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Today marks the day where citizens of Liyue celebrate Lantern Rite, a celebration in hope that the fallen warriors from the Archon War to be guided home. The festival hasn’t even yet started and the lanterns were yet to be released to the sky full of stars, but people already have bright expressions on their faces, all of them eager for this year’s festival.
A certain man couldn’t help but to feel excited too.
Adeptus Xiao, or most people often call him as the Vigilant Yaksha, couldn’t help but to feel excited too. Well, ‘excited’ seems to be an overstatement. He felt oddly calm and happy today, which is definitely an unusual feeling to him.
He had spent thousands of years full of sorrow and the lack of freedom from his karmic debts. If it weren’t for the Geo Archon, he would’ve been a slave to the evil god and won’t see the light of the day like now.
He was still in Wangshu Inn, enjoying a plate of almond tofu as usual. Though, it doesn’t really matter even if he doesn’t eat for a whole week. He is an adeptus, he doesn’t need to consume mortal foods.
The innkeeper had told her that a very special person requires his presence in the city, which made Xiao confused. Never in his life, someone wanted to meet him. Except.. The traveler, of course. But it doesn’t matter right now. Once he finishes his food, he’ll go to the city and meet this ... “person”.
It didn’t take him long enough to meet that person. He was greeted by a sweet smile by Zhongli who was previously talking to a worker of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
“You called?,” Xiao crossed his arms.
“Yes I did,” Zhongli chuckled. “I was thinking that you’ll be here for the Lantern release tonight.”
“And what about Ganyu?”
“She’ll be here too, don’t worry. She’s just doing some work for this festival.”
That relieved Xiao a little. “Alright. I’ll wait.”
“Thank you. I hope you’ll enjoy the festival.”
Xiao only nodded, before he walked away to somewhere less crowded. He stopped by at Yujing Terrace. He saw a pharmacy that he was familiar with, until he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Surprised, he looked at his back to see Aether and his floating companion before him, smiling widely.
“Hi Xiao!” Paimon was the first to greet him. Xiao didn’t mind the creature in the slightest bit, and instead, his eyes were locked on Aether.
“What brings you here?” He fondly asked.
“Hey! Paimon wasn’t done-”
“I was just walking around and seeing what people are up to before the festival. What about you?”
“Pretty much the same.” Xiao shrugged. “I didn’t expect to be this crowded .”
“Well it’s a festival, silly,” Aether softly nudged him. “It’ll be crowded, of course.”
If the one who nudged him was someone else and not Aether, Xiao probably would’ve snapped or left them straight away. But this was Aether, so any type of affection he gives, Xiao likes it.
“I know."
“Anyway, wanna go somewhere while we wait?”
“Sure.”
“Alright! Follow me~”
“Wait, where are you taking me to-”
“Hey, wait for Paimon!”
. . .
Aether had dragged Xiao to Mt. Tianheng. Xiao wasn’t afraid of heights, except that he was worried if a monster suddenly appeared and attacked Aether. Although he doesn’t have to doubt Aether’s fighting skills, he was still worried.
“Don’t get too far, let’s just stay here.” Xiao told the blonde.
Aether nodded. “I won’t, don’t worry.”
That… calmed Xiao a little.
They both sat next to each other on the ground, their eyes transfixed to the exquisite view of Liyue city from the distance. Xiao never realized that Liyue looks really beautiful from afar. Aether notices Xiao’s amusement and softly chuckles, which immediately received Xiao’s attention as he scoffed.
He was embarrassed.
“There’s nothing funny.”
“What’s wrong with being amused at something? It’s a normal feeling.”
Xiao looked away. He didn’t realize that his cheeks turned tomato red and his stomach felt funny. He moved an inch away from Aether and looked at the view again. This time, the two sat in a comfortable silence. Neither of them dared to start a conversation. As much as they wanted to enjoy each other’s melodious voice, they didn’t want to ruin the mood.
It wasn’t the first time they were like this, yet everything felt so new. They -- more like Xiao, felt so inexperienced. But that’s okay. Everything will be okay, because Aether is here, beside him.
Aether decided to get closer to Xiao, so he moved closer and intertwined their hands together. Xiao was taken back by the sudden touch, but he seemed to like it, so it continued like that.
Oh how much Aether wants to run his fingers through Xiao’s hair while engulfing him in a hug. This situation could’ve been better, but Aether wishes to not overstep boundaries. He knows how sensitive Xiao is.
“Xiao,” Aether called out, finally breaking the silence. “Are you excited for this year’s Lantern Rite?”
He didn’t waste any time answering. “An Adeptus such as I don't need to celebrate what mortals celebrate. Lantern Rite or not, I don’t feel different from usual.”
