Archive of Our Own

Before they were known as the Starborn Saviors , the bringers of the New Era - the Vision-less Era -, they were simply stardust. Nameless, shapeless, and yet beautiful. Still conscious somewhere deep inside, though to what extent it was impossible to tell.

Then they were brought to life; split from one star into two; into Aether, into Lumine.

“Your purpose is to usher in a new Era.” They were told upon being brought into existence, before they even had an understanding deeper than the fact that they were two halves of one whole. “Celestia has deemed humanity unworthy of possessing visions. You will overthrow the Tyrants who run the land of Tayvet and dispose of all who possess them. Your vessels will harness the powers of the Previous Era and you will remain the overseers, forever to keep the peace of the new land.”

Amber-eyes bore down on the two stars, long hair trailing from the deity’s head in wisps of the purest white, near-blinding in its brilliance. She lifted her hands and released them from her palms, surrounding them in geometric cubes gleaming like fallen meteors. When at last they’d awakened, it was to the sight of their new forms - two twins with golden-starlight hair and constellations for eyes. Lumine’s form was dainty and her hair was short, while Aether was lean with hair that trailed down his back in its length. They studied themselves and then each other in awe, testing their newfound limbs and the foreign wonder of being able to feel. Above them, two new constellations shone to mark their birth into the world. Beneath them, the vast expanse of their destination twinkled invitingly, promising countless adventures with its oceans and hues of green and gold alike. 

“Go now. Fulfill your duty.”

Two sets of golden eyes met each other in an unspoken understanding. Clasping each other’s hands, they fell, trailing stardust in their wake.

The first lessons they learned about their promised land involved the basics of blending in with humanity. Mobility. Food. Rest. Emotions. 

And perhaps, most notably, cruelty and the art of war. 

In a land filled with harsh winds and the constant, jarring tumble of meteors that were deafened only by the volcanic spews of fire, the ceaseless crackle of lightning and an ocean which threatened to swallow them whole, it was impossible to know anything but ruthlessness. If they were mortals, their souls would undoubtedly be tainted by a bitterness that rivaled the corrupt Archons of the land. 

Mercifully, they were made of stardust. For every emotion and gesture and swing they parrotted back at every foe and victim alike, in the end they remained pure and driven only by their duty. Together they trained and together they planned, gathering information and allies alike as they overthrew one Archon after another, as they slayed one vision user after the next. There could be no exceptions, not when they were bound by the Unknown God, no survivors even if mortal blood stained their hands and human cries filled the stagnant air with the scent of copper close behind. It burned to breathe, but then stars had no need to breathe anyways, and so the twins carried on. 

Lumine, who was every bit luminescent in her prowess for combat and social skills alike, took the regions of Pyro, Hydro and Electro. Aether, who naturally fell into the role of the reserved strategist, took the regions of Anemo, Dendro and Geo. Neither twin bothered to remember the individual names of the regions, for what was the point when their goal was a single united land? It was an uneven distribution of course, but one which Aether couldn’t dissuade his sister from. For all the mortals he denied of mercy should they show an elemental trace, his other half was one the blond can never say no to. 

“It’s fine.” She assured  him, drenched in a deep crimson which perpetually stained their silken robes as they took a momentary rest. “ Don’t underestimate my strength, little brother! Without my leadership, we would never have made it this far!”

She was right, of course, so Aether fondly shook his head and assented. Age and Time held little meaning to divine twins such as them, but still he indulged Lumine in her pretense of being ‘his big sister’. It helped her in a way Aether didn’t quite understand, as he maintained his distance from mortals and their notions. To him, their home would always be the sky above, even if his sister insisted there was a home to be made amongst the ground beneath them as well. When they could spare a moment of rest, she told him of what it meant to care and to love and to be humane, because they couldn’t afford to make the same mistakes as the Gods who lay in the graveyard of their making. 

…

He learned far too late that cruelty and care were two sides of the same coin and that, like the Archons who fell to their corrupted love, stars could fall as well.

“Aether. I don’t want to kill them anymore.” 

She stood before him, her shoulders trembling from the weighted guilt of countless lives. It scared him, to see her so fragile, to see Lumine’s eyes so dulled and filled with fear and a heaving sense of self-hatred. Carefully, quietly, he stepped closer and grasped her hand, willing the natural connection of their halves to soothe her troubled mind. 

“...I don’t understand, Lumine. We must; it’s our duty.”

The words came out hushed, secretive, for beneath them people flurried to and fro as they scavenged to rebuild a new Capitol, to recover from the bloodshed of the past Era and to elect the statues of the Starborn Saviors. It felt as though centuries had passed since they first set foot into the tumultuous climate of the land. 

Lumine shook her head, her eyes still haunted.

“They’re...people, Aether. They have families - mothers, fathers, siblings .”

Aether’s frown deepened, struggling to comprehend the melancholy in his sister’s eyes.

“They have visions.”

“Why must I kill them just for that? Aether, why must we steal their lives for being cursed with something beyond their control?”

His grip tightened when she began to tremble in his hold, her voice pitching hysterically while tears threatened to break from her lids. Though Aether didn’t understand much about human emotions, the agony gripping his sister’s heart ached as if it were his own and he faltered, struggling to form a response. All he could do was lean forward and rest his forehead against hers, projecting visions of the stars above, of their home. Even that failed to calm her fully, but still she rested against him and sniffled gratefully.

“I’m sorry..”She whispered, and the exhaustion and misery in her voice caused water to build behind his own eyes. They were two halves of one whole, so Aether felt it better than anyone when she shattered, when a fragment of her battle-worn self broke off into the night sky. 

“What does this mean?” He asked, terrified. “What will happen to you? You...you cannot reject your duty.”The words stemmed from fact rather than fear - they were brought into creation, into consciousness for this sole purpose, and had known it as easily as they knew to breathe, to walk, to eat. If Celestia regarded Lumine as unworthy to fulfill her duty, there was nothing stopping the Unknown God from demanding her eradication too.

“...I don’t know.”She gripped the hold he had over her hand and their palms linked together naturally. His sister was every bit as terrified of the consequences, but he knew she couldn’t be swayed from her decision and he couldn’t bear to convince her otherwise - to subject his other half to an agony and regret filled existence. No, Aether loved Lumine too much for that. 

“I love you too, brother.” She said surely, defeatedly, as if she’d long awaited this end. Aether smiled bitterly as the strange water behind his eyes finally broke free and spilled down his cheek.

“ Stay. Stay with me.”He begged. She smiled back and said nothing, holding him tightly as their cries filled the air.

She died in his arms two days later, resting on a bed of her favorite flowers. 

Her body faded into sparkles and drifted into the night sky, once more to be reunited with the galaxy they called their home. A rare and merciful allowance by the heavens above, as if by laying her to rest they could repay the blood which they’d forced on her hands.

Aether tried to follow.

He flew, flew as high as he could with the wings gifted to them by Celestia, uncaring even as the lack of oxygen dragged at his fatigued body and clouded his vision.

He fell, fell deep and far and back down when they were torn from his back by sharp nails and the piercing glare of amber eyes. 

“You don’t get to neglect your duty.” She said, her tone as callous and indifferent as the day he and his sister were born. “Do as you’re told or you may never be reunited.”

He cried, but it was hollow and empty and unheard. There were no arms to hold him this time, no warmth to reassure him he had a home. 

“Lumine.” He begged. “Lumine!”

There was no response.

Loss was a natural part of Tayvet’s life cycle, and so life carried on. 

Humanity continued in its efforts to rebuild itself while Aether shouldered the burden of all the previous Archon’s powers alone. After failing countless times in his efforts to escape and to return to his sister, holding her half of the designated elements almost felt comforting, in the bleak sort of way that memorabilia often did when associated with a deceased loved one. It also meant caring for the numerous mortals occupying Tayvet’s lands, which didn’t come easily to him. At first he tried to emulate her appearance and steadfast enthusiasm, but he could feel when he was lacking (which was always. Aether could never be Lumine, no matter how much he wished he was). Eventually he gave up in his efforts to mingle with the people directly and instead fixated on controlling the painfully overwhelming amount of power and responsibility in his possession. At least this way, he didn’t have to hurt anyone; no one needed to be killed if he didn’t give anyone a vision.

