rozenblitz | Don't wake the sleeping traveler

[Heizou stares down at the lump under the blankets, hands on his hips and a little frown on his face. It's not like he's never been overcome by the same urge to stay huddled up in bed the way Aether is, so he gets it. But that doesn't mean he's going to let him get away with it.]

My clothes are sleeveless and I'm perfectly fine, Aether. [He doesn't need to point that out, but he does it anyway. Just to make the Traveler feel extra ridiculous.] It's not cold and you know it.

[Aether falls silent under the blankets, his form not moving for some time, as if struck by this sudden call out. In reality he is just waiting for a good moment to execute his master plan.]

Hmm, good point... Anyway!

[And before Heizou can react in any way, Aether grabs his hand and yanks it, pulling the other onto the mattress. The blankets are thrown over the detective as well and the traveler grins playfully.]

[His head tilts slightly while he watches, waiting for any kind of reaction from Aether. He does eventually let out a sigh, and it's right when he reaches back down to try to pull those blankets off of him-- that the Traveler strikes.]

Eh--?!

[Heizou doesn't even have time to put a smile on his face before he's suddenly under the blankets, eyes wide as he blinks at Aether in surprise. He probably should've seen this coming, but he has a soft spot for the Traveler that sometimes doubles as a blind spot. It takes a second for him to compose himself, letting out a noise somewhere between laughter and exasperation.]

Man alive, are you planning on sleeping all day today?

[In a way you could say Aether's plan also backfired somehow, because having his friend this close, able to almost feel his warmth makes the traveler's heart beat faster in his chest. The look he's giving Heizou is playful, but there is some sort of adoration in it as well.

Aether tries to push all the unnecessary thoughts aside to answer the question.]

Not really sleeping. Just relaxing.

[He starts fixing the blankets around Heizou as if to make sure that he's not going to get up and leave. Look! This mattress is so comfortable! The blankets are nice and soft! And same goes for the pillows!]

I was running around a lot yesterday... Surely, taking one day off to just stay in bed isn't a crime.

[Heizou just gives him an amused, fond smile. Both at what he's saying and at the way he keeps fixing the blankets around them. He knows what Aether is trying to do with that, and... Well. It's kind of cute. He still doesn't fully settle, though. He's still ready to wrestle his way out of this blanket haven if he ends up having to.]

Of course it isn't~

[The Traveler deserves days of rest. He deserves the luxury of sleeping in when he wants to. Heizou won't deny that much.]

But Paimon has been complaining about her "empty stomach" and your "lazy bones" for the last half hour. Will it be okay to let her rampage through your teapot like that for a while~?

[A small laughter makes it past his lips.]

I'm sure someone else will make her some food. If I was really her only option, she would be here by now, trying to pull me out of the bed herself.

[He can't do everything for Paimon all the time! Though, sometimes he wonders how she had survived on her own before they met.]

Besides... [His eyes close, as if embarrassed to look at Heizou when his next words are:] ...I now have another reason to stay here.

[Heizou chuckles a little as well.] What makes you think she didn't send me here to do her dirty work?

[She didn't. Heizou took that mission upon himself without even telling Paimon about it. But Aether doesn't have to know that!

Especially when he goes and says something that brings a little blush to Heizou's cheeks, eyes widening just a bit in surprise. He doesn't have to be fully composed and calm when Aether's eyes are closed, so he doesn't bother trying to hide the way he stares.]

Oh..? Is it that good a reason?

Hm... if she did, she would follow along with you, just to see how you're doing.

[See, he can be a good detective too! Especially that he knows Paimon for so long now.

His eyes open, shyly checking his companion's expression. He can see the surprise, the small blush. His heart beats a little faster again and there's colour to his own cheeks as well.]

It is. In fact, it's a better reason to stay than anything else.

