Archive of Our Own

As an immortal traveler that has visited countless worlds, Aether is used to his body automatically changing its form to best match the beings that live there. He's been to worlds entirely underwater where the predominant race were merfolk, so his form took the same shape. He's been to worlds where dragons soared the skies and walked the lands, and so he too became a dragon while in that world to better fit in.

Humanoid forms are a dime a dozen, so he thought he'd have seen it all by now. And yet, never has his own dick surprised him the way it has in Teyvat.

Aether and Lumine had many unspoken rules between them, in an effort to keep them from becoming too attached, too fond, unwilling to move on. Teyvat has created many exceptions to most of those rules, and Aether still can't decide if it's a good or a bad thing. Regardless, he's never taken bedmates no matter what world he's in, one such rule that he and Lumine both followed religiously since longer than he can remember. But he still gets pent up and frustrated sometimes, so he does what any other human would in a situation like his; he masturbates.

Everything is normal until he nears his climax. There's something in him that urges him to squeeze at his base, more than usual, and it takes him a moment too long through the resulting ecstasy the sensation brings to realise that his own flesh is swelling under his fingers.

Startled, he immediately stops as his eyes snap open, looking down at himself and gaping at what he sees.

Why does he have a knot!?

Aether slowly lets go of himself, then pokes at the enlarged section of flesh in part curiosity and part disbelief. He hisses as the sensitive shaft, so close to release mere moments ago only to be abruptly denied, throbs and sends electric tingles shooting up his spine. An instinct, unfamiliar but powerful, urges him to continue, but the new information has shocked and overwhelmed him so much that he can't bring himself to finish what he started. The conflicting emotions overpower his arousal enough that he soon finds restless sleep while silently planning when he can next meet Albedo to get an explanation for this strange new thing he's discovered about himself.

Albedo, to his credit, hardly blinks when Aether makes an unexpected arrival at his Dragonspine camp after bribing Paimon into staying back in Mondstadt with some mora for her to buy any food she likes with.

"Traveler," he greets as Aether rounds the corner, placing down whatever flasks he had in his hands on the table in front of him, "an unexpected surprise. How can I help you?"

"I need to ask a question. About… the biology of this world's humans," Aether says bluntly.

The alchemist tilts his head, a note of confusion in his eyes, but nods. "Of course. What do you want to know?"

Aether deliberates over his endless list of questions, trying to find ways to phrase even one of them without it being weird or blunt. He knows Albedo doesn't really care about things like that when it comes to the more scientific side of conversations, but still…

"Aether? Are you alright?" Albedo calls when he stands there silently for several moments.

"I'm—fine," Aether says quickly, then flushes when he continues with, "I just. I don't know how to ask this without sounding weird."

"Oh," Albedo says, "there is no need to worry about that. Be as blunt as you like."

Even with the assurance, it still takes a moment for Aether to gather himself enough. When he does, he blurts out in a rush, "is it normal for—ah, um—people here to have knots?"

He flushes, almost immediately regretting his phrasing, but Albedo's confusion clears from his eyes. "Ah, I see. I presume from your reaction this is not a common occurrence in other worlds? Fascinating," he says, already reaching for the nearest notebook to write in. "To answer your question, it is perfectly normal for a certain section of the population of those who live in this world."

"A certain section of the population?" Aether repeats.

"Yes," Albedo nods, looking up from his notebook. "In this world, there exists an aspect of our biology commonly referred to as a secondary gender. Despite being called as such, they actually have very little correlation with what would be considered our primary gender. There are three in total; Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Each has their own unique set of biological traits, and it can be a fascinating and complex field of study."

Aether mulls that over for a moment. "So… what's the difference between them? Which one do I fall under?"

“Secondary genders typically do not manifest until an individual reaches adolescence, where they begin to produce special pheromones,” Albedo begins. “Everyone has their own unique scent associated with their individual pheromones, but one is almost always able to tell what designation another falls under based on said pheromones. To the best of my knowledge, each designation produces a specific chemical regardless of their scent that is recognisable as said designation to others. This, at least, is the most widely used form of identification between the three. There is, of course, a spectrum between each, but typically every individual leans more one way than another.”

“Oh,” Aether blurts out, unintentionally interrupting him, “is… is that why sometimes people… kind of smell, uh… strong?” He asks, for lack of a better term.

Albedo, unfazed by the interruption, simply nods. “Yes, that would likely be why. Pheromones can have a deeply instinctual sway on influencing most people’s actions, such as nonverbally attempting to assert dominance or conveying submission or cooperation. It can affect some people more than others, and can also depend on one’s relationship or status with the other.”

Aether nods slowly. There’s been times in the past where he’s barely been able to stop himself from wrinkling his nose at the powerful scents some people gave off, but they’ve never had much sway over him other than being an annoyance or distraction. At the time, he’d just thought that people in this world might be more attuned to each others’ smell than he was used to. He supposes the assumption isn’t too far off.

Albedo waits a few more moments, then when Aether doesn’t ask any more questions, continues his explanation. “There are other characteristics as well, typically sexual in nature, that can supplement an identification screening. In your case, with your mention of a knot, that is a hallmark sexual characteristic of an Alpha. Even so, I’ve always suspected that is what you were by your scent, strange as it is for this world. Additionally, Alphas and Omegas are typically more common in those who are divine, immortal, or have ancestry with non-human creatures, though it is not unheard of for regular mortals to have these traits, either.”

Aether nods along at the explanation. "So, the knot thing is an… extra feature?" He asks.

"Correct. There are more ways to identify what designation you fall under, of course, and I can give you a simple checkup to be sure if you like, but once one reaches adolescence, those are usually the defining characteristics used for identification."

Aether nods again. “So… How can I tell who is what through their scent?”

Albedo hesitates here, humming in thought. "Truthfully, I'm not sure I can give you a succinct enough answer, unless you wish to hear it regardless. However, I am more than happy to give you some suggestions for titles to read up on. The library in our headquarters has plenty of books on the topic.”

Aether takes the suggestion eagerly. As upfront as Albedo has been with everything, he still doesn't have the courage to outright ask some of his more burning questions, but he would be much more comfortable reading about it. At least, he hopes so.

Only one way to find out.

Albedo's suggestions are actually incredibly helpful and informative. Aether still feels… strangely flustered when reading about specific things, but he's now equipped with a much better understanding of how his physical features slightly differ from what he's used to, and what to look for in other peoples’ scents. At this point, the knot is almost the least of his concerns; apparently he also has mating fangs that remain concealed until they need to be used, which he hadn't had any clue about until reading about them.

Omegas are another equally fascinating subject, one that Aether admittedly skims a bit more than Alpha biology, but he makes sure to read enough to get the gist. The naturally curious part of him is, truthfully, fascinated by the diversity of features offered by the secondary characteristics that Alphas and Omegas alone possess, but there is also a part of him that wants to accept the information he already has and move on.

However, Albedo did warn that it would do him well to read about the common behavioural characteristics of Alphas and Omegas as well, so he dutifully searches for the title given to him and sits down to read it.

Instincts come up frequently. Instincts to perform courting rituals, instincts to attract and defend potential mates, instincts to care for mates, and many more. This book in particular focuses on how Alphas and Omegas commonly interact with and court each other, but it makes a point to emphasize that their inherent biological compatibility is only a single factor in determining if a pair are actually suited for each other, as well as making mention that any combination of pairs can be seen; Alphas with Betas, Omegas with Betas, even Alphas and Omegas with another member of their respective groups.

