Work Text:
Everything about Aether was soft: the gentle smile he wore every time he so much as glanced at Xiao; the tender touches he left of Xiao’s face and body after their very first confessions; and the way he now pushes Xiao onto the bed, softly and slowly, touch just as gentle and smile just as tender. Xiao felt his heart beat a little faster, knowing that wherever this was going, he would be safe; he would be happy.
Aether tugged off the tie holding his braid in place, letting the end slowly unravel. Xiao’s hands were in his hair instantly, working their way through the weave, freeing his golden hair to spill over his shoulders and surround Xiao’s vision like a dreamy curtain. He continued to run his fingers through the strands as Aether lowered himself to place a kiss on his lips - a kiss which soon trailed to his chin, and neck.
Xiao allowed himself to sigh as Aether nibbled his neck lightly, grasping at his hair a little tighter. In a matter of seconds, there was no part of his neck that had not been graced by Aether’s ministrations, whether it be feather-light lips or gentle teeth. Now, Aether opened his mouth against the side of his neck, sucking lightly to leave a mark, as nimble fingers moved between their bodies to unbutton Xiao’s shirt. As each button was undone, Aether’s mouth moved a little lower on his body, as if he wished to cover every inch of it in kisses. Xiao would be more than happy if that were the case, even if it took hours. He knows Aether will be gentle, and that should he feel uncomfortable Aether will stop without hesitation. But, a part of him can’t help but imagine Aether a little rougher, a little meaner. The thought makes him feel imperceptibly hotter.
He feels his shirt being carefully pulled down his shoulders, and reluctantly, he removes his hands from Aether’s hair so his lover can properly undress him. He’s rewarded with hands spreading over his chest, and another kiss on his lips. This time, it lasts longer, as Aether allows his hands to make up for what his mouth is too occupied to do. Xiao can’t help but dig his fingers back into his golden hair. Just like every other part of Aether, his hair is soft, too. He holds him close for a while, before Aether breaks away with a smile on his lips as he catches his breath. Xiao wants to kiss him more, to hide that smile so he doesn’t self-combust at the sight of it, but he welcomes the return of that mouth to his body.
Aether kisses him like he’s applying bandages; incredibly gentle yet no less deliberate - and Xiao likes to think each of his kisses heals a little more of his aching heart, that one day he will be free of his lingering melancholy. Maybe it will take a hundred, or a thousand kisses, and he feels warm knowing Aether will happily grant him each and every one. Sometimes he wishes he could be just as tender in his affections, so that Aether, too, could be left breathless and warm at the work of his gentle lips. Xiao lets his hands drift from Aether’s hair to his shirt, and gently tugs. He wants to try.
Aether lifts his head and smiles - soft, as usual - and murmurs quiet encouragement for Xiao to undress him. He emits a low, pleased sigh feeling calloused fingers gently drift across his abdomen as his T-shirt is lifted up tantalisingly slow. As it bundles under his arms, he sneaks another kiss to Xiao’s parted lips before pulling it the rest of the way himself, discarding it by where Xiao’s laid. Xiao wants to reach for his hair again - when doesn’t he? - but instead holds his shoulders, pulling Aether’s neck closer to his mouth. He kisses, much louder than Aether had, and presumably much less gentle, yet Aether doesn’t seem to mind. He never does, in fact, Xiao swears he hears him moan above him. The sound does little to help his control, and he swipes a tongue across the soft skin against his lips.
His question is quiet, but Aether doesn’t need to hear it to know what Xiao has asked.
“Can I bite you?”
Aether smiles widely, out of Xiao’s sight, incredibly endeared by the question. It’s not the first time Xiao has asked, just as Aether’s answer will likely be far from the last.
“Of course,” he breathes into Xiao’s ear, turning his head to expose more of his neck. If only he could convince Xiao that he didn’t have to ask; that Aether is more than happy to be surprised by such an action. He lets out a sigh bordering on a moan as teeth sink as gently as possible into his neck, leaving indents in their wake yet not drawing blood. For as much as Xiao speaks about lacking control, he has never once pierced Aether’s skin with his numerous bites.
