Chapter Text
The sun waved goodbye, the moon waved hello. A blanket of shining stars in the vast dark sky, it’s a beautiful night to stroll in Liyue. Just like the moon, the lights in the wangsheng funeral were out. The door opened, a girl standing wearing a black long sleeve, her red ruby eyes looking at the moon. The moon was basking in a topaz glow, just like someone’s eyes.
The wind passed through her, feet stepping the scattered orange leaves on the bridge and making her way to Wuwang Hill. Walking in the night is her nightly routine, finding inspirations for her poetry.
It’s cold, but the almond tofu wrapped in a lunch box is warm.
It also became a routine, cooking almond tofu for him.
Carefully holding the box of almond tofu as she walks alone in the road. She isn’t scared to walk alone, she is a vision holder too and a martial artist but what she worries about is the lunch box in her hands. It will get ruined if she is caught in a fight.
It happened once, but he still ate it with a smile. It was only a little curve of his lips, but it was breathtaking and Hu Tao felt that the butterflies were messing with her, in her stomach. A side of him she never knows, that even an Adepti could smile.
Sometimes, she thinks if she is sick too because when they are standing side by side, her heart won't stop beating loudly. She thinks of him as she walks, she wonders if he is at the balcony or at his liyue guarding duties. Even if she is known as the Wangsheng funeral director or a troublemaker in Liyue, he was the first one to see her as Hu Tao. Hu Tao, the girl who loves silk flowers and writing poetry.
Sometimes being the director of Wangsheng has benefits too, even if she just drops by at the balcony of Wangshu Inn, Verr Goldet doesn’t charge her and even told her the favorite food of her friend, the Wangsheng funeral director can even borrow the kitchen. If Verr Goldet has a favorite customer, it’s probably her. Thanks to the ghost in the kitchen, she gained a VIP pass at Wangshu Inn.
But it wasn’t really the ghost, it was because of him.
She crossed another bridge, across was a green scenery that was now painted with dots of red. Time really flies so fast when you are thinking of someone. It was kind of fascinating that there are growing silk flowers at Wangshu Inn.
It’s her favorite after all.
She likes to use the stairs. Because every step she takes, the sound of flute becomes clear.
One day, she will ask him to play her a song.
And she wishes it’s not an elegy, because she won't be able to hear him.
He is on the balcony of Wangshu inn, waiting for the sun to wave goodbye again.
Waiting.
Just like what he does everyday ever since she came in his life.
“Xiao!” he knew that voice, it’s full of liveliness.
As he turned around he was engulfed in a hug. The funeral director of Wangsheng Parlor is really remarkable. This is the first time she hugged him.
“Really? You have no respect for the Adepti.” his words failed him because he was smiling.
They were so close that he could smell silk flowers and plum blossoms on her. His hands were still in place, he still feels afraid.
“I won’t disappear Xiao.” And yet carefully, slowly, he stretches his hands and finds a way on the back of her.
Her grip on him tightened.
“I’m not going anywhere too Hu Tao.”
She looks him into the eyes, topaz meets ruby.
“Thank you for working hard today our mighty Adeptus! ” she smiled softly at him.
He was taken aback by her words. He leaned on her shoulders, hiding his face from her.
“So come on Xiao! I cooked a new dish and it’s called Adeptus Temptation so let’s get going before it gets cold!” He still wasn’t letting her go.
“Hugs do feel good right?! Did you miss me that much? Oh the mighty Adeptus Xiao likes hugs!”
“Shut up Walnut.” She giggled at him.
“You didn’t tell me where you were going for weeks, and you didn’t reply to my letter.” His words were muffled but it was clear to her ears.
“You are hugging me too long, I guess I’m forgiven.”
“I'm just glad you are safe.”
The feeling were familiar but It’s his first time to hug a mortal too, as far as he remembers. Just like always, but today they stand there in the balcony of Wangshu Inn, locked in an embrace.