Oath [BL; Book 2]

57

Aether sparkled, folding clothes he hummed being giddy. Paimon tilted her head and put her hands on her hips, "Hmmmmm." She watched him closely floating around him to see what was making him so happy.

He laughed and teased, "Don't think too hard Paimon, you might start smoking from your ears."

"Hey! Paimon can think just fine!" She huffed. "Hmph! Paimon's only trying to figure out why you're so happy Traveler. Paimon has never seen you smile so much before."

"Mm, it's weird right?" Even he agreed as he touched his face and chuckled, "I guess I'm just really happy because I figured some stuff out."

"Really?! Have you been seeing a therapist?!"

"Hahaha! No, Paimon! We can't afford that!" He laughed heartedly, "I just got some sound advice! It's amazing what communication can do." He set the folded clothes in their forever-bag.

"Huh, Paimon wants to do that too! Listen to this!" She now began her complaints about being dragged around by Xianyun and the others.

Aether smiled finding her adorable for her complaints, but knew she was actually happy to help them. "I know my burdens won't just disappear." He finished up and comforted Paimon with some pampering. "But I'm glad I have him." His heart fluttered and he blushed recalling the feel of Xiao's kisses, his hands, how gentle they were. He hugged Paimon to help her calm down and bribed her with some food and insisted she take the day off to rest a bit.

Closing the door behind him he went up to the balcony and saw he wasn't there. Still he smiled making Paimon her favorites and delivering them to her. Once she was comfortable and full she was quick to sleep. This gave him enough time to spend the night out. On the balcony he called his name, "Xiao!"

Arms wrapped around him, lifted from the floor he was hugged tightly. This he adored. Aether was kissed gently. Xiao's affection was everything and it made it all disappear. Being in his arms, simply standing there it was all the better.

Little did they know it was growing in the darkness beneath. Negative emotions called to it. Feeding on a corpse it devoured the entirety of the body. Claws turned into hands, talons into feet. Sharpened teeth dulled. A growling turned into a laughter.

Aether jumped up and slashed the ruin guard down winning his battle. "Yeah!" He and Paimon high-five excited for their victory running quick to claim their treasure.

"There's so much loot!"

"Wow!" Their eyes sparkled.

"It's time to eat!" They said in unison.

Running along they heard a shout, Aether quickly stopped and looked to it. "Help! Help me!"

"Huh, there's someone calling for help!" Paimon said,

"Let's check it out!" Aether went to see.

Someone was being surrounded by some hillichurls, Aether jumped right into action drawing his sword. He slashed one away and stabbed the other kicking it off his sword as another came running to fight him.

"Yaaa!" The hillichurl shouted swinging its club, Aether dodged it and slashed its back defeating it easily.

There were only four, with them defeated and fading into blue ash he out his sworn away going to the man who was on the ground. "Thank you kind young man!" The man's eyes were covered by bandages. He had a stick that he used to feel around as Aether helped him up. "Ah," he staggered, quickly he and Paimon helped the man keep balance.

"Hey you're hurt mister!" Paimon pointed out his sprained ankle.

"Goodness, it would seems so!" They helped the man over to a rock to sit.