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Xiao walked the familiar paths of Mt. Aozang, bringing himself to the summit. Around it were three different cook pots, a shallow lake surrounding a little island in the center. The center island held a beautifully carved stone table with three stools, each engraved with a name. The stone stairs off a little ways away led into a small cavern, holding a grand abode of a well-know adeptus. The yaksha walked the worn dirt paths, wading through the shallow water towards the table in the center. He sat down on one of the stone chairs, placing an apple he had picked along the way on the stone surface. A gorgeous white bird appeared with wispy cloud-like markings, tilting its head in a coy manner at the other. “One has not seen you in a long time, Conqueror of Demons. What brings you?” it questions, snatching up the apple off of the table. “A pitiful offering as well. Is one not deserving of a warmer welcome?” the bird snarks, cackling to itself.
“Sorry to offend you, Cloud Retainer. Seems your ego hasn’t lowered over all these years,” Xiao teases back, crossing his legs lightly. “One may not see you often, but one has a wonderful memory. Why are you sitting in Guizhong’s seat instead of Rex Lapis’s? One usually finds you in his seat rather than any other,” Cloud Retainer observes, her voice booming as usual. Xiao cast his glance to the golden tree that hung above, tracing the lines in the bark with his sorrowful eyes. The adeptus crane placed its feet on the seat marked ‘Here sits Retainer’ and crouched down, effectively sitting down at the table with the yaksha. She looked at him closely, sighing as she brought her own gaze to the tree.
“Conqueror of Demons, you must remember that you are still young compared to the other adepti. You may seek one for help at any time,” she offers, earning a slight scoff from Xiao. “It’s not that, Cloud Retainer… I’ve just been thinking. About the ‘good old days’,” the yaksha admits, running his gloved finger across the intricate carvings on the surface of the table. “Is one not worthy enough to talk about the ‘good old days’ with you?” the crane snarks, a sense of caring still behind her tone. Cloud Retainer halted with her sass, though, as soon as she saw the wetness on the other adeptus’s cheeks. Xiao wiped at his face, the anguish hidden behind his cold stare finally breaking forth. The crane stood, moving and resting its head on top of the other’s in order to show comfort. The yaksha seldom showed emotions, even rarer for him to show them physically. The crane allowed him to weep, standing in silence in order to provide some sort of solace. She knew that silence was the best comfort for Xiao.
“Cloud Retainer! Oh Cloud Retainerrrr!~” a familiar high-pitched voice chimed out. The pixie-esc girl floated up into view, followed by a familiar blonde man. The sunset framed him and his companion perfectly, his braid lightly blowing in the gentle wind.”We brought you more Mondstadt food! It’s Barbatos’s favorite!” Paimon continues to yell, spotting Cloud Retainer at the table. The way she was positioned pretty much completely covered Xiao from view. Aether was holding a steaming bowl of Barbatos Ratatouille, stepping carefully through the shallow lake in order not to fall. “Aww, you’re even waiting for us this time! You know, you complained about us bringing you food every week at first-” Paimon continued, hushed by the crane. Xiao had been so wrapped up in his own mind that he hadn’t realized that Aether and Paimon were there until the other adeptus shushed them. He sat up, his face still streaked with tears, and turned to look at them.
Aether seemed startled, but before he could say or do anything the yaksha had stood and began to walk away. Cloud Retainer let him go, turning to address the traveler and Paimon. “You have caught one at a ‘bad time’ as you say. It is to be expected, one cannot avoid coincidences like this. I do hope Conqueuer of Demons is okay,” she says, giving a little sigh as she looks at the food offered to her. “You say Barbatos enjoyed this? Hm. One does not know him well, but Rex Lapis would often tell one stories of the other archons. Mondstadt food is quite peculiar,” she rambles as Aether set the bowl on the table, still happy that she was brought food. If there was any way to summon Cloud Retainer it would be by food offerings. The traveler glanced over to the direction Xiao had gone, turning back to Paimon and the adeptus. “Paimon, you stay here. I have to do something,” he says softly, grabbing an apple and tossing it to Paimon for her to eat. She nodded, happily munching with the crane.
“Xiao? Are you alright?” Aether questions, calling out to where he last saw the other. The adeptus was now hidden behind a rock, anxious and jittery. He *had* spent too much time around humans, to the point where he was now experiencing a full range of human emotions. He scolded himself, reconsidering the idea of moving into the mountains like the other adepti. “Xiao! There you are,” the traveler called, causing him to jump. Xiao’s face was still riddled with tears, but his expression was dull and cold as per usual. Aether sighed, sitting down next to the yaksha on the grass. “I do not need your condolences,” Xiao growls preemptively, trying to predict what the traveler was going to say. The blonde, however, didn’t say anything; he sat on the grass and watched the rising moon without another word.
“Are you not going to try some of your pitiful human traditions on me?” the yaksha snarled, a little confused. Usually at this point Aether would do something to try and make him feel better, but the other was just staring at the stars. “...Don’t you prefer this?” Aether questions in a near whisper, turning to look at Xiao. “You like the silence, right? I thought I could help you in a way that… suits your needs,” he admits in a hush. The blonde simply leaned against the rock, pulling his braid over his shoulder to be more comfortable. The adeptus stayed silent for a bit longer, thinking about what the other had said. So he did pay attention. He had no clue why, but it made his heart hurt some as he thought about that. Whatever, it’s nothing to concern himself with.
Xiao found himself leaning his head on Aether’s shoulder, the same way the blonde had a few days ago. Aether looked at him in confusion, to which the yaksha immediately got defensive. “Didn’t you ask me to indulge you a few days ago? I do believe you owe me,” he grumbles, crossing his arms. The blonde chuckled, gently petting the other’s head. Xiao was blushing quite a bit, but he didn’t protest for once. He felt the traveler’s hand run over his cheeks in order to wipe the tears, closing his eyes lightly. For once, he was actually pretty relaxed. He didn’t even notice that Aether had shifted him around until he felt hands wrapped around his torso.
“What are you doing?!” he exclaims, his eyes wide as he realized what was happening. He was in the same position that they were in that night, but… Xiao was now the one being held. His face went red, and Aether simply chuckled. “Didn’t you want me to indulge you? You said it yourself,” he teased, getting angry grumbles from the yaksha in his arms. “Fine. But don’t think I’m enjoying this,” he scoffs, cuddling up lightly to the other’s chest. Soon enough, though, the blonde’s arms loosened as he drifted off to sleep. After all, Paimon and him have had a long day and it was about time he went to sleep. The moon was relatively high in the sky, but the moonlight perfectly framed the trees. Xiao didn’t need to sleep, but he still closed his eyes and let his mind wander off to… happier places.
Paimon flew around looking for her companion, calling out lightly. She eventually found the two behind the rock, seemingly sound asleep. She giggles, motioning for Cloud Retainer to come over. The adeptus begrudgingly indguled, snickering herself at the sight. “One did not think that Conqueror of Demons would be so comfortable with a mortal,” she said quietly, to which Paimon just glanced to the side. “He’s not quite mortal but… ehe…” Paimon mumbles to herself, floating around the two boys. She heaved Aether’s bag over with the help of the crane, pulling a travel blanket out and laying it over the two. Paimon and Cloud Retainer then left them be, deciding that they could stay the night and head out in the morning. Paimon wasn’t looking forward to a crabby Aether in the morning because he chose to sleep laying on a rock, though.