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To hear the Traveller hurriedly explain it, it had all been an accident, an unintended situation. Xiao honestly had not cared to hear more than ‘temporary change’ and ‘- will be fine once he’s ready to change back -’. Then the Traveller had said, “I’ll explain his absence to Hu Tao, but I’m not comfortable leaving him on his own when he’s... like this. Would you help, Xiao?”
As though the Traveller needed to ask, when it came to Zhongli-daren! Xiao looks down at Zhongli-daren’s currently tiny form, curled up contentedly in Xiao’s arms, and bites back a ripple of worry. Of course Xiao would help, as best as he could. How could he do anything less... To the Traveller, Xiao curtly says, “I will. If trouble brews upon the Guili Plains or other parts of Liyue, I will call on you and others to help, for the time being. Thank you for bringing Zhongli-daren to me, Traveller.”
As the Traveller leaves, Xiao settles himself – and the precious burden of Zhongli-daren – down on the floor of his room, thinking. What should he do next? Obviously caring for Zhongli-daren should take precedence over most of Xiao’s duties – the few remaining that there were these days – and with help from the Traveller for the most urgent, Xiao has ... time. Time to properly take care of Zhongli-daren.
Although thinking of it, Xiao should probably ask Verr for some additional... furnishings for his room. Even if Zhongli-daren has seen it all before, it seems... inappropriate to host him in a place as sparse and ascetic as this, until such time as Zhongli-daren is pleased to resume his usual form and activities.
In all the years that Verr has managed the Wangshu Inn, this is perhaps one of the more surprising requests that the Conqueror of Demons has brought to her. The way he’d kept to ascetism in his personal life, she’d never thought he would ask for... such little luxuries. With the calmest, most politely indifferent face she can muster, Verr nods and says, “Of course. The items you requested will be sent up straight a-”
“Just put them on the balcony. I will retrieve them myself.” The Conqueror of Demons says hastily. “Thank you for your help.”
Tightly clutching the curiously furred creature in his arms – was it Verr’s imagination or did it somewhat resemble the descriptions of Rex Lapis’ dragon form? – the Conqueror of Demons disappears in the greatest fluster Verr has seen him in of late. Very interesting. Best to advise Yanxiao to take especial care with the particular instructions Verr has just received, in that case. And there should be something suitable for the Conqueror of Demons’ other requests in the storehouses...
In the privacy of his rooms, Xiao hugs Zhongli-daren close again – the joy in his heart at being allowed, at Zhongli-daren being calm enough, relaxed enough to cuddle against Xiao – and quietly sighs. Nothing wrong with living ascetically, usually, but when hosting Zhongli-daren as well... the bump of Zhongli-daren’s snout against his chin startles Xiao out of his thoughts. “Your sincerity is more than enough, my Xiao.”
“You enjoy fine things.” Xiao murmurs quietly, more to himself than anything. “I should... I should see to it that you have things you enjoy in this space when we share it.”
Zhongli-daren nuzzles against Xiao again, the pressure of his touch somehow weightier now. “You should be happy too, Xiao.”
It is ... not a new sentiment from Zhongli-daren. Xiao lets himself think on it – on the implications of it – a little longer, hands unconsciously stroking Zhongli-daren’s fluffy mane. The motion is comforting, and eventually Xiao finds himself calm enough to start with, “My lord, I...”
“How you usually live is sufficient.” Zhongli-daren says with tenderness. “But I will not deny you the pleasure of looking after me to your heart’s content either, Xiao. Do as you see fit.”
Overcome with strong feeling, Xiao bends down to kiss Zhongli-daren’s forehead. “You honour me.”
Zhongli-daren nudges Xiao again, bumping gently against Xiao’s nose. “I think it is your care and devotion that honours me. I am perhaps a little weary right now... show me your favourite basking spots, please?”
Fortunately, Liyue is quiet. There are no threats that Xiao can perceive – there is nothing to call Xiao away, nothing to distract him from ... from enjoying the warm weight of Zhongli-daren in his lap. Nothing but Xiao’s own willpower to prevent him from being ... presumptuous and petting Zhongli-daren again, drawn to the contentment his lord is practically radiating.
