Your Sweet Smile | Xiao x Aether Angst

your sweet smile

!angst!

as Xiao looked over the balcony of Wangshu Inn, he heard light footsteps from behind him.
Aether was carrying a plate of almond tofu, Xiao's favorite food.
He gently handed Xiao the plate. Aether would do the same thing every day. Give him some Qingxin flowers, Almond tofu, or even some other thing he picked up on his adventures.
Although it didn't seem like he liked it, Xiao appreciated Aether and in reality, kinda liked him, but didn't want to admit it.
One day it was different.
Aether came with nothing.
All he did.
Was hand Xiao his earring.
"Hm?"
"Listen, Xiao."
"I'm listening." Xiao crossed his arms and looked at the traveler, narrowing his eyes.
"I have a very dangerous quest to do. If I don't do this, I can't get to Inazuma to find my sister."
Xiao's eyes then widened.
"If you need help,ca-"
"No."
"What do you mean by no?"
"I said no."
This resulted in a fight. Aether stormed off and didn't tell Xiao the rest of it.
The truth was, Aether had a high chance of death on this quest.
But, even so, he made the preparations in case it did happen.
He had talked to Hu Tao, organizing for his "funeral".
Well, it wasn't going to be set up if he came back alive. Although he needed to tell her because he knows Paimon tends to forget a lot.
Or is it Qiqi that forgets..?
Oh hell, he's losing his memory already.
Maybe he was the forgetful one.

Aether went on his quest. He informed everyone of his trip, but only Hu Tao knew about the high chance of death along with it.
This was one of the first funerals Hu Tao didn't want to organize. She couldn't even think straight, it was her friend's funeral after all.
But, Aether didn't return from his journey.

"It has been years now, Aether."
"When will you get back?"
Xiao spoke, not even realizing the tears that had been streaming down his face.
Aether's grave was placed at a high mountain peak, where you could easily see the beautiful sunset just over the water. He loved this place. The sunset's yellowish color reminded him of his sister.
Zhongli patted Xiao's back as it started to rain.
"It will be alright,  Xiao."
"Although our beloved traveler has passed, we cannot forget the contract that we signed. We have to find his sister, no matter what has happened to him."
"But why? Don't you think she'd be angry at us for letting him go so easily?" Spoke Xiao.
"No. Aether wanted to do this quest. He was hesitant before, but after going to Wangshu Inn, he was sure he wanted to do it."
"May I ask, just what did you say to him while he was there?" Zhongli asked.
"..." Xiao was silent.
"We got into a fight."
"Is that so?"
"He handed me his earring, and even though we were just fighting, he still told me that-"
Xiao started to cry even more. Now his words were a bit slurred. This didn't stop Zhongli from realizing Aether's true intentions.
Aether smiled no matter what. Although when this was said, he was in tears.
"He told me he loved me."