[ Oh, he's definitely a feral cat, this one. Distrusting and skittish.
There's a moment of doubt, but then he reaches out to let Aether take his hand. It's a little like sinking into a hot bath, the feeling he gets when they physically touch. More than that, really - nice and relaxing in a way he doesn't really know if he's felt before. Not even around his fellow yaksha or his Archon. ]
Mm. I would not want you to. [ It wouldn't be Aether, after all. ] Simply be more cautious.
[ His hand is warm underneath his glove, the leather of the fingers worn down a bit to feel the callouses from his spear. ]
[It makes him happy when they holds hands like this, simply enjoying the warmth of the touch, the connection formed between them. Aether would never want to lose this.]
I will. [He says that with that same sunny smile.] I don't want you to worry about me, especially needlessly.
[He's fine, he'll always be fine. And when he'll need help, he knows he has friends he can count on.]
[ He leaves his hand in Aether's, closing his fingers tighter when he mentions worrying about him. Xiao doesn't know why he has felt like this ever since he met Aether, but he wants to be by his side, to protect and fight with him. In a place like this, that protective instinct is so much stronger. His life has always been about keeping people - and a nation - safe. It's deeply ingrained into his soul. ]
[Aether only steps closer to him, reaching for his friend's other hand.]
I know. And I'll be always here for you as well.
[He wants this to go both ways. It wouldn't be right to accept Xiao's protection without giving him the same back, even if his companion may think that he doesn't need any of this.
Sometimes it's okay for the protector to rest and allow others to protect him instead.]
[ Xiao lets Aether take his other hand, sharp eyes glancing down at the pavement when Aether returns his promise like that. Archons, how he wishes he could still just poof away and deal with his confused emotions in private. He's not used to feeling - or at least he tells himself that. ]
...good.
[ He finally replies, as he somewhat understands where Aether is coming from. They need to have each other's backs in this place... but unfortunately it's going to take another few centuries or so for him to learn that it's okay to put his spear down and let others protect him.
Protecting Liyue, her people, his God is all he has ever done. ]
I will watch over your allies from Teyvat as well.
[The response makes Aether shine all the brighter like a star in the darkest of nights. He's happy to hear that Xiao agrees and perhaps that warm emotion can be also felt by the yaksha through their connection.]
Thank you, Xiao.
[He squeezes his companion's hands.]
I'm glad I can always count on you... I really appreciate it.
[There are no lies in his words, only genuine appreciation.]
If you ever feel lonely or just want to hang out... you're always welcome to stay at my place. Come and go as much as you please.
[He just wants Xiao to have a place were he feels truly safe and welcome.]
It's nothing. [ He replies, a little flustered while being bathed by that light of happiness. It's a really nice feeling, the warmth that echoes through their connection, and it loosens a few stiff knots in his tense body. ]
I have no other purpose here other than to keep you and yours safe.
[ He doesn't have his duty or demons to kill, but he's a guardian at heart. What better way to use this weapon than to protect?
...and Aether's offer is both a surprise and not. It's that endless kindness, no matter how misguided. Xiao closes his eyes for a breath and then shakes his head gently. ]
You're kind, but you know I cannot do that. [ He says softly. ] The Vision wielders are safer, but any other friends you might have would be in danger if I visited you. It is better that I stay here where nearly no people come by.
[ Alone in a broken-down car at the edge of the city. ]
[And he wants Xiao to know it. He knows his companion is always doing his best to protect everyone.
As for the other part...]
We don't know that yet. Maybe the souls we have could make it safer for you to stay around other people as well. [He doesn't want Xiao to be so isolated, though the fact that there's quite a few Vision wielders here is definitely helping.] You could also stay with me when nobody else is around...
[Just to get some rest and to get a bit of relief from the pain through their connection!]
The fact that we do not know is exactly why it is dangerous. 'Maybe' is not good enough to risk other people.
[ He's used to being isolated, Aether! Being around people just makes him anxious. At least the Vision wielders means he has other people to fight together with if needed. He has no need to socialize!
(Sure, buddy.) ]
If you wish it of me, I will visit you when you are alone.
[ Their new 'imprint' thing is addictive to his pain, so he wants to limit that - but he also wants to see Aether. ]
[ He replies 'grumpily', but there's a hint of a smile for a heartbeat or two. He doesn't exactly visit people other than Zhongli, so underneath all the worry he's a bit curious to see Aether's place... without Vanitas.
