Xiao's Birthday

Part 10 (Chapters 24-25)

Finally! Timeskip.

Chapter 24

I sprint down the road towards Wangshu Inn, which stands before me.

It's busy today, but mostly on the lower levels.

Verr Goldet is helping customers at the bottom. I run straight past them, and up the steps as fast as I can.

I burst out onto the balcony, heading straight for the railing. Missy can't even keep up, though she's on her way, panting.

I grab the railing, leaning over. "Xiao!! Xiao, you here?! I'm sorry I'm late."

A burst of wind erupts towards me, bringing with it the smell of summer.

When I turn to my blindside, he's there. My friend is staring out at the expanse of Liyue before him.

"Xiao!!"

I barely give him time to turn, surprised. I throw both arms around his neck, latching on.

"Oh!"

"Happy birthday Xiao!! I'm sorry I'm so late! It took so long to get your gifts. I'm sorry Xiao. I have so much to tell you."

I back up then, still holding his shoulders. His arms are barely grazing me.

Xiao blinks, then his eyes focus on my eyepatch.

My head cocks. "What?"

"Your eye. What happened? Who did this?"

"Huh? Oh, no, it's fine." I brush off his worries, stepping back. "Just a little eyelid thing."

"But how did it happen?" He steps closer.

"Uh, well. I, uh. An Abyss Mage."

Xiao frowns. "Around here."

"No. I had to go way up to the mountains to get you your stuff. It took 3 days to get there!" I grab both his arms. "Can you imagine?! Missy and I were going crazy on that walk."

"Where did you go?"

I release him, tapping my lips. "We went to see...Adeptus..Arienne. She's very nice."

His eyes widen even more. "Why would you see her?"

"Hm? Oh. I made Zhongli tell me how to get you some stuff. Anyways, let's uh, well uh, so."

I start blushing, unsure how to word this.

"Well, I am sorry I missed your birthday. I got held up, with the uh," I gesture to my eye. "I couldn't get back in time with your gifts. But I did get them. So I want to give them to you. And when you have time, would you like to hang out?"

"Almond tofu is on the way!," Missy calls out from the doorway.

"Thanks Missy!" She nods, smiling, but hangs back a bit.

Xiao stares at me, then smiles. "You didn't read your mail, did you?"

"No, I came straight here."

He face barely moves. "You should read your mail."

"Deal." I hold out the package to him.

When he doesn't take it, I shake it a bit. "Come on. It's for you. If it doesn't work, tell me. And be careful with it. I think Arienne wrote out instructions."

He takes the small package, beginning to undo the ribboning. Yellow, of course. It had to match the theme.

"And you have to tell me if it works," I say.