Forever Together [XIAOTHER]

Chapter 14: Aether

⚠️CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR WE WILL BE REUNITED STOTY QUEST⚠️

"Come on Xiao! Wake up." Aether tugged on Xiao's arm. Xiao groans in response. "....Aether.. why this early." Aether pouted. "Dainsleif sent me a letter saying to meet him somewhere, he sent me a location so...I wanted to see where it was." Aether sat down on the chair near the bed. He looked down playing with his hands. Xiao sighed and slowly sat up. Aether perked his head up. "Okay, okay. We'll go." Aether immediately jumped onto the bed and sat on Xiao's lap. Xiao wrapped his arms around Aether's hips and smiled. "Let's go now, before I regret it."
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"Wait- so where are we going.?" Xiao turned to Aether. "As I said before, Dainsleif sent me a letter with a map marking a location." He handed Xiao the map. Xiao looked at the map for a minute then gave it back. "Where even is that?" "He took me there before, it was...strange." Xiao turned to Aether and grabbed his hand. "Don't worry Xiao. He's probably just showing me something new there." Aether turned to Xiao and smiled. Xiao sighed. "Alright...but if he tries anything I won't hesitate to fight." "There's no need to fight! He's a good friend and I know that he wouldn't do anything like that."
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It was almost sunset and they decided to set up a small campsite so they could rest for the night. Xiao set up the tent while Aether made food. Aether made Mondstadt hash-browns for himself and Almond tofu for Xiao, since he knows it's the only thing Xiao can stomach. Xiao then appeared at Aether's side, watching him cook. "Finished already?" Aether began peeling potatoes with a small knife he had. "It's pretty simple to set up a tent." Xiao sighed. Aether let out a small chuckle. "What's so funny?" Xiao turned his head to Aether. "Nothing, just laughing." Xiao tilted his head in confusion. "Ouch! Aw man, I cut myself." Aether pouted. Xiao got up and went to the tent to get something. When he came back, he grabbed Aether's hand. He carefully wrapped his cut finger in bandages. "Be careful next time." Aether smiled.
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Nightfall finally came, they could finally rest. Aether gently laid his head on Xiao's chest. Xiao wrapped his arms around Aether. Eventually, they both fell asleep and awaited for the sun to rise up again.
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Xiao was the first to wake up. A cold gust of wind blew in the tent. He yawned then turned to Aether. He was still asleep. Xiao then slowly shook Aether awake. "Aether, wake up. We should get going now." Aether groaned and turned to Xiao. Still half asleep, he smiled and then yawned.
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It was in the afternoon now, they had finally made it. It was a small hole on the side of a cliff. Aether hesitated to go in, but he eventually did. Xiao stayed close to him. When they walked in, it was very quiet. Like it had been abandoned. Aether knew this place, it was not a place he liked. He went here with Dain before. This was were he saw the statue...and that dead man. Walking through the echoing rooms and finally ending up where he saw it. The statue was still there but, the body was gone. "what?" He whispered to himself. "Is everything okay?" Xiao placed his hand in Aether's shoulder. Aether sighed and turned to Xiao. "Yeah, yeah, sorry." "Is this the place to at was on the map?" Xiao walked around observing everything. He stared at the statue for quite a while. "Yeah, this is it. I wonder where Dain is." Suddenly Xiao had Aether in his arms. He had an agitated expression. Aether was confused. "Xiao, what's wrong?" A deep laughter echoed through the room. Aether froze. He knew that voice and who it was. "The...abyss herald." Then, he showed up in front of Aether and Xiao. "We meet again, Traveler. Or should I say, Aether." "You have no rights to call him that." Xiao was agitated. Keeping Aether in his arms, he charged for the abyss herald. Their weapons clasping against each other. The abyss herald stepped back. "Remember last time we met, Aether? After that day, I've been wanting to kill you. Finally, this is my chance. I won't let your lover over here get. In. My. WAY." Running at full speed, he attempted to stab Xiao. Xiao three Aether on the other side of the room and then dodged his attack. "Oh come on Aether, don't be like that." He then started running towards Aether. Aether pulled out his sword. Their weapons clashed together, now they were face to face. "Think about it. You have no reason to live anymore. Your sister is gone and you know it." Aether let his guard done for a split second but then reminded the fight. Xiao then stepped in. "Aether, are you okay?" "Yes yes I'm fine." The abyss herald jumped back again. "Two against one isn't fair." He suddenly disappeared. "Is he gone?" Aether looked around. "Probably not, keep your guard up just in case." Xiao went out to the hall leading to the room. He looked around for a bit. When Xiao looked back, the abyss herald was behind Aether. "Aether, look out!" Aether turned around.
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Authors note: HEY GUYSSS I'm so sorry for not posting for a while. Like I said before, I didn't have any ideas for the next chapter so I apologize for that :') the next chapter may be the last chapter for part of the main story for sorry :(
There will be more chapters later on but for now, this is what I got. Anyway, I hope you have a great day/night!

*sniff* I love him 🥲