#genshin impact alatus | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

haileyywrites · 1 year

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-> After a grueling battle with demons Xiao's karmic debt almost finally claims him once again. This time he isn't saved by the god of geo, but by an unknown divine entity or person...

-> Xiao x Gn reader!

-> They/them or simply "you" used - no gender specified for reader! Warning for Xiao's karmic debt! Pretty angsty! Reader is basically a divine creature or a god - you'll see! Might not be lore accurate - this is simply for fun and for your reading pleasure <3

The all too familiar scent of blood fills his lungs, the iron like smell was too strong to ignore and he was too weak to do anything but fall onto his knees. Xiao's grip was still tight around his polearm, but he was too weak to use it as a crutch to move. The once simple task of getting up seemed like an impossibility... The only sound filling his ears was his own heavy breathing and panting - despite how much air filled his lungs over and over, he couldn't breathe or catch his breath.

He could feel it - his karmic debt calling, slowly coming to claim him as he was too weak out to resist it. This is where he would finally succumb to it after hundreds of years of fighting and service to the Geo Archon, protecting the people of Liyue - trying his best to do some good... his time had come. All colour faded from around him as the souls of the damned greedily grabbed a hold of him with their cursed hands and without much resistance from him. He was just too tired of fighting...

Their cursed hands held him in place as their claw like nails digged into his pale skin, despite how sharp and deep they sank. Blood tickled down from some of the wounds they created as sweat rolled down his forehead dampening his hair and making it stick to it. He could barely feel the pain from it anymore, the only thing he felt was numbness... He wouldn't be able to fight against them even if he wanted to, and he wasn't sure if he did. The damned lifted him from the ground to hold him up, the painful ache from their grip was finally surfacing.

He closed his eyes in preparation. Soon he would be greeted by the familiar sight of his friends - his family. Bosacius, Indarias, Bonanus and Menogias... He would finally see them again, if he was fortunate enough to earn that. It was high time, the Yaksha's and the Adepti were all but extinct, yet he still remained as one of the last on both sides as if stuck in the past while the world forgot and moved on... Perhaps he had done enough good to redeem his cursed soul and be allowed rest.

Suddenly a blinding white light spread everywhere around him, his eyes shut tightly as the damned shrieked in pain or horror and quickly dissapeared. Without them holding him he simply fell forwards and down. He was caught by someone before he could make contact with the ground - the one who got rid of the damned souls and their hold on him, you. He couldn't open his eyes due to the brightness and even if he could he couldn't see anything due to it.

It seemed he was once again saved from his inevitable fate from the hands of his karma and the damned souls that cravedhis corrupted soul. They wouldn't go away no matter how many times he evaded them, but right now he could feel their effects leaving his body with your presence... Your presence felt so familiar and yet so entirely foreign to him, a strange feeling - but somehow he felt safe with you around and holding him.

Slowly the light died down around him and he was able to open his sharp golden eyes to peer around his surroundings. It was the same field that had been filled with corpses of demons he had purged before being overwhelmed by his karma, it had been painted red with their blood and his - but now it was a field of lush green grass and blooming flowers. He had to look for some time to comprehend it was truly the same place, as nothing was growing there then. Even the grass had been dry and brown when he had arrived...

He turned his head to face his savior - half expecting them to be Rex Lapis, but no. You wore all white clothing with a veil covering your hair and a mask completely covering your features. The mask was painted white with fine and subtle, yet intricate details littering it. The whole outfit you wore prevented him from figuring out your identity. Every detail outside of your skin colour hidden, which didn't tell him much anyway. The large full moon rose like a halo behind you, making you look more ethereal to him than you already were with your almost entirely white outfit.

He continued to stare at you in confusion, but was unable to form any words to question or thank you for your deed - but did he even truly feel grateful? He had cheated death more than once now, there was sure to be consequences of some sort for it. He couldn't keep evading and escaping it over and over until the end of time... But just who were you to be able to save him in the first place and scare off the damned without them fighting back? Why would you do it even if you were able to? You didn't know him... so why?

Question after question entered his head and the more he thought about it the more confused he became. He was already weak and worn, it would be best for him to rest. He really doubted you would harm him if he let his body rest like this for some time, after all that trouble it was likely not worth it for them to hurt him... Still, it had been a long while since he was able to trust someone like this. Even if it was logical, it was still a big deal for him to trust another while he rested.

Your arms were comfortable to lay in. He felt safe and protected while in your embrace in a way he hadn't before... It was terrifyingly easy for him to let down his guard when in your presence. You hadn't said a word during the entire time and he didn't have the slightest idea of what you looked like, yet the faint feeling of familiarity grew the more he stared at your mask covered face. He couldn't place it, but he would figure it out once he had rested.

When he finally closed his eyes again he dreamt of his friends... They were more like memories, but he was aware of that fact and they weren't, but he wasn't complaining. He would mind living in these memories when he needed to rest, it was much better than the dreams he would otherwise get. The other reason he often didn't sleep was because his karma would give him terrible dreams and left him vulnerable to it with no supervision. But this dream was surely done by you, or caused by your presence - it had to be. Everything about you was a mystery that became more confusing and complicated the more he learned...

When he awoke it was the next day and the sun had began rising from the horizon. The mysterious figure in white was gone from his side with no signs of their whereabouts... He would have thought it all a dream had his wounds and marks from the damned littered his body like they had appeared, he was also laying on the soft fresh grass that had appeared when you did. The question was, where had you gone and who were you? A question not easily answered...

What he had witnessed yesterday day couldn't have been done by a mortal - not even someone with a vision, so his only option was to ask Rex Lapis for help. He if anyone would know something about you, he was the longest living being he knew and was incredibly knowledgeable in a verity of fields and he was apart of the Seven Gods, it was likely he would know of the other kinds of gods that existed. Normally he wouldn't bother the Geo Archon with such things, but this felt important enough, perhaps too important to not ask for his help.

“A mysterious person dressed in all white clothing with a feature covering mask...” The former Archon repeated to himself deep in thought.

His eyes moved from side to side as he tried to remember if he had ever heard of encountered someone like that... A thought crossed his mind and his eyes widened in what appeared to be shock or realization, his face quickly became more serious before he turned towards the Yaksha.

“Hmm. It appears you might have truly been saved by a god of some kind. Though I thought none still existed outside of the Seven...” He kept thinking with his hands crossed.

It was quite a lot to take in and required some thought for them both of them. If one god or divine being like one still existed outside of the remaining Seven, surely there could or even would be others. That raised a lot of possibilities and questions that they currently had no answers for. Strange that this was the first time Zhongli had ever heard of such encounter and it was told by Xiao of all people, interesting...

Zhongli was no longer an Archon but he would very much like to meet you, the only question was how that would be arranged. Neither of them had any way to contact or identify you, so it would be left up to fate or you yourself showing up. Until then everything would continue as normal, Xiao had already healed and was able to continue his duties of warding off demons. He was more mindful of his limits and the effects of his karma, but a part of him was curious if you would show up like you did if he got overwhelmed again...

It was a stupid thought, but you hadn't left his thoughts since the fay you had met. Every time he wasn't fighting he was thinking about you and that feeling your presence caused, it was addicting in a way... The complete safety you had made him feel was something he didn't realize he had craved for and he still didn't know how react to it. Perhaps he was glad you had saved him that night after all - a pity he wasn't able to tell you that then or even now.

Xiao's gaze rose to the moon above him, it shone more brightly than previous nights and reminded him of you. The way the moon had risen behind you had been imprinted in his brain and made him associate you with the moon. Suddenly the familiar sight of pure white clothing caught his eye. He almost got whiplash from how fast he turned his head to follow the sight, and indeed it was you. You stood some distance away from him as you stared at him in silence. His mouth became agape from the shocking sight of you and he didn't know what to do but stare back. He heard your faint chuckle from beneath the mask you wore...

He watched like a hawk as your hand moved slowly upwards to hold the bottom of your beautifully decorated mask. It felt agonizingly slow as you began moving it away from your face, uncovering your features from beneath it. The Yaksha's breath hitched as your face was slowly revealed inch by inch right before his eyes and he could do nothing but stare intensly at you the more you revealed until finally there was nothing left to uncover.

“I didn't get to introduce myself last time. Hello, Conqueror of Demons.” You smiled.

A/N: Happy 2023 everyone! Let's start this new year by showing our love to our favorite anemo yaksha <3

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heiznx · 11 months

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GAMBLES AND BETS

∗༝*◦✦ meeting you was a blessing towards the yakshas, but mostly to xiao.

BEFORE READING, this is long, and it downplaying injuries, karmic debt, war and all that's with it.

Alatus remembers only looking at the ground when he lowered his head towards the God that released him from endless suffering; however, he did end up raising his head when the Yakshas were told to.

He listened attentively as Rex Lapis, the God, started going on about the work that would be placed on them. Rex Lapis informed the Yakshas about the weight of the endless slaughter and the karmic debt that was about to come.

"Don't fret," Rex Lapis says, his arms crossed and his back on the Yakshas. "A friend of mine chose to leave for the plains first instead of waiting for you five."

