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(5 times Venti is too scared to confess his feelings + 1 time Aether took it into his own hands)
[ 01 ; april fools ]
In all honesty, getting floured is a good look on Aether.
White powder coated his body, from the top of his head right down to his boots. His bright, warm blonde hair is now dusty and greyish. He’s sitting down on the floor and squinting his eyes to see Venti. And to top it all, there is a disgruntled, cute pout on his face.
So yes, in Venti’s professional opinion, Aether getting flour all over him is downright adorable.
The only thing stopping him from snapping a picture and keep it as his phone’s wallpaper forever is the glare Aether sends him, to which Venti just smiles guiltily and held his hands up in mock-surrender.
Really, it was not exactly a part of his plan for April’s Fool. In fact, pranking Aether wasn’t even a part of any pranks Venti prepared. Seriously, who pranks their own crush on April’s Fool? Certainly not Venti!
He’s a romantic, okay, screw him.
The actual prank: flour falling down to one’s whole body when the door opens, was created exclusively for Zhongli. Why? The old brute needs to have some fun once in a while, and Guizhong has approved of the scheme anyway.
“… Venti, stop murmuring mean things about Zhongli,” Aether says, exasperated. There’s an accepted look in his face, as if getting pranked by Venti is something that he had expected.
Well, Venti had pranked the blonde every year (last year a hair dye prank, two years ago a bubblegum stuck in his shoes, and many years before that again), so the dark-haired boy can’t say that it’s baseless.
Venti laughs, finally being a gentleman and offers Aether a hand. The blonde accepts it and Venti lifts his friend up, careful not to get too much flour on his body.
And that’s when he realizes his problem.
Scratch that; problems. Multiple.
One, when Aether stands up, their body are close to each other. Too close. Their height are similar, with only a centimeter or two difference therefore Venti could feel Aether’s breathe against his cheek. It tickles and Venti urges himself not to squeak at the feeling.
Two, due to their space, or their lack of it, Venti could see Aether’s face clearly. Aether’s pretty, soft, smooth face. He watches as the brown eyes lights up as he takes in the new perspective and Venti, again, urges himself not to cup his cheeks and squeezes it, flour be damned.
Third, Aether’s cute, button nose scrunches in displeasure from the flour. Automatically, his lips puckered and Venti’s eyes trails down from the almond eyes to the plush lips.
Throat suddenly dry, Venti grunts silently and licks his chapped lips. And he could feel Aether’s eyes on him now. Tension grows in the atmosphere and they both stand there in silence, as if waiting for something to happen.
The red, soft lips that Venti’s been watching looks tantalizing and kissable. He doesn’t know how long time has passed, too focused at the feeling of Aether’s dainty, smooth hand against his rougher ones. It’s a good feeling; Aether’s usually gloved and protected fingers interlaced with Venti’s rough ones (that happens when you played guitar without a pick, not that he minds).
And it is easy, oh so, very easy to just lean forward and press his lips to Aether’s and kiss it lovingly. It’s not something that just occurred to him, no. Venti has daydreamed about it a lot and wonders about how it feels to kiss Aether.
Loud noise come from outside, followed by a scream and laughter. Whatever trance Venti was in has snapped, he lets go of Aether’s hand and coughs.
“We should go,” Venti mutters, eyes fixed on the floor, “c’mon, you could use my clothes instead.” Still not looking at Aether, he turns and walks outside the room.
If he had, he would see Aether’s disappointed look and sees the glare the blonde sends to the cause of the noise.
[ 02 ; summer solstice ]
Whoever the fuck created summer, is an asshole and a jerk who deserves nothing more than to burn in heavenly fire for eternity.
Because, what the fuck were they thinking? Summer is a simulation to hell that every human has to suffer every year.
Curses of all curses, if there is any special day in hell, summer solstice must be in the number one list. The longest day of summer, meaning longer heat and more pain.
