#gi alatus

[allknowingaxolotl]

Xiao redrawww :>

Original under the cut

[sapphireicecream]

“… I want to release a Xiao lantern, and… I’d like you to be there for it.” 🏮

[wonlis]

looking respectfully at xiao's back

[fairykazu]

lily of the valley with xiao note: artist: endnraa on ig and click title to listen while reading :3 masterlist

making flower arrangements for someone isn't a something xiao would usually do. but he remembered your reaction, how your eyes dilated like a cat, when you saw the display in the shop near the local cafe. it's funny, really.

the flowers you enjoy the most are the ones that are harder to obtain than others. you like the more obscure ones like lily of the valley or a skeleton flower. though, he's not sure how to get skeleton flowers, surely a lily of the valley or something similar is easier to get.

would it be better to search up a meaning? or be more romantic and put flowers you'd enjoy? he picked up his phone, scrolling through tiktok to brainstorm ideas. he was at a lost. until he found a fairly popular influencer named thoma who knew how to do arrangements in a more aesthetic and romantic fashion.

***

he sketched out an idea before he knew which flower would go where, he picked out mostly white flowers along with pink or blue accented ones. lily of valleys, baby breath, small buds of roses, longer buds of some other flower he forgot the name of and some greens to add more color.

carefully, he prepped the flowers, cutting the thorns and discarding the wilted ones. he took a brown wrapping paper and made a homemade bouquet wrap. he struggled a little bit while tying the twine together. he held the flower bouquet in front of him, glancing at paper stacked on his counter.

nervous, he picked up a pencil and began to write.

i love you.

would it be right to confess to you like this? but you guys always say "i love you" before he even meant it the other way. so no, too simple. he crossed it out. then scribbled it before scrunching the paper up into a ball and threw it out of his direction.

i appreciate your existence.

sounds weird... how would that be considered as romantic? he crossed it out and rewrote it. how did you like it? he tried to recall how you wanted to be confessed as.

name, i like you since the moment i saw you that day.

this will do. though a little vague, you'd understand, you always do. he clipped it to the paper, getting ready to get out of his apartment. until, he saw you outside the door. he violently started to cough. maybe... next time?

[fallofthecelestial]

✎ : ⌜𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬⌟

[correct-genshin]

Xiao: I’m fine, don’t worry

Zhongli: You’re not fine, you’ve been stabbed

Xiao: I’ve been stabbed before

Zhongli: You don’t just build and immunity to stab wounds

[dilfiesz]

but it's over then you're driving me home.

[spectraltenkai]

Song: The Realm Within

You may have guessed it already, but it's the man, the myth, the legend: Xiao! The Golden Winged King, General Alatus-- he goes by a few names, but Xiao's the name he typically uses anyways.

To the very first five star, to the very first limited run character I got to C6... to the strongest character I have built who is a true hypercarry to my entire journey-- you'll always have a special spot in my book. Your story definitely got me back in the day, and the Chasm almost broke me with what happened. Your improvement every time you appear is amazing, and you'll forever be my ultimate favorite from Genshin Impact.

Happy birthday to the last Yaksha of Liyue, may today bring you peace and good food.

[duckymcdoorknob]

“Complex emotions run across Xiao’s face”

Xiao: 😐

[j11nko]

don't really like this buuuut eh

[neekos7]

How i think Genshin Impact characters' handwriting and self portrait would look!

[sapphireicecream]

🛍🐦

[genshinbrackets]

Genshin Short King Showdown Round 3, Match 1

[allykakamatsu]

Arlecchino fight in a nutshell-

Aka it's even more chaotic in this au if you can believe that-

New sprites for Kairi, Laurium and Eraqus underneath cut:

[cheese-ception]

(⸝⸝╸▵╺⸝⸝)

[hiistoriiaa]

Crossing Over

/////

Characters: Zhongli, Hu Tao, Xiao, mention of Guizhong. Canon compliant.

Tw: angst, death (but with a happy ending)

ao3 link here

/////

“Good morning, Director.”

