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Aether dragged himself through the weeds of Liyues fields.
He just had to deal with 2 commissions of fighting, and two of incompetent citizens. And he didn’t want to be mean; he really wanted to help people. He loved helping people, but sometimes… it was just too much.
So, after his legs started to burn, he sat himself against a rock to rest.
Just breath… it’ll be okay… He told himself.
He was close to believing that, if it hadn’t been for the Hilichurls that started to gather around in the field.
“Noooo… no no no!” He muttered, frustrated.
He was tired- oh so absolutely tired.
But of course he had a job to do. A duty to the citizens of these nations.
He gathered the strength to pull himself up, and hold his sword steady in his hands.
The Hilichurls then noticed him- growling and hissing as they did.
“Hya!” He called out, sending a whirlwind towards the Hilichurls, knocking some of them back.
“Just- die!” He grunted, slashing others with his sword.
They lunged and one lit their fire stick, taking a moment before barreling towards him.
The fire just barely touched him, burning his shoulder- yet he didn’t have the time to heal himself before another threw a rock at him.
He sighed, slouching over as he turned his head to look at the Hilichurl that hit him.
“Really?” He asked, before slashing that one down too.
As he started to get better, a roar erupted from behind him.
“Fuck-” He muttered, turning to see the Mitachurl behind him.
“Come on! Please! Just leave me alone- I’m so tired!” He yelled, practically begging.
He felt his body slowling down- he didn’t know just how much more he could take.
The Mitachurl let out a thundering roar, then charged towards him.
He collapsed, holding his head in his hands, unable to even think clearly.
“Im so tired…” He murmured, shaking his head.
Wind began to whirl around him- the air keeping the monsters away.
“I'm so sick and tired of this!” He yelled, the wind got harsher and faster.
The ground started to shake and grow orange-hued glowing spikes.
“Just leave me alone! I can't take this anymore! I work all day- I protect everyone! But what's left for me!? Who’s gonna help me!? Huh!?” He screamed, letting all of his frustrations out onto the monsters.
And as the final Hilichurl laid dead at his feet, he fell to the ground once more, his body truly giving out.
“All I wanted… was to find my sister… All I've ever wanted… was to find my sister…” He cried, feeling the tears streaming down his face.
As his eyes blurred with tears, and his body hit the ground, he could only imagine a warm comfort, a body enveloping him in a much needed hug… or was he not imagining it?
The next time he woke up, he was in a familiar place. Wangshu Inn. The midday sun shone into the room, making him feel awake. Though he couldn't really ignore the striking pain in his right leg, and the pressure pain in his left.
“Aether!” He heard a voice call out.
He wiped his eyes, trying to wipe the last bit of sleep from his eyes. He recognized the voice, and he smiled.
“Paimon…” He said, exhausted.
“Oh thank the Archons, you’re alright! Paimon was so worried! You know, Paimon was scared you weren’t gonna wake up, but luckily-!” Paimon (obviously) couldn’t stop talking (or worrying).
“I wasn’t going to let anything happen to him, Paimon.” Another familiar voice said, coming over from the balcony.
Aether looked over and lo-and-behold; Adeptus Xiao. He was sitting on the railing, looking over at the two of them.
“You saved me?” Aether asked, in a bit of disbelief.
“Yes, why wouldn’t I?” He asked, walking towards the injured blond.
“I just… I didn’t call for you…” He muttered, slightly surprised by the kindness of the usually stoic Adeptus.
“You didn’t need to.”
Aether smiled (and slightly blushed), as he began to examine his wounds.
There was silence.
“Paimons gonna let you two speak! Paimon needs food~!” She giggled, then floated off to the dining area.
More… silence.
“Thank you…” Aether said, eventually.
“No need to thank me. I only did what I needed to do.” Xiao said truthfully.
“I um- I’ll find a way to pay you back…” Aether said, “It might take a bit though… These wounds seem pretty bad.” He laughed a bit,
“Why… why would you need to pay me back?” Xiao asked.
“I- uh… just thought- well, you know, you helped me so… I need to help you?” Aether tried to piece the parts together.
Xiao looked at him- he looked upset.
“Wh-what?” Aether asked, concerned as Xiao took a seat on the end of his bed.
“I saved you because I wanted to,” Xiao stated, then he got a brilliant idea, “But if you insist on paying me back… I want you to relax for a couple of days. Not just for your wounds, but for yourself in general.”
Aether's eyes got wide.
