Work Text:
With wind comes seasons
And all the changes in life
Some good and some bad
It was 5:47 am when the door to his dorm room slowly creaked open. He took a final glance at his room before quietly stepping through the door frame. He tiptoed down the hallway towards one of his roommate’s doors. He quietly stuck one of the notes he'd written months ago onto the wood. Kazuha. He quietly did the same with his two other roommates. Aether. Xiao. He knew his roommates were light sleepers and it was a miracle that none of them were awake yet.
Coming out of the hallway, he crossed the living room to the mat where they kept all their shoes. He quietly slipped his boring sneakers on, glancing around to make sure no one heard him.
Next was the tricky part. Opening the door.
He took a deep breath in and very slowly undid the locks and handle. He pulled open the door very gently, cringing at the loud squeak it made. He quickly rushed out and closed the door behind him quietly, locking it with his keys. If anyone had heard him, they were a no show.
He briskly walked down the main hallway and pushed open the door to the stairs. It creaked open and shut somewhat loudly behind him. He grimaced at the echo it made in the stairwell. He swiftly climbed up the many stairs, slightly out of breath when he made it to the top. He leaned his weight onto the last door and pushed it open.
The cool morning air hit his face and he breathed it in happily. Birds chirped in the distance, and the sound of rustling leaves filled the air. He smiled up at the fading twilight sky and the stars. The purple and blue hue was mesmerizing. He took a few steps away from the door and stared up at the sky. It was beautiful.
He walked towards the east side of the rooftop towards the gated fence. His footsteps barely made a sound on the concrete floor. He stood by the fence, reaching both arms out to touch it. His fingers clasped through the wired holes. He gripped the fence and stared out to the city not too far away.
Everything was colored in the purple of the twilight. Many buildings had their lights off, and the usually bustling city was quiet. He could tell even all the way from campus. It was nice. The cool morning breeze brushed through his hair. He told himself to be patient. Sunrise would be soon, and he wanted it to see the beauty of its color one last time.
The rattling of the metal fence was loud as the wind fluttered past it again and again. He didn’t mind though. The rooftop was the only place high enough where even the buildings of the city couldn’t block his view of the sunrise.
He took a deep breath in, pressing his face closer to the fence. He peered down at the concrete pathway many stories below him.
It would be so easy.
It would be so, so easy.
But he couldn’t miss the sunrise. He had to see the sunrise one last time. If he didn’t, the guilt would probably weigh him down until the end of time. He rested his head on the fence, the metal wire digging into his cheek.
After a few minutes of reflection on his oh so fabulous life, the sun started to peak over the horizon. He lifted his head up from the fence to take a look. The sky was beautiful. It was like the perfect ombre of colors; The purple faded to blue, to pink, to orange, which finally gave way to the golden yellow-orange of the sun. He could feel the smile grow on his face as he stared at the colors melting into each other in the sky above him.
This was it.
Finally, he could leave all his pain and suffering behind. Finally, all the tears will be gone.
He could taste the freedom.
He hoisted himself onto the fence, pushing his feet into the holes. He mentally thanked his physical education teacher from his freshman year of highschool for making him do pull ups as he pulled himself over the edge of the fence. He carefully lowered himself onto the edge of the platform, clinging onto the fence now behind him.
The sun rose higher in the sky. It could no longer be considered twilight. The sunrise was here and it was finally his chance. No longer would he have to feel frustrated, angry, depressed, or anything at all! He could finally leave, just like the damned universe wanted him to! No more having to fake his smiles or his cheerful attitude, no more kindness, no more. He would finally be able to leave this world! He would finally be able to see-
“Venti!!”
He whipped his head around. His braids hit his cheeks harshly.
No..
“Venti! Oh, thank the archons! ” Their footsteps were loud, echoing on the rooftop. Closer and closer...
Nonononononono-
“Venti! Please. Talk to me.” Xiao pleaded from the other side of the fence. He reached for his hand to hold on through the fence. The warmth of Xiao’s hand brought him back to-
He blinked.
“Let. go.” He said quietly. He looked back towards the ground below him. He was so close!
Xiao shook his head. “Talk to me Ven. I’m right here.” He pleaded again. He pressed his face close to the fence, closer to Venti’s. Venti looked back at his roommate’s face. Xiao’s pretty face stared back at him, but he wasn’t going to fall for it. But.. those tears.. They weren’t because of him.. were they?
He glanced at the sun once more. It was now higher and brighter. Too high. He’d missed his chance. He lowered his gaze to the ground below, the weight of Xiao’s hands burned on top of his. His friend stayed silent, waiting patiently.
“I’m just-” He took a stuttering breath. “I’m just so tired.”
He looked up at Xiao’s face. “Everyday is so tiring. I can’t think properly. Everyone wants to talk to me, have me look over their work, accompany them, give them advice, and I- I just can’t! I can’t!” He turned to face Xiao properly, a few stray tears falling. He leaned his head on the fence, gripping Xiao’s hands tightly.
“I just want to see him.” He sobbed. The 'I miss him...' was prominent, though not said out loud.
Xiao squeezed his hands through his side of the fence. “I don’t want to say I understand and that I know how you feel, because I don’t.” Venti looked up at his friend. “But I think I can help.” He made sure he made eye contact with him. He rubbed his thumb over the other’s hand. “And I think Aether and Kazuha will gladly help too.”
Venti felt warmth seep through his body. He squeezed his eyes shut, squeezed out all the tears, trembling against the fence. He opened his eyes and slowly untangled his hands from Xiao’s. His roommate’s eyes widened a fraction, fearing the worst. But instead, Venti reached up and began climbing up the fence once again.
Xiao watched with bated breath as his best friend climbed down the inside of the fence. His sneakers gently landed on the concrete of the rooftop. Xiao let out a shaky breath and pulled Venti into a rare hug. He hid his face in the crook of Venti’s neck and held him as if he would blow away into the wind. Venti tightly hugged him back.
“Venti.” Xiao whispered. They backed out of each other’s arms. Xiao slotted their hands together.
Venti looked at him with hesitancy.
Xiao interlocked their fingers and squeezed.
“You’re not alone. Please remember that.” He looked into Venti’s turquoise eyes again.
Venti squeezed Xiao’s hands back.
“I’ll try my best.”
With wind comes seasons
And my forever friends
I am not alone