Chapter Text
A girl in her late teens with a curly ash blonde hair in twin tails sighs for the umpteenth time while letting her feet dig even further into the sands. She is wearing a white sailor-themed swimdress with blue laces and a matching white beret for the occasion. But taking a dip in the water is far from her mind at the moment. Barbara had been sitting on the reclining chair near the seashore since this morning and even though she is under the shade of the colorful beach umbrella, the heat coming from the sun high up in the sky still gets to her.
But that isn't the real reason why she looks so upset despite of how bright and cheerful the weather is.
No, it's far from that.
After the conclusion of the Dodo-King incident in the Golden Apple Archipelago, Kaeya suggested that they all should just turn it into a real vacation since they are pretty much on a leave anyway. Of course, her sister, Jean immediately disagreed at first. They had already spent too much time away from Mondstadt after all. But then the Acting Grandmaster also quickly realized that after all the things they had experienced, it was only right that they would finally take a break and fully enjoy the sceneries while they were at it.
Unfortunately, no matter how beautiful the island was, they all couldn't stay together with the limited supplies which wouldn't last them for another week and not having a proper place to sleep. So with the help of Master Diluc's connections which he surprisingly provided without much trouble, they are now staying on a private resort which is still a bit far from the City of Freedom but they managed to get there from the Golden Apple Archipelago once again with Dvalin when he and the bard coincidentally dropped by.
However, Albedo and Razor had to go back home as both claimed that they still had things to do. The Chief Alchemist was in the middle of a research and the Wolf Boy needed to protect his Lupical from potential invaders.
Back to the topic of her sister, no matter where she goes, it seems like Jean still can't let go of being a workaholic.
During breakfast, they had overheard that there was trouble in the staff room. Apparently, there was a delay on the hotel supplies due to a monster attack and without second thoughts, the Acting Grandmaster immediately went and talk to the manager to offer her assistance. At first, the man declined as they don't want to bother their guests but Jean insisted and managed to convince him in the end. Thankfully, the Traveler, Master Diluc, and Kaeya also went with her.
However, that was more than three hours ago. It is almost noon now and they still haven't come back yet. That's why she can't help but worry.
The young deaconess isn't really surprised though. Even though they haven't stayed together for many years after their parents got separated, Barbara had always known that her sister could be stubborn when she had already set her mind on something or someone in need, So even if the beloved idol tried, she wouldn't be able to stop her.
Of course, it isn't a bad thing. After all, her sister's kindness and generosity is what inspired her to do the same for others, too.
But still, she's kinda hoping that during their unexpected vacation stay here in the resort she will be able to bond with her and catch up to all the years they had spent far apart.
Because when people spend a long time together, they become more important to each other. That's what she learned.
She sighs yet again while mindlessly watching the crashing of the waves as the other guests also have their own beach activities.
"Barbara, Barbara, let's go swimming with the fishies before blasting them!" A very young girl suddenly comes into view and gazes up to her with a pleading look while clutching her precious Dodoco on her hand. She is donning a bright red child swimwear with a four-leaf clover pattern and a donut-shaped inflatable balloon around her hips. She is already drenched from head to toe as her pale blonde hair which is tied into low twin tails is dripping wet and sticking out to all direction but that doesn't lessen her adorableness.
Despite of her internal brooding, the deaconess still gave the child a kind smile. "You go ahead and enjoy yourself, Klee. I'll wait for the Acting Grandmaster and the others first."
Klee pouts. "But I already did. I wanna go swimming with you now."
"I'm sorry, Klee. I—"
"Now, now. Why don't our beloved deaconess grant the small request of Little Klee~?" A male voice happily chimes in.
Barbara turns her head towards their other companion. A guy around her age is grinning at them then casually sips on his glass of tropical fruit punch without a care in the world before setting it down on the table next to her. A straw hat sits atop of his short dark hair with twin braids that faded into turquoise green on each side of his face. He's sporting a pair of sunglasses, a white sleeveless hoodie with his bare chest exposed and a navy blue swimming trunks. But what really stands out to her is the green diamond-patterned tattoo on his body.
She doesn't know he has one.
She immediately looks away while trying her best not to blush when she realizes that she has been staring for too long.
"B-But, Mr. Bard, Master Jean is—"
"I'm sure the Acting Grandmaster wouldn't mind, right?" Venti cuts her off as he removes his sunglasses thus revealing his emerald eyes with an obvious mischievous glint then winked at her.
"Well, that's true..."
"Please, please, Barbara!" Klee gives her a puppy-eyes and it's really effective while Venti also has an expectant look on his face.
She takes a deep breath. It looks like she couldn't win now that there are two of them. "Oh. Alright."
"Yaaay!!!" Both cheers loudly as the young knight begins dragging her towards the sea while the bard also follows suit shortly after leaving his hat and sunglasses behind on Barbara's vacated seat.
