Chapter Text
Two Fatui members quietly discuss the current state of Mondstadt, disgust and uncertainty evident behind the masks. Their gossiping is promptly cut off by the sound of the waypoint lighting up and two forms materializing.
"Ugh, why do you insist on fighting that thing, traveler?" A white-haired pixie complains as she flys beside a porcelain skinned blonde drenched to the bone.
They watch as the blonde chuckles as he squeezes his braid, a steady flow of water drips onto the stone walkway before he tosses it behind him, and the resulting droplets get flicked off to the side.
The display has the Fatui members visibly ogling at the boy's enchanting beauty. Despite the fact they stand in the same spot all day and the sight of the very person who had foiled their plans wasn’t an uncommon occurrence it was always such a marvel.
Surprisingly, it's that floating child that takes notice this time around.
She turns around and gives a bone chilling stare that both Fatui are taken aback by the intensity of such a glare coming from such a creature.
"I needed the material," the outlander simply replies as he walks, removing his drenched scarf only to feel the breeze frigid against his already cool skin.
The ordeal elicited a faint shiver despite the fact they stood beneath the heat of the summer sun. The accompanying breeze gently shakes the nearby foliage with a pleasant rustle.
The pixie turns her attention back to her companion once more, "Paimon gets that but geez , that Oceanide is such a pain."
"I don't understand why you're the one complaining, you're not the one doing the actual fighting," the traveler's soft words mixed with a conceited tone as he spread his scarf out against a bench so it could dry properly in the sun.
"Yeah, but Paimon doesn't like seeing you fight, it's exhausting seeing you run around so much," she frowns as she interlocks her hands behind her back as she watches the blonde begin to remove his drenched gloves.
Water continued to drip with every movement the adventurer made, it was almost impressive.
Luckily, the fabric that made up the blonde's clothes was very durable and resistant to most, if not all, elements, so much so that his scarf was dry within minutes of being laid out.
Paimon stifled a giggle when the always elegant traveler had quite literally shaken off some more of the water in a similar fashion to a clumsy feline. A long braid whipping about as the moisture that clung to blonde locks came off in heavy droplets as he shook his head.
Aether shoots her a bemused glare, "what? I can't exactly strip any further—"
"That would be very unbecoming of Monstadt's Honorary Knight," both whip their head around to see the Cavalry Captain walking towards them with his usual smile. "Though I'm doubtful anyone would be against beholding such an enchanting sight."
The pixie looks as though she's about to scold the cryo user but Aether just chuckles, having long grown used to the man's sugary words, "that's funny but I'm very doubtful anyone would enjoy such an absurd scene, Kaeya."
"Right—well what brings you here looking as though you had just taken a dive," the Cavalry Captain says as his eye scans the still dripping blonde before him.
"He fought the Oceanide," the pixie answers before holding up her tiny hand to show two digits, " twice !"
The cryo user's eye widened at the news before turning his gaze towards the mad man who had willingly done such an incredible feat.
The blonde has his head down, currently examining a pristine scarf as his pale hand runs along to see if there are any blemishes. "It's really not that big of a deal, Paimon, I've dealt with much stronger," the traveler's voice is small, bashful even as he keeps his gaze down.
Kaeya watches as the boy's ears begin to redden in his embarrassment, "nonsense, it's nothing our beloved Honorary Knight can't handle."
"You can say that because you're not the one who has to see him all beat up and tired," the pixie counters with a stern glare.
"Paimon," the blonde warns, the pixie looks offended,
"What? It's true though!"
"She does have a point, sadly," Kaeya says, feigning vulnerability, "but she didn't have to be so mean about it."
"Paimon doesn't care that you're faking it," she scoffs as she turns around with her nose upturned, "Paimon is going to go and get something to eat."
Aether calls after her but she's already out of sight, presumably heading towards Good Hunter, the boy sighs as he looks back towards the cryo user who was already staring at him.
"Sorry about her, she usually gets like that when she's hungry," the boy says as he gathers up his gloves alongside the scarf, "please don't hold it against her."
"Because you asked so nicely, I shan't," the traveler smiles up at the man, unknowingly making his heartbeat just a little faster.
Taking that as the end of their conversation Aether turns around and begins walking away before stopping with a sudden oh! Spinning on his heels and standing before Kaeya once more as he begins rummaging inside the bottomless satchel attached to his hip.