[He's so proud of you, Aether. What a wonderful detective you've become! ~~Take him with you to Fontaine--~~

As soon as Aether's eyes start to open Heizou has to quickly school his expression back into something a little calmer. There's no hiding the blush, though, and really it's probably too little too late anyway. But it's a habit to hide what he's thinking from people. He even lets out a little laugh like Aether's just told him something amusing and not something that's set his own heart racing.]

You're a real master of flattery, my dear Traveler. You just wanna convince me not to drag you out from under here~

[That reaction is not something he saw coming and he blinks a few times, face bright red. But then he can guess why Heizou said that. Aether is silent, pondering what to do, before calmly stating:]

I'm saying the truth.

[He slowly notices just how happy it makes him to have Heizou so close, to see him smile and laugh. He wants to reach out, but he's afraid that it would be too much. He doesn't want to ruin their friendship. It's too precious to him, too dear.

It's selfish of him to even want something more than friendship anyway.]

[Aether can probably both see and feel how the blush on Heizou's face deepens at his words, warmth practically radiating from his face. He's quiet for just a moment, busy studying the look that Aether is giving him right now. But it would be selfish of him to interpret any of it as being anything but platonic, wouldn't it? After all, the Traveler is so good to all of his friends. All of them are precious to him in their own ways. It's one of the things Heizou likes about him.]

Then it's kind of you to indulge me this way~

[He doesn't want to push or overstep. But at the very least Heizou's definitely starting to enjoy hiding away under the blankets with Aether, so he finally lets himself settle. Lets himself bask in Aether's warmth and scent and kindness. It's selfish, yes, but he wants this moment to be all for him.]

...I guess it is pretty nice in here. Maybe we can stay like this for just a few more minutes?

[The reaction is making him smile fondly at his companion, especially when Heizou slowly starts to relax by his side. It makes him want to try something more, to make a point that the other is special to him, that having him here makes his heart beat faster.]

It's really not kindness. If anything...

[He pauses, then gently reaches for Heizou's hand.]

It's just my selfish wish to keep you here.

[He's getting so bold. Hopefully this won't end in a disaster.]

And we can stay like this for as long as you like.

[The touch of Aether's hand surprises him, his gaze darting toward their joined hands. He doesn't pull away, though. He probably couldn't even if he wanted to. He just stares at the way Aether holds him, turns all the possibilities over in his head until he can narrow it down to just the one.]

...They need you out there, you know? Sooner or later Paimon or someone else will come here to get you, only to find you snuggled up in here with me.

[The idea is kind of funny, and Heizou chuckles a little as he imagines it. How scandalous it could be. How embarrassed Paimon might look to find them like this. It's not even like they're actually doing anything, and yet it still feels like they are.]

What will we do then?

[There is no rejection and it only encourages him further. He shifts closer, if only a little bit, curious where all of this is going. He wants to feel this closeness for as long as possible.]

We can always lock the door if you're so worried about it.

[That's even more scandalous, but for now he's just amused by the thought while his heart races madly in his chest. Even if Paimon comes looking for them, she may retreat the moment she sees them like this. She's a good friend, who always has Aether's back.]

Or we can hide under the blankets completely.

[As Aether shifts closer Heizou's blush deepens, and he squeezes the other's hand gently as some small sign of encouragement. He's searching his face the whole time, looking for any indication that he's reading this wrong. And when he can't seem to find it-]

...You really wanna stay here with me.

[There's an air of surprise in the way he says that. It's not a question, just him coming to a conclusion that honestly stuns him. He plays with Aether's fingers a little bit, lets them twine together as he also scoots in a little bit closer.]

You're making me wanna be extra greedy today. You must know that, don't you?

[Deep shade of crimson spreads rapidly on his face as he gets this small confirmation that what he's doing isn't wrong. They both want it. The moment their fingers intertwine, he shifts even closer, almost touching his forehead to Heizou's.]

I do... And I thought that I was the greedy one here.

[There's a moment when he wonders if maybe he didn't wake up yet and this is all happening in his dream. But if that is the truth, then may it last just a bit longer and give him courage to be more honest when he wakes up.]

