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❝I'm in love... with you❞
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Imagine loving the person you met once in your life but you didn't know. On top of that, imagine not knowing you were in love.
How tragic.
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"If you're able to... ahem... could you try to convince to Xiao go with you?"  Verr Goldet mentioned quietly nervously twisting her fingers together. You looked at her with an are you sure about that expression written on your face.
"Are you sure you want me, to ask the one and only adeptus Xiao to come with me to the Lantern Rite festival?" You asked again unconvinced. She nodded shyly as a response.

"Why me? Does Xiao not attend the Lantern Rite festival normally anyways?" You asked her curiously.
"Well you see, Xiao's always busy with his Adepti duty for the past thousand years. He's never properly experienced it besides watching from the side lines, guarding the people from Liyue from monsters or spirits on the special day. It would be nice of him to have a break I suppose" she said, with slight sadness shown in her eye as she finished explaining. You nod understandingly about his situation. However one thing wasn't quite clear to you.

"I'm sorry to ask again but, why me?" You ask curiously. Verr Goldet's expression became overridden with nervousness. "Ah- Well you're from another world you see! And he's not human so that's why I thought you would be fit for the job. That's it, no other reason" she chuckled anxiously letting out an awkward laugh. Right totally not suspicious at all... you thought to yourself.
"Plus! He's in lov- I mean finds you quite nice after the time you met, don't worry. Now come listen closely here's the plan" she quickly let out trying to change the subject. First time meeting huh? Memories started to flood back as you remember your first encounter with the intimidating Adeptus. When first seeing his appearance you thought to yourself; wow I'm going to roll for him- as you first laid eyes on him. You found him quite interesting for his role in this world of being an Adeptus, you wanted to know more. Though you remember to yourself that first impressions of you to him may have went terribly, ending with him hating you due to his cold attitude.

Little did you know he'd beg to differ in that moment, or first impression when he first met Paimon and you at Wangshu Inn. Something about you felt different to him. You too had caught his attention. Though the words he spoke to you were, "It's for your own good. Leave. Now." it was all a lie to himself. He didn't want you to leave him and he didn't want to leave you. But it was for your own good until you came back to him again, bearing with his favourite food Almond Tofu and questions about the little ghost girl he helped find refuge. It warmed his heart in a way he couldn't describe. People saw him as a weapon, an ancient adeptus to be summoned for their own greed and needs however deep down something about you begged to differ his usual senses. You plagued his usual ways and morals on mortals. But of course, being the Edgy Adeptus he was he didn't let you know, keeping it deep inside.

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"Y/N? Earth to Y/N are you okay? You've been spacing out for the past 5 minutes. Paimons' getting worried." the small NRE packet exclaimed nervously snapping you out of your muddled thoughts of this mornings plan.
You clenched the plate of Almond Tofu tightly due to Paimons' voice slightly jump scaring.
"Ah yup, I'm okay just a little bit nervous is all.. haha." You said trembling your words.
"Stop being so nervous, it's not like he's going to kill you or anything. Paimons' sure 8 Almond Tofu's are good enough to call him to us, Don't you think?" Paimon said flying around happily. You glance briefly at her with a small smile and nodded, gently placing down the Almond Tofu onto the blanket.

The sun had started to set around outskirts city of Liyue the skies displayed an aurora of golds, purples, and pinks throughout the airy sky. As it slowly transitioned into the dusky start night sky. It was the perfect weather and scenery for a perfect special occasion. The Lantern Rite Festival. A once in a life time experience for those in Liyue to encounter and experience. The hustle and bustle of voices, music and celebration could be heard from the distance. You and Paimon were waiting in near the entrance of Liyue with a laid out a blanket crossing your fingers hoping that the Adepti you wanted to come. Paimon scanned the blanket one last time checking if everything was in place brushing off her hands smiling proudly.

"Now we just wait and hopefully things will go accordingly to plan-"
"What is this 'plan'?" A familiar voice asked rashly cutting off the 5 minute meal packet. You whipped your head around to see the familiar figure stand before you.

Short. Fearsome. Cold. It was him, Adeptus Xiao.

His figure stood tall towering slightly over you with his eye brow raised in curiosity to what he had just overheard. His turquoise hair was wind swept, blowing slightly through the light breeze. His spear gripped tightly in his right hand. The presence he held from just standing there was immaculately terrifying in every way. His eyes glowed a deep amber with a hint of curiosity and excitement painted behind his "cold" expression. He didn't want to scare you however judging from your shocked face, he did.
"Hey Xiao-" you nervously let out a chuckle slowly facing the Adepti.

