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It seemed strange, wandering the vast open meadow underneath the heightened gaze of Stormterror's Tower. Fireflies scattered over the warm-hued grass, their lights flickering and buzzing like the thoughts in your mind as you maundered. It was lucky that you hadn't come across any monsters in your fogged state, but the world seemed to believe you had enough company for the day. How you longed for the sight of another longing for your presence.
The voluminous life of a Mondstadtian citizen seemed to have finally overwhelmed you, the expectations of each of its residents clogging your throat. You had happily accepted their small to large requests in the past, but couldn't help noticing a pattern as of late. The original pleas to assist them with monsters in their paths or troublesome thieves had slowly drifted into mindless fetch-quests. Some didn't even seem to look at you, pushing their request into your hands with blind knowledge that you would take care of everything.
You should've been grateful that life wasn't so harsh anymore, that your previous efforts of improving the city had taken shape beautifully. Something itched though, crossing your mind as you were stuck with yourself for the entirety of days and weeks, the quests still staking up despite the needless nature of them. Was it too much of a hassle to spare a few moments and chat, like normal human beings?
You didn't want to admit it, but it hurt to have not conversed with anyone these past few weeks. Those who tried were deterred by how busy you seemed to be, although those pleasant chats were something your aching heart desperately longed for. It really hurt.
To make matters worse, you hadn't seen your wind-borne bard within the past handful of weeks. Only small glances to make sure he was okay as he played songs and spun stories in the plaza, your eyes never meeting one another. You missed him dearly, but his time was occupied by such trivial matters that floated and changed like the direction of the wind. You missed him.
These thoughts led you to a familiar place - one of the upper levels of Decarabian's Tower. It was resting in silence, much to your everlasting chagrin. Another presence would've been welcomed, but you'd never burden someone to look at you when you weren't at your best. They didn't deserve that.
Despite the history behind such an architectural masterpiece, you and your lover often found yourselves spending much time here. The area was marked with piles of makeshift blankets and cushions that had grown in quantity over the times spent lying underneath the stars. You both would sneak there, careful not to disturb those deep at rest in their houses as the light patter-falls of your shoes clicked against the aged stone of the city. The wind would always blow heavily, a comforting pressure as it cupped your cheeks in a familiar embrace. The view from the tower was the best part, with its gaze locked upon the entire city beyond its borders. It was perfect.
Dvalin wasn't there - which wasn't surprising, but even his company would've been acceptable. Accepting defeat, you wandered toward the ledge of the uppermost levels, legs dangling dangerously over the edge as they swang in the breeze. In the discordance of ruminations, it traversed to a thought that had your chest tied into knots, something you didn't even want to begin unpacking.
Would someone catch me if I fell?
In months past, this would've been an easy question to answer. You had so many friends that were delighted to have you around, not to mention your lover. They would be so distraught if anything had ever happened to you, but now you weren't so sure. You choked back a sob as salty tears slipped into your mouth, but you wiped them away as quickly as they came. The green monster of disgust shielded your reflection from the open night sky, shaking its head in disappointment.
No one wants to see that.
You shuddered from the feeling of a front coming in, although the sky remained without a cloud in sight. Lips unlocked their stoic stature, curling downward into a frown as you knew that you truly were alone. It was disgusting, but you could let every selfish thought out of your mouth. You curled in on yourself, arms wrapping yourself in the only hug you deserved as the judgemental rays of setting day gazed upon the mortal below the sky. Maybe the archons were looking down with discontent at your pitiful form, and you couldn't blame them.
"I knew I'd find you here."
The quiet voice seemed to echo throughout the room, and it didn't take a genius to know who it was. You didn't even look behind, the image of eyes staring with judgment at your shaking figure too hard to bear. It was idiotic to come to one of your common hangout spots, but the comfort that the building gave you had led your feet to mindlessly sit here. You hadn't expected him to appear; it had been weeks since either of you had talked, weeks since you had ascended the cobblestone staircase of the windy spiral.
"Hello, Venti," you responded dully.
The soles of his shoes tapped against the hollow stone flooring, the sound being amplified by the ginormous room. His impending approach was further exaggerated as it bounced off the walls, much to your irritation and fear. Your face became buried in between your knees, only letting a sliver of your eyes peek out at the tip of the sun peeking over the horizon.
"You know it's dangerous to be sitting out here alone."
You chuckled humourlessly. "No need to scold me. I know."
