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Chapter Text

Drinks have never been an issue for Hu Tao, but like most things in life, anything can turn bad when it exceeds the bounds of moderation.

As she quietly sips her tea, she can't help but stare at this table, this poor beautiful table with drinks and some food splattered on top. The noise around her has blurred into mush – maybe because of the glasses of wine she had earlier, or maybe because it's close to midnight and the food is starting to weigh heavily and warmly on her.

She can't fall asleep just yet; it's not every day she can sit at a table with adepti and Fatui alike.

This is the type of night she'd use to eat good food and have a fun night – all conditions have been met, but not in the way she would have expected.

"... And then I told them not to worry, that I'd take care of it – and another one bites the dust!" Childe grins from ear to ear, clenching his fist tight. The bard across the table claps. "You should have seen their faces, Mr. Zhongli. It's such a shame you didn't wanna come play."

Zhongli calmly sips from his tea, a stronger and slightly smellier version of Hu Tao's. "I had no reason to interfere with your work. Never have, never will."

Childe's lips form an all-too-fake pout. "C'mon, you gotta lighten up a little! When was the last time you joined me for a fight?"

"Why would I, a mere civilian, join a Fatuus for a fight?" Oh, how that man likes to pick his words. Hu Tao hides a smile behind her teacup. "Besides, my boss would get quite angry at me if I were to tarnish my clothes. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but class doesn't follow that principle."

Hu Tao chuckles, chiming in. "You're right, and you bet I'd get angry! The only thing worse than a bad-mannered colleague is a badly dressed one – we deal with enough cadavers already, there's no need to look like one." She drums a nail on her cup, thoughtful. "Speaking of, I need to get you a new suit, Zhongli. Can't help but sew red anytime I see you bring that dusty jacket to the parlor every day."

Her beloved consultant clicks his tongue with a shake of his head. Ganyu clears her throat. "Well, she might have a point. It's always good to change one's clothes once in a while."

"Speak for yourself," Xiao blurts out from beside Hu Tao, shaking his head. "There is little need to change one's clothes if they're serviceable."

Hu Tao tuts. "Now now, that's something only someone like you could say. What's the point of using clothes with tears and dirt everywhere? Don't act like you've never worn something cozier before, o mighty yaksha."

Ganyu giggles, looking at Xiao questioningly. Xiao sits a little straighter. "I have, but there is little point to it. Clothes are just clothes the same way that candle is just a candle."

Hu Tao is about to disagree, but Shenhe speaks across the dining table, sighing. "I have to agree with that – clothes in Liyue are expensive, as well. I've tried to buy a coat or two for winter and I always come out of all shops without anything to show for it."

"That's because you didn't let me buy that coat for you," Ganyu counters with a light frown. "You will freeze to death in Mount Hulao if you don't cover up, and I doubt Cloud Retainer will want to light a fire in the middle of her abode. You know her better than I do."

She sighs in response, amusingly, like she's right, and Childe whistles. "She's right, you know. It can get very chilly up there in autumn. It's no Snezhnaya, but it'll kick your socks off if you aren't prepared. It almost froze to death last time I was there."

Shenhe's eyes narrow. "Why were you in my master's abode, anyway?"

"Let a guy keep some secrets, will you? No need to be so suspicious, only the smell of blood moves me. Nothing to do with your master." Shenhe isn't convinced, and honestly, Hu Tao isn't, either. "Speaking of secrets, Mr. Zhongli, how come you're inviting all of us to dinner? Last time we talked, your wallet was emptier than the Chasm, but look at you now!"

Such skepticism had been shared among all members of the table when he announced that all drinks and food would be on him tonight. Liuli Pavilion isn't cheap, and Zhongli isn't exactly good at tracking his Mora – he spent a fortune on a small figurine depicting a goddess from yore, saying that it's important to save one's Mora, but one must also honor the times it came from.

She still has no clue what he meant with that, but he still cherishes the figurine greatly to this day.

Everyone here knows he doesn't cherish his Mora that much, though. Hu Tao grins. "He's had to learn a thing or two from yours truly. Aha, he almost spent double our budget on the silliest of coffin designs the other day! You can't leave him alone with the fancy types, believe me."

"Well, I didn't see the problem in splurging for that occasion. It wouldn't have been a first for you either, director." Gosh, the nerve of this guy. "Ah, no matter. It's not every day that all my closest acquaintances are in Liyue, so I thought it auspicious to celebrate tonight."

Venti folds his arms. "Is that all I am to you after so long? An acquaintance? I'm not bringing you any wine next time, you old man."

Childe doesn't seem pleased at all, either. "Yeah, what happened to all our talks, our fights? The fights were especially good. I thought they meant something to you."

Xiao sighs with a shake of his head, muttering, "How foolish."

Zhongli, however, appears much more amused. "Friends aren't usually the handful you have been, wouldn't you say?" The Fatuus has no answer for that. "And I have paid for all your drinks and the vase you shot to pieces with your bows during your spat – and that was also your fault, Venti."

"How? It's not me who shattered the vase, and it was an aiming match! Bow fights always leave something broken by the end."

Xiao rolls his eyes. "Ganyu still beat you both and broke nothing. With ease, I must say."

Venti doesn't seem at all bothered by this. "What did you expect? This wine's just too good to resist, my aim is faulty. Besides, she's an adeptus! How could a humble, poor mortal such as I expect to beat her?" Something irritated flashes in the yaksha's eyes, but Hu Tao doesn't have time to read too much into it. "You get it, don't you, Miss Hu? Being surrounded by adepti is tiring – especially that grouch beside you. You could do so much better."

Very strange for him to say, since Xiao is plenty good for her and they're no more than friends, but her cheeks turn rosy anyway. Good thing she can blame it on the warmth of the room and the wine she had earlier.

She clears her throat with a grin. "Trust me, he's got his moments – but Shenhe is also a mortal, just like us! What about challenging her, instead? I'm sure she'd make it very much worth your time."

