Work Text:
it was a tranquil night at wangshu inn, though not completely silent, the noises that usually filled the lively inn was.. quieter.
it had surprised you when Xiao asked for you to.. hold him, it was unlike him, but the idea was not unwelcomed. if you had tu argue, you were absolutely pleased, this had meant Xiao was opening up to you, and you felt a sense of pride knowing that it was only you that he would dare open up like this with. you, for once, felt selfish, but you did not feel sorry for this feeling, you were content with the idea that Xiao was yours.
you were sat up on the bed, your back resting against the bedrest as Xiao laid on top of you, Xiao circled his arms around your torso and laid his head on your shoulder, snuggling onto it occasionally when the cold air of Liyue got to him, though temperature was not actually an issue for him, oh, and when you ran your fingers through his hair, he'd let out a noise akin to a chirp, it did not surprise you, considering the fact he had told you he was.. something similar to a bird, though you have not yet seen his true form, you believe Xiao will show you when the time comes. as for now--
you had not realised that you stopped caressing Xiao's hair when you let your train of thought take over.
"mm.." a small noise of protest left Xiao, looking at you with a disapproving gaze, his eyebrows were furrowed, which honestly made him look a lot more cuter than you could ever expect from him, with the title conquerer of demons and all.
"in a moment, Xiao. I think I hear the traveler calling me" like Xiao, you could hear the traveler when they called for you, though you were no adepti, you had other ways, of course.
".. at this hour?"
knowing the traveler, adventure could happen at any time, even at this hour. you gave Xiao a nod in response, he hummed but didn't let you go, which was... unlike him.
"Xiao"
"hm?"
"let me go, the traveler.." Xiao huffed out at your words, instead he buried his head further onto your shoulder, refusing to let go.
after a minute or so of not moving, you decided to move Xiao yourself, prying him off of you. Xiao then proceeded to pout at you, or what looked like a pout anyways.
you will have to apologise to the traveler personally later, for as worried as you are, you couldn’t resist Xiao. not when he was acting like this, and furthermore Xiao was rarely like this.
”what has made you so clingy today?” you questioned, shaking your head. as of now you still did not understand Xiao’s intentions, or why he was acting like this, how strange.
“you have not visited in a while” he paused, choosing his next words carefully;
”I missed you” he continued, murmuring.
that made your heart soar, an adeptus like Xiao admitting that he missed you was an achievement worthy of praise in Teyvat, at least to you anyways.
“I have missed you too, how are you?” you asked, lifting his head up so that he’d face you, you brushed a bit of his hair away from his face, before pecking his eyelids.
”.. I’ve been well, the traveler hospitality helps” he hummed, leaning into the affection subconsciously, though if asked, he’d argue that you were the one dragging him along this path of neediness.
“I’m glad, though that does not explain your behaviour”
Xiao fell silent at that, before sighing.
”I was.. thinking, about, the events that happened when I was investigating..” the whereabouts of Bosacious, you knew this story all too well. you frowned.
”it was not your fault” you said softly, he shook his head at your statement.
”Xiao—“
”that is not what I was implying, I am pass that now” he mumbled, your silence was a sign for him to continue.
”you, I was thinking about you”
what is he saying?
”I.. would not know what I would have done if it was you, if you were there, or if you were me” ah, that’s what he’s implying.
”I am not going anywhere” you didn’t know for how long you could keep those words for, but seeing the soft smile on Xiao’s face as you said them, you regret nothing.
“you’re worth so much more than you think, Xiao. I want you to know that I love you, alright? you are not alone anymore, you are with me, and I love you”
your words had flustered Xiao greatly, his lips parted to speak, but no words came out, instead he buried his head against your shoulder, muffled noises coming out of him, his shoulders were shaking, was he— was he laughing? he finds this amusing?
”ridiculous mortal.. I praise Rex Lapis everyday for your well-being, you are worth as much as I am, if not more” Xiao stopped laughing for a moment to look at you, and you could tell your comfort has eased him, which was good.
however, you realised he hasn’t said I love you back.
”Xiao.”
”yes?”
”I love you, adore you”
”…”
”…”
”and I, you”