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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{ the kiss is slow, languid as he takes his time to explore during the kiss. he drinks in every noise the other makes, spurred on by them, focusing so every brush or flick of tongue to ensure any noise that follows is mesmerised to be used again later.

when they part again, his eyes flutter fully open again, and he keeps his attention on the others face, even as his hand dips so his thumb can trace aether's lower lip. }

I have to wonder what I've done to earn such a pleasant offer.

[His breath shudders, jolt of pleasure running down his spine. To think that a kiss would be all it takes to make him feel like he's drowning, his mind clouded, his heart longing for this moment to last. Ayato's lips are soft against his own, slowly reducing his mind to mush, exploring and Aether is all too happy to let him.

He doesn't want them to part, but nothing can last forever. The travel keeps his eyes closed for a moment longer, sighing and shuddering lightly when he feels a touch of a careful thumb against his lower lip. How embarrassing to be reacting this way, but he can't help it.

His cheeks burn bright when he opens his eyes.]

Maybe it's silly, but... I can't imagine anyone else could make me feel the way you do.

[Gently, he tries to catch Ayato's hand into his own and bring it to his cheek, leaning into it as his eyes close once more.]

I like spending time with you. I know I can rely on you. Your presence is very calming. [Now that sounds somewhat silly, given how hard Aether is blushing and how fast his heart is going. And yet it's true. He just feels good when he's by the other's side.

He shifts a little to kiss the center of Ayato's palm.]

You're special to me.

{ it's an incredibly soft moment between them, as ayato quietly listens to the words aether says and lets his hand be brought to his cheek to hold there gently.

it feels like there are undertones there he isn't quite ready for, under the surface. he wants to ask what feeling it is aether is referring to, but can't bring himself to. instead he just tips his head down slightly, trying to will his heart to stop pounding so loudly in his chest. }

I suppose that is all that matters right now, isn't it?

{ he can't say the same just yet, and aether probably knows it, but with time...

he already can feel his resolve weakening with every soft, honest gesture aether gives. }

[He presses a kiss against the palm again, then glides his lips upwards and over Ayato's fingertips. He's handling his companion's hand with care as if it was something precious and fragile. His eyes remain closed.

Aether nods eventually. Again, time is something he has a lot of, for better or worse. He'll happily give Ayato as much time as the other needs and for now...]

All that matters to me right now is that you're by my side.

[It's truly a blessing, he thinks, and in the depths of his heart he hopes that when he wakes up Ayato will be still there. That he won't vanish on him like a lovely dream.]

{ his fingers twitch ever so slightly at each press of lips over his skin. his breath falls shakily from his lips just for that moment, happily relishing in the contact and how nice it feels. }

I'll stay as long as you need. Especially since you actually seem to be resting now.

{ at least it's also forcing him to take a break as well, it's hard not to with how warm and comfortable this feels. }

[That kind of reassuring answer is everything he needs. Aether smiles and moves Ayato's hand, this time cradling it close to his chest.]

I'm glad.

[They're both getting rest, though, and that's also good.

Comforting warmth seems to wrap around him like a blanket and the traveler slowly dozes off, breath evening out. He missed sleeping by someone else's side.]

{ it's hours before he tries to pull himself away, his arm going dead from laying on his side for so long. unlike aether he hasn't needed the rest, so he used his time to think. a few things had come to mind in that time, some being along the lines of what is he doing here, a mild bit of panic that is kept bottled in and where he ended up staring at aether's face a bit too long.

but then the rational side kicked in and he realised aether may want a drink. perhaps a snack? hopefully he had something in that could just be handed to him, as he had promised to stay at the apartment while he rested.

the best he can do is water and an apple that are left on the bedside table.

when aether wakes, he won't find ayato where he had been before, or at least not as close. instead, he's sat off to the side with his fingertips brushing lightly over the tips of aether's hair with one hand, as the other scrolls on his phone. }

[His rest is peaceful. He doesn't move around too much in his sleep, doesn't mumble anything under his breath and his expression is serene. It's been a while since the last time he slept so well.

The problem arises when he begins to wake. With eyes still closed, Aether reaches out for something- or rather someone and frowns the moment he finds nothing by his side. This is when his eyes suddenly open and startled, he takes a look around.

His shoulders relax when he sees Ayato is still there, playing with the traveler's hair.]

...Hello. Have I slept for long?

[He gives the other a soft smile.]

Edited 2023-06-18 23:12 (UTC)

{ he may have been looking at his phone, but at the sudden movements his eyes are automatically moving away from the device to look at the other and watch with mild amusement as he seems to reach out in a panic.

aether will probably see his amusement too }

Did you think I'd broken my promise?

{ he locks his phone and puts it aside for now. }

It's been a few hours. How are you feeling?

No... I thought it was all a dream.

[Even if the pain was real, everything else felt too good to be true. That's the kind of conclusion his brain arrived at when he opened his eyes.

