rozenblitz | What a romantic adventure

[The nervousness that Aether feels might be something to be expected. He's facing something new, he doesn't know how it'll go... but Noé's hold over his hand is careful. It's enough to ease some of the traveler's worries. Aether closes his eyes, then winces, a soft gasp leaving his lips, when fangs pierce his skin. It hurts, but it's okay. He just needs to get used to this...

...Meanwhile, what Noé will see in the realm of memories is Aether joined by his twin sister. They truly look alike - both blond, both shining bright like stars on the night sky. They both look worried, Lumine griping Aether's hand.

A few moments later they're joined by someone. A person who has always been kind to them.]

This world is lost, but I'm sure that the two of you will be able to find a "home" out there.

[Explosions and chaos suddenly ring outside, but the person in front of them continues to smile kindly. The twins don't look convinced at first, but they both realize they have no other choice.

The next thing they know, they are flying towards the stars, golden wings on their back. They travel to many worlds and places and none of them is their "home". Each time they have to flee, over and over again, for hundreds of years.]

[ What unfolds in front of Noé's eyes is nothing like what he has seen so far. Everything seems so unfamiliar and strange, especially the surroundings. The vampire forces himself to pay close attention to Aether and the people with him. There's no doubt about the girl's identity, yet there's no telling who the other person is.

When they speak up, the weight of their words leaves Noé anxious about what is going to happen next. He's standing just behind the twins, close enough to reach for Aether. From that place, Noé can see that kind smile, even if the sounds coming from the outside sound rather ominous.

The scenery changes in a blink of an eye. At first, Noé finds himself overwhelmed—there are so many images of different places that he can't keep up.

When he opens his eyes again, he's back in the room, the taste of Aether's blood fresh on his tongue. He's still holding his hand while his gaze is fixed on the traveler. ]

I...I'll try again.

[ Even if Noé can't really control for how long he can read someone's memories, being brought back so abruptly leaves him a little flustered. ]

I have seen a lot, but not much at the same time.

[His heart is beating faster, yet he soon realizes it's not fear that he's feeling, but something else entirely. His hand is still in Noé's and the traveler waits for what is going to happen next.

His companion suddenly opens his eyes, seeming somewhat out of it as he looks at Aether. The boy blinks, before leaning closer. There's worry in his gaze.]

Are you... sure? I... I don't mind if you want to try again. [He really doesn't, it's just that his heart can't calm down in his chest. It continues to beat madly and Aether fights an urge to just grab Noé's hand and hold it.

Is this some kind of after effect from vampire bite?]

What exactly have you seen? Will you be okay?

I'm okay, don't worry. I just... want to know more about you.

[ At that moment, Noé realizes that helping Aether find his sister wasn't the only reason why he suggested drinking his blood. His natural curiosity aside, Noé is genuinely interested in Aether as a person—he wants to know what makes him happy, what things he find annoying, what saddens him.

There's no telling what the future holds, but Noé's drive to learn more about Aether's past and his present self is something that he hasn't questioned up until now. Why exactly does he want to know so much about Aether?

Is it really about just helping him? It seems like there's much more to it. ]

How are you feeling, though? I didn't drink too much, did I?

[ For a moment there, he got caught up in his own selfishness, which feels embarrassing. ]

[Watching Noé, Aether really isn't sure what to think. There have been a few people who wished to get to know the traveler, but none of them had an ability to dig for his past like this. And yet, it feels like it's more than just pure curiosity.

His heart beats faster again and Aether finally lets his hand move to gently grasp Noé's.]

I'm fine. A couple of drops of blood is nothing, really.

[He smiles softly, wanting to reassure the other. It was more than just "a couple of drops" but Aether won't say that out loud. He leans closer to Noé, as if wanting him to discard whatever embarrassment he's feeling for his actions. Aether agreed to this, so it's fine.]

I'm okay. You... can take me.

[He'll be fine, he promises.]

