Archive of Our Own

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Xiao asked, watching the book with possibly more wariness than required. There were very few people who could suggest the idea of teleporting to an alternate world outside of Teyvat through a book and not receive a scoff in response.

Venti had insisted on bringing Xiao for a “trip” as thanks for being “a good boyfriend” and helping him heal. It was a farce of an excuse since they both knew Venti would have recovered fine with or without Xiao. Despite Venti’s little game of sneaking around, he was fairly certain they were both aware that Xiao knew of Venti’s visit to the Windrise tree. 

Yet when Venti had started pacing the room almost anxiously and bubbled up a hundred attempts to persuade Xiao (“It’s only a short day trip, so it won’t take you away from your duty too much. I can help you before and after so Liyue will definitely be safe. We won’t even really be leaving Liyue since there are ways to come back basically instantly. If you want, I’ll even ask Dvalin if he’d help watch over Liyue for a bit and to call us back if anything pops up.”), it was hard not to be touched by all the considerations Venti had put into this plan. Knowing him, he must have stewed over it for far longer than he would ever admit.

Xiao would never wish to give any reason for Venti to be anxious as he had been, so it was almost too easy to agree to his plans. A part of him marvelled at the strangeness of not being immediately overwhelmed by the guilt of agreeing to leave his duty for an entire day, yet something almost strangely pleasant he could not quite name fluttered at his chest at the thought of it. 

Venti scoffed. “Of course it’s a good idea! When have I ever had a bad idea?”

“Hmm.”

“Xiao!” Venti protested in mock anger, pressing his palms against Xiao’s cheeks to squish his face.

Xiao let out a small huff of laughter. In truth, despite knowing that Venti definitely hadn’t lived for over 3000 years without ever thinking up and implementing a single bad idea, Xiao was hard-pressed to come up with a serious idea of Venti’s he truly found unappealing. 

“I’m only joking,” he appeased. Pulling Venti’s hands off his face to interlace both their hands instead, he gave Venti a tiny smile. “Let’s go?”

Venti booped their noses together. “You better be,” he grumbled. Unlacing one of their intertwined hands (Xiao did not mourn the loss of his hand), Venti reached out towards the suspiciously bright purple children’s storybook.

True to his words, they found themselves in a world besides anything Xiao had ever seen before. It was a strange, toy-like land, where everything felt almost brighter than expected. The flora was especially strange, for in place of leaf, they looked like paper foldings shaped into plants.

It was a good thing that Venti had warned Xiao of the inability to properly connect to their elemental powers in this place before entering, for the sudden loss of his power might have been much more alarming otherwise. As it is, his breath quickened slightly as his body adjusted to the new feeling. While it was oddly uncomfortable to be unable to fully connect to the usual power he had within Teyvat, there was also an odd relief to his karmic debt, as though this place untethered him from Teyvat slightly so the resentment of the dead gods could not quite reach him as easily. Strange.

Venti gave his hand a little squeeze. “All good?”

Xiao nodded.

“Great! Let’s follow the usual path then. We’ll first visit the Forest of Blessings, then pass through Constellation Metropole to get to the Broken Sea. They should certainly be interesting new sights for you.”

“Sounds good,” Xiao agreed readily, unfamiliar as he was with this new area. After all, Venti had likely already been here before, and as a close friend of the witches, he must have already had quite a few opportunities to traipse the silly universe they designed.

Venti laughed mischievously. Imitating a certain familiar little pixie, he added, “Of course it sounds good! I am the best tour guide in Simulanka after all!”

Xiao chuckled. “Lead the way then.”

“Venti!” an unfamiliar voice cried in delight, hopping up to them urgently. It was a very… bouncy little frog that strangely had two braids at its side, oddly reminiscent of Venti’s own braids. It was even tinted the same teal at the ends.

Strangely, Venti looked a little panicked, like he wanted to dart out of the way entirely and go into hiding. Although Xiao could not understand what could have possibly spooked Venti about the strange little Venti-like paper frog, it would unfortunately not be quite as easy to just teleport away given the limited powers they had within this universe.

“Wendy,” Venti said, voice oddly strained. “How lovely to see you.”

If Xiao had food in his mouth, he would certainly have spat it out. Even the name was familiar. What in the world…

“Venti, you have to help me!” The little frog cried dramatically. “Totori is ignoring me!”

The bard sighed. “Why is she ignoring you?”

“Well…” Xiao didn’t realize paper frogs could look sheepish. “I miiiight have gotten too excited a while back and gave her a biiiiig kiss in front of everyone…”

She bounced up and down in an agitated manner. “I didn’t do it on purpose! I know she’s shy, I just got so excited! But now she’s mad at me…”

“Ah,” Venti mused thoughtfully. “Perhaps you could bring her an apology gift?”

“That’s what I thought! So I won her the perfect gift at this jumping competition, only I can’t find her because she’s hiding from me.” Wendy’s structure would not allow her to physically pout, yet it did not prevent the essence of a pout from exuding from her.

“Hmm, do you know where she might be hiding?”

“Yes,” Wendy the frog replied hesitantly. “But she will know if I am coming, and she will then fly away. Oh Venti, won’t you please talk to her for me.” Fly?

Venti sighed, stroking the little frog’s head gently. “Very well.”

And so they went—onto a side quest to find Totori who was apparently not another frog and instead a paper squirrel this time. One who had definitely heard them coming, but seemed to have allowed for their approach to her tree hollow.

“Wendy sent you, didn’t she?” Totori the squirrel grumbled, without a single word of greeting.

Venti gave her his most charming smile. “Perhaps. Are you still mad?”

“I’m not mad!” she insisted. “But what if she does it again? The other residents of the Forest were cheering! That’s mortifying!!” As though embarrassed just by the memory of the moment, she turned around instantly, using her large tail to hide from them. Except in turning around, Xiao saw a flash of an oddly familiar Nuo Mask hanging off her side. What…

“Wouldn’t it be better to let her come then? At least here is far away from prying eyes,” Venti pointed out reasonably.

“No!” Totori insisted, somehow seemingly like she fluffed up in agitation despite not having any real feathers to fluff up. “If she comes, she’ll talk me into going back among everyone somehow, and then it will happen all over again!”

Venti winced as Totori let out a pitiful little wail.

“Just don’t let her talk you into it,” Xiao suggested when Venti said nothing.

“It would never work,” she lamented. “I can never say no once she’s in front of me.”

Xiao blinked. This wasn’t… oh. “She has a gift,” he blurted out.

“A gift?”

