dand-elle-ion

[dand-elle-ion]

Sumeru calls,

It’s time to say your goodbyes - for the time being at least

With: Xiao x gn reader

Words: 700

Genre: Fluff, slight angst if you squint your eyes

Note: My compensation for not seeing Xiao so long :D

“Must you really go?”

The words slip past Xiao’s lips before he had even a chance of stopping them; it makes him immediately halter in embarrassment.

Xiao isn’t the one to ask such kinds of questions, of course not; He knows all too well the purpose and significance of these journeys, yours included, but the selfish voices keep nagging on his mind.

You are as well taken aback by his sudden display of vulnerability. Emotions usually aren’t an easy thing to muster up for him, so to express his true feelings in such a swift manner only shows how genuine his sentiments are. It even makes you sit back up from your comfortable position on the warm grass, to take a curious glance at the Adeptus sitting next to you.

(He is still in the same watchful position, though you had earlier managed to convince him to at least sit down with you.)

With some amusement, you come to notice how he deliberately tries to avoid your eyes.

“It’s only for a couple of weeks, I presume at least,” you answer truthfully. “I’ll return as soon as possible to come to visit you.” 

It’s a somewhat sloppy answer, you admit, but truthfully you don’t even know yourself what awaits you in Sumeru. But even a few weeks apart seems like an unbearably long time.

For Xiao, it’s mainly frustrating. Not the fact that you travel far, but rather the fact that he’s unable to follow you, as his duties remain within the borders of Liyue. And yet, no matter how close this region stays to his heart and his home, no matter its beauty of mountains and vast landscapes, in your absence Liyue always appears much dimmer. That’s the effect you’ve left upon his life.

Xiao respects that you’re a very competent fighter and traveller; wandering through the nations and encountering the most extraordinary things. He admires you for that, but it scares the shit out of him.

So, he remains silent; lips pressed into a thin line, to prevent even more foolish words from escaping.

“It’s not forever,” you try again. “I hope at least.”

What was meant as a light-hearted addition, a small joke, caused the yaksha to snap his head to you with a serious glint in those amber eyes. “Don’t joke about something like that.”

“Alright, sorry, sorry. I won’t.” Your smile vanishes though, once you realise the real weight your words carry along. How would you feel if Xiao declared to leave to a foreign region, all by himself and with the possibility of no return? Just the thought alone leaves a bitter feeling in your chest.

In an attempt to defuse the evolved tension, you sigh softly, and then shift a little closer to him so you can now sit face to face. “I cannot promise you to remain completely unharmed, I’m sorry for that. But what I can promise you, is that I will give absolutely everything to return back home to you,” you say quietly, reaching out to adjust the necklace on his chest that has shifted a little.

Xiao barely suppresses a shudder under the softness of your touch, as if after all this time he’s still surprised by the gentleness you put in a gesture regarding him. Nearly instinctively his hands find their own way to your waist and when you look up to him you find a tenderness in his eyes that you’re not sure he’s aware of.

A fond smile dances on your lips and you can’t help but close the remaining distance between the two of you, pressing a gentle kiss on his lips. Xiao seems to be succumbed to his emotions more than usual today because he responds almost immediately; his hands on your waist tighten a little, causing your heart to skip a beat or two.

“Call my name, whenever you need to,” he whispers against your lips.

You chuckle lightly, leaning in enough so your foreheads are touching. “Even in Sumeru? You’d find me even there?”

“It doesn’t matter just where. If you need me, I’ll be there.”

.

My links: Masterlist + Taglist

Thank you for reading :) Reblogs and Comments are truly appreciated <3

Hello, hello, i’m back again and damn did i miss this blog these past couple of weeks. Can’t wait to get back  into Genshin and especially Sumeru

The ost in Sumeru is probably one of my favourite ones so far, it’s so so beautiful ヽ(ー_ー )ノ

Taglist

@sakura-starconch @autheticlina @shy-specter @nejibot @their-favorite-ren @xxfrostiee @yuki1s–note @yuuki4646​​

[dand-elle-ion]

Just wanted to say I adore your layout, it just makes me really happy for some reason haha

Aww that’s so kind of you to say, thank you <3

I‘m glad you like it :)

[dand-elle-ion]

You: *Kissing Scaramouche's cheek

Scaramouche: What was that?

