Archive of Our Own

It was a typical day in Mondstadt, with knights patrolling the streets and talking to friendly citizens who approached them or gave them food in appreciation for their hard work, bards playing and singing for whoever stopped to listen, shops going about their business, kids running around, and devotees sitting around the statue of their Archon.

Beyond the walls of this city, on a cliff with glittering cecilias under the sunlight, a breeze followed a green-clad figure as he walked by with a lyre in hand. After going through the same routine every day, the free spirit in him couldn't stand another instant without going for a walk outside.

"Venti!!" A lovely voice reached his ears, making him perk up in the span of a millisecond. It had been quite a while since he joined the traveller on her adventures, making it so he could hear and see her more often than before, but his heart still jumped whenever she was nearby. An anomaly really, considering this was a body he had created and decided to stay as, but then again, this was his sunshine he was talking about. Nothing was out of her abilities.

While turning around, Lumine called out to him again as she ran closer. "Venti!" The voice was now right in front of him and his heart leapt with her figure diving onto his own.

"Woah!!!" A laugh thudded within him like his back did to the ground, but he didn't mind it the least bit with Lumine seeming so excited on top of him. "Did you hit the jackpot or am I missing an important event today?"

Her laughter jingled in his ears like wind chimes swaying softly with a breeze. What a rare and beautiful sound. "I looked everywhere for you! Everyone I questioned said they'd seen you at the same time in different places. Shouldn't you be more cautious when teleporting?" She vented, hitting his chest with little to no force behind it.

With a smile, Venti reached his hand up to gently hold her head, caressing the blonde locks behind her neck. She appeared ethereal, glowing under the sunlight. "Eheh, my bad. I didn't think I'd get to see an angel today."

Lumine jolted back and he could almost laugh at how fast her face turned red, yet somehow as he sat up with her on his lap, she surprised him with a sudden hug, burying her face onto his neck. "I missed you…"

Heh, her spontaneous affection would kill him one day. She was too shy for her own good but it made her even more endearing to him. "Me too, my windblume. How I wish to infinitely be with you." He said, holding her close and relishing in her floral scent.

Venti wished they could stay like this forever.

"I have a surprise for you actually." As sad as he was that she left his arms and got up, her words got him quite intrigued. She reached her hand and helped him land on his feet again, but before he could respond she summoned a mysterious golden object onto the palm of her right hand, offering it to him. "Here, give me your hand!" She exclaimed.

He couldn't contain the grin creeping onto his face, "Well, how could I refuse an offer this tempting." He winked, intertwining his hand with hers while the glowing ticket stayed between them.

"A-ah," She managed to somehow get flushed from just that, despite them holding each other moments before. How adorable. "I didn't mean it like that… but I guess this will do as well."

He couldn't help but giggle.

The light from the object eventually enveloped both of them before fading away. Then for the second time, before he could say anything, the traveller sprung onto the next step of whatever she was doing. Before he knew it a small, bronze, and intricately crafted teapot was floating in front of him.

He last saw Lumine a week ago, before she had to return to Liyue. He had offered to go with her but she insisted that it was fine since it was just a few odd jobs and a request she had from an adepti so he wouldn't miss anything. She also made it clear that she wanted him to rest after all the fighting they had to go through together.

The bard had not expected her to come back so soon, but it was a very pleasant surprise. "You said I wouldn't miss anything." He crossed his arms in fake defiance. His eyes narrowed yet his smile did not disappear.

"You didn't, this was a gift." She explained. "Now we don't need to sleep in the wild or rent rooms anymore."

"Oh?" His head shifted a bit in confusion.

"Just listen to what I say, silly." Lumine gave him one of her signature smiles. "All your doubts will be answered later."

Dumbfounded by her shining smile and uncharacteristic enthusiasm. He dumbly nodded his head.

The golden traveller, the sunshine in his eyes, carefully took Venti's closest hand and placed it onto the magical teapot, channelling her energy through the both of them.

Sparkles had formed around their figures as the world began to wrap. He could only watch in amazement. It wasn't that shocking considering everything he had seen in his immortal lifetime, but he always appreciated magical sights.

"Venti." Lumine gently called out again after he closed his eyes from the sudden blinding light that enveloped them. He could tell that the wind around them felt different, warmer, and more peaceful than a second ago.

When he opened his eyes though, that's when he realised what was going on. They were at the top of a mountain with emerald green grass reflecting light from the sun right above them. A tree towered over them, with a well and a lamp right beside them, but the most shocking structure was the mansion in front of them with architecture he recognised as Liyue's. It was surrounded by bamboo of various lengths and trees here and there. He was silent for a moment, taking in the sudden scenery before muttering, "An adeptal realm…"

His eyes drifted back to Lumine, who was smiling all the same. "Remember when I said that an adeptus has requested to see me? Well, it turns out the adepti of Liyue have been preparing a gift for me. My own realm in a magical teapot so I don't have to sleep in the wild anymore."

Venti laughed, fully turning towards her to tuck stray bangs behind her ear. "A befitting gift for a beautiful, fearless hero."

