Another day Another Love Story {Xiao x Aether}

>~24~<

Hey guys! Some family stuff came up so the updates will be a bit slow, prob twice a week? Sorry about that, I have this piece to present to you.

ALSO not to spoil anything! but this new quest act 3(?) made me realize how much everyone cares about the Traveler.

So hehe inspiration ;)

Also C2 and R2 On Scara and his weapon ;) MUHAHA

3rd POV

It was a cold winter morning, February, it was colder than usual but the lights for the Lanturn Rite were as bright as ever, this year to mark the 16th year of Aethers sacrifice. Xiao was watching everyone from afar with Paimon floating right next to him.

"So, are you going to go this year?" Paimon asked already knowing Xiaos answer. Xiao hasn't been to any of the Lanturn Rite at all, not even back when Aether was still alive and its something he regrets terribly. Xiao stayed quiet, "No, not when he isn't here."

Paimon sighed, "You know he would want you to go, you didn't go when the two of you were together before the war." Paimon flew in front of Xiao, "Aether loved you and wanted you to enjoy life more than anything- You haven't gone to a single one since-"

"I can't enjoy it! He isn't here with us Paimon... I miss him and the Lanturn Rite only reminds me of all that I have lost." Xiao stood up, Paimon watched, then said, "Look, I miss him as well and I've known him longer he was like an older brother to me. Don't act like that doesn't compare to being his lover." She took a breath, "Aether... He would want you to move on."

Xiao looked to Paimon, "An Adeptis doesn't move on, we cherish those we've lost for as long as we live." He stared at his ring, "When the ring shined I genuinely thought he was back. I got so happy, but then when we made it to where the star fell and found it was his sister threatening us and swearing to bring him back, I just-" Xiao dropped his hand, "I lost it."

Paimon started floating away, "Come on, let's at least go and see Zhongli." Xiao nodded and followed the floating Fairy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How are the two of you?" Zhongli asked.

"Paimon is fine, it's Xiao Paimons worried about." Paimon said trying to push Xiao over the brink of whatever bottle he filled his emotions in, while he walked in behind her.

"Xiao," Zhongli asked. The way Zhongli said his name was as soft as the petals on a flower, so soft that Xiaos 'bottle' cracked and his emotions forced through.

Xiao shook his head. "It hurts..." Xiao said under his breath. "he left me,"

Zhongli stopped whatever he was doing and walked up to the blue-haired Adeptus and spoke, "He saved so many lives, and he gave them a chance to grow old, marry and have kids. What he di-"

"I WANTED THAT!" Xiao yelled his 'bottle' officially shattered, "I WANTED TO MARRY HIM AND HAVE- children." He cried. "He's gone and I'm all alone." Xiao cried more holding his hand over his heart. Zhongli pulled Xiao into a hug and nodded to Paimon to join. She did and the three of them stayed like that. "I know Xiao. I know." Zhongli said while rubbing Xiaos head, you could tell that Zhongli was also breaking from seeing his own son like this. Zhongli cared about the Adeptus and Traveler very much, with one dead and the other in pieces Zhongli himself could barely keep it together as well.

Then out of nowhere a low growl was heard. "Ughhhh Piamons hungry, what a way to ruin the mood." She said backing away from the hug, Xiao let out a soft chuckle. Paimon smiled, Xiao hasn't laughed in a while.

"You won't be sad for long you two," Zhongli said pulling away from the hug and looking at both Paimon and Xiao. "You must remember, Aether would want you both to be happy. So Xiao, for once go and be in Liyue during the Lanturn Rite tomorrow."

Xiao nodded, "I'll do what I can... for Aether.."

The three stayed and enjoyed a nice dinner together unaware that this....

Wasn't reality.

Xiao, after years of not sleeping, finally dreamed.

Hope you enjoyed cause BAM another cliffhanger MUHAHA