You: A kiss

Scaramouche: Disgusting... do it again

[dand-elle-ion]

“spam liking will get you blocked” spam liking will get you a kiss on the mouth

[dand-elle-ion]

Good luck to anyone who’s pulling on the banners 🤞🏼

May they come home early (b^_^)b

[dand-elle-ion]

Sorry to interrupt your scrolling but I just thought you should know that you’re amazing and deserve to be happy.

[dand-elle-ion]

Daylight Dreams

Or: When you meet the forest watcher on one of his rare days off.

“During lunch breaks, I like to sit in a tree and admire the sunlight streaming through the canopy. If I'm not careful, I'll fall asleep...”

With: Tighnari

Words: 700

Warning: None, just some lovesick fools being in love

Sunlight is streaming through the tree when you enter, shining upon the serene face of the forest watcher, sleeping soundly all by himself.

A warm feeling blooms in your chest when you carefully scrooch down next to his slumbering form, and you can’t help but be utterly endeared by this sight. To see him like that doesn’t happen very often, so it’s a nice alternation from his usually busy job and daily lifestyle.

Unfortunately, some of the other forest watchers decided to gather a very spontaneous meeting to discuss some minor organizations. Even though it is nothing of utter importance, Tighnari’s attendance is still required, and since you were the one knowing his favourite hiding spots you were sent out to catch him up. And as unwilling as you are to snatch your lover away from his well-deserved break - his duty is calling.

So, you lower your head to press a soft kiss upon his forehead causing his ears to twitch at the sudden sensation. You smile, amused by his body’s reaction. An idea comes to your mind, and you move to his right ear, softly grazing it with your lips. “Good morning, sleepy-head,” you utter quietly.

Another twitch of his ear, the furrowing of his brows and then his eyelids flutter open. Tighnari’s green eyes flicker up to meet yours and a sheepish grin starts to form upon his lips. “There you are,” he murmurs, his voice thick with sleep. “Finally.”

You raise your eyebrow in surprise. “Finally? You’ve been waiting for me?” 

Tighnari hums as confirmation. His hand reaches out to tug a strand of loose hair behind your ear. “And you certainly took all your sweet time.”

You chuckle in surprise and prop your elbow up to get into a more comfortable position next to him. “Really? Or is that just an excuse for oversleeping?”

“Of course not.” 

Now it’s your turn to hum in light-hearted scepticism. “Of course not.”

Somewhere in the branches of the tall tree you hear the sounds of birds singing their sweet songs, accompanied by the soft sound of wind breezing through the leaves. For some moments you can’t help but relish in the sunshine and peace of Avidya Forest.

All while Tighnari regards you with a tenderness in his gaze that makes your stomach flutter. He smiles. “Your eyes look beautiful in this lightning.”

“Stop that. I can barely concentrate when you keep looking at me like that,” you fight off, though you can’t help but mirror his smile.

This sweet talker.

He pinches your nose, making you squeak in surprise and before you can even blink, he’s pulled you down to him, arms wrapped around your torso and holding you close.

“Just a few more minutes, sunshine,” you hear his drowsy voice, and you can tell he’s about to drowse off again. 

As you rest your head upon his shoulder you can’t help but sigh in contentment. “How come you’re just so comfy?”

Tighnari chuckles and you can feel the vibrations in his chest. Damn, boy.

Some quiet minutes pass, and when you think he’s already back in dreamland he speaks up again. “We should go stargazing again soon when we’re both free. I miss it.”

“I think someone needs to catch up on some sleep first, huh?”

But Tighnari is quick to dismiss your accusations. “I’m not that tired,” he claims in defence all while he yawns and barely manages to keep his eyes open.

Chuckling to yourself you rise back up a little, his hand is quick to follow your movements, settling on the small of your back. “You’ve been out and about the whole day, aren’t you hungry?”

“How about lunch then? Just the two of us.”

“Sounds great,” you whisper back in delight.

Tighnari smiles just before he pulls you closer to him once again.

Guess the meeting can wait for a little while longer. 