Aether doesn't plan on reading much more on this subject, since despite his growing attachment to Teyvat that he refuses to acknowledge, he still doesn't intend to take any intimate partners. However, a section of the book titled "Ruts and Heats" catches his eye. That inherent curiosity of his takes over and he flips to the indicated pages.

Several minutes later, he snaps the book shut, face burning. If it weren't for the clinical nature of the entire text, he would almost assume he'd accidentally grabbed a badly written romance novel or something. What's the deal with this "uncontrollable lust" it keeps mentioning? People aren't mindless animals. It almost sounds like a bad excuse to have no restraint in the bedroom.

Aether puts the book back where it belongs and walks away from the shelf with a shake of his head. He knows enough to satiate most of his curiosity, and decides to go find Paimon before she spends everything he gave her on food.

All thoughts of Alphas and Omegas and courting completely leave his mind for months. That is, until his biology forces him to acknowledge it again.

Xiao is elusive even on a good day, but Aether is nothing if not determined and stubborn. Months have gone by of slowly chipping away at the cold, aloof shield the adeptus always keeps up around others, or even when he's alone. It's once in a blue moon that Aether sees any cracks where his more vulnerable side shines through, no matter how brief or subtle.

Recently, though, a certain consultant has informed him that Xiao’s birthday is imminent. Aether’s mind immediately goes to what he could potentially give to the adeptus. Most traditional mortal gifts are out of the question; Xiao never accepts decorational trinkets or ornaments, and his skillset is specific enough that most practical gifts wouldn’t be of any use to him. Aether doesn’t realise how quickly he zoned out until Zhongli makes a pointed cough at his side where they’ve been half listening to Iron Tongue Tian and half making light conversation at Third Round Knockout.

“S—Sorry,” Aether stammers, “what were you saying?”

Zhongli is usually unfazed even when he’s ignored, and merely sends him a small, knowing smile. “It is no problem,” he says, “I was just saying that Xiao plays woodwinds on occasion. He likes to say that trivial activities are of no use to him, but I’m sure we both know better.”

“Oh, he does? I’ve never seen him play,” Aether replies, thoughtful. Though, now that he thinks about it more, he does recall occasionally hearing the faint sound of something like a flute when he visits Wangshu Inn…

His mind immediately settles. Yes, a flute. A gift that won't further encourage his destructive habits in combat but will still be useful for when it's needed. He could go to local stores and search for the highest quality flute on the market, regardless of its price. Xiao would appreciate a gift with thought put into it, right?

He pauses. A gift with thought… Aether could make a flute instead. Something handcrafted is always much more sentimental and meaningful than something bought.

At no point does the fact he's never made a flute in his life cross his mind. Zhongli and Paimon watch his silent mental journey, the former amused and the latter exasperated.

The consultant turns to Paimon, barely hiding a pleased smile behind the teacup he lifts to his lips. "It seems you'll be getting front row seats to an official courting attempt soon," he says.

Paimon's face scrunches up, which speaks volumes more on her opinion of the entire thing than words could ever convey. "Aether has been trying to court Xiao since they met," she states around a mouthful of grilled tiger fish, "they're both oblivious to it, though."

Zhongli chuckles. "I think Xiao at least won't be very oblivious for long. Even he won't be able to ignore the signs after Aether acts on whatever he's planning."

“If you say so,” Paimon replies, unconvinced. The rest of their meal is spent with Zhongli and Paimon listening to Tian and Aether lost in his head.

Aether’s plan to make Xiao a flute is simple in theory. He realises soon after making his plan that he isn’t quite sure what a flute even looks like with enough detail to reliably make one that can actually play, and visits a local merchant that sells various instruments. He doesn’t buy anything, but he does inspect the flutes very closely and takes mental notes of every small detail.

He goes into his task the morning before Xiao’s birthday with confidence. It quickly wanes when he realises he also doesn’t remember if he’s ever done any wood carving in his life, either.

No time like the present, he reasons. He takes the nicest branch from a nearby sandbearer tree that he could find in hand and gets to work.

Aether becomes completely absorbed in his task, a small part of his mind repeating gift, gift, gift, gift like a mantra and driving him forward despite his lack of experience and finesse in any kind of carving techniques. Hours pass without his notice, and it isn’t until he’s finished that he looks up and realises the sun has just finished setting.

His stomach immediately reminds him that he hasn’t eaten anything since that morning with a loud growl. Xiao doesn't usually show up until the sun can't be seen anymore and the stars are only just visible in the sky, so he expects to have time to grab a bite to eat before handing his gift over.

"Aether?" Xiao's voice calls from right behind him. Aether squeaks and jumps, the flute slipping from his hands, and he fumbles to grab it before it can tumble into the water. A gloved hand snaps out over the top of his head and grasps it before that happens.

"Xiao," Aether breathes, heart rate slowly settling from the near disaster as he peeks over his shoulder at the adeptus standing behind him, "what… what are you doing here?"

"There was not much to do today, and you have been down here for a long time," Xiao replies, golden eyes almost glowing in the light of the setting sun. "Paimon has been alternating between bothering Yanxiao for food and fretting over you. She finally came up to my balcony just now, so I decided to see for myself what she was distressed over."

Heat spreads over Aether's cheeks. Had he really been that deaf to the world around him? Not to mention, Xiao is still standing there with the handmade flute in his hand, and hasn't even looked at it once. Something almost like shame flushes through his body, though he can't quite place why apart from that small voice insisting that he's already botched a nice surprise for his mate and he wasn't even impressed enough by it at first sight to spare it a glance the gift was a failure his mate will never court him now—

Xiao sits beside him before his thoughts can spiral any further, and he finally glances down at the object in his hand. The acknowledgment of his gift, even just a single look, immediately lifts the weight that started to settle in Aether's chest.

"Were you carving this?" Xiao asks, turning the flute over to inspect it. It's only here that Aether starts to truly feel self-conscious of his lack of skill. What was he thinking? There's no way anyone can make a flute their first try, even someone with experience in wood carving! Making a flute was a stupid idea and he was stupid to think it would work and that it would ever be a suitable gift for his mate—

Aether mentally hits the brakes. Xiao asked him a question. He can have a breakdown later. "Ah, um," he stalls, trying to figure out what to say as he fiddles with one of the fixtures of his scarf. "Yes. I made it."

"Oh," Xiao looks back down at it. "Why did you make it?"

"I… I wanted to make you a gift. For your birthday," Aether admits quietly, biting his lip as he shyly looks up through his lashes at the adeptus. "I knew you wouldn't like any of the more traditional mortal gifts, and I didn't want to gift you a weapon, so I thought…" he trails off, suddenly finding it difficult to hold Xiao's gaze. "Do… Do you like it?"

He waits with bated breath for an answer. The part of him fearing rejection of any kind is almost overwhelming, especially because he knows he definitely did not make this gift with enough finesse for the instrument to have any semblance of refinement, nor will it sound right if played. But he still hopes that maybe Xiao will at least appreciate the effort, and just maybe he will keep it close to his heart as something special, something made by someone thinking only of him…

Xiao's eyes are wider than usual, but Aether struggles to read the emotion behind them for the first time in a while. It's a rare thing nowadays for him to struggle figuring out what Xiao is feeling or thinking. His golden eyes flit back to the instrument, and suddenly he holds it like it's a precious jewel, like he could break it with the slightest wrong move.

"Oh," he murmurs, voice barely a breath over the soft breeze. But he doesn't move or speak beyond that, only stares silently at the flute. The tiny spark of hope forming in Aether's chest immediately fizzles out, and everything in him wilts the longer the silence drags on.

