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Chapter Text

(“Why did you help me? You do not know me.”  

“You were in need, were you not?”

“I could have hurt you. I still can.”

“So why won't you?”)

The first time Aether had called for him, Xiao had been ready.

Ready to fight, to kill, to plunge from the heavens and eradicate anything that dared threaten the traveler with the soothing soul.

Instead, he had found himself standing atop the mast of a boat in Liyue Harbor, looking down at the peaceful and otherwise happy city, weapon in hand. He had been annoyed at first. Confused.

He had told the traveler to call his name if he was ever in danger. Xiao had a duty to attend to, he couldn’t just go gallivanting away, enjoying life as if he wasn’t the last Yaksha standing.

But truth be told, he could not find it in himself to remain annoyed, unable to look away from Aether’s widening smile. Those lips uttered his name again, less of a call, more of a soft caress.

His jade spear disappeared from his hands as he jumped down to meet him— them, he had company and Xiao needed to remember to keep himself in check— landing with a measured exhale. He breathed in and was immediately assaulted by the small girl’s burning determination, immediately soothed by Aether’s purifying essence. It was a dizzying enough sensation thatit made the Yaksha worry, ever so slightly. At least they were far enough from the bustle of the city, away from curious bystanders that would further disrupt his peace of mind.

“What do you need?” Xiao had asked, blunt and to the point, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded the traveler and his littlest companion, relief winning over his confusion at seeing them unharmed.

“Oh,” Aether had said, that darned smile never disappearing from his face. “You really did come. Are you busy? It’s nothing serious, sorry if we worried you. Xiangling is participating in a cooking contest, and we would like to hear your opinion on her dish.”

Xiao faltered. Out of all the things he could have considered or expected, this particular request still managed to surprise him. “I do not understand how my opinion would matter.”

“You’re Aether’s friend! Of course, I would like to make a dish that you would like as well!” The young woman exclaimed with a startling amount of vigor. Her aura blazed and burned with her enthusiasm and belatedly Xiao realized it tasted of cinnamon. Warm and spicy.

“…Very well.” Xiao sighed, giving in to their childish eagerness. Aether and his little companion both cheered as the little chef bounced up to him without any inhibition, offering a small plate of what looked like rice and spicy fowl.

Xiao hesitated briefly, but as an adeptus bound by duty, he did what he always did best. He grabbed the utensils and prepared a balanced morsel for him to consume. Human food carried too many flavors and too many emotions for him to tolerate more than a bite, but surely that was all that would be needed.

“It is fragrant.” He declared after swallowing, feeling its burn as it slid down his throat. “I cannot speak for the human palate, but the flavors share a harmony. You are clearly a very talented chef, little one.”

“T-thank you for such high praise, Adeptus Xiao!” The little chef said, eyes nearly sparkling as she bowed several times. This cinnamon soul then hesitated, bit her lip and looked from him to Aether, seemingly struggling with her words. “But…is this dish to your liking?”

Xiao huffed. “If you wish to make a dish for the human palate, my thoughts will not be of much use. But I would prefer something simpler. One single dominating flavor.”

“I see, I see. Don’t worry I’m aiming to create a dish that can be enjoyed by all! And even if I can’t take everyone’s wishes into account, I can always make separate dishes should you ever visit the restaurant!”

Xiao nodded, impressed by her resolve. While the young chef sprinted away, carried by one of her passions as she devised another dish to try out, the Yaksha finally took notice of a small whisper of a soul that had been cloaked in Xiangling’s vibrant spice.

A chubby red panda was looking at him, little tears in his beady eyes as he waved at him.

“Eh?” Paimon said as her traveler cocked his head in wonder. “What’s wrong with Guoba?”

Xiao crouched by the red panda’s side, almost feeling the vestiges of a grandiose soul stirring the air… But no. There was nothing left in this small form.

Other than a sense of familiarity. And comfort.

“Peace be with you.” He said, patting him on the head. What had once been Marchosius hummed in delight, reaching up to return the gesture by patting Xiao’s knees, a shadow of a god’s blessing easing the aching in his soul.

“You know Guoba?” Aether had asked, unaware and knowing, yet another smile gracing his lips.

“Something like that.”

Aether nodded and their conversation lapsed briefly, as they watched a worried Paimon chasing after the red panda in a self-assigned duty of chaperoning as Guoba sprinted away at full speed, presumably to return to his little chef.

This far away from the bustle of the city, it was almost too easy to lose oneself to the soft crashing of waves and rocking of boats.

“Thanks for coming,” Aether said, his voice adding to the peacefulness instead of breaking it. “This contest seems to be a big deal here in Liyue. Even Smiley Yanxiao came all the way to the harbor to compete. I don’t know where he’s staying though. A pity, I’m sure he would have loved to see you. He’s… a little nervous.”

“My presence would only further unsettle him. He would scramble to make something palatable for me instead of focusing on this… contest of theirs.”

“For such a big man he does lose his nerve easily.” Aether laughed. “And it’s cute that he cares so much about you.”

Aether then continued rambling about the different people Xiangling had chased down to ask for their opinions on food, and the contradictory feedback that seemingly only making her creativity soar. He kept his voice at a moderate level despite the spikes in excitement making it quiver with laughter. Xiao listened, offering a nod here and there in encouragement as the sun slowly sank over the horizon.

It was… peaceful.

But for Liyue Harbor to be peaceful… Xiao could not slack off.

He waited until the sun finally sank down into the sea, until darkness reached the farthest point of the pier. He waited until the moon rose up, full and bright and until Aether finished his tale.

“Do you need assistance with anything else?” Xiao said, breaking the illusion of peace at last.

The traveler looked at him as if he had suddenly sprouted horns, or a second head, before averting his gaze. “Well, no, I mean… I’ll be making dinner shortly; would you care to join me?”

Xiao cocked his head. “I don’t suppose you need help defeating your dinner?”

Aether chuckled, and Xiao felt a corner of his mouth twitch up in return. “No, no, of course not. Although it would be nice to cook together, now that you mention it. How about it? Want to help me make some… Hmm, how about some soup?”

Xiao closed his eyes, unable to look at the expectant traveler bathed in the glow of moonlight. It was hard getting the words out, and for one second, they almost weren’t spoken at all. What an inexcusable loss of control. “No, I must return to my duties.”

“I see.” Even though Xiao couldn’t see him, he could practically feel the disappointment and the sudden hesitance that preceded his next words. “Xiao… Was it okay? Calling you?”

“I do not understand the reason. But… I’m grateful you did.”

“So, I can… call you again?”

Xiao sighed, feeling himself caving terrifyingly fast. Already the battle was lost, so he opened his eyes, staring at the traveler, shining even in the night. “Fine. But never forget, if you ever find yourself in danger, speak my name.”

“You worry too much, I’ll be fine.” Aether had said, deceptively cheery. He crowded closer, until his face was impossibly close to Xiao’s. His determination sizzled in the air, and Xiao felt his breathing easing up, as if the weight of the karmic burden was… lighter. “Better prepare yourself for more fun activities. Relaxing, fun activities I mean. I promise not to call you too often. I know you’re busy.”

Xiao only nodded numbly. And with much regret he finally pulled back. “Night has come. I should go. In the harbor you shouldn’t have any reason to fear, but please be careful on your way back.”

“You too,” Aether returned with a smile tinged with the melancholy of the moonlight’s hues. His throat bobbed with words he did not say, with promises Xiao would never hear.

What an odd thought.

Xiao disappeared with his next breath, before even more bizarre emotions took root in his heart.

(“If you awake to a knife at your throat, if monsters dig their claws into you, if death comes knocking at your door, call out my name. Adeptus Xiao. I will be here when you call.

“We’ve made this promise before, have we not?”)

And that had been it.

As Xiao returned to his deathly dance, he remembered the light of their smile, the taste of an Offering alight on his tongue in the middle of acrid pain. He remembered the rocking of ships, and a sun wrapped in the moon’s gentle glow.

He knew better than to desire anything, he knew that the promise he made was to come at the sign of peril. Desire had always been dangerous to the Yaksha, but try as he might, he couldn’t help the flicker of hope, the quiet want at the mere thought of hearing him call his name a second, a third time…

(In the throes of a warring world, the nameless adeptus waited for a call that never came. Until he wondered if maybe it had all been just a dream…)

But he never called.

Xiao had long since convinced himself this was for the best. The promise he had made was to come at the sign of danger, to be the dagger to slice the enemy’s throat, to be the spear that pierced a monster’s heart. Not to eat strange food, and listen to mundane tales.

And yet, the days crawled on, the fight continued, and sometimes, as he found a protected crevice in Jueyun Karst for a momentary respite, he thought the light of the moon was cold, suffocating. Sometimes the nights tasted of sea salt, and he was drowning—

“X-Xiao,” Small and fragile, a little voice called for him from the depths of the sea. “I know- I know I’m not Aether but… he- Xiao, please, we need you.”

A cold tendril of fear gripped his heart, returning him to the waking world in between desperate gasps. He materialized his spear without conscious thought as he threw himself into the air and teleported away, reading himself for the next carnage.

He appeared just in time to block an incoming missile, a cacophony of explosions, and whirling engines blasting all around him. The Yaksha desperately looked around, trying to find the traveler and his little companion amidst the debris, half a dozen metal carcasses lying on the drenched ground.

He destroyed a ruin hunter’s exposed eye before it could drop even more bombs, and while he was hovering in the air, he picked up the scent of blood.

Growing increasingly frantic, Xiao summoned currents of anemo to propel the hovering machines against the walls, against each other.

“Xiao!” Paimon’s sharp call pierced through the chaos, and the Yaksha was already darting towards her before she even finished. “We’re here! Xiao, please!”

The stench of blood was overwhelming.

The world seemed to pause, the sound of screeching metal dimming to a whisper as Xiao headed the call and saw nothing but a boulder. A big, massive chunk of rock, still sizzling from some missiles embed on the top corner.

Numbly, he allowed his gaze to fall, preparing his heart for yet another loss. There was blood splattered against the rock, clouding the water at their feet. Almost obscuring the crushed body, the crying spren cradling Aether’s bloodied face, the way the man rasped out a breath, the next, mumbling softly to his friend.

