Make me yours (Xiao x Aether)

"You did it. I'm so proud of you"

Tears roll down Aether's cheeks upon hearing that. Maybe having someone to be proud of him, was all Aether needed to finally be happy without his sister. Without the power.

For once, Aether allows himself to snuggle into Xiao, and cry.

"I love you, Xiao."

"I love you too, Aether."

After a precious moment, the mood in the room drops, Xiao draws Aether's attention.

"I hate to do this now of all times, but I have some bad news."

Aether's heart sinks to his chest, a drowning feeling about to swallow him up whole.

"Xiao, my heart has only just mended, please don't let it break again."

Xiao takes a shaky breath, for the first time ever, showing Aether his most vulnerable side.

"I don't have a choice Aether. I must go"

"Where"

If Xiao will leave Aether, the most he can do is tell him where hes going and how long for.

"To celestia."

"WHAT, WHY?"

xiao closes his eyes, anger and agony present in his features.

"I seem to have upset the gods. A relationship between an Adepti beast and any other being that is not of Adepti blood, is forbidden, and always has been. Since the beginning of time."

With fear struck into Aether's heart, all he can do is stare at Xiao, eyes begging him not to walk into what could possibly be his death.

Noticing the fear in Aether's eyes, Xiao tangles their hands together, pressing his head against his forehead as they lay on the silk sheets of their bed.

"No matter what happens, I promise I will return to you. Where we can finally be together, in peace."

Ah yes, another promise made, while knowing it cannot be kept.

Sensing the rising anger in the blonde before him, Xiao takes that as his cue and stabs a needle into Aether's arm, making him wince for a second, before the cool sensation of liquid spilling into his bicep muscle calms him.

His features twist into a look that says "You must have good reasoning for this, but I still feel betrayed."

Aether's eyes finally close. Xiao's handsome features, now twisted with permanent sadness have to disobey his own conscience and leave his lover there. Discarded like trash on the side of the road. Like dirt for people to step on.

Even though Aether will simply be asleep for a few hours, it is a cruel fate for them to have to part in this way. For Xiao knows that the punishment he will face for this, will be graver than 5000x the weight of his current karmic debt. Separation alone is torturous, but the gods will lock Xiao up in a cell, and force him to watch Aether go through depression, and eventually find someone else, to replace Xiao. He knows what punishment he will be given.

If Xiao had known the sort of punishment he would be given, he would have ended his own life earlier, but if he dies. Aether will suffer the punishment instead.

A cruel fate, to be locked away, to watch the very person you value most, to move on whilst you're stuck in a cell, never being able to forget them.

But then again, a tortured Yaksha and a beautiful Prince were never meant to have a happy ending.
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The end.

(Read next chapter for notes)