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As a renowned traveler, it’s not a common occurrence for Aether to be ignored. He has a large presence, domineering too as others describe it, he’s hardly invisible. With a chatterbox beside him all the time, even more so. Aether would applaud anyone who could stand to shut their ears from Paimon’s incessant talking. However, he didn’t think he’d turn to not only applaud one mighty adeptus for being exceedingly perfect on the job but also grumble as he wasn’t only ignoring Paimon, but Aether too.
He had invited Xiao on numerous missions, waved at him every morning on his way to do his dailies while Xiao sat on the inn’s veranda, cooked for him in an attempt to eat with him, and tried to start conversations that result to utter failures.
After the siege in Liyue, after all the dust has settled, he thought he ought to try again.
Small footsteps could be heard ascending the stairs of Wangshu inn, the smell of almonds greeting a scent of sandalwood in the balcony creates a nice forest-like aroma that reaches even the top-most cranny. “Adeptus Xiao?” Aether calls, hopeful to find the adeptus in good spirits. There was no response. He calls again.
Still none.
Aether gulps, the wind prickling at his shivering skin. Could it be?
“If you are in any danger, call out my name.”
“Adeptus Xiao!”
For so long, Aether had called Xiao on countless occasions. He wasn’t always in danger. Sometimes he just needed the company, an extra hand, or someone to talk to. Paimon is also those things, but even his loyal companion has her interests to attend to. For so long, Xiao had answered. Albeit not verbally, he pops up like thin air. Behind, above, beside Aether. He would be there. So where is he now?
Aether hadn’t asked directly, but Xiao’s obvious concern for his wellbeing told him his calls are answered because he might be in danger— should Aether jump from the inn’s balcony to call Xiao out?
He could imagine the adeptus scolding him with continuous growls, “You are revered for your skills in gliding, so why not use them?”
Oh how Aether would love to see the face he’d make. If only Xiao would pop out already.
His thoughts lead back to last week, where Zhongli had unknowingly spilled his tea and some news about Xiao’s birthday coming around the corner. Aether excitedly went through gruesome preparations for a surprise party, even patiently climbing the mountains where Cloud Retainer and the other adepti reside to invite them. Xiangling also agreed to help him with the menu in exchange for some exotic ingredients, Paimon earnestly floating to their side, volunteering to taste-test. Preparations went so well, even Venti came to help (help himself with the free booze) once he got wind of it. The day came and all was there, except Xiao himself.
Aether hasn’t seen the adeptus’ face after that incident. He wondered if perhaps Xiao was mad at him, if calling him abruptly too many times finally gone under his skin? He held himself back from calling him again for irrelevant matters. This was the first time Aether spoke his name. Still, he was left with no reply. Did Xiao simply not want to see him anymore?
He shook his head, two hands slapping his cheeks to rid of the bad thoughts. With a sigh, he took the plate of almond tofu back in his arms and turned to look for Paimon, her bizarre stomach useful for discarding unwanted dishes.
It was then that a shining piece of metal pulled Aether’s attention. He carefully walked towards it and scratch that, it wasn’t shining, it’s more like a reflection. The light of the moon bounced on the smooth polished surface of…Xiao’s mask?
Aether’s brows furrowed. The yaksha mask looks very active despite not moving. It was clad in immense dark energy that crackles and seeps outward like an ominous aura ready to pull anyone in. Aether tried to touch it, only to instantly pull his hand back as a series of cackles suddenly rang in his ear. Cackles that sounded pretty demonic, and no shit it was creepy.
With that much resentful energy, and Aether was sure he can feel anemo resonating within it too, there was no more doubt. This is Xiao’s mask. His identity and weapon. It’s already strange that it looks out of control, but what was Xiao’s mask doing here?
Aether doesn’t know if it was the acrid fire from the mask or the stronger scent of sandalwood in the air that got him dizzy, but the moment his eyes snapped shut, he was left dreaming about green trees that looked remarkably similar to a stubborn yaksha he knows.
There were three moments with different intervals where his name was called.
Each time, there’s a following clang of metal that he tried to escape from. Heavy and long rusting chains that held him down and kept him—a yaksha—from moving. He couldn’t get those calls out of his head. They must have been in danger, they must have been desperate, begging for someone, him, to come and rescue them. He coaxed himself that help could’ve come to their aid, in the form of other citizens or other adepti or travelers. Or they could be dead by now.
They could be dead and that voice that called him… that was Aether’s.
Xiao would never mistake the traveler’s voice. That did not stop him from desperately wishing he was wrong and that the traveler is sleeping soundly snuggling his pet pixie by his side.
Another round of high-pitched rattle ensued as Xiao’s clenched fists pulled down with more force, his arms wearing out from the constant strain and the tightness of his handcuffs. His captors positioned him kneeling, hand above his head chained to two metal poles. He couldn’t even rest, his legs wobbling from having the need to support his entire weight.
Footsteps bellowed from outside. Xiao didn’t bother looking up, someone was bound to come in. To question him, again. It was already draining for him to think of Aether’s calls, those that started cheerful and expectant, growing cold and laced with sadness as it became more recent. Xiao needed to get out of here, fast. He didn’t care about whatever things or methods they have in store for him to make him speak, he won’t answer to anyone other than his lord.
It was unknown what time it is since all he could see was the dust falling from the dark and mossy ceiling of the cave he was pitched in, but he could tell night was yet to pass based on the momentary flicker of moonlight seeping in from the opening ways above his head.
Before Xiao could tug on his binds again, a raspy voice cooed, “Trying to escape again, eh? Little Demon?”