“An apology gift she won for you,” he continued softly. “She seemed awfully upset she could not give it to you.”

The little squirrel pondered. “Maybe… If she promises not to do that again…”

“Well, she can only do that if you let her come close,” Xiao told her.

The squirrel shook her tail resolutely. “Fine,” she grumbled. “Let’s go find her then.”

In the end, it turned out to be an awfully simple matter to resolve, for Wendy was certainly suitably apologetic and reserved with her public affections, and Totori was truly much more indulgent than she let on in the presence of Wendy. Yet seeing them together, with Wendy’s teal braids and Totori’s Nuo mask…

Xiao dragged Venti aside. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Venti bit his lips sheepishly. “I didn’t design them!” 

There was an odd noise that sounded strangely like a woman’s laughter muffled through distance and distortion. “Cut that out, B,” Venti grumbled. “It is your meddling nonsense that got Anya’s head spinning with these ideas.”

“These ideas?” Xiao couldn’t help asking.“Look,” Venti mumbled, a little embarrassed. “Sometimes, your friends just want to embarrass you about the crush you’ve not confessed to, okay? And then sometimes, they write caricatures of you and your crush dating into their silly little children’s story book without asking you first! It is very rude.”

“Totori is…”

“Look, they don’t know much about you,” Venti complained. “Totori isn’t really like you.”

“Hmm,” Xiao wondered. “Is Wendy like you, then? They do know you much better.”

Venti threw his arm around Xiao, face pulling into a pouty little frown. “What do you think? Do I kiss you in front of everyone?”

Xiao let out a short laugh, reaching out to ruffle Venti’s hair gently. “No,” he agreed amicably. “You’re better.”

“Of course, I am,” Venti grumbled, stomping through a puddle. “I’m not a damn frog.”

“You’re not truly mad at them for the… caricatures, are you?” Xiao asked, as they weaved in and out through the many different wooden toy people. Strangely, none of the creatures here really seemed all that unnerved by the fact that there were non-handmade creatures walking among them, though perhaps they did not really care to differentiate them.

Venti sighed, slouching dramatically. “Not really, I suppose. It’s just embarrassing… Jokes about crushes are supposed to stay within friends, not to be displayed in front of said crush!” Venti glared at the strangely shaped toy stars hanging from the sky of this universe. “Besides, these jokes are so inaccurate.”

Xiao bit his lips to stem the urge to laugh. He wasn’t quite sure Venti would appreciate that. “Well, to be fair, it’s not really a crush anymore, is it?”

“Even then!” Venti exclaimed, whirling around to face him. “There is a pretty good chance at least one of them had a hand in making those two appear too, because with so many creatures here, the chances to have run into them in such a short trip…”

Xiao gave Venti a gentle pat on the head. “I think it’s cute. I’m… glad they look out for you, even if the way they do it is… strange.”

Venti pursed his lips as though he wanted to add something, but he said nothing else. Before Xiao could decide if he wanted to ask or not, Venti continued to saunter through the place and began introducing the castle instead. He had just been spinning a story about a Fontainian mob boss being the King of said castle which Xiao was trying to decipher if it was true, exaggerated, or another entirely fanciful tale, when a loud frustrated exclamation caught his attention.

“You need to stop antagonizing those two!” a heated voice rose. Ahead of them a short distance away stood an agitated blond toy person with his hands on his hips.

The silver-haired toy person looked almost bored as he leaned back onto the bench he was sitting on. “Why? Didn’t they say they were hired to be antagonists? Arguably, I am only doing my part in antagonizing them as the plot requires.” 

The blond toy tossed his head back in exasperation so quickly that Xiao worried for the structural integrity of his head. “What an excuse! We both know the ‘antagonists’ thing is just there for theming purposes. They’re merely there to facilitate safe passage.”

“And yet, to simulate further intellectual behaviour within our populace, they were tasked to increase the difficulty for every run of the trial for each person, weren’t they?”

The blonde toy scowled, gesturing so wildly Xiao was almost worried his hands might detach and fall off. “Okay, but nobody does the trial every day like we do! Can’t you have some patience?”

The silver toy raised his fingers lazily as though counting. “One, two, three… It has been three whole days since we got a new trial.”

The blond huffed. “You mean to say—It has only been three days since we requested a new trial.”

“Three days is plenty to design a new trial.”

“They have to do it on their off-hours, you know. You know the Goddess of Creation did not give them any levels higher than that for she was not expecting this… behaviour.”

“You don’t have to sound so disgusted. You have been coming along with me the entire time and enacting this ‘behaviour’ all the same.”

The blond glared at his friend. “Only because you asked me to!”

“Are you saying you don’t want to do the trial?” The silver toy pondered aloud, almost sounding sarcastic. “Because if so—”

“That’s not what I said!” he exclaimed. “I was just saying you should maybe learn to be a little more patient!” 

Unfortunately, it seemed like the blond toy had leaned too far forward in his frustration and ended up toppling over, falling straight into the arms of the silver-haired toy. Almost comically, he landed so perfectly that their lips met. Panicked and flustered, the blond hopped up immediately, citing a client to meet as a reason for his immediate escape.

Up till that moment, Xiao had been sure the silver toy was unfazed and unbothered by the entire exchange, merely bored. Yet when the other toy left, he lifted his hands to his lips with a little smirk before finally rising from the bench to leave as well.

The silver toy had barely stepped round the corner when a giggle caught his attention. Not far from where the two toys had been arguing, he spotted two other toys huddled together at the entrance of a bridge to what is presumably their next location. Two toys with more than a passing resemblance to Venti and himself, their hands firmly clasped together.

Xiao blinked in surprise. 

Venti groaned. “Again?”

“Have you met these two as well?” 

“No, I didn’t realize there were more of these,” Venti grumbled. “It was always Wendy and Totori who they loved to shove in my face.”

Unfortunately, it seemed like the toy Venti had sharp ears much like the real Venti and raised his eyes to meet theirs. Realizing they had also been watching the blond-and-silver pair, and perhaps spotting their similarities, he lit up, ushering them over urgently. 

Confused, they obliged, heading over to where toy puppet versions of them stood.

Toy Venti giggled. “Did you see their little song and dance? Silly, isn’t it?”

Venti said nothing. Yet the toy people were looking at them expectantly, and knowing it was likely impolite to ignore them entirely—on top of the fact that the remnants of Venti’s old friend remained within the book and might well be watching—he tried his best to meet Toy Venti’s gaze. “Umm… yes?”

