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The sound of bubbling lava and crackling rocks. The hot winds of Natlan, the distant sounds of a party being held over the 'war' they've won, the animals all nearby. The cold leftovers in their soup pot, the torch keeping..... that kept Direidyth... warm.
The many, many , questions Aether has right about now. The feeling that Lumine will never come back.
The night sky shines on him. That shattered moon stares him down like a reminder of the war from earlier. The war against the Abyss, the actual war. Not Lumine's attempt to hide her asking for the help of the Lord of the Night.
Had he come all this way just to see that his sister had become so distant? Had he lost his sister to guilt? To his own mistakes?
To the time paradox of the Heavenly Principals? To Istaroth?
"We have always... had enough time."
What a cruel joke. He can't make sense of any of it at all. His thoughts are a mess, trying to tie together everything. The Loom of Fate, the time paradox, the Lord of the Night Kingdom, the Abyss, everything .
His sister.
He somewhat shares her guilt now, because of his knowledge. The knowledge that if he hadn't given that key..... He can't change anything now.
A nearby tatankasaurus howls, and it makes his head pang a little.
Paimon had left him for the food after he had insisted she left so he could think on his own. Although, with the sound of that torch, the sight of where Direidyth once rested..... He can't find his own strength to think properly anymore. He wants some form of comfort, but he doesn't want the questions, he doesn't want the praise for his efforts in the 'war', he doesn't want the noise.
...It had been a bit since he'd seen Xiao. Well, his birthday had been the last time he had seen him. He wasn't pleased to be called for nothing but...
Xiao wouldn't ask, would he? He'd be worried, sure, but Xiao doesn't press if it's obvious that Aether doesn't want to speak up. Also, even if he had to talk.... Xiao would understand the guilt of not doing the right thing even if there was no knowledge on how it'd go... probably.
The night sky is beautiful anyway. He wonders if Xiao feels the same heat he does on this night.
"...Xiao?" His voice is cracking around the edges. There's a slight twinge in his heart, and he isn't sure if it's from being happy with seeing the adeptus or the anxiety of calling him unnecessarily. It doesn't matter though, as teal particles show up next to him, alongside the adeptus he called.
His spear hangs by his side. "You called?" Xiao asks, per usual, but his eyes immediately catch on the hillichurl bat.
"Yes. Don't worry about the cave." Aether pats the ground next to him. "Sit, please." The yaksha looks between him and what is left of Direidyth's cave, before sighing and sitting down.
"Why did you call me this time?"
"I wanted some company. Paimon is out celebrating right now, but I'm trying to rearrange some of my thoughts." he can't manage a smile, honestly. "Something happened, related to my sister, but I don't want to talk about it right now."
The adeptus sits in silence for a few seconds, seemingly thinking of his next move, face tense. Seemingly, he isn't happy with the inaction Aether is asking for. Either way, he relaxes in place, finally putting his spear away. "..Hmph. If that is what you desire, then for now, I won't speak of it."
"The wind is nice tonight, right?" Aether starts. Xiao nods almost immediately. "It's hotter here than in Liyue. It's something Indarias would've appreciated."
Aether hums to make sure the adeptus knows he heard it, before sighing somewhat contently. He is still tired, still confused, but the company is definitely helping in some way. It feels like being in Dragonspine after eating Goulash, in a kind of way. Not a perfect fix, but effective.
They sit in comfortable silence for a bit, eyes drifting into the sky, admiring the beauty of the world. Aether is well aware of the way Xiao thinks of Liyue, how he loves it's beauty in all parts, but refuses to acknowledge it. He knows that Xiao rarely if ever leaves Liyue, as he still sees himself as it's protector, even if he is learning that the modernity of the nation doesn't really require him. So to see him enjoy the skies in Natlan on this very night...
...He's filled with an urge to take the yaksha with him on all future journeys.
"Tell me about your travels. Not the ones you do not wish to speak of, but the ones you can remember fondly. It has been a bit since you have caught me up." His voice is soft as ever, the same way he spoke during the poem gathering when they'd talk privately. It comes out of nowhere, but it isn't unwelcome.
