rozenblitz | What a romantic adventure

[Seeing how much Chongyun likes this idea, Aether can't help but beam at him. He really is very proud of himself!]

There's no need to thank me, really.

[He takes a step closer to his companion and very gently reaches for his hand.]

Seeing you smile like this is already everything I wanted.

[He looks at his friend with a soft and fond expression.]

[Chongyun blinks in surprise at the gesture, a pink hue forming on his face. Ah..! This is a bit of a surprise... He clears his throat, hesitantly reaching forward to grasp Aether's hand with one hand.]

[The other? Summons a popsicle to hand, which he quickly takes a bite out of.]

S-Sorry. This is all just... it is a bit overwhelming. But I genuinely appreciate the gesture, Aether.

Come. We should eat; I am eager to try what you have prepared!

[Aether understands. He squeezes Chongyun hand once before slowly letting go of it. His smile remains easy and warm.]

Don't worry about it. Just take your time. And tell me what you think of today's meal!

[He gesture to the other to take a seat while Aether serves the dish. It smells great. He's very proud of it and he hopes Chongyun will like it.]

Of course!

[He really is eager to try the food! So he will take a seat, finishing up the rest of his popsicle quickly before picking up his chopsticks.]

Thank you for everything, Aether. It truly does smell delicious!

[And so he will use his chopsticks to help himself to some of the hotpot, and take a bite.]

[Aether continues to observe the other for a moment longer, a soft smile on his face, before he also gets to trying the food.]

You really don't have to thank me. I did it because... you're important to me.

[He pauses just for a moment.]

I'm happy to spend more time with you or eat a meal with you.

[Chongyun eats a bit of the meat, chewing on it carefully. When he swallows, his expression brightens.]

This is delicious, Aether! Thank you so much, it's wonderful!

[He's content to just leave it there... but then Aether continues to speak. He blinks, eyes widening.]

Huh..? You... truly mean that..?

[He stares at Aether in surprise, clearing his throat as his face flushes pink.]

Ah..! That... that makes me very happy, Aether... You are an important person to me, too...

[He might mean that as more than just a friend, but if Aether wants to just keep things as friends, that's fine. After all, that's what Aether means, right? A good friend...]

[He stays silent for a moment, surprised to hear that and even more surprised when the colour raises on Chongyun's cheeks. Is this what he thinks it is? Aether's heart beats faster in his chest and he leans closer.]

I really mean it.

[He tries to reach for the other's hand again, but slowly and gently. He doesn't want it to be too much for poor Chongyun.]

I... like spending time with you.

[He tries to choose words carefully. He doesn't want to give Chongyun a heart attack.]

Ah..? Truly..?

[Chongyun looks at Aether, then down at his hand, then at Aether again. He can already feel his heart beating and his yang spirit rising, but he tries to take a couple deep breaths to steady it.]

I... I like spending time with you, too, Aether.

[He still fidgets though, and finally, after a moment's delay, he accepts Aether's hand.]

This... forgive me, this is a bit much. I just... did not expect you to feel...

[He understands. Aether is patient, allowing Chongyun to choose the words and the right moment, offering him a reassuring smile as the boy continues on. The traveler is already too happy to hear all this. Feeling Chongyun's hand in his own makes Aether brighten up like a sun.]

Don't worry, take your time.

[Gently, he puts another hand over Chongyun's and holds it carefully, like it was something precious.]

Just knowing that you enjoy my company means a lot to me.

[It's more than that, he knows, but he's trying to keep everything easier. He doesn't want poor Chongyun to pass out or something.]

And... I'm glad I can hold your hand in mine.

[The way Aether holds his hand so tenderly makes Chongyun's insides flip-flop and churn in ways he's never felt before. He's still taking his steadying breaths, but he can feel a creeping heat crawl up his spine and across his cheeks. It was one thing to secretly pine for Aether from a distance, but to be here like this? Holding his hand, being told how precious he was? It's almost too much, a dream come true.]

[He stares at Aether for a moment, icy eyes taking in his form. He's so happy, he could reach over and kiss him...]

...could I kiss you?

[The words fall unbidden, uninhibited, from his mouth. They surprise him so much that he gasps as he says them, bringing his free hand up to his mouth in surprise.]

Ah..!

[Aether's eyes widen when Chongyun asks that question and his face quickly colours with a bright blush, while his heart picks up in his chest. He's never expected the other boy to be so bold! But it looks like Chongyun never meant to say any of that out loud. Aether gives his hand a reassuring squeeze and his smile is fond.]

If you want to... then sure.

[He leans forward just a little bit, still blushing, still hearing how loudly his own heart is beating inside his chest.]

I... I know that I really would like that.

