Xiao turns away, a look of confusion etched on his face as he tries to understand your words - to understand you. "Being with

Xiao turns away, a look of confusion etched on his face as he tries to understand your words - to understand you. “Being with me means an eternity of suffering, why would you want that for yourself?”

For the first time since you’ve met him hundreds of years ago; he looked.. defeated. The strong, courageous adepti who stood tall amidst any danger, who was your pillar of strength when your sanity was tearing at the seams - was letting himself be vulnerable in front of you.

Taking a step towards him, you reached out for his hand - for him. “.. Listen to me,” you whisper, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of your lips.

“You’re going to hurt me-,” Xiao winces and attempts to pull away, but you held on. “And I’m going to hurt you.”

His mouth opens to protest but you were quick to shut him up.

You gave his hand a gentle squeeze, showing him a smile that doesn’t quite reach your eyes. “But this is the very condition of existence, my love.”

Xiao’s gaze was overwhelming, causing a wave of emotions to wash over you. He doesn’t say anything but you know the words, the same one you’ve heard millions of times in different timelines.

“To become spring, it means we have to accept the risk of becoming winter.” Gently cupping his face with your hand, your thumb strokes the corner of his lip.

He melts into your touch, drowning in your warmth.

You lean close to him until you were only a mere breath apart.

“And to become a presence,” He stares into your eyes and then, memories of your lives together throughout lifetimes briefy flashed - the painful, the good, and the bad, even the ones you tried to forget.

“It means accepting the risk of absence.”

Xiao places his hand over yours and sighs. “Humans, always so stubborn.” He whispers under his breath yet there was no sign of malice, instead a hint of fondness.

You let out a chuckle, placing a soft peck on his forehead. “And that’s why I’m still here, after all these years.”

A fleeting look of despair appears on his face. He wonders why you would let yourself suffer, why you would stay by his side and endure his karmic debt despite everything.

And then it clicks.