Work Text:
"Good evening, Adeptus Xiao."
He jolts and turns around immediately, summoning his spear, only to lower it as he recognizes the voice.
"..Doctor Baizhu."
He turns away again. The doctor lets out an amused, honeyed chuckle and walks up to the railing next to Xiao.
"The stars are rather lovely tonight, are they not?"
Baizhu smiles down at Xiao, before following the latter's gaze up to the sky. There are rainclouds in the distance, but they don't hide the sky yet.
The sky is a dark purple now, as the sun has almost set. It's strangely dark out at this time, but it's still rather pretty. The bright stars reflect in the Adeptus' golden eyes, a mirror that would never let you know what the thoughts behind it are. Closer to the mountains, the sky is a pastel pink, then it fades to purple, and then the dark blue sky, in contrast to which the stars shine as brightly as ever. It's quite easy to become enamored by the scenery, and Baizhu finds himself admiring it, until Xiao's voice interjects.
"..What is it? Why are you here?"
Baizhu lets out a small, amused laugh.
"Blunt as always, Adeptus."
"Answer the question."
Xiao's gaze hardens slightly, but it isn't intimidating yet.
"I'm waiting for someone. Though.. I may have arrived a little early.."
Xiao doesn't like how honeyed and mysterious this doctor is. There are.. rumours, surrounding his pharmacy. They are just rumours, but to have so many surrounding one place is suspicious to say the least.
"Who?"
Baizhu smiles.
"It is unimportant."
Xiao frowns at that. Of course he wouldn't answer. He turns back to look at the sky, yet he isn't as relaxed as before due to the presence of the doctor.
Both stay silent for a while, both watching the sky become darker and darker. Eventually the pink closer to the mountains fades completely, and the sky is a deep blue, the stars sparkling more than ever.
"How long has it been since you slept, Adeptus?"
Baizhu asks pleasantly, shifting his gaze to the Yaksha as he leans on the railing.
Xiao blinks.
"Pardon?"
How curious.. Mortals do not usually question him so bluntly.
"It is none of your concern."
He maintains eye contact with Baizhu. Apparently, it is polite in mortal culture.
Though, to Baizhu, his gaze is intense, as if he was wordlessly threatening Baizhu. Yet the Doctor merely smiles reassuringly at Xiao, ignoring his stare.
"Rest is benefitial even for an Adeptus. If I stay by your side while you rest, will you be more inclined to do so?"
Xiao's expression doesn't change at Baizhu's words, but he takes a bit to respond.
"How would I be sure that you won't hurt me?"
Baizhu is slightly taken aback, but he keeps smiling.
"I have informed Verr Goldet that I am here, and she knows that I am up here with you. If I were to hurt you, she could testify on your behalf."
Xiao closes his eyes, leaning against the railing to think, considering Baizhu's words.
"..Fine. If you insist, Doctor Baizhu."
"Just Baizhu is fine." Baizhu smiles pleasantly, sitting down on the bench and patting the spot next to him.
Then, Xiao hesitates. "If there is danger, wake me up immediately. I will handle it." He slowly lies down on the bench next to Baizhu, folding his legs up to his stomach so that they don't dangle off the edge.
"Do not worry yourself. I am more than capable of handling danger myself." Baizhu pulls Xiao's fringe out of his face. Xiao winces slightly, not used to people being touchy with him, and Baizhu pulls away in response.
With a skeptical glance at Baizhu and a small sigh, Xiao closes his eyes, curling in on himself slightly to be warmer.
As he falls asleep, he distantly feels himself be covered by Baizhu's coat.
---
Hours later, Xiao jolts awake, again being flooded by memories of The Chasm.
Almost immediately, he feels warm hands pull his own away from his hair, holding them tightly, and he recognizes them as Zhongli's, even if his vision is blurred.
"My lord-"
"Breathe, Adeptus."
Adeptus?
Before Xiao can question why Zhongli called him that, he feels himself be pulled closer to the man, over his lap.
Each time Zhongli witnesses Xiao have a nightmare, he makes sure to provide him with enough warmth to remind him that he is no longer in the Chasm, no longer enslaved by his previous master.
Xiao does not deserve such warmth, but it is useless to fight.
He breathes heavily, but no tears come out. He slowly feels Zhongli's arms around him, the bench he's sitting on softened by Baizhu's coat.
Xiao feels himself slowly calm down, and a gentle hand runs through his hair. It isn't Zhongli's, although it is warm. He doesn't pull away this time.
"Are you feeling alright, Adeptus? Would you like some herbal tea? Or something to help you go back to sleep?"
Baizhu's voice. He's here too? Coming to think of it, where did Zhongli come from?
Xiao is too tired and distressed to ponder or answer Baizhu's questions, so he rests his head on Zhongli's warm chest, feeling Zhongli's strong arms around him, and Baizhu gently untangling his hair.
He feels a cold pair of arms wrap around his neck hesitantly, and he opens his eyes to see the zombie that lives with Baizhu awkwardly hug him, trying to comfort him too.
He stares at her and she stares back silently, before he slowly wraps an arm around her as well. Qiqi slowly closes her eyes too, resting her head innocently on his chest.
"Xiao?"
He opens his eyes and looks up at Zhongli, subconsciously leaning into Baizhu's hand. When he sees Zhongli gazing up at the stars, he follows his gaze tiredly.
It's a comforting sight. Even with all the violence that goes on in it, the stars are always a reminder that this is a gentle universe.
The cool breeze melts away any sorrow, but Zhongli's arms sheild him from any discomfort. Qiqi has fallen asleep, her head on his chest. She feels cold to the touch, but Xiao finds that he does not mind.
It's such an unnatural feeling to be so surrounded by affection. Qiqi sleeping on his chest, Zhongli holding him closely, and Baizhu running his fingers through his hair gently, untangling every knot.
Xiao cries without realising it, overwhelmed by the amount of love he's recieving. Tears slowly fall down his cheeks, but they aren't sorrowful in any way. He hides his face in the Archon's chest, feeling Qiqi shift with him, and he holds her close to make sure she won't fall.
And slowly, the soothing motions from Baizhu and the warm embrace guides him to sleep.
He has never had a family before, but if he had, this would be the closest thing to it.