Chapter Text
Every year brought its fair share of excitement and adventure. Now that the year was ending and a new one was starting, the traveler had ventured all the way back to Liyue to celebrate the occasion with his friends there. It was a grand festival known throughout Teyvat after all, and each time it was bound to be interesting and fun. After all that stress and fighting in Natlan, a nice and easy end to the year sounded perfect.
Trouble always seemed to be just around the corner however, this Lantern Rite met with some problems behind the scenes. In the midst of meeting someone new, catching up and helping prevent a disaster, Aether really only looked forward to some downtime when the lanterns would be released.
It was unexpected, being roped up in something quite so dangerous after already having gone through something incredibly dangerous. Perhaps fate wished to see it repeat in one way or another. Nonetheless, despite the danger and trepidation, all was fine in the end. At least mostly. Using his advantage over the ley lines and freeing Hu Tao himself proved to be quite exerting, leaving him bedridden for a while. Paimon was also very frightened, though the recent experiences in Natlan seemed to have her tone it down. Such an excess of stress must have been quite tiring, he thought.
First it was the Night Kingdom, now the border between life and death. Both of these strange realms felt so stifling, so eager to pull him into the bad side. He had quite enough of venturing into these dangerous places, desiring some well deserved rest and solitude.
On second thought… maybe fate was indeed trying to repeat everything, since just like in Natlan, people just wouldn’t leave him alone. He emerged from the dangerous realm and then he was tugged along for a huge celebration. Luckily for the Lantern Rite it was not about him, otherwise he would have simply collapsed from the sheer attention. Being social was usually not a problem, but he seriously desired some relaxation and tranquility.
With all the endless bustle of the harbor, his mind was reminded of just a few days ago when he was tasked with helping his friends escape from the border. He had gone to Wangshu Inn to meet up with the Conqueror of Demons. The inn was ever so nice and calm, barely affected by the more intense atmosphere that these grand festivities usually had.
Perhaps staying there for a while would be nice. He could relax all he wanted, Paimon could be distracted with the good food that was served there, and he could even chat with Xiao, as he wanted to do so.
Simply chatting with his friends seemed to be a good choice, as many were visiting from other nations, updating him on the things that were happening while he was in Natlan. It was nice, and Xiao was definitely someone to have a nicer chat with.
The traveler reminisced. The last few years he had noticed a strange trend with a certain someone’s behavior. He remembered first trying to convince the yaksha that the Lantern Rite was a joyous occasion to be celebrated. After that Xiao had somewhat begun opening up. He clearly remembered the time he was lugged along to dinner, being the only other person except the traveler to know who Zhongli and Venti really were. It was as hilarious as it was ridiculous, feeling bad for how uncomfortable Xiao had looked at times while also finding it kind of endearing to see him try to accommodate it so much that he couldn’t handle it.
But every time it was the same thing. “Traveler, stay safe”. Almost like it was a demand at this point. Last Lantern Rite had been quite fun, the notion of Zhongli having Xiao ‘test out’ kites with him rather cute. Aside from his awkwardness, he had also spotted a peculiar softness in Xiao’s expression. That very same softness had shown itself again when, once everything was wrapped up, Xiao had asked him to meet up afterwards.
Xiao did not join anyone to see the lanterns with, but he instead wished to release one himself, asking no one except for the traveler to do it with. Aether’s face warmed at the thought of that memory. It was so sweet, so nice, so lovely. He had probably seen a side of Xiao that no one had even seen before, granting him a sight like no other.
He stopped himself with a quick shake of his head. Getting too caught up in these thoughts might invoke some strange feelings in him…
Aether looked around, seeing he was still in the harbor. Behind him he could hear the cheerful voices of his friends celebrating with food and drinks. Now he remembered taking a breather because he had enough food for the rest of the whole week…
At least Paimon seemed to be enjoying herself. It was getting late, but the city and the sky were still lit up by countless glowing lanterns, their warm lights a beautiful contrast to the cold night sky.
Maybe he could simply visit Wangshu Inn by himself… his friends were so caught up in their card games and chatting and eating that they would most likely be fine without him. He had no energy for much more of this anyway. While he did not wish to leave his companion behind considering her separation anxiety, perhaps an exception could be made here.
It should be fine, right? There was no danger, and he was just heading to another safe location…
“Paimon, come here for a moment” he asked as he approached the table. She was in the middle of watching a card game excitedly, though she easily heard her buddy’s voice through the commotion.
“Everything okay? Wow, you look tired!” she wasted no time commenting on his face. His social battery was mostly depleted and it seemed to show.
“Pff…” he laughed it off. “I sure am. You seem to be right at home though, eating a grand feast and playing card games with our friends. You better be super grateful for Xiangling’s willingness to put up with you”. His response seemed to have upset her, but she knew he was only teasing. Seeing her pout and trying to deny her obvious gluttony was rather funny though. “Relax, Paimon. I just wanted to let you know that I’m getting tired. I was considering heading somewhere quieter, but I don’t wanna drag you away from your fun. So I am asking if you’d be okay with staying here.”
Paimon crossed her arms and thought for a moment. She glanced at the table where the others were, eager to return and join in, but leaving the traveler alone left her a little uneasy. “I know you don’t like me being too far away from you. But I just wanna head to Wangshu Inn, so we’ll both be safe and surrounded by our friends” he added, hoping she could come to a conclusion anytime soon. The constant noises were getting to him after so long.
“Aww! Are you really getting tired already?” she asked, the slightest hint of concern on her face.
