Through The Lenses of Time ♡ Liu Xiao x Reader | Link Clink

8 ღ

Liu Xiao had been staying over more often. Not because he needed to, but because he wanted to.

It wasn't official, and neither of you said anything about it. But his presence had become part of your routine-the quiet rustle of his hoodie being tossed onto your couch, the way he'd hover near your desk while you sketched, the way his fingers would absently trace circles on your skin when you sat together in the dim glow of your apartment.

Tonight was one of those nights.

He sat on the floor beside your couch, his head resting against your legs as you absentmindedly ran your fingers through his silver-blue hair. The weight of him leaning into you, trusting you, made your chest ache in the best way.

"You're so soft with me," he murmured, voice low.

You smiled, continuing to comb your fingers through his hair. "Because you let me be."

He exhaled slowly, his fingers curling slightly against your knee.

Then, after a long pause-

"I had a sister once."

Your hand stilled. Your heart clenched at the word had.

Liu Xiao never talked about his past. He never talked about his family, either. You knew about his father, about the strained, painful dynamic, but a sister? That was new.

"...What was she like?" you asked gently, resuming the soothing motion through his hair.

A long silence stretched between you before he finally spoke.

"She was bright," he said quietly. "Nothing like me."

You frowned. "That's not true."

He tilted his head slightly, just enough for his cheek to brush against your leg. "You didn't know her."

"No, but I know you."

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. "She was the only one who saw me. Really saw me."

Your heart ached at the raw vulnerability in his tone. You leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, lingering there for a moment.

"What happened to her?" you whispered.

His fingers tightened into the fabric of your pants. For a moment, you thought he wouldn't answer. But then-

"She was taken from me."

The weight of his words settled between you like a shadow. You didn't press for details. If he wanted to tell you, he would. Instead, you slid off the couch and onto the floor beside him, reaching for his hand.

He let you.

He let you hold him, let you guide his head to your shoulder. He let you press soft, reassuring kisses against his hairline, let you whisper, I'm here.

And for once, Liu Xiao didn't try to hide.

For once, he allowed himself to break, just a little.

But he wasn't alone anymore.

And this time, he had someone to catch him.

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as requested via tt, I will extend the storyline and make many chapters to enjoy! tysm for 90 reads ⭐