Don't leave me || Xiaoven ff

Chapter 16

A few days had passed since the fight against Osial. Most damage was already repaired and everything was mostly normal in Liyue again.

Venti wanted to enjoy Liyue a bit so he managed to drag Xiao along with him to go and visit the city.

"And why exactly is it so important for you?" Xiao asked, still annoyed about having to go. Venti laughed. "Come ooon, I'm sure the Wanming restaurant will have some almond tofu."

So the two boys made their way there, saying hello to Ganyu who happened to pass by. The moment Xiao saw her, he slowed down and seemed to become a little nervous.

"Hello you two, what brings you here?" she asked, looking at the Archon and the Yaksha in confusion.
"We're just on our way to eat something. How are you?" Venti replied casually.
Ganyu grinned slightly, looking at Xiao as she said, "I'm fine, have a nice day you two."

Xiao looked at the other adept with a death stare before following Venti.
She's goddamn making me nervous every time.

Soon enough, they reached the restaurant. It was nice, Xiao was especially glad to see that the annoying little daughter of Chef Mao was nowhere to be seen.

As Venti ordered, Xiao stayed behind and waited. They sat down at the table and there was an awkward silence for a few seconds.

"Lantern rite is in two weeks," Venti said. "I don't suppose you planned anything sooo" he continued.
Xiao sighed. "I don't concern myself with unimportant human traditions like that."

Venti smiled and said, "Great! Alright, let's meet at sunset at the bridge then!"
Xiao groaned in annoyance but was smiling inside. He had given up protesting against Ventis plans so he just accepted it. He was even looking forward to enjoying the festival with the bard.

The two got their food and even Venti was quiet for a while. Just as Xiao finished his delicious almond tofu, he heard a voice behind him.

"Adeptus Xiao! What brings you here? Do you want to try some new food?"
Xiangling...
"No," he responded without turning around.
Frowning, Xiao took Ventis hand and dragged him along the street.
"Where are you going?" Xiangling asked.
"Not your business."

Venti laughed. "You really can't stand her huh?"
"She talks too much," the Yaksha replied as they continued walking down the street.

Suddenly Xiao stopped.
"What is it?" Venti asked.
"Morax..." he whispered. A few meters in front of them stood a tall man, dressed in a long coat with brown hair, that was glowing almost golden at the tips.
He looked at them.

"What the-" Venti started but was cut off by the man who stepped to them and said, "Not here" in a calm manner.

He walked down the street and gestured them to follow him.
"I don't understand- Morax? How is this possible?"
The man sighed. "I will answer all your questions but not here."

He took them to the grand terrace at the west side of Liyue.
"Answer! Now. Who are you?" Xiao said.
The man stopped at the railing and turned around to face them.

"I go by Zhongli but perhaps you two- Barbatos, Xiao- know who I am"

Xiao was even more confused. He stood there in shock and said "Yes, I know. But how is this possible? You're dead Morax!"
"Please don't raise your voice like that, people might overhear our conversation."
"Answer Morax!"

He sighed again. "I didn't die. I faked my own death to live a mortal life."
Venti had stood there the whole time in silence but now he stepped forward.
"You stupid old Blockhead!" he said, punching Zhongli in the arm.
"You think that was funny? You almost killed Xiao!" he complained.

Zhongli flinched. "I know. And i am sorry, I should have told you earlier."
The Yaksha stayed silent, processing everything in his head.
Suddenly, he stepped forward too. "Never do something like that ever again. Please don't."

Morax looked at the Yaksha. "I am sorry Xiao."
Xiao sighed, still confused about everything and not exactly sure about what was happening. It almost felt too good to be true- though it seemed to be.

"Alright, i got business to attend to or Hu Tao will be furious. I'll come and visit you at Wangshu sometime soon."

Just like that, he walked past the two confused boys and down the stairs. They looked after him until he was out of sight.
Xiaos head hurt, he still had so many questions.

"Stupid old man," Venti mumbled. Xiao couldn't even be mad at Venti for calling him that, so confused was he.
"I should go back to Wangshu," he said.
Venti smiled. "I'll go with you!"
The Yaksha didn't protest.

——

Back at the inn, Xiao sat next to Venti in the branches above the roof terrace. They didn't talk, just sat there and watched the sunset.
"So he didn't die after all... heh, what a mess," Venti said.
Xiao nodded. He leaned against Venti, tired of all the questions in his head.
Venti smiled. The Yakshas behavior had changed so much since they had met in the mountains.

"Thanks," Xiao said. Venti looked at him and replied, "Huh, for what?"
The Yaksha just shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know- the almond tofu, being here with me- everything."

"Well I can't just leave you with all this trouble right?"
Xiao sighed. "No, I guess not..."

The Bard chuckled.
"What?" Xiao asked.
"I'm just happy to have you. I mean sure, there are some people in Mondstadt I like, but you are different. I don't know, it just feels like i could never bear to lose you."

Xiao stayed silent. He just didn't know how to respond to something so kind.
After a while he said, "I am grateful that I met you Venti."

The bard smiled even more. He liked it when Xiao said his name. He didn't know why but it sounded so nice when the Yaksha said it.

"I am grateful I met you too Xiao."

————
Alright, writing this was kinda difficult.

I'm not sure about the chapter, what do you guys think?