"murder", he says | xiaoven x reader

chapter thirty two

"my lord, what would you have me do? the troops that lay under worins command are moving closer." you walk up next to barbatos, feet splashing in pools of blood as he waves blood off his wings. he holds their bow in hand, turning to you.

"I'd they intend to kill us, then we'll have to kill them..." he looks down, long at peace with the notion of having to kill. when they finally takes in your appearance, he frowns. "youre injured more."

you look down at your burnt waist and hips, tentatively hovering your hands over your right side where the raw burn lay.

"yes, some armies use their pyro and hydro visions together to create beyond boiling water, I advise avoiding it. they'd use tar as the humans did had they the chance." you say. "should i head towards those troops now, barbatos?"

"no. stay with me, rest." they ask, taking your hand and kissing it softly.

"rest? in a place like this? do you wish to bathe in the blood of the people the winds around us have reduced to liquid? perhaps use some poor wenches homes debree as a bed to satisfy ourselves in?" you question, leaning into his arms. warm.

"you needn't be so vulgar, idis. come, let's sit in the trees where blood isn't at our ankles." he says, picking you up under your knees and back, thrusting their wings to take you to the highest point in the grand tree. "here. the perfect place to rest. we have time before the army is near us. the land is silent, we have won this battle."

"yet war still rages on."

"still, we have time, now come, will you kiss me?"

when you wake, your clothes have changed and you're tucked into soft sheets, pillows under your head fluffed to accompany the ache that torment your temples. the bedding had such a sweet, fresh smell. you wonder where your Lord got such supplies in the midst of everything.

"barbatos?" you croak out, slopping rolling your body on its side.

"venti is out. I'm here." comes a voice, he kneels at your side.

xiao, your beautiful husband xiao. warmth fills your heart.

"xiao... I had thought I was back in the war for a second, I'm so happy to remember that you're here. will you lay with me, dearest husband?" you whisper softly, smiling at him. he blushes, kicking his shoes off and slipping under the covers.

"are you feeling okay?" he asks, face close to yours. you nod.

"I'm okay. yourself?" you push yourself close to him, breath on his neck.

"you needn't worry- but I'm fine. venti should be back soon."

"what's he doing?"

"he didn't disclose that." xiao explains, hand reaching to your head and after some debate- he pulls you into his chest. you smile and the silence settles for a moment.

"do you ever plan of telling venti that he's pronouncing your name wrong- zeow?" you say, teasing the common way of mispronouncing his name.

"I've grown used to it, but I don't mind if you're to correct him." he says. "one thing..."

"hm?"

"please teach me how to braid. I would one day like to do their hair." he says, as if requesting help off a higher up.

you chuckle. "it does look soft, doesn't it? okay, ill teach you-"

the door downstairs opens and venti comes running up, smiling at you when he sees you're awake. he quickly shuffles off his cape and shoes, diving under the covers next to you, holding you close.