#4nemo fluff

- of course it'd be different in the fanfic itself but I envisioned this hilariously playing out lololo

- also since the color red is taken (kazuha), i chose to assign purple for heizou _(:з)∠)_

- part of this process was laughing over what titles to use as an introduction, like venti's 'omg he's your roommate' SAJDHASJ- aether has the most normal one, xiao does have a problem with trying to be friendly and that will show up in future stuff when he attempts to be nice but shucking fAILS- sorry mc-

“Oh yeah, he almost didn't seem like himself at all,” Aether mumbles, lost in the thought of what has gone down a while ago. “Sometimes I forget who was the idol-in-training between us, he sure does know how to use his voice.”

“Didn't [Name] say he's been singing since he was seven?”

“Oh, right.” nods the blond, involuntarily shaking, “Brr, seriously, I didn't think he can be scary.”

They both pass by an open classroom, waving at their history professors—Lisa and Zhongli respectively—when their gazes met.

Aether only resumes speaking when they have finally reached the ground floor of the building, distant from songwriter's relative. He is quick to rectify his words, aware that it could've been perceived differently.

“Ah, well, he's just really this smiley person whenever [Name]'s around. Don't get me wrong, he still is, but it's just...” he trails off, lagging with uncertainty.

His little debate with himself prompts the Kaedehara to chuckle.

“I get that.” and he does not lie.

Kazuha doesn't think he'll be able to forget the passive glower sent his way when he missed his part a while ago, completely lost in a reverie.

That and the way his smile drops when [Name] is out of sight.

Giddy and beaming the songwriter may be in all his ostensibly natural demeanor, he supposes his stern side surfaces when it comes to practice sessions. Though he does whine and complain during dance practices, he exerts a tremendous amount of effort that even Xiao can't help but compliment him for.

Maybe that's the one thing those cousins share with one another? The ability to appear intimidating when need be.

Venti, in the face of sobriety, appears rather gruff and meticulous.

They often forget that behind those layers of optimism lies a calculated man who's already thought ahead of the plan he's set out for his dream.

“Hm, well, that's to be expected,” Aether notes whilst adjusting the strap of his bag. “Some people don't seem like themselves when they get serious, after all. And it's only been months, so we still don't know each other that well...”

A fact.

To begin with, they only got together because of mutual interest to create a song. Beyond that, they barely acknowledge one another outside the customary nods and greetings.

If [Name] hadn't snuck that letter in his bag, Kazuha can't imagine himself slotting in the group at all, since he keeps to himself most of the time.

“I suppose you are right,” he nods.

Then, recalling a brief conversation he had just this morning, he adds in, “Didn't [Name] invite us all over for a movie marathon on Saturday? She mentioned that other than a 'bonding session', it's a cheat day for us all.”

The thought of being stuffed full of junk food after a strict 'keep yourselves fit, limit those, exercise, and raise your stamina!' from Xiao, is heavenly.

Although Aether understands the reason for a well-kept diet the most—having gone through the regimen when he was a trainee—he's still visibly the one gloomy about it the most.

Ah, [Name]'s such an angel for granting them such a wonderful Saturday. And Xiao can't say no, either!

“I honestly can't wait.”

Kazuha observes the way the blond grins, expectant of good ol' Saturday to come swinging by—and finds himself laughing.

He can't find a fault in that excitement.

“Likewise.”

Watching the afternoon sun slowly descend the expanse of the horizon is a wonderful pastime.

The light In between the spaces of far away buildings pores through, hitting and blanketing him in a warm embrace reminiscent of dawn.

Knowing he has all the time for himself as long as he doesn't stay on the campus past seven, Venti hops off the window sill. He can go for some cheeseburger before returning to the dormitory and working on his homework.

This is the plan, at least until he picks up on the sight of a certain sheen coruscates at the corners of his eyes. The music room is large and houses plenty of instruments, so he's not surprised to see a grand piano tucked away.

Stilling, he weighs the choices in his mind, though they don't last for longer than a few seconds. Detour on the works, he turns on his heel and makes his way towards the large keyboard.

The afternoon light on its black, maple casing seems to beckon him closer.

After placing his bag on the floor, he lifts the fallboard and takes a seat, glad that it isn't as dusty as he originally assumed it'd be.

Then, gingerly, he hovers his fingers over the keys, getting a feel of the keyboards he hasn't touched in a long time.

