#aether imagines

Wanderer honestly never mind when you ask him if you can play with his hair, he’s usually already busy and not moving so someone touching his hair while studying doesn’t change much for him. He won’t say that it doesn’t make it easy to concentrate since he, sometimes, tends to focus on this more than on the words written in front of him but he still appreciates how peaceful it makes him feel when he’s particularly worried or stressed.

Your hand running through his short strands of hair takes him somewhere else where he doesn’t need to worry as much, he likes it, even if he would never be physically capable of telling you.

“You’re braiding it ?” he asks, half absent in his question – he just wanted to confirm the feeling of your fingers brushing past his cheeks repeatedly. You hummed softly in response, leaving the braid dying the second you let it go since his hair was too short to handle it. It doesn’t discourage you though, and before he can ask what you’ll do next, he can already feel your steady movement back to the same scheme and a soft chuckle left his lips.

“You want me to stop ?” you asked under your breath, probably still concentrated on what you were doing but still caught his sigh.

“No, it’s fine. Go on.” he assured before stepping back again into his study, more than relaxing by this short break.

Rin loves movie dates to his core, but it always gets him when you start touching his hair in the middle of the movie. It's like he's never getting used to it and he's jolting a bit every single time, making you chuckle. But you always kiss his head as an excuse after. 

There's something relaxing when your fingers start to twirl around his short hair, making him wonder who appreciates it the most between you and him. Because he for sure loves it. 

His mind drifts away easily despite himself and how badly he wants to follow the movie. He always finds some way to lean into you, craving for more like a cat and more often than not, he ends up laying on top of you. 

“Don't fall asleep this time Rin,” you joke while scratching his head playfully. He simply nodded, absorbed in the movie more than you gave him credit for. He just didn't want you to stop.

Sae hates it when he feels your hands finding his hair in the middle of the day. He spends quite some time styling his hair in the morning, even if it doesn’t look like it, and you being nearby automatically becomes a danger for that.

Not that he doesn’t like you touching his hair, he’s fond of it, he wishes he could die with you touching his hair, but not during the day. So as soon as he feels it, he immediately gets up and warns you. “Please don’t.”

But he knows it can't be helped and soon your lips meet his, kissing him sweetly – your successful way to distract him – so you can end up with your hands reaching the hair in his neck. Twirling your fingers around it, pulling ever so slightly to annoy him but he still lets you. Not without a sigh against your lips, but he knows damn well he can't hold you back when you're determined to do something. 

He wishes he could keep his hair pretty for the day at least once in a while but he can't blame you ; both of you like it very much. He can forget his image for yet another day if that means he can appreciate the relaxing feint of your fingernails on his scalp. Even if lately it's starting to be everyday, he won't mention it – or not seriously. 

Your smile is more precious than some good hair day. 

Sakura still isn't used to you touching his hair, he hasn't been used to gentle gestures in his life before coming here  –  especially regarding his looks. The second your hands find his hair, he flinches by reflex even if he knows that it’s only you around him. He doesn’t turn you down anymore though since you always let him know how you love his hair, for the color or the fluffiness ; it’s just the best thing in the word and it got to be your boyfriend’s hair. You must be blessed. 

You still try not to frighten him too much, and start by touching his shoulders then going up to his neck and finally the hair in the nape of it. Twirling it lightly with your fingers and you’re sure to catch him snapping his head to you with a blush. 

“What are you doing ?!” he asked as always, flustered but not telling you to stop anyway which made you smile sweetly. 

“I’m playing with your hair ? You want me to stop ?” you tilted your head to the side, trying to act cute and confused so he doesn’t have the heart to tell you no. And with a resigned look but his brows still frowned, he compiled without adding anything.It’s a win, once again. 

You then slowly but surely brush through all his hair, tossing it one side to another, mixing the two colors together then separating it again like a puzzle. That’s something you grew to love, separating his hair for him and that’s also your best excuse to touch it even when there’s people around. Even if he’s not fond of it.

He tends to lay a bit in your hand when you do so, or when you stop your hand in his hair, quietly liking the feeling now that you’ve given him some time. Not that he’ll say it to you, never, but he doesn’t need to for you to know. It’s just like you to notice how he relaxes around you and when you do it. There’s a small smile on your lips when he tries to catch your eyes but looks away instantly, blushing again, and it makes you wonder when he’ll stop blushing around you. 

“You’re cute, Haruka,” you said, brushing away his bang to kiss his forehead. And without a second of hesitation – when in fact yes, but you tried to ignore it –  he was arguing with you about how he is NOT cute, simply proving your point again and again.

  as the group’s manager, you know almost everything about each of the boys, from their favorite colors to their most coveted dreams. only kuni refused at first to open up to you, calling it a waste of time because he had more important things to do than team-building. there were some tiny hints of disappointment on your face whenever he opted out of the group hangouts early, but you never forced him into anything, no matter how eager everyone else was.

  yet, there was some tiny part of him, buried far beneath, that almost wanted you to make him. to be given an excuse to learn more about you, and to be known as well as you knew the other boys. he never acted on it, and so it’s by complete chance the first time you show having knowledge of him beyond what he’s voluntarily shared.

  he was in the rehearsal room, packing up his bag and wiping the sweat off his brow after another long day of practice. while his singing and rapping skills were mediocre – for an idol, of course, which made them still far above average – he had been scouted solely for his skill at dancing and thus had to train much more in that area than any other. while it was his passion, he still found himself exhausted beyond belief at the end of the day.

  you opened the door without looking up, talking on the phone to someone about future marketing plans (i’m sorry, but if you want heizou to model that line then you need to take aether too because he doesn’t have enough deals yet). kuni cleared his throat.

  your head shot up and your eyes landed on him. “kuni!” you said, sounding surprised and ending the call with a tap of your finger. “oh, do you want this? here – ” you dug in your tote for a moment, then tossed a bottle to him. startled, he threw out his hands and almost fumbled the catch. 

  “ragnvindr energy?” he read the label out loud. the neon pink coloring on the plastic wrap almost hurt his tired eyes, but he was still able to discern the title. “what is this?” 

  “isn’t that your favorite brand?” you asked, sounding surprised.

  “yeah, but – how would you know that?” he said, the usual bite in his voice gone, replaced by confusion as he stared at the bottle. you tilted your head. “well, you bring it practically every day and keep it in your bag, so,” you shrugged, “i just noticed. that one’s my favorite, so i thought i’d have you try it too. which flavor do you like best?”

  there was some strange pulse of feeling through his chest at those words. that casual recognition, the easy way you stated that you had noticed something about him. that you were paying attention. He couldn’t explain why it felt so important. so heady and exhilarating in a way that almost rivaled the feeling of dancing.

  “green tea,” he said, without thinking. “the more bitter it is, the better.”

  you laughed, and he sucked in a breath. the sound was like – the first rays of light peeking over the horizon in the morning; like rain drumming on leaves in the midst of a storm. like music. so easily, he could be lost in that rhythm the way he gets swept into a song even in just the first few beats of an addictive melody.

  “green tea, huh. you aren’t supposed to have that much caffeine, but i saw how hard xiao was pushing you today.” you lifted your shoulders in a what can you do gesture, then pressed your index finger to your lips. “maybe try to drink more water in the future, but for now you definitely deserve this. let’s keep it our secret, okay?”

  “o-okay,” kuni stumbled over the word, surprise still freezing his wide-eyed expression in place, hating the choked breath lingering in his throat as you smiled back at him. a blush rose to his face at the sight, coloring the apples of his cheeks bright red. “thanks.” 

  “of course! once this next m/v comes out, you’ll have more room to breathe,” you said reassuringly. “just hold out til then.” he nodded, not trusting himself to speak without his voice cracking embarrassingly. what is this? [name] of all people, causing this reaction? get yourself together! they’re just your damn manager, not your – 

  he silenced his inner thought before it could finish that humiliating sentence.

  “well, see you later,” you said, waving goodbye and leaving the room as you tugged your phone out of your bag, already returning to your itinerary of plans to make. there was silence for a long moment, his eyes still focused sightlessly towards the door. kuni looked at the bottle in his hand, turning it over multiple times before unscrewing the cap, lifting it up, and dumping the whole thing over his head.

  he stood there for a moment, the smell of artificial sunsettia flavoring soaking through his hair and cool, sticky juice dripping down his cheeks, soaking into his long sleeved exercise shirt, and pooling at his feet, an speechlessly angry and dumbfounded expression on his face. the heat in his cheeks refused to dissipate. then he took a deep breath in, hoisted his bag over his shoulders, and headed for the showers.

  the second person to be enchanted by you is venti, the main singer, with a pleasant, boyish voice that can go unexpectedly deep and serious. considered immature and childish, he’s also the most rebellious of the group, in a way; the one who would disappear for hours at exactly the wrong times, fetching expensive gifts for the other members and interrupting meetings with the company heads to interject his own opinions on music and production.

  this was yet another day that he was spending doing the opposite of what he was meant to; visiting a local café, one of his personal favorites because of their cutely decorated cakes and lattes, wearing thick black sunglasses and a face mask.

  currently, he was hurrying away from the café, holding a bag with a small box of petit fours and a caramel-apple flavored special edition coffee, trying to lay out his plans for the rest of the day. i just need to get out of here, then i’ll get right back to the company and start practicing again. it’ll only be about ten minutes to go straight home, it shouldn’t take that long…

  “oh my god! is that venti?! like, from 6REEZE?!” 

  … damn it.

  “can i please get a photo? i love 6REEZE, i know all your songs! i have, like, every single photocard released since you debuted!” the nervous babble of the girl who spotted him was admittedly somewhat flattering. “h-hey, sure, a photo’s fine!” venti said, a dazzling smile leaping to his face as he bent slightly to make a peace sign at the camera. the girl clutched her phone in both hands as she took the photo, like it was a priceless item of some kind. 

