#should you be trapped in a windless land

[smallest-moon]

Fly, fly away, like a bird in the sky. See the world on my behalf, To the heavens may you fly...

[beehiveofblorbos]

been brainrotting Venti recently and all of his lore so just gonna put it somewhere that’s not my head

Some basics on Venti: he is the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, with connections to wine and song, but with the official dominion of Wind, and his ideal is Freedom. He currently disguises himself as a carefree bard. His character story and Neuvi’s voice lines also declare him to be a god of hope.

when we first meet him he teleports away in a flash of Anemo (he can teleport!!) and we learn when we enter mond that the god Barbatos (an original member of the Seven) has been MIA for a long time. He’s not the one running the place, the Ordo Favonius are, but he does have a church and Mondstadters habitually give each other blessings from the wind. He himself has a habit of sleeping for long periods of time.

okay, cool. Venti himself helps us save Dvalin, casually revealing he’s the Anemo Archon just to get hold of the Holy Lyre. He breaks it when we’re on the quest, but returns it to Barbara magically fixed (and implies that she’ll find it broken again soon). His Gnosis is stolen (guys he can Teleport!!!) from him, but he returns to Windrise to recover.

He also gives us the basics on Teyvat’s elemental powers, and tells us a god’s power is based in how much control they exert over their nation (this is later contradicted by Nahida + Focalors,,,, so chances are that he was lying!)

then we also have Carmen Dei, the only archon story quest to not have a part 2. In “Should You Be Trapped In A Windless Land” (and we’ll explore what wind means in Teyvat), Venti uses his godly powers to help Stanley, a boastful adventurer who has taken on the face and identity of his friend in order to carry on his memory. The friend died in Mare Jivari, the ‘windless land’ likely referenced by the quest title.

Venti then sings the story of how he, “a single thread of the thousand winds” (Venti character story), became an archon. He reveals he too has taken on the face of his friend who died among the revolt against Decarabian in Old Mond that ended with Venti being seated as the god.

(Guys he has associations with death!! It doesn’t stop here, Weinlesefest and Mond legends about your spirit being guided back home by the wind, even the connections in events to Hu Tao like !!!)

He hasn’t appeared much in main story, honestly. But there are so many crumbs that lead back to Barbatos and his homeland of Mond that one HAS to wonder: what is going on with him?

His drip marketing? oh he’s the “prodigal son”. son of who???

(“she was the moment. she was every moment… every second of joy, every moment of rage, every instant of longing, every flash of delirium”)

furthermore we’ve got more from his demo: “full of mystery, born from the branches of time / a history of glory and sorrow, and witness to the divine”.

so he’s the “prodigal son”, “born from the branches of time”, who is “full of mystery”, has “a history of glory and sorrow”, and serves as a “witness to the divine”.

what do his character stories have to say? a LOT. they call him “a single thread of the thousand winds”, “without a shred of divine dignity” (pre archon war). And they claim he became a god once the rebellion succeeded (it kinda makes sense, he was the spirit most associated with them after all, and as we know - gods of Teyvat draw power from their believers)

The 5th story remarks that Venti both should and should not be given credit for Mond’s prosperity, since it’s the doing of the Four Winds (which he established lol) but also he’s the one ensuring that the tales of their deeds are passed on.

ok let’s break this down. he’s the prodigal son? the question of his parentage seems to have found it’s definitive answer. Mondstadtian sayings commonly associate the wind with the passage of time, and there are temples to time and a god of time in Mond, which have now come to ruins. They were worshipped alongside Venti for a long time, but their significance diminished and eroded.

Now, in Enka we discovered records of Istaroth, who was also known by the Enkanomiyans as their Goddess of Time, and is the premier candidate (by lore enthusiast consensus) for the god that would’ve been worshipped alongside Venti.

She is also (I’m convinced) Venti’s mom. Remember, he was said to be “born of the branches of time” and “a single thread of the thousand winds”. What was Istaroth’s epithet? She’s the Thousand Winds. We are literally told he was a part of her.

We also have evidence to support Venti having time-based powers. Remember the Weinlesefest memories brought by the wind? He also “knows all songs, past and future”. And furthermore, he might have just rewound the Holy Lyre instead of actually fixing it permanently.