He was alive. 

The air around them was displaced, several missiles heading their way. In a hurricane of desperate fury, Xiao blasted away the projectiles, and before the machines of war could recover, he had grabbed hold of the boulder and tossed it away, letting it crash heavily against a ruin guard heading their way, the machine screeching, the metal falling apart.

There was so much blood—

“Ah, Xiao…” His name burned itself on Xiao’s chest, as hazy golden eyes sought him out. Aether winced as he was picked up, no matter how gentle Xiao tried to be. “Sorry…’bout th’s.”

“Save your breath.” Xiao ordered, pleaded. “I’m getting you to a healer.”

If only Anemo could heal, if only Xiao wasn’t a monster of killing. If only if only if only…

He could try breathing life into his body, adeptal energy would accelerate the body’s own healing capabilities—

(Lifeless eyes stared back at him, as the babe he had failed to save woke up, forever cursed to a life of death—)

“’Is okay, I’m okay,” Aether mumbled weakly, red spittle on his lips, grasping onto his chest with shaky hands. “Don’t… worry, I’ll be fine…”

Words clogged Xiao’s throat, but the threat of the machines closing in on them had him grabbing the frantic Paimon and teleporting them all away.

“Where— Where are we…?” Paimon immediately flew around them in an erratic pattern, trying to make sure no enemies had followed them, that they were safe, they were okay.

There was blood smeared on her shaky hands.

“Mount Aocang.” Xiao managed to whisper, hurrying over to the healing lake, and carrying Aether into its immaculate waters, disregarding how his wet clothes clung to his body.

“It’s not a solution,” He said, voice on the verge of trembling. “But it will help. It will stop the bleeding. It will help.”

“Perfect,” Aether slurred, cold forehead pressed against Xiao’s chest, privy to the sounds of his wildly beating heart. “I’m going to be fine, Xiao. Don’t worry, don’t worry.”

“You are gravely injured.” Xiao pointed out, unable to control his thoughts. He gentled his hold over the traveler, letting the water support his battered body, to relieve some of the pressure on broken bones. His hands still held him, a hand supporting his head, another his hips. Around them, the water turned red, pink, slowly, ever so slowly, clearing off blood. The feverish skin knitting itself back together, shattered bone fusing itself. Aether’s body began to shine, like a fire, a star, as his body accepted the lake’s energy. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

Despite his harsh words, the traveler just smiled, looking peaceful despite the blood still on his face, the way his arm- his arm-

“Once the bleeding stops.” Xiao swallowed, started again. “I will need to reset your shoulder.”

“Sure, thanks.” Aether’s voice grew softer, and softer, as the pain subsided. “Sorry. That you had to see me like this.”

“Why did you not call for me?”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you not call my name when you were in danger, Aether?”

“I wasn’t…” Eyelids fluttering heavily, Aether struggled to remain awake. “I didn’t know the cave was so… unstable.”

“I’m taking you to the shore so you can sit up.” Xiao’s voice was steady, just like his hands as he led him to the islet at the center of the lake. But his heart twisted, his chest feeling cold with a fear he still did not know how to name. “Regardless, with so many ruin machines. Surely you weren’t expecting to come out unscathed.”

Aether scrunched up his nose as he sat on the edge wetly, his long hair forming a curtain of dripping water at his back. It was impossible to say if that expression was due to pain or Xiao’s words.

“…Is he okay? Aether are you okay?” Paimon had finally flown back to them, hovering beside her companion, pale and concerned but clean of blood.

Aether smiled, sighing fondly. “Of course, I’m fine, Paimon. You know I always am.”

“…But I still worry,” The little spren whispered, looking small and dejected, then looking back at Xiao as if expecting… what?

“Your shoulder.” Xiao said, reaching for it. His gloved hands touched naked skin, Aether’s feeble armor clinging limply to his other shoulder, about to fall off. His clothes were similarly tattered. He ignored the traveler’s hiss of pain, as he assessed the damage. “You will need a new change of clothes.”

“Oh, I guess you’re— ugh!” Aether’s agreement was cut short as Xiao pushed the bones back into place without any warning. The traveler laughed, light-headed and airy. “Oh man, that hurt. Bones always hurt so bad.”

“Well in that case maybe you should get injured less!” Paimon exclaimed almost angry, crossing her arms over her tiny chest. “Serves you right.”

“It’s not like I like getting hurt!” Aether replied indignantly. But then his attention went back to the Yaksha still half-submerged and staring at him. “Xiao, don’t you want to get out of the water?”

“You should get back in.” He replied instead. “I was not expecting the adeptal waters to be so… agreeable with your body. You’re already healing far beyond what I expected.”

Aether opened his mouth. Closed it. Then with a sigh he slid himself back into the waters, sitting on the same low step Xiao was standing on, submerged up to his chin. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

“Don’t be.” Xiao said gently. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to prevent you getting hurt.”

“You don’t have to… actually, how did you find me? I didn’t…” Aether bit his tongue, looking away from them.

“You didn’t call me.” Xiao chased after him, not letting him drop the subject, or divert the conversation. Distantly, the words felt familiar even though he had never spoken them before. “Why is that?”

“I told you I didn’t know this big rock would drop out of nowhere!”

“…”

“Listen, I know I get up to some pretty dangerous situations, but I’m always fine.”

“Still, I must insist. If you need assistance, you should call me. You were surrounded by enemies, pinned to the ground and still it was your companion who called for me.”

“…It slipped my mind.”

Xiao held his gaze for a second longer before Aether looked away.

(Why did it feel like he just lost something he never knew he had?)

“I don’t…” Aether sighed, eyes firmly on the disturbed surface of the water. He had bags under his eyes, he looked thinner than last time they met. Xiao did not like that thought. “You’re not a weapon, you’re not a- a trained dog at my beck and call. You’re my friend, Xiao. I want to treat you as such.”

Xiao stood there, drenched in healing waters, the screams, the karma he was burdened with taking a back seat for one dizzying moment. His mind was the most lucid he’d been in a very long while. And still, he couldn’t understand.

“Do you… see me as a friend?”

Aether seized up. But before the situation could devolve into a misunderstanding, Xiao gently grabbed his hand, cradling it in his.

“I am a Yaksha,” He began, voice barely above a whisper, eyes firmly trained on the water at his waist. “I am the last standing Yaksha. I’m the Conqueror of Demons. I’m Rex Lapis’ last line of defense. I’ve… killed countless gods, adepti, humans. I’ve devoured… The karmic burden I bear is simply because of my own actions. I am tainted. You should know better than to associate yourself with me.”

“Do you think I’m free of sin?” Aether asked him quietly. Xiao did not look up. Did not let go. “Do you think I don’t have a death count to my name? I’m not some fragile, weak little boy. I can take care of myself, and I can… decide for myself. Who I want to befriend.”

Unbidden, memories of his fellow Yaksha Generals rose to the forefront of his mind. They had been like Xiao too. Aloof, distant. Fúshě had been a warmonger. Fánàn had tried drowning Rex Lapis up until he gave her a contract. They had all been life’s castoffs, and perhaps that was the reason they eventually found solace in each other’s presence.

They had never given it a name. He had never considered them as friends. But they had shared a bond beyond the duty they all had. They all had shared the burden, the responsibility…

And yet only Xiao remained. Only Xiao had survived the weight of their anvil, as the ever-increasing karmic burdens tore even the sturdiest of them apart.

“I do not mean to imply you are weak.” Xiao said slowly. Every single word perfectly enunciated, perfectly thought out. “But my karmic burden is not just the blood on my hands. It is a curse. A curse that affects everything… everyone around me. To the point that I make my own enemies.”

(To the point that he will become the very thing he fights. Just like all the other Yakshas before him.)

“You told me once,” Aether said, eyes on their joined hands. His long hair spilled at his back, like liquid gold, wild and untamable. “That when you’re around me, your mind clears. That around me you feel like you can breathe again.  Is this not enough proof that being by your side will bring no harm my way?”

Surely.

Surely Xiao was delirious.

The lack of pain… the healing waters…

He pressed Aether’s hand against his forehead, for a second, two.

“Very well then, I suppose I cannot convince you otherwise,” He smiled, letting the emotions bubble up his chest, in this brief respite, in this small bubble of time where it was only him and Aether and there was no pain.

Aether immediately turned red.

It was so sudden that the Guardian Yaksha was immediately concerned, reaching towards him as if expecting him to pass out in a feverish heap.

“I’m fine, I’m fine! Sevens! I’m getting out of the water! I need- oh no my clothes—" Aether ended up planting his whole hand against Xiao’s face, pushing him down as he finally escaped, his armor falling to the water in a sad splash, and the Yaksha was once again staring at the pinkish, ugly scarring tissue on a skin blemished with many more faded scars.

(He wanted to trace every single one of them, to learn more about this outlandish traveler.)

The sudden impulse washed over him, making him feel lightheaded, untethered. Reckless.

Xiao clenched his fists, digging nails into his palms, forcing his mind to stop wandering, and with every steady breath he ensured the ever-present darkness would not consume him. That had been unforgiveable. He could not let a passing emotion jeopardize Aether’s wellbeing.

“Xiao…? Are you okay?”

“I will procure you new clothes.” He said instead, stepping back, away from his reaching hands, away from the sweet temptation. “Wait here.”

And he was gone.

It hadn’t taken long for the Yaksha to return with Liyuen-styled clothes, a black outfit with a dark blue outer jacket, looking so expensive Aether made the executive decision that he did not need to know where he had gotten the clothes or how much they had cost. Both for his own sanity, and because Xiao’s expression was stony, guarded eyes continuously skirting away from him.

Even worse, Paimon had taken Aether’s torn clothes and very resolutely stated she would handle the cleaning and mending. Aether had not protested, just handing her a bag of Mora just in case and the little spren disappeared, heading over to Liyue to tend to her self-imposed errand.

Having something to do, some way of helping, made her feel better but Aether missed her the instant she disappeared, the silence between him and Xiao growing heavier.

