Chapter Text
“You have a child.” Xiao blinks slowly, almost manually.
Oh, he’s definitely not ready for this, Aether thinks.
“Well…” Aether starts.
“Aaa?” The infant squirms in Aether’s arms, hiding his small face in the crook of Aether’s neck to avoid the adeptus’ piercing, indecipherable stare.
Yes, the infant. As in, the pudgy, entirely adorable, and very much alive human baby now beginning to wriggle restlessly in Aether’s grasp.
The traveler sighs, deciding not to beat around the bush.
This was going to be a very long day.
“This is… Yanqing. The Adventurer’s Guild said they found him near the Chasm and everyone already had their hands full with commissions and with the Lantern Rite coming up…” Aether rambles a bit self-consciously, propping Yanqing up against his hip. “And I mean, at first I thought, no way, but Katheryne was giving me that intense stare and slightly unnerving smile and, well.”
Aether instinctively tries to run a hand through his hair before he remembers he’s holding a literal baby in his hands. A helpless and potentially orphaned baby, he thinks, ignoring the way that thought makes his heart sink into his stomach. “Anyway, I decided to take him in for….”
For a bit? For a few days? Forever?
Honestly, Aether wasn’t sure. The Guild was working on posting notices around Liyue and the investigation team had begun diving into any past missing persons cases regarding a lost child. If all went well, it would be an entirely innocuous (albeit, extremely irresponsible) accident, and Yanqing’s parents would turn up to the Guild in tears, grateful to be reunited with their son.
But the fact remains that Aether didn’t know when, if at all, that would happen. He sighs through his nose, cursing his inclination to be involved in matters he truly had no business being in. But Yanqing had looked so small and abandoned, and seeing the way his big golden eyes had brightened when they landed on Aether; he just couldn’t bear the thought of him going into negligent hands.
Mustering up some unknown confidence, Aether straightens. “Well, he’ll be with me for an indefinite period of time, I guess.” He turns to Yanqing, the child’s face shyly peeking out through Aether’s shoulder.
Archons, he was so cute. “Sound good, kiddo?”
For a while, Xiao says nothing. Aether listens to the muffled sounds of Verr scolding her husband on the second floor of the Inn. Then, the adeptus’ gaze sharpens in sudden realization, his posture stiffening.
“They found him alone? In… that place?”
Aether regards him briefly. He knew what the place meant to the Yaksha, as well as the implication of Yanqing being found in such circumstances. “Yeah… they said he was all alone in a wooden cradle in an old shack.”
Aether grows solemn, taking care to lower his voice gently. “Either he was forgotten or… left.”
“I… see,” Xiao mumbles.
They’re quiet for a moment, both of them stewing in the information, before Xiao speaks again.
“So he is not yours,” Xiao states.
Aether’s eyes snap towards him, incredulous, and he catches the brief flash of shame in the Yaksha’s expression.
He couldn’t have possibly thought that…
The question is so hilarious that Aether can’t help but burst into a fit of laughter, startling the poor baby cradled against his chest.
“Stars, Xiao, no! How would I have even…” Aether trails off, deciding not to finish that sentence. He bites his lip to stifle his smile. “No, he is not mine, although I suppose he is for the time being.”
Xiao looks away, suddenly finding the hardwood floors of the balcony very interesting.
“He has your hair, so I thought…” Xiao finally mumbles.
“He has your eyes,” Aether comments.
Their gazes meet and Aether finds his face heating at the unspoken implication of what they’ve just said. Stars above, he wasn’t even in a relationship with Xiao and yet here he was jumping to such shameless conclusions.
Aether interrupts the stifled silence with a forced chuckle, “Anyway… I’ll be staying at the Inn while he’s in my care. I thought I’d introduce you since I might have my hands full now. Sorry I couldn’t bring any almond tofu this time around.”
“No need to worry yourself over that,” Xiao says quickly. But his mouth is twisted, his brows furrowed in deep thought. Aether watches as the adeptus opens his mouth a few times before closing it again, pensive.
Curious, Aether waits. He heaves Yanqing up against his hip, the baby now taking wary glances at Xiao.
