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Night looms in Mondstadt and with it, the promise of mora from Angel’s Share regulars. Like clockwork, each and every one enters the tavern looking to get inebriated, forgetting the worries of the day. Already, many are at Diluc’s counter with their orders and he readies himself to reluctantly cater to them. At the very least, the presence of a certain bard in green will serve to soften his usual feeling of annoyance—not that Diluc would openly admit that to anyone. Venti grew on him. He looked forward to seeing him enter Angel’s Share and turn heads with his music and voice. Diluc even chose to forsake his tab, instead opting to having a glass of Dandelion Wine ready for him at the counter like now.
He always knew when Venti would enter. He could feel it.
But Venti does not come.
The glass he’d prepared for the bard lie untouched. Strange. Like clockwork, Venti would burst through the door, beginning to sing even without the usage of his Lyre. As much as Diluc tries to put his worries at bay, they converge and overtake him, forcing him to act like Venti’s safety wasn’t on his mind. Mixing drinks served to calm him only slightly. Venti is the Archon of Mondstadt, something only a select few including himself knew. He could surely protect himself despite his claim of his “weakness”—that was only an act of humility on the Archon’s part.
But it is because Venti is Barbatos is why I should worry. There’s been Fatui activity, and after the Eighth Harbinger stole his Gnosis, something that we should not have let happen, well…
His thoughts get the better of him. Engrossed in them, he doesn’t notice the door opening and Kaeya making his way to sit at the bar as he always did, trying to get his attention. It isn’t until he leans across the counter and tugs his shoulder to get his attention that Diluc flinches and acknowledges him.
“What’s with you?” Kaeya asked. “Normally, you’d think of some creative insult for me before I even walked up to the bar.”
“I, um,” Diluc tried to find a suitable response, but could not.
He hands Kaeya a Death After Noon and keeps eyeing the tavern door. If he notices his brother’s perplexed face , he chooses to ignore it.
Kaeya scratches his head.
“Are you okay, Diluc?”
Diluc sighed, “I’m fine.”
Kaeya notices his eyes constantly looking towards the door.
“Are you looking for someone?”
“No! I’m—”
“Definitely looking for someone, judging by your snappy attitude.”
Kaeya stands up and makes his way behind the bar.
“What exactly are you doing, Kaeya?”
Laughing, Kaeya pat his back. “What does it look like? I’m helping you. Go on, go find Venti.”
“You—What? What are you insinuating?”
“I’m not stupid,” Kaeya replied. “…If you really think I’m the only one, then ask literally anyone here.”
For once, Diluc chooses to be selfish for his own sake.
“…Thank you.”
He’s out of Angel’s Share in less than a minute.
If Venti were in any trouble, he would not say anything or seek help. Of this, Diluc is certain. In the books, Barbatos was often depicted as a selfless Archon, one who put his lands over even himself. That trait would not disappear no matter how many centuries has passed. He even notices it now with how Venti acts. In fact, it plays out every day. Mondstaters can live freely without any rule or opposition from Barbatos, with his only condition that the freedom of the city be protected, lest his wrath be invoked. It is because of this that the people choose to revere him freely.
In that way, Venti is powerful.
The issue was finding him. Most likely, he would seclude himself until it was safe to return. Unlikely places would be anywhere inside Mondstadt, which would arouse suspicion. The only two places he could think of outside of Mondstadt was Dvalin’s lair and Windrise, where Vennessa’s great tree and Barbatos’ Statue of the Seven lie. That would be his first destination of the two because of how close it was to the city.
He moves with haste, his heart beating quicker as the great tree comes into view. When he arrives, his eyes widen.
Venti is curled up against his own statue. This is the first time Diluc has seen him in Archon form. His wings are massive, bright and beyond beautiful. His skin glows, the tattoos on his body shine with Anemo. Somehow, the revealing nature of his top and bottom fit him, for even that was an expression of his personal freedom, to dress as he wanted. While Diluc would marvel at his divinity a while longer, he gasps as the winds shift violently around him—then, one of his divine arrows point towards him.
So this is Barbatos in his true splendor. Bow and arrow pointed towards him, ready for the kill.
However, as quickly as the bow and arrow was materialized, it disappears. The wind calms.
“Diluc,” Venti sighed. “You scared me. I’m sorry.”
Venti is injured. His right leg is covered with scratches and black blood, and his wings twitch in pain, covered at the tips with more black blood.
