Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Xiao doesn’t know what started it.

Was it when she invited him along to join her during the Lantern Rite festival? Or was it after that, where she began this routine of calling out his name a multitude of times if only to request his company?

Before he knew it, their interactions increased in numbers and there was less time where he spent alone. At first it was simply a visit once or twice in a few weeks, but then it gradually escalated into something more than that - so much so that he finds her calling for him almost every day, so much so that he finds himself involuntarily waiting for her to seek him out. 

“ I would prefer it better if you don’t call out my name so frequently, unless it’s for a necessity. It’s too dangerous for you to be in my presence too long. We should really stop meeting like this. ”

He would regularly warn her, but he would never fail to come rushing over the second his name leaves her lips - her soft, alluring lips , he almost muses, only to berate himself a moment after. He convinces himself that it’s because he has to honor the promise he’s made with her, and that it’s definitely not due to him wanting to see her on his own accord. 

… Yes, definitely not. That’s a prospect too far-fetched for him to even consider.

And yet.

There had also been occasions, he reluctantly recalls, where he himself had gone out on his way merely for the purpose of seeing her. But he tries not to do that often - because he isn’t keen on how embarrassed he gets when she teases him about it and he dislikes the rapid pounding of his heartbeat whenever she’s pleasantly surprised by him initiating their nightly visits. Nor does he enjoy the yearning that peaks whenever she’s a little too close for comfort. 

He’s aware of the concept of love and lust, but he doesn’t really comprehend them. The notions themselves are foreign to him and Xiao deems them not only odd but also useless - even foolish to a certain degree. Passion is also a dangerous thing and it gives rise to selfishness in otherwise rational people and Xiao would rather not fall down the same rabbit hole. If anything, sex is the only thing that he’s a bit familiar with as he had indulged in it before out of curiosity. It felt nice, but a messy and exhausting ordeal altogether and he isn’t fond of looking back on it. But.

But .

The pure, unadulterated need and unparalleled bliss that slowly simmers and spreads whenever he’s around her dictates that he’s suffering from… apparently , love and sexual frustration. Or at the very least that’s what he understands from the gibberish he has heard humans utter. Yet that simply isn’t plausible. He isn’t supposed to be perturbed by such mindless, self-indulgent affection. Isn’t supposed to want her like this.

So he tries to dim these feelings. Tries to push them back into the far corners of his mind where he hopes they will never re-emerge from ever again. 

But it doesn’t work. It never does.

Because the moment she says his name, he knows, he knows that he will be there for her in a heartbeat and he will have to undergo the process all over again. He can’t bring himself to be too close to her, yet he also can’t take them being too far.

Since when did he become this convoluted?

“You sure you don’t want some Grilled Tiger Fish, Xiao?”

The yaksha crinkles his nose in disgust as Paimon practically shoves it into his face, the scent of the food already too strong for his liking. He shakes his head, a scoff building in his throat, “No need. I’m not partial to human food.”

“That’s what you always say,” Paimon sighs, hands on her hips and remnants of the Grilled Tiger Fish she had been munching on palpable on one side of her lips as she points out, “but why are you here anyway if you’re not going to eat?” 

“I…” Xiao starts, but at a loss for words. 

He spares a fleeting glance at Lumine, nearly aggravated at the infuriating flush that threatens to crawl up his cheeks when the girl lifts her head and meets his gaze with a smile. His heart flutters before doing a somersault, the violent reaction of his own body to her attention prompting him to divert his eyes elsewhere.

Indeed. Why did he come here? He had merely been passing by when he caught sight of her familiar form in the midst of the walking crowd. She hadn’t even called out his name, yet he had approached her first.

He must be going insane. 

“Paimon, don’t be rude,” Lumine’s voice, ever so melodious, reaches his ears and Xiao loathes the soothing effect that it has on him as his mind simply ceases to think . 

He sneaks another glance in her direction, but she’s currently busy shooting a reprimanding look on the floating fairy to notice his fleeting stare. His gaze is intently fixed on her lips, discerning the telltale signs of chicken and oil before drinking in the pink and soft texture of her mouth. Warmth puddles in his belly and a few thoughts present themselves in his head.

One is the desire to lean forward and lap away the food residue from her lips. The second is of him scolding himself for even conjuring such a sinful musing. And the last is the sudden hatred that grabs him at his sides as his feline stare distinguishes an all too familiar and unwelcome silhouette marching towards them from over her shoulder.

“Hey there, girlie!” Childe greets Lumine from behind, taking her off guard with his unexpected presence as she nearly chokes on the Jueyun Chili Chicken that she’s feasting on. 

A burning sensation simmers in her throat after having accidentally gulped down a whole chili due to her surprise, but Lumine manages to fix a dark glower on the harbinger regardless as she narrows her eyes at him in suspicion. 

“Childe? What do you want?” Her voice comes out hoarse, and she reaches for her glass of water. Xiao’s quick on his feet and he beats her to it, placing it in her waiting hands even as his intense glare remains rooted on Childe. 

He barely registers Lumine thanking him as his lips press into a thin line of muted chagrin once Childe unceremoniously encases an arm around one of Lumine’s shoulders. His touch is friendly, shameless, and downright anger-inducing as Xiao notices Childe’s gloved hand lightly squeezing his grimy, filthy fingers around her forearm.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Lu. You’re always assuming that I’m up to no good,” Childe pouts and Xiao isn’t sure what grates his ears more; the flirtatious undertones in his baritone or the endearing nickname. 

Lumine’s brows wrinkle into a frown as she states, deadpanned, “Because you always are up to no good. What are you scheming this time?”

“Well, that’s just outright mean. I only wanted to see how my dearest comrade’s doing, you know?” Childe replies, feigning a look of mock horror at her admittedly justified accusations before he breaks into a grin as Lumine’s glare refuses to waver. 

“Relax, girlie,” he reassures her, though the mischievous glint in his dimmed blue irises remain still. “I’m only coming here to join you for lunch, not to bicker or invite you on a spar. Although I wouldn’t mind the challenge, I’m in the mood for a well-deserved conversation with you today.” 

He pauses, and Xiao swears, he swears , the Fatui Harbinger has the audacity to spare him a self-satisfied and provoking smirk as he extends a free hand to ruffle Lumine’s hair. 

Despite the fleeting goading that only Xiao seems to notice though, Childe’s voice is barred of any ulterior motives, and is merely amicable and teasing if he once again addresses the traveler, “Besides, if I had known that you frequent Wanmin Restaurant so much, I would have come here more often. I’d love to dine with your lovely company after all.”

“Paimon,” Lumine heaves the exasperated sigh as she tries to pry Childe’s arms off of her, all the while ignoring his exaggerated offended gasp as she mutters, “I think we need to start eating somewhere else. Not even Xiangling’s cooking is worth this much trouble.” 

“Aw, but Paimon loves the food here!” the fairy sulks, to which Lumine responds by bringing her palm down her face.

But Xiao is vaguely aware of the conversation between Paimon and Lumine occurring in the background as his gaze dangerously narrows at Childe’s right hand, his right finger hooking itself around Lumine’s forelocks as the harbinger bursts into a fit of laughter over something Paimon says. 

Indignation reaching its peak, Xiao barely has ample time to reconsider his actions as he pushes himself off his stool, uncaring of the screeching sound of wood scraping against the ground as his one hand clutches into a fist around Childe’s wrist, and the other materialises his trademark spear. 

Childe’s triumphant grin doesn’t falter even after Xiao pushes the tip of his polearm against his jugular as he growls, low and dangerous, in warning, “Hands off, Harbinger .”

Both men discern the look of surprise crossing Lumine’s features, but neither is willing to back down as Childe brazenly stares back at Xiao’s heated glare. 

“My, if it isn’t the mighty and illuminated yaksha,” Childe whistles in an effort to fuel Xiao’s displeasure even further. “You’re here too? You’re so little I didn’t notice you. My apologies,” he continues sarcastically, the playful tune serving to incite bloodlust from Xiao as his fist tightens around his polearm and his glower merely intensifies. 

“Did you not hear what I said?” Xiao barks, furious now as he wedges the tip of his spear even further, close enough to cut through Childe’s skin as the metal aroma of blood assaults his nostrils. “Hands off of the traveler. Are you blind or do you simply fail to see that you’re making her uncomfortable?”

“How violent,” Childe murmurs under his breath, though he knows he isn’t any better. 

His challenging smirk broadens ever so slightly, and Childe makes a point to reinforce the grip that his free arm has around Lumine’s shoulder, hauling her closer to him as he tucks his chin on the top of her head. 

All the while keeping his eyes on the yaksha in an obvious endeavor to provoke him as he says, voice a direct defiance, “I don’t see your name branded anywhere on her skin, so what I fail to see is why I should let go if Lu obviously doesn’t mind. You’re not exactly her lover, so what’s the point of getting possessive?”

“Possess-” Xiao sputters, cheeks red for a brief moment before the blush disappears altogether as he briskly collects himself, this time glowering at Childe with renewed animosity as he growls, “You dare to disrespect the adepti? This has nothing to do with,” he pauses, swallowing a lump in his throat before going on, “those kinds of feelings at all. I just- she’s a precious friend to me and I’d rather you refrain from putting her in danger.”

Xiao’s so immersed in his own seething rage that he misses the flash of disappointment in Lumine’s amber eyes. He can’t comprehend the reason as to why he’s so livid but Childe simply knows . He knows what buttons to push, and he knows what to do to strike him where it hurts. There’s no doubt in his mind that Childe’s aware of his budding feelings for Lumine, and that he’s utilising that weakness of his to his advantage. Because the moment Childe mentions him being jealous, his mind begins reeling and he’s forced into silence. All of a sudden, he understands the gravity of the situation he’s put himself in, and frowns at the conflicting emotions taking residence in the middle of his chest.

He’s right. Why are you mad? She’s not even yours. Why would she even want you in the first place?

You must be insane to think that she would even see you as more than a friend. You’re disgusting.

But she is. She’s yours, Xiao. Take her. Take her before the Harbinger does. Break her, make her yours. 

Xiao shudders before grinding his teeth together in a desperate effort to relinquish the dark whispers echoing in his head. It feels as if he’s being torn apart from the insides and it hurts . His frown deepens, furrowed in concentration and frustration at himself as he aches and aches and aches - 

“Xiao, Childe. Both of you need to stop it.” Lumine’s soft voice resonates in his ears, and Xiao simultaneously loves and hates how the pain within him seems to abate the instant she speaks. 

“Xiao,” she calls out to him, and warmth blooms in his chest. It’s a sensation he still hasn’t gotten accustomed to. Blood rings in his ears and he struggles to catch her words as she implores at him, “Please drop your weapon. Childe’s suspicious but he’s not a complete bad guy.”

Then, not even a second after, he feels Lumine’s hand on his, warm and tender as deft fingers gently gesture his polearm away from Childe before brushing lazy, comforting circles on his wrist. His breath hitches in his throat and he nearly jolts from the touch, the craving for more but less at the same time bewildering him as he stills. Doesn’t know whether to lean in or pull away as he merely freezes himself on the spot. Yet he yields and his spear vanishes into thin air as he roughly flings Childe’s wrist out of his fist, infuriation cooled in spite of him glaring daggers at the Harbinger one final time. 

“And you, Childe,” This time, Lumine motions to the other man. Childe blinks in false innocence, causing her to cross her arms as she regards him with a rebuking stare - and Xiao’s briefly disappointed when she releases his hand, before he swiftly curbs the feeling. Nevertheless, Lumine doesn’t take notice as she rants, “you need to learn to respect other people’s personal space. I don’t mind the occasional sparring, but I’d rather you keep your distance otherwise. I’m not exactly a touchy feely sort of person.”

“Aw, is that so? Oh, well. I guess I’ll be more careful next time,” Childe pouts but concedes and Xiao inwardly heaves a sigh of relief when he finally removes himself from her. 

A man then comes running towards them, and Xiao recognises him to be one of the Fatui members positioned in Liyue who regularly reports to Childe. 

“Sir,” he starts, garnering Childe’s attention as he raises a single eyebrow at him, “there’s an issue with one of our…” he pauses as he takes a careful survey around their surroundings, as if to ensure that no civilians are listening in before proceeding, “payments. We need you to do a bit of debt-collecting again.”

Childe sighs and runs one hand through his bangs, tilting his head back as he studies his subordinate with a dreadful expression. “Is this really something you need my help with? I’m sure you guys don’t need me babysitting you all the time.”

“Y-yes, sir,” the man nervously agrees before clearing his throat. “But this is a matter in which we require your presence to be there, if possible.” 

