𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 - 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚘 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝙰𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚍 ~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟼

Your POV

Sometimes, I feel like I actually know Xiao and he knows me. I feel like I'm actually his friend. Then sooner or later, he manages to destroy that sensation. 

Maybe he really was just concerned about my safety when I mentioned Childe, but calling me 'naive' was a low jab. I sit at the foot of my bed, my clothing slowly becoming drenched in tears. 

I shouldn't just sit here sulking all day. I have the whole day to do something so I might as well. I pick up my bag and put in a few belongings and then change into something so I don't look as soaked. After I have everything I need, I head to Liyue Harbor in hopes of finding Chongyun or Xingqui. 

I wander through the plaza as usual and relax immediately when I see both blue-haired males. They also appear to notice me and wave at me. I smile and run over to them and Xingqui says that they were going to grab a bite. I agree to come along and we go to the one and only, Wanmin Restaurant. I forget my troubles for a few hours and feel so content. 

A Few Hours Later. . .

I've actually never seen Chongyun laugh or smile before but now, he is using the back of his hand to try and contain a peal of laughter.

"Ok so let me get this straight, you've never eaten anything spicy before Xingqui?" I smirk. He nods. "Are you sure you want to have the Jueyun Chilli Chicken? There are plenty of other spicy foods on the menu; only those are less spicy."

Xingqui shakes his head and with a heroic tone, responds: "Tis a full moon this blessed evening and I believe that conquering this Chilli Chicken will be a simple task. I have overcome regisvines and Fatui agents; this will be miniscule compared to those."

Chongyun looks like he is about to lose his cool and starts laughing till he cries and honestly, I'm in somewhat of the same state. I keep the same smirk and shrug to him. "Ok then, your funeral, not mine."

He squints at me before taking a small bite of the chicken platter. He swallows and I notice his jaw moving slowly in a chewing motion until he swallows. Then all hell breaks loose. 

"Y/n! I didn't expect to see you here?" I spin my head around to see Childe and before I can process what is happening, I also hear Xingqui. "WATER! WATER! I NEED WATER! NOW." His eyes are watering and he's gripping his throat while letting out obnoxious fits of coughing. Xingqui shakily takes his water and begins chugging it down as if his life depends on it. I begin to laugh till I wheeze and Chongyun has completely lost it as well. I wipe the creases of my eyes before turning to Childe. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! It's wonderful to see you here though!" I greet him with a wide and cheerful smile. He returns it and we chat. Only a few minutes later do I realize that Xingqui and Chongyun have gone completely quiet. 

"Oh! I apologize once again for not introducing you guys. As you may already know, this is-"

"Childe, number 11 of the Fatui Harbingers." Xingqui says through gritted teeth, "we know perfectly well who he is."

"I'm quite sure you do. I believe you are Xingqui and Chongyun?" Chongyun nods but the other blue-haired male has turned his head away, clearly ignoring him.  I don't see why they need to be so cold to him. Sure the Fatui aren't the greatest people but at least Childe isn't that awful. 

Right...?

An uncomfortable silence replaces the once lovely atmosphere and I bite my lower lip nervously. I think Childe notices the slightly anxious gesture and speaks up. "Well, I really should get going. It was a pleasure getting to meet you both." He turns to meet and dips his head a bit. "Y/n." I mimic the action and watch him walk away with a tad of awkwardness.

"What the heck Y/n! You shouldn't be hanging around the Fatui!" I've never heard Xingqui yell so when he does, I flinch both in shock and fear. 

"I haven't known him for a while Xingqui and there's no reason to yell at me even if I did!" I counter. I've already received enough lectures for today. "I've already been told that I don't need someone to repeat the same words." I'm about to continue when Chongyun cuts me off.

"Y/n, I agree with Xingqui that the Fatui are dangerous people. Especially Childe. Recent events took place before you arrived here in Teyvat. They were very chaotic and destructive. Your friend, Childe was the cause to them." He sighs. "But, we also trust your judgment and capabilities. As such, we will not prevent nor do anything to disrupt your friendship with him."

The rest of the dinner is very uncomfortable. We sit quietly only exchanging a few words here and there. I'm the first to really break it though as I notice the time. 

7:28 pm

A ball of dread tightens itself in my stomach. I really don't want to talk to Xiao after this morning. I'm not even angry with him any longer, just irrationally embarrassed about what happened. Either way, it would be impolite for me not to show up. 

Waving goodbye to both my friends and thanking them for dinner, I head to the nearest teleportation waypoint. Finding myself at Wangshu Inn, I take a deep breath and head to my room. I have about 20 minutes before I should meet up with Xiao so I try to clean myself up a bit.

Running to my bathroom, I brush my h/c locks and teeth. My clothes seem fine so I don't bother changing them. I sit on my simplistic ivory bed and stare at the clock.

7:50

10 minutes till my lesson and possibly complete awkwardness. Aren't I just so excited? As the minutes tick down, I pick my crimson-headed blade and stroll to the top balcony of the inn. Once I do reach the rendezvous point, Xiao stands against the railing glaring at the night sky.

I know that it's an awful time to notice this, but I suddenly feel aware of how handsome Xiao is. It's ridiculous and flustering thought, but it's just as much true.

I clear my throat and speak up. "Uh- hi Xiao." He remains quiet and he's making me feel awfully out of place. Instead of turning around and ditching him, I walk towards him. "Xiao? Are you fine?"

"Not exactly." He looks at his crossed arms before explaining. "I owe you an apology Y/n. I may not approve of you befriending the Fatui boy, but I was out of line to call you naive."

My lips part slightly but quickly form into a smile. I'm surprised and warmed by his sudden sincerity. "I forgive you, Xiao.  I understand that you were just concerned about my well-being. I want to thank you for caring and also for everything you have done for me."

He locks eyes with me and I grasp the feeling that he is searching my eyes. Maybe he is wondering if I'm being kind to him genuinely or out of politeness. To be honest, I don't know if it's either.