[ To be fair, Xiao has also been busy at the clinic. It wasn't until the repeated shut-offs started to affect his movements that he had to take a break before he became useless again.
He usually spends the nights watching over the city like some kind of vigilante, trying to deal with his need to keep up his duty even in this palce. Aether is lucky that he's 'home' tonight... who knows if his promise to come when called works without his yaksha powers.
Xiao jumps down from above, landing gracefully on the windowsill right in front of Aether. ]
[Aether isn't sure if Xiao would actually always be there when he calls him, but he smiles softly when he sees his friend right in front of him. The traveler steps aside to let the other in.]
I did. [He sounds both amused and... very tired.] Come in.
[He's silent for a moment.]
I just wanted to see you. How have you been?
[Maybe he is trying to not talk about Vanitas, after all.]
[ Xiao isn't a fool. He knows something is wrong, and it's not hard to figure out that it probably has something to do with what he did to Vanitas. Still, he enters Aether's home without hesitation. ]
I have been... well. I was trying to warn people about the new experiments Patho-Gen was offering, and they weren't too fond of that. We had some issues, but it's done.
[ He looks at the blond, and there's something indecipherable in those yellow eyes. Shame, maybe? He's not ashamed of what he did, though. Regret? No, he doesn't regret it. Maybe it's an apology. He still hurt someone dear to Aether. ]
[Aether immediately catches Xiao's hand, worry all over his face.]
Did they hurt you?
[He's just so tired of his friends and loved ones getting hurt... And he can see the look in the other's eyes. It's about Vanitas, he knows. It looks like he can't avoid that topic and it's difficult for him to decide what he wants to say.]
[ It feels so strange, to not even be able to fight it. His consciousness just instantly ends until he wakes again. It doesn't exactly hurt, but it definitely affects his body. ]
[Though, being shut off so many times must have been frustrating, even if it wasn't painful. He was left there all alone, too. Aether wishes he could've been there, helping Xiao.
...Then he hears about Vanitas.]
Back then... right? [His words are said slowly, then he closes his eyes.] He broke his promise to me.
...he offered you up like you meant nothing to him. Once again, he treated your body and will like his own.
[ Xiao is calm as he says it, but he lowers his gaze slightly. He knows he shouldn't have hurt Vanitas as badly as he did. He should be better than this, but to even imagine Aether being passed around like some toy... he can't take it.
Using someone, taking their will, their body... some old scars do not heal well, despite the millennia that has passed. ]
[ He doesn't, Xiao wants to say. He uses you for his own gain, making you part of his antagonizing. He doesn't want to think about what else Vanitas might use him for. What if someone accepted?
Yet the yaksha keeps his mouth shut. It isn't what Aether needs right now, and he hopes their imprint doesn't make him feel the strange pain in his chest. ]
I'm sorry, Aether. I can't protect your heart, no matter how much I wish I could.
[Aether's heart may be still and silent in his chest but it aches, so it's difficult for him to recognise if the feeling belongs to him or to Xiao. He doesn't look at his friend, unsure if he should argue or agree, if he should tell him that Vanitas offered Aether to find someone else.]
I know. I'm just... lost.
[He breathes in and out, like it could help him gather his thoughts.]
He told me I should leave him, but I refused. I care about him too much to let go.
[ Xiao isn't sure what to do. This isn't something he deals with, doesn't know how to deal with it, and love is...
Love, platonic or romantic, always seems so painful to him. It's only been attached to loss. He loved his other yaksha, and they all died. His Lord loved Guizhong (maybe he was even in love with her, it wasn't his place to ask), and she died. If it wasn't war or madness, it was time.
...or it was disloyalty. Like with Vanitas.
Slowly, and a bit awkwardly, the yaksha opens his arms for Aether. Maybe that would help? ]
[Aether watches him for a moment, blinking at the open arms welcoming him.
It may be awkward, it may be unexpected, but this is exactly what Aether needs right now. Without a second thought, he throws himself into the yaksha's embrace and hugs him back tightly, thankful for his company.]
...Thank you, Xiao.
[His voice is soft as he smiles lightly against the other's shoulder.]
[ Xiao does his best to gently hold Aether, still terribly awkward at this but happy to provide something that isn't steeped in violence. It's... been a lot, lately, and he's a lot more comfortable killing monsters than aiming his spear at people.
He's not sure what to say to that 'thank you', so he ignores it and just stays where he is until the blond is the one to pull away. ]
[Aether appreciates the quiet moment, taking comfort in the other's presence, sinking into his embrace as much as he can. It takes a long time for him to finally pull away. A smile shyly shines on his face when he does.]
Xiao, do you... think you could stay here for tonight? [His eyes are pleading.] I don't want to be here alone. There's... too much going on my mind. [But with Xiao, it may be easier to fight all those unwanted thoughts.]
[ He likes that smile. It's a lot better than the tired desperation.
The request is a bit surprising, but not something Xiao will deny. It's simple, after all, and he has no reason to refuse. ]
If you wish. I will watch over you.