…

‘Are you proud of me, Lumi?’

He thought of her everyday. He talked to the stars every night, hoping one day his words would reach her. 

‘Do you get lonely up there? Do you miss me too?’  

They twinkled in response and Aether smiled wryly. 

“I’m trying you know...to understand them better.” A hushed whisper, one the blond vocalized if only to fill the suffocating quiet of his sister’s absence. Gold eyes flickered upwards, a pale hand reaching as if to wrap around the faraway constellations.

“I still have to kill them if they show they have visions but...well, I can turn a blind eye to what they do in their dwellings. Like you said, they have families. Losing them would be...anyways. I think you’d be proud of me.”

His chest ached as the vivid illusion of Lumine’s kind smile filled his mind, the phantom of her hand ruffling his hair fondly. In reality he knew it was only the wind responding to his whimsical fantasies.

“You’ve come so far!”

Aether breathed in. Beneath him, the ground rumbled through his body like a second heart while the wind tugged at his hair. Drops of rain soaked into his robes in a feeble attempt to wash out faded stains of blood. His skin burned where they rested and the ground closest to his fingertips was singed even as his knuckles crackled with electricity. 

He was all of the land, living and breathing, and could feel every life form across all the regions if he wanted to. (He didn’t. It was overwhelming. Maybe if Lumine was here it’d be different).

He was the singular God, the protector of all Visions as delegated by Celestia. 

Aether would trade it all to see her again.

“I’ve come far.” He echoed. “But still not far enough to reach you.” 

...

The silence which followed hurts something terrible and Aether cracked, his composed facade falling to pieces.

Even decades since their separation, the tears stung just as bitterly and his cries echoed just as emptily. 

"I miss you. Lumine, Lumine- I miss you.”

Still, there was no one to console him.

Life carried on as humanity designated more capitals amongst themselves and re-established borders. By now it had been years since a God had been seen, and the proudly elected statues of the Starborn Saviours had their finer details weathered away. Aether found he didn’t mind the change - his statues now resembled Lumine and it was the least he could do to show her his love. To remind her that while people’s prayers might only reach his ears, their offerings and love were all reserved for her grace and excellence. 

Still, he didn’t neglect them either. In times of hardship (because Visions or not, Aether had learned conflict is inevitable), he’d hide himself amongst them and rumors of miracles would float about the lands, causing people to praise Celestia for their generosity. He listened with a bitter smile and wondered what they’d say if they were shackled to this world like he was.

It was a small mercy that his bodily needs weren’t as urgent as mortals because Aether didn’t know sleep. Watching over Lumine’s constellation aside, it was impossible to maintain control over all corners of such a vast land no matter how hard he tried. He studied countless spells and seals, tried desperately to train his body to accept the teeming power residing inside - but he failed (and for once he didn’t blame himself, because the power of Seven Archons was never meant for any one person, divine or otherwise). It leaked from his body and seeped into the ground when the grief grew too strong to bear, spreading itself through the rain which showered the lands and into the souls of the bitter and deranged.

Seven centuries after the twins first descended to Tayvet, the first monsters began to surface. Aether, because he was simultaneously everything and everywhere and nowhere, immediately knew of their existence.

‘Hilichurls.’

He readied his sword.

They were weak, easily defeated creatures for the most part, and for a while he managed to hide their existence from the humans entirely. The ceaseless stream of their blood soothed his mind with its nostalgia and sometimes he imagined Lumine at his side, slaying them down to protect the people she so dearly loved.

It worked, for a while.

Then the Leylines and Samachurls appeared and the human’s crops began to be infiltrated by Slimes. Most people were terrified and defenseless, ignorant to the art of combat they’d never needed to learn before due to the relative peace throughout the land. Aether cursed his weakness and fought harder, longer, never resting enough to even glance at the stars. He couldn’t afford to - the soldiers of the regions could only hold off so many monsters without elemental reactions at their disposal, especially when some of the monstrosities became immune to physical attacks. The first casualty occured. Then the second. The weather roiled with Aether’s growing frustrations as clouds enveloped the sky, hiding the shame of his failure from the eyes of Celestia and his sister.

(He forgot that stars were all-seeing and that Lumine, though lightyears away, still loved and worried about her brother all the same. A millennia after the twin’s first descent to Tayvet, the people of the land witnessed their first meteor shower. The stars glimmered beautifully, leaving trails the colors of rainbows as they crashed. Seven different colors for seven different regions). 

Aether, being a star himself and the God of the land, caught sight of them while in Mondstat. Swiftly beheading the hilichurls he’d been battling, he watched them helplessly and wondered what monstrosity he’d created this time. As if hearing his thoughts, the nearest meteor veered in its course and towards Springvale. Aether took off immediately, eyes never breaking from the teal trail the star left behind. Gasping for breath as he ran, fear crept up the twin’s veins as he felt the ground vibrate slightly with its impact. He prayed no one had been hurt and bid his legs to work faster, cursing his lack of wings. 

By the time he broke past the thick forest surrounding the small village and into a clearing, the trail had long faded. Scanning the area revealed an overturned cart and the muffled sound of crying, the scent of blood nauseously piercing the air. Stepping closer revealed the gruesome remains of a dead couple, terror etched in the corners of their taut faces. Ignoring the surrounding pool of crimson as he stepped closer, Aether checked their pulse and breathing just to be certain. Nothing. He moved on, seeking the source of the muffled crying. Seeing something shift from the corner of his eyes, Aether walked a few feet ahead of the broken cart and its unfortunate occupants and found himself staring down at a small bundle. The sound of muffled crying grew louder as he hesitantly lowered himself to his knees and reached out to unveil the creature behind the white fabric. 

‘Oh.’

Golden eyes blinked in surprise at the tiny baby wrapped in the fabric. A quick scan of its skin and limbs revealed it to be undeniably human, though it was a wonder how it survived. Then, snapping himself out of his thoughts as the crying continued, the blond gently reached forward and cradled the child before standing. The baby, as if realizing it was in the presence of a God, ceased its crying momentarily and hiccuped, babbling unintelligibly. Aether stared at the wrinkly bundle of flesh in his arms and pale eyes stared back, undeveloped due to the baby’s young age. A curious hand reached upwards towards blond hair and Aether tilted his head obligingly, causing a gurgle to spout from the baby’s lips as it successfully snatched a strand. When the baby proceeded to bring the strand to its mouth and slobbered all over it, Aether finally grimaced and returned his attention to his surroundings in an attempt to ignore the disgusting mortal offspring. He could only assume the child belonged to the dead couple, and some of his irritation faded as he glanced down at the baby again.

‘To lose your parents so young...I’m sorry, little one. If I’d been faster then maybe…’ He shook away the thought. ‘ No, there’s no point dwelling on that. What matters now is getting you to safety.’Aether had seen firsthand how fragile humans could be, and the baby in his arms was no exception. Biting his lip in thought, the twin decided to drop the baby off at the Springvale village. Since the regions of Anemo and Geo had been his domain from the start, the blond kept a closer eye on their citizens and knew there was a couple who’d had a baby not long ago after trying for many years. With their kindness, he was sure the new child would be welcomed into a loving home with open arms. Fate decided, Aether shielded the baby’s eyes from the gruesome scene and began his slow trek to its new home. Before leaving, he gave a final once-over of the land, his mouth pulled into a thoughtful frown. 

‘ That meteor definitely landed here...but the damage doesn’t add up. The cart would’ve been destroyed, not overturned, and those injuries looked closer to those caused by Hilichurl clubs than from being forcefully crushed. There’s no sign of an impact site either, so where is it? There’s no way it just disappeared..’

A quiet gurgle interrupted his thoughts and Aether looked down, grimacing when the baby began to tug at his hair and delight at his annoyed expression. For now, he’d focus on getting the human menace to safety before continuing his investigation.

