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His life had always been a constant cycle of pain and agony. Despite being the Yaksha of Liyue, he was scornful of mistakes since he had always been one to do them the most despite everyone's assumptions. There were too many to count but the one that gnaws the most at him was losing his chance to protect the smile he fell in love with.
The lantern rite festival used to be a nice reminder of that fateful day. Now, like always, it became another shameful shackle on his limbs, drowning himself in the vicious thoughts that once disappeared with her bright presence.
So as he sat there, at the very hill that he used to sat at, enjoying the lanterns floating into the sky. The once unified colour of yellow flickering contrasting against the dark night sky were nos littered with various colours as the meaning of such celebration has almost disappeared along with its culture. The adeptus stared longingly into the sky, wondering if he would able to do it with her if he had just said yes to her invitation. Wondered if she would have sat beside him if she had the chance. Wondered if she would have smiled just as brightly.
He sighed, pulling himself together. It was time to head back 'home'. The Wangshu Inn was a 5 star hotel unlike what it used to be. The warmth of the Liyue people serving there that he once recognised was replaced by the mere formality of such service as a hotel crew. The greeting he received as he stepped into the entrance was robotic. It didn't make him at ease. His home was not what it used to be but he had stayed here unlike the rest who had moved on with their lives.
His justification was to protect Liyue but the forerunners of Liyue's Qixing and the generations of mortals that came after were quite adept once Rex Lapis had fallen from the sky. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't impress but he would never say it out loud.
If he did, it would have meant that he would have to move on.
For Xiao, he was never one to move on so easily. It gets a little bit harder when it comes to Lumine. For someone who came into his life in such a short period of time, she sure had an iron grip into his heart. Amazing how anyone can just easily creep into the corners of your heart if you let your guard down.
He pushed the button to the elevator, waiting for it to ding open. Within mere seconds, it did and his heart almost jumped to his throat. Familiar golden eyes that he never thought he would ever see them again met his in that moment. She flashed a simple smile and walked pass him. A mere formality that simply happened between strangers. It shouldn't have meant anything to him. But it did.
It meant something to him. Because this was what he had hoped for the longest time. To make sure she would be happy. Even without himself in her life. He would be the guardian angel to her lurking in the shadows.
Until he sees that smile that glittered like the Xiao lanterns she once shared to him from afar.
He will be her guardian.