Aether combed through his hair with a small burst of wind to dry it before letting it hang loose at his back. He would have offered Xiao to do the same for him, but for better or for worse, the Conqueror of Demons had already dried himself by the time he had returned with the clothes.

“You have healed,” Xiao spoke then, eyes carefully not looking at the sun clothed by his own hand standing by his side in all of his perfect glory. “But you still lost a lot of blood. You should eat something if you’re able.”

“…I’m okay, Xiao. Don’t worry about it.”

Xiao chanced a look at him, biting his lower lip. “Are you not hungry then?”

“Not really, it’s okay.”

“As your… friend—” The word tasted sweet, soft, like the petals blooming on Aether’s face anew. “— I would think I am not wrong to worry.”

“If I eat…” Aether looked away, running his hands through his long hair, voice almost swallowed by the silence that refused to leave them.  “Will you at least be a little less worried?”

Xiao sighed. And reached for his hand. “I shall make an attempt.”

“Will you eat with me? Is there anything you like?”

“Almond tofu is not a proper food for healing humans.”

“I’m neither healing nor human.”

“Please, Aether.”

“…Something with meat would be nice.”

“Would it be alright to procure something from that chef friend of yours?”

“Oh, Xiangling would be elated! Do you remember where her restaurant is? Wait are you okay with entering the restaurant, I don’t really need that much food, I could always just eat some sunsettias, or some wild berries or…?”

“It will be done.”

And just like that Aether found himself alone on top of the mountain.

Alone.

With nobody to see him, or worry, the tired immortal let his shoulders sag with a deep sigh, walking towards the edge of the mountain and taking a seat, using an amber protrusion as backrest.

The sight was… nostalgic.

Jueyun Karst had always been a symbol of the Geo Archon’s immutability thorough the years. The arching mountains, the trustworthy wind imbued with the will of many adepti attuned to anemo, always there to give even a wingless one an extra burst through the air.

He cast his gaze down, remembering the path of a river that ran around pillars of rock, and remembered a time, so long ago, when he had been truly alone, nothing but the trickle of water for company.

He was not fond of staying in one place for extended periods of time, but he had been…

Why… Had he been here again?

The clouds below slowly thickened, hiding the ground from him, in a pretty faithful depiction of his own memories.

Knees tucked to his chest, the immortal remembered a river flowing red, mountains darkened with ash and ichor, gods fighting for the right to the throne and he…

(A little wind spirit had once asked him; would he fight too? Would he don the crown and change the world?)

(Aether had replied—)

“The little chef sends her regards.”

Aether inhaled sharply, catapulted back to the present time, as the smell of warm food wafted up to him, Xiao’s imposing shadow towering over him, ever watchful. As Aether tilted his head back to stare at him, he recalled a distant memory, of a fateful encounter under the moon’s glow.

(“You are wingless too, are you not?”)

A smile pulled at his lips, as he scooted so Xiao could take a seat by his side. The Yaksha hesitated as was expected, but surrendered himself to Aether, carefully avoiding stepping on golden tresses as he knelt facing him, proffering the meal like an offering.

“Thank you.” Their hands touched as the food was exchanged, the air quietening around them. Unsure if he should say anything else, Aether bit into the soft mora meat, small little nibbles until it was all gone. And even though he ate in silence, it was no longer oppressive. He was not alone.

He also could not be blind to the taut line of the Yaksha’s shoulders, the way amber eyes desperately searched for any sign of sickness from him. Aether held his gaze for a moment, the meat sitting warm in his gut, the affection in his chest.

“Xiao,” He licked his lips, looked away. He gathered all his hair into his lap and began fiddling with it again. When was the last time he had told this to someone else? “I… Have something I want to tell you. About me.”

“I’m listening.”

“Well… You know I’m not mortal, right?”

“…I remember you telling me as much, yes.”

“I’m… immortal.” Nimble hands continued to play with the golden threads, braiding, unbraiding in jittery motions as Aether’s steady voice tried finding the words. “You already know this, but it’s… different. How should I put it...”

“If it distresses you, you don’t have to continue.”

Aether shook his head quickly, his hair whipping around him. “No, no. I… I trust you. And I want to tell you.” Xiao was safe. He was safe. It was okay. Aether drew in a steadying breath. “I can’t… exactly die. Well, I can die, I just don’t stay dead.”

Xiao went unnaturally still. His brow creased with a frown. “…Are you reanimated? Like a zombie?”

“No, no. I just… Heal. No matter what happens. I heal fast, apparently even faster if I’m receiving help from an outside source. But… I still heal even if my heart stops beating, even if I am torn apart.”

Xiao had the sudden urge to press a hand against his chest, to make sure Aether’s heart was beating, that he was alive, that he wasn’t…

“Do you heal no matter what?”

“Yes.”

“Aether…” Xiao had whispered next, as the words sunk in, tearing his heart apart with the slow, horrifying realization. “Aether how many times have you died?”

Aether froze, excuses bubbling up his throat in a panicked frenzy, but as Xiao reached out for him, the traveler unleashed a gust of wind and pushed him off the edge of the mountain.

It had taken but a moment for Xiao to reorient himself, calling upon his Vision to bring him back to the summit, but by then Aether was gone. Paimon too.

Instead, who he found was none other than Cloud Retainer, gazing sadly at the murky waters of a once pristine lake.

“You sapped away all the rejuvenating abilities of the water,” She said in a matter-of-fact tone. Xiao immediately winced. He should have left the waters immediately after Aether had healed, instead of letting his ever-building karma ruin this too. But before he could think of uttering an apology, the crane continued. “It is not an admonishment, Conqueror of Demons. The waters have served their purpose, and with care and time they will be able to heal anew. My sole intention is to let you know in case another such injury should come. As for this lake… Maybe these murky waters can finally make Rex Lapis come pay oneself a visit.”

“…He no longer goes by that title.”

“That one knows,” The crane replied mournfully. “But what else can one call him?”

Zhongli, Xiao did not say, understanding that was not the question. Instead, he said, “I am grateful you allowed us the opportunity to heal.”

“… Is he okay? Aether?”

“…” Xiao thought about it. He clenched his fists at his side. “He was healed. But I do not know if he’s okay.”

Cloud Retainer sighed, eyes on the lonely stone table at the center of the lake, with three stone seats for three friends. A poetic gravesite. “One understands.”

The next time he called, Xiao had not wasted a single second, teleporting to his side, weapon at the ready.

But once again, there were no enemies around.

Just the traveler.

Just the traveler sitting atop the highest cliff in Mondstadt, nothing but the wind for company.

“Where’s your companion?” Xiao said, rising from his crouch, dispelling his weapon even as he cast his senses outwards, trying to sense any potential danger.

“I told Paimon I wanted to talk with you privately. She’s in Mondstadt, watching Barbara’s performance. Oh, Barbara is a celebrity in Mondstadt, she’s a singer? She sings and dances and she’s very popular.” On and on he rambled, knees tucked to his chest, eyes firmly on the horizon and not on the approaching Yaksha. He was wearing his usual outfit once more, perfectly mended. “I don’t think you would enjoy it because her concerts tend to get really crowded. But maybe I can ask for a private performance? But then perhaps it would be better to just hire a bard.”

Xiao stopped once he reached him, taking a seat by his side. Aether shut up and they shared a moment of companiable silence.

“I upset you last time.” Xiao said simply. “I should not have said that.”

“No, well… It’s a valid concern. I just… panicked. Sorry for uh, pushing you off the mountain.”

“No harm done.” Xiao said. There was silence again. “Are you… unhurt?”

“Hmm? Yeah, yes, don’t worry about it. I’m fine.” Aether’s fingers drummed over his leg. “I just wanted to apologize for the mountain thing. And, well… it’s so peaceful up here. I thought you may like it.”

“I like it.” Xiao said. He could feel it. The way the wind blew around them, mixed with a faint taste of anemo. It seemed to welcome him, a soft caress that took away the sweat off his forehead, the stain of blood from his fingers. It alighted on his tongue, tasting of the music he had heard once before, divine notes coming from…

He opened eyes he hadn’t realized he’d closed and found Aether staring at him, lips curling up in a smile once their eyes met. “I like seeing you like this.”

Xiao cocked his head. “Like how?”

“Relaxed.” Aether returning his gaze towards the horizon beyond. “Peaceful.”

“You’re… an odd creature.” Xiao replied, sitting by his side, legs dangling off the cliff. Nostalgia tugged at his chest, a weird sense of deja-vu. “But I…I feel the same way. And… if there’s any way, I could help you…”

Aether stretched out a hand to the space between them. “You already help me so much, Xiao. Thank you.”

Xiao wanted to touch his hand. Wanted to wrap his fingers around his. But the weight of his curse hung heavy over his shoulders.

Aether retracted his hands, wrapping his arms around his legs again before Xiao could act on this impulse of his.

“I know you don’t like eating that much but, do you want to drink something? Venti gave me some mead for helping him out with some cats.”

“Venti? A friend of yours?”

“Yeah, he’s- Uh, a bard from Mondstadt. Terribly allergic to cats.”

“Is he the one you had in mind when you were talking about hiring a bard?”

Aether blinked at him, the conversation lapsing for one terrifying second in which Xiao thought he had made some terrible mistake. Then,

Aether snorted loud enough to startle some cranes that had just landed a couple feet away from them. The traveler covered his mouth, but his wide grin was still visible as he laughed. “Venti? No, no, that sounds like— well, I mean he’s certainly the best bard in the world, but he also happens to be Mondstadt’s archon would you be comfortable with that?”

“What,” Xiao squawked. The implications and revelations tumbled in his mind as he struggled with something to say. The winds around them picked up, and his Vision pulsed in tune with the playful gales. “You know Lord Barbatos?”

“Yeah,” The immortal traveler’s smile softened, the unfamiliar name rolling off his tongue with familiar fondness. “But he goes by Venti now.”

“Venti…” Xiao repeated softly, mind inevitably going back to Rex Lapis, his god, his savior. Rex Lapis who had also made the decision to become Zhongli. To live as a human. To die as a god. And leave them all behind, without even a grave to mourn.

He couldn’t help but think about how insignificantly small he was in the scale of everything. Too small to understand them, too insignificant to ask for their reasoning.

