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Day 1
He was lying in the woods, and he was stargazing.
It was a warm night after Wanderer’s first day of traveling with Aether, which was probably the only comfortable thing about their situation. Lesser Lord Kusanali had tasked them to collect research in the rougher terrains in Sumeru, and Wanderer had grown used to certain comforts of his apartment in the outskirts of Sumeru City. He hadn’t been looking forward to the mission, especially not since it included the Traveler, whom Wanderer of recent didn’t know how he felt about being around.
Lately, he'd been once again entertaining the idea of ridding all his emotions; it was almost as if Irminsul and his attempts at deification taught him nothing. The frequent thrum he felt in his artificial veins whenever he was near Aether had become cumbersome, and the cravings to see the Traveler frequent Sumeru even more so. Wanderer was becoming tired of it all, and yet still indulged, finding himself embarking on this long trip with no one else but Aether.
It wasn’t the first time they've ended up on a mission together, thanks to Buer, but it was the first that spanned so many nights. Wanderer had wondered how they’d mesh together, if he’d tired of him, but so far, Aether liked to keep him on his toes and managed to not overly exhaust Wanderer.
When night fell, Aether suggested they build a fire and lay on logs to watch the stars—he said it was his pastime from long ago. Wanderer, with nothing else better to do, sat across Aether by the fire. He glanced up at the vast sky before him and thought about his words from a lifetime ago: A hoax, a lie.
He glanced at Aether, wondering if he remembered that, too.
They had been enemies then, and it seemed Aether had made reconciliations with that side of Wanderer. How far did his forgiving nature go?
Aether was looking at Wanderer, his eyes glowing red against the flame. Wanderer’s fingers twitched in an attempt to reach out, but he silenced them.
“It’s nice to have you here,” Aether said into their open quiet. He stared at Wanderer with those eyes that won’t look away. “It’s usually just Paimon and me, and she falls asleep quickly.”
“I don’t know how you stand traveling around like this,” Wanderer said.
“How did you sleep, while you were following me around Teyvat?”
“Don’t flatter yourself, I wasn’t following.” Wanderer turned over so he didn’t have to be scrutinized under Aether’s gaze. “I had underlings build tents.”
“So, same as now, sleeping outside, weathering the elements.”
“We had better equipment.”
Aether laughed, the soft chuckle jolting Wanderer to look at him. His eyes were closed now, looking peaceful. Wanderer again felt that urge to reach forward to touch him and even almost indulged in it this time, his hand outstretched. At the last second, he paused, curling his fingers in on himself.
“I like traveling with you, you know,” Aether murmured into the silence. Wanderer started. Aether’s eyes were still closed.
“What?”
“I know you think I’m just here as a favor to Nahida, but I like spending time with you. I like getting to know you better. You’re not all that bad, once you get past your vile sarcasm.”
Wanderer scoffed. “You don’t mean that.”
“Believe what you will.” Aether smiled.
Wanderer was silent after that. “Buer requests me to join you on more missions.”
“Oh?” Aether peeked at him with unbridled mirth in his eyes. “And will you entertain this request?”
“Maybe.” He didn’t mention that he asked to gauge Aether’s own interest. Aether seemed to like having Wanderer around as this campfire companion, but did Aether really want to go galloping around Sumeru with his former enemy? “I’ll do it if she insists.”
Aether gave him the answer he was looking for. “You’d be a fun traveling partner.”
Wanderer raised an eyebrow.
“You can do all the hard work, like picking flowers in hard to reach places.” Aether yawned. “I wouldn’t need to climb annoying places anymore.”
He sniffed. “Like I would do any more inane work. I already have to write reports for Buer.”
“I’m surprised she asked you to come along with me,” Aether admitted. “Last I heard, was it not Nahida’s intention to have you more socialized amongst your darshan?”
Wanderer ignored the obvious jab for what it was and replied, “I’ve done what Buer asks of me. That’s all you need to know.”
“And Nahida’s latest ask is to have you join me on simple commissions?”
Wanderer said nothing. He did wonder what Lesser Lord Kusanali wanted from their travels together. Her intentions were sometimes so convoluted that they weren’t clear to anyone until it was already done. There was no point in mulling over it; it didn’t matter. He had nothing else better to do and doing favors for the God of Wisdom could only bear great fruit when it was his time to collect.
