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lotmoon · 6 days ago

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Chapter 22: Foreboding Conundrum

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

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art belongs to: fridaynightcat

warning: slight NSFW content ahead

word count: 9.7k

A loud jingling could be heard in the room. Usually, Venti left you undisturbed as you slept and you would wake up on your own. Sometimes, if you were the first one to wake up, you’d find him still asleep as well, his arms around you. And if he was the first to wake, he’d kiss your temple and ready himself for the day.

The jingling continued and it was hard to go back to sleep with all this commotion. You groaned and rubbed your eyelids as you yawned. “Venti? What’s the noise all about—”

You were cut off, replacing it with a gasp as something soft squished against your cheek, nuzzling and rubbing into your skin. You backed away and blinked as you focused your vision onto a small white creature floating before you.

It was no ordinary floating creature. It was someone you knew well, one who was hard to forget with its small happy chimes, flapping its wings as it twirled around in joy. How could you forget its white form and its signature cute little two sprouts sticking out of its head?

“Barbatos…?” You sat up and rubbed your eyes. The wind wisp twirled over you and nuzzled your cheek. You cupped him in your hands and looked at him flabbergasted.

“Good morning,” Venti greeted. He walked to your bed and leaned down, kissing your cheek. “Did you have a good dream?”

You blinked owlishly as you stared at Barbatos and then at Venti. Were you still dreaming? You rubbed your eyes again and squinted.

“Venti? Am I dreaming?”

The bard laughed and sat next to you. “In this life with you? It feels like a dream come true to me.” Barbatos flew onto his palm and Venti patted his head. The wisp let out a familiar jingling of delight, dancing circles on his hand.

Venti reached over, brushing a few strands of hair away from your face as he smiled softly. “But no, my dear, you’re very much awake,” he reassured you. His emerald eyes sparkled with warmth as he tilted his head toward Barbatos. “Looks like he couldn’t wait to greet you this morning. Isn’t that right, little one?”

Barbatos jingled again in agreement, flitting around your head before settling back into Venti’s palm. You watched them both, still slightly dazed, before a small laugh escaped your lips. “He’s quite the early riser, isn’t he? Unlike someone I know,” you teased, raising a brow at Venti.

Feigning mock offense, he placed a hand over his chest. “Ah, your words wound me! I’ll have you know that I’m always up before the sun when it comes to making sure my love has everything she needs.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle at his dramatic response, shaking your head. “Alright, alright. I was starting to worry when I hadn’t seen Barbatos these past few weeks. He’s always with you, and it’s not often he shows up as my wake-up call.”

Venti smiled, gently stroking the wisp perched on his palm. “Ah, he’s been resting. I think he missed you more than he let on. Though I can’t blame him for that.”

You squinted your eyes and crossed your arms over your chest. “I swear, if you were keeping him from me, I will never forgive you.”

His sea-green eyes widened and he waved his hands frantically. “I wasn’t! I swear! Barbatos tell her the truth!” He pleaded to the wisp who nodded and jingled frantically as well.

You raised a brow, leaning in slightly to inspect the pair. “Hmm… you both seem suspicious to me.”

Venti gasped, clutching his chest as though your words had physically wounded him. “Suspicious? Me? My dear, how could you even think that?!”

Barbatos let out an indignant jingle, circling your head in what seemed like an attempt to defend his friend.

“You two are terrible liars,” you teased, a playful smile tugging at your lips. “But I’ll let it slide this time. Only because Barbatos looks too cute to stay mad at.”

Venti sighed in exaggerated relief, slumping forward. “Oh, thank the winds! I thought I’d be banished from your good graces forever.”

You rolled your eyes, shaking your head at his antics. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, impossibly yours,” he quipped, winking at you before holding out his hand. “Now, come on. Today deserves a special start. Breakfast is ready and I was hoping you’d join me.”

As you took his hand, he didn’t waste a second lacing your fingers together. He was practically beaming early in the morning, a bright smile lighting up his face that even the sun couldn’t win from such radiance. He tugged you forward, guiding you out of the bedroom.

The smell of breakfast wafted through the air— the scent of fresh-baked bread, eggs, and fruits and berries— as you walked into the kitchen. You smiled as your suspicions were confirmed. He must’ve woken up early to prepare this breakfast for you. Still, it was a mystery if today held any special significance for him to go to such lengths and effort.

A soft tune floated through the air as he hummed happily to himself, setting out the breakfast he had prepared. He pulled out a wooden chair and bowed with theatrical flair.

“A seat for my lady,” he offered.

You sat down, smiling and offering your lover a sweet thank you. You felt warmth flooded your chest, his thoughtfulness always bringing a smile to your face.

He sat down beside you and the pair of you began digging into the meal. As you ate, he filled you in on all that had happened over the past few weeks— from his search for inspiration for his songs and poetry to his newfound interest in wine. You smiled as you listened to his tales, occasionally feeding your wisp friend some berries and petting his tiny head.

When Venti finished recounting his recent adventures, he rested his chin on his palm, his eyes sparkling as he watched you. "You know, I think I’ve outdone myself with this breakfast. Perhaps I should open a tavern and call it The Bard and His Beloved. What do you think?"

You chuckled softly, shaking your head. "A tavern? You’re not going to make me perform for the audience, are you?"

You could still clearly remember the day when you, Venti, Barbatos, and your mother would stay in a tavern to collect intel and hide from the guards. Venti would often bring out his lyre and sing ballads to the patrons while you and your mother admired his beautiful voice.

And more often than not, he would pull you to join him, even inviting Amos as he switched his instrument to gittern. You could still hear the slow, enchanting melody he strummed that day, a tune your mother joined effortlessly as if it were second nature.

From the first few notes that left her lips, you instantly recognized the song. The language was uncommon but you knew the lyrics well by heart. She smiled at you and your lips opened on its own, your voice harmonizing and weaving through the notes effortlessly, complementing her own.

You could never forget the way the tavern had fallen silent, the patrons enraptured by the duet between a mother and daughter in such a beautiful, enchanting, and unknown foreign language. Amos always sang that particular song for you as a lullaby when you were little, and oftentimes you’d still ask her to sing it for you as a form of relaxation. Performing it together brought a kind of closeness you hadn’t realized you’d missed.

You could still picture her radiant smile as she glanced at you between verses, her eyes shimmering with pride. Venti’s accompaniment on the gittern only made the moment more magical as his fingers danced over the strings. A smile tugged your lips as you reminisced the memory, absentmindedly humming the ancient song.

Venti’s grin widened as he leaned closer, his emerald eyes locking onto yours. "What an enchanting song accompanied by a beautiful voice,” he mused. “If I opened a tavern, I would only have one customer. You’d get the finest songs, the finest wine, and the finest meals. All on the house. How does that sound, windblume?"

You rolled your eyes playfully, popping a pink berry into your mouth before retorting, "As long as you don’t serve only apples, I might consider it."

He gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Such cruel words! Apples are staples of a fine diet!" Barbatos jingled in agreement, earning a laugh from you. "Looks like even Barbatos is on my side," Venti said with a smirk, sitting back triumphantly.

"Well, I’ll be the judge of that," you teased, reaching for another slice of bread.

The morning continued like this, lighthearted and full of joy, with the three of you basking in the simplicity of the moment. Venti, ever the dreamer, seemed content just to be near you.

When everyone finished eating, you insisted on cleaning the table and you didn’t let Venti argue back.

“Sit down and relax for once,” you said, pointing at him with mock authority. “You already did all the cooking this morning. Let me handle this, please?”

Venti pouted and huffed, but his expression softened with pride when you kissed his cheek. You pulled away and scooped up the empty plates. “If you really want to help, you can entertain Barbatos. He looks like he’s about to sneak off with an apple again.”

At the mention of his name, the wisp jingled innocently and quickly darted behind Venti. The bard chuckled and reached out to pet the small spirit. “Alright, fine. But don’t say I didn’t try to be chivalrous.”

As you carried the dishes to the sink, you could hear Venti softly whispering to Barbatos. Glancing over your shoulder, you couldn’t help but smile. The sight of your lover gently cradling the wisp made your heart warm and fuzzy. It was strange how the presence of such a small being could evoke such feelings, but Venti always had a way of drawing out emotions and reactions from you that only he could do.

You hummed the same ancient song again as you washed the dishes. You could feel his eyes on you but you didn't mind. While you were busy, the wisp quietly left the tower, leaving you and Venti alone.

The silence was palpable now, and you dried the last plate and put it back to its rightful place. When you looked back, Venti was still sitting at the table, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve. His usual confidence was replaced with something more hesitant.

“Thank you for the delicious breakfast. I’ll start preparing myself and take a bath,” you said, walking past him.

“Wait!” All of a sudden, he grabbed your wrist. You stopped, looking at him curiously. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. His emerald eyes met yours briefly before darting away. “Do you…” he paused, his voice growing softer than usual. “I was thinking… would you— uh… maybe—“

He faltered, furrowing his brows deeply against his temple before taking a deep breath. Finally, he looked into your eyes directly. “Do you want to… take a bath together?” he finished.

You blinked, his words hanging in the air between you. Of all the things he could have said, you hadn’t expected that. Heat rushed to your cheeks as you processed his question, your lips parting slightly in surprise.

“H-huh?”

—

The lake stretched out before you, its crystal-clear waters shimmering under the soft light filtering through the canopy of trees above. The surface rippled gently as a cool breeze swept across it, and the faint scent of wildflowers mingled with the earthy aroma of the forest.

Along the edges, clusters of smooth stones lined the banks, and soft moss blanketed the ground. The water itself was pristine and the faint sound of a distant waterfall added a soothing melody to the tranquility.

Apart from washing yourself in this lake, you also do the laundry here. It offered clean water and privacy. More than that, it was a perfect combination of nature's beauty and resourcefulness where all necessities intertwined seamlessly.

You were surprised Venti invited you to take a bath with him. It was a bold invite, but what surprised you even more was how easily you had accepted it.

It was Venti after all. You had been with him for the longest time and had done more intimate things. How was this any different from what the two of you do?

Well, that was what you often said to yourself when you gave in to his pleas.

The water rippled as the bard stepped into the lake, his tunic placed neatly on top of a rock. He sat behind you, the warmth of his skin against your back made you melt. You let him pull you in, the two of you getting closer and closer. You could feel his heart beating quickly against your back and his breath tickling the top of your head.

"Venti?"

"Hmm?"

You leaned further back and craned your neck so you could look up at him. He tilted his head downwards. His braids were undone as it fell forward, nearly touching your face. His hands snaked over your waist as he gave you a gentle smile. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

You shook your head and turned away as your cheeks warmed. Taking his hand under the water, you laced your fingers through his. He silently watched as you raised them to your lips, then angled your face back up at him.

“I love you…”

His heart immediately quickened and a blush bloomed across his cheeks, creeping all the way to the tips of his ears. He was frozen for a moment, wide-eyed, before a giddy, almost bashful smile spread across his face.

Looks like he wasn’t the only one who felt the same.

His fingers came to rest on your bare hip feather-lightly, and you shivered as they floated up against your side, barely skimming the dip of your waist.

“I love you too, windblume…”

He kissed your head softly, hesitantly, almost in apology, as his hand traveled reluctantly to your sides barely touching the sides of your breasts.

You jolted in his arms, softly gasping from the contact. You saw his cheeks redden, but his green eyes were tender, vulnerable, filled with longing. Timidly, you rested your arms at your sides, letting your chest bare and free beneath the water as you laid your head on his shoulder, staying quiet but accommodating his silent desire to touch you.

Slowly and ever so carefully, he gently traced its contours, cupping one mound as his fingers sank into the soft flesh. You whimpered lightly as he squeezed your breast softly, your back pressed against his as goosebumps trailed along the path of his touch. Tentative caresses built courage until his other hand fondled your unattended breast.

Your eyes fluttered shut at his ministrations, a gasp escaping from your parted lips as you peeked with one eye at how he tweaked and flicked your right nipple. Your heart beat rapidly, and you couldn't help the small moan that escaped from your throat.

"Hmm..."

A gushing sound reached your ears and you tried not to squirm. He continued teasing the tip, a trail of water flowing down his slender digits and then swirling on the surface, before returning to its source.

His nose was back in your hair again, and his mouth dipped slowly to kiss your neck, right on the edge between its back and its side.

“[Name]?” he asked softly. You hummed signifying him to continue. “Can I?” You didn’t know what he meant but you nodded mindlessly.

You gasped as he pinched your nipples, and you could feel his member twitch behind you. His hands continued their exploration, traveling down the curve of your waist, then the expanse of your stomach. His fingers splayed against the smooth skin, feeling the softness of your tummy, then downward further, until it came down to rest on your thigh, his fingers softly moving to the inner side of it.

He shifted a bit, readjusting his arms around you, craning his neck a bit further to rest his chin on your shoulder. You bit your lip as his fingers caressed your inner thighs, dangerously close to your core. You felt a bit small next to him, definitely noticing the difference in size. Perhaps he had grown taller. If you recall correctly, your height had been just a few inches shorter than his, but now, he towered over you a little. Your shoulders were about at his chest level, and now your head was slightly below his chin. No wonder why he loved resting his head on top of yours.

His skin was hot too— so warm it distracted you from the cold water that you could bask in his heat instead. He tenderly kissed your cheek, his soft lips brushing against your skin and leaving a comforting sensation. Then he placed a kiss on your exposed shoulder, tracing the Anemo mark he had implanted onto your back. Venti felt the shiver that ran through you at his intimate caress, savoring how it made you feel, even as it left you feeling lightheaded.