Toy Venti giggled again. “Mmhmm, such clever little people working hard for the king, and yet they are too silly to face their feelings head on. We’re way smarter than them, aren’t we, Svelto?”

Toy Xiao (Svelto?) nodded minutely, his eyes never leaving Toy Venti. “We didn’t take forever.”

Toy Venti nodded rigorously, eyes boring into Xiao as the yaksha struggled not to take a step back. It was just a toy… 

“Exactly! Now I can kiss Svelto whenever I want!” As if to demonstrate he tugged onto Svelto’s hand, pressing a kiss onto his lips.

Xiao felt his cheeks heat up. What was going on? What was he meant to say? Why were each of these “representations” so exaggerated and dramatic and strange?? From the paper creatures shy of public affection to the wooden toy’s public affection… “Uhh…”

Svelto turned back. “Anyway, safe passage to the Broken Sea?”

Venti nodded. “If you’d please.”

“Wonderful!” Toy Venti cried. “Welcome to the Butterfly Bridge of Safe Passage. Svelto and myself, Feng, are the guardians of this lovely little bridge here. However, beyond the bridge lies a treacherous zone, so it is highly advisable to only traverse this land with people you trust or risk losing your life… forever! As such, before we may allow you to embark on your journey, you will need to complete three grand trials. The first—”

“Wait, this is the trial?” Venti asked in surprise.

Toy Venti (Feng) stared at him. “Yes.”

Venti frowned. “Since when was there a trial here?”

Feng sighed. “Weren’t you listening to those pests earlier? They never even want to go over and just come every day to bother us needlessly. Why don’t they design the trial? It’s such—”

“What Feng means to say,” Svelto interrupted smoothly, jostling Feng’s hand a little as though to quiet him. “Is that the Goddess of Creation was deeply upset that there is no longer a ‘proper villain’ in our lovely world. ‘Every good fairytale needs some challenge.’ As such, we are here to serve our roles as villains to this wonderful tale.” As though to emphasise his point, he pointed at the headband with devil horns that both he and Feng were sporting.

Venti laughed. “Of course she did. Very well. Set us upon these trials then.”

“Wonderful, thank you for your cooperation!” Feng beamed. “The first trial is the Trial of Compatibility. In this trial, there will be a barrier between the two of you, and you will not be able to hear each other. You will then be asked the exact same question for which you have to answer either your name or your partner’s name. If the answer aligns, a step forward will appear, and you may advance. If you fail to get at least seven questions aligned, you will have to return to Constellation Metropole and try again another day.”

“This… isn’t even an intellectual quiz?” Xiao frowned. The other toys made it sound like they were doing it to challenge their intellects but…

“Of course it is! Knowing someone else is arguably one of the hardest things to know.”

“Hmm,” he hummed. “I suppose so.”

“Good!” Feng exclaimed, grabbing Xiao’s hand with his free one. “Now you come with me.”

He headed first to Svelto. “Bye bye, darling,” he murmured sweetly, planting a kiss onto Svelto’s cheeks. “See you soon~”

The toys could not blush, but somehow, it felt oddly like Svelto was blushing. “Bye bye, honey,” he mumbled back.

Xiao heard Venti snort as he too was led away and disappeared behind the bright teal barrier that was erected between the two pairs.

Fortunately for them, the questions turned out to be barely a challenge. Everything from “who smiles more” to “who tends to turn up late” was almost insultingly easy to answer and align, save the last question.

“Final step now. Who is sweeter between the two of you?” Feng asked.

Xiao frowned. “Our answers are supposed to align?”

“Of course!”

“But… I…” Xiao frowned. He knew what Venti would say. Venti was always openly claiming Xiao was the sweetest and insisting on it after all. Perhaps to align, Xiao ought to say that he himself was sweeter, but how could he? It felt like betraying his very being to claim that he was sweeter than Venti, when it was Venti who saved him, whose very presence brought hope back to his life, who comes uncalled to help him without ever being asked. Venti who indulged him, and sought ways to alleviate his pain and bring joy to his life whenever he could, and yet never even wanted anything back from him. 

It felt like blasphemy to even consider saying himself. Surely Venti knew he’d struggle to change his answer too, right? So… “Venti,” he said uncertainly.

“Well, that took a while!” Feng declared, the amusement visible in his tone as the final step appeared ahead, larger and more distinct than the previous. “Ding Ding Ding, you may take a step forward.”

As Xiao took the final step forward warily, the artificial barrier set between them dissipated. Almost immediately, Venti came flying into his arms, nearly knocking him backwards off the “bridge” if not for his balance.

“I didn’t meeeaaaaan it,” Venti insisted, his voice carrying the cadence of a whine. “You’re totally sweeter than me, but I knew you’d never say anything else.” 

Xiao held Venti back, nuzzling his cheek. “I wouldn’t have been offended even if that wasn’t the case.”

Venti blinked slowly, pulling back a little to stare him in the eye. “You knew I’d change my answer,” he said accusingly.

“I wouldn’t have changed my answer anyway. We already got more than seven questions correct.” 

“Hmph,” Venti grumbled, knocking his forehead gently against Xiao’s. “Putting the burden of lying onto me, I see.”

Xiao bit back a smile. “You’re better at it.”

“You!” Venti gasped, releasing his hold on Xiao and turning his head away in mock offense. “I got us the aligned answer and you call me a liar!”

“I didn’t—” The platform beneath them jerked to a halt.

“Oh, I wouldn’t do that,” Feng said, his voice oddly chirpy.

“Do… what?” Venti asked. “Bicker? Because those two outside sure seem plenty happy to bicker, and it clearly doesn’t hinder them.”

Feng laughed. “No no, bickering is allowed. You’ve just accidentally stumbled upon the second trial all on your own, so I thought there was no need to interrupt your progress, but let me introduce the second trial—The Trial of Intensity. The platform only brings you further along the path if you keep firm eye contact between each other.”

“That’s it?” Xiao asked.

Svelto looked at him. “Well, there is a catch. On repeat visits, no repeated topics of conversation are allowed, but it is your first trial.” 

Venti turned back to Xiao. “Well then, that will be easy.” On cue, the platform jerked back into motion again. 

“Great! Keep eye contact then,” Feng said cheerfully. “No looking away and no laughter, or the platform will stop. You’ve already broken the rules once, so you have two chances left. If you lose all three chances, you will unfortunately be returned to the Constellation Metropole and will have to try again tomorrow.”

