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Little Kaeya was drawn in by a sweet melody. He followed it straight to a room that had its door open. He peeked his head inside, only to see Venti in front of a mirror, singing quietly while braiding his hair. He found himself smiling. Such a nice voice. He remembered it singing him to sleep last night.
What he didn't expect was for Venti to turn around and smile at him, one of his braids only halfway done, but he abandoned it in favor of crouching down in front of the small boy and reached a hand up. "Good morning! Did you sleep well?" he asked with a gentle chuckle, the smile never leaving his face.
Kaeya instinctively took a step back once he was approached, but it only took him a moment to realize Venti was no threat. While he didn't speak, he gave a small nod. There was a loud storm yesterday, but it was like it didn't even exist once he drifted off. He had a peaceful sleep. Mostly thanks to a sweet bard who stayed by his side the entire time. Awake and watching over him to make sure he has pleasant dreams.
Evident by the bags under his eyes and the tired undertone to his bright smile, Venti hasn't slept at all. Kaeya wasn't having any of that. This nice person saved him from the scary storm, he had to repay the favor somehow. He looked up at him, opening and closing his mouth a few times, hesitant to speak. Venti tilted his head but waited patiently for him to speak up.
"Can I help?" Finally, Kaeya asked, pointing at the half-finished braid with a curious expression.
Venti wasn't sure what he expected, but most certainly not this. Still, he couldn't possibly refuse now, could he? "You want to finish the braid? Ehe, sure!" he said as he stood up straight, motioning for Kaeya to follow him over to the bed.
He sat down and patted the space beside himself, which Kaeya jumped onto, ready to get to work. There was just one tiny issue. "Um... How?" he asked, his voice a lot softer this time as he hung his head. He didn't even think about the fact that he has no idea how to braid hair.
Venti's eyes widened for a moment before he only laughed. "Hm... I could teach you!" he offered with a smile. He reached a hand over to pull some of Kaeya's hair to the front but stopped halfway to ask for permission. "May I?" Yesterday the small boy wouldn't let him touch him in any way, so he didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
Kaeya only gave another nod and with that, Venti pulled some of his hair to the front. "Okay, look... First you..." he started, showing him each step as he explained it to him in detail. He ended up making Kaeya's hair into a cute, little braid, tying up the end so it would stay. "What do you think?" he asked as he looked over at the mirror, Kaeya following his gaze.
At first, he looked confused as he never saw himself with a braid before, but his eye lit up a few moments later, his gaze traveling back and forth between him and Venti, almost seeming excited.
Venti took notice of that and he nodded with a gentle chuckle. "Yeah, we match!" he said and patted the top of his head, careful not to ruin his new hairstyle.
"We match!" Kaeya repeated, this time sounding excited. He looked at them in the mirror for a few more moments before he turned back to face Venti. "My turn!" he said, a smile on his face. He tried to remember what Venti showed him and started to work on a braid. He was so focused on the process, even his tongue stuck out a little, his gaze never once moving away from the target.
Venti found the sight so endearing. His eyes softened as he watched him work. A few quiet seconds later he started to sing once more as he noticed Kaeya seemed to like his voice. This only further motivated the boy to do a great job. Once he was done, he leaned back to look at his masterpiece, a proud smile on his face as he looked up at Venti.
"Good job!" the bard praised him but had to stifle a yawn, which made Kaeya frown. He remembered why he wanted to do the braid in the first place. He pouted as he looked up at Venti once more. "I want another nap!" he said, almost in a demanding tone, like he doesn't accept no for an answer.
Venti had no idea what the boy was playing at, he just simply nodded and stood up from the bed, taking a glance at himself in the mirror. While the braid Kaeya did was a little wonky, it was all the more special. He wouldn't dare fix it, it was perfect the way it was. "Sure! Take a nap and I'll get you breakfast!"
Kaeya pouted once more and grabbed Venti's wrist to stop him. "No. With you," he said, again, with a final tone, no arguments allowed.
"Oh.." Venti looked surprised for a moment. "Oooh..." he repeated once he realized what Kaeya was trying to do. Well, a little nap wouldn't hurt after all. He sat back down and opened his arms in case Kaeya would like some cuddles.
The small boy was hesitant for a few moments, but climbed into his arms, snuggling up to him with a small smile. His braid might be ruined, but they could redo it anytime! It was so much fun anyway!
