Yes it's a Christmas one again, it's to make up for the angst 😭
Apollo's first Christmas plus snow.
Royal AU
"Help me pick out a tree with Aria love!"-Aether
"As long as we bring Apollo, then it's fine with me."-Xiao
"Yay, Apollo!"-Aria
Aria jumped and clapped her hands. She never picked the Christmas tree before. Lumine volunteered to come too, she swore that she won't feed Aria junk food again.
"Just let me get some food for Apollo and we'll go. And I'll bring chocolate strawberries and pickles for you Aria. So you don't get hungry"-Aether
"And what about me?"-Xiao
"I'll bring Almond Tofu and something new for you to try."-Aether
Aether kissed his lover on the cheek before running off to the kitchen to prepare a food kit and supplies for Apollo in the kitchen. Which left Lumine and Xiao alone.
"I wanna know what Auntie does to help Mama!"-Aria
"I'm Mama's boss, I tell mama what to do sometimes."-Lumine
"Oooo! Papa sees what you do! Papa watches over you like Sanda!"-Aria
"Except Santa sees what you do to know if you get gifts. I see if you and Mama are safe."-Xiao
Apollo cooed in Xiao's arms. He just woken up from his nap. The little raven looked around to see if his mother was around. Little tears started to form. Xiao rocked him a little bit to calm down.
"I'm back! I'm guessing Apollo missed me?"-Aether
"Very much." Xiao handed over the crying Apollo as he grabbed Aria's hand. Lumine followed, making sure that they were not ambushed or left anything.
"How about this? Me, Aether, and Apollo will go pick out the tree, and you and Aria will pick out the ornaments."-Lumine
Xiao nodded, Aria smiled. She loved decorating. Once they got to the store, they parted ways.
—
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"We can make our own ornaments by getting these white balls and sticking a unwrapped paperclip in them. You want these?"-Xiao
"Mhm! Then I can make a gift for Mama and Apollo and Auntie!"-Aria
Xiao patted her head as Aria smiled. He chose the white balls (horny mf 🫵) and Aria choose a mix of red white and gold balls. She also choose a paint set.
They met up with Lumine at the checkout counter. Aether was no where in sight.
"Where's Mama?"-Aria
"Mama got a cold, so he went home. Don't worry, Mama is not going to die."-Lumine
"What's a cold?"-Aria
"Are you guys making custom ornaments? Oh, and here's Apollo. Aether didn't want to get him sick before his birthday."-Lumine
His birthday is December 24th, Christmas Eve. What a wonderful gift. So technically, this is his second Christmas.
Apollo stared blankly at Xiao. That's just how he is. He's curious about the world around him. He cooed a bit before squirming himself to sleep.
"Mhm. Me and Papa are making oranmints for Mama! But what's a cold?"-Aria
"A cold is a sickness that will go away soon. Before Christmas I hope. Mama has a cold because of working too much in air conditioning. So naturally, it's normal for him."-Lumine
"Papa, Mama deserves a gift!"-Aria
"Yes he does. We can find paperclips in the store, but I'll get some anyways."-Xiao
—
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Once they unpacked everything, they started to color the white balls with the paint from the paint set. They already had brushes. Xiao was painting some Liyue mountains and the vibrant sunset hiding behind them. Aria was painting her mother as a stick figure. She also finger painted a bit. Apollo was sleeping beside Xiao with a blanket.
"And then we stick the uncurled paperclip in the ball and we're done. Let's go surprise Mama."-Xiao
"Yay! We are going to see Mama!"-Aria
Xiao scooped up Apollo as he shrieked. He soon calmed down when he noticed it was his father. They made their way to Aether and Xiao's room, knocking on the door before entering.
"Come in..." Aether sounded weak.
"Sigh. The only time you actually rest is when you're sick."-Xiao
"Mama! Me and Papa made you a present!"-Aria
"*sniff* What is it?"-Aether
Inside the bag was a wrapped Apollo and some small bags with colored glittery balls. Aether chuckled a bit upon seeing Apollo as part of the gift. He smiled while seeing the glittery colorful balls. He could tell right away that Xiao painted the mountains while Aria painted the grass. And he let Aria put mixes of glitter around.
"Thank you guys. So much. And ask Lumine to put them on the tree for me. I certainly want these on the tree. Do you have anymore blank ones?"-Aether
"We do. I'll get some for you. Try not to get Aria and Apollo sick for me."-Xiao
Aether nodded, Xiao's cue to leave. As soon as he left, the blond got up and went to grab something.
"It's something to keep my senses from overloading. Want to smell some?"-Aether
"What does that mean?"-Aria
"That Mama will be in pain if that happens."-Aether
Aria said she wanted to smell some. Smelled like fresh cucumber bread on Christmas Day dinner. Something she wanted to eat.
"Do you have more?"-Aria
Aether smiled and gave her one that smelled like orange candy. He told her to keep it for now.
"You still want to make ornaments for the Christmas tree?"-Xiao
"Yes. I would like that very much."-Aether
See, I can make wholesomeness
925 words
