Chapter 325: Delusion

Yomite found himself standing outside Diluc's pub, a familiar establishment he had frequented on many occasions. It was a cozy place, the kind of spot where one could easily forget the troubles of the day and lose themselves in the company of good friends and good drinks. The night air was cool, carrying with it the scent of a distant rain. Yomite took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The pub was dimly lit, with flickering candles casting long shadows on the walls. A soft murmur of conversation floated above the clinking of glasses and the low hum of the old artifact of some sorts that played sounds in the corner. Yomite scanned the room and spotted his friend, Venti, seated at the bar, drinking wine as usual.

Venti had always been a free spirit, his bright green eyes sparkling with mischief and an infectious grin that could light up a room.

His long teal hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and his slender frame was draped in his signature green and white outfit. Yomite had known Venti for months now, and they had shared a drink a couple of times.

Yomite made his way over to the bar and took a seat next to Venti. "Hey there, long time no see, you barely show your face anymore." he greeted his friend with a smile. Venti turned to him, his eyes lighting up with joy.

"Hey Yomite, my dear old mate. Long has been the time we've had to wait, to reconnect and reunite, in this world, so vast and bright." Venti exclaimed, his voice soft and melodic.

Yomite sighed. "Can you talk normally, please..."

"Alright, alright." Venti nodded in understanding, taking a sip of his wine. "I hear you. Life can be quite trying at times, can't it?"

Yomite couldn't help but chuckle. "That's an understatement. The girls are giving me the cold shoulder, saying I was a bit too forceful in my love making yesterday, but can you blame me? I am just so happy."

Venti's cheeks flushed a soft pink as he shifted awkwardly in his seat. "Uh, well, that's quite the, um, predicament you've got there, right, hehe..." he stammered, suddenly finding his wine glass extremely fascinating.

Yomite, noticing Venti's discomfort, let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, come on! You are making it out to be so weird. We are both guys, after all! I am sure that even Mr. Anemo Archon himself has had some moments of love, no?"

Venti hesitated for a moment before letting out a small, nervous laugh. "You're right, Yomite. We're both...guys, after all, but I am afraid I was never in love, up till now."

Yomite nodded in agreement, understanding that the topic might be too personal for the public setting. "Fair enough. So, what brings you here tonight, Venti?"

Grateful for the change of subject, Venti's eyes sparkled as he replied, "Ah, the same as always – a good drink, good company, and the chance to lose myself in the music...Hehe..."

"What's wrong, Venti? You seem... different."

Before Venti could answer, Yomite noticed something peculiar about his friend's chest.

The usually flat area seemed to be more...filled out. Curious, Yomite reached out and squeezed Venti's chest without thinking.

"What is this, a pillow? Why the hell are you stuffing your chest?" Yomite asked, genuinely puzzled. For a man to be stuffing his chest there had to have been something wrong.

Venti's face grew even redder, his eyes darting around nervously. "Um, yes, it's just... just a pillow. A silly prank, you know me," he laughed nervously, trying to brush it off.

Yomite took his time examining Venti's chest further. It was quite big indeed. He wondered why Venti stuffed it, but then again, nothing Venti did ever made sense, so perhaps his thoughts were merely ridiculous and unimportant.

Yomite pulled his hand away, still feeling confused. "That's... unusual, even for you. But, alright. Let's just enjoy our drinks, shall we?"

Venti smiled sheepishly, grateful for the change of subject. "Y-Yes, let's..."

The two friends clinked glasses and focused on their drinks, each lost in their thoughts. Yomite couldn't help but feel that something was off with Venti, while Venti was silently hoping that Yomite wouldn't question him any further.

The night continued, with laughter and conversation eventually pushing the awkward moment to the back of their minds, as they reveled in the warmth of their friendship.

As the night wore on, the pub grew more crowded, and the sound of laughter and music filled the air. Yomite and Venti chatted animatedly about their recent adventures, sharing triumphs and mishaps alike. As the hours passed and the wine flowed, their laughter grew louder, and their words slurred slightly.

Soon, both Yomite and Venti were quite tipsy, the alcohol making them feel warm and affectionate.

Venti, in his drunken state, found himself leaning on Yomite, his head resting gently on his friend's shoulder. Their bodies pressed together, Venti couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and safety in Yomite's presence.

Yomite, equally intoxicated, wrapped an arm around Venti's shoulders, pulling him closer. "You..re such...lightweight...Venti," he teased, swaying slightly in his seat.

Venti giggled, hiccuping softly. "I-I may be a lightweight *Hic* but I'm a happy lightweight," he slurred, his words carrying the sweet melody of his usual sing-song voice.

Yomite couldn't help but laugh in agreement, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the alcohol he'd consumed. "Yeah, you're...right. It's been a while...since we've had this much fun...together."

Despite his inebriated state, Yomite couldn't help but notice Venti's striking beauty. Though male, Venti possessed an almost ethereal allure that transcended gender norms. His delicate, high cheekbones and soft, flawless skin gave him a youthful and otherworldly appearance, as if he were a magical creature from a faraway land.

Venti's eyes were a mesmerizing shade of emerald green, framed by thick, dark lashes that seemed to defy gravity. When he smiled, his eyes would crinkle at the corners, adding an extra layer of warmth to his already charming expression. They seemed to hold the secrets of the wind and the stars, a window into the vast expanse of the world that Venti loved so dearly.