“Good morning Zhongli!” The director cheered, waving to the older man who strolled through the doors. He said that every morning, and every morning, she responded with some version of a greeting. She tried to spice things up within his strict routine. Zhongli liked his routines …

She was good to him . He started working for her about ten years ago when she was just fifteen, when her grandfather was still alive. After he passed, Zhongli helped her plan the funeral, as she was too shaken to do it herself. He was good to her .

“A beautiful day, isn’t it?” he commented, opening the windows and letting a breeze in. It was a normal comment, yet it made Hu Tao feel uneasy. He hadn’t said that before. He usually walked in, made them both tea, and sat down in the little loveseat she had purchased for him when he started, and would read the paper.

“Uh, yeah..” she squinted at him, making a face. What was with him? She scrambled out of her chair and went to lean against the windowsill with him, looking at the harbor. He was right, it was a beautiful day. The clouds were few but fluffy and bright, the sky was a beautiful blue, and the crests of the ocean waves sparkled with sunlight. “It sure is. What makes ya say that? Are you not gonna go make tea and relax?” She nudged him playfully, looking up at him.

Hu Tao wasn’t stupid. She knew he didn’t age. She knew about adepti, about the mysterious traveler’s adventures, about the archons. She knew all those years ago that the geo archon wasn’t truly gone. She could feel it in her bones, that Liyue still had his spirit. But… she also wasn’t stupid . She could tell that her beloved employee was growing tired. Coughing. Walking with a cane. He was hanging on, just like Liyue was.

“Today, I believe I will observe what is good.” He said, looking down at her. His eyes were wise. That was another tell of who he was. “It is a special day, Director Tao. I believe you should appreciate it as well. Join me for a walk?” It was more of a statement than a question, and who was she to say no? Their schedule was clear, so she looped her arm with Zhongli’s before strolling out of the parlor, locking the door behind them.

He took a breath after a moment, surely preparing himself for the ramble he was about to make. “When I was young, I would stroll down these streets with the woman I loved. She loved this place, and taught me to as well. She passed away in my arms years ago, but she hasn’t been forgotten. Her light, her spirit… it lives on in Liyue.”

“I bet she was wonderful,” Hu Tao commented, patting Zhongli’s wrist. She wasn’t the best with affection sometimes, especially now since she was still feeling out what exactly was up with him today. “She was. She reminds me of you, in some ways. So adoring of human spirits.” Hu Tao hummed in response, smiling a little, wondering how many years ago he was speaking of.

“I met General Alatus later, and all of his family. He’s the last one. Please, keep care of him. He’s like a son to me. We protected this place, and I am so proud of what it turned into.” He strolled over the pond, up the stairs, over to a balcony that overlooked Liyue. It was beautiful, the sun still somewhat cool in comparison to the midday heat.

“Zhongli..” she turned to him, giving him a look. “Tell me what’s going on.” She said, placing her hand over his, meeting his eyes. They were pretty.. Deep.. intelligent.. The color of geo.

“Hu Tao,” he sighed, a small smile on his lips, “you know me quite well. I do not take it for granted. I have always felt comfortable around you, as I have known your family since they migrated to Liyue Harbor. I appreciate your dedication to the community, and all that you do for me. Letting me work for you… letting me spend time with you… paying me to do barely anything. You looked out for me in my eldest age. Thank you.”

At once, it hit her what he was talking about. Her heart sank to her stomach, her neck tightening up as she bit back her emotions, not wanting to interrupt his speech for long. She managed to get out, “It’s been my pleasure,” voice quieter and shakier than she intended it to be.

He chuckled, the warm sound putting her at ease. It didn’t erase the sorrow, but it felt nice. “I am sure you are aware of erosion. Of the cliffs, of history, of archons.” Zhongli looked out again, the sun lighting up his face. A memorable face, a familiar one. “I have been living with it for a long time now. It is tiring, I admit, but I go through the weeks knowing my days are worth living. Now, I do believe the fatigue has finally caught up to me. Hu Tao,” he paused, turning to her, “Would you cross over with me? To make sure I get there safely. With Guizhong. With my friends.”