He has no need for music sheets, instead starting to press on the whites and blacks as though he's been playing his whole life. The melody released is mellow and a little flat, yet to be enriched with harmonies.

It feels nostalgic.

Just as he's about to play the bass notes to complete the sound, however, there is a voice sifting through the room.

“I didn't know you play the piano, wasn't Zeph the pianist between you two?”

He jolts, pressing a wrong note that swiftly makes him wince.

When he turns his eyes to his left, [Name] stands at the door, unmistakably having just finished her last class.

Self-conscious, Venti draws his hands back with a silent laugh.

“You can say I picked it up sometime...”

It must've been the sight of him playing the piano that resurfaced a distant memory, a beautiful one. The same memory that has led you to say things so recklessly.

Unable to approach him given your mistake, you sigh, irked at yourself. “Crap, I-”

“It's okay.” he's quick to interject with a smile on his face.

He pats the space on the bench after scooting, urging you to come and sit beside him. As always, he shows no annoyance over your honest slip-up.

You do so, albeit reluctantly, watching as your best friend starts to press on a singular key of white.

He chuckles. “I'm not that good at it.”

Oh to hell with me, you chew on your lip, unable to rid yourself of the brewing guilt. What a way to say 'hello'.

“I'm sorry.”

The conversation is dull and cold yet the room is enveloped in the afternoon warmth. So is the smile on Venti's face as he looks at you with nothing but empathy.

“Why should you be? It wasn't your fault.” he insists, fingers stopping on the keys. “You're hurting as well, aren't you?”

It's your turn to be on the silent, feeling exposed under the facts that spilled from his lips. Picking away at your fingers, you drop your head, unwilling to return his firm stare.

Venti mutters a wistful truth carried by the lone breeze.

“You did like him.”

Loud is the silence that blankets the music room, no quips and mumbles rising. Not after the chatter has declined into one of blues and greys.

It's a rare occurrence, but whenever it does happen, it's almost too difficult to retrace your steps back to where everything was alright.

You believe that you both never truly were able to move on from the incident, despite it being seven—nearly eight—years ago.

Eventually, you feel his eyes move back to the piano, and you begin to draw a muted sigh of relief. There is a reason why you decided not to meet his gaze.

This scene is too similar; the afternoon glow, the wind's caress, the grand piano... are all too similar.

If you had looked at him, you feared that you would've seen someone else, and not your best friend.

Thankfully, you did not fall prey to nostalgia and are able to recollect your bearings before you can do any more unnecessary emotional damage.

“Hey, Ven,”

“Mm?”

“Play me something?”

Fazed at the sudden request, Venti turns with a blink. He isn't expecting that, it's been a rather long time since he's ever taken a song request from the [c]nette.

He's been occupied with composing original tracks, but there's no way he's going to turn down a request. He has no qualms with it, though there is a little problem...

He ruffles his hair, somewhat abashed.

“With the piano or the violin?”

“I'm tempted to say the piano, but I fear the so-called musical prodigy to press a wrong key ten seconds into the song.”

What? He nearly chokes.

The girl only gives him a cheeky grin.

“So violin it is- Venti!” the squeal clashes amid the sound of the toppling bench and the thudding on the floor.

[C] locks splayed all over the ground, Venti scoffs in disbelief from above. The huge grin on his face implies that he's far from being actually offended, however.

“You're going to regret doubting my skills!” he threatens playfully, continuing to tickle the girl under his mercy without end.

Long forgotten are the blue devils that badgered their earlier conversation, replaced with nothing but warmth and amusement. It's a relief, in all honesty.

He grounds her in place with no complications, putting an end to her constant kicking that hoped to stop the barrage of tickles at her sides.

“Stop it or-” she wheezes.

“Nuh-uh, not until you take back what you said!”

Tears are in [Name]'s eyes as she struggles to catch her breath, hands either slamming against the floors or trying to push the man above her at arm's length.

She attempts a scowl despite guffawing. “-Or I'll bite your hand- ahahaha- sTOP IT!”

It's a threat that didn't reach fruition.

“You wouldn't!” Venti laughs.

They're both a little too taken in their little world to hear the incoming steps toward the music room. By the time they were able to notice the suggestive position they're in, the door is already sliding open.

“What's causing the ruckus here-...”

Chills running down both their spine at the familiar voice, they both turn their eyes to the entrance of the room.

[Name] all but shrieks, hands flying out to shake them in dismissal.

“P-Professor Zhongli!”