Thank you for reading I hope you enjoyed it :) Comments and Reblogs are super appreciated <3

Links: Masterlist + Taglist

Taglist @sakura-starconch @autheticlina @shy-specter @nejibot @their-favorite-ren @xxfrostiee @yuki1s--note @yuuki4646

[dand-elle-ion]

You: How can somebody say Scaramouche is evil?? He’s the most precious little soul

Scaramouche: *wiping blood off his face*

YEAH, I’M ADORABLE

[dand-elle-ion]

scaramouche.... my skrunkly little man who appears once in a moon.... he... hes finally coming...

[dand-elle-ion]

there are like five rules to life and those rules are

1. eat 3 meals a day & keep a snack on u

2. always have a non alcoholic drink with you

3. never trust anything you think about your life after 8-9pm

4. do a little something for urself every day

5. interact with a Beast at least once a day (human, feline, canine, lizard, bird, etc)

and the secret 6th rule:

6. if you can't do all of those rules, just do the ones you can

[dand-elle-ion]

Genshin Impact Version 3.1 ✩ King Deshret and the Three Magi

[dand-elle-ion]

HI ELLE HRU??

HIIII (^o^)/ how have you beeeen?

I’ve been catching up with some friends and finally had some time for reading by books (they really got my sympathy for staying alone on the bookshelves all this time hehe)

also Grateful uni doesn’t start for another month and I have enough time for genshin too (o˘◡˘o)

I can’t wait for 3.1 and also finally seeing Cyno huh ^^

Hope you have a sweet day / or night <3

[dand-elle-ion]

Something about you

Or how they realise they’ve fallen for you

With: Tighnari

Truth to be told for someone as sharp-minded and perceptive as him, Tighnari felt pretty much dumbfounded to not having connected the dots earlier in time.

Instead, it had been Amir. Having his ears bent by Tighnari's many talks of you it was finally him who decided to take the matter upon his own hands and confront his friend about the undoubtedly obvious affection the ranger held for you.

Well, obvious for everyone but Tighnari himself.

“My endless talks about…? I don’t recall ever having spoken to you about them, Amir.” But then Tighnari haltered in his defensive speech and a new train of thoughts cleaves a way through his mind.

Wasn’t it him whose feet end up carrying him to your place each and every time a hard patrol ends? Just so he could wind up and find some of the ease Tighnari feels mainly within your presence.

Wasn’t it him who planned routes and pairs to range the forest in a specific order so he could pair up with you? To fight side by side and back-to-back with you, because no other seemed to balance and adapt to his skills the way you did. Because you formed the perfect counterpart and things went by swiftly and smooth with you by his side.

It was you who his eyes search for firstly whenever they encountered danger to make sure you are well and unharmed.

It was you who were the reason Tighnari barely managed contain the excited swing of his tail or the twitch of his ears whenever he sensed you somewhere close by.

And it was you who somehow always finds a way into his mind, his thoughts, and his life. So intensely that sometimes when stumbling upon certain greenery or flora his mind didn’t instantly list up all the notable details about the plant as it usual would but instead starts connecting them to you.

Like the flowers you find yourself most drawn to, or the bouncy mushrooms you once convinced him to join and jump upon for a small break. Certain plants you react allergic to or that simply remind him of your perfume. Whatever it was he was drawn to you in anyway.

Truly, for someone of his intelligence and keen senses not to notice the clear obvious – how could he be so blind all this time?

He was smitten. Undeniably and irreversibly.

My links: Masterlist + Taglist  

[dand-elle-ion]

Anybody else now talks to Katherine at the adventurers guild and is like 👀

I know something you don’t

Cause like-

[dand-elle-ion]

Scaramouche: Why are you squeezing me with your body?

You: It’s a hug, Scara …

You: I’m hugging you

[dand-elle-ion]

Genshin Impact // He saves you

With: Xiao x gn reader

Words: 2,1k

Warnings: Display of (nearly) drowning, vomiting, but everyone lives ^^

“Oh, for Archon’s sake. Really now?”

Well, commissions have been easy today. Real easy even. And maybe it should have made you at least somewhat suspicious, how quick the hilichurls were to just give up and vanish. Maybe if you hadn’t spent most of your energy in running errands earlier that day your mind and body would have stayed more alarmed; And maybe you should’ve listened to your gut and be smart enough to not cross the thin bridge above the river, in a situation like this at least. Just maybe.

