Point of View

Xiao helps you cope with your depression

It was so hard to get out of bed every day. It felt like a god damn chore. So instead, you decided to lay in bed all day. The only time you would get up, is to use the washroom. But that was rare as you barely ate in the last month. Today wasnt any different. You spent it like any other meaningless day. Just in bed, wrapped in blankets with only your head poking out. The expression you wore was none. You looked lifeless. Like you had given up.

A gentle knock came at your closed door. "(Y/N)?" The quiet voice spoke from the other side. You knew who it was, and you said nothing. He cracked open the door, his golden eyes peering in to see you all burrito'd up in your bed. To see you in this state... to see you suffering silently. He slipped inside, closing the door, walking to your side and sitting at the edge. "Can you tell me what the problem is?" His tone was soft, quiet and caring. It felt like he was the only person- well, adeptus- that truly cared. The way he would always check in on you. Be by your side no matter what.

The silence between the two of you felt suffocating. The moment you would open your mouth, tears would start falling and it'd be difficult to keep the sobs in. But you knew that if you kept it all inside, it wouldn't be too long before the bottle cracked and shattered. "Xiao..." your voice cracked, looking at the adeptus who watched you carefully. The words became difficult to speak just after saying his name.

If it was instant, Xiao knew all that troubled you. The tears that formed in your eyes. The way your throat tightened when your lips parted to say something, but couldn't. How you shook in your blanket, trying to curl up again. When you put barely any effort to get up to sit beside him. His gaze softened, scooting closer to you. His arms wrapping around your figure, picking you up and leaning you against his side. That was enough to get you to break open the dam and start the flood.

Nothing was said for quite some time. All that was done was him rubbing your back, head resting against yours, looking to the floorboards. The moment you started hiccuping, he held you tighter. Closer to him. Xiao didn't know how to comfort people, he heard that being by their side did enough when advice didn't do the trick. So here he was, holding you close to him as you cried your soul out into his chest. He knew all the things that troubled you. How life kept knocking you down when all you wanted to do was get up and feel a moment of contentment.

You shook against his body, and he contemplated on what to say to you. Its going to be okay. No, you needed something more than that. As he began thinking, he heard you slowly quiet down. Sniffles were all that were left a few minutes later. "Why...?" Your voice, hoarse from sobbing, spoke quietly against him. "Why?" He repeated the question, though before you could make it more clear, he already had his answer.

"I am meant to protect you, (Y/N)," he started out, looking down at you with the same soft look in those golden eyes. "You should not fight these battles alone. I will be here, whenever you need me." You never heard him speak like this. And, it brought comfort. Although.. it didn't last long. "I always need you, Xiao.. I just...-" He stopped you there. He didn't want to hear you say some form of 'but'. Not from you. "I will always be here, for you." Xiao spoke, lifting your chin so you could look at him properly.

You didn't know what to say in response. But he took that as a chance to continue. "I will never leave your side. I will never let you give up hope for a better future." His hand went to cup your cheek, his touch soft, gentle. "A broken soul like yours can still be healed."

For the first time in a while, you saw him in a new light. One you never saw him in before. It was angelic. Without even knowing, your sniffles stopped, your breathing had regulated, and for once.. you felt safe.
No second thoughts, you wrapped your arms around him, burying your face into the crook of his neck. This took him by shock, but he still returned the hug with some hesitation. "Thank you," you whispered. "Thank you for being here." With a gentle smile, he pulled you closer into the hug.

"Always.."