Blissful Bite ─ Venti x reader

16. ; THE INNOCENT LIAR

I held my breath sucked in while my fingers clenched. Before I came to loosen them up and fumble agitated at the back of my jacket fabric, I took a deep breath.

I stare at him in disbelief, "What?" I ask, pretending my confusion to be real. In an attempt to conceive him, I tried to stretch it out. I had to undo the steps I took towards his suspicion, which caused it, then eliminate the gap and guilt him into halting any further suspicion he held up.

"Are you deaf? I said it was secured in my pocket." He went through his hair with his cold hand, sighing. The annoyance I felt my back creep up at my failure to influence his behavior was making me want to yell at myself.

"Im not deaf, I'm simply surprised that you'd be this careless with your words and say such a hurtful thing. It must have fallen out. I was never near your damn papers." I remarked, this is so stupid. Oh, why did I sign up for this.

For the love of the archons, gaslighting, please work.

"Sure." he said. I sensed his skepticism and deep untrusting nature.

It definitely didn't work, never mind prayers to archons in Teyvat don't work.

I heard the doors close behind me. I turned my head around with Diluc's hand, still wrapped around my wrist.

I saw Venti walk out with a taller brown haired man with warm golden eyes and a young woman around his height with heterochromnia. Both wore the complete opposite contrasts from him. It was almost a feeling of relief that washed over me when I recognized him.

My cheeks warmed up with an irritated smile.

He walks over to Diluc, in the company of the other two.
"Diluc, calm down," Venti leaned forward, then patted him on the shoulder. He gave him a side eyed look. "She's not that bad, after all. Y/n found it obviously, right?" he turned to me, I faced him. His eyes felt bright and had a welcoming shine in them.

Diluc pulled my sleeve down, and I felt my heart sink. My eyes widened in shock. He exposed the scars in front of the others. That was the worst case scenario I've thought through.

The woman covered her mouth when she gasped. I flinched, he had me red handed, this couldn't lead anywhere good.
"She was sticking her nose in business, which is not hers to stick into." he scoffed, "she should learn how to hide her scars better."

Oh, heck.

I was a hunter, not a spy.

"She was with me, and we were cutting roses. I was careless and cut her forearm." Venti argued. He lied, he just lied to his friend.. Supposedly one if his closest too. Diluc looked at me with a raised brow. He was suspicious of me, and I walked on thin ice.

I gulped and nodded, trying to suppress the moment I'd break out sweating.

——

When the red head left with such a mindless expression, I was about to say something. Instead, I pulled him aside and hushed him when he stared at me.

I gulped. Was I supposed to feel like this when I starred into his eyes? I bit on my cheek, and the sensation made me flose to flinch. "Why did you lie for me?" I ask while glaring, "that was stupid."

"Who says it wasn't the truth?" he asked, tilting his head.

I frowned. What was he getting at?

I wanted to look away from his face and leave. At the same time, I pondered whether or not it was worth feeling guilty when he lied.

"Why?" I insisted, my gaze hardened. Whatever he saw was likely a delusional day dream or a false image he claimed to be accurate.

"I believe you're a good person." he replied, "That is why."

My breath hitched when I heard that. I was supposed to be a good person in his eyes? I wasn't sure what to think of myself, nor was I sure whether or not I should even agree. He was beyond a mystery or puzzle to solve. He seemed odd, and yet I came to like this oddness of his.

And having a tiny intervention of friendliness is nothing.

It was sweet that he thought that I gave him that, but sweet would never be enough to beat reality.

"But what if I'm not?" I kept my gaze strong, "what if I'm no saint or no example of a good person as you portray me."

"No one is perfect, dear." he said against the howling wind.

I remained there speechless, without any words left to exchange or shout after him. Something in me dropped. He was very wrong, and I sighed. He couldn't be more wrong.

"I'm worse than an imperfection." I mumbled to myself.

So much worse than his imagination could ever think of. And he'd regret it likely sooner or later they all did. And yet, and yet I didn't want that day to come all too sudden. It was nice to have peace.

But in my life, these things never lasted.

That's when he halted, as though he heard my voice against the wind howling and crying in my ears. Despite making my voice sound hollow, he heard it as though he actually listened that well.

Every step between us that he closed off made my heart sicker. I didn't know what to do other than stiffen up and watch him with wide eyes. He placed a thumb on my chin to lift it up gently from the head I lowered in the blink of an eye in cause of the shame I put through. "That is nothing keeping me away. In fact, an imperfection will never be not the most beautiful in a room of perfections without flaws." I was gently forced to face him. Although I did not resist, that was a detail I should add. I'd never say that in a report what just happened now, but you can guess that I'd keep it private. That I'd willingly lie and keep it as another well nursed secret.

One of a few.

"You're just saying that for the purpose of taking advantage of my vulnerability." I said without hesitation.

"Maybe," he teased and leaned closer. So incredibly close, I grew mad.

He had the most serious expression on his face that I had seen since first meeting him.

I starred into his warm green and soft eyes, and for the slightest moment, and there was a smile perking up.

He moved in closer, then when I thought he'd kiss me, he kissed my cheek, put on the silliest smile and pretended like nothing happened, and then left with that smile.