A blue eye curiously watches as the boy pulls out a shimmering artifact, it appears to be a flower intricately made of cryo. It glistened in the light as a faint freezing mist oozed off it like a heavy fog, even just looking at it the Cavalry Captain can guess it's rarity.
His little storm was kind.
He holds out his own hand for the bright-eyed traveler to place the delicate artifact into, the flower not nearly as big in Kaeya's grasp as it had been in that pale hand.
The flesh that tanned digits had accidentally grazed was soft and supple, a thin wrist as enticing as the palm and delicate digits it connected to.
The cryo user couldn't recall a time he had been so taken by the simple sight of a hand, perhaps it was the novelty of such a display coming from the tiny traveler before him.
The same traveler who solemnly, if ever, removed any part of his attire in such a leisure manner.
His eye flickers to the outlander's plump, rosy lips, idly taking note of their swollen appearance most likely the result of the boy chewing his bottom lip. As the cryo user had noticed the boy would do whenever he was in deep thought, it would appear his little storm had been doing a lot of thinking lately.
Suddenly, a devious little thought came to the forefront of the Calvary captain's psyche. One that he decided to indulge just to see what Mondstadt's shining star would do.
"Oh, aren't you forgetting something?" Aether's golden gaze looked up; it took a substantial amount of effort on the cryo user's part not to react to the boy's confusion.
Instead, he feigned a look of genuine worry as he placed his free hand against his chin, "Hm, perhaps Paimon isn't as good a guide as she thinks she is?"
A faint furrow of a brow as the blonde slightly cocks his head to the side, the sight not unlike a curious feline. Kaeya decided to throw him a metaphorical bone.
"It's customary that when you give a gift you also have to give a kiss, it's a sign of respect."
Just hearing himself utter such words that sounded like complete malarkey, he mentally face palmed at his inability to think of better wording beforehand.
"But no one else has bothered to bring up such a custom when I've gifted them in the past,” his clever traveler spoke, “it clearly isn't as widely practiced as you think it is."
Despite his words, Kaeya could still hear the hint of uncertainty beneath them.
"That's because they're too shy to scold you, people really like you and the last thing they want is to scold their savior."
"I'm no one's savior," the blonde bashfully averted his gaze, finding comfort in the sight of his hands fidgeting with the articles of clothing draped over his forearms.
"Ah, always so humble, Aether," Kaeya sighed wistfully, "but it's ok, if you don't want to adhere to social formalities, no one will hold it against you."
Aether mindlessly begins nibbling on his sore bottom lip, careful not to agitate the tender flesh more than he already had. He thinks about how a certain pixie would be scolding him about the worrisome habit, especially after the few times the blonde had carelessly drawn blood.
He mentally shakes the thought away that is quickly replaced with a less fond one.
In all senses of the word, Aether was a foreigner. Even after his extended time here in Teyvat, alongside how quickly he was able to pick up on the language and most of its many different cultures and societal norms. There were times when he had to look to Paimon for guidance when he wasn't sure about a particular word or phrase.
He especially found comfort in the fact that even the self-proclaimed best guide had moments when she herself was at a loss. But that was neither here nor there.
Perhaps this was something that Paimon hadn't known about when she had given Aether a crash course in Teyvat's language and answering any question the outlander may have to the best of her abilities.
But there was also the likelihood that the Calvary captain was only saying such things to get a rise out of him; it wouldn't be the first time he had misled Aether.
"...What do you mean by a kiss?"
His little storm was truly too kind.
"Nothing particularly intimate," Kaeya said somewhat aloof in hopes the display would ease the blondes' worry, "just a light peck on the cheek as a 'thank you for accepting' kinda thing, though it can be more intimate depending on your relationship with the receiver."
Kaeya tries his best to maintain eye contact, but his gaze keeps wandering down to watch pearly whites nibble against the red flush of raw skin. He'd love nothing more than to ease the ache with a swipe of his tongue.
In that moment Aether releases his lip and swipes at the swollen flesh with his tongue, the cryo user committing the brief sight of pink and the bob of an Adam's apple against a swan-like neck to memory.
After a moment of intense scrutiny, to Kaeya's utter surprise, the blonde steps forward before standing on his toes to land a chaste kiss against a tanned cheek, his soft lips hot against the unnaturally cool flesh.
