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ALSO I JUST REMEMBERED BUT IF I EVRE SAW OR HEAR DYOU REMAIL OR NUMBDERS OR MONEYS OR YOU GAVE ME MONEY OR I DREAW YOU SOMETHING AND I YOU GACVE ME MOMEY TO DRAW YOU SOMEHTIN I STILL REMEMBER THAT KIND OF BUT YOU CAN ASK ME IT AGAIN JUST DONT GIVE ME CASH OR A NUMBER OR WHATVER I JUST NEED TO DRAW AGAIN DUDE MY ARMS ARE GONNA LITTERALLY ALLF OFF OT FREEZE OR BURN AT T HIS RATE WHY IS ERVYETHIN IN THIS HOUSE EXPIERED AND APPARENTLY NO ONE HER E CAN READ SMALL TEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU GIVEIN ME AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ANYWAYS STAY SAY DONT DO DRUGS IF THEY ARENT PRESDBIECED AND EVEN IF IT I S FROM A DOC DONT TAKE YOUR MAGICAL POPS AND HIS MAGICCA BINDER OR TAKE YOUR ELDEST SISS MYSTERIOUS MAGIC BDAY DRUGS OR YOUR BIGSIS VERY CONFUSING NREW HOBBYS STAY COOL OR WARM AND VERY VERY ALIVE AND SAFE GETTINS TABBED IS NOT FUN AND SO IS LOOSIN A LOT OF BLOOD OR TOUCHING HOT METAL OR BEING IN A FREEZER MOST THET DAY AND DRINK AND DRIVE RESPONSIBLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY DOES POPS DRIVE IF APAPRENLY HE CANTS SEE SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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hELLO IS ANYONE OUT THERE????

OKAY HI hELLO  FIRST OFF I HOPE EVERYONE IS WELL NOW

THAT THE EVIL WHATEVER I AM HAS FALLEN AND GCANT GET UP COMMERCIAL

SOMETHIN SEOMTHIGN DID IT HURT WHEN YOU FELL FROM HEAVEN THE ANSWER IS YES I GOT SHOVES TO THE FLOOR RECENTLY AND THIS FUCKIN BRUISE ISNT FADING FUNNNY HAHA OK PLEASENTRIRSSE ARE DONE

UH IM CATHERINE, MOD-SAN, GOLD, whatever they're callin me nowadays holy shit dude my hands are shakin like crazy

they've had me literally cleaning house PRETTY MUCH AS SOON AS I RECOVERED all work no play makes jack a dull boy thats me IM jack damn it i can't tell if i've eveolved into  a live-in housekeeper or some sort of roomaate and the paymetnt si s that i get to keep my lifeand also i REALLY need to move my keyboard over or get the window to leave the screen cause i can't blind type it just ain't happenin my leg's jitterering like hell BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS IM ALIVE YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO but i have absolutely NO CLUE how ;long THAS gonna last BBUT the great news is that ive finally been able to sit at my dangf computer and and actual;ly TYOOUCH ANFD LOOK AT IT ive practically been buried in all the freezers BUT ANYWAYS GOD MY HANDSA THEY STING SO FUCKING IABAD D ALKl ANYWAYS IM ALIVE IM STILL HERE IM TRYING?????????? TO GET BACK BUT EVERYONE HERE IS UHH NOT GOOD TO PUT IT LIGHTLY ITS TERRIFYIN OVER HERE BUT IM SENDING MY WELL WISHES THAT EVERYONE IS OKAY OVER THERE AND YOU SURVIVED WHETER THE HECK ANGR MY BIG SDIS MUST"VE SBUBJECTED YALL TOO BEACSE SHE IS FUCKING PISSSEEED LATELY IM GENUUNINLY WORRIED FOR OURLIVES LEVEL THERES SO MANY FIGHTS AND COMING-OUT-ABOUT-HER-LEGEND-OF-VIOLENCE STORY AND THE SHOOTIGN REVENTLY AND POINT IS THE LEGAL STUFF MIGHT GET RESOLVED OKAY?????? DADS MAGIC PROTAG POWERS OR WHATER APAPRENTLY HE KNOWS EVREYONE PERSON ON THE PLANET ITS GODDAMN WITCHCARAFT BUT MOMS DROPPIN LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY BBBBBBUYT OTS HER BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK AND WERE GONNA TRY AND TAKE ME OUTSIDE AND SEE IF I EXPLODE IN THE SUNLIGHT SO UUUUUUUUUUUUUUH THANKS FOR EVERYTHIGN I LOVE YOU GUYS ILL TRYT TO FUCKIN REACTIVATE ALL MY ACCOUNTS ALL A BAJILLION OF THEM APPARENTLY I WAS ONE CRASY AKJSFI KID PLEAASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON MY BI G SIS WAKES UP SOON IF SHE HEARS ME IM GETTTIN IT I HAVE NO FUCKIN IDEA WHATS GOIN ON ON YOUR SIDE CAUSE NO ONE IS SAYIN JACK SHIT BADUM TSSHH BUT I GOT  MY SHIT COMIN AT LIKE 9 AM RIGHT WHEN I TAKE MY VERY MYSTERIOUS NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE FUCK THEY DO ANYMORE MEDS AND IF I KICIK THE BUCKET AT LEAST I FUCKING STAYED BABY YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

ALSO IM NOT DRUNK WE DONT DRINK IN THIS HOUSE EVER BUT I DEFINITYL NEEDS A LIL HELP IN LIKE ANY SORT OF MEANIN NO ONE IN THIS HOUSE FUCKIN REMEMBERS ANYTHING IN ANY SOR TOF WAY FOR ANY SORT OF THING ITS AN ACTUAL I HAVE NO IDEA WHOSE CALLIN OR TOUCHIN SHIT OR WHAT TALL THIS SHTI IS IN THE HOUSE AND FRANKLY IM TERRIFIED CAUSE EVREYONE LEAVES POR PASSES OUT BEFORE I CAN GET A CLEAR ANSWER AND AND ADN COLD WAR INTELLIGENCE WHATHER NEWS STORY OLD POPS HERE IS PUTTIN ON TV ANYWAYS LOVE YOU GUYS STAY SAFE CALL OUT IF YOU SEE ME IN THE WILDS SOMEDAY BUYYEYEEE

