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After Aether was 'saved' by Xiao and Shenhe, he wanted to go apologies to Xiao again. Aether figured that Xiao would be at Wangshu Inn, as a peace offering he decided to bring Xiao a plate of Almond Tofu.
Aether arrived and greeted Verr, who confirmed that resident Adeptus was present. Aether headed upstairs to the balcony, where he suspected Xiao would likely be. As he walked onto the balcony, holding his breath, he approached the yaksha who was gazing out towards the mountains across the river.
"...Xiao?" The blonde called out. Xiao turned his head slightly, "um... hmm... I wanted to apologize to you again..." He said softly. "I'm extremely sorry for making you and Shenhe worry about me, it was a dumb idea, I know. Wasn't even mine.. either way, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused." Blonde explained. His head fell down waiting to be scolded.
Nothing… Aether got confused and looked up only to see Xiao standing in front of him. How did I not even notice he got this close?? Aether thought, his breath catching as the yaksha gently cups his face.
"I accept your apology, however." Xiao started, "as I told you earlier, never do that again. Do you understand?" Xiao waited for a response before he continued. Aether nodded his head softly. "Good. I won't lie you scared me Aether, it wasn't a pleasant feeling." Aether just stared at Xiao wanting to say something but his words fell short. Xiao let go of Aether's face and turned to leave.
"W-" Aether called out and reached his hand out for Xiao but he was gone before he could finish. Aether's hand fell to his side. "Wait... Come back..." He finally got the words out. He left the Tofu with Verr and left.
~~
Xiao return to Wangshu Inn 2 hours later and got a nasty look from Verr. "What?" He hissed at her. "I'm disappointed in you." She says petting her cat. "Poor thing looked so depressed." Xiao looked at her with confusion. "What are you even talking about?" Verr looked at Xiao "I'm talking about the boy you 'saved' from drowning today. He wanted to give you a gift and talk to you, but you left. He said to give you gift and wish you a happy lantern rite."
She spoke softly. Almost a whisper so Xiao could tell she was serious. "...he left me a gift?" Xiao asked. "He did, he said he tried to reach and call out to you but you left before he could!" Xiao turned away from Verr with his own sad expression.
"Do you know where he went?" Xiao asked while he turned back to Verr. "He didn't say. He just gave me the food with a note and left." Xiao walked over and took the food. He ate rather quickly and left himself. He was going to find Aether.
~~
"Aether, why are you heading towards Sumeru?" Paimon questioned her companion. He stopped in his tracks. Trying to get rid of the sad expression on his face. "I need some time to clear my head. Here!" He hands Paimon a bag of mora. "Treat yourself to some snacks from the lantern rite" he smiles while turning to leave. "Wait! You aren't going?" She asked, flying over her companion. "The loud noises and crowd are gonna be way too much more for me to handle right now."
Paimon gave a soft smile, "You better come back to Paimon once you are better!" She states flying off towards the harbor. Aether sighed and instead of going to Sumeru, he went to the chasm. Trying to clear his thoughts, but it wasn't working. He became frustrated and started to cry a little...
~~
Xiao went to the harbor first, looking for that beautiful golden hair. Nothing Xiao thought. He was about to leave when he saw Paimon, but she was alone. WHY IS SHE ALONE?
Panic sank in and Xiao teleported to Paimon, scaring the little fairy in the process. "ARCHONS!" She yelled dropping the little bag of mora. "You can't keep doing that Xiao! You're seriously starting to scare Paimon!" She states flying down to grab the bag.
"I'm sorry, why are you alone?" He asked. Paimon looked up at Xiao. "Aether left Paimon." She stated. Xiao's panic turned into confusion. "..he left you?" He questioned. "AH! Paimon phrase that wrong! Aether left Paimon, so he could clear his head!" She explained, floating past Xiao.
"Paimon." He states, and she stops. "Where is he?" He said turning to look at the fairy. "He headed towards the chasm! Paimon made sure to look back Incase she ran into someone looking for him!" She smiles and flew off into the harbor.
The chasm.. why there Aether..?
Xiao teleported to out shirks of the chasm. He started teleporting around looking everywhere for the golden hair. Then boom. There it was, that beautiful golden hair, shining in the sunset light making it almost glow.
Xiao teleported behind Aether to let Aether be known of his presence. Xiao did not come prepared for Aether to be sobbing. Xiao slowly approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Aether..." He says softly. No response from the blonde. He only sobbed. Xiao repositioned himself in Infront of him.
"Aether..." He said again gently taking Aether's hands away from his face. Xiao placed a soft kiss on Aether's lips. This is what brought Aether back to reality. Xiao could tell since Aether stopped crying and leaned into the kiss.
"Aether..." He says one more time, cupping the blonde's wet face. "I'm sorry." It took a second for Aether to react. "Why are you sorry?" He said through tears. "I ignored you," Xiao explains. "I did not mean to ignore you, but I did."
Aether leaned into the hand that was cupping his face. "It's fine Xiao..." Xiao put his forehead to Aether's. "It's not fine. You are sad and I feel like it's my fault." He says wanting to cuddle the blonde. Aether sank into Xiao's hold.
"Please do not be sad, lantern rite is about being happy.." Xiao said whipping Aether's tears. "..heh happy. I only feel that when I'm around you, Paimon, or my sister." He says, softly. Xiao hums and fixes their sitting position. He holding Aether tightly. "I'm glad I'm someone who can." He speaks playing with blonde's hair.
The silence comes over them and they don't speak for a solid 10 minutes. They stargazing and hold each other close. Xiao turns his head towards the harbor, he sees the Xiao lanterns slowly rise. He turns his body and Aether towards the lanterns.
He watches as Aether looks in awe. Xiao gets closer to Aether and whispers, "Happy Lantern rite Aether." Giving Aether some kisses on his cheek. "Happy Lantern rite Xiao..."
Bonus ~
Paimon had her hands full of snacks. She didn't realize when another 'Adeptus' came behind her. "Paimon?" The voice said. Paimon jumped and turned around. "YANFEI! What is with all the Adeptus scaring Paimon today!!" She states stomping her foot in the air. "Who else scared you?" Yanfei asks with concern.
Paimon huffs, "The traveler's boyfriend did." She said going back to her snacks. "...do you mean Xiao? Are they actually dating now?" Yanfei says jumping up and down.
"Yes finally." The fairy confirms it. "Did you need something from Paimon Yanfei?" She asked. Yanfei stumbled over her words. "Oh, I- no. I was coming over here to see if you were okay. You were alone and I had scanned the area for Traveler." She says still looking around.
Paimon sighs. "The traveler is with Xiao right now. They wanna be left alone. So he gave Paimon a bag of mora, and let her get whatever she wants!" She giggled. "Are you with anyone else?" Yanfei is still clearly concerned with Paimon being alone. Paimon giggled again, "Paimon is with Hu Tao!" She says pointing at the girl who was scaring Xingqiu and Chongyun.
"Okay, just stay close to her, The traveler would have anyone's head if you got hurt without being around." Yanfei chuckles. Paimon nods and Yanfei runs off.