Make me yours (Xiao x Aether)

Chapter 14

After a moment of silence, Zhongli finally speaks.

"You made a very bad descision."

I hate to admit but I know all too well what he's talking about, my eyes shift down to the pink tinted tea swirling in my cup, too guilty to make eye contact with the archon.

"I take it you understand what I mean but don't remember the outcome of it."

He keeps talking as i refuse to speak.

"It must have gotten boring. Being unable to move or talk for 2 days, just being able to think."

Hes right. Whatever happened as the cause of my descion, was erased from my memory.

"Why did you do it, after knowing what could happen."

The guilt hits me again, bubbling up in my stomach before i finally speak.

"I did it, because I had to."

"You didn't have to do anything Alatus. Why did you use a portal when you know what happens when an Adepti travels through mist portals."

"How did you kno-"

"My knowledge is hardly limited, I know every detail of what happened and where you travelled to through the portal. I want to know why you decided it was worth the risk.

"I-"

"Was it pure kindness, or was it something deeper."

I look down into my cup yet again before pulling it up to my lips and taking another sip of the hot liquid. The sweet taste helps to clear my mind.

"I couldn't. I couldn't let him go."

Zhongli looks at me, as if wanting me to continue.

"I'm curious of him, thats all."

"I know adeptis emotions are naturally very unstable, but I didn't take you as the type to be... ignorant."

I grip the fragile cup tighter, I never usually let people speak to me this way, but 1- He is the geo archon. And 2- he really does have a point.

"It's because you love him. Isn't it."

Deep down, I know what he's saying is true, but the words still catch me off guard.

My silence is more than enough to let him know that he's right. Not that he needs it, I mean it wasn't even a question, he just wanted me to admit it to myself.

"Rex- I mean, Zhongli... I would still like to know what happened."

The archon sets his own tea down before clearing his throat.

"As a result of you going through a mist portal, not once, but 4 times, it greatly messed you up. As you would know, mist portals teleport you to whoever you want, that being said, they have to know your intentions. Adepti minds are a little more complicated, different from humans or other beings. Because of the way your emotions work, the chemicals that make up mist portals mess with your head a little. Sometimes the chemicals magnify emotions and sometimes they magnify intentions. Now that you know how they work, lets get onto what happened. I believe you got on top of the balcony in your room at Wangshu Inn, and then tried to commit suicide in front of the traveller."

I swallow his words down with another sip of the warm tea.

"You are lucky your Adepti healing powers were able to heal your injuries. You don't even have a scratch now."

I can't believe myself. Doing something like that. And in front of Aether too.

My heart aches as Zhongli continues talking.

"I have a theory, I think that the reason you jumped was because of your desire and intention to keep Aether safe. You're worried your karmic debt will hurt him. Aren't you."

"You know too much." I sigh in defeat and take the last sip of my tea.

"You best get going. That boy ought to be devastated."

Thinking about what I put Aether through is killing me inside, but i set my teacup down and prepare to teleport to the Inn.

"Until we meet again"

"You can drop the formalities, have you forgotten who I am Zhongli?"

"Alright, bye."

I wave to him as the scenery switches from Zhonglis home to the Inn.

I take the lift and walk up the stairs to find a visibly uncomfortable Aether and Verr Goldet talking. Once Verr spots me, Aether does too.

He runs over to me, wrapping his arms around my chest before giving me a gentle kiss on my cheek. We stay like this for a while, enjoying the comfort of each others bodies before Verr speaks.

"I knew you would be okay, it took a while but I finally convinced Aether that you would be fine and return to him."

I give her a grateful nod, while I am enjoying that familiar warmth that I missed, Aether finally separates enough to look me in the eyes.

"I missed you Xiao."

A/n
I'm sorry I haven't updated that much lately, I'm just lazy and I have 2 missing assignments, but I will update eventually y'all! The wait shouldn't be too long so dw.
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