Childe expels another sigh but doesn’t bother to lecture him further and merely dismisses him with a wave. “Alright, alright. I’ll be there. The client will be at Guyun Stone Forest, I presume?” At the nod that he receives in return, he then makes to excuse himself as he spins to face Lumine again. “I need to go now, but lunch’s on me next time. If you don’t mind.”

He earns a scowl. “I do, actually,” she retorts, but an amused chuckle rumbles through his chest.

“Really, Lu. You’re always so mean,” he teases, a grin drawing on his lips when Lumine offers him a light-hearted roll of her eyes at him in response. 

But then he averts his gaze to gesture towards Xiao, a weird glint in his eyes as he nods his head once at the yaksha. “It was nice seeing you again, though I’d like it better if you’d be so kind to abstain from brandishing your weapon at me every time we meet.”

Xiao nearly scoffs at the pretense of camaraderie, but pushes down the bitter remarks threatening to leave his throat as he remains unresponsive. After a few seconds, he catches the barely audible sound of Childe heaving an exasperated sigh before it’s then followed by his footsteps gradually dissipating into the distance. He doesn’t need to look up to understand that Childe’s gone now, and the relief that washes over him is overwhelming as it replaces the raw anger that once bit into his skin.

“That was quite the scene,” Paimon breathes in exhaustion once Childe’s back fades from their view before looking around them. “We’re lucky that Chef Mao isn’t here and Xiangling was quick enough to distract the customers,” she mumbles as she recalls the Pyro chef calming the gossiping civilians once they took notice of Xiao’s polearm. 

“You really need to be more mindful next time, Xiao. If anyone knows that you’re the Conqueror of Demons, your reputation might go sour, ya know?” Paimon scolds him but he merely responds with a blank stare.

“That’s of no relevance to me. I don’t fight for human’s reverence,” comes his simple answer, curt and straight to the point as usual. “If anything, I’d rather they not know. I’m not keen on the attention. The only important thing is they refrain from holding me back when I’m trying to fulfill my duties.”

“Cold as ever,” Paimon huffs, but doesn’t offer much else to the conversation as she once again begins wolfing down on the plates of food at their table. 

“Are you okay? You always act weird around Childe,” Lumine asks him as she places a hand over his shoulder. 

Her touch sets his body on fire, and he feels hairs standing at the back of his nape as her pliant fingers give him a gentle squeeze. She leans in a little and he catches a whiff of her scent; vanilla, sweet, and mixed with a flowery aroma. But he fails to pinpoint the exact type of flower that she reminds him of, because all of a sudden, his senses are on high alert and heat is puddling in his gut as he realises that she’s too close, they’re too close, he can feel her warmth sapping into his back -

“I’m fine,” he manages to croak out. “I understand that he’s a friend of yours, but you need to remember to keep your guard up around him. You never know what he’ll do.”

Her eyes soften but there’s a certain firmness in her voice as she murmurs, “Listen, Xiao. I get that you’re worried about me, but I can take care of myself. Really. And Childe’s not that bad.”

Why are you defending him? A part of him wants to ask, but the rational bit of his brain immediately suppresses the thought.

His lips tug down into a thin line. He doesn’t doubt her strength, he’s seen her fight multiple times before and has even had the pleasure of sparring with her on a handful of occasions. And yet… Flashes of Childe’s arms wrapped around the traveler causes his blood to boil, irritation simmering once again as an odd bout of possessiveness threatens to take over. 

“Just be careful,” is all he tells her, stern and concise as he tries to ignore the baffling sentiments. Yet the more he tries to push the thoughts away, the harder they persist. Rearing into his mind despite his best efforts to pay them no heed. 

Take her now. A whisper, soft but sinister, reverberates in his ears and he tightens his fists. He doesn’t dare grant himself a look at Lumine, afraid that he would… what? Pounce on her? Kiss her? Hug her? Beg her to stay away from Childe?

Or all of the above?

But it doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter. Whatever he feels for her needs to end. Before he ends up either hurting her or losing her as well. 

Everything is getting too much and he needs to leave before he does- something . With that decision in mind, and without sparing even a glance in her direction, he tells her that he has relevant matters that require his immediate attention. There’s a slight dismay in her eyes, he notices, but swears that he must have imagined it as Lumine nods at him in understanding. 

“Okay. See you later, Xiao,” she bids him goodbye, and his heart swells at the sound of his name escaping her lips.

At that moment, he wishes that he can kiss her. 

Xiao knows he can’t have her. As much as he wants to have her, he knows that he can’t. Not when his karmic debt has the potential to taint and corrupt her as well. Not when- not when he knows that all he will do is bring her harm and cause her trouble. And he’s not good for her - his hands are far from clean and he refuses to stain her with them.

He has to let her go. He has to. 

But the notion of her in another man’s arms stabs a knife through his chest and prompts nausea deep within his gut. Why is he like this? He shouldn’t be like this. 

He’s incapable of being with her, but he’s also incapable of letting her go to someone else. 

Since when did he become this selfish?

Chapter Text

Maybe it began the moment he let her into his space.

His gaze would never fail to find its way to her, and it didn’t take long for him to start taking notice of the subtle things revolving around her. 

Every time they would talk, she would curl her lips into a toothy grin and he would note to himself how soft, full and inviting they look. Whenever she’s deep in thought, she likes to tuck one of her forelocks behind her ear, almost as if the tickling sensation of hair against her skin bothers her; a habit he’s certain that she herself is unaware of. Her eyes are full of childlike wonder, yet beneath that spark of life, there’s an underlying ancient wisdom that strangely mirrors Zhongli.

She doesn’t shed tears in front of other people; he would know, because the only time he’s ever seen her cry is when she’s alone. She’s happiest and saddest when she brings up her brother, but she’s in her calmest state whenever she’s around him. There’s an oddity in her scent; a tinge of vanilla aroma of either perfume or shampoo, with the mixture of Windwheel Aster and a touch of something more…divine. He’s never been able to pinpoint what the fragrance is, but he deems it pleasant. Her scent is pleasant; it puts him at ease but fuels desire from deep within his gut at the same time.

There’s an ever present flush around her cheeks and the tips of her ears; far from a blush and more of a glow. Her laughter is like a drug; his poison and cure all at once and it echoes out of her whenever she’s with him, but also whenever she’s with other men. She’s warm and welcoming, sassy and cheeky, talkative but not too much to the point that people would find her annoying.

Her favorite food is mochi; she likes to visit Inazuma a bit too often to grab it for herself, and Xiao wouldn’t deny that he’s tried it once, if only to share a common ground with her. The sweetness wasn’t something he was used to, but it was just enough that it didn’t make him wince and he actually enjoyed it, even if he didn’t show it in front of her.

She enjoys trying out Liyue clothes whenever she frequents Ningguang’s Jade Chamber and the Tianquan is kind enough to permit her the luxury. But she never takes any of the garments for herself even when Ningguang offers, perhaps considering them either too restrictive in battle or far from befitting for her. Yet she’s pretty and Xiao thinks she would look stunning in anything.

She’s partial to the color blue. Whenever she surveys shops in Liyue, the first thing she always reaches for is something blue. A blue hairpin, a blue Chinese dress, a blue earring. It’s most likely an unconscious instinct, but she never buys herself anything, opting instead to save her mora for something more beneficial in her journey.

She doesn’t eat much, but when she does, it normally indicates that the dish is much to her liking. She’s conscious of her sneezing; always peers around at her surroundings as if she’s worried that she’s made too much noise and people would give her weird looks. Whenever she’s nervous, she rubs her arms and whenever she’s excited, there’s a spring in her steps.

Perhaps if Xiao had pulled himself from her earlier, he wouldn’t have fallen for her this hard. He knows the moment he’s started watching over her, started discerning all these little but relevant details about her that he could no longer turn back.

Because now, even gazing down at the little kids playing from below him, he thinks of her. He thinks of how she often entertains the children at the docks by playing childish human games with them. Because now, even after he vehemently tears his eyes away and they land on the birds flying happily in the sky, he thinks of how she never fails to feed them every so often.

His first mistake was getting too close to her. His second was letting himself observe her.

Because now, wherever he looks, he’s reminded of her.

“You weren’t lying, Childe. You really did get stronger.”

There’s a girlish giggle as Lumine speaks and pushes herself off the ground and back to her feet. Cuts adorn her arms, not too deep to be serious but enough to draw blood. Dirt tarnishes her once unsullied dress, a telltale sign she’s been pinned down to the ground a few times in the spar. She dusts off the debris from her skirt as Childe juts his lower lips outwards into a pout.

“What, don’t tell me you didn’t believe me? Hasn’t anyone ever taught you not to underestimate your enemies, girlie?” he retorts, almost as if provoked, but even from the branch he’s perched on, Xiao perceives the subtle hint of a smirk on his face.

“Well. Doesn’t matter.” She shrugs, a triumphant grin evident on her features. “I still beat you anyway. What’s the tally this time? 25-26? I won against you more times than you did.”

“Yeah,” Childe rolls his eyes half-heartedly as he hooks his arms over his chest, “by a single digit. I’ll defeat you next time, Lu.” He pauses then points an accusing finger at her direction. “Oh, and our first fight in the Golden House didn’t count.”

A baffled frown draws on Lumine’s forehead. “Of course it does,” she insists, a huff leaving her lips. “You’re just saying that to save your huge ego.”

Childe breaks into a fit of laughter but is quick with his reply, “Maybe, but mine isn’t as inflated as yours.”

Xiao’s frustrated at himself for straining his ears to listen in on their conversation as he catches the playful banter; he hates gazing upon how comfortable and easygoing Lumine is around the Harbinger. But what irks him even more is the slight hunger in Childe’s eyes whenever he stares at her; subtle but powerful as he peers at her as if she’s some piece of meat he’s ready to devour. Xiao isn’t ignorant nor is he blind; he’s noticed the way Childe regularly attempts to use their sparring sessions in order to land his hands on her, the brawls as if an excuse to touch her.

The only thing Xiao takes comfort in is the fact that Lumine doesn’t apparently offer him any kind of special treatment. She treats Childe in a similar manner she would with her other friends; and it’s palpable that she hasn’t even the slightest romantic interest in him.

But how long would that last?

Childe’s charming. Even if Xiao hates the idea of showering him praises, he would at least admit that. Even for a bloodthirsty, battle-hungry brute, Childe harbors an underlying charisma that’s unique only to him and him alone. And he’s friendly and far from boring, aside from having countless wealth – everything Xiao’s not.

She’s better suited for him. Look at them, they fit so well with each other.

The words linger in his mind, but he’s uncertain if they’re a product of his own thoughts or the ever present dark whispers from his corruption. Either way, it evokes irritation to seethe in his gut and envy to coil around his heart. The emotions are further amplified when he watches from his peripheral vision Childe wrapping an arm around Lumine’s shoulders, teasing her in spite of her audible protests.

Without thinking, Xiao grabs a nearby pebble and flings it at the direction of the Harbinger’s head. He barely catches Childe’s pained yelp before he leaps off, gone in a black blur.

“I wonder what that was,” Childe murmurs as he lifts his head up to where he assumes the sudden attack had come from. His brows draw together into a frown as he notices a glimpse of teal before it disappears in a haste, the color itself giving away who the perpetrator was.

“Maybe you pissed Zhongli off and now you’re suffering from the wrath of his rock,” comes Lumine’s dry remark, and he darts his gaze to her just in time to see her ambling away. He follows after her, catching up to her despite her speedy steps.

“It’s not good to use an Archon’s name in vain, you know,” he teases her, but she promptly sounds a scoff.

“I didn’t call him Morax, now did I?” she retorts instead, frowning before slapping his hand away as he reaches to pat her on the head. “The fight’s over. You can leave me alone now.”

“Aw, you’re always so cold to me, Lu,” he sulks, but pulls his arm away. Feigning a disappointed sigh, he then utters aloud, “You’re dismissive of me, but you’re nice to everyone else. I remember you even joining Zhongli for tea, but you’ve never even once accepted my invitations for dinner.”

“I don’t accept dates,” she answers him, short and blunt. An instant rejection.

One of Childe’s eyebrows lift to disappear into his bangs at the same time his lips curl upwards into a sneer. “Oh? But you’re always going on dates with that little intimidating yaksha,” he casually states, the smirk on his face widening when he sees her shoulders turn into a rigid line at his words. “What was his name again? Xiao?”

Her throat abruptly dry, Lumine coughs before forcing out a response, “It’s not like that, we’re just friends. We’re not seeing each other.”

“Hm. I wonder,” he hums to himself. Although, the tune in his voice implies his disbelief as he cocks his head to study her with a strange glint in his eyes. “Say, Lu. Have you ever noticed the way he looks at you?”

