"Xiao? Are you there?"

A wave of nervousness washed over me after I dared utter those words. It was foolish of me. I was in no danger, nor was I in dire need of assistance. I was standing alone, overlooking Liyue Harbor's ocean as the sun set beyond the horizon.

"You called?"

I looked behind me. Perched in a tree was the adeptus I had the nerve to call upon.

"Are you…busy?" I managed to ask.

Xiao stepped from the tree, and in a flash of anemo mist, he appeared on the ground in front of me. He learned forwards towards me, his brow knitted as his eyes searched me.

"Xiao, calm down!" I assured him, holding up my hands and taking a small step backwards. "I'm not in danger."

Xiao relaxed his shoulders, and his expression softened a tad. "You inquire about how busy I am? My work is never done. I protect Liyue fro--"

"No, no, I know that!" My cheeks were burning from embarrassment. Ever since my feelings for Xiao had changed, it was difficult to speak properly to him. "I just wanted to see if…you wanted to…"

"Ah. You wish to walk around the harbor," Xiao nodded knowingly. "There are no pressing matters. I can accompany you. Especially if…we may visit Wanmin restaurant again…" His cheeks flushed pink for a brief second.

I giggled. Xiao had a difficult time admitting he enjoyed human activities such as eating Xiangling's cooking.

The silence between us was a bit suffocating. It had been a while since I had last seen him, and I had an uncontrollable urge to close the physical gap between us. I took an unsure step forwards and extended my right hand towards his side.

Xiao glanced down at my hand. His muscles tensed when I touched him, but he didn't resist me taking his hand in mine.

Xiao locked eyes with me after I had taken his hand. "You are bold, touching me."

I gave him a nervous smile. "I just wanted to be closer to you." I felt so stupid after doing it.

Xiao's expression didn't change, but his grasp on my hand tightened slightly. "Let's go."

I was nearly dragged down the road by an unusually eager Xiao. He seemed to be a bit impatient that night, for he help walking quickly and ignoring most things he normally would find interesting.

The only place he actually stopped was Wanmin restaurant, where Xiangling greeted us with a big smile. Apparently, Xiangling had been hard at work creating a new dessert inspired by Xiao. Since almond tofu already existed, Xiangling was trying her hand at making a dessert with similar texture but in different flavors. Xiao, amazed, asked if all food could be turned into that texture, and Xiangling looked excited.

"Xiao, we're kind of speed running our walk tonight," I remarked, doing my best to keep up with the nearly power walking Xiao.

Xiao stopped walking and turned to face me. "Is my walking speed inadequate? You humans are--"

"No, Xiao, normally you take your time because you want to learn things that I like. You said it yourself," I sighed. Did I do something? Did me touching him bother him so badly?

Xiao's expression betrayed a sudden look of sorrow and disappointment. "I…I wanted to…"

Xiao turned around and began walking away.

"Hey, don't just walk away!" I called as I chased after him.

Xiao stopped in a quiet, empty gazebo that overlooked a beautiful pond full of lilies and fish. The moon was high in the sky and reflected off the water.

"Don't walk away without explaining," I said, irritated.

"I didn't want to come," Xiao said, his voice rough.

My heart felt a sharp pain. "O-oh…"

"I just wanted to spend time with you in solitude," Xiao added quietly.

My heart skipped a beat. "Huh?"

"I don't know what to do in crowded places," Xiao continued. "I…missed…your company. I wanted it to be done as soon as possible so we could go somewhere quiet."

My heart melted at his confession. "Xiao…you should have told me." I placed a hand on his arm.

Xiao flinched under my touch, his head snapping to stare at where I was touching him. "Why do you keep doing that?"

"To be…closer to you," I answered. It was really the best thing I could come up with. Sometimes it was hard explaining the more abstract human concepts to him.

"You are close to me," Xiao said. "You have created a bond that is impossible to sever."

"We can…be closer than that," I said cautiously.

"By…touch?" Xiao's voice cracked in uncertainty.

I slid my hand up his bare arm. Xiao's hair stood on end, his eyes widening. "Xiao I…want to…"

Xiao turned his body towards me. My hand slid from his arm to rest on his chest when he turned suddenly, but despite my embarasment I didn't move it.

"Want to what?" Xiao demanded.

"I want to be close to you forever."

Xiao looked confused. "We already have a bond."

"E-even deeper of a bond." I could believe what I was saying. My face was hot, and I knew it would have probably been obvious I was blushing if it wasn't for the poor lighting.

Xiao lifted a gloved hand and hesitantly touched my cheek, made a dissatisfied face, then pulled his glove off.

His fingers were long, strong, and surprisingly gentle. They lightly stroked my cheek, Xiao intently focused on this action.

I cupped my hand over his and learned my cheek into his palm. Xiao gave a small gasp when I did so.

I decided to take the initiative. I took a step forwards, which caused Xiao to step backwards, his back hitting the gazebo wall. I pressed my chest against his and ran my hands up his arms.

"H-hey…" Xiao gasped. His heart was beating so fast and loud I could feel it. "What are you…doing?"

"Giving you a hug," I halfways lied.

"I know what hugs are, this is…not that," Xiao said in a breathy voice.

We were the same height, so reaching into his hair was easy. I had been wanting to touch his hair for so long. It was as soft and thick as I imagined it would be, and I couldn't help but stroke it.

"Can I get closer?" I asked him.

Xiao gave me a small, silent nod, right before he leaned his forehead on mine.

I pressed my lips gently against his. Xiao's lips didn't move, so I pulled away from him.

"Sorry," I mumbled. Maybe it was too much of me to assume that Xiao could understand.

Xiao's arms suddenly pulled my waist towards him, pressing my body against his. His eyes looked focused, like when he was in battle against the strongest of foes.

He kissed me, lightly. My mouth parted slightly, and I could feel the softness of his lips in mine. It was a gentle, clumsy kiss but it was the most passionate and desperate kiss I could have ever imagined.

"X-xiao…" I said quietly.

"Is this what you wanted?" Xiao asked, unwilling to let me out of his embrace.

"Yes." My heart was pounding.

Xiao kissed me again, this time a rougher, more passionate kiss. I was taken aback, but soon melted into his embrace anyways. But it was not for long, for I soon realized we were in public.

I broke away from him. Xiao was panting heavily. "N-not here Xiao. We should go somewhere we can be alone."

"I would prefer that," Xiao agreed. Before I could protest, the adeptus swept me off my feet and carried me. A breeze whipped by us as Xiao took us away in the Liyue night wind.

~~end~~