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"Man, where are all these hilichurls coming from?" Aether stopped for a second to catch his breath, it seemed that for every one he would cut down three more would take its place. And the samachurls weren't doing him any favors. He was bruised, burnt and cut up, he really couldn't keep this up much longer.
After what felt like forever, the last Mitachurl dissipated. Just in time for Aether to collapse onto a nearby rock, exhausted. Thankfully, as soon as it was safe Paimon appeared with some food to help get his strength up enough to get to a statue and rest. Enough to be able to make it to Mondstadt then. Although only halfway through he was interrupted by an Abyss Mage looking to cause trouble. And currently, Aether was pretty easy pickings in this state. Paimon pulled him up, since running was the only sane choice in this situation as Aether was so tired he could barely lift his sword, when a rough wind blew through followed by a rainstorm of arrows. She didn't stop attempting to help Aether up even as he paused to see who his savior was.
"Need a hand?" Finally she paused at the familiar voice of the tone deaf bard, Venti himself. He walked over, putting his bow away and before helping the small elf-like girl get Aether to his feet. "C'mon, let's get somewhere safe Mister Honorary Knight." With a small chuckle he draped the tired man's arm across his shoulders and with the help of Paimon's scouting got to Windrise without conflict.
"It'd be best to get you to Barbara, but you were ready to fall over before we were anywhere near here so it's probably best to rest up first." Venti mused, waving Paimon over to bring food. Firmly, but still gentle like the wind he commands, he made the beat up boy sit on the base of the statue. Aether still protested.
"I don't have time to, I have to find Lumine-" He started, attempting to get back up. The former Archon did not take to that.
"It has been thousands of years since the fall of Khaenri'ah. And even longer since you saw Lumine last. Two days of rest won't make a difference." He gently pushed the struggling twin back down. "If I need to fight you to get you to take any semblance of a break, I will."
"The god of freedom, actually telling someone what to do." Aether joked spitefully, still trying to get up. He knew that would strike a nerve with Venti's ideals. It was his intention.
What he didn't intend for was to be shoved roughly, being forced down again and be yelled at. "So what? I'm not losing someone else!" Venti glared at him, malicious pain in his eyes. The golden haired boy hit a nerve he never intended to. He watched the turmoil behind the unwelcome tears appearing in Venti's eyes. "Call me selfish but I'm not risking that. Not when it's perfectly preventable this time." He took a step back, blue eyes focusing on the statue above Aether for a second before piercing said boy on the ground as Paimon returned.
"Venti I-" Aether started, but stopped quickly, seeing his words fall on deaf ears.
Venti composed himself before talking to Paimon, ignoring Aether. "Make sure he goes to Mondstadt, nowhere else. There aren't any hilichurls to run into and he should be able to walk on his own now." His tone was uncharacteristically cold and detached, frightening enough that Paimon didn't question it as he used the wind to get up to the branches of the tree.
She noted Aether was silent as she helped him to his feet and they started down the road. The silence was deafening, but to break it felt like a crime. So they walked in silence, not speaking until they met Barbara seeing off Bennett at the chapel. Even then not much was said until the flurry and worry was over, leaving a patched up Aether sitting in a bed looking at his hands as Barbara left.
"Aether?" Paimon tried without response. She paused. "We could try going to the Angel's Share tonight, he'll probably be there. And Barbara said that your wounds aren't so bad as to require overnight attention." Nothing but an affirmatory grunt came from Aether. "Maybe-"
"Paimon I'm going to sleep some. Take some mora and do whatever with it. Just let me rest." He finally said, turning over and pulling the covers to his chin. He never would send her away unless he needed some absolute alone time to think. She nodded and left, closing the door behind her, immediately setting her sights on Windrise. She might actually get some answers out of the tone deaf bard.
She didn't actually need to go far, since the soft notes of a lyre caught her attention as she passed below the statue overlooking the city. Looking up confirmed Venti's whereabouts.
"Verdict?" He knew she was there before she spoke. Settled in the cupped hands of the statue, he didn't even look back.
Paimon floated up beside him. "Barbara said that nothing's too serious that he needs to stay overnight."
Venti sighed in relief. "Good."
Paimon paused, settling herself beside him. "He's okay, or he will be, but what about you? You're insistent on Aether getting rest, Paimon wonders if you're taking your own advice."
"What? Of course I am!" Venti defended, finally looking at her.
"Liar. You're overthinking. Overworking your brain." Paimon crossed her arms. "You aren't resting your mind."
"You are ridiculously insightful." Venti sighed and laid back in the stone hands. "But you're not wrong." He rubbed his hand over his face, looking up at Paimon. "Could you answer some things for me?"
"Paimon can do her best." She responded.
"Do you know, Aether's thoughts about me?" Venti took a deep breath and watched the clouds.
Paimon paused. "Oh that's easy. He cares a lot about you. Also you're the Archon he can stand the most out of who we've encountered already. Rex Lapis irritates him quite a bit and the Raiden Shogun tried to kill him more than once." That pulled a soft laugh from the bard when he thought about his fellow former archon Morax.
"Alright. Alright." He sat up, watching the sun set. "Another question. Is he, mad at me?"
"It'd be pretty dumb to be mad about the truth Venti." Aether's voice came from behind them. "Plus I did instigate a bit."
Both of them turned to be greeted by the bandaged form of the famous traveler of Teyvat sitting on the hood of the statue. Venti stood and got over to him, not saying a word but grabbing him and jumping off the statue, catching them both with his glider. Paimon followed behind. He glanced at her then at Aether, who was about to suggest going to the Angel's Share. "You still have that Serenitea Pot correct?" After a confused yes, Venti sighed. "If you don't mind, I'd like to talk there." Not much else was said but Aether complied, as it was the most peaceful place currently. Not even five minutes passed after landing when Venti had dragged Aether into a tight, personal hug. Only letting go when the blond winced. Aether stared at him, for once seeing Barbados instead of Venti. The god who pushed for nothing but freedom to honor his old friend's memory, whose image is not his own, and every statue constructed is another memory, a constant reminder immortalized in stone. The traumatized god, who probably never wanted to be a god in the first place and was so ill equipped that leaving for centuries was probably the best option. Then he saw Venti. The boy using alcohol to cope with relentless pain. Who doesn't actually get too close, because he is immortal, whereas they are not.
"Venti." Aether lightly took Venti's hand and guided him inside to a couch just in the door, sitting with him. They were similar in so many ways. Yet different in many more. He shifted and let his head fall on the bard's shoulder. He couldn't deny he was doing something similar, refusing to get close to most people, only focused on his sister and the abyss with the intention of leaving when is all ended. He's been exploring the cosmos for billions of years, yet tunnel vision provided zero insight on if that's actually what he wishes to continue to do. Before he knew it, he had grown close to this boy. He realized this now. And it was impossible to deny now.
He shifted, both boys adjusting to cuddle. An unspoken agreement based in comfort and calm. Venti was undoing the single braid down his back, his own two braids already taken out. There was a twinge in his chest. Love? Adoration? Maybe it was just how close they were in the moment. It was too soon to call, and that was okay. Maybe it was time to focus on the here and now for once. And that was okay.
He looked up at Paimon puttering around looking for food then at venti's closed eyes, his face serene and calm. Yeah. That was okay.