Venti laid down with Kaeya in his arms, it was a warm morning, so there was no need for a blanket. He remained silent, but Kaeya started to shift around, seemingly unable to find a comfortable position.
Finally, he ended up settling with his head on Venti's chest while he was all snuggled into his side. "Can you... sing?" he asked in a soft whisper, his arms tightening around him.
Oh, how could Venti refuse? But before he started, he gently tilted Kaeya's head up so he'd be looking at him. "We'll be together forever from now on, okay?" he asked with a sweet smile, which Kaeya happily returned.
"Promise?" the boy asked, his gaze fixed on Venti, looking for any kind of hesitance. After being abandoned once, he couldn't just believe him so quickly.
But Venti reacted with zero hesitation, he nodded almost immediately. "Promise," he replied, his tone quiet and gentle as he brushed Kaeya's bangs out of his face.
Satisfied with the answer, Kaeya snuggled his head back against Venti's chest, to listen to his heartbeat. It reassured him that he truly wasn't alone. And soon Venti's soft voice filled the room with a warm feeling of home. He improvised a gentle lullaby on the spot, just for the small boy in his arms. And sure enough, Kaeya drifted into a peaceful sleep only minutes later.
Only after Venti made sure he was asleep did he let himself drift off into the world of dreams.
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"Do you have to go?" Kaeya asked, with a firm hold on Venti's cape as his mouth curved downwards, looking like he's just about ready to cry. He's been living with Venti for a couple of months now and this was going to be the first time he'll spend more than a day apart from him ever since.
Venti let out a soft sigh and ran a gentle hand through his hair. "Hey, it's just a week!" he said, keeping a smile on his face so it would seem like this isn't such a big deal. "You'll be staying with Master Crepus and Diluc! It will be just like a sleepover, but a bit longer!" He tried to show him the bright side of the situation.
Kaeya perked up at that, a thought like this didn't even cross his mind. His eye lit up, a smile appearing on his face. "A sleepover week with Diluc? Yay!" he cheered, letting go of Venti's cape to spin around and clap happily.
Though a few moments later, something else settled in and he grabbed Venti's hand this time. "But... I'll miss you," he mumbled, looking down at the ground with a pout.
Venti used his free hand to cup Kaeya's cheek and make him look up at him. He rubbed his thumb along his cheekbone and smiled at him. "You know... Even when I'm not by your side, I'm still close to you! The wind connects us wherever we are," he said as he let a gentle breeze of wind ruffle Kaeya's hair. "Hehe, see?"
Kaeya found himself smiling and nuzzled into Venti's palm. He chuckled and gave a small nod. "I understand!" he said. Right on cue, Crepus arrived to pick the boy up and take him back to the winery.
Venti slowly let go of Kaeya and took a step back. "I'll be back soon! Have fun~" he hummed as he turned around to go on his own way.
"Bye! I love you!" Kaeya called after him and waved with a smile, holding Crepus' hand. He and Diluc were his second family, but the first will always be Venti.
Venti's expression softened at his words, his steps halted as he glanced back at the small boy. He never thought he'd end up raising a child, but here he was. And maybe this is what he was missing. He found himself spending less time drinking. He now had someone he was responsible for, someone who loved and trusted him. And needed him. It was a rewarding experience seeing Kaeya thrive, be free, and happy. "I love you too!" he called back before he took off into the sky with the help of his wind current, so he could fly to his destination.
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It couldn't end like this. Not yet. Kaeya still needed him. He wasn't a child anymore, no. He just turned 23 a few months ago. But he still needed his only family. And as he held the dying Venti in his arms, kneeling on the battlefield, bloodied and weakened, all his sweet memories flashed right in front of his eyes. Venti saved them all, but at what cost? The energy he exerted and the wounds he's suffered were too much to handle, even for a god.
He let Venti rest against him as the bard kept gasping for air, along with an occasional cough or wheeze, sweat dripping down his forehead, his eyes shut tight.
Kaeya tried to comfort him as Venti did for him oh so many times before. He'd run his hand through his hair as his braids got untied in the heat of battle. He'd hold him close, not for a moment daring to let go. Still, his hold was gentle as to not cause him any further pain. "Venti... You'll be alright, I promise," he whispered, but truthfully, the words were directed at himself. He tried to convince his own mind this wasn't happening. Jean or Barbara will arrive soon. They'll heal him and then everything will go back to normal. They can go home. Together.
