Genshin Impact: Broken Hearts

Chapter 5: Lament

TW: Talks of su*cide

"Rise and shine, Traveler."

The apathetic inflection in Xiao's voice was the first thing Aether heard that morning. He didn't know how he got into bed, but the sheets were more comfortable than he remembered, and the scent of the room was strangely divine.

"Morning Xiao," Aether said groggily.

"I made you something. It might cheer you up a bit."

Xiao reached over to the nightstand and handed him a warm cup of tea.

"Oh, thanks," said Aether, flattered by Xiao's kind offering.

"It's made from pure Whopperflower nectar. It adds a distinctly sweet taste to the tea. I was able to find some this morning while you were still sleeping."

"How long was I asleep anyway?" Aether asked, his hand shaking while picking up the teacup. Even though he knew that the previous night took a massive toll on him mentally, he didn't expect to show any signs of physical weakness.

"Nine hours. You were out cold when we carried you here."

"Well, that explains things," Aether replied jokingly.

He took a small sip of the tea, and his tastebuds were immediately transported to another world. This was the best drink he had since Barbara's special Chilibrew.

"This stuff is great! How'd you make it?"

"Secret adeptal recipe. If any mere mortal tried to make it, it would become completely inedible."

"Well, I'm not a 'mere mortal'."

Xiao smirked. 

"I see you haven't lost your sense of humor, Traveler."

"I try my best."

The Yaksha's smile immediately dipped downward into a frown.

"I'm sorry for-"

"No need to apologize," Aether replied after taking another sip of the beverage, "She can't get out of my head, no matter how hard I try. I even...saw her in you during our little sparring match."

Xiao's eyes widened.

"It's that bad?" Xiao asked.

"Mhm," Aether responded, taking his last sip of the tea and placing the cup back on the night stand, "Some days I shut down. The flashbacks rush over me again and make my body feel completely numb, to the point where Paimon has to practically pull me out of the teapot in order to do the daily commissions."

"I see..." said Xiao. He knew the Traveler had it rough, but this...this was unbridled anguish.

"I know you're getting ideas about trying to help me," Aether remarked, "First of all, don't. It's not worth your time. Second, I'm going to die soon anyway, either by enemy hands or...my own."

"'Your own?' Are you saying-"

"Yes. I am."

Xiao looked down at the floor. Was he hearing things? Did the Traveler actually want to end his own life?

"I'm not going to let that happen," Xiao asserted aggressively.

"Sure, fine," Aether said as he got out of bed and headed straight to the door, "Like I said though, don't waste your time on me. After all, I'm just a mortal. I'll die eventually."

He slammed the bedroom door behind him, leaving Xiao in a state of confusion.

How was he supposed to feel about that? Anger? Disgust? Guilt?