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As a genius magician and master at captivating any audience to his delight, Lyney would claim himself an expert at properly courting someone. The art of romance is, after all, first and foremost that—an artform. And if not a magician, the highest form of artist there is, who else would be most adept at it?
Just how many had Lyney properly courted with his charms before? Well, truth be told, not many. But up until meeting the Traveler, Lyney had not really had someone he truly wanted to court, so it only made sense that he wouldn't employ either his skills or his energy meaninglessly. But no matter. Even if Aether was to be the first one, Lyney was confident he would have him sufficiently charmed by the end of his trip.
…until the whole Fatui incident happened.
Hiding in his room, Lyney mourns the short but ardent time spent with the esteemed Traveler, his heart heavy in his chest every time he remembers the parting look on Aether’s face, that day in the Opera Epiclese.
But Lyney is nothing if not resilient, quick to adapt and used to making the best out of whatever unfortunate situation he has gotten himself or his siblings into. So he wipes the tears off his cheeks and hides the tracks beneath powder and rouge. He dons his hat and reaches for his cape and starts his short journey to the Hotel Debord. If his intel is correct, Aether should have left Poisson two days ago.
Step 1: Invitation
His steps are brisk and unusually hurried and Lyney reaches the Traveler’s current abode sooner than he would’ve liked. His fingers are numb at the tips and his bowtie suddenly feels too constricting around his neck, his heart nervously fluttering into his throat as if it wants to escape certain doom. But not to worry. Lyney would not be Lyney if he did not have the perfect plan up his sleeve.
Taking three final deep breaths, he raises his hand and lightly raps against the door, and when the door suddenly swings open, Lyney quickly straightens up with a silent gasp and braces himself for curtain call.
“...Lyney?”
Oh dear, how he’s missed the sweet baritone of his voice, the slight lilt in his tone. He puts on his best smile and takes off his hat with a flourish, giving him a curt bow. “Dearest Aether,” he greets. “I do hope I’m not disturbing you at this late hour?”
Aether eyes him suspiciously, his face cast in shadows by the faint light coming from inside. His hair is no longer braided out of his face, spilling down his shoulders instead, and Lyney has to force his gaze back up to meet his eyes. “Paimon just fell asleep,” Aether tells him, direct and to the point as always. “Why don't we talk outside?”
After leading the way up onto the rooftop, he sits down and pulls his knees to his chest in a way that reminds Lyney of Freminet. He looks up at him expectantly and Lyney suddenly remembers he is supposed to be the showmaster here.
“Please excuse my unannounced presence,” he starts, clearing his throat as he takes a seat beside him. “I was simply in the area and thought, why not pay the Traveler a visit?” A quick glance at Aether unfortunately leaves him unable to gauge his thoughts, his face impassive as he listens. “I’m grateful that you're willing to give me—us, a second chance and I fear we might not have left matters in the best way.”
Aether studies him with topaz eyes, serene and unmoving as his loose hair flutters in the breeze and Lyney doubts he has ever seen a sight more beautiful than this. “So I was hoping we might get together for a chat. Perhaps we could even share a meal sometime. I know a delightful café not far from here that offers the most delicious pastries in all of Fontaine. I would be delighted to take you there.”
Unexpectedly, Aether suddenly huffs a quiet breath, bowing his face as he laughs, and the simple sound has Lyney’s wayward heart fluttering. “Are you…asking me out on a date?”
His wayward heart stutters to a halt. Adjusting his hat to hide his face from view, Lyney laughs and hopes it doesn’t sound as breathy as it feels. “Just consider it a heartfelt attempt at making amends.”
Turning his gaze towards the city in front of them, Aether makes a quiet contemplative sound. “Alright,” he says, his words slow as if he’s considering them as he says them. “You can take me out.”
Step 2: First Date
If Lyney had to rank all of the performances he ever gave, his upcoming date with the Traveler would no doubt be one of the most nerve wracking, second only to the one Father had wanted Lynette and him to give as their very first mission to prove themselves worthy of the House of the Hearth.
