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Ayato was a smart man, far more smarter than what foolish people take him for. It was quite silly, wasn’t it? Anyone with common sense knew his wits, and dared not to cross them.
He truly doesn’t want to believe that Aether was doubting his capabilities at reading people, honestly, it wasn’t plausible. Yes.. It wasn’t his fault he thought he had Ayato fooled with that forced smile, everyone else believed it after all. So no, Aether couldn’t be doubting him… He was just doing what he always did.
Typically, he’d let it go. He’s a busy man after all, and Aether’s struggles should be discussed with someone who he trusts. Their relationship was… Still fresh, new and uncertain. Although Aether certainly looked at him with amazement with every intelligent move he made against the Kanjou Commission. It was quite cute, the way his eyes widen and his head tilts. Which normally wouldn’t be cute on most others, but with that baby face…
Ah… It reminded him of his little sister.
Anyways… Aether was far too easy to read- for his standards, that is. The entire time Aether tagged along to assist him with the… Marriage issues, he seemed to be struggling emotionally. The way his hand would come up towards his chest every so often before immediately going back down- which to Ayato, indicated that something was wrong- an injury possibly? Hm.. Well Ayato dropped it then, but now that he’s thinking about it…
So despite his ever busy schedule, he knows how to clear it when need be. His clan members were all too happy to take any work he lacked to do, so technically he always had time he could spare. Not that he takes advantage of it often, it simply wasn’t logical when he had the wits he did.
…This wasn’t his point.
He was on his way towards Aether’s current location, is what he’s trying to say. The boy was still here, as he had been informed. At the Komore Teahouse, to be specific. Not too surprising, it was a safe location and as he had been told by Thoma- the first place he stayed when he arrived in Inazuma. Ah, Thoma.. Always making a safe place for others even if the region is in disarray and wanted them dead.
“Good evening,” Ayato greets as he usually did, in a formal tone- though at the sight of Thoma, his younger sister, and Aether- his voice would increase in warmth. “How are all of you?”
“Ah, Lord Ayato! I wasn’t expecting to see you here today, was I misinformed of your days off..?” Thoma questions in his all too light voice, “Hm, well, you’re here no matter what- I’m doing quite fine myself! I can’t speak for Lady Ayaka or Aether though.” He laughs softly, shifting over towards the fridge and-
Oh, lucky for Ayato. He was making a meal. He came just in time then.
“Big brother,” Ayaka greets with a pleased smile, always happy to see Ayato as she doesn’t get to often. “I am doing well. I was just talking with Aether about his plans to go back to Liyue soon.” She hums, tilting her head to Aether who looks over at Ayato with curiosity.
“And how is that going?” Ayato asks as he strolls forward, all too happy to take a seat in front of the counter where Thoma is cooking food.
“Good! He’ll be heading back next week. I’m really jealous that he can just teleport there, but that just means he can visit whenever he wants! Gah, imagine if I was able to teleport back and forward to you, brother.” Ayaka coos out, then giggles at Ayato’s eyebrow raise sent towards her. “What? Don’t want me visiting you all the time?”
“No, your presence is always welcome. If you’re willing to help me with my daily duties, that is.” Ayato says, sending a small smirk her way when she pouts.
“I already have so much to do myself, I think I’ll opt out of teleportation…” She sighs out, resting her head on her hand.
Aether is silent during all this, Ayato notes. Not that he was ever much of a talker in the first place. He seemed to be actively listening however, always with those curious puppy eyes.
Hm.
“Aether, may I speak with you in private?” Ayato questions then, earning a surprised look from the blonde.
“Oh, sure.” Aether replies quietly, sliding off the stool he was sitting on and blinking up at Ayato who takes longer to move out of his stool as well. Seemingly sharing a look with Thoma that Aether cannot read.
It’s for the best that he can’t read that look. Ayato thinks with a smile that’s pointed over to Aether, simply leading him towards one of the back rooms in the tea house. Ayaka and Thoma would share a glance of concern as they go.
