Chapter Text
Verr Goldet remembered that specific time when she first met Aether, the Traveler who successfully made a name throughout both Mondstadt and Liyue. He was only a nervous boy who magically came down from the stairs that leads to a certain hot blooded Yaksha which made her wonder how he even got there in the first place. What surprised her even further was how Aether asked what she knows about Xiao. Looking at his anxious and defeated face, Verr Goldet could already tell that he had experienced firsthand how stingy and testy the Yaksha was but it pleased her that the Traveler was still willing to talk to him despite that.
"Well... If you wanna know my opinion... If you keep Xiao in a good mood, things should be okay." She chimed as she was pleased at how Aether was already racking his brain but seems to be lost nonetheless.
"How 'bout this – you go see the chef for a bowl of Almond Tofu, and a plate of whatever it is you are best at making. Almond Tofu is one of the few human foods Xiao likes. The other dish is up to you." Verr Goldet suggested as she watched how Aether's eyes sparkled at the mention of food but nothing could beat the raging fire on his little companion though she heard different reasons behind the look in their eyes as they walked towards the kitchen.
"Maybe, the chef would let me learn the recipe."
"Food! Finally, maybe we could ask the chef to whip us up some dishes cause Paimon is famished!"
"You're always hungry. Sure, eat lots so if something happens, your role as Emergency Food would be fulfilled."
"For the last time! Paimon is not Emergency Food!!!"
Verr Goldet giggled at how eccentric the duo was. Though she holds a fair share of concerns about sending the innocent and buoyant Traveler to the ill-tempered Adeptus. She thought this was for the best. She believed Xiao needed a friend he could confide to and she thought Aether was perfect with how kind and patient he looks.
Though after that, Aether did not appear from the stairs and had mysteriously disappeared.
All Verr Goldet's whirling worries dissipated when she saw Aether stumbling inside the inn for what appeared to be for days now with a sheepish look on his face as he greeted her with a warm smile.
"What business do you have here, dear Traveler?" She asked as Aether twiddled with his fingers, eyes flickering between her and the direction of the kitchen in agitation. She smiled at the sight. Ah, is he perhaps making Xiao his Almond Tofu?
"If you wish to use the kitchen as you please, it is not I, you should be asking for permission. You should be asking the man himself, Aether." Red hue crept over Aether's fair skin in embarrassment as he nodded his head while he headed over to the kitchen to ask Yanxiao if he could cook in his kitchen but not before muttering his thanks and apologies with Paimon hot on his trails, laughing at him. Verr Goldet couldn't help but coo at how polite and adorable the Traveler was even though she knew how strong and powerful he was.
While she was playing with Wei's paws who decided they wanted to come and visit, out of her peripheral vision, she spotted Aether discreetly and quietly made his way up the stairs with the newly cooked almond tofu of his. Decided not to humor him, she turned a blind eye because she knew Aether might back out from visiting a certain Yaksha. She prayed things would go well.
Seconds later, Smiley Yanxiao came up with a look of interest on his for once not-not smiling face. He came with a grunt and a huff as he looked at the direction Aether disappeared to. He leaned on the counter before opening his mouth.
"Weird kid. He promised me he'll do food deliveries from now on as long as I give him access to my kitchen every night. He even made me teach him how to cook Almond Tofu step by step. Kinda obvious he was cooking for that guy but he keeps denying it and always says it was for his floaty friend." Yanxiao grumbled before heading out for fresh air. Verr Goldet slumped on the counter as she looked up helplessly at the ceiling.
"Archons above, please guide these poor, hopeless souls." She mumbled before looking out for any sign of blonde tresses. A few moments later, Aether came down, his shoes dragging behind him. A grin made its way to her face as she was about to greet the Traveler when she finally took notice of the out of place dejected expression on his face. She frowned at the sight, a frown definitely does not suit the Traveler's face at all. Not one bit.
"Is something wrong, Aether?" She asked out of concern, Aether flinched at her voice before trudging towards where she was placed, his face falling even further with each step he took. He brought his hand on his arm and rubbed it up and down before looking at Verr Goldet with damp eyes.
"I---uuuh… I don't think Xiao likes the Almond Tofu I made for him." He bit his bottom lip and soon right after and was about to say more when a fuming Paimom descended from the stairs as she floated her way towards Aether and hugged his arm tightly.
"Aether shouldn't take it to heart! Paimon thinks Aether's food is always delicious! It's the picky Adeptus' fault he's blind, I tell you!!! And the nerve of him! Aether made it for him but he thinks Aether made it in exchange for a favor!" Paimon whined as she hugged his arm tighter before attempting to tug him out of the inn. He stood firm on his feet before a heavy sigh escaped his system as he finally let himself get dragged by the angry Paimon as he shot Verr Goldet a look of apology.
