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Chapter Text

It was far too late for Xiao to back out of this conversation. Once his former master started on a topic of interest, there was no stopping him. But he remained polite to the ex-archon, daring not to upset him. The company in the room did little to stop the ramble. A Snezhnayan man smiled lovingly at the rambling Zhongli, and a golden boy seemed amused by Xiao’s predicament.

Xiao cast a hopeless glance to Aether, a silent plea for help. Aether sighed, standing up from where he had been leaning against some furniture, and walked over to the one-sided conversation.

“I don’t think you can stop Xiansheng from talking about rare minerals of Liyue,” Childe teased. Aether only laughed.

“Wasn’t planning to,” and as he said the words, he scooped Xiao up in his arms. Zhongli barely batted an eye, continuing his commentary.

“What are you doing?” Xiao demanded, acting furious at Aether who kept laughing. “You have no respect for th- mmph ”

His words were silenced by lips meeting his own. It was hardly a proper kiss considering Aether couldn’t stop smiling the whole time, but it succeeded in silencing the complaints. Xiao huffed, crossing his arms, pretending his face wasn’t cherry red.

Childe leaned into Zhongli’s side, whispering, “I taught him that~”

“Well then I ought to discipline your bad influence,” he replied, before continuing his talk as if nothing happened. Both Childe and Aether laughed, leaving Xiao to bitterly accept his fate.

Chapter Text

Xiao and Aether sat in the branches of the large tree in Nantianmen, sharing small touches of affection.

“I do not understand what you see in me.” Xiao muttered.

Aether smiled. “I love you, is that not explanation enough?”

“I was created to be a weapon. I was not made for love, I was not made to be loved.”

Aether pushed him down against the trunk they sat on, bringing himself on top of the Adeptus. “And yet I love you anyway.” He leaned close, noses barely touching. “What does it matter what you were made to be, if I choose to chase these feelings and shower you in love?”

Xiao sighed in bitter defeat, bringing his hands to the exposed torso of the man looming over him. “I will never understand you.” He murmured.

Aether breathed a laugh, before kissing him. Xiao returned every advance he made, sneaking fingers under the clothes on his back, and softly moaning in appreciation.

Whatever he was made to be, surely it didn’t matter in light of so much love.

Chapter Text

Perhaps Aether had been overly confident in his recent battles, as he sat on a bed while Xiao dressed the wounds he couldn’t reach.

“You need to be more careful.” His voice was firm but there was definitely a concerned undertone in it.

“How could I do that when I get treated by the vigilant yaksha himself?” Aether chuckled. 

Xiao huffed. “You are foolish.” After a brief silence, he added, “I do not wish to see you unnecessarily hurt.”

Aether cooed teasingly. “The yaksha does have a soft side after all~”

Xiao made an upset noise, hitting Aether with a twinge of guilt.

“I promise to keep myself safe,” he tried to ease the worry.

“Your body bears many scars that might never fade. How can you treat it so lightly?”

Aether laughed softly. “Then they’re just proof that I’ve lived, that even when the world tries to strike me down, I still get back up.”

Xiao hummed at the sentiment, thinking to his own scars, many centuries old. He finished dressing the wound on Aether’s shoulder, patting his work softly to let him know he was done. Aether turned to face Xiao, smiling.

“Thank you for caring about me, but you don’t need to get so worried.” He brought a hand to the Xiao’s cheek, who leaned into the touch in response. 

He closed his eyes briefly, sighing. “You can put your shirt back on now.”

Aether took his hand away, laughing. “What, are my scars so ugly you can’t bear to look at them?”

“The sight of your… chest, makes me feel a strange sensation.” He made himself look into those honey eyes instead, and met a grin.

“You tease me~” he whispered, moving to straddle him. He took Xiao’s hands - still gloved - and placed them on his chest. Xiao sucked a breath in, clearly trying hard to fight the feelings he was experiencing. He shut his eyes, blushing intensely.

But when Aether let go of his hands, they remained on his chest, thumbs tracing subtle circles on the exposed skin.

Chapter Text

“Adepti do not need rest.”

Aether sighed, falling onto the bed. “Even if you don’t need rest, you could still sleep.”

“ Tch. A waste of time.” Xiao sat next to Aether, crossing his arms. Aether, in turn, latched around his waist, wrestling him to a lying position. They tumbled over each other in their small battle, eventually ending with Xiao on top, frowning.

“You are no match for me.” He pushed himself off Aether, but the hands remained locked around his body. He sighed, resorting to merely laying next to him. “I will stay until you fall asleep.” He muttered, earning a smile.

“Thank you.”

Aether buried his face below Xiao’s chin, humming happily, still holding his body tight.

After his soft snoring started, Xiao made his move to leave, but Aether proved to be just as strong in his grasp even while unconscious. Sighing, Xiao accepted his fate, putting an arm around him, and planting a soft kiss to his head.

“Perhaps I underestimated you,” he breathed, closing his eyes. In under ten minutes, he was asleep, hugging Aether impossibly closer in his dreams.

Aether giggled, surprised that his fake sleep had fooled an adeptus. He pressed his lips into Xiao’s neck, smiling, then mouthing the words I love you into his skin.

Chapter Text

It was storming, and so the sunset was barely perceptible even from atop Qingyun peak. The only sign of the night’s arrival was the steadily darkening sky. Rain rolled down Xiao’s cheeks, although it was not the only water present on his face. There was no specific reason for his melancholy - perhaps all the years of misery finally got to him, and so now he wept alone on the mountain. His wails of pain did not go unheard, however none dared disturb the lone adeptus, lest he draw his spear against them.

Through the downpour and the ugly cries, the panting of another went unnoticed, as they climbed the stone mountain side. Only when the second presence sat next to the weeping yaksha, was he discovered. Xiao did not need to look to know it was the golden-haired traveller, for he was the only one bold enough to approach him when he was alone.

He felt a hand clasp his own, finally bringing him to look at the traveller. What he found in that face was not a look of worry nor pity. Rather, he appeared to be looking at something non existent, a bitter smile on his face. His face glimmered slightly from the rain, but if one were to taste the rain on his skin, they would find it oddly salty.

Xiao squeezed the hand holding his, providing small but welcome comfort to Aether. They never made eye contact, instead staring into the distance as they pondered their sorrows. Love they’ve lost. Family that’s passed. Friends who no longer breathe. Broken hope and tears, endless blood and fears.

The two sat there for hours, sometimes wailing, sometimes sobbing quietly. Neither spoke, neither moved, neither let go of the other’s hand. The rain accompanied their tears, the sky weeping with them.

Chapter Text

Xiao makes his way to Wangsheng funeral parlour, after Zhongli requested to meet him - presumably to give him his medicine to help with the endless pain. He enters the small building, being greeted by the Director.

“Welcome, future client~ what can we do for you today? We currently have a deal for matching caskets - buy one and get the other for half price! Perfect for when you and your loved one want to be buried together.”

Xiao tensed up, resisting the urge to put his spear to her throat. Does she not know who she is talking to? He cleared his throat. “I have come looking for Re- for Zhongli. He told me to meet him here.”

“Ah, our lovely consultant! He’s currently in the room to the right, talking with a client. Remember our deal, and do come again~”

Xiao sighed, shutting his eyes in an attempt to stop the irritation seeping out. He walked - almost stomped - to the room the director had pointed out, opening the door without knocking. He only remembered it was polite to knock when it was too late.

Two men standing awfully close looked at him, one bewildered, and one serene.

“Ah, Xiao, you arrived earlier than I anticipated.”

Xiao glared at the man whose hands only just now slipped from around Zhongli’s waist. “Who is this?” He demanded, summoning a spear to his hand.

“This is my partner, Tartaglia. I’ve been meaning to introduce you two for a while.”

“You can just call me Childe if you prefer!” He gulped, eyeing the spear.

“Partner..?” Xiao questioned.

“Yes, we are-”

“We are very close! That’s what he means.” Childe interrupted. Something told him that Xiao learning the truth would mean that jade spear being plunged into his neck.

Xiao narrowed his eyes. “And what were you doing?”

“We were kissing,” Zhongli said calmly before Childe could stop him. The ginger immediately tensed.

“Kissing?” Xiao pressed. He was not familiar with the term, nor the action it was supposed to be.

“Kissing is when two people put their lips together, to-”

“To show that they care about each other!” Childe cut in. He shot a glare at Zhongli. Does this man not care for his companion’s life?

Zhongli finally understood Childe’s silent message, and cleared his throat. “Ah, yes. It is shared between those who are… close.”

Xiao didn’t seem fully convinced, but he did put away his spear.

“You’ve come for the medicine, have you not?” Zhongli asked. Xiao nodded. The ex-archon pulled a small bottle from his coat, and handed it to the adeptus. “Here. Take care, Xiao. I hope to see you around.”

Xiao nodded, and left the room - but not before shooting one last death glare at Childe.

He pondered the interaction while standing on the top balcony of Wangshu Inn. An action shared between those who are close? The action described by his former master sounded like something he had seen before between many visitors to the inn. He could not deny that those who shared it appeared to be close. Perhaps they were good friends, or comrades in arms. He knew little about what qualified as close, but as he thought through his - admittedly very short - list of relationships, he figured his with the traveller would most closely fit the criteria.

As if his thoughts had been heard, Xiao noticed the presence of said traveller, bearing a plate of almond tofu as per usual.

“Hi, Xiao!” He said. His voice was always soft and compassionate, even when Xiao had been bitter towards him.

“Aether,” he said, his tone quite serious. He took the plate and set it on the balcony carefully, before turning back to the golden-haired traveller. “There is something I believe I should do.”

“Oh?” Aether raised his eyebrows, unsure what those words could entail. His expression only continued to widen as Xiao placed his hands on his cheeks, and softly pressed their lips together. He promptly blushed, but tried to enjoy the moment amidst the confusion. Was this a confession?

Xiao broke apart, and upon seeing the expression on Aether’s face, asked, “did I do it wrong?”

“What? No, no! It was fine, it was just… unexpected.”

“I heard this action is shared between those who are close.”

Aether laughed awkwardly, managing to nod. “Ah, yeah, you could say that.”

Xiao frowned. Aether said it was fine but he didn’t hold the same expression he had seen on others once their lips had parted.

“May I ask uh… where, you heard that from?”

“From Rex- from Zhongli.”

“Oh?”

Xiao crossed his arms, recalling what he had seen to Aether. “He said it was because he was close with this ‘childe’”

Aether nodded, finally understanding what had happened. He couldn’t help but smile, imagining the look of fear on Childe’s face as he tried to talk his way out of being skewered. “I see. He’s, right…” Aether pondered whether to explain it properly so Xiao wasn’t left in the dark, or to keep the explanation until Childe was safe from his wrath.

Xiao cleared his throat, and tentatively reached for Aether’s cheek again. “May I…?”

Aether gasped, and after a second forced himself to nod. This time, he returned the kiss.