(Too tired.)

He felt something touching his hand. Warm. Like the rays of the rising sun on his skin.

“Xiao, are you okay?”

He breathed in. Out. Let the restless emotions settle, unnamed and unacknowledged. He turned to him; voice as soft as the winds around them. “Pray tell, how did you come to befriend Mondstadt’s Archon?”

The man by his side smiled, glowing like the sun itself. “Well, you see, it all began when me and Paimon arrived to Mondstadt, and this big dragon flew over to the city and threatened to harm the people.”

On and on he talked, regaling him with a first-hand account of what had transpired not too long ago. From stealing Barbatos’ Holy Lyre from its place of worship (Xiao felt lightheaded as he listened with bated breath), to the final showdown with a dragon the size of the city.

On and on he talked, with the wind adding a silent melody to his words, with the mead sweetening his smile, blooming on his cheeks. Like the slow drift of the sun across the heavens, his fingers slowly found Xiao’s, squeezing softly.

And Xiao listened, drinking in his every word, learning just a little bit more about this beautiful sun that called himself a traveler.

(Their hands remained in each other’s hold.)

(Xiao prayed to the gods he didn’t worship that their fates too, could remain intertwined.)

Chapter Text

“What do I have to do so you’ll call me when you need me?” Xiao whispered, tenderly stroking a bloodied cheek, almost afraid of not seeing those golden eyes fluttering open. A carnage laid around them, the foliage of Mondstadt’s forest stained red, the air tasting of iron and cryo, cages with nothing but rests of human waste, their doors hanging wide open. The people that had been trapped within were long since gone, all the dead bodies littering the floor wearing the treasure hunters’ outfit and sporting fatal sword wounds. Just like the body he cradled so tenderly, a body that breathed when…

The corner of Aether’s eyes creased, a smile blooming on his face, as if Aether was happy to see him, despite Xiao failing him so grievously.

“You worry too much,” He rasped out, ever the contrarian, pushing past the pain, to rest a hand over his. His knuckles were raw, and it was almost too much for the Yaksha. “This won’t kill me, Xiao. You know that. I wasn’t expecting them to have a cryo delusion, but I broke it, it’s okay.”

“You’re hurt,” Xiao felt a knot on the back of his throat. He didn’t wait for a reply, gently easing him up into his arms, not caring how his clothes were immediately stained. “What would you do if your companion hadn’t called me?”

“Bleed out, probably.” Aether slurred, eyes watering, breathing stuttering, and still, he could not stop spouting nonsense. “Not exactly a comfortable way of dying, that’s for sure. Also a little gruesome.”

Something that was definitively not karma squeezed Xiao’s heart. He must have reacted in some way because the man dying in front of him rubbed his thumb over the hand clutching at his shoulder, mumbling gently. “It’s okay, I’m going to be okay Xiao. You’ll see, give me a moment and I will be as good as new.”

“Doesn’t it hurt?” Xiao regretted asking as soon as the words slipped his mouth. Aether just smiled at him sadly and did not reply.

“Xiao… What do we do? Are we going back to Mt Aocang?” Paimon hovered by Aether’s face, a dainty hand on his cheek, as the concerned spren turned hopeful eyes on Xiao.

“No, I’m afraid that lake can no longer be of help.” He replied, even as he motioned for her to get closer, sitting on his shoulder. “We shall go to Wangshu Inn. And hope Verr Goldet knows enough of healing. Or at least…”

As opposed to his earlier lethargic calmness, Aether startled to action after his words. He shook his head, worsening his wounds as he tried pushing him away with his declining strength. “Wait, Xiao, it’s okay, it’s okay you can leave me here, I’ll heal I promise, you don’t have to—"

Xiao bowed his head, his hold firm, hands slick with blood. “I’m sorry.”

And teleported them away.

Xiao gently placed a feverish Aether on the untouched bed in the middle of the barren room he had never quite considered his own. The bedding was immediately drenched in blood, the injured man looking as pale as death.

Still, Aether reached a trembling hand to stop Xiao, but his fingers closed on air as he disappeared.

Verr Goldet had just been checking-in another customer when the honorable Adeptus they looked after materialized in front of her, clothes stained with fresh blood, a black mist oozing from his skin.

“Adeptus Xiao, are you hurt—?” Verr Goldet stumbled back, a hand to her mouth but stood her ground while her customer scampered off.

“I need your assistance.” The adeptus said, extending a gloved hand stained in red towards her, looking  just like the demon people feared in the night.

Without hesitation, the inn’s boss immediately stepped forward, grasping his hand between hers and in an instant, they were gone.

“This stays between us. Help him.” Xiao instructed once they reappeared in his room, hands gentle as he steadied her. “He’s hurt.” He added, pitiful and scared, as he turned his attention back to the bleeding man on the bed.

Verr Goldet’s eyes were wide even as she rushed to the bed and began her physical assessment. She started by pulling back his ridiculously long blond hair that was awfully familiar and… “Aether?” She whispered in horror once she recognized him. She shook her head and instead gathered his hair by his pillow and began checking his profusely bleeding wounds, and the way his guts spilled on the bed and… “Oh.” She said, voice betraying nothing. Betraying everything. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry Aether, Adeptus Xiao I don’t think I can… A Hydro healer maybe but… too late…”

“Not too late,” Xiao crossed his arms, voice steady, even as her words chilled him to the bone. “He has promised me he will be fine. I just want to aid his recovery and stave off the pain.”

Verr slowly shook her head. “Of course I will help manage his pain but… Adeptus Xiao it would be more merciful to… Ease his passing.”

“He will not die.” Xiao repeated, almost an accusation. To Verr Goldet perhaps. Or perhaps to the man with his guts spilling out, with the blood and the bone and the golden halo slowly taking over his skin. “Please, help him. Tell me what to do.”

Verr looked doubtful for a beat, two. Then her shoulders squared, her breathing evening out as she pinned her hair up and away from her face and began ripping the bedding to make emergency bandages. “Understood. I shall place my trust in you. Please go ask Smiley Yanxiao to brew your tea. It is perhaps a little too potent for humans, but I shall handle that. I will need boiled water, and clean bandages, and my sewing kit. If you know of a healer with a hydro Vision, then—"

“No more people.” Aether said, eyes closed, the shallow rise of his chest the only indication he wasn’t dead. “I… will be fine. The less people know… No stitches either, it’ll be a problem…”

“You need to stay still,” Verr said, pushing him against the cushions as he began to struggle to sit up. She looked over her shoulder and saw the Yaksha standing a couple feet away, looking lost. “What are you still doing here, Adeptus Xiao? Tea, boiled water and bandages, now go!”

It was a blur.

Between instructing the chef and bringing back the requested items as they were needed, each time he popped back into the room, Aether seemed to look a little more alive. A little stronger, a little sadder.

He drank the steaming bitter tea, he cringed and winced as Verr Goldet pushed his body to heal, answering her questions as to how best to help, and tenderly shifting into the fresh bedding once he was not bleeding from every single orifice of his body.

And then it was over.

His spine was whole. His guts were back inside. Slowly but surely, his flesh started knitting itself back together, blood vessels whole.

Verr had disinfected and cleaned every wound, had bandaged the worst of them with grim determination, and just sat in baffled exhaustion as the man she had tended to just… refused to die.

“You were right, Adeptus Xiao,” She said, shakily clutching her chest, a smile threatening to lift her lips. “May the Seven guard us, he’s going to be fine.”

(But he was no longer listening to her, she realized. The Vigilant Yaksha was standing in a corner, watchful eyes on the soft rise and fall of a healing chest, mouth twisted in an emotion Verr Goldet felt she should not witness.)

(So she excused herself, bowing to the both of them, once, twice as she closed the door gently.)

Xiao stayed there, in that corner, eyes never straying as if afraid that if he looked away for even a second the healing would stop, or the blood would continue to spill, and Aether would fade, disappear from his life like everyone else around him.

So he remained there, unmoving, silent, as he couldn’t help but remember that rainy night, so many years ago, when it had been him who had been rescued. Who had laid on the ground, injured, weak, alive.

Any further reminiscing was cut short as Aether finally shifted. He rolled to his side once he was able to, his exposed healing back towards him.

Lean, with the build of a swordsman, it was littered in scars, faded silver and painful pink alike. But somehow, the scars that drew Xiao’s attention were six symmetrical slashes between his shoulder blades. Spread in a radial shape, pointed outwards, almost like…

 “I’m going to sleep.” Aether said, and something in the tone of his voice made Xiao think he had failed him anyway.

“You don’t have to stay.”

Xiao bowed his head and left without a word.

The next time they met it had been neither a summon, nor an injury.

It had been a night without the moon, when the shades stretched longer, when the agony of defeated gods grew furious, seeping into the earth, the air, the creatures.

These nights were always taxing, the lone Yaksha stretched thin, trying and failing to protect everyone.

On this particular moonless night, he finished consuming the despair of the fallen before jumping through space and plunging down into his newest battlefield.

He unleashed a wave of anemo, formless spears dancing around them, hurtling against the tainted churls, digging his spear through muscle and sinew, before he slammed into the next creature, praying he had not been too late, that he could save this small gathering of humans if not anyone else.

Xiao’s exhausted legs pushed him onwards, faster, faster, he needed to be faster. His swings had long since grown sloppy, his normally controlled motions were full of openings as if his body craved for it all to end.

But he kept fighting.

He was not conscious enough to remember the humans he had tried saving anymore, the pain darkening his vision, his mind, everything succumbing to the darkness that lived within him. But still he fought.

And as he crushed a hilichurl’s windpipe with his hand, he realized he was not alone. One human remained. One human with the winds on his side, that fought against the cursed monsters in a brave, if futile gesture.

The dead body he was holding began to squirm anew, and the Conqueror of Demons was forced to focus again on the wayward malice of the fallen churls, consuming the darkness, letting it tie noose after noose around his soul. Tying themselves to him, chained and unable to harm anyone else.

His sacred polearm harvested the lives of his foes, felling one after the other. The ones that had been destroyed by the winds were also exorcised as they started to move again. Bringing relief to the cursed creatures, and a fresh wave of agony to his failing body.

