like the wind | xiao x reader

7 | closer

- (first name) -

"are you really human?" the adeptus asked as the wind strongly blew by.

multiple petals scattered all over the place, your hair seemingly synced within the breeze, "of course i am." you bitterly smiled.

"i see.." xiao answered, "..but theres something more about you."

"you dont have to hide it." he followed. your eyes were gazing right at him.

he was right. you didn't have to hide it. especially to him.

you rubbed both your hands together as it slowly became chilly.

he was quite the observer to notice very quickly.

"let's go back," he said as he pulled you close. "it's cold. so don't stray far from me." he said in a rather stoic tone.

"xiao." you mouthed as he looked right into your eyes.

he was blindingly beautiful.

"what?"

you held his hand as he was taken aback with the sudden action, "anemo wielders.. have really cold hands, dont you think?"

"it feels so indifferent, yet it's the closest i have to home." you said, still holding his hand.

you didn't give him time to even ponder, of course he was curious of how you're still here.

"i fell into a deep slumber after the archon war."

"when the deal broke off, everything that was supposed to be mine.. came back in a flash.. and my body couldn't take it."

xiao was surprised by the sudden confession, yet his stoic look still remained.

"so i was asleep. for all the years that passed by."

"then how are you.. no.. how did you wake up?" xiao asked for clarification.

"a traveller stumbled upon where i was.. if it weren't for them, i'd probably be forgotten in time." you chuckled,

"forgotten.. is a harsh word." the adeptus said as the both of you continued walking back to the inn.

"but that's how it is, you'll forget everything after a certain amount of time."

"you have a long life to live, mr. adeptus. i am nothing but a fleeting memory to be deleted." you laughed off.

xiao stopped in his steps, and gazed far beyond the horizon.

"if memories were so easy to get rid off, then maybe there would be no grief after pain."

'no grief after pain..' you thought to yourself as the walk with xiao became quiet.

the silence was suddenly deafening.

"have you ever.. gotten over a loss?" you spoke to break off the silent tension.

"i have lost many people whom i considered dear. some i've killed with my very own hands." he said not making eye contact.

"to live this long was my punishment."

"to carry the grief after the pain.."

"is something id live to do."

he kept still in keeping you close. it was sad to hear that both of you share the same fate.

"i guess, thats something we both have in common, xiao." you said as the both of you walked quietly.

"to live in grief after pain."

- × -

rel: hbd xiao.