Xiao shifts his grip to under Aether’s arms, lifting his body so that he can reach his chest, and bites into his peck slowly. He hears Aether exhale again, and kisses the bite in response. Aether asks,
“Do you want to be on top?”
For it would be far easier for Xiao to reach his desired spots if he was the one looming over Aether, yet his answer comes much more naturally.
“No… I like to be under you.” I like to feel safe, he does not add, but it seems Aether can hear it anyway.
With a quiet laugh, Aether moves on his own so that Xiao’s bites can trail lower and lower. As his hips shift up Xiao’s body, Xiao in turn brings his knees closer, wanting to curl up around Aether entirely but being restricted by his human anatomy. Soon, Aether straddles his chest as he bites into the flesh of his stomach, relishing how it, too, is as soft as the rest of him. Aether stretches up once his teeth release, and inspects his own body.
“How do I look?” He asks with a smile, and Xiao can’t help but chuckle too.
“You look like you’ve been bitten.”
Xiao watches, mesmerised, as Aether wiggles back down to his hips, bringing their faces closer once more. Their bodies are pressed together at the crotch, and Xiao can feel hardness through the layers of their pants. He swallows, heart beating faster with each second that elapses. Fingers trail down his exposed torso to the edge of his pants, and he bites his lip. Eyes meet his own, expectant yet soft.
“May I?”
Despite everything, Xiao finds himself shaking his head, and immediately, Aether’s hands slide back up to cup his face. He brings their noses together, smiling in spite of the rejection. How can he smile as soft as always, after being turned down for something he so clearly wants? Xiao could not begin to comprehend it, and a wave of guilt washes over him as his own body itches for more; yearning for the very thing he rejected. He can’t help but worry, that maybe he just doesn’t like Aether, that maybe something is wrong with him that he wants it so bad yet doesn’t at the same time. Perhaps a part of his inner turmoil is visible on his face, as Aether strokes his cheek, pressing yet another kiss to the corner of his mouth. Barely pulling away, he breathes, letting the touch of his lips convey his message where his breath cannot.
“It’s ok.”
Aether sits up a little, shifting so they aren’t pressed together so intimately, and gently caresses his cheek as he waits patiently for Xiao.
“Can we keep kissing?” Xiao eventually mumbles, his face bright red as he fumbles with his own fingers, as though it was their first kiss and not one in amongst hundreds. Aether wastes no time in complying, hardly able to contain a smile. He tilts his head, opening his mouth against Xiao’s, and suppresses another smile at his soft gasp. They kiss with practiced coordination, and Xiao holds Aether’s hair just as tight as Aether holds his face, their only anchors to reality as they sweep each other out in a sea of love.
“Why… aren’t you… bothered?” Xiao breathes between kisses, his brows furrowing. A finger deftly moves to smooth over the crease.
“Should I be bothered?”
“I… turned you down, even though… I’m…”
His voice trails off, as kisses slow against his lips. Somehow, Aether is still smiling.
“You had a reason for saying no,” he supplements, half as a question and half a statement. Xiao chooses to answer.
“I was overwhelmed,” Xiao admits, having to look away. “But I still want it. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Not at all.” Aether presses kisses to the cheek he now faces. “We can do it another time, my darling Xiao.”
Xiao smiles at that, feeling rather wholesome despite the topic at hand. As he turns to face Aether again, he’s met with lips on his own once more, and gladly returns the affection. How could he expect anything else from someone so soft? Slowly, all his worries are tenderly kissed away, and he allows himself to melt into it.
He knows everything about Aether is soft: from the softness of his lips against Xiao’s own, to the tender touches never straying too far from where Xiao is comfortable having them. Even Aether’s confessions are soft, as he kisses Xiao into oblivion, whispering each time he breaks for air.
“I love you, Xiao.”
Xiao couldn’t ever ask for more.