Chapter Text
After Aether came back from Inazuma he acted differently than before, it was as if he had lost a part of himself that could never be brought back. He still was a kind traveller however he became more irritated and even lashed out in some situations, although they were not bad that it became physical, it was just something that most people would find surprising and odd.
Xiao let out a sigh as he wondered what could have happened in Inazuma to cause this type of change in Aether.
Later in the evening Aether and Paimon had finally finished their Liyue commissions so they decided to rest in Wangshu inn since it was closer and had a comforting atmosphere, Aether was more inclined to go there since there was a certain Yaksha he missed.
“Mmm! Paimon is really beat and starving!” She sighed as she pat her small stomach “Thank the Archons that our last commission was close to Wangshu inn” She kept talking on and on, Paimon was definitely annoying but Aether found it comforting and enjoyable to have her around on his adventures.
He gave her a mischievous grin “Well I guess I do have to keep my emergency food well fed” he chuckled. Paimon paused and glared at him.”For the last time, PAIMON IS NOT EMERGENCY FOOD!” She started punching him while fuming in anger, but it really didnt hurt Aether at all.
“Ow, ow I surrender, I apologise for my insolence all mighty Paimon, how should I repay you”
He raised his hands showing he surrendered.
She let out a huff “Well if you get me delicious food then i'll be willing to forgive you” She crossed her arms as she looked at him like she just won. He let out a low chuckle “Of course, I'll get you the most delicious food”
She nodded in approval “Good”
–
They went into the lift to the top, Lady Verr noticed them and smiled brightly “Traveller and Paimon it is very good to see you again, how did your adventures go?” She asked curiously, at the top of the inn Xiao’s ears perked up as he listened in closely, he really didn't want to admit it but he missed the traveller.
Aether gave her a little smile “Exhausting but it was something i could easily handle by myself”. Lady Verr nodded “Well that's good to hear” She glanced behind him and smiled knowingly “It seems like i'm not the only one anticipating your arrival.
Aether raised his eyebrow and turned around “Oh Xiao Xiao, were you waiting for me?” He smiled softly, Xiao noticed the new scars and bruises on Aether, he simply scoffed and turned his head away as there was red blush under his pale cheeks. Aether chuckled at his attitude “Come on Xiao Xiao dont be like that”
Paimon looked at this exchange and let out a gagged sound “Don't be all lovey dovey while Paimon is around, you'll make Paimon lose her appetite! Paimon needs to eat”
Xiao’s ears also became red as well, Aether sighed and turned his head towards Lady Verr “Verr san can you please do me a favour and help PAimon to whatever food piques her interest, i'll pay for whatever she ate after she's done”
Lady Verr nodded “Dont worry ill give her the best food and its always on a discount for both of you”
Aether smiled “Thank you Verr san” he pat Paimon’s head “Cya later Paimon, please don't make me go into debt” he teased. Paimon puffed up her cheeks “Hmpf! Do you have no faith in Paimon?!” she crossed her arms “But anyways bye bye, but Paimon doesn't want you both to be all lovey when she wants to sleep '' She scoffed. “Yeah yeah, alright Paimon” He blushed a bit and ruffled her hair but Xiao’s face was completely red at this point he couldn't handle their talk.
Paimon followed Lady Verr to the kitchen and Xiao and Aether went to the inn’s roof for fresh air. It was peaceful as both of them watched as the sun set behind the mountains and the sky became darker letting way for stars to shimmer brightly. It was definitely something to behold.
Xiao glanced at Aether from time to time as he got a bit closer but not enough to be noticed. He had a few questions in his mind. “Travel- A-aether” He cleared his throat, Aether tilted his head as he heard his name being spoken “Hmm? Yes Xiao Xiao?” Aether looked at him curiously, Xiao looked at him, there was still a small blush on him “I want to ask…what will you do when you find your sibling?”
Aether paused for a moment “Honestly i don't know anymore” He looked up at the night sky “When i first got here i thought id just find her and just leave this world to continue my travels with her, however i met Paimon and you and the rest of my friends in each nation. I'm too attached to this place to think solely of leaving” he sighed “It sounds selfish doesn't it?” he chuckled.
“Aether if you want my honest opinion I dont think thats selfish, and whether or not you want to leave Teyvat I’ll always support you, even your other friends can agree” Xiao’s words gave Aether such a wonderful feeling, he gazed up at him with an unknown look but it was too much for Xiao’s small heart. Xiao turned his gaze away from Aether as his ears and cheek became red again, Aether couldn't help but laugh at the reaction as he clutched his stomach as he laughed too much.
Later on Aether felt extremely tired for some reason, it was kinda uncomfortable. It was as if he could pass out at that very moment, so he went to his room only to find Paimon soundly sleeping in the bed in the fetal position, he let out a small huff before looking at Xiao who was leaning on the food frame.
