[ Most Characters and mentions in this story are not mine and are rightfully owned by Genshin impact and also most of the photo covers I use are may be made by other artists. Reminder: This is all for entertainment purposes. And an AU made from the imagination of the writer.]

~Xiao's POV~

"Why are we at a bar lounge out of all places again?" I ask Aether while strangling the shirt of the fatui. "Woah there comrade, it was more of a complement! Your height makes you look more appealing to the fans-." "Shut it before I snap your neck!" I retorted while almost ripping his shirt apart before he could finish talking. "Me and Venti wanted to try some of the new wine samples Diluc's experimenting on." Aether replied, turning a blind eye to the chaos unfolding right beside him. "Do be delicate with your actions Xiao. I personally picked the silk and had it made into fine cloth a few days ago. So please refrain from being too rough, for it will damage the texture." Zhongli said firmly after taking a sip of some freshly brewed tea. I hesitantly let go and crossed my arms. "To think this is the same guy that went red after flirting with a girl..~" Childe sneered as he tidied his shirt which made me shoot a glare at him. If Aether didn't show Venti the video he wouldn't have gossiped it to these guys.. I swear that drunkard's tattletale habits are gonna be the end of me.. I also don't get why Zhongli's so head over heals over this fatui.. (The Fatui is a jewelry company owned by the Tsaritsa; They're infamous with their bad reputation of past speculated robberies.) I mean sure he's loaded and they're bandmates— But that's all there is to it. "You too Childe. Let's not stir some trouble for our guests now." Zhongli scolded while taking another sip of his tea. Childe replied with a not so sincere thumbs up.

"Say, Kazuha.. What are they like? Do you think they're my type?" Kaeya asks out of curiosity. "I haven't gotten to know much about them actually, we've only chatted so briefly that time." Kazuha replied and glances at me for a second then continued to converse with Kaeya. Everyone's clearly throwing shots just to mess with me. It's seriously getting on my nerves! I don't even think that I'd be able to control myself until they arrive. "—but you should improve your writing skills before trying to establish any relationships Kaeya." Kazuha continued and chuckled. "You're too mean Kazuha. You've truly hurt a soft spot." Kaeya replied in a tone of sarcasm. "Is this really your first time making sake Diluc?" Kazuha asked in awe after taking a sip of the drink that Diluc handed to him. (Sake, also spelled saké, is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran; I added it here for Kazu.) "Not exactly, that's one of my latest samples. I'm not familiar with this kind of wine making so I took my time on it. It was highly requested by most of my foreign customers after all. Is it to your liking?" Diluc answered and asked for remarks intently.

"I have a natural liking to sake but this one in particular really hit the spot." Kazuha complemented. "Good to hear." Diluc said notedly. "This one has a sweet citrus flavor?." Aether told Diluc unsurely out of nowhere. "It does have citrus in it. A loyal supporter gifted that to me a few days ago." "No wonder it's such good juice!" Aether exclaims after Diluc's explanation. "But what about mine?! It tastes just like medicine!" Venti sulked in disgust. "I heard you weren't a fan of juice so I made this especially for you, and luckily I haven't named it yet. How about you call it as 'Discipline for your wine addiction.'" Diluc replied sternly. "That's still unfair!" Venti continued in complaint. "I agree, can't you be more welcoming to your guests?" Kaeya said backing up Venti. "This only applies to both of you given by the abnormal obsessions you both have." Diluc remained firm. "What about Kazuha?? He drinks sake all the time?!" "Now as your brother wouldn't it be natural to have a liking to wine since you're a bartender?" Both boys huffed. "He has limits and restraints unlike you two." Diluc wouldn't budge an inch. They continued to argue so I stopped listening. "Are you sure they're the ones your looking for Xiansheng?" Childe questioned while rereading a piece of paper he's been holding onto for a while now.(In Chinese, Childe calls Zhongli "xiansheng", a respectful honorific loosely translating to "sir".) "I only hope so. But with that said, I don't have any doubts." Zhongli replied deeply in thought. Making Xiao wonder why they needed them so much anyways.. And of course at that very moment the door opens.

