#lee!venti

A missing spoon, Venti.

A pen moved, Venti.

The disruption of Zhongli’s peaceful retirement, Venti.

Though despite it all, Zhongli couldn’t seem to send the wisp on his way, to deal with the large world alone. Venti was an old friend, after all. He knew as well, that if the roles were reversed, and Zhongli was in a lesser form, Venti would offer the same help to him.

One evening, Zhongli returned to his abode after a long day’s work and was curious to see how his temporary houseguest had spent the day, praying silently that Venti had decided to not fill his home with treacherous hurricanes.

When walking through the door, instead of destroyed furniture, he was greeted with the sight of the wisp perched upon Adeptus Xiao’s shoulder, munching away at what he could only assume was part of the apple that Xiao held in his ungloved hand.

Xiao’s attention snapped to the open door, and he bowed his head in respect. “Welcome home, Zhongli.”

“Thank you, Xiao. How nice of you to visit again so soon,” Zhongli removed his jacket to place upon the hook situated by the front door. “My thanks to you for keeping Venti company, as well.”

Venti bounced up and down upon Xiao’s shoulder, creating a small jingle sound as his happy chirps greeted Zhongli before he used his tiny hand to gently pull at a strand of Xiao’s hair, indicating that he is ready for another apple slice.  

“It’s hardly anything worthy of your gratitude,” Xiao cut off another tiny piece of apple using a knife and gently held it up to the wisp, who took a huge bite out of it. Xiao had already scolded the little guy for trying to eat a whole slice before, so it explained why the Yaksha watched him intently while he chewed.

“Well, regardless, it’s still appreciated,” Zhongli concluded, checking the house over for any notable damage but was thrilled to find that the house was just how he left it, minus a few objects moved around. “Any insights for this transformation? I have had no luck in deciphering it myself.”

Xiao shook his head, watching Venti happily munch on his apple slice. There were no clear indications as to why Venti chose this form as of late, but this was something they would patiently await the explanation for.  

“No matter, I’m sure the time will come when he is feeling more like himself again.” Zhongli reached out a finger to gently pat the small head, though to Venti, it felt like he was getting smacked with a rock over and over.

He made small chirps of protest and bit down on the imposing finger. Of course, this created no pain whatsoever for Zhongli, but it did stun him for a moment as he stared at this small act of aggression.

Xiao too found himself raising his brows at the sight, watching the wisp hang from Zhongli’s gloved finger by his little mouth latched on to it, emitting some small growls.

“Won’t you join us for dinner, Xiao?” Zhongli asked, having decided that this little tantrum had received enough attention.

“Huh?” Xiao was pulled out of his observation. “Oh. There’s no need to trouble yourself, M- Zhongli.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Why, I even have the ingredients to prepare some Almond Tofu should you wish to have it.”

Xiao found it impossible to refuse and gave a nod of his head. “Then I shall. Thank you.”

“Splendid,” Zhongli smiled which morphed into an amused expression once he looked back down to his hand. “Are you quite finished?”

Venti continued to growl around Zhongli’s finger.

“This is the gratitude I am given for my assistance,” Zhongli sighed, trying to wiggle out of the wisp’s grasp, but it seemed like Venti didn’t plan on letting go. “Come now, Venti.”  

Zhongli lifted his finger upwards, then to the side, then the other side, but Venti seemed to just dangle no matter which way he was held up. He was certain he heard Xiao huff a small laugh at the scene.

“The Anemo Archon,” Zhongli scoffed, though a simple jest as he used his other hand to gently grab onto the wisp, pulling him away. Though Venti seemed to still be latched to the glove, which he started to glide off Zhongli’s finger the more he was pulled away. “Barbatos. Let go.”

The use of his Archon name only increased the tantrum it seemed, as Venti began snarling and rapidly shaking as if fighting with the glove.

“Oh, come now, really?”

Xiao watched intently before balling his ungloved fist around Venti, trapping him in his palm and with a squeeze of his hand around the wisp, Zhongli felt the glove release from Venti’s grasp and managed to pull away at last.

“Thank you.”

“It’s – Ack!”

Zhongli startled at Xiao’s sudden outburst. “Is something the matter?”

