"you and me against the world but the world won" (Xiao)
about: It's the archon war and Xiao loves you too much. My take on his tragic backstory before he meets Morax.
genre: fluff, angst, comfort? it do be a roller coaster
note: THIS IS SO LATE BUT THIS HAD TO LEAVE MY DRAFTS NOW. BEGONE. btw ooc alatus in the start (I like to believe his harsh and cold demeanor was slowly developed after all). not my proudest work but it is quite the fic!
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"Back in a younger, more naive time, a god had gotten a hold of Xiao's weakness and forced him to serve as their bloodhound, in which capacity he was forced to perform cruel and violent acts." (Genshin Impact Wiki, Xiao's Character Story 2)
— Act 1 : You and Me —
"And what's this extra room for?"
"Well..." A blush rushes up to his cheeks, turning his head to the side, "We would need a nursery someday, wouldn't we?" The dumbfounded look on your face at his reply slowly breaks into a wide grin. You laugh at him before tackling him into an embrace. You were touring your new home. Just a young couple starting out in life in a quaint and secluded adobe, not too far from a Shilin village in Liyue.
"Okay then. What do you think about having five little adepti?"
"What?" He turns to you, wide-eyed, "F-five?"
"Pfft. I'm kidding, Alatus." You snuggle into his chest, your horns — physical proof of your identity as an adeptus — poke at him. "Maybe just two."
"Hmm... Actually," He starts, suddenly scooping you up into a bridal carry causing you to yelp. There's a mischievous glint in his golden eyes and you screech as he carries you down the hall, saying "Five sounds just fine."
— Act 2 : Beginnings & Ends —
The waves of the archon war were fast approaching. It was a miracle that your little village lasted this long in peace, not when the surrounding towns were already burnt to the ground. Many of your fellow villagers had already left to seek refuge; it was only a matter of time for you to leave as well.
"Y/n? What are you doing?" Alatus asks, turning the corner to see you standing in the middle of your supposed nursery, "Have you finished packing?"
You stayed silent and closed your eyes. As if time would stop if you don't respond. You hear the shuffling of feet as Alatus wraps his arms around you from behind. He was always such a clingy person, embracing you in every opportunity.
"I can build another nursery. One that's even better." He whispers softly and you sigh, turning to face him with a sad smile.
"It needs to fit five, okay?"
"Alright."
— Act 3 : To Love and Protect —
"Perhaps we should head to the ocean. There are talks of Morax and the goddess of dust accepting refugees." You suggested, pointing at the map, "I'm sure he has formed contracts with the adepti as well."
"That brutal god?" Alatus scoffs, folding his arms, "Not a chance. Besides, the lord of the vortex is sure to make Guyun Stone Forest his battlefield."
"Y/n may be right," Bosacius — one of the five great yakshas — folds back the map. "Morax, though known as a menace, is loyal to his contracts. We can condition the safety of the villagers in a contract."
Alatus sighs, too tired to argue.
Like nomads, you've been traveling for months. Many of the villagers who left with you had succumbed to the natural hazards of war: from getting caught in the crossfire to lack of resources, only a few were left to wander. Despite being one of the younger yakshas, Alatus had earned himself a rather high position among the illuminated beasts in your group. He was undeniably strong with a righteous personality and he did his best to ensure everyone's safety, particularly yours.
"So we'll be heading south," Indarias, another reliable yaksha, concludes, "Tomorrow, Bosacius and Alatus will scout ahead. The rest of you form a temporary shelter in the cover of Wuwang hill."
You glare at Indarias, him knowing fully well that you were uncomfortable with the idea of your lover scouting ahead. Indarias merely avoids your gaze and walks away with the dispersing crowd. You sigh and follow Alatus to your shared tent.
"Alatus," You start but he stops you.
"I know you don't like the idea, Y/n, but it's just a reconnoiter mission. We'll avoid any fights."
"You know it's not just that, Alatus," You approach him, holding both his hands in yours, "There have been talks of a malicious god capturing yakshas. We don't know what he does with them but it's obvious that Qiongji Estuary is his territory." You mumble softly. "I just... I don't know what I'd do without y-"
"I'll be fine." Even if I have to crawl away from battle, pride be damned, I'll come back to you. He thinks to himself.
You trust him enough to believe him.
— Act 4 : Strength & Weakness —
It was a trap.
