101 oneshot, that means.
Something...
Royal AU 🧐
"You're fine. Aria's fine. Please calm down."-Xiao
Yet again, someone tried to break in. During a meeting is one of the worse times this has happened. And bring up past events wasnt making it better. Some guy tried to drug everyone, especially Lumine and Aether, to sleep. He had to break the window to get in. He had everything that reminded Aether of what happened when his daughter was only one. He just didn't shoot him. He shot everyone around him first. Then everyone was fine. Was he hallucinating?
Vague voices was yelling at him. They were calling his name. He couldn't hear them that well. Was he dying? It felt like it.
No, he was being choked. It was like when Aria was one. Only someone was getting hurt. But he was a hostage.
"If you leave, you mustn't come back without something valuable. Even a child would work. After all, each family member is worth a good 70 million mora. I suggest you hurry up. This Prince isn't going to last long with this ribbon tied to his head."-???
Xiao was the first to leave. He went to tell his children to hide. He told them to keep quiet and don't move from the spot. The raven gave them each a kiss on the nose before supplying Aria with food for the both of them.
When he arrived back with a gold jewel from someone's crown, Aether was immediately let go. The ribbon was tied to his head, so he was still gagged.
"How much is it worth? This puny little gem? I rather would take a baby."-???
"40,000 mora. Because it's handmade by a personal jeweler and cut from Liyue's mines."-Xiao
"Well then. I suppose this could fetch a heavy price in the market. Except I need more. This is just a tiny gem."-???
Xiao scoffed and walked out the room dramatically. He stopped himself and realized he wasn't himself. Oh well, it's a one time thing.
He went to check on his kids, who were still safe and soundly asleep in their hiding place. As long as they were safe, then it was great.
He once again returned to the room but with a bag. A bag full of jewels and organic ores. The raven gave him the bag, cut the ribbon off of the blond's head, and stared.
"Go on. Leave. You hurt them more than enough."-Xiao
"After I get them."-???
"Snezhnayan...it's so cold."-Aether
"No noise from you! Or do you want to be dead?!"-???
He saw it. That guy had the Fatui insignia. Damn Snezhnaya and their plots. And who is them?
Soon, two more guys brought in Aria and Apollo. They were crying and scared. Xiao ran towards them and gave them hugs. And to also shield them from the sight of their dying mother.
"You can't take them! That's just plain torture! They are only children!"-Lumine
"Yeah, but they are worth a hefty about of money. A piece. And Mora is Mora."-???
"Even Dori wouldnt do anything like this. You psychopath!" Aether was shot in the arm. He winced in pain as he saw Apollo cry even more.
"I said not a word from you."-???
"I'm sorry. But I cannot let you take them. They are just young children! They aren't even 10 yet."Aether got up and stood in front of everyone. "Taking them means you have to go through me."
"Fine by me. Let's settle this with a fistfight." Suddenly Xiao stood up. He already took out the two guys that brought the kids in.
"Lumine, cover their eyes. I don't want them to see this."-Aether
The guy dropped his gun and smirked. He thought this was going to be a easy battle since one of them is injured and soon to be bled out. Lumine covered the kids as Aether leant the first blow with his leg. He couldn't use his arms or hands, so he used his legs the same way he used them on the Fatui Harbinger.
Xiao stood behind him. He was his lover's hands. Soon enough, the guy was defeated. Aether went to hug his children to assure them he's okay and fine. A gunshot was heard, Aether braced himself for the worse.
"Xiao. Xiao no. No! No no no!"-Aether
Xiao was bleeding out on the ground. His eyes were closed, his clothes were dripping with blood, his skin was pale. He looked dead. He wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead.
"Get him a hospital! Quickly!"-Aether
—
-
He missed Aria's birthday. But he was alive. He was okay. It took him three months to recover. Aether cried when he saw his eyes for the first time in three months. It was one of the best birthday gifts she ever received.
"You're okay! My love, you're okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for being so stupid and weak!" Aether sobbed into his lover's chest. Xiao caressed his lover's cheeks
"It's fine. I hoped you two protected your mother while I was gone."-Xiao
"Mhm. Some meanie tried to take Mama away and me and Auntie beat him up! Apollo could almost walk!"-Aria
"He tried to walk but he fell down and cried. It was adorable."-Aether
"I'm just glad you are alright."-Xiao
Aria sat down in her father's lap as he sat up on the bed. He still had multiple machines attached to him. Apollo cuddled up with them. Aether gave them a huge smile and hug.
They didn't have to worry anymore. They have all this time to live as kids. Let them be kids please.
LORDY LORD I HAVE BEEN HOLDING THIS IN FOR WEEKS.
958 words