Pink dusted her cheeks at the gesture, her smile gone and replaced by surprised parted lips. "I'm not really..." She trailed off, averting her eyes, yet slowly reaching to take his hand in hers which he of course, gladly accepted. "A-anyway! There's so much I want to show you!"

The two went around the realm, hand in hand as she took them from one mountaintop to another. Explaining how everything was mostly barren when she got the teapot, but she and Paimon worked very hard every day to arrange everything, with the help of their teapot guide named Tubby.

When they reached the fourth mountaintop after crossing a bridge, Lumine put a finger above her lips suggesting that they should be quiet. Because, on a bench under the tree behind a fountain, was a sleeping Paimon. "I was wondering where she was." Venti stated in a whisper.

"She must be exhausted from helping me non-stop, she made her own room in the mansion as well yet here she is sleeping on a bench." Lumine giggled softly.

At that statement, he turned his head from Paimon to look straight into the warrior's hazel eyes. "And what about you?"

"Me?" Lumine repeated, shocked. "Oh, I'm fine. More than fine, really! Full of energy!"

So Lumine hadn't been resting since she felt alright. That was always how she worked so he's not surprised. She was always on the run, always working, always searching, and always had dark shades under her eyes because of it. Hmm, it would be best to convince the traveller to rest once she was done with her tour.

After reaching the top of the mountains, Lumine gave him a look that took his breath away as she reached to hold his hand in hers. "Venti, it's time you'd say your favourite line."

"My favourite line?" He asked with an amused yet curious laugh, then looked in front of them to see the mansion far below.

Oh.

He held in his laugh as much as he could, and through a smile said, "Wouldn't gliding be faster?"

He wished he could hear her carefree laugh forever, hold her close to ground each other while they shook from the laughter bubbling inside them.

And so, the two glided down to the mansion instead of walking all the way back down, holding hands the entire way. It felt like a dream, and he hoped it wasn't.

"And now, the actual house!" She said once they were back where they started, at the footsteps in front of the huge door. But before they went in, the bard noticed a peculiar white and blue teapot.

"Huh, what's this? A realm within a realm?" He asked, curiously looking around the floating object. "Can we enter it as well?"

"Venti!" She stopped him from touching the teapot in a hushed whisper, holding his hand that was stopped in its tracks mid-air. "That's Tubby, she's sleeping."

He was still curious of the mysterious owl friend but decided he'll have a proper introduction with Tubby later, letting himself get dragged away by his beloved.

The indoors of the mansion had such a different vibe than the outdoors. Having red and gold decorations with the greenery of potted plants scattered around. Yellows reflected everywhere from lamps and all those colours contrasted the dark wooden walls.

Then there was the fireplace at the end of the main hall ahead of him.

"Woahhhhh!" He exclaimed. "I had no idea that my firefly was also a home decor expert."

Lumine giggled at his compliment, "It's all thanks to the blueprints Tubby suggested, really!" She was always ever so humble. If only she realised how amazing she is.

Inside the mansion were a dining table and shelves of ingredients and a stove, a lounging area with the fireplace, and multiple bedrooms all furnished and ready for whoever the room Lumine had designed for.

The first room she took him to was apparently Morax's, or as she called him, Zhongli. "I made sure to put a lot of documents I had found on Liyue history on these shelves. He probably already remembers everything but… hopefully he would find these interesting! It was really hard to get them!" She explained, and it always warmed his heart how much she thought of others and their comfort.

She went around after that, room after room, explaining which room belonged to who and other matters on her mind such as what she was planning to do next and what needs changing once she got her hands on resources and more time.

"I'm planning to invite so many others so that they can always have a place to stay when accompanying me. And even when they aren't, they can come here anytime and stay for as long as they want. I already prepared a house and a garden for Mona. I'm sure she would love to stay in a place where she doesn't have to pay rent anymore! I also have a house for Razor beside a cave. I know he likes to live in the wild but I still get worried- that's why there's a cave just for him in case he feels uncomfortable! I hope he accepts my invitation... Oh and—"

Based on his observations, and by that he meant constant pining for the hero of Mondstadt since the very beginning, it was not hard for Venti to deduct that the traveller was not the type to talk much. She mostly kept to herself, only saying what needed to be said. No more, no less. But right now, Lumine talked freely next to him.

He delightfully heard her every word, took in every breath, cherishing the rare occasion. It was obvious to him that deep under, Lumine had been thinking about every companion she had met on her journey.

When they were about to reach the last room, Lumine piped up with a question. Seeming a bit nervous.

"What do you think of the realm so far?"

"Oh, it's very lovely, like the girl in front of me." Lumine rolled her eyes at the remark. "But… there has been a question on my mind."

"Hm?"

"The first room we went to, why were there two beds?"

Indeed, even though Lumine had claimed that was Morax's room and it was designed to be so with all the Liyue-themed furniture and the books and documents, there was another bed.

It wasn't that no other rooms had two beds, like the one they just passed by. But Lumine did mention it being Chongyun and Xingqiu's, so who was the retired god sharing his room with?

Lumine broke into a sweat, "Um… well, I couldn't decide where Hu Tao would sleep."

Venti's jaw almost fell off his face.

"You're putting the brute in the same room as his boss?!"

