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When Xiao had stumbled into Morax’s bedroom in a haze long after midnight, he had not intended to stay long.
Or at least, while still drunk on the adrenaline of a battle that had left him unsteady and shaken, that was what he told himself.
That desperate fight had so thrown him off his usual balance that he had doubted he would even be capable of making it to his own quarters before dropping. Instead he had directed the winds to take him to his lord’s much closer- and safer- room. Then, and only then- did he allow himself a moment of weakness to sink against the wall and breathe. When making the regrettably impulsive decision to come here, he… had to admit that he had not been wholly in his right mind and, as much as it pained him to say it, had willfully wished to calm his heart with the familiar comfort of this room.
Xiao could justify this trespass, for his lord was gone attending an assembly which would decide the future of that harbor-town of peasants which Morax so devotedly defended. He had written to Xiao a week before, telling him of how the meetings and arguments were finally coming to a close, and how he- this part had aroused such strange, confusing feelings in Xiao’s chest - was eager to leave, for “he longed to return to the gentle embrace of his most dear adeptus.”
Hm.
That sentiment was dangerously warming to Xiao’s heart. He shook his head to clear his brain of some intruding and very embarrassing daydreams.
At any rate, surely Lord Morax wouldn't mind Xiao using his room as a temporary respite. Or at least, he would tolerate it, would he not? It wasn’t as if Xiao hadn’t spent many nights in the very bed he was looking at now… the yaksha swallowed and pressed on his stomach, as if by that alone he could extinguish the small sparks of arousal pooling deep inside him despite his exhaustion. This wasn’t the time to agitate himself with illicit fantasies of his lord… He should quickly clean himself and then return to his own chambers to wait until Morax arrived home in the morning.
–
Despite his initial intent to hurry himself out of his lord’s private quarters, his resolution soon flagged. He found himself dawdling, finding excuses to stay just a while longer. After he had washed the grime of the day away, refilled his lord’s basin with fresh water and had had no reason at all to stay any longer, he began tidying the room instead.
Xiao moved about the space quickly and lightly, brushing dust off a statue here and polishing the smudges off a window with his sleeve there. He correctly set out the fine articles on Morax’s desk as well, preparing them for his return. Seeing how the maids had arranged the ornate inkwell and pens made him scoff. The fools knew nothing of how Morax liked his belongings laid out.
When the desk was tidy to his satisfaction, he began to smooth out the covers on the bed and organize the pillows.
At last Xiao stepped back to examine the fruits of his labors. The room was practically shining from how thoroughly he had cleaned it. He felt… just a little proud of it. Xiao dropped down to sit near the open bay windows. The night breeze gently tousled his hair and he leaned his head back to rest against one of the frames. Xiao at last felt the fatigue of the day wash over him in a wave, his eyes feeling sandy and dry.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if he rested here for- for just a moment more. He would leave once the candles he had lit burnt down to halves.
Xiao turned wearily and glanced out the window at the darkness of Morax’s courtyard and gardens. The sky itself was void of stars, cloud covering it all-
And that was when he saw it. A fierce glow in the sky, like another sun. It was far away and small, but… it looked as if it was moving. Xiao sucked in a sharp gasp before clambering up to his feet and running as fast as he could out to the balcony. He leaned far over the railing and gazed with wide, awe-filled eyes at the glowing form.
Lord Morax’s exuvia… He had not the words to describe its beauty.
It wasn't as if the yaksha had never seen his lord take the shape of a dragon before, but those times had all been in the midst of battles. The awe it inspired had always been tainted by the desperate frenzy of a fight. This… no- this truly was a gift, one that had been given to Xiao's eyes only. He watched, mesmerized, as the god flew gracefully through the darkened heavens. Morax wove through the clouds, coming closer and closer still. There was not a sound in the night other than the quiet whistle of the breeze and Xiao’s unsteady breathing. It was as if all were silenced by the mere presence of their luminescent god.
The peace of the moment was broken when Morax suddenly plunged and swooped directly over Xiao, landing with a resounding thump on the roof. Xiao turned and mutely watched as his lord curled around the spire above his room and bent his head down, at last noticing the yaksha. Xiao stared an awr but a moment longer, before remembering himself and dropping down to the floor. He knelt, bowing as deeply as possible.
