Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It is said that the end of the year brings the people together on the Liyuean coast; in the weeks leading up to the Lantern Rite, travelers from all nations arrive at the harbor. It is during this time that Liyue truly proves itself as the land of commerce, for where there are buyers, there are sellers — and few things in the world are as certain as the voracity of tourists when it comes to spending money.

At the beginning of December, over the years, the presence of a renowned establishment became guaranteed near Mount Tianheng: a huge oval amphitheater, whose architecture differed from everything in the area, with a canvas as scarlet as wine and lighting as bright as a lighthouse at sea, displaying on its golden façade the name Circus of the Hearth. The most curious pedestrians generally reacted in two ways; those overwhelmed by the grandeur of the institution said that it was so exaggerated that it polluted the natural scenery, while those passionate about the troupe eagerly awaited its return every year.

It might not seem like it, but sustaining the itinerant quality of a circus is no easy task. At each stop, it is necessary to rent land from the government committee, large enough to accommodate the performers' motorhomes and the circus itself, then transfer the accounts and seasonal utilities to the administration's facilities, set up the entire structure of the amphitheater, taking into account the specifications of the chosen site, in order to maintain consistency so that the business can eventually begin... Lyney had no patience for any of that. Whenever they arrived in a new city, he and Lynette always found a way to stay away from setting up the circus, blaming their exhaustion on the long trip.

"That excuse isn’t even that flimsy today," said Lyney, wiping away a tear that had fallen as he yawned. Lynette glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "What? You look as tired as me."

They were walking toward the harbor, eager to discover what new things the city had to offer this time. The circus performances were supposed to start right after the completion of the legal procedures, which would probably take about three days. In other words: they had three days to go sightseeing.

"I'm just hungry. So tell me, brother: Xinyue Kiosk or Wanmin Restaurant?"

Lyney gave the question some thought, but the answer hit him like a tsunami the moment they arrived at the harbor. The square was filled with irresistible aromas, all leading back to the Wanmin Restaurant. "I’d kill for some grilled tiger fish." Lynette nodded.

To avoid falling into monotony, the siblings tried their best to alternate the establishments they visited during their travels, but it was hard to settle at Liyue Harbor and not enjoy the traditional cuisine of the Mao family every day. The dishes were simply too aromatic to ignore; Lyney wondered if that atmosphere wasn’t some kind of invasive advertising. But what did it matter? The restaurant deserved all of its loyal clientele, without a doubt. They were even familiar with the staff: Chef Mao, Xiangling, Shenhe, and… a blonde girl at the counter. She’s new. Who’s that?

Probably having followed the same line of thought as her brother, Lynette commented that a new cashier was hired. "That’s good. Remember how overwhelmed Shenhe was the last time we came? Serving tables and closing bills at the same time..."

"I'm sure she didn’t get a single order wrong, though."

"And I’m sure no one would dare contest it if she had."

As they approached the counter, Xiangling and her father could be seen cooking behind it. The synergy between them was beautiful to watch. Maybe the food was so good because of their passion for each meal, not necessarily because of the ingredients they tossed into the pans. To be honest, Lyney actively avoided overly seasoned food, but that didn’t stop him from appreciating the local cuisine at all.

"Good afternoon. We’d like two portions of tiger fish and one mint salad, no Jueyun chilis, please," he requested, smiling. The cashier returned the greeting, promptly writing down the order. "Lynette, can you pay while I grab a table for us?"

As he abruptly turned toward Su Er’niang’s stall, Lyney nearly bumped into Shenhe, who was carrying a tray full of empty dishes in one hand. If the waitress hadn’t dodged so skillfully, the Liyue season would’ve already started with a disaster. He apologized profusely, to which Shenhe only nodded before swiftly returning to her duties. Settling into his seat, the magician thought Lynette was too accurate: No one would contest a wrong order, definitely!

She caught up to him seconds later, saying they would bring the order to the table shortly. While he debated with his sister whether they should buy something for Freminet to eat, Lyney noticed a blond young man coming from the back of the restaurant with an empty tray in hand. Realizing the guy was approaching, he instinctively looked away. Why am I avoiding eye contact? Before Lyney could think of an answer, the young man in question was already standing in front of their table:

"Hey there! Have you placed your order yet?" he asked. Though, in truth, "blond" hardly did him justice; his hair was as golden as freshly polished coins from the Golden House. And his eyes… well, they were just as golden as his hair. Under normal circumstances, Lyney would have found better words to describe him, but he was almost certain his heart was racing too fast at that moment to think clearly. What a majestic sight stood before his eyes.

