Deviant: No Longer Human

Zhenxi blinked several times, her wide eyes adjusting as the world around her came into focus for the first time.

Her small hands, trembling slightly, fell away from her face as she stared forward, her breath catching in her throat.

For a moment, everything seemed impossibly vivid.

The light of the setting sun bathed the world in hues of gold and crimson, casting long shadows over the landscape.

The leaves of the trees shimmered with life, their delicate edges now so clear to her.

And there, right in front of her, was Wang Xiao.

She saw him.

For the first time, her gaze locked onto his face, and Zhenxi felt her heart skip a beat.

His features were sharp, but not harsh—more like those of a figure from a forgotten legend.

His eyes, deep and blue, held a glint of something she couldn't quite name, a quiet strength that seemed to ripple just beneath the surface.

His expression was calm, but there was a trace of amusement in the curve of his lips, as if he found the moment more amusing than anything else.

Zhenxi's mouth opened, but no words came out at first.

She blinked again, her small hands gripping the fabric of her robe as if to anchor herself in the moment. The warmth that had spread through her eyes now settled in her chest, creating a mixture of awe and confusion.

"Wow…You," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "…this is you?"

Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, noticing the way her eyes had widened, now full of wonder and disbelief. "What? Expecting someone else?" he teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

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Zhenxi shook her head quickly, her dark hair bouncing with the motion. "No…"

Her eyes drifted over his face again, studying him like a lost traveler seeing the stars for the first time.

She looked as though she were memorizing every detail—the sharp lines of his jaw, the casual tilt of his head, the way his hair caught the light in soft waves.

She looked down for a moment, her small voice barely above a whisper. "I thought you would look... scarier."

Wang Xiao smirked, the corners of his lips curling upward. "Sorry to disappoint."

Zhenxi's head shot back up, her eyes widening even more, flustered. "N-No! You don't look bad at all! You're…" Her cheeks flushed a deep red, words escaping her as she fumbled for an explanation. "You're… you're… very handsome."

The words tumbled out before she could stop them, and the moment they did, her hands flew to her mouth, covering it as if trying to take back what she had just said.

Her face was now a brilliant shade of pink, and she couldn't meet his gaze anymore.

Wang Xiao chuckled, leaning in closer as he teased, "Oh? Handsome, am I?" His voice dropped into a soft murmur, filled with amusement. "That's the first time I've heard that. How do you even know who's handsome and who's ugly?"

Zhenxi puffed up her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Hmmm… Zhenxi's daddy is the most handsome man in the world!"

Before Wang Xiao could react, the little girl suddenly sprang to her feet, wobbling slightly on the seat before throwing herself at him.

Her small arms wrapped around his neck, tightening with all her might as she clung to him like a small, stubborn vine.

Her cheek pressed into his shoulder, her warm breath tickling his neck as she squeezed tighter, as if afraid he might vanish if she let go.

"..."

Wang Xiao blinked, momentarily at a loss.

'Have I gained a new pet?' he wondered silently, feeling her small hands grip him even more tightly.

"Zhenxi?" he asked, gently prying her hands from around his neck.

But the moment he loosened her grip, her lip quivered, and her small body trembled slightly as though something deep inside was threatening to break.

"I-I won't leave," Zhenxi stammered, her voice cracking.

Her large eyes welled up with tears, shimmering like dew on fragile petals.

She buried her face deeper into his shoulder, her grip tightening once more as her voice became shaky. "I don't want to leave… don't make me go…"

Wang Xiao's heart twinged, a strange, unfamiliar feeling creeping in.

He let out a quiet sigh, his hand hovering above her back for a moment before gently resting there.

"Zi'er, calm down," he said softly, his voice lower now, trying to soothe her. "No one's making you go anywhere."

But Zhenxi didn't seem to hear him, her small body starting to shake as her sobs grew more insistent. "No… no, don't send me back… Please… I don't want to go… I don't want to…"

Her words came out in broken, choked cries, each one tugging at something deep inside Wang Xiao.

For a brief moment, his usual aloofness wavered.

He wasn't accustomed to comforting others, much less dealing with a crying child, but Zhenxi's tears had an unexpected effect.

"Hey, hey, enough of that," Wang Xiao said, his tone softer than before. His hand gently stroked her back, trying to calm her down. "I'm not sending you anywhere, okay? You're not going anywhere unless you want to."

Zhenxi hiccuped, her sobs slowing but her grip on him remained strong, like she was holding onto a lifeline. Her small frame, trembling with emotion, seemed so fragile in his arms, and Wang Xiao felt a faint sense of responsibility blooming in his chest—one that he didn't entirely want, but couldn't bring himself to shake off.

"I promise," he added, his voice a little gentler, "I won't send you away."

Zhenxi sniffled, slowly raising her head, her eyes puffy and red from crying.

Her lips wobbled as she stared up at him, her expression one of pure, desperate hope.

"Really?" she whispered, her voice small and shaky.

Wang Xiao sighed, his hand still resting on her back. "Really. Now stop crying. You're making me look bad."

He suddenly felt as if he had been tricked.

Zhenxi rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands, sniffling again as she tried to hold back the rest of her tears.

But she didn't let go of him, her grip still tight around his neck, her face buried in his shoulder once more, as though afraid if she let go, the world would pull her away from him.

Wang Xiao could feel her tiny heartbeat against his chest, erratic and unsteady.

He looked down at her, a strange mix of exasperation and affection tugging at him.

'What am I going to do with you?'

For a moment, they sat like that, the sound of Zhenxi's sniffles the only thing breaking the silence.

Wang Xiao glanced at the horizon, the golden light of the sunset casting long shadows over the landscape.

The moment felt oddly peaceful, despite the little bundle of softness clinging to him.

Wang Xiao sighed again, his usual teasing demeanor fading into something quieter.

"Alright, alright," he muttered softly, gently patting her back. "You can stay. But no more crying, got it?"

Zhenxi nodded quickly, still holding onto him as if he were the only safe place in the world. "Promise…" she whispered again, her voice softer now, as though seeking confirmation.

Wang Xiao's eyes softened for just a moment, a fleeting tenderness crossing his features before he quickly masked it. "Promise," he repeated.

And for the first time, Zhenxi smiled—a small, genuine smile as her tears finally dried.

She stayed where she was, resting against him, her grip loosening just slightly but never fully letting go.