The illuminated beast, in the form of a white crane, huffed for a reason that was unknown, as Bosacious was the one to open his mouth for the group to ask, "Then what exactly is our duty?"

"I want you to aid them, but let them do their own duties unless they require your aid," the God of Geo says, turning to look at the Yakshas before sighing. "This makes it all complicated, supposedly the job was solely for the Yakshas alone, but..."

"One would be angered if that bit of knowledge was shared by those one would meet," Cloud Retainer huffed, making the God rub his temple with his eyes closed. "If one understands, best set them off."

"I dismiss you all, watch over them."

With a swift bow of their heads, they were dismissed immediately. Each Yaksha had different thoughts, but all of them felt a foreboding feeling about who this person was going to be.

The sole wieldier of a polearm amongst the Yakshas remembers the feeling of being light-headed, his brain clouded at the thought of assisting a friend of the God he respects so much.

Alatus halted after noticing that his fellow Yakshas did after arriving on the plains; all were staring down at the [color] haired and the sight of them sent shivers down his spine.

Be it that they move in grace, it does not erase the fact that they appear to be having fun whilst slaying enemies left and right, not bothered by the manifestations of the Gods' hatred that followed their body so it could consume their soul.

The [color] haired Adeptus — no, your energy reminded him of that bloodhound of a God that used him.

The bloodhound of a God that he realized you looked nothing like as you brightened at the sight of the surprised Yakshas, even going as far as to happily greet them as if you were not on a battlefield.

The greeting wasn't done without you looking presentable. You froze off the blood using your abilities, and they fell off like ice shards, ridding you completely of the crimson liquid.

"What kind of weapon do you use — ah! You’re so amazing…!" you spouted compliments left and right, observing their appearance as you seemed to teleport around them. "Oh! You must be Bonanus!"

“Greetings to —” Menogias started only for you to turn to him.

“No need to be so formal! I go by [name],” you said, nodding to yourself before spotting Bosacius. “Woah! Four arms...! You must be the proud Bosacius Morax told me of!”

Alatus found it stupid that at the very first meeting, you tried to shake all four of Bosacius' arms despite you only having two.

"You look like Morax…" you said, looking at Menogias with a hand below your chin as you observed his vibe. "Ah, you! You tailored his clothes, didn’t you? You’re really talented, and you look like you know how to handle mora!"

"Have you done your background check on everyone?" Alatus asked, his arms crossed in front of him, finding no reason to keep this introduction of yours going, making you blink.

“And you must be —” you cut yourself off before turning to Bosacius. “Actually, what do you call him?”

"Has Rex Lapis not mentioned Alatus?" the four-armed Yaksha asked, supposed to be quietly, but Alatus heard it regardless.

"Oh, he does! Morax has a lot of stories about him, actually!" you said making the tiniest part of him curious. "Actually, Morax talks about anyone if you ask him; embarrassing moments of yours also escape his mouth if asked, but don’t worry! I have a lot to tell you as well!"

"Rex Lapis… what…?" Indarias asked, looking at you, jaw dropping as you giggled behind your palm.

"Morax has… not much understanding of those types of things; Guizhong said as much," you said before looking at the enemies below the cliff. "The talk could come another time; I must warn you of the karmic debt."

The first time the Yakshas sat with you at a table was on the same day as your meeting, and Alatus was unfortunate enough to be seated beside you.

Other than that, you were looking at the food as though it were a foreign thing to you, who blankly yet happily just kept staring.

“Is it not to your liking?” Menogias asked.

“Oh my, it’s not like that!” you retorted immediately before you grabbed your utensil. “It’s just that this is proper cuisine — it’s been months since we properly ate! We were so busy to even eat proper food!”

“What!?” Bosacius loudly asked as you nodded.

"It’s true…!" you acted as though you were hurt. "Morax had us only drink osmanthus wine during our talk! I’ve been buried in papers, and I can’t bring myself to do anything until I find the conclusion of my search!"

“Search for what, my liege?” Menogias asked.

"It’s something foreign until the end of the war," you said, scooping food with your spoon. "Anyways, who cooks around here?"

“Each of us do,” Bonanus responded as Indarias nodded.

“Really!?” you asked after swallowing.

"You can cook for us on the sixth day if you want," Bosacius said, and Alatus couldn’t help but raise a brow as you suddenly flushed red. "We’d be happy to know what kind of food you all eat with Rex Lapis."

"Ah — well, I mean, I can cook…" you said. "But it was said by Cloud Retainer that I should refrain from doing so."

“Just like Alatus, he's assigned tomorrow."

"Don’t bring me up; I can cook," Alatus said, making you laugh. "What is there to laugh about?"

You held back your laugh as you responded, “Don’t worry, Alatus, we can learn together.”

"I told you I can cook," he said, to which you nodded before you heard his next words. "Especially in winter, if the snow is thick enough, it’s edible."

“I’m sorry?” you blinked, looking surprised as the other Yakshas on the table just started laughing. “Alatus... what have you been feeding them?”

“D-Don’t worry, my liege, Bonanus watches over him,” Indarias said, afraid that you’d think less of them.

“I mean as long as it's edible, spiders are edible too.”

"MY LIEGE!?" Menogias asked a bit louder, as if asking you to repeat your words. "You... eat spiders, my liege?"

"As an experiment, I served it to Morax once, and he ate it," you said, making Bonanus shudder. "He even complimented it without knowing what it was."

“I don’t think I can let you in the kitchen, my leige...”

“I suppose that’s only fitting...” you said before you looked up from your food. “Wait, does that mean Alatus can actually cook better than me if he’s allowed in the kitchen?

The lack of response and the Yakshas avoiding your gaze made you say, “Oh... isn’t he... like, assigned for tomorrow?”

"So what of it?" Alatus asked, to which you just nervously chuckled.

“I... I look forward to it! Of course!” you sound like you’re lying.

Despite your informality when it comes to words, as if all of you were long-time friends, your aura still carried a tint of superiority; it most likely came from your body language.

No one can deny that your sitting posture, the way you hold your utensils, and how you eat are akin to the God of Geo.

Everyone knew how hard-working the Yakshas are, so the nighttime of the same date made Alatus feel confused because instead of going back to work, everyone decided to rest, all because you yawned.

It was a rest that the Yakshas barely got, so Alatus took it upon himself to watch his peers, going outside the makeshift tent that Menogias and Bosacius worked on to rock he usually sits on.

“Oh, as I expected...!”

He immediately summoned his polearm, looking up as he moved back in case an attack had already been launched, but it was just you, sitting on a tree, looking surprised.

You place a hand on your chin after, seemingly in thought, as Alatus didn’t let his guard down around you, which you probably noticed by the way you opened both your palms on your side.

Alatus was confused. Yawning is done when someone is tired or bored, and you did that yet you were awake, unlike the other Yakshas.

You said, “I was actually expecting to see you, especially after... well, what Morax said, but it was still surprising — if that even made sense.”

"This is not a place for rest," he said, frowning towards you, polearm still at hand. "Go back to yours."

"When one has been in a God’s presence for too long, one forgets that sleep even exists," you said, looking down at Alatus. "I’ve only heard of the Yakshas deeds, and it was enough to conclude that rest is something you all barely get."

There was a curious glint in your eyes that made him frown; he seemed to be an interesting subject for you, like he was some sort of research topic.

He huffed, ignoring you as he sat on the rock, prompting you to observe him a bit more before he heard you let out a breath and went down the tree.

You asked, “How about you leave the watching out to me?”

“No.”

“Should I start whining for you to give the spot to me?” you asked, walking behind him and bending yourself to face his view. “Alatus.”

The said Yaksha scowled and was tempted to push your face back if only you weren’t a friend of the God of Geo, but you seem to have taken the hint and backed off.

He said, "A friend of Rex Lapis or not, the fact that you're new to us cannot be extinguished."

"Hm, yes, that’s true," you said, crossing your arm with a small pout on your lips as you nodded before sitting on the tiny place beside him. "Scooch over; I’ll take this place with you."

"Scooch... what...?" he questions, moving to the side anyways, the furrow on his eyebrows not ceasing, and that made you chuckle.

“It means move aside,” you said, making yourself comfortable on your seat.

“I know,” he lied. “I learned of it just now.”

"You know, I sat on Morax when he didn’t move aside after I said that," you randomly said, making him turn to you quickly, and you laughed. "Oh, that was the reaction of Guizhong and Streetward Rambler! It was so hilarious!"

“Do you have no respect for the God that took you in?” he frowned.

"Morax never took me in," you said, to which Alatus had to bite back his surprise. "In fact, he was the one to approach me."

“Why would he?”

"Wouldn’t you like to know?" you grinned mischievously, making his lips wobble a bit, feeling slightly anxious. "Maybe I’d consider telling you if you let me take over night watch… oh! And if you go to sleep!"

“Hah, as if,” he scoffed.

His polearm stayed nearby as he crossed his arms, closing his eyes as he silently debated with himself whether to succumb to your temptation or not.

He had to weigh the pros and cons first and think of a specific reason why you seem to want him to close his eyes momentarily and be unaware of everything; you could be plotting something for all he knows.