“I’ve been up since early morning. I’ve had enough celebrating, especially after everything that happened in Natlan…
“Oh… fair point.” she responded. After all, their latest adventure had been rather nerve wracking. While she was worrying her little head off, it was the traveler who was in actual danger. The Nation of War had given him plenty of opportunities to fight, perhaps even too many for just a single person. Her brain was nearly overclocking trying to find her answer, leaving Aether merely staring at her expectantly. “Sure you’re just gonna stay there? Promise Paimon you won’t head anywhere dangerous!”
The worry in her little voice was evident. She obviously wanted to stay and seemed amenable to this arrangement. “I promise you, I’m just gonna head to Wangshu Inn. A certain adeptus will surely watch over me, I’ll be fine” he reassured her.
At the mention of Xiao, Paimon’s expression softened. He was right. Next to Xiao there was also the staff of the inn. The traveler was not one to lie to her, especially when he looked like he was ready to sleep for a whole day straight.
“Fine! As long as you stay safe and don’t go anywhere else, you hear?!” she tried to sound intimidating. It did not work, but Aether saw her intention either way.
“Loud and clear, Paimon. Thanks for understanding. Let the others know I’m heading out for tonight, I really can’t take much more of all this commotion. I’ll be at the inn if you need me.”
-
Leaving Paimon behind was strange, but a welcome change. Knowing she was with friends and constantly bombarded with fun and food meant she won’t have to worry the entire night. Their friends were more than willing to accommodate her.
Aether had walked towards Wangshu Inn, seeing the grand tree becoming bigger with each step. It was as quiet as he had hoped it was. With so few people around he could surely grab a room for himself. Taking the long way up the stairs he arrived at the large balcony where the inn’s lobby was. It was business as usual, but still a lot quieter than the harbor.
He greeted the boss and headed upstairs immediately. He did not know why, since booking a room for himself seemed to be a more logical choice, but his feet simply did not obey. Soon enough he found himself at the topmost balcony that oversaw the marsh.
It was empty and tranquil, though he could feel a lingering presence nearby. The certain witness sigil had seemingly not worn off yet, his perception picking up on faint traces of Qingxin.
“Xiao, are you there?” he asked almost out of instinct. He felt a random breeze right after, as if the wind was giving him an answer. He turned his head and glanced towards the roof, where the yaksha was perched on. He elegantly hopped off and stood before the traveler with his usual neutral expression.
“I was finishing my patrol when I spotted you walking up to the inn. What brings you here, traveler?” Xiao asked.
So Xiao saw me , Aether thought. It was no surprise really. He had a taste of adeptal perception thanks to that witness sigil and it was quite impressively potent. Of course the yaksha was aware of him. “I didn’t hear you teleport. Were you waiting here for me in advance?” he replied with a slight grin. The following silence only confirmed his question, which made him smile even more.
“I missed you too, you know.” Aether said, carefully watching for any changes in Xiao’s expression. The yaksha looked almost stern. “I had enough celebrating for a whole week. I could use some downtime from the turmoil and visit the lovely Wangshu Inn that houses the lovely Vigilant Yaksha~!”
Xiao’s expression did not change whatsoever, instead seeming a little more serious than before. The traveler wondered why. “Are you upset?” he asked, but got no direct answer for a good few seconds.
“I’m forced to think back to your trip to the border between life and death. The area is incredibly dangerous, and I know you headed there a second time to get Hu Tao out of there. It was an incredibly reckless decision of yours.”
That was all Xiao could say. It seemed he was so fixated on the danger aspect of this. Aether blinked, but then chuckled in realization. “You know a little bit of danger won’t take me down! You looked so worried before I headed into the border that I almost thought you weren’t the real Xiao! I got out fine though, look! No need to worry anymore.”
Xiao had joined his side, glancing over the balcony railing. He looked a bit dejected, probably not enjoying being put on the spot like this. The yaksha himself wondered what made him this defensive over the traveler’s safety to the point revolving every single conversation he’s had with the traveler so far to just his worries. The Qixing’s plan mentioned Yelan going into the border and not the traveler, yet he was so fixated on why that plan suddenly changed. This excessive worry made him nearly forgo one of his principles of never putting a human in danger… what was he thinking?
Well, he was thinking of the way Yelan had laughed at him after the ordeal was over, citing his pouty face and obvious worry as the reason for her amusement. He never worked in this manner before, being this adamant and even obsessive. She had teased him, still as unafraid of him as that time they were stuck in the Chasm.
It was all for the traveler’s safety… he reminded himself. Aether’s bright eyes and joyous smile just warmed something inside of him that made him behave rather protectively. To see the fetor and miasma cling to the traveler and extinguish that radiant shine in those eyes would be the equivalent of seeing his nightmares come true.
“I have also heard of your exploits in Natlan. I cannot exactly place the reason why, but seeing you so needlessly in danger and being unable to help you makes me rather… uneasy. Outside of Liyue it’ll be difficult for me to come to your aid, and the border realm… it just had to be the one place where my karmic debt would have escalated the situation into a catastrophe.”
Now Aether remained silent. He knew Xiao was worried, but this was getting slightly concerning. The yaksha was someone who rarely ever expressed himself, perhaps out of self preservation. He lived such a precarious life, forced to avoid human society for their safety. In the seldom seen occasions of him engaging with others, one could see just how uncomfortable he was getting in a short amount of time.
He wondered if Xiao was afraid of something he could not admit to himself.
