Archive of Our Own

The moon is different.

The moonlight drips cool where it lands on the back of his ungloved hand. It reminds him of the way streams in Qingce would part when he dips his fingers in. There’s a certain light energy to it. Traces of which clung to the traveler the first time Xiao saw him again a couple of days ago.  

It’s not bad. Just… different. Tangible. As if a shroud had been brought down from the skies of Liyue, and the moon is manifesting itself as a physical thing for the first time in a long time, stretching its toes and reaching out a hand, gently caressing their heads in a soft hello. 

The moonlight blankets the harbour, infusing it with a sheen of protection that even mortals can feel. It adds to the festive cheer. A blessing for the new year by the elusive White Horse Adeptus. Lanterns flow up into the sky, both to guide warriors home and to send wishes.

Xiao closes his eyes and his fist and breathes. 

Xiao. 

Xiao materialises in another place before he even realises he’s gone, instincts taking over. His boots meet hard wood floors as he lands gracefully on his feet. Aether’s eyes catch him first, and the glimmer in them causes Xiao’s heartbeat to stutter. It takes him another millisecond to rule out any possible dangers.

By the time he’s standing in front of the traveler, arms crossed, he’s concluded safety. 

“Everything alright?” 

Aether’s entire face brightens up. His smile is as soft as fleece. “You came,” he says.

Oh. Xiao feels himself soften, too, melting like wax under Aether’s warm gaze. His shoulders lose their cautious tension. He lets his hands hang on his sides. He can’t help but mirror the affection on Aether’s face.

“Of course,” he says. “Always.” 

Aether’s eyes stray to Xiao’s hand, where it remains uncovered in his haste to answer Aether’s call. His glove hangs loosely from his hand. For some reason the partial state of nudity warms Xiao’s face, though Aether has seen him less clothed than this. 

“Oh. Sorry, let me.” Xiao starts to slip his glove back on. 

“No!” Aether snatches Xiao’s hands, trapping them in his. “Uh. I mean. No. No need. Actually, maybe you should take them both off and um. Well, I’m not wearing my gloves either see, and—”

Xiao is submerged in affection as he witnesses Aether stumble through his words, a pretty flush working its way up his cheeks. The corner of Xiao’s mouth ticks up in amusement.

“Aether,” he says. That effectively silences Aether, and he looks at Xiao with wide eyes. “Was there a reason you called me here?” 

It’s barely two hours after sundown, and Aether has called Xiao to the balcony of their room in Wangshu Inn. The meaning of it is not lost on Xiao. However, Xiao thought that Aether would have stayed longer in the harbour to fully enjoy everything the rite has to offer. Aether is familiar to many there, and has no qualms walking amongst a crowd. He would be right at home. 

“Well, yes.” Aether’s smile is bashful. It’s rare to see him so shy these days. He’s grown so much over the years. He’s no longer the hesitant boy who first sought Xiao out all those years ago. His adventures and triumphs have let him grow into his confidence. It’s evident now in the way he tugs Xiao’s other glove off his hand without hesitation. 

(Xiao’s done some growing, too; because Xiao just lets him, too open and trusting around Aether for his own good.)

Hands laid bare before him, Aether slips his fingers between Xiao’s, and steps aside to show Xiao what he was hiding behind him. 

“I… thought we might celebrate Lantern Rite together?” 

Laid on their table are a variety of snacks, both festive wares that Xiao recognises from booths in the harbour and Wangshu Inn specialties. A bowl of almond tofu sits in the middle surrounded by smaller plates of peanuts and pickles and fried foods. A small jar of sealed wine accompanies the display, two small porcelain cups sitting pretty beside it.

Xiao squeezes Aether’s hand, keeping his eyes on the spread before them, because he thinks he might explode if he sees the affection on Aether’s face. He’s no stranger to Aether’s thoughtfulness, and has been touched by his kindness and generosity time and time again. Still, this is a reminder that he is… cherished, in a way he’s not sure he deserves but likes nonetheless. 

“With me? Are you sure?” 

Aether squeezes his hand back. “Of course,” he says, with a healthy amount of cheek. “Always.” 

Xiao can’t suppress his smile. He turns and presses a quick kiss on Aether’s cheek. 

“Thank you,” he whispers into warm, flushing skin. “You know I appreciate it.” 

Aether grins despite his reddening face. He tugs and cajoles Xiao along, herding them to sit side by side. Their shoulders knock together, their warmth bleeding into each other.

“Zhongli told me you like rice wine.” Aether starts, unlacing the seal on the jar. The alcohol smells sweet and pungent, with a hint of fruitiness that Xiao isn’t used to. “I can’t really do strong alcohol like that so I got us plum wine instead. Is that okay?” 

“More than.” He watches Aether nimbly pour the wine into small cups. The liquid is amber, like the outer edges of Aether’s irises and the shores of Guili Plains at sunset. 

Aether sets the jar down. Xiao grabs a cup and holds it up for Aether to toast. However, Aether shifts his eyes and bites his lip. 

“Uh, would it be okay if…”  Aether trails off.

Xiao is pliant as Aether moves around him, curious. Aether hooks their arms together at the crooks of their elbows, cup poised in front of his mouth. He looks up at Xiao, sharp gold shadowed by the darkness of his lashes. 

“Is this okay?” Aether asks.

Xiao’s eyes widen in surprise. He wonders if Aether knows what this means. He supposes they’ve exchanged vows and a kiss. They’ve completed a ceremony in everything but name. Their contract is recognisable in Liyue and beyond. And what is a ceremony but going through the motions? And does the crossing of arms have to mean anything at all? What’s a drink between friends and lovers, if not simply the consumption of alcohol together?

Xiao can reduce tradition into simple actions however he wants, but that won’t take away the fact that this means something to him. And Xiao’s heart pitters and patters in his chest, and his stomach flutters uncontrollably. 

“Yes,” Xiao says, a bit breathless.

They knock back the wine together. It’s sweet on his tongue and goes easily down his throat. Aether unlinks their arms and Xiao retreats into his own space. Only the soft clink of porcelain against wood fills the air afterwards.

“One day, I hope I can do that with you properly,” Aether says quietly.

Xiao ducks his head, face warm. “...yes.” 

Aether refills their cups, and Xiao busies himself with scooping almond tofu into little shallow bowls for the two of them.

Swallowing, Xiao speaks, and immediately hates himself for sounding so uncharacteristically meek. “Did you enjoy this year’s lantern rite?” 

But that seems to do the trick, Aether perks up and launches into a lively recollection of his adventures at this year’s lantern rite that Xiao hadn’t witnessed, alternating with shoving food into his mouth. His joy is palpable, and Xiao finds himself relaxing in the presence of Aether’s usual exuberance. 

He takes a bite of his almond tofu, and immediately knows that Aether made this for him. Yanxiao’s almond tofu is sweeter, to temper the sharpness from the amount of ginger that he uses. Aether’s is more mellow, more honey mixed with ginger syrup and less rock sugar. It tastes like the loveliest dream in the world. 