“Abyssal blood,” he notes. “You were attacked.”
“I can defend myself! I’m strong, I—”
“I never said you weren’t, Barbatos.”
“I… I see. Sorry.”
Venti is in a vulnerable state and as such, Diluc doesn’t know whether he should approach or keep distance. He probably doesn’t want anyone to touch him right now, but that is alright. Venti prevailed, and is safe.
“I was worried about you,” Diluc tells him honestly. “You always come to Angel’s Share, without fail. The patrons love you for your voice and music. But most of all, your kindness.”
Venti looked at Diluc sadly, “But I annoy you, I know I must.”
“You don’t annoy me. Look… May, May I come closer?”
Venti nodded. Diluc inched closer and took off his coat, wrapping it around him. Venti tucked in his wings and allowed himself to curl up against him. The warmth radiating from him brings himcomfort. Diluc cups his chin and turns his head so their eyes meet.
“Venti…”
Diluc is acting so differently and though it is not unwelcome, it leaves Venti confused. Yet, this soft, protective side of Diluc has him smiling through his injuries. Deep down, Diluc is sweet, hiding behind a stoic façade. He hides his heart so it does not have any danger of being trampled upon. Right now, his heart seemed to be in plain view before him.
“Diluc,” Venti whispered. “You came here because you felt deeply that something was wrong… Do you… do so out of friendship or is it something else? Please tell me.”
With honesty, Diluc said, “…Something else.”
Venti tilted his head. “Like what?”
“Is it not obvious, Venti?”
“Maybe it is,” Venti smiled. “But forgive me, I’d like you to admit in and tell me openly.”
“Silly bard,” Diluc muttered. “It turns out that I am comfortable with your presence and have gotten used to your arrival. It feels incomplete without you. It is for that reason I am here, because I worried. I care about you.”
“Diluc is so very sweet~.”
“Hah. You know, I might just be enamored with you.”
Even though he expected it, Venti still gasps.
“You really like this little bard? I… Wow, I…”
Diluc pulled him closer, “You’re the one who wanted me to admit it, don’t forget.”
“I—I know, but I truly always thought you tolerated me at best.”
“For a while, it was like that,” he admitted. “Then, things changed. I don’t know when, I can’t tell you that. All I know is that it feels wrong without you. It feels so wrong.”
“Your honesty is comforting.”
Diluc cups his cheek again, a soft smile on his face. He is hesitant, however, and does not make another move after that. Venti being the Archon he is, can immediately tell what he wants. Closing his eyes, he leans forward and connects their lips softly.
And what bliss it is to be loved and kissed for the first time in many years. Venti feels warm and joyful inside. A myriad of pleasant emotions fills his heart. The pain from his earlier battle is forgotten as he wraps his arms around Diluc, content on staying with him like this for the rest of the night.
After their kiss, Diluc picks up Venti, holding him in his arms.
“Ah—Diluc!”
“I have to tend to your injuries, you know. Clean up all that nasty Abyssal blood.”
“O-Okay.”
Diluc carries Venti all the way back to Dawn Winery, taking care to hide his true identity by slipping in through a door in the back. When it’s safe, he places Venti down and begins to tend to him, cleaning his wings and leg and bandaging them afterwards. All of the times he has come from his usual Darknight activities has given him the skills necessary to tend to all kinds of wounds. He is delicate.
Oddly, he says, “I feel as if I’m forgetting something…”
“Well if you forgot, it probably wasn’t important?”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
In the morning, Venti awakens to bickering.
Fearful, he dresses quickly and walks down the stairs to the main hall while staying hidden, only to find one very enraged Kaeya scolding Diluc.
“I cannot believe you! I told you to find Venti but not leave me to Angel’s Share all night! Three people almost threw drinks at me! There was almost a brawl!”
“You offered to help!”
“I expected you to come back!”
Diluc rolled his eyes. “That wasn’t in the terms and conditions!”
“Terms and conditions?! Who do you think you are, the Geo Archon?”
Venti had to snicker.
“Shut up already,” Diluc groaned. “You’ll wake up Venti. He’s had a long night.”
“Too late, he’s on top of the stairs trying not to laugh.”
Venti squeaked. He briefly came down the stairs—
“Hi Kaeya! Bye Diluc!”
—And promptly proceeded to run back upstairs.
“What?! You’re just going to leave me with him?! Venti!”
Kaeya hissed. “And another thing—!"
This was going to be a long day for Diluc.