Genshin Impact One-Shots

Xiao | Search For Warmth

Your feet meets the bridge with a quiet clack as your gaze sweeps the vibrant place. Various stalls are set up, its vendors shouting about their goods, trying to lure in passing customers; the scent of aromatic Chinese delicacies is in the atmosphere; and the citizens are moving around in excitement, checking out the different stalls.

Among the sea of smiling faces, you are focused on finding a particular face, which should be rather easy to notice since the face you're searching for isn't one of a smile.

"Did you folks hear about the Archon War? Let me share with you its history..."

You stop walking and glance at the nearby storyteller who is surrounded by lovers of tales, their interest evident by the way they lean forward in their seat, eagerly soaking in his words.

Simply hearing the words "Archon War" makes your heart hurt. After your God's sudden disappearance, you immediately went out to find your dear friends, desperate to be in the company of familiar faces again.

But it's painfully clear they are no longer present in this world. You have traveled far across Liyue—from the abandoned huts scattered across the grasslands to the dark caves that are filled with desperate cries of broken souls.

Only to end up alone with no one beside you.

And now here you are at Liyue Harbor, the last place on your list. A merchant recently told you of an adeptus who is highly respected among followers, so you figured to try your luck here.

"Alatus, where are you...?" you mumble, walking to a quieter area near a lake.

Up ahead, you see someone resting there, his dark head and outfit vaguely familiar. If memory serves you correctly, your crush dresses like this; your thoughts will be confirmed once you see his face.

You hesitate midway and lower your head. Perhaps you should leave him alone instead; countless years have passed, and he may not even remember you at this rate. But your heart is telling you to reach out and let him know how you feel: lonely and missing everyone's warmth.

Making up your mind, you carefully stand near the male and start off with a quiet question. "Hello, may I sit here?"

He turns to look at you, his eyes immediately widening, as he continues to stare at you in surprise. The same expression is present on your face too. The all too familiar purple diamond on his forehead... his golden gaze...

"(Y/N)?"

"Alatus?"

The male shakes his head and corrects you, "I go by Xiao now."

"Xiao...?" you murmur, testing his name out; it suits him quite well.

"Sit if you'd like," he says before looking ahead again with the same blank expression.

You take him up on his offer, leaving a generous space between you two. Xiao flickers his eyes to you and hums in thought, making you curiously ask what's on his mind.

"I recall you were once bubbly, always in my space and talking my ears off. The others would tease me often, seeing as I never moved away from you," he explains.

Back then, it was painfully obvious to everyone that your romantic feelings toward the reserved adeptus was strong as you never once tried to hide it. If you wanted to say something or do something, then you did just that; that was what you always believed in.

And you wanted Xiao; you talked up a storm about anything and everything, complimented him, whatever, all to watch his cute reactions at the strange attention you gave him, and solely him.

"But..." Xiao trails off, "...you appear more reserved now. Has the truth been revealed to you?"

You fumble with your fingers for a few silent moments, trying to find the right words to such a vague yet knowing question. The loved ones you once knew are all dead now, causing empty and painful feelings to twist in your chest.

But finding Xiao, someone you held—and likely still hold—fond feelings for makes you feel a mixture of relief and happiness, which balances with the negative emotions.

Taking in a deep, shaky breath, you manage out a quiet, "I... was trying to find everyone."

The dark teal-haired male doesn't say anything, but you know he's carefully listening, just like he always have done in the past.

"All over Liyue... I couldn't find anyone, and so I started to worry that... perhaps they're no longer here. But... I had hope that I would find you, and after meeting a merchant, I truly believed I would."

Xiao sighs and lowers his gaze, wordlessly staring at the lush grass. You glance at him for a moment, wondering what he's even thinking about with such a blank expression.

"I'm sure I'm correct in my assumptions, but... I would like to hear it from you, Xiao."

He faces you.

"Everyone... they're dead, right?"

The adeptus' lips are pressed together in a line as he slowly nods, intently looking ahead at the flowing waters.

"I... see..."

You avert your gaze to the grass, as the male has done earlier, and begin running your fingers through the greenery. Some shifting is heard beside you, and you turn to see him scooting closer.

"You can rest your head on my shoulder," he simply says before shifting his attention back to the scenery.

Warmth and happiness washes over you. You're pleasantly surprised he still remembers how you like being comforted: some silence as you lay your head on the person's shoulder, finding solace in their quiet breathing and presence.

As you rest here with Xiao, you can't help the warm smile gracing your face as you're reminded of all those lonely days and how they're no longer a problem because now, you have him back into your life.

You give his hand a gentle squeeze. He flinches, but doesn't move away.

-♡-

Order for @otaku84: a plate of Almond Tofu. I recently rewatched the cutscene of his sacrifice at the Chasm because Youtube recommended me this fan made animation of that scene, and... XIAO, PLEASE STOP MESSING WITH MY HEART.