Just One Wish
Xiao couldn't remember how it started, but now it was a habit he couldn't seem to break…
The Statues of the Seven were really just guideposts- reminders to the people of Liyue and all visitors that this was a land ruled by contracts and the power of Geo, nothing more.
So why did he find himself visiting them so often?
Well, okay, visiting one of them. He spent hours on the Wangshu Inn's roof just staring out at the statue in the Dihua Marsh, because there was just too much chance of a merchant on the road coming upon him out in the open out there.
So, he flitted to the Statue in Minlin instead. It floated nobly among the clouds, surveying the land and its people far above most of Liyue's highlands, on a thick bed of plaustrite. There was no chance of being spotted visiting this quiet area.
After all, Cloudretainer, Mountainshaper and Mooncarver were all happily locked up in their domains. They had no interest in the outside world. They seemed to be enjoying their freedom since all of them had agreed to let the Qixing deal with the nation's problems now. If the humans had indeed grown strong enough to handle the responsibilities they wanted to take on, let them prove it.
The others were retired and Xiao was tired too. His own duties would never end though. He had always known that. Everytime he wondered about stopping his vigil, guilt and shame pulled him back in. He had hurt so many people by his former master's command. How could he even think of resting when he had done so much harm? Besides, he promised Rex Lapis his life…
His lord had worked hard to make Liyue the sprawling city and the surrounding lands safe and to keep them protected. If he was tired of being that god, and wanted to retire, Xiao certainly couldn't stop him… Why even try?
The two of them still met and talked occasionally. But it wasn't the same; Xiao missed working with him directly.
Immediately after the Archon War there were many, many gods and their grudges to deal with. Keeping them from harming the mortals of Liyue was a monumental task. The yakshas were plentiful in those days, but it still took planning and coordination between them to complete their task. Just as in the war itself, Rex Lapis had often advised and guided them.
Now, of course only the strongest of those ancient gods were still capable of leaking their power and anger back into the world. And even then there was usually no malevolent intelligence behind these monsters.
Fortunately or not, even now, Liyue's rugged stone landscape still took after its God. Because the land as a whole, would continue to remember those dark emotions for many generations to come. So, Xiao's job would never end.
He knew his master was still there, watching over everything from within the city, pretending to be a human. But it wasn't the same- everything had changed. Xiao was bored; the world was only getting more annoyingly confusing.
So, in the year since Zhongli retired to life as a human, Xiao had begun to visit his statues when he was especially bored or wanted someone to talk to. Being naturally quiet and shy, he didn't want to bother anyone and he didn't need anyone to answer his thoughts anyway. Just saying them out loud was enough to soothe the restless tempest within him for a while.
He and his lord still saw each other when Zhongli wasn't busy with his human job. But it wasn't the same. He should be happy that his master was finally happy, but mostly he was just bored- and tired.
So, he just liked to sit close to the statue of him and think. And as such, he usually brought small gifts- like a pretty flower or a particularly nice piece of cor lapis that he found while out hunting for demons to slay.
These small objects would always be gone on his next visit. But they probably just blew away in the high winds of the upper highlands. Xiao would never hope that his lord knew of his visits, much less his habit of bringing these presents in the first place.
In his heart he knew that his lord would always be watching out for Liyue behind the scenes. Hadn't he proven that just three weeks ago when he literally reached in and pulled Xiao out of the jaws of death yet again?
But after thousands of years at his post, Xiao had hoped that saving Aether and his friends was enough to earn him freedom in death. And clearly his god had other ideas…
On the one hand, Xiao was happy to know he was still valuable to his lord. At the same time though, he didn't know what to do with his time anymore… Oh there would always be demons to slay and small children losing their toys to hilichurls- keeping busy wasn't the problem.
When he wasn't working, he was finding himself more and more curious about the mortals that were so highly prized by his master. He still didn't understand why his god considered them so wonderful. But spending so much time with Aether and his friends in the Chasm, he had come to see that they were definitely stronger, more resilient and more interesting than he ever noticed before.
He didn't know how to express that curiosity though, so he hadn't tried. Instead, he had taken to visiting these ancient statues that he had only ever watched from afar previously.
