Work Text:
“Aether,”
A whine of protest,
“Aether.”
“M’ not moving.”
“Aether.”
….
“Fine.”
“Wha-” Aether squeals out in surprise when he’s picked up by the scruff, teeth digging very lightly into his neck- not hurting but applying enough pressure to make him feel… A bit weird. “Xiao!”
“If you weren’t going to move, I am going to move you myself.” Xiao mumbles through a mouthful of fur. “We need to get moving, we don’t have time for you to be laying around all day.”
“But Xiao,” Aether whines again, “We’re never going to get to be cats again, I just want to relax.”
Xiao does not respond to that, just dragging Aether in a direction Aether assumes to be towards Liyue. The blonde kitty swipes at Xiao’s paws below, attempting to trip him but ending up unsuccessful seeing as Xiao was as balanced as ever- even in cat form. He lets out a grumbly mrrow and starts to squirm, making the blue cat halt in his steps and deadpan.
He stands there for a good few minutes, waiting for Aether to stop squirming and when he does, Xiao simply just starts walking again with a pouty blonde kitty in his hold.
They end up near the entrance of the city of Liyue rather quickly, Xiao finally putting Aether down and continuing his walk, just expecting Aether to follow.
Aether blinks at his sudden freedom, and rather than following like he logically should,
He makes a break for it, running into Liyue but then taking the opposite direction in which Xiao was going.
“Aether!” Xiao yells out, immediately taking chase after him.
Aether runs until he reaches the harbor, dashing up and over to one of the ships that happen to be currently docked. He scrambles up the gangway, letting out a triumphed ‘mrrow’ and barely hearing the laugh of someone on board-
“We got kitties on deck!” Beidou shouts with a visible smile, before her head turns to someone next to her, “Kazuha, would you mind?”
The samurai next to her straightens up, eyes lingering on the blonde cat getting chased by a blue one and lets out an amused huff, “Sure.” He hums quietly, jumping down from the back of the ship and landing in the middle of the deck. He’s quick to grab both cats into his arms, the blue one putting up more of a fight over the blonde one that instantly starts purring upon getting picked up. “You’re both not supposed to be on board, you know. Water isn’t for kitties.” Kazuha says almost teasingly, though pausing upon seeing the earrings in the blonde’s ears.
…Those…
“Hm, Aether.” Kazuha looks to the blue kitty, squinting at the forehead of him and snorting. “Xiao.” Of course. What other cats would truly hop on a ship so easily?
Aether perks up upon hearing his name and cutely meows at Kazuha, purrs not ceasing even as Xiao lets out a low growl.
“Ah, I see what’s happening, then. Forced into cats and attempting to receive help. Or at least, one of you are.” The anemo user laughs lightly and adjusts his hold on the kitties, taking them up to Beidou who’s giving Kazuha a questioning gaze. “It appears that Aether and Xiao have been transferred into another way of living.”
“They’re.. Oh my- this is great!” Beidou laughs aloud, immediately ruffling both of the cat’s heads and almost getting bitten by Xiao while Aether just purrs louder. “Looks like you’re going out again Kazuha, want to stay in Liyue for a bit longer?” She questions with a large grin, ruffling Kazuha’s hair without another thought when he nods. “Alright, then get goin. We’ll be back in a week or so, take care of the kitties.”
“Will do. Stay safe.” Kazuha says, once again adjusting the hold on the kitties seeing as Xiao was struggling against him and Aether was constantly trying to butt his head against Kazuha’s stomach in an attempt to get pet. He then leaves with pure fluff in his arms off the ship, humming a small tune as he goes along. This seems to settle Xiao down for once, that or well, the adepti-turned-cat just gave up finally.
“Aether, when we’re back to our original forms again, you’re facing my wrath.” Xiao grumbles out, and all to Kazuha it sounds like an angry series of meows.
It makes the Samurai breathe out a laugh, “It seems like you’re in trouble, Aether.”
All Aether does is purr to the both of them, enjoying this far too much.
“Let’s see…” Kazuha stops in the middle of Liyue, eyes searching for something. Or well, someone. “Ah, there.”
When they start walking again, Xiao reluctantly looks up to see where they’re going and blinks when he sees Rex Lapis-
Erm, Zhongli, sitting at one of the tables and listening to a story some stranger is telling at the front of it all. The tall man is sipping his tea, seeming content with it all and sparing a glance over to Kazuha when he approaches,
Only to completely look back in bafflement when spotting the two cats in the Samurai’s arms.
“Hello, Zhongli.” Kazuha greets, and deposits the two cats onto the table where Xiao immediately springs up, grabs Aether by the scruff, and holds him up to Zhongli with an angry ‘mrrup’.
Aether just allows this, eyes closed shut in utter contentment.
“Aether and Xiao appear to have been transformed,” Kazuha explains with a slight smile, “How… I am unsure, but I know they’re, or well, Xiao, is looking for a way to shift back.”
Xiao makes an upset noise at that while Aether just continues to purr.
Though, Xiao is starting to look more and more less angry, if Kazuha is being honest. Aether might be doing a number on him.
“...I see.” Zhongli gently takes Aether from Xiao, lifting him up in front of himself and blinking when Aether’s purrs just get deeper. “Well, I’m afraid I am of no help. I can tell you that they’ll be fine in a day or so.” He places Aether back down and watches the blonde cat butt his head against a now disappointed looking Xiao’s chest. “Mhm.."
“Hm, that is good news.” Kazuha nods once, “I will take them somewhere safe then to rest. The wangshu inn is probably best,” He grabs Aether first, then goes for Xiao but the blue cat beats him to it and simply hops onto Kazuha’s shoulder with a pouty-sounding meow.
Of course.
“Safe travels then,” Zhongli smiles in a gentle manner, “And Xiao, Aether, do visit me once you’ve shifted back again.”
Xiao does not respond and Aether just mrrups.
Zhongli watches them go with a fond expression, taking another sip of his tea and thinking silently.
…Xiao. You truly found not one, but many that care enough about you to drag you around.
He was proud.
Kazuha ends up watching the cats chase each other across the balconies of the wangshu inn once purchasing a room there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Do be careful, if you fall I’m afraid your anemo will not catch you and I may not be quick enough.”
Aether meows over at him and in doing so he stops long enough for Xiao to pounce and tackle Aether to the ground. The cats go rolling for a moment before stopping with Xiao on top of Aether, tail moving slowly as he mrrrrrs down at the blonde cat with the most smug look.
Aether, again, just ends up purring with an even smugger look. His front two legs stretch into Xiao’s face when the blue cat tries to bite him, and he lets out a chirpy meow.
Kazuha misses the part when they somehow end up both laying down and basically just cuddling, Xiao pampering Aether with grooming to his ears and fluffy neck.
This is Xiao’s ‘wrath’ huh?
Silly kitties.
(UPDATE: have some xiaother kitty art by me ^-^ nov. 2022)