rozenblitz | Don't wake the sleeping traveler

[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.

[They're both completely lost into one another, because Aether wishes for more as well. His heart melts when Heizou nuzzles into his touch, then blushes as the traveler offers to continue. If this isn't love, then Aether does not know what this is. He could stay here forever, just watching Heizou's reactions, just admiring his beautiful eyes and handsome face and picking up every single detail of his features.

The traveler's heart skips again as his companions lies down, tucked into him. He's so warm and Aether easily pulls him closer, hands brushing the soft strands of his hair as they lay together.

Then he glances towards the door, before a bright smile spreads on his face.]

That's true. This bed is irresistible. [He laughs.] Once you're here, you can never leave its warmth.

[In reality, it's Heizou's warmth that is so difficult to separate from. It brings Aether so much comfort that his eyes easily close as he continues stroking his partner's hair.]

[He settles in even closer as Aether pulls him in like that, and Heizou has to smile to himself at the way it feels to be surrounded by his warmth and his scent. Happy and safe and wanted... And if this isn't love, then it must be something really close to it. Heizou could probably be completely content with spending the rest of his life trying to solve that particular mystery. So long as it meant getting to stay at Aether's side like this the entire time.]

It's a good bed. You should've told me about it sooner~

[He snuggles in tighter with a soft laugh, wrapping his arms around his partner and sneaking in a tiny kiss to the side of Aether's neck. Of course this comfort has nothing to do with the bed itself. But Heizou likes playing along, pretending they've been trapped by a magical bed and not by each other's presence.]

We can just do what you suggested and hide under the blankets here if someone tries to rescue us.

[And if someone does, maybe they can tell that person to lock the door behind them. Just so that they don't have to get up.]

[He's happy to let those arms wrap around him, enjoying the closeness and smiling at Heizou's words as he plays along. His heart keeps on beating fast in his chest, as this is a new experience for him. It's exciting. Even more so, when there's a soft kiss to his neck. Aether lets the smallest sigh, before returning the affection with a kiss to the top of his partner's head.]

That... sounds like a good idea. This bed won't let go of us anyway.

[There's a new wave of redness to his face. He'd prefer if it was Paimon who would eventually find them, because he's not sure how he would react to someone else walking on them.

Not that they're doing anything... for now.]

I wish there was a way to make the door just lock itself with words.

[They're in a magical adepti realm inside a teapot! Surely, he's not asking for too much?]

[He practically melts under that kiss to his head- which is probably silly because it's so innocent and sweet and hardly anything to fall to pieces from. But Heizou likes it. It makes his heart skip a beat and has him feeling all pleasantly tingly and warm. He still wants more.

And when Aether talks about locking the door again, the implication of his words only makes that want worse.]

You know how the teapot works better than I do, my dear partner~

[Heizou sounds much calmer than he feels, but when they're pressed this close together Aether can probably tell that his heart is still pounding hard in his chest and his face is still so warm. It's part of why he's keeping his face hidden from view]

...You don't have to worry about the door, though. Getting to be here with you like this is already so much more than I could've ever hoped for.

[He can tell. Being so close he can feel all the little changes in Heizou, his breathing, the way his heart beats so fast in his chest. It truly seems like their rhythms are the same.]

There is much I still don't know about this teapot, even though I've been using it for such a long time as my home.

["His home" but now...]

But now... it's your home, too.

[That's exactly what Heizou deserves. Aether embraces him close, protective, like Heizou was the most precious to him.]

[Those words affect Heizou so much more strongly than he would've expected them to. They make his heart swell in his chest until he feels like he's just going to burst with emotion. Instead he just nuzzles and burrows further into Aether's chest, pointedly not thinking about how hot his face feels and how much he really wishes that door was locked right now.

They have time, though. There's no need to rush. There will be more lazy mornings together... Probably following long nights behind a locked ~~and barricaded~~ door.]

