Reflections

the ones who [fly] away from o_____, by Celestialstar3 (Twitter: @/Celestialstar3_) [Teen, 10.7k, One-Shot]

“...if the wretched one were not there sniveling in the dark, the other one, the flute-player, could make no joyful music...” — “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”, Ursula K. Le Guin Venti learns the truth about his hometown, the suffering of one boy preceding the joy and happiness of his tiny town. He sets out to witness it himself, only to realise that simply walking away from it was not enough. (Can be read as queerplatonic.)

Prior to reading this fic, I was not familiar with the original Omelas story, but upon looking into it I was immediately intrigued by the premise. Much of the biting satire that Ursula K. Le Guin is known for is set aside for this story, but it compensates for that with its own merits. The ideals of Anemo that xv grapple with feel fresh in this fic, as they are approached with minds much younger and more naive than our old men are usually written to be. Yet, even as they yearn for freedom and challenge authority as they always have, there is a certain sadness that comes with reading this fic when childhood is still not far behind me, as the forces that push back against the young protagonists feel much more real than the gods and demons they typically face, and their small hands are only capable of so much.

~

For the river's carving path, by kavvueh (@kavvueh) [Teen, 7k, One-Shot]

Venti turned to him. "May I say something?" he asked. "Are you often inclined to ask such a thing?" Venti laughed. He bumped his wings against Xiao's. "Your eyes are the color of sweetflowers." He winked. "And your lips taste just as sweet." For VenXiao Winter Exchange 2025.

‘Utterly romantic’ is the first description that comes to mind for this fic. The regency-inspired setting really allows the yearning associated with courtship to shine through, and though it falls outside of their usual genre kavvueh never fails to hit the mark with the yearning. This work is also for the wingfic lovers, and has all the associated tenderness that one would hope for. An absolute treat from start to finish.

~

Maybe no one will notice if I disappear, by thatmifi (@mifeeey) [Teen, 13.8k, One-Shot]

Author's Original Promo Post!

The young Yaksha at Rex Lapis’ side draws the attention of the Anemo Archon. Or perhaps it’s the Yaksha who can’t help but look skyward first. OR Exploring 2000+ years of Teyvat history from the point of view of the Yaksha Xiao and the Anemo Archon Barbatos. Title from "Seasons" by Wave to Earth

One of my favorite aspects of writing for xv in 2021/2022 was the room for interpretation left in the gaps between canon events that we’ve been given, but these days many of those gaps have been shored up. That’s why it’s always a delight to see authors play around with Teyvat’s history rather than strictly sticking to the source material, and this one gets extra points for the author incorporating my favorite headcanon about Venti’s long slumbers. The slow burn development of xv’s relationship over the centuries also invokes older characterization that I enjoy as Xiao is almost begrudgingly won over by Venti’s antics, and in a way that can be read as either platonic or romantic, which I always love.

~

last letter, first memory, by caramel_exe (Twitter: @/caramel_exee) [Not Rated, 19.2k, One-Shot]

"You returned to me," Venti said, voice soft as wind through leaves. "My Yaksha." Xiao didn’t hesitate. “I never stopped waiting.” The breeze circled around them like a promise, brushing against Xiao’s wrist where the letter had once burned cold. And somewhere, in the hush between heartbeats, the song they’d shared lifetimes ago stirred again, quiet, steady, and whole. Centuries ago, the wind carried away a letter sealed with an Anemo sigil, meant for a soul that had long since forgotten. Now, Xiao is an archaeologist with dreams that don't belong to him and a letter written in a language no one else remembers. He never believed in fate. But the wind is persistent. And somewhere out there, someone has been waiting.

The prose is what really stands out about this fic, giving a lonely, yet atmospheric backdrop to Xiao’s journey of self-rediscovery. Archaeology AUs always make a fun way for xv to stay connected across the ages even when their time as we are most familiar with them has come to an end, especially as more of the anemo element’s association with time has been revealed. It’s a quiet read, but definitely a worthwhile one.