He hummed, pleased with himself, and continued, a thumb rubbing the hood of your clit while his finger massaged the entrance. You were a writhing mess, gripping his forearms for support as he played with you. He inserted a finger into you, and you bucked against his hand. You could feel the heat radiating off his body, and the way his chest heaved against your back as his breaths grew more erratic. His movements were slow and patient, and you panted softly with each stroke.

You sank into the tranquility of the moment, any worries of the day didn't matter, there was only you and him and your precious connection. You settled together wrapped in the embrace shared, feeling the mutual warmth of his body. The silence was soothing and so was his breathing. It made you so drowsy, you could fall asleep then and there. You could hear the furious pounding of his heartbeat. How if you twisted your body, his breath hitched in his throat. It was nice to know that at least his body was always honest with you.

“Venti…” you called, almost as if you were whimpering. The bard behind you hummed and rubbed your knuckles with his thumb.

“Yes?”

“Sing to me, please…”

He tilted your head and leaned closer. You could feel yourself clench around his digits, the stretch and the pressure building. The coil inside you was tightening, and you could feel the tension rising in your body. His heart raced to see you so aroused in his arms.

“What song?” he muttered, his breath fanning over to your lips. Before you could speak, he closed the distance and kissed you. Venti held your cheek lovingly, his thumb brushing your wet skin, and he tilted his head to deepen the intimacy.

His kiss was tender and loving, yet urgent. Hungry even. For weeks, months, and even years—you did this for each other. Though neither of you put words for it or called it such, it was love. It was the kind that felt both deeply and calmly. It was gentle and comforting, but passionate and full of intensity.

A small moan came from you and he looked under his lashes to see your face all red. The water may have cooled it off but it still made you warm. His eyes glowed and he let one of his fingers play with your clit one last time before pulling away. Venti kissed you again, never stopping. He could never get enough of you nor does he intend to stop everything right now.

He turned you to him, the waters splashing as he settled you between his thighs. A small shaky sigh slipped from your delicate lips as his member prodded between your legs, rubbing across your tender folds.

He tugged your hair softly, exposing the side of your neck and nibbling at your flesh, kissing you with the most affection. While his lips were occupied, his hand explored more of you, lightly trailing down to your bottom before grasping at it. You gasped sharply and he squeezed the plump flesh tenderly with just enough pressure to make you moan against him. Your hands found refuge on his shoulders and pushed yourself closer.

Staring up at him with your [eye color] eyes, Venti swallowed the lump sitting on his throat and started rocking your body against him in slow motion. Your breasts moved in the same way, and with every rolling he made, your breath shuddered.

One hand held your waist for support while the other was on your rear as he rolled you again, rubbing you back and forth along the shape of his shaft, coating him with your wetness. Your mind was a haze and your thoughts were muddled. All you could do was cling onto his shoulders, hoping it would steady you. Digging your nails into his skin, Venti continued to roll you along his length.

The friction sent shockwaves of pleasure throughout your body and you pressed your chest against his. Your moans gradually became louder and more frequent as he quickened his pace. Venti groaned as he kept moving, rocking you faster as his hips bucked upwards to meet yours. You sighed shakily next to his ears at the tickling sensation, yet there was a sickening feeling ripping to your throat. You gagged softly, your palms flying up to cover your mouth.

The water splashed around the two of you as Venti breathed softly and lowly against your skin, still moving your hips back and forth as he slid his length between your folds, too intoxicated to notice your nauseated visage. You swallowed and waited for the sensation leaving your throat to pass, but it refused to do so.

“Heavens—!”

Without warning, you pushed Venti away, cutting off your intimacy, and stumbled out of the lake. You barely made it to the shoreline before collapsing to your knees, retching violently. Tears pricked at your eyes as you stared down at the mess before you, your abdomen spasming painfully.

“[Name]? What’s wrong?!” His panicked voice echoed from the lake. Without second thoughts, he wrapped a towel around his waist and grabbed another to bring with him. Reaching your side, he crouched down, his worry evident as he draped the towel over your trembling shoulders.

“I-I’m sorry,” you stammered, tears spilling over your cheeks in shame. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Shh, it’s alright,” he reassured gently. “I should be the one apologizing… D-Did I go too far?”

You shook your head. “No, no… I just felt sick all of a sudden…” you mumbled as he patted your back to ease the pain. Your lover frowned and looked at the puddle of vomit. “Did you eat something bad…?”

You shook your head again but weakly. As you were about to wipe your dirty mouth with the back of your hand, Venti stopped you. Instead, he carefully guided you back to the lake and doused his hand with water to clean your lips.

“It’s probably just nausea...” you murmured, though your voice lacked conviction. Venti’s eyes flicked to the Anemo symbol marked on your back that faintly glowed before a frown etched his face. “We should go back to the tower and have you lie down. You look far too pale.”

“I’m alright… I’m sorry for worrying you.” You tried to tell him it was nothing to fuss over, but he wasn’t having it. He didn’t ease up until he’d seen with his own eyes that you were lying down in bed. Venti slid his arms underneath your knees and back, lifting you with ease despite your protests.

“You shouldn’t push yourself. It’s best if you stay inside for a bit until you recover.” You nuzzled against his chest and hummed, pulling the towel close to you to keep you warm. It felt cold all of a sudden.

“I’m not sure what made me sick, but I’m sure it’ll pass.” Once inside your abode, Venti assisted you in drying off and donning your attire. Once you wore a fresh dress, he put on his usual white chiton. You crawled into the bed and pulled the blanket over to your chest.

“I’m sure I checked and tasted all the meals before putting it on the table… Did you eat any of the fruits I left?” he asked.

“Only those pink berries…”

Venti hoped that wasn’t the cause… He heaved a sigh before his lips held a ghost of a smile.

“Be sure to get some rest, [Name]. If there’s anything you need, please tell me immediately.” He softly kissed the crown of your head whilst his thumb rubbed over your knuckles. The locks of his raven hair tickled your cheeks.

He smelled like fresh flowers, the sun’s warmth, and the sweet fragrance of Cecilia flowers. It was such a contrast from the smell of strong, bitter alcohol.

Alcohol…

Your head throbbed causing you to groan and shift in your bed. Silently, you drifted off to sleep.

—

You spent the majority of the morning resting, at Venti’s persistence, even though it had just been a temporary bout of nausea. He even refused to let you leave the bed, which resulted in Venti doing everything by himself. Fortunately, Barbatos was there to accompany you. He was quiet and seemed to understand you weren’t feeling well.

Though as an alternative that you wouldn’t be bored, your lover stayed next to you. Your head was on his chest, your legs tangled with his, and your arm was draped over his torso. Caressing your long hair, he kissed your head gently and whispered reassurances you would get better soon. You nuzzled closer as he cradled you close to him, occasionally grumbling whenever your chest felt burning, but his arm wrapped around you protectively made you forget it.

The lighting in the tower suddenly darkened and a looming shadow blocked the sunlight. You turned and saw large flaming eyes peering through the window. You gasped and screamed as you sat up, instinctively holding onto Venti for dear life.

