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The sun was setting, painting the world around the traveller and her companion in warm shades. Leaves of various colours ranging from green to orange to red rustled under her footsteps before being swept by a breeze and swirling in the air. The view of the bright sun slowly descending into the horizon made her stop for a moment to turn around and admire it some more. After all, the Autumn scenery has always been so beautiful in this nation.
The smile on her face wouldn't reach her eyes, as she wondered what his reaction would be if he was here with her right now, looking at the same sight. It was gorgeous yet, it didn't help numb the pain she was feeling.
That's why after spending months in Liyue, Lumine found herself at the stone gate crossing nations again and returning to Mondstadt. Despite not really having a home for as long as she remembered— just going over from one star to another with her only kin— the feeling of the familiar breeze going through her hair made her feel better. Mondstadt has become the closest to a home now, a place to keep her a bit sane. But, it could never compare to her real home… being by Aether's side.
The traveller did not dislike Liyue, but the events that had transpired there have left her conflicted. Her eyes kept flashing the crazy look on Childe's face as he introduced himself as Tartaglia, the 11th Fatui Harbinger. And reminding her of having to watch Zhongli give over his Gnosis. She knew that the Ex-Archon had his own reasons for making such a contract with the Fatui, but it still didn't stop that feeling of betrayal creeping from within. It was as if she had failed everyone, and mostly failed Venti.
Venti…
He was the one to guide her to Liyue, right after his Gnosis was taken away so brutally. It's haunting her, the scene she witnessed as she was being held back, calling Venti's name as her eyes reflected his figure falling onto the ground. That feeling of helplessness was too similar to when her brother was taken from her. And so Lumine swore to take revenge and bring what was taken away from Venti back. But instead, the only thing she succeeded in was being tricked by everyone around her, and having another Gnosis in those bastards' hands…
And still, after all that… she had gained no clues for the whereabouts of her brother.
….
One moment it was sunset, and the other the world was dark. She sighed, realising that being in her thoughts led to her body running on autopilot the entire time. Just walking and defeating any enemies that came her way.
Paimon suddenly appeared, floating beside her with a worried expression. She was usually talkative, but it seems that after everything her companion miraculously sensed that her friend was not in the mood for chats.
"It's getting really late, Paimon thinks we should set camp and rest up! How does that sound?" She finally said, and Lumine turned to look around and assess her surroundings. Paimon was probably right, as much as Lumine would like to sleep on a bed right now, her body was aching and didn't really want to go on further and reach the city. It was already dark, and based on the position of the moon… it was almost midnight.
Just how long was she out of it?
Actually, considering she's practically homeless and came back to Mondstadt so suddenly, there's no way the guild will wake up to find her a room to stay in this late at night. She could go on- but she didn't want Paimon staying awake for her sake too.
The girl wordlessly agreed, nodding her head. Which made Paimon twirl around in happiness, "Great! I wonder what's for dinner!" Paimon said with her fists raised up excitedly. Apparently, her companion was just hungry all along, she should've seen it coming. Poor girl… Lumine didn't think of food, and Paimon stayed quiet for her sake.
"Paimon for dinner." She finally spoke, patting her smaller friend's head. But Paimon did not appreciate that comment, kicking her feet in the air and lecturing her.
Still, Lumine was very grateful for how considerate her companion turned out to be. And made sure to make her a feast for her kindness.
The brain was a truly mysterious thing, despite how exhausted she was… it would not let her sleep. Lumine tossed over, the grass brushing against her cheeks, and opened her eyes. Paimon was sleeping not far beside the fire, covered in a thin blanket— that was originally used by hilichurls for makeshift shelter— and snoring with her mouth wide open. Because they were in a hurry, Lumine ran until she found a camp at the beginning of Wolvendom then defeated the hilichurls there and stole their place. It was a bit… mean spirited, maybe, but she had already been venting her emotions through combat all day and they were obviously planning something if they had a view of Mondstadt from this far away. She justified herself with a nod.
Looking at Paimon brought a smile to her face, at least one of them was getting some rest. Taking over the camp was worth it in the end.
Sitting up after another hour of just laying there and trying to empty her head, Lumine stared at the fire, the heat that it gave off contrasting the cold night.
The pain…. just wouldn't stop, neither could she control her sadness. She was good at hiding it really, no one could tell how much she was aching but if they looked closer… they'd realise that maybe there's a reason why she was always busying herself with anything. Be it finding a lost cat or taking down another hilichurl camp, taking care of roadblocks or fetching some ingredients for a citizen's medicine.
But what could someone do when they had nothing to distract themselves with? When they were left with their thoughts alone, bashing their heads back into the reality they've been trying to escape… What then?
This was getting too tiring and she couldn't even rest, so Lumine just stayed as she is and shut down. Others probably had it worse anyway, she should be grateful for what she had for now.
Eventually, the amount of embers that floated around like fireflies increased in numbers, and the light of the heat source started to slowly dim and fade away. A sign that she had been awake for far too long, and that she needed to get some more wood. It was obvious that Paimon was sensitive to the cold, especially after their trip to Dragonspine. Moreover, who would want such a peaceful expression to be broken?
The blonde traveller hoisted herself on her feet, brushing away the grass blades from her hands and dress. There were a lot of trees deeper into Wolvendom, but there was a sliver of moonlight for her to see thanks to the current moon phase.
Calling back to her previous powers, she closed her eyes and focused energy onto her hand. Summoning a luminescent hologram of a constellation above her palm. After all her powers had been taken away, this was the only thing she had left. It was just a little trace to what she once had and yet she couldn't keep it up for long.
Lumine sighed for the millionth time that day. Better not lament over that again, not right now.
The light from the small galaxy helped guide the way, but after a couple of minutes a gust of wind blew through her hair, taking her off guard that the little hologram disappeared before she could pick up any branches.
Huh? What's going on- the wind was but a calm breeze a second ago.
