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Aether was at home watching "Klee's Adventures: Boom Boom In Inazuma" with his sister, Lumine when the news of a zombie virus spread.
The twins had good survival skills and lived until a few months later until only one twin remained.
Months after his sister's death, Aether found his way back to Liyue's camp.
A lot had happened since then.
"Welcome back Aether." The ex-leader of the camp, Zhongli, greeted.
"Heya Zhongli. How's camp?" Aether asked.
"The new group, the Qixing, are leading the camp well. Even Xiao has been dropping in and helping more often."
"Ooh, Xiao? How is he? It's been a while since I saw him."
"He's in the training area right now training new recruits."
"Gotcha!" Aether was beyond giddy at the idea to see Xiao again.
The blond waited in the training area until it seemed like a break to ambush his boyfriend.
"Kiss attack!"
Aether narrowly dodged a punch from Xiao. "Phew! Dodged just in time! Otherwise, you would've knocked my teeth out. Archons just how much force did you put into that punch?"
"Aether, do not surprise me again," Xiao said, then added in a softer tone. "I do not take getting surprised well. Please, be careful next time. I would never forgive myself if I had hurt you, even by accident."
"Alright, alright. Anyways, I'm back! Don't think you can get rid of me now!"
"As if I would. If anything, it would be the other way around."
"No way! And I'm ending this conversation here!"
"I-"
"So how's camp?"
"Camp has been good. Though we've been running low on supplies."
"Hm. So that means we'll be gathering supplies the next few weeks?"
"Yes. So let's enjoy our time now before setting off."
"Sounds like a plan! So where to?"
The next few weeks of gathering went smoothly. Too smoothly. Like it was the calm before the storm.
Xiao was right.
A surprise hoard of zombies appeared during their last round to get supplies. The two fought but were quickly overwhelmed.
Aether had gotten bitten during the skirmish.
"Aether!" Xiao screamed, watching the blond stagger. "Focus Xiao! We'll treat it after we take care of these undead bastards!"
"Aether you've been bitten! You need to treat it immediately!"
"XIAO WATCH OUT!"
Xiao managed to dodge the incoming zombie and quickly disabled it.
After a while, the two managed to take care of the hoard and arrive at the Liyue camp.
Zhongli hurried to the pair, his eyes widened at the blond leaning on Xiao's shoulder. "Zhongli, Aether needs to be treated. Immediately."
The older man understood and carried Aether to the makeshift infirmary.
Xiao looked around the shelter.
It was growing bigger and bigger and was beginning to thrive, even in the world's current condition. But it was because of this camp Aether got bitten. Xiao thought bitterly.
Anxiety for Aether's well-being made a short period of time seem like centuries. After pacing in circles exactly 24.7 times, Zhongli came back.
Xiao could already tell that the older man didn't come bearing good news. "Aether cannot be treated. Symptoms show that he will turn in a few hours."
"Shit! Why did the virus have to work so quickly!"
"Aether has requested your company, Xiao. Be careful of the virus."
The shorter male quickly made his way towards the tent Zhongli pointed to.
"Oh hey -cough- Xiao," Aether said.
For once the smile on his face was dim. Once healthy, radiant skin was now pale and sickly. In such a short time, he had already been reduced to a sick person.
"It's funny -cough- y'know. Just this morning I was fine, and now I'm about to turn into -cough- the same disgusting creature that ripped my -cough- sister, away from me in a few hours."
"I'm sorry Aether if only I was-"
"It wasn't your fault. I'm the one that -cough- was reckless. Say, do you remember -cough- when we started dating? The promise?"
"I hate these zombie bastards. So can you promise me something?" Aether asked, eyes closed with his head leaning on his now-boyfriend.
"Go ahead. If it is in my power, I will honour it."
"If I get turned, kill me okay?"
"Aether-"
"Promise or no?"
"I promise. However, I request that the same applied to me."
"Alright. But I don't think those slow-pokes could even touch you."
Xiao's ears tinged pink. "Ahem. You're overestimating me."
"You do." The blond replied to himself, after seeing the familiar look of reminiscence on Xiao's face.
"I won't go back on my word."
"Heh. -cough- I wouldn't expect you to. Say, do you believe in reincarnation?"
"I do."
Xiao's heart was cracking at the thought of Aether dead, but he knew how much hatred Aether held for zombies. Letting him turn into one would do nothing but anger the blond.
"In the next life, I promise to find you, okay?" Aether promised to Xiao. Xiao started to cry. Cries turned into sobs. His head laid on Aether's lap, the blond's fingers lightly brushing his hair. Aether soothed the shorter male, whispering sweet nothings in Xiao's ear.
At that moment, Zhongli entered. "Aether. You will start turning soon. Have you decided you will let you die as yourself?"
"Yes. Xiao c'mon."
When they made it to the area, Zhongli left, leaving the two alone. Xiao picked up his trusted spear and brought it to Aether's heart. It stayed like that for a few minutes, spear to heart, eye to eye.
"C'mon Xiao, you can do it."
Xiao's hands then trembled and ended up dropping the spear. "I-I can't. I can't bring myself to kill you."
Aether gave a slight sigh as if he knew this would happen.
"Next life remember? I'll -cough- find you." The blond said with a soft smile.
Afraid that if he didn't do it now, he couldn't do it later, Xiao quickly picked up the spear and thrust it into Aether's heart mercilessly. Aether's now unconscious body began to fall, but Xiao caught it. Aether's head lay on Xiao's lap and stayed until he was lifeless.
Even in death, the smile remained, though now it was cold, with no signs of life.
Xiao gave a rare half-smile and grabbed the same spear that took Aether's life moments earlier.
"Next life, Aether. I will meet you in the next life, so let's die together, shall we?"