“Whatever reason she might have you here, it can only be good,” said Aether when Wanderer gave no answer.
“I’m sure the God of Wisdom has some grand plan for me.” It didn’t come out with malice, although he had intended it to.
“She really can be your mother sometimes.”
Wanderer turned away quickly, and Aether bit his tongue. “Don’t call her that.”
“I’m sorry. Your godly aunt, then,” he corrected.
Were they really discussing this? Wanderer’s family tree? Things were about to get messy, Wanderer thought, but he could throw Aether a bone.
“Buer makes me do endless errands for her. She has me attend these frivolous events and expects me to take notes and report back to her.”
Aether was listening quietly. When he finished, Aether was looking for the right words in the pregnant pause between them, before Wanderer spoke again, “She pays attention. To me. A lot, actually. Sometimes unbearably so. Even the Fatui weren’t so attentive. The Harbingers all had their own agenda, each and every last one of them.”
Wanderer turned away from him again. “Probably just to keep an eye on me to make sure I don’t try to become a god again.”
“She cares about you,” Aether whispered. “A lot, you know.”
There was a long silence between them now, the only sounds the crackling of the flame before them. Wanderer had stared long enough into it that if he was still made of wood, he would’ve burned.
“Go to sleep,” he said finally. “We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.”
Aether laid down in his makeshift bed. He laid there for not one minute before sitting up again.
“You can join me, if you’d like.”
Wanderer looked over. Aether patted the space next to him. “And share your tiny sleeping bag? I think not.”
“It’s cozy, I promise.”
That wasn’t the problem. Ignoring the heat at the back of his neck, Wanderer argued, “I don’t believe we’re at liberty for cozy . If you recall, we're on a mission for Buer.”
“You don’t have to keep watch. I think we’ll be fine. Besides, Nahida is watching us. She’ll warn us before anything happens.”
Great, another reminder that every move was watched by Buer. Wanderer thought about her eyes that peered so deep he couldn’t keep any secret. Was she going to bother him with this, too, when he returned?
“No.” Wanderer shifted his body away from Aether. He didn’t need any other reminders, let alone Aether’s golden eyes looking at him.
“C’mon. Don’t puppets need sleep?”
Wanderer regarded Aether, feeling like he was keeping a close eye on him. Aether looked back, as if he knew.
Finally, Wanderer relented. “I do. Otherwise I get tired too easily.”
Aether’s eyebrows rose. Like he knew that Wanderer just gave up a secret. A weakness. But —
“Oh,” was all he replied with.
“Oh?” Wanderer repeated with distaste. Wanderer may have trusted him enough that Aether wouldn’t stab him in his sleep, but that didn’t mean he felt oh-so comfortable sharing a vulnerability with his former enemy. Couldn’t he give something more? Like a “thank you for sharing” or whatever nonsense heroes were supposed to spout?
“I was…” Aether trailed off, still holding that thoughtful look in his eyes.
“You were?” Wanderer asked sardonically, raising an eyebrow. Aether looked back up to meet his eyes.
“I was wondering.”
He sighed, throwing his hands up. This was a pointless conversation. Wanderer turned around to go pace, thinking about how it should be his turn to rest if Aether was just going to lie there, awake, prodding him for weaknesses that weren’t going to be acknowledged as such.
“Thank you,” Aether said, before Wanderer walked too far. He turned to look. Aether smiled at him. “For telling me.”
Wanderer compelled the thumping in his chest to shut up. “You’re welcome,” he replied.
There was a quiet between them now. Wanderer looked at Aether for some moments longer before he exhaled and said, “You should sleep,” and because he was taught manners, added, “Good night, Aether.”
Aether closed his eyes. “Good night.” There was a sliver of a grin on his face.
In response, Wanderer only flashed a wave of Anemo, just precise enough so that the fire between them simmered down to a light flame.
Day 2
The mission Lesser Lord Kusanali assigned was a five day job. Traveling all the way to the desert and back is no simple task, even with the almighty traveler. They had spent the entire first day together, but Wanderer found himself surprised that he wasn’t as tired as expected when the mission was first introduced to him.
