Chapter Text
**POV'S AETHER**
I met Xiao in high school in Liyue, Chine; I was a freshman when he was a sophomore.
When I saw him, I remember thinking he was the most attractive person in the universe, struck by his beautiful slanted eyes like a feline on the prowl. Although he didn't seem to notice me at first, I was greatly surprised when he told me that he also liked me from the first time he saw me, he just didn't know how to express it.
We both started dating.
Initially, we tried to keep it a secret, but it got out of hand... It was hardly going to stay a secret. We were both very obvious.
On one hand, we received homophobic comments from our classmates, which made us feel terrible, but we simply chose not to let it affect us and continued in our little bubble.
On the other hand... We were supported and people were happy that we had dared to have such a healthy and calm relationship as the one we had.
Li Xiao, my first and only true love, graduated first, leaving me alone for an entire year. I remember spending that year reading in the library and studying to get into a good university, taking advantage of Xiao's absence in every possible way so that when I was with him again, I could dedicate all my time to him.
My best friends, Kazuha and Kuki, were always with me, making sure I didn't overwork myself.
Soon, my graduation arrived, and with it, admission to the university, the same one Xiao was attending.
We were together once again.
Time passed faster there, and we both graduated, I with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and he with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
And the wedding didn't take long.
For me, Xiao's proposal was one of the most beautiful I had ever seen.
He organized an entire dinner under the stars where, after the meal, my boyfriend knelt in front of me, and behind him, the huge water fountain lit up, giving the moment a more ethereal atmosphere, not ignoring the fact that our friends and family were eagerly awaiting my response, ready to release lanterns into the sky.
Then... I said yes.
It was perfect, my husband... is perfect.
The wedding was no less spectacular; Xiao spared no expense, making it one of the most beautiful weddings in our families' history.
I became Li Aether.
On our honeymoon night, what had to happen, happened, like all couples... We made love. It wasn't the first time, but as husbands, it felt even better. I could feel how he was determined to take care of me, to make me enjoy it, and he didn't forget about himself either.
A perfect night with my husband... My Xiao.
In the following weeks, our first child came into our lives.
The way I told Xiao was simple: I made his favorite meal, and after we finished, I handed him a small delicately decorated box. Inside, there was a positive blood pregnancy test, some baby clothes, and a teddy bear.
His expression was the best; he lifted me into the air, thanking me for giving him the best gift in the world, and that night we were intimate again, being much more careful than before.
The following months were the best. Xiao showered me with attention despite being busy working more to ensure we had certain comforts when the baby was born. I love him, I really do.
Soon, we found out that our baby would be a boy, healthy and strong, a little baby who would carry our genes. I hoped he would look more like Xiao, and I told him so, even though he scolded me for insisting because, to him...
"The baby will be more perfect if he has your face."
Those were his usual words.
But life is not all roses.
During the last days of my pregnancy, I went out one winter to buy some things for dinner. I wanted to surprise Xiao with something delicious because he had been looking very tired lately, and... It was my way of thanking him for working so hard.
But I had completely forgotten...
That drunk drivers were the most common around that time of year.
One of them hit me while I was walking on the crosswalk that indicated it was safe to cross.
I rolled several meters away and tried to cover my stomach with all my strength to prevent anything bad from happening to our baby.
After that, I remember nothing more.
I only know that I could see my body on a stretcher, watching in detail as the doctors did everything possible to save me, but when it proved impossible... They prioritized my baby, who miraculously was born without any problems.
On December 22nd, Li Yanqing was born... And on December 22nd, I died.
Since then, I have been wandering in a strange plane where I can see my husband cry every night but cannot console him, where I can be with Yanqing and watch over his sleep but cannot touch his rosy cheek... A plane where I do not exist, but at the same time, I do.
My husband is having a hard time, and I am here unable to do anything for him.
I'm sorry, Xiao, but you are not alone; I am still here even if you cannot see me...