Falling for You

Chapter 23 - Xiao Xiao

Venti's POV

 "Sleep well, my cecilia."

 I had woken up when he moved and I was more than just shocked when he pulled me closer. But that last sentence and the small kiss I felt on my forehead was something that I never would have expected.

 It took all my self-control not to move and open my eyes till he finally fell asleep. The moment I sensed him sleeping, my eyes flew open, only to be greeted by the sight of Xiao's regularly moving chest, which was... very close.

 I didn't dare move, knowing that even the slightest movement would wake him. I just lay still, relishing in the smell of qingxin mixed with almonds that belonged only to him.

 I have to admit, today had been a very long day. I don't remember the last time I was hurt to this extent.

 Now that I think back, there could have probably been another method that would have caused a lot less damage, but when I saw him fall I just couldn't think clearly anymore.

 Even when I knew that my wings were the most vulnerable part of my body, and even when I knew there is a chance they would never recover if the damage is bad enough, I still blocked his fall without a second thought.

 Could I have another chance, a redo, I would still do the same. Damn the consequences, as long as he's safe, for me, that's enough.

 He probably doesn't know, but while most think the wings are the most private and vulnerable parts, that small point that he so gently pushed back then, is far more sensitive than any other part of my body. Just looking at the fact that it was enough to wake me up that time, despite my body screaming to me to just fall asleep and heal, is enough to show it.

 Had it been a different situation, I would have probably explained the meaning behind touching that point and I would have beaten up Morax for sharing my drunk rumblings with the adepti.

 But in a situation like that one... I couldn't even stay awake long enough to tell him what to do, to tell him that it will be okay, to tell him he shouldn't worry.

 I felt useless, stuck in my inner world, unable to do anything, unable to say anything.

 I was extremely happy when he brought me to Morax who finally managed to calm him down, and I wanted nothing more than to tell him that it was okay when Morax told him he couldn't help.

 When Xiao left and Morax entered my mind, I was relieved to finally be able to talk to someone.

 I brought him to my second world, as even he couldn't be allowed to see the thing I hid in my first one. I was rather surprised when he realized the change instantly, forgetting that he had been inside my mind once before.

 Still, I'm glad he didn't make me bring him to my first world. What is in there, what 'she' helped me hide, was not something I could show Morax. At least, not yet.

 Soon enough the day when he finds out about it will come, and I suspect that it's not too far away. Will he be angry and beat me to a pulp, or will he understand why I did it, why I must hurt the one I love before I can make him happy?

 Maybe he will, he has someone he loves now, after all. But that will all come later, that can only come after he accepts me.

 Looking at the situation, it might come sooner than I thought, though. Had I known that falling into a cavern would result in such a scene, I would have jumped down by myself weeks ago.

 What a horrible day, yet what a beautiful ending.

 Right now, I want nothing more than to stop time here, so that I could enjoy this even just a little longer.

 "Sleep well, Xiao Xiao," I murmured as I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his chest, listening to his heartbeat as I fell asleep.

 Just to be clear, at the end of this chapter Venti calls Xiao, Xiao Xiao (小魈). The second Xiao is his name while the first Xiao means little, translating to little Xiao.