Lynette noticed her brother’s delay in responding to the attendant. "Yes, we have. Thank you." The blond smiled in acknowledgment and soon headed back to the restaurant. "So they actually hired two new employees. Things must be running smoothly around here."

Lyney didn’t even hear his sister’s remark. He followed the waiter with his eyes until the guy left his line of sight. Who is that? Was he hired just for the high season or as a permanent employee? Where is he from? He doesn’t look Liyuean. What’s his relationship with Xiangling?

That last thought arose when the young man stepped out from behind the counter with the cook to chat with two boys passing by the restaurant. The four of them seemed to be long-time friends, laughing and interacting cheerfully. Once the line at the register cleared, the girl at the counter quickly joined the group. Only when she and the attendant hugged sideways did Lyney notice the resemblance between them — they were probably siblings.

He was about to comment to Lynette that the two new employees looked like twins when Shenhe arrived with their ordered dishes. Lyney flinched slightly as the plates were placed before them, but hid it well. Still, that’s when an intense internal battle began: he didn’t know whether to focus on his lunch or on the waiter in front of the restaurant, who was now saying goodbye to his friends and returning to work. Trying to do both at once, Lyney choked on one of the fish bones.

There were few times in his life when he felt death looming — though, in this case, not from the choking itself, which resolved quickly with a few coughs, but from the stares the coughing had attracted. The situation made Xiangling notice the performers’ presence in the restaurant and, now, alongside her, the blond attendant was also headed their way.

She leaned toward the magician, anxious. “Lyney! Are you okay?!” He nodded shyly. “Oh, I was worried there! It’s hard to remove all the bones when the fish is served whole, but we’ll be more careful. I’m really sorry.”

Lynette was helping her brother — who was as red as a tomato, not exactly from coughing — recompose himself. “Don’t worry, Xiangling, it was his own carelessness.”

“So… with you here, I take it the circus has finally returned to town?” the cook inquired, excited. Just as the twins frequented the restaurant, Xiangling also attended the performances every year. Over time, they became good acquaintances.

The waiter's face brightened. His eyes sparkled like shards of Cor Lapis. “A circus?” Now that he was standing so close again, Lyney took in more of his features: an earring on his left ear, a lean physique almost as tall as his own, and hair that seemed short at first glance, yet concealed a lengthy braid reaching his waist. Could he be from Sumeru?

Xiangling was stunned, to say the least. “I don’t believe it, Aether! You’re telling me you don’t know the traveling magic troupe?” So his name is Aether... She placed her hands on her hips as if angry. “What kind of traveler are you?!”

He smiled playfully, seeming caught by the scolding. Lyney thought it was a nice smile but quickly pushed the thought away. “I remember reading something about it when we were in Fontaine, I think.”

Approaching the table, the cashier extended her hand in greeting. “Please, don’t mind my uncultured brother. I’m Lumine, and this is Aether.”

"Lyney and Lynette," the magician replied, gesturing toward his sister. “Yes, Xiangling, we arrived today. The performances will begin soon... You’ll come to support us, won’t you? We’ll reserve the best seats for our dear friend."

The cook cheered, excited, then quickly turned to the cashier, holding her hands. “You guys have to go! Our group watches every season.”

“Are kids allowed?” Aether asked, looking at Lyney, who promptly confirmed that most of the shows were suitable for all ages. The blond then turned to his own sister: “Baizhu will be thrilled to hear that.”

“Good idea! We should visit him before we leave… Hm?” Lumine noticed a new line forming at the register and hurried back to her post. “It was nice meeting you!”

Upon hearing the service bell, Aether remarked that he should get back to work too, as some finished dishes had been sitting on the counter for a while, cooling off. Before long, Xiangling rejoined the team, leaving Lyney and Lynette to finish their meal.

