Oath [BL; Book 2]

10

"Uuh..." Tossing, turning, "mm..." moving, squirming. Soft whimpers in the night couldn't escape the listening ears. Vanishing and appearing in the room, holding his spear he saw no immediate danger. Nothing around, not out the window or out the door. Laying in bed, clearly seeming like he was in pain Aether tossed around. "No..." expression full of discomfort. "Xiao..."

Gold eyes watching him closely, letting his spear disappear he went over quietly and sat on the bed. A near silent whisper, "You called?" He reached about to touch him, but caught himself and stopped. "...." taking his hand away he vanished.

Aether turned over again, however this time, he seemed calmer.

Falling below, Xiao made quick work of some monsters lurking too close to the Inn. Finding himself standing atop a ruin guard he defeated, Xiao let his spear disappear and crossed his arms. The victory of countless battles, more so as he felt he was still growing in skill. The anemo power in him spiraled and he calmed the darkness with a clear mind. Keeping himself composed in these times was difficult, but he managed every time.

Jumping off the ruin guard a swift dagger shot too close for comfort. With great reflexes he spawned his spear slicing the momentum of the dagger making it drop down to the ground sticking point first. It was a clean shot, but failed to harm him. Focused eyes glared, a grim gaze as what he saw approaching was something he never expected to see. What looked to be a person came slowly appearing from the shadows.

Long navy hair, clad in armor he had never seen before. Walking slowly his way, the warrior held small daggers similar to the one he had just dismissed. He couldn't see their face but from their body structure he could tell it was a woman. With a mask to cover her identity he had no way of knowing who or where she was from, yet her intimidating aura gave way that she was hostile.

Readying for battle he felt no words needed to be exchanged, she was a threat, and he would dispelled her quickly. In a lightning speed move, Xiao lunged in for the first strike and to his amazement her reflexes were able to block his attack and even almost land a hit. However his senses were too sharp to simply let her land a blow quickly turning his body mid way and slipping away clean without a scratch.

She wasn't so lucky however as a piece of her mask cracked, her quiet gasp of surprise was heard and he knew she had underestimated him from this. Careful as he walked slowly now wondering whether a word should be said, he stopped as she seemed to lower her guard a bit.

Seeing she wasn't going to make a move he left her with fair warning feeling there was no malign energy within her, "There will be no mercy should you show yourself again. Leave." He waited and as he said she lowered her weapons letting them disappear. Turning away he saw she held no Vision. Yet the dagger she had used to attack with earlier was infused with some sort of element.

Fading into the darkness of the night all he saw left was the color of her navy hair that seemed to reflect the beautiful glistening waters of the ocean at its darkest time. As quietly as she appeared, she left. A shout called his attention when it reached his ears and he vanished ready for battle only to appear in the room with an alarmed Aether. Coming into the room hurriedly was Tighnari and Cyno who were also ready for a fight.

There was no threat, so Cyno and Tighnari replaced their weapons with worry and went right to Aether as Xiao calmed himself. Guarding the room he gazed out the window. That woman must have already gone into another part of the land, or he could only hope as he knew her strength was hidden behind that mask she wore.

After Tighnari examined Aether he deemed there was no progress showing. Instead the nightmares had grown frequent leaving Aether to suffer sleepless nights. Even the small naps he tried to get ended with Xiao being called forth, however he wasn't at all bothered, keeping his word to appear should his name be called.

It was clear it bothered Aether though, as he always made a face when he would see him, and though he didn't speak of it, Xiao knew it was because of the nightmares.

Standing on the balcony he closed his eyes, "He dreams of a time he will lose me. He suffers that much from such a dream?" There was no way to fully understand it, he, himself, never truly needed to sleep. Instead he spent most of his off time training. "Is there no way to make it easier for him?" The thoughts were small, but he wanted to think of something. The only other curiosity he had was the woman he hadn't seen for a long while now. "Who was that woman? Could she know something of this?"

Left to ponder his thoughts he heard footsteps from behind and looked, an exhausted Aether. Though fatigue was on his face he still smiled when seeing Xiao.

In a weary tone full of tiredness he greeted him, "Good evening."

"Good evening, Traveler."

"I wasn't expecting you to be here." He came up beside him leaning slightly against the rail,

"I have attended to my business earlier this morning. The day has been rather peaceful since then."

"Hehe, thank you for your continued hard work!"

"I don't seek gratitude." He turned his eyes forward.

"I know," Aether closed his eyes taking in the chilly air, "But it's nice to hear it sometimes."

"....." it was hard to argue with him, shifting his eyes toward him he could see how tired Aether was, and still he tried to rest regardless of how horrifying the nightmares became. It was now that Xiao became curious and asked, "Your nightmares, are they truly so frightening?" Aether was surprised he would ask, and Xiao felt he shouldn't have asked saying, "Nevermind. Forget I asked." Eyes forward again.

Aether was genuinely surprised, but he couldn't blame Xiao for being curious, so he smiled and responded to his question. "Yes, they.... are terrifying." Looking at Xiao's crossed arms he couldn't hold his hand nor hug him, this closed position kept many away.

But not him.

Gently touching Xiao's arm, a light poke, he said, "I don't think it'll get any easier." The touch was alarming but Xiao didn't heighten his defenses, he simply stared at it then looked at Aether figuring out that humans often used physical contact as a means of comfort. "Dreaming of losing the person I love, it hurts," hearing that made Xiao narrow his eyes, "it's so painful, it's terrifying." He kept his smile though his eyes watered, wiping the tears before they came he chuckled, "I'm scared to fall asleep! And sleep is necessary for us!"

The humor he found though he was suffering made Xiao all the more conscious of how terribly he felt. He now watched Aether struggle to hold back the tears. Thinking of the physical contact he looked at his own hand and reached over wiping Aether's tear. "I will always be there." He reassured him, "Should you ever find yourself in a tough situation - don't be stubborn - call my name." Having his arms crossed again he faced forward. "That is my oath. I will honor it."

A staring Aether soon smiled warmly, "Thank you." A kiss upon Xiao's cheek left him astonished. The pattering steps hurried off with a happy, "Good night, Xiao!"

He was left there with the sensation on his cheek that warmed quickly. Having to calm himself he touched his cheek. "How stubborn..."