Xiaother

Xiaother is the slash ship between Xiao and Aether from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Chapter I: Act I
Aether, or Lumine depending on the player's choice, first meets Xiao in the quest "Wangshu" that is part of Liyue's archon quest. He is sent to meet several adepti and deliver the message of Rex Lapis' death to them. After going to the highest balcony of the Wangshu Inn, Aether and Paimon admire the scenery of the land when Xiao suddenly appears next to them, startling both of them. Xiao warns them about getting involved in the world of adepti and advises them to leave to avoid getting hurt. Before Aether and Paimon get to properly talk, Xiao disappears.

Aether speaks to Verr Goldet and asks about him. She's already impressed because Xiao rarely agrees to see people in the first place and that he must be in a good mood then. Should Aether be able to keep him in a good mood, they may be able to properly converse with him.

Paimon and Aether prepare a Satisfying Salad and go through a small series of events to also get Almond Tofu, Xiao's favourite food. They approach him again and offer the dishes to him which he accepts. He's stunned after Aether tells him what happened to Rex Lapis and explains he will seek out the other adepti.

Chapter I: Act III
When Osial emerges in the quest "Turning Point", Aether and Paimon rush to the Jade Chamber in order to help defend against it. Xiao is also there along with the other adepti, questioning why Aether has come. The adepti, the Qixing and Aether start to fight Osial and the Fatui that arrive as well. When Osial begins to attack, Xiao warns Aether not to get hit. He soon blesses Aether with his adeptal powers as well, greatly increasing his movement speed.

After the Fatui are defeated, Osial unleashes an incredibly powerful attack. The platform which Aether and the others were fighting on starts to break, causing Aether to fall from an incredible height. However, Xiao teleports towards him and holds him from behind, bringing him back to the Jade Chamber. Aether has one arm over Xiao's shoulder, while Xiao's hands hold onto Aether's and his waist as a support. Xiao squeezes his hand and tells him to be careful which Aether acknowledges.

Xiao, the other adepti and Aether combine their powers at last to sacrifice the Jade Chamber and defeat Osial.

Alatus Chapter
Act I: Butterfly's Dream:

Xiao's Birthday Mail
Xiao says that he decided he would find a Crystalfly for Aether to put in his hair because "it would look nice [on Aether]." Before Xiao knew it, he caught nine more, which in total equates to the 10 Crystal Cores attached to the mail in addition to Almond Tofu—his favorite dish. He goes on to tell Aether that if he wishes to meet him again, he should only speak his name. Lastly, Xiao discloses that being able to spend some time with Aether is enough despite his apathy towards birthdays and celebrations, and aversion to large groups of people.

Furthermore, for Xiao's birthday, Mihoyo released another Teyvat Food Notes blog post which describes how Xiao's birthday was spent. Aether, thinking about what to get Xiao for his birthday, wanted to give him something other than Almond Tofu because he didn't want to be like everyone else. So, Aether decided on making him the Mint Jelly he tasted during Windblume for Xiao's birthday present. Meeting up with Xiao, Aether was handed the Crystalfly mentioned in Xiao's letter but he didn't think that he was suitable to wear it in his hair. The two then walked through Liyue together, Aether collecting ingredients for the jelly along the way. In the afternoon, the two returned to Wangshu Inn where Aether borrowed the kitchen to begin making the dish, Xiao offering to help out. When they finished making the 'slimes', Xiao didn't want to eat it wanting to order Almond Tofu instead. He then proceeded to tell Aether that he wasn't bothered about the taste and that he wanted to collect it, resulting in Aether telling him how he couldn't because it will expire. After eating the jelly and commenting on the taste, Xiao then explains why he likes Almond Tofu, the dish reminding him of certain memories. The blog ends with Xiao stating how the jelly they made together is now also a "special memory" as he thanks Aether.

Quotes
Should the player own Xiao as a character, they unlock several voice lines of Xiao talking to Aether. The higher the friendship level, the more voice lines can be unlocked and the deeper the player's, and thus Aether's, bond with him grows.

Once a high enough level is reached, Xiao makes it clear that their bond can no longer be severed, but Aether responds that he's never thought about severing it. If one ascends him to the maximum, Xiao allows Aether to view him as a companion, although he can't comprehend why he would get so close to him when he has committed so much slaughter in the past. It's also confirmed that Aether seeks to find Xiao salvation in that voice line.

"If you awake to a knife at your throat, if monsters dig their claws into you, if death comes knocking at your door, call out my name. Adeptus Xiao. I will be here when you call."

- Xiao's voiceline "Hello"

"Go. I'll be here."

- Xiao's voiceline "Good Night"

"The Lantern Rite? Hmph. the time for humans to discard their glowing trash into the sea has returned... How childish... Though if you insist... I will go with you."

- Xiao's voiceline "About Us: Lantern Rite"

"I deal in death. If you cannot bring yourself to kill — speak my name."

