Random oneshots.

XIAO X Y/N

The Unexpected Embrace

The evening air was heavy with the scent of pine and the soft rustle of leaves. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the dense woods of Mondstadt. A quiet night it seemed, but for Y/N, it was anything but peaceful.

She had ventured deeper into the forest than she intended, her curiosity leading her further and further until she found herself surrounded by Hilichurls. Their guttural chants echoed through the trees, sending a wave of unease over her. The Hilichurls had seen her, and in an instant, they began their slow march toward her, weapons raised in an attempt to capture or strike down their prey.

Y/N’s heart pounded in her chest as she fumbled for her Vision. She was still new to the art of combat, and her abilities were not enough to face a group of enemies on her own. Desperation grew within her as the Hilichurls closed in, their crude weapons gleaming in the moonlight.

Just as the first Hilichurl swung its wooden spear toward her, there was a sudden rush of wind, sharp and cutting through the night. A figure descended from the treetops, landing between her and the approaching enemies with the grace of a dancer and the strength of a warrior.

Xiao, the vigilant Yaksha of the Wangshu Inn, stood before her, his eyes glowing a piercing turquoise, his polearm gleaming in the moonlight. His presence was like the calm before a storm, the tension in the air thickening as he surveyed the battlefield.

Without a word, he moved. His polearm sliced through the air with deadly precision, cutting down Hilichurls one by one with smooth, practiced strikes. His movements were swift, efficient, and merciless, as if he were an unstoppable force of nature. The Hilichurls didn’t stand a chance against him. Within moments, the clearing was quiet once more, save for the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the faint groans of defeated enemies.

Xiao stood tall, his gaze fixed on Y/N. She was still frozen in place, eyes wide in disbelief at how quickly everything had changed. Her heart was still racing from the adrenaline, but a sense of safety had finally begun to settle in her chest. The tension in her shoulders slowly released as she took a shaky breath.

“Are you alright?” Xiao’s voice, low and steady, cut through the silence.

Y/N blinked, staring at him for a moment before nodding. “I… I think so. Thank you. You saved me.”

Xiao didn’t respond at first. He was still scanning the area, his sharp senses alert for any sign of danger. But when he finally turned to face her, there was a flicker of something in his eyes, something Y/N couldn’t quite place.

“You shouldn’t have come here alone,” Xiao said softly, almost as if speaking to himself. “It’s dangerous.”

Y/N winced at the quiet reprimand, but she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. “I’ll keep that in mind. But, uh… seriously, thank you. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up.”

Xiao didn’t respond. Instead, he began to turn away, clearly ready to return to his solitary vigil. But Y/N, in a moment of overwhelming gratitude, took a step forward. She felt a wave of affection for the warrior who had saved her life, someone who was known for his coldness and stoicism but had just put himself in harm's way for her.

Before she could think too much about it, Y/N closed the distance between them and, almost impulsively, wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

The moment her arms enveloped him, Xiao froze. His body stiffened, his eyes widening slightly. His usual calm demeanor was nowhere to be found. For a long moment, he remained motionless, unsure of how to react to this sudden, intimate gesture.