The adeptus didn’t bother looking up. He couldn’t tell where the voice came from, the darkness of the cave pooling his sense of hearing. What he could tell, however, was that this is the man that’s been attending to him. The same man that succeeded in immobilizing and chaining him up. He didn’t know who he is, just what he wants.
“Nah nah,” the man proceeded to take steps forward, his shoes reaching the small path of light on the ground, “that’s not very polite, now is it? Besides, we even went to great lengths to prepare a present for you.”
‘We’, Xiao mused. A single man couldn’t pull this off so Xiao had concluded that much. The confirmation was still appreciated though.
“I know, how hospitable of us right?” The man rambled on. Xiao hoped the present they brought was a material thing this time. He had been waiting for an opening; if he couldn’t bulge these chains with physical or elemental force then he has to do it mechanically. It was a shame that the guy had a vision or what’s similar to it and uses it to inflict wounds. Because what god would give such a wretched person a vision? Not that he was one to talk.
Anything that Xiao could use to cut himself loose. Anything.
Xiao didn’t expect the present to be squirming but it is.
There were pained grunts as the man dragged a huge bag and strenuously threw it in front of Xiao. He was expecting the man to open it but he didn’t, instead, he walked towards Xiao and lifted his rusting binds. “What do you think about them?” He gestured to the chains. “Pretty sturdy? Terrifyingly suited to stubborn bastards like you.”
When he noticed Xiao wasn’t paying attention to him, the man irked a brow. He followed his prisoner’s gaze and his eyes landed on the brown bag in front of them. He huffed a laugh.
“Oho? Eager to get our session started? I wouldn’t mind if you just asked prettily.”
Xiao could feel a heavy lump on his stomach. He doesn’t have a good feeling about this. The man resumed to his place behind the brown sack and caressed it gently. He looked back to Xiao.
“Let’s start with the easy questions, shall we?” The man was playing with his hands. He continued, “How many adepti are there?” Xiao didn’t answer. But the man wasn’t just about to lose his patience either. He laughed acutely, “We’ve been trying for weeks, I ain’t wasting my time on pleasantries. Are your wounds healed yet? I wouldn’t mind branding you a bit more.”
Right after he finished his sentence, a whiff of elemental energy surged past Xiao and the next thing he knew his cheek was bleeding.
That was a new wound. Xiao clicked his tongue in distaste.
“And of course you won’t budge. Should I drown you?” The man wondered out loud. Xiao would’ve snickered if his throat wasn’t dry as a desert because how would he drown him? There’s hardly any water in the cave and judging by the looks of the cloudless sky it wasn’t about to start raining soon. “Meh, too bothersome,” he finalized.
Xiao’s eyes wandered around, the bag haven’t been moving for quite some time now.
“If you won’t answer the second question, then how about we skip that? Hmm, when that precious jade chamber fell and someone freed the ancient god from Guyun, did those ladies from the Qixing have a hand in the plan to overtake the harbor?”
Ignorant, Xiao spat.
“Still not giving me answers? Alright.”
Xiao was met with a punch.
“Does all adepti glow? Or is that just for you beasts? Are there human adepti?”
The other party replied with silence and a face full of scorn. That face was punched again.
The man was walking closer and closer with each question.
“There was that friend of yours, the peacock, yes the peacock. Cloud retainer, was it? Where does she live?” Silence. “A pity, I would’ve invited myself over for a chat.”
A punch, this time it landed on Xiao’s shoulders and he finally winced a bit.
“How about Moon Carver? Mm fancy fancy names. I like it! Tell me where he lives? You all will make a great circus, really.” He must’ve seen Xiao’s indifferent expression and continued musing. “Fine, if you won’t tell me then that sleepy girl with the horns that peacock loves spoiling much. The fancy name…Ah! Ganyu! Ganyu? Ganyu!”
It didn’t look like Xiao would reply so the man gave a sigh.
“I guess we’re doing this.”
In an instant, hundreds—no, multiple small sharp needles grazed Xiao’s skin producing thin long cuts that bled. They bled so little it couldn’t be seen, but the pain, the pain was there.
Still, Xiao held his ground. Except when the cuts hurt a bit more than he expected and his legs started to wobble.
The man clapped his hands. “How is it? Do you like it?”
Golden phoenix eyes snapped close. The cuts—the blood, his blood. It’s burning.
“How does it feel? Most people just die immediately when I use this and I can’t really feel it myself so you just got to tell me.”
Another surge of needles and they cut precisely in between the previous ones. His whole body is covered with bleeding cuts that burned and he endures it. He’s been through worse, and it’s been a long time since then. Morax showed him what his previous master deprived him of, but that doesn’t erase his pain, his tolerance, and their dreams that gnaws at the back of his mind.
He may loathe his time as a slave, but if his once downfall was to save him today, then he won’t subdue the fire.
“If you’re gonna be this stubborn then, let’s cut to the chase,” the man looked him deep in the eyes. “Where’s Morax?”
Xiao steeled his resilience. The man’s face contorted in anger.
He walked a few steps back and then ran back to Xiao, his fist connecting to the yaksha’s jaw, leaving both parties bloodied. Before he can recover, he was punched again, and again, and again. The man was almost kneeling on Xiao, tired after their little activity. He spat, “Where.”
The man’s face inched close.
“Is.” Closer.
“Morax?”
His face was only mere inches away and Xiao rocked his head hard into the other’s skull, sending him ways back.
Red hot blood oozed out of the wounds on their forehead. The man clenched his fists.
Three, four, six, and seven bouts of needles endlessly grazed and scalded his skin. By the eighth, the needles stopped, only to start again, this time cutting deeper and piercing his skin. Still, the cuts were too small, and the only evident anguish in Xiao’s face was the dripping red liquid from biting his lips too hard.