It gets bad enough that Aether starts to backtrack, reaching out to take the flute back, anything to ease the lump forming in his throat. "I—I know it's not good and I know it's not gonna play and you know what this was a dumb idea I'm sorry for wasting your time I'll just come up with something different—"

"No," Xiao says hastily, keeping the flute away from Aether's reach and tucking it closer to his chest. "It's… it's good. I like it."

All at once, the anxiety flooding Aether's body washes away. A strange breathlessness takes its place.

"Oh… good," he breathes, hands settling to the wooden surface of the docks they sit on. There's an uncharacteristic redness to Xiao's face as he stares down at the flute again, but Aether attributes it to the setting sun reflecting off his skin. "I'm glad you like it," he adds quietly, and just the thought of his mate liking his gift makes him feel giddy.

"I do," Xiao whispers. He's still for a moment, then one of his own hands lowers to the dock beside Aether's, and a moment later he feels the slightest brush of contact against his pinky. He glances down, heat flushing through his face when he realises that Xiao has extended his own pinkie to shyly touch Aether's. He feels like he's moments away from combusting, but he boldly hooks his finger around Xiao's, surely imagining the squeak the adeptus lets out in response.

They sit there in silence for a while. Aether is certain he would be content to be right here next to Xiao forever. Any hunger and fatigue he felt before pales in comparison to the sheer contentment he feels now.

"Aether?" Xiao murmurs after the sun has finished sinking below the horizon.

"Hmm?"

Xiao's voice is barely audible when he says, "thank you."

Warmth spreads through Aether's chest. He leans over slightly, only just enough to brush their shoulders together. He hopes he isn't imagining Xiao reciprocating to press ever so slightly into the contact.

"It's my pleasure."

The next month passes by relatively normally. Aether wakes up, makes breakfast for him and Paimon, goes on to do commissions and other odd tasks, then either makes dinner and goes to bed or visits Wangshu Inn. There's only some slight differences since Aether gave that flute to Xiao.

For one, Xiao himself has been more… not necessarily eager to see him, but definitely more open about wanting to. The biggest change is that he'll be standing on the balcony when Aether arrives with a plate of Almond Tofu and another small gift instead of waiting to be called there.

Speaking of gifts; that's another thing that has changed slightly since that day. More and more often now, Aether will see something that reminds him of Xiao, and something in him almost needs to get it as a gift. It's like he's being possessed whenever it happens, that small part of him chanting gift, mate, court like a mantra until said gift is safely in the recipient's hands. While not all of Aether's gifts have been practical like the flute was supposed to be, Xiao still looks at Aether like he's handed him a star from the sky itself with every gift, a near childlike awe and gratitude in his eyes.

And yet, for all that Aether has been doing the gifting, he somehow doesn't even think that Xiao would consider doing the same. He walks up to the balcony one day, just a plate of Almond Tofu in hand this time, and sees Xiao standing there with two Qingxin blooms in his hands. He is staring down at them and fiddling with their stems anxiously.

"Xiao?" Aether calls, blinking when the adeptus jumps slightly, then clears his throat.

"Aether," he greets, "you're here."

"Yes," Aether steps up beside him, placing the plate on the railing and looking Xiao up and down in concern. "Is everything alright?"

"I am fine," Xiao says. "I have something for you today."

Aether feels a half surprised half delighted smile spread over his face. "Oh? What might that be?"

Xiao looks uncharacteristically nervous as he fiddles with the stems of the Qingxin again. "These are for you," he murmurs, reaching up to carefully thread the stems through Aether's golden hair. "I found them growing on the highest peaks of Jueyun Karst. I hope you like them."

Xiao's form dissipates into black and teal fragments before Aether can even open his mouth. He saw the adeptus' face turn red before he vanished, so Aether suspects that Xiao was simply too embarrassed or overwhelmed to stick around after providing the gift. He would pout over it more, but the simple gesture makes him feel absolutely giddy, like he could float up among the stars themselves at any moment.

He goes about the rest of his evening almost in a trance, dreamily smiling into thin air when he's settled for bed and ready to sleep for the night. He only takes out the flowers when he needs to shower, but he admires them when he's done, gently petting the petals and ensuring he finds the best vase he owns to put them in.

He reciprocated, Aether realises. He gave me a gift, too. My Mate has given me approval. Mate mate mate mate—

And then he goes to sleep, more blissful and content than he's been in a long time.

Aether wakes up the next morning absolutely miserable.

He's sweating profusely, feeling more feverish than he ever remembers being in his life. The sun streaming through the windows of his abode, usually gentle and calming, is far too bright. He would pull his blankets over his head to block it out, but even thinking about covering more of his body makes everything feel hotter.

The worst part is, he feels… itchy, and not in the way a physical scratch will make the feeling go away. It's a discomfort deep in the lower pit of his stomach, a restlessness he can't find a cause or solution to, a need he can't describe with words.

He wallows in his discomfort, unable to bring himself to move at all, until Paimon evidently loses her patience waiting for him to get up and knocks on the door to his room.

"Aether! It's getting late!" She calls. "Can Paimon come in?"

Aether only manages a low groan. The door cracks open, and Paimon's head peeks inside.

"Aether?" She calls again, and now that her voice is no longer obstructed by the door, it's too loud. Aether groans again, this time forgoing all care about being too hot and pulling his blanket over his head. "Hey, Aether, what's wrong? Are… are you sick?"

"Dunno," Aether slurs, "jus' feel awful."

There's a small pause before the blanket is pulled back slightly for a small, cold hand to press against his forehead. The contact is soothing, but in the next instant, Aether can suddenly smell Paimon. Her scent has never been inherently bad, but something about its intensity now makes him recoil away immediately. Apparently the same thing happens to Paimon herself, who yelps and darts back a few feet with a hand to her nose.

"Aether, you're too warm!" She exclaims, clearly concerned. "And your scent, it's gotten more powerful suddenly. Are you sure you're not sick…" She trails off, then gasps loudly. "Aether, are you in rut right now!?"

Her shrill voice makes him wince and squeeze his eyes shut. Everything is too loud, and as time drags on, his whole body is only getting more and more sensitive to everything.

"How'm I s'posed to know," he grumbles incoherently. Paimon either doesn’t hear him or ignores him entirely, already in the middle of working herself into a frenzy and darting around in circles a few feet away.

“Ohhhh no, what should Paimon do?” She frets, wringing her hands. “Oh! Paimon will get you some water!”

She’s gone before Aether can even open his mouth. He sighs and burrows back under his blankets, still feeling like he’s boiling alive, but too tired and sick of every other stimulus to care.

It’s only now that he realises he’s still dressed in the pajamas he put on last night, and suddenly he feels extremely claustrophobic, immediately flinging his blanket off and proceeding to tear at his clothes to get them off his body as fast as possible. He uncaringly throws them as far away from himself as he can with a grunt of frustration. It’s also here that he realises he’s hard; one of his hands mindlessly reaches down to palm at himself, and it helps with the stifling heat for a moment, but it plateaus quickly.

He tries to change how he strokes himself, alternates how much pressure he uses, anything to continue easing the way his body seems to be rebelling against itself, but nothing works. That itchy, empty sensation that’s been persisting the entire time gets stronger, and he proceeds to curl up into himself like a child, whining in distress and clutching his knees to his chest.

Why is his own body doing this to him? Paimon said he’s in rut; if that’s true, he’s regretting his dismissal of the section talking about it in the books he read. He just wants some relief, something to get rid of the heat and the discomfort that he has no way to escape from, anything.

I need Xiao.

