Chapter Text
It had been a few days since the rain/ Board Fiasco. The rain/ Board game fiasco. Everyone was back in school.
~~The school~~
Aether was sitting by himself on the school roof top. He normally goes there to clear his head, which in this case was completely filled. The whole having 7 babies thing with your crush while playing a board game kinda, totally left him a complete mess. He wasn’t even able to make Eye contact with Keqing without the memories flooding back in. He also gave Hu Tao a hour long lecture on what is and isn’t appropriate for game design.
“What am I gonna do? Should I even do anything?” Aether asked himself as he stared into the sky.
As Aether was in the middle of his internal crisis. A young man approached him.
“Ah, Aether just the man I’ve been looking for.” The figure said as he got closer.
“Huh? Who are you and What do you need me for?”
“Oh you probably don’t remember me. Back in middle school, I was one of Childe’s lackeys.”
“Do you have the slightest idea how little that narrows it down?”
“My name is Vlad.” Vlad finally introduced himself.
“Not ringing any bells.”
“Fair enough, I never really interacted with you.”
“So what do you need?”
“I need advice.”
“Never give a child fireworks, Always bring money when a friend says that they’ll pay for it, never hug your friend when covered in cat hair and never trust a man wearing an eye patch.”
“Not that kind of advice, Also are you speaking from experience?”
“No comment”
“Whatever, I just need love advice.”
“Huh?”
“There’s this girl and I want to ask her out.”
“And you thought I was a good choice for advice.”
“Well of course. You’re pretty popular aren’t ya? You probably get confessions left and right.”
Aether pondered on it for a brief moment. Within the 16 years of his life, he had never once received a confession (he did but you know, he’s dense).
“Y-yeah totally.” Aether lied.
“So who’s the lucky girl?” Aether asked trying to maintain a poker face.
“It’s Nadia.” Vlad explained
“Oh Nadia. Yeah she’s really great.”
“How come you remember her and not me?!”
“Never mind all that, tell me about the situation.”
“Well. It started back towards the beginning of our first year here. I started sending messages to a player I met on theater mechanicus (popular mobile game), it went on for months. Neither of us knew who the other was and yet it felt like we’ve know each other our whole lives.”
“How long is this story?” Aether interrupted
“Let me finish.”
“Anyway. We learned so much about each other through those messages. Our interests, our troubles, even that we went to the same school. It was around 3 weeks ago when I finally learned who was sending me those messages. The very same girl who was in the seat right next to me.”
“So, does she know who you are yet?”
“Not at all.”
“I see.”
“I need advice on how to reveal it to her and ask her out.”
“Very well then.” Aether said as he stood up.
“I stepped aboard your ship.” Aether struck a dramatic pose. “Therefore I shall see this voyage through to the end.”
“You will!?”
“Of course. After all, I’m a total expert at this.”
That was a complete and total lie. He’s never kissed anyone besides his mother or held hands with anyone besides his twin and a little sister, and in 4th grade he accidentally gave a girl food poisoning with his homemade Valentine’s Day chocolate.
~~meanwhile~~
Keqing was on the other side of door at the roof entrance. Out of sight of both Aether and Vlad, eavesdropping on their conversation.
“AN EXPERT?!” Keqing screamed in her thoughts.
She never thought Aether was the type to receive love confessions left and right.
“So, where do we start?” Vlad asked
Aether froze. He honest had no idea where to even begin. So he came to the logical conclusion. Bullshit his way though this and hope for the best.
“W-w-well for starters we should come up with a way for the big reveal.
“Really like what?.”
“Y-y-y know like um.......... send her a message asking her if she wants to meet with you.”
“Aether that’s a terrible idea. What kind of sane person would meet with someone they met on the internet.” Keqing thought to herself.
“I see. But what makes you think she’ll trust something like that?” Vlad asked.
“Good question.” Aether said.
“I know! why don’t we act it out”
“Huh?”