The man’s face boiled a deeper red though and continued dealing blows until he noticed what he was doing and stopped momentarily. He sighed and fixed his appearance.
“You…you really are an adepti huh? So somewhat a god? Soooo hard to kill!” His hands gripped air aggressively as if imagining Xiao’s heart in them. “That’s perfectly fine tho’! I don’t mind, that just means you can play. Would be better if you weren’t so stubborn.”
No answer.
“Say, Little Demon, do you have someone special to you?”
Xiao’s mind flickered to two pairs of golden eyes but he mentally shook the image away.
“Probably those adepti friends? Or wait you’re a yaksha too right? What’s that? Seeing as there’s no one else out there that’s a yaksha too, hm, must’ve ended tragically? Oooh by any chance did you kill them? No? Shame.”
“A zombie? I heard there’s one in Liyue, how scary! And you hang out with some people from a funeral parlor? Sir you are so weird. Oh wait, dearie me, I forgot what your job was. Do you bury and mourn for demons too?”
“A bard?”
“Pigeons, maybe?”
“Some cats from the inn?” he laughed as he continued guessing. “Guess there’s no mortal out there willing to be a demon’s friend, even though you’re so curious of them…” He gave Xiao a look of pity.
“How about…a traveler?”
Xiao forced his face to stay the same but it looks like he failed. The man’s expression contained glee. “I saw that flinch there~” he sang.
“Aha, I wonder who it is? And who are they to you?”
Xiao was biting his lip again, the taste of iron not leaving his mouth.
“Is he your friend? Family?” The man’s lips broke to a grin. “Your lover?”
There, under the watchful gaze of the moon, Xiao’s mind and body broke in cold sweat. No, his thoughts had screamed, limbs frozen and unable to move, much less comprehend what he heard.
Xiao?
He heard that call. A quiet whisper. A trembling voice.
And it sounded so near.
Punches rained on him. The man, mad and cursing, having been ignored too long. A hard forceful foot stomped on Xiao’s legs, so strong he heard his bones dislocating. But he didn’t pay it any mind. Because in exchange for the numbness in his limbs, his senses sharpened, and he feels it. He feels someone shivering from the cold. He feels someone’s shoulder uncontrollably bounce as they try so hard not to sob.
He must’ve only woken up. Xiao wouldn’t accept it otherwise.
No.
Seemingly satisfied leaving the yaksha battered and bruised, the man stepped back. “Ha,” he breathed. “You are making me lose my composure. That’s not very sexy of you. Certainly not good for our guest here, tsk tsk. How can I entertain him if I’m not even a teeny tiny bit desirable? Hm?”
The words were muffled by the loud beating of Xiao’s heart.
He desperately prayed. Begged. To Morax. Barbatos. Raiden. To any god that would answer his call. Please, not him.
The voice that spoke was malicious and laced with mischief. “Say hi, Xiao,” the man sang. “I’ve got you a Little Demon to play with.”
Xiao had begged and yet, it seemed the heavens had other plans.
Warm honey eyes burst open as soon as they were out of the bag. Warm honey that found their way to seemingly hot and golden, both disbelieving and scared.
The silence of the cave has never been louder. Shrill bumps trickled within Xiao’s skin as the air around grew denser, his eyes not leaving Aether’s, slowly engraving the fear in those beautiful orbs to the back of his mind.
Their hearing was filled with deafening white noise, only emphasizing the man’s twisted voice and the two boys turned.
With a lopsided grin, he said. “Oh scratch ‘demon’! Aren’t you a little darling?”
Bathed in the nightly glow, blonde hair that rivaled the sun framed the smooth features of his face, the yellow diamond crest softly moving with his chest in rhythm with his breaths. There was no doubt. That is Aether.
But why? Why? WHY?
Xiao forcibly pulled on his binds again, resulting in a loud clamor of metal. Startled, Aether jolted in his daze and almost tripped. Xiao immediately felt bad…but this was not the time! They had to escape. Xiao was who they needed so why was Aether here? If they can hurt an adeptus like him, what things can they do to Aether? They won’t hurt Aether. Xiao won’t let them.
“Hate to interrupt your lovely reunion but,” the man started hovering over Aether. “Xiao, dear,” the man turned to Xiao and the said adeptus wanted to vomit from the unwelcome use of his name. “You never told me you had a cute pheasant under your care?”
“W-What’s happening? Xiao…” Aether tried to assess the situation but he woke up to the sound of a beating, and then the first thing his eyes opens to is the pummeled state of Xiao, in a cave and a pool of blood in front of him.
“Sweetie,” the man cooed and Xiao’s chains clamored again. “This,” he pointed to everywhere, “this is all a misunderstanding.”
The man took Aether’s baffled expression as a sign to go on.
“I can free you up right now.” The man did, in fact, cut the ropes tying Aether’s hands behind him using a knife which Xiao squinted at.
Is the man hiding his abilities from Aether? Xiao could guess a couple of reasons why. To lower Aether’s guard, to gain sympathy, or to make his statements more believable, convincing Aether that the negotiations route is still plausible.
Xiao tried to warn him but he couldn’t speak.
“I’m actually in need of assistance, you see, I found him here this morning, he was too weak and pitiful so I tried to break his chains. But what can this lowly one do? My hands are capable of only this much.”
“Did…did any weapon not work?” Aether confusedly asked.
“No. He told me he had companions that are like him somewhere and that only they could help break him free. He said he lived near an inn so I went there and saw you and brought you here.”
The man paced a few steps back and forth, looking like a scholar lost in the woods.