Laughter bubbled from his lips as he gently cradled you closer. “Relax, my love. It’s just Dvalin who wants to visit you,” he reassured.

Your wide eyes darted to the window again, where the dragon’s massive form tried to peer in more closely, his head nudging against the small frame. “I told Barbatos to inform him of your condition. He’s also worried and wants to check up on you.”

The dragon pushed its head again onto the small window, before realizing it was pointless due to his large size. The same large blue flame eye peered through the hole, searching for you to see how you were doing, but Barbatos blocked his view, who was angrily scolding Dvalin who disrupted your rest.

The dragon huffed and you swore you felt the tower shake as you tightly held onto Venti. Dvalin’s clumsy attempt to see through the small window was almost endearing, and despite your initial fright, you felt a sense of comfort knowing even a creature as mighty as him cared for your well-being.

“Uh, just stay outside, Dvalin. We’ll come out to you,” the bard said. The dragon rumbled softly in acknowledgment, backing away and finally allowing the sunlight to stream back into the room. Without a word, Venti’s hands slipped beneath your legs and carefully scooped you up from the bed.

You instinctively wrapped your arms around his shoulders as he carried you down the spiral stairs and out of the tower with Barbatos following behind. Once outside, he brought you to a lush field of flowers. Placing you gently on the soft ground, you noticed Dvalin nestling on the field and patiently waited for your group to settle.

Turning back to Venti, you leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you,” you murmured softly.

But your lover, ever so dramatic, pouted and pointed to his lips. “You missed,” he said with a mock sigh. You giggled and indulged him, kissing him on the lips just as he’d asked. The kiss lingered, longer than usual, enough to satisfy his whims.

Just as you began to pull away, Venti’s hands gently found their way to the back of your neck, holding you in place to prolong the moment. You melted against him, completely lost in his warmth, until you were abruptly interrupted by a high-pitched jingling and the sudden presence of a dragon’s snout nudging its way between you both.

The unexpected intrusion broke the moment, leaving you flustered and Venti laughing softly as Dvalin huffed, seemingly disapproving of being ignored for too long. He pushed Venti aside with little effort, while Barbatos floated over and dove straight toward you, nuzzling your face affectionately. The wisp’s enthusiasm sent you tumbling back onto the grass.

“Barbatos! Stop! I’m ticklish there!” you squealed, laughing as the tiny being squished its face against your cheek. Before you could recover, Dvalin decided to join in. He lowered his head and gave your face a wet lick.

“Hey! Back off, both of you!” Your lover cried, rushing to your side and wrapping his arms protectively around you. He glared at the two troublemakers. “[Name] is mine!”

But his protests fell on deaf ears. Dvalin swung his head, accidentally— or perhaps on purpose— sending Venti flying across the field like a rag doll.

“Aaaghh!!!” he screamed. You gasped, your hands hovering over your mouth as you watched him tumble through the flowers. Barbatos jingled joyfully, floating beside Dvalin like a triumphant little accomplice.

You laughed as you reached up to scratch the dragon’s neck, your fingers brushing over his coarse scales. “You are very big…” you said in awe, your gaze following the span of his wings.

From somewhere off to the side, Venti’s voice rang out. “I’m bigger!”

Your face immediately turned bright red, realizing his words. “V-Venti!” you stammered, your embarrassment clear as you avoided his gaze.

Dvalin snorted, clearly unimpressed, and gave Venti another flick with his snout, sending the bard sprawling again. Unbothered, the dragon settled his head onto the grass, rumbling happily as you continued to stroke his face.

It wasn’t long before all three of them were vying for your attention. The scene was so chaotic and endearing that you couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. Hearing your soft chuckle, the trio immediately halted their antics, turning toward you with curious expressions.

You couldn’t stop yourself from grinning at their adorable competitiveness. “Alright, alright, there’s enough of me to go around.”

Venti grinned and puffed out his chest, placing his hands on his hips. “Well, gentlemen, if it isn’t obvious, I am in the first line. Lover first before dragons and wisps,” he proclaimed with an air of exaggerated pride. Just as he was about to stride confidently back to your side, he was once again casually swept by Dvalin, turning his head back to you as if it were nothing.

“You insolent dragon—!” Venti huffed, shaking a fist in the air as he tried to regain his composure.

Before the bard could launch into another tirade, a deep, resonant voice interrupted, startling you. “You have had your time with the lady, day and night. Is it not fair that we, too, desire to see her and ensure her well-being?”

The words came from right beside you, and you froze in shock, your eyes wide as you searched for the source. It wasn’t Venti or Barbatos, and Dvalin’s great maw was far too still to have spoken. It wasn’t until the dragon’s deep, rumbling chuckle followed that it clicked— the voice belonged to Dvalin himself.

“D-Dvalin?” you stammered, blinking in disbelief. You had always speculated the dragon to be some sort of a guardian, a force of nature, and a majestic creature, but to hear him speak directly to you was an entirely different experience.

You had almost forgotten that he could speak, though you vaguely recalled hearing his voice before. But since when had he spoken to you directly? Blurry fragments of memory swam in your head, yet the longer you think of it, the more your head throbbed with a dull ache. His glowing eyes softened as they met yours, and his voice, though commanding, was surprisingly gentle. It pulled you out of your train of thought that would otherwise bother you for the rest of the day.

Dvalin rumbled with a slight nod, lowering his head closer to your level. “You are important to all of us, Lady [Name]. Your strength and presence are deeply cherished.”

Behind you, Venti scrambled to his feet, dusting off his tunic with huffs. “Oh, so now he speaks,” he muttered under his breath. “And here I thought dragons were supposed to be silent protectors.”

Dvalin huffed a warm breath that rustled Venti’s hair. “And here I thought bards were supposed to be humble,” he retorted, his tone laced with amusement.

You couldn’t help but laugh softly, the playful banter between the two easing the tension. Barbatos jingled happily by your shoulder, floating in circles as though cheering and reminding you he was still there. For now, it seemed you were at the center of a tug-of-war between your lover, a wisp, and a dragon— all of them determined to keep you smiling.

As promised, each of your companions would get equal attention on what they’d like to do for the day. Barbatos was the first one, much to Venti’s shock, and from his words he felt “betrayed” the wisp was hogging all your attention. Though he couldn’t truly be mad at him, and neither was Dvalin, since he was practically away for who knows how long when you were in deep sleep.

Your little companion jingled joyfully, beckoning you toward the lake. He perched on your shoulder for the journey, his little chimes ringing and echoing through the surroundings.

Once you arrived, he left your shoulder and floated over the water’s surface. The still waters rippled as the winds gradually began to dance around him. The three of you silently watched in awe and your eyes widened as the waters surrounded him in a spiral, forming the shape of a helix that gradually rose higher and higher. In a burst, the waters popped, showering you all with light, sparkling drizzles.

