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If you miss someone, you remember the small things they do.
Lumine’s hair twirl, Venti’s finger to his chin, and Diluc’s gravely voice that distinctively reminded Aether of burning fireplace ashes.
Kaeya’s frosty warm voice, Jean’s scolding tone, and Lisa’s alluring voice.
Klee’s big smile, Zhongli’s endless stories, and Beidou’s boisterous laughter.
Aether remembers their footsteps like it’s a routine - his fighting style still focuses on the right. His leg goes back and his sword hits the target.
He doesn’t miss a single step. His eyes are on the target. What he misses, isn’t the problem here. What he misses, won’t come back.
When he yearns for something, fate is never kind enough to return it.
When Aether misses something, he goes and finds it. Meetings with Jean and Lisa. Evening escapes with Diluc, Kaeya, and Venti.
Drawing classes with Klee. Story times with Zhongli and Beidou.
And hopelessly following his sister’s shadow in an attempt to find her.
Pointless.
Aether slams his fist down on the bedside, his body trembling with rage as he tries and tries to reminisce. He tries to understand what he did wrong and yet. nothing will tell him.
If he misses an answer. If he misses a person. He goes and finds the answer. If he doesn’t - then what results will he have?
Nothing makes sense. Nothing will make sense if he just stays there and does absolutely nothing. Nothing will happen if he does not do anything.
Words are hard to describe what he is feeling. In some ways, maybe there’s no real chance to understand these feelings and learn from them.
“Maybe you’re just frustrated because you can’t find a solution?”
“Maybe you just need a little break! Paimon knows the best restaurants! Just wait here!”
“Aether, you… you can’t be upset about things you can’t control. It’s okay to take breaks.”
Aether quietly chuckles bitterly to himself, glancing over at the second bed that Paimon used to occupy. It’s official. He’s gone mad without her.
After escaping Klee with a half-baked excuse, Aether was able to dodge around Mondstatd. Avoiding confronting Kaeya and his troublesome loopholes.
His stupidly clever words and how they actually make sense.
Kaeya was always too good with that silver tongue of his. Trying to trap him and talk to him. Tch.
There’s this burning guilt in the back of his head, about Klee’s big smile when he told her that Kaeya was the seeker and Aether had to leave in order to hide.
She was reluctant but eventually agreed if Aether gave her ten more bucks. Despite being a kid, she sure did learn about the value of money. He had a sneaking suspicion that she was going to go buy gun powder for her bombs but what’s her buisness stays her buisness.
And what stays Aether’s buisness, stays his buisness.
Still. Collapsing on the way to Liyue was a new level of overworking himself. Somehow, his body decided to give out when he sat down for a meal at the Wangshu inn. Once he sat down, had a lovely meal, he crumbled the moment he tried to stand after paying.
Which…. Is fine. He can rent a room and have a good night's rest. It isn’t that big of a deal.
It wasn’t until Xiao came to visit and shoved him back onto the bed when he felt his head. Apparently. He was running a fever.
Seems like a lot of fucking events in the span of a week but okay.
He’s missing something. It’s Lumine’s gentle nature. It’s Paimon’s helpful advice.
It’s the fact that he’s been here for a week already and his body still feels like shit.
And him staying here and recovering is leading nowhere. Absolutely nothing.
Aether begrudgingly glimpses over at Xiao who seemed grumpy. His hands crossed over his chest as he purposely sat beside Aether’s stealthed sword.
“Idiot. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“No.”
“Sure. You can go out and get yourself killed after I surrender to my karmaic debt. But for now? You’re staying in that bed.”
A small part of his heart felt joy at the thought of being cared for. But another part of it felt annoyed that he was being babied and cared for.
Aether isn’t weak.
He knows that.
Yet he can’t seem to win an argument with the adeptus. Like how he couldn’t win against Kaeya and his slippery words.
In slight anger, Aether grips Xiao’s shirt, tugging it every time he gets annoyed. Xiao doesn’t do anything about it, simply staring off into space or letting out a small huff of annoyance.
