Work Text:
The streets in Liyue seemed busier than usual as you tried making your way to work that morning. You’ve only lived at the Harbor for a few months, so you weren’t aware of the celebration going on.
“Huh? You don’t know about the Lanter Rite?” Your coworker asked, baffled. “But it’s the biggest festival in Liyue! I’m surprised you didn't even hear about it in Mondstat..”
“I was only asking so there’s no need to get all mad over it,” you rolled your eyes, earning a push on the shoulder from your coworker.
“Well, make sure to stop by some food stalls on your way back home today! They have specialties only made for the festival.”
You nodded then went on your way to get back to work.
——
You didn’t want to admit it, but your friend was right—the food was amazing. You were enjoying the delicious treats on your way back home, just outside of the Harbor. As you walked into your house, you realized you forgot to water your plants before leaving for work this morning, so you grabbed the pale that sat by the back door and filled it with the well water just outside your house. Just as you were about to water the plants, a loud voice yelled at you.
“What’s a young fella like you doing out this late?”
You turned around, shocked to see fetui men standing only a few yards away from you.
“Aren’t you supposed to be making tea for a granny or somethin?” One of them laughed, the others joining in.
You didn’t respond, only keeping your eyes on them to see what their next moves would be, but as soon as one of them tried to put their hands on you, a shadow fast as lightning came by and fought them off.
All you could do was stand in fear, waiting for the shadow to kill you next, though that never seemed to happen.
“It’s pathetic how you humans can’t defend yourselves.” The shadow spoke.
At that time, you had enough and were quite tired of all of this. For Saints sake! You just wanted to water some damn plants!
“Excuse me? I could’ve held them off on my own, thank you.” Your tone clearly showed how annoyed you were feeling.
“Watch your mouth, mortal. Next time you’ll be crying when I don’t save you—“
You slapped him.
“How dare you speak to me like that! Don’t you have any manners?” You yelled at the shadow.
To your surprise, the shadow then became visible. A thin yet strongly built man with blue-turquoise hair and an emerald colored polearm. He looked almost like something out of a fairy tale.
“Why should I have manners towards a human like you? I’m the one who saved you—shouldn’t you thank me?” He scuffed. “And don’t you ever hit a yakisha. Trust me, I’ll make it the last thing you’ll ever do…”
That kind of startled you, but not enough to make you back down from a challenge.
“Fine, I'm sorry,” you say reluctantly. “But next time, let me defend myself.”
The man laughed, of course in a mocking way, “Sure, but don’t call out my name when you change your mind, human.”
“How could I when I don’t even know who you are?” You said, being a smart ass.
“I’m Xiao, the Vigilant Yakisha.” He bowed. Now if we’re talking shocking, that was probably it out of your entire conversation so far. How could he save you, threaten you, then bow down to you? This man was something else.
“So all of a sudden you’ve gained manners? Hm, okay then,” you grin. “Well I’m [***].”
Xiao silenced, but you did too. The atmosphere just suddenly felt better than earlier and the both of you didn’t know what to say next.
“Since you seem to be in a better mood now, would you like some tea as my thanks?” You asked.
“Sure-“ Xiao mumbled.
——
After some tea in your house, Xiao stood up.
“I have to go—it’s getting dark out.”
“Well, whenever you have the time, stop by!” You waved him goodbye, but before he left, you gave him a peck on the cheek. “Don’t forget about me down here, okay?”
For the first time that night, you saw him get flustered, and you wanted to admit that it was quite the sight..
“I won’t.” Xiao bowed one last time before vanishing just as quickly as when he first appeared.