Once Again | Xiao x Reader

Part 3 - Him

☆★☆

I walk in silence until I reach Mt. Tianheng overseeing all of Liyue. We both watch our people minding their own business, going about their day, working; children playing games and running around the streets, sometimes a parent close by scolding them. A lot change, but at the same time, it didn't.

"I missed you, Morax." I finally say quietly.

"Me too Y/n. It's good that your finally awake." he looks at me in the eyes.

He proceeds to explain to me the recent events, how he's not an archon anymore and the people think he's dead and that I too should keep my identity as a god secret. Not many remember me and the stories that I was still include in, consider me a myth.

"So, what I'm hearing is that you got yourself some tea, got yourself comfortable, and watched Liyue harbor almost get distroyed by this ginger guy who's name is Childe, which is a pretty lame name by the way, who somehow resurrected a dead god."

"Well I thought it was time-"

"Yeah yeah. You had your plans. I always trusted your judgement in regards to the best for Liyue and always will." I smile at him.

We once again fall in silence. It has gotten dark by the time Zhongli told me everything. Now the streets are much quieter than during the day but that doesn't stop the still many people going on about their business. A gentle breeze passes by me, my hair moving along with it.  It reminded me of him.

"How is he?" I ask my brother.

"He's doing well. Better now than back then."

A small smile plays on my lips. I hum for a second then turn to Morax with a wide grin.

"Call on him. I want to surprise him." I giggle taking a few steps away from Zhongli.

He rises an eyebrow then sighs "You haven't changed one bit." I look at him with puppy eyes. He could never say no to me when I gave him that look. "Xiao."

"You called?" a very familiar voice resonates in the darkness and with it, a figure materialises in front of us. He has his back towards me giving me the perfect opportunity to jump on his back.

"Xiao!" I called while doing just that. I could tell he was shocked by the way his muscles tensed and the thud his polearm made hitting the ground.

"You... You're awake." he whispers.

I get off his back and let him turn towards me, now facing each other. His eyes lock onto mine then roam all over me.

I missed those golden eyes.

He once again looks up into mine and reaches his hand out to touch my cheek. It was a very soft touch, barely even brushing my skin. I kept looking into his eyes. He looked scared, like that small amount of contact would make me break into a million pieces right before him.

Once he realised I was still there, standing and smiling at him, he pulled me into a tight hug which I immediately returned. His head buried into my shoulder and I could feel it dampen, his body trembling slightly as he clinged onto me. I placed my cheek onto his head and rubbed his back soothingly, enjoying the moment as I knew it wasn't going to last. This emotional weakened state he's in will be gone the next time I see him and replaced by his usual cold, edgy self that I know and love.

"I'm not going anywhere, Xiao. Not anymore." I tell him softly.

After a few more moments he let's go. I look at his face and any sign to indicate that he was crying just moments ago, was gone besides the very slight redness of his eyes that was unnoticeable in the light of the night. He clears his throat then turns to look at Zhongli.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. I have... Liyue to protect." and with the cold night breeze, he's gone.

"Same old Xiao, I see." I smile to myself.

"You still like him." my brother states. I could see the slightest curl of his lip. He was smirking. And noticing my red cheeks, his smirk only grew wider.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I say a bit too loudly, turning away. I could hear his deep chuckle from behind me. "Don't laugh at me." I pout.

He pats my head.

"Let's go. It's already this late." Zhongli offers me his arm.

"I'm finally gonna see where you live now." I smile at him.

"Tomorrow morning you'll be on your own. I have work to get to."

I hum in response remembering what he told me earlier that day, that he now lives as a human so he needs to make mora like a human.