The sensation lingering long after Aether gives a faint smile and runs off to reunite with his trusted companion, leaving Kaeya with a lot more feeling in his chest than the cryo user would care to admit.
…
Diluc stares down at the parchment laid before him, lidded eyes tracing the many numbers and words as impatient digits tap rhythmically against the wood that made up the tabletop of his large desk.
Even with the clutter of paperwork everything looked to have its place, giving the illusion of orderly cleanliness.
A gentle knock is heard, three light taps requesting permission to enter and without much thought Diluc answers with a deep 'enter'. The gentle clatter of a tea set is heard as Adelinde enters, her heels emitting a faint click with each graceful step, to the pyro user's surprise he hears another pair enter.
“Your afternoon tea, Master Diluc,” Adelinde says as she places the tray on a small table off to the side of the wine tycoon’s desk. “The traveler has also popped in for a visit,” at the mention of the boy he lifts his ruby gaze.
There standing in front of his desk is Teyvat’s golden star, skin as soft and pale as the first time the pyro user had laid eyes on him. Upon being noticed Aether gives a bright smile and a wave of a gloved hand.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Diluc notes the lack of remorse behind that golden gaze with a stubborn bloom of warmth in his chest.
“Nonsense, your presence is always welcomed here at Dawn Winery, Aether,” the redhead gives a faint reassuring smile as he gently places his dip pen down. Paperwork forgotten for a more favorable presence.
“So, what brings you here, Aether,” the redhead asks as Adelinde places a steaming teacup in front of him, curious as to why the busy traveler took time out of such a hectic schedule to pay a personal visit.
She silently pours a cup for the blonde and places it in a vacant seat beside the pyro user’s desk. One that was only reserved for Aether during the times he decided to pay a visit to Diluc.
The blonde thanks the head maid with a smile as he claims his rightful seat beside Diluc. Though perhaps that’s just the wine tycoons wishful thinking.
“I just came to give you a new set of artifacts that I’ve been collecting,” the blonde smiled bashfully as he pulled out a case from his satchel, “I do hope you find good use of it.”
Diluc holds his hands out for the boy’s much smaller own to place the plain gold but surprisingly solid box into them. Upon unhooking the lock his eyes widened slightly at the sight of four high rarity artifacts.
“I recall you talking about some Crimson Witch artifacts, I hope you’ll make good use of these.” The redhead looks up to see the bashful flush dusting his cute ears, nervous digits fidgeting with the jewelry at the end of his scarf.
“Aether… I-I can’t accept this—this is too much.”
The wine tycoon had never been good with receiving gifts, despite the fact that they were a common occurrence given his reputation and many wine enthusiasts wanting in on his inner circle for the perks. Not that he’s really sure whatever gave them the idea.
Sure, he had brewed the blonde traveler a special nonalcoholic drink, having taken months to perfect the indescribable taste he could only claim was Aether’s.
Not that he had openly admitted that, of course.
Aether looked hurt, his golden gaze turning pitiful as he stared into Diluc’s own. The taller man’s heart stutters at the display, “please, Diluc, I don’t have any use for it so it’d be a waste if you didn’t accept.”
Diluc has to avert his gaze, the pout in the outlander's tone still ringing in his ears as he stares down at the glowing artifacts. His face remains stoic as he silently takes a breath to try and steady his heart.
“Thank you very much for these amazing gifts, Aether,” he closes the box and looks up to see a blinding smile.
“I knew you’d come around,” the boy jests with a grin.
The next moments happen simultaneously within a split second and in slow motion, Aether moves from his seat towards Diluc where he leans down, bracing his delicate hands against a broad shoulder. He plants a chaste kiss against the pyro user’s cheek.
Given his extra body heat Aether’s lips are cool against the heated flesh of his cheek, rosy petals exquisite despite the faint contact. Just as fast as it started, it ended.
All too soon.
As if he hadn’t just sent an electro burst straight to the taller man’s heart, Aether reclaims his seat and gently takes his still steaming tea and gives a couple hushed blows before taking a sip.
Several moments pass before Diluc recovers, even then he isn’t completely sure if the ordeal had even happened given Aether’s effortless nonchalant demeanor. He can practically feel the steam exiting his ears as he reluctantly follows the outlander's lead.