Venti was familiar with Hu Tao. Yes, the hyperactive director who had a knack for testing everyone's patience, not always on purpose. But with her and Morax's personalities almost on two different planets, he can not imagine the kind of reaction his old friend would have to such a suggestion. He might as well just decide to sleep in the wild instead after the stunt she pulled on him last time.

The bard winced at the memory, it was funny to watch Morax get pranked, but the scene afterwards wasn't as much... considering he ended up as collateral damage of his wrath.

"Well.. most of the rooms here have been shared. So I'm not sure what to do… I know Hu Tao loves the presence of others and I want to make her happy, but the 'others' are not very fond of her." The girl sighed. "She is the closest to Zhongli, Xiao, and Xingqiu… but I can't imagine Xiao willing to share a room with anyone. And Xingqiu is already with Chongyun who stated that he can't handle Hu Tao as she disturbs his yang energy." She explained, then broke a smile at her next thought. "And honestly, I don't think Chongyun would be happy if I separated him from Xingqiu as well."

"I also have a feeling they won't be staying here at the same time due to the parlour needing them, but in the rare case that they do, one of them could always sleep in the guest room, I just wanted a place for Hu Tao to put her stuff and it ended up here."

She had a point, but there was another solution he was surprised Lumine hadn't mentioned yet. "Then… how about sharing a room with you?" He thought out loud.

The blonde turned into the colour of a red apple, "Th-that's-" She stuttered, making him even more curious. "Just… Come with me."

Venti and Lumine had reached the final room, to the right side of the stairs, with a potted plant greeting them next to the door. When Lumine opened said door he found the bedroom filled with all types of flowers, it had Mondstadt-style furniture, a table with a wooden lyre, and two beds separated by a cabinet and a flower pot.

"Is this… my room?" He asked in shock, before registering the two beds and Lumine's words from earlier. "Our room!?"

The reason why she couldn't share a room with Hu Tao was that she wanted to share a room with him???

"Yes…" She admitted, staring at the seemingly interesting floor with a red face.

"Ahaha, hahahaha!" Venti was ecstatic. She was way too cute, how did he end up being this lucky?

"Hey, if you don't like it just say so! I'll gladly share a room with Hu Tao instead." He had to look at her through the tears in his eyes to see the pout directed at him.

Venti quickly shifted closer, holding onto her shoulders. "Oh no, I'm just pleasantly surprised." He explained. "The tough traveller who knows of my feelings desires to sleep in the same room as me, and alone! Hold me, it's like drinking wine, feels like I'm on cloud nine~" His hand rested on his forehead as he theatrically fell onto her shoulder.

"Yeah yeah, woe is me, my feelings are all exposed now." She brushed him off of her with an exasperated smile. "Not like you've dived into my very soul and saw everything."

He would've come up with a smart retort but she was right, he shouldn't be that surprised after what happened that night in Wolvendom. Somehow still, he couldn't wrap his head around everything, which was probably why any sign of her feelings got him screaming on the inside yet again. As if he was still in his secret crush phase.

"Hey, you can't put the blame on this bard when the source of these affections is Lumine."

Despite her looking away from him, she had a small smile on her red face. "Venti…"

His hand sneaked down her arm to link with hers, and with a smile, he raised their hands to his lips, gently kissing the back of Lumine's. Watching her flustered expression, he pulled her close, hands intertwined while his free arm wrapped around her. "Thank you for inviting me to your realm, Lumine."

"You sound so… serious." Her doe honey eyes were so entrancing. Leaving him with no choice but to give in to her spell, finally capturing her soft lips with his.

He didn't know his heartbeat could go any faster, how someone can make him so shy yet so excited, conflicting feelings running through his soul yet he found himself holding onto her for dear life as his body chased his craving for her.

So cute, so beautiful… his brain repeated when he'd open his eyes the slightest bit and watch her closed ones.

A gust of wind knocked her off her feet and she fell backwards onto one of the beds, willingly taking him with her.

"Starlight, you can't expect to be a tease then get away scott free."

Venti pinned her to the bed, saving every detail of how she looked into his memory. From her wide hazel eyes shimmering under the window's light, to how her flushed face contrasted the bangs of her fanned blonde hair.

Her chest heaved up and down, something he had to watch and savour. "You know, if there's one thing I don't like about this room, it's how our beds are separated. Surely, you didn't expect me to stay in my own bed when you're right in front of me."

"When did I..." She trailed off without finishing her question, but it was obvious what she was thinking through those glazed eyes.

"When you ran up to me, when you smiled, when you laughed, when you shined. You wouldn't imagine how much I've been holding back so you would be mine." Every action of hers had been testing him, how could someone make him feel so weak yet so strong?

She smiled, giggling. "What's with that? Did you steal it from a book?"

It was his turn to blush. "Hey, I'm serious!"

"Then… make me pay," He knew when she looked at him he knew, she'd be the death of him. "For teasing you."

His eyes glew teal, as subconsciously summoned wind made his braids float. "Do you mean what you're saying?"

And her smile widened, "You should know the answer by now." K.O. He was done for. The wind around him travelled to the door and locked it with a simple turn of the knob, sealing their fate.

He never imagined he would be this lucky. And he knew that deep down, no one would ever know how much he loved her. So at least he will try to show her as much as he can.