Lately though he was actively avoiding his master. Not that his lord had tried to summon him. But Xiao had been making sure to stay away from the Inn and these statues since the Chasm incident. Xiao had only realized a few days after his god saved him that he hadn't reached out to tell him goodbye.
And he felt terribly guilty about that knowing that his own heart still felt the sudden loss of the other yakshas so keenly. Even with Bosacius, Xiao never got to say a final farewell before the unthinkable had happened and he was left alone with his task.
So this time it was Xiao who had tried to leave without saying goodbye. And his lord was much, much older than Xiao. Thinking back on all the people, other adepti, places and things that his master must have lost in 6,000+ years must be overwhelmingly lonely.
But now, it seemed that three weeks was long enough to hide from his feelings. He could never say this to anyone directly- especially his lord. But he was reasonably sure that he could apologize to the statue, and hope that would be enough.
Today's gift was a small but beautifully carved dragon pendant of fine noctilucus jade. He'd found it yesterday after clearing a hilichurl camp that had been infested by his karma near the Inn. Unfortunately, it seemed Xiao had arrived too late to save the wealthy merchant that the pendant had belonged to.
Xiao sighed, he didn't have a chain handy so he hung it on a simple cord of rolled leather and brought it here. His master had always had a soft spot for beautiful objects, particularly those made of stone or gold. So, giving it to him seemed like a good idea. After all, it was too exquisite to leave it in the water to be trampled beneath the mud or crushed by the neverending horde of hilichurls.
Xiao sighed as he appeared on the edge of the statue's upper rim. He leaned down to place the pendant in the statue's lap.
"I'm sorry," He said softly. And then, before he could stop himself added. "I know I shouldn't- but… I love you. I always have."
He was relieved when, as always, the statue didn't react. So, while he was acting crazy, he did something even more stupidly ridiculous…
He kissed it.
On the lips….
"I- uh… Thank you, for saving me…" Xiao added. He was about to teleport away, to go hide in embarrassment for the next thousand years.
But he felt his master's presence materialize behind him. Xiao quickly turned to face and bowed before him. But his lord stopped him and pulled him into his arms.
Xiao looked down. "M-My lord! I'm so sorry… I- know I shouldn't be here-"
"Xiao, wait. Please don't apologize and don't hide from me again," The former archon's voice was softer and more beautiful than Xiao had ever heard it before. He raised Xiao's chin gently. "Since the moment we met, I hoped and dreamed that someday you would come to me like this…"
"But I spoke without thinking and… I shouldn't have acted so… scandalously."
"Xiao," The former archon was smiling at him, so warmly that Xiao blushed and looked away again. "I'm so happy that you did. Because I have wanted you since the moment I saw you. But I was afraid to act on my feelings because I didn't want to hurt you. You have already suffered so much for so long. How could I confess my love knowing that it would force you to accept my advances? I always hoped and even suspected that you loved me too. But I could not act until I knew for sure."
"I-I'm sorry, my Lord. But I'm unworthy of your presence, much less your heart. We both know that."
"Isn't my heart for me to decide though?"
Xiao almost rolled his eyes. His master was entirely too happy about this. Xiao had no right to behave so insolently and-
"Oh, and you and I have already discussed the fact that I am no longer your lord and master, have we not?"
"Yes, my- Zhongli," Xiao blushed. "But I was a slave- how can anyone even stand to look at me?"
"Xiao, you are so much more than just the terrible things that have happened to you. You are so gentle and selfless, so incredibly determined and infinitely stronger than you will ever know. When I look at you I see everything I've ever wanted in a lover and in a mate."
Xiao blushed even more. What? He was asking Xiao to become his mate? Adepti mate for life- this was not just a confession of emotion- it was a spiritual bond too.
"Though we can't directly produce offspring we can still be lovers, right?"
Xiao didn't know what to say so he just nodded. But after a moment he frowned. "But- what about the others?"
"The other adepti? They have known how I feel about you for millennia. I wanted to tell you, my little bird. But I couldn't risk hurting you. You mean too much to me."