WAIT I JUST REMEMBRED BIG SIS IS GONNE DESTROY SHIT SOON SONSONSOON SHIT HSHISTHSHIT OK ANYWAYS ERVYTHIN ONLINE LOOKS OKAY FROM WHERE I CAN SEE IT IN MYSETRUOS VPN LAND AND IM GOIN THROUGH MY COMP RIGHT NOW BUT EVREYON IN OUR HOUSE RECOGNIZES THE DISCORD SYMBOL PROBABLY>>>?????? SO IM TRYIN TO FIND ALL OTHER CONTACTS BUT ITS JUST A BUNCH OF EMAILS DDDDUDE I JUST HAD TO LET YALL KNOW WE'RE ALIEV HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE WELL LOVE YALL EVER IF YOU DONT BELIEVE THAT ASTY SAFE WATCH OUT FOR FUKCING PUNCHES OR SIDESWEEPS AND MY BIG SISSS KILLING BLOW AND THE FCKKGNGI  SWORD ON TOP OF HER BOOKSELG OR THE LITTLE GUN THING IN HER LCOSET WHAT THE FUCK IS EVEN IN HER ROOM ANYMROE ANYWASY DONT DIE OUT THERE LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PEACE OUT BURY ME UNDER A BLUE SKY WITH ALL MY SHIT IIM HANDING  DOWN WHATEVR THE ITTY BITTY NOT SO BITTY NEICE WANTS LIL PRINCESS LILLY HAACKER SCAMMER HUSTLER SECOND LEGEND OF VIOLENCE IN THE MAKIN IM GONNA FUCKIN PASS OUT I HAVE NO  IDEA OF FUCKIN ANYTHIN THATS HAPPPENIN HERE EVERERR GOD CAN I TALK TO ANYONE THAT ISNT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THIGNS I HAVE HEARSD ABOUT THE PWOPLE ROUND HERE any ewysbans m y hands are shak in and breakin and crankin love yall stay safe dont fall into a ditch like me ever again mMWAHH TEDDIE IF YOURE OUT I STILL OWE YOU THAT FUCKIN LETTTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

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So I just thought of a modern AU where Xiao is an idol who is actually very introverted and is often stressed since he’s famous, and Aether is his best friend who is his emotional support and is head over heels for him but doesn’t say anything because he thinks Xiao only sees him as a therapist friend (maybe he used to have bad friends?), yet Xiao also loves Aether yet doesn’t say anything because because he thinks that the love Aether has for him is very platonic. Sorry if it’s long ;w;

AETHER IS HIS BEST FRIEND?? Aether is his best friend... why... how... Are they childhood friends?? Did they know eachother in school??? Did Aether briefly work as staff or something???? Did they have a one-time chance encounter and exchanged numbers due to circumstances that eventually developed into their super tight bond (and super falling for one another)?!?!?! I HAVE TO KNOW PLEASE I NEED THIS CRUCIAL INFO

Eh??? HAH??????? THEY’RE BOTH IN LOVE BUT BOTH THINK IT’S UNREQUITED?? That’s incredible thank you for my life. I want to see this... I want to see their dynamic in motion... 

(under the cut: i talk a bunch about what-ifs and tryin to expand on this idea! yeah it’s just me rambling)

Xiao’s probably some edgy cool type of idol... Slap on his usual angsty backstory into idol context and maybe it’ll turn into like... He used to be in a five-person unit with the other Yakshas but they either quit being idols or died or any other sort of reason (not important) and now he’s a solo idol... and it’s wearing down on him, being alone on the stage, but he’s continuing his idol activities out of a sense of obligation to his fans and to his former unit members... 

Like, he’s still perfectly healthy and able to continue being an idol, so he doesn’t have any legitimate reason to quit (in his mind), especially when his other unit members probably really want to continue as idols but it became literally impossible for them... So Xiao can’t quit because severe mental fatigue and stress isn’t enough of a justification to him since he’s dumb like that. Whatever, edgelord. Suffer.

Aether... why is he friends with an idol... why isn’t AETHER an idol.. I mean, there’s always the alternative of Aether being a former idol or dabbled in the business when he was a kid or something and quit as he grew up... That would probably give him more grounds to advise Xiao with maybe??? Also kid idol Aether means he could’ve potentially been Xiao’s initial motivation for wanting to be an idol/thinking idols were incredible... 

Oh my god... the emotional investment Xiao would already have in Aether... AND THAT’S WHY HE’D WANT TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH AETHER ONCE THEY MET EACHOTHER... AETHER IS HIS ROLE MODEL IDOL... And even though Aether retired, Aether still continues to be Xiao’s idol... Oh my god.................. 

And Xiao thinks Aether is so incredible and amazing even after retiring that it continues to elevate his image of what a Top Idol should be... Aether trying to help Xiao realize his own charms as a performer by being his fan... and helping Xiao think about what he really wants to do with his life by hanging out like normal boyfriends sometimes...

ANYWAYS THEY LOVE EACHOTHER LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT.. Xiao went from Aether’s biggest fan to his best friend to wanting to kiss him, that’s so damn wild... Aether lent Xiao a listening ear, slowly learned how stubborn and hardworking he is, and fell for this hot mess of an idol just like that... 

And now they’re stuck in this stalemate of loving eachother to bits yet unable to convey it directly, instead just trying to get as much as they can under the pretense of “best friends”........... WHEN DOES THE DAM BREAK... WHEN DO THEY.... DO A KISSY.................... OFFICER PLEASE...... I GOTTA KNOW.....

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I streamed drawing Aether part 2! out of a bajillion to come!! (guest-starring Lumine and Xiao but this isn’t about them)

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in which i streamed 12 straight hours of drawin aether as vocaloid songs. i love him

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I made a video! Link here: Please watch & maybe comment???

Xiao/Aether & Albedo/Aether, it’s a Rin-chan Now! Parody!

(To be honest, Albedo is only there because having Lumine instead would be strange and having two Xiaos was also odd.....)

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It’s spooky month, so here’s the latest AUs! Devil Angel and Angel Devil... because this pair fits both roles really well!

(under the cut: AU details! a bit long, maybe?)

First up, Angel Xiao and Devil Aether! In this world setting, Heaven is in the business of answering prayers, while Hell helps fulfill desires. 

Aether is a little too nice to be considered a good devil, so he gets locked out of Hell by his boss until he improves at his job... but he has no idea what to do, so in his desperation, he prays to God for help... and God answers his prayers by sending an angel down to help him! Predictably enough, that’s Xiao.

In Xiao’s case... The way prayers work, is that the prayers will be sent to the angel must suitable for the job. Xiao’s an angel who specializes in fighting, so his prayers have always been subjugation and other things that can be solved via violence. In time periods where humans were trying to summon evil beings, this was pretty common, but nowadays it’s peaceful, so Xiao doesn’t get a lot of work. 

