rottenlightbulb

[rottenlightbulb]

In the rain with you

Xiao x M!Reader

Angst-ish? If you squint, hurt-comfort, idiots in love

Written with you/your so it can be read as nb (as far as i remember i made sure no gendered terms were used, if im wrong please let me know

Warnings: none?

Summary: Reader is an adventurer with no vision, during a certain bounty hunt he meets Xiao and buffoonery ensues.

This one has been in my drafts for a long long time, my writing has changed since then so just don't question it.

Today was no different than any other, waking up at an ungodly hour to venture into the wilderness and run an errand for a certain traveller while, of course, checking every nook and cranny in hopes of a hefty loot.

This time your destination was Cuijue slope, mostly to check around and find trails of a rumored lawachurl that has been set loose in the area. Not that you ever understood how these people find monsters as such in places where no one ever steps foot, but the promised mora was quite... nice, so you accepted witouth a second thought.

But then again, everything has its down sides, this time it was that as per the information provided, from who knows where might you add, elemental damage did no good against the lawachurl. Its hide might've evolved to deflect the effects of the elements and thus your friends would not be of much help.

Sometimes, not having a vision did have its advantages, though it also proved as a major disadvantage most times. People tended to disregard your skill when it came to dangerous missions, no higher than a C rank mission was ever handed to you. Not by any official that is, ever since you've met the famous traveller, and became their friend, they took notice of you and began taking you along for adventures.

Once reaching your destination you look for a place where you could leave your heavy baggage safely while scouting the area. From afar you see what is barely the remains of an old building but seems sturdy enough with some cover in case of rain, you decide it's the best place to stay considering the area around it is deserted unlike the rest of the possible shelters you came across, those were filled with hilichurls. While hilichurls were not a problem, abyss mages, samachurls and mitachurls did give you some difficulity, especially when there were more than one. Let's face it, getting trapped in a hydro bubble and then hit by a speedy geo shield miatchurl was painful and highly infuriating.

Upon approaching your temporary shelter you're greeted by the sight of two hilichurls, luckily they haven't taken notice of you yet so you opt to sneakily find out what types they were. Both seemed to be non elemental, which was good, searching them quickly you find one has a wooden shield and the other a crossbow. You sigh, the hilichurls still didn't notice your presence, gently as possible you lower your bag and unsheeth your sword. All it took were two quick strikes and they fell down before they could even grab their weapons.

After clearing out the place and setting your bag down inside you set out to track down the lawachurl. You had planty of time, they only expected you back three days from now anyway, so you took investigatin leasurely. And yet you've found more than enough clues by the time the sun started to set. Not feeling fatigued in the slightes you decide to take it a step further and find the exact spot the beats chose to dwell in.

In the eerie forest of tall glowing pillars you find the beast, to your surpise when you arrive it has already been engaged in battle but you couldn't make out with who. All you could take from the battle was that it indeed was immune to elemental damage and whoever was fighting it was either unaware or insane. None the less they were loosing badly and if nothing happens they might not see tomorrow.

Thre was no question, you will help. But, being a non vision user you had to rely more on tactics rather than charging in head first. You approach slowly from a safe distance while keeping an eye on the fight below. The lawachurl seemed barely damaged, its geo shield was fully intact while the vigilant stranger left speckles of blood whenever they landed. It was bad, you had to act quick.

Seeing as you were right above the two, you strained your eyes to find a weak spot on the shield. Once you have laid eyes on the slightest crack in the enemy's protection you empty your mind, worry will not help either way, your grip thightens on your sword as you throw yourself off the pillar, you keep your silence as you descend rapidly, a sneak attack is only that while the enemy doesnt know after all.

You land hard on top of the beast, the impact makes it stumble and roar in pain  once your sword has been sheated deep within its hide. You cling to your weapon for dear life as the lawachurl shakes its body in hopes of getting you off but you only thrust the blade deeper. The stranger who fought the beast before looks on from his spot on the ground in surprise, being able to see him from this close you realise it's Xiao, seeing his state you surely have things to say once the battle is won. You shout, adressing the beat up adeptus and warn him not to use his element, he looks puzzled but nods as he stands.

The shield slowly fades away and the shaking becomes more aggressive, you're almost thrown off time and time again but you hold on tight. Xiao charges in once more, this time without the power of anemo, and to his surprise his strikes do damage. The outcome of the battle has changed, and it's now set in stone. You jump off the beast's back and join Xiao, exchanging rapid blows untill the enemy fell and hit the ground with a loud thud.

You wipe away the sweat trickling down your face and look around for your friend finding him in a similarly exhausted state, he leaned onto his spear his mask still on, no doubt to hide his face from you, he always acted strong, but now, his body was shaking and injured. There was no way you'd play along this time. Thus you approach him and drape his arm over your shoulder witouth a word. He grunts but stays silent. After years of knowing you he knows he has no chnace once you've made up your mind and so he follows silently.

You arrive at your makeshift shelter amd bring the adeptus in lowering him down onto the ground before turning to your bag and starting to rummage through it. The silence has been broken by Xiao,

— What are you doing?— he rasps confused, you turn around with narrowed eyes staring him down before turning back to your bag with a sigh.

— Patching you up of course. I sure damn hope you know you can't say no.

—You mortals show less and less respect— he was cut off by a finger pressing against his lips, the unfamiliar feeling shutting him up successfully, you lean in closer and stare into his beautiful golden eyes, Xiao felt his face heat up slightly.