… is what most people would think. But not Venti. His friends are loaded and kind, allowing him to turn on the A/C during the summer and their father gave them way too much money for a teen to buy ice cream. Venti also doesn’t see the charm of going outside during the heat, only going to the beach when there’s a big enough wind to surf and to walk his dog, Dvalin, whenever it wants.
All in all, Venti doesn’t actually feel the pain and suffering that most people feel.
Said friends happen to be Aether and Lumine, who opens their house to help their friends in need (read: freeloading). Now, normally Venti wouldn’t be here. He has an apartment and enough money to get by the summer. Most importantly, he has Diluc. Sadly, he got kicked out by the redhead when Diluc found out Venti and Kaeya has been drinking wine. Kaeya, the bastard, was off the hook because turns out they live together. Traitor!
And so here he is, during the summer solstice, in Aether and Lumine’s humble abode. Eating ice creams with tank tops and shorts, A/C on. Lumine left to go buy more ice creams because more of their friends (Mona, Amber, Zhongli, etc etc he wasn’t exactly listening) will come by and stay in their house for a while.
Which left Venti alone with Aether. How convenient.
(Venti has an inkling that this was something Lumine had planned. Smart girl.)
The both of them sits on the couch, watching a show on the TV about how someone met their spouse or something. The cold breeze from the A/C makes Venti feel calm and he sighs, pleased.
Beside him, Aether sits crosslegged. He also had discarded his usual clothes and is now only in his tank top and shorts. Only, his top is shorter than Venti’s, showing his navel.
Venti gulps and looks away from Aether’s toned stomach less he embarrasses himself. He also takes a huge chunk of ice cream from the tub and eats it in one go to stop the warmth blossoming his cheeks. Thankfully, the lights in the room are off, with only the TV as the source of light, and it’s dark enough for Aether to not notice Venti’s red cheeks.
Somehow, he doesn’t get a brain freeze. He mourns for it because the next thing he saw surely froze his brain.
A thumb gently but firmly swipes near his lips, wiping the leftover trails of ice cream that’s on his cheek. Venti stays on his seat frozen, whipping his head to Aether.
Aether watches the white cream on his thumb, not noticing Venti’s frantic stare. Slowly, he lifts it to his mouth and sucks it.
What the fuck.
Venti is literally going to die right here and now from heat stroke. And it’s not even because of the damned sun but a different star.
To make things even worse for Venti’s heart, Aether pulls his thumb away with a pop and gives Venti a cat-like grin, as if he’s challenging him to do something stupid.
Something stupid like kiss the everloving shit out of Aether and make out with him on this couch.
It’s possible. And it’s not uncomfortable, the couch is soft and large enough for the both of them on top of each other. The A/C also would cool them down if they got too heated.
Fuck, too heated for what? Blood rushes through his head, making Venti feel dizzy and lightheaded. Damnit, focus Venti! No kissing! Lumine could walk in any second!
Face red as a tomato and about to faint from the rapid beating of his heart, Venti stands up immediately and marches off to the bathroom. To wash his face.
… and to attend some matters at hand.
[ 03 ; halloween ]
Out of all big events people created throughout the year, Halloween has got to be Venti’s favorite. Right after Wine Day (which actually exist, okay! he didn’t make it up, it’s on May 25th!) and his own birthday of course.
Free candies, being allowed to do identity theft without getting caught by the cops, running around the neighborhood at night, laughing at Klee’s shenanigans and Albedo’s “babysitting”, watching the couples using matching costumes, being jealous of said couples and observes them in envy, wishing said couple was him and Ae —
What’s not to love?
Now, normally Venti would come outside with Zhongli. Clad in his iconic Bard Costume that he never changes, he and Zhongli would walk around the neighborhood, occasionally knocking to a door or two to get candies. A few hours after that, he and Zhongli would disperse, Zhongli being pulled by Guizhong to hangout with Ganyu and Xiao, while Venti would pester Diluc alongside with Rosaria and Kaeya.