The real question up for debate is whether or not Venti is part of her or a completely unique entity. Both are possible, honestly. I mean, they coexisted. It’s just that the phrasing “a branch” bothers me because it was the exact same phrase used to reference what Nahida is to Rukkha but that much could just be coincidence.

I think we’ve established by now that he’s seen a history full of glory and sorrow, and that he’s full of mystery. So what’s left?

He “knows all songs, past and future” and he is a “witness of the divine”. And his character story supports that, highlighting the importance of his role as a witness to the history of Mond and the feats of the Four Winds. In light of the Sumeru and Fontaine AQs, where we learned that info can be erased from Irminsul and can only be preserved either through the memory of a Witness from outside the world or the creation of an allegorical tale that seems just fictional enough to bypass the Irminsul censors. Also, the importance of what we see being the truth.

(Oh yeah: forgot to mention that he also tends to play this role in history, where he doesn’t interfere much himself but he picks a hero to address a task and then supports them however they need to get the job done. This traces back all the way to his time with Decarabian; he didn’t fight in the war itself, but he watched the Nameless Bard and his countrymen do it, and recorded it in song. Same for Vennessa and the Revolution against the aristocracy).

(guys he is a god of hope and of freedom)

Carmen Dei the story quest does not have a part two. I fear for the day it does, frankly, because we will learn a LOT about this silly little man.

[dkniade]

Venti’s story quest ends with a poem, and a quest’s title card will show up after you’ve completed it, right

So together, the end of Carmen Dei Chapter: Act I is—

To the heavens may you fly…

Should You Be Trapped in a Windless Land

[alitheakorogane]

Scene Parallels: The Boy and the Whirlwind

(The Bittersweet Story of A Friendship Formed and Lost To The Wind)

-------

Venti's Story Quest (Should You Be Trapped In A Windless Land)

Flickering Dust (A fan animation presented on Genshin's 2nd Anniversary Party Live Stream)

Link for the Fan Animation, posted by the director of the animation itself: here

[xitty]

I still think Venti's story quest has the most beautiful name.

"Should You Be Trapped in a Windless Land"

Runner-up is Eula's "The Spindrift Shall Never Return to the Sea"

[blerghie]

genuinely don’t understand how people could say with their whole chest that venti and zhongli are sus and are deliberately hiding the truth from the traveler like...

1) at no point in the story has the traveler ever asked venti anything about khaenri’ah. he has never lied to the traveler nor has he hidden anything from them. he was even super transparent about his Sad Anemo Boi Backstory with the nameless bard and mondstadt’s rebellion just because he was reminded of it

Venti: Ah, this takes me back.

Venti: The first time I saw this view, I hadn't even taken on this form yet. 

Traveler: What?

Venti: It was about twenty-six hundred years ago, before the world had come under the rule of The Seven.

- should you be trapped in a windless land (carmen dei act I)

the only reason we don’t have any answers from him is because the writers are purposefully withholding it by not letting the traveler ask anything. the ‘venti sus’ thing came from the fact that his origins and lore may be the answers to the questions that players have, not because he himself is untrustworthy, but people overblew it

2) zhongli has been incredibly matter-of-fact with the traveler. the only time he hid something was when he was masquerading as a mortal and, let’s face it, he was so obvious about it that he wasn’t even surprised when the traveler was like “well i kinda suspected it.” he stated outright that he couldn’t divulge anything to us because of his contract - because he’s the fucking god of contracts - and actually apologizes for it. but he did not discourage us at all from trying to find the truth. in fact, he expressed confidence that we will:

Zhongli: It appears your understanding of this world continues to grow. 

Zhongli: There are many events of ages past... many secrets that lie hidden...

Zhongli: They have been eroded by time, forgotten by the people... abandoned.

Zhongli: But you are capable of finding them and bringing them into the light.

Zhongli: Those who come to witness... will witness. Those who are born to remember... will remember.

- no mere stone (historia antiqua act II)

literally the equivalent of someone telling you “well i have an nda so i can’t say anything about it...but there’s no rule that says you can’t investigate, so...”

honestly the real sussy person in this whole story is the traveler. they know the right questions to ask to the right people to get the answers we want but they don’t lmao

[sinkingwmyships]

Genshin Impact fanfic masterlist

A compilation of all my GI stuff! Organized in posting order (ie, newest stuff at the bottom). Updated semi-regularly. Links will take you to AO3. Wattpad link (user profile).