"Since I’m asking two questions, maybe I can give you two answers too!" you said as he felt you lean forward, making him open his eyes. "I’ll let you ask me something!"

“You sly...” he frowns, seeing you leaning your elbow on your leg thigh and your chin in your palm.

"Are you not curious about what Morax approached me for?" you smirked. "I’m giving you a chance to ask anything that I know about him."

"Would I get an answer now if I agreed?" he asked, making you blink as if you weren’t expecting him to be caught.

"Before you sleep, of course," you nodded, straightening your posture. "It’d be relieving for you, no?"

He sighed, making you laugh like you were cheering for your victory, before he said, "I’ll be in the tent after this."

"Let’s do that thing first," you said, holding out your pinky. "I heard it’s called yubikiri; we link pinkies, and the one who lies gets ten thousand punches, and whoever lies gets to swallow a thousand needles — though I’m only sure that’s merely an exaggeration."

"You’ve heard of the strangest things," Alatus scoffed, but mirrored what you did before you linked your pinkies together with a bright smile. "So what now?"

"A contract-like thing is sealed! You should then go to sleep after I give the information you want!" you said, breaking off your linked pinkies with his before humming. "Well… would you like to ask a question first, or should I answer?"

“The answer.”

"Right," you nodded. "I was merely nothing but an illuminated beast until Morax approached me himself, seeking my knowledge in terms of human emotions and the devotion I give in my research."

You didn’t lie or avoid getting straight to the point; that must be an effect of the yubikiri, or what you call it, because as soon as he got the answer, he got up.

That prompted you to send him a questioning gaze as if to ask if he was going to ask you anything, but he turned his back on you, not wanting to see your expression when he was going to ask what he wanted an answer to.

“Does... Rex Lapis truly speak of me?”

"What an insecure being you are…" he heard your comment, but there was a certain tenderness in your voice. "Yes, Morax talks of you; he talks highly of you, but rather than referring to you as Alatus, he calls you Xiao."

No wonder you questioned what he was called; you didn’t want to accidentally reveal his name, which was given by the Geo Archon.

He heard you say, “Good night, Alatus.”

It must be the effect of the yubikiri because he really did go to sleep after that; he was not one to break a contract-like oath, especially when Rex Lapis values contracts so highly.

To the Yakshas' surprise, in the next morning, they were met with a peacefully sleeping Alatus, who also woke up last.

He had been sitting for the past hour, arms crossed in front of his chest, as his fellow Yakshas were asking him continuous questions that made him feel odd being in the center of attention.

Bosacius being the loudest and Menogias being the curiousest of all, he was even pestering you about what happened, but you only gave him vague answers.

"Your liege truly is amazing…" Bonanus complimented, to which you shook your head. "It is a great feat to actually get Alatus to sleep, and much more that he woke up later than us."

“How about I propose something?” you asked.

“This is not good,” Alatus immediately sighed.

"I’d sell the information to the one that gets less harmed in today’s subjugation," you said as your weapon was summoned to your hand. "If Alatus wants to protect this information, then do not get harmed."

“I can be safer than him!” Bosacius said, feeling a bit competitive.

“We all know Bonanus would win this one...” Indarias sweatdropped.

“Oh! And healing spells don’t count!”

“Menogias...” the hydro user Yaksha said as she looked at the said Yaksha, who smiled proudly.

“I...” Alatus sighed. “I’ll have to win this.”

Alatus didn’t win, but Indarias did.

He was watching you gesture your hands as you tell her, he assumed, was the story of how you made him swear to sleep.

Bosacius was getting healed by Bonanus, who silently sulked with him for not winning the so-called proposal made by you; she envies Indarias for getting to hear the information.

"I want another proposal from your liege!" she said. "Let it be one who gets the most kills, and I’d win! Your liege steals all of it."

That was how it became an everyday game for them: you give out a challenge that they have to fulfill, and the one who gets to do it first gets a piece of information they want, and sometimes it even moves to materialistic things, especially when Menogias wins.

Be it silk, weapons, rare ores, stories of old times, or documented events, you seem to have it all. Alatus was seeing the reason why Rex Lapis approached you first.

Not only were you aware of where to find material things, but you were also aware of what they felt, what they wanted, what they didn’t, what they were good at, and what they were not.

It was a dangerous thing, considering once the previous God he was under learned of his weakness, he was immediately used — you don’t seem to use anything that extreme, though.

He was still wary of you, but it's disappearing bits by bits, especially as time flows by and most especially when he catches you, more than once, talking to the Yakshas to ‘open up’ as you call it.

Happily chatting the night away with Indarias, you relate your experiences with her, and then you proceed to make a special move with Bonanus where she washes the enemies, directing them to an ice sphere you make to suffocate them or kill them by hypothermia.

Bosacius would help you with anything that included heavy lifting. Menogias would be discussing finances or fabrics with you, and he, Alatus, would often spar with you.

He’s foreign to most of the things you do and finds himself being placed in situations, like trying out whatever it was you were trying to accomplish by pulling him on the frozen water, and he almost slipped if it weren't for your hands.

Alatus wasn't the one to try to make himself blend in; if talking about his presence, it's said that his presence was just there. However, when he's following you, he's not just there; he is here.

The other Yakshas were already in the frozen pond, all were pleasantly surprised that it didn't break under Bosacius' weight.

“This practice acquires you agility and balance! If you can do it, then it means you’re already good in both,” you said, pulling his hands, his knees shaking from attempting to balance like Bosacius. “How are you faring, Alatus?”

“Are you attempting to embarrass me further?” he questions, looking on the side to see that only Indarias did not struggle. “I am good enough at both even without this kind of practice.”

“Not everyone can just use their elemental abilities to bypass things they’re not used to,” you said as your hold on him tightened a bit before spinning him with you.

“Your leige...!” he yelped.

"Heh, this is why you should let loose for a minute," you said, stopping yourself from spinning before holding him still so he could gain his balance. "With me here, nothing bad would happen."

“What is that supposed to mean...?”

"I DID IT! YEAH!" Bosacius yelled, making you drag Alatus with you to skate towards the electro user Yaksha.

"Woah…! As expected!" you said, one hand on your chin and the other holding Alatus’ hand. "You’re doing well! Did I put up a reward for this?"

“Did my liege say reward?” Menogias looked up.

“I’ll win.”

He remembers being with you when you were catching fishes by using your element to trap the them in ice spheres; he finds himself scoffing at how you had to use your element for simple things.

“You know, I can actually cook!” you said after he scoffed. “I bet I can make you something incredible...! I just need the right ingredients! Hey, maybe the others might like it too!”

"I highly doubt that," he said, his arms crossed in front of him, his spear, that had six fishes, stabbed being supported by his arms. "I can assume that you’d burn everything and attempt to resolve it by using your element."

“It’s the thought that counts!”

Alatus remembers that on the same date he was with you, catching fish was when he realized that the other Yakshas were growing attached to your presence, while he was still stuck thinking you were looking for his weakness.

The tiniest wariness he had of you swayed when he was once standing behind his peers that talked to you about your stories, yet you still noticed him grabbing a scoop of snow, but you suddenly smacked his hand and gave him a long-time scolding before offering to make him food.

“Don’t be afraid! I’m extremely good at this!” you said, stretching both your arms to your fingers as Alatus huffed. “I’ve watched Cloud Retainer do this for so long that I know how to cook!”

"You fed Rex Lapis a spider, your liege…" Indarias commented, floating beside you as Bosacius carried a box for you and accidentally smacked you with it.

“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” you said as Bosacius placed the box down near the bonfire. “Let’s see... what kind of food would Alatus like?”

“I do not to be fed,” the mentioned Yaksha said as Menogias sent him a pitying look.

"Nonsense!" you said as you opened the box. "I grew grumpy when I didn’t eat for days; I cannot leave any of you starving! I’ll cook for everyone!"

Alatus argues with his inner self that he was only accepting the food because you were using tons of ingredients for it, though some were questionable ones, it would still be a waste to decline it.

“We don’t need...” Bonanus spoke up.

"Now where’s my list…" you mumbled, placing your hands in your pockets before creating makeshift pins using your elements to pin the papers on a tree. "Hm… I think any of you would like basically anything but for Alatus… tofu… should’ve borrowed Cloud Retainer’s furnace…"

“I heard that you could cook, your liege,” Bonanus said as she tended to your head.

"Ah, yes! I’ve learned from the Cloud Retainer! We used to eat together, so I learned by watching!" you chimed as you worked on the dish.

“By watching you say...” Menogias sweatdropped.

"One time when Morax was still new to his control over Geo, he accidentally blew dirt on our food, I can remember his face when he was apologizing to the point he insisted on making it better!" you recalled, making the other Yakshas chuckle. "It was an accident, of course! So it was alright! Oh dear, if Morax knew I told you of this, I’d probably be blown away like what he does to Barbatos."

“That... seems not like him,” Indarias commented.

"And ta-da~! Here, Alatus, try this first," you said, your hand on a plate of something moving. "It lacks the other things, but it should still… it should taste nearly the same as that."

You pulled a seat next to Indarias, Bosacius stood behind Alatus, looking down at the dish. Bonanus placed her chin in her palms in curiosity, and Menogias stood beside Alatus.

