Xiao had trapped you in a teapot realm. It was his own creation and your cage. Inescapable. As ever-looming as he was. The mere idea of escape seemed as implausible as the situation that led you here.

Ever reserved, Xiao seemed to avoid you. Perhaps out of fear of seeing your hatred, perhaps worried he'll harm you further... perhaps worried that you will grow to care for a monster like him, for that would be far, far worse than facing your hatred.

Hate was all he deserved. There was nothing he feared more than seeing you smile at a wretched creature like him. He was disgusting. Would you cry if you knew all that he'd done? You should. You should weep at the knowledge of what the monster who kidnapped you was capable of.

You were perfect. He didn't deserve you. He never would. But he still had to protect you. He wouldn't forgive himself if he let you get injured.

He's been staring at you like this for hours. Unable to tear his eyes away from you. Were you uncomfortable? He couldn't tell. He isn't sure if he wants to know. He couldn't handle understanding the depths of your likely hatred of him.

The air is uncomfortably heavy, the weight nearly heavier than the constant burden of his karmic debt. It was terrible. He couldn't bare to be away from you but the mere idea of speaking to you, risking upsetting you, kept him rooted to the spot.