Aether has a sickness and it's getting worse. It got worse when he's visiting the Yakshas.
Royal AU maybe?
"He's bedridden. He needs rest."-Bonanus
How bad was the sickness getting? Aether's been sick for a week now, and Xiao thought it was just from the bumpy carriage ride. Did he catch it from someone?
"Aether. What did you do?"-Xiao
"I don't know." Aether sounded weak and sick.
"What did you eat before we came here to visit?"-Xiao
"Something with crab."-Aether
"Aeth, I have to go."-Xiao
"No. Stay...Please."-Aether
"I have to go Aeth."-Xiao
"You left me too many times and never came back. You don't know how much I worry for you."-Aether
Aether was crying. His face was almost covered in tears. He desperately grabbed his lover's arm hoping for him to stay.
"I'm sorry Aether. I have to leave."-Xiao
"B-but. You always leave-"-Aether
Xiao gave Aether a kiss on the cheek. He wished he could stay with him in bed. But his duties have to come first. He can't get too attached.
"DONT LEAVE!"Aether sat up abruptly and winced in pain.
"Hey, you need rest. Let your body heal itself."-Bonanus
Tears streamed from his eyes. Aether thought Xiao was leaving him to go to another nation. Bonanus quickly picked up on that. She finally got Aether to rest and calm down. Bonanus gave her brother a stare as they went to the meeting room.
— -
"Why is it so quiet? Usually you all are chatting over something."-Zhongli
"Father, that's when we were all children. And somebody has been a bit of a arse to his husband."-Indarias
"Language Indarias."-Menogias
"LAnGuage Indarias, do this Indarias. Not the time to correct me."-Indarias
They all stared at Xiao, who only sighed. He looked down at the floor in shame.
"My duties come first."-Xiao
"So your duties come before family?! What happened to caring about them and protecting them with your life?!"-Indarias
"THESE PAST MEETINGS HAVE BEEN ABOUT HIM! OKAY? ITS NOT MY FAULT THAT HES STILL A TARGET OF THE FATUI!"-Xiao
"Alatus! Calm your voice!"-Zhongli
"Sorry father. But I'm scared they'll take him again."-Xiao
"We will discuss this after the meeting. For now, let's discuss what we know."-Zhongli
Xiao felt terrible the entire meeting. He thought that pushing him away was the right thing. In reality, he needed to embrace him. Spend time with him.
"Alatus. A word."-Zhongli
Xiao started crying when everyone left. Zhongli was rather startled by the sudden action, but gave his youngest son a hug.
"I don't know what to do. I don't want him gone again. But I also don't want to leave him so soon."-Xiao
"Maybe buy him a gift? Let him know that you still love him. Like I said, cherish him until the end."-Zhongli
Xiao was sobbing. He didn't even know what to get him. He knew Aether liked little rings that can move and star charts. He loved astrology.
Maybe a little hologram would work.
— -
Aether was still in bed with Lumine in sight. So were Aria and Apollo. Lumine stayed with her brother until someone walked in the room. It was Xiao. He was holding a box. A maid was playing with Aria and Apollo.
"Daddy!"-Aria
"Heyyy. I wanna show Mommy something since he's sick. Don't worry, I'll show you later. But only if you go to sleep."-Xiao
Aria and Apollo ran to Lumine's room faster than she could even see them. The blonde laughed.
"You are going to make it up to my brother right?"-Lumine
"That's what's in this box. Though I'll have to assemble it. Surely it won't take a hour right?"-Xiao
"Jokes on you, I'm not helping."-Lumine
"Fuck you."-Xiao
"It's your mistake, not mine."-Lumine
Xiao made a tsk sound and got to work. It took him less time than he expected. He woke up the blond with a kiss and smiled.
"You...You didn't leave?"-Aether
"No. I stayed here. And I would like to show you something."-Xiao
Aether sat up. Xiao climbed into the bed after he flipped a switch. A sea of stars filled the room with a blackish-blue and white. Aether was amazed. This is something you would see as a child, but it still amazes him a lot.
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"It's so pretty." He started pointing out stars and different constellations. Different places he went to that were connected by the stars. How wonderful each place was. Then he started coughing and shut up.
"I want to know more. It sounds interesting."-Xiao
Aether's eyes sparkled. He talked passionately about his love for the stars for a hour. Xiao just listened and nodded. His voice was so soothing.
The blond yawned and kissed his lover goodnight. The raven then turned it off and put on a new one. This one had bright yellow stars and a navy blue background. Aether soon fell asleep. Xiao kissed him goodnight as well. The raven caressed his cheek a bit before leaving with the previous hologram.
He showed Aria and Apollo the stars. They were amazed as well. Maybe they share a love of the stars like their mother.
"Apollo's getting sleepy. Want me to keep it on so you can sleep?"-Xiao
"Mhm!"-Aria
"Goodnight you two."-Xiao
Aria was sound sleeping when she hit the bed. She was snoring.
And so was Aether. Maybe the little things can give a huge amount of joy.