Sneaking into the village with concerning ease (he’d have to keep a closer eye on Mondstat...the citizens had always been dangerously carefree), Aether allowed the wind to guide him to the correct house and smiled at the way the baby in his arms seems to delight in the feeling, happy giggles filling the quiet of the night. Leaving the wind currents to distract the child, the blond commanded the ground beneath his feet to elevate them up to the second story while the nearby flora supported their ascent and silently opened the window. A cradle was illuminated by the light of the moon, and inside it rested a baby boy deep in sleep. Aether could hear two other sets of breath from an adjacent room; the parents. 

“Alright little one, this is where we part. I’m sorry about what happened with your parents but...I’m sure your new family will love you very much.” With that hushed whisper, he placed a gentle kiss on the baby’s forehead before releasing his hold. Supported by his wind currents, the baby only giggled with wonder as the wind floated it into the room and gently placed it in the cradle with the other child. Watching as the child wriggled on its side to gurgle at him, Aether smiled and bid goodbye with a wave and a shower of stardust to ease the small mortal into a peaceful sleep.

“Rest well, the stars will watch over you.”

The window shut silently as the God disappeared, the ground and flora resuming their previous positions as though nothing had happened.

“Darling, darling, come quick!”

“What is it, dear?”

“There’s another baby sleeping with our Venti!”

“What?!”

“Come, come, you must look!”

“Well Celestia be damned, there is! How on earth did it get there?”

“I don’t know darling, but it seems to be a boy! Oh, look at how they’re cuddling so closely - it’s adorable!”

“Dearest, you should be more concerned...Is there anything missing? Did someone break in?”

“Oh, nevermind that! I’ve already checked and nothing’s amiss. But darling, what should we do with this child? Surely none of the other villagers would have left him here and it’d be cruel to throw out a helpless infant…”

“...Well, I suppose we’ll have to keep him then. You’ve always loved children and I’m sure our Venti wouldn’t mind a brother. But...what should we name him?”

“Hmm…” An airy giggle filled the air. “How about Barbatos, darling? I think it’d fit him wonderfully!”

“Barbatos and Venti ey? ...Yes, I suppose that suits him just fine.”

Despite the strange circumstances surrounding Barbatos’s appearance, the boy grew well into their tight-knit family. Shockingly, the two boys appeared to be identical twins - both with strikingly playful blue eyes and shoulder-length ebony hair. When their mother tried to give Venti a new haircut to differentiate them, Barbatos threw a fit and both boys whined at her until they had matching sets of braided hair. Their closeness was an endless source of amusement to the rest of the village, who watched as Barbatos trailed after and indulged in everything his younger brother did. When Venti showed an interest in playing the lyre, Barbatos had to learn it too, and when Venti softly admitted that Cecilias were his favorite flowers, Barbatos eagerly exclaimed that they were his favorite as well. Thankfully their taste in clothes differed as they grew older which allowed for some distinction, as Venti opted for muted and softer colors while Barbatos opted for flashy gold and green. One thing remained the same however - they were inseparable wherever they ventured and undeniably charming as they wriggled their way out of the havoc they wreaked.

Of course, there were also subtle differences in their temperament, as there are with all siblings. Though playfulness ran through both their veins, Venti had a slightly softer and more quiet disposition, at least until the question of injustice was involved. No one had expected the bard to bravely speak up when a few of the younger children had been bullied by some children from the visiting nation, firmly standing his ground as he called for peace between them. Barbatos had been, to no one’s surprise, his twin’s hype man while the standoff went on, energetically expressing his support while sending menacing glares to the opposing side as if daring them to try and hurt his brother. Barbatos was undeniably the louder of the two, and much more relentless and reckless in his mischievous endeavors compared to Venti’s characteristic gentle teasing. He loved his brother fiercely and was deeply protective over his twin whenever the other chose to intercept conflicts that Barbatos personally preferred to avoid.

“Geez, look at my brother standing up for people again! Ah, I’m so proud!~ But hey, do you always have to involve yourself with these things? I couldn’t bear it if you got hurt!”

Sparing his brother a small smile at the concern coated with light teasing, Venti shook his head, blue eyes flaring with determination.

“You worry too much, Barbatos - I’ll be fine! Besides, I’ve got you to protect me if anything goes wrong, right?”

Feeling his heart fill with warmth at his brother’s confidence, Barbatos flung himself forwards with a heartfelt cry, causing Venti to burst into giggles at his twin’s antics.

“Ah, such undying confidence! Of course I will - where Venti goes, Barbatos will follow-!”

Venti giggled again, his hands circling around Barbatos’s cape as he returned the embrace and spoke the next verse of their shared promise.

“-no matter the time, the place or day-”

“-where Barbatos goes, Venti will follow-”

“-till death and beyond, together we’ll stay!”

Then, laughing brightly, they tussled and rolled together in the fields beneath them, content to ignore the world and to rest in their shared happiness.

With a deep-set love for freedom, no one was surprised when Venti, mere months away from being the age to drink, expressed an interest in venturing outside the fields of Springvale.

“Think about it, Barbatos; Mom and Dad are getting older and performing for the villagers only gives so much money, but Mondstat is the capital! Tourists drop by all the time and there’s way more people there. Also, you can’t tell me you haven’t grown bored of this place - we venture closer to the outskirts everyday anyways!”

A frown painted Barbatos’s lips as he considered his brother’s enthusiasm. On one hand his twin was right - they needed to take care of their parents and Barbatos had never been one to deny his brother, especially when the question of adventure was involved. Only...life wasn’t that simple. From chatting up some of the visiting merchants, Barbatos knew for a fact that the city was a common target for monster attacks. That’s not to say Springvale was immune of course, but the scale and amountof monsters surrounding Mondstat and attempting to breach its walls were nothing to scoff at, and there had been numerous cases of travelers being attacked on their way to and from the city. The last thing he wanted was for Venti to be caught up in it all somehow - he loved his brother fiercely after all, and it was his duty to protect his identical twin. With a somber tone, he voiced his doubts and desperately tried to ignore the pout on his brother’s face.

“I don’t know Venti...you’ve heard of the Monster attacks just like I have - I want to help Mom and Dad too but what if something happens? What if you get hurt?”

Face softening at the concern in his brother’s tone, Venti stepped forward to meet Barbatos at eye level and gently clasped their hands together.

“Hey now, it’s not like you to be so serious! I’ll be fine, really. You’re coming with me after all, aren’t you? Remember our promise?”

Letting out a quiet sigh, Barbatos hesitantly nodded.

“Of course I do, just…”

“I know.” Venti’s tone was soft, his blue eyes shining with love for his sibling. “You’re worried because you care about me. I care about you too. That’s why it’ll be okay. We’ve got each other and Mom and Dad. Right now, it’s our turn to take care of them. So trust me on this, okay Barbatos?”

Contemplative blue met a matching pair of eyes flaring passionately. After another moment, Barbatos relented. His brother deserved to be happy and if push came to shove, he’d hold true to his promise and do whatever was necessary to protect his twin. 

“I trust you Venti. So!~ When are we heading off? I heard Dad mention there’s a pretty renowned Tavern there and I’ve always wanted to try some drinks..”

“Barbatos! There’s no way Mom’s going to approve!”

“Ehe~! Well that’s why you won’t say anything, and in return I’ll help you convince them about our trips to Mondstat.”

Venti, after a brief moment of hesitation, nodded his head in agreement and smiled.

“Deal. Now, charming twin duo powers, activate!”

“Yahoo!”

