if anything was worth celebrating for, it was this day. after days of commission and weeks of patrolling near wangshu inn. verr goldet, the owner, had you bringing a certain adepti his favorite meal once in a while. constant visiting had you knowing his name and as time passed, you knew more than just his name and favorite meal.
april seventeenth, you were informed. verr goldet somehow knew of the adepti's birthdate and it had you scrambling for what you would gift xiao.
he spent nearly every night accompanying you in patrolling, helping you with hilichurl camps without an exchange. perhaps it was all the almond tofu you were bringing him.
he was enigma. a sealed scroll with ancient letters you could not decipher but he was xiao. there are thousands of words to describe him and despite his sharp tongue and narrowing eyes towards you, he never set you aside.
a mere traveler wandering about, you didn't know what he saw in you but nonetheless, you were happy.
the day before his birthday, you asked verr what they would usually bring him on his special day. the woman waved at you, chuckling, saying they would continue to bring him the usual almond tofu. you pondered - what did he like?
and so you trudged onwards and outside, looking for materials to set up a simple table up on the balcony where you two first met.
he had been so wary of you then, figure rigid and ready to strike. you somehow managed to assure him, the almond tofu you were holding was from goldet. trying to strike up a conversation was difficult but you managed. his silence and small hums were more than enough. even now, where he manages to answer you or even question where you've been.
xiao has been the greatest to you, even if he'd retaliate otherwise. the world has not been the greatest and for you to find a place to stay and stare at the stars was more than worth to be grateful for - and with someone, might you add.
as the sun set and red-ish hues painted the sky, you tucked a hair behind your ear, trying not to mess what goldet had helped you with earlier.
you stared at your blade, looking at your reflection. your hair had been styled formally in a braid with crystalflies pinned on the front making it glow in the darkness. you stood by the wooden railings, waiting for the stars to appear.
green mist dimmed near you and you could see him appearing. the worried gleam in his eyes faded as they landed on you, standing beside a well-lit table adorning his favorite meal.
the small shy smile on your face proved that you were in no danger as you held the plate of almond tofu, beckoning the adepti to join you.
xiao sighed, before walking over to the table, sitting down in front of you. he stared at the crystalflies on your hair, familiar with how you got them.
"i see they fit you well."
the stars seemed to burn brighter as the two of you shared words and comfortable silence. the crystalflies in your hair and the stars seemed to glow the same in xiao's eyes.