But Wanderer predicted he couldn’t avoid Aether’s incessant, host-like behavior forever and that he would once again offer to share a bedroll tonight. Being cramped in a small blanket wasn’t by far the worst punishment Wanderer could think of, but he nonetheless did not want to be laying so close to Aether.
Still, it was rather exhausting to be sleeping outside, especially in the Sumerian wilds, no matter how accustomed to rough living he could be. Even his artificial body felt like it was running out of energy. And when nightfall came, it was time for Wanderer to make good on his bet; Aether had taken note of his diminishing energy throughout the day and was not taking no for an answer.
“Oh, come on,” Aether said exasperatingly, crossing his arms. They stood at their finished camp, both refusing to back down. “I know you must be cold and tired.”
“I don’t get cold,” Wanderer said simply.
Aether had this annoyed look on his face. “But you are tired.”
Wanderer did not deny it. “That is what sleep is for. Not for sharing your bedding.”
“You can have the sleeping bag. I don’t need it.”
“And leave you without a blanket? Buer will have my head.” Wanderer made himself comfortable by the log. “Besides, forget the sleeping arrangements. We need to review the two routes for tomorrow before you fall asleep.”
They talked for a while. As they did, Wanderer had a vague feeling that Aether would ask again before the fire died down. Now that Aether knew that Wanderer did require sleep and was better with it, Aether probably wouldn’t give up his gratuitous nature. Wanderer decided if Aether asked one more time, he would stop this never-ending conversation and just take it so the both of them could just go to sleep.
Their discussion finished quickly and without much banter; Wanderer demanded Aether to go back to his space and find sleep quickly, to which Aether obeyed without excess words and laid down to sleep. Wanderer himself settled in his spot next to the tree, crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
And it seemed like heroes are predictable as always because not ten minutes after their discussion, Aether finally gave up on sleeping and offered his sleeping bag to Wanderer.
Wanderer was no hero, so he took it without bargaining, and simply declared, “You offered with no agreement for exchange, so I don’t owe you.”
Aether held his hand up in surrender, smiled and said, “Good night,” and left him with that.
Day 3
It was another long day.
They covered a lot of ground today, and Wanderer was admittedly exhausted. Sleeping in Aether’s bedroll was nice, and Wanderer knew that he would most definitely be drained if he hadn’t taken up on Aether’s offer.
Aether, on the other hand, looked worse for wear.
Without the need for sleep like Aether, Wanderer had woken up that morning much earlier. He had slipped out of the bedroll and draped it over Aether, who seemed to practically be freezing. Wanderer almost hit Aether when he saw him; what was the point of offering his only blanket when he was going to freeze to death? Aether wasn’t doing himself any favors with that exposed stomach either.
When Aether had woken up with the sleeping bag over him, he looked up at Wanderer, clearly confused. As he opened his mouth to no doubt chastise Wanderer for it, Wanderer had cut him off and declared, “We need to get moving. Let’s not waste time with idle morning chatter.”
Aether didn’t mention it later in the day either; Wanderer preoccupied himself with making good ground and taking notes for his report to Lesser Lord Kusanali to leave room for such conversation. But when the two of them finally reached their designated outpost, Aether—to Wanderer’s chagrin—offered his sleeping bag again.
“You were freezing this morning. Don’t lie.”
Aether pursed his lips at that. “Maybe you should join me then. There’s more than enough space for two.”
“The nightly chills that seem to plague your dreams do not do so for me.”
Aether beamed. “Perfect. So you can share your artificial body warmth for me and protect me from a bad night's sleep.”
Wanderer crossed his arms. “You sleep like a log every night. You’ll be fine.”
“C’mon, you got a good rest. Didn’t you say even puppets need it?”
Wanderer had to admit, he had enjoyed the sleep. The day was exhausting and Wanderer found himself looking forward to a nice, comfortable bed. And Wanderer had no interest engaging further in Aether’s incessant arguments; he was far too tenacious.
As Wanderer debated with himself internally, he watched Aether climb into the sleeping bag. Aether sat up and looked back at Wanderer expectantly. When Wanderer didn’t make a move to join him, Aethers sighed and held out a hand. “Get in already.”
