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Xiao’s day was more boring than usual.
The Yaksha boy found himself sitting on a sofa in one of the living areas of his father’s mansion, listening to Ganyu rant on about something related to a new delicacy she wished to try, both of them sitting sideways facing each other. He didn’t mind the endless rambles— in fact, he actually appreciated it. It served as good white noise while his mind blanked out. He wasn’t trying to be rude and purposely tune her out, but it was hard not to when he can’t exactly focus on anything at the moment.
His father calls it ‘dissociating’. Whatever that means. But either way, nothing even remotely exciting had happened today.
Cloud Retainer spent her day in the kitchen perfecting a certain dish (it was actually the delicacy Ganyu was speaking about, but Xiao didn’t want to ruin the surprise, so he’s kept quiet), Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver were either sparring or chatting somewhere in the building, and his dad… well, he doesn’t actually know.
That’s when his head turned. He subtly glanced around the area to try and think of where his adoptive father could have went. He doesn’t know how he just now realized, but he hadn’t seen the Archon the entire day aside from this morning at breakfast.
”..Um, Xiao? Are you listening? I can stop if it’s bothering you.”
Xiao’s head immediately snapped back to Ganyu and shook it. “No, sorry, you can continue. I’m listening.”
Ganyu was obviously a bit skeptical but continued anyway, brushing it off. Xiao wasn’t exactly sure why Ganyu always treated him with such dignity and respect when she was actually older than him. He would understand back then since they weren’t close and he would teach her sometimes, but things have changed. They’re closer than ever now, they hang out and chat, so he’s still confused as to why Ganyu feels the need to treat him like he’s better or more mature. Plus, it was strange considering their ages, as mentioned earlier. Sometimes he thinks that maybe she secretly pities him. Or maybe she’s too used to treating him highly that it’s hard to break the habit now.
Xiao ended up overthinking thinking about Ganyu’s perception of him and why she acts the way she does, when his thoughts are suddenly halted by a familiar voice behind him.
”Xiao, I’m going out for a bit to run a few errands for Cloud Retainer. Would you like to join me?”
Xiao turned around to see none other than the missing man himself standing before him. Morax. Or perhaps, Zhongli.
A quick mental check went through the younger one’s head, trying to recall if he had anything better to do (even though nothing rarely ever beat spending time with his dad). After a brief pause, he nodded. Zhongli softly smiled and looked to Ganyu, offering her to join as well. Ganyu politely declined, saying something along the lines of wanting to see what Cloud Retainer was making. Seems like the surprise won’t last long.
Xiao got up and put on his usual boots before stepping outside along with Zhongli. To save time, Zhongli subtly teleported the two behind a building in Liyue Harbor. After confirming no one saw them, Zhongli led Xiao into the bustling streets of the harbor, hand in hand.
Xiao felt slightly overwhelmed upon being thrusted into such a loud and packed environment. Of course, it wasn’t enough to cause any drastic affects to him, and he would need to get used to crowds eventually if he wanted to run errands with his family more often, but a small part of him will still always have a deep hatred for it. The endless people, the loud chatter, the sound of sellers advertising their products as well as children crying for their parents to buy them something— it was getting on his nerves. Every time Xiao thinks he’s gotten better at handling large crowds, he’s immediately proved wrong when the situation arises.
Zhongli gave Xiao’s hand a light squeeze, taking notice of the Yaksha’s micro expressions. Xiao looked up at him as Zhongli whispered, loud enough for Xiao to hear but quiet enough that no one else could.
”We can head home and come back in the evening when it’s less busy.”
Xiao knew what he was implying. It was obvious. But 90% of the times that Xiao went shopping with him, they ended up going home within the first ten minutes due to Xiao having some sort of issue with the crowds of people. And each time Zhongli would gladly cut the trip short just to take care of Xiao at home.
But this time he refuses.
”No… it’s okay. I’m fine.” He didn’t want to bother his father again. He needed to learn his lesson. To adapt and overcome, even if it was hard. Otherwise, he’d just be another burden.
