You were sitting on the roof of the Wangshu Inn. Distantly, in Liyue Harbor, you could see fireworks and lanterns illuminating the night. Lantern Rite was in full swing.
"I like to watch the festivities from here, too. It's a brief moment of respite from the demons."
A voice drew your attention. It was a familiar one, monotonous and quiet. There was usually a note of harshness, as well, but Xiao had never used that tone with you. You glanced to your left, surprised to see him sitting beside you instead of standing a ways back like normal. You nodded, turning your eyes back towards the harbor. "Mortals confuse me. What's the point of being around so many people? It'd just be crowded and loud and.. ugh." You shuddered at the thought. "I'm glad someone understands what I mean." Xiao shifted slightly.
You nodded. "I've known you for centuries, Xiao. We understand each other, probably more than Zhongli- or whatever he's called now- does nowadays." You gazed up at the stars, remembering those times. The times before the supposed "death" of the Geo Archon, even before Liyue Harbor itself existed. You couldn't tell if it felt like yesterday or like it had been millennia. Suddenly, a gentle touch to one of your fingers dragged you out of your thoughts and back to the rooftop of Wangshu Inn. Glancing at your hand, you noticed the yaksha next to you move his own a little closer to himself, almost like he was retreating. "Did.. did you just try to touch my hand?" You turned to him, wondering if you were being tricked. "No." Xiao replied swiftly, the coldness he used around others creeping into his words. "Me? Mortal displays of affection? And you were just saying we knew each other." He scoffed. "Even if I were to try, you'd probably be disgusted by the lousy effort I put in. You'd-"
Xiao stopped as you took his pinky in yours, squeezing it gently. "Huh?" His voice was no more than a whisper as you pulled his hand into shape, interlocking your fingers. "I wouldn't." You said quietly, eyes meeting his and never looking away. You saw the tops of his ears go red, a sight you found most endearing. "I'd never think of you as disgusting." You continued, squeezing his hand once. "I value you. You're the most important being I know, Xiao. I don't see you as a killing machine or any of the other shit you call yourself- I see you as someone deserving of love and care." Xiao then did something you'd never seen him do.
He broke down into tears.
You were caught incredibly off guard; the yaksha was infamous for being blunt, stoic, and damn near emotionless. So why was this presumed-emotionless being crying so hard it looked like he could scarcely breathe? Shaking off your surprise, you decided that right now, he needed you by his side. You wrapped an arm around his shoulder, then gently pulled him against you.
He sobbed uncontrollably, and let you hold him in your arms. Moving him softly, so that his head was in your lap, you began petting his head. Running your fingers through his pretty hair, you whispered gentle words to him, attempting to console the poor adeptus. "You are more than enough for me, Xiao. I'll never leave you. You matter- you're worth more than just your skills in demon killing. There's so much to be loved about you, Xiao." You whispered to him, brushing his hair out of his face. He looked up at you, face red and glossy with tears. "You... you don't mean that.." he choked out desolately. A small frown tugged at the corners of your lips. Seeing him like this was no easy task. Your care for him hated to watch the tears stream from his eyes, and you struggled a little to hold yourself together. Xiao needs support, dumbass, you mentally cursed yourself, not for you to become a wailing mess alongside him. The adeptus's voice was low and angry, full of loathing for himself. "I'm useless, Traveler. You should know that by now. My karmic debt ensures I only hurt those around me."
Out of ideas, you did the only thing that you felt could truly convey your feelings- you began gently planting kisses all across Xiao's face. His cheeks, his forehead, his nose, his chin, his puffy eyelids- everywhere. He was stunned into silence, his breath now audible as soft inhales and exhales. "You.." he breathed. "Why would- does this mean that you-?" He was so lost he could barely string enough words together to make a question. "Yes, Xiao. I love you. You are more than worthy of being loved. Do you understand me?" You paused to rest your forehead against his for a moment. "You aren't disgusting. You aren't evil. You deserve love. You deserve to be loved, so, so much." You kissed fresh tears from his eyes as he melted again, his heart being painfully twisted by your words.
You sat there on the roof and continued to stroke Xiao's hair, repeatedly telling him how much you loved him, how much he deserved love, how much he was already loved by others. He managed to dry his eyes after a much-needed cry session and curled closer into you, almost hiding himself by facing your stomach. "I.. love you." His whisper was nearly inaudible, but you caught it.
"My Xiao," you said softly, kissing his cheek, "I love you, too. I love you so much."
-
A/N
I'm not the best at reverse comfort stuff but I hope this was an enjoyable little peek into the not-so-fluffy side of my writing!
I also pulled for and got Sethos earlier today! I hope I don't spend entirely too much time building him ahaha... (foreshadowing)
As always, the next part will be out when I feel motivated, so probably very soon. Stay tuned and stay safe! <3
-Enby
YOU ARE READING
Genshin x (Youkai) Reader Hurt & Angst/Comfort and Fluff
General Fiction-I require an outlet for the part of me that craves despair and then do my best to comfort that despair, then sometimes I write little fluffy guys as a treat :) -Most of the content here is x Reader, but once in a blue moon I write for ships I like ...
