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He never used the word ‘love’.
Not towards food, interests, or you. He did not have to, though, because you understood the reason why.
Aether was a travelling outlander. He had been stripped of what was most important, his family. An unknown God had taken away his twin sister and left him stranded in the world of Teyvat. He had only one goal: find Lumine.
Paimon, a mysterious being, accompanied him on his overarching quest. After his heroics in the Land of Freedom and Wine, he made a stop at an inn along the way to Li Yue Harbour. That’s where you two met. You were nothing but a messenger, taking messages from the moon inn to the harbour -not much of a sight, unlike him.
Yet you caught his eye.
You joined the Traveller and his companion to the city gates, then disappeared into the streets as the sun rose over the horizon. The blonde made a mental note to see you once again. And that he did.
He would see you racing around the streets of Li Yue Harbour, then vanish behind the hills and mountains -going back to the inn on the hill. Chatting was kept limited, you had people to connect and he had a sister to find.
~`~
The first time the two were able to speak without being interrupted was back at Wangshu Inn.
Aether had time to spare after successfully speaking with the local adepti and took up a room for the night. You had a nightly ritual of gazing out at Dihua Marsh before heading towards the place you called home in Qingce Village.
Unable to sleep and taking the opportunity to approach you, the Traveller walked out to the balcony -both stood side by side and light conversation was held underneath the never-changing Teyvat stars.
“A bit tired, yes. But I have time to enjoy the view before heading home, so why not take it?”
~`~
When the Honored Guest of the Li Yue Qixing ran into the messenger, the blonde lost in the halls of the Jade Chamber, he knew he felt something towards you.
Laughs were exchanged, hints of flirting here and there, as you showed him around the masterpiece that was the palace in the sky.
You let him know that he was always welcomed at your home, sleeping on the cold ground can’t be good for one’s health. So you were not surprised when he showed up at your door one rainy day. The rain continued to fall from the sky as the two talked in the warmth of the small house.
It was then that Aether spoke of his origins, this very much surprised you. The reason behind his bright yet sorrowful eyes was something he had shared with many before, but as the blonde talked and held your hand -you did not show any signs of pity, he finally felt heard.
~`~
Your first kiss was at the log by the bridge into the village, two weeks after the Jade Chamber disappeared from the sky over Li Yue. It was warm, light, and quick -like the sunrise. Not much was said afterwards, you two just sat and watched the rays of the sun come up from behind the mountains.
Setting foot into the Nation of Eternity would not be fast and easy -Aether would have to wait a while. He did not mind, as anxious as he was, though, because he had you.
The adepti gifted the Traveller a Serenitea Pot, which now served as his portable rest area. Whenever you had free time, he would invite you and the two of you would spend many talkative days, and sleepless nights, in the humble abode -delighting in each other’s company.
You had never had a lover like him before, you were not sure if he had had one like you before, either. He was nothing but respectful, tender, passionate, and adoring. His affection was something you did not mind suffocating in.
“Your eyes brighten my day.”
“The rarest of Glaze Lillies cannot be compared to you.”
“Winds blew and the heavens sang on the day you were born.”
“I ...am oh-so deeply smitten by you
Enticed,
Infatuated.
Enchanted by you.
And it was true, he did not lie. The Outlander had never met such a person that could make him so flustered, merry, and loved -in a romantic way. Yet he felt as if he was lying to you -which, of course, he wasn’t- but it was just how he felt. His mind had been set to finding his sister yet here he was, feeling as if he was dancing in the stars with you.
He felt guilty. He felt the need to apologize, if he couldn’t apologize to his twin, then to you. Trying to remind you, mostly in tears, that he truly adored you. That you were no replacement, that he was not faking his actions, or taking advantage of your feelings for him. And in turn, you reminded him that you knew he would never do such a thing and that you loved him with your whole being, as well.
He would never forget you and after reuniting with Lumine, he vowed to come back to you.
Lumine…
The reason he showed up at your door late one night. Shaking, he could not get any words out. His white-haired friend was left to try to explain everything that had happened that day, from the report from Secretary Ganyu to Lumine and the Abyss.
When he tried to speak, he got choked up in tears, but soon managed to talk his every thought out. And you sat there, listening intently.
~`~
Find Lumine, that was still his goal. Even if she was technically not lost, he vowed to find her and bring her home. To accomplish this, a voyage to Inazuma had finally been set with the help of a certain Captain.
On the parting day, you saw him off at the harbour. His warm hand, hesitant to let go of yours. Aether and (Name) held each other in a strong embrace, it would be a while until they saw each other again. But they would see each other again, he had promised.
One last kiss before the Traveller and the messenger parted for now, along with the handing over of a letter. The blonde did not question it, placing a quick kiss over his beloved’s knuckles and turning to board Captain Beidou’s ship.
(Name) waved and waved until their arm could no more. The Crux and its crew turned into a dot over the horizon. The messenger then turned their back to the sea, you still had many letters to deliver.