Chapter Text
"This location is devoid of any kinds of creature and people for now. Let's hide here for a while." Dainsleif stated before sighing in relief as he combed his messy blond hair, staring worriedly at his shivering companion.
"...I'm so sorry, Dain. It– it's all my fault. If only I didn't eat the pudding or even just read the label warning before eating it then..." Aether mutters guiltily, bowing his head to keep himself from seeing the other man's expression.
He probably hates me now, Aether thought sadly, his heart beats painfully in his chest, blood rushing through him as the thought of being hated by the man in front of him came into his mind.
But, it's not like he can truly blame Dainsleif for hating him now.
Of course, how can he blame the other man for that? After all, if only he's more careful– more vigilant...less stupid, less trusting, then they wouldn't be in this stupid situation. If only... if only he's just a bit smarter like Lumi–
Like her.
Aether bit his lips frustratedly, clenching his fists to keep himself from doing something that may or may not embarrassed him. Like, you know, cry.
Dainsleif was silent for a moment, just staring at the guilty blond thoughtfully. Sea-Blue eyes trained to the bowed form of the man in front of him, he shook his head before sighing fondly and clicking his tongue to get the smaller blond's attention, "Was it delicious?"
Not expecting that, the smaller blond immediately raised his head and blinked his golden eyes slowly at the taller male, confused at the sudden question.
The two blonds just stared at each other for a moment.
Seeing the taller blond inclined his head fondly at him. Confused and flustered at the soft stare that is focused on his shivering form, Aether answered, voice filled with hesitance.
"...Yes...?"
Why is he asking me this? Aether wonders, pursing his lips adorably.
Dainsleif watched the smaller blond tilt his head to the side in bafflement, he bit his lower lip harshly to keep himself from doing something inappropriate to the adorable blond.
"As long as you enjoyed eating that pudding, this situation we are currently in does not bother me."
Aether's golden eyes widened, flushing furiously as he tried to think of a good reply to that kind answer from the other man.
Amused at the flustered look on the smaller blond's face, the taller blond just shook his head, a bit helplessly, but also lovingly, "According to that label, the excess pheromone production should only last for 24 hours." Dainsleif hums, subtly glancing at the still flustered smaller blond, "While we're waiting for the effects of the pudding to wear off, I'll protect you from any person that you attract."
Hearing that fond declaration from the taller male, Aether just ended up becoming more flustered before sighing gratefully and walking again to follow Dainsleif.
After a few minutes of walking, as he was glancing around, the smaller blond realized that he kind of recognizes the enormous rock formations that surrounds the two of them.
His eyes widened in panic upon realizing that this location is frequently visited by some people he doesn't want to see right now. Aether was about to persuade the other male to vacate the area when a deep voice filled with warmth and affection spoke and caught his attention.
"It's been quite a while, I didn't expect that I'll see you here, Aether."
The blond raised his head nervously, "...Zhongli?"
Should they start running now? The two blonds thought as they glanced at each other in panic.
He hasn't smelled me yet, there's still time–!
But before they could even leave. The two blonds noticed the sudden widening of the brunet's eyes as he took a subtle sniff, "Why don't we spend some time together, Aether? Just the two of us. You've been quite busy running around Inazuma and I've been missing your presence."
Oh, dear... they have to leave.
"It's strange, you're always in my mind these days but I can't seem to completely get you out of my head this time for some reason." The former Archon wonders as he looked at the smaller blond softly.
That's it, Dainsleif thought. I'll take him away.
The two of them was about to flee when an arm suddenly wrapped around Aether's slim waist.
"Why, hello there, Comrade! You looked like you're in a rush!"
Childe?! Aether mentally screamed, eyes filled with unbridled horror as he looked at the arms around his waist.What is he doing here?!
Childe laughs, "Why does it seems like you're not that happy to see me, Comrade?"
The smaller blond sent his protector for the day a look screaming for help.
"But that's impossible, right? After all, our relationship is something that no one can reach and replicate..." The blond squirms as the arms around his waist tightened, making it difficult for him to escape.
"I don't have people to hunt right now so why don't we eat some lunch together?"
Panicking at the continuous tightening of the arms around him, Aether was about to break the ginger's arm to escape when the former Archon spoke, "Don't be ridiculous, Childe. Get away from Aether. You're making him uncomfortable."
The harbinger looked at former Archon threateningly, "Even if it's you, xiangsheng, I will not hesitate to take you down."
"You two are nothing but eyesores," Dainsleif frowns, blankly staring at the two men who's now playing a tug-of-war with Aether playing as the rope.
"Let go, xiangsheng!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that. You are the one who needs to let go. Can't you see? You're hurting him."
"Haha, where did you learn how to say a joke, xiangsheng! Me? Hurting my precious comrade? Impossible."
