face. Kaeya blinks— oh right, Venti.
Kaeya smiles easily as Venti asks, “What’s on your mind? Wanna talk about it?”
Kaeya chews the inside of his cheek and decides to just bite the bullet. He blurts out, “Do you like Diluc?”
Kaeya watches as complex emotions cross Venti’s face until it settles on confusion— though Kaeya was pretty sure it was faux. Venti flashes an innocent and confused smile, asking, “What?”
Kaeya swallows and repeats his question. He watches as the pale man across him contemplates his answer. Venti smiles.
“I feel quite an amount for him, whichever could you mean?” Venti asks and Kaeya has to suppress a sigh. Venti was speaking as he would usually do when reading poetry which usually means that he was trying to avoid the question. It wouldn’t be that bad. If it isn’t for the fact that Venti is extremely stubborn.
Kaeya tries again, “Do you have romantic feelings for Diluc?”
A smile.
“...You guys are really close and there’s always some sort of tension between you and ‘Luc,” Kaeya elaborates, trying to not show his desperation in the silence. Well, it isn’t silent. The bar bustles with movement and music. However, in the current moment, all Kaeya can hear is his own words.
Another smile.
Kaeya sighs. Fine. He wins. Kaeya downs his shot and slams the glass back onto the table, glancing at Venti to silently tell him he surrenders. Venti beams and holds up his glass as if in toast and all Kaeya can do is smile and comply.
Kaeya sits on the plush couch in Jean’s office, groaning. He presses the heels of his palm onto his eyes hard enough he could see the pink sparkles behind his eyelids. He hears Lisa chuckle in amusement before speaking up, “What’s wrong?”
He brings his hands down, dropping them beside him onto the couch. He lifts his head from where it rests on the top of the back cushions to look at Jean and Lisa. Jean stops typing on her laptop and looks up while Lisa is already looking at him from where she is perched on the edge of Jean’s table. Kaeya looks from gray-blue eyes to bright green eyes before inhaling deeply.
“It’s Venti and Diluc.”
Lisa and Jean remain staring at him. They don’t blink, don’t furrow their eyebrows— they just look. Lisa breaks the silence, smiling her usual smile as she asks, “Are they finally dating? It is about time.”
Kaeya groans again, “That’s the thing! I asked them both— on separate occasions of course— if they liked the other. And guess what? They both said no!” Kaeya throws his hands up in disbelief.
“I don’t get it. They’re so obviously in love with one another. I could see it, you could see it, Jean could see it. Hell, a random stranger once came up to me to tell me to tell them that they were a cute couple! Do you know how awkward it was when I had to explain that those two assholes aren’t dating?!” Kaeya rambles, hands moving around in fervor.
Jean blinks before she murmurs, “They’re not dating? I thought they were.”
Lisa shakes her head and breathes out, “Even strangers can feel the tension between them. What on earth are they doing?”
Kaeya slaps both hands over his face and wails out, “Exactly! Oh dear Barbatos, please grant me some patience.”
A few beats of silence passes before Kaeya brings his hand down and mutters softly, “They’re scared. Aren’t they?”
Lisa gives a small sad smile in return and Jean exhales slowly, “We can’t do anything. This is for them to work out by themselves. Though at this rate…” She trails off. But the words she didn’t say out loud was clear: they’re going to hurt each other and themselves.
“I really hope they can work things out. I don’t want either of them to be hurt… They deserve to be together,” Kaeya murmurs softly. The two ladies nod, Lisa with a sad smile and Jean solemnly.
“They’ve gone through enough. I hope they can see they deserve to love and to be loved,” Jean says sadly.
Before Kaeya could respond, Lisa says, “Don’t worry, my dear. I’m sure they will.”
Kaeya squints at the sight before him: Lisa looking at Jean softly and Jean looking up at Lisa with a smile. “Eeyuck! I don’t wanna third wheel,” Kaeya grunts, standing up immediately. He grins at the two ladies that now look at Kaeya. “Don’t do anything indecent. You’re still at work!” Kaeya teases as he saunters to the office door. With one last glance at the pink hue slowly dusting the blonde and purplenette, he opens the door and steps out.
As he closes the door behind him, the only thing he has in his mind is his two best friends. Please work it out, please love one another, please stop running.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
On a weekend night, Venti braids Diluc’s hair as they sit on a picnic mat on the rooftop of Venti’s apartment building. Although the apartment is more suited to be called a shoebox, the rooftop of the building is a great spot to stargaze. Venti hums softly as he braids Diluc’s vibrant red hair, smiling softly to himself when Diluc leans back a little closer.
