Xiao x Aether Oneshots ❤️

Karmic Dept 2

MUCH ANGST
TW:
Vomit
Sensory issues
Blood
Etc...

Song: In my head by bedroom

~~~~~~ Aethers POV ~~~~~~

A couple of days have passed since that night with Xiao. His wound wasn't that deep so he was up and back out again after a few hours maybe? I don't know. I just know he hasn't been acting himself since then. He's been distant and quiet.

It worries me but I think his karmic dept is getting bad again. It's gotten bad in the past but not this bad. I've never seen him leak karmic dept out of him like that. It filled the room like that and hovered around him like a fucking parasite. I wish my love didn't have to deal with that. He deserves so much better and if I could, I would get rid of it in a heartbeat.

The whole time I was doing my commissions today, I couldn't stop thinking about Xiao and his condition. It's possible that it might get to the point where he can't control it. Last night I heard him talking to himself in the bathroom. It seemed like he was hallucinating. When I walked in, his hallucinations seemed to have stopped.

"Hey Aether? You with me?" A voice beside me suddenly spoke. I looked over and saw Nigguang looking at me with worry. That's right. I'm here to help her out with some new designs. She wants to expand the harbor to make room for the new generations that are to come in the future.

I smile and nod at her, "Yea.. sorry. I'm fine." I could tell she knew there was something up by the look she was giving me. "You know you can talk to me right?" Her voice was so soothing and soft it made me wanna spill my guts out to her right then and there.

Now that I think about it, she should know about Xiaos situation right? I mean if something were to happen, she has to know because she has to deal with it too. A sigh escaped my mouth, "It's about Xiao.. I'm worried about him. I think his karmic dept is getting worse." I say and her eyes widened a little.

She looked away for a moment before looking back at me, "Have you talked to Zhongli about this?" She asked. I totally forgot about him. "If anyone knows what to do about that adepti, it'll be him. Madam ping could help too." She smiled as she pulled out another design she had.

"You're not going anywhere though until you help me with theses designs like you promiesd." She says and I just laugh at her. It took a couple of hours before I was finally able to get out of there.

I headed straight over to where Zhongli might be. I knocked on the door and a familiar face opened the door with a smile, "Hello there Aether~! Has there been any tragic deathly incidents you have come to tell me about?" Hu tao taunts as she opens the door for me to come in. I roll my eyes at her, "No hu tao. I was actually looking for Zhongli, is he here?"

"Nope! He just left. You can catch him over by the storyteller. He likes to go over there in the evenings and drink some tea." She smiles.

"Why didn't you join him?" I asked and she just laughs, "I don't have time to listen to stories! Plus, Chongyun and Xingqui will be here later and we're going to find some evil spirits. Hopefully we find a perfectly good body ready to be put in a coffin too!!" She exclaims excitedly before skipping away.

I let myself out and go to where she told me to. Zhongli was sitting at one of the tables with some tea in front of him. He seemed really focused on what rhe story teller was saying. Once he notices me, he waves and motions for me to sit.

"Hello Traveler. It's nice to see you here. I'm assuming you got some time?" He asks in a calm tone and offered me some of the tea in his teapot. I gladly take the cup and take a sip. I immediately spit it out and start coughing, "What is that!? It's so bitter..."