He puts together his best outfit, carefully assembling it on his bed before pulling on black shorts with cut-out windows and lace detailing, fingers brushing over glittering silver and silky ruffles as he closes the buckles on his garters and buttons the front of his white blouse. He carefully puts parts of his hair in a single braid and stands in front of the mirror for the longest time, debating whether or not to forgo his tophat today. In the end, he gives his reflection one of his signature smiles and decides on the hat, after all—because courting is a performance and he is going to give Aether the best show imaginable.
Ignoring the faint rushing of blood in his ears, Lyney pulls on his gloves and leaves the room, careful to tread with silent steps in order to avoid Lynette’s worried gaze. She always did have a knack for knowing when he's out of his depth, even though he has always done his very best to hide his worries from his siblings. Call it twin intuition—it’s quite useful on stage, not so useful when it comes to having his heart bared.
The café Lyney picked out is a quaint place that specializes in pastries, a short walk from the Opera Epiclese but both charming and exquisite in its location and flair. It’s certainly not a place Lyney commonly frequents but he’s heard his audience whisper about it, seen lovers on the street talk about it with their hands intertwined and gazes affectionate and he’d felt the familiar ache in his chest then, a sharp kind of longing to share something similar with someone one day, indulging in sweets on a balcony overlooking the Fountain of Lucine.
It’s quite the costly establishment, but Aether deserves nothing less than the best Fontaine has to offer. He’s surely seen all kinds of things in his travels all over Teyvat and to properly amaze him, Lyney has to exceed all of his expectations.
As is customary, Lyney arrives early and lets himself be shown to the table he reserved. He hides his nerves behind a card trick to woo the eager waitress, because distraction has always been his go-to and there is no better distraction than one that requires him to use his brain.
Aether arrives several minutes too late, a few strands of his braid messily tucked behind his ear and a little out of breath as if he ran the entire way. He comes to a stop right in front of him, bent over with his hands on his hips, and Lyney has a hard time raising his gaze from his bare stomach, moving up and down with every hurried breath he takes.
“Sorry,” he says. “I had to drop off Paimon at the Steambird first.” He sounds truly apologetic, his brows creased with concern, and Lyney absolutely could not have that on a first date. So he swiftly gets up from his seat and greets Aether with a bow, one arm behind his back while he reaches for his hand with the other. “No matter.” He fixes him with a smile. “You are here now.”
Daring to press his lips against Aether’s scarred knuckles for the briefest moments, Lyney finds his breath catching in his chest at the sudden sparks and Aether makes a curious noise above him. Before Aether has a chance to say anything or pull away his hand, Lyney straightens up again and lets go himself. “Oh, would you look at that,” he says, presenting him with a single rainbow rose. “This seems to have appeared in my hands for you.”
Hesitating, Aether studies his face before slowly reaching out and taking it from him. There's something guarded in his eyes. “What is this for?”
Lyney gives him a perfect smile and offers him a seat. “This is but a magician’s party trick, it’s my greatest pleasure to entertain a guest such as yourself.”
Aether seems to consider this for a moment, honey-colored eyes searching his face as if looking for something, before he hums quietly and sits down, setting the lonely rose aside. “So…what did you wanna talk about?”
Lyney reaches for the menu on the table between them, flipping it open and placing it in front of Aether. “First, let us choose something to eat. This place offers the finest sugared delights in all of Fontaine! Please, do go ahead and choose at your leisure.” He gives him a bright smile. “I assure you, you will not find better quality in all of Teyvat.”
Lyney isn't particularly fond of sweets—too much sugar keeps him from thinking clearly, clouds his judgment and could very well ruin the body he has worked hard for—but he still orders something to be polite.
Ultimately, he spends most of the time glancing at Aether when he isn't looking, though, watching him as he licks the cream off his spoon, his eyes closed and lips curving upwards in a smile. They talk about his upcoming magic shows, Paimon’s addiction to the latest Steambird issues and Aether’s plans of helping Navia with rebuilding Poisson.
Lyney pays for the both of them and leaves a generous tip, waving his hand in the air dismissively when Aether tries to argue with him. “This is but a small token of my gratitude,” he insists. “You are my dear guest, after all.”
