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The swift sounds of his footsteps were covered by the clings of coins falling into the slot machines, Xiao looked down to where he could see the flashing lights of the machines, trays of fresh dice and bright chips being carried to the casino tables. The smells of perfume and metal coins in air, cards being shuffled while the sounds of players rejoicing can be heard through the casino. None of the guests below seemed to realise what is currently happening, happily giving into their temptation, letting the whims of fate determine their victory or loses.
His grip tighten around a small suitcase, size only slightly bigger than his palm, yet housing quite a luxurious gem. The gem, known as the Monolith Fragment, a remnant from the ancient time of Liyue. To have it stolen by Barbatos was an oversight on the adepti's part, and now it had been resting in the wrong region for far too long. Master Zhongli would be delighted to receive what was supposed to be a piece of him back.
"Yaahooo, Xiao, are you still reminiscing about old times over there~" A playful voice could be heard as his comms cracked to life. Xiao tsked in respond.
"Of course not."
"Ooooh, then did you see someone pretty there?" Hu Tao, despite being the second in command, has quite the wild personality compared to Zhongli. Although, she could be quite resourceful at times, it's just she has a weird way of talking to people.
"No."
"Of course not, i forgot you have this mysterious boyfriend that no one seems to know"
Xiao sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Have you secured our escape route yet?"
"Of course i have, you just need to get back using your entrance route and we'll get drivin!"
Coming back to reality, he uses his anemo vision and swiftly dashed from one beam to another, avoiding the security cameras. His supposed exit was only a few feet away from him, that is until--
A gigantic flower bloomed right in front of Xiao.
Not any flower, the Solar Isotoma to be exact.
Xiao cursed and leaped away from the flower just when it burst, crackling with geo energy. He turned his head towards to source of the energy, to see the Kreideprinz standing a few feet away from him. Xiao saw his hands reaching to his own earpiece and-
"Albedo here, I've determined the trespasser's location."
Godamnit.
He jumped down to the casino floor. Blessed by the speed gifted by the anemo vision, he made a break towards the entrance. As barrage of bullets targeting him, he dodged them with ease, one arm practically hugging the small briefcase and another signalling Hutao.
"Hey! Our route has been compromised, i thought you secured it??" Yet Hu Tao's reply made him wanna strangle the brunette.
"Oops"
"You-"
"Hehehe im joking of course, come to the 6th floor, i have a plan for you~"
"...you already knew it from the start do you?"
"I'd be a terrible second in command if i don't~ but it's fine, your secret is safe with me~" Xiao could practically hear her winking at him.
"Sigh, I'll see you there then."
With that he closed his comm, trying to focus solely on his escape. He ran through the casino's corridor into the hotel connecting to it, with Albedo and the guards still hot on his tail.
Xiao bursted into staircase and started running down towards the designated floor, hoping to celestia that Hu Tao doesn't make a complete chaos out of this situation. Hu Tao does have a knack for promoting her funeral service which is supposed to be her "harmless" day job.
By the time he reached the 6th floor, other than the huge glass window along the hallway, he's completely surrounded. Albedo and his troop behind him, while the infamous Kaeya and his men blocking the path in front of him
He was about to his anemo energy to try and burst through the window when he saw a ball- no, a ghost?? Heading straight towards the window.
Did he really just hope that Hu Tao will try and not cause chaos?
In that split second, he quickly covered himself in bursts of wind and-
KABOOM
The ghost?? Inflicted a massive explosion that broke through the floor, causing it to collapse. Albedo quickly summoned a few humongous flower construct which supported the floor and avoiding it to be damaged further while Kaeya summoned his cryo energy to slow down the fire caused by the explosion.
Xiao smirked, with the 2 currently distracted with their condition. He quickly jumped out of the building when chunks of concrete break off from the floor above them, hitting Albedo and made him lose his footing.
His eyes widen, summoning his anemo energy and launching him back to where Albedo is, grabbing him tight and throwing themselves to the ground floor, aided by the wind around them. He quickly carried Albedo to a safer spot, where no one could see them.They ended up hiding behind the hotel building where Xiao quickly inspected Albedo.
Other than the obvious bruise on Albedo's arm, he looks fine, which is to Xiao's relief. Although, he could feel a slight bit of anger seeped through him.
"You should be more careful, our second in command is quite reckless when making decisions." He then grumbled, " if you didn't block my first escape route, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. What if you actually fell and i have my hands full? You would've-
He was quickly silenced by Albedo pressing his lips against his, his hand on his hair, the other one against his chest. Xiao softened and melted into the kiss, his arms circling around albedo. After the long and passionate kiss, they pulled away, regretfully for air.
"But at the end of the day, you'll still catch me, wouldn't you?" Albedo smirked at him, the stern voice from before had vanished completely, replaced by a playful tone.
"Hpmh." Xiao avoided his gaze, concealing his flustered face.
"You still owe me though" he grumbled in annoyance.
"Your second in command blew up our hotel."
"You'll have to bring that to our customer service."
They both stared at each other, before chuckling and have another shorter kiss together.
"Be back early and maybe I'll reward you." Albedo winked at him before standing up and dusting himself.
"See you tonight, Alatus."
***
"See, i told you it would work." Hu Tao grinned, her tone as playful as ever. Xiao sighed, in his hands still resting the small briefcase, it seems that the whole ordeal had made the Kreideprinz forgot about the stolen gem.
Or at least that's what he thought.
He opened the briefcase and saw nothing but a small note.
"Not on my watch;)"
-Albedo
Xiao face palmed himself.
"All of you are going to be the death of me."