“What?! We didn’t even know we started, and you didn’t mention the rules before!” Venti cried, the unfairness of the situation settling into his face even as he kept eye contact with Xiao.

Feng shrugged. “Oops!”

“Oops?!”

“Well, you didn’t really give me the space for it…”

“Wow, no wonder these toys are the new villains,” Venti complained to Xiao.

Mesmerised by Venti’s eyes and the swirls of his emotions reflected in them when he got passionate, Xiao startled at the conversation's sudden redirection back at him. “Ah… it’s not so bad.”

“You take his side?!”

“Well, no… It’s definitely unfair, but it’s not so hard a task that it’s a big problem. We won’t fail twice more anyway. Besides…” he trailed off, eyes nearly drifting towards the ground. It was hard to see any version of Venti in a negative light.

Venti’s hand came to his chin to direct it firmly at himself. “Besides?”

“Besides…” Held in Venti’s hands, he felt his cheeks heating up, a little overwhelmed by Venti’s eyes and hands on him. It was humiliating to have such an intense reaction after they’ve been together for quite a while now, and this wasn’t even an uncommon touch from Venti, but the idea that he could not turn away, and that Venti was watching him back just as intently too.

There was just nowhere to hide. He never realized how much he needed it, and how often Venti—who barely seemed to be struggling with this task at all—had deliberately looked away and distracted himself for Xiao’s comfort when he got tense. Yet another thing Venti was too sweet to him for. Perhaps he ought to find some way to show his gratitude for that grace as well.

“Besides…?” Venti prompted again, curiosity shining in his eyes.

What had they been talking about? “I forgot,” Xiao answered truthfully.

Venti bit hard on his lips to stop himself from letting out a giggle.

Xiao frowned. “It’s not that funny.”

“You’re just cute!” Venti declared. “And cute things make me want to laugh.”

Xiao was grateful that Venti’s hand remained beneath his chin—holding his head up as a firm reminder to keep his eyes focused even as he felt more blood rush to his cheeks—or he would have been tempted to look away again. Off to the side, he heard the two toys giggling. That made it worse, the reminder that they were being watched as they stared deeply into each other’s eyes. It wasn’t as though they were really doing anything per se, but it just felt so intimate and—

“You two are allowed to laugh?” Venti asked grumpily.

“Of course we are,” Feng replied happily. “It’s your trial, not our trial. Besides, what kind of Guardian of the Butterfly Bridge of Safe Passage would we be if we didn’t get free passage through anyway?”

“Sounds unfair to me.”

“We do hard work!”

Xiao was sure Venti continued to converse with the toys, but his own head felt like cotton as he forced himself to maintain eye contact. Lost in the sea of Venti’s eyes, he could not resist drifting away, his thoughts swimming into daydreams. Despite the beauty in both the visual aesthetic and the emotions that often swam in them, Xiao had truly not spent all that long watching Venti’s eyes.

Xiao loved watching everything about Venti. His form, his wings, his fingers. His outfit, his face, his smiles. His confidence, his movements, his gait. But his eyes were hard to watch directly, and deep down, he couldn’t help but be somewhat grateful for the opportunity. They were beautiful and idly, Xiao wondered if he could capture their essence on canvas after these… trials.

At long last, the platform jerked to a stop again.

“Congratulations! You’ve passed The Trial of Intensity. We now proceed to our third and final trial! The Trial of Romance. In this trial, the two of you will have to hold hands and each give the other a kiss on the lips before the final segment of the bridge will appear. You may then proceed with joint hands to the Broken Sea, although failure to keep your hands together will send you back to Constellation Metropole, and you will have to try again tomorrow.”

Unsure, Xiao felt his hand sneaking over to Venti, only to find Venti rounding on the toys suddenly, hands on hips in an almost scolding manner. Displeasure was not something Xiao generally ever associated with Venti, but for the first time, it was almost startlingly clear.

“It’s not good to impose. We will hold hands if we wish, and kiss if we wish. Encouraging is one thing, but boundaries are important.”

Xiao dropped his hand, vehemently ignoring the knowing look Svelto gave him. 

Feng only stared back at Venti, gaze just as challenging. “Hiding does nobody any good sometimes, you know. You deny people the full knowledge of the truth, deny them an informed choice when you hide your true feelings. Is that truly freedom, oh Anemo Archon. Tell me, do you not want to hold his hands?”

Venti frowned. “That’s not the point.”

Feng turned to Xiao. “Do you not want to hold his hand?”

“I…”

“You don’t have to answer them, they’re being ridiculous.” Venti insisted. “Forget it, let’s just go. I know another path.” The frustration was clear on Venti’s face. 

“Okay,” Xiao murmured, ready to follow wherever Venti wanted to go.

“Are you sure?” Svelto asked. “Other paths are all treacherous and dangerous.”

“It matters not,” Venti insisted. “Send us back to Constellation Metropole.”

“Very well,” Feng said sadly. “If you wish to try again, you will have to come back tomorrow.” With a wave of his hand, they quickly found themselves back at the start of the bridge.

Whatever this was, there was some disagreement Xiao was not fully grasping. But Venti was upset, that much was clear. And maybe didn’t wish to hold Xiao’s hands. Xiao didn’t understand. It wasn’t something they’ve never done before.

“Do you…” No, maybe asking would be bothering him as well. He could keep his distance and silence and let him stew in peace. There was no point in bothering him more. He could slow his own disobediently racing heart.

Venti turned around. “Do I?” 

Xiao found his gaze flitting up for a moment, searching. The ire was no longer in Venti’s eyes. His heart slowed a fraction. Might as well ask since he had slipped up and already caught the bard’s attention. “Would you like a moment to yourself?” Do you need me to go? Am I intruding?

Any remaining upset of Venti’s seemed to melt away as he took a step forward, reaching forward to grasp both of Xiao’s hands within his own. “Do you?”

Xiao shook his head immediately, even as his eyes drifted down to their now clasped hands. The question echoed in his head. Do you not want to hold his hands? Should he release them? He didn’t understand.

“You’re upset,” Xiao mumbled

“Not anymore.”

“You were upset.”

Venti sighed. “A little. Nothing that major, don’t you worry. A common little disagreement between friends about our philosophies if you will.”

“Philosophies… about handholding?”

Venti laughed a little. “About choices, about truths, about impositions. About freedom.”

Xiao moved to interlace one of their hands, testing. Venti did the same, securing their hold. This was okay. Then… It was so presumptuous to possibly think that Barbatos could have possibly, but… The creator of this story died hundreds of years ago so the only way she could have known was if… “They… wanted you to… tell me.”