It doesn’t help that Aether’s voice has completely cut off due to the stress he’s under. If he could barely talk in Mondstatd - he was a whisper of a person in Liyue.
Paimon was always there to fill the void with her voice. Even though it was grating sometimes, she was there.
And Aether pushed her away so he better deal with the repercussions.
“…” He glares outside, watching the birds fly freely in the morning light. His legs are tangled in the sheets and his arms are by his side. His back was supported by a pillow so he can sit up as Xiao sits across from him.
Xiao was just there to make sure he doesn’t run away while he’s recovering.
It’s… annoying and endearing in a way.
“You… seem different.” The adeptus mumbles under his breath. Aether turns and looks at him, quizzly tilting his head.
“You.. I don’t know how to describe it. You’re… quieter.” He mumbles quietly under his breath, “Like you’re troubled.”
No. He’s never talked that much to begin with. He’s just… missing his voice. He’s missing Paimon.
Aether shrugs in response, turning back to the window.
“…hmph. I’m not one for small talk. Instead, I will sit by your side.” Xiao pauses, taking a deep breath, “I’m here for you. Whenever you’re ready, I will offer a listening ear.”
Aether quirks a small smile, grateful that someone wasn’t going to force him to talk about his feelings. Granted, Kaeya wasn’t going to force him but he doubts that the knight was just going to let Aether go until he found the root of the problem.
Kaeya was a dutiful knight, never wavering. And Xiao…
Xiao did what he wanted - and apparently what he wants is for Aether to get better.
Aether hums in appreciation, offering a small smile to the adeptus as he turns back to the window.
(How far could his body go before it can go splat…?)
Aether grimaces at the gruesome thought, clenching his fists as he leans back into his pillows.
Sitting around and doing nothing was going to kill him.
Aether sighs, looking over at Xiao who has tenses up, his arms ready to push the traveler back into bed if need be.
Aether hates this.
“I’ve heard from an old friend that you were unwell.”
Aether could feel the aggravation in his throat as he spots Zhongli at the door. The former archon had a small smile on his face while he walked in with a smiley redhead.
“Comrade! It’s been so long!” Aether yelps in shock as Childe throws himself on his lap roughly.
His legs feel even more achingly tired as Childe hugs him tightly like they didn’t try to kill each other three months ago.
“Childe.” A reprimanding hiss from Zhongli.
Aether huffs, turning away to look back outside the window.
Lovely.
Aether would prefer to be alone where he could happily escape after he got well. Now…he has a clingy bad guy and a gentle former archon worrying about him.
(They were told they were stars. Travelers from another world. Their definition of home was not their own - yet they seeked to make it their own.
Home was a tea cup Lumine had found on the ground.
Home was the pretty rock Aether found when looking for shells.
Home was where they were together.
It’s a place. None of these places ever felt like home. They had the same feeling of caring and adoration.
They had the same feeling but it’s not home and it’s not enough.
Nothing is ever enough.
Anything is never enough.
Aether isn’t enough.)
“Say Aaah!” Aether feels a twinge of annoyance as he glares daggers at the fatui harbinger. Childe smiles sadistically at him, pushing the spoon of hot soup against his stubbornly closed lips.
“Aether…” The redhead smiles tightly at him, looming over him, “Open up.”
Aether smacks his teeth, looking away. Dull ocean eyes raise in questioning although his smile completely was the opposite.
His smile was sharp but soft on the edges. His eyes were cold and calculating.
“If I didn’t like your defiance, I would have pummeled you to the ground, shrimp.”
Aether debates on punching him since his voice is no more.
“Aw jeez. Where’s your bite? I know I’m getting on your nerves but you’re just not biting! Where is it, ah?” Childe places the spoon down, setting the bowl on the table as he reaches over and grips Aether’s chin.
He squeezes it, playing with his jaw as he massages it, pouting as Aether doesn’t oblige.
“Is something wrong? Did someone mess with you and now you can’t talk? You never really talked that much but it still counts. You’re not telling anyone what happened to your little pixie friend nor are you talking to anyone…”
Childe squeezes his jaw, grabbing the spoon and blowing on the hot soup before he quickly slips it in Aether’s mouth. The blond grimaces and turns away, scowling.
