𝑀𝓎 𝒮𝑜𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒 | Xiao x Yaksha Reader

↠ 𝐿𝑜𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒 ?

"Welcome to Angel's Share," came the monotonous voice, delivered with such practiced indifference that it was clear the speaker had been repeating it for years.

A soft chime rang through the tavern as a red haired male stood behind the bar station, carefully wiping the delicate wine glass with precision.

Diluc raises the glass up towards the light, inspecting it closely for any stains he may have left. "What can I get for yo-"

His words caught in his throat when his gaze landed on the figure standing just inside the doorway.

It was Xiao.

Xiao stood there silently before clearing his throat. He looked entirely out of place, this is the type of place he would have never stepped in.

"I'm looking for the Anemo Arc—" Xiao's voice faltered for a split second, his words hanging in the air. His gaze flicked back to Diluc's, those dull red eyes staring at him with a quiet intensity. Xiao corrected himself with a cough. "...I mean a bard... with an Anemo vision."

Diluc's expression didn't change much, though his brow lifted slightly in response. He lowered the wine glass and gave Xiao a look that could only be described as bruh—

"You're looking for him?" Diluc asked, his tone flat, sick of the same bard coming into his tavern every single day. He set the wine glass down, crossing his arms. "Unfortunately, you're in the right place."

Xiao's mood was lifted instantly when he knew that his travel had not been in vain. "Where would he be?"

Diluc sighed, glancing up with clear exasperation. "On the roof... Again."

Xiao blinked. "The roof?"

"Yeah," Diluc muttered as he turned to keep the glasses in their cabinets. "Where else would a bard with an Anemo vision be, if not singing to the wind from my tavern's rooftop?"

Xiao raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to process the absurdity of the situation. "The roof..?" he repeated, as if confirming it to himself.

"Yes," A faint chuckle escaped Diluc's lips, clearly amused by the adeptus. "The roof."

"Um... Well, Thank you." Xiao thanked sincerely, his voice low and formal before heading back out.

Just as Xiao reached for the door, Diluc's voice cut through the quiet tavern. "Wait."

Xiao stopped, glancing over his shoulder with mild curiosity.

Diluc swiftly reached beneath the counter and pulled out a bottle. The dark glass gleamed faintly in the warm light of the tavern. He held it out toward Xiao. "Dawn's Blessing. It's one of our finest. For when the time calls for a moment of... peace."

Xiao stared at the bottle for a moment, as if unsure what to do with it. "I don't—"

"Take it. It's on the house." Diluc insisted.

"I have a feeling you would need it after dealing with him." He tilted his head toward the roof, clearly referring to the bard in question. "To shut him up, of course."

Xiao hesitated, then stepped forward and took the bottle. "Thank you." He said again.

Outside, the wind had picked up slightly, brushing against Xiao's face as he tilted his head upward. Sure enough, there was a figure lounging lazily on the roof, a lyre resting casually in his hands. Xiao narrowed his eyes.

"THERE WILL COME A SOLDIER WHO CARRIES A MIGHTY SWORD!!!" Xiao could tell Venti was drunk as his voice rang out in an off-key melody. "HE WILL TEAR YOUR CITY DOWN, OH LEI- OH LAI - OH LORD!"