Well, leaving Lyney to finish his meal, which was already cold. Lynette had eaten during the conversation and was now just waiting on her brother, who remained distracted. Even their mint salad had become disheveled due to his inattentiveness. After some small talk, they decided to buy something for Freminet on the way back to the circus. When finished, they said goodbye to the staff and thanked them for the meal.

Aether waved to the duo. “See ya! Come back soon!”

You see, Lyney wasn’t an impulsive person. If anything, he was an overthinker. So, at that moment, it was impossible to explain where the words that just jumped out of his mouth came from, carrying a tone much louder than necessary. “We’ll come again tomorrow!” he declared, to which Lynette gave a questioning look. The blond stared at him in surprise. For the second time that day, Lyney wished he were on a proper stage, so he could disappear in a smoke bomb or maybe just close the curtains. The magician only calmed down when Aether smiled and said he’d be waiting for them.

Leaving the square, the first thing Lynette did was ask her brother what had just happened. In response, the first thing Lyney did was pretend nothing had happened at all. It was hard to tell whether he was trying to fool his sister or himself. The fact was: his brain was stuck on a loop replaying the day’s interactions, wondering if he’d been too awkward at any point. That wasn’t a good sign.

“Do you really want to come back tomorrow? You’re usually more picky about the menu than I am, brother.”

“I really liked the fish.”

“The one you choked on?”

“Um… yes?”

“I see.”

At 8 AM, Lyney, who wasn’t a morning person, had already tried on five different bow ties, as if they weren’t all essentially the same. In a bold move, he styled his hair to the left, only to hate the change and push it back to the right. Was it chilly enough to wear his gloves? The cape was already out of the question, that much was certain.

Freminet came down with a cold. He’d already been withdrawn the day before, not even wanting to go out for a walk, and now he’d woken up with a mild fever. That was enough for Lyney to want to take him to the doctor. After much insistence, they agreed to just buy some medicine.

As for the effort to look good… It's not like he was dressing up more than usual to impress someone or anything like that! Lyney believed we should look good for ourselves. But, since he’d be passing through the square anyway, if, IF, someone happened to see him, it would be nice if he looked well put-together, right?

When Lyney realized he wouldn’t leave the house if that mirror was stared at for 15 more seconds, he decided to head out just as he was. Crossing the circus parking lot, the magician noticed the structure was already almost completely set up. That was great news, as it meant the permits were moving along as they should. When things progressed that quickly, it was believed the season would be profitable.

The greatest perk of living in a family-run circus was precisely the understanding and good coexistence; most tasks were carried out excellently, without complications. And Lyney was completely devoted to his family. Even though it was exhausting to spend almost every day of the year together, he loved what he did, for he was also completely devoted to his art. Lyney felt extremely lucky to have found his passion so early in life and so close to home — which, in the end, was wherever the circus happened to be.

Before he realized it, his walk had taken him to the harbor square. The absence of various scents in the air alone already told him that the restaurant wasn’t open at that hour. No problem; he’d come back later anyway. But there was, indeed, a certain frustration in his chest. Even if only slightly, he’d thought that seeing Aether in the morning might make the day brighter. The boy shone. Maybe he was a second sun. Or maybe Lyney was just too much of a romantic.

Whatever. Now, where was the pharmacy again? He asked a Millelith guard for directions, who clarified the path he more or less remembered. About two years ago, Freminet had also fallen ill when they arrived in Liyue. At the time, Lyney had managed to force his younger brother to see a doctor, who told them the old story about rhinitis and the change of seasons. The man taught them the recipe for an herbal tea with anti-allergic properties, and by the next day, Freminet was almost as good as new. Unfortunately, neither he nor his siblings remembered exactly which herbs had been used.

It didn’t take long for him to reach the establishment he’d been directed to. There was a small line at the entrance, but nothing too bad. The man behind the counter wasn’t the doctor Lyney remembered, but as a pharmacist, he should know about the tea. The line moved quickly as the magician thought about how useful it would be to know herbs as well as he knew flowers. Lyney did recognize some plants with medicinal properties, but his field was more about their symbolism rather than their benefits. Maybe he should buy a few books on the subject...

When it was his turn, the pharmacist quickly identified the tea Freminet needed: cang er zi san with magnolia flowers. Magnolia flowers! Lyney was definitely buying some books on this. The attendant promptly handed him a package of the ground herbs.

