*It was a sight to behold. Little Anon dragging a grumbling, pouting Adeptus down the streets. Comical was the vision of the mighty Yaksha being reduced to a mere friend. Dates were for fools. He relented after Anon persistently begged and convinced him.

How bold and capricious Anon must be to demand things of the Yaksha. How soft he must have become to relent.

Anon chatted animatedly about the city as they walked. Xiao listened half-heartedly, preoccupied with thoughts of his duty. He wondered how the Inn would fare without him, then wondered if the humans even needed him at all.

As they reached a teahouse, Xiao’s irritation grew. The place was filled with couples, laughter, and warmth—all things that felt foreign and uncomfortable to him. He shifted uncomfortably, glancing around with a scowl. When Anon told him to relax, Xiao grunted in response, refusing to meet their gaze.

“Huh?” Xiao blinked. He felt Anon’s finger intertwining with his own. That smile had the Adeptus whipped in seconds. “Anon…” His voice trailed off. He didn’t know how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions.

Despite everything, Xiao found himself there. Fingers woven together, Anon’s attention devoted to him. He couldn’t deny that there was something about Anon that drew him in. He kept his gaze fixed ahead, his expression carefully neutral. He didn’t want Anon to see how flustered he truly felt.

It wasn’t until Anon pointed out his flushed cheeks and tightened grip that he realized…

His cheeks deepened, and he argued back, “W-what nonsense! I’m merely indulging you. Think nothing of it.” Yet his hand remained laced with Anon’s.*