star's sky - xiao x reader

- act I '

a/n: maybe xiao was kinda ooc? sorry if this is bad

it was day when he met you.

the sun had reached its brilliant climax, its vibrant rays bouncing off your hair and your elaborate liyue clothes. the light illuminated your figure and the vision that told him of your past somewhat.

xiao had never liked doing his duty in the day, and he was especially happy he had stayed at wangshu inn today.

it wasn't everyday that the yaksha could chance upon a fellow vision holder, and he never paid anyone much mind either, but you seemed familiar.

the traveler's companion, perhaps. not the tiny pixie, but maybe a friend. you were there at the liyue battle.

he listened in to your conversation with verr goldet.

'a room here? there's one at the top floor. you might run into a young man. if you do, would you mind passing him this plate of almond tofu? if not, you can eat it. on the house.'

you had nodded. 'is he the yaksha of guili plains? i'm quite interested to meet him.'

xiao had gone back to the balcony when you said that. why would you want to meet him?

he heard the sound of footsteps, getting louder.

'good afternoon, vigilant yaksha.'

you had a gentle voice, carried by warm spring winds and nurtured by kindness and pain. he wanted to listen to it again, and again. he was curious.

'good afternoon.' he replied curtly. 'what is it that you are here for?'

'this plate of almond tofu. it's for you. and i'd like to thank you. you saved me at the battle with osial.' you did a slight bow, to convey respect.

xiao's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. he accepted the plate, eating the tofu quickly.

'it was no matter,' xiao replied after he finished eating.

don't talk to me. is this what humans feel when they meet someone new, someone who might be similar to them? get away from me. if you stay and talk, i will want to learn about you. and that will make it harder to let go. you aren't like the traveler, immortal and resilient. you are fragile mortality.

'i've always wanted to know about you, vigilant yaksha. what is your name? my name is [_].'

it was a pretty name.

'my name is xiao.'

'xiao, would you regale me with your yaksha tales?'

he was hesitant. 'i've never had anyone ask this before. but i'll tell you. i hope you don't find my stories boring.'

'someone immortal and weathered by time will offer me a new perspective. you have seen the world before me. you have seen it differently. i don't think i can find it that boring.'

xiao had fun that day.

he had been thinking of you as he tore through hilichurl and treasure hoarder camps like a hot knife through butter, aided by his anemo vision.

every movement of the spear was dedicated to you, in a way. with every swing, every thrust, he thought of your conversation that afternoon. he was looking for something interesting to tell you, to keep you interested and talking to him constantly. to make you as thrilled by his words as he was by yours.

you were curious about him. it seemed personal as well - he wasn't so much of the vigilant yaksha in your eyes, rather, he was simply xiao. that simplicity made him happy.

when he got back from his duty, excited to return for the first time, you were standing at the balcony. the moonlight cast your face in a gentle glow, softening its angles. you saw him, masked and moving like a phantom through the night.

'hello, xiao.' you smiled at him. you were ethereal at night and during the day. 'welcome back?'

you were kind to him. it felt nice. he landed on the balcony, making no sound at all.

'hello, [_]. it's nice to be back here.' xiao couldn't help but let a small smile on his face.