Maybe I can leave him in the dark for a little bit longer, he thought to himself, feeling his whole body warm up at the interaction. Clearly, Xiao liked it too, considering he didn’t break away until he was breathless, and even then reunited their lips in mere seconds.

Chapter Text

Aether and Xiao sat on the roof of Wangshu Inn, both eating a rather large plate of almond tofu. The sky was blushing pink after the sun had abandoned it, and birds were calling to their mates as they settled down for the night. The chatter over dinner shared by various couples drifted up to them from far below their perch. Xiao paused, spoon still in his mouth.

“What is ‘love’?”

Aether almost dropped his food at the sudden question. Unlike Xiao, he didn’t have a spoon to eat with so he was awkwardly holding pieces of tofu in his fingers.

“Well, it can mean a lot of things,” he started, thinking to all the explanations he had heard in his worldly adventures. “Usually, it is a feeling that someone has for another, that means they cherish them.”

Xiao hummed in response, spooning another piece of the tofu. There was a lot. After it had dissolved in his mouth, he spoke. “Is that all?”

“Uh… well it’s a bit complicated to explain properly.” Aether looked out at the stars slowly appearing. “You can love someone in many different ways. A parent loves their child, but that love is different to what they feel for the partner the child was born with. In some worlds I’ve visited, they have different words for the different types of love, but the core feeling is the same regardless. I guess… if you love someone, that means you care for them, and they make you feel… nice…” Aether trailed off. How was he supposed to explain such an emotion? Lumine might have had a better explanation, or perhaps even someone like Zhongli who was more than familiar with Teyvat’s culture. Hell, even Verr Goldet would probably-

“In that case, I love you.”

His words were so abrupt, spoken without any hesitation, that Aether gasped - and choked on the tofu in his throat. Xiao shot him a worried look, but Aether held up his hands trying to signal he was ok, he just needed a minute .

Finally clearing his throat, and panting, he met Xiao’s gaze. “You… I- There’s…” 

“Was that inappropriate?” Xiao asked softly, face still tinted with concern.

He shook his head, trying to gather his thoughts. “No, no! It’s just… those words are usually… shared between lovers.”

“I would assume so, given the title.”

Aether cast a hopeless glance at him. “Xiao… I mean… usually when someone tells you, ‘I love you’, it’s because they have… romantic feelings for them.”

Xiao doesn’t seem to comprehend the weight of this explanation. Aether continues.

“S-so, when you say ‘I love you’, it’s implying that you… how do I put this… the person you are saying it to holds a special place in your heart, and you trust them with your own.”

Xiao nods. “An exchange of vulnerability.”

“Yeah.”

A few seconds of silence pass. Xiao does not retract his statement. Aether goes to break the silence, but is interrupted.

“So what do lovers do? Aside from professing their love.”

The look in those golden eyes… It was piercing. He felt compelled to answer. “Well, they touch, hold hands…”

Xiao placed a hand over Aether’s. “Like this?”

Aether nods, unable to break eye contact. “Yeah… or they link their fingers…” as he describes it, Xiao follows it.

“And?”

“A-and they… cuddle,” his cheeks heat up as Xiao draws their bodies closer.

“Like this?”

Another nod. Aether is sure Xiao can hear his heart beat, feel his quickened breaths.

“Anything else?” Somehow, Xiao’s face is as neutral as ever.

“Well they.. kiss…”

Their faces draw closer, Aether’s eyelids flutter before he suddenly pulls away. “Xiao..! I don’t think-”

“Aether.”

Honey eyes meet gold. Xiao finally, finally , shows some pink on his cheeks.

“I cherish your presence. I care for you. I love you. I would give my life for you.” He shifts, placing a soft hand on Aether’s cheek. “I want to express this to you, so if you would let me, I would like to kiss you.”

Aether’s breath hitches, as he freezes. His hesitation lasts for a moment too long, as Xiao retracts his hand, looking away.

“I apologise. I should not have acted so selfishly.”

Aether can’t bring himself to speak. It’s not that he didn’t want this, it was just so… sudden . His heart churns seeing the adeptus look so ashamed, and it is all he can do to lean into him and wrap his arms around his body. Xiao stiffens.

“They also… hug, like this.” He mumbles into Xiao’s shoulder. After a hand ever so hesitantly comes to rest on Aether’s back, he adds, “I love you too, Xiao.”

Chapter Text

5 people sat at a table in the Liyuli Pavilion, discussing recent happenings and trying to make sense of it all. Venti, the ex-Anemo archon with a half-empty bottle in hand, sings about his loss of his gnosis as though it were a funny tale. Zhongli, retired archon of Geo, sips his osmanthus wine and refuses to elaborate on the contract he made when he gave away his own gnosis. Aether, the traveller from another world who has somehow managed to be around when both gnoses were taken, and has suspicions of more being taken in his future destinations. Tartaglia, part of the organisation responsible for the gnoses going missing, although he does not know why his archon wants them, nor does he end up contributing anything to her plan. And Xiao, who is here because he does not trust Tartaglia around Zhongli and especially Aether. Who could blame him? Tartaglia was the reason Xiao had to save Aether from falling to his death.

“Maybeee,” Venti sings, “the Tsaritsa wants them to play a biiiiiig game of magical chesssss~” he giggles at the thought, taking another swig from his bottle, and strums his lyre with surprising skill despite his intoxication.

“Somehow, I doubt that’s the case,” Tartaglia laughs. He takes a sip of his own drink - a taste of his frigid home burning his throat as he does. 

“What can a gnosis do?” Aether asks.

“They enhance our power over the element we govern, some have also theorised they extend our life span.” Zhongli answers.

“Pshhhh as if you weren’t old enough without it,” Venti smirks, and promptly gets hit in the face with a flower from the table decorations. He shoots the perpetrator a sad look. Xiao is not phased, picking up another flower.

“Anyway,” Aether says before a conflict can break out, “would holding more than one give someone more power?”

“Perhaps, but it is also reasonable to assume that only the god chosen by Celestia may wield a gnosis’ power.”

Aether looks at Tartaglia, who shrugs in response.

“I’ve no clue. I don’t think even our beloved Scaramouche knows why she is collecting the gnoses, but then again, he hardly knows anything.” Venti laughs with Tartaglia, Zhongli sighs.

“Regardless, we should be cautious of the Cryo Archon.” He turns to Tartaglia. “I know this is much to ask, to betray your own ruler, but may I ask you to report anything you hear from the Tsaritsa to us?” At the downcast look he receives, he adds, “please Ajax, for the safety of everyone.”

“How can I refuse when you call me that,” he sighs, face warming up as a gloved hand covers his own.

Aether has to put his own hand on Xiao’s arm to persuade him to put away the spear he summoned.

“Oh, love! So gentle, so forgiving! Once they were all but enemies, and now they share ever-the-pleasantries!” Venti strums, seeming pleased with his ridiculous rhyme. “And oh, young Xiao, there’s no need to worry, for if he makes one mistake, this blockhead is sure to make him sorry!” He laughs. Aether notices that Xiao’s drink is empty as he clutches it in his hand. Venti apparently also notices, for he pours a refill before Xiao can decline.

“Wine is good for the soul! Instead of being angry you can be light as a feather~ isn’t it wonderful?”

“Your drinking habits are as horrendous as ever, I see.” Zhongli frowns, Venti only giggles more.

“Old friend! You and I both enjoy a nice fine wine, say, have you tried some of Inazuma’s sake? Perhaps you can ask Tartaglia to bring you some, or maybe you can go there together, have you asked him to come?”

“Your rhymes are not getting any better with the alcohol,” Tartaglia muses. “I assume Xiangsheng does not want to leave Liyue behind, especially while Inazuma is so hard to reach.”

Venti nods vigorously, and turns his drunken song to Aether. “Well, now that brings me to you. Say, my good friend, where will you be going to?”

“I was actually planning on going to Inazuma myself. Get it out of the way early, plus I have a friend who said she’ll help me get there”

“Oh, really? Well, my comrade, why don’t we go together?”

Before Aether can answer, Xiao has put his spear between them. “He will not be going anywhere with you.”

Venti gasps, and quickly changes to a minor key to accompany the sudden tension. 

“Woah there! I wasn’t planning on hurting our beloved traveller, in fact I believe I could be a suitable bodyguard!”

Xiao growled, spear inching closer to the harbinger’s neck.

“Or maybe… you could come with us? Eh? A party of three sounds pretty good right?” Tartaglia smiled even as the razor sharp edge got dangerously closer.

“ I’ll kill you. ” 

“Xiao!” Aether grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to sit down awkwardly in his lap. “What’s gotten into you?”

Xiao only huffed, dismissing his spear and turning away from Tartaglia - but not before stabbing him with a death glare.

Zhongli moved to block their view of each other, and only then did Aether notice that Xiao’s glass was empty. Again.

When did he finish it? “Are you drunk?” Aether asked.

Xiao turned in his lap to face him. “No. Adepti do not get drunk.” He suppressed a hiccup.

Aether raised an eyebrow, and then promptly raised the other as Xiao nuzzled his face into the crook of his neck.

“Oh-ho-ho! Is this the start of a steamy romance? Someone sure isn’t getting sleep tonight!”

Now Aether glared daggers at Venti, although the intimidation of his expression was lost in the redness of his face.

“We’re not- he’s just- no !”

Xiao only hugged him tighter, mumbling something into his neck.

“What was that, dear Xiao?” Venti cooed, pausing his music to listen. The others at the table leaned closer to the awkward pair, anticipating his response.

“Look, guys, Xiao’s drunk, he just-”

“I’m not drunk,” he hissed, prying himself away from Aether. Then, staring intently at everyone else around the table, he repeated. “I’m not drunk.”

“Whatever you say, Xiao~” Venti giggled, fingers drifting back towards the strings.

“N’body hurts Aether” Xiao slurred, this time unable to suppress a hiccup. He jabbed a finger at Zhongli, trying to point to the man he was hiding. “You… tried to kill him. I’ll kill you if you ever- hic - ever touch him again.”

Tartaglia laughed. “Seems like someone’s overprotective when drunk.”

Xiao huffed. “I’m no different now than I was- hic - than I was yesterday. Or- hic - last week. Or a month ago. I am not drunk.”

Zhongli donned a thoughtful expression before speaking. “You have never sworn to protect anyone before, let alone a mortal. You may say you are the same, but only a year ago you would have thought such protectiveness to be preposterous.”

Xiao said nothing, only moving slightly in Aether’s lap to be more comfortable.

“Sounds like someone is in love~”

“Venti!” Aether felt heat once again rush to his face. “He’s not in love, he’s-”

“Yes I am.”

The room fell quiet. All eyes fell on Xiao.

As if aware of the sudden spotlight cast on him, he cleared his throat, holding up his empty glass in a toast. “I love Aether, and I refuse to let any harm befall him.” He mimed clinking glasses with the air, then tipped the glass back, expression souring at the emptiness.