But that would have been really way too easy, right? Apparently, the two Abyss Mages that sneaked on to you thought the same; Because now they stand right in front of you on the bridge, blocking the way to the other side. That explains why the hilichurls have left the field so effortlessly, they knew they’d have a stronger backup.

It would usually be child’s play for you to beat them if it were under other conditions, far away from water for instance and preferably not while standing on a bridge. Moreover, they’re gathered in their most annoying combination ever –hydro and cryo - you just know it’s gonna be ugly.

The Abyss mage clutches its mask and disappears, only to reappear right behind you the next second. You swirl around, sword steady in your grip. Eyes switching between the two mages to your left and right, who without a doubt are aware that they’ve got the upper hand. With you surrounded in the middle of a bridge with no way to run and not much room to fight, there definitely is a slight concern arising within you.

Their giggling and cackling turn louder and more obnoxious with every passing second. But it is only once their little dance begins, that your heartbeat starts to rise. You clench your jaw in annoyance and take a careful step forward, summoning your sword into your hand.

“Well, then. Let’s get over with this,” you murmur, moving into a steady position. 

A sudden movement to your right. Your focus shifts away from the cryo mage timely to dodge the sudden icicles falling from above. You roll over and jump back up, right to water bubbles encircling you. One swift movement and they’re bursting in the air. Before you can even blink the hydro mage itself pops up, merely inches away from your face. You shriek, stumbling back from the sudden force of its shield.

They obviously didn’t come to play around; you notice that now. A personal consequence for destroying their schemes and shelters earlier, now they’re out for blood. Your blood. 

The main goal, alongside staying alive that’s it, is to get passed their shields. Once you manage to break their protective barrier, to reach their vulnerable bodies, you can finish them off quickly. And as long as you don’t get caught up between them both, you should be at least somewhat safe.

But that’s easier said than done as usual.

Abyss creatures, while quite small - one should never make the mistake of underestimating them. Especially when they work in teams, the chances of getting sliced up or cooked to death are quite high. You try to dodge their attacks as best as possible, their stupid bubbles, and their damn icicles dropping directly above you or slicing you up from beneath. There’s barely any chance to attack them yourself, let alone enough room to back off on this damn bridge! They clearly have a big advantage in this situation. And it’s utterly frustrating.

Your sore muscles soon begin to ache with every movement, and some injuries - while small - still ache and pulse painfully. But there is not even a second left for you to think; just pure instinct and adrenaline leading you forth. Ducking, defending, attacking, sprinting and holy shit they are everywhere! 

Somehow, though it takes a long time and some painful hits, you manage to break through the hydro mage’s tough shield. It’s with high satisfaction when you finally finish the abyss mage off for good. Enough with these fucking bubble traps everywhere. But there it is where you make your mistake. A moment where your focus is occupied, your concentration loose and an opportunity the cryo mage doesn’t let pass… 

It hurts, is what crosses your mind. White, hot pain suddenly spreading through your whole body and the next thing you register is falling through the air, wind whirling all around you. Then – a hard splash and the air being painfully knocked out of your lungs. 

.-o-.-o.-o.-o-.

You are fighting for breath. Gasp for air, gasp out of pain. But there’s only water filling up your lungs. You’re choking. Trying to swim up; Up, up, up. 

But where’s up? You don’t know.

You don’t know. 

It’s dark and so, so incredibly cold. Pressure keeps pushing you from every direction. Deeper down. Or higher up? You don’t know.

There’s only pain. And panic.

You can’t feel anything. Why can’t you feel anything? Your muscles don’t listen to you, your mind loses its focus.

Then – the current sweeps you against something solid. The ground?

No, no there’s sunlight shining through. Ice. But, why ice?

Pictures of abyss mages somewhere way above you. Dancing, snickering, condensing, and freezing up the water surface. Ice.

You’re trapped. Trapped, trapped, trapped!

No air.

Somewhere subliminal you register your hands sliding across the icy surface. Pushing, hitting. It burns.

Pathetic. You feel pathetic and utterly helpless. 

No air.

Dizzy, and so incredibly cold. Black dots start to fill your vision.

No, no, no. Not like that. Please. Not like that.

A face crosses your mind.

