Xiabedo: Distance
Chapter 1
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The light was dim. Xiao could feel something wrapped around his left arm. The light seemed to come closer while remaining dim. He blinked. Slowly took in his surroundings, he rubbed his eyes. He was on a strange couch.
It wasn’t the couch Verr Goldet let him lay on sometimes.
Shooting up, Xiao inspected his left arm. There were bandages wrapped around it. Summoning his pole arm, he took in more of his surroundings. He could hear something breathing. Standing up, he put in his mask. Creeping towards the breathing, he could see a man.
The man had messy hair in an interesting hairstyle. He had dark circles under his eyes and was asleep on a desk. Creeping towards the man, Xiao leaned over him and inspected him. He seemed to be in an uncomfortable position. Xiao leaned in close. Who was this. With a growl of impatience, he spoke.
“Wake up mortal! Who are you?” He snapped. The man seemed to be startled awake. He was clearly a light sleeper like Huai’an.
“Wh-? What are you doing? You should be resting!” The man mumbled, staring up at Xiao from the side as he rubbed his eyes. Xiao blinked behind his mask. Was this human not scared?
“How’s your arm?”
“My arm doesn’t matter.” Xiao growled. “Who are you?” The man blinked at him, then spoke.
“I’m Albedo. I found you near the Liyue border unconscious. And yes, your arm does matter. It may be infected.” The man, Albedo, said. Xiao narrowed his eyes.
“So, you were trying to help me?” He questioned. Not many did that. Only ever the people at Wangshuu Inn tried to help him. Never a stranger.
“Yes? You were hurt.” Albedo said. “Now, could you let me go? I’d like to check your arm.” He said. Slowly, Xiao stood up straight and let Albedo stand. Albedo stretched and yawned.
“Please, sit down. It’ll be easier.” He said, motioning to the chair. Xiao, hesitantly, sat down, removing his mask.
“I should be fine. It’s not like it matters anyways.” He grumbled, letting Albedo take the bandages off of his arm. There were no injuries. Only the scars lefts by Karmic Debt. He huffed inwardly as Albedo traced the scars carefully. He caught Albedos questioning eyes.
“Karmic Debts a bitch. Leaves behind scars that will never go away.” He said, sighing a little.
“Karmic Debt?”
“The price I pay for eons of slaughter.” Xiao snapped, pulling away his arm. “Not like a human like you would understand.” He turned his head away from Albedo, glancing around. This was nothing like any Liyue house he’d ever been in. Was he in Mondstadt? He heard a thump beside him and was tempted to see is Albedo had fallen or something.
“You must be the last surviving Yaksha.”
(Xiabedo fic master list)