Format:

Title (with link)

Rating | Word count | Chapter count

Main relationship(s)/character(s)

"series this may be a part of" | warnings, main tags

Ratings:

G: general audiences

T: teen and up

M: mature

E: explicit

Under the cut bc this might get quite long!!

Shield me from the storm

E | 2,391 | 1/1

Tartaglia | Childe/Zhongli

nsfw, fluff, fingering, nipple play

(the asscrack of) Dawn

E | 1,335 | 1/1

Tartaglia | Childe/Diluc

nsfw, somnophilia, eventual consent, confession (?), basically just Childe getting horny the morning after

those who share the memory

G | 1,436 | 1/1

Zhongli/Venti, Zhongli & Venti, Hu Tao

GI lore, hurt/comfort, drunk Zhongli, grief/mourning

Guardian angel

T | 3,846 | 1/1

Tartaglia | Childe/Diluc, Diluc & Kaeya, Diluc & Crepus

graphic depictions of violence, major character death, suicide attempts, vomiting, mafia AU + splash of fantasy, whump, angst, eventual fluff, hurt/comfort, ambiguous/open ending, reincarnation, time skip

Perfect

M | 1,106 | 1/1

Tartaglia | Childe/Diluc

implied/referenced sex, hurt/comfort, fluff, scars & wounds, Delusions

and if we do, i know that would be alright

T | 2,021 | 1/1

Diluc/Tartaglia | Childe, Diluc & Kaeya, Kaeya & Tartaglia | Childe

"ChiLuc Week 2022" | graphic depictions of violence, domestic, fluff, angst with happy ending, violence, Childe has anxiety, Kaeya is a menace, Diluc is just doing his best, GI lore, Fatui, Abyss Order, Delusions

the most fantastic fungus you've never heard of?

E | 2,160 | 1/1

Diluc/Tartaglia | Childe

"ChiLuc Week 2022" | sex pollen, established relationship, light masochism, masochist Childe, power bottom Diluc, foreplay, choking, bruises, public sex, consent, kissing, aftercare

Angel’s Share

G | 471 | 1/1

Dainsleif & Diluc

“Travel Log: Dainsleif” | light angst, nostalgia, drinking, references to lore

should you be trapped in a windless land

T | 1,006 | 1/1

Zhongli/Venti, Zhongli & Venti, Venti & nameless bard

implied/referenced self-harm & alcoholism, (probably) depressed Venti, worried Zhongli, hurt/comfort, eventual fluff, crying, skinship, can be read as romantic or queerplatonic

[isekaimeplease]

Mournful Reminiscence

Just a short angsty oneshot of Venti reminiscing on what used to be. Contains spoilers of Venti's Story Quest : Should You Be Trapped in a Windless Land (ft. Venti and the Nameless Bard)

Warnings : angst , mild gore and violence , character death

Do not interact if any of the above may bother you in any way, shape or form

Please Don't Plagiarise. All rights go to @isekaimeplease

Thanks for reading

It was nights like this where Venti allowed himself to be lost in his thoughts. To truly sink into the depths of grief and melancholic despair.

Nights where it was just him, alone at Old Mondstadt with the only company being a lyre, not unlike the one he used to play. He played so passionately and had the indiscernible talent to attract others towards him - including Venti himself - towards his music, akin to the Pied Piper luring rats towards him with his flute. Venti absentmindedly strummed a few strings of his instrument, not particularly aiming to play anything meaningful or impactful, just to distract himself - if only for a moment.

Violent strikes of thunder and brief flashes of lightning accompanied the torrential rainfall, that of which being the sole reason why Venti was at Old Mondstadt, or colloquially dubbed ‘Stormterrors Lair’. Venti didn’t particularly fancy that name, the negative connotations pertaining to the reputation of his dear friend Dvalin painted the soft hearted dragon as a malevolent and merciless dragon, uncaring towards human life and lacking basic moralities. It was a preposterous thought and struck a chord within Venti, yet given the circumstances of the recent events within Mondstadt City, he couldn’t exactly blame them. 

