Oath [BL; Book 2]

70

Xiao couldn't let him go, Aether had entered a depressive state, standing at the tomb, Belliol set down some flowers and offered a prayer. His sobs were silent, the pain had gone numb but still he couldn't bring himself to stop crying. Xiao could only offer him comfort, he held him tightly in his arms making him feel secure. Looking at the grave he gently touched Aether's back for him to offer his respects but he shook his head. This was a natural response as it was hard to accept such a thing. Belliol smiled sadly and tapped her eyes with her tissue cleaning her tears.

She offered to take over for him and helped to get Aether to come to her willingly. Xiao, freed for a moment, went to the grave. He had to be calm for Aether's sake, they had won one battle at the cost of a friend. The demon wasn't who they thought, however, now he knew there were others trapped in a similar hell as his own. Somehow it was relieving but he felt guilty knowing he felt that way.

Putting that aside he offered his respects and saw Belliol had offered a small floral arrangement of nilotpala lotus from Sumeru and Cecilia from Mondstadt. Their meanings hurt him, but he appreciated her consideration. Setting down a single dark feather he sighed and looked back to Belliol feeling the gold eyes.

Aether seemed to have calm down so he held his hand out and the sad angel came over taking his hand. Right back into the hug, Xiao didn't mind as he buried his face in Aether's shoulder, he pressed a point on his spine making him flinch and the wing spread stiffly. It hadn't healed as he had hoped. Belliol did get the tar off the wing, but the feathers were still charred. There was no hiding how self-conscious he was of it. Xiao knew Aether dreaded the sight of the wing as he even now hurried to put it away.

Yet he wouldn't let him holding the wing by the stem connecting to his back. Xiao gently pulled a feather and offered the beautiful feather to the grave setting it down over the dark one he had placed. The damage was only at the tip of the wing so his remaining feathers were still beautifully intact. With their offerings placed Xiao gave a small prayer. One for Rex Lapis to hear though he knew he was no longer in the heavens.

Zhongli, hearing the prayer, sipping his bitter tea and set the cup down staring at the contents. It was all he had to hear to know what happened. Standing from his seat he walked away. Childe, who had been with him for a meeting questioned his sudden change of mood and followed after.

Xiao gave a nod to Belliol who waved back going home to her ruins for a rest. They appeared at Wangshu Inn on the balcony. At least he had stopped crying, mostly because Xiao was holding his wing hostage, but also because Xiao kept hugging him. Aether squirmed now, but still he wouldn't let him put the wing away.

"Xiao..." Aether moved but still he didn't let go.

He felt the wing twitch and pulled Aether back into a hug surprising him as the light of the sun was blocked by something. The dark hue of the wings covered him even taking his own into their shade. Aether look at them stunned by their dark beauty. Their very color was the same as Xiao's hair with slices of teal. The wings were large, like that of a bird. The scent they held filled Aether with serenity and the hurt ceased to exist. A gentle hand wiped the tears from his face as Xiao kissed him kindly.

This only served to make him cry again, but at least he wasn't as sad as he was before. He was mesmerized by the fantastical wings he saw. His own wings could only carry himself, or at least they once could try with its counter part. However now that only one remained he could never feel the freedom of flight.

To this, Xiao was lightly lifted off the wood floor landing on the rail in a squat. Aether was surprised by this and stared at him not wanting Xiao to go, but when he held his hand out his heart fluttered. With no second thoughts he took it. There was no room for regrets when they fell from the balcony.