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“I don't understand what's so fascinating about stars and the act of gazing at them during the night,” Xiao remarks indifferently, eyes closed and arms crossed in his chest. “They're but mere dots of light we see in the sky.”
You laugh at his comment.
“Well...” The ends of your lips curves when he opens his eyes and looks at you. “These dots of light, along with the moon, provide us light during the dark. And there's also a thing like a group of stars that form every night, which we then call as constellations—”
“I know of these things,” the Adeptus cuts you off with a click of his tongue. “What I cannot fathom is why you mortals seem so beguiled by it.”
“There's really no other reason but that we only find it pretty and interesting,” you say, turning your attention away from your companion to instead focus onto the horizon. “And some find it interesting enough that they busy themselves with studying the stories behind each stars and constellations.”
“Then will you tell me the story behind my constellation?” he asks, positioning himself so that he can face you. “You've told me of several others before.”
His request made you whirl your head back at him.
“You've never asked for such a thing from me before...” You stare at him rather warily. “It is true I've told you some before, but not because you willingly asked for me to...”
“You often tell your stories freely so I never had to,” he says in a matter of fact tone. “Why? Is it strange of me to request such a thing now?”
“Yes. Very, very strange.”
He rolls his eyes at you and you laugh.
“I will tell you—” he perks up at this, “—but not right now.”
Your words seemed to confuse him, but he didn't dare question any further.
“I would prefer to just gaze at the stars with you tonight,” you add. It was a good thing you turned you attention back to the night sky because Xiao's cheeks had warmed in response to your heart fluttering words and he averted his eyes in reflex.
He places a hand to his chest. He knows it's impossible, but it was pounding so quick and loud that he swears it's like you can almost hear it.
Thank Morax you weren't born with heightened senses.
As soon as he has finally calmed down, he hears a gasp from you. Afterwards, he feels you tugging at his sleeve, which brought him to look at you.
“Xiao, look! A shooting star!” You were beaming at him, pointing at the sky like a child. “Let's make an oath!”
“An oath?” You nod. “Don't mortals make wishes when they see such things instead?”
“I've wished for lots of things my whole life... I don't want to make another one and expect them to come true. So, let's make an oath to each other instead!”
He nods quietly in understanding.
“Great!” You adjusted your position so you can face him as well, before then grabbing both his gloved hands and speaking, “I, [Name], solemnly promise that I shall and will always come back to Adeptus Xiao no matter how long it takes me in each and every life I awake to.”
His breath hitches at your asseveration.
You and your words... He is quite certain it'll be the death of him someday.
“You... You are aware that an oath is almost the same as a contract, correct?” he asks afterwards, and you nod, smiling. “Then you are also aware that breaking an oath leads to consequences?”
“Of course! Would I be doing it right now with you if I didn't know of its repercussions?”
Xiao grunts and you titter. “I am only making sure you know what you are getting yourself into.”
“I appreciate that you worry for me, but I know what I'm doing.” He clicks his tongue again for the second time at your words. “Now, your oath...?”
You stare at him expectantly and Xiao firmly holds your gaze. Then he sighs, before scooting over towards you and pulling your hands closer to his lap.
“I will make the same oath as you have,” he says, looking at your smaller hands as he gently traces circles on the skin of your palms. “I solemnly promise—to both you and Rex Lapis—that I shall and will always come back to you and only you in every life you awake to.”
He lifts his head a little to look at you. You were staring at him in awe, lips slightly parted open.
“And if I, Adeptus Xiao, were to ever infract this promise...” he continues, “then I shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock.”
Xiao presses a lingering kiss on the back of your hand.
“That is my oath to you.”