“N-No, he…” Xiao cleared his throat, but it was mixed with a breath of laughter as he opened his palm once again. Venti, who wore a mischievously happy grin, had started to wiggle his tiny hands against Xiao’s palm, tickling the Yaksha.

Zhongli blinked at the sudden discovery. Xiao had ticklish palms? How unusual. Though it did bring a small smile to the Geo Archon’s face.

“E-Enough!” Xiao tried to shake Venti away, but he was just as stubbornly attached to Xiao’s hand as he was to Zhongli’s. The wisp made little happy chirps as Xiao began to let out some more quiet laughs.

“What are we going to do with you, Barbatos?” Zhongli sighed, crossing him arms across his chest as he watched the scene unfold. Thankfully, Venti took the bait and stopped to glare his tiny eyes up at Zhongli for using the wrong name again.

Xiao took this opportunity to get revenge on the little wisp and used a finger to tickle at Venti’s tiny body. His happy chirps of laughter rang out as he wiggled around in Xiao’s hand, he hovered upwards and try to fly away but Xiao was quick to give chase.

“Aw, don’t be mad, my dear. I just wanted some birthday wine! However could we celebrate without wine?” Venti whispered pitifully, head cradled in Lumine’s lap. His feet scuffed on the side of the barrel — she felt her lungs still.

Every noise was like a firecracker in this suffocating, pitch-black space. At each incensed footfall outside and each too-sharp breath or shuffle within the curved planks, Lumine’s arms stiffened around the bard in her hold. If only I could be silent enough for the both of us.

Venti kicked his leg again, twitching with excited energy. Lumine’s heart rocketed. The steps on the floorboards had stopped. She stuck her hands under Venti’s arms and tugged him close.

Then his entire body flinched, a squeak shooting out of his mouth. Lumine clenched her teeth as the barrel shook.

“Venti!”

“Sorry!” Venti wriggled as much as he could, the tiniest wispy giggles sprouting from his lips. “Wahaha— Your hahands!”

Lumine sighed. A twitchy smile pulled at her cheeks. “Oh, Ven. Just try to be quiet.”

Mute, Lumine scribbled under Venti’s arms. She chuckled softly at his nervous choke.

“Lu- Luhumihine! AHaha- NaHAhat now! Stop t- tihihi— Stahap thahahat!”

“What? Tickling you?” Lumine grinned as Venti quivered and whined in a flustered flurry. She dragged her fingers between his upper ribs, teasing at the edge of his dancing corset.

“EHee yehehehes! Stop tihihicklihing!”

“Stop being so ticklish then.” In this moment of warmth and giddy suspense, Lumine forgot all need for stealth. There was something thrilling about breaking the rules, toeing the line and trying not to get caught.

Lumine traced the hems of Venti’s dress shirt, scratching up his forearms and around his underarms. Hysterical, he squealed into her clothes and squirmed. Lumine could feel the vibrations of his lyre-sweet laughter running through her abdomen (and she tried to pretend it didn’t affect her in a giggly way at all).

“EEHE! Dihiluhuhuc will hehehehear!” Venti pleaded. “He’ll be sohoho mahaHAhad!”

Now you’re worried? “Well, maybe you deserve it.” With a huff, Lumine patted down his torso, searching for his hips. “This was all your idea anyway, you little wiggleworm.” Ah, bingo. She slipped her fingers into the hole in Venti’s shorts, tracing circles into soft, sensitive skin where his shirt had ridden up.

All the while, Venti was gnawing on his braids to muffle himself, a wail leaping from the back of his throat when she made it to his hips. He’d jerked so far forward that Lumine had sunk farther onto her back somehow, and Venti was now crushing her chest.

“LUHUmihihi pleheheHEASE! Nah nohohot thehehere! I cahahan’t, Ihihi’m—!” Desperately, Venti twisted his hips and shook his head, braids whipping about, glowing. Oh, they were glowing a lot, actually. Almost as if—

The barrel exploded.

Lumine lay surrounded by the splintered remains of their hiding spot — unharmed, but winded (ha) by the burst of Anemo. Venti was collapsed on her chest, where he panted and rubbed at his apple-red cheeks.

Grimacing as her legs twinged with pins and needles, Lumine propped Venti up by his shoulders to examine his face. “You okay?” she asked, still supine on the floor.

