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"Who does he think he is," Childe whispered coldly, blue eyes dark and filled with malicious intent as he stare at the corner where Aether was standing. Noticing the dark aura that started surrounding the man's form, most of the occupants of the large table turned their attention to where Childe was looking. They all simultaneously gasped upon seeing the reason of the harbinger's anger.
Standing at the corner of the room was Aether. Sweet, kind, and gentle, Aether who appears to be having a great conversation with one of the servers that was tasked to served them.
The Hero of Mondstadt and Liyue was smiling sweetly as he conversed with the server, his body was constantly moving, signifying how excited and happy he was as he shared some interesting quest that he encountered while on the journey to find his sister.
Zhongli, who has been drinking his tea peacefully beside Childe, finally turned to where his companions was looking at. Seeing the server touched Aether's shoulder, he started humming thoughtfully wondering whether it was possible for him to call upon a meteor inside the establishment without destroying their table.
Everyone in their table was now wearing dark expressions. Paimon, used to Aether being flirted at looked at them pitifully and rolled her eyes, "Aether's always getting flirted at, Paimon is used to it by now. It's not like Aether's been aware of any of those flirtings so there's no need to be worried."
Feeling betrayed by the nonchalant attitude and remark of the fairy creature, most of them glares at her annoyedly.
Having no time to for these men, who can't even grow a backbone and confess to Aether, Paimon just beams at them as she chew the mora meat she's currently eating aggressively.
The fairy's way of chewing is kind of... unsettling in everyone's opinion. It seems like she's one chew away from turning them into her next meal, which made a few of them into a terrified mess.
They were about to return their attentions to their meal when Childe's furious muttering caught their attention again, "Who does this lowlife think he is... he actually dares to touch him? Comrade may forgive him, but I will not."
They should be having fun right now, celebrating and just having a good time. But, it seems like Liuli Pavilion's server didn't get the memo that no one should disturb them while they're at the premises.
Even Kaeya's smile, which had been carefree earlier, has become strained as he watch the server stare at Aether like he is nothing but a delicious kind of food that he think he could devour.
"I mean–well... Comrade's obviously beautiful and sweet, I can't blame him for thinking he could have a chance. But, seriously?"
Albedo nodded thoughtfully to show that he agrees to Childe's remark, "As much as I don't like agreeing with an idiot creep, Aether's beauty truly is unmatched."
Ningguang ignores the one-sided petty squabble between an enraged Childe and an unamused Albedo as she sipped her soup elegantly on Zhongli's other side, "It seems like our friend over there is starting to make some inappropriate moves to our little traveler," Setting aside her soup, she eyed the server sharply, "How bold... shall I start charging him for every second that he talk to our little one?"
They all watched quietly as the server laid his hand on top of Aether's hand. Caressing it softly and trying to gain the blond beauty's attention, who's probably much more interested at the dessert on his plate.
Sweet and gentle Ganyu tried her best to calm them down but soon gave up upon seeing the identical looks of murder on their faces. Keqing just sighed as she patted the other's back to console her.
Why is she even here? If she just chose to stay at home, she probably won't be included in this stupid mess, Keqing thought sourly. The purple-haired woman sighed before running her eyes around their table filled with stupid men.
Venti suddenly giggles, cheeks flushed, and eyes half-lidded after drinking five bottles of wine already, "Now, now, we shouldn't be hasty, my friends! Maybe he just wants to become friends with our cute little traveler!"
Poor Xiao who's getting hugged by the drunk Archon, tried with all his might to escape the other's clutches. He looked pitifully at his lord, but the other was still looking intensely at the corner where Aether's standing with the server.
Venti's laughter echoed throughout the room that they reserved, smiling giddily as he wrapped his arms around Xiao's neck, "Let's not fight, guys! Look at them! They are getting a–did that bastard just wrapped his dirty arms around my dear Aether?"
Some of them threw pitying looks at the now choking yaksha, despite the fact that their attentions are divided at the moment they immediately looked at the source of the uncommon murderous rage that the bard is exhibiting at the moment.
The ever so elegant and composed Lady Ningguang smiled, already aware that there's probably a big fight in this establishment later.
"If his hand strayed to Comrade's waist one more time, I'll fucking cut it off and no one can stop me."
"What an unpleasant man. Shall I freeze him and turn him into a human popsicle?"
"It seems like there's no need for me to look for a test subject. I didn't expect that there would be someone who's willing to join me in my experiments."