The first time they passed across the bridge leading to the city and beneath the archway, they were overwhelmed. Mondstat wasn’t particularly bustling or explosively colorful, but there was a steady stream of people and soldiers walking through its streets, and all manners of shops which contrast the muted colors and quiet nature of the Springvale they were so accustomed to. Even the streets, which weren’t particularly winding, confused them as they explored the city and scouted out a place to set up their business. Eventually they made their way to the Cathedral, their expressions turning to ones of awe as they spotted the infamous statue of the Starborn Saviourtowering over the plaza. Enclosed in a lengthy and hooded cloak, the intricate details of the statue were impossible to make out aside from the generous lashes and the kind quirk of their eyebrows as they held out their palm as if to offer aid. Their other hand held a sharp sword with faint carvings to imitate splashes of blood, while their back had a set of other-worldly wings. The Celestia-sent messenger and the Bringer of the New and Visionless Era - an Era now spanning over a millenia. Recent monster attacks aside, it was strange to think of Visions or Elements ever existing or being wielded by humans. Barbatos briefly wondered what element he would possess, but bid the thought away just as quickly. It wasn’t like the New Era happened without bloodshed, and even if he wasn’t particularly religious he was still not about to piss off a God with that kind of power by thinking useless things. Turning his attention to his brother, Barbatos tapped Venti on the arm and motioned to the center of the plaza.

“What about here? Seems as good of a place as any since there’s so many people here.”

Venti nodded his head and linked their hands together, eagerly leading the way as they grasped their lyres and began to cast their unique magic of sweet harmonies and lilting strings. It took no time at all for them to gather a crowd and Barbatos smiled at the way Venti’s enthusiasm caused the twin to break out from his typically reserved shell as he introduced them to the people of Mondstat.

‘This-’ He thought, standing in the spotlight with Venti beside him and the faint smell of dandelions wafting through the wind ‘-is freedom.’

It happened out of nowhere.

Really, it shouldn’t be so shocking because life was unpredictable and loss was one part of it.

Barbatos just never thought it would happen like this.

“Venti!” He screamed, eyes wide with terror and voice hoarse as he searched for his brother, frantically dragging his aching body through the woods. “Where are you?!”

They’d been making trips back and forth from Mondstat to Springvale for months without any incidents, even with the threat of monster attacks only increasing. So, when rumors of a new type of monster broke out, Barbatos had remained cautious but otherwise unconcerned - despite Mondstat’s free-spirited nature, the city took measures to protect its inhabitants and travelers, and had assigned them a guard to accompany the twins on their journey back. 

It was almost comical how they’d always made their way alone through the woods unbothered, but the one day they had a Knight for protection, they were attacked. Barbatos struggled to even remember the details of what happened. One second he’d been walking through the woods making idle conversation with the stranger and his brother, and the next he’d heard a strange and metallic *poof*, almost as if something had materialized behind them. He never had a chance to find out what it was, as a shard of ice had materialized and dropped on his head, his consciousness fading to the sound of Venti’s terrified scream and the Knight’s stuttered breath as he rushed forward. When he’d finally regained consciousness Barbatos had nearly vomited upon seeing the impaled body of the Knight before him, sword nowhere to be found and Venti missing. At first his mind had gone numb with fear as he presumed his brother to be dead, but searching the area yielded no trace of a second body. In fact, all Barbatos had managed to find was Venti’s lyre, haphazardly tossed into a bush but somehow intact unlike his own. 

“Venti!” A cough followed his desperate cry, voice strained from fruitlessly screaming the past few hours. His head pounded something terrible and touching the back of his scalp revealed the crusty texture of dried blood blending in with the black of his hair. Even still, Barbatos couldn’t stop. He had no idea where he was or how far he’d gone, but he needed to find Venti, neededto find his twin - he’d probably just run away or was hiding somewhere, he couldn’t be hurt, couldn’t be- couldn’t be-

“Venti…” The chirping of the birds around him faded into the white noise piercing his ears, his vision failing as Barbatos desperately tried to urge his fatigued body forward. He couldn’t pass out now, he had to find Venti. He had to. 

Leaning against a tree, Barbatos took short gasps of air as he pinched himself in a desperate bid to stay awake. Again, he opened his mouth to call out to his brother, only to find his throat had failed him. It felt horrendously dry and ached as he tried to draw enough saliva to swallow, only for the sensation to feel like sandpaper chafing against his tender insides. 

‘ Venti. Venti.’

The world swayed. His knees gave out.

‘Venti.’ 

He collapsed.

“You worry too much, Barbatos - I’ll be fine! Besides, I’ve got you to protect me if anything goes wrong, right?”

“Hey. Hey! Wake up. Barbatos, wake up!”

Eyes blurrily sliding open, the bard in question blinked as the world fades into view. The sudden rush of chatter and clinking caused his brows to crinkle in confusion, nose scrunching as the familiar and comforting scent of alcohol hit him. For a moment he stared at the redhead in front of him unseeingly, mind occupied with the aching pounding in his head. Then, recognition hit and Barbatos’s expression relaxed, though only a bit.

“I told you not to call me that. It’s Venti.” A pause, followed by a much more chipper tone and a false smile. “Ah, it never fails to amaze me how rude you can be, Diluc~!”

Diluc rolled his eyes at the remark, but to his credit he seemed apologetic. Well, at least Barbatos knew he was - to the untrained eye the Tavern Owner only seemed capable of making one facial expression. Months of friendship and a keen eye had taught the bard how to distinguish between the subtle changes of the redhead’s expressions and based on the way Diluc crossed his arms and assessed him, Barbatos knew he was concerned.

“It was the only to wake you up, you weren’t responding before. Same nightmare?”

Barbatos’s smile faltered as he forced out a laugh, his words strained both from the pressure pounding against his skull and the effort to stray away from the uncomfortably intimate topic.

“You know you have this intriguing habit of asking questions you already know the answers to.” Seeking a distraction, the bard’s eyes caught sight of his still half-full glass of Dandelion Wine and despite the headache he reached for it. Almost immediately, a gloved hand slid it away. Barbatos looked up, the steadily forming pout on his lips disappearing at the persistence in his friend’s crimson eyes.

“Fine...Yeah, I did. Usual deal of him disappearing into the darkness and me not being able to find him no matter how far I look. Can I have my drink now?”

Averting his eyes with a frown, the crimson-haired man slid the glass back over to him wordlessly and watched as the bard snatched it up. The drink burned as it slid down his throat, the sensation almost enough to distract Barbatos from the gaze he could feel burning into his skin.

“You shouldn’t-”

Barbatos’s eyes flared with a mixture of melancholy and ire as he slammed down the empty glass harshly.

“Don’t.”

Diluc scowled at him as the two glared at each other. ‘ You shouldn’t drink so much. There’s other ways to cope.’The disapproving sentiments were clear in the curl of the Tavern Owner’s lips, but Barbatos didn’t care. It may not have been how Diluc coped with his father’s death, but the crimson-haired man had no right to judge him, even if his concerns came from a place of care. Drinking himself into a mind-numbing stupor might be self-destructive, but it was the only way to keep the memories of his twin at bay. Diluc should know this by now - it’s been months since… 

Seeing the bard’s eyes grow distant and melancholy, the Tavern Owner relented with a sigh and softened his tone.

“No traces?”

Barbatos shook his head, his lips dragging up wryly.

“Nothing. I’ve been out looking for him whenever I’m not playing in town for mora.”

They fell silent after that. Diluc had his own connection of informants enlisted to help with the search, but Barbatos had stopped being optimistic after the numerous times they’d claimed to have seen his twin only for it to have been himself. Detriments of being identical twins, he supposed. His only other option was the Knights, but after hearing his story and sharing his own experiences, Diluc had vehemently protested seeking their help. Barbatos...wasn’t as jaded - he didn’t blame the Knights for his brother’s disappearance like Diluc did with his father’s death, but he didn’t exactly trust their competence either. (It was his fault anyways. He was the one who made Venti a promise and failed to protect him).

“Hey boys, the drunkard’s finally awake! Come play us a tune won’t you, Venti?”

Barbatos turned in place at the call of his name, an automatic smile rising to his lips at the sight of some familiar Tavern patrons. In the morning he’d take his place at the plaza and sing and play for a sizable fare, but come night he took his payments as drinks and drowned himself in the warmth that came with a lack of inhibitions. It was easy to lose himself when he was surrounded by the mindless and euphoric company of others.

“Coming right up!~ That’ll be two shots for me!”