  “oh, me too, please! you’re my favorite!” begged her friend, bouncing excitedly; her hysterical voice reached a new pitch as venti did finger hearts in her photo. “hey, what’s going on over there?” “what, is he some kind of celebrity?” voices began to bubble through the crowd at the noise, and soon enough, there was an entire group of people shoving up against him, asking for pictures and autographs and asking questions that he could barely hear. 

  panic was starting to burn in his chest, flustered words of hey, excuse me, i’ve really got to go spilling from his lips, with no end in sight to the mayhem. then, he spotted a familiar figure; you, hand shielding your eyes from the sun, peering out over the crosswalk for, presumably, him. your gaze lit on the commotion, and then on him. your jaw dropped slightly in surprise at the uproar being caused simply by his presence. 

  he made eye contact with you through the crowd, panic sparking in his eyes, an unmistakable help me forming on his lips. there was annoyance on your face, and for a second he thought you were going to leave, but instead you opened your mouth as wide as it would go and shouted, “HEY! IS THAT CHILDE FROM DCKZ?” pointing – somewhat unkindly – at a random passerby, a tall boy with bright ginger hair.

  screams rose from the crowd, the unique sound of teenagers seeing their favorite, most handsome celebrity crush, and in the following roar of sound as the poor boy was swarmed without warning, venti was able to slip away, flicking his sunglasses back down onto his face. 

  you met him in the center of the crosswalk, quickly starting to walk again. you chided him gently, smacking his arm with the back of your hand at his impulse to suddenly disappear, and he apologized, only sort of meaning it.

  “part of me is kinda annoyed that someone like childe would get more attention than me,” venti remarked wryly, hooking his mask with one finger and pulling it back over his face, careful to tuck his two toned braids into the back of his hoodie. “with his one-note singing, he shouldn’t have half the audience i do.”

  “sure, but don’t worry, that won’t last for long,” you said, your eyes sparkling with determination as you strode confidently through the streets; venti’s slightly shorter legs scrambled to keep up with your quick, assertive pace. “you’ll be a superstar someday. i’ve always been sure of it.”

  there was a sudden, strange feeling of a lump in his throat; his green eyes flickered to your back, the 6REEZE tour hoodie that you were wearing and its list of sold out dates written down the smooth, high quality fabric, and strange whispers of memory fluttered into his mind. a thousand days spent practicing, the moments right before rising onto the stage, his heart pounding so hard he could barely think and sick nervousness boiling in his stomach, rendering him almost unable to speak. and you, of course, holding out a water bottle, a sheet of lyrics, a helping hand, as always.

  his breath caught and a frantic whirl of thoughts spilled into his mind. the feeling that there’s something he was always overlooking before, something obvious that he never noticed even though it was right in front of his face, like he was missing something crucial, something so important that now that he had noticed its absence it was like a puzzle piece had been cut out of his still beating heart.

  wind blew past his face, and time seemed to slow down in the next second; you turned, a smile flitting to your lips and the words “hey, go a bit faster!” falling into the air as your hand flashed out, connecting the space between you, and grabbed his wrist. in that moment, there was no other way to describe you than… angelic, with golden sunshine drenching your face, your fingers cool against his skin, and he struggled, suddenly, to take air into his lungs.

  “anyway, what did you leave for?” you asked, abruptly breaking the spell. venti shook his head, disoriented. “w… what? oh – i,” he held up his paper bag sheepishly. “i wanted to get a coffee.”

  “oh? from where?”

  “just this café i like,” he said, almost embarrassed of the answer. “well, can i try something?” you asked. he fumbled in the bag for a moment before taking out a small pastry, a layered cube of strawberry shortcake. you popped it into your mouth and chewed for a moment, and he found himself holding his breath with the hope that you would like it.

  “wow, that’s really good,” you said with surprise. “can i come with you next time?”

  there was no excuse for the shot of adrenaline that rushed through him at the innocent question, and he was so thankful that you weren’t facing him as a giddy smile crossed his face. “sure thing!” he said, brightening, and quickened once more to continue in pace with you.

  the third person to melt into your fascinating mind is kaedehara kazuha, the songwriter of the group and main rapper; a fan favorite for his calm and relaxing exterior that belies a fierier soul underneath. it helped, of course, that he wrote extremely popular and romantic songs. you had a strong friendship with him, as he was the member you had known the longest, practically since he was a trainee and you were both much younger.

  right now, he was laying on the floor of your apartment and listening to a demo track of a new song, already planning the words to the sweet, delicate piano melody, while you sat on the couch scribbling in a spiral bound notebook, eyebrows knit in a concentrated expression. you heaved a sigh, ripping out a sheet of paper and crumpling it into a ball before tossing it on the floor frustratedly. kazuha paused the music. “what’s wrong?”

   “i’m just – trying to figure this out,” you sighed. “the words just won’t come to me.”

  “what are you writing?”

  “… poetry,” you said begrudgingly. when he laughed, hiding the surprised and excited thump his heart made when he heard that word, and then the following shock at those emotions, you threw a pillow at him. “stop it! you write this kind of thing too!” 

  “yes, but i get paid to do it,” he pointed out, refraining to mention that it was also his main pastime outside of his idol duties. “can i see it?” you shook your head instantly, and his lips tugged downwards into a frown. so, [name] writes poetry. what a coincidence. his eyes glittered, fixing his unhappy look on you.

  you closed your notebook and gave him a big smile, slightly pained in a way he could only recognize due to your years of friendship. “really, it’s just a hobby. it’s about time for dinner anyways. shall i start making something?”

  “no, show me,” he requested, tilting his head, dark red eyes locked onto yours. “please?” he wanted to see them so badly, a hint of desperation seeped into his voice. he almost cringed at that sound. but why was he so curious? of course, he inexplicably loved the idea that you had one of the same hobbies as him. composing poetry and songs? it was as if you were made to be together.

  he bit down hard on the inside of his cheek, and tasted salt on his tongue for a second, the pain jolting him back into his right mind. partners, of course, is what he meant. friends. nothing more than that. how could he be having such stupid thoughts about you, his oldest friend? 

  your voice drew him into reality again. “okay, fine, just don’t judge me. it’s… really dumb,” you admitted, closing your eyes and cracking open the spine of the notebook. kazuha ran his fingertips over the paper, ridged with line after line of your cramped handwriting in thick ink. as he took in the contents of the pages, his eyes widened. this is…

  “a love poem?” he said aloud. you squeezed your eyes shut as he started to read the words halfway down the page. “… lost to me like dandelion fluff / i grasp for another handful / another breath, wishing for you cupped in my hands.” he rocked backwards, clapping his hand over his mouth not soon enough to muffle the laughter.

  your cheeks colored and you snatched the notebook back. “ugh, kazuha! get out of here! i didn’t even finish it yet!”

  “no, no! i’m not laughing at you!” he said, though he was a bit. such a tacky way of words, and yet… “it’s just so sentimental, i never would have expected this from you. it’s, sort of sweet.”

  “well, you never know,” you said, placated slightly by his words. “and anyway, i’d never show it to anyone but you. it’s just for fun.”

  you’d never show it to anyone but me? logically, he knew there were a thousand reasons for you to say that, ranging from him being another poet, to him being your close friend. and yet, he latched onto the one he wanted the most. 

  “who’s it for?” he asked, as casually as he could, as calmly and slowly as he could. as if there was no meaning behind that question at all. as if the idea that such a poem could maybe, possibly be for him didn’t make his heart explode into fireworks of joy, without him even knowing why. no, not quite; of course, he knew why. his job was writing love songs, anyway. he had just never thought that of all people, it would be you who caused these feelings he’d sang about a thousand times yet never experienced.

  “i’m not telling,” you said, sticking your tongue out childishly before looking embarrassed. his heart plummeted into his stomach. even though it was an answer to be expected. he couldn’t explain this crushing disappointment at your refusal to speak. “w-well, anyway… why don’t we go get something to eat now?”

  it was unmistakably an escape from a conversation you didn’t want to continue. yet, kazuha wanted to ask you to wait, so he could see another poem of yours. even if it led to heartache, he wanted to know so badly that it almost hurt. the possibility of you writing something like that for him was something he wanted more than anything in that instant. and yet…

  more than that, he wanted you to be comfortable around him. that was truly what he wanted most. so… “okay, sure,” he obliged, and you set down your precious notebook as the two of you stood to leave, him casting one more glance towards it and wondering after its tantalizing contents. 

  as you both stood in the elevator, waiting for its descent to the bottom floor, he turned to you. “hey, what was the name of that poem again?”

  “dandelions,” you said, another embarrassed flush tinting the tips of your ears. “it’s silly, but— ”

  “no, it isn’t. dandelions,” he repeated, the word tingling on his tongue. it felt like he was on the verge of something new, somehow, that familiar warm, sparking feeling he always got right before an idea for a brand new project. “i like it.”

  the next single is soon released, titled wishes in the breeze, a heartfelt ode laced with sugary-sweet declarations of love for an unknown person. you find a copy of the tape– its cover plastered with an image of the boys sitting together with their backs to the camera, kazuha in the middle, one eye showing as he turns his head– outside your apartment door; in the liner notes of the tape are shreds of a poem in red ink.

  the third to fall prey to your beauty is shikanoin heizou, the main visual and most outgoing, charismatic member of 6REEZE. of course, he’s quite talented as the other members, but his true strength is in his magnetic personality that draws in new fans almost every day. he always knows just what to say, a perfect comeback locked and loaded on his tongue and ready to burst no matter what the situation is.

  after wishes in the breeze won ‘best new pop song’ at a prestigious teyvat awards event, you and 6REEZE were invited to a celebration dinner with many other famous artists. heizou was standing with the other members and holding small talk with a punk-pop girl band trio that recently released an album that swept the awards, golden apple. 