{A couple of minutes earlier.}
~(Insert name)'s POV~

The closer we get the farther we are from the noise of the party. We were walking through a long glimmering corridor which didn't give off the eerie vibe horror movies usually do with long corridors. In fact it was calm and peaceful. Some rooms were filled and some were empty, a pattern that faded the more deeper we go in. "Jeez they really like their privacy huh?" I remarked tiredly. Just as much a I appreciated the silence, we've literally been walking for ages! Where in this huge ass mansion could they be?! "Indeed they're quite fond of it actually-. But my sincerest apologies if you're getting tired. We're only a couple of rooms away, but I could ask for a cup of water for you?" Albedo kindly suggested. "It's alright, I can manage." I replied sheepishly and gave him a grin. He wasn't even sweating and those pretty boy charms should be illegal. Wait hold up speaking of pretty boys. "Albedo can I ask you something about the place we're going to right now?" I ask politely. "It depends on the question but ask away." He replied simply. "Are the people there consist of DCKZ and 4nemo only?" I ask hoping it wasn't what I thought it was. "Yes since it's their personal lounge after all." Shit. I can handle Albedo but being in a room filled only with pretty men I don't know? My mental health would falter the moment I enter. "Don't worry (Insert name), I'm sure they don't have any ill intentions. You are Xiao's said lover after all." Albedo said in a comforti— Wait what in the name of Celestia did he just say.?!

"You're kidding right??" You said in complete disbelief. "Mhm." Albedo hummed. "You shouldn't be joking about something like that!" You exasperated while aggressively poking his face. He giggles by this odd gesture. "It was just a test-. I'm sorry I won't do it again-!" He huffed in attempt to stop you. You squished his cheeks and he muffled an "Ouch!" before you ended your so called 'play'. You would've continued if you didn't want to damage his pretty face. You envied the usefulness so much. "Do you view me as a child (Insert name)?" Albedo pouted. "No it's just that your face is annoying." I said straightforwardly. "Is that so? I get that a lot." He replied neutrally. Did I hurt his feelings? Crap I really should think before doing anything. "Uh I'm sorry did I hurt your feelings?" You quickly blurted out apologetically. He replied with a poke on your face. "I got you again." He said in a 'clever' tone. "Oh you're really gonna get it this time—!" But he stopped you from finishing your sentence with another poke. "I wouldn't love to be a party pooper, but we've arrived at our destination." He said neutrally once more which made you realize how informal you've been acting throughout your journey in the hallway. "Ah right-! I'm really sorry of how childish I was acting on our walk here. My head was just in a different place I.." Didn't know what to be sorry for. You continued the sentence in your thoughts. Should I be apologizing that we were hanging out like the old times? Is it because our friendship damaged within these past few years? Did I manage to offend him with my irrational actions? Even with all these thoughts flooding your mind, you just couldn't put your finger on it. You didn't know what to say but you felt like you needed apologize. He gave you a light smile. You could see through the forced grin. Just behind it, was sadness. You wanted to ask why but he opened the door which shut your words in, the moment you saw them.

~Albedo's short POV~

The moment I gave that smile to you.. I knew you'd ask why. So I simply opened the door. There, a sparkling bar lounge inhabited the room and sat eight men in formal attire. All of them in tuxedos but different in style, designer, and color, all made to their liking. "I've brought (Insert name)." I said in a tone of courtesy. "Thank you for escorting them Albedo. We'll take it from here." Zhongli replied with joy. I took a moment to observe everyone in the room. Venti looked eager but was holding himself back, Aether paused from drinking to look with intent, Diluc stared with curiosity as he was pouring down some 'wine' into Venti's glass, Kazuha and Kaeya had the impression like they were sightseeing, Childe was lost in thought while still looking with unmistakable interest, and Xiao looked.. 'Thrilled' if I'd want to describe it positively.. "Text me if you need anything." I told them abruptly as I nudge them in the room. "Oh uh Albedo wait-." I hear them say before immediately shutting the door. I am a fool. A complete fool, to think these bothersome feelings would fade away even after all these years. Why am I so stuck in the past? My head was fogged with thoughts as I was marching with no indication on where to go. I've tried to cut it off by burying it with all my responsibilities and workload but the string would just reconnect every time I see you.