But it feels strangely comfortable, doesn’t it? It’s suddenly even warm and cosy. No more pain.

What a kind soul he is... 

You smile. At least it feels like it. 

.-o-.-o.-o.-o-.

Somewhere, in the back of your mind, some still conscious part of you registers something dragging you even deeper into the water.

But you don’t mind anymore. In fact, you barely even feel anything by now. Just this… warm, cosy state. Until-

Air!

An explosion of air, painful, hard, and shocking. It burns.

With a force you try to inhale it deeply, but your lungs are completely filled with water. It burns.

You feel hands reaching for you, grabbing your wrist. Your eyes flutter open and in the next moment you find yourself kneeling on wet grass, bend over, choking and coughing the soul out of you.

Out of reflex you reach for the nearest thing to stabilize yourself, which happens to be a shirt. A shirt that belongs to the pair of strong arms that’ve been holding you up all this time.

Xiao.

You hold to the cloth, the material clutches tightly in your fist while you keep throwing up, emptying your stomach and lungs of water and all sort of other things. Your head pounds vehemently, it’s hot and loud and incredibly nasty. But there’s finally some more amount of oxygen in your lungs, your brain.

You feel a hand on the small of your back, steadying you, while another keeps brushing back your hair, out of your face and away from your mouth.

Once it seemed everything has finally left your stomach and your lungs you lean your head against his shoulder. Mouth dry, and utterly exhausted

“Can you breathe again?”

You nod dizzily. “Hmm…” Your throat feels horribly sore, force of the cold returning all at once; Limbs shaking, and your hands practically numb from nearly ending up as an icy décor. They’re also pretty bloody from punching against the ice, you notice with a grimace.

“I’m taking you back to Wangshu Inn.” You hear Xiao say, causing your eyes to flicker back up to him.

His gaze is hard to make out. It reminds you of the way he looked once in Wangshu Inn, when he found you bruised and nearly bleeding out in his rooms after a particularly hard fight.

He doesn’t wait for a response. In hindsight you’re not even sure if you had been conscious enough to answer anyway. Overwhelmed, one might also say.

Gently Xiao adjusts and with ease lifts you up into his arms. A strong breeze arises and the next breath you take is inside Wangshu Inn, hands holding you close and protectively.

There is an agitated tension in the room. Xiao is quiet, his lips pressed into a hard line, but his movements are gentle and careful when he helps you sit down on a couch and wrapping a blanket around your shoulders. Then he kneels down in front of you, and you notice how hard he tries to prevent any worry from showing in his eyes, it causes your heart to clench a little.

“Tell me where else you’re injured,” he asks in a low voice, his fingers carefully grazing around the bruised and bloody skin of your hands. That’s when you notice that he too was soaking wet, but it doesn’t seem to bother him at all right now, perhaps another perk of his resilience.

“I can’t really feel anything right now, to be honest,” you answer and add a shaky chuckle to try and lighten up the mood a little. “My head hurts. Aside from that, I’m fine.” You nibble on your bottom lip to keep it from shaking.

Xiao draws his brows together, clearly not believing that you’re in any stance of ‘fine’. He supresses a sigh when he stands up again. “You should change your clothes first. I’ll be right back again.”

He makes sure you’re more or less okay to be left alone before he vanishes. Meanwhile you gather some spare clothes and head to the bathroom to change. You even consider taking a warm shover, but the thought to be in water again sends shivers down your spine that are not caused by the cold. Instead, with incredibly shaky fingers, you remove your wet clothes, leaving them hanging in the tub and change into fresh and wonderfully warm ones.

.-o-.-o.-o.-o-.

“I talked to Verr Goldet,” Xiao explains later once you’ve returned back into the bedroom. Now you are sittinh huddled under layers of blankets on the bed, a hot, steamy cup of tea in one hand, and enjoying the feeling of warmth filling you with every sip.

“She’ll send for the nearest healer as soon as possible,” he continues. Your eyes meet for a second, but he is quick to turn his focus back to your wounded hand in his.

These past minutes he’s been attending to your still bleeding and bruised hands with carefully, feather-light touches. The numbness and cold hasn’t left your body yet, and still - somehow his fingers grazing your wounded skin, sets your frozen limbs ablaze.

