Xiaotherven / Xiaolumiven

Xiaother/Xiaolumi:

- Both are warriors that need some softness in their life

- "Tools"

- Their story touches on themes of lost autonomy by the hand of a god

- Still discovering themselves and learning to open up, why not do so together?

- Attachment avoidance

- Xiao dreams of a peaceful dance with Venti, the Traveler dreams of peaceful travels with their sibling

- "Gluttons" (Xiao eating dreams, the Traveler being an "all devouring light")

- Both hide their names

- Quiet love as to not overwhelm Xiao

• Not much development on the Traveler's side

Venther/Venlumi

- Secretive

- Youthful idiots that tease people

- God of Hope x Warrior of Hope

- Rememberance as affection

- Venti prayed to the stars and Istaroth really went "here have a new bf/gf"

- Immortalization as love

- The only person the other is seen really venting to

• Enabling each other's bad habits

Xiaoven

- Borderline suicidal

- Musically incluned

- Perfect contrast

- Affirmative love

- God of Freedom x the one who was never free

• Co-dependency

Xiaoventher combined

- Pathetic yearners

- The in-game implications... need I say more?

- Fighting for someone else's dream/a nation's dream

- Longing for freedom

- Estranged/Deceased sibling figure

- Reckless

- Emotionally constipated but significantly more open/healing when in the presence of the other

I do think there is more, but so far I'm quite content with them! My favorite variants of these so far is Xiaoven with the Traveler being their biggest shipper and supporter (Zhongli is MAD pissed Xiao could've pulled the traveler but chose the stinky alcoholic instead), Xiaother and Zhongven, or Xiaother burger with heartbroken Venti fries...

In terms of fanfics I was thinking of a Xiaother x Yearner Venti past Xiaoven slowburn where Xiaoven's initial relationship failed.

By the way the "cons" of every listed ship isn't a con it's just more fanfiction potential, I'll try whacking my brain for more Xiaoventher crumbs