(*flings this in here for ya*)
How long has it been? Is it nightfall? The next day? Aether canât tell. Itâs always morning in the teapot.
Another contraction hits. He bears down, gritting his teeth while gripping the blanket over his heaving belly.
There isnât much progress. He lets up with a gasping sob. Madame Ping pats his leg, trying to comfort him.
Heâs so tired. His head wonât stop spinning and thereâs a ringing in his ears, muffling sounds like theyâre stuffed with cotton.
A damp and cool cloth rubs away the sweat and tears sliding down his face.
Xiao. His armor has been shed, and his clothes swapped for a simple shirt and pants. Heâs tightly gripping Aetherâs hand as if the latter might disappear if he lets go. He seems to be talking with Ping, but Aether can barely make out the words through his pained delirium.
Ping has a grim look on her face, and this is probably the most fearful Xiao has ever seemed.
Aether doesnât get a chance to ask whatâs wrong before his womb contracts and he has to push. He grips Xiaoâs hand and pushes and pushes until he finally feels a shift downward.
His hearing finally clears for a moment.
ââworried the babe or, well, the egg might be a bit large for him to handle.â
âShould I bring Dr. Baizhu?â
âI can send little Yaoyao for him. Aether needs you right now.â
Aetherâs voice is raspy when he quietly calls out, âXiaoâŠ?â
Xiao glances at him in surprise, and tries to smile, though itâs pinched with anxiety. âIâm here. Youâre doing greatâŠâ
Another contraction, and Aetherâs ears are ringing again from the pain.
He pushes and holds this time, not letting up this time and finally feeling the baby move further down until the contractions stop again. He lets his head fall back on the pillow, taking deep breaths while Xiao whispers praise and encouragement. âYouâre almost done. Itâs almost over. Just a little moreâŠâ
More contractions, more pushing, more sweat and tears.
Aetherâs not sure how much longer he bear this. Heâs not sure how much longer he can stay awake. Itâs a miracle he still is with exhaustion weighing him down. If the pain wasnât so bad tha it kept him conscious, he probably would have passed out by now.
Baizhu entered the room at some point, and Aetherâs not sure what heâs doing, but it sounds like heâs helping Madame Ping fetch some items and mix medicines.
Xiao lets go for a moment to bring a spoonful of crushed herbs to Aetherâs mouth, and then a cup of water.
At first, there isnât much difference; but then, each contraction seems to be stronger than the last, until Aether feels a burning pressure that has him scrabbling for something to hold onto. Xiao immediately takes his hand back into his own.
ââsee the egg! Push, Aether, donât stop now!â
Aether couldnât stop even if he wanted to. Heâs almost hyperventilating when the egg is squeezed further out, stretching him wider than he can handle, than he ever thought possible. A scream tears through the room. Maybe itâs him.
It lasts for, minutes? An hour? Nothing but burning and throbbing and tightly holding onto Xiao while silently begging for this to be over soon.
The egg â doesnât quite pop out but certainly slips out of him, leaving an emptiness that has Aether dropping his legs onto the bed in tired relief.
âItâs out,â Xiao murmurs, âyou did itâŠ!â
Aether manages to keep his eyes open long enough to see a green egg with a golden sheen, before letting them close for the day or night.
âNeve plumam pulvis foedet tuam~
âNec iam complexum alma
âCapias bona, somnias a luna~â
Columbina isnât there when Aether wakes up.
Instead, he sees Luonnotar and a few kuuhenki.
What are they doing here? Even if theyâre in the teapot, Liyue doesnât have any kuuvahki.
When Aether sits up for a better look, wincing from the ache as he does so, he notices them hovering around the new egg, which is now swaddled in different blankets and covered in flowers. Moon blossoms, especially. There is also a dodoco plushie that suspiciously resembles Xiao.
âPfftâŠ!â Aether canât help himself. The Luonnotar and the kuuhenki almost look like fairy godparents. And that Xiao dodoco doll is just too hilarious and adorable.
His chuckle draws their attention, and heâs immediately swarmed and showered in affection and hugs. âNice to see you all, too.â He glances around the room. âIs Columbina not with you today?â
Luonnotar immediately produces a cute little postcard.
âIâm sorry I couldnât stay for long on your big day. Someone really needed help âexorcisingâ some âdemons,â and I was worried he might get into an accident. Iâll come back as soon as weâre done.
âCongratulations on your new baby!â
Heh. Aether can more or less guess which âexorcistâ is being talked about.
âYouâre up already?â Xiao quietly opens the door. âI thought youâd still be sleeping. The pain medicine Madame Ping gave you is rather potent, even for most adepti.â
Ah, thatâs why Aether still tastes bitter herbs in his mouth. He shrugs with an awkward smile. âI think I just have trouble staying asleep. But, I do feel a bit groggyâŠâ
The bed dips a bit as Xiao sits next to him. âNo harm in getting more rest. I can wake you when dinner is ready.â
Aether hums. âStay with me for a while.â
Xiao huffs with a smirk. âYouâre lucky Yaoyao thought to bring Xiangling over.â
âTrust me, I can smell that Black-Back Perch Stew from up hereââ
Xiao interrupts him with a kiss on the lips.