  “heya, [name] just came in,” the shortest girl said, tilting her head towards the entrance. “ain’t  that ya manager, heizou?” he smiled instantly, and agreed, “ah, yes!” with a gleeful look on his face. “i wasn’t sure they were going to show up, they don’t usually like big crowds, but i guess this was too important of an opportunity to pass up.”

  he swiveled to greet you, hand already raising in a wave, and as his gaze landed on you, the world seemed to stop turning for a moment, the words falling out of his mouth and disappearing.

  highlighted underneath the dancing lights, there you were; in a forest green tuxedo, the silken material of your sleeves almost glowing as you rubbed the back of your neck nervously. your hair was styled in such a way that you looked like royalty, sweeping over your shoulders, and when you turned your head slightly and the bright color of your eyes was caught in the glimmer from the spotlights above, he could just feel his heart in his throat and the bittersweet taste of longing.

  heizou was unable to speak for a few seconds, almost unable to breathe. it was lucky for him that kazuha caught sight of you and waved you over, because he couldn’t get a single syllable out, let alone a greeting. you crossed the room to the small group.

  “how fancy,” kuni scoffed, sharp nose turned up as he jutted out his chin. “no wonder it took you so long to get here, primping like this.”

  you pulled at your sharp collar. “it’s a little stifling,” you said with just a hint of sweat to betray your flustered interior underneath your calm expression. “i don’t usually get dressed up like this, but… it’s for such a special occasion, and it’s a little fun too – ”

  “it looks amazing, [name]!” venti exclaimed, stars in his eyes as he grabbed your hand and pumped it up and down. “seriously, the best! you didn’t have to go so all out for us, we would have been happy with just a fancy sash or something,” he laughed. you accepted his handshake without a change of expression, as the other boys oohed and aahed dutifully.

  “i mean, come on! this is so fancy, i’m shocked to see [name] all dressed up and looking sharp! i wish we could see you like this more often,” venti continued, turning to look at heizou with a smile. “right?” 

  the question was surely meant innocently, as a query for the other contender for flirtiest member. it was most likely that venti had expected only a oh yes, it’s quite stunning, but not as stunning as [name]’s cute face by itself. but heizou had no smart remark, instead offering only a “yeah, it’s fine,” with a flat, unchanging face, before turning on his heel and practically running for the exit. “hey!” venti said, surprised, as if trying to call him back, but it was no use; the red-head boy was already out of earshot in a matter of seconds.

  “ah… ? heizou?” you said, taken aback as you watched heizou’s rapidly retreating frame. “did i… do something wrong?” a strange sadness seemed to fill your chest, and your hand fell away to rest limply by your side.

  pushing through the double doors, heizou finally managed to escape. he ducked around a corner, hunching over and staring at the floor, his breathing fast with exertion and agitation. “that’s… just not fair,” he mumbled into his hand, palm pressed to his mouth and face burning red. “to suddenly show up in something like that? it’s practically playing dirty… ”

  he sunk to the floor, getting dust on the legs of his suit, but he barely noticed, burying his face in his hands with only thoughts of you rushing through his head. he had no doubt the others were wondering after him, but there was no chance he could go back in his current state, barely able to think straight. 

  “man, [name]… you really are dreamy.” 

  though the mood of the celebration was dampened by heizou’s partial absence and your dejection, you managed to go to bed that night with a smile on your face due to the fun atmosphere and the others making a special effort to cheer you up. the next time you saw heizou, he presented you with a gift box tied in an intricate knot with a silk ribbon. inside, was a less formal version of that outfit, in a popular style that you could wear out on the street.

  “because you said you thought it was fun,” he says, tucking his hands behind his back to conceal their shaking. “i thought you would like something like this. to wear whenever you want. but if it’s too much, or silly, i – ”

  “i love it, heizou,” you say firmly, cutting him off. “thank you.” when you hesitantly pulled him into a hug, his arms came up automatically to wrap around your back, his breathing almost stopping with an nervous thrill that traveled up his spine. he wondered for a second if you could feel his heartbeat and how fast it was pounding inside his chest, before pushing the thought aside and letting himself just feel the warmth of your arms for that short moment.

  the fifth person captivated by your kindness is aether, the youngest member and the least experienced, with no solid lead position. every person in 6REEZE has their fair share of fans, but he had a noticeable lack of support compared to the others; the company that managed the group, SHOGUNATE ENTERTAINMENT, just seemed to have it out for him, barely giving him any solos or spending any time marketing him.

  of course, no one ever voiced their concerns at his treatment aloud, not when he seemed so truly optimistic. nobody wanted to be the person to make that grin disappear. spending all day, every day practicing, waving the others off when they asked him to take a break, every moment was dedicated to the betterment of his idol persona, never letting that golden smile drop from his face.

   it felt like it was a thousand degrees on the set of their next m/v, yet aether was still practicing, the sound of their upcoming release today and tomorrow blaring through his ears. it was the only song he had heard in at least a week, but he couldn’t take a break for even a second if he wanted to remember the whole thing without one mistake.

  when his twenty-third(? he lost count around number fifteen) runthrough of the song finally finished, leaving him kneeling on the floor, he shut off the music. in the silence of the empty room, there was some kind of pounding still echoing in his head, making it hard for him to think straight. as he rose to his feet, his vision blacked out for a moment.

  “aether, you’re still here?” said a sudden voice, laced with surprise. he looked up to find you, apparently having just entered and in the midst of rearranging a couple of set pieces. as your gaze traveled over him, your eyes widened slightly. “are you okay? you look so pale.”

  “yeah, ‘m fine, just – just tired,” he mumbled, swaying on his feet slightly. your worried expression swam before his eyes. “is it hot in here, or… ?” were his last words before he stumbled and fell, the ground rushing up to meet him faster than he could react with his exhausted, nonresponsive limbs, eyes closing and unable to think properly.

  huh… ?

  the world pulsed around him in blinking black dots. somehow, he hadn’t hit the ground yet. it felt wrong that he would still be falling; he forced his eyes open with great struggle, and found that you had caught him. how strange… why couldn’t i move… ?

  you gently lowered yourself to the floor, allowing him to rest his head against your leg. “aether,” you said, your voice pained and worried, “how hard have you been practicing? have you taken any breaks today?”

  “no, i was trying to learn the choreography without – ” the words caught in his dry throat, breath scraping painfully, and you looked even more worried as he coughed. “without pausing at all.”

  a tch sound escaped your lips, expression more concerned than he’d ever seen it before. “you must be so dehydrated.” you bit your lip. “aether, you know you’re just hurting yourself this way. this level of work… it’ll hinder your progress, rather than help it.”

  despite the discouraging nature of your words, it was gratitude for that acknowledgement, and some thick, warm emotion that brought a strange moisture to aether’s eyes. he tried to rub at his eyes, but his hand was shaking too hard. “no, i have to do this.”

  “why?” you demanded.

  he barely knew how to put it into words. “i’m just… the weak link,” he said, tears pricking for a moment before he blinked them away, one hand resting on his temples and shielding his face from your concerned gaze. “i’m not good at anything, so i have to practice and practice to make up for – ”

  “you’re not the weak link, aether,” you said firmly, your voice so kind and earnest that it almost brought tears to his eyes yet again. “you’re like – the glue, you can do everything perfectly well. there’s nothing wrong with not having a specialty. you work so hard, and always go out of your way to support everyone. don’t let me hear you talking like that, okay?”

  “but – ” he tried to protest, then almost melted underneath the force of your angry, anxious eyes. even with the embarrassment of being in this situation, there was some foreign ember of warmth in his chest that burned hotter with every word from you. he couldn’t explain it, but it was like hearing those things from you was rejuvenating somehow; soaking into his body and leaving him feeling looser, calmer in its wake. he didn’t know if it was because it was you specifically, and he was almost afraid to think about it. 

  “no buts!” you snapped. “i refuse to listen to you thinking this way about yourself. you’re incredibly capable and strong, and don’t you dare bottle this up and work yourself to the point of passing out again. i know you can do it, without punishing yourself for no reason. it’ll be okay.”

  “… okay,” he nodded. you pressed your hand against his forehead and winced. “you better not be getting sick. now go home and rest up. i don’t want to see you here again until tomorrow afternoon, got it?”

  you walked him to the exit, making sure he drank almost the entire contents of his water bottle, with orders to go to sleep extra early. yet, even with those directions, he tossed and turned almost all night, still feeling the force of your laser-hot gaze every time he closed his eyes. 

  the day filming started, there was no doubt in him that he could nail the entire choreography. even xiao commented on his movements seeming more sharp than usual, his voice more fluid as well. of course, there was a reason for that, but he would never have voiced it aloud that he wanted just one more second of your eyes on him. just one more word of praise that felt so much more real coming from you than anyone else.

  there was a six-second focus on him for the second chorus, and he poured all of his saved-up energy into that moment. “i want you here, i want you with me in my arms,” he sang, throwing his entire body into the next twirling movement, and pointed straight at the camera with the unfaltering wish that you would see and know he was speaking to you. “you’re my love, the one i’m wishing for, today, tomorrow, forever!”

  the sixth member of 6REEZE to love you is xiao, the center and leader of the group. though STORM’S EYE has no shortage of love for him due to his mesmerizing voice and mature good looks, he is the least social of the boys, known as ‘ice prince’ because he’s so aloof and cool at fan events. there is no one in public knowledge that he chooses to let his guard down around; even in vlogs, he barely socializes and keeps to himself, practicing or listening to music on bulky headphones.