Wanderer felt his walls crumble as he accepted the outstretched hand. He tried not to think about how Buer may comment about this when he returned to her abode and laid his head next to Aether’s. Humming happily, Aether folded the blanket over Wanderer’s body. Even without Aether’s human weakness of feeling cold, Wanderer could tell that his body heat was warming up the sleeping bags. They’re cozy, he had to admit.
“Warm, right?” said Aether cheerfully, his eyes closed.
“Hm,” was Wanderer’s non-committal answer. He didn’t add that he wasn’t as sensitive to temperature changes like Aether was, because for once, he felt like he was.
Next to Aether’s warmth and the long day they had, Wanderer passed out almost immediately.
When Wanderer awoke the next day, he felt more well rested than he had in almost a hundred years. He opened his eyes slowly to the first rays of early sunlight and squinted. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been able to stay asleep for so long that the sun was up before him.
And speaking of the sun…
Aether had taken the word “cozy” to a whole new level. Some time last night, Aether’s body decided to take over Wanderer’s personal space. An arm strewn across Wanderer’s chest, a foot wedged between Wanderer’s legs. Aether was still sound asleep, too.
Despite it all, Wanderer found that waking up next to another was comforting. Nice, even. The limbs that were splattered over him had nothing on the warmth that Wanderer felt with another in the personal space he had been protective of for so long.
Still, Wanderer wasn’t fond of the discomfort of Aether’s arm nudging into his side and moved them so that he could freely shift away from the other, although Wanderer felt a bit sorry for disturbing Aether. But Aether hadn’t woken up. Perplexed, Wanderer examined Aether’s face closely; there wasn’t even a little trace of unease. He wondered how someone can sleep so deeply without a smidge of fear around him, especially around a former enemy.
Suddenly, Aether startled Wanderer by abruptly opening his eyes. They were still groggy, but it was clear that Aether was registering Wanderer’s watchful face as the first thing he saw.
“Were you staring the whole night? Did you even sleep?”
“I did,” Wanderer answered with irritation and leaned forward to flick Aether’s forehead. Aether rubbed it with a pout. “It was mundane.”
Aether snorted. “Please. I bet you feel more energized than you have in a hundred years.”
Wanderer gave nothing away.
“Well, if you’re tired tonight,” Aether said with extra emphasis, “Know that my blanket is available for sharing.”
Were all heroes so forward? The sort of bravery they brought into battle seemed to be brought into casual conversations as well. It was not something Wanderer could relate to, nor resist endlessly.
“I will consider it,” Wanderer relented, tired of bearing this incessant pounding where his heart should be.
Day 4
“I used to dream of the stars every night,” Aether said.
Wanderer opened his eyes to glance at Aether’s. His were still glued to the vast night sky before them. No stars shone tonight; it must’ve been still overcast from earlier today.
They were curled up in the bedroll; Wanderer didn’t protest too much this time. When Aether had offered, Wanderer made a half-hearted comment about not owing him since they were splitting fifty-fifty. Aether only grinned and accepted it.
Watching the stars was something he often did, too, back when he still lived in Inazuma. It didn’t bring fond memories to him, and Wanderer wasn’t sure if it brought Aether any either.
“What made you stop?”
Aether’s eyes turned glassy. “I found my sister.”
Ah, the elusive sister. The one thing that kept Teyvat’s hero chained to the ground. If what he heard from Buer was true, then that sister wasn’t as keen as finding Aether as he seemed to be.
“Do you miss those dreams?”
Aether turned to look at him, his expression puzzled—as if astonished that Wanderer was continuing this line of questioning. Wanderer was surprised himself, he thought.
“It seems that heroes are always so almighty,” Wanderer said, in lieu of explaining that he wanted to learn more about Aether. “It’s interesting to me that getting to know the Traveler means getting to know his wishful thoughts, too.”
Aether gave a small laugh to that. “Wishful thoughts,” he repeated. He glanced back at the sky. “Dreaming of the stars is all I knew for a long time. But then I came to this world, where stars can fall.”
“Meteor showers.”
“Yes,” Aether answered. After a long pause, he added, “They’re fun to watch.”
