CHAPTER 7 BOOK 2 SPOILERS!!!

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Oh I'm READY!😎🔥

hi!! do you perhaps have the assets for 'Briarland - Near Castle Wildrose' and 'Castle Wildrose - Path to Castle Gates' backgrounds? i would really appreciate it if you could get them for me! :D thank you so much in advance! your works are godsend <3

I'm afraid I don't know the backgrounds by name/heart, but I hope the one you're looking for is among these

the promised scarabia b screenshots (from the scarabia manga)

SORRY I HAD TO MAKE A SEPARATE POST FOR THIS CUTIE BECAUSE WHAT IS THIS...

How can a single mob student be so adorable... 😭 I am convinced that this is the reason why Twst doesn't give mob students eyes... The devs KNOW the mobs would become way too powerful and usurp attention from the main cast boys/j

happy valentines pt.2 (dying)

Stupid ginger sucks at flirting

inspired by this

Doodle

Najma in NRC robes from my RoleSwap AU. I think they surprisingly fit her.

Assets used came from Twstasset

SUFFER IN SILENCE.

*+.~ xiao x reader

cw: kinda fluff??? pre-established friendship, no "traditional" romantic antics, kinda character study

You knew he was suffering, his labored breaths well visible behind the curtain, a hand over his forehead as the other was balled in a fist at his side— a telltale sign of his constant pain.

He had only left your side for a moment to excuse himself, even as you knew full well he left to suffer in silence, believing that it was the only way to keep you safe.

"Xiao..." you spoke, hesitant. You expected he would deny, push you away, tell you to go back to what you were doing.

Instead, he said nothing; yet while his brows still furrowed, he untensed his shoulders.

A silent invitation, you realized, as you parted the curtains of the balcony to accompany him.

The moonlight was strong tonight, so much so you had to use your hand to shield the light to adjust from your dark room.

It was not surprising to find him still in the same position, a dark energy faintly eminating from his tattoos. He grits his teeth, bringing his hand down from his face to lock eyes with you.

"You... you came..." he remarks.

"I did, yeah," you reiterate, smiling at him.

"...why, I could harm you, you know."

"I know that. I don't mind that fact."

He sighs, slumping to lean on the wooden railing, still seething from pain.

"You're foolish," he interjects, turning his attention to the streets beloe Wangshuu Inn. "Humans are foolish anyways."

"I know." you reply, agreeing. He has quite a point, and yet, you know he doesn't really mean it.

He's served humanity for years, as a weapon, a tool; and he's been mistaken, given as misinformation, and feared by humanity, despite all that he had done for them.

Truly, you could understand.

Xiao loved humanity, and yet, he could not afford to.

"And yet, you don't mean that, do you, Xiao?"

"Hm?" He whips his head around to face you, his hands gripping the wooden railing tight.

"You've served humanity for years, despite how they've treated you."

"It is my duty to do so," he says.

"Yes, I'm aware."

"And?"

"And, despite all that, why do you think I'm here?"

Xiao goes silent.

"I understand your struggles, and all that you provide for Liyue. And yet, I don't want you to shoulder this alone, even if it is your duty."

"But—"

"I know there isn't an option to truly take away all of your pain and karma," you continue, "But I at least want to be here for you, Xiao."

Xiao looks back at you again, a change in his expression, however faint it was, it was there; and the fact he could express it made you smile.

"...I thank you, for your understanding." he finally reacts, his eyes softened— a more tender look decorating his features, yet still pained.

Being able to directly hold eye contact with him; not as a monster, as a human— as someone who understood him, shook Xiao to his core.

How could I be appreciated like this? I don't deserve it, right?

Soon enough, the darker swirls stopped appearing around him, and Xiao was finally able to untense his limbs.

"The pain is... less intense now," Xiao remarks, "it will come back soon, though."

You nod.

"However." He swallows. "I thank you, again, for staying with me."

"You don't even have to ask. I'll always be here for you."

"Then... I wouldn't mind staying with you a little longer."

His cheeks had a slight red tint to them, which did not go unnoticed. You giggled a little.

"That's cute..." You mused.

He blushed even harder.

"I-I-... I am not 'cute'..." He stutters, looking away from you.

"Oh, you heard that... right, you're not human."

"...I am an adepti. I assume my senses may be slightly more attuned than a mortal's."

"Hm. Well, since we're out here, do you want to do something?" You asked.

Xiao sits down on the ground, his back on the railing as looks towards you.

"Come, sit here."

You gingerly tread next to him, sitting down at his side.

"The stars," he muses, almost dreamily if you squinted, "they're... peaceful."

"Yeah, I agree."

"They are far away, yet so close to us. During the day, they are hidden; but when night arrives, the glow of the stars reminds me that time still stays still sometimes."

You recall the ages of the adepti, remembering that Xiao had lived for many centuries, and many months and years. The only solace for the passing of time so rapid could only be something so concrete, like the stars.

"For the 500 years you've been around, you mean?"

"Yes."

The two of you sit in silence, only the occasional whoosh of the wind or the shuffling of clothes as you fidgeted in your seat interrupted it.

Before you even realized, you had awoken, in your bed with the covers tucked under your chin.

Turning on your side, a small slip of paper had appeared on your nightstand whereas a lack of one from before.

"I hope you rested well. I have gone for other duties, but I will return at nightfall. I hope you will accompany me once more. - Xiao"

A small smile graced your face, knowing you were able to bring him peace, even just for a little while.