#lynven

“sometimes i wish i could hear cesar's voice just one more time.”

lyney immediately regrets saying it. he feels like he has no right to pour his heart out to others: that he needs to keep everything inside, seal a pretty facade with a kiss and continue the show.

but venti doesn't look at him different. he has a gentle glimpse in his eye, even an understanding one.

“can you close your eyes?” venti asks.

lyney, though baffled, closes his eyes with a light laugh. “and what do you have in mind?”

there's no answer. lyney's brow tilts softly as he questions the silence, but he holds his eyes closed either way.

a gentle breeze of wind blows through his hair and tingles his skin. over his shoulder he feels a ghostly touch, and the wind tugs at his hat softly in a familiar motion.

“hey there, kiddo.”

lyney's bright eyes shoot wide open, hot tears struggling to not pour out of the corners of his eyes. venti still sits beside him, his lungs full of air before he slowly exhales. he turns his head to lyney, his calm smile resembling cesar's kind expression for a short moment in lyney's desperate eyes.

“h— how?” lyney finally chokes out. he lifts his hand to brush the embarrassing tear out of his eye, but venti places his warm hand on lyney's cheek before lyney can act.

“a human mind is fragile — it forgets things even precious to us.” venti uses his thumb to wipe the small tear away. “but the wind will always be here to give us a small reminder.”

“and nothing can deceive the wind — not even a cheerful grin,” venti adds.

venti knows that this time the fond smile grown on lyney's lips is no attempt of hiding his sorrow, but embracing it.