Venti immediately fell into a love ballad, as Tartaglia cheered. Zhongli looked like a proud father. Aether… looked as though he was about to combust. He felt it too. Every part of him was hot, but especially the areas where Xiao’s body was pressed against his.

He stood up, holding Xiao steady as he clearly was too drunk to stand properly. “We’re leaving.” Me muttered, unable to look anyone in the eye, opting to stare at his boots. He guided Xiao with an arm around his shoulder out the pavilion and to a nearby inn. It was no Wangshu, but it would have to do. Xiao clearly was drunk even if he refused to admit it, and Aether frankly couldn’t handle hearing any more of his drunken professions.

He gestured to one of the two beds. Xiao shook his head.

“Adepti do not need rest.”

And apparently they don’t get drunk either, Aether sighed. “Well, I’m going to bed. Good night. Don’t do anything stupid.”

It took several minutes for him to finally fall into a dream state, but he would not wake until well after the sunrise. When he did, he found the guardian angel of his sweet dreams curled up in bed next to him, one arm hugging his waist. Aether sighed once again, turning to caress Xiao’s hair.

Xiao was far too beautiful to be making such statements. Surely it would be enough to make anyone’s heart melt, and Aether was certainly not immune to it.

“I love you,” Xiao mumbled, eyes still closed. He snuggled closer to Aether in his sleep, his grip on the traveller tightening ever so slightly.

“I love you too,” Aether sighed, pressing a kiss to the purple mark on his forehead.

Xiao would never admit that he was fully conscious at that moment in time.

Chapter Text

“You really don’t have to do this.”

Xiao huffed, only holding Aether tighter in his grasp. The rather reckless adventurer had managed to once again get himself injured, and while he insisted he was fine to walk, the overprotective Yaksha had swept him up in his arms regardless.

“It would not be required if you were more careful in your ventures.”

“But it’s not required! I’m fine, Xiao!” Aether all but whined, face heating up as his body was pressed into Xiao’s, 

Xiao carried him to Wangshu inn, where he deposited him on the unused bed of his own private room.

“Rest,” he commanded, although his tone came out softer than either of them expected. “I will fetch materials to clean your wounds.”

“Fine.” Aether crossed his arms. Satisfied that he would not make an attempt to escape, Xiao disappeared in adeptal smoke. He quickly grabbed bandages and medicines, as well as a few cloths, mentally preparing himself for the hassle of convincing Aether to let him dress his wounds.

He would return however to find Aether fast asleep, snoring much louder than Xiao had ever known him to. Perhaps if he wasn’t so worse-for-wear, he would be beautiful in his rest, but regardless, something in Xiao’s chest bloomed upon seeing the traveller at ease. The feeling only spread through his body as he quietly dressed his wounds, his gloves being the only barrier between his fingertips and Aether’s bare skin.

Chapter Text

Ever the self-destructive hypocrite, Xiao found himself barely able to move, the burden of his karmic debt paralysing his limbs. Others may say it was lucky that Aether found him, and opted to help him return to Wangshu inn. To Xiao, it was an embarrassment. To be found in such a state, covered in the blood of monsters, unable to talk, let alone protest when arms collected him so tenderly from the ground.

“How the tables turn,” Aether grinned. Even if Xiao wanted to do anything other than huff, he couldn’t. Aether laughed, softly, but Xiao could still feel the rumble in his chest from where his own body was pressed against it.

The walk was slow, perhaps because Aether struggled with the weight of the Yaksha. But on closer inspection, one would find that Aether hardly even broke a sweat, leaving only one other explanation - he enjoyed this, Xiao realised, much to his own annoyance. Aether was going to take full advantage of this situation, and Xiao could do nothing but watch from his cradle in his arms.

But as a cold wind heralding the evening set in, and Aether subconsciously drew him closer to his body to retain warmth, Xiao found himself smiling.

I could get used to this

Chapter Text

Xiao sits alone on a cliff overlooking Liyue Harbour. At least, he thought he was alone, but upon hearing the sound of boots crushing the lush grass, he turned to see his visitor.

Aether beamed a smile back at him, only slightly embarrassed to have disturbed the Vigilant Yaksha himself. He sat next to the dark haired adeptus, legs crossed a safe distance away from him.

“Come here often?” Aether chuckled, staring up at the stars dancing above the city lights. He did not expect an answer, nor did he get one, and so they sat in comfortable silence, listening to the distant sounds of song and laughter.

Xiao pretended not to notice the stare at first, continuing his peaceful yet distant observation of the life he served to protect. But as the night crawled on, and the silence was never broken, he heaved a sigh, shooting a glare at Aether.

“Why are you looking at me?”

Aether blinked, and for a whole second Xiao could see the panic flooding those honey eyes. It was quickly replaced with something else, as a cheesy grin spread across his face.

“You’re just so pretty Xiao, it’s hard to look at anything else~”

Xiao chokes on thin air, turning away from the cause of his fluster. “You- you dare speak such blatant flattery to an adeptus?” He utters, words barely audible above the sounds of the night.

Aether laughs, so bright and unashamed. “It’s not flattery if I am being honest,” he breathes, daring to inch closer to the blushing adeptus. “You look good when you let yourself relax.”

Xiao cast a glance back at those eyes, finding them brimming with affection and mirth. “Still, I do not find any point in such useless sentiments.”

Aether laid a hand on his thigh. “Maybe it’s just nice to hear something good about yourself from someone else.”

“Are you implying you want me to compliment you in return?”

A laugh emerges from those lips again as they curve into an uncontrollable smile. “I would like that, yeah. But I must warn that I am not a fan of empty compliments, so you better speak your deepest, truest thoughts about me.”

“Only you would be so bold to ask such a thing of me,” Xiao murmured, taking a few seconds to think of an appropriate comment. “You are visually pleasing to look at, yourself,” he starts, and unexpectedly finds himself pouring compliment after compliment towards Aether, who eagerly reciprocated the gesture.

Perhaps they complimented each other for hours, blushing at each new thing that was mentioned by the other and giddily returning the thought.

The conversation never seemed to end, and not a single lie was spoken between them.

Chapter Text

Aether lay in Xiao’s lap, as the latter’s hand combed softly through his long golden hair. Both had their eyes closed, merely revelling in the sensation of such tender touch, and Aether hummed a melody which was foreign to Xiao’s ears, but beautiful nonetheless.

Xiao felt a hand wrap around his wrist, and opened his eyes to meet Aether’s. The traveller smiled, bringing the captured hand to his mouth to plant a kiss in the palm of it.

Apparently, the gesture was not enough to satisfy whatever had crossed Aether’s mind, as he sat up slowly, peppering kisses all up Xiao’s arm and eventually his neck and jaw. Xiao all but shivered under the touch of his lips, his hands drifting around the exposed waist in his lap. His thumbs traced circles that slowly snuck under the crop top Aether was wearing, as he was engulfed in countless kisses, each one more loving than the last. Gone was Aether’s humming, replaced by a harmony of soft moans from the both of them. Aether only stopped as his lips were but a centimetre away from Xiao’s, the tendrils of air from their lungs tangling in the space between them. Aether’s hands snaked around Xiao’s back as he finally closed the gap between them, muting any further sounds either of them had to offer. It felt like a dream, how their lips moved to capture each other, soft yet unyielding. It tasted like euphoria as tongues danced around teeth, searching for more. It seemed like eternity had passed before they parted, panting, licking the wetness off their lips.

It was simply bliss, and neither of them would trade these moments for the world.

Chapter Text

It had been several months since Aether had been within the borders or Liyue, and needless to say the warmth was jarring to his skin after acclimatising to Snezhnayan weather. Many of his old friends had sent letters and messages telling him to come visit them - so upon stepping foot in Liyue harbour he was immediately swamped by people.

“Come visit the Jade chamber! Ningguang has been meaning to speak with you about…”

“… Xiangling is now the head chef of Wanmin Restaurant, want to go try…”

“…Rumours have it you’re close friends with Zhongli, would you be able to tell us if…”

“…Feiyun commerce guild welcomes you, we have a feast waiting that you may indulge while we…”

All the attention was dizzying, even Paimon could hardly handle it, even if most of the requests did promise food. He nodded through the haze of noise, hoping he wasn’t agreeing to anything too drastic. He let himself be dragged around by various people, smiled at familiar faces, but didn’t process any of the events happening. Even Xiangling’s questionable ingredient choice wasn’t enough to break him from his daze.

After what felt like eternity - the sun had long since set when he had arrived at dawn - he finally emerged at the main gates of the harbour.

“Pheww, Paimon’s all spent!” She slowly drifted towards the ground, stomach full, brain juice empty. Aether silently followed suit, sitting under a tree, half-mindedly petting the dog he used to feed whenever he visited.

“Still, we have to visit Qingce village and Wangshu Inn tomorrow. Paimon’s not sure if she can handle any more talking…”

I’m sure you could, so long as you get food afterwards, Aether mused to himself, to exhausted to even speak. He was happy to be back, truly, but sometimes he wished he was just a little less famous, so he could enjoy mundane things once more. He cast his gaze up to the night sky, listening to the chirping of beetles as the stars twinkled, reminding him of the start of his journey.

Out of all the faces he saw today, he was still missing one, although he didn’t expect to see the reclusive yaksha during his visit to the bustling harbour. He sighed, closing his eyes as he leaned his head on the trunk behind him.

“You’re thinking of Xiao, aren’t you?” Paimon teased.

Aether shot her a tired look. “And how would you know?”

“Because you always sigh when you’re thinking of him! Plus Paimon sees that look on your face, it’s the same as when you talk about him in your sleep.”

Aether didn’t have the energy to suppress his embarrassment, letting out another sigh. “Remind me to never sleep near you again.” He muttered, and Paimon giggled mischievously.

“Unless you plan to never sleep again,” a familiar voice caused both of them to jump, “I recommend devising some other means of preventing Paimon from listening to your sleep talk.”

“X-Xiao!” Aether blurted, eyes wide as he stared at the man in question.

Xiao folded his arms, much in the same way as when they first met, not looking at either person. “Perhaps you could give her those earmuffs many Snezhnayans wear, or tape your own mouth shut.”

“Paimon prefers the second option! Those earmuffs hurt Paimon’s ears!” She pouted. Aether strongly suspected she wanted revenge for the few times her mouth was taped shut, but mentioned nothing of it.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he started, finally calming his racing heart.

“I was informed of your return, so I saw fit to greet you. Is it so unusual to greet an old friend?”

“Well, no… but-”

“But you never come to the harbour, even when Aether invites you!” Paimon finished for him. “You always say how you don’t wanna be around mortals, so we thought we would only find you when we visited Wangshu!”

Xiao huffed, looking away. “I do not see any more mortals here than I would on the balcony of that Inn.” After a brief silence, he added, “besides, you make far more noise than any small crowd of people could.”

“H-hey! That’s no fair!” Paimon crossed her arms. “Aether, your boyfriend is bullying Paimon!”

“ Paimon! He’s not- I’m not gonna help you if you say things like that!”

