Work Text:
Yun Jin was certainly in an elated mood today.
There were many reasons that she would be happy. For one, it was her birthday today. That meant that she had a much more relaxed day as opposed to her usual uptight schedule that would be quite taxing on the performer at times.
Secondly, she had just recently finished an opera show, and her next one was a little ways away because the elders were busy with their plans for future operas, and the possibility of it being in other nations if the chances presented themselves.
But, there were still other reasons mind you, one reason stood above all else.
It was that the traveler, Aether, had agreed to come accompany her on a night tour of Liyue harbor. Liyue’s night streets and markets were much more different compared to what they are during the day, and it has never failed to make Yun enjoy herself. And to be able to enjoy such an occasion with Aether was beyond what she called for.
Ever since that day they hung out together, she felt different about him. Something about this illustrious traveler caught her eye like a fine piece of art in a display museum, and she felt attracted to him the more she was with him. The man, despite being quite a mystery in many ways, was open to her.
Not only that, but she saw him as a friend with whom she could drop all formalities and become herself around. Not the stage performer Yun Jin, or the in-character Yun Jin. She could simply be ‘Yun Jin’ around him, as pure as she was born.
No facades, no stage lights, and no audience. She liked it.
She enjoyed it.
She loved it.
Whether it was just being with him, or the man himself that she held feelings towards, Yun JIn had no idea. She wasn’t experienced in this, and was unsure of what to do.
So she decided to just carry on and let it flow where it goes.
Besides, he hadn’t pushed her away and seemed happy to be around her, so she relished it.
And this is where we find our heroine today, standing at the pier of Liyue harbor and watching the ships go by. She was early, eager as ever to go out on this little date. The elders had cut her some slack today, and practically gave her the night off. Yun Jin was going to make absolute use of it, no matter what.
She hummed a tune as she watched the moon’s reflection off the ocean in front of her. It was a peaceful night, and the markets were pleasant at this time. They were crowded, but somehow Liyue wasn’t as crowded today as usual. It was perfect, if only he was here.
And, her wishes were answered as she began to think of where he is.
“Staring into the moonlight, Ms. Yun?”
She chuckles as she stops humming the elegant tune, turning around.
Her sharp red eyes met his dreamy golden eyes, and her smile only widened.
“Taking a short break while I wait, my company for the night has yet to arrive, although I’m most certain that has changed now.”
Aether chuckled as he walked over and stood beside her, watching the moonlit sea in front of them. “Taking some inspiration or something?”
“Hmm, no. I’m not thinking about operas or plays right now. In fact, I’d rather not think about them for the rest of the day. I have ample time to think about them tomorrow or the day after. Right now, I just want to enjoy the moment.” Yun Jin replies, taking a deep breath of the night air around them.
“As you please. It’s a perfect night, the weather is great and the city isn’t as crowded. We could go out without much fuss, unlike last time.” Aether remarked, earning a giggle from Yun Jin.
“As much as I agree with you. I still have to please my followers so as to not disappoint them or turn them down, that would be rude.” Yun Jin says.
“Haha, of course, of course. I wouldn’t dream of being against that.” Aether replies. They fall into some silence, Yun Jin wondering if she should break the tranquil silence between them to go on that date they planned. The atmosphere was most pleasant however, and she wasn’t too keen on breaking it.
It dawned on her that just being with him was enough to make her feel at ease.
“Say, Yun?” Aether asked, a little shy in his voice.
“Yes, Aether?” She turns to him, finding his hands suspiciously behind his back. She raises an eyebrow towards him.
“W-when you told me about this, I didn’t want to come empty handed so I went about and picked a few things up before I came here after my commissions were done. I dropped Paimon back at the teapot since she wanted to take a break after all that.” Aether said. Yun Jin just nodded, urging him to continue on.
“So here. This is for you.” Aether’s right hand came up front, and Yun Jin let out a small little gasp. In his hand was a neatly wrapped bouquet of glaze lilies, silk flowers, cecilias, and a few rare lampgrass. The flowers were neatly arranged to display their beauty, while the glowing lampgrass gave a low light that greatly highlighted the colors of the flowers, even at night. Yun Jin carefully took it out from his arms, and admired it with shining eyes.
It wasn’t made by a shop, she knew it was handcrafted. For one, the wrapping was made out of fine silk, and she was sure no flower shop sold that. Second, the large ribbon tying it together into a bow tie at the front was custom made. It had Yun Jin’s name in calligraphy on it too.
Her mouth was agape as she observed it. She brought it closed and sniffed it, the smells of the flowers still fresh. They weren’t even fake, they were real flowers, and with how well they smelled he must have picked it not long ago.
Although she had received a lot of presents, this one was different to her. Though others gave more expensive gifts, most of them simply bought something of interest to her and sent it, at times not even appearing to give it themselves.