“Frankly, if I didn’t care for you, I wouldn’t care this much to feed you. But something’s wrong. I can sense it.”
Childe huffs, laying dramatically over Aether’s lap, “Won’t you tell your dear old friend who tried to kill you?”
Childe… was a new level of stubborn.
Maybe it’s because the red head was too used to getting his way, whether it be from fear or admiration but he was determined to get through to the traveler.
Ever since Zhongli had pulled away Xiao to do some errands, Childe insisted on staying to watch Aether so he didn’t ‘escape’.
Aether is a grown ass man, he can leave if he wants to! He isn’t some weak person, some weak traveler that gets beat up!
He fought against Childe and WON.
But his voice won’t return and he still has no strength in his limbs. His head is a constant buzz of needing to do something and feeling like a swarm of bees.
And Childe has not shut up once about interrogating him.
At one point, Aether debated if he should use sign language to tell the fatui to fuck off - but then realized that he only knew how to say it in his native language and not the common tongue of Teyvat.
“Aether, cmon… say something. Anything!” Childe pouted, puffing his cheeks as he pokes Aether’s cheek.
Aether huffs, crossing his hands and looking away.
“Hm… your response time seems to be normal. You’re clearly hearing me, so nothing seems to be wrong with your ears…” A skilled hand reaches up, massaging his throat as Aether glares harder at him.
“There are no torn muscles in your throat - I would have felt it…” Childe sighs softly, pulling his hand away as he crosses his hands.
“I just don’t understand why you’re not talking… you would have told me to shut up already.”
Aether pinched him, scowling as Childe barely notices it.
“Then you hurt poor ol me…? A cruel one, you are…” Childe says, dramatically placing his hand over his chest in a wounded nature. It rouses a small silent giggle from Aether which is all the confirmation he needed to keep trying to make Aether laugh.
Unfortunately - no sound comes out still. His voice is still cut off. But it also looks like Childe isn’t aiming for that.
Childe’s smile was infectious as he tried to make the blond smile continuously.
Zhongli was great. He really was!
It’s just that, most of the time, his stories contain long and complicated words that just don’t make sense.
His smooth baritone voice was low and timber. His hands expertly undid every knot on Aether’s back as he recounts an old story about the lady and the vase.
A lady and a vase.
The traveler doesn’t know. He has no clue if he’s still talking about it or if he’s gone to the next topic. His voice sometimes gets jumbled and mixed together. Sometimes it’s hard to understand the coherency and the context.
But what he can focus on is the clever hands working him open and clearing his mind. Slowly easing the tension out of him with a bit of pressure and distracting flubs of words.
It almost makes him forget why he’s in the Wangshu inn in the first place.
It’s the pauses of silence as Zhongli has asked a question and is waiting for an answer. Usually Paimon would pipe in and say something silly. Something that’s Paimon. Then it'll shift to Aether joking about her being easy or food related.
And it’s those moments that makes Aether miss her, just a little bit more.
Not everything works out the way he wants it.
Maybe the thought of being loved makes Aether want to leave it all behind. Maybe the thought of their smiles and kindhearted wishes makes Aether violently sick to the point where he just can’t stand it anymore.
There will be no happy endings.
At least for him.
Aether sneaks out, grabbing a random sword on the wall and disappearing into the night when Xiao is distracted with Zhongli. Childe fell asleep on the chair, his head on his chin as he grips his dagger tightly in his sleep.
Honestly, it felt like a miracle when Aether slipped past the Fatui harbinger. He was always constantly alert so Aether felt like he won the lottery when he snuck past him easily.
Aether sighs softly, finally able to walk down the road without his body feeling like nails threatening to stab him open. He felt somewhat free. His mind was still muddled and his voice…
“Lu….” He tries to say his sister's name, winching as it feels like it’s going through sandpaper rather than cutting off.
He sighs, unable to speak freely, at least he doesn’t have to talk to anyone for help.