"I- don't know what to say…"
"Then don't say anything- there's no rush. Just kiss me instead." Zhongli was so close to him now that Xiao was feeling overwhelmed. Not only by his height and strength of presence, but because of his incredible beauty and his scent. He smelled so good- spicy and musky but somehow refined and elegant too.
"My- Zhongli," Xiao whispered… Even if this was some kind of a crazy dream or even an empty promise, Xiao wanted this to be real. He had never wanted anything as much as he wanted to take this chance.
He had been obsessed with this magnificent creature since the first time he saw him. Only back then Xiao was certain that his master would never really notice him.
Zhongli bent down to kiss him. And as soon as their lips touched, Xiao sighed with pleasure. Fuck, he had wanted this for so long!
Everything about it was perfect. He had never kissed anyone before, but this was definitely everything he had been hoping for and more.
Zhongli's lips were soft and warm. Ghosting over his own like a silken shadow. Gentle and soft, his master moved slowly, allowing him to relax enough to get used to the feeling before deepening the kiss.
Xiao was already lost in the moment, instinctively wrapped his arms around his neck and held onto him tightly. Zhongli was still careful to be gentle with him, and Xiao wanted more.
His body felt weightless when Zhongli picked him up in his arms but Xiao still wanted to be closer. He couldn't help wrapping his legs around his waist.
Zhongli sounded like he was purring as he let his tongue brush against Xiao's lips. Xiao understood and eagerly parted them. He moaned, welcoming his master inside.
Their kisses deepened, threatening to drown him in a whirlpool of sensation. Xiao's body felt like it was on fire. He wanted more of everything all at once. His stomach felt like there was a butterfly trapped in it but somehow that only made him hotter.
But, before he could stop himself, Xiao tried to pull away. He was suddenly embarrassed by his erection when Zhongli's hands slid down his hips and cupped his ass instead. Xiao couldn't escape though with his master holding him tightly against him. Xiao was soon entranced again, unable to hold back his moans. He wanted more of that… but at the same time he was afraid of it too because all of this was so wonderfully new and exciting.
"Relax, my little bird, I love having this effect on you." Zhongli whispered against his neck, nipping it lightly before kissing him again. "But I want to take you to my bed now."
Xiao nodded, mindlessly panting in between long, slow kisses. They instantly appeared within a large well appointed bedchamber, decorated in the finest gold and chocolate brown silk imaginable.
This had to be a dream, right? A wonderful dream that he was going to wake up from soon…
But for now, he could feel Zhongli hardening against him and he loved it. He groaned as his hips began to grind against him on their own.
"Slow down, my love," Zhongli purred, against his neck before nipping him gently. Xiao arched and tipped his head back to give him better access. "You look so beautiful like this. I want to see and taste all of you."
Xiao blushed as Zhongli laid him on the bed, suddenly realizing he had no idea where they were and he didn't care. All that mattered was getting more of his beloved master's body pressed to his. He never thought anything could feel this good.
Zhongli helped him remove his clothes and kissed him again before rising again to take off his own. Xiao was entranced. He had seen his master naked before- his god had never been shy. But this time Xiao was so close to touching him… He could hardly breathe as Zhongli stood before him.
Tall, lean and well muscled without being bulky, Xiao's mouth watered at the mere sight of him. The length and girth of his member was impressive too…and intimidating to be honest. How was that supposed to fit inside him?
Xiao's own length couldn't compare to that and he blushed nervously, trying to cover himself with his hand.
His master's eyes stood out in the half dark room, glowing like twin pools of molten gold.
"You're so beautiful," Zhongli purred as he crawled onto the bed next to him. He moved Xiao's hand and kissed it before setting it aside.
Xiao blushed, he liked hearing that Zhongli thought he was beautiful but part of him didn't believe it. He knew he was plain in comparison to the adonis leaning down to kiss him again.
Once again Zhongli moved slowly and gently, kissing him breathless before running his hand down Xiao's body to his nipples.
Xiao sucked in a sharp breath as his master trailed kisses down his neck and chest. These were all new experiences and he couldn't keep up with the pleasure he was feeling. But he didn't want it to ever end… "Please…"
"Please, what, my love?" Zhongli was purring again, another deep rumbling sound. And Xiao loved it. He felt nervous, but happy, hearing proof of his master's contentment.
