#xvn

“It’s good for business,” Venti said. Then he plopped himself down onto the raised bench in the room. “Which we need to get back to. I’m ready when you are!”

Xiao turned around to rummage through the drawers and cabinets, but Venti knew he was rolling his eyes all the same. He pulled gloves onto his hands.

“Be patient,” he said. “Good work isn’t rushed.”

“Your old man said that before to me, too,” Venti mused. Xiao spared him a half-curious glance before returning to preparing his things. Venti did not at all mind the view, letting his eyes roam across Xiao. His back muscles were very toned, on display as they were under sleeveless muscle tee. And it was also just the way he moved with his body - practiced movements, to be sure, but also just… very fluid. It was kinda hot.

Venti blinked, caught himself, and laughed. “The first time I visited him. I wanted a million things from him and he set me straight.”

“Mm. That sounds like Zhongli. He’s done the same for me before, too.”

“Something about old geezers and wisdom, I guess.”

Xiao finally brought a tray over to the side of the bench. He looked Venti up and down.

“Take your shorts off,” he said.

“Whoa, not even dinner first?” Venti teased, but as Xiao glared at him he shimmied his clothes down. “There, happy?”

Xiao stared for a moment. Then two. Blinked.

“Why,” he said.

Venti glanced down at the lovely boxers he handpicked for today. There are dancing little slimes printed all over them. He almost went with rubber ducks instead, but he has a weakness for Anemo slimes, round and squishy as they look in cartoons. The slimes all have different expressions, but they are all quite funny to look at.

“Well,” he said, looking back up, “they were supposed to make you laugh.”

Xiao snorted. Then he grabbed an alcohol swab. “You still want the thigh first?”

“You ask that now? After telling me to take my pants off?”

“I’m just making sure we’re on the same page,” Xiao said, and Venti was caught off-guard by how gentle his voice sounded. He’d used that tone last time they’d met, when Xiao had explained how painful the sites for these tattoos were going to be and that he could take breaks or stop for the day if it got overwhelming.