Ready for a rehearsal?

Xiao flinched faintly at the touch, wanting to turn his cheek to meet with Venti's fingertips, but only paused and allowed his hair to be brushed back. A slow breath left him, along with any tension in his shoulder, as if Venti's mere touch had the ability to melt away his pain..

He made no further comment, watching as Venti settled down and offered him that smile. It was enough for him, and so he quickly settled in.

Instead of sitting beside him, Xiao's head would find it's way straight into Venti's lap, head nuzzled against his thigh in a silent demand for his affections. This way, he was more comfortable, staring out into the darkened sky out above the land of freedom.

As Xiao settled against his lap, Venti welcomed the gesture. Humming softly as his hand returned to Xiao's head to pet through their hair. It felt like such a rare sight at times, but he always enjoyed it when the yaksha's more affectionate side came out.

It wasn't difficult to pick up on Xiao's desires, even if they refused to put them into words themselves. After having his bit of fun teasing them, Venti was happy to oblige.

After sitting in silence for a few moments, Venti reached his hand out. A faint glow filled his palm before manifesting into a flute. Quietly thinking to himself on what to play, Venti eventually brought it to his lips. A gentle melody ringing out over the hill from which they sat.

'I've missed your call'.

Words he wanted to say died on his tongue, as the Yaksha's expression only further softened, moving closer still to close the gap between them, but he would not yet lean any further into Venti's touches.

"Liyue remains safe.." voice was soft, carrying his earlier wishes in hopes the bard would understand his desires.

"Many things plague the mind, though it is best not to allow such things to cloud my judgement, when the protection of all I hold dear remains my top priority.." Venti and Evan being two of those most precious to him.. "I will be alright."

At Xiao's words, Venti's smile faltered for a moment. A look of sadness in his eyes before a softer smile pulled at his lips. As the yaksha approached, Venti's hand moved up, combing fingers through the other's hair before tucking a loose strand behind their ear.

"Always the vigilant one..." Venti repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

He pulled away, turning his attention back to the view of Mondstadt before taking a seat in the grass. Turning his head, he flashed a smile. A silent invitation for the other to join him.

"Perhaps I feel as though Mondstadst's guardian doesn't try enough to protect his land.." But that was beyond a lie. Xiao always knew Venti was more than capable to protect Mondstadt.. but he was infact the one looking over Venti.

"..Are you well?" Gaze softened, and a desire to reach out to touch the god of anemo was strong.. but he was ever as hesitant.

"How rude! I'll have you know things have been quite quiet within Mondstadt as of late. So much so I ended up falling asleep for a short while." Venti mused, stretching his arms out above his head before out in front of him.

The bard didn't miss the softened look within Xiao's eyes, or the look of hesitation. He took a step closer, stepping directly into Xiao's line of sight with a tilt of his head.

"The more important question should be if you are alright? You look as if you have something on your mind."

Although the gust was strong, it would take more than that to truly cause him to stumble. Xiao leaned forward just a bit, before turning his focus on the voice from behind him, golden gaze piercing.

"Evil lurks in all corners of the darkness, it is always watching," he responded simply, moving to take a step closer to the one before him.

"..So one must always be prepared to strike."

"Of course. Always the vigilant one." Venti hummed, coming to a stop once he was at Xiao's side. His gaze shifted to where Xiao was previously looking. Glancing over the plains of Mondstadt, the bard couldn't help but chuckle.

"Not only watching over one nation, but the neighboring nation as well, it would seem."

Alone he stands along the border of Mondstadt, mask in one hand, polearm held tight in the other, gaze watchful with a softness over the land of wind..

It's been quite some time since he's last heard the soothing sounds of a certain flute.. He wouldn't mind hearing it once more.

A strong breeze blew against the Yaksha's back. Perhaps not strong enough to push them over, but if they were distracted enough, it would offset their balance.

"Duties never rest, now do they?" A playful voice could be heard from behind. Hands behind his back as Venti took a step closer.

"Hmm... Was it really just a lack of energy?"

Evan ignored the comment about being 'almost offended'. It was playful banter, something that might be something Venti was using to lighten the mood and avoid anything bothering him.

Evan rested a hand on Venti's cheek, cupping it gently.

"... You know I'm not one to press you for the truth or answers," he started. "I just hope... you know that if something bothers you, that you can always come find me. I'll never be too far away, my love. I'll always be by your side, no matter what."

