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Adepti were something Aether was curious over. When Osial rose from the waves, it brought both the mortals and non of Liyue. Feeling their strength be lent over had been the best he felt besides gaining God's elemental power.
Falling had not been in the plan, however. Ningguang had held strong, but her barriers and platform only had so much time before cracking.
Xiao had come and saved him from his fall. Ordered him to be careful, squeezed his hand in reassurance. So came his interest in Adepti.
Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, and Moon Carver were the same. Adepti with the form of beasts, who held themselves away from their nation. Besides Madame Ping, the Conqueror of Demons was the one he saw the most nowadays.
Which wasn't saying much.
———
Adepti weren't common anywhere else, he learned. Aether wasn't sure any other nation had them. They were one of the infinite things special to Liyue.
Every place in Teyvat was special in his opinion, though. The Nation of Contracts, the City of Freedom. It was just what it held.
Wangshu Inn was a good place to rest from travels in Liyue. Aether enjoyed looking at the stars from its deck, seeing an endless sky that once he and his sister would be able to soar. It also held a certain patron.
Like the first time, Aether was alone. Looking out at the view with the wind rustling, a silence he now knew was Xiao's watchful eye. The Traveler paid it no mind.
Stars, an Adepti, a Traveler.
It was only feeling his presence stay that made Aether turn to look. Xiao met his gaze, golden eyes peering from his perch on the tree. No matter how much he seemed like a predator waiting, ready to strike, Aether wasn't afraid.
A smile graced him, before looking back to the sky. "I like the stars."
———
Aether also learned how incredibly hard maintenance it was to earn Xiao's time and this little bit of trust given.
The Adeptus had agreed to come to visit in Liyue with him, even though he claimed so often that mortal tendencies were of unimportant matters.
Xiao glanced down at the vendors Aether had motioned to, and his eyes narrowed.
Aether would take him sometime else, then.
The Traveler turned to carry on, only for Xiao to grab his arm and keep him from bumping into someone.
"Well, now. It appears someone wasn't watching so closely to where they were going..." A voice mused.
Paimon appeared, grinning and waving hurriedly.
"Hi, Zhongli!"
The Geo Archon smiled at her greeting. "Hello, you three. May I ask what you are doing?"
Paimon spread her arms out in a grand gesture at the red columns nearby. "Aether wanted to show Xiao around in Liyue! Even though he doesn't like food, there's still plenty of places to look at!"
Zhongli looked between the two boys as she spoke, a knowing glint in his eye as his gaze settled with Xiao. The Yaksha held it, unknowing to his God's thoughts.
"I'll let you continue exploring." His gaze flickered between them once more. "Do stop by and visit though when you finish, won't you?"
Paimon nodded eagerly. "Done and done! We'll remember to drop by, don't worry!"
Zhongli waved his hand, dismissive as he walked away. "I'll see you three soon, then. Goodbye for the time being."
"Goodbye Zhongli!" Paimon chirped. Aether waved.
Xiao hadn't let go of his arm.
———
Humming rose with the steam as Aether cooked, unhurried. Xiao wrinkled his nose at the smell.
Aether laughed at the Adeptus's look. "My apologies for having to eat. You may not want it, but I need fuel."
The Yaksha huffed at his teasing, looking away from the pot. It could almost be called pouting. "I could make you something," Aether offered. "I know you like Almond Tofu."
Xiao hummed absently, seemingly done with the conversation. "Do whatever you wish. It is of no concern to me."
Later, Xiao would quietly eat beside him.
———
Aether grunted as a Ruin Guard slammed into him, a chuffing sound emitting from the machine.
Bennett hissed in pain somewhere off to his side, seemingly trying to get back up.
Kaeya and Barbara weren't to be seen.
There had been a horde of Ruin Guards, stomping near the ruins of Old Mondstadt. Aether had gotten a team together to try and take care of it, but there...
They hadn't expected so many.
A shadow fell across him again, and his blood ran cold.
"Aether!!"
An orange glow reflected on his armor before a bright red dot zeroed in on it too.
"A-Adeptus Xiao—!"
Wind rushed at his call, a breeze that could move mountains if it so wished.
Another chuffing sound, the Ruin Guard falling to its knees, stuttering to a stop. The color bled away from his clothes as its eye faded.
Xiao stood atop the body, Yaksha mask in hand.
"No—!"
A click followed Aether's cry, the Adepti's mask fixing in place.
Xiao was gone. To be followed by the Ruin Guards kneeling at their deaths. One by one.
Bennett was frozen where he stood nearby, watching their massacre in silence.
Aether scrambled to his feet, sprinting forward to the last Ruin Guard alive. Distantly, he heard Bennett call out to him again.
A spear plunged from the sky, driving itself between mechanics and bolts. Hands were clutched around it in a death grip.
Xiao swayed, the very wind he represented almost being his last strike. He tipped forward, falling to the ground with the Guard. His spear clattered before turning to stardust.
Aether skidded to a halt, reaching an arm out to the Adeptus. Concern rolled over him in waves, drowning.
Xiao shook his head, leaned heavily against the corpse of the Guard. His mask was back on his hip.
"We can get Barbara to heal you," Aether began, taking another step forward.
"Xiao..." A breeze stirred, and with it the Yaksha left him.
"You have some explaining to do it seems, Traveler."
Aether spun on his heels, meeting Kaeya's intrigued look. Barbara had his arm over her shoulders, helping him walk. Bennett was still clutching his side, doe-eyes wide in surprise.
The Traveler sighed in defeat, looking back over his shoulder to the fallen Ruin Guard.
"So much for trying to keep the mask off," Paimon whispered nearby.
So much for keeping the mask off,
Aether agreed bitterly.
