Order of Unity (A Xiaother Story)

Chapter Thirteen: Vows

Monday, December 27
Dawn Winery
Aether's POV

Everything seemed perfect, the lights, slow music playing in the background, everything. I walked into the Groom's Trailer, and with the help of some friends and some friends of friends, I put together my look. I was wearing a suit, but the blazer was much longer than waistline. I wore white dress pants, and black dress shoes. We finally finished touching up my hair, shaving, and everything else. I walked out of the trailer to meet Lumine, who was very eager to be the Bride of Honor, and Dainslief, who was going to take me to the front as well.

Meanwhile, the food was being prepared in the reception area, as I kept getting texts about specific preferences. The wedding had a total of 50 people attending.

Xiao's POV

I didn't see the need to have other people get me ready, but they insisted and because it was for Aether, I obliged. My eyeliner was done, they also saw fit to put some foundation on because of some imperfections in my face. The people were nice to me, unusual, as usually nobody besides my family and Aether is. My suit was a traditional one, a simple white undershirt with a black blazer and black dress pants. It was tailored to fit me perfectly, and I thought I looked great when I checked myself in the mirror.

I was walked out and met Zhongli, who was to walk me to the front. We walked to the back of the dawn winery and the wedding venue was there. It was beautiful, surrounded by grapevines towering 8-12 feet over the ground, and there were white chairs that were in rows of five, stretching back five rows on either side.

As my heart rate began to go up, nervous for what's about to happen, the music starts. It's "Beltway" by Solange.

Third Person POV

The Wedding Ceremony between Xiao and Aether kicks off, as one by one, members of each family and close friends come up to stand on the Left side of the Alter. In walked Zhongli and Ningguang, Yanfei, Amber, Ganyu, and Hu-Tao. All of them went to the front and stood right on the left side, waiting.

"Everyone Stand for the Groom" Zhongli said when he was given a microphone.

Aether, who is hand in hand with Lumine and Dainslief, Qingxin and Windwheel Astor flowers adorning his hair, which was in one huge decorated braid, walked around the corner as everyone stood up swiftly. Everyone quietly ooed and ahhed at the sight before them. Aether's eyeliner was done to match Xiao's, and his golden eyes matched perfectly with the rest of his outfit.

Xiao saw Aether and got very flustered. He was red. Lumine saw Ganyu and also went red, as she finished walking Aether up to the Altar and elected to sit in the front row, along with the rest of the family members and friends of Xiao's. It was just Aether and Xiao up there, alone with each other, gazing at each other in the eyes. Zhongli who is now at the lectern, begins.

"The comments which you are about to make to each other are to be beautiful and sacred expression, representing your love for each other. As you state your vows to each other, and commit your love to each other, we ask that you do so in all seriousness and with great and deep joy."

The ring bearer who ended up being Ayato's adopted son who was 9 at the time, brought up the rings on a pillow slowly, and handed them to Xiao. He then went to go sit with Ayato, who in character, had boba from the shop down the street.

"Xiao Shō Alatus, please repeat after me."

Xiao, repeating after Zhongli, still who is red, obliges to the words carefully.