Unforgettable Memories | Xiao x Reader

Chapter Eight

Fanart Creditted to Ariyanaitachi

"You're afraid to tell people how you feel
because it will destroy them...
so you bury it deep inside yourself where it destroys you."

~~~~~~

Xiao and Aether both finally stopped their glaring competition as soon as they reached the inn. Once again riding the elevator up the tree base, the four of them finally made it to the reception desk.

"Wow," Ver Goldet said. "That was very fast. You truly are exceptional adventures."

"It was all because of Xiao and Aether," you replied to the receptionist as she handed you the reward. "They beat up the monsters in a split second. I honestly thought I was just a bystander."

"Those two must be amazing then," Ver teasingly grinned before grabbing your shoulder with her arm and pulling you to her. "You should keep a sharp eye on them so that they won't be taken by other girls. After all, they are very good-looking, no?"

Blushing from embarrassing, your face completely heated up and your mind went on overdrive. Hearing what Ver Goldet had said, you could help up be embarrassed after thinking what her point of view would be after accompanying the two boys. Feeling the heat of your embarrassment get to you, your knees trembled and you fell to the ground covering your red face.

Grinning, Ver Goldet told the boys, "Take care of her. I think what I said to her might have gotten to her a bit too much."

"What did you say to y/n," Xiao growled as he brought out his spear and pointed it towards the now frightened receptionist.

"Just a little tease," Ver Goldet backed away from the glinting spear.

"Xiao," a deep voice interrupted. "That's enough now."

Turning his head, Xiao was met by none other than a tall brown-eyed man with a long brown ponytail with orange tips trailing down his back. This was none other than Zhongli, a funeral parlor attendant who was a disguised Rex Lapis.

"Zhongli?" Xiao questioned why the archon was here of all places.

"Childe," Zhongli turned his head towards his orange haired companion ignoring Xiao's questioning gaze. "Please pay the lady for the trouble that Xiao must have caused."

Childe, also known as Tartaglia had accompanied Zhongli to Wangshu Inn after being intrigued by what Zhongli had told him. Around day ago, Zhongli had noticed Xiao in Liyue, a place that he would never expect the adeptus to be in since it was "infested with humans" as he had called it. Zhongli had noticed Xiao following you and wondered why him of all people would follow a girl. Seeing this, Zhongli followed the five of you to Wangshu Inn. However before that, he had bumped into Childe who was curious why Zhongli was sneaking around.

To put it shortly, Xiao had stalked you who was stalked by Zhongli who was somehow accompanied by Childe.

"And of course I have to be the one to pay," Childe sighed as he pulled out a bag of mora from nowhere and gave it to a speechless receptionist.

"Who is this Xiao?" You asked as you turned to see what was going on.

The moment you turned your head, Zhongli's face went white, "Y/n?"

"Huh?" You deadpanned, not knowing nor understanding what was going on. "Do I know you?"

First Xiao had that reaction when he saw you and now this new stranger Zhongli also seemed to know you. Just who in the world were they and how did they know you?

"How?" Zhongli's deep voice quivered. "Xiao what is going on? How is y/n here? There is no way this should be possible. It goes against the laws of the world?"

"What do you mean how am I here?" You raised your eyebrow.

"I don't know," Xiao looked to the ground completely ignoring you.

"She shouldn't be here. After all, her so-"

Xiao ran up to Zhongli and covered his mouth in the middle of his sentence as if he was trying to hide something important from you. During this he had started muttering apologies towards the tall man, under his breath saying something like how disrespectful his actions were. All the while, he started dragging Zhongli away.

"Look," Xiao whispered as soon as he was away from your hearing range. "I how no idea how she came back. I know that all those years ago she gave up her soul and because of that, she can't be reborn. But here she is alive and well and exactly as I remember her. I just want things to stay as it is for this while. I know it's selfish of me but please Zhongli."

Zhongli stared at his adeptus' longing gaze. He had never seen the adeptus like this before and most of all, he had never heard the adeptus in all his life ever ask for something. Although Zhongli was concerned, he couldn't help but want to make Xiao's selfish wish come true after seeing how much the quiet and cold adeptus had grown.

"Very well," Zhongli sighed. "I will allow you this chance to be by her side unbothered and knowledgeless of who she is. However, I will be looking into this and if anything abnormal happens, I want you to report this to me. This will be our new contract Xiao."

He adeptus agreed and returned to where you and the others were standing.

"So how you like to go on a date with me y/n," Childe grinned as soon as Xiao and Zhongli returned to where the group stood.

"No," Aether and Xiao blurted in unison to your confusion.

You laughed at their reply to Childe's question towards you and started walking to where the kitchen was in the Inn. Immediately, you were accompanied by Paimon who shouted how hungry she was.

Xiao, Aether, Childe and Zhongli also followed you and Paimon towards the kitchen to finally have some lunch after the long day. It seemed that your group of friends continued to get larger and larger as time passed.

You were very lucky to have wonderful and unique friends. They were without a doubt the people that lighted up your life.