Afterall, they’d reacted the same way towards the previous tyrannical ruler of Mondstadt - Decarabian, the previous Anemo Archon before Barbatos. 

Thinking of Decarabian was something Venti often found himself avoiding, for it reminded him too much of what he used to have. The day Decrabian was overthrown was the day that Mondstadt had finally reclaimed their freedom. Yet there were still many that would never get to enjoy the spoils of their labour. One of which was Venti’s dear friend, a nameless bard, and the core inspiration for Venti’s entire being. 

His appearance, his talents, his personality - his everything - was courtesy of his departed friend. He adapted himself, no, he changed himself, Venti completely changed the entirety of his being to pay homage to his dear friend and now? He's not quite sure where his friend ends and where he begins. 

Has he been lying to everyone for all these centuries? Were all those smiles and laughs fake? Was his entire persona fake? Was his disposition fake? Was he fake? Would he be proud of what he’s become, of who he’s become? Venti, a Nameless wind spirit turned god and Venti’s friend, a Nameless bard turned dead. 

It was a morbidly true thought. So, so, so very true and real, despite how much he wishes it wasn’t.

He didn’t deserve to die, he ached and trembled as his jaw clenched and teeth grinded against each other for something much more than want, in need, for something he couldn’t live without. Something he’d die for, 

And die for he did.

Mercilessly and without a sliver nor an inch of hesitation or humane trepidation, his heart was struck by an arrow. And as the weapon sunk deeper and deeper and deeper into his skin, a white hot pain erupted throughout his entire being, eliciting a scream of absolute pain and agony. Venti, the little wind spirit flinched as the timbre of the voice ricocheted against the stone architecture of Mondstadt and echoed throughout the land, as deafening as it was heart breaking. The nameless bard gasped and struggled to breathe, the fatal injury causing him to clutch his chest in worthless desperation. He collapsed into a heap on the ground, staring up at the sky in immeasurable sadness as the pain of everything slowly numbed away. He glanced around and saw people - his friends - still fighting with everything they had for a world that had taken much more than that. The nameless bard smiled even as his throat tightened and he swallowed painfully. He looked away and tried to blink away the tears in his eyes, not wanting his last moments to be blurred by the salty liquid and noticed the little wind spirit fretting over his condition. 

The oddity in his mini companion worrying so much when he was usually such a mischievous and cheeky spirit was amusing in its own right and brought a tiny smile to the dying boy's face. This was it. This is what he had worked so hard for, and as they were so close, so close they could practically grasp the victory, he had to go and get hit. Though, he supposed that this wasn’t so bad perhaps, for he had always worried about being alone in his last moments. Yet he wasn’t alone now, for he had his allies fighting for their shared dream and his wind spirit right next to him. 

Yeah, maybe this wasn’t so bad. Perhaps in his next life, he’d get to meet the same little wind spirit again. It was unlikely, but a boy could dream. And if he could start a revolution and incite an authoritarian overthrow, then he could make a selfish wish to meet his friend again.

Yeah, he’d like that. He’d like that a lot.

As those thoughts drifted over the boy’s mind, he closed his eyes as a blissful and serene smile spread across his face. The hand he had been using to pet the little wind spirit fell limp as the warmth left his body and his body shut down. It was obvious as to what happened, the boy with braids, their nameless bard, one of the main supporters and members of the rebellion, had died.  

They vowed to properly mourn his death, along with the others that had unfortunately also fallen as soon as the fight was over and regretfully left his now still body, abandoning his cold corpse. 

All but one remained. The wind spirit. 

They had their little body pressed against their friends heart, listening to his heartbeat, or where his heartbeat would’ve been were he still alive, which he wasn’t. Yet still, they stayed and listened in the hopes that the little thump thump would spring to life once more. 

Seconds, minutes, hours and no signs of the steady heartbeat they recognised spurring to life. It was official. 

He really was dead, wasn’t he? 

The Nameless Wind Spirit and The Nameless Bard were no more, for the day that their friend died, was the day that the wind spirit died as well. 

Now all that remained of the awe inspiring duo was a fading memory of a hero and a copycat god trying to imitate the one thing they could never be.

