Silver Stained Leaves

archiveofourown.org/works/570212... [Arcanus Extravagus on AO3, rated T, currently 44k words]
#xiaoaether #aexiao #xiaoaetherfanfic
I haven't updated it in about a year but I do plan to return to it eventually

Screenshot from chapter 9 of Arcanus Extravagus by 24SilverStainedLeaves on Archive of Our Own. Text reads: Aether tells himself it was the cold, but a secret selfish part of him hopes that it's the effect he has on Xiao, that this stoic man of very few words gets just as flustered as Aether does when they're together. A dumb little smile creeps on his face, agreeing with the idea. Xiao sank into every affection so easily, eyes flitting shut and head falling to Aether’s shoulder, the rise and fall of his chest long and slow until eventually shifting half of his weight into Aether’s lap without a word. Naturally, maybe too intimately, Aether’s hands came up under the jacket to run figure eights across Xiao’s back all while murmuring nonsensical thoughts just to run his lips through dark hair. He wanted to kiss him, and kiss him, over his cheeks and hair and maybe on the corner of his mouth if he felt so brave, but Xiao’s typed out words were seared into his mind. I'm not ready yet. Yet, yet, yet.

Screenshot from chapter 9 of Arcanus Extravagus by 24SilverStainedLeaves on Archive of Our Own. Text reads: And maybe Aether was a bit of a coward, too. He already had Xiao in his lap, gentle and pliant to his own hands, which was surely enough to feed even those hungriest for some kind of touch. How could he not be weak, really? Xiao communicated with just his cold fingers against Aether’s arms, in runes and delicate lettering and small symbols Aether tried not to read too much into, his soft exhales seeping through Aether’s shirt into his collar, warm. His breaths grew longer and hands slowly stilled; Aether could feel the flutter of his eyelashes against his neck like butterflies floating against his skin. All the hard edges and rigid mannerisms he’d come to know Xiao as completely mellowed out, and he felt his heart flip over and again. Nothing else mattered more than those moments.

But like I don't want to rewrite this cuz there's nothing I would add to these scenes when they already say so much

This story is so important to me which is probably why I struggle so much. I want it to be perfect but that's literally impossible especially on a first try

And I feel like I could do a lot better with the messaging in the fic. It just feels on the nose and lacking any nuance rn

I didn't write out clear rules for the college nor the magic system and now it's really kicking me in the shins

But I really like most of what I've written already

Thinking abt rewriting arcanus extravagus...

The details are awesome!!

Yeah!!!!!!!!
I love that his constellation is Rubedo to parallel Albedo in the alchemy process <3

Screenshot of Durin taken during the 6.1 (Lunar 2) special program. His head is bowed and he has an expression of either focus or pain. His hands are raised in clenched fists. His wings are visible at the edge of the frame.

I need him. I haven't done the archon quest yet cuz I've been busy but I am staring at Durin in the cover art and I want him. He is everything.

And Albedo made him GORGEOUS hello??

When they teased him returning in the Paralogism interlude, I was so excited to see him come forth in his full dragon glory. But then Albedo saw that he truly only ever wanted to belong. So he gave him a body suited for the human realm.

He so loved Mondstadt and it's people, and Dvalin, only to be slain for the foul creation that he was. He so envied Albedo's luxury to live amongst the same people who feared him, that he wanted to replace him. He so craved a place to belong, he would've committed true evils to achieve it.

When they revealed the evil dragon in Simulanka was a replica of Durin. I was crazy. Retelling the story of the dragon who only wanted to belong, but his body was physically unable to do anything but bring wrath and destruction.

You don't understand. I've been a Durin fan since he showed up in the 2.3 Albedo event as an Albedo clone. I've scoured weapon descriptions for more information about him. I've sat for hours in Dragonspine wondering about this dead dragon that's slowly coming back to life.

Give me Durin drip marketing...

Screenshot of my fanfiction. Text reads: A cloud of smoke piles over the islet as they wade awkwardly through waist-deep water. Even in the water, the strong tremor of the earth is enough to unbalance the both of them, prompting them into a frantic swim across the remaining water. Only a small mound separates them and the Spark Knight, yet it feels all too long since that earthquake when they finally breach the top of it. Aether can hear Albedo’s panicked voice even over the sound of his own laboured breathing. It’s too quiet. The smoke settles. The geovishap is already dead, and beside it, Klee stands eagerly with eyes sparkling up at another figure in the smoke. “Wow, Mr. Adeptus! You’re really strong! Can you teach Klee how to do that one day?”

