Oath [BL; Book 2]

15

Aether found himself at Bubu Pharmacy getting his side checked. Baizhu was amazed by the size of the bruise and Changsheng was the first to insist there had to have been a broken bone, however when Baizhu pressed asking about any discomfort, Aether only felt the tingle of the bruise.

"No, it just feels like a bruise." He said,

"Interss~ting," Changsheng flicked her tongue and said, "The bruise looks quite dark. It'ss~ almost surprising there's nothing broken."

"Yes, that's an interesting injury." He went to the shelf and grabbed a few things then came back, "Since there's no broken bones we needn't worry too much. I'll place a cold compress on it, do well to get enough rest and keep off that side while you sleep Traveler." He said, "I'll prescribe a light sedative should the pain be uncomfortable."

Aether sighed, "I don't need medicine."  He put his top back on and fixed it so it didn't bother the compress Baizhu placed on his side. "I'll be fine, thanks."

"Of course." Baizhu watched him go along with Changsheng who flicked her tongue and looked at Baizhu after the door closed.

"You're letting him go juss~t like that?" She asked,

"Am I supposed to restrict him?" Baizhu smiled, "It's clear he won't listen."

"Hmm~" Changsheng tilted her head and said, "Whatever hit him.. was~s holding back great power." She now curled a bit more and rested her head on Baizhu's shoulder. "That bruise was~s caused by Adeptal Energy, it s~shrouded his body to protect him from the impact of the original hit. There are remnants of it all over him."

"I see." Baizhu was now curious, "What could he have been fighting?"

"Mmm~" Changsheng flicked her tongue and closed her eyes, "I feel I already know."

Washing Xiao's clothes with care he saw the blood washing off and narrowed his eyes. The color was like anyone else's, a red he knew was in his own veins. Suddenly feeling upset he focused on cleaning and stitching up the clothes then ringing them out and hanging them to dry in the shade so the sun wouldn't bleach them.

For some time he watched the clothes sway in the wind as they dried. The day was turning to evening as he simply sat there staring at the clothes soon to get up and check them. Feeling they were dry he folded them neatly and placed them in the small basket given to him by a person living at the inn. Thankful for it he carried the small basket of clothes back in and up to Xiao's room where he didn't see Zhongli or Paimon.

Deciding to wander into the room he closed the door and set the clothes aside. The silence was weightless and yet it felt so suffocating. Laying on the bed was a quiet Xiao who Aether wondered if he was dreaming of anything. Kneeling beside the bed Aether sat back on his feet and rested his head on the bed watching him sleep if that was even what he did.

The thought still haunted him, the expression Xiao had. Aether closed his eyes and sniffled, "Sorry." He quietly whispered, "I have to be strong."

"You are strong." Aether was surprised and lifted his head seeing Xiao was awake. He lay still and sat up perfectly fine.

"Xiao!" Aether couldn't help but hug him, Xiao still couldn't be used to such closeness, but allowed him the assurance. "You're okay? Does anything bother?"

"I am fine." He said then looked at Aether's side seeing the patch. "You.. were injured?"

"Huh? Oh, this-it's only a cold compress!" Aether was relieved Xiao felt fine, but from the narrowed eyes gazing at the patch he knew Xiao was blaming himself. "I'm fine." He reassured him, "It's only a bruise." He smiled now, "You were holding back weren't you? You tried to fight it."