Step 3: Flirtations
“Tell me, Aether,” Lyney inquires curiously, leaning against his side. “How many people have you charmed on your journey across Teyvat?”
Aether looks at him with a mixture between surprise and confusion, an adorable little crease between his blonde brows. “I don’t think—”
But Lyney is quick to cut him off, reaching out to let his hands glide through the softness of his braid, twining the end of it around his finger. “Ah, there is no need to be humble, surely you have amassed countless admirers on your way.”
Although there is the faintest hint of pink on his cheeks, Aether still studies him with a frown, his burning gaze boring into him, and Lyney suddenly wonders whether he, too, can sense the frantic thrum of his heart.
Naturally, Lyney knows how to work his charm in his favor. He was forced to learn from a very young age if he wanted to survive. And to this day, it remains his best asset and one of the most important skills as both a genius magician and an intel worker of the Fatui. It has saved both his siblings’ and his own life on multiple occasions, which is precisely why Lyney doesn’t know why he’s struggling so much with the Traveler now; why his tongue feels leaden and heavy, why his movements seem unsure and unnatural and why his palms are sweaty beneath his gloves, his head fuzzy with nerves.
“Say, Aether, would a loverboy like yourself do me the honors of meeting me backstage before our next show?”
Aether seems slightly disconcerted by his boldness, but not put off. “...I’ll be there,” he says and Lyney’s traitorous heart sings.
There’s a soft knock at his door and Lyney perks up in his seat, putting the finishing touches to his hair before getting up. He opens the door with a smile and a bow, taking off his hat with a flourish. “What a lovely surprise!”
Aether huffs a laugh and steps past him into the dressing room. “You invited me,” he comments and stops to take a look at his surroundings. For some reason, Lyney suddenly feels strangely self conscious about all of his utensils still out on the vanity, the makeup he has just applied and the various outfits he has tried strewn on the floor. It’s a peak behind the curtains he did not intend to give the other man.
Stepping in front of the mirror, Lyney hides the proof of his pretense from view. “I hope tonight will be satisfactory to you, I am quite honored to have you here tonight once more.” When Aether’s gaze grows too searching, he quickly adds, “Lynette sends her regards as well, she’s looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Lynette told me you always get nervous before a show,” Aether mentions casually as he steps around him. He traces the edges of Lyney’s mirror with the tips of his gloved fingers and Lyney somehow finds himself transfixed by the simple motion, his mouth dry. Aether looks back at him over his shoulder. "Are you nervous now?”
Lyney’s chuckle is more of a breathless gasp. “Whatever made you think that? A genius magician such as myself does not get nervous—certainly not before an audience as delightful as you.”
His racing heart tells a different story and when Aether simply hums again, that noncommittal sound that gives Lyney absolutely nothing to work with, Lyney quickly closes the distance between them in a few quick strides and leans in close, winking at the other man in an attempt to regain control. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head now,” he purrs, “Tonight’s going to be spectacular simply because you will be watching.”
Aether snorts softly. “So I’m guessing that means you don’t need me to wish you good luck?”
Putting his hands on Aether’s hips, Lyney briefly brushes them along the hem of his pants, right below the bare skin of his waist, before forcing himself to pull away and take a step back, a single rainbow rose cradled between his fingers. He offers it to Aether with a smile. “I may not be in need of luck but if you wish to give it anyway, I'll be sure to use it accordingly tonight, mon chéri.”
Once the announcement for the start of the show sounds, Lyney reluctantly turns away and grabs his capelet. He can feel Aether’s gaze sear into his back as he makes his way towards the door. “Break a leg,” he says suddenly and Lyney nearly stutters in his steps as his heart does in his chest, eyes widening at the mirth in Aether’s voice. “I’ll be watching from the first row!”
Step 4: Subsequent Dates
As per the rules of courting, Lyney follows up the first date with several more, frequently inviting the Traveler to a meal after shows and whisking him away at night to enjoy a stroll around the harbor.