The thought is unbidden, but once he has it, it’s suddenly like he can’t think of anything else. The kinds of thoughts vary wildly; first he simply thinks of his pretty eyes and the mellow sound of his voice when he hums around a bite of Almond Tofu, then he thinks about the way Xiao’s face had turned red right before disappearing upon gifting Aether the two Qingxin that are still securely in their vase, then his thoughts rapidly plummet to the gutter as he thinks about pinning Xiao’s arms to the bed as he kisses him breathless, thinks about spreading him open on his fingers, thinks about how many wonderful noises of pleasure he’d pull from his lips—

“Okay, Paimon has some water for you,” Paimon announces as she enters the room again. Aether cracks his eyes open enough to watch her do a double take, almost dropping the glass in her hands in the process. She hesitates by the door, her face scrunching up with worry as she takes in his prone form, before she floats over to put the water on his bedside table. “A—Aether? Are.. Are you alright?”

“No,” Aether says bluntly as he closes his eyes again, shoving his face into the nearest pillow. “I feel awful, and I hate it.”

A few moments of anxious silence pass by. They’re both painfully aware of the fact that Aether admitting he’s not feeling well or even asking for help is akin to pulling teeth on a regular day. “Is… Is there anything Paimon can do to help?”

Aether appreciates that she cares, he really does, but right now he wants nothing more than to sink into the earth and never emerge again. He whines into the fabric of the pillow, then childishly says, “I want Xiao.”

“You called?”

Aether flinches at the unexpected response, but as soon as he realises it’s Xiao’s voice, his entire body flushes with a renewed wave of heat.

Mate, mate, mate, he’s here, he’s here, mate, mate, mate—

“Waaah, Xiao!” Paimon squeaks. “Stop showing up out of nowhere like that!”

Xiao doesn’t respond to her. Aether can feel his piercing stare on him even though he has yet to lift his own gaze. Despite the depraved thoughts running through his head, he still finds himself curling up tighter with shame.

If Paimon of all people could smell what was going on with him, would Xiao be able to as well? Albedo had insinuated that emotion and intent can be conveyed through pheromones alone. What would he think of Aether if he did know? Would he be disgusted?

“Should… Should Paimon leave you two be?” Paimon asks quietly.

“That would be wise,” Xiao replies before Aether can say anything. He stiffens when Paimon murmurs an affirmation and the door clicks shut a moment later. Xiao wouldn’t send her off just to berate him… right?

The room fills with suffocating silence for several moments. Aether’s mind is torn equally between an instinctual excitement from having Xiao so close by and a more rational mix of fear and shame. He’s been trying so hard to give Xiao what he deserves in a partner, someone who can treat him gently and with the patience he needs, and now his own body has betrayed him—

The bed dips to one side slightly, and the cool, crisp smell of Qingxin washes over him. Its effect is immediate; instead of needing to escape it like he did with Paimon, he relaxes, almost melting into his bed with the sheer amount of relief he gets just from Xiao’s scent. He just barely manages to stop himself from moaning aloud.

“Aether,” Xiao says, voice gentler than he’s ever heard before. “How are you feeling?”

“I dunno,” Aether mumbles honestly. “I feel physically awful and mentally conflicted.”

“Because you’re in rut.”

It’s not a question, but he winces and nods anyway. “I guess,” he mutters.

“You… You guess?” Xiao repeats, a note of confusion entering his voice.

“I’ve never had a rut before, so…”

Xiao is silent for a few moments. “Are there no Alphas or Omegas in other worlds?”

“No.”

“Hm. I see.”

Aether finally cracks his eyes open and tilts his head enough to peer at Xiao, who is sitting at the edge of his bed. Their eyes meet for a second, and Aether barely represses a shudder at such a simple action.

“I’m sorry for bothering you,” Aether says, “I didn’t think you’d come.”

He gets an unimpressed frown, but there’s something like trepidation in Xiao’s eyes as well. “I told you to call my name if you need me, did I not?”

“Well—yes, but… I’m sure you have better things to do than come here when I’m just being childish…” Aether says.

“Wanting the company of another is not a childish thing,” Xiao says. His eyes narrow. “Why did you not expect me to come?”

Aether looks away. “Well, I… I did want you here, but… I just…” He trails off, unsure what to say.

Xiao is silent again, for much longer this time. Aether wonders if he’s managed to upset the adeptus somehow, but he doesn’t know what to do about it. Eventually, he feels gloved fingers brush against his cheek, cool against his overheated skin.

“Aether,” Xiao murmurs, “look at me? Please?”

The adeptus almost never asks outright for anything. Aether is helpless to obey, finding himself leaning into the palm now cupping his face as he glances up into Xiao’s eyes.

“I don’t care if you think the reason is trivial. I will always answer your call. Always.”

Aether lets out an overwhelmed sigh as his eyes flutter shut and he turns his face into Xiao’s palm, feeling tears gather at the corner of his eyes. He’s always known Xiao can find affection from others overwhelming, but he never thought he’d be on the receiving end.

“Okay,” he whispers. Xiao’s hand starts to pull away, and something about the action makes Aether panic. His eyes fly open as he lets out a confused, desperate whine, trying to find out why his mate withdrew his affection he’s leaving he’s leaving he’s leaving don’t go don’t go don’t go—

“It’s alright, Aether,” Xiao says, voice low and gentle. “I’m just taking my gloves off. I’m not going anywhere.”

The fact that Xiao had some inkling of what was going through Aether’s head sends embarrassment rushing through him, especially when a couple tears trail down his cheeks. “Oh,” he croaks, “s—sorry.”

“Nothing to apologise for,” Xiao hums, his hand returning to Aether’s cheek to brush the tears away with his thumb. “As far as I’m aware, heats and ruts alike can make one more emotional than usual.”

Aether is almost too fascinated by the way Xiao’s skin gradually turns more turquoise-green towards his hands and fingers to hear what he says. He looks up at Xiao in confusion. “As far as you’re aware?”

“Yes, I…” Xiao trails off, looking a bit bashful as he glances away. “I am what mortals consider an Omega, but I do not commonly experience heats the way most others seem to. I’ve never been sure why, and I’ve never questioned it, but I barely remember what it’s like to experience its symptoms.”

Aether blinks at him. “Oh, alright.” Xiao’s an Omega? He had no idea, even with his expanded knowledge on how to pick Alphas, Betas, and Omegas apart through scent. Though, perhaps he just hadn’t cared enough about what Xiao’s designation was to take the time to figure it out.

Xiao shakes his head. “That is besides the point,” he says briskly. “When you called me here earlier, did you want me to… help you through your rut?”

Aether can tell there’s an implication to Xiao’s statement, but he can’t decipher what. His brows furrow slightly, and he blinks up at the adeptus in confusion. “Uh… I guess? Sure?”

Xiao’s fingers flinch against his cheek, and suddenly his hand is gone. Xiao's face is carefully blank.

“Xiao?” Aether calls, concerned and even more confused.

“You…” Xiao starts, then pauses. “Have you not been attempting to court me for the past several months?”

“I’m… Yes? But what does that have to do with you helping me?” Aether replies, bewildered. “Are we thinking of different forms of help?”

Something in Xiao’s face eases slightly, and he stares at Aether silently for a moment. “What did you think I meant?”

“I dunno, just… making sure I don’t starve, or something…” Aether says.

Xiao chuckles, the rest of the tension bleeding away. “Reasonable,” he admits, “but that is not what I meant. I don’t know if this is the case with mortals, but among us Adepti, if one offers to help an Alpha through their rut, it usually means they are offering their body to the Alpha, in the hopes of giving them relief.”

Aether feels his face turn red with alarming speed. “Oh,” he squeaks, “u—um, that makes sense.”

“Knowing my intentions,” Xiao continues, “what is your answer?”

