˗ˏˋ Genshin Impact Oneshots ˎˊ˗

⋆ 𝘟𝘪𝘢𝘰 & 𝘡𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪: 𝘔𝘺 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 {𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘛𝘸𝘰}

⚠️ TW- This chapter mentions whipping, blood, and suicide.

💔 ~ Angst (because why not hehe)

The fanart belongs to @_ahblue_ ~ Twitter.

~~~~

Xiao's POV

The hand that held me and the voice that spoke... suddenly felt unfamiliar. It was as though I didn't know who they belonged to at all.

Why do I feel so weak and humiliated?

I wanted to defend myself, but I knew that whatever I say now will be used against me later on.

I followed as he ordered me to, fixing my gaze upon the ground as I walked, with Zhongli following close behind.

My blood continued to drip to the ground, but he didn't seem to care.

While walking to the flogging area, I could feel Zhongli's cold, slender hands unclasp the necklace around my neck, then he took off everything I had on my shoulders, arms, and hands.

I couldn't say anything about it. I just watched my world crumble as everything happened.

When did his warm and loving hands become so cold and merciless?

His hand lowered to my clothed back. Without a warning, and with a rough tug, he tore my top until it crumbled in his hand, revealing what it used to hide from the green markings on my skin and my wounded side.

And my battle scars. The scars that I got while defending his nation. The unwanted colors on a beautiful canvas.

How do you still question my loyalty to you after seeing these scars, Zhongli?

"You don't need this anymore. You wouldn't be able to wear it for a long time after the flogging, anyway," Zhongli spoke as he dropped my bloodstained top to the ground.

I huffed as I continued walking, acting unbothered by his words and actions when, deep down, they stung me badly.

It hurts.

I don't want this to happen.

I don't deserve any of this.

He led me to what seemed like a huge battle arena, enclosed by large walls with a ring of audience seats on top. After some more tedious walking, we approached an area with two large metal bars sticking out of the grassy terrain. Chains dangled from both metal bars, each ending with a hand lock.

I stifled a gasp. I hated to admit it, but it was a terrifying sight.

I mean... how would an innocent person react to the tools and machines associated with the guilty?

No matter how many lashes it would take to suffice his desire, I will not give in. I will not show him my vulnerable side—that which he yearned to see.

Zhongli positioned me between both metals, then he came to my side and started securing the long chain shackles around my wrist.

I didn't pay attention to what he was doing exactly, for my eyes were scanning the seats around the arena. People were gathering there, rushing to occupy the first row seats. The people that I was willing to protect with my life were all gathered here, waiting for my punishment to commence. Waiting to watch me lose my pride in an instant.

I was ignorant. I didn't realize that it would be... a public flogging.

I was willing to be whipped a thousand times in a private area rather than take a single hit in a front of my people who trusted me with their lives.