The bard pouted. Your dismissive attitude was strange, especially in comparison to your normal vivacious personality. Sassy quips and sarcastic commentary would've regularly fallen from your lips in a comedic fashion, but there was none of that now. Your charming characteristics had been dulled now - like a fire that was completely snuffed out.
He placed a hand on your shoulder, taking key notice of the small flinch. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired," you mumbled.
With an unconvinced look, he attempted to peek around to have a glimpse of your expression, only to find it snuggling sitting cradled in your arms. He brushed some strands of hair away from your face but was still unable to see anything properly.
"(Name), please look at me."
You didn't respond, toying with your fingers as you tried to ignore him. Each thought willed him to leave you here in your sorrow for all time, even though it would break your heart. It was what you deserved - he deserved so much better.
"(Name)," he pushed.
In a desperate attempt to grab your attention after another moment of silence, he pinched some of the sensitive skin on the back of your neck. You instinctively winced, shooting your head up and almost grabbing the guilty hand as you tried to soothe the unforeseen sting. Your eyes became locked with your attacker.
"What the hell, Venti?" you spat with irritation.
A choked gasp left your lips as two soft hands suddenly pressed themselves against your cheeks with solid, nurturing care. The fingers attached to them wiped the large tears that dripped onto your clothes and the floor below. Your stomach churned nauseously, making eye contact with the last person that you ever wanted to see yourself in this state.
"You've been crying."
You smiled dully. "You're observant."
The joke almost immediately fell through, causing the sick feeling to increase as your face flushed with embarrassment. You were tempted to turn your entire body around but opted to turn away as he kept staring and wiping away the fallen tears.
"I knew it, you haven't been feeling well," he whispered mournfully, his brows furrowed.
It was as if some kind of lightbulb went off, a chemical reaction as someone speaking those words caused part of the sick feeling to disappear. Someone understood what you were going through, that you weren't some kind of emotionless robot made for serving others. With little courage, your eyes skimmed over to his once more, and what you find made your stomach roll in a good way. His teal irises glimmered with intimate sympathy.
A muffled sob left your throat without that monster looming overhead, throwing yourself into his welcoming embrace. You could and couldn't stand him staring at you like that, feeling small yet wanting to feel like that around him at the same time. He always had to ability to make your feel such conflicting emotions, but it was something you wouldn't change. He held you tight without a moment's hesitation, carding his long fingers through your hair.
Your heart spoke before your brain could catch up. "I'm sorry - I'm sorry - I'm so, so sorry."
"Shhh, cecilia. There is nothing for you to be sorry for." He hushed you with ease, brushing some of the tear-stained strands away from your wet face. It still managed to surprise him how you were able to look so beautiful, even in such a distraught state.
Your arms locked up, suddenly pushing him away. It was then that he finally was able to decipher the emotion behind your conflicted eyes. Unadulterated fear. You were terrified to hold him close and too scared to push him away. He wanted to know why - to crack you open and build you back up with the softest care he could provide.
"Why did you choose me?"
Each word that left your mouth further expanded upon the complexity of your thoughts and emotions - doubt, fear, worry, self-contempt. He stared for a moment, in awe that such a wonderful person could possibly experience those emotions, but logically he knew it was undeniable.
"Huh?" he asked dumbly.
You stood up abruptly, moving away from him as your eyes gazed towards the moon, which was starting to rise within the twilight sky. It was here, you understood, where you could share some of your darkest thoughts and insecurities. The moon would hide them away from the light of day, as you hid your hopeless expression away from your neighbors and friends while entering the city. They would never know.
"You deserve someone stronger, smarter, prettier. I don't understand how you could possibly settle for me."
The air became silent once more, and you hated it. The silence was overbearing, and you wanted it to stop once and for all. You hated it. You wanted to scream, shout, cry, do something to make it stop. It wouldn't help, you'd just get the same result - hearing your own voice once again. It wasn't a true substitute for the company of another soul.
You knew he was going to leave. The words you spoke probably struck a chord within his instrument of a heart, and he'd leave for someone else more in tune with his peculiar spirit. Someone who could remain happy in every situation. Not you.
He deserved so much better than an insecure, mortal woman.
"You are strong."
Your head perked from its lowered position, not expecting any sort of reply from his resounding voice. It had grown even softer, like someone approaching a scared animal. It wasn't like how he'd spoken to his adoring fans in Mondstadt hours prior, it was different.
"You are so intelligent."
The same footsteps that had thundered so loudly before had taken on a softer tone. Your breath hitched as strong arms wrapped themselves around your waist, burying his nose into your neck as your unwilling bent into him. He took a piece of your hair in between his fingers, twirling it before placing a light kiss on the tip as he let it go to sway in the breeze.
