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Xiao has been missing for a couple days.
A routine was set up after that fateful day of becoming lovers. They promised they would see eachother atleast once a day in the teapot, or if Aether was close by, Wangshu Inn. It seems that promise was broken however as Aether stands at the top of wangshu looking at the land below. With a sad expression he plays with his finger nervously over the railing. Where could Xiao have possibly gone? He has called his name at this spot every day this week yet he doesn't show.
A dark pit sits in his stomach like he knew something was wrong. He has already looked around Liyue as much as he could, but there is only so much he could do. He lets out a tired sigh, leaning his elbow on the railing and setting his head in his palm. Maybe Xiao just needed some alone time. He didn't want to think too drastic he is the vigilant yaksha, its not like he is doubting him. Maybe he should ask Zhongli.
"Don't worry, traveler! Maybe Xiao is just hungry and is having a big feast with all the other adepti!" Paimon tries to cheer Aether up from the side, seeing his frown. Aether smiles sadly to his side and rubs at Paimon's head, ruffling her hair in the process.
"Maybe...that would explain it" he jokes because there is no way on Tyvat that a feast lasts that long. Thoughif they did, he doubts Xiao would linger. Regardless he knows Paimon is just trying to help. In her own way.
"Well, Paimon thinks so! Although, Xiao would probably only eat heeps and heeps of almond tofu...maybe he has a huuuggee tummy ache!" She spreads her arms out in the air to show just how big of a tummy ache Xiao would have. Aether chuckles at her usual antics. Through the sadness and anxiety Paimon sure knows how to make him feel just the tiniest bit better.
♤♡◇♧
The day after he has decided to go and look for his beloved, leaving Paimon with Xangling for a girl's day. Paimon is ecstatic of course, excited for the food that is sure to come her away. She wishes Aether luck for finding the stubborn Yaksha. If Xiao was in trouble, he wouldn't want Paimon to witness anything. Wherever Xiao is.
He sets off to the mountains of Liyue knowing Xiao, if anything were to happen, he'd go somewhere high. He makes it to Mt. Aocang after using a teleport way point. Making his way towrds the center pond on the top of the mountain. He follows the edge. Usually he'd jump the stones in the pond but he just didn't feel that spirit, too worried. He looks over to the where Cloud Retainer used to live, and for once he is upset she moved. If she was their she could ask if she has seen his Yaksha, but now her domain wasn't used as often. He sighs softly, watching the tree branches at the center sway softly with the breeze.
"Xiaooo!" Aether cups his hands around his mouth, he has to hear him here! If not where could he really be? He always, always comes when he calls. He purses his lips as he looks at the rocks of the area, looking for any spot of purple pants or teal and black hair.
Suddenly a loud caw is heard, crying out into the sky, and Aether yells out in suprise. He quickly jerks around with wide eyes, heart beating quickly as he has never heard that type of call before, deep and strong. He could feel it rumble in his chest. He stares in disbelief as a huge bird, atleast eight to nine feet in height, flows down with a huge wingspan of gold and teal. Its coming towards him rather quick and it scares Aether enough to have him stumble backwards with a thud as he hits the grass. The beings wings are loud as it hits the barrier of air, flapping closer.
The bird lands infront of him, dust from the sand nearby swirling around the claws it bares. He stares with heavy pants as the adrenaline pushes through his body. The bird stares at him completely still as well. Why was this huge creature so close and seemingly intrigued with him?
Wait.
As he looks closer, eyes no longer clouded with surprise and adrenaline, He sees the familiar eyes of a certain someone he knows. The bird was shades of teal, purple, and gold. It had pretty swirls on its more compact feathers. A flowly extending appendage sticks out of his head and flows with the body of the creature with grace. It was a magnificent looking thing.
"Xiao..?" Aether questions shakily, hoping he was right and this albeit beautiful but scary strong looking bird was his lover. The bird's irises expand in acknowledgment it seems, claws digging into the ground and coming closer. Aether strains his neck up to look, and gently like the bird was trying not to hurt him it nuzzles softly into his arm. A warble of chirps sound from the creature, and this is when Aether realizes this is definitely Xiao. Didnt he say he had a true form so to speak? Is this what that form was?