Aether hesitates, nibbling at his lip. Truthfully, putting whatever weird instincts being an Alpha gave him aside, he never really even considered sleeping with the adeptus in anything more than a literal sense. And now that he’s been presented with the option in a situation where his own body almost feels like it needs what Xiao is offering him, he’s… he’s scared.

He’s gone so long firmly living by his and his sister’s rule of keeping away from intimate relationships with anyone they meet, keeping it to a strictly professional or friendly-acquaintance level. He’s never been in a situation where he’s made himself vulnerable that way, and never even considered doing such a thing until now.

But hasn’t Teyvat already broken most of their self-imposed rules? Hasn’t he somehow found himself with a vast network of connections through all the regions he’s visited so far where he would call many of them his friends? Hasn’t he already made himself more vulnerable just from trying to get closer to Xiao? In that sense, what use are those rules anymore?

But almost more than that, Aether is worried about himself, and the myriad of ways he could hurt Xiao. There’s a part of him that’s concerned that once they start, he won’t be able to stop himself regardless of what Xiao wants. And if there’s one thing Aether took away from everything that happened in the Chasm, it’s that Xiao’s image of himself is… well, not good. And that isn’t even considering the one (and, thankfully, only) time Xiao told Aether to see him as nothing more than a weapon to be used.

With Aether worried that he won’t be in full control of himself, he’s deathly afraid of pushing Xiao into doing something he isn’t comfortable with, and even more so of the very real potential where Xiao does nothing to stop him, thinking that he’s only worth Aether’s affections if he’s being used like a tool.

It doesn’t matter what Xiao would think of him afterward or how unintentional it would be on Aether’s end. He would never forgive himself for the rest of his immortal life if he ever did that to Xiao.

Xiao’s fingers return to his cheek, bringing Aether back to the present, looking up at him. “Why do you hesitate?” Xiao asks.

Aether feels his lips tremble, and he averts his gaze. "I don't want to hurt you."

“I am not so weak that I cannot stop you from doing something I don’t like,” Xiao says, unimpressed.

“That’s not the problem!” Aether bursts, tears stinging at his eyes. Xiao’s eyes widen, and he looks stunned. “It’s not that I’m worried you can't stop me! I'm worried that you won't! And either way, I—I don’t want to become something you need to protect yourself from!”

Xiao’s mouth opens, but no sound comes out. Aether doesn’t know if he’s ever seen the adeptus so caught off guard, but he’s too distressed to marvel over the sight like he would otherwise.

“I want to be someone you feel safe with,” he continues, quieter now. “I want you to be able to relax with me. I want to be someone you can trust to never even try to hurt you. It doesn’t matter that you’re stronger than me; I know you are.” His voice lowers to a whisper. “It doesn’t matter because I… I love you, and I want to make you happy.”

Aether buries his face back into his pillows, sniffling miserably. Everything about the situation is wrong; he wanted to let Xiao come to him first, on his own time, not spring his feelings on him in an already emotionally charged conversation. He knows that Xiao shies away from feeling too much emotion in such a short time, and is similarly hesitant to accept positive emotions directed to him from others. Love is powerful, a deep well of affection and longing and so many other things Aether can’t put into words, something that he knows will drive Xiao away if he isn’t careful. Of course it’s his big, stupid mouth that’s going to lose him the one person he cares about with the same depth as his sister, the one person he’s even considered pursuing a deeper relationship with.

Xiao's weight shifts, and Aether is certain that this is where he's going to be left to suffer through the rest of his rut alone. Instead, gentle fingers brush against the small bit of his cheek left exposed to open air.

“You love me,” Xiao murmurs, like he can’t quite believe what he’s hearing. “You—You’re so foolish, Aether.”

The adeptus sounds oddly choked up, and it drives Aether to brave a glance at him. His face is more red than Aether’s ever seen it, and there’s a strange brightness to his eyes. He looks… overwhelmed.

“I’m… what?” He manages to say, brows furrowing.

“Foolish,” Xiao repeats bluntly, but Aether doesn’t get a chance to ask why. Xiao firmly but gently tugs on Aether’s hair to get him to reveal more of his face, and then their lips are pressed together in the next moment.

And as with anything that comes to Xiao, he’s helpless to do anything but submit.

Xiao truly hadn’t considered that Aether had any interest in him beyond that of friendly acquaintances until he’d been given that flute. He’d hoped on occasion, wondered if his own growing affection for the outlander would be even slightly reciprocated whenever he was alone with his thoughts for too long, but never expected it to happen. And then… it did happen. The flute is tucked safely away in the room that’s technically reserved for him but almost never sees use, safe from any harm that could come to it. Because yes, it doesn’t play a single note properly, but he doesn’t care as much as he might have otherwise.

It’s a gift Aether put time and effort into, specifically for him. Xiao can’t remember if he’s ever received such a personalized gift, especially one not meant to make him more efficient on the battlefield.

It hadn’t been his intent for his reciprocation of a gift to trigger Aether’s rut, but he’s heard of similar things happening to other Adepti in the middle of their own courting attempts, so he doesn’t find it particularly strange.

But he has better things to focus on now, like the fact he uncharacteristically initiated his first kiss, one that’s slowly becoming more and more passionate as the seconds tick by. Aether is no longer trying to hide himself in his pillows; instead he instantly rolls onto his back for easier access, revealing more of his bare skin. There are scars almost everywhere, much like Xiao himself, and he hopes one day he can trace them and ask for their stories.

Aether makes a low, growling noise before his lips part, and his tongue brushes against Xiao’s mouth. He barely manages to suppress a whimper before accepting the unspoken request, shivering when Aether takes full advantage of his submission. Xiao finds himself melting as Aether brushes his palms against his waist, frustratingly still covered by his shirt.

He pulls away from the kiss long enough to pull it over his head and toss it somewhere on the bed, then leans back down to continue. Aether stares at him hungrily the whole time, but he doesn’t move to take what he so clearly wants before Xiao offers it first. There’s a part of him that wants Aether to push further, in fact he almost expects it to happen any moment, but it never comes until he blindly traces his fingers down the center of Aether’s bare chest, where the outlander hums and places his hands on Xiao’s now bare waist. He seems to match whatever pace Xiao takes, but never does anything further.

“Aether,” he rasps, pulling away to stare down at him, “you can touch me.”

“Aren’t I already?” Aether responds, sliding his hands from his sides to the small of his back.

“I mean… You can touch me more than that,” Xiao clarifies, feeling his cheeks heat up.

Aether hums, clearly pretending to think as he fails to hide a sly grin. “I dunno, Xiao. You’re gonna have to be more specific than that so I understand exactly what you mean.”

Xiao stares at him silently, eyes wide. Would Aether really tease him so blatantly?

The grin, poorly hidden before, spreads freely across Aether’s face. “No need to be shy,” he goads.

“You’re—teasing me,” Xiao manages to choke out, finding himself frozen where he’s still leaning over Aether’s body.

“Maybe,” Aether chuckles, leaning up slightly to brush their lips together, “is it working? I'd love to hear you beg for my touch.”

Xiao’s mouth opens and closes a few times. “That’s…” he trails off, then resolutely looks to the side to avoid how increasingly intense Aether’s gaze is becoming. “... Perhaps next time,” he mumbles.

Aether stills, eyes widening. “... Are you saying you’d do this again?”

There’s hesitance to his voice, but a note of hope, too, enough that Xiao licks his lips before pressing them to Aether’s briefly. “Your rut will likely last up to a week,” he says, “and besides… We have been in the process of courting for some time. I would not have reciprocated if I did not share your attraction, nor if I had not been prepared for something like this to happen eventually. I simply hadn’t expected it so soon, but I do not mind.”