“..Is this, important?” Aether asks as soon as the door is closed behind them, sitting down when he’s gestured to do so at one of the chairs in the room.
“To me it is,” Ayato hums, taking a seat right in front of Aether- who fidgets at the closeness. “May I have a look at your chest?”
“..Eh?” The blonde immediately brings his hands to cover his chest, looking at Ayato as if he’d grown another head, “Wha-”
“I just wish to see something.” Ayato extends his hand out right in front of Aether, hovering, “Please?”
…
Aether’s face goes through an array of emotions, confliction being the most prominent as his hands move down and his gaze shifts away from Ayato. He slowly lifts his chest piece up to reveal his chest, still not meeting Ayato’s eyes- flinching at the air hitting his skin that’s normally covered.
Ayato brings his hand up to his chin as soon as he sees the scars, nasty-looking and zig-zagged. He gestures for Aether to lower his chest piece, the blonde all too happy to do so as Ayato lets out a soft sigh. “I thought so,” Ayato tilts his head slightly, “I assume they hurt.”
The blonde shrugs lightly, and Ayato sits up straight as he thinks. Aether messes with his hands as he waits for Ayato to say something, growing more and more uncomfortable but almost jumping in surprise when the tall man suddenly stands up. Aether looks up at him in confusion, only to be met with a hand offering for him to be helped up. The blonde reluctantly takes it, standing up when he’s tugged to do so and following Ayato over towards the window in the room.
“You don’t have to tell me anything, I acknowledge we’re not there in trust quite yet.” Ayato says in a gentle tone as he stares out the window, knowing that Aether’s eyes are on him. “However, as someone in the role of an older brother, it’s foolish to think I’ll never see when you’re hurting. Physically, as well as mentally.” He places a hand on top of the blonde’s head, making Aether let out a ‘huff’, “Know you can come to me. No matter how busy I am, you and Ayaka are exceptions to my work. As well as Thoma… But that’s a little different.” Ayato moves his arm to situate around Aether’s shoulders, humming at the way Aether finally starts to untense.
“I also provide quite the hugs, as I’ve been told. If you ever need one. And ah, you’re not getting out of receiving something for those scars. It’d be unwise of me to leave you to deal with them such as so-” Ayato gets cut off by Aether’s arms wrapping around his center, and he hears the shaky breath that comes from the boy. “..We can stay here for a moment longer, though.”
Aether’s grip tightens, and Ayato shifts slightly so he can rub his back in a comfortable way.
“Thank you.” Aether says in a low voice- Ayato almost misses it, but it makes him smile.
Then, Ayato suddenly perks up, “Oh, and if you’d ever need it- because of my position, please do tell me if you have trouble with anyone here in Inazuma. You have a free pass to getting away with plenty. Don’t abuse it, of course.”
Aether’s face flushes in embarrassment, “...please don’t do anything stupid for me.”
“Stupid? Well, I certainly won’t do anything stupid. As long as you don’t, of course.” Ayato teases, making Aether pout up at him.
Ah, what a puppy face.
He has no impulse control as he brings a hand over and pinches Aether’s cheek, making him whine and only making Ayato then poke his nose.
“I’m not a kid, Ayato.” Aether huffs out, and Ayato’s eyes flash in amusement.
“..Hm. No. You’re not. You compare much more akin to a puppy, I believe.” Ayato snickers, pinching that cheek again-
“Stooooooop,” Aether finally shoves away the hand, escaping from the comforting hug and crossing his arms. “...Thoma gives better hugs. He doesn’t pinch my cheeks.” Aether proclaims, and Ayato’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Oh? Is that so? Next time we hug, I shall do worse then.” Ayato smiles almost mischievously, making the blonde deadpan. “Anywho, let us get your scars taken care of and a warm meal from Thoma.”
“...Okay.” Aether relents, allowing himself to be dragged out of the room,
Aether was quite the loyal one, wasn’t he? So quick to trust and follow..
He’ll make sure no harm comes his way.
No one uses his friends for their empathy and gets away with it.
Ahem. Ah, that's a different thought...
....
Anyways...