“Like what? You two clearly are so in love, even Chongyun noticed! And you know how clueless he is.” She glared at Xiao, and then Aether, noticing how neither of them had anything to say. “Oh, don’t tell Paimon that you didn’t know! Xiao promised you and only you that he would come whenever you called, he gives you gifts all the time, too! He never gives Paimon gifts. Ugh, Paimon is leaving you two idiots.” She frowned at them both once more before disappearing in a cloud of stars, leaving them awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

After a brief moment, Xiao silently offered his hand, helping Aether to his feet.

“I would like to go somewhere with you, if you do not mind.” He murmured, hesitant to let go of the hand he had taken.

“Of course,” Aether breathed. He slipped his hand out of Xiao’s grasp, only to readjust his arm, linking their fingers together. In a heartbeat, Xiao whisked them both to a mountain peak overlooking the harbour. Aether exhaled in wonder at the sight. He had truly missed Liyue, and the scene of its nightlife from afar never became less breathtaking.

Much to Aether’s disappointment, Xiao released his hand, but figured the contact was getting overwhelming for the adeptus notorious for avoiding any and all interactions. Before he could miss it for too long, though, he was brought into a hug. Xiao all but melted into Aether’s body, arms wrapped around his waist and nose buried in the crook of his neck.

After recovering from his initial shock, Aether smiled, slipping his own arms around Xiao’s shoulders. One hand carded through his dark hair, the other traced gentle circles onto the exposed skin of his back.

“I’m home,” he murmured into his hair. Lips were pressed into his neck in response. 

They had a lot of catching up to do.

Chapter Text

Thunder bellowed as rain drummed on the balconies of Wangshu Inn. Most residents had taken shelter, or hid under an umbrella as they walked in the rain. Only one person was foolish enough to be standing on the top most balcony, completely soaked from head to toe as he used his own body to shelter the plate in his hands.

“Aether..?”

Before he could think any better, Aether whipped around to face the voice. “Xiao! You’re here!”

The adeptus eyed him, bewildered at his state of being. “You are drenched, traveller. Why are you standing in the rain?”

“Oh, I wanted to give you… this…” Aether trailed off as he looked down at the plate of almond tofu. In his excitement to see the resident adeptus, he had forgot why he was hunched over in the first place. Now, the dessert was slowly dissolving in the water pooling on the plate.

Xiao raised an eyebrow at the outstretched plate, as Aether fumbled over his words. “I’m so sorry! I wanted to give you some but- I forgot about the rain, oh it’s completely ruined now, I’ll- I’ll go make you some more, wait here… actually no, you should wait inside-”

“Why?”

Aether blinked, finally stopping his tangent of apologies. “Pardon?”

Xiao slowly looked from the ruined dish to Aether’s soaked clothes, and glittering eyes. “Why… are you doing this for me?”

A beat of silence elapsed, before Aether broke into almost hysteric laughter.

“Because I love you!” He dropped the plate in favour of holding Xiao’s face, bringing him into a rushed kiss. He only enjoyed it for a moment before realising his actions, hastily pushing himself off the adeptus. “Ah, sorry! I don’t know what came ov-”

His shirt was grabbed as Xiao brought their faces together again, trying his best to kiss him. Clearly he had no idea what he was doing, but Aether didn’t mind, as he tried to suppress the stupid smile spreading on his lips.

Chapter Text

A familiar voice calling so softly, unlike the voices that often filled Xiao’s mind. One that said his name so gently, as though anything stronger might break him. And when Aether is the one calling him, it just might.

In a heartbeat, he’s by Aether’s side. The only other time Aether had made use of Xiao’s promise was to get his opinion on someone else’s cooking. 

How absurd.

Yet Xiao obliged his request with no complaints nor grudges, and if he could change the events of that day, he wouldn’t. He made that promise purely for the protection of the traveller who always gave and never took, and yet still the traveller refused to take. Only ever calling Xiao for the mildest of things; refusing to use him as a weapon, instead offering him moments of serenity.

Today was no different, as he looks down at the one who called him, bundled up in a blanket with his bag functioning as a pillow. Aether smiles up at him.

“You called?” Xiao crouches next to him, silently assessing his physical situation. Some light scratches, one larger bruise on his upper arm, but overall ok. It seems as though he treated his wounds before going to rest.

“I can’t sleep,” Aether sighs dramatically, pulling the bag from under his head. “You see, this makes for quite an awful pillow, especially with all the ores I’ve been collecting.”

Xiao raised an eyebrow. “And I can help how?”

He almost regretted asking as an overly mischievous smile flashed across Aether’s face before it was quickly masked by another dramatic expression and sigh.

Almost.

But when Aether so boldly asks to rest his head in his lap, Xiao can’t help but smile too, despite his words; “you have no respect for the adepti”, gently cradling the golden haired head on his thigh.

Aether lets out a pleased hum as fingers slowly detangle his long hair, hardly able to keep his eyes open any longer.

“Goodnight, Xiao,” he murmurs, pressing his fingers to his lips and then to the thigh he now calls a pillow; too tired to even tilt his head to properly kiss it. Although if he was any less tired he would surely be red at the mere thought of kissing Xiao’s thighs, clothed as they are.

And Xiao, he cannot bring himself to leave after such a display even once Aether has seeped into subconscious. He hears a slurred sound emit from the sleeping boy’s mouth, and with warmth blooming on his cheeks he realises it was a confession.

I love you.

Scared that if he made any noise it would wake Aether, he simply pressed his fingers to his own lips, then to Aether’s.

Chapter Text

Aether drags his feet up to the top floor of Wangshu Inn, exhausted after such fruitless travels. It is a miracle in itself that he managed to climb all the way up to that balcony, fuelled not by adrenaline but raw emotion.

He hardly manages to croak out the single syllable on his mind, but the one he calls appears before him anyway. He doesn’t need to raise his head to know who it was - there aren’t a whole lot of people who appear before you in a dark swirl of anemo, after all. He lets his body fall into the one before him, not caring if he wasn’t caught yet not surprised when arms wrapped around his limp body.

“Aether?” A soft voice asks.

He only moans in response. A broken, defeated moan, that tells Xiao all he needs to know. A traveller who burdens himself with endless commissions and bounties, who never receives the one thing he asks for in return. Inevitably, he was going to crash, as his selfless actions eventually burnt him out.

How preposterous that the Vigilant Yaksha, the Conqueror of Demons, is reduced to a mere recharging station, and yet every time that Aether calls his name only to pass out in his arms, Xiao never complains. The blond nuzzles into his neck, arms squeezing his body as he tries to remove any space between them, and Xiao lets him. If providing his mere presence helps the reckless traveller recover, the Lone Adeptus was more than happy to relinquish his titles.

After all, it was this reckless traveller who found their way into his heart.

Chapter Text

“Sorry…”

He turns away, and no matter how long you run, how far you stretch your hand, you can never catch him. It’s hardly a surprise. After all, everyone who’s ever gotten close eventually leaves. Some have died, some simply disappeared. For someone to have shown the slightest semblance of compassion, surely it was too good to be true.

Xiao wakes, cheeks feeling crusty from dried tears. When did he fall asleep?

He rubs off the residual salt from his face, sighing. He can hardly remember the last time he slept, let alone dreamed. Of course, such bitter dreams were not exactly unheard of, although the subject of this particular dream…

He turns to the side, to see Aether bathed in the starlight streaming through the window. He sleeps soundly, for once undisturbed by his own nightmares. Xiao closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. He’s still here, he tells himself. It was only a dream.

He delicately brushes Aether’s hair to the side, taking in the serene expression on his face.

Honey eyes blink open, unable to focus on the man before him. Yet Aether still smiles, for he already knows who it is.

“Sorry for waking you,” Xiao murmurs, caressing his cheek.

“S’all right.” Aether closes his eyes again, leaning into his touch. He says it as though nothing Xiao could do would ever upset him, which is the truth. Time and time again Aether has professed that there was nothing he preferred than waking up next to him, even if it was the middle of the night, or after a horrible night’s sleep.

“Goodnight,” Aether mumbles, eyes still closed. He wraps an arm around Xiao’s waist as he curls into him, soon falling asleep once more with his head against his chest.

He’s here now, Xiao reminds himself. He does not drift back into sleep, but for once he does feel completely at rest.

Chapter Text

Aether had been cooking with Yanxiao for hours now, and the smells wafting up from the kitchen were enough to make Xiao’s stomach twist. That isn’t to say it smelled horrible - quite the opposite in fact. The rich aromas of roasted pork, the sweet taste in the air of what was of course almond tofu… all it did was remind Xiao of his disdain for eating. Perhaps it was the textures, or the overwhelming flavours. Maybe it was just because he had gotten so used to eating nothing, but each time he tried to eat anything other than the most flawless almond tofu, his stomach actively disagreed. Oftentimes Aether would offer his cooking, only to later hear the little that Xiao had eaten had resurfaced. He knew it wasn’t because his cooking was bad - he had Paimon to attest to its deliciousness - and yet Xiao still felt the need to assure him that the food was good.

The smells grew stronger as several meals were carried out onto the lower balconies. It was in celebration of something, exactly what, though, Xiao could not recall. Half an hour after the first dishes went out, that familiar golden head of hair emerged onto his private balcony.

“I brought you some almond tofu,” Aether calls. He doesn’t say Xiao’s name, but he knows he doesn’t need to.

“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to, but I wanted to bring you something to celebrate anyway.” Aether puts the plate on a table tucked in the corner, and pauses before returning to what has effectively become a restaurant.

When Xiao finally manages to calm his stomach enough to approach the dish, he finds the milky dessert to be shaped into hearts rather than the tofu-like squares it is named after. A small white note is folded under the plate, reading a simple message.

    Happy Valentines ♡

  - Aether

Chapter Text

Stars decorated the waters of Guyun Stone Forest, shining brighter in the absence of the moon. The usual lingering monsters had been long cleared thanks to the adventurer’s daily commissions, as well as is ever mysterious need for the materials he can collect from them. It left the artificial islands quiet and serene, perfect for what he had in mind.

Softly, he speaks the name of the one who promised to be there at his every call - and true to his word, he appears. Honey coloured eyes gaze up tenderly at gold ones; lips breaking into a smile tinted silver by the night’s ambiance. How any being, adepti or mortal, could ever hold anything but love for that smile, was a mystery. This particular adeptus was certainly no exception, as he held out a hand to help the traveller to his feet.

To Xiao’s surprise, Aether did not let go of his hand even when he was perfectly fine standing on his own. Instead, his beautiful smile widened with mirth, as he dared breathe the request he had been holding all day:

“Care to dance, adeptus Xiao?” 

“Very well,” he replied, the subtle quirk of his lips not going unnoticed by the other. Their linked hands shifted, fingers intertwining and being brought close to their bodies. As for the spare hands, one went to Xiao’s waist and the other to Aether’s shoulder. Slowly, they moved into a rhythm, swaying in circular patterns on the sand. With their chests pressed together, their heartbeats fell in sync; with their cheeks brushing against the other, the breaths came soft, afraid to break the trance.