Hu Tao doesn't dare say Zhongli is also mortal, because this ensemble of guests isn't the kind any regular mortal would have – but she'll ask later. She's far more interested in seeing Shenhe duke it out with a flushed, slightly tipsy Venti. That woman is the epitome of soberness; she's been drinking herbal water all night.

Interest flashes in her eyes at this. "But I don't wield a bow."

"And?" Childe asks, an eyebrow arched. "You can still have a spar. There's plenty of space near Mount Tianheng."

Venti grimaces, but Shenhe's eyes turn to the bard with true, sharp consideration. "Huh. Me, sparring with someone like you… would you allow me to undo my ropes, sir? That would make it a quite fair fight, I think."

Zhongli's eyes widen with visible alarm. Ganyu puts her hands on Shenhe's shoulders, making sure she stays seated. "No, goodness! Do you want to kill him?"

Venti squirms in his seat. "Yeah, having wine in my stomach sounds far more appealing than a spear, and there's no way I'm fighting you if you haven't had a drink or two! Nobody in the right state of mind could reject the delicacy that is Dandelion wine – you gotta try it to make things fair!"

Shenhe leans back in her seat. "You certainly don't sound to be in the right state of mind. Fighting you like that may be fair, after all."

The poor bard sighs. Hu Tao's lips crook. "Well, I'm not against seeing you two spar. A client is a client, and we could strike a deal here and now if you wish! Planning one's post-mortem affairs is part of the fun, don't you think?" The bard pales even further. "We have Mondstadt-themed coffins, as well as candles made from Mondstadt's wax – and we got them in a lot of colors! Hold on… lemme just–"

Before she can take out a coupon from her pocket, Xiao places his hand on top of hers and slides it back into her pocket, shaking his head. Hu Tao sighs – she should have been more insistent that he drank some wine. It'd make these easy sales just so much easier.

She relents, turning to Venti. His hand remains there. "Fine, fine, we can just officialize it after the fact. Do you have anyone I can talk to? Any family, any significant other? Other than the bottle in your hand, that is."

Zhongli sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. The bard chuckles. "You're assuming I'd lose against her. If I can beat a Fatuus Harbinger, it shouldn't be that hard to beat her too, right?"

"Beating a Fatuus isn't something to be proud of," Xiao comments, throwing a look at Childe. "Fatui scramble and scamper easier than a rabbit being chased by a wolf. They aren't the epitome of strength."

Childe groans. "Stop rubbing it on my face – it's not my fault my subordinates aren't the bravest. I at least show my face around here without any regrets. Your lord could learn a thing or two from me."

The two adepti and Venti tense up, and Hu Tao's grip on her cup tightens. Ay-ay-ay, what was Zhongli thinking, inviting this guy over? Sure, Hu Tao can't discriminate against him when it comes to business, because death will grip him as tight as it will any ordinary person, but he's so unsettling! And so hard to bargain with, too…

Seeing how much he embraces danger, provokes adepti every other day and refuses to die, he's as good as dead. He's such a hassle, this guy.

Zhongli smiles. It's scarily flat. "I don't think taking such things personally and insulting our archon is wise – and I'm afraid your lack of shame speaks more against you than it does in your favor," he says calmly, and Childe huffs. "In any case, should I order another round of drinks? As they say, the night is young. We still have much time to spare."

That might not be a bad idea – the only thing that can quell the tension at the table is something strong, something with a sweet, powerful punch. Even Shenhe looks like she could use some wine, and honestly, Hu Tao might need another glass herself.

Her eyes flicker between her chair and Xiao's. His hand slowly lets go of hers, but the hot phantom of his touch lingers. Something chilled with a kick will be a good distraction.

The night passes with the burn of a shot of liquor in her throat and the chatting around the table. The waitress brought a pot of stew to help them stomach the alcohol, and lovely as it may smell, it's starting to get too hot in the room.

That liquor shot was a bad idea. She needs a bit of air.

When she stands up, Xiao turns from his conversation with Ganyu and Venti to her, arching an eyebrow. She grins cheekily. "Don't fret too much, o mighty yaksha, I'm just getting some fresh air. The moon is beckoning me like it does to the sea. I'll be back in no time."

Hu Tao wishes she was teasing, but her words come out too sincere to be a joke. His eyes momentarily dart to the balcony doors. "Be careful."

"Careful with what? It's not like a silly-billy hilichurl is gonna jump at me from the shadows, silly."

"You're clumsy. It wouldn't be the first time you have tripped with thin air."

"Aiya, to think you of all people wouldn't appreciate my grace and balance. You can be colder than hail, o mighty yaksha."

He leans back against his chair. "I shall let you bounce back to your feet next time, then."

She truly should have insisted he drinks more. His adeptus-borne arrogance can be such a detriment to what little, rare sweetness he has in him. Still, she takes it in jest, poking his nose with a finger. "Don't worry, I shall call your name if that happens. Don't drink anything that Fatuus offers you, will you?"

Xiao sighs as she brushes behind him "Don't parrot my advice so blindly. You didn't heed my words tonight."

Childe turns to them with a grimace. "I can hear you just fine, you two. Have you ever thought of sparing an outlander like me some mercy? I don't go around spiking drinks. That's not my game."

"Quite idiotic, to trust a Fatuus to be an upstanding citizen," Xiao snarls.

As an argument starts brewing, Hu Tao decides to slip away from the table. When she opens the door to the balcony and shuts it behind her, she lets out a sigh of relief – oh, this is much better. The salty air of the sea, the darkness of the night, the quietness and hushed voices behind her… yes, so much better.

The lights within the room throw some clarity on the wooden floor of the balcony. The wind toys with her hair and chills her skin as she leans against the railing, humming with joy. As much as she loves to hear mighty adepti and petty mortals argue, there's nothing quite like the sight of Liyue at night.

She should have brought her notebook. It's criminal to let a night like this go unwritten.