———
Lumine looked regal. A portal of starlight and cosmos whirled behind her, and it felt so close to home.
She was home.
She turned away from him. Without another word, she fled him.
How could she leave?
He's done so much to find her, everything he did was for her—
He shook his head, tumbling forward in his haste to follow.
His arm reached out, portal wisps against his fingers. Trailing alongside his skin.
Aether fell through the other side.
No—
Flames licked against the sky, an awful smell of ash and char rising and making him begin to back away.
Khaenri'ah burned, the God's wrath scorching everything to the ground.
All for what?
What God did this? What right could they possibly have?
What did Celestia hold?
And why was it tipping
—
Aether startled awake, sweat sticking to his body and matting his hair.
Embers from the fire were still flickering nearby, and it made him sick to his stomach. He could feel its warmth, something usually so comforting.
He sucked in a quiet breath, before getting up and simply walking away.
The others were asleep, and even if they weren't, Aether couldn't lay there another second. Another minute would have killed him then and there.
He couldn't even look at the stars either. Something that had brought so much joy only held grief.
Far enough into the forest that every leaf blocked his home out of sight, Aether let himself crumple.
Traveling was home.
Lumine was home.
He had never been so far from it before.
A breeze picked up, catching on the trees and pulling his braid over his shoulder. He shuddered, curling against the tree further.
"You should go back. I will keep guard."
At his silence came a pause.
When Aether finally looked up, Xiao held a solemn expression.
"No nightmares will come when I'm with you. You have my word."
For some reason, Aether believed him.
———
Aether's braid slowly came loose as his fingers mindlessly went through, hair tie laying beside his knee.
He picked up his brush and began to comb through, humming as he did. It had been some time before he took the energy to care for his body, and he truly required it at this point.
Paimon badgering him about it helped, too.
Aether gently undid a knot, careful with the strands stuck before continuing the held routine.
It took a long time to notice Xiao staring.
He blinked, glancing over his shoulder to the Yaksha's usual perch.
Xiao tilted his head, eyes drifting between his hair then back to meet his gaze. "Would you like to brush your hair?" Aether asked quietly. Xiao gave no reply.
The Traveler hummed again, picking up his song and his work. If Xiao wanted anything, he knew he could ask.
The sun moved, and with it's passing Xiao got closer.
Their knees brushed as the Adeptus sat beside him, watching as always with silent intent. Aether was sure Xiao would scold himself later for letting his curiosity of 'mortal' things get to him. For now, though...
Aether set his brush down, picking up his hair tie in replacement.
With a wish, he took his hairpin in his other palm before he could change his mind. For what reason Xiao's starting brought his will to wear it, Aether was unsure.
Straightening himself, Aether began to rebraid his hair. He didn't miss the way Xiao studied his movements. Once done, the hair tie clicked around the remaining strands, and he pushed the hairpin into place.
He felt a different hand brush against the hairpin, and he stilled. Xiao's hand traveled to hover over his braid, but only for a moment.
"I like it," the Yaksha huffed, but it was not unkind. His hand had returned to his side.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
———
Aether stretched, pushing his arms above his head and yawning.
Rain pattered outside, crisp air holding just enough chill. It was nice to sit inside and have a warm drink.
Zhongli had left Xiao and him alone while he went to get tea leaves, Aether quietly reminding him to take Mora before he went. Zhongli enjoyed having company for tea, and who was Aether to ever deny the Geo Archon his presence.
Light flickering on the wall brought Aether's mind wandering back before a low rumble could be heard over the rain.
"Thunder," Xiao muttered, setting his cup down. Another rumble sounded.
"Some mortals are afraid of lightning. Incomprehensible. Fear of something so common."
Aether settled his gaze to the Demon slayer. "Would you make fun of me if I were afraid of the storm?"
Xiao huffed, looking back towards the light as thunder came again. "You are not afraid of something so trivial. This I am sure."
"Would you still say you would protect me if I was?"
Xiao paused only for a moment.
"I will keep my word, no matter the danger you require me for."
Against the Yaksha's better judgment, he let his palm open away from his teacup.
Against his better judgment, Xiao allowed the Traveler to twine their fingers. Let the hidden truth behind his words fill their minds.
Rain patter and tea leaves were joined by their fond silence.
———
Aether swayed, music carrying his limbs instead of adrenaline. His hairpin glittered from lantern light, and the festival below continued.
The Traveler held no clue what group of merchants brought these joys to Wangshu Inn, yet Aether certainly was not brought forth to complain.
As he spun, Aether felt his cloak catch against wind, tugging him forward with its strength. A laugh tumbled out, and he expectantly turned to the tree. Like always when he came here.
"Adeptus~ Come out!"
Xiao spawned at his call, leaning back on branches with a ghost of a smile crossing his face. Something so rare for so many people.
The Traveler returned his smile, leaning back forward to rest on the edge of the balcony. A serene look to him settled as music filled the air, that smile never leaving.
Xiao wished he could watch it once over when he made it appear. See Aether with the lanterns glow, a gifted hairpin in his strands of braid every chance given.
What was this wish..? Xiao never wanted anything. Except...
This is what he wished for. At this moment, it was enough. That should have scared him. What he dared to do next should have, too.
"You're pretty," Xiao spoke, the words foreign yet right in his mouth. Xiao felt himself shift, and then Aether was there. Right at his side, willing to stay there. The other gave no intention of leaving.
The Traveler was gentle with reaching for his shoulders, earning Xiao's hands to stop only once until they settled on the Traveler's hips. Nervous. This should have scared him.
It should have scared him when Aether closed the distance to press their lips together. Instead, the Yaksha felt lighter than he had in a long, long time.
And Aether knew he had broken down Xiao's walls.