Yun Jin turned to him to say a lot of thank yous, only to be silenced.
Aether held out a wrapped box in front of her with his left hand, his soft smile never leaving his face. She blinked a few times, unsure of what to say.
“Go on. It’s for you.”
She hesitated a bit, but took the box from his hands, placing the bouquet down for the moment.
No sooner had she unwrapped it and opened it, did a much louder gasp escape her lips as she saw what was inside. Her face glowed as the object inside reflected some light.
A necklace, silver and shining with the centerpiece being a very beautiful and rare Prithiva Topaz Gemstone, small enough that it wasn’t heavy, but large enough that it glowed. She gently tilted the box around like a little girl, her eyes still fixated on the gift.
Yun Jin has a geo vision, and the gemstone naturally contains geo energy in it. She could easily tell that the stone wasn’t a fake, as it resonated with her vision. Not only that, but the raw power of the gemstone itself was amazing; much higher than the ones she found even in the most expensive gem markets.
She looked up to him, her mouth agape, waiting for an explanation that he was quick to provide.
“Most of the gems around Liyue are good, but not too special. I wanted something a little more for your birthday, and I had a thought to get one of these. Since the chasm is cleared, I went a little deep in there and got this little thing out. I had it chipped and shaped before I commissioned a jeweler to make a necklace for it. Even she was amazed at what I was able to procure.”
“T-the chasm?” Yun Jin only just noticed that Aether had a few bandages on his limbs.
“Nothing to worry about, I just had to kill a large mechanical object to get this. Then, as soon as it's done, I made sure it still had strength though my own use of geo. Once that’s done, I wrapped it up and well….the rest is history.” He says, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. “Happy birthday, Yun Jin.”
She had no words.
Just like the operas, her actions talked for her.
Aether did not expect her to suddenly close the distance. He didn’t expect her free hand to suddenly wrap around the back of his head. He absolutely didn’t expect her lips to suddenly lock with his.
Yun Jin acted on impulse. She didn’t think, but went with it. He’d gone through all that for her, and she needed to show that she truly appreciated him and his efforts.
Their kiss lasted for a good few seconds, their souls melting into the kiss as it went. Once they separated, a deep blush colored both their cheeks as she stared deeply into him.”
“I have no words to express myself for this……how do you make me so speechless?” She says, a light giggle in her speech. Aether just chuckled, before Yun Jin pulled away from him, taking the necklace out of its box and putting it down.
“Can you…..perhaps…..put it on for me?” Yun Jin asks, a little shy and hesitant. Aether nods.
Yun Jin turns around, placing her hands back with the necklace for him to put on. Aether’s hand gently drifts around her as he places the necklace on her, peeking forward to make sure its at the optimum height. The close proximity of their bodies made both of them blush slightly, their heat warming each other up in contrast to the cold Liyue wind at night.
He pulled back. “Done. What do you think?”
Yun jIn takes a look at the necklace. She then turns around, looking at Aether again. “I don’t have a mirror here, but I trust your judgment. I don’t have the right to say I’m displeased.” She says with a smile.
“I’m glad you like it then.” He says with a smile.
They hugged as Aether brought his arms around her, Yun Jin bringing hers around his torso. He gently rubbed her back, pecking her forehead slightly as she giggled. “I never knew you had a knack for this when we first met. You truly are a unique person.”
“I guess the term ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ works well for me, eh?” He replies.
“Pfff, hehe. It does indeed.” She replies with a giggle.
They stay there for a moment, before Aether breaks the silence.
“Happiest birthday, Yun.”
She could literally scream in happiness if she had the chance, but she was still in the harbor. She opted to just nuzzle into him and mumble.
“Thank you. So much.” Yun Jin teared up some happy tears, Aether wiped them for her as they embraced each other.
After a moment, they separated.
“Well, the night is still young. I recall you asking me out because you wanted to do something in particular.” Aether says.
“If I were to be honest, we could go home right now and I’d already be the happiest person in all of Liyue.” Yun Jin says.
“Well then, allow me to make you the happiest person in all of Teyvat.” He holds his hand out to her. Yun Jin happily takes his hand, following suit with his chivalric gesture. She picks the flowers up, sniffing it one more time before turning to Aether.
“Let’s put these back in my home before we continue. I’m rather….embarrassed to be walking about holding this.” Yun Jin says, a little shy about the idea of walking around with such an eye catching bouquet in hand.
“Hehe, as you please. That said, you don’t mind at all with the necklace?” Aether asks back, earning him a light shove from the opera singer.
“It’s different! This looks okay on me if we were to go out.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s go then, those meat buns are not going to eat themselves after all.”
Yun Jin smiles at Aether, and he smiles back as they walk away from the edge of the pier and back into Liyue harbor.
“The moon is beautiful tonight, isn’t it?”
“It is.”