Oath [BL; Book 2]

52

Within some days Aether recovered consciousness. Xiao had been busy these days taking care of unseen horrors. The monsters he normally faced became more aggressive. Though not a challenge he remained true to his duty, in both protecting Liyue and Traveler. Done for the day, he appeared in front of the abode and looked up when Xianyun came out seeking his company.

Hearing of Aether waking relieved him, but what came next he couldn't find any way to prepare for.

Upon entering the room quietly, he saw a boy sitting up on the bed. A wing extended out slowly, whilst the other was nowhere to be seen. He quickly looked to Xianyun who then shook her head answering his horror.

She explained in gentle words, the wing was too damaged to leave alone. Severing it was the only way to ensure Traveler healed properly. The unbalance could be seen as Zhongli was helping Aether to stand now. His very body was in peril as it could not understand or adjust to the difference.

Seeing Xiao, Aether's eyes brightened but he narrowed them seeming to know what he thought. Zhongli allowed Xiao to take over. Aether sat down to make it easier on both of them. Left in the room, they were quiet, neither knew how to start the conversation they knew they needed to have.

A bit of confidence came into light and Aether was the first to say, "I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt." The tears stains on his cheeks were obvious, Xiao knew that. "It feels.... weird.. I don't have any balance, Xianyun said it would only last a little while."

Xiao remained silent, this hurt.

Aether now became silent too looking down at his hands as he held them together. He couldn't bear it, and in a shaking voice he said, "I'm scared.." Xiao took the step he wanted so dearly to take. "It's after me? Am I going to-" before he finished that question he was hugged warmly. The tears rolled down his cheeks, he was surprised but loved it burying his face in Xiao's shoulder hugging him back.

"I'm sorry." Xiao firstly apologized feeling it was his carelessness and overconfidence that caused this. "Had I noticed you awoke...."

"It's not your fault." Aether sniffled wiping his tear as Xiao let go, "Even I didn't know."

Holding his hands he lowered himself to his knees feeling a need to simply submit to these undesirable feelings he wanted to discard. "It won't happen again." Closing his eyes he promised, "As long as I am near, I will protect you." Aether smiled allowing Xiao to rest his head on his lap. He was tired, he could tell. The battles were becoming more and more frequent he could only hope this wasn't a spell for disaster.

Aether leaned forward kissing his head softly, "Get some rest Xiao." The single wing wrapped gently around him. Chilling, soothing, Xiao was quiet. Head resting on Aether's lap. He brushed his hand through his hair slowly.

In the days that followed, the creature was nowhere to be seen. The Adepti were always on high alert. Even after Aether's successful recovery. Paimon and the others suspected nothing. Excpet for Zhongli and the Adepti who already knew of the wing.

Belliol made often appearances reporting to him whatever she found to be a clue of the being yet each time they felt close it slipped between their fingers. Patience was a virtue Xiao had learned long ago, he looked over at the entrance to Xianyun's home seeing no one came out and no one went in. Not a leaf fell without him knowing. He vanished in an instant appearing below with his spear in hand.

Cutting down some enemies that made their way too close to the mountain he rid the area of them and moved on to the other mountain bases where his work was yet to be done. Traveling with Aether, Xianyun swore she would protect him allowing Aether and Paimon to continue their travels and exploration. Along the way he stopped at Wangshu Inn for a moment and rested thinking of his next move.