“So, mister, I was hoping you could lead me to where his other companions are so we can help him.”
“But what if a camp of hilichurls suddenly wander around the area? Are we just going to leave him here? He…he’ll die.”
“He looks strong enough, surely he won’t.”
Aether tried to plead some more. He won’t just leave and let Xiao die here. The adeptus might’ve neglected his company many times before but he wasn’t that petty.
After one more bout of puppy dog eyes, the man said. “Fine. Then just tell me where they are so I can fetch them and you guard him here.”
Aether’s expression soothed, satisfied.
“Then, let’s try our best!” He whisked his feet towards Xiao and exclaimed in relief. “Thank archons it’s all a misunderstanding. I wouldn’t have known what to do if—“
As if time had stopped, Xiao’s eyes widened at the sword that materialized in Aether’s hand and how it cut easily through the chain binding his one arm, it falling limply to his side.
“—that was true,” he continued.
However before he can cut the chains binding Xiao’s other limbs, his hair was pulled back in an agonistic manner and Aether lost hold of his sword with a yelp.
“You bitch!”
Aether! Xiao’s thoughts screamed what he couldn’t out loud.
“What were you expecting? Would I believe such a fathomless lie? You’d have to do better than that.”
“Yes,” the man hissed. “It seems I have underestimated you. You’re not a well-known traveler if you’re so easy after all. But baby,” the side of the man’s lips curled up, sending Aether a foreboding feeling. “You’ll regret what you just did.”
He dragged Aether by the hair and pinned him to a chair. It was probably hidden in the depths of the cave for Aether to not notice it earlier.
“Tell me where they are!” Both lips were shut.
Infuriated, the man grit his teeth. A few minutes passed before both boys saw the man’s expression twist to maliciousness.
“The two of you have been testing my patience.”
He looked at both of them. “Let’s try something else. Stand up please.” The man was looking at Aether. He didn’t abide and so he repeated his words, with more threat. “Stand. Up.”
With cautious eyes, Aether wordlessly stood up.
“Take off your shirt.”
“No.”
The man leaned back as if he’s enjoying a circus performance. “Take off your shirt.”
“I said no.”
“Take off your shirt or I bring Xiao’s hand to do it for you,” he said. The knife he was playing with his hands flashed Aether a blinding strike of light, the threat and his body won’t be intact with it left hanging on the air.
Aether’s eyes didn’t even glance in Xiao’s direction as he meekly detached his few pieces of armor on his chest, the shoulder pad, and his cape.
He momentarily stopped, left in his tight crop top.
The man quirked his brows like a critic would over a museum display. “I said the shirt.”
“NO!” Xiao growled, his voice hoarse and hardly there. “Aether,” he called pathetically. Aether could see the refusal in his eyes and he could only shake his head.
If this man could beat Xiao to this state then he won’t hesitate to act on his threats either.
Gulping, Aether’s quivering hands reached the hem of his black apparel and slowly pulled it upwards.
There was a whistle.
The hairs on Aether’s body stood up both from the cold and the thirst evident in the man’s eyes. He could only purse his lips.
Answering both their fears, the man unbuckled his belt. He approached Aether in soundless steps and stopped close enough for Aether to feel his breath near his ear. Virile fingers brushed through Aether’s hair and Aether looked like he was about to puke any minute now.
The man glanced at Xiao for a split second and took Aether’s small petite neck into his hands and slammed his head on the chair before them.
Xiao could feel his heart sink deeper at the sound of its impact.
“So you gonna talk?”
Aether grit his teeth. “You can do whatever you’re gonna do and then go to hell.”
“Huh.” The man caressed Aether’s face slowly before he let him go.
“Then let’s up this a notch alright? I got no time to waste anymore.”
A shiver ran down Aether’s spine as the man yanked his hair to make him stand straight. His arms braced himself when his upper torso was undressed in an attempt to spare some of his dignity and they haven’t gone anywhere else since, unless until now, where they were forcibly put behind his back. The man sat on the once empty chair and pulled Aether down to sit on his lap.
Xiao visibly gasped.
And now that Aether took notice; he was too busy trying to assess the situation and playing along with the lie and all sorts of activity that he hasn’t but now that he had, Xiao’s color had fallen twenty degrees below normal temperature, considering his injuries and the very obvious immoral act before him, Aether caved on himself.
He must be disgusted. Xiao must be regretting the times he had wasted worrying about Aether’s safety only to find him to be so undignified. If Xiao could close his eyes and shut the scene in front of him out of his mind he probably wouldn’t hesitate.
Aether bit his lip, eyes watering.
And he did again, but for a different reason.
Aether could feel something hard poke his back. Much to his displeasure, the man made sure Aether’s position would bring him pain if he didn’t sit on his lap with spread legs. He still had his pants on, however long that may remain true Aether doesn’t know.
“Your lord,” the man directed his question to the chained adeptus, “Where is he?”
Xiao didn’t respond.
The man’s hand slithered from the skin of Aether’s hip to the curve under his chest, and Aether shuddered, a gagging expression resting on his face.
“LET HIM GO!”
“OH SO YOU COULD TALK!” The man preened. His voice was frenzied, similar to a kid during his first time visiting the local park. “You could talk! It scared me, I thought all you could do is growl.”
Like an animal, his smirk said. Aether moved to punch him despite not seeing. He was held in place by two arms that caged his waist.
“Move your hands off him,” Xiao continued to thrash against his three chains, his free arm admittedly useless, limp, and almost boneless. It didn’t help that his voice only came to now, the time before spent on healing it. He couldn’t stand this. He couldn’t stand to see. Aether. The traveler. The one that didn’t tire of his aloof nature. The one that tried his hardest to spend time with him. The one that didn’t fear him, didn’t come to him to have his wish granted. The one that was there by his side as he spent his days. The one that genuinely wanted to be his friend. That one.
