Ready for a rehearsal?

Xiao flinched faintly at the touch, wanting to turn his cheek to meet with Venti's fingertips, but only paused and allowed his hair to be brushed back. A slow breath left him, along with any tension in his shoulder, as if Venti's mere touch had the ability to melt away his pain..

He made no further comment, watching as Venti settled down and offered him that smile. It was enough for him, and so he quickly settled in.

As Xiao settled against his lap, Venti welcomed the gesture. Humming softly as his hand returned to Xiao's head to pet through their hair. It felt like such a rare sight at times, but he always enjoyed it when the yaksha's more affectionate side came out.

It wasn't difficult to pick up on Xiao's desires, even if they refused to put them into words themselves. After having his bit of fun teasing them, Venti was happy to oblige.

'I've missed your call'.

Words he wanted to say died on his tongue, as the Yaksha's expression only further softened, moving closer still to close the gap between them, but he would not yet lean any further into Venti's touches.

"Liyue remains safe.." voice was soft, carrying his earlier wishes in hopes the bard would understand his desires.

At Xiao's words, Venti's smile faltered for a moment. A look of sadness in his eyes before a softer smile pulled at his lips. As the yaksha approached, Venti's hand moved up, combing fingers through the other's hair before tucking a loose strand behind their ear.

"Always the vigilant one..." Venti repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

"Perhaps I feel as though Mondstadst's guardian doesn't try enough to protect his land.." But that was beyond a lie. Xiao always knew Venti was more than capable to protect Mondstadt.. but he was infact the one looking over Venti.

"How rude! I'll have you know things have been quite quiet within Mondstadt as of late. So much so I ended up falling asleep for a short while." Venti mused, stretching his arms out above his head before out in front of him.

The bard didn't miss the softened look within Xiao's eyes, or the look of hesitation. He took a step closer, stepping directly into Xiao's line of sight with a tilt of his head.

Although the gust was strong, it would take more than that to truly cause him to stumble. Xiao leaned forward just a bit, before turning his focus on the voice from behind him, golden gaze piercing.

"Evil lurks in all corners of the darkness, it is always watching," he responded simply, moving to take a step closer to the one before him.

"Of course. Always the vigilant one." Venti hummed, coming to a stop once he was at Xiao's side. His gaze shifted to where Xiao was previously looking. Glancing over the plains of Mondstadt, the bard couldn't help but chuckle.

Alone he stands along the border of Mondstadt, mask in one hand, polearm held tight in the other, gaze watchful with a softness over the land of wind..

A strong breeze blew against the Yaksha's back. Perhaps not strong enough to push them over, but if they were distracted enough, it would offset their balance.

"Hmm... Was it really just a lack of energy?"

Evan ignored the comment about being 'almost offended'. It was playful banter, something that might be something Venti was using to lighten the mood and avoid anything bothering him.

Evan rested a hand on Venti's cheek, cupping it gently.

With Evan's words, a softer, more genuine smile pulled at Venti's lips. Cupping Evan's hand with his own, Venti placed a gentle kiss to the other's palm before nuzzling into it.

"Hmph... of course not," Wrenn grumbled. "I've already tried writing poems in the past. It's not my thing."

In other words.... he's terrible at it.

"Color me impressed. I must say, now I'm quite interested in what you've written in the past. What type of thoughts have you scribbled down I wonder..." Venti held a melody in his tone as he watched Wrenn closely.

"You sure have!"

Evan is now spinning them both around--he's just so happy to see you Venti!!!

"You've been gone for so long, my love--have you truly been asleep this whole time?" Evan finally finally stops spinning them around, putting Venti down on the ground. "I thought perhaps you went and wandered off without me..."

Evan started frowning, however, as he started checking over Venti.

"Ehe, I'm almost offended that you would think I'd run off without you by my side." Venti mused, his hold on Evan growing tighter as they began to spin him around.

Once placed back on the ground, Venti quickly noticed the shift in Evan's expression. He should have known his sleep would rise some concerns. Any excuse he had would most likely only cause Evan to worry further.

Startled!!! Bristled!!! Man, this guy... he always seemed to appear out of nowhere, didn't he?

The advice was solid, but Wrenn only huffed in return.

That was quite a reaction. Venti couldn't hide his lip from curling slightly at the startled look he received. It was a rare sight, might as well enjoy it.

Seeing Evan not fighting it, Venti took his reward happily. It didn't last long, just a short kiss, but Venti was quick to pull out another pocky.

"Pocky..?" he squinted at the stick he was being poked with, mouth opening to chomp down on the whole thing.

As Xiao bit down, Venti pulled his hand away, shaking it as if fearful of loosing a finger.

Those rules of course mean nothing while Venti intends to cheat.