The night sky above Liyue was quiet and still, with only the distant twinkling of stars as the evening's company. The bustling city below seemed far away, and up here, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the vast expanse of mountains, the world felt almost peaceful. Almost.

Xiao sat at the precipice, his silhouette framed by the soft glow of the moon. His attention was on the distant horizon, but it wasn’t just the view that held his focus. There was something else in his expression—something that was harder to read than the usual resolve he wore so perfectly. Something vulnerable.

You approached quietly, mindful of his solitude, but your presence was undeniable. Xiao’s sharp senses caught the sound of your footsteps, and though he made no move to acknowledge it, you could tell he knew you were there. His usual coldness was softened tonight, like a fleeting cloud drifting through his otherwise unyielding demeanor.

"Xiao?" you called gently, taking a few steps closer. The sound of your voice seemed to pull him from his thoughts.

He looked over his shoulder at you, amber eyes catching the moonlight. "It is late," he said, his voice as calm as ever, though there was a slight edge to it, like a lingering trace of something more complicated. "What brings you here?"