Chapter Text
Aether is that of many things; a leader, an inter-stellar world traveler, a twin, a brother, an anomaly, a lover, a kind person, a strong willed person, and so much more. While he isn't not that of an omnipresent being, he is quite similar to what some might consider to be a higher power if you look closely enough. Even with his powers and only known kin stripped of him, he still has managed to not only re-gain a form of power; but also have defeated multiple types of entity, even that of an actual higher power. An archon, the electro archon that rules over the nation of teyvat to be precise.
After the abolishment of the vision hunt degree, Aether was finally on his way to head to Sumeru, the next region in his journey to find his sister. Though, to get the Sumeru, he needs to go through Liyue. Seeing as how he had been a wanted fugitive of Inazuma, and had fought the archon twice; he wasn't to keen on heading straight to Sumeru. Inazuma was one of his more scarring events in his life; Some of the more notable things includes acquiring Astraphobia* and a lightning scar stretching across the entirety of his back, a slight purple shade to the sharp lines of the scare that make out something similar to that of an actual lighting bolt. Paimon, being Aethers main travel partner, has witnessed a few of aethers episodes whenever he hears thunder or sees lightning strikes. As seeing how Inazuma did a number on him, he returns to his comfort region, Liyue. With it's beautiful scenery and lovely locals, it became a place to travel to whenever the opportunity presented itself. He has also made many friends in liyue, Ganyu, Zhongli, Yanfei, Chongyun, and many more. Though he values his friends deeply, he can't help but feel like there is something different about one of his many friends. The said friend in question being Xiao, the Conquer of Demons. None the matter, as he shrugs it off to their almost accidental meeting.
"Aether, we've arrived!" Beidou shouts as the crux fleet pulls in the sails to dock the boat at Liyue Harbor.
"Got it!" aether replies as he sits up and stretches his back. After the initial clearing of Inazuma's thunderstorms, the sea becomes relatively peaceful with the gentle rocking of the waves.
"Enjoy your journey to Sumeru, Aether. It was quite the experience sharing meals and sleeping quarters with you." kazuha muses with a slight smile as aether stands up and collects the few items physically with him. the journey might not be to long, but at the time of departure, every member was subject to sleep as the left late at night.
"Thanks kazuha. I recommend you laying off the booze while out at sea next time though, Beidou is just a different breed." Aether replies with a slight chuckle as he recalls the event of kazuha having one to many drinks with Beidou and puking his guts out when the boat hit a little wind.
"hahaha, I'll account that in next time I go out drinking." kazuha replies while waving as aether steps off the boat onto the deck of Liyue Harbor.
"See ya Aether, hit me up whenever your in town again yeah?!" Beidou shouts from the captains wheel as aether is walking away from the boat.
"Sure thing Beidou! Paimon'll see you around!" Paimon replies as she pops out from thin away, doing a little summersault with it.
as aether makes his way to Wangshu Inn, he recounts his memories of the events that took place in Liyue. Smiling at the thought of the adventures he shared with his friends and companion Paimon. Just as aether arrives at Wangshu Inn, he runs into a familiar face.
"oh, Xiao! Its been a second huh?" Paimon says as she notices Xiao's presence on the top balcony of Wangshu Inn. "How've you been?"
"oh, Traveler and the floating mascot. Surprised to see you in Liyue again. I caught wind of a rumor that you headed to Inazuma, how was your trip?" Xiao asks as he turns to face aether and paimon. The two had very different reactions.
"Paimon Is not a mascot!!! Hmph!" paimon quips as she crosses her arms. after a few seconds of her doing this does she look down to aether, who has frozen in place and looked like the blood had drained from his face.
"Aether?" "traveler?" both Paimon and xiao say at the same time.
"Ahh, sorry about that; zoned out for a second. Why are you two looking at me like that?" Aether asked innocently as he takes note instantly of Paimon and Xiao's worried expressions.
"Tra- No aether are you okay?" Xiao asked softly as he slowly edged towards aether, who in turn still looked slightly pale.
"whaaaat? Of course I'm okay! It's me we're talking about, how could I possibly be Teyvat's helper if I'm not okay?" aether says as he scratches the back of his head while looking to his upper right, sweat beads slowly dripping down the side of his face. (Authors Note: Omg there is so much to unpack w/ what aether said here. This is going to be fun to write)
"Aether, its okay to not be okay." Xiao says softly as he reaches out for a light hug. Aether looks slightly down at xiao** and lets himself be embrace in a light hug from xiao.
"thank you xiao. Truth be told, Inazuma was rough for me." Rough was a severe understatement, both Aether and Paimon knew this; but Aether not wanting to talk about it right now he signaled to paimon to not correct him on this matter.
"Do you want to eat some almond tofu? Its quick to make and taste pretty good for mortal fo-" Xiao starts as he lets go of aether, a slight blush forming on the tips of his ears. "Sounds good to me Xiao, thanks for the offer." Aether cuts off xiao before he could start spiraling. A rare sight for Xiao, the Reserved, Brass and Unsocial Yaksha.
"of course. Wait here." Xiao stiffly nods as he swiftly teleports to the kitchen and gets the Almond Tofu he had been preparing beforehand as a snack for himself. Less then 10 seconds later he's appeared in front of aether with a plate of almond tofu.
"eat up, it's fresh." Aether nodded as he took the chopsticks on the plate and eats the almond tofu*** served on the plate. After finishes the platter of tuff xiao guides aether to one of the guest bedrooms. As they passed the Innkeeper Xiao let them know that aether would be occupying a guest room.
As aether and xiao enter the room, xiao motions for aether to sit on the bed. Aether, who was tired from the trip taken from Inazuma and through the harbor, complied wordlessly. As aether walked past xiao, the cape the covers his back moved ever so slightly and exposed a portion of Aethers back. Xiao's eyes widen as he saw the scar. Although the scar was very concerning, he chose to let aether sleep and ask him about it in the morning.
Lather that night as aether was resting and xiao was off playing his flute at Qingyun Peak****. when a thunderstorm began. There was a resounding thunderclap loud enough to wake up aether with a start.
As aether sat up straight, the sat on his back started lightly glowing, send very light electricity along aether's spine. "Hngh!" aether exclaimed in pain doubling over as the scar reacted to th lighting outside.
"your not in tenshukaku anymore. she can't hurt you." aether kept repeating to himself, calming the innate panic building inside him as he pressed his interlocked hands against his forehead as he rocked himself back n' forth to try and distract the pain from the scar. as he would doing this, another lightning bolt hit the ground outside which caused another surge of pain flor from his scar. Aether moaned in pains he curled his body into a tight ball almost as if he was trying to hide from the pain. as he was doing so a small tear escaped his eyes. "xiao.. please help...me.."