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Aether can't help but to cuss himself. He promised he'll rest after he finished all of the commissions he got and yet, here he is, in the middle of the night, staring at the beautiful scenery at Dihua Marsh. He is supposed to get back at Liyue Harbor now that he had enough horsetails with him but the sight is just so beautiful he can't help but stop on his tracks momentarily to stare. The moon is shining brightly, its reflection showing at the sea. He can't help but reminisce about some memories with his sister.
Oh, how lovely would it be if she's here, under the moonlight with him.
He sighed and was supposed to walk forward when he met bright amber brown eyes staring at him. His teal green hair ends looked shining under the moon.
"Xiao," he greeted. The man walked towards him and stopped right in front of him.
"It's midnight already, what are you doing here?" Xiao crossed his arms, eyes clearly checking the blonde haired traveler.
He smiled at the yaksha, "I'm just collecting some horsetails but the scenery is too beautiful to ignore."
The yaksha looked past him to stare at the moon before returning his gaze at him. "Indeed, it is such beautiful scenery."
And he doesn't know if he will take it as a compliment as the man was staring at him and he's sure as hell that the moon is currently crowning his head. He looked down, hiding his flushed cheeks from the man.
Ah, he really likes him.
"Yeah. I'll leave now." He smiled at Xiao and was about to walk past him when the yaksha suddenly held his hand.
"Stay at the Wangshu Inn for now. Liyue Harbor is too far from here." He was about to speak when the man spoke again. "If you'd like, of course."
He bit his lips, looking at the yaksha in front of him, looking at his side with a tint shade of pink on his cheeks. This scene is so beautiful, and what made it lovely is that his hands were tangled on his.
He smiled at him again, "If you don't mind, then I'll gladly take the offer."
Xiao looked at him before letting his hand go. "Very well. You can stay in my room and rest. I still need to do my duties."
He opened his mouth, about to thank the man when he suddenly disappeared. He looked in front of him for a moment before silently chuckling and walking his way to the Inn.
—
The owner smiled at him before he closed the room. He looked around, it felt so spacey. Well, he supposed the yaksha doesn't really need a lot of things for himself. He walked towards the bed and laid himself on it. He can't help but inhale the scent from the bed. It really smells like him. Strong herbal scent mixed with the dreamy scent of lilies. He snuggled at the bed, curling himself. Slowly, he felt himself completely falling asleep.
Morning came and here he was, completely awake, realizing that this is not his place. He just slept in Xiao's room, didn't he?
He inwardly groaned before standing up only to fall at the bed again because of shock. Xiao is in front of him, eating a plate of almond tofu. He glanced at the table beside Xiao where he could see another plate of almond tofu.
"I see that you are already awake. I guess you were really tired yesterday seeing that you slept 'till afternoon."
And that's when he realized that it's no longer morning but afternoon. He looked beyond the window, seeing the bright light of the sun. He slightly shook his head, feeling lightheaded.
“Eat first before you start on your commissions.” Xiao said with finality. Aether smiled before sitting beside the yaksha, accepting the plate of almond tofu.
It was silent while they were eating and he doesn’t hate it at all. With the sun brightly glowing outside, with them sitting side to side, it all felt calming.
—
“Are you okay? We still have one more commission to do.” Paimon was looking at him totally worried with how he was acting. His head is throbbing. It feels painful but not really painful. He doesn't really know how to explain.
He just shook his head before starting to clean the bunch of hilichurls in front of him.
But who would have thought that the throbbing of his head would be so painful, he collapsed. Paimon’s voice calling his name was the last thing he heard.
—
Slowly, his senses are coming back. And he wished it won’t ‘cause hell! It’s so painful.
He tried to move his body but it felt as if it wasn’t his. He wanted to scream, to just get out of here.
It hurts, it hurts so bad! Every inch of his body is aching. He doesn't know what's happening but his body feels like burning. He feels so suffocated, and feels so painful. Hands and feet feeling tied up, neck being strangled and body being whipped repeatedly. His mind is blanking.
Without much thought, he called one name. Hoping he'll hear him, hoping he'll come for him. Hoping he'll know just how much he trusted all of his promises. Hoping he'll know just how much he trusted him.
“Aether!”
He doesn’t know if he’s crying or what but he felt himself being soaked in water. He slowly opened his eyes, meeting bright amber brown eyes. He opened his mouth when suddenly the man put his forehead on his. Xiao was breathing heavily while hugging his body.
Feeling safe from the man’s arms, he noticed that they were at a lake. That explains why they’re both wet.
“X-Xiao.” His voice sounds so hoarse. Just what happened?
“Are you okay?” Xiao asked while carefully inspecting his body.
Aether tilted his head, feeling confused about what just happened.
Before he could speak, Xiao spoke again. “I heard you call my name so I came. I saw you here, holding your head while shouting. Are you okay? Were you hurting anywhere?”
“Calm down. I think I’m fine.”
He was supposed to get out of Xiao’s embrace when suddenly, they were back at Xiao’s room. He looked at Xiao in shock when a hand held the back of his head, his lips crashing into his.
The yaksha pulled back before sighing, resting his forehead on his. “You… you’re making me worried.”
“X-Xiao.”
Bright amber brown eyes are staring at him intensely. “I’m thankful. Thank you for calling my name.”
Aether bit his lips, suddenly feeling a hot pool of tears in his eyes. “I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for coming. Tha—”
He kissed him again, cutting off his words.
“No matter what, I will come. Always.”
And their lips were once again sealed with each other. Aether shivered with every touch the yaksha is giving him. His lips traveled from his neck to his shoulder. His hands felt so soft on his skin. Xiao’s hands are holding him in place. The right is on his waist, the other is slowly taking off his clothes.
No words were spoken, but they could feel it. They both can feel each other’s heart.
And that night, with the moon as their light, he cried. He cried out of frustration, pain, and relief. But most importantly, he cried out his name. Again and again.
—
“What’s with you two?” Paimon is looking at them with narrowed eyes. Ah, nope, Her eyes are actually locked at the yaksha’s arms tightly snaking at his waist.
He just smiled at Paimon and shuffled Xiao’s head.
“Let go now, I’ll do my commissions.”
“But what if—”
“I’ll call your name again. I promise.”
Xiao looked up at him before nodding. He straightened his body before giving a peck of kiss on the blonde haired man’s lips.
Aether just chuckled at Paimon’s suddenly shriek.
It was a promise anyway, and he doesn’t have any plans of breaking it.