So when he gets called down to the human realm for a prayer to “become a bad person”, he doesn’t know what to expect. Certainly not a teary, sparkly eyed devil who clings to him the moment they lock gazes... After some back-and-forth, Xiao agrees to help Aether. At the very least, he can’t let a devil go unsupervised like this.

As you can probably guess, through their wacky misadventures of Aether trying to sympathize with humans who do things for their desires and Xiao trying to understand why humans value such meaningless things... they fall in love!

And through the Power of Love, (which I hope becomes this blog’s trademark alongside happy endings!), they finally understand..!! Aether gets why humans would summon devils out of jealousy or anger now! After all, he gets jealous when Xiao gets eyed up by other people! Xiao gets why humans cling to the little things now... He’s valuing every moment he spends with his stupidly nice devil, after all...

They’re a lovey-dovey couple by the end of it...  Aether gets back to Hell and finds out that their bosses set them up... Since Heaven and Hell get along, their respective bosses are actually good friends, so they get together and talk sometimes... So they’d talk about work, then their subordinates, then their most troublesome ones, Aether and Xiao, and then the idea of putting them together came up... the rest is history. (Venti is Aether’s boss and Zhongli is Xiao’s boss, by the way!)

What do you mean Devil/Angel AUs are usually pretty serious?? This is my blog??? We only serve happy endings here???? This is a feel-good zone only?????

(I wanted a cape... but I also wanted wings... so here’s the explanation for it. It’s just an image, that you can also touch, but it’s just a touchable projection, really... Aether has a Realization... He’s a devil, okay? It’s normal for his thoughts to go south..!!)

Their human realm disguises(?)!! Definitely only for working undercover!! They totally not just going on dates!!! Xiao’s carrying Aether’s bag, if you’re wondering.

Devil Xiao and Angel Aether! This one is only a smidgen more serious than the other one. In this world setting, Heaven and Hell are in the soul business. Souls are sent to Hell where they’re redeemed and punished, then sent to Heaven to be reincarnated when they’re judged ready.

However, sometimes a soul’s good heavily outweighs their evils, so an angel comes down to collect the soul early. Then sometimes, a devil disagrees with the judgement, so they get into little spats now and then...

Aether and Xiao are always clashing during soul collection! But it’s not as if they actually disagree with each other... this is just how they interact with one another. They’ll argue about the most nonsensical of things just to spent a couple more minutes together! They’ve been pining for like... a bajillion years. It’s so bad, both Heaven and Hell have started a betting pool about them and haven’t informed either of the two...

They’re always making excuses to be together longer or to casually touch one another... Xiao pointing out that Aether has something in his hair (he doesn’t have anything), Aether grabbing Xiao’s sleeve to stop him from grabbing the soul and running off (he wasn’t going to), and both sides knowing the other is lying for some reason, but going along with it anyways. They’re dumb and very much in love.

(Note: Xiao does not require his hands to use his devil powers.)

As some fun lore dump, Heaven and Hell in this AU used to have a terrible relationship. It was a traditional kind of conflict between angels and devils you’d see anywhere else... and yet, Aether and Xiao met and fell for each other during such a time. At that point, the soul system was not in place yet, as it was a result of the two sides collaborating and compromising for peace.

But these two fell so hard, that they couldn’t stand for it. So, they fiercely worked towards peace and eventually, after an absurd amount of hardship, accomplished their goal of obtaining peace, just because they fell in love with someone from the other side... And thus the soul system was established, thanks to their efforts! However, despite being so certain of their own feelings, they don’t know how to interact with the other person at all... But they’re slowly working it out!

They go out on little outings (read: dates) together all the time nowadays, when they’re free after work. They’re a married couple that doesn’t know they’re married... after all the hard work they did to just spend time quietly together, it’s all they do. They just do domestic stuff and spend their days slowly, yet happily...

Human realm looks! They’re out shopping together. It’s not relevant in any way to plot, but I must inform you that they own a house together. Actually, it’s Xiao’s house. It’s pretty common for devils in their world setting to have human identities, so they have houses and such to go with it. Some devils even build their houses themselves, since that would be like an immortal being’s version of building blocks...

Once Aether and Xiao were hanging out on a regular basis, Xiao’s basic house gets a lot more cozy, since Aether starts helping out too. They have a big enough bed that they can spread their wings out, and Xiao will groom Aether’s feathers even though he technically doesn’t require it... And on cold days, where Xiao refuses to use his powers to warm himself, his wings will get cold fast, so he’ll use his equally cold tail to pester Aether until he finally relents and wraps Xiao up in his wings....

...Again, a married couple that has no idea they’re married. They’re very sweet....

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as hypothetically promised on my twitter, here’s mod’s collection of xiaoaether lewds... hypothetically...

this is a dump of mod trying to learn how to draw some REAL h*rny stuff...

(under the cut: straight-up h*rny content, the REAL DEAL, ALL IN, ACTUAL H*RNY, so beware!! aether with a pussy, you know, the works... actually, this is mostly aether...)

this the Horror AU pair, where they’ve achieved their happy ending and grown up safely… Big titty couple. Aether’s an “ara ara onee-san” type now and Xiao’s his buff biker husband…

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[Compilation of songs from here!]

I… I just like Aether… that’s it… so here’s him in a bunch of Vocaloid-song-themed outfits..!!!!

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hi! i'm a beginner artist and i absolutely love your art style, so could you maybe give some tips? I try to draw everyday, but i'm not seeing much of a difference. maybe it's something wrong with my process?

It’s..... it’s love...?

In all seriousness, I’m not really sure what to tell you..!! Different methods work for different folks, so no concrete solution exists, but I can tell you of my personal experiences at least?

It’s love. Drawing everyday is very good, I think, but I think loving what you’re drawing is also very good... For an example scenario, I love Aether, right? I love Aether so I want to draw him. I love Aether so I want to draw him well. I think Aether is pretty (because I love him) so his features are also pretty, like nice slender fingers or fluffy hair or nice legs... So I learned how to draw nice slender fingers and fluffy hair and nice legs, because Aether has them and I like that about him! 

I think Aether should wear nice things (because I love him). I think pretty outfits are nice! So I draw Aether in pretty outfits. And thus, I learned how to draw different kinds of clothes, like frilly skirts and fancy shoes and shiny accessories. And I think that Aether should have people who love him, so I learned to draw Xiao. I think Aether should have a nice world to live in, so I make my weirdly detailed AU world settings...

