Work Text:
It was a sunny, hot day. Usually a nice weather to go swimming and just relax. But if you are the "Honorary Knight", breaks are hardly allowed. Sometimes Aether wishes he were better at expressing himself and saying "no". Because now he's trotting around in the deadly heat and is doing a stupid request. What's more, he has a headache. His brain can hardly think and his head is pounding.
"Paimon needs some food. Are we there yet? I wish-..",Paimon just keeps whining while Aether already switched off. Her annoying high-pitched voice really didn't make it better. But he pulls through and they arrive in the town. Quickly he seeks for the person to finally submit the letter and fnish this damn request. "Thank you so much. Here's your reward.",he just nods and takes the reward..not much for the trouble he's been through. But he takes what he gets.
A while later they decided to visit the Good Hunter for a meal. Aether doesnt really feel that hungry,so he just watches Paimon while she munches her food. "You sure you're not hungry? This food is soooo delicious!",Aether chuckles a little and then gave her a reassuring nod.
Towards the end of the day Aethers headache just got worse,his stomach kept churning and he just feels like..like he can't explain it. They were just on the way when Aetther noticed how nauseos he was. "Aether?",Paimon asked when he saw that his company had stopped. He leaned over a tree just to vomit his last proper meal from yesterday. "Aether?!"she rushed to him and gave him a worried look.He kept spitting his guts out and began to cry. He cried out of fear and pain. Paimon didn't know what to do, then she remembered: Xiao. call Xiao. Maybe he's going to listen..for Aether.
"XIAO? XIAO CAN YOU HEAR ME. PLEASE HELP...Xiao!". She almost gave up when a figure out of blue-green air appeared. "You called?",thats when the Yaksha saw Aether. "What happened?",he immediately ran towards him. "Paimon doesn't know! Sudden he just bend down and this happened..". The blond sobbed when he finally finished to throw up. "No..don't look at me..not when I'm..like this",he sniffled.Xiao didn't often show pity..but this time..it was different. Looking in those yellow golden retriever eyes. Xiao decided to took the poor man in his arms,"we need zhongli". Suddenly they disappeared in thin air leaving Paimon behind.
They stumbled into Zhonglis room,realizing he wasn't alone. Childe was with him. Xiaos and Childes relationship was..complicated,especially after he attacked the traveler. "Xiao? Aether? What does bring you in such a hurry. ",Zhongli stood up from his office chair and approached them. "I think the traveler is sick-","Aether..". The both immortal looked confused. What does he mean by that?. "...Aether seems to be sick.". "I see..lay him down on the couch". Xiao slowly guided him to the couch. "I didn't agree to this.." Aether mumbled making Xiao sigh. Zhongli touched Aethers forhead with the back of his hand. The blond layer into the coolness of his hand. "He definitely has a fever. Childe. Get some ingridents from the bubu pharmacy.",the ginger walked over and nods. "Xiao watch over him;I'm going to make a cup of tea and something light to eat for him.
Aether was shivering and cuddled himself into the blanked Zhongli gave him. Childe was already on his way and Xiao was watching him like a hawk. "Xiao..it's fine. Don't stare at me like that.". The Yaksha just ignored him and continued to watch him. The blonde sighed and lay back. His teeth rattled and he tried to not show how cold he was feeling. Suddenly Xiao stood up and hugged him. Put his arms on his back and kept him really close. Aethers heart was racing,he bet the Yaksha could feel it. He can't deny it,he really likes his company. So does Xiao,he doesn't really care for "mortals" such incomprehensible and useless things. But this person..felt different.
Zhongli came in ans brought the tea. "Sip it slowly",he saw those two cuddling and chuckled in his head to himself. (He known everything). "Thanks",croaked Aether out,now even his voice had left him. Xiao gave him the tea and the other one began to drink it. It felt really good,some good relief for his sore throat.
After some time Aether had finish his cup and Childe came back. After the ginger told exact instructions about what medicine this is and how often they must be used,Aether eventually got to take them. As soon as the remedy kicked in the blonde felt really tired,making him sleep. He was still laying on Xiaos lap,the green haired one started to stroke through his hair. Maybe one day they will work on their relationship and understand it..but now,just for now rest.