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. The ships coming home to the harbor, the vendors retiring for the night, the drunk patrons cheering downstairs and along the streets, the pesky Fatui spies lingering in the corners…

"Good night we're having, aren't we?"

Hu Tao jumps in alarm. Venti regards her with his eyes a little wide. "Goodness, I thought no ghost could scare me like this anymore." She lets out a bemused sigh. "Turns out some people could still catch me off-guard and bury me on sight… how dreadful."

"Don't worry, I'd rather not give that old man more work. He's already hard to come by." Good, at least they have a compromise. Hu Tao turns her eyes back to the horizon. "So, how's tonight treating you, Miss Hu?"

She shakes her head. "No need to be so polite with me, we've already met a couple of times, and I don't want any future clients to be so uptight with me – makes delivery a lot harder. Won't it be better for you to be buried by something closer to a friend than a faceless director?"

Venti rubs the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "Can't argue with that – but don't worry, I doubt you'll be burying me anytime soon. I'm as robust as an oak."

"Never say anytime soon – soon can be as early as an hour, a minute, or a second, even!"

"... I guess I can't argue with that either." Venti leans against the balcony. "Anyway, I noticed that you and Xiao are very buddy-buddy. What's up with that?"

That was quite the change of topic, and seeing those eyes, that tilt in his voice… Hu Tao knows gossip when she sees it. An impish grin fills her cheeks. "Oh my, prying into the business of adepti? You truly aren't from around here. Not even Barbatos would save you from the unforgiving claws of death if Xiao heard you being so nosy."

"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure Barbatos would keep me in his graces." His eyes crinkle with mirth. "But I'm not saying anything crazy, am I? I saw you two at Master Diluc's party a while back. You two were the cutest lovebirds around."

Heat coils inside of her, and her palms sweat. The memory of her throwing her arms around him so carelessly still haunts her. "It– We weren't lovebirds, don't be silly."

"Me, silly? Not many mortals have adepti coming to their rescue when they're the barest bit tipsy. I think the ones who were silly were you two that day."

Venti beams at her. Hu Tao clears her throat, cheeks catching heat. "What good friend wouldn't hold another when they're a little tipsy? And don't you dare say he wouldn't – he might be a bit grumpy, but trust me, he's a really considerate guy."

Venti puts his hands on his hips. She can't discern if the surprise in his wide eyes is genuine. "Huh. You're the first person to say he's considerate, of all things."

"Am I wrong?"

"Mm, no, I guess not, it's just strange to hear that from a mortal – buuuut I guess he didn't look that spooky when he swept you off your feet like a prince out of a fairytale, did he?" Ay-ay-ay, he's got it out to embarrass her, huh? "You didn't even say goodbye. I'm still kind of hurt, you know."

Hu Tao is usually fine with teasing, but she's unsure of how to handle it this time. Her friendship with Xiao can be so intimate at times that she can't quite define it to neither friends nor strangers. Venti, with his sharp quips, is neither friend nor a stranger.

He may as well be a foe, then. Under his curious gaze, all her quick responses are fluttering on her tongue, ready to fire, ready to justify, but none of them will come out.

If she tries to deny what he's implying, he'll probably point out that she's blushing to high Celestia. Sure, she could say she had some wine, because she did, but she isn't so tipsy that she can disregard the implications in his words.

She could tell Venti many things, but she's unsure of what part she should shoot down first. She can't deny Xiao was very nice that day. Really, really nice.

"We're not together like that," Hu Tao settles, firmly, cheeks still red. "We're really good friends, and that's it. It's far beyond what a mortal could ask of an adeptus."

Venti grins with a chuckle. "You do look like good friends. Very good friends." Hu Tao pouts at him. "C'mon, don't look at me like that, just confess! I heard you two talking before you left. I don't think adepti go around giving such tender warnings to everyone they know."

Hu Tao has no clue why that would be incriminating, but her face flushes anyway. "How did you even hear that? Weren't you talking to Ganyu?"

"My hearing is sharper than the blade of a Fatuus. The wind tells me all I need to know," he says. "Humor this poor but happy bard for a moment, will you? Do you like him or do you not? I won't tell a soul."

She shakes her head. "Not that you could – or should, for that matter. Any matters related to adepti must fall on capable hands only, and you don't look too capable right now."

Venti looks deeply amused despite her very serious words. "You don't look the type to beat around the bush, either. This must be a very touchy subject."

Hu Tao can't help biting her lip. She looks away. "You truly have a death wish, don't you?"

"I think your dear yaksha would forgive me for some harmless gossip. You know full well I'm not being unreasonable, either, and this will stay between the two of us, promise." Gosh, the nerve of this man…! "I might be a little drunk, but I've lived long enough to know when someone is in love. Am I wrong?"

She's tempted to say he looks and must be a little younger than her, but her gut tells her she's wrong; no logic attached, just professional instinct. Those eyes look too wise beneath the velour of alcohol for her to dismiss him so easily. No matter how much she denies things, there's no way he will let up, and in all honesty, what harm could there be in telling someone?

Hu Tao stares at the sea, giving it all some thought, letting the embarrassment sizzle out of her system.

For some odd reason, though, when the words come out, she doesn't feel shy. She feels… relieved. "You aren't wrong."

Venti's eyes widen. "So you like him?"

"A lot," she states, albeit with shaky breath; the admission is unnatural, and so is the silence that comes after. She grits her teeth, cheeks pink. "And if you dare tell him, don't you worry about dying old or young, I'll make sure your death is early, swift, and painful." Her face twists into a polite smile. "Nothing too bad, though – I've heard stabbing hurts much less than reports say."

Far from intimidated, Venti bursts out laughing. "Oh boy, no need to be so hostile! I'll keep my lips zipped." Feeling a little more at ease, Hu Tao takes off her hat to cool off her head. "How come you haven't told him? You don't look like the type to hide this kind of stuff."