He doesn’t need anyone.
He only needs…
“Go back.”
Aether pauses mid step, freezing as he glances at the figure beside the dusty road. Sharp amber eyes stare back, her lips curled into a snarl.
“Go back to the inn, Aether.”
Lumine looked the same as she did before. They’re both in their respective outfits - although her shirt was glowing white rather than Ameno like his. She grips her sword tightly, but keeps it behind her.
“Lum…”
“Stop. Your voice.” Lumine cuts him off in annoyance, making her sword vanish before walking up to him. She walks out the shadows, crossing her arms and looking at him.
“You’re pathetic.”
“…?” Aether can’t respond. He simply stares at her like she had grown a second head.
What was she saying…?
“You think that dragging yourself to these limits is going to find me? You think I want you to work yourself to death is going to make me happy?”
Aether reaches out, trying to grab her hand but she takes a step back. Her face… is distorted. Her sword is dug into the ground, like a grave.
He’s dreaming.
“You’re… really hopeless…”
Aether blearily wakes up, feeling heavy and dense as he watches three different shapes pace around in the room.
His movements feel more sluggish, more heavy as he tries to get up - only to be gently coaxed back into the bed. There’s a wet rag on his head, it drips down his nose, creating a small pool at the base of his chest.
“Mmmm…” His tongue isn’t cooperating as he tries to speak. It never did - his voice remains chained but he can’t even… hum correctly…
“Aether, can you hear me…? Aether…?” Fingers snap at his attention, he blinks a few times before he realizes that Childe was trying to get his attention.
“I need you to stay with me okay?”
Aether shakes his head, attempting to get up only to be frustratingly pushed down again. Only this time the hands firmly kept him down.
“I know. I know you want to get up but I really can’t have you do that and have another nose bleed, now can I?” The red head mumbles softly, ruffling the blond’s hair, “Can you hear me? Can you give me a sign…?”
Aether nods slowly, trembling as he realizes that his body isn’t listening to him. He feels completely immobile - it takes effort to move and even then. He feels incredibly shaky.
It feels sickening to be this weak.
His eyes widen as Aether attempts to gain control, shivering from the force. His voice won’t work - now his body!?
“Hey hey, calm down, it’s okay.”
It’s not! It’s not okay! Nothing about this is okay!
Aether weakly trashes around, sobbing as he’s effortlessly held down. His hands push against the hands holding him down as he begins to panic.
His breathing accelerates, his lower lip involuntarily quivers as he tries to breathe.
“Aether.” A firm voice spills out, reaching out and pushing his head into darkness, “Follow my breathing, don’t look. Let’s try to focus.”
Aether shakes, feeling tears drip against the old archon’s chest. He shakes his head, trying to pull his head out.
“1… 2… 3…” Do those stupid breathing exercises even work? It never feels like they do. “Aether, let’s try to breathe, you need to steady your breathing.”
Aether sobs, shaking his head, slightly pounding on his back as he tries to pull free. None of this will work! Nothing will work!
Nothing will ever-
“You don’t want to count? That’s okay, look. How about I tell you a story? Focus on my voice, okay? Can you do that?” Zhongli’s voice is desperate, gentle and caring. It’s hard not to notice the clear narrative his voice has. How steady and firm it sounds compared to his broken voice.
Aether trembles, biting his lower lip tightly. He tastes blood but Zhongli begins talking and his mind goes numb. He squirms, crying softly but otherwise welcoming the darkness around his vision.
He’s back? He’s back here? Did he even leave?
Or did he hallucinate?
He quivers, his hands awkwardly sticking on the other side of his back as he engulfs Aether with his hug. He’s still talking about something but it doesn’t make Aether want to panic anymore.
Although his mind was still filled with the fact that he didn’t have full control over his body.
“The fever just went too high. It kept climbing and climbing - we were worried what was wrong.” Zhongli hugged him closer, sighing, “Eventually, you were completely unresponsive.”
He makes some noise, one that makes the former archon squeeze him tighter.
