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'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. }

[Unfair. How very unfair....

Aether's breath shudders at it, the feeling of a kiss to his fingertips is already making his heart beat faster. To have a tongue flicker over his one pad sends a shiver down his spine.

His other hand twists a little, reaching for Ayato's wrist and gently pulling, trying to coax the man closer.]

W-well... if you kiss me, I will say it.

[He is not going down without being a little selfish himself!! Plus he really needs it. He needs to feel those lips against his own.]

My, my. You're trying to bargain with me now?

{ thankfully the action is expected so he doesn't just fall forward, instead when he leans in he's much more graceful.

but he diverts from going straight to the other lips so he can murmur in his ear first. }

I suppose I can't deny that's a very reasonable trade.

{ he smiles against his ear. }

Though you didn't specify where you'd like to be kissed. Was it here?

{ and he'll kiss the skin behind his ear, mouth soft as it brushes there. }

Here?

{ his lips slide down along his jaw- }

[His quick to wrap his arms around Ayato, having him close feels just too good. The fact that the other doesn't go right for the lips is something that Aether saw coming. The whisper right into his ear, the way those lips brush it, the way he can feel the smile spreading on Ayato's face makes him shudder and let a small noise.

It quickly turns into a giggle, then a sigh when his skin is graced with soft kisses and then those warm lips slide lower.

Despite the bright blush painting his cheeks, Aether is smiling. He's enjoying the attention, the soft teasing, the tingling left on his skin, the warmth overtaking his heart.]

Hmm... Maybe it was the neck?

[He grins, then shifts enough to press a small kiss to Ayato's neck.]

Maybe the cheek?

[He shifts again, his lips brushing Ayato's cheek affectionately. Then he bumps their noses, grinning.]

Maybe the lips? [He leans close, but leaving some space between them. His golden eyes look right into Ayatao's with adoration.]

Edited 2023-06-30 18:45 (UTC)

{ he laughs under his breath, eyes staying slightly open as he follows the trail of his skin. }

Oh? One seems to have become three? I wonder how that happened?

{ but ayato doesn't seem to deny him that kiss to his lips, leaning in to remove that gap between them so his own lips can brush against aether's. it's slow and firm, and his hand shifts to rest against aether's waist to hold him steady. }

[He chuckles softly, before welcoming Ayato's lips against his own. It feels so good to do this again. Aether's response is tender, affectionate, as he's enjoying the slow brushes of lips against lips. His body shifts closer, happy to feel Ayato's hand, grounded in reality with that touch.

The kiss lingers for as long as possible and when it's time to pull away, Aether smiles, hand again reaching for Ayato's face, admiring him as gentle fingers brush away pale strands of hair.]

I can't help being greedy, you know? It just feels so good.

{ he stays still once he's moved back, and aether's hand moves hair away from his face. }

Then should I request two more things from you in return? After all, I merely wanted to know what you'd wanted, and here you are changing the deal.

Edited 2023-07-09 20:41 (UTC)

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dw wasn't letting me change accounts so this was almost sent with xiao's sdgkns