~

the jaded & the lustrous, by unchartedandunknown (@unchartedandunkown) [Archive-Locked, Teen, 35.4k, One-Shot]

Bound to Whimsy, a town affected by the magic of the fae, Xiao’s clients are the fair folk. Contract-bound, he paints to please, capturing their immortality on canvas, and tells the difference between the days of eternal winter by each client he receives. His next client is one who brings the fresh scent of spring flowers with him and a flock of songbirds on his trail. Venti is like any other fair folk of his kind - mysterious and too-charming, removed from the worries a mortal life brings. And yet, his odd portrait request, one never asked for by Xiao before, manages to intrigue him. But there is no time to wonder about Venti’s portrait. Not when someone close to Xiao goes missing, and he’s forced to face his past once more.

While I am unfamiliar with An Enchantment of Ravens, the novel that this fic takes its worldbuilding inspiration from, I’m obsessed with how the author manages to blend that lore in with that of Teyvat. I dearly miss the ensemble cast stories that we saw more of when Genshin’s cast was smaller, and so seeing other characters like Qiqi, Baizhu, Klee, and Albedo serving a meaningful role in Xiao and Venti’s story is so refreshing in this current era where cameos in xv fics are relegated to the same small selection of characters. With freedom serving as the core of xv’s characters, putting them in a fae world where rules are so easily binding leaves so much room to do fun things with them that the author fully capitalizes on.

~

take it or leave it, by orphan_account [Archive-Locked, Teen, 11.4k, One-Shot]

“How about this,” Venti says. “One day. You don’t even have to leave Liyue. I want you to take a break for twenty-four hours." “I can’t,” Xiao says. But he wants to, he wants to so badly. It’ll hurt more later, he tells himself firmly, but what if? What if he truly doesn’t need to fight anymore? If he doesn’t take that chance now he’ll never find out. “Show me Liyue,” Venti pleads. “I’ve traveled so much, but I’ve barely seen any of Liyue. Please, Xiao.” It's all Xiao needs to cave.

Yet another fic from my backlog, the characterization in this feels vintage but in a way that I still love. There’s a friction between Xiao and Venti that feels natural based on their contrasting personalities, but still leaves room for the fondness that they carry for each other. Both their banter and their softer moments hit a spot that makes me remember how I fell in love with this ship to begin with, all culminating in a confession that has continued to stick with me in the years since I first read it.

~

quiet birds in circled flight, by windsgrandode [Complete, Teen, 26.5k, 7/7 chapters]

“They’re bitter,” he offers. “Ganyu eats them.” Barbatos’s eyes go round. “Raw?” he says, astonished. “My word.” He pauses, studying the qingxin in deep contemplation. Then he pops a petal into his mouth and immediately gags. Xiao concludes then and there that the Anemo Archon is an idiot. “I warned you,” he says, utterly unsympathetic. “That’s true!” Barbatos laughs. He runs a thumb over the bloom, but (thankfully) doesn’t try to eat any more. “I think it’ll grow on me,” he muses, then smiles, as if he’s said something clever. A selection of memories. Venti and Xiao, from the beginning to the end—and after.

I’m not usually one for bittersweet endings. In fact, that’s why I put this fic off for years despite hearing it praised on multiple occasions, but I’m so glad that I finally gave it a chance. Grief is such a strong theme in Genshin as a whole, but condenses especially in its immortal characters, Xiao and Venti included. The best works I’ve read about them manage to strike a perfect balance between the grief and the joy that a life across millennia will bring, and this work manages that with a quiet warmth that never fully fades even in its darkest moments. This is a fic about holding the things you love close, but also about knowing when it’s time to let go, and I feel as though it’s the perfect way to end this short tradition of mine. Definitely a piece of XVX Essential Reading.

~

Xiao is one of the 5 Yaksha and has lived for over 2000 years despite his young appearance.

I'll probably make a proper Xiao rundown post at some point but for you to understand them as a whole we're going to skip around his lore a bit.

Before he was a Yaksha Xiao was enslaved by an ancient and cruel god forced to do cruel things against his will before being freed by Rex Lapis.

Xiao joins a new contract with Rex Lapis this time of his own free will and joins the Yaksha who battle and help cleanse the karmic debt marring Liyue.

Due to how much of a toll this takes on a person (or illuminated beast) all of the other Yaksha's have succumbed to madness, died, or went missing presumed dead.

Xiao, being the lone survivor isn't free from the effects of karmic debt either, cause his pressure is slightly corrosive to normal mortals and for him to always be suffering, in pain, and near the brink of losing himself to madness as well.

