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Clasping his polearm, the Adeptus spun in the air. The jaded tip piercing the heart of Hilichurls corrupted with the residue from deceased God's. Bodies fell limp around him, streaks of teal dancing around his form as he swiftly whipped around to attack each new opponent. The swarm which had once buzzed around Xiao disappeared, their bodies being vanquished into an inky energy. Dissipating into the midnight sky as the once rowdy creatures became no more.
Removing his mask, Xiao wiped a bead of sweat from his temple. Taking a moment to stare down at what many mortals would call a 'massacre', he stepped over the dwindling Hilichurls. Silently making his way over to a small stream which calmly ran through the plains. Cleansing the tip of his tainted polearm, the thick blood which had stained the brandished weapon came off with ease. The scarlet liquid flowed and flowed downstream, shimmering the water a cherry red under the moonlit skies glow.
With a soft sigh, the Adeptus glanced up at the silvery, full, moon. Peace and tranquility washing over him as he took a deep breath. Stillness. Solitude. It was all he could truly ask for. The tender moment was quickly shattered, a groan escaping Xiao as that agonisingly familiar pain returned in his chest. It haunted him, it always would haunt him. Aggressively wracking against his strained heart, edging him close and closer to losing what remained of his fragile sanity. The Debt which he could never pay off cracked the edges of his vision a stygian black. Within moments, Xiao's world was engulfed in darkness, collapsing harshly onto the pebbly bank.
A gentle light sprinkled in through the window, dancing soft rays upon the Adeptus' who began to stir. Everything was no longer cold, rather the air was warm- carrying a faint vanilla scent. Xiao's eyes fluttered open, his glazed eyes falling upon the familiar braided hair of the ever-radiant traveller. So, he had been 'rescued'?
As Aether turned around to gaze down at the Adeptus tucked comfortably into under a quilt, a smile blossomed upon his features. "Good morning, Xiao!" That phrase was all it took to thaw the ice which had crept upon Xiao's unmovable heart. Eons which he had spent avoiding mortals- only to be drawn to this one boy in particular? It was an unacquainted experience for Xiao, he stared mutely up at the individual who was as bright as any ray of sunshine.
"Did you hit your head when you collapsed? You're just staring at me." Aether giggled, the smile on his face reaching his lips as he made the teasing remark. He reached out, resting the back of his hand against Xiao's forehead to feel for a possible temperature. After all, Xiao's face was undoubtedly red. Startled, the Adeptus sat upright and swatted his cordial hand away. "I'm fine, Aether. Though, you should not touch me so foolishly." He snapped, his sharp tone was certainly unintended, rather he had just gotten defensive. He never wanted a distance to be created between them, and yet it felt inevitable. The unease that swelled in his gut over the possibility that he might sully the Aether with his Karmic debt... it shook the Adeptus to the core.
As Aether shrunk away, clearly unsure with what to do, Xiao shook his head with a soft huff. "I apologise Traveller. It was certainly not my intention to raise my voice at you. Thank you, for bringing me here. Your hospitality has not gone unnoticed, I will be fine to leave now." In one swift movement he was out of the bed, dipping his head respectfully towards the blonde. As much as he would have liked to, he could not stay. The possibility of harming the Traveller with his disgustingly tainted soul was far too great. And so, before Aether had a chance to open his mouth and protest, Xiao disappeared from sight, wisps of anemo traced out his figure before gradually fading away.
. . .
The blonde hated it, he always did. Especially when Xiao left before he could even speak properly with him. A frown plastered his face as he flopped down onto the bed which the Adeptus had just been tucked into. Acutely aware of how it smelt like Xiao, Aether buried his head into the pillow. Letting out a dramatic groan of something akin to irritation. Of course none of his anger was pointed in the Yaksha's direction, rather it was at himself. Aether should have known better, especially at how easily scared away the almost skittish Adeptus is, and yet he still touched him? Lifting his head slightly, his golden eyes blinked up at the open window.
If only he could find a way to better communicate with Xiao... he needed rest, after all the blonde had found him passed out besides a stream.