Lumine stills at his question, halting her tracks as her breath hitches in her throat and her mouth parts open in muted surprise. However, she briskly collects herself, narrowing her eyes at him as she mutters, voice low, “What are you trying to say?”

He doesn’t answer her at once and merely supplies her with a lopsided shrug. The curve of his lips takes on a more predatory approach as she notices him taking calm strides towards her and she promptly backs away with each step.

Childe’s voice is chilling as it rumbles through his chest, “He looks at you like you’re the only thing that he cares about in this world. Like you’re precious, like he wants to protect you.”

Lumine’s small back collides against the bark of a tree, and panic course through her being as he places one hand at the right side of her head. “Like you’re food, like he wants to eat you and swallow you whole.”

She hoists one leg upwards to kick at him, but he swiftly clutches a hold around her ankle before she’s able to land a hit and his grip is almost bruising as he speaks, the words hushed, “I would know, I look at you the same way.”

The traveler grits her teeth, ignoring the heat that puddles in between her thighs and the warmth that spreads in her chest at the thought of Xiao wanting her like that. A sliver of hope starts to build before she quickly brushes it off, fearful of what it might lead to if she were to let it grow. She refuses to believe it even if Childe’s blatantly announcing it to her face, because how could she when Xiao himself had admitted to only seeing her as a friend?

Putting one hand on Childe’s shoulder, she then roughly shoves him off of her as she hauls her foot out of his grasp at the same time. Childe’s calm and grinning even as she fixes him with a dark glower, the pained expression in her eyes clear as day as she hisses at him, “Stop messing around. This isn’t funny.”

“Oh?” He quirks an eyebrow at her, the gesture a mocking challenge. “But I never said it was a joke. Hasn’t it ever crossed your mind? Have you never wondered why he hates me so much?”

“That’s because,” she pauses to swallow a lump in her throat, “he doesn’t trust you. Because you’re a Harbinger-“

“Yeah, he doesn’t trust me,” he cuts her short with a nod, the never wavering grin on his lips finally faltering as it turns into a scowl. “But it’s not for the reasons you’d think. Me being a Harbinger doesn’t matter as much to him as my obvious attraction towards you.”

He watches as her brows knit together into a confused frown. Lumine shakes her head, stubborn and determined as she says, “You’re just saying that to pull my leg. You can stop now.” Then she allows herself a deep intake of air before one hand goes to rub her forearm. She likes to do this; it puts her mind at ease and offers her comfort when her mind is muddled with questions. “Why are you doing this anyway?”

“Because it’s getting annoying,” Childe replies, a heavy sigh erupting from his lips. “It was fun at first to see him try not to hurt me whenever I talk to you. I thought it was odd that he would want to keep his feelings hidden, so I liked pushing him. But now it’s becoming exhausting.” He pauses to cross his arms over her chest, a frown now nestled on his forehead. “And now that I think about it, I should be the one jealous, not him. Because you’re obviously fond of him, at least more than you are of me.”

“Then why are you telling me all of this?” she asks him, bewilderment pooling even more at his abrupt change of demeanor.

He shrugs. “Who knows? I could be the bad guy and say that I’m doing this on a whim because I like messing around with people, but I’m not exactly Scara.” There’s a hesitance in his voice as he then drawls, “Or I could be honest and tell you that I just want the girl I like to be happy. And that I’d rather not get a concussion from having pebbles constantly thrown at me whenever we spar.”

His last sentence causes her frown to deepen. “What pebbles?” she inquires, but he simply offers her a cryptic smile.

“Maybe if that stupid yaksha does himself a favor and tell you how he really feels about you, you’d be lucky enough to find out.”

Lumine opts to ignore him. “Don’t walk me back to the harbor,” is all she utters before making to leave.

Childe, fortunately, doesn’t run after her this time.

“Welcome back,” Paimon’s voice is muffled from her mouth being filled with food as she continues to devour the Golden Shrimp Balls she had ordered from Chef Mao earlier.

Lumine notices the dish on her desk and realises that Paimon had it delivered it to her room. Her mind still reeling from her conversation with Childe, she’s vaguely aware of the concerned look Paimon pins her with as she promptly throws herself on the bed.

It’s only when Paimon floats to her side, worry evidently laced in her voice, does she eventually discern her friend’s unease. “Are you okay? Did Childe do something? Should Paimon beat him up?”

The irony in Paimon’s words manages to entice a giggle from her as she briefly forgets her confusion. “I’d rather you not become emergency food this early in the game, Paimon. I still need you around,” she replies, mildly amused when Paimon huffs in return.

“Hey! That was so uncalled for when Paimon’s obviously worried about you! Besides, that joke got old a long time ago,” the fairy angrily retorts, stomping her foot in the air in the way she always would whenever people would say something she doesn’t like. She then crosses her arms, but her glare wavers as she relents, “But since you said that you still need Paimon and Paimon thinks that sweet, Paimon will forgive you.”

“Thank you.” Lumine smiles, actually grateful for the fairy’s presence as she offers her a brief reprieve from her thoughts and the desire slowly brewing in her insides. She pays no heed to Paimon’s protests and extends a hand upwards to give her a pat on the head before saying, “You didn’t order any food for me?”

“Paimon thought Childe already treated you to lunch,” Paimon gasps, guilt gradually crossing her face. “Don’t tell me you haven’t eaten at all since this afternoon?”

“Hm,” Lumine hums instead of answering, as she’s suddenly self-conscious of a different hunger building inside her gut. In truth, food is the last thing in her mind right now, but she needs some time alone to… calm herself and sort through her thoughts. And while she appreciates Paimon, she can’t actually do that with her around.

“Well, that’s no good,” Paimon sighs then peers outside the window, noting that the sunset-colored sky is slowly dissolving into a dark blue as night dawns. Without hesitation, she then sounds out the offer, “Paimon will get you something to eat. In the meantime, you rest here, okay?”

“Okay, thanks,” Lumine calls out as she observes Paimon turning the doorknob and floating out of the room before shutting the door tight behind her. No doubt heading to the kitchen downstairs.

Which is a good thing. Because she knows Paimon will get distracted and probably return later into the night, right after she’s had her fill.

Now by herself, Lumine spins around on the bed until her back is against the mattress and she’s staring up at the ceiling. Flashes of her odd and baffling interaction with Childe occur in her mind, serving to further worsen her already disorienting thoughts as his earlier words resonate in her ears.

“Have you ever noticed the way he looks at you?”

“He looks at you like you’re the only thing that he cares about in this world. Like you’re precious, like he wants to protect you.”

Conflicting emotions begin to swirl in the middle of her chest. On one hand, the prospect of Xiao potentially reciprocating her feelings are joy-inducing. On the other hand, trepidation prickles into her skin at the possibility of Childe simply toying with her. After all, if Childe was speaking the truth, then what would explain Xiao’s absence now?

It’s been weeks since she last saw him at Wanmin Restaurant. She’s accustomed to him rushing to her whenever she requests for his company, to the point that the lack of his presence almost feels like he’s taken a part of her with him. He used to always be there for her whenever she’d call, used to regularly listen to her as she chatted about random details in her daily life. His constant visits was a routine for the both of them, and even when he didn’t offer much to the conversation, Lumine had never minded. Even sitting without a word to each other brought forth bliss; their silence had always been one that was companiable and comfortable. And because he was there, right beside her, and that alone granted her happiness.

But now he’s not here. Even when she utters his name under her breath, he doesn’t appear before her like he used to.

It’s almost as if he’s avoiding her.

Loneliness tugs at her heartstrings, tears stinging at the back of her eyelids as she contemplates if she’s ever done or said anything that might have offended him. Yet even as the gears in her head grate against each other, nothing clicks and barely anything comes to mind.

She misses him. So much so that she feels like there’s a void in her chest that needs to be filled – no, that can only be filled by him.

To say that she’s always harbored feelings for him wouldn’t be far from the reality. His looks are godly after all, and she can’t deny that she finds him attractive. But more than his appearance, what first drew her to him was his personality. Despite his cold exterior, he’s a gentle and kind soul underneath. He’s selfless, opting to suffer alone in his battle to protect Liyue even as he’s constantly in immeasurable pain and his deeds go unknown. It’s a noble cause, but it’s a thought that gives rise to sadness in her as he drags himself into solemn solitude. Others might deem him distant and intimidating and yet-

And yet.

He’s tender with her. The way he carries himself around her is soft and adorable, albeit a little awkward as he’s not accustomed to social interaction. She rarely ever sees him smile, but the demure manner in which he takes interest in her daily routine and holds her in high regard causes her heart to skip beats. He’s attentive to her needs and wishes, always so considerate to her opinions and is keen on learning more about her.

“Xiao,” she murmurs, her voice a hushed whisper. But he doesn’t come. Pain coils around her chest but she swiftly attempts to push it away, though to no avail as the ache persists and her mind continues to wander.

Xiao, who would look at her with a certain tenderness in his eyes. Xiao, who would sometimes fix her with a steadfast stare, his gaze piercing and hot as he practically ogles her from head to toe. Xiao, who would often brush her bangs away from her eyes and sometimes even tuck her hair behind her ear. Xiao, whose hands would occassionaly graze hers, fingers lightly touching each other. Xiao, who’s warm and smells of mint and Qingxin whenever he sits close enough for her to feel their shoulders nudging one another. Xiao, whose hands are hot and rough whenever they spar and thighs strong as he pins her down to the ground, spear close to her hips-

A familiar heat blooms inside her belly as blood buzzes in her ears. She recalls the feral look in his feline gaze as he’d peer down at her during their brawls, the faint glimpse of a fang as he’d leer down at her like a wolf ready to pounce on a poor rabbit. He’d always pull apart shortly after, jolting in surprise at himself before offering her his hand and apology.

But Lumine had never minded it. If anything, she had liked it. The only time she’d ever see him scrutinize her in such a predatory, almost hungry manner is during their training sessions, where adrenaline would rush through their veins and they would cease to think and he would let his mask slip, if only for a little.

“He looks at you like you’re food, like he wants to eat you and swallow you whole.”

She shouldn’t. Lumine knows she shouldn’t. But it’s been such a long time, and Childe’s words about Xiao still echo somewhere in the dark corners of her mind. And she’s lonely and she misses him, and she aches and craves for him-

She can’t. Archons, she can’t deny herself any longer as the need for something- anything, to satiate her urges reach an unbearable peak.

Just a little. She promises herself, hands already going to remove her bloomers. Just a little touch. Just for a bit. She tells herself, though a whine leaves her lips as she props herself on her elbows and peers down at her lower region. Slick gathers between her legs, her folds red and glistening and begging for attention. Unable to hold back, Lumine heaves a sigh before reaching one hand down to graze her swollen lips, a mewl involuntarily emitting from her throat as her fingers lightly stroke against her entrance. She flicks two digits against her sensitive clit, gentle and steady at first before gradually picking up in both speed and urgency.

She thinks of Xiao, of his strong back, of his tangible abs and muscles despite his slender build. She thinks of his arms, biceps flexing and tightening whenever he makes a single motion. Of his gloved hands, callous and hot as they linger on her skin.

“Xiao,” his name subconsciously escapes her, and she almost panics. Almost. Because then, she realises, fortunately, painfully, that he wouldn’t come see her even if she says it.

Relief and hurt combine as they swell in her chest and her fingers sink into her core and her mind simply drifts.

“Xiao.” To the images of him on top of her, a layer of sweat glowing on his skin as he plunges in and out of her, movements frantic and brutal. Then her fingers shove into her slit with renewed urgency, the girl vaguely perceptive of the squelching sounds that follow as her head becomes clouded with pleasure.

“Xiao.” To his eyes, lustful and animalistic as their gazes lock and he brings her closer and closer to climax.

“Xiao.” She imagines the way he would kiss her, the way he would ride out their highs together once they’ve released and the way his hands would caress her all over.

She imagines the way he would breathe out her name, needy and hoarse from desire as he pushes her over the edge again and again. And her knees buckle, her other hand gripping the sheets before freeing itself as it latches onto her clit, jerking it harshly from side to side. “Xiao.”

She wants him, she wants him and wants him-

But he doesn’t come no matter how loud she screams his name. He doesn’t make his presence known even if she’s bucking her hips against her palm, splashing all over the sheets. He doesn’t let her see him even as her mind fills with the thoughts of him and him alone.

He doesn’t come but she does, his name a high-pitched moan, almost a disenchanting prayer as it pours out of her over and over again.

What am I doing?

The question beckons at him, and the rational bits of his mind implores at him to leave, to flee, to hide somewhere- but he doesn’t remove his gaze from the sight presented before him.