Aether makes a noise akin to a purr, looking mildly surprised at himself for a moment before both his hands lift to cup Xiao’s face like he had been earlier. “You’re so good to me, you know that?”

Xiao doesn’t have a response that seems suitable for such a declaration. Instead, he hums and brushes their lips together again before pulling back completely.

“Xiao?” Aether calls, hesitant. “Is everything okay?”

“I said I would help you through your rut,” He responds, shuffling further down the bed to better observe the situation. “So that is what I will do.”

A strangled noise is his only response, but he ignores it as he tucks a stray strand of hair behind his ear before reaching down to brush his fingers along Aether’s thighs. The other curls around Aether’s length, which has clearly been neglected for a while by now given how rapidly precum beads at the tip.

“You are very pent up,” he says, mostly to himself, but Aether huffs, drawing his gaze up to take in his pout.

“Well nothing I tried doing to myself did anything useful, so—”

Xiao silently cuts him off by leaning down to drag his tongue over the slit. Aether chokes on his complaint, hips jolting enough that Xiao has to pin them down with his free hand. A hand settles on the back of his head, prompting Xiao to glance up again as he tentatively licks the shaft from base to tip.

“And you accused me of teasing,” Aether jabs without heat. Xiao chooses not to respond, instead letting his eyes slip shut as he wraps his lips around the tip of his cock, adjusting to the feel of it in his mouth as he slowly sinks further and further down.

There’s some struggle when his gag reflex starts to kick in, and it’s made worse by the fact he can feel a combination of saliva and precum leaking from the corner of his lips, making his face burn with embarrassment. Aether, however, hardly seems to care as breathless sighs and moans fill the air, and he doesn’t hesitate to start offering praises and calls of his name.

“Xiao,” he groans, “you’re doing so good, don’t stop.”

Something about the command made in that voice makes Xiao weak; he whimpers, all embarrassment forgotten, and finds overcoming his gag reflex much easier than expected. His mate will surely provide him with all the more praise if he obeys, right?

With renewed vigor, he sinks further down and lets out a muffled whimper when he realises he’s managed to take Aether to the root, his star-like, earthy scent filling his nose and his mouth. A deeply instinctive part of him is suddenly desperate for more of that wonderful praise, and he pries his eyes open to peer up as best as he can through the tears welling in them. Aether doesn’t notice what he’s doing at first, his own eyes closed and his head tilted back as a long, low moan pours from his lips, and Xiao finds himself pawing at his thigh in an effort to get his attention.

It works; Aether shudders and looks down at him again, the hand in his hair starting to gently brush through it. “Good boy,” he whispers, eyes dark and hungry. Satisfied, Xiao’s eyes slip shut again, and he starts to suck as best as he can, trying not to let himself get too embarrassed at the resulting slurping noises. Aether’s fingers tighten around his hair as he sucks, his thighs tensing under Xiao’s hands, and he continues to mindlessly grace Xiao’s ears with noises of pleasure and words of praise.

There’s still that instinctual part of him, the Omega, that wants Aether to push for more, to take what Xiao has already begun to offer. He’s still lightly petting his head, running his fingers through his hair, but not once does he do anything more controlling. In an effort to goad him into taking more action, Xiao starts using his tongue more, twisting and curling it around the shaft in his mouth with what little room there is left, pleased when it earns him a surprised gasp along with the fingers in his hair tightening.

He still doesn’t push, but Xiao suspects that it’s working, and he just needs a final nudge to drive Aether over the edge. To achieve this, he swallows, feeling his throat tighten around the tip of Aether’s cock, and starts humming. It produces the desired effect; almost immediately, Aether cries out as his hips lurch up, like he’s trying to fit deeper into his mouth even though there’s nothing more to take. Xiao still takes it in stride, trying to set up a rhythm of sucking and swallowing as he enjoys the noises it pulls from Aether’s lips.

Aether gazes down at him then, realisation washing over his expression. “Are you trying to get me to lose it?”

Xiao only gives him a pointed stare and huffs as best as he can through his nose.

“Jeez,” Aether chuckles, letting his head fall back to his pillows for a moment. “You’re gonna be the death of me, you know that?”

His voice is so unbearably fond despite the potentially harsh words that Xiao can’t find it in him to complain. The fingers in his hair run lightly along his scalp again, achingly gentle, before slowly tightening their grip, trapping a handful of strands in between them. Xiao has to force himself not to squirm in anticipation, almost embarrassed over how such a small action of dominance riled him up so much.

“Pinch me if you want me to stop.”

That’s the only warning Xiao gets before Aether forcibly yanks his head up, his shaft slipping out of his mouth with a wet slurping noise, before forcing his head back down, sheathing himself down his throat in a single thrust. The tears welling in Xiao’s eyes spill down his cheeks when he gets no further break, and it’s exhilarating to be able to watch Aether gradually lose himself to the pleasure Xiao is giving him.

He almost doesn’t register how one of his own hands reaches down under the waistband of his pants to stroke himself, arousal burning through his blood like fire. Even with what little he does remember of heats he went through several millennia ago, he knows that any restlessness and arousal he experienced back then hardly holds a candle to the intensity he feels it with now. His mind grows cloudy, his thoughts narrowing down to Aether, Mate, Aether, feels so good—

He doesn’t know how long it’s been since they started, but Aether abruptly yanks Xiao up by the hair, forcing him to release himself and stumble up on his knees to accommodate the fierce kiss Aether pulls him into. He doesn’t seem to care that he can likely taste himself on Xiao’s tongue, instead leaving him breathless when they finally break apart moments later, gasping for air.

“Xiao,” Aether growls, hands possessively grabbing at any part of him they can reach.

“Aether,” he whines in response, arching his back into his touches. Every part where their skin makes contact feels like fire brands on his skin, and Xiao distantly thinks that he wouldn’t mind burning to ashes if it was Aether’s hands that did it. Then, Aether’s fingers dig a bit too hard into a pair of particularly sensitive spots on his shoulder blades, and he can’t stop himself from instinctively flinching away with an overstimulated noise. Aether, despite appearing to be on the verge of losing his mind to desire, stops moving the moment he hears him. Some of the heat leaves his gaze, and his hands lift to hover a few inches over his skin.

“Xiao?” He calls, looking between his face and his own hands in concern. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” he breathes, forcing his body to relax again, sinking down so they are chest to chest and he can tuck his face into Aether’s shoulder. “I am fine. You just touched a sensitive part of my skin.”

“Oh,” Aether says simply. His hands slowly slide against the center of his back, hesitant to touch those places again. “Why are they sensitive? Are they… scars?”

“No, not scars,” Xiao shakes his head. “And you can touch them again as long as you are gentle. It only hurts if you are rough with them.”

“If they’re not scars then what are they?” Aether asks as he curiously runs his fingers along his shoulders again, feeling along the symmetrical, angled ridges raised slightly from the rest of his skin, starting around the upper edge of his shoulder blades and making a short, straight line down and diagonally towards his spine.

“They are where my wings would emerge should I choose to use them.”

“Wings,” Aether repeats in awe. “Can I see them?”

“Perhaps later,” Xiao says, tilting his head up to brush his lips against Aether’s jaw. “Were we not in the middle of something else?”

Aether sighs fondly, gently brushing his palms over those marks on his shoulders, experimenting with the pressure he uses. Xiao hums at the pleasant sensation of skin on skin, preening at the fact his mate is treating such a vulnerable area with so much care.

“If you insist,” he teases, rolling them over so that Xiao is the one on his back and Aether has his elbows braced on either side of his head. “Mind if I go ahead with what I had planned to do, then?”

