Work Text:
Tubby's Notes:
Name: Noelle
Occupation: Maid with the Knights of Favonius
Profile: I'd call her the sanest woman in love with Aether, if not for her absurd workout routines. That being said, she's incredibly gentle, courteous, and hardworking. Although she loves Aether as much as Miko, she's somewhat better at controlling her libido. For her, simple handholding is more than enough to be happy. It's hard to fathom how a creature so innocent and pure could exist in Teyvat. Admittedly, she's my favorite Teapot visitor just because she always offers to help with cleaning. If not for Collei, Amber, Charlotte, Yoimiya, Barbara, Navia, Ganyu, Kirara, Layla, or Sucrose, she'd easily be the most wholesome lover. I do worry her selflessness and devotion could complicate a relationship though. That, and her superhuman strength.
If Paimon could see him now, she'd be laughing her head off. Napkin in his lap, napkin tucked into his shirt, he sat at the kitchen table feeling like a baby. Noelle cut off a slice of golden pancakes and fed him.
"How's this, Honorary Knight?"
"It's…mm… tasty."
Noelle spoon-fed him her homecooked pancakes topped with whip cream and honey. He could've fed himself, but Noelle insisted on pampering him. She dabbed a napkin to his lips gently. Seems she wouldn't let him do that much.
Before he could volunteer to help wash the dishes, Noelle the Wondermaid cleaned them up, and dusted the table for good measure. She bowed before Aether, her smile bright as a puppy.
"Honorary Knight, I'd like to sew some special clothes for you."
"If you really want to," he said. Noelle pulled him into the living room. Tape measure in hand, she took down all his measurements in mere seconds. Out came the sewing machine. Ten minutes later, a custom Mondstadt suit, coat, and tie. Her efficiency, as ever, was truly frightening.
Noelle, ever the innocent one, quickly helped him change clothes. She stood back, admiring her handiwork.
"Shall I brew you some tea?"
Aether grabbed her hand, stopping her from running off.
Her eager smile faltered. As much as Aether wanted to let her do as she pleased, he couldn't let this go on. Aether gently clasped her shoulders.
"Look, I appreciate everything you're doing for me. I really do. Now, let me have a turn to pamper you."
"That's not necessary. I'm happy to be of service."
"Noelle," he said sternly. "Dating should be a two-way street. We're not master and maid, we're boyfriend and girlfriend. I want to show you how I feel."
Noelle blinked, stunned by this notion.
"O-oh. I never considered that." Grasping the hem of her skirt, she bowed apologetically. "Then, what shall we do?"
Aether replied with a grin, "I'm glad you asked."
He led her to the neighboring Spring Vale. Noelle took in the fresh air, warm and bracing. It made her want to run another hundred laps. They walked further down the road, until they reached the broad cliff overlooking Dawn Winery. No matter how many times Noelle saw this, the City of Freedom always took her breath away. When she became a true knight, she would protect this land.
"Would you like to spar?" Aether drew his sword.
Noelle eagerly took out her claymore.
They saluted one another, pressing their blades to their faces. Ground crumbled beneath Noelle as she leapt, her blade catching the sun's glow. It momentarily blinded him. Unable to see, he rolled away. Noelle slammed down, sending up a shower of debris.
Aether lunged, backhanded. Their blades locked. Noelle grinned before pushing him back. Then, she went on the offensive. Noelle's ludicrous strength made his legs buckle. Aether compensated by doubling his speed. Weaving around her attacks, he landed a flurry of jabs. Though the sheer width of her sword stopped most strikes, the attacks wore down her stamina.
He dodged a swing, which left her wide open. Aether came in for an attack. Then she put her plan into action. In a truly risky move, Noelle used her crossguard to parry the sword. Caught off guard, Aether stumbled. Noelle adjusted her grip. The blade uppercut like a windmill, stopping inches from his chin.
If this had been a real battle, she would've split his face in half. Despite that rather ghastly image, Aether grinned.
"You win. That was incredible!"
Noelle bowed, the image of humility. "Thank you for your kind words. May we spar again?"
An hour later, they had a picnic that Aether packed. They worked up an excellent sweat. Noelle removed her skirt and apron, while Aether took off his scarf. Bellies full, hearts racing, they laid down on the blanket. Aether wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding Noelle's head to his chest. At first, she flushed redder than a Pyro Slime. Then, it felt rather nice; the pleasant breeze rolling over them and Aether's warmth seeping into her.
She silently counted the passing clouds, as her boyfriend ran his fingers along her hair. His gentle touch set her mind at ease. Taking a break every now and then was rather pleasant, especially with him.
"This is nice," she said. "Thank you."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. Noelle's face grew hotter. It was her first kiss. What did someone do when they received a kiss? Did she kiss him back or was that too presumptive? All those nights studying romance and still she couldn't prepare for this. Sensing her turmoil, he smiled patiently.
"It's okay," said Aether. "We can do whatever you want."
Whatever she wanted…Noelle considered her options. In the end, there was one thing she really wanted. Truth be told, she'd been practicing with her hand every night. Noelle summoned all her courage. Taking his face in her hands, she kissed him. For a moment, Aether paused, taken aback by her forwardness. Noelle worried she'd overstepped, until Aether cupped her cheeks and kissed back.
Their lips danced for a single, tender second. Then, they went in for more.
Noelle sucked on his bottom lip. Then, she kissed the upper lip. Aether returned her kisses, sweetly pressing into her mouth. His hot breaths sent thrills across her chest. A deep burning itch blossomed in her skin. Noelle opened her mouth and licked his lips. Aether opened his mouth and let her in. Their tongues encircled one another, tasting every crevasse with utter abandon. Noelle couldn't get enough. Aether lay beneath her—she didn't remember rolling on top of him—totally under her spell.
This man wanted her, and she really wanted him. Not because serving him would please her as a maid, but because she—Noelle—wanted him.
"Aether…may we?"
In response, Aether took out the Serenitea Pot.
Tubby pretended she didn't see the lovebirds arrive. She feigned total innocence as Noelle bridal carried Aether to his bedroom and locked the door. Even the accompanying sounds—the creaking bed, the moans, the sloppy wet sounds—she managed to ignore.
Then the bed broke. Wood cracked. The hefty frame crashed deafeningly on the floor, its echo ringing out across the Realm Within.
Tubby had to intervene. The adeptus, working her magic, reached out and swapped the broken bed for a new, sturdier bed. Only five seconds later, the creaking, moans, and sloppy sounds redoubled.
Being the forward thinker that she was, Tubby had this extra bed prepared for such an occasion. Of course, she always thought Ei, Shenhe, Mirror Maiden, Dehya, or Yae Miko would be the ones to break it, not sweet Noelle. Well, c'est la vie. The adeptus had a foreboding gut feeling this wouldn't be their first broken bed.