#mint jelly

[image: Hatsune Miku in the style of Kira Kira Pretty Cure a la Mode. Her outfit is inspired by her usual look, but with a mint gelatin theme, including a transparent green overskirt and platform boots, and decorative mint leaves. She also has hedgehog ears and tail. end id]

Chapter 2: Guyun Stone Forest- Expedition Day 1

A/n: last chapter before Ramadan! Also, Paimon did mention that she can sleep on air during traveler voicelines. I hope you like my little cliffhanger.

Pairings: Aether x Gn mute!Reader

Prompt: The first day of your expedition has dawned! Who knows what you might find?

Requested by: @its-sexy-beastington-to-you

Aether awoke to a bloodred sunrise coming up over the horizon. His wound was bandaged, and the fire was out.

He looked around and then realized that you were leaning against him. He could feel a blush rise to his cheeks, and turned as though you could see him.

This, unfortunately, brought him face-to-face with Paimon. She’d been up on guard duty, since exhaustion had caused you to fall asleep leaning against him.

She stared. “Aether? Are you okay? You look redder than Chongyun when we got him to try fried Jueyun Chilis!”

He blinked. “I-“ Aether took a deep breath, formulating his thoughts.

“I’m fine, Paimon.”

You stirred, gently scooting away and getting up to start the fire.

Aether watched you, suddenly coming back to reality with a little “oh” sound.

He got up, tying a string around Paimon’s ankle. “Get some rest.” He told her, because she can sleep on air. Paimon’s cool like that.

Since the little pixie was truly super tired, she followed orders for once.

The two of you managed to get breakfast ready and exchange good mornings over the meal, and then went on your way.

You began to walk to the next island, wading your way across the shallow water. There wasn’t much there besides rocks.

And also that blast of water that just hit you.

You whipped around, shooting at the cicin until it died, and then continued on your way.

Soon enough, though, you were surrounded. Aether managed to blow enough of them away with Anemo that the two of you could move freely, but it was still up to you to shoot them down.

Somehow, you did it. You were quickly exhausted, and had to lean against Aether. He wrapped an arm around your waist and helped you to the next island, where there were no monsters. There was, however, a giant tree.

There were also crystal fragments.

You can mine those, if you want. I’m going to investigate this tree.

He shook his head. “No. I’m not leaving you. We can get those together later.”

You blinked at him, and then nodded. Leaning on the tree’s large roots, you began to make your way around its circumference. Aether held your hand the whole way.

For support, of course. Not because your hands were so nice to hold. Of course not. Definitely.

“Do you want mint jelly? It helps.”

You brought mint jelly?? On an expedition???

Aether looked a bit embarrassed, but he still managed to smile at you. “Yeah. For situations like this.”

Then it would be unfair to not accept it. You grinned back.

The two of you sat, and he took out the jelly. The two of you were quiet, so as to not wake Paimon.

She’s skilled like that, sleeping through a whole fight.

Because of that, the two of you ate in silence.

You were right.

Aether smiled. “It’s happened before.”

Your eyes locked for a moment, before you tore yours away to look around.

Something glimmered within the tree’s bark.

You got up and gently traced it, following the lines to the roots. Aether watched, just as entranced.

There was a hollow beneath the tree’s roots that the shimmering veins led to.

You carefully climbed within, and Aether followed you.