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Life wasn’t too bad. Not at all. Spring had arrived, and the tree outside the window was starting to bloom. The birds had returned from their long journey, flowers were scattered across the front yard, and honestly, Xiao had never been happier. The biggest reason for that was probably the guy sprawled out on the couch.
“Ven? Broccoli or cauliflower for dinner?” Xiao called from the kitchen, where he was prepping food. Alone. The last time Venti had helped, it had nearly ended in a bloodbath. Now Xiao understood why Venti mostly ordered takeout or lived off instant food. The man was a walking disaster in the kitchen. So, Xiao had banned him. He was barely allowed to slice apples, and even then, Xiao catches himself stealing one or two glances too much, just to make sure.
“How about cake?” Venti’s lively voice echoed from the living room.
Xiao snorted. “Lots of vitamins, I see,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he reached for the broccoli. Life seemed pretty perfect. Could it get any better? Well, yes. It could.
The moment a soft rustling sound floated in from the living room, followed by the first notes of a familiar instrument, Xiao's fingers paused for a mere second. Venti was playing his guitar, lazily plucking at the strings, and Xiao had to force himself to focus on the chicken in front of him. He didn’t dare turn around. If he did, he knew what he would see.
An angel. A god. His everything.
Venti would be sitting cross-legged on the off-white couch, his midnight hair blending into the wall behind him because they shared such a similar shade. But his eyes? Oh, they wouldn't blend in.
They might be closer to the color of the plants scattered around, “to make it more lively,” as Venti had put it. Although, Xiao had to care for them, of course—Venti could kill a succulent. “It's a talent,” Venti had once said, all too proudly, with a cheeky grin.
That said, plant green was no match for shimmering emerald. A beautiful color, cast down as Venti’s painted fingertips caressed the strings. A spring hue—pastel lilac polish standing out against the plain wood of his guitar, even though it was covered in colorful swirls. The sight was just as lovely as the sound. Maybe Venti was hopeless in the kitchen or at keeping plants alive, but when it came to music? He was flawless. Perfect.
The first notes lingered in the air, and Xiao’s shoulders instantly relaxed, a soft sigh escaping him. How could they not? And when Venti’s voice joined in? When his pretty pink lips created such wonderful sounds, soft and warm, like sunlight spilling into the room—Xiao felt a shiver run through his body, as if hearing it for the first time. But he wasn’t. They had been living together for months now, yet somehow, it still hit him just the same.
I don't care
What they do
I just wanna
Be with you
Charmer. Xiao couldn’t help but smile as the lyrics drifted over to him. Venti had chosen this song on purpose, no doubt about it. He knew his pretty eyes weren’t downcast anymore—Xiao could feel them. The way his neck tingled under Venti’s gaze was proof enough.
And I don't mind
All the times
We will fight
Just to get through (yeah)
A small scoff escaped Xiao. Yeah, they had faced enough fights for a lifetime—ones that were all too serious and left deep scars. Everything felt off-balance until they found each other. And now? Life with Venti was easy, natural. It felt like they belonged together. Maybe fate, even. Xiao didn’t really believe in fate, but with Venti? It was starting to seem like the only explanation.
Yeah, 'cause all these empty faces
They got nothin' on yours
They got nothin' on yours
They got nothin' on yours, and yeah
Xiao chuckled quietly to himself as he caught his reflection in the shiny pan, grinning like an idiot at the chicken. Was it normal to smile like this while cooking? Probably not. But it felt like Venti was flirting with him—and it was absurd, really, because they were already together. But damn, it still felt good.
All the brightest places
They turn dark when you're gone
They turn dark when you're gone
They turn dark when you're gone
He wasn’t wrong. It was irrational, stupid even, but everything really did feel gray without Venti. He was Xiao's sun, his light, the breeze that kept him afloat. As the last piece of chicken finished cooking, Xiao pulled the pan off the heat, all while Venti’s voice filled the space around him like a comforting blanket.
You got that hometown smile
You got that look in your eyes
That says "Oh, everything will one day be alright"
That line? Something inside Xiao stirred. He turned around, and just as expected, their eyes met. Venti was already watching him, emerald eyes sparkling brightly, as if he were looking at something precious. Something far more valuable than just a person. Something timeless, like art, or gold—the color of Xiao’s eyes.
You got that hometown smile
You got that look in your eyes
And I'll do anything just to keep you by my side.
“I'm not planning on leaving,” Xiao thought to himself, feeling his chest tighten with warmth. Never. With a quiet beckoning motion, Xiao invited Venti closer. There was something magnetic between them. It only felt right to be close, to feel each other's warmth, to trust in the connection they craved. It only took a few taps of his fingers to light up Venti’s face, his guitar forgotten on the couch as he stood. His oversized mint hoodie hung loosely on him, soft and comforting, with white shorts just barely peeking out beneath, blending into the gentle curve of his white leggings.
All through my life (life)
I finally realized
That home is not (not)
Where you go (where you go)
Venti closed the distance between them, his steps deliberate, graceful, like he was floating toward Xiao. When Xiao opened his arms, Venti didn’t hesitate for even a split second. He fell into his embrace like it was the most natural thing in the world. The familiar scent of cecilia and just a hint of apples washed over Xiao, wrapping around him like the scent of love itself.
'Cause now I need (now I need)
Only you and me (you and me)
And wherever we'll be ('ever we'll be)
We'll never get lost
Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-na
Their noses brushed together, and Xiao smiled at the gentle “eskimo kiss” Venti loved so much. He had explained it with a soft chuckle the first time, and now, it was just their thing.
They can keep on talkin', baby
You're the beat through the noise
You're the beat through the noise
You're my beat through just noise
Venti’s head dropped onto Xiao's shoulder, his arms tightening around Xiao’s waist, fitting perfectly like pieces of a puzzle. Letting out a soft breath, Xiao started swaying gently with him, the kitchen and everything else fading away until it was just them. Home.
You got that hometown smile
You got that look in your eyes
That says "Oh, everything will one day be alright"
Xiao wasn’t much of a dancer—he had always said that. But soft swaying didn’t count. It was just moving, just being with Venti, and that was all that mattered. He knew Venti loved it. And honestly? He did too.
You got that hometown smile
You got that look in your eyes
And I'll do anything just to keep you by my side
By my side
Even when the last note had long since faded, they kept swaying in the kitchen, eyes locked in an intimate, wordless conversation. It was Venti who finally broke the silence. His delicate fingertips slid up Xiao’s spine, tangling in his hair with a reverence that made Xiao’s heart stutter.
“I love you,” Venti whispered, voice soft but firm, like a promise.
That was all Xiao needed. The quiet murmur felt louder than any shout. Not because of their closeness, not because of Venti’s gentle touch, but because of the way Venti’s eyes glowed, brighter than any star. Xiao leaned in, their lips brushing together.
“I love you more.” He never thought he would say something that cheesy, not in a million years. But now? Now he said it more often than not. And he didn’t want to miss a single second of it.
He loved Venti. And that was all that mattered.