#messenger: ilpentamerone

[nyxicnymph]

Hi! Saw your post about fic requests. How about something Xiao/Aether and as domestic as possible? <3

Thank you thank you thank you for asking! Sorry it took so long, by now everyone knows my life is a mess.

Xiao/Aether Domestic fluff They have two kids and want one more. But it's done via magic AND offscreen.

A Glimpse of Future

Xiao hummed to acknowledge Aether's presence as the other man entered the room. When Aether wrapped his arms around his waist, Xiao leaned his head back with a contented sigh.

"Welcome back."

Aether nuzzled Xiao's neck and mumbled, "It's good to be back. How was your day?"

Xiao thought for a moment. "Lonely. I missed you."

"It does get lonely when we're apart, doesn't it?" Aether asked as he pulled away and started to remove his accessories.

Xiao pulled his husband close. "You know it doesn't get as lonely with the kids around. But I still miss you when you're gone."

Aether smiled. "How are the kids, anyway?"

"They're sleeping. They wanted to wait up for you, but Shufen fell asleep on Huang, and he didn't last much longer after she did so. So we have this time all to ourselves."

Aether nuzzled into Xiao's hair then. "Perfect." He held Xiao close for a minute before letting go and walking into the kitchen.

Xiao followed, and watched as Aether moved around, preparing himself a mug of tea. A soft smile danced on his lips as he watched his husband, a sense of contentment settlign over him.

Aether finished making the pot of tea, and offered Xiao a mug. Xiao just shook his head. "I had one earlier, thank you."

Aether nodded and poured his own mug of tea, and sipped it quietly.

"Do you have something on your mind?" Xiao asked. "You've been quiet."

Aether set his cup down, playing nervously with the handle. "Xiao, How... How would you feel about one more?"

"Cup of tea?"

Aether laughed. "No, no, not tea. Another kid."

"Yes!" Xiao said immediately. "I- Yes, Aether. Yes. I would love that." Xiao practically threw himself at his husband, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I can get the pot, the scissors, the-"

"Do you think now's a good time?" Aether asked geniunely. "I know we both have free time for a while, but are you sure?"

"Yes. I am. Please."

Aether pulled the Yaksha close. "Just a minute, and while you grab the pot and other tools, I'll clear the living room. That way neither of us trip."

They rested like that for a few moments, a happy silence filling the kitchen.

--

The next morning, Shufen dragged her older brother into the living room. "Huang! Huang, Daddy's home!!! He and Papa were talking last night, and dancing, and look! Look!"

Huang looked skeptically at the pot sitting in the corner of the living room. "So they've taken up gardening?"

Shufen frowned. "Huang, you big dummy. How were we born?"

Huang's eyes widened, and he stepped back from the pot, pulling Shufen away too. "A little sibling!"

"Yes, that's right," Aether's voice said from behind the two kids. "Hey there, kiddos."

Shufen shrieked in glee. "Daddy!" She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"How's my little girl?" He asked, then reached a hand out to Huang. "You too, come here, Huang."

He held his two children tight, then released them. "I missed you both."

"And you didn't miss Papa?" Huang asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aether laughed. "I missed him very much too, but I told him last night."

Shufen pouted, her mismatch eyes round. "I wanted to stay up for you, but I fell asleep."

"So I heard, and you took your big brother right along with you!"

Huang pointed at his younger sister. "See? I'm the big brother even if you're taller!"

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Meanie. You're just mad that I can reach the counter."

Xiao entered the room with a sigh. "There's nothing to fight over, Hunag, Shufen. After all..." He scooped them both up, and flipped them both upside down. "I'm bigger than both of you!"

"Not bigger than Daddy!" Shufen giggled, completely at ease.

Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Hey, now, when we're wearing shoes, we're the same height."

"Yeah, in shoes," Huang emphasized, trying to escape Xiao's clutches.

Aether laughed at Xiao's expression. "Maybe if Xiaobao eats his vegetables, he'll grow a little taller." The giggles from the kids were well worth the glare from his husband.

"I am going to get you and I am going to make you regret that," Xiao growled with a teasing lilt, gently setting the kids down on the couch. Then he jumped after Aether.

--

The day had wound down, and the whole family was on the couch. Shufen was asleep, Huang was nodding off, and Xiao and Aether were both trying to keep still for a little longer.

Xiao broke the silence with a question. "What do you want to name them?" At a questioning sound from Aether, Xiao gently gestured to the pot in the corner.

"Oh! Well, I'm not sure. I was going to ask you that."

"I want you to name them like you this time," Xiao said abruptly. "I want you to do that."

Aether buried his face in Xiao's shoulder. "I love you so much."

Silence fell, and they eventually took the kids to their beds. Xiao tucked the blankets around Huang a little tighter, feeling a slight chill in the air, and then closed the door. He returned to the couch, and when Aether returned, too, he beckoned his husband over.

They lay still for a while, just enjoying each other's company. Then, Aether stirred his head a bit.

"I think I've thought of a name."

"Oh?"

Yeah. How does 'Aura' sound?"

Xiao pressed a kiss to Aether's ear. "Perfect. Just like you." He then sealed those words with a real kiss.

-end-