You clapped, your smile wide with delight whilst Venti silently smiled at Barbatos’ performance. For a little creature like him, there was still so much mystery in the magic he held.

Now that you think of it, didn’t he hold some important position? You thought deeply, wondering where you had recalled that memory. Barbatos's jingles cut off your train of thought, clearly basking in the applause offered by his audience. The droplets glistened like diamonds in the sunlight as Venti chuckled softly, crossing his arms as he leaned toward you.

"Impressive, Barbatos," Venti said, his tone was playful yet it held a hint of mockery. "But don’t you think you're showing off a bit too much? Not everyone has the luxury of turning water into sparkles, you know."

The wisp chimed a giggle, clearly unfazed by Venti’s comment. Instead, Barbatos floated down to the lake’s surface again, spinning in place like he was stirring the water. Ripples danced outward and you tilted your head, curious about what the little wind wisp was up to. Venti, on the other hand, was busy trying to get your attention as he began talking about his plans for the rest of the afternoon.

Before you could react, Barbatos launched himself toward Venti, dragging a sudden wave of water with him. It splashed directly onto the bard, drenching him from head to toe. Venti yelped in surprise, flailing as the cold water soaked through his white robe and dripped from his hair.

"Barbatos!" he sputtered, his voice rising in a high-pitched whine. "You cheeky little troublemaker!"

You couldn’t hold back your laughter, doubling over as you clutched your stomach. The sight of Venti standing there, completely soaked and utterly dumbfounded, was far too amusing. Barbatos jingled again, this time in what you could only interpret as triumphant mischief.

Venti’s eyes narrowed playfully. "Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be, huh?" Without another word, he scooped up a handful of water and flung it back at Barbatos, who zipped away just in time to avoid being hit. Unfortunately for you, Venti’s aim was a bit wide, and the splash ended up soaking you instead.

"Venti!" you gasped, wiping the water off your face. He froze, realizing what he had done, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips betrayed his apology.

"Oops," he said with a smirk, though the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. You didn’t let him get away with it. Scooping up some water of your own, you splashed it right at him.

"So it’s war, is it?" your lover declared, a wide grin spreading across his face. He scooped up more water, and before you knew it, the performance had turned into the stage for an all-out water fight.

Barbatos joined in as he created small splashes while Venti tried to shield himself from your attacks, laughing and splashing right back. The area was filled with the sound of laughter and water splashes as the little wisp darted around you and Venti, his jingles blending with your laughter. You were so caught up in the playful chaos that you didn’t notice the massive shadow looming over the lake. Dvalin, who was perched a short distance away, had been quietly observing the scene. His massive head tilted slightly as he watched the three of you frolicking in the water. Despite his stoic nature, it was clear he felt left out.

The dragon huffed softly, then without a sound, he raised one of his massive claws. The shadow it cast grew larger, stretching over the lake and your small group. It wasn’t until Venti noticed the growing darkness that he realized what was about to happen.

"W-w-wait, Dvalin, don’t—!" Venti stammered, his hands shooting up in a futile attempt to stop the dragon. But it was too late. With a flick of his claw, Dvalin slammed it down gently against the edge of the water, causing a massive splash to surge outward like a tidal wave.

The sheer force of it sent water flying everywhere and the wave hit you square on, knocking you backward into the shallow water. You closed your eyes tightly and braced yourself, using your arms to shield you from the impact until the waters calmed down.

You heard Barbatos buzzing around in a jingling frenzy, clearly disheveled. As you opened your eyes, the sanctuary seemed to turn silent as a pair of deep green eyes bored into your own [eye color] ones. Venti was in front of you, his hair clinging to his face as it glistened with droplets of water.

His arms were planted firmly on either side of you, elbows sinking slightly into the lake floor as his fingers steadied to anchor himself. He must’ve pushed you aside to save you from the large wave. You could feel the resistance of the water against your skin, but it was nothing compared to the rush of heat flooding through your chest at his gaze.

He didn’t move, nor did he speak. He simply stared at you, his expression unreadable yet entirely captivating. His eyes traced over your face, memorizing every curve, every detail, as though he were seeing you for the first time and falling all over again. The soft rise of his chest and the tension in his shoulders spoke louder than words could.

Your heart was caught in your throat as a warmth spread through you that had nothing to do with the sun or the water surrounding you. The distant jingles of Barbatos, the rustle of leaves, the faint huffs of Dvalin, it all blurred into the background. All you could focus on was him.

Slowly, he leaned closer, the rippling water parting softly around him as he moved. Every inch forward felt deliberate as his damp hair casted faint shadows on your face. Your breath hitched as his face drew nearer, the curve of his lips hovering just a breath away from yours.

And yet, you didn’t back away. The tips of his fingers dug slightly into the lake floor as his nose brushed yours, his damp locks brushing against your forehead. Slowly, just a few centimeters away, his lips ghosted over yours. Your eyes fluttered shut as Venti closed the gap and—

A loud, high-pitched jingling cut through the air like a bolt of lightning. Startled, both you and Venti froze, the moment shattering as the familiar buzzing of Barbatos grew impossibly louder. Before either of you could react, the tiny wisp darted directly between your faces with frantic jingles.

You blinked in surprise, your lips parting in shock as the wisp circled Venti's head like an overzealous guardian. Venti let out a groan, his expression shifting from soft, loving adoration to exasperation as he sat back on his heels, his hands dragging through his damp hair.

“Barbatos…” he muttered under his breath, his tone had a tinge of annoyance masked by a forced playful tone. The wisp continued its jingling tirade, completely unrepentant, as he floated down to bop against your forehead to chastise you as well.

Your cheeks burned up as you looked away, wringing your damp hair and the fabric of your soaked dress between your fingers. The awkwardness of the situation wasn’t lost on you, especially with Dvalin’s narrow, unblinking eyes fixed intently on you from where he lay in the field. You swore the dragon’s gaze held a hint of amusement, which only made it harder to look at him or the mischievous wisp still jingling about.

Meanwhile, Venti had resorted to squishing the poor wisp between his hands, tugging at his small sprout-like top as Barbatos flailed and jingled indignantly, attempting to flee from his friend’s clutches.

Before you could dwell on your own embarrassment any further, Dvalin, who had been watching silently, unfurled his wings, causing the air around you to swirl. The moisture evaporated from your skin and clothes. Within moments, you were completely dry, though your hair was a bit tousled from the breeze.

Venti ran his fingers through his now-dry hair to smooth it out. He looked up to Dvalin and placed a hand on his claw affectionately.

“Thanks for drying us off.”

Dvalin rumbled contentedly in response. Your lover turned back to you, brushing a few stray strands of your hair from your face. “Let’s head back to the tower. We need to change into something comfortable, otherwise you’ll get sick again.”

Without waiting for your reply, Venti took your hand and helped you to your feet. You followed him back to the tower, the playful chatter of Barbatos and the occasional rumble from Dvalin accompanying you along the way.

