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Paimon had grown used to Aether venturing all around Teyvat, meeting numerous sparring partners throughout the week despite her initial worry over possibly getting hurt. Depending on the partner, she would behave differently.
With Dvalin, she stayed mostly out of sight, watching from the side as Aether flew around and met his claws with his blade. With Andrius, she would perch herself on the edge of the Arena’s walls and watch, kicking her feet in an attempt to remain unphased as she would witness her friend evade the jaws of the god.
With Childe, she would just outright refuse to stay. When asked as to why, Paimon claimed it was because they always went for too long and it was difficult to watch due to how much effort they both threw into the fight. Aether had to admit, he did bleed the most when he fought Childe.
That was the point of fighting with him though.
With the others, he knew he wasn’t on equal footing with them. They were gods, and had inhuman forms to boot, but facing against Childe he knew they had somewhat of a common ground. They both had goals set for their lifespan they wanted to reach before its end and in order to accomplish said goal, they had to give it their all when fighting.
It sent a rush throughout Aether he could only find when fighting against the Harbinger. There was an odd bond the two had created despite their complicated history together and yet Aether couldn’t help but look forward to seeing him each week to see who would come out on top in their duel.
More often than not though, it ended the same way every week.
Aether placed the entirety of his strength into his next swing, planting his feet heavily onto the shined floors of the golden palace. He gritted his teeth, aiming the hilt of his sword against the harbinger’s jaw to send the man flying across the room, landing heavily against the floor.
His mask fell as he rolled, letting out a weak cough as the electro delusion’s power faded from his body. He laughed airlessly, his arms wobbling as he moved onto his stomach to try to lift himself up.
Aether gripped his sword, a dull ache pulsing throughout his hands as he narrowed a cautious glare at Childe’s unsteady form. He waited for his next move, flinching when Childe lifted himself completely onto his knees, leaning back on the balls of his feet before lifting his hands in surrender.
“I yield,” Childe said, grinning past the swelling on his chin, “Bravo, Comrade. Well fought as always.”
Aether dropped his fighting stance, throwing his sword to the side to send it away in a flash of particles. He rolled his shoulders, stretching his neck as he made his way to where the man was on the floor. “I should’ve known electro wouldn’t have worked against you,” He had tried to use his regained electro power at the start, and although it had been effective against Childe for his hydro fighting stance, it did next to nothing against his electro delusion. Not that it mattered since he won in the end, but he should’ve known better.
“An honest mistake,” Childe shrugged, grimacing at the slight ache, “You just wanted to show off to me, didn’t you?” He tried to wink playfully, only to hiss at the movement.
“Of course not,” Aether huffed, crossing his arms.
“You don’t have to be shy. I’m flattered, Comrade!” He laughed, before trailing off into a small groan as he gripped his head, “Ah, that’s no good. It hurts to laugh,” He rubbed his temple with one hand, “Must’ve overdid it somehow…”
“It’s…” Aether’s heart clenched uncomfortably, an unwelcoming memory of a friend long gone resurfacing, “It’s not because of your…” His lips thinned, unwilling to speak of the cruel weapon that stole away its users’ lifeforce.
“Worried about me?” Childe lowered his hand, “Don’t you worry. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” He waved a hand dismissively, “Just a headache and some fatigue, that’s all.”
Aether didn’t believe him. Maybe he should’ve gone a little easier on him? Childe had told him he wasn’t going to shift into his foul legacy form before the battle, but he hadn’t told him the exact reason.
His lips thinned, uneasiness growing. How often did Childe use his delusion? He knew he was plenty strong without it, so he probably didn’t resort to it often. Yet…
“Come here for a second,” Aether commanded, stepping away towards the small set of stairs leading to the inner depths of the golden palace. It wasn’t too far away from where Childe had landed, so this would be fine.
He sat down, looking expectantly to the man still on the floor.
Childe rose a curious eyebrow, before shrugging and doing as the traveler requested. He willed himself off the floor, unable to conceal the strain he felt as he made his way to sit beside Aether.
