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As Xiao entered, the room was full of warm light and the fragrance of onions and herbs enveloped the air. Aether had obviously been busy in the kitchen. The adeptus found Aether at the table, wrapped in a blanket, engrossed in a book, cradling a plush that bore an uncanny resemblance to Xiao. It mimicked his haircut, his usual disinterested expression, and even featured red eyeliner and yaksha attire.
“Aether,” Xiao acknowledged, his gaze fixed on the plush that mirrored him perfectly.
“Hm?” Aether hummed, smiling upon seeing Xiao’s arrival, “Oh, this guy was made by Ying’er. She was making plushies of famous people throughout Liyue and I requested her to make one of you,”
“Peculiar,” Xiao stated with raised brows.
“Isn’t it cute?” Aether beamed at Xiao, hugging the replica of himself.
Xiao nodded, the make of the doll was noteworthy. Ying’er did a good job, Xiao couldn’t deny that. However, an odd sensation gnawed at his insides as Aether embraced the doll.
Sighing, Xiao commented, "I don’t find it suitable for you to refer to it as ‘adorable.’ It resembles me too closely."
Xiao crossed his arms and proceeded to enter the kitchen. A pot of curry bubbled energetically on the stove, and a steaming pot of rice rested on the counter. Aether glanced at Xiao, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"What, would you prefer me calling you adorable?" Aether teased before returning his attention to the book.
Furrowing his brows, Xiao felt a twinge of embarrassment at his unexpected jealousy. "It's not precisely that. Let's just begin with dinner. Thank you for preparing the meal," he conceded, attempting to redirect the conversation from the peculiar plush.
The dinner was delicious, the flavors melting together in Xiao’s mouth. He typically wasn't a fan of anything other than almond tofu, as food was not necessarily something he needed. However, ever since he and Aether became a couple the traveler took it upon himself to cook for Xiao. The genuine delight on Aether's face each time Xiao finished a meal stirred an unusual motivation within the adeptus, compelling him to consume his meals more willingly.
Completing his dinner, Xiao felt a warmth spreading within him, not just from the food but from Aether’s presence. Aether approached from behind and planted a tender kiss on Xiao's cheek.
“I’m still all muddy and gross from commissions today, do you mind if I take a bath first
?” Aether questioned, snuggling closer to the adeptus.
Xiao nodded, “It matters not,”
“Okay, also, don’t forget to keep Xiao Jr. company!” Aether said, looking over to the lone plush sitting on the kitchen table.
The plush in Xiao’s likeness was staring back at him with beady eyes, almost taunting him. Xiao hummed in response as Aether ambled off to the bathroom. Maybe it was the way the plush was constantly staring at him, but Xiao felt it had a vendetta against the real him.
–
Typically at night after Xiao takes his bath, he falls comfortably into bed with Aether. It’s a pleasant routine that they have started ever since they began dating. Xiao would hold Aether who usually was already asleep close to himself, feeling their body heat mingle together until Xiao fell asleep. Xiao had no prior warning that that night, the privilege would be so cruelly taken away from him.
Xiao’s lips curled into a frown as he stared at his plush twin. Aether had chosen to take the miniature Xiao to bed with him, the plush occupying the space in between Xiao and Aether almost like a barrier.
The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a gentle illumination on the scene. Xiao's narrowed eyes bore into the plush, a peculiar mix of irritation and perplexity etched on his normally stoic face. He contemplated the absurdity of the situation. The plush, with its beady eyes, seemed to mock him silently, occupying a space that Xiao considered exclusively reserved for the warmth of his connection with Aether.
Slipping under the covers, Xiao reclined on his side of the bed, facing Aether and the plush. Aether, blissfully unaware of Xiao's internal turmoil, snuggled closer to the doll, muttering something in his sleep. The adeptus sighed, grappling with the realization that tonight, the comforting embrace of Aether would be replaced by the uncanny presence of a plush replica.
Xiao glanced over at Aether, his breathing steady and calm in his sleeping state. Xiao sighed, Aether’s grip on the plush looked fairly relaxed, maybe he could just slip it out and…
His intentions, however, were thwarted when Aether, still in the clutches of slumber, snuggled even closer to the plush and murmured, "Xiao..."