Zhongli gave Xiao a kind yet concerned look, but didn’t argue. Instead giving a single nod as they continued walking, pushing and shoving past the multitude of people.
A few more minutes passed and Xiao’s head was beginning to hurt. Normally, if things got too much for him, his nose would start bleeding (this was actually one of the main reasons Zhongli secretly carried a handkerchief with him at all times). And Xiao could feel the headache slowly transitioning into a nosebleed.
As he raised a hand to his head, Zhongli noticed and didn’t waste any time in finding a nearby bookstore to take Xiao into. He couldn’t teleport to someplace else in front of all these people, so he chose the next best option.
Upon entering, Zhongli led Xiao to a secluded aisle of the bookstore before letting go of his hand and gently tilting his head up. Xiao’s eyes were a bit dazed, but there was no bleeding. That’s good.
”You should have told me this was too much for you, háizi.” He said with a soft sigh, brushing some hair out of the boy’s face.
Guilt and shame filled Xiao. He thought he could handle the situation but it turned out worse than what would’ve been if they had just went home.
His silent emotions were clear to his father though.
”Do not feel ashamed, my dear. It’s alright. Things like this happen, there is nothing wrong with it.” The tender strokes from a finger on his cheek made Xiao feel a bit better and relaxed. The quiet atmosphere of the bookstore also helped. ”Why don’t you stay here while I go finish grabbing a few more things? Or would you like to go home now?”
Xiao quickly shook his head. “I can stay. I’ll be fine, you can finish shopping.” Going home wouldn’t do any good, they were already here and had bought half the things they needed. Might as well get the rest.
Although Zhongli was somewhat reluctant at first, eventually he gave Xiao a pat on the head before turning to leave the store. Xiao was more than capable of handling himself if anything happened, he reasoned. It was fine.
And yet, Zhongli found himself subconsciously walking faster to gather the items he needed so he could get back to Xiao quicker.
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In the meantime, Xiao busied himself by looking at the books in the aisle he was left in. Most of them were romance novels. Gross, he thought. Either way, he looked through a few of them, not finding any particular interest in any but having not much else to do.
That is, until he felt a presence behind him. He sensed a mortal presence and didn’t pay it any mind. Humans would often stare at him, wondering about his exotic hair color or strange appearance. He’s gotten used to it (albeit it was still a bit uncomfortable). So he continued flipping through the book in his hand.
But then the presence got closer. And closer. Soon it was close enough that Xiao could feel their hot breath on his neck, causing the hairs on it to stand. He didn’t say anything and silently shifted a bit to the side, hoping the strange person would leave him be. But when they followed his footsteps, towering over him, he finally turned to face them. And, well… it wasn’t what he was expecting.
Standing before him was a man almost the same height as his dad, wearing casual clothes. His expression seems… fairly normal. His posture was straight, almost formal. He looked like any regular man in the streets. To be completely honest, Xiao was expecting some sort of dark, eerie-looking person. Not this guy.
”Ah, sorry, did I startle you? I was just trying to grab a book that was on a shelve above your head.” The man spoke in a relatively calm and polite tone. There was no reason to detect any malice from him, and yet Xiao couldn’t shake the unconscious feeling that something about this man was off.
”..No, it’s fine.” Was all he said. The latter smiled at him before looking at the books on the shelf ahead. Xiao kept an eye on him but went back to reading the book in his hands, despite his small amount of interest in it now completely vanishing.
Silence overtook the two. For about a good minute. But it was broken by the strange man’s voice again, causing Xiao to hold back a grimace. “Say… are you here alone? You’ve been standing here for longer than ten minutes.”
