Work Text:
Aether wasn’t one to go to anything scary.
Whether it be corn mazes, haunted houses, or…
A walk in a ‘scary’ forest where they make you get something new everyday in order to win a test of courage.
He sighs as he follows Paimon towards one of the staff members running the event, bringing a hand up to rub at one of his eyes.
It’s always Paimon that somehow drags him into these events, huh? Or, well, she mentions it then someone like Ayato convinces her. She didn’t actually want to do this either- he knows. She was easily startled as is.
Alas, here they are. At least there was a prize involved... Hnn….
And when the staff member claims they need a partner- because for some reason putting down ‘Aether & Paimon’ was misinterpreted as one person??? What? How did that- Whatever.
He glances away from the floating fairy next to him as she mumbles something about the staff lady being spooky, eyes trying to find a possible partner for the two of them-
Ah.. Familiar faces.
Ayaka and Gorou… Hm. Are they the only two attending as well? Surely not. Maybe others will show up later. But if these are his only options- Gorou was… Well, he was very sweet. But if he’s being completely honest- Gorou should not be here. He was skittish as is, and that’s partly to blame due to being in an actual war he’s sure. A sweetheart like himself as a general in a rebellion was bound to have mental consequences.
He’s not sure why he’s thinking about this so much- but, Gorou wouldn’t be the best choice as a partner. As for Ayaka… She’s also incredibly sweet. He wouldn’t mind going in with her- it’d seem like they’d both have fun and she may get scared but.. She wouldn’t immediately run away- they’d even laugh the scares off.
But going back to the part where Aether really didn’t wanna be here. There’s a part of himself that can relate to Gorou- while he didn’t scare as easily, he just kinda… Shut down. Not completely- but in the world of flight or fight- he was neither. Maybe right in between- defensive?
So as much as being with Ayaka sounds fun- he didn’t want her to see him possibly shut down at all.
Again though, if these two were his only options...
Wait.
His gaze meets the one of Kazuha’s, the man smiling softly down at him from where he’s atop of a rock. He waves Aether over, the blonde’s reaction immediate in walking over to him and climbing up onto the rock. Paimon quickly follows, scared to be by herself.
“Hello, Aether.” Kazuha hums out fondly, taking one of Aether’s hands into his own. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”
Aether nods happily in response, feeling a lot more at ease than he had a moment ago. Kazuha really had that effect on people.
…Huh…
Kazuha would be the perfect person to go into this with.
“Are you here for the test of courage too?” Aether questions in a quiet voice, and Kazuha seems to note this- leaning just a bit forward so he’s able to hear the blonde better.
“I am.” Kazuha lets go of Aether’s hand, “Once I heard of this event I had a feeling you two would show up. Since we hadn’t seen each other for some time… I figured I might as well come and see you. After all, meeting someone after being apart for so long always lifts the spirits.” He tilts his head to the side with his soft smile, “So tell me, how have you both been?”
“We’ve been doing good!” Paimon chirps out, seemingly put at ease by Kazuha’s presence as well. “Say… The shrine maiden over there said we needed a partner- you wouldn’t happen to have one already, do you?”
Kazuha’s eyes seem to light up at that, “Ah, I’m afraid I don’t. If you’d like for me to be your partner, I wouldn’t mind at all.”
When Aether takes his hand back into his own, Kazuha squeezes it in such a reassuring way that makes him calmer. “That’d be nice.” He whispers.
“Then I will be.” Kazuha hums, allowing Aether to guide him down to the entrance of the ‘test of courage’.
They receive the rules and the goal- and enter the forest close to one another. Aether follows the signs placed to lead them to the best of his ability- eyebrows furrowing every time he thinks he can hear Itto’s laughter a lil faraway.
As amusing as the Oni was- he was actually happy to know that he was one of the ones on the ‘scare team’.
His scares were likely to be more funny than actually… Scary.
Maybe he was just reassuring himself though. Not that he was that anxious about being out here- but also maybe Paimon being basically attached to his back right now wasn’t helping his nerves.
Kazuha gently knocks Aether on the forehead with his fist when he delves too far into his thoughts and starts walking the opposite direction they need to be going- it makes Aether look at him sheepishly, getting back on track.
They take a few more wrong turns, the signs leading to dead ends and random jumpscares from Itto’s geo or a scarecrow springing up- all in all, really not that bad. They get to what they need- the dango milk. Which is today’s goal and Kazuha is happy to pick up half of the bottles- leaving him to grab the other half.
Phew. This really wasn’t as bad as he thought it’d be. It certainly helped that Kazuha was so calm throughout it all- even faking getting scared at one point for Itto. In which Aether is sure he’d be grateful for- It was just amusing to Aether for the most part.
Ah, maybe he could’ve gone with Ayaka. This also reassures him that Gorou should be okay.
“Ah…” Kazuha sighs out, gaining Aether’s attention and following the man’s gaze to-
Oh.
The Raiden- no. Ei. Just standing there by the cliff’s edge. What was she doing? Was she participating too?
It.. Didn’t matter. He was still… Iffy, around the archon. Aside from her past with eternity and being- well.
A dictator.
He can be happy she’s on the path to redeeming herself- yes, but.
She was the reason why he got so nervous during storms nowadays.
….
“I don’t believe it’d be wise for me to converse.” Kazuha smiles sadly over to him- confusing Aether for a moment- “I’ll go on ahead and meet you there.”
Did he think he was going to talk with her?
Aether looks nervously to where Ei stands, then back to Kazuha who was already turning away-
“No,” Aether says quickly, Kazuha turning back towards him in a bit of surprise. “Um, I’ll just go with you.” He mumbles shyly.
“Are you sure?” Kazuha questions, eyebrows furrowed as he tries his hardest to read Aether’s expression. But all he can gather is that Aether was nervous- and well, “...Alright. Come along then.” He gestures with his head, allowing Aether to shuffle over to him speedily and walk side by side.
Paimon doesn’t comment for once, only following along while giving Aether a knowing look that Kazuha wishes he could decipher.
Kazuha’s mind flashes back to the danger about a year ago that loomed over them all of the Raiden Shogun and the Vision hunt decree. Aether fought and could have died to the god, but hadn’t.
And now the Raiden was freely roaming, trying to understand her people when she hadn’t before.
While she made him uncomfortable for very valid reasons, and he will never see himself talking with her… He does believe in redemption. He personally just won’t be there to see it in person.
….
Aether may feel… Similarly. Though he knows the blonde has spoken with her on good terms before- he can see the tense way he walks. His nerves making his hands fidget and-
…While the test of courage didn’t scare Aether, it seems like the Raiden certainly did.
Even if Aether would never admit it.
Aether meets his gaze with some confusion when he spots him staring, and Kazuha merely just smiles. “Sorry, I was only admiring your golden aura again.” It’s not a lie, but not the whole truth either. Regardless, it makes Aether’s face redden and the blonde turn away with a huff.
At least he didn’t seem nervous any more. Flustered, but not fearful.
That’s much better.