“Heh, needless to say your pretty little sigil helped us a lot. Without it this Lantern Rite surely wouldn’t have been as fun as it was~” Aether leaned against the railing, not afraid to put his whole weight against it. The other was not as amused by the smug tone of the traveler.
“It’s not a ‘pretty’ sigil, it’s an important adeptus art that allows me to share my abilities with you. You were also unconscious for two days after it was over.” Now that was a retort Aether was not expecting. It was almost like Xiao was getting back at him, but he spoke in such a matter-of-factly manner. Like he was lecturing Aether…
This was meant to be taken as a challenge, Aether thought to himself. So maybe the yaksha was not trying to nudge him somewhere, but he’s had quite enough of nothing but worried sentiments thrown his way. Aether was fine and better than ever and he was very motivated to have the yaksha know better than to doubt him.
With a deliberate shimmy closer to the yaksha, Aether continued. “What, can an adeptus art not be pretty or something? I’m simply speaking the truth and it just so happens to be about you.”
Aether quickly began to wonder what suddenly had him in such a strange mood. Maybe it was the very subtle way Xiao was reacting to his words, appearing rather shy but doing nothing to step away from him. This must have been a new record in terms of times he has seen Xiao looking so vulnerable. It made him nearly want to pat his hair and tell him everything was fine.
“Just… remember to call my name if you ever find yourself in danger again.” Xiao said, suddenly a little quieter. Once again the smirk has returned, silently pushing Aether to tease the yaksha further.
But it never came. He liked the notion of being able to make Xiao flustered, even if only a little, but there was something deep in his mind that told him to enjoy the moment like this. After all, they did not see each other every day, but every time they did something seemed to change. Mostly it was Xiao’s openness and comfort towards the traveler.
Now it was a hidden fear of never being able to truly enjoy these moments, as the worries only befogged all this progress.
“Want to head up to the roof and just enjoy the night with me, Xiao?”
Truthfully, Aether did not know what part of his brain made him ask that out loud, but it was out there and seemed to take its effect on the recipient. The change was there, barely visible but all those worries seemed to dissipate as soon as it sunk in. “Surely you’ve done enough patrolling for today, so why don’t you take a breather and enjoy some peace? I could use a bit of friendly company…” he added, feeling a slight onset of shyness himself.
At first he felt boldly flirty and wished to see Xiao fluster, but now he was just a little too nervous to say anything else. Whatever was doing this to him, Aether hated it. Why should he suddenly feel so awkward around Xiao? He had just joked a little and pulled him into a small conversation. But oh, of course his mind simply had to immediately forget that he asked to spend time with Xiao. Alone.
He held out his hand, his heart beginning to beat a little faster. Xiao glanced at it and mentally weighed his choices, warring between the desire to spend time with the traveler and the desire to return to his duties and ignore any indulgences. Clearly the former was winning, as this kind of opportunity was rare to come by. Though the dangers that could threaten Liyue never rested, it seemed they quieted down for the time being, giving Xiao less of a reason to constantly be on patrol and fend off the demons.
Aether barely noticed the inner turmoil in the other, surprised to see Xiao placing his hand on Aether’s. “I accept…” the yaksha mumbled.
This was more than enough to cast a smile on the traveler, his fingers closing in around Xiao’s hand. Even through the gloves it felt warm. He saw a small sliver of trepidation in Xiao, the close contact clearly not natural to him. Aether wished to change that.
Together they climbed the roof until they reached a nice and secluded spot. It was darker and quieter, the only thing above their heads being the giant tree’s canopy. Aether chose the spot near the top of the roof, finding a suitable ledge to sit on. Like this no one would come to bother them.
His eyes were focused on the better view they had, ranging from Dragonspine, to the harbor and to the rocky cliffs of Jueyun Karst. A wide viewing angle, unobstructed and peaceful. It was Xiao’s voice that took him out of his absentminded gazing.
“Why do you wish to spend time with me out of everyone you know? I am curious…”
Aether thought about his words, wondering why the yaksha seemed so unsure about everything. He thought Xiao knew by now that he liked having him around, but the yaksha’s question somewhat implied that he thought himself as a nuisance to Aether. Thinking of what to say, Aether sat down and patted the free space beside him, wishing for Xiao to join him instead of just standing there.
“If I say it’s because I like your company, will that be enough?” he asked in return, watching as the other tentatively sat down on the roof, a bit of a gap between them. Xiao would probably say it was because of his karmic debt that he should maintain a distance or whatever, but Aether was not here for it tonight.
Corrosive forces be damned, the karma had no effect on him and he wanted Xiao to know that. He had absorbed a lot of bad energy the last few months and it was all broken down in his body as if it was nothing. No abyssal energy and no fetor could harm him. The most it could do was make him feel exhausted and sleep for a while. So he dared to be bold and inched closer to Xiao’s side, not afraid of the karmic aura.
“It might, but I just don’t understand.” was the reply. Xiao sounded a bit nervous, looking far into the distance, the look of faraway sadness more obvious than ever.
What a worrywart… He could bet a million mora Xiao would just express more worries about his well being yet again. It was redundant at this point, so maybe Xiao needed a clear cut reminder that his ceaseless worries were superfluous.
“You’re my friend, Xiao.” Aether said, hoping to strike right where Xiao needed to be struck. “Karmic debt aside, I like your company way more than you think. Why can’t you see that as your friend I like to be around you? Or why can’t you believe in me when I say that everything will be fine?”
