Chapter Text
A sweet scent of spring awoke Xiao’s senses.
His eyes opened slowly and the first thing he saw was a familiar silhouette that he would recognize even amidst a crowd. Only a fool would be able to forget such beautiful bewitching figure. His eyes couldn’t stop following the long slightly curly honey hair dancing with the whim of the wind. The corners of the traveler’s lips rose up to become a soft smile.
“You’re awake Xiao?”
The raven-haired yaksha’s eyelids flickered a bit still searching for the land of dreams. After all, it was rare for him to have the opportunity to sleep so peacefully. It was strange that he would feel so serene by the traveler’s side. His nights were usually haunted by loathsome nightmares alongside with atrocious pain caused by the karma debt he had to carry because of the numerous battles against residues of hatred and rage that left the Archon War. Nonetheless, the idea of falling into Morpheus’ arms again was quickly discarded when he realized that his head was resting on the young traveler’s lap.
Badump.
In no time at all, he moved swiftly and sat cross-legged properly next to the blond man.
“Hum... Who would have thought that I could fall asleep in this way, my apologies.” He said, coughing lightly.
“Haha, it’s alright Xiao. You seemed tired.”
Xiao glanced discreetly at Aether, the blond went back to read his book as if nothing happened. With a gentle gesture, he turned a page after another. He wasn’t doing anything special, and yet, the yaksha’s gaze couldn’t leave the young man. He found himself wondering how someone could be so beautiful, even the sun would bow in front of such dazzling beauty. He was smitten by his long hair identical to golden threads, by his delicate lips tinted with light pink, and most importantly by his yellow eyes similar to a star-catching net.
“Pretty.”
The compliment close to a whisper didn’t reach the blond’s ears who was lost in his novel. Of course, he didn't hear. Xiao wasn't a man to sing praises around aloud. He knew his place and would never cross the line.
Never.
...
The adeptus closed his eyes and tried to focus on the surroundings instead. It was one of his habits to always check if there was any danger nearby whenever he had time.
…
…
The birds chirping.
The river’s water flowing against the rocks.
The scent of spring flowers.
…
There was no danger…
Aether was next to him and safe.
…
…
Xiao wasn’t used to this.
It was too peaceful.
A yaksha duty was to stay on alert and be ready to fight whenever in order to protect Liyue. Yet, he was there just relaxing with the traveler without an ounce of worry.
How come?
He remembered that it was an ordinary afternoon, he had helped Aether with his daily quests. Before he could leave, something held on his back flying scarf.
“Stay with me.” The traveler said with a smile.
Simple words. However he couldn’t bring himself to decline his offer. It was strange, if it was another human, he would have left in a blink of an eye without hesitation. But when it comes to the young man with golden locks… A foreign feeling always invaded his chest. He… felt the need to stay by his side, the need to protect his smile… Nonetheless, wasn’t it his duty to protect every inhabitant of Liyue? Why would it be different for this person? His heart didn’t know the answer, but he wanted to cherish this unknown feeling.
“Xiao.” A soft voice called for him.
“Xiao.”
“...?”
The thoughts of the raven-haired man were interrupted by the traveler's callings. The blond was looking at him shyly before scratching his cheek.
“Xiao… Could you stop staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”
“My apologies, I was just thinking about how crystalflies would look... nice in your hair.”
After these words said so naturally by the adeptus, Aether’s face set on fire.
“I-It’s not fair…”
The voice of the young blond was trembling, he tried to hide as best he could his embarrassment with his hand.
“S-saying… Saying such things so naturally.” He stuttered, struggling to calm down his heartbeat.
“What’s wrong?” Asked Xiao, innocently.
Aether looked at the yaksha with disbelief before sighing.
“Silly yaksha.” He muttered under his breath.
Xiao didn’t realize that saying such things would just make the traveler fall deeper in love with him. If someone asked Aether what he found so great about this raven-haired man, well, he wouldn’t know what to answer. After all, reasons… He had plenty reasons.
Perhaps it was because of the rare smiles he had shown him. Those charming smiles that made his heart melt like honey.
Perhaps it was his amber eyes that could pierce through his lies with ease.
Perhaps it was his surprisingly soothing and gentle voice when he asked him if he was tired after a long day.
Perhaps it was the reassurance he felt when Xiao took him in his arms to avoid a fatal blow by a brutoviandu. A strong embrace but with a hint of kindness. It was impossible to forget those gentle hands painted by numerous battles brushing against his skin.
Perhaps … it was just Xiao’s existence.
…
…
How come that he couldn’t think about anything else right now? The raven haired man's name and his silhouette were spinning in his head like a roll film. Aether, Aether focus! Focus on the novel! But... What was it talking about already ? He didn’t know anymore, the hero inside the lines of the book seemed to turn into his beloved yaksha. The story as well was rewritten into “a young adeptus traveling through his homeland to purify its evil that is eating away the flourishing lands”. A lonely hero hidden in the shadows. Neither seeking for glory nor wealth, just carrying out his duty. A humble and touching person. Someone… Someone the traveler fell in love with unknowingly.
