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"Is this the last commission? I'm fucking exhausted," Aether sighed, wiping the sweat from his brow. Kazuha and Aether decided to start their commissions extremely early, so the sun was just beginning to rise.
"According to the map, the commission is by Wangshu Inn." Kazuha squinted at the tiny text on the map. "Please buy a bigger map soon."
"You need glasses, Shakespeare." Aether wasn't able to dodge the slap to his shoulder.
"The sun is reflecting off the paper. I can see just fine," Kazuha said. Aether hummed with suspicion as a figure approaching them caught his eye. Red hair shined brightly from the rising sun; paired with a tall and slender figure, Aether knew exactly who it was.
"Childe?"
"Hey, buddy! It's been quite some time. How've things been?" Childe ceased his steps to give them both a pat on the shoulder. "What are you two doing out so early?"
"Commissions. Doing commissions in the summer heat isn't fun. I'd rather get them done earlier, and Kazuha decided to join me today." Aether gestured over to his Inazuman companion, who was basking in the sunlight with his eyes closed. "How come you're out here?"
"Duty calls as a Harbinger at any time. Lost a bet with an agent again and needed to speak to his assignment." Childe sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers. "I am done now, though. I don't think there's much else for me to do."
"Why don't you join us on our final commission? We are stopping by Wangshu Inn for this one." Kazuha murmured, looking as if he were going to fall asleep at any moment.
"Wangshu Inn. Isn't that where that moody Adeptus of yours spends his time?" A small smirk pulled at Childe's lips when he watched Aether huff in response. "I see."
"I don't know what you're hinting at," Aether crossed his arms, looking to Kazuha for some backup. The samurai simply laughed before his eyes fluttered back open.
"Anyone from miles away can see you fawn over him. It's sweet, and romance is beautiful. That Adeptus is just stubborn and doesn't want to see his own interest in you." Kazuha said softly. His tone was always gentle, but when speaking about romance, he seemed to grow even fonder. Aether could assume he's a hopeless romantic.
"Whatever, let's go. We don't have time to waste!" Aether spun around, trying to hide the color rising to his skin.
"Only if you promise to speak to him while we're there!" Childe called out to Aether as he slinked away. "Hey! Don't leave us!"
"There's a waypoint nearby. We can use that while he sulks." Kazuha muttered as he dragged Childe to their destination.
- - -
"Do not say a single word, you two," Aether said, stepping onto the elevator the two had been occupying for the last several minutes. Childe was starting to get dizzy from the constant rise and fall.
"My lips remain sealed," Kazuha pressed his lips together to muffle a laugh. "However, we did see your Adeptus friend on the balcony during our several trips up and down. It seems he may have been waiting for you after seeing us."
"He saw you?" Aether didn't expect to hear Xiao was already on the balcony.
"Why, of course! He doesn't quite like us as much as he likes you, so he clearly wouldn't approach us. So, we will hang out with Mrs. Verr Goldet while you woo Xiao." Childe ruffled Aether's hair with a wide smile.
When the elevator stopped, the three stepped out and made their way into the inn. Kazuha and Childe lingered behind while Aether darted up the stairs.
Aether saw Xiao leaning against the railing of the balcony. His hair and clothing gently swayed with the light morning breeze. Aether wanted a moment to collect himself, but Xiao must've noticed his presence and turned to face him.
"Aether," Xiao called out just loud enough for the traveler to hear. “Join me, will you?”
“I hate that sixth sense of yours,” Aether leaned on the railing next to Xiao, pressing against the yaksha’s shoulder with his own. “You can tell when I’m around much sooner than I can tell you’re there.”
“And you like to invade personal space,” Xiao’s gaze flickered over to Aether slowly. Xiao studied Aether’s features openly before he looked back out across Liyue. He sighed contentedly. Aether could tell he wasn’t going to speak up again any time soon.
So, Aether enjoyed his company in silence.
Xiao had a comforting presence now that he had adjusted to his character. His harsh tone and firm expression overshadow the kindness of his words and the concern in his eyes. Aether knew he was one of the few people to see Xiao in a remotely relaxed state.
“You’ve never told me you didn’t like me being so close, though,” Aether whispered out. Amber eyes were emphasized by the sun once they opened, pining Aether in place.
“You’re quite forward.”
“And you’re quite shy,” Aether boldly assumed. He didn’t have much to back up that claim, but Xiao’s look of surprise was worth the accusation.
“I am not shy. ” Xiao looked away from the traveler to hide his expression, but Aether couldn’t help but tease the Adeptus further. Aether’s hand dropped down to the curve of Xiao’s waist, pressing his fingertips into the taught skin softly. Xiao’s lips parted in a gasp before looking at Aether in confusion.
“What? You said you weren’t shy with me?” Aether knew he could potentially hurt his own heart if Xiao reacted poorly to his flirting manner, but he couldn’t help himself when the opportunity presented itself so openly.
“You’re prideful, Aether. You do not fluster me.” Xiao said, turning to face Aether completely. Aether smiled, pulling Xiao closer to himself. The traveler leaned in close enough for their noses to brush, savoring the pink flush on Xiao’s skin.
“If you’re not flustered, then prove to me you aren’t.” Aether knew the Adeptus couldn’t turn down the challenge. He tried to anticipate what Xiao could do to turn the tables. Would he slip out of Aether’s grasp like nothing happened? Would he give Aether a taste of his own medicine? As the gears were turning in the traveler’s head, he missed the sudden look of resolve on Xiao’s face.
Xiao’s hands found Aether’s jaw, fingers trembling the slightest bit. The sudden touch dragged Aether out of his thoughts early enough to see Xiao closing the distance between them. Without hesitation, Xiao slotted their lips together in a sweet but purposeful kiss.
Aether didn’t waste time and eagerly returned the kiss, much to Xiao’s surprise. When Xiao suddenly pulled back, his eyes were wider than ever.
“I- Apologies, Aether. I’m not sure what came over me.” Xiao’s hands fell to Aether’s chest to push him away, but Aether held on to him.
“I’m not sure either, but I’m not complaining,” Aether murmured, leaning back in to pick up where they left off.
Xiao’s lips move languidly against his own, a lazy but hesitant exchange between the two as they changed the path of their relationship. Aether knew he would need to speak with Xiao about what this meant later, but for now, he wanted to enjoy the simple act of intimacy.
- - -
“Was this truly a good idea, Tartaglia?” Kazuha muttered as he averted his gaze from the two figures, oblivious to their surroundings. Once Aether had made his way upstairs, the two followed him up. They just wanted to see how they were acting around each other now. “I feel like I’ve seen too much.”
“Ah, as do I, Kazuha.” Childe dragged his hands down his face to collect himself. “Let’s leave them be and turn in these commissions for him, shall we?”
“As long as we can pick up a meal while we’re in the harbor. Miss Xiangling always has something new on the menu.” Kazuha slapped the map to Childe’s chest, determined not to look at the overly shiny piece of paper in the glaring sun.
“A meal on me, I don’t mind. Miss Xiangling has been extra creative with her creations since the Moonchase festival is right around the corner.” Childe waved for Kazuha to join him as they made the walk to exit the inn.
“Moonchase festival? Mind telling me a bit more?”
“Sure, but once we’re out of Adepti wrath range. Something tells me Xiao may try to find out why we were lurking, and I’d rather not have a very angry yaksha snapping at my ankles.”