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“As of late, I’ve been thinking about housing arrangements.”
Okay, that wasn’t so bad.
“This residence of yours has unique scenery and elegant furnishings which I find attractive.”
Thanks, I have excellent taste, I know.
“I frequently come and go. Excuse me disturbances.”
Heh. Cute.
“Speaking of such things, I ought to contribute something to your realm. And so… If it does not bother you, I would like to find a gift for you.”
Dear God. (I didn’t really know what to think that time, I just know I was touched by the thought).
“A pity… As they say, “only a mighty sword is worthy of a mighty hero.” A gift befitting you truly is difficult to come by.”
It’s hard to please me, I know.
“Fortunately, we have plenty of time, so there’s no need to rush a decision.”
Please don’t rush it, I’m a little scared of what impulse will get you for me.
So…
It was fine, really, all of it—getting a Serenitea Pot, even if it was bare-bones because, apparently, a single lantern took almost a day to make (which I’m not complaining about, just a little bit, maybe). But with Zhongli’s help in decorating—I’ve realized two things:
One, Zhongli has a good eye for aesthetics so long as there aren’t rocks (which is great, because I was decorating the insides of my house and I don’t really want to be surrounded by rocks, I’ve had enough of that when I was sleeping out in the wild).
Two, Zhongli has a better eye for aesthetics when it came to rocks (he made great placements of where the trees would be, where the higher level lands should be, where the rocks and buildings would be).
As expected of the man who built Liyue.
Everything was fine, I even let him decorate the guest room so that after decorating the outdoors, we would take a break—I’d prepare some snacks, he would prepare an amazing tea my tongue would die for, and we would have a casual chat. When it’s a little too late, we would be indoors and then take some time just to relax—even in the quiet. I’ve never really… chilled, as the cool kids say. I would sit on the couch, legs pulled up, hair let down and Zhongli would sit there beside me (a little too stiffly, but maybe that’s just how he is) and I enjoyed curling up next to him and snoozing.
Okay, so, that’s just one of all—and the gist of it all. And it’s great, isn’t it? I felt comfortable, I felt so safe.
Although there have been a few concerns reaching my red flag radar.
Well, while I let Zhongli decorate the guest room, sometimes he would visit my room—he doesn’t really stay long, just to check up on me (sweet, I would say), he doesn’t linger for a long while but one time I faked being asleep and watched him stand by the doorway. He was thinking of something really, and I say really like absolutely, hard about something and I couldn’t grasp my head around what Zhongli could be thinking while I was sleeping.
I didn’t ask him about it the moment I work up from that time, no, I guess I shouldn’t be so suspicious of him right off the bat. I’d feel bad if I broke his trust—for the first time though I’ve seen him a little happier, even relaxed, laughing a lot. I shouldn’t break that safe space for him. I’m sure he was just being an ancient bone and pondering of his old lives.
Maybe.
But it’s now the third month—not really that long, but not that short of time as well. And I often catch Zhongli thinking hard while I was sleeping. In the past weeks, all beds and couches were arranged oddly as well. The beds now had poles with blinds—there was an increased amount of expensive Liyue fabrics and cushion as of late when I told Zhongli I was fine with shopping for my own furniture.
So, now, I knew I had to muster my courage to talk to him.
“Zhongli—” Aether broke through the silence between them as they were arranging the baskets back into the shed then Aether was arranging the stacks and piles of firewood in the storage. “I… I think—”
Zhongli was quiet but he stopped at the last basket in hand and turned to look at Aether and tilted his head, “Aether, I was thinking if we could talk.”
Suddenly there was a heavy (yet controlled) exhale from the Traveler as he turned and nodded, “Just what I was thinking.” They walked out of the shed and eventually settled back indoors where they sat in the living room. Unlike usual, they sat now across each other with a tray of rice cakes and tea on the table before them.
Aether shifted a little uncomfortably in his cowshed as he clasped his hands together, “So, Zhongli, I hope you don’t mind me talking first—”
Zhongli didn’t say a word but he shook his head slightly, giving Aether the clear signal that he was alright to go ahead and that Zhongli would listen.
Aether let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing as he nodded, “So… lately I’ve noticed whenever you check up on me… while I’m sleeping, you seem to have something in your mind. I noticed it because I am awake during those afternoon naps every now and then, I’m just laying down—” Aether looked into Zhongli’s eyes and there was the slightest shift from his expression. While to an outsider it would seem that Zhongli was unfazed, Aether certainly understood and saw the littlest changes. “And that’s not really my only concern, one more—”
Zhongli nodded, letting Aether have the chance to continue talking.
“I… um, was getting uncomfortable or, rather, just curious in general with how you’ve changed your style in decorating. The fabrics and all that… has been making me a little on my nerves.” Then Aether nodded, “So… yeah, I’d like to hear what you have to say about those concerns—anything you want to clarify.”
Zhongli then poured himself, and Aether, a cup of tea—refilling their empty cups then setting the teapot down. He took a slow sip, thinking for a moment then looked back at Aether before setting the small cup cradled in one hand, “So, first—I would like to ask if you have been pleased with the change of fabrics and cushions despite your current concern of confusion.”
Aether blinked twice, “I mean, it’s great—but I told you before I really would like to shop for my own things if it was just a small gift it was fine, but you’re doing it almost every day.” Aether’s brows furrowed and he sighed.
