Chapter Text
Xiao limped across Guili plains, trying to make it back to Wangshu Inn, his home. He touched his side with one hand, staining his glove with blood. He had taken a rather hard hit to his side. Not enough to kill an adeptus, but enough to hurt and put him out of commission. He was managing by using his spear as a sort of cane, but he was in tons of pain. Distracting pain, dizzying pain, nauseating pain. He was very good at taking pain most of the time, but this was a bit much even for his standards. He just tried to focus on the rhythm of his walking: step, drag, step, drag.
He hoped nobody would see him. He didn’t want anyone to see the mighty vigilant yaksha in such a state. This was embarrassing, being hit so hard. Was he slipping? Losing his ability? It was a frightening thought. If he couldn’t fight then what was he? He was the last yaksha, he had to keep going, for the sake of his fallen friends.
If he could just make it to the inn, he’d be okay.
Wait, his vision was getting spotty. Was it the pain? Blood loss? Both? Suddenly his knees buckled and he fell into the muddy grass with a thud. Xiao groaned, he realized he didn’t have the strength to get back up, at least, not until he healed. He would just have to wait here in the grass and mud until it went away, as he had done before when he got hurt badly.
“Remember Xiao, if you’re ever hurt, just call for me and I’ll come and heal you! Don’t even worry about it!”
Xiao remembered Venti saying those exact words just a week before, during his last visit. It felt far away now. They were taking a walk past the Dawn Winery at the time, during a nice sunny morning. He couldn’t even remember what their conversation was about. He couldn’t think clearly about anything.
Should Xiao call for Venti? No. He could just wait here, it would go away. He didn’t want anyone to see him like this, including Venti. He didn’t want Venti to worry about him. Venti was so, so good. Xiao did not want to be a burden to him in any way. He often wondered if his hands, stained with years of bloodshed, tainted Venti’s. Venti had a dark and storied history too, but Xiao’s had to be worse, right?
The pain was getting unbearable. He had fallen in an awkward position, but couldn’t move to fix it. Should he call for him? Should he? Xiao gritted his teeth and growled, he could take it. He could always take it. Why was he faltering now? He had never had a way out before. How utterly shameful. Shameful. He could barely breathe. The shame was crawling into his heart and squeezing it tight. He couldn’t breathe. Shame. He was shaking, he couldn’t take it. He was weak, it seemed. Shamefully weak. He took a deep breath.
“Venti…” He muttered weakly.
Could Venti even hear it?
Xiao felt a gentle gust of wind blow by, and the sound of chimes.
Then the wind picked up some more. More strange, musical sounds.
“Well hello Xia- WHAT IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA??”
Oh no. Venti actually came. Did Xiao want this or not? Could he take it back? He could take the pain. He always could.
“Xiao! Xiao. Oh dear…what happened?” Venti asked. He was trying to retain his composure.
Xiao was quite a mess. He was covered in mud and blood from head to toe. His eyes were shut and he was breathing hard.
Suddenly Xiao jumped as felt gentle hands touching him.
“Oh! I’m sorry. Don’t worry, I’m going to help you.” Ventii said.
As gently as he could, Venti rolled Xiao onto his back. Xiao winced from the pain of moving. Then he felt something touch his forehead.
“Now now dear, what did you get yourself into this time?” Venti asked kindly.
Venti was wiping the muck from his face.
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry” Was all Xiao could mutter.
Was Venti using his own cloak to wipe Xiao’s face? Venti shouldn’t soil his nice cloak just for Xiao! Venti also picked up Xiao’s spear.
“Hush, come on, let’s get you home.” Venti whispered.
“Venti…I’m in a lot of pain.” Xiao muttered.
Xiao felt the wind pick up around him. He felt himself leave the ground. Was he dead? Then the pain began to ease from his side wound. It was still there, but more bearable. Oh surely he must be dead. But then he felt himself land in someone’s arms.
“Am I dead?” He muttered.
Then he heard familiar, obnoxious laughter.
“No silly! Not on my watch at least.” Venti said. “I’m no healer, but that should help for a little while. Let’s see…your home at Wangshu is that way hmm? Let’s go get you cleaned up.”
Xiao couldn’t easily open his eyes to help Venti find his way. He only saw flashes of the afternoon sky when his eyes managed to flutter open, and Venti’s face. Venti leaned down and gently kissed Xiao’s forehead, right on his purple spot.