"I- don't know…" Xiao blushed, burying his face under his arm. "I just don't want to stop…"
"Look at me," Zhongli purred, gently moving Xiao's arms above his head and then raised his chin to look into his eyes. "I want to see your face and hear your every sound. I have waited so long to taste you, hold you in my arms and make love to you… If this is a dream, I need to do this before I wake up."
Xiao couldn't help agreeing. He nodded, blushing and arching his back as his master bent down to lick and suck at his nipples. He gasped, his hands found their way to Zhongli's neck, nestling his fingers into the long hair that tumbled down his back.
"Yes, touch me. Show me that you are mine at last." Zhongli moved slowly, and gently as if he were trying not to startle him. Trailing kisses and licks down his body very slowly.
But at the moment, Xiao was writhing mindlessly under him. His cock was so hard it was painful, he knew that he might come even before either of them touched him there.
He rarely took the time to touch himself. There were always so many other things to do and he didn't want to acknowledge the part of him that was lonely and wanted to be held close and touched. After all, he was bound by karma, something like that could never happen.
These new sensations of love and pleasure were too much all at once. But he didn't want to stop. His master's lips and tongue felt so good all over him that when they reached the point of his hip, Xiao could only moan and try to open his legs.
He wanted more of this wonderful, slow teasing. But he also craved to feel Zhongli's strong, muscular form on top of him. Pressing him into the bed and sinking his member deep inside him.
Xiao was so overtaken by that thought that he moaned, and sucked in a sharp breath as Zhongli marked his hip with a particularly hard nip and then sucked on it lazily.
Xiao bucked his hips, unconsciously tugging on Zhongli's long hair as he prayed that his master would stop teasing and fuck him.
"Relax, my little bird," Zhongli purred. He toyed with Xiao, marking his other hip before moving back up to mark his neck. "You'll get what you want. But first I want to make sure no other man will be able to satisfy you. I have waited so long for this… I want to remember this moment, always."
"Ah…" Xiao gasped sharply as his master nipped and sucked at his throat. Zhongli's fingers drifted down to Xiao's lap, very gently grasped his cock and began stroking it. Xiao wanted to tell him to stop but he couldn't find the words, so he moaned instead, writhing beneath him.
"You like that?" Zhongli purred as Xiao nodded helplessly. "You're so beautiful, my Xiao. Desire looks delectable on you."
This time his master scooted between Xiao's legs but the teasing didn't stop. It only intensified. Zhongli leaned down and trailed lazy kisses down to his member, lavishing it with kisses and licks before taking it into his mouth and sucking it.
Xiao begged for more as he started to come. But rather than pull away as he expected, Zhongli encouraged him. Xiao had never imagined anything could feel that good as his master slid his lips all the way down on his cock, and sucked hard. He made Xiao come in his mouth and swallowed all of it.
"You taste so good, Xiao. I can't wait to make you come for me again. But right now I'm dying to be inside you. Are you okay to continue, my love?"
Xiao was already boneless and completely exhausted- until Zhongli said he wanted to be inside him.
Xiao nodded eagerly, spreading his legs wider, his fingers still tangled in his master's hair. "Please, yes! Don't stop…"
Zhongli leaned down to kiss him, and Xiao grasped him tightly, kissing him desperately. Kissing him right after he sucked him off should've been weird, but instead, it only made him want more of him.
"Patience, my little bird. I don't want to hurt you. Roll over for me, onto your stomach."
Xiao obeyed instantly but it made him sad that he couldn't reach him anymore. He was shy and had no idea what was happening, but he wasn't about to let that stop him from enjoying this.
Zhongli trailed long, lazy kisses down Xiao's neck and back, leaving him squirming against the sheets. He was hard again already. The smooth fabric felt good against his cock but he stopped thinking about that when his master licked all the way down his spine- and then lower.
There was an unexpected sensation of warmth and geo energy just above his tailbone. It intensified enough to hurt, but the hot, dull ache faded so quickly that he wondered if he had simply imagined it.
