Genshin Impact Oneshots

The Dark Manor [Xiao x Hu Tao]

This is angst, yet this is cute ig

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"When the sun's out, bathe in sunlight. But when the moon's out, bathe in moonlight~"

Somewhere deep in the woods was a huge manor where paint had started to crackle on the walls and roses of a crimson red grew on the broken gate half opened.

This looked like an abandoned mansion and no one would be crazy enough to wander in such a place when the moon was at its highest point, shining ever so brightly in the midnight sky as the only source of light.

And yet,

There was in fact a soul living there.

A pretty peculiar young woman with dark hair and ruby eyes.

Beside a few lizards and spiders hidden in the corners, she was the only one here.

Or almost.

That peaceful silence had come to a halt when someone decided to trespass on her land.

A young man with emerald hair and golden pupils.

"Well are those who rise in the early morn, while those late to bed I shall forewarn~" she sang cheerfully while coming down the stairs of the grand hall to welcome her guest.

The visitor passed the door before stopping when he saw the girl in front him.

"Are you living here?" he asked.

"Greetings to the one and only person here! May I inquire about your identity?"

The man seemed to be hesitating for a bit at first, most likely reluctant about revealing himself to a stranger. However, for some unknown reason, he decided to speak.

"Xiao."

"Delighted to meet you, dear Xiao! You can call me Hu Tao by the way!" she claimed. "On the other hand, Xiao... Since you're not from here, else I believe I would have been aware, that must mean you've been all over and have seen a lot!"

"I guess so."

"Not the talkative type, heh. Though, won't you tell me a story or two to get this lonely soul out of her boredom? After all, there's not many people who have the guts to come here..."

Xiao didn't really come with the intention of entertaining some brat in the beginning and there wasn't anything forcing him to do so. And yet again, the man went out of his way and sat on one step of the stairs to what Hu Tao did the same with much interest.

"Just one then." he said.

And thus, just like that, the boy started to tell the girl about fantasy tales he had heard from his grandfather when visiting him. However, he didn't stop at one or two and for the whole night, he spent his time talking with the red-haired one.

"Thank you for spending your precious time with me, Xiao." said Hu Tao in a somewhat softer tone than before. "There have been many guests in this mansion, in fact. But unlike them, you were the first who didn't flee away and granted my wish."

"It wasn't much."

"Still, I'm very grateful for that. Can I consider us friends now?" she asked with longing eyes.

Xiao stared at her before sighing and giving a nod in agreement.

"Thank you again, Xiao. Thank you for granting my last wish."

Just then, it was as if Hu Tao's body was starting to fade into the rays of the moonlight, slowly turning transparent until nothing stood in front of the man.

It was at that moment that Xiao thought about another of his grandfather's stories, one about a girl who lived in a mansion hidden behind a mass of trees but who died after a fire caught and burned the whole mansion along with its residents.