Chapter Text
It's just a normal day with a normal life in Liyue. You can smell osmanthus tea when the wind breeze your face. While traveling through several countries Liyue is the place Aether nearly describes it as home.
The harbor is lively as usual Aether can see children run around and play. Alongside him is his little friend Paimon who now babbling about what she will do in the Lantern Rite festival.
Have I told you already that this night is the Lantern Rite festival?
Never mind
As he walked through the aisle filled with a festive vibe he now faced the familiar face who he exactly knew who is this person is
"Happy Lantern Rite Mr. Zhongli!" Paimon greeted Zhongli with all her cheerful energy
In front of Aether's face was a man in a long-sleeved suit. His daily attire. His now-on-glove hand holds a suspicious bag. The smell of the bag can lead to the guess that inside that must be some medicine.
Medicine for a special person Aether guess.
"Happy Lantern Rite too. Paimon Aether" Mr. Zhongli's voice is deep and full of maturity. You can know that he passed through a lot of things, through centuries by just listening to his voice.
Of course, He's Archon after all.
"By the way Aether can you go to Wangshu Inn and give this to Xiao for me?" He hands Aether a suspicious bag. Aether can feel worried in his voice.
The name of the Adeptus makes Aether worry. Well from the first that Aether describes Liyue as home, it's not by place but by person.
And Archon, Nowadays everyone in Liyue already knows that Aether fell in love with Xiao.
And oh my Archon, How does he avoid falling for Xiao when the boys are just so overprotective of him? Xiao always comforted Aether when he lost hope of finding his sister. Everything related to Xiao, his voice, his fucking handsome face, his personality that may be grumpy and anti-social but inside he's always a l w a y s care.
Ok, enough babbling.
"Mr. Zhongli his karma erupted again?" Paimon voice is always in high pitch but these times it's even higher than usual filled with worry and uptight.
"it never disappears the symptom looks worse in Lantern Rite Festival. This medicine can alleviate it but I know deep down in my heart that Xiao would reject it if those things were given from me"
Zhongli's eyes soften when thinking about the Adeptus since he and Xiao fight through the war together.
"Don't worry Mr. Zhongli we will convince Xiao to take this medicine no matter what he says to reject it" Aether takes the medicine and keeps it in his backpack where he always collects things in there.
"Thankyou Aether Paimon"
Wanshuu Inn is a hotel built on a tree a very strong and huge one. Xiao always spent time somewhere near this hotel killing the monster and protecting humans from it.
On the balcony, it's just Aether since Paimon decided to wait with Verr Goldet.
The view from the top of the inn always makes Aether jaw-dropping. He can see all the way to Mt. Qingce and Jueyun Karst in the distance. Up here all stress just diminishes by the wind that blows Aether's hair.
peaceful as always
No wonder why Xiao prefers to stay here more than in the harbor
"Xiao"
Suddenly placed beside his right side, the dark-haired boy with a tip of green at the end. His structure is short but full of muscle from killing monsters every day.
"You came" The blonde-haired boy's mouth formed a big smile that could light up the world.
"You call" Not even a smile for Xiao but Aether knows that he is happy by the aura around him.
We sit on one huge branch of the tree and watch the Lanterns start to float together.
...In a war, the people of Liyue would release lanterns to remind their soldiers of the way home and to never lose sight of themselves...
"How was your journey", Another way to ask Have you found your sister yet.
"as always" No I haven't found her.
A soft pat occurs on his shoulder. Aether can't tolerate himself and places his head on the other boy's shoulder and the pat moves to his head instead.
"I know that your karma erupted again"
"It has become normal nowadays Don't worry about such things" Xiao is always like this never caring about his things, especially his death.
Xiao isn't afraid of his death doesn't mean I don't either.
"Xiao..." his hand touched Aether's face. Cupping his cheek while wiping away the tears that formed in the golden boy's eyes.
"Don't cry"
"...I can't lose you"
"you'll never lose me"
"never"
When we stare into each other eyes. All of a sudden, the atmosphere around starts to shake rapidly. Both Xiao and Aether bring out their weapon while they back against each other.
Mystery force sucks Aether into the sky that when Xiao uses his element skill to follow behind and grab Aether tightly by the hand.
In the middle of the sky the black hole sucks everything inside
including Aether and Xiao
a loud crash echoes in Aether's ear he gets up and everything looks strange
what the archon is this place?