[ He assumes from the other side of the room or something, nothing else. He's very much buried the idea of 'napping together', as mentioned at Dan Feng's. ]
[ It's been a lot harder to tell himself that here, with his adeptus powers gone... but the tree soul helps. Still, he is rather tired after being shut off a bunch of times again. ]
...but if that is something that would aid you, then I will.
[ That smile makes him want to topple mountains and fight Patho-Gen one-handed just to see it again. Xiao blinks, briefly looking down at their joined hands before Aether's next words stun him a bit. ]
...eat nightmares?
[ That sure was not something he would have imagined. His heart drops somewhere into his guts, and tries to push away any memories that want to raise their ugly heads. He's not that bloodhound any more. He's Xiao. ]
[If things manage to calm down in Aether's life, then maybe he can give more of those smiles to Xiao. For now, the traveler's expression falls slightly, knowing all too well that this topic brings back bad memories to his friend.]
Yeah.
[His voice is quieter, but he doesn't let go of Xiao's hands, squeezing them to ground the other in the present.]
Don't worry. At least I can help others have better dreams... but I do see some parts of their nightmares.
[ Yeah, he's not expecting a lot of those smiles in this place, so he'll treasure it. Instead he returns the gentle squeeze, even if he can't quite meet Aether's eyes again. Eating nightmares, seeing parts of them... it's still better than eating dreams and leaving people in despair. ]
I see. I'm glad you have a choice.
[ Part of him misses the taste, though. The texture of a dream. Almond tofu is as close as he can get to it, but not quite. When you're starving and you have to choose between eating snow or dreams, it leaves a strange fondness for what kept you alive, no matter how depraved it was. ]
[Silence falls between the two of them, before Xiao speaks again, reminding Aether of rest. The traveler nods with a small smile. He hasn't been sleeping all that well in the past days.]
Right... Let's go.
[Carefully, he leads Xiao by the hand to the bedroom. It's a small room with a big soft bed taking up majority of the space in it. A small dresser can be found in the corner. There's also a mirror on the wall, tall and wide, making the bedroom seem more specious than it actually is.
Aether finally releases Xiao's hand as he prepares to go to sleep, taking off any pieces of his clothing that would be in the way, before dropping onto the bed and gesturing for his companion to join him.]
[ Xiao follows along, giving the room a look. It seems safe enough, so he follows Aether's example and takes off any sharp or bulky items, such as his shoulder guard and censer.
He hesitates for a moment with his gloves, but then slips those off as well. They used to be 'stained' his elemental color like his fellow yakshas were, but now they look a lot more like burnt wood rather than flesh.
Glancing at Aether, sits down on the side of the bed. It seemed like a good place to watch the other man sleep. ]
[Aether furrows his brows slightly as he sees Xiao just sit there, not moving to lie down with him. A hand reaches to the yaksha, touching the lower part of his back, fingers trailing there.]
Rest with me... Look how much space is here.
[He got this bed because he wanted a comfy place for more than one person to sleep in. So many people have sleepovers with him.]
[ He does his best to not flinch at the touch. It's just Aether, after all. He can relax here, even if that is still a really strange thought. Sharing a bed, though... it seemed improper.
Xiao rubs the back of his neck somewhat awkwardly, a stray ginkgo leaf falling from his hair as he does. ]
I will. I just... I haven't shared a bed in two millennia.
[ The other yaksha very commonly all slept together in tents and bedrolls, usually using Bosacious as a mattress and flocking around Indarias during cold nights. Even back then, it took a lot of cajoling to have Xiao join them, but he did eventually give in most of the time. ]
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He usually spends the nights watching over the city like some kind of vigilante, trying to deal with his need to keep up his duty even in this palce. Aether is lucky that he's 'home' tonight... who knows if his promise to come when called works without his yaksha powers.
Xiao jumps down from above, landing gracefully on the windowsill right in front of Aether. ]
You called?
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I did. [He sounds both amused and... very tired.] Come in.
[He's silent for a moment.]
I just wanted to see you. How have you been?
[Maybe he is trying to not talk about Vanitas, after all.]
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I have been... well. I was trying to warn people about the new experiments Patho-Gen was offering, and they weren't too fond of that. We had some issues, but it's done.
[ He looks at the blond, and there's something indecipherable in those yellow eyes. Shame, maybe? He's not ashamed of what he did, though. Regret? No, he doesn't regret it. Maybe it's an apology. He still hurt someone dear to Aether. ]
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Did they hurt you?
[He's just so tired of his friends and loved ones getting hurt... And he can see the look in the other's eyes. It's about Vanitas, he knows. It looks like he can't avoid that topic and it's difficult for him to decide what he wants to say.]
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[ It feels so strange, to not even be able to fight it. His consciousness just instantly ends until he wakes again. It doesn't exactly hurt, but it definitely affects his body. ]
Vanitas helped me, once.
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I'm glad you're safe.
[Though, being shut off so many times must have been frustrating, even if it wasn't painful. He was left there all alone, too. Aether wishes he could've been there, helping Xiao.