Once inside, Venti insisted you change into something warm and dry. He handed you a towel and one of your cozier outfits before grabbing his own spare fresh clothes and disappearing to give you privacy to change.

Once you had dressed up, you headed to the kitchen. Your eyes locked on the basket of apples sitting near the windowsill, and then an idea struck you. Picking up the basket, you made your way outside where Barbatos and Dvalin were waiting.

The wisp jingled excitedly at the sight of the juicy red apples, circling you in giddy anticipation. You chuckled at his excitement and reached into the basket and handed him a small piece, which he immediately devoured with happy chimes. Dvalin lowered his head patiently waiting as you reached for another apple and offered it to him.

He took it delicately between his teeth which he quickly swallowed. He eyed the basket behind you and to the small wisp who was still munching on his own apple. Recognizing what he wanted, you heaved the basket close to him and clasped your hands together.

“Well, since you dried us off, you deserve a treat!”

The dragon took the basket between his teeth and chugged all the apples, throwing the basket aside as he munched on the juicy fruit. He let out a pleased rumble and laid down on the grass.

The door creaked open behind you, and you turned to see Venti in a loose white tunic paired with shorts that stopped a little above his knees. Though, unlike his usual outfits, there was a hood attached to this one.

“Love, lunch is ready.”

Venti approached and wrapped his arm around your waist as he observed the wisp and the dragon.

“You had me worried when you weren’t responding to me…” he pouted as he turned to you. You giggled and pinched his round cheek. “Sorry, I didn’t see you either when I went to the kitchen to grab the apples. I’m more surprised you quickly prepared something.”

Venti’s smirk widened as he straightened up, gently tugging your hand to guide you back inside. “What can I say? I’m full of surprises,” he quipped.

As you walked together, Barbatos jingled along, and Dvalin rumbled softly before curling back down on the field, content with his fill of apples.

Inside the tower, the aroma of a warm meal greeted you. The table was set with a bowl of steaming chowder, grilled fish, and hash browns. You took a seat beside Venti who was already helping himself to the food he had prepared.

There was something about eating a home-cooked meal in these peaceful fields that warmed your belly like nothing else. After being bedridden in the morning, spending time with the boys had left you starving.

But not today. You had been sure that the nausea would pass immediately, but upon inhaling the freshly cooked food, your stomach just dropped. All at once, your stomach twisted violently and the nausea was back with a vengeance. You stood up abruptly, startling Venti. Clamping a hand over your mouth, you quickly dashed toward the sink.

You tried to hold yourself together, but the burning sensation in your throat became unbearable, and soon found yourself hunched over, purging the contents of your stomach that mirrored the events of the morning.

You heard the wooden chair scraped against the floor as Venti rushed over, a hand brushing your back in soothing motions as you continued retching. The acidic burn in your throat made tears well up in your eyes and you turned on the faucet to wash away the remains.

You felt utterly drained.

“I-I’m sorry,” you gasped, sinking to your knees as exhaustion overtook you. “I’m so sorry. After you went through all the trouble of preparing this… My stomach isn’t cooperating with me today.” Your voice trembled as you wiped your mouth with a napkin and discarded it.

Venti handed you a glass of water to soothe the burning in your throat. His jaw was set tight, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by visible concern. He abandoned the unfinished meal entirely and knelt down beside you as he continued rubbing your back.

“Don’t be sorry,” he said as he offered you a hand to help you stand up, guiding you as gently and carefully as he could while your legs wobbled. “Barbatos, prepare tea for her. I’ll help [Name] get to her room.”

The wisp jingled and hovered over to the basket of herbs, using its powers to prepare the said drink. You gave Venti a weary smile as he heaved you off the floor, carrying you once again for the nth time in his arms. It must have been tiring for him to carry you over and over.

“You didn’t have to carry me... I can go there myself,” you said in a low voice, but Venti narrowed his eyes.

“Nonsense. You’re sick and I can’t leave you alone.” He ascended the stairs with ease and once he reached the familiar wooden door, he pushed it open with his body and carefully settled you down on the mattress.

Not long after, Barbatos came in with a cup hovering above his head. Venti took it and petted his head before sitting on the edge of the bed and handing you the tea. Without a word, you laid your head on his shoulder as you let the warm cup distract you from your unease. His free hand instinctively held yours as you leaned against him, offering silent reassurance. His fingers lightly traced circles on the back of your hand grounding you in the moment. You closed your eyes, your brows furrowing as you pushed away the twisting in your stomach.

The steam from the tea curled upward, carrying the faint, soothing aroma of herbs, easing the tension in your chest as you brought the cup closer to your lips. The silence was comforting as you sipped the tea. Its warmth spread through your body, and though it didn’t fully erase the discomfort twisting in your stomach, it was enough to make you feel a little less fragile.

You tilted your head slightly, your eyes catching Venti’s expression. His usual playful demeanor was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a quiet seriousness as he studied your face for any sign of further distress. Barbatos jingled softly nearby before settling himself on the nightstand. You gave the little wisp a small, grateful smile before returning your gaze to Venti. His teal eyes reflected nothing but care and an unwavering resolve to see you through this.

He scanned over the teal marks imprinted onto your skin, deeply lost in his own thoughts while he continued to caress your hand. You placed the still-full tea onto the nightstand and your movements momentarily ceased his pondering.

As he watched you shift beneath the blankets, his concern didn’t waver when you pulled the blanket up to your shoulders. Even while the sun was still out, the teal marks on your skin glowed recognizably to his eyes. To mere humans, the glow would have been faint and easy to miss, but for Venti, the brightness brought a new vivid essence to the hues of the ordinary.

“I think I’ll try to sleep. Even if it’s only for a little while,” you murmured, your voice soft and weary.

Venti nodded, his eyes gentle as he tucked the edges of the blanket around you, making sure you were snug and comfortable. “That’s all I ask, songbird,” he said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from your forehead.

His words carried a tenderness that fluttered your heart. As you closed your eyes, you felt the gentle press of his lips on your forehead, lingering just long enough to calm your mind and discard the stress that was brewing.

“I’ll be right here if you need me,” he whispered against your skin, his hand returning to rest atop yours.

Though the ache in your stomach hadn’t entirely subsided, his presence eased the growing discomfort. You nestled deeper into the blanket, his steady breathing filling the silence. Slowly, exhaustion began to pull you under. Your eyes fluttered shut as darkness enveloped you. Despite the chances of a peaceful rest were slim, you still took the opportunity to recover.

—

The night had been torture. You were unable to get a wink of sleep, tossing and turning and feeling just as nauseous as you’d been throughout the day. You felt bad for waking Venti in the middle of the night, occasionally leaving the room to get yourself water to rid of the uncomfortable sensation. Once he saw how tired you looked, he wrapped an arm around you and sang a soft lullaby as a way to calm you.

He didn’t let himself close his eyes, not until he saw you asleep before him. It helped quite a bit, but it regrettably affected his own sleep. He couldn’t be too angry, though, especially when he had you in his arms, snuggled up against him with his chest as your pillow. You held onto him tightly, afraid he might leave.

