「 ✦ Isekaied Reversed Pt. 8 ✦ 」
(New Years Special (quite delayed))
↳ It's no surprise that even the toughest people break, at some point or another—not even Xiao can avoid it. Though, maybe something could cheer him? It's the time of a new year alas.
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December 31, 2024. The holidays were coming to an end. The snow slowly thawing and watering down.
It's been approximately 5 months since Xiao unexpectedly arrival, 5 months since his unexpected disappearance.
Within that time, you could say both of you had grown a fond bond between each other—it's not quite to the point of being open with each other, but enough for a mutual understanding and slight respect.
You had taken the holiday off work, allowing yourself to relax and spend time within the comfort of your apartment. During the winter season, you and Xiao shopped a bit, though mainly to see what he found interesting and buy it.
Though you've noticed that ever since explaining the tradition of Christmas and new year to him, you've sense a gloomy aura that trailed him. His mood slightly damp than his usual and his disappearances being slightly more frequent, even Qiji noticed it.
And it seemed like today was one of those days.
....
Laying on the cough, your head dangling off the cushions as your legs dangled from the couch's back and Qiji curled on your torso with soft purs.
You and Qiji both perked at the noise. Looking over to the spare room, you saw a exhausted looking Xiao, small eye-bags forming as he closed the door behind him—Qiji instantly getting up and rushing towards him leaving you feel betrayed.
Looking at the Adeptus, you frowned at his state. "You okay there?"
The Adeptus looked over towards you, before nodding. "Fine."
Your brows furrowed in suspicion before you nodded, or tried at least. "You wanna watch a movie?" He shook his head, "No need. Just need to...get something."
Without warning, he disappeared, leaving only particles behind.
You looked over to Qiji who meowed in longing and concern. "You see it too, huh." Another meow.
Pulling out your phone, you clicked open TikTok, deciding to spend your time wisely by scrolling away at the brainrot.
Scrolling past a few, you stopped at an edit of Genshin—not just Genshin but a familiar event that took place every year. Another sound rang softly throughout the apartment, tearing yourself away from the screen, you saw Xiao opening his room door, holding a few materials in hand.
Deciding to get up and do something productive, you stuffed your phone back into your pocket before uncomfortably standing up, your muscles aching from that uncanny position.
You headed over to Xiao's room, hearing a faint sound of voices. Knocking on the door you only received a stern 'busy' followed with a small thud. You huffed, deciding not to pry.
Qiji stared at the door before looking at you and moewing.
"Sorry boy, we're both probably locked out." You scratched his chin, as he purred before shaking as you retreated to your own room.
...
It was 8:40, meaning there were 3 hours, 20 minutes until midnight struck. You decided it would be better to get started on making your bought dinner.
...
By the time you were finished, it was 9:35. You grimaced at the late timing—but hey, you didn't realize it would take that long to just heat up a few frozens.
Placing the final dish on the table, you went over to Xiao's room where Qiji waited, and called for him.
Unfortunately, you recieved no response. You knocked again, nothing. You called his name, yet nothing.
You went to open the door, yet your hand hovered above the handle, hesitating. Sucking a small breath in, you open the door. You found scattered pieces of paper—full and cut across a messy desk with small indents. A pair of scissors, tape and even gorilla glue sprawled across it and an ipad that displayed a video.
Furrowing your brows, you slowly picked up the electronic, reading; "Laterns—How to craft" You muttered.
You remembered something.
Taking out your phone, you were silently thankful nothing had reset as the video from hours ago played—revealing the event; The Latern Rite.
You were a bit confused at first, but then
it all clicked.
The laterns, the new year, his moody attitude since explaining—he was homesick.
He missed his friends, he missed his traditions, he missed his home.
and the holidays just reminded him of it, of the one event he found joy and comfort in—especially new years.
You felt quite a bit naive and oblivious—stupid one would say.
Looking at the mess created, it was evident that the Adeptus tried recreating the perfect tradition he loved, yet it wasn't the same.
You frowned, seeing the frustratedly torn pieces, and the pile of crumpled papers.
You made your way out the door, though hesitated. Looking back at the sight, and down to the video, you had an idea.
....
10:10
Taking a coat, and your keys, you picked up the cat and headed towards the one spot you knew Xiao would be.
....
You walked towards the teal haired male, his hair blowing in the cold winds.
slowly, you sat beside him, Qiji walking over onto his lap.
The silence exchanged enough words.
You glanced towards him—his eyes were puffed and glistening, nose red and small sniffles were present ever so often.
"You shouldn't be here."
"I want to be here."
"I don't need you here."
"You might not need someone, but you want someone."
"How absurd. I don't want.."
"...I can't have anyone."
You frowned, your brows nit in empathy for the adeptus who looked at the curled up feline on his lap—who looked for a distraction from his feelings.
A silence followed, only the noise of wind crossing being present.
...
"Will I ever return? Months already passed and...
...is this just an endless cycle? A repeat of my past—a karmic debt to everything?"
His voice was broken and hoarse—a rare, fragile-vulnerability present.
You wish you had an answer..but you didn't—you couldn't. But that didn't mean there wasn't one.
"No..we'll-.." You paused, but could you?
'I..I don't know.' is what you wanted to say, but it wasn't what you needed to.
The small hesitation to Xiao, gave him his answer. His breath was shaky, as his hand unevenly stroke Qiji's fur.
"All we can do is try and wish for the best sometimes." You spoke hesitantly.
"Maybe if we wish hard enough, it'll come true...Maybe those words are just for a silly reassurance, but..it brought something amazing here right now so...maybe it'll do the same for you? You just need a little hope." Maybe the words you spoke were just gambled words of nothingness, but you hoped it at least gave reassurance or some type of hope.
Unhooking the small handles from your side, you gave one to Xiao who looked at it with confusion before looking towards a spark of light flicking in your hands.
It took a few tries until the lighter finally lit. You softly smiled when it did, before gesturing to Xiao's lamp.
The adeptus held his up as you lit the small candle inside before copying the actions on your own DIY lamp.
Even if they weren't perfect, Xiao thought otherwise.
Looking at your phone, it was a minute until midnight. With each passing second, small sparks could be heard in the distance, followed with explosions.
"In three...
...two..
...one-!"
The both of you released hold of your lamps as they flew into the night sky—many colorful explosions dancing around them as they did so.
You glanced over to Xiao, who was mesmerized in the scene before him—the colorful explosions, and the two lamps in the sky bringing back a familiar feeling, along with a small smile of gratitude that graced his lips.
"Thank you..."
He glanced towards your tranced figure.
'maybe a wish did bring something good after all...'
.
.
.
[A/N]: I'M SO SORRY AT HOW DELAYEDD THAT WAS, THE WEEK WAS PACKED WITH HW AND ASSIGNMENTS (Finals are next week, i'm so cooked)
(Might be open for suggestions for one-shots: RULES: - no smut - common sense to find what else I wouldn't do (pairings, ships, etc) - no OC x Cannon or Character x Character - can't think of anymore, js refer to the second one, INBOX: OPEN)