____________________________________

"Hey! Tone deaf bard! Can you stop following us!?" Paimon stomped her feet in the air, huffing in frustration. "He never listens!"

"How rude, I was invited on this journey so why am I not allowed to be with Lumine too?"

"Ugh! I said this is an only ladies talk. L-a-d-i-e-s." She said, spelling out the word for Venti as if he was too dumb to even know what she was talking about.

At that Venti looked her up and down, "You look more like an infant than a lady."

"That's it!!! Paimon will show you her paimonial wrath!"

Paimon flew towards the bard who started running around the traveller in circles, making her laugh at their antics. "Okay Paimon, there's no need for you to unleash all this power. I'll talk to him."

When their eyes met, her heart must've skipped more than one beat, she forgot how to breathe again. How come he started having an even stronger effect on her now? "Venti… it seems Paimon wants to talk one to one, won't you respect her wishes and wait for a bit? Look, there's a sweets shop over there!" She took out a bag of mora. "Why don't you get us something good while you wait?"

Venti's expression turned extremely sinister at that moment, sending a chill down her spine as he got closer and leaned into her ear as he took the bag from her hands. "Alright, but I expect a reward for this later."

"O-oh." She looked at him dumbfounded as he smiled innocently and left, was gravity always this strong? Her legs felt heavy.

"Lumine!! Are you alright? You're very red!" Paimon floated around her, examining her face in concern.

"Ah.. um, I'm alright." She blinked a few times to come back to reality. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

Paimon looked left and right, then glared at the bard who was talking to a vendor in the distance. "Lumine, the tone deaf bard is such a creep, he keeps looking at you!" She pointed at him with her arm stretched, everyone around could tell who she was talking about.

"Wh-what?"

"Paimon is serious! He won't take his eyes off of you! Shouldn't we do something?" The little girl tried to plead with her, but she was back to feeling hot over the idea. This is seriously bad for her health. "Lumine! Oh no!!"

Venti had come back to the two to find Paimon trying to hold up a swaying traveller from falling onto the ground. Immediately he'd run to hold her as well, dropping the paper bag he was holding.

"My warrior! Are you alright?" Her world was spinning and her heart was going to beat out of her chest, she was in fact not alright.

Paimon kicked the back of Venti's head, "This is all your fault! Paimon is sure of it!"

The boy winced, his grip on her tightening a bit before he raised his head to glare at Paimon. "Hey! It's not wise to blindly blame people, and hit them too!"

"WELL, you're not people!!!" She huffed.

The two continued glaring at each other with Lumine holding her head as she got up and out of Venti's grasp.

"Archons.. stop it you two." They begrudgingly broke the lightning between them, looking away angrily. Lumine sighed, tugging on the bard's arm. "Venti, we need to talk. Will you give us some time, Paimon?"

"Oooh you're in trouble!" Paimon mockingly spun around Venti. "Good luck!" She said, giggling as she flew and stole the bag of sweets they'd just bought on her way.

"Lumi.. she's so mean to your boyfriend! Are you going to keep letting her get away with this?" He said, giving her puppy eyes as he rubbed the back of his head from the kick earlier.

"Does it hurt?" Despite the fact he was just fishing for her attention, he was surprised when she actually got to check his head immediately. Her slender fingers massaged his scalp as it looked for a bump anywhere.

It made him hum happily.

"Venti… I think I'm going to tell Paimon." She then said as her hands fixed his beret.

He looked down at her, a bit surprised. "That fairy is pretty bad at keeping secrets so if she knows… everyone will. Are you okay with that?"

Her hands rested over her chest, looking guarded. "I- I don't know… you've helped a lot with overcoming the guilt and grief that weighed me down, yet… I'm still feeling pretty anxious." She confessed, sighing. "So many what ifs go through my head, but, I only got this far by facing anything head on. So I'm going to do just that again."

Every day, she somehow made him fall deeper. Looking at those determined eyes, he smiled, bringing her close until the tips of their noses touched. "My warrior... you're so strong."

"V-Venti! We're in public!" She tried to reason, panicked as his arms wrapped around her.

"So? They're all going to know soon anyway."

She fell silent, but her face was obviously red as she leaned in and hid on his chest. "A-alright… I just hope Diluc and Jean aren't nearby… I'm not ready to face them with the fact I'm dating their Archon."

She could feel his chest rumble in laughter, "I don't think they view me highly anyway, so don't worry."

It wasn't long before they met up with Paimon again, finding her eating a sweet madame with Barbara in front of Good Hunter. Seems like she kept the sweets for dessert.

"They're here, Paimon." The blonde said, turning towards them. "Hello traveller and Venti!" She greeted, waving for them to approach their table.

"Why, if it isn't our darling deaconess!" Venti greeted back.

"It's nice to see you Barbara, are you off duty today?"

"Not exactly, I'm here to deliver some food to the church! I met Paimon while I was walking around waiting." Barbara giggled, looking at the little fairy.

Lumine followed her gaze to her companion who was happily eating. Maybe if she has her stomach full, she'd be in a better mood and take the news better. She hoped.

