[ It was an alarming and surprising sensation. It started mild, like a buzz in the back of your mind that pestered, and then it struck him. This sudden upset, distress, and he knows it isn't his own. He has no reason to be upset himself. He's had a good day performing and engaging with people on the street that he meets. He felt pretty light up until that moment. At which time he dismissed himself from a couple of disappointed individuals he promises to perform for at a later time.
There's only one person that this feeling could belong to. Xiao is the only person bonded to Venti in the way that they are. And that is why he acts almost immediately. Instrument still strapped to him, he finds a private place to speak the other's name into the ring and get his location.
Within moments, he's feet away from that door, and so he approaches it as quickly as he possibly can. Xiao is behind there, and there's something wrong with him. And for once, Venti wants to ensure he's there for the other when he needs him.
[ The idea of looking at paintings had seemed innocuous and he'd really not paid the rumors much mind. So he'd visited the temple, but no sooner had he even stepped into the room than he'd heard a pair of giggles behind him just scant seconds before the door closed.
He'd initially meant to go after them, but everything suddenly went pitch-black. Deathly quiet. It had Xiao on edge and he stepped forwards, but there was nothing at first... not until he realized at some point his spear had materialized and was pointed upwards. Light slowly filled his immediate area and the scene that had met his eyes became burned into his mind in seconds.
Hanging off of the end of his spear like a ragdoll was an impaled Venti, blood dripping down to where his hands were gripping his weapon. He immediately froze and willed the weapon to disappear, catching the unmoving archon in his arms before setting him down. That's when he realized that all around him lie the very bloodied, dead forms of Aether, Diluc, Lumine and Zhongli and immediately his throat felt tight. ]
....This can't be real.. It's not...
[ He growled out the words, pain clutching at his chest like a vice. It was in that second that it became obvious that all of their bodies had a faint black 'aura' coming off of them like smoke. Corruption. ]
My debt.. it... I...
[ Xiao couldn't move, rooted into place now with his eyes wide. He didn't want this here, it was so real and painful and he hated everything about it. That's when a female voice spoke up, echoing all around him.
'You had to do it. They were corrupted. There was no saving them. Death was a mercy for them, and the fate of everyone who gets close to you.'
It circled him and he shook his head, eyes transfixed on the blood on his hands. He had to ignore this. This wasn't... He couldn't...
'You haven't realized it, either. That you were never truly free from me, Alatus.'
Shackles materialized and began to pull him down to his knees, holding him there and left to stare at the unmoving bodies before him. He couldn't breathe. His chest hurt. This needed to stop. That's what had Xiao gritting his teeth, shaking and trembling as a raw scream left his lips.
He then suddenly found himself on the ground just inside the door of the room, pale and eyes wide with fear until he looked up. Venti was there.. but was it real or just his imagination? ]
V-Venti... I... I... Are you... really here?
[ The words wouldn't even come out properly, choked out and pained as he reached a hand out for his boyfriend. ]
[ He says it almost instinctually. The words come so easily to Venti that he doesn't even really realize he said them (although he means them, every bit of them). He swiftly steps towards the other, wrapping his fingers around Xiao's. He tugs, pulling the other into his arms without even a moment of hesitation. Seeing him like this...is so painful. What he felt through the bond seems to have been replaced by an ache in his chest that he feels when he sees Xiao hurting. Xiao, the love of his life. Is this how he felt when he saw Venti in those rougher moments? No wonder... no wonder he was so protective.
Because all Venti wants to do is make sure he never sees Xiao hurt like this again. He wraps his arms around his shoulders for a moment, burying his face in the other's hair. ]
It's me. I'm real.
[ He rests a hand on the back of his head. ]
I'm going to take you home, away from this terrible place.
[ All he wants to do is hold onto him, keep him close, and reassure him. He wants to prove that he can be as reliable in his care as Xiao is with him. Because no matter how he behaves, or who he engages with or cares about - Xiao is the only one for him. It's as if every bit of the other's being fits perfectly into his own. And it hurts seeing the one person you've spent lifetimes caring for - maybe even loving - hurting.
For Xiao he would be a strong, fearsome Barbatos should he need to be. For Xiao, he'd fight harder than he ever has. And in seeing the other like this - Venti realized that he would do anything, absolutely anything Xiao asked of him, no matter the cost.
[ The imagery from before is so coldly burned into his mind that he can almost still see it when his eyes close, and it's making him doubt for a second that this isn't real. His chest is tight and like someone's clutching it in a vice grip, until he feels that warmth as Venti not only took his hand but pulled him into his arms.
So warm. Real.
He spent centuries being strong, fighting and standing tall. This was such a rarity, being reduced to such a state that he could hardly think properly. All that mattered now was Venti being here, alive with his face buried into his hair and it had this wetness rolling down his cheeks that he could only recognize as tears. ]
You're alive... I... thought i'd killed you... I couldn't...