Xiao nods, finding himself curious what Aether had been thinking of when he stopped Xiao from bringing him to completion. He can still feel Aether’s length pressing firmly against his hip, twitching from the lack of attention, but the blond almost seems completely oblivious to it as he instead begins to trail kisses and licks down Xiao’s torso, his hands blindly ridding Xiao of his last few articles of clothing until he’s completely bare.

At first, Xiao suspects that Aether might intend to return the favor, and he opens his mouth to begin assuring him that it isn’t necessary, but it’s almost like his thoughts have been read like a book, and he gets a few harsh bites to his thighs as Aether’s eyes stare up at him, daring him to utter so much as a single word.

Xiao closes his mouth.

Regardless, Aether seems to have something slightly different in mind. One of his hands curls around Xiao’s length, drawing a low sigh of pleasure from him, but his mouth goes further down.

“Gods,” Aether breathes, his voice nearing a hungry growl, “you smell so good.”

Xiao only manages a yelp when a hot, wet tongue drags over his hole, followed by a finger tentatively tracing his rim. He whines long and loud, head thrown back into the pillows, as Aether laps at him a few more times before slipping a single finger inside.

Xiao has known that mortals and deities alike sometimes touch themselves like Aether is touching him now, seeking to alleviate stress or simply to enjoy simple pleasure. He’s never seen the point of doing so himself, bound and busy with his duties as he’s been since the Archon War and the Cataclysm. Now, with Aether working his body so thoroughly, like he’s trying to find every single spot that gets a reaction from Xiao, he thinks he better understands the urge to chase after such sensations.

He hadn’t thought having sex would be a bad experience, not necessarily, especially since he has endured much in his long life that would easily outclass anything in terms of unpleasantness. But with a second finger working past his rim and that warm, wet tongue continually adding another layer of stimulation to his senses, all Xiao can think about is how much he wants Aether’s cock instead of his fingers.

He must say something to that effect aloud, for Aether chuckles and sinks his teeth into the flesh of his inner thigh a moment later, drawing a high whimper from his throat. “Patience, Xiao,” he purrs, “I’ll give you what you want soon. I just need to make sure you’re ready first.”

True to his word, a third finger pushes in steadily, and though it stings slightly now, it’s still overridden by the waves of pleasure coursing through his veins.

“Aether,” he cries, “Aether, please, please—”

“Xiao,” Aether responds, “you’re doing so good for me. Just a bit more.”

Xiao chokes on another whine when Aether speeds up, no longer laving his tongue along his sensitive skin, but causing loud squelching noises to fill the room. Any other time, Xiao would burn with embarrassment, but here, helpless to do anything except take whatever Aether gives him, arousal blazes hot across his skin, concentrated in the pit of his stomach.

“Aether,” he calls again, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter until it feels like he’ll break in two, “I’m, I—”

He’s suddenly empty, Aether’s fingers withdrawing fully with a last wet noise, and he can’t do anything besides cry out in confusion and despair, because he stopped, he’s leaving, mate mate mate Alpha Alpha Alpha—

Aether leans back over him, and he’s quick to throw his arms around his neck and wind his legs around his hips to keep him from moving. Aether huffs, sounding amused, but there’s a small part of Xiao that’s annoyed he stopped just before he could come, his whole body still pulsing with unreleased tension, enough that he growls when Aether so much as shifts his body.

Aether gives him an incredulous stare, eyebrows raised. “Did you just growl at me?”

“Aether,” he hisses, tugging harshly at his hair, “hurry up!”

His brattiness earns him a sharp bite to his shoulder. “Be careful making demands like that,” Aether warns, voice low and rough. Xiao can feel his stiff length twitching against his thigh, and he bucks his hips, frustrated that he’s still not inside him—

“If you don’t fuck me right now, I will not hestiate to—”

Any threat he could have made is cut off when Aether digs his teeth into his skin harder and sinks his cock inside Xiao in a single, harsh thrust. Xiao throws his head back with a cry, partially in relief and partially in surprise, because Aether is much more filling than a meager three of his fingers.

Aether doesn’t allow him time to adjust; the pace he sets is rough and relentless, every thrust pulling high whines from Xiao’s chest. He’s helpless to do anything but desperately claw at Aether’s back, clinging to him as tightly as he can as he cries out in pleasure.

Aether grunts against his shoulder where he was bitten, his voice low and raspy, fingers digging into his hips to keep him from trying to escape.

“You sound so good, Xiao,” he groans, “so much better than I could ever imagine.”

Xiao wants to reciprocate, wants to give Aether just as much praise and pleasure from his words as he’s being given, but any attempt to form a coherent sentence is drowned out by the endless stream of moans pouring from his lips, with the occasional fragment of his name slipping through.

“I didn’t think you’d be so loud,” Aether continues, releasing his hips only to grip the underside of his thighs and push them towards his chest. Xiao chokes on a whine as he’s folded in half, pliant to whatever Aether wants to do to him, his head falling back against the pillows as Aether continues to fuck him with renewed intensity. His vision blurs as tears well in his eyes, his thighs shaking where they’re being pinned down.

“Aether,” he whines, uncomprehending of anything that isn’t Aether and the way he plunges inside him over and over again, “Mate, Aether, Alpha, please—”

“Please what?”

“Please—want you, bite me, claim me, please—”

A low growl is his only answer, followed by fangs pricking the crook of his neck. Aether doesn’t use enough force to pierce his skin, nor lay a true, lasting claim, but a spike of sharp pain surges through his body, mingling with the pleasure, and just the thought of being claimed, of Aether claiming him, wanting him, is enough for the spiraling coil of tension building in his gut to snap.

His pulse thunders in his ears as he comes, and he’s deaf to any noise he might be making as he’s fucked through his orgasm. What was once raw, warm pleasure flowing through his veins quickly turns to a near-painful overstimulation, and he can’t stop the overwhelmed sob that escapes his control as tears streak down his cheeks in hot trails.

Aether takes mercy on him and slows to a halt, then carefully slides out completely. A gentle hand cards through his hair, and he finds himself tilting into the contact with a purr.

It takes him a few moments to collect himself enough to blink his eyes open, a few stray tears escaping his control. Aether carefully swipes them away with his thumb, then lets his palm settle on his cheek. Xiao can’t remember the last time he’s felt so safe while simultaneously being the most vulnerable he thinks he’s ever been in the presence of another.

“You back with me?” Aether hums, smiling warmly down at him.

Xiao nods. “Yes,” he rasps, surprised at how hoarse his voice has become. It’s here that he starts to notice that there’s a strange new weight at his shoulders. He flexes them slightly, hearing a rustling noise in response, and he suddenly realises that—

“Your wings came out after all,” Aether says just as he has the same thought. Xiao tilts his head to the side to confirm that his wings did indeed manifest, teal and golden feathers splayed out on the bed at his sides. Aether reaches out, hesitant but curious, to brush his fingers along the teal feathers near where they connect to his shoulders, then trail all the way down to the golden primaries at the tips.

“I… did not intend for that to happen,” Xiao says quietly.

“Mmmm. It’s okay,” Aether replies, absently flicking at the large flight feathers. Xiao can’t help but criticize his own appearance faced with Aether’s exploring gaze; it’s been several millennia since he’s used his wings at all, and disuse has rendered every feather dull and misshapen. He’s certain the outlander must be having the same thoughts. And yet, he’s surprised when Aether only runs a reverent touch over them, then sighs, “you’re so pretty, Xiao. I… I can’t believe you’d ever let me see you like this.”

