#why not cast it on the other witches 😭 why are we in this damn tunnel in the first place 😭😭

[scriptmyworld]

I love this show but by god. why does it feel sometimes like whenever they think outside the box the box has been sitting on a busy freeway

[vraiao]

✰ . this is just pure fluff because i love xiao so much he is my everything and i would die for him, gn!reader and gn pronouns used

a/n: this is inspired by this really amazing xiao fluff I just read, written by @/the-traveling-witch(linked). ALSO!! thank u guys lots for all of the notes on my dan heng fic I'm literally blushing <3

this is NOT proof read i am too damn tired😭

you and xiao had been pretty close for quite some time now, and had both fallen pretty hard for each other, despite each of you being completely oblivious to the other's feelings. xiao had no idea how you managed to crack the icy and distant walls he had so carefully built around himself or why he even let you do that, but he was grateful nonetheless.

today, you both sat atop mt. aocang, chatting about various small topics over dinner, and unbeknownst to you, he swore to himself that you would know just how deeply he felt for you before you both parted ways for the day. as he spoke, you couldn't help but acknowledge the way a soft smile graced his lips every so often and the hypnotic softness of his voice that you swear you could fall asleep to. not only that, but you appreciated just how ethereal he looked. the sun setting shone directly on his back, creating an almost angelic aura around him that perfectly complimented his glowing amber eyes. his hair swayed in perfect rhythm with the wind, and occasionally his bangs would connect at the ends, creating a perfect heart only for a moment.

xiao, on the other hand, was admiring how the sun's rays were cast on you, highlighting every nook and cranny of your perfect face. being around you spawned a feeling of warmth that tugged at his heartstrings in all the right ways-- something that he was very unaccustomed to. he would listen to your endless stories about your adventures in liyue harbor for the rest of his life if he could, never getting bored of the interesting things and people you came across. "ah, so you enjoyed your time in the recent lantern rite festival as well," he said as you finished up the story you were telling.

your eyes then lit up, as if you had remembered something important. "speaking of the lantern rite festival.. xiao, do you remember the first time we met?" you regarded him with a soft, expectant smile as you waited for his response.

how could he not remember? that fateful day, meeting you, was the moment everything changed for him. because you, a shining light, were cast directly into his life that was once plagued with shadows.

it was the day of the lantern rite festival two years back from today, and the only day that xiao could take a break from his duties as protector of his beloved city, liyue. he saw no point in the meaningless tradition of releasing thousands of lanterns into the sky every year, but he'd watch them every year regardless as a tribute to his fallen comrades who once loved the lanterns.

he was making his way over to mt. tianheng because it sat directly over liyue harbor, and he could see the entire city from that spot, including every light that flew into the sky, while he could also watch out for any potential danger. nearing the area he usually sat, his eyes landed on you, sitting in the very spot that he usually did. you didn't seem like a threat, but he still neared with caution. "how come you aren't in the city, mortal?"

upon hearing his voice, you turned to face him and smiled upon seeing his face, holding up a painting of the view before you two so he could see it. "well the view seemed nice, so why not paint it!" you exclaimed. you didn't recognize him as the protector of liyue since you were clearly not from the area, as shown by the fontaine attire you wore. you patted the spot next to you, beckoning him to sit. "and you are?"

he sat down next to you, eyes scanning the painting in your hands. "i am known as adeptus xiao, protector of liyue," he said, pausing before he continued, "your painting is very well crafted. it captures the scene before us wonderfully." hearing his words, you respond with a smile before gently setting your painting down on the grass before you. "I'm actually finished with this painting so.." you trailed off, pulling an empty canvas and a few more colors out of your bag. "can i paint you? if you don't mind, of course."

xiao was seemingly caught off guard by your quest, his initial thought being to refuse. but, he thought it over and decided that no harm could come from a simple painting. he responded with a curt nod. "sure.. go ahead. i suppose it wouldn't hurt." you grinned, already beginning to paint, "great!"

for the rest of the night, you both watched the lights together while you painted him, simultaneously getting to know him by occasionally starting small talk.

he nodded, regarding you with a gentle smile. "yes, of course i do," he said. to that, you smiled. "so, i was thinking.." you started to say before trailing off. he tilted his head to the side, saying nothing and waiting for you to continue.

lost in your thoughts, you snapped out of it when you realized he was waiting for you to say what you were thinking. "we should see the lanterns at the same spot again this year!" you exclaimed.a soft smile graced his lips again. the thought of spending this night watching the lanterns with you granted him a feeling of peace. "I agree, that's a wonderful idea," he said.

with a grin, you stood up, packing your things in a hurry before grabbing his hand and pulling him out of his seat as you began to walk. "glad we're on the same page," you said with a soft laugh. "if we leave now, we'll make it just before the lanterns are released!" the feeling of your hand interlocked with his sent a burning feeling straight to his face, which he prayed wouldn't be made visible by a rosy hue on his cheeks. he suddenly began to wonder why you didn't just ask him to teleport you both, but didn't question it and followed alongside you anyway.

after walking quite a distance, you both finally made it to mt. tianheng, and stood in the very spot that connected you both some time ago. upon arriving, the once-setting sun had now reached its full descent, and now the moon and the stars had graced the sky with their presence. you let go of xiao's hand when you stopped walking, which left a strange feeling of absence within him.

he looked out into the stars absentmindedly while you set down your things, thinking of just what to say to you. noticing his silence, you turned to face him, but to your surprise, he was already facing you. you were going to speak, but he interrupted. "hey, can I tell you something?" he said, soft-spoken with a hint of unsureness in his voice.

you regarded him with a soft smile and nodded. "of course, xiao! you can tell me anything." his heart fluttered, and with a deep breath, he began.

"honestly, i'm not exactly sure how to put this into words correctly, but.." he trailed off and paused for a moment before speaking again as he regained his train of thought. "y/n, from the moment we met, you brought the feeling of happiness back into my life, that of which I wasn't sure i'd ever feel again." he grabbed your hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before continuing, his fingers intertwined with yours.

"even thinking of you makes my karma feel lighter, and I guess what I'm trying to say is.." in the corner of his eye, he could see a blink of light, and another, and another. one by one, the lanterns flew into the air, gradually painting the sky with bright oranges and reds, as if the stars themselves had come closer just for this moment. without thinking, he placed a gentle hand on the back of your head, resting it in your hair as he leaned in closer. before you knew it, your lips met in a passionate kiss that conveyed his feelings better than his words could.

initially, your eyes widened in shock at the sudden contact, but they fluttered closed as he detangled his hand from yours and placed it on your waist, pulling you closer. his other hand moved from your hair and rested on your cheek, lightly caressing your soft skin with his thumb.

pulling away, your soft breaths mingled with his, the light from the lanterns perfectly illuminating your face while complementing the hues of red that painted your cheeks as he stared lovingly into your eyes.

"i love you," he whispered.