Venti wrinkled his nose. “Yes.” 

No, it only meant they thought so, not necessarily that it was true. “Were they…”

“They were right about how I felt,” Venti replied, insistent, as his hands squeezed Xiao’s reassuringly. “But I will not regret not choosing to tell you.”

“Oh,” Xiao murmured.

“They don’t know you,” Venti grumbled softly. “It would have been an imposition.” 

Xiao hummed, considering. The Xiao of five hundred years ago, or even the Xiao from far before that. What would he have done if Barbatos had confessed he loved him? It was hard to imagine. It was always hard to capture what one was like at one particular point in time when most of his days blended together and one could only ever fully feel one’s current state. 

But no version of Xiao who knew Venti would have ever said no. Of that he was sure, but perhaps the yes then would have sounded different. More… going with the flow and wishes of a god then it ended up being, given the thousand years of additional memories between them. 

But that the yes was wanted, that he was wanted by Barbatos, even long before he had ever dared to imagine that it could be even a possibility… Not only that, but that the subtle differences between the yes of long past and the yes of now mattered to Venti… Xiao’s heart felt like it might burst.

“They wanted you to be happy,” Xiao reasoned.

Venti sighed. “I don’t doubt that. They are certainly kind to their inner circle, but that is not how I want to be.” He raised his other hand to caress Xiao’s cheeks with the back of his hand. “I want you to be happy.”

“I want you to be happy too,” Xiao murmured, pressing slightly into Venti’s hands as he turned them to cup his face. “But… I think you made the right choice.”

Venti blinked in surprise. “Oh?” His voice was a little wobbly, uncertain. It was rare to catch him off-guard like this.

“I… I would have loved you anyway, but… I…” Xiao struggled to articulate. He would have loved Venti anyway; he had loved Venti from the moment he met him, but an earlier confession would have sent them on quite the different path. The Xiao of that time would have burned himself up over the smallest things to keep Venti happy. That way of interacting? He would only have exhausted Venti who struggled even now to keep him afloat, would only hurt Venti with the inability to keep himself more balanced and grounded.

The Xiao of today… He couldn’t say he wouldn’t do the same, because he still would, but it was only a last resort now, and not the only way he could possibly imagine being helpful. Against what felt like all reason, he knew he brought Venti some form of happiness. He had reached a state where it was easier to believe these days, even if he still could not fathom why that would be the case. He wasn’t sure if he ever would.

“I would not have loved you right,” he said at last.

Venti frowned. “There’s no such thing. You could not possibly be less than wonderful.”

Xiao’s brows furrowed with frustration. Perhaps he could rephrase it in a way that was more acceptable. “I love you better now,” he insisted stubbornly.

Venti sighed. “Maybe, but that does not matter to me. I… It needed to be your own choice.”

“I’ve never wanted anything else,” Xiao insisted.

Venti sighed. “I believe you, I do, but until a while ago, a part of you sought a release forever,” he whispered, voice almost too soft to hear. “I had to know that wanting me was not… another way you sought to hurt yourself.”

Xiao wanted to refute that. Wanting Venti was never and had never been anything like wanting death. It had been the one thing for the longest time that kept him on the brink of death. It could not possibly in any universe be a bad thing for Xiao the way Venti was clearly insinuating he was worrying about.

A part of Xiao really wanted to insist on that right now, to make sure that Venti knew and understood the depth of his affections, and how much Venti meant to him, far beyond his one act of saving him. How it was everything about Venti.

Yet he knew he did not have the words today. Nothing he said would be convincing or could hold the emotions spilling out of him, but it was not a worry. They had time. He would find the right words, the right order, and make him understand slowly. He was just relieved that Venti clearly understood the most important parts at least—that he was not “bad for Xiao” like he worried—or they would not be here today.

“I made you wait too long,” Xiao sighed at last, unable to find more suitable words.

Venti pressed a kiss to Xiao’s lips. “Every moment with you is a joy and delight. I was not waiting. As long as we hung out, whatever happened would have been fine.”

Xiao frowned. “Do you even want me?”

Venti gasped, appalled. “Of course I do.”

Xiao wrinkled his nose back. “Doesn’t sound like it.” 

Venti bumped his nose against Xiao. “What about you then? Would you have been upset if we hadn’t gotten together? Were you waiting?”

Xiao looked affronted. “Of course I wasn’t waiting, I didn’t think it would ever happen so why would I wait for it. I wouldn’t have been… upset, per se, but I might have… desired… more… But I would have been happy if you were happy regardless!”

Venti sighed. “Then you understand.”

Xiao frowned. That felt wrong. Why would Venti possibly ever be inadequate for Xiao? Perhaps this was one of those things that Xiao would never be able to truly grasp, or at least not yet, just like how it was difficult to understand what the archon sees in him.

Venti pressed a kiss to his cheeks this time. “Whatever happened, even though I did not do as suggested, we’re here now, on our own terms. And it might have taken longer than Feng and Svelto, but I enjoyed every moment of our journey together here. I will not be made to regret my choices.”

Xiao nodded, mesmerised by Venti’s eyes. “But I’m glad we’re here now.”

Venti gave him a soft smile. “Me too.”

For all the talk of treacherous paths, it was not all that difficult to traverse to the Broken Sea with the wind current generated by the Toy Flower. While it was not quite their usual Anemo energy, it functioned much the same way and was barely a challenge. It made Xiao wonder why they even bothered with the Butterfly Bridge of Safe Passage.

The area was certainly a curiosity, with many floating islands and odd little concaves that were sometimes carved far beneath the surface of these islands. It was hard to imagine what it might have looked like before Simulanka Durin destroyed the place. 

In some odd ways, it reminded Xiao a little of Jueyun Karst, perhaps due to the difficult traversal between the lands. Except instead of land far below, there was nothing but emptiness beneath them, although he supposed falling from such heights in Jueyun Karst and falling to the depths of nothingness here might not be all too different for a mortal. 

Morbidly, Xiao wondered what did happen when one of the creatures fell off, but he didn’t dare ask for fear of spoiling the mood. It couldn’t be too good, if they had enough sense of “preservation” to have to avoid a dragon?

Still, there were a few stray inhabitants who remained in what constituted a harsh environment in this place, willingly upkeeping the lighthouse and attempting to “tame” the lands of this Broken Sea so to speak. 

Venti seemed oddly fond of the inhabitants here in particular, resting next to their benches to hear them speak of their tales and even staying longer to chat further with them sometimes. His occasionally wistful look had Xiao wondering if it perhaps reminded him of Mondstadt in some ways.