That's when she noticed the light anemo feathers floating around her, and the almost quiet melodies reaching her ears. Her heart soared. Only one person channelled their anemo in the form of feathers. Only one person would have a voice so enchanting it would calm down anyone in the vicinity. She was lost in her own head again that she hadn't noticed before, but this whole time— a certain bard was calling for her using the wind.
Despite not being able to see that well in front of her at the moment, Lumine followed where the harmony would lead her, feeling a bit giddy for reasons she could not comprehend.
Traversing around the trees in the darkness, she finally found some light to guide her way to the boy. It didn't take long for her to reach the tree where the Archon of wind or as she preferred— her dear friend Venti— was sitting on. His eyes shut as he played and hummed happily, glowing in the darkness due to his overabundance of anemo energy. Lumine couldn't help but stare at the sight, was he sparkling as well or was it just her vision?
As the tunes died down, Venti finally opened his eyes, and as soon as her dull amber met his glowing turquoise ones, the wind twirled around her in happiness, her dress flowing a bit making her giggle as she spun with the wordless enthusiasm. This was so like him. Despite how intimidating the Archon looked with those neon eyes landing on her out of nowhere, he used the wind to communicate his emotions.
The wooden lyre — that he called "Der Frühling"— turned to glitter and promptly disappeared, now resting as a glass ball that he used as a vision. Subsequently, the light dimmed from his eyes and braids as he stopped using his anemo powers.
"Fancy meeting you this evening, my dearest traveller." Venti spoke as if their reunion was merely a coincidence. She only stared up at him, not finding words to say at the moment. She had been hurting so bad and somehow just seeing him made everything fade away. It caused a whiplash to her heart.
Seeing that she wasn't responding, the boy jumped down from the tree and floated down to stand in front of her, smiling all the same. As if saying to her, "I'm here."
Venti was someone who she had talked to and spent a lot of time with when she stayed in Mondstadt. Ever since she had left for Liyue, not a day went by where Lumine had not been thinking of him. Her brain would repeat that night at the hands of the Statue, where he sat in silence after spilling his origins to her. Trusting her enough to tell her how he became the god of wind and freedom. He knew how she felt about losing someone important… but for him, there was no hope left. An ending was already written to the story that he had to suffer with for so many years.
So not only would he be suffering from the same affliction of emotions as her, but even worse.
She was always worried, wondering if he was alright after having powers stripped away from him. After all, when she woke up to find everything taken away— it was hard to deal with, and it still is. So having to see him again after the last time they were together under Vannessa's tree… after all the nights of worry that she had to bury deep down, Lumine couldn't control her body as it drove forward, her arms wrapping around his torso so she could hug him with all her might.
"L-Lumine?" He called her by name, his shock apparent. She stayed there for a moment before backing away, still able to smell Cecilias and Apples from his clothes, but surprisingly no Alcohol. Maybe he had no mora to buy any drinks lately… she took a mental note to buy him some later.
"Are you alright?" She asked, not really able to see the boy in front of her as well as she would hope, but at least the rays of moonlight escaping between the leaves of the trees helped a bit.
Venti snorted, bringing up his hand to haphazardly cover his smile. "Why... I might currently be in heaven. But I think that's my question, Traveller."
As the wind blew her hair she found herself laughing, truly happy for once. It has been a while so it was very nice to store all her worries away and be free. He always had that effect on her whenever he was around. "I missed you, Venti." She breathed out those words, unfiltered.
The bard was silent, but it wasn't that uncomfortable for her. As shy and introverted as she was in this world— usually letting Paimon do all the speaking— she still needed to get it out and just tell him the truth. What was the point in hiding it anyway when you never know who you may lose next?
In case she made him feel awkward with the sudden confession, the traveller continued, "Why are you at the outskirts past midnight? You used to hang out around the city most of the time."
"Ah-" Venti blinked, breaking out of whatever he was thinking of. "A little Seelie told me that my beloved Lumine has finally returned. So naturally, I hastily made my way here!" He giggled.
His beloved…
Paimon was usually the only one to call Lumine by her actual name, everyone else would default to Traveller or even the Honorary Knight. Venti on the other hand had started to occasionally call her by name since the day that invaded her thoughts for months.
"Lumine... you're so smart it almost makes me uncomfortable sometimes... But then, maybe it's right that true friends can tell what the other is thinking."
She didn't comment on it whenever he did, but truth be told, it always made her happy. Now he calls her his beloved and she always knew Venti to have his way with words, but did he call anyone his beloved before? Because… she didn't want to overthink this. But perhaps, at the moment it did not matter since her face was heating up at the word nonetheless. Damn this bard and his silver tongue, if only he knew how dangerous it was getting for her stupidly sensitive heart...
"So, meeting you was no coincidence." She finally replied to him after willing down her emotions.
And of course, she got a giggle as a reply. How can someone's laugh could fill her with so much happiness? He didn't even deny it as well, perhaps he noticed her affliction, the thoughts preventing her from resting, so he had called out to her.
Seeing him did make her feel a whole lot better… but it was hard to tell if that was his powers or just her.
Wait. She was trying to sleep, right? Then the fire started dying— her thoughts came to a halt. She forgot about Paimon! Her friend will not be happy about this.
"Oh no- I was supposed to gather wood before Paimon woke up!" She exclaimed, bending down to grab as many branches as she could and pulling them up onto her chest. "Sorry Venti, I need to get going!" With that said, she started to run down the path she came from.
"Lumine, wait! I-" The urgency in his voice stopped her in her tracks. She was going to see him again soon, so why did he sound so desperate?
She turned around to get a glance of Venti standing with his hand reaching out before quickly retracting it. Since it seemed serious, she put down the pile of wood on the ground to pick up later. "What is it?" Lumine asked as she patted her dress down, making sure no dirt was on it from the branches.