#🍏IC #🍏V: Power of Fallen Gods #starlitwishes #Venti vc: Nothing to see here! Move along now pls

With Evan's words, a softer, more genuine smile pulled at Venti's lips. Cupping Evan's hand with his own, Venti placed a gentle kiss to the other's palm before nuzzling into it.

"I know, truly I do. I also know my actions may seem... standoffish at times, but believe me when I say I cherish you, more than anything in this world. I never wish to break your trust, my Windblume, my songbird, my muse."

"Hmph... of course not," Wrenn grumbled. "I've already tried writing poems in the past. It's not my thing."

In other words.... he's terrible at it.

"Don't assume I've never tried it just because I said I don't do it."

"Color me impressed. I must say, now I'm quite interested in what you've written in the past. What type of thoughts have you scribbled down I wonder..." Venti held a melody in his tone as he watched Wrenn closely.

"Ah, but now I'm getting off track. Perhaps you've given it too much thought and were held back by frustration? After all, poetry isn't meant to be scaled on whether you have produced the correct amount of syllables or incorporated the appropriate amount of rhymes. Or... maybe the frustrations have been caused my the words and meaning behind themselves?"

#🍏IC #starlitwishes

"You sure have!"

Evan is now spinning them both around--he's just so happy to see you Venti!!!

"You've been gone for so long, my love--have you truly been asleep this whole time?" Evan finally finally stops spinning them around, putting Venti down on the ground. "I thought perhaps you went and wandered off without me..."

Evan started frowning, however, as he started checking over Venti.

"Are you all right? What made you sleep for so long...?"

#🍏IC #starlitwishes #🍏V: Power of Fallen Gods

"Ehe, I'm almost offended that you would think I'd run off without you by my side." Venti mused, his hold on Evan growing tighter as they began to spin him around.

Once placed back on the ground, Venti quickly noticed the shift in Evan's expression. He should have known his sleep would rise some concerns. Any excuse he had would most likely only cause Evan to worry further.

Forcing a smile, Venti cupped Evan's face, squishing it playfully as if he was trying to remold their frown away. "I'm perfectly fine. At times, I just need to sleep to regain some energy."

Startled!!! Bristled!!! Man, this guy... he always seemed to appear out of nowhere, didn't he?

The advice was solid, but Wrenn only huffed in return.

"I don't write poetry. Besides, how would writing poetry help, anyway?"

#🍏IC #🍏answered #starlitwishes

That was quite a reaction. Venti couldn't hide his lip from curling slightly at the startled look he received. It was a rare sight, might as well enjoy it.

"I would more like to know how you think it wouldn't help despite never attempting. Are you also a child that will turn your nose up at vegetables before tasting them?" Venti hummed, lazily leaning back where he sat.

#🍏IC #starlitwishes

@starlitwishes Asked:

Evan sees Venti. Evan practically jumps on him and lifts him up in a big hug. Now Venti is getting smothered with kisses. He's missed you!!!

With a high pitched squeal as he was lifted, it quickly dissolved into a series of giggles. Wrapping his arms around Evan's neck for support.

"It would seem I've fallen asleep for a little too long. I believe saying I was missed would be an understatement."

"It must difficult experiencing emotions that you can't put into words. Perhaps writing some poetry would do the trick."

#🍏ic #🍏dash commentary #Venti just casually keeping tabs on everyone with an anemo vision #Also Rye wanted my Venti muse to wake up so here #Have a brat

Oh, what an impatient boyfriend he had. It made Evan snicker and stop nibbling on the pocky stick. Maybe that was against the rules of the game, sure, but it was more fun to be an absolute tease anyway.

#🍏IC #🍏V: Power of Fallen Gods #starlitwishes #Very gay

Seeing Evan not fighting it, Venti took his reward happily. It didn't last long, just a short kiss, but Venti was quick to pull out another pocky.

"Care to play again?"

"Pocky..?" he squinted at the stick he was being poked with, mouth opening to chomp down on the whole thing.

"Is that what you're playing with? What is it?"

#🍏IC #🍏V: Power of Fallen Gods #viigilant

As Xiao bit down, Venti pulled his hand away, shaking it as if fearful of loosing a finger.

"A popular candy from Inazuma. There's supposedly a holiday dedicated to sharing them with others." Venti pulled out another, holding it up for Xiao to take, hopefully more gently this time.

He's silent as he grins wider, nibbling on the other end of the stick. He learned from last year, Venti--he knows how to play this game now!