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[An adepti artefact had been stolen during Lantern Rite while Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver were out to celebrate. Lumine enlisted Kaeya's help due to his connections to the Treasure Hoarders and Xiao was tagging along because this was an adepti matter. While Lumine and Paimon meet with Kaeya's contact and follow the leads, the two men wait for them back on Mount Hulao. Lumine specifically asked them to get along.]
Xiao looked at the human in dismay, who was curiously studying the boar encased in amber. Since the other adepti had left to follow their own leads he was left alone with the traveller's friend. "Would you... like something to drink?"
A polite smile spread on his lips. "You needn't trouble yourself with my well-being, really."
This made him uncomfortable. He knew little enough about human hospitality already and had no idea how to deal with such a rejection. With folded arms he watched him for a while, trying to come up with what he was supposed to do next.
The Cavalry Captain meanwhile had found the weathered memorial stone, attempting to decipher it.
Drawing a deep breath Xiao approached him again. "I heard... I heard Paimon say you live in a bar. Myself I live in an inn."
The man threw him the strangest look, searching his face as though to decipher the meaning behind his words. Eventually he smirked. "Do you now? It must be quite lively there."
He cocked his head, trying to figure out how to respond. “I don't partake in the mortal activities that happen there, but it does entertain many guests.”
Captain Kaeya sighed, standing up straight to face him. “I don't live in a bar. Paimon was merely making a snide remark about my drinking habits.”
The yaksha's cheeks flushed. For a moment all he could do was stand there, his throat tightened with shame. “I apologise, I didn't mean to insult you.” He balled his fists.
Kaeya let out a breath, smiling. “I believe I would like something to drink, after all. If you have something suitable for mortals, that is.”
“I can...” He froze. Were sunsettias poisonous to humans? Did humans drink dew? “I can make tea”, he concluded lamely, avoiding his gaze.
“Tea sounds wonderful.”
Xiao nodded, wondering where he could set up for both of them, it was not like there were tables outside the abode.
“I would not wish to impose, but is it possible to drink the tea up there?” The human pointed up at the summit.
He squirmed, unsure whether to bring it up, since it might make him feel unsafe here, but ultimately decided to be honest. “You should not exert yourself here. This is an area of concentrated adeptal energy and you might become affected.”
“Oh? Then I suppose I will not get to spar with you either.” His tone held clear disappointment.
“But I can carry you up there.”
Kaeya raised an eyebrow.
-
The view from the summit was beautiful, the evening sun casting long shadows from their cups. And yet he knew the Cavalry Captain's smile was forced.
Xiao swallowed the nearly tasteless bitter liquid, drawing a painful breath. “I apologise, you don't have to drink it.”
“Honoured adeptus, if I may ask... why are you bothering with hospitality?” A pale blue eye studied him amicably.
Again his cheeks burned. Yes, why was he bothering with something he was so obviously incapable of? He balled his hands into fists, setting them on his thighs. “The traveller asked me to take care of you and I felt-” No longer able to bear his gaze he turned his head away. “Mortals do foolish things when they're bored.”
Kaeya laughed. “I know I would do foolish things.”
Xiao was about to ask what he had in mind, but bit back the question. Why did he care what this human thought?
He leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the already darkening sky. “I suppose it would not be in my interest to get banished for frivolous behaviour.”
It was impossible to hold back the sigh. “I wouldn't know.”
That prompted the human to fix his eye on him again. “Exalted adeptus, to thank you for your time today, would you allow me to extend you an invitation to Mondstadt?”
“To shame my feeble efforts with your own hospitality?” The words were out before he could think, embarrassment tightening his throat.
“If that is how you wish to see it, there is nothing I can do. But perhaps you will believe me when I say I merely wish to return the favour.”
Xiao clenched his jaw. “I will think about it.”
-a few weeks later-
“Where are we going?” The adeptus frowned at the pick-nick basket Kaeya was carrying.
“It was brought to my attention you're no friend of crowds. I took the liberty of choosing a spot for our meal that is a little more... private.” Kaeya winked at him. He could tell Xiao was uncomfortable still, even embarrassed.
“I see.” Golden eyes fixed on the ground.
Kaeya decided not to force a conversation, he would find a way to break the ice later. For now he could simply enjoy walking alongside him, bringing him to Windrise. If the adeptus had known what a clichéd spot this was he might not have come along.
Xiao was looking around, seeming a little nervous.
“Is something the matter?”
“There are many slimes nearby, we keep coming near them.”
He could not suppress his laugh. “There are routes to stay out of trouble.”
