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There has never been a dull day in Teyvat, Lumine surmises as much. Whether it’s to help Timmie feed the ducks so they won’t bother his beloved pigeons, or help Lan find the missing Razor (that somehow still a mystery even until now), there’s always something interesting, or annoying that no day ever feels flat. It’s either fun, or unbearable.
Today has been no exception. This morning, she had skipped taking commissions because the previous day, Albedo invited her to the lab because there’s this new, power-boosting potion he wanted her to try. So the original schedule of the day would be:
- Visit Albedo in his lab in the morning to get the potion.
- Test it out on a couple of monsters, preferably abyss mages because Lumine has personal vendetta against them.
- Wash up, leave Paimon at Amber’s so she can have a picnic with Venti at 3 PM sharp.
Well, that was how it supposed to be, yet now, at 1 PM, she’s still stuck in Albedo’s lab, having difficulty breathing through her mask because the smell of smoke is still palpable in the air as she, Albedo, Sucrose, and Paimon are tidying up the lab because of a mishap in Sucrose’s experiment that nearly blew up the entire lab.
Perhaps she should take note of what Venti has been doing throughout his entire life: never try to plan your day, especially in Teyvat, because some shit will always ruin it. Most of the time.
“Whew, you guys sure have a lot in here, don’t you?” Paimon asks as she carefully puts clean vials back into their shelves.
“We usually restock ingredients at the start of the week, that’s why there are so many things here,” Sucrose answers, wiping sweat from her forehead with her gloved hands. “B- but most of them are destroyed in the explosion… I’m s- so sorry Mr. Albedo,” she apologizes with a heavy sigh.
The chief alchemist doesn’t look fazed. He simply puts a crate filled with bottles and whatnot back into a fir shelf. “You don’t have to apologize. Accidents are a part of experiment anyway.” he replies.
Well, that is true.
“What were you guys trying to make anyway?” Lumine asks, glancing at the black stain in the wall where Sucrose’s experiment exploded, apparently.
“W- well, I found this… very ancient potion recipe that’s supposed to be very effective in increasing stamina. Since we really need our stamina in climbing, gliding, and swimming, I thought it’d be very useful.” she answers in a defeated voice, trying to clean the black stain on the wall but to no avail.
“Don’t we already have a lot of stamina boost from food and drinks?”
“It’s even more potent than the food and drinks we have now,” Albedo answers. “Which is why we got curious and tried to make it.”
Paimon deadpans. “Thank goodness neither of you were harmed when it happened.”
“The thing is, it’s not our first attempt in making the potion. Yesterday, we managed to follow all the process without blowing anything up, but when Timaeus tested it out…” she trails off, glancing at one of the wine colored liquid inside a bottle on a nearby table. Lumine waits for Sucrose to continue, but the girl only shudders.
“What? What happened?”
“Yeah, Sucrose, did Timaeus have a bad reaction?” Paimon queries, floating closer to the inconspicuous bottle.
“Let’s just say it’s best not to let anyone drink that potion.” Albedo mutters with a strange expression on his face. “Absolutely nobody can drink that.”
Lumine frowns, curiosity so big that she stops sweeping. “That bad, huh?”
“But if it’s that bad why are you still keeping it?” Paimon tilts her head in confusion, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
“Why indeed,” Albedo only shrugs, while Sucrose looks mortified. “We should continue cleaning up.”
At this, Lumine exchanges a confused glance with Paimon, but neither of them say anything about it. And soon enough, the lab is tidy and clean as usual again. Well, as clean and tidy as it can get after such an explosion anyway.
“Okay, that’s the last of it all, thank you very much for your help, Traveler.” Albedo says gratefully. “Ah, since it’s already noon, do you still want to try out the potion?”
She flinches. Crap, she really lost track of time, isn't she? “Oh, no, it’s already 2 PM?” Lumine whips her head to the clock on the wall. “I’m sorry, Albedo, is it okay if I take the potion home with me and we try it tomorrow? I… I’m going to meet someone this evening.”
“Oh, really? Well, I guess that can’t be helped. It’s alright.” Albedo replies as flat as always. “The potion is on that table, near the shelves, the wine-colored one, you won’t miss it.”
“Okay, I’ll see you first thing first tomorrow, I promise,” she says apologetically, rushing to the table to find the potion he was talking about.
Huh, there are two potions with a similar color? Without thinking too much, she grabs one of them and places it inside her bag. “Alright, I’ll be off now. Paimon, can you go to Amber’s alone? I’m afraid I have to rush and I can’t take you there…”
Paimon blanches. “You just can’t wait to see the Tone-Deaf Bard, are you?” she says indignantly, “Ugh, fine.”