With meticulous precision, Xiao lifted the toy from Aether's arms and carefully relocated it to the foot of the bed. The plush was now safely out of the way, and Xiao anticipated that it wouldn't disrupt their nightly routine any longer.
“Hm..Xiao?” Aether mumbled, his voice cloaked in sleepiness.
Xiao froze, trying to make as little movement as possible.
He sighed as he heard Aether stir again, deciding he lost the battle he looked down to see Aether glancing up at him, “Mm, sorry Xiao–I fell asleep before you finished your bath,”
Xiao shook his head, inching closer to Aether, “It’s no trouble, you look peaceful while you rest,”
Aether, in response, pulled Xiao closer, resting his head in the crook of Xiao's neck. Xiao relished the touch, the scent of the new silk flower body wash Aether had purchased enveloping him. Eyes closed, Xiao leaned in for a kiss, only to be interrupted by Aether's hand pressing against his chest.
“Oh, wait..” Aether said, pouting.
“Hm?”
“Where’s my plushie?” Aether asked with an innocent curiosity. Xiao sighed and shook his head.
To Xiao’s perplexment, Aether starts to look around the bed for the mini version of him. Xiao watched Aether’s search, disappointed that he forgot about the real Xiao beside him. Aether’s eyes light up in recognition as he finds the plush, and just as his arm reaches out to grab it Xiao pulls the other closer into himself.
Aether tilted his head, ”Xiao, what’s the matter?”
“It’s a little unfair…”
“What do you mean?”
Xiao sighed, his face starting to heat up in embarrassment. Yet Aether looks at Xiao fully, giving him his attention. Aether waits patiently for the other’s reply, shuffling a bit on the bed. Xiao took a deep breath, preparing himself for the doltish thing he was about to say.
Xiao cleared his throat, “It’s a little unfair…that I, the real thing, am right here beside you. And yet you still cast me aside and shower that doll with affection. Affection that I wish would have been targeted at myself instead.”
Aether gaped at Xiao in disbelief, and then his face lit up in mischief.
Xiao couldn’t blame Aether, he himself felt silly by even admitting his small jealousy over a doll . Xiao had never thought of himself as being so childish. Yet Aether is found laughing fondly, and pulls Xiao into a warm embrace.
“Oh, Xiao,” Aether said in between bouts of laughter.
“I’d prefer if you wouldn’t laugh at me, Aether…I meant what I stated,” Xiao said, pouting.
Aether laughed some more and started peppering the Adeptus’s face with kisses, his cheeks, his jaw, his forehead, his lips.
“You’re silly, Xiao–nonetheless I’m sorry for making you feel lonely. Take pride in the fact that you’re way better than any doll. No doll can fight off terrible monsters, play the flute, hold me close, or give me kisses like you can. Plus, you’re way more handsome,”
Xiao felt a wave of happiness and warmth wash over him, and he pulled his head into the crook of Aether’s neck. No matter how silly Xiao’s issues were, Aether would always listen intently and respond with grace.
“Aether, you are loved by me, more than a doll ever could,” Xiao said, then kissed the blonde.
They wrestle against each other with kisses in the bed, Aether making noises of pleasure as Xiao shows him without words how much he loves him. After a while, Aether pulls back to catch his breath.
“Hey–At least let me say I love you…” Aether says with heavy breath and flushed cheeks.
Xiao smiled and kissed Aether’s forehead, “You have enough time now, don't you?"
Aether pouted, “The doll wouldn’t tease me like this,”
Xiao raised his eyebrows, then threaded his fingers through Aether’s, leaning close, “The doll won’t be able to make you call my name with pleasure tonight, either,”
Aether turns as red as a strawberry, “You’re gross!”
Despite Aether’s flushed cheeks, they leaned in for a soft kiss simultaneously. Gently, Xiao pushed him down onto the mattress, Aether's blonde hair spilling out on the bed like moonbeams. Aether looked at Xiao with a breathtaking smile.
“I love you, Xiao,” Aether states before pulling the Adeptus into another kiss.