The corner of Xiao’s mouth ticks up in a small smile. He takes another bite. 

Aether stops himself mid-ramble, sending him a soft look. “Good?” 

“Delicious.” 

“Yes. Good.” Aether clears his throat, pausing and scratching his cheek. “Anyways, that was when Zhongli told me that–”

As Aether’s story winds down, so does their eating, and all that’s left to do is sip their wines and trade comments.  

“I see.” Xiao says as he refills their empty cups. “Those ceremonies he used to do… they were to see if we could bring her back.” 

“I guess,” Aether mumbles, picking up his cup. “Do you think he tried so much because he felt… guilty?” 

Xiao sets down the half-empty jar with a hum. “Who knows? There are a lot of things about Rex Lapis that even I don’t know. If Streetward Rambler has no knowledge of it, then I’m not sure who does.” 

“I see.” 

“The Morax in the past…” Xiao trails off. “He was different from how he is today. Maybe he continuously seeked her out of a sense of obligation, or perhaps it was a strategic attempt made knowing Liyue had lost so many of its gods and protectors following the Archon War.” 

“Or perhaps…” Xiao continues. “He simply missed his friend. I can’t say for sure.” He clinks the rim of his cup against Aether’s, suspended as it is in his owner’s grasp. Aether nods and takes a sip of his. 

“It’s bittersweet, isn’t it?” Aether comments, setting his cup down.

“What is?” 

“That he kept waiting for her for all those years…” Aether murmurs. “I want to say I can’t imagine doing something like that, but Lumine, she did that for me…” He trails off, staring off into the distance, into the sea of lanterns floating in the sky and the moon above. 

Xiao slips his hand into Aether’s, the free one resting between them. He suppresses a shudder at the feel of their bare skins touching. Aether’s palms are warm and calloused, like his. They’re strong hands, tempered by years of sword-fighting. Yet they are capable of handling more than just the hilt of a sword. For one, they are capable of holding Xiao’s anguished heart with care. 

Xiao squeezes, and Aether holds on just as tight, smiling wistfully. 

Aether sighs. “I suppose I’d wait for Lumine for a thousand years too, if I had to.” 

“I’d wait for you.” 

Aether inhales sharply, pivoting his head so quickly Xiao worries for his neck. He stares at Xiao, eyes wide and mouth open in surprise.

“What?” 

Xiao uses his free hand to tuck a stray hair behind Aether’s ear, letting his hand linger on the cradle of his jaw. His voice is steady. He doesn’t know where this comes from, if it’s the alcohol making him brave, but he wants to say it.

“If you had to fall asleep again, I’d wait however many years it takes for you to wake up.” 

Aether’s free hand comes up to cling on Xiao’s wrist. His face grows warm in Xiao’s hand, his gaze inscrutable. 

“Xiao…” he whispers.

“You must know,” Xiao whispers, inching closer, until their faces are only mere millimetres away from each other’s. Aether’s breath smells like plum wine and honey, his eyes shine like cor lapis in the dark. “The depth of my regard for you—”

It’s Aether who closes the gap between them this time, gently pressing his lips against Xiao’s. Xiao releases a stuttered breath between them, and Aether takes the opportunity to slip his tongue into Xiao’s mouth. 

Aether tastes sweet, a bit salty from the foods he’s been eating all night. His tongue is soft against Xiao’s, and so sinful when it slides against Xiao’s. Xiao’s eyes slip shut on their own. This is bliss. 

Aether’s hands fist themselves on Xiao’s shirt, while one of Xiao’s hands makes itself at home on the bolt of Aether’s jaw and the other palms its way down to Aether’s hip, gripping and pulling him close, closer. 

Their chests bump against each other’s as their kiss deepens. Archons, Xiao could get lost in this, in the wet, warm slide of their mouths together. Aether gently sucks on Xiao’s bottom lip before letting it go, making it swell and creating sweet, electrifying friction when their lips rub and drag. Goosebumps erupt along Xiao’s arms with every soft sigh that comes out of Aether’s kiss-swollen mouth. Xiao’s brain is slowly liquefying out of his ears with how good this is. Heat gathers in his gut and down his groin, and he pulls Aether closer yet. 

When they part it’s with a wet slurping sound that makes Xiao shiver. His cock is hardening between his legs, aching with arousal. Somehow, through the deafening rush of his heartbeat, Xiao hears Aether’s laboured breathing, feels his knuckles brushing against the nape of Xiao’s neck in a soothing motion. His low, fevered gaze roams Xiao’s face, down his chest, down the bulge starting to make itself known on his loose pants. 

“Let’s… let’s take this inside,” Aether breathes out. 

Xiao swallows, and nods. 

Aether takes him by the hand and drags him inside, only to slam him against the balcony doors as soon as they close. Aether is on him again in a second, pressing insistently against Xiao as he takes Xiao’s mouth once again. Their erections brush against each other’s through layers of their clothing and pleasure traips up Xiao’s spine, making him groan. He threads one hand into Aether’s braided hair, close to the roots, while one arm goes around Aether’s middle to pull him closer.

Xiao wrenches Aether’s head back, pushing a moan out of him. Xiao feels Aether’s hardness twitch against his thigh. He lets out a curse, letting his head thunk on Aether’s shoulder. He grips Aether tighter and feels Aether shiver against him.

“Calm down,” Xiao croaks out, his hand sweeps up and down Aether’s back in what he hopes to be a soothing motion. “Aether.” 

“Sorry.” Aether pants. He swallows audibly, his fingers dig into Xiao’s sides. “Just. Want you.”

Xiao lets go of his hold on Aether’s hair just to grab his jaw, looking into Aether’s eyes. Aether’s pupils are blown to hell, black almost swallowing gold whole. Red paints his cheeks, spilling attractively down his neck. Archons. Xiao had never had this much of an effect on a person before, nor anybody on him. But Aether.

“I know,” Xiao rasps. “Me too.”

He closes the distance between them again, this time the kiss is slower, better, less biting and more slick and slide like before. Xiao pushes a thigh between Aether’s legs, pressing against the bulge he finds there, and Aether wrenches himself away just to moan in Xiao’s ear, high and wanton.

He trembles in Xiao’s arms, hips rolling, chasing friction, his clothed erection rubbing against Xiao’s thigh. 

“Ngh. Oh. Xiao—” 

Xiao manhandles them into the bed this time, afraid they’ll finish right there against the balcony doors. He sits Aether down on the edge of the bed, running his hands down Aether’s body as he undoes his scarf. He pulls Aether’s crop top up and Aether complies without complaint. 

Xiao would be embarrassed with the haste with which he himself undresses, but he can’t bring himself to care. His mask falls carelessly onto the floor with a dull thud. His protection beads are next, then protective talismans, his shirt. Xiao reaches for his pants, but Aether’s hands stop him. 

He looks up at Xiao, gold eyes molten like honey, and Xiao loses his breath.

“Can I?”

Xiao doesn’t trust himself to speak, so he nods.