Xiao has never put much thought into his appearance before Aether. But here, under such genuine affection that he can even smell in his scent, he finds himself feeling bashful, tucking his face against Aether’s shoulder. He doesn’t know what to say to such a declaration, so instead he asks, “why did you not claim me?”

Aether sighs, nuzzling the top of his head. “I’ve only read about claims and stuff, but I’ve gotten the impression it’s a permanent thing. I… didn’t want you to regret something decided in the heat of the moment. Is it something you still want from me?”

“Yes,” Xiao says easily. “As I said before, had I not been prepared for anything that comes with courting and bonding, I would not have reciprocated your affections.”

Warm lips brush against his shoulder, right over his scent gland. There’s several moments of silence as Aether presumably mulls over what he’s said. “If you’re sure,” he hums.

“I am,” he says, bringing his own lips to Aether’s neck. His scent fills his nose, and he finds himself pressing himself up against his chest for more skin contact. “And you still haven’t come, Aether,” he adds. “You’re the one in rut. You can be more selfish.”

“Oh?” Aether lifts his head with a grin. “Is that an invitation?”

“Take it as you will,” Xiao responds, gently pushing a palm against the center of Aether’s chest to guide him away slightly. Aether relents with a curious blink, then groans hungrily when Xiao takes the opportunity to roll himself onto his front, shuffling his wings until they’re folded neatly against his back. “Now stop stalling and take what I offer you freely.”

“Fuck, Xiao,” Aether breathes, running his fingers down the center of his back between his wings. “You’re gonna drive me insane.”

“Good,” Xiao huffs, reaching back to tangle his fingers in golden hair and tug insistently. “Hurry up.”

Aether growls at his tugging, a noise with intent behind it now, and Xiao finds himself submitting and letting go with a low whine. A firm hand settles heavily between his shoulder blades, keeping his front pinned down, while the other wraps around his hip and forces him to present himself to Aether’s predatory gaze.

“Still so wet for me,” he hums, brushing his thumb against his entrance.

“Yes,” Xiao rasps, wiggling his hips in an attempt to get Aether to do something other than stare. He gets a chuckle for his efforts, but a moment later, Aether’s cock slides against his skin, still hot and wet from before. He teases him with it for a while, pressing against him with the promise of filling him, but intentionally missing his mark right at the last second. “Aether,” he complains, feeling a vague sense of deja vu. He’s starting to wonder if Aether likes watching him lose his composure.

Xiao yelps a moment later when sharp teeth nip at his nape, and he feels every inch of Aether’s hard shaft fill him once more. It almost feels like he reaches deeper in this position, the angle perfect for Aether to push against all his sensitive spots.

Aether settles for a few moments, lips brushing against his shoulders. Xiao feels whines bubbling up his throat, but forcefully stifles them into the pillow in front of him.

“I need to bite here, right?” Aether asks, gently pressing his teeth right over his scent gland at the crook of his neck. Xiao lets a low noise out and nods. “I didn’t even make a claim last time and you came from it. Do you like it when I do that?”

“Aether,” Xiao whines, “stop teasing me.” He punctuates his point by drawing his own hips forward, Aether’s cock slipping out of him bit by bit, before he shoves himself back, filling himself again. Aether groans low in his throat, the fingers around his hips tightening as he rocks into him with his own thrust.

Aether doesn’t waste more breath; he sets a steady pace, not too slow yet not quite fast enough for Xiao’s taste, withdrawing halfway before sinking deep inside again. Xiao barely has enough time to bury his face in the pillows, muffling his moans and whines as Aether slowly but steadily makes his mind melt.

It’s a pace that befits the pleasant heat that thrums in the pit of his stomach, an easy, warm pleasure that washes over him like the waters of a spring. And any other day, Xiao would be content to allow Aether to do as he likes; but urgency still coils in his limbs, that omega part of him almost desperate to bring Aether that same rush of ecstasy as he was given before.

“Please, Aether, faster,” he whines, lifting his head just enough for his words to be heard clearly. It seems the outlander is no longer in the mood to tease, for his hums and obeys immediately, his pace increasing. “Harder,” he adds, emboldened by the easy obedience from his Alpha. Aether complies again, and soon the only thing Xiao can hear is his own muffled moans, Aether panting into his nape, and the wet slap of skin on skin.

“Xiao, I’m getting close,” Aether groans, his grip on his hips tightening. True to his word, every thrust starts to catch on his rim, his knot starting to firm and swell at the base of his cock. Truthfully, having that moment of resistance before it’s forced in and out of him sends electrifying tingles shooting through his body, but what Xiao wants much more desperately in the moment is…

“Knot me, knot me knot me knot me, please, Alpha,” Xiao begs, drooling onto the pillow. He spreads his legs further apart and tilts his own hips a bit further, and the next thrust plunges so deep it leaves him trembling all over. A noise that can only be described as a chirp escapes his control, and Aether groans low alongside it, now intentionally aiming his thrusts to hit as deep as he can make them go. The knot only gets firmer and larger with time, as does Xiao’s borderline need to take it. “Please, please Alpha, knot me,” he begs again.

“Anything you want,” Aether manages between panting breaths, and suddenly his fangs are buried in Xiao’s neck, right over his mating gland.

He can only manage to let out a shrill cry as he feels the bond snap into place, right at the same time as Aether’s knot slips inside him one final time to lock them together. He feels heat bloom deep inside himself, and pushes further against Aether with a desperate whine. He almost doesn’t understand what he’s even looking for in that moment, at least until Aether purrs and wraps his arms around Xiao’s waist, settling his weight so he comfortably blankets his back. He settles immediately, joining the quiet purrs with a short trill of his own.

“Mmm, Xiao,” Aether murmurs, nuzzling the place he was bitten, “I love you.”

Affection surges through Xiao, warm and light, and it’s only now he finds an almost shy flush spreading over his face, even though he’s still face down on Aether’s bed with his knot still keeping them together. “I love you too,” he whispers.

Aether hums, then shifts, his hips starting to withdraw. Xiao starts to protest against it, but chokes on his own voice when the knot just tugs at him without yielding. “Sorry,” Aether apologises, easing back against him. “I, uh, may have not really read about any of this stuff as much as I should. How long are we stuck like this?”

Xiao frowns. Though he only sounds curious, his phrasing makes it seem like he doesn’t enjoy the closeness that he finds himself reveling in.

“I’m not sure,” he admits, tilting his head to the side so he can see Aether’s face. “Are you… Do you not wish to be close like this?”

Aether huffs and pokes him on the nose. Xiao, bewildered, wrinkles it at him with what he’s sure is a confused furrow to his brow. “That’s not what I was trying to say,” he says, “I’m quite happy to finally be able to cuddle with you, actually.”

Xiao chirps happily. He would usually be more frustrated at the fact his more bird-like tendencies are escaping his control, but he’s comfortable, and he knows Aether would never make fun of or take advantage of his moments of vulnerability.

A few moments pass by before Aether shifts, carefully guiding Xiao onto his side as he follows suit, careful not to jostle the place they’re still joined too much. Xiao is still limp and sated, and is more than content to melt into the sheets and wiggle his back closer to Aether’s chest. He gets an amused chuckle for his efforts, but a steady arm returns to its place around his waist, keeping him tucked in the outlander’s embrace.

“I’d really love to preen your wings sometime, if you’d allow me,” Aether says, his voice a bit distant like he’s becoming drowsy. Xiao can’t say he’s any different, his eyes beginning to droop with the unusual urge to sleep.

“Mmm,” he hums neutrally, then says, “if you want.”

“I do.”

“Okay.”

And for the first time in centuries, Xiao finds himself falling into the most peaceful slumber he’s ever had, his new mate not far behind him.