Venti nodded, loopy. “Only hurt that you would be so mean to me. And on my birthday?” He pouted and almost tumbled onto her again.

A snicker broke out of Lumine’s chest. Then it snowballed into bubbling laughter that shook her entire torso. Venti too succumbed to mirthful stitches, equally exhilarated from the high of misbehavior.

“Happy birthday to you.” Lumine giggled and patted Venti’s cheek. He met her with a wide, joyous smile.

“Happy birthday indeed, bard,” came a new, much deeper, much more intimidating voice.

Venti and Lumine looked up at the looming shadow, red hair, dark suit, crossed arms and all. Blazing eyes twisted in irritation burned through them.

It seemed Diluc had discovered the mess they’d created.

And they never even made it to the wine…

࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ༄ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ༄ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ༄

    "Okay, no, you're all done. Come on, let's go sit down," Diluc directed, grabbing the other two's arms and sitting them in a booth nearby. He continued to block both of them from exiting by standing in the way. 

    "Awe, but Diluuuucccc~ can't you let us have some fun?" Venti pouted, giving his best puppy-dog eyes.

    "Yes, don't be a buzzkill, brother!" Kaeya joined.

    "No. Absolutely not," Diluc crossed his arms, glaring daggers at the two.

    "Dilliuuuuuuc~" Venti tried.

    "It's not gonna happen. I don't trust either of you."

    "What? You don't trust your own brother?" Kaeya gasped in mock offense.

    "No, I do not. Maybe we should just leave. I make better drinks than this place anyways."

    "How would you know? You never drink them…" The shortest turned away and rested his head on his chin.

    "Keeps me from being a drunken bastard like you and Kaeya. Besides, even you would agree with that," Diluc argued, taking the chance to poke Venti in the ribs to accentuate his point. The archon squeaked and shoved his arm down to his side. 

    "Don't."

    "Hmm, fine." 

    Diluc sat across from them, and they talked for a bit. Their nice conversation came to an end when Kaeya loudly interrupted with a yawn. 

    "Tired much?" Diluc teased, "Come on, maybe we should go home."

    "Oh, the night is still young, Diluc. No need to be rude!" Venti said.

    Said redhead scoffed, "Now we're definitely going home."

    And they did. Diluc had to drag Venti, of course, but Kaeya went willingly.

    When they finally arrived home, Venti pulled Kaeya over to him and whispered something.

    "You're crazy. There's no way we're doing that," Kaeya protested, "I've tried that many times and it doesn't end well-"

    "What are you planning?" Diluc questioned, leaning on the door frame.

    Venti waltzed over to him, reaching towards him. Diluc quickly grabbed his arm and spun him to face Kaeya. He put his hand on the back of the shorter's corset and began untying it.

    Diluc tsked, "Now I know you are Barbatos and what not, but you will not try that on me."

    "I'm sure I dohon't know what you mean, Master Diluc…" The bard defended.

    "I beg to differ, bard." 

    Diluc finished untying and tossed the archon's corset onto the table nearby, he then dug into the olders ribs with no mercy. Venti bursted into hysterical giggles immediately.

    Kaeya watched nervously as he crossed his arms protectively around himself, "I think I'll just-" He attempted to walk past the two, but was blocked by his brother shoving an arm out,

    "No, I don't think you will, little brother."

    "I don't like the way you said that," Kaeya stepped back in fear at Diluc's tone.

    "And I don't like the fact that you forced me to go to a tavern with you and you acted out."

    The threatening voice of Diluc was followed by the squeal of Venti, who had just tried to collapse on the floor after his sides were targeted. Diluc let him, easily following him while also dragging Kaeya down too. 

    Kaeya almost screamed, "What are you doing?! Let me go! Diluc!"

    The older just laughed, pulling him next to a hysterical Venti. 

    "Come on, Diluc, please!" Kaeya pleaded.

    "Pleheahase," Venti chimed in.

    Diluc moved his free hand to Kaeya, beginning to poke around his stomach.

    "Wait! Don't!" He yelled, grabbing at his brother's wrist and failing horribly.

    "Don't what?" Diluc teased.

    Kaeya, the poor man, realized too late what was happening and fell right into his brother's trap, "Tihickle me! Wait-"

    "Tickle you? Okay, since you asked."