But he’s been quiet nearly the entire time until now, barely even met your eyes.

“Xiao…,” you softly.

He doesn’t look up, doesn’t react, too concentrated in his work. Or so one would assume; but you know him better.

When the defeating silence went on for another minute you extend your index finger out, gently tilting his chin to face you.

And there it is. The emotion he’s been bottling up ever since he saved you – guilt.

Though your headache seems to want to kill you and you feel nothing but complete and utter exhaustion you still manage to give him a reassuring and tender smile. “Thank you for saving me,” you whisper, softly running your fingers down through his strands of hair.

Xiao’s golden eyes flicker between yours, and you could nearly see the million thoughts running through his mind right now. For instance, he admires how talented you are in combat, how you deal with missions and danger - smart and independent. But sometimes he wishes you would rely more on him. Just a dot more, so he wouldn’t have to worry too much. But then again, he thinks, being with a mortal, or generally someone you love, always comes hand in hand with worry.

“Speaking of, how did you even find me?” you cut off his trail of thoughts. You reach for a pillow and place it on your lap.

“You called me.”

You tilt your head in confusion. “I did? Wow, honestly, I don’t even remember.” You really can’t recall to even have the chance of calling him. Was it maybe your subconscious?

Xiao sighs, rising up to his feed, contemplating you with an indefinable look. “That was a close call.”

“Literally,” you add, pulling the blankets closer to you.

You feel him pressing his lips upon your forehead. It’s just a small, soft kiss, but it warms your entire body. “You need rest now. Are you warm enough?”

“Hmm, not quite yet,” you muse softly and lean forwards a little. A cheeky smile grazing your lips. “One more kiss?”

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed it :) Comments and reblogs are very appreciated

My links: Masterlist + Taglist

Taglist:

@sakura-starconch @autheticlina @shy-specter @nejibot @their-favorite-ren @xxfrostiee @yuki1s--note @yuuki4646

[dand-elle-ion]

He saves you

With: Xiao x gn reader

Words: 2,1k

Warnings: Display of (nearly) drowning, vomiting 

“Oh, for Archon’s sake. Really now?”

Well, commissions have been easy today. Real easy even. And maybe it should have made you at least somewhat suspicious, how quick the hilichurls were to just give up and vanish. Maybe if you hadn’t spent most of your energy in running errands earlier that day your mind and body would have stayed more alarmed; And maybe you should’ve listened to your gut and be smart enough to not cross the thin bridge above the river, in a situation like this at least. Just maybe.

But that would have been really way too easy, right? Apparently, the two Abyss Mages that sneaked on to you thought the same; Because now they stand right in front of you on the bridge, blocking the way to the other side. That explains why the hilichurls have left the field so effortlessly, they knew they’d have a stronger backup.

It would usually be child’s play for you to beat them if it were under other conditions, far away from water for instance and preferably not while standing on a bridge. Moreover, they’re gathered in their most annoying combination ever –hydro and cryo - you just know it’s gonna be ugly.

The Abyss mage clutches its mask and disappears, only to reappear right behind you the next second. You swirl around, sword steady in your grip. Eyes switching between the two mages to your left and right, who without a doubt are aware that they’ve got the upper hand. With you surrounded in the middle of a bridge with no way to run and not much room to fight, there definitely is a slight concern arising within you.

Their giggling and cackling turn louder and more obnoxious with every passing second. But it is only once their little dance begins, that your heartbeat starts to rise. You clench your jaw in annoyance and take a careful step forward, summoning your sword into your hand.

“Well, then. Let’s get over with this,” you murmur, moving into a steady position. 

A sudden movement to your right. Your focus shifts away from the cryo mage timely to dodge the sudden icicles falling from above. You roll over and jump back up, right to water bubbles encircling you. One swift movement and they’re bursting in the air. Before you can even blink the hydro mage itself pops up, merely inches away from your face. You shriek, stumbling back from the sudden force of its shield.

They obviously didn’t come to play around; you notice that now. A personal consequence for destroying their schemes and shelters earlier, now they’re out for blood. Your blood. 

The main goal, alongside staying alive that’s it, is to get passed their shields. Once you manage to break their protective barrier, to reach their vulnerable bodies, you can finish them off quickly. And as long as you don’t get caught up between them both, you should be at least somewhat safe.

