Order of Unity (A Xiaother Story)

Chapter One: Is Love Objectifying?

Love. A word that people often mistake for other phrases that falsely put titles on people who are undeserving of that exact thing: Love.

Yes, a Boy born in Khaenri'ah was once thought to have never been able to love. But now, the talk of the town is the marriage those two boys had. And it's bittersweet reception by the public.

For a long time, Liyue was a very conservative area. Religious traders arrived from faraway lands and set up their town where Morax reigned. They lived in peace and harmony for a while, until moral views became distorted. In 1980, Mondstadt's election influenced the entire continent of Teyvat. It caused tensions to build up, almost to the point of an all-out war that the area hadn't seen since the war 500 years ago.

Liyue's conservative roots dripped down throughout generations and some evolved to be more progressive and inviting to LGBTQ+ individuals, however, the reception to Aether and Xiao's wedding caused protests around the country. A queer businessman marrying the once prince of Liyue? Lots of people saw this as a sinful and disgusting act, while a lot of other people saw this as progress for the community.

...

Tuesday, July 17

"Xiao, why is it that every single time I ask you what's wrong, you shut me out?"

Aether was upset. He knew that Xiao meant no harm by closing himself off, but after a while, it got old.

"I want you to let me in... but I can't do that if you don't help me." He continued, Xiao silently weeping in his arms, sat on the balcony. Xiao got into another one of his episodes, he felt really upset with himself after shouting at Aether the other night. He felt like he meant nothing and that he hurt Aether badly, and that everything was his fault. Aether sat down by him as the breeze blew their hair.

"I understand if you don't want to talk about this..but it's draining to me that you're always closing yourself off. I'm not mad about what happened earlier, that's in the past and I want to focus on the present." Aether continued, while Xiao protested by keeping his head in his arms. "You're my husband now, and there's nothing that's gonna change that. I can't give up on you."

Xiao looked up, tears staining his rosy red cheeks, and he finally spoke, after what felt like an eternity.

"I hate how I treat you. I feel like all I do is yell and make you upset. I scream when I get angry, and that's how I am. It's hard for me to manage my anger, and I hate that..I take it out on you."

Xiao began to stutter as his voice broke, continuing to attempt to hold himself together.

"I still love you so much..I don't want anything to happen to you. I- I want you, all of you." He continued.

Aether's cheeks grew red again, as this comment made him flustered.
"I'm married to the most beautiful man I know. A strong, loving and caring man." He reassured Xiao.

Xiao then took his hand and brought him inside. The air was hot as it was the middle of the summer. He motioned for Aether to change, as he wanted to go to the pool with him. The two changed and then went downstairs to the infinity pool that their house had. Aether brought out a bottle of wine, and poured him and his husband a glass. They continued to talk out their emotions, and Xiao let himself out to his husband. He felt as if everything that happened in the past continued on, and there was nothing he could do to change it. All he knew was that his husband was there with him, and that's all the reassurance he needed.

Aether went to the grocery store and brought back ingredients for their meal, Chicken Parm & Caesar Salad. He cooked while Xiao prepared the salad.

Aether took the chicken out of the oven and Xiao came up to him and gave him a hug from the back and a kiss on the neck. Slow music played in the background.

"Not now, this oil is hot~" Aether said, with a hint of flirtation in his voice.

"Not hotter than you~" Xiao flirted back.

Aether then leaned back and set down the pan so the chicken could cool off. He kissed Xiao on the lips as Xiao pressed his fingers into Aether's neck. They sat down and ate.

The two finished dinner and put their plates in the dishwasher. Aether grabbed Xiao by the hand and brought him into the bedroom, where they cuddled up beneath his bed's covers and watched a movie.

In time, they fell asleep. Aether kept thinking in his mind whether this cycle would continue, or if this was the night it broke.

AUTHORS NOTE

Heyyyy bitches~
I'm back :)