Chapter Text
Life in the underworld wasn’t hard to describe, an outsider could ask what it was like but the answers would vary differently between both inhabitants and visitors.
To the souls of the damned? Torture. Perpetual agony. Hell.
To many gods and mortals alike? A dark place, somewhat cruel, dare they say just like its current ruler.
But to Xiao, it’s ruler, it’s king? He couldn’t lie, he found it rather lonely and isolating, cold and gloomy.
And somehow he’s gotten used to it, never expecting any form of change, taking his job and position seriously. After all, the role of being the god of the dead and the king of the underworld that had been passed onto Xiao by Zhongli was neither an easy nor a fun one. Watching over those souls, giving them proper judgement and making sure none escaped could be taxing.
Unfortunately right now, Xiao found himself in his own sense of torture, one he had never been able to get used to. Stuck in a hall filled with various other gods who had more energy than he ever could. Surrounded by too many colours he couldn’t name but bright enough that blinded his eyes. A temperature he wasn’t used to burning him through his dark cloak.
Walking through the hallway, subjected to the few judgemental stares, hushed whispers shared between other gods and some bowing to him in fear when he went past.
Even after climbing up the stairs, reaching an upper floor to stand in the distance, it still felt like his eardrums were being torn apart by the noise of the various chatter that merged together. To many, this could be a break, while for Xiao this wasn’t a supposed break, this was hell.
Unlike the other gods sharing similar high standing positions, he hated various banquets, balls, and gatherings between gods, avoiding them when he had the chance, something well known among his peers. Zhongli made sure to respect that even after resigning and passing his duty and title as king of the underworld onto Xiao. Often participating in Xiao’s place, allowing him to continue his work as he hated being pulled away from work, something he never found ideal, not enjoying the idea of burdening anyone with the task of taking over for him, when he’d prefer to stay glued to his job.
But unfortunately things weren’t easy this time.
“Have you ever considered taking a break Xiao?” Zhongli had asked him, approaching Xiao who sat on his throne, his head resting against his hand, his dark hair a mess, his red eyeliner barely hiding the dark eyebags beneath his amber eyes reflecting the exhaustion from his usual work, despite his best efforts to hide it.
Funny, he’s a god, immortal. If that weren’t the case he probably would’ve died from overwork by now, so somehow even he had his own limits.
Xiao scoffed at the idea.“Who else would do my job if I did?”
“I could.” Zhongli offered, watching Xiao fix his posture in an attempt to look more presentable in front of his predecessor, handing him a letter. “You are requested to head to the Tenshukaku residence so I was already planning to take over for you.”
Xiao couldn’t help but frown when his eyes scanned the first few lines of the letter. And it’s clear: an invitation to another banquet he’s forced to attend.
“Can’t you go on my behalf instead?” Xiao suggests, partially begging even, ignoring the wave of guilt washing over him, only for Zhongli to let out a chuckle, putting his hand on Xiao’s head, ruffling his hair.
“I’m afraid I can’t help you here Xiao.” Zhongli replied, shaking his head. “Unlike other times, doesn’t it say your presence specifically is requested?”
Xiao let out a sigh in both annoyance and defeat, giving the contents of the letter a proper read, only for the dread to settle in when he reached the end, seeing the name signed at the corner. He had no way out of it.
So now here he was. In what only he could perceive as perpetual agony.
“How nice of you to be here Xiao.” A taunting yet familiar voice called out, and Xiao could only throw a quick glance in its direction, the main reason for why he found himself here to begin with, presenting itself right before him.
Zhongli and the other gods would have it easier, but in situations like these, Xiao found himself unable to smile, nor put up a fake one, the discomfort evident as he kept his usual frown on his face.
He truly wasn’t meant for that sort of stuff.
“Well unfortunately I had no choice but to attend.” He responded, watching the man approach him, putting an arm around his shoulder, another hand holding a drink.
Kunikuzushi. King of the skies, god of lightning, and the one who held the most authority compared to the other gods. Or at least partially, unlike Xiao who was given full power and authority from Zhongli, Kunikuzushi had barely received half of Ei's full authority to rule.
But somehow he managed to be the most insufferable god out there, various stories and rumours reaching his ears despite being cooped up in the underworld, right now being one of the rare occurrences of finding him alone without any other being having their arms around him, during the times he’d visit him. And he questions how some enjoy his presence.
“Tell me, what is the occasion for this banquet?” Xiao asked, flicking Kunikuzushi’s arm away, leaving Kunikuzushi to pull back.
“Simply because I’m bored, and you being here unable to leave until this is over is enough to entertain me.”
Xiao rolled his eyes at the comment, letting out a yawn as he leaned against the railings, looking down among the other gods, some enjoying the food offered, others mingling with each other. Barely recognizing many as he kept to himself.
“Seriously though Xiao, I thought it’d be nice to catch up.”
