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Aether blinks slowly, eyes shifting over to Nahida then to Paimon- then to Scaramouche.
They were all staring at him.
Uh.
This was a lot of pressure. To name a pet is one thing, he already struggles with the thought of even doing that- but to give Scaramouche a new name so he can move on? It… Should have meaning, right?
…..
Yeah- he can’t just.. Call him a nickname of past names, that would be… Well, cruel. Wouldn't it be?
…Although, Scara has a nice ring to it. So does Kuni.
He won’t call him those names however, not yet. Perhaps one day when they’re comfortable enough around one another- though knowing Scaramouche, it could be never.
But he’s letting him choose his name, for some reason- Scaramouche could’ve chosen his own name. It’d be smarter, not relying on someone else that may betray him one day as well. Aether would never do that unless Scaramouche did something tragically stupid again, but…
You get the point.
……
They were all still staring.
……
He thinks about many names, but none of them seem to.. Click, like how he wants them to. He thinks about nicknames- glossing over Scara and Kuni again and pondering the more cutesy ones. Ones that Scaramouche would never ever allow- and ones that quite frankly would have him shoved off the side of where he stands right now. He tries to think of names that have meaning- having many he can list off the top of his head from being alive for so long. But yet again, none just click-
…..
Childe pops up in his head in that moment, and it’s dumb. But he thinks about the man because of the fond way he calls Aether ‘bud’- not just bud either. Bud and Buddy make him feel like they know each other in a fond manner- yes, but Childe would sometimes change ‘bud’ to ‘bub’. It was a small change, but the way he’d say ‘bub’ was as if he was talking to a family member. Sweet and soft, as he’d try to be gentle with Aether.
Aether should consider being worried about being friends- even family, with those who have attempted to murder him. Considering that his sister has potentially done worse however, has already set his morals into disarray. He places his sister in their position in his mind and he can’t help but think, well.
He would always forgive her.
Questionable morals aside, what name would make Scaramouche feel… Wanted?
In the same way that Venti calls him ‘golden flower’ or Childe calls him ‘bub’, the same way that Heizou calls him ‘hon’ in a somehow non flirtatious way- just one out of pure concern that makes his heart ache. The way that Tighnari occasionally teases him by calling him ‘bun’, or Lisa calls him ‘sweetheart’ in an awfully motherly way.
Jean calling him ‘dear’...
Ayato calling him ‘precious’-
…
Oh lord.
How did he get this attached to this world? This never happens.
No no, he won’t think about this right now. He can already feel his face threatening to burst into flames- how did he not realize how much people coddle him?- Not the point. What do all these nicknames or… Terms of endearment, have in common?
They’re simple but sweet.
They make him feel warm.
Everyone has a unique thing to call him, making him feel special- but the nicknames also fit the person that gives them. Of course Childe would do something dumb like change the ‘d’ in ‘bud’ to ‘bub’ to make it much more fluffier. Of course Venti would call him ‘golden flower’- Lisa calling him ‘sweetheart’ was just what he’d expect from her.
What was expected from himself?
….
Bo… No.. That’s too short- but, maybe… Just Boe. It.. Well, ‘Bo’ he recalls meant to live. That’s why it came up at first but, Boe means 'sweetheart'. They can technically combine, right?
Not that Scaramouche was a sweetheart by any manners. But it's just….
Aether fidgets, bringing a hand up to fidget with the scarf around his neck.
It was just something that he’d pick. It made sense. Both a name and possibly a term of endearment.
Boe also meant handsome.
And a few other things, sure. But, sweetheart and handsome comes to mind first.
He was about to be very embarrassed about this.
“What about…. Boe?” Aether questions hesitantly after being quiet for so long, looking up to meet Scaramouche’s eyes as he had been looking to the ground for a while now and-
….
Why… Why were his eyes so wide?
‘Aether’.
Aether freezes.
That was most definitely not said out loud.
‘No. It wasn’t.’ Scaramouche replies, looking utterly baffled. It looked strange on him, and it’s certainly an emotion Aether never expected to see from him-
And it was because he heard everything.
‘Not everything.’ Scaramouche hesitates, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth- and likely covering part of an expression he doesn’t want Aether to see. ‘Enough to know that you are ridiculously soft and think far too much over something as simple as choosing a name.’
How are you still hearing me? You said you wouldn’t be able to do this again after you had done it in Irminsul.
‘I don’t know.’ He answers honestly, eyes shifting towards Nahida. The archon tilting her head in a bit of confusion. “I can still connect with Aether mentally.” He supplies, making the girl’s eyes widen.
“Oh.” She brings up a hand to rest on her chin, “That’s certainly.. Unexpected. Perhaps you did retain some power from the experiments you were put through… Not enough to be considered a god, but you certainly have the strength to have a mental bond with Aether. I’m really surprised by this, honestly. Usually to have such a connection it’s either forced or it comes naturally to two beings as you and I who form trust.” Nahida claps her hands together, shifting on her feet a little. “Or, it could’ve formed in the Irminsul itself when you both connected as you did and it just.. Never left.”
“Please don’t tell me I’m going to be hearing him all the time.” Scaramouche pleads, expression irritated as Nahida’s eyes suddenly flicker in amusement.
“Aether having access to your mind might not be all that bad…” Nahida says in response, a small smile forming on her face. “Think of it as him keeping away any ill thoughts!”
“No. Absolutely not. I don’t want to hear his mushy thoughts like I had just now.” Scaramouche’s eye twitches-
“It’s not like you heard everything…” Aether whines out pitifully, still embarrassed from letting his thoughts reach Scaramouche like that in the first place earlier. “Besides… Just like with Nahida and I- we can just cut the connection whenever we want to. You can keep your ill thoughts to yourself.” He sighs out, “and to think I thought so much into giving you a name…”
“You wanted to name me Boe because it was cute and meant sweetheart.” Scaramouche chokes out, as if he’s disgusted by the idea- but then he falters. “....Why did you even think so much about it?”