The traveller slowly approached Paimon's chair, which she was floating above. "Paimon, I need to tell you something…"

"Hm?" The smaller girl looked at her, turning her head as she chewed on a chicken leg.

"Paimon… I.." Why couldn't she say it? Why was she so shy and afraid? Lumine almost wanted to beat herself up, Paimon is important to her, she has to know.

Seeing her hesitation, Venti smoothly took her hand, intertwining it with his. She looked at him, her eyes wide and face burning. Oh no.

"Lumine loves me!"

"Wh-what- Venti!" She scolded, "n-not like this…" Lumine deflated, face red as she looked at the ground but not letting go of his hand or attempting to get away from him.

"Hah, you thought Paimon would believe that? Paimon is not that dumb! Right, Lumine?"

All the poor fairy got was silence as a response. Barbara looked between the three of them nervously, feeling like she shouldn't be witnessing this.

"He's… right, I'm with him uh.. romantically." Lumine finally said, looking at Paimon with unwavering eyes.

'This.. looks like a couple asking the parents for permission to date.' Barbara thought to herself.

At last, Lumine's words registered in Paimon's little head, the poor chicken leg fell from her hands and onto the cold hard floor in the process. Something Paimon would freak out over in any other situation. "Paimon knew it!! Something weird was going on between you two!"

"Ohh I'm so happy for you Venti! Congratulations! I knew you could do it!" Barbara tried to break the tense atmosphere. Quickly hurrying over to stand between Paimon and the couple.

"Why thank you… but what could I do again?" Venti asked, clearly confused at her sudden support.

"I knew you had eyes on the traveller! So I was wondering if you would confess or not!"

"Ha-" Venti looked to the distance, embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Was I that obvious?"

"I'm so happy for you too, Traveller!"

The traveller was looking at Venti's shyness and giggling when Barbara cheerfully held her hands in support making her laugh nervously. "A-ah.. thank you."

"No! Paimon opposes this marriage!!" The fairy squeaked, ultimately putting Barbara's efforts in vain.

Lumine immediately dropped Barbara's hands in shock. "W-we're not getting married!"

"Not yet."

"Venti!"

"O-oh my.." Barbara stuttered, blushing a bit. "Um, congratulations on the engagement as well? Haha."

"Paimon…" Lumine carefully approached her angry companion. "Why are you against it to this extent?"

"Because he's a lousy broke guy with drinking the only thing on his mind!" Paimon argued, earning an 'Ouch' from Venti in the background. "A-and.. if Tone-deaf bard takes Lumine away from Paimon then…"

"T-take me away from you?"

"A-anyway Paimon doesn't want to talk about this anymore! Paimon is leaving!" And with that, the little girl flew away before Lumine could utter another word.

There was a moment of silence as the three looked at the direction Paimon flew to and disappeared.

"Wow… what kind of complex is this?" Venti mused, making Lumine lightly hit him on the back to keep quiet which earned them a laugh from Barbara.

"Traveller… To be honest, I really didn't expect that Venti would be your type haha." The deaconess confessed, a bit embarrassed at the betrayed look Venti threw her way.

"Yeah, me neither." The traveller replied.

Venti sighed, "You guys are ruthless…"

____________________________________

Diluc gently pushed the cup of grape juice towards quite the unusual customer. "So.. where is the traveller? You're usually together." He asked awkwardly.

"Probably making out with that idiot bard!" His small customer cried, balling her fists on the table.

Diluc almost choked. "What?" Nothing would have made him foresee this answer. "Idiot bard.. oh. That explains those songs." He said to himself.

"Songs?" Paimon held onto her cup as she wiped her tears away.

"Yes, that bard had been so obviously pining for someone. His songs which used to focus most on old tales and adventures have turned into depressing romantic ballads." The bartender explained, "He gained a lot of enthusiasm from his audience for it at the very least, but he seemed miserable."

"...Tone-deaf bard was.. miserable?" She looked down at her drink, feeling conflicted.

"Hmm.. if you don't want to be found. I recommend hiding. I hear footsteps coming this way."

"Oh no!" Paimon panicked, almost dropping her juice as she put it down and flew under the counter near Diluc's legs.

Right on cue, the tavern door opened to reveal a worried traveller and the bard who always followed her.

"Didn't expect to see you tonight." Diluc greeted Lumine before turning towards Venti with a scowl. "Hope you're not here for free drinks again, bard."

"Uh.. not the case this time I'm afraid." Venti replied, rubbing circles at the back of Lumine's tensed hands to comfort her.

The traveller seemed tired as she looked up at him, "Diluc… have you seen Paimon? Any information would be helpful."

"You mean the white haired little fairy that's always floating by your side? Can't say I have."

"Oh.." Her face fell. "Alright, thanks anyway." Lying comes as second nature to Diluc considering his actions at night, but for once, he actually felt a tug of guilt for doing so.

"Lumi… she couldn't have gotten outside the city walls alone. Even Paimon would know how dangerous that is, don't worry too much. I'm sure she's staying with someone right now." Venti comforted her in his stead, which Diluc figured is better than him attempting to do so.

"Yeah, you're right… I just didn't think she'd be gone for this long." The traveller looked at the bard by her side with eyes full of worry. "Venti, what should I do?"