"And your beauty outshines that of any being I've ever known."
His hand cupped yours in his own, feeling each ridge and wrinkle with adoration as they locked perfectly with his own, as if you were the matching piece to his puzzle. With each passing word that left his lips, a chaste kiss would accompany it on your knuckles.
"Amorevolous."
Kiss.
"Graceful."
Kiss.
"Bewitching."
Kiss.
"Those who make you inferior know not of the worth of an archon's most beloved maiden," his voice boomed as he moved upward, leaving a kiss on your shoulder that burned pleasantly to the touch. He released your waist, locking fingers with one hand as he bent on one knee, a warm zephyr rushing over both of you as a familiar scene played in your mind.
The day that he had proposed.
The ring on your left hand was proof of it. With stunning indentions on the band of a pattern familiar to her, that of apples and leaves. It had been custom-made by a jeweler in Liyue, and he had apparently been saving Mora for over two years to buy it. You marveled at it often. It was nothing truly extravagant, but it was all you had ever wanted. An eternal promise to love you until your mortal end.
"When you are around, I am no God - but instead the humble servant of the heart to an enrapturing angel," he confessed as if he were truly the prophet to some beautiful goddess. Not as if he was the one who had the godly powers that frightened the world and had captivated her.
Your heart fluttered like the invisible wings that Venti had seemed to see lining your back, feeling as if you could fly with the way he looked up at you. Pure adoration. The buzzing noise of doubt was still there, but the reinstation of his promise stifled it into silence. The only silence you were thankful for.
Passionate eyes gleamed pack at you, leaving a few more pecks along and around your palm and fingers before he starts to trail up your arm. His hands smoothly slid over the skin, lifting him back up to true height level as they were eye-to-eye.
"But, perhaps..."
The arm locked around your waist and the hot breath on your face was all that you could focus on.
"...I must show you in the way of a true devotee."
His eyes drifted shut as he leaned in, not missing the mark as his lips locked with yours and entangled you in a familiar, loving dance. He had memorized every single part of your body that he could, with your lips being a sinful and secret favorite of his - with their intoxicating ambrosial taste.
"Oh~ sweet angel."
Your chest expanded and contracted widely, gasping for air widely between the marking of your lips and the smooth touches tracing along your spine, not paying mind to how he slowly led your feet to rest your body against one of the more sturdy columns of the structure.
"You should never feel unworthy of my affection."
The look in his eyes was something that could only be described by the bard's stories. That of an eternal love unknown to most of mankind. One that had taken centuries of learning and yearning to craft into a perfectly honed feeling. Something that was once in a lifetime.
"It is the least that you deserve."
"Venti ~ Ahn-!" You moaned faintly as the pressure against your lips increased with each following peck.
He started to groan lowly with each pleasured prayer, your body shaking in his hands as you gave yourself to the passionate embrace. He moved the small hairs away from your neck with a tug, gaining access to the tempting curve that joined your neck and collarbone.
"Continue singing for me, my muse."
He nipped and sucked on your neck, attempting to find the spot that he had abused often in some of the intimate sessions you had previously. A pleasured cry escaped your throat as he found it within moments, him taking it as an indication to dive in like a ravenous animal. He painted your skin violet and blue hues of color that you would have a hard time trying to hide, if you even wanted to. There was no shame in your union.
You grasped onto the back of his cream-colored dress shirt, his long cape forgotten on the floor some ways away as your body was alight with fervent fire, pleasant sparks of warmth sparking against the skin. It truly felt as if you would float away, if not for your lover keeping you glued to the ground with his devoted grip.
Short gasps escaped your lips as his knee moved in between your legs, subtly rubbing up against your most sensitive area. He tugged against your hips, his fingers creating small, indented crescents as you jolted, arms wobbling to keep steady with the sparks of pleasure assuming control of your mind.
"Venti, please," you begged desperately.
"Lift your hips for me, windblume," he commanded, and at once you obeyed as you started to fuck yourself on top of his thigh. You ached for more as the sticky sensation increased, moving unconsciously against him as a mischievous smirk grew on his face. He gladly assisted, using his unforeseen strength to bounce you up and down to hit all the right nerves. Every part of him shivered as you glanced back at him, eyes completely glazed over in lust.
