Dive Deep into Creativity: Discover, Share, Inspire
A/N: It’s been a while since I posted something so here’s a Xiao one. Sorry, it took a while but I’ll try me best to write more since vacation is now here. Reader is gender-neutral. Hope you enjoy reading!
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Black smokes and a pair of golden eyes. It’s the first thing that caught your eye as you arrived in the rooftop of the Wangshu Inn, a place that the traveler recommended on you as you told them you’re planning to go to Liyue, looking for a subject to sketch. The traveler warned you on the dangers you might encounter, making sure to remind you to call a friend of theirs in times of great danger and when you try to questioned it:
“He knows what to do. He’s an adeptus, a protector of Liyue,” they stated.
“Like a Knight of Favonious?” you questioned.
“You can say that…except the fact he works directly for their archon and really held great responsibility for the duties that the Geo archon laid upon him,” they explained further. “Oh and, please don’t forget to call him in case of danger. His name is-”
“Xiao.”
You uttered, staring into his golden eyes. You notice the black smokes surrounding him, you don’t know if it’s the effect of the teleportation he used or something else. You also take note of the spear he’s holding, the color same with the tips of his upfront hair. The once peaceful feeling on the terrace suddenly disappearing as the intense tension in the air completely evaporated it.
“How do you know my name?” He questioned, eyes squinting in suspicion. “You don’t seem like a citizen here. State your business.”
You blinked, “I-I’m from Mondstadt, I’m a friend of the traveler that-”
“The traveler, you say?”
As soon as he heard that, his whole demeanor changed. The black smokes slowly disappearing into thin air, clearing the whole tension that build up earlier. His grip on the spear relaxing a bit as he continues to inspect you.
“Did they send you here?”
His eyes remained looking at you carefully, maybe taking notes of your actions and what you might be up to. If not for mentioning the traveler, you might be in great danger now. Thank the Archons, the traveler warned you and lend you their knowledge for this trip.
“Not…exactly.” You answered, smiling slightly as you try to explain your reason. “You see, I came here because I need a new subject-”
“For what?”
“…Sketching an art. The traveler just assisted me on the things I should know before going here. They told me about you and to call you if ever I face something..really dangerous?”
He didn’t move an inch after your explanation. His lips remained in a straight line as he stared at you, processing your words before flipping his spear into the air which quickly disappeared in a blink. The movement making you flinch a little.
“The traveler’s right. In any case that you face something dangerous ahead, call my name. I’ll take care of it.”
He turned his back at you, looking at the view on the terrace as if scrutinizing every place around the inn. You watched as the wind blew, his hair dancing with it as the leaves on the tree fell into the terrace. You gently tiptoed to the side, not really going near him as it might put you in a bad situation. The sun reflecting half of his face add effects on what you were witnessing just right now. His gold eyes looking seriously but also faraway. You notice how the tips of his hair and his eyes seems to glow, you thought it might be because of the shade of the tree and the sun. His pale lips never moving an inch, remaining still like before.
You were too busy taking notes of everything you’re seeing. It’s perfect, way too perfect, in all honestly. The timing, the lighting and him, it’s pretty. A beautiful sight that you’re actually witnessing right now. A smile escaped your lips as you were taken in by the view. Fascinating.
“What are you still doing here?”
You blinked as he took a glance at you. All of your thoughts moving away for a second. Your smile turning into an awkward one as you thought he caught you looking too intensely at him.
“N-Nothing.” You tried to laugh, fixing your gaze into his gold orbs. “I just…really wanted to stay for a while. I mean, the scenery here is breathe taking like really breathe taking.”
He blinked slightly, confusion filling his eyes as he continued to look at you. You’re being weird in his eyes; your actions are too baffling for him. “You should go somewhere. Liyue has more places to offer with breath taking views. Don’t come near me as it might bring you in danger.”
Your head tilted in confusion, looking at him with a blank stare. “I don’t get it.”
“What?”
“I mean, you told me to call you whenever there’s danger and yet you threat yourself as a danger too. Aren’t you the protector of this city, Liyue?”
He scoffed. “You know there’s different kind of protectors, right?”
“Oh, so you mean like a vigilant or something. You’re like that?” you questioned; your voice fills with curiosity.
