My beloved Yaksha

The Wangshu Inn was noisy and busy as usual with the constant flow of visitors from all corners of Teyvat. Verr Goldet and her husband were literally overwhelmed with work, so when Aether would occasionally visit during his wanderings to take a little break before reaching Liyue Harbor, the innkeepers were ready to cry Mora tears of happiness. Quite literally. The Wanshu Inn was noisy and busy as usual with the constant flow of visitors from all corners of Teyvat. Verr Goldet and her husband were literally overwhelmed with work, so when Aether would occasionally visit during his wanderings to take a little break before reaching Liyue Harbor, the innkeepers were ready to cry Mora tears of happiness. Quite literally. Hilichurls are so eager to scare away wanderers who decide to stop in such an unusual place, and to bear eternal losses due to monsters and tolerate their “neighbourhood” is simply not enough patience. Thankfully, Traveler always returned kindness to those who unselfishly helped him, and in the presence of the golden-haired hero, enemies were afraid to come close to the blocked wooden bridge, because Aether mercilessly cleansed the camps and threw the metachurls on the ground lifeless. Anemo's element swept up the hapless foes in a whirlwind and then swept enemies away, giving them no chance of survival. Like in a fairy tale, when the world needed a hero more than anything else in the world, a young man stepped on the threshold and problems instantly evaporated like water in the desert heat. Aether was allowed to live in any room he wanted for a quite reasonable amount of Mora and had free use of the kitchen, which made him smile at the thought of making Almond Tofu for his friend. No one but these three individuals knew that the last survivor of Yakshas, Xiao, resided here. Hiding from prying eyes, he honestly fulfilled the terms of the thousand-year contract and never once let Geo Archon down. Legends say that long ago, Morax created five powerful Yakshas, whose purpose was to exterminate evil spirits. However, as one might expect, karma was stronger than the guardians, and rage, anger and jealousy turned some into possessed, others turned their weapons on their brothers and sisters. Some met a fate far worse than death itself... These were dark, bloody chapters in Liyue's long history, one that most try to forget like a bad dream. Alatus was left alone and the imprint of the past in the form of karmic debt echoed painfully within him, squeezing his body in horrible agony from the use of his powers. Memories of fallen family tormented him every night, his mind forgot about peace, so the adeptus looked as if he had to constantly fend off an endless stream of ill-wishers. There was no break in the day. No wonder why the guardian looked grim. After all, how can you be happy if you're not fulfilling people's wishes or being a harbinger of good news? A good adeptus never complains, proudly fulfilling his destined role in the mortal world.... In his role as Ganyu's mentor, Xiao acted as a strict but wonderful guide. Many times, she admitted that Conqueror of Demons had helped her to control Cryo power and better understand its nature. He had also taught her how to hold a bow properly, aim and shoot without missing. They weren't close, however, but that didn't stop the two from showing respect for each other. Xiao had chosen the path of solitude, spending most of his time hunting or wandering, trying to blend in with nature as much as possible and remain unnoticed. A purple purple diamond marking on his forehead indicated a sacred origin - Treasure Hoarders obviously avoided him, for the guardian was rumored to be able to break more than just bones. The Fatui, too, as soon as they saw the silhouette of a lone figure with a spear and in a brightly coloured robe, hastily turned around, choosing a victim much weaker than the famous protector of Liyue. Only the annoying Abyss Mages sneakily attacked from behind, shouting unclear words and channeling elemental elements together. At such times, Yaksha preferred to use the same foul tricks, and without warning, he moved quickly, causing the shields to crack like the thinnest glass, and shattered them with all his fury, thus throwing the enemies in opposite directions. The green tattoo of the upturned bird shimmered in the sunset light, and a Vision sparked from the overabundance of energy. Before the opponents could regain consciousness, Xiao stabbed the soft bodies with the summoned spears, and deafening screams were replaced by dead silence. In the last moments, his foes realized a foolish mistake and died, dissolving into white sparks of fading life. He does not spare his enemies. Once they are in his way, there will be no mercy for them.

