Heyy! It’s been a while- sorry about that! Took my time to write this one! It’s longer as requested, so hopefully you’ll enjoy it!
Also, to those who read The Lost Yaksha, this one may or may not have a bit of foreshadowing for that book~ Though that may take a while to get to, cause I’m usually writing XiaoLumi fanfics, since you guys like shipping content so much! Not to mention that I love writing it too~
Anywayy, I personally enjoyed writing this one a lot, so hopefully you can enjoy reading it as well! ;)
“Come with me, Lumine.” Xiao whispered into her ear and she looked at him, startled by his sudden appearance.
“Where?”
“Just come with me.” He mumbled. Don't question it..
“What for…?” She hesitated for a few seconds.
“It’s a… nevermind. Follow me and you’ll see.” He didn’t want to give away the element of surprise he had prepared. I want it to be genuine.
“Uh…” Lumine hesitated.
Seeing her doubt, Xiao sighed and picked her up and she blushed as she was in his embrace. He looked at her for a second and felt his heartbeat quicken, then looked away. He teleported them to a beach in Liyue and set Lumine down onto the soft sand.
The view was astonishing. The sun was slowly falling into the ocean, the warm dusk orange and purple colors lighting up the sky. Birds chirped amongst the trees surrounding the shore, while eagles soared through Celestia. So this is what nature can really be like… Lumine breathed.
“Wow Xiao… This is beautiful!” Lumine breathed.
“It is.” He murmured, and took the time to examinate Lumine’s smooth, soft, blonde hair. The flowers she braided into her hair always sparked his curiosity, but he never brought himself the courage to ask. Is it… related to something important to her? He wanted to know all the details about her. The details about her lost brother, where she came from, what happened after she left Liyue, and all about her journeys. He always felt the urge to help her and be for her when she needed him. Everytime she came back from a journey with battle scars, he would share the pain inwardly alongside her, although not willing to admit it. When she left for Inazuma and Sumeru, he felt so lost, not knowing what to do with his life. But when she was by his side, he felt the last speck of hope glimmering inside him. She was the one that made his life meaningful, and she was the one that truly brought him out of his endless suffering.
“Why did you bring me here?” Lumine asked, laying down with her hands put under her chin, still admiring the vast, marine, ocean. Xiao didn’t respond, and she turned to look at him promptly. “I can tell it’s not just to show me the view, you know.”
“I-” He stammered, flustered.
Lumine giggled at his shy attitude. “How cute.” She whispered under her breath, but the words still reached his ears. All of a sudden, his face started to burn and he closed his eyes for a few seconds.
“Lumine..” After a few moments of recollecting himself, Xiao took in a breath as his heartbeat raced quicker and quicker. It’s.. time.
“Yeah?” Her gaze met with his, eyes full of expectancy.
“Stand up for me, please.” He murmured, reaching into his pocket to feel the rose he had prepared before coming here. He held onto the rose tightly and felt the delicate, smooth petals of the flower.
“Okay…?” Lumine stood up awkwardly, and so did Xiao. “Why…?” Her eyes were puzzled as she looked at him, but he didn’t reply. You’ll see…
All of a sudden, he knelt onto the ground and held out the rose from his pocket in front of him, his heart beating incredulously as his face turned red as the blazing hot sun. He met her gaze once more, and this time they were widened, full of surprise, and he could see the blush on her face as well.
“H-Huh? Wha-?” It was her turn to be flustered now. She drew in a breath, her gaze fixed on Xiao.
“W- Will you… be my girlfriend?” He whispered, almost inaudible, but Lumine heard exactly what he said. She blinked at Xiao multiple times, dazed as she put her left hand on her mouth in shock. Please say yes.
“I… I-” She stuttered, out of words. She couldn’t express the happiness fluttering inside her chest. She had wanted this to happen for a long time, and it finally did.
“Spit it out already.” Xiao turned away from her gaze, waiting patiently for her response. What will I do if she says no…? He mused.