"I…" He started, looking hesitant before he continued. "I want to join you on your journey! Yeah!" That did not seem to be what was on his mind, it was obvious from his expression. Covering up the truth with something else. Sensing that she didn't buy what he was saying, he continued with a feeble attempt. "I did say that I need the bards to tell your story."
Her brows furrowed in concern, "That's it?" She asked, "Of course you can join me, silly. Why would you think I would say otherwise? Though, you do have a nation to watch over, so you can't stay away from them for too long. Unless, you want to run away from that responsibility too." She laughed.
Despite how lighthearted her words were, Venti was silent. His expression blank as he stared at her. It made her a bit nervous.
"Hey, I don't want to force you, but… if there's anything more that you want to tell me. I'm listening." She reassured.
They stood there in the dead of night, sounds of the rustling leaves cascading through the forest. Venti was stationary as his gaze unwavered, and despite the distance between them, she still found herself heating up.
That serious expression of his was a rare sight, she unconsciously locked the scene in her memory while wondering what exactly was going on inside his head. He was always so full of energy, chipper and adorning a smile so contagious. Yet here he was, standing still. It reminded her of when he was sitting so silently on the hands of a certain statue.
In time, Venti broke the silence between them with a sigh. Looking defeated. It confused her even more.
"What's the point of hiding it anyway?" He asked, making Lumine tilt her head slightly from confusion.
Venti took two steps closer, walking under a ray of moonlight. The wind was caught at her throat, suddenly breathless at his determined expression.
"The reason I want to join you, it wasn't only because I wanted to relay your story, but also…" Venti looked downwards, "Ah, how do I say this. The ballads really weren't lying about how nerve-wracking this situation is."
The way he was looking everywhere and nowhere at the same time as he fidgeted in place raised her concerns, something was definitely wrong. Seeing him look this serious was uncharacteristic, even rarer than jades. "Venti?" She stepped closer, and closer, raising her hands to do something to comfort him, but hesitation solidified her in place.
Then instead of forcing herself to move, Venti did that for her as he grabbed her hands with his softer ones, trapping their wrists between their bodies.
"Lumine, I adore you."
"H-huh?" She blinked in surprise.
"You've captured my heart with your kindness, your determination, your sincerity, and even your smile! If I listed all the reasons we'd be here for a while." He finally smiled again. Ah, here was Venti. It would be a lie to say that she didn't miss this expression.
"After you left I realised my feelings for you have far traversed just friendship. And I know I shouldn't fall in love with a star that is not from this world, but when the wind around you swirled, I knew that I couldn't control it."
The gears in her head turned as his message was relayed. The heart was a truly mysterious thing, even more uncontrollable than the brain. This entire time she was trying to keep it in check, but now… it's gone haywire.
"Venti… I…" Has it always been this hard to speak? The shock paralysed her, gazing into his eyes reflecting the moonlight. This was so sudden, even though she knew that no matter how hard she tried to deny it, there was a reason why she thought about Venti so much. The fact that- the recipient of her worries, her thoughts, her longing, was in front of her saying— with his voice—
She couldn't think properly anymore, but her body reacted as tears glazed her amber eyes. Venti's words had destroyed her from overwhelming affection and happiness. But was this even right?
Venti panicked and dropped the grip from her hands as soon as he saw the distress on her face. He wiped away a stray tear, looking at her with those ever so gentle eyes. "There's no need to answer, I just wanted to tell you. I apologise if… if you did not want to hear this right now."
Her world started shaking, the sea spilling from the edges creating waterfalls.
Little did Venti know that he was way off the mark.
The bard ran a hand through her hair, so gentle and affectionate. Indulging himself for a second before backing away, taking his warmth with him as he created distance between them. "Don't worry, I only want the freedom of loving you. You're still my best friend, traveller."
If his words were true, then what she was doing must be the worst reaction ever. Just standing there wide-eyed and clearly crying. He must be misunderstanding her, but she couldn't get a word out. So the girl driven on adrenaline ran with her legs and dove with her body towards him a second time that night.
She hugged him, hiding her tear stricken face.
"Starlight?" He asked, and she could feel his heartbeat. The uncertainty in it, the fear and the excitement.
"I… the same… I feel the same way." Lumine managed to get out, face red against the white vest he wore under his cape.
"...Eh?" Venti was dumbfounded, questioning if his ears were playing tricks on him. "Wait, truly?" His voice had never been closer, and with how breathless he sounded, it sent her to euphoria.
She managed to look up, clinging onto him as their eye colours clashed. "I… like you, Venti. I knew all along but I'm too scared to accept it." Her previously wide eyes closed as tears spilled onto both cheeks. "I know this isn't right, and I shouldn't get attached when I'm constantly in battles, constantly travelling to find what I lost. But I- I can't help it, I can't help falling in love with you."
The world had stopped. There were no storms nearby yet she could hear thunder, she could see rain, and her vision was full of lightning. She finally said it, and finally accepted the truth.
"There's so much I want to say but- I'm a mess, I'll only make things even worse for you…" How was she even supposed to feel at this information? She asked herself. She was happy yet sad, warm yet guilty… it was so frustrating and painful that she found herself in tears like a kid. How weak, she thought.
Was it her fault they found themselves in this situation? Getting so attached to Venti and spending so much time with him?
She didn't know… she didn't want to know…
Without warning, her dress and scarf had started to billow as the breeze picked up its pace. Lumine pulled back enough to check on Venti, already questioning if she should have not said anything, if she spilt way too much.
The boy was standing there, unmoving except for his now floating braids, his mouth was slightly open and his eyes were glowing a bit in the darkness thanks to the energy he was channelling. How can someone look so beautiful?
As she lost herself in his eyes, Venti's face turned darker and darker. Then he hiccuped, making his hand spring to cover his mouth in embarrassment.
Lumine had to stifle her giggle, how can someone be so cute???
After taking a moment to compose himself, Venti had returned to reality. "Lumine…" He finally was able to speak, "I'm sorry. I had no idea that you were suffering this much- and because of me it has become worse."