“The view is very lovely, and you are very comfortable to perch on.” Zhongli-daren says suddenly. “I can see why you like resting on the branches of this tree so much.”
Xiao feels his cheeks heat. “It is ... it is very comfortable, yes.”
Zhongli-daren wriggles in his lap, turning about to lie on his back – and surely it is coincidence that that exposes his currently soft, furry belly to Xiao – though maybe not a coincidence after all. Not when Zhongli-daren’s currently so tiny paws are reaching for Xiao’s hands, and tugging them down to Zhongli-daren’s belly, and encouraging Xiao to stroke. Blushing further, Xiao asks in a whisper, “This is fine?”
Zhongli-daren purrs in quiet reply. “Yes. Very fine. Stay like this, please.”
Some time later – perhaps hours? Xiao has not been keeping track, lost in the soft pleasure of touching Zhongli-daren as instructed – Zhongli-daren stretches slowly in his arms and says, “The view is very nice indeed, even after looking at it for a while. Are you in the habit of coming to my statues and temples to think, Xiao?”
“... sometimes.” Xiao admits quietly. “I like this one quite well, at the moment. It is high up and a good vantage point from which to guard Liyue, and the qingxin bloom sweetly around it in their season.”
Zhongli-daren reaches up, nuzzling gently against Xiao’s chin. “Is that so? I am glad you would share this experience with me.”
Then, as Xiao begins to stroke Zhongli-daren’s flanks again, he adds, “Oh, and that is very nice as well, but if you don’t mind, scratch a little deeper – yes, just like that and to the left, thank you.”
Days pass. Zhongli-daren remains as inclined to cling to Xiao as ever, with no sign of desiring to return to his usual self, let alone attempting to do so. It’s flattering in a way, to be the recipient of so much of Zhongli-daren’s attention, but ... but Xiao cannot help a thread of worry, especially once Zhongli-daren’s mortal concerns come looking for him too. Hu Tao in particular. Xiao picks Zhongli-daren up, and retreats beyond the reach of mortals to cuddle his lord and think on how best to... phrase his question. Eventually – trying not to feel too guilty over enjoying the feeling of Zhongli-daren dozing in his lap – Xiao asks, “My lord, do you... not want to return to your usual form?”
Zhongli-daren opens his eyes, nuzzling up against Xiao’s chin, but remains silent. Xiao waits for several moments before saying with quiet uncertainty, “Because if you would... would like to ... to put aside your mortal life as well, I would aid you if only you would give the word to do so. But this ... current situation doesn’t seem...”
“I know.” Zhongli-daren finally answers. “It’s ... not that. I just...”
Uncharacteristically, he trails off instead of finishing his sentence. Xiao bites down on his own impatience and waits. Eventually, Zhongli-daren continues, “You are... comfortable with me demonstrating affection, like this. I ... suppose I have been enjoying myself too much.”
He squirms out of Xiao’s arms to stand firmly in front of Xiao – Xiao, who feels as though he should have something to reply to that but – “Thank you for indulging my whims, Xiao.” Zhongli-daren says solemnly. “I should stop taking advantage of your kind heart now.”
Without further ado, Zhongli-daren’s form begins to glow and shift, cutting off Xiao’s fumbling attempts to find a good reply. Well ... well, if words weren’t working, then Xiao will just have to use actions instead! As Zhongli-daren’s usual form begins to appear, Xiao leaps forward, tackling him into a hug. His lord catches him without so much as a step backwards, steady as ever – patient as Xiao clings to him, as ardently as Zhongli-daren had clung to Xiao not so long ago.
“Xiao?” Zhongli-daren asks in bemusement, “Not that this is unwelcome, but... why?”
“Zhongli-daren enjoys being close to me.” Xiao explains as steadily as he can despite the no doubt obvious flush to his cheeks and waver to his voice. “Zhongli-daren should know that I – that this Xiao – is most happy to offer the chance to be close, whenever... whenever you might like it.”
For a moment, as Zhongli-daren remains still in surprise, Xiao is worried – and then his lord sweeps him up in a deep, answering kiss.