[ Xiao doesn't even feel like himself right now, even as he tried to put the pieces of himself back together properly. Remembering to breathe was hard, so he just focused on the hand on the back of his head and those kind words that sounded like heaven to him.
This was the real him underneath all of that.
The only one who would even have a shred of what happened to him those years ago may certainly be the anemo archon himself, but more importantly his boyfriend who was with him. This person who he can't see himself without, and has loved for longer than he even was aware of. ]
Alright. I really don't... want to be here anymore.
[ As long as Venti didn't let go of him, he'd go anywhere with him. He no longer wanted to be near those paintings. All that mattered was this warmth and assurance that this was the real, waking world. That his karmic debts hadn't caught up with him, and that he truly was free. ]
[ Well, never say never. It's unlikely, at least. Xiao rarely cries, and seeing him upset and hurt makes Venti want to wreak havoc upon this place. It makes him want to use the magic that they taught him here. Raise the ground, burn it down, destroy. Be the Archon who fought in wars. Be the Archon that isn't the soft, easy-going one that Mondstadt knows now, but instead the one that only stories and books remember.
That - and perhaps Xiao.
It's difficult to relax, it's difficult to not show that he's upset and angry on Xiao's behalf. Because he doesn't know if Xiao wants him to be, and he's not about to assume something the other wants of him. He reaches down, scooping Xiao into his arms and holding him close - it's easy to carry him, he supposes. He doesn't say anything just nods because he doesn't want Xiao to be here, either. He doesn't want either of them in this city. As long as Xiao doesn't protest Venti carrying him - after a quick moment, he teleports them, and within a minute - they're in Tokyo. ]
[ Each breath was slow, focusing on each one alongside the sound of Venti's voice. He knew his love was right, that he'd never truly lay a hand on him or even remotely entertain the thought of harming him. This archon with him had stories that preceded him, everything he'd done and it was impressive while relaying a real strength that he almost wished he could have laid eyes upon.
If Venti was actually mad he wouldn't be upset about it in the slightest, knowing if anyone would be mad about this turn of events that his boyfriend had all rights to be.
Being pulled into those warm arms, to be held and kept safe? Xiao practically leaned into it, his strength sapped from his limbs that still held a small tremble to them. Never again did he ever want to face that part of his past again, the memory of cold shackles and bitter dreams he never wanted to consume still vivid enough in his mind after all this time. He closed his eyes and savored this closeness, allowing Venti to carry him this time since he knew he probably couldn't have on his own.
The shift happened so quickly, and yet Xiao felt like he could breathe properly again. It meant they were away from there, surely. ]
...I... I hope i'm not heavy or hard to carry, love...
[ It's quiet but it was the only thing he could even think of offering right now, head still somewhat reeling. ]
[ Having Xiao in his arms made everything easier. Easier to focus on what he needs to do and who he wants to care about than that quiet desire to be angry about how hurt the other was. Now is the time to console Xiao, reassure him that he loves him. Let him know that he's here for him and he's not going anywhere. He knows the other has been through a lot at home.
Xiao is light, he thinks. Light enough for him to carry and hold without a problem, at least. He'd hold the other here in his arms forever if it meant that he'd be safe for that time. But since he can't have forever, he'll take all that he can now. He pulls him in close against his chest, not wanting to let go of him yet. ]
You're not too hard to carry. You're not too heavy. I could hold you for awhile.
[ It almost sounds like he's asking for permission to. ]
[ Just like this now, he can take in the pure silence along with the warmth Venti provided when he'd pulled him close. If this lasted an eternity he wouldn't have any complaints whatsoever, the tension melting from him easily.
There's a soft smile and a light chuckle that whispered out as he heard those words. He can almost hear Venti's heart with him this close, with his head nestled where it was and it was an impossibly soothing thing in itself. His love. His one and only person who was his world and all that mattered right now. ]
I'd... like it if you did.
[ Soft, glowing teal lights materialize like little fireflies around them in this moment, and it would be oh so clear just how at ease he was. Archons, he could almost fall asleep like this. ]
[ If Xiao asks, Venti's going to give. He can't help himself. He wants to give this to the other. He wants to hold him close. He wants to keep him in his arms forever. He wants to reassure him and make sure that he knows that he loves him. That he's his entire world right now. That he will do anything Xiao asks, because he knows Xiao doesn't ask for a lot.
And right now, he needs comfort. So instead of going to their room, he shifts to the small, comfortable couch. Much like the one he had cuddled up with Xiao on after the other had rescued him. And he takes a seat there. He doesn't move Xiao at all, instead shifts his arms from holding the other up, to wrapping around him and tugging him in as close as he can. ]
If you tell me as long as I want, I'll never let go.
