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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[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.]

{ 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. }

[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.]

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?

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.

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.

[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.]

{ it's best to not dwell on it, if only because he really can't promise anything more when there's no guarantee he can cross worlds. he may not even be able to speak to aether until lumine finds him again.

so for now, while it may be bittersweet, he'll smile at those soft kisses against his fingers. }

I'm sorry I can't offer much else, when my hands are tied to Inazuma.

[Aether pauses and shakes his head, a warm smile with just a hint of sadness appearing on his face.]

You already offered me so much. I appreciate all of it, so there's no need for you to be sorry. I understand.

[They both have things they need to do, they both don't know what the future holds for them. It wouldn't be right to ask Ayato for more, when they don't even know if they end up in the same world when all of this ends.]

{ he gives a small nod to that, then lean to kiss the corner of aether's mouth. }

I'll stop mentioning it, though you should eat. I imagine you still need that to live?

[He closes his eyes to enjoy that soft, but small kiss.]

I do... Apart from my long lifespan I really am not that different from anyone else.

[He still needs food and sleep, he can get hurt or sick.]

Considering I've seen you eat before, I assumed as much. Thank you for confirming it though. So.

{ he nudges the plate forward. } Eat.

[He looks down at the plate and a small puff of laughter escape him.]

Right, right. I'm eating. I need it to recover properly.

[His tone is mostly amused.

...But next time he is definitely not allowing Ayato to cook.]

{ probably for the best. some of the burnt crumbs were scraped off, but it certainly seems like the toast is in a sorry state.

likely cold now too, since aether took so long to eat it. }

You do.

[Cold and burnt, what a sad meal. Aether manages to eat it anyway.

In a way, this makes him look forward to their future dinner even more. He'll make sure it'll be a lot of good food for the two of them.]

{ and this is why ayato isn't allowed to cook most of the time-

but he'll make sure he has enough water, trying to look through cupboards for anything else he can put together. }

Do you need me to get you some shopping?

[Aether's kitchen is quite well stocked, but it mostly contains raw ingredients. Some fruit and vegetable can also be found stored away.]

I think I should be fine for now... though maybe I could use some fish and eggs. I think I'm almost out of those.

{ he gives a small nod to that. }

Since you shouldn't be walking too far at the moment, I can get those for you.

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

[Especially that Ayato has so many other things he should be doing, yet he takes his time to stay with Aether and does his best to help him.]

{ he has a lot more free time here than at home, at least, which is something he's taking full advantage of.

he takes out his phone to start drafting up a small shopping list. }

What about drinks?

[He thinks about it for a moment.]

I think I have everything I need.

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It all starts with an accident

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