A teary eyed Adeptus. — Xiao finds mortals to be difficult. He much prefers to keep himself separated from them, and in a way, it was also to keep them safe from his karmic debt as well.

Alatus, that was what the his fallen Yaksha’s would call him. Xiao would be a fool to say he didn’t miss them, it would be a blatant lie. Now that he watches over Liyue alone, he finds solitude to be the safest bet.

Xiao’s heart is guarded, yet your obstinance unlocks it slowly. Guarded by many chains, every soft interaction with you proves to unlock one. Of course, he doesn’t enjoy this feeling entirely, it’s new and he doesn’t particularly want to fall for anyone, much less a mortal. He could hurt you, do you not see that?

Of course you did, Xiao warned you in a moment of vulnerability one day. “I could lose myself,” he warned, “You could get hurt in the process. I could kill you.” And yet you stayed. And yet you were the one to become a ‘lover’ to Xiao, despite his constant worrying about getting too close to you.

One night, as you two are sitting on a bench on the balcony of Wangshu inn, admiring the scenery and chatting quietly, Xiao is lost in thought.

“The other Yakshas, they fell into the hands of Karmic debt.” Xiao spoke, eyes averted from yours. “A lot of destruction occurred, to them and Liyue. I worry that I not only will cause that harm to Liyue, but to you.”

He isn’t seeking sympathy. That would be laughable, but he seeks your reassurance to soothe the lump in his throat.