The star's hand raises to slightly pet at the Bird's head, fingers caressing into the feathers on the side. Xiao leans in closely and warbles a little louder, closing his eyes and nuzzling into Aether's touch. Wings twitching at his sides.
"Aww, Xiao..." Aether laughs lightly as Xiao nuzzles into his neck, the great beak he weilds surprisingly not hurting him. He nuzzles close to his face as well with a smile, humming with his warbles.
"Silly Yaksha I was worried! I had no idea where you were" The bird huffs through his nose, eyes opening to stare at Aether almost like he was pouting for forgiveness. Aether cooes at the sight as he uses both hands to pet at the very soft feathers. He couldn't be too upset, Xiao seems completely fine other than being a huge bird. Aether was about to stand and brush off the grass from his pants when Xiao pushes at his chest with his head, making him stay. He hums in a question, watching as Xiao stalks around him. As he does he can take in all the details of his feathers and other appendages even closer. He was honestly rather loud marching around him and Aether can't help but smile at the fact. What a big true form.
His love plops onto the ground almost like a cat would, Xiao's head landing in his lap and Aether fights the urge to squeal with affection and cuteness. Xiao purrs low in his throat as his body settles down under his majestic wings, looking more akin to a fluffy ball than a dangerous looking bird. Aether shifts his legs to his side to give Xiao's head more room, reaching down to trace the intricate designs on his muzzle and sides of his face. Xiao seems to not mind as he lays, his eyes closing shut. Aether decides Xiao isn't going to move for awhile, so he gets comfortable.
He traces his fingers on the long thin feathers protruding out of his head and to his sides. They were a pretty teal in color, a whispy feel to them. They are as soft as silk like most of his feathers. Aether studies everything, very intrigued by this true form before him. Xiao's purr only seems to become louder as he continues petting the pretty bird.
♤♡◇♧
At some point the traveler had fallen asleep against the rock he was propped up against. He groggily wakes up to golden eyes right in his own. A huff in his face as he blinks, almost as if the Yaksha was waiting specifically for him to awaken. A wing hits softy at his side, seems like he was trying to get his attention. He chuckles at the very adorable behavior as he touches at the wing hitting his side, feeling it's more heavy and thick feathers.
"What is it?" He asks groggily as the bird huffs through his nose once more like he was trying to communicate. Aether laughs quietly at the manurisms and it causes Xiao to tilt his head in questioning, cooeing deep in his throat like a dove almost. Aether could listen to his soothing sounds all day they were rather nice.
"Nothing, nothing...you're just cute", Xiao's feathers fluffy up just slightly as he shakes his head left to right, yet another huff escaping his nose. He struts backwards and turns around, Aether's face very close to getting smacked by his backwings. Xiao sets himself on to the ground completely, his back to Aether with a warble. Aether is confused and it's his turn to tilt his head, standing up and papping off the grass on his pants as best he could. He walks close as Xiao keeps his back to him, touching at his back feathers.
"What is going on in your mind- AH!"
Aether gasps out in suprise as suddenly Xiao shifts back to where Aether lands on his back, clutching the bird close and shifting to where he won't fall on instinct. He raises an eyebrow at Xiao's stubborn behavior, though he would get frustrated if he couldn't speak as well. He splays out his pretty wings, hopping slightly from claw to claw.
"Fly? You wanna take me to go fly?" Aether asks as the bird flaps with his wings, the breeze from them hitting all his exposed skin. He clutches closer to the bird's neck, nodding as he pets at his feathers there.
"Alright, take off birdie!"
Xiao rolls his eyes the best he could, before shaking his tail feathers before running forward with speed. He takes off on the side of the mountain and immediately they are soaring. Aether isnt too afraid, knowing he has a glider incase he stupidly falls off. The traveler admires the long wingspan of the other, watching them flap and soar through the wind. Could see strips of condensed anemo teal flying off the tips of his wings almost like an echo. He shifts to a sitting position and lets his arms out like he had wings as well, and Xiao takes that as a hint to go even higher. Once above the clouds Aether can't help but laugh out, adrenaline making his voice shakey.
