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Liyue Harbour is brighter than Aether remembers.
Lantern Rite always transforms the city— but tonight almost feels unreal. Golden light spills across the water, silk lanterns swaying overhead, fireworks painting brief constellations against the dark. Aether stands near the docks, watching a group of children chase drifting sparks when he senses a presence— one he didn’t need to turn to know.
“You came,” Aether says softly.
Xiao stands a short distance beside him, arms folded and gaze sweeping the harbour out of habit rather than interest. “I said I would.”
“You did,” Aether smiles faintly. “I thought we could watch from Wangshu Inn or somewhere else this year.”
“…No.”
Aether blinks in surprise. “No?”
Xiao’s gaze shifts towards the ascending lanterns over the city. “We will stay.”
The words are simple. But something in them makes Aether’s chest feel warm. “You want to stay here this year?”
Xiao doesn’t answer immediately. The crowd presses around them— voices, footsteps, the distant crack of fireworks. His shoulders are subtly tense.
“Yes. We will stay.”
Aether steps closer— lips curving into a gentle smile. “Then we will stay,” he repeats.
For the while, they simply walked. Vendors call out cheerfully. Crowds chattering in excitement. The harbor reflects the lanterns’ light in rippling gold.
Xiao remains alert and watchful. He positions himself slightly towards the street side when the crowd thickens— Aether notices immediately. He always does.
Reaching out, Aether lets his hand brush against Xiao’s who stills at the contact. He hesitates for a brief second before sliding his fingers between Xiao’s. The contact feels warm— even more as Xiao’s hand tightens around him instinctively. Aether half expects him to pull away— after all, they are amongst a crowd but no, Xiao doesn’t pull away. Instead, he guides him closer.
The walk feels more pleasant now hand in hand. They make a quick stop at one of the stalls for a lantern— soon enough, they decide to stop at the water’s edge— a little away from the main crowd, but still enough people lingering around. They stand face to face, lantern steady between them before they release it— it rises, a little unsteady at first but lifted by the warm air, joining the countless others ascending into the vast night sky.
Aether watches it go with a smile, gaze shifting to Xiao who seems immersed by the sight in front of them— or so it seems.
“You’re staring.”
Aether blinks in surprise— a soft laugh leaving him. “I am simply observing.”
“Mhm.”
Fireworks explode over them and the crowd erupts in cheers— Xiao’s fingers tighten around Aether’s once again, pulling him closer before releasing his hand to instead wrap around his waist. Aether hardly gets a word out before the harbor suddenly vanishes.
Wind replaces the noise and before he knows it, they are standing on a cliff overlooking Liyue Harbor— the entire city glowing below like scattered embers and lanterns drifting upwards peacefully and undisturbed.
“Are you okay?” Aether exhales softly. “Was that too much?”
Xiao doesn’t answer immediately. He watches the lanterns continue rising— thousands of quiet wishes rising together. He then looks back at Aether and shakes his head— a faint smile on his lips.
“No, I am fine.” He answers. “I had planned to bring you here from the start— but I wished to release a lantern in Liyue Harbor with you first. It felt nice… to be able to stand beside you there.”
Not hidden. Not away from the rest of the world. Together. Beside each other.
Aether’s smile softens in a way it only does for Xiao. He steps closer. “You chose the busiest place in Liyue to release a lantern this year. Usually we always do it from afar.”
A small pause— Xiao lets out a soft breath. “You were smiling. It made you happy as I hoped it would.”
The admission is quiet and simple. Aether’s breath catches faintly— not because it is unexpected, but the way Xiao puts it so plainly. He did all this for him— he stepped out of his comfort to simply see his beloved smile.
“It made me very happy… and I hope it did the same for you.”
“It did.” Xiao answers, this time with no hesitation.
Aether reaches up and smooths a strand of hair from Xiao’s face— his touch lingering at his cheek. “Good. That makes me even happier.”
Without a word, Xiao leans in and closes the gap between their lips which ached to touch since the night began. The kiss is unhurried and comfortable. Not fragile like something new — but warm with the confidence of something that has been chosen again and again.
Aether’s hands come up easily— one resting against Xiao’s cheek, the other against his chest. Xiao’s grip tightens slightly around his waist, drawing him closer without urgency. When they part— Xiao rests his forehead against Aether’s.
“I used to avoid all this— I used to avoid everyone.” Xiao speaks quietly.
Aether hums in response, thumb brushing against his cheek. “I know.”
Xiao’s thumb brushes lightly against Aether’s side as he presses a kiss to Aether’s forehead. “I no longer wish to do that. I wish to experience it properly— as long as it is with you.”
Aether smiles— soft and knowing. “I would love that.”
Their gaze shits yet again towards the lanterns drifting— the two still holding each other closely. And for once, Xiao did not feel apart from the world watching them rise. He feels anchored to them. Anchored to him.