It’s an arrangement. It’s their arrangement. They meet whenever they can— though with Diluc owning a bar and being able to drop by whenever and Venti working as a freelance bard or sometimes singer (whichever he felt like doing at the moment), they meet often. Their friends are often busy with their own work. Therefore, it has become a common practice for the two of them to go on not-date-but-dates. They never actually have put a label on what this arrangement is. A hangout? A meetup? A date? Venti hopes it’s as much of a date for Diluc as it is for him.
Diluc leans back a little more, voice soft as he asks, “What’s on your mind?”
Venti smiles as he continues to braid Diluc’s long hair. He hums softly, “Nothing much, just thinking that this is nice.”
“Yeah?” Diluc asks softly and Venti nods even though he knows Diluc can’t see him. Venti finishes the braid, leaning back to admire his work. However, his admiration is cut short when Diluc promptly turns around to face Venti.
“Hey,” Venti breathes out, smiling.
“Hey,” Diluc replies, Venti’s favourite small smile showing on his face.
They sit in silence for a moment. Not an awkward silence— never awkward. It’s one of Venti’s favourite things; the fact that they can sit together without a word being exchanged and it doesn't feel awkward. Venti’s smile grows softer as he admires his favourite pair of crimson eyes.
The next few seconds happen in a blur. Venti leans in slowly— or did Diluc lean in first? Venti didn’t have time to dwell on the thought as their lips meet lightly, testing, before their lips connect fully. Venti’s eyes flutter shut as he melts into the kiss that he thinks is months due. He feels a warm hand cup his jaw and he smiles a little into the kiss, his own hand reaching up to rest on the bigger man’s shoulder. They kiss slowly, softly, every word they didn’t speak out loud being exchanged every time their lips meet. I like this, I like you.
Memories of the past few months flashed behind Venti’s closed eyes. The looks they exchanged; the way they would immediately look for the other when they enter a room; the way their eyes flickered to the other when they tell a joke in hopes that they can catch their laugh, their smile; the way their hands brushed even though it clearly wasn’t on purpose; the way—
The memories shatter as Venti opens his eyes when Diluc pulls away roughly like he got burnt. Venti’s hand drops from where it had rested on Diluc’s shoulder. What happened? Why is he looking at me like that? Like- Like he regretted it? The look on Diluc’s face isn’t one that Venti had seen before. He looks like he’s going to cry (do I make him want to cry?) with his eyebrows furrowed deeply, lower lip caught between his teeth, face pale and eyes wide. While he looks like he’s going to cry, he also looks like he’s in pain (do i hurt him? Is that why?).
Venti watches, cold as the warmth that he had felt left with Diluc when he pulled away, as Diluc swallows. Venti’s aqua eyes track the movement, watching the red head’s Adam’s apple bop at the look of confusion and hurt on Venti’s face. Diluc exhales shakily as he mumbles softly. Venti frowns a little, unable to hear what Diluc had mumbled. Crimson eyes meet aqua green and Diluc sits up a little, understanding Venti’s trouble. It’s another thing Venti likes— the way they don’t have to speak to predict the other, to understand the other, to know what the other needs, wants.
“Sorry,” Diluc says, voice clearer now.
Oh. Venti didn’t predict that.
Not another word is spoken for a while. The silence becomes borderline awkward as the wind blows. No. This isn’t supposed to happen. The silence between them isn’t supposed to be awkward. And the wind felt wrong. Venti would know— he loves the wind after all. But, the wind and silence feels extremely wrong. The silence feels too long, too short, too pressured. The wind feels too cold, too humid, too strong, not strong enough.
That’s two of Venti’s favourite things being wrong. Maybe three, if the way Diluc looks at Venti counts. Venti was used to Diluc’s gaze being warm, affectionate. Not- Not pain, strained. Diluc currently looks at Venti like he wants to look away. Though Venti’s pretty sure he was looking at him like he never wants to look away just a few minutes ago.
Venti finds his voice after a few more beats of awk— no, not awkward (never awkward. It must be his imagination.) — silence. “‘Sorry’?” Venti echoes, hoping his voice didn’t sound shaky.
Diluc’s breath hitches before he nods slowly, “Sorry,” Diluc repeats, “Sorry for kissing you.”
Venti freezes. Why is Diluc apologising? He had wanted to kiss him too, he kissed him back. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding.
“I wanted to,” Venti murmurs, “I wanted to kiss you too. Did… did you not want to?”
