🎐💫Lanterns|Xiaother one shots| COMPLETED (BEING RE-WRITTEN)

Thunderstorm♡

Xiao sits in his room in the inn, huddled in blankets. He covers his ears trying to block out the crashing sound of thunder. He tries to keep his breathing steady as the wind whipped past his windows and made leaves smack against his windows.

He hated thunderstorms, always had, but he couldn't do anything about it. How was he, a protector of liyue, going to admit that a simple change in weather scared him half to death.

Aether walks into the inn, He was slightly damp from the rain but overall was pretty dry considering he used the teleport waypoints.

He had wanted to come and visit Xiao today, he had finished all of his commissions and just needed something to do.

Aether walks over to Verr Goldet "Hey! I'm here to see Xiao- do you need me to bring anything up to him?" Aether offers, smiling.

She grinned "Oh hello traveler.. Actually I do have something" she hands him a plate of almond tofu "can you bring this to him?" 

With a nod Aether was off to find Xiao. He walks around the inn, how unusual, Xiao liked to hide but Aether knew where most of his hiding spots were and he still could not find him. Finally after what seems like forever he finds Xiao in a room. He slides in seeing the ball of blankets huddled in the corner.

"Xiao..?" He frowned, the ball immediately straightened up and Xiao stuck his face out "Are you alright?"

"Oh.. Traveler it's you-" He mutters "Yes I'm fi-" He jumps stopping mid-sentence as thunder strikes again.

"I brought you almond tofu," Aether says, smiling softly, who knew Xiao was scared of thunderstorms. He giggles at the thought walking over. He sets the plate down on his bedside table sitting down next to the adepti.

"Are you scared?"

"No." Xiao snapped.

"mhm.." Aether glances him up and down, not believing him one bit.

"Come're" The blond chuckles, opening his arms up for the other.

Xiao huffs rolling his eyes but quickly complies after another loud crash. He presses his face against Aether's chest listening to his heart beat.

At first the adeptus was stiff and uncomfortable but he soon melted into Aether's embrace wrapping his arms around him. He wasn't used to this whole physical contact thing but.. He felt comfortable around Aether.

Aether smiles to himself, it was funny how someone so strong, so cold could have such a soft and fragile side. He moves a hand up to Xiao's hair running a hand through it. The adeptus flinched slightly as the storm continued.

"It's okay.." Aether smiled "I'm here to keep you safe"

"I don't need to be kept safe," Xiao grumbles.

"Fine I guess I'll leave-" The traveler says playfully, starting to shift away teasingly.

"No! Trav- Aether.." he corrects himself "Stay, please"

Aether smile pulls at the corners of his lips, Xiao had really used his real name "If you insist" He leans down pressing a kiss to the other's temple.

"Ew.." Xiao wrinkles his nose, feeling his face go hot.

Aether lays down pulling Xiao next to him. The adeptus stays close listening to the other's heart, completely tuning out the pitter of the storm. He closes his eyes keeping himself close, although he couldn't sleep he could still relax and enjoy the travelers presence.

Aether's eyes flutter slightly as he struggles to keep himself awake, Xiao listens as the blond's heart become slow and rhythmic. 

They both lay there in peace, Aether breathing softly as Xiao presses his face into him. Nothing else in the world mattered in that moment, not the thunderstorm, not the almond tofu on the bed side table, not the leaves violently blowing in the wind outside- just him and aether, aether and him.