Unforgettable Memories | Xiao x Reader

Chapter Seven

"Sometimes we forget that the most unbearable people have suffered from the most unbearable pasts."

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The four of you - which had now included Xiao who had agreed to join the party - started heading towards Wangshu Inn to meet up with Ver Goldet who had commissioned something.

"So how did you two meet," you had tried to break the ice as you asked Aether and Xiao.

"I had saved and helped the traveler," Xiao scoffed.

"Yeah," Aether laughed. "We then accompanied him once on something that he had to do. After that, we fought Osial to save Liyue."

"Incredible," you replied in awe of all thay they had done.

"None of that is important," Xiao sighed. "Lets just get going now."

"So cold," Paimon complained as she continued to fly after us.

After a while of walking, the four of you finally made it to Wangshu Inn and rode the elevator all the way up the tree base of the inn. Xiao's eyes scanned the area as he followed you.

"So Xiao. What do you like to eat?" You asked the restless adeptus.

"Almond tofu," he replied.

Grinning, you stared in his eyes, "Okay then. I'll make you some almond tofu sometime."

Giving you a small smile, he nodded with a slight blush on his cheeks. He remembered when you had used to cook him tofu all those years ago. Your almond tofu was the best he ever tried and he definitely missed it. If there was anything that he would never get tried of eating, it would definitely have to be your almond tofu. While other almond tofu would leave him unsatisfied, yours tasted like absolute perfection.

"That would be really nice," his small smile grew a tad bit bigger.

"Xiao is smiling!" Paimon screamed as she flew right in front of the adeptus' face in hopes to see his smile which had disappeared the moment she made that comment.

"Seriously?" Aether's eyes went wide with shock.

"Boo hoo you're no fun," Paimon pouted as Xiao's smile had disappeared and was replaced with his usual frown.

Laughing at the reaction from your three friends, the other two laughed along with you while Xiao simply gave a small and hidden smile from hearing your melodic voice. He was glad to see and hear you again that even if this was an illusion, he wouldn't complain.

The four of you finally made it to Ver Goldet who had explained to you her commission. It had been to eradicate some of the hilichurls that have been a little too close to the in for comfort. Once you all had heard her explanation, you all headed towards the direction that she had pointed you in.

"I'll take care of this," Xiao told the three of you.

"But we are all here," Paimon noted. "It would be much faster if everyone here participated."

"Agreed," you and Aether said in unison to your surprise.

"Fine," Xiao sighed. "Just don't hold me back."

In a few short minutes, all of you had finally made it to the area where the hilichurls were camping. Immediately seeing this, both Xiao and Aether rushed in the camp and demolished everything within seconds leaving not even a speck of dust. The poor monsters were not even given a chance to realize what had happened, much less given the chance to defend themselves. One couldn't help but pity them for their misfortune.

Both you and Paimon stared at the two in shock and awe at their display to ability. Neither of you were even able to process what had happened. It was definitely something thay would shock anyone. After all, that speed was practically impossible to reach in normal circumstances.

Unbeknowst to the two females of the party, Aether started to glare towards Xiao who gave a same intense glare back. Both were angry at the other for stealing the spotlight to show off their skills for the girl that they had fallen for.

"Great job," you cheered the both on.

"T-thank you," the two males stuttered as they saw your smile.

They definitely couldn't control themselves in the heat of the moment. For some reason, their normal calm selves wouldn't appear. There was definitely an abnormality in the air.

Once again, the two males started their glaring competition.

"Lets go back to Wangshu Inn," Paimon flew around the two males. "Lets collect the reward and have some lunch."

Sighing, both the boys relented and followed you and Paimon towards Wangshu Inn. However, during the walk, the two boys had a very intense conversation that neither you nor Paimon had heard.

"Do you have feelings for y/n," Aether asked through his teeth as he could feel his ears heating up.

"Y-yes," Xiao profusely blushed before glaring at Aether. "How about you?"

"I do as well and I do not plan to give up."

"Neither do I."

"Why did you take my kill?"

"Why are you so insufferable?"

"You are absolutely annoying, its ludicrous."

"Well you're always so cold I'm no surprised if you don't even have any friends."

The two continued to bicker as you all walked towards Wangshu Inn. Compared to the nearly deadly remarks that Xiao and Aether continued to give each other, you and Paimon had quite the enjoyable talk about adventures and of course about food.

All the while despite the arguments between him and the traveler, Xiao continued to keep a close eye on you. He would always stay by your side to protect you. Even if the world were to hate him, even if you were to hate him, he would always stay by your side. After all, this was how he would repay you for the love that you had showered the ignorant him in the past.

Similar to Xiao's thoughts, Aether also wanted to protect you. Even though you and him had only met recently, his heart continued to beat fast whenever you were by his side and he always felt an unbearable urge to keep you close. He felt an odd closeness to you ever since the two of you had first met. It was as if you had met a long time ago. Though, the boy simply pushed that away. After all, something that like was simply not possible since he didn't remember it.

Both your companions were utterly smitten towards you. One could only wish that nothing too bad would happen.

~~~~~~

"I wonder just who this girl that Xiao has been tracking is," a handsome man with long brown hair tied in a ponytail wondered. "I can't wait to meet this girl. I would never expect him of all people to fall for someone other than y/n. I do wonder who it was that made Xiao like this?"

The man continued to gaze towards the mountain view before him while drinking his tea with elegance reserved for people of great nobility. He nodded to himself before continuing to once again sip his tea.

He couldn't wait to meet the so-called girl.