Chapter Text
“Isn’t the breeze marvellous,” Aether sighed, enjoying the wind as he looked from the top balcony of Wangshu Inn, admiring the view. He’d just completed his commissions and Paimon had decided to hassle Xiangling for the day, so Aether decided to take a break for the next few days, booking himself a room in the inn to stay at so he could finally relax, and maybe see Xiao again. Xiao… Aether blushed as he thought of the yaksha, which he may or may not have had a crush on. It’s not his fault Xiao’s devastatingly handsome, and skilled, and mysterious, and I bet he’d be so pretty in bed- “Traveler.” A curt greeting cut through Aether’s thoughts as Xiao appeared next to him, “I wasn’t expecting you here, weren’t you in Inazuma?”
“O-oh Xiao,” Aether stuttered, attempting to get the rising blush on his cheeks to ease, “I was in Inazuma yes, but after finding no information on my sister I decided to come back to Liyue to relax for a bit!” Grinning, Aether sat on the balcony railing, swinging his legs. Xiao’s brows furrowed, had the traveler’s gruelling journey been for nothing? He, like many others, had heard of the difficult journey it took to get to Liyue and although he refused to admit it, Xiao was very worried about the traveler when he left because Xiao couldn’t protect him in Inazuma, and the thought of Aether getting injured or worse- well, Xiao didn’t want to think about the anxiety rising within himself. “But hey, I found a recipe for a treat similar to the almond tofu you seem to adore. I think I have the ingredients, so let’s go to the kitchens, I’ll make it for you!”
Xiao patiently waited by the kitchen as the traveler was cooking, watching as he stirred a pot with a pale substance inside, staring intently as Aether worked his magic. Meanwhile, Aether gave a wary glance to the eyes practically burrowing into his back and regretting it as he saw Xiao staring intently, almost expectantly. Why is he so hot, even when he’s not doing anything?? Aether gulped, a rosy blush on his cheeks as he tried to ignore the almost sexy look Xiao was giving him.
“There you go! I call it almond tofu 2.0!” Xiao stared at the beautifully presented plate he was given before taking a tentative nibble. He gasped, how did Aether’s cooking always taste so divine? It was like his karmic debt was lessened as the sweet almond taste took over his senses.
Aether gave a timid look as the adeptus tried his new recipe, praying it would be up to Xiao’s standards when suddenly, Xiao let out a quiet moan. Wait, hold up, Xiao moaned in front of him, from his cooking! Aether felt his dick harden and he knew he was pitching a tent. Xiao sounded so pure.. and amazed…
Aether giggled, “I’m assuming you liked it?” and Xiao flinched, as if awoken from a trance, “Traveler, this- this dish you have created for me, it goes beyond any mortal cooking I have ever tasted. I thank you deeply from the bottom of my heart.” Blushing heavily, the traveler nodded and Xiao stood up before suddenly walking to the balcony. There he took a deep breath as he peered over the railing. Aether ran to join him, praying Xiao wouldn’t notice his hard on as he joined Xiao, leaning into him as he and Xiao looked over the plains.
“I suppose I should take my leave now,” the traveler startled beside Xiao before turning to give him a smile. Xiao’s eyes flickered down to the bulge in Aether’s pants, still very much prominent as something dark and longing flashed past his eyes for a moment. Aether saw this and stiffened, visibly embarrassed.
Xiao climbed onto the balcony railing, pausing to look at the traveler. “Oh, and traveler, don’t hesitate to act upon your desires next time,
…for all you know,
they could be shared…..
And with a flurry of teal butterflies and dark aura, Xiao was gone, leaving Aether to stare dumbfoundedly as his brain processed what he just heard.
‘They could be shared…’