[His voice sounds a little embarrassed, because again, he's never expected any of this and he hardly has any experience with love and romance to begin with. This feeling is as new to him as it probably is for Chongyun.

But it's okay. It just means they can figure it out together.]

[Chongyun looks just as shocked as Aether does; his Congenial Positivity must have acted up in that moment, making him say something completely unfiltered. And even if it's true, he knows better than to just... blurt something like that out! He's in the middle of stammering an apology when Ather speaks again, making Chongyun pause.]

You... would like that?

[Chongyun is once again speechless. He's just... so surprised how well this is going?? And it's not like he's exactly an expert in romance the way Xingqiu claims to be...]

[But Aether still seems okay with things, so he nods.]

O-Okay! Then, if you're okay with it... yes.

[He nods in determination... though he still hesitates. He's a little nervous.]

[It's not like Aether is some sort of expert in these things either, so it's all okay. The traveler smiles warmly, shade of red blooming on his cheeks as Chongyun makes the decision. But then nothing happens. It looks like his companion is still hesitating and Aether can hardly blame him.]

I'm okay with this.

[He repeats, slowly leaning closer. Worry not, he isn't planning to go for a kiss. Instead he gently bumps their foreheads together, as if to show that everything is just fine.]

Take your time... I'll wait.

[And he closes his eyes, content to just do whatever Chongyun feels comfortable with. Even if they will sit like this for the rest of the day, that still will be okay.]

[Chongyun is grateful for Aether's patience, because it's taking all he can to keep that pure-yang spirit of his from going haywire and running amok and ruining this moment. He pauses when their foreheads touch, but Chongyun uses this to help ground himself, taking a steadying breath.]

[Breathe in.]

[Breathe out.]

[He can do this... he can do this. He nods.]

Okay...

[And then, slowly, he leans in, eyes squeezing shut as he slowly but surely presses his lips to Aether's.]

[There is a bit of nervousness to Aether too, but he doesn't want to show it. Chongyun needs calm and patience, and that's exactly what the traveler wishes to offer him. He can hear when his companion finally makes his mind.

...And he waits.

Soft lips press against his own and Aether's heart skips a beat. The small gesture moves him to the core and it takes him a few more seconds to respond. Gently, he returns the affections with a press of his own, careful and but short lived since he doesn't want Chongyun to feel overwhelmed. It's still enough to make Aether's cheeks grow bright red and his gaze to turn almost shy.

But he's smiling still.]

[It's soft, sweet, and gentle, and yet the simple act of Aether reciprocating makes Chongyun's heart pound. His own cheeks flush a bright red, and he feels his entire body growing hot. He can't believe he's doing this. He's actually kissing his crush.]

[Aether pulls back, and Chongyun does as well, blinking in bewilderment. He looks at Aether, and he smiles back.]

[Then, in a moment of impulse, he reaches forward, tugging Aether closer as he presses his lips to the traveler's again in a more passionate kiss.]

[When they pull back from one another, Aether thinks to himself that Chongyun will need a good moment to process everything... He never thought that instead his companion will reach forward to pull him into another kiss.

Aether lets a soft, surprised sound, completely caught off-guard, but he recovers soon enough, responding with just as much passion. His hands gently move to Chongyun's shoulders, before he wraps his arms around the other's neck to keep him close. His heart is beating so loud inside his chest.]

[Chongyun feels like he's sprouted wings and flown over the moon, and when Aether pulls him in closer, it's all he can do to keep himself from passing out right then and there. He lets out a pleased sound of his own, kissing him hard and yet uninhibitedly, wanting Aether to feel all the emotions he's currently feeling.]

[He doesn't pull back until his lungs are screaming at him to breathe, and when he does he remains in close proximity to Aether. A grin is on his face, and he lets out a little giggle at the bubbling feeling inside of him.]

[It surprises him how hard the kiss gets, but at the same time he wants Chongyun to be free, to feel that he can be himself by his side. When they finally part Aether is taking deep breathes, his heart still madly beating in his chest, his face red beyond belief.

But it felt good. And when he looks how happy Chongyun is, it feels even better. Without thinking, Aether pulls the other boy into a close embrace, wanting to feel his warmth more.

A happy sigh escapes his lips.]

[The hug makes another bloom of warmth burst in his chest, and it isn't long before Chongyun returns the hug, arms wrapping around the other tightly. His body is usually warm, but with his Yang energy starting to act up he's running a little more hot than usual. But it's okay; if it means he gets to enjoy this feeling, he will endure it.]

[He can't help but laugh softly, resting his cheek on Aether's shoulder.]

Ah... thank you, Aether... I'm so happy.

What a romantic adventure

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject