Another day Another Love Story {Xiao x Aether}

>~6~<

Xiao POV

Aether ate while he and Pimon talked. I could see Aether drifting off, I grabbed his plate, teleported to the kitchen to clean it, then I went straight back to him. He was half awake, "lay down." I said. He did, but he kept looking at me. Pimon was asleep on the pillow next to him.

"Stay with me. Like you did before... You looked peaceful" Does he remember that? Did he wake up before I did? I never let anyone see me sleep.

With a soft tone, he attempted to say something "Hey-" He fell asleep sitting up. I was in time to grab his chest before he fell forward. Moving him under the covers and gently placing his head on the pillow. "Next time," I say. I had this urge to put his hand to my mouth, to.... Kiss it. Gods, I do... I do love him. I could feel a single tear roll down my cheek, my heart tightening, and a heavy feeling in my gut. What do I do with these feelings? I am not worthy. Without realizing it, my hand was in Aethers. I looked at the mortal who cried in my arms.

Obviously, he hasn't been doing commissions and Boss Lady had notified them what had happened via bird mail she learned about from Mondstadt. It's just been Aether and me.... Pimon as well.

I placed my hand on his head once more only to feel more heat, I left and got a bowl of water and a towel.

Scrunching the water out of the towel, I pushed his hair out of the way, folding it behind his ears before I placed the cold towel on his head. As I did Aether moved his hand to hold the towel, his eyes opening a bit. "Sorry did I wake you?" I said sighing. "No" he looked at me then moved his eyes to the open balcony to the starry night sky. "Qiqi and Baizhu will be here in the afternoon right?" He said moving his hand off the towel. "Yea, get some rest Aether," I said rubbing the hand I was holding onto before. "How- how am I doing?" He asked looking at me. I frowned. "Rest, Baizhu will help you in the afternoon. Alright?" Aether nodded and squeezed my hand. "Ok," his eyes closed and once more his breathing slowed. He was asleep.

I found myself looking at him, I need to talk to Zhongli about my feelings for him.

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Morning came too fast, I was deep in thought about what Aether meant to me and what I needed to do. I looked over to Aether who was resting peacefully, "is all you ever do sleep?" I said under a whisper.

There was a knock on the door, I got up to open it expecting Verr but when I opened it Baizhu was standing there. "Hello Adeptus Xiao, I know we are a bit earlier than previously stated in the bird mail. However, Qiqi was quite worried for our dear Traveler." Qiqi appeared behind Baizhu and looked around the room stopping when her eyes found Aether.

She looked up to Baizhu and he looked to her nodding. Qiqi walked on over to Aether and started touching him using her healing art. "She is healing his outer wounds that were caused by those treasure hunters." Baizhu said walking on over to the two as I followed. "I'll deal with his sickness." Baizhu sat on the edge of the chair I was in all night and started to get to work. "I'll leave you three be then, I have matters to attend to." I said about to teleport away, "oh dear.." I paused and looked over to Baizhu. "This does not look good, "

It sounded like he was whispering, I could hear the blood running through my ears, is Aether going to be alright? I need to get out of here I can't breathe, Zhongli said I could find him around Mt. Aocang, Cloud Retainers domain. I teleported there and saw Zhongli, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper.

yea so what if the Adepti don't know he's alive in the game idc ;)

I was confused, they normally don't group together unless it's extremely important. I walked up to them, stopping halfway, I was hoping to speak to Zhongli alone but that won't be happening for a while.

"Ahh Adeptus Xiao, glad of you to join us." Cloud Retainer stated.

"Yes, how are you fairing Xiao?" Asked Moon Carver, I just looked. Unable to answer, why can't I bring myself to answer?

"Xiao?" Zhongli asked setting his tea down and started walking over to me.

"Xiao are you alright?" He was in front of me holding my arms. Next thing I knew I was... Crying... tears rolling down my cheeks, I gasped at the warm liquid running down my face. Cloud Retainer and the others gathered around me.