Zhongli scrutinizes the pair from their disheveled appearances to their flushed faces. Then he only gives the girl a look before flittering them—does he look dismayed or disgusted?—towards his nephew with a barely contained grimace.

Certainly, they would've both hastened to untangle themselves if not for the petrifying stare upon their profiles. Venti musters up a weak, wavering smile at it.

“Ahahaha, this-”

The professor is already shutting the door. “Please only do such intimacies in more appropriate places-”

“-Isn't what it looks like!”

“The music room is not somewhere to partake in interc-”

“PROFESSOR!!”

a/n: another name drop :)) Zephyrus is slowly being integrated in the story, it'S ALL COMING ALONG TOGETHER- although it's yet to be introduced to Aether|Kazuha, we're sloooowly getting there!

but what's this? venti, scarier than xiao? ohmyohmy!

so are we going to talk about zhongli coming in at the wrong moment PAHAHDASHDSAH

The music room—usually noisy by this time—is overridden with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Two men that are almost similar in appearance are prompted to turn toward one of their peers, who is whistling from his place on the piano.

Taking immediate note of the pair of honey and berry eyes on his profile, Venti pauses with a bewildered blink. "What?"

Dumbfounded expressions lay on both Aether and Kazuha's face, whose voices are rendered nonexistent in their minute surprise at the songwriter's obliviousness.

A grumble sounds from the other side of the room, by the window.

"You're almost always with her every day," clarifies Xiao, whose disgruntled countenance worsens by the second. "Where's she gone to?"

At long last ascertained of his own wonder, Venti snaps his fingers with a smile and provides the three with the answers they've been seeking.

"Personal business, my friends! Today's her day of absence."

Well, it didn't quite answer their question. They know that she's absent, surely, they implied they wanted to know why...

Oh, but he did say personal business.

Friends they may be to the amicable [Name], they're nowhere near close to her as she is with Venti.

So, as much as they are curious, they have no right to pry.

Deciding to linger by the same topic without the intention of probing more than what's necessary, Aether snorts with a playful roll of his eyes.

"You mean your absence yesterday was planned? You two have a schedule of leave or something?"

None of them are prepared to hear the optimistic response.

"Precisely!"

Kazuha's pen scritches across the journal, Xiao's palm meets his face with a sigh, and Aether almost topples to the floor. Flabbergasted, he exlaims, "It was supposed to be a joke!"

"But I'm serious!?"

As expected, the affirmation only escalates the situation, and it isn't long until the blond is repeating his utter disbelief over a scheduled yearly absence.

To which Venti rebuts, saying that it's totally normal.

"Okay, okay," there's a beat of silence, "For a doctor's appointment, right?"

Venti shakes his head. "No."

How is that normal!?

They aren't fighting, by any means, but if a student is to walk down the corridor next to the music room and overhear their shouts...

Oh goodness.

Having a professor enter and scold them will be fine, but a possible ban to the music room, when three of them aren't even music majors, to begin with? Not so fine.

Kazuha takes it upon himself to slot between the two hysteric men in a passionate debate over normal and abnormal absences—a genuinely bewildering topic—to try and calm them down.

The attempt will hopefully be far from otiose, but one of them isn't sticking around to wait.

It is the sound of the door sliding open that puts an end to the tiny bickering, three sets of eyes landing on the individual that's about to exit.

"Where are you going?"

Irked as though his departure isn't obvious, Xiao clicks his tongue and says, "I don't see the reason to stay."

It's the last day of break and I ought to spend it well. Is the unsaid message.

He needn't turn to know that a wry look is etching on his cousin's face.

"You mean [Name]'s your reason to stay? You get attached quick, huh.." Venti sniggers, one brow arched, and a corner of his lip tugged upward.

It may sound like a harmless jab—to Kazuha and Aether, that is—but to the other two, it's more of an epiphany. An assumption that's thought to be wrong, and Xiao doesn't take kindly to that.

Plans strewn aside for the sake of clarifying himself, the dance major turns away from the door. His usual glare narrows his eyes.

"Whatever are you spouting?" the room grows a tad colder at this.

Aware of the presaging ugliness around the corner, both Aether and Kazuha share a look of concern. They aren't blind to the cousins' strange enmity towards one another, but they've always been passive-aggressive about it.

It helps that [Name] is often around, their middle ground, but she isn't here right now, though... and the situation is only starting to pick up.

