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Having just finished his daily commissions, Aether was heading back to Mondstadt for the lunch he had planned with Dottore.
He neared the city's outskirts to find his friend waiting for him, lollygagging near the bridge that led to the city, leaning against a sunsettia tree.
Upon spotting Aether, the Doctor raised a gloved hand in greeting.
Aether sighed and smiled, waving back. He had told him to meet at the restaurant, but it was no matter. He dashed over to Dottore.
"Hey, Dottore! What are you doing here? I thought I told you to go and get seats for us," scolded Aether playfully, his voice gently teasing.
"Well, I just wanted us to walk there together," said Dottore sullenly. Which Aether knew meant I didn't want to go alone. His sensitivity had come as a shock to the Traveler at first, but he was getting used to it -- growing fond of it, even.
The Doctor's sulking ceased as Aether took his gloved hand, giggling softly. Who knew Dottore had a shy side?
This Dottore was one of the younger, newer ones; he was dressed similarly to Omega but was shorter, and he didn't wear a mask, which left his striking, curiously childlike ruby eyes visible.
It wasn't too often that the Segments got to take a day off and relax, but Prime was aware of this particular Segment's friendship with the Traveler and had decided to just let the two spend some time together.
Presently the Doctor and the Traveler made their way across the bridge, through the city gates, and to Good Hunter.
As was habitual, the two of them found themselves attracting occasional disapproving glances and stares. Aether glared back at anyone who dared to look down their nose at his friend before flashing a warm, reassuring smile to Dottore, who felt his heart flutter at the sight. How lucky he was to know someone as sweet as Aether.
They made their orders: a Mondstadt Hash Brown, a Satisfying Salad, and two glasses of Sparkling Berry Juice. Subsequently, they headed up to the quiet and shaded deck that was further away from the main part of the restaurant. Dottore and Aether got seated across from each other. The warm spring breeze ran its gentle fingers through cotton-candy blue and honey blonde locks alike, and alluring scents floated along on the wind, teasing their noses and making their mouths water.
Almost instantly their orders were delivered. Dottore hungrily started on his hash brown, halfway through one of them when he realized his friend was looking at him in astonishment and sheepishly put it down, taking the time to chew his food.
As Aether took a few bites of his salad, his eyes lit up with delight. "Oh, this is delicious, Dottore! You have to try it." Excitedly he lifted a forkful to his companion's mouth.
Dottore's eyes widened in surprise, but he accepted it and chewed. There was a certain flavor and texture that made him uneasy but it was only a fleeting thought in the back of his mind as he took in the sight before him and a peculiar sensation tapped at his stomach.
Aether was happy. His golden bangs framed a face that practically glowed, eyes smiling and cheeks rosy. He was joyful, cheerful, relaxed - as he ought to be. What business did everyone have, piling all the work and the pressure on him to save them? Too often the blonde man could not hide his fatigue, exhausted and overworked. Seeing the Traveler smile so genuinely, out of delight and not courtesy, was rare. And how beautiful Aether was when he was happy, thought Dottore...
Huh, those butterflies in his stomach were really starting to make him feel sick now. Stealing a glance at the plate of salad, he noticed something that made his face turn pale with dread. He knew now what was the cause of that unsettling feeling. Tucked into the mix of eggs and vegetables were small slices of apples.
At first the Doctor managed to stay composed and did not react too dramatically. After all, the allergy wasn't that severe, and he had only taken a bite; perhaps he could tough it out this time. His lips tingled uncomfortably and the roof of his mouth itched; he rubbed his tongue against it. He could also feel a bit of nausea brewing, but it seemed manageable enough; surely he would make it through--
Without warning a jab of pain pierced his abdomen, and he gave a little gasp.
"Dottore? Are you okay?"
"....Huh?" Dottore blinked to see that Aether was looking at him, amber gaze laced with concern.
The Doctor managed a smile, privately fighting his worsening stomachache. "Oh, yes, I'm quite alright. It's nothing," he lied.
Aether didn't look convinced and opened his mouth to say something more but ultimately decided to keep quiet for the moment.
The following minutes were sheer torture for Dottore. He tried not to breathe too much as the rich scents that had been delicious before now made his stomach churn violently. Stiffly he sat, picking at his food and sipping his drink slowly, trying to wash away the nausea.
A bit later and he could no longer mask his queasy expression, struggling immensely against the urge to vomit. Worriedly Aether pressed him again, but the Doctor was unable to respond as he felt something hot bubbling in his throat and panicked, clapping a hand over his mouth, turning to his side--
His stomach's contents spilled through gloved fingers and splattered over the wooden planks of the deck. He gasped and retched as more sour liquid surged up his throat and contributed to the mess at his feet.
Aether jumped up from his seat and was at the Doctor's side in an instant, pulling his hair back with one hand and rubbing gentle circles on his back with the other.
"Oh dear, um... Just... let it all out, okay? What happened, was it something you ate?"
Dottore clutched his midsection with his clean hand as he swallowed thickly. Tears of embarrassment stung his eyes, and he hung his head low in shame. "Yeah, it's just... well... I'm allergic to apples..." Suddenly his stomach gave another lurch and another wave of vomit cascaded onto the floor as he continued to spew up what was now mostly bile.
"Oh... oh no..." Aether looked down, a heavy blanket of guilt settling over him as he realized what he had done. He hadn't meant to make him so sick. "I'm really sorry, Dottore. Are you going to be alright?"
"I'll be fine." Dottore tried to reassure him with a weak chuckle and watery smile, but as much as he tried to put up a dignified appearance, he felt deeply humiliated. His cheeks were flushed and his breath came in short, shallow puffs.
"Are you sure...?"
Dottore nodded. With a shaking hand, he wiped away some of the tear droplets that were caught in the thick lashes that framed his ruby eyes.
Aether snatched some napkins and started to clean up, using his hydro powers to clean the puddle of vomit and wash the places where Dottore's clothes were soiled. Gently he wiped his friend's tears and dabbed away the remnants of his former lunch from his lips. The Doctor still looked disheveled and unwell despite his stomach having calmed down.
"Again, you have no idea how sorry I am, Dottore, I feel so bad..."
"It's fine, you didn't know. Don't blame yourself."
Aether tenderly wrapped his arms around the Doctor in a comforting hug. After a moment of hesitation, the gesture was returned.
"Please forgive me, Dottore," murmured Aether.
"Hmm... I'll think about it," replied Dottore, but the spirit had returned to his voice, and his tone was not one of malice.
Aether all but laughed in relief and squeezed his friend tighter before letting go and helping him to his feet. "Are you feeling better?"
"A bit, yes," Dottore said shyly. Aether didn't know it, but being there with him was the only thing that kept the Doctor from crumbling from the embarrassment.
Knowing how the Doctor was reassured by touch, Aether took his hand again as they left Good Hunter and soon the city, continuing to enjoy the rest of their day in each other's company.