Raucous laughter erupted at his sweet teasing and Barbatos stook from his barstool with only a slight stagger.

“Bar-”

“Uh-uh!” He cut his friend off, crossing his hands over his chest. Barbatos had had enough of past memories for the night. 

“...Venti. It’s getting late. Don’t make me kick you out again.” Diluc said at last. ‘ Your parents will worry. If you want to get to Springvale in time, you should head back.’ Was what he means. 

Tugging his brother’s lyre from his hip with a flourish, Barbatos strummed the strings and hummed to warm up his voice before turning away to join the table with his recent customers. 

“I wasn’t planning on going home anyways.”

He was across the room with a smile on his face before Diluc could protest.

Barbatos stumbled out of the Tavern about four hours later alongside the usual few stragglers who enjoyed poisoning their liver almost as much as he did. He could feel Diluc glaring at him with concern as he left, but the bard paid no mind beyond gracing his friend with a playful parting smile. 

After all, what was there to worry about? The night was beautiful, stars shining magnificently in the darkness while the moon peeked from between thin clouds. Barbatos felt weightless and warm, the flush on his cheeks accentuating his pearly teeth and pretty smile as he hummed a nameless tune.

If he’d been sober, perhaps the bard would’ve been more concerned about his lack of lodging for the night - Barbatos had slept outside before, but it certainly wasn’t comfortable for when he was drunk out of his mind. Without thinking, he let his feet guide him to clumsily hike up and over the city wall and across the bridge. He giggled quietly at the sleeping guards he passed, half-tempted to prank them awake for neglecting their duties. 

Reality faded in and out as his inebriated state messed with the passage of time, and before Barbatos knew it he was meandering down the familiar path to Springvale, half whispering and half belting out lyrics to a song he didn’t remember the name of. Suddenly, the sound of drums and quiet murmurs reached the bard’s ears and thoughtlessly, Barbatos called out.

“Yahoo, over here!~”

For a moment, there was only silence. Barbatos frowned, pulling his lip between his teeth as he prepared another drunken call, only to be interrupted by the sound of rustling bushes. A second later, a head poked out.

“Ya!”

Instantly, his blood ran cold, a sharp wave of soberness infiltrating his veins as a group of hilichurls emerged from the darkness of the forest. Distantly, he heard the sound of a metallic poof.

“A-ah-! AAAAHH!”

He took off running, panic and adrenaline fueling his feet as he booked it through the forest. The sound of shouts and pounding footsteps following close behind as the bard bolted through the darkness, branches slapping against him harshly and threatening to snag his cape. It was the first time he’d encountered monsters after Venti’s disappearance, and Barbatos was in no shape to fight with the alcohol still impeding his movements. Sure enough, the lethargicness caused by the liquid poison set in a moment later as he tripped, a shout of pain escaping his lips as he messily tumbled through a bush and into a clearing.

‘Shit. Shit! Get up!’

His head ached, vision swimming uselessly as the bard tried in vain to push himself up. His breath grew shallow with panic, eyes squinting shut as the impending footsteps of the monsters grew louder. Any second now they’d break through the thicket and bash his head in and he’d fail his brother a second time, would never see Venti again and oh god, Barbatos never wanted to die like this-

“Wind Blade!”

Startled, the bard paused in his trembling and uncurled from his pathetic heap to peek out at the sounds of ensuing battle. His breath left him.

There, fighting amidst the moonlight with a ruthless force and deadly precision, stood the most beautiful man he’d ever seen. Golden-spun hair draped down the stranger’s back and to his waist, his eyes shining like constellations as he beheaded hilichurl after hilichurl effortlessly, unfaltering. Accentuating his beauty was a white robe that exposed the left half of the man’s chest and stomach, the muscles deceivingly lean considering the stranger’s athleticism. Distracted by the heat pooling in his cheeks and in his stomach the longer he stared, Barbatos barely noticed the stranger’s approach until a hand was thrust into his face.

“Are you alright?”

Blinking dumbly, Barbatos swallowed thickly as golden-eyes scanned across his body for injuries, before forcing himself to respond and grab the outstretched hand.

“Y-yeah-” Alcohol still impeding his senses, the bard let out a sudden yelp as he tripped forward and into the stranger’s arms. Muscled arms wrapped around Barbatos as the man steadied him and the bard shivered at the heat permeating from the chest against his own. The man’s frown furrowed as he leaned in and Barbatos stopped breathing, his heart hammering in his chest as the stranger breathed him in before drawing back.

“Ah. You’re drunk.”

Face flaring red at the gentle concern in the man’s tone, the bard stepped back in a desperate attempt to calm himself before this angelic figure.

“E-ehe, maybe just a bit…”

The man raised his eyebrow in doubt, amusement crinkling in his eyes as he prepared to argue otherwise only to suddenly still. Mesmerized, Barbatos watched as the world and time itself seemed to still around the blond as if he were its center before abruptly resuming. A sudden gust of wind seemed to envelop the stranger, playing with golden strands and bringing a distant look to those pretty golden-eyes as if the wind was whispering secrets only he could hear. When the man finally met his gaze again, any trace of playfulness had been replaced with an apologetic look that caused the bard’s heart to lurch heavily in his chest. Even drunk, he could somehow tell that this magical encounter was coming to an end.

“Before you were chased by those monsters, where were you headed? I’ll drop you off there before going on my way.”

Mouth curling into a frown at the thought of parting with the beautiful angel, Barbatos set aside his shyness and stepped forward to boldly touch the blond’s arm. He noted with satisfaction that the other didn’t move away.

“Must you leave already? I haven’t even thanked you yet…”

Golden eyes widened, flickering from the hand grasping his own to the human’s flushed face and pleading eyes. He’d hardly expected the mortal to touch him, let alone to want to thank him - Aether usually worked from the shadows so any grateful prayers were reserved for Celestia and Lumine as opposed to himself. Taking his puzzled expression as a positive sign, the mortal stepped closer until their bodies once more touched, the grasp around the blond’s hand tightening as his blue eyes grew lidded, a cocktail of impossible-to-read emotions swirling through them. It felt as if he were being sucked into a whirlpool and for a moment Aether leaned in, drawn by whatever strange energy fizzled in the air between them. They were so close that he could practically count the voluminous lashes of the ebony-haired human before him, stray strands of braided hair brushing against his face while shallow breaths fanned over his lips. Then the wind tugged at his ear again, this time insistently while the ground rumbled beneath his feet in agreement.

.*o~‘There’s a new horde of hilichurls by Wangshu Inn.’~o* . It repeated, moving on to messily tug at his strands. ┛■╌’They will reach the hotel by nightfall if not stopped’┛■╌ ’ The earth added on, sending vibrations through his body. Finally, the flora beneath his feet also withered and bloomed in the direction of his destination, silently urging him to follow. Aether sighed, his brows pinching together in equal amounts annoyance and exasperation. Noticing his expression, the mortal in his arms stilled again, blue eyes searching gold with concern while two hands reached up to gently hold the blond’s face. For a musician’s hands (Aether had noticed the lyre hanging from the other’s hips early on), they felt remarkably soft. Still, Aether had a duty to uphold.

“Sorry, but it really is urgent. Where should I drop you off?”

Disappointment curled in Barbatos’s gut as the bard reluctantly drew back to rest against the blond’s chest. Even if they were just strangers, it hurt him to think of never again seeing the beautiful man before him. For all he knew, this was all some drink-induced hallucination or dream that happened to be especially pretty and pleasant. The body against his own shifted and Barbatos suddenly remembered that the other had voiced a question.

“Spring...vale. ‘s on my way to Sspringvale…”

A hum of recognition filled the air and Barbaros shivered, the liquid-warmth in his blood tingling pleasantly at the blond’s soothing voice. After a moment of silent contemplation, the angel wrapped his arms around the bard, causing a gasp to escape the other’s lips as he was drawn close. 

“Oh!~”

“Close your eyes.” The blond murmured and Barbatos listened, eyes fluttering shut without question. Mind hazy, he paid no mind to the strange sensation of the world spinning around him and simply reveled in the feeling of being held so intimately. 