“Gui, I’m heading out! I’ll be back after my shift at the restaurant, alright?” said Aether, walking out from the back of the establishment and passing by the counter. Aether? The pharmacist nodded, bidding the boy farewell.

“Lyney? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

“Oh, yeah, hi, everything’s fine. Just, um, buying some tea for my brother,” dammit, now was not the time to stutter! “Are you going to the restaurant? Let me walk with you!”

Aether chuckled softly. Lyney felt a kaleidoscope of butterflies in his stomach — where did these come from? “You know, it’ll still be a while before we open for lunch.”

It wasn’t even a magic trick, but Lyney’s cheeks turned into tomatoes. Voilà! First embarrassment of the day. He laughed awkwardly. “No, no, I know… I’m heading back to the circus. Would you care to join me?”

“Sure.”

At first, the conversation didn’t flow much. However, to Lyney’s luck, the blond seemed to follow the motto my friends’ friends are my friends. The short walk to the harbor square provided him with plenty of information. In the silk flower garden, he learned that Aether loved windwheel asters, native plants from Mondstadt. In front of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, the blond told him that he and his sister used to be backpackers until a few months ago, when they decided to settle in Liyue for a while. The echoes coming from the Third-Round Knockout made Aether comment that he’d already heard all of Tian’s countless stories, which Lyney found curious, since he himself seemed to have a different story for every inch of the harbor.

Lyney also noticed how many greetings the man received with every block they walked. At the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, a girl even stopped him to chat. How does one make friends at a funeral parlor? Well, Aether really is charming, no doubt about that... What do I have to do to look charming in his eyes?

“So, this is where we part ways. Xiangling told me the circus is near the Golden House, is that right?” the blond asked once they reached the square.

Lyney hadn’t even noticed they were already there. He could — and wanted to — listen to Aether talk all day. “Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Nice. See you, then! Best wishes to your brother.”

And Aether was already off to join Xiangling, who was finishing setting up the shop so they could begin preparing the day’s dishes. Lyney started walking with dragging steps, as if some kind of magnet was pulling him back to the harbor. If not for the worry he felt for Freminet, he probably would’ve taken days to walk a fifteen-minute route.

The circus' motorhomes could accommodate, at most, two people per section. In childhood, this capacity had been a source of frustration among the siblings, but nowadays, at the start of adulthood, they were more than used to having separate quarters: Lyney and Lynette lived in the main segment, while Freminet shared the attached trailer with Foltz, another performer.

When Lyney finally arrived at the vehicle, he found Freminet lying down, covered up to his chin. Lynette was sitting on Foltz’s bed, watching their younger brother. "He’s not asleep," she pointed as Lyney tried to enter the annex quietly.

He approached the bed and pressed the back of his hand to Freminet's forehead. "I'm sorry for taking so long…" Fortunately, the boy seemed less feverish. Lynette sighed. “Please, forgive me.”

"Lyney, it's not that serious, I'm really fine. And you didn't take long at all," the youngest said, gently removing his brother's hand.

As the three of them chitchatted, Lyney started preparing the tea. While the water was boiling, he jotted down the herbs used in the recipe, wanting to begin his studies on medicinal plants. When Freminet asked if it had been the same doctor as before who helped him, Lyney mentioned his encounter with Aether:

"He's so nice. I've never heard that many greetings in my life! And that's considering almost everyone responds to our farewell at the end of the shows — just so you get an idea of how many people spoke to him."

Oh, dear. Lynette looked at Freminet as if to say, "I told you." If expressions had captions, Freminet's shy smile would've said something like, "Leave him be."

"Okay, I'm exaggerating a little, but he really was stopped at every corner we turned — and there weren't even that many, it was a short walk. It's like everyone's desperate for the tiniest bit of his attention."

It wasn't the first time. Lyney had gotten like… that, what, twice before? Now, there's a very clear and simple reason why circus folks usually only get close to other circus folks: in two months, they'll be gone. No relationship can keep the same intensity for ten months just through the occasional check-in letter. So Lyney would grow progressively more melancholic, until he lost contact with the person entirely. And it was awful to see him like that.