“You can’t just leave like that, you are not at your best right now.” He scolds, sighing softly as Aether eventually calms down, “You kept screaming - Xiao had to knock you out.”
“I offered! But noooo, Xiao wanted to-“
“Shut it.”
Aether pants softly through his mouth - his nose was clogged up and he still felt incredibly shaky.
“You’re still not well. You’re coming down with a fever..” Zhongli leans back, looking down at him with such a tender gaze.
Aether feels like he doesn’t deserve it.
Aether looks away, looking out the window. He feels exhausted and restless at the same time. He wants to get up and leave - he needs to leave.
He wants to feel better sooner. He wants to leave so he doesn’t burden his friends. But his body won’t listen - he feels powerless.
“His body is rejecting the medicine we’ve been giving him… no… we haven’t tried that but I doubt that’s the case.”
“No. Childe. You cannot beat the sickness out of him.”
“No. I don’t think it’s that. There’s traces of abyssal corruption in him but it’s not overwhelming… I’m not sure what it is… in all my years…”
Aether huffs, curling into himself and tucking himself into the corner. His body trembles from the force.
“Hey wait.” A hand grips his arm, pulling him back into sitting position as he’s handed two small pills and water. Childe looks down at him, seemingly bored.
“Medicine. Fever reducers.. so it doesn’t get that high again.” Aether obediently swallows it, sipping the water slower as he lowers himself.
He can feel Childe stare down at him but he ignores it.
What else can he do - address it?
(Outlanders… your journey ends here…)
Why? Why? Why? Why?
Who is she?
Who is he?
Where…? Why??
Why did this happen!?
(His vision is blocked, covered as they rest in the clouds. His sister is unmoving. Still. Dead.)
“I get it.”
Aether blinks softly, looking up at Childe’s cold quiet stare.
“You’re running out of abyssal energy. I wasn’t aware you fell in there too.” His grin is manic as he leans in closer, invading Aether’s personal space. Aether looks up in questioning, confused and earnest.
“It makes sense. The Abyss molds you, changes your DNA strain - it makes sense why you’ve been affected with your lack of vision.” Aether tilts away, warily looking at the door and hoping one of them comes back.
“You’re just like me.” A haunting whisper fills his ears as Childe stares at him. There’s this underlying obsession in his eyes, a thirst for blood.
And a hint of concern.
Aether shivers, scowling as Childe laughed merrily, falling back into his chair. He holds the side of his face, leaning away as his smile is plastered on his face.
He doesn’t say anything else.
There’s this raw urge to kill something. To feel like he’s empowered enough to snuff out life.
There’s a bird on the window sill. It sings so pretty, its songs are gentle. Aether stares at it mutely, swaddled up in blankets as he shivers at the autumn air.
He glances down at his sword on the floor, nearly buried underneath the heavy duvet. He glances back, watching the bird tweet and sing, hopping on the window sill.
The bird is unaware that Aether has the ability to take its life. He stares at it, mesmerized.
“Aether.”
The traveler jolts, looking back at the door. Zhongli is there with takeout and offers an awkward smile towards him.
“How are you feeling…?” Zhongli mumbles, looking at him as he takes a seat near his bed. He places down the food and reaches out with his cold hand, pressing it against his warm forehead.
“I’m… okay. I’m not delirious anymore.” Aether says softly, his voice dying out halfway. He frowns at it, massaging his throat as Zhongli chuckles warmly.
“It’s been a while since I’ve last heard your voice, friend.” He laughs humbly in his fist, a small smile on his lips.
Zhongli… is really pretty.
Maybe he is still delirious.
“Your fever has gone down at the very least…” The former archon mumbles, softly brushing his hair out of his face. “And you actually do remember me this time.”
This time?
The blonde blearily rubs his eyes with both his fists. He grumbles unintelligible as Zhongli begins to unwrap the food.
“You must eat to regain your strength.” The funeral consultant says quietly, looking at Aether with a gentle gaze.
It feels… wrong..
Aether looks away, guilt swirling in his gut. He glances back at him, offering an apologetic smile as he’s fed a bit of rice.