Tonight, he is on his way to pick Aether up for a local parade celebrating the beginning of summer, but when he gets there he finds Aether already waiting outside the hotel and stops in his tracks, surprised by both his punctuality and his unusual attire. Because, oh dear, Aether seems to have dressed up for the occasion—his blonde hair flows down his shoulders like spun gold, partially tied back by two jade pins on both sides, and instead of his adventurer’s outfit Aether is wearing slim-fitting dark slacks and an emerald blouse that seems to be made of Fontainian silk. Like this, he looks even more otherworldly handsome than usual and Lyney is certain that if his heart were a card house it would have collapsed by now.
Almost instinctively, he takes Aether’s hand in his own, pressing a kiss to the back of it as he greets him with a bow. This time, however, he allows himself to linger, lets his eyes flutter shut briefly and wishes he had skipped the gloves tonight, if only to feel the roughness of his bare fingertips for a moment. But, alas, the gloves are as much part of the performance as his ever bright smile.
“I truly could not say which view is more beautiful, the fireworks in the sky or yourself standing right in front of me.”
“When you and Lynette were young…” Aether hesitates, watching him from across the table. His earring catches the light of the moon and Lyney’s breath hitches in his chest with it. “Did…did you ever wonder whether it’s—whether all of it is, somehow, your fault?”
The sudden question catches Lyney off guard, positively immobilizes him and leaves him speechless for the first time since he was picked up by Father all those years ago. Staring at Aether in a rare display of blatant surprise, Lyney faintly wonders whether his time is up already; if Aether has figured him out by now, seen the true shape of his mangled broken soul and peeked behind the curtains of his bravado and his pride to find the guilt eating him alive.
He could not protect Lynette back then, failing in his duty as both a brother and the older twin, and he struggles to do it still, even to this day, and he knows all of it is his fault. Aether studies him in silence as he waits and Lyney cannot help but feel like Aether knows it too, his failure seeping through the cracks of his makeup.
“Why of course,” Lyney deflects easily, waving a hand in the air between them. He laughs and tries not to choke on the lump in his throat. “I have done so countless times, hard as it might be to believe. But isn’t everything anyone’s fault somehow? Aren’t people inherently at fault for something even if they are not aware of it? After all, there is no flaw greater than the human condition.”
Something shifts in Aether’s eyes then, replacing earnest curiosity with a guarded firmness, and Lyney tells himself that this is for the best. There is no space for Lyney’s grief on the table between them and no place for the gritty parts of his shattered self in romance.
Step 5: (Grand) Romantic Gestures
“Would you like me to show you another trick?”
Lyney twirls his hat between his fingers three times before putting it back on his head, the motion calming and familiar.
“I think you’ve shown me more than enough magic for one night,” Aether replies, throwing him a bemused look that has Lyney’s insides rearranging themselves.
“Whatever are you talking about,” he breathes, “There is always time for one more trick if it is for you.” He boldly steps into Aether’s personal space and ghosts his fingers over his braid, grazing the shell of his ear.
Aether stiffens beneath him and Lyney reminds himself that this is just for show, and all too soon he has to step back again, bringing with him a bouquet of rainbow roses so large he fears it might slip from his trembling hands. He bows low and presents it to Aether with a flourish, suddenly glad that he is not facing him. His heart is drumming a ridiculous beat against his ribs and he can’t have Aether see the proof of how much this matters in the cracks of his mask.
It takes forever for Aether to move and when he finally takes the flowers from him, he does so with a huff that could either be a laugh or a scoff, his breath ghosting over Lyney’s forehead. “Thank you,” he says. “But shouldn't you be the one getting flowers after a performance?”
The curtains have not fallen yet so Lyney raises his head and offers Aether one of his most dazzling smiles. “The true star of any performance is the audience.” He clicks his tongue in mock admonishment. “And there is no audience more dazzling than you, of course.”
“This is…it’s beautiful,” Aether whispers, staring at the swirling lights in awe.
“Beautiful indeed,” Lyney agrees but for once he has no eyes for the stage. “But surely you know that your beauty far outshines the one up there, oh great Traveler.”