Perhaps most captivating of all were Venti's lips. Full and pink, they were a perfect contrast to his fair skin, drawing the eye and inviting admiration. They seemed perpetually on the verge of a playful smile, as if Venti was always just one step away from laughter. When Venti spoke, his lips moved gracefully, shaping each word with a natural elegance that was nothing short of enchanting.

Yomite found himself watching Venti's lips and eyes as they spoke, captivated by their beauty and the intoxicating spell they seemed to weave. He marveled at how Venti, in all his androgynous glory, could so effortlessly break down the barriers between the masculine and the feminine, embodying a unique blend of both that only served to enhance his charm.

They soon left the pub, but as they walked together, Yomite began to understand that Venti's attractiveness went far beyond mere physical appearance.

He couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from Venti's alluring lips, his eyes drawn to them like a moth to a flame. He found himself wondering what it might feel like to taste those lips, to feel their softness pressed against his own. As his thoughts wandered, he failed to notice the increasing frequency with which his eyes lingered on Venti's mouth.

Venti, however, had noticed Yomite's fixation. For a moment, he hesitated, unsure of how to react. But then, emboldened by the alcohol coursing through his veins and the gentle warmth of the night, Venti decided to take a chance.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, Venti leaned in towards Yomite, his eyes locked on his friend's. Yomite's eyes widened in surprise as he realized what was happening, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away. The air between them seemed to crackle with electricity, charged with anticipation and a hint of vulnerability.

With a soft, barely audible sigh, Venti closed the remaining distance between them, pressing his lips gently against Yomite's. The kiss was tender and chaste, a delicate brush of skin against skin that lasted only a moment before Venti pulled away, his cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and exhilaration.

Yomite stared at Venti, his mind racing as he processed what had just happened. The warmth of Venti's lips still lingered on his own, sending shivers down his spine and igniting a fire within him that he hadn't known existed.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them heavy with unspoken questions and unexplored emotions. Then, as if coming to a silent agreement, they locked eyes once more, their gazes conveying a mutual understanding.

In that instant, their friendship seemed to shift, opening up a world of possibilities that neither had ever considered before.

Yomite and Venti continued to stumble through the streets, the effects of the alcohol still lingering heavily in their systems. Yomite's vision was growing increasingly hazy, and he found it difficult to focus on anything other than the warm presence of Venti beside him.

As they walked, Yomite reached out and grabbed Venti's hand, seeking comfort and stability in his friend's touch. Venti looked at their intertwined fingers and smiled, his heart swelling with affection and a newfound sense of closeness.

"Yomite," Venti slurred, his voice tinged with concern. "You don't look so good. Maybe we should get you to rest."

Yomite nodded, unable to form a coherent response. He felt lightheaded and disoriented, the world around him spinning out of control. Venti, sensing his friend's distress, guided him through the maze of darkened streets towards his own home.

When they finally reached Venti's residence, they stumbled through the door, the cool interior a stark contrast to the warmth of the night outside. Venti led Yomite to a cozy corner, filled with plush pillows and soft blankets, perfect for sleeping off the effects of the alcohol...

...

..

.

As the morning light grew brighter, Yomite slowly stirred, his head pounding from the after-effects of the alcohol. The room he found himself in was unfamiliar, the walls adorned with trinkets and decorations he had never seen before. Panic began to rise in his chest, his confusion and disorientation mounting as he struggled to remember the events of the previous night.

He glanced down and realized, to his shock, that he was completely naked. The blanket beneath him was stained with blood, and his heart raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. Tentatively, he lifted the covers, his breath catching in his throat as he discovered a naked Venti lying beside him.

But something was different. What he had initially thought were pillows stuffed in Venti's chest were, in fact, large, full breasts. Yomite's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he realized the truth – Venti was no longer a man, but somehow turned into a woman.

As Yomite lay in bed, his mind still foggy from sleep, fragments of the previous night's events began to resurface. He recalled the stolen kiss, a moment of pure magic, and the warmth of their bodies pressed together in a tender embrace. But what stood out the most was the unexpected revelation of Venti's innocence, a detail Yomite only discovered when he saw the bloodstained sheets.

"Mhm...good morning," Venti murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"W...What..."

Venti, seeing Yomite's unease, gently reached out and touched his arm. "Yomite," she began softly, "there's something I need to tell you. I love you, and there's more to this situation than you might realize."

Yomite looked into Venti's eyes, searching for answers. "What do you mean...?"

Venti took a deep breath, gathering the courage, "I told you before I'm actually a being with the ability to change genders at will. And now, after our night together...I can no longer do that..."

"Why...is that...?"

"I can feel it deep within me...I'm expecting your child."

***

Yomite's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding in his chest. He found himself in his own bed, the morning light streaming through the window.

A dream. It had all been a dream. Despite the relief that washed over him, Yomite couldn't shake the shiver that ran down his spine.

He sat up, trying to make sense of the vivid and surreal images that had filled his mind. It was remarkable how real the dream had felt, from the stolen kiss to Ventis' unexpected revelation. Yomite couldn't help but wonder what it all meant.

"Thank god it's not real, yikes, I need to cleanse my eyes."

Later that day, Yomite met up with Hu Tao. As they sat down, Hu Tao noticed Yomite's slightly troubled expression.

"Hey, Assistant," Hu Tao began, a teasing grin on her face. "You look like you've seen a ghost! Been having nightmares lately?"

Yomite hesitated for a moment before nodding, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I actually did have a pretty terrible one last night. It was...intense."

Intrigued, Hu Tao leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh? Do tell, my dear Assistant."

"No can do."

***

Small 1st of april chapter not real.