“Paimon! ” Lumine cheeks blushes ever so slightly. "I'll make you Golden Crab later." she added, trying to appease the fairy.
And it works amazingly, because Paimon instantly brightens up and sends Lumine off with the sweetest smile on her face. “Alright! Have fun on your picnic, Lumi!”
And so, a while later, after she has washed up and all clean, Lumine finally arrives at Starsnatch Cliff, where Venti already awaits, sitting on the grasses near the edge of a cliff, gentle melody reverberating in the air as he strums in lyre.
“Ah, Lumi! You’re here.” there’s a spring on his steps when he approaches her. Lips parting into a brilliant grin as if she hung the moon and stars for him.
Her heart skips a beat. “Sorry, something came up earlier… Did you wait long?” she asks, setting the picnic basket next to him.
“Nope! In fact, I just finished a new song.” he shakes his head.
“Oh?” she perks up, looking positively interested. “Will you sing it to me later?”
For some reason, Venti looks sheepish, letting out an awkward laugh as he rubs his nape. “S- sure. It’s meant for you anyway,” he mutters, but before she can give her any reply, he’s quick to change the subject. “Anyway, what happened? Had a tough commission?”
A sardonic laugh falls from her lips, already busy spreading the picnic blanket on the grass. “Heh, not a commission, but tidying up Albedo’s lab. Apparently they screwed up an experiment and nearly blew up the entire Knight’s Headquarters.”
Venti snorts, joining in to help her. “I’m surprised he didn’t blow up the entire Mondstadt.”
“What’s that?”
“No, nothing.”
Lumine shrugs and starts to rummage through the basket. “Well, I made you some apple pies and I got some apple ciders from Angel’s Share. No wine though. Diluc won’t sell me one, it’s annoying.” she rambles, pulling out said apple pie and a bottle of…
Huh? Why did she bring Albedo’s potion here? Paying no mind to it, Lumine takes it out as she tries to fish out the apple cider and napkins from the basket.
“A shame,” Venti sighs dramatically, glancing at her bare back as she continues to prepare their food. “But no matter! The most important thing is I have you all to myself for the remainder of the day and that’s certainly better than any wine!”
She tries not to blush. Most of the items in the basket are out now and Venti has arranged them tidily on the blanket. Just as she is about to settle down and finally eats, a rather strong wind blows, taking the napkin with it.
“Ah, the napkins!”
He watches as Lumine chases after the fabrics, trying to catch them before they hit the ground. Maybe he should help her with his wind, but the wine-colored liquid near the basket steals his attention.
Didn’t she say Diluc didn’t give her any wine earlier? Well, he’s never one to pass up free wine anyway. Grinning to himself, Venti opens the bottle and quickly drinks its content. Ah, finally, some time alone with his dearest Lumine and wine? This is heaven.
But then his face twists in confusion the moment the liquid touches his mouth and flows down his throat. The drink has a distinct sweetness to it, leaving a hint of windwheel aster on his tongue that makes him want more, but this… this certainly isn’t wine.
Then, a weird sensation sets off inside his body at an alarming speed.
Warmth explodes deep in his chest, burning hotter and hotter by each passing second and spreading to every part of his body like fire over a dry forest - to his head, the tips of his fingers, his stomach, his-
“The wind is so strong today, did you have something to do with- Venti! What are you drinking?”
Lumine’s surprised voice steals his attention and...
Oh, fuck.
Venti can’t think straight. Every air he inhales smells of windwheel asters and the sea, hitting him with the force of a typhoon and intoxicating his brain. The sweet scent takes root at the bottom of his lungs, before it is set ablaze. Setting his lungs on fire.
Her scent.
Some strange, foreign need grows inside him then. One he hardly ever felt before. One he only knew from his interactions with mortals and their worldly indulgences. And the more he breathes in her scent, the bigger the need becomes.
A groan escaped his lips before he could stop himself. From the way she reacts, it must’ve been a rather horrifying sound, because she gasps and quickly rushes to his side.
“Venti? What’s wrong?”
That drink… What did it do to him? His skin is hot, feverish and hypersensitive. Uncomfortable when the fabric of his clothes brushes against it. Another pained sound leaves his lips and for her, it only raises more alarm. Without thinking, she cups his cheeks, turning his face so he’d look at her.
