Oath [BL; Book 2]

59

"Do you get it now?" Aether treated Xiao's small cuts gently dabbing them with some alcohol to cure and applying ointment and bandages after. "He's not a.. beast."

Feiyu was sat near the fire thinking thoroughly, "Yes, I can sense that now. How interesting." His vision was lost but his gaze was fixed on Xiao who he knew didn't look his way.

Xiao was watching Aether, a silent concern for his reaction before.

"And you!" Aether looked at him, Xiao flinched startled, "It's not polite to attack people while they're sleeping! That's dangerous!"

"Huh, so Xiao and Feiyu had a misunderstanding?" Paimon asked eating her fill of the big breakfast Aether made for everyone to regain their spent strength. "It looks like-" she glanced around, "huh?! Was it only a misunderstanding?!" From the looks of it, it was more than that.

"Might I ask, and excuse my forwardness, would your.. ahem, friend, be one of the illuminated beasts I've heard much of?"

"Ah-" Aether now understood where he got the misunderstanding, "haaa... OK, listen..." he had to thoroughly explain the situation, the logic behind the terms and the reasons for such ideas.

"Xiao is one of the Adepti that live in Liyue." Paimon had helped him explain.

"Along with Cloud Retainer - um, who goes by Xianyun now, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper - just to name a few." He smiled to Xiao who he felt staring at him and then handed him a plate of almond tofu to enjoy.

"Although their illuminated forms are, in fact, beast-like, they aren't anything close." Paimon grinned then noticed the fire was dying a bit, "Paimon's gonna get more sticks Aether!"

"Ok, just don't go too far."

Feiyu enjoyed their interactions finding Paimon oftened relying on Aether. "Ah," he took a moment to understand what they said and tilted his head, "like majestic creatures no? Entities to which are divine."

"Yeah." Aether looked at Xiao who didn't disapprove too into eating the almond tofu. "Divine." Aether liked the thought.

"Hmm, quite interestingly enough, this young man is..." Feiyu smiled and he felt Aether gently touch his hand, a kind warning he would be treated now. "This mighty Adeptus is your lover?"

Having clearly heard, Xiao's cheeks turned a soft blush, and he averted his eyes, all the while Aether was a but embarrassed too, "Y-yeah.. he....."

"Hm, perhaps I was one to assume too quickly, but are you not a boy Aether?"

"Uh-" he blushed now, Xiao's gaze turned. Feeling the cold glare Feiyu smiled more, "I-I am..."

"I see, this world is quite diverse."

"Y-you're not bothered by it?" He asked hesitant to treat him now as he wasn't sure Feiyu would appreciate being touched by him.

"Heavens no, as long as my friend is in good spirits and continues to shine as brightly, I have no objections."

It was acceptance he didn't know he needed, Aether calmed and smiled. "I see." He continued treating his wounds now finding they were quite serious though Feiyu didn't seem bothered by them.

Knowing Aether was curious he asked, "Would you like to know?"

"Uh-no, no it's fine. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"My secrets have been laid clean because of your jealous lover."

Hearing that made Xiao pause as he was eating. Logical, but he didn't want to admit anything.