trouvaille | xiao ??

{for the best experience,
play the song above when the symbol • appears}

LANTERN RITE FESTIVAL
- happens every year on the day of the first full moon to commemorate the heroes of the past.

The night was still young when they arrived at Liyue Harbor to watch the festival. The trio (Y/N, Aether, and Paimon) had agreed to meet at the Wanmin Restaurant, much to Xiao's disappointment.

Originally, the Adeptus wanted to take her in one of the rooftops and stargaze while waiting for the time to finally let go of the lanterns that they had bought. But unfortunately, that didn't happen.

"Paimon, Aether!" Y/N greets them as she runs towards them, the Adeptus following her like a lost child. "And... who is this?" She asked them once she saw orange haired young boy that had freckles.

"I'm Teucer! And my brother's the best toy seller!" He introduces himself, grinning widely. "And you are?"

"Hi Teucer! I'm Y/N, and this is Xiao." the girl says, slightly bending down. "How did you meet them?"

"Oh! I was talking to my friend Mister Cyclops when they saw me and they helped me find my brother! But since he's busy, I have to go with them." He says, his smile falling down as he says that his brother was busy, but then he suddenly lights up once again. "Speaking about my brother, Ms. Pretty Lady, do you have a boyfriend? If not, I think you'll look good with my brother!"

Xiao grimaces, as he bends down to look at the child eye-to-eye. "She does have a boyfriend."

"Really? That's quite sad to know." He says, before turning to look at Y/N once again. "But! If you ever break up with your boyfriend or vice-versa, always remember that my brother's available!"

The past archon raises her eyebrow in amusement, "Okay. Wanna make a pinkie promise?" Xiao's eyes widened, as he turns to look at her in disbelief. She cheekily smiles back at him, "But I'm afraid you'll have to ask the handsome mister over here first."

Teucer turns to look at Xiao. "Mister Handsome! Can Miss Pretty make a pinkie promise to me that when she and her boyfriend breaks up, she'll date my brother?"

"No." was all he said.

"Why?"

"Because."

The two started to argue, and while they did, Y/N turns to face her two friends. "Have you ordered?"

"Not yet! Since Aether here didn't want to order without you guys!" Paimon says, glaring at the blonde traveler. Then, she takes a look at Y/N. "Wait a minute! You're glowing!"

"Huh? I am?"

"Yup! It's like something good happened to you!" Paimon says, floating towards the female, inspecting her face. "You're really glowing! You look happier than before!"

Y/N looks back at Xiao, who was glaring at the kid. Then, she looks back at the two. "I've never been more happier in my entire life."

Paimon leans her chin against her palm, thinking to herself. "Hold up...." She says, "Are you guys.... together?!"

Aether looks away, chewing on his bottom lip.

The girl blushes, before she nodded. Paimon squeals in delight, "That was unexpected! But congratulations!"

The traveler smiles at her, "I'm happy for you."

Y/N smiles back at him, "Thank you."

Then, they start to chat with the chef, ordering their food. "Ah, I forgot to tell you. But we can't watch the festival with you guys. We still need to take Teucer somewhere else." Aether says, and with that, the Adeptus' ears perked up.

"Oh, that's okay." He chimes in. Very okay. Aether glances at him, making eye contact. Their amber eyes clashing, and Paimon couldn't help but shiver at the intensity.

"I do not like this energy at all!" She says, pulling Aether away, snapping him out of his thoughts. Although the Adeptus remained the same as he continued to stare at him.

"I wanna go back to my brother now!" Teucer says, "I miss him!"

Aether looked at him, before looking back at the two. "Well, it seems that this is goodbye for now. We'll see you guys later in the Inn." Y/N nodded at what he had said, bidding the three goodbye.

•

She turns to look at Xiao, handing him his food. He grabs it, grabbing her hand at the same time. "Let's go."

"Where?"

"To the best spot to see the lanterns, of course."

He leads her to a small mountain nearby, setting the food aside. He points at a statue of the statue of a deer. "Look. It's almost starting."

Y/N looks at it in awe, as they watched it turn around and light up. It takes a few steps forwards, before it finally flies all over the city. And when it passed near them, Xiao says, "Now, let it go."

And so they did let their lanterns go.

Forever, was written on one of them.

And on the other, was Sorry.

"It's so beautiful." She says, watching as the lanterns fly up, and up in the air.

He looks at her, with a small smile on his face. Truly, she is beautiful.

And when he looks up at the sky to watch them too, she silently coughs. She looks down at her hands, that were now bloody. And she smiles.

"AND THEN, THEY FOUND EACH OTHER."