[ Noé gazes down at the two punctures on Aether's wrist where his fangs damaged the skin. It feels a little bad that he didn't manage to learn much during the first time. ]

Alright... I just saw you, your twin sister, and... someone else. But I'll try again, I want to know more.

[ Aether is so close that he almost forgets to breathe for a moment. Honestly, it's hard to focus when his heart is thumping his chest like that, but Noé knows that giving up now would be just no good. ]

I'll treat you to some desserts after this, okay? Just bear with me.

[ His lips brush over the wound, even though it won't help with the pain, Noé wants to alleviate it somehow. Trying to be as delicate as possible, the vampire sinks his fangs into Aether's vein. Rather than marveling at the taste, Noé tries to focus on reading his memories, so he won't have to drink too much of the traveler's blood. ]

[Aether isn't sure who that "someone else" may be. What moment exactly Noé saw? Was it one of the many worlds the traveler had visited with his sister? Or was it something else? Regardless of what it was, Aether nods, then lets his head rest gently against the other's shoulder.]

You don't have to buy me anything... [He says with a soft smile. His heart is beating fast and he finds himself longing for the warmth that radiates from Noé. Is blood loss at fault here?] Go on.

[The brush of lips against the wound catches him completely off guard. Aether breathes in sharply, his skin is tingling. Slowly he's starting to understand what is happening with him... but he doesn't get enough time to process it as teeth sink into his wrist again.

This time it doesn't hurt as much but again, Aether fails to comprehend why. His head presses a little more to Noé, unconsciously seeking his closeness.

Meanwhile, a new memory will show for the vampire. It's Lumine again, but she's yelling for Aether to wake up. They're in some sort of interior, everything is crumbling apart, there's fire and some sort of black mass of energy swirling around. The traveler blinks at his sister, then looks around alarmed.

Lumine? What is going on?

She grabs him by the hand and drags him towards the exit.

We have to leave! Now! It's not safe here!

He doesn't ask more questions. It's just another failed attempt at trying to find a real "home". This time it seems they're stuck in a world that is about to meet its end. But there's something more to his sister's expression, something that Aether himself doesn't seem to notice as they're trying to flee.

She's tormented, her eyes are on the verge of tears. She glances at the ruins, the destruction and the look in her eyes is similar to that when she had to leave their first home, their real home.

The twins run, but they're soon stopped by a god and then separated by that god's immense power. Aether can do nothing before he falls into endless sleep, full of nightmares, where he sees the world destruction and losing his sister over and over again.]

[ It's overwhelming to say the least—all these feelings are temporarily Noé's as well. Even the ones that are hidden deep inside of Aether's heart, the ones whose existence he might not have realized. The scene unfolding in front of his eyes is a lot, but he keeps thinking of Aether and how long he's been looking for his sister.

Even now, it's so easy to recall his sheepish smile when Noé offered to read his memories. The traveler never wants to bother anyone and keeps things to himself. If he only could be the person who could help Aether...

It's tough to look at these nightmares, even if most of these sights aren't really comprehensible to the vampire. Maybe there is some kind of a hint there—for that reason alone, Noé can't back down. ]

Aether...

[ His voice won't reach the sleeping traveler. The images keep flashing in front of Noé's eyes until he loses his focus and opens his eyes to find himself in the room with Aether, the taste of the other's blood still fresh on his tongue. ]

Aether...

[ He says again, his voice feeling a little foreign, before pulling the traveler into an embrace. ]

[Aether is unaware of anything, head still resting on Noé's shoulder, eyes closed. He opens them only when he notices that things may not be going well, that maybe he shouldn't have agreed to any of this. Then, he's suddenly pulled into a hug, close, with Noé's voice ringing in his ear.

Aether is silent, eyes wide for a while, before he closes them, his head again leaning against the other's shoulder.]

I... I don't know what you've seen but don't worry. I'm fine. It's fine. Everything is fine.

[His voice is soft and steady, his hands come up to trace comforting patterns into the other's back.