The pressure he felt from all the attention being on him did not help him in the slightest as you placed the plate on the table and pushed it towards him.

“As what?” Bosacius asked as Alatus nearly turned his head away from the plate.

"Dreams," you responded, making heads turn to you. "Hm… how do I word this? Sometimes, they use the term as ‘Celestia’ or ‘Gods’ when saying something tastes great."

A cover-up; you meant the actual dreams, and Alatus knew because he used to eat dreams, devouring them like he was asked to; he recalled how it pained him, the faces of the innocent he had slain.

Rex Lapis must’ve told you if you knew about the taste of dreams that he craves but has never eaten since he was saved. If he eats the dish you made, would it amplify his craving for it?

He was hesitant and troubled, but who was he to refuse a dish made by a friend of the God who saved him? Or was he just trying to justify his actions as he used the utensil to scoop the food?

"I dislike it a lot when people treat me with authority," you suddenly said. "It’s useful at certain times, but I’d prefer it if it wasn't every day."

Your words averted the attention of the other Yakshas as Bosacius stated, "You don’t look that scary at all, my liege."

"Right~!?" you whined. "It hinders my research when they walk on eggshells around me and give me the response that I want instead of the truth!"

Your complaints made the Yakshas nod, agree, and react to your words, drawing attention away from Alatus, whose hand clenched on the utensil after tasting the dish you said tasted like dreams.

It was easier to digest than actual dreams, and he used to feel guilty to the point that what he ate was at his throat, making him want to throw it up.

— d r i p !

He can satisfy his cravings without eating actual dreams; he may feel bad that he likes the taste of it, but he doesn’t feel as bad as he used to, and he can eat it without harming anyone.

It was weird because he suddenly remembered how he was supposed to be suspicious of you, which brings up the thought that this was perhaps one of your plans to find his weakness.

He contradicts himself, saying, no, he no longer has to think of it like that; he can trust you.

Not with the way you look at him with such tenderness, like you knew what he was going through as Bosacius coddled him, Bonanus asked what the problem was, and basically everyone was fretting over him.

“It must be so bad that Alatus cried,” Bonanus said, looking back at you.

"Who knows?" you laughed and shrugged. "But hey, I’ll still leave the recipe though; I’m that nice. Maybe you’d want to try it out."

“Surely you jest about being excellent in cooking.”

The day was filled with Alatus disagreeing and retorting their words that he did not cry even though everyone, even himself, knew it was a lie.

Maybe ever since that day when he learned that he could trust you, he also started getting the feeling of wanting to get closer to you. If you say you dislike being treated with authority, then he won’t.

Alatus remembers questioning whether you and Menogias were having a quiet conversation that he somehow couldn’t hear as you stitched the purple colored robe together because you kept giggling.

He had to assume that it was one of those odd things you just do because Menogias seemed as confused as he was.

“I should make a device that makes sewing easier,” you commented.

"I have the right idea of what kinds of materials to use for that; it may include a bit of magic, but perhaps we should expand the idea so that people in Liyue could also use it."

Menogias started going on and on, with you indulging him until you finished stitching the robe and even hung it somewhere before the geo user Yaksha would show it to Bosacius.

You stood near the rock Alatus sat on, looking down on the scene where Menogias shows Bosacius the robe that was only applicable to people with two arms.

Formalities are thrown out of the abode as he says, "You’re stupid."

You turn to him, looking at him a bit with wide eyes, before you just laugh and ask, "How am I, exactly?"

“How could you not remember he has four arms?”

"No, I did! I was laughing while stitching the entire thing!" you said, giggling. "I was specifically ordered to make a robe, and Menogias didn’t question me when I was only stitching two sleeves!"

"Then he was the one that had forgotten,” he said, to which you nodded.

"You’re on watch again?" Alatus remembers that this was the first time he initiated a conversation with you.

You sat on a long flat rock that you call a ‘bench’ with a stone table in front of you, and your head was lowered on the paper on top of the said table.

You said, "It’s beneficial for me; I get to watch over all of you while I do what it is I indulge myself in. I just cannot seem to find an answer to something…"

He frowns, like he always does, and chooses to stand behind you, looking down on the sketch of what you were doing — you were making the sewing mechanic that you spoke of with Menogias.

"And the problem?" he asked, making you look up at him with a questioning look. "Don’t… look at me like that; I’m trying to offer choices."

"Sorry," you said, looking back down at the paper. "I made this so it could work even without a vision; it might need a bit of… electro vision but I have that covered. I’ll make something that can store electro magic inside, and then it can work by itself."

“I hear: no answer to my question,” he said, not being able to fully process the information on your notes.

"Needle... everything else is expensive; I want the resources to be saved," you said, pointing at a specific part of the mechanic. "A needle is what we use to poke the clothes so that the thread goes through. It has to be sharp and not easily broken or dull."

“Basically like a bone?”

“A... bone...?” you asked.

"Yes, once sharpened, it could be used as a weapon; it may dull, but once sharpened once again, considering the enemies we’ve slain, it must be easy to acquire without much use of mora and —"

“ARCHONS, ALATUS, YOU’RE A GENIUS!”

He couldn’t process what it meant when you grabbed both his cheeks while saying that, your face close to his, brightened eyes staring at him, but you backed off to write what you heard.

Alatus can’t help but stand back up, his face heating up as if he were embarrassed, something that rarely happens and something that only his fellow Yakshas see.

"I — you..." he chooses to close his mouth after you innocently looked back at him from your paper. "I’m done giving advice. I... was actually here to tell you something that the other Yakshas were talking about."

"Is it something bad?" you asked, stopping yourself from drafting. "I cannot sense anything bad, but I cannot fully just rely on my element. What happened?’

Alatus suddenly thought of how stupid it was that he even got convinced to tell you of this in the first place; the Yakshas wanted you to cook every sixth day of the week.

If you disagree with the what he has to say, he’d have to mention his name or speak from his perspective for you to agree.

”The others were asking if you want to cook for us on the sixth day of every week.”

“If that’s what you want, then make a yubikiri with me again.”

Alatus can’t help but scowl at your response and feel relieved that your response does not seem to change despite how long it has been; you grew in his heart and in the other Yakshas.

You never took advantage of the weaknesses of the Yakshas, and they were never afraid to strike a deal with you; what you wanted for them was their own well-being.

“Then what is it?” he asked.

Alatus was no longer cautious of you, even looking at you with his arms crossed, but you seemed to open your mouth and then shut it again, like you were hesitant.

You pat your cheeks as you turn away from him and say, "This is quite impulsive, and I'm embarrassed to actually tell you what I ask for you in return…"

“The sooner you say what it was, the faster I get the response,” he said as he crossed his arms, settling on looking at your side view.

He unintentionally started taking in your features as if imprinting them in his mind, as if he wanted to remember you — the thought of that suddenly made his heart race.

He scared himself, moving back, making you look back at him in worry and ask, "Are you alright, Alatus?"

It feels troublesome but wasn’t unpleasant, not like the karmic debt that ate away the Yakshas soul and yours; it may have been emotions for all he knew, like that overwhelming feeling when he ate tofu.

“Yes, I... just had a bit of complications, and no, it’s not karmic debt,” he said, for some reason, hiding the actual trouble he felt. “I want a response.”

Thankfully, you didn’t press on as you looked away and huffed, "Is this your way of getting back at me for teasing you before?"

“I don’t understand what you mean," he really does not.

"Just stay there for a while," you said, still not facing him as he noticed your ears began to turn a shade of red. "And just… nothing, just stay there, right where you are, until you’re tired enough to want to sleep."

“Is that an order?” he asked.

“No, it’s... what I want in return.”

"Oh…" he didn’t find your request odd, but you seem to think it was. "Alright then."

"Sorry for having to force you, I just felt a bit of… lonely?" you said like it was a question. "I don’t know, I usually can still have fun while being alone, but now…"

"Have you gotten used to the others?" he asked. He felt the same before the Yakshas were formed.

“Perhaps,” you nodded. “It’s really quite embarrassing, but you can go now if you’d like.”

He thinks you’re a fool for even thinking he’d rather rest than give up the chance of knowing more about you and being of help to you instead of the other way around.

Not that he thinks your stories of Rex Lapis are starting to bore him; he did want to know a lot about the God that saved him, but he also wanted to know about the person who gave him a newfound hope.

"Scooch over," he said, to which you looked at him in surprise. "What? I learn phrases too."

“Yes, but that phrase was years ago,” you said, moving aside for him to sit next to you.

Your words made him think of how long he had been wary of you because he no longer remembers; he cannot even bring himself to think of an image of when he found you dangerous.

You truly made your place in his heart to the point that karmic debt cannot even compare, no incident of karmic debt ever happened, and not one had the Yakshas nor you lost yourselves in the manifested hatred of the Gods.

This brings up your words from before, and if he remembered correctly, they were: “With me here, nothing bad would happen.”

Perhaps it was your impact on them; he has yet to even know the reason as to why the karmic debt was being suppressed.

“You’ve been spacing out, Alatus,” you said, looking at him this time. “I told you that you can go back if you’re tired.”