***

The sound of the flute at dawn made the Conqueror of Demons come to the river every day, enchanted by the pleasant sounds of the bard's song and forgetting for a moment the bad things that happened. Afraid of scaring the stranger away, Xiao hid in the dense thickets of bamboo. This person who sometimes came here occasionally to perform music on the flute was probably the one who saved adeptus when karma had almost completely consumed his soul. In the midst of the impenetrable darkness, he managed to get out by navigating the sudden rays of sunlight. If only the two of them, along with the Traveler, could only dance amongst a sea of colorful flowers... A wish that no one would ever fulfill for him. It was frustrating to the core. Xiao, after all, protects the people of Liyue better than other adepti, and in return, he only receives the stigma of a demon. Can't anyone see how much the guy is suffering? After Zhongli's fake death, he closed himself off altogether, trying to put a double burden on his shoulders, causing the Hero of Teyvat to feel an unpleasant burning sensation in his chest area. This is unfair, vile, despicable, mean. Yes, Xiao didn't care. It wasn't right to expose emotions, so as to avoid being taken advantage of and ridiculed. But... Alatus is interested in people, but he deliberately distances himself from those he knows so as not to be harmed by the curse of karma. Why is every world he arrives in filled with pain and sadness? Why does humanity not learn from its mistakes, but loves to stigmatize brethren, ignoring their efforts? He's been traveling for decades, and the answer to this tricky question has never been found. Traveler wants to talk about his feelings, but every time there is an urgent situation or a clue to find Lumine, it's as if fate is mocking him, not letting him speak. Tonight, however, would be different... No, Aether would make an effort to cheer up Yaksha and show how important he was, if not to the Land of Contrasts, then to him - Traveler.

***

A scattering of stars appeared among the fluffy clouds of the night, revealing a bright moon that silently illuminated Morax's domain and then periodically disappeared behind the mist, as if a beautiful lady hiding her face in shame at the sight of her lover's figure. Selena finally sighed heavily and pulled back her silver shawl to reveal her splendor. The lift slowly took visitors up and down the floors, and Chinese lanterns lit up one by one outside the outdoor café. From the kitchen came the sound of pots and pans. Paimon was long asleep; the faint snoring of the little pixie echoed through the small room, probably waking all the neighbors. The little one had eaten a big meal the day before, and now, content to rest after her exhausting travels, she had been asleep in her room all day long. Gently stroking his faithful companion's head, Traveller quietly closed the book and stood up, feeling his legs go numb. Loudly cursing that insomnia had attacked him again, Aether went out to the balcony to get some fresh air. Several months passed, and the search was still unsuccessful. The trip to Inazuma only added questions to what Lumine had said, "To witness the true nature of this world." He seemed to have realized it long ago, and she was laughing at her brother's attempts to return back to the homeworld. ...It was as if she was more interested in watching the fall of the Archons than seeing the twin. Invisible needles dug into her heart when she asked about Dain. Why did she care about something that didn't matter? If she told him everything, he wouldn't condemn such a cruel act and would surely find a way to persuade her to come with him. But for some reason, Lumine longed to end the war with fate. It was as if his beloved sister had become a villain, and the realization of a possible impending battle with his own bloodline was killing him from the inside out. Chasing away the thoughts of his younger sister being an Abyss princess that was forever slipping out of his sight, the young man noisily inhaled oxygen and focused on the present. “Xiao.” Aether called adeptus' name softly with his eyes closed, feeling the breeze tickle his face pleasantly, and his long wheaten braid fluttered in a light gust of wind. The white feathers almost flew off the barrette and untied his long hair, though the hero didn't mind at the moment. What could one hide from someone for whom one harbored certain, confused feelings? At first he had thought Alatus was his loyal mate, but his subconscious told him otherwise. It wasn't just adoration, but rather sympathy, slowly developing into love. ‘You come into my room every night, after all, all I have to do is think of you...’ The imagination in Traveler's head seemed to slowly shift from reverie to reality, for just a few seconds later he felt the Guardian Yaksha quietly appear behind him. Like a street cat, he moved cautiously and silently closer to Aether until his breath scorched his right ear. The earring reacted to the source of Anemo's powers and glowed a blue lustre in the darkness, much like the inserts on the Traveller's clothing. Nestling gently into the thin pale neck, Yaksha bowed his head heavily and the dark strands tickled his skin pleasantly, creating a contrast. Traveler knew that Xiao only allowed this sort of thing to happen only to him because of unconditional trust, letting the chains of control be removed and inner weaknesses be shown. Now, through touch, he sensed how exhausted the adeptus had been during the day: the other's body, hardened by training, felt tired, chewed up. Someone needs an emotional break. They'd put this conversation on hold for too long, but it was time to resolve it here, without reticence, subterfuge, or trickery. “You called me? Is something wrong? - putting his battle spear aside, Xiao frowned. Is Aether trying to persuade him to go out together to the city again...?” “I did.” The blond replied confidently, turning to face his companion. The golden eyes, like the sunset of a bright light, lit up with a spark of azure fire. “I just wanted to see you. It's rare to even find you here lately. I'm afraid you've been avoiding me.” Of course he did. The young lad's dreams were so appealing and delicious that Xiao could hardly bring himself not to lunge towards the sleeping Aether and have a good feed until feeling satiated. “What a stupid thing to say! There's no reason for me to avoid meeting you, unless you're really keen on having another sparring session. Hmm? Are you still wearing the charm I gave you for your birthday?” “Yes, and it's not the only one.” Out of the corner of his eye, the Adept noticed the bracelet made of pieces of crystal Geo butterfly cores, and a warm thought flashed through his mind: Aether really appreciates everything Xiao does for him. Tasting the Almond Tofu prepared by the Traveler, he felt the “flavour of love” described in the cookery books he had once borrowed from Verr Goldet. Only next to him was there a confidence in the goodness of a rotten world. “Still, I'm curious as to why you called me here. I hope it's not another stupid question, or I'll be very disappointed in you.” “The truth is. I've loved you for a long time, Xiao. I want to strengthen our bond.” Xiao's face twisted sharply, and the blond noticed how the arms around him trembled. The darkness concealed the sudden influx of the guardian's emotions, but did not contain the cocktail of panic and rage. That's what he feared. This mortal doesn't understand the line between himself and the others, always clinging to Alatus as a guide star, even though he's a demon. Willing to be around even though he knows how complicated Yaksha's character is. Immortality was sometimes a painful reminder of how short human existence is. Before Traveler could blink, Xiao had definitely turned him around and nearly caused a heart attack with his amber eyes burning with excitement. Aether looked around at his friend with incomprehension at first, turning back to see what had brought out the eternally calm demon hunter so much, until the realization of the reason rang a bright bell in his head. “Love!? Even if your god is cursed and those around you think he's a monster? Aether!” Xiao's voice visibly trembled as the dark gloved hands clasped the youthful face that looked so deceptively innocent in a rush of emotion. “Please don't make a mistake! You are too young, pure, free, you will still manage to escape the curse.” Sighing, the Traveler let the adeptus squeeze his right palm hard across the golden insets on his chest, letting the pleasant to the touch fabric of the snow-white cloak. Xiao's head bowed down heavily, and he noticed a drop of evening dew that quickly rolled down his marble cheek, falling onto the dry wood. It was as if the weather had reacted to the cursed Yaksha's sadness, causing a stiff, cold wind to blow, forcing the pair to snuggle closer together. Black gloves stroked the cheekbones of his cheeks with obvious care, and looking up, Conqueror of Demons saw his darling pulling him anxiously towards him, closer to his warm body. Aether has no intention of cutting the red thread of fate, he longs to tie the other end to his lover's hand. Will even ask Geo Archon for blessing. “Xiao, listen to me.” the adventurer's eyes gleamed seriously in the light of the month, reflecting the cat-like pupils of his companion. Carefully removing the palms so dear to his heart from his countenance, Aether slowly guided them to his chest, where the melody of his heart echoed harmoniously. “We both know that you and I are not what we appear to be to ordinary people when we first meet. We may be youthful in body, but our minds have absorbed years of wisdom. Ever since we first met, I have admired you for being willing to give your life for Liyue's prosperity. Even after the death of the God of Wealth, you are still true to your duty! Can you hear the beating? I'm in love with you, Xiao. You're important to me, so every day I worry about your condition. For your sake, I'll make a new statue that will make the whole cast of seven jealous! Oh, great Yaksha, please accept my humble gift.” After rummaging around in the bag for a while, the blond pulled out two paired pink lotuses and carefully braided one into his medium-length hair, chuckling contentedly. Such a cutie! “Ta-da! I thought the god needed a suitable offering. I feed you all the time, and I think this gift will be very special-” He was stopped from speaking in time. Xiao suddenly leaned closer, observing Traveler's reaction. There was no