Order of Unity (A Xiaother Story)

Chapter Eight: First Actual Birthday

Saturday, April 17
Aether's POV

After i finished wrapping presents for my love after sneaking out of his grasp in the middle of the night, I slowly went back upstairs and put the presents on the sofa he had in his room. I wanted to make this day special to him, because he never really celebrated his birthday before.

I got him some cute clothing, pretty expensive designer brands from all over Teyvat, especially shipments from Sumeru and Fontaine, a unity crystalfly bracelet, and i got dressed in my most expensive, yet comfortable attire. After finishing wrapping, i set the presents onto his center table and waited for him to wake up. It was 7am, dawn was breaking, and now all i have to do is wait.

Xiao's POV

I woke up to Aether not being in the bed with me, and worried a bit thinking he ran off. But i felt his energy. I wasn't fully awake yet, as i regained full consciousness i flipped over and looked towards my table. There's wrapping, presents, and a cake? And I looked to the left and Aether was there, with a very cute outfit on. Balloons were around the room. What is going on? Then my mind came to full realization, it was my birthday today.

I was happy, I felt complete. I looked over at Aether, and happy tears came out of my eyes. Warm tears, tears that made me feel happy. Aether came to me, embraced me as i sat up, and said warmly, "Happy birthday, my love~"

I opened up the presents and got really good clothes to wear, now i can finally compare to Yanfei's fashion sense! I opened up the smallest one, and it was a bracelet with a crystal core on it. Aether looked at me, and showed me his wrist. We had matching bracelets now. It made me feel warm.

This feeling i have with Aether... he really does care about me. He really does love me for me. He doesn't judge, he's just there for me when i need him and i have to always do the same in return. I want him to feel as loved as me.

Aether's POV

Xiao's face is as lit up as a child on Christmas morning. I wanted him to be happy for his birthday, to be able to not worry, and to be given to, instead of worrying about everything.

"Aether...this is the best-"

"Baby its okay, i know love"

"Th..Thank you. Thank you so much"

The cake was made by a confectioner in Sumeru, they make really good cakes, and shipped over by carriage over here. It spelled "Happy Birthday Xiao" and had 20 candles on it. We were saving it for dinner, which i had planned already.

I told Xiao to enjoy his morning, and not worry about anything. I was going to take him to that same table i reserved a week ago in Wangshu Inn, the place where we had our first kiss, as a remidnder of the love we had for each other.

"Aether, this m... means so much to me. I love you...so much"

"I love you too, Xiao."

{...}

Me and Xiao teleport to the Wangshu Inn and I led him to the table they sat at on that one March evening. We ate the most delicious food that the Inn had to offer. It was amazing, and really worth it. Verr gave us a huge discount, so we didnt have to spend as much as this would normally cost. Then, shortly after we finished eating, I excused myself, saying i was going to the bathroom, and left for the lower level of the Inn.

Down there several people were waiting: Dain, Lumine, Cyno, Alhaitham, Beidou, Kazuha, and Yanfei were soon told to go upstairs by me. We all went upstairs with everyone bringing more gifts, incense, and perfumes, all up for Xiao, so he could have the best 20th birthday.

We arrive to the floor and Xiao was patiently waiting for me. I walked to the table, and said "Happy birthday baby!"

Xiao couldn't help but burst into tears again, happy tears, because he just received the gift of friendship from several people. He received the best possible gift he could want. But he had gifts from these friends, and opened them and he was more than happy. He was happy to be embraced, an everyone knew his true identity and embraced it. He never thought that it could be that way.

We party for him until the late hours of the night. He hasn't ever been happier. We kissed more times than Ningguang and Zhongli kissed and now I know how those two feel. And honestly, I wouldn't change this feeling for anything else. If someone were to offer me an exuberant amount of mora, i still wouldn't give it up. I feel happy and content, hat i could make a seemingly unlovable person, loved again. A seemingly inert person have so many friends to embrace him for him. He c racked a smile, something he has never done before in front of people.

We begin heading home as everyone gets tired and begin their journeys home. We arrive at the jade chamber, and Xiao almost drags me to his room.

Xiao's POV

This man Aether took me to a place i never thought i would be. Emotionally. I couldn't help but make him feel happy too.

I drug him into the room and shut the door. He was someone that was joyous even if you touched hm in the slightest bit. He was a fun person that i would've never thought crossed my path. I lift his shirt and hold his waist. His skin is so soft, as i drive my tongue inside his mouth, setting off a small moan that was music to my ears. His heart is racing and my blood is hot. We go onto the bed and kiss for another couple of minutes, then he gets into the usual position of his head and hair on my chest. I love playing with his hair, it's so silky and golden.

He looks up at me and tells me "To answer your question from earlier, maybe we should get married~"

"I love you so much"

My identity was always concealed but ever since i met him, i was proud of who i was, not ashamed. I was proud of the person i always wanted to be, because that was me. I was no longer in shame because of some stupid internal bullshit, i was finally in a space of love and reconciliation. And now that I'm living my dream, i cant help but feel like i was living in a fantasy.