?? ??????? ??? ???????? || ＯＣ ｘ Ｖｅｎｔｉ

It's been a few weeks since my encounter with Venti, and I haven't seen him since. Things have been pretty peaceful around here, other than the occasional accident with Bennett, or a commission gone sideways.

Today had been a particularly long day, and I decided to take a walk up on Starsnatch cliff to enjoy the sunset. I walked up the cliff, picking cecelias to replace the wilting windwheel asters on my nightstand, as I went. When I reached the top,  I looked out over the ocean, watching the sunset sparkle on the water, and turn the sky a brilliant orange-yellow, and making the clouds seem pink and purple.

I sat down at the edge, letting my legs dangle over the side of the cliff, high above the water, and wove a flower chain with the cecilias I'd picked. The sound of the waves lapping against the rocks, and the wind making the trees away ever so slightly, calmed me and helped me clear my mind-

Well mostly. One nagging thought still remained.

"I wonder where Venti is..." I mumbled quietly.

Though it was quiet, Clover's words were carried on the wind, and right to the ears of the very boy she was thinking of. This particular boy had been sitting in a tree not too far away, but because he hadn't noticed Clover's presence, her voice surprised him, and he fell backwards out of the tree.

I sighed. It was getting late, and I wanted to get home soon. I stood up after weaving the last flower into the chain. I hadn't intended for it to be, but it had turned out to be more of a flower crown than a chain.

I smiled to myself and placed the crown of flowers on my head. As I walked down the cliff, I noticed something, or rather someone, on the ground underneath a tree.

"Oh... that's where he is." I said and laughed quietly to myself.

Venti noticed me and looked over, "Well! If it isn't Clover." He remarked.

"For a god, you sure seem pretty lazy."

"I prefer the term laid back. Besides, Monstadt is the city of freedom! There's not much I need to do." He replied.

"Oh yeah?" I laughed a bit, "well lucky for you I guess. But unlike you, I have things I need to do. I'll see you later Venti." I said and began to walk off.

"Hey, wait up! Where are you going?" He said, following after me.

"Well first to the adventurers guild to make sure my brother is okay. He doesn't have the best luck a lot of the time. And then I'm going home."

"Brother?" Venti inquired.

"Bennett." I replied.

"Oh, I didn't know you two were siblings. You don't really look all that alike." He commented.

"That's cause we're not actually blood related, we just grew up together so he's like a brother to me-wait, why are you following me?"

"Cause I'm bored!" Venti stated.

"Well can't you go find someone else to annoy?" I sighed.

"Awww, but that's no fun!" He complained.

"Why me? You could've picked literally anyone to be interested in." I questioned.

"Cause I think you're pretty!"

"Is that it? Cause that's not a very good reason. And I'll tell you right now, my personality does not match my looks." I retorted.

"Ehe, we'll see about that~"

"What the hell do you mean, 'we'll see'?" I turned to him with a slight scowl on my face, but he'd suddenly disappeared.

"Whatever." I sighed, exasperated, shaking my head.

A little while later at the adventurers guild

"Why. Why. Why." I said, banging my forehead on the bar counter after explaining to Bennett, who sat next to me, the events of my evening.

"Why? I should be asking why you're so upset. You always complain about being single, but when someone actually likes you, you go and act like this. In honestly just confused." Benny said.

"He's a God, Benny. A God. And an annoying one at that. He won't leave me alone!" I protested.

"Uhh, actually he's left you alone until today. You just happened to run into him. And you were the one who decided to acknowledge him." Bennett raised an eyebrow at me.

"Th-that's not the point!" I exclaimed, frustrated. I could feel my cheeks begin to heat up.

"I think it only feels like he won't leave you alone, is because he's on your mind." Benny smirked.

"Of course he's on my mind! Only a few weeks ago I meet the anemo archon, and he calls me pretty, several times! Is that supposed to make me happy? Cause right now I'm just mostly confused, and slightly annoyed."

"I mean, most people would practically die to have a god even notice them." He said.

"Well, as you and I both know, I am not most people."

"Fair Point."

I sighed, "Whatever. I'm gonna head home now. See you tomorrow Benny."

"See you tomorrow, Clo."

The next morning I awoke to the scent of cecelias. But it was strange. They smelled freshly picked. There was also the scent of a few other flowers mixed in.

I rolled over on my bed to face the other way, to find a new flower crown of cecilias and a few other flowers. A note sat next to it.

I picked up the flower crown, examining it. It was much better woven than mine. I then set it down and took a look at the note which read:

I noticed your flower crown was wilting, so I made you a new one! I even imbued it with magic so that I'd would never wilt!

         ~ Venti

"Stupid archon..." I muttered, blushing, and placed the flower crown on my head. I just hope I don't get attacked by bees. Welp, better me than Benny I guess.