He could barely contain the sounds rumbling from his throat. Her touch is so… good but also so deadly. It relieves him for a moment, before the need returns tenfold the next second. He can only see her - the delicate line of her shoulders, the dip of her collarbones, the bare expanse of skin on her back.
Everything about her makes him needy. Makes him crave.
“Venti-”
He pushes her away roughly and it surprises her. Venti grits his teeth, trying so hard not to look at her because there are so many… debauched urges going rampant inside his mind. Urges he often heard uttered by drunken men or women. Urges he hardly ever experienced before, yet now, it’s the only thing he can feel. Sinister voices in his head tells him to kiss her soft, rosy lips, to drag his mouth over the swell of her breasts, to rake his hands up her thighs-
A horrifying realization settles on him, then. He has grown hard. It's not like he never saw her that way before. He yearns for her ever since he laid his eyes on her, in ways that he never wanted anything before, but…
But not like this. Not when he's out of his mind, not when they’re out in public, not without her consent or knowing if she feels the same way about him.
And today, he was supposed to-
"Lumine," he manages, "Get away from me."
"I'm not leaving you here like this." Lumine's voice breaks him away from his chains of thoughts. Once again, she wraps her arms around his body and it sends sparks along his skin. "Come on, we have to get you some help- ah!"
He has her underneath him before he knows it. Before he could even process what the fuck he’s doing. And she stares at him. Wide-eyed, rosy lips parted in silent surprise.
“Lumi, I-” his breath hitches. The faintest hint of blush has bloomed on her cheeks. Such a lovely color. Makes her look so adorable. Makes him wonder how pretty she would look when those flush spreads across her naked body, makes him wonder how soft she would feel underneath all those layers.
It's wrong. It's wrong. It's wrong- he keeps on chanting to himself yet with each passing second, his resolve grows weaker and weaker. Can’t think of anything else aside from the urge. To take. To satisfy. To satiate.
Lumine takes a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Seeing him in such a state and attitude alarms her. His cheeks are flushed red. Feverish as he keeps on panting. “Venti,” she says, carefully placing one hand on his chest to allow her some space. Relief floods through her when he pushes away, albeit a little. “Are you okay?”
Another grunt leaves his lips. A noise that makes her blush.
“I don’t know… what’s wrong with my body.” he replies with ragged breaths, hands fisting the fabric by her head as if to anchor himself.
“You just drank a potion that Albedo made for me,” she says slowly, searching for his eyes, trying not to be affected by his state. “It was a potion to increase my power. What did you feel?”
Emerald eyes stare down at her in raw hunger. Like a man starved. And it intimidates her. Lumine is not oblivious of the way his gaze would often linger a bit too long on her. What lies inside them has always been undecipherable, leaving her second-guessing, making her curious.
But now?
Venti has never looked at her like this. Eyes full of desire. Unbridled, unabashed, greedy.
Like he wants her.
It makes her shiver.
She asked her how he feels and Venti doesn’t know how to answer that. Doesn’t know how to tell her that he wants to kiss her, wants to touch her, wants to take all these damn clothes off of her and take her-
“Venti, I need you to answer me-"
"Hot." He cuts. "Burning."
The words leave his mouth in shuddering breaths and Lumine manages, but with great effort, to keep her focus. "Okay," she says, carefully inching away, "Okay. We need to take you to Albedo-"
The rest of her sentence turns to another yelp when he suddenly pins both of her arms on the sides of her head. A strong grip, she can't wriggle out of it.
"Lumi," he calls out in a low, husky voice. "Don’t. Go."
"Wait-"
But Venti pays her no mind. The very concept of her has intoxicated him and slowly by slowly, his resolve melts away. He leans down and presses in between her legs, the surprised gasp that leaves her mouth only makes his cock twitch.
"It made me like this," he murmurs, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Made me want you."
She grows silent underneath him and he can feel her heart drumming against her rib cages.
"I told you… to get away from me." he says, torned, yet still grinding his clothed cock against her core and Lumine trembles.
"Venti, you're not in your right mind," she says with a shaky voice, almost pleading. Because, Archons, it would be a horrible lie to say she never once imagined this, wanted this. With him. But in her mind, he was gentle, kind, and loved her without any substances guiding his senses.
And yet,
Heat still pools in the pit of her stomach.
She sucks in a breath. "We need to get you some help. Please."
But he only grinds into her again, eliciting a gasp. “Why? This is the clearest I have ever felt, Lumi,” he murmurs, warm breath fanning her lips. The burn inside him has simmered down, turning into a pleasant warmth that amplifies his desire. “I’ve always wanted you. Want to be with you and only you.”
