Husband!Xiao who never understood why people made such a fuss over acts of service. If something eased your burden, why wouldn't he do it? It was only after Verr Goldet teasingly called him "domestic" that he realized not everyone instinctively reached for their spouse the way he did.
Husband!Xiao who, without fail, gently lifts your feet into his lap every time the two of you sit down together. Whether it's after a long walk through Liyue Harbor or a quiet evening at Wangshu Inn, his fingers automatically begin working the soreness from your arches.
Husband!Xiao who quietly replaces your worn-out shoes before you even realize how bad they've gotten. He claims the old pair was becoming "impractical," but the new ones are somehow the exact style and color you always reach for.
Husband!Xiao who notices when you've skipped a meal long before you admit it. He'll disappear for a few minutes and return with almond tofu or your favorite dish, setting it in front of you with a simple, "Eat."
Husband!Xiao who has memorized every little sign that you're tired. The way your shoulders sag. The way you rub at your eyes. The quieter tone in your voice. By then, he's already suggesting you head home.
Husband!Xiao who always walks on the side closest to the road or the edge of a cliff without ever thinking about it. To him, it's instinct.
Husband!Xiao who pretends he doesn't understand why you're smiling at him while he fixes your scarf. "The wind is stronger today," he'll say, as though that explains why he's carefully tucking every loose end into place.
Husband!Xiao who learned to braid hair purely because yours kept getting tangled during long trips. He insisted it was inefficient to leave it loose. He's surprisingly good at it.
Husband!Xiao who cannot sleep deeply unless he knows you're safe. He spent centuries remaining alert for danger, and old habits die hard. Even now, he unconsciously reaches out during the night just to confirm you're beside him before relaxing again.
Husband!Xiao who silently takes the heavier bags every single time. If you try to argue, they're already gone from your hands before you've finished your sentence.
Husband!Xiao who has no concept of spoiling someone. He simply notices that your tea has gone cold, so he reheats it. He notices you've been reading for hours, so he leaves a snack nearby. He notices you've been moving all day, so you're getting a massage before you can protest.
Husband!Xiao who never interrupts when you're talking, even if he doesn't have much to add. He'll sit in complete silence, listening to every story from your day as though it's the only thing worth his attention.
Husband!Xiao who starts keeping little things on his person because you've needed them before: a handkerchief, a hair tie, medicine, a spare pair of gloves when winter arrives.
Husband!Xiao who doesn't know how to apologize with flowery words. His apology comes in the form of a hesitant, "I was unfair to you." To anyone else, it sounds simple. To you howver, it's one of the hardest sentences he's ever learned to say.
Husband!Xiao who still answers your call immediately, no matter how many years you've been married. The moment he hears his name, he's there. Some habits, after all, are forever.