"Am I desperate for his attention? I don't think so… I think I'd like to be his friend, though. But I'm not going back to the restaurant today — not until Freminet feels better. Why are you both so quiet?"

"Just… waiting for the tea."

"Don't worry, it's almost ready. Then, when we were at the commercial street, he told me that…"

Chapter Text

A person who sleeps eight hours a night, which is ideal, spends about two of those dreaming. It’s the most important sleep phase for memory. So, for Aether, the sensation of having dreamt all night and yet remembering none of it felt almost absurd. There were only two options: either his body completely ignored the "most important for memory" part, or the dream simply wasn’t that interesting. He leaned toward the first, because from the glimpses he thought he remembered, it had felt like an epic dream. Something about people with elemental powers and, uh… no clue, he couldn’t remember.

You know what felt even more absurd than that sensation? The silence in his room at that moment. He was usually woken up by his dog, Paimon, jumping on his bed, not by a shy ray of sunlight sneaking in through the window. Where is Paimon? Oh, Lumine must have taken her.

Aether got up, stretched, brushed his teeth, combed his hair, and put on a layered outfit — the Liyue winter was starting to show its teeth, and it wasn’t kidding around. As soon as he left his room, the sound of the merchants’ fair flooded his ears; Wangshu Inn was always a bit noisy, but the rooms were surprisingly well soundproofed. The first person he saw was Xiao, following his usual morning routine to the letter: sipping his tea, leaning against the upper balcony railing, quietly watching the landscape that had made the inn so famous.

“Morning,” he said, gesturing toward the teapot beside him and offering a cup.

Aether waved a hand to decline. “Good morning, Xiao. Have you seen Paimon? She miraculously didn't wake me up today.” His light laugh didn’t hide the concern in his voice. Xiao shook his head. “She must be with Lumine, then.”

“She’s not. Lumine already left for the harbor.”

“No… She didn’t run off, did she? She’s probably pestering Yanxiao again, begging for leftovers,” Aether muttered, rubbing his temples. He waved a quick goodbye. “I’ll go check with him!”

“Don’t worry too much. I probably would’ve seen her if she’d run off,” Xiao replied, turning to rest his back against the railing. Watching Aether walk away, he added: “You look good with your hair down.”

“Thanks. But you’re not off the hook, I still want to braid yours.” Already halfway down the stairs, Aether still managed to hear his friend’s deep sigh from afar. He smiled, knowing that even if Xiao was rolling his eyes, he was probably smiling too.

When Aether reached the kitchen, neither Yanxiao nor Paimon were there. In fact, the place didn’t even seem to have started up for the day. A weight settled in his chest, heavy with worry, until a distant bark caught his attention. Hurrying toward the sound, Aether soon spotted two familiar figures, ones he hadn’t expected to see until later that day. A sharp exhale escaped him, so forceful he became momentarily dizzy.

Xingqiu and Chongyun were seated at one of the outdoor tables, just in front of Verr Goldet’s reception. Paimon was trying to climb into Chongyun’s lap, much to his dismay, while Xingqiu encouraged her. It was two against one in that situation, and Aether was fairly sure all three of them knew it. As he approached, the dog noticed him and excitedly ran over.

“What are you two doing here?” Aether asked, confused, as he joined them at the table. They had agreed to have lunch together that day — at Liyue Harbor, not the inn. “Is it even lunchtime already? I just woke up…”

“No need to fret, my liege, we’ll have breakfast together instead.” With a warm smile, Xingqiu briefly rested a hand on Aether’s shoulder. “We’d like to visit a fair the Artisans Association is hosting at Yilong Wharf. My family has an old house there, remember? That’s where we’ll be staying for a few days.”

“The inn is on the way, so we thought we’d make the most of it,” Chongyun added. “And we didn’t kidnap Paimon, by the way. She was following Lumine to the harbor, so we were forced to bring her back.”

Xingqiu laughed, leaning back in his chair and crossing one leg over the other. “We were the hostages!”