Venti's arms had wrapped around her this time, and Lumine felt herself overload. If he couldn't tell how much he was affecting her, he could now with their chests pressed against each other. Her heart was hammering, trying to escape its confines, wanting to be free.
"But I'll make it up to you, I promise." Venti spoke again, his voice so, so close. "From now on, there will be no more pain in your heart as long as I am here." He pulled back to look at her rainy eyes, then inched closer until his lips were pressed onto the crown of her head.
As if she was losing consciousness, the entire world turned white. She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, Venti was still holding on to her, but the world around them had changed.
Had they teleported to another dimension? She looked around, gazing at the blinding blue light over the orange horizon, recognising the space as the one she saw when Venti freed Stanley's soul.
Their eyes met, and her breath caught in her throat. This must be the reason Stanley immediately recognised Venti as his god, Barbatos. He looked too heavenly, outside the realm of all the worlds she had been to.
Or perhaps that was just thanks to all the feelings she harbored for him.
Her grip on him tightened, asking him with her eyes, what in Teyvat was he doing?
"Luminary from the stars, you have been overridden with guilt for centuries. The loss of someone you swore to protect had destroyed your sense of self, and left you afraid of getting attached to anyone else in fear that you will lose them, or worse, afflict them with the same pain you are feeling as a consequence of your dangerous path."
He recited her emotions as if he was simply reading a book, analysing her very core with little to no problem. Her eyes stung, her throat clogged, her heart tormented. Everything she had been keeping locked away so she could survive, the feelings that kept leaking, had started to attack her full force.
"A-Aether…" She hiccuped.
Holding onto whatever she could as she sobbed. Lumine had no idea where she was anymore, just going through a bunch of tapes in her head.
She remembered her brother's smile whenever she made him his favorite dish, or his protective nature whether an enemy or a complete stranger had approached. She still had a lot of blind spots while fighting because she was used to Aether having her back, and she still feels cold at night because he isn't nearby. It never felt safe without him. Nothing felt the same without him.
How was she coping with having half of her soul taken away like that? It has been too long since she felt his presence. It hurt.
Had he been eating? Does he have someone to braid his hair? Was he acting recklessly without her? Was he waiting for her to rescue him?
What brought her back to reality was Venti's hand on her hair and the other on her back. Soothing her through this. After sobbing into his chest for a while, letting out all her sadness, she calmed down and looked up at him, still confused but thankful.
"Lumine… will you let me get rid of your pain? It won't be fully gone, but… it will be easier on you. At least that way you'll finally be free to rest, to love again."
Her eyes widened, this was what Venti was trying to do. To free her.
"But… Venti, are you alright with it? I am not from this world. I may leave, or be defeated one day." He was thinking about her, but what about him? The moment he breaks these chains, she won't be holding back anymore. "You've lost so much already… I don't- I don't want you going through that again."
"I never regretted meeting my old friends. It does hurt not being able to see them again, but they still live on, in my memories. As long as I remember them and think of them they still live on through me." Venti explained, and suddenly it made sense to her why he's always singing about the past. What a beautiful way to live on, she thought. Lumine shouldn't be this dependent on others to survive, she needed to be stronger like Venti. Maybe… This was one of the many reasons that attracted her to him, the positivity he radiated despite the underlying melancholy carried by his melodies.
"Also… bold of you to assume that something would happen to you on my watch!" He grinned, trying to lighten up the mood from the sober topic, but her worried expression didn't change so he continued. "Lumine, I'm already six feet under your spell. I love you, and nothing will be able to change that at this point." The girl looked down, not knowing whether to feel happy or guilty. "To stop caring about you is like having a bird stop flying, so I'll just orbit around you as long as you'll allow me to."
His words got her heart racing again, the tips of her ears turning red. She couldn't handle it anymore, hiding her face in his chest. "I… feel the same way. To stop my feelings is like asking a star to stop shining, and that's not possible when you shine every time I look at you."
Venti blinked, not foreshadowing her response at all. "A-at least we are on the same page." He stuttered, trying to ignore how hot he felt. "So what do you say?"
Her hands slid down to his arms to intertwine with his own, and immediately Venti's hands tightened around hers in affirmation. She gathered up the courage to look back at him with her flustered expression, nodding firmly, giving the Archon her consent to dive into her very soul.
With a determined expression mirroring hers, he nodded as well and closed his eyes. Lumine followed suit and braced herself for the wind and blinding light as it engulfed them both once again.
When she fell back down into the world, Lumine found herself sitting under a tree amidst Wolvendom. The thought "Was it all a dream?" had crossed her mind, but the warmth by her side said otherwise. She turned her head and sure enough, Venti was sitting next to her, smiling.
"Welcome back!" He exclaimed, "How do you feel? Hmm? Hmmm?"
His smile was contagious as always, and his enthusiasm straight-up adorable. "Er, well. I do feel… more relaxed than I've ever been in a while." She tried to explain because nothing really changed physically but deep down she felt more free, a lot of the guilt that had been weighing her down was gone. The moment that light had engulfed her she felt lighter than a feather, and now she was free to follow her emotions without being held down by fear. "I… I'm happy. Thank you, Venti."
"Hehe." Venti had a smug smile, eyes staring into her very soul. What was with that mischievous expression?
"Wh-what is it?" She asked, feeling nervous under his playful gaze.
"You love me." He stated.
Lumine broke that gaze immediately from embarrassment, looking away from him. "And so I do… What of it?" She already told him earlier, so why was he making her do this?
"No need to be bashful, I saw everything you know?"
Her face burned, everything???? "Hey! You never said anything about this." Her heart was hammering again, she put a hand over her chest in an attempt to calm it down.
"You gave over your heart, what did you expect?" His laugh was whimsical.
He was right, she admitted, but perhaps he should've kept something like this a secret so she could be able to sleep without thinking about how Venti had literally seen all of her emotions. How embarrassing… he probably could feel how bad her longing was when she left for Liyue.