Aether slides down onto the floor, divine on his knees with his hair shrouding him in gold. Time suspends as he undoes the ties of Xiao’s trousers. Strings loosen but the knots in Xiao’s stomach only tightens. Aether pulls Xiao’s pants down his hips, then his thighs, exposing his cock to the cool air. Xiao lets out a hiss at the sensation. Aether helps him step out of his clothing, and settles his sword-calloused palms on Xiao’s thighs.

Embarrassingly, Xiao’s hard cock pulses in front of Aether’s face.

Aether lets out a breath, hot on Xiao’s cock, and it makes goosebumps break out on Xiao’s flesh anew. Aether leans in and nuzzles the base of Xiao’s cock, pressing an openmouthed kiss there, making his way up, up. 

Xiao inhales sharply, suddenly unmoored. He puts a hand on Aether’s head to ground himself, and Aether’s eyes slip shut like he’s content. His hot mouth is so dangerously close to where Xiao wants him to be. But he teases, pressing a wet kiss just below the head of Xiao’s cock. 

“Aether.” Xiao strangles out. 

Aether hums, and he presses a light kiss on the wet tip of Xiao’s cock before enveloping it within the warm cavern of his mouth. Xiao groans, hips twitching forward on their own accord. 

Aether holds him in place with firm hands on his hips. It’s like the world’s best teasing game. Aether alternates gentle suckles with wet kisses on the head of Xiao’s cock, soft push and pulls that’s almost similar to making out. When he has Xiao’s cock in his mouth he slides his tongue underneath the head, fucking his mouth back and forth, creating a soft, wet sleeve along the length. Drool escapes his lips, dripping down his chin. The wet sucking noises are unbearably filthy. And through the haze of his lust, Xiao sees Aether pressing his own thighs together in order to get some relief. 

This fact is so hot that it sends a jolt of arousal down Xiao’s spine, makes his cock throb and drip precum down Aether’s tongue, something that only makes his lover moan and double his efforts. It turns from gentle to filthy quick. Aether seems to have perfect control of his gag reflex, the way he sheathes the whole of Xiao so easily down his throat, his nose pressed into the pubic hair at the base.  

Aether does it over and over again, swallowing Xiao’s cock like it’s the easiest thing in the world. The smooth velvet of his throat drives Xiao insane, the tight suction of his mouth absolutely damning. Xiao feels engorged, swollen and ready to pop. The noises dragged out of him are more animal than man, animalistic growls and grunts that wouldn’t have seen the light of day otherwise. 

Half-bowled and trembling over the sinful figure of Aether on his knees, Xiao tugs gently at his hair. 

“Aether,” he pants, breathing ragged. His voice is rough and low, like he hasn’t just downed half a jug of alcohol not half an hour ago. His legs feel like jelly, his groin melting from the pleasure. He’s trying his best to stay still but he wants, so badly, to drive forward, to fuck into the warm, welcoming heat of Aether’s mouth. “If you keep this up, I’m going to c–cum.” 

Aether hums, pulling away with a filthy slurp that makes Xiao choke on nothing. A string connects his swollen lips to the head of Xiao’s cock. And instead of letting up he dives kissing the base of Xiao’s cock again, cheek pressed to Xiao’s groin, one of his hands coming up to lightly squeeze and fondle with Xiao’s balls. Xiao nearly shakes at the pleasure. 

“If you cum now, would you be able to go again after?” Aether’s voice is fucked out and hoarse, and Archons, Xiao only wants to make it rougher, make him scream until his voice is gone in the morning.

“Yes,” Xiao hisses as Aether begins to jack him off nice and slow, the slide slick with his own spit. “How–however many times y-you want.” 

“Then you can cum however many times you want,” Aether says, voice gentle despite the obscenity of his words. 

He takes Xiao to the root again. Xiao throws his head back and groans, trembling with the strength it takes not to fuck into that delicious heat, thighs straining. Aether makes a noise below him, and Xiao looks down to meet his watery gaze.

Aether paws at Xiao’s ass and pushes forward, pulling and pushing himself on Xiao’s cock at the same time. Xiao puts a hand on top of Aether’s head.

“C-can I?” He asks. 

Aether answers with a nod and a moan that reverberates through Xiao’s entire being. Aether’s eyes slip shut, his hands fall down to his thighs in acquiescence. 

This giving over—this letting go, it burns through Xiao clean. Aether is a Descender, a traveler from the stars, capable of changing an entire world’s fate. But he’s pliant on his knees for Xiao, letting Xiao use him for his own pleasure. Aether could be a god, powerful enough to be one, but tonight he’s Xiao’s lover. 

A careful hand cradles the back of Aether’s head. Xiao pulls out—slow, and pushes back in just as slow, relishing the soft, slick slide with a content sigh. Aether shudders beneath him, goes even more lax, and that’s all the reassurance Xiao needs.

He presses in further, enough to push into the tight circle of Aether’s throat. It constricts sweetly, and Xiao can’t deny himself anymore. He pulls out to shove back in harshly, his balls slapping against Aether’s chin. He does it again, and again, the pleasure too good to resist, spreading out of his groin like fire. 

“Fuck,” he curses. “Fuck.”

He chases that high, trembling. He braces a hand on the edge of the bed behind Aether, shifts his stance so he can fuck better. The sounds are disgusting, the gluck gluck gluck of Xiao lodging his cock deep in Aether’s windpipe over and over again. Aether is like a ragdoll in his hand, held up only by Xiao, leaning back to follow the change in Xiao’s angle. 

Xiao glances down and is met with the sight of Aether completely gone, eyes rolled back in his head and his fists balled on top of his thighs because he doesn’t want to touch himself.

That does Xiao in. He comes with a strangled shout, muffled by his own palm slapped over his mouth at the last minute. His pleasure has nowhere to go but through his entire body, and his cock pulses and throbs, shooting line after line of cum into Aether’s waiting mouth. His hips chase the friction, working through his orgasm with small rolls of his hips. 

Once the haze of pleasure fades, Xiao releases the grip he doesn’t realise he’d had in Aether’s hair.

Xiao pulls out and Aether heaves in big gulps of breath. Xiao is on his knees in front of him immediately. Aether is wrecked, snot and drool and tears everywhere, his mouth is swollen, splatters of cum mixed with phlegm smear down his chin. His eyes are fevered, hungry and desperate, cheeks tracked with tears. He’s shaking, like an animal cornered.

He paws at Xiao. “Xiao.” He whispers, voice hoarse. “Xiao.” 

Xiao jams his hand into Aether’s trousers. Aether is so wet Xiao wonders if he’s cum after all, but the keening sound he lets out as Xiao wraps a hand around his hot length is enough to answer that question.

His hips jackknive, fucking desperately into Xiao’s hand as he grips Xiao’s biceps tightly. 

“P-please, Xiao–oh—”

“Yes,” Xiao murmurs, watching Aether’s face intently, his slack jaw and the way his face contorts in pleasure. “Yes, come on, beloved.”

Xiao digs his thumb into the slit of Aether’s cock and Aether cums with a small cry, his cock twitching and pulsing in Xiao’s grip. He rides his orgasms in shuddering sobs and gasps, slumping against Xiao. 