— Don't get me wrong, I do respect you. But as...your friend I'm worried for you. You should take better care of yourself.

Moving away you begin tending to his injuries, the silence is back altough broken by an ocassional hiss or grunt. Xiao has turned his head away long ago, he can't look at you, it makes him feel all farm and fuzzy and it's uncomfortable. And then there's the fact that he felt disappointed when you moved away from him, he craves your warmth but hes never going to admit it. Not untill he undershands why.

Sooner than he'd like you finish bandaging him and move to sit on the other side of the shelter leaning your head against the broken wall and staring out into the rain. Rain? When did it start raining, he never noticed. He was so fixated on the feeling of your fingers against his skin he completely forgot where you two were. He gulped and looked away, he didn't know if it was the lighting or the fatigue but you looked ethereal yet the look on your face made his chest tighten uncomfortably.

Not being able to take the painful silence any longer he cleared his thoat,

— Name, what's wrong?

Surprised that he was the one to start conversation you stare at him untill he turns away from you and you've been left facing his back.

— Don't stare.

You can't help but chuckle and grin wide when you see him peek at you. With a shake of your head you sit up properly humming, the rain has picked up more now and thunder echoed in the distance. Seems like your stuck here for a while. Might as well make the best of it.

— Nothing is wrong, I'm just a little tired is all.

He turns to face you with the nastiest glare you've ever seen as he sneers,

— No.

You blink, tilting your head slightly out of confusion.

— No?

He nods closing his eyes and crossing his arms with a wince.

— Something is wrong, I can see that. You're not yourself. I'm asking one last time, what's wrong?

— That...sounded more like a demand, but who am I to decline. So make yourself comfortable, It's a long story.

— Fine, not like we can go anywhere in this weather.

You look at him puzzled, since when has bad weather bothered Xiao? But you decide not to ask. Rather you suck in a breath mustering up the courage to follow through.

— So... lately there has been someone I started to care about. Hmm, that doesn't quite cut it, let's say I'm anxious whenever we don't see each other for a while. I'm scared that one day he won't come back.

Xiao stays silent, something in him just won't let him speak. Hearing your voice be so weak and scared for someone else made him irritated and he didn't understand why.

— It's pointless to feel that way, if you're scared he'd leave you why bother?

His response was late and harsh, you could feel his irritation and thought you said something wrong. But that didn't mean his reply left you unhurt. Maybe he figured you out and was just playing along. The thought alone made your vision blur with tears.

You wanted to respond and defend yourself but couldn't, the suffocating feeling of supressing sobs prevented you from doing so. You bit your lip closing your eyes and burying your face into your knees hiding away from what's to come. After a while you manage to croak out a reply catching him off guard,

— Do you think he hates me now?

The sadness in your trembling voice was all it took for him to stand and rush to your side afraid you've hurt yourself. Only when seeing your tears did he realize he might've been too harsh. He felt awful and that made comforting you so much harder. He panicked for a second not knowing what to do when he remembered seeing a couple, one of them hugging the other while they cried.

Awkwardly he draped his arms around your shaking form pulling you closer. You look up at him seeing him avoid eyecontact.

— Xiao? What are you doing?

— What does it look like? I'm hugging you of course. Does it not help?

Realization hits you hard, he must've seen it somewhere and the fact he replicated it meant he must feel bad for you. A small smile tugged at your lips, you returned the hug burying your face in his chest.

Awkwardly he starts rubbing circles on your back and you finally relax a little.

— I don't think whoever this person is hates you.

— Huh?

— You asked me if I think he hates you, and I just told you. I don't think it's possible to hate you.

You feel your face burning up hoping he won't notice how fast your heart was beating you stay silent.

— But you have to tell me who it is.

— Why- Why would you want to know?

— So that I can keep an eye on him. If he ever hurts you I will be sure to visit him.

Your eyes widen and you fail to keep in your laughter. He looks down at you ready to let go and leave out of embarassement, but you hold onto him tight.

— I don't think that will be necessary.

— Are you saying you don't need me then?

— Of course not! But I don't want you to beat yourself up.

— I can assure you I- What?!

— It's you, idiot. I like you.

—...me?

— yes, you.

— Oh.

[rottenlightbulb]

Yo, I go by July and I write sometimes (im 20 btw so this is low key embarassing)

I felt like it wasn't fair to only read fics and not contribute when the fandoms I'm in have little to no fics for the gn or masc audience (gn usually turning out fem like, pls stop...)

Expect orange cat behaviour.

(don't correct my spelling, i have no respecc for the language thx)

I'm not good at nsfw stuff but i try

No non con

No goofy ahh kinks thx

I don't write for minor characters, I'm not hearing anyone out.

Or fem readers, sorry ladies this is for the bros out there that keep accidentally reading pussy queen princess vagina reader inserts (no hate but adding fem! In the title REALLY helps yk.)

Fandoms im in/ might write for:

Genshin (except maybe scara, you simps scare me)

Star rail

(wuthering waves once it drops hahh)

One piece

I'm being raised by villains ( for the life of me i can't find any Erno fics and it's killing me)

The witch and the beast

And so on i will add more later hahh

Since nothing else comes to mind I will leave it at that for now, for better or worse I might add some changes later.

On a side note, don't expect regular uploads as I attend Uni and well...yeah, y'all get it.

The end.