"Oh dear…"
Verr Goldet was tempted to just march in on Adeptus and give him an earful herself for how disrespectful he was but she also savored her life.
And yet… She didn't fail to notice the only empty plate that one of the workers personally took from Xiao's floor.
As if the little mishap never happened, Aether came back skipping towards her with a determined look on his face as he greeted her enthusiastically before marching towards the kitchen with a yell to which Yanxiao returned with a yell of his own. Leaving his companion behind as Paimon shook her head before leaving the inn as she was called over by a girl in twin buns, leaving the Traveler by himself for once. She thought those two were two peas in a pod! But nonetheless, Verr Goldet was ecstatic as she let out a sigh of relief and was proud of herself for believing that Aether doesn't really know when to quit! Heck, he might not even know what quitting is! She cheered for the Traveler mentally.
Another Almond Tofu in hand and newfound boldness, Aether walked up the stairs instead of cowering from them, his eyes burning. Verr Goldet prayed Xiao wouldn't brush the Traveler away again. So she waited for Aether to come back down.
She waited for minutes, then minutes turned to hours. She could not help the underlying worry filling up her system as time passed on and no sign of Aether. Did he leave again like he did the first time?
All her worries disappeared again when another day passed and Aether appeared once again but this time he had a smile on his face as he greeted her happily before walking towards the kitchen. She was already seeing a pattern.
This went on for weeks, Aether coming in at night to make Almond Tofu, deny it was for Xiao for the nth time despite it being obvious, then cycle. There were times he'd appear very late but Yanxiao already had his trust of keeping his kitchen safe and had given the Traveler free reign over his kitchen to which Aether was very thankful for. There were also times Aether looked so beaten up yet he still had the energy to cook up some Almond Tofu for the Yaksha.
Verr Goldet revered in the fact how the wind had calmed down when Aether appeared. How it now gently caressed everyone in comfort, a contrast to how it was once still and chilly. She also could have sworn she saw a figure leaning over the railings on the balcony a couple of times when she walks the Traveler out of the inn. Paimon was always missing in action, perhaps the Traveler leaves her to that Xiangling girl she managed to get a name of so he could have an alone time with Xiao. How sweet!
"Oh Lord Rex Lapis, much appreciated." She sighed out. Happy at the fact nothing was going wrong.
Until one day Aether didn't appear. It was a typical day, the inn was bustling with its usual patrons walking around. Verr Goldet at one point turned to look at the pocket watch she placed under the counter. Ah, it's the usual time Aether comes by. She waited and yet not a single lock of blonde in sight. Frowning, she thought this might be one of those days where Aether got hold off by some random people who asked for his help and will come in late and rush to cook up his by now perfect Almond Tofu. But he didn't come even after it was midnight.
At this point, the wind was painstakingly raging, blowing furiously in every direction around the inn, occasionally stilling before raging again. Patrons point out it was probably a storm coming as the visitors left the docks and the customers went to their respective rooms. They blame it on the upcoming storm but Verr Goldet and Yanxiao were painfully aware of the real reason and yet they can't do anything about it.
Obviously, Aether's mysterious absence was making Xiao feel on edge. Verr Goldet was feeling restless but she couldn't even imagine what Xiao was feeling, she knew how Xiao had grown attached to the Traveler. The feeling within the wind was enough for an answer.
"A storm? How random."
"The sky is clear yet the wind is far too strong."
And then the wind stopped moving.
Too long, the wind was too still. She and Yanxiao looked at each other in concern and out of the welfare of both their sanities and the Adeptus as well. She and the chef bolted towards the floor the Yaksha resides in. They barged in and no sign of anyone. Not that they expected Xiao to appear before them, usually, a strong gust of wind would hit them as a sign to go away and leave the Adeptus alone but there was none. Lost, the two stood still as they surveyed the room, the smell of Almond Tofu hitting their nose.
They saw two wilting sets of flower crowns, one made from qingxins and the other made from glaze lilies. Finally having enough, they turned around to leave.
Until an indistinguishable sound echoed all over the room followed by a loud and heavy thud. They immediately looked back and witnessed a spectacle that they weren't supposed to see and yet they couldn't move.
Xiao's smiling.
Xiao was smiling… and laughing softly as he held a giggling Aether resting on top of his body. His arms circled around the Traveler's waist as the other had his elbows pressed on the sides of Xiao's head, their faces centimeters apart as they shared an affectionate look towards each other.
Verr Goldet and Yanxiao quickly fled from whatever was about to happen, at least that was what they were assuming whilst hoping the Yaksha didn't notice them but the chill running down their spine was clear enough for them to understand. They should lay low for a while after this.
"Do you think they're… You know?" Verr Goldet giggled underneath her breath as they reached the counter.
"I don't care." Yanxiao groaned as he left the scene.
Who would have thought her sending the Adeptus a friend would end up him scoring something else instead?