It reminds him somewhat of Direidyth, to speak of his travels. But at the same time, he finds himself not minding the sound, or the hot wind, or the cracked moon, as he whispers away the good and bad of Natlan. Xiao listens attentively, asking questions here and there. Fretting over his safety.
It feels nice, in a way. Xiao is always nice to be around.
"I don't understand why you did not call for me during the fight against the abyss. It was definitely a fitting moment to call for me." Xiao is slightly curled in on himself now, hugging one of his knees.
Aether stretches lazily, feeling the tension in his muscles. "I didn't think it'd be good to subject you to another war. You don't deserve that," he pulls his hair out of his braid, "and either way, we didn't have time to think about it."
"...You can call for me if you're in danger. I'm used to these types of fights, it's... it was my purpose for most of my existence." The adeptus seems confused in a way, conflicted too. Aether doesn't like the implication that Xiao's purpose was as a weapon of war, though. The yaksha is much more than that.
He fidgets with his hair a little. It feels a little oily. "Doesn't mean you have to. We made it out just fine anyway." Xiao doesn't seem to appreciate that answer.
"Now, tell me about what I've missed out of your life, Xiao." He shifts closer. Xiao seems a little taken aback, looking at him like he just asked him when Qiqi's final burial time will come around.
The adeptus pauses afterwards, staring at the floor, pondering what to say. He stares back upwards after he's done thinking, taking a deep breath. "...I've been conquering demons as usual. However, Director Hu visited me a couple days ago, alongside the young exorcist and the chef." He pauses, like he's waiting for direction on whether or not to keep going.
"Yeah? What for?"
"They wanted to know if I would like to accompany them on a walk. I declined, as I had my duties to attend to," Xiao huffs, "But Director Hu never learns to respect a no. Chongyun had to convince her and Xiangling that it was not worth the pursuit. I do not understand what they want from me, considering my karma."
Aether can't help but laugh. It seems instead of purely rejecting them for being non-adepti like he used to, it's a matter of concern for their health and not yet understanding humans.
Xiao's grown so much since when they first met. From someone cold and dismissive, a true loner who fought on his own and suffered on his own to someone who is trying to adapt to a massive change in his own way. The fact that he is even willing to reply to Hu Tao when a couple years ago he would've refused to even acknowledge her presence is just proof enough.
And the way Xiao tries to get used to current life is obvious too, even if he is mildly unaware all the time. Like with the kite, his more... relaxed (?) manner of speech, his softer expressions, the way he somewhat addresses people by their names, his slight confusion still behind how the way mortals think yet still partaking... all minor but notable steps in the right direction. Xiao seems happier now too, in a way.
Although....
"I'd believe that..." He stands up from the ledge, stretching as he gets up. "How's your karma been?" Aether reaches his hand out.
Xiao blinks once, then twice, then grabs the hand offered to him and pulls himself up. "It... has not changed much since the last we've seen of each other." The adeptus lets go of the hand just as quickly as he had latched on - a slight hesitation before the move. He assumes it's over the karma again.
"...Then how about a walk? It can clear your mind a little more." He wears a knowing smile, seeing the returned knowledge in the way Xiao's face tenses slightly. Last year's birthday letter sent to him, about his peace-giving dreams of a mundane life together. "Maybe we can grab some crystalflies during our journey and you can knot them into my braid, since I'll have to tie it back up again." Another reference to the birthday letters he receives.
"...Okay." Despite the defeated tone, Aether knows Xiao doesn't mind.
They follow a trail, warm and crackling from the Atocpan soil. Neither Xiao nor him speak, enjoying the silence... and maybe the company. Xiao does in fact pick up crystalflies for him. And he in fact does it as Aether gets to play with the baby tatankasaurus, and Aether does in fact see Xiao stare them down as if this is an entirely foreign concept. Well... Technically it is for him...
Seriously, both Xiao and the baby are adorable.
Ah, wait a second... "Xiao, is this your first time seeing crystalflies of this color?" Aether is almost certain that he's only seen the ones of Liyue, maybe even Mondstadt. The adeptus nods. "This wasn't the color I originally had in mind for your hair. Although, I don't believe it will end up terrible with a red tone."