“I- I can't do that! I’ve got commissions and requests to complete! I mean, once I can get some food in my system, I’ll be just fine!” Aether said, smiling awkwardly as he tried to convince his friend.
Xiao clearly wasn’t having it.
“You mortals think you are capable of everything in the world…” Xiao sighed.
Aether frowned.
“But you aren’t.” He continued, “And you'll do more harm than good if you don't realize that.”
Xiao’s face was stern, but his voice was softer than Aether had ever heard it before.
“Okay… fine…” Aether gave in, “We can relax, but just for a bit.”
Xiao seemed pleased with this.
“Good, would you like me to help you replace your bandages before we leave?” He asked.
Aether looked confused, “We’re leaving?”
“I actually wanted to take you to one of my favorite places to relax… if that's alright…”
Xiao had meant for it to sound like a comforting suggestion, or even a cheerful one, but it didn’t exactly come off that way. He wasn’t ever good at this stuff, even when he was with… the other friends…
Aethers face got pinker, and he seemed to get flustered but still smiled brightly, “O-oh! Yeah, um, of course, we can do that!”
Xiao felt his face get hot, seeing the blond smile like that.
“Good…” He murmured, looking away to hide his face.
“And yes, I could use some help with these wounds.” Aether replied.
So, Xiao started to help Aether re-bandage himself, making sure to wrap him up nicely.
“Is that alright?” He asked, bandaging where he had gotten burned.
“Yeah, that's- uh, that's fine…” Aether stuttered, his face was a sunsettia red color.
Xiao didn’t know why he was so flustered, till he realized just how close their faces were to each other.
He quickly but carefully finished taking care of the wound, and once he was done, he helped the boy stand.
“There, how do you feel?” He asked Aether.
“Hmm… Hungry…” Aether groaned playfully.
“Oh, right, we should go get you some food then.” Xiao said, holding his hand out for Aether to take it.
Aether took it carefully and they began to walk. His legs didn’t hurt too much, but enough for him to need help.
As they made their way down to the dining area of the Inn, they saw Paimon talking to the chef.
“Oh! Aether, Xiao! Paimon was just about to order her second round of lunch, what do you guys want?” She asked as she floated over.
“Your… second round?” Xiao asked, concerned.
“Don’t worry, this is normal for Paimon.” Aether told his friend, “I’ll have… Tianshu Meat, please.” He asked with a smile.
“Great! What about you, Xiao? Do you want anything?” Paimon asked.
“Oh, I… I don’t-” Xiao attempted to answer for himself.
“He’ll have some Almond Tofu.” Aether smiled.
“Huh?” Xiao asked, looking at him as Paimon floated back towards the chef.
“I know you like it, and you can consider it as some payback… for your help…” Aether told him softly.
“Right… okay.” Xiao agreed.
Whatever made him feel better, he's fine with.
So, the two of them sat at a table, and Paimon soon joined them, along with a feast of breakfast foods.
“And- this is supposed to be your second round of food?” Xiao asked.
“Don't try to think about it too long, I still don't even know how Paimon can eat this much…” Aether whispered to him as they watched Paimon pick each dish off as if they were the Millelith fighting hilichurls.
So, the two of them ate quietly while Paimon did all the talking.
Soon they all finished (including Paimon who was now stuffed). The chef then came over to collect the dishes.
“Oh, here! I’ll help!” Aether offered, attempting to stand on his own to grab the plates.
As he tried to stand, his right leg gave out under him and he fell back into his seat- wait seats don't have arms and body heat-
As he realized what or who he fell onto, he started to apologize.
“Sorry-! I shouldn’t have tried to stand- Im so sorry-” He freaked, transferring back to his own seat.
“Aether, it's okay. You fell, I caught you. It's alright.” Xiao told him gently.
“Wow Xiao! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you that comforting!” Paimon mused, smirking a bit.
“Paimon! I-it wasn’t that big of a deal!” Aether blushed.
“Okay! Okay!” Paimon backed off, “Anyway, Paimon will go help with the dishes.”
As Paimon grabbed some plates and floated off, Aether was left very confused.
Since when has Paimon ever wanted to help with physical labor? (carrying things can't be very difficult for her, but still, she was helping nonetheless)
He then realized it was the second time she had left him alone with Xiao.
“So… what other things must I do to complete your request of relaxing?” Aether asked curiously.
Xiao thought for a moment.
“We’ll… if it didn’t bother you too much, we could go to a resting place that I like…?” He posed the question, waiting for Aethers reaction.
“Oh! Yeah, sure! I’d love to see where you hang out when you aren’t here or out battling!” Aether seemed delighted to know more about the Yaksha.
