It all starts with an accident

[startraveler]

[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?

Comments

[startraveler]

[He makes a hurt puppy look, but this is all his fault so he won't complain.]

Sorry. I promise I'll be good now.

[He gives Ayato to quick kiss to the cheek before letting go of him. Then he smiles, instructing the other where he can find all the ingredients needed to make a simple meal.]

[acquirement]

{ he sighs at that look he's given, frowning back at him. }

Thank you.

{ thankfully after that he'll set about cooking as instructed. he's not really even tried to cook while living here, so while it thankfully won't feel like poison, it isn't going to end up being pleasant to eat--sorry aether. }

[startraveler]

[Ayato, he gave you the simplest instructions to make the simplest food!!

Still, he appreciates the effort...]

You did your best...

[You truly did. And he will eat some of this because he really needs food, but from now on he'll make sure to always be the one doing the cooking.]

[acquirement]

{ he may have done, but he likely had the heat too high and didn't use enough oil or something... he's been too spoiled and never cooks for himself unless it's in the microwave. }

Oh? Is that all I get?

{ he'll take a seat as well, after pouring two glasses of water for them. }

[startraveler]

[A bit overcooked, but definitely edible. Aether takes a moment to think.]

Would you like the kind version or the honest one?

[A smile appears on his face.]

Either way, I can also offer a kiss as a token of my appreciation.

[acquirement]

{ at least he didn't set his kitchen on fire- }

How would I ever improve if you aren't honest with me?

{ he is at least self aware he puts no effort or time into cooking. }

Though we'll save that for when you're done and are resting again.

[startraveler]

Hmm... in that case, you used too much heat, but it's really just a matter of practice.

[He looks at Ayato through half lidded eyes.]

...Are you planning to practice, though?

[acquirement]

I see... { though the smile on his face probably gives his real answer already, ayato will at least say why- }

I never considered I'd really need to learn if I had a wife to cook for me.

[startraveler]

[Considering Ayato's circumstances, Aether can see why he would think like this.

...And he can't help, but ask:]

So I'll be filling in for a wife?

[acquirement]

'Filling in for'? { his eyebrows raise at this. } Why would you only be filling in?

[startraveler]

Oh? So you want me to be your actual wife?

[He laughs.]

I think a house-husband sounds better. But are you sure? I'm a traveler. Would you find the time to travel with me?

[acquirement]

{ he laughs faintly at that. }

You're already more than aware I'd be unable to go far from home.

[startraveler]

[Aether's own smile dims.]

...I know.

[He knows and it pains him that he wouldn't be able to take Ayato on his travels, show him all the wonderful sights that Teyvat has to offer.

But there is something else...]

Ayato... I know it's too early to ask this, but... you would really consider spending the rest of your life with me?

[acquirement]

{ it's his turn to look pained this time, his eyes not meeting aether's for a moment. }

I can't promise that, even if I'd like to say yes. If Ayaka is not able to meet someone she'd like to continue the family with...

{ he trails off for a long moment, not hiding the frown that forms on his face. }

[startraveler]

[He reaches for Ayato's hand and gives it a squeeze, his eyes understanding but in anguish since he's unable to provide any reassurance. In fact, he only has more uncertainty to add to it.]

...It's okay. I want to be with you, but... I am well aware how much is out of our control. In fact... I need to tell you something.

[He takes a deep breath, before continuing.]

I... I will never get older. I have already lived for hundreds, no- thousands of years. I know it may be difficult to deal with, which is why I'm telling you now.

[They both need to be aware of difficulties that may arise in the future.]

...I wish we could grow older together, but that wish will never come true.

[acquirement]

{ his own hand doesn't squeeze back, but it doesn't pull away either. as though he's caught between two mindsets. }

I had a feeling something like that was the case.

{ his eyes turn away from aether, and his face is carefully blank--a perfect mask. }

I'm glad you finally told me, for what it's worth. Though if you really want to be happy, asking me to spend the rest of my life with you would be rather cruel to us both, wouldn't it? So why not... just while we're here? We can enjoy the fantasy of happiness for a short while. I think I'd feel blessed enough to enjoy that before enduring my responsibilities back home. Of course I understand if that is not enough.

[startraveler]

[As much as it hurts, reality is not something they can turn away from.]

Asking you of such a thing would be cruel and selfish on my part... No, I was already selfish asking of your affection before telling you something so important. I'm sorry, Ayato.

[He bows his head, eyes closing, but he still doesn't let go.]

Your happiness matters the most to me. So if this is really what you want, then I will gladly spend the days we have here with you. Even if it won't last long I don't want to lose this chance. I... I really have never felt like this about anyone before.

[Even if it will end sooner than later, he will cherish those memories until the end of time.]