His lover twitches in his arms, and Xiao presses kisses to his temple, his hair, his ear as he milks Aether’s orgasm out of him, rubbing his thumb gently under the glans.

“Stop… stop,” Aether whimpers. 

Xiao does, removing his hand from Aether’s pants. He uses his clean hand to tilt Aether’s chin up and pulls him into a kiss. He doesn’t wince at the taste of himself on Aether’s tongue. If anything, he deepens the kiss, sweeping into Aether’s mouth and pulling soft sighs out of him. 

They can’t seem to stop kissing, not even when the cum has cooled and become tacky on their bodies. Xiao could stay there forever, on his knees kissing Aether, but Aether’s legs must have fallen asleep by now, having kept that position for so long. So Xiao is the one who pulls away first, his thumb rubbing back and forth across Aether’s cheek.

Aether looks content, a bit sleepy, nuzzling into Xiao’s hand. Xiao can’t help but press another short kiss on his mouth. 

“Let’s take a bath,” Xiao whispers.

“Mm. I thought you could keep going?” 

“I could.” 

Aether raises a playful eyebrow, smiling. “Then what? You think I’m gross?” 

Xiao wants to laugh. Aether is beautiful, he’s ethereal in the afterglow of sex, cheeks flushed a healthy pink and a satisfied gleam in his eyes, his hair out in wild tufts from his braid. He’s been debauched solely by Xiao’s doing and marked by Xiao’s essence. Xiao has never been so attracted to any being in his life. 

He presses a soft kiss on Aether’s lips. “No,” he says. “I want you to be comfortable.” 

Aether softens, looking at Xiao so tenderly Xiao is almost suffocated by it. Aether lets out an exaggerated put-upon sigh, despite the smile near-splitting his face in two. 

“Well, if you must insist.” 

Xiao helps Aether up on his feet. Just as he predicted, Aether yelps and falls into him right away. Aether hobbles his way into the bathroom, Xiao’s arm around his waist the whole time. Xiao sets him on the edge of the tub as he busies himself with preparing the bath. He peels Aether’s dirtied pants and underthings off of him (how he survived the whole thing with all of these on is beyond Xiao) and makes quick work of washing them in a bucket. 

Behind him, Aether laughs softly. 

Xiao wrings Aether’s pants and glances at him. “What?” 

“You’re naked and you’re washing my pants,” he muses. “Never thought I’d see it.” 

“If all your talk about wanting us to live together before were true, then you should be expecting this, no?” Xiao answers, reaching for Aether’s underthings now.

Footsteps echo behind him on the wooden tiles of the bathroom, and Aether’s arms encircle his waist. Soft kisses are pressed onto his neck as Xiao stands upright again.  

“Well, I imagined you washing my clothes, but not naked.” 

Xiao sighs and tilts his head, giving Aether more access. Aether’s sinful fingers trail themselves down Xiao’s sternum, between pecs, down the ridges of his abdominal muscles before they stop just below his belly button. Aether threads his fingers through the curls of hair trailing down there, humming.  

Xiao’s cock twitches from such simple touches, growing with arousal.

“You weren’t kidding huh.” Aether says, peering over his shoulder.

“Aether,” Xiao chides. 

He grips Aether’s wrist and pulls him into the bath instead. Aether slips in after him with a laugh, settling between Xiao’s legs. He’s put his hair up when Xiao wasn’t looking, and it hovers tantalisingly close. It smells familiarly of the oil that Xiao combed into it, the one Xiao insists Aether carries a vial of. Xiao can’t help but lean in and inhale to catch a whiff.

Aether is rubbing his face with a washcloth, dipping it in the water before scrubbing himself clean. Once he’s done he leans back against Xiao’s chest, silent. Xiao wraps his arms around Aether’s waist, keeping him there. 

“You never did get in the bath with me in the past,” Aether murmurs. “No matter how hard I tried.” 

Xiao hesitates. “I didn’t… want to… cross your boundaries.” 

Aether cranes his neck behind to look at him. “Even when I asked?” 

Xiao meets his eyes with a level gaze. “Especially when you asked.”

Aether’s forehead furrows in confusion. “Why not?” 

“You… didn’t mean it.” 

Aether tilts his head. “Of course I meant it.” 

“Not in the way I wanted you to mean it.” 

Aether’s eyes widen with surprise. Xiao doesn’t know what’s surprising about this. He may not declare it from the rooftops, but his devotion should be clear as day. He was, perhaps, subtle with his affection but the fact that it had been growing so steadfastly should have been obvious. Especially after the second time they spent Lantern Rite together. Especially once they’ve started their little arrangement. 

“I–so–”

“It’s always been you, for me,” Xiao murmurs. He pauses, biting his lip and glancing away for a second. “I hope that now that we’ve exchanged… promises. It’s the same for you as—”

“Yes, of course,” Aether says quickly, cutting him off. He grabs the back of Xiao’s head and makes Xiao meet his gaze. “There’s only you, Xiao. Only you.” 

Aether closes the distance between them and kisses him. They trade slow, languid kisses. Xiao cradles Aether’s face with a wet hand, pressing gentle kisses on his lips over and over again.

They part and Aether leans against him more heavily. Xiao debates telling this to Aether at all, and at the end decides that he should.

“In… the past. When you’ve… ah, been with someone, I could tell.”

Aether tenses in his arms. “What do you mean?” 

“I have a very keen sense of smell. More than most mortals.” 

Aether is red as a tomato as he sits up and turns to face Xiao, water sloshing dangerously around them. “So—what, you could smell their cum on me?”

Xiao grabs Aether’s hand in his, squeezing. “That’s not where I was going with this.” Xiao sighs, closes his eyes. He gathers himself for a moment and meets Aether’s mortified gaze.

“I could smell traces of it, yes. When two people have sex, their scents mix and this mixture lasts for a while, and it’s always very obvious to me.” Xiao goes on. 

“Aether you’re very… desirable. You’re—lovely.” It’s Xiao’s turn to flush. Embarrassment threatens to swallow him whole. Saying these kinds of things have never been easy for him. “I wouldn’t blame them for wanting you, and you—do you realise the kind of people you’ve surrounded yourselves with? Leaders of nations, archons, ancient gods, powerful beings. I wouldn’t blame you for wanting them back.” 

Aether’s expression has morphed from mortification to confusion to shock. Xiao cradles his cheek. 

“I didn’t want to be just another notch on your bedpost. Tempting as it may have been. Do you understand? It would’ve devastated me to have you once and then never again. I would have been happier being a… close friend to you.” 

“Xiao,” Aether croaks. 

Before he knows it, Aether has thrown himself over him, arms around Xiao’s neck. Water splashes out of their tub, spilling onto the floor. Aether holds him tight. Xiao places his arms gingerly around his waist. He rubs Aether’s back soothingly, confused. He doesn’t know what to do if he’s upset the traveler. 

“They didn’t mean anything,” Aether whispers in his ear. 