Aether softly hummed a melody, short and simple, yet lovely nonetheless. Not long after, Xiao’s voice joined in, providing a most basic harmony to compliment Aether’s. A song so plain that any bard would scoff at it, but it was theirs and theirs alone, just as this dance was. Every now and then, their feet strayed into the shallow waters, the subsequent ripples causing the reflections of stars to dance along side them.

Chapter Text

Alatus. The young adeptus, innocent and eager, trusting and naive. With his youthful tendencies advantage of, perhaps he will never experience them again.

Vigilant Yaksha . One who watches over the lands of his duties with little rest, keen eyes always watching. And just as he is observant of his surroundings, so do his surroundings notice him. Many pose tales of his deeds, painting him in a light he himself finds ridiculous. He is vigilant for he must be; that is all.

Conqueror of Demons. One who carries the burden of eons of slaughter, who fights the darkness despite carrying his own. He insists his karmic debt is not to be taken lightly, thus he pushes everyone away. This is not a hard feat for him to achieve, for many fear the adeptus of darkness. To hope for salvation would be to hope in vain.

Xiao . A name fitting for he who has committed countless sins. A name given to him, heralding the new era of his life. A name for the adeptus who remains standing where his comrades had fallen. A name for the one who took a contract to protect his god’s nation. A name to call after an oath was made, to fight for the first person to call him anything else.

“Friend?” He asked, and the golden haired traveller nodded. How such a bright being could ever consider someone like him a friend, he would never know - yet, with a hand outstretched to him wearing a smile which could alleviate his heaviest burdens alone, who was he to deny?

Of course, this adeptus of many names, took the hand of the traveller who barely shared his own.

Chapter Text

Two boys sitting on the roof of Liyue’s most popular inn, under the light of shooting stars with their hands intertwined. One of the stars dressed in gold, the other of a sinful past of the world below their feet; both painted with the silver of moonlight, sharing words of love for each other.

“I love you Xiao,” one would whisper, “more than any of the stars in the sky. In all my travels, I never thought I’d meet someone who makes me smile so much.”

“You’re so cheesy,” the other would respond. “Remind me again why I put up with your nonsense.”

The golden traveller giggles, leaning his head on the other’s shoulder. “Because you love me so, mr vigilant yaksha.”

The vigilant yaksha, of course, cannot deny this fact. Instead he settled for a disappointed huff - though the disappointment is only a façade. He leans his head on the traveller’s in turn, a smile spreading across his lips.

I love you too, Aether, he would rarely say. You’ve shown me what love is, and showered me in it even if I never deserved it.

Even if he barely speaks this sentiment, the traveller knows it already, by the kisses he litters on every inch of skin of the vigilant yaksha.

“You two are both cheesy!” Paimon would frown, breaking any semblance of intimacy they had established. “Why can’t you just get a room and leave Paimon to watch the shooting stars alone! Paimon doesn’t want to make wishes while you two are making kissy faces at each other!”

And as much as Xiao loves Aether, he’ll never quite love Paimon the way Aether does. Aether only laughs it off - after all, who would he be without either of them? 

Surely not as happy as he is in these tender moments.

Chapter Text

At the sound of his name, Xiao paused in his patrol, teleporting to the source in an instant. A dozen or so birds fluttered away at his sudden arrival, the beating of their wings almost drowning out the laughter of the traveller. Almost.

Xiao sighed, taking a seat next to Aether. Somehow he had scaled one of the towers of Liyue Harbour, granting them both a view of the city far below, and the ships slowly creeping along the waters. Aether was facing the Guyun Stone forest, a bag in his lap full of wheat, cabbage, and carrots. He smiled at the adeptus, offering the bag to him.

“Care to feed the birds with me?”

“Tch, my arrival has long spooked them.” He responds, but takes the bag regardless. Did Aether really call him just to feed some birds?

“It’s alright, they’ll be back sooner or later. Timmie taught me that as long as you’re patient and offer them some food, they’ll forget their fears.”

“Timmie… as in the child of Mondstadt you have the habit of bullying?”

Aether chuckles, the sound bringing a blush to Xiao’s cheeks. “Yeah, that’s him. We’ve got a truce now, I just have to give him spikes of wheat and not traumatise the birds at the gates, and in turn he tells me about the birds. I actually like birds a lot, you know?”

“I never would have guessed.”

“Hah, well a man’s gotta eat too.” Aether sighs, honey eyes locking on a couple of birds circling nearby. “They’re more intelligent than we give them credit for.”

“Any being easily lured into danger by food is a fool,” Xiao argues, perplexed as one of the birds plops down next to him, poking at the bag in his hands.

Aether smiles at the sight, watching the usually stoic adeptus freeze as the fragile animals start to crowd around him, chirping as he nervously hands them food. “Or maybe, they know you’re not going to hurt them.” He murmurs.

A blue-crested finch lands on Xiao’s thigh, and Aether can’t help but reach out to scratch its neck. “They remind me a lot of you, Xiao.”

“Comparing a lethal adeptus to innocent fowl, you truly have no bounds.”

The finch coos as Aether ruffles its feathers in a pleasurable way, leaning into his hand. If he wanted to, he could easily end its life in seconds, yet he doesn’t.

“Startling at everything; the sound of their own wings, the presence of humans regardless of their intentions. But if you show them you're harmless, and are persistent in your affections, they soon come to trust you.”

Xiao hums, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his words. The finch suddenly startles, and slips out of Aether’s grasp in an instant. He sighs once more.

“You see yourself as a monster, but I see a bird, beautiful yet frightened of the world.” Aether smiles as he tenderly grabs one of Xiao’s hands, bringing it to a bird that has nudged against his own. Gently, he presses Xiao’s fingers around its neck, and he sucks in a breath.

“Aether-”

“It’s alright, just do as I do,” he murmurs. Slowly, he rubs a finger back and forth through the feathers on the back of its neck, earning a pleased purr from the pigeon. He moves his hand away, allowing room for Xiao to try. As he repeats Aether’s motions, the bird ruffles its wings, before pressing itself against the palm of his hand.

Aether allows a comfortable silence to fall over the scene, watching as Xiao’s body visibly relaxed. Soon, another bird has abandoned the food to headbutt Xiao’s other hand, and this time he doesn’t need Aether’s guidance to grant it the pets it silently demands.

He looks at peace, Aether thinks, as he gazes upon Xiao’s face. He doesn’t miss how a smile graces his usually solemn features, or how Xiao himself emits a sound reminiscent of a purr. 

A shadow falls on them and the flock that’s gathered around them vanishes in an instant, the only notice of their sudden departure being their frightened cries. Xiao’s face drops just as quickly, as he stares at his own hand in horror. His eyes snap to Aether as he chuckles.

“You didn’t do anything, don’t worry,” he assures, then points up to the sky. Xiao follows his gesture, eyes landing on a distant crescent circling far, far above. “They instinctively flee at the sight of an eagle; something that will never show them gentleness.” Aether smiles, laying a hand on Xiao’s sleeved arm.

“I… I think I understand what you mean now.”

“I was hoping you would, little bird.”

Xiao throws him a death glare. “Call me that again and I’ll show you I am no mere bird.”

Aether can’t help but laugh at that, and any menace in Xiao’s expression is lost in the red that floods his cheeks.

Chapter Text

“It’s so hot!” Aether states the obvious. His flying companion is passed out on the grass, her hands dipped in a bowl of water that was quickly evaporating.

They had finished two commissions for the day, and as Aether sat drinking obscene amounts of water to make up for the curtains of sweat falling down his face, he truly didn’t think he could finish the rest.

Absent-mindedly he thought to Xiao, undoubtedly still fighting even in the unforgiving summer weather. True, he was an adeptus, but surely even adepti felt the effects of the sweltering heat? So, purely out of concern and totally not because of his innate desire to see the beautiful adeptus, he called.

“Xiao.”

In a murmur of wind, he was in front of the traveller. “You called?” He huffed, breathing heavily after his exertion.

Aether waved lazily in response. “Fighting demons again?”

“Do not tell me you called for- for idle chatter, ” he bit back, wiping his forehead as sweat threatened to roll into his eyes.

“Oh Vigilant Yaksha, forgive me,” Aether mocked a bow from where he sat, “I am simply concerned for your health in this scorching weather.”

“ Tch, Adepti are not affected by such things.”

Aether raised an eyebrow at the statement - certainly not in surprise, as he had guessed almost word-for-word what the stubborn Yaksha would say; rather, he traced the lines of Xiao’s exposed jaw and bicep with his eyes, both glistening a tad too enticingly with sweat as the man in question continued to try wipe it away.

“So, if I were to ask you to sit next to me, you’d do so?”

Xiao tried to glare in response, though, upon meeting such a smug look he had to look away. “You truly know no bounds.”

After a long pause between them, he added, “very well then.”

Sitting close enough that their thighs overlapped, it was quickly becoming obvious how bothered Xiao was by the heat - or perhaps in hindsight, it was the intimacy of their proximity that bothered him. Regardless, Aether had to fight a grin as he watched the adeptus stifle dog-like panting and constantly wipe the sheen off his skin. After a few sweaty minutes of silence, Aether held out his flask.

“Water?” He asked. The eagerness in which Xiao took the flask and placed it on his lips told Aether everything, and he smiled.

Perhaps he would mention the indirect kiss when he wasn’t just as flushed as the man beside him.

Chapter Text

Two-thousand years, and all he has known is to fight. He could hardly even call it the thrill of the battle, when it is simply his every-day now.

Of course, as an adeptus bound to duty and contract alone, Xiao has no thoughts to spare on the dullness of his death-ridden life. Night falls, he raises his polearm against demons of darkness, festering under the power of his own karmic debt. Day breaks, he swings the same jade spear at stray hilichurls lurking too close to humankind. Dusk arrives and he does it over again. He does not sleep, he rarely rests, and occasionally, he will stop for a few minutes to eat. The longest breaks in his thankless duty come when he pays his respects to fallen comrades; but even then, it is short lived.

How preposterous, then, that a traveller - foreign not only to the land he protects, but the world his own flesh was birthed from - suggests a change to this routine. A traveller adorned in flashy gold, dared to tell him; “you should rest tonight.”

Xiao can only scoff at the ridiculous notion, drawing his polearm once more as anemo particles gathered around him. Yet he cannot ignore the sad look in those honey eyes, not pleading nor pitying, simply accepting the bitter answer. As if the traveller only wanted to hear him say yes.

So when stars peeked through the clouds once more as the sun started to set, he returned to the traveller, under the guise he wished to look over him while he slept out in the treacherous plains. If the traveller could see through his thin lie, he said nothing, merely smiling as he laid down for sleep.

Xiao would never tell the traveller why that night brought such refreshing sleep - how could he admit to bringing Aether into his own arms, resting that head full of golden hair on his own chest? Likewise, he would not dare mention why the bags under his own eyes had mysteriously vanished.