He’s coerced himself into steering clear of her, having made the choice that it would be best for the both of them if he were to distance himself. He’s kept at it for weeks now, squashing the urge to be by her side even as she calls his name as he reminds himself that he doesn’t deserve her. That she’s pure, divine, and he’s filthy and despicable. That he’d only taint her if he were to remain close to her.

But he retains the compulsion to watch over her. Whilst he avoids crossing paths with her, he still attends to her even when she doesn’t utter his name, but especially so when she does. He doesn’t show himself, forcing himself to simply watch her from the sidelines instead.

Really, what am I doing?

First the spar with Childe, now this? If his resolve to push her away was really that unwavering to begin with, why did he trail behind when he discerned Childe inviting her for a fight? If his will was really made of steel, why did he come speeding over here when she whispered his name?

He had watched. Watched as she’d been on the brink of tears when he didn’t appear. And while remorse had stuck into him like needles at the notion of bringing her sorrow, he had maintained his stance on the branch of a tree outside her window. Close enough to see her, but far enough not to alert her.

But then he had watched her as she took off her bloomers, had drank in the sight of her as her hands, frenzied and desperate, fondled herself in between her legs. She’s still going at it; the longer she does, the more the speed and force behind her thrusts increase. Her pink lips are parted wide, and his name – dear lord, his name, echoing out of her like a broken lullaby in long strings of whimpers and sharp gasps. Sinful. Beautiful. Erotic.

Why am I still here?

The musing occurs to him as he feels himself constrict painfully against the fabric of his pants. He’s hard, and so terribly hot, and his insides are screaming at him to enter, to touch her, to love her and ruin her and break her-

He can’t be here. If he stays here any longer, he’d go insane. If he doesn’t leave, he doesn’t know what he’d do.

Minutes had passed since then, and yet his trembling legs still refuse to budge. At this angle and with her position on the bed, he can only vaguely see the pearl between her thighs, but she’s wet, she’s drenched enough for him to be able to perceive the telltale sign of fluids trickling down her legs and onto the duvet. It’s a tempting and damning thing, to be able to see her in such a vulnerable state.

And before he knew it, his hands are flying down to the waistband of his pants and tugging them down, not enough for them to droop down to his ankles but ample to permit him easier access to his erection as he pumps and pumps, his rhythm matching hers as his hungry gaze remains on her still. A groan threatens to leave him, but he swiftly stifles it. Metal fills his tastebuds as his fangs dig into his lower lip and draw out blood before he quickly laps the ichor away as he takes in her reactions, observes the quivering of her form and the expression of euphoria at its finest on her angelic face.

“Xiao.”

Stop. He wants to plead with her, but he can’t remember the last time his name had sounded so good, so delicious, so tantalizing as it does now. It keeps spewing out of her, incessant and heady with lust.

“Xiao.”

Don’t say my name like that.

The knot in the pits of his stomach threatens to unravel, his free hand flat against the bark of the tree he’s perched on as his legs nearly give out and he attempts to steady himself. Her breasts bounce with each flick of her waist as she motions her hips in tandem with her pistoning fingers and he greedily devours the pleasant view, his own digits clenching tighter around himself as his pumps grow even more ruthless.

“Xiao.”

More. Cry out for me more. The feral thought crosses his mind only briefly before he violently shakes his head to push it aside. But it returns with a vengeance, persistent as his name continues to spill out of Lumine’s lips. Lips that he had dreamed of kissing more times than he can keep count. Lips he sought to bruise and smother with a heat that he doesn’t understand himself.

“Xiao.”

He has never uttered her name. Has always addressed her as traveler, out of fear that he might somehow taint it if he does.

No doubt he would regret this once reason slaps him in the face again. Yet for now, he’s at the peak of euphoria, and his resolve dulls and his mind ceases to think of anything but her. Then, before he can halt himself, her name erupts from him in a silent cry.

“Lumine.”

At the very moment she releases, pure white clouds his vision, the ecstasy downright electrifying as he spurts at the same time she does.

Chapter Text

“It’s her birthday in a few days,” Zhongli’s voice is careful, almost too careful, Xiao notes, as if the Archon is hesitant on breaching the subject. But the dither in his baritone is replaced with concern when Xiao remains unresponsive and he asks, “Do you still wish to avoid seeing her? I reckon she would very much love to receive a present from you.”

A sudden tightness exists in his chest, almost like a snake coiling around his heart at the mention of Lumine’s patent desire to still see him. Her relentless attempts to get him to come to her keep him awake at night – though, then again, not that he requires that much sleep to begin with as slumber only gives wake to nightmares. And yet, in spite of his seemingly unwavering resolution to elude her, Lumine still refuses to relent.

Seemingly. Because his determination falters with each time that she utters his name every night. Even in her sleep, she calls out to him, almost as if he’s in her memories even in her own insentient subconscious. Xiao’s almost angry – why can’t she just let him go and make things easier for the both of them? – though not quite, because he can never retain that much loathing towards her to begin with.

“She doesn’t need any gifts from me,” Xiao nearly huffs, but then reminds himself that he’s in the presence of Zhongli. The bitter touch in his tune still lingers though as he mutters, more to himself than the Geo god, “I’m certain there are plenty men that are capable of worshipping her with offerings.”

Like that Chief Alchemist from Monstadts that she regularly speaks of. Or the ice-haired exorcist and bluehead bookworm that she tends to hang out with. Or perhaps the owner of the Dawn Winery even. And among many others that he could list, but would rather not to.

But especially Childe. Just the mere reminder of the Harbinger makes him seethe, but he recoups himself at the last minute. He’s positive the Mora machine is willing to spend any amount of money for her, and thus, capable of granting her something of value. Unlike him. Xiao doesn’t have anything that he can think of giving her.

There’s a stern but sympathetic lilt in Zhongli’s ambers. “You don’t know that.”

Xiao simply shakes his head, then with a quivering breath, he states, “I doubt she wants anything of mine.”

Zhongli gently places his cup of tea back on the table before knitting his brows together into a deep frown. “But she does,” he replies, firm yet soft all at once. There’s a pause as he considers something for a fleeting moment before he then continues, “She brought you up during my last conversation with her.”

Xiao’s body turns into a rigid line at that. Voice tense and throat dry, he then questions, though not without a mixture of excitement and dread, “What did she say?”

“She asked if she did something that might have upsetted you,” comes Zhongli’s answer. Quick and straight forward, almost tart even. “I couldn’t tell her anything, considering you specifically requested me not to. After a while, she conceded. I could detect that she wanted to pry for more information, but perhaps she deemed it disrespectful.”

“That’s good then,” the yaksha responds. Relief should have overflooded his system, though for some reason the heavy weight in his heart doesn’t lift.

He eyes as Zhongli idly runs a gloved thumb over the curve of his cup before he murmurs, a trace of curbed agitation in his tone, “How long must you torture her with your absence, Xiao? How long must you force yourself into believing that you are undeserving of any blessings?” A pause, before Zhongli admits with emotion, a fracture in his habitually composed expression, “It pains me to see you hurt her and yourself in this ordeal.”

“It’s because she’s a blessing that I can’t permit myself to corrupt her,” Xiao insists with a firm tune, an oddity that Zhongli rarely experiences as the yaksha is normally quite obedient around him. The Geo Archon is his savior, and Xiao had been comfortable enough to confide in him regarding his feelings for Lumine, but he refuses to listen to anyone. Not even Zhongli.

“She deserves someone who isn’t so tied down with his duties,” he whispers, hands clutching onto fists as his own words drives a knife through his chest. “Someone who isn’t so ridden with karma and hatred. Someone who isn’t so… dirty.”

“You’re not dirty, Xiao,” Zhongli sounds the tender admonishment, but Xiao shakes his head, stubborn and unrelenting. “Then are you prepared?” the Archon persists, voice taking a more sombre approach, “Are you prepared to let her slip away? To see her in another man’s arms?”

I’m not, a part of him roars, aching with despair. But he repudiates it and nods, though it’s evident that he himself is unconvinced as he simply mutters, unsure, “Yes.”

Xiao could list all of the things that he loves about Lumine off the top of his head.

Her scent, always so sweet and calming. Her smile, beautiful, bright and benevolent, even to those who have wronged her. Her hair, the locks like silk through his fingers and feathers on his skin every time they tickle his cheeks whenever she leans close enough for him to be able to feel them. Her hands, poignant and small, despite her countless battles. Her dress, pristine and unsullied, a testimony of her purity. Her slender form, strong but alluring. Her lips, pink and soft in texture. Her eyes, shrewd yet luminescent – just like her name.

But more than anything, he loves how she accepts him. How she calls upon him and treats him like an equal – like he’s treasure, like she cares, like he’s not merely a mess of violence waiting to taint everything that he lands a hand on, like he means something. Her never-ending conversations, her ever-present existence, the time he’s spent with her – they grant him a semblance of normalcy. Of what it would feel like to pretend that he’s deserving of the company and the contented glee and peace evoked from their interactions.

“I reckon she would very much love to receive a present from you,” Zhongli’s earlier words echo in his mind and his hands rummage through the abundance of silk flowers, qingxin and glaze lilies by his feet. This is foolish, he reprimands himself as he sits atop Qingyun Peak.

It goes against his decision to release her, a contradiction to his so-called iron will. Yet he supposes it should be fine. He could simply place the gift outside her window – but then cretins like birds could just float down and snatch it. Or he could ask for Zhongli’s assistance in handing it to her, along with his apology for avoiding her – even if he doesn’t intend on letting go of the charade anytime soon. In any case, surely the mere act of passing the offering to her doesn’t necessarily require his presence. He could work around it, in one method or another.

Why am I even doing this? I thought I was adamant on not gifting her anything? The conflict burrows itself into his subconscious, though his hands continue their handiwork regardless.

His hands. They’re filthy, blemished by eons of slaughter and gore. Tarnished by the evil deeds he’s commited in the past and the numerous dreams he’s devoured from innocent victims. But for now, they’re hands crafting a present for her. For now, they’re hands attempting to offer her something in the hopes of making her happy.

But is he happy?

It’s okay even if I’m not, he reaffirms, but the lie weighs down on him like a boulder.

“Here, girlie.”

Lumine looks up just in time for Childe to unceremoniously hand her a tiny gift-wrapped box, though he chooses to playfully place it on the top of her head. She makes a sound from the back of her throat that ranges strangely between a startled gasp and an irritated groan, but accepts it gratefully regardless as she tips her head forward and it lands gently on her lap.

She observes the present in with a hint of suspicion, a teasing tinge in her voice as she prods, “You didn’t put a ticking time bomb in here, did you?”

He frowns before jutting his lower lip outwards into a pout. “Of course I didn’t,” he huffs, feigning an offended tone despite the lingering smirk at one edge of his lips. “How awful of you to have assumed that I would try an assassination attempt on you during your birthday party.” A pause, then he points at the gift. “Besides, I doubt a bomb of that size would have done much damage to you anywho.”

“Hm,” she absent-mindedly hums, but a smile of appreciation tugs at her mouth. There’s an overtone of remorse in her baritone, however, as she notes, more to herself than to him, “I didn’t think you’d prepare something for me. Especially after the awkward conversation we had last time.”

Childe supplies her with a lopsided shrug and responds in kind, “I didn’t think you’d accept.”

“You’re annoying sometimes, but you’re still a friend, Childe,” she insists, tune firm only for a brief second before it dissolves into a softer one, “But I can’t see you as more than that. I can’t give you what you want.”

Emotion flits in his gaze, though it’s fleeting and she almost presumes that she’s imagined the entire thing as he dismisses her with an uncaring wave. “I know. I just wanted to give it to you anyway. You know, as a comrade.”

She nods her head in spite of discerning his bluff, not attempting to call him out on it as she recognizes that it would only put a dent on his nonchalant façade. Uncomfortable silence ensues after that, and Lumine shifts in her seat before directing her scrutiny elsewhere in an attempt to distract herself.

From one corner of her eye, he notices Xingqiu chuckling to himself after a successful endeavor of putting spices in Chongyun’s bowl, the exorcist already red in the face from either the heat or rage – then she perceives Xiangling and Xinyan chatting amongst themselves. Ningguang dips her head at her in greeting, one hand waving at her whilst the other dangles quite the humongous bag around her fingers – probably a present for her. Beidou is at her side, dutifully chugging down booze as always, but doesn’t forget to scream out invitations for drinks at her direction.

Shenhe and Yunjin are approaching the get-together, and Zhongli is rubbing his fingers against his temples in an effort to prevent an impending headache over something Hu Tao said. Yanfei is discussing something with Keqing, most likely law-related as she observes the Yuheng struggle to keep up with her. Then there’s Qiqi staring at Ganyu’s horns, who keeps protesting that they’re hair ornaments and squirming under her gaze once a while. And Paimon is wolfing down food as always.

