To Bask in a Ray of Sunlight: a XiaoAether fanfiction

Chapter 12

Aether.

"Where did he go?" I panted. I have already climbed up the mountainside of Mt. Tianheng, but still no sign oh him.

I sighed. Probably just my imagination. I looked for a spot where I can see Liyue Harbor even from afar. I sat on the edge, appreciating the view.

It'll be nice if it's not. I miss him so much.

I pinched my cheek. Stupid, it has only been around three days. I thought.

"Wouldn't it leave a mark on your face?" A voice behind me asked. I yelped, trying to get away from the man as my initial instinct, but I forgot where I am sitting.

I'm on an edge of a cliff.

Nevertheless, a pair of hands held my shoulders, stopping my fall. "I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay," I said. I stood up and turned around facing Xiao.

I wasn't imagining after all.

"Shouldn't you be in the festival with your friends?" He backed away, retaining normal distance. "I just saw you and I thought I could say hi," I responded.

"To the point of climbing to Mt. Tianheng?" He raised his brow.

"Actually," I diverted my gaze to the harbor. "I'll be leaving Liyue soon. So I thought I must do such things as these before I leave."

Silence.

Only the noise of the festival was heard for a while. It was then until Xiao's voice was heard. "How soon?"

"Less than a week. I'll be looking for a way to sail toward the island tomorrow." I said. It is true that my sister must be waiting for me here in Liyue, but meeting her alone would only give me a part of a story of what actually happened when I was asleep for hundreds of years. I still have to find that unknown god for me to grasp the whole situation.

Another wave of silence filled the atmosphere. I sighed, returning my gaze to him. "I'm sorry for bringing this up. We should've been enjoying the night of the festival instead of being upset about this."

"No, it's‐-" we both turned our eyes to the harbor. The music that the orchestra was playing suddenly changed from a joyful tune into a calmer one, serene yet.....

"It sound so sweet." Xiao said. People started gathering together, some of them dancing along with the song. Most of them look like couples.

"How unusual. Probably someone requested it." I said.

"Aether," he called. My face suddenly felt hot; it was the first time he called me Aether.

"May I have this dance?" He asked, extending his hand while placing the other on his back.

"I.....okay....."I gave him my hand. He held it, intertwining our fingers. I placed my other hand on his shoulders while he placed his around my waist, making us closer. Butterflies--no, Geo Crystalflies started filling my stomach as our bodies touched. I should probably pray at the cathedral tomorrow. I thought. We started dancing under the moonlight along with the song from the harbor, our gazes to each other.

"Would it be more comfortable if you dance with a woman instead?" I asked.

"I don't have any interests to such things; I find them unnattractive for some reason."

"And so to men."

"Yes."

"You hate everyone in general." I laughed.

"I never considered having a lover, anyway." He said. I wasn't upset or anything; I knew he wouldn't like anyone. Still, I felt sadness deep within. I pushed that emotion away.

"Up until recently," he started off. "I felt something unusual, something that I should've thrown away from the start."

"Don't say such things as that," I said. "Not all unusual occurences are bad occurences."

"I knew it won't turn out well even if I try." He sighed.

"Isn't that too pessimistic?" I raised a brow. "You shouldn't give up on something without even trying." Suddenly, I felt like I was talking to myself. "It's not bad to risk if that's what you truly desire. What if it turned out well?" I smiled. "If it doesn't work out, at least you've tried your best, right? There will be nothing to regret about because you already did everything you can do."

"Sometimes I feel like you're the one who's lived for thousands of years instead of me." He sighed. "But...thank you." He smiled. My eyes widened. It was the first time he smiled--infront of me, at least.

"You're more handsome when you smile." This time, it was his turn for his eyes to widen. "Stop with your flattery," a tent of red was seen on his face. "It's not...funny."

"I'm not joking, though." I smiled.

We continued dancing until the music stopped. Looking at the harbor, the peope have already stopped dancing and cleared the dancefloor. Suddenly, a man walked towards the center, announcing something that is inaudible to me, considering my distance from the harbor.

"I think it's already late." I said, looking at Xiao. We therefore stopped dancing. "It was a joyful night with you, Xiao. I truly enjoyed it." I bowed. "Well then, I must go back now." I was about to walk away then he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"Aether.....can I have one selfish request?"

A selfish request? "What is it?"

"Don't go."

Suddenly, His lips touched mine. It was soft and sweet, full of love and longing. I was suprised at first, but I kissed him back, putting my arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist, deepening the kiss as our lips moved. I put everything I felt for him--happiness because I've met him, longing because for so long, without realizing it, I have been waiting for this. I relished every second we spent kissing each other, my heart felt like it went to Celestia and back. I felt his heart beating as fast as mine.

After a while, he broke the kiss, both of us catching our breath. He rested his forehead to mine, our arms around each other.

"I'm always with you," I said as I gave him a small peck on the lips.