An exasperated whine leaves her mouth. Never realizing just how much she wants to hear those words from him. It’s a feeling she’s buried deep, never truly entertained because she often loves too hard and too deep and he’s a God of Freedom. Because he’s her first, true friend in this world and would rather perish than ruin whatever connection they had. Because he’s intoxicated and she should’ve helped him.
Yet Venti still looks at her. Reverently. Lustfully. His lips ghost over the line of her jaws. “But I also want you in ways I never wanted anything before. I want to kiss your lips, I want to touch your body, I want everything.”
“No, Venti. You’re intoxicated and we’re in public. Let me help you!” Lumine grits through her teeth, exerting more strength to struggle out of his grip, anemo surges through her hands as she tries to push him away because she will not succumb to whatever temptation he is offering to her.
But whatever wind she has summoned dissipates in a mere second, whatever strength she exerted holds no meaning when he pushes her body back to the ground, effortlessly pinning both of her hands above her head and restricting her movement with just one hand as if she’s a mere ragdoll.
“Come on, Lumine. Don’t you want to feel good?” he asks, the prettiest smile gracing his lips, emerald eyes shining with mischief, teal tips of his braids glowing as he sucks up whatever anemo power she has.
It is at this moment she realizes that despite no longer having his gnosis, despite him constantly claiming to be the weakest amongst the seven, Venti is still a God. And she has no chance to beat him.
She holds her breath when he caresses her cheeks, thumb grazing over her lips. “You’re so beautiful. The loveliest maiden I have ever seen,” with the softest voice, he murmurs, leaning down to brush his lips over that sensitive skin behind her ears, breathing in her sweet scent, sending shivers throughout her body. “I’ve always wanted to touch you like this, Lumine.”
His knee bumps into her core, then, and with dread, she realizes that she’s starting to get wet. The smile on his face grows only more triumphant. “See? You want this, don’t you? Don’t you want me to make you feel good?”
It’s like trying to hold on to a thin spiderweb.
Faintly, she can sense him shifting, reaching out to take the bottle of potion neglected by their side.
“Or do you want to have a taste of this wonderful drink as well? To understand just how badly I want you.”
“Venti-”
Barely heeding her call, he drinks and before she could stop him or say anything, Venti leans down and kisses her, forcing her lips open and Lumine can only swallow as potion in his mouth spills into hers.
And it tastes so sweet, like the fresh cecilias she often picked in the morning for him. For a moment, she's unable to breathe - overwhelmed with his kiss and the burn that starts to spread throughout her body, amplified by the hungry touches he leaves all over her body.
Instantly, she craves. Mind going haywire when logic clashes against desire. And it's hot. Everywhere is hot and tingling - her neck, her nipples, taut as they brush against the fabric of her bra, her cunt, dripping and soaking and clenching around nothing.
He wastes no time in feasting. Tongue delving in, tasting the sweetness of the potion in the wet cavern of her mouth. Sweet and warm and inebriating. His hands are everywhere - tangled in her hair, tracing the elegant line of her neck, gripping her breasts. And she lets out these tiny little whimpers that continue to egg him on, eager to hear more of her wanton melody.
"Venti," she gasps when he pulls away, fingers gripping his shirt as if hesitant to let go.
It feels so surreal. Feels like one of the lonely nights where she used to think about the bard with her fingers in her folds. Yet she's here, he's here, his mouth hot on hers and his erection grinding against her dripping core.
"I know, my star, I know," the name slips from his lips as he hurriedly takes off his cape and ribbon, throwing it somewhere in the vicinity. "Will you take off your dress for me? Let me see you, pretty girl."
The dreadful knowledge that they’re still out in public doesn’t seem to affect her. Impatiently, she sits up, tearing her scarf off and Venti wastes no time in undoing the strings of her corset, tugging her dress away. In no time, she’s underneath him again, as bare as the day she came into the world. And he’s still clothed.
There is a wild hunger in those emerald eyes as he drinks in the sight of her and Lumine luxuriates in it. Blossoming under his gaze as she lays atop the highest point of Starsnatch Cliff, spread open for the whole sky to see.
“So beautiful,” he breathes, completely entranced for a moment, hands slithering up to touch her breasts.
She finds out, then, that he seems to have taken quite a liking to her breasts. Because that one single touch seems to instantly make him crave for more - hands kneading the soft flesh, mouth peppering kisses and lovebites along the way before taking one nipple into his mouth and sucks, earning the most delicate mewl from her.