Aether frowns, fidgeting again a bit uncertainly. “Not that I’m… The best at giving names in the first place but, you deserved to have someone give you a name who had actually put thought into it. As much as you could’ve just named yourself… You’re not, so. And I wouldn’t just give you a name off the top of my head.” The blonde reasons, that and there’s the fact that he actually cared.
Scaramouche deserved someone to care enough to actually think about something like a name.
‘He doesn’t need to be so worried.’ Aether hears from him, but he doesn’t comment back- only listening. ‘Questioning his own morals, yet he’s the prime example of someone who is entirely pure. In every action, even listening to someone like me who has tried to kill him. The strength to do that… To put your trust into someone who has done shitty things just because you believe in them to do better- wait.’
Scaramouche stares down Aether, the blonde’s eyes widening as he quickly looks away.
“Aether.”
Aether brings his scarf up over his mouth.
“Aether. Get. Out. Of. My. Head.” Scaramouche growls out slowly, pointing at the blonde with his eye twitching.
“You’re the one opening up to me!” Aether whines out, waving his arms around at his sides.
“And you could’ve said something!” Scaramouche argues,
“But I didn’t want to interrupt!”
“THAT’S what you were worried about? You do worry too much-”
“No I don’t!”
“You do.”
“No.”
“Yes. Shut up, good god.” Scaramouche says utterly exasperated.
“.....” Aether looks at him nervously, making Scaramouche’s eyebrow raise.
“What.” He deadpans-
“...I’m really not pure.” Aether mumbles out.
“You’re ridiculous.” Scaramouche groans out, looking away from Aether towards Paimon and Nahida. “And you two are just gonna keep staring, huh?”
“Why would I interrupt? You both are arguing quite comfortably. It’s adorable.” Nahida smiles sweetly, “also, I’ve been talking with Paimon this entire time mentally.”
“Yeah! We were just talking about how Boe can suit you because you kinda look like a bow.” Paimon snickers out, smile almost smug.
“I-” Scaramouche’s face reddens lightly, “I don’t.”
“...You kinda do.” Aether says with a laugh that makes Scaramouche glare over at him. Aether immediately puts his hands somewhat in the air, “It’s not a bad thing, it’s… Cute.”
Scaramouche’s ears burn in both embarrassment and frustration, “You need to stop talking.”
Should I think instead? Aether sasses,
“Fuck off. Go back to being worried.” Scaramouche grumbles,
“So you like being worried over?” Aether questions, eyebrows raised-
……
Scaramouche turns around, raising a hand to draw his large hat over his face. He doesn’t say anything, just standing there- likely thinking, not that Aether can tell. Because he was certainly being shut out right now from his thoughts.
But then,
‘You and only you can call me Boe.’ Scaramouche thinks to him, making Aether’s eyes widen. ‘I’ll just come up with a less embarrassing name later on.’
Okay, Boe. Aether smiles softly, tone light and making Scaramouche huff aloud.
“I’m leaving now.” Scaramouche states, raising his head back up- though not sparing another glance to the ones behind him. “Don’t expect to see me any time soon.”
“Mhm… Okay. I’ll see you around.” Aether just says in response, snickering lightly at Scaramouche’s irritated ‘tsk’ in response.
‘What a nuisance.’
I’ll be hearing from you too at this rate.
‘.....’
Aether watches him go, averting his gaze to Paimon and Nahida instead and giving them both a small smile. “...Is it bad for me to want to be his friend?” He questions sheepishly, earning just amusement from Nahida and-
“You’re totally insane, but as long as no one you get all buddy buddy with kills us it’s fine.” Paimon sighs out, though in a fond manner. “Anyways, it’s been a looooong day. Paimon thinks we should go get some snacks and relax!”
“Sure, Paimon.” Aether hums out, “We’ll keep in touch, Nahida.” He smiles down to the young god, earning a very happy smile of her own in response.
“I know you will! Keep me updated on progress with your Sister, kay? I’ll do everything I can to help in the meantime.” Nahida waves him off, Aether feeling gratitude at those words as he waves back.
Sumeru may have been… Terribly confusing for the most part and- he may not have all the answers he wanted. But he got something. And that’s better than what he’s been getting- practically nothing.
So yes- in the irony of it all… Nahida and Scaramouche helped him. Nahida more so, but. Scaramouche showed him something that…
Well…
To be able to erase your entire existence, yet not be able to erase yourself. Scaramouche was the prime example of that.
And if his own memory cannot be erased in this world.. Then Lumine…
What does she know?
‘.....Aether.’
Sorry! Aether cringes as he makes his way down the path towards the place he was staying in Sumeru. I’ll try to watch my link with you.
‘I’m assuming you overthink a lot then.’
…Maybe. It’s okay. I promise I won’t intentionally bother you.
‘Whatever. Your sister however… If she knew about Irminsul…’
….
‘Right. I won’t pester. Go eat with Paimon.’
Aether nods, though feels stupid because Scaramouche can’t see it.
..Thanks, Boe.
Silence.
…
‘Your standards are so fucking awful. Why are you thanking me? Good lord.’
I mean, I think you deserve someone to be thankful for you anyways.
‘What.’
It’s okay.
‘Get out of my head, Aether.’
It’s kinda funny, it’s like how people say that you have a voice in your head telling you to do certain stuff. But now you actually have a voice in your head.
‘.....’
Bye, Boe!
‘Insufferable.’