Hu Tao snickers. "My, you're making a lot of assumptions about me tonight."

"I have a good eye for earnest people. Diluc Ragnvindr could use a mentor like you." Hm, what would that man be like if he learned poetry? A man of his caliber, with his hair up and a poem on his lips… "Now, answer my question. What's holding you back from telling him?"

Hu Tao glances at him, a classical it's complicated ready on her lips, but it dies in her throat.

That's a good question – and, honestly, she has no good answers.

Her feelings for Xiao are so broad that she has long lost sight of its limits – maybe she stopped searching for them when they arrived at Mondstadt, and perhaps she forgot about them when they left Inazuma. It's like a boundless sea, something that tickles her fingertips and cleanses her soul, something so heavy yet warm that it's one of the few respites she has when the shadows of the night grow dark and the cold hands of the Boundary tug her closer to the Afterlife than she can allow.

Placing so many emotions on a person as elusive and revered as Xiao is a dangerous thing, but Hu Tao has never cared for danger or hierarchies – so she loves him unabashedly, treasures every moment she spends with him day by day.

But… she isn't sure about what he's feeling, and the thought of how much distance there could be between their feelings for one another scares her.

Their friendship is something she's deeply fond of. Those little moments of unabashed tranquility and meaningful conversations are things she doesn't want to disappear – the memories may still be warm, but everything with life grows cold, someday. Their friendship is the one thing she can't allow to die.

What if she told him she loves him and he fled, never to be seen again? Or worse, what if he echoed those fears she left in Inazuma and disregarded her love for him as the impossible whim of a mortal?

No. Hu Tao shakes her head. No, Xiao isn't like that. The few times Xiao ever left her, he was back just as swiftly, like the sun returns to the sea; and if he ever held fears about them, he spoke about them with honesty.

Things are always so complicated when love comes in the middle – she's seen complicated farewells in funerals, the endless flow of stories that stack at the Wanwen Bookhouse about star-crossed loves and friendships that once floated in the sea, but then sunk into the bitter, deep hollows of the sea because of the wayward tetherings of destiny and love.

It's unnecessary to talk about it. Complications make things worse. What they have is plenty.

The memories of their days together make something small but comforting settle in her heart, like a bag of tea in warm water after a long day. Her lips curl, smile lopsided. "Haven't you ever sung any sad songs about heartbreak and tears? Not all love stories have a happy ending."

"Love stories aren't my specialty, but I've sung a couple of them – and a lot of them have happy endings too. I try my best for them to be that way. You don't want your crowd weeping by the end of a show."

"Aiya, but this isn't just a show – it's our friendship we're putting on the line!" Hu Tao plays with her rings, troubled by the possibilities. "Just imagine it, a mortal confessing to the Bane of all Evil, the Conqueror of Demons, the Vigilant Yaksha – and he rejects her, leaving her in the mud to cry her eyes out and lament the loss of a friend. I can't spend my life lamenting a mistake! I'm too young for such heartache."

The bard huffs with visible incredulity. "And you're assuming Xiao won't reciprocate?"

His words are spoken with succinct earnestness. They give Hu Tao pause.

It would be dishonest to say she never thought about it. During soft, tender nights, his touch would linger in ways that made her hold her breath in contemplation – but Hu Tao knows better than to think a fleeting moment of tenderness could be more than just that, a gesture in passing.

Xiao can be as caring as an adrift cloud that covers the sun during a scalding hot summer day. A mortal knows better than to think a cloud can't hold rain and storm within it, and a rejection is no lesser pain than thunder.

Hu Tao grins. "Better safe than sorry, don't you think? It's better to bury the coffin a little deeper, lest the body crawls out for a party. That'd be quite the grave affair."

Ah, it's an old one, but it makes her laugh to herself anyway. Venti looks more amused about what came before. "Being safe is nice, but that's not very fun, isn't it?"

Hu Tao puffs her cheeks. "What do I do, then? I just told you, he could reject me outright and our friendship would be over. It's fun to write a poem about heartache, but suffering it? Another thing entirely."

"I never said you had to confess directly, but there must be another way, for sure…" Venti hums. His seriousness about this whole issue is a little funny to her, and it's not every day she gets to talk about this with anyone. It's refreshing. "Hmmm… what about a poem? I've heard you're pretty good at those, and I could play my lyre for you two!"

"He'd probably think I'm just talking about the flowers and the moon. I don't think poetry is one of his gifts."

"Hm. What about hints that are more… physical, then?"

"Physical?"

He nods. His eyes are narrowed, scheming. "If you're not gonna confess directly, you could try to give him some hints. Bold hints, I mean."

That should be achievable – boldness is the only thing she knows, after all. "Care to elaborate?"

Venti nudges her side, wagging his eyebrows. He reeks of wine. "Y'know, a little bit of this, a little bit of that… holding his hand, hugging him – you can even give him a little kiss if you're feeling brave! The cheek should be safe, but the lips are also a great option."

He stares at her like he's given her the advice of the century, but Hu Tao purses her lips – hugs and handholding are things they have done in the past, and many times at that. Cuddles are hugs in a bed and guiding hands in a crowd is still a manner of holding hands; they've done all of these things already. They're no strangers to them, but there's no way she's telling Venti that.

Kissing, though… her cheeks burn at the sole thought of it. It's not like she's never thought of kissing him in some way, but that's one threshold she's never dared cross. By the Seven, what face would he make if she kissed his cheek, or his nose, or his…

When she recalls what almost happened that time in Inazuma the night of the festival, Hu Tao buries her red face in her hands. Venti whistles. "You really like the guy, don't you?"

"Don't you dare make it sound like that, I'm just– he– I–" Seeing his smug face, she gives up. "What I feel doesn't matter."

Venti's smugness is wiped off instantly. "Huh? What do you mean your feelings don't matter?"