After the kitchen began its daily activities, the group ordered a set menu. During the meal, the conversation flowed through all sorts of topics; among them, of course, the circus’s return to town. Like Xiangling, the boys were surprised to learn Aether had never seen a show by The Hearth's performers. They went on to talk about Gaming and Lan Yan, who planned to return to the harbor with them after their trip to Chenyu Vale, just to catch the new season. It really is a big deal, Aether thought. In all the years he'd known his Liyuean friends, he couldn’t recall this much excitement — perhaps one time, when Xiangling took part in a cooking competition during the Moonchase Festival.

Once breakfast was over, Aether saw them off to their travel cart. Along the way, Xingqiu mentioned a new shipment of books that had arrived at Wanwen Bookhouse that morning, likely including a title the blond had been searching for over the past few months.

After watching the pair depart, he decided to take advantage of the day off to try and complete his collection, knowing how quickly that series tended to sell out. As usual, he left Paimon with Xiao — who scolded her for secretly following Lumine, then promptly asked where they’d be walking that day —, braided his hair, and began his stroll toward the harbor.

Calla lilies: waterside blooms from Mondstadt, delicate like eyelashes fringing the edges of ponds and rivers. Outwardly, white as almond tofu; inwardly, amber-colored. As far as Lyney knew, these flowers symbolized eternal life and spiritual devotion. He remembered once, at Hotel Debord, being served their petals, crisp and flavorful. The book in his hands now informed him that, beyond being a delightful appetizer, they were also priceless antidotes.

The next page featured one of the most cloyingly romantic plants he’d ever seen: the lotus heads. Like Yin and Yang, they come in pairs: one head is mildly bitter, but highly aromatic; the other, terribly bitter, but still aromatic. Together, they yield nourishing oils, some of the most palliative known to medicine. Lyney saw a certain poetry in the plant’s duality, from its unfortunate taste to its gentle care.

Especially after Freminet woke up with enviable energy, as if he were a child again, Lyney was determined to dive headfirst into the underappreciated world of medicinal plants — well, less appreciated than it should be, at least. Since performances would resume the next day, his siblings had decided to rehearse their seasonal solo acts... If Lyney were being honest, that was what he should have been doing too, but this sudden fascination burned too brightly to ignore. As soon as he woke up, he headed to the harbor in search of the nearest bookstore; it didn’t take long to find a small shop on the upper level of Feiyun Slope.

An illustration of a beautiful flower filled the next page, yet, despite Lyney’s growing expertise, it was unfamiliar to him. “Naku weed, a plant from Inazuma. Most of its bloom isn’t made of petals, but leaves that shield the fragile flower…”

“I know this one well. Its oil is used to reduce swelling from injuries,” Aether added, resting his head on Lyney’s shoulder to get a better look at the book in his hands. “When Lumine and I used to travel, we got hurt all the time, so we always kept some around. I also met locals who used it to predict storms, since it's sensitive to the weather. And it worked every time!”

If death was defined by a stopped heart, Lyney had just died twice in the last ten seconds. First, when someone suddenly appeared so close to him, with zero regard for personal space; second, and far more devastating, when he realized who that someone was — who could disregard that space anytime, as far as he was concerned. The closer, the better, really.

He struggled not to look directly at Aether, nor to avert his eyes, since either reaction would be too obvious at that distance. “I can’t even begin to describe the scare you just gave me,” he said, making the blond laugh and lean away. Only when Lyney met Aether’s gaze, his own unwavering, did he notice the breath he’d been holding. “You even got the book’s wording right! That’s amazing!”

Aether smiled. “We spent a lot of time in Inazuma. I feel like I know every plant there.”

“Really? I’ve never even seen this one. It’s so pretty... I love this shade of purple.”

“Wait, what? You’ve definitely seen them, they’re everywhere — that’s, like, the definition of a weed.”

“I’ve never been to Inazuma.” Aether’s surprised expression was priceless. Even wide-eyed, he looks beautiful. Lyney chuckled at his confusion. “We can’t exactly haul the entire circus across the ocean, you know?”

“Oh, that’s so obvious!” Aether laughed, lightly tapping his forehead. Lyney had quickly found something even prettier than the flower. “Sorry, I didn’t think of that.”

