rozenblitz | It all starts with an accident

It all starts with an accident

[To Aether, it's a routine. Accepting quests, reaching the destination, solving the problem, returning to the person who requested it. Everything works just the same as in Teyvat.

...Except not really.

As he's in the middle of one of those quests, Aether decides to drop down from the ledge into the space below. There's a bit of a distance to the ground, but with a wind glider that's not a problem. Except Aether remembers that he does not have a wind glider anymore only right after he lets go. Realization makes him panic for a second, before he attempts to do the next best thing he can: plunge and hope for the best.

He winces when he hits the ground, a sharp pain ringing in his legs. He sits down, trying to inspect the damage. His legs don't look broken, but they definitely did not like the fall. There are also a few cuts and scrapes here and there.

...It looks like he may need to take it easy for some time.

Aether sighs to himself and carefully gets up, then slowly starts heading back home. Every step hurts, but what else can he do?

And then he suddenly sees a familiar face.]

Ah, hello?

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{ it won't get him anywhere, no. not in a case like this. he's even careful as he lowers his leg again, then he's stepping out of the room towards the bathroom. the good thing about the apartments is that everyone's is the same. each layout follows the same pattern, he just has to check the bathroom cabinets then he's returning with the kit in hand.

he returns to the floor, sitting on his legs as he opens the case and gets to work. he's possibly too good at it, a sign of handling his own injuries at times to keep quiet to not worry his sister or thoma at home. he uses anti-septic wipes on the cuts, taking a gauze pad for one that's a little deeper than the others and taping it to skin.

then the same goes for the other leg, slow and quiet steps to ensure he's properly taken care of. }

[He's watching in silence as Ayato comes back with the first aid kit, as he sits down on the floor, as he starts patching the wounds up. The anti-septics applied to the injury sting a little, but the traveler barely winces. Frankly, he's amazed (and maybe even worried) how skilled Ayato seems to be at this. He's handling Aether with so much care, too.

It's not a kind of care that the traveler receives often. Maybe that's why there's this strange feeling in his heart right now. A quickened pulse, a soft heat spreading on his cheeks. His skin feels warm under the other's touch.

Maybe it's just the effect this world has on him.

Aether's eyes soften and absent-mindedly he leans forward.]

{ in all fairness, the touches would have an added feeling of elation from the contact, a rush of bliss every time he gently wraps and presses a bandage in place around a gauge pad. }

There, that should be en- { only he's half way through shifting to his knees rather than leaning back, when he glances up and finds aether has leaned forward to the point where he freezes in place is incredibly close -- close enough that he can feel breath on his face. } -ough.

[It feels like something is pulling him closer to Ayato, making him want all kinds of things he wouldn't dare to voice. The pain in his legs is long forgotten thanks to that gentle touch.

...And then the other is looking his way. Aether freezes, his face blooming bright red and he abruptly straightens his back.]

S-sorry, I just...

[He trails off and falls silent. The blush on his face is quite telling though.]

{ he doesn't move at all, not forwards nor backwards. there's a slight tilt to his head as he seems to consider aether's movements quietly, gaze thoughtful but not really giving much else away. }

You just?

{ his eyes shift, dipping to the blush, down to his mouth and back up to aether's eyes again. and this time, the tease is perhaps worse than when he'd been talking about the other's fall. }

Were you hoping I would kiss it better for you?

[Aether's eyes go wide and he takes a very deep breath in, hoping to save himself from turning into an embarrassed mess. His cheeks are burning and his heart is beating fast, but he doesn't respond. Not for now.

Of course Ayato would take the chance to tease him again, but this time Aether doesn't want to give into it.

Another moment of silence, a few more deeper breathes and a plan forms in his mind.

His eyes close.]

I don't know why you thought that. It almost sounds like that's something you wanted to do.

[An attempt to fight teasing with teasing was made.]

{ now that's an interesting turn of events.

aether trying to turn it back on him makes his eyes lid, an incredibly slow smile forming on his lips. }

Oh? I'm not the one who is bright red right now, Aether. { and since the other's eyes are closed he'll lean up, hopefully surprising him by whispering in his ear. } If you ask nicely, I may consider it.

[The blush on his face intensifies when it's pointed out, but this is not the worst part. Aether gasps in surprise when he hears words whispered right into his ear and a shiver runs down his spine. This reaction is unexpected even to him and he hopes, prays, begs in the depths of his heart that Ayato did not notice.

...But he knows the other likely did.