Then Xiao steps back a bit, taking his hands from Aether's. The dulled pain returns in full force and he takes a deep breath to steady himself. ]
[As Xiao's hands leave his own, Aether feels an urge to chase them, to grab them once more and hold for a moment longer, but he stays as is. His companion knows all too well that he can seek him out whenever he needs his hand to be held.]
[ Xiao furthers the distance between them and hops up on the car again, the steel wreck making a grinding sound. He'll make his way up to the building roofs again soon, watching over the city like a an unsleeping sentinel.
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There's a moment of doubt, but then he reaches out to let Aether take his hand. It's a little like sinking into a hot bath, the feeling he gets when they physically touch. More than that, really - nice and relaxing in a way he doesn't really know if he's felt before. Not even around his fellow yaksha or his Archon. ]
Mm. I would not want you to. [ It wouldn't be Aether, after all. ] Simply be more cautious.
[ His hand is warm underneath his glove, the leather of the fingers worn down a bit to feel the callouses from his spear. ]
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I will. [He says that with that same sunny smile.] I don't want you to worry about me, especially needlessly.
[He's fine, he'll always be fine. And when he'll need help, he knows he has friends he can count on.]
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I will be here whenever you need me. Always.
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I know. And I'll be always here for you as well.
[He wants this to go both ways. It wouldn't be right to accept Xiao's protection without giving him the same back, even if his companion may think that he doesn't need any of this.
Sometimes it's okay for the protector to rest and allow others to protect him instead.]
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...good.
[ He finally replies, as he somewhat understands where Aether is coming from. They need to have each other's backs in this place... but unfortunately it's going to take another few centuries or so for him to learn that it's okay to put his spear down and let others protect him.
Protecting Liyue, her people, his God is all he has ever done. ]
I will watch over your allies from Teyvat as well.
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Thank you, Xiao.
[He squeezes his companion's hands.]
I'm glad I can always count on you... I really appreciate it.
[There are no lies in his words, only genuine appreciation.]
If you ever feel lonely or just want to hang out... you're always welcome to stay at my place. Come and go as much as you please.
[He just wants Xiao to have a place were he feels truly safe and welcome.]
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I have no other purpose here other than to keep you and yours safe.
[ He doesn't have his duty or demons to kill, but he's a guardian at heart. What better way to use this weapon than to protect?
...and Aether's offer is both a surprise and not. It's that endless kindness, no matter how misguided. Xiao closes his eyes for a breath and then shakes his head gently. ]
You're kind, but you know I cannot do that. [ He says softly. ] The Vision wielders are safer, but any other friends you might have would be in danger if I visited you. It is better that I stay here where nearly no people come by.
[ Alone in a broken-down car at the edge of the city. ]
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[And he wants Xiao to know it. He knows his companion is always doing his best to protect everyone.
As for the other part...]
We don't know that yet. Maybe the souls we have could make it safer for you to stay around other people as well. [He doesn't want Xiao to be so isolated, though the fact that there's quite a few Vision wielders here is definitely helping.] You could also stay with me when nobody else is around...
[Just to get some rest and to get a bit of relief from the pain through their connection!]
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[ He's used to being isolated, Aether! Being around people just makes him anxious. At least the Vision wielders means he has other people to fight together with if needed. He has no need to socialize!
(Sure, buddy.) ]
If you wish it of me, I will visit you when you are alone.
[ Their new 'imprint' thing is addictive to his pain, so he wants to limit that - but he also wants to see Aether. ]
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That's great. [He smiles when Xiao agrees to visit.] I'll make sure to have some almond tofu for you when you do.
[He wants to be well prepared.]
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[ He replies 'grumpily', but there's a hint of a smile for a heartbeat or two. He doesn't exactly visit people other than Zhongli, so underneath all the worry he's a bit curious to see Aether's place... without Vanitas.
Then Xiao steps back a bit, taking his hands from Aether's. The dulled pain returns in full force and he takes a deep breath to steady himself. ]
I will let you know.
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I'll be waiting.
[He says simply.]
Just remember that you're always welcome.
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Right now, though, he gives Aether a soft look. ]
I will remember.