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It all started with a conversation with Nahida.
“So, have you thought about settling down yet, Aether?” Nahdia asked, looking up from her work. “Now that everything is settled with your sister, you have more time to think about what you want to do from here. I have heard that Lumine has decided to keep close to Morax in Liyue for now.”
Had he thought about settling down? Of course, he had. The thought had sounded appealing to him so many times while he had been on his journey. He never thought about genuinely settling down. Not at least until Lumine had with Zhongli.
The thought of simply settling down and living his life sounded so appealing. He wasn’t even sure where to begin with working on that idea.
His eyes met Nahida’s. Well, he had the Archon of Wisdom right here with him. Perhaps she could help him sort where, to begin with this out.
“I’ve thought about it… but I’m not sure how to go about such a thing. I’ve been traveling for so long, Nahida. The thought of being in one spot is a bit scary.”
Uncomfortable was more like it. He didn’t even have Paimon around, she was enjoying her time in Liyue with his sister and enjoying all of the food there.
The Archon nodded her head though, forcefully pulling Aether from his thoughts, watching the girl walk over to him, gently tugging him to sit in a chair on the other side of her desk.
“I can understand those feelings. You’ve been traveling for a long while, as you said, Aether.” Nahida nodded at her own words before she continued, “I think it would be a good idea for you to settle down, at least attempt to get into a routine. You would benefit from that.”
He probably would, Aether had to agree. He had gotten into somewhat of a routine when traveling about Teyvat with the Adventurers Guild. He had become used to doing commissions for the guild before going about his normal day. It was tempting to keep doing that, but that would mean more traveling.
And then Lumine would complain that he was still working too hard.
“I’m not sure where to exactly settle. I could go back to Mondstadt and continue my work with the knights, but I know that would mean more work than I’m ready to take on right now.”
“Why not stay here in Sumeru?”
That simple thought had Aether’s eyes widening a bit. What now? Stay here in Sumeru?
It was true he liked it here but…
“I-I’m not sure. I’m not quite sure what I would even do here, Nahida.”
“There are many things to do here in Sumeru,” Nahida began. She needed to help Aether. The boy had been roaming about Teyvat for far too long. He had also been running from something else too, and it was about time that he addressed it.
“You could enroll at the Akademiya,” Nahida suggested. “I hear that the Acting Grand Sage is looking for an assistant to help him with his workload.”
What? Aether blinked at that. The Acting Grand Sage? That was still Alhaitham, wasn’t it? His face burned at the realization of what Nahida was suggesting to him.
Being around that man in particular was rather dangerous for him. Whenever Aether was around Alhaitham, the man made him realize something that he never thought that he was capable of.
He loved Alhaitham.
He could never tell Alhaitham such a thing. He wasn’t even sure where to begin, for one. Two, there was no guarantee that Alhaitham would reciprocate. He was risking much by being close to the Acting Grand Sage.
“I’m not sure Nahida,” Aether started, shifting in his chair. “What about Kaveh? Isn’t he around?”
Surely if Kaveh was around, then the man could help Alhaitham, couldn’t he? Possibly, now that Aether was thinking about it more. Perhaps he had too much hope in that regard.
“Kaveh is away in the desert on a project. Besides, you know how he and Alhaitham bicker. You’re a better fit for the job, Aether. You can attend classes in between working for Alhaitham.” She smiled at those words, pouring herself another cup of tea. This would work out great.
“Plus, you can finally tell Alhaitham how you feel. It’s long overdue.”
Aether froze at that. Those words made the room feel hotter than the jungles with their oppressive heat in this land. He couldn’t have heard what Nahida said correctly.
“I-” Aether wasn’t sure what to say. He hadn’t expected Nahida to say something like that to him. His eyes avoided Nahida’s, falling to the corner of the room as if there was suddenly a treasure chest hidden there. “Did Lumine happen to tell you?”
It was all that he could think. He hadn’t told anyone else besides Lumine. The only reason his sister even knew how he felt was because she kept trying to set him up on dates in an attempt to get him to settle down somewhere.
Nahida shook her head. “No, no one told me if that is what you’re worried about, Aether. It is just obvious to me how you feel. Your eyes light up the moment that you catch sight of Alhaitham. You buy him books from various other regions, none of which you have given him yet.”
Nahida nodded to Aether’s bag before continuing. “And I heard that you had some of the ladies in the marketplace help you weave a bookmark for him as well.”
Aether met the Archon’s gaze. She had been right about all of that information. Painfully so. Nahida had seen through him like an extremely thin piece of paper.
“I- well, I haven’t had the chance to see Alhaitham. I don’t wish to bother him when I’m aware that he’s busy.”
That was such a shitty excuse and he knew that, but he couldn’t think of anything else better.
“Alhaitham would make time for you, Aether.”
Alhaitham thought highly of Aether. Aether was just scared. She didn’t know too much about relationships, but she needed to help the boy.
Aether deserved to be happy. He did so much for others, but never took care of himself. Nahida took in that torn expression on Aether’s face before she spoke up again.