“They could, and it would be okay,” he says. “I’m not under any illusion that I own your person. I’m very grateful for where we stand today, but I also didn’t tell you how I felt. I was… unsure and afraid.”

“And now?” Aether asks shakily.

Xiao buries his face on the crook of Aether’s neck, inhaling his scent. He closes his eyes. “With you here with me, I’m not afraid of anything anymore.” 

-

They end up lying across each other on the bed after their bath. Aether’s hair spills out in a warm golden glow behind him. He could be a god for all Xiao cares, he wouldn’t know the difference. He’s still Xiao’s lover. 

Aether’s been uncharacteristically silent since their bath. He seems contemplative, holding Xiao’s hand and rubbing his thumb across the knuckles. Xiao itches with the need to pull him out of his own head.

“Did I ruin the mood? I’m sorry,” Xiao says, trying for a joke. But he’s met with a stern gaze from Aether. 

Xiao meets it dead on.

“Did I ever hurt you?”

“No.” 

“Even unknowingly, I—”

“If it’s unknowingly then it’s none of your business.” Xiao says. 

Aether’s eyebrows furrow. “Xiao, I’m serious.” 

Xiao sighs, pushes Aether to lie on his back so Xiao could hover above him. He looks into Aether’s eyes, into the golden warmth of them, hoping to convey everything inside him.

“Aether, you are the last person who would ever hurt me, and you have never. In fact, your flying companion has done more to offend me than you have.”

Aether’s mouth purses, but the frown between his brows smoothen. “Well, that’s hardly a competition, is it?”

Xiao gives him a small smile. “I don’t care about your past, as you do not care about mine. The promise you made to me is worth more than anything you could ever do combined. It’s worth more than any contracts I’ve ever made. Do you know this?”

Aether’s entire expression softens. He reaches up to touch Xiao’s cheek, and Xiao allows himself a moment to enjoy the touch, leaning into it.

“I do,” Aether says. 

“We’re bound to each other, you and I,” Xiao murmurs, inching closer. He presses a kiss to Aether’s palm. “What’s a night or two compared to forever?”

“Might not even get to give you that,” Aether whispers, holding Xiao’s face with both hands.

“The rest of your life then,” Xiao says, “and if not, then the rest of your time in Teyvat.”

Aether swallows, searching Xiao’s eyes. “Is that enough?” 

“More than.” 

Their lips meet in the sweetest kiss this time. Unlike before, when their tongues meet, it’s all passion and no desperation. The fire is there, but toned down to an ember that smolders.

He loves you. Xiao thinks, heart squeezing. He loves you.

“Xiao,” Aether whispers against his lips. “Want you. Please.” 

“Yes,” Xiao whispers, pressing a kiss on the corner of Aether’s lips. He makes his way down to his cheek, then his ear, behind it, down the bolt of his jaw. When he reaches Aether’s neck he sucks until bruises form, soothing the sting with his lips and tongue. 

Aether doesn’t complain, he cards his fingers through Xiao’s hair, sighing softly with every mark Xiao puts on him. 

The night clothes they’ve been given are their usual half-body cotton robes that tie in the middle and comfortable cotton pants. It’s an advantage for Xiao now, because Xiao can simply push the collar aside to get to Aether’s chest. Xiao kisses above one pink nipple, before enveloping it in his mouth. 

Aether hisses and jerks, hand tightening in Xiao’s hair. Xiao takes that as a good sign, flicking his tongue over the bud. His hand comes up to play with Aether’s other nipple, pinching it and flicking it with his finger.

“Xiao,” his name is said around a sweet moan, Aether arching his back to push his chest against Xiao.

This is what Xiao has been missing, what was missing from their previous dalliance. He could hear Aether’s heart thumping away in his chest, taste the salt on his skin, smell the early signs of his arousal so clearly in the air. 

Xiao hums, closes his eyes and licks his way down Aether’s stomach. He undoes the robe with one hand, pushing the robe open and exposing Aether’s delicious tummy to the air. 

Xiao straddles Aether’s thighs properly, running his hands down his body, stopping at his narrow waist. Xiao spreads his hands over them, thumbs meeting in the middle, just above Aether’s navel. Together, his hands span the width of Aether’s waist. Xiao puts the slightest pressure and Aether gasps. 

“You’re always exposed here,” Xiao murmurs, thumb rubbing back and forth on pale skin. “Don’t you ever feel cold?” 

“N-no.”

Xiao tsks, bends down and chomps on the skin, just slightly off center above Aether’s navel. Aether squeals, back arching.

“Xiao!”

Xiao hums, pulling back to admire his handiwork. There’s a deep bite mark in the shape of his teeth there, already bruising pretty. He swipes his thumb over it. 

“Everyone will know now,” he whispers. “They’ll know I’ve had you like this.”

Aether lets out a strangled sound that might be a garbled version of Xiao’s name. Xiao comes up to kiss him, deep and thorough. They separate with a wet string of saliva connecting their lips, breathing hard.

Aether gasps softly, reaching up for Xiao’s face again. “Your markings.”

Xiao turns his head to kiss Aether’s hand. “Have they come out?” 

Aether swallows, nodding.

“Good. Let that be a testament of the depth of my regard for you.” 

Xiao reaches towards the bedside table, opening the shelf. He fishes out the bottle of lubricant and drops it next to Aether.

Aether flushes but grins. “How’d you know that was there?”

Xiao kisses him, pushing his robe off his shoulders completely. “You are wonderfully easy to read.” 

“Certainly never been accused of that before. I’m an excellent actor, you know.” 

Xiao pecks him on the mouth. “Then isn’t it wonderful that I know all of your tells?” And peels his sleeping pants off of him and chucks them off somewhere across the room.

Xiao comes up and kisses him again, grinding his hips down against Aether’s. Heated flesh meets soft cotton. Aether moans into his mouth. 

He somehow still has the strength to push on Xiao’s shoulders. “You too, c’mon.” 

Xiao pulls away, sitting up, still straddling Aether’s thighs, and pulls his sleeping robe over his head. Aether stares at him, biting his lip. He reaches out and drags his hand down Xiao’s pectoral muscles, then his abdomen, petting. 

“For all your talk about me being lovely, or whatever,” Aether murmurs. “You don’t know how attractive you are.”

“Does it matter? When it’s only you I want?” 

Aether’s hand slips down, tugging at Xiao’s sleeping pants. Xiao’s erection slips free. Aether wraps his hand around it. Pleasure jolts through Xiao’s spine, pooling at his groin with every tug of Aether’s hand. Xiao closes his eyes and lets out a ragged breath. 

“I suppose not,” Aether says, reaching up to grab Xiao’s hip, pulling him in. “When this is all for me.”

Xiao drops his head, groaning, rocking forward, fucking into Aether’s hand. “You. Only you.” 

“You’re mine,” Aether whispers.

Xiao’s cock lurches in Aether’s hand. “Yours,” he moans. “Yours, beloved.”