  SHOGUNATE ENTERTAINMENT works mainly out of an enormous compound filled with training rooms and facilities for all of their groups and other productions. the residence reserved for 6REEZE is attached to it. technically, it could be shared by the group, but the only people who really live there are venti and xiao, and venti is almost always out on other business (or so he claims) anyway.

  the roof of the apartment has an amazing view of the entire city and the sky. it’s the perfect place to go when a break and fresh air is needed, meaning xiao can almost always be found there. and now, after an incident in which a very important standalone project where he was meant to collaborate with a girl group has been cancelled due to strong pushback from fans, he’s vanished, and you know exactly where he’s gone.

  watching the door still swinging shut from his sudden exit, president miko clicked her tongue carelessly. “ah, so immature. do you remember when we were young enough to be able to throw tantrums whenever things went awry, ei, dearest?” she tilted her head at the purple haired woman, who sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “we could secure another collaboration, but apparently not with any girl group. perhaps xing/yun or LUPICAL… ?” she mused. “could someone please go after him?”

  “i can – ” kuni volunteered, already raising from his seat, before you rocketed to your feet, pushing your chair in. “i’m on it! please email me your consensus later!” the other boys watched, taken aback, as you gave a hasty bow and practically sprinted out.

  you found him on the roof, of course, leaning over the balcony with a stony line to his jaw. you approached, and he raised his hand without greeting. “what happened back there?” you asked tentatively.

  “how can they take away an opportunity so selfishly?” he spat. you weren’t sure whether he was talking about the fans or SHOGUNATE ENTERTAINMENT, but nodded anyway. as the leader, he was naturally under the most stress, and when he got into a bad mood there was nothing to do but wait it out. 

  “i don’t know if i can do this anymore,” he said, feeling the smallest crack in his voice and dragging a hand down his face. “we’re always being watched, always having to obey stupid rules that don’t even make sense! this was an important collaboration, i’m not a commodity that will lower in value if i work with a girl! if our fans can’t handle us acting like normal people, they aren’t even our fans, are they?”

  “i know,” you said, trying to soothe him, placing a hand on his arm only for it to be shaken off. he glared out at the city for a moment, eyes focused above the horizon. “it’s just not fair,” you continued. “but xiao, there are alternatives – ”

  “i don’t want alternatives,” he interrupted, “i’m not sure if i even want to be an idol sometimes. all these rules are too much.” he turned and met your eyes. “and you know the worst one of all.”

  “of course i do.” you reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. “but are you serious about not wanting to be an idol? because, if you ever chose to leave the company, i… can also leave.”

  “you can’t put your career in jeopardy just for this.” he gave a frustrated huff. “this stupid company is just so stifling. i didn’t think being an idol would be like this when i first signed up.”

  “well, that’s why i’m here, right?” you offered. “to make your life easier. my career isn’t as important, so as your manager, i could – ”

  “you’re more than my manager.” his tone was gentler, the earlier roughness somehow melting away, and the words were quiet enough that nobody could possibly hear, meant only for you as he tilted his head, golden eyes finding yours. “you know that.”

  “xiao.” 

  “i won’t let you endanger your own job prospects if i leave.”

  you stared at each other for a moment. the wind stirred your hair around your face, framing it in the most beautiful way. his heart caught in his throat. the painful look of uncertainty mixed with determination that you wore was sure to be mirrored on his own face.

  “i would never stay here, without you,” you said finally, your voice tight. “i’ll go wherever you go.”

  he opened his mouth, unable to form words as a response to this, and you looked at him. there was nothing in your eyes but earnestness, and he thought for the millionth time how heart-stoppingly beautiful you were. he cupped your face with both hands, and there you were in silence for a long second, the cotton candy sunset gleaming down onto you.

  “[name],” was the word that finally escaped his lips, taking in your sweet scent that enveloped you like an angel’s aura. you wrapped your arms around his neck, murmuring xiao in the quietest voice, a secret that wreathed through the air, like smoke curling into a calm breeze. “i love you.”

  you kissed him, then; and when your lips met, he felt his worries melt away, and the overwhelming thought that he couldn’t care less if the whole world knew about your relationship; it was like he could feel everything, like he was frozen and time only started moving again when you were together. eternity could pass in a heartbeat and he would never know, not when he was holding you.

  whether 6REEZE was together or not, whether he stayed an idol, or the trifling problems of his everyday life – nothing like that seemed to matter when he was with you. it felt inconsequential. no matter what the company wanted from him, he could do it; as long as he could continue to kiss you like this, he would do anything in the world. 

“Thanks, Ae!” You called back, rushing next to him, inspecting yourselves and your matching Santa outfits. Diluc and Childe had decided to do another joint group event for Christmas, but this time it was duets. The two singers were picked from a hat, and you and Aether were the two lucky winners!

You two had decided on a classic song, something simple everyone could sing to, and a song to mainly calm Aether’s nerves. He had claimed it was because since there would be less people on stage, there’d be more eyes on him, but you knew him better than that. Xiao and Lumine did too, seeing as however you mentioned it they changed topic almost immediately. You didn’t press it though, you decided to wait until after the show.

“Okay, you two! Showtime in five!” Childe called, raising his hand for emphasis. Your bandmates, who were also backstage, were ushered away by Diluc, all of them cheering encouragement towards you two. You soon after turned towards Aether, raising your hands up, giving him a smile. “Sing our hearts out, right?”

He looked back at you, before nodding, clasping your hands with a smile. “Right.” You both took a deep breath and let go of each other before you rushed out on stage, waving to the cheering crowd before you. As the music started, you two began your routine, the steps and vocals flowing out of you like a river, the mind-numbing rehearsal helping greatly.

While you two spun and slid across the stage, every time he had the chance, Aether stole a glance at you. Afterwards, when you finished and were talking to the fans, he looked up at the sky. Even though it was cold out, the sky was clear. No sign of snow for a while. He looked back at you, who was having a small bit of banter with Xinyan, giving a smile. Maybe he couldn’t walk in a winter wonderland you now, but he’d be sure to ask at the first sign of snowfall.

kazuha: santa tell me (ariana grande)

“Kazuha, Y/N. Twenty minutes,” Diluc called, walking back to take care of some more preparations as you two nodded, you shaking your hands and letting out a breath.

“Fuuuu… Okay, you got this, Y/N, you got it…” You sighed out, shaking your hands. Kazuha gave an amused smile, grabbing your hands and holding them gently, causing you to look at him.

“What, you’re nervous? Where was this anxiety at your other shows?” He asked, tilting his head a bit. Ignoring his teasing tone, you looked off to the side, subconsciously squeezing his hands a bit.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, but we don’t normally sing stuff like this. What if I mess up? What if I trip over my outfit? This is very long,” you said, reaching back to lift a piece of fabric that was almost to the floor.

Kazuha shook his head, squeezing your hands once more. “You’ll be fine,” he began, looking at you with soft eyes. “Besides, I’m here. And I always will be, even next year.” You paused to look at him, before letting out a small giggle, raising an eyebrow at him. “Did you really just use a line from our song? Seriously?”

He gave a sheepish grin, leaning forward a bit. “Yes, but it made you laugh, right?” He began, before moving one of his hands up to your cheek, rubbing his thumb across it softly. “And I meant every part of it, Y/N.” You stared back at him, your cheeks heating up, while he leaned forward, his own face a light shade of red as he planted a kiss on your free cheek, placing your foreheads together. “I’m not going anywhere, Y/N. You seem too helpless for me to leave you alone right now, anyway.”

You looked back at him with wide eyes, your mouth fumbling over your words, deciding to focus on his last comment while you processed everything else. “Wh…? Hey, I’m not helpless…!” You said, puffing your cheeks out as he grinned, leaning back from you.

“I’d prove that wrong with another kiss, but we go on in like two minutes and I don’t need you shutting down on me.”

“Wh—?! I wouldn’t—! Kazuha!”

You calmed your blush and expression as best as you could as you followed him on stage, deciding it was for the best for you to just turn off your brain and let your practice take over.

He made good on his word though, and you were short-circuited with a few pecks in no time. Well, at least you got a boyfriend for Christmas, even if it did come with relentless teasing from the others, specifically Lumine and Heizou.

xiao: jingle bell rock (bobby helms)

“Okay, you all. On in ten,” Diluc said, walking back to the dressing rooms where the rest of Visi0n was, assumingly to make sure they’d be ready to make their own appearance in time. Meanwhile, you were trying to not giggle at the boys in front of you, four of which were varying degrees of embarrassed, while one was doing a much better job of holding back his laughter, although he had a large smirk on his face.

“Not a word, Alatus,” Aether seethed, pinching his fingers for further effect, pulling his dress down. Normally, Xiao would’ve been annoyed at the use of his middle name, but the sight of his bandmates in the dresses from Mean Girls made it hard for him to be mad at anything right then.

“Archons, this is so embarrassing…” Kazuha sighed, pulling his own dress down, his hands stretching the fabric. Venti looked at himself in the mirror, twirling around a bit as he made finger guns.

“Speak for yourself, Kazuha, I’m rocking this look,” the singer said, making poses in the mirror. “I don’t actually mind losing that game of candy poker as much as I did then now,” he said, doing a catwalk you couldn’t help but giggle at, the others rolling their eyes at him.

“Normally, I’d… probably try and use my humor as well, but it’s way too cold to do that. As soon as this show is over I’m putting on the biggest puffer jacket I can find,” Heizou said, rubbing his arms.

“The choreography will warm you up. Lucky there’s no radio for you to kick into someone’s head either, isn’t there?” Xiao said, pulling a laugh from your throat, Aether squinting his eyes at you.

“Hey, don’t laugh, how would you like it if someone put you in a short dress in this weather?!” He exclaimed, your brain immediately seeing an opportunity to tease him.