Venti could never deny you the warmth or the safety, especially when you were sick. When morning arrived, you had the worst wake-up call. The unwelcome churn in your stomach greeted you once more and the burning sensation in your throat flared up, making your breath hitch as you scrambled out of bed.

You immediately reached for the bucket Venti had prepared the night before as you hunched over it, retching with weak, shuddering coughs. The commotion startled Venti awake. He bolted upright and saw you in the corner hunched over. Immediately, he rushed to your side, his expression twisting with concern as he crouched beside you.

Despite your embarrassment, you couldn’t help but feel relieved he had thought to prepare the bucket. Otherwise, you would have found yourself in the middle of the hardwood floor. Gentle fingers swept the hair off of your forehead, keeping it up and out of the way as Venti waited for the bout to finish. With one last cough, you exhaled, catching your breath as sweat formed on your brow.

"Sorry..." You managed weakly, earning a distressed frown from your lover.

He reached out and pressed the back of his hand to your forehead. “Shhh, no need to apologize,” he murmured softly, his voice laced with worry. You weren’t burning hot. He then checked your pulse next, finding nothing alarming, though the furrow in his brow didn’t ease.

Then, he froze. From the corner of his eye, the faint teal glow beneath your clothing caught his attention again. Faint in the light of dawn yet bright enough for him to notice. His chest tightened as he sat down beside you, taking your hands in his own.

“Close your eyes for a moment,” he requested gently.

You hesitated but obliged, squeezing your eyes shut. He asked a series of questions and though his tone was calm, you faintly sensed he was wavering. “Have you felt any burning sensation in the past few days?”

“No,” you murmured.

“Headaches? Indigestion?”

You nodded faintly, still too weak to speak much. As you answered, a soothing breeze kissed your skin. It wasn’t cold, nor was it warm— it was perfectly neutral, enough to ease the growing tension in your body as it brushed over your back and stomach.

“Alright, you can open your eyes now,” he finally said.

When you did, you were met with Venti’s distant gaze. His lips were pressed into a thin line and his hand rested over his mouth as if he were lost in thought. You tilted your head, worry seeping into your voice.

“Venti? Is it… bad?”

His teal gaze snapped back to yours, and a soft smile graced his lips. “No, no, nothing bad,” he reassured, though the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease completely.

Standing, he offered you a hand and gently guided you back to the bed. “I’ll make breakfast. For now, you should rest.”

Venti lingered at your side longer than you had expected. His hand held yours firmly and his eyes flicked repeatedly to the faint glow of the teal marks on your skin. Silence hung heavy in the air, and just as you opened your mouth to ask what was on his mind, he knelt down, clasping your hands in his.

“[Name]…” he began, but a long silence stole his words. He paused, seemingly debating his next words. Instead, he lifted your hand to his lips and kissed your knuckles. Pulling away slowly and reluctantly, he caressed your hand with his thumbs, rubbing your skin gently back and forth.

“After breakfast, I’ll be outside for a while,” he finally said, but hesitation was evident in the way his hands lingered over yours. “It won’t take long.”

You blinked in confusion and it made it hard for him to look at you. Archons, he didn’t want to leave you alone here. The expression in your eyes reminded him of the time you were pleading to his friend to stay with you.

It was a hard choice for him. Herbs and tea wouldn’t help much for your recovery, and if things get serious that would drastically affect your life, he’d blame himself if he lost you— the only person in his life who was still with him and loved him so dearly.

You looked away and he felt his heart crack when you didn’t give a single objection to his remark. Your fingers fidgeted the fabric of your dress and your wrist as you contemplated his words.

He cupped your cheek and gently turned you to him. “[Name], I promise I’ll be back soon. I won’t be late, okay? Do not leave beyond the borders. You have to wait for me no matter what, alright, my love? I have to take care of something first but I will come back. Promise me you will not do anything dangerous, and you have to eat. Alright, darling?”

His worried and distraught tone surprised you. You had never seen him like this before… The only time he had been this frantic was when you were nearly attacked by the guards during an infiltration. You placed your hand on one of his hands cupping your cheek and nodded. “A-alright. Just come back soon, okay?”

His chest felt a bit lighter and he couldn’t help but give you a peck on your forehead. He leaned his forehead against yours and let out a sigh. You have always been good and patient with him. Venti didn’t deserve you. You were too good for him. No wonder why he was lucky to have you.

With one last lingering kiss to your temple, he pulled away and stood. His hands hesitated at his sides before finally falling away, as though forcing himself to sever the connection.

“Barbatos and Dvalin will be here. They’ll keep you safe,” Venti reassured, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his unease.

The small wisp jingled in affirmation, floating closer to you protectively. Venti gave Barbatos a small nod before turning toward the door, his steps slow and hesitant. He cast one last glance over his shoulder, his eyes scanning over you as though memorizing every detail before he finally stepped out.

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lotmoon · 1 month ago

Text

My pretty best friend ♡

Modern Au

⋆.˚ ᰔ .

Venti is your best friend for 8 years and he actually has feelings for you but the problem is that.. you have feelings for someone else and you're actually planning to confessed your feelings to them someday..

One day you suddenly confessed your feelings to your crush and then they accept your love! but.. Venti was actually watching you two. It's been 5 months and you two are still together while Venti is still watching you two. Still has feelings for you and he know he was too late to confessed..

But after some weeks your relationship got bad. Your boyfriend was avoiding you and not giving you enough attention, you started to think he was cheating on you, which it was true. So you came to Venti’s door. Venti opened the door only to see you outside with tears on your pretty face. He quickly closed the door behind you and went to get a towel

"Y/n? What are you doing here?"

Seeing you soaked and in tears, he frowned and was slightly bothered but he was trying his best to control his jealousy and concern. He handed you a towel and sat you on the couch.

You sobbed quietly to yourself, your tears falling on your pretty, soft cheeks from your gorgeous e/c eyes. Your body shaking slightly. As you gripped the skirt of your long dress İt pained his heart to see you like this.

”I found out he was cheated on me… We fought so badly… and broke up.”

You stuttered between little sobs, your head downwards, looking down at the floor.

He was internally happy about what he heard but he couldn't show it. He sighed and gave you a gentle hug and wiped your tears with the towel. he gently grabbed Your chin, lifting your head gently to make sure you were looking and paying attention to him

"I-I'm sorry to hear that..."

He said softly.. a small smile on his face but he actually was pleased that the relationship didn't work out. He sighed. Venti is quite possessive and jealous and overprotective of you especially since he loves you so much but he couldn't show it yet not right now…

You looked into his emerald eyes with your tear filled e/c eyes as he grabbed your chin and lifted your head up, pouting, and oh god you looked so adorable while you were pouting like this! You sniffed and nodded softly. Do you even know how adorable you are to him?? You moved your head away from his grip and rested your head against his shoulder, one of your arm wrapped around his arm as you scooped closer to him, seeking comfort and warmth.

