Work Text:
It’s Not The Same Without You
Xiao sat alone on the roof of Wangshu Inn, staring at the spot he and Lumine had first met. He could almost see it, as if it had just been the day before. He could hear her voice, pleasant, yet strong as she introduced herself. Xiao could even smell the scent that had intoxicated him from the moment it reached him, Lumine’s scent.
He crossed his arms. It had only been two months since he’d last seen her, and yet here he was, sitting alone, pining over something he couldn’t have. There was no way Lumine would be able to make it back from her adventures for this occasion. A day he’d come to look forward to every year since he’d met her, instead of ignoring, or dreading.
So many years had gone by without a birthday, when he was a slave, more likely to end the day with a beating than anything else. It wasn’t until he was saved by Rex Lapis that he learned people liked to celebrate the existence of those they cared about. Acknowledging their friendship, and kinship through gifts, and greetings.
The first time his fellow Yaksha had celebrated his life, Xiao was confused by what was happening. Many of the things he now wore were presents given to him by the Yaksha, and he still cherished them.
His Lord would visit him in the morning, giving Xiao the medicine he always insists he should take. After breakfast, Rex Lapis would head back to Liyue, and Xiao would get to work, ensuring the safety of the people of Liyue.
Before he met Lumine, he never would have used the word mundane to describe his own life. Even now he wasn’t sure if that was the correct word. He took pride in keeping people safe, caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves, but it was so much better, so much easier with her by his side.
With a sigh, Xiao laid back on the roof tiles, unwilling to retire to an empty room. He’d rather look at the stars, and ponder which ones Lumine might be seeing, if any at all. Was she sleeping? Fighting? Having her ear talked off by Paimon?
He snorted to himself, it felt like the last seemed most likely. It seemed rare that the fairy stopped talking. He’d even heard her talking about food, and mora in her sleep. Xiao would admit, for as loud as Paimon was, he found her slightly entertaining. He was glad that Lumine had someone to keep her company, but wished he was with them.
Xiao recalled what Rex Lapis had said to him. “ You are no longer under contract. You could go, and be with her, Xiao. You could stay with her. ”. He couldn’t, though. The humans were fair at protecting themselves, but there were certain powers that they were not equipped for, and he was not going to leave them to that fate.
His Lord knew this, but Xiao supposed the longing in his eyes must have been obvious. Even if it wasn’t to a normal person, such a thing would not escape Rex Lapis’ knowing gaze. Wise in his years, his Lord knew what it was to love, and to lose.
In the end, it didn’t matter. His birthday was just another day, and he would live it as such. Xiao didn’t sleep that night.
~xxxxxxxxxx~
“Perhaps you should rest, instead of going out today,” Rex Lapis said over the rim of his tea cup, then paused, concern shadowing his eyes, “Has your karmic debt been bothering you?”
Xiao shook his head. While it felt stronger after Lumine would go, her presence seemed to somehow lessen his karmic debt, and left him feeling better. Her last visit had been exceptionally relaxing, and other than his mood, he felt well.
“I see, you miss her. Doesn’t she usually visit you on this day?”
“She was here recently. It would be a difficult trip for her to make after only two months. I… would prefer she simply stays safe, rather than come all the way here.”
His Lord sat quietly, no doubt that he was not even slightly fooled by Xiao’s words. He missed her so much. He never would have thought that this could happen to him, having long since resigned himself to being alone. Who would have thought that one day, out of the blue, a traveler would show up, and sweep his heart away.
“You two have become quite close,” the elder continued, “It’s nice to see. Young ones such as yourselves should be enjoying yourself, falling in love. You have spent far too much of your life in servitude to others, Xiao. To say you deserve happiness… would be an understatement.”
Xiao let out something like a half-laugh. Was that so, did he deserve it? He wanted happiness, but deserving it was something entirely different. He had done far too much in his life to deserve something so soft, and beautiful. Rex Lapis made a noise, soft, but obviously displeased.
“There is a point in which you should begin to live for yourself, my child. A time in which you should begin to make your own decisions, and realize you have done enough for others. You are but one person, cleaning up someone else’s mess, for which I am grateful, but I truly wish to see you happy, and free .”
Xiao didn’t answer, but ate his almond tofu in silence. Rex Lapis thankfully changed the subject, then, speaking of his quiet life in Liyue, and the last time he had seen the trouble-making Fatui Harbinger he was so fond of.
