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

七

"What is that supposed to mean?" Xiao looked between the two.

"You wouldn't go to the festival so we brought the festival to you." Aether put his hands on his hips. Seeming confident, Xiao will accept with a smile.

"'Brought the festival to me?'" Xiao asked again.

Paimon looked a bit impatient. "Okay, so there's a bunch of delicious snacks just laid out below the inn, and a bunch of Xiao lanterns, and there's practically no-one else around you have to worry about."

"There's even almond tofu, and grilled ticker fish..."

Now Xiwangmu was the one excited now. "Let's hurry up and go down there, the foods gonna get cold!" She cheered like Paimon.

"See? Y/N is excited, so let's go!" Paimon waved a hand over motioning them to get a move on.

They went down to the bottom of the inn, and there was indeed a food stall and a table all set and ready.

"Feast your eyes! The festival we brought to you looks mouth-watering and exciting, right?" Paimon floated next to Xiao and Xiwangmu.

"This is... the Lantern Rite festival you brought to me? Is there no end to the peculiarities of the human behavior?" He sighed. "Does it serve a grander purpose?"

"This way you can take part in the Lantern Rite." Aether answered.

"Is that so?... it is difficult to understand human emotions and motives." Xiao's demeanor softened.

"Less talking, let's get eating! The foods gonna get cold!" Paimon pointed at all of the food. And she giggled, "Paimon's gonna get the head start now!"

They sure took their leisurely time. While Xiwangmu tried to shove a lot of food in Xiao's mouth, as he tried to stop her from her actions. And they even brought her some wine, trying to get Xiao to drink it too, but he remembers last time and refused profusely. Paimon accidentally drank some, and Aether smacked her face to get her to pay attention to her surroundings. It was enjoyable. Very.

"Now! We're done with eating, let's go see the important part of the celebration!"

"Xiao and Y/N, come with us." Aether invited the two adeptis. And Xiao declined again.

"You guys should just go by yourselves. I'm not interested."

"But I am." Xiwangmu intervened. And Xiao slightly glared at her.

"You might as well keep us company on the way there." Aether looked at Xiao.

"Yeah, the Mingxiao Lantern may not be your thing, but... surely, there's so harm in taking a walk with us." Paimon pointed towards the road. "The road from here to Liyue Harbor is long and full of dangers... we need someone to ensure our safety!"

"We don't have to enter the city, we can see them off at the outskirts." Xiwangmu stood up from her seat, while talking. And Aether and Paimon nodded their heads.

"..." Xiao looked away. And saw Xiwangmu staring at him straight in the eye. He moved his eyes down, and gave an approving sound. "So be it. I shall walk you to the Harbor's outskirts."

"There we go! Alright, time to hit the road!"

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

They stood on the mountain near the gates of Liyue Harbor.

"This is as far as we will go. Please see yourselves into the city." Xiao stated sternly.

"Wait a second."