rozenblitz | What a romantic adventure

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.]

[ Even if parting ways is inevitable considering everything that he has seen while drinking Aether's blood, it doesn't mean that Noé wants to distance himself from him. It's the opposite, even if in the end he will become nothing more than just a single memory, among many others. ]

I'm glad I got to know you better. I don't want to stop at it, either.

[ He murmurs between kisses as he caresses Aether's hair gently. ]

Your blood is delicious, but you can tell me about yourself rather than let me read your memories.

[A choked noise escapes him when he hears the last part.]

My blood is...? [That is not something he's ever expected to hear.

His cheeks burn up bright red, as he's trying to collect himself and actually answer the question.]

Um... I don't know how much you know already. I'm really just a traveler who is trying to find my sister... and a "home".

To be fair... I don't think I managed to go to deep. And I didn't understand everything I saw in the first place.

[ The idea of multiple worlds isn't all that foreign to him—here, both human world and vampire world exist separately. He just never thought that it's possible for so many of them to exist at once. ]

Your blood tastes really good! I mean, you smell really nice, too.

[ Oh, Noé. ]

You're blushing.

Ah, I guess it's difficult to understand without a context.

[If seeing memories is just seeing pieces from the past, then it would be a challenge to put this all together. Aether has hundreds of years of memories.]

I was travelling from world to world along with my sister. The place that we come from... our actual home no longer exists.

[It's a sad truth, but Aether doesn't seem terribly upset by it. He had centuries to come to terms with that fact.

The blush remains stubborn on his face, growing only brighter when the other comments on it.]

W-well, it's... kind of embarrassing to have someone comment on how you smell... or taste. [He's not looking at Noé.]

I'm sorry.

[ Even if Aether doesn't seem to be upset, Noé can't just brush it off. He might not understand everything, but having no home to return to sounds awful. At least, the opportunity to distract Aether from these memories presents itself right away. ]

Is it?

[ Then, without any warning whatsoever, Noé leans for a quick kiss and offers him a smile after pulling away. ]

Now you can comment on how I taste.

Don't be sorry. It all happened hundreds of years ago anyway.

[The kiss comes completely unexpected, making Aether blink, before the question is asked. Then he blushes so much more, small pout forming on his face.]

That's... not fair.

[He reaches up, softly brushing his thumb against the other's lower lip.]

You... you're warm.

[...And that's not a taste.]

That is not a taste.

[ Of course Noé points that out. And bends forward for another kiss because that will clearly help Aether figure out the answer. ]

You're getting warmer, too.

[ More embarrassing comments incoming. ]

[This is getting completely and utterly unfair. Aether lets a soft strained sound, before pressing his head to the other's shoulder.]

...If I didn't know better, I would say that you're messing with me.

[He knows Noé is not that kind of person, but to think that he is this clueless about what he's doing to Aether...!]

[ When Aether buries his face into Noé's shoulder, the vampire can't help but wrap his arm around his waist to pull him a bit closer. ]

Maybe you'll figure it out later. The most important thing is whether you like it or not.

[ And from what Noé has seen, it seems that Aether enjoyed the kisses. ]

I was hoping that seeing your memories will bring us a little closer, to be honest.

[It's easy to pull him close and Aether smiles with a soft sigh.]

...I like it. A lot.

[He can't hide that fact. As if to support his claim, Aether shifts until their noses touch. His hand brushes against the other's cheek, then trails lightly along the ear and finally gentle fingers tangle into the hair. The traveler smiles warmly, face still so very red and he leans forward for another kiss, nice and slow.

His heart is loud in his chest even after they part and for a moment Aether doesn't say anything, his eyes closed.]

I guessed that you wanted to know more about me.

[He opens his eyes, expression apologetic.]

I'm not really used to talking about myself.

[Because he would always leave. He's just a traveler, after all.

He laughs softly again.]

But look... seeing my memories brought us much closer than I would've ever expected.

[ Aether's words followed by an affectionate gesture and that slow kiss are more than enough to make a bright red blush cover Noé's cheeks and spread as far as to the tips of his ears. ]

I'd love to get to know you better. In more traditional ways, that is... even if the taste of your blood is unforgettable.

[ What he doesn't say is that Aether's heart beating so fast is something he can sense when they're so close and he can almost taste his blood on his lips somehow. It's a bit embarrassing because he doesn't necessarily need to feed on people. ]

I can't show you my memories, but... I haven't even been to many places before in my life. But maybe if you're with me, that will change a little. I could join you in your search for your sister in this world.

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