Golden shimmers dancing across his face, Aether turns to meet his gaze with parted lips and eyebrows pinched and the sight has Lyney draw an involuntary breath, his throat full with his heart. If Aether expects him to say anything more, he does not let it show—instead he turns his attention back towards the show in front of them and leaves Lyney with a much-needed respite.
“Oh, there seems to be something…” Frowning, Lyney makes a show of patting down the pockets of his shorts before he pulls out a velvet box, complete with a quiet gasp. “It appears to be for you!”
Aether blinks at him in surprise, his brow arching as his gaze flicks down to the offered gift. Still, he takes it from his hands, turning the tiny box between his fingers and marveling at the golden seams. Lyney is met with the full force of his sparkling gaze when he glances at him from below his lashes. “Lyney,” he says slowly. “What’s this for?”
Lyney‘s smile suddenly feels too wide on his lips. “We've known each other for a while now,” he laughs, his mouth dry. “You can think of it as…a token of our friendship.”
Something dark flickers across Aether’s features but it’s gone before Lyney has a chance to read it, so with unease roiling in his stomach Lyney watches as he flips open the box, more carefully than one would give a swordsman credit for. His eyes widen and Lyney swears he feels his heart stop inside his chest for a moment.
“Oh, this is…” Aether whispers, taking the earring out of the box and inspecting it beneath the moonlight. “Thank you, Lyney. I…really appreciate it.”
Uncharacteristically lost for words, Lyney can only watch in awe as Aether turns it this way and that, making the charm jingle quietly. He sincerely hopes the smile glued to his face is enough because it’s not really a grand gesture if he fails to deliver a show.
Looking up to meet his gaze again, Aether opens his mouth to deliver the killing blow. “The gem kinda reminds me of your eyes.”
Lyney knows. He picked it precisely because it matches his eyes. “Oh,” he says, swallowing hard when his voice comes out too breathy. “I did not notice. What a lucky coincidence! I do hope you’re not opposed to the idea?”
But Aether just rolls his eyes, shaking his head, and Lyney can’t help but feel like he’s no longer holding the reins to this whole ordeal, his ears prickling with heat.
Step 6: ???
“Is Lyney home?”
Lyney nearly drops his book flat on his face.
“He is,” Lynette confirms, voice muffled through the door. “Do you want to come inside?”
Frantically, Lyney gets out of bed, cursing internally when he hears familiar footsteps rapidly approach the door to his room. It’s way past midnight and he’d just gotten ready to retire for the night—his hair is undone, his skin scrubbed raw from removing his makeup and he's wearing a mismatched set of pajamas that are too large on him. There’s a knock at his door. “Lyney? Can I come in?”
“Why, of course,” Lyney replies quickly, hurriedly carding his fingers through his hair. He has barely managed to untangle the worst of it when the door to his room opens and Aether steps inside, stopping in his tracks as soon as he catches sight of Lyney.
“It must be my lucky day!” Lyney greets him, trying to hide his heated cheeks by dimming the lights. “I did not expect to see you today. Please do excuse my unseemly appearance. Whatever can I do for you?”
It takes considerable effort not to tug at his ill-fitting clothes under the intensity of Aether’s unbridled attention. “I was—hoping to…” Aether clears his throat, visibly trying to shake himself out of his state of shock. “I was hoping we could talk.”
Drawing a silent breath, Lyney nods and tries to come up with a solution to this disaster. He may be an expert at dealing with the unexpected on stage but right now he suddenly finds himself out of his depth and is uncomfortably reminded of when Lynette and him were young, nervously performing for the rich of the rich in hopes of gaining their favor. He simply never expected the Traveler to seek him out! That was never part of the plan. He doesn't even have a single rose tucked away somewhere for a measly production trick.
Lyney gestures towards his bed, the only available seating space in his cramped room. “So, what could the great Traveler possibly want to discuss with me?”
Aether throws him a look that is impossible to read and Lyney lets out a slow breath, itching to reach for the gloves on his nightstand. “I was just—I thought we could, you know…” he trails off and motions between them.