After all, Mondstadt used to be a harsh land as well, wrangled into shape and peace through the Anemo Archon’s powerful will and winds. Despite the many years they’ve known each other, Xiao hadn’t ever really seen Barbatos in full power, and it was often hard to imagine the sweet little bard with the gentlest music he had ever heard exerting such overpowering strength.

Beyond just the physical reshaping of Mondstadt though, he knew Venti deeply appreciated the human aspect of it as well. The way the people worked hard themselves to soften the lands and community of Mondstadt into what it is today. In some ways, these toys here seemed to be doing much the same to this once “tainted” land, and so perhaps it ought to be no surprise that Venti found them so pleasing.

Xiao could not say he did not understand the sentiments. Even in Liyue, it took years and years to painstakingly clear the land of pestilence, and even then it was but a piece of land until courageous mortals came forth and willingly staked forward to rebuild what was once dark, frightening, treacherous lands. 

While Xiao had remained unsure of the humans' inclusion early on, it turned out to be a wise decision from Rex Lapis, for the humans often brought hope and light and soul which quashed the minor rumblings of the lands in such a strange different way that it was a curiosity and marvel to witness. Xiao did not know if Qingce would be the way it was today if not for the humans and their strange obsession to resettle what they considered their ancestral lands as soon as possible. 

Seeing these brave toys of this world, he couldn’t help but find them a little endearing too. 

He had just been pondering if there was a proper way to thank them for their hard work when a sweet harmony drifted towards them. Their eyes met instantly, and in unison, they began to move towards the music. Surely such sweet singing must have come from a wondrous source.

It took them a while to traverse the different islands, but at long last, they arrived at a tiny little floating island, upon which two paper cranes sat, somehow singing in harmony despite their presumable lack of a vocal chord.

Upon their arrival, the two birds flocked them at once. The teal bird with blue-green eyes hopped immediately onto Xiao, while the darker green bird with golden eyes flapped onto Venti’s head, even as they finished their song in unison. Were they…

“Hello!” The teal crane on his head chirped. “Lovely to meet you! Are you here to visit us?”

“I suppose so,“ Venti replied happily. “That was some phenomenal singing!”

“Hehe, isn’t it so?” The crane replied proudly. “How else do we rekindle hopes and dreams into this land like we were made to?”

“Rekindle hope and dream?” Xiao wondered aloud.

“Yes!” The bird chirped in delight, flapping his wings in an excitable manner that messed up Xiao’s hair. “I’m Elpis, and that over there is Oneira. It’s in our names!”

“Singing… helps that?” 

By his side, Venti giggled, leaning forward to bring his face entirely too close to Xiao’s. “You’re asking that?”

Xiao blushed furiously. “I… That’s not… It works for… for me, but I don’t know how it would work for the land…”

Not even bothering to resist the urge, Venti pinched his nose. “Of course it does! The power of magic works wonders!”

“Exactly!” Elpis agreed cheerfully, hopping twice on Xiao’s head. “The Goddess of Fate told us long ago that no matter what, we ought to keep trying, just like how our ‘Sources of Inspiration’ also keep trying out in ‘The Real World’. They’re heroes there! She said one was a brave little wind spirit that rose to godhood and another a courageous little bird that endured far more than anyone should, yet both kept their kindness and gentleness through everything. It sounds incredible, and as long as we keep trying, it will soothe the world and soothe the dragon and encourage the people!”

Xiao tried not to look embarrassed. Just as he thought. A third pair… he thought they were done with toy versions of themselves. Glancing at Venti, he noted that Venti seemed much more delighted with this pair of recreation. It was easy to understand why.

“The dragon is happy now,” Oneira agreed quietly, not noticing his inner turmoil.

“Exactly! And the land is slowly becoming more beautiful and peaceful day-by-day. Maybe one day, it will be as beautiful as it once was.”

“I don’t remember it,” Oneira mumbled quietly.

“Me neither!” Elpis replied, hopping over to squeeze next to Oneira on Venti’s head. “But we will find out when it happens.”

Fluttering together off Venti’s head onto the ground, the two cranes began to sing again. Over the horizon, the sun began to set, almost as though guided by the soft tones. Accompanied by the beautiful melody, the four of them watched the colours of the sky begin to change.

Tilting his head in an adorable manner, Venti gave Xiao a soft smile as the song came to a close. “Are you ready to leave?”

Xiao paused. Despite Venti’s earlier upset and oddly fidgety vibes the entire journey—Xiao suspected it might have had to do with his worry about whether or not Xiao would enjoy this little “trip”—Xiao was happy with the trip. It had brought him to a strange world so different from Teyvat he would not have believed it could have existed if not for seeing it with his own eyes, so it had definitely been an experience of a lifetime, even for one as long lived as he was.

Even more than that, while Venti might have been greatly embarrassed (which Xiao would never admit aloud, but was secretly oddly pleasing to see, and he wondered if he could also… but he was getting distracted), Xiao couldn’t help but be a little pleased because in some ways, he wished that for Venti. To have people he was close to who loved him and cared for him, who teased him and wanted good things for him. They made him happy too.

More than that, that these friends of his had made multiple recreations (however well or poorly) of them meant… something. It felt somehow a little like approval from an important friend through her world and writing, even if she might have wished it happened earlier, and even if she was no longer around to actually bless it now.

Unbidden, his mind drifted to the yakshas and he couldn’t help wondering if it might be similar for them. Would they have blessed this… relationship between them? Unlike Anya who had at least known of the situation, they passed before there had been anything between Venti and himself. Before he had ever imagined he could even become infatuated with the archon of another land.

The yakshas had talked often of many topics, but focused as they were on Liyue’s lands and its wars and pestilences and lives and mortals, they rarely spoke of archons who were not their own. Yet from what he could recall of them, he thought they would enjoy Barbatos’ company and would get along easily with him… Perhaps in another universe, in a kinder world, they would get a chance to meet his love.

Love…

Struck with a sudden thought, Xiao straightened purposefully.

“Venti,” he insisted urgently. “You should sing them a song. To… to support them. Your music has always had that enchanting quality to it. It would motivate them. I have… I left something behind that I need to get.” 

“Left… something behind?” Venti blinked, confused. “Okay? But you don’t—”

Whatever Venti ended up saying, Xiao wasn’t sure, for he had already scuttled off in a hurry. He tried not to be too embarrassed by his shoddy excuse, but at such short notice, it was the best he could come up with—something he had once heard from a mortal seeking to stall his lover as she planned to ask for his hand in marriage.

