I missed you (but I am unable to admit it)

Xiao did not understand mortal relationships...were the two of them considered friends? He did not know...was it normal to miss someone you considered a friend so deeply? He was too scared to bring these feelings up with Aether, the traveller would surely think him strange. However, he desired to have Aether all to himself, he wanted no one else to see that sweet smile that lit up like sunshine, and the laugh that set Xiao's heart ablaze. If this was what mortal relationships were like, he was not sure if he liked it or not, his chest felt so empty, and he knew it would not feel whole again until Aether was by his side.

Or

Xiao sucks with expressing himself, and instead lets his actions do the talking. Aether understands and allows Xiao to show how much he cares for him. When all is said and done, Xiao admits his true feelings to the traveller and the traveller reciprocates the sentiment.

Cover artwork by Riikyun on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_yn319

(story also on ao3 under the same title)