Chapter Text
Chapter 1:
Setting: Wangshu Inn, POV: Hat Guy
Wanderer follows as Lumine leads him up the stairs to the balcony.
He scoffs, crossing his arms, he says "Why exactly did you drag me all the way here? What's so important?"
Lumine says "Well, there was someone I wanted you to meet, you two are quite similar."
Wanderer rolls his eyes, he says "Please, you're pulling out the 'similar' line? How could anyone be similar to me?" Lumine ignores him and calls out "Hey, Xiao!"
Wanderer tilts his head, Who is-? He thinks- suddenly, a swirl of dark green anemo energy appears behind them
Xiao stands there, arms crossed. He says "You called?"
Wanderer looks Xiao up and down, he says "Seriously. This is who you wanted me to meet?" He turns to Lumine
Lumine says "Well, both of you have Anemo visions, you're both a bit... grumpy and both of you have some traumatic issues." Xiao blinks, Wanderer thinks Wow, is this just an excuse for her to call me out?
Xiao looks at Wanderer, he says "I see. I make it clear that if you show bad intentions towards the Traveler or Liyue, I will show no mercy in your execution."
Wanderer says "Ha, you could try!" Xiao narrows his eyes
"Is that a threat?"
Lumine intervenes, she says "Whoa, whoa, okay, let's not get aggressive here." Wanderer looks away, huffing, he sneaks a glance back at Xiao, intending to glare at him.
He completely short circuits.
He looks at Xiao, like, actually looks at him. Every detail seems to be crystal clear, the amber gold in Xiao's eyes, his fluffy dark teal hair, everything.
Wanderer's heart does a flip, he thinks
Wait, what? Why is he looking at me like that? Why am I just noticing all this? My god, why am I like this.
Xiao tilts his head at Wanderer, a look of curious concern on his face, he says "Are you alright? Your elemental energy just spiked, puppet. Is my karma affecting you?"
Wanderer fakes a scoff, looking away, tilting his hat down to hide his face, his ears pink, he says "As if." Lumine was confused, she says "Huh, that's weird... Usually you start throwing out insults by now."
Wanderer snaps "Shut up! I just simply- I have decided that this-this Yaksha is not worth the waste of my breath and time."
Xiao gives a respectful nod to Lumine before turning around "If that is all, I shall take my leave-"
"Wait!"
Wanderer blurts, Xiao turns back around to look at him, Wanderer immediately falters in his gaze.
Xiao says "Something you wish to say, puppet?"
Wanderer says "I... I didn't say I gave you permission to leave!"
I have never heard a more terrible excuse in my entire life, that was so stupid.
Xiao says "You have no power over me. I can leave if I want to."
Wanderer says "I know that! Just- Ugh, whatever!"
He gives up entirely, quickly flying away. Xiao turns his head to Lumine, he asks "Is he usually like this?"
Lumine replies "No." Then, she smirks mischievously, she says "But I think I know."
LATE EVENING, DIHUA MARSH
Wanderer mutters to himself, kicking a stray rock
"What are you doing?"
Wanderer jumps, he whips around
Xiao is standing behind him once again, looking entirely unbothered.
Wanderer says "You! I have a better question! What are you doing!? Are you stalking me!?" Xiao says "No. You are alone."
Wanderer says "Well, obviously! What does that have to do with anything-"
Xiao completely invades his personal space
"Wh-hey!"
Wanderer stumbles back, Xiao is simply watching him curiously, circling around him
Xiao gently grips Wanderers arm to pull him closer, he inspects him
Wanderer grabs Xiao's wrist to pry his grip off his arm
he asks, face turning crimson "What is wrong with you? Do you always just walk up to somebody and start poking them? I am a divine vessel, I'll have you know!"
Xiao doesn't respond, still inspecting Wanderer, after a few seconds, Xiao says "You're energy was off back at the balcony, puppet. I had to make sure there weren't issues."
Wanderer takes a few steps back "Well," he prompted, "are there any issues?"
Xiao doesn't even blink
"no"
Wanderer says, turning around, starting to walk away "Okay then, so that means you won't go grabbing me again."
Xiao says "That's not all. Do not leave yet." Wanderer groans
Is he doing this on purpose? Is he trying to kill me? Why does he look so pretty while interrogating me!? There must be something deeply wrong with me
Xiao says "I gave this courtesy to Traveler, I now extend the same to you. If you ever find yourself in danger or in need of help. Call out my name."
Wanderer pauses, he says "... What?"
Xiao says "Call out my name, Xiao, and I will be there to assist you. I will hear you no matter where you are."
Wanderer says "I don't need help from some Yaksha! I can handle myself perfectly fine."
"I am not forcing you. It is simply an offer."
Then, Xiao simply vanished in a burst of dark anemo energy, Wanderer blinked. Of course. Of course he left. Pfft, doesn't matter, it's not like I care anyway. Wanderer still considered it, Xiao's words echoing in his head, "Call out my name and I will be there." Wanderer shakes his head
"Idiot..."
The next morning, during breakfast
Paimon, Lumine and Wanderer all sit at a table at the Wanmin restaurant, Paimon practically inhaling the food (Nom, nom, nom, ehe)
Lumine says "Soooooo, Hat Guy... What do you think about Xiao?"
Wanderer says "He's annoying, stubborn and absolutely insufferable." Lumine says, smiling, resting her chin on her hand
"Uh-huh, sure. Xiao told me that last night he attempted to talk to you and you yelled at him while blushing. Those aren't the exact words he used, but that's basically what he said. He's so oblivious."
Wanderer says "Talk? He barely talked at all! He was mainly just poking and pestering me!"
Lumine's eyes widen, she sits up straight "Really? Xiao? You're kidding me. Xiao, of all people? Initiating touch? He never even receives touch without trying to inch away!"
Wanderer's heart thumps in his chest, his face turning red, he says "Yeah, well, he sure was getting close. Hmph, he was lucky I didn't blast him away from me."
Before Lumine can open her mouth to tease him, Paimon interrupts "Wow, Paimon is stuffed! Wanmin restaurant is still the best!"
Using the opportunity, Wanderer says "I have to go study." He leaves the table, he hadn't even touched his food. Paimon asks "Uhhhhh, what did Paimon miss?" Lumine says, giggling, watching Wanderer run off "Oh, don't worry about it Paimon, it's none of your concern."
End of part 1