    "WAIT that's not what I meant! Diluc! NOHOHO!"

    By that point, Diluc had begun scribbling into the younger's ribs, eliciting loud squeaks and full-blown laughter. Venti, who had been stuck in a giggle fit for the last couple minutes, attempted to revolt against their 'attacker' by reaching a trembling hand out to his side. 

   The redhead, busy with his brother, didn't notice until Ventis hand made contact with him. He jumped and squeezed the Archons lower ribs in retaliation. 

   "Why you little shit," he said.

   With both of Diluc's annoyances below him, he couldn't help but smirk at the situation. He continued to tickle them mercilessly, eventually switching to targeting their worst spots. Kaeya's hips and Venti's stomach. Both of them screamed and batted at Diluc's hand.

   "Pleheahse! Dihiluhuc, Ihi cahANT!" Venti laughed.

   "Dihiluhuc! Noho!" 

   "Say, Kaeya, does this remind you of when we were younger? Particularly of when you got on my nerves and someone had to pay a visit to you?" Diluc said menacingly.

   "Wahaihit! Dohont sahay ihit!" Kaeya flushed a new shade of red.

   "Why? Could it be that the Calvary Captain of the Knights of Favonius is flustered? Over such an insignificant thing such as tickling?" Diluc started, "Or is it that I was about to mention your old friend-?"

   "Dihiluhuc!" Kaeya was starting to dislike being the younger sibling. 

   Diluc only smirked, "Do you remember his name, Little Brother?"

   "Plehease dohont!" He cried.

   "I'll take that as a no. Venti, do you have a guess?" 

   Seeing this side of Diluc was rare. To the best of Kaeya's memory, he wasn't much of a teaser anyways. Except for when Kaeya really got on his brother's nerves. That's when Diluc brought out the meanest tease ever–

   "Thehe tihickle mohonster?" Venti giggled out. 

   Kaeya started to thrash. Usually when Diluc used the treacherous tickle monster it meant one thing.

   "You are right, bard. And do you happen to know what the tickle monster eats?" 

   This is when both of the ticklees attempted to glare at the redhead. Both of them thrashed harder and doubled their half-assed efforts to escape. The older brother persona in the usually stoic man was creeping out more by the second.

   "Raspberries."

   With that, Diluc rose Kaeya and Venti's shirts to their first rib, took in a large breath, and started with his brother. He lowered his head and blew a giant raspberry on Kaeya's stomach. 

   "DIHILUHUC NOHO!" Kaeya shoved at the olders head with his hands. He was really starting to hate being the younger sibling. Just when he was about to tap out, Diluc let him go and sucked in another breath. He faced Venti and gave him his raspberry.

    "NOHONOHONOHO! DIHILUHUC!" Venti tried turning every which way but to no avail. When Diluc was finally done, both men were in never-ending giggle fits. Kaeya recovered first, he sat up and glared at his brother. Diluc chuckled.

     "Of all ways I could get you to genuinely laugh, it's at my own expense?" He pouted.

     Diluc rolled his eyes, "You are just as much of a child as you were when you asked me to do this."

     Kaeya's face flamed red as Venti sat up, "You asked for that as a child? That's adorable, Kaeya!"

     "Shut up!" He covered his face, resulting in Diluc squeezing his side. 

     "Do not get embarrassed over that. It is not like I minded complying to your requests." Diluc smirked

     "You are not helping!" The bluenette argued, "What if I shared your roundabout ways of asking me for it?"

     The older one glared at him, "You wouldn't dare."

     "Oh but I would, brother."

     "Please do share!" Venti instigated.

     Diluc attempted to stand and leave but Kaeya lunged at him.

     "Ah ah ah, you are not getting out of this that easily," He feigned disappointment. He then began to scribble Diluc's underarm, going in for the kill immediately. The redhead, much against what he'd like to admit, squealed and started to laugh loudly. He struggled as his brother began to share embarrassing stories from their childhood to the literal Archon of Mondstadt and could do nothing.

     Safe to say Diluc will be getting revenge soon. 

♡~~~♡~~~♡

A/N: Pst! If you like this fic, I have a ton other's you might enjoy! Check out my masterlist and see if you wanna read anything!