I dragged you here, not wanting you to go anywhere. And I'm really happy you stayed. [A small smile appears on his face once more.]

[He doesn't bother fighting his smile as it spreads across his face, closing that last bit of distance between them and letting their foreheads press together. It's such innocent contact, but it still has Heizou turning bright red. At least the knowledge that Aether is just as affected is somewhat comforting.]

Of course I stayed.

[Heizou raises their joined hands so that he can press Aether's right over his heart. Right where he can feel how hard and fast it's beating in his chest, so that he'll know for sure how honest Heizou is being when he says-]

I really like you, Aether. If it's with you, I'll go or stay anywhere.

[It's so sweet when their foreheads finally touch. Aether's face brightens, his cheeks just as red as Heizou's. His companion's words make this moment all the more precious. The traveler's hand is pressed against Heizou's chest and he could've sworn that their hearts beat in the exact same rhythm.]

You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.

[There's genuine joy in his eyes, his smile only getting bigger as he pulls his free hand up and gently brushes some of the bangs from Heizou's face, his fingers gentle against the other's skin.]

I like you, too. No... more than like. [He laughs, almost awkward, nervous. So much unlike the way he usually is.] Maybe I'm still dreaming.

[There's no way Aether can't feel the moment his heartrate picks up at that gentle brush to his hair, and even more right when Aether says he feels the same way. And Heizou's smile grows and grows until he can't seem to contain it anymore and lets out a little laugh.]

Do you think so? Maybe I should pinch you, just to make sure~

[Then again, Heizou has little intention of releasing Aether's hand. And he'd have to wiggle the other one free from where he's tucked it under his head, but he's not interested in moving enough to make that happen either. But his eyes are sparkling and playful, joyous in a way that Aether maybe hasn't seen before.]

But if we're dreaming... Maybe we could stay asleep for a little while longer, hm?

[He can feel it. There's a soft, quickened thumping against his hand and it only makes him smile more. His own heart races in his chest, jumping slightly, especially when he sees how Heizou's expression brightens, before laughing a little.

Aether grins.]

Maybe you should pinch me... But I do want to stay with you here.

[If this is a dream, then let it last.

The traveler seems to hesitate a moment, shyly glancing at his companion, before closing the final distance between the two of them. Their lips meet and it's a short-lived, soft encounter. A gentle press of a kiss, yet it feels like everything he's ever wanted.]

[The Traveler is so special to Heizou. From the moment they met he'd carefully carved out a safe little space in his heart and has just lived there ever since, and honestly Heizou wouldn't dare to change that even if he could. He isn't sure he can say the same for Aether, but that's okay. He likes him so much, and he would've been completely content to remain his friend if he couldn't be anything else.

But those sweet words and that shy expression make his heart swell in his chest and he feels greedy. It makes him hope that no one else gets to hear him say things like that or see that look on his face. And when Aether presses their lips together Heizou swears he's died and gone to heaven. It's the only explanation for how he's able to experience something sweeter than a dream, after all. He's too stunned to even move for a moment, his heart just pounding loudly in his ears, and all too soon Aether draws back.

Except Heizou wants to keep being greedy.

He leans in again for another kiss, still just as soft and gentle as the first. He doesn't push, he would never force Aether to do anything he doesn't want or isn't ready for. But he lets this one linger for as long as either of them can stand, lips brushing together in a gentle, easy way. There's no need to rush. Heizou will stay under the blankets like this forever if it means he gets to keep kissing Aether.]

[He isn't quite sure when Heizou sneaked into his heart and just stayed there forever, but Aether is definitely glad it happened. The other's company has always been enjoyable and the more Aether found out about him, the more he appreciated him. This feeling just grew deeper and deeper, making him want to be so much more even though he always told himself that he shouldn't.

He's a traveler. He does not belong here.

And yet right now it doesn't matter.