...So no matter how far from Inazuma your travels take you by day, I'll always have you here for the night. Right?

[He finally raises his head a little to get a peek at Aether's face, eyes questioning and hopeful. For once he doesn't want to make an assumption. He'd much rather hear something closer to a promise. Even though it makes him feel so vulnerable to only have hope.]

[He pauses, not sure if he can really promise such a thing. There may be times when he won't be able to come back to the teapot for the night, when he'll be stuck somewhere against his will. And yet when Heizou looks at him like that, Aether's heart sinks in his chest. The hope for a promise is making him want to do everything he can to be always there for the other.]

Yes.

[He breathes out those words, wanting them so badly to always be true.]

I'll do whatever it takes to always come back here to be with you. To spend all the nights with you.

[He reaches up, gently stroking his partner's face, wanting to reassure him that he means every word.]

But, Heizou... there is one thing you need to know. [He wonders if maybe he's saying it too late. He should've been honest before making promises, before sharing affectionate moments with the other.] I... will live much longer than you. In fact, you will never see me older than I am now.

[His brows furrow.]

I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.

[Heizou is watching him so carefully and he can see how all those thoughts flicker behind Aether's eyes. So he knows before that "Yes" even leaves his lips that the Traveler has so much more to say. He listens to every word just as intently, leaning into the touch of Aether's hand, even reaching up to let their fingers tangle together.

Though when Aether apologizes, Heizou just smiles and leans up to press a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth.]

Don't be sorry. I kind of... already knew.

[The admission has him chuckling a little, gently squeezing Aether's fingers between his and letting their foreheads rest together. Offering reassurance of his own, since Heizou can tell how much this is affecting him.]

You're an outlander that came here from beyond the stars, after all! I think I would've been more surprised to learn that wasn't true. [His smile grows a little, and with his free hand he reaches up to fondly push some of Aether's bangs out of his eyes. As if that will make it easier for him to see how much Heizou means what he's saying, too.]

So it's okay. This doesn't change anything about how I feel about you, Aether. I want to be with you, whatever that has to mean, for as long as you'll have me.

Ah.

[He isn't sure why he's so surprised to hear that Heizou knew. He is a detective, after all. One of the best out there. Many other people figured Aether out and yet only this revelation affects him so deeply. It makes his lip tremble as a small sound escapes him. It makes him stare at his partner as sweet words are spoken. It makes his heart beat all the louder at every affection.

Even though Heizou knew all along what Aether is, he's still here by his side, saying all those things, wanting him.]

I am a star that fell from the sky. [He says quietly, smiling.] And now I belong all to you. I want to make all your wishes come true. I want to be forever by your side.

[There's a shine to his eyes, but he ignores it. Aether leans forward for a kiss. Soft and sweet, and devoted.

To know that the person you love and cherish accepts your true self is a blessing he's never thought he'll have.]

Edited 2024-02-22 22:24 (UTC)

[Heizou's own smile is so warm, full of nothing but love and affection for the person in front of him. It's one he's probably never worn before, as though maybe he'd been saving it for this exact moment in time. And maybe he has. He'd felt drawn to Aether before they'd ever even met, when he was little more than a rumor of a mysterious blonde-haired traveler making his way across Teyvat. Even then he'd hoped their paths would cross one day, and when they finally did... It really did feel like an encounter with a shooting star.

In many ways it still does. This moment with Aether feels magical, and when he promises to make Heizou's wishes come true he feels like they already have. Aether wants to be his, wants to be with him forever, and that really is so much more than he could've ever hoped for.

So he meets him for that kiss, gently caressing his cheek as he pours all that same love and heartfelt devotion into it. He feels like there are fireworks going off somewhere, his heart loud in his ears as every sense becomes focused on Aether. What he sounds like. What he feels like. What he tastes like.]

Aether... [His voice is soft when they finally part to breathe, their lips still brushing together.] I'm not sure I care if the door's locked anymore...

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