"Haha, thought so. I realized now that you've probably only seen the teal and gold ones..." He finally leaves the tatankasaurus alone.
Xiao shakes his head, but his eyes lock onto the little bugs in his hand. "Those of Sumeru sometimes traverse towards the Chasm. It is still... strange.. to see such a hue like this." His palm lays open as steady as they can be with the crystalflies resting on them gently, but there are slight tremors. From the karma, Aether assumes.
"I get that. The ones in Inazuma are purple, ya know?" Xiao blinks at him. "You should bring some back next time you travel there. I'd like to see how purple looks on you."
"Oh? Very forward of you.." He teases.
Xiao huffs. Really loudly. Aether can't hold back a giggle from rolling out.
A few more steps, a drop or two down some of the rocky landscapes, a bit of looking at the birds float in the phlogiston, and a few more crystalflies later before Aether stops them. "We should head back now, before we get too far away from... the cave."
His head aches a little thinking back to earlier.
The adeptus abruptly grabs his arm, and in a split second, a gust of wind and the familiar teal particles, he finds himself back at the cave with Xiao's arm around his. "That was quick."
"That... is the purpose." Xiao seems to have given up on understanding him. "Go sit . I will prepare the crystalflies for your hair." And... off he goes again in the mist.
Left to himself, his brain wanders back to Lumine. Back to the torturous memories from earlier.
He wants to be back in that dream he had from Cloud Retainer's machine. He wants that dream to become reality, he wants to eat together, to skygaze together at the beautiful skies of Teyvat, to adventure together. To get what they had back. He yearns for it.
He wants to introduce her to Xiao, to all his friends, to Paimon. He wants to live with her again, feel this hot wind, share this broken moon side by side, share the sounds of nearby parties and tatankasaurus babies, to lay in the warm grass.
He wants to forget about the abyss, forget about the heavenly principals. He wants a regular world, with all the people he loves here, with no circumstances.
Where Xiao would never have been affected by the guilt of war, the karmic debt's torture. Where he and his sister could be together. Where there weren't huge wars they'd all be a part of, where he didn't have to play some stupid chase just to get his other half back.
Where he could stay with Xiao and Lumine forever.
Is that a weird wish?
He doesn't think he cares, honestly. The wind lets his freed hair spread out, covering his shoulders, tangling. He doesn't care anymore. He wants his peace.
He'll keep pushing. For Lumine, for the end of their journey where they will be reunited. Where it will be a reality, not some promise that they couldn't prove would happen.
Xiao returns, his anemo powers slightly pushing Aether's hair back on itself. The crystalfies are immobilized and... strangely solid. They don't seem to require as much delicacy as usual, which he assumes is to make the braiding easier. How thoughtful...
The yaksha motions for him to move slightly closer to the cliff's edge, so he can sit down and get to work he assumes. "Will you take your gloves off to braid my hair? My, uh.. my sister used to say it's easier." He doesn't add that she would scold him too.
Xiao blinks at him a few times, like what he said is unheard of and insane. "...With my karmic debt at where it currently stands?," he scoffs, "Do you wish to be consumed by it..?"
"Well, haven't you theorized in the past that I could help with the karma? It hasn't really affected me in the past either way..."
...Would that mean that Xiao's karma is actually bad enough now? Is that why the yaksha was worried??
Xiao huffs, finally sliding his gloves off. Aether finds long, bird-like nails near the blackened tips of Xiao's fingers. He isn't sure what he had been expecting, but it wasn't necessarily.. this? In other words, he forgets that Xiao's adeptus form is that of a bird.
"..Since you aren't from this world and you wish to be reunited with your sister, will you leave someday?" The question comes out of nowhere, wasting no time to fill him with a faint anxiety. Xiao's voice is quieter than usual, making it feel like a more serious call to him.
...He doesn't know. He doesn't know because home is where he is with Lumine, and yet she's here on Teyvat with him in a sense. Does that qualify? Does that mean Teyvat is home, or does it imply that Lumine is home?
Can't it be both?
"It depends on what we decide. What fate decides, in a sense." He pauses. "I just want to be back with her."