"Let go–ah! Stop! Both of you are hurting–ow! –" The smaller blond screams as the two tugs at his arms. "What are we–ack going to do with them, Dain– THAT HURTS YOU STUPID GINGER! ENOUGH!"
Seeing the smaller blond in pain, Dainsleif's eyes darkens, "Explaining something to those two is useless..."
While the two men are distracted with the pitiful blond, Dainsleif used his abyss powers to blasted them away.
"I'm afraid I can't let you have him." Was Dainsleif's last words for the two before he grabbed Aether and opened a portal.
"Who– give Comrade back!"
"Aether!"
The moment the two of them landed, Aether immediately curled his body in a fetal position, rubbing his arms softly as he tried not to cry at the stupidity of the situation they are in.
Why me? Aether mentally sobbed.
"It's too dangerous to stay in Liyue. And I doubt your teapot will be any better." Dainsleif patted the smaller blond's head, his tone became more gentle as the other man stiffened at the thought of his teapot.
The taller man sighs, “You're probably too exhausted and stressed out now. Let's just rest here for a moment before we move to our next location.”
With a grave voice, the Aether raised his head up, eyes glistening with unshed tears, "This is worst day of my life..."
Dain stared him down for a moment, before placing a single hand on his cheek. His sea-blue eyes was intense, "Remember what I've said earlier?"
"...Yes...?" The smaller blond responded meekly.
The taller man looks pleased, "I will protect you as long as you need me. There's no need to worry anymore,” Dainsleif said, hugging the smaller man tightly. “I won’t ever let anyone hurt you.”
After spending a few minutes of hugging each other, the two started their journey for a safe place to hide once again.
Thanks to Dainsleif's diligence and hard work, despite the never ending headaches of being chased by men and women alike, other than a few close calls from some samurais that the smaller blond attracts, their journey for Dainsleif's home remains uneventful.
"I once built an underground house near the Chinju Forest. I'm pretty sure that we'll be safe there since it's location is quite hidden," Dainsleif ran his fingers through his hair tiredly. "As long as no one bothers us on our way to–"
"...Aether!"
"...It looks like I spoke too soon." Dainsleif snarled when two men suddenly plunged in front of them.
Aether just sighed helplessly at his companion and protector for the day, patting the other's back gently as he turned his body towards the two men.
"Hey, Aether! Are you hungry? I just finished a few of my duties for the day and I'm pretty hungry. Let's go eat! I'll treat you!"
"Fufu, hello there, little traveler. I recently bought some new books, why don't we read it together in my room?"
The two blonds just sighed, defeated, and waited for the two to start fighting for the smaller blond.
Just like the few people they encountered, the two immediately starts fighting.
"Don't you have large stacks of paperwork in your study room, Young Master?" Thoma inquires, smiling too brightly.
"I could say the same thing to you, dearest Thoma," The head of the Kamisato Clan says, smiling serenely. "From what I can remember... there are still lots of chores that you need to finish for the day."
"What do you mean, Young Master? My break has been approved by the Young Lady herself. If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself."
"Hmph, there's no need for that. As the head of the Kamisato Clan, it is within my power to order you to go back to your duties."
"Oh please, don't be like that, Young Master. Remember, I'm the one who oversees your meals."
"Oh my, is that a threat I'm hearing from you, Thoma?"
"A threat? How could I? It's just a little reminder, Young Master."
Dainsleif crossed his arms to his chest, staring balefully at the two men using his as a shield to keep the two from getting the smaller blond behind him, "They've been lured here by the pheromones."
Tired of running around and dealing with idiots, "Dain, please do something." Aether pleaded, pinching the bridge of his nose in exhaustion as he looked at his friends and prayed that two wouldn't be much of an annoyance.
As much as he adores the two of them, he's too exhausted to deal with them.
He can easily deal with the two of them, but after being flirted with and chased by rabid men and women.... the level of his exhaustion is off the roof.
Seriously? Being popular sure is annoying.
Dainsleif stared at the smaller blond, eyes softening at the obvious exhaustion displayed on the other's face. "Leave it to me."
Before they could even start using their weapons to assert dominance, Thoma and Ayato blinked slowly when their body suddenly felt weightless. Two pairs of eyes widening in both panic and confusion upon seeing a dark portal suddenly appear beneath them.
"Hm? Oh, it looks like we're sinking, Thoma."
"What?! W–wait! Aether!"
"Finally," The taller male heaves a sigh of relief upon reaching the hidden entrance of his house. He immediately ushers the smaller blond inside his house. "I feel bad for using my abyss powers on them, but they sure are starting to become annoying."
While they were walking inside the spacious house, the smaller blond remained silent as the taller man guides him towards his room. Golden eyes filled with awe as looked at the large amount of unknown gadgets that litters the other man's house.
"Oh, we're here. Do you want to rest for a bit?"
