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It was a bright, sunny day when you had first run into the well-known Honorary Knight and his companion.
Amber had dragged you out of the library and out to Good Hunter before you got a chance to get your hands on a book Lisa had recommended, saying something about how the Fisherman's Toast was exceptionally good today. Naturally, you couldn't resist the Outrider. She was one of the few who you considered a close friend after all.
Amber would usually force you out every once in a while to let you bask healthily in sunlight, knowing your tendencies to coop inside from burying yourself in stories and different realities. You, on the other hand, would be the one to make her rest whenever she'd over-exert herself, as she had a knack for being stubborn at times. It's balanced if you could say.
Even so, you groaned at the rays of the sun glaring down at you and hissed. Amber laughed when you attempted to cover yourself with your jacket, “You look like a vampire!” You sent her a glare that seemed to make her laugh even more, knowing that you didn't harbor any ill intent with the stink eye you gave her every now and then. “You have got to enjoy the sun more.”
“Yeah, no. I would rather die from freezing than a heat stroke,” you grumbled, fiddling with the Anemo vision brooch pinned on your chest. You activated it a little and sighed dreamily when you felt a breeze wash over you. “Alright, but you won't regret it when we get Sweet Madame!”
“I thought we were getting Fisherman's Toast?”
“Oh shoot, you're right. Whoops,” She sheepishly grinned, and you could only shake your head at the girl. Giving in, you fixed your jacket and tied your hair into a low, loose ponytail. “This better be worth it, and you're paying for it.” You shrugged and fiddled with your gloves before staring suspiciously at Amber. “You're not gonna make me pay for it again, are you? ” Amber waved her hands frantically, “Relax, relax! That was a one-time thing, I'm paying back with this.”
You hummed, satisfied with her answer before humming a familiar tune. Amber smiled and enjoyed your humming. It was a lullaby sung to you by your mother when you but a mere child before she had gone out due to a mission, and eventually disappeared. She remains missing to this day, and you wonder if she's still out there at all…
Your humming eventually ceases as you force yourself to point out that both of you were almost there, and Amber takes this as an opportunity to run over to order. You catch up to the Outrider and notice that she's conversing with someone else.
You stay behind her, taking a look at the unfamiliar faces. The first one was a feminine-looking boy, his long, blond hair tied into a braid. He had honey-colored eyes and donned an earring and seemed to glow teal, the signature color of Anemo. The clothes he wore seemed to be outlandish, so you assumed he was a traveler. A pretty one, you dare say.
Beside him was a floating pixie with starry eyes and white hair, almost looking like she was ripped out of the night sky itself. Their eyes turn to you, and this was when you realized they had already noticed you and presumably waited for you to speak. Although, Amber had beat you to it. “This is [Name]! Part of the Knights of Favonius—”
“I can speak for myself, Amber.” The Outrider only laughed in return and turned to Sara about their orders. Now that you had to introduce yourself alone, you immediately regretted stopping Amber from doing it for you. Nevertheless, you had to. “I'm [Name], and I work as a researcher in the Knights, mainly under Albedo's command. And you are...?” You stayed aloof as the duo began to introduce themselves.
“I’m Aether, the Honorary Knight.” “I’m Paimon!”
Recognition shines in your eyes. “Ah, I assume that you must be the one who helped out with the ‘Stormterror’ situation? The Knights are forever grateful for your deeds.” You slightly bowed your heads to show your gratitude, what would Mondstadt look like if they haven’t come across and helped?
Paimon frantically waves her hands and frets, “N-no need to bow! No need, really!” Aether does the same, although a lot less frantic and more on the awkward side of the spectrum. You lifted your head, a small and amused smile etched onto your face. “Well then, the least I could do is get you breakfast. Would you mind if I take a bit of your time and invite you to breakfast with Amber?”
Amber was quick to cut you off, “Hey, I’m the one paying here! And [Name], you have no idea how much food can Paimon eat—”
“Paimon is not a glutton!” The floating pixie puffed her cheeks and turned to Aether, who only deadpanned at Paimon’s claims. “Don’t look at Paimon like that!”
You whisked their worries away and turned to Sara despite Amber’s protests, “Place whatever they order on my tab, just this once.”