“Next time, pay me a visit in the underworld instead of forcing me here like you always do.” Xiao answered, unamused, and uninterested with keeping the conversation ongoing, still mindlessly holding his gaze towards the gods, an attempt to pass time until he’d find an opportunity to leave.
“But I do believe you could use this opportunity to meet some other gods.” Kunikuzushi playfully whined in return, a smug smile plastered over his face, back leaned against the railings, observing Xiao’s bored expression. “Who knows, maybe you’ll finally end up courting someone. Surprise me.”
A statement like that was enough to drag Xiao out of his trance, and he’s quick to send a glare back at him, certain that their ideas of courting were completely different. “Not interested, and I doubt I am capable of doing so.”
“Oh, but you are quite handsome, ditch that attitude of yours and your chances should increase.”
Xiao let out a scoff at Kunikuzushi’s words, ignoring the compliment, yet unable to deny his criticism.
“In that case, I will keep that in mind.” Xiao muttered, turning around, needing an exit when he noticed a group of gods approaching them, rushing and avoiding any more long and awkward conversations.
Xiao took a deep breath the moment he left the building, unaware how suffocating it had been indoors, relishing the slightly cool air and gentle breeze. Despite finding the temperature a bit too high for his liking, but still a contrast compared to indoors. Satisfied with the dim lighting from the stars in the sky, as he took a stroll outside Tenshukaku, enjoying the little freedom before he had to return.
The noise of endless chatter now replaced with serene silence. Finally, this was what he could consider a peaceful break.
But that peace couldn’t last long, a rustling nearby could be heard, alerting Xiao, and he sighs. Unfamiliar with the garden, he slowly walked in the direction of the sound, expecting some foolish assassin unaware of the gods immortality, or a robber targeting Kunikuzushi. (And frankly as foolish as they were, Xiao couldn’t blame them given Kunikuzushi’s personality)
To his surprise, a floral scent is the first thing he picked up on, coming from a woman crouched down, picking up some scattered flowers from the ground.
She took notice of his amber eyes on her, and he realised he had been staring at her for longer than he intended, yet he’s unable to draw any words out, unfamiliar with a situation like this, feeling like he’s unexpectedly intruded on something.
“Is something wrong?” She asked standing up, holding enough flowers to create a small bouquet, no disdain, nor judgement in her tone, her honey-coloured eyes only reflecting a sense of curiosity.
“Is it okay for you to pick those flowers?” He questioned in response, the many miniature flowers hanging in the longer parts of her hair were enough to contrast her golden locks, paired with two larger white flowers with a singular blue petal pinned on the side of her head, being the first thing he took note of, he couldn’t help but wonder about the need to collect more.
“Some have already fallen to the ground, so it would be a shame to leave them here.” She replied, an awkward smile forming on her face, as she looked around. “Was that not allowed?”
“I can pretend I saw nothing.”
Aside from being a witness, he had nothing more to do with this incident, if he could call it that. Nor could he see himself having anything more to do with her.
Hearing his words, she smiled more, letting out a giggle as she handed him one of the pink flowers she had collected, the name of it unknown to him. “Then have this, you could use some colour on you.”
Trying to push the feeling of guilt to the side, aware that he had no skills to take care of it, especially after the flower had long been removed from its origin. But that should be a detail better off kept to himself, finding it unnecessary to bring up. And he’s left silent to her gesture.
He found this interaction odd. A brazen statement from her, despite it being true, with no hint of fear as her politeness and sweetness seemed genuine, surprising him at how casual she was, as if she’s completely unaware of his identity. And somehow he couldn’t say he disliked it.
However had Kunikuzushi not forced him here, he wouldn’t have had a chance to experience this and that fact was enough to make Xiao slightly irritated, no matter how sweet this brief moment was for him.
A stronger gust of wind blew by, and he watched as she rubbed her arms, slightly shivering, while he found himself unaffected.
In his mind, she was just like the flower in his hands, he couldn’t imagine her having any chance to handle herself in the underworld.
He couldn’t help but let out a chuckle for what could be the first time as he took off his own cloak wrapping it around her, freeing himself from the high temperature before he turned away.
“In exchange for the flowers.” He muttered briefly looking back at her, confirming that his cloak fit her perfectly as they were around the same height. He waved his hand quickly to dismiss her, leaving her in the garden by herself again, before rushing back indoors fast enough to not let her say anything back in response, unsure of how to keep the conversation going.
Taking in the scent of the flower he received, he returned to the hall, once again feeling everyone’s gazes linger as usual, and Kunikuzushi staring down on him from high up, with a curious smile on his face, and another unfamiliar god, standing beside him, sharing almost a similar appearance with the girl he met in the garden, the only difference being the thin vines wrapped within his braid. A reminder of that recent encounter he thought he would forget, and a mixed wave of curiosity and frustration washed over him.
Ah, he never bothered to ask her about her name.