It feels a bit embarrassing to be cared for. It felt morally wrong - it felt like Aether had to help out. Wordlessly, he reached out for the chopsticks.
Zhongli ignores his attempts, pushing his hand down as he nudges another piece of food in his mouth.
“You focus on eating, I’ll feed you.” He states plainly, giving a scolding look at Aether’s pout. “Shush. I’m aware you do not like being doted on - but this is long overdue.”
Aether shakes his head, reaching again insistently.
“No.” Zhongli denies, frowning, “You’re sick and I want to care for you - is that so wrong? You seemed more quiet and distressed. You’re closing yourself off.”
“See? You’re crossing your arms. It’s your body language and your eyes - Aether.” Zhongli mumbles slowly, placing down the chopsticks, “Aether. I may not understand most norms, I am aware when you’re closing yourself off when you’re scared.”
“I’m not…” Aether frowns, looking away.
“But you are. You’re scared and you want to leave so you’re pushing everyone away.” Zhongli confronts, still… smiling at him. It’s warm and it makes him feel uneasy.
Aether wants to move. He wants to wither away. There’s something in his throat that he can’t quite take out.
“So I’m doing this for you. Because I care for you.” Zhongli mumbles lowly, reaching out and rubbing his thumb on his knuckles, “Won’t you grant me this favor…?”
And Aether is unable to refuse.
“Are you ready to talk yet?” Xiao mumbles impatiently, bouncing on his seat as he crosses his hands. He’s looking out the window, hovering near Aether.
Aether shakes his head, twisting his fingers together.
“That’s okay. Take your time. I’m here.” He says firmly, as if there’s no room for argument. There’s something absolute in his voice.
Something unmoving.
As if anything else was stupid to even consider.
Aether lets out a long sigh, leaning back on the pillows.
“Here.”
Aether stares mutely at the dark purple substance in a glass vial. Childe pushes it closer, nearly in Aether’s hand.
“Drink it.”
Childe mumbles, looking at Aether expectantly. Aether stares at it, watching it bubble inside. He looks up questionably, looking up at the red head.
“It’s abyss matter. I tore it from rift hounds near Inuzuma’s borders.”
Aether grimaces, pushing it away. It’s cold to the touch, slimy and refrigerated as if… as if it was kept for later consumption.
“The abyss never gives up. You let it mess with you - it’s in your blood. You can’t get rid of it.” Childe insists, looking at him with his dead fish eyes. He towers over Aether in an authoritative manner, pushing the vial closer.
“You need it occasionally. It depends on how long you’ve been down there.” Childe says expressionless. His voice is cold, stern.
Aether shakes his head. He’s never been there. So there’s no need to take… whatever that is.
“Perhaps you don’t understand me, comrade.”
Aether yelps, letting out a squeak as the fatui harbinger grabs a fistful of his shirt and nearly yanks him off the bed. Childe glared at him, angrily.
It’s the first time Aether saw him genuinely pissed off.
“If you don’t take it. I’m going to make you take it.” Childe hisses, shoving him back roughly on the bed. Aether falls back with a choked grunt. “You’re going to run your body until eventually you become unrecognizable. I’m not letting that happen.”
Aether scrambles, grabbing at the arm pinning him down, “Wai-“ He winches, choking as his words get stuck in his throat.
“I’m not letting you kill yourself. Either take it or I’m going to make you take it.” Childe threatens, looking down in anger at him.
Aether shakes his head, coughing before he tries to force his voice again, “I…never been to there.” He protests, looking up at him. Hoping that he understands.
Childe pauses, looking down at him as his grip loosens. “You’ve never been there?”
Aether shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders.
“Then why do you have abyss essence in your blood? You’re fucking lying to me, aren’t you?” Childe spat, reaching out to grab his shirt again. Aether frantically shakes his head.
“Sis…ter….Lu-“ Aether feels his voice cut off, shutting off his ability to speak. He huffs in fustration, grabbing his neck as if to tear it off.
