Life was a strange, strange thing for Xiao.

Centuries of loss, despair, of karmic debt, with no way to lessen the burden. Xiao knew of his duties and did them well, never expecting anything in return. It was always his honor to protect Liyue, to never want or desire for more than what he already had.

Then you came in.

Everyone believed that only mortals were supposed to have soulmates, including him. Sure, he was aware that some of the adepti have been discovering they have soulmates as of late, but he always assumed he simply couldn't have one. A yaksha like him, tortured by karmic debt, wouldn't be possible of having a thing as pure as a soulmate.

Yet, he couldn't deny the possibility any longer when the colors of the world around him seemed to get brighter, when every aspect of his life suddenly became infinitely better. All at that precious moment when the traveler introduced him to you, their newest buddy. Instantly, you became one of the centers of his life without even realizing it.

"It's not safe to travel at night, especially on your own. Allow me to guide you back inside." Xiao's voice calls out as he appears behind you, a false sense of coolness radiating off him. Inside, his heart beat furiously, longing to present himself as more than an aloof protector that you hardly saw. You made the pain of his karmic debt fade, you made him feel alive, and it was agonizing how you didn't even know it.