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Aether’s room is silent, save for the soft shuffling of fabric as Aether slides his boots up, fastening them before standing back up. He listens closely to the still air. Before long he can hear the soft clamor of the knights changing shifts outside his door, and Aether quietly makes his way to the other double doors, leading to his balcony. It’s high up, a couple stories off the ground, but the old oak tree that stands by is just close enough for Aether to reach, and has been his trusty aid in his many escapades.
Slowly, so slowly so as to minimize any sounds he makes, Aether clicks open the doors, gently shutting them behind his back. There stands that great old friend of his. Stepping onto the stone banister, Aether’s balance fumbles a little before he rights himself. Carefully reaching out, he grasps the nearest branch as close as he can to the trunk. He swings out, kicking out his legs before he collides. The leaves rustle and quake with the impact and Aether freezes, hoping no one is below. There shouldn’t be at this time, with the shift change, but who knows, Dainsleif has been known to suddenly change patrol routes when he knows Aether is up to no good.
Aether hears no commotion below and heaves a sigh. Carefully bringing one hand over the next, he moves towards the trunk, stretching a leg out to find purchase on a lower branch. Testing it with his foot, he slowly brings his weight down. He’s still too high off the ground to safely jump down, so he slowly descends through the branches until he’s only a few feet from the ground. He drops down, grateful that as always the bottom of the tree is kept free of stray leaves, nothing but soft earth and grass to make noise as he escapes.
The walk to the guest palace is long, accented by the occasional game of hide and seek with the guards. But Aether is used to this, and artfully avoids them. He’s long since memorized the patrol routes and knows their blind spots like the back of his hand, with such a long history of sneaking off.
With the guest palace in sight, Aether makes a sharp turn towards the forest. As a natural barrier to humans, it never has more than a handful of guards by it. As Aether pushes through the brush, he waves to the glowing eyes that peak from further in.
“I won’t be here long, don’t worry.” He whispers, holding a finger up to his lips as a low growl rumbles through the forest. The beasts always get more antsy at night, although that’s never posed an issue for Aether. The noise quickly quiets down. He moves just a bit further into the forest, not much, just enough so that he can’t be seen from outside, so that perhaps any onlooker might mistake him for a forest inhabitant.
The forest feels a little different at night, perhaps a little more ominous, more eerie. But it’s still relaxing for Aether, no prying eyes around watching his every move. It’s liberating. Even with Paimon, he feels he needs to put up a front sometimes, but now he can just be Aether honestly, even with all his flaws.
A rustling in the brush from by the palace catches his attention. The beasts don’t venture so close to the border of the forest, so it must be someone entering. And only a guest would enter. Aether speeds up his pace, careful to not make too much noise. If an ambassador got hurt during their stay it would reflect poorly on Lumine, who’s already struggling to deal with those against her crowning.
“Excuse me-“ as Aether grabs the person’s shoulder, a fist is thrown in his direction. It’s unexpected, and Aether dodges awkwardly, scratching his face on some branches.
“Oh, it’s you, my apologies.” It’s a familiar voice, the same he heard before in the forest.
“It’s alright, but the forest isn’t safe at night.” Aether’s voice is soft as he speaks to Xiao, not wanting to alert anything to his presence.
“Ah, yes I heard when I returned that day.” Xiao looks around the forest, his eyes look softer than they were before. “It’s just relaxing here.” Aether can’t help but nod in agreement. That’s why he always hides in the forest, taking advantage of the fact that others cannot enter.
“But it’s dangerous, if any of the creatures find you, you might be attacked.” Aether repeats his words. It would be good to get him out as soon as he can.
“Ah, the creatures I've seen have been friendly so far.” Aether stops. That’s right, he’s even seen it already, that the magical beasts are friendly with Xiao. He stands there for a moment, deep in thought. Then like a light going off in his head, Aether grasps his hands between his own.
“Why don’t you come with me then, there’s a place I haven’t been able to show anyone yet, since no one can enter here.” Aether watches as Xiao’s eyes go wide, and he can feel a light tugging against his hands as Xiao instinctively pulls away. Aether contemplates letting go, but chooses to hold firm. It’s exciting, Aether hasn’t interacted like this with anyone in so long. It’s almost as though he has a secret friend, someone he can show all sorts of secrets to.
After hesitating, Xiao replies with a quiet “okay,” finally pulling his hands away. Under the dim moonlight filtering through the leaves, his cheeks are dusted a light pink. But Aether can’t see, so preoccupied with his thoughts. He’s excited, he hasn’t been able to show anyone this place before.
“Follow me.” Aether turns deeper into the forest, his golden braid trailing behind as he dio and weaves through the brush. Their footsteps are quiet, Xiao’s even more so, silent even, as they step through the leaves, avoiding stray twigs to reduce their noise. Even if they won’t attack, it’s only proper to not disturb the forest denizens in the middle of the night
Despite the darkness, Aether moves deftly. He knows the path well, like the back of his hand, as he’s run off so many times. When he’s sad, angry, or just needs alone time, he’ll always go to the same place. In fact, he was on his way there when he first met Xiao.
Aether turns his head. Xiao is following easily, almost like it’s not his first time there. His movements are graceful and light, like a cool breeze that’s shuffling the leaves at night. It’s no surprise, considering the strength and grace that he sparred with, but Aether can’t help but look on in awe. But too soon he’s caught up, and Aether turns his head to continue on. They walk for a short while longer, but the forest grows so much darker. But suddenly it lights back up, awash in a sea of stars.
They step out into the clearing, and small pond reflecting the millions of stars in the sky, shaded gently by a weeping willow tree. Fireflies dot the air before them, lighting up the evening in a flood of lights.
Aether looks out the corner of his eye. Xiao’s eyes are practically sparkling as he stares at the scenery, his mouth slightly agape. Aether smiles.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Xiao nods silently, watching with glistening eyes. Past the look of wonder, his expression is sentimental, maybe even a little sad.
They stand in silence, only the faint bussing of insects to be heard. Finally Xiao speaks up.
“It reminds me of the scenery I used to look at with my comrades.” His voice is a little strained. It seems he’s willingly baring a part of his past, almost as if payment for the secret that Aether decided to show him.
“Are they still here?”
Xiao shakes his head. “I’m the only one left.”
Aether can imagine. From what he knows of Liyue’s history, it’s indeed stained in blood. He can only assume that Xiao had had to live through many wars before they arrived at the current era of peace.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” They're the only words Aether can muster up, nothing truly felt like the correct response. Xiao shakes his head again.
“We are all proud to live and die for our duty and master, there is no shame I their deaths.” He falls silent again, before opening his mouth once more. “However, I still sometimes miss them.” Aether says nothing. But he can imagine, losing someone important to him. There are many, Paimon, Albedo, Kaeya, even nosy Dainsleif, and especially his sister. To lose those close to you, how heartbreaking it must be.
Xiao is the first to break the silence once more.
“Thank you for showing me this place.” The light of the fireflies glitters in his gold eyes, setting them ablaze. “I will make sure to repay this favor.”
“Please, don’t worry about it. It was enjoyable, I haven’t been able to bring anyone here before.” Aether smiles, and Xiao nods.
“Nonetheless, if you should be in Liyue, I’ll make sure to repay the favor.” Aether sighs, dropping his shoulders. Liyue is a land of contracts, so it no doubt must be strict with repaying any perceived debts.
“Alright, please do.” Aether smiles, rocking on the balls of his feet. He raises a hand, holding it out to Xiao. “Shall we be on our way then.” Xiao stares at the hand, before hesitantly reaching for it.
“Very well then.”