Genshin Impact ship pairings

The night was quiet, and the bright moonlight flowed down from the sky to the earth like water.

The night on Dihua Isle was peaceful, with only the occasional chirping of insects and birds adding a touch of liveliness to the quiet. A gentle breeze caressed every corner, tender and serene.

Gazing at the calm surface of the stream, Xiao's face was clearly reflected. It seemed like a fantasy, like an entanglement; Xiao could vaguely see the black karmic obstacles clinging to him, disturbing his mind and soul.

When will it end? How will it cease to exist? Xiao could sense that as time went by, he would eventually lose control of himself. In any case, he would end his own life at the very last moment. He thought this with unwavering conviction.

Covered in wounds and weary in spirit, after a long battle, Xiao fell asleep peacefully by the stream in Dihua Isle, accompanied by the sounds of the wind and birdsong.

------

Kong was very anxious and angry at this moment.

After each trip, Kong would return to Wangshu Inn in Liyue, both to rest and to visit the shy immortal.

Yes, in Sora's eyes, Xiao was shy and reserved at heart. Perhaps it was because of Xiao's flustered expression when the two approached. Or perhaps it was because of Xiao's flushed face when Sora tried to feed him almond tofu. All of this made Sora feel that although Xiao had lived for a long time, he was still a shy boy at heart.

This time, as usual, after exploring Sumeru for a few days, Kong returned to Liyue. When Kong wanted to let Xiao try the Sumeru specialties he brought back, he couldn't find Xiao at Wangshu Inn.

When Kong went to ask, he only received some worried words from Boss Philgold.

"The person upstairs hasn't returned for several days now, but I don't know exactly how long. Could you please ask the traveler to go and look for them?"

Thinking of Boss Philgoldette's worries back then, Kong felt restless and anxious. Relying on his elemental vision, Kong hurriedly searched for Xiao in the vast darkness of the night.

Finally, with a light sheen of sweat and a touch of night dew on his body, Kong found the immortal he longed for by the stream at Dihua Isle.

At that moment, my previously uneasy heart calmed down.

The reeds rustled in the breeze, a sound that seemed to mask Sora's footsteps, or perhaps Xiao was simply too exhausted. In any case, as if by some strange twist of fate, Xiao did not notice Sora's arrival.

Kong, suppressing the sound of his footsteps, sat down next to Xiao.

Sora looked at Xiao, whose face, though thousands of years had passed, still resembled that of a young boy, somewhat youthful. Xiao's eyes were not visible at this moment, but a red mark at the corner of his eye was clearly visible, like congealed blood.

Sora reached out and took out a thin blanket, intending to cover Xiao with it. Xiao opened his eyes and looked at Sora, not refusing him. He simply said, "Ominous things are most easily disturbed at night, you shouldn't go out. Besides, I'm a sage, I won't get sick."

Sora shook her head. "But you'll feel the temperature; it's cool at night." As she spoke, she tried to lean against Xiao.

Xiao got up and tried to leave Sora, but Sora stopped him. Ignoring Xiao's slight struggle, Sora hugged Xiao from behind and gently rested his head against Xiao's back.

"Getting close to me will hurt you," Xiao said softly to Sora, reluctant to push him away or hurt him. But Sora kept trying to get closer to him.

"I'll only get hurt, heartbroken, if I leave you," Sora muttered to Xiao in a slightly spoiled tone. Xiao, of course, heard this. Xiao could sense Sora's feelings for him, but it stemmed from his own reasons. Although he also liked Sora, Xiao dared not, and could not, accept Sora's feelings.

The voices of "them" often echoed in Xiao's ears. Roars, cries... screams of slaughter... In Xiao's eyes, this was his own choice and his own retribution. It had nothing to do with Sora, and he shouldn't let Sora be hurt because of him. Therefore, Xiao never responded to Sora, trying to let Sora give up on his own.

But Kong will not give up. Kong also knows that this is a game of strategy. If Kong shows the slightest intention to back down, then Xiao will forever remain in his shell until he dies.

