Traveler's Alone Time!

3 - Safe for Now

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Why did Paimon have to come now?

Aether thought appallingly. He grimaced and took a deep breath.

Come on Aether, think, think..

If she saw the situation Aether and Xiao were in, the scene would definitely be etched in her memory, forever traumatized. Within that few seconds of letting the dread sink in, Aether got an idea.

Aether then held the adeptus close to his chest as an attempt to conceal him. "Wait until Paimon leaves, please." Xiao doesn't say anything but nods to his instructions, as he was totally blissed out at the close proximity between them.

"Traaaaveler? Where are you?," Paimon calls out once again, coughing as she fanned the mist away. "Eugh, the air feels funny here.."
(oh wow, fr.. totally not hinting at anything)

"I'm right here Paimon!," Aether shouts out as he soon saw Paimon's silhouette through the mist. He turned his head around to look at his companion.

It didn't take long for Paimon to see that the blonde was naked. When she did, she covered her eyes like a child during a horror movie, shamefaced. "Oops, s- sorry Traveler!"

Aether held Xiao closer, hoping that Paimon wouldn't be able see him. "It's fine, Paimon. Uhm, why are you here?"

Paimon managed to muster the courage to finally take her small hands off her face. She stares past Traveler, as to avoid looking at his nudity. "Paimon told you, she would look for you if you weren't there by the time Paimon woke from her nap!," she censured, pouting as she does.

Ah, right. He had almost forgot her because he'd been having so much fun with Xiao.

Paimon put her finger to her chin then said abashedly, ".. And also, Paimon's kinda hungry. I was hoping you could cook a lil late-night snack.."

If Aether could, he would facepalm himself. Again.

"Right now?"

Paimon hummed thoughtfully. "Well, not right now, right now.. More like, as soon as possible?," she specified restlessly.

"Seriously..? But I'm pretty sure we still have that Mora Meat I cooked yesterday."

"Ehh.. But Paimon is craving warm, fresh food," the fairy grumbled, crossing her arms. Damn it, Paimon and her nightly cravings. Paimon then added sullenly, "What's so good about Hot Springs anyway? Paimon just doesn't get it. All it makes Paimon feel is gross and sweaty." This was a clear, but horrible attempt to convince the Traveler to get out and cook for her already.

Aether audibly sighs and returns to check on Xiao while Paimon went on about the cons of Hot Springs. Though he still hadn't responded to his earlier message, his amber eyes seemed to be busy inspecting the ups and downs of Aether's body. Fascination, and a faint voracious kind of curiosity was evident from his expression. Xiao blinks a few times, as if he couldn't believe this feast for eyes was right in front of him.

Ah, his lack of knowledge in this sort of scenario was adorable.

Xiao takes his talon-like hand from out the water, glancing at Aether's chest then back. The next thing Xiao did was one that Aether hadn't expected Xiao to ever do. One that he weirdly didn't dislike, but rather revel at it.

Xiao had placed his hand on the right side of Aether's chest, making him yelp in surprise, "Ah!-" Aether immediately clasped his hands over his mouth, embarrassed that he let himself go for second just because Xiao had touched his chest..