“We’re here.” A soft whisper ghosted over his ears and the bard shivered, eyes blearily blinking open to find himself outside the familiar entrance of his hometown. There was no logical explanation for how they could’ve arrived instantaneously, but for the moment Barbatos was distracted by the feeling of the stranger drawing away. Unbidden, a quiet whimper escaped his lips. It had been so long since he’d last felt safe like this and been cared for as himself … 

Immediately, the blond stilled, glancing down at the mortal against him in alarm. It was the first time he’d used his Statue’s teleportation network with a human in tow so he had no idea if there would be adverse effects. 

“Did I hurt you?”

Feeling his heart ache at the other’s soft concern, Barbatos sniffled quietly, words spilling past his lips in a heap of pent up emotions. 

“Y-yes...you’re going to disappear, a-aren’t you? Just like...V-Ven…ah, it hurts too much..” 

Hands hovering awkwardly in the air, Aether could only watch with increasing panic as the mortal suddenly began to cry against him. He’d seen emotional drunks in the past and had had his share of random emotional confessions (Lumine used to tell him it had something to do with them being stars that naturally dropped other’s guards down), but the blond had never had to deal with one directly. Whatever this black-haired mortal had gone through, it was clear he’d been traumatized and Aether truly didn’t wish to make it worse…(And he still had those monsters to attend to so he really couldn't stay for long..) Without thinking, he grasped the hands still placed against his jaw and linked them with his own, hoping that the touch would soothe the other like it had with Lumine. Watery blue eyes blinked up at him, red rimmed. 

“I won’t disappear! Or well…I have to leave but it won’t be forever! I’ll come back - You’ll see me again!”

Sniffling, Barbatos leaned into the touch and stared up at the beacons of starlight meeting his gaze.

“H-how do I k-know you’re not l-lying?” He whispered, voice waivering with fear and fragile hope. 

Mind whirling, Aether spoke thoughtlessly in a desperate attempt to soothe the mortal.

“Aether. My name is Aether. If you need it, you can call me and I’ll visit you as soon as I can.”

Stray tears slipping past his eyes, Barbatos rolled the name on his tongue, clinging to the blond haired angel’s assurance.

“Aether…”

“That’s right...er…”

Feeling his chest lighten at the sudden bashful look which crossed the blond’s face, Barbatos giggled, mood swinging from sad to delighted within seconds.

“Ehehe, silly me, I forgot to introduce myself!~ I’m..Barbatos~..”

Feeling whiplash from the sudden change in mood but relieved the mortal had stopped crying, Aether nodded and repeated the name. 

“Barbatos.”

The bard in question shivered, warmth once again forming in his stomach at the sound of his name in that soothing voice. It felt like a numbing balm which stole all his worries and replaced them with a sense of endless peace.

“Aether.”

Aether smiled, small but friendly. Barbatos wanted to kiss him.

“Get home safely and rest well. The stars will watch over you.”

Then, with a sudden harsh wind that forced the bard to close his eyes, the blond was gone. The words caused a strange fuzzy thought to light in his head, but whatever it was felt impossible to grab with the sudden wave of sleepiness that enveloped him. Yawning, Barbatos turned towards the village and began his slow trek back home, just barely remembering to douse himself in Cecilia scented perfume to mask the scent of alcohol.

“Venti dear, is that you returning so late? What took you so long - I was so worried I couldn’t sleep!”

Just like that, the brief fantasy and comfort Aether’s presence brought shattered into reality. With a small sigh, Barbatos forced a smile onto his lips as he called up to his mother. 

“Sorry mom! I just got caught up helping some kid before heading home...I’ll try and be back earlier next time!”

“Oh sweetie, you’re always much too kind! Just be careful - I couldn’t bear it if something happened to my only son!”

Gods, he wished he had a drink. Still, the smile on his face didn’t falter - he’d long grown accustomed to his parent’s coping mechanisms at the expense of his own identity.

“...Of course, Mom.”

He waited until she was reassured to head up and collapse on his bed, falling into a long and dreamless sleep.

“Venti dear, rise and shine!”

Head pounding horrendously, Barbatos let out a long groan in response to his mom’s cheery calling, his limbs aching with exhaustion while his lids fought against the crustiness sealing them shut. Finally, he managed to open them and squinted with dismay at the rays of sunlight peeking through his window.

‘Home...I walked...home?’

Cogs slowly turning in his muddled brain, blue eyes gained a flare of alertness as the bard slowly recollected the events from the night before. Stumbling through the forest...being saved by an angel…

Barbatos nestled into his pillow, eyes falling closed as his mind reconstructed the handsome stranger’s face. 

‘Aether...he said his name was Aether..’ Warmth trickled in his gut at the memory of the man’s pretty smile and Barbatos sighed, squeezing his pillow more tightly as he wondered whether or not the angelic savior was real. His imagination had never been capable of producing vivid hallucinations unless they involved nightmares of his brother, but this one had seemed ethereal and had given him a name.

“I won’t disappear! Or well…I have to leave but it won’t be forever! I’ll come back - You’ll see me again!”

An embarrassed groan escaped the bard’s lips as the promise echoed through his mind. It was honestly embarrassing thinking how brazenly he’d unloaded his pent up emotions onto the kind stranger. Barbatos may not have much he’s usually ashamed of, but doing that in front of someone so...pretty? And strong? He almost hoped the man was a figment of his imagination because that kind of first impression was humiliating. 

“Venti, your breakfast will get cold dear!”

Tugged back into reality, the twin heaved a sigh and forced himself to freshen up for the day ahead. Downstairs he could hear his parents shuffling about as they attended to their own breakfasts and made idle conversation. Back when Venti had still been with them, the mornings would be much more boisterous with conversation and friendly bantering as he and his twin made all manners of mischief at the family table. Staring at his reflection in the mirror as he rebraided his hair, Barbatos smiled sadly. He could almost imagine a mirror image standing behind him and doing the same, a kind grin on his face as he looked at his brother.

‘I wonder if you still braid your hair in the mornings now, wherever you are…’

Feeling the beginnings of melancholy tug at his heart, Barbatos shook his head and straightened his clothes before making his way down. While the aroma of Fisherman’s Toast wafted temptingly through the air, the bard had other plans for the day…

“Venti? Aren’t you joining us for breakfast?”

Wincing from where he’d been tugging on his shoes, Barbatos shook his head. Guilt tugged at his heart at the silently pleading look in his mother’s eyes, but…

“..Sorry Mom, I should be on my way. I won’t make it to Mondstat in time for my usual crowd and you know how it is! Time is money…”

His mother fidgeted in place, expression twisted in conflict even as she seemed ready to protest.

“But Venti…”

‘Gods, I really can’t do this.’

He turned his back and opened the door to leave, willing his tone to convey the chipperness he couldn’t fake in his face.

“The kids will really miss me..”

He hardly waited for his mom’s reluctant acceptance before slipping out and resting against the closed door. Crisp morning air greeted the twin as he sought relief in the brief moment of solitude. Even if the door was nothing more than a thin barrier, he guiltily felt grateful to be away from his parents. Being known as Venti in Mondstat was one thing, but here? Where everyone knew him and cast pitiful looks his way for being forgotten by his own parents? 

‘Suffocating. No wonder you wanted to venture outside this town, huh Venti? After a while...it just gets too much.’

Then, shaking off the melancholy thought with a quiet sigh, he slapped a smile onto his face and made his way out of the village. With any luck, he’d still left early enough to avoid the usual early risers.

Later, once he’d played for the usual morning crowds and made enough to add to his funds for traveling (searching for a lost brother didn’t come cheap, funnily enough), Barbatos found himself back at the familiar bar belonging to his friend. Diluc himself was nowhere to be seen (probably off attending to matters at Dawn Winery), and cowardly as it was the bard felt thankful. He knew the other was going to give him an earful about neglecting his parents when they next met and the day’s morning had already soured his mood. Conversations like that were exactly why he preferred to leave before the sun rose - it was better for everyone involved, even if it meant dealing with a pounding headache and the aftereffects of being drunk. At the thought, the familiar memory of a certain blond angel’s face came to mind and the bard spun in his seat, tapping his fingers on the bar to get the bartender’s attention.