“YES! Of course! I can’t imagine a life without you.. Xiao.” She blurted out, eyes shining with pleasure as she took the rose from his hands. Out of shock, Xiao studied her gaze to make sure she wasn’t kidding. This was too good to be true.. Right?
“Me.. Me too.” He finally murmured softly, not holding back the smile that broke through.
They locked gazes for a few seconds, blushing, until Lumine broke the silence. “Why are you still kneeling-? Get up already..” She looked away shyly, reaching out her hand to drag him up.
Instead of using it to pull himself up, he took her delicate hand, kissed it softly, then stood up. He held both her hands tightly and Lumine’s cheeks turned hot in an instant. He… He kissed… He just kissed my hand…!! They shared a moment of silence, cherishing the feeling of each other by their sides as well as their touch.
“Cute… As always, Lumine.” Xiao whispered, letting go of her hand and gazed warmly into her love-struck eyes.
“Eh-? Y-You too.” She scratched her head she****hly, astounded at the change in Xiao’s choice of words today. Xiao fell speechless, still smiling unconsciously nonetheless. Even though she was now his girlfriend, he still felt his heartbeat race faster and faster every time they looked into each other’s eyes.
“Do you have time tonight?” Xiao suddenly remembered about what he was going to ask this afternoon. He stepped backwards and sat down under the shade of a tree. The flowers bloomed bright red as the leaves swayed along with the breeze, dancing under the sunset.
“Yeah, why?” She responded absently, sitting down beside him with crossed up legs.
“If so… Would you mind going on a… date… with me?”
“YES!” Lumine blurted out, breaking into a grin. Today was the best day she’d ever had. So many things were happening at once, and she couldn’t believe this was reality. Every second, she would question herself if she was dreaming, and so did Xiao. He never thought ever in his life would he do this, neither did ever he think he would fall in love with someone.
“Where are we going, Xiao?” She brought back his attention in an instant.
“Wangshu Inn.” Xiao replied.
“Again?” She rolled her eyes in exasperation, in a playful way.
“Or we could go somewhere else if you would like.” He didn’t seem to get the idea of the playfulness in her voice, and quickly suggested.
“No, Wangshu Inn is perfectly fine. It reminds me of you every time.” She shook her head and laid her hand on top of his. He turned to look at their hands clasped together, and breathed. The yakshas would be proud. A pang of grief washed over him in an instant. He eyes turned distant, as a wave of clouds started to descend in his view. Bosacious… Menogias… Bonanus… and Indarius. All gone for a lost cause. He sighed and closed his eyes, eyebrows scrunched up slightly.
“Xiao? Is everything alright?” Lumine’s graceful voice brought him back together. “You seem… lost.” Her gaze was full of worry as he opened his eyes again.
“It’s nothing. I just.. thought about the past.” He muttered, taking in a deep breath, then blinked several times to wash away the memories, and let himself be comforted by Lumine. She nodded silently, and Xiao raised his head to look at the sky. “We should get going.”
“How are we gonna get there again?”
He didn’t give her time to react and carried her up again. She put her hands against his chest and let her head settle on his shoulder. Lumine looked up at him and studied his face as she breathed dreamily. So handsome..
In a matter of seconds, they were sent onto the floor of Wangshu Inn where Xiao always was. He blushed as Verr Goldet stared at him, eyes lit up in surprise. He looked away and set Lumine down onto a seat on the balcony. She let go reluctantly, wishing she could’ve been in his hold more, but she knew she couldn’t be too greedy… At least for now. Verr Goldet immediately came as she saw the two sitting closely next to each other. “Xiao! I never thought you’d be interested in love~” She laughed as she teased him.
“I- I… found out I needed her in my life.” He confessed, not meeting the boss’ gaze.
“Awww that’s so sweet~ Though I did realize that after you met Lumine you were a lot nicer.”
“...” I suppose it is true.
“Well anyway, congratulations!” Verr Goldet congratulated them.