Traversing the wind currents back, he hurried his steps through the busy city of Constellation Metropole, stopping only briefly to collect a basket from one of the toy people who had a spare. 

It wouldn’t have been too horrible if he didn’t have one for he could still collect what he wanted, but he could not have nothing when he said this. It would be too… careless. It was important for Venti to know that he meant it. Besides, he knew Venti was often fond of silly mortal rituals, and every time he had witnessed something like this from a distance, it had always come with gifts of some sorts. Often flowers.

Still, his eyes had caught onto the basket as he was hurrying through the city, and the desire must have been mortifyingly obvious that the lovely Toy Person had given it to him for a simple assistance in unplugging their stuck door. Despite his initial reluctance, he could not help but be glad about it, for it would allow him to collect quite a bit more flowers and make sure his offering was not too… shabby.

As he made his way towards the forest, some of the flowers he had seen earlier finally came into sight, and he found himself nearing one which looked particularly pretty. It had a lovely shade of blue reminiscent of the giant waterfall visible from Chenyu Vale and was shaped oddly like a coral except for the giant bulb at its center. Xiao caught a whiff of a cool, refreshing smell as he bent down. Despite its looks, it smelled less of the brine of the ocean and oddly like the cool breeze by the river, of freshly cut grass and the feel of a gentle spray.

Deciding it would make a suitable offering, he plucked it gently, laying it softly onto the basket. Not wanting to bend any of its petals or stem, Xiao moved smoothly, careful not to jostle the basket overly much as he spotted a different brightly coloured purple flower. It was shaped strangely, almost like that of hanging lights and curious, and he found himself crouching next to two curled stems that formed a little heart.

A sweet scent filled his nose, one that was almost fruit-like. Immediately, he knew this ought to be added to his collection as well. Venti had always been fond of sweet fruits and he would love the smell of it. Besides, it seemed to balance wonderfully with the blue flower.

They were perhaps a little bit of a strange combination, but he could not find more suitable options here in this place, so he figured it would have to do. Clustering the blue flowers near the center, almost clutching them together like a colony of corals, he circled the centerpiece with the curled stems of the purple flowers, arranging the flowers to hang outwards in decoration.

That ought to do well enough, he hoped.

Unfortunately, he had just finished arranging and using a few blades of grass to tie together what he hoped would be sufficient to form a lovely offering when he looked up, only to realize that he did not recognise where he was within the Forest of Blessing at all. 

He hadn’t considered it a possibility, for it had been a long long time since he had ever gotten lost. He knew Liyue like the back of his hand after all, and could appear in any nook or cranny with almost exact precision these days.

Unfortunately, he was not in Liyue right now.

Trying to recall their journey through these lands, he quickly realised that it was of almost no help. While he had taken in the beauty of these strange landscapes, the paths they had taken were entirely lost on him as he found himself easily distracted both by Venti’s voice as he spoke and by Venti himself and the joy in his steps as he flounced around, showing Xiao this and that.

Spotting a patch of the purple flowers, he headed over, picking a few more as he began to fiddle with them anxiously as he weaved them into a flower crown. That would look cute on Venti.

Only, he had to find him first. 

He could try calling for Venti. Their powers didn’t work the same way here, and he wasn’t sure if it would work at all, but either way, they were meant to take the boat at the Broken Sea back to Teyvat. It would be awful to have to trouble Venti to come all the way back here just to then head back because Xiao was too stupid to remember the path he took.

For a moment, frustrations nearly had him crushing the flower crown in his hand. Stopping himself just in time, he hurriedly lowered it into the basket as well, peeking to make sure that the bouquet was still perfect.

Looking for something? A voice appeared in his head.

It was with great restraint that Xiao did not jump, for the flowers were fragile and could not be harmed. Voices in his head were never a good thing, but surely in this fairytale land, it could not be that much of an issue. Hopefully.

Turning, he found himself face to face with a tall blond woman dressed in purple and white. On her head sat a white and gold hat that looked rather similar to the one Venti wore, only more structurally rigid. Upon seeing his face, she startled a little.

Oh! The voice rang in his head again. The lady gave a pleased smile. You must be Barbatos’ Broody Boytoy!

Xiao blinked… Barbatos’ what?! “Uhh…”

Sorry! Let me introduce myself.

Immediately, next to her, what looked like a bright purple crystal ball appeared, circled with golden orbital rings. In it, wrote:

Nicole

“Fellow Appreciator of Barbatos’ Songs,” “Suggestor of Wendy and Totori’s Creation,” “The Silent Angel, Who Would Love to Hear Your Love Story,” etc., etc.

Below, an additional line of words read: “In summary: Don’t forget to ask for her gift!”

“Um…” 

Ahhh!! A loud cry sounded in his head. Xiao winced. I thought I got rid of it this time for real. How is Alice doing this?!

Alice? Ah, this must be one of the mages then. It would make sense to run into them here, in a world created by three of them, although it appeared that she was not one of the creators.

Waving her hands rapidly in a flustered manner, she quickly dispersed the words and images next to her.

You didn’t see that. She insisted firmly. In exchange for pretending that never happened, I can give you a gift.

Xiao frowned. “I… there is no need. I would not mention it, if you do not wish.”

I insist! It was made for the two of you after all, and I’ve heard that Barbatos has been to your abode a few times now. Didn’t he stay there for a bit just recently? It would be most fitting.

Xiao blushed. When and how had Nicole even learnt of that?

Waving her hands, a giant intricate statue appeared before them of two creatures, turned slightly so they faced each other at an angle, heads pressed together in clear affection. One was clearly Venti’s original form as a wind wisp, eyes squeezed tightly as though he was smiling widely. On one side, his cloak was extended forward towards the other creature which was a round… bird? Well, it was likely meant to be him given the mark on his head. Similar to Venti’s wind wisp, one wing was held out to touch the wisp’s cloak, the adoration clear through his eyes.

As embarrassing as it was to have a statue depiction of the both of them in cutesified form, it was certainly a marvel of a work. There was something so fond and comfortable about the way both of them looked—despite it being made of what must be cold, hard stone—that he couldn’t help releasing a breath in a bit of awe.

It was easy to picture Venti as depicted, but harder to imagine himself looking so… soft.

Tada! I made it myself, do you like it? Proudly, she added. I even used a material which is easy to paint on, should you wish to add colours to it!