“Say Charles, you’ve worked both day and night shifts here right?”

Turning to face him while cleaning a glass with his hands, the brown-haired man nodded.

“Yes, whatever hours Master Diluc requires of me.”

Barbatos hummed thoughtfully,

“Mhmm. So, you’d say you know your customers pretty well right?”

“I pride myself in remembering their faces and drinks, yes. Why? Are you looking for someone?”

“Bingo!~ He’s a rather pretty face; blond hair, gold eyes. Wears weird white robes, kinda like he’s a God or something. Ring any bells?”

Stupefied, the bartender shook his head before his expression faded to one of amusement.

“I’d be loathe to forget someone like that. Master Diluc mentioned you were rather inebriated when you left yesterday...perhaps you dreamed him up?”

Huffing under his breath at the man’s teasing (he got scolded enough by Diluc as it is, thank you very much!), Barbatos shook his head and leaned his head back to rest against the bar. He wasn’t sure what kind of an answer he’d been expecting - Barbatos was pretty familiar with the regulars of both the Tavern and the town himself, so it was unlikely Charles had seen someone he hadn’t but…

“Aether. He said his name was Aether.”

“I’m sorry Venti, I really have no clue.”

Nodding defeatedly, the bard let out a sigh and stretched before preparing to seek out some customers. Scanning over the tables, his eyes caught a sudden unmistakeable flash of gold. Whipping his face in the direction where he’d seen it, he found nothing. Barbatos frowned.

“Sir? Did you want another drink before your performance?”

“...No. Just thought I saw something.”

It happened again.

Right as he was turning to face the tables, passing by just out of his sight as he stood to play the lyre, and it even flashed by when he scanned across the tavern corners as he sang, voice momentarily faltering.

Asking Diluc had warranted no further clues, and if anything the crimson-haired man had berated him for being inebriated enough to hallucinate. Barbatos didn’t bother mentioning he’d seen the strange glimpses while sober too - he was sure his friend would truly force him to see a healer then. 

Whoever, whatever it was, everytime Barbatos returned to town he’d be reminded of the blond-haired stranger from nights ago, the handsome face and sweet words echoing in his mind. It was a welcome distraction for when he returned empty-handed while searching for his brother or to idle the time away instead of thinking of Springvale and all its troubles. But...it was aggravating too. 

“Aether.” 

The name was uttered quietly, shyly as the bard stood on the balcony. Diluc had forced him outside to regain some semblance of soberness after a particularly successful performance and generous payment of drinks. Barbatos didn’t know why he felt so reluctant to call it out - maybe because he was starting to fear he really had dreamed it all up.

“Won’t you come back to visit me, like you said? ...I keep thinking I see you, but whenever I look you’re gone. Like...like Venti. I keep looking but I can’t find you…” His voice trailed off, swallowing thickly as tears welled up behind his eyes. The similarity and simultaneous reminder of his brother felt overwhelming, especially after yet another failed week spent looking for his twin. He put on a strong face sure, but more than ever he wished the ethereal being was here, if only so he’d have someone to speak his mind to. 

“..Sorry, I guess that’s pretty dumb, ehe…” The laugh that escaped his lips felt hollow, like a cheap imitation of the bright echo that belonged to his twin. Above him, the stars twinkled curiously and a gust of wind gently tousled his hair, drawing a reluctant smile from the bard’s lips at the pleasant feeling. Behind him, the door creaked open and then closed.

“...You called for me again. Are you alright?”

The bard in front of him flinched before turning to face his unexpected company, shock clear in his blue eyes. Aether studied him evenly, scanning the mortal for injuries he knew weren’t there. 

“Y-you-! You’re real!”

Tilting his head at the awed expression on the other’s youthful face, the blond shyly nodded. It felt strange being gawked at after eons of traveling amongst mortals undetected, but Aether supposed the reaction was warranted given his sudden appearance. Watching as the bard in front of him took a wobbly step forward, he reached forward to steady the other. The ebony-haired mortal seemed to stop breathing altogether at the contact, eyes growing dilated and cheeks flushing a deeper red than the flush given to him through his drinking. Aether frowned, leaning closer to inspect the human more closely - the Starborn Saviour had only witnessed the effects of alcohol from a distance so he wasn’t exactly sure of the other’s tolerance. 

“E-ehe?”

A nervous giggle spilled from Barbatos’s lips, his heart thundering in his chest as the heat radiating off the golden-haired angel in front of him seeped through his shirt and into his skin. Even without alcohol in his system, the bard knew he could spend days staring into the cosmos of the blond’s eyes, mesmerized by the unearthly beauty and aura of powerfulness the other seemed to radiate. It was like staring into the pulsing heart of life itself, immortalized in the form of this impossibly perfect human. Golden-eyes peered at him worriedly.

“You’re really not hurt, right? The winds should’ve blessed you with a safe journey today.”

Entranced by the soft honey-like tone and genuine concern, Barbatos forced himself to breathe again and respond.

“No, I’m not…” A pause. “Waitt, how’d ya know I was out journeying today?”

An endearing flush of pink bloomed in the blond’s cheeks as he drew back, seemingly embarrassed over the thoughtless slip of the tongue.

“..Not many people know my true name, nor do they call it. You...seemed rather drunk when we met so I didn’t expect you to remember me.” It was the truth, as Aether hardly gave away his identity thoughtlessly (though in this case he’d admittedly panicked since the bard had seemed ready to burst into tears at the time). Most drunkards he saved either forgot or cast off their memories as dreams and hallucinations, allowing him to maintain his life as a distant onlooker and God.

“Ohh...yeah, heh, my alcohol tolerance is actually preeetty high so…”

To Barbatos’s embarrassment, the blond nodded sagely.

“So I’ve realized. You frequent this tavern rather often.”

Blue-eyes widened, an accusing finger boldly poking into the exposed skin of the God’s chest.

“Sso you were here, acting like some spy! Hic! I knew I kept seeing things from the corner of my eye!”

Lips quirking at the sudden rhyme and the offended look on the mortal’s face, Aether chuckled quietly.

“You’re surprisingly observant for a bard. But yes, that was me. I was called here when you said my name and…”

Barbatos’s mouth crinkled with amusement as the flush on the blond’s face suddenly deepened, golden-eyes darting away in embarrassment.

“Aand?” He teased, boldly stepping forward and encroaching the other against the narrow space of the small balcony.

“...I’m not really...used to directly involving myself with humans. But you kept calling me so I had to check and...well...you are a talented musician so I didn’t wish to interrupt..”

Feeling his own cheeks flush at the realization that the golden-haired angel in front of him had seen him play, a surge of nervousness suddenly ran through Barbatos, causing his palms to grow damp. Licking his lips, he cleared his throat and sought for the addicting gaze of those enchanting star-like eyes. 

“You’ve...heard me play? I-I mean! Of coursse! I’m Mondstat’s -hic!- Three-Times awarded Bessst Bard!”

Something soft flickered through the blond’s eyes at the too-loud proclamation, his flustered expression regaining some calm as he teased the bard back.

“Seems there’s more to you than a wayward drunkard after all.”

“How rude! You’re one to talk with all your sskulking around - hic! - and weeirdo talk, don’t you know how strange you are eyeing me from the distance like...like ssome kind of hawk?!”

“I’m not used to-”

“Yeah yeaah, you’re not used to “directly involving yourself with humansss” - see, thiss is what I mean! Sheeesh, you act like you fell from the sky or something!”

Feeling the body against his own tense at his words, Barbatos paused to peer at the other’s carefully blank expression. Despite the alcohol emboldening his actions and thoughts, the bard was keenly aware of the other’s minute shifts in mood from the glow in his eyes. It was impossible not to notice them with their proximity - golden and glowing like stars. Cautiously leaning closer, Barbatos voiced his musings out loud.