The one being violated in front of him and he could do nothing to stop it.
“No fun. Morax, Little Demon, where’s he now?”
“Fuck off.”
Xiao forced down a cry as the man moved his hand up, grazing skin and one of the buds on Aether’s chest, muttering how they were pink as a rose. Aether could only stifle a sob.
“Stop! Stop it!”
A knowing smile appeared on the man’s face. “Araaaa~” he exclaimed excitedly. “I really found your kryptonite this time, haven’t I?!”
Xiao glowered, his demeanor filled with unkempt resentment. “I don’t know where Morax resides. I can’t tell you because I am not aware.”
“I find it hard to believe a venerable god such as Morax would fail to inform his servants of his whereabouts, simple impossible.”
Xiao’s face was sour while Aether scowled. The man quirked his brow in amusement.
“Don’t like the sound of it? Isn’t that what you are though? Morax got you doing his dirty work for him after all. And by the slim chance that you really do not know where he is, then perhaps telling me on what mountain your maid quarters are could suffice my disappointment?”
Xiao ceased his movements. It didn’t look like he was going to answer.
“If that’s how it is,” the man said and he singlehandedly unbuckled aether’s belt. Shocked, Aether flailed violently, pleading to be let go, for the man to stop, but at the behest of his wishes, the man pulled his pants down.
Cold air surged past his lower body, making his hair stand.
Someone’s voice cracked and both the man and Aether looked at Xiao, a silent shrill evident on his face, staining the features Aether always found breathtaking.
Xiao closed his eyes, he wouldn’t let Aether’s bare figure register in his head. He wouldn’t let himself see something Aether didn’t give him permission to see. Even if that meant letting Aether to deal with that asshole alone. He simply wouldn’t. He can’t. Inside, his thoughts were debating. Was this worth it? It’s not only about him anymore. He would take all the blows, fuck, he would be grateful for it.
Aether should be traveling happily with his friends, enjoying festivities, eating good food, looking for trails of his sister, he should be living life like everything was rainbows and all his problems would be solved by songs and friendship. Because that’s what he deserves. Xiao knows that. And yet here Aether is, pulled into his problems and battling a fight he was losing, despite it not being his battle in the first place.
Xiao couldn’t say he doesn’t know where because he does. Should he tell him where the others live? It’s fine, the adepti can handle it. They weren’t so weak. And Xiao’s glance lands on his strained body covered in gashes and wounds he couldn’t even feel anymore. Not so weak.
Sounds of torment drag Xiao’s attention back to Aether and Xiao could only gulp at the sight that appeared in front of him.
“We’ve spent weeks playing games Little Demon, I’m out of patience! If you won’t answer then I’ll just have to entertain myself with him, no?”
Aether’s whimpers were hurting more than the burning blood inside Xiao. It was like time was slowed while his body was atop a table and someone was mutilating his flesh and he could see anesthesia perfectly in view yet he had no hands to grab it.
The ardent rage present in Xiao made the man chuckle, but he was not lying. His patience really was running thin. The blonde beauty in his embrace behaving wildly only adds to his irritation.
“It’s fine if you don’t tell us anything, you know. Guarding whatever information you have won’t do anything. We don’t know where they are? Then we’ll just have plot another siege to flush you all out!”
Both his hands traveled from Aether’s waist to the bottom of his thighs, reflecting the evident hunger and aggression the man felt. He took a good look at the almost weeping blonde boy and had to admit. Aether was beautiful. His snow-white skin, unblemished and exquisite. His sweet viscid pupils colored and taste like flowers’ nectar that reeks of hate his gaze becomes molten lava. His elfin body that curves at the right places, flaunted by every move he tries to make. Aether was fascinating.
The man licked his lips.
And then the lobe of Aether’s ear.
And then his cheeks till it reached the corner of his eyes, his tears taste like the ocean in his tongue.
He took Aether’s shuddering squeaks with delight, his hands not ceasing movement.
Aether was biting his lips. The man’s groping hands were everywhere. His thighs. Waist. Buttocks. But not there. Aether doesn’t know if he should be thankful or what. The fact that his body was reacting…he doesn’t want to think. He doesn’t want to feel anything.
He cursed.
This hateful body.
Looking at Xiao’s expression, Aether inhaled deeply, the cries stuck in his throat. Xiao must be wondering. Why won’t I just run? Aether scoffed. He could, he’d be trying his best to. It was just one man, what’s forcing him to deal with such impolite displays. He laughed mockingly at the thoughts he could never say out loud.
If he does manage to bolt and run, who would he fetch to help?
Whenever the world ends, he can help. Whenever a city is in danger, he can help. Whenever a citizen needs something done, he can help. They could come to him, anytime, but when he needs help, there is no one he can come to. There was one, she always had his back no matter what, and he had hers. But not now, not anymore.
The two of them were just so powerless.
“We can flood the harbor. Or maybe free another ancient god. Or spread demonic artifacts that corrupt souls within a certain radius. There are so many to choose from, Little Demon! And once we flush all those kind and benevolent souls out in the open, we’ll snatch one while they were busy eradicating whatever evil we let loose that even if your beloved archon doesn’t show up, maybe one of his precious illuminated beast would know, unlike you.”
Xiao’s spine broke under the implementation. He couldn’t let another, anyone else, to suffer the same torment he’s under. But what can he do? He’s powerless.
