Work Text:
Ever since Aether got separated from his sister and started traveling through teyvat, he never really let his guard down fully. He never really had time to just sit back, relax and let his body and mind rest. Sometime he was sleeping out in the wild, and the threat of a possible hilichurl attack left him with very little rest. Other times it was the guilt and longing for Lumine that kept him awake and tense.
When he met Xiao he recognised the similar traits in the adeptus. After the battle of the Jade Chamber, Aether did his best to visit the vigilant yaksha back at the inn. He tried not to take the adeptus' cold demeaner personally, but it made him sad. It felt like Xiao was holding himself back from building friendships. But with each bowl of sweet almond tofu, the two of them grew closer.
After a rather embarrassing confession from Aether, and silent confirmation from Xiao, they started dating. Which led them to the present time. Aether had found Xiao on his balcony, looking out over the march and had decided to join his boy friend. They were leaning against the railing, Aether resting his head on Xiaos' shoulder. It was quiet between them, but it was comfortable. Aether could tell that Xiao was exhausted and tired after multiple days of fighting monsters nonstop. Aether was also tired after a particulary hard comission he had taken on that day. His mind was also occupied by anxiety and thoughts of Lumine.
He felt Xiao shift slightly beside him. "Your mind is troubled.." Aether turned his head towards Xiao, who was already looking at him.
"Ah.. It's nothing, just tired." Aether tried to play it off. Xiao straightened up and turned fully to him, locking his gaze into Aethers' eyes. "I can tell there's something bothering you. Don't bother lying to me." Xiao's tone could seems harsh to others, but Aether heard the concern hidden in it. He sighed in defeat. He didn't have energy to keep up the act anymore.
Instead of responding to Xiao, he just wrapped his arms around Xiaos torso and buried his head in the curve of Xiaos shoulder. He could feel his boyfriend hesitating at first, before giving in and hugging Aether back. Aether was tired, he was exhausted from the physical labour of the commission and even more tired of his racing mind. Hi didn't notice he was crying until he felt Xiaos gloved hand lightly carding through his hair that had mostly escape from its braid. His body was shaking from the sobs and Aether honestly didn't care about keeping up apperances anymore, so he continued to cry into Xiaos embrace.
Xiao had noticed the gradual decent in Aethers mood lately. His sunshine boyfriend who would always look at him as if Xiao was his everything, suddenly smiled less and less. It pained Xiao to see Aether like this. He had wanted to help for a long time, he just didn't know how. So when Aether had practically thrown himself into Xiaos arms, he just accepted him and let him cry. After undoing the rest of Aethers braid, he combed through the golden strands gently, ridding it from any knots.
They stayed like that for a while. Once Aethers tears had stopped and his breathing returned to normal, he stepped back. His body imediatly missed the warmth of Xiaos body.
"I'm sorry you had to see that-" Aether began, but before he could finish his scentence, he was pulled back into a hug. "Don't apologise." Xiao held him close. "Your mind is clearly weighing you down and ignoring it will only make it worse. Let me help you, Aether." Xiao said as he buried his nose in Aethers hair, breathing in the calming scent of sunshine and Windwheel Asters.
"You're not alone in this world" Aether heard him whisper. He smiled and snaked his arms around Xiao once again.