Work Text:
His head hurts. His arms, his legs. Everything hurts. Especially his heart. Why am I even all doing this? I just .. Aether wipes his eyes, smiling, his smile clearly filled with annoyance.
"Are you okay, traveller?" Paimon asks, concerned.
He nods his head, smiling.
"Can you.. Leave me alone for a bit? Please Paimon?" Paimon is about to say something, but she nods her head, and leaves, finally closing the door after struggling for a bit. He and Paimon came back from another day of helping people in Liyue. When he was about to inform the last person who asked him to do a commission, he overheard some customers at Wanmin Restaurant talking about him.
"Poor traveller.."
"Why do you say that?"
"He's always doing other people's commissions, what about him? Does he need any help?"
"He's the traveller, I don't think he needs any help."
"You can never know. You will never know if they are struggling. People can smile through their pain."
He shakes his head, pushing his hair back. Aether feels his eyes burning. He blinks quickly, continuously, trying to stop the tears. But they pour out anyways. Aether sniffles, wiping his eyes.
"God dammit.. Just stop.." He says to himself.
"You're the all might traveller! You don't cry.." He takes out his braid, letting his hair be free. Aether stands up from his bed and walks around the room, breathing slowly, trying to calm down his crying. But it just won't stop. He chuckles, wiping his eyes. He bites down, giving an irritated smile. Before he starts to slowly, scratch his hand. He keeps on scratching it, until it's red and a bit swollen.
"Stop." Aether quickly turns around, and see's Xiao sitting on his bed. Aether sighs, shaking his head at Xiao.
"Paimon told you, didn't she?" Aether says, removing his left hand from the back of his right palm.
Xiao stands up, and walks towards Aether, slowly. Aether takes a few steps back, starting to speak up.
"Can't anyone just LEAVE ME ALONE FOR ONCE?" He continues to cry, feeling the angry rise.
"I JUST WANT TO LEFT ALONE, NO MORE COMMISSIONS, NO MORE HELPING ARCHONS AND PEOPLE."
"I JUST WANT TO FIND MY SISTER, NOTHING ELSE."
Xiao puts his arms around Aether, embracing Aether. Xiao whispers, "just because you are the all might traveller, doesn't mean you don't cry. Cry for me, Aether."
Aether stands there, just realizing that Xiao walked up to him without Aether realizing.
"No.. I don't.. Want to cry.. Just let go Xiao.. Leave me alone.." Aether tries to shove Xiao away, but Xiao has greater strength than him. Xiao strokes Aether hair, pushing a few strands away from Aether's face.
Aether finally gives up. He slowly lifts up his arm, but as he does, Xiao gives Aether a little squeeze. Aether puts his arms around Xiao's chest, and finally gives in, letting the faucet run.
"I hate this.. I hate this.. I just want to find my sister.." Aether mumbles, burying his head in Xiao's chest. Xiao continues to stroke Aether's hair.
They stay like this for a few minutes, with Xiao stroking Aether's hair, Aether crying, but he slowly stops. He just hugs Xiao, giving Xiao a few squeezes. Soon, Aether falls asleep, and Xiao catches Aether before he hits the ground, just in time.
Xiao carries Aether bridal style to the bed, and gently places him on the wall side. Xiao tucks Aether in. He stares at Aether, before giving him a soft kiss on the forehead. Xiao sits on the chair, located right next to the door. He stares at Aether sleeping, before he soon, falls asleep himself.
Aether wakes up, his head hurting even more than yesterday.
"God.. What the hell did I do yester.." Aether finds his eyes on Xiao, who's sleeping on the chair. Aether gives a sad smile at Xiao, before he walks up to Xiao. He leans down, facing Xiao's peaceful sleeping face. Oh.. He looks.. So.. Much younger when he's sleeping.. Aether leans forward, and hesitates, before kissing Xiao a kiss on the lips. Aether quickly backs up and freezes. Don't kill me, Don't kill me.. He can see Xiao's face turning a light shade of red.
"I won't kill you.. Don't worry, Aether.." Xiao said, giving a cheeky smile at Aether, who was red as a tomato.