"Lumine." He directed her attention back at him, she meekly turned to look at him again despite how much she wanted to hide. "I love you too. In fact, I am madly in love with you." His playful nature was gone, trying to show her his entire heart the same way she did to him.
Lumine was going to decompose, her heart would burst at this rate. "V-Venti…" The boy inched closer to her, holding onto her hands.
"May I kiss you?"
That's it. Wolvendom was going to be where she dies. The blood in her body favoured rushing into her head instead of her heart, making it skip a beat.
Both of their faces were red as he stared at her expectantly, then she surprised him by leaning in by herself. His lips were as soft as his voice, which made her want to indulge even more.
After the initial shock of surprise, Venti had started to respond, and that was the moment where all her thoughts melted away as she fell into the kiss. His floral smell was too hypnotic, his touch as gentle as feathers yet it sent shock waves through her skin. The only thing that was in her mind was Venti, and Venti alone. The feeling of his lips against hers as he pushed onto her, conveying his need for more but didn't know what he was even doing, so he would kiss her again. His hands intertwined with hers, before letting go so his arms would wrap around her small frame, pulling her as close as possible.
To help guide him in his desperation, she parted her lips, and if she wasn't hexed enough before then she was now. Venti knew what to do at that moment, probably from information he heard about throughout his lifetime. His taste, touch, smell, sounds, all of it was addicting to her. She couldn't breathe.
Lumine broke the kiss, remembering that she needed oxygen to not faint in his arms, but she only got a second to gasp as Venti's eyes glowed before he tackled her to the ground and connected their lips again.
Somehow it took being pushed back onto the grass to cement the fact this is actually real into her brain, Venti had wanted her as much as she wanted him. How was she not dreaming?
She expected pain to spark up from the fall but she carefully landed on the grass with the help of the wind, a certain someone's hands still there using their powers.
Anemo had started to flow through her all of a sudden, her lungs filling up on their own making her eyes widen. Venti was staring at her with half-lidded eyes throughout his ministrations. While he was exploring her mouth, kissing her lips over and over again, he was helping her breathe.
One of the hands on her back has made its way onto her chest, resting over it ever so gently. The gem on her dress resonating with his element and shining an aquatic colour, so bright you could say it was turning white. She felt like she was floating, the only thing grounding her was Venti's body against hers.
She could feel him everywhere, taking her over with his energy while she took everything he had to offer.
A couple of minutes passed before Venti backed away by himself, a string of saliva connecting them until his arms hoisted him far enough above her. He was panting heavily, his eyes glazed and mouth drooling. Usually, she would've laughed at how cute he still looked but the context of the situation only made her burn. The fact she was the one to turn him into this mess.
Venti had eventually come back to reality, rubbing off his mouth and blushing like crazy while helping her sit up. "Sorry, I got carried away." That was all he said, burying his face in his hands.
She had wanted to comfort him and let him know that she didn't have a problem and in fact enjoyed it, but before she could the boy had looked at her with accusatory eyes. "Actually, did you know how dangerous that was? I may be cute but I am still a man that has made it clear that I'm attracted to you! How could you accept that when we are alone in the midst of the night!"
"Hey! I may look young but I've lived even longer than you!" She pouted, "And well, if you saw through my emotions you'd know that if you're the one then… I'm fine with anything."
The two sat there, face red and eyes forcefully closed from how much they wanted to run away from their situation. This was way harder than she expected, Lumine has had her history of crushes but always tried to not get attached to anyone because her stay in each world was always temporary, not to mention how much she knew Aether would judge her for her tastes- now that she had gotten way past just having a crush and got this far she was too embarrassed. How do you speak to each other normally after getting intimate with someone that affected you that much???
At least it seemed that Venti, of all people, was experiencing the same thing. It made sense in a way after knowing his history. Being a spirit turned tyrant who is unwilling to rule, and hibernating only to come back to face consequences. Only recently did he technically retire, after his long time friend— Dvalin—had been saved. He probably had no idea how to face her either.
Taking in a deep breath she gathered the courage to open her eyes and look at him. He was looking down with his red ears, cute. He was too good for any world. Lumine reached to him and hugged him, her head resting on his shoulder.
Venti let out an audible gasp, then stayed still for a second before finally hugging her back.
"Venti…"
"Hmm?"
"Why is there a wind barrier around us?"
The boy raised his head in alarm, backing away and looking around, trying to figure out how much damage he had subconsciously caused the poor forest for simply being around them at that moment. "Hehe, whoops!" He dispelled the barrier in a second, but the damage was already done. Razor will not be happy about this.
Somehow as the barrier was dispelled, Lumine remembered her friend Paimon when she saw the wood she had picked up earlier scattered around the place, one even returning to a tree, forcefully lodged onto it like an axe.
If Paimon didn't wake up from the cold, then she would have woken up from the wind. She sighed, not believing the fact she had completely forgotten her sleeping friend again. Although… she really couldn't control her thoughts whenever Venti was around, in fact, the moment he would enter her head she was completely distracted from everything.
Lumine got up and reached out a hand to Venti who gladly took it in his with a beaming smile.
"Now that you are travelling with me. Your first task will be to help pick up some wood and head back to camp!" She said confidently with her hands on her hips. But wavered when she opened an eye and saw the fond look on the other's face. "H-hey stop that, we really need to get going."
Venti stepped closer, making her step back. "But why? So we could return to the impolite pixie and sacrifice my alone time with you?"
"Venti-" She was cut off as her back hit a tree. They were inches away, making her fidget under his gaze.
"You can't hide from me when you feel the same way too." Venti had a knowing smile, just why was she so transparent?
"You may know everything about my feelings," She said looking down, saying this stuff out loud is way too embarrassing. "but there are still things you can't foreshadow."
Venti tilted his head in curiosity, "What do you mean?"
