Genshin One Shots and Preferences

One. Xiao. Qingxin.

Main Characters- Xiao, y/n

Theme: Angst

Setting: Liyue

y/n uses she/her pronouns in this chapter.
I'll get her a name soon but its y/n for now

~
Xiao was never the type to form bonds with people. Because of his immortality, people were, as harsh as it sounds, temporary. He watched over Liyue. As adventurers were born, and he watched as they lost their battles.

However, there was something peculiar about y/n. As much as Xiao avoided people, he just kept bumping into her. He found himself comforted by her presence. A feeling that Xiao isn't quite familiar with.

It was warm, welcoming. Xiao didn't want her to leave. This he would never admit of course. He was scared of what would happen if the ground beneath his feet learned that he, loved someone?

y/n. As the days passed his curiosity grew. He hated it. He never wanted to feel, never needed to feel anything. Except he did feel one thing, not love, or he refused to even consider.

He heard her wishes. Although they were never rational, Xiao loved hearing them.

"I wish it rained cor lapis! Oh wait, that would hurt."

He appeared to her frequently. Helping her fight hilichurls or the pesky treasure hoarders.

"What would it take for the angry yaksha to smile?"

Why? Xiao was Xiao. Why would she care how he felt? It's been empty for years. The unfamiliar warmth scared him. The only time he felt love, it hurt him right back. And it haunts him to this day.

The traveler has gone on less adventures now. Less fighting and more exploration. Sje loved picking up qinqxin flowers. She would give Xiao one whenever she saw him.

Xiao has been keeping his distance. Traveler still goes out for flowers. She leaves them at Wangshu Inn and tells Verr to make sure Xiao gets them.

Xiao didn't want them.

He noticed y/n growing weaker. The people of Liyue have not seen her in days. Everyone assumed she was out adventuring again. Fools. It was almost as if she lost her value the moment she left their line of sight. Everyone needed her but no one really cared for her.

He could hear her whisper into the wind.
"I need to find strength again."

This broke Xiao. Broke him more than he already was. What was the term humans used for it again? Twisting the knife?

"I want the wind to know I am still free."

Only the people at Bubu Pharmacy knew of this. Bai Zhu tried to come up with all sorts of concoctions to help the traveler light up again. Her energy was like a latern that drifted away. Slowly fading into the night.

The air was calm at Liyue Harbor. The stars sparkled like they have for millennia, it was nothing special. Xiao sat and listened to the people of Liyue and their wishes. Tired of the noise he got up to leave. When a sudden feeling of emptiness hit him. It wasn't like what he was used to. He heard everyone perfectly.

He went into Wangshu Inn.

"No flowers today." Verr informed him.

Maybe she's finally given up. Maybe thats why Xiao felt like he was severed off. But Xiao knew that it felt bigger. He went into the night. On the highest point of Guyun Stone Forest. The wind carried pain.

Xiao followed it, just expecting another fatui agent struggling with their lifestyle. Instead he was greated by the coppery scent of blood. Xiao grew numb. Her eyes met his.

"No." The words almost inaudible. He knelt down beside her.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to get you flowers." She smiled, tears gushing down her face. Holding out her hand.

"Why?" As the words left his mouth, he could no longer see the girl in front of him. He was taken back to the first time she gave her flowers.

-Flashback-
They were right beside one of the statues of seven. The qinqxin was plucked off the ground and carried by the wind.

Almost falling off, the traveler caught it. She laughed and smiled. Hands up in victory.

"Here, its yours." She offered the flower.

"I don't really need it. Maybe it'll remind you of the day you met me."

Xiao shrugged.

Traveler knew Xiao wouldn't take it. So she tucked it in behind his ear. At that moment, they became his favorite flower.

He just watched, intrigued at this... intimacy. As the traveler sat by him.

-Flashback end-

"Xiao, thank you for being part of my life. I hope I made a difference in yours." The travalers thoughts silenced. She wasnt with him anymore.

He clenched the flower. Screaming.

No one was there. Xiao was alone once again. He hunched over her body. Begging for her to come back. He felt his aura get dark.

He was never meant to be in her life, just like how she wasn't meant to be in his. The darkness enveloped him. He carried her body to the peak of guyun.

"Barbatos, please take care of her."

He left.

As the news of the travelers passing spread. No one knew where Xiao went. He went missing. He didn't show himself to others. Verr Goldet was starting to get concerned.

Once he came back, a vial with a dead petal was around his neck.

Qingxin in hand. He offered it to her grave.

"You were the best thing that happened to me in so long. I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

Every first of the month Xiao visits her. Same as always. A single qinqxin to offer.

Its been a century since the traveler left Xiao to walk the planet alone.

Xiao still returns to her. Repeating the same words. The tale of y/n and her adventures have been forgotten in people's heads. Only existing in pictures from the kamera and in books printed years ago. The yaksha remembers her clear as day. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you. Save you like I always did."

He felt a warm presence beside him. He refused to look.

"Y'know. I thought by now you would stop apologizing." Her laugh echoed.

"Xiao, I'm happy now. I hope you find happiness again. Even if its not me."

Xiao felt cold once again. The wound still felt fresh. She was gone. And she's been gone for a while.

~
I wrote this at 4am. Yay! It's 8am rn and im in class. Its meh.

2 votes until I write a next one shot. Just so I know theres someone out there reading this~