But that’s easier said than done as usual.

Abyss creatures, while quite small - one should never make the mistake of underestimating them. Especially when they work in teams, the chances of getting sliced up or cooked to death are quite high. You try to dodge their attacks as best as possible, their stupid bubbles, and their damn icicles dropping directly above you or slicing you up from beneath. There’s barely any chance to attack them yourself, let alone enough room to back off on this damn bridge! They clearly have a big advantage in this situation. And it’s utterly frustrating.

Your sore muscles soon begin to ache with every movement, and some injuries - while small - still ache and pulse painfully. But there is not even a second left for you to think; just pure instinct and adrenaline leading you forth. Ducking, defending, attacking, sprinting and holy shit they are everywhere! 

Somehow, though it takes a long time and some painful hits, you manage to break through the hydro mage’s tough shield. It’s with high satisfaction when you finally finish the abyss mage off for good. Enough with these fucking bubble traps everywhere. But there it is where you make your mistake. A moment where your focus is occupied, your concentration loose and an opportunity the cryo mage doesn’t let pass… 

It hurts, is what crosses your mind. White, hot pain suddenly spreading through your whole body and the next thing you register is falling through the air, wind whirling all around you. Then – a hard splash and the air being painfully knocked out of your lungs. 

.-o-.-o.-o.-o-.

You are fighting for breath. Gasp for air, gasp out of pain. But there’s only water filling up your lungs. You’re choking. Trying to swim up; Up, up, up. 

But where’s up? You don’t know.

You don’t know. 

It’s dark and so, so incredibly cold. Pressure keeps pushing you from every direction. Deeper down. Or higher up? You don’t know.

There’s only pain. And panic.

You can’t feel anything. Why can’t you feel anything? Your muscles don’t listen to you, your mind loses its focus.

Then – the current sweeps you against something solid. The ground?

No, no there’s sunlight shining through. Ice. But, why ice?

Pictures of abyss mages somewhere way above you. Dancing, snickering, condensing, and freezing up the water surface. Ice.

You’re trapped. Trapped, trapped, trapped!

No air.

Somewhere subliminal you register your hands sliding across the icy surface. Pushing, hitting. It burns.

Pathetic. You feel pathetic and utterly helpless. 

No air.

Dizzy, and so incredibly cold. Black dots start to fill your vision.

No, no, no. Not like that. Please. Not like that.

A face crosses your mind.

But it feels strangely comfortable, doesn’t it? It’s suddenly even warm and cosy. No more pain.

What a kind soul he is... 

You smile. At least it feels like it. 

.-o-.-o.-o.-o-.

Somewhere, in the back of your mind, some still conscious part of you registers something dragging you even deeper into the water.

But you don’t mind anymore. In fact, you barely even feel anything by now. Just this… warm, cosy state. Until-

Air!

An explosion of air, painful, hard, and shocking. It burns.

With a force you try to inhale it deeply, but your lungs are completely filled with water. It burns.

You feel hands reaching for you, grabbing your wrist. Your eyes flutter open and in the next moment you find yourself kneeling on wet grass, bend over, choking and coughing the soul out of you.

Out of reflex you reach for the nearest thing to stabilize yourself, which happens to be a shirt. A shirt that belongs to the pair of strong arms that’ve been holding you up all this time.

Xiao.

You hold to the cloth, the material clutches tightly in your fist while you keep throwing up, emptying your stomach and lungs of water and all sort of other things. Your head pounds vehemently, it’s hot and loud and incredibly nasty. But there’s finally some more amount of oxygen in your lungs, your brain.

You feel a hand on the small of your back, steadying you, while another keeps brushing back your hair, out of your face and away from your mouth.

Once it seemed everything has finally left your stomach and your lungs you lean your head against his shoulder. Mouth dry, and utterly exhausted

“Can you breathe again?”

You nod dizzily. “Hmm…” Your throat feels horribly sore, force of the cold returning all at once; Limbs shaking, and your hands practically numb from nearly ending up as an icy décor. They’re also pretty bloody from punching against the ice, you notice with a grimace.

“I’m taking you back to Wangshu Inn.” You hear Xiao say, causing your eyes to flicker back up to him.