She lets out a small smile. It's like she is babysitting not one but two children. But she really doesn't mind.
Speaking of him, ever since he had helped them travel to the archipelago a few days ago, Barbara had become really curious about the mysterious poet that managed to summon one of the Four Winds to do his bidding.
Even though her sister had already told her that he was able to tame many creatures because of his excellent talent for music, she can't help but think that there's more to it. After all, he was also there with the Honorary Knight when they stopped the Stormterror from creating any more havoc in Mondstadt. He even fixed the Holy Lyre der Himmel himself!
So just who exactly is Venti?
But any of her remaining musings are interrupted by a splash of seawater directly to her face coupled by a set of giggles from the very same guy she was thinking just now.
"Geez, Lady Deaconess, you're zoning out again!" He chuckles.
Klee is also holding back her own laugh. "You look funny, Barbara!"
She huffs completely forgetting whatever thoughts she had and then also grins back as her catalyst suddenly materialized on her hand. Before he could react, she casts a spell causing him to get doused by a huge amount of water and knocked back.
"Hey, no fair! You used your Vision!"
She only smiles innocently. "No one said anything about it."
"Barbara got you there, Master Tone-Deaf Bard!"
The bard sulks. "And here I thought you were on my side, Klee?"
"Hehe. Klee is on the winner's side!" The Spark Knight says then sticks her tongue out.
He smirks evilly while looming on the younger girl. "Oh~ I'll show you who's the winner!"
"Waaaahhh!!! Barbara, hide meeeee!"
Then another set of shenanigans ensue as more laughter and splashes of water could be heard from them. All the frustration that Barbara was feeling while ago finally dissipates causing her to relax.
"Look! Look! I'm gonna show both of you the biggest splash you'll ever seen!" Venti suddenly declares with a smug look after all commotion they did.
"Ooohhh!!! Much bigger than Klee's boom-boom?" The Pyro child's eyes sparkle.
"That's right! I'm gonna go on that huge rock over there." He points on a rock formation in the distance. "And jump like whooosh then baam!" He starts explaining with matching exaggerated hand gestures.
But it is on the deeper parts of the sea which makes the idol frown. "Isn't it kinda dangerous?"
"It's nothing to be worried about. This bard right here is an expert not only in the Art of Music but also in physical activities. I've been through many rough situation more than you think."
Seeing how skinny his built is, Barbara highly doubts. "Right..."
"Don't believe me? Watch and see!"
He swims towards the direction of the the rock while Barbara and Klee go back to the shore and observe, the former growing more uneasy while the latter growing more excited while cheering on as each seconds passed.
When they finally see him arrive at the location, he starts climbing until he reaches the top and makes an elaborate bow facing them just to show off. He takes a few steps back before sprinting towards the edge then jumps. A greenish glow surrounded him and Barbara could immediately tell that he is using Anemo to go higher. He then curls into a ball before plunging into the water.
He really wasn't lying when he said he'll make a big splash because huge waves come afterwards that even affected the other guests in the area. It took a while for the sea to subside into small ripples.
"Wow! That was soooo cool!" Klee claps her hands amazement. "Klee wanna do that, too!"
"Oh, no, you don't." Barbara immediately interjects before the young girl gets any more dangerous ideas. "Jean told you not to go any deeper, remember?"
She puffs her cheeks. "But I know how to swim!"
"Even if you do, if you aren't careful, you could still experience muscle cramps and that would be really bad. You could drown."
"Awww..."
Then something clicks on her head.
Wait—
She begins to look around and just like she has feared, she can't spot their Anemo-user friend anywhere. He should be on his way back to them by now. "Where is Mr. Bard?"
Klee also does the same. "I don't see him."
"He hasn't gotten out of water, has he?"
The Spark Knight shakes her head.
Oh no! Did he—
Barbara begins to panic but also tries to hold it back in for the younger girl's sake. "K-Klee, I think I'm gonna go and check on him so I want you to wait for me here. When I don't come back after 20 minutes, you need to call a staff to look for me and the bard, okay?"
The Pyro girl nods in understanding. "Okay."
After that, she immediately leaves her and begins swimming towards the rock formation herself. Just as she had surmised, the area is really deep but she doesn't have the time to delve on it too much as she needs to find him soon. She dives and starts looking for any signs of the bard underwater but she finds nothing but sea creatures, sprawling corals, caves, hills, and other living things.
If the situation had been different, she would have appreciated the scenery in front of her as it was rare sight especially for her who barely had the chance to be on a beach. She is also busy with her deaconess duties and performances after all. But right now, all she could think of is Venti and if she couldn't get to him sooner he could—
No, Barbara, this isn't the time to think negatively. Save your thirty seconds later.
When she is almost out of air, she goes back up to the surface to catch her breath for a few moments before diving down again to continue her search. She keeps on repeating that cycle until her both of her feet start to feel numb.