You, Amber, and Aether ended up getting a few good plates of Fisherman’s Toast and some fried eggs, while Paimon got quite a few of Stick Honey Roast. You couldn’t blame the pixie though, Sticky Honey Roast was great. You could only smile amusedly as you watched Paimon stuff her mouth with it, and Aether just staring disappointed and embarrassed.
“So,” you began, “What brings you to Mondstadt?”
That one question set off a lengthy story about how Aether had separated from his twin by something and now he’s on a mission to find her. It gravely reminded you of how long you’ve been searching for someone dear to you as well, and when they had noticed your expression, you took it as an invitation to tell a part of your own story. Aether looked at you with understanding and Paimon patted your head with her small hand in sympathy before she let out a gasp,
“You could accompany us! That way, we can search for them while helping each other!”
Your eyes widened ever so slightly, and you found yourself on the verge of declining, as you were a bit attached to Mondstadt. The City of Freedom felt like home, and you were sure you'd be a bit overwhelmed the moment you step out of Mondstadt territory. As you turned to Aether to politely decline the offer, you realized that it was a mistake to look at him and his eyes that seemed to be filled with hope.
Sighing, you ended up agreeing to accompany them when they'd venture out of Mondstadt. You knew that you were bound to start traveling soon, so why even resist?
Amber placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder once she saw the sliver of anxiousness flash in your eyes after mulling it over. “Relax, you’ll do just great out there. You’ve always accompanied me too, haven’t you?” She bumped her shoulders against yours, “I know our favorite researcher is strong just from the number of times you’ve helped out! Besides, wherever you go, the Thousand Winds will always glide you, [Name].”
You found yourself smiling softly at the Outrider, “It makes sense you’d be a Pyro wielder.”
“What does that mean?”
“You can beat the sun since you burn so bright.”
“Aw shucks—”
You listened intently to Paimon’s tales about the commissions and quests they would tackle when you weren’t available to assist then, Aether occasionally interrupting the storytelling when Paimon would exaggerate certain details. Every time she did, you’d let out a puff of amusement when Aether chided her for it before he’d take it upon himself to tell what actually happened, the pixie immediately calling him a killjoy afterward.
Exhibit A.
“—And then the hilichurls told us that they’ll make us regret being born!”
“Paimon, you can’t even understand Hilichurlian, remember?”
“Ugh, you’re such a buzzkill. Paimon was trying to make it sound cool!”
“Alright, alright you two,” you chastised, “Break it up now. Since I finally have free time, I could go with you to clear out some slimes somewhere near the bridge? Heard dendro slimes have been camping out there.” You picked up the papers on the table before placing one of the snowglobes on the stack to prevent it from being blown away if there would be a breeze.
Aether nodded before pausing, “We have to get the rewards real quick though. Do you mind waiting?” The three of you, or two in this case since Paimon floats, stepped out of your office and out of the building. Paimon snickered at how you seemed to glare right back at the sun’s burning rays.
You waved your hands dismissively, unaware of the soft smile on your face as you spoke. “I’ll just glide over to the gates and meet you there. Catch you there, Aeth.” Aether significantly brightens up at the nickname, though you don’t notice as you were too busy trying to calm down your slip-up.
“I’ll be right there, [Nickname].”
You immediately glided away once you heard that. You could hear Aether’s voice of concern and Paimon shrieking in surprise, you’d think they got used to people gliding around and about from nowhere from the time they’ve spent in Mondstadt.
[Nickname].
[Nickname]?
[Nickname].
Oh Celestia, why was your heart drumming like crazy from a stupid nickname? It didn’t make sense.
You skidded across the pavement once you landed and the guards, along with Amber who happened to be around when you landed quite awfully, immediately came to your aid in concern. You held up your hand to signal you’re fine which seemed to let the two guards off, but Amber didn’t relent. “Oh archons, are you sure you’re okay?! You rarely mess up when landing!”
“I’m alright, I—” You didn’t get to finish your words when the brunette cupped your cheeks to force you to look at her, since you were shying away from her gaze. You tried your best to force the blush away, though you assumed your face was pinkish as it still felt the slightest bit warm. You hoped that Amber would brush it off as a result due to the heat and the unexpected landing.
From the cheeky look on her face, you assumed that Celestia ignored your prayers.