Already the cursed energy was overflowing within him and his heart seized with the knowledge that whoever this foolish mortal was, despite the vital help he lent, he would die at Xiao’s hand. Already the searing resentment crawled its way up his stomach, seizing his throat, digging into his lungs and–

Xiao breathed one desperate gulp of clear air, drunk off pain and relief by equal measure. The darkness within him shriveled up instead of consuming him whole like so many times before.

Almost as if…

With his traitorous heart beating with hope, Xiao turned around and finally saw that it hadn’t been a stranger that had signed his own death sentence.

It was Aether. Foolish, brave Aether.

“Why are you here?” Xiao whispered, a hook of fear sinking to his stomach and pulling, pulling. It was dangerous. He was dangerous. He should leave. Leave. Leave. Before he hurt him. Before he kills him.

But somehow his desperate plea managed to do what dozens of shades hadn’t been able to. Beautiful golden eyes dimmed, the light fading as the soft curve of his lips dipped in a frown.

“Don’t worry about it,” Aether said, casting his gaze down to his blade. Wiping the blood and ichor on the grass, before pulling out a piece of fabric to clean off all residues before sheathing the sword. “Fight’s over. It’s fine.”

But as he turned to leave, he stumbled and even though he did not fall, Xiao could see the ugly gash on the back of his calf, slowly dripping blood down onto the greedy earth.

“You’re hurt,” Xiao said, reaching for him with a hand dripping with ichor, hovering in the unsurmountable distance between them. “Aether—"

“I’m fine.” He replied with gritted teeth. “You can leave.”

Xiao swallowed the bitter bile, past the noose tightening around his neck, past the many curses that dug painfully into his soul, threatening to tear him apart, in endless splinters. And yet each fresh, cleansing breath of air felt like a bitter punishment.

“Let me help you.”

“And what? Call all your friends? Tell the whole world about my curse?” The words weren’t so much angry as they were tired, as the injured immortal limped away from the scene.

“I would not do such things.” Xiao replied, keeping pace with him, his heart hurting with more than just the weight of his curse. Somehow being able to breathe freely by his side was worse than the earlier pain. “You’re injured, I just want to…”

“I said no, I don’t need saving. It’s going to heal, like it always does and…” He stopped walking, facing away from him.

I don’t need saving.

The words rang in Xiao’s head, carving themselves in his heart. “Did I fail you?”

“…What?”

“Did I ever give you the impression you were dispensable?”

“No, this- what?”

“Why then do you keep refusing any attempt at help? You’re in pain, and- You will heal but…”

“You told her.” Aether said, soft and loud. Pitiful and accusatory. “You told her I wouldn’t die. You- you—"

“You were bleeding out, I couldn’t just let you die.”

“I don’t die!” Aether snapped, putting too much weight on his injured leg and falling down as he tried turning around to face him. Xiao was by his side in seconds, hovering, not touching, never touching without his permission. “I don’t die, and now she knows. She’s going to tell other people. And if this information falls in the wrong hands, then…”

“Verr Goldet is a keeper of secrets.” Xiao said, trying to keep his voice serene, calm, even if his heart was not. Everything to soothe those golden eyes looking at him, searching for a solution, for help. “She- I trust her. She deals with many secrets, from Liyue, from the humans and adepti. She- she understands the price of peace, and- I didn’t tell her to mock you. I- You were grievously hurt. You were in so much pain and I just… I couldn’t do anything about it. I’m not attuned to hydro, or know any medical practices I… I’m sorry I abused your trust. I’m sorry I was not enough.”

Aether was silent for a beat, two, still staring at the ground.

 “It’s scary, you know? How people react to my immortality. I’ve… It’s safer to tell no one. But. I wanted you to know. Because you’re- You worry so much. And I thought knowing I wouldn’t die would put you at ease. But then you told someone else.”

“Aether,” Xiao’s voice was hoarse, back bowed. “How could I be at ease knowing you are in pain and being unable to do anything?”

“I’m different from you, Xiao. My pain isn’t unending. It sucks but I’m used to it. And the pain fades at one point so…” He trailed off as he finally looked back at him and…

Bloodied and weary, the last Yaksha knelt by his side, a dark miasma exuding from his skin, the tears that ran down his eyes dark with ichor and blood.

“Pain is pain.” He managed to say, making no attempt to hide his tears, his trembling. He struggled with words, unable to coherently convey what he was feeling beyond those three words. “Pain is pain.”

“Xiao…”

“You are not less for being unable to die.” He continued past the constriction of his throat. “Your suffering is not less important.”

Aether sighed as he gently reached for his hands. “I’m sorry,” He said. “I upset you.”

“Do you understand why I told her? She knows how to mend a broken body and she would not tattle on you.” He continued, adamant, strict. “We can swear an Oath. Sign a binding contract if it’ll put your mind at ease. But please don’t think you are not worth saving.”

Aether looked away from him.

“Aether…” Xiao pleaded, reaching out for him, voice cracking.

With a sigh, Aether leaned into him, brushing a thumb over his cheek, smearing the ichor over their skins. Xiao tried to pull away, but he found himself trapped in the other’s hold. And despite his panic, there was no reason to worry since the darkness disappeared, golden dust falling from Xiao’s cheeks.

Aether gently rubbed his thumb over the tear tracks, somehow purifying instead of succumbing to the darkness.

“Pain is pain,” Aether echoed softly. “I’m just one cursed man, and you shoulder so much. I did not want to add to your burden.”

“You’re not a burden.” Xiao said, drawing energy from nowhere to sound affronted. “You’re a blessing.”

Aether laughed, the sound cracking with exhaustion. “You’re so silly. So silly.”

Xiao scowled, “I do not jest.”

“I know, you’re…” Aether sighed. “I’ve… Grown used to being by myself. Even with Paimon. When I am injured, I just send her away until I’m all better. She hates it, but I know it’s better like that. It’s better when people can’t see my… injuries.”

“So, you suffer in solitude.”

“Says the Yaksha who refuses to let me fight with you.”

“That’s different.” And before Aether could argue further, Xiao leaned in closer, until he could feel Aether’s labored breath on his face. “You’re still injured. The healing waters are no more, and you do not want a healer. Do you have bandages on you?”

“Just leave it be, it’ll heal by itself. It’s just a gash not a stab through the heart or something equally crippling.”

“It can get infected. And the pain…”

“You’re really worried about my pain for someone who has to suffer so much more on a daily basis.”

“Because I am familiar with pain… I would not wish it upon anyone else. Less so someone I care about.”

“Oh, Xiao…”

“Bandages.”

Aether sighed, and almost reluctantly, he began to look for them, rummaging through his bag.

Aether was more than capable of treating his own injury. Of wrapping his calf with expertise, but he remained silent and pliant, watching in awe as the Conqueror of Demons himself kneeled at his feet and wrapped the bandages around his leg.

He may have nicked him with his sharp claws, and the bandage was a little sloppily tied and stained with blood not his own, but Aether could not call it anything but perfect.

He touched the raspy bandage tenderly, feeling warmth flooding his chest, as worried amber eyes sought out his approval.

“Are you alright?” Xiao whispered, frowning when Aether chuckled again.

But instead of replying, Aether just smiled and reached out for him. “Help me up?”

Immediately the Yaksha was on his feet, supporting his weight with ease despite their similar heights.

“Aether, would you allow me to—?”

“No, no, absolutely not. You’re also injured, and hurt, I can carry my own weight.”

Xiao sighed, and reached for Aether’s hand, pressing it against his own chest. A golden light slowly began to appear. Xiao snarled, his body protesting the blessing, but he refused to let go of Aether. “No, can you feel it? I have slain so many shades tonight. My body is on the verge of collapse but your touch… Your touch is… cleansing.”

With a gasp, Aether immediately pressed his other hand over his chest, light seeping from his spread fingers like a little miracle.

“Carrying you would be to our mutual best interest.” Xiao said, and maybe it was the strange light between them, maybe it was the exhaustion wearing them down. But Aether saw his lips pull up in a smirk and knew he would never win this argument.

As Aether stared at the darkened path they walked on, cheek pressed against Xiao’s shining neck, arms tight around him as the Yaksha carried him, he couldn’t help but wonder and say, “Do you think that it was meant to be?”

“What?”

“Me meeting you. Do you think… “With a hum, he trailed off, whatever he was thinking about getting lost in the darkness around them. In the shared warmth between them.

If, the lonely traveler thought. If it had been his curse what allowed him to live long enough to meet him… Long enough to help him…

Then maybe…

Perhaps…

There was a meaning to his life, after all.

Xiao found himself standing above a sleeping Aether, chest rising gently, seemingly unbothered despite the bandages covering his body. The breath that escaped his lips was soft, just like the call he had just answered and—

Amber eyes snapped open, Aether rolling away with a panicked gasp, before jumping to his feet, his hands glowing ominously and—

“Xiao—?!” Aether’s eyes widened in recognition, then trepidation as he reached forward, grasping his hand and pulling-

Just in time as the skies parted and a chunk of rock came crashing down where Xiao had been standing moments before.

It wasn’t exactly normal rock, but it was certainly not a geo construct as if… it wasn’t something from this world. Xiao stared at it, before he turned to face his mysterious little sun, still holding his hand and fretting over him.

“Sevens guard you, fuck, are you okay? Xiao? I’m so sorry you surprised me I didn’t know it was you…”

“You called for me.” At a loss for words, that’s all Xiao could say, prompting Aether to stare at him, as dumbfounded as he felt.

“I did?” He gasped, a hand against his mouth. “Oh man, I’m so sorry I must have called your name while asl…eep…” Realization hitting him eventually, Aether’s face slowly colored as he trailed off. He bit his lip. “Um.”

Xiao stepped closer to him, as if wanting to chase after him despite standing merely a couple feet away. “I don’t… mind it. The call was not urgent, but I decided to come to you.”

“You… did.” Aether blinked several times, slowly nodding to himself. A hesitant smile pulled at his lips. “Are you… free to hang out, then?”

Xiao smiled in turn, automatically, naturally. “For you? I will make time.”

Aether’s smile was wide.