"I just do not see any reason to linger, not when our acting manager isn't here to brief us on things. What incompetence, not even leaving a-"

Venti shoots from his seat with an accusatory gasp. "I'm next in command of this lil' group, why overlook me?"

The response of his relative is quick and terse.

"You don't act like a leader."

Xiao states it like it's the most obvious thing in the world, as clear as crystal water. He sounded even tired—offended as if clarifying it is enough to make his skin crawl.

Another gasp sounds out, louder and much more bewildered, though it is strangely laced with eagerness.

"I'll stop you right there, cousin, behold!" in a second, he's on the other side of the room, yanking a binder from his backpack with a triumphant cry.

With the afternoon rays filtering from the window and landing on the raised item, it appears as if it's an item bequeathed from the heavens.

An exaggeration noted by Kazuha, of course, but it is nevertheless a saving grace, still.

The tension in the room diminishes, flooded out with the sight of the binder and Aether's blank expression.

"And you didn't think to get that out earlier?" the bland tone of his voice makes Xiao huff, amused.

"You were all in your own worlds earlier, how can I ever rip you from your daydreams?" wonders Venti, far from being offended as he skids on the floor, acting as if he's wearing skates.

Miraculously, in his endeavor to reach the space where the small group of three flocks in, he does not trip.

The turning of pages incites the others to peer and get a closer look. It is nothing that Kazuha hasn't seen, having perused through multiple binders of [Name].

He recalls even stumbling upon a marriage contract. Mm, he still wonders why she'd keep something like that. Ah nevermind, it's most likely personal.

"Let's see! It's a Tuesday and our meetings coincidentally end after two, and they let us off early, so..."

Flicking to a certain page that enumerates the school year, Venti turns a couple more pages until he lands on their group schedule.

It has been planned meticulously, taking into account times when the four's classes overlap and clash, making it impossible to designate a slot for practice.

Those times in the days are thus left blank.

The days in the week when they can meet up are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Obviously, throughout the whole winter break, they're meeting every single day—it just so happens that they found out that they're all their respective professor's TAs. Meaning, this last day of break calls for them to head over to the university for a meet-up with their profs; a preparation for the return-to-work-tomorrow kind of meeting.

Seeing that they're all there, anyway, they chose to regroup—with only a noticeable missing person.

Venti's finger runs down the page, landing on the time slot of two in the afternoon, labeled as:

Dance practice.

Venti blinks. "Well, there you have it."

"... I see," Xiao blinks as well, not expecting the schedule to be rather... fitting.

After all, they have recorded their first take of the song—minus his parts—so a sample track with vocals can be used for the choreography.

Set designing as well as other 'stuff' falls under [Name]'s shoulders. And with the way she's being tight-lipped about it the entire time, it is safe to assume that they won't be learning any of her plans until it is time for the reveal.

With a grunt, Xiao leans off the door frame. "Then get moving. It's already quarter to two."

True to his words, when they pass a glance at the clock, the hand is ticking at 1:45.

The door is left ajar and Xiao is nowhere to be seen, most likely having already gone to one of the wardens or a dance professor to secure themselves a practice room.

This leaves the three behind, left to gather their own belongings as they keep a small conversation regarding the choreography. It will be hours until nightfall, around four hours at most.

Oh dear, it will be so grueling.

Bodies trembling in the slightest as though they've come from a battleground—which they did, in a way—they filter out of the practice room with relieved sighs and groans.

Their stomachs are grumbling for food. Although they had two half an hour breaks where they feasted on snacks and drank water, it isn't enough.

A meal sounds good. It's almost seven in the evening.

"Try to learn the first chorus in your own time, next practice won't be until Saturday." Xiao reminds the lethargic trio, almost amused as he watches them file out the room.

He hasn't been that hard on them, why, he simply taught them from intro up until the chorus with the necessary attitude! Though he's always been austere, to start with.

It just so happens that he's a little more steely when it comes to dance practice. How can he not be when it is his field of expertise?

"Noted.."

Kazuha's the only one who manages a proper response before they leave the room, leaving Xiao to his own space to close the room.

Of course, like good students, they offered to help him lock up, but the dance major is adamant about being left alone. They've to respect that.

"I feel like I can devour a whole chicken." Venti drones as he drags his feet across the floor.

Aether's passing remark comes delayed. "It feels like you could."

"Hahaaaaaa, yeah, I could."

Kazuha smiles, feeling a bit of his exhaustion disperse at the pleasant conversation. It hasn't been long since they officially became a group; students so unsurprisingly disparate, coming together for a small wish to fulfill.