- Xiao's voiceline "Something to Share"

"I'm willing to protect you. But don't think about getting close, and stay out of my way, or all that awaits you is regret."

- Xiao's voice line "More About Xiao: I"

"Countless souls have fallen prey to these hands. I too have been swallowed by the darkness — and yet you dare to drive me on. You may think of me as... your companion. You seek to find me salvation? ...You... really are a difficult being to comprehend."

- Xiao's voice line "Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion"

"In the thousands of years that have passed, I have taken countless wraiths. If you want no trouble, stay away from me. See me as a weapon, and nothing more."

- Xiao's voice line "More About Xiao: II"

"It's too late. The connection between us is too strong. Even if you wanted to, it's too late to sever it. Hm? You've never thought to sever it? *sigh* This eternal dance of demon subjugation... My fight goes on. But I would like to know more about you."

- Xiao's voice line "More About Xiao: V"

"This mortal concept of commemorating the day of your birth really is redundant. Wait. Have this. It's a butterfly I made from leaves. Okay. Take it. It's an adepti amulet — it staves off evil.."

- Xiao's voice line "Birthday"

Fanon
The ship first gained real traction after the quest "Act 3: A New Star Approaches" was released because of the cutscene where Xiao saves Aether from falling in the sky. It has been well established in the fandom ever since. Especially due to the 1.3 update containing the Lantern Rite event and Xiao's story quest, Xiaother's fanbase and popularity grew immensely.

Xiaother possesses multiple tropes that people see much appeal in. For one they are often seen as the sun and moon. Not only do their colour schemes match this concept, but Aether is usually depicted as the gentle soul of the two, being rather bubbly and kind, while Xiao is canonically distant and often supresses his feelings. The healing aspect of this ship is what truly drives the fandom however. Since Xiao has been suffering for centuries and is deeply traumatized, many are in love with the idea of Aether being the one to show Xiao the good sides of life and that he's worth much more than simply being a tool in battle. This was even partially confirmed as the "Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion" confirms Aether wants to help Xiao find salvation. Aether is often portrayed comforting Xiao, not leaving his side and being gentle with him despite Xiao asking him to only treat him as a weapon in canon.

In Collected Miscellany - "Xiao: Conqueror of Demons" , Dainsleif comments at the end, "Will he meet someone, who understands his sacrifice and can shine a ray of light into his dark world..." The fandom speculates on it being Aether due to the connotations of light to his character and his want to help Xiao.

Another often seen idea in fanworks is Xiao being overwhelmed by simple acts of affection, such as hugs.

Xiao being an immortal being that has stayed from others for most of his life, fans enjoy Aether being the one to be able to move his heart. The devotion that follows even in game is another factor as well. From the very beginning Xiao is willing to kill for Aether, something romantic to many. Xiao protecting Aether is often a theme in fanworks and they're portrayed as a battle couple a lot of times as well. The higher the friendship level with Xiao, the deeper their bond grows. Especially the final "More About Xiao: V" is beloved since Xiao explains their bond can no longer be severed.

Many fans have a protective and caring manner towards Xiao in general and some project the ability to help him onto Aether. Xiaother then became the 7th most written fanfictions on Archive of Our Own in the Genshin Impact fandom.

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Trivia

 * Xiao gives Aether a butterfly amulet on their birthday. In Chinese culture, a butterfly represents young love and symbolizes an undying bond between lovers, as well as immortality. Xiao also states that the amulet is made to stave off evil.
 * One of the most well known love stories in China are the "Butterfly Lovers", two people that weren't allowed to get married and turned into a butterfly couple after death.
 * Verr Goldet mentions that she's never seen Xiao smile, but he can be seen smiling after Aether convinces him to watch the lanterns.
 * Xiao's signature weapon is the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear. In 1.3 the "Primordial Jade Cutter" was released, the sword of the Primordial Jade weapon series. Since Aether is a sword user, fans enjoy the concept of them having matching weapons.
 * These two are also the only weapons of that series so far.
 * In Xiao's voiceline "About Baizhu" it's mentioned that Aether wants to try and give medicine to Xiao in order to ease his pain.
 * Since Xiao's concept design was posted, there have been artworks involving that Xiao as well.
 * A common theme is "concept Xiao" having a more smug personality and trying to seduce Aether which often angers the official Xiao. Some works also simply depict Aether being flustered by both appearances of Xiao.
 * To commemorate Xiao's playable release, the Teyvat Food Notes released a real-life recipe for Almond Tofu and "Sweet Dream." In the blog post's story, Xiao doesn't actually make "Sweet Dream" — the Traveler [Aether] prepared it as a gift to him, and the only difference from regular Almond Tofu is the choice of toppings. Aether arranged the sugar beads so that they are similar to the colour of Xiao's necklace.

Variations

 * 4NEMO refers to the ship between the two, Kaedehara Kazuha and Venti