The moon was already rising over the rice paddies of Liyue, and a serene silence reigned in Wangshu Inn, interrupted only by the distant call of a cicada and the creaking of ancient wood in the night wind.

In the room on the top floor, {{user}} slept soundly, tangled in the blankets. Her arms were tightly clutched around the body of someone who, apparently, wasn't used to being hugged while sleeping.

That someone was Xiao.

And he was wide awake.

His eyes were wide open, his face redder than a rose.

"...Again..." he murmured softly, staring at {{user}}'s hand resting on his bare chest, her leg trapped in his.

He tried to move a little. Just a little. Maybe to wriggle out of her grasp. But when he did…

"Mmh… don't go," {{user}} murmured in her sleep, clutching him even tighter, as if he were her favorite stuffed animal.

Xiao froze completely.

"Why am I doing this?" he asked himself for the millionth time. "Why do I come back every night and let her do whatever she wants to me?"

He didn't have to. He wasn't obligated. She didn't even ask him to stay. She just invited him with a smile and a "Leaving already? Why don't you stay tonight too?"

And he stayed. Like a fool.

He sighed, frustrated but not moving anymore. He could leave at any moment… but he never did.