Oath [BL; Book 2]

29

Breathing out as he was meditating on the rail, Xiao sat quietly. Sitting on the floor near him was Paimon and Aether. Hearing their giggles he opened his eyes subtly looking their way. They were playing a game to pass the time. It was now that he realized just how frequently they had been stopping by. Curious, but not saying anything of it he turned his eyes forward and gazed at the scenery. So familiar he could paint it with his eyes closed. The world was small yet so large. With this calm thought in mind he closed his eyes.

"Traveler?" For a moment in time everything seemed to stop. The birds, the clouds, the very rivers and wind. Xiao gazed at a shadow who's smile was as beautiful as Aether's. There was no mistaking it, within his eyes this shadow looked exactly like him.

The sun he so quietly walked behind was right in front of him. A voice whispered to him in this ever familiar tone, "Xiao?" It was him, it had to be. The golden hair, the bright smile, stunning as usual. "I was waiting for you to come back! Let's stay together!"

"Traveler, I-" he was about to refuse when this wonderful Traveler took his hands and pulled him into a gentle dance around this dark place.

"We can stay here!" His laughter filled Xiao's ears and the sound was uplifting. With a soft sigh he gave into the temptation this once allowing himself the freedom of peace. "Let's stay together forever, Xiao."

This was a little out of character even for him but he accepted it responding, "What a stubborn mortal."

Those small dances felt like it only lasted moments. Yet it went on and on. Something screamed at him to open his eyes and when he did all he saw was Aether once again. Dancing they twirled around an unseen stage, dimly lit, cold, but suddenly burning hot. The roars soon became louder in the distance and yet this Traveler seemed to not pay them any mind.

Xiao went on to reassure him of his safety, "I will only be a moment, I must-" Yet the Traveler grabbed his hands tightly and his smile quickly turned into a frown.

"Don't go."

"...." he was silent understanding his fear of being left behind. "Traveler, I understand your nightmares of me worry you, but please rest assured I won't be going anywhere." When he tried to pull his hands away the grasp only grew tighter. Something inside himself screamed.

"I like you Xiao." This shadow wept, "I like you. Don't leave me." Forward, but not forward enough.

Xiao closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Without a word he drew his spear slashing the imposter only to see more emerged. Several shadows formed the Traveler and all began to chant his name whimpering as they begged him not to leave.

He must.

In a swift maneuver Xiao cut through the burning darkness, the string entangled him, the red seas so dark they drowned him. Buried beneath mounds of resting skeletons he could only float there trapped by the very consequences he had to reap. The sown seeds had long since grown, and it was time to bear the burden of solitude and an endless cycle of suffering.

This all rested within, yet it seemed to vanish. Xiao opened his eyes to feel a tight hug from behind. A quiet voice whispered, "It's okay." Arms wrapped around his torso tightly they refused to let go. "It's all going to be okay Xiao."

Behind him was the real Traveler, he had been brought back from the void sea, and so easily at that. How he could let himself fall under he was curious to know, but what mattered was the result of such an event. Aether showed his tender side, this side of him he was still not used to. One so daring as to touch him, not only that, one so daring as to stay. This side no one else saw. This side, was meant only for him.

Aether was warm, and this warmth took all the burning away. With a sigh he closed his eyes once more thankful for this moment he was saved. Looking down at the arms around him he felt the need to feel if it was real and touched Aether's hand then feeling he moved a bit.

"Xiao?" He was alerted of his return from the darkness and his eyes brightened with life exploding at the center. "Waaah~! You scared me!" Aether sighed relieved as he let him go now only holding his arm loosely. "I really thought you were going to go under! You started grumbling and it looked like you were in pain. Are you okay?"

"...." Xiao only stared, this tranquil expression he was so used to seeing. Aether tilted his head waiting for a response and when Xiao turned his eyes toward the scenery Aether smiled. "Yes, everything is under control." What he added next, Aether wasn't expecting at all, "Thanks to you."

This left him speechless, it was a rare sight to simply see the moments as his suffering began. Xiao had hidden moments like these away from people, from everyone, for him to be so vulnerable as to let his guard down at Wangshu Inn, let alone in his presence. Aether didn't know how to respond, but curiosity got the better of him and he asked politely, "Was... were you thinking about them?" He looked somber. A gentle stillness in his eyes as he watched Xiao closely. "The others...."

He understood his concern but cleared any misunderstanding by answering with a simple, "No." Going on to close this response and end the conversation he said, "There is no need for you to concern yourself. I lost focus during my meditation is all."

"Ah," he looked sadder, but that smile hid it so well, "sorry, I guess that was a bit intruisive."

"Be mindful, the Adepti and mortals are not the same. Regardless of past grievances." Xiao didn't look at him, he wouldn't even turn his face or even his eyes as a kind gesture. He continued watching the rivers flow and the clouds move.

In this time it was best to leave him to his solitude, but Aether didn't leave. Instead, he let go of Xiao's arm at last and leaned against the rail beside him. "..... I.. miss her." This caught his attention full well. His keen eyes were quick to turn and gaze at the golden ones darkened by the sadness in his heart. "My sister." Aether was calm about it, he didn't seem to want to let the topic go, so Xiao narrowed his eyes wondering how he should respond.

Figuring to ask he watched him now. "You were close?"

"Very." His eyes brightened for only a moment and darkened again with gloom, "She's really mean!"

"?" Xiao tilted his head and Aether went on,

"Aha, but don't get me wrong - her affection for the people she cares for is... is everything anyone could want. She's kind. She's smart, nimble in battle, precise and always so focused. She..... haa, I say I want to go home... but where is home?"

This was a new problem that this traveler seemd to suffer from, Xiao could see Aether was conflicted and in this moment only one thing sounded right to say. "You are always welcome to call Wangshu Inn your home." Still sitting on the rail he realized several mortals preferred large homes and big families. "Could Traveler be the same?" Now unsure he decided to take it back, but before he did - Aether stared blankly. The words were slowly processed until his eyes shined and a wide grin crossed his face.

"Yes," but his meaning threw Xiao completely off, "wherever you are is my home!" Whether he was teasing or not, somehow it felt great to hear. "I'm home Xiao!"

He sighed having to add one more thing to his list of getting used to items. However this one he knew would grow on him quickly.

Closing his eyes and going back to meditating he responded calmly. "Welcome home."