Xiao & Aether

Regaining the Anemo Blessing

"Why are we in Mondstat?" Xiao asked, though at this point it was out of irritation since he knew the answer to that already. Especially since he'd asked the question before they'd even left Liyue. Thoma on the other hand was a bit more content. Even wistful.

Under a giant tree with branches that spanned a good several feet outward, a tall statue was situated. Aether climbed up the short incline to it with Xiao and Thoma waiting behind him. "I can harness the power here and I'm more suited to anemo than geo," Aether replied. He looked over his shoulder at Xiao and smiled as he added, "I'm grateful for Zhongli's help of course. Without him things would not have turned out so well."

"That's an understatement," Xiao grumbled as he crossed his arms and looked away. "Once you're done here, we should make preparations to return to Liyue. It is only from there that we can sail to Inazuma. That is... if Bediou and her crew are in port when we get there."

"I don't mind a little delay," Thoma said. "Besides, I think we've all forgotten that I'm a wanted man in Inazuma and technically so is Aether. What better hiding place than an entirely different country," he added with a bright smile that was so like him.

"I haven't forgotten," the yaksha said sternly.

"Right..."

Aether chuckled a little as he turned his attention back to the statue. Paimon hovered over his shoulder, watching as he reached out and touched the statue. Above them, the disk that was held between the hands of the anemo archon began to illuminate. The rich blue glow continued to gain brilliance until it went almost completely white. As it resonated with Aether, he could feel the power flowing into him just as it had the very first time he'd touched it after finding Paimon.

It didn't take long to regain his anemo power and when it was done, he retracted his hand and flexed his fingers. Aether turned back to his two companions who had waited patiently for him. Thoma looked rather intrigued, while Xiao kept his aloof nature ahead of any curiosity he might have had.

"So? How does it feel?" Thoma asked. He was clearly excited.

Aether smiled. "Good."

"Great! How about a demonstration?"

"You just want to see his power," Paimon stated.

"What's wrong with that? I only saw his electro power in Inazuma. Which, is still amazing. The ability to harness more than one Vision... and without a Vision too."

"I'm still not sure how I can do it, but it's definitely come in handy when I needed it."

"Well, it just makes you special," Thoma said with a cheery laugh.

Xiao stiffened and turned to give Thoma a dark glare. Aether caught the look and gently took the yaksha's arm in hand to steer him in a different direction.

"What? What did I do?" Thoma asked, genuinely concerned.

Paimon snickered. "You made Xiao jealous."

"Paimon," Aether chided.

"Jealous?" Xiao asked and it was clear the word was lost to him.

Aether stuttered and a blush began to creep across his face. He wasn't sure how he was going to explain this one to Xiao. It wasn't like their trip to Mondstat had been without interesting happenstances. At first, Xiao had insisted they leave Thoma behind because he was the only one that Aether needed with him. Then he and Thoma had an argument over fruit -of all things. Though, Thoma was perhaps more amused by it than Xiao was.

In addition, it wasn't like Thoma didn't know about Aether and Xiao. The four of them had spent several days traveling from Liyue to Mondstat. The option of a waypoint had been there, but Xiao didn't want Aether out of sight and Thoma wanted to explore the countryside. So traversing by foot was their only option. Plus, it gave Aether a bit more time to regain his usual strength during the trek.

"Uh... Paimon's not explaining this one. Paimon explained the last one!"

Aether sent her a disapproving glare. "Of course you would immediately find a way out of it. You're the one who said it."

"Paimon's not explaining!"

Thoma laughed, which didn't help with Xiao's sour mood. Aether sighed and tried to think of a way to explain without making things worse. "It means... Uh... You didn't like what Thoma said."

Xiao's straight face never changed as he stared at Aether and promptly stated, "Obviously."

Aether's blush intensified and he swore he was at least as red as an apple by now. He could even feel the tips of his ears burning. "R-right... Um. It's more than that," Aether took a breath and tried again. "Okay, like this. Thoma and I are friends, but you maybe... think he wants more?"

Xiao looked over at Thoma who shook his head and held up his hands immediately. "No, I do not. Just friends! Promise!"

"See? He doesn't like me like you do."

"Like?" Xiao stopped and so did Aether. "I don't like you."

Aether's heart squeezed so hard he thought someone had stabbed him. He froze as he stared at Xiao's serious expression. Behind him, he just barely caught the sound of Paimon's horrified gasp. The yaksha put both hands on either side of Aether's face as he turned to face the Traveler fully. Aether's voice was soft as it trembled. "You don't?"

"No. 'Like' doesn't fit what I feel for you. I am in love with you."

The tightness of his chest faded and the tears that had threatened to come, burst forth. Xiao looked confused as he watched. Aether smiled. "You're really intense," he said on a choked up laugh.

Xiao stepped closer and kissed Aether. Tilting his head a bit, Xiao deepened his kiss, edging for a bit more. Aether trembled lightly, squeezing Xiao's thin shirt between his hands tightly. Thoma cleared his throat from behind them.

"Well, I did ask for a demonstration, but I didn't think it would be this."

Aether jumped, a sharp squeal of embarrassment cutting between him and Xiao. Xiao growled in annoyance and pulled away. His gaze settled on Thoma, narrowed and dark. Releasing Aether's face with one hand, he summoned his spear.

"I'm sorry!" Thoma immediately said and Aether took hold of Xiao's arm and held tight.

"Thoma does have a point though, we really do need to get going!"

"Yes! To Mondstat! I haven't been there in so long! I want to see if anything has changed."

Aether paused and slowly looked over to Thoma. "You're from Mondstat?"

Thoma paused, then scratched at his cheek as he laughed. "Oh. Did I forget to mention that?"

"Yes!" Paimon squealed.

Xiao sighed and let go of his spear. The weapon disintegrated and he turned to start following the path they'd originally been on. Aether just shrugged.

"Well, let's go to the City of Wind," Aether said and followed after Xiao. I wonder how everyone is doing... Aether mused to himself as they continued on. In the distance he could make out the city and the tall windmills slowly twisting away leisurely in the wind. He smiled. Having company was definitely far better than traveling alone.