A sudden spark of excitement has Lyney perking up in his bed, leaning towards Aether with a smirk. “Oh?” he prompts, hoping to conceal the sorry state of his hopeful heart behind an exaggerated tone. “Have you suddenly grown shy?”
“You look nice,” Aether blurts suddenly, as if he couldn’t help himself, golden gaze roaming the entirety of his body briefly before flicking back up. “Your hair, it’s—I like it like this.”
Stunned, Lyney can only blink at Aether in surprise, his cheeks heating up. Besides Lynette and Freminet, nobody has seen him like this in years, plain and bare, and to have Aether here right now, saying things like this, it’s—oh dear, Lyney doesn’t know what to do with this warmth. He tries to chuckle but it comes out breathy and soft and he feels it waver in his throat. “You flatter me,” he manages. “Surely you cannot compare this to last night on stage.”
Aether develops a distinctly annoyed expression and shuffles closer, their bare hands bumping against each other on the bed between them, and the sudden proximity has Lyney reeling, momentarily struck by lightning.
“I’m always honest with you,” Aether argues and Lyney holds his breath when he twines their fingers together, something strangely wistful in his gaze. “...Are you?”
A sharp blade digs into Lyney’s clavicles and tears its way right into the middle of his chest, twisting painfully. “I am,” he whispers, spellbound and eager. “I swear it. From the moment you gave me another chance, I've only ever been honest with you. I would never dare to put our relationship on the line again for—”
The rest of his words are swallowed by a warm mouth pressing against his and Lyney’s eyes widen, his limbs growing weak as a soft sound of surprise slips past his lips. Aether cradles his cheek with a rough palm, thumb brushing gently over the irritated skin of his cheekbone and Lyney cannot fight the shiver anymore, his eyes fluttering shut of their own volition.
Lyney has kissed many people in his life, most of them unwillingly, but Aether is the first person who treats him like the object of affection, who touches him with a gentleness he doesn’t think he deserves. His stomach jolts, a rush of sensations swirling within the depths like a tempest. It’s oddly reminiscent of the moment right before a performance, when the curtains rise, but so much better.
They break apart but Aether stays close, holding onto the side of his face with a smug smile playing around his lips and it takes all of Lyney’s self-control not to lean in a second time and kiss it away.
“This Lyney is enough,” Aether murmurs, tucking a few strands of hair behind Lyney's ear. “I don't need flowers or expensive cakes or jewelry. I just need you.” He pauses, an uncertain frown marring his features. “If you…feel the same, that is.”
“Yes, I've been—” Lyney stops himself, tripping over his own words. He swallows and tries again, face burning. “I have indeed been trying to romance you for…some time now.”
Aether huffs a soft laugh and Lyney can feel the warmth of it against his cheek. “You didn’t have to do all that,” he says, a distinct flush dusting the bridge of his nose. “Honestly, you had me charmed the very first time we met…”
When Lyney reaches for Aether’s face, his hands are shaking like they did the first time he performed this trick, his pulse pounding in his ears. “Well, in that case, would you care for one final—“
But his words become inelegantly stuck in his throat when Aether suddenly shoves him in the chest, causing him to topple backward and lie flat on his back. “For the love of all that’s holy, Lyney,” he grumbles, and Lyney’s breath hitches in his throat when Aether suddenly appears in his field of vision, leaning over him. “If you give me another rainbow rose…”
Aether’s punch didn’t even hurt but Lyney still finds himself unable to take a breath, all air sucked out of his lungs when Aether’s long hair tickles the bare patch of his chest where his shirt is unbuttoned, and suddenly he’s laughing, exhilarated and childish, before he tenses the muscles in his stomach and surges up to kiss Aether a second time.
These messy fragile parts of him never had any place in an art as delicate as romance, were meant to remain tucked away and hidden behind bravado and charm, but Aether smiles into the kiss and Lyney’s heart flutters—maybe Aether will take them out of the closet, dust them off and trace the cracks just as reverently as he does his lips, and as much as even the simple thought of it has Lyney terrified, he is also a showman at heart; for there is no amazement greater than the unknown.