More questions popped up in Xiao’s head. How did the man know he was standing there for that long? Had he been watching him since he entered the store? No, his father would have noticed. Did he come in after? Was he behind him the entire time or in another aisle? He would have sensed him if he was close, wouldn’t he? He must have been in the other aisle. But why would he be staring? He didn’t give off the vibe of any regular person staring out of curiosity…
But his thoughts were quickly interrupted when he felt a subtly hand on his waist, followed by a disgustingly soft whisper.
”A cute boy like yourself shouldn’t be alone in the harbor, hm?”
Xiao froze. The book in his hand fell to the floor, pages crinkling at the edges and folding from the harsh drop.
He didn’t move.
More accurately, he couldn’t move.
He wasn’t sure why.
I’ve dealt with hundreds of people and monsters alike grabbing me from behind— all I would do is swing around and land a quick hit on them. Simple and effective. But why… why was this different? He’s just a mere human. What about this man is making me feel so… so icky? So helpless and pathetic?
The man’s hand dragged downwards at the hem of his shirt, carefully slipping one finger underneath the fabric. Then two. Then three. Xiao’s breath hitched. He felt a repulsive sensation in his tummy. Like a knot, almost. He suddenly felt like vomiting. A wave of nausea overtook his senses. Everything felt wrong in that moment. There were a multitude of thoughts and emotions going through his mind, trying to process at least half of them. He wanted to gag and yell out in anger and cry all at once. It was overwhelming. But the one thing he wanted the most stuck out like a sore thumb in the sea of emotions he was experiencing.
He wanted his dad.
The icky feeling increased tenfold when Xiao felt the man’s entire hand slip under his shirt and trail up to touch his bare chest, as well as his front pressing against Xiao’s back.
He hated it.
He hated it so much.
He hated how stupidly still he was.
He hated how he was practically allowing the man to do as he pleased.
He hated that he didn’t agree to go home earlier.
He hated that he was stuck, frozen like a child getting scolded, while this man caressed and touched him in ways that made him feel so disgusting that he wanted to cry.
Cry. Yes. He wanted to cry.
He wanted to scream out and wail like a pathetic child to his father. He didn’t care how weak it looked anymore.
Wanted to sob, and sob until his father heard from across the harbor and came running to save him.
He wanted this man to unhand him while his bàba dad held him in his strong, warm arms so he can cry until he’s too exhausted to cry any more.
But he still couldn’t understand why he felt this way. All the man was doing was touching his skin. Xiao has had gashes and open wounds dealt to his body before, sometimes even reaching his bones by how deep the wounds were. Yet this mere touch from this stranger was causing him to react like this? How? And why?
Just as the man’s mouth got closer to Xiao’s neck, suddenly his hand was yanked out from under his shirt and he felt the presence move back a few feet.
Xiao blinked, taking a moment to process the lack of pressure on his chest before turning around. To his surprise, he saw his father staring right there— one hand holding the man’s collar and the other hand gripping the man’s wrist that had been under his shirt a second ago. But what surprised him even more was the pure, unfiltered rage in his father’s eyes. His expression remained calm with just a hint of tension. It only served to scare the man in his grip even more.
”H-hello there, sir! Why, I-I didn’t notice you approaching— is there something you need?”
Zhongli didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. The bastard that he held in his hands right now didn’t deserve any word of response.
He had been in the middle of picking up a few last items a minute ago when he suddenly felt a faint sense of dread. He didn’t hesitate to immediately make it back to the bookstore, wanting to check on Xiao and make sure he was okay. But when he came into the aisle he left Xiao in, he stopped in his tracks. What he saw made his blood boil and red fill his vision. He couldn’t full see what was happening from behind, but he could definitely see some random man was completely pressed up against Xiao from behind. He had to bite back a threatening sound in the back of his throat and resist the urge to bare his fangs, not wanting any sort of draconic reaction to alert whoever was around.
The scum in his hold tried wriggling out of it while he tried to save himself with whatever courage he had left. “This- this must be a huge misunderstanding! You see— I was trying to help this young boy reach a book and—”
Not another word left his mouth as Zhongli adjusted his grip to escort the man outside the store. To any other passerby, it simply looked like two men conversing as they walked by. But the moment Zhongli was alone with the other in a nearby alley, he made sure to cover his mouth first and foremost.