He should explain what he had been doing, apologize for his trespass in his lord’s private quarters-
“Xiao!” The adeptus looked up to see Morax again, but now in the form of a human and with a wide smile on his face. He held his arms outstretched, sharp eyes gleaming with happiness and expectation. He was waiting for Xiao to join the embrace. His lord didn’t seem to care one bit about how he had intruded. He was so lenient with the strangest things…
Xiao stumbled up and all but fell into those strong arms. He found himself wrapped in another one of Morax’s solid hugs, face pressed against that beating chest. Xiao allowed himself to sink deeper into it- just a bit. He could stand here forever.
Morax chuckled happily and pulled out of the embrace to hold Xiao at arm’s length. His lord began to look him over with those cheerful, golden eyes of his.
“Xiao, tell me! Have you been well?” He smiled, the corners of his eyelids creasing.
Xiao blinked the fatigue from his own eyes and straightened his back. Morax seemed practically giddy. How strange.
“I am functioning, my lord…” He hesitated, looking down at the deceivingly plain brown suit jacket the god wore as traveling attire. Xiao knew he shouldn’t intrude on his lord’s personal affairs, but… he was rather curious as to why Morax was so genial tonight.
“And?” Morax waited, hanging on Xiao’s pause expectantly.
“Forgive me, but… has something good happened, my lord?” Xiao’s brows furrowed, realizing how impertinent his question sounded once he had said it. If it was important for him to know, his lord would tell him. It was not Xiao’s place to ask questions. Yet… the Archon seemed often not to mind his inquiries.
“Good?” Morax laughed. “Heavens no, Xiao! The whole assembly was tiring beyond belief .” He sighed, brushing dust off his cloak and suit. “Liyue seems to have a good enough handle on their own trade without my interference. Alas, I fear Cloud Retainer was correct in saying that I was invited as a formality. I barely did much but sit and listen.” He rubbed his eyes with a gloved hand before outstretching it to Xiao. “Shall we go inside?”
Xiao nodded and began to walk behind his lord, abruptly stopping when he got to the door. Morax turned to him with a questioning look on his face.
“Xiao?” Morax’s smile was momentarily replaced by a small, worried glance. Xiao shifted, uneasy from the attention. His lord hadn’t answered his question… Xiao shouldn’t press it-
“I apologize for my impertinence. Just…Is there something else that causes your… mirth tonight?” Xiao winced upon hearing the words leave his mouth. “You need not answer that, my lord-” He stuttered out before staring down at his boots. Fool.
He could hear Morax’s cloak rustle as the Archon stepped closer. Just like that, he gently lifted the dispirited yaksha’s chin to look at him.
“My dearest Xiao…” Morax smiled- softer this time- as he held him. “Why do you think I’m happy?”
Xiao stumbled over his words, trying to find an acceptable reply, despite not having the faintest idea what his lord wanted him to answer. However, Morax didn’t even give him the chance to start a sentence before he pulled him close yet again.
“I’m happy, because at last I am with you. ” Morax murmured into Xiao’s hair.
Oh.
Oh dear.
Xiao’s heart was ill prepared for the sheer warmth that flooded into it from that simple statement. Him? Morax, he- this one brought him joy? Xiao blinked hard and felt the erratic beating in his chest. His lord’s smiles had been… for him.
“I- ah,” Xiao murmured, entirely lost for words. It felt like his brain had been replaced by cotton, confusing his thoughts. It was… not a bad feeling whatsoever.
He looked up at Morax’s figure, silhouetted by the golden candlelight glowing through the windows. Morax smiled down at him as well for but a half-second before wrapping him in yet another one of the warmest, most inviting embraces Xiao had felt.
“My dearest Xiao, I love you.”
Xiao sunk down. His legs would no longer hold him.
This life he lived with his god was strangely domestic. It was nothing like the relationship of a master and servant. Surely the closeness he felt to Morax was… wrong, irreverent.
Yet… It was fine. There was no place he would rather be and no god he would rather serve than the one that held him. If this was disrespect, then so be it. Xiao only wished that this warmth would never leave.