If, and Only If || (Xiao x Reader)

四

"It stood out a lot considering it is the only red leaves tree among the green ones." He took a piece of the tofu, and placed it in his mouth. The taste melted on his tongue along with the tofu.

"Yeah. You're right." She held the flute.

"Is the tree special?"

"Special..?" Xiwangmu asked herself that question. And shook her head. "...how about I play a song for you first." Her smile didn't feel happy. Her eyes didn't smile. Her eyebrows arched up in a helpless expression.

Xiao could tell. He seemed to be really good at reading expressions, or rather she can't hide them. Whatever the case, she just didn't seem genuinely happy, even though she smiled. And smiles are supposed to be happy, and fun.

"Sure." Xiao put the plate and spoon down on the ground.

The sound of the flute sounded exactly like the one in Dihua Marsh. He thought the same thing when he was playing. The flute sounded more composed, and 'used to' to it. The song felt different, but it made him feel at peace with himself.

Her playing stopped. As she stared at his smiling face. It was small. But a smile is a smile. And some smiles are happy.

Xiao looked at her confusion laced in his expression. "Is there something wrong?"

"No. No, no." She shook her head quickly. "So, what would you like to hear about today?"

Xiao stared in the direction of the red tree.

"The red tree. Why is it the only red tree?"

Xiwangmu saw it coming.

"Right. The red tree. I knew you'd ask." She motioned for him to follow her to it. And sat down.

"This. Here. Is a birthday gift." She pat the thick tree trunk.

"Birthday?" Xiao slightly cringed. He wasn't interested in such mortal celebrations.

"I know what you're thinking. But Guizhong, insisted on a gift. I don't remember when I was first born into this world. But it's a gift from when I first became an adepti. By Morax."

Xiao's shoulders slumped as he sat in his spot.

"Those two continued. Each year they would give me something, may it be a flower. Or a rock." (Ahem, Zhongli.)

"Did it stop?"

"Well of course it did."

"What?"

"Guizhong passed on. It was lonely. Morax offered to still celebrate, but I refused. Because each time I would remember it would make me feel like crying again." Xiwangmu opened her hand to reveal a small ball of light. A star. Like when she crumbled the demon.

Xiao looked slightly sympathetic. He wanted to know, he did. But he would've known that some would be sad.

"You're just curious. Anything else?"

"Uh. Why red?" He asked again. Red, only reminded him of the blood of the people he killed. But the red on the tree was different. Not slaughter. But beauty.

"I like the meaning of the color red."

"Colors have meanings?" Xiao questioned.

The goddess nodded and laughed.

"Red, and the other colors have meanings. I don't know who came up with them though. But I will admit, not all of the meanings are good. Red can mean danger and sacrifices but it's more common for passion, love, and joy. And etc. Green, means good luck, health, tranquility, and jealousy." She explained.

"Maybe that's another reason. Why you're always in such good health most of the time. Oh but. If you hear voices inside of you, again. Feel free to come see me. I'll play a few tunes to distract you."

Xiao was reluctant.

"I don't—"

"Abadadad- don't you finish that. I know what you're gonna say. I'm not fragile, nor am I incompetent. Just let me do a few more things for you."

Xiao. Oh Xiao. He was swept off of his 'worry horse' if that makes sense.

"Now. Would you like some wine?" She held up a huge bottle.

"Do you... drink? All of that?" He was not expecting that.

"Why yes, I do. It's huge, I know. But it's one of the best in Teyvat. I approve, as the goddess of humanity."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now. Xiao is a lightweight. He became drunk after 3 small cups of the dandelion wine.

"He's a lightweight. That's adorable." She pet his hair, laughing softly while drinking another cup. And her cheeks became red from the alcohol.

Xiao was still awake. Just drowsy. He hit his head on the table, as his consciousness kept slipping away.

Xiao was out COLD.

Zhongli came over to visit, and looked at the sleeping Xiao on the table, he almost slipped off the top.

"What did you do to Xiao?" He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"We drank some wine." She held up her cup in hand.

"Xiao drank?"

"I think he's warmed up a little."

"So, Y/N." Zhongli suddenly called. She hasn't heard her name be called in a while. Y/N or perhaps Xiwangmu, was slightly startled.

"Have you two been around each other?" Zhongli sat next to her.

"Ming, the usual cup for him." Y/N called softly. Ming nodded, and went off back into the shrine.

"Mhm. I made a deal with him. If he hung out with me everyday whenever he could, I would tell him about me. That simple. Seems he wants to know more about me." She sipped her wine again.

Now he was startled slightly.

"Wait, wait. Xiao? He does?"

"He's the one who approached me first. Well, I was naked that time."

Zhongli spit in his cup, and choked on the tea. As they talked to each other while Xiao slept on the other side of the table.

"Do you remember your birthday?" The question seemed to echo inside of her mind.

"No. I don't." Xiwangmu looked down at her cup. The only commemorative gift from her birthdays, are the small cups to drink wine from. Which is from Zhongli. And the red tree.

"You know? There's a date for the tree."