"My windblume," The bard tenderly caressed her cheek, his thumb sliding to relax her furrowed eyebrows. "You have to wait in this situation. You've also been searching for hours now. Let's go get some rest, yeah?"

"B-but-"

Diluc found himself smiling a bit at the two, "I think you should get some rest as well, I'm sure your companion will come back to you soon." He finally spoke, putting down a cup and reaching for another one.

The two looked at Diluc for a moment, something about the way he said that sending them a secret message.

With that Lumine's shoulders finally relaxed, "Thank you, Diluc. I guess I'll call it a day now."

The two turned around to leave the tavern, mostly with Venti pushing Lumine.

"Hmph, you listen to him, but not to me?" He heard them as they walked away.

"Venti…"

“Hehe, I’m just kidding."

“Will you go back?” Diluc asked the fairy after the two made it out of the tavern. She floated to the top of the table, staring at the tavern door in thought.

“Yeah… but not now.” Paimon replied, uncharacteristically serious as she turned around to face the redhead. “The traveller would probably want to spend more time with him… rather than Paimon.”

Diluc looked a bit surprised at her claim before his eyes softened. “I doubt that. With the way the traveller looked while asking about you.”

“R-really?” Paimon asked, holding her little hands together.

“Though I don't personally understand it, what you're feeling is normal. However, you should trust the friendship you have with the traveller, do you think she's going to abandon you like that?”

The answer was obvious in those wide doe eyes, she wouldn’t.

“You’re right! Lumine always says that no one could replace Paimon!” She pumped herself up.

"Thank you Master Diluc! You know, Paimon was planning to sleepover but that's not necessary now!" She said as she picked up her glass of grape juice again and gulped it down in a matter of seconds, even in her hurry, she did not forget her juice. "Paimon has to go now! See you!" And then the girl disappeared into a puff of glitter.

Diluc could only stand there and blink. 'Right, she could do that.' He thought to himself, but then his thoughts continued, 'and a sleepover? I guess I somehow dodged a troublesome night.' He sighed.

Having your best friend find a lover huh? That reminded him of Kaeya. When the two were younger, his adoptive brother would keep making Diluc promise that even if he found someone, they'd still stay that close. Such thoughts were ridiculous, things will never stay the same. But who knew that what would drive them apart was something completely different.

His expression turned sour at the direction his thoughts were taking.

"Angry as usual, huh? Wouldn't it hurt you to smile once in a while?" His eyes widened at the awfully familiar voice, red eyes shooting up from his hands holding Paimon's empty glass to reveal the cavalry captain standing in front of him.

Speak of the devil, every time he'd thought of him he'd show up. As if he just knew.

"What’s your order." He got straight back to his job, refusing to engage in a conversation to entertain him.

"Hmm how about some caramel pinecone?" Kaeya asked as he sat down on the chair opposite to the table, right where Paimon was before.

"What." Diluc deadpanned.

"What do you mean what, I need to stay awake, not get wasted." Kaeya sighed, "Got bored of paperwork so I came to get some coffee."

'…'

"You could've just made yourself some coffee there."

"But that's no fun, don't you think?"

"Then it's fun to mess with me?"

"Maybe."

Diluc sighed for the second time, as he saw the cheerful smile on Kaeya's face, it was certain that it's going to be a troublesome night after all.

____________________________________

"What are you thinking about, beautiful?"

Lumine snapped back to reality, finding Venti inches from her face. He was at the other side of the table moments ago so when did he end up here?

"I'm wondering if Paimon had dinner yet…" She replied, putting down her spoon. In front of them was a table of food Lumine had already prepared and heated up. Due to not inviting anyone to the teapot yet, it was just the two of them in the mansion. And in normal circumstances, she'd be overjoyed to be alone with Venti but… her worry was eating her alive. Did she somehow develop separation anxiety or something? She thought to herself.

Venti, ever the gentleman, smiled at her as he sat down on the chair next to her, resting his head on his palm. "If she didn't, she would be here from hunger, and she always has an amount of mora on her, doesn't she? I'm sure she can get herself something." He reassured.

Lumine looked at him, her cheeks tinted a bit. "Paimon was right… your eyes.. are always on me." She said, voice low but loud enough for Venti to hear it.

"My eyes only chase whatever grabs my attention, and what can I say, you're always the center of mine."

Lumine turned even redder, looking at the guy in front of her made her heart soar. At that moment, she wanted to be as close to him as possible. So she got up from her seat, with Venti's eyes following her every move, and sat in his lap instead, her arms wrapped around his torso and her head resting on his shoulder.

"Wow, I'm one lucky guy." Venti mused as he laughed while his hand brushed the hair at the back of her neck. Lumine removed her head from his shoulder to be able to look at him directly, making Venti drop his hand to rest on her hips instead.

His eyes were such a beautiful colour, reminding her of where she was born and yet he was even more beautiful up close, his usual smug face looking at her with tinted cheeks and expectant eyes.

'So pretty…' she thought as she leaned in to capture his breath and make it hers.

"Paimon, you've arrived!"

Lumine panicked, trying to get up fast but ending up falling onto the ground, not without her head hitting the dining table as well in the process. "My love! Are you alright!?"