“Are you saying you want to see me in that dress, Aether?”

“Wha—?!”

“Oooohh, Aether, I’m telling Lumine~”

“Shut up, Hei—“

“Lumine? Why not go straight to Childe? He’s the manager, you know.”

“Venti!!!”

As the time for you to go on stage eventually arrived, with you and Xiao singing as the other four followed through with their cosplay and performed the Mean Girls choreography, Xiao’s mind couldn’t help but go back to the comment about you in a dress. He was glad everyone was too busy to notice him or the flush in his cheeks.

Later on, you two were watching a recording of the show on the couch in his bedroom of the hotel you all were staying in, laughing at the other members, sipping hot chocolate to warm up from the cold. Soon enough, you placed your up down, adjusting under your blanket to face him, placing your legs up on the chair. “Alright, Xiao, what’s up?”

Xiao looked back at you, a bit of confusion in his face, not expecting you to pick up on him fast. Thankfully, for him, he had spent a good amount of time carefully crafting the question he wanted to ask you, the perfect wording in his mi—

“Do you want to go on a date with me?”

Well, that’s all out the window.

“Huh? Oh…!”

As he was mentally cursing himself in three different languages, you looked up at him, already being able to tell he was struggling to express himself. You let out a small sigh, leaning over and pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth, causing his brain to freeze mid-thought. As he opened his mouth, you placed a finger to his lips.

“Yes, I’ll go on a date with you. Yes, I mean it. We can figure out the details later. For now, just try and get your brain unscrambled, okay?” You said, wrapping your arms around him, pulling the blanket around both of you. Xiao simply gave a nod, wrapping his arms around you, placing his chin on your figure, looking back at the laptop where you were already putting on a movie for yourselves to watch.

heizou: last christmas (wham!)

You closed your eyes as Barbara powdered some blush onto your face, Xinyan and Yun Jin fixing up your hair, Lumine holding your hand on your free side. You were all talking a bit before you had to go on stage, trying to calm your nerves.

“So you get to go on with Heizou! That’s really great, I’m glad for you, Y/N. Especially since you like him, right?” Barbara asked, you giving a small hum of affirmation, opening your eyes to look at the mirror, rotating your head to look at your appearance.

“Yeah… Although I’m nervous. You know how he is, he definitely knows. I don’t know why he hasn’t said anything about it, though. I really think he just doesn’t like me back.” You said, almost immediately being met with various protests.

“Hey, ‘m sure Heizou likes ya back just as much, m’kay? Maybe he just doesn’t know how to say it, s’all,” Xinyan said, Yun Jin nodding and adding on to her statement. “Yeah, people who are observant over others normally aren’t too observant about themselves, right?” She said, you giving a small sigh.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right… I think I’m gonna ask him later, and if I don’t get a yes, I’ll just move on from him. I don’t want a repeat of… you know.” You said, all of the girls nodding and hugging you from all sides, squeezing you gently.

“Of course, you deserve at least that much. And no matter what happens, we’ll always be here for you, right?” Lumine said, a small chorus of agreement followed as you reached up, cherishing the bandmates who meant the world to you.

“Alright, now go out there and kill it!” Lumine said, the other three cheering with her as you stood, taking a deep breath and heading behind the curtain.

You walked next to Heizou, who seemed to be in thought about something, quickly snapping out of his thoughts with a smile towards you. “Y/N! Ready to go out there and sing?” He asked, raising a hand for you to squeeze. You looked back at him, before forcing a smile, nodding and gently, briefly squeezing his hand. He found it odd, but there was no time to address it, he’d just have to ask later after his own plans for later that night.

Later on, you and Heizou had met up at a park near your hotel, sitting on the swings next to each other. You had been idly chatting about things for a while, and you had been trying to bring up the courage to ask about his feelings in response to yours. Eventually, you steeled your nerves and plunged into the metaphorical water.

“Heizou, we both know that you know how I feel about you already, so please, just be honest with me. Do you feel the same?” You ask, swallowing back the pleading tone in your voice. Heizou looked over at you, before giving a smile, pulling something out of his coat pocket and handing it to you.

“Well, it’s like George Michael said, right? With a note saying "I love you", I meant it~” he sang, watching as you took the heart shaped box, reading the careful calligraphic on the top.

‘Merry Christmas, Y/N. I’m glad I got to sing with you. Now, let’s keep doing it for the rest of our lives, okay?’

You looked at the redhead, who walked over gently leaning towards you.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before, I just didn’t know how. But, I’m glad I finally did. And you are too, right?” He said, letting out a breathy chuckle as you wrapped your arms around him, leaning in.

“Yes, yes I am,” you said, closing the gap between you two, pressing a soft kiss to his lips in the moonlight.

venti: all I want for christmas is you (mariah carey)

“Thank you for coming out, everyone! And as always, we’ll see you next time!” Venti said, giving a wave to the crowd who clapped and cheered while you two went off stage. You had just gotten done with one of your many performances of the song that seemed to be the embodiment of Christmas itself. It wasn’t a bad song, mind you, but having to perform it so many times made it very tiring very fast. Well, at least you had Venti to do it with.

Later on, after your final performance for a hit, both of your bands had gathered in the hotel preparing yourselves for the night you all had planned full of Christmas movies, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and gingerbread houses.

After a long night of fun with yourself and your bands mates, you found yourself alone on the balcony, reminiscing over the night.

At least, you thought you were alone.

“Y/N? Oh, you’re still up. Is everything alright?”

You looked back at Venti, giving him a nod and a smile as he plopped down on the space next to you on the balcony couch.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just thinking, y’know? Tonight was fun and all, but it feels like something was missing, is all…” you said, trailing off. Venti gave you a nod, before pointing up, turning your attention towards the ceiling above you.

“Maybe that’s what it was?” He suggested, your face turning red at the prospect. You liked Venti, sue, but the thought of kissing him made you sweat. He looked at you, giving you a grin and leaning forward, giving you a teasing look. “C’mon, Y/N, you know the rules~”

You took a breath, shaking off your nerves. You knew Venti wouldn’t leave you alone about it, and besides, what’s the worst that would happen, right? You resolved to kiss him on the cheek, but like how most cliches go, he ended up tilting his head and kissing you on the lips instead. You felt him softly melting into your warmth, before pulling back, almost too quick for your taste.

He looked at you, grabbing your hands and squeezing them gently, an uncharacteristic nervous blush on his face. “I… didn’t expect that to actually work. But that doesn’t matter. I like you, Y/N. And I hope you like me back too.” He said, waiting for your response.

You looked back, a small smile creeping onto your face, giving him a small nod in response. “Yes, I like you too, Venti,” you said, leaning forward and wrapping your arms around him. He let out a small sigh of relief, leaning into you.

“I’m glad. All I wanted was you. And I actually mean that, not just the song.”

They were the person to find him just days after he had awoken, had asked him if he was okay and whether he had eaten. Aether supposed he'd looked haggard, his memory working against him with his powers little in comparison to what they were before - had always been.

Even when his mouth opened, his tongue not moving in a way they understood, they had taken him in. 'You can't speak Teyvat's language?' He had shaken his head, wishing he could express that he understood every honeyed word but instead having to settle for a nod. 'Okay. That makes things a little difficult but I'm sure we can manage.'

And manage they did.

Home cooked meals weren't a thing to him but they had become a part of his daily routine. He would help around their home and bring them fish he had caught, and in return he would be fed warm delicious food that always surprised him.

Even now, under the night sky where the only thing he could taste on his tongue was the slight tang of blood and sweat, he thought about their meals and how his cooking would never compare.

It could have been obligation that brought him back to their doorstep time and time again. The feeling of needing to be grateful for keeping him alive and sane in moments of his life where he felt anything but. However, this was marginal and he knew it to be true that it wasn't solely gratitude that kept him rooted to their home.

The fact of the matter was that he had feelings for them. They had become a part of him, binding him to Teyvat in a way that was primal, almost counterintuitive to his free being.

Aether did not love without passion and intensity. His interests tended to consume him, the desire to be the best possible at whatever he did drove him through the seven nations and against foes that would have killed him otherwise. The thought of them ate him alive: their bright smile, their soft hands, their eyes that were as endless as the abyss. Every small detail had been memorised, reiterated and held close to his heart.

"Paimon," he whispered, the night breeze cool against his skin. "Are you awake?"

"Can't you sleep?" She replied, words slightly slurred but coherent.

The words came out breathless, almost catching in the back of his throat. "Do you think they like me?" And when questioned on who, he murmured their name as though it were a secret that only he was allowed to know - to covet.

"Of course they do!" She laughed, loud and childish. "You guys are friends."

What if he didn't want to be? What if he wanted something more than this? Aether wished to be the one that they depended on emotionally, to be the crutch that they had been for him at his most vulnerable. His fingers ached to be laced with theirs, to feel their warmth bleed into him in nights such as this.

He was not of this world, this much was known between the two of them even if implicit. There was an understanding between them that transcended the laws of this realm yet Aether failed on understanding one crucial aspect.

Did they like him back?

There was laughter when he returned to them, whispered 'thank you's' with every new treat from a foreign land and wide eyes when he told them stories of his adventures. Aether could have spoken until his throat was raw if it meant that he would hear their giggles that rang in his head for days on end.

There were things they did that confused him. How could they welcome him into their home whilst knowing he was a wanted criminal? Why had they not said a negative word when he collapsed into their arms after his return from Inazuma?

How could someone give to him when all he was used to now was being taken from?

"Paimon," he said again and she harrumphed at the second interruption to her sleep.

"Paimon needs to sleep, you know."

"I know." The syllables melted into the air and he inhaled, the coolness hitting the back of his throat. "I want to visit them tomorrow. I have something I want to tell them."