Suddenly, she feels a sharp pain crawling from her feet to her legs after paddling for so long and begins sinking.
No-no. Not now.
She uses all of her remaining energy to swim towards the big rock but every kick she does with her feet feels like torture. She can barely move them now but she needs to survive. She couldn't die right here. She still needs to be with her sister. But even as she tries to stay afloat, the small rock island doesn't seem to get closer.
Until she couldn't take it anymore and let the sea water engulf her.
Is this the end?
How ironic.
A girl possessing a Hydro Vision dying because of drowning. Who would have thought that on the first day of their vacation, death would take her. She didn't even had the chance to say goodbye.
Not to anyone.
Not even to the most important person in her life.
With a blurry vision, she watches helplessly on the dancing light reflected on the surface getting farther and farther away from her while descending to the deep. She suddenly feels like crying. But even her tears are already lost among the dark seas and soon she will, too.
She squeezes her eyes shut.
Lord Barbatos, please save me...
And then, like a miracle, she could hear a distant calling among the muddled waters. She could barely make out the words but it seems like whoever that person is, they are shouting her name.
"Barbara!"
Something plunges into the water which made her open her eyes weakly for the last time. She saw a familiar silhouette of a guy with a bluish black hair and twin braids that faded into green on its tips. For some reason, they were glowing.
He quickly swims to her direction and when he arrives, he carefully hooks her one arm to his neck then holds her hip into a side hug. After securing her in place, he begins to ascend back up with her in tow.
She finally feels safe.
But upon a closer look at him, she immediately notices his eyes.
The mischievous glint that would always be present on his emerald orbs are now gone and all that's left is the seriousness and focus that is so unlike him at all. But still they are so beautiful. Even though she still can't see it clearly, they seem to shine like jewels after being polished for so long.
She smiles.
At least, she knows he's okay.
She wouldn't mind sleeping now...
But before she could, they already break through the surface. She lets out a coughing fit while gasping for air as he quickly leads her to the stone formation and sits on it. He lets her lean on him for support while rubbing her back without saying anything as she continues to hack out all of the salt water she had consumed when she was submerged.
Once she has calmed down, he mumbles.
"I'm so sorry..."
But before she could reply, a boat stops in front of them and out came a tall woman with a wavy blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail. She is dressed in a light blue sleeveless turtleneck and white shorts. Extreme worry was evident on her pretty face upon seeing the two of them.
"What happened?"
"B-Big sis..."
He looks away. "She almost drowned."
The Acting Grandmaster's eyes widens as she immediately tend to Barbara and holds her cold cheek.
"I-It's okay, Master Jean. Mr. Bard saved me..."
The older sister let out a sigh then carries her inside the boat. "We're taking you back to your room."
She gives her a tired nod while Venti only follows them quietly.
The two musicians then receive fresh towels to dry themselves and after a staff gave her the necessary first aid for her feet cramps, Barbara doesn't remember what happened next since she fell asleep for most the ride back to the resort.
When she does wake up, she's already wearing her nightdress and is lying on the bed while Jean sits on a chair beside her.
"How are you feeling?" Her sister asks as she holds the young deaconess' hand.
"I feel much better now. Thank you, Master Jean. But how did you find out about it?"
"Klee told me. I was confused why she was alone when we arrived back to the resort and she told me everything. She said you thought Venti might be in danger and went to look for him but I was shocked to see that it was you who almost drowned instead. The bard also explained his side of the story and he said it was his fault. He was distracted by something so he wasn't able to return immediately."
"I see. But please don't blame him. I was careless, too. I should've asked for help when searching for him in the first place. So it's not entirely his fault."
"Don't worry. I'm not mad at him." The Dandelion Knight exhales but then smiles gently. "In fact, I'm more relieved that he was there to save my precious sister."
"Jean..."
Then she stands up and lets go of her hand. "You should rest first. I'll let you take your sleep. Everyone is worried about you especially Klee when she saw you unconscious. So you need to regain your strength."
"Thank you, Big Sis."
"Rest well, Barbara." She strokes her head affectionately, something that she hasn't done since they were little then leaves afterwards.
The idol raises her hand on the part where her sister touched her and giggles. Even though what happened to her at the sea was horrifying, Barbara couldn't help but still feel very happy because somehow it made her and his sister grow closer.
She tucks herself under the sheets in a good mood and closes her eyes. She was already half asleep when she hears the door open once again. But whoever it is, they don't move any closer.
"Barbara..."
Mr. Bard?
But he sounds so different, not the usual playful tone that he frequently uses when he's up to no-good. It was almost like a whisper as if he doesn't even want to be heard.
"If you are going to call for me, please don't only do it when you're already at the brink of death. I... I don't know what I would have done if I was a second too late."
At that, she immediately open her eyes and rises up from her bed. She wants to ask him what he meant but the door already closes leaving her all alone.
Then she wonders.
When did she ever call his name?