"murder", he says | xiaoven x reader

chapter three

since xiao is healing from his injuries, you decided to take your constant harassment outside, by dragging him along on a "cute little date with my long term husband who loves me very much"

which in reality, just meant you had to go shopping. noting that xiao wasn't particularly fond on the matter, you also invited zhongli for tea. it certainly made the adeptus come out of his hidey hole.

"y/n, how have you been?" zhongli chimes after taking a seat on the table you both sat.

"xiao and I are just planning our wedding-" you dodge a glare.

"betrothed so young? I didn't expect xiao to settle down- but of course it would be with you."

xiao wanted to (angrily) interject, but chose that he didn't care enough to act impolite infront of his deity.

"better than Barbatos." zhongli mutters, sipping his newly brewed tea.

"don't speak too late, those two have something going on" you laugh, reminiscing on old memories of him and xiao. how cute.

"and you, my son? you seemed to have sustained more than quite a few injuries protecting liyue"

xiao perks up ever so slightly. he truly did admire morax. "yes. i acted foolishly and ended up getting myself hurt. I'll have to rest so I'm able to protect liyue once again."

"you neednt worry little adeptus, liyue can handle the absence of its yaksha for a week or two. enjoy your rest."

'it's hard to with them here.' he thinks to himself before nodding, curiously drinking his own tea.

"Barbatos- Venti is it now? have you heard from them recently? I was thinking of paying a visit." You peek at the tea leaves in your cup and pout.

"I met him recently to update eachother on recent events." Zhongli muses.

"You mean the outcome of your retirement? im sure he was in great favour."

"of course. they insisted I could now spent every second 'drinking wine and lazing about'. I don't believe he's employed." He massages his temples, returning his hand to the table after.

"they play music now..." xiao mutters. "beautiful music..."

you smile and look over at xiao. "a bard, of course! that suits him, no? xiao, let's go on a date to mondstat to visit my lord"

his face drops an he looks away. "I'm opposed."

you grin. "I think you're too nervous to meet him since you're such a big fan."

xiao shoots you a look. you purse your lips and huff.

"fine, go on a date with 'venti' instead. do you think they'd be a good match zhongli?"

"..."

"sounds about right."

"what are you thinking about? you're usually quiet, y/n" xiao is sitting at the open window, head turned from the setting sun and the lands silhouette, facing you.

"the archon war" you sigh out, hands behind your head as you lay on the bed.

"...why spend time mulling over such trivial and bygone matters?" he turns back to the window, the topic wasn't to his taste it seems.

"our discussion with morax today brought back memories, is all... sorry to bring it up-"

"no. you should talk about it, what's bothering you?" he gets up and lays next to you on the bed. this was unusual?

"I um..." he's staring now. how cute are his cheeks? so cute that's how-

"y/n?"

"oh, right... its about my role in it"

"your role? I personally believe it was a heroic and strong act on your part-" he starts. you cut him off.

"I know, I know you've said about how much you admire me and wish I was your spouse because of it-"

"when did I say that."

"I still wish i could have done more"

"your relationship with your new master was weak, his orders weren't your best interest, I understand"

"did you not listen to morax's orders straight away?"

"I did, but our situations were different. i was used to listening to orders and he had me reborn, I was in his debt."

"that makes sense..." you sigh and turn on the bed to face him.

"I did not trust lord barbatos immediately, his orders were against my old ones so I was hesitant... maybe if I wasn't as such then I could have saved more people"

"he had many violent orders in the war, that's what lead him to have the highest body count- I would doubt his orders too. you neednt worry-"

"b-but..." you tear up. "you understand that I would have saved all of your friends, right? if I knew... I would have-" you take deep breaths and sit up.

"I know."

you've both been over this plenty of times now. neither of you mind- in fact it's refreshing. there is never anything more that either of you could say yet it brings so much comfort.

"I wish you had your friends right now... I fear that my Lords plan for me to be your friend was a stupid idea... I know you cared so deeply for them..."

oh. this was new.

and xiao is kind of shocked. he didn't expect to hear it, to be honest. but he's not the type to say "it's okay! I love being your friend!"

...so what does he say?

"I..."

"I care about you just as deeply... its rude to question your masters orders..." he adjusts and gets in bed properly, his back to you.

you stare and tear up, looking at the ceiling. you turn to face xiaos back and try not to let out a vocal cry.

a hand meets yours and brings it forward. xiao links your fingers and rests them over his waist.

"it's okay to cry, too." he mutters and looks at you in the corner of his eye, closing them shortly after.

you bite your lip and stuff your head in his back, quietly letting out sobs.

"i love you, alatus"

"...and you, Idis"