The fresh air welcomed her, the breeze dancing around freely as the light padding of her shoes against the wooden planks had waltzed away with the wind. Unintentionally, a small smile tugged at her lips once she saw the familiar figure of her beloved by the balcony. She strolled over to him, only to see his trembling figure. His unsteady breathing made her smile fade away and the sight of his nails digging into the wood on the balcony chipped off pieces of her heart. The stoic and composed adeptus that she knew had broken off his façade, the pieces uncovering someone so broken and so fragile. Someone so longing of warmth and rest.
The souls in his mind grasping for his sanity, his mask and spear only reminded him every day of his sins. Tears cascaded down his cheek like a raging waterfall, the screaming had gotten louder than before. He was so vulnerable, so scared. He knew that she would have to see this humiliating side of his one day. Even though he didn't want her to see his unstable state, something in him was seeking her comfort and her sweet words.
He fisted his hair, pulling at his hair, "[Y/N], they're screaming. Please make it stop," He whispered to her, his voice raspy.
"Don't do that please, love," She held his hand that gripped at his hair.
She unfolded his fist, swiping her thumb over his fingertips. She intertwined their fingers and placed a fleeting kiss on the back of hand, hoping that it would bring him some sort of comfort. Maybe the Archons had heard her wish. She felt him squeeze her hand back, it was slight, but she took it as permission to shower him with all the love he needed. The love that he longed for.
"Shh, it's going to alright, Xiao." [Y/N] let go of his hand, his arm falling limp by his side without her touch, and touched his back gently, rubbing it slowly after he mildly flinched.
But he only started to breathe at an uneven pace, she could feel him shaking. Panic rose in her as she quickly embraced him, her hand at the back of his head, pushing it slowly to the crook of her neck while she wrapped the other arm around his back, her hand drawing soothing patterns on his back. She dragged her fingertips up and down his spine, holding him like he'd disappear within her grasp.
"Hey, love. Let's sit down, okay?" She whispered to him, feeling him nod slightly against her neck.
She sat down and pulled his build towards herself, cradling his head on her chest so he could hear the comforting beating of her heart. The female pressed a kiss to the gem on his forehead, only sweet nothings leaving her lips when she heard his breathing gradually improve and slow down. The way she spoke to him was a great contrast between the voices who racked at the back of mind, begging for more death. The tone of her voice was kind and loving, he felt undeserving of her undying affection that she kept especially for him. He knew she'd tell him otherwise, but he always doubted himself. Something kept telling him that she should have someone else, someone that was better than him. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to cut ties with her. She was addicting, he couldn't tell whether it was a bad addiction or not.
Before he met her, the only thing lingered at his mind was the stability of Liyue and the severe punishment of death for his sins for when he was controlled to slay the innocent. Those hands that were stained by blood were being held with such care by his lover.
"[Y/N]?" His voice cracked; the tone of his voice made her heart wrench as she heard his soft sniffles.
"Yes, love?" She brushed his bangs lightly, pressing another light kiss to the crown of his head.
"I'm tired," He whispered, indulging within her warmth, the voices screaming in his head started to deafen, his eyelids beginning to shelter his teary golden eyes.
"I know, you can rest as much as you want, Alatus." She said, her thumbs brushing his tears away while the melody of her heartbeat sung him to a deep well-deserved slumber.
(A/N: No, I am not an absolute simp for Xiao.)