So how in the name of the Holy God is Venti here, under a big tree, with Aether beside him? He’s seriously questioning his life choices because being together with someone whom you like, alone, in the dark, really close beside you? It’s way too tempting.
Especially with Aether’s costume… Venti stares at the exposed stomach quietly. And gulps.
Aether seems to feel his stare at laughs, “It’s a new costume me and Lumine tried out. According to her, it’s a Traveler from Distant Land type…,” the blonde twirls the white scarf he’s using, “although, I’m pretty sure this is just some half-assed costume she found from our closet.”
Praise you, Lumine, for this beautiful masterpiece. Also, curse you, Lumine! You know damn well how beautiful your brother is! Being a murderer (from being so beautiful) is not a good record for him!
Of course, as if the world’s out to get Venti, the dark sky is clear tonight, the full moon shines in its glory and stars twinkle brightly.
How delightful.
And because Aether just got to be so fucking pretty tonight, the moonlight makes him look graceful, white traces of light shining on the edges of his skin, his blonde hair looks like it’s glowing in the dark. The stars burns and yet, Aether shines the brightest of all.
“You look pretty I wanna kiss you,” Venti blurts out.
Like a lovesick fool he is.
Brown eyes locks in to Venti’s eyes. They watch each other for a while and Venti’s face heats up as he realized what he just spewed out.
What the fuck?! Goodbye, world, Venti’s going out now. This must’ve been the dumbest way to confess in the whole world. He should contact Hutao as soon as possible for a coffin. She probably already had one prepared, that businesswoman. What was he supposed to write in his grave; cause of death: embarrassing himself in front of his crush?! What would his parents say?! Venti sighs deeply, face scrunches tightly in embarrassment and panic.
Lady Fortuna must still be by his side because Aether’s eyebrows twitch slightly and moves closer (too close help?!) to Venti. “Sorry, what kiss?” The blonde’s cheeks are also slightly red.
Ah, he must’ve not heard it fully. Thank God. He makes sure to visit the Church on Sunday. Barbara will have the shock of a lifetime.
Venti calms down slightly, face still burning. Yeah, this situation is still salvage-able! “Uh,” he scans the contents of his candy bag and rummages through it. Aether watches him, curious.
“Here,” Venti said, offering him a candy, “I said, do you want a kiss?”
In his hand lay a piece of chocolate. A kiss.
Aether huffs a laugh, taking the chocolate and opening its wrap before popping the candy into his mouth. “Thanks,” the blonde said, voice muffled from the chewing.
“No problem,” Venti smiles, heart hammering. Crisis everted.
[ 04 ; christmas ]
Christmas is overrated.
Overpriced food, overpriced things, overpriced paperwraps? Sure, it says XX% OFF but everyone knows that it’s just marketing tactic! (Venti knows because Zhongli actually made him sit through a lecture on marketing strategies during Christmas. Suffice to say it was… an eventful moment).
What’s more annoying is the large quantity of couples going outside. Now, Venti is not one of those sorry, sad single person who hates couples. He, in fact, loves seeing the romance in the air! But one could only stand so much pitying looks from them whenever they see him eating a fried chicken bucket and drinking beer alone during Christmas.
Whatever, that’s their business. Still, Venti sighes, as he finishes another can of beer, it actually is lonely this Christmas.
Zhongli went back to his hometown, promising to bring this so-called best wine in the world, Osmanthus Wine. Diluc and Kaeya went to visit Crepus and spent the whole Christmas and New Years there. Rosaria is off doing her duty, something that makes Venti chokes on his wine when he first heard that.
So, yeah, he’s alone.
Yay.
Sighing forlornly to himself, Venti takes another piece of the fried chicken and bites. Today is going to be a long day.
Suddenly, the chair in front of him moves. Thinking it’s just some rando who needs a seat, Venti didn’t look up from his chicken. Taking another sip of his beer, Venti sighs contently at the warmth fuzziness in his stomach.