“I hear that the Acting Grand Sage is working late today.” Mostly because she had packed his schedule with meetings, because she knew that Aether was visiting her today, but the boy didn’t need to know that.
“He’ll not be in the greatest of moods, but I imagine that it’ll get better once he sees you, Aether. You should take him dinner, alongside your gifts and tell him how you feel.”
There were so many things wrong with that idea, Aether thought. Nahida knew better than he did that Alhaitham wouldn’t just be in a “bad mood” because he had to stay late.
He’d be pissed.
Was it really a good idea to bother the man with talks of feelings if that was the case?
“I don’t know, Nahida. What if he doesn’t reciprocate? I don’t want to ruin the friendship that we have.” He had read about that before, when someone confesses to another party, and they get rejected, and the relationship is ruined. He didn’t want that to happen.
He didn’t want to lose Alhaitham’s presence in his life.
“And if he feels the same as you do? You’ll never know if you don’t try, Aether.” Nahida countered, taking a sip of her tea.
That may be, but he was scared. Terrified. Fighting Raiden again would be easier than this.
But there was that tiny glimmer of hope that made him want to try. If Alhaitham perhaps felt the same way that he did, then he could finally settle in Sumeru.
That thought didn’t make this any less terrifying.
“...I will try, Nahida.” Aether replied after what felt like forever, only to find the girl’s eyes lighting up, and her rushing over to his side.
“I have a good feeling about this!”
That made one of them, Aether thought, but he forced himself to smile as the girl patted his head before he stood up.
“This will go great, Aether. If on the off chance it doesn’t, let me know, and I’ll have you work for me instead.”
Kaveh would be more happy to take Aether if nothing else.
“I am nervous,” Aether confessed as he grabbed his bag, holding it close. Felt like he was about to throw up was the better term here, he felt like.
Nahida shook her head, helping Aether to the door.
“Human emotions are not easy to deal with, but I believe in you, Aether. Go pick up his favorite dish from the restaurant he likes to frequent at. You know where his office is at the Akademiya. You’ll have a great time.”
He did know where Alhaitham’s office was, but that didn’t make this any easier as Aether held their bag of food as he made his way to the man’s office.
It still wasn’t too late. He could turn back and pretend that this never happened. Maybe play some card games with Cyno at the tavern instead.
No, he needed to do this. Between Lumine telling him to do this for months, and Nahida’s encouragement, he couldn’t allow himself to fail either of them, or himself for that matter.
Which was why he poked his head into the man’s office, noting Alhaitham looking up from his paperwork.
“Aether?” Alhaitham raised a brow, moving to stand. He wasn’t aware that Aether was back in Sumeru. Nor had he been expecting the boy to come to see him so randomly.
“Is it a bad time?” Aether asked, ignoring the sound of his own heartbeat pounding inside his ears as he met that gaze of the others.
“No, come in. I could use a break, anyway.” He could have used a break hours ago, but his work had been too much.
The boy had good timing. He motioned Aether in, pausing at the sight of the bag in his hand.
“What’s this?” Alhaitham asked, only to smell the scent that was emitting from the bag.
“I went to visit Nahida earlier, and she mentioned that you were working late when I asked about you. I thought you could use some dinner.”
Aether had asked about him? Alhaitham couldn’t help his good mood at that, as he gently took the bag from Aether, and took a peek inside.
“You know me too well, Aether. You went out of your way to get this for us.” The boy was far too kind for his own good. It was little wonder that he was always running around, helping others.
“It wasn’t a big deal. I remember we went to Lambada Tavern together last time I was in town. The Shawarma Wraps we got were good. I knew you liked them too.”
Aether looked up at the man, smiling as he said those words. Alhaitham didn’t look that upset. He was still giving him that same friendly expression that he always did.
Perhaps he could do this.
“I did like them,” Alhaitham replied, giving the boy a soft smile as he took their food to his desk, beginning to lay it out before them. “Mostly because I was sharing the meal with you. I’m sure this time will be no different. When did you return to Sumeru, Aether?”
“Um…yesterday,” Aether replied, moving to try to help Alhaitham, only to find the man motioning for him to sit instead. “I just got back from Fontaine.”
“Did you enjoy your time there?” Part of him hoped the boy would say no. Aether needed to stay in Sumeru more often. He was interesting, and he actually helped reign Kaveh in sometimes.
Aether shrugged. “It was alright. I was eager to get back here to Sumeru though. I was hoping to see you.”
Oh? Alhaitham smiled, opening the containers of food and sitting one before Aether.
“I was eager to have you return to Sumeru as well, Aether,” Alhaitham confessed, as he moved to sit next to the boy. “You’re best in these lands. You deserve to be somewhere where the locals won’t bother you for trivial matters.”
It was ridiculous. He had heard the stories well enough about Aether’s time in other lands. Helping people find their pets, doing other peoples work for them- it was too much. The Adventurers' Guild took advantage of Aether.
