Abyss Aether × Xiao || You can try to escape ||

(Xiaos POV)

When I wake up, I realize that Aether isn't with me anymore. I feel slightly upset about that but I push it aside and get up. That's when my nose smells something. I head down, and see Aether in the kitchen.

"Ah Xiao. Perfect timing, I was just about to come get you" he smiles. I walk over to him, snuggling against his back. It's been quite a while since I last got proper sleep, since I've actually gotten sleep. Before Aether arrived, I'd never sleep.

"Is that your special tofu?" I question. He jumps a little and his face is slightly red.

"Yes...though it's not ready yet. I still have to add an ingredient" he stutters. I tilt my head but decide not to question him. I walk over to the table and sit down, waiting for Aether to finish. After a while he comes out with a plate of the tofu and some other kind of food for himself.

"What is that?" I question. He looks at me and than back down at his food.

"It's something...someone made for me" he mumbles. I furrow my brows. Why is he being so vague.

"Who made it for you?" I question again, wanting a more clear answer this time. He sighs, before making eye contact with me again.

"Zyra did" he responds. I pause for a moment before going back to my Almond Tofu.

"Why didn't you just say so. I may not like her, but that doesn't mean I'll keep you away from her" I sigh, looking back up at Aether. His eyes widen slightly before he smiles.

"Thats good to know Xiao. By the way, how's the Tofu?" he chuckles.

"It's good, just like last time" I answer. He giggles at me. I'm confused as to what's so funny, but I don't bother asking. "Hows the food...she made for you?".

"It's really good. I never knew Zyra was such a good cook. To be honest, she's proven to me that she's good at a lot of things" he smiles. I feel myself get slightly annoyed. Aether is praising her quite a lot, and I don't like it.

"Oh, I'm gonna be gone for a while if that's okay" he mentions. I stop eating. Usually I would be fine with it, but if what Childe said is true then I don't want Aether to leave.

"Do you have to go..." I mumble. He looks up at me in confusion.

"Well I mean, I have to deal with business in the Abyss, so I do have to head out, but it should only be for about a day or two" he states. I clutch my spoon. He seems to notice because he starts getting concerned. "Okay Xiao, seriously. What is going on. You've been acting strange since yesterday. You keep telling me it's nothing, but than end up showing me that something is seriously wrong" he slams his fists on the table, looking straight into my eyes.

"Its..." I freeze. If I tell Aether, maybe he'll be able to handle it. I sigh, deciding that the best thing to do is tell Aether about it, but before that, I might as well use this to my advantage.

"I'll tell you on two conditions" I answer. He rises, waiting to hear my conditions. "I want you to stay with me for as much time as you can" I state, he looks confused but nods anyways, waiting for my second condition, "and I want....you to praise me too".

Aether face goes into shock. His cheeks are slightly red, but not as red as mine. He slowly smirks, and looks at me like he's got a catch.

"Awww. My sweet Yaksha wants praise. Are you jealous because I praised Zyra, and I thought you didn't care about compliments or praise" he laughs, walking over and hugging me. I blush but return the embrace. I've been getting more and more comfortable with touching Aether. Not so much physical touch in general, but just with Aether.

"But before that, I want an explanation" he whispers. I look him in the eyes before answering.

"The Doctor is planning to do something to you and the Traveler" I fume, slightly angry just thinking about it. His face doesn't change, like he expected this to happen.

"He just never gives up does he" he sighs, disgust clouding both his face and voice. He chuckles slightly, trying to stop thinking about it. "How about we head to the Abyss together, and I can praise you all day while I work, okay?".

I blush and nod my head. I will spend every minute with Aether until I deal with that Fatui. Aether opens up a portal and takes me through it. I had never been to the Abyss before so it was strange to see. It had an ominous aura, but with Aether I felt fine.

"Come on. Let's go over to my room" he smiles. He takes me to his room, and I see a desk full of papers, and some other things. He sits down on his chair, pulling me into his lap. The whole rest of the day, all Aether did was say sweet words praise to me, while also working. He is good at multitasking.

I don't like praise from other mortals, but when it comes from Aether, it feels so good to hear. I want more praise from him in the future, but I'm too prideful to tell him that.

Apparently we've been in the Abyss for a little less than a week, but in the Abyss it's felt like months. Time really does move slower here. No wonder Aether is always able to finish this much work in such a short amount of time.

"All done!" He cheers, stretching his arms and legs out. He walks over to me. I've been reading some books since I find his work boring. "Come one Xiao, let's go back". I nod and follow behind him.

"Heh heh heh"

"It won't be much longer"

"Soon I will get rid of you, Aether"