But Zhongli wasn't done with him. His lips and tongue continued to move even lower… Wait- was he going to-
Xiao gasped suddenly blushing- torn between revulsion and curiosity. But he couldn't find his voice to protest. So, desire and curiosity definitely won as Zhongli finished rearranging Xiao. Now there was a pillow under his hips that put his ass in the air.
Xiao wasn't complaining, especially as Zhongli licked and gently nibbled at his tight little hole. Fuck… oh all of it felt so good that he just couldn't imagine stopping.
"Ah!" Xiao cried, panting as Zhongli's tongue teased him. His master kept licking him lightly, in small, lazy circles before finally trying to push inside him for a moment only to pull back again. "Please!"
"Relax, my love. You're so wonderfully sensitive, trying to open for me already. But, you've faced enough pain for a thousand lifetimes, let me show you pleasure instead. I want to prepare you slowly."
Zhongli gave him no further warning. He massaged Xiao's thighs and ass with his hands, kneading the muscles there and making him spread his legs even wider. Xiao felt very vulnerable like this, but surprisingly, he liked it because he knew it was what his master wanted.
All the while, Xiao was left breathless and dazed as his lord used his lips and tongue to caress and tease him. He licked him until he thought was ready to climax again. It was torture, trying not to rut into the pillow, but he wouldn't trade it for anything. Knowing that his master's tongue wasn't even inside him yet only fed his desire for more.
"Yes, you must try and hold back, my little bird. I want to feel you come when I am deep inside you, filling you with my cock. But I need to finish preparing your body to receive it first."
Xiao nodded vigorously, trying to resist the urge to bury his face in the pillow. His lord had asked him not to hide though so he must not disobey, and gasped out, "I… Yes my- Zhongli."
"My name sounds so beautiful when you say it, my love."
When Zhongli's tongue finally entered him, Xiao moaned. It was a relief to be filled by something at last. But he was shocked as it kept moving deeper and deeper. As it did, that impossibly long, heavy tongue found his prostate and undulated against it. His master was only teasing him though. Again and again with white hot sparks of pleasure threatened to make him come again and again.
Xiao could hardly breathe. His fingers gripping the bed's silk sheets desperately trying to hold back… "Please!"
"I'm sorry, but you taste so good that I don't want to stop, my love."
He could hear the smug smirk in his master's voice, but he was powerless to do anything but moan. How could he blame him? Zhongli was absolutely taking him apart and Xiao loved it.
"You've been so good, my little bird. So beautifully obedient. Shall I continue?"
"I- yes! Please…"
He was so lost in the moment that he moaned in disappointment when he stopped and pulled back. Luckily, he realized that his master was only rearranging him. Zhongli removed the pillow and positioned Xiao so that he was on his back.
He opened his legs wider and Zhongli positioned himself between them. He leaned down, Xiao melted, mewling wantonly as his master kissed him tenderly.
He had no idea how long they spent locked in that slow, sensual kiss. But Xiao could only moan as he wrapped his arms around his master's neck, holding on for dear life.
Zhongli didn't break this kiss as he positioned himself against his hole. Xiao moaned as he felt his master's cock easing in. Though he was clearly trying to be gentle, it still hurt.
Xiao writhed under him, but made no effort to pull away. The pain of being stretched open was proof that this was real. So, he welcomed it, holding onto his master's shoulders tightly, he wrapped his legs around his master's lean waist.
He had wanted this for so long, there was no way he would stop this now. Fuck… it was tight and it burned! But it was worth it when his master groaned into his mouth as he sank into him fully.
"Hold still for a moment," Zhongli purred against his ear. "You must breathe, my love. You feel so tight around me."
Xiao nodded, gasping a little as he let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Zhongli let him rest for another moment before shifting his weight enough to pull out a little.
Instinct made Xiao arch his back as he rocked back into him. "Please…"
"Asking for more already? As you wish," Zhongli smiled and kissed him again. His master pushed back inside him only slightly before pulling back again and repeating the process. "But I will start out slowly."