Yes, they've their own reasons for actually joining.

Venti has a reason most likely similar to [Name]'s, and this correlates to Xiao's own reason, whatever that may be.

Kazuha wants a bit of flavor in his simple college life filled with inks and papers, a little more color than the usual black ink on white parchment. The temporary music group is a wonderful opportunity.

Aether, on the other hand, wished to get a taste of the life he could've had, had he and his twin not departed from overseas. Not like he'll become an official idol by joining a temporary group—he's accepted having to go another route—but it rekindles the times he's accustomed to.

Times where he can just drop on the floor after an exhausting practice, and times where it feels like his voice will give up after half a day of singing.

This day, in particular, reminded him so much of yesteryears.

Xiao is much sterner than his previous dance instructor, though. The fact makes him snort as he parts way with Venti, who's off to go to the direction of the dormitory.

His path with Kazuha diverges only a couple of streets down from the university. The silverette bids him adieu and they part.

Stopping at the side of the street under a green light, Aether takes out his phone after split secondly being reminded that it's past six.

Multiple messages from his older cousin asking where he is lights the screen and he flinches.

How can he forget to inform Dain that he'll be a little later than usual?

I hope Lumine cleared things up, he sighs after typing a quick apology and pocketing his phone with a tiny pout.

The green light is yet to turn red, so he rocks himself on his heels, waiting patiently for the transition of color so he can hurry home.

He lifts his stare across from the road, squinting through the motion blurs and- wait, is that-?

"[Name]?"

She's already seen him before he can, waving from afar. When she moves to sprint across the pedestrian lane, he almost shouts at her to stop, only to realize that the traffic light's already red.

Now that she's close and upfront, he can see her much more clearly.

"Hi, sunshine, dance practice just ended?" there's a smile on her face but it appears like it doesn't reach her eyes.

Still, the sincerity in her tone is present, and the nickname doesn't go unheard. Aether feels himself flushing a bit more than necessary, it's been months, but he still feels new to the candid use of monikers.

"Yeah," he finds himself smiling as well, "It went surprisingly well, actually."

"I'm glad."

[Name] laughs into her fist, most probably thinking up of random shenanigans that occurred throughout the day in her absence.

This doesn't last long, though, for she's smiling again at him with a subtle air of resignation.

"Well, I've got to get going, I'm sure my homework isn't going to write itself."

Aether's only a little bummed that they can't chat more, but it's true that they still have their own personal things to look after. He is in a rush, too.

He's thankful for the interaction, however! No matter how short it is.

Nodding and giving a wave, they both turn to go about in their own directions, only for the blond to stop when he catches something falling to the ground.

Ah-

"You dropped this!" he calls, bending to pick the... flower? Up.

[Name] is fast to turn around, eyes growing owlish as she hurries back over whilst closing the zip on her backpack. "Oh shoot, my bag was open all along? Thanks, Aether!"

She takes the pristine white flower back in her fingers, her hold on it gentle as if it is a fragile accessory.

"It's no problem..." he responds, taking note of the growing expression on the girl's face. "I can walk you to the dorm if you want?"

She looks a little tired—is that the right word? It's more like-

[Name] snaps her vision onto him once more, vestiges of an emotion untold completely nonexistent. "Thanks but no thanks, sunshine. I'd hate to keep you up when you should be going home. I'll be fine."

"Alright, then. Get there safely, yeah?"

"Roger~" she salutes with a wink before she's sprinting away, in an obvious hurry.

Aether goes to turn and walk down the street only to realize that the light has turned green again and the cars are moving. He doesn't mind waiting once more, it gives him some time to evaluate what he noticed.

She didn't look that tired at all, more like... he finds himself frowning a little. She appeared somber.

The green turns to red and he starts to walk down the lane, hands in his pockets, mind flying elsewhere.

I wonder why...

a/n: mm, so we have our first peek to a group that functions (terribly) without MC lol. we'll be seeing more of this eventually, but for now, this small prelude is here for a reason! Withering is all abouT THE GOOD OLE FLASHBACK ANGST. now , why is mc gloomy? :((

DISCLAIMER: Aether/Venti/Xiao/Kazuha belong to Hoyoverse as well as the BGMs 'Before Dawn/Happy Journey'. I don't claim any ownership other than the art for the sprites!

Other tracks belong solely to:

(Naruto - Ultimate Ninja Heroes / Character Select) by BANDAI, Namco