Now Xiao did not respond, averting his eyes a little. Aether sighed, believing he was going to need to pick his brain even more in order to get a definitive answer. Maybe his last question seemed to have hit a bit harder than the other.
“I’m sorry, traveler.” Xiao was so quiet, almost afraid of making things worse. “I was selfish to worry so excessively over your safety. I did not want to see you in danger, even if you can handle yourself. I don’t know why I acted like this.” His eyes were closed and relaxed, likely as a measure to conceal his emotions. But the hiding of his expression behind a stoic mask just made it obvious that he was experiencing a plethora of feelings that threatened to overwhelm him.
Aether had seen it before, back when they were stuck in the Chasm. Xiao had proposed a way out that no one was truly happy with, simply because it was not normal to be so self-sacrificing. Yelan had challenged his views assertively back then, to the point he could see that same strange mix of emotions in Xiao that he was seeing right now.
If he had to put the context together, he could only guess it was because Xiao was simply born to think destructively, his only opportunity of being a savior becoming possible if he harmed a part of himself. He tried to sacrifice himself to save others, he had willingly shared his powers to an unknown effect on his own person. And when Aether first approached Xiao about going to the border between life and death, his continuous expression of his worries gave way to a fear that maybe… maybe Xiao was terrified of losing someone again.
In the end that was mere speculation, but a quick study of Xiao’s repressed and stoic visage told him that he might be right after all. The past, present and future of a yaksha is a sad one, but archons above , surely it doesn’t have to be like that forever, right? “Don’t apologize, Xiao.”
The traveler shifted his legs, resting his elbows on his knees. “You just need a friendly reminder that I can keep myself safe. That way you don’t have to worry because I can and will come out of any situation alive. I’m glad you worry about me, it shows that you care, but I wonder if there is something more to it.”
The yaksha raised his head a little, curious about what the other meant with those words exactly. It seemed that was enough to get him thinking about it. “More to it? What do you mean by that?”
“Are you scared of losing me some day?” Perhaps it needed to be said boldly, even if it felt out of line. A direct confrontation for sure, but it seemed to have worked, judging by how Xiao reacted to it.
Another pause, and those golden eyes were fixated on Aether, trying to discern his intentions with those words. But he gave up and sighed. “I… of course I do. You’ve grown close to me. As a yaksha I must embrace my fate. I’m not meant for the peace ruling over Liyue, I’m more suited to defend it from evil until my sanity gives out and I die. But it does not mean I’ve grown acclimated to every death. Out of respect I prefer not to call it grief, but I sometimes find myself yearning to be with the ones I lost.”
Their privacy on the roof proved to be a good decision, as any distracting lights or voices from any of the lower balconies could have prevented this. Like this they were alone, out of anyone’s gaze and free to be honest with each other. Seeing Xiao openly tell him this, it left Aether wordless. In his mind he could already clue in what the yaksha was implying with this, but he saw the other’s mouth open, searching for words before continuing.
“I acted disgracefully. My worries were out of place and have clouded my vision. I must atone for being so foolish and tainting our bond by disregarding your strength. Again, I’m sorry for having behaved this way.” Xiao shut his eyes in pensive thought, dwelling on the kind of bond he had established with the traveler. The last thing he wanted was to somehow sever it and ruin what they had. It was rather odd to feel so strongly about this bond, but it was so comforting to know he had one, he had someone close and personal who was worth fighting and surviving for.
In ways he could not fathom, Aether had somehow delayed his inevitable demise and suffering by simply existing. Safe to say Xiao was slowly growing a fondness for that sweet feeling that he could only feel with the traveler around.
The traveler straightened his back in order to get a better look at Xiao, blinking and gathering his thoughts until it could only show itself through stifled laughter.
“Hm? Are you laughing at me?” Xiao asked. He was not one to feel bad over this kind of thing, but since it was the traveler, it had a slightly different effect. Though even as the man laughed, he felt that strangely comfortable.
“Haha, no, no… don’t worry, Xiao! I’m not laughing at you, but I find this whole thing kinda silly.” Aether took a deep breath, his earlier frown turning into a genuine smile. He could already sense the question coming, so he elaborated further. “You’re taking this whole thing quite seriously, you know? More than it really is, because everything turned out fine and we had a nice Lantern Rite! So what if you were rightfully worried over a friend? You’re allowed to do that. I mean, you even helped us a bunch in the end by sharing your perception powers with me! No need to get it all twisted, Xiao. I’m here and I’m safe and so are you.”
He almost missed the brief scowl Xiao had on his face before it was replaced by that typical neutral expression that concealed everything. Mostly though, since Xiao looked more like he was pouting. “You’re right. I suppose.” he replied quietly, but that only made Aether grin again.
“Look at you, overflowing with anxiety. It’s kind of cute, to be honest. How about we take it easy, so you can allow your thoughts to settle and clear up!” he suggested, laughing his amusement off with a chuckle. He visibly relaxed as well, his hands placed by his sides, splayed over the roof’s tiles.
Unbeknownst to him, Xiao had done the same earlier, and their hands were nearly touching. Though he quickly came to realize this when he shuffled around just a little bit to get comfortable, an impulsive thought told him to place his hand on top of Xiao’s, but he refrained from doing that… for now.
A deep sigh was heard, one that carried a few too many emotions. “The danger has passed and you are safe… I shall do my utmost to not let these emotions cloud my judgment again. With you around I will feel better.”