[acquirement]

{ his hand not held by aether's reaches up to gently brush aside hair from his face, and he'll quietly watch as he contemplates it properly. }

It was a little selfish, when you knew a lot more that you didn't share with me first, yes. But as I said, you merely confirmed my suspicions. If this is to work, however, no more secrets.

{ he frowns. }

If that happens and it's something unimaginable, I can't promise I'd forgive you as a friend, nevermind whatever this is. My trust is not so easily earned, after all.

[startraveler]

[He looks up, his expression pained as he listens to the other's words.]

In that case... I need to tell you the whole story. There will be no more secrets after that.

[He takes a deep breath.]

...Lumine and I have always travelled together, but not in a way you probably imagine. We travelled... from world to world for as long as I can remember. [He pauses for a moment.] The world we once called home no longer exists and we've been searching for a new "home" ever since. A place that would accept us. We arrived in Teyvat 500 years ago in hopes that it would be a nice place to stay... but the cataclysm happened.

[It's strange to be telling someone those things, but Aether doesn't want to fail Ayato's trust.]

I don't remember much from that time, because when we arrived on Teyvat, I ended up in a coma of sorts. I don't know how long Lumine was around without me, but when I woke up she was telling me that we needed to leave right now. All I could see was destruction and fire, so of course I followed her.

But we were unable to leave. We were stopped by an unknown god instead. Lumine was taken by her and I could do nothing about it. [A small, bitter smile appears on his face.] I barely woke up and I got thrown into slumber again by that god. When I finally woke up 500 years have passed and the world looked nothing like I remembered.

[His gaze is distant as he recounts the events.]

I've been searching for the archons, hoping one of them would know the unknown god or help me understand what happened to my sister. Eventually, I met Lumine again, but she was... with the Abyss. She seemed cold and distant somehow, she didn't answer any of my questions, she left saying that I need to continue my journey... And that's what I did.

[Once all of that is said, Aether's shoulders slack.]

[acquirement]

{ he stays quiet as aether talks, giving him his undivided attention. in all honesty, since coming here he'd had his suspicions once the knowledge of other worlds was confirmed. he wasn't dumb, there was too much mystery surrounding the both of them that didn't align with teyvat, not to mention the god that aether referred to now didn't make sense to stop someone leaving one nation to another. not when none of the archons so far knew who it had been. }

Then perhaps there's a truth to Teyvat that is quite horrifying to learn. I couldn't say I'm surprised. { he pauses then, and finally strengthens his hold on the hand holding his, squeezing aether's back. }

I should be honest in return. I don't trust the gods at all, I'm merely doing what I have to do to keep my family safe. In that regard, I lack trust in any of them to tell you the truth and would consider if they had been working together. I couldn't say why you or Lumine would be important enough to be stopped, however, unless either of you learning something that couldn't be spread to other worlds is a possibility.

{ his free hand raises, pressing against his chin in thought. }

[startraveler]

[The moment his hand is squeezed, Aether looks up. There's some sort of relief in his eyes.]

I have met some of them already and while I do think of them as friends, I also confirmed that there are things they are not allowed to talk about. [Disappointment crosses his features for a brief moment.] And I think you are right. Maybe Teyvat is hiding a terrible secret that can't get outside of it for some reason.

[But what could it be? That is something he's yet to learn.]

When that god stopped us she said that... she's "the sustainer of heavenly principles" and that "the arrogation of mankind ends now", but I honestly don't know how could that be related to me or Lumine since we don't come from Teyvat in the first place.

[Then his brows furrow more.]

But... during my journey I found out that the Fatui have information on people who came to Teyvat from other worlds. They call them "Descenders" and for some reason my sister is not considered as one.

[So many questions, so little answers.]

[acquirement]

I see. Celestia told them not to speak, I suppose. If your twin has diverged and gone against Teyvat it's very possible they've learned that already.

{ he takes a bit longer to mull over the rest of aether's words though, thumb sliding over the back of aether's hand all the while. }

Did they say how many Descenders were in their records?

[startraveler]

I... think that would make sense.

[But again the hows and whys are something he needs to discover as his journey goes on.

The way Ayato's thumb glides against his skin feels reassuring though, like a reminder that he's not alone.]

According to them I'm the fourth one.

[acquirement]

So there were three others before you, if your twin doesn't count. Interesting.

{ he takes a deep breath. }

I should make it clear, even if we didn't continue this { his free hand reaches up, thumb sliding across aether's lip gently } when we return home, I will still be more than willing to help in any capacity I can.

[startraveler]

[A jolt runs down his spine at the touch, his cheeks bloom with light shade of red. Then he catches Ayato's hand with his own free one.]

Thank you. It means a lot.

[He brushes a soft kiss against Ayato's fingers.

It really means a lot to him. Any clue, even the smallest, may bring him closer to his goal.

...But there is an ache in his heart, that once they both return to Teyvat something will end between them, but he doesn't want to dwell on that.]