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Xiao stood in the bookstore in the same aisle for the next few minutes or so. He hadn’t moved. The turbulent emotions in his head hadn’t settled down. If anything, they got worse.
Eventually, he heard the ringing bell of the door opening and saw his bàba dad walk back in. When his eyes landed on the younger Adeptus, his expression softened and he approached him, pulling him into the same strong, warm arms he was so used to.
”I’m so sorry, qīn’ài de. Are you hurt anywhere? Did that man do anything to you?” Xiao couldn’t answer. The words were lodged in his throat. But as soon as he opened his mouth to get a single sentence out, instead what came out shocked him even himself.
Zhongli’s heart broke in a million pieces when he heard a sob escape his son’s mouth. Xiao’s eyes began welling with tears almost instantly, hiccups building in his chest and eventually releasing as he let out another quiet sob. He held him tighter, cradling his head against his chest as he began to softly shush him while pressing loving kisses into his hair.
Xiao hiccuped and sniffled, crying into his father’s chest while mumbling almost childishly. “..’m sorry…” He didn’t like the way he sounded, but he also couldn’t bring himself to care in that moment.
Zhongli almost couldn’t believe what he said. But then again, this was Xiao.
”Don’t apologize, sweetheart. You have nothing to be sorry for, do you understand?” Xiao could only nod. The two stood there for a couple more minutes until Zhongli decided not to risk drawing any unnecessary attention. So after leaving the store and heading to a nearby empty area, he teleported them both back home.
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Later in the day…
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“Could you tell me exactly where he touched you?”
Xiao was now seated in Zhongli’s lap in his room on the bed. After they had arrived home, Zhongli grabbed Xiao something to drink while Xiao took a bath (in an attempt to scrub off the lingering gross feeling of the man’s hands on his skin) and had a nap. After the quick thirty minute nap, they ended up in this position, with Zhongli holding him and tracing small circles onto Xiao’s waist with his thumb.
”Mm… my stomach and my chest… that’s all.”
Even that small piece of information was almost enough to bring back the Archon’s previous anger. Almost.
”I see.”
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”Bàba.”
“Yes, baby?”
”Are you mad?”
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”Am I mad?”
”Mhm.”
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”I am. But not at you.”
”At that man?”
”Yes.”
“Okay.”
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”Bàba.”
”Yes, baby.”
”…I still feel icky.”
Zhongli looked down at his baby bird, processing what he meant. “You feel icky? You mean on your stomach and chest?” Xiao nodded very lightly.
Seconds passed. Then Zhongli placed his hand on Xiao’s belly, very gently tracing patterns onto it with his fingers and doing the same to his chest. Slowly but surely, he was replacing the disgusting feeling with a loving and tender feeling. Xiao visibly relaxed, melting against the latter. He started to feel much better. Although the touch of that stranger lingered, it was slowly being replaced by his dad’s gentle ministrations.
Just for a little extra, Zhongli peppered more kisses on Xiao’s head, whispering the softest and sweetest reassurances into his sea-green hair. Soon enough, Xiao felt a small smile spread across his lips. The feeling of pure warmth that surrounded his entire body and held him so securely made him feel grounded again. Safe. Protected. His dad would always protect him, and he knew that.
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Later that evening…
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“Morax, did you hear of this recent report in Liyue Harbor? Just an hour ago, the body of a man was discovered in an alleyway. He seemed to have been brutally beaten. Multiple broken bones, numerous injuries and even a concussion. Goodness.” Cloud Retainer called out after stepping out of the kitchen for a moment.
Zhongli sipped his tea calmly while sitting on a sofa next to the others as he replied to Cloud Retainer.
”Hm. Is that so.”
The others gave him a slightly suspicious look while Xiao blinked at him. Maybe his dad was a bit too protective…