“Now, why is the almighty [Name], who would usually be chill and dare I say aloof, looking quite flushed as if someone offered an irresistible deal?” The girl teased, much to your demise. You huffed and gently pried her hands off your face before wiping your cheeks, a futile attempt to cover up the blush rising up to your face. After a moment or two, you sighed. “It's nothing, just got caught off guard,” you took your hair tie and began tying your hair into your usual loose ponytail while Amber tried to analyze you.
The Outrider stared a bit too long, and it started to concern you. Before you could ask, she suddenly perked up. “Is it because of the traveler?”
You stood there, dumbfounded. Was this girl more perceptive than you expected or was she making a wild guess? Before you could try to shoot that idea down, she started rambling about how you seemed to be a lot more involved with Aether and how you seemed to go out a lot more than before. You wondered why it was taking long for the blond to show up, so you had to stop Amber.
“Calm down, it's not like that. I promised Aether and Paimon that I'd accompany them, so I've been going with them on quests so that we'd get used to each other's presence.”
Amber raised a brow, “Really now?”
You sighed yet again, “Where's this even coming from?” She, in turn, crossed her arms, a rare smirk on her face this time. “Are you sure you aren't, you know… interested in the traveler?” It took a few seconds for her words to register and process in your brain, you tilting your head confusedly when it did. “Of course I am.”
Amber visibly gaped when you openly admitted to it. “So you—”
“Who wouldn't be? A traveler appears out of nowhere to save the city from a crisis—” Your words got cut off when Amber waved her hands frantically, laughing, “Hold on. That's not the type of interest I meant, [Name].” You were even more confused at this point. You wouldn't shy away from compliments about being a genius, but sometimes Amber can leave you in a stump. “What in Celestia's name were you trying to say, then?”
“I was trying to say if you like like him, dense [Name]~”
Oh.
Oh .
You blinked once, twice, and a few more times before immediately blurting out a response. “No. And even if I did, we have priorities, Amber.” The other girl could do nothing but sigh when you rejected it. Typical. She always knew you to be one who wasn't looking for a relationship, not right now at least. “You couuuld help with each other’s priorities while—”
“Amber.”
“Fiiine. You can’t ignore it forever, y’know.” You sighed when you saw your friend pout and pat her head. You were silent for a few moments before you finally spotted Aether running up to the gates, a few pieces of bread in tow. You crossed your arms at him, a teasing smile on your face, “Where was all that talk of only taking a minute? And what’s the wheat for?”
Aether slightly huffed at you picking on him. “You know that wasn’t literal, and this,” he held up the wheat in his hand and shook it, “is for Timmie’s birds since the kid gets mad whenever they fly away.”
“Isn’t that the same kid who said they might not come back just like their dad?”
“Yeah, that's the same kid.”
“I see… shall we get going, then?” You placed a hand on your hip as Aether nodded before noticing Amber by your side. “Oh, did I interrupt a conversation or—”
“No, no you didn’t.” Amber pouted again at how quickly you dismissed the conversation but made a note that it wouldn’t be the last time she’d bug you about it. You felt a chill go down your spine, seeing Amber give you an all too knowing glance before skipping away, saying something about fixing gliders. You turned back to Aether and Paimon, who you saw pop out of whatever pocket dimension she disappears to.
“So, about those dendro slimes…”
It had been about a few weeks now, and you were accompanying Aether and Paimon in Liyue. You simply stared at the scenery as the blond and the pixie bickered over something you didn’t pay attention to. You were pretty damn sure Paimon was suspicious over your slight hesitance to try and talk to Aether, but you pretended to not see it.
You were internally panicking. You had come to the reluctant acceptance that you indeed harbored feelings for the Honorary Knight that fine morning. One moment you were fixing up and getting ready for the day, the next your thoughts drifted off to Aether, how kind and determined he is, how he looked absolutely stunning and how his smile looked so—
You got pulled out of your little daydream when you felt a consistent — and irritating — knocking on the back of your head, which was actually Paimon trying to get your attention. The pixie immediately stopped when you sent her a death glare and laughed nervously. “What?”
“Paimon was just worried about you since you suddenly stopped walking. Which by the way, why are your ears suddenly pink?” Your floating companion narrowed her eyes in suspicion, the pixie had a guess as to why you’d have these moments of staring off into space but didn’t mention it. You shook your head to clear your mind, which didn’t work. When Paimon’s stare didn’t relent, you sighed. “It’s nothing Paimon, just… thinking about a few things.”
