To Bask in a Ray of Sunlight: a XiaoAether fanfiction

Chapter 14

Aether.

"This is the last seaside around Liyue," Paimon said as she remove her gaze from the view. We're currently standing on top of the landform of Guyun Stone Forest, trying to look for any signs of Beidou's Crux Fleet. However, luck isn't on our side today. I sighed, using the waypoint back on Wangshu Inn.

"You keep coming back here like this is your house," Paimon pouted. I looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "I have to cook food."

"We literally have a kitchen in your teapot."

"That's different from here."

"Yeah, right." Paimon rolled her eyes, her hand on her hips. "There's no presence of Xiao there. Why not make a body pillow of him or something? That might calm your nerves."

I coughed. "A splendid idea, but no. I'll be doomed if someone else sees it."

Paimon stopped her tracks, her mouth wide open in disbelief. "You're.....considering making one?" Her voice shook.

"No! I'm not that crazy." I laughed nervously.

Yes, I'm that crazy.

I went inside the inn. As usual, Ver Goldet greeted me with a smile at her usual spot, the counter. "Good evening sir," she smiled.

"Good evening, Verr." I smiled back. Paimon waved, saying hello. "I'm afraid Mr. Xiao isn't here today." Verr said.

"Oh no, it's okay. I'm just here to make some food."

"Is that so? Feel free to use it anytime; we're glad you're helping with the monsters around the inn." She extended her hand right at the kitchen.

"It's nothing big for Aether and Paimon, really." Paimon giggled. "Paimon's curious, though. Did Xiao helped you with the monsters as well that's why you're helping him with his work?" She asked.

"Ah." Verr rested her hand on her cheek. "Since you've been involved with the Liyue Qixing's business matters, I suppose it will be okay to tell you this. Actually, the Wangshu Inn is made especially for Xiao so he can have a place to stay on. The staff residing in this inn are a part of Qixing's organization who helps The Conqueror of Demons with some of his tasks. You can say this is Qixing's act of gratitude towards the protector of Liyue. Not much people knew him, much less giving him offerings, after all." Paimon and I were too stunned to speak. Verr giggled seeing our reaction.

"It was actually a secret from him at first as he doesn't really accept help from mere mortals like us—"

"That's Xiao, alright." All three of us laughed. Verr continued," However, if memory serves me right, it was the day after the fall of Jade Chamber. Xiao went here and admitted to me that he knew that we were helping him in the shadows. He said he was annoyed at first," she looked at me, smiling. "But someone made him realize that a bit of help won't hurt him at all."

"That turned out okay, in the end. I'm glad it did," I said. Verr nodded in agreement.

"We should cook our meal now, Aether. It's getting a little late." Paimon pointed out.

"Oh yeah, right. Well then, I must head down to the kitchen. I appreciate you sharing such important information to us." I bowed.

"You've already proven to us a lot of things that gained our trust, sir Aether. Take your time in the kitchen," Verr said as we went down.

Exactly as I entered the balcony, Xiao climbed up from the ledge. Together, we ate the meals I have cooked for the three of us.

"Oh, have you received a letter from Venti?" I asked as I showed the letter to Xiao. "I saw this on the floor of your room. It was adressed to me so I took it."

"Is that so? I have one as well; Verr gave it to me." He fished his pocket and showed me his.

"What was it about? I haven't opened mine." I said.

"Me neither." We both opened our letters. Paimon floated beside me to see the message as well.

"Zhongli's.....birthday?" Confusion was evident on Xiao's voice.

"In my teapot?" I was more confused than him. They haven't asked my permission yet......although I'll allow them, anyway. The teapot had been quiet—too quiet, in fact. A bit of noise would be nice.

"No one informed us about this!" Paimon said. I only sighed in response "and they said it's going to be tomorrow! Oh wait." She moved closer, staring intently at rhe invitation. "'p.s. we'll be waiting for you at the Wangshu Inn, traveler. Thank you for your help!' How rude." She pouted.

"It's okay, Paimon. They probably can't deliver this letter because we were busy these past few days." I said, calming her down. "Are you going, Xiao?" I asked.

"That I'm not sure. But I guess it would be fine if you're with me." He said.

"Im sure nothing will go wrong when you decided to go there. You won't ruin the mood, either."

"I'm not worrying about something so trifle." Xiao crossed his arms.

I chuckled. "If you say so."

"Say, how about............" he cleared his throat before continuing. "If we spend another night together?" He diverted his eyes away from me. "......in your teapot, this time."

"Sure, I don't mind. But is there something wrong with your room?" I asked calmly as I could manage. Every cell of my body, however, were screaming of how adorable he is when he's shy. Hang on, Aether. You can't eat him alive, I thought, calming myself down.

"I just feel restless there. All I did inside that room was plan and work...except last night." He said. My mind short-circuited, my face turning warm. Everything we did yesterday and last night went back to my sea of thoughts like it just happened a few minutes ago. "Are you okay, Aether?" Xiao asked, worried.

"Okay, then....Paimon's going to rest for a while," she then instantly dissapeared from the scene.

I took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm fine." You're just too lovely. "Well then, where should we set the teapot?"

"My room will be the safest option." He suggested. I nodded in agreement. "Then to you room we go." We cleaned the table first and washed the dishes; we don't want to bother Smiley Wangxiao any further. Thereafter, we climbed up the stairs until we reach Xiao's room.

Another night with him.