He didn’t know how to write in common, the language of Teyvat. He didn’t know how to sign in it. He only knew how to speak it solely based on learning it from Paimon - and she isn’t here to translate for him anymore.
It’s so frustrating! He wants to express himself but he can’t!
He can feel Childe looking down at him, it feels humiliating. What does his expression look like? Is it sneering at him? Laughing at him? Does he look at him for less?
“That’s annoying. I thought that would be it, for sure.” Childe mumbles, leaning back as he examines the vial in his hand. He’s expressionless, looking at it as if it were a mere trinket.
It’s hard to read his face.
“Your sister… ah if only I had records of her. Or you. But it’s okay. It’s… there’s clearly an abyssal essence in your blood.” He mutters under his breath, letting out a large sigh, “Honestly, I thought that’ll be an easy fix.”
Aether shrugs, a huff of annoyance and amusement evident in it.
Childe sighs, slumping over a chair and burying his face in his hands in a defeated manner, “Your fever hasn’t gotten worse. It stopped getting better. It’s like you’re an oven that’s constantly on. I’m going to be real with you - I don’t know what to do.”
He lets out a heavy sigh, “We don’t have the medical equipment nor can we tell what’s eating you from the inside. There’s nothing that indicates anything is amiss other than the abyssal energy.”
He looks back at Aether, his eyes are still dead but it’s the tilt of the eyebrow that tells him of deep concern. “Aether, I can only assume that this vial can at least slow whatever is messing you up incisive.”
Aether shakes his head, looking away. He smiles at Childe, placing his hand on the harbingers with a reassuring smile.
He’ll be fine.
The sooner he finds his sister, he’ll be okay.
Childe doesn’t seem convinced.
“Aether… we promised to fight each other properly - you can’t die on me.” Childe says firmly, shaking his head as he sighs again. He taps his fingers, before covering his face, “Xiansheng is going to kill me but I can’t see… any other possibility…”
“I’ll get you in Inuzuma. That place has been sealed off but that’s where the most recent sightings of the abyss monsters are. So maybe… if I send you near the Abyss - it could help you…? Hopefully?” Childe groans, messing up his fluffy hair as he throws his head back, “I don’t know! I have no idea!”
Aether perks up, looking at Childe like he was his savior. Honestly, he wasn’t sure how to get into Inuzuma without bothering anyone. And especially since he had gotten sick - he hasn’t exactly been able to plan out anything.
If anything, Childe helping him out by sending him near the electro archon was the best case scenario for him!
“Gods… I’m going to regret this - especially since I can’t accompany you yet since I have to finish up this mess in Liyue… argh…” Childe grumbles under his breath, sitting down with a puff.
Aether smiles gratefully at Childe.
(Soft coughing can be heard from the other side. Light footsteps click on the floor as they continue. A groan, quiet mumbles and three voices talking all at once.
“Abyss princess Lumine…” A voice rings out from the hallway. She groans, glaring at the open door as she looks at Enjou.
“Your fever has yet to be reduced. Perhaps we should hold off on-“
“My sickness doesn’t matter.” Lumine whispers firmly, covering her mouth as she coughs lightly. Her hands are sweaty and her body is shaking. She barely had any energy to stand up - let alone talk.
But she has to.
“Continue with plan C, do not fail me. I will recover soon.” Lumine clears her throat, trembling from the cold shivers.
“I’ve taken abyss matter so it should heal soon enough.” Lumine assures, looking off at the empty bottle, “This stupid world isn’t taking me out this soon. Not until I’m finished.”
“Erm… aren’t you worried about you-“
“Do not. He’s stronger than me - he won’t succumb to it, like me. My body composition is weaker - since I reside in the abyss. He should be fine. So keep him out of this.” Lumine orders, glaring at the door as the abyss herald lowers his head, “I already told you I didn’t want him involved with me. Why are you insisting that you’ll keep an eye on him?”
“My princess, if you’re the princess of the abyss - he’s the prince. It’s only fitting if you were both on the same side - would it not?”
“Shut up and get my tea, Enjou.”)