Oh how unintentionally romantic , Aether thought to himself. That yaksha was a peculiar one, just a soft little bundle of repressed stress now that he can see through those thick walls he put up. Maybe it was the result of the witness sigil allowing him to see more than usual. A likely unintended side effect that let him see not just the dark aura around Xiao, but also his true emotions. He used to be so stern when they first met, now Xiao was clearly fumbling and concerning himself over everything related to the traveler.
“You know, I gotta say… knowing that someone is worried for my safety when I’m in any kind of peril is somewhat grounding. It makes me feel less alone in this world, less like I’m just a someone fated to be forgotten. It’s the same with my sister. She’s my family and I was so terrified when I lost her. She is also the whole reason I’m taking this journey. I’ve found her once, but we got separated almost immediately. Still, I knew she was worried for me as I was for her. It’s good to have someone in your life to motivate you to keep going.”
The yaksha listened intently to Aether’s words, curious to see what Aether was trying to convey. Aether only smiled, feeling nice and warm despite being outside in the dark, while his fingers stealthily slid closer to Xiao’s hand until their fingertips were touching.
He continued. “Anyone can be worried for someone, of course. But there is a difference between regular trust and the kind of trust that makes me feel like I’m truly cherished. I have many friends and many titles, but often I’m just a small part of their lives and vice versa. Friendly faces that make my journey nicer, but don’t outright change it. Only a very select few are special to me. I often think about them. They’re the ones who changed for the better and also changed me as well over time. I wonder what category you fall under…” Aether ended his long talk with a smirk, knowing Xiao was thinking about his words.
Their fingers were still touching, the yaksha still not noticing it in all of this emotional talk. Though one could say their thick gloves played a part in that.
“Trust… it seems your experiences as a traveler really come to an advantage for someone like you. You spare no details, do you?” Xiao asked in a softer tone. The insights of an adventurer the likes of Aether truly were fascinating, especially since he was someone of unknown origin. Hearing the other talk so much and so fondly, it was a respite Xiao really came to enjoy.
“I’ll spend more time with you from now on. That way I can tell you even more! You’re a good listener… it’s a nice change of pace for once. Besides, I ought to do that with those who stand out from the rest in the best way possible…” He deliberately ended his sentence with slightly cryptic words, Xiao turning more towards Aether with a somewhat puzzled look. He couldn’t deny that any of Xiao’s expressions that differed from his default stoic stare were kind of adorable. “Haha… in other words, Xiao, you are very special to me.”
He made sure to accentuate the ‘very’, though he found it not good enough as a description. Aether knew his face must have turned some shade of red by now, hopefully obscured by the dark of night.
Xiao made no move after hearing that, with Aether believing he had found a way to short-circuit a yaksha’s brain. The lingering effects from the witness sigil allowed him to see a few more colors than usual on Xiao’s face. A rather unambiguous indication that these deep, hidden feelings appeared to be mutual.
“I’m… special? Do you really think so? I don’t-” the only thing the yaksha could do was mumble and stutter and forget what he wanted to say next. Stoicism? Forgotten and erased. That soft look on his face was one in a billion, something that made him realize what kind of ‘special’ Aether was talking about.
During all that talking Aether had continued to slide his hand on top of Xiao’s. To subtly allude to their contact, he gently pressed his hand against Xiao’s, his fingers gently woven between the other’s. Xiao finally noticed it, the sweet gesture slightly intimate. Though the lack of light made it hard to see, Aether could tell the yaksha was getting flustered again.
He could have fun teasing Xiao all day without repercussions because the yaksha was too soft for him.
But he reeled himself in, he could keep the teasing for another time. A rather important detail he noticed was that Xiao was not removing his hand at all or shying away from the close contact. Neither did he seem to mind that Aether had shuffled closer to him overall, reducing the gap between them with every shift of the leg and stretch of the arm.
“I cannot deny you hold a special value in my life as well, traveler… We share a strong bond that cannot be severed. I feel compelled to be by your side whenever I sense your presence. There is also no denying that your proximity has these… unexpected effects on me. The pain that I feel due to the karmic debt lessens until it is almost gone and lasts for well over a day. You’ve given me back a feeling I thought I’d never feel again… and it has become a part of my only selfish indulgence to be by your side for the rest of my days.” Xiao said, his every word carefully chosen and spoken with a sentiment Aether had never seen before in him.
If words could kill, Aether would have turned to dust already. Not only was the quiet and elusive yaksha very talkative right now, but he swore he saw the tiniest curve to his lips. A smile, a minuscule little smile. If not the smile, then it’d be the fondness in Xiao’s tone that revealed just how genuine his sentiment was.
Aether needed to organize his thoughts. His own words from earlier mirrored an emotion he had been feeling deep inside of him. As a direct confrontation with his own feelings, he asked himself if he had fallen in love… and the way his body seemed to respond to his query with a deepening blush on his face and a pounding heartbeat… Yes, it was more than obvious by now.
He had taken Xiao to a secluded spot on the roof to chat and essentially confess his feelings to the other. All while essentially holding his hands like a shy couple.
Then there were Xiao’s words, a response he was not expecting, truthfully. The yaksha had only ever dabbled once in poetry, considering his attempt amateurish despite it being nicely written. Romanticism and yakshas clearly did not seem to cross paths, but somehow Xiao still seemed to have found his own approach and style for it.
At the very least Aether was very much enraptured by the unintentionally sweet and endearing message. A yaksha could certainly convey a fascinating connection to death with every attempt at the arts. A yaksha like Xiao who bore no knowledge of the arts could still effortlessly master them at a first attempt, his every work a striking reference to his fated suffering and inevitable demise.
