Chapter Text
Aether walked through the halls of the abyssal palace, a summons from the Abyss Emperor couldn't be good. He narrowed his eyes when the doors opened before him, the Emperor poised in malice on the throne and eyeing Aether like he always did, as an outsider. Two Abyss Heralds were standing on either side of the Emperor.
“Abyss Prince Aether, I thought you said you would get more humans to join us?” the Abyss Emperor spoke in a demanding tone.
“It's hard for me to get people to join us when you're wreaking havoc with our name flying over your head.” Aether responded glaring up at him
“The incident in Monstadt was your idea.” The Emperor pointed out to him, raising a hand to point at him.
Aether sighed before saying “Sumeru was your fault I was making progress there before you decided to screw everything up,”
The Abyss Heralds at either side of the Emperor snapped to attention as the Emperor stood up. He descended from the throne. He stopped right in front of Aether,
“I give the orders you follow them, understand?” the Emperor said condescendingly, grabbing Aether by his collar.
The prince nodded and the Emperor released him with a wave of his hand, Aether took that as his cue to leave. He quickly exited the room, he needed to get out of this castle for a bit, he felt as though he was always being watched here even when he was in his private quarters.
He breathed a sigh as he used an abyssal portal to go to Sumeru, he knew that he shouldn't stay out in the open knowing Lumine was now here. Should he head to Natlan? Or should he stick with the four nations he's already visiting? He had met several people though the majority of them were suspicious as to why he looked so much like their traveler. He thinks the most suspicious of him is that Xiao person in Liyue, he's apparently one of the eldest adepti alive hailed as the conqueror of Demons. Aether had seen him once or twice before, but only in the midst of a fight. Aether had always been quick to vanish from Liyue after that for a while, he then had thought, why not go and see what's happening in Liyue. Maybe he’ll see the beautiful Yaksha adeptus.
As he teleported over he stood atop one of the many mountains that formed Mt Tianheng. He could easily see Liyue harbor from here but his focus was on the fields beyond the harbor. He crouched down to not be easily noticed from the ground, suddenly a dark aura filled the air and he glanced over and saw what he was looking for. The heavy aura of karmic debt hanging in the air Aether approached the battle and watched for a moment, before quickly being noticed by the conqueror of demons who ended the fight with perfection and leaped up to hold his spear at Aethers throat.
“Who are you?” he demanded to know,
“My, My, Conqueror of Demons, did you forget about me..?” Aether asked him in a mocking tone. Xiao sighed and lowered his spear but remained tense,
“What do you want, Prince of the Abyss?” he asked, gripping his spear in his hand. Aether grinned and reached out to rest a hand on Xiaos spear hand, Xiao tensed further and stared at him.
“Did you miss me, my little yaksha?” Aether moved his hand to Xiao’s face, he shivered slightly under the touch.
“Oh? What was that?” Aether teased him leaning his face closer to Xiaos,
“Enough,” Xiao muttered gently, pushing his hand away.
“What do you want?”
Aether chuckled with a grin and leaned into Xiaos ear mumbling “You, My lovely Yaksha…” Xiao flinched backwards a shiver can be felt through his whole body as the hot breath ghosts against his ear. Aether smiled at the reaction before pulling Xiao flush to his body,
“What are you do-” Xiao started before being cut off by Aethers lips on his. The kiss was warm and loving but it ended so fast, when The Abyss Prince broke the kiss the Yaksha was still registering the action,
“Will you come with me, this time?” Aether asked him in a forlorn voice. Xiao recovered from his shock and blinked at the Prince,
“I'm Sorry… Liyue needs me…” Xiao muttered while leaning into Aether's touch. The boy seemed to understand and let go of Xiao,
“Then I guess I’ll have to settle for these little visits, don't miss me too much…” Aether teased before disappearing into an abyss portal.