Chapter Text
Xiao didn’t understand a lot of things about humans. He didn’t get their need to clump together in cities, though it made avoiding/protecting them easier. He didn’t get their strange food that always seemed to have too much flavor. He didn’t get their insistent chattering, especially the small floating one though he wasn’t quite sure if it counted as a human. But what he didn’t understand the most was why this blond boy was standing once again on his balcony.
Aether, he asked Verr his name after he came the first time, had come before sure, but that was because he had a task for Xiao involving Rex Lapis. Today however Xaio knows for a fact that Morax is off trying to reconcile with that Fatui scum, since he had been adamantly against it.
Besides if Aether needs anything urgent he should have known just to call out his name. But instead he stands alone on his balcony, the floating one appears to be absent thank god, with a plate of almond tofu.
This troubled Xiao. Was he so unapproachable that Aether thinks he must bring him a gift every time he needs his aid? Had Xiao not been clear when he said all he needed to do was to call out his name?
Xiao appears next to him. Aether jumps a little but quickly gives him his sunshine smile. How could a mortal seem to radiate so much light? Xiao pondered. He decided to ignore it.
“You know if you have a task for me now you don’t need to bring me tofu every time. I will come when you call and disperse of the threat without bribery.”
Aether looks startled and a little upset. Had Xiao said something wrong?
“Oh no this isn’t…” He pushes the plate toward Xiao. “Thank you.”
Now Xiao was utterly confused. Thank him? Xiao could not think of a single thing he had done to warrant this human’s thanks. Aether must have seen his confusion so he adds.
“For saving me. At the battle with Osail, when I fell you caught me.”
“Think nothing of it, human. I have a sworn duty to Rex Lapis protect the people of this land.”
“Yes but Zhongli has stepped down now, and I am not from here.”
Xiao huffs “I am aware of both these facts, Traveler, but nevertheless you are still in Liyue and my debt to Rex Lapis cannot me nullified by him simply ‘stepping down’ as you say.”
“Well either way, thank you.” He says extending the plate one more time. “Aren’t you gonna eat it? I promise I’m a pretty good cook. Good Hunter even offered to hire me once.”
Xiao notices how Aethers eyes seem to light up as speaks. Their honey color seems warm and sweet, he wonders how they both seem full of life and timelessly old. Aether tilts his head at him and Xiao coughs a little– realizing he has been caught staring.
“I have no doubt in your ability. I just wanted to clarify that there was no need.” Xiao still grabs the plate and starts putting pieces of almond tofu into his mouth. It is soft and warm with the perfect hint of sweetness without being overbearing. Xiao wonders if this is what the boy in front of him’s dreams taste like. He finds himself hoping he has fond dreams.
Xiao shakes himself from the thought. What is with this human and making all of his thoughts run on unnecessary tangents?
Aether chuckles.
Xiao looks up startled to see Aether giggling.
“What is so amusing?”
“Oh nothing I am just glad you like it.”
Xiao looks down to find the plate of tofu completely empty. He puts it aside a little embarrassed. Whatever if Aether didn’t want him to eat it all he should have said so. Still he didn’t want him thinking he was like the flying gremlin that ate everything in sight…
“I will make sure to leave some for you in the future now if that is all–”
Just as Xiao was about to vaperate away a hand catches his wrist.
“Wait! Does that mean I can come again?”
Aether’s eyes shone with excitement? Hope? No, that couldn’t be right. No human should be happy to see him. He brought death and destruction to all in his wake. He was merely a weapon. He should be casting this boy aside, telling him off for wasting his time, sending him away for his own good.
So why couldn’t he? Why is he so drawn to this human that he couldn’t even manage a simple no? Why does his wrist where the boy is making contact feel warm and almost alight with electricity?
In the end all Xiao can say is a simple, “Do as you wish,” before vanishing.
Xiao really doesn’t get humans.