“I enjoy Sumeru quite a bit,” Aether murmured, watching as Alhaitham began to eat, taking it as a sign to begin eating himself. He hummed at the taste of their dinner.
He could wait until after they ate to come clean.
“I hope your work hasn’t been too bad, Haitham.” Aether began after a few moments. “I know that they keep you busy here.”
“I am hoping that our Archon finds a replacement for me soon,” Alhaitham complained, glancing at the boy and shaking his head. “I keep turning in my resignation letter, but she keeps refusing to accept it.”
That sounded like something Nahida would do. Part of the reason he had even gone through with this idea was because of the girl.
“I hope that they can find someone soon too, but until then, I think you’re doing an amazing job, Haitham.” He had heard how smoothly things were running at the Akademiya, thanks to Alhaitham’s efforts.
“I would do better with an assistant,” Alhaitham replied, pausing at the sight of sauce on Aether’s cheek. “Stay still.”
Quickly, he grabbed a napkin from nearby, leaning in and brushing at the boy’s cheek. He was still as messy as before.
Aether couldn’t breathe. It felt like his heart would escape through his mouth. He had been so close. He smelled so nice too. He swallowed, trying desperately to think of something to say.
“Nahida mentioned that too,” Aether blurted out against his better judgment. “She thought it might be a good idea to have me work for you and go to school here, since I plan on settling in Sumeru. I-It’s part of the reason I wanted to see you.”
Oh? Now that, he hadn’t been expecting. Alhaitham raised a brow, mulling it over. Having Aether as his assistant wouldn’t be too bad, all things considered. It would keep him in Sumeru for a longer period of time too.
The other options were sad compared to having Aether next to him. He nodded after a moment, taking the last bite of his food, deciding to finish eating before he responded.
“I didn’t realize that you were planning to settle here. If that’s the case, then I wouldn’t be against having you as my assistant Aether. We tend to work well together.”
Even more so since Aether wasn’t lugging around Paimon at the moment.
He agreed? That easily? Aether felt part of his burden being lifted off his shoulders at those words. He had thought he would have to convince the man more.
“We do work well together,” Aether replied, finding himself moving a bit closer to the man nwo that their food was done. “I am excited to stay in Sumeru for a longer period of time.”
“I am sure that all of Sumeru will be happy to see you here on a more permanent basis. Have you thought about what you’d like to study at the Akademiya?”
Aether shook his head. He hadn’t. He knew there was a lot to choose from though.
“I haven’t. I’m not sure where to start, to be honest.”
“We can look through the catalog together soon,” Alhaitham promised. Aether was a good artist. Perhaps art would suit him best. For now, he couldn’t help but notice the boy close to him. It had been a long while since he had the Traveler to himself like this. He reached a hand out, brushing a hand through those blond locks.
“For now, you said you wanted to see me for something else. What did you have on your mind, Aeth?”
Damn.
There was no going back now. He committed to this, now he had to follow through. Those fingers in his hair had felt so nice though. It was all he could think about, as he bent down, picking his bag up and rummaging through it for a few moments until he found what he was looking for.
“I have a few gifts for you,” Aether murmured, pulling both the bookmark and the book he had gotten in Fontaine for the man. “The book is a history of Fontaine, a-and the bookmark is something that I made for you the last time that I was here.”
Alhaitham paused as the gifts were handed over. The book was nice, in mint condition, but his eyes fell to the bookmark, taking in the black and green patterns on this. He recognized the handiwork. He had seen some of the older women weave things similar.
“The bookmark is rather gorgeous, Aether,” Alhaitham praised, looking up and meeting that amber gaze. “You did not have to go to such lengths for me, but I will treasure your gifts as closely as I can.”
He did, Aether thought to himself. He had to do so much more for the man. He hadn’t done enough for Alhaitham. He needed to be spoiled far more.
“Of course, I need to do nice things for you,” Aether replied with his heart beating a mile a minute, and his face far too warm he continued, “I love you. It’s only natural that I would do something nice for the person that I love.”
There. It was out in the open. Aether watched those eyes widen. Had he gone about this the wrong way? He moved to open his mouth again, finding the man closing the distance.
“What did you say?” Alhaitham murmured. He needed Aether to repeat what he had just said. There was no possible way that he could have heard him correctly.
“I said, I love you, Alhaitham,” Aether replied, without missing a beat. He wasn’t sure where this confidence was coming from, especially with the man so close, but he wasn’t going to turn it down. “I-If you don’t feel the same-”
Alhaitham, closed the last few remaining inches, capturing those lips before he dared to finish that sentence. The boy loved him. It made sense. They spent quite a bit of time together whenever Aether was in the city. He should have seen this coming.
“I happen to care for you quite a bit, Aether,” Alhaitham breathed as he pulled back with his lungs crying for air. “You’re coming to my home. We have much to discuss.”
Aether’s face felt too hot, his heartbeat not calming in the slightest, even as the man pulled him along by his hand.
The man cared for him. He had kissed him too. Aether pressed a hand to his lips, as his fingers laced with Alhaitham’s.
He had done it.
He would have to thank Nahida later.