She only hummed, nestling back into her makeshift bed with her eyes closing moments later.

Aether wondered whether it was worth it to burst this bubble of tranquility, normalcy that he had carefully crafted for himself. He liked having a 'home' to return to when he craved understanding beyond well wishes and sympathy for his endless search. Could he truly risk it all by admitting that these feelings he had let take root within him?

It must have been because he was a celestial being, he thought, that his emotions were beyond measure and worldly bounds. When he felt, he felt with an intensity undiscovered before then. When he thought of them, he felt the cosmic tails of long gone stars spark a light within his chest.

I have to do it, he thought to himself, I have to let them know.

Perhaps he had already been letting them know. There wasn't any competition for who he spent the most mora on. Each gift he'd given was with their likes in mind, whether it be desserts with not too much sugar or pieces of artifacts from the Sumeru desert.

Thank archons no one had commented on this. He didn't think he would be able to live down the embarrassment of having his heart constantly on his sleeve.

Turning to his side, he pulled his blanket up until his shoulders. A small smile graced his lips.

( This didn't turn out like planned! But I decided to still post it. I hope you enjoy~ )

~💛~❤~💛~❤~💛~❤~💛~❤~💛~❤~💛~

Just another normal day. A day like any other, beeing on a commision with aether and helping him find clues for his missing sister. You and aether met a long while ago, as he first came to mondstadt and since then you two basically were always together. Paimon and you had also a great friendship going on. So it was only normal to go on commision's with your best friend, aether. Even tho for you aether was way more than 'just a friend'. You, for sure, could say that he was the most important person in your live. Your sunshine in this cloudy, dark world. You truly admired him. You truly loved- But.. let's not talk about it. Aether is busy enough and has so much worrys already, you didn't want to add to his troubles. Besides.. once he found his sister he would leave anyway! So you just kept quiet about your true feelings, thinking it would be for the best.

"Why is it so cold in here?? Paimon has a really bad feeling about this place aether..", paimon looked around while hiding behind the traveler. The whole domain was frozen and everything was covered in white ice. Which made sense why the temperature has dropped so much. To be honest you were also freezing, but were to busy following aether through the domain to care about yourself. Nothing should happen to him. Nothing can happen to him as long as you take care of him. As long as your eyes don't lose sight of him. That's what you quietly promised yourself. Always putting others first. You were very good at this.

All of sudden aether stopped and turned around to look at you. "W-What?", you asked confused, looking into his golden eyes. His stare made you feel intimidated so you had to look away. "I was just thinking we should take a break and cook some soup! You're cold to right?", aether gently smiled while walking towards a cooking pot. "Me? N-No i'm fin-", you started but got cut off. "You're shaking y/n! I can see it~", aether pouted cutely while starting to cook, "Now come here okay? Let's warm all up together!~", aether said while waving his hand at you to join him and paimon.

You sighed and walked towards your friends. He noticed! Of course he did, aether wasn't dumb after all. He always cares so much about others and is able to pay attention to the smallest details about people's feelings. There was no way you poor acting skills could've fooled him. Or so at least you thought. What you didn't know was that actually aether's eyes were always on you. Always looking after you, following you, making sure you stayed safe. He saw something special in you and for damn sure he wouldn't lose you too. That's how the blond traveler noticed right away, by your shaking hands and your lip bite that you were cold. After a long time studying your moves and gestures he was positiv to know every single thing about you. And that was important to aether. After all you mean so much to him..

After warming up and talking for a while you continued your way through the domain. "We need to get up there! But how?", asked aether, looking around for an solution. You smiled as you saw a circle on the wall, "Oh! I know!! Leave this to me!!", you said while you teleported up towards the wall before using the power of your vision to hit the circle. Jumping down next to the blonde traveler you realized that nothing happened.

"Use your elementare sight!", said paimon. Aether nodded, "There are invisible stairs they'll bring us up for sure! Good idea Y/N!!", he grinned at you, a soft blush covering his cheeks. This gesture made your heart jump and beat faster. "Heyy!! Paimon is the one who said to use your elementare sight! Why paimon doesn't get any praise??", your other friend pouted while glaring at aether. "Ehe?~", the blonde traveler lifted his shoulders and smiled. "Oh no.. don't tell paimon this tone-deaf bard shared his stupidity with you..", paimon gulped while hiding behind your back, "Y/N do something! Aether has lost his mind. Paimon feels scared!". You laughed while gently patting paimons head, "There, there", you giggeled.

This scene alone made aethers heart melt. Making him chuckle too. After a long time he finally felt home again. But every beautiful moment had to end sometime. "Let's go, take my hand so you won't fall!", he said, holding his hand towards you. This simple sentence stopped your brain from functioning probably. 'Gosh.. what a prince aether is. Someone come and bring him a white horse. With a rose like romeo-', not wanting to think about it anymore you just grabbed his hand, walking closely behind him.

You both started to walk up the stairs. All of sudden you heard a weird sound. 'I have a bad feeling-', you thought and looked around. "Watch out!! The stairs are disappearing! Quick- Run!!", paimon yelled, flying upwards. 'If only I could fly too', you  thought in panic. Aether started to run and so did you. Almost at the top of the stairs. Almost there. In the next moment as you wanted to take another step, you felt yourself stepping into nothing, you just lost all ground under your feed. A scream, you fell, still holding on to the travelers hand.

You crashed against the cold, freezing wall. The ice was sharper than it looked like since your arm started to bleed, beeing cut open by the crash. Blood running down your arm, your feed hanging into the air and nothing under you. Nothing than a black hole that didn't seem to end. Within this second everything started to slow down. It was like you saw your live flashing by your eyes. You could hear aether calling your name but it sounded dull, far away from you. But yet he was right here, infront of you. There was pure fear in his eyes.. you never saw him like this. Usually he was always calm, collected. Yes, he was angry before. But this was a side of the traveler you hadn't seen until now. You felt how his his hand trembled, his breath was fast and shaky. Also are there tears in his eyes??

Aether ran up the stairs. Almost there. He already had an idea what he was about to say once they reached the top. Wanting to impress you, proving he can keep your safe. Even this proff was more for himself then towards you. One last step. Aether smiled at paimon, who already waited for the both of you. Paimon smiled back and cheered already. Then everything happened so fast. A whoosh was heard, he felt a tug on his hand and it forced him backwards. Quickly turning around he saw something that made his heart shatter. Memorys of the scary, lonely past flashed by his eyes. You, who were so important to him, were about to fall. Fall and disappear. Disappear, like his sister had. Clinging to the wall, clinging to his hand while letting out a paniced scream. Aether kneed down, focusing all his strengh into his arm, into his hand. A loud crash was heard. The moment the traveler saw blood running down your arm, something in him snapped. He wouldn't let you go. Not now, not ever.

Protecting you was his second goal after finding his sister and he wouldn't give up on either of those! "Y/N hold on!! Don't let go!!", said aether, using his geo powers to creat something to stand on for you. Giving you the strength to stand up straight but with your shaky legs this wasn't so easy. You tried your best to climb up the wall. You really tried. Tears started to form in your eyes.

As you looked up your eyes widened. Aether jumped down, just to stand on his geo plattform he created. Taking you into his arms and lifting you up, helping you. As soon as you were up, laying on the cold floor you paniced. Jumping up, grabbing both of aehers hands and gave everything you got. You put every last strengh you had left into your arms to pull the traveler up. Finally the both of you were safe. Heavy breathing, sitting on the floor. Just looking at each other, no one said anything. You really thought this was the end but once again aether proved you wrong. With one swift pull, the traveler had you in his arms.

Holding you close to his chest, his grip tight, he whispered in your ear, "I got you!! I won't let anything happen to you! I-I.. won't lose you too!!". You swear you could hear his voice break slightly at the end. You heart broke  at the sound of his voice. Gently laying your still a bit shaky hand on his cheek you looked at him and smiled, "Thank you aether! I'm okay now~". The blonde boy blushed but smiled gently back. Kissing the back of your hand while looking into your eyes. 'Yup, a prince. That was prince aether. He just needs a crown-'

"Are you done flirting yet? Paimon wants to get away from here you know?", you heard a familiar voice speaking. You blushed and hid your face in the traveler's chest while he just sighed and helped you stand up. "Are you jelaous paimon?~", aether smirked and chuckled a bit while still holding you close, needing to feel your warmth to calm himself down. "Are you okay Y/N? Did you hurt yourself?", he looked at you, worry in his eyes. You nodded, "I'm okay! Just some scratches. It'll be fine, don't worry", looking into aethers eyes. Turning around, letting go of aether to look ahead of you, your eyes widened. The snow was gone, no more ice and the temperature felt warmer. Before you was a room but it was completly empty. "I feel like we went the wrong way aether..", you said while pointing towards the empty room.

"Use your elementare sight again!!", said paimon while floating towards the room. "Wait paimon!! We don't know what is in there! It could be a trap!", you said stopping your friend. "Ohh you're right-", "Nothing! There is nothing to be found.. We really went the wrong way..", aether sighed and looked from paimon to you. You turned around and looked down, a gasp left your mouth. Your heart almost had a solo flight towards the heavens. "G-Gone. The floor we just walked on his gone!!", you screamed hiding behind the blonde boy. "So this is the right way after all..", aether said while looking back towards the empty room.

"Let's go Y/N! There has to be some way out of here!", he said and took your hand again, smiling at you. The smile that helped you a lot. It gave you confindence, it gave you hope and it calmed you down. You took aether's hand once again and smiled back. With him by your side everything would go well. You believed in this fact. The two of you walked into the room, looking around. But it was really nothing to be seen. "Maybe we should just use our power and see what happens?", paimon sighed also confused.