...
Aether glanced discreetly at the man who stole his heart. The adeptus was meditating, leaves were gently flying around him. Within each breath, the leaves were rising up a bit before falling down like a quiet endless dance. It was calming and relaxing to know that Xiao was by his side protecting him from any possible danger (even if it wasn't necessary but he appreciated it nonetheless). Sometimes he wished time would stop so that he could cherish even more these moments where they were together. He wondered if Xiao felt the same way?
“Xiao… ”
Without warning, the name of the yaksha escaped from the traveler’s lips.
“Yes?”
Xiao answered naturally, asking if the young blond needed something.
CLAP
The book closed loudly and to his surprise, Aether just stood up abruptly with his face as red as a tomato.
“I-I have to go… um... I... ”
After searching for the right words, he pretended to have to go to Liyue Harbor in order to help a resident. Sure he was. It was not the best excuse he could come with but this would have to do. His real goal was to go as far as possible from Xiao. The quicker the better. He needed to cool down his head. Why.. Why.. Why was he acting like a moron in front of Xiao?! He was so embarrassed by what just happened that he didn’t see the random lizard who was passing by and tripped on him like some cliché protagonist from the romance novels he had read.
“!!”
“Watch out!”
Damn…
What a day.
He was falling head first to the ground.
It was going to freaking hurt and Xiao will be just behind to witness his clumsiness in broad-daylight.
He wanted to hide inside a hole and never come out ever again.
.....
........
..........
Mh?
Unexpectedly it didn’t hurt. The ground was surprisingly soft. Aether opened his eyes slowly and the first thing he saw was amber eyes with piercing pupils watching him calmly. The next second, Aether felt something soft with Qingxin flowers scent on his lips. It took him merely a few seconds to understand that he fell on Xiao and that he accidentally kissed him. When he thought it was a cliché fall, he didn’t expect some cliché kiss scene to follow right after it. If you asked Aether how he was feeling right now. Well…
ADJKFBNJHBSKLfJKJHBF
Was it clear enough for everyone?
Yes, Aether was dying inside.
Literally.
“How could a lowly being like him kiss a respected yaksha even incidentally ?”
That was surely what the victim, Xiao was thinking. Either he died first or Xiao killed him first with his spear. He thought to himself that at least, dying by his beloved hands wouldn’t be such a bad death.
“… I'm-I'm s-sorry!” While profusely apologizing, Aether tried to get up and leave promptly but he was stopped by Xiao's hand on his back.
“The taste of a sweet dream.”
“?…”
Those words were lost in a whisper as Xiao gently brought Aether’s lips closer to his again. Their second kiss was different from the first one. After all, this one was not the result of an accident but initiated by the volition of one. The kiss was more sincere, sweet and softer. Their lips separated before touching again after a short exchange of glances of two people deeply enamored with each other. The kiss became little by little more passionate. The tongues dove and intertwine fervently. The two men were lost in their own world. The fire that was burning inside their chest wasn't only from their imagination. It was real. And that fire was becoming bigger and bigger with each exchange expressing their affection for each other. The hand of the yaksha slid carefully on the waist of the traveler to bring him closer to him. In return, Aether clung a little more on the raven-haired man’s clothes. The blond man didn’t have time to think about everything that was happening. All he knew was that there were butterflies inside his stomach alongside a warm, precious feeling filling his chest. It was like he was dreaming a sweet, wonderful dream he wished he never wake up from. On the other hand, the yaksha has been lost too in the sea of stars that was dancing inside Aether’s eyes. Even if he promised himself to never touch even a strand of hair from the traveler who was so dear to him, so fragile like a porcelain doll, to never tint him with his hands dirtied by his karma debt… At this exact moment, he didn’t care anymore. All he wanted was to devour more and more this so sweet and exquisite dream-like taste he felt every time he touched the blond man. He wanted more and more. More… More… Like lost in a frenzy, his sole idea was to make Aether his. His property, no one… No, no one would be able to touch him from now on except him.
“X-Xiao…” Aether managed to say even if he was breathless.
“-!”
The calling of his name by his beloved brought him back to reality. He gradually regained his senses and saw the blond traveler with disheveled hair and rosy cheeks. His neck was painted with reddish floral marks all over. His scarf was slightly undone and slid on his shoulder. Seeing Aether in this state made Xiao finally realized what happened. What a terrible thing he has done. He pushed suddenly the blond away and stood up. Confused golden eyes met a sad pair of amber eyes for an instant before the adeptus quickly wore his yaksha mask.
“I... I’m sorry for everything. Forget what happened. Farewells.”
After saying these words, Xiao disappeared inside blue darkness leaving behind him his precious treasure that he dared to defile with his hidden desires. He could never see him again from now on, because if Aether represented light and hope, he was nothing but shadow and abysses. They didn’t have anything to do together from the beginning. The reality that he had tried so hard to forget… He desperately knew that the day where he couldn’t stand by his side anymore would come. He knew… He just didn’t know it would arrive so soon. But he has always been prepared to it.