Hu Tao fidgets with her rings. "We have a very nice friendship, and I don't think there's any need to throw love into the mix when it's fine as it is. It's like a perfectly fine serving of prawn dumplings – you don't need to experiment when the original is fine as is, hm?" Granted, she likes to experiment, but this– this is different. "It would make things too complicated. We're fine as we are right now."

Her lips stretch into a grin that she fears is far from convincing, but what else is she supposed to say? She's lived with these feelings for so long that letting them out feels… simply impossible. After all, what is there to change when things are so sweet, candid, and lovely as they are?

Archons, she can't imagine it being any other way.

Yet, at the same time…

"What if the prawn dumplings could be better?"

Hu Tao eyes him cautiously. "It's a very foolproof and important formula. It would be reckless to change it."

"But it could be tastier if you add something new to it. The first drinks of Mondstadt were created by tossing the strangest of things into a barrel. Something as fine as Dandelion wine wasn't created overnight – it needed some love and experimenting before becoming the beauty it is today." Venti breathes a blissful sigh. "I can't imagine Mondstadt without it anymore."

Hu Tao lets his words simmer with a quiet chuckle. "Aha, never thought wine could produce such sage advice."

"This bard hears many stories in his travels. It's nothing new," he replies, simply. "It makes sense, though, doesn't it? What if you two could be happier?"

Ah, yes. That word – the one that keeps her awake, some nights.

Happier.

Hu Tao closes her eyes in contemplation. "What tells you we would be happier that way?

"I just got a feeling. You could call it instinct. You can't play the lyre without a flair for the subtle." She isn't too sure how that applies to this context, but it reassures her nonetheless. "Riddle me this: what if you and Xiao could be even happier than you are now? What if he liked you back and wanted to be with you, hm?"

Those are dangerous words to tell to a mortal like her – she doesn't want to be greedy. What she has with Xiao is so precious that tampering with that balance simply scares her; and yet, at the same time, she can't help but want it, long for a day they might be more than friends.

There is no way in her head to conciliate both ideas, being scared but too in love to not dip her eyes into rosy daydreams. Their current reality is comfortable and cozy, but…

What if Xiao were to want the same thing she does?

The Raiden Shogun stated it could be possible, that fateful night in her palace – that night where Xiao held her close and whispered how glad he was to see her smile again. Nights like those don't help her case, given that it wasn't the only one where he held her like that, talked to her like that.

Because then came the festival, their departure, their visit to Mondstadt, the wine, the cheer…

There is a thin line between them. It's free of barriers, free of signs, free of danger, but it's a complicated line, all the same; yet sometimes, Hu Tao grows curious, and she yearns to cross it, to dance on it, to hold his hand for no reason, without necessity, just to feel him close.

And then, she wants to hug him, to press his body against hers, to map his body with her hands before they part ways. She could caress his cheek next, tiptoe a little, and then…

Hu Tao doesn't let her mind wander any further. She grimaces, rubbing her temples. "Aiya, you're being so unfair."

"Me, unfair? I'm just trying to give some friendly advice here."

How cheeky of him to say that, as though he isn't smirking. "It's unfair of you to–" to give me hope, to make me want to chase after that hope, to… "to make me feel like this. You can't just talk about something so important with someone that's had a couple of drinks! That never ends well."

Venti doesn't look the littlest bit sorry. "Heh, you're welcome. Did I convince you?"

Has he? Hu Tao stays quiet for a minute, taking his words in.

What if you two were happier than you are now?

Hm.

She purses her lips. "I'll… think about it tomorrow. How very underhanded of you, to corner me in the dead of the night and start saying all of that. Are all bards in Mondstadt as nosy as you?"

"Not really – not for free, at least. Just remember to thank me later if you go through with this. That old fossil is gonna make a very funny face if you two get together."

Oh, archons, she forgot about that… Hu Tao giggles. "Encouraging heart failure is quite reckless, good as it may be for business. I could use gutsy people like you at the parlor." She places her cheek on her palm, eyeing him up and down. "Alas, you'll have to go through standard Wangsheng procedure if you want us to hire you. Those clothes won't cut it in our industry."

"Aw, really? I thought these look elegant enough. A cape is always a good fashion choice." Venti winks. "I even wear it at weddings. I could play the lyre for you two for some Mora and a good bottle of Dandelion wine. Isn't that romantic? If you two were to wed, I bet he'd like–"

A little squeak blurts out of her mouth, and she hurries to cover his mouth. "Don't say stuff like that – and we agreed you'd keep this a secret, don't talk so flippantly about it!"

Venti peels her hands off with a dashing grin that convinces nobody. "Can't I make a joke or two? It's not like he's gonna hear you, and I didn't even say his name."

Her eyes dart to the door leading back to the room. Venti looks, too, and she sighs, rubbing the back of her neck. "He has very good hearing, it's a little scary. I could be whispering a little prayer to myself and he'd sweep in to tell me how silly it is to– eep!"

The bard suddenly yanks her into a hug, one so tight that Hu Tao tenses up and tries to push him off by impulse, hands on his sides.

The door clicks open. Light washes over the balcony.

Venti whispers in her ear, "Be brave – for all you know, you could have your own happily ever after. Just think about it, won't you?"

Hu Tao's heart throbs in her chest. He pulls away, beaming, before turning to the door. Xiao stands there with a hand on the doorknob and the barest of frowns crowning his ardent golden eyes. Venti saunters away from her and waves at her, giggling to himself.

When he brushes past Xiao, the yaksha gives him a pointed look that the bard replies to with a salute and a wink, sauntering back inside with the breeze.

Hu Tao allows herself to breathe, tugging at her collar. Xiao looks at her with suspicion. "Did I interrupt something?"

She nods. "Yes, and thank Rex Lapis you did. He's all trouble and games, that guy."

Xiao chuckles, shoulders hanging lax, and approaches her. "Did he do anything troublesome? It doesn't look like he got you drunk again, at least."

