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“There you are!”
Aether called on the sleeping adeptus below the biggest tree in windrise. His breathing is quite labored from running from Liyue to Mondstadt looking for this beautiful being.
“You look like you’re about to pass out. Idiot.”
Xiao greeted him back.
Aether chuckled as he shook his head.
“Are you worried?”
“Why would I? Stop smiling, you look stupid.” Xiao rolled his eyes.
“I was looking for you because i made you something.”
Aether hands out a bento box wrapped and adorned with qingxin flowers to the adeptus which he accepted with a huff. He carefully unwrapped it as Aether sits beside him watching his every move eagerly like an overly excited child.
“Almond tofu?”
Aether nods and hums as he saw Xiao’s lip curve into a small smile.
“Happy Birthday, Xiao.”
Xiao turned to look at Aether’s face, blushing as the blonde beams at him.
“Stop with that stupid look on your face.”
Aether laughed at his remark.
“You’re mean.”
“I always am.”
“Does it taste good?”
“Nothing special.”
Xiao proceeded to eat in peace as a little fox started running around them which made them both stand swiftly. Something fell from the small bag strapped on the adeptus waist and Aether was quick enough to pick those up.
“Crystalflies?” Aether turned to him, a little confused.
“Keep it. It’s yours now.”
“Why?”
“I just caught them while i was enjoying my lone time here.”
“And you think that-“
“You know what forget it. Throw them i don’t care!” Xiao cut him off as he swallowed the last of the almond tofu.
“No! You already gave it me. Meanie.”
“Tzk.”
Xiao snatched one of the crystalflies on Aether’s hand and tucked it to the traveler’s hair.
“Figures.” he murmured as he marveled on his piece of art.
“Figure what?”
Xiao didn’t answer, he just started to walked away from Aether hiding a blush on his face, a little more of that rare smile and the fact that he caught those crystalflies for him while he didn’t cared about his own birthday.
“Rude! wait for me, Xiao!”
Aether runs after him, still smiling as he hold unto the crystalfly on his hair due to the sudden wind breeze.
“Birthdays aren’t that bad after all.” Xiao murmurs under his breath as walked faster leaving the traveler a few steps behind.