When the bookstore clerk started giving them strange looks, they realized it was time to stop reading and just buy the book. While Lyney paid for his precious herbal manual, Aether browsed the shelves in search of the new arrivals Xingqiu had mentioned — and sure enough, there it was: volume four of Rex Incognito. The past few months had been torture, not knowing the ending of Rex Lapis’s epic tale. The blond was already picturing himself back in his room, lying with Paimon, rereading the entire series to refresh his memory before diving into the final chapter, when Lyney’s voice pulled him back:

“So… how about telling me more about Inazuman plants?” he asked, pointing to a table in the corner.

Aether really wanted to go home at that moment, but you know what? What harm was there in staying a little longer? He treasured every step of his journey, and it would be nice to reminisce a bit. Though not particularly interested in local specialties, Aether tended to keep small mementos of everything he and Lumine came across during their travels in his backpack — whether because they might come in handy someday or just for nostalgia’s sake. On his most inspired days, he resembled something of a compulsive collector. The upside to that paranoia was the knowledge the twins gained… probably.

For the next hour, the two took turns narrating: sometimes Aether introduced an Inazuman plant, other times Lyney explained the symbolism of a Fontainian flower. Amakumo fruit, lakelight lily, dendrobium, lumidouce bell, sakura bloom, marcotte…

“Marcotte!” Aether exclaimed, cutting Lyney off. “They’re everywhere! I swear, they’ve even invaded my dreams after seeing them so often during the day.”

The magician agreed, with a mischievous smile. “You really can find them everywhere.” Reaching toward Aether’s ear, he plucked out a marcotte.

The blond stared, stunned, then burst into nervous laughter. “Okay, that’s insane.”

“Eh, not really.” Lyney winked, handing him the flower. “Did you know they’re used in perfumes? Ying’er gave me this when I bought one earlier.”

"I'm gonna choose to believe you're actually magical, it’s more fun that way," the blond replied, bringing the flower close to his face. Its fragrance really was enchanting. "What do they mean, the marcottes?"

"Purity and sincere care. Since they’re so common across the territory, it feels like the whole land is caring for the Fontainian… They don’t have any medicinal properties, though. But they're quite present in our cuisine."

Aether’s face lit up, as if he’d just had a brilliant idea. "Do you have good stamina?" he asked, already getting to his feet. Lyney looked at him, confused, but started following. "There’s this flower, qingxin, that I think you’d love. In meaning and use, it’s basically Liyue’s version of the marcotte. And they’re so pretty! But they only grow at higher altitudes."

"You want to go climbing...?" Aether nodded. "Right now?" The smile on the blond’s face only grew.

Was there any need to say it? Lyney wouldn’t have declined in a million years. After that, he couldn’t tell how much time had passed since they’d gotten up from their table, grabbed water and a few snacks at Wanmin Restaurant, and begun their ascent through the harbor, heading toward Tianheng along the Dunyu road. It might’ve been an hour, or maybe three — he wouldn’t have noticed either way.

The one time Lyney dared to ask Aether if they were close, the blond replied that the effort would be worth it — which Lyney found funny, because it had already been worth it since the first page of the book they’d read together. Then it was worth it again when Aether politely turned down an invitation from someone else, saying he was busy at the moment. And again, when Lyney noticed how the blond would steady him by the arm whenever the trail, though only slightly steep, wore him out too much. So Lyney, who actually had great stamina, made sure to stay out of breath for the rest of the hike... and Aether’s arm stayed linked with his the entire time.

“I have a friend who eats qingxin raw, just out of habit. I’ve never tried them like that, but she says they’re bitter.” Aether wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

“So I’ve found the first discrepancy,” Lyney replied with a little pout, as if terribly upset. Aether gave him a puzzled look. “Marcottes are quite sweet.”

The blond's eyes were fixed on the horizon ahead. “As sweet as sweet flowers?" They were close to the end of the trail now, as he could already see the silhouette of his favorite qingxin.

“Oh, please. You, my dear, are probably the only thing in the world as sweet as sweet flowers.”

Aether laughed out loud, while Lyney tried to pretend he hadn’t just given himself a heart attack. The blond muttered something like, “That’s such a cheesy pickup line, you know,” but Lyney could only focus on how fast his heart was racing, certain the boy beside him could hear it pounding against his ribs.

For a fleeting moment, he considered asking his uncle Zandik, who’d been a doctor before joining the troupe, if it was possible to override the involuntariness of the human heart, but quickly dismissed the idea; he was far too intimidated by the man to dare ask, even as a joke. Aether had long since forgotten by the time Lyney’s breathing steadied.