Aether hummed, his feet moving to the pace of the city. Friday nights in Mondstadt were especially busy, and even though it was half past 11, various lights and lanterns kept the village lit as people made their way around the place for personal needs and what not. His floating travel companion had tapped out this time, claiming she was too tired to go out on any favours.

The honorary knight walked down the paths near Flora's flower store set up, eventually reaching the lower levels of Mondstadt near the tavern. Glancing at the barrels in front, he quickly decided that going in for a few hello’s wouldn’t be too bad. With a quiet bell chime, the Angels Share noise set into his ears. With tables full and bard playing a lyre at the back. It set a nice ambiance, as he walked up to the ba-

“Traveller! Wha- *hic* Are you doing here?”

recognising the high pitched voice. He turned to meet the eyes of Mondstadt’s famous bard. Venti quickly spinned the chair around and stumbled off. Though, immediately falling into his dear friend wasn't quite what he was trying to do. But it didn't matter, he wrapped his arms around the knight tightly as Aether tried to pull him up to prevent him from falling.

“Ehe~! Aether..*hic* where.. Where have you beenn~? I haven- *hic* seen you in Mon- Monstadt for like.. ever. ehe..” he slightly rambled, huffing as the traveller finally stabilised his stance. “Venti.. who let you get this drunk?”

“I’m not drrun- drunk! jus- *hic* just happyyy~ ehehe.. Aether i'm all spinny.. you- can you pass my me-.. wait.. me my drink? yeah..” He giggled out, whining as aether threw their hand over his shoulder and led his arm around to their’s. “Come on, let's get you home okay?”

Venti gasped loudly, though not to be looked at twice with all the commotion in the tavern. “Whaaat? no!- nonono.. I still.. need to drink the rest..! Ae- tther.. pleasee? ill tell you a secret if you do!” he insisted, leaning over to the others ear and cupping his hands around his mouth as he spoke-

“I’m.. actually Barbatos. shhh.. you can't tell aannybody okay? its a secre- a secret.” He took his hands away and looked into his eyes waiting for a reaction. Aether couldn’t help but laugh a bit, faking a surprised expression. “Wow, really?” he gasped, his voice dripping in sarcasm. He reached into his back pocket and slipped a couple mora bills under the half filled glass. But knowing Venti, that wouldn’t be nearly enough to cover his tab. Poor master Diluc...

“ye- *hic* yeah! I'm like.. alot old. what's the word.. chemistry?” he mumbled, in deep thought. Which is probably why he didn't notice when Aether slowly led him out the tavern and got his own teapot out, because archons know where Venti spends his nights.

“Cen.. centuries! Yeah.. yeah that- that's the word. it means like.. centurie- oh! that was fast.. you're a fast walker..” he slurred his words, leaning his head on Aether’s shoulder.. “I’ll take you to bed, come on.” he insisted softly, leading him up the stairs and into his bedroom. Within seconds of noticing the bed, he tilted his head up all the way and reached out to it only for his arm to slump back down lazily.

Aether complied, sitting him up on the bed and reaching over to the side table to get a bottle of water. “..you- you're not gonna make me drink that. right?”

….

“..right?”

with a loud groan Venti flopped onto his back and turned away. “Nooo- sont- dont make *hic* -make me..”

“Come on, if you don’t drink this now you're gonna feel especially sick in the morning. Trust me, it's not fun..” he shuttered slightly, remembering the feeling of a particularly bad hangover.

“I don’t care! you- you're bad! you're a bad bad man Aether- you're the worst! i'm not- *hic!* touching your weird, clear, tasteless drink!!”

Aether sighed, setting the bottle back. “..You're drinking it, whether you like it or not. And if it means I have to take some drastic measures, so be it." He said, a serious facade on his face.

The drunkard bard seemingly taking it seriously had wide eyes and a small smile as he spoke;“Huh?! dr- *hic!* drastic! what are you gon- AH! Aethther! dohont- dohohnt yohou dahahare!”

In a swift motion, Aether hand gently moved his hands to scribble across Venti’s upper ribs, giggling softly along with him.