Screenshot of the ao3 listing for my fanfiction, accessible through the link in the post. Title: Klee found a really weird looking lizard (and a friend!) Author: 24SilverStainedLeaves (myself) Rating: General audiences Language: English Word count: 2,954 (completed) Summary reads: Albedo and Aether go to save Liyue from Klee's explosive tendencies, only to find that she has single handedly killed a geovishap. Oh, and Xiao is here, too.

Silly fic about klee and xiao meeting <3
archiveofourown.org/works/72677711

Screenshot from the fanction "The Moon Makes You Seem Close (Tonight)" by Noahshark206 on AO3. Text reads: Xiao remembered the jolt of anxiety that shot through his body like a flash of lightning when the blond had shown up at his dorm, suitcases and a notice from the Dean in tow. This boy, Aether , had sheepishly explained that there simply weren’t any more empty rooms on campus and he promised he’d try his best not to intrude. So there they were. Aether sat at their shared desk, noise canceling headset on and a team match of whatever game his Discord friends had settled on for the night booted up. In his defense he really wasn’t that loud, especially compared to the faint screams Xiao occasionally picked up when they were loud enough to breach the headset. But that didn’t keep his mere presence from being insanely distracting. Xiao peered over his textbook at Aether, taking in the way his hands flew over his keyboard with expert timing, the focus in his golden eyes. The way his jawline flexed and his Adam's apple bobbed when he spoke. Yeah… distracting.

[Shoutout] Y'all should check out this fic it's slow to update but the pining is so awesome and it deserves way more hits+kudos!!
archiveofourown.org/works/626662...
I couldn't find if the author had any socials but they're Noahshark206 on AO3 <3
#xiaoaether #xiaoaetherfanfic

If you cannot bring yourself to kill is like the best fanfic to grace the xiaoaether fandom ughh
Your artwork is beautiful!! I love how it captures the ethereal nature of their relationship in the fic <33

Rough drawing of Xiao and Aether from Genshin impact. Xiao is closer to the camera but blurred due to being out of focus, while Aether stands further away. They are both slightly smiling

Sketch
#xiaoaether #aexiao

Ughh they're so sweet ty for the food 🫶 I love the way you draw!

Someone teach this man how to pose for a camera because 🧍does not count

Xiao from the photo taking event. Xiao says "You walk with a carefree stride, and you're holding a Kamera. It's obvious that you came here to take pictures." Note that Xiao describes that the scenery by Pervases' Temple is beautiful just after this text.

Xiao from the photo taking event (continued). Xiao says "It just so happens that nobody else is here today, so don't worry about others disturbing your photography session." Traveler says "I'd like to take a picture of you, Xiao." Note that traveler then goes on to say it's to commemorate the memory of releasing the Xiao lanterns together. They have previously released a Xiao lantern together during the epilogue of the 2024 Lantern Rite.

Xiao: "actually the only thing worth photographing here is you" madly in love, down bad, know each other way too well to be 'just friends'

Kinich and Ajaw during the photo taking event. Kinich says "I see you've brought a Kamera with you. Would you mind takinng a photo of this paper theatre for me?" Traveler says "Of course not, and I can take a picture of you while I'm at it"

Freminet from the photo taking event. Freminet says "Pictures? That's a wonderful idea! That way, I can record the scenery so I never forget." Traveller says "And we'll get a picture of you while we're at it."

Tighnari from the photo taking event. Tighnari says. "Hey there. Seems like this sea of flowers caught your eye as well?" Traveller can choose to say either: "I'm here to take pictures of the flowers.", or "I'm here to take pictures of you."

Yoimiya from the photo taking event. Yoimiya says "What a coincidence to run into you here, luck must be on my side. Is there anything special going on here today?" Traveler can choose to say either: "I'm on a quest to take pictures of lovely scenery, and I bumped into you on the way.", or "I'm on a quest to find the lovely Yoimiya, and I'm taking some pictures along the way." Note that later on traveler says "I can take a picture of you, too."

Everyone else: "well, since we're both here, lets take a photo together" sincere, friendly banter, being helpful and remarking about the scenery

What do you MEAN the only option is "I'd like to take a photo of you, Xiao" ???

All the best things in the world are self indulgent so I say go for it!!

And after 10k words I can finally add scraps of the fluff that made me want to write this fic in the first place
#xiaoaether #aexiao

10k words now! Home stretch!! (I say but the last part is probably gonna be like 4k words haha...)