The more Venti's energy faded, the less he was gasping. He accepted his fate and the sensation of pain was starting to disappear as his life faded. He felt Kaeya's body tremble. The shake in his voice. The tears that dripped down his cheeks and landed on Venti. He felt them all. And he couldn't let it happen. The day he adopted Kaeya, he promised him he'd never have to be scared as long as he is there. He'll protect him no matter what. And he was going to keep that promise if that's the last thing he does.
He tried to gather up all the remaining energy he had left to reach up and cup Kaeya's cheek, to which Kaeya reacted quickly, placing his own hand on top to support Venti's, so he wouldn't have to exert himself so much. He nuzzled into his palm just as he used to as a child, a soft sob escaping his lips at the thought that this will be the last time he can experience this warmth. Venti wiped away some of the tears away and mustered a gentle smile.
Kaeya almost broke on the spot. Stupid bard. Still smiling even in this situation. And with that same, soft and loving look he always used to give him. It took a lot of effort not to shatter right this second, but Kaeya managed to stay strong for now. He gently moved a hand to support Venti's head, so he'd have to use the least amount of energy possible.
"I'm proud of you.." Venti whispered, still with that sweet smile and soft eyes. He was proud to see who Kaeya has become. He was a strong man, with so many great achievements under his belt. Venti was proud to say he raised him. "And I love you... It's-" He was cut off by another, harsher coughing fit as a sharp sense of pain rushed through his entire body. The longer he struggled and tried to hold on, the more he suffered.
And Kaeya was aware of that. It would be selfish of him to make him stay. He had to let him go. "I-... I love you too," he choked up, his arms tightening around the trembling figure in his arms. He let his head rest on top of Venti's, another sob escaping his lips. "And I'm proud to be your son," he mumbled. It was rare Kaeya called Venti his dad or himself his son, but he truly did mean it when he did.
He let out a soft sigh, a hand brushing through Venti's hair. "Rest now... You've done enough," he whispered.
And so Venti finally let his eyes close down, a gentle smile still on his face. "Remember... The wind connects us... Wherever we are," he mumbled as he let himself relax.
While Kaeya's voice wasn't nearly as angelic as Venti's, the least he could do is give back the comfort the little bard provided him throughout his life. So he started to sing softly. The gentle lullaby Venti improvised for him on their first day together. It became a regular song Venti sung for him to help him fall asleep. Now, he had to help Venti fall asleep.
By the time the song was over, Venti has already passed. Still, Kaeya made sure to finish it. He only managed to whisper the last line as he gripped Venti's body tight, letting out a heartwrenching scream of agony that could almost be heard all over Teyvat.
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It was a warm night. Kaeya's legs dangled off the hands of the statue in front of the Cathedral. His gaze fixed on the stars above, only occasionally flickering behind him to see the face of the statue. It was the birthday of his long-lost family. Venti's sacrifice wasn't in vain. There was peace in Mondstadt ever since with no threat in sight. He truly saved them all. Yet he left a giant void in Kaeya's heart. A void that could never be filled.
Kaeya's words were mere whispers as he spoke. "So many people were at the celebration. We... We love you," he whispered, silent tears rolling down his cheeks. "Diluc knew I'd come here, so he gave me this... It's for you. A Cecilia," he mumbled as he gently placed the flower beside himself, onto the palm of the statue's hand.
"I just wanted to say thank you. You saved my life that night and... Gave me a home. I'm so grateful," he continued as he hung his head, a light sob escaping his lips. "I'm sorry I couldn't return the favor. You had to save me a second time," he mumbled.
Just then, he felt the wind pick up. A gentle breeze brushed against his cheek, it gave him the sensation of a familiar hand. He reached up to touch his cheek, the feeling remained a while longer. He found himself smiling. The wind connects them. Wherever they are. "So you're here.." he whispered, almost relieved.
"Look, I..." Kaeya moved a hand under his ponytail to lift it up, showing it was neatly braided. "I... I did this. We match!" he said, imitating the tone his childhood self spoke in before a light sob escaped him once more. "I think I'll keep it. It reminds me of you. And it's pretty. Haha," he said with a bittersweet laugh at the end of it.
The gentle wind lifted his ponytail, almost toying with it before it swirled around Kaeya like it was trying to engulf him in a hug. The man could only laugh, followed by another sob.
"I miss you... Happy birthday, Venti,"