Everyone’s here at Liuli Pavilion. They’re all here for her. To celebrate her birthday.

All except one.

“Where’s the high and mighty Conqueror of Demons?” Childe’s inquiry breaks out of her reverie, a welcoming diversion as her thoughts had nearly brought her to tears. Yet, water stings in her eyes nonetheless at the topic he had opted for.

She blinks away the tears and swallows a lump in her throat before answering, “I don’t know. Haven’t seen him in a while.”

Another frown comes to mar his forehead. A snort erupts from his throat, “What, is he too good to show his face or something? It’s your birthday, Lu. Surely he could have found some time in his oh so busy schedule to see you for a bit.”

Aggravated at Childe’s obvious displeasure towards Xiao, Lumine presses her lips into a tight scowl as she murmurs, “It’s just a birthday, Childe. Maybe he considers it irrelevant.” Her words leave her in a daze, almost as if a reassurance to herself more than to her peer.

The Harbinger’s frown only deepens. “You guys used to be joined by the hip. He was always with you. If anything, I can’t recall a day when he wasn’t – with the exception for the past month. But the point is, if he could make time for you when there wasn’t any special occasion, why can’t he come and see you now?”

Lumine feels tears burning at the edges of her eyelids again, but vehemently shuts her eyes tight in a desperate effort to keep them at bay as she hisses through gritted teeth, “It’s just a birthday. It doesn’t matter.”

But Childe persists. “If it doesn’t, why are you making that face?” he probes, only to shake his head at himself once he distinguishes her discomfort. Deciding to finally drop it, he articulates a guilt-ridden apology, “Sorry, Lu. I went out of line.”

The traveler inhales a calming breath in order to push back her emotions. It takes her only a short second before she replies, “It’s fine. Just. Let’s not talk about him for tonight. I’m happy that everyone else is here at least.”

Except she’s not. She’s supposed to be, but she’s not.

Her head is consumed with musings of Xiao, her heart aching to lay eyes on beautiful green mane and striking pools of gold. Anger at herself builds in her gut, dismayed by her own lack of excitement for the day’s events despite her friends’ efforts to make it a joyous occasion just for her. She should be happy, she should-

Lumine’s thankful for Paimon’s intervention as the little fairy zaps past the crowd and in between her and Childe.

“Grr, Childe! What did you do? She looks like she’s about to cry! Oh, does Paimon have a few words for you!” Paimon shouts at the top of her lungs, garnering the others’ attentions as they all direct their gazes on her.

Childe blinks before letting out a shocked gasp, a hand on his chest to emphasize that he’s offended. “Hey, it wasn’t my fault, okay? If anything, you should blame- Zhongli, why are you looking at me like that?”

And true enough, the Geo Archon has the audacity to shake his head at him in blatant disapproval, despite the osmanthus wine his hands a byproduct of Childe’s cash.

It doesn’t take long for the whole party to regress into full-blown mayhem as Shenhe nearly pounces on Childe before she’s halted by Yunjin. A burst of laughter escapes Lumine, the commotion a consoling and delightful sight despite the whirlwind of negativity puddling in her stomach.

In the midst of all the chaos, Lumine notices Zhongli giving her a knowing glance – and she decides, perhaps, just perhaps, she should keep her window open for the night. Just for tonight, just in case.

She tells herself that it’s not because she’s hopeful that Xiao would pay her a visit, but the rapid pounding of her heart indicates otherwise.

Just in case.

For some reason, Lumine has chosen not to close her window.

Xiao had frowned upon seeing it, afraid that a dangerous foe would take advantage of the opportunity and attempt to cause her harm in her slumber. He had been about ready to scold her for the reckless error – only to brush aside the notion when the reminder dawns on him that she’s strong enough to fend for herself, and that he had sworn to give her his present and no more than that. On the off chance that he manages to arouse her from her sleep, he would leap out of her room in an instant, out of view before she could have even ascertain his presence.

The minute he steps inside, he finds himself surrounded by her fragrance. Sweet, pacifying and overbearing.

He jolts as he feels warmth spreading through every nerve of his being, stifling a groan as powerful need brews inside his gut. All at once, flashes of that night crawl their way through his mind – that accursed night where he had feasted his eyes on her moment of weakness and had caved into his desires. It shouldn’t have happened, yet he had allowed it. He had been too weak to resist – a mistake he ensures that he wouldn’t repeat this time around.

Scanning the room, he notes the shadows shrouding the walls and the absence of her floating companion. Save for the illuminated blue casted by the moonlight peering through her window, everything else is dimly lit, barely a sliver of radiance inside. But he’s already adjusted his eyes to the dark a long time ago, and so he’s able to scrutinize her sleeping form regardless.

She’s facing him. If he makes too much noise, it would be the death of him.

Footsteps hushed, Xiao tries to make as little sound as possible as he saunters his way over to her bed. He notes the myriad of presents on her desk – a romance novel, a necklace, and clothes tucked inside an apparently brand new bag that’s too big for its own good amongst many other things. Out of the numerous gifts, however, what catches his eye is a sapphire hairpin, the ornament snugged neatly inside a half-opened blue box.

For a moment, he wonders if that’s from Childe. He had been near the birthday party, though he dared not show himself as he simply watched from the sidelines and recalls, resentful, that Childe had handed her a similar box.

Hesitation starts to tug at him as he peers down at his own present. Some crystalflies and a barely intricate flower crown and handmade bouquet, a testament of his struggle a few days ago due to his lack of knowledge regarding human customs.

In comparison to what she’s received tonight, his offering is nothing short of disappointing.

At the shameful thought, he considers simply leaving with the gift but roots his own feet on the spot as he coerces himself into proceeding with his plans nevertheless. He has already put her through so much suffering – the least he could do for her is this before he would soon banish himself from her life; something he’s certain would only bring her more pain.

His hands are trembling and his insides are screaming at him to flee as he positions the gifts on an unoccupied space on the nightstand beside her bed. That should have been the end of it as he spins on his heels and readies himself to leave, only to halt dead in his tracks as an audible whine resonates inside the room.

“Xiao.”

His name echoes in a hushed whisper, the sound heavily laced with both desolation and affection as it reverberates in his ears.

You should go, his brain implores at him, but his head involuntarily turns to fix his gaze on Lumine’s sleeping face. Sure enough, his name leaves her lips a second time, as breathless as her first call.

“Xiao.”

Ignore her, he tries to tell himself, but his feet are already trudging back towards the bed. He studies her expression, discerning the wrinkles on her forehead and mouth as she scowls and frowns in her sleep. He perceives the glimpse of a tear on one corner of her shut left eye, sweat matting her strands of blonde to her face as they cling to her skin. His hand reaches out, hesitant for only a fleeting second before he brushes her bangs away from her eyes and his gloved fingers trail lower still to her forelocks, the tendrils soft as he tucks them behind her ear.

He shouldn’t be doing this, especially not after making the choice to leave her for good. He knows, he knows, and yet-

How is he supposed to do that when she’s right here, calling out for him?

His digits then proceed to trace the curve of her cheekbones, pressing once before stopping immediately as she stirs in her sleep. That should have been a warning sign for him not to go on, but he does regardless, permitting himself this moment to touch her for the last time as he ghosts his thumb over her eyebrows. He’s trying to engrave the details of her features into his memories as he explores lower still to the tip of her nose, to the bone of her chin, along the line of her jaw – before he stills at the outline of her lips, his fingers taking in the soft temptation. He gives a gentle pull on the bottom half of her mouth, and watches, dizzy with both adoration and lust as her lips part.

The part of him that deems himself undeserving of her is yelling at him to stop, but another part of him – his heart, his soul and his body – pines for her and craves for the slightest taste of her that he can get.

Just a little touch, his mind whispers. Just a little touch before you disappear. Just once before you can no longer see her.

For once, he yields to the latter, dithering only briefly before he slowly leans down.

After all this time, nothing can compare to the bliss that he feels the moment his lips finally brush against hers.

He grants himself a bit of time to take in her taste; honeyed and sweet just like her scent. Dazed, he motions his mouth in a tender fashion against her unmoving one, eyelashes fluttering close as he gives in to his impulses and pushes his tongue out to trace in between her lips. He lingers only for a moment, then pulls apart and gives her another peck; chaste and featherlight before he forces himself completely off of her.

First and last time, he scolds his reluctant self. With that line of thought, he then removes his fingers from her hair and turns to finally take his leave.

But his strides come to an abrupt stop as a hand that is not his own circles around his wrist, fingers smaller than his as they reinforce a firm grip around his arm. Gentle but stern, tender but begging for him to stay.

A playful voice greets him, but he doesn’t miss the underlying sorrow patent beneath as Lumine speaks.

“You can’t just kiss me in my sleep like that and disappear into the night, Xiao,” she teases him, though he’s unsure whether it’s the sweet sound of her calling his name or her phrasing that prompts his heart to do a somersault.

“But you weren’t asleep,” he mutters under his breath, tone borderline accusatory. How could she have known otherwise?

He can feel her smile even though he has his back turned against her as a girlish giggle pouring out of her and she quips, “I was, actually. But you woke me up when you started brushing your fingers through my hair.”

Right. He did do that.

He’s unsure of what to say and doesn’t trust his voice at the moment, so he opts to preserve his silence.

“Look at me, Xiao,” she goes on when he remains quiet and still as a statue. “Please.” Her voice drops to a whisper, dissolves into a plea, and his shoulders tense as his body grows taut.

His throat feels tight all of a sudden, but he doesn’t deny her – or rather, he can’t – as he whirls his head around to face her, the gesture cautious and steady as he eyes her with what he hopes to be an apathetic expression.

The dark-colored night gown leaves little to the imagination as it clings tightly to her form, almost like a second skin as it accentuates the curve of her hips and the suppleness of her breasts. It’s a flimsy little thing; spaggheti-strapped and nearly see-through as it reaches just below her ass, the hemline of it hiking up a little as she throws her legs over the edge of the bed. Her cheeks are flushed an adorable rosy hue as she sends him a timid grin, beautiful as ever as her eyes sparkle with mirth.

The sight entices him. Had he not summoned enough self-restraint, he would have pounced on her and torn the dress to shreds in mere seconds.

The thought makes him shudder and he looks away.

“Are these from you?” she asks him, trying to meet his gaze even as he avoids looking her in the eye.

He offers her a mute nod and ogles her movements from his peripheral vision as she reaches her free hand for the flower crown. Her other one remains clasped around his wrist, her hold firm as if afraid that he might run off if she were to loosen her grip.

“I like it. It’s really pretty.” The gratified hum in her voice elicits his satisfaction, though he quells swiftly quells it in order for it not to shake his will. But Lumine’s clear-cut joy over his presents begins to plant seeds of doubt in his mind as she whispers, elated, “And the bouquet is beautiful too. The crystalflies are lovely.”

“They’re unbecoming of you. Just forget about them and throw them away,” he quickly argues, voice harsher than he wants it to be. While you’re at it, forget about me too. The thought strings itself in his head, but fails to roll off his tongue as a large part of him refuses to utter the words. Frustrated at himself and at her for making things more difficult, Xiao gives a harsh wrench at his own arm, attempting to tug his hand out of her grip, though to no avail as she merely tightens her grasp in return.

“But I don’t want to,” Lumine insists, the melancholic tune in her words prompting his guilty conscience as he instinctively locks gazes with her. Xiao immediately regrets it though as his resolve fluctuates when he briskly notices the tears palpable in her eyes despite the shaky smile she tries to muster.

“Tell me, Xiao,” she whispers, voice hushed, though the sorrow in her voice speaks louder than the volume itself. He feels the fingers around his wrist twitch as she does her utmost to fight back tears, her efforts fruitless as a single tear trickles down her cheeks regardless. “Tell me why you’ve been avoiding me. Tell me why you’re pushing me away.”

The break in her voice draws out his concern as he leans his hand forward to wipe away her tears, his action against his better judgement. Still, he doesn’t budge. “I can’t.”

“Why?” There’s a flicker of hurt and a flash of hot red anger as she lifts her head and looks him in the eye, her gaze piercing and soul-searching as she demands, “I deserve to know that at least. You can’t just leave me whenever you want to and not give me any explanation for it.”

Defeated, Xiao simply mutters, “If I tell you, you’d be more inclined not to release me.”

There’s a pause as she stiffens, a silence that hangs in the air for far too long for his comfort as it drags on for what feels like an infinite amount of time. Lumine suppresses the ill-temper in her voice, voice deadly calm as she pushes him even more, “I was waiting for you. At the birthday party. You didn’t come.”