Aether should've never agreed to this. His memories will likely now burden Noé and there will be nothing gained from this. The traveler does not belong to this world and thus the people who live here are better off not knowing about countless worlds, the destruction and the lonely journey of two stars.

The people who live here deserve a happier life.]

[ Truthfully, it was a lot to take at once, but rather than focusing on the idea of multiple worlds, Noé fixates on something slightly different. When he speaks up again, his embrace around Aether tightens, just like the traveler might disappear at any moment if he lets go of him. ]

Are you... going to leave this world?

[ If his sister isn't here, there might not be any reason for Aether to stay. That thought makes his chest feel heavy. ]

[He breathes in sharply, surprised by the question and surprised by how closely Noé holds onto him. His heart thumbs loudly in his chest and Aether wishes for nothing more but to sink into the other's warmth. His voice is tiny when he speaks.]

I'm sorry...

[Those simple words sound so heavy now. Aether's eyes close.]

I... We don't belong here. [He adds.

No matter the world, the twins will never belong to it, they will never be accepted. Their lives will always be longer than any of those around them, so it's for the best to leave before they grow too close to anyone, before they cause heartbreaks, before they give away anything about themselves.

Gods, it's too late now, Aether realizes.]

I'm sorry.

You must belong somewhere! Even if it's not here!

[ Noé gets worked up, but he doesn't even know what is the root of his agitation. The most obvious answer is that Aether's memories were too overwhelming for him. Saying that these images left him unaffected would be straight out lying. Still, that's not the only thing that has shaken him to the core. ]

I wish your place was here, but... even if it's not, I'm sure there's a place for you and your sister.

[ It's too cruel if that isn't the truth. Everyone deserves a place they feel like they belong, after all. ]

Don't apologize.

Noé...

[He understands the sentiment, but... For a moment he's completely silent, unsure what else to say and how to explain the complicated lives that he and his sisters have.]

One day... one day we will find our "home", I'm sure of it, but Noé...

[It's obvious the other is overwhelmed by things he's seen, so Aether could just make matters worse if he says more. It doesn't help that he feels himself weakened by the blood loss.]

Don't think too much about what you saw. I... I don't want you to worry about me or to... hurt because of me. I'm fine, really.

[He tightens the hug as much as possible, trying to project some comfort.]

I suggested drinking your blood first.

[ His voice is surprisingly firm compared to his usual soft tone. It just seems like a good moment to remind him that Noé insisted on helping him. The vampire's chest feels tight, even when he's being held close by Aether. His warmth is somewhat comforting, but the looming anxiety about what the future holds is still there.

Noé has so many questions. Is Aether going to leave soon? How many worlds has he visited? Is he going to continue the journey until he finds his sister? What are the chances that this world is...

Without thinking, his grip on Aether tightens even more. He doesn't want to let go, neither now or never, even if he can't really name the feeling that makes it so hard to pull away. ]

I'm... I just don't want to lose you.

Lose... me?

[He's surprised to hear that, especially with how tightly he's held. His heart throbs inside his chest, but something else warms it up from the inside. A feeling so different from anything he's experienced before... or maybe it just grew inside his heart whole this time, while the traveler was trying to ignore it.]

I... don't want to say goodbye either. I really enjoy travelling with you.

[His hands tremble slightly, but he continues to keep the other close.]

But I don't have much choice... My sister means everything to me. Once I find her... we will probably leave again, to search for a place we could call "home".

[ Even though Noé manages to find some comfort in Aether's words, his chest still feels tight, and his heart seems like it's about to burst into pieces. ]

Maybe I could... travel with you? I mean... across the different worlds?

[ It sounds like an impossible thing to do for him, even if he's a vampire. But he absolutely has to ask and make sure. ]

Noé...

[His voice dies down, a soft sigh escaping past his lips. As much as he would like for that to happen, as much as he appreciates the sentiment, it's just not possible.]

