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A faint cry. No, a scream.
Xiao had just finished putting to rest the final monster caused by his karmic debt. It squirmed for a bit until the sharp point was pulled out of its chest and its lifeless form momentarily dissipated into thin air shortly after. Finally, but something was off. Normally doing this would take him just mere hours yet it took a whole 3 days of constant turmoil. Sleep was not the problem but the fatigue contributed to most of the lacerations and bruises spread across his body. Every single atom of his body was aching. The rich crimson blood mixed with the rain streamed down coating his pale skin. His breathing was laboured, making it hard for the adepti to muster enough energy to stand on his own two feet. "How useless must I be?" he thought. A demon of a man who could not even make it just a mere few steps to his desired destination. Pathetic. He stabbed the polearm into the ground and heaved his body upright, making a steady pace towards Wangshu Inn. Just one step in front of the other is all it takes.
All energy spent, Xiao did his best to scale the stairs just to reach the top and help himself. He was fighting the urge to shut his eyelids. He would never give up that easily as much as he wanted to in this current moment. Once he did his vision began to go blurry and his body swayed. The earth was spinning and a thud was heard as his figure made an impact with the wooden floorboards. It would be a miracle if saw him and would be able to help on time. It was late at night and the rain was too heavy for anyone to hear him surely. Xiao lay unconscious as the traces of blood further impurified his body and clothes.
You twisted and turned as the rain did not let them sleep. In all truth, you were not actually asleep. Xiao had not come back when he promised; it worried you immensely. Earlier in the day, you tried to go out to find him but you could not leave the area. The reason behind it is the amulet Xiao had given you as a gift that he infused with a special adeptal art. You were unaware of it at the beginning but after the many attempts and the confused stares from onlookers, you realised you were not going to find Xiao any time soon. You paced around the top floor for hours after that. Waiting and waiting for him to swoop in and be perfectly okay. Your average schedule these past few days have just been pacing up and down in the day. In the night, you would get nightmares of Xiao dying in nearly any way, shape or form your subconscious could make up. It was psychological torture and you could not take it anymore. Thud. Your cloudy thoughts were interrupted by a noise coming from downstairs. Your body reacted for yourself by shooting up and clambering out of your room. Feet hammering the floor guiding themselves to the source as quickly as they could take you. You almost fell a couple of times just getting down the stairs but it did not matter right now. Nothing else mattered. Eyes widened, Xiao insight, you made your way to the motionless male. A silent cry escaped your throat as the shock hit you hard. You quickly searched him for all possible wounds getting your hands bleached with the adepti's vermillion blood. The harsh winds lashed out making a cold chill traverse you. Picking up his body as best you can you drag him inside and into your room.
You made it in time.
You had managed to get xiao bed after cleaning his major wounds. You had stripped him of his ripped shirt leaving his chest bare to work on the minor cuts and bruises on his arms and face. You decide to start on his face since he had not awoke. You took a swab of cotton and dipped it into medicinal alcohol rubbing it on a graze on his cheek. Even when hurt, Xiao's features were so outstanding. His purple diamond-shaped mark sat perfectly in-between his forehead. His well-structured jawline compliments his facial features. His fair, smooth skin has been unfortunately ruined by his recent misfortune yet still looks so beautiful almost like an untouched yet ever-changing canvas. His eyes. Xiao had been awake yet you did not know for how long. His golden orbs just looked into your (e/c) eyes deeply as if there was something that needed to be said. He attempted to sit up but winced in pain and gave up on that idea as soon as it came.
"Rest, I'm just cleaning a few minor cuts if that's okay," you murmured.
He hummed in response and watched you resoak the swab. Xiao could sense he probably made you worried as he saw your hand tremble slightly. It can also be assumed that this is due to the lack of sleep you have been getting but in a way both of the points can be linked to each other. Silence emanated throughout the small space and was occasionally broken by the sound of the droplets of liquid falling back into the cylindrical bowl and the rain scraping the windows. As you wiped the last graze on his face he let out a small grunt of pain. You did not like seeing Xiao in pain so you carefully placed the swab down and held the sides of his face. He stared directly up at you with his same stoic expression. You began to peck tender kisses near the places you treated as if to add an affectionate finishing touch leaving Xiao stunned as his face began to heat up, a shade of pink dusting his cheeks. At a loss for words, the Adepti was only able to turn away in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, I should have asked first..." you spoke gently.
Xiao turned his attention back to you. "Can you....?" The last few parts of what he was attempting to say were too quiet for you to hear. All you could do is tilt your head in confusion as he mustered up the courage to repeat what he said.
"(Y/N), please do it again..." Avoiding eye contact the blush on his face became deeper. Something about this made you want to tease him just a little bit.
"Do what again Xiao?" You spoke innocently, batting your eyes and placing your index finger on your bottom lip to show him your visible "confusion" to his request.
Ignoring the sharp pain when doing so, Xiao propped his body up carefully attempting to get up. Getting on his two feet he stood up looking at you directly, reading your facial expression. Or at least attempting to. In no time his index finger and thumb were situated on the bottom of your chin and he leaned in closer. Making it seem like he was about to kiss you he instead leaned in to whisper something into your ear...
"Can we, maybe, kiss again?" His voice was hushed and raspy flustering you by how it reverberated in your ear. Without keeping him waiting you nodded allowing him to have that well-deserved kiss that he so desperately needed. Your hands crept to his shoulders keeping you well balanced as Xiao took his time with you. After a few seconds, you broke the kiss as you laughed to yourself a bit.
"I love you too, Adeptus Xiao."
Of course in reponse he just decided to let his next kiss (Or few kisses) do the talking - in short he loves you too.