“Well, I’m here.” Childe said, “Now what-?” His eyes widened as Aether tapped his hands on his lap, gesturing towards it with a nod.
“Lay down.”
“Lay down?” Childe repeated, an unfamiliar blush covering his face.
“You said you’re in pain,” Aether explained, “I want to try something. So, lay down.” He pat his lap again insistently.
“Aren’t you bold today?” He teased, the red on his cheeks lightening, “Alright, if you insist.” He shifted further away, ensuring he had enough room to stretch out before he laid his head down on Aether’s lap, looking up to stare into his eyes.
“Stop staring at me.”
“Where else am I supposed to look?”
“Be quiet,” Aether shook his head, placing one hand beside himself to keep him steady as he began to run his fingers through Childe’s hair. He felt the man’s body tense, surprised at the gentle touch. “Calm down, I’m not going to hurt you.” He said softly, closing his eyes as he tried to call forth power he barely had control over. He knew how to do it, what with how he purified Dvalin’s tear and aided in lessening the pain of Xiao’s karmic debt, but it was always by instinct.
This time, he had to put effort into it.
Energy pulsed through his fingertips, his breathing steadying as he forced himself to relax. A light glow emitted from the purple shine on his clothing, fading into a familiar comforting white. He moved his hand gently, the motion akin to how his sister would lull him to sleep after an all-too familiar nightmare wakened him.
Childe’s body melted in the hold, a relieved breath leaving him as his own eyes fluttered shut, the warmth spreading through him to ease the sharp sting in his head, removing the strain from his muscles, almost entirely ridding him of the fatigue that tried to keep him still. He had never thought the traveler could do this.
“You…” He breathed out, “…are full of surprises, comrade.”
Aether opened his eyes, feeling the power fade, the vibrant purple glow returning to him as he looked over the man resting peacefully. It was interesting how harmless the dangerous harbinger appeared in that moment.
It was almost cute.
“How’re you feeling?” He asked, his hand coming to a stop. It was a shame he was wearing gloves. He was kinda curious how Childe’s hair felt without them.
Childe hummed, blinking his eyes open to meet his gaze, the red blush fading into a light pink. “It feels…” He paused, lips stretching into a teasing grin, “okay, I guess. Still hurts a little though. Maybe you should kiss it better?” He laughed at his own joke.
Aether’s eyes widened in mild panic. Did it really not work? He could’ve sworn it did! He bit his lip, wondering what he should do. He brushed the hair away from Childe’s forehead. Maybe…
“You worry too much,” Childe began, realizing he may have taken it too far, “I’m kidding-”
Soft lips pressed against the harbinger’s forehead, instantly shutting the man up as his face flared once more. He froze, his no-longer pained body paralyzed as a flash of heat and want coursed through him within seconds. He stared up blankly, watching as Aether lifted himself up, watching him worriedly.
“Did it work…?” Aether hadn’t felt anything different that time.
A couple moments passed, uneasiness stirring in Aether’s chest as Childe continuously stared up at him. Did he accidentally knock him out instead?
“Um…Childe?”
Childe finally moved, blinking rapidly as he tried to regain some sort of consciousness.
Was he getting sick or something? Aether could’ve sworn he’d never seen him turn so red before. His forehead hadn’t felt hot though.
“Childe?” He repeated, even going so far as to remove his hand from his hair to lightly nudge his shoulder.
“You hit my mouth pretty hard too during that fight, you know.” Childe finally spoke, the stare unwavering from Aether’s face.
“Huh?”
“Right here,” Childe lifted his own hand to his jaw, pointing towards his mouth, “That last hit? You hit me here. Think I could get a kiss there too?”
Aether realized what was happening.
His ears burned, face running hot as he glared down at the man he was once concerned about. He used the hand on Childe’s shoulder to shove him off his lap, sending the laughing fool onto the main floor of the golden palace.
Next time, he’ll settle for throwing a first aid kit at his face instead.