“I know,” the words leave him without thinking, and he inwardly grumbles a savage curse at himself as surprise flits across her features.

“Were you there?” she prods, though his lack of response is telling enough. “Why didn’t you just join us then?”

“Because it wouldn’t be good if I were to see you,” he growls, the sound forceful as he pins her with an unreadable stare.

Lumine’s own exasperation shines through as she angrily huffs, “And why is that?”

Because if I see you, I wouldn’t be able to leave. If I see you, I’d end up wanting us to be more than this. The answer clicks in his mind, but his hands clench into fists and his teeth grit against each other as he hisses, low and dangerous, “You don’t need to know.”

“But I do,” she asserts. “This doesn’t concern just you, Xiao. It concerns us. You’re tearing us apart.”

Us. How can a single, seemingly simple word bring him so much pleasure and torment at the same time?

Xiao wants to bolt for an escape; he wants to leave, wants to stay, wants to touch her, to kiss her, wants to take her and stake his claim on her. But instead, he settles with a broken whisper, “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

She blinks, startled by his response. A breathless question erupts from her throat, “What do you mean?”

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” he repeats, baritone a higher notch this time, almost a roar as he glowers down at her. He expects her to cower from his glare, but she stands her ground, staring back at him with a gentle defiance.

What a pretty little thing she is. It would be easy to simply push her down the bed and have his way with her- to take those sorry excuses of straps around her shoulders and yank her night gown off her body so that he can ruin her and break her, if only to wipe the bravado off her face.

“You, me. It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” the snarl that echoes out of him is fierce, animalistic even as the sinful thoughts in his head refuse to fade away. If anything, they persist, becoming even more debauched by the second as his control slips and he admits, albeit in an angry tune, “I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you. Wasn’t supposed to get this attached.”

There’s a fracture in her expression as crimson colors her cheeks and her eyes widen in pleasant surprise. Still, bewilderment lingers as she breathes, “Why? Why can’t you be in love with me, Xiao?”

“Because you’re pure,” he growls, and a frown comes to nestle on her forehead. “Because I love you and care too much about you, so much so that it hurts. So much so that I can’t take the idea of sullying you with these,” he pauses, a shaky, violent breath escaping him as he hoists his arms in the air. Disgust is evident on his features as he glares down at his own hands and whispers, “disgusting hands. They’re tainted, Lumine. Bloodied from centuries of slaughter.”

Her gaze softens and there’s a tinge of delight in her voice, despite the underlying concern as she utters, “That’s the first time you said my name.”

“That’s not the point-“

“You’re not disgusting, Xiao,” she cuts short his exasperated groan with a consoling but firm tone. “Whatever that evil god made you do in the past wasn’t your fault.” She frees his wrist, and he makes to take off, only to be forced into a stop mid-way as she pushes herself off the bed and swiftly hooks her arms around his neck – a soothing embrace as she whispers into his ears, “And your karmic debt can’t hurt me. You can’t hurt me, Xiao.”

A gasp involuntarily ripples out of him at the feel of her nimble body against the hard contours of his form as she practically throws herself at him. Hunger pools in the pits of his stomach at the sensation of her plump breasts pressing up against his alabaster chest, but he tries to repress it as best as he can, though to no avail as his urges are only amplified when she pulls him impossibly closer.

He should be pushing her away, should be making her hate him. But he finds his own determination faltering by the second with each brush of her fingers through his hair as she caresses the back of his head in a comforting manner.

He wants her. Archons, he wants and loves her so bad-

“You don’t know that,” he finally manages.

“You’re right, I don’t,” she mumbles, and his shoulders tense. His hands seize a hold around her shoulders as he attempts to shove her off of him, albeit his efforts prove to be futile as his resistance is half-hearted and she takes advantage of that to reinforce her embrace. Her voice drops to the octave of a whisper, an obvious affectionate tune as she admits, “But I still want you, Xiao. I love you. I love you so much. I don’t want to be with anyone but you.”

Her confession elicits a startled gasp from him as the shocking revelation hits him like a ton of bricks. She loves him? Him? Of all people, she’s choosing him?

“You deserve someone better,” he forces out the response, unsure, his lie palpable even in his own ears. The words strike ice-cold nails down to his chest as his heart aches at the mere prospect of her with another man.

She shakes her head, obstinate. “I told you, I don’t want anyone else. I want you. I love you.”

“I’ve murdered many,” he mumbles under his breath, running out of excuses as he finds his arms wrapping around her waist on their own accord. “I’ve devoured the dreams of helpless victims. I’m a killing machine.”

Lumine pulls apart only a little to look him straight in the eye, her gaze as stern as it is loving and gentle as she rebukes, “You’re far more than that, Xiao.” Her hands slither from the back of his nape to his cheeks, rubbing lazy, soothing circles on his warm flesh. “You’re a better man than you give yourself credit for.”

His voice is hoarse as he questions, “How?”

She hesitates, but then plants a demure peck on his right cheek. He freezes at the kiss but she goes on, “You’re kind,” a kiss on his left cheek, “selfless,” a kiss on his forehead, “protective,” a kiss on his nose, “righteous.” There’s a pause as she steals a glance at his lips before finally leaning in to claim them in a featherlight kiss, the words leaving her in a breathless pant against his mouth as she mouthes, “And beautiful. You have a beautiful soul, Xiao.”

He grabs at her hands, his own fingers trembling, though they’re not as shaky as hers as he peers down at her with powerful emotion. “Stop. Don’t say any more,” he tries to sound firm, but the command escapes him in a helpless murmur.

“But it’s true,” she huffs. Feeling a bit braver now, Lumine then tilts her head forward to graze her lips against his a second time. “I love you,” another kiss, “I love you,” and another, “I love you so much, Xiao.”

There’s only so much coaxing he can take before even he collapses.

His walls eventually crumble at her repeated confessions, resolution forgone in an instant as her kisses grows more desperate with each time. A growl, feral and needy, pours out of him as he eventually responds to her fervent kisses, his mouth hot and bruising against hers as he kisses her with pent-up desire and spins them around until she’s pinned between him and the nightstand. Xiao shoves his thighs in between hers, his knee dangerously close to her heat as he pushes it upward, the bold gesture a teasing one as he takes her by surprise.

But the startled gasp that bubbles out of her is replaced with a muffled moan as one of his hands trail lower to knead her right ass cheek, the sudden action causing her to part her lips as he uses that opportunity to delve his tongue into her mouth. The wet appendage sweeps across her teeth before it strokes against hers, the traveler responding with equal fervor as he deepens the kiss.

“Xiao,” she pants, lust clouding her once bright ambers into a murky yellow as he breaks off the lip-lock, a thin string of saliva connecting their lips as his mouth latches onto the sensitive skin of her neck.

“You’re insufferable,” he snarls, squeezing her arse and relishing in the whimper that he earns in return as he licks a long stripe along her slender neck. “How selfish must you be?” he breathes, giving her a sharp nip on her pulse point before pulling apart shortly after to study her with a passion that threatens to swallow her whole.

“Would it really hurt to be selfish once a while?” she asks instead of answering, cupping his cheek in one hand and smiling to herself as he leans into her touch. “I just want you to be happy. Want to give you anything that makes you happy.”

There’s a ravenous glint in his penetrative pools of gold as he nuzzles the tip of his nose against the bony structure of her wrist. “Anything?” he rasps.

“Mm-hm,” she hums, awfully perceptive of his wandering hands as one of them glides from her ass and lower still to finger the hemline of her dress, whilst the other drags from her waist and upwards to the area just below her breasts.

“Then I want you,” he groans, dizzy with a mixture of devotion and lust as he eyes her like a predator ready to take its prey. “I want to have you. To make you mine.”

“I’m already offering myself to you, milord. Can’t you already tell?” Lumine giggles, shame forgotten as she unabashedly pushes her chest into the air in a blatant endeavor to garner his attention to them. She succeeds when he allows himself an indulgent glance at her chest, swallowing a lump in his throat before lifting his disapproving gaze to meet her cheeky irises.

“Seductress,” he grumbles with a click of his tongue despite the itch for more spreading like wildfire in his gut.

“You don’t look like you mind it,” she teases him, the playful mirth in her eyes lingering only for a bit before it blooms into love as she presses their foreheads together. “I love you, Xiao. And I won’t stop saying it until you believe me.”

He doesn’t understand the point, he thinks, as he already does anyway. But if it gets her to repeat those wonderful, joy-inducing words to him again and again, then he supposes he isn’t fully against the notion.

This time, he doesn’t hesitate, voice dripping with a longing that only she can satisfy as he responds in kind, “I love you too, Lumine. Perhaps a little too much.”

Her whole face lights up at that, and his entire body comes to life at that sight alone. The sound of her girlish giggles is like a melody in his ears as he feels a tug at his hand and lets her guide him to the bed.

Chapter Text

Xiao’s kisses are hot and open-mouthed as he draws them all over the warm flesh of her slender neck, sharp teeth nipping and tongue lapping up the layer of sweat on her skin as he feels Lumine squirm under his teasing ministrations. A low groan erupts from his throat as all train of thoughts are quickly pushed aside when she suddenly bucks her hips until her pelvis meets his, the cotton fabric of her panties rubbing and grinding against the tent in his pants as her arms hook around his shoulders.

“Stay still,” he husks, ignoring her soft whine as he places both palms flat against her waist to keep her still. 

She grumbles something incoherent under her breath before complying as he pulls apart, noting the flush on her cheeks spreading to the tips of her ears and the top of her supple mounds as they heave up and down in an enticing manner, nearly exposed to his hungry gaze as the spaghetti straps around her shoulders threaten to glide down her arms.

With a tug, he could have her naked and writhing under him.

But he curbs the urges for now, settling instead on reaching one hand to trace the heart-shaped line at the top of her night gown. Lace, he discerns the material as his fingers curl around the fabric, teasing as he lets his nails scrape against her flesh before he draws them back, his actions earning him another frustrated mewl as Lumine props herself up on her elbows, intending to take the lead if he was going to take this slow.

But Xiao pushes a hand against her shoulders and shoves her back down against the mattress, the gesture granting him the delicious effect of her breasts bouncing in the air as he forces her to lie on her back again.

“Be good and behave,” he cooes, eyes dark and lustful as he studies her. Raw desire burns with irritation as she fixes him with a glare, but he pays no heed to the glower and instead trails his hand lower, fingers brushing against her collarbone before delving down to the valley between her breasts.

“Oh! Xiao,” the needy moan pours out of her as she feels his digits grazing her hardening nipples, arching her back in expectation for more as heat pools between her legs. But the yaksha disregards her display of desperation, opting instead on drifting his fingers lower still to her smooth belly, his motions slow and sensual as leather strokes against the silk of her dress.

“Please stop teasing me,” she whines, teary-eyed as his touch only serves to heighten her arousal. Craving for some friction, Lumine tries to rub her thighs together, her efforts bearing no fruition as he merely pins her left one still with his knee. “Xiao. Just touch me,” she implores at him, breathless pants escaping her as her core aches for attention.

Yet Xiao shakes his head, a cruel glint in his eyes as they flash at her in a dangerous way. After all this time he’s spent pining for her, plagued by images of her touching herself that night and consumed with restless sexual frustration, he feels inclined to put her through the same pain he suffered.

“Why did you leave your window open?” he questions instead of yielding to her request, licking his lips in order to somehow alleviate his urges a little as the girl lets out a choked whimper at him denying her.

“I…” she gulps down, trying to steady her heavy breathing as she peers down at him with puppy eyes, hoping that he would submit if she were to beg good enough. But he quirks an eyebrow at her, tapping a finger against her stomach as if to remind her that he’s still waiting for an answer.

Suppressing a shaky sigh, she then mumbles, voice hushed, “I wanted- Well, I was hoping that you’d come here. I just thought that you might.”

Crimson tints his cheeks at the hopeful tune underlying her exasperated whisper, warmth swelling in his heart as his love for her shines through. Although, it’s overpowered by his own yearning for her as he tilts his head to one side and surveys her night gown.

“Clad in this revealing dress?” he prods, a teasing hum in his baritone as he snakes his hand lower to the hemline of her gown, fingers idly skimming against her skirt. “Were you hoping for me to see you like this?”

Lumine feels her own face warm up even more at his words. She hadn’t anticipated him to be so forward in bed, though she can’t say that she hates it either. It’s a welcomed surprise, even if frustration puddles in her gut at the lack of pleasure.

What a tease he is. Two can play at the game.