He wasn’t fully lying though. He does love lanterns; how bright they are, but apart from that, mortal’s celebrations are nothing but a waste of time to him.
“Then, what if I stay beside you like this? Do you feel anything?”
Xiao paused for a moment to think.
“It’s nice.”
Aether felt the warmth in his heart. He couldn’t help but to giggle at Xiao’s priceless expression. Despite the bright rays of sunlight, the mountain felt breezy today, breezier than the previous days, Aether noticed. He looked at Xiao through the tip of his eyes and saw how the strands of the Adeptus’s hair became messy due to the wind, so he let out his hand to reach his hair and tugged it behind his ear. “There you go.”
Their relationship has been rather intimate since the start.We Xiao was the first one to take interest in Aether at first, because he thought, Aether surely has no fear but a high respect for the ways of an Adepti such as himself. Never in his thousands of roaming aimlessly in the mortal grounds has he ever met such an intriguing yet beautiful creature.
Aether, on the other hand, was stunned by Xiao's rather… funny personality? He finds it funny how Xiao would get flustered by the slightest touch Aether gives him, but he still keeps up a stern and cold face. Aether finds it rather cute.
“How long are you going to keep staring at me like that?” Xiao felt the weird tingling sensation on his stomach again. He crossed his arms and sharply stared at Aether who was looking at him with his cheek on his palm that was covered with gloves as he cheekily smiled.
“You. What else?”
“Don’t waste my time.” Xiao scoffed before getting up. Aether knew Xiao had it coming, so he decided to let the Adeptus go.
. . .
The day passed by quickly, and in a blink of an eye, night came. Aether and Paimon were just walking around and asking the citizens if they needed help, and thankfully, none of them needed any help, so Aether took that as an opportunity to look for Zhongli in Wanmin Restaurant.
When he arrived, he saw Zhongli sipping his tea with Childe beside him who was struggling with his chopsticks. He approached the two and chatted for a while, before Aether left again. This time, he wanted to look for Xiao.
“Paimon wonders where Xiao is,” the small creature sighed as she shook her head. “Maybe you could try calling out his name.”
“There’s no need. I know where he is.”
Just as he said that, a man from the crowd yelled in the middle of the street, stating that the Xiao Lanterns were about to be lit up soon. Aether’s face started to radiate panic since Xiao was nowhere in sight. He wanted to be beside Xiao tonight, tightly holding his hand once again while watching the Xiao Lanterns.
He didn’t know what to do, so he ran aimlessly among the bustling street, hoping he would catch a glimpse of the said Adeptus.
Suddenly, he felt a strong elemental energy in his body, as if it was silently telling to continue searching for him . He was familiar with it. He knew who it was. He followed the ‘energy’ which led him to Heyu Teahouse where the person he was looking for was standing there, with a smirk plastered on his face.
“Took you long enough.” Xiao teased.
“You-” Aether looked at the Adepti in disbelief. “I thought you were far away. I was worried something happened to you.”
“I previously intended to bring you to Mt. Tianheng again, but it’s too far. Additionally, the festival’s starting soon, right?” Xiao playfully chuckled. He then motioned Aether to take a seat. Thankfully, this place wasn’t crowded. It was only the two of them, actually. Probably because people prefer to take the position where they could see the Xiao Lanterns closely. Or, maybe the world wanted them to be together on this beautiful night? Whatever it was, they didn’t care, as long as they had each other.
“What’s with the sudden change of mood?” Aether lifted up one of his brows curiously.
“Nothing.”
“Tell me exactly how you are feeling.” The blonde insisted.
He wants to know everything about Xiao. The Adepti didn’t mind it, though.
“I feel delighted.” Xiao honestly stated. “Getting to spend time with you… feels delightful.”
“Oh?” Aether felt his heart clench. Not because of anything, but he never expected to hear Xiao say that . He heated up due to the embarrassment and immediately changed the topic.
“So- uhm-”
Aether didn’t even get to finish his sentence before the two saw a reindeer-shaped spirit who ran across the sky and lit up all the lanterns in a minute. The glowing lanterns then flew up high, decorating the night sky that was already brimmed with stars.
Aether and Xiao, along with hundreds of Liyue citizens, looked up to the sky with amusement written on their faces. It was a truly wonderful sight to see.
Xiao couldn’t be less amazed too. He hung his mouth widely. He was touched .
He felt happy, for once (apart from being with Aether). He wishes he could sit with his old friends in times like this, although he knew that they’re now dead. He tried not to think much about it. Without realizing it, Aether squeezed his hands because he knew what Xiao was thinking about. No words were needed, just Aether’s assuring stare was enough for Xiao to feel at ease again.