Aether smiles.]

I feel better. [He shifts to lie on his back. There's still a dull ache in his legs but it's fine. Sleeping for some time would not make his bruises disappear anyway.]

Did you manage to get any rest too?

{ ayato shifts at that, sliding down so he's leaning onto his elbow instead of sitting up against the headboard. }

Should I be offended you have so little faith in me in reality?

{ but he is teasing, even when aether shifts to lay on his back and his free hand reaches out to brush over his cheek. }

I am glad the rest helped. I'm not very good at napping, so I just treated it as a break.

[He lets a small snort.]

Here I am telling you that you're a dream come true and you want to be offended because I thought this dream could not be real?

[He teases back, cheeks reddening when Ayato touches his cheek oh so gently.

Despite that his brow creases at the other's next words.]

So I kept you here for hours...

[He's touched that Ayato stayed, but also he feels bad for keeping him here for that long. Though it's good that his companion got a break...]

{ he smiles back at that. }

Is that how I was supposed to take it? I didn't expect our revered Traveler was such a romantic. And you needn't worry about it. No one expected me back early anyway, I just happened to have finished the work I needed to do when I found you earlier.

I may be just a traveler, but I do have quite a romantic heart... I guess.

[He laughs to himself.]

I'm glad I didn't keep you from anything. I would offer to prepare something to eat, but I probably shouldn't walk too much for now.

[It would be nice to be able to heal on an instant. Sadly, that's not something either of them can do.

Aether turns his head and finally notice water as well as an apple resting on his bedside table.]

...Ah. You already thought about that, too.

[His eyes are soft.]

You don't sound certain, and I don't think of you as 'just' a traveler at all. There's a reason people speak their praises of you.

{ but really, he isn't exaggerating in this regard. and not yet, anyway. perhaps one day aether will learn to heal, just not this soon into being here. }

I somehow get the feeling you wouldn't like it if I offered. Though I can mostly manage toast now.

{ m o s t l y. }

[He's silent for a moment, thinking about it.]

Maybe you're right... but at the same time I wouldn't be able to achieve anything if it wasn't for the people by my side. They deserve much more credit than me.

[Especially that one day he'll disappear from the world, off to another journey, yet again becoming an "unknown traveler" in another world. This cycle will continue on and on, until lost stars find a place to call their "home", a world that actually accepts them.

But it's a thought for another time. He's happy in this moment, yet maybe some dose of lonely longing flashes in his eyes as he grabs Ayato's hands.

Then it disappears as Aether smiles.]

I still appreciate it. Even if it's "mostly". [He laughs gently.]

But an apple is fine, too.

{ he glances to his side at that, equally as thoughtful. }

I can't disagree with that, after all I think the same way.

{ and the gaze behind that gesture isn't missed, though he won't question it right now. he'll save it for when he's alone later. }

You may wish otherwise when the alarms start blaring. { why does he look so amused by this??? } But at least you had other options in.

[The amusement on Ayato's face makes him look like he's about to wreak chaos.]

If you help me get up, I can make sure no alarms actually go off.

[He grins.]

Unless you're really that excited to burn my kitchen.

[More teasing!]

{ he may have already learned the hard way what smoke alarms do. }

Even if I help you up, you shouldn't be standing for long. Unless this is your way of saying you enjoyed being carried back so much you'd like more of it?

[There's a small, surprised sound escaping him as his face goes completely red.]

Your arms would hurt if you carried me for too long...

[That does not answer the question at all and he knows it! He just doesn't want to admit that he really did like being carried!!]

{ ah, how wonderful. the smile on his face only seems to grow as aether's face colours again. }

Admittedly they would, but you are at least not too heavy that it would be a problem short term.

[He doesn't know how to respond at first, heart beating only faster and cheeks stubbornly red.]

W-well, in that case... if you really want to and it's just for a short time...

[It's a "yes, please carry me".]

{ except it will never be that easy, aether. his hand moves to lightly touch the back of aether's, fingers brushing over skin until he reaches his wrist and rubs small circles there. }

Hmm? But what would you like? I'd like to hear it from you.

[Ah.

There's a tiny noise pulled out of him, his face stinging as he can feel himself burning. It's so unfair that a tiny, gentle touch is all Ayato needs to make him blush. His words only make things worse. Aether looks up at the other, silent for a moment.]

You know what my answer would be...

[And yet he's making him say it while teasing him. He really must be enjoying it.

Aether sighs softly, before reaching up with his other hand and gently running his fingers against Ayato's cheek, all the way to the corner of his lips.]

Do I? Enlighten me, if you will.

{ but yes, he would also like to hear him ask for it. he'd have no shame in asking, if only because none of this seems to embarrass him at all. even when aether's fingers slide close to his mouth.

in fact, then his head tilts to kiss at the pads of his fingers before his tongue briefly flicks over one. }

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