“Perhaps,” she purrs, seductively batting her eyelashes at him even as the hairs on the back of her neck stand upright at the loss of humanity in his eyes. “Maybe I wanted you to give in and touch me. Maybe I wanted you tear it apart and use me for your pleasure. To ravish me like an animal and fuck me like there’s no tomorrow.”

She’s satisfied as a hairline fracture perturbs the dominant lilt in his expression, his lips parting open ever so slightly as a breath hitches in his throat.

But the triumphant feeling doesn’t last long, replaced with renewed hunger as he narrows his eyes at her, disapproving but ravenous as he clicks his tongue, “How scandalous. I hadn’t deemed you to be one capable of such a sluttish stunt, but I suppose I was gravely mistaken.”

A quivering gasp involuntarily crawls out of her at his choice of words, the shameful name-calling something she could have never imagined leaving his lips considering his normally distant and composed demeanor. Not that she minds it, if the feel of herself becoming wetter is anything to go by.

Still, she continues to provoke him, a sultry smirk lingering on her lips as her voice drops a notch lower to an equally suggestive whisper, “And? What are you going to do about it, hmm?” She shifts on the bed, trying to push the hem of her dress upwards as she makes sure to spread her legs wider in order to grant him an easier view of the pearl between her thighs. “Are you going to do me, or shall I take the reins for tonight?”

Xiao knows better than to play right into her hands, but he can’t help himself as he spares an indulgent glance at her damp underwear. The slick gathering underneath doesn’t leave much to imagination, her slit noticeable even through the material as fluid dribbles down from the v-line of her undergarment and lower still to her inner thighs.

A feral snarl echoes out of him as he feels himself throb at the lewd sight. For a moment, he nearly caves as the desire to lap her up muddles his brain, only for him to repress the compulsion shortly after as he restrains himself at the last minute and expels a calming but trembling sigh.

He glowers down at her, avid heat and anger evident in the way his stare pierces through her as his mouth tugs down into a dark scowl. A startled but pleased gasp breaks out of her as he leans one arm forward to grab her by the neck, fingers circling around her throat before squeezing as he applies ample pressure to snatch away the oxygen from her lungs, though not enough to actually hurt her as the knot in her belly simply tightens at the delicious mix of pain and pleasure.

“You should know better than to challenge an adeptus by now,” he warns her, sounding a hiss through gritted teeth, “and yet you’re trying to tempt me. Perhaps you deserve a due punishment.”

Lumine tries to utter something in retort, only for a string of strangled whines to erupt from her instead as he reinforces the grip around her neck, his grasp borderline bruising as his fingers dig into her skin. But the dazed smile on her face and the ardent look in her clouded ambers indicate that she isn’t completely against the idea, her mouth parted as her tongue pokes at and trails along her teeth in a provocative manner. Xiao shudders at the sight before releasing her, pulling his hand back to allow her a reprieve as he watches her take that opportunity to inhale sharp intakes of air.

“Strip,” the command echoes out of him in an instant, voice in a tune that asserts authority as he draws apart from her only slightly to cross his arms over his chest.

“What?” The traveler blinks, voice hoarse and still befuddled from the lack of air in her brain as she struggles to catch her breath.

“Strip,” he repeats himself, louder this time as he props himself on his knees, tips his head back and pins her with a heated but calculating stare. “Slowly, so I can watch you.”

A delighted shiver runs down her spine at his husked demand, her quivering hands complying in a heartbeat as they push her straps fully down her arms, her movements steady and teasing as she tries to put on a show for him. The dress droops down her torso all too easily as she feels silk dragging across her skin, her arms hooking below her breasts as she presses them together in an attempt to emphasize them further. She elicits an impatient groan from him in return, the sound causing her to heave out a shaky breath as she finally shimmies the gown down her long, slender legs.

“No bra,” he remarks once the garment is completely off of her. Although, he had felt it before when he ran his hand down her chest, so it had come to no surprise. “Those as well,” he goes on as he gestures towards her panties.

“Mm,” she hums but doesn’t protest as she hoists her hips up to grant her easier access in sliding the underwear off of her. It’s barely managed to slither down her ankle, choosing instead to dangle around her knee as Xiao swiftly clutches a firm hold around her calf and gives it a light tug, forcing her to spread her legs even wider apart.

“Show me how you touch yourself,” he exhales, voice husky with lust as he quickly tucks himself in between her thighs when she attempts to clamp them shut. An exasperated growl rumbles through his chest, “Don’t hide from me, Lumine. Show me how much you want me.”

Her toes curl and her knees buckle from his words alone. “But I can’t-“

“You can,” he cuts her off with a huff, eyes drinking in the sight of her swollen and throbbing clit as her pink folds clench and pulsate with her wetness. “I know you can. I saw you, I watched you that night-“ Her breasts, bigger than he anticipated but still not too huge for his comfort, rise and fall rhythmically with her ragged breathing as her nipples grow taut from arousal and the bone-chilling breeze. “That night when you got so hot and bothered, just for me.”

Her throat dries and her cheeks flush at the abrupt revelation. “You- you knew?”

“Yes,” he drawls, an amused lilt in his baritone as he observes her skin turning into a bright red. “It was hard not to find out when you were screaming my name so loud.”

She sputters before letting out an indignant cry, “T-that’s because I didn’t think you’d come-“

“But you did. Many times, if I can recall correctly,” he silences her with the shameless response, his straightforward retort causing her to throw her arms over her face as the embarrassment finally gets the best of her. She feels him shift on the bed, an extra weight as he leans in and gently pries her hands away.

“Let me watch you again, Lumine,” comes his tender purr as he brushes off the tears of humiliation from the corners of her eyelids. He places a chaste kiss on her cheek, the soft gesture a sharp contrast to his words as he mouths the demanding whisper against her warm skin, “I want to see you come undone all for me. Want to see you go over the edge and cum all over your fingers. Show me.”

His words prompt a whine from her throat, “But it’s embarrassing-“

“You weren’t embarrassed the other night when you were so busy crying out for me,” he rasps, voice hoarse and needy as he buries his head in the crook of her neck and trails hot, open-mouthed kisses all over the supple skin. His lips catch a patch of flesh between them, teeth nipping before he suckles and gives it a harsh suction, making sure he’d leave marks the next morning as he traces lower still to blemish her skin even more. His gaze is penetrating as he looks up at her, voice muffled as he laps at her collarbone and sneers, “What’s the point of being shy now? You had so much fun being bratty earlier. Where did that attitude go?”

“I-“ Lumine tries, but fails as he pulls apart to scrutinize her with a disparaging look.

“Either you show me or I leave you hanging,” he tells her, arms coming to wrap around his chest once more. “Or would you like that?”

You wouldn’t dare, is what she would like to say, but the asserted dominance in his voice and the way he glowers at her makes her melt as the need to do anything that would please him becomes all the more powerful.

With a terribly audible whimper, Lumine slides a hand down to her slit, another mewl leaving her as her fingers, shaking like a leaf, grazes her clit before delving lower to her soaked entrance. She’s awfully aware of his piercing gaze sinking into her and hungrily taking in her reactions as she strokes once, then twice, embarrassment settling it only a moment before being replaced with pleasure as she slowly pushes her digits inside.

“They went in pretty easily,” Xiao comments, and she jolts in humiliation at the amusement patent in his tune. “You’re drenched. Is this all for me?”

The fact that he’s watching her like a hawk only spurs her on as she answers him with a dragged out moan and her fingers instinctively thrust in and out of her slippery core, digits spreading before bending upwards to massage the sensitive spot inside of her as her soft cries escalate into a long string of sharp gasps and choked mewls and her pumps gradually grow frantic. All remnants of reservations are flung out the window as her mind blanks with pure white euphoria, her other hand flying down to attack her clit and back arching in a delicious manner as shockwaves of ecstasy continue to rack through her every nerve.

“Lewd,” he groans under his breath as he drinks in the sight of her mindless chase for pleasure, swallowing the saliva pooling in his mouth as his gaze remains on her flicking hand. Liquid spurts out of her with each time she pulls out before ramming her fingers back in, the squelching sounds that follow her ministrations downright sinful and illegal as her other hand jerks her clit harshly from side to side. Unable to hold back any longer, he leans closer to take in more of the tantalizing view as he breathes, “Archons, Lumine. Why are you so lewd?”

The break in his voice causes her eyes to roll to the back of her head as she pants, “Please, Xiao. Touch me.”

He feigns a hum, gingerly running his index finger along the flesh of her inner thigh; the skin there flushed a rosy tinge as her legs twitch in return to his featherlight touch. “Make yourself cum first.”

Her brows furrow into a deep, exasperated frown as she makes to protest, “But Xiao, I-“

Yet he doesn’t relent and merely provides her a shake of his head. “Do as I say.”

Intoxicated and drunk from his syllables alone, Lumine submits, her wrist becoming sore in an instant as she works the muscles of her arm to its utmost capacity, fingers pushing as deep as they can go as they swiftly stab through her walls again and again. Her hips blindly buck against her own palm, movements unsteady and lacking any technique but nonetheless successful in increasing the pleasure tenfold as she loses herself under his watchful gaze. Everything cuts to white noise as she shatters around her fingers, breathless cries of his name gushing out of her as slick coats her knuckles and the sheets.

“Xiao. Oh, Xiao! Haah—”

The debauched way she gasps out his name as she rides out her orgasm causes his eyelashes to flutter close, a grunt rumbling through his chest as he feels his hard-on constrict painfully in his pants. He eyes her like a starving man as she dissolves into pleasure, licking his lips at the sight of her splashing all over the duvet.

He needs more.

Lumine sighs in content, pulling her fingers out in an audible pop as the shockwaves of her climax lingers still on her skin. Her euphoria-induced state of mind barely registers Xiao removing his gloves, only realizing it later as he places his warm and callous hands on her knees, the abrupt touch causing her to lurch in surprise. A startled gasp escapes her as she turns to peer down at him, only to see him crouching between her legs. She watches as he slips his middle and ring finger into his mouth, sucking once and swirling his tongue around until they’re completely covered with his spit before he then extracts them from his lips.

Her nerves sting from sensitivity, her entire body still convulsing as she pleads with him, “Wait, Xiao-“

“No more waiting,” he growls, the sound hungry and animalistic, dripping with unadulterated desire as he promptly buries his fingers inside, ignoring her yelp at the sudden intrusion as he relishes in the feel of her walls pulsing around his digits. He slowly pushes through her folds until only his knuckles are visible, his free hand grasping one side of her waist to keep her still when she attempts to flee from the stimulation as he purrs, “You wanted me touch you. I’m giving you what you want.”

“But I’m still sensitive-“ A sudden pause as he begins thrusting his fingers in and out of her. “Xiao, please.”

But Xiao knows no mercy, her pleas falling on deaf ears as he curls the tips of his digits in an effort to locate her g-spot, his endeavors successful as confirmed by her ecstatic cries as he repeatedly slams his fingers against the sensitive bundle of nerves. His lips take refuge in trailing soft kisses along her jawline as he whispers, “You can take more, can’t you? For me?”

How can she say no to him when he speaks so sweetly like that? How can she deny him when this feels oh so good?

She bites on her lower lip at his honeyed baritone, tears stinging at the back of her eyelids as his slow and gentle thrusts eventually intensify, his fingers quickening at an inhumane pace to complement the deep and hard drag of his fingers along her walls as a shaky pant finally bubbles out of her. The tension in her muscles dissipate as she feels her body relax to take whatever pleasure he decides to give her.

“Good girl,” he cooes against the skin of her cheek, giving her a small peck before he draws apart to bury his head in between her legs, groaning at the way she involuntarily bucks against him as his mouth suddenly wraps around her clit while his fingers are still lodged in her pussy. His lips suckle before he hollows his cheeks and gives her a harsh suck, savoring the sound of her screams rising an octave higher as he mercilessly flicks his tongue against her, his hot and fast momentum matching the brute force and speed of his pounding fingers as he permits himself the slightest taste of her.

A sweet flavor surrounds his tastebuds, the bitter aftertaste leaving a tingling sensation on his tongue as he swirls it around her clit before wrapping his lips around her once more, sucking harshly as he furiously shakes his head from side to side. His own saliva mingles with her juices as he lets go, his tongue unrelenting as it quickly goes to assault her nerves whilst his fingers continue to drive in and out of her.

She tastes more divine than he anticipated.

The occasional sucks of his mouth and incessant flicks and swirls of his tongue, coupled with the blinding pleasure of his digits brutally slamming against her sensitive nerves make her shudder as she positions one hand on his fluffy mane.

“Xiao, it’s too much,” she whines, sobs rippling out of her now as she tugs at his hair, unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer as her thighs press against either side of his head. Already, she can feel the fire in her belly reaching a fevered pitch.