[ Honestly he had no complaints whatsoever, easily shifting to curl himself more against Venti as comfortably as he could. This impossibly warm, safe place was his and he didn't need to put his guard up. Not here. ]
You're... really too sweet sometimes... my Venti.
[ It's almost barely audible, feeling so at ease and relaxed as he reached a hand up to brush his fingers up along Venti's cheek lightly. He's warm, soft and kind. Sometimes he wonders what he did to deserve this kind of happiness. ]
An eternity in your arms... it really does sound nice.
[ He moves a hand over Xiao's back, his eyes meeting the others. He sounds sincere, earnest. Xiao really does deserve someone being sweet to him. He needs to be treated well. He's amazing. He has a good heart, he watches after his people. He appears when he is needed. He's done a lot for Liyue. This is the least someone can do for him. Venti makes a note to always make sure to do small things for Xiao. ]
Then you can have me. Forever.
[ Or as long as they both live, which will be a long time still, he hopes. ]
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closed to xiao.
There's only one person that this feeling could belong to. Xiao is the only person bonded to Venti in the way that they are. And that is why he acts almost immediately. Instrument still strapped to him, he finds a private place to speak the other's name into the ring and get his location.
Within moments, he's feet away from that door, and so he approaches it as quickly as he possibly can. Xiao is behind there, and there's something wrong with him. And for once, Venti wants to ensure he's there for the other when he needs him.
He pulls it open. ]
CW: blood, impalement, death.
He'd initially meant to go after them, but everything suddenly went pitch-black. Deathly quiet. It had Xiao on edge and he stepped forwards, but there was nothing at first... not until he realized at some point his spear had materialized and was pointed upwards. Light slowly filled his immediate area and the scene that had met his eyes became burned into his mind in seconds.
Hanging off of the end of his spear like a ragdoll was an impaled Venti, blood dripping down to where his hands were gripping his weapon. He immediately froze and willed the weapon to disappear, catching the unmoving archon in his arms before setting him down. That's when he realized that all around him lie the very bloodied, dead forms of Aether, Diluc, Lumine and Zhongli and immediately his throat felt tight. ]
....This can't be real.. It's not...
[ He growled out the words, pain clutching at his chest like a vice. It was in that second that it became obvious that all of their bodies had a faint black 'aura' coming off of them like smoke. Corruption. ]
My debt.. it... I...
[ Xiao couldn't move, rooted into place now with his eyes wide. He didn't want this here, it was so real and painful and he hated everything about it. That's when a female voice spoke up, echoing all around him.
'You had to do it. They were corrupted. There was no saving them. Death was a mercy for them, and the fate of everyone who gets close to you.'
It circled him and he shook his head, eyes transfixed on the blood on his hands. He had to ignore this. This wasn't... He couldn't...
'You haven't realized it, either. That you were never truly free from me, Alatus.'
Shackles materialized and began to pull him down to his knees, holding him there and left to stare at the unmoving bodies before him. He couldn't breathe. His chest hurt. This needed to stop. That's what had Xiao gritting his teeth, shaking and trembling as a raw scream left his lips.
He then suddenly found himself on the ground just inside the door of the room, pale and eyes wide with fear until he looked up. Venti was there.. but was it real or just his imagination? ]
V-Venti... I... I... Are you... really here?
[ The words wouldn't even come out properly, choked out and pained as he reached a hand out for his boyfriend. ]
no subject
[ He says it almost instinctually. The words come so easily to Venti that he doesn't even really realize he said them (although he means them, every bit of them). He swiftly steps towards the other, wrapping his fingers around Xiao's. He tugs, pulling the other into his arms without even a moment of hesitation. Seeing him like this...is so painful. What he felt through the bond seems to have been replaced by an ache in his chest that he feels when he sees Xiao hurting. Xiao, the love of his life. Is this how he felt when he saw Venti in those rougher moments? No wonder... no wonder he was so protective.
Because all Venti wants to do is make sure he never sees Xiao hurt like this again. He wraps his arms around his shoulders for a moment, burying his face in the other's hair. ]
It's me. I'm real.
[ He rests a hand on the back of his head. ]
I'm going to take you home, away from this terrible place.
[ All he wants to do is hold onto him, keep him close, and reassure him. He wants to prove that he can be as reliable in his care as Xiao is with him. Because no matter how he behaves, or who he engages with or cares about - Xiao is the only one for him. It's as if every bit of the other's being fits perfectly into his own. And it hurts seeing the one person you've spent lifetimes caring for - maybe even loving - hurting.
For Xiao he would be a strong, fearsome Barbatos should he need to be. For Xiao, he'd fight harder than he ever has. And in seeing the other like this - Venti realized that he would do anything, absolutely anything Xiao asked of him, no matter the cost.
But for now, he's just not going to let go. ]
no subject
So warm. Real.
