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Aether pov
The grand magic show had ended long ago , yet the echoes of applause still lingering in the theater. Aether who was holding a gentle flower bouquet with a jar of sweet (lyney’s favorite) slipped past the lingering crew members who were thanking each other , carrying each other to their sweet homes , weaving their goodbyes through the backstage corridors until he found the dressing room he was looking for. The door was slightly ajar, dim golden light spilling from inside.
Quietly, he stepped in—only to pause at the sight before him.
Lyney had fallen asleep on the couch, still in his stage outfit, his hat slightly askew. His breathing was soft and steady, his features relaxed in rare, unguarded peace. On the small table beside him sat an unfinished bouquet of flowers, some petals scattered as if he had been arranging them before exhaustion took over... He had meant to give it to Aether, despite how tired he must have been ..
Aether’s fingers tightened slightly around the flowers he had picked for Lyney, the jar in his other hand feeling a little heavier now.
Even after everything, even after the walls Aether still wasn’t sure when—or if—he could fully lower, Lyney never stopped trying…He had been working so hard, balancing his performances, his charm, his endless tricks and illusions… and yet, he still made time for Aether. Still sought ways to show him he was serious, that he cared, that he wanted to be trusted , that he wanted no one but him…
Aether sighed, a soft exhale laced with something he wasn’t ready to name.
Moving carefully, he set the flowers he got and the sweets beside Lyney’s unfinished gift, then turned his attention to the magician himself. With quiet precision, he lifted Lyney just enough to settle him into a more comfortable position, tucking a warm blanket around him. The faint scent of his cologne and stage makeup lingered, mixing with something softer—something uniquely Lyney.
Aether hesitated for a moment before pulling out a small note, scribbling a few gentle words of appreciation and warmth. He placed it beside the flowers, then leaned down, pressing the lightest kiss to Lyney’s forehead.
Just as he was about to pull away, he felt a weak tug on his wrist.
Lyney, still deep in sleep, had reached out, fingers barely curled around Aether’s hand. He mumbled something—too quiet, too slurred to be understood— looking like a small needy kitten
Aether couldn’t help but chuckle softly, his chest feeling a little lighter ( lyney needed him ) and he felt so relieved that his sleepy body could show it .
With a quiet hum, he settled down beside Lyney, watching his peaceful face, tracing the delicate curve of his eyelashes with his eyes. The steady rhythm of Lyney’s breathing, the warmth of his presence, the way his hand still loosely held onto Aether’s—it all felt… safe.
Slowly, his own exhaustion began to take over, and with one last glance at the magician beside him, Aether let his eyes flutter shut.
Just for tonight, he’d let himself rest here.
Just for tonight, he’d stay.
————
Lyney pov
Darkness surrounded him, thick and suffocating, like an endless void with no escape. Lyney stood in the middle of it all, his breath unsteady as he searched for something—anything—to grasp onto.
Then, from the nothingness, a gentle glow appeared. A soft, radiant figure, warm and familiar, stepping toward him. He couldn’t see their face, but the moment they wrapped their arms around him, the crushing weight in his chest lifted. The warmth seeped into his bones, comforting, grounding, safe.
But then, the light began to fade. The figure was slipping away, turning to leave.
Panic surged through him. His hand shot out, grasping desperately.
“Please stay,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “I’ll do anything.”
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the figure stopped. The light pulsed, growing brighter, surrounding him in warmth. The suffocating darkness cracked, giving way to something softer—something safe.
And then—
Lyney’s eyes fluttered open.
A slow breath against his face. A weight pressed close to him, firm and steady. His vision adjusted, and the dream faded into reality, revealing the source of that warmth—Aether.
Aether, peacefully asleep, his golden hair slightly tousled, his arms wrapped securely around Lyney.
Lyney felt his breath hitch, heat rising to his face in an instant. He was holding Aether back, his arms loosely curled around the blond’s waist, their legs slightly tangled together.
He swallowed, his heart thudding so hard he was sure Aether would wake up just from the sound of it. Carefully, with eyes full of something deep and unspoken, he reached up, brushing a few stray strands of Aether’s hair away from his face.
Even in sleep, Aether looked so beautiful. So serene, so close, so gentle…
Lyney took a slow, quiet breath and gently pulled away, careful not to disturb him. As he sat up, his gaze landed on the small table beside them—and he froze.
The bouquet he had been preparing last night with a completely different one with different flowers , sitting next to a neatly placed jar—his favorite sweet.
And beside them, a small note.
With slightly trembling fingers, Lyney picked it up and read:
“You’re the greatest magician and the greatest lover. Thank you for everything, Lyney.”
For a moment, he just stared.
Then, a warmth unlike any magic he could ever perform spread through his chest. His lips curled into the softest, most genuine smile.
Aether saw him. Aether acknowledged him. All his efforts, all his trying—Aether noticed. And despite his lingering hesitations, despite how slow the process of trust was, Aether stayed.
His heart swelled, so full he thought it might burst. Overcome with affection, he leaned back down, unable to help himself.
Soft lips pressed against Aether’s forehead. Then his cheeks. His nose. His eyelids.His lips.His chin. Again, and again, and again, leaving the faintest traces of lip gloss behind.
Aether groaned softly in his sleep, shifting slightly. Lyney stilled, biting back a chuckle when he realized he had probably covered Aether’s face in faint gloss smudges.
With a quiet giggle, he settled back down beside him, gazing at him with pure adoration.
His voice was barely above a whisper as he murmured, “Thank you, mon chéri.”
And with that, he let himself sink back into the warmth of Aether’s embrace, letting the happiness carry him into peaceful rest.