“I am not,” he says, which you didn’t seem to buy. “I was merely reminiscing.”

“Unlike you, honestly,” you said before letting out a quiet chuckle. “You can lie about being fine, but you can’t seem to lie about anything else.”

"I can... lie if I have to," he says before your hand reaches out to him. "What are you doing?"

"Sure you can," you said in a teasing tone, pinching his cheek once before placing your hand on the side of his head. "If you last a few minutes after lying down, then I’ll believe you."

He didn’t dodge you or even make an attempt to fight against you when you pulled his head down to your lap, his body meeting the stone bench, but he didn't seem to mind it.

Intimacy — he was new to this too, incredibly new and foreign; the new emotions you’re making him feel were already foreign, and now this?

He didn’t know whether to face the table or face your stomach. Archons, he can’t even tell if he’s allowed to shift or not, especially with your hand on top of his head, and he was facing up.

He gulped, “How many minutes?”

"If you’re not worrying about something, I might say seven, but I’ll extend it to ten," you said, looking down at him with a small smile. "Now, now, frowning isn’t going to help."

“Are you not embarrassed?” Alatus asked.

"Of course I am; I was nervous that you might even say that I’m a fool for attempting something like this," you confessed. "But since you’re not, I’m taking that this is alright for you?"

“I’d never insult you.”

"You called me stupid before," you pointed out, almost making him sit up to defend himself, but your hand on his forehead kept him down. "I was merely jesting! You don’t have to say anything, as long as I know it’s a joke, I would never take it as an offense."

"You better," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, still facing up.

“Anyways, you better close those eyes so I win our tiny bet,” you said, your hand on his forehead traveling down to his eyes. “Do you want to put rewards in this bet or just leave it empty?”

“I’ve earned a lot,” he responded, not needing to see you to know that you smiled.

"Satisfaction, such a rare and hard thing to feel, yet you do," you commented. "You’re much… much more than I expected; then again, so are the other Yakshas."

He remembers opening his eyes to first see your jawline and your lips curving into a smile as you talked to someone a bit far from you and him.

You weren’t looking at him when your hand seemed to unconsciously go on his cheek, caressing it, but after your thumb slid over his cheek, you pulled away. He clearly felt the contrast of your skin on his, your calloused hands.

The thought that you feared to touch him came to his mind, but you already knew of his past and still stayed close, so why would you pull away so abruptly?

He sighed loudly enough for you to know that he was awake; you instantly looked down on him with a knowing grin. You were surely going to talk about winning.

"I win —" you said, but he cut you off after noticing what he looked like in your eyes.

“What the...” he mumbled, sitting up after seeing his reflection in your eyes. “Who...!?”

Alatus was referring to the greenish pigment on his face, making Menogias cough on his fist as you shrugged, "I wonder."

"If I find out it was you…" he growled, a hand already reaching your collar, pushing you slightly, your weight depending on his hand as you laughed with both your palms open.

"Maybe…" your cheeks puffed in an attempt to hold back your laughter. "M-Maybe wash it off first…?"

He scoffs, not taking anything much seriously as he lets your collar go, and he hears you laugh as you fall to the ground, reassuring him that you took no offense to what he did too.

"Your liege!" Menogias loudly called, making Alatus turn to you because of the urgency of his voice. "Are you okay!?"

He felt himself stop breathing for a moment after seeing a dark red liquid trickle down your head — most likely the spot that you bumped your head to after falling.

"Uhh — I —" Alatus stammered on his words, not used to inflicting pain on a comrade. "I’m…"

"If you ask me, my head feels cold," you responded before placing a hand on the cold spot as Menogias panicked, calling for Bonanus. "Oh, no wonder; I must be so out of it."

Indarias was the first to arrive though, fretting over you and trying to find where you hit your head before Bonanus arrived to clean up the wound with her element.

“I heard something happened to their liege!” Bosacius arrived last.

“Everyone is such a worrywart,” you sighed as Indarias rolled out the silk gauze. “At least one of you assist Alatus in washing his face after the stunt Bosacius did.”

“It’s usual to worry!” the pyro user Yaksha exclaimed, nearly messing up in wrapping your head. “Sister Bonanus can take care of Alatus.”

“I will not be as gentle,” she mumbled as she faced her hand towards Alatus.

“Do your worst,” he nodded, crossing his arms.

"Be gentle with him, Bonanus!" you said as you tapped the bloodied spot on your head before getting up and leaving. "Oh, I’ll get a towel for him."

"On second thought, I will be," Bonanus said, making Alatus shake his head. "No can do, their liege told me to."

"I say to apologize instead of inflicting pain on yourself," Menogias said, to which Bonanus nodded. "It was an accident; I’m certain they know of that, but it would be nice to get an apology."

“I see what’s going on here,” Bosacius said, catching up. “Yes! It’s easy to say sorry —”

“If you’re not Alatus,” Bonanus added.

"Right! If you’re not Alatus," he said, making Menogias facepalm as Indarias sighs. "But if you’re also Alatus, you know you can do it."

"I’m reminded of Guizhong and Ping having a music battle to the point I flew off," you said, the Yakshas creating space for you as you unfolded the towel in your hands. "They apologized, but I found it amusing more than anything, and it was an accident. I’d rather leave it all behind than hear an apology from them."

You were the one wiping his face with tenderness that he didn’t treat you with.

You, who he hurt, were smiling at him as you said, "So let’s leave it behind, yes? It was not on purpose after all."

“Ep yow inshisht,” he was able to say as you lightly pinch his cheeks to rid off the liquid.

"Oh, you look really cute right now," you offhandedly comment, making the whole group gasp and Alatus flush. "You have plushed cheeks too…"

"I am cute as well, your liege!" Bonanus joined, her hand on her chest as if to refer to herself, making you turn to her and nod.

“Yes, you are.”

"Who’s going to tell him?" Indarias asked, standing behind Menogias and Bosacius, out of earshot. "Archons, look at him!"

"I am not going to break it to him," Menogias says, shaking his head. "Their liege truly must be a godsend if they make Alatus look like that, of all that we know of."

"Are they not godsend?" Bosacius asked. "Or is it the opposite since Rex Lapis sent us to them?"

“Brother...” Indarias sighed.

Bonanus pulled away from you two for a bit and went towards the trio and said, “I felt like I was suffocating because of Alatus.”

“Funny, we were just talking about him,” Menogias said.

"Wait, before anyone goes anywhere, I have an announcement to make," you looked back at them as you hung the towel on your arm. "A letter was delivered by the wind… actually, can everyone hear me from there? This is urgent."

“Yes, my liege,” Bonanus nodded.

You nodded and nonchalantly said, “Alright, so in today’s date, you all get a rest from me being around —”

Alatus whips his head towards you so fast as Menogias raises his hand and says, “Excuse me —”

“Archons, let them continue! This is urgent!” Indarias whispered, pulling his hand down. “You can continue, your liege.”

“No, it’s fine, what was it?” you asked. “We have time.”

“What did you mean by that last part?” Alatus was the one to question.

"To keep it short," you said, pulling an envelope with Rex Lapis' seal hanging on the flap of the envelope. "Yes, if I have to be called, it’s an urgent matter; I have to take a few days leave from here and… resolve the situation."

“How long?” Alatus asked.

“You’re awfully interested,” you commented, being a bit unaware of the other Yakshas starting to question what might’ve happened. “You must want me to leave that badly.”

“You jest, your liege,” Menogias said, chuckling to try to lighten the mood. “Since I assume we’re not allowed to know what happened, could we at least know when you’re going to return?”

“Ah... weeks?”

“WEEKS!?” Indarias blurted.

“It is not your usual battle,” you said.

“It’s a fight!?” Bonanus loudly asked. “Rex Lapis should’ve asked for us too! We specialize in subjugation!”

"As for the time when I’ll come back specifically, I honestly do not know," you said, fiddling with the towel on your arm. "I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say it, but it is related to our current work, just in a different nation."

“When would you leave, your liege?” Bonanus asked.

"Uhm… tonight…?" you answered, but it sounded like a question. "I’m not good with momentarily parting ways with people, can we act as if this were a usual day?"

"Maybe we could place bets on when their liege would be returning," Bosacius offered, to which you perked up and nodded. "I’m saying this week!"

“I get to place a bet here too,” you grinned. “Especially since I don’t know when I’ll be returning.”

"But come back as soon as you’re done. Don’t stay for too long just so you'd win," Bonanus said, frowning. "I’m saying this week..."

“Unrealistic votes, all of you,” Menogias commented, sweatdropping. “You just want them back as soon as possible.”

“It’s nice to know that I’ll be missed at least,” you chuckled.

"Then I’m changing my vote to two weeks," Bonanus said. "Whoever wins gets something from everyone."

“I vote three,” Indarias joined in.

“This is too difficult with the little information we have,” Menogias commented. “A battle could last for years for all we know... especially if it includes something similar to this, we’ve already been together for nearly centuries. I’m saying a year.”

“I’m voting three days,” you said.

“Three — I thought you said weeks!” Bosacius instantly said making you chuckle.

"Well, I’m the one fighting, so as long as I make it quick, I can come back as quick," you shrugged. "What about you, Alatus?"