Two-thousand years, and all he knew was endless, tireless battle. He did not need sleep, nor rest, or even breaks. But… if he exhaled his pent up breath, laid his head on top of Aether’s as he slept, it was only natural to shut his eyes - just for a moment, of course.

Chapter Text

How Aether had managed to convince Xiao to share a dinner with him, he had no idea. Regardless, with the recent absence of Paimon in her pursuit of “something tastier than almond tofu”, the two of them were now alone. Xiao’s demeanour was the same as ever - distant, quiet, if only a little softer in the presence of Aether alone. Aether on the other hand was sure his heartbeat was audible with how hard it hammered against his chest. His cheeks were undeniably red, though luckily Xiao’s gaze was exclusively on the almond tofu.

Aether had ordered an absurd serving size of the dish, mainly just to have a better chance at sharing it with Xiao, though now his stomach was complaining at the excessive sugar. Xiao, of course, was completely unfazed. Perhaps it was an adeptal ability, to be able to eat like there was no tomorrow and suffer zero consequences. 

But even in spite of his angered digestive system, a sly, and exceedingly stupid idea crossed his mind, supplemented by the stray smears of almond tofu across Xiao’s cheeks. He was, after all, inhaling the food at a frightening place now that no one was here to judge him - because Aether would never dare to, when he knows Xiao has plenty of embarrassing moments to hold over his head. Truly, a dangerous man.

“Hey Xiao,” he murmured, gaining the attention of hungry golden eyes. He suppressed a shiver as he continued, “there’s some on your face.”

Xiao’s eyes widened as he hastily wiped away most of the offending bits of the dessert, and quietly licked the smears of his gloves - the action quite reminiscent of a cat.

Aether smiled. Xiao was always effortlessly pretty, but in these moments he really deserved the title of cute . It’s no wonder Aether couldn’t stop thinking about him.

He reached a hand over the table and brushed a thumb delicately across Xiao’s cheek, letting his fingers linger as he felt the skin heat under his touch. Slowly, he drew his hand back, biting his tongue at Xiao’s reaction.

“You missed some,” he muttered, watching amusedly as Xiao tried, and failed, to hide his reddening face.

Aether couldn’t help but fall even further in love.

Chapter Text

Xiao was inexplicably captivated by the traveller, ever since… well, he can’t recall a specific moment it started. Perhaps if he could, it would be easier to determine why the traveller made him feel all these strange feelings.

Regardless, he now set out on a personal mission: to determine what kind of magic the traveller wields to capture the heart of an adeptus.

Within minutes, he located the blond and his floating companion on their way to Wuwang hill. Silently, he followed them, listening in on their conversation.

“Ugh, Paimon can’t believe there’s another ruin hunter here! Didn’t we just take care of one?”

“Perhaps it invited its friends for a party?”

Xiao scoffed at the notion, and little to his knowledge, it did not go unheard.

“Ugh, don’t be so ridiculous Aether. This could be serious! What if the ruin machines are having an uprising?”

“And that sounds more plausible than my theory, how?”

“Paimon doesn’t know, maybe because machines don’t throw parties? Paimon can’t believe you!!”

Xiao watched as Aether’s shoulders shook with laughter while watching Paimon’s tiny aggressive fit. Somehow, seeing Aether laugh brought a smile to his own face.

Suddenly, Aether motioned for Paimon’s silence, as if he noticed a possible threat. Paimon - rather noisily - slapped her hands over her mouth, and retreated behind Aether’s scarf.

Xiao hadn’t heard anything outside of their conversation, and when he briefly scanned their surrounds he also didn’t find anything. Strange.

Then, abruptly, Aether turned around, staring right at him. His serious expression morphed into a wide smile, and Xiao could hear Paimon’s cackling too.

“Found you!” Aether called, jogging towards Xiao.

“You’re not very good at hiding, you know,” Paimon supplied.

Xiao crossed his arms, huffing. “Perhaps I wanted to be found.” 

“Hm? Did you say, you wanted to be found?”

“Yes, those were my words. Have you become hard of hearing?”

Aether chuckled. “No, I’m just surprised. The elusive Vigilant Yaksha, wanting this humble traveller to see him. It’s very interesting indeed.”

Xiao felt his face redden, yet frowned through it anyway. “What exactly are you implying?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

“Ask him to accompany you~” Xiao swears he hears through the layers of Aether’s cape, yet Aether doesn’t react at all, still smirking at whatever conclusion he came to about Xiao’s behaviour.

“Was that Paimon?” He asks.

“What?” Aether asks, at the same time as he hears another “nooo, it was your inner voice~!”

Xiao tsks, turning his head away. “Whatever antics you two are up to, are only a waste of my time.”

“It’s not a waste of your time when it’s spent with Aether~”

This time, while he doesn’t physically react, Aether’s cheeks flush at the mysterious, totally-not-Paimon’s voice. Xiao isn’t fairing a whole lot better. It’s not like she was wrong, after all - he was essentially wasting precious time on investigating the traveller rather than fulfilling his duty, though it hardly felt like it.

Aether clears his throat, and brings a hand up to his neck as he asks, “well, would you like to accompany us for a while? It could be dangerous. The ruin hunter, I mean.”

“And you were already following us~”

Xiao frowns at the voice, but eventually nods. “Fine. If it is for your safety… then I will join you.”

His investigation could wait until another day. But with the beaming smile Aether gave him, and the subsequent heated emotions that rushed through Xiao, he knew that he would have to figure it out soon.

Chapter Text

The two of them lay at one of the grassy peaks of the chasm; Aether laying on his back, with one hand cushioning his head and the other in Xiao’s hair, who laid on his side, resting his head on Aether’s bare waist. It was late afternoon, after a day of commissions and evil-purging, and they were both quite sleepy - though, Xiao would never admit to the fact.

Aether had been talking about his ventures in the chasm, though had stopped a while ago now, leaving the couple in comfortable silence as Xiao ran a hand across the soft skin his head laid on. Briefly, he wondered why Aether was never ticklish to the touch, no matter how feather-light it was, but his thoughts were quickly whisked away as his fingers slid over the curve of Aether’s defined abdomen.

Xiao can’t deny, he finds Aether extremely attractive, and his exposed midriff does quite the number to his heart. When he softly squeezes the muscle he finds, Aether merely chuckles, and the hand in his hair tugs lightly. He glances up at his love’s face, who, for now, has propped his head up to gaze back into his eyes.

He could never tire of Aether’s smile, Xiao thinks, an uncontrollable smile reaching his own eyes. Aether rests his head back once more, and Xiao’s attention is once again on his stomach.

He couldn’t help it, it was just so irresistible. His movements were slow, opening his mouth to sink his teeth into that soft, yet firm, skin; yet Aether was still startled.

“Ah, Xiao..!” He all but moaned, and it took everything in Xiao’s willpower to not bite him harder.

“Sorry,” he mumbled as he returned to simply resting on the skin he had just bitten. But he wasn’t really sorry, and he knew Aether wasn’t upset. At least, he hoped he wasn’t. The hand in his hair moved to pinch his cheek as a half-hearted scold, but he only smiled.

He really wanted to bite him again.

Chapter Text

“Ah, we’ve run out of fish,” Aether sighed, closing his bag. 

“It’s fine,” Xiao huffed, crossing his arms. “We can simply offer something else.” He was, of course, referring to an offering in Pervases’ temple, which they had decided to visit at Aether’s suggestion.

Aether shook his head. “Ah, but ticker fish was his favourite, it feels wrong to offer anything else.”

“That’s… true,” Xiao mumbled, realising it was useless to argue.

Aether hummed as he tried to think of a solution, his fingers on his chin and eyebrows drawn together. Xiao would never admit to finding it cute.

“Ah!” He exclaimed after a moment of contemplation, striking a fist into his open palm. “I can just catch some more, duh!”

And that was what led them to the current moment: the both of them sitting by the stream, while Aether struggled to reel in a fish that took the bait. Xiao was… also struggling, but for a different reason, and as Aether grunted for what felt like the hundredth time, he had to look away.

These sounds he’s making…

Xiao held a hand to his cheeks as he felt them heating up. Reluctantly, he looked back at the blond, who’s whole face was contorted in concentration.

“Are you… alright?” Xiao asked, fighting down an intense feeling of… something, as Aether moaned again, tightening his grip on the fishing rod.

“Ah- hm?” Aether’s speech was cruelly staccato as he briefly looked right at Xiao. Then with such an innocent expression, he answered. “Y-yeah, it’s just… big.”

Xiao couldn’t handle it. In a flash, he summoned his spear and skewered the offending fish, heaving a strained sigh, quickly making his way to the water to fetch it.

“Xi-Xiao! We can’t eat it like that!”

Xiao glared at him. “Then it’s a good thing we’re only offering it.”

Aether sighed in defeat, collapsing the rod and storing it away once more. Xiao emerged from the water with the mutilated fish, dripping wet from the chest down. Awkwardly, they both agreed to head to a campfire so he could dry off, but also to cook the poor thing Xiao held in his hands. Hopefully Pervases wouldn’t be too mad.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Aether broke the silence.

“About what?”

Aether chuckled lightly at the harsh tone, before gesturing to the destroyed fish. “About why you did that.”

Xiao frowned, adjusting his hold on the fish purely to cross him arms again. “Your fishing method looked tedious, and… you seemed to be struggling.” He looked away. When he was met with silence, though, he had to look back - only to find Aether with a strangely smug expression.

“Bothered by the noise?” He asked, unable to control his smirk from widening.

“You-!” Xiao hastily covered his cheeks. Somehow, knowing Aether was making… those sounds on purpose, only made the feeling worse. “You’re insufferable.”

Aether’s mischievous laughter was all he got in response.

Chapter Text

Aether sighed, turning in his bed for the nth time since laying down, brain refusing to calm down enough to sleep. He sat up with a groan, and tiredly, called.

“Xiao.”

In a heartbeat, he arrived, eyes darting over Aether’s form, assessing for any injuries.

“It is… quite a late hour for you to be awake.” He murmured, satisfied with his check. Aether beckoned him closer to the bed, and he obliged.

“Mm, can’t sleep,” Aether mumbled. He gave a half-lidded, groggy smile, patting the space next to him on the bed. 

With a sigh, Xiao sat. “Something on your mind?”

“Just you.”

Xiao felt his chest tighten slightly, as he absentmindedly clutched the bed sheets. Even in the dim lighting of the room, Aether could see his face darken, and chuckled.

“You’re very hard not to think about, you know,” he murmured, working his hand into Xiao’s in an attempt to loosen his death grip on the bed.

“I… could say the same about you.” Xiao’s voice was just as quiet. He let Aether slip his fingers between his own, breathing slowly in an attempt to calm down.

Aether then tugged him down to lay next to him, giving him one last tired smile before resting his face on Xiao’s chest. Xiao huffed, watching Aether’s head move as he did.