Her hands balled up in fists, helping her gather the courage to look up at him and give him a quick kiss. Despite them literally making out earlier, she was still really shy in such a situation.
Thankfully her plan worked as Venti stood there blinking while trying to process what had just happened, and the moment he broke out in a flustered expression she seized the opportunity to slip from between him and the tree.
It took Lumine running away from Venti to leave her alone and stop distracting her from going back to Paimon. She could hear his carefree laughter as he ran after her as well, but of course not without warning her that he would have his revenge real soon.
The sun had started to rise, its rays escaping the horizon and mixing orange with the purple undertones of the night sky. The brighter the world got, the more the stars had started to fade from sight, leaving only the strongest to still stand out.
Lumine had arrived at the camp with Venti who was holding a bunch of branches. She was way stronger than him and they both knew that, but he wouldn't let her hold them while he was around. He put down the wood as they looked around to find the camp empty with no Paimon in sight, shifting the traveller's expression into worry. The fire had gone out long ago, the embers that once shined leaving nothing but darkness.
"Lumiiine!!!!" A high pitched voice called out, and in a flash a pixie had flown right into her chest, hugging her with all her might. "Paimon woke up and didn't find you anywhere! Th- thought you disappeared! You always talk about how you may not be meant for this world then- then the forest was getting blasted and Paimon got worried sick!" Paimon cried, breaking Lumine's heart into pieces at the sight. She shouldn't have told her about those thoughts she had when badly wounded.
"I'm sorry Paimon. I went to get wood for the fire." She held her back as much as she could without crushing her, patting her little head in consolation.
Eventually, Paimon noticed Venti standing next to her companion. "WAIT HEYYYY!" She exclaimed, "What's he doing here!?"
Venti gave her a smug smile, originally wanting to be nice to Paimon after how panicked she looked, but just for that comment, he decided to tease her a bit. The bard extended his left arm, wrapping it around Lumine's shoulder and bringing her closer. The traveller turned to look at him, blinking from surprise.
"Hate to break it to you Paimon, but Lumine has a new travelling companion now!" He confidently announced with his right hand on his hip.
"EH??? Lumine!!" She turned to look at the red-faced girl. "You replaced Paimon with the tone-deaf bard?!"
Lumine pushed herself away from Venti, trying to compose herself. "Don't listen to him, no one can replace Paimon." She poked her little nose with a grin, happy that her friend was alright. "He's just tagging along on our travels."
Paimon beamed at her words and took her place on Lumine's shoulder as always, "You hear that? No one can replace Paimon!"
"Oh my heart, how could you be so cold?" Venti exclaimed with a hand over his chest, "And after you disclosed your feelings not long ago!"
The attempt of composing herself had crumbled immediately, "Venti…"
His laugh was whimsical and his gaze was fond, making blood rush to her face and heart. She felt incredibly dizzy.
"What's going on here?" Paimon's eyes narrowed, her tone accusatory. "Did something happen while Paimon was asleep?" If Lumine knew anything about Paimon after all their travels together it was that she was dense. But apparently, she would learn that she was not as dense as she thought.
"Ehe." Venti simply giggled, frustrating the pixie even more.
Somehow staying awake had increasingly gotten tougher to achieve now that she made sure Paimon was alright. Maybe Venti wasn't the only reason she was feeling dizzy.
The boy in question seemed to have noticed her problem, as he looked at her with a serious expression. Paimon also followed suit, getting off of her shoulder after realising why Venti had looked at their dear traveller.
"Lumine!" Paimon held onto her shoulder with all her might. "You look like you're about to faint!"
"Why, it seems exhaustion has finally caught up to you!" Venti smiled, as he walked closer to make sure she wouldn't fall.
"Why do you seem so content with that fact!" Paimon argued, glaring daggers to make him back off.
Venti ignored her and grabbed Lumine's shoulders, helping the tired lady sit under the tree next to them. "Because now, our little traveller has no choice but to rest. Wouldn't you agree?"
"But… I have to make it to Mondstadt and take on my daily commissions."
"Seriously Lumine? You just made Paimon agree with this buffoon." She said exasperated, hands on her hips. "Did you even sleep last night?"
The blonde could only cast her eyes down at the question, she hasn't been able to sleep well for as long as she could remember. Always in a hurry to help others and hopefully find any type of clue so she could find her brother. She didn't want to waste any time when he could be out there just waiting for her.
But now that Venti had helped calm her emotions down and get rid of most of her guilt and pain, those thoughts stopped controlling her body. With them gone, nothing was holding her brain and body from letting her finally rest.
She slumped onto the tree behind her in defeat and closed her eyes, able to hear Paimon's exaggerated sigh and Venti's hushed laughter. It was so peaceful…
After Paimon and Venti had somehow worked together to rekindle the fire, she felt some fabric droop over her. Lumine opened her eyes to see Venti crouching without his cape and looking straight into her eyes.
"Hey, you weren't supposed to do that." He pouted. "Go back to sleep."
Lumine smiled, "You may be able to sleep while sitting down a tree but this position is breaking my back."
"Hmm, fair point." He grinned, then hands clasped onto her legs fully dragging her down onto the grass.
"V-Venti!!" The traveller laughed, kind of embarrassed of her position. "Unbelievable." She fixed her dress from exposing too much.
The boy tried to lay beside her but then a certain Paimon flew and landed right between them.
"Get away from her you perverted bard! I saw what you just did. Hmph." She said, snuggling into Lumine's chest.
Venti was stunned as he watched with eyes that screamed "Can you believe this hypocrisy?" to Lumine, making her giggle even more.
Before Paimon knew it, the consequences of her actions had caught up to her. As the young-looking man had decided that he would still come closer to Lumine and hug her whether a Paimon was there or not.
"Ack!! C-can't breathe!" She wheezed then proceeded to kick Venti as hard as she could in the stomach. The boy didn't budge but did let out a huff in frustration.