Human. 

[anemo-chocobo]

the fact that you can’t comfort Venti in any way shape or form after you meet him up on that statue is pissing me off

AND you have to leave him there!!!!

[trans-xianxian]

weeping and crying venti my beloved........

[koriyue]

no mere stone;

“… perhaps this is the erosion imposed on me by the heavenly principles.” 

should you be trapped in a windless land (venti)

[c6jpg]

genshinweek day 6: favorite quest ⤷ carmen dei: should you be trapped in a windless land

In Old Mondstadt transpired the story to be told, Where a tyrant ruled, I met a boy, not that old. The lyre he played, and for a song he sought, But storm-walls blocked blue sky - he was sincerely distraught.

“I do so wish to see the birds in flight,” Said he, his strong eyes filling with light. But his voice was lost in the howling wind’s churn, For the whirlwind takes, and gives naught in return.

The true sky, and songs that cageless soar… Were they not wishes worth fighting for? So the boy turned, extending his hand, “Let us cast down the tyrant and his walls from this land.”

The young boy raised then the flag of revolt., And I threw myself into freedom’s tumult. Victorious were we who fought to be free, Gods fell, winds whipped, nations shook violently.

In the smoke, a despot met his doom, And we watched as his great tower fell none too soon. Mondstadt began anew, the story passed down, And since then never has another worn its crown.

[alex-multiverse]

SO, THAT EULA QUEST HUH?

it was pretty average if im being honest. not a real good one on the caliber of something like "Yet the butterfly flutters away" or "Should you be trapped on a windless land" that is, until......

We learn that it was the lawrences who let the fatui run amok mondstadt with the amount of freedom they have now.

And you can say "well that doesnt make sense, mondstadt is indebted to the fatui because dottore killed ursa the drake" and you'd be absolutely right

You ask "how were the lawrences involved with this?" And i answer: THEY ALWAYS DID

Because if we remember correctly, it was the lawrence clan that had to deal with the drake

The lawrences knew of ways to appease, negotiate and manipulate the evil dragon. And they abused that a lot.

So, knowing this we can presume that it was the fact that the lawrences knew how to handle ursa, that allowed them to negociate a plan with the fatui to allow them to get in a position where they could reinstate themselves back as the ones in power.

But that is not just that.

We know from both noelle's story and from the fatui Landa, that the fatui did tried to take over the wine production of mondstadt. and i have my reasons to believe that maybe, killing crepus wasnt a coincidence for the fatui.

What if that was also a plan of the lawrences to gain favor with the fatui? and have them be basically a front for the fatui's economic schemes while also having power over wine?

[emperor-palpaminty]

"I've been falling in love with you since the first day we met." With western Tech I am begging

Ah! The return of Dr. Victor Trech "Tech" the Third! I have been watching too many Jane Austen movies again because oh no I am in a MOOD ANON, this was delivered with perfect timing! All credit goes to @weirdcharacter for the lovely creation of this AU, please go follow her (and her writing is great, @hellothere-generalangsty )

Rating: F for fluff. Fluffy fluff.

Jekk is “Jack” and Sheeyah is “Shay”! Yall know the drill. Also I'm not saying the reader looks like Sadie Adler (RDR) but her aesthetic is PERFECT for the reader and I just sjdhsksjsks, just the clothes and the hat and the attitude, I adore it warning this is very dramatic, send help,  i need help, my expectation for men is unrealistic

Your world turned sideways, then upside down, sideways again, and then right side up. You laughed, tumbling again, coming to a halt at the base of the hill. The two children slid down by you, voices chorusing in laugher. Shay collapsed on your back as Jack skidded by you, giggling, grinning and displaying a stunning lack of front teeth. “You’re the funnest person in town.”

“Aw.” You grinned, reaching over and tugging on Jack’s straw hat. “You kids are pretty fun, too.” 

A set of little fingers reached up, tugging the tangles of grass through your hair. “Mama and papa like you, too.”

“And I like them.” You sat up, yanking off your hat and letting your hair fall so Shay could braid it. She rose, taking your tendrils of hair and weaving them together. “I like yall more, though.” You winked at Jack, who giggled as you motioned him to shush. “Don’t tell them, though.”

