𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦

Misunderstood

(Xiao POV)

"Hi Lan"
Paimon's waves at Lan, Aether, and I approached her, Paimon floated ahead.

"Hello, traveler and friends, what bring you here?"
The lady asked.

Aether looked at me anxiously, then looked back at Lan, his blonde hair sparkled in the sun, a certain aura surrounded him. I was taken into this weird feeling.

"Xiao? Xiao??"
Aether questioned, looked at me with a confused expression, I didn't take into account that I could be staring.

I quickly adapted to the situation by looking away.

The hair on top of his head seemed to flop down at my choice of looking away. However, I could sense myself turning an unfamiliar shade of red.

Aether turned back to Lan, "Adventurers have been disappearing in this certain area, do you mind checking it out traveler?"
Lan asked.

"Of course that's fine."
Aether smiled, I felt myself weaken.

"Xiao, do you mind us going to ask Zhongli to accompany us?"
Aether tried to peek his head around to look at my face, however, I persisted, I faced Wanmin, "Yes that is perfectly fine."
I managed to croak out.

"Thanks, Lan."
Paimon said.

Lan nodded in acknowledgment.

"Xinyue Kiosk right?"
I asked Aether.

"Yeah I think so, that's where they usually go, how did you know?"
Aether asked, eyes wide.
"Hu Tao told me she met them there once."
I responded.

"You must like Hu Tao."
Aether said smiling.
"I do enjoy her company, she's quite humorous."
I said.

I looked over to Aether, who seemed stunned.
"Is something the matter?"
I asked, he just shook his head.

"I hope you both get together sometime."
I was a bit confused by what he meant.

"I have already gotten with Hu Tao, while you were gone she assisted me."
Aether seemed to hold a horrified expression.

"Hello, friends!" Venti pops out from behind me.
"What's with the awkward tension?"
Venti examined me, then Aether.
"Where's the old man?"
Venti adds.

"H-He's we-re heading there now."
Aether kept stuttering.
Venti pushed Aether forward, "Show me the way traveler!"

Venti looked back glaring at me.

"Not cool Xiao."
Paimon crosses her arms, floating ahead of me.

What did I say?

.
.
.
.

When I walked into the restaurant I witnessed Venti arguing with the waitress.

"Does Liyue hold no wine?!"
Venti complained, looking at Zhongli and Childe for help.

"Sir this establishment does not serve wine to minors."
Childe dropped his mouth wide open in shock.
Zhongli almost choking on his tea, managed to say, "I can promise you he isn't a minor, any wine will be fine."

Aether was sat across the table from them, and Paimon floated next to him.

Zhongli looked at me, signaling for me to sit next to Aether.

I walk over to the table, sitting myself down in the chair to the right of Aether. I focused my attention on Aether, who seemed very "blank"

His eyes looked empty, he looked in low spirits.

I felt a pang of unfamiliar guilt seep through my body. I looked down at my hand as it shook. Perhaps it's my bad karma. If so, then I deserve this.

"I see, so you want me to help you guys investigate?"
Zhongli asked.

"Sensei, if you want to accompany them that's fine with me, I would follow along as well but I still have to finish my work."
Childe added.

"Good we got approval from your boyfriend, let us be off then!"
Venti sprung from the seat, wine in hand with a smirk. Walking over to Aether grabbing him by the scarf. "We'll go ahead of you guys! Let's go, traveler!"

Zhongli rolled his eyes at the bard, then looking at me, "Xiao, I apologize that I left you with that bard."

I responded to my former master, "It is fine, we apologize for interrupting you."

I bowed my head slightly as an apology.

"Say, Xiao, what'd you do to the traveler, he was acting weird ever since you came."
Childe raised his eyebrow.

"It's not your business mortal."
I sneered.

"I apologize for Xiao, Childe."
Zhongli spoke calmly towards the fatui.

I growled in annoyance.
Childe looked at me pouting, my expression shifted from annoyed into a disgusted one.

"I suggest we leave Xiao, thank you for the lunch."
Childe turns to Zhongli, smiling warmly, "I'll be waiting."

Zhongli got up, grabbing his coat off the chair, slipping it around his arm.

I got up as well, glaring at Childe before leaving the establishment.

The waitress sent off us with a goodbye, opening the door for us.
Zhongli walked through the door, I followed closely behind.

Once we got out the sun hid behind the clouds, "Xiao if you don't mind I need to stop by the funeral parlor for a bit. You can accompany me, we will meet the traveler and Venti soon enough."

I nodded in agreement.

We walked over to the Funeral Parlor, I got weird stares and I heard people whispering.

"Who's that? Adeptus Xiao? He's so short like a child? I know right?
No way that's the vigilant Yaksha.
It is?"

I grumbled at these comments.
These mortals have no respect for the adepti.

————-
Xiao is a little confused
———