Aether takes a moment to find his voice. If he sees this teasing as a challenge, maybe it'll be easier to think and come up with a plan.

With that in mind, he leans closer to the other, making their foreheads touch. The action alone is dizzying but he can't give in.]

Only consider? Now that sounds like you're just messing with me.

{ when aether returns it by pressing their foreheads together his own eyes close, the touch in itself is nice. }

I have a reputation to uphold. { he doesn't completely mean that, but this certainly feels like playing with fire in the sense that without prior discussion about expectations he doesn't know if doing something here will ruin their attempts to build a friendship. he's clearly trying, and he does care because of the circumstances, but will continuing this here and now cause issues?

he's overthinking again, too concerned with all the different outcomes that he goes quiet. }

[When Aether looks at Ayato and sees his eyes closed, a soft fond smile appears on the traveler's face.]

Is that so? [He asks quietly.

He can't really fight it anymore, the urge that overtakes him wins and Aether very carefully reaches out, hand grazing the other's cheek. His touch is feather-light and who knows, maybe he's going too far... but he still wants to give it a try.]

What if I don't care about your reputation? What if I just want to know how you really feel?

{ he exhales at the soft touch, and while this world has encouraged it, other than hugging ayaka he hasn't really had this close of a touch in years. not since his parents--

not something to linger on now, anyway.

but aether will feel him lean into it, just a little. }

Somehow I'm unsurprised you don't, but... I'm not sure I can answer that second question either. There are certain feelings I am certain of, but many more I have never had the freedom to do so. Is it selfish to pursue something for a confusing feeling? When you aren't sure of where it will lead you?

[He can feel it and it makes his heart beat all the harder in his chest, the noise filling his ears to the point that he's sure Ayato has to hear it too. Yet it serves as another encouragement and Aether's hand carefully rests on the other's cheeks while the traveler leans closer. Their noses bump.]

To tell the truth, I don't know much about chasing your own feelings... But I'd like to think that it's just like a journey. Sometimes you set off into the unknown and return with bruises all over your body. [His eyes flicker to his wounded legs.

He's definitely speaking from experience here.]

...But sometimes you will find something beautiful, something that you didn't even know was there. [He falls silent for a moment, a soft sigh barely escaping his lips.] I think the regret is bigger if you don't give it a try. But... at the same time I understand why it's so hard to take the first step.

[Aether stayed away from this kind of feelings, knowing all too well that he's going to leave eventually or remain unchanged while others grow older. But here... it feels different here. Like this world is trying to give him a chance to experience something he's always wanted.

And it's difficult to resist. Especially when Ayato is nothing but kind and warm. Aether has always appreciated him.]

{ the exhale he lets out this time is sharp as their noses bump. he can pretty much feel breath on his lips, especially with how close they are as they talk now. }

Aether, { he starts slowly, considering his words deeply, not wanting to hurt the other at all. not when they're getting somewhere. } I've never had the freedom to be my own person to consider these things. To have such a journey means the choice to make those decisions. I fear I may hurt you by saying or doing something that is unwanted, especially when all I feel is uncertainty.

[Aether is silent, but a smile is still there on his face and his hand now moves again, gently pushing away strands of pale blue hair.]

You're forgetting something... [He says quietly.] It's not a journey you'll be having alone. And it's not something I have any experience with either. I... never had a chance for that, always travelling from one place to another.

[His eyes close.]

I may hurt you, too... but I believe you will tell me when I go too far. I know I would.

[He's trying to keep his voice soft, calming. He understands the uncertainty all too well... but they're in this together.]

We could learn together.

{ he keeps quiet about the thought that he's had to do a lot of it alone for the longest time. ayaka has taken on responsibilities, but there is a great deal he doesn't tell her.

nor will he ever. }

You certainly know how to make a convincing argument. { it's a murmur when he says it, eyes sliding open until they can look quietly at the mouth in front of him. } Then I hope you won't mind a little indulgence?

[A small smile of triumph spreads on his lips and Aether bumps his nose against the other's affectionately.]

How can I mind when I'm the one encouraging you?

[As if to prove the point, he takes the first step instead, leaning forward to close the distance between them. His lips brush against Ayato's in a soft, short-lived kiss and a sigh leaves Aether when he pulls away. He's wanted this so badly and it hardly feels like enough.]

