Suffering Yaksha - Xiao x Reader [Genshin Impact Oneshot]

Suffering Yaksha

"Do you believe in reincarnation?" The storyteller spoke softly, waving her hands in the air to draw the children's attention. "Said the Adeptus Xiao to a lonely girl. As both of them stand on the balcony of the Wangshu Inn, only the lumination from the lanterns made their lovestruck faces glow..."

"Shh...!" Many of the boys and girls shuffled excitedly in crisscross formation on the stone floor as they listened intently.

"Every year, the city of Liyue celebrates the Lantern Rite. A very special day... Where everyone's wishes get granted... And when lovers reunite..."

Every year the city of Liyue celebrates the Lantern Rite, it always amazed you to see the sparkling lights floating effortlessly in the sky. Such a wonderful sight, anyone would stop and watch in awe at the release of the lanterns. With your chin in your hands, your eyes gleamed with delight.

"Do you believe in reincarnation?" The young man dressed in traditional Liyuen clothing was leaning casually against the same railing you were standing by. His question was random and it threw you off guard a little.

"Reincarnation?" Your lips curled into a gentle smile. "I think the afterlife is something that the dead should embrace. If released from the burdens of life, why go back and live again?"

"Hm, haven't heard that one before," He hummed with little to no interest in your answer.

Resting your cheek on your hand, you glanced over at the Yaksha, "Do you have any wishes to make, Xiao?"

"What is the point in making a wish when I am the one granting them?" He responded coldly, crossing his arms and glaring at the sky.

You giggled happily at his reply, finding it quite adorable that he was acting so cute. Xiao was always so unapproachable and looked angry all the time, but he had his moments. He's polite and can get very protective when he knows someone is in danger.

It was always a thought in your mind: how long have you been standing on this balcony exactly? You can't really place your finger on when you walked up the stairs to get here, nor if you even interacted with the other residents in the Inn. All you could recall was watching the countless lanterns from afar.

On the other hand, Xiao was watching you. His striking yellow eyes pierced through your soul and you feared that he knew everything about you and what you were thinking. He had a solemn expression on his face, something was familiar about the way he sadly smiled.

Then it clicked together like two pieces of a puzzle. You suddenly gasped, clutching onto the clothing on your chest and struggling to stay upright on your feet. Swiftly, Xiao dashed forward and held you in his arms to keep you from collapsing.

"Do you remember now?" He asked in a hopeful voice, pulling you closer.

"Yes, I remember now!" You exclaimed in surprise, eyes widening in horror. "Morax...! The Adepti...! The... The dreadful war!"

A hand caressed your head when you started to cry, you were pulled into a strong embrace and you finally felt the coldness of what happened many, many years ago. The bloodshed, the sacrifices, the dead Gods that now found paradise. It all came back to you like a crashing wave.

"Xiao...! My Xiao, I missed you so much!" A broken sob left your lips as you continued to weep. "I waited for you but you never came! It's so lonely in the afterlife!"

"I told you," He scolded. "If only you listened to me. If only you chose to be reincarnated, we would have been living among the mortals together. I made an oath to protect the people of Liyue from the demons that plague this world."