“Ooh? What’ss that expression on your face? ...Could it really be you’re not from this placee?”

Soundlessly gazing back at the blue-eyes scrutinizing him, Aether shifted warily, unused to being confronted so intimately but unwilling to disclose more. Even drunk, the bard in front of him seemed surprisingly observant and persistent, as if he could somehow sense the truth behind the blond’s identity. It was almost unnerving. 

Lost in his thoughts, Aether missed the way Barbatos’s expression suddenly shifted, his face paling as the after-effects of having consumed so much alcohol finally hit his body.

“U-uh-oh-”

It was all the warning the blond received before the bard leaned flush against him and threw his head over the balcony, retching painfully as his body desperately tried to rid itself of toxins. Frozen in place, Aether only stared ahead in shock before wrapping his arms around the body leaning into his own, patting the mortal on his back as a sudden spell of weakness seemed to overcome them. Groaning weakly, the bard leaned his body-weight against the God, quiet murmurs of dissent escaping his lips as he caught his breath.

“Ughhh...Diluc’ss...gonna...kill me..hghh..”

“You-”

“Venti? Is that you out there? I swear if you vomited on my balcony..”

Panicking as a gruff voice called from inside the tavern, Aether glanced between the limp body in his arms and the balcony door, alarm bells ringing through his ears as the sound of approaching footsteps grew closer. He hadn’t created a disguise before arriving since he’d expected the interaction to be brief and now there was no way he could without attracting attention from the people loitering in the streets below. With the bard in his arms showing no signs of recovering soon, that left only one option - leaving the way he’d arrived.

“Sorry about this - hang on tight.”

Shifting his arms and unceremoniously picking up the bard before he could respond, Aether launched them into the sky with the help of a blast of wind, before taking off across the rooftops.

Feeling his stomach turn unpleasantly at the sudden shift in gravity, Barbatos groaned weakly and opened his eyes only to gasp in awe, nausea momentarily forgotten as he marveled at the feeling of running with the wind and the stars twinkling above.

“W-woah, we’re flying!”

Shushing the human’s exclamation with a gentle hand, Aether spared a glance at the clear wonder in the bard’s face and smiled before refocusing his attention to bounding his way past the windmills and up along more rooftops, far above any prying eyes.

“Close, but not quite. The wind’s just helping us jump along and glide.”

“Who caress?! This is -hic!- awesome! I feel like a bird!”

Laughing at the boisterous declaration, Aether finally settled along the flat inclines of one of the houses, ignoring the small pout sent his way as he carefully released the mortal from his arms.

“For someone who seemed sick moments ago, you recover surprisingly quickly.”

Barbatos responded by sticking out his tongue, the flush on his face deepening at the way the moonlight caught the gold in his savior’s eyes.

“W-well for someone who pretends to be human, you sure have looooots of strange abilities!”

Shaking his head at the childish response, Aether flicked the bard on the forehead before settling beside him on the rooftop. It would’ve been smarter to leave considering he’d already overstayed his brief check-in, but the human before him had proven to be less-than ordinary himself and surprisingly good company...and leaving him alone and drunk on a rooftop just seemed like a bad idea.

“You’re just imagining things.”

“Nuh-uh, you don’t get to pretend in front of mee! I know!”

“Yeah? Do you now?”

“Yeah! Cause...cause I…”

Pausing his teasing as the air between them suddenly grew heavy, Aether studied the bard in front of him with concern, noting the melancholic look in his eyes and the shaky quiver of his lips. Without thinking he reached forward, drawing the mortal into an embrace in hopes to prevent them from crying again.

“...because you do the same?” He posited carefully, patting the human gently on his back.

Barbatos sniffed quietly in response, leaning in to return the embrace and closing his eyes. The image of his brother’s smiling face taunted him behind his lids, a sweet memory turned melancholy by Venti’s disappearance. Calloused hands squeezed him comfortingly and Barbatos let forth a shaky sigh, words spilling from his lips.

“...6 months ago, my twin brother and I were attacked by monsters on our way to Springvale...there was a knight with us but h-he died a-and when I came to, my brother was- was gone-!” A cough cut him off, emotions clogging his throat as the events leading up to his disappearance and the aftermath flashed through his mind.

Aether stilled, eyes widening with empathy. Losing his own twin still ached like a fresh wound despite her death having been years ago, and even then he’d been with Lumine for her last moments. To think of losing her without any idea as to where she was… He glanced down at the head of ebony hair buried in his collarbone. Then, thinking over the bard’s words again, a suffocating surge of shame and guilt shot through him like an arrow through the heart. Aether had long accepted that quelling every monster across Tayvet was beyond his capabilities, Archon or otherwise, but being confronted by the casualties caused by his incapability...Did he even have a right to comfort the human in his arms? What was he supposed to say? More than ever, he wished Lumine was there to guide him.

A stray thought tugged at his mind.

“...The name that was called out. The one people kept calling you at the tavern.” ‘ Venti.’  

“...That’s him. M-my brother.” Another shaky sigh. “Barbatos and V-venti. The unbreakable duo. Eheh…”

Feeling his heart squeeze in pain at the strain in the bard’s tone, Aether tightened his embrace and redirected his gaze to the stars above. There were no words of pity he’d offer the mortal beyond showing he was there - there was nothing which could fill the hole left behind by a twin. He knew that all too well. Reluctantly, his mouth opened of its own accord, half-spoken truths slipping past his lips and into the tentative warmth surrounding them.

“...Her name was Lumine.” The bard in his arms shifted, watery blue eyes peeking up at him past his hair. Aether smiled sadly. “My twin. I...It’s been years since I lost her to the stars.”

“Oh..” 

Golden eyes shifted from the stars to the human against him, kind and melancholy.

“Your twin...wherever he is, I’m sure you’ll find him. Even if you can’t see them, your other half always watches over you.”

Time seemed to still as the words settled in Barbatos’s mind, the water coating his eyes finally spilling over as a dam of emotions broke and he sobbed, clutching onto the golden-haired angel like a lifeline. Ugly noises babbled incomprehensibly from his lips, his heart aching painfully even as the kind sentiments soothed them like a calming balm. For the first time since his brother’s disappearance, Barbatos spoke the truth without riddles and rhymes as his defense, spoke of the traces and unforgettable memories of his brother and of his parents and the ache of playing the part of another son.

And Aether , angelic in name as he was in disposition, held him and listened without a single word of complaint long after the stars fell and the sun rose.

Morning greeted him with a pleasant breeze, aching eyes and a pounding headache. It also greeted him with the unwavering heat of another body and soft skin and Barbatos slowly blinked awake, a quiet moan escaping his lips as the cold air nipped at his sleep-flushed cheeks. A quiet yelp escaped his lips upon realizing the sight before him. 

Cradling him and protecting him against the chill and soreness of sleeping on the rooftops was the golden-haired angel from the night before, long hair splayed out around him and glimmering in the sunlight like a halo. Cheeks flushing at the pretty and relaxed expression on his face, Barbatos traced his eyes across the body against his own in disbelief, as if expecting the man to vanish despite the embarrassingly firm hold they had on each other. It wasn’t the first time he’d woken in someone else’s arms as he’d indulged himself haplessly when the pain had been too strong but… He glanced at the blond again.

‘Aether..’

This was different. This wasn’t some one-off drunken endeavor he’d thrown himself into through his bold teasing and eager flirting...no, he’d given everything that night. His memories, his fears, the truth and the pain...and Aether…

Aether, who was so strange and secretive even as he was calming and ethereal, who spoke nothing of himself and his seemingly abnormal abilities, who showed the most emotion when talking about Lumine and who, despite being a stranger with his own hefty burdens, had listened and held him all night long.

Something in Barbatos’s heart gave way. For the first time since failing his brother, he made a promise, silent yet determined as he prayed to the Starborn Saviours above.

‘We’ll find our twins together.’

Next to him, Aether stirred imperceptibly as the wish made itself known. Above them, hidden by the clouds and morning light, a star twinkled happily.