"Fine." He got up and made his way to sit under the tree with his arms crossed. The traveller got up on her two hands to look at him with a smile, his cape draping over her shoulders while Paimon clung to her dress in protest.
To his surprise, she cutely crawled towards him and looked straight at him for a second before landing her head right onto his lap. The embarrassingly high pitched sound of surprise that emitted from him led to the delight of hearing her heavenly giggles.
Paimon groaned at being near the bard again. "Just so you know, Paimon is totally judging you." She told her friend, and it only made her giggle more. Venti could tell from her voice that Lumine was finally happy, finally free, it made his heart soar with joy.
It didn't take long for the brave traveller to fall into a deep sleep, with Paimon joining her as well not far after.
Brushing his nimble fingers through the locks of golden hair, he looked down at the sleeping form of the girl he had found himself smitten with. Truth be told, not even Venti had expected confessing to the traveler, let alone having his feelings returned. An immortal shouldn't get this attached to anyone. Even when they were from this world he lost all that was ever close to him, so what would be the case for someone from another world entirely? And if he valued anyone, they might even be used as threats against him for his position as an Archon.
But now... with his Gnosis gone, what is left for others to fight over?
He closed his eyes, reminiscing on how he ended up here.
Venti did not foresee any of the events that had happened after Lumine entered his lifetime, for all this time his biggest concerns were protecting Mondstadt, and finding ways to get more wine. The day he saw the traveller for the first time, he ended up getting infected by Dvalin's curse as the unknowing stranger had interrupted his attempts to reach his lost friend.
As he suffered from the poison, all he could think about was how Dvalin was suffering worse, cursed and left to waste… all alone.
Their second encounter lay in the city, howbeit he was the only one aware of the other's presence. Helping her with heavenly powers to defend against Dvalin's wrath. And the third, their official meeting, was when she seeked him out as he played and sang tales of the past for a crowd.
"You are…" His words trailed as his eyes fixated on the familiar face. Finally getting a proper look of her. The stranger who emanated otherworldly light, shining so bright.
His suspicions of her exceptionality were confirmed when she somehow got rid of the impurities and poison in the dragon's tears. And what amazed furthermore was her willingness to help him, help Mondstadt, and help Dvalin. Even after he used the fact she accidentally got him poisoned to get her to aid in getting the Holy Lyre der Himmel, she still said "The colour of your eyes remind me of the sky in my hometown."
She was a strange one,
But he was probably strange to her too.
After she had discovered he was really Barbatos — the god she was looking for— he could still recall her voice. "If you really are a god, then we cannot just abandon you. And if you weren't, I would still help Dvalin anyway. I… do not want to see another separation."
That was probably the moment he started to feel close to this strange wanderer, as he waited for her outside the cathedral, his mind full of questions. Wanting to know more about what she had gone through, what motivated her, and why exactly was she looking for him in the first place.
Even after having all those questions answered later, after they started hanging out when Dvalin was saved by them, his curiosity was insatiable. Venti found himself wanting to know more, and more. He wanted to spend more time with the hero that helped him, wanted to tell her everything, and for her to tell him everything about her as well.
They were inseparable during her time in the city of wind and song, because as long as she was around he would run to her side only to begrudgingly help with commissions since she was always busy, or drag her into Angel's share so she could pay back for all his hard work with wine.
One day, Lisa had asked him to test a contraption of hers because she apparently lacked something akin to a childish sense of wonder. He must've looked young enough for her and thought it must work for him because of that. Little did she know, Venti thought.
Well, she was right in that matter at least. It did work for him, that childish part of a wind spirit never departed after all. Wind spirits were always so mischievous and playful, laughing in the wind alongside your ears, he never changed from his true origin it seems.
Though… he wondered if it would work for the wayward outlander too. Was she as childish at heart as he was? Yet again, he was curious about her thoughts.
And just as the thought crossed his mind while walking around looking for test subjects, his eyes caught a glimpse of an unmistakable shade of blonde.
His heart almost jumped from its place and cut off all blood in his replica of a mortal body. Too excited to see her again even though they haven't seen each other for merely a day.
"Traveller! Fancy meeting you here." He had said, trying to sound all casual while getting her to join him on his experiment that day. Which was easy for the two of them since they worked together on jobs all of the time.
Apparently Lumine was able to see the non-existent friends as well. And so they went around, discovering all kinds of secrets. The best part for him was when they'd both lean into the binoculars, each looking through one lens so they'd react together. While Paimon of course kept complaining about feeling left out.
He loved hearing her little gasps and smelling the flowers in her hair.
That day started off so sweet, like a dream. He couldn't ask for more, though some wine would've definitely made it better. But one thing led to another, and the three of them had discovered Stanley's secret. The fact that he was never Stanley… but Hans instead.
They saved a lost soul that day.
But Venti did not feel that great anymore. As he stared at the starry sky he remembered the fact that no matter how many centuries had passed, he was still a copy as well. Stanley's story was all too familiar to this bard, and no one knew that but himself.
When she found him sitting at the hands of the Archon statue, Lumine had actually called out to him and he could hear the concern in her voice.
As he took a swig from the cider that Jack gave him for his help earlier, he laughed and told the traveller to come sit by. That night, the story of the bard and the wind spirit was uncovered as he swept off the dust over his truth.
On no occasion would he present these facts to anyone, but the traveller had always been a good listener, making whoever she was talking to spill more than they had intended.
Much to Paimon's dismay, Lumine had her leave them be for a bit, for Paimon was too dense to realise what happened at the end of the story.
And so, they sat together, him with the refreshing cider and the wind caressing his hair as he sighed. Not a word, just silence as she kept him company.
The grief of loss never truly leaves, but a person eventually gets accustomed to dealing with it and moves on. Though some days, it can get the best of anyone.
And sometimes even the lissome wind grows heavy with its grief, but while mortals can not witness it, it still flows and thrives regardless.