Xiao felt a smile dance on his lips, but he pushed the urge away. He instead focused on how Aether could go from being so happy and bright, to being saddened and in despair. It… made him feel things towards the blond… Things he hadn’t felt in such a long time.
He could barely say that he had friends, and even less so people closer than that. But people like Morax and Aether… made it different.
They were both people that could be close to him without his karma taking effect, and had helped him in many ways. He was forever grateful for them, but was scared to open to them any more than that.
Yet when he saw them smile, or laugh, or be kind to him and share in their comfort… It felt good. He enjoyed it and that scared him.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Aether calling his name.
“Xiaoo~?” The blond called out in front of him.
“Hm? Sorry- must’ve… got lost in my head…” He muttered, turning to face Aether.
“It's alright! Now, about that place?” Aether beamed.
“Oh, yeah, it's just on the coast of Guili Plains. Pretty nice. If we get going now, we’ll reach there by the evening’s end.” Xiao told him.
“Great!” Aether went to stand again, but Xiao was able to steady him before he collapsed again.
“Ah- right. Haha…” He laughed nervously, holding into Xiaos forearm tightly as he steadied himself, putting less pressure on his right leg (It was hurt worse).
Soon enough, Paimon came back from the kitchen.
“Oh! Are you two going somewhere?” Paimon asked.
“Actually, yes! Do you wanna come with us? We are going to relax. Well- I’m relaxing as per Xiao’s request.” Aether explained.
As Aether said this, Paimon seemed to get awfully tired.
“Oh wow!” She yawned, “Paimon’s really starting to feel tired! All that food has definitely caused this… Paimon will stay here and sleep! You two can go off and have fun!”
She then turned to Xiao specifically and said, “Have Aether back before Midnight or Paimon will be very upset with you!”
Xiao looked a little nervous, which surprised Aether. How could he look anything other than brooding and upset? And even more so; how could Paimon make Xiao nervous?
“Okay, okay, Paimon, we’ll stay safe. Now go get your greatly deserved nap.” Aether giggled, being dramatic.
So, Paimon floated off and Xiao and Aether left Wangshu Inn. Aether got a wonderful idea as they began to near the bridge that departed from the Inn.
“Oh! Xiao! Could you pick that flower for me?” He asked, pointing to a Silk Flower bush. “I would, but my legs really hurt.”
It wasn’t really a lie, but it would help him.
“Oh… sure.” Xiao agreed, “I don’t really know why you would want such a plain looking-“
Xiao bent down to pick the flower, when suddenly- Aether jumped onto his back. Xiao managed to stay steady enough to get a hold of Aether's legs.
“A-Aether?” He exclaimed out with a bit of panic and a sigh.
“Sorry! Is this okay?” He asked, leaning over his shoulder to look at him.
Xiao felt his face heat up once more.
What is happening to me? He thought to himself.
As they both got stabilized, Xiao gave him the picked Silk Flower.
“Yeah, it’s alright. Here, the flower you wanted…” He said, handing Aether the flower.
Aether took the flower, then neatly nestled it into Xiao's hair.
“There!” Aether smiled.
Why… why is he making my heart beat so fast? Am I dying? What’s going on?… oh he’s cute…
“Um- y-yeah… how about we get going?” Xiao asked, looking straight ahead.
“Onward!” Aether smiled, pointing towards the bridge.
The walk was nice, they talked and laughed and even got to watch the sky change from blue to orange, to pink and yellow.
As they got to the shore, sitting under a nearby tree, Xiao couldn’t help but feel… so calm…
“It’s so pretty~!” Aether was mesmerized by the view.
Meanwhile, Xiao was mesmerized by him.
He caught himself staring at the blond, admiring his hair, his eye and clothes. For some reason, he was so enamored by him. Things he had never felt before were rising to the surface, and as Aether looked at him, he couldn’t look away this time.
“Are you alright Xiao?” Aether asked, cocking his head slightly.
“Yeah… I am…” Xiao murmured, allowing himself to smile.
He felt warm.
Aether smiled back, and scooted himself closer to Xiao, which surprised the dark haired boy.
Aether then laid his head on Xiaos shoulder, which wasn't too uncomfortable.
“Thank you, Xiao...” Aether whispered, looking out to the water, “…for today, I mean.”
Xiao looked down at the blond, then back at the gleaming water too.
And as he rested his head onto Aethers, he whispered, “of course… you deserved it.”
Their hands moved to hold each other, and for once, both of them could breathe and feel free.