She didn’t know what to say. She looked up at him, nodding a little. “Of course, Zhongli.” Hu Tao’s flowered eyes were overflowing with tears as she stepped forward, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tight, close to her. She hadn’t really thought about it, but he had occupied the hole in her heart that had formed when she lost her family. He kept an eye on her, made her laugh, and made sure she got home safely. She didn’t know what to do without him, really. In her mind, she had thought that he’d always be there, since she knew who he was. But, she knew death was a part of life. An inevitable one.

“You’ll be okay,” she assured him, voice muffled, tears most definitely leaving little wet spots on the nice suit he wore. “You’ll get there safely, okay?” She pulled back after a moment of embracing each other, looking up at him. He wasn’t scared. He was ready. It was his time, and somehow, she felt that too (even though she didn't want to feel it).

“I will be. Like I said, Guizhong isn’t really gone. I won’t really be gone, either.” He assured her, sitting down. He struggled a little to sit on the ground, his expression frustrated for a moment. Not as spry as he used to be, chucking mountains and meteors at enemies. Age isn’t forgiving. Time isn’t either.

She sat down next to him, getting comfortable as he did, his back resting against a rock. “Are you comfortable?” she asked, to which he nodded, a little smile on his face, giving her a look that said no need to fret over me . “Can you hold my hand?” Hu Tao asked, reaching out, lacing their fingers together, her rings catching on his glove a little bit. “Okay. I know you’re.. Different, so just.. When you’re ready, you can let go. I’ll be there, okay?”

He sighed deeply, the tension in his shoulders releasing as his eyes fluttered closed, the gentle expression on his face not leaving. He seemed content, so Hu Tao followed, eyes closing, squeezing his hand. When they opened, they were in a different realm. There were trees with orange leaves bordering a path paved with rocks and little plants. It was so welcoming.

Everyone’s paths to the other side were different. She had seen different regions, different settings, different weather, everything. This place felt almost magical, maybe because it was for an archon. “How are you feeling?” she asked, looking over at him. He didn’t look like his old, human self. He looked like Morax, the one she had seen in textbooks, who was sitting still as stone on top of statues of the seven. All her suspicions were instantly confirmed, shocked at the god in front of her.

“Divine.” he responded, heading towards the path. He knew what he had to do, where to go. There wasn’t really anywhere else to go. She looked down at their hands, still linked. She’d hate to let go.

“I’m glad.” she said, walking with him. “You know, I wanted to thank you again. For looking after me, too. It went both ways, with us. I’ll never forget you, Zhongli.”

They met the end of the road far too soon for her liking. Hu Tao kicked her shoe in the dirt, procrastinating for just a bit more time with the man. “I’m about to let go. Are you ready?”

Zhongli.. Morax… nodded his head once, the same expression adorning his features. Content. He paused, looking at the light for a moment before looking back at her. “Be well, Hu Tao.”

His hand dropped.

The director opened her eyes, seeing the suit he wore and kept so tidy sitting in a pile of sand, pebbles, and dust. This must be the gods' erosion, she realized. She wasn't sure exactly what to do next. She picked up his suit and shook the dirt out of it, laying it over her arm. Then, she scooped up a handful and held it carefully within her hands, not wanting the wind to blow any away. She trekked back to the funeral parlor, extremely aware of just how alone she was. How she’d walk back into the building and not smell the tea he’d made, but only the breeze of the harbor from the open window.

He wasn't really gone.

A few days later, she called for Xiao. He showed up like he always did. He knew already. She eyed him over, figuring out how exactly he needed comfort. If she wasn’t careful, he would claim he didn’t need or deserve any comfort, mutter something about karma, and disappear. So, she decided to tease him about his real name, Alatus, being revealed. He made a face of shock and disgust before scolding her, not meaning any of the sharp words. He knew she knew, and in his way, he was comforting her right back.

For the following years that came and went, the adeptus visited her frequently. He found comfort in the parlor just like the archon did, appreciating the tea, the sea breeze, and the familiar suit that was displayed behind glass.