Old friend

      A warm wind, which has become habitual for a long time, blows over the face, peg strands of hair. Xiao knows that he is back. Without realizing for himself, Yaksha deliberately gets out of the inn, heading to the place of their last meeting. As if it should be. Reluctantly admitting to himself, Xiao thought that the presence of the wonderful Ronin in his life was not as bad as he imagined.       Kazuha showed remarkable interest in the seemingly completely inconspicuous Xiao, trying in every possible way to win his attention. Last time samurai made a salad. It was very tasty and specially for Xiao. And then he asked about different things. About vision, about Morax, about Liyue… Xiao didn’t know much about the gift of the Gods, but he answered anyway. There was something about Kazuha that untied his tongue. And he can’t say that it was bad.       Kazuha talked a lot. About his travels, different stories from his homeland, he talked about the fleet of the Southern Cross. As if they had known each other for a long time. In fact, Kazuha saw Xiao in the harbor a couple of days ago, and then somehow learned that Xiao was living in Wangshu inn. But Yaksha quickly stopped getting angry. Maybe they all behave like this in Inazuma.       Kazuha did not cross borders and did not interfere, surprisingly, perfectly understanding Xiao. Although, his manner of speech is also a bit strange. It’s like he’s reading a book, not talking. But beautiful.       Following from the inn, Xiao encountered a crystal butterfly on his way. Gray blotches framed the white wings and a crystal core in the center. Yaksha held out his hand, but the butterfly did not fly away. On the contrary, it sat down on his palm. Tilting his head to one side, Xiao gazed on the intricate patterns on the creature’s wings.       Kazuha talked about birthdays. That on this day it is customary to give something to a person. He also said that his birthday was “in the fall, when maple leaves gradually settle to the ground, covering the road with a red carpet.” He also named the number. It seems to match the number that Verr Goledt noted on her calendar this morning. This means that Xiao needs a gift that will delight him. And a seemingly suitable option was sitting in his hand right now. This butterfly will look beautiful on Kazuha’s white hair, contrasting with the red strand. Completely oblivious to the fact that he has no passion for the celebrations, Xiao caught a couple more butterflies and continued on his way, thinking about meeting.       Already at sunset, climbing the hill from which the entire harbor was visible, Xiao again saw the wonderful ronin, who had become so dear. He was sitting on the grass looking into the distance, but Xiao knew for sure that Kazuha heard yaksha’s quiet steps.       Xiao states, “You’re back.” Instead of greetings, sitting down next to him.       “A lot has happened in Inazuma, and I haven’t finished my study of Liyue yet. Now that all events in the past and no longer bother me, I will happily return to the study of your culture. And you knew again that I would be here.” Kazuha said, then turns his gaze on Xiao for a moment, then returns to the sunset landscape. He doesn’t ask questions this time. He knows. Probably the whisper of the wind, reflected from the age-old rocks, protected by Geo Archon, told him about the guest.       “You once talked about celebrations. And you said that it was customary to give gifts for a birthday. Today is yours, am I right?” Xiao looks at the butterflies in his hand. They do not resist at all, as if they are ready to be handed over to Kazuha.       “I’m glad you remember. It’s… important”       Kazuha looks at Xiao with his head tilted to side. The corners of his lips are slightly raised, revealing a soft, barely noticeable, but therefore the most sincere smile.       Xiao, without hesitation, carefully takes one of the butterflies by the wings, planting it on the nose of an old friend. It spreads its wings, tickling Kazuha’s face. He stares at the creature, mesmerized, and then turns his gaze to Xiao.       “Looks beautiful.” Xiao whispers, then takes the two remaining butterflies and places it on Kaedehara’s head.       He said, “Happy birthday” and his faint smile are like Kazuha’s. Xiao freezes, waiting for friend’s reaction. Kazuha after a moment spreads into a reverent grin, looking directly into yaksha’s eyes.       “It means a lot to me.” Kazuha also whispers, then take the butterfly from his nose to his finger, carefully look on it.       Xiao tries to smooth out the pause while Kazuha stares to the butterflies. “I thought you’d like them, so I collected a few along the way here.”       Kazuha suddenly puts a butterfly off his finger on Xiao’s nose, laughing.       “Very beautiful. In Inazuma, I have not seen butterflies of other elements other than electro. They go well with you too.”       Xiao is taken aback, looking first at the butterfly in front of him, then at Kazuha.       Ronin giggles softly, not taking his eyes off Xiao.       “Does it tickle you at all?”       “Seems not” Xiao said, then put the butterfly on his hair.       Kazuha looks at Yaksha thoughtfully, and then leans in closer.       “I know what can tickle you.” He whispered directly into Xiao’s lips, then touching it with his own. Xiao, on the other hand, sniffs noisily in surprise, but is in no hurry to move away. And in the stomach really tickles something, as if he had swallowed a dozen crystal butterflies. A warm, bandaged hand touches his cheek, stroking it. The hand itself clings to the armored shoulder, squeezing slightly. Kazuha kisses softly and not too persistently, like a maple leaf blown by the autumn wind. Pulling back, he does not remove his hand from Xiao’s cheek. Just looking with a sly squint, Xiao wrap his hand around his wrist, breathing deeply.       “And you are still the same, my good old friend Xiao.” he smiles.