Diluc winces at the question and sits up straighter, taking in a deep breath before speaking, voice shaky,”No… I- I wanted to.”
A flood of relief washes over Venti’s body. But he knows there’s more that Diluc isn’t saying. So he prompts, “Then why are you apologising?”
“I didn’t mean to. I… I can’t,” Diluc says softly and the warmth the relief had brought to Venti’s body is promptly washed away again, leaving Venti feeling cold once more.
“‘Can’t’?” Venti echoes again. He feels a little silly, repeating words. He’s also a poet, for goodness sake. Can’t he be more eloquent? But, how can he? How can he speak properly when it feels as though his mind is whirling, with his throat clamping up, with his heart pounding (not like the usual butterflies he feels when he's with Diluc)?
Diluc exhales slowly, trembling as he speaks again, “I like you, Venti.”
Venti’s eyes widen at that. Was it just a misunderstanding after all? “I like you too,” Venti mutters and he watches as Diluc’s expression takes on a pained look. Why?
“I know. And- and that’s the problem,” Diluc swallows and the small light of hope that had flared in Venti’s heart dies out.
“‘Problem’?” Venti repeats sillily but adds on, “Can- Can you please just explain? You say one thing that stabs me in the heart and then another that heals it. Please… please just give it to me straight.”
Not Venti’s most eloquent moment, that’s for sure. His words weren’t carefully chosen, but rather spoken out of desperation.
Diluc winces again and nods, “That’s fair.”
Diluc takes a deep breath before speaking once more, “I like you. I really do. I- I’ve never liked someone quite like I like you,” Diluc chuckles dryly, “But… I’m not… supposed to.”
Venti’s heart clenches.
“I know it isn’t wrong to like someone of the same gender. But it just feels wrong to me as much as it feels right,” Diluc’s voice cracks and Venti’s heart squeezes impossibly harder he feels like he might have a heart attack. Diluc’s tongue peeks out to wet his lips before he continues, “Loving you is amazing. You understand me as well as I understand you. I’d never love someone like I love you.”
Love. He said love.
“But I should be with a woman,” Diluc whispers painfully and Venti’s heart drops to his stomach. Venti reaches up to place a hand on his own chest above where his heart is, needing the confirmation that his heart’s still beating, albeit rapidly.
“I should start a family— marry a woman and have a child,” Diluc shuts his eyes as he continues, voice straining, and Venti knows he’s hurting too. Diluc opens his eyes, eyes shining suspiciously as he whispers, “No matter how much I want to start a family with you, I can’t.”
“Because I’m a guy?” Venti whispers, vision blurring.
“Yeah,” Diluc mumbles, voice tight. That makes the tears overflowing Venti’s eyes fall and Venti catches the guilt that flashes across Diluc’s face as the tears fall free, temporarily granting his vision back before more tears flood his eyes.
The first few tears that had fallen start the dam. Venti starts openly sobbing, hiccuping softly as he tries to rub his tears away though that only brings about more tears. He hasn’t cried this hard since he died. Venti chokes on his own tears as he silently chides himself.
Stupidstupidstupid.
“I,” Venti starts through sobs and hiccups, “I love you. So, so much. And- And you’re my favourite friend,” Venti looks at Diluc through his tears and adds on in a whisper, “...I’m sorry I want you like a lover.”
Dilluc’s eyes widen and he moves forward, cupping Venti’s face with startling gentleness. It’s warm again. Diluc rests his forehead against Venti’s and whispers, “No, please don’t apologise. I love you too, and I want you too…,” Diluc’s eyes close as another wave of pain washes over his face, “But, I can’t and I’m so sorry.”
Venti’s eyes close as he feels Diluc’s lips on his and he knows this is the last time he’d ever be able to feel Diluc’s lips press against his. He hears Diluc whisper, “I’ll never regret loving you.”
Venti opens his eyes to meet crimson and he chokes on a sob as he whispers, “Me neither.”
Venti takes a slow shaky breath, “Let’s pretend this never happened; that the last few months never happened. Let’s stop doing— whatever this is,” Venti’s voice cracks as he whispers the words, more tears flowing out against his will.
Diluc looks as though the world’s about to end and Venti silently tells him he feels the same. Diluc’s mouth opens and closes a few times like he wants to say something but no words come out. Eventually, Diluc gives a small nod and more tears roll down Venti's face.
Diluc looks pained as he whispers softly, wiping away Venti's tears with his thumbs, “Please don't cry. I'm sorry, Venti. I love you.”