“Pretend I’m Nadia and try to woo me” Aether explained as he undid his braided ponytail to appear more feminine.
“Ah I see. I guess practice would help a lot.”
“You can’t be serious.” Keqing to whispered to herself so she wouldn’t be caught.
“Alright let’s begin.” Aether did his best impression of a girls voice (it was terrible).
“Nadia! It is I, the one you’ve been sending messages to for that past few months.” Vlad was a terrible actor.
“Oh Vlad, let’s get married and move to Snezhnaya where we’ll keep each other warm by a fire.”
Aether was also shit at acting. He once played a prince in a school play when he was 11, He forgot his lines and accidentally called the princess fat, which resulted in him receiving a bloody nose during the second act.
“This is painful to watch, yet I can’t look away.” Keqing said to herself as she continued to watch the scene play out.
“..............” Aether and Vlad stood in silence and stared at each.
“That was terrible.” They both said in unison, the sheer cringe was too much to bear.
“So, neither of us is ready for acting.” Aether interjected
“I think so too” Vlad added. He felt like he already lost.
“Don’t lose hope bud, I’m sure we can think of something.” Aether placed his hand on Vlad’s shoulder reassuring him.
“You’re right! This ain’t the time to lose hope.” Vlad pumped his fist in the air.
“You know I think there’s one technique that’s sure to win.”
“Really? What is it?”
“It’s the legendary move used by countless bachelors.” Aether explained as he walked closer to the fence surrounding the rooftop
Aether slammed his hand against the fence and leaned towards it
“Kabedon”
“..........................” Vlad stared at Aether in complete silence.
“I’m in love with an idiot.” Keqing thought to herself as she looked away in embarrassment.
“Aether........You..... are.....” Vlad struggled to form a complete sentence.
“Shit. He thinks I’m an idiot.” Aether thought to himself. He began to sweat nervously.
“A TOTAL GENIUS!” Vlad yelled out in excitement.
“Huh? I’m mean of course I am. This technique never fails.”
“All you have to do is pin her to a wall and confess. There’s also other positions to try such as using you leg instead of your arm. Or this advanced on which involves both arms in legs, but that’s recommended for corners. Aether explained as he acted out those positions on the fence while Vlad studied them.
Keqing was still watching them. She fantasized what would happen if she was the one who was on the receiving end of it.
“And this one is a little unorthodox but it should still impress her.” Aether was upside down on his head with his arms crossed and his legs spread out towards corner of the fence.
“You’re amazing Aether! Just how people have you gone out with by doing this?” Vlad asked as he studied Aether.
“Like um........ I’ve had 6 girlfriends by doing this.” Aether lied.
“Wow! I knew I could rely on you”
“Yep I’m a certified master at this.”
“Dummy.” Keqing giggled to herself
Aether and Vlad finished up their lesson and left the school rooftop. Keqing left quickly before they could spot her.
~~meanwhile.~~
Lumine was sitting on a bench thinking to herself. She was also facing an internal crisis. Constantly thinking back to that conversation she had with Ajax.
“Holy shit why did I do that.” Lumine thought to herself.
“I basically placed myself in the friend zone. There’s no hope for me. I may as well get myself prepared for the life of a cat lady, I wonder if mom will let me buy a cat to practice with.”
“Lumine!” A young woman was walking towards her.
“Nadia?!” Lumine recognized her straight away. They became friends one day when she accidentally knocked Ajax unconscious. It was one of their sparring sessions and some of Ajax’s lackeys were watching, and Lumine went overboard. Nadia help Lumine carry Ajax to the infirmary and after that they became friends.
“I need your advice.” Nadia explained as she sat down next to her.
“What’s the problem.”
“I just found out I’ve been sitting next to my soulmate this whole year.”
“Eh?”
“You see it all started when-(You already know where this is going).
“VLAD?!”
“Yep.”
“But why did you want to ask me for advice?”
“Aren’t you and Ajax together? I thought you would have great advice.”