It was slow and wonderfully gentle, so for Xiao, the pleasure was immediate and overwhelming. The cock inside him was thick and hard and it reached deeper inside him each time he moved. And better yet, it pressed against his prostate each time it slid back in.
"Please," Xiao could hardly breathe as Zhongli started to move a little faster. "M-My lord! More!"
Zhongli nipped his neck without stopping in his slow, deep thrusts. "Call me Zhongli or I'll stop."
"I- sorry. Zhongli," Xiao moaned. "Please don't stop…"
"You're taking me so well, my Xiao. You look so beautiful and you are so adorable, marking me with your sharp little talons."
"I- what?" Xiao wondered, talons? That was when he noticed that his nails were leaving bleeding half moons on his master's shoulders. "S-Sorry!"
"No, don't stop," Zhongli leaned down and kissed him. "It is only right that you should stake your claim on your mate. Knowing that you are so close makes me want you more, to be deeper inside you, my little bird."
The embarrassing noises Xiao was making were already endless. But he couldn't have held them back even if he tried. After all, his master had asked him not to try to hide anything from him.
Tension in his body was reaching a peak and he was torn between wanting to come and to keep holding it back.
After all, this was all just some kind of a crazy dream- didn't it? It had to be! There was no way that Zhongli knew of Xiao's silly visits and one-sided chats with his statue… So there was no way that Xiao would ever feel this way again- with anyone, right?
Being lavished with affection and praise by the person he loved more than anything, he felt like it was too much all at once. But he wanted to enjoy all of it for as long as possible!
"Z-Zhongli-" Xiao gasped as his lord began to thrust harder and faster. His body went crazy, trembling and shaking. He could feel his inner muscles squeezing and pulsing around the hard length inside him. His stomach was covered in cum and he was momentarily dazed.
Zhongli didn't stop. Although he did slow down for a moment, leaning down to lick some of his cum off of his belly and kissed him again. Xiao found that insanely hot, tasting himself on his master once again.
Incredibly, pleasure continued to build within him. Even as his inner muscles pulsed giving him the biggest orgasm of his life, his lord continued to take him. It hurt because it was overwhelming, but it felt really good too. He loved being fucked over and over because he felt Zhongli's cock harden even more inside him.
When his master growled as he finally started to come, Xiao could feel it inside him and moaned. So hot and thick, he wondered what his master's cum tasted like. But for the moment he was so tired that he could only look at his master's exquisite face. He looked so beautiful lost in the moment.
Xiao collapsed as his master finally stopped.
Honestly, Xiao felt like he was floating and he had never dreamed anything could feel so wonderful. He wanted to do that again. But he just couldn't keep his eyes open, they were so heavy that it was a losing battle.
"You were amazing, my love," Zhongli purred against his neck.
"Please, don't go!" Xiao's eyes snapped open when he felt Zhongli moving as if to leave. He scrambled to grab his hand. "W-Wait!"
Zhongli kissed him again, purring as he Xiao's head leaned back onto the pillow. "Just lay back and rest. You will be more comfortable if I clean you up before you fall asleep. I will be right back. I swear it."
Xiao blushed, while he was gone, trying unsuccessfully to cover himself with the sheet.
"Still trying to hide from me? You are so beautiful. Someday I hope that you will see yourself as I see you, my little bird," Zhongli had returned quickly as promised and he gently wiped the sweat and sticky, half dried cum off of Xiao first and then himself.
Zhongli then set the bowl of warm water and the towels aside and nuzzled him gently instead of kissing him this time. "Sleep, for now," Zhongli purred.
Xiao squirmed nervously when Zhongli pulled him into his arms and cuddled him against his chest. "Rest. I know you are exhausted and you are sore. But by morning you will be fine."
Honestly, he was too happy to care and too sleepy to argue, so he just said, "Thank you- for everything. Even if this is just a dream, being with you is all I've ever wanted…"
"You're welcome, my sweet bird. But I should be thanking you for opening up to me after so long…" Zhongli purred and kissed his forehead. "But, since we're still together, I have a feeling that this is only the beginning."
Xiao nodde shyly, and fell asleep feeling safe and warm, listening to the sound of the dragon still purring like an enormous cat.