“Oh, I do dare. You know how to make it stop Venti~” The traveller smiled softly, his hands skilfully scratching in between the little bones all the way down to his waist. Venti dug his head into the mattress, kicking his feet out behind him as he squirmed. “ahahE!- noho! Ihi dohon’t wahahant to! goHo awahay!” His hands pressed into the mattress with all the strength he could muster up while like this (Which in all honesty wasnt alot, especially for an archon..) , his wide smile on display.

“Awh, Venti.. Has anyone ever told you that you have a very pretty smile?” He said softly, his fingers massaging into the other’s waist over the lazily tied corset. Venti let out a loud hiccup in between his giggling, shaking his head left to right. “eheno! stohhop teheasing meheee!”

Aether chuckled with a gentle tone in his voice, blunt nails dragging down to where his hips met his thighs, digging in between. “Oh, but I would never tease you, wouldn't even dream of it, Venti.”

Okay, now he was definitely teasing..

Venti’s legs continued kicking, his hands shot up at Aether’s shoulders with a tight grip. “What, you don't like it here? Right here?” The blonde spoke, scribbling his fingers along his lower hips.

“Aehetherrrr~! ihi am- I aham a archon!”

“Yeah, a very giggly one in your case.”

“Aham nohot!” He argued back even through the said giggles, denying any sort of claims. “A drunk one?” Aether counter-offered, his hands travelling down to squish at the sides of his thighs.

“Nohot druhunk! juhust hahappy! I alreheady said that, I thi- wahait wait!” He repeated his phrase from earlier before jolting, his knees trying to curl up to his chest. “What, hm? You're gonna drink some water now?” He asked, fingertips momentarily stilling but continuing to rest on the spot.

“Waihit- juhust wahait..” He insisted, letting out soft breathy giggles as he caught his breath. “Thahats- thats not fair.”

“Ihits not fair?” The traveller repeated, a slight laugh of his own leaving his lips. “And why is that?”

“Because- behecause I have my things on! And thats- its soho bad, so you can’t.” He explained drunkenly, a hand pulling at his own tights to give further example.

“Oh I can’t?” He pressed his finger pads into the small diamonds on the patterned tights, enlightening a giggly gasp from the other. “Are you sure I can’t?”

“..No.” Venti mumbled, a soft squeal escaping his throat when he felt the hands suddenly attach themselves onto his knees and squeeze.

“You're so stubborn, just give upp~ I need to get you to bed, yknow.” Aether shrugged, talking like he was completely oblivious to what he was doing.

Venti didn’t reply, maybe a few babbles about how ‘he wasn’t a baby’, which the blonde simply countered with the reminder that he had his head thrown back because he was just that childishly ticklish. He honestly had never seen him shut up so quickly.. he's definitely gonna use this for blackmail.

“Okahay okay!” He exclaimed dramatically inbetween his squeals, “Stohop, ihim gohonna die!”

“Dramatic, but okay.” He chuckled, rubbing the left over tingles away. “You're done with your little tantrum? You’ll drink it?”

“..I want apple juice.”

Xiao trapped his hands in a vice grip, a devious smirk playing on his lips making Venti shiver.

“Ven, pet names aren't going to get you anywhere,” he whispered in his ear.

“Xiao,” Venti whined. “Don't do that. You know how it makes me feel.”

“Oh, I know,” Xiao deepened his voice and his whispers vibrated against Venti's ear making him squirm. “You deserve it for throwing pumpkin stuffing at me and even laughing.”

“I said I didn't mean it though! It was an accident!” Tingling sensations traveled down his neck making him involuntarily smile.

“Like I believe that.”

“Well, you should because I'm your bohohoy- nohohoho! Xiaohoho!”

Xiao started digging into his ribs, growling playfully.

“Boyfriend perks won’t save you either.”

“Plehehehase! Xiahahahao!”

Xiao wasn’t hearing any of it and squeezed the spot between his side and hips making him squeal.

“XIAHAHAHAO! Ihihi dihihidn’t dohOHO ihihit ohohon purpohose! It wahahas an acciDEHEHENT! EHEHAHAHAHA! Forgihihive mehehEHEHE! PLE- AHAHAHA!”

He giggled and yelped when Xiao alternated between pinching the two spots. He swayed his body as far away from Xiao as he could but those evil, wiggling fingers always found their way back to him.

