Genshin oneshots!!!! (Character x Character)

That smile ☁️ (Xiao x Aether)

~Xiao's POV~
It was getting lonely. I stand at the edge of the balcony at the Wangshu Inn. I cross my arms, looking out into the night. It was quite and the wind was blowing a soft gently breeze. Though the view was nice, it was awfully lonely. I don't know why I felt like this. I was alone for many years with no problems.

I hear footsteps behind me. I slowly turn around to see the traveler, Aether. I look away. "Oh hey Xiao!" Aether says happily. "Hello Traveler." I say with a blank tone. "....is something the matter?" Aether asks. He sat at the edge of the balcony. I sat down as well. "No, not really." Aether looks over at me. "I can tell you're lying." Aether states. I sigh through my nose. "Fine.. I just felt a bit lonely is all." I say quietly.

"I kinda figured." Aether snickers." but, I'm here now. How do you feel?" He asks me. I look out into the darkness of the night." I don't feel lonely, that's for sure. But... I feel something else that I can't quite make out." I say with a sincere tone. Aether looks away from me. I glance at him "Something on your mind, Traveler?" I ask, my tone as smooth as silk.

~Aether's POV~
"Something on your mind, Traveler?" Xiao asks me. I don't make eye contact. "Yeah. Something is always on my mind. Like how I frequently wonder if I'll ever find my sister. If I'll ever get her back." I answer quietly. Xiao looks away "I wish the best for you, you know?"Xiao says softly. I look over at him.

"Really...?" Xiao nods. My face lights up. "You're really amazing, Xiao." I smile at him. We make eye contact. "I am..?" he asks. "Of course. I love being around you. You are so nice to me and you make me happy... Eh I don't really know how to express it..." I chuckle."No need to. You being here for me says enough." Xiao says lightly. "thank you, Xiao. I really appreciate you. You are amazing and... And I.. I just honestly love your presence." I suddenly say.

Xiao looked surprised. "Well... Thank you. Really. I mean it..." he looks away again. Xiao lays his hand beside mine. I quickly move mine on top of his. His skin was as soft as almond tofu. I watch the soft blush cover his face. It was adorable. I smile at him. He looks over at me again. "I like your smile. Keep it while it lasts." He sighs out. "Hey cheer up. I'll keep smiling around you." I say in a comforting way. My hand clenches around his.

"Well I can't promise a smile always." I whisper. "Why is that?" Xiao asks with concern. I chuckle "my emotions are sometimes all over the place and I get overwhelmed and just cry. I never enjoy it when that happens. It's not always. Just sometimes. Like if I ramble about my sister to someone, I start to get emotional and can't process a sentence.." I mumbled.

"I understand." He mumbles back. I blink away a tear "thanks..." my grip on his hand loosened. "You can ramble to me anytime. I don't mind." Xiao whispers. I lean my head on his shoulder. "Thank you so much, Xiao... I know I've said that a lot now.." I chuckle. I feel Xiao freeze and tense up as my head rests on his shoulder. He soon relaxes.

I glace over at him. My gaze was adoring. I looked up to Xiao a lot and I never got to be alone with him like this. It was nice. Really nice. Then I thought of something. Did I like Xiao? Like... Love? I was contemplating whether I love him. He looks down at me and mutters, "everything alright? You went quiet." his voice was so soothing. My face flushes and I quickly sit up. "Y-Yeah I'm fine.." I mumble, looking away.

~Xiao's POV~

Aether's face... He was so beautiful. Wait. What am I thinking...???? He seemed distressed... in a way. I reach my hand out to him. I place it on his shoulder. He flinches and looks back at me. "Sorry..." he whispers. Oh arcons... His voice was as soft as a cloud. My face lights up with blush but I chose to ignore it. "You don't seem fine." my voice was low and calm as I spoke to him, "You can tell me anything. We are alone after all." I wasn't the type of adepti to say reassuring things to people but for some reason, Aether was a exception.

I didn't know why. Was it because I like him? In a romantic way? I didn't think adepti could like someone like that. I couldn't help it. Aether was perfect. Aether remains silent. I continued to stare at him, pondering. Maybe he doesn't like me like that. It was confusing. Aether opens his mouth to say something but imitately closes it.

Maybe he didn't like me. I look away. I had nothing to say. Nothing at all. I could feel the cold breeze of the night wind against my face. Aether places a hand on my knee. "Xiao?" He says, his voice a bit worried. "Hm?" I give him a glare. It wasn't ment to be a mean or hostile one. His eyes widen and he looks away. "Nothing." I guess he took it in the wrong way. I clear my throat. "Aether. I wanted to ask you something." I mutter, placing a hand on his thigh. He looks at me, his gaze distant.

"Is it alright for a guy to like another guy?" I ask. I imitately regret saying it. He ponders. "Yeah. I think its perfectly fine. People can like who they want to like." He smiles at me. I felt my heart skip a beat and without thinking, I kiss him. His eyes light up, confused. He leans into the kiss. I eventually pull away and he places his hands on my cheeks. "Xiao. I love you." he says bluntly. I was shocked. I mean, I liked him too but him saying that caught me off guard. I then respond to him." I... I love you too, Aether." My voice was trembling a bit. I hoped that he couldn't tell.

I could see tears well up in his eyes. He pulls me into a embrace and buries his face into my chest. I put my arms around him as well, nuzzling my face into his hair. He smelled so nice. "Aether. Will you be my boyfriend.." I whisper in his ear. I could hear him mumble a small yes. I was so happy at that moment. I forgot what feeling happy was like. I kiss his head and we pull away from the hug. "You look tired. Let's get you to bed." I hop back onto the base of the balcony. He follows after me, not saying a word. We walk back to his room. I open the door and let him go through. When he does, he flops down into the bed, clearly exhausted. I smile to myself. I shut the door and I strut up to the windowsill. I sit on it, observing him. He gets under the covers and says, "Good night, Xiao... Love you..." My face lights up with blush. "Love you too." I say back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FIN!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: The fist half of this was made MONTHS ago. I think in the summer or even before that. I just had a friend encourage me to finish it and here it is! I hope it was alright. I'm working on more btw!