Her hips lurch upwards when he gives her a particularly harsh suck, though her movements are soon restricted as he hooks one arm around her waist and pushes her flat against the bed in a silent order to be still. His mouth latches onto her, the yaksha thirsty for more of her essence as he leans closer with each time she tries to squirm out of his grasp.

He feels her walls clamp down on his fingers like a vice, and instantly comprehends it as a sign of her impending release.

His suspicions are confirmed when Lumine begs, “I’m close, so close. Please, Xiao, move your head away-“ The grip around his green tendrils tighten ever so slightly as she tries to wrench him off of her, almost painful as a numbing ache instantaneously travels down his scalp at the sharp tug. Instead of deterring him though, the pain only serves to egg him on even further as he increases the rate of his fingers and tongue, eyes flittering close as he basks in the intoxicating scent of her wetness.

A couple more thrusts and a couple more licks follow before she comes undone, transparent liquid gushing out of her and coating his hand and face with telltale signs of her climax as he feels her legs tremble uncontrollably before going limp around his shoulders. He groans, greedily lapping up every drop of her cum before eventually pulling apart and lifting his head up to meet her gaze.

“Did I do good?” he asks her, his voice an oddly timid tune despite his earlier actions as a shy blush flits across his cheeks. Lumine manages a laugh despite still trying to catch her breath as she cups his face lovingly with one hand.

“Don’t worry about it,” she reassures him, a playful glint in her pools of amber as she looks him in the eye. “If anything, I think you did too well.”

The flush on his features darkens in shade at her amused response. “It’s been a while,” he admits, somewhat embarrassed. “I was afraid that my skills might be lacking.”

“Lacking?” she echoes, almost incredulous as an expression of astonishment crosses her face. “To be honest, I actually assumed you were quite experienced. Aren’t you used to this?”

He shakes his head, though male pride swells in his chest at her praise. “I don’t engage in intercourse quite often. The last time I slept with anyone was centuries ago. I fail to see sex as a necessity.” His hand finds solace on her stomach as he draws lazy circles along her porcelain skin. “The few times I actually tried it was out of morbid curiosity. It had been mediocre at best, and unpleasant at worst.”

“Well, that’s an awfully rude thing to say about your previous partners,” she giggles, albeit a surge of relief floods her at the thought of her possibly being his only positive experience as a pleasant hum rumbles through her chest. She wraps her arms around his neck, gently pulling him closer as he nuzzles his nose against her jawline. “How did you even go through with it anyway if you weren’t feeling it at the time?”

Xiao permits himself one last kiss on her temple before drawing apart only slightly to look down at himself. “They… had to stimulate me a little.”

“Oh.” There’s a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she grins. “Do I have to stimulate you too?”

It’s endearing how flustered Xiao appears in spite of having made her squirt just minutes ago. “You’re an exception. Just the thought of you is enough for me,” he confesses, words earnestly genuine.

Her features mirror his as pink tints her cheeks. “Well, I still want to make you feel good anyway,” she mumbles, a demure smile on her lips as he makes a strangled noise from the back of his throat.

“If you insist,” he gruffs, hands already going to remove the rest of his clothes.

By the time he’s done peeling off his shirt and and the extra sleeve around his left arm, Lumine’s already sitting up and reaching for his strong abdomen, the pads of her fingers taking in the feel of his muscles flexing underneath as the touch earns her a low but pleasant hum. Her nails rake through his skin in a teasing fashion at the same time he props one hand at the top of her head, her digits leaving a warm track all over his flesh as they glide lower still to the waistband of his pants. She gives the material a firm yank as his hand runs through her hair, fingers curling around her soft locks before grabbing a fistful of her mane as she manages to pull his pants down to his knees.

She grants herself only a fleeting second to appreciate the bead of pre-cum at the tip of his shaft, heady with desire from his musky scent as she eagerly leans in to take him into her mouth. Her warm breath fans over his erection only briefly before he all but abruptly jerks her head back, the sudden pain shock-inducing but not exactly unwelcome as a needy whimper echoes out of her.

“You said that you wanted to please me,” he drawls, the look in his eyes wild and feral as he leers down at her, “which means you’ll do anything I want, in however way I want it. Is that correct?”

Lumine squirms, but whispers a breathless pant, “Yes.”

“Open your mouth,” he commands and she instantly does as she’s told, her jaw falling slack as her lips part. However, instead of shoving himself down her throat, he settles for rubbing the head of his cock against her lower lip, groaning in approval as her mouth glistens with a layer of his arousal in response. He lingers there for a few more moments, teasing as he simply smears her reddened lips with fluid before he eventually tugs her down dick, ignoring her startled cry of his name as he’s assaulted by the wet, hot and tight sensation of her mouth engulfing him completely.

He throws his head back, a hiss of pleasure escaping him before his gaze falls on her face again as he waits a bit for her to adjust to his size. She sends him a desperate look shortly after, a sign that he indicates as the go-ahead as she lets him motion her head up and down his manhood, pulling her up until he’s almost fully out of her mouth before forcing her down until her nose brushes against his pelvis. He repeats this again and again until he adds the delicious gesture of his hips thrusting into her mouth in time with the continuous jerks of her head. Each tug is harsher than the last as he mercilessly rams himself down the back of her throat and his lover overrides her gag reflex, slobbering all over him as she inhales greedy intakes of air with each time he wrenches her off of him before hollowing her cheeks almost immediately when he pulls her down again.

She’s sure that her mouth will be sore after this as she feels him fucking her mouth with renewed urgency, eyelids fluttering close as she revels in the grunts of pleasure erupting from his throat as he proceeds to use her as he pleases. She swallows around him, saliva dripping down her chin as she barely catches the savage curse he mutters under his breath before the hand around her hair tightens ever so slightly, his grip borderline throbbing as he threatens to pry her locks out of their roots. Lumine pays no heed to the stabbing ache traveling from her scalp and lower still to the back of her nape as she focuses on applying firm pressure and steady suctions.

The muscles of his thighs tense as his abs flex, a shuddering breath pouring out of him as he feels himself going over the edge. “Lumine.” Instead of hauling her off of him, he pulls her head closer as he stills, an unsteady gasp as he rasps, “Swallow. Every drop of it.”

She moans around him at his words, the vibrations that come as a result serving as the last push he needs before he shoots long spurts of his seed into her mouth, his entire body quivering as his vision fades to black. Obedient as ever, Lumine tries her best to gulp down his essence, struggling only a little before she relaxes and savors the feeling of his taste slithering down her throat.

He flops out of her lips with a soft sigh, not allowing her any reprieve as he briskly bends down to claim her lips, his mouth hungry against hers as he shoves his tongue inside and tastes the slightest bit of himself. He breaks off the kiss as quickly as he had started it though as he grabs at one of her shoulders and pushes her back down against the mattress, relishing in the bounce of her breasts before he gives into temptation and swoops down to circle his lips around a nipple.

“Xiao,” Lumine whines, back arching and pushing her chest further into his face as he swirls his tongue around her bud, “inside. Now. Please.”

He feels himself throb at the impatience in her dulcet voice and doesn’t deny her any further as his own need to take her reaches an unbearable peak. Shifting a little to prop his knees under hers, Xiao pulls her hips lower until he’s pressed flushed against her entrance. He draws apart, her nipple popping out his mouth in a wet noise as he hooks her legs around his shoulders, utilizing the added leverage to his advantage as he strokes himself against her folds before slowly but surely sinking into her hole.

“Mine. You’re all mine,” comes his possessive growl as he pulls out almost completely before burying himself hilt-deep inside her again, swallowing the ecstatic cry of his name as he slams his lips against hers, feverish with the heavenly feel of her pulsing around him as he wraps his arms under her armpits and around her shoulders in an attempt to pull her impossibly closer.

There’s a stutter in his hips before he sets a steady rhythm, thrusts slow but deep at first as he greedily takes in the sensation of her tight lips engulfing around his cock in blinding pleasure. Yet this doesn’t last long as he loses himself in how good she feels, a groan tearing out his lips as he breaks off their lip-lock in favor of trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone. He’s pounding into her now, pace hot and heavy as he rams into her with a force that could have broken a normal human into two.

“Ah! Xi-ao, oh, Xiao!” Her screams are reduced into chopped syllables and pathetic attempts at saying his name as the headboard slams against the wall in tandem with each violent flick of his waist. Her whimpers rival his own sounds as sharp gasps rumble through his chest, his head dipping upwards to give her a firm kiss on the lips as sweat beads his now glistening skin and trickles down his chin.

His thrusts speed up and his body rolls slightly to the side, the position giving him an entirely new angle and rewarding her with more pleasure than she felt before as the tip of his cock brutally grinds against the sweet spot inside of her, sending electrifying shockwaves of pleasure to rack through every fibre of her being. Lumine throws her arms around his neck, uncaring of the volume of her voice as he devours her sounds with his mouth and her nails dig into his skin, no doubt leaving bloody marks in its wake as they claw and scratch on the flesh of his back.

Her eyes, which she hadn’t realized had closed sometime during their rough lovemaking, flitter open as he pulls apart only slightly, their foreheads pressed against each other and their lips barely touching as they breath each other’s air. She takes that moment to drink in his expression; furrowed brows in a concentrated frown, eyelashes long on cheeks flushed a cute pink and lips parted ever so slightly to let out silent gasps of her name. His hair sticks to his face, matted to his skin by his own sweat as a telltale sign of a pair of fangs that glint in the dimly lit room greets her gaze as they peek through his opened mouth.

He’s the exact epitome of perfection. Sculptured by the heavens just for her.

His shut eyelids fly open as she cups a hand over his cheek. His beautiful pools of gold are striking as ever as they lock with hers, filled with boundless love and desire as he croaks, “What are you looking at me like that for?”

She somehow manages a giggle in the midst of her long string of euphoric mewls. “I’m just thinking about how much I love you, silly.”

The already existing rosy hue on his cheeks deepen into a bright crimson as he pauses, trembling as his heart threatens to leap out of his chest before resuming his uneven thrusts. “I love you too,” the emotional pant echoes out of him, “You’re my everything, Lumine.”

Coming from anyone else, she would have deemed those words cliché. But coming from him, they’re poignant and glee-inducing.

That’s all it takes before she explodes. With a couple more hard thrusts, he does as well, spurting and painting her insides a depraved but lovely white.

“Lumine,” is all she hears before her consciousness drifts off from exhaustion.

Perhaps he had pushed her limits too much. Although she hadn’t seemed to mind his rough treatment towards her, he would have to ask her and confirm it regardless in the morning.

Xiao stares at the slumbering girl beside him, her head tucked neatly between his arm and chest as he traces a finger lovingly along the curve of her ear. She stirs in her sleep from the ticklish touch, but doesn’t offer him anything else other than the hushed murmur of his name under her breath.

He feels his heart skip a beat at the sound. Really, what a selfish woman she is.

Sleep. Another foreign concept. Does he even need it? In truth, he most likely doesn’t require it, considering he’s survived well enough without. If anything, he’d rather avoid it, especially when it would leave him jolting awake in a puddle of his own sweat after countless nightmares every night.

But with her in his arms, he feels like he could try sleeping again.

Pulling her closer into his embrace, Xiao breathes a sigh of relief, soothed by the sound of her soft breathing as he allows himself to be carried into the land of dreams. It wouldn’t matter if he were to awake from yet another nightmare, as her presence alone would be able to put him back at ease.

Unsurprisingly, the night felt as if a heavy weight had lifted off his chest like water down his back.

By the time he’s aroused from his sleep and the morning sun’s greeted him with an all too bright shine to his face, Lumine was already awake, body covered with his marks and hair decorated with the flower crown and collection of crystalflies he had gathered for her.

She twirls around the room with his bouquet in her hands, uncaring of her own nudity as a girlish giggle leaves her smiling lips, the sound a pleasant melody in his ears.

“Xiao, how do I look?”

He studies the pretty glow on her cheeks and the beaming grin on her lips and feels a curl on the edges of his own.

His answer comes in a heartbeat, “Like an angel.”

She flushes a dark red at his unexpected romantic response, her mouth parting open and close as she sputters. And as she begins ranting about getting dressed before Paimon comes barging into the room in a blatant attempt to cover up her own embarrassment—

—Xiao notes that the morning also marks the first time he’s ever smiled or laughed. 

She is a beacon of hope for a hopeless soul like his, an honor for the Conqueror of Demons and a blessing from the heavens above. But more than anything, Lumine is his heart and his home. And not for the first time, he finds himself thanking her for the light of her presence in the muck he calls his life.