His expression showed he was intrigued. “You try not to disturb them.”
“I prefer my fights on the way home.”
Xiao frowned, putting a hand to his chin in thought. “It's reasonable, you are a weak mortal, so even slimes might pose serious danger.”
The sting was quickly covered up with a chuckle. “Trying to break the ice with a compliment?”
His golden eyes widened in dismay. Apparently he had truly not meant to insult him.
“Perhaps you can give me a demonstration of your adeptal strength later.”
His only answer was a nod. For an illuminated immortal being he was surprisingly cute when he felt bad.
The basket was getting a little heavy and he hiked it up higher. “We're almost there.”
Windrise was always a beautiful spot, but the evening sun would soon bathe it in lavish colours. As expected they were alone here and Kaeya could soon spread the chequered blanket on the grass, inviting Xiao to sit down with him.
While Kaeya kept his feet off the blanket, the adeptus seemed a little uncertain about how to place himself.
“You can take off your shoes.” It was difficult to suppress a smirk, so he busied himself with unpacking the food. The cherry tart had become a little smushed under the bottle, but it still looked appetising. The sandwiches were exactly the right moisture and he was very satisfied to see fresh strawberries unharmed. Their taut skin reflected the afternoon sun.
Xiao pushed off his boots, revealing that inside his feet were only wrapped in a few bandages, no socks, his toes showing. Like every other part of him, they were flawless and graceful. He chose to cross his legs to sit on the blanket.
“I wasn't sure what sorts of foods you like, so please don't feel pressured to eat anything.” Carefully he studied the adeptus' face. He seemed to be getting more and more uncomfortable. It really was time for an ice breaker, but he had not been able to figure out an angle yet, perhaps he would have to use brute force. “Do you drink, honoured Adeptus?”
A frown distorted his perfect features. “I don't know how well I handle it. I might become a danger if I do.”
Kaeya shrugged. “We're alone here. I'm willing to take the risk.” He pulled two glasses and the wine bottle from the basket.
“I will try.”
Kaeya filled up both their glasses with a smile.
Cautiously Xiao took a sip, smiling in surprise. “It does not taste bad.”
In general the adeptus was very open when it came to the food he had brought, eating everything he was presented with in small dainty bites. Still, making conversation with him was difficult, he offered nothing for Kaeya to latch onto. Perhaps he would not be able to break the ice at all this time, it might be they would have to meet several times for Xiao to trust him enough to come out of his shell.
The bottle of wine was half empty when the sun began to set, letting the fine Liyuan silk shimmer like gold.
Whether he wanted to or not, a cluster of dread formed in his stomach. Xiao had accepted his invitation this time likely to be polite, but if this date was nothing but uncomfortable for him it was doubtful he would come a second time. Meeting him in Liyue was a possibility, but Kaeya had no way to contact him, so he would either have to plan the next outing today or ask Lumine, and even then Xiao was not guaranteed to want to invite him. This date could be his only shot.
“I apologise, I'm not very good company”, Xiao mumbled.
There, a slight opening. “Perhaps next time you come to Mondstadt we can find a different pastime.”
The adeptus averted his gaze, likely unsure how to respond, or annoyed by his answer. However this had him frowning at the strawberries, he had been throwing them looks the entire time. “Cavalry Captain, what are those fruits? I don't recognise them.”
The man had to suppress a smirk, this was a risky pass, but he was going to take it. “Please, just Kaeya. And I'm surprised you don't know them.” He picked one of the larger ones out of the poplar box, holding it by the leaves in front of his face. “Try one”, he encouraged the adeptus.
Was it the sunset or was Xiao blushing? Either way he opened his mouth, his fangs barely peeking out. Looking at Kaeya's fingers he cautiously closed his lips around the fruit, biting off about half of it.
Golden eyes went wide. “It's a strawberry! But it's so big, the ones in the forest are much smaller.”
Kaeya chuckled in genuine amusement. “These are a cultivated form”, he explained, eating the rest of it.
Xiao seemed to ponder this, emptying the wine glass once more.
Naturally the captain topped it up unprompted.
“This tastes good with the strawberry”, Xiao mused, smelling his drink before retrieving one of the fruits for himself. After eating it he downed almost half his beverage in one go, something Kaeya struggled not to react to.
“The wine I chose bears hints of vanilla and butter, perfect to accompany any fruit.”
Xiao nodded in thought. “I never paid much attention to what I ate, but ever since Moonchase I've tried to make sense of it all.” He continued to alternate between fruit and wine, quickly emptying his glass once more.