His gaze is hard to make out. It reminds you of the way he looked once in Wangshu Inn, when he found you bruised and nearly bleeding out in his rooms after a particularly hard fight.

He doesn’t wait for a response. In hindsight you’re not even sure if you had been conscious enough to answer anyway. Overwhelmed, one might also say.

Gently Xiao adjusts and with ease lifts you up into his arms. A strong breeze arises and the next breath you take is inside Wangshu Inn, hands holding you close and protectively.

There is an agitated tension in the room. Xiao is quiet, his lips pressed into a hard line, but his movements are gentle and careful when he helps you sit down on a couch and wrapping a blanket around your shoulders. Then he kneels down in front of you, and you notice how hard he tries to prevent any worry from showing in his eyes, it causes your heart to clench a little.

“Tell me where else you’re injured,” he asks in a low voice, his fingers carefully grazing around the bruised and bloody skin of your hands. That’s when you notice that he too was soaking wet, but it doesn’t seem to bother him at all right now, perhaps another perk of his resilience.

“I can’t really feel anything right now, to be honest,” you answer and add a shaky chuckle to try and lighten up the mood a little. “My head hurts. Aside from that, I’m fine.” You nibble on your bottom lip to keep it from shaking.

Xiao draws his brows together, clearly not believing that you’re in any stance of ‘fine’. He supresses a sigh when he stands up again. “You should change your clothes first. I’ll be right back again.”

He makes sure you’re more or less okay to be left alone before he vanishes. Meanwhile you gather some spare clothes and head to the bathroom to change. You even consider taking a warm shover, but the thought to be in water again sends shivers down your spine that are not caused by the cold. Instead, with incredibly shaky fingers, you remove your wet clothes, leaving them hanging in the tub and change into fresh and wonderfully warm ones.

.-o-.-o.-o.-o-.

“I talked to Verr Goldet,” Xiao explains later once you’ve returned back into the bedroom. Now you are sittinh huddled under layers of blankets on the bed, a hot, steamy cup of tea in one hand, and enjoying the feeling of warmth filling you with every sip.

“She’ll send for the nearest healer as soon as possible,” he continues. Your eyes meet for a second, but he is quick to turn his focus back to your wounded hand in his.

These past minutes he’s been attending to your still bleeding and bruised hands with carefully, feather-light touches. The numbness and cold hasn’t left your body yet, and still - somehow his fingers grazing your wounded skin, sets your frozen limbs ablaze.

But he’s been quiet nearly the entire time until now, barely even met your eyes.

“Xiao…,” you softly.

He doesn’t look up, doesn’t react, too concentrated in his work. Or so one would assume; but you know him better.

When the defeating silence went on for another minute you extend your index finger out, gently tilting his chin to face you.

And there it is. The emotion he’s been bottling up ever since he saved you – guilt.

Though your headache seems to want to kill you and you feel nothing but complete and utter exhaustion you still manage to give him a reassuring and tender smile. “Thank you for saving me,” you whisper, softly running your fingers down through his strands of hair.

Xiao’s golden eyes flicker between yours, and you could nearly see the million thoughts running through his mind right now. For instance, he admires how talented you are in combat, how you deal with missions and danger - smart and independent. But sometimes he wishes you would rely more on him. Just a dot more, so he wouldn’t have to worry too much. But then again, he thinks, being with a mortal, or generally someone you love, always comes hand in hand with worry.

“Speaking of, how did you even find me?” you cut off his trail of thoughts. You reach for a pillow and place it on your lap.

“You called me.”

You tilt your head in confusion. “I did? Wow, honestly, I don’t even remember.” You really can’t recall to even have the chance of calling him. Was it maybe your subconscious?

Xiao sighs, rising up to his feed, contemplating you with an indefinable look. “That was a close call.”

“Literally,” you add, pulling the blankets closer to you.

A moment later you feel him pressing his lips upon your forehead. It’s just a small, soft kiss, but it warms your entire body. “You need rest now. Are you warm enough?”

“Hmm, not quite yet,” you muse softly and lean forwards a little. A cheeky smile grazing your lips. “One more kiss?“

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it :) Comments and reblogs are very appreciated <3

My links: Masterlist + Taglist