"Power? Wait!- I swear I saw something earlier!", you looked towards the door you just came from, "Look! Outside this room is a cube. I'm sure we need to light it up!", you said pointing at it.

Paimon already floated towards it, trying to understand it. Aether just stepped infront of you and leaned a bit closer, "Sometimes I really wonder about you..", he whispered with a special look in his eyes, a soft smile placed on his lips as he continued to speak, "How are you this amazing? Without you I'd have been lost so many times. You are a genius Y/N! I really do lo-", but before aether could finish his sentence a loud sound rolled through the room.

Turning around, looking for an enemy but nothing. The room was still empty. "Guys are you okay in there?? Paimon didn't touch anything but.. the door closed on it's own!", paimon yelled, voice sounding far away. 'How thicc is this door??', you wondered. The blonde boy let go of your hand and ran towards the door, hammering against it but it didn't even move. "We are fine! We'll get out of here somehow! Go and get help paimon!! Call our team together!", aether yelled back while leaning against the door. "Paimon understands!! Just hold on!! Paimon will be back with much help!!", your friend yelled as her voice than disappeared.

"Looks like we're stuck here for a while..", the traveler sighed while walking back towards you. Walking around, taking a look on the ground. Observing everything carefully. "What are you doing?", aethers voice asked standing infront of you again. You were to busy concetrating on the floor that you didn't even looked up at him. A hand grabbed your chin and moved it upwards so that your eyes met golden, confused ones, "Hey? Y/N what's wrong?", the blonde boy asked. 'Gosh.. how is aether this intimidating sometimes and then this sweet other times??', your heart jumped at the eye-contact.

"I-I was just checking the floor if there are any hints of footprints or maybe a fake floor", you explained still looking into his beautiful eyes. "Oh- That is very smart! I'll help you!", with that aether let go of your chin and walked towards the other side of the room. Which idea, in the beginning sounded so clever, turned out to be a complete disaster in the end. Yet none of you both noticed the hidden, dark golden eyes glaring in your direction.

~💛~❤~ A few minutes later ~❤~💛~

"Have you found something?", you asked, after not hearing anything from aether. It had been quiet some minutes you were searching every inch of the room. Why didn't aether say something? Confused you turned around to look at your best friend. Your eyes scanning the whole room and the traveler was.. gone??

"Aether??", you called for him again. No responds. Silence. That's when the panic overcame you. Turning around and running towards the spot aether was just standing, you tried to search for a trap, a hole or anything looking suspicous on the floor. Yet you didn't see anything. Tears slowly started to fill your eyes. 'Hopefully paimon will be there again soon!', you thought while sitting on the ground. There was nothing you could do. This room didn't have any way out and you slowly lost hope. Not that you were the much optimistic type to begin with. You never were. But for some reason this room took away all your energy, motivation and stamina. The air felt so heavy. It was so difficult to breath. And everything seemed so dark, almost black. This whole situation made your head hurt. Wait.. Quickly standing up, looking around and it clicked. The whole room is covered in purple dust. No way. That wasn't there before.. 'Is someone trying to knock me out?? Is that what happened to aether?? But how didn't I realise it earlier??', millions of question's went through your head. Leaning against the nearest wall, holding your breath as long as possible. Your head started to pound with pain and your vision slowly blurred. Still you tried to stay focused. Slowly breathing in & out, making sure to keep your eyes open. It was hard to make out but you were sure you heard a familiar voice speaking,

"You're really stubborn huh? Ahh, my precious princess~ I didn't expect anything less from you! After all, you are THE ONE that I choose to rule with me. Soon you'll be mine~".

~💛~❤~ Later ~❤~💛~

"Y/N?? Can you hear me?? Y/N!! Please say something!!", someone screamed, the voice sounded familiar but somehow much more broken. At beginning it felt like you were far away but the voice got louder with each second. A sob. Then another sob. You felt something wet on your cheek.

Ahh.. now you remember! Aether! The small sobs, the sad whines, the way he breathed that all reminded you on aether. He often cried because of his missing sister. Never infront of you, but in the middle of the night you would wake up just to hear a crying aether. You would walk over to his room and cuddle him back to sleep. He always apologized in the morning for you not geting enough sleep. To be honest you could care less about your sleep! The happiness of the blonde boy meant much more to you. Slowly lifting an hand, eyes still closed, still feeling tired, "Don't cry aether! We will find your sister!", you whispered while caressing weakly his cheek. His cheek were more than a bit wet. How long did he cry already? You tried to open your eyes, blinking at the sudden brightness.

Acting? Yes, he should be acting. But no, no! This wasn't acting! Aether was truly worried about you. The tears running down his face were real. The sudden sadness he felt was also real. Did he drug you to hard? Was it to much for you to handle? He can't lose you! Not yet! Not ever! Aether had waited for 2 hours, yet you still were asleep. Not moving but still breathing. Slowly he started to worry, 'What if he went to far?? What if he killed his most beloved??'. The blonde prince wouldn't be able to live with himself. After all you were the reason he did all of this. The prince of the abyss saw something so special and outstanding in you, that he would sacrifice the entire teyvat for you. So usually confindent of himself sitting on his throne, now he kneed on the ground next to his knocked out love of his live. The moment your hand moved his breath stopped. Then for the very first time, he heard your angelic voice speaking. Well it wasn't his first time, but the first time you adressed him personally. Actually he liked this a lot more then the many times he heard you moaning his name while you pumped your cute fingers into you. Quickly shaking his head, now was not the time to think about such lewd, sinfull memorys!

"Y/N-? Are you okay?? Are you hurt??", aether asked, calming down a bit. You finally managed to look at him. Holding on to his hand and sitting slowly up. "Yes- I'm okay. I think? Just a bit dizzy.", you said, smiling at him. Aether smiled back, "I'm glad! You got me really worried there!". Looking away from aether you realised the place you were in. The room was different. So someone really knocked you out! The room you were in was darker, filled with purple light. No doors were to be seen. Just a long  wide, open corridor going over into another room. Infront of you were a few stairs. On top of them stood a throne, with a crown on it. Very intimidating but interesting! Looking back to aether who was just starring at you, not saying anything. Weird.. usually aether would talk some more to easy up the mood.

"Where are we?? Did you also breath in that weird purple stuff?", you slowly stood up. Deciding to look around some more you took a step forward, torwards the throne. Maybe you'll find some clues to get out of here?

"I wish I could tell you that Y/N.. I think, I did?!As I woke up, I found myself here.. like you!", the boy looked at you from behind, saying these words with the most innocence in his voice. Yet he had a huge smirk on his face as you walked towards the throne. His throne. It would be lovely to see you sit on it with that fuckable ass of yours. Maybe you could ride him on it one day-

'Enough!! Be patiened! Now is not the right time!', the blonde prince bit his lip and reminded himself on his goal.

Aether loved when everything went like planned. And so far it did. A few more steps and you were right infront of the scary looking throne. Right there where he wanted you. Gosh he could just stare at your behind forever, you looked perfect. The need of grabbing you, bending you over, just feeling your insides around him got bigger. The abyss prince got hard over your hips swaying side to side. He wants to fuck you so bad. And he will.. later..

One step. Two steps. You were right infront of the throne. For some reason you couldn't take your eyes of the black crown infront of you. The feeling of having it seen somewhere before, the need to pick it up and put it on your head. What is this feeling?? With all your self control you managed to turn away. It wasn't your throne, not your crown so you shouldn't touch it! Instead you walked back down to aether. Looking at him you thought he behaved rather weird, because you both breathed in that purple stuff. The boy didn't move an inch. He just looked at you with the most innocent puppy eyes you had ever seen.

"We should look around! We have to find a way out! We don't know who did this to us but they clearly want us alive. Soo I guess they won't hurt us?", you said, trying to calm aether down. He must be scared, that was why he isn't moving. You thought he probably had flashbacks to his missing sister. "Aether, don't worry~ Everything is going to be fine. We will get out of here safe and sound!", smiling at him as you stood infront of him.

That was what you hoped at least. To be honest you were shit-scared! Who did this? And what do they want from you both?? The fatui, the abyss? According to your surroundings, you would say the abyss. Some strange feeling about this room, about the crown, the thrown told you. 'Wait! If this is the 'abyss-doing'.. Now way!!!', you thought to yourself, 'Are we even still in teyvat??'. This place looked like nothing you had seen before! The walls looked way more like some of the ruins you had found in all three of the nations you had travelled through!  'No way! Maybe I'm just shocked! Yes.. I'm just making up things', you tried to calm yourself down. After all this was still a very scary situation!The best you could was trying to make sure not to lose hope!

Feeling a hand on your cheek, you looked up starring into aethers eyes. His beautiful golden eyes. But.. something felt off. Something was missing. Was this really your aether? Now looking at him closer, your eyes wandering down his body you realised also a huge difference. Did he grow taller? No.. it's just that he has more muscles right?? For some reason the boy infront of you seemed stronger, more mature. You didn't know how to explain it but.. Aether had changed! 'Okay, now I'm just going crazy! Did this purple stuff mess with my mind that much??', you bit your lip. How could you ever not trust aether! He would never hurt you! He always helped you and saved you! Now look at you, questioning his appearance..