As Venti got down to check on her, Paimon had finished her small greeting with Tubby and entered the mansion. With the layout of the mansion, the dinner table was in view of the mansion door, so the little fairy stared at the traveller on the ground and Venti crouched beside her.

She turned around, "Paimon will come back later then."

"No! Paimon, wait!" Lumine scrambled to her feet to make it to her companion. "Wh-where have you been? Are you okay? Did you eat?" The traveller asked question after question, inspecting the little girl for any injuries she might have acquired while she was gone.

Paimon looked a bit surprised, her gaze shifting from the overly worried traveller to Venti who was watching them with an amused smile. "P-paimon is fine…"

With that, the traveller wrapped her arms around her, hugging the little girl into her chest. "Paimon.. please don't leave." Despite it being unsaid, both Paimon and Venti could hear what her thoughts were. 'Don't leave me like he did.'

"A-alright. But Paimon needs to breathe!" She wiggled, trying to get away from Lumine's chest. The traveller let her but held onto Paimon's sides like she was some teddy bear.

"Paimon, you're my best friend, and it will always be that way. Me having a partner would never change that! I love you both, it's just my love for you is different from the love I have for Venti, but neither is superior to the other… So please, will you stay by my side?"

Paimon was silent for a moment, staring with a bit of shock before smiling and nodding. "Only if you do not leave Paimon's side." She exclaimed.

he two laughed a bit, as Paimon leaned onto the traveller's cheek like a cat showing her affection.

Suddenly, they found themselves being pushed from the back. "Alright now, time to eat before the food gets cold."

"Ugh… Paimon forgot the Tone-deaf bard is here. Are you sure you can't do better traveller?"

Lumine sat down on a chair, and Venti let out a dramatic offended gasp "Excuse me? I'll have you know that I've won the best bard in mondstadt three times and am known to be the best songwriter and love poems teacher. I'm one of the best in terms of talents AND romance!"

Paimon huffed, "And what about having a brain, huh?

"You're one to talk."

"What did you just say!?"

Lumine hummed happily as she enjoyed her stew while Venti and Paimon continued their usual banter even while Paimon was stuffing her face with food.

'All's well that ends well!' She thought to herself.

____________________________________

"Are you not done yet?" He whined from his bed, the bed of which got connected with Lumine's after his objections earlier that day.

"Talk about impatience." The traveller teased, putting her boots in the closet. He was in his usual attire but without his hat and cape, meanwhile, she was without her dress and scarf, leaving her with the bloomers and black tank top that she usually wore underneath. She put the flowers that usually rest on her hair on the bedside table, along with her feather earring.

When she looked at him, he spread his arms like a kid asking to be picked up, she giggled and finally climbed into the bed next to him, letting the bard wrap his arms around her.

"It sure got hectic today didn't it?" Lumine asked.

"Yeah…" Venti breathed out, burying his head in her hair. "and I still can't believe you're keeping the fact we share a room a secret."

Lumine giggled at his comments, her giggles always sounding like an otherworldly melody to his ears. "I feel like Paimon has had enough surprises for today, I'll tell her tomorrow." She reasoned and tilted her head so that she could see his face. Somehow, having her look at him this close made his heart stop for a second, and he found himself affectionately studying all of her features. "Once Aether comes back.. it will be perfect." She continued, and Venti wanted to take a picture so he could see that smile anytime he wanted."I don't know whether I'm excited or afraid to introduce you to him though."

"Why? Is he the overprotective type of brother?" He asked, making her eyes look away for a second as she laughed. Archons, maybe he needs to get himself one of those Kameras afterall.

"Oh, you have no idea."

His eyebrows raised in amusement, "Well, I guess I'll have to do my best to reach the standards of both Paimon and your brother, huh?" Seems like he has a lot of barriers to go through to be with Lumine, but if he was being honest… even though he was the type to avoid anything troublesome, when it came to his love, he found himself willing to do whatever it takes.

Lumine then pushed herself to get on top of him, stacking her body on his as he choked in surprise. "Wh-what are you doing, Starlight?"

Her elbows rested on his chest, hands holding her head as she looked at him, "admiring the love of my life."

He was about to choke again. Her words, her smile, and her glow made him mesmerised. And of course, he was hyper-aware of every part of her body that was pressing against him, making thoughts and feelings he's currently trying to keep under control kick against his willpower. "Archons… you have no idea what you do to me, do you?"

She grinned an adorable confident expression that was definitely the reason everyone trusts her as their hero, capable of stealing anyone's heart, just like casting a spell. As he reached out to touch her face, she shifted, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck and pulling him into a suffocating kiss.

"Mmph!" She giggled at his surprise, meanwhile, he really was going to pass out. The fact that she was pressed up against his chest thus restricting his breathing was not helping, but if he found himself more than okay dying like this. With Lumine so close, touching his entire person, and taking his breath away, literally.

When she pulled away, he was light-headed, eyes lidded and breathing heavily. Needless to say, he thoroughly enjoyed that.

She laughed even more at whatever expression he currently had and he didn't even want to imagine how he looked from her view right now. 'How embarrassing.' He pouted, which earned him a chaste kiss from her and it made his whole body buzz for more.