"Wh-why am I crying?" I laughed and then took a deep breath. I started hyperventilating, flashes of Aether's beaten body, his hair, the blood, his eyes, his smile, and the warmth of his body when I fell asleep next to him, all that flashing in my mind.

"Xiao.." Zhongli held me and pulled me into a hug. "It'll be ok. Breathe son" I grabbed his back holding onto this clothing as I fell to my knees bringing him down with me.

Zhongli rubbed my head trying to calm me down. I'm crying in front of the Adepti... how humiliating.

I started to catch my breath, working on slowing it down as Bonanus taught us to whenever we Yakshas had a breakdown. "How are you feeling now Xiao?" Zhongli asked. I nodded my head signaling that I'd calmed down.

"Was it your Karmic debt?" asked Mountain Shaper. I looked to Zhongli, He just smiled and turned his head to the others. "Please give us some time to talk." The Adepti nodded and went back to the table near the tree as Zhongli and I walked in the other direction. We stopped when we were far enough from earshot.

"It's about Aether isn't it?" Zhongli asked hitting the nail on the head. I nodded, "I-" I clenched my fists, what if I'm wrong about these feelings have I shared them for no reason? Zhongli placed his hand on my head, I looked at him and realized, I have nothing to hide or fear from him. He will be by my side as he always has been. "I t-think I've developed." I paused looking to the ground. "Feelings for him" I grabbed my chest. "At least that's what I think it is. I'm not sure, I like being near him. I feel safe... with him. I don't know how to explain it." I looked at him his face relaxed. "I'm not sure" I looked back down, "Sir. Am I even allowed to love another? Do I even deserv-"

"I'm going to cut you off there." Zhongli held up his hand palm facing my face. "It sounds to me that you really care for the Traveler. And Xiao the war ended years ago, your duties are over. You are free to do as you please, free to love another. I'm glad it's Aether, something about him calms your karma and puts you at ease." I couldn't help but smile at his words and apparently, Zhongli didn't expect me to smile for he laughed. "You love someone and that is something special so protect it and be by his side as he heals. And Xiao," I looked to him, "he's lucky to have you." I looked away blushing. "Now join the rest of us for some tea as I scold them for listening in on us." My face went red, they- I didn't even sense their presence.

"You knew we were there?" Asked Moon Carver. As the other two walked out from behind the tree. I covered my mouth realizing what I said and from embarrassment.

"We followed because we were worried about you Xiao, we didn't expect a full-blown confession!" Yelled Mountain Carver laughing. Cloud Retainer flapped her wings 'accidentally' hitting Mountain Carver in the face.

"Xiao we are beyond proud of you. This is a huge stepping stone." She said. I still felt violated, Zhongli was scolding them as I watched from afar.

"Speaking of the Traveler how is he doing?" They all looked at me and I shook my head. "Qiqi and Baizhu came by this morning," I'm sure Zhongli told the others about what had happened, "Qiqi began healing Aether's outer wounds while Baizhu was working on a way to bring his fever down." The Adepti looked at one another, "Join us for tea and let's talk about it." Zhongli said. I followed the group up to the table near the tree, feeling relieved to tell them what I was feeling. I felt somewhat free.

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I arrived back at the inn where Aether was resting, I'd only just arrived when Qiqi and Baizhu came in. "Is he still asleep?" He asked and I nodded. "Alright, we made the cure, now it's time to give it to him. He said walking over to Aether, he brought the cure out and injected it into Aether. He didn't even flinch, just kept sleeping. "There... he should start feeling better tomorrow," Baizhu said standing up and walking towards me. "It works that fast?" I asked. Baizhu walked past me while Qiqi went ahead. "Don't worry Adeptus Xiao, the Traveler will be fine. Good thing I knew how to treat the poison he was injected with. Just make sure he eats and rests." with that, he left. Poison, Aether.....

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