After days of risky scouting, saving as many civilians as he can, battling evil demons and lesser gods, Alatus was exhausted.
"I must say, though you are young, you are by far the strongest yaksha to face me," Came the intimidating voice of a god. The same god who's enslaved dozens of illuminated beasts to do their dirty work. Alatus holds back a reply, grittier his teeth to avoid groaning from his injuries. Right now, his priority was escaping back to you and saving you from the degenerate god's plans.
"Though I praise thy strength, you are quite weak in mind, young yaksha!"
"What do you want?" Alatus clenches his fists, eye contact unwavering.
"Your complete obedience, is it not obvious?" He states, presenting a glowing contract to the yaksha, "In exchange, I leave your people alone." He knows this is a trap, he knows that the god is merciless towards his servants, yet as he thinks of you in the Shilin village, running up to him with a smile, he also knows that he would do anything for your sake.
"I.. am at your disposal." He grits his teeth, falling on one knee to a bow as the contract glows. It is complete. The god smiles wickedly at the display.
— Act 5 : Against the World —
Alatus followed orders like a puppet, unable to resist no matter how gruesome the act. The first time he consumed a dream, he sobbed on the body of a young girl who lay cold and dead. Disgust flooded his veins as he puked everything from his stomach; yet, no matter how hard he tries, the energy will always remain inside him.
His hands trembled from the weight of his bloodied polearm.
Hands that you once caressed so lovingly. How could he ever touch you again? 'It's fine,' he tells himself, 'murder is to be expected of war.'
He closes his eyes and thinks of you. Blurs out the screams and bloodshed around him. His body moves of its own accord but his mind is only littered with you.
Beautiful and energetic as you bake him a batch of mooncakes. Were you safe?
You're lighting up lanterns in the sky, telling him that it would guide the hunters back home. The twinkling of stars reflected in your eyes.
Alatus thinks of the nursery. Fine cedar wood making three little cribs. He's planning on making two more.
Where are you now? By the ocean, enjoying the breeze? Have you offered a contract to Morax yet?
He chokes a little boy. The boy splutters and grips at his wrists, but Alatus is just so so tired. He snaps the neck quickly. If this were the first time he's done it, he would have cried, but it's not the first nor is it the second-
Alatus stares at the burning village around him, a display of his sins.
Please be safe. He goes back to his master in silence.
— Act 6 : But the World Won —
When his fellow yakshas were captured as well, he grappled on their clothes, screaming at how could they leave the village alone; how could they leave you alone. The pressure of this damned contract choking him.
The end of his "master" was anticlimactic. The warrior god, Morax, arrived and the battle was quickly ended amidst stone mountains and cliffs.
Morax told them they were free — but the years of being a puppet were something not so easily forgotten. Before Alatus could leave in search of you, the geo god called him back.
"A young adepti asked for my aid through Guizhong," He started, "She drove a promising bargain. Your fellow villagers have safely integrated with our assembly, but..."
Time froze for Alatus the day Morax slowly explained what happened.
You were gone,
You were gone,
He left your side and while he was blinded with his sins, you died.
— Final Act : You —
The Wangshu Inn is a place full of mysteries! Or, at least, that's what they say. If you walk too far from the public lounges, amidst tree branches over staircases, you'd find a little secluded room.
A nursery with five little cribs made of fine cedarwood.
Don't ask how you got there. It haunted you— called out to you like a spell. You, who's been searching all your life for something someone you don't fully understand. You who's always felt half lost, half unfinished, like a puzzle without an image. You who woke up in the mountains of nowhere, wandering aimlessly.
Your fingers brush over one crib, noticing the intricate carvings on the wood.
"You're not supposed to be here."
You jolt, head snapping up at the sudden sound only to see a yaksha perched on the window.
"I'm sorry I just- this place.."
"Is off-limits. I suggest you leave."
You stare at him, eyes lingering on his golden cat-like ones. Something fills the missing pieces in your heart. Like puzzle pieces settling in the depths of the board, clicking into place. A slow realization that you've found yourself once again.
"I thought you only wanted three cribs, my love?" You smile at him and you see the way his jaw laxes, face falling apart as he slowly walks closer until he was right in front of you. His hand reaching out, almost afraid to touch the plush of your cheek.
"I told you... five sounds just fine."
masterlist
BEGONE FROM MY DRAFTS FOUL BEAST