The soft kiss returned to him makes his heart skip a beat. Each glide of lips against lips turns his brain into a mush. His thoughts are Heizou and Heizou alone, his hand gently tugs onto his companion's to guide it to his own chest now, so he too could feel just how loud and hard Aether's heart is beating right now.

Or maybe he wants to be touched, too. His mind is starting to go a little wild. His lips part, a small noise escapes him. His other hand digs under Heizou's side to wrap around his waist and pull him closer. They are kissing in Aether's bed. How can this be real?

Embarrassment suddenly hits him hard and the traveler pulls away from the kiss, his face deep red colour.]

S-sorry, I just...

[He's never felt like this before.]

[If he hasn't already turned red at this point, then he definitely does when Aether pulls at Heizou's hand to press against his chest. Feeling that quickened heartbeat under the press of his hand is encouraging, but the surge of desire Heizou feels comes from more than that. It's the realization that Aether wants to be touched. That he trusts Heizou enough to let him. And by the archons Heizou feels like he would be a fool to turn him down.

Aether lets out that little sound and Heizou moans softly right back, pressing into their kissing more hungrily, eager to have more. He feels that other hand slip around him, sliding over the exposed skin at his side, and surely that was an accident but Heizou just doesn't care. He wants the Traveler to touch him anywhere and everywhere he wants, and as he gets pulled in closer he rolls along with him, practically settling on top of him while his own hands roam over Aether's body and they kiss like they need it to breathe.

It's probably a good thing that Aether pulls away when he does. Because between the taste of him on Heizou's tongue and the heat of being pressed together under the blankets, Heizou was seconds away from losing control. He's even already panting a little, face still flushed and eyes darting between Aether's eyes and his lips.]

For what..? You don't have to apologize for anything.

[It occurs to him that maybe Heizou's the one who should be apologizing, and he has to shake himself a little bit just to clear his head first.]

I'm sorry. I got a little carried away...

[Hands run over him in a way that is both overwhelming and making him wish for more. The kiss grows more intense and Aether moans helplessly into it. There's more warmth between them, a kind of heat he's never felt before and the traveler welcomes it, just as much as he welcomes Heizou's weight against him. His own hands wander against his companion's back in random patterns as if just needing the touch itself and not thinking where he's touching.

Even when he pulls away and embarrassment hits him, he still finds himself glad for the other's closeness. Heizou's words make him look up at his companion. Both their faces are bright red and it's like yet another proof that they feel just the same.

But then... it's Heizou who apologizes and Aether's eyes widen. He shakes his head, then shifts his hands, gently catching his partner's face, thumbs softly smoothing the skin.]

You have nothing to apologize for... We both got carried away. [He smiles.] And I don't regret that. You mean so much to me and you're... the only person I would want to be like this with.

[He leans up, pressing his forehead to Heizou's for a moment in an affectionate way, before dropping onto the pillows. His cheeks are still bright red. Maybe even more, when his gaze shifts to the door.]

But... maybe if we want to continue we should at least lock the door.

[Hands catch his face and Heizou just can't help but nuzzle into the touch. It's as if he's been craving Aether's touch this whole time and even now that he's been given express permission he still wants more. And the way those sweet words just seem to wash over him... He's such a goner. It'll be a miracle if Heizou ever manages to get his composure back while in such close proximity to Aether.

Especially when he says things like that. Heizou's eyes dart briefly toward the door, his face somehow finding a way to turn just a little redder. The words if we want to continue are ringing in his ears and it's warring with the voice in his head that keeps telling him not to rush this. He shouldn't dive in so fast and so deep, but he wants to keep kissing and touching Aether so much. And Aether is letting him.

He ends up just staring down at him for a moment longer instead, carefully pressing their foreheads together again.]

I want to... But I don't think I can leave this bed anymore.

[He shifts again, this time to burrow his face into the side of Aether's neck. He doesn't do anything else (yet), just ducks down like he can hide there forever.]

You were right before. It's too cold out.

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