He let you lean on his shoulders while he continued to pat your head and wipe your tears away. Venti was fighting the urge to pull you closer to his chest and not let you go and keep you in his house, to be with him everyday. That is just his imagination since it seems it couldn't be reality. He had to keep reminding himself not to be selfish and let you be happy.

"What happened that led him to cheat on you?"

It was so hard not to hold you close and let his inner thoughts take over. Venti was trying to hold in his happiness but it was hard to do so. He sighed and hugged y/n, his arms wrapping around your body and gently rubbing your back as an attempt to calm you down. He gently moved your hair and was trying not to stare at your lips. But they were just so kissable. He was jealous of your ex for being able to kiss you. You didn’t answer to his question.

"That idiot didn't know who he had to begin with. He doesn't deserve you.."

“You think so…?”

You said softly, looking into his eyes with her tear filled adorable eyes. Looking a bit cheered on, but you pouted again her eyes filling with tears again.

“Am I not pretty? İs that why nobody loves me?”

Thats what you said and let out a cute sob. What the hell were you talking about?! You looked like a damn goddess?!?!? You are PERFECT in his eyes, your body was so hot and perfect for him, your every uniqe curve!!! Your pretty lips, your gorgeous e/c eyes, your intoxicating smell!! Perfect for him!

"Mhm.. he didn't know who he had.."

He saw the look in your eyes and was glad it worked. Now hearing you ask a dumb question, did you just ask if you weren't pretty? What dr*gs are you on?! You are perfect to Venti.

"WHAT WHO TOLD YOU THAT? Y/n, you are perfect. You're beautiful and pretty. Who said that you aren't?? I'll make them eat their words"

his overprotectiveness was showing, he sighed and he held you in his arm, not wanting you to go anywhere.

He couldn't hold himself any longer and just pulled you to hold you in his lap to hold you close to him. He frowned and felt guilty for being happy your relationship ended, his hand rubbing your back gently and let you release your emotions. He gently pulled her you away from his shoulder, using the towel that he has to wipe your tears away but he was starting to feel his emotions rise.

"Is that why you're here? Are you here so I console you?.."

You blushed slightly when he suddenly pulled you onto his lap to sit, you looked away and rested your palms on his chest to hold onto something. You sniffled as tears fell from your eyes when you closed your eye lids.*

“Yes… We known each other for 8 years after all… You were my best friend…”

You mumbled quietly as you were looking down on the floor, your body was tense because of sitting on his lap.

He loved the feeling of you being close to him, he loved holding you. But he couldn't hold himself anymore. Not when he is jealous. Venti gently looked at you and put one finger on your chin, trying to get your eyes on him. He was jealous of your boyfriend, ex boyfriend, now.

"Yeah.. we were best friends for 8 years... 8 years of me watching you."

Your eyes widened at his words. 8 years of him watching you? You looked at him with wide eyes, your body shivering even more than before but not from cold this time. Your hands that were resting on his chest now clinging at his shirt.

”W-What do you mean by watching me for 8 years…?”

You asked nervously with yet a glint of excitement in your quiet voice, your voice still stuttering from crying earlier.

"You didn't notice?"

Venti didn't realize he let those words slip out. He sighed and gently caressed your cheek with his thumb, seeing you excited and nervous. Venti leaned forward to your ear and whispered.

"8 years of me watching you smile and laugh, seeing you get hurt and cry. 8 years of me watching you get into a relationship that didn't last. 8 years of me watching you get your heart broken, I watched everything... because I love you."

”Y-You loved me all this time?”

Your asked with a quivering voice, your e/c eyes wide open and shining from the fireplace light, you cupped his cheeks and made him look into your eyes, you blushed slightly.*

”Why didn’t you tell me all along…?”

"I didn't want to lose you, I was scared. That you wouldn't feel the same.. "

He didn't look in your eyes, just looked down since he felt you grab his cheeks, his thumb still rubbing your cheeks softly. He frowned again. Venti was scared of your reaction, scared about whether he would lose you from his life. He felt himself get more jealous of your now ex boyfriend. The boy who got your love for months, getting to experience what Venti could never have. Venti couldn't look into your eyes knowing how miserable he made himself for 8 years of watching you.

You leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his lips. And god your warm, soft lips against his… felt so right… and he felt like he has been missing your lips even tho you never kissed before. You rested your forehead against his as you spoke against his lips.

”I did felt the same… and I did wanted to confess but you were acting so distant to me…”

You whispered against his lips as you looked into his eyes, your gorgeous eyes filled with affection yet sadness and guilt.

He felt your lips against his, it was like his heart was fluttering and beating fast. It made him feel a weird feeling and it was so... right.. but why now? Why not then? He kept on blaming himself. Venti grabbed your chin and gently looked at you.

"Then...why did you pursue him.. and not me? You knew his reputation, you knew he doesn't stay in relationships...why him and not me?" He said.

“I just… I was just scared of my feelings towards you because this feeling was so new to me… I loved you too much… so I just wanted to distract myself…”

You said with guilt as you looked into his eyes, your eye lashes quivering. You were blushing heavily and your eyes were filled with tears.

Your tears threatened to fall from your eyes so you bit down on your bottom lip to stop your tears. You gripped his shirt tightly.

“One moment you were distant to me and one moment later you were so warm towards me I was confused, I couldn’t breath with you around me, I couldn’t keep up with your attitude towards me… I was confused and scared and I couldn’t understand what you felt towards me…”

You said as you couldn’t hold back your tears anymore so your tears fell again. You were pouting softly while speaking, your voice shaky.

He couldn't help that the love he had bottled up for you for 8 years was starting to hurt, tears were beginning to fill his eyes. Venti let you grip his shirt tightly while his thumbs brushed away your tears from your face. He was trying to hold his tears back, trying to hold himself in. But hearing you say you couldn't keep up, he felt guilty and blamed himself. Venti pulled you into a hug to hold you gently while burying his face into your neck.

"I'm sorry I was confusing you..I couldn't hold myself back at times, I just loved you too much"

“İ-İt’s okay… I love you… and you love me, thats all that matters now right?…”

You said and smiled softly to yourself. You planted a soft kiss on the side of his head as he kept his face buried in your neck. You ran one of your hand through his hair and wrapped the other hand around his back.

“Are we… together now?…”

You asked with a quiet voice, your voice sounded nervous and filled with anticipation.

"It’s okay now..."

He said quietly as he held you close, he sniffled from hiding his face in your neck. Venti was feeling a relief because of you being understanding. After eight years, he was finally with you. He was yours and for Venti it felt like he was in heaven. He looked up to smile at you and nodded, his hand gently rubbing your back as an act of comforting you. Venti looked more relaxed now since he said with a soft smile.

"We are, I'm yours, you're mine from now on…”

𐙚༘⋆ೀೀ

#venti x reader #venti x you #genshin venti #venti x y/n

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