The day Lumine left for Liyue, he found himself in turmoil. It got worse each day without her. He missed the days of exploring together, he somehow missed taking commissions and making others happy as they fulfilled their requests, he missed running to the Knights of Favonius headquarters to surprise the traveller on the window of the room they'd given her to stay in, and missed passing out in that same room after a night of drinking in the tavern.
Every day as he played with Der Frühling, he'd imagine the traveller in the crowd, cheering for him like she always used to. And somehow, his songs would more often than not lean towards the romantic side. His listeners seemed to love it too, some even getting teary-eyed at the words of yearning.
One day, Diluc had even asked if there was a reason behind the recent changes. "It's got nothing to do with me so I don't care, but it's my business so I'm wondering."
Venti had no idea what to respond for once, still wondering what was wrong with him. He replied with a simple "I just sing whatever comes to mind." Making the redhead raise a brow as he poured him a drink, "Well, the patrons seem to like it. So keep up the good work."
The next day he went to the library, finding the librarian casually sitting under a lamp with a book in hand. "Miss Lisa! Good afternoon, pray tell where I can find books about… hmm… love?"
She paid him no mind until the last word hung in the air. Now he got her attention, her purple eyes glinting with a hint of amusement, "Oh my, is this for inspiration or something more interesting?"
Venti smiled, despite how unnervingly fast she caught on. "Research, of course!" She radiated mischievousness even with how uncaring the boy looked on the topic.
"Is that so…" She giggled, "Well, there are many books about love, and there are many types of love." Lisa put an arm to her chest, leaning a bit to his height level as she smiled playfully. "So you'd have to be a bit more specific than that, darling."
Venti couldn't hide his sigh, there was no running away from her. "I just want to know how someone can tell they're in love."
"That's ironic." He cast a glance at her knowing gaze as she continued her thoughts. "The bard that helps others with their romantic endeavours is asking for advice on the same topic?" True as she was, Venti does occasionally give advice to lost individuals, for mora of course. This was not a topic he would shy from, that's why he wouldn't let Lisa of all people have the upper hand to tease him on it. It was just that for someone like Venti, he never had to deal with this himself.
"If you would spare me your speculations Miss Lisa, I'd be most grateful."
The Librarian laughed softly, rolling her eyes. "Alright, you could find what you're looking for in the section at the back of the second floor. To the left."
"You have my gratitude." He spared Lisa no glance as he turned on his heels, but as he walked away he heard her words.
"You could also just ask yourself how you'd feel at the touch of their lips, your answer would be crystal clear then."
When he turned around to look at her in disbelief for what she just suggested, he found her sitting again, continuing to read her book and feigning innocence.
Venti's steps quickened, he was not shy about this, not at all, but now he was imagining things that felt like a violation towards his best friend, and it only got worse after skimming a couple of the books she led him to. They described way more than he had anticipated and gave him way too many scenarios to imagine.
What had Lisa done?
That night, to get rid of all his thoughts and emotions, he had started a drinking spree. Kaeya watched him in amusement as he spent all of his savings, gulping drink after drink. "Woah there, calm your horses or you'll expire before the sun rises again." Due to how many times they'd seen each other in the tavern, the two weren't strangers, but they weren't close enough to be friends either.
Still, seeing anyone in a state like this would be concerning.
"Expire? No way! Ahaha, I feel great." He turned to look at Charles who was working his shift that night. "Another shot if you please!"
"I am certain you cannot handle another, physically and… financially." Kaeya interjected. "Charles, leave him be."
The man behind the counter nodded in agreement before going back to his work. Kaeya, a gentle soul despite his usual teasing attitude, tried to help the bard off his stool. Or more like fought with him while the other kicked and yelled at him in a drunken state.
"Hey! Who do you think you are? I'll have you know I'm-!" Venti suddenly clasped a hand over his mouth, teal eyes as wide as saucers. Kaeya couldn't even have a second to question what was going on with him before being hit by a powerful blast of anemo launching him backwards onto the counter and the boy in question through the now broken tavern door and into the sky.
"Ow ow ow-" The cavalry captain stood up again, rubbing his back, only to see everyone staring wide eyed at him and the hole that replaced a wooden door. "Well… That was unexpected." He laughed while Charles freaked out behind him, talking about how Diluc will definitely not let the bard get away with this and take every single mora he might have in his possession.
Turns out, Charles was one hundred percent correct. As Diluc hunted Venti down as soon as he heard of what happened and made him pay for the cost of all the damage he's done and the wine bottles he had blasted. Venti didn't even have that kind of mora, which was why he had to bid farewell to his beloved dandelion wine and apple cider as he spent the next months gaining mora only to have it all go to the red-head. Wine-less through it all, and with no way to get his mind off of Lumine anymore.
At that point, his answer was as prominent as the sun in the sky. He was definitely in love with an outlander, a traveller from the stars, such is his luck.
Such feelings would only be a nuisance for a traveller, so he had decided that when she came back as she promised, he would keep these emotions hidden.
But Venti was new to this, so he had not anticipated how he'd react after seeing her again. He couldn't control his own actions as he let everything spill out. He was in a euphoric state for seeing her again that he couldn't think about anything else, Lumine had cast a magic spell on him the moment she rushed into his arms.
When his eyes landed on the silhouette of Mondstadt in the distance, he realised that being the god of freedom has always been both a blessing and a curse. It would be hypocritical of him to put chains on their emotions when the message of his own city is to follow your heart. Maybe that's why his own body and heart betrayed his brain and he came onto her like a madman.
Venti sighed, admiring the traveller's sleeping features again. The traveller who did everything to help others, whose light so bright it purified everything she touched. But cursed with the inability to rid herself of her own darkness. Perhaps instead of getting rid of negativity, she was absorbing it all along.
At least at this moment, she was happy, and he was too.
"What is ahead of us might laden my heart with rue,
But when you keep on shining,
I see our stars aligning,
And I want to face it all with you."