“Yes. Now, stay away-”
“But still, you’re just doing your duty right?” You cut him off unexpectedly. “Regardless of how evil or dangerous your actions are in your eyes, at the end of the day, it’s for the safety of the people here.”
He looked away, “You don’t get it, it’s much more complicated than that.”
You smiled, sitting down as you grab your sketching materials from your bag. “Can you explain it to me then?”
He sighed, “It’s something hard to-”
He stopped as soon as he saw you sitting down, a brush and a piece of paper in front of you as you were surrounded by brushes. At first, he was confused at what you were doing then it hits him.
“Are you secretly just keeping me distracted by talking to me?”
You hummed, glancing at him. “Not really, I’m curious too but I won’t pass any opportunity to sketch something…remarkable.”
“You’re wasting your time. Like what I said, there’s a whole lot of places than-”
“Say, can I…interest you into something?”
He looked at you in confusion. His eyes eyeing your brushes and other materials on the floor. You’re cutting his words, usually it was him that always cut someone off. It’s amusing, he thought but you’re being bizarre on your actions as time goes by. It’s not unusual for him to find a really determined and hard-headed mortals and you give off the same aura, except that you’re not begging him to give you wealth or something.
“Hello?” He snapped to reality as he heard your voice. You smiled as his eyes meet yours. “Are you okay?”
He closed his eyes; you should be no exception still. A mere mortal like you can’t get close too much to him or you’ll suffer, sooner and later.
“Get all of your stuff and leave.”
You lean back to the railings of the terrace, a sad smile forming your lips as you sighed. “Don’t I really stand a chance?”
“I told you, no.”
“Even if you’re the subject?”
His eyebrows knitted. “What? Do you really think that would make a difference?”
You chuckled. “Look, I’m trying. I’m not a good persuader like the traveler.”
He sighed, “You’re hopeless.”
A laughter escaped your lips on his remark. He looked at you as you laugh. He was never one for jokes, that meant to be an insult, he thought. Why are you laughing so light-heartedly? He wanted to ask you but you seem like you’re really having your time laughing and for some reason, he don’t want to disturb you. It’s the first time someone laughed at his comment with no any sign of malicious intent or hurt.
“Alright, I’m fine.” You fix yourself, fixing your throat for a second to stop yourself from laughing. “But seriously, don’t you wanted to see yourself in-”
“I’m not interested. A common behaviour of mortals like you was to always look for something priceable. I assumed you’re just going to sell it in high price anyway.”
You gasped in exaggeration, clutching your heart in a jokingly manner as you look at him. “That’s a very harmful stereotype to the people out there!”
“It was a normal act for mortals,” he deadpanned.
You hummed, “I mean, you’re not entirely wrong…”
“Because it’s what they are.”
You looked at the sky, thinking about what he said. “Say, do you have some deep grudge against these mortals?”
“Don’t call them like you’re not a part of them,” he stated.
You pouted. “I’m just asking.”
“Stop asking then.”
A sigh escaped your lips. “I don’t really sell some of my works, I only sell paintings or sketches of sceneries. It’s different when it’s personal.”
“Personal?”
“Something that really caught my eye, you know. Like what they said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whenever I see those moments, I keep them or sometimes I gave them to the people I shared the memories with. So…”
You looked at him, a warm smile on your lips. “I’ll give it to you once I’m done.”
He turned to you with a puzzled look, “What benefit is there for you then?”
“Connection with different people.”
“You should get close too much-”
“I know. Just let me sketch you and the scenery, then we’re finished,” you stated.
“Will you keep-”
“It’s a deal. I will keep those words.”
He looked at you intently as he tried to decipher your mind but no matter how he tried to looked at you, his curiosity just eats him more. You’re a weird one, he wanted to tell you but instead he kept it in his mind. He has a feeling you’ll just laugh again anyways.
He looked away. “Fine, just do it quickly.”
You cheered before picking up your brush again. “If I do it quickly, I won’t caught it perfectly.”
“You’re the one who wanted this,” he stated.
You pursed your lips. “It’s not my fault if I found my subject earlier than I anticipated.”
He glanced at you for a second before returning his gaze to the scenery ahead of him. He took note of the orange hue of the sky and the cold breeze of the wind. He closed his eyes as a thought entered his mind.
Maybe he can let this one slide.