"How absurd. An adepti like me is being ruled by my own emotions! He shall better prepare himself for I'll be the one to end his existence."
"He shall suffer the wrath of the rocks."
Ganyu just sighed, completely defeated. While Keqing, who's sitting beside her, snorted and ignores the idiocy of the men around her. She turned her attention to the most trusted companion of the traveler. Instead of panicking at the sight of the traveler being touched by a stranger, she seems more focused on finishing the noodles in her bowl.
She arched an eyebrow at the fairy creature, "Not worried at all that your beloved traveler was getting some unwanted attention from guys?"
At first, Keqing thought that the other was ignoring her until Paimon started slurping her noodles like how Anemo Vision Holders sucked their enemies in their wind dome, "There will be no second touch, Paimon's telling you. Aether may seem like the sweetest and harmless guy in Teyvat but once you pissed him off, his punch can even send you to Celestia. Paimon saw it happen once and Paimon's sure that it'll happen again."
Ganyu and Keqing gaped upon hearing that, turning their head at once at Aether's direction. They both expected a much darker look on his face but what they saw was bubbly smile on his face.
"Don't get fooled by that smile," Paimon shook her head, smiling proudly, "Paimon saw Aether sent a group of treasure hoarders flying towards a cliff while smiling like that."
Learning that the traveler has a hidden side, a rather scary one, both of them shivers in fear. Already aware of the great amount of power that the innocent looking blond has, both of them can't imagine him using that power against beings much weaker than him.
"Comrade would totally forgive me if I accidentally hit that guy with my arrow, right?"
"Now, now, let's calm down and think of any ideas that won't involve our dear Aether."
"My bow skills is shitty, I know, but I won't hit Aether, you know."
Diluc, who only went out to get some fresh air after being surrounded by Kaeya and a Fatui, looked at the people in his table, seeing how absorbed they are with thoughts and plans regarding some unknown guy's demise, he winced in disgust. Not wanting to get involved with their stupidity he walked towards the only other person not in their table.
"Aether."
The blond smiled upon seeing Diluc, "Master Diluc! You're back!"
Diluc looked at the blond softly, eyes shaky and filled with affection, "...do you perhaps want to join me for a walk? I saw some things that may interest you at the harbor."
"Hey! I'm still talking to him–"
"Sure!" The server was ignored by the two. Aether's delighted expression distracted Diluc from beating up the server who dares to even think of being worthy of the blond beauty's time.
Absolute silence surrounded their table as they watched the redhead and the blond walked away, leaving a fuming server standing alone at the corner.
"...did he just?"
"Yes. I think he did."
"That sly bastard–"
"Now, now, Mr. Kaeya, let us just be thankful that he took Aether away from the server, right?" Ningguang's tinkling laughter ruined the beginnings of another round of ranting in their table.
Venti just pouted before returning his attention to his discarded bottle of dandelion wine, while the poor yaksha started eating his almond tofu sullenly. Zhongli and Ningguang sipped their teas peacefully as if there's no commotion earlier. Albedo and Kaeya looked at each other and shrugged, while also pretending that there's no ridiculous planning for someone's demise had happened earlier. Childe frowned and glares at the place where the server was standing earlier before picking his bowl of rice.
Seeing that the others are finally calm, Ganyu and Keqing can finally eat their own food peacefully.
They already finished their food when Aether and Diluc came back. A few of them (note: Childe and Venti) are annoyed upon hearing that the two spent their time eating outside and just... walking together.
"How sly of you, Master Diluc!"
"Shut it, Kaeya."
"I will never sing in your tavern ever again, Master Diluc!"
"Is that so? Then how will you pay your tab?"
"...I'm just kidding, Master Diluc! You really don't know how to take a joke, teehee!"
"You bought him a bunch of Noctilicous Jade? I must say that these are high quality ones, I shall buy some later."
"Yes. He needs it for a quest. It surprised me how knowledgeable Aether is when it comes to rocks. Apparently, he learned it from you."
"I'm glad to hear that the small amount of knowledge that I shared to our traveler has been helpful to both of you."
"Fight me."
"As much as I want to rid the world of your existence, Fatui. I don't want to ruin the good mood that I got after spending time with Aether."
"–you bastard!"
"Boring."
"How interesting... it seems like I need to reassess my rivals again."
They must looked downright ridiculous or intimidating when they all went out of the Pavilion. Crowding Aether like a bunch of overprotective mothers while glaring at the shivering server who's seeing them off.
But Aether is theirs, and they don't want to share anymore.