𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 - 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚘 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝙱𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚂𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝 ~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟿

Your POV

I scrub the back of my hand along my face, wiping away the dried remains of my tears. I slowly open my eyes and they begin to ache instantaneously. I thoughtlessly toss my bedsheets off to continue with my usual morning routine.

Everything feels hazy as I brush my teeth till changing my clothing but my scarce attention span is pivoted towards a familiar gust of wind. The breeze causes both shame and despair swapping constantly with ecstatic ness and joy overtake my mind. I whip around so hurriedly, my neck begins to ache but I could care less.

"Xiao?" I say, my voice is barely audible.

I take in the sight before me as I am completely frightened yet hopeful. If he hears me at all, he doesn't show it and keeps his head to the side, avoiding my eye contact. The tears welling up in my ducts threaten to gush out uncontrollably and they start to when the Adepti hugs me; one arm around my back and the other holding his iconic, pristine jade spear.

"I-I'm so-- so s-sorry!" my words come out in hiccuping breaths while the tears flow smoothly as ever. "Y/n, please don't cry... I should be apologizing to you for acting so rashly," he pulls away slightly to analyze my face. "besides, your eyes are reddened and swollen enough." Xiao rubs a thumb gently over my cheek and I thank the Archons for letting my cherry-tinted eyes mask my now pinkening cheeks. After a few deep breaths, I've managed to control my feelings and tears, stopping both from progressing any further; actually, just the tears. We stand in silence for a minute or two, until he reaches into his pocket and pulls out my Gnosis- well Sakkaku's Gnosis.

"I believe that this belongs to you, Y/n." My lips part involuntarily as I glance at him, quizzically. After sniffling a few hundred times and drying my waterworks, Xiao assists in placing the Gnosis around my necklace.

"Thank you."

I adjust the jewelry piece a bit before facing him to listen to what he has to say next. Of course, I was preparing myself for whatever question, speech, or lecture he had in mind but when he says: "I'm taking you to her Initium today," I do an extreme double take.

"What-? I'm not ready to go back-" I straighten my back, pulling away from his embrace but Xiao continues to have a firm hold on one of my shoulders. 

"Y/n, I'm in no mood for a disagreement." Maye something in my face appears saddened as his features soften just a tad. "I understand you have made many companions while here in Teyvat, but this is for the best; just to avoid any further complications that could completely prevent you from returning home."

I nod, seemingly agreeing, while my head and heart feel and think differently. "May I have the next couple of hours to pack a few belongings and say goodbye?"

"Of course," he dips his head as if to acknowledge what I said. I return the gesture with a thank you before he takes off, leaving me with much to consider.

I first approach Ms. Goldet and Yanxiao to explain the situation as well as to wish them both well. "You have my kindest regards Y/n and we will all miss you dearly." Yanxiao just pulls his lips into a tight line but lifting his chin at me. "You were a great help kid. Good luck."

Next were Chongyun, Xingqiu, Xiangling, and Gouba; all of whom were the most trying to confront. 

"Y/n, your aura has never been so sorrowful," the young exorcist says with a tone of surprise and concern. Xingqiu looks up from his book, questioningly. "Has something happened?" I gnaw at one of my cheeks, attempting to find the right words. 

I smile a saddened grin. "It's my time to go back." The boys are silent against the bustling sounds of the Harbor. "All journies must come to an end and despite ours's being cut shorter than anticipated, I think I can speak for us all when I say it was one of the most astounding yet." Xingqiu's way with literature finds the tears I had hidden, as they fall quietly when we share a hug. 

Nearly the same experience repeats itself when I say goodbye to Xiangling. Except, she was crying much harder than myself. "I'll never forget you- either of you for the matter." I squeeze her back tightly before pulling back. She and Gouba sniffle simultaneously causing the trio of us to giggle. She ends up giving me a 'snack' for the journey. Aka, a whole meal. I can sense the saliva welling up in my mouth as my eyes glaze over the two almond tofus, a dish of stir-fried fish noodles, a bowl of Adeptus' temptation, and three moon pies.

The delicacies barely fit into the box Xiangling brought out but I could care less, being touched by her kind thoughts and generosity. 

I muse the idea of wishing Childe well and in the end, consider not to. After all, my goodbye would most likely be aggressive rather than kind wishes. I snort louder than expected, turning a few heads in my direction while thinking about being polite or compassionate towards the harbinger.

I don't enjoy behaving venomously towards anyone, but the moment a person crosses the line, my temperamental side surfaces; even if involuntarily.

The last hours in Liyue seem to slip by faster and faster by the hour. When I return to the Inn, I run through the last of my belongings. I stand in front of my desk and drawer and retrieve the contents; laying them out on the nearby table. 

A few novels, the journal Xingqiu gifted me, a leather pencil case, my blade, and a collection of dried flowers.

 I set the novels aside, aware of how dearly I want to take all of them and more, and look through my journal. My attention is caught specifically on one page. A to-do list while I'm in Teyvat. I lean against the bottom of my bed as I start to read it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

𝙱𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚝 𝙻𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚃𝚎𝚢𝚟𝚊𝚝!

- 𝚅𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚝 𝙳𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐

- 𝚂𝚎𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚍𝚝

- 𝚃𝚛𝚢 𝚏𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗'𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚊𝚜𝚝

- 𝚃𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝙸𝚗𝚊𝚣𝚞𝚖𝚊 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚇𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚚𝚒𝚞 𝚘𝚛 𝙲𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚢𝚞𝚗 (𝚘𝚛 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑!)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I skim through the last of the last ideas until I have another one. I scramble to tuck away the remaining items, placing then dried flowers in my journal to tucking my sword away, and sprint to my balcony. 

"Xiao?" I whisper curiously and as usual, he appears next to me. "Y/n, are you ready to leave?" I shake my head and speak with slight shyness. "I uh- was hoping I could have one last request before I go?" the Adepti cocks an eyebrow at me questioningly. "Please?"