For the rest of Xiao’s days, huh? Well, Aether thought, if I never leave his side then he’ll never succumb to his karma.
“Traveler? Is something the matter?”
Quickly, Aether was pulled out of his thoughts, his face a deeper red than before. His blush was getting harder to conceal in spite of the scarcity of light. He had become lost in his thoughts and revelations for so long that Xiao was getting concerned again.
The traveler smiled, no longer trying to fight against the warmth that was blooming inside his head. “You know, you don’t have to call me by my title anymore.” He began, his eyes briefly flitting around to make sure no one else was around. The witness sigil certainly made that easy.
Aether then leaned in a little and spoke in a quieter tone. “Please call me Aether.”
There was a wonder in Xiao’s eyes that made him wish he could take a picture of Xiao to remember forever. If not for the darkness and their conversation being more important, he would have done so. Xiao’s eyes were wider, his brows downturned. He looked so… soft.
“Aether…” Xiao whispered after him, the word so new to him but sounding so right coming from his gentle voice. Who knew that the warrior who never ceased fighting and endlessly suffered his whole life would possess such a lovely and sweet sound…?
“I hardly tell anyone my real name. I have many titles and aliases, but only one real name that I will always respond to.” He explained, seeing just how intrigued Xiao was by getting to learn this fact. It meant a lot to him, and seeing the other respond so endearingly to this vulnerable reveal was relieving. It magnified the affection he had for the yaksha.
“The name befits you, Aether . I am honored that you’re willing to share this detail with me. I’ll never forget such a lovely name.” Xiao ended his sentence with a smile. A real, visible smile.
Meanwhile Aether was just reassembling his own mind internally, as it combusted due to the sheer sweetness in those words. God damn it, Xiao… he thought. Stop it with those cute words or I’ll die…
All those lovely words and even a rare smile from the yaksha on top of that, Aether was absolutely, unquestionably, definitely, really sure that he had feelings for Xiao. The yaksha was simply just too sweet, too cute, too thoughtful. He may struggle with expressing and realizing emotions, but he was still able to express them clearly enough for Aether to understand them.
Was this, as a strange twist of fate, Xiao’s way of teasing back? Those romantic words were killing him and he was one smile away from giving up his journey to be by Xiao’s side for an eternity even the Raiden Shogun would be jealous of.
Clearly this was, in a way, just a sign that their feelings could be mutual. Aether never really acknowledged anything like this before, but now that he was sitting there on the roof next to Xiao, thinking of all the years he has known him… seeing an improvement in both talkativeness and positivity with each year…
“Remember last Lantern Rite when you wanted to release a Xiao Lantern with me? Why don’t we do it again?” Aether suggested. The change of topic felt a little bit out of the blue, but he wanted to commemorate this special moment. He wanted to make each year more special than the last...
“A lantern? Mh, I think that is a good idea.”
“Then wait right here for a second, I have just what we need for it. I won’t be long!” Aether replied, feeling a sudden onrush of adrenaline in his blood. He hopped off the roof until he was back in the light, searching his backpack for the lantern kit. There was no time to question the strange enigma that was his backpack for he had a yaksha to impress!
A minute later he jumped back to the roof, nearly rushing back to where Xiao was in his unexplained excitement. Was it because he was doing something very sentimental and special with the one person he realized he had feelings for? Maybe, but he did not dwell on it for too long in fear of getting lost in his thoughts again.
Xiao looked like he was deep in thought, idling away as he waited for Aether’s return. There was a hint of melancholy that dared to invade his positive mood. It would always turn out like this, the effects of the karma never ceasing to torment him. If the spirits couldn’t physically hurt him, then they resorted to mental anguish.
The fact that there were no lights nearby did not help, as the faraway lanterns and lights of the inn resembled all his desires that were out of reach. It reminded him of his fallen brethren and their enjoyment of Liyue’s annual festivities. He could not remember if he ever released a lantern of his own, or if last year was truly the first time he did this. His trained self control forced him to keep it down, to not disrespect his kin with his undignified emotions.
Xiao heard Aether’s “I’m back” and promptly turned his head towards the traveler. He was holding a little set for a lantern, it only needed a light now. Though despite the lack of actual light, he saw a whole different kind of light when he looked into Aether’s eyes. The moment their eyes locked, Xiao felt the spirits being pushed far away from his own soul, granting him a break from its torment. The memory of his brethren was still fresh in his mind, but he was no longer blind to their positivity. No longer was it twisted into a cruel reminder of his loneliness. Instead he only felt comfort, something he desperately needed for centuries now.
“Do you want to write a wish on the lantern? I could light the candle beforehand if you need some light for that. It’s too dark otherwise.”
He barely remembered if they had written any wishes last time, since he was so preoccupied with the rare contentment of getting to do this with the traveler. But Xiao nodded, watching as Aether lit the candle, balancing it on the ledge of the roof. The light was barely enough, but it sufficed for the moment.
Aether seemed to have been quite prepared, handing the lantern to Xiao alongside a brush. He held the candle closer so Xiao could see it better. Technically he did not need any light as he could fight and work in the dark, but he did not have the heart to tell Aether that. It was nice seeing the traveler so eager to be helpful.
A few moments later Xiao finally decided on what he wanted to write. To honor his kin, he decided to draw four different words that resembled each of his yaksha siblings. Words that relate to them. Then he added a fifth word, honoring Pervases and all of the yaksha kind.
