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Aether took a slow deep breath he was right there on the balcony the same balcony where they first met. Aether clutched the gift envelope tightly, His heart raced this was more than just a gift envelope it was also a confession.
Aether had not long recovered from rescuing Hu tao he wondered if Xiao visited him during his recovery, his heart thumped in his chest his cheeks heated at the thought.
Calming himself he stepped forwards slowly cautiously.
Xiao heard the light footsteps behind him turning slightly his golden eyes fixated on the blonde behind him,"It's you" he spoke voice soft.
Aether nodded and spoke his heart fluttering at the sound of the others voice,"Yeah, I'm feeling much better, um I wanted to give you this" he handed the other a gift envelope.
Xiao looked at the gift envelope perfectly sealed with care wondering if he should open it now. "Thank you, I shall open it later, you should take care more and do not be stubborn.." he gave the smallest of smiles. "Call me name next time, I shall answer".
Aether nodded,"I shall" he spoke, eyes darting to the view from the balcony. "Liyue..looks so nice from up here" he said after a few moments.
"Indeed it does, you should get going" said xiao voice soft.
"Yeah, I'll see you around." Aether spoke with the smallest of smiles and took off.
Aether was now sitting far away on a small stump at a hill he breathed his hands shaking a bit he had mentioned this location in his envelope so he waited.
Meanwhile once Aether had left Xiao looked at the gift envelope it was sealed well he carefully opened it the little gift stickers stood out to him.
"Hm" Xiao hmm'd as he read slowly.
'Dear Xiao, Happy lantern rite. I can't express how much you mean to me in words alone but I will try.
You make me happy, everytime I see you I can't help but smile, in the smallest ways you've shown me how much you care about me, I am grateful. I also care about you too.
You may not notice it, you may not even see it but you're more than just a friend to me Xiao.
I can't deny it any longer, the way you make me feel. I love you Xiao and I don't think I'll ever stop loving you, you mean so much to me Xiao. I'll be waiting for you answer at the stump at the hill near the statue.
with all my heart, yours truly - Aether'
Xiao blinked he re-read the letter again, 'Aether' he thought mind racing he had no idea he took a slow breath processing it his heart thumped his face heated up no doubt in his mind.
When Xiao appeared next to him Aether nearly fell off the stump but was caught in strong arms,"You, really have to be more careful" said Xiao in a soft tone that made Aether's heart skip a beat.
"Xiao..you." Xiao held up a hand.
"Aether.." Xiao began still holding Aether in a light but strong grasp.
Aether looked at him cheeks tinted pink as he waited for the other to start speaking.
Xiao noticed this and took a slow breath,"I may not understand human emotion all to well, but, Lately I've noticed that I feel much lighter around you. You have this calming presence about you. It eases me. I want you to know, I am not rejecting your confession Aether, I..accept your confession.." he managed a small genuine smile.
Aether felt his face heat even further,"So..you're saying that you"
Xiao nodded,"I..return your feelings.. in well my own way I suppose"
Aether smiled he felt Xiao wrap his arms a bit tighter around him and pull him a bit closer, he let the other just hold him for what seemed like hours.