I missed you (but I am unable to admit it)

I missed you traveller...

Xiao stared into the night sky, a frown between his brows. He was annoyed, to say the least. The traveller hadn't been back in almost a week, and he was irritated. That damn traveller had been visiting him almost everyday for months now. Even when Xiao was unable to be present due to his duties, Verr Goldet had always informed him when the traveller stopped by. She always had a knowing look and a smirk on her face, as if she had some information Xiao did not.

Xiao couldn't make heads or tails of his feelings for the traveller. He found him annoying at first and simply put up with him from a distance. The almond tofu he made was the sole benefit to their relationship. At least this was how it was at first...Xiao knew Aether was stubborn and would not keep his distance despite what Xiao had said, so he began to just accept his presence. And although he would never admit it out loud, he treasures the moments they have spent together. Even if it were simply just Xiao sitting and listening to Aether talk about his day, the traveller seemed content for Xiao to just listen and nod. He appreciated Aether accepting his boundaries and he was also glad the traveller seemed content with their relationship.

Xiao did not understand mortal relationships...were the two of them considered friends? He did not know...was it normal to miss someone you considered a friend so deeply? He was too scared to bring these feelings up with Aether, the traveller would surely think him strange. However, he desired to have Aether all to himself, he wanted no one else to see that sweet smile that lit up like sunshine, and the laugh that set Xiao's heart ablaze. If this was what mortal relationships were like, he was not sure if he liked it or not, his chest felt so empty, and he knew it would not feel whole again until Aether was by his side.

He frowned deep in thought, as a sudden sound broke him from his trance, nearly stumbling from his spot where he was knelt on the Wangshu Inn's roof. He scowled at the sudden intrusion, angry at said intruder and himself for losing sight of his surroundings.

"Oh Xiao, sorry I didn't mean to scare you…" Aether said trailing off, his arms up in a placating manner; a peace treaty of sorts.

Xiao's scowl quickly vanished, heat going to his face suddenly. He was caught off guard, with said man from his thoughts suddenly thrust into his periphery, in the flesh himself no less.

"Xiao…?" Aether quirked his brow in confusion, staring at Xiao's red face. He scooted closer to Xiao, causing him to turn away.

Xiao's heart felt tighter than it did before...he assumed the tight feeling in his chest was from missing Aether, however he felt worse now. He could not understand these mortal feelings.

"Are you ok Xiao, your face is all red. Are you sick at all...wait can Adepti even get sick?" Aether continued to peer at Xiao curiously, forcing his face into Xiao's view as he babbled on nervously.

"Foolish mortal, you disappear without a trace for almost a week and you question if I am the one who is ok? Do you have no respect for the Adepti…"

Aether stared at him incredulously. "Wait Xiao...were you...were you worried about me?"

The heat already in Xiao's cheeks began to grow hotter, his face almost feeling flushed. He had never encountered a feeling such as this in all his centuries of life, and he did not know what to make of it.

He was suddenly broken out of his thoughts as a heavyweight tipped him over. Aether had thrown himself onto Xiao so suddenly that the two toppled over, with Aether landing haphazardly on top of him. Xiao's face was now a mixture of confusion and embarrassment, as he settled to accommodate Aether's weight on top of him.

The traveller hugged him loosely and nuzzled into him. "Oh Xiao I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be gone for so long. Jean needed help at the Knights of Favonius in Monstadt, and one task led to another until I was buried under work. Before I knew it a week had almost gone by. I managed to finish up my last task and slip away for a while though, so I could see you." Aether continued nuzzling into Xiao with a smile on his face, when suddenly a thought had struck him, which was evident immediately on his features.  "Oh sorry, you don't like physical contact do you...I guess I got carried away thinking about how you were worried for me, and the fact that I missed you and all…" Aether continued to babble, slowly pulling away from Xiao.