“I understand.” Zhongli nodded, “I will be straight to the point, Aether.” Then he looked at the Traveler from head to toe, “I’ve come to notice how comfortable we have been together.” He began with careful words, “And in that comfort, I have noticed a peculiar habit of yours which I did not so act so hastily upon, but seeing the continuous pattern I have come with a particular assumption leading to the extravagant fabrics, linens, and cushions.”
Aether still had an expression of confusion and as much as he wanted to say something, he mimicked Zhongli’s nod to let the other man continue talking.
“It had led me to believe you have been preparing to be my mate, are you not?”
Aether felt deaf—was that an actual feeling? Aether had to down two cups of scalding hot tea and rubbed his forehead, “Wait, could you repeat that, Zhongli?” Aether knew Zhongli was not unfazed, that he was also surprised by his reaction but, currently, Zhongli’s lack of an evident expression made Aether feel like he was missing a point.
“I was saying, I was led to believe you have been preparing or, at least, showing signs of wanting to be my mate—the bearer of my children. I had wanted to talk to you since it has been a considerable amount of time so we may discuss the health conditions your body may have to endure while carrying the eggs of an Adepti—”
Aether waved both his hands, stopping Zhongli from talking further. “Hold.” Aether frowned, “Tell me… what particular habit of mine led you to believe in such a way?”
Zhongli nodded, “I’ve begun to notice you began to have a change in your sleeping style.” He began, his hand gesturing as he was explaining, “Over the weeks, your bed has been filled with more and more pillows, as well as the sofas have some rather fine pillows of your choosing. Your indoors clothes have been looses and intricate robes. The snacks you have been preparing have begun to lean more on meat.” Zhongli placed his hands back on his lap, “I believe you have begun nesting in your sleep and I do understand more often than not it tends to be a subconscious act especially when the body and one's psyche is rather quite comfortable in the presence of their chosen mate—so I would like to ask if you’ve noticed this habit of yours—”
This time, Aether had his elbows by his thighs as he had his face cupped in his palms. He wanted to cry, truly—not out of anything dramatic but it was beyond bizarre, “Zhongli.”
He hummed contemplatively.
“Zhongli.”
“Yes, Aether?”
“Zhongli… I… I’m so sorry, this… this is a misunderstanding—” Aether let out a sigh, his face red in either embarrassment or an emotion he has yet to discover. “I… I like pillows… Zhongli, I just never got to show that before because I used to sleep outdoors or in inns and they don’t really offer the best accommodations” Aether rubbed his face then set his hands down on his lap, clasped tightly together, “I… would like to call it… basically, maximum comfort, hm? I like sleeping in fetal position when I’m comfortable… and being surrounded by lots of pillows, that is just… comfort—” he shook his head while looking into Zhongli’s eyes, “it doesn’t… doesn’t mean nesting, Zhongli.”
There was a moment of silence before Zhongli blinked twice, “Oh.”
Well, that was certainly awkward. “So… um… yeah, I guess this… um, settles it—” Aether swallowed nervously, “Er, I’m just not going to, you know, try to think much on it, don’t worry about it, Zhongli—I’m sorry you misunderstood, and I’m sorry for all the effort you exerted for… um… that—I’m willing to return everything you paid for since I’ve been saving up Mora from all my commissions—”
Zhongli raised a hand, “No, Aether, it is my fault for having assumed in the first place. I’m really sorry, Aether, for the discomfort I must’ve placed on you for months, I really did not mean for this to happen.” He bowed his head slightly and Aether was frantically telling him to sit upright.
“Don’t bow…! Zhongli, my God, it’s okay, it’s a misunderstanding…!” Aether sighed and shook his head, “I think we should… both just retire for the night—you… you’re always free to visit, but you’re also free not to, okay? I… know you’ve been um, visiting more lately because… you probably thought um, yeah, that… I’ll go sleep now. Good night, Zhongli—” Aether put the cups back in the tray and picked it up as he stood, He bowed his head slightly, now in courtesy, “Thank you for all your help, Zhongli, and I’m sorry for all these misunderstandings—” he turned to walk back to the kitchen when he heard a slight rustle of fabrics, Zhongli must’ve stood up.
“Aether.”
Aether stopped, but he didn’t turn to look at the other yet, although he did hum, showing he was listening to any final words.
“Regardless, it does not change my feelings that I do care for you—in a romantic way, I am feeling a sense of protectiveness and a deep desire for an exclusive relationship with you,” Zhongli confessed.
Aether gritted his teeth as he closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh as he remained quiet. He didn’t need to respond immediately, he was afraid of what his mouth would run off with if he spoke then. So he walked into the kitchen and eventually hear the echo of the main door clicking. Once the tray was set on the the counter next to the sink, Aether squatted down, sitting on his ankles as he rested his forehead against the lower cabinets, “Oh God.” he had a hand over his chest, clutching onto the fabrics of his clothes as he felt his heart drumming against his fingers—that much it was beating loudly.
What was he thinking? Aether wanted to ask and while he was certain that question was supposed to be for Zhongli, he began to wonder if it was a question to himself. He wasn’t going to see sleeping surrounded by pillows the same after all this and Aether wasn’t sure how to confront this part of himself.