𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ― baizhu x reader

𝐈𝐕. 𝐈 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

(y/n) lay awake in their bed, it was past midnight but it wasn't often they got to sleep before then. it had been an hour of idly staring at the ceiling or out the window before the suffering insomniac had enough of waiting for sleep.

they sat up with a frustrated huff, running their hands through their hair as their (e/c) eyes landed on the soft blue glow emitting off the vision siting by the side of their bed. the same they did the last few nights, they stared out at the small balcony across the room, only this time moving towards it.

their feet hit the cold timber beneath them and they stood, the wood creaking every odd step they took towards the small terrace. the night was cool, a soft breeze making the white curtains billow out as they approached, opening the doors wide as they step onto the small platform overlooking the beautiful land liyue had to offer.

it was only a few seconds after she had stepped out into the cold air the night brought that they heard rustling above them and someone fell onto the balcony beside them. they hardly had to look at the adeptus standing beside them to know who it was. "couldn't sleep either i suppose?" xiao spoke, his usually peircing gaze softening as it landed on his dear friend. (y/n) simply shook their head softly, tilting their head to speak, "it's been getting worse lately."

the two companions stood in silence, taking in the fresh air before the anemo weilder hummed, "whenever sleep evades you, you can call for me, just as i say you can when you're in danger." he looked away as he said this, but the sincerity of his offer made the insomniac smile.

they reached a hand out to their confidant's arm before pulling him in close, "thank you." they whispered, face pressed into the crook of the adepti's neck. he was stiff at first, slowly wrapping his arms around his quivering friend as soft sobs escaped them. they were frustrated, thinking that they were over the distressing events that had occured so many years ago.

sleep had always been a struggle but the nightmares that came made (y/n) even afraid to close their eyes. "it gets better i promise." xiao murmured. the (h/c) nodded, they had to believe him, he went through the same thing after all.

the friends embrace lasted a few minutes, understanding passing through them both as clear as memories they shared, before (y/n) stumbled back, stiffing as they wiped their puffy eyes and then heading inside, "come, i'll make us tea." as the adeptus followed them into their room in wangshu inn he only wished he could do more to help cease the horrors that plagued his close friend's mind.

-ˏˋ ✿ ˊˎ-

since the trip to the tea house a few weeks ago, baizhu had busied himself and his undead employee with a rush of customers orders, only realising the absence of their friend when the orders died down. noticing that they hadn't heard from his newest, and might he say favourite, customer, he grew curious.

he remembered that he hadn't been making the familiar requests of (y/n)'s medicine anymore, qiqi hadn't even been requesting him to make them their order, in fact the zombie was mostly silent these days, continuing with the work her boss gave her.

the snake adorned man could tell she was concerned however, as he caught her reading letters that her friend had sent, reasurring her that they were okay, he hadn't pressed on the matter. however the letters did little to ease the sword weilder's worry, even with the insistant 'i'm fine's' and 'i'll be better soon's', qiqi didn't buy it. Yet unless she made the trek to wangshu inn she would have to be satisfied with these answers.

baizhu had been doing more investigations into his sleep studies when the zombified girl had knocked on his door. "come in." he had answered shorty, hearing the low creak of the wood as the lavender haired girl waddled in. the pharmacist's eyes stayed locked onto his research as he encouaged qiqi to speak with a wave of his hand.