Chapter Text
It was a sunset in lyiue , Aether was playing with a couple dogs that followed him around the city, he was laughing and petting them. -he looks happy- Xiao thought, he was watching him from afar on the mountains outside the city. He was waiting for him to finish his business in the city for the upcoming trip to The Chasm. He noticed Aether would always stop by the dogs and feed them, sometimes he would take them to his teapot and showered them, he would mention every now and then to Xiao that one of the reasons he loved Teyvat was because the love and care everyone has for the animals, no one mistreats them. Xiao asked once to him what he meant, Aether didn’t want to talk about it Today was a little different, after playing with the dogs and heading towards the outside of the city to meet Xiao, he started crying, increasing little by little, and running away while at it … so none would see it. Xiao followed him quickly and concerned. He was about to ask what’s wrong but before he could say anything Aether curled up in the floor his knees to his chest, crying as silently as he could. “It’s silly, and for some reason so hard to say “ aether looked at Xiao and smiled slightly at him “I’m sorry”
The teal haired Adeptus crouched to his height and held aethers hands “it’s not silly, if it makes your heart ache “
While their travels together Xiao learnt that as outgoing as the traveler is, he has a hard time opening up to people, they were more alike than he first thought.
One fight after the other Aether opened up to Xiao and Xiao to Aether. Little by little neither pressured each other.
Xiao helped aether stand up and teleported them back to the teapot. Paimon greeted them “Welcome back!! You guys took too long Paimon is really hungry!!”
Aether was about to head to the kitchen, as quick as possible to avoid any eye contact, but Xiao held his arm before he could go anywhere and faced paimon.
“I’m sorry Paimon I don’t think asking Aether to cook right now would be a good idea. Xiangling is still open at this hours if u wish to stop by”
Paimon noticed after that Aether wasn’t well, she was about to ask before Xiao shook his head to signal her not now
“Ohh that’s a good idea, Paimon will see Xiangling”
With now them alone, Xiao took Aether to his room it was full of pictures with everyone he ever met, decorated but a little bit of a disaster from all the books Aether would scan and red over and over again for any clues or missing points on what happened.
Aethers is usually the one to start conversations but right now it was all silent, it wasn’t uncomfortable nonetheless, Xiao led him to bed and helped him take off his cape and gloves, after he undo Aethers braid and made his way to find his night clothing.
“Thank you Xiao, I’m sorry about the trouble”
“It’s none”
In truth this is not the first time this happens, in this past year they both have been supporting and taking care of the other when one needed it, Support is what Aether said it was.
Not long after Aether layed down in bed and Pat the corner of the bed to ask Xiao to join. They did this every now and then, Xiao wasn’t one to sleep and lay down, it’s rare when it happen, he would usually like to walk around the mountains of the teapot or read one of the books Aether would bring him. It was … mundane … odd and strange at first and peaceful at others, yet there where nights where he would patrol around Lyiue just like always.
They stared at each other and xiao thought
- Your eyes are like stars always shinning full off hope but today they seem like shooting stars … what do u wish for ? That makes you cry? -
And as if Aether could read his thoughts he said
“The reason why I always care for dogs it’s because while my sister and I traveled we had 2 dogs. They where like us in some way… a blessing some would say because dogs ain’t supposed to live that long.”
The blonde took a deep breath and move to look up at the ceiling. Which not too long ago he had Xiao and paimon and even Bennet, paint it blue like the night till bennet splashed all kinds of paint and it ended up looking like stars in a galaxy, a beautiful accident .
“Sometimes I wonder if they are with her, are they ok?
I miss them so much…
What if something happened to them? Was it my fault for not being strong enough, smart enough to protect them too?
When we tracked across the galaxies they turn into some crystals like my earring, so they would be safe as we traveled. But just like my sword and wings they weren’t there when I awoke. And when I saw my sister as painful as it was, I have hope they are safe with her.”
Tears where going down his cheeks
“Every-time I see a dog past by I think about those 2 lively souls.
How they would run all over and bark at anything that crossed by,
A fluffy little boi and medium sized brown and white girl.
I really miss them.”
Xiao moved to look up the stars too.
“It’s not silly, and I’m sure they are safe somewhere, if they are crystals like the one u wear, we could find them . And if they are with her, they would be safe. “
Xiao tried to reassured him. He meant it truly, if they where last here they should be here still.
“Is that why u search in every corner for everything u could find ?”
“Yes”
“Then I’ll search with you”
He held Aether’s hand but instead Aether snuggled on his shoulders.
“Rest Ae, I’ll stay.”