genshin impact oneshots.

the small things | xiao x reader

it was a perfect spring day. the breeze was refreshing, blowing the wind away from your face; the sun was warm, the beautiful rays illuminating the world. sitting atop a cliff on jueyun karst with the view of a waterfall and moving clouds in front of you, you felt more alive than ever. but perhaps what really made it perfect was the adeptus accompanying you.

it had taken a bit of convincing for xiao to agree to join you. when you first asked him, he replied saying, "my eternal doom will only shackle you on a day like this. not to mention the adepti living there." but the weather was so amazing that you didn't want to spend it with anyone else other than xiao. when you shared that with him, he finally accepted it, saying, "i suppose i shouldn't let you go on your own."

now that he was sitting next to you, watching the waterfall, you were content. life wasn't always easy for you and it wasn't always easy for xiao, but being able to spend time together was the few times you were able to relax. having a partner who constantly had to deal with karmic debt wasn't easy and it pained your heart to see him live an agonizing life. although the day off was partially for you to relax, it was also an excuse to have xiao rest and take a break from enduring the constant suffering.

"xiao." he immediately turned to look at you. "i have a small request."

"hmph, if it is within my abilities, you may do as you wish," he replied.

you hesitated for a moment, wondering if he really would do what you had in mind.

"then would it be alright if i could braid your hair?"

he turned to you in disbelief. his eyes widened and his expression was one of slight disgust. although it was nothing you didn't expect, you still felt disappointed. xiao must have noticed though and you saw his expression soften just slightly.

you watched as he thought for a while, causing you to grow slightly anxious. of course he wouldn't let you braid his hair. why would an adeptus agree to doing something as silly as that? and xiao of all people would hate to have something as trivial as braided hair. but just as you were about to take back your words, xiao finally responded.

"i suppose...it will be alright if you wish to braid my hair. it is within my abilities after all."

your eyes lit up and you started thanking xiao. "you'll love it, i promise!"

you decided to get up and sit in front of xiao cross-legged. since he had two multicolored lofts of longer hair, you planned on braiding the two of them. although it would look reminiscent of another certain archon, you had a feeling it would suit xiao in an uncharacteristically cute way.

you started humming a simple liyue tune as you got to work on his hair. it was a song that every kid knew since they were young. it was oddly soothing to be braiding his hair which felt soft and silky against your fingers. the tranquil sounds of rushing water and rustling grass filled your ears. xiao's eyes were closed and his breathing was slow; you could feel his exhales against your arm. he must have felt relaxed which made you happy because you knew how hard xiao worked to hunt demons and how his karmic debt left him agonized.

you reached the end of the braid and took a thin purple ribbon to tie the ends. "i finished one," you announced and xiao opened his eyes to take it into his hand.

"it looks...nice."

you hummed contentedly and moved onto braiding the other side. though you were focusing on his hair, you could see xiao watching you out of the corner of your eye with his intense gaze. you looked at him and his eyes softened to sweet honey. xiao gave you a smile so precious and endearing you wished you had a kamera to take a photo of it. his smiles were rare and beautiful, so every time you saw them, you felt your stomach explode into a flurry of butterflies.

you had heard that there was a time where xiao wasn't like this. a time where he wasn't always so cold and he was able to laugh freely. you didn't know where those times went, but you didn't want to pry into it seeing how xiao often grimaced when you asked about his past. zhongli told you that xiao was smiling more frequently, especially when around you, and you felt some sort of relief. you couldn't do much to protect him, but if he was happier, then you were doing your job successfully.

once again, you reached the end of the braid and you tied it into a bow with another purple ribbon. you let go of his hair and sat back to admire your work. the deep green and turquoise braids just barely extended past his chin and they framed his face nicely. the breeze playfully swayed his hair almost as if it was teasing it. xiao looked at you and looked at the hair and looked back at you again.

"well, i never imagined myself with such a hairstyle," he admitted as he carefully took the braids into his hands, "it's...different."

"do you like it, though?"

he simply nodded.

then he gave you that smile again that left you feeling fluttery. you leaned in to give him a kiss before toppling over him and landing on top of his chest. you stayed still for a few moments, his honey irises meeting your own. then you felt his arms wrap around you and pull you into his chest. you could hear his heartbeat singing a song of love against your ear.

it was simple moments like these that you felt were the most special. although xiao had lived for thousands of years, you found it endearing how he always remembered every second he spent with you. perhaps in a few years you and xiao would look back on the day where you braided his hair without a single detail to be forgotten. you both knew moments like these wouldn't last, but you would do anything to stay in the warm embrace of xiao forever.

⸻⸻⸻

⁀➷ sdkjfkjds i was really expecting a xiao rerun but it really seems like we're gonna get another childe rerun. that's fine, i got my xiao crumbs from the moonchase festival-  also i've gotten rosaria c3 who i have not built and i got a favonius lance as well so i think this is a sign from mihoyo. enjoy this small xiao oneshot!

as always, requests are open and any support is appreciated! thanks for reading! <3

https://laviethepooh.tumblr.com/