Distracted by the elegant but mysterious design of the other man's house, it took Aether moment to realize that Dainsleif was waiting for an answer.
Embarrassed at being caught not listening, the blond shyly looked away before responding. “Yes...”
Dainsleif looks pleased, he stood behind his smaller companion and waited for him to open the door.
Aether reluctantly pushed the door open and stepped in, heading towards the bed to rest his aching body.
"You can stay here until the pudding's effect wears off." Dainsleif says, removing his cape and joining the resting traveler on his bed.
They’re both silent for a couple minutes, lost in their own thoughts as they rest on Dainsleif's comfortable bed.
"This day is just too tiring. Thank goodness you're not affected by the pudding's effect, Dain." The smaller blond broke the silence, giving Dain a small smile.
Dainsleif blinked, tilting his head to the side in curiosity, "Do I look unaffected to you, Aether?" He asks, giving the other blond a look filled with amusement. "In that case, I'm an excellent actor."
He took Aether's hand and held it carefully, as if those hands are fragile and aren't capable of taking down gods and monsters alike, "Honestly? I have an urge to lock you away and keep you to myself for all eternity."
Aether froze, eyes wide and filled with uncertainty and a little bit of fear as he stare at the man beside him.
Dainsleif's blue eyes are dark and filled with possessiveness, lips curled into scheming smirk that instill absolute fear in Aether's mind.
"Don't be afraid. I promised you that I would never do that." The taller man chuckles.
There was silence for a few seconds, wondering if he should do something to break the uncomfortable silence between the two of them. In the end, the smaller blond smiled weakly, "I– thank you, Dain."
The taller man just shook his head, eyes brightening as he smiles affectionately, "No need to thank me. Your sister would literally kill me if I even dare touch a single strand of your hair."
Aether shook his head, "I know. Since we'll be hiding here for quite a while, why don't you tell me what you've been doing these days."
The smaller blond hid in Dainsleif's room until the effects of the pudding wore off. The next day–
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience that I caused all of you yesterday." Aether coughs, scratching the back of his neck. "And since 24 hours have passed, so I'm back to norm–"
A small figure immediately rushed towards the small blond, unintentionally choking the poor traveler with the way that the other man was hugging him by the neck.
"Gorou," Thoma stuttered, mildly horrified.
"My, My, what in the world..." Ayato drawls as he covers the lower part of his face with his fan while grabbing the resistance general's collar with his other hand.
"How uncouth." Childe states blankly, dead eyes filled with malicious intent as he glare at the random man who hugged his comrade.
"Hey... you don't have to grab me by the collar like that–"
"Fufu, stop attacking the traveler first and I'll let you go."
"What's going on? The effects should have ended after 24 hours, right?" Diluc asks, frowning at the puppy-like general.
"Indeed. That is most strange..." Zhongli murmurs, crossing his arms to his chest.
They all watched as Gorou flails and tried his best to reach the frowning traveler.
Ayato hums thoughtfully, staring at the resistance general, "I think... Gorou's just happy that Aether invited him too." He says while smiling amusedly.
"Seriously? Isn't it obvious?" Gorou huffs, putting his hands on his hip.
Everyone simultaneously released a sigh of relief.
"That's it? Don't scare us like that." Kaeya chuckles, leaning his face on his palm.
"I'm sorry that I kept hiding and running away from you all yesterday," Aether starts, grinning at his friends. "As an apology, I've cooked a lot of your favorite dishes for all of you."
"...!" Gorou's tail wagged as he looked at large amount food in front of him. "I'm pretty sure I'll be able to defeat everyone, even the Raiden Shogun, once I eat this!"
"Thank you for this, Aether." Albedo smiles gratefully on his seat.
"Oh my, cooking for me? Why don't you just become wife?" Kaeya smirks as sipped his wine lazily, his body radiating with sensual energy.
"Cooking side by side with comrade everyday? Not bad... not bad at all!"
The traveler just rolled his eyes at the silliness of his friends before turning his body towards Dainsleif.
"This is for you, Dain. I'm really thankful for the protection that you gave me yesterday. Also, I really wanted to let you have a taste of that pudding so I asked the person that I saved yesterday to give me the recipe. Don't worry, I didn't add that ingredient that." Aether says while blushing furiously as he handed the plate of delicious pudding to a bewildered Dain.
Dainsleif just blinked before accepting the pudding that the adorable blond made, "Mhm, I'm glad that it was over." He sighs, as he tapped his fingers on the wooden table. Eyes filled with nothing but love and adoration as he thanked the giggling blond beside him.
Despite his jealousy and the unwillingness to agree to the words of the suspicious man, Diluc knows that the other man was right, he raised his glass of grape juice and nodded tersely, "I think we can all agree to that."
And just like that, peace has settled in Aether's unofficial harem.