“Please stop,” Xiao practically beg. His eyes trained on Aether’s suffering, the uncomfortable jerk of his body, trying to shrink himself in an attempt to move as far as he can from the hands gripping and molesting him. His gaze looked past the half-hard member presented in full view for him to see. All Xiao could focus on was the despair in Aether’s eyes, at the state his body is in, at the lack of control, and at the harassment he’s under. And maybe towards Xiao too.
Xiao shakes his head.
The man squinted his eyes, narrowing with suspicion. It was as if he was seeing something that only he could. After a short while of staring, his eyes lit up.
“Could it be,” the man paused and Xiao watched as his lips broke to a devilish grin, “Could it be that you want his body for yourself?”
The immediate pause of Aether’s body and the beet red hue that painted Xiao’s cheeks was all it took for the man to confirm his theory.
“Then this really is a one in a million chance.”
Horrid looks was sent, Xiao’s alarmed, while Aether’s was of pain. The man had grabbed the shaft on his groin, caressing it up and down on a steady pace. It stood abruptly at the sudden contact and Aether’s lip cut at how hard he was biting. He restrained his sobs at the best that he can. He’s to do the same with his moans. Aether wanted to cry.
A couple of clanking chains and a train of mutters screaming at the man to stop helped Aether to regain some of his senses. He abhorred the sight below so without looking down, Aether gathered all the strength left in him and using all his force, stabbed the man’s foot with the heel of his boot. The man yelped but he didn’t let go of him. He was much bigger than Aether is after all, heavier too.
Aether didn’t give up though. It was a start. He flailed around, with all his might. His member was aching, from the stimulation and being grabbed by the man to take a hold of him but to no avail, Aether wasn’t stopping.
“Fucking—I said—shit”
The man was having fun and this bitch of a blonde boy decides to be naughty and so he should respond in kind, no?
Aether’s eyes flickered at the man’s left hand leaving his body, was about to sigh in small victory but then the man motioned an unknown gesture and the atmosphere in the cave rose in a very familiar way and in a split second, Aether gaped at Xiao’s hand stuck at one of the cave’s walls, bright red flesh and the clean tintless shine of the poking out bone present at what once was Xiao’s wrist.
Aether looked at Xiao’s unmoving body, watched as those phoenix eyes widened in realization, shifting to comprehend why his right arm was bleeding nonstop and his hand nowhere to be found. Not attached, at least.
“Your tolerance, or should I say, stubbornness has been amazing so far. Too bad this beauty of yours had to force my hand. I had to try, you see. If he was your kryptonite, then I assumed, maybe you were his too?” He laughed manically, proud at what he’d done. “Now you don’t need to run in circles anymore. I’m a great matchmaker! Or I can cut your legs too then you literally won’t have to.”
A resounding ‘No!’ from Aether echoed.
Attention back to Aether, the man calmly resumed his shenanigans with Aether’s sensitive parts, the said beauty only whimpering, afraid of Xiao losing another limb.
Xiao stood dumbly and he croaked out weakly. “Stop.” He was losing a lot of blood. “S-stop it already…”
“It’s their locations that you want, isn’t it…let go of him…I’ll tell you…”
The man didn’t listen. He increased his pace, and Aether’s tears streamed unknowingly.
“Please…”
“Let him finish.”
Xiao and the man looked up. Aether’s voice was solid. Unyielding.
“What…”
“You’re hurt. Focus on that.”
“B-but, I’m fine Aether, this shouldn’t be happening. Not to you…Hurry and get off…” Xiao could barely hold his consciousness.
“The hand may be a lost cause but you can stop the bleeding so hurry up and do it.”
“There’s no need for that. I’ll tell him, and it’ll all be over—“
“Don’t you dare tell him!” Aether threatened him. And Xiao saw it. The fierce contortion of Aether’s face, and his eyes that screamed his hardened resolve. The diamond on his chest was glowing white, Xiao guessed the man couldn’t see it, and he couldn’t marvel in its mystery as of the moment either.
Before he could say anything else, the man interjected with a sly tone. “So you don’t like to see him hurting?” He laughed at Aether’s flash of courage. So he can be a beast too. Marvelous. “Since you’ve been a good boy,” he scratched Aether’s chin and the boy immediately backed away. “Let daddy grant you your wish.”
His hands swished in motion and Xiao’s hand…was back?
It got reattached. Just like that. Xiao, just as shocked as he was, tried moving it. It looked fine. By the look on Xiao’s face, there must be something else too.
Aether’s eyes followed as the wounds on Xiao’s body slowly and carefully close up, from the oldest that had already scarred to the new ones that he only got today. They closed up, leaving only the stains of dried blood as evidence to prove they have once been there. Xiao’s face was relatively cleaned up as well. The bruises that were purple, those that were green, and some that were blue from the punches, went away and fixed the puffiness they brought.
Appalling reflections that needed deliberation flooded Aether’s mind. This magic…I’ve seen it before. He had indeed seen it before. He’s seen it be used for good. By good people. By Barbara. By Xingqiu.
“Now not only is his hand back, his whole body feels well and looks well, certainly, how about giving me a kiss—“ the man was cut off by Xiao sending sharp condensed elemental energy his way. The man hissed, anger seeping out of his movements. “I heal you and that’s the first thing you do? Fine!”
Aether shrieked when Xiao’s three limbs were cut off. It was shock and pain and numbness and adrenaline. Xiao didn’t know how to hold, what to hold, why to hold. He just wanted to rest. But Aether was still there and Xiao won’t let his eyes close.
“Pretty sure you figured it by now. It’s useless, I’m proficient in wielding hydro, it’s a piece of cake to heal you up and hurt you again. If you don’t want the same fate to befall your darling here then tell me where Morax is!”