"Eep Paimon's leaving!" She exclaimed quickly as she vanished into thin air. You wrung your hands nervously as you smiled awkwardly stepping aside. "Ta da! This was well a part of the plan" You jazz hand blanket area you had set up.
His eyes flickered towards blanket filled with Almond Tofu. They were all placed in a circle with a poorly draw picture of him stuck in the middle. The scent of the delicates wafted through the air as it filled Xiaos' senses. No one had ever done something like this for him before in well, forever.

He shook his head shaking away trying to shake his confusing thoughts. This couldn't be right, no mortal should be lingering with the likes of him right? He should just leave, turn away, never see you again. His head was pounding with conflicting thoughts of leaving you yet his heart wanted him to stay. Though he would see you tread along the fields of Liyue following your every footstep looking after you in case danger arose - he craved more than just the sight of you from afar, your voice, your smile, your touch, all of it. Every little detail of you drive his heart insane, conflicting his moral thoughts. His head was screaming to spit out "If you want no trouble, stay away from me. See me as a weapon, and nothing more." At you. It was his usual response to any mortal suggestion or ideal. Yet his heart wanted to embrace and keep you close to him feeling your warmth, never to let go.

"So, apart of your plan was to present me with 8 Almond Tofu's with my drawing of face in the middle. I have seen a child's drawing and better offerings from a frog than this. " He stated holding in a chuckle for the ridiculous drawing of himself.
"Hey! don't insult the drawing, I worked pretty hard on that and all the Almond Tofu's. Hmph anyway... you are kind of correct Mr. Know-it-all. " You said pouting slightly, salty at his insult about your drawing. He simply smirked at your attitude.

"Well I'm here now, what's next. Explain while I eat and make it quick." Xiao asked in a rude tone, as he crouched down to pick up a plate of Almond tofu ready to devour it. You slapped his hand away at his attempt to eat the delicacies you had prepared for him, holding his arm away. The touch of your warm hand on his lingered on is skin. He could feel a slight churn in his stomach that he couldn't describe.
"Xiao where are your manners, I'm not going to let you eat it until you properly ask." You smugly said. Was this pay back since he insulted your drawing? Perhaps. He tilted his head back at you with an annoyed expression looking into your eyes, however he couldn't help but feel a slight tug on the bridge of his lips. He rolled his eyes playfully. So you want to play that game huh? he thought to himself. So be it.

"Y/N, May I have a piece of this offering please? While I eat this, please explain to me this plan of yours... before I finish and devour you instead-" 'subtly' mumbling the last bit under his breath. His lips curled into a small smirk as he stared into your E/C eyes playfully. You slowly let down his arm and smiled with triumph nodding with satisfaction at his answer. Though you didn't hear the last part of his sentence, you decided to brush it off. Xiao began to dig it engulfing the first place in one go. Who knew Adeptus had such a big appetite.
"Well since you ever so nicely Xiao, I'll tell you the next part of my 'plan' though I won't spoil anything big for you, so next..."

The word spoil made his ears prick up. Spoil? What were they planning? Thoughts began to conjure within his head as he tried to piece what you could possibly have in store for him - phasing him out as you continued on explaining. Xiao still couldn't grasp the concept on why you were lingering with the likes of him. How you were so open and playful with him. Was this safe for you? Hanging out with someone with this much Adeptus in-humane energy? He knew you weren't from this world but he couldn't help but be concerned for you, about your safety. In eons he had never experienced or this unknown feeling he felt. It was a mixture of pain, sadness, yet happiness in his stomach, His eye brows furrowed with thought and he continued to phase and devour the delicacies you had prepared for him.

"After I take off your blindfold you'll see what I mean, got that Adepti?" You say brushing off your hands. He stared blankly at your excited expression and decided to just go along with it.
"Yes, understood. Let's go" He nervously replied, embarrassed to admit he did not hear a single word after the word "spoil" was mentioned. You look in front of Xiao at the 8 empty plates that were presented on the blanket, not a single crumb left on the plates, it was all gone.
"Wow I did not expect you to eat that quick, right let's get started then!" You quickly packed up the blanket and plates placing it in your magical inventory that could hold up to 1000 items. Afterwards, you pull out a black cloth holding it carefully.
"Could you... turn around please?" You lip quivered nervously as you approached the Adepti carefully.

His heart started pounding nervously as he obliged. He should've listened to your explanation. He could hear your footsteps slowly approach him. Your warm breath against his neck as you began to carefully wrap the blindfold around his head. Your breath lingered across his back whilst his heart thumped harder and harder. His mind and instincts were screaming to run and shove you off, fight. But he couldn't, his heart and body trusted you. As you tighten the black cloth on his head making sure it's secure you gently held his hand. Xiao tightened up from the sudden movement he didn't expect it. He could feel his heart pound as you wrapped your hand around his waist. It was a new feeling for him, the warmth that you shared with him lingered across his body sending chills across his spine. You were close to him.

