#yes i capitalized on the trauma from raiden and inazuma

[theaverewrites]

Dead On Your Feet - Whumptober 2022

Why was it so hard for them to tell him anything?

Xiao told them time and time again: if you're in danger, call me. I will protect you. And yet, the only time the Traveler ever seemed to call upon him was for frivolous matters such as food-tasting. Not only was such a thing an insult to his skill, it was worrying. As far as Xiao knew, the Traveler was a mere mortal. One of exceptional caliber, yes, but mortal nonetheless. Why did they always seem to drag themself into the problems of the divine?

This time, the Traveler had visited Wangshu Inn after a prolonged stay in Inazuma. Xiao had never left Liyue, but he would've if it meant keeping them safe from what they'd go through there. They told him all about their multiple showdowns with the Raiden Shogun, the death of the 8th Harbinger, the war, all of it. 

They usually never spoke of their problems, of their journeys nor their frustrations. So Xiao sat and listened, not wanting them to shut themself down again. Perhaps that was when he should've noticed it. But he didn't. 

He also should've noticed when they became so uncomfortable with their own body. The two of them would sit and talk in the rain on the balcony. But after Inazuma, the traveler avoided the rain. They said they didn't want to wet their clothes. If that was the real reason, it was unlike the Traveler to be so materialistic. 

Most importantly, he should've noticed their newfound fear of lightning. With every strike, every rumble of Thunder and every flash of light that filled the sky for but a moment, he could feel their fear grow and manifest.

As they were hunched over, asleep, he noticed.

Crawling down the back of their neck, the rest covered by their clothing, was an untreated burn mark. No doubt from lightning. They must've noticed that he saw it, because they stood up instantly, their clothing once again covering the injury.

"Traveler."

They didn't turn to look at him. He couldn't see their eyes, so he could only assume that they'd widened. 

"You're hurt."

Once again, no response. Xiao furrowed his brows. Why were they ignoring him? He moved in front of them, his own eyes widening at their pale complexion. Without warning, they stumbled backwards. Xiao was behind them quickly, his chest providing support for them. He gentle scooped them up, disappearing with the wind.

He lay them on his own bed, quickly calling for Verr Goldet to call a doctor. The Traveler's breathing was irregular. They had flushed red. Was it an infection? Could burn injuries even become infected? 

Xiao didn't even realize he'd been pacing until Verr Goldet arrived with Doctor Baizhu, a man he didn't exactly trust—ethics wise, anyhow. He knew Baizhu was of incredible skill. But still, he had no other choice but to allow him to see them. 

"It's possible they've developed Sepsis," Baizhu told him after the examination. "Their neglect to get it treated led to dead tissues not being removed. That leaves them vulnerable. It's not certain, but it's a possibility."

Xiao didn't know what Sepsis was, nor whether or not it was fatal. But after Baizhu let him into their room, he took a seat next to the Traveler’s unmoving body. Their breathing had steadied, their chest rising and falling. A frown adorned Xiao’s face. He would remain here until they woke.

Whenever that may be.