Xiao caws out sharply, looking back at Aether as if he was worried he'd fall. He reaches down to pet at all the cool colorful plumage with a smile.
"Dont worry silly bird, I have my glider!" He yells so Xiao can hear him. Xiao seems to like that answer as he quiets down, letting Aether enjoy the soaring of a great adeptus. Seeing peaks of mountains from just below the clouds, wind picking up his hair and clothes. Wind hitting his ears. He felt so light and nice, content in being safe on Xiao's fluffy back.
♤♡◇♧
After about ten minutes of soaring around mountain peaks and above clouds do they finally land, Xiao making sure to have the landing as less bumpy as possible. Aether huffs as they still in the land of Luhua Pool, shakily getting off of the bird after small nuzzles of appreciation. Xiao flaps out his wings before tucking them in once more, shaking his head to flatten some of the stray feathers. Aether fixes his braid the best he can without a brush at hand. He leans in and nuzzles his nose against the other's beak. Xiao returns the gesture with a low purr and warble, eyes closing in contempt.
"What a good bird, being so gentle with me" he cooes out, scratching under his plumage on his face. Xiao's tail of feathers sway at the intimate gesture, loving the attention as much as he did in his mortal form. Aether sets his forehead against Xiao's and they both stay still for a moment as their eyes close. A soft loving moment between the Star and Yaksha.
After the moment fades a smirk appears on Aether's lips, slowly backing away. Xiao tilts his head in confusion, a whimper of chirps leaving his throat as Aether backs away and stops their contact.
"Its okay, little bird" he cooes out, even though he wasn't little in the slightest. The nickname would of made him blush if he could.
"-becauseeee it's time for a bath!" He cheers out before jumping and splashing into the water of the pools, it reaching just above half his calf. He can tell Xiao is rolling his eyes but regardless of Aether's antics he struts forward. Hopping on the backs of his talons and landing beside Aether with a splash. Aether gasps out at the splash of cold water hitting his skin, holding his hands ahead of his face so it dosent hit his face.
They spend a little time splashing and chasing eachother, Xiao's wings apparently perfect for skidding acrosses the water's surface and hitting Aether like a wave with the force. After a hard work out of who was faster, Xiao won, Aether sits on the side of the pool soaked but happy. A bird to his side shaking out his feathers. He cant help but aww at the way Xiao's plumage plumps up as the air hits the frizzy softness. Xiao didn't like to get wet most of the time in his bird form, saved for bathing, but seeing Aether this happy was worth his feathers feeling odd from the added weight.
Aether lets his head rest on Xiao's side, curling close with a shiver. Maybe getting wet wasn't the best idea with a windy day. A fluffy wing arches around his form and easily covers him. The feathers encasing him almost like a cocoon. Aether can smell a hint of flowers and he swears somehow almonds.. He happily cuddles close as the bird sits there, letting his star use him as a sideways bed. His beak softly caresses at the top of Aether's head and through his silky hair as his eyes close, quickly falling asleep to the sound of the yaksha's purring and heart beat rumbling in his chest. Xiao takes his time flattening Aether's pretty hair, since the wind and playing made it look messy.
After making sure the traveler was asleep, a soft airy like dust settles around them both. Teal forming around them in spirals.. Xiao contorts back to his mortal, more used form. Feathers morphing into hair that, stubbornly, always sticks up laughably after he changes back. A, more common since he got with Aether, smile spreads onto his lips. Looking at the wet traveler with a loving gaze. He scoops the slightly taller male into his arms, cradling him close and dissapearing from Luhua Pool and reappearing at his secret room of Wangshu Inn. He'll need to get Aether out of these clothes before he got sick.
He is glad that Aether meeting with his true form went well.
♤♡◇♧
"Wait, even if you were a bird, why were you not answering my calls for you?!"
"...Time can be warped within that form, I am sorry, beloved"
"Ugh, you're lucky you're so pretty.."
Paimon gasps with two chicken skewers in hand.
"XIAO IS A BIRD?"