As Xiao combs through his hair with his ungloved hands, he feels a bit of nostalgia seep into his beating heart. Back when Lumine used to braid his hair for him as well, although it was never this gentle. Usually filled with way more 'Quit moving!' and ' Stop being so sensitive!!' but still somewhat reminiscent.
The yaksha's silence isn't one of contemplation, it's one of understanding. He knows that he understands, he knows it's because Xiao understands the pain of losing people who are home. The same way sometimes, during the dark hours of the night where Paimon has fallen asleep but he hasn't, he thinks back to the Yakshas. To Xiao's old, forever removed home.
He hopes and prays to all the Archons and all the gods of the other worlds he's visited to get her back, to not find her too late. He sometimes hopes for Xiao's improvement to accept society and himself, usually leading to the letters he'll send to Wangshu Inn.
"I wish you the best of luck, then." He can tell the adeptus doesn't want him to leave, but does mean it in his search. "I don't doubt your abilities to find her, you are the most capable person I know."
"I appreciate it. A ton."
Sharp nails separate his hair into three equal sections, doing another quick pass through. Xiao takes a deep breath, before getting to work. It's definitely softer than Lumine - not like that's much of a challenge - but that doesn't take away from how nice it feels. Like being given a gift in some form... It's the best way he can think of it.
Occasional pauses which give him a few seconds to flutter his eyes open before a solid crystalfly is woven in, its wings sticking out from the braid.
Something about how the yaksha combs through his hair calms him to his core, which seems to be happening to Xiao too. In the corner of his drooping eyes he can see Xiao's relaxed shoulders, his mellow expression, his strong focus on the simple task. It warms his heart a little to see him so relaxed on something mundane. Progression to his potential new life , Aether presumes.
"Don't worry too much though. For now, we're in my home together." He chooses to say. He isn't sure if it's the comfort of the situation, or the urge to tease and flirt just a little - he seriously needs to stop sending letters to Lyney and Heizou, this is becoming a slight problem.
Xiao's hands freeze in his hair, quivering a little. "...How so.?"
"Well... my sister is here on Teyvat for now," the adeptus lets out a shaky sigh, "but I also get to be here with you." A full gasp. Like as if he had just heard blasphemy.
...Maybe it is a little blasphemous to flirt with a yaksha.
"You...." Xiao closes his eyes, seemingly fighting to process it for a few seconds before going back to braiding away, gently tightening some parts from before, face slightly tense but not by much. "You are quite comforting as well."
Oh! Aether was definitely more expecting something along the lines of 'You have no respect for the adepti' not.. something so accepting.
It's welcome progress from when they first met. When they first met, Xiao was cold and was quick to underestimate him. And then, he got his first step to healing, the closure of finally finding out what happened to the final yaksha, and from there on out he became more open. He trusted Aether's capabilities, he interacted with others -even if a little awkward - and he began to see a bit of good in this life.
He can tell with the way Xiao finds solace in braiding his hair, how he isn't leaving right away claiming that this is a waste of time. How Xiao worries about him all the time, like that little power he gave him before he went to the border of life or death at the last Lantern Rite.
How he refused to come with the first Lantern Rite, but now asks him to see the xiao lanterns together, even making one himself.
Aether's a little proud of him, honestly. More than a little. He's sure that someday, Xiao will get the peace he wants. The same way Xiao believes he can get his sister back.
He feels quick working hands tie his hair near the ends, before feeling his little elastic cover slide back on. Xiao sits quietly after, seemingly judging his work, before positioning the freshly woven hair so that Aether could see it.
The red crystalflies did kind of match his outfit nicely without making his hair look weird. They kind of made him look like some kind of fairy... Maybe Paimon would appreciate crystalflies in her hair too? Lumine prefers flowers but...
"It's really well made.." he says instead of his companion-filled thoughts, getting a "You're kind as always..." in reply. The twinge of pride that seeps out isn't forgotten.
"Where'd you get the experience of braiding like this?" It is a genuine question, it's extremely well made for a person with shorter hair.