Despite his contract having long been fulfilled Xiao still chose to keep watching over Liyue and to protect her people from afar. Wearing the mask of the Yaksha, the silent but ever-present warrior.

Venti is one of the 7 Archons and is over 2500+ years old despite his also shockingly young appearance.

He is know as the god of music and songs, of festivals, and of freedom.

Venti having suffered the great loss of his close friend due to them participating in the overthrowing of a cruel dictator. After gaining a proper form he takes the aperance of this lost friend to hold onto and honor their memory.

Fast forwarding a bit (If you're unfamiliar with Venti's lore I ask you do go look into it it's fascinating)

Throughout the year venti takes the mask of a carefree bard intermingling with his people and taking a backseat to let his people rule themselves.

Despite this he is shown to still take his job as Archon pretty seriously going out of his way to visit other nations to collect souls of his citizens and guide them back to Mondstadt.

He is also shown to not be as carefree (we see him very serious on multiple occasions always stepping up to the plate when needed) still bearing his responsibility and grief despite his happy-go-lucky demeanor.

Now to Xiaoven's interactions in lore and canon! (So weird they have interacted in canon now and not just through lore. Man I feel old.)

Xiao nearly lost himself to his karmic debt in Dihua Marsh during the middle of the dark night, collapsing to the ground in agony, but was miraculously saved by the sound of a flute.

The song gives him a desperately needed reprieve from the pain and quiets his mind. The beautiful flute song lasts all the way to the morning light where it leaves Xiao in a much better state than when it started.

Xiao having already been saved by one of the seven, rightfully assumes that the stranger who saved him the second time must also be an Archon.

The character story implies it's Venti with wording like "carried by the wind" but it is fully confirmed to be him in Xiao's story teaser.

Xiao is a character who takes life debts and being saved very seriously, but Venti would accept a service contract like Rex Lapis, so the way this moment affects him is quite different than how him being freed did.

So not being able to repay him, this moment lingers with Xiao and develops into a "sweet dream" of a gentler life where he can finally put down his blade and wear his mask for a proper dance instead of the "Nuo Dance of Evil Conquering". Accompanied by the sound of that lovely flute being played for him once more in Dihua Marsh.

Because karmic debt likes to erupt during human celebrations and very specifically on Lantern Rite. In one of the collectable books, it's implied that either Venti comes to visit Xiao every Lantern Rite to help ease the extra burden the holiday brings him, or that Xiao plays the melody for himself to remember that serene moment. Both may also be true: Venti coming to visit some years and Xiao playing when he doesn't.

Lantern rite become the main pillar of their interaction in canon.

During a lantern rite a few years back, we see on screen that Venti came to visit Xiao (he is clearly doing better because of this and even the traveler points this out and Xiao said it was because he met up with an "old friend") this lantern right his entire reason for being in Liyue clearly a cover up for him coming to visit Xiao and help him.

During this dinner Xiao is is seen to be uncharacteristically shy and demur stumbling over himself whenever something with Venti comes up. Which is adorable considering his normal personality.

Last but not least is the Endless Suffering teaser! In this Venti is drinking on the roof of Wangshu Inn (Xiao's base of operations honestly) and in typical Venti fashion offers him a drink (and sniffs him heh) and while Xiao declines wanting to rest he does so implying that they have potentially drunk together before and/or will do so in the future, just not tonight.

•°•°•°•

For so long these two had 0 on screen interactions and trying to explain that there was actually a deep connection between them was such a losing battle.

Now on to the appeal of Xiaoven from a shipper's viewpoint.

Other than that very obvious things like opposite attract and grumpy gap moe x cutie who experienced the horrors.

These two have such a deep connection not only as savior and saved, but as two people who have been through so much but both want a happy life full of song and dance. And what they have been through mirrors each other's trauma and pain to the point they are both uniquely suited to understand the other.

What is romance if not understanding and the desire for a softer life within each other's worlds? What is more romantic than understanding each other in a way impossible for anyone else to understand?

And despite the distance of their homes the effort they go through (especially on Venti's side for a moment together is so touching.

Xiaoven is one of those ships I truly think you have to dig through canon with and understand both characters beyond a superficial level to really love and appreciate.

Anyways I'm getting to the ramblings stage so I'll leave this off here.