{ it's so warm, the feeling that flutters in response to the nose bumps that keep happening. it's such a sweet, charming gesture.

but sorry for the over-politeness, aether. you know what inazuma is like, there is a lot of issues to unpack from there, but this is a good start.

the kiss itself may be short, but he doesn't pull away when aether does, instead his hand carefully moves to curl against the side of his waist, fingers brushing against skin before they take a gentle hold there.

and he chases aether as he pulls back. the kiss is still soft, but there's a certain firmness under it this time when their mouths reconnect. }

[The touch along his skin is grounding and warm, but at the same time it sends shivers down his spine. His breath shudders when lips find his own again and Aether melts into the kiss so much easier than he ever expected. It's difficult to resist the softness of it and the firmness that Ayato holds.

It feels so good.

Aether's hands rest on the other's shoulders, wanting to let him know that it's all fine, that he's here to stay. He lacks experience in romance, but he makes up for it by putting his entire heart into it. There's so much affection bubbling inside of him that he wants to give.

His arms shift to wrap around the other's neck, kiss lingering as Aether is happy to soak in his companion's warmth, cherishing every second of this blissful moment.]

{ his hand splays against his side, almost as though he doesn't know whether to keep it steady, or to follow instinct and gently caress up and down in a rhythm. it only takes a moment to decide, before fingertips are slowly sliding over the skin.

he doesn't push for more in the kiss though, brushing lips against lips as he gets used to the feeling of it. it's warm, yes, but incredibly new and different. }

[A small pleased sound forms in the back of his throat at the touch against his skin. His form shudders ever so slightly, enjoying the gentleness of those fingers.

The kiss is a new experience to him, too, surprising him with warmth, with careful glide of lips against lips. When they finally part from it, Aether looks a bit dazed, his lips tingling from the contact and face bright red. He smiles soon though and pulls his companion closer to himself, wrapping his arms around him.]

I wish we could stay like this...

[He laughs quietly and breathlessly at his own words. How impossible would that be? Plus, he's just content in the moment, even if his legs are still in not the best shape.

Still smiling, Aether presses his lips against Ayato's neck, planting a sweet kiss there.]

{ when they part from the kiss he takes little time to open his eyes now and observe the look on the other's face. it's incredibly endearing, and he only has a short time to enjoy it before he's pulled in closer. }

I may be used to kneeling or sitting on the floor like this, but I'm afraid my legs may give out soon. { but he will chuckle at the intention behind the words. } You'll need your rest anyway, so perhaps I can just join you for a while? I'm not in a ru--sh anywhere.

{ only his breath hitches in the middle of the word thanks to the kiss against his neck, catching him actually by surprise. }

[The way his voice hitches makes Aether smile against Ayato's skin. Who would've thought he can surprise the other like this?]

I'll be happy if you rest with me.

[His voice is soft and he nuzzles right into Ayato's shoulder, enjoying his presence. His heart is jumping in his chest, as if dancing in joy. Aether isn't sure if he's ever felt this kind of happiness before. It seems so special, one of a kind.

He's glad he was given the chance to experience it.]

But before we rest... can I still hope that you'll kiss my wounds better like you wanted before?

[Obviously, that's what Ayato wanted to do. He was the one who started talking about it!]

{ in all fairness, his guard is a lot more down at the moment, given his trust in the other.

the warmth he feels is comforting, though he'll likely not think too deeply on any of this until later. if he does, aether may get lonely as he'll likely switch off to his surroundings momentarily. }

Very well.

{ he starts to shift like he's about to stand, the hand on aether's side reaching for the bed instead, only he freezes in place at the question. }

Oh? I'm starting to believe you wanted it a lot more, Aether, since you brought it up again... lay back for me first.

[There's a bright blush spreading on his cheeks when the other says that. Aether shifts his gaze away.]

Nobody has ever done anything like that for me before...

[Can you blame him for wanting to experience as much as possible? Especially when Ayato brought it up first?

With heart hammering in his chest, Aether nods and pushes himself more onto the bed. He lays on his back, head resting against the pillows, but there's still redness to his cheeks. Nervousness mixes with excitement inside of him.]

Like this?

{ his gaze softens at the admittance. }

I haven't in this kind of situation. { ayaka doesn't count sdkjng that would be like ... her forehead. this feels a lot more intimate, especially when he's moving to stand up as aether shuffles back, only for him to press his knee onto the bed instead. }

Exactly like that.

{ he'll shift to sit on the bed next to the other, hand trailing down the side of the other's leg until he reaches his ankle and lifts it gently.

he's slow the first time he brings his lips to the first bandage near aether's foot, slowly moving up with soft small kisses as though they really could heal the other faster. }

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