Work Text:
I was living in a moment but I met you
And I realized that everything has a reason
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English isn’t my first language, hence I apologise in advance for the eventual grammar mistakes and if words are used incorrectly.
Xiao gazed at the estuary below him, his watchful gaze overseeing the golden plains of Liyue. His molten eyes contemplated the picturesque scenery from atop the Inn, with eyes clouded by wonder. When did he start being like this? His gaze fled, looking at the amber tiles of the roof and staring at them with shame as if seeking refuge from the eyes of the gods.
A warm breeze from the south blew, as gingko leaves fell from the ancient tree. He couldn't help but ponder. Would your touch feel as warm and delicate? When did he start feeling so weak, almost human?
At these questions, Xiao could not find an answer. Instead he could only pray to his master, Rex Lapis, and ask to keep away from him you, the bane of his existence.
It started with an unfamiliar feeling, imperceptible and evasive, akin to the flutter of a butterfly's wings.
And before he knew it, that innocent solicitude was something he never knew before: a tender affection like no other, one that kept plaguing him. Did you even know the effect you had on him? Were you aware about the way his mind kept running back to you, wondering about your wellbeing and whereabouts? Did you know how much he loathed you for the curse you laid upon him?
That was your sin, afterall: to make him, an illuminated adeptus, human.
A soft voice, akin to a whisper, spoke his name. One, two, three minutes passed, yet the adeptus did not know if he should've fuel with your presence the curse you bestowed upon him.
You really were cruel.
Then, he acknowledged your call.
You smiled and— archons, Xiao could swear that your smile was so resplendent like none. "You're here" you whispered, as if making sure that the one before you was the Adeptus of Wangshu Inn himself and not a naive reverie.
"Why did you call me? Is something the matter?" he spoke, blaming once again your curse for making him utter those words more softly than he had intended. However, you didn't notice it, he comforted himself. Or maybe you pretended to not have heard.
You bit your cheek, trying to suppress a mischievous grin. "Well... I wanted to ask you a favour” the way you spoke those words did not foretell anything good.
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Ages could've changed yet human's foolishness would never know boundaries. Xiao let out something between a sigh and a groan, uncaring about your hurt gaze. And after all, it wasn’t worth it for an adeptus to deal with their stupidity. Few Qingxins laid forgotten on the balcony's wooden floor while others had been haphazardly placed inside a porcelain vase.
"What is that long face? It suits you well, you know" your pout did not take long to morph into one of those adorable smiles of yours.
The adeptus did not reply as he gazed the faraway mountains, hidden by the veil of mist while begging the gods to not let you see the burning flush of his cheeks. You fell silent, observing the flowers you oh-so painstakingly intertwined in a flower crown. "Seriously, it suits you" you gazed away, eyes seeking a refuge from him “It makes you look… cute” you muttered that word softly as if trying to not be heard.
He blinked— once, twice, thrice— at you features still immersed in your own thoughts not cognizant of the feeling wholly taking over Xiao. "Stop spitting out nonsense" his words sounded more like a pitiful groan than the growl he intended.
Your angelic smile was now turned into a devilish grin. This side of you was rather… pleasing, he found himself shamelessly thinking much to his own dismay and chagrin. "But alas, I'm afraid that no flower could ever compare with your beauty"
Those candid guise of yours truly hid an imp. The words he spoke next were unforeseeable even to himself "....are you trying to woo me?"
Astonishment painted over your features and he eftsoons found himself enjoying the sight in front of him. Then, you reminded Xiao how obnoxious you could be. "Who knows" a lopsided grin adorned your features.
A sigh left his lips. "You truly are reckless". Archons above, please, do not let them hear this fondness in his voice. A giggle escaped from you as the mellifluous sound resonated through the air. He felt his heart flutter and, for the first time after aeons, Xiao cursed his human vassal.
He stared at you as he felt your eyes linger on his figure. "What's wrong?"
"You have a petal in your hair" you spoke, eyes still not leaving his features.
"You're the one that made me wear it" he huffed.
"You look adorable with it, however" you grinned teasingly. He abruptly turned his head, directing his gaze elsewhere "... Just how many times are you going to repeat that?"
You didn't reply as you grinned triumphantly at the Adeptus' reaction. A chortle left your lips "There, there, let me remove it"
"Do not give it much relevance" despise his words, your hand did not cease its path.
You gently took the minute petal, which hid itself in a teal lock of his hair. You were close— oh, so close that he almost melted under your touch. You didn't make any sense, how could you treat a creature that only knew the blood of the battlefield with such carefreeness? How could you touch him so delicately as if he could've break like glass?
You withdrew your hand violently, feeling a sharp pain as if you've been hit by an electric shock. You groaned in pain, feeling your arm becoming numb. It hurts. If this anguish continued you were sure that you would’ve exhale your last breath.
"... Xiao?" you weakly called his name, your voice was now hoarse.
Your words were met by thin air
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You didn’t know how much time passed before you managed to see him once again. No matter how many times you tried to approach him, every time you attempted to talk to him, he always disappeared right before your eyes.
It hurt, for some reason.
"What are you trying to do?" you tried to ask one day. You didn't need to say anything else.
"I'm harmful to mortals, even my presence alone is enough to hurt you" his gaze moved on you, his eyes finally indulging on you instead on the Liyue's landscape illuminated by the golden rays of eventide. "You should be well aware of it"
"Stop avoiding me, please" you begged, on the verge of falling into despair. The look in your eyes was enough to make his heart ache.
His mind was filled with sorrow. "It's for your own good" speaking those words felt like being stabbed. "I'm sorry" he murmured to the wind. It hurt, too much. Ages of endless slaughter made him used to endure sufferings unknown to this world. But he was defenseless like a newborn in front of regret.
"I'll endure it, we'll find a way but please…" You let only the voices from afar of the other travellers fill that silence. You smiled melancholically, his heart fluttered both for the pain and something else. "Unfortunately for you I like being with you"
You were a paradox to him, something that he couldn't understand even in ages—no, millenia. He loathed you completely for your nativity even if you were the only one that taught him the meaning of human emotions, even if you could put at ease for an ephemeral time his tormented soul.
He hated you for your curse, even if he knew that it wasn't by no means a fruit of witchcraft. "I am bound to protect this land by a contract that has been forgotten by many if not immortals. My duty is simply to protect Liyue from evil, yet… yet I would hate to see you hurt because of me" he paused, his Amber eyes gazing at you. You swore you saw the ghost of a smile on his lips "Besides, you are deserving of all the happiness of this world"