“.........” Lumine paused briefly before blushing.
“We aren’t dating!” Lumine blurted out.
“Oh. I just always assumed you were. I mean you always mentioned how hand-“
“Moving on” Lumine interrupted.
“Oh right”
“As I was saying. I just found out that Vlad was the one I’ve been messaging this whole time and I really want to ask him out but I can’t figure out how. What if he doesn’t like me that way or disappointed?”
“I see”
“So I just need to find a way to reveal myself and tell him how I feel.”
“I’ll do my best to help.”
While the two were conversing. Ajax saw them and decided to get in closer. He managed to hide himself behind a tree with out them noticing.
“So Lumine what do you think I should do?” Nadia asked.
“I think being straightforward should be a great way to tell him.”
“You mean walk up to him and tell him?”
“Tackle him.”
“Eh?”
“Lumine what the hell?” Ajax thought to himself as he tried to hold in his laughter.
“What? I’ve done it before and it worked.”
“Eh?” Nadia was shocked.
“..................WHAT?!” Ajax screamed in his thoughts.
“When did that happen?” Nadia asked.
“5th grade. There was this boy I really liked at the time. He wasn’t very social and was always extremely dramatic. One day I tackled him and told him I liked him and we sorta went out, It never really went beyond holding hands.” Lumine explained.
“So what ever happened to him?”
“We got into a fight and well, we never spoke to each other afterwards, and then I had to move so I never saw him again, so I never got to patch things up.” Lumine explained, Her tone got sadder as she went on.
“Oh sorry.” Nadia apologized, she felt like she stepped on a landmine.
“Nah it’s fine. I’ve moved on.” Lumine cheered herself up.
“I Wonder who that jerk was.” Ajax was lost in his thoughts.
“Are you sure violence is the best way to go about this?” Nadia asked.
“You don’t have to tackle him that hard. Just like jump on top of him I guess.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“To each their own.”
The two went on and one about how to approach this. Ajax decided to stop eavesdropping on them and snuck away.
“Can’t wait to watch how this unfolds.” Ajax said to himself as he made his way out.
~~After school~~
Vlad and Nadia met each other on the rooftop staring at each other. Aether, Lumine,Ajax and even Keqing were watching in the distance.
“What are you two doing here.” The twins asked
“I was bored then I saw these two head up here.” Ajax lied.
“I saw him make his way up here and was making sure he wasn’t causing trouble.” Keqing lied and pointed at Ajax.
“Nadia.” Vlad finally spoke. He began to walk towards Nadia causing her move back towards the fence.
“I taught him well.” Aether pumped his fist.
But before Vlad could pin her to the fence, Nadia tackled him.
“I LIKE YOU!” Nadia yell out as she pinned him to the ground.
“That’s my girl!” Lumine cheered.
“Holy shit she actually went for it.” Ajax thought to himself.
“Ow.” Vlad winched in pain.
“S-SORRY!” Nadia apologized as she got off of him.
“It’s alright I’m fine.” Vlad reassured her.
“I wanted to tell you the same thing actually.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. Nadia, Will you go out with me?”
“Of course!”
The two kissed each other unaware of the audience watching them.
“I can’t believe that actually turned out well.” Ajax was in disbelief.
“Well of course it worked. I’m a genius.......Wait you were in on this too?” The asked each other in unison.
“If only it were that easy.” Keqing thought to herself.
Shortly after. Everyone made their way home. Vlad and Nadia left with their hands intertwined. The twins were arguing with each other about who gave better advice while Ajax spoked with Keqing.
“So what’s the next plan.” Keqing asked.
“I got something planned for tomorrow if you think you’re up for it. Ajax answered.
“I think tomorrow is good.”
“”Alright. Hope your fine with horror movies.”
“Huh?”
Ajax left quickly before she could get an answered.
“I don’t think I like where this is going.” Keqing said to herself as she made her way home.
~~End of part 5~~