Wanderer wondered for the nth what the true nature of the Traveler’s origins are, for him to make such a comment. “I know someone in the Akademiya; they mentioned there’s a group viewing for the next shower.”
Aether smiled knowingly. “Oh? And are we attending this event? A couple of studious Akademiya students?”
“I suppose Buer will see it as a win for me becoming socialized.” Wanderer threw the word that Aether had used previously back.
“Then it is a plan. After the mission, we must attend together.”
Wanderer made no comment on what Aether had implied: that he would be sticking around in Sumeru long enough to even attend. Aether’s travel itinerary was something that Wanderer never knew he would come to care about. That he would crave for Aether to stay.
He’d settle that another time, though, and savored the bits of the sun had now, right in bed beside him.
Day 5
Tonight, Wanderer didn’t wait for Aether to ask. He climbed in the bedroll the moment Aether got in and without thinking too much about it, snaked an arm around Aether’s waist. Wanderer didn’t acknowledge it, other than looking straight into Aether’s eyes when the other stared at him with light shock.
“Um,” Aether whispered.
“It’s cozy, right?” Wanderer repeated Aether’s words from so many nights ago. His arms tightened around Aether’s form.
It felt like he was the one holding all the cards and even relished in Aether’s stupefied expression. But it seemed Aether liked to keep people on their toes, because he stunned Wanderer in return by curling his own arm around Wanderer’s back.
“If you will be so demanding with my space,” Aether said with a confident grin, “you’ll need to forgive my demands as well.”
They were pressed up against each other now; neither could deny the closeness it brought. No more words were exchanged after that, and quickly, sleep came to them.
By morning, Wanderer found that Aether wasn’t sprawled atop him like he had the previous night. Intead, Wanderer found himself the one buried in the crook of Aether’s neck. He wasn’t sure how or when that had happened, only that he was in no hurry this morning and snuggled in closer to Aether’s warmth.
Day 5 + 1
“You know, if I knew that you would be so cuddly, I wouldn’t have invited you to my bed.”
It was the first thing that Aether told him after they woke up together in Wanderer’s apartment. When they returned to Sumeru City the previous night, Wanderer told Aether he would find Buer to make the full report to her himself and that Aether was free to leave or do whatever else he’d like. Aether’s only response was to call him silly before lacing his fingers with Wanderer’s and pulling him into the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Discussing their results with Buer didn’t take long, but Wanderer felt her knowing eyes on him the entire time he read the report. If she had any thoughts about this new development, Buer didn’t deign to tell him. Although, an itching feeling on Wanderer’s back said she probably already knew. It might’ve even been her intention from the start, now that he really thought about it.
So, we might be together, he imagined telling her.
I already knew, she’d reply with a knowing smile.
And that was how Wanderer found a whiny Aether in his bed so early in the morning. Sunlight peeked through the curtains and into the bedroom, and Wanderer buried his face into the crook of Aether’s neck a little further to chase the last residue of sleep.
“Shut up. It’s way too early for you to be complaining.”
Aether brought a hand to pat his head. His fingers combed through his hair, and Wanderer sunk into Aether’s body heat a little bit more. His hands felt good, comforting, and Wanderer hoped Aether didn’t have many commissions today.
“I have something to tell you,” he said suddenly.
The tone startled him, and Wanderer opened an eye to peek at him.
“Nahida visited my dreams last night.”
Wanderer’s eyes narrowed. Meddlesome.
“She asked if I would be willing to help conduct more research for the Akademiya,” Aether explained. There was a pause. “It would require me to stick around in Sumeru a bit longer.”
If he had one, Wanderer’s heart would be caught in his throat. “And?”
Aether pursed his lips. “And I think I’d like to stay.” His face was red now, and he turned away. After a moment, Aether glanced back at him with the same blush on his face, but a smile, too. “It seems I now have more reasons than one to do so.”
Wanderer laughed at that. “Okay,” he said, “Buer will surely be delighted.”
“She offered me a place to live, too,” Aether added, “but I was thinking…”
He smirked. “That you’d find a spot next to me in my bedroll?”
“Maybe. I promise I won’t sprawl.”
Wanderer curled up closer around Aether. He pressed his lips to Aether’s and said, “Well, I make no such promises.”