“Thanks!” Lumine set her hand onto Xiao’s and his heartbeat started to race once again.
“Are you guys here to eat or just to chat?”
“I’ll get the Bamboo Shoots and just get Xiao some Almond Tofu.” Lumine replied after checking the menu that was left on the table. She hadn’t tried Liyue’s specialty food in a while, especially after having a different taste from being in Sumeru for so long.
“Coming right up!” Verr Goldet wrote down the orders on a slip of paper rapidly and quickly went into the kitchen to prepare the food.
“So you didn’t forget my favorite food.” Xiao spoke in a soft tone as soon as Verr Goldet left his sight.
“Of course not! I remember everything about you.” Lumine squeezed his hand tightly and his gaze darted away in an instant, lowering his head slightly, blushing.
“Even when you were somewhere else?”
“Even when I was somewhere else.” She whispered.
“Thank you.” Xiao mumbled.
“What for?”
“For being here.”
She rolled her eyes and giggled silently. “If that’s so, I should be thanking you for that too.”
“Do you remember…Bosacious?”
“Of course. Why?” Lumine tilted her head, concern peeking through her eyes. “Did something happen?”
“I had a dream about him.” Xiao responded.
“Tell me about it.” The light in her shone with curiosity as she looked at him promptly. He nodded and told her everything that had happened.
******
Xiao trodded along the walls of the Chasm, on the brim of giving up this journey he had been on for what seemed like endless days. He was slowly running out of energy, out of hope, and out of belief. He wanted to believe that Bosacious was alive, that he was somewhere in these ruins, but after so long, he had started to lose it.
“Bosacious?” Xiao’s voice echoed through the endless paths and caves of the Chasm. Nothing responded, as he expected. Helplessly, he sat down onto a nearby rock slate, hunched up as he looked into the hallways upon hallways of darkness. “How did this happen? How did we become what we are now? What about all the vows we made hundreds of years ago?” He drooped his head and studied his yaksha mask. He sighed as he saw it glow bright in the shadows, the turquoise color acting as a flashlight. This was what had led him through the countless battles and pain. It was the one thing that knew him best, at least for now.
Xiao lowered his mask and tucked it back into his clothes, standing up slowly. It was time he left this place. He walked along the old tracks that he had used for weeks, and perhaps even months. He did not know how much time has passed in these ruins. Although he knew Bosacious was dead, he still had a tiny fragment of hope left in him.
Suddenly, he heard a loud footstep coming from his right. Could that be… He cautiously made his way towards the sound, not making a single noise. It seemed to be leading him to a crumbling cavern, somewhere a mortal wouldn’t be able to find. He peered into the cavern and saw three familiar figures standing in front of him. These colors… Blue… Red… and yellow. Xiao knew what they represented. The Yakshas. Bonanus, Indarius, and Menogias. Though he realized one of the colors were missing. Purple, for Bosacious.
“Bonanus? Indarius? Menogias?” He called out to them, despair in his tone. Perhaps they could tell him something about the lost yaksha.
“Alatus!” They greeted him in unison, almost making him shudder. They seemed to be doing well, in the world of dead spirits, if that was a thing.
“Greetings. Have you seen… Bosacious?” He yearned to be with them and stay here forever, but he swallowed that feeling. He searched their gazes, hoping to find some sort of clue.
“Bosacious..? We thought he was with you.” Menogias mused. Xiao’s head spun. Did this mean he was still alive? The hope f******ed in his heart once more, like an almost died out candle f******ing back to life.
“He’s… not dead?” He pushed on incredulously.
“At least, we don’t think so.” Bonanus exchanged puzzled glances with Indarius and Menogias. “What’s wrong, Alatus?”
“It’s complicated…” He started, but trailed off as he saw the figures of the Yakshas fade away into the shadows of the cavern. He blinked several times and let out a breath. Multiple feelings started to consume him. The frustration of needing to continue searching for Bosacious, the hope that he would be able to find him, and the longing to talk to the dead Yakshas for a longer period of time. He wished he was back when the Archon War hadn’t began, when everything was perfectly fine. He missed them, but this wasn’t the time to grief.