He knew that Aether wasn’t from Mondstadt, though now that he thought about it the blonde had never given him a straight answer about his origins. He’d have to inquire about that some other time.
He even knew that Aether had a difficult time with Teyvat’s language at times, seeing firsthand when he would ask that floating pixie about what a word meant or what to call whatever had his attention during that moment.
He had even heard the boy speak a language he had never heard before, so having outlandish customs that he may have carried isn’t particularly unreasonable. But what was unreasonable was why he had taken to doing it now.
Perhaps because he felt comfortable enough in their relationship to entertain such a custom. But that seemed like a stretch given how close Aether and he had become after the blonde had simultaneously saved both Mondstadt and Dvalin.
But the pyro user didn’t have the heart to question the boy, unwilling to embarrass or cause any form of discomfort for him. More so because he didn’t mind the intimate contact.
Diluc wondered if he was supposed to do the same when he returned Aether’s kindness tenfold.
…
“Hey little dude, I got something for ya!”
Aether looked up from the sparkling waters of the shore he was shin deep in searching for the seagrass necessary for a commission. Even at his full height he’s forced to crane his neck to meet the towering oni’s bright grin.
Itto’s hands are hidden behind his back as he uses his head to gesture for the pretty blonde to return to dry land. With a fond smile and shake of the head, Aether puts his search on hold for the charmingly dense geo user.
Grateful for the proper seal of his knee high boots the blonde easily shakes off the water as he approaches the beaming oni who was practically vibrating with excitement.
“Alright, what did you want me for,” Aether smiles as he crosses his arms, a curious brow raised as he blatantly eyes the arms leading towards the hidden hands.
“Tsk tsk, so impatient, not that I blame ya, anything from Arataki Itto is the best of the best,” the oni proudly beams. The blonde rolls his eyes at the boisterous display before watching as the geo user's massive hands hold out a decent sized cloth bag and his special dish.
“Here are ten juicy,” he holds up a clawed digit, “ slightly under ripe, lavender melons and the legendary Way of the Strong!” He giddily holds them out for the stunned traveler to accept, crimson eyes scanning those warm features in search of that pretty red that’d tint delicate ears.
His already bloated ego grows even more when the blonde bashfully accepts his offering. A prideful smile splitting his face at the fact that he was not only able to provide like the doting mate he will soon be, but was also able to elicit such a reaction from the tiny but strong outlander as he places his hands on his hips.
“Thank you, Itto, I shall savor this meal,” the oni watches as Aether tilts his head to the side, baring the unblemished skin of a plump cheek that the oni had constant fantasies about gnawing. After a moment Itto cocks his head to the side, bleached locks shifting against broad shoulders at the movement.
“Eh, what are you waiting for, short stack, a kiss,” the towering oni jokes, a faint rumble heard from his throat as he chuckles before the sound instantly dies at the look of hurt displayed on the pretty blonde’s face. He quickly backtracks, “haha! Just kidding with you, no need to look so down!”
The Oni had a hard time controlling the volume of his voice when he got nervous.
A pleased smile graces the outlanders face as he bares his cheek once more, crimson eyes frantically searching for anything wrong. Unsure if this was just some cruel joke pulled by his gang, it wasn’t like he was exactly subtle about his interest in the traveler.
But they were alone, no sign of another person as far as the powerful oni could see, no sound of mean snickering beneath the gentle crash of pliant waves along the shore. The sun shining high in the sky adding to the heat building within the proud geo user’s face, the cool sea breeze doing little to quell the rise in temperature.
It was just Itto and Aether. Aether and Itto. No one else.
Boy was it hot. Itto couldn’t remember the last time he had been so hot and bothered. He suddenly realized how he had just been standing there like a complete dolt, so with none of the finesse he often imagined having when kissing Aether, he simply smashed his lips against the patient blonde’s cheek.
It’s fast and clumsy and Itto wants nothing more than to walk into the ocean and drown in something other than his embarrassment and shame by the time he pulls away.
The force of it had nearly knocked the smaller man over, a warm chime of delighted laughter erupts from his slender throat as a bright smile forms a moment after his initial shock. “Even your kisses are strong and formidable, not that that is really surprising,” the boy beams as he rubs at his cheek with an unmistakable fondness that had the Oni’s mind reeling at the sight for weeks after.