Only for it to falter again when they reached the end of the trail, greeted by the magnificent view from the top of one of Lisha’s hills.

“Look at that waterfall!” the blond pointed. “Man, I just love this place.”

Lyney followed his gaze and saw a majestic cascade tumbling into an equally breathtaking lake — and, just ahead of them, a small field of white flowers. They had to be the famed qingxin.

Perhaps due to their specific blooming conditions, Lyney had never actually seen one before, even though Liyue had been part of his itinerary for years. They were almost as beautiful as the man picking them beside him. Almost.

Lyney crouched down, plucked a petal from a flower he found particularly pretty, wiped it on his shirt, and popped it into his mouth. The very first bite was enough to confirm the insanity of Aether’s friend: “There’s no way she eats this raw,” he said, immediately spitting out the chewed petal.

“Why would you even try that?!”

Lyney’s expression in that moment closely resembled the yaksha masks Xiao was so fond of. Aether tried to play it cool, but it was impossible not to laugh at the comparison.

“I trusted your friend!” Lyney cried, half-desperate, having realized his canteen was out of water. He started scanning the area, looking for a berry bush or maybe a sweet flower — there was no way he’d survive the walk back with that dreadful taste in his mouth.

Seeing his distress, Aether promptly offered his own canteen, which Lyney refused. It didn’t feel right letting the blond go without water just because curiosity had decided to kill the cat.

Aether took a few more sips before offering it again. “I’ve had more than enough by now.”

“Thanks… sorry about that,” Lyney muttered, defeated, as he finally took the bottle. It was only after finishing the water and ridding his tongue of that suffocating bitterness that it dawned on him: Aether had just put his mouth on the same canteen seconds before. Come on, Lyney, you haven't been twelve in a long time. Indirect kisses aren’t a thing, don’t be weird about it. But his body language clearly wasn’t on board with his inner reasoning. In an effort to change the subject, or maybe because it had just piqued his curiosity, he asked, “By the way, Aether… how old are you?”

“How old do you think I am?”

“I hate this game.” Lyney recoiled, waving his hands in surrender. He had way too much experience with coworkers getting mad when guessed older than they actually were.

Aether stepped closer, playful. “I won’t get mad! How old do you think I am?”

Honestly? Lyney had no clue. Aether was ridiculously youthful, which made guessing harder than usual. He’s older than me, but how much older? Let’s see… he and Lumine traveled for a few years, right? They probably started their backpacking as adults… He said he stayed quite a while in Inazuma, so that’s over a year. Let’s say they spent about a year in each nation…

“Uh, twenty-six?”

“Close! I’m twenty-five. You’re pretty good at this, though.”

“You honestly look way younger.”

Lyney took a few more minutes admiring the waterfall, while Aether finished gathering the qingxin. When the magician asked why he was picking them, the blond brushed off the question, but the way the plants were arranged in his hand looked far too much like a bouquet for it to be anything else.

The idea of Aether having a secret, nearly exclusive spot at the top of a trail, where he picked flowers just to make someone a bouquet, made Lyney’s chest tighten. He wished the qingxin were rainbow roses instead, and that the thoughts behind Aether’s tender smile as he held the bouquet were all about him.

The walk back to the harbor was quieter than the way up. Though Lyney knew he had no right to the emotion gnawing at him, his mood sank a little every time Aether slowed down to adjust a petal, as if the bouquet’s immaculateness was a matter of life and death. Somewhere along the way, in an effort to quiet that bitterness, Lyney decided to believe the flowers were meant for Lumine.

When they finally reached the harbor, they paused at the foot of Bubu Pharmacy’s stairs, where their paths would diverge.

“That reminds me… How’s your brother? Did the tea help?” Aether asked.

“A lot! Freminet’s good as new, thankfully.”

“You know, I was waiting for you to come back to the restaurant yesterday. I waited all day. You said you would.”

Lyney froze. “I did?” Aether nodded. “I’m really sorry! I mean it! I was just so, so worried about Freminet that I completely forgot, and… And since we’d already seen each other that morning, I guess I thought… Ugh, I don’t even know what