"Xiao...you know, I like you, and I will never give up no matter what..." Sora choked up as she carefully expressed her inner feelings.

Sensing Sora's sobs, Xiao wanted to turn around and hug her, but he restrained himself. He couldn't turn back; that was the best thing for her. He simply clenched his fists tightly, as if that would suppress his emotions.

"I will never give up, unless I die..." Kong sobbed, but Xiao turned around and covered her mouth.

"I won't let you die, I'll protect you." Xiao couldn't help but turn around. No matter what, Sora could always easily stir Xiao's emotions.

"Please hug me, okay? I love you so much. I always feel at ease when you're by my side, Xiao." Sora looked at Xiao, her eyes still brimming with tears, yet her eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words.

As he spoke, Sora waited, waiting for Xiao to compromise.

Finally, Xiao hugged Sora.

Xiao finally embraced his sunshine and his warmth.

“In this way, we’re already too connected. Even if you want to give up, it’s too late.” Xiao wanted to give Sora a fierce warning, but he couldn’t bear to part with him, so he just subtly told Sora his feelings.

Kong was overjoyed; Xiao had finally opened his hard, hedgehog-like shell. "I never thought of that. Xiao, I love you the most."

Seeing Sora's excited expression, Xiao felt a wave of tenderness wash over him, and the surging love in his heart finally found an outlet.

"Mmm." Xiao responded to Sora, gently stroking Sora's cheek. The softness in his palm captivated him. Sora's bright eyes were filled with him. He didn't want him to be sad, he didn't want to see him cry, as long as he smiled, everything would be alright as long as he was happy. He would do everything in his power to protect Sora. Xiao swore in his heart that this would be an eternal promise.

Sora lowered Xiao's hand and gently kissed Xiao's lips, her touch innocent and tender. It was as gentle as the spring sunshine, like the most devout believer offering everything to their god.

As Sora blushed and tried to pull away, Xiao pressed down on the back of Sora's head, deepening the kiss. A surge of passionate love rushed towards Sora, without any pain, only wanting to envelop him and protect him.

The night was as dark as the tide, the moonlight hazy and indistinct. The wind rustled gently across Dihua Isle. The two embraced and kissed by the stream; the scenery was beautiful, yet it evoked a feeling that brought tears to their eyes.

It is said that true love is like a ghost, many talk about it but few see it, but since ghosts occasionally appear here, perhaps true love is waiting at the next street corner.

But ghosts and demons are unpredictable, and many people are thrown into disarray upon seeing them. Perhaps to embrace love, one needs even more than just a burning fire in one's heart and courage.

A brief follow-up:

In the end, the two returned to Wangshu Inn. Kong looked at Xiao's wounds and her eyes reddened again. She silently applied medicine to Xiao's wounds.

Xiao looked at the heartbroken Sora and didn't know how to comfort her. She just frantically wanted to hug Sora.

Sora, however, wouldn't let him hug her. Xiao could only helplessly promise Sora, "I promise I'll take better care of myself from now on and won't let myself get hurt so much again, okay? Don't be angry."

Xiao coaxed Sora softly, finally pulling her into his arms. Only then did he feel relieved.

Seeing that it was getting late, the two tidied up quickly and then went to rest.

Sora stole a glance at Xiao, thinking to herself that Xiao was such an idiot, but thankfully he was finally her boyfriend. It seemed that pretending to cry would make him listen, and she sighed again at how stupid Xiao was. Then she thought to herself that she would never let him go again.

The next morning, Paimon, still half asleep, couldn't find Sora in her room. She thought Sora might have run away and abandoned her, and she also wondered if Sora had been captured by the Abyss Mage. She was both angry and scared.

After frantically searching, they finally found Sora at Xiao's place. Enraged and shocked, Paimon shouted a voice that echoed through the heavens: "We're doomed! Sora, you slept with the Sage! We're going to jail!"