"Oh Xiao... why couldn't you have stayed longer?" Aether whispered under his breath, getting off from the awfully comfortable bed. It certainly didn't help that it smelt so much of Xiao, although it was the Adeptus' room given to him by the Inn owner, the blonde had not expected it to carry such a delightful smell...
Hours passed, the sun began to hang low over the horizon as the day came to a close. After spending the day doing strenuous commissions, Aether's limbs felt unbearably sore. And now he was practically limping his way back to Wangshuu Inn. With a pronounced groan of effort, the Traveller made his way to his room after stepping off of the lift. He'd gotten a room which connected to the top balcony, unlocking the door and flopping down onto the bed.
As the blonde began to drift off to sleep, his mind seemed to drift to thoughts of the Adeptus. Such as the unending want within his chest to spend time with Xiao once more, for him to not flee. Aether simply just wanted them to talk bask in one another's presence. Was it truly too much to ask for? The warm embrace of sleep wrapped it's tender arms around the Traveller, every thought of the beautiful Adeptus lulling him to sleep. Being blessed with dreams of Xiao was also somewhat a curse as Aether began murmuring his name within his slumber. "Xiao.. Mh- Xiao..?"
. . .
Xiao, unlike most nights, felt that it would be best to not patrol the area for the threat of festering demons. In his current state, it was simply far too risky. For tonight, he remained perched upon the thick branch of the Inn's tree, leaning rather comfortably against the bark. For the entire day, no matter how hard he tried to focus, his thoughts simply ran straight back to Aether. His soft skin upon Xiao's scarred, delicate yet meticulous actions, that precious smile of his. The reoccurring thoughts were almost torturing the Adeptus, regret tearing at his chest. Xiao did not want to leave back then, but it had seemed like the only option in his eyes. To prioritise Aether's safety above all else. Still, he hugged one knee to his chest, he wanted nothing more than to see the blonde again.
As if answering the Adeptus' unspoken prayers, Xiao's head snapped upwards as he heard a soft, breathy "Xiao.." Alert swarmed within his head, and without a second thought he teleported to the Traveller's location. Only to find himself in his own room.
Staring downwards, Xiao instantly saw what could only be described as a truly ethereal sight. Aether's golden locks spread out over the bed, no longer neatly ravelled together into his gorgeous, signature braid. Aether's lips gently parted and his lashes caressed his cheek with every flutter his eyes made, casting a delicate shadow over his percaline skin. His lips continued moving, humming Xiao's name almost like a prayer. He found himself simply captivated by the sight, inhaling sharply as he crouched down beside the bed which the Traveller was sprawled across.
Xiao was utterly unsure on what to do. So he simply just watched Aether as he slept, resting his arms over the mattress and leaning his cheek against them. Every time the Traveller whispered his name, it sent a wave of butterflies to the Yaksha's stomach. How could someone possibly be this peaceful?
Wearily, Xiao reached out to intertwine his fingers around Aether's. His heart stuttering and breath hitching as the other's fingers tightened their hold around his, Aether's eyes fluttering open to gaze at the Adeptus who dumbfoundedly stared back. Xiao's mouth unmistakably ran dry and he began to retract his hand, which was stopped by Aether who's grip tensed up around his. The golden eyes never leaving Xiao's, a silent plea for the ever vigilant Yaksha to remain by his side. Letting out an airy sigh of defeat, Xiao stopped resisting, now moving to sit on the edge of the bed.
"You called for me." His voice broke the tranquil silence that had previously enveloped them, Xiao turning his head to gaze down at Aether. As he did so, Aether's soft hand reached up to cup the Adeptus' surprisingly soft cheek, his thumb rubbing the area beneath his eye.
"Stay?" Was all the traveller uttered, seeming to be completely captured in the beauty of the Adeptus.
Xiao gave a small nod, instinctively leaning into Aether's tender touch. Aether pulled some over the covers away, another silent question, which Xiao more than willingly fulfilled. Climbing under the duvet with Aether, Xiao was obviously somewhat on edge as he'd never been quite this close to anyone in a horrendously long time. Not only that, but the ever-present anxiety that he might hurt the traveller was a constant broken record playing in the back of his mind. The same went for any mortal, Xiao's body was beyond damaged, to the point that he could easily hurt others. Chewing down on his lip, he began contemplating leaving. Perhaps, it would be for the better.