“Yes,” Xiao breathed. “It is lovely. But uhh…”

Ah, right! No worries about the transportation. She sent the statue away with a wave of her hands. I will have Barbatos deliver it to your residence upon his next visit! It would pair excellently with a nice fountain I think, perhaps at the entrance to the house?

There still wasn’t much decoration to his abode beyond a few apple trees on the outside, so it was not hard to picture it there. Still, it was beyond strange to be accepting such a gift, but it was clearly made for it, so he was unsure if refusing it would be insulting the magnificent craftsmanship instead. “I… okay?”

Wonderful! Well then, now that we have that out of the way, were you looking for something?

Xiao glanced down, not wanting to meet her questioning gaze. He was, but it was so embarrassing to have to ask something this silly. But Venti must have been waiting for a long time by now, and he ought to make his way back so… “Would you happen to know how to get to the Broken Sea? Ideally where the Paper Cranes are?”

Of course. She agreed willingly, beginning to walk resolutely in some direction. The mage let out a tinkling laugh. I see you’ve stumbled upon Elpis and Oneira then, how lovely! Did you see Wendy and Totori as well then? Feng and Svelto?

Xiao willed his cheeks to cool down unsuccessfully. He glanced away. “Yes, and yes.”

Oh, how delightful! It was just a foolish little flight of fancy that we took on, but Anya didn’t truly think you would ever come here. It’s a pity she never got to meet you.

“Yes,” Xiao agreed softly. “She sounds lovely.”

She was. Nicole sighed wistfully. You are not as silent as I expected.

Xiao blinked. “Huh?”

Well, Alice was the one who said you were silent anyway, Barbatos’ lips were always rather sealed when it came to his beloved. I bet it’s because Alice is more annoying than me, isn’t it? I am more fun to talk to!

Alice… He had watched her when she visited Liyue some time ago, but she must have known he was doing so. Given the amount of destruction she could create and the stories he heard from Barbatos, he thought it would be best to be wary of her actions. Besides, beyond that, he had also been more than a little curious about Venti’s friend…

“Sure?” he mumbled. “You seem less destructive at least.”

Hmph, of course I am less destructive! Destruction is not part of an angel’s duty.

“An angel?”

Oh, here we are! Lord Barbatos, it’s been a while.

Xiao hadn’t been paying that much attention again, distracted as he was with trying to keep up the conversation and not appear too… inadequate as Barbatos’.... Anyway, they must have taken a shortcut, for he was certain the time taken was much shorter than before.

Venti looked up from where he had been letting the two Paper Cranes pluck at his lyre as Xiao hurried towards him. “Oh, you two met!”

I didn’t do it on purpose! Nicole insisted immediately.

Venti laughed. “It’s fine. If I had to pick a Hexenzirkel mage for Xiao to meet first, you would have been one of my top choices anyway.”

Nicole beamed, straightening in an almost ridiculously pleased manner. Of course, I am an angel!

Xiao hung behind Venti uncertainly. He had planned how he wanted this to go, but now that Venti’s friend was here, he wasn’t sure if he should proceed, or wait, or…

Can I watch? Nicole asked pleadingly, eyes round as she stared at Xiao.

“Watch?” Venti asked, confused.

Watch? He hadn’t told her anything! He supposed a basket full of flowers might have made it obvious enough that something was going to happen, but he wasn’t planning to do anything in front of a real audience at all, and he wasn’t sure if—

She giggled, holding a hand to hide her mouth. Sorry, sorry. I will go. But you will tell me of it later, yes Barbatos?

Venti sighed mock dramatically, even as he gave her a little smile. “Yes, yes,” he said obligingly. 

Looking like she was barely holding in a squeal, she raised her hat a little to give a mock salute as Venti did the same with his before she flounced off, back onto the path she had brought him along.

From behind, he hurriedly pulled out both flower arrangements, quickly laying the flower crown of purple flowers upon Venti’s head before he lost his courage. Puzzled, Venti’s hands reached out to feel it as he turned to Xiao, only to come face to face with the bouquet the yaksha had painstakingly arranged and protected through the journey.

Venti let out a little giggle. “Were these the things you ‘left behind’?”

Xiao blushed. “Yes, no, I mean… I love you.” 

Venti blinked, his mouth falling open a little in shock. 

It was, after all, the first time Xiao had ever said it aloud. A part of him felt like perhaps it should be more monumental. Like the world should tilt on his axis. There was even a small part of him that refused to be erased which screamed that Venti would laugh at the notion of what they had being love, ridiculous as he knew that sentiment was.

That part silenced as one of Venti’s hands cupped his cheeks softly. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

Led by instinct, Xiao leaned closer, their noses almost touching. “May I?” he breathed.

Venti closed his eyes. “Do you really still need to ask?” Yet he moved no closer.

Xiao pressed his lips against Venti’s. They’d done this a hundred times before, and in all honesty, surely it should feel like nothing new, yet the rush of emotions through him still felt novel, especially this time. 

Every kiss with Venti had been a rush every time, but this time, Xiao’s resolve weighed different. It was a promise. He had never just been “going with the flow” and accepting what Venti wanted, but this time, he was reaching for it. The difference felt almost monumental to him, but did Venti know? Perhaps he should have had more words, better words, should have written something down, but he hadn’t wanted to keep Venti waiting, so—

“Do you know the meaning of the flowers?”

Xiao felt his heart speed up a little, not entirely in a good way. “No… they were just the only suitable flowers I found here. Are they bad?”

Venti laughed. “What do you think?”

How would Xiao know? He had never learnt the language of flowers within Liyue, much less that of flowers beyond Liyue, and he was never good at reading people. But it was Venti. It was always different with Venti. The glow on his cheeks, the delight in his eyes… “You like the meaning,” he decided.

Venti smiled. “Does that make it good?”

“Yes.”

Venti pressed a kiss onto his cheeks. “Thank you.”

“Venti,” he mumbled, thoughts running wild with the feeling of freedom running through his veins. “Let’s go on a real trip next time. Maybe… maybe not so soon, I don’t… But some day.”

“Some day,” Venti agreed pleasantly, not at all upset that he always had to be patient with Xiao. Searching Venti’s eyes, Xiao found nothing but peace and happiness. And somehow, this time, there was no doubt about Venti’s contentment in his mind.

Venti smiled, pressing another kiss on Xiao’s lips. “Are you ready to leave now for real then?”

Xiao nodded, content. As they departed on the paper boat, he swore he felt the blow of a gentle kiss upon their cheeks.

May the everlasting promise to reunite bring only a short wait for every parting.