///"Abnormal"///Xiao X Aether///

°~/| 5 |\~°

"They confuse me sometimes.."
--

Xiao jumped when he felt a familiar scent. It was a long time he hadn't seen them. He teleported to the balcony below seeing only one man. He walked up to him and sighed.

"Hello Zhongli."

The man turned around a smile on his face.

"Oh- no longer Rex Lapis now?"

"He's dead to me. You're Zhongli. Past no longer matters."

"Well i suppose that colud be the truth.."

Zhongli sighed and walked over to a table sitting down and gesturing for Xiao to join him. He obliged and sat down on the opposite side.

It was tea that Zhongli earlier brewed.

Xiao picked up the cup and took a sip relaxing from the pleasant aroma that came from it.

Zhongli placed his cup down and examined Xiao's face. His eyes stopped when he noticed something.

"Xiao."

"Yes Zhongli?"

"What's with the withered flower in your hair?"

"It's withered?!"

He quickly took it out and a worried look appeared on his face. He shoved the tea to the side before groaning and face planting onto the table.

"Is there a reason you didn't want it to wither."

Xiao lifted his head just a bit and his eyes met Zhongli's amber ones.

"Yeah.. i was given it by someone..."

"Who?"

Xiao thought for a moment before sighing.

"The traveler gave it to me not long ago. I wanted to make sure he knew i appreciated his gesture to i kept it in my hair.."

"There's no reason to sulk Xiao im sure if you explain to him he'll give you a new one."

"But that's... I- what if he'll laugh at me saying im being silly or something... I just."

"I get it. I'll figure something out alright.. can i take the flower?"

"Sure whatever it's useless now anyway..."

He huffed and disappeared into smoke.

-
It was the next day and Zhongli had just spotted the traveler talking to a local probably about another errand he had to run for something useless.

He walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder making them both stop and the traveler to look up at him.

"May i steal him? I have a matter to talk out with him.."

The man rolled his eyes but nodded.

They both walked away and when they were out of sight he let go of his shoulders.

"Hi Zhongli. Any particular reason for doing that?"

"Yes there is. Wolud you happen to know what kind on flower this is?"

He said taking the flower out of his pocket and showing it to Aether.

"Ah yes it's a Windwheel Aster. Why is it withered?"

"It's the flower you gave Xiao. I talked with him yesterday and when i pointed out the withered flower he got all upset and is now sulking. I find it quite hilarious normally he doesn't make such a big deal out of flowers."

"Oh he kept it?"

"Yes. Seems it meant a lot to him. He said that he wore it to show his appreciation towards the gift."