Shay cackled behind you, tugging on your hair and tying it off. “We won’t!” She chirped.

“Your secret is safe with us!” The boy cawed, running around his sister. “Hey! Shay! I’ll race you back up the hill!” He turned and sprinted up.

“Hey!” Shay fussed at her little apron, hopping up, and then ran up after him. “Not fair! You had a head start!”

A laugh, deep and warm, escaped your chest as you stood. You followed the kids up the hill, walking slower as they neared the top. You stopped and glanced back at the landscape, the sea of gold rolling in waves from upcoming storm winds. You would think the fields of wheat were oceans of riches. Cut was rich in every way, of course- with a family as lovely as his and lands as broad and blessed, but the man was happier with grains than physical riches.

Thunder rolled above your head, shouting through the sky. You glanced up, then looked at the kids, who has just made it into their house. "Hey!" You yelled. "I'm going to run home."

The kids nodded, shouting their goodbyes and waving as they retreated inside to the warmth of their abode.

___

You barely managed to make it into the pergola in the center of town when the bottom really fell out of the storm above. The wood creaked under your feet as you moved, watching the rain, antsy for the clouds to lift.

Drumming your fingers on the old railing of the pergola, you made a couple of laps, taking in the sights of this town in the rain, the storm. You leaned on your elbows and looked over everything, thinking for a moment. Everyone was tucked away safe and sound in their homes, listening to the rain and wind and curling up with loved ones.

Even if you were the only one in your home, you wouldn't mind curling up alone, drinking some tea, listening to the pitter of rain on your windows-

Wait.

You leaned on the wood, squinting at the figure fast approaching you. Despite actively getting drenched by the unsympathetic rain, he was grinning.

"Victor," You whispered, turning and running to the steps of the pergola. You made it halfway down the stairs, the rain and wood scent assaulting you, when his hand grasped your arm and tugged you back under the cover of the humble structure. You tugged your hair out of your face, staring up at him, rubbing the water out of your face. "Victor!" You practically yelled above the rain. "What are you doing out here?"

The Doctor grinned, victoriously holding up an umbrella that had been stationed under his arm. "I had to bring this to you!" He smiled sheepishly, rubbing his neck. "Uh... It hasn't done any good yet."

"Oh, Victor." You laughed and looked him over, shaking your head at the mud splashed on his trousers. "You're soaked!"

"I didn't want you to be alone." He said, watching you. "Waiting this out by yourself would be rough." His eyes, behind the rain-speckled specs, were bright as he looked you over, wet hair and all. "Stars," He said, hoarse. "You're beautiful."

A laugh tugged at your throat as you plunked down on the floor of the modest stand, and you patted the wood next to you. "You're very sweet, doc."

"I'm being serious," Victor plunked down next to you, taking off his specs and rubbing his dampened shirt on the lenses in an attempt to dry them. "I'm trying to be more bold. Honest, even."

You laughed again, shaking your head, the braid Shay made swaying on your shoulders. "Well, you're sweet, either way. And you're kind of pretty yourself."

He chuckled in his city-slicker way, a way that charmed you. "I like your braid." Victor paused, reaching up to examine it. "May I?" Upon receiving your nod of approval, he took the length of hair in his hand. Your whole scalp tingled at the sensation of his hands, gently skimming over the braid. "It's lovely. Shay?"

"Yes," You hummed. "Shay likes playing with hair, you know."

He chuckled, hands falling to your shoulders momentarily before dropping, and Victor scooting besides you, crossing his legs. “She does.” He added, eyes drawing to the rain.

You snuck a sideways glance at him. He really was pretty. Soft lips rounded a set jaw, intelligent dark eyes hiding behind glasses, skin tanned and warm with brown-red hair laying in wet curls on his head. You were never one for art, portraits, but heavens, if you could pick a picture to have engraved in your mind’s eye forever it would be this one, of him, wet and soaked from the rain and eyes soft. Your gaze darted away, and your stomach stirred- butterflies, your mama used to call them. 