Aether pulls him into a kiss, devouring and consuming. Overcome with emotions, Xiao can’t help but press him onto the bed, grinding his weeping erection into Aether’s hip. Aether groans in return, rubbing up into him as well. Their erections press and rub against each other, and it’s the most electrifying sensation Xiao’s ever felt in his life. Xiao’s hip stutters, he slows his movements to a more controlled, delicious grind, panting into Aether’s mouth. 

Aether is grabbing at him, his sides, his ass. Everywhere. 

“Xiao, c’mon. C’mon.”

“Yeah,” Xiao pants. “Yeah.” 

Xiao wrenches himself away with strength he doesn’t know he has. He shimmies down, kicking his pants away in the process. He lies on his stomach, bullying his way between Aether’s legs and throwing them over his shoulders. Xiao takes a moment to collect himself, resisting the urge to hump the bed.

“Wh–what are you doing?” Aether asks, breathless.

Xiao kisses the inside of Aether’s thigh, sucking a bruise there and hearing Aether gasp. He follows its way up, nosing his way behind Aether’s balls. He presses a kiss on his perineum, and then lower.

“Oh. Xiao, are you—”

At the first touch of Xiao’s tongue on Aether’s hole, the blonde jolts like he’s been shocked, letting out a positively feral noise that has Xiao wondering if this is the first time someone’s done this for him. If yes, then what a waste. Xiao would happily lie there and eat him out until he’s babbling and sobbing, cumming from the nth time from Xiao’s tongue alone.

That’s exactly what Xiao does. He presses the broad of his tongue on Aether’s hole, licking messily up his perineum. Xiao maps every nook and crevice. He alternates with dipping the tip of his tongue inside, letting his spit ease the way. Aether tastes like musk, a bit like the soap they use in the bath. Mostly like skin and him.

It’s an addicting flavour. Xiao groans, hooking his hands over Aether’s thighs and pulling him down, licking into him with more fervor. Drool drips down his chin, making a wet spot on the bedding. Aether scrabbles for purchase, one hand gripping Xiao’s hair tight and the other fisting the sheets. His heels dig into Xiao’s back, while his mouth lets out a stream of wanton noises, ones that have Xiao throbbing and humping the bed beneath him.

Xiao eats him out like a man starved, like salvation lies there in the heat of Aether’s body. 

(For all it’s worth, it probably does.)

At long last, Aether softens enough for Xiao to push his tongue inside, rim loosened up enough for Xiao to lick where Aether needs him the most, tongue curling. Aether cums with a drawn-out whine, his thighs clamping Xiao in place as he rides Xiao’s face, circling his hips in sinuous rolls, hand fisted in Xiao’s hair, pulling painfully. The schlick-schlick-schlick of him working his own cock fills the room.

“God—ugh God. Xiao.” He whimpers.

Xiao keeps at it until Aether goes limp, legs falling to the sides and freeing him. Xiao pushes himself up on shaky arms, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Aether stares at him through hooded eyes, cum splattered up his belly. His skin is littered with bruises and the imprints of Xiao’s teeth. His nipples are bitten red, erect. His cock lays half-spent against his thigh, cum still beading from the tip. His hole is winking at Xiao, glistening with Xiao’s own spit. He’s the very picture of wanton decadence, a holy temptation spilled across Xiao’s bedsheets in shades of gold. And Archons, Xiao wants him. Xiao wants him. 

“C’mon,” Aether says softly, tilting his chin up, eyes beckoning. “No more delays. Open me up and fuck me, Alatus.”

Xiao curses, yanking Aether by the things so his bottom half is draped over Xiao’s lap. Xiao’s hands shake as he unscrews the vial of lubricant, pouring them onto his fingers. 

For his part, Aether is content, letting out a breathy giggle at being manhandled. He tugs Xiao down for a kiss, arms around Xiao’s neck.

“Hey,” he kisses the corner of Xiao’s lips, his nose, his cheek. “Calm down.”

Xiao can only exhale shakily, nodding. One slick finger circles Aether’s rim, petting and massaging. Aether is loose enough that Xiao’s finger sinks in immediately. Aether responds with an encouraging hum that turns into a moan as Xiao locates his prostate.

“More.” Aether pants into his mouth. “I can take it. More.” 

Xiao has no intention of denying him, not when he himself is so desperate. One finger turns into two that Aether takes easily. Xiao rolls his fingers around, alternating between rubbing Aether’s rim and pressing inside, scissoring his fingers when he needs to. He has to pause when he bullies a third finger in, Aether’s face scrunching in discomfort.

Said boy lets out a deliberate exhale. “I’m fine,” he says. “Been a while. Give me a minute.” 

Xiao kisses him to distract him, his free hand wrapping around Aether’s cock—on its way to fully hard again. He jacks Aether slowly, rubbing the sensitive part under the glans just to get Aether to shake and moan. By the time Aether is dripping over Xiao’s thumb, he’s loose around Xiao’s fingers, grinding his hips down and chasing the pleasure on his prostate. 

“‘M ready, ‘m ready, please, Xiao–”

Xiao shushes him, kissing him gently. “It’s alright, beloved,” he whispers. “There’s no need to beg.” 

He pulls his fingers free with a squelch, earning a gasp out of Aether. Xiao readjusts their position, Aether’s legs over his hips and his ass on Xiao’s lap. He slicks himself with a generous amount of lubricant before he lines up, one hand gripping Aether’s hip and the other pressing his dick into the soft furl of Aether’s hole.

Xiao presses in slowly. He is unable to tear his gaze away from the way Aether’s hole slowly but surely gives way, swallowing him. Xiao shudders, eyes slipping shut. The warmth and pressure is already unbearably good. He stills, more for himself than for Aether. 

When Xiao opens his eyes, he’s met with Aether’s fevered gaze, his mouth half open in a soft pant, cheeks a lovely ruddy red. Xiao’s gut clenches, the urge to slam into Aether’s warmth burns through his being. 

Instead, he pushes in and pulls out in tiny increments, as if getting Aether used to the idea of being fucked. With every pull out, Aether’s hole sucks him back in. Xiao fights the instinct to shove in and bury himself to the hilt in one go. Aether is something to treasure, and Xiao will be damned if he causes Aether any discomfort.

The air grows heated between them, saturated with the heady scent of sex and desire. Xiao feels lightheaded, carefree. Aether is everywhere—on his tongue, his lungs, his mind, occupying all his senses and more. 

Said boy is muffling the noises he’s making with the back of his free hand. Why? What sounds are so shameful that Xiao cannot hear it? What is there of his that Xiao hasn’t? Xiao pries Aether’s hand off his face, constraining it firmly beside his head. The other gets the same treatment, and Aether is pinned underneath him with nowhere to go.

As a response, Aether squeezes his eyes shut and chews on his bottom lip, even as Xiao slides in deep, deep, deeper.

“Aether.” Xiao nuzzles his cheek, pressing a kiss to his ear, making him shiver. “Don’t hide from me,” he murmurs. 

After a particularly hard thrust, Xiao bottoms out, and that tears a strangled cry out of Aether’s throat. Xiao stills, pressing gentle kisses on Aether’s ear, his jaw, his cheek.