"You're right y/n! We will be safe! Let's go and take a look into the other room over there, maybe we can find a way out", the blonde boy spoke while taking your hand, "Let's go~", with that aether started walking into the small corridor. Caught of guard, blushing at the gesture you followed him. On the walls of the small corridor, a few pictures were placed on the walls. They all seemed familiar. Yet you don't know them. Still pretty confused and tired you decided to concetrate on the room before you. Walking in, it wasn't anything special. A bed, a closet, carpet, chairs and a couch, a table, some candles but no door or window. Really strange. The whole room was also, besides the candles, colored into a purple light. As you looked closer, you saw on the bed were even rose pattles. 'Oh no- we surely ran into some perverts-', you thought, blushing. Making sure to look everywhere but aether's eyes. This was hella embarrassing. Shit.. why do you had such lewd ideas now?? You couldn't help but to imagine how it would be to be deflowered by aether on the bed infront of you. How it would be to make out on the couch. How it would feel like having aether's shaft inside you. How big is he? How would his muscles feel? Would he cum-

"Y/N??", the voice next to you made you snap out of your thoughts. "YES??", you yelled, voice breaking slightly. Embarrassed you coughed, looking up to aether. Wait.. up?? Just yet you realised you were laying on the bed with aether sitting next to you. He looked scared. "W-What happened? Didn't we just stand at the door?", you asked confused, wanting to sit up. "Don't!!", a growling voice said, while aether's hands pushed you down on the bed again. Kneeling half way over your body, both of his hands on your shoulders while starring into your eyes. "I-I mean don't get up. You just fell over! I carried you to the bed.. My guess is that you still weak from the purple stuff you breathed in earlier..", the blonde said,  his grip disappearing.

' What was that??', you were sure you both just stood at the door. How did you not realise you fell over?? This gave you chills. Yet the whole situation made your heart jump. He never was this close to you. Also you never heard him growl like that. The sound of his voice effected you more than ever. You totally forgot about what just happened. Not questioning it anymore. "A-Ah- okay..", you just nodded, laying back down again, looking at aether. He seemed completly alright, somehow? Like he wasn't even a little bit affected by the purple stuff. Well but then again.. the traveller was always stronger than others. Nothing very special there..

"Are you feeling alright? You worried me.. just falling over like that! Or.. could it be..", aether's voice spoke up, bringing your attention back to him, "that my presence actually got your knees weak? Tell me my dear y/n, did you perhaps fall for me?", he whispered in your ear, slightly leaning over you , a smug smirk covered his face, teasing you like always. But his stare.. said otherwise. It was like fire. Like he knew your deepest, darkest secrets. 'He can't, can he?? Of course not!! I mean how would he??' Aether is way to oblivious to such things. He couldn't know your true feelings for him. "As if!! Don't get cocky just because you're on top of me!!", you giggeled, gently grabbing his arms and pulling him down to you. Laughing at his suprised gasp, you didn't even realise the sinfull position you both were in. Aether was now kneeling completly over you, one of his legs between yours, your arms trapped under his chest. Also you didn't realise aether's big, devilish smirk on his face.

Having all of this planned out. Having waited for you for years. Waiting for the moment to make you his princess. Waiting for the moment this cursed, lost, very dark world of his, would finally see the bright shining sun again! You would make this place shine again. You would bring khaenri'ah back to the top. Because you were his god! It was your destiny! And the prince had you exactly where he wanted you to be. In his bed, under him, clearly in love with him.

~❤~💛~❤~💛~❤~💛~❤~💛~❤~💛~❤~

"Oh, Paimon has a good idea!" the floating creature marveled, excitedly dashing off in a particular direction and disappearing from your view for a moment. 

It had been going on like this for quite some time now, with Aether's travel companion darting around you and blurting out ideas ever since you met with the male at the fountain in Mondstadt. What was supposed to be a spontaneous little date didn't look like that in the slightest, but despite your disappointment you really couldn't hate Paimon for it – she was simply the biggest hypeman when it came to what was blooming between you and Aether. 

The traveler, however, was less amused.

A heavy sigh fell off his lips, and he didn't even bother to listen to what his companion had to say anymore. It was the nth idea Paimon had suggested in a really short span of time and you nor Aether were able to keep up. 

The original plan was to spend a nice and relaxed afternoon in the city of Mondstadt, and the whole purpose was to get to know each other a little better. That seemed to be mission impossible, and you had practically given up on enjoying your date with the traveler. 

     "How do you explain to a literally floating airhead that a date usually means two people meeting because they want to spend time together?" Aether asked quietly, grimacing when Paimon drifted towards you again. 

     "Don't know," you admitted. "You'd say you would have an idea since you've been traveling together for so long." 

     "I've never had to ditch her before," he countered, holding up his hands. "Usually I really appreciate her company but now I wish she would leave us alone for a bit."

     "Can't you just ask her?" you questioned, lowering your voice since the floating creature was closing in on you. "Have you tried already?"

     "I told her I had a date today and she insisted on coming with me," Aether told you. "I guess I wasn't clear enough about the you should stay home part." 

     "Aether, Y/N," Paimon called out as soon as she reached you. "Paimon's hungry, can we go and grab something to eat?" 

That's what you had been hearing the entire time. A date was supposed to be about you and Aether, right? Yet, it had been about Paimon the whole afternoon. She bestowed numerous ideas upon you while you did not ask, she demanded food continuously, she meddled with your conversations; she simply interfered with what should have been your alone time with the traveler. 

Aether nearly growled in annoyance, doing a formidable job at hiding it from his travel companion. But you caught it, and if you weren't as frustrated as he was, it would have made you laugh. 

You did feel a bit guilty for being so utterly done with the floating creature, but you knew it couldn't be helped. This was not what you signed up for when you planned your date with the traveler and it made you a little sad. 

     "Alright, let's get something to eat," the male said flatly, and Paimon cheered in the air before darting towards the Good Hunter, which was the place most nearby from where you were. 

     "Albedo once mentioned how he was interested in her for research purposes," he whispered when Paimon was out of earshot, and you gasped, clasping your hand over your mouth in surprise.

     "Aether, no–"

     "Just kidding," he snickered. "I would never want anything to happen to her, I just wish she would leave us alone for a bit."

You pondered for a moment, but couldn't really come up with a plan that actually made sense. How did one get rid of a creature that could float as fast as you could run? 

     "What if we distract her with food?" you asked. "She seems really enthusiastic about that so it might work."

     "And then we ditch her," Aether added, catching on quickly. You nodded, and he seemed to think about it for a moment. 

Honestly, you felt bad for even suggesting something like that, but you were slightly annoyed with the flying creature and just wanted to enjoy some time with the traveler – who went through great efforts of trying to find some free time between all his commissions and adventures. You really didn't want Paimon to spoil what was left of your date as well.

     "We can try?" you shrugged. Paimon's perseverance was praiseworthy and you weren't sure if your plan would succeed in the slightest. She would probably find a way to catch up with you in no-time and you'd be as annoyed as you were now. 

But it was worth a shot, right? 

      "Alright, I'll go up and order her favorite food, as soon as she starts devouring her meal, we make a run for it," Aether summarized, lowering his voice since you arrived at the Good Hunter, where Paimon was waiting for you. 

You sat down at a table, taking a position in which you could jump up swiftly as soon as Paimon was enjoying her meal. While Aether was talking to Sara, the girl behind the counter of the restaurant, you waited in silence, almost nervous for what was about to occur. Paimon was floating next to the male excitedly as he walked towards your table after a while, a steaming plate filled with delicious food in his hands. His travel companion was completely oblivious; she didn't notice how you and Aether exchanged a look, how you proceeded to slip out of your seat a little to prepare for the upcoming sprint you had to take. She was simply focused on the food that was solely for her. 

     "Ooh, Paimon can't wait to eat it," the floating creature gushed, kicking her tiny legs in the air. 

     "Here, all for you," Aether told her, setting down the plate onto the smooth surface of the table in front of her. He too pretended to sit down, but he held your gaze and you caught his message. 

You flew up and ran.

The streets of Mondstadt passed by in a blur as you ran through them as fast as you could. Aether was right next to you, and much to your surprise he reached out and grabbed your hand. But you gladly let him lead you towards the city gate. Together you darted through the streets. People gave you weird looks, for it didn't happen every day that the Honorary Knight and his date ran through the city in a mad dash. 

At some point your lungs started burning, as the green wildlands that surrounded the city greeted you. But Aether gently urged you to keep running, and spurred on by his soft grip on your hand you persevered.

To save your date, you told yourself. 

After what felt like ages of running, when Aether finally deemed you far away enough from the city, he slowly brought you to a halt. Completely out of breath, you fell to your knees in the soft grass, and the traveler was quick to flop down next to you. You found him looking at you with a smile, and you took it as an invitation to lie down in the soft grass next to him. 

It felt great, to flop down onto the soft grass without a care in the world, gradually catching your breath now that you could finally relax after an intense sprint like that.

You glanced at the male sideways, grass tickling your cheeks teasingly. When your eyes met Aether's, you couldn't help the giggles that bubbled up your throat, and he too started laughing. Now that you thought about it, today's events were rather funny. Your date got disrupted by the obnoxiously present travel companion of Aether and after coming up with a plan to finally ditch her, you actually went through with it and ran away like a bunch of idiots. 

     "Isn't it peaceful like this?" the traveler asked when the laughter died down, a smile still present on his features. "Quite nice, huh?"

You nodded, but shot the other a troubled look.

     "It is," you agreed. "I feel a bit bad, though." 

     "Oh, she's so caught up in her food, she probably won't even notice that we're gone," Aether joked, but a moment later his smile faltered as well. "But I also feel a little guilty."

     "Should we go back?" you suggested.

     "A few minutes," the male reasoned, and you suddenly noticed how he never let go of your hand after taking it. 

You two were lying in the grass, hands connected and still pretty out of breath. You couldn't help but to glance away as a blush climbed up your cheeks. Yeah, this was what you had been hoping for when Aether had asked you out. He was right; Paimon could wait for a bit. 

It was quiet and peaceful, and you relished in the absence of a certain high-pitched voice that told you what to do the entire time. It had finally started to feel like a date, and you were happy with it.