Chapter Text
Xiao’s eyes remained closed. He had waited so long for this. He had waited so long to see his family again, but something familiar held him back from joining them. He didn’t want to leave them, not again, but a desperate voice called to him. This voice needed him, more than the others did. Xiao couldn’t leave his only living family behind. He stood at a crossroads, trying to decide. His siblings and Guizhong were right there amidst the glaze lilies. He could join them. He wanted to, but something held him back. He didn’t know what to do. He crumpled to the ground, putting his head in his hands.
Xiao felt a familiar, soothing presence take over his senses.
“My dear Alatus.” Xiao slowly gazed up at Guizhong. Her clothes were no longer stained with red and her smile was no longer forced. She knelt down in front of him, her hand reaching to rub up and down his back. “Alatus, you’ve been so strong.”
Beside her, a figure dressed in elegant, golden robes kneeled down. Menogias raised his hand to ruffle Xiao’s hair, chuckling lightly.
“I’m so proud of you, little brother.” He moved his hand to Xiao’s cheek, wiping away tears Xiao didn’t know he had.
A startled sound escaped Xiao as he was shoved forward from behind. Menogias’s hands went to steady him as Guizhong laughed. The smell of waves as they crashed onto Yaoguang Shoal was unmistakable.
Bonanus’s arms wrapped around Xiao tightly, being careful to keep her large paws from touching him. “No matter what baby brother, I’ll always love you. I swear.” Xiao could feel her tears fall as she buried her face into the back of his neck. He unclasped her arms that were tightly wound around his waist to turn around and face her.
Bonanus’s eyes refused to meet him. She tried to pull her paws away from him but he held onto both of them. He could feel how they trembled in his grasp.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I-”
Bonanus was pushed backward with only her two arms to support her as Xiao leapt forward to hug her. His arms wrapped around her back with his head buried into her shoulder. After a few moments, Bonanus gratefully returned the gesture. This time, she allowed her paws to gently rub up and down her baby brother’s back in a soothing sort of gesture.
Xiao felt a warm heat slide up his right arm as he pulled back from the hug. He turned his head to see familiar locks of fiery hair. “We’ll always be here for you, Alatus.” Inadarias encased both of his hands in hers the way she always did to comfort him.
Finally, Xiao was able to find the words he had been seeking since meeting his family. “I love you all and I’ll never forget it.”
“It’s time.” Xiao took the hand Bosacious held out to him and pulled the hulking figure of his oldest brother into a tight hug. Utterly surprised by this gesture, Bosacious laughed as he brought Xiao into one last sweaty hug, lifting his youngest brother into the air. “I’ll miss you, Little Bird.” Xiao hummed in response. Bosacious set him down, bringing his own hand to wipe away a few fallen tears.
Xiao took one last remorseful look at his family. “I can’t leave him.” Guizhong had a knowing glint in her eyes as she stood up with the assistance of Menogias. Bonanus and Indarais followed her lead.
“We know,” she spoke. “Take care of him in my place, Alatus. He can act like a fool at times and he goes on and on about wine like an utter buffoon, but he is precious to me, to all of us.” The other Yakshas nodded and whispered their agreement.
Morax’s actions were often confusing, but he had brought them all together. He had made them a family.
Xiao nodded in understanding of Guizhong’s words. “Goodbye.”
A bright light filled Xiao’s vision and a warm hand was caressing his cheek.
When Xiao opened his eyes, he saw his brothers and sisters. They were smiling at him, glad to see he was okay. He blinked for only a moment as he took in the air he had missed when falling but when he opened his eyes again, they were gone. Instead, Xiao saw the companions he had met in the Chasm. They all seemed shocked to see him here, he was too, but there was no hiding the joy in their eyes either.
“Xiao.” It was just a whisper but he heard it. He knew that voice. The same one that had given him his name all those years ago. He bowed his head. Thank you.
***
Xiao arrived at Wangshu Inn where he found Zhongli sipping a cup of what smelled like Osmanthus wine. He had returned after speaking to the traveler of his fellow yaksha, his siblings, and his family.
“Xiao, sit with me.”
Xiao did as was commanded of him, but he politely declined the cup of wine Zhongli offered him. Zhongli seemed nervous, hesitant even as his fingers drummed against the table. Had his tail been visible, Xiao could imagine how it would swing about, knocking down chairs and potted plants.
“Xiao, I-”
“I saw them.” Zhongli’s eyes widened as he sat up in his seat, his cup of wine forgotten. He said nothing, urging Xiao to continue.
Xiao’s eyes turned to watch the rising sun as it brightened all of Liyue. “I saw them in the Chasm, the other Adep- our family. I saw Brother Bosacious and Menogias. I saw Sister Bonanus and Indarias as well. They said they were proud of me, that the-they l-loved me and I knew it wasn’t an illusion. I knew it was real.”
Zhongli was completely still in his seat. His eyes were wide with astonishment. Hesitantly, he asked, “I-if you saw them then that means-”
“It means I was on the border between this world and the next. I know.” Xiao’s eyes peeled away from the sunset, turning to Zhongli instead.
“Then why did you come back? Xiao, I know you wanted to be with them again. M-more than anything.” Perhaps Zhongli wasn’t aware of it, but Xiao could see the fear in his Lord’s eyes.
“Lady Guizhong was there too.” Zhongli fell silent. His eyes narrowed, trying to stop the tears from welling up as the memories flooded back to him. Of how he had failed to protect her and his Yakshas. Even now, he was failing to protect Xiao who was so much like a Son to him. He couldn’t even prevent Xiao’s karmic debt and he had selfishly taken him away from his family too.
Upon seeing Zhongli’s expression, Xiao stood up and placed a hand on his Lord’s shoulder, trying to offer some form of comfort.
“My Lord, we all agreed to fight for you, to protect you and your land. Do you remember? It is the duty of the Yakshas to protect Liyue and watch as it prospered. My siblings as well as Guizhong have fulfilled their duty. It is only I that remains.”
“No Xiao, you have done more than enough. I-”
“Though I miss my family, I have chosen to stay with you. You’re my family too, Zhongli.”
For once, Xiao wasn’t surprised by the way Zhongli pulled him into his arms. The last time his master had initiated such an embrace was on top of that lonely peak where Xiao felt the urge to plummet into the next world. He hugged him back.
“Did you really think they’d allow me to come back knowing that our Lord is still so fearful of slimes?”
Xiao’s lips quirked up upon hearing Zhongli gag. Still, Zhongli was happy to see Xiao had developed a much more suitable sense of humor than the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Director.
Xiao stepped away from Zhongli, materializing his spear as he leaned over the balcony.
“With Guizhong being my favorite, of course I have to carry out her final wish.”
Zhongli picked up his cup of wine, an amused smile gracing his face upon hearing her name. “And what would that be?”
“To watch over you of course, my Lord.”
There was a pause as Zhongli peered into the contents of the cup, swirling it around. He didn’t feel like drinking it anymore. Hesitantly, Zhongli asked “...Did she say anything else?”
“She called you a fool and buffoon and the others agreed.”
Zhongli sighed. “Ha…of course.”
Xiao leapt off the balcony, leaving Zhongli to reminisce about the old days as he watched his youngest Yaksha’s retreating form. He knew Xiao would be okay.