You both leaned in as he swallowed your wanton moans of ecstasy. He removed his shirt and other garments with ease, growing impatient as he started to feel the wet sensation against his leg. As you were about to meet the end, he stopped, his hands meeting the buttons of your blouse as you panted against him. He looked down at you, an expression of absolute worship in his eyes as he leaned in to whisper his sinful musings into your ear.
"Please allow me to gaze upon your seraphic form, my divine angel."
You couldn't think straight as your face grew even hotter, but subconsciously relented to his plea, fingers moving to slowly unbutton the blouse as more and more skin was uncovered. He gazed with the look of an hungered animal, leering eyes adoringly looking at the soft skin. They crinkled in adoration, mouth moving to suckle bite marks and more colorful bruises against your stomach.
"Beautiful."
He left a painting only an artist could decipher in his wake, his teeth and lips turned into the brush as he left no spot untouched. He was in a moment of true worship, and there was no doubt in either of their minds that he meant every touch and every word that had escaped his lips.
He traced your back, lifting you from under your bum as your legs encased his hips. He moved as swiftly as the winds he commanded, settling you down as carefully as he could against the familiar burrow of pillows.
His calloused hands rubbed against your legs, thighs, and hips - circling sweet sensations and unspoken words into your skin that only you would understand as his eyes gently gawked at the glowing figure underneath him. He could request hundreds of paintings, thousands of sculptures; they would never capture your true beauty as perfectly as this moment did.
Your hand reached up hesitantly cupping his cheek, and he melted to the warm touch on his cool skin. Your fingers traced each crinkle and beauty mark that adorned his pale skin, like small splatters of paint on a canvas. No matter if they were an accident or not, they added to the piece. Your eyes met with his for a moment, and though there was no need to say it, you did.
"Take me."
He willingly submitted underneath his goddess' calm command, undressing your body with tender care - no longer the desperate passion of the prior moments. The only thing that lingered between the two of you were silent promises of love. You liked this silence. It was so inviting, like the blankets lining your bed at home. They filled your heart with this strange tingling sensation that you had felt before. You liked it.
The bard rolled his hips experimentally, a small groan leaving his lips as he felt the true measure of your arousal. His nimble fingers stroked the conjoining point between you both, your legs almost locking his hand inside as you were still sensitive from the lost bliss from earlier.
"Seems you're excited, huh?" he teased.
You both chuckled, light and unassuming smiles on your faces before you decided to speak with much more softness than you had normally found yourself able to muster. That all changed whenever he was around.
"With you? Always."
His eyes twinkled with longing veneration, leaning in so that just your noses made contact. The gaze you both held lasted for what felt like a collection of beautiful years, almost as if you were seeing the future come inside his ocean-like eyes. He was seeing the same in yours.
"I love you," he spoke like a revelation.
The familiar heat returned to your cheeks once again, but it was not out of lust anymore - maybe a bit, but that wasn't the defining factor. Your heart thundered deep inside of your chest, and you welcomed the beat as it went in sync with his own.
"I love you, too."
With that, he pushed his full length in you, sinking in as he lowly laughed, nuzzling his face into your shoulder. You both took a moment to breathe, drunk off of the high of connection once more.
"Why do you always feel so good?"
You laughed between low groans of pleasure as he started to circle his hips.
"That's what you always say."
He scoffed with a knowing look on his face, before burying himself deeper in, allowing himself to drown in the familiar scent of her natural smell and the aroma of flowers that lingered around them both. Cecilias, which made you fitting for your infamous nickname. He thrust his hips, rolling them just as he had before to hit that perfect spot, to which you quietly cried out.
"Oh~ Venti."
"Shh, goddess. Just let the feeling wash over you," he whispered, shushing your racing mind.
Your stomach slowly started to turn into knots - no longer ones of nausea. Your back arched up as he hit the perfect angle, breasts pushing against his chest much to his perverted delight. You chanted his name out, praying to your most devoted follower.
“Venti- Ahn~ I-I gonna cum-!”
"Cum for me, my pretty muse."
The stars that followed were much prettier than the ones leaking in from the cracks on the ceiling above, glowing brightly as your arms went to tightly wrap around his back. They shined until they increased your vision, overwhelmed by the white sensation of bliss.
His thrusts stuttered a bit as he spilled inside of your sensitive heat, the vibration of his loud moans against the column of your neck causing you to shudder. As he slowly stilled, he turned you over, resting your head on his chest as he covered both of you with one of the small blankets lying around.
Your eyelashes fluttered for a moment as the soft waves of sleep started to overcome you, tired from such an emotional and physical union. Two delicate kisses were placed on each eyelid as they fully shut.
"Sleep well, angel."