Another sob escapes Venti’s lips, his shoulders shaking as his vision blurs once more. Venti chokes out, “I love you too.”
Diluc stays patiently by Venti's side, wiping his tears and hugging him lightly. They don't kiss again and Venti has to remind himself that they won't, can't kiss again.
When Venti's tears slow and eventually come to a stop, and his sobs become soft hiccups, Diluc tucks a strand of Venti's hair behind his ears and whispers, “I have to go.”
Venti has to will himself not to start sobbing again, knowing that it's probably later than the usual time he leaves. But this time when Diluc leaves, he's not coming back.
Venti takes a shaky breath and nods, not trusting his voice. Diluc stands and Venti feels the warmth leaving his body. He can't help but wonder if the feeling of warmth will ever return.
“Goodbye, Venti,” Diluc murmurs and Venti feels himself replying. He thinks he says bye, he's not sure though. All he feels currently is empty. So, so empty.
Venti watches the back of his favourite red head walk towards the stairs of the roof top, his beautiful red hair still in the braid Venti had tied. Oh, Venti can't ever tie his hair again, can he? Venti's vision turns blurry again as Diluc's back disappears as the door of the stairwell shuts.
Venti buries his face into his palms as he starts crying once more. But this time, alone. Venti lost almost all of his favourite things in one night. Venti cries and cries and cries until his tears dry up. He folds the picnic mat up systematically, mentally noting that this is probably the last time he'd ever use it as well.
Days past, weeks past. Things aren't the same. Venti notices this, he's pretty sure his friends do as well. Venti and Diluc no longer spend time together and it took some time for Venti to adjust to the change. He finds himself looking at Diluc's contact when he has free time, about to call him before he remembers he can't. Venti still looks at Diluc when they all spend time together though he reminds himself to look away. Though, he's pretty sure Diluc does as well, which only makes things hurt even more when Venti remembers that Diluc's the one who had ended things. And not because he didn't like or love him but rather because he loved— loves him.
Weeks turn to months and Venti cries more times than he can count. He also starts spending more time with Jean, Lisa, and Kaeya, glad that they had stepped up and offered to listen. Venti suspects they do the same for Diluc, and he's glad they are. It's good to know that Diluc isn’t alone. Venti learned to control his eyes and body in the few months that had passed. He's able to will his eyes not to fall onto Diluc and only allows his gaze to fall onto him when he's a hundred percent sure he isn’t aware. He's able to force himself to sit a respectful space from Diluc, to not hug Diluc whenever he feels like it, to not ask to braid his hair.
Venti notices the way Diluc has to adapt to the unfamiliar practice of staying away from one another as well. They still understand one another with just eye contact, and it's obvious it's probably not going away any time soon.
Sometimes, Venti thinks a little too much. Would Diluc find a wife to start a family with? If he does, would he still be able to exchange a glance with Venti and immediately understand him? Would Diluc ever come to find him again? If he does, would Venti allow him back in? Venti knows the answer to this. He'd never be able to say no to Diluc. He'd let Diluc in time and time again even if it'll end with Diluc leaving every time. What would things be like if he came back?
Venti's heart yearns for Diluc's warmth once more. He realises that the warmth he feels now never feels warm enough. It’s not the same, it'll never be the same. Venti loves Diluc still— he reckons he'll love him for the years to come. He wonders if Diluc will too. No, he knows Diluc will too. Their love for one another is strong, they could be called soulmates and Venti wouldn't question it. But like parallel lines, they'll always be near but their paths will never intertwine.
Seven years later…
Venti sits on his couch, scrolling through his phone mindlessly when he gets a notification. Venti ignores it, it's probably not that important anyway. This habit of ignoring notifications… When did it start? Oh, right. It started five years ago, after Diluc's wedding. Right.
Venti puts his phone down and tilts his head back to look at the ceiling. Diluc’s wedding. Diluc’s wedding. Venti had been invited— of course he had. Venti vaguely remembers giving a speech and wishing Diluc and his wife happiness. He also remembers selfishly crying for the loss of his love under the guise of being overwhelmingly happy for the newlyweds. If his friends caught on, they never said a thing. He's thankful for that.
After that, Venti began distancing himself from his friends. Especially Diluc. However, Jean, Lisa and Kaeya wouldn't allow him to fully distance himself and constantly dragged him to their group hangouts. Venti's secretly glad they do. Otherwise, he'd surely be a shut in.
