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If only Liyue could have been peaceful on the first journey.
Sure it was beautiful, till Aether was mistaken for being a part of Rex Lapis’s ‘death’, to fighting Childe at the golden house, to the battle with Osial and finally finding out they were running in circles when Zhongli revealed he was the Geo Archon.
“Well it couldn't get any worse now can it?” Aether muttered to himself, relaxing on the port of Liyue Harbour and as he was about to close his eyes, soft footsteps filled the silence.
“Ah! There you are, comrade!” Hearing that voice, he let out a dramatic sigh.
“As I said, it couldn’t get any worse now can it?” Aether’s voice dragged while his eyes glanced towards Childe who invited himself beside Aether.
“Hey Hey come on now, I was used as a pawn too and you’re alive here so there’s no need with that frown.” Childe reached out to pat Aether’s head, only to receive a huff from the blonde traveller.
“That’s easy for you to say. Pawn or not, you’re still a fatui and it’s your job...well one way or another.” Aether gently grabbed Childe’s wrist and pushed it away from his hair.
He went silent afterwards other than a sigh escaping his lips. The atmosphere around them dropped till the sea’s breeze wasn't enough to lighten it.
What was the purpose of hiding it anymore when everything just goes back to square one?
Childe wouldn’t deny that the silence pulled a string in his heart.
As a Fatui Harbinger, he was used to every twist and turn and taking advantage of other people. Especially those who can put up a fight. Someone like Aether.
But everyone has their limits don't they?
“Well, you have incredible strength, comrade. Everyone’s a pawn anyways. What happened was bound to happen anyways. It-” Childe was interrupted by soft gasps and sniffles. He froze in place for a moment, eyeing Aether whose eyes were covered by his luscious bangs.
“Hey uh...comrade? You’re not injured anywhere aren’t you? Come on you’re stronger than that?” Aether’s sniffles only increased.
“Ah shit.”
Aether was holding in his sobs, Childe noticed that.
“A pawn? I just...I just want to find my sister, but here I am, cheating death and back to the start when I make my trip to Inazuma soon..” Another pause filled the heavy silence.
“Well, that is if their archon doesn’t fake their death... or something extraordinary.” Aether stared down the water, wishing he could lash out at the water physically, but of course his legs were too short to reach the water from the port.
Childe, meanwhile, listened to Aether’s rambles, silently cursing himself for the Golden House incident.
He wouldn't deny that he enjoyed the fight with Aether, the adrenaline was addicting. Although at the same time, he didn’t mean to be the cause of Aether’s near death, he knew the other was capable of fighting him.
What he didn’t know was that Aether was simply another teenager, separated from his sister and thrown into a responsibility that he shouldn't carry in the first place.
Childe turned his gaze to Aether whose eyes were only at the water beneath the port before looking up to the sky.
“You know, I haven't seen my little siblings in a while. Liyue is a long journey from Snezhnaya...”
“I miss them alot...but unlike you, even though I miss them, I’m able to write to them, and so do they.” Childe paused, from his peripheral view, he could see that Aether shifted his sight to him.
“How long?” Aether’s eyebrow arched towards Childe. “How long has it been, since you last saw your sister? Or even your family?...if you have them.”
Aether stared at Childe, his lips pressed together tightly, not a word escaped. The sound of the waves were probably louder than Aether’s silence.
How long has it been from the time the Unknown God separated them?
How long has it been since Aether said I'm home?
How long has it been since Aether longed for a sibling’s hug and warmth?
How long-
“Comrade?” A gentle tap on Aether’s shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts. His eyes met Childe’s once again before he glanced away, biting his lip and letting out a silent sigh.
“Sorry I drifted off… I…” Childe’s gentle pats on Aether’s shoulder made it harder than the battle with Osial for Aether to keep his composure.
“Aether, it’s alright. You don't have to share with me if it’s...uhh personal?”
Childe could see Aether’s whole demeanour shiver, Aether’s fists clenched till it shook as his mouth opened and closed but not a single sound escaped.
“I… I don’t know…” Aether stuttered, his gaze on clenched fists.
“I don’t know… I don’t know...I…” Childe’s grip on Aether’s shoulder became gently yet firmer.
“Aether-”
“I DON’T REMEMBER! I CAN’T REMEMBER HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE LUMINE AND I WERE SEPARATED!” Childe was slightly taken aback from Aether’s outburst but didn’t pull away from his shoulder.
“I CAN’T REMEMBER HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE I WENT HOME! SINCE I FELT HOME!” Aether was sobbing by the time he finished, his palms pressed against his face as he tried to contain himself, but at this moment he could only let it all out.