He spent centuries being strong, fighting and standing tall. This was such a rarity, being reduced to such a state that he could hardly think properly. All that mattered now was Venti being here, alive with his face buried into his hair and it had this wetness rolling down his cheeks that he could only recognize as tears. ]
You're alive... I... thought i'd killed you... I couldn't...
[ Xiao doesn't even feel like himself right now, even as he tried to put the pieces of himself back together properly. Remembering to breathe was hard, so he just focused on the hand on the back of his head and those kind words that sounded like heaven to him.
This was the real him underneath all of that.
The only one who would even have a shred of what happened to him those years ago may certainly be the anemo archon himself, but more importantly his boyfriend who was with him. This person who he can't see himself without, and has loved for longer than he even was aware of. ]
Alright. I really don't... want to be here anymore.
[ As long as Venti didn't let go of him, he'd go anywhere with him. He no longer wanted to be near those paintings. All that mattered was this warmth and assurance that this was the real, waking world. That his karmic debts hadn't caught up with him, and that he truly was free. ]
no subject
[ Well, never say never. It's unlikely, at least. Xiao rarely cries, and seeing him upset and hurt makes Venti want to wreak havoc upon this place. It makes him want to use the magic that they taught him here. Raise the ground, burn it down, destroy. Be the Archon who fought in wars. Be the Archon that isn't the soft, easy-going one that Mondstadt knows now, but instead the one that only stories and books remember.
That - and perhaps Xiao.
It's difficult to relax, it's difficult to not show that he's upset and angry on Xiao's behalf. Because he doesn't know if Xiao wants him to be, and he's not about to assume something the other wants of him. He reaches down, scooping Xiao into his arms and holding him close - it's easy to carry him, he supposes. He doesn't say anything just nods because he doesn't want Xiao to be here, either. He doesn't want either of them in this city. As long as Xiao doesn't protest Venti carrying him - after a quick moment, he teleports them, and within a minute - they're in Tokyo. ]
no subject
If Venti was actually mad he wouldn't be upset about it in the slightest, knowing if anyone would be mad about this turn of events that his boyfriend had all rights to be.
Being pulled into those warm arms, to be held and kept safe? Xiao practically leaned into it, his strength sapped from his limbs that still held a small tremble to them. Never again did he ever want to face that part of his past again, the memory of cold shackles and bitter dreams he never wanted to consume still vivid enough in his mind after all this time. He closed his eyes and savored this closeness, allowing Venti to carry him this time since he knew he probably couldn't have on his own.
The shift happened so quickly, and yet Xiao felt like he could breathe properly again. It meant they were away from there, surely. ]
...I... I hope i'm not heavy or hard to carry, love...
[ It's quiet but it was the only thing he could even think of offering right now, head still somewhat reeling. ]
no subject
Xiao is light, he thinks. Light enough for him to carry and hold without a problem, at least. He'd hold the other here in his arms forever if it meant that he'd be safe for that time. But since he can't have forever, he'll take all that he can now. He pulls him in close against his chest, not wanting to let go of him yet. ]
You're not too hard to carry. You're not too heavy. I could hold you for awhile.
[ It almost sounds like he's asking for permission to. ]
no subject
There's a soft smile and a light chuckle that whispered out as he heard those words. He can almost hear Venti's heart with him this close, with his head nestled where it was and it was an impossibly soothing thing in itself. His love. His one and only person who was his world and all that mattered right now. ]
I'd... like it if you did.
[ Soft, glowing teal lights materialize like little fireflies around them in this moment, and it would be oh so clear just how at ease he was. Archons, he could almost fall asleep like this. ]
Keep me close... hold me as long as you want to.
no subject
And right now, he needs comfort. So instead of going to their room, he shifts to the small, comfortable couch. Much like the one he had cuddled up with Xiao on after the other had rescued him. And he takes a seat there. He doesn't move Xiao at all, instead shifts his arms from holding the other up, to wrapping around him and tugging him in as close as he can. ]
If you tell me as long as I want, I'll never let go.
no subject
You're... really too sweet sometimes... my Venti.
[ It's almost barely audible, feeling so at ease and relaxed as he reached a hand up to brush his fingers up along Venti's cheek lightly. He's warm, soft and kind. Sometimes he wonders what he did to deserve this kind of happiness. ]
An eternity in your arms... it really does sound nice.
no subject
[ He moves a hand over Xiao's back, his eyes meeting the others. He sounds sincere, earnest. Xiao really does deserve someone being sweet to him. He needs to be treated well. He's amazing. He has a good heart, he watches after his people. He appears when he is needed. He's done a lot for Liyue. This is the least someone can do for him. Venti makes a note to always make sure to do small things for Xiao. ]
Then you can have me. Forever.
[ Or as long as they both live, which will be a long time still, he hopes. ]