Even if you were able to leave with me, the travels may take tens or hundreds of years... [He's not sure anyone but them would be able to take this. A vampire doesn't have an enteral lifespan either. Aether squeezes the other tightly.]

I'm sorry...

No, don't apologize.

[ Maybe Noé doesn't understand everything that he has just seen, but it doesn't feel like Aether has to apologize for anything, especially not for who he is. ]

I just don't... I don't want you to be alone through all this.

[ Is that really the truth, however? What Noé doesn't realize is that even though what he has said is partially true, there's one more thing—he wants to be by Aether's side as long as possible. ]

Just... don't leave without a goodbye, alright?

It's... it's okay. I'll be okay. Don't worry about me.

[He keeps on saying that as if words alone could make everything better. Aether knows it's not going to work though and he, too, would like to stay by Noé's side for as long as possible.]

I... I'm not sure when I'll leave - it can be years from now - but I'll do my best to not leave without a word.

[He can't promise it, because he doesn't know for sure. Everything on his journey is an unknown and while it's wonderful to discover what tomorrow brings there are times when he wishes some things would be certain. He doesn't want to suddenly disappear on Noé and never show up again.

Maybe this is why he keeps on holding him tight.]

Is it... is it okay if we stay like this for a while?

[ That's such a selfish request that Noé feels a little bad for asking. Actually, he's a little anxious that he might be clinging to Aether a bit too hard, but at the same time, he doesn't dare to loosen his grip. Not to mention that after having his blood sucked by a vampire, Aether should eat something and get some good rest, especially since it was his first time. ]

You're still here... but I miss you already.

[Those last words stir something inside Aether's heart and the traveler pulls away just a little bit to look Noé in the eye. Without thinking much about it he raises his hand up and touches his companion's cheek, fingers brushing the skin in a hopefully soothing manner.]

We can stay this way for as long as you like... I won't go anywhere, I promise.

[They're so close. It's like something is pulling Aether right towards the other. He leans closer, noses touching, lips a breath away from one another. When he finally realizes that, the traveler pulls away embarrassed, drops his hand and casts his gaze down.]

Ah... s-sorry.

[ Truth be told, Noé didn't expect Aether to lean in so close. Without realizing it, he holds his breath, heart throbbing in his chest. With his eyes fixed on the traveler, he watches the other pull away with a glint of sadness. ]

No, don't apologize.

[ This time around, it's Noé who bends forward so their noses are touching again. ]

You should rest, though...

[The sudden closeness makes his heart skip and Aether waits. Their noses touch, but this is not enough. It's like some kind of invisible force is pulling him towards the other and Aether can guess why. It won't end well, he knows about it, and yet...

He leans in, closing the distance between them. His lips brush the other's lightly, but that's enough to make his heart go crazy in his chest and to make every fibre of his being long for Noé.

He pulls away.]

Do you... still think that I shouldn't apologize?

[Because he thinks he should.]

[ Saying that it was unexpected would be a lie. Actually, Noé hoped for a kiss and entertained the thought of doing it himself. When Aether pulls away, he looks almost disappointed. ]

Yes. Unless it's for how short it was.

[ But before the travelet can do that, Noé tilts his head to the side and seals their lips in another kiss, not as fleeting as the previous one. After a little while, he realizes that he might have gotten a bit ahead of himself. ]

Should I apologize, though?

[ The question is murmured against Aether's lips since he can't quite bring himself to pull away any further than just a few inches. ]

[This time it's Aether who is surprised. His eyes widen but he easily relaxes soon afterwards and returns the kiss. His cheeks are bright red when Noé asks him the question.

In response, the traveler shakes his head lightly, still staying close.]

N-no... Not at all.

[He reaches up, fingers softly tracing the shape of the other's face, admiring it, before he initiates yet another kiss. A part of him starts questioning if any of this is even real, but he doesn't dwell on that thought long.

In this very moment, he's grateful for every bit of Noé's warmth and kindness.]

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"me" was supposed to be "more" XDDDDD

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