In short, I got better(?) at drawing because I loved my creations, and I wanted better for them! I think it also helps to draw your creations like they’re alive! Like, he’s not just... standing there, he forgot what he came into the room for and now he’s zoning out, put some life into it! You learn... a lot about how to draw things when there’s a story to it, I think...

Like most things, drawing is an expression of the heart, isn’t it? Even if you don’t love your creation, you have spent time and thought on it. You thought about your strokes and your colors, how this part needs to be erased or that section should be edited, and it ends up a labor of love in the end anyways! A work that moment’s “you” created. 

Besides, how do you judge “getting better”? For me, it’s when my creations grow up well. For you, it might be when you get closer to drawing how you want to draw. Take it at your own pace, have fun with it, draw with love! That’s about all I can say, sorry it wasn’t anything helpful...!!

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hello! im one of the people from twitter! i came here to say that i really really love your AUs and your fanarts a lot and thank you for giving so much xiaoae food QwQ my fav has to be the merman and mutual sickness AU tho. something about two yanderes being into each other is really nice (and twisted too) and its not common to see BOTH being into each other hehe also the merman AU ahhh its too cute no matter who the merman is hhhh ok im hitting word limit thank you for reading this qwq

hello!!!!! thank you for coming all this way to tell me!!! i’ve done a lot for the mermaid AU, so about mutual sickness..... love them. i always want to draw for them.... they’re both different types of yanderes, so their interactions are a mess!

Xiao wants to hide Aether away from the world so no one can hurt/taint/touch/see him, but Aether wants to be seen with Xiao always so everyone knows that Aether is the best (and one and only!!!) for Xiao!!!!

It’s a mess.

(note: they aren’t dating in the comic below)

bonus: xiao before the comic!

...how do you out-stalk your stalker?

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Au: two merians/mermaids, working at the aauarium and dating

There is not much you could say with the occupation he had. It was a sworn secrecy he was not allowed to reveal to any outsider. NDAs and stuff. But that didn’t diminish how much he loved being on the surface and taking the opportunity to see a vast world he never could’ve before.

Swimming a round in the aquarium after closing hours, just for leisure, Aether hummed with a smile on his lips. Another day of work where he played the mermaid in the exhibition tank, making kids and adults alike shine with excitement and happieness. Yes it was all significantly smaller than a whole ocean, but he didn’t mind.

Aether, a merian with golden scales and a feathery soft tail and another set of fins that looked like wings, was the star attraction at the Liyue Aquarium. Born in shallow waters he always wanted to be closer to the people he saw over and over again. They were fascinating and Aether knew there was a way to transform and become more human like, like them!

Well, one way or another he ended up at the Aquarium and after being seen using the tanks after hours for swims he was moved to being full time performer. All he had to do was spend his whole day in the tanks, just behave like he would naturally in his habitat and here and there give the visitors some attention. Yet-

He heared a small tapping echoing through the tank. He knew it from small children tapping the glas, they shouldnt, which often drummed in his gills and could disorient him, this …. this was… Different. It was more metallic and soft as if to make sure it wouldn’t be heared. With flaring anticipation he followed the direction the sound came from back to the tank entrance where he already spotted feet in the water that sprouted dark gills.

“Xiao!” he chirped as he broke surface looking up at his coworker.

“I’m here to leave you the keys.”

Aether chirped in confusion before his mouth made some bell like chimes.

“Gong Ye said he’d leave the keys in my compartment.”

“And then he forgot and called me to deliver them.”

“Thanks for bringing them here, Xiao.”

Aethers lips formed to a pout and the fins on his cheeks fluttered in mild annoyance.

“Why don’t you take off to go to the sea?”

Aether looked back up into Xiaos face, who stared rather intently at the surface dwelling merian.

“You can take time off. And the ocean would feel much better than this little fishbowl.”

“I know…”

Aether sighed, which sounded like another chime.

“But I like working here and seeing all the people light up when they see me. It’s a nice feeling, being able to bring happieness to people.”

The other didn’t answer to that. Instead he got up and out from the tank, removing his clothes one by one before he was naked and leapt with a header into the water. Aether watched it all unfold before him, then submerged himself again to see a merian, with dark sharp scales and dark fins make a turn towards him.

“We can’t even occupy this space together, it’s that small.”

“I think the pressure is just not enough for you, darkgill.”

“You’re impossible to talk to.”

Aether laughed and swam closer, laying his hand against Xiaos and touching forhead to forhead.

“Take some time off with me, Aether. I want to go to the ocean with you. If we talk to the director-”

Aether shut him up with a kiss on the lips. It felt weird and foreign in this form.

“A kiss? You really adapted too much to the human customs.”

The lightscaled laughed.

“Please swim with me for a bit. And tomorrow we can talk to the director. For now… I want to spend time with you.”

Xiaos fins fluttered in excitement and emberassment. He nodded with a sigh that sounded like the sound of a deep flute.

“I can’t court you here properly.”

“Oh is THAT what you want to do in the ocean?”

“It’s what I want to do in general. But on the surface other people are around and this fishbowl is… Uncomfortable.”

“Maybe we should also ask the director about expanding and adding a way bigger tank for you, with enough pressure. If possible, one next to mine!”

“You truly live with your mind in a world full of possibilities.”

But Aether could see and hear the soft smile in Xiaos voice.

“Velay, Xiao!”

The darkgills fins fluttured

“Velaywa, Aether.”

—

Director Zhong Li gave them a week off and the two went to the ocean. Xiao courted Aether properly and they finally could bond as merians.

When they came back there were last constructions on a new big tank that connected to Aethers. It was bigger and longer, leading all around the aquarium for a good experience when swimming. Some say the director had a certain “whale like sponsor” who helped with financing it.

Xiao was now more open to the thought of being a merian on display, alone knowing he could do so with Aether.

Ps: god writing these things on mobile is hard

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A compilation of all the Xiaoaether AUs I have right now! (plus the original pair, but I guess shipping them in of itself is like an AU?)

(under the cut: about the AUs!)

Roleswap

Aether and Xiao switch roles, so it’s Adeptus Aether and Traveler Xiao! Other characters have also switched roles, though this might be a matter of your own preference on who is who!

Xiao: An otherworldly traveler on a mission to subdue the darkness that builds up in various worlds. He arrives to fight just as suddenly as he departs, leaving no one his name or his purpose for being there. Since landing in Teyvat, he’s found himself getting attached to a certain stubborn yaksha... 