'More…'

But when he was about to pull her back she stopped him with a finger to the top of his head making him whine.

Her expression of mirth turned into affection, making him stop in his tracks. "Venti… Thank you."

He looked at her puzzled as she shifted so that she was back to being next to him. "What for?" He asked and then had a moment of surprise at his voice. Clearly, he had not recovered from her attacks yet.

Her hands were back behind his neck, turning him towards her as she looked up at him. "For.. everything. For always helping me, for always being there, for always listening to me… for returning my feelings, for not getting mad at Paimon, for understanding." At that point, she pulled him closer into a hug. "For your kindness that warms my heart, your voice that soothes me, and your existence that keeps me going."

"Lumine…"

"I love the wise Barbatos who looks over his nation and guides them to follow their hearts, free to live and love. And I love the carefree Venti who enjoys his own life, playing music and spreading happiness in the city… I love them both, I love you."

He felt his eyes water at her words, she left him speechless. He couldn't speak, only stare.

"Venti?" She laughed softly as she called out his name. It was obvious that she broke him, just like the time she first confessed to him and he started hiccuping from shock.

He closed his eyes, grounding himself a bit before he looked at her again. "Sorry, could you repeat that?"

Lumine laughed fully at his response before speaking, "I love you, Venti."

He hurriedly pinned her down onto the mattress, her Amber eyes looking up at him. "Again?"

"I love you, Venti."

He leaned closer, smiles adorning both of their faces. "Again?"

"I love love love you! Venti!"

The two laughed as he crushed her into a hug, smothering her face with kisses as they rolled in the bed.

"You're spoiling me too much, sunshine. I'm growing so needy, I'll never be satisfied at this rate." He finally spoke, brushing her hair with his fingers. Ah, if only she knew how ethereal she felt in his hands, how astonishingly beautiful she was in his eyes.

"Hmm, I think you're already needy. Can't even let me walk when we're alone because you're stuck to my back." Lumine replied, making him remember how he kept hugging her from behind while she was trying to prepare dinner. He just didn't want to separate from her warmth, and how soft she is, not to mention her attempts to get away spurred him on further.

"Oh no, that's just the beginning." He warned, the octave of his voice lower than usual. "You have to take responsibility, after all… you made me like this."

A merely wind spirit like him, and a beautiful, brave, and kind warrior. A traveller fighting for those who can't, even if it meant going against her own half. Somehow, he'd stolen her from everyone, who would've thought?

"V-Venti?" The woman noticed the sinister look in his eyes as his hands grabbed hers and simultaneously pinned her, the situation they were in mirrored one they had before. A bunch of memories of how intense Venti can get because of her flashed between their eyes.

"I planned to let you rest… but you ultimately changed my mind. I told you after all didn't I? I'll never be satisfied." She was more addicting than wine. If he ever found his demise, he can't imagine it being in the hands of anyone but her.

He'd honestly expected her to be shocked, flustered, and while a cute blush adorned her cheeks, she started laughing. He frowned, slightly offended that she'd laugh after he'd said something he was very serious about, but mostly, he was embarrassed.

"Sorry, sorry." She said, a hand of hers reaching up to graze her knuckles against his cheek, her eyes sparkling. "When I think of how you'd want me like this, I can't help feeling happy. I'm so happy to the point smiling isn't enough."

Well, he'll be damned. She just squeezed his heart like a sponge.

He fell, absolutely doomed in her abyss. "Ngh…" He clutched onto her arms, body slack against hers, letting her feel how hard his heart was beating. "You win."

Venti always tries to make his girlfriend flustered, but she ends up overpowering him, making him the flustered one. No matter what he says, she finds a way to make his heart beat with love to the point of pain, to the point he'd turn aggressive, making him discover sides to him that he never knew even existed.

And the worst part is that she wasn't even trying, she was just being herself and his heart was naturally in her grasp, just like a flower's pistil surrounded by its petals. Petals that her dress resembled, petals that fit her because she was always protecting others.

Lumine laughed softly, stroking his hair, fingers sliding from the back of his head to his braids, untangling them. "I like your braids, but when they're untied you look a bit more… hm, wild?"

It was his turn to laugh as he pushed himself up again, only to see her putting his hair bands on each of her wrists, then resting them at the sides of her head, looking up at him with expectant eyes.

She was going to be the death of him. The way she looked, her position under him, her obvious signals of submission, and worst of all, her eyes that filled him with love, they attacked him with overwhelming feelings, making him aggressively pin those wrists and grit his teeth from the overwhelming urge to do something to her.

Lumine then tried to lean up as much, touching his lips in a soft kiss that sent electricity all over his body, one that was shocked by her multiple times that night, and as she was going to lay back down his lips chased hers as he melted, his hands leaving her wrists in favour of intertwining with hers as their bodies collided. Feeling each other's chests thud.

The Archon sighed, holding her close as they practically chased each other. A blanket of tears covered his lover's eyes from how much he'd taken from her, with a passion that left no room for her to breathe.

His lips then rested gently on her forehead, causing her to sigh as he spoke. "I love you, Lumine, my love from the stars. I love more than you'll ever know." With her eyes shut, tears rolled down her red cheeks, finally free.