He grabs her cheeks with a hand and tilts her face around, looking into her eyes with a lighthearted glare that goes nowhere. With a breathless laugh, she lightly slaps his hand off her face, lest he feels how warm she is through his gloves. "Will never let me live it down, huh? You said yakshas don't bear grudges."

"This is far from a grudge. It's a simple truth."

So absolutist, so rude… "Ay-ay-ay, what will I ever do with you? You could have at least indulged Zhongli a little and gotten a drink or two. It's unfair for you to be as sober as can be."

"Don't blame me for the horrid smell of Childe's liquor. It's sticking to my nose."

Xiao promptly turns to the view beyond the balcony, leaning on the railing. The moonlight washes over his skin beautifully. "What brings you here, o mighty yaksha? Was the liquor's smell truly that dreadful?"

"No. I was wondering what was taking you so long. The breeze feels nice."

Hu Tao senses he would slaughter Venti if he learned about all he told her, so she's not taking that risk tonight. Her eyes helplessly gravitate to his hand, close to hers on the railing, gently drumming on the wooden surface. It would feel so warm, if she were to hold it underneath hers.

She screws her eyes shut, trying to push the urge down. "It's– It's nice, yeah. Funny, I thought I would have to come find you here at some point of the night. Looks like you're having fun."

Xiao sighs. He sounds aggravated. "The company is… acceptable. I can't comprehend why Zhongli would invite that Fatuus tonight, but the night was fine otherwise."

Hu Tao huffs. "Just fine? You truly have no way with words."

"Why would more words be necessary?"

"Because nothing is ever just fine, silly. The food was so good, first of all! The crunchy dumplings with that tender filling, the sweet sauce, those yummy entreés – and you tried the crisp-fried Almond Tofu, yeah? Tonight gave me a lot of inspiration for some recipes I wanna try. Was it good?"

His eyes fall on her as he speaks. When she grins, something akin to suspicion twinkles in his eyes. "It had a very peculiar texture, but I didn't dislike it, no."

"Perfect! That means I can try something new. You'll have to let me cook for you sometime soon – or, or! I could just ask Xiangling for her kitchen, at least for one day. She could use an assistant."

Xiao shakes his head. "You shouldn't submit the rest of the guests at Wanmin Restaurant to your experiments. It might scare their clientele off."

Hu Tao pouts at him. "Wanmin has very strange clients anyway, I bet someone would be into some experimental cooking. If Xiangling found clients that way, so can I." She tips her chin up with a proud smile. "Who knows, I could create a food offering deal at Wangsheng for our most gluttonous customers. Crossing over is perilous, but the ordeal is sweeter with something delicious. Sounds good, yeah?"

The expression on his face is one of amusement. It lights up her world. "Your ideas are truly something else."

She's about to complain about his words, but any protest leaves her as he inexplicably reaches out and tucks a wild strand of hair behind her ear. His gloved fingers are so soft and ticklish on her skin that she squirms a little.

That seems to break him out of his trance, flinching away from her. "Sorry." His apology is coupled with the faintest of pinks on his cheeks. "You had some hair on your face."

Ugh, leave it to him to blame his tenderness on her, but she knows him well. Xiao can be plenty silly when he's caught in the moment, and it never fails to make her heart flutter. Now would be the perfect moment to scoot a bit closer to him, maybe also comb his breeze-tousled hair back, grab his hand, lace their fingers together…

Her body seizes with nerves. Don't do it.

But I want to.

But you're a little drunk.

But I'm not– her world spins a little. She grimaces. Maybe just a little…

Her hand lingers one inch off the surface, lost in hesitation, before dropping on the railing and gripping it tightly. Not today. Not tonight.

Hu Tao clears her throat and grins at him. "Don't worry about it. You can be so nice when the night falls and danger abates, o mighty yaksha." A stiff breeze blows between them, and she shudders. "Brrr, it's a bit cold, isn't it? Aren't you cold?"

Xiao knits his brows. "Me? This is nothing." He takes half a step closer to her, and her heart sets aflame. "Perhaps you should go back inside. Human bodies are more susceptible to illness."

With a chuckle, she shakes her head and stifles a yawn against her hand. She stretches her arms upward. "It's fine – actually, I'm a little sleepy. That wine Zhongli served us is doing a number on me." She flashes him a cheeky grin. "Would you lend me your chest once more for comfort, o mighty yaksha? The night is a little too crisp for me to sleep alone."

Hu Tao wishes she could blame what she just said on the wine, but she's so awake and aware when the words leave her mouth that she's stunned into anticipating, breathless silence.

Xiao blinks at her, seemingly unaffected, and grabs her by the cheeks again. "Are you certain Venti did not give you anything to drink?"

She blows out a defeated, dramatic sigh that makes him arch an eyebrow. "Aiya, how rude of you, to assume I am drunk when I merely long for your company!" She laughs at the shock in his eyes. "Don't you worry, you needn't lend me your chest – but I'd appreciate your company as I go home. What about that? I can tell you more about my culinary ideas on our way there."

For a second, Hu Tao fears he might say no – which is ridiculous, because she hasn't planned anything devious, nor does he ever deny her for things so menial and quick as these – but he speaks a moment later. "I assume you'd like to go there on foot?"

She nods. "I have to work off those dumplings one way or another."

"Of course." A slight smile graces his lips. "Let us leave with haste, then. I'd rather not hear Childe's comments on the matter."

Hu Tao isn't quite sure what to expect after he says that, but when they come in and excuse themselves from the gathering, Childe takes less than a second to whistle and wag his eyebrows at them. It makes Hu Tao fear for whatever Venti might have said when he came back here; thankfully, the bard himself is passed out on the table.

Ganyu and Shenhe simply wave at them, and Zhongli gazes at them with a strangely fond glint as they walk to the door. Seeing as Childe won't stop looking at them, though, Hu Tao flutters to their side one last time.

She grabs one of Childe's little octopus skewers. Zhongli grimaces. "Yum, can I grab one of these? It's so cold outside, I bet this will keep me super warm."

