Xiao x Aether Oneshots

I'm Sorry (part 2)

"Thanks Kathryne." I smile, taking my commissions and heading out, finding my first location to be a group of hilichurls camping out near the Dawn Winery.

I clear out the camp with ease, taking a breath before heading towards the building only to find Kaeya storming out of the front doors mumbling something under his breath.

"Hey Kaeya, what's going on?" I ask, falling into step beside him.

"Nothing, just another argument with that annoying brother of mine." He rolls his eye with a sigh before his expression turns soft and he smiles. "What are you doing, Honorary Knight?"

"Please stop calling me that. All I ever did was stop the wind from destroying Mndstadt." I look away, feeling embarrassed.

"Yeah, stop the wind from destroying Mondsadt. You saved our home. We, the people of Mondstadt, owe our lives to you."

"You really don't." I say, looking back down at the commission list.

"Mind if I help?"

I look up in confusion, wondering what about Kaeya was different today. Maybe it was the fight he had with his brother. I;ve noticed that they've been arguing a lot more here recently and it's made me wonder if there is something deeper about their relationship that I don't know about.

"Yeah, if you want. We just need to take out a few hilichurl towers East of Mondstadt and deliver a couple things for a scientist near Windrise." I say.

"Alright then, let's go." He smiles, leading the way towards the next commission on the list.

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We head back to Mondstadt and see Kathryne about my payments and then I walk with Kaeya back to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters to hang out for a while. I was originally planning on heading straight to Wangshuu Inn right after but decided against it since Xiao was most likely working still. I will give him a few hours to finish up and relax a bit before I drop in.

That got me thinking about us a little more. I've noticed he's been hanging out with me less and, when we do, he doesn't talk like he normally would even if it's just a little bit. He's been a little more distant than usual but that shouldn't surprise me. He's always been that way.

I sigh as we walk up the countless number of steps to the knight's building.

"You alright there traveler?" Kaeya asked, snapping me out of my daze.

"Yeah, just thinking." I nod.

"About?" He drawls out, to which I just shake my head.

"Nothing important."

We spend the next few minutes in silence, soon coming up to the doors of the building and walk inside.

I unconsciously follow Kaeya into Jean's office where she and Lisa were talking about something quietly in the corner. I thought I heard one of them say the name Razor, but I could be wrong so I brush it off as Kaeya gets their attention.

"Any news Captain?" Lisa asks, shooting me a look that never fails to make me uncomfortable although she means nothing by it.

"Nothing new, just wanted to let you know that I have completed your task and a few more Abyss mages are appearing near the Dawn Winery and in the Wolvendom Forest." He states calmly.

Jean sighs. "Why are those mages making such an appearance now?"

"I could check it out when I get back from Liyue." I jump in, giving Jean a reassuring look.

"Oh no, I wouldn't want to burden you." She shakes her head.

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing I can't handle. Besides, it's not too far out of the way. It'll be an easy stop." I reassure her to which she sighs and nods with a small smile.