It would have amazed Aether how the man can keep track of his original task while dealing with chaos like this one. But all he could feel was rage and loathing and fear because what if the man doesn’t heal Xiao back up again. Can he count on Barbara to heal him? Can she? Would she? Would Xingqiu? Would anybody?
With what Xiao could surmise was still his voice he said, “I don’t know! I told you I don’t know...”
There, in that cave that was beginning to show hints of the rising dawn, Aether released his load done by a man he despised and within the rhythm of his dear friend’s pained sobs.
It was a blur how it ended.
Right now, Xiao is wrapped in clean bandages, the majority covering and helping clot his wounds from his amputated limbs. He looked like a human stick with one arm to spare. Aether was beside him, receiving treatment and clothed with another layer of warm blanket enveloping his whole body. They were still at the cave but people were tending to them.
As fuzzy as they remember, Aether finally got ahold of the knife Xiao has been eyeing. It was stowed in the man’s pocket and Aether has been trying to grab it quietly, using his thrashing around as a distraction. The blonde, while swallowing his pride and shame, cut the ropes tying his hands (they were ordinary ropes after all) and used the knife to impale the man’s leg, giving Aether enough time to get on his feet, buckle his belt, and assume a fighting position.
It wasn’t enough time, of course, since the man could heal his wounds and quite fast too.
Xiao was close to passing out so Aether prioritized getting him out of danger. It was the first time the man took notice of the glowing white diamond on Aether’s chest and he was quite sure that was yellow when he captured him but he wasn’t exactly sure and being on the other end of the traveler’s swordsmanship skills, he really ain’t got the time.
The man was being more and more enamored with Aether. This probably won’t be the last they’ll be seeing him. Regardless, should he come for them again, he can’t be expecting asleep lost lambs anymore. They will be guarded, armed, and maybe not by tall fences or palace gates, or an army of warriors ready to lay down their lives. Maybe not all those things but they’ll have each other to guard their backs. And that’s enough.
Aether’s swordsmanship won easily and the man was backed to a corner, forced to wag his tail between his legs and leave. He was no match for the traveler that defeated Dvalin and helped seal back Osial, after all. He only got his way because they were under the aftereffects of their drugs and handicapped. When those things are gone and they’re back to being well and contrary, the man rushes out to the sweet chimes of escape.
Discarding all thoughts of chasing after the man, Aether limply approaches Xiao, stepping on the pool of blood that surrounds him. He was careful and gentle, considerate of his wounds, and patiently slicing at the chains that bind him with his small knife.
His sword had shattered right then and there when Aether threw it out of surprise so only the fractured iron, a remnant of what it once was, was there beside Xiao and the shattered chains from earlier.
After overwhelmingly long hours of grinding iron against iron, the chains on Xiao came off and the weight he’s been carrying for weeks was lifted. His body fell slowly to the ground against his protests, but Aether was there to catch him and be a pillar he could lean on as they walked towards the cave’s exit.
The sun was indeed rising then, soft orange brandished the ground and more came to view the closer they are to leaving everything behind. Then they heard murmuring, and a high-pitched voice shouting and screaming like they were looking for wanted criminals and didn’t care if the neighbors would find them aggravating for making such a ruckus this early in the morning.
The voice sounded nearer, and nearer, and they recognized it. Awkward smiles crept to their faces.
They were gone and the first person to come looking was Paimon.
As soon as Paimon saw their figures, as fast as lightning, she had floated and tackled Aether to a hug. Given her weight and size she really couldn’t tackle anyone, but her hands were holding Aether tightly and her head fit perfectly to the crook of Aether’s neck like she wasn’t going to ever let go.
She let go and Aether’s gazed softened at witnessing his companion shed tears.
“You didn’t return to fetch me! And I finished all the food and our mora too because you were so late and a-and I was going to tease you and scold you for being late and then midnight came and I was the last person in Xiangling’s restaurant that I thought you forgot about me so I went back to the inn, and then you weren’t there either! I supposed someone made you attend for their errands again and because I spent all our money I can’t really complain about it, but then it was 3 in the morning and you still weren’t coming home! And you know that I, I, the day we first me I volunteered to be your tour guide, but the longer we traveled you learned how bad I was with directions so you never trusted me with maps, so I, I, I tried asking for help. Archons, I tried Venti. And he was so far. I flew tirelessly to the big tree and couldn’t find him anywhere! Thought he was with Dvalin so I went to Stormbearer’s Mountain, all I found are ruins. Since I was already in Monstadt, I figured I’d try Jean BECAUSE WHY WOULD JEAN OF ALL PEOPLE NOT HELP so I tried and turns out she’s out on Favonious delegation mission or something, the knights with her, I went to the winery and nobody was there, the maids said their young master is out for the time being and so is Angel’s Share but I was growing worried sick so I got no time to go Hero Hunting. Since Mondstadt can’t help I flew back to Liyue and found Xingqiu, Barbara, and Chongyun all huddled together with Xiangling and Bennett in the Qixing’s office and guess what the Archons must’ve blessed me because I found Ganyu and said Xiao was out of the radar too and that she’d fetch Zhongli so we all went with her to find him helping Ningguang build some blueprints for a new jade chamber. They, they’re with me now, searching for you too,” she sobbed.
Out of her wet lashes, her eyes landed on Aether’s bare chest and didn’t ask anything, just flew past them and picked up the white and yellow laying on the floor and wrapped it on Aether.
Paimon glanced at Xiao and contemplated before hugging him too.
“You both look like shit,” she said feigning a laugh. Both Xiao and Aether heard a soft mumble after though. “That must’ve hurt, where’s the asshole that did it? Good thing I brought healers, though completely by luck.”