“Xiao Xiao can you come sleep with me?” Aether sat down on the edge of the bed as he looked up at him while he undid his hair, Xiao stared at him for a moment before clearing his throat “Adepti don't need sleep” Xiao said bluntly, Aether huffed and stood up and grabbed Xiao by his wrist and closed the door before dragging him into the bed. They all got into position as Aether and Xiao were on each side of the bed while Paimon was in the middle.
“Xiao Xiao, yknow im glad i met you.” he stared into his eyes, Xiao’s heart started beating uncontrollably as if he was running a full marathon. He was as red as a tomato and stunned speechless. It took a while for him to speak before he said ‘Me too’ in an almost inaudible tone, but Aether could hear it and he found it adorable.
The pure bliss he felt at that very moment was wonderful, he felt like a lucky man to be able to see Xiao’s soft side other than Paimon [and Zhongli] he snuggled a bit closer he said goodnight before he closed his eyes, although he was happy he started feeling nauseous later it became complete dead silent like there was no one there, only him and his own thoughts. There were no sounds like they were muted, he felt himself being pulled like something was dragging him into the abyss.
His heart pounded, he was horrified by the silence yet he couldn't move before he heard a loud beep. He quickly opened his eyes as he gasped for air he felt suffocated, he placed his hand on his chest, sweat dripped down his face and tears formed at the edge of his eyes.
The air felt thin his vision was blurry, he tried to stabilize his breathing “Wha-” He finally realized he wasn't in a bed he actually wasn't even in the inn, he was in an alleyway he frantically looked around and saw Paimon and Xiao next to him laying on the cold hard concrete. He gently shook Xiao and Paimon to wake up, but they were still sleeping “X-xiao?...” he looked down at Xiao agitated. He knew Xiao couldn't really sleep even as he rested, he was always on his guard.
He let out a breath and calmed down, he knew he couldn't panic. He stood up with difficulty. The air here was thin and smoggy, he coughed a bit. The gravity felt lower than before he wanted to throw up at the change and he did, a few minutes later he gasped as he wiped his mouth.
He spoke to himself “Aether just calm down, everything is fine…its all fine right? You can definitely handle it no big deal, no big deal at all. Yeah sure Xiao and Paimon are not responding but it will all be fine” He rubbed his temples and he felt a headache coming up “Shit…” he decided to take a breather again, he already knew that they were no longer in Teyvat.
‘How…i can't be having my powers back right? That's impossible, the unknown god sealed them away!’ he thought to himself as he ran his hand through his messy long hair, he wanted answers but he didn't want to think about it anymore else he would panic again.
He gently placed Xiao’s head on his lap and easily held Paimon in his arm, she was pretty light for someone who at three plates of everything each and everyday, he tilted his head back as he looked up noticing the different architecture and the railing of the building he could only wait and hope they both wake up.
He patiently waited, he looked to the opening of the alleyway where many people walked back and forth. Aether couldn't see how they looked but their silhouettes looked very odd.
Xiao slowly started to stur, he opened his eyes he felt so nauseous even as an adepti he really wanted to throw up but there was nothing for him to throw up. “Aether?” he looked up at Aether who looked like a mess at the moment. Aether turned his head, he smiled “You're finally awake! You really scared me” He unconsciously stroked Xiao’s head. Xiao didn't say anything about it “What happened? Why is the air so thin? I feel so light” He rubbed his forehead and sat up as he looked around with high vigilance as he looked down to see a few unconscious men at the end of the alley way.
“What happened to them?” Xiao asked Aether since he seemed to be the first one awake. “Oh them? I just beat em up they tried to threaten and mug us so i just did what i usually do” he shrugged. Xiao hummed in approval.
“So where are we now?” Xiao had a splitting headache, Aether sighed “One thing is for sure we are not in Tevyat anymore the only reason at the moment is that we are in a different universe/world so some gravity and air can differ so that's why you feel like this, and right now i was just waiting for you to wake up so we can explore to try and find more info on this place.” Aether looked down at Paimon who had not woken up yet which really worried him.
Xiao was a bit surprised how calm Aether was but that surprise vanished after he remembered Aether has been to multiple worlds with his sibling. He trusts Aether’s judgement since he had more experience on these types of things even so he still kept his vigilance up as always.
Aether stared at him “Are you feeling better?” He placed his hand on his forehead, Xiao blushed a bit “I'm doing better just getting used to this place.” Xiao stood up and Aether nodded at the comment.
“Just tell me if you ever feel like something is not right, okay? You can't keep things to yourself” He softly smiled. Xiao crossed his arms “I could say the same thing for” Aether chuckled “Touche” He stood up as he held Paimon and dusted himself off, he took a deep breath “Alright let's head out”