“A week.”

Alatus wonders how the rest got to sleep that day after saying their goodbyes to you; was he the only restless one that he had to leave and take a breather outside the tent?

He also just had to see you outside, bags beside you, as you sat in the same place you did the day before, looking down on the same paper.

Despite saying goodbyes before they went to sleep, you stayed outside as if waiting for the clock to strike at the time you had to leave instead of leaving earlier.

“You’re still here?” he asked.

"Not to be a pessimist, but if I die, it’d take time to finish this," you said, hand on chin, as you continued to write notes on how to make the sewing mechanic. "I’m just writing it to whoever discovers this in the future or something."

“Why do you sound so sure?” he frowned. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

"It was a joke…" you said, blinking as you turned to look at him. "Don’t take it so seriously. I’m merely feeling a bit nervous about leaving."

"That’s not merely," he said, folding his arms in front of him. "You can tell me about it."

“Am I not dumping you with enough information?” you asked, moving over to the side of the bench.

“No,” Alatus responded, taking a seat beside you. “Speak freely.”

"For some reason, that was just comforting," you said, letting out a small laugh before turning your head to the scenery. "I’m just thinking about the karmic debt. It’s something we might never be free of."

"Yet you choose to involve yourself in it," he says, making you raise a brow as if to ask him how he knew. "Rex Lapis implied it."

"I’m really going to give that old goon a smack," you mumbled under your breath, and he blinked at your informality. "Ah, sorry, Morax and I have gotten used to jokingly calling each other stupid names, do not take offense."

It would be a lie to say he was not bewildered, but he said, "I… do not mind…"

"Anyways, failed hypothesis after failed hypothesis, there is nothing certain about karmic debt except for the fact that only one of the Sevens could help the ones affected by it," you said, opening a hand to your side as you turned to him. "To be exact, Morax didn’t exactly help, but Barbatos’ music did."

You continue, “In short, it's irreversible so take care of yourselves.”

“I understand, I’ll relay it to the others.”

“How about you?” you asked, going back to working on the paper. “Do you have anything to say, Alatus?”

“I don’t... know,” he said, adding the last word before he finishes his sentence. “I am not like you; I don’t know what to say in situations.”

“Me neither,” you laughed. “Like you, I am not good with feelings, and all I could say is to take care of yourselves.”

“You take... care too,” Alatus said, pausing midway. “[name].”

“Should I start calling you Xiao?” you asked, smiling as you continue writing. “Or is Morax only allowed to call you that?”

"I am named Xiao, Alatus might be my real name, but it’s only now for when I’m a Yaksha," he said, making you nod to yourself as you write. "Can I also ask for your wise words?"

"If you want that —" he dreaded your next words, and it seemed evident on his face because you laughed. "It's what I’d normally start with, but since it might just be my last day, I’ll indulge you. You worded it funnily."

You meant you weren’t sure if you were going to come back, so you might as well give it away for free. He knows.

He had given you his attention willingly, so if you were to ask for something as well, he’d think it'd be fair, and hearing about what you think is something he also wanted.

What exactly prompted him to ask that? It was because he wanted answers about what he feels.

"Have you ever had a moment where you felt like you were… too happy to the point you’re out of it?" he asked, to which you nodded. "Why is that?"

“It’s called feeling relaxed, Xiao,” you chuckled.

“If it was relaxed, is it normal for the heart to palpitate?”

“Palpitate...” you sweatdropped at the wording. “I mean... it happens often, did this moment happen with the Yakshas?”

"It does, but I’m thinking of a person," he says, shaking his head. "Do I have to specify who?"

"No, I think I understand enough," you shake your head as well. "I need to ask a few more questions; this topic is out of my expertise, but I know a few; do you feel fond of them to the point you’re often nervous around them, but it’s also calming to be with them?"

“I — yes, exactly that,” he nodded, slightly brightening up that you understand.

"How will I word this to you…" you look down in thought with a hand on your chin. "You might deny and claim that it’s false; I don’t think you’ll accept it as quickly as if it’s an order."

“Is it a bad thing? Do I keep my distance?”

"Keep your what — no!" you said, flabbergasted. "From what I’ve observed, you are the same, it seems like what you feel does not hinder your work as a Yaksha and if they make you happy, why would you feel the need to distance yourself? If anything, I should tell you to be closer to them."

"Then… is it a bad feeling if they disturb me?" he asked, and you stared at him for a while as if telling him to elaborate. "Like when… I see them and think how they blend in so well with everything — I'm starting to feel like everything is unreal when I’m with them."

“Xiao.”

“Yes?”

“Xiao, that’s love,” you said.

Alatus mind seemed to pause for a moment; you just said: love, a well-known mortal feeling that causes people to do illogical things.

It seemed like you were not wrong either because he finds the feeling he was describing to you unreasonable as well, but he doesn’t understand; he’s no mortal, emotions are foreign to him, and more so if it’s about love.

"You mean those mortal feelings — it can’t be," he said, making you only smile as if you predicted he’d deny it. "I’m not capable of feeling that kind of thing."

"Be it that you are not in a human body, what they feel is almost what we do; it’s our brain, nervous system, and such," you said. "Love is not always romantic; you might like them as a friend, as someone you can trust like you do with the other Yakshas —"

“It’s worthless,” he scowls.

"If you see their effect on you, can you really say it is?" you asked, looking away from him and leaning back with your arms supporting you. "I’ve lived for so long, and when I first felt a romantic kind of love, it was… confusing, I denied it, thinking it was only because I pity him — oh, I pronoun dropped him."

“Then you feel it too?” he asked. “Even if you’re... not exactly human?”

"Of course," you nodded. "For example, I love Morax and the Yakshas because I think of them as my friends, but I also love this someone because I find him interesting or because he’s like someone I’ve been unconsciously waiting for."

“What else?”

"Hm… like even though he’s so different from me, I feel like we kind of complete each other kind of thing, embarrassing to talk about, I know," you laughed at yourself, and he assumed in pity. "He looks incapable of feeling romantic love. He cannot express himself properly, but he certainly tries and keeps trying just so the people around him know that he does care."

“Have you seen him at all ever since?” he asked.

“I see him everyday,” you laughed. “But enough about him, what about yours?”

“They love everyone,” Alatus said. "They… treat everyone so equally, and it’s such a harder thing to swallow that they think of someone else the way I see them."

“You admit that what you feel is love?” you asked.

“What else could it be?” he huffs, making you place a hand in front of your mouth as you giggle. “If your judgment is right, then what should I do?”

“What do you think you should do?” you returned the question, emphasizing the third to the last word.

He asks himself the same question; his feelings are confirmed, but another hurdle comes up: they seem to like another.

Alatus wants to tell you that the feelings he had for you were suffocating him, that it was always on the tip of his tongue whenever you're in his line of sight.

You treat everyone so equally, but to think you feel so fondly over another, you, who had been stuck with them ever since — wait, you see him every day — it felt even more painful to think it was one of his brothers.

“What if,” he started, nearly choking on his words. “They like someone?”

“Did they tell you who?” you asked.

“No... I —” he stammered. “I don’t know, they don’t show it, I told you, they love everyone but still I want to tell them.”

"Quite suffocating, no?" you asked, your head tilting as you gave him a pitying smile. "Whether you tell them or not is your decision, you’re not at fault for having those kinds of feelings."

“What if they’re the opposite of you?” Alatus asked.

“You’re so... insecure,” you sighed, your gaze softening. “Some say opposites attract, but either way, if you love them, you love them.”

“Why do you love Rex Lapis?”

“Why not? He’s my friend,” you said, raising a brow before your eyes widened. “You’re not thinking I love him in a romantic way, are you...!? Xiao, of all people — was I not just talking about smacking him earlier? He’s old...!”

“So are you,” he retorted making you gasp.

"I look young, don’t I? I can still move, unlike him!" you defended yourself as you put a hand on your chest. "Morax is a friend! He’s like a brother to me, seeing him as something else is something I cannot fathom!"

Rex Lapis is like a brother to you, is it just him or did it seem like you just went straight out of his league?

“I... I see,” he said, feeling highly discouraged. “Rex Lapis, brother... I cannot...”

“For a moment, Xiao, are you perhaps...” you started, seemingly finally collecting the dots. “Do you like Morax —”

“No!” he exclaimed, making you withdraw but laugh after. “It’s not like that... it’s not him.”

"If it’s not Morax, why do you hesitate so?" you asked, tilting your head. "You respect Morax so much; to respect someone near him makes it seem like… it’s someone you've known for so long."

You’re catching up quick but you suddenly stood up and said, “It seems like I won’t be much of a help after all...”

“You’re going?” he asked, getting up as well.

“It is an urgent matter,” you said, rolling the paper closed before tossing it towards his way. “You can tell Menogias to keep it.”

“[name], I —” what did he want to say?

He closed his mouth, not seeing your hopeful look; he doesn’t remember what he wanted to say but at the same time he does, perhaps he didn’t want to say it.

He ends up scoffing, “Take care...”

"You know, I'm kind of starting to assume it might be me because why do you sound so bitter right now?" you asked, laughing as he turned to you, who had caught up to everything, or perhaps you gambled your pride. "Am I right?"