And as she vouched, both Barbara and Xingqiu attended to them, fussing and asking them questions, Zhongli and Ganyu trailing behind them.
Aether fell asleep while being treated so Zhongli took it as a cue to talk to Xiao.
At the image of Zhongli’s approaching figure, Xiao straightened up and by habit, a gesture he’s been trained to do all these years, he moved to stand up and kneel on one knee, only to be reminded that he is physically unable to do so.
Zhongli dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
“Sit down Xiao, Xingqiu is still healing your wounds. Relax and try to rest.”
“Yes,” Xiao replied with the utmost politeness he can as of the moment.
Instead of looking down awkwardly at his fellow adeptus, Zhongli sat on the ground too, a movement Xiao was discernably disagreeing with. He was shushed.
Zhongli remembered the times he would sit in the same table as the other adepti with Guizhong back when she was still alive, and missed the times where the air was filled with light banter and fresh aroma of food. He was also now on the same level as Xiao but the dejected look on his face and his beaten body was far from it.
The archon gestured at Xiao’s bandaged limbs. “We’ll see if Baizhu can do something about healing or growing them back so don’t look so down, even if that isn’t possible, then we’ll have to rely on technology and look into the growing trend of mortals in medication, like prosthetics.”
“I…I leave it to Zhongli-sama.”
“Alright.”
They resign to a quiet atmosphere, Zhongli’s eyes growing fond at the clumsy interaction between his little yaksha and the second young master of Feiyun Commerce Guild. Xiao was the one most abhorrent about interacting and indulging in mortals’ affairs and yet he’s the most curious of them. He could’ve watched Xiao fumble helplessly at the attention he’s being shown when Ganyu approached them, handing Zhongli a piece of the broken chains that was said to hold Xiao captive.
After a few more purposeful look, Zhongli turned to Xiao, Ganyu attentively listening behind them. Zhongli attempted to be gentle as he was presented with a chance to address a built-up frustration buried deep beneath Xiao’s cold demeanor. “These chains were special. I have not seen them in a hundred years or so. It’s not that you are weak, it was made to bind divine beings. The fatui must have dug them up somewhere. I’d have to check in with Childe for this.”
“Be careful. Do not trust him.”
Zhongli’s lips curled to a soft smile, more used to this protectiveness. “I’ll be fine, Xiao. I’ll have Venti come as well, if that eases your mind. Or would you rather he stayed to help you heal?”
Xiao paused for a minute, cautiously formulating and rearranging his words. “I…have to take care of Aether. Keep him company. However, it would be appreciated if Barbatos could…if Venti could play a few tunes for him, to help him heal…” He didn’t want Aether to feel like he was Xiao’s obligation. He wants to stay by his side. Be stronger and protect him. The happenings earlier that day flashes on his mind and he swiftly tucks them away to the back of his mind.
He has saved me. Had done more than any had ever. If my desire of being with him works in his interests as well then I am more than willing.
Zhongli nodded. “All right. I’ll be sure to relay the word.”
Aether had woken up as soon as Zhongli stood to leave. It was unknown whether it was a coincidence or if Aether was ever asleep at all.
It was silent. Both didn’t know if they were suffocating or reveling in it.
“Could it be,” the man paused and Xiao watched as his lips broke to a devilish grin, “Could it be that you want his body for yourself?”
Xiao once again pushed the thought away and fought against the blush that traitorously bloomed on his cheeks. Shameless, Xiao. Look at what the two of you just went through.
“I don’t need you to look out for me.”
It seems he has heard.
Xiao turned to Aether, indifference coated his expression. “I know you can look after yourself.”
“I can look after myself,” Aether insisted, then reeled back after registering what Xiao had said. “Yes…I can take care of myself.”
Xiao’s stiff face would be smiling right now, studying Aether’s features in the crimson flush of the morning, the placated scrunch of his nose and satiated tug of his mouth, much more ethereal than the shuddering ferocity he was under the moonlight. Here, he looked secure. Unhurt. Safe.
A huge lump of heaviness stuck in Xiao’s throat that he felt he would eventually choke on if left unaddressed. And so he asks despite his displeasure, “Why?”
He didn’t look at Aether. Too scared that his voice might be as calm and angelic as always while his face displays a different story.
“I’d do the same for my sister, so I figured you’d do the same for your companions.”
Astonished beyond compare but Xiao could only stare at Aether dumbfoundedly. The latter’s face was devoid of the emotions Xiao feared it would be filled with. Aether was looking at the distance, fingers curling at the blanket covering the entirety of his body. His eyes were honey, it held a sweet gaze and made Xiao crave. He wanted Aether to direct that look to him someday.
“If you let yourself be roughed up for weeks and allowed your pride to be stepped on like that, and still not spit anything then I could only follow your lead.” Aether huffed a puff of air like they didn’t just go through anything traumatic, like this was just one of his weekend shenanigans, the worst thing that could happen out of a bucket list or an adventure with Bennett. “This, them, they’re important to you, aren’t they? They’ve been there since the beginning. They’ve been there when you needed help and when you’re living. They’ve been your family.”
“You couldn’t risk getting them in danger because you love them.” He turned to Xiao, directing that gaze towards him. Like it wouldn’t make Xiao melt like it wouldn’t make all the bad things fade. “Tell me I’m correct Xiao. Tell me and I’d know I did the right thing.”
Xiao has never been good with words. So he circled his arms around Aether, and Aether caved in because this wasn’t a stranger who would take advantage of him, this wasn’t someone who only needed him for now and would toss him later, he caved in because he knew he was safe, and that he trusted him to keep him safe for as long as need be.