But he’s still clothed. Her hands quickly busy themselves with the ornate buttons of his shirt. Venti seems to get the signal. Haphazardly, he pulls away his belt and corset, before completely stripping himself bare in a matter of seconds.
Oh, he looks so lovely.
There’s a teal colored tattoo on his chest, and on his thigh. Curiously, she runs her hand along the intricate marking on his torso. “Pretty,” Lumine murmurs, gracing it with gentle kisses that make him tremble. Venti would love to take his time. He really does, especially when there’s so much to explore and this is his first time ever doing such an intimate act with someone.
But the need gnaws at him. Impatient. Carnal. So he pushes her down once again, spreading her legs open.
Her cunt is pink. Glistening, and dripping. Making his erection more painful than ever. The drunken man in the tavern often speaks about how their fingers could make a woman come. Now that he has gotten a taste of the worldly indulgence of sex feels like, he wants more.
Curiously, he runs a finger along her slit, eyes widen in wonder at how wet it feels. Sparks of pleasure jolts her body when he touches her and her thighs twitch involuntarily.
“Does this feel good?”
She nods, instantly wanting more. “Your finger. Put it inside me.”
An appreciative moan leaves her mouth when he slides in a digit. She can hear him gasping, most probably at how her walls seem to suck his finger in, clenching down on it. Experimentally, he starts to thrust, increasing the speed the moment she starts to roll her hips to meet his hand, before adding a second finger. And oh, it feels like relief. Satiating her burning need.
“Venti-” she gasps, hands traveling up to his biceps, needing something to hold as he fingers her.
“Like this?”
“Yes.”
In the midst of it all, vividly, she senses warm lips pressing against her forehead. Such a chaste, gentle kiss. Her heart flutters as he holds her close, cradling her in his arm. Instinctively, Lumine rests her head on his chest, breathing in the sweet scent of apple and cecilia. A scent that’s entirely Venti.
She reaches her peak in no time, letting out a strangled scream as she comes on his fingers and oh, how pretty she looks with that lustful expression on her face.
He would love to say something sweet. Maybe compliment her, or kiss her forehead once more because she seems to love it. But desire flares inside him once more, eager to take, his erection has become too hard it’s borderline painful. So he lays her down on the blanket, golden eyes follow his movements as he spreads her legs.
"I want to-"
"Yes." Lumine nods. Eagerly. Desperately.
Her hand reaches down, spreading her folds and a low growl rumbles from Venti's throat. Oh, he's looking at her with so much want it makes pride bursts in her chest.
This is Venti, her Venti, who has never really imposed his wishes on another, except for the indulgence of apples and wines. But now, there's only unrestrained hunger as he stares at her exposed cunt. It only makes her wetter.
"Come here." she urges him, guiding him into her.
Then, his cock slides in, bottoming out and oh…
Oh.
The warm tightness of her walls, the high-pitched mewl that spills from her rosy lips. It’s like he is reborn anew. Like everything he knew about mortals and pleasure are rewritten with this one intimate union. When he opens his eyes, he finds her already looking at him, tenderness and ardor mixing into one.
“Venti,” Lumine begs, gripping his shoulders. “M- move.”
He pulls out, only to slam back into her with so much force, she nearly skids along the ground, turning her vision white for a split second. Without even waiting for her to adjust, he sets a brutal space, tearing a string of broken whimpers from her throat. So different from what little experience she had from her long years of life. Lumine is used to loving touches and slow thrusts.
This?
This is carnal. The most profane, lustful form of sex. And she thought she knew what she liked. Thought those loving touches and slow thrusts are the one for her. Yet these rough, short thrusts of his cock into her hole only makes her lust flared even more, nectar dripping to the blanket below.
And she's heady with satisfaction, with the way he can’t stop touching her. Lithe hands grasping her breasts, pinching a nipple. Soft lips showering kisses on her forehead, her jaws, her neck, tongue licking a long strip over the area on the back of her ears.
More, she thinks, or says, she doesn’t know anymore, at this point. More, more, more.
At some point, his movement falters, losing its tempo and she tries to match them. But Lumine finds herself enjoying it nonetheless. There’s maddening pleasure in the way his girth drags along her walls, in the way he calls her name in husky, needy moans. Pride swelling at the fact that she’s his first and no-one else had ever driven him into this debauched state of mind.
An obscene grunt leaves his lips as he pushes her legs into her body, folding her until her knees touch her shoulders and Lumine screams because from this angle, he manages to hit her just right on that particular spot that always drives her crazy.
