𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐍 ↷ genshin impact x reader [✓]

# "良い夢を" ⤷ xiao

❝ if you need me, call my name ❞

. selected route ; 良い夢を (sweet dream)

xiao . conqueror of demons

. scenario - in which you can't sleep because of nightmares and xiao soothes you (requested!)

. music - say you won't let go : james arthur

tw. mentions of sleep deprivation

.

YOUR EYELIDS FLUTTERED open for the twelfth time, unable to fully fall asleep despite it being deep into the night. If you were to guess, probably around three in the morning.
You were absolutely exhausted but you just couldn't seem to fall into deep slumber in fear of the nightmares that haunted you. One in particular returned each night; the lost of your sibling. Since being taken from you by the Unknown God, you've trekked through valleys and mountains in search to no avail. A thought nagged in the back of your mind whether of not you would ever find your sibling but you diminished such thought. Still, the haunting scream filled your mind— the anguish and fear you felt in that moment. It returned to you each night in the form of repeating nightmares.

You found yourself drowning in exhaustion as seconds dragged into minutes and minutes into hours. Wangshu Inn was eerily quiet at this hour.

Twisting and turning to each side didn't help as you couldn't find a position comfortable enough to fall asleep, even if you did— the dullness of your back and neck pains would keep you awake. The creaking of the bed frame kept you aware of your quiet surroundings before you opted to call for someone who could help you in your current predicament.

"Xiao."

With a single whisper, you felt the coolness of the winds brush against your skin, prickling it as the adeptus appeared before you. Your tired eyes glanced up, meeting his worried golden ones. In a halo of moonlight, he looked rather ethereal.

"You called?" He asked quietly, peering at your figure in slight distress.

To call for him at such a unprecedented hour was one thing but the sight of a very disoriented and borderline delirious version of you was very concerning.

You sighed, shaking your head in response. "Apologies... I," you paused for a moment before continuing. "I couldn't sleep..."

"Is it the nightmares again?"

You've called Xiao on multiple occasions regarding this issue. There was a form of mystic arts that he often performed on you that warded the nightmares away temporarily. This wasn't his first encounter with your troubling nightmares.

You nodded quietly, unsure of what to say. Xiao never pried about the contents of said nightmares but knew it was devastating enough to reduce you to such a state.

"Could you... get rid of them, again...?" You hated relying on him for such mundanity but Xiao never complained.

He would much rather see you sleeping peacefully through the night than see you quietly sob yourself back to sleep for the eighth time. Watching you tear up in such a way made his chest tighten, his lungs felt airless as he watched you cry in silence. It was too painful to witness and for him, it was unbearable.

"Close your eyes," he commanded. You did as you were told, eyes fluttering shut.

Warmth filled you, gentle winds circling you as Xiao whispered a chant. You felt a knot forming in your chest before dispelling into nothing— anxiety lifted from your shoulders as the ritual was nearly complete. You opened your eyes to see a dark sphere floating before you; a physical manifestation of your dreams. Xiao had told you previously that it housed all of the nightmares you've been having.

Xiao's gloved fingers reached out to snatch the sphere from the air, examining it in stoicism. He opened his mouth, swallowing it with ease. The ritual was completed.

Once before, you had asked him why he enjoyed Almond Tofu and not other mortal dishes and he merely replied with, "it tastes like the dreams I've once consumed." Now you understood what he was saying.

"Thank you, Xiao..." You smiled meekly, watching as he turned his attention back towards you. "Sleep. Mortal souls require rest so go sleep in peace." He stood, ready to leave before you reached out to him in haste and grasped his wrist. Xiao's golden eyes flickered to you.

"Could you, stay the night?" You muttered out, hand still grasping at his wrist. Xiao stared at you, sighing in exasperation before nodding. He kindly tucked you in, readying you for sleep. His hand brushed away any stray hairs from your face with a gentleness you didn't expect which caused your cheeks to glow pink.

"Are you experiencing a fever?" He examined, noting the redness that slowly spread across your face. You shook your head, laughing quietly which caused the corners of his lips to tug upwards at the sound of your laughter.

"No... I'm just, really happy you're here." You hid your face beneath the sheets but the tips of your ears peeked out, red coloring them. Xiao leaned over, gently pressing a soft kiss onto the crown of your head as a hand gently cupped the side of your face. Drowsiness weighed on you as your eyes slowly fluttered shut and you were fast asleep. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he watched your chest rise and fall rhythmically.

"Sweet dreams... (y/n)."

GOOD ENDING

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