The harbinger smirks. "Don't you have Xiao to help you with that?"

The adeptus himself lets out a strangled, indignant noise from the door, but Hu Tao brushes it off with a chuckle, patting Childe's head. "You worry too much about me, but you don't have to butter me up. All Fatui end in the same body bag, sooner or later."

And she skips out from sight, throwing one last at Childe and the coupon she's folded into the back of his scarf.

That should give him a hint of where all this foolishness will end him.

The night down on the streets is a little gentler on her skin as they walk down the empty boulevard of Liyue Harbor, only illuminated by the lit street lamps hanging from the dark buildings edging the street.

Hu Tao keeps her voice low as she speaks and Xiao listens, walking at a comfortable pace that, hopefully, won't get her home too quickly.

"... So I thought it could be a good idea to wrap them up with the same dough Xiangling uses for her prawn dumplings, but I doubt she'll give me the recipe. She's so secretive about it… it could very well have slimes in it and I'd have no idea."

"I doubt so," Xiao offers. "Slime Condensate has a very particular taste. That time I tried her dumplings, they tasted fine."

"I know, but she's so sneaky. She could sneak anything into the dish and you'd be fooled." Hu Tao sighs, combing one of her pigtails in distress. "Anyway, I won't be adding any slimes to your Almond Tofu. Just lots of love, dedication, and a pinch of pepper."

"I already told you to spare me the pepper."

"Not even a little?"

"I consented to the salt and whatever crisp coating you want to make. I don't trust those spices you talk about not to be hot, but… I'll trust you this once."

Hu Tao giggles, thankful for Xiao's lack of awareness of Sumeru spices. That's gonna be fun. "We have a date, but we still haven't set a place, though. I don't think you have a kitchen in your room at Wangshu Inn, do you?"

"I never needed one." Oh, bummer. "What about your kitchen?"

She shakes her head. "Impossible. We're still fixing our fireplace. I have no clue what Xiangling did there the other, but… it's a work in progress. At least she's treating me to all my meals – and she promised none of them will have Slime condensate, too!"

Xiao doesn't seem to care about that last part. "Hold on, you've been lacking a kitchen since then?"

"I heard cooking on direct fire is dangerous – believe me, I wanted to try, but not even I am so daring! I can't work with my hands burnt and my rings melted into my skin. Thinking of it gives me shudders."

The yaksha winces. She grins. "You should have told me. I could have asked Smiley Yanxiao to lend you the kitchen if you wanted to cook something for yourself."

"Oh? You think he would've let me?"

He looks away with what almost looks like a pout. "... No, but I could have asked."

Hu Tao bursts out laughing. Seeing he looks appalled by her reaction, she pats his shoulder reassuringly. "It's okay, we'll just have to improvise. We don't need to do everything in one day – we still have years ahead of us. You won't be using your super-duper cute adeptus coffin for a long time."

With a sigh and a grumble, he says, "How you say such things with a smile is unfathomable, still to this day."

She has nothing to say about that, so she keeps quiet. The silence is filled only by the crickets on the high peaks surrounding the harbor. Their steps are muted on the concrete, and she realizes belatedly that they're walking very slowly, so much so that she wonders if he's tired – hungry, even. He ate a bit at dinner, but he's not known for devouring whatever is put before him.

Hu Tao sighs as she sees the funerary parlor around the corner. It's a shame that they won't be enjoying her delicious ideas anytime soon, she really wanted to cook for him.

And now that they're getting close to her house, that means they'll have to say goodbye. Somehow, it feels like it's a bit too soon, especially since she doesn't know when she'll see him again. The thought of going long without him distracts her. He always drops by when she least expects it, and that means he might go missing for days, or weeks, or months, or…

She sighs. All this sorrow and longing just because he doesn't have a kitchen of his own. How so very silly.

When they get to her main door, Hu Tao turns heel to look at him. "I have a question."

Xiao blinks at her. The dim lights of the funerary parlor's lamps make him even prettier than he looks. "What is it?"

"Do you remember what we talked about when we were at the festival?"

Confusion crosses his eyes. "Do you mean when we went to Mondstadt last?" Eager and excited, she nods. "We talked about plenty of things that day. I'm still not interested in working under you or Zhongli."

She shakes her head. "No no no, silly, not that!" She takes a step closer to him. It feels a bit harder to speak. His cheeks look so soft, so… she clears her throat. "Do you remember when I told you about finding a home for yourself? Somewhere cozy, somewhere comfortable, hopefully with a kitchen and a lot of flowers!"

His response is quicker than lightning. "Yes, I do."

"Good! Have you thought about it?" Xiao is quieter this time, pensive and hesitant. She holds her hands up. "No rush, I'm not saying you have to do it now or else, I'm just… asking. For curiosity's sake."

He rolls his eyes with half-baked annoyance. "When do you not do something to satiate your curiosity?"

His voice is so fond she takes it as a compliment, grinning from ear to ear. "I didn't tell you about the comfort of a home simply out of curiosity. Just indulge me, won't you?"

For a moment, Xiao's eyes are fixed on her, staring so intensely that she nearly stumbles back against the door of the funeral parlor, but she waits it out with bated breath. Confoundingly, he looks past her, at the door behind him, and whispers an unexpected question.

"Could I accompany you inside?"

That nearly makes her heart burst. Hu Tao knows Xiao doesn't have any ulterior motives, but his intent makes her burn with interest all the same, so much so that she nods and scrambles for her keys with far too much enthusiasm.

The funerary parlor is dark inside, and the stairs leading to her personal space are even darker. She expects him to go there, but he doesn't; he looks at the corridor leading deeper inside. "Was Zhongli's office that way?"

He just can't stop surprising her, can he? She points down the corridor. "Last office to the left. You're not about to tell me that is your home, right? It doesn't even have a bed!"

