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

七

"You still have a problem?" Xiao turned to Aether.

"You are obviously one of the heroes this festival is all about... why don't you want to get involved?" Paimon asked him.

"I... detest rabble. No care in the world, so peaceful, so joyful... they are nothing like me. Too long have I spent slaughtering, accompanied by the burden of suffering that follows in its wake. Crossing paths with all those jubilant people will only make me... that's all I have to say. Farewell." Xiao sighed.

"Are you sure you and Y/N don't want to go with us?" Aether asked one more time. He's persistent.

"Someone has to keep him company." Xiwangmu smiled, and Xiao glared again.

"Are you really so enamored with such trivial amusements?" Xiao directed towards the traveler.

"What do you think?" Aether asked him a question back.

"Hey! This is a legitimate festival, not some trivial amusement!" Paimon fired back. Clearly upset, Xiao insulted the Lantern Rite.

"Legitimate...?" Xiao pondered and mumbled to himself, as Xiwangmu was next to him so she heard every word. "Enough. Go watch those lights." He dismissed again. "But stay vigilant. Keep your eyes open for any menace. If you find yourself in trouble... speak my name."

"Sure you'd make it into the city in time to come to rescue?" Aether asked.

"I'll be there immediately."

"Wether yours or Liyue's, he hears all cries for help. All prayers for peace. And all wishes carried by the lanterns." Xiwangmu finished for him, taking the words right out of his mouth, while she glanced at the city down below with admiration of the many lights.

"...get going." Xiao instructed. Aether and Paimon nodded and left the two on the mountain. And saw their figure disappear, as they grew smaller and smaller.

Xiwangmu brought out two lanterns, out of nowhere.

"Did you just take out two lanterns from thin air?" Xiao asked.

"Mhm. Just like how you appear and disappear in thin air yourself." She handed one for Xiao who was reluctant to take it. She then wrote a wish she finally came up with. And seeing her excited expression again, Xiao had no choice but to write a wish as well. Xiwangmu put a star in each of their lanterns because they didn't have fire to light the candle.

A/N: (Feel free to listen or watch the video right here for a better experience.)
All the lights were out in Liyue. The statue of Skybracer lit up, and soon came to life. It took a step and another step, and ran in the air. Leaving steps of light to disappear as it moved forward. It took a jump up, and dived back down to the city. And as it ran around all of the lanterns and lights were lit up, and they all released their lanterns. Xiwangmu nudged Xiao to release his as well, as Skybracer passed by the gates of Liyue Harbor. Once they were all in the air, they two sat down. And Xiwangmu and Xiao looked in the air of all of the lanterns lit up, like stars. Xiao was amazed, and she was able to catch a glimpse of his smile again. The beautiful lights all drifted into the air, and became smaller and smaller. Xiwangmu remembered her being here with Zhongli and Guizhong a long time ago. She covered her face with her hanfu from Xiao as she felt her eyes tingle, feeling like she was about to cry. But still looked at the lanterns.

"Are you alright?" Xiao asked.

"Y—yes.."

"Are you sure?" He leaned closer, but she only leaned back covering her face, with a hand in front of her to keep distance from him and to prevent him seeing her expression at the moment. And Xiao was surprised, a shy, Xiwangmu? He tried to move her arm out of the way, and he got a glimpse of her red eyes, on the brink of tears. And her red cheeks of embarrassment. Xiao engraved that expression into his brain, like a kamera snapping a picture. He wished he had one at the moment to keep it.

"Do you have another name other than Xiwangmu?" Xiao changed the focus of the attention.

"Uh.. yes. Only Morax calls me it though."

"Oh. What is it?"

"Y/N."

"Well then, Y/N." Xiao looked at her with admiration at the same time, with a bit of adoration. And a playful smile of his danced on his face.

Y/N took her arm down, and took a peek to see Xiao looking back at the lanterns. She then created another star and tossed it into the air, and like the lanterns it blended into the clusters of light made by the others.

It was a great day. An enjoyable day. And all above else, possibly the most enjoyable day Xiao has had with Y/N.

A/N: I know the Lantern Rite story quest is long done by everyone, but I really wanted to add that into the story. And this is probably by far the most I've written. (4087 words.) Happy late Lantern Rite. :)