Aether seemed to notice from the way Xiao fidgeted, in response the blonde reached out to grab Xiao's hand and hold it to his chest. "You aren't hurting me, Xiao." Aether whispered, allowing the Adeptus to feel his calm heartbeat.
At the simple yet meaningful action, Xiao's eyes widened in a state of feeling dumbfound as he felt the others heartbeat. "Your heart..." He paused, now pressing his head against Aether's warm chest to listen rather than feel. "..it's nice to listen to." Xiao murmured, the tender compliment astranged to his harsh tongue. More than nice, actually, he wanted to say so much more. And yet was left unable to. As he remained comfortably pressed against the traveller's chest, Aether's hand wandered to comb through Xiao's messy hair. His fingers working out the many tangles, each time Aether inevitably tugged at his hair, he would murmur a soft apology.
Gradually, the gaping hole in his chest filled with an unfamiliar warmth with every brush of skin.
"You know, Xiao," Aether started, gazing down at the Adeptus who seemed far calmer than before. "I have always enjoyed your company, it upsets me when you leave so quickly without so little as a warning." He murmured, voice trailing elsewhere as Xiao finally glanced up at him.
"You're right, Aether. Though, I had no intention of hurting you." Xiao responded, regret weighing in his tone. The Adeptus pulled away from his chest and was now face to face with Aether. "I won't leave you again."
"Promise?"
"Promise." Xiao confirmed, his voice soft with the tenderly spoken promise. He hadn't even realised how close their faces had grown until he felt Aether's warm breath tickle his cheek. Their breath, now completely intermingled as Xiao decided closed the short difference between their faces, sealing the promise with a gentle kiss. The kiss was short, yet sweet, an indescribable passion sparked between their lips with each loving movement. As their mouths were together, Xiao murmured a soft compliment. "You taste... so sweet. Perhaps, even sweeter than-"
Xiao was cut off as Aether pulled away, and he couldn't help but notice a delicate tear rolling down his cheek. A surge of panic coursed through him, perhaps he shouldn't have done that? "Aether-? Was that too much?" He asked, getting ready to get out of the bed. Though he was stopped as the blonde's hand grabbed onto his wrist, pulling him back.
"No, no it was perfect. I'm not sad, Xiao." Aether breathed, wrapping an arm around the Adeptus.
"Then why are you..?"
"I'm crying because I'm just so happy." He admitted, gasping softly as he felt Xiao's lips press against his cheek, wiping away the tear.
"I see." The Adeptus murmured, human emotions truly were curious. His brows furrowed, to cry from happiness? He'd never heard of something like that before. "I'm glad then. I did not want this moment to end. Being with you brings me an inexplicable feeling in my chest."
A knowing smile crossed Aether's features before he erupted into soft laughter, chuckling as Xiao stared at him, dumbfounded once more. "O Vigilant Yaksha, and yet you do not realise the true feelings in your heart?" He teased, laughing harder as he heard a 'hmph' from Xiao's direction. The Adeptus appearing displeased with the teasing, and evident enjoyment it brought the traveller.
"..."
"Okay, okay. I'll stop teasing you, but only as long as you stop pouting at me." Aether mused, his giggles gradually dying down.
"I wasn't pouting." Xiao muttered defiantly, putting on a mask of annoyance. Yet Aether's teasing never truly bothered him.
"Oh? My bad then." The blonde chuckled, scooting closer to Xiao. His arms made their way around the Adeptus' battle scarred torso, pulling him closer. In response Xiao sucked in a breath, only to melt into the warm arms that embraced him, oh so lovingly. With a sigh, he pressed another kiss to Aether's skin, this one in the center of his forehead. Brushing stray locks of hair out of the way as he rested in the others arms.
With the promise ever-present, lingering unspoken in the air between them, Xiao could only prove to Aether that he wouldn't leave him anymore.
"Sweet dreams, Aether. If there's anything you need, just call my name." Xiao repeated, reassurance interlaced with his tone as they laid together. "I will be there when you call." Aether's breath steadied and he had already loosened in the Yaksha's arms, being carried away, by what Xiao could only hope were the sweetest of dreams. Perhaps, even sweeter than almond tofu.