Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Seventeen: The Cost of Karma

Lumine ran down the beach, nearly falling down. As she approached Xiao, she saw that his mask shone on his face - a sign that he was not mentally or physically stable. It was his karma. Should she step in? She might die, but so would Xiao. Going with her gut, Lumine ran towards him, yelling his name.
While she screamed, Xiao was in a trance. His karma blinded him. All Xiao could think about was his past. He was only meant to slaughter demons. Every day he lived brought harm to the people he was forced to serve. Xiao was meant to live out his days slowly going insane. Everyone he had ever cared about died. The yakshas, Guizhong, Barbatos, and even those he fought alongside with. They were all gone. Xiao was alone, and was destined to be alone for the rest of his life. Over five-hundred years of suffering and nothing had happened that made him feel joy. Everything fell down. He was nothing. As this feeling went on, Xiao could feel his arms and legs feel like they were being torn off. He felt he was being punched in the stomach as well. At last, the pain became too much. Xiao stumbled to the ground, breathing heavily. All that he could feel was suffering. Suddenly, there was a noise. Carefully, Lumine's cries grew louder. His mask slowly went away as Xiao nearly collapsed on the ground, his eyes still open. "Xiao!? Xiao!!" She yelled, eventually sitting beside him. No response. He was still breathing, and his eyes were open as we've established. "Xiao, are you alright? Do you need me to get someone?"
"No. I'm fine," he grumbled, his voice raspy. Xiao tried to get up, but stumbled back to the ground.
"Just rest for a minute. Please," Lumine begged. He wanted to go, but it was no use. Xiao laid back on the sandy ground and looked up at the sky. Not a word was spoken as minutes passed. "I'm fine. I'm not going to die or anything."
"You will if you don't lay down," Lumine gently teased. He merely scoffed, but appreciated her dry humor. The two of them were silent, not even exchanging glances. The moon shone brightly as if it were the only light to exist. With the waves crashing on the shore, Lumine gently creeped her hand beside Xiao's. They weren't holding hands, but they were beside one another. "Are you going to be okay?" She asked softly. "That is none of your concern," Xiao muttered, "I've felt worse."
"Hm...well, take this. It's likely a little cold, but..." Lumine excitedly reached in her bag and pulled out a plate of almond tofu, "I keep food on me just in case of emergencies. It isn't that fresh, but I hope it'll do." She set the plate on Xiao's lap, finishing by adding the usual eating utensils. It was his favorite food, so he did eat it. He ate so fast that tofu crumbs had fallen all over him. "...erm...thank you."
"It's no trouble! Oh, wait...you have some crumbs on your face...I'll take care of it!" Lumine licked her thumb and began to wipe away the food remnants around the corner of his mouth. "There we go; handsome as always," she smiled as she finished brushing them off. There was something about her...Xiao couldn't explain it. When Lumine was there, all the troubles melted away like lemon drops. "How do you find it so easy to show affection? I'm quite curious...I see mortals talking about how they did this for the person they leafed, and that they got that as a response to their compassion. It's just... odd," he asked.
"Hm...how should I explain it... Oh! Think of it as a friendship. You never really force yourself to become friends with someone, it just comes naturally. As you get to know the person better, you know what they like. Just like you and almond tofu!" She continued to smile, a sparkle of excitement never leaving your eyes. "But," Xiao sighed, "What if you don't know what they like? If you're not sure, then it would be best to do nothing. That way you can't damage the relationship."
"The thing is that if you don't do anything, then the other person will thing the relationship failed. Then everyone looses."
Xiao sighed with both astonishment and frustration. "Now, let's suppose I lave someone. How do I show this... feelings?"
"It just comes. Nothing can ever separate love - there's always a way," As Lumine finished, she looked at Xiao. His eyes weren't cold, frustrated, or even suffering. He was smiling ever so slightly, the starlight adding a fantasy-like glow. Before he could get away, Lumine grabbed his cheek and kissed him - Just something light. Xiao, in response, merely pulled her to lay against him. "You're going to rest. Understand?"
"Whatever you say, demon boy," she giggled before snuggling up in a ball.

As the night grew on, Lumine fell asleep on the beach. Xiao did his best to use his sleeves as a blanket to little avail. As he protected the sleeping traveler, he felt like he was being watched. He looked around with hostility. As much as he wanted Lumine to sleep, life was more important. Though the feeling soon went away when a well-dressed man appeared to walk over. The man didn't show any sign of hostility, but Xiao didn't let his guard down. Carefully, a mirage of Zhongli was revealed. Before he could speak, the archon gestured for Xiao to remain quiet. "You are doing well, Xiao. You are making many proud," He whispered.
"Sensei... if I'm doing well, how come I've been feeling terrible?! I get laughed at by that floating thing and Miss Kamisato too much for it to be friendship. Plus, Lumine won't spend time with me unless we're alone. How is this 'doing well'?" Xiao shot back, whisper shouting.
"You'll see. I'll let you two rest now - Again, I am quite proud of you."
Before he could respond, Zhongli went away like dust in the wind. Carefully, Xiao returned his glance to Lumine. She was still sleeping like a baby. In this sleepy state, she put her hand on Xiao's chest. Wether it was a way of comfort, stability, or assurance, he didn't know. In response, Xiao put his hand on her soft, golden hair. Running his fingers through it felt like brushing the fur of the softest birds. Even though she didn't need it at the current moment, Xiao felt himself longing to fight every last monster in Teyvat in all the seven regions just so he could spend time with the miraculous.
"L...L....Lee...La...Lin... ugh. Such an interesting word," He grumbled. He had to learn how to get this word down and said correctly. Silently, Lumine, as if she could hear him, said, "Love."
For the rest of the night, Xiao spent most of his time figuring out how to say the word.

Love.

(And if anyone was wondering, surgery went well - can't talk but I've been laying in bed all day. Next chapter is gonna be a little...uh...entertaining, I hope)