Oath [BL; Book 2]

40

The wind was soft, the air was brisk. The early morning sun came over the horizon. The light hitting his face as it shined. Eyes closed, calm. Hearing tuned in finely to the sounds of the river and the rustling leaves of the trees. His clothes rustled, his hair sway, he listened to everything, and nothing at all. Mind clear, heart beating calmly. Xiao meditated keeping himself composed. It hasn't bothered him since. Gently he touched his lips still able to feel the soft palm, the warmth blood that had helped him.

Within his clear mind a smile appeared and with it a face he couldn't clear himself from. Golden rivers, the moonlight gently kissing his fair skin, he looked hurt but through it all he was smiling. His voice was calm and his words were reassuring. Xiao had to open his eyes, it was only a thought. With it some words were brought back to him.

"I can't run from you."

He narrowed his eyes as he could clearly remember the sound of the river they were in, the sway of the cat tails.

"I think I'd just end up running toward you."

He couldn't ignore it much longer. Having heard Aether confess to Xianyun he knew she would come speak to him soon. He also knew she would inform Zhongli but as keen as he was there was already a chance he knew of Aether's feelings.

Every word he said was stuck in his head living there to remind him. It wasn't the first time he heard Aether truly pour his heart out, he now had to wonder if there was more he was hiding. Xiao closed his eyes again and let out a soft sigh. He stood there quietly and was alarmed when a commotion came to greet him up the stairs.

"Adeptus Xiao!" Xianyun stomped her foot down,

Shenhe was behind her, "Master I don't believe this is the best course of action."

Ganyu was with her too, "M-Master please! This is a bit much isn't it?"

Xiao was confused, but kept calm as he turned to her, "Is there something you need?"

"Hmmm.." she narrowed her eyes and pushed up her glasses. It was time, he didn't expect it to be so soon. "How dare you not take responsibility for your actions! He is an innocent child! One demands you to care for him properly after such a thing!"

He was purely lost. Xiao didn't understand what she was going on about. "M-Master! It isn't our business!" Ganyu seemed embarrassed and Shenhe sighed knowing better than to try and stop her.

"One as esteemed as the Adepti shall always keep to their word! This is no exception, one demands you propose before any further action as you have done! In the mortal plane it is improper to lay one down before marriage!"

"Hm?" He still didn't understand so he tried to reason with her and crossed his arms saying, "You misunderstand-"

"Ah?! One misunderstood nothing! Traveler informed me himself of your debauchery!"

"Master!" Ganyu's face popped bright red.

Shenhe said, "Master please calm down." Her accusations were drawing the attention of some people below.

Xiao nearly broke his composure "D-Debauchery?" He couldn't wrap his head around it, "Traveler said that?" Thinking back Xiao didn't remember a time when it could have even remotely come close.

"One had exchanged a few words with Traveler over a dated tea session!"

She recalled.

~

"Have your travels been well?" Xianyun sipped her tea.

"Mm," Aether nodded, "yeah, I've been around Fontaine mostly, there's so much I have to explore! The ability to swim freely is really fun."