“So, fancy seeing you here,” came a cheeky voice.
The dark-haired boy chokes and he finally glances at the culprit.
Aether.
Venti coughs again, spluttering the beer that clogs in his throat. Aether, bless his soul, laughs at him. And then pats Venti’s back comfortingly. Like the good friend he is. Yeah right.
“I’m sorry,” Aether says as he pats Venti’s back, sounding not sorry at all, “you just look so blank and lifeless I just gotta check if you’re really Venti.”
And then the blonde gives Venti a blinding smile, how dare he do that to Venti’s poor heart?
Still, it’s not like Venti could say it out loud, on contrary, he’d rather die than say it out loud. So, Venti has no choice than to take gulps of air, careful not to choke again. Why is he always in an embarrassing situation whenever Aether’s around?
“What are you doing here?” Venti rasps, holding his throat. It no longer aches but he’s still pressing it gently, making sure it’s no longer clogged. “Where’s Lumine?”
At his sister’s name, Aether scoffs, “She ditches me to hang out with Amber and Noelle,” then he mumbles, “besides, we saw you just now and you look lonely so…,” Aether shrugs, not looking at Venti.
How mortifying, Venti would love to have the earth to open up and swallow him whole right now, please and thank you. Aether, his long-time crush, sees him being a sad, lonely loser on Christmas and pities him enough to stay with Venti and leaves his own sister.
Wait, but Aether said he got ditched not the other way around. And Aether’s face is red right now, which is 1. Very Very Cute, 2. Would Love To Take A Pic Of, and 3. Is Probably Because Of The Cold Weather So Shut The Fuck Up Venti Don’t Get Your Hopes Up.
Still, it’s sweet of him. Like a prince charming. “Thanks,” Venti says softly, smiling warmly at Aether. Weirdly enough, the blonde’s face turns redder and he burrows his head in his scarf. Well, it is getting late and the temperature is probably lower now so there’s that.
Aether makes grabby hands at the beer and Venti gives the one he’s drinking to him. The blonde takes it swiftly and gulps it down in one go.
Ah, an indirect kiss, Venti thinks, face slightly pink. Whatever, he could say it’s because of the weather.
Venti’s eyes travel to Aether’s ungloved hands. How strange of Aether to not wear a pair of gloves during winter when he uses it any other seasons. His soft hands is red from being rubbed on over and over, the edge tinting with blue.
Then, Venti remembers his own gloves in his pockets, the ones he didn’t use because he’s eating fried chicken right now. The food is long gone now and as Venti wipes his hands with wet tissue his mind wanders.
… Should they hold hands? To handle the cold together, of course! No ulterior motives whatsoever! Or maybe Venti could put their intertwined hands inside his jacket’s pocket as they walk back home.
He must’ve been staring way too intensely at Aether’s hands because the blonde stops drinking another can of beer and tilts his head slightly, “What’s wrong?”
Too fucking cute.
Venti pulls out his gloves in his pocket, “Here,” he says, mind blanking. He’s just bullshitting right now, “Your hands look like they’re about to fall off, so you could use my gloves.”
Aether blinks but nonetheless accepts the gloves, “What about you? It’s pretty cold out there you know.”
Pretty cold isn’t really the right term to call the weather they’re having right now. Probably along the lines of cold as fuck should suffice.
“No, it’s fine,” Venti shakes his head, smiling reassuringly (while thinking of ways on how to keep his hands cozy and warm). Mind made up, Venti stands up and throws his cans and bucket into the trash can, “C’mon, let’s go back to my place and play video games.”
Aether laughs, the sound like a beautiful chiming bell, “Wait up!”
[ 05 ; new year ]
Honestly, Venti is in awe that there won’t be any embarrassing situation between him and Aether during the new year.
Aether and Lumine decided to go back to their hometown as well during the new year, something about emergency food missing them? According to the text message Aether sent him five minutes ago, they won’t be back until the second week of January, which is kind of sad because Venti missed him already, but oh well.