“I could assist you,” Xiao finally says, an oddly nervous look on his face.
Aether’s eyes widen a bit. “W-well, if you’re talking about commissions, don’t worry, I have people covering for me.”
“No,” Xiao shakes his head gently, eyes falling to the child. “I meant in… care-taking.”
Oh.
Aether can’t help the string of delight that curls its way up his spine at those words, his face already morphing into a mischievous smile. The Vigilant Yaksha? Taking care of a baby? Screw his commissions, he’d give up a week's pay just to see that.
Aether raises a brow, “Attached already?”
Xiao coughs lightly, “Don’t be foolish. I am merely offering my aid, as I’ve heard that child-rearing can be… a lot to handle on one’s own.”
Oh, Aether’s definitely smirking now. “Did you really? And what else have you heard about child-rearing?”
“That…” Xiao pauses, exhaling through his nose. “Nevermind. It was an ill-founded suggestion. Clearly you must know others who would be more suited to the task.”
At the slightly deflated look on Xiao’s face, Aether decides to spare the adeptus even though teasing him was far too amusing. He softens, “Xiao, I’m only teasing. I’d really appreciate the help,” Yanqing begins to fuss in his arms and Aether sighs, “And Archons know I need it.”
***
“Be sure to remove any sharp objects from your chambers and lock the balcony doors at all times. And don’t feed him anything too spicy. Oh! You’ll have to go shopping as well, do you know what size he is? How old is he?”
Verr Goldet looks at him expectantly, her lips pinched.
“Uhh,” Aether mumbles intelligently, eyeing Yanqing currently propped against his hip. The baby gives him a wide eyed stare, mute and observant. The Adventurer’s Guild hadn’t exactly mentioned that part. “He’s… size small?”
Verr gives a long-suffering sigh, as though she were expecting as much.
It’s at that moment that Xiao teleports into the middle of the room, nearly startling poor Verr half to death.
His eyes are vivid, one hand on his polearm and another holding a bundle of what looked like assorted plants and berries. “Aether, I have brought various herbs. Mountain Shaper informed me of their beneficial properties for the young.”
Aether stares at him in surprise.
“Oh in the name of Rex Lapis,” Verr groans, “You cannot feed a baby leaves and grass,” she tuts, snatching the bundle from a very bewildered looking Xiao, and gives him a pointed stare, “And I mean no disrespect Adeptus Xiao, but for heaven’s sake, put the weapon away!”
Xiao immediately vanquishes his spear, looking stunned and mildly chastised.
Verr only rolls her eyes, “Now, wait here. Both of you.”
She storms out the door, shaking her head and muttering to herself. “Men! Gods above, utterly helpless.”
She slams the door behind her, leaving Aether staring at Xiao in bewilderment.
“We should listen to her,” Aether says sheepishly, tucking Yanqing under his chin and moving to sit by the bed.
“Mm,” Xiao crosses his arms, his brows still raised in apparent shock.
“Also, violetgrass, really?” Aether’s lips curve.
The yaksha’s ears pinken. “Shut it,” he mumbles.
“Aah,” Yanqing makes a noise and they both turn their attention to the baby. Aether can’t help but smile a little. He was undeniably adorable, and surprisingly well-behaved, at least in the twenty-four hours that he’d been in Aether’s care. Aether slides the blanket close to his chin, covering his arms.
“Today must have been a lot for you, huh?” He says to Yanqing, voice low. “But don’t worry, I’ll do my best, okay?” And by the way Yanqing blinks slowly at him, it’s almost as if he understands.
Aether looks up to find the adeptus already looking at the pair, a strange, unreadable expression on his face. “Would you like to try carrying him?” Aether offers.
At that Xiao’s eyes widen, his posture tensing.
“That doesn’t seem wise.”
Aether stifles a groan, “I really doubt that you’ll do any harm just by holding him for a minute, Xiao.”
“No, I-” The adeptus seems torn and he shifts his weight. “I do not know how,” he confesses.
“What do you mean you don’t know how, here, just sit,” Aether moves to make space for Xiao on the bed, “And you’re gonna have to learn if you’re so insistent on helping me with this.”
Xiao deliberates for another beat before something in Yanqing’s precious face must have clearly won him over.
