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"I have something to do in Inazuma. I know you'd rather not go there. So you can just stay here." Aether spoke as he organized the books he had in his little study room. Wanderer looked at the Traveler's movement as if a snake observing his prey. Soft dust particles float around as they get exposed by the lights coming from the window. Making Aether look even more like a celestial being. Wanderer always questioned where he came from, where he traveled before coming to Teyvat, or where his homeland was. But he doesn't ask, he will let these questions be his secret. And he's sure that Aether wouldn't even tell him, he'll just smile and shrug it off with "Let's drink tea, I'm quite thirsty now."
"Yes, You clearly understood that I don't like going back to Inazuma. We had this conversation not too long ago as well. You don't have to tell me anytime, I simply don't care. " He comments, snapping off from his daydream. "Oh? We did? Sorry, I didn't realize… you must've been bored that we're talking about this each time I accompany you." Aether apologizes with a small smile.
Wanderer swatted his hands to gesture that It's no problem. He hasn't admitted verbally that having someone to accompany him is enough. After many many years of endless loss and suffering, he found peace and someone who could be his support when he's down (though he'll never admit whenever he's down or troubled). Even when no words were said, they understood each other. Wanderer liked it this way. A relationship between two people at arm's length, but are still ambiguous to the both of them.
"Honestly, Aether. You've been doing this a lot. Now I suspect that you're reporting about my existence to my mother." Wanderer lifted an eyebrow, bitterness stuck on his tone when he said the word 'Mother'. Aether looked him in the eye and his gaze softened at the Wanderer. "That's ridiculous, I won't ever do that…" Aether looked away while dusting off some books.
"Hmm~? really? Then, what were you doing in Inazuma? Feed the cats at the Asase Shrine? Finding stone slates at Tsurumi Island? Maybe helping old people in Konda Village like the hero you are?" Wanderer shrugged after taking a sip of his tea. Aether sighed at his demeanor. "Well that's a given, I know. Like you said, I do have a savior complex. But what's wrong with that? I accept you the way you are. So you should accept my savior complex as well. It's part of my personality after all~" Aether beamed a teasing smile as Wanderer grumbled "Ghh… Of course you'll say that…" As he looked away.
"But to answer your question I'm just relaxing around Nazuchi Beach and collecting some Dendrobium. It became my favorite flower recently… I'm mesmerized looking at how beautiful it is," Aether said. Wanderer hummed in amusement "I have to let you know the flowers—" "Used the blood of soldiers who were defeated in a war? The more beautiful it is, the more blood were shed, And it's weird for me to like it because it's far from my style?" Aether sighed. "I can have my own deranged part as well, It's normal, isn't it?"
"Honestly, What I did is more selfish than you said before, I don't help people or do puzzles. And I'd rather you see it on your own. Do you want to go with me?" Aether offered. Wanderer hummed "Fine, It's better than staying at this teapot and do nothing anyway." Aether smiled and took Wanderer by the hand as he started to teleport somewhere far away. Inazuma but it's not Narukami Island. It's a mesmerizing scene he saw before.
They were teleported to Watatsumi Island. As they started to walk, Someone noticed Aether's presence. "Oh, dear me… It's you again, Traveler. Have you been well, dear? You look a bit skinnier. Do you want some snacks? Or do you want some Una Chazuke? The eels they caught this time is better than usual." Granny Komaki started to worry for Aether. Aether only let out a nervous laugh, "Don't worry, Granny Komaki! I'm just a bit exhausted. I'm here to take a stroll to unwind." He said. "You always say that each time you visit… Oh! Where are my manners, Hello youngster. Are you here to enjoy Watatsumi Island?" She asked the Wanderer.
Wanderer gave a small smile at the elder. "I'm just tagging along with him. I am enjoying the view as well," He replied. "Good then. Here, take these shrimp crackers with you. Enjoy your time in Watatsumi Island!" Granny said as she gave both Aether and Wanderer some Shrimp Crackers. "Thank you, Granny Komaki! I'll share this with Paimon as well…" Aether thanked the elder and Wanderer whispered a small thank you. They continued their stroll, Aether chuckled while looking at the Wanderer.
"What's so funny?" He sneered at the blonde. "No, it's just. You're really polite to elders I actually like seeing that side of you." "And I like seeing the deranged side of you who liked those bloody flowers, Aether." Wanderer scoffed at Aether's teasing. "You're really loved wherever you go, Huh? It's something of note that you got loved by everyone and then you don't actually love anyone. Your love is all spent to find your sister… and maybe that little flying pixie you have." Wanderer said.
"That's not true, I also love someone from this world other than Paimon." Aether said as he showed a small smile as he walked forward to a house. Not going inside but to the left side of the terrace. "I still love them dearly…" Aether said as he sat down. He looked at the Wanderer and signals him to sit down beside him with a pat on the wood. To Wanderer's surprise, Aether took out a lyre and started strumming the instrument.
"Hey, the other day I told you about the forest creatures, the Aranaras… I couldn't ever take you with me so I'll share the song that I learned from them to you…" Aether spoke to the wind and started to play the song that Wanderer knew, The song of Vanarana. The calm breeze and floating bubbles of water and the sound of Aether strumming the lyre made a melody. A calm and peaceful sound that can make people feel less tense. "How is it? I hope you like it… I've been practicing even after the Utsava festival so I can perform it to you perfectly." Aether once again spoke to the wind.
Wanderer was spacing out, he's dumbfounded by the person beside him who is talking cheerfully to the wind. 'So you're that soldier, I see.' He thought to himself. "Today I didn't bring any flowers for you, sorry. I'm afraid you'll be bored of Dendrobium. It's a flower that reminded me of you when we first met… I just can't help myself…" Aether scratched the back of his head. "Um, maybe next time, I'll be brave and wear our uniform. I… I can't bring myself to wear it. But I know you wanted to look at me wearing it. Me too, I'd like you to wear it in front of me…" Aether started to sniffle.
"Today, I love you too as well, Teppei." Aether beamed a smile, But Wanderer never saw this kind of smile before. The softest and the most genuine smile that Aether has, Is reserved for his first love. A soldier who may look plain but ambitious. He may never made the gods look upon him because he's not enough in the eyes of gods, But Aether saw him, A being that is more divine than the archons above, gazed upon a simple human and fell in love with him. "Next time, I'll tell you about my travels on Sumeru's desert… For now, I bid you farewell." Aether said as he wiped his teary eyes. He went down to the ground and looked at Wanderer.
"Now you know what I did in Inazuma. So, don't worry of me reporting your existence to Ei." Aether smiled. Wanderer's expression became sour, "What passed have passed. You're really stubborn for not letting go someone as ordinary as him." He scolded Aether. The blonde let out a chuckle, "Same goes for you, Mister. You're the one to talk anyway." He said as he walked away, leaving behind the Wanderer.
Wanderer once again looked at the spot that Aether always gazed upon. "Perhaps, It's my fault this time. I may not be worthy of your forgiveness. And I'm not asking for forgiveness as well. But, you and me, both of us… We treasure Aether dearly." He said as he placed a Padisarah to the floor. "I wish not to visit anymore, but if fate says otherwise, you'll meet me again." He said as he tried to follow where Aether was going.
"You're so slow, Hayate." Aether teased. The teasing made the Wanderer scoff,
"You'll regret ever telling me that I'm slow, Aether."