Xiao saw a flare of purple light flash at the corner of his eye, the purple light orb floated around the caverns, as if lost and searching for light. He watched as it ventured into the cavern where the yakshas were, and disappeared within the shadows.
He straightened his back, standing up once more, ready to take on this journey with a new heart. He was certain this time he would find Bosacious. Dead or Alive.
******
“So Bosacious is alive?” Lumine asked as soon as Xiao had finished.
“I believe so.”
“Though it was just a dream.” She murmured reluctantly.
“A vivid one. One that I could recall all the details on. He must be alive.” Xiao shook his head, certain that this dream was a clear sign.
“Then… Are you going to search for him again?” She murmured, studying his eyes, but he seemed to be in a different universe. She remembered the last time they had gone with the others into the Chasm, barely making it out alive. Surely he wouldn’t attempt to do all that over again. If it wasn’t for Zhongli… Xiao would’ve been dead.
“The Yakshas…” He muttered, sounding so distant and absent. He closed his eyes and held back the tears that started to well up inside him. Lumine couldn’t help but sympathize for him. He’d been through so much pain and suffering, and she was glad she could be here for him.
“Come here.” Lumine gestured for a hug quietly. Xiao’s attention came back and he fell into her arms, letting her warmth engulf him, and letting her comfort him. At least she’s here. I will never let a single thing harm her, and I will never see someone perish like the rest of the Yakshas. Not on my watch.
She raised her head and looked into Xiao’s glittering amber eyes, resting her hands onto his shoulder. They shared a few seconds silently, then Lumine lifted his chin with her hand, her face starting to burn as she leaned closer. He could feel his pulse racing by every inch she got closer. The world spun as he felt her lips meet the surface of his cheek, her breath tickling his neck.
The moment seemed to last for eternity, and at last Lumine pulled away. But before she could completely let go, Xiao reached out his right arm to pull Lumine closer to him, his other hand placed on her chin. She let out a faint gasp, but allowed him to rest his face close to hers. Their noses almost touched each other, and their eyes locked together, their cheeks flushed a shade of pink.
“If I may…” He whispered into her ear.
She breathed, her breath quickening, closing her eyes as Xiao kissed her, turning blazing hot as their lips met, though relishing the sensation. They stayed like this for seconds upon seconds, until they finally pulled away, his gaze darted away instantly.
She blinked numbly at him, eyes shining with disbelief as well as pure joy. He didn’t know what had gotten into him, but he enjoyed it. A lot. We… I kissed…her… Our lips met…
“Did I just see you two… kissing?!” Verr Goldet’s excited voice made them jump, and in an instant, Xiao’s brain seemed to stop functioning, his head spinning, not knowing how to reply.
“Wha- You were spying on us?” Lumine gaped at her, stuttering on her words.
“Well… Not intentionally~ I had your food prepared but you two seemed busy.. So I decided not to interrupt.” Verr Goldet winked. “Anyway, enjoy~” She placed down their orders in front of them, and walked away.
Xiao and Lumine exchanged glances, and as soon as the boss had left, Lumine spoke. “I loved it.” Her tone prolonged for more. His cheeks turned red as he remembered the feeling.
“So did I.” He finally murmured, feeling a smile seeping into his heart. Butterflies fluttered in her chest when she heard those words coming from his mouth. He really did have a soft side.
“I'm glad.” She hushed, laying her head tenderly onto his shoulder. He tensed at first, but softened after a second. Their breaths matched in rhythm, filling up the floor. Xiao wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her closer, cherishing the sensation of her by his side. He looked towards the glittering stars in the night sky. Three of them seemed to shine especially bright, as if looking down at him, proud of his actions. He closed his eyes, breathing in her scent. Yet I thought I would never fall in love.
