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“But shouldn’t you also get a chance to rest? Haven’t you fought enough?”
Xiao lowered his eyes. He couldn’t, he wasn’t able to look back at those eyes, once so soft and gentle, now staring at him firmly and serious. For once, Xiao was not talking to Venti, but to the God of Freedom and Wind. And he would take no for an answer.
“You swore to protect Liyue, yet what purpose will you have if you break?”
He was ready to argue back but before a sound came out of his mouth, Barbatos spoke once again.
“Face it, Xiao, you’re weak. I do not doubt your strength or your resolve. But what else can be said, when faced with a warrior who may not have lost the battle, but already lost the war within himself?”
He pressed his lips, holding his words back. Yet they still were pronounced.
“I lost, that may be true. Yet that doesn’t matter, for I am expendable. Eons of slaughter have caused my karmic bonds and I alone shall face them. I wish not to taint nor my spear nor my hands with the blood of mortals. Therefore, it is necessary for me to carry this burden alone. No human should take care of one who has caused nothing but death and pain.”
This time, the God’s eyes were met by the adepti’s. Yet he did not flinch.
“Then… allow me to take care of you.”
The Archon’s gentle hand extended, as he offered it to his beloved knight, hoping, waiting for him to reach out. And for a moment, it seemed he would. But he stopped. And slowly retrieved his own palm. And then, a soft chuckle was heard. Soft, yet full of pain.
“It’s rotten work.” He said, as once again he averted his gaze, for no sinner should meet a god’s eyes.
But Barbatos will not take “no” for an answer.
“…”
Xiao felt his gentle, warm touch. And he couldn’t help but feel guilty, for he wanted time to stop and never return its course. He slowly reached for his lover’s small hand. Warm, soft. His touch was like a remedy for all his wounds and pain. And, full of guilt and love, he closes his eyes.
Barbatos spoke again.
“It is not to me.” A soft breeze whispered in Xiao’s ears. “Not if it’s you.”
And that simple gesture that only lasted a couple of seconds but felt like an eternity for him was over as quickly as it happened. He no longer felt his warmth and was met with nothing but the trees’ branches softly moving, in a slow dance with the breeze.