You felt a hand press softly over yours, fingers spreading hesitantly on your knuckles. You glanced up, blinking, and you smiled quietly. Victor’s own eyes moved up to yours and his cheeks pinkened, and he started to pull his hand back. “I’m sorry, I just-”

Your thumb flicked over his hand, trapping it over yours again. “It’s fine.” You whispered, barely audible against the rain. After a moment of silence, you squeezed his hand. "How did Victor Trech become 'Tech'?"

Victor chuckled, fingers flexing over yours. "Ah. Well, one of the letters I sent- I suppose the 'r' in Trech blended in with cursive, and... Well, I never corrected it."

You broke out in a giggle, looking over at him, feeling your lips almost split in laughter. "Really?"

He nodded, laughter filling the pergola. His eyes danced in the rain as he looked at you, intelligent gaze not diminished by the softness that lingered in his brown eyes- warm and ever present.

You sucked in a breath as he smoothed his hand up to your cheek, pushing a strand of wet hair behind your ear. “If I could just,” He whispered, watching it tuck back neatly. His words never finished- but they held a strong, finalized want in how he said them, prayed them.

His fingers cusped your jaw, and he swallowed harshly, the unsaid plea moving down his throat. “Forgive me.” His hand moved away from you, and he turned his head away, words hoarse. “You seem to make me forget the words that I had in my mind.” Victor grimaced momentarily, at the crack of thunder above them. “And you make me talk in flowery circles.”

“Why do I do that?” You leaned forward, cocking your head. The hair danced from behind your ear to brush a damp line along your cheek, but you ignored it- you were enraptured fully in him, his presence.

“Because you-” Victor’s words caught again, and his cheeks reddened as he glanced down at the old wooden ground of the pergola. “You make me want to say every good and noble thing that you bring to my mind, and you deserve no less than the best praises my lips can sing of you.”

Your thoughts fell flatter than an armful of barley on a windless day. His eyes were so sincere, warm, lips pressed together. “I said I was trying to be honest because I want to be open and honest with you, especially you, if not only you- and should you say no, my heart will still be yours, and I’ll never speak of my honesty with you again.”

A chuckle pressed firmly to your throat, and you watched him sit up more, nodding softly. “Go on,” You encouraged. “Speak to me.”

The words spilled out of his lips, like a dam of emotions, held back by fear. “You make me feel needed here- well, the patients make me needed, but you make me feel wanted. Oh, there is no better feeling than being wanted, my saving grace.” Victor’s hand found its way back to your yours, clasping it, words dancing with the now-steady drumming of the rain. “I need these hands to ground me, hold me, only if you’ll have me.” He pulled your knuckles to his lips, kissing each one so tenderly. Like the tall grass you ran your hands over in the summer, his kisses were soft and warm and warmed you, head to toe. 

“You’ve been thinking about this for a long time, haven’t you?” Your brows raised. You were no longer chilled to the bone- you had thawed. 

“Since the first day I met you.” Victor whispered against your hand. 

You grinned, leaning in a little bit, catching his eyes in yours. “How about you stop kissing my hand and kiss somewhere else, Victor?”

The doctor stopped talking, mouth slamming shut and eyes flickering to your lips. He cleared his throat softly, and exhaled a shaky chuckle. "I... I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"You're not." A smile pressed to your lips again and you moved your head, catching his eyes.

It took a moment. He nodded, leaning in halfway, and closing his eyes. His hands closed around yours, lips expectant.

You reached up and stroked a hand in his tangle of curls before closing the space. He flinched once your lips brushed his, but leaned back in, solidifying it. Everything fell into place, suddenly. The tugging at your heart every time you saw him, loving the way his name, him, tasted in your mouth, and those flashes of the tenderness you got- his doctorly touch examining your wounds, the fussing and concerns not always done out of his medical oath- how much of it had been done out of love?

Victor broke back, for a moment, enough for him to whisper your name, leaning in and kissing you, deeper, sweeter, humming against you. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders and sighed, willing the rain to fall for as long as it wanted to- you had all you would need right here.

[prettypinklass]

Y'all talk about how Diluc hates Kaeya but remember that time during Venti's quest when unprovoked Kaeya started insulting Diluc lmfao

Diluc: drink responsibly

Kaeya: you threw out dad's legacy

Source: Genshin Impact Wiki

[baiken]

Should You Be Trapped In A Windless Land