Xiao tenses slightly, and for a second Aether does question if he should've backed off. "... My fellow yaksha sisters had long hair. They'd... occasionally coerce me to braid their hair." The adeptus looks outwards towards the direction of Liyue, a sort of melancholy. "Qiqi sometimes has me do it too. When she gets confused and unable to braid it on her own."
"I'm glad you and Qiqi are getting along. She's super cute." He can't help but laugh a little. Xiao tenses at her name, which makes him ask a few questions but he knows better to ask them. "And I think it's sweet that you'd take care of your sisters like that. My sister would've probably told me to stop being corny, haha!"
A twinge of a smile. It makes Aether's brain ping in some strange way, but he's happy nonetheless.
They sit in silence for the next couple minutes, facing towards the Liyue they can't properly see from the horizon. He can see the Mausoleum of King Deshret, can see the floating islands above the People of the Springs.
They're so far from home , but they feel at home , in a sense.
The bubbling lava and crackling rocks accompanied by the remains of the party sound like cooking food with his sister, the hot air feels like a warm blanket to him, the animals nearby have all gone to bed within his time together with Xiao. Most things feel better now that he's gotten to clear his head. Most .
The cave still feels like a heavy guilt. Like a front-row view to his sister and his separation on loop. But at the same time, the warm memories together with Direidyth clash against his other feelings and bring it a warmth. An uncomfortable luke warm, in a way.
"Lay down. It's getting late." Xiao murmurs out of nowhere. His gloves are back on again, unfortunately. He hums back, laying down on the hot, porous rock under him. The stars are clear from here, Lumine and his domain.
Maybe, in the end, he can get Lumine back and stay with Xiao. Whether it be through letters, visits to the world, or - maybe if he can, even - get Xiao to come with them. Although... he wouldn't want to uproot the yaksha from Liyue...
And... even if Lumine wasn't... Lumine anymore.. He would just get used to it, or maybe he'd help her back to her usual self - if that's even possible...
He has time to think anyway. That's what Lumine had said.
"We have always... had enough time."
Aether smiles drowsily, grabbing one of the yaksha's clothed hands. "Shouldn't you rest too?" He shakes his head no. "There would be no purpose to it." He looks back towards the north-east from here, as if he'll be able to see any land marks. Like the horizon will open up for him.
Aether thinks he deserves it, honestly.
"I have to continue fighting for Liyue tonight." He can't hold back his sigh of slight disappointment.
"...Eventually I'll get you to actually sleep."
Xiao scoffs, but he can't tell if he's amused or not. "No respect at all for the ways of the adepti. I need to return to my duties now." The yaksha stands up, summoning his spear again. And as quick as the wind, Xiao is gone, corrupted anemo particles fusing into those of the volcano ash from the area.
" Sweet dreams , Xiao." He whispers anyway.
When he drifts off to sleep that night, he imagines two hands clasping around his. A familiar gloved one from an hour prior, and one of someone else. A peck on his cheek too. His dreams are sweet despite the day before, filled with his home.
"Traveller! Are you okay now?!!" Paimon's voice wakes him up from his dream. He doesn't mind it anymore, Paimon is the best travel companion after all, but something in him wants to go back to his dreams.
He stretches as he sits up, back aching a bit from his unfortunate decision to sleep on a rock. The crystalflies are still in his hair, the braid is still somewhat orderly. "Mornin'. I'm okay for now," He yawns a little, "Thank you for giving me some time Paimon."
Her entire face brightens. It's the most precious thing in the world. "Okay! Good!!! Paimon was going to finally beat Varesa with how much Paimon was stress eating!!!" She huffs.
He pats her head. "There, there.." She yells back 'Hey!!' before they both burst into laughter.
"Huh?" Paimon blurts out. He hums, hoping to get her to spit out what made her lock into his face. She flies super close, examining his cheek like as if there's something special on it. "There's some makeup on here!" She finally shouts, which makes him whip out a mirror immediately.
...Huh. A lipstick mark. Guess it... wasn't a part of the sweet dreams, then.
"And you have crystalflies in your hair!! Did you get visited by some super fan in your sleep???" Paimon shrieks, and he has to laugh it off for a good five minutes before she accepts that it wouldn't be that.
...Xiao really is the reason they sleep peacefully at night, isn't he?