“You...” he feels his ears heat up.

"I’d say yes to you, but we’ll leave that until you’re ready and until I’m back, so… wait for me?"

“Be it years, I would.”

THIS IS HEIZNX, HEHEHE REPOST, I'M BACK SA TUMBLR (after deleting my old acc) had to study how to change text colors. mc was supposed to die but it got too long, in my old acc, i made it to 3 parts, but i realized i didn't want to kill mc and it was too much information rather than the romance between them and xiao so i decided to drop the sequel.

#genshin impact #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact alatus #xiao #xiao x reader #alatus #alatus x reader

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hiraa-straw · 2 years

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Look I found in pinterest while scrolling, xiao as clown🤭 [picture is from pinterest]

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kawrowru · 1 year

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character : xiao / genshin impact

summary : xiao yearns for the touch of the ones he lost.

words : 1445

tags ; angst(sorta?) , yearning, fluff (near the end) , sleeping together:3

notes : hii it’s my first fic!! i’m open to requests so go ahead and ask ahead :D

together we suffer

long ago amongst the lands of liyue lived humans and adepti in peace before the waging archon war went about. everyone including gods and illuminated beasts fought to protect their beloved lands known as the guili plains.

they fought restlessly, day and night, ever so passionately. amongst them all was a group of adepti who called themselves the yakshas, tasked by Morax the god of geo, to fight along him in the war. but there was another, a solo adepti who kept to themselves.

the five adepti each representing an element fought and fought till their karmic debt ebbed away at their souls and sanity. madness and despair had overwhelmed the yakshas. the unknown yakshas battled with their own mind until it was too much

some gave into the insanity and some went against each other. or some just disappeared without a word. the sixth fought alone, leaning on no one before they supposedly succumbed to the weight of their own karmic debt.

all but one disappeared and his name was alatus now under the alternate name xiao. he believed he was the last known survivor of the group, that his miracle was the only reason he was alive now, or so he thought. now xiao resides in wangshu inn still under the contract he signed with morax two thousand years ago.

he alone carried the loss of his comprades, shouldering the burden of protecting liyue as the conqueror of demons. he never escaped the screams of his friends losing themselves to the very thing he dealt with everyday. their pained screams etched themselves into his brain, never leaving his head.

returning to wangshu inn after his failed attempt to rid himself of the world, xiao felt a wave of longing. to see his fallen friends once again even if it was just for a minute. he had lost everyone he loved. bosacius, indarias, bonanus, menogias and... alastairus..

although alastairus kept to themselves they always made an attempt to warm up to xiao and little did he know he let their past presence find its way into his heart. he cherished their time togther, the quiet moments where'd alastairus would read him till he succumbed to slumber, the loud moments where he'd allow you to do as you please while you were drunk off of wine often ending with you on the floor and him laying on a rock.

standing at the edge of the rail he looked afar at the scenery. this was what he fought to protect. this was the outcome of his and everyone else’s will to protect the land

how he wished they could see what they fought for. how he wanted to be surrounded by their boisterous laughs and stupid jokes, or even their calm voice but time was a irreversible

just then he felt a familiar presence but he couldn’t put a name to who it was until they spoke.

“alatus..?” the voice spoke.

xiao never thought he’d hear that name again yet here he was back turned from the voice. he slowly turned around and descended from the rail. feeling a sense of familiarity rush into him.

the figure was none other than alastairus, the very adeptus he thought disappeared into the archon war. not only were they here but not in good shape, covered in cuts and bruises, xiao silently gasps, going unnoticed. no amount of words could make up for the words he wanted to say. he had so much to say but he didn’t know if he had the time.

“alastairus?” the words fell from xiao’s lips, hesitation laced his words as his eyes furrowed. his hands shot up to his eyes rubbing them in case they were an illusion, a sick joke by his karmic debt but when he opened his eyes you were there, position unchanged.

slowly he walked towards you, circling around you and reaching to touch your hand. tightening your grasp when he envelopes your hand he gapes. moving back to face the front of you , he smiles , barely noticeable if you weren’t studying his face.

“i’m back” you muttered, tears slowly started to form in your eyes, familiarizing yourself his face. reaching to cup his face he leans into your touch. xiao yearned to feel your touch every night. praying you'd come back to him, so you could read him to sleep.

he hoped that time could stop and as if you were reading his mind , it did. alastairus the adepti of time stopped everything for xiao. amidst the overwhelming emotions xiao faced he unconsciously wrapped his arms around you.

pulling you into him and hugging hard. your wince by accident, bringing him out his mind. xiao looks up at you and notices your pained expression and immediately lets go. “what’s wrong? did i hurt you?” he questions, unaware of the gashes and bruises you hid behind your clothing.

“xiao i’m hurt” you reply lifting up your shirt to reveal the wounds you hid. “when i was about to lose myself to my karmic debt i used the last bits of my power to stop time around my body, and in turn it slowed my healing abilities down.” you continued, moving to press his hand against your bruises.

“i’ve lived with these for a while slowly regaining my energy but never using it on me.” alastairus end their sentence with a face of sorrow. xiao listened quietly before coming to a conclusion.

“come on, let’s lay you on my bed. i can pass adeptal energy to you so you can heal.” “are you sure? healing me would mean you’ll get weaker.” you protest “i lost you once, i’m not gonna lose you again.”

xiaos words sealed the deal and you didn’t resist him ushering you inside to his bed. the walk was short but it felt like eternity, and then it hit you, time was stopped by your powers which is why everything felt slow.

alastairus then resumed time, everything going back to normal and xiao even noticed the sudden change, but ignored it. right now you were his top priority.

☆┆

when xiao laid you on his bed, the smell of him filled your senses. you longed to smell his scent while you were comatose. xiao left your side to fetch a chair but you abruptly held his arm.

“don’t go” you pleaded, you never wanted him to leave your sight again and xiao felt the same. he thought that if he’d left you wouldn’t be there anymore. a figment of his imagination.

“okay i won’t leave” he vowed to alastairus before you sat at the edge of the bed. turning to face you his hold on your hand tightened. “this is going to be a long process so please bare with me.” xiao knew this process was going to be painful, not only did it drain him it also put a toll on the other person receiving the adeptal energy.

he hoped this wouldn’t hurt you as much as it did him. beginning the process xiao intertwined his fingers with yours, channeling his energy to his palm and into yours. whilst he looked for energy he thought about everything you had missed while you were gone.

you, alastairus, missed the building of liyue, missed rex lapis’s “death”, missed the birth of a new era. oh how elated you would’ve been of you witnessed everything. but you’re back now and xiao will make sure to debrief you up to date.

broken from his thoughts at the sound of you whimpering in pain, biting your lips to stop the sound from leaving your throat. clawing at his bed with your other hand you fought the pain and xiao could do nothing but watch you.

☆┆

near the end of the process tears had started to fall from your eyes, the pain nearing its peak. it felt like you were corrupted by your karmic debt. xiao noticed the tears and with his other hand he wiped them away. that pained expression on your face was something he never wanted to see again.

as the final bits of adeptal energy had been transferred xiao hunched over. the toll of extracting energy finally getting to him. you noticed and tugged his hand to lay beside you. “come along xiao, you need to rest.” he tried to resist but he couldn’t fight slumber.

turning to face him as he laid flat you caressed his face with your hand. with his remaining energy xiao turned to face snd hold you before he succumbed to the night. the last words he heard were: “we’ll heal each other..” before his eyes closed for the night.

he’ll catch up with you in the morning.

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skyeeeesworld · 2 years

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Ok ok imagine going to the arcade with xiao and you trying to get a plush toy from the claw machine

But after many fails xiao decides to help

He comes from behind you (him with a blush and a fast beating heart) and controls the claw to get a plush from behind

He gets the plush

Cue a big smooch on his cheek from you and a big hug and lots of thank yous

I love xiao so much <3

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact x gn reader #genshin impact x gender neutral reader #genshin impact x reader #xiao x gn reader #xiao x gender neutral reader #xiao x reader #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact xiao x reader #genshin impact alatus #xiao <3

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simping-on-the-daily · 1 year

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Genshin team that's called "They're not the Archons but they're powerful not humans" and it consists of Albedo, Xiao/Qiqi, Miko and Wanderer/Alhaitham

#alhaitham is there due to multitude of theories lmao #genshin #genshin impact #genshin albedo #genshin impact albedo #genshin xiao #genshin impact xiao #genshin alatus #genshin impact alatus #genshin qiqi #genshin impact qiqi #genshin miko #genshin impact miko #yae miko #genshin wanderer #genshin impact wanderer #genshin alhaitham #genshin impact alhaitham #simper says stuff

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cerberuscaeli · 1 year

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I totally did not tear up after watching this. My precious, precious Xiao. Please come home! 😫😭 (Says me with no guaranteed, low pity and 10 wishes. Oh well, I wait another year then)

https://youtu.be/3RLhCbVtjEg

#genshin impact xiao #xiao #genshin xiao #genshin impact alatus #genshin alatus #general alatus #genshin yaksha #alatus #genshin impact #genshin impact trailer #venti #qiqi #genshin baizhu #genshin lantern rite

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haliyamori · 1 year

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Conquerer of Demons

#haliya mori art #astronetwrk #fanart #genshin impact fanart #xiao fanart #genshin impact xiao #adeptus xiao #genshin impact alatus

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callibee · 1 year

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a redraw of an old xiao drawing of mine :D 🍃

#haven’t drawn him in a while hehe #genshin #genshin impact #genshin fanart #genshin impact fanart #xiao #alatus #Genshin xiao #Genshin impact xiao #Genshin alatus #Genshin impact alatus #xiao fanart #Genshin xiao fanart

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flowersimp · 1 year

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I drew Xiao on a whiteboard at my uni instesd of studying 👉👈

#adeptus xiao #genshin impact xiao #xiao #genshin #genshin impact #alatus #general alatus #genshin impact alatus #genshin xiao #genshin alatus #my art

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haileyywrites · 1 year

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As the last remnants of the Yaksha's and bearer's of the horid karmic debt it can take all you have to not give up yourself to it. Everyday is a new battle that last endlessly through centuries without any ease, but you must fight on. Even then, sometimes strength alone is not enough...

