Heart full of Flowers~ A Xiaoyu AU

I just want you to say

The header image isn't exactly related to the chapter but it's cute and Zhongli kinda acts like Xiao's father in this so... just deal with it <3

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"Xiao, lay down..."

Zhongli carefully helped Xiao onto the bed and Venti made sure his head rested on a cushion

"I never thought that disease would actually exist..."

"Of course it does, you're just too ignorant Venti"

The Anemo archon just ignored Zhongli's comment and gently touched Xiao's vision. It started glowing and Xiao felt Venti providing him with a steady flow of pure Anemo energy.

"Xiao, I won't ask who is it that you harbour feelings for but you need to know the danger the your life is in..."

Xiao nodded and locked eyes with Zhongli. Usually his aura would be quite calm and controlled but now Xiao could only see worry as of Zhongli was his parent.

"Yeah, I'm listening..."

"Hanahaki is the name of this disease. It's victims are ones that have unrequited love, or in other words... one-sided love. You will continue to throw up petals and eventually whole flowers... it can be extremely painful and I don't want you to go through that. I can schedule an appointment with Dr Baizhu to remove it along with your feelings-"

"No"

Xiao interrupted him and tried to sit up. Pushing himself up with his arms and with the help of Venti, Xiao managed to sit up and look Zhongli dead in the eyes

"If it will get rid of my feelings then I... I won't do it. This is the one and only time I will ever feel like this and I can't let it go... She would never love me back but I can't just disregard how I feel"

His amber eyes were desperate and Venti noticed it. The archon took Xiao's hand and smiled at him

"I understand... but you need to know what you're getting yourself into-"

"I'm sorry to interrupting you Barbatos- uhh... Venti, but I know what I'm thinking. I've been through eons of suffering, I'm sure I'll be fine to take another month or so."

Venti gazed up at Xiao and showed empathy and a hint of something else that Xiao couldn't distinguish.

"Alright... take care of yourself..."

He got up and left the room, leaving Zhongli and Xiao very confused

"Will he be alright?"

"Mm, I'm sure it's nothing but he's right. Take care of yourself"

"Yeah yeah I will..."

Xiao lay back down and stared out the window. The sun was almost setting and the sky was a beautiful mixture of pink, purple and amber.

"Mm, the sky is quite pretty..."

Xiao looked back at Zhongli and let him continue speaking

"Reminds me of the old days... the days when you and Ganyu would train together like siblings..."

Xiao tensed up at the mention of her. She was the source of his happiness but also the source of the suffering he'll have to go through

"Mm speaking of Ganyu, I haven't seen her in a long long time... have you gotten a chance to catch up with her?"

"Yeah, I have"

Zhongli smiled and gently brushed his hand through Xiao's hair

"How is she? Doing well in the Liyue Qixing?"

"Mm last I saw she was quite the hard worker..."

Zhongli chuckled and nodded

"I expected as much..."

He got up and glanced down at Xiao

"I'll be leaving now, I need to head back to work. Don't overwork yourself and rest up for the next few nights."

Xiao didn't respond back so Zhongli just left. Once he heard the door close, Xiao immediately sat up and grabbed his spear

"Don't overwork myself... yeah, I'll just head up for some fresh air..."

•

Evil Conquering!

Yeah... so much for not overworking himself. Immediately after stepping out of his room, he followed his usual routine. Sensing danger... then running straight to it.

He demolished eight hilichurl camps that night, all of them scattered throughout Liyue. He travelled from Wangshu Inn to the vicinity of Liyue Harbour then somehow made his way to Stone gate. Ending the night with one last hilichurl camp at Guili plains.

Walking back to the Inn, Xiao clutched onto his spear as he walked up the broken stairs. Getting back to his room he instantly fell onto the bed. The sunlight shone through the window and fell onto Xiao's face.

He sat up then placed his polearm in the corner. He dragged himself to the bathroom and turned on the tap. He cupped his hands together and splashed the cold water onto his face.

Opening his eyes again, he glanced into the mirror and stared at his reflection. The shadows under his eyes and his unstable breathing was enough to let Xiao know that he had pushed himself too far.

Yet, the only thing he could think of was the blue haired half-adeptus. An image of the girl his had fallen for swirled around in his mind. The thought was mind numbing.

His breathing got even more ragged and his heart swelled up with pain. Xiao wanted to faint and escape from the immeasurable pain but it was just too much. As he clutched onto his chest and leaned over the sink, he felt the same choking feeling he felt just a few hours ago. He tried to cough it out but it only served to cover his whole mouth with a bitter taste, the taste of a flower he could only know as the cause of this pain.

His coughing fit lasted for what seemed like forever. After a while of struggle, Xiao managed to choke out the plants that were blocking his windpipe. But instead of a single petal like last time. He could see at least fifteen blood-stained stray petals laying in the sink then his eyes caught sight of the whole flower.

Zhongli hadn't informed him on how fast his disease would escalate so he didn't expect to see a whole flower. Washing everything down the drain, he washed his mouth and poured himself a cup of water.

Taking a sip out of it, he sighed and glanced out the window.

"Maybe I'll go see her one last time. If I don't... then I fear I will never get to see her smile anymore..."

He got ready to make his journey to the harbour, grabbing his polearm and attaching it to his back. Opening the door, he walked away from the Inn and a young boy who sat on the roof smiled to himself

"Good luck Alatus, I know you'll be able to escape this disease... Unlike me, your feelings will be returned. Mine however... will forever remain unrequited..."

His bright teal braids flowed freely in the wind as he held his hat from blowing away, all while a tear fell from his eye as a bitter taste ran down his throat.

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Hehehe another update because school is starting tomorrow :>
Mm... the ending might be a little rushed but idk :p
I'll try my best to end this story well and not just end it randomly XD

Welp goodbye :3
Have a nice dayyyyy :D

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Date Written~ 18th July 2021
Word Count~ 1204
Written by~ Saku._.kkura