“Is the few things Aether?” You pinched Paimon’s cheek harshly, who yelped at the sudden attack. “Can you not? He might hear you, pixie!” You glared at her, seeing her grin. “Paimon was right then.”
“Don’t make me throw you into another river—”
This time, Aether decided to join in the conversation. His gaze landed on you, concern laced in his eyes. “Is something the matter? You look a bit feverish, [Nickname].” He took off one of his gloves and placed the palm of his hand on your forehead. Your face grew hot and out of impulse, you smacked his hand away. The three of you flinched in surprise at your actions. You felt yourself stumble over your words. “‘M fine, really— Aeth, your braid just came undone.”
The blond blinked and felt his hair to check. He sighed as he saw his hair get untangled and began to grumble. “This is the fifth time the elastic snapped, I swear if it won’t stop I might just chop it all off—”
“Must I remind you that I have more with me? Let me just braid it again, come here.”
Aether nodded, not wanting to miss a chance of you redoing his hair. It felt like bliss to have someone gently handle it. No, he is not biased towards you at all. … Okay fine, maybe a little. He didn’t mind as you dragged him to a spot and made him sit. You began to look for the hairbrush you’d always bring with you, which may be a bit unnecessary to bring around when going on a journey but hey, it has its perks.
You didn’t notice Aether hissing at Paimon, something about not exposing him right now and ‘don’t make me turn you into actual food,’ so you didn’t question anything when you turned around and caught the blond sending quite a nasty glare at Paimon. The pixie only stared back at him in a strange mix of smugness and fear. Deciding to brush it off, for now, you began to detangle his hair.
The very faint scent of vanilla and dandelions drifted over to you, making you smile. He must’ve used the shampoo you recommended to him. You noticed how Aether’s shoulders relaxed as you run the brush through his hair gently and briefly wondered if he needed a massage. You shook your head, feeling your face growing hot again, and focused on the task at hand.
Aether let out a sigh, smiling contently as he felt your hands rake through his hair. Pink dusted his cheeks as the thought of you being with him, being together , had suddenly slid into his head. He almost shook his head to clear his head but remembered you were fixing up his hair and settled on staring at the clouds in the sky, as they suddenly seemed more interesting.
Paimon stared at the duo in front of her, almost swooning over the sight. You were almost flustered at how she wiggled her eyebrows at the both of you. When you turned your head to hide your embarrassment, the pixie immediately locked eyes with the outlander, who immediately shot her a warning glare, as if he was daring her to. She pouted in response.
A few more minutes passed as the two of you talked, and Paimon couldn’t hold herself back anymore. She huffed and pointed at the two of you. “Paimon can’t hold it anymore! Both of you are sooooo in love with each other it’s painful! I’m third-wheeling a couple that isn’t even together yet!” The both of you froze at Paimon’s words. When either of you refused to make another move, the pixie huffed again and disappeared to whatever pocket dimension she had.
Slowly but surely, you began to finish up Aether’s braid, refusing to acknowledge his stare. The familiar taste of blood danced on your tongue as you bit the sides of your cheeks, an attempt to take your mind off… whatever the fuck Paimon was trying to pull. You tied the elastic loosely and put the brush away, suddenly the grass was more interesting than the awkward tension surrounding you and Aether.
Both of you weren’t sure how to address the situation at hand.
It had already been two hours, the sun was beginning to set. The two of you were sitting beneath the tree, a safe distance away from each other. You risked a glance at him a few times, only to see him either facing away or fumbling with his scarf. The silence was killing you. You shot a glare at a random rock nearby, imagining it was Paimon and reminding yourself to give the pixie a good scolding.
You hesitantly lifted your head and turned to Aether when he called your name. His face was tinged pink, and couldn’t hold eye contact for more than three seconds. His eyes were fluttering around, and so were your thoughts. You willed yourself to say something, anything. Celestia forbid the tension to continue on any longer because of a few words a floating child spewed out.
“So… Paimon definitely had a lot to say, hahA—” You clamped your hand over your mouth abruptly and turned away as your voice cracked. You felt your face grow hot from embarrassment, more so when Aether had the audacity to laugh at your little crack. You sent a playful glare at him, but the laughter bubbling up in you forced you to stop. “Shut it,” you snorted.