(“Let me repay my debt to you.” “You don’t owe me anything.” “Call my name. I may not be an archon candidate, but surely…”)

“I like Xiao.”

Aether looked up from the stone slabs he was trying to piece together to shoot an amused look to his traveling companion. “Do you now? What brought this up?”

Paimon twirled in the air, seemingly embarrassed, but carried on once her traveler reassumed working on the puzzle at hand. Around them, the defeated treasure hoarders groaned pathetically but were ignored. “Hey, what’s that tone for!? I’m just saying! He’s nice! And I like him!”

“My, my, high praise coming from you!” Aether continued, with a smile on his lips as he pressed the last slab into place. The domain’s door immediately started glowing ominously, emitting a faint buzzing sound that the traveler wholeheartedly ignored. “Why do you like him though? Not that I mind, but you only say you like people that feed you.”

“I’m not that shallow!” Paimon kicked the air in frustration as her traveler laughed. She crossed her arms. “Be careful with that! It’s bad enough that you hurt yourself all the time, I don’t want to see you being cursed!”

“Hey, I don’t get badly hurt often!” Aether replied absently, even as he stepped back, a hand on his sword. “Do you think that’s the last piece?”

“I’m sure we’ll know soon enough,” Paimon glided to put herself behind her traveler, clutching his shoulder and feeling trepidation as the ancient magic continued to buzz. When nothing exploded, she reached over to pinch his cheek, never one to just drop the subject. “And you still get hurt far too often! But at least now…”

She did not continue, but Aether felt a pang of guilt anyway. He’d gotten so used to being alone that he still sometimes forgot, well…

“I’m sorry for worrying—” He started to say, but then with a whine, the doors to the domain opened, welcoming them in.

The yawning abyss of a portal greeted their sight.

“Do you want to come with? Or wait for me?” He said after a pause.

“Of course, I’m coming with you! But… what if we invite Xiao first?”

“Don’t be silly, that’s…” Unable to come up with a feasible excuse, Aether closed his mouth, sighed. “I’m more than capable of fighting my way through a domain on my own. Besides, this one is old, I wouldn’t want to further upset whatever resides within.”

“Why are you unsealing ancient domains in the first place?”

The yelp Aether gave as Xiao materialized at his back—arms crossed and scowling fiercely— he would deny for the rest of his life.

“How did you find me—?” Aether’s braid swung wildly as he turned around, only barely avoiding smacking Xiao’s face. He raised his hands, fingers spread as if trying to protect himself from the Yaksha’s disapproval. “I can explain.”

“Go ahead.”

“Uh,” Aether looked away, briefly glancing at Paimon, but for once his little travel companion did not jump to his defense. Even worse, she flew over to the Yaksha’s side and adopted his exact pose, arms crossed and all. Aether sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat. “It’s the Leyline disorders.”

Xiao’s scowl deepened, his attention jumping from him to the domain. “What’s wrong with them?”

“What do you mean what’s wrong with them?” Aether scowled back. “It’s a sickness of the Ley. If left unattended it can poison its surroundings, distort the living creatures even. I understand domains are created to contain the disorders, but that is just a band aid solution.”

“…I was under the impression domains were commonly regarded as leftovers of an ancient civilization.”

The immortal man looked away, giving a full-bodied shrug. “Yeah, well.”

He did not elaborate.

“What did you intend to do? Are you… capable of mending the Leylines?” Xiao gently picked the conversation back up, no judgment in his sharp gaze.

“Not to the same extent as when I help you, but… I can nudge it. It’s like… the flow of the energy has clogged up. And as such the energy overflows, unrestrained.” “I can somewhat cleanse the impurities and force the flow to move onwards by feeding it my energy.”

Xiao nodded once.

“I understand,” He said. Then materialized his spear at his side, jade shining brightly. “In that case, please allow me to assist you.”

“Eh? What?”

“I cannot heal the Ley, but I am familiar with how dangerous a domain can be. Therefore, I will… fight alongside you, protect you while you conduct the cleansing.”

“No, Xiao, it’s alright! You don’t have to worry about it! It’s not as difficult as you might think, and I don’t want you to tire yourself out. I’ll be fine. I’ll come back.”

Xiao took hold of his hand, not an impulse, not a careless gesture, but something borne out of an emotion deep in his chest that steadily bloomed in his presence. Keeping his breathing steady, he raised his hand to his mouth, pressing his lips against rough knuckles. Aether quieted down, as they stared at each other. “I too wish to lighten your burden.”

Aether covered his mouth with his free hand, as if trying to stop the soft gasp that escaped him, looking away, above, beyond, before he laughed softly, helplessly. “You…” He cleared his throat. “You are unbelievable.”

They locked eyes.

“Fine,” The lonely immortal said in the end. “You can come with me. But on the condition that you let me fight. If you try to coddle me, I’m going to lock you out of the domain.”

“I trust in your strength.”

“And…” Aether broke eye contact, he grew shy as if expecting Xiao to turn him down, to leave him alone. “We’ll hang out? After?”

“I’ve talked to Verr Goldet. We can visit the inn so you can get proper nourishment afterwards.”

“Nourishment! Did you ask her how to take care of a baby?!”

“Of someone who requires food and water. Who tires. Of someone who wanders. Of someone I care about.”

With his hand still trapped in Xiao’s gentle hold, Aether couldn’t pull away, forced to deal with the warmth around his hand, earnest eyes seeking him out. Forced to deal with a soul stained by his karmic debt still shining so bright, so pure.

(Even in the midst of war, broken and wingless, it had been the injured adeptus who had reminded a lost soul what it meant to live…)

“I…Care about you too.” He looked away, unsure of what to think of the fragments of memories he could sometimes feel. He licked his lips, a question on the tip of his tongue, before he shook his head, focusing on the present, on the now. “I’ll be careful so you too. Don’t do anything stupid.”

In agreement, Xiao brought his hand to his lips once again. He wasn’t too sure what this feeling was, but pressing his lips against Aether’s pulse, made everything just a little bit… better.

“Paimon,” Aether immediately turned away once he was released, coming face-to-face with his littlest of friends. She was covering her face with her hands, equally as flustered as Aether was feeling. “I want you to go back to your little pocket dimension. I need to know you’ll be safe.”

The little fairy nodded and in a burst of stardust she disappeared, finding her home at Aether’s waist. Inside a little weightless, empty box, where a little galaxy hid.

Aether breathed in. Out.

He unsheathed his sword, swinging the familiar weight a couple times before he turned with a smile.

“Ready?”

“At your command.”

(Aether was laughing as he jumped through the portal.)

(He was not alone.)

Chapter Text

“You are… annoyingly good at patching me up now.” Aether commented lightly as his fierce and dangerous adeptus once again materialized at his side, a comically large bag filled with medical supplies now always in his arms.

Xiao only smiled briefly, clearly considering it a compliment and taking pride in it as he continued disinfecting the scrapes Aether had gotten after his most recent tumble down the mountain.

In his defense, it wasn’t his preferred method of going down things, but the Lawachurl that had flung him off the side of the mountain hadn’t exactly asked.

“He’s definitely had a lot of practice…” Paimon deadpanned, giggling as her traveler shot her a betrayed pout. “Hey, don’t look at me like that! If you want him to stop mother-henning all over you, then start taking better care of yourself!”

Aether sighed, golden eyes straying at his arm in a sling, and his equally tender ankle both covered in bandages, the only remaining evidence of his rather unlucky death. Paimon had been merciful enough to not call for Xiao until after his skull had healed completely, but the fact remained that she had still seen him die once more. “I’m sorry, Paimon.”

“You don’t have to apologize. It’s not like you do it on purpose….” His littlest of friends said, surprisingly soft. “I just wish I was bigger or stronger so I could protect you too.”

She’d tried catching him, Aether remembered, heart clenching painfully. As he’d fallen down, he had felt tiny hands reaching for him, grasping at his clothes, but she was much too small.

Xiao tied a knot on the bandages then rested his palms on Aether’s knees, just above his injuries. Interrupting them. “We can protect him together, little one. Protecting him from loneliness is also a commendable feat. And calling me when the situation is dire has been indispensable.”

“Xiao.” A hand over his, a tightness to his voice. “Protecting me is not a job. It’s neither of your responsibilities.”

“Dummy,” Paimon flew over to him, hugging his head. “It’s not a job, we do it because we care about you. We want to do this because you matter.”

“She is right, you know?” Xiao continued trying to meet his gaze. “You are… important to us.”

The lonely immortal frowned, looking away from them both. “And yet you only come when you’re called.”

He thought about the memories he couldn’t quite recall. Of a wounded adeptus in a rainy night, in a violent night, as gods fought, as blood rained down, as fate was sown.

“You…You’re not doing this because you feel indebted to me…right?”

Xiao met his nervous words with incredulity, at a loss for words.

(It had been a moonless night. A joyless night. A crownless king, and a nameless slave.)

Xiao stared at him, finally seeing Aether as he had been during the Archon War. The creature shrouded in gold, with eyes as old as time, body as scarred as war.

The ethereal man with hands as gentle as grief as he had pulled his mutilated body out of the sea, as he now laid them atop his.

(“You’re not an archon candidate, so why do you fight, Illuminated One?”)

“You’re…” Xiao swallowed the words he didn’t really have, even as the wing he had long since lost flared with phantom pain. He sighed, and reached for Aether’s hand, pressing it against his chest, right over his heart. “Do you feel it? The way it beats for you?”

Aether’s face bloomed red like the prettiest sunset.

“I…Have been a weapon for a very long time. Even after Rex Lapis gave me freedom… I knew no other way to repay my debt to him. Fighting… Fighting is all I’ve been. So I am…” Xiao’s courage waned, a grimace pulling at his face, but Aether’s soft plea kept him from fleeing. With a trembling voice, he continued, laying himself bare. “I am unfamiliar with these… sorts of emotions. You are important… to me. But these words… they’re not enough. They cannot convey what I feel in my heart. I am… not enough. I have a duty to Liyue, even if I often find myself wishing I could travel with you. I-Of course I wouldn’t dare impose myself on you—”

“Not imposing.” Aether mumbled with numb lips, almost afraid of interrupting him, of breaking the fragile heart in his hands. “I would… love it. Traveling with you.”