He’s not as lonely as during Christmas though. Barbara invites him to her family’s new year party and boy does her family know how to party.
Food and drinks everywhere, neon disco lights and thousands of fireworks on display. The wine was delicious and free too! It’s something Venti would see as heaven on earth. He watches as people came and go, tipsy people dancing with strangers and friends, some making out and some just idling around. Venti laughs particularly hard when he sees Jean dancing with Eula, what a sight to behold.
Jean’s mother would froth in her mouth if she saw that. So would the Lawrence family. What a drama to watch!
Venti is having fun. The atmosphere is 100% his type and the wine is his best friend. He’d sang at least 12 songs, 8 of which are solo while other 4 are duets with Barbara or Xinyan. Most of all, he doesn’t miss Aether that much, anyway! Aether, who?
… who is Venti even kidding with, he’s literally watching his phone, not even staring at the firework display more than five seconds. People recorded it anyway, he could always rewatches it anytime he wants.
He’s in one of the biggest and glamorous party he’s ever been to, with Dandelion Wine in his hand and an overabundance of it behind the counter, and Venti just sits on one of the cushions. Drinking his wine to get the good ol’ liquor courage.
Happy New Year, I like you. Simple, to the point, and flawless. So, it should be easy for Venti to just type it and sends it to Aether, right?
Easier said than done.
The loud bang! of the fireworks sounds dull in Venti’s ears, mind hazy from the amount of alcohol in his system. The cushions are so warm and comfortable, it’d be so easy to just close his eyes and sleep for a few hours… but he really needs to send the message… maybe after he sleeps.
Venti wakes up, 9 hours later, in Barbara’s room with Rosaria and Albedo beside him, both sleeping soundly. His hand still holding his phone. Venti groans, the hangover finally kicking in and he opens his phone to check the time only to see a notification.
From Aether.
Happy New Year, Venti! You’re probably partying hard right now so I don’t expect you to reply soon, but I hope you have fun!
Damn you, Aether and your kind words that makes Venti feels butterflies in his stomach.
Some of the butterflies flew out of his stomach in the form of puke, no soon later.
[ +1 ; valentine ]
What is even happening right now?!
The situation at hand: Venti sprinting for his life as Aether runs behind him, yelling the former’s name. The dark-haired boy is 90% certain he hadn’t done anything bad or wrong to Aether today, hell, he’s been avoiding Aether since the start of February 14th! So why the hell is the blonde screaming bloody murder for Venti?
Still running, Venti shouts into the wind, “What did I do this time? I swear it wasn’t me!”
Aether just screams back, “Just stop running, damnit!” and runs faster. Which makes Venti sprints faster. And they soon run around the campus as if the cops are out to get them.
Seriously, he wants someone to run after him but not in a literal context! This is taxing to his stamina and his muscles is crying for help, already.
Finally, out of breath and sweating all over, Venti skids to a halt, flopping down to the ground without a care. He takes huge gulps of air as Aether stops and lean against the wall, also sweating.
How a man could look so sexy while sweating and with red cheeks is beyond Venti but somehow the blonde succeeded.
“What do you want?” Venti asks, when both of them finally calm down their beating hearts from the exercise they’ve been through just now. Sticky sweats trickled down his forehead and Venti grimaces internally.
A hand suddenly fists his shirt’s collar and Venti gasps as he’s lifted upwards by Aether. He scrambles his legs to help him stands up and they both gaze at each other’s eyes.
Aether smiles, charmingly and delicately, “This,” he closes his almond brown eyes and leans forward and press his lips against Venti.
Venti blinks, surprised, before he smiles against Aether’s lips and kisses him back. Finally.
[ omake ; ]
“What do you mean you tried to kiss me multiple times but you didn’t do it?!”
“I was afraid…?”
“Venti, I literally closed my eyes during the flour prank.”
“Shut up!”