→ Xiao x yaksha!reader / platonic or romantic!

→ Pretty heavy themes! Reader is described to be suicidal and even attempts, but no self injuring actually happens! Karmic debt and mental health issues! Lot of talk about the fallen Yaksha's who are possibly ooc! This fic is purely fictional and thus might not be lore accurate!

As a Yaksha you had always strived for strength in body and mind, keeping your mind as sharp as your weapon. But even the strongest will falter under the karmic debt and it takes everything to not give in, to not simply give up. But after centuries believing things would get better, that the pain would become easier to endure... You were simply tired. You felt like a fool stuck in time as the world moved on while you tried desperately to cling onto it for a reason to continue forward. The humans no longer needed the Adepti or Yaksha's to purge evil and protect them from monsters or gods.

So why were you still here?

Rex Lapis had saved you during the Archon war and you would forever be in his debt, but you couldn't hold onto the contract you had once sworn to honor. Wheter you'd be struck down in battle, face the wrath of the rock for this betrayal or be taken by your karmic debt - it was all irrelevant and inevitable. You knew you couldn't hold on for much longer... You desperately wished to reunite with your family who waited patiently for you in the beyond.

The proud Bosacius who truly lived up to being called brother by all. He was fierce opponent and a great leader in battle, but he was also loving and playful like any other brother would be. He was large and loud, yet his heart was bigger than even he himself...

Indarias was as fiery as her vision, she was bold and cheerful. She was the type of person everyone loved and wished to be friends with, she made everyone smile and gave the best hugs due to being so warm. She loved to compete, but would swallow her pride and admit defeat while praising whoever bested her...

Sweet and quiet Bonanus was beautiful not only on the outside, but especially on the inside. She was calm, smart and levelheaded but never afraid to step up for others if she needed to. She would defend anyone from those who wished to harm or tear them down. She would listen to your worries and depending on the situation either comfort you or give you advice...

Menogias was fashionable and cultured, he enjoyed the finer things in life but didn't let them be in his way if the situation called for it. He could be quite restless and anxious, but knew when to relax. He was certainly the mother of the group, always scolding and fussing over everyone, but in a loveable way...

Then there was Alatus, the last remaining Yaksha, aside from yourself. He hadn't changed much to those who didn't truly know him, but those who did could easily tell. He was much more cold and distant now, he was always quite serious but not like this. Despite it all he continued to fight on with determination, he was much stronger and braver than you...

You were both disconnected from the world around you, the very land you swore to protect. It didn't matter if you desired to be as your karmic debt didn't give you a choice in the matter. Long term contact with a human could potentially be fatal or leave life long consequences. Even with a vision holder it was too much of a risk to put them under. You only had each other and the remaining Adepti, but you never quite connected with them. Perhaps it was because they reminded you of your lost family and it frightened you...

You stood on the edge of the lake staring at your own reflection, your lifeless and dull eyes stared back. You could barely recognize yourself as the same person from all those memories you held so dear. The water stood eerily still before you stepped in, your clothing soaking in the process without you caring in the slightest. Each step that made you sink deeper only made you feel lighter, the coolness of the water washing away your ache.

You stared mindlessly ahead as you continued deeper and deeper despite it's coldness... You stopped only as the water reached your neck and turned to the sky to look at the bright full moon. You took in the beautiful scenery for the last time, though you had seen them a thousand times they still remained as beautiful as the first time. The stars painted the sky and twinkled high above as you took in one final breath before readying yourself to merge in the coldness of the lake fully, but you were promptly stopped by a voice you couldn't ignore...

“What are you doing?” A frightened voice called out.

You didn't need to turn around to know who it belonged to, but did so anyway. Xiao stood at the edge ready to jump in to save you at any moment. The horror and confusion in his eyes was so unusual to see that it caught you off guard and made you freeze in place. Xiao quickly pushed through the shallow water to reach you as you made no attempts to move or answer him, his hands grasped your shoulders tightly.

“What are you doing?” He asked again, but this time it finally hit you.

Everything suddenly hit you - you could do nothing but shake and begin to cry. What were you doing? Were you really going to do it just like that? Did you care so little about the sacrifices your friends had made along the way so you could survive this far, only to end yourself so carelessly? Did you even think about this for a second before you jumped in? The mere thought of release, of the weight being lifted from your shoulders so easily had you giving in to those dark thoughts...

“Hey!” Xiao shook your shoulders to snap you out of your head.

“I'm sorry... I'm so sorry.” You sobbed.

“Why were you trying to do it?” He asked.

“I don't know...” You continued to cry.

The hesitation was evident, yet he pulled you closer into his arms. His hand held the back of your head and the other held onto your waist, you simply held onto his shoulders. His grip was tight as if he thought you'd simply dissapear from his arms if he loosened his hold even slightly, of course it wasn't hard enough to hurt you. You remained silent in each others arms as your body shook from the cold and the crying you were trying to stifle.

“I'm sorry I'm not as strong as you...” You whispered.

“What?” He asked.

“I'm not as strong as you! I want so badly to be, but I'm not...” You held him tighter to stop him from seeing your face. “I live every day with so much regret and pain I can't move on from, it's slowly tearing me down piece by piece.”

Xiao remained silent, letting you speak your mind and let out what you've been holding in for so long. He couldn't believe he almost lost you - just a moment longer and you could have been gone forever, just like everyone else he ever loved or cared about. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed the signs before this, or perhaps he had simply brushed them off...

“Everyday is just another battle to stay sane and in control of yourself, unless you'll meet the fate of our family. Archon's, I miss them so much Xiao...”

Every time you closed your eyes you could see them laughing and smiling, calling you family. The warmth of their smiling faces and bright eyes washing you with love. Next, all you can see is their lifeless bodies and dead expressions... Their masks destroyed beside them and their visions gone dark without their holders.

“I know.” He brushed your hair gently. “But I'm weak too.”

“Huh?” You questioned.

“I too can't move on despite the centuries that have passed. The karmic debt that corrupts us cannot be purged or undone. But it will get easier, you'll find a reason to keep fighting - to keep living.”

Never would you have imagined the Conqueror of Demons to be the one to comfort you... His words held such wisdom that it blew you away slightly. You had been the newest of the Yaksha's and never particularly close to Xiao, but it wasn't because you didn't wish to be. His words truly helped you, even if just a little.

“What about you?” You pulled back to look at him.

“What do you mean?”

“What do you fight for?” You stared into his eyes.

Xiao remained silent before moving his hand down to hold yours, “I fight for my family and for the people of Liyue.”

You nodded, “Then I will try too.”

The lake remained still while reflecting the ever rising moon above you. You remained in Xiao's embrace until he began to lead you out of the lake. He didn't let go of your hand for a moment before you were a safe distance away from the water, as if you would jump in any minute. You couldn't blame him for being cautious and it was heartwarming that he truly cared...

That night in the lake had changed you both and brought you closer. Though it would take time to get to know one another, now both of you were willing to do so. It was difficult to let each other in to your broken hearts, but you had centuries to take your time and move at your own pace. He didn't let you far from his sight for some time after what happened, but you couldn't complain.

He was right, having something or someone to fight for made things easier. It didn't erase the past or the scars it had left on you, but it helpped. Learning to accept it was huge and slowly helpped you heal from them as those terrible memories were just another part of you, just like the memories you loved and cherished. Accepting the past as it was helpped you move on from the delusions that almost made you end your life in seek of release.

Though they were long dead, that isn't what your family would have wanted. What they truly would have wanted was for you to live a long, healthy and happy life. The duty of a Yaksha was not something that helpped in achieving that, but it was something to strive for. Where ever they were now, you know they would be proud of you two... Though they would have yelled at you two for how long it took to open up. When the day you leave this world, you only wish to be reunited with them again, but for now you live and fight for Xiao.

A/N: I can't fully express how proud of this fic am! think this has to be my favorite honestly! I hope I managed to capture each Yaksha's personality well, it's a bit difficult since they're dead and there's only one cutscene featuring them lol

Like always - feel free to like and or reblog if you want <3

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