Xiao nodded jerkily, heart hammering in his chest. “I thought… Even if I could not prevent you getting hurt, at least caring for you afterwards could convey…” He shook his head, voice tight. “I did not consider you would find it a nuisance, my apologies.”

“That’s not…” Aether hesitated. With a hand still pressed against Xiao’s heart, he leaned in closer, his other hand coming to rest against his cheek. “You’re not a nuisance. I thought I… was becoming a responsibility to you. Your burden is so heavy, Xiao. I’m sorry, I know we’ve talked about this but…”

“How can I convince you, then?”

Aether’s eyes skittered away. “It’s not about convincing me; you don’t have to do anything. I…”

“But I want to.”

Aether huffed out a laugh that fanned over Xiao’s face. “Why are you so stubborn? So noble, so strong. Why are you, Xiao?”

“I am what I need to be.”

“And what do you want to be?”

(Free.)

“Your friend.”

“You are my friend.” Aether assured him, stroking his cheek, leaning in closer, closer. “My most precious friend, keeper of my heart.”

“I am not worthy…” Xiao had to swallow the end of his sentence, Aether’s gentle, loving touch branding itself on his skin, on his heart.

 “Can I kiss you?”

Xiao’s brow furrowed further, shadows dancing on his face, threatening to swallow him whole. “What does that mean?”

Aether’s hand clenched, a fist over Xiao’s heart as he swallowed thickly, afraid of breaking this fragile moment. “It won’t hurt,” He said instead, as he leaned in impossibly closer, and gently pressed his lips against his cheek. “Is this okay?”

Xiao only nodded, hesitatingly. His heart remained steady, if a little fast paced.

So Aether kissed his other cheek, his forehead. One fluttering eyelid, then the other. “This is enough. You are enough.”

Then it was Xiao leaning forward, with the quiet lethality of a warrior. Aether closed his eyes, a smile blooming on his lips as Xiao repeated his exact gesture. He hovered over him, staring straight into his eyes. “I like this.”

“I’m glad,” Aether’s smile widened. “I like it too.”

Then Xiao leaned in again and pressed his lips against his. Brief, ephemeral. Like a butterfly landing on an open flower.

And well, what else could Aether do but return the gesture in kind?

“Can I travel with you?” Aether asked, knees to his chest as he watched Xiao fondly. The Yaksha was busy rummaging through the comically large pack of medical aid he insisted on carrying everywhere. In Aether’s humble opinion it made him look adorable, so he had chosen not to protest the babying.

Xiao made a tiny victory sound at the back of his throat upon finding the antiseptic, before he finally turned to him, dabbing at Aether’s shining wounds, eyes focused on his task as he mumbled. “I do not travel. Not in any way you would enjoy.”

“I would be with you. That would be enough.” Aether replied, as easy as breathing, laughing when this was still enough to fluster his adeptus. He waited for the red-eared Xiao to reassume tending to his healing wounds before continuing, “Besides it was not a leisure proposal. I want to cleanse Liyue with you. Once and for all.”

Tension befell them, Xiao’s hands slowing down, a scowl darkening his face. But Aether would push. This was something important for him.

“That is… No, no I couldn’t possibly let you…”

“What’s wrong with it? We would be together.”

“It’s not something… there’s so many buried gods, so much resentment. You are much better out here, traveling the lands, learning about the world instead of fighting day after day in an endless loop.”

“I have traveled the lands more times than you would know. I don’t have anywhere to go, no place to call home. I have buried countless friends; I have watched the world go by. I have lived a long life, Xiao. Far too long. I no longer recall my past, or where I come from, but I do know that I am here to protect Teyvat. To protect you.” He laughed to cut through the air of seriousness that was settling between them. “You could almost say that I’m Teyvat’s janitor.”

Xiao exhaled abruptly through his nose even as he turned to him, a protest on his lips. “Why—? Ugh, I much prefer when you refer to yourself as a traveler.”

“How does traveling janitor sound then?”

As all reply, Xiao sagged against his uninjured shoulder, resting his forehead against him.

Aether laughed, arms coming up to run his fingers through his hair, rubbing his scalp gently. “I’m nobody important, I eat when I’m hungry, I sleep when I’m tired. I clean up the tangles in the Ley when I spot them. And it’s not like I would try to tackle all of Liyue in one go. I would first go hunt down a certain funeral parlor consultant and make him clean up his own mess.”

“What would a funeral parlor consultant be able to do? Is this another one of your jokes?”

Aether was quiet, for a beat, two. “Yes. It was a bad joke, I’m sorry.” But before Xiao could do more than wonder what he meant, he carried on. “But anyway, we can work together, we can spend more time together, isn’t that a good thing?”

“What about Paimon?”

“… She should be fine if she stays by my side, but you’re right maybe I should… She’s mine to care for, but maybe I should find her a less bloody home.”

“Wangshu Inn would welcome her.”

“Oh, then she would not be alone. Do you happen to know the fare of a room? Would it be alright to take up one whole room for an indefinite amount of time?”

“She can stay in my room. I’ve never truly used it for its intended purposes, but it could be… a place for us. To go back to.”

“I would like that.” The words came out as soft as a sigh, despite Aether’s best intentions. “Be prepared to deal with a very disgruntled little spren. She also does not like being left behind.”

“We wouldn’t leave her behind.” Xiao corrected him, with a gentleness Aether would never have expected from a soul so pained. “We would come back to her.”

It wasn’t often that the immortal traveler found himself at a loss for words, and yet Xiao managed to steal them, time and time again. Stealing away his words, his doubts, his fears, and bandaging his brittle heart with the same care as his bruised hands.

“…When you made me that promise of bloodshed, I never would have imagined I would find a home again.”

Xiao only smiled.

“Aether.”

The immortal traveler who had been lost in thought— looking for a castle in the sky that was no longer there— snapped back to the present, turning his head to the source of the call. The wistfulness vanished in an instant as he spotted Xiao making his way towards him across the slanted rooftop of Wangshu’s inn. “Welcome back, Xiao.”

Xiao kneeled by his side, leaned in close and kissed his smile before taking a seat as well to bask in the glow of the setting sun, as well as the one next to him.

Aether nudged him with his knee. “Everything alright? You’re rather quiet.”

Xiao found it in himself to scowl at the sun slowly sinking past the horizon. “I am always quiet.”

“Yes, but today you’re nervous.” Xiao sighed in reply and just leaned against his shoulder, letting Aether wrap an arm around him. Breathing always came easier by his side. “Is something wrong?”

“Have you ever… attended the Lantern Rite festival?”

“That’s Liyue’s biggest festival, right? I’ve heard great things about it.” Aether hummed, “Can’t say I have.”

“Would you… Like to?”

Aether craned his neck to try and glimpse his face, genuinely confused. “Would I like to what?”

Xiao grimaced against Aether’s neck. “Perhaps I was wrong… Never mind.”

“Xiao? What were you saying?”

“I just thought that perhaps you would like to attend this year’s Lantern Rite. Together.” He tacked on, pulling away just enough to be able to project his own sincerity through his eyes.

“But you hate crowds, Xiao.”

Xiao grunted, looking increasingly irritated. Anyone would have called it anger, but Aether could see the pout on his lips. “Irrelevant.”

“Where is this coming from? Do you want to go?”

“…”

“Well,” Aether scratched the side of his cheek, eyes darting away. “I haven’t stepped foot in Liyue Harbor since Rex Lapis’ funeral. I… Unfortunately got involved in ah, Rex Lapis’ schemes and you know how that went down. I’ve been avoiding the Harbor since.”

Xiao sighed again, comically crestfallen. “I know.”

“Xiao? You’re starting to worry me.”

“Perhaps I was wrong in phrasing it as a question. Come with me to the Lantern Rite. Tonight.” Another pause. “Please.”

Aether laughed. Short and sweet as he pulled him closer, until they were breathing the same air. With this angle, the setting sun added a glow to Aether’s hair, to his eyes, making him look like an ethereal deity. A sun incarnate. “Are you asking me out on a date? Did Verr put you up to this?”

Xiao scrunched up his nose. “I asked her for advice. But yes. I have been trying to ask you on a date for the entire conversation, Aether.”

Aether laughed, and kissed him, and laughed some more. “Okay, okay, I get it! I’ll go, of course I’ll go.”

“Is this something you want?”

“If you’re by my side, I would love to.” Aether breathed against his lips, but there was melancholy in the depths of his golden eyes. “We don’t have to stay long. I’m also not a fan of big crowds, and I am trying to remain somewhat unnoticed.”

“Verr Goldet offered a change of clothes to us. I declined, but you may find it useful.”

The corners of Aether’s eyes creased.

“Thank you, Xiao.”

Even though he had been nigh impossible to invite, Aether immediately lost himself to the joys of the festivities. Dressed in a red Liyuen-styled ensemble, with a nearly black cloak hiding most of him, he looked right at home in the middle of the bustling city.

Xiao had no interest in festivities, but for a moment he was thankful for them, unable of tearing his eyes away from the golden-eyed traveler. Their arms were locked together, skin-to-skin letting Xiao breathe a bit easier despite the throngs of people shouting and being loud all around them. But that also meant that he was pulled along to any and all of Aether’s and Paimon’s whim.

Like a butterfly on a field of flowers, Aether drifted from stand to stand, buying all the foods his little friend fancied, and taking a small bite here and there. There was something infectious of his simple joy, and despite his attempts at being inconspicuous, he left people staring every time he laughed.

They made a stop by Wanmin Restaurant to greet the cinnamon-stained chef from so long ago. Xiangling was busy as was to be expected, several pots bubbling merrily on the stove as she diced vegetables and plated finished meals alike while her father took order after order.

Still, when Aether popped his head into the kitchen just to greet her, the little chef had cheered, bouncing up to them as she removed her stained apron and launched herself at Aether.

Despite being clearly so busy, she insisted on giving them a surprisingly calming blend of tea, and after ushering Aether away from trying to help, she whipped up two small plates of food for both Aether… and Xiao.

