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Mika was the type to observe from afar, to get to know a person's characteristics before approaching him.
Perhaps it would have been better if Amber had never said these words. They troubled him now, almost more than the overlooking presence that trailed after his footsteps.
He expected Mika to watch him, sure. That was fine.
He didn't expect the stalking.
Even now, beady eyes peered at him, from a distance. Throughout most of the Weinlesefest he had felt the weight of the boy's gaze, curious and pressing. It reminded him of a little bird, watching with wide eyes, before it risked approaching. It was a little adorable, about as much as it was unnerving.
Honestly if it wasn't for the help of characters like Kaeya or Rosaria, or even AlHaitham once, who taught him how to tell when someone was following him, he may have never noticed. It was subtle, in that way.
Now, he wasn't intimidated by the staring, far be it. It was just a little... inconvenient.
Namely when other people noticed, and called him out on it.
"Oh my, Mika is quite persistent today." Kaeya smirked, having already spotted Aether's pursuer on their walk. "He's been following our steps for the past 10 minutes. Isn't our little Surveyor so determined?"
They were on their way to Springvale, Kaeya having offered to walk with him. He was doing some Knights business anyway, so the man said.
"Was Mika like this with you as well?" Aether spoke despairingly, unsure of what to do in such a predicament. This 'observation' Mika was doing was a little too much for him.
"A little bit actually."
"Oh?!" Aether perked up in suprise. Was this just a normal thing for Mika? A sense of relief swept through his being, knowing he wasn't alone.
"Sometimes he stared at me as I gave orders."
And then Kaeya crushed it.
"That doesn't feel equivalent to this situation." Giving a side eye to Kaeya, Aether glared. The man just laughed.
"Mika doesn't do this for just anyone, dear Honorary Knight. I'd consider myself blessed, to be the target of such fascination from him."
Aether continued glaring. It certainly didn't feel that way.
_-_-_-_
The comments continued, one from Razor.
"Razor smells... baby bird..? Following.."
And another of course from Rosaria.
"Heh... I see you've become acquainted with the cartographer. Well, he's harmless enough."
Oddly enough, even Venti had a word to say on the matter.. or rather, a discreet wink after a glance to the side where Mika hid once more. It didn't surprise him that the Anemo Archon had already caught on so quickly. He likely knew from the start, considering the usefulness of the wind.
In the end, Aether just resigned to his fate. Once the Weinlesefest came to an end, Razor and Klee had left them to run after the wind. Aether looked to where Mika was standing, nearby, but not too close. The boy was hiding his staring, as per usual. By this point it was almost endearing. He raised the bottle he had been given for the festival (non-alcoholic as usual) and called out.
"Mika! Do you want to join us?"
Only to be met with a squeak, the boy's face immediately filled with red. He trembled, legs shaking like a baby bird. A moment later, the boy rushed off, finding somewhere to hide.
Ah... Aether tried to block out Venti's giggles, feeling a little embarrassed himself. He wasn't that intimidating, surely?
Perhaps Mika just wasn't ready yet.
Regardless of what the answer was, Aether decided to wait. One day, Mika would come to meet him, and Aether would be sure to welcome him to a friendship.
For now though...
Mika's red flushed cheeks were surprisingly cute. That little revenge was enough.