Fluff, sfw, hurt/comfort kinda?, Venti x reader, Diluc and Katheryne mentioned, gn!reader, I overuse commas, uhhh idk what to do here really
Reader is humming/singing a tune, it’s 500 miles by Peter, Paul and Mary
You were at a table alone in the corner of Angels Share. Diluc kept glancing at you, you had stopped paying attention to him checking on you. He was giving a respectful distance, as you had requested. You were grateful for that. You didn’t want to upset anyone, but putting on a cheery mood was out of your reach. You were staring into your mug, only a few sips drank from it. You began to hum.
It was soft, barely audible. You couldn’t even hear it over the din of the bar. It was a short tune, just the chorus.
“I don’t know that song.” Venti’s eyes were shimmering in awe.
You hadn’t even heard him approach. You stared at the mug, willing the tears stinging your eyes not to fall.
Venti welcomed himself into the seat across from you, leaning towards the table to try and glimpse your face.
“It’s from my world.” You didn’t move. Perhaps his power to know every song past, present, and future only included Teyvat.
“Amazing! Did you create it while you were there?” He seemed so excited. Somehow it made your mood worse. You felt guilty, wanting to go home while they had all waiting for you for so long.
“It’s not mine.” You punctuated the sentence with a small sniffle.
“Does it have words?” He probably hoped his interest would cheer you up. That or he just didn’t notice or care that you were upset. The thought made you frown, ever so slightly. You nodded.
“You have to sing it for me!” He grabbed your hands, his skin soft as a breeze an smooth as glass. You got up, leaving your drink and Venti behind as you walked out of the bar. Thankfully he didn’t follow you.
Unfortunately for you, he didn’t forget. The next morning, as you were practicing with Noelle, you noticed him standing of to the side, bouncing on his feet. As you walked away from the training grounds, avoiding him as best you could, he called out to you, running to catch up. Even running he made hardly any sound. Perks of being light on his feet you supposed. He also caught up rather quickly, despite your not-so-subtle speed walk. He grabbed your arm, pulling himself close to your side.
“When are you gonna sing me that song?”
“I’m not singing it for you Venti.” You had a small smile, enough for him to know it wasn’t meant to be cruel. Of course, that wouldn’t stop him from taking it that way.
“Seriously! I can’t believe it! After all the beautiful songs I’ve wrote and sung for you and you won’t sing me this one?” He pouted, and to his credit it was pretty endearing. You grabbed his nose between your fingers and gently swung his head around.
“I never asked you to. You chose to of your own accord.” Your eyebrows quirked a bit, emphasizing your point. You had walked all the way to Katheryne with the pace you had set. “I need to complete these commissions. I’ll see you Venti.” You gently disentangled yourself from him, going over to accept your commissions for the day.
The next few days were no better. Venti constantly found you, bombarding you and begging you, wanting “nothing more than to hear a new song on your beautiful voice.” You had rolled your eyes at that one. One day, when you saw him catch sight of you, you rushed into the Cats Tail, to keep him away. You thought it had worked, when you saw him pouting from a safe distance outside. When you looked back and he wasn’t there, you assumed he had given up. Then you heard him call out to you. And then sneeze. Twice.
“Venti?” You quirked a questioning brow.
“Ah, tis I, you loyal-“ he was cut off by a series of violent sneezes. When he looked up you could see how red and puffy his eyes were.
“C’mon.” You dragged him out of the tavern. “Venti, you need to drop this, please. I mean seriously! You shouldn’t be going in the Cats Tail.”
“Ah, worry not! My allergy is irritating, but it won’t hurt me,” he smiled at you, his eyes starting to return to normal. He wanted to put your mind at ease. He also wanted to hear you sing.
You stood silently for a bit. Tapping your foot impatiently. You sighed, the days of pestering had gotten to you. “You promise not to make fun of me if it sounds bad?” You tilted your head slightly asking the question.
Venti looked affronted. “Any sound from you is music to my ears!” He had grabbed your shoulders, not tightly, just affectionately. You rolled your eyes again, grabbing one of his hands to lead him away. Venti took it upon himself to intertwine your fingers with his. He was practically skipping at your side. You led him to the anemo statue at Windrise, settling at its base. He helped himself to a seat in your lap. You looked past him off to the city of Mondstat.
“Lord I’m one, Lord I’m two, Lord I’m three, Lord I’m four, Lord I’m 500 miles from my home.” You stared towards the city for a bit longer, Venti still and silent in your lap. After a moment, you turned towards him. His mouth was slightly agape, and his eyes looked full of stars.
“That bad huh?” You joked with a sad smile. Venti’s face finally moved. It was more somber than you’d ever seen it, a slight frown appearing.
“You sung beautifully.” His voice was quiet. You’re sure he’d say that regardless of whether it was on-key or not. You felt tears welling in your eyes. You ducked your head below his chin, pressing your face against his chest. Your hands were gripping his clothes tightly, careful not to grab his skin and hurt him. Venti pressed his cheek onto the top of your head. He hummed quietly. It was soothing. His arms were wrapped around you, holding you close. He began to sing, softly, sadly. Songs of loss and longing and all the painful emotions you felt. You’re sure he felt the tears soaking through his shirt. He simply continues to hold you, and to sing. You both stayed like that for a long time, until the stars from his eyes grew bright in the night sky.