“And why should I believe you this time, hmm? You have a long record of pranking and doing all sorts of shenanigans to all of us, especially me.”

A pout passed Xiao’s face before morphing into a smirk when he heard Venti let out a desperate shriek when he slipped his hand under his clothing.

“You’re juhuHUST EHEHEASY tohohoho MEHEHESS WIHIHITH!”

“And you dare say that while I have you like this, Ven?”

Xiao clawed at his ribs making Venti cackle, trying to curl inward to protect himself.

“GAHAHAHA! XIAHAHAO! NAHAHAHAT THAHAHAT!”

“Hmph, why not? You’re easy to tickle and make laugh,” Xiao remarked, not letting up and moving to his hips, massaging them.

“NOHOHOHOT THEHEHERE EIHIHITHER! I’M SOHOHOHORRY!”

“Too late for apologies, Ven. You sealed your fate with those words.”

He carried him over to the table they were working at, moving the tools and stuff before placing him on top of it and climbing on top of him. He wiggled his fingers at him, looking down with an evil grin. Venti gasped, a nervous smile making its way onto his face.

“Please, Xiao! Pleasepleaseplehehease! You knohow I can’t handle ihit!”

Giggles slipped through as he begged, holding Xiao’s hands in his grasp.

“Oh, is my boyfriend begging already~?” Xiao teased.

He effortlessly freed his hands from Venti’s grasp, letting his hands slide under Venti’s clothes once again making him giggle and whine.

“Xiahahao!” he cried out, grabbing a hold of his arm.

“Oh, that was an accident. My hands slipped,” Xiao snickered, vibrating his fingers across Venti’s belly and against his ribs.

“Thahat’s nohohot an accIHIHIDEHEHENT!”

Xiao rolled his eyes and began squeezing his sides and kneading his hips. Venti’s reaction was priceless.

“BWAHAHAHA! OKAHAHAY! IHIHIHI GIHIHIVE! PLEHEHEASE XIAHAHAO!”

“Tell me what you did and maybe I will let up.”

“IHIHI THEHEHEREW THEHE PUHUMPKIN STUFF AHAHAT YOUHUHU OHOHON PURPOSE!”

He shrieked, throwing his head back when Xiao dug at the spot between his hips and sides.

“And why?”

“IHIHI JUST WAHAHANTED TOHOHO- AHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAVE FUHUHUN!”

“Hmm.”

“XIAHAHAO! PLEHEHEASE! I’M SOHOHOHORRIEHEHE! LEHEHET MEHEHE GOHOHO PLEHEHEASE! MY LOHOHOHVE! I’M BEHEHEGGING YOUHUHU! NAHAHAHAHA!”

Xiao softly smiled, slowing the tickles to a stop and kissing Venti on the nose.

“That wasn’t so hard was it~?”

Venti pouted.

“You owe me one on the lips XiaoXiao.”

He pulled Xiao in for a kiss on the lips where he wanted.

“That’s better,” he sighed after they pulled away.

“You rest. I’ll finish the pumpkin carvings then we can head back to the house.”

“Mhmm.”

Venti hummed in acknowledgment, feeling Xiao get off him. He closed his eyes as he listened to the sounds of Xiao working and eventually fell asleep.

Xiao looked over to a now snoring Venti and couldn’t help but admire him as his chest rose and fell and a small smile was on his face.

He finished his work a couple minutes later, teleporting the pumpkins into the house and teleporting back to pick up Venti. He picked him up bridal style, opting to walk back instead so he could continue to admire his love and give him kisses.

“I know it was an accident, Ven. I just wanted to see you laugh is all. I hope you can forgive me for being selfish,” Xiao whispered, starting the walk towards the house.

Venti curled into Xiao, woken up by being carried but ready to fall back asleep at any moment.

“You don’t need to ask forgiveness for that, XiaoXiao. (Yawn) I will give you anything you want and say something if I’m uncomfortable. It’s okay for you to be selfish with me. And I’ll always forgive you, no matter what.”

Before Xiao could respond, Venti was fast asleep again and Xiao fondly smiled at him.

“Oh Venti, what did I do to deserve you?” he massaged the back of his head and sighed.

“Thank you, Ven,” he kissed his lips and continued walking back, a warmth in his heart.

—