Later, as his Lord turned to go, he paused, “Consider taking a few days to see her, Xiao. Liyue has been quiet, and peaceful lately. It will be fine, and I’m certain it would do you both some good. Take care of yourself.”
With that, he was gone.
Xiao’s heart ached at the thought of seeing her. He looked out over the balcony, the perfect spot to see what was happening over the entirety of his nation. He thought about Rex Lapis’ words, quiet and peaceful. It wasn’t wrong, things had been slow.
Biting his lip, he looked at the sun, it wasn't even mid-morning. Rex Lapis had left early, which was no doubt his plan after putting the idea of going to see Lumine in his head. It worked. If he left now, he’d be able to see her in just a couple of hours, as long as he used his abilities to travel faster.
Xiao went down to the front desk, and let them know of his leave, not wanting any panic when he couldn’t be found for a few days, and left. It wasn’t difficult for him to sense her, even from a distance, Lumine was always with him, even if only in spirit.
As he entered Natlan, Xiao took a minute to look over the landscape from a high perch. The green landscape, and brightly painted mountains spanned for as far as he could see. Considering the problems the nation had recently faced it all appeared calm.
Xiao closed his eyes, and let a small smile spread across his lips. Lumine was near. In fact, if he listened to the wind, he could hear Paimon’s squeaky voice. With one last port, he was face to face with a shocked blonde traveler, and her floating fairy companion.
“Whoa! You can’t just do that to people! What if we had run into you?! Oh, right… you’d probably just teleport out of the way…”
He didn’t hear a single word Paimon had said, having focused on his target. It was a delayed moment of looking at each other, Lumine being surprised, and Xiao simply being happy to take in the sight. Then, the beautiful blonde threw her arms around him, and nuzzled her face into his neck.
The closeness and warmth that spread through his body felt so good, and right. His own arms found their way around her waist, and squeezed. She fit in his arms perfectly .
“I take it you know him, then?” a deep voice said from behind Lumine.
Xiao looked up without letting go of Lumine, and found a tall man in a light coat, and a hat to match it. The man didn’t look like a threat. It was only when Lumine pulled back that he let go, but their hands remained clasped together.
“Oh, Ifa, this is Xiao! He’s my significant other. Xiao, this is Ifa, he’s a veterinarian here in Natlan,” she said.
Ifa waved, “Hello, Xiao. Pleasure to meet you, bro.”
He wasn’t sure what bro meant, but he gave the man a nod in return.
“Oh, Paimon… you really seem to have an interest in the wildlife, so I wanted to show you something,” Ifa drew his lips into a flat line, and snapped his fingers, “You know, I just remembered its way back in my hometown. Why don’t you come with me to find it?”
“Huh? What could be so interesting that we’d go all the way back to-” she paused, “Oh, right, yeah. Paimon would be happy to help you find it! It was nice to see you, Xiao!”
With a small smile, the two left, and Xiao couldn’t wait any longer. Catching Lumine by surprise once more, he pulled her into a deep kiss. He could feel the heat radiating from her cheeks, and anywhere that her body was pressed against his.
Xiao mourned the loss when they were forced to separate for air, but seeing Lumine’s smile was worth it. He hadn’t realized that he was holding her face in his hands, staring at her, until she giggled. He started to pull his hands back, but she held them there.
“I’ve missed you, Xiao. Happy birthday!”
“I missed you too, and I… I needed to see you,” he replied quietly.
Lumine frowned, “I’m sorry you had to come all the way here…”
“It was expected after your last visit,” he smiled, hoping it would raise her mood.
“So, did you get the letter I sent?” Lumine asked as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“… No. Verr Goldet will save it for me. For now, all of my attention is yours.”
Her eyes wandered his face until they landed back on his own eyes, “You… don’t have to go back, Xiao. You could stay with me.”
Xiao could see the hope, and want in her eyes. If he were being honest with himself, it was exactly what he wanted. Rex Lapis’ words had been playing through his head on repeat. He gripped Lumine tightly around the waist, and in an instant, they were looking down from a nearby mountain top. This brought the smile to her face that he was hoping for, it was radiant.
“I would like to stay,” he said, and pulled her into a kiss.
Together, they sat on the edge, watching the sunset, and with the woman he loved, Xiao had his best birthday yet.