resistance, so adeptus became visibly daring. Their lips met passionately and Yaksha abruptly wrapped his arms around the delicate partner's waist, pulling closer to his side. Crushing his sweet pink lips together, he growled contentedly as the Traveler deepened the kiss. All apprehension faded away in an instant, and a pleasant veil covered his eyes. Embracing Xiao by his shoulders, Aether could feel their hearts pounding frantically. Such an important step in the development of their relationship had not been taken in vain. It was necessary to pull away to catch their breath, and then continue the night's play again. Neck, then the curves of the collarbone... Adeptus greedily left marks on the lover's body, so that no one would dare to lay a hand on his jewel. His partner buried his slender fingers in his dark hair, gently moving and massaging, making Xiao ready to melt like ice cream in forty-degree heat. In the eyes of the Illuminated Beast, Aether was no mere mortal, but an equal in status and power. A pitiful human cannot fight dragons and sea monsters without a Vision. Perhaps the adventurer was even a god in another dimension, for his soul had an ultra rare soul. The purest snow on Dragonspine was no match for the purest snow as long as there was a Traveler. Butterflies fluttered somewhere below, and Yaksha's hands began to explore the sensitive areas beneath their clothes, blowing the roof off both of them. The excitement was building, and the Traveler himself was adding oil to the fire, clinging to the white shirt with his fingernails, clearly wanting more and biting his knuckles. Sinfully, Xiao wanted him in body and soul, too. As soon as the Conqueror of Demons threw the blonde's legs over his shoulders and ran his tongue near his navel, a satisfied moan came from Aether's throat. Turning the Traveler around and placing his back against the wall, the warrior untied the stupid scarf and almost removed his black tunic. Suddenly, footsteps were heard nearby, and then a thin branch made an unpleasant crunching sound. A startled squeak, turning round and a layer of dust rose from white boots. Oh shit! Adeptus was the first to hear the crack, so he stopped abruptly, and to the great annoyance of the other one kissed his nose affectionately. His inner vision showed the elemental footprints of a woman's shoes below, followed by the figure of a previously unfamiliar female. It was definitely not Qixin or Ganyu, for the energy was surprisingly similar in nature to- The recent dialogue with the Aether popped up in his mind, and his brain switched to searching for the intruder of their personal space. He shouldn't have seen such a thing without shame - he would clearly pay for such brazen surveillance. If it was the long-lost Traveler sister, he could finally cheer up his upset sunshine, eliciting a wide smile. The family reunion is bound to go smoothly. One question: how will the young man introduce it to his kin? “We'll pick up where we left off next time.” Xiao whispered huskily and sexily at the same time, making Traveler blush as red as a tomato. “But don't complain later that I didn't warn you. I'll visit your Serenitea Pot and no one will interrupt us there.” “Wait! Why are you running away? You think I'm just going to let you go?” But there was no sign of the Conqueror of Demons. For a moment there was only an amused look of embarrassment on his lover's face before he put the mask back on and teleported away. Clever devil, that fox! Got him hot, almost talked him into intimacy, and then just took him down a peg! Stretching upwards, Aether took a long moment to consider how to arrange the interior and exterior of the portable teapot in a way that would be comfortable for cohabitation. Oh, right! How had he not thought of that before? With lightning speed, the Traveler took out of his bag a parchment and an ink pen to put the idea into form. The lines smoothly transformed into shapes, and now on the sheet already appeared a whole plan to build a temple for Xiao. However, the guardian is an adeptus, so he knows better than him how to use the energy of the creation inside the dwelling. Since Ningguang's secretary is so complimentary of Yaksha's ability to educate even the most uneducated, it's time for him to explain and teach him some useful skills. Rolling up the finished piece and shoving it back into his backpack, the blonde-haired lad picked up the second lotus that had fallen and imagined that it was a good thing that fate had brought him together with Xiao. Next to his love, he was no longer an errand boy. Besides, how could he not love the affectionate nickname “sunshine”? It would be foolish to resent the Conqueror of Demons at the moment - he probably had urgent business to attend to. When he returned, he would probably explain the reason for his strange behavior. He'd repay the favor later, when they'd managed to get a day off for the two of them. “I think my Archon just slipped away from me. It's a shame. Well, it's all right,” Aether said, picking at the petals of the sacred flower, leaning back against the wooden balcony and smiling dreamily as he watched the clear river water flow smoothly into the calm waves. “What matters most is that now he has a major follower who will pray to him for eternity.”