rozenblitz | What a romantic adventure

[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.

[His cheeks grow bright red again and he glances aside. His head tilts to the side, as if he's about to offer his neck.]

If you like it so much, then... I don't mind. [He's weaker now, having lost some blood already. There are puncture wounds on his wrist and yet it's still not so bad. He trusts Noé and he knows the other wouldn't do anything that would put him at risk. He feels safe in his arms.]

And it's okay. I don't have to see your memories, but if you want to tell me stories from your life I will be happy to listen. And I will be more than happy to travel with you.

[A journey with a loving companion will be surely so much easier. Aether's heart warms in his chest at the thought.]

... You already make me so happy. [He laughs softly.]

I like it, that's true...

[ The sight that has just unfolded in front of his eyes makes it really tempting to just bite into Aether's neck and taste some of his blood once again. However, it might be a bit too much.

Nonetheless, Noé leans in... and at the last moment plants a couple of kisses along Aether's neck rather than sinking his fangs into the delicate skin. ]

But I promised you sweets. And sweets are only slightly less good compared to your blood.

[ Not to mention that they can share stories while eating cakes and drinking tea. ]

Do I? [ Noé blinks, not expecting to hear such a remark. ] I... I hope I can make you happy everyday, then.

[When Noé leans in, Aether expects to feel teeth on his neck, so it catches him complete off guard when instead the sensitive skin is graced with tender kisses. The traveler gasps softly, his body shaken with a jolt of pleasure and he presses closer to the other.]

...Or we could stay like this. [He mutters in response, face bright red, but truth to be told he doesn't want to go anywhere.] I... want to stay close. [Now he leans in to press a kiss to the other's neck, careful and sweet.

Then he realizes that maybe this is not what Noé wants to do, so he offers shyly:]

...Just for a little longer.

[His eyes close.]

Being with you makes me happy.

[ It might have taken Noé a while to understand what Aether wants right now, but it looks like it has finally sunk in. ]

I'll get you something sweet later. [ That gentle kiss brings out a bright blush that spreads across the vampire's cheeks. ] So we can stay here as long as you only want.

[ He wraps his arms around Aether and pulls him into an embrace, feeling quite happy himself. ]

Have you... told anyone? About... anything?

[ While it might not be clear, Noé means travelling across worlds. ]

[Aether is happy to be pulled closer and he rests against the other, head on the shoulder, smile soft on his face. His arms close around Noé, returning the embrace. Everything feels warm.]

Okay. [He murmurs, pressing another kiss to Noé's neck, this time closer to the ear. This kind of affection is new to him, but at the same time he feels comfortable. Like everything is just the way it should be.

The question makes him blink though and at first Aether is not sure what Noé means, his mind completely occupied with the other's warmth presence. But then he realizes.]

Ah... Well, Paimon knows. Some people suspect it and tried to confront me about it, but... I always tried to avoid that topic.

[The less they know the better... or at least that's how it felt to him.]

Confront you?

[ Noé's expression changes drastically—with his eyebrows burrowed, he takes a moment to process that piece of information before adding bluntly: ]

If someone tries that again, just let me know. This is who you are and there's nothing wrong with it.

[ While he's not meaning to hurt anybody with that kind of attitude, Noé will definitely give them a piece of his mind. ]

But... you still allowed me to drink your blood. I hope it's not because I kept mentioning it. Actually... that ability of mine, reading memories... is something I always tried to avoid, too.

Ah...

[Aether shakes his head.]

No, it's not like that. They don't think there's something wrong with that... They're just curious about who I am and where I come from, but... I don't think they need to know.

[It's a burden, he thinks, knowing about the many worlds, knowing that Aether's journey started centuries ago and it will not end anytime soon. Aether thinks some things are better left unknown.]

Hm... You tried to avoid it, because it's not good to see someone's memories without their permission? Well, you don't have to worry about it when it comes to me.

[He sighs and relaxes against the other again.]

I know it's fine if it's you.

If someone bothers you about that though, just let me know, okay? Curiosity is one thing, but they should still be respectful.

[ All things considered, he has no right to scold inquisitive people as he definitely belongs to that group as well. However, bothering someone else just because one wants to know isn't right either. ]

I might see things you don't want anyone to see, though. [ Instead of accepting Aether's answer, Noé warns him and becomes silent for a while. ] I'm sorry. I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me.

[ It might seem that the vampire is just a people pleaser, but there have been a lot of issues with that ability, people turning their back on him included. But he decides to trust Aether which is precisely the reason why he changes the topic the next moment: ]

I want to take you out on a date.

Alright... but really, don't worry.

[He presses closer, shaking his head, trying to make the other know that all is well.]

I don't have anything to hide from you anymore.

[It's really just that simple. He knows it'll be all okay, because Noé accepts him.] I only hope my memories won't burden you. [That's really the only thing he fears.

Then there's a change of subject. Aether blinks, looking up at his companion. His cheeks dust with pink.]

Sure... [He smiles softly.] I'd love to go on a date with you.

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