But that’s only because they’re usually in the same place anyways because their job descriptions are pretty similar and as soon as he takes his eyes off of Aether, that guy is running off to help some random person with their groceries or something so he has to watch over him—

(Secretly, he likes the company. Aether is a literal ball of sunshine and Xiao is very, very fond of him. Enough to want to whisk him away with him once he has to leave this world, but he can’t just do that, Aether’s bound to the world, to his homeland, but... but...)

Aether: The last yaksha, born from the light of a fallen star. As a being practically made of light, his duty is to purify the karma left festering from old gods in the lands of Liyue. As the centuries go on, the evils of the past slowly start to fade, so recently he’s been worried about what will happen to him once his job is finished. After all, he cannot be “light” if there is no “darkness”... But disappearing would mean he’s done what he was meant to do, right? Isn’t that a happy thing?

As of late, he’s found himself charmed by a passing traveler. The guy just exudes darkness, so Aether wants to stick around to help him out! But then he falls in love with him. Luckily, it seems like Aether’s contract with the Geo Archon ended just now, so there’s no problem if he follows the guy around Teyvat, right? And wherever beyond! Once his end comes, and he meets his sister up in the stars, he’ll be sure to bring her a ton of stories of him and his grumpy traveler!

Mermaid (Version A)

Merman Aether and Researcher Xiao, where Aether lives in an exhibit in an aquarium in Liyue that Xiao works at. Xiao’s coworkers include Zhongli, his boss, and Ganyu, his junior. A very, very peaceful and happy world setting!

Aether: An innocent, if sheltered merman who fell in love with a human and let said human take him onto land. While he can understand human language, he’s still learning how to speak it. Otherwise, he does chirping noises, trills, purring, etc. “Xiao” is his first and favorite word! He’s very affectionate and loves hugs, though kisses are reserved for his human! Despite the language barrier, he gets along splendidly with anyone he meets.

His latest worry is trying to perfect his human form and the human language. Although, Xiao did say it was fine if he never learned how to hide all his fins and gills, but!!! Aether wants to go outside with Xiao! And also see Xiao’s home! And talk with Xiao a whole lot!

Xiao: The human who stole Aether away from the ocean, because he wanted to study him. (That’s a lie, he just wanted to take Aether home but he didn’t have a suitable place for Aether in his house, so he took him to his workplace instead...) He was the one who taught Aether how to kiss and definitely cried when Aether first said his name. Used to be known as a rather cold person, but ever since Aether came, people have realized he’s just a hot mess that’s really into that merman he brought back. The amount of PDA is ridiculous.

He does want to get along with Aether’s sister, although right now they’re in a standoff... Ah, but his biggest worry right now is that Aether is getting exponentially cuter with every day. 

Phantom of the Opera

Featuring literal shadow creature Phantom Xiao and his angelic muse, Aether. Who is trying to take Aether away from the opera house? Lumine, probably, but your favorite love triangle rival can fill this role too!

Aether: A boy who loves watching opera performances and wanted to work with them up close as backstage staff. As the newbie, he got saddled with nighttime cleaning duty, a time when the legendary Phantom is said to roam. Despite that, Aether spends his nights re-enacting that day’s performance all by himself on the stage for fun, initially unaware of his single audience member…

He befriends the local shadow creature (Xiao) very easily and likes singing for him. Xiao starts bringing him outfits, so he puts them on and spins around for his friend happily, and this goes on for a while and before Aether knows it, he’s the star of the opera house? Well… performing is fun, and Xiao seems really happy these days, so it’s fine!

Xiao: Initially, he was a being made entirely of darkness. He spent his time skulking around the opera house as its shadows for years, since he likes music, in exchange for protecting the town. His favorite performer is that blonde boy who twirls around and laughs cutely all by himself on that big stage at night. Enjoying the sight, yet also yearning to give the boy company, Xiao attempts to make himself a human shape so he can talk to Aether. It ends up failing, as his human shape is still unstable and he exposes his true form to Aether, but Aether accepts him regardless. 

Thinking of the fancy garments other performers wear at the opera house, Xiao digs up some old clothes and helps Aether touch them up, all just to watch Aether twinkle under the lights… If Xiao defends Aether from the other workers who think him a thief or for aiming for the stage despite being backstage staff, ultimately ending up with Aether as the opera house’s star, well… Aether really deserves the spot. The opera house was originally built as an offering to Xiao anyways, so what’s wrong with doing as he likes?

Evil Spirits

First childhood sweethearts, then fellow evil spirits, this story features Cursed Doll Spirit Aether and Evil Spirit Xiao! They are, without a doubt, villains. That doesn’t stop them from being affectionate with each other, though!

Aether: Xiao’s childhood friend who moved away when they were still young. They made a promise to be together, something both parties still hold onto, even in death. Aether, due to terrible cult reasons or gruesome experimentation or both!, dies young and is made into a doll. His lingering regrets and intense emotions at the time of his death allow his consciousness to remain in the doll, though he needs to feed off human fear/lives to survive. Eventually picked up by Xiao, the two of them make for a rather frightening pair. Although it saddens Aether to watch Xiao become more and more unhinged, he’s happy that they’re together now.

Aether can’t stand up for long on his own, as he’s not built for that, so he either needs to have some sort of support or just has to be carried around. It frustrates him greatly, but Xiao seems pretty content to carry him… While Aether can speak, his mouth doesn’t move at all, since it’s just painted on, so he has a permanent smile, even when upset. His abilities involve drawing people and spirits alike to him, as well as assisting those who passed in rather… violent ways to become evil spirits.

Xiao: Aether’s childhood friend who searched for him when Aether disappeared. Eventually discovering Aether as a doll, as well as everything that led up to this, Xiao vows to eradicate every single person involved. He gets through a decent portion up until adulthood, carrying Aether along with him all the while, but is eventually killed in action. Aether uses his own powers to bring Xiao back as a spirit, allowing Xiao to continue his quest to slaughter. As Aether creates more and more evil spirits, Xiao begins to turn his attention to exorcists and the like who come to vanquish them… They promised to be together, after all. It doesn’t matter if it is as humans or ghosts. He won’t let anyone separate them again.

Rather than having abilities, Xiao is just really good at murder. Add on his now supernatural disposition, he’s only gotten stronger since his death. He’s single-minded in how he dotes on Aether, almost like he’s trying to make up for all the potential years Aether lost to physically grow up. The two of them are wandering spirits, leaving a trail of evil ghosts everywhere they go.

Mermaid (Version X)

Merman Xiao and Researcher Aether, where Xiao resides in a research facility in Mondstadt that Aether recently started working at. Aether’s coworkers include Albedo, who recommended him for the job in the first place, and Sucrose, who studies under Albedo.