His chuckle echoes against the walls as he goes down the hall. "Don't be ridiculous. Why would I consider his office a home, of all things?"

"You two have a very strange friendship, don't blame me for that." Xiao opens the door with caution, looking inside before stepping aside to let her walk in. "This is hardly a good place to have this kind of conversation. The shelves are so dusty, and he doesn't have a single flower in sight. Venti was right when he called him a fossil."

Xiao mutters something along the lines of disrespectful as he scans the shelves. They're as tall as the ceilings will allow, with priceless minerals at the top and other ancient artifacts in the middle. The funerary parlor's tomes are at the bottom, untouched and crammed so tight she's sure he has never used a single one of them.

At least they're organized – tidiness is one thing he's good at, dusty as it all may be.

In a way, the dust makes this place a little homely, but she's unsure if that could have to do with Xiao's visit. "You still haven't even answered my question."

"I'm trying to show you," he amends with sound sincerity.

Hu Tao blinks. "You want to… show me your home?"

"Yes." Xiao sounds uncharacteristically unsure. "I don't know if this is the right answer to your question – it is no more than a vague idea."

Sensing this might take a minute, Hu Tao decides to sit on Zhongli's desk. It's washed by the moonlight streaming through the window. "You can take your time. It's not like there's a wrong answer. Anywhere you feel at ease will do – and it has to be clean, if possible."

"Is that truly all?" Hu Tao's eyes widen at the quickness of his rebuttal. "I thought a home should be practical, as well."

"Then that would make Wangshu Inn a home, wouldn't it?"

Xiao turns to her for a moment, gaze intense and unflinching. His eyes, glittering with the light of the night, are conflicted like she rarely ever sees them. "I understand there is a special emotion to be felt in a home, and Wangshu Inn doesn't have that. I'm quite sure it doesn't."

Hu Tao stares as he looks around. The uncertainty of his search is charming, in a way; it's like she's watching a little duck take its first steps.

For all the time Hu Tao has known Xiao, she's been plagued with the growing question of what sort of home a yaksha could have, were he to have one. She once thought he might be at ease among the clouds of Liyue, maybe in a crooked spot within a lonely mountain, or up a tall tree where he can see the world go by as Liyue turns older and he remains the same.

But that doesn't seem to be the case, not anymore. His intent has turned into something steady, dare she say excited .

Hu Tao keeps watching. She couldn't be more intrigued about what the outcome of this will be.

An idea occurs to her in a streak of helpfulness. "Okay, then, imagine this: you come back from your night patrol exhausted, bathed in blood, craving some Almond Tofu and the quietness of a bedroom. It can be anywhere, really – anywhere you feel comfortable, a place where your heart will find soothing. Where would you go, then? Do you have any ideas?"

All at once, Xiao ceases looking around. He brings his hands up to the shelf, extremely careful.

Xiao hesitantly takes out an object from the shelf: a green teapot caked with dust.

"I think I have an idea, yes."

Slowly, he approaches her. When he presents the teapot to her, Hu Tao can only stare. "A… teapot?"

He nods. Hu Tao waits for the object to do something flashy, because all adepti bring magic or violence with them. In a blast of genius, she even lifts the lid, only to find the teapot empty and dry. If she were to guess, no tea was ever served with this.

She closes her eyes in contemplation. "Hm… is this a metaphor, perhaps? We have a lot of teapots in the kitchen, we could have used one of those instead."

"No." His words are hoarse. She'd dare say he sounds nervous. "This is not my physical home – it's a host for my adeptal realm."

Oh. Hu Tao gasps. "You have a realm of your own?"

"Every adeptus has one. I simply never used mine." Xiao sighs. His thumbs caress the glossy surface of the teapot with care. "Madame Ping gifted me and Ganyu one of these. I didn't have any use for it, so I asked Zhongli to keep it for me a long time ago. I didn't remember I had it until a week or so ago."

An adeptal realm in a teapot… how curious. Teyvat is home to all manner of dreams and fantasies, yet the fact that this dainty thing could house an entire world of its own simply blows her away.

She's heard stories of the abodes of adepti in Jueyun Karst, little shelters in colossal mountains surrounded by lakes, but this… "How big is it inside?"

"I don't remember. I only went inside once to see the space, and then never went back again." He closes his eyes. "There was a house, I think. And a flat, grassy land."

She refuses to believe it's as boring as he's making it sound. "Ay-ay-ay, surely it's beautiful inside! And if you have a house there, you can bring this thing with you wherever and use it as a mobile home, yeah? That's so convenient!" Hu Tao claps her hands. Xiao smiles. "What if I fill this teapot with tea, hm? Would it ruin the land?"

"I would rather not find out." Hu Tao's chin dips a little. He clears his throat. "Regardless, this was the idea I had. I'm curious to see how it looks after so long."

Admittedly, Hu Tao is just as curious. She gestures at the teapot. "Why don't you go in and find out?"

"That was the plan." She nods, expecting him to up and disappear, but to her surprise, he extends a hand to her. "Would you like to come with me?"

Her lips part. His hand remains there, expectant, and her words come out unsure. "Can I?"

"Did I not just ask?"

Hu Tao giggles. "Yeah, but I'm not an adeptus, and I don't know to get in. You might have to give me a class or two, Alatus."

Xiao shakes his head with a chuckle. "I can teleport us there. The adeptal energy in the area shouldn't be an issue since you have a Vision." Little as she may care about her Vision, it's such a nifty thing to have at times like these. "Come. I can take us there in a moment."

When she hops off the desk, Xiao places the teapot on it delicately. He beckons her to him next, and she winds her arms around him like clockwork, knowing how these things go. "Are you gonna leave it there?"

"It won't be longer than a quick look. I can make plans further down the line." As he calls forth a surge of Anemo, she can't help but squirm with excitement. His arm hooks around her middle. s"Hold on tight. This might not be as smooth as other times."

His adeptal energy begins to consume them. "What do you– eek!"

With a flash, they're gone.