Lastly, he added a sixth word, secretly imbued with a blessing. This one would be for Aether and himself, a wish for prosperity and future happiness. A wish to forever preserve their bond.
Content with the symbols he had written, he handed the lantern to Aether, who eagerly accepted it, already knowing what he wanted to write on it. Now Xiao held up the candle so he could see, and it revealed almost half the lantern full of writing. He did not want to read Xiao’s wishes out of privacy, but he was simply drawn to it, seeing a love reflected in his brushstrokes that spoke volumes of the yaksha’s fondness for those he cherished. Especially the bigger symbol written near the bottom. He wondered if Xiao made a wish for the both of them… that thought made him smile, Xiao truly was a softy deep down.
Not wanting to stall any longer, he used the empty spot to write his own wish. A wish for his journey to safely come to an end, to reunite with his kin without ending his story on Teyvat. If anything, his wish was more or less just a desire to find happiness with Xiao…
While they did not construct the lantern themselves, it was more than enough knowing they were having this moment together. As Aether finished the lantern, placing the light inside, his face felt rather hot. He tried to ignore it, focusing on the situation at hand.
He held the lantern in place, reaching far enough for Xiao to be able to hold it as well. “It’s done. Let’s hold it together, so we can release it together!” Aether suggested, staring at the warm light of the lamp. He saw Xiao gently hold onto it, silently enjoying its warm light as well.
The traveler then found himself looking back at the yaksha, seeing his face illuminated in the orange glow. His lingering smile turned to awe, his mind fixated on the sheer beauty he got to witness. Xiao noticed Aether’s staring and looked up as well, just as caught up in the sight as the other.
The warm glow of the lantern shone in their eyes, their faces lit up well enough to reveal new emotions. Time slowed down, and the next moment they spent getting lost in each other’s eyes.
To Aether, Xiao looked innocent like this, a far cry from that stoic visage he kept up, his gaze so hopeful. To Xiao, Aether was a radiant star of unsurpassable beauty and strength, resembling a manifestation of his sweet dreams.
They were drawn in, unable to get out of their mutual enthrallment. Aether’s lips were parted, mouthing various vowels until his voice finally worked. “Xiao…” he muttered, breaking the silence.
“Aether…” Xiao sounded equally as unsure, though their hearts both beat in unison.
Eventually, all the traveler could do was smile, looking fondly at the yaksha. His emotions were overflowing at this point, begging him to finally bring them to light.
And, with a boost of confidence, he did.
“Xiao… I’m happy I got to meet you. I’m glad that fate changed my life the way it did, allowing me to come face to face with my emotions. I think I like you, Xiao.”
Aether’s heart was overcome with a joy he could not express, being with Xiao was his only wish right now. He watched as Xiao took those words in, expressing shock, disbelief, worry, and then acceptance. After millennia of living, Xiao had his first real chance of happiness… he was realizing what his bond with the traveler truly meant now.
Love, such a strange feeling, but it felt right.
For a moment, the warm and gentle light from the lantern was joined by glittering drops of tears. They were gone before Aether could even really spot them, as the other did not wish for them to change this moment. Xiao may not know how to deal with these emotions, but he knew he could follow Aether’s lead. A swift wipe over his eyes to banish his unwanted tears… and Xiao looked at the other man with an even greater smile.
“I… like you, too”
This was more than enough and it will forever be more than enough. Without making too much of a noise, Aether moved closer to Xiao while still holding onto the lantern. Its glow had helped them realize their true feelings and now it was time to let it carry their dearest wishes into the starry sky.
No words were needed for this, they both let go of the lantern at the same time as Aether moved even closer. Before the lantern’s glow was no longer able to reach them, Aether had leaned in all the way to bring their lips together into their first kiss.
This moment was out of this world, the taste of a feeling Xiao had the honors of experiencing for the very first time. For Aether, this was a respite he did not know he needed. Someone to love, to truly love and cherish. Yes, he had his sister and Paimon, but they were simply family. There was an entirely new desire he never knew he craved in his life until he kissed Xiao.
A moment later their lips parted, their bodies full of warmth and happiness. A little bit out of place for Xiao, but considering it was due to Aether he welcomed the feeling. What was the grand lingering sensation of their first kiss soon became their second, and third.
Xiao had expected that strange feeling of dread from spending so much time close to another being, but it was entirely absent. His karmic debt was also acting unusually quiet, almost as if Aether’s mere presence kept it at bay. For that he was grateful, to be allowed to enjoy a moment as if he wasn’t affected by any bad karma at all.
“Thank you, Aether… you truly are a blessing in my life…” he shyly murmured, unable to stop the blood rushing to his face. He had never blushed this strongly before, but there was a time and place for everything.
“I could say the same.” the traveler replied, reaching out an arm around Xiao’s torso without touching him. “May I?”
“May you what?” Xiao asked with a tilt of the head.
This made Aether chuckle. He extended both his arms and wrapped them around Xiao, pulling him into an embrace. “This!” he exclaimed.
Hugs were strange for Xiao, but Aether’s warmth and purity were stronger than those evil spirits. It was a harsh kick to those insistent beliefs of his that he as a yaksha could only bring harm to others and never experience peace. And oh, how good it felt to be held and loved. Xiao quickly grew to like this sensation, despite finding such personal touches a little unnerving due to his centuries of dealing with karma.
But Aether was different, he kept his arms tightly around Xiao, making the yaksha lean against him. His hand was on Xiao’s back, safely holding him without any intent of letting go. This was safe.