Aether let out one last wheeze and grinned at you boyishly. “Sorry, but that was too funny and cute to not laugh at.”
You pursed your lips, eyes widening. Aether flushed as he processed his own words and scratched the back of his neck, sheepish. The tension was still there, albeit it was noticeably less, and you thought fuck it , and decided to bring up the… situation.
“About Paimon…” you began, not looking at the other, who already looked like he had something to say. “She… well that pixie… doesn’t know how to hold her tongue and now we’re all weird and I understand if you don’t feel the same way but please don’t act differently we can always just be friends I’d still like to travel with you because I really like your company and IlikeyoutooIdon’tevenknowifit’slikeorloveoharchonsI’mrambling—” You hid your face in your hands, eyes stinging from… embarrassment? Frustration?
You felt the gloved hands of Aether grab your wrists gently and slowly move your hands away from your face. You held your breath and closed your eyes, refusing to look at him. He gave your wrists a small squeeze. “[Name], please open your eyes.” You saw a small smile on his face when you did as told. “Why did you think I don’t feel the same way?”
“Well… priorities? I-I mean you’re… You have to find your sister and I have to find someone too and I thought that—”
The blond laughed for a second. “That doesn’t mean we can’t look for them together .” You let out a breath as Amber’s words ring in your ears.
“You couuuld help with each other’s priorities.”
“Huh, she was right.” You muttered, a fond smile gracing your lips.
Aether cocked his head to the side, confused. “Who?”
You shook your head, “nothing.”
A pause.
“So, are we—” “Now, are we—”
The both of you cut each other off. You stared for a moment, Aether doing the same before you burst into a fit of giggles. He only shook his head and laughed along with you. Bold, you intertwined your hands with his, and Aether squeezed yours in response. You smiled at him, and he instantly knew you were one of the most amazing people he’d ever met. The words slipped out of him before he could mull them over.
“Can I kiss you?”
You blinked comically and grinned as he burned bright red. “Right away? You haven’t even taken me out to dinner yet…” You trailed off, deadpan as you start to recall the times he’d treat you to dinner. It was his turn to grin. “I have, countless times.” You scoffed playfully, a smile playing on your lips. “Well then, you have ten seconds unless you want me to kiss you first.”
Warmth spread in both of your chests as he leaned in, briefly brushing his lips against yours. The scent of vanilla and dandelions flooded your nose for just a quick second and left you giddy as he immediately backed away, mouth slightly ajar. The both of you shared a glance and kissed for the second time that day, less hesitant. Your breath tickled the blond slightly as he delicately cupped your face and tilted his head ever so slightly. Your hands found their way to Aether’s hair, detangling it as the elastic snapped yet again, but you could always fix that later.
After what seemed to be an eternity, the both of you finally parted, dazed. Heat crept up your neck as you processed what just happened. “That was my first one. First and second. Oh, Celestia.”
“Did I ever tell you that I love you? Cause I love you.” Aether muttered, still in a daze.
“Aeth, we just kissed twice and Paimon literally exposed our asses earlier.”
“Yeah, but did I?”
“You just did,” you laughed lightly, making him grin. The blond stood up and lent you a hand which you gratefully took, now noticing your legs slightly shaking. You groaned when you heard Aether snicker and smacked him before he could say anything. Paimon finally zapped into existence from her little dimension, startling you. “I forgot you were a thing,” you muttered, Paimon taking great offense to that.
“HEY! Paimon isn’t a thing, Paimon is Paimon! And what do you mean forgot?!”
“Nothing Pai, nothing.” You shot a glare at Aether, who looked like he was on the verge of laughing. The pixie huffed and turned to float away, “let’s head over to Wanmin Restaurant, Paimon is starving!”
The both of you trailed after Paimon, who was happily making her way to the restaurant as if she didn’t say anything a couple of hours earlier. You felt Aether nudge you. “She seriously couldn’t have forgotten.”
“Something tells me she did, I bet it on a thousand mora.”
Aether snickered. You grinned and pecked on him the cheek (Aether froze for a moment) before dashing to Wanmin, yelling, “Last one there has to pay for everything! That includes you, Paimon!”
“Why is Paimon a part of this?! Do you know how tiring it is to race?!” Paimon groaned and shrieked when she saw Aether race after you. “Not you too! Hey, wait! Paimon doesn’t have mora, you know!”