Chapter Text
Having a family filled with famed musicians and actors can be hard sometimes. Aether can attest to that. He not only rarely sees his siblings, but even his bestfriends are busy with their full schedules. His cousins are mostly found sleeping on the couch whenever he comes back to their two-floored apartment after he's done with his overtimes and night shifts. Don't even get him started on how many times he had to carry his twin sister to her bedroom despite being having a weak body, he lost count of it after the few months Lumine became an idol. Valeris and Paimon are no exception as well. Most often then not, Aether would find the both of them sprawled on the table or the kitchen's countertops, a mess of notebooks filled to the brim with ideas for their next show or video. He had to buy a lot of comforters and blankets since all of his family and friends love to bury in them. But despite their busy schedules and stressful lifestyles, they still provide time to spend with Aether and each other.
Aether's body is weak. Having gone through multiple procedures ever since he was a child, Aether has an abundance of medicines and vitamins stored within his home in order to prevent further difficulties from entering his body. Not to mention Aether is prone to anxiety attacks and panic attacks. All of it having started after the car crash that caused his parent's death and his kidnapping. Both Lumine and Dainsleif weren't there during the kidnap and accident, which Aether is thankful for. He couldn't bare if both his older siblings went through it like he did. The loss of his parents coupled with the injuries he received during the accident and the trauma he went through the kidnapping gave an immense backlash on Aether, almost killing himself as well at how his panic attack reacted. It took years for Aether to go outside and even now, Aether only ever goes out for his work and to shop for his necessities, never going to parties and such. This makes his family and friends overprotective of him, knowing that he had undergo through that in such a young age.
"I'll leave the closing of the shop to you, Percy! Have a good night!" Aether shouted to his coworker as he closed the door and went down the stairway to see both Dainsleif and Lumine waiting for him.
"Hey guys! Let's head home now, shall we ?" Aether hugged both his siblings and began to walk towards their shared apartment. Lumine grabbed Aether's arm and snuggled into it, him petting her hair as Dainsleif lead them home.
"How's your day, Lumine? Anything new to share with your "chaotic" group ?" Aether asked, shaking Lumine slightly to wake her up.
"Hmm... there wasn't much that happened today. Just the usual bickering, food fights and playful choreography." Lumine murmured as she snuggled in once more.
"What about you, Dain? Any thing happened within your band or Kaeya ?" Lumine laughed at his question while Dainsleif blushed a deep red and snarled slightly. Confused and curious, Aether looked at Lumine for answers, her only cackling more and shook her head, refusing to answer him.
"Nothing much... just that Kaeya forced me to kiss him in public journalists because he was annoying..." Dainsleif said, the end being a whisper.
Aether looked at him in shock and he too laughed at his brother's demise. "He must've enjoyed that, showing your relationship to the news reporters and writers. Articles be flooding once more dear brother." Aether smirked, smiling in his brother's pain.
Dainsleif only growled and hastily went ahead, opening the door and heading straight to the elevator, muttering curses and "stupid siblings". Both the twins followed him inside the elevator, smiling bashfully and Lumine pressed the floor number of their apartment. Soon enough, both of them arrived to their humble abode and both his siblings immediately flopped on the couch, cuddling with the blankets strewn across it.
Their home was nothing short of comfortable. The overall aura that it exudes was calming and homey, not to mention the view their house provides is heaven. Because their home is two floors, they had the highest floor all to themselves and they renovated it to their standards. The place has 5 bedrooms, 4 of them on the 2nd floor while the last remains near the living room. All of them occupy the 2nd floor bedrooms, Klee and Albedo both share one, located on the left side of the floor while Valeris and Paimon share another, across from Albedo and Klee's room. Dainsleif occupys the one next bedroom beside the cousins, while the twins share a room across from him. The last one remains empty as a guest bedroom, near the living room.
There are 3 comfort rooms, two on the 1st floor and one on the 2nd floor. Beside the guest bedroom, the office where Aether works as an editor is located, connecting it to the living room, kitchen and dinning area. Paimon's area for her mukbang show is near Aether's connecting also. All three living spaces have been conjoined, making the area a lot more spacious. All in all, their house is perfect for them.
" Oh by the way Aether, can I request something of you later ?" Dainsleif asked, rubbing his eyes as he head straight to the bathroom on the 1st floor.
"Sure !" Aether called out, as he headed to the kitchen, readying it for the dinner he was about to make. Lumine wandered back to both of their bedroom and holed herself within there. Paimon was still within her own office where she films herself for her videos, and it won't end until 7:30, where both Albedo and Klee would be home. Valeris wouldn't arrive until 8:00 or later with how much she much of a workaholic she is.
By 9:30 pm, everyone is now tucked in within their rooms, sleeping early in order to wake up early for their busy schedules. Except for Dainsleif and Aether, both out on the balcony enjoying the breeze and the view.
"So, what is it that you wanted to request for, Dain ?" Aether was curious, Dainsleif never asked for anything and only does it when he truly needs help.
"You know how I own a radio show, that I host along with Kaeya ?" Aether nodded. "Well, with the racket he caused today, Jean and Ningguang decided to ... ban him tomorrow from his schedule." Dainsleif rolled his eyes, annoyed yet fond of his boyfriend's antics.
Aether knew what his elder brother wanted to ask, but his past trauma prohibited him from uttering the question. Dainsleif must've seen his wariness and hesitation, already knowing what Aether was thinking. Dain took Aether's left arm and hugged him one-sidely, offering whatever comfort he can provide to ease his younger brother's doubt.
"It's quite alright if you don't want to, I can ask either Lumine or Valeris to sub, maybe even the other members. No need to force yourself out of your comfort zone, Aether." Dainsleif reassured. But Aether wan't able to listen.
It was true that Dain's request of him subbing for Kaeya was out of his normalized standards, stress beginning to form within his mind, but at the same time, it was rare for Dain to ask requests, often Aether the one to ask for help. Aether wanted to help his older brother, at the same time, prove to himself that his past trauma isn't affecting him anymore. True, it isn't easy for anyone to cope with what happened to him, but it's been 7 years and honestly, Aether was itching to leave and expand his horizons. Good thing tomorrow was his rest day, having already received payments from both his offline and online jobs.
Having done with the debate within his head, Aether fully hugged his older brother and quietly whispered "Yes". Dainsleif didn't seem to have heard it before so Aether cleared his throat and spoke in a clear yet timid voice, "Sure, I'll sub for Kaeya and host the radio show with you tomorrow."
Dain's eyes widened, surprised by his younger's answer before breaking into a small smile, though worry is clear in his vibrant sea blue eyes. "Are you sure about it ?" Dainsleif asked, making sure.
Aether let out a tiny laugh and responded, "As long as my face isn't shown and recorded, I can manage."
Dain looked happy and ruffled his hair, messing with his braid. "Get some sleep, I'll pick you up tomorrow approximately 9:30 am. Can't have you be late on set for the 1st time, dear brother." Dain said, heading back inside to rest up for his hectic schedule tomorrow. Aether nodded, taking one last look outside of his veranda before locking it up and heading inside, excited and nervous for the day to come.