...Then he hears about Vanitas.]
Back then... right? [His words are said slowly, then he closes his eyes.] He broke his promise to me.
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[ Xiao is calm as he says it, but he lowers his gaze slightly. He knows he shouldn't have hurt Vanitas as badly as he did. He should be better than this, but to even imagine Aether being passed around like some toy... he can't take it.
Using someone, taking their will, their body... some old scars do not heal well, despite the millennia that has passed. ]
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He told me... he didn't deserve me. [Those words are spoken softly.] That all he can offer me was pain.
[And then Vincent said the same. All those memories come back to him at once. He tried to forget, pretend that he can fix everything.
And now he feels lonely and exhausted.]
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Yet the yaksha keeps his mouth shut. It isn't what Aether needs right now, and he hopes their imprint doesn't make him feel the strange pain in his chest. ]
I'm sorry, Aether. I can't protect your heart, no matter how much I wish I could.
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I know. I'm just... lost.
[He breathes in and out, like it could help him gather his thoughts.]
He told me I should leave him, but I refused. I care about him too much to let go.
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Love, platonic or romantic, always seems so painful to him. It's only been attached to loss. He loved his other yaksha, and they all died. His Lord loved Guizhong (maybe he was even in love with her, it wasn't his place to ask), and she died. If it wasn't war or madness, it was time.
...or it was disloyalty. Like with Vanitas.
Slowly, and a bit awkwardly, the yaksha opens his arms for Aether. Maybe that would help? ]
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It may be awkward, it may be unexpected, but this is exactly what Aether needs right now. Without a second thought, he throws himself into the yaksha's embrace and hugs him back tightly, thankful for his company.]
...Thank you, Xiao.
[His voice is soft as he smiles lightly against the other's shoulder.]
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He's not sure what to say to that 'thank you', so he ignores it and just stays where he is until the blond is the one to pull away. ]
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Xiao, do you... think you could stay here for tonight? [His eyes are pleading.] I don't want to be here alone. There's... too much going on my mind. [But with Xiao, it may be easier to fight all those unwanted thoughts.]
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The request is a bit surprising, but not something Xiao will deny. It's simple, after all, and he has no reason to refuse. ]
If you wish. I will watch over you.
[ He assumes from the other side of the room or something, nothing else. He's very much buried the idea of 'napping together', as mentioned at Dan Feng's. ]
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I want you to nap with me.
[He did not give up on that idea!]
You could use some rest, too.
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[ It's been a lot harder to tell himself that here, with his adeptus powers gone... but the tree soul helps. Still, he is rather tired after being shut off a bunch of times again. ]
...but if that is something that would aid you, then I will.
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Thank you! It will, definitely!
[He's so happy he grabs both of Xiao's hands.
...Then he realizes something.]
Ah, I forgot to tell you something. It looks like to sustain myself I need to... eat nightmares.
[Interesting how things turn out.]
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...eat nightmares?
[ That sure was not something he would have imagined. His heart drops somewhere into his guts, and tries to push away any memories that want to raise their ugly heads. He's not that bloodhound any more. He's Xiao. ]
I'm sorry. Nightmares are so bitter.
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Yeah.
[His voice is quieter, but he doesn't let go of Xiao's hands, squeezing them to ground the other in the present.]
Don't worry. At least I can help others have better dreams... but I do see some parts of their nightmares.
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I see. I'm glad you have a choice.
[ Part of him misses the taste, though. The texture of a dream. Almond tofu is as close as he can get to it, but not quite. When you're starving and you have to choose between eating snow or dreams, it leaves a strange fondness for what kept you alive, no matter how depraved it was. ]
You should rest, Aether. You look tired.
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Right... Let's go.
[Carefully, he leads Xiao by the hand to the bedroom. It's a small room with a big soft bed taking up majority of the space in it. A small dresser can be found in the corner. There's also a mirror on the wall, tall and wide, making the bedroom seem more specious than it actually is.
Aether finally releases Xiao's hand as he prepares to go to sleep, taking off any pieces of his clothing that would be in the way, before dropping onto the bed and gesturing for his companion to join him.]
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He hesitates for a moment with his gloves, but then slips those off as well. They used to be 'stained' his elemental color like his fellow yakshas were, but now they look a lot more like burnt wood rather than flesh.
Glancing at Aether, sits down on the side of the bed. It seemed like a good place to watch the other man sleep. ]
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Rest with me... Look how much space is here.
[He got this bed because he wanted a comfy place for more than one person to sleep in. So many people have sleepovers with him.]
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Xiao rubs the back of his neck somewhat awkwardly, a stray ginkgo leaf falling from his hair as he does. ]
I will. I just... I haven't shared a bed in two millennia.
[ The other yaksha very commonly all slept together in tents and bedrolls, usually using Bosacious as a mattress and flocking around Indarias during cold nights. Even back then, it took a lot of cajoling to have Xiao join them, but he did eventually give in most of the time. ]
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