Work Text:
Cold, damp air blows into your face as you huff in frustration. Despite your attempts to rush back to your room at the Wangshu inn, a heavy fog had settled before you could return. Your bag digs uncomfortably into your shoulder as you trod forward, the lights of the inn appearing hazey in the mist - but at least that meant you were close to a warm meal and a comfy bed.
You're thinking about a hot bowl of soup as your foot catches on a rock and you're sent sprawling onto the damp earth. You let out a soft groan as you lay there like a sack of potatoes - from what you could tell, you were barely even bruised from your fall... but you were tired and tempted to just lay there pathetically forever. Despite how much you wanted to never move ever again, you reminded yourself that there was tasty food and a warm building up ahead; spurred on by the thoughts of comfort you lift yourself to your knees and begin to slowly gather your belongings.
"Foolish human." A rough voice comes from not too far behind you and you turn around to see the 'mighty' adeptus that... didn't look very intimidating from this distance. Sure he looked like someone who you wouldn't want to get in a fight with, but he looked.... boyish. And the fog made him look just as sodden and droopy as you felt.
You were wondering how he ever fought any demons off with those skinny limbs when suddenly you feel yourself being lifted to your feet. Xiao had easily hoisted you up with those 'skinny limbs' you had been thinking about a moment before. You manage an awkward, "Uh-" Before your bag was shoved into your arms, and you look down at it; some dust stuck to the edges of the leather messenger bag, but it was packed up again. You clear your throat and shake off some of your shyness, "Thank you."
He blinked at you, as if just seeing your face - which he probably had, considering his eyes were constantly searching the surroundings for enemies instead of looking others in the eye. He had an... odd expression, an expression that could have almost been mistaken for awe before he seemed to snap out of his trance. He grunted something that was probably a 'you're welcome' and disappeared before you could even blink.
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That had been a week ago, you had had a few more interactions with the adeptus since then. Most of the times you met, it was on the uppermost balcony of the inn.
He seemed to tolerate, and possibly even enjoy your presence - but maybe that was just because you brought him almond tofu and didn't force him to speak. Most of the time you were together you would go on and on about your current project for the college you were going to. If you were lucky, he would softly interrupt to give a suggestion or ask a question - those were your favorite parts of your time together, getting to hear the powerful adeptus critisice your writing but always adding '.... but that's just what I would do'. Over time, you could almost call him a friend.
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That was three weeks ago. Now you were looking at the same man laying in a crumpled heap in front of your room.
You had been awoken in the middle of the night to a soft scuffling outside of your door, which you groggily answered. Usually you would have been embarassed to be in your pajamas in front of him... but this definitely wasn't a usual situation. Blood dripped down his face from a wound that his hair was covering, and he was clutching his side where a dark red patch was slowly growing. You stare in shock at him until he whimpered in pain, which was enough to get you to focus again. Crouching down near him, you gently inspect the wound on his face before carefully moving him into your room, all while asking what the hell happened. He muttered something about an especially powerful enemy, but he seemed out of it.
You lay him on your bed and dig around in your bag until you find a first aid kit and you quickly begin doing whatever you need to. Gently washing and applying some sort of stinging liquid to his wounds before bandaging them. After that, you offered him water... but he shook his head and murmured something. You sat on the edge of the bed and huffed, "You lost a lot of blood, you need to hydrate." You were met with an annoyed grumble, but he took the bottle and took a long swig anyways. Once he was done, you took the bottle and set it on the bedside table, allowing your mind to wander now that he was stable.... where were you gonna sleep??? Because there was a entire man in your bed and you didn't think he was one to share a bed.
As you tried to stand to fetch some more blankets to make a bed on the floor for yourself, a surprisingly strong arm wrapped around your waist and tugged you back down on the bed. "Stay.." Xiao croaked out, his voice raspy from pain. You sat there for a long moment, feeling frozen, before murmuring 'okay...' and pulling your legs onto the bed too. You sat there stiffly for a moment before you realized Xiao was staring at you expectantly and you felt another tug at your waist. This time you allowed him to fully pull you down. He gently pulled you against his chest, pressing his forehead against the back of your head.. you could feel his breath gently tickling your skin and you blushed.
Xiao seemed to notice your remaining stiffness and grunted, "Are you... okay with this?" he asked. You thought for a moment before relaxing fully and nodding, "Yeah it just... caught me off gaurd.. you don't seem like a cuddler." Your words ended with a soft chuckle. You weren't able to see him, but you could swear you felt him smile ever so slightly.
He fell asleep first, then you did a few moments later.
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When you woke up the next morning, you found that you were delicously warm. And when you opened your eyes, you were met with a sleepy pair of amber eyes. You felt very confused for a moment before you remembered what happened last night. You smiled, your voice was crunchy from sleep, "Good morning, Xiao." Xiao blinked, staring for a moment before responding, "G'morning..." His voice sounded much stronger than it had the night before. "How are you feeling?" You asked softly, to which Xiao exhaled and spoke quietly, "... I've been better, but... this is nice." He gestured vaguely towards your bodies... which were much closer than they had been the night before. You were facing each other now, and you had one leg around his waist, with his arms tucked firmly around you. Usually you would have been incredibly embarassed by this, but this felt right for some reason.
That made you feel brave.
You kissed him on the nose.
It was just a small kiss, a peck really, but his face flushed bright red almost immediately. Which caused you to laugh softly. He was quiet for a long moment before speaking, "Could you... do that again?" To which you immediately leaned closer and kissed his cheek, then his other cheek, then his nose again - and suddenly you were showering his face in gentle kisses. You could have kept going like this forever, but he abruptly grabbed your arm which made you stop - you were about to ask what was wrong before his lips were suddenly pressed against your lips.
His lips were warm.
You kissed him back after a moment. And for a few seconds you two just laid there, a warm tangle under the light of the rising sun coming through the window.