“Reduced to a mere pillow, how absurd.”

He felt Aether’s light breath on his chest, presumably from inaudible laughter. “Suddenly, I feel sleepy.”

Sure enough, within a matter of minutes, Aether’s eyes had shut, and his breathing had evened out into that of slumber. Xiao released a soft sigh, bringing his free hand to stroke up and down Aether’s arm - his other hand was still occupied with holding Aether’s hand, somewhere underneath his body.

“Good night, Aether,” he whispered, allowing his own eyes to close.

Chapter Text

Xiao was… admittedly, not paying attention to what Zhongli was currently saying. He zoned out after ‘many mortals engage in…’ because, if he was being entirely honest with himself, he didn’t care for mortals. Except for Aether, though, Xiao wasn’t sure if Aether even counted as one.

He was snapped out of his daydreaming as Zhongli, softly yet with the same lingering commanding tone of Rex Lapis, called to him.

“Ah, my apologies,” Xiao stuttered out, awkwardly forcing out a bow to accompany his apology.

Zhongli waved away his formalities. “I was simply wondering what that… injury is, on your neck.”

“What?” Xiao murmured, placing a hand over to where Zhongli had gestured to. He didn’t remember getting injured there, if he had, surely it would be far more serious- oh. 

“Oh.” He repeated out loud, face quickly turning red. “It's nothing important, my lord.”

Zhongli tilted his head, a hand resting on his chin. “It is uncommon for you to leave yourself so vulnerable,” he stated.

Xiao nodded, covering the mark. He was becoming increasingly aware of several more of the same variety, and frantically tried to recall if any would also be visible.

“Though you are strong, Xiao, your neck is still a weak point. If you wish to continue your battles, you would do well to be more careful.”

“I u-understand,” Xiao croaked out, and was thankfully saved by the door to the room being opened. He turned his head, meeting the beaming smile of Aether himself. Though, Aether’s eyes soon drifted to the back window in his clothes, a strange expression forming on his face.

As Aether greeted Zhongli, he leaned in to Xiao’s ear and murmured, “don’t turn around, there’s marks on your back.”

Xiao grew impossibly hotter at the revelation, mildly thankful for the hand which now graced his back. Rather poetic, considering it was the same hand that had created the offending marks in the first place.

Aether shot him another smile, so sweet and innocent as if he wasn’t the reason Xiao’s body was currently littered in these so-called injuries.

Zhongli chose not to comment on similar red marks adorning Aether’s arms and stomach, instead resuming his ramble on Liyue economics.

Chapter Text

“Xiao~ look what I brought!”

Xiao stared at the traveller, then down to his arms which held what could only be a hundred qingxin flowers. A few stray flowers fell, unable to be contained in Aether’s arms, and Xiao hastily caught them.

“What… do you possibly plan to do with all these flowers?” He asked, bewildered. He assisted Aether in gently placing the huge bundle on the ground, ensuring that not a single petal was crushed.

Once they had finished, Aether shot him a brief smile before sifting for a few flowers he deemed suitable. “Well, both Ganyu and Shenhe like to eat them, so we can’t use all of them. I want to make something for you,” he added the last after a pause.

Xiao sat next to him, watching with intrigue as Aether wove the flower stems together, slowly forming an intricate chain of them. He vaguely recognised the object as a flower crown, something he had seen many liyuen children make over the years of his vigilance. 

He huffed. “And for what purpose are you making this?”

“Because I want you to wear one,” Aether sighed in response, and Xiao did not miss the way his gaze softened as he ran a thumb gently over a translucent petal. “I think it would look pretty on you.”

If it weren’t for his inhuman hearing ability, Xiao wouldn’t have caught that last statement. Instead, he felt a soft heat on his cheeks, hastily reaching for some flowers himself.

“Then I shall make one for you, too.”

Half an hour later produced one crown so delicately woven, alongside three others of… lesser quality. Xiao held his head in his hands as he laid his third crown down, exasperated at his lack of finesse. Beside him, Aether chuckled lightly, leaning ever so slightly closer to him.

“For someone who’s never made one before, you did really well,” he assures, picking up one of Xiao’s crooked crowns. He places it on his own head, ensuring it will not blow off in the gentle breeze, then nudges Xiao. “How do I look?”

Xiao had only planned to glance at him briefly before offering a typical ambiguous sound in response, yet once he laid eyes on the other, he found he simply couldn’t look away. Barely a foot away from him was the face of the golden traveller, the embodiment of the stars himself. 

He stared at his lips, curled up in a gentle smile meant only for him to see. He stared at the flower crown made by his own hands, undoubtedly bad, yet when nestled into golden locks, it could only be beautiful. He stared into golden eyes, shining in expectation as they stared back at him.

“…Perfect.”

Sun-kissed skin rapidly turned red as all of Aether’s ethereal features faded into goofy laughter. He simply couldn’t take it. Xiao watched, mesmerised as ever, as Aether reached for the crown he had made and held it up between them, his cheeks still holding a little red.

“May I?” He asked tentatively, and Xiao nodded, lowering his head. He liked the way Aether’s fingers felt in his hair as he ensured his crown would also be secure. He closed his eyes at the touch, emitting a barely audible purr.

Lips pressed against his forehead before fingers slid behind his ears, cupping his cheeks, and tilting his head up. Xiao could stare at him forever, he thinks, and allows Aether to move his head as he pleases.

“You’re beautiful too,” Aether murmurs, leaning forward to place another kiss on his forehead, then nose, then lips. Xiao reciprocates the gesture, of course, and as they break away from each other, he feels a smile tug at his own lips.

Chapter Text

Xiao’s heart was beating louder than usual; perhaps it was the weather, standing outside in the peak of the Liyuen summer with no shade for relief, as the sun harshly beat down on them from above. Or perhaps, it was that his gaze had fallen to the balcony railing in front of him, a familiar gloved hand resting upon it. His own hand was barely a finger’s width away, yet it felt like a mile between them.

Briefly, he glanced up to the one who stood beside him: Aether. And as if he noticed the eyes on him, he turned to meet his gaze, his signature soft smile warming Xiao up even further. It would be appropriate to smile back, he knows, yet Xiao finds himself only able to bite his lip as he turns away once more - he could only hope Aether doesn’t take it the wrong way.

Once again, his eyes drop to their hands, tantalisingly close to each other, a quiet desire slowly bubbling up to the surface. He swallows it down, wondering why he ever agreed to simply standing with Aether on that balcony in the first place.

Unbeknownst to him, Aether sees the way his throat bobs, and follows the direction of his gaze. A small huff is his only warning before Aether links a pinky over Xiao’s own. When he once again looks up at that face of gold, Aether seems to be silently asking a question - for permission to continue. Again, he looks away, but he finds himself nodding.

How they had ever learned to read each other’s silent cues, he didn’t know. Perhaps, being in so many life or death situations together had to do with it. Regardless, he finds an unexpected smile creep onto his face when that gloved hand slips into his own, fingers slotting together like they always belonged there.

Something about the simple act of deliberately joining their hands has Xiao’s heart beating even faster, his face painfully warm and yet, it feels so right.

He doesn’t let go until he absolutely has to, and finds himself hoping it will become a new normal for them.

Chapter Text

They stood together where they first met, on the top-most balcony of Wangshu inn, watching the sunrise. It had been a long night, where Aether had finally managed to convince Xiao to let him tag along for ‘demon conquering’, as he called it, and Aether insisted on watching the sunrise before going to rest.

He cast a glance at the silent adeptus beside him, watching how teal-streaked hair was gently moved by the breeze. Impulsively, he degloved one hand to touch it, but immediately recoiled upon feeling the texture.

“Archons, Xiao, when’s the last time you washed your hair!?” He tried to wipe the oily substance off his fingers to no avail.

Xiao shot him a disapproving look. “I do not have time for such trivial matters, it is your own fault for touching without asking first.”

Aether muttered out a ‘sorry…’ and couldn’t help but think how Xiao could have enough time to watch time pass with him yet not to wash his own hair. Perhaps it had to do with the company involved, so Aether dared to propose:

“How about I wash it for you?”

Xiao had, of course, rejected the notion immediately, but he was somewhat weak to Aether’s persuasions - a fact that was definitely known by the golden-haired traveller. So barely 30 minutes later, they both sat on the floor of an inn room bathroom, as Aether waited for the water to warm. Once it was an adequate temperature, he reached for Xiao’s head again, hesitating mere millimetres away.

“May I?” He whispered, as if he were afraid to scare him away.

Xiao only huffed in response, leaning his head back into Aether’s hands as a silent permission. Aether resisted the urge to cringe at the texture of his hair again as he gently tugged his head further back, slowly soaking its strands with water.

It was easy to become mesmerised with the task of thoroughly applying shampoo to his scalp, making sure not to over-do it on the main body of his hair. Aether himself had to maintain a strict hair routine even whilst he was camping in the wild, or else his long golden hair would appear like mud stuck to his skin. Needless to say, he was well rehearsed in the art of hair washing, and he fell into a concentrated trance over the task before him.

As he rinsed out the soaps, a soft sound snapped him back to reality, and he glanced at Xiao’s face to determine what he had done wrong. Yet, he found Xiao’s eyes closed as if in bliss, as he subconsciously leaned into Aether’s touch, and belatedly he realised what he heard was a moan.

Trying not to flush too hard at the revelation, he continued his task, moving onto the tedious process of conditioning - surely, if he did it wrong and left Xiao’s hair springing all over the place, he would not live long enough to even stifle a laugh at it.

He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to coat each individual strand, and already relished how soft it felt. He hoped once it was dry again, Xiao would let him touch it. Perhaps even, let him wash it again when it inevitably becomes grimey once more. He was hesitant to say Xiao enjoyed the process, but his soft, almost muted sounds certainly confirmed the idea. He almost looked like he was about to fall asleep with his head in Aether’s hands, and the amount of trust that surely entailed left Aether feeling a little light-headed.

Once they were finally done, Xiao blinked his groggy-ness away, and allowed a soft smile to cross his face in a silent thank you.

Aether really hoped they could do this again.

Chapter Text

Aether waited with a smile as the tell-tale adeptal smoke signalled Xiao’s arrival in the serenitea-pot, making sure to keep his surprise hidden behind his back.

“You’re here,” Aether chimed, receiving a nod in response.

Instead of saying anything, Xiao found himself gazing at the decorations within the teapot, his breath being stolen away for a moment. It was nothing mind-blowing - he had first hand experience of the gods themselves shaping land with their mere hands - but nonetheless, it was something different. Aether had a quirky sense of style, where he might’ve expected some simple foliage was instead large fungi, or where he would expect a stone wall as barriers between areas, instead Aether had opted for expansive trees.

After spending 5 odd minutes looking around, Xiao turned back to Aether, squinting his eyes a little when he saw how his hands were positioned behind his back.

“Are you hiding something from me?” He speaks quietly, yet the accusation in his voice remains strong.

