𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 - 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚘 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚜 ~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟷

Your POV 

Between gasps and pants of tiredness from running up two flights of stairs, I apologize. "I'm- sorry for- almost being late- won't happen again." 

I feel lousy for practically missing my first lesson and then showing up sweaty, reddened. 

"If you hadn't been so busy attempting to learn about me, via books, you would've been fully capable of showing up earlier." He speaks factually and with the same laconic tone but not in a mocking or mean way. Xiao doesn't look affected by this statement or knowledge but I can certainly feel myself turning even redder with embarrassment. "Y/n, if you truly feel the need to acquire facts or such about myself or the Adepti, you're better off asking me to save both time and your mora."

"O-ok, thanks" I mumble fidgeting with my fingers behind my back. 

"Come on, we've already wasted enough time" His voice is back to being cold which is not surprising. Placing himself behind me so he has his head hovering over my shoulder, Xiao wraps an arm around my shoulder. Almost instantaneously, I find myself standing in a mountainous area. Large hills are adorned with eroded ruins and vegetations of varying kinds have woven themselves are them. 

"This is Qingxu Pool," He says while stepping in front of me. "There are many enemies here we will be able to practice on. First things first though, summon your sword." 

Nodding, I place out my hand and my red-handled sword appears. "Now, try to hit me."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" I question. "Yes because considering you're swordsmanship, I highly doubt you'll actually be able to lay a scratch on me." He says icily. 

This is already such a productive and friendly lesson, jeez.

Drawing my sword in both hands, I leap at him. Xiao swiftly dodges the attack by pivoting on one foot. Every attack I make, he counters, and every defense move I make, he shatters. I can feel drops of perspiration slowly start forming on my face and neck. "You can't move with heavy steps. You need to be more agile." I try again and again and again, failing each time. 

As I am about to make another attempt with my blade, Xiao gently places a hand on my shoulder. "Clearly, this training isn't proving to be efficient in any way." Making a pursed-lip smile, he continues. "Why don't we try something else?"

I nod thankfully and in slight relief. "Ok then," the cerulean-haired male says. Catching me off guard, his hand goes to my waist. I feel so confused and flustered until I realize what he's doing. Xiao is holding my vision.

God, I've read too many romance novels. I have so many stupid ideas fluttering around my head now, ugh.

"I believe you already know, that you are a Dendro wielder. There aren't many Dendro users around Teyvat. No two visions are alike despite the elements and I'm not sure what exactly yours can do. Although, I do have my suspicions that you are able to control its essence. This will be useful for shields, creation, and possibly healing." He carefully lets go of the vision and looks at me. "Could you try making a shield again?"

"I guess, I don't exactly know what I did though." Xiao nods in acknowledgment and I begin to dig through my memories, grappling the one where my shield appeared. I attempt to harness that same feeling, focusing on the vivid greenness. Thinking negatively, I'm about to stop when suddenly Xiao's spear comes flying at me. I put my hands up in defense and a half-choked shriek comes out of me. 

Although, once again the blade's hit never lands on me. Instead, it lands on an emerald-colored sphere. Opening my eyes, I can't stop the words from tumbling out. "What the hell was that for!?" 

"You should be thanking me, not scolding me." He responded coolly. "You manage to only use your vision in dire situations. This isn't necessarily an obstacle in our training as it does open a doorway to using your vision. "

"Yeah and that doorway involves trying to stab me, what fun." I mutter and roll my eyes. Sarcastically, I add "Have any other brilliant plans for trying to test out the healing idea?" 

"In fact I do," Xiao says thoughtfully. "If you are able to use your vision in emergency situations, then we'll just have to simulate those for now." Before I can comprehend what he means, Xiao takes my blade and drags it across his hands. A clean-cut forms, crimson seeping from it. He winces slightly at the action and I'm immediately holding his hands. 

"Xiao! What in God's name are you thinking! What if I can't heal you! Why did you make the cuts so deep!?!? What-" He cuts me off by placing his hands undermine. "Y/n, I know you can do it. Please just focus, I don't want to get any blood on our clothing. The stains are tedious."

I snort. "That's what you're worried about? A stain?"

"Y/n, please just try healing me." Stiffening, I gently wrap my hands around his wounded ones in a more comfortable way. I practically beg myself to heal him. My eyes are sealed and I don't know how long we're standing there until Xiao's thumb grazes my cheek wiping a tear. 

Only then, do I realize I am crying. 

"Y/n, there's no need to cry. Look at my hands" He removes his once injured hands from under mine and displays the porcelain skin. There are some traces of dried blood but no scars whatsoever. "I'm erm- I'm sorry if I made you worry." Xiao rubs his head sheepishly. 

For the first time, I see Xiao differently. I am accustomed to seeing a cold face veiling an even colder heart; rarely showing any signs of warmth. His head behind his back and eyes searching mine awkwardly, I see that Xiao's probably around my age. He's demeanor is genuine and comforting, which is quite unusual. The silence that has settled over us is comfortable as well.

"Y/n?" He tightens the grip on my hands and stutters almost inaudibly. "When I- uh- were y-you really that concerned about me?"

My skin tingles where his hands hold mine, and I fail to stop the words from overflowing. "Yes I was. You made me worry horribly. I should hope you never try to do anything like that ever again." As most people would, I begin to turn red.

Xiao stares at me in silence until he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Healing me may have required a lot of energy. You'll be exhausted if you do not rest properly. Why don't we head back?" I nod, his hand still on mine, he brings me against him so my head barely touches his shoulder. Xiao places an arm around my back and I close my eyes before feeling a gust of wind envelope us.