This time Kaeya only filled it halfway; the adeptus' pale cheeks already held a permanent flush. “Lumine must have been a good influence on you.”
Instead of answering Xiao stared at him. His eyes were narrowed as though he was mulling over a big consideration. “How are mortals so beautiful?”
Kaeya was taken aback, only just putting the bottle away.
But Xiao was not looking for a reaction. “When I met Lumine I marvelled just how fine and elegant her features are. And now you are simply the most beautiful person I've ever seen.” Without warning he moved forward to kiss him.
His lips were hot and squishy, his every motion fervent, hungry.
Kaeya dug his fingers into the adeptus' soft hair. Relief flared up and was quickly replaced by his own desires, urging him to take all the adeptus had to offer.
Xiao pushed him until he lay down on the blanket, climbing over him.
The knight pulled away as best he could. “It seems the wine got to you.” As much as he wanted to, he could not take advantage of him.
“You think I'm drunk? You have no respect for the adepti”, he scoffed.
That made him chuckle, which the adeptus took as an invitation to kiss him again. Far be it from the Cavalry Captain to call him a liar, but he had his doubts Xiao was able to accurately assess his own mind. “This is a- dangerous place to get- distracted. We might- get attacked”, he brought out between kisses.
This time Xiao laughed, his had moving down to open Kaeya's belt. “I would protect us”, he assured him, missing the point.
Kaeya grabbed his wrist, trying to pull his hand away, but he was too strong, he would not even budge.
His kisses were getting more desperate and when their tongues touched all he wanted to do was give in and help him instead.
It was time for a change of tactic; trying to push him away by his shoulders.
Xiao made an amused noise, grabbing both his wrists to pin them above his head.
The Captain twisted, trying to get his hands free or push him off but the adeptus barely seemed to notice. Again he turned away, fighting his every urge to just take his tongue as deep as he could. “Haven't you had enough dessert?”
Xiao breathed out amicably, using this angle to begin kissing his neck. “I didn't come along for the food”, he groaned.
Fiery tingles ran down Kaeya's spine and he sighed. When he tried to pull away again the adeptus chuckled and tightened his grip. It was starting to hurt, but it was also affecting him in other ways. He could not let this continue or he would lose all willpower. “Let go”, he whispered.
Immediately his hands were gone and he righted himself. His golden eyes were wide, confused.
“I will go home and you will sleep off the wine.” His tone was harsher than he could bear, but it was the only way he could end this.
His beautiful face distorted into uncertainty and a moment later he had vanished.
-
Clear water burbled behind him, the edge of the fountain still a little cold to sit on, but this was the best place to be visible. This early his longer jacket was not too warm either.
Thinking about the previous day had his stomach in a knot. He should not have brought wine. But on the other hand he had not known about his thoughts before. He should have said something before it had gotten too far. He should have just give in and... no, Kaeya could not have taken advantage of him.
“Cavalry Captain.”
Kaeya swivelled around to see Xiao standing behind him. He could not suppress a smile despite everything. “Please, just Kaeya.”
“I came here to apologise for my behaviour. I will not attempt to make excuses for myself.” He did not look into his eyes.
The pain in his features stung. Kaeya stood up to approach him, taking his hand to place a kiss on it. “Honoured adeptus, I want to hear every single one of your excuses”, he said.
His face fell and his lips parted as he looked up at the knight. For a while all he did was stare at him.
Kaeya raised an eyebrow, startling Xiao out of his thoughts.
“My karma... the voices said... things and with the wine it was difficult not to listen. They said you were just playing, I didn't realise you were truly struggling, I forgot how weak mortals are... I'm a fool.”
Kaeya held his breath for a moment before smirking. “I suspected as much”, he teased him, pulling up his sleeve to expose the bruises below his wrist.
Xiao looked devastated, at a loss for words.
“Exalted adeptus, allow me one act of disrespect”, he requested, suppressing the sly smile trying to make its way onto his face.
“Xiao”, he corrected him, offering him his first name, which Kaeya took as an agreement.
With a hand under Xiao's chin he lifted his head to look at him. Without hesitating he bent down to kiss him.
At first Xiao froze, but only heartbeats later he returned the kiss.
Kaeya let his fingers trail down his arm until he could grab his hand. He drew back, looking into an incredulous face with excitedly flushed cheeks.
“You... would invite me to Mondstadt again?”
The knight smirked. “If you're not busy, there is a place I would invite you into right now.”
“Your home?”
He could not suppress a chuckle. “That, too.”