“Fuck, yes, Venti, don’t stop! Don’t- ah-”
He must’ve done a pretty good job, because her cunt suddenly clenches down on him and it makes him grit his teeth, nails digging deeper into the soft flesh of her thighs until it leaves marks. When his gaze flits down to where they’re connected, he shivers. Enraptured by how her pussy stretches, accomodating his cock. And still, he wants more.
It is a rush, a high he doesn’t want to come down from. Every thrust, every flutter of her walls, every sounds she makes, the way her arms pull him into her embrace, desperate for a touch. All of them send him closer and closer to the precipice.
“Lumine, I’m-”
The rest of his words are replaced by a husky, airy moan as he comes inside her in long, hot spurts, filling her to the brim. And despite the orgasm, he still rocks into her, repeatedly hitting that spot that makes her see stars and she comes undone with his name tearing through her throat.
A clear realization sinks in on her, then. The uncontrolled lust that has been burning inside her starts to go out and the cloudy haze that has been fogging her brain is starting to dissipate. Probably because the effects of the potion are starting to wear off. She’s lying on her back, thighs sticky with cum, a gust of wind wafts over them, sending chills throughout her naked body.
“V- Venti?” Lumine calls out, breath hitched at her throat when she sets her eyes on him.
He’s still hard. That insatiable lust is still present in his eyes. It still affects him.
Whatever words she’s trying to say soon leaves her mouth when he roughly flipped her over so she lies flat on her stomach. Without any preamble, he enters her hole once again. Harshly. The force steals the breath out of her mouth.
“Venti- wait-” she whimpers, gripping his hands, which are planted securely beside her head for support. “Too sensitive-”
Sharp teeth bite down at her shoulders, then, earning a scream. “One more.” he pants. “You can handle one more, can you?”
He rails into her without mercy, as if seeking his own pleasure and she’s merely an outlet to satisfy it. Never has he treated her with so much roughness, without even the barest hint of softness. Yet it only takes her higher and higher to the stars. In this position, he can reach her deepest part, every powerful thrusts hit the muscles of her cervix and Lumine never thought the difference between pain and pleasure can be so vaguely thin.
“That’s it,” Venti cooes, sensing the tension leaving her body, gripping the back of her hand. “So good for me.”
It’s almost strange. The aphrodisiac effects of the potion have worn off, yet it only makes her more receptive, more aware of every sensation coursing through her body. She can feel the soft grass in her grip, with his hand wrapped on top of hers, can hear the grunts coming from his throat and the vulgar sound of skin slapping against skin, can feel his chest flushed against her back, lips kissing, biting, and licking along the lines of her shoulders.
There is intimacy in these filthy acts and it makes her delirious.
It doesn’t take long before the coil in her abdomen tightens again and this doesn’t go past his observations. What a skilled lover she has, quick to learn, eager to stake claim.
“You’re squeezing me so hard. How adorable.” Venti chuckles breathlessly into her ears.
Lumine mewls in return, so lost in hysteria that she no longer has the ability to speak. But he understands, from the desperate flutters of her walls, to how her body contracts.
“I want-” she stutters, pushing her torso up, turning her head to meet his eyes. Those emerald eyes she has grown to love. “-Want to look at you.”
Pride bursts in his chest and he kisses her on the lips. “Come. I want you. Want all of you.” he says, railing her even faster as he takes her to the precipice, the teal tips of his hair glow, as do the tattoos on his chest and thigh. “Come with me, Lumi.”
And that simple urge is enough to push her to the edge. The coil in her belly snaps, her whole body shakes and his name leaves her mouth in a strangled cry as she comes harder than she ever did in her life. That star-shattering force hits him, too, spilling his seed into her once more the moment her cunt clamps down on him so fucking hard as if intent on milking him dry.
For a moment, there’s only blissful peace, putting out the ever-stubborn fire from the aphrodisiac.
Then, everything comes down to him.
She’s underneath him, breathing ragged, damp with sweat, eyes glazed, and he is still inside her.
What has he done?
Every single action he did for the past hours floods his mind and Venti feels sick. Abruptly, he scurries away, shame piercing through his chest like a knife. He wants to vomit.
Lumine gazes at him, slowly regaining her focus. And even then, when self-hatred is already running through his veins, his eyes still linger on her naked body, on her white-stained pussy with his cum leaking out to the fabric below.
He has never hated himself so much.
This is Lumine, his friend, the woman he loves and adores with all his heart. And he has selfishly, greedily dishonored her.