“... Alright.” Xiao moves to sit and Aether has to resist a laugh at the robotic way he perches on the edge of the bed, holding his arms out pin-straight.
“First of all, relax.”
Xiao frowns, though he manages to release some tension from his shoulders. “I am calm.”
“And cradle your arms, like this,” Aether positions his arms with a free hand. “The only thing to remember is to be careful of his head and neck. Babies' heads are really… fragile.”
Xiao immediately freezes at that, fear flashing through his face. “Perhaps this is not a good idea.”
But Aether’s already leaning in, very slowly nestling Yanqing into Xiao’s arms. “Well, there’s no better way to learn than by doing.”
Xiao is stiff as a board, despite the fact that Aether still has his arms around him. Yanqing fusses momentarily before Aether hushes him, “Shh, it’s okay. It’s just Xiao.” Then, he lets go, settling his weight fully into Xiao’s arms. He tucks the blanket nice and snug up to the infant’s neck and runs a soothing thumb over his cheek.
When Aether looks up, he realizes their proximity, his stomach turning. He can’t bring himself to move away though, taking in the lines of Xiao’s face, the way the lantern light softens the curve of his eyes. The adeptus doesn’t seem to notice, his gaze sharp and intent on Yanqing.
The last time I was this close to him was when the Jade Chamber…
After a bit of sniffling, Yanqing manages to quiet again and Xiao looks up at Aether in open wonder. The Yaksha’s still a bit tense and Aether doesn’t think he’s seen Xiao breathe once since he set the baby in his arms, but considering he had most likely never held a child before, Aether would consider this a resounding success.
“Is he comfortable?” Xiao asks.
Aether smiles, leaning back, “I would assume so.”
They sit there in a soft quiet, both of them simply observing Yanqing as Xiao allows himself to relax into the hold as the seconds pass. It’s… nice. Aether can’t stamp out the weird way his heart seems to clench seeing Xiao hold the child so carefully, so focused on the baby’s every little movement.
Miraculously, Yanqing begins to doze, his eyes falling shut as his mouth opens in a cute little “o.”
Again, Xiao’s head snaps up at Aether, that look of wonder in his eyes.
“He has fallen asleep.” Xiao states seriously, as though it were an act deserving of momentous celebration.
Aether mouth twists into a foolish smile, “Yes, I can see that.”
Xiao looks back down at Yanqing, his gaze curious. “He is so… small.”
Aether pulls his knees up against his chest, wincing as he stretches his back and settles more comfortably against the covers. “Babies tend to be that way.”
A swift knock at the door notifies them that Verr has returned, and she whisks into the room, lugging behind her a wooden crib and a cart of packages. Seeing as Xiao was presently occupied, Aether gets up to assist her, unwrapping the small parcels.
“Blankets, baby food and… milk?” Aether questions, eyeing the caddy of bottles and containers filled with what looked like white powder.
“Formula,” Verr answers, “Mix that with a bit of warm water, I’ll show you the measurements later.” She grunts, dragging the wooden cradle against the ground. “Help me with this, will you?”
Aether hurriedly moves to help her and Xiao frowns at the loud ruckus of them hauling the crib across his chambers.
“Verr, Aether,” His words are soft but still a bit sharp. “He is resting.”
Verr turns to give Aether a side glance. He only shrugs, entirely amused at the sight of Xiao, stiffly cradling Yanqing in his arms and looking mildly displeased with the both of them.
Aether throws his hands up apologetically, “Sorry,” he whispers.
They push the cradle right by the bedside (much more quietly, this time) and Verr whispers to Aether. “Wouldn’t have guessed he had such a soft spot for babies.”
“Me neither,” Aether mumbles.
“Never thought I’d see the day.”
“It is not a ‘soft spot’,” Xiao says, his adepti hearing as acute as ever. “I merely promised to assist in looking after the child.” Despite the grumpy crease of his brow, his words are far from convincing with the way he eases Yanqing closer towards him.
Aether blinks at the scene, turning to Verr. “You know, he’s much less intimidating with a baby swaddled in his arms.”
A faint smile crosses her lips. “I agree.”