At the distinct taste of salt, Xiao jerks back, and Aether finally opens his eyes.

His red-rimmed, wet eyes.

There’s a clenching in his chest that cannot come from anything other than affection, from the pain of seeing his lover cry. Xiao readjusts, lets go of Aether’s hands and hikes Aether’s legs up his waist instead, giving him more room to hover over Aether and cover him entirely, their faces close, noses touching.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao whispers. “Do you want to stop?”

Aether shakes his head. He wraps his arms around Xiao’s neck, pulling him in.

“Feels good,” he whispers. “Don’t stop.” 

Yet the tears keep making their way down Aether’s flushed cheeks. Xiao kisses them away.

“Are you sure?” 

Aether nods. “I just—I’m just—“ He says, voice cracking.

Xiao kisses him, languid and soft. There is no need for Aether to speak if he doesn’t wish to. Instead, Xiao presses on the inside of one of Aether’s thighs, making room. He draws back, and slams back in. Aether lets out a high, keening moan. 

Xiao fucks him in deep, steady strokes—his thrusts measured and controlled. Meanwhile Aether falls apart underneath him. His nails dig bloody crescents on Xiao’s back, his leg spasms in Xiao’s hold. He is all warm, wet, clinging heat around Xiao’s cock, cinching tight every time Xiao brushes over his prostate. 

The sounds that tear out of Aether are unintelligible, half-sobs and shouts that would have Xiao slowing down on a normal day. But Aether is pushing back, hips rolling to meet Xiao’s thrust for thrust, his cock hard and leaking between them and his hands tight on Xiao. And Xiao thinks he does not want to be anywhere but here.

It’s the expression on Aether’s face that kills him. Where Xiao expects relief—there is a rawness behind his teary eyes, something not quite open but broken all the same. It’s fleeting, but it’s there between his lust-filled gaze. It’s almost as if—

“What are you afraid of, beloved?” Xiao murmurs, breathless. “Let go. I am here. I will catch you. Let go.”

Aether looks at him, face pained. His tears start anew. He cradles Xiao’s face, his gaze searching.

“Xiao I—I—“ he pants, voice breaking.

Xiao turns his head to press a kiss on Aether’s palm. He loves you. “You don’t have to say it,” he says. “I know.” He loves you.

Aether’s orgasm is quiet, this time. A whimper as he tenses up around Xiao, pulling Xiao into him, tucking his face on the crook of Xiao’s neck. The sudden tightness is still electric on Xiao’s cock, and he misses the warmth that spreads between their bodies, too busy cumming himself, hips slamming into Aether’s ass as he rides his own orgasm. He muffles his groans on Aether’s shoulder, vision swimming as pleasure overtakes him. 

Xiao comes long and plenty, body twitching, breathing hard through his nose. When the cacophony inside his head calms and he opens his eyes (when did he close them?), his teeth are embedded in Aether’s shoulder. He winces, trying to slowly unhinge his jaw and dislodge them from the flesh. The wound bleeds sluggishly as he does so. Xiao licks and kisses on it as a means of apology.

Aether shudders, but offers no comment. 

Except when Xiao tries to extricate himself, he’s met with the iron-clad tightening of Aether’s arms around his waist, his thighs against Xiao’s sides. Aether pushes his face further into the crook of Xiao’s neck.

“Stay,” Aether orders sternly, even with the hoarseness of his voice.

So Xiao stays in Aether’s arms and inside his warmth even as he starts to go soft. 

For a while, there’s only the dampness of Aether’s tears against Xiao’s skin, Aether’s occasional stuttered inhales, his deliberate, heavy exhales. Xiao presses kisses on Aether’s head, scratching his nails on Aether’s scalp. He does what he can to soothe, covering Aether with his own body like that can shield him from all the hurts in the world.

Eventually, Aether’s hold on him becomes slack enough that Xiao’s cock can slip free. It’s not a pleasant experience. Still, it must be worse on Aether. Xiao considers leaving the bed for exactly one second. A look at Aether’s carefully blank face shoots down any thoughts of leaving the bed and to the washroom, anything at all that is not pulling Aether into his arms and holding him close.

So that’s what Xiao does, one hand on the back of Aether’s head and the other running lines up and down his back. He’ll clean them later, when Aether is asleep. 

Said boy is limp in his arms, not a witty remark out of his lovely mouth. For the first time in a long time, Xiao feels helpless.

“Are you… alright?” Xiao asks, hesitant.

“Do I deserve you?” Aether whispers.

“Yes,” Xiao answers without a beat, arms tightening around him.

“I’m no good for you.” 

“You’re good for me.”

“I’ll leave.”

“But you’ll come back,” Xiao replies. “Because you promised to. And I’ll wait for you, because I promised to.”

Aether presses his face against Xiao’s chest, his arms going around Xiao’s body to clutch at him. Xiao’s heart twinges at the wetness he feels there. 

“Thank you,” Aether says hoarsely. 

Xiao closes his eyes, buries his face in Aether’s hair, inhales his scent. He loves you. “Of course.” He loves you. 

-

The morning after is filled with a deep sense of foreboding on Xiao’s part. The sunrise doesn’t inspire the same feeling of rebirth that it did just days earlier. Previously, Xiao was transformed overnight. Right now, the cold breeze just feels like a cold breeze, and the usual morning hubbub of Wangshu Inn feels more monotonous than revelatory. 

The world goes on, but Xiao has been left in a tumultuous sea of his own thoughts and feelings.

Amidst the chaos, he hears Aether rousing inside. Xiao closes his eyes, waiting for the telltale sounds of Aether getting about his morning routine. 

But instead of heading to the bathroom like he usually does, the balcony doors slide open behind Xiao. 

Aether stands on the threshold, still in his night clothes. His shoulders and neck are littered with the proof of Xiao’s affection. Xiao uncrosses his arms and faces him.

Aether tilts his head, beckoning. “Come back to bed.”

Xiao is helpless to obey. 

Aether is the one who disrobes him this time, taking off his beads and his mask, and all his protective talismans, setting them all neatly on top of the bedside table. He leaves Xiao in his shirt and trousers, before gently pushing Xiao back into bed. And then into lying down, and then he—for lack of a better word, snuggles into Xiao, half lying on top of Xiao with his arm slung over Xiao’s torso, his face pressed into Xiao’s collarbone, his breath warm on Xiao over his shirt.

Xiao sighs, carding his fingers through Aether’s loose hair. 

“What are we doing?” 

“Cuddling,” Aether says, voice muffled by fabric. 

“Seems indulgent.”

Aether lets out an unintelligible noise that is a cross between a grunt and a word.

“Come again?”

There’s a sigh. A lifting of the head. Aether pouting. “I said I’m sorry,” he says. 

Xiao’s eyes widen in surprise. “You’re… sorry?” 

Aether groans. “Don’t make me say it.” 

Xiao frowns. “Say what?” 