Aether: He got the job through his friend Albedo, because Aether can “get along with anyone and anything” and “is disarmingly charming, in a good way”, apparently. The purpose of Aether’s supposed charms was to attempt to communicate and get along with the facility’s resident merman, who is notorious for being unsociable. And difficult. And kind of moody. But he’s also ridiculously pretty, Aether notices… in a scientific way, of course! 

Courtesy of Aether’s (blatant crush) job description of looking after Xiao, eventually the two become close! Very close. A little too close. Since Xiao is set on Aether being his mate, he doesn’t like it when Aether is gone for very long. So more often than not, Aether stays overnight at the facility… It’s gotten to the point that Lumine has been asking him when he’ll introduce his boyfriend to her, but Xiao is, uh, a bit difficult to introduce… in a lot of ways…

Xiao: A merman who has been around a lot longer than he seems. He used to live in the deep, dark depths of the sea, but for some reason has allowed humans to conduct their research on him. Irritable yet reasonable, Xiao understands human language, though he doesn’t bother speaking it. Growls and the sound of his teeth and fins are good enough indicators of his mood. He finds all the employees suspicious, especially the new one with really, really bright eyes. (Did they send this one in specifically to enchant him..? Because he really can’t take his gaze off this one…)

After being subject to Aether’s (blatant crush) insistent nature for a couple weeks, Xiao eventually and abruptly deems Aether his mate. With that sudden declaration out of the way, he’s in his best mood when Aether is doting on him (or vice versa!) and no one else is around. Given his current environment, he’s a bit lost on how to properly prove himself a good mate to Aether, so he settles for being rather… clingy. And protective. Albedo has nearly lost his hands to Xiao’s teeth many times now.

Personality Swap

Not a complete personality swap, more of a “the general feel of the character” swap, but that’s not a very catchy AU title, you know? Using the Red Xiao design for a cheerier Xiao and a Lumine-based design for a colder Aether, this AU is otherwise close to canon!

Aether: An otherworldly traveler looking for his twin older sister. Not very expressive and doesn’t like speaking if it isn’t necessary, he’s a rather spacey-looking boy. Even still, he enjoys helping people, though he wanders off as soon as the job’s done, mind already drifting elsewhere. The adeptus that found him is kind of noisy, he thinks, but it’s a nice kind of noise.

Xiao is in the habit of giving Aether gifts and affection, both verbal and physical, which has led Aether to being faintly aware that perhaps, he’s being courted..? Unsure of how to return Xiao’s pursuits, Aether usually mimics the things Xiao does to him, like holding hands or gifting items. Aether always wears the flowers Xiao gifts him. And since he’s gotten so used to Xiao touching him in some way at all times, when Xiao isn’t, he starts to get fidgety…

Xiao: One of the yaksha tasked to protect Liyue, who first discovered the traveler in Liyue and proceeded to accompany him all over Teyvat. Cheery and sociable, and also Aether’s sole travel companion, Xiao does all the talking for their party of two. He worried about that traveler to the point of following him around everywhere and falling head over heels, so his fellow yakshas and adepti practically kicked him out of Liyue to go ask Aether out.

Now out of a job and hopelessly in love, Xiao is helping Aether through Teyvat while trying to court him at the same time. He’s honestly not sure if his approach is working, but Aether has started speaking to him in a quiet voice lately, with soft, breathy laughs and tiny smiles that make Xiao’s heart explode into a million bits, so..!!! Even if they don’t end up together romantically, being someone Aether trusts to laugh with is already—!! (Insert Xiao’s mental keysmash here)

Casino

A successful and busy casino with a long history, run by the characters of Liyue and the traveler twins! This AU has Waiter (Waitress??) Aether in a bunny-girl outfit and Dealer Xiao, who also doubles as a bouncer. Lumine has also appeared as a waitress!

Aether: One of the wait staff working at the casino, alongside his twin sister. He’s the only wait staff wearing a skirt, since according to his sister, “no one will survive” if he doesn’t. Additionally, Aether’s the most popular of the bunny wait staff, for his good looks and charming demeanor. It’s a title he works hard to uphold, even if he’s not entirely sure how it happened.

When he first started working at the casino, he was under Xiao’s tutoring, so he has experience being a dealer/bouncer. Him primarily becoming part of the wait staff was because the casino had no lack of mischievous tricksters and stone-faced bouncers among their dealers… Having someone as cute as Aether serving you drinks is guaranteed to lift your spirits!

Xiao: A dealer/bouncer who has been working at the casino for a long time. Initially only a bouncer, becoming a dealer alongside that was a more recent endeavor, as it was suggested to him by his superior, Zhongli. He now misuses his work experience to simultaneously deal cards while also keeping an eye on Aether… or more accurately, anyone trying to get handsy with Aether. The incidents where Xiao did have to intervene are a well-known story, so all who have been in the casino for a couple hours know better than to try anything…

He’s one of the aforementioned “stone-faced bouncers” within the dealers and will undoubtedly catch you if you try to cheat. When Aether comes by to deliver drinks or the like, Xiao noticeably softens… On the other hand, on those rare days where Aether is working as a dealer and Xiao is a waiter, Xiao will slam drinks on the table as a warning. Don’t try anything with Aether. Aether always laughs when it happens.

Horror

With horror game series like Fatal Frame and Clocktower and all the like of that aesthetic as reference, this is essentially a horror-game-esque AU! Since the other horror-like AU had them as antagonists, this is the one where they’re the protagonists! And there’s nothing more terrifying than being children in a supernaturally horrific bad spot.

Aether: While playing hide-and-seek with his sister in their grandparents’ house, he ends up stumbling on a strange mirror in an old room. Predictably enough, he’s dragged into the world of the mirror, the realm of the dead, and has to find his way out. When he finds out his sister is somewhere in here too, he changes his goal to escaping along with her, once he finds her!

As most old horror game heroines are, Aether is all puzzle-solving and endless kindness, if frequently panicked. He relies on Xiao for a more aggressive approach to situations, though he does his best to negotiate where he can. The two of them get along so well you would think they’ve known each other all their lives.. Maybe even multiple lives!

Xiao: A boy that Aether encounters while trapped in the mirror, who promises to get Aether out. He’s rather tight-lipped about himself, whether it’s about why he’s here or his reasons for helping. Aether’s trust in him despite this mystifies him (and also makes him a bit happy), even if it is a bad idea in general. While he’s fine with assisting Aether, he doesn’t seem too enthused at the idea of finding Aether’s sister… In fact, he seems hostile?

