𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 - 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚘 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 ~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟹

Your POV

The upcoming days feel like a blur, similar to a long and unmemorable dream. Most I can recall is puking till my throat stings or having migraines till I fall asleep. Nothing fantastic, really, but when I eventually start sharpening up, my state doesn't seem as awful. 

On the fourth day of being a patient at BuBu pharmacy, Dr. Baizhu told me I had a visitor. He appeared a bit on edge about it but I choose not to think much of it."Really? Do you know who it was?" I question him and he pauses. "I'm afraid I know all too well who they are," he adds, "I'm not one to judge another person I've only heard mere rumors on though. "

Oh, it's him then...

I sit up and readjust myself on a few pillows. "You can bring him in, I'll be fine" I end off with a smile to try and reassure him. He seems convinced enough so he heads back to the front desk. Momentarily, silence hovers over me until I hear footsteps becoming increasingly louder.

His signature smile shining brightly, I try to return it. "Hey, Chil-"

He is only a couple of steps away from me when a cutting wind throws several locks of hair into my face, obstructing my vision. Once I clear them out, I find Xiao pointing his polearm at Childe's throat, well esophagus to be exact.

Gee, he really is going in for some severe injuries here.

"Take one more step and I won't even hesitate to skewer you alive. I am not in the mood for this and I would despise having to wipe the blood of some cretinous Fatui bastard off of my pristine jades. You, above all the scum I have encountered, aren't even worth the sadistic yet sinful pleasure of a kill."

Xiao's tongue feels as sharp as a snake's. His coldness slowly but surely, constricting my throat and any confidence I had built. How can Childe look so relaxed? He isn't even threatening me and somehow I've never felt more terrified in my life. 

"...Um- h-he isn't going to kill me this time Xiao..." I say meekly, balling up a handful of white sheets. He does not even appear persuaded in the slightest as he squints his eyes. "Is that so?"

I nod and he lowers the jade polearm gradually. "My words still stand if you even dare make a foul attempt to harm Y/n in any manner," he states breezily, "are we clear?"

Childe grins goofily and gives him a thumbs up. "Crystal." I roll my eyes at his very carefree answer but Xiao still looks highly unamused. "I will be staying here." Clearly, he does not plan on moving an inch as long as Childe is around. He takes his usual position by crossing his arms and leaning against one of the papery walls. 

The harbinger just shrugs, not seeming bothered at all by his presence. "Well..."

Xiao POV

I watch as Y/n intently listens to him, her eyes bright and intrigued. I'll have to admit, I would never choose to stay here by choice, but then again, I don't really have much of one.

Zhongli asked to speak with me about my progression on Y/n. Her Gnosis specifically. Out of respect, the conversation was casual until we reached a more secluded area. The moment we entered the funeral parlor, Hu Tao was up and about. 

[F l a s h b a c k]

"Xiaooooooo~ it's been forever since we last talked!!!" the girl squeals giddily, nearly choking me in a hug. "How'sY/n?IheardthatshehadaGnosisandyouhadtotakeitagain?Didyougetit?What'stakingyousolong?Doyouloveheeeeer!?"

"Currently recovering from a mild concussion. Yes, she has Sakkaku's Gnosis and I do have the task of retrieving it. No, I haven't yet and that's due to..." I pause, "well, complications... I guess." 

Hu Tao eagerly opens her mouth to annoy me further but Zhongli cuts in. "Hu Tao, you may ask Xiao as many questions as you wish later. For now, I have to discuss an important matter with him." She lets out a small whining sound before skipping away with her usual ghost companion.

He leads me to his familiar mahogany desk and offers a seat but I decline. "I guess you already understand why I want to speak with you, Xiao." 

"Yes, I do." A seed of dread planted in me begins to grow and grow. This was inevitable, I knew he was eventually going to have another meeting about Y/n. 

"Then you should also be fully aware that it has been three months. I don't want to appear indelicate or as if I am imposing on you. But this is a duty you have to both acknowledge and fulfill Xiao. Even if it is not one you desire to welcome with open arms."

As the God of contracts, he unintentionally emphasizes responsibilities for practically everything. There is no way to argue with him about this, I'll never win so I almost rejoice when Hu Tao walks in. "Zhongliiiiiii~ the bathroom is flooding againnnn-"

He actually looks alarmed by this. I can't tell if Hu Tao is joking or being legit."I'll be there in a minute." He walks up to the odd funeral director but adds "This conversation is not over Xiao." I nod and as I'm about to leave, Hu Tao strolls up to me with a mischievous smile.  "Oh great Yaksha, you may have escaped your pitiful task this time but don't think you can do the same to my inquisitiveness. After all," her grin widens, "you never answered my last question."

"You can't be serious?" Y/n's burst of laughter hauls me back from the recent memory. Childe chuckles as well before the doctor interrupts them. "Excuse me, but there is a trio of erm- teenagers- quite the assortment if I do say so- who would like to visit you Ms. L/n."

"Oh! I think I know who they are; a cook and two blue-haired boys?"

He laughs and agrees with her question. "Yes, that certainly is the group. Shall they come in then?"

"Of course!" Y/n says excitedly with a grin. Dr. Baizhu returns it before heading to the front desk. I have not been paying close attention to either Childe or Y/n but what he does next, completely catches me off guard.

"I guess that's my queue to leave, it was nice seeing you again Y/n." Childe says sweetly; borderline too sweetly.  

"Same to you!" If she heard the overly friendly tone of his voice, she doesn't show any change or disturbance towards it. Then, just in time for her trio of friends to witness, the orange-haired Fatui bends down gingerly and kisses her cheek.