Nonetheless, Venti still created a considerable amount of distance between himself and Diluc. It hurts Venti sometimes— when he thinks back to how they once were. It doesn't help that Venti hasn't been able to get over the stupidly beautiful red head. He's grown his hair out quite significantly over the years in memory of the soft fiery red hair he used to braid. Now, he braids his own hair on the days he can't seem to distract himself from the memories with the bar owner.
They text sometimes— a simple ‘how have you been?’. The conversations never continue for long though. Venti hasn't been able to respond to Diluc's texts properly without breaking down. Idiot. Why can't he just move on?
Venti's ringtone snaps him out of his reverie. He brings up his phone to see who's calling him. Kaeya? Why's he calling? Venti sighs and counts to three silently before answering.
“Hey there.”
“Venti? Are you okay?”
Venti blinks. Kaeya sounds worried. “Why wouldn't I be?” Venti asks cautiously.
Kaeya's breath hitches and a few moments of silence passes before Kaeya speaks again, “Oh, Venti. You should check ‘Luc's Instagram.”
Diluc?
“Why?” Venti asks warily. Kaeya knows how he feels towards his adoptive brother and avoids checking the man's social media to avoid the pictures of him and his wife.
“I… I can’t tell you. It's best if you find out for yourself, Ven. But just know, I'm one call away,” Kaeya says softly before ending the call, leaving Venti in the silence of his apartment.
Venti's heart rate picks up a little. Did Diluc get hurt? Is he okay? Thoughts whirl in Venti's mind before he forces himself to calm down. No, Diluc is fine. If Diluc got hurt, Kaeya wouldn't ask him to find out for himself. Ha, it's a little silly how much he still cares for him after seven years.
Venti brings his knees to his chest as he swipes his phone screen, opening Instagram. He rarely uses it— only using it to promote his new songs or events he'd be performing at. His fingers tremble slightly as he opens the search screen and types in Diluc's username. He swallows as he clicks on the profile.
Venti clicks onto his new post and his heart stops. He inhales sharply, the sounds outside his apartment fading into white noise as his eyes zero in onto the post.
Diluc. His wife. A baby.
Venti's breathing grows shallow as he studies the photo of the family. The family Diluc wanted to start. His eyes focus on Diluc's small smile as he looks at the baby. His eyes fall to the baby— crimson eyes, Diluc's eyes. Venti drags his eyes back onto Diluc and he notices the fond look in his eyes. Oh. He looks so happy.
Venti's vision blur for a moment. Diluc's happy, he's finally built the family he's wanted to build seven years ago. Diluc's happy. Without Venti.
Venti sniffles as he scrolls down a little more to click onto the comment section, to congratulate him. Venti's hand falters when he reads the caption. His eyes widen and his tears fall free.
“...Venti… Venti Ragnvindr,” Venti whispers the baby's name displayed in the caption.
That does it. Venti's tears break free as he starts sobbing. Each breath he tries to take brings out another choked sob. Venti Ragnvindr. Venti Ragnvindr.
Venti repeats the name over and over again as he sobs, alone in his dark apartment on his couch.
That would've been his name. If Diluc hadn't wanted to traditionally start a family; if Diluc chose Venti; if they dated; if they had their happily ever after. That would've been his name if they got married.
Venti Ragnvindr.
Venti's sobs grow impossibly louder in his apartment. He calls Kaeya, still sobbing and fingers trembling. When Kaeya picks up, Venti doesn't say anything. He just continues sobbing into the phone, each breath ragged and each sob coming out more devastated than the last. Kaeya understands and stays on the phone as Venti cries.
Venti doesn't know how long he cries. He does know that the sun has set and his eyes feel as though it's bulging out of his eyes. He thanks Kaeya with a hoarse voice and hangs up, clicking back onto Diluc's post. With shaky fingers, he types out a comment and shuts his phone, burying his face into his knees.
“Congratulations on your family! I love you.”
Venti hears a notification and he brings his phone back up and he takes a shaky breath when he reads Diluc's comment.
“I love you too.”
Venti smiles softly, no tears roll down his face. He must've run out of tears. Maybe one day, he'll be able to face Diluc properly without his heart aching. Until then, he's only able to watch Diluc from afar because if he were to get too close, he'd break. Maybe one day, they'll be able to go back to how things were but without the romance undertone. Though Venti highly doubts that'll ever happen. Maybe in another universe, their paths will be able to intertwine at a point of intersection instead of constantly staying parallel to one another. Maybe then, Venti will be able to love him unapologetically.