As Aether’s partner, he makes up for what Aether lacks, so he’s all the combative force between the two. Additionally, he’s strangely quick and is able to play as a distraction while Aether solves puzzles. However, he’s vastly less merciful than Aether, which means his immediate response is usually to finish off an enemy. This leads to the two sometimes arguing on what to do (Aether wins a majority of the time).

Mutual Sickness

Read the blog description for the disclaimer! It’s the local specialty: a weirdly wholesome(?) yandere AU. A modern setting where Aether and Xiao are mutually pining in a very strange way, yet still aren’t going out. Not for a lack of wanting to, of course! More of a misunderstanding sort of romantic comedy, with a yandere twist.

Aether: Not the murderous sort, as he prefers collecting Xiao’s discarded or forgotten items, or taking photos throughout the day. He’s working hard to be Xiao’s ideal type in every way (which is just Aether), including making almond tofu exactly the way Xiao likes it (unaware that it’s Xiao’s favorite simply because Aether made it especially for him). Aether deals with his rivals by indirectly proving himself the best match for Xiao (and sometimes directly, by showing off how he’s basically the only person who can get away with all the stuff he bothers Xiao for).

One day, Aether follows Xiao on his way home and witnesses him absolutely pummeling some guy that Aether vaguely recalls had confessed to him earlier that day (Aether turned him down immediately, so he forgot about it). Not an unusual thing to see for Aether, since he stalks Xiao, but this time he gets caught watching. Before he knows it, he’s trapped against the wall and Xiao’s giving him the most threatening confession Aether’s ever heard and wow… How could he say anything other than yes?

Xiao: Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a lot of time to follow Aether around everywhere (a decent portion of the day, but not every minute, which he would prefer...), but with Aether being so popular, he gets the information he needs without even stalking him (which is great, yet it also pisses him off to have to hear it secondhand). Although he still takes pictures when he can, often enough, Aether’s included in pictures his friends post on social media, so he saves those too… and edits everyone else out. Xiao deals with rivals violently, if verbal threats aren't enough to scare them off. People thought the two were dating even before they actually were, since neither of them denied rumors. Xiao’s felt like they were an item anyways, since Aether doesn’t smile like that for anyone else… (And well.. he was right.)

After hearing about the latest confession Aether received (and feeling a vicious satisfaction that Aether, again, turned the guy down), Xiao commences his usual routine of teaching a lesson to idiots who can’t take a hint (read: various verbal-bordering-physical warnings to back off) and try their luck at confessing. Once he finishes up and turns to leave, he locks eyes with Aether, and panics. Thinking it’s do-or-die, he pushes Aether against a wall and spills everything to him (his feelings, his sins, his desires and dark, dark thoughts, etc). If he ended up getting arrested, at least it would be Aether’s decision… And yet, to his surprise (and utterly baffled delight), Aether grins and wraps his arms around him, and oh, it was mutual all this time… Of course it was, why was he even worried?

Royalty

Probably the most nonsensical of the AU bundle, this is an AU featuring a Royal Aether, who is usually in pretty dresses and his loyal, if foul-mouthed, Guard Xiao. Story and world-building is still pending, but the askbox is always open for suggestions! Even if it’s just scenarios you want to see with this pair!

Aether: Formally referred to as “Princess”, which is his work title, and has nothing to do with him being male. Unlike his sister, who has the title and duties of “Prince” so she is frequently away on journeys, Aether’s duties have him remain in the kingdom to watch over it. He’s also a very popular marriage candidate, with many after his hand, but for some reason seems rather uninterested? Maybe his heart is already set on someone…

As all royalty are trained in combat, Aether is no different, though there isn’t much chance to use it when Xiao’s there. Xiao serves as his bodyguard, attendant, and confidant, so they’re together nearly 24/7. Aether worries that Xiao is working too much and has, on multiple occasions, tried to convince Xiao to let other servants help out, only to be shot down every time. It’s an ongoing discussion… that has been going on for years.

Xiao: Aether’s personal guard/attendant/closest confidant who has been by Aether’s side since childhood. Originally brought in to be the twins’ sparring partner, he became good friends with Aether and wanted to support him as they grew up. So, he intentionally chose a career path that would let him stay close to Aether. Because of that, he doesn’t ever think he’s overworking, but he does often complain that taking care of Aether on his own is a load of work (a load he’ll gladly carry for the rest of his life, he muses to himself, when he combs his fingers through Aether’s hair and watches him yawn in the mirror. Cute.)

Xiao finds everyone aiming for Aether’s hand to be.. unworthy. Yet, if you inquired just what sort of person would be worthy, Xiao would open his mouth, pause, then shut it closed. Truthfully, it would just have to be someone Aether loves, who loves Aether in return, and that’s it, but… Xiao is aware that he also technically fits that criteria. They’re already close enough as it is, but to be able to hold Aether, to kiss him, to… It’s not like there’s any restrictions stopping him, he just needs a little push. (Here, we insert the story drama when we make it! Maybe it’ll be a soap opera, maybe it’ll be a fighting tournament, who knows!)

Beauty and the Beast

More based on the wiki page for the original story than the Disney version, it’s the story for Beauty and the Beast!  For this AU, it’s Aether the Beauty and Xiao the Beast. Other notable characters include Childe (referred to as Ajax here) and Lumine, also Zhongli is here somewhere…

Aether: The second eldest of his family, a group of orphans, who looks after the younger ones when Ajax, the eldest, is out for work. When Ajax asked everyone what kind of souvenirs they wanted him to bring back, Aether requested a flower unique to whatever country (Liyue, in this case) he was going to this time. Ajax, someone who always keeps his promises, is troubled initially since most flowers in Liyue can be found in other countries too. Then, he finds out about a flower that only grows on a certain mountain in Liyue, and attempts to get one. He succeeds, but only after making a deal to the beast living there to bring back the one who wanted the flower. (Read: Ajax picked a fight and lost. Ajax will remember this. Especially because he has to leave his little brother to this… thing.)

Aether, as promised, arrives at the beast’s home and here comes the slow burn (read: pining loudly in all forms except in a direct verbal manner to each other). Aether becomes Xiao’s companion (in a pure sense) and befriends him! Though after spending all this time away from home, Aether worries how his family is doing, and gets permission from Xiao to go for a visit if he promises to come back within the month. But once Aether returns, Ajax is hellbent on defeating Xiao (partially because he loves fighting, mostly because he’s aware he’s marrying Aether off to some beast in Liyue and that’s Not Okay With Big Brother Ajax) and Lumine is trying to convince Aether to not go back…

Xiao: The beast that lives in the very specific mountain where the very specific flowers bloom. He’s some sort of mythical creature that serves some sort of deity, but his bloody work had him thinking himself ugly of heart. Knowing that words wouldn’t convey otherwise, Zhongli, the aforementioned deity, made him as horrid in appearance as he felt he was in heart. “One day, should another come to love the you shaped by your own loathing,” Zhongli told Xiao, “You will learn to love yourself as well, and your form will change with your heart.” Leaving unique flowers to lure such a person, Zhongli left Xiao to mope.