Aether props himself on his elbows, staring down at Xiao, chewing on his lower lip. Xiao cradles Aether’s face with a hand, his thumb pressing on the swell, willing Aether to let it go. He does, and Xiao replaces the teeth with the pad of his thumb. 

Aether narrows his eyes at Xiao. “You really…”

“I really what?” Xiao asks. He sighs, averting his gaze and dropping his hand. “I don’t understand. Do you regret this?” 

“Regret this?”

It’s Xiao’s turn to hesitate. “Last night you seem to have reservations. It seems that I—that something—was troubling you. I don’t know if I guessed correctly but if I didn’t—” 

“Oh my God.” Xiao’s face is suddenly seized with both hands, as Aether presses kiss after kiss on his face, multiple ones on his lips. 

Xiao tenses only for a moment before melts onto the bed, hands grabbing at Aether’s waist. He relaxes into the kiss, and they trade soft, dry kisses as easy as breathing. 

“You have done nothing,” Aether murmurs against his lips. “Absolutely nothing. It’s—it’s me. You’re too good for me. I’m so afraid of hurting you, of stringing you along, of not being what you need, after everything you’ve done for me—” 

“But you love me,” Xiao states.

Aether closes his eyes, shudders, full bodied. He exhales a shaky breath and nods.

“And I, you,” Xiao murmurs, stroking Aether’s warming cheek with a knuckle. “That is enough.” 

A moment passes, and a tear from Aether’s eye. Xiao kisses it away. 

“Is it?” 

“More than.”

“You love me too much,” Aether says hoarsely.

“I love you just the right amount.” 

Aether closes the gap between them. The kiss is as sweet as their first one. Aether is insistent, trying to pour all of his feelings into the kiss. Xiao accepts it all, with open arms.

They part with a soft sound. Xiao’s hand lingers on the bolt of Aether’s jaw, thumb tracing a line on his cheekbone.

“I won’t pretend to know the challenges you’re facing, beloved, nor the burden you carry,” Xiao says, meeting that undecipherable golden gaze, trying to snatch and hold on to the emotions fleeting through. “But I am here, and I will wait. As long as you come back to me. I will wait for you.” 

Aether answers with a soft hum, tucking his face into Xiao’s neck again. He presses himself against Xiao, as close as humanly possible, as if wanting to merge their bodies together. Were it possible, so would Xiao. 

“I just wanted to apologise for being so emotional last night,” Aether says, voice muffled. 

“I… see.” Xiao pauses. “You mean, when you cried.” 

Aether pushes his face further into Xiao’s neck. If Xiao focuses real hard he thinks he can feel the warmth of Aether’s blushing cheeks against his skin. “Yes.” 

“There is no need to apologise,” Xiao says, but that traitorous wisp of a thought tugs and tugs at him. Xiao swallows, suddenly nervous. “But was it because it was—unpleasant, for you?” 

“No,” Aether replies vehemently, hand curling into Xiao’s side, clutching at him. “The opposite is true. You made me feel so—so—safe. So—cherished. I felt so–so—” 

Aether doesn’t finish his sentence. His fist clenches on top of Xiao’s stomach. He is a long line of tension on top of Xiao. Xiao shifts a little, just enough to free the arm pinned by Aether’s weight. He places a hand on the small of Aether’s back, the other between his shoulder blades, hoping this mimicry of an embrace is enough. 

Aether breathes, throat clicking, but he breathes.  

“Then I’m glad,” Xiao whispers. “You were wonderful.” 

That instinct to soothe intensifies, and he follows its call to run his fingers through Aether’s loose hair. Tension leaves Aether’s body with every stroke, every kiss Xiao presses on his hair. 

Aether shifts in his arms. “It’s just I’m kind of… embarrassed. Of my breakdown.” 

“Don’t be,” Xiao says. “You can be however you want with me.” 

“However I want?”

“However you want.” There is no hesitation in Xiao’s voice when he answers. Xiao will have him. However he feels comfortable being with Xiao, in whatever form. Xiao will take it. 

It’s a while before Aether says anything at all, and when he does his voice is so quiet that Xiao almost missed it. “Then can we… stay like this for a while?” 

“Of course,” Xiao murmurs. He needs to patrol, and the traveler needs to go get Paimon. But right now there is a storm brewing inside his lover’s head, one that Xiao cannot weather with him. Xiao can only be a guiding light in the dark, a rock for his waves to crash into, and Xiao will wait for him to finish sorting out his thoughts. However long it takes. “Take as much time as you’d like.” 

That he seeks his comfort in Xiao is both miraculous and gratifying. Xiao would give his body over in a heartbeat if Aether asked it of him. That in itself is a dangerous thought, but Xiao’s body hasn’t been his for a while now. First it was his master’s, and then Liyue’s. He thinks if he had the choice, he would like to give it now to Aether for safekeeping. Aether will guard it carefully, along with Xiao’s heart.

That it could provide solace for the traveler in the first place is a feat unto itself. This body is a weapon, a shield on occasion, a conduit and vessel for good, a prison of consequences. But last night, it gave pleasure. It yielded when pushed, as if Xiao was malleable, touchable.

He is. Maybe he is. Only for Aether. Only ever will be for Aether. He should’ve known this long ago.

“Aether?” 

“Mm?” 

Xiao hesitates. “Even if you give up on… this. I won’t give up on you. I will still want you. I will still wait for you.” 

“...what are you saying?” 

“I’m saying, even if you get on your spaceship and leave, I will chase you across the universe.” 

Aether gets on his hands and knees, hovering just above Xiao. His golden hair falls around him like a waterfall, blanketing them both. Xiao’s fingers twitch where it lays over them. Aether stares at him, eyes sharp, laser-focused. 

“Is that another promise?” 

“Yes,” Xiao answers, unflinching. The land beneath them groans and shivers with the creation of a new contract. “You’re mine, as much as I’m yours.” 

Aether smiles, so blinding it’s like looking at the sun head on.

Xiao shudders. 

Aether chuckles, pressing his forehead against Xiao. Xiao hopes he understands what Xiao is trying to convey. Xiao is giving Aether no room for doubt. If Aether is afraid he’ll leave Xiao then Xiao is taking away the possibility of running away altogether. 

“I never thought I’d be so happy being leashed,” he murmurs, cupping his hand around Xiao’s jaw. “But it seems there’s a first for everything.” 

“Not a leash,” Xiao replies. “A guarantee.”

“A promise.”

“Yes.” 

“That makes me,” Aether inhales a shuddering breath. “So fucking glad.” He releases in a rushed whisper. Once again he hides his face in the crook of Xiao’s neck. He presses a soft kiss there, speaks quietly. “I love you.” 

Xiao’s heart does a terrible seize, his eyes stinging. He finally understands the feeling of having his breath knocked out of his lungs. His limbs move on their own when they tug Aether down and onto him, holding him tight, tight, tight. 

“Yes.” This time, Xiao’s voice shakes, but he can’t find it in himself to care. This feeling of light of happiness is too massive to be described with words. Despite his constitution. Despite his karmic debt. There is light, golden and warm. “I love you, as well.”