I walked restlessly until I bumped into someone small. "K-klee? What are you doing here?" I looked down to see my little bubbly blonde sister. "Big bro you left your phone! I wanted to show you Dodocos' friends that big sis Sucrose gave me!" Klee said heartily as she brings out some Dodoco plushies. "Dodoco and me really missed you big bro! You're always so busy so I thought we could play with you.." Klee drooped as she fidgeted with her toys. I kneel down and patted her on the head. "They're wonderful Klee." I said in a tone of appreciation which she giggled with joy in reply. "But next time you should let Sucrose look for me. You could've gotten lost." "Oh big sis Sucrose was with me on the way here!" She pointed at the corridor behind her. There I see Sucrose limp towards us in the direction Klee pointed at. "I-i've f-finally caught up with you.." I hear Sucrose muffle out before I helped her steady herself. "I apologize for leaving my phone. I've given you so much trouble finding me." "It was nothing really!" Sucrose reassured me. Klee then proceeded to tug me and Sucrose through the corridor. "Since Big bro and sis are with me let's go and play with Ms. Jean!" Klee exclaims excitedly. I didn't interfere and followed suit. Let's not roam in such gloomy thoughts in a happy occasion like this. It also seemed that Sucrose agreed as well. This is what she was aiming to achieve after all..

~(Insert Name)'s POV~

Albedo why did you leave me?! A flush of anxiety and nervousness floods me while I was scanning the room. Oh sweet dear Celestia if you ever actually exist! Please save me from embarrassing myself in front of these men who are way above my standards! You pleaded to the heavens who seemed to have ignored your prayers because Venti immediately rushes to you afterwards. You didn't know if it was your reflex or instinct or even both at the same, but you dodge his attempted hug and he goes crashing into a sofa behind you. "A-augh—! My nose..!" You hear Venti blurt out as he stood up, unbalanced. "Oh my archon! I-i'm so sorry!" You said as you were about to help him but Xiao did so before you. He was just sitting on his chair a minute ago how did he get here so fast? I assume it has something to do with his idol training? "That's what you get for being so pushy with your greeting." Xiao scolded after he assured Venti was okay. "A hug is the most welcoming gesture for a greeting you know?!" Venti pouts, seemingly forgetting you were still there. "Not if you do it so forcefully." Aether said after drinking his cocktail. You also heard the dark blue haired man (on which you presumed was Kaeya) chuckle. "Things are getting quite entertaining for sure." Kaeya said amusingly. "I question your definition of entertaining-." Kazuha replies with a slight tone of nervousness. Zhongli and Diluc seem to have neutral feelings to the situation while Childe looked all the more 'excited' to say the least.

"How about you? Are you alright?" Xiao's words snap you back from your trance. "Yes I'm just fine! I'm sorry for causing such a ruckus." You said apologetically. You also realized that none of them were wearing a disguise. You finally saw the beautiful face that came with his golden catlike eyes. You couldn't help but be mesmerized by everyone's beauty. You were like copper standing out in a mine filled with valuable gems. "You're our esteemed guest, so there is nothing you should be apologizing about!" Venti said taking the opportunity to talk to you. He held your hands and dragged you towards a seat between him and Xiao. You sat down without a thought and Diluc passes you a (insert favorite drink). You wondered if he knew you this was your favorite or it was just a coincidence. "I assume you know everyone in this room and are curious on why you were invited to our lounge correct?" Zhongli said straightforwardly. "Yes." You replied simply since it was looming in your head for a while now. Everyone else also had the impression that they were wondering the same thing as well, all but Childe. "I used to be your senior back when you were high school. The sheet of paper that Childe will be passing to you might elaborate on my behalf." Zhongli gestures to Childe who gave you a copy of the exact same thing he was holding. You took it and read it's contents as Xiao and Venti also read alongside you. It was lyrics of a song that striked familiarity and nostalgia to you. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that it was your handwriting.

TBC

(Holy crap this took me so long-
This was supposed to be a lot longer but
motivation and my hands said no.
And I also wanna say thank you
so much for 300+ views! I
know there are some grammar
errors here and there-
(*cough* Chp. 1 and 2 *cough*)