You guided him slowly down to the gates of Liyue step by step. Xiao could hear people all around him, whispering all sorts of things. It confused his senses. He was nervous, he didn't know what could happen. He was surrounded by people with nothing but you to hold onto and trust. He'd never been in a situation like this, needless to say you were just as nervous. You ducked and weaved through the crowds as the music boomed through the atmosphere. You knew you couldn't stop, you knew that he hated people well mortals in general - just as Verr Goldet mentioned, so the best way to lead him to his surprise was by blindfolding him. Luckily to which he obliged to. He'd only agree to you, no one else.

The scent of fresh food wafted through the air along with the laughter of children stringing kites and playing with Knick Knacks all around. The atmosphere was breath taking as Liyue flourished in life. Xiao grunted uncomfortably as he was losing his patience slightly, he wanted to see what was going on. He wanted to see your face and take you away from all these people. You began to panic and pick up the pace.
'Hold on were almost there Xiao, it's almost time too. Just hang on."  You murmured into his head softly, embracing him and guiding him to the special place.

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"We're here!" You exclaimed happily unwrapping the blindfold from Xiao's eyes. His golden amber-like eyes fluttered open to see a magnificent view of Liyue Habour coming to life. Lanterns illuminated the dark night star, along with it the sound of rejoice from the citizens of Liyue. The people he longed to protect for eons on end.

You and him were standing in a quiet area near the balcony port of Liyue harbour. It was lit up with decorations that you and Paimon had set up for him. Miniature lanterns dangled across the balcony brim with silk flowers attached on the inside. It was beautiful. Xiao was speechless as he took in the glorious view around him.

"You did all this... for me?" He asked shell shocked, batting his eyes towards you. His expression was softer than ever, it was like a flower blooming in the sunlight for the first time. His whole demeanour had changed. It went from terrifying, anxious to now in awe. You nodded with a light smile as you adored his expression. Verr Goldet was right, he did really miss out on a lot about Liyue despite being its protector since forever. His expression was painted with so many emotions that you couldn't depict however one stood out to you. Admiration.

Right then and there he wanted to cry. Tears of happiness and appreciation. No one had ever done something like this for him before, not only that it was you who did it for him. The person who he had admired for so long ever since meeting for the first time. You were the most special person in the world to Xiao and doing this was like the cherry on top in his world. His stomach churned and twisted with nervousness, his heart pounding out of his chest. He felt light headed, was he sick? 

"Xiao? Are you okay?" You asked worryingly at the stiff Adeptus, he didn't realise that he blanked out again staring at your face. He was sub-consciously admiring your face in awe as his thoughts muddled with confusion. There was a slight tint of pink displayed on your face due to the strong gaze that Xiao gave you. It made you heart flutter as you stared back in those moments.

"No I'm not okay." He responded back. You looked at him with a concerned expression.
"Why did you do this? I have so many questions. Why? Why do you make my stomach churn every time you come close to me? Why do I want to hold you and never let you go? Why do I want to protect you? Why do I feel this way? Am I sick? I-"  You finally understood why Verr Goldet set you up for this. Xiao was in love, with you. You cupped Xiao's face as it was the most delicate flower in the world.

"Xiao..." the way his name slipped out of your soft lips made his heart stop. His heart fluttered even harder as goosebumps began to form. The touch of your fingers lingered against his skin. He craved more of you, right then and there. He was selfish he wanted more but he knew he couldn't. The world felt like it stopped in its tracks. The mumbles of the bustling crowds and music seemed to fade away. Leaving only you and him with the gleaming lanterns left in his sight. It was like a dream, a dream he wished to never end.

"...You're in love." You whispered as you caressed his face softly. His eyes gleamed with awe. Love. Affection. Emotions he had never felt before. Yet he wanted more. "If that's the case then..." he began softly pulling you in from the waist leaning against your ear.

❝I'm in love... with you❞

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F I N I S H

A/N:
Verr Goldet fangirling that her ship became true rn. I felt like I didn't do the first Xiao oneshot justice to him + he was just released so I had to write another. It was a hella long chapter but I had fun imaging it ;). I hope I fed ya'll Xiao simps well with this one and good luck to those who roll for him ! I actually tried rolling for him and got keqing instead of him LMAO OH WELL. Anyway loll I hope you guys enjoyed and thank you as always for your support.
Stay safe <3

P.s quick mention, since school has started uploads might be a bit later than usual. I have tons of homework and assignments to do I hope you understand! That's all have a great week everyone!! (And I swear I'm working on the 4K special it just might take a bit sksksk)

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