His sniffles and sobs didn’t slow down. Childe stared at him, his older brother instincts kicking in, making him do something Aether needed all this while.
Childe wrapped his arms tightly around Aether and pulled him against his chest, holding him tightly in a warm embrace, he didn’t care if Aether was staining his clothes with his tears.
Childe gently patted his back, letting out soft hushes to Aether.
“Com- Aether, I know I can’t do anything to make you feel better or say that everything is going to be okay...but this is the best I can do for you…for now.” Childe spoke softly as he continued to pat Aether’s back.
“I’m not your sister, I’m not your home. Hell I’m probably not even your friend after what happened. But as an older brother...to another older brother…” Aether’s ugly sobs continued, his face pressed against Childe’s warm chest as he returned the embrace Childe gave.
“I’m here for you now. I know what I did before, it's not an excuse. But now, I’m here...as an older brother instead.” Childe paused, he looked down and gently tapped Aether’s head.
Childe stayed silent for a short while, giving Aether some time to process and calm down.
He would give Aether all the time he needed.
Childe felt Aether shifting about, their eyes met for a second before Aether once again rested against the other’s chest.
“Childe…” Aether started, rubbing his tears with his gloved hand.
“Ajax.” Childe interrupted. Aether looked up again and gave Childe a confused face contrasting from Childe’s sweet smile.
A smile that warmth and eased Aether.
“That’s my given name. Only my family knows it, and now you do. But call me Childe when we are around others.” Childe soothed Aether, his hand never left Aether’s blonde hair along with his smile.
That had Aether distracted from his despair for a moment. He stared at Childe dumbfoundedly before frowning.
“How many names do you have exactly? How do you remember all of them? How do people remember all your names?” The questions made Childe burst into laughter, shaking his head.
Childe ruffled Aether’s hair only to receive a puffy pout. “I have my ways Aether. Why not add one more to the list?”
Aether’s face scrunched up to a confused look with his pout.
“What else is there to add? Whale tortilla?” Aether managed a small tease while he wiped off the remaining tears from his eyes.
Instead of feeling insulted, the tease relieved Childe.
At least Aether was still able to crack a joke with a smile despite all the burden he carries.
“If that makes you happy, add that on ahead. What I had in mind is something better.” Childe pulled Aether up to a more comfortable position where Aether’s back rested against Childe.
Aether simply compiled, pulling Childe’s arms in front of him as if it was a blanket.
“What could be better than Whale Tortilla?”
“Brother.”
Aether froze a moment when those words escaped smoothly from Childe’s lips.
Hearing the silence and feeling Aether’s body froze up had Childe internally panic. He looked at Aether, his mouth opening and closing quickly as he scrambled to get his words right.
The last thing he needed was to cause Aether more pain than he already has.
“I- What I mean is uhh, we’re both older brothers to our little siblings though yours is missing- no I don't mean it that way-” Childe’s frantic explanation was cut off by Aether’s soft laughter.
Aether looked up at Childe, his laughter turned into a smile.
“Brother? Hmm, you do kinda have that...atmosphere? A caring jerk. Fits the description.” Childe rolled his eyes as he leaned back and started nudging Aether’s head, earning a brighter laughter from him.
“HEY HEY- OW, I WAS KIDDING!” Aether yelled between laughter and whines while Childe continued nudging him.
“I’ll stop when you say I’m the best brother in the world!” Childe teased with a playful grin.
“Sure sure, the best brother definitely nearly killed his own new brother that’s sweet.” Aether received a harder nudge against his head.
“OKAY OKAY YOU’RE THE BEST! STOP RUINING MY HAIR!”
Childe finally pulled his fist away, leaning back to Aether and engulfing him into another hug.
“That's more like it.” Childe paused for a moment. “But really, I know what happened between us, but now that that’s over...if you need anything or a lash out, find me I’ll make time for my new brother. Promise?”
Aether took the moment to fully process what Childe just told him. He couldn't deny that it was sweet, but he didn’t want to pull Childe away from his own family either.
But just this once won’t hurt would it?
After all this time… years
Aether took in a deep breath before his eyes met Childe’s again.
“I will promise, but you better make time for your own family too. They need you more.” Aether bit back his lip for a bit, looking at Childe.
Childe gave Aether a reassuring smile and nod.
“Don’t worry, I can manage, just focus on yourself being a new little brother.”
Aether shook his head, chuckling softly as he snuggled back against Childe. The harbinger made sure they were both in a comfortable position for the night.
“Ajax...Thank you.” Aether muttered before a snarky smile appeared on his face. “By the way, you do know that I’m older than you.”
“Of course you- wait what!?”