Someone who wants these flowers will fulfill the requirements left by his deity. With that in mind, Xiao refused to let Ajax leave alive until he promised to bring that person. Soon after, Aether arrived at his home, and for the first time, he welcomed another into his heart. And when Aether went to visit his family, he kept thinking and thinking about what Aether was doing, when he would return, what they should do when he was back… Maybe, when Aether returned, Xiao could tell Aether how much he means to him. Aether would appreciate that, wouldn’t he?

[goldenimpact]

hayyy, ive always wondered, why dont u interact more on twitter? the xiaoaether community there is big and i always see people wanting to interact with you and your content ;7;

If I knew how, I would love to! Also, I have never seen those people before?? Where are you looking?????? Or are you just sensing something I’m not???????? Which is fair, since being social isn’t a specialty of mine... Where are these people that want to interact with me/my content????? Tell them I said hi????????????? And that I’d love to talk about my content with them??????????

I do love reading comments, though! I read all of them, and I usually like the ones that I find especially funny...  But I do read them all! However, the character limit prevents me from rambling like... this, so you’ll find I just comment a thumbs up to any questions.... I would like to talk to folks, though, especially if it’s about the AU stuff... my favorite topic..... unnecessary worldbuilding.........

If anyone from twitter is here reading this and wants to interact: hi! hello! feel free to send an ask here! or a private message! you can also @ me on twitter or private message me there cause apparently that’s a thing??? yeah! if i don’t respond and you really really really want me to, feel free to spam me until i do! i don’t get bothered at all!

[goldenimpact]

DID U SEE THAT THE MUSIC THAT PLAYS WHEN THE TRAVELER MEETS XIAO IS CALLED “Lovers’ Oath” ??? BC IM

Can you believe that we go up to that balcony and we’re just “Aw man he ain’t here” so we’re checking out the view instead and then he suddenly pops up with this kind of line and that kind of bgm like dude who even are you my dating sim love interest?????? where’s my cg????????

absolutely ridiculous. i love it

[goldenimpact]

hii i have no one to talk to abt xiaother and i saw ur tags so hello!! i have an idea to share:

personality swap xiaother with a more openly curious, cheerful, and maybe even mischievous xiao (kinda how xiao would be had he not had the lifetimes worth of trauma that he has) and a more closed off and jaded aether (due to seeing wayy too much in traveling worlds, losing his sister, trying to find her, etc). i have no idea how their personalities would develop this way but i think it would be kinda funny and sweet

like imagine aether traveling around the continent efficiently completing commissions and quests, looking for any clues that he can abt how to find his sister, not letting anyone too close, but he somehow~ always runs into a certain yaksha who’s like “oh! fancy seeing you here ;))))))))”

YES this is a very good idea.... approved...!! When I think about cheery Xiao, it’s gotta be that, right? The Red Xiao design? I mean, most people characterize him as a smug, flirty all-of-Xiao’s-repressed-desires kind of guy, but maybe we could just... make him a happier dude...? Consider it.

As for Aether’s opposite, as I was thinking about it, I sort of realized, “Wait, isn’t that just Lumine?” So here’s Aether with a Lumine-based outfit to go with Red Xiao!

Aether doesn’t have Paimon, and probably landed in Liyue first, where Xiao found him. Then Xiao kept worrying about that spacey-looking traveler and continued to pop up everywhere to help Aether out, and after the Liyue arc was done, they headed to Mondstadt together! (Read: Aether left on his own and Xiao pursued him.)

Xiao’s backstory and character settings are mostly the same, (save for his personality/design changes), but I think in this AU all his other Yaksha buddies are still around! So they’ve spread the workload between eachother and pushed Xiao to court help Aether by accompanying him on his travels around Teyvat. Like, “There’s enough of us here to keep Liyue safe, so stop making excuses and just ask the traveler out!”

As for differences in Aether, well, he’s quiet. He minds his own business and more often then not, gets dragged into trouble by just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Still likes to help people, though usually requests are just dumped on him. Then once everything’s resolved, he moves on like nothing happened. Not one for chatting (as in, he doesn’t say anything at all if he can get away with it), but he opens up to Xiao as they continue traveling together. Xiao thinks his laughs are the cutest!

Also, Aether’s probably the younger brother here. His more subdued nature is most likely due to him conforming to his more outgoing older sister’s whims all the time...

Shippy stuff... Xiao’s definitely the touchy one. After confirming that Aether doesn’t mind/care about being touched, he just. can’t stop. If there’s not a fight happening, then Xiao’s 100% touching Aether somehow. Holding hands, an arm around the shoulders, straight-up carrying Aether around (look at picture above), you name it! On the other hand, he’ll slap away anyone else’s hands if they reach out to Aether. Says that Aether doesn’t like being touched. Yeah ok Xiao whatever you say.

Aether gets used to having Xiao around really fast... So much so, that it throws him for a loop when he turns around and Xiao isn’t there. Kind of forgets he was on his own before. Sometimes, when Xiao doesn’t automatically attach himself to Aether, Aether will go to him and ask to hold hands... (And sometimes, Xiao does it on purpose just to watch Aether fidget...)

[goldenimpact]

hello your art gives me much inspiration would you allow me to write little ficlets inspired by your art?

Yes. Please write Xiaoaether. Please write happy Xiaoaether that isn’t about their terrible relationship issues or needing three novels about their personal individual lives before they can even stomach looking at eachother I’m. begging u. i’m so hungry y’all i’m shriveling up and becoming jerky i have no tears to cry anymore i’m sustaining off of my own content at this point and even though cooking for yourself is better overall in a lot of aspects i stILL WANT TO EAT OUT AT RESTAURANTS Y’ALL I’M wEEPING

pls... for the good of the world... pls write xiaoaether................ come share your xiaoaethers here anytime....... thoughts... AUs.... i’ll be waiting here.... always........

But yeah! Go ahead! Take my AUs and whatever ideas you get from my art and go wild with them! I’m ultimately making all of this to incite people to think of them as a Good and Happy Couple so please spread my fluff agenda!!