Aether only giggles, bringing one hand out and offering it for Xiao to take. He does so after a short pause, and lets Aether lead him to another plane in the teapot.

They walk for a few minutes, as Xiao is once again rendered speechless walking through such diverse environments all so close together, and briefly finds himself wondering what Aether could create if he did have the power of Barbatos or Morax. Though as they pass by a jail-like structure with a clay figure of what he knows to be the fatui who raised Osial inside, he thinks giving Aether such power would probably be a bad idea.

Eventually, they wind up at the highest plateau, where the grass is covered in knee-deep snow in places, and a simple village remains half buried by the white blanket. A few snowy sculptures are dotted around the pseudo village, as though the children who would live in the houses had emerged in the bitter cold to make them.

“Did you… make these?” Xiao asks, walking over to one of them. It has various pebbles embedded into the snow to create a squinting face, and a scarf wrapped around the narrow part between snowballs. When he reaches to touch the scarf, he finds it has turned solid thanks to the snow.

“I made some of them, but some friends from mondstadt made the others.” Aether replies, shuffling the hidden items in his hands around. “We actually made them a few months ago in dragonspine, but the only way we could think to keep them was to put them in my teapot, so, here they are.”

Xiao watches closely as Aether passes a cone shaped object into his hands. “And this is…?”

“A snow cone!” Aether beams back. “Well, we haven’t put the snow in yet, but there’s plenty around to fix that problem.”

Aether watches as Xiao narrows his eyes, carefully examining the cone, and elaborates. “You always talk about eating snow, so I thought maybe we could…” he trails off, feeling a little stupid. “I thought we could eat some together.”

“You… would eat it?”

Aether nods, gesturing with the cone to the snow at their feet. “It is not so uncommon in the worlds I’ve travelled to - though usually, people would pour syrups into their snow cones so they don’t taste so bland. And I mean, it’s just frozen water… so I don’t see why not.”

Xiao finds a smile creeping onto his face, as he watches Aether collect some snow into a ball and place it in the opening of the cone, and eventually does the same. He examines the snow cone again, a little perplexed why they needed a cone to hold it in the first place, but intrigued nonetheless.

He earns a bewildered gasp as he takes a bite out of the snow, and looks up to find Aether… licking it instead. He huffs, but tries Aether’s method anyway. He becomes frustrated as the snow melts faster than he can lick it, and ends up resorting to his original tactic - this time he is met with soft laughter.

“We can make a snowman together, too, if you’d like.” Aether says while he is halfway through his snow cone and Xiao has made himself another, gesturing to the snow figures Xiao had commented on earlier.

Xiao nods, his mouth already full of snow, as he moves to sit with Aether on a bench miraculously free of snow, their shoulders bumping together as he does so. He reasons to himself that their closeness is to maintain warmth, and doesn’t comment as Aether not-so-subtly slides a hand around his waist. When Aether finishes his snow cone, he doesn’t make another, instead favouring the chance to lean his head on Xiao’s tattooed shoulder, cuddling him a little closer.

Perhaps he really was cold after eating the icy treat, because his face was painted in a soft red. Still, Xiao enjoyed the company, and allowed himself to indulge in his presence for a few hours more.

Chapter Text

Xiao isn’t sure exactly what brought him back to the shores of Guyun Stone Forest - perhaps, witnessing the eons old proof of Rex Lapis’ divine and devastating power gave him a sort of comfort, even in light of his Archon’s retirement. Regardless, he finds himself nudging the toe of his boot into the sand, absentmindedly digging for… something. He refuses to get on his knees to dig properly, especially when this ‘something’ remains undefined in his mind, and the hole he creates after a few minutes is just as swiftly filled in as a wave crashes over it. Perhaps what he is looking for was never in the sand in the first place, yet he cannot think where else to look.

This vague feeling of loss baffles him, most unlike the loss he felt after witnessing the fall of his comrades, or the loss of the Archon which guided him to his eventual freedom. No, this loss simply feels as though it was something that was never found to begin with. As though someone pieced together his mind, body and soul like an intricate puzzle, yet forgot a single piece somewhere along the way. Without it, he is still a comprehensive picture, but incomplete nonetheless.

Perhaps he has always felt this way, yet he has never been so acutely aware of the feeling until recently. Try as he might to pinpoint when exactly this loss became prominent, it would still fail to lead him to what he is trying to find.

Something shifts in his peripheral vision, and he snaps his eyes towards it, eyebrows furrowing. A starconch inches closer to his boot, the lapping waves encouraging its journey - as though some unseen divinity wished for him to find it in that moment. His frown tightens as he crouches to pick it up, turning it over in his hands.

Water drips off its opening, enticing in a way, and Xiao finds himself wondering if this conch is like those spoken of in legend - a vessel carrying another’s secrets. Seeing no reason to resist his curiosity, Xiao indulges himself and holds it up to his ear. Softly, it whispers back.

I love you

Startled, he drops the conch into the water, holding his now empty hand up to his chest as his heart seems to attempt to break free. It hurts, and he almost believes that the conch has somehow inlaid a curse upon him. His stomach clenches as though he were hungry, and his head spins as though he were tired - yet, these are clearly things an adeptus should never experience. Additionally, he finds his hands trembling, and his face overly hot, and he struggles to rationalise a reason for these sudden sensations. His initial thought of a curse simply makes no sense, for he would have surely sensed the starconch was a tainted object the moment he touched it.

He wracks his brains for where he has heard these symptoms before, yet he comes up empty handed. With a heavy sigh, he sits himself properly in the sand, keeping a hand to his chest as he forcibly regulates his breathing.

I love you, echoes in his mind, and he closes his eyes. The voice sounded somewhat familiar, and he feels his features scrunch up as he tries to match it to a face. That same feeling from before surges over him in the aftermath of his brief panic, clouding the faces he tries to conjure in his mind, and he opens his eyes once more. It was rather frustrating - the things he wanted to know felt so close, tangible enough for his fingertips to brush it should he reach out, yet when he tries, his efforts only push them further away. That conch… seemed to be calling them closer.

Overcome by the sudden urge to hear the message again, Xiao scrambles to his feet as his eyes dart over the water. How inconvenient that starconches share such a similar hue to the ocean itself, as Xiao wades deeper into the water in desperate attempt to find his conch. He’s waist deep when he feels something solid under his foot, and sure enough when he looks down, it is the very same conch. He crouches once more to pick it up, water soaking him up to his neck, and holds the dripping conch above the gentle waves once more.

He didn’t notice it the first time, but the conch shines brightly even once the water has fallen away from it, appearing like a gentle beacon, beckoning him to listen another time. And so, he does, bracing himself for the intense feelings that are sure to follow.

I love you, it whispers, and just as a beacon would, shines a spotlight straight through the cloudiness in his mind, illuminating one singular face.

Xiao’s breath is stolen away at the revelation, and he finds himself wondering how he could ever forget the owner of such a lovely voice. Truly, a face comprised of a kind smile and eyes which shine gold is quite unforgettable. He finds himself lost in the memory, in the golden hair that he is sure would be soft to the touch, in the flowing cape that both signals an arrival and a farewell, in the hands covered by unassuming gloves, that have only ever touched him so tenderly. He wonders how those hands would feel linked with his own, should neither be wearing their own gloves. He wonders how that hair would smell, should he ever be allowed to indulge in such proximity. He wonders how it would feel to be embraced by the person he sees so vividly in his mind, and he finds himself finally understanding his brief bout of sickness.

No, it was not sickness nor a curse at all, rather, it was the very words he had heard from within the conch. The feeling of loss that had bothered him for so long, too, finally shrivels away, and it feels as satisfying as finding that missing puzzle piece that he had long believed to be gone forever. Of course, there really was only one person on the surface of Teyvat who could make him feel such a way, and a smile curls at the corner of his lips as he remembers a beautiful, golden smile.

He closes his eyes to cherish that beautiful face for a moment longer, holding the conch up to his own lips.

I love you, too.

Chapter Text

Aether had long since tuned out of whatever Paimon and the Tone-Deaf-Bard were arguing about, as their words devolved into less and less human mockery of each other. He absentmindedly stuck out his tongue; as he expected, it had turned purple thanks to the Wolfhook juice he was currently drinking. His thoughts wandered to the time after he helped Chongyun make popsicles that were flavourful rather than bland suppressants, and how despite Xingqiu never having eaten one, his tongue was as blue as Chongyun’s. Aether smiled at the memory, and the red faces the boys had when he pointed it out to them. He wondered - briefly - about it happening with Xiao, and felt his face go a little hot at the thought.

At some point, his two companions had stopped arguing to look at the strange expressions that were crossing his face. “What-chu thinkin’ about?” Venti teased, and Paimon mumbled something which Aether didn’t pick up.

“Xiao,” he said without a second thought, and almost threw his drink across the table when subsequently a harsh wind behind him signalled the Adeptus’ arrival.

“You called?” Xiao spoke softly, looking like he regretted coming after seeing the company Aether was currently keeping.

“Oh- ho-ho,” Venti cheered, “if it isn’t Morax’ little Adeptus kid!”

“…Barbatos,” Xiao acknowledged with a slight grimace.

“Please, just call me Venti.”

Xiao resisted the urge to then correct Venti’s use of ‘Morax’, reasoning with himself that he didn’t know the extent of the two archons’ relationship. With a sigh to clear his annoyed thoughts, he returned his attention to Aether. 

Aether, the one he had been… engaging in certain mortal affections with for some weeks now, looked at him with an awkward smile, as though he had indeed once again called him by accident. “I… um,” he paused, not quite sure what he wanted to say in the first place. Eventually, he settled on, “care for a drink?”

Xiao shook his head, a small laugh escaping his lips. Usually, he was open with such friendly expressions in front of Aether, but he felt a little flushed now that they had two witnesses. He had the urge to leave, and hopefully return to Aether’s side later when he was alone.

“Then,” Aether stood up, taking a hold of one of Xiao’s hands, “care for a kiss?”

If Xiao noticed the mischief in the smile that spread across Aether’s lips, he didn’t pay it any mind. “Tch,” is all he said. How could I ever say no to that? He added quietly. Even despite his earlier shyness, Xiao leaned in, claiming Aether’s familiar lips against his own, hardly even gasping when Aether opened his mouth against Xiao’s as they had both done so many times before.

Their kiss ended a lot sooner than Xiao would like, when Venti awkwardly cleared his throat and Paimon coughed despite being perfectly healthy just seconds prior. Xiao tsked again, stepping away from Aether to refuse the temptation of simply leaning back in again for more. “I will get going,” Xiao muttered, waiting only for Aether’s farewell before he disappeared in another flash of teal.

“Jeez, you two just can’t get enough of each other?” Paimon grumbled, clearly a regular victim of their impromptu p.d.a.

“Like a newlywed couple,” Venti agreed with a hum, and Aether flushed at the idea.

Meanwhile, somewhere at the top of Wangshu Inn, Xiao wondered why his tongue was now purple.