“Lumi-” he tries to say something, to apologize, but can he ever be forgiven for such a heinous crime? Something snaps, then, and he hurriedly reaches for his cape. Shaking from head to toe when he inches closer to her without casting another glance at her, trying to- trying to cover her body, or clean the residue between her legs.
“Venti?” she calls out, there is no hint of malice nor disappointment in her tone. Completely calm and lucid. Yet still, he stops. “Venti, it’s okay-”
“Your- you need to-” he stammers, nervously covering her body with her cape, still avoiding her eyes. Giving up on words, he offers her the napkin next and she takes it.
With one hand, she holds the fabric around her chest, while the other carefully pats and wipes away their mixed release. Venti scurries away, back turned to hers as he quickly puts on his shirt, being uncharacteristically silent. Instantly, she knows he will do something reckless if she doesn't intervene first.
So she reaches out, tugging his wrists and cracks start to form in her chest when he flinches. “Venti,” Lumine murmurs. Gentle. “Please look at me.”
“No, Lumi-” he says with a strangled voice and she realizes then he’s fighting tears. His mouth hangs open, yet no words come out, weighed down by guilt.
“It’s fine.” she replies. “Come on. We need to clean up.”
Despite the heaviness in her chest, Lumine moves quickly, putting on her bloomers and bra, keeping his cape around her body, tidying up whatever objects that have been sprawled haphazardly across the blanket and grass because of their frantic coupling. Her eyes linger on the bottle of potion, no, aphrodisiac on the ground, then. What’s left of its content has spilled onto the grass and she shakes her head, before putting everything inside the basket.
There are big, wet spots and dirt stains on the blanket and Lumine tries not to think too much about it. Venti is sitting rather far from her, as if wanting to give her as much space she needs.
“The blanket is dirty,” she calls out in an even tone, giving him a smile. “Can you use anemo to clean it up?”
He’s staring at her as if she has just grown an extra pair of heads. Probably wondering just why the fuck is she making conversations with someone who has just done something so… unforgivable. But he relents, using anemo to dry and blow away the dirt on the blanket while she wears her dress.
Then, when it’s all dry and clean, she lays down, patting down the spot next to him. Restlessly, he lays next to her, gazing up at the sky, noticing that the sun is setting, painting the horizon with the prettiest mixture of orange and purple.
“Can we talk?” Lumine asks, then, looking at him.
He’s in no position to refuse, of course. “I’m sorry,” he manages. “I’ve done something so terrible. I should’ve listened to you, but I hurt you instead.”
“You were under the influence. Badly. It’s not your fault.” she comforts him, “And you didn’t hurt me, Venti. Not one bit.”
“Still-”
He grows silent when she tentatively holds his hand. “I’ve forgiven you. It’s alright.”
Venti looks like he wants to say more, but decides against it. They stayed like that for a while, admiring the sunset, letting gentle breeze calm them down. The heaviness in her chest still lingers, though, and it’s not because of anger, or disappointment over what he did.
On the contrary, those questions stem from the deepest parts of her heart, coming up to surface after he had shown his adoration through whatever words and actions he made, spurred by the aphrodisiac. Questions that need genuine answers and affirmations.
“Venti,” Lumine calls him again, and their eyes meet. “How… truthful were you? Those words you said, did you mean it?”
Much to her surprise, his face only contorts in what seems to be shame and regret. “If I do, would it disgust you?”
Her eyes widen ever so slightly and though his honesty is timid, it doesn’t fail to make her heart flutter. Doesn't fail to put out any doubts she once had for her feelings. “No, not at all.” she answers, moving to cup his cheeks with both of her hands.
It's a response that elicits more questions for him. Yet Venti doesn’t need to ponder over it too hard, because when she leans closer, he can find the answer on her soft lips, pressing against his in the gentlest kiss.
Oh, and how it carries him to float upon the wind, soaring high to the sky. He lets out a sigh as he deepens the kiss, lithe arms circling around her waist and pulls her up just so she can lay on top of him. It's blissful and euphoric, so much gentler and more heartfelt than their previous, heated sex.
The thought makes him ache, and Lumine is not Lumine if she's unable to sense it. When they pull away, she searches for his eyes, wry smile creeps up to her face upon noticing the hidden distress.
"What's on your mind, Bard?" she asks, clasping her hands on top of his chests and resting her chin there.
"It's just…" the words are heavy on his tongue. "I had planned to tell you how I feel today. Been thinking about it since- since a long time." he answers with a sardonic laugh.
Vividly, Lumine remembers he's been preparing a song for her. "How have you been planning it? Come on, tell me."