“Yes, you may do this…” he replied, though it was a little too late for that now. Still, he felt the need to answer, to simultaneously let the traveler know he should feel free to embrace him anytime he wanted to. They remained like this for a while, at peace with each other.
Only the stars witnessed their confession, their lantern already high up in the sky and seen by only a few. Xiao was warm and pliant in his arms, taking this moment as a sign to rest and find comfort in the person he loved.
Earlier their time has slowed down, allowing them to truly memorize each second of their newfound love, but they eventually realized that more time had passed than they thought. Some of the lights from below had been extinguished, the inn fully into its night shift.
Then Aether realized he was getting tired. All that excitement from being with Xiao kept him awake better than any coffee could, but it wore off gradually, especially now that he was simply embracing Xiao and doing not much more. The warmth, the comfort, their love and embrace… they coaxed his mind into wanting to end the day on a high note.
“I can sense your thoughts…” said Xiao quietly, still leaning against the other with closed eyes. He already had a feeling Aether was getting exhausted. He did tell Xiao earlier that he had enough of celebrating festivities for now, because that did sound exhausting to the yaksha.
“Hehe… yeah, I’m getting sleepy after staying up for so long. Though I totally forgot to book a room for tonight and I don’t know if I can at this hour…” Aether replied with a halfway stifled yawn. He could easily fall asleep right there on the roof hugging Xiao. But that would be unwise and Xiao was also not having it.
“No need. I can take you to the room that’s been given to me.” the other said, and it set off a strange feeling in Aether. He wanted to take Aether to his room…
Any strange emotions welling up within him were quickly shot down however, as his tiredness did not make way for anything else. Perhaps it was for the best if he just headed to sleep, otherwise Paimon might bother him about not sleeping enough.
“That sounds good, Xiao” Aether wanted to say more, but the familiar grasp of black and teal mist took hold of him first. His world morphed to darkness before changing into the interior of a room, the only glow being the teal swirls from Xiao’s ability.
Xiao had already gone over to the nightstand, lighting a small bedside lamp. Its light revealed a neat room, definitely one of the inn’s more deluxe accommodations. It made sense that they would give him a room of his own, even if it looked highly unused. Wangshu Inn was more or less just a tool of the Qixing to look after their last living yaksha, but that all now resulted in him getting a free stay in a nice room thanks to him getting close to said yaksha.
Aether took his boots off, removing any other heavier clothing items as well. “This is a nice room. Can’t wait to sleep in tomorrow.” he chuckled, chucking his outer layers at a nearby chair. Xiao was simply watching and getting out of the way. “If it suffices for you, that is good enough.”
“Wait. Are you not going to sleep as well? Or just rest here with me?” he saw the way Xiao seemed to be only waiting for Aether to get comfortable and then leave. He wondered what the point of that was, Xiao had clearly done enough for the day… and also Aether just wanted to have him close for longer.
“I don’t sleep, you know that. I don’t wish to make you feel uncomfortable with my extended presence. I shall simply return to my duties and let you sleep easy.” The yaksha sounded so sure of his words, still going back to that typical spiel of ‘ Oh I should not sleep or relax and instead work every second of my life ’.
Sitting down on the bed, Aether had tested its comfortableness, but he was not going to lie down just yet, not without the man he had just kissed and confessed his love to. Liyue will be fine for the night.
Xiao was halted by Aether coming closer to grab his hand. His face only expressed confusion, met with the traveler’s confident grin. “Uncomfortable? Haha, Xiao, how clever. You’re not going anywhere!” and he dragged Xiao over to the bed, sitting down on it again and pulling the other with him.
“W-wait, Aether! You shouldn’t-, I’m still-!” he was cut off, feeling how Aether boldly threw themselves onto the bed. Xiao heard the other laugh quietly, feeling those arms wrap around him again and pull him closer. While he admittedly enjoyed the feeling of Aether hugging him, he was still fully dressed and with shoes on, awkwardly pinned to the bed by the object of his affections. Or well, he was the object of Aether’s affections, really.
“Don’t care, I want you here with me. A bit of rest won’t hurt you”
With those words, Xiao could only relent and accept it. Though he could not allow himself to remain on the bed with armor and shoes and all his outer layers, so he managed to snake his way out of Aether’s grasp with an excuse, feeling Aether’s stare on him as he took care of the unnecessary fabric and such. Now without the extra layers he could allow himself to be on the bed with Aether, nearly startled with how quickly the other shot out his arms to grasp for the yaksha and drag him right under the covers, held in an embrace like he was restrained by it.
“Much better, Xiao~! Knowing you’re here with me like this will make my dreams much lovelier… and as for you, heh, you could really, and I mean really , use some good ol’ love and sleep!” Aether almost whispered, making himself a little more comfortable on the bed. His arms were around Xiao’s waist, refusing to let go.
He heard a gentle sigh and then felt how the yaksha visibly relaxed as well, silently enjoying being embraced. While he would likely not sleep, he could still humor Aether’s wish to be there. With a sleepy chuckle he leaned closer to kiss Xiao once more before deciding to sleep.
“Fine… I’ll stay here with you. Good night, Aether” Xiao received a mere hum from Aether, but one that reinforced this fondness he held for this moment. Unable to help it, he smiled, reaching out his arm to extinguish the bedside light with a deliberate gust of anemo, since he was locked into their embrace.
One night of rest won’t hurt him… especially not after such a wondrous evening. Oh Aether , his own thoughts murmured in his mind, I could not ever deny this affection for you… please never leave me...