“The presentation isn’t the best, but I know neither of you would care anyway. I hope you like it, I’ve made it especially for you, Adeptus Xiao!” She said as she shoved the plates their way and ushered them out of the kitchen. “Now off you go! I need to keep cooking! Happy Lantern Rite! Visit us anytime!”

That’s how Xiao found himself sitting atop the mast of a wooden ship, a warm bowl in his hands and a happy Aether besides him.

The dish he held in his hands was rather simple. Some variety of broiled fish with rice on the side, everything drowned in a creamy sauce that was warm and inviting. He had tried it more out of obligation than anything, but he found it surprisingly agreeable. The texture was soft, the cream blanketed everything in a rich, yet mild flavor.

“She’s really good at cooking, isn’t she?” Aether said by his side, eyes creased at the corners, finding joy in just watching him eat.

Xiao nodded solemnly. “Her skill is laudable. Was the dish to your liking?”

“Yeah! Maybe we could come by some other time… and order it again?”

“I would like that.”

They remained sitting there, their legs dangling as they rocked alongside the ship.

Xiao was not a fan of the sea, feeling trepidation whenever he was close to its unknown depths, but he could hardly care when Aether was right beside him, offering the warmth of his hand, the safety of his presence.

Xiao would not drown.

(Hadn’t then. Wouldn’t now.)

Still he couldn’t help but think back to the time he had been a slave. To the day he had lost his wing in combat and plunged into the frigid waters to his demise.

He thought about water in his lungs, water in his nose. He thought about the golden creature that had pulled him out, about the way the screams of undead gods quietened for the first time since his name had been stolen.

He looked at the immortal quietly humming by his side and opened his mouth. But before he could utter a question that hadn’t had a chance to form, a different voice broke through the calmness.

“Ah, master Xiao! I’ve finally found you!”

Even though her voice had no urgency in it, Aether was already on his feet, ready to assist. “Is that Ganyu? Do you think there’s a problem?”

“I asked her for a favor. Calm down.” In truth, if Xiao didn’t know exactly why she was here he would have had the same reaction. Still, he got up as well and wrapped an arm around his waist to teleport them down. Without bothering explaining anything else, he turned to Ganyu. “Were there any problems?”

Ganyu bowed at them both in greeting before smiling, hands clasped before her chest. “Not at all! Lady Ningguang always has extra Plaustrite just in case of an emergency, and she was more than happy to lend a platform to you, master Xiao.”

Xiao nodded. “Good. You have my thanks, Ganyu. Where can we find this?”

“Lady Ningguang should have it. She’s overseeing the release of the lanterns, if you could come with me, I will lead the way.”

“Adeptus Xiao, greetings. Lady Ganyu informed me you would be coming. I hope this platform will be useful for you…” The Tianquan fell quiet, noticing the hooded figure standing besides the Adeptus. “Aether? Is that you…?”

“Hello, Lady Ningguang it has certainly been a while…” Aether stepped forward and did a shallow bow, hand to his chest. “I see Liyue Harbor has been prosperous under your care.”

Ningguang recovered immediately, returning the bow with an indecipherable expression. “You are too kind, master Aether. But if I had known you would be visiting us earlier, I could have…”

“Please do not worry, I did not come here to distract you. I’m just… your run of the mill outlander.” He smiled helplessly. “Going on a date during the Lantern Rite.”

Xiao exhaled noisily through his nose, but still stepped closer to Aether, looping an arm around his.

Behind them Ganyu’s eyes were wide, jaw slack, and if Ningguang didn’t have to keep up appearances, she was certain she too would be staring.

“Still, if you ever find yourself in need of something, do not hesitate to request an audience with me. Liyue owes you a great debt.”

“I’m sure you could have handled the Overlord of the Vortex just fine without me.”

“Perhaps. But it would not have been easy.” Ningguang sighed then stepped back. “I will not take more of your time. The platform has arrived, please enjoy your date.”

True to her word, while they exchanged pleasantries, a small piece of Plaustrite descended from the heavens as if with a mind of its own. It was small, peddled, meant to be used as nothing more than a steppingstone. And as Liyue’s savior and the adeptus he had chosen as his partner got on it, Ningguang suddenly understood her mistake.

“Wait—!” She belatedly called out, even as they disappeared up in the sky, but a hand on her arm stopped her. She turned around. “Lady Ganyu, what—?”

Ganyu shook her head. “I understand your concerns, but they’ll be fine.”

“Had I known their intentions, I would have offered a custom-made floating kiosk, or perhaps I could have invited them to the Jade Chambers instead of…”

“Master Xiao is not someone who cares for, or even enjoys extravagance. And Aether… well, have you seen him look this happy before? I assure you, Lady Ningguang, they’ll be fine.”

And true to her words, as Ningguang looked back at them, she could faintly see Aether sitting down, legs dangling off the edge as he smiled and laughed at something nobody else would to hear. His adeptus was standing behind him, controlling the small platform, while resting his free hand atop his covered head.

“You planned this,” Aether accused him with a smile, as he looked at the shrinking Liyue at their feet, at the sights from up above and feeling nostalgia curling around his heart. “I can’t believe you’d be this romantic, Adeptus Xiao.”

But having been by his side for so long, Xiao was not embarrassed, or surprised. He just focused on stabilizing the platform before he too sat down on the edge. Together they saw the busy city growing smaller, distant, like a lingering dream. “I appreciate you recognizing my advances this time.”

Aether laughed, bending at the waist, his hair finally breaking free from his cloak, as his hood fell backwards, revealing the smaller braids that did a half crown around his head, letting the rest of his hair fall freely at his back, swinging wildly with the wind around them. Instead of replying, Aether simply laid a hand on his thigh to support himself as he leaned in and kissed the corner of Xiao’s lips.

Xiao smiled before continuing, “And I am relieved you seem to find them… agreeable.”

“This is… I cannot begin to express how happy you’ve made me today. This is… How did it occur to you? Flying like this?”

“…Every year Little Ganyu extends an invitation to this festival to me. This year she mentioned the use of Plaustrite to recreate one of our old friend’s image, so he could soar the air one last time. I asked her how they would achieve this, and… I figured you would like it.”

Aether hummed, reaching for his hand and squeezing. Without sharing any other words, the two wingless beings savored the air of the night sky they had lost so long ago.

The adeptus trapped in a human form cast his gaze at the strange immortal by his side and thought again about the memories he had begun to recall, about the suspicion that had slowly cemented itself as a truth.

He opened his mouth.

“A long time ago… I asked you. If you had also lost your wings.”

Aether was quiet.

“You cared for me, you pulled me out of the sea and saved my life. I had nothing to offer in return.”

The words floated between them, the silence heavy with promises unfulfilled, with an unspoken plea.

“…I didn’t do it to make you indebted to me.” Aether whispered in a quiet admission, almost afraid of knowing how this conversation would end.

“I know.” Xiao chuckled. “I had nothing to offer but a promise forged on a name without power. A promise I never fulfilled, for I was never called.”

“All I asked of you was to survive.” Aether pulled at his hair, letting it hang over his shoulder so he could begin braiding the loose strands. “I thought you didn’t remember me.”

“I was not sure it was you. So many years had passed. And you did not seem to remember either.”

Aether ducked his head, “I’m so sorry, I— Whoever stole my wings, they also messed with my head, my memory is filled with fog, and I just—”

Xiao softly shushed him, leaning into him, wrapping a hand around his waist to secure him to his side. Offering a comfort no words could dare match. “It is not an accusation; I was just expressing the reason behind my hesitance.”

“I… Even so I wish I could remember you properly.” So much missing time. So many questions. Where did he come from? How had he lost his wings? “There’s so much I simply cannot recall.”

“There is nothing to remember…” Xiao spoke against his ear. “There is only pain in the past.”

“Life is more than pain, Xiao. Everything is connected. Our actions, our words. Our promises.” Finally letting his poor hair go, Aether took a deep breath before placing his hands atop Xiao’s. “I can stand here by your side because you made me remember who I was. In encouraging you to live without flight, I learned as well.”

“I… Don’t think I did more than question your every action.”

“You were a dramatic little thing. Asking so many questions and disagreeing with my every response. That at least I remember.”

“And you… You were an archon candidate, were you not?”

“…A lot of us were, that does not make us any more special.”

“You are… You are far more special.” Xiao replied, holding on tight when Aether began to pull away. “You are special to me. Not because of your weird powers, or your potential, but because you are you. Your voice, your calls. Your warmth. Even if it had not been you who saved me, I believe I… I still would have loved you like I do now.”

Aether remained tense, as if he would disappear, vanish without a trace at the slightest sign of danger. They both knew he could. They both knew he would not. “…What do you mean… by love?”

Xiao sought out his gaze, leaning in closer still. Then instead of replying he pressed a kiss against his cheek. In what felt like a ritual, he kissed his other cheek, his forehead, one eyelid, then the next.  “I mean this.” He whispered, before kissing him on the lips.

“…This will come at a cost, Illuminated One.” The words were spoken carefully, with the weight of time, of loss, of loneliness. With the weight of an intangible fear in a heart so jaded. “Loving me won’t be…”

But Xiao would not be dissuaded so easily. Not because of a contract, a debt. Not because he was ordered to. But because for the first time since his name had been stolen, Xiao’s soul sang with the desire to…

Around them, the first lanterns began their slow ascension to the skies, decorating the night sky in mortal stars, ephemeral, eternal. Every burning light a plea, a prayer towards the unyielding heavens.

“Love is a sacrifice I’m willing to make for you.”

“It’s… not because you wish to repay a perceived debt?”

“No. I want…” Want. He wanted. With the desperation of reaching the battlefield in time. Of reaching Aether before he could die again. He wanted with the ferocity of a hurricane, and the fragile hope of a butterfly’s last dance. He wanted. He wanted. He wanted. Even if he was not worthy, even if the world turned to ash come morning light, Xiao wanted. “I want to love you. I want to be by your side…I want to dream of a happier future with you.”

Floating amidst the thousands of burning hopes, the last Yaksha made his first wish.

And the sun that called himself a traveler leaned in closer and granted it to him in a kiss that tasted of sea salt, of tears, and the terrible, terrible hope that there might be a tomorrow by his side.