A smile quirks up his lips as he runs his fingers through her hair, eyes trained at the sky. "We'd have our picnic smoothly. I'd eat your apple pie, make you laugh with one of my silly jokes you love so much. Then, we'd glide in the winds, stay afloat for a long, long time because I can just… use anemo to support us."
She listens attentively, lips curving into a delicate smile as she imagines doing all those things with Venti. It makes her feel warm. And happy.
"After gliding, when all the food has run out and all that's left is the cider, I'd… sing you my song. I'd feel very nervous about it, hoping I didn't mess up any tune because, well, because I'd be nervous as heck." he continues, laughing along when she giggles.
A thoughtful look settles on him, then. Cheeks starting to turn red. "It's a romantic song. One too romantic to be sung to a friend. And… and you'd know. You'd ask, because you're too smart for your own good sometimes and then I'd tell you. Maybe through words laced with pretty rhymes, or through simple, straightforward words. Whatever it is… I'd tell you that I love you."
Affection swells in her breast and she, too, starts to blush. "And what do you imagine I would say?"
Venti stops. "I… honestly hadn't reached that part yet." he laughs sheepishly. "Mainly because I'm afraid if I entertain the thought of you feeling the same way a bit too much, my ego would inflate."
She laughs, then, playfully slapping his chest. With a small smile, he entwines their fingers together, rubbing small circles over the back of her hand.
"Well, now that you know I love you just as much, has your head started growing bigger?"
He pretends to think. "Well, no, at the moment. But who knows? Maybe my head will grow even bigger than Zhongli's pet rock tomorrow."
Another chain of laughter rings through the air and he holds her closer. Yet there's still a hint of mellowness in his expression, probably still thinking of that neat little plan and how nothing happened according to him. That mellowness makes Venti look like something rather precious has been taken away from him. Such as the giddy nervousness before taking the plunge, shy, little glances one would share during confessions, the breathtaking anticipation before their very first kiss.
"Well, that sounds like such a very lovely plan. I would love to experience it, too, you know?" Lumine hums, pushing herself up.
"Meaning?" He looks at her quizzically.
"The food is still intact, and the ciders are full. The air is nice and the view of sunset certainly is a sight to behold." she stands, pulling him up with her. "What do you say, Mr. Bard? What should we do first? Glide in the sunset? Dine to our hearts content? Or would you show me your song first?"
He feels warm, then, falling in love with her even more than he thought he could. With a cheery, laugh, he holds her close, bare feet grazing the grass as he takes her closer to the edge. "I'd like to glide first, if that's fine with you, my lady."
She pecks his cheek. "That would be lovely, Venti."
A lovestuck smile curves on his face, though it's shot-lived, because he suddenly frowns and tightens his grip. "Wait. I just realized something. You said that potion was given to you by Albedo..." he mutters, connecting the pieces. "May I ask what are you going to do with him and an aphrodisiac so potent it could affect even an Archon?"
Well, now that he put it that way.... Lumine bites her lower lip. "We really were going to test out a power-boosting potion today. Real, elemental power, Venti, not horny power," she adds, because Venti squints his eyes suspiciously. "Albedo never messed up before unless... unless..." the words die on her mouth, jaw dropped open as she stares dumbly at the ground.
"Unless what?"
She surprises him when she suddenly slaps a palm to her forehead. "It has the same color. I must've taken the wrong bottle..."
Seeing the confused look on his face, she quickly explained everything. From the little accident in Albedo's lab today, to the failed attempt to make a potion that had a severe effect on Timaeus, and her grabbing the wrong bottle by accident. Slowly but surely, the confusion is lifted away from his face, replaced by a rather pensive look. Then, he let out a wry chuckle.
"Made sense. Although it surely intrigues me why Albedo would still keep it if he knows it's that dangerous. But anyway," he shakes his head, grinning mischievously before pinching her cheek. "It's a good thing you bought it here and I drink it, no? I would hate it if you were the one who drank it and he's the only one present."
At this, she laughs, lightly tugging at his braid and causing him to yelp. "A good thing indeed, huh?" sarcasm drip from her tongue. But still, she holds his hand. "Come on, Venti, less talking about Albedo and more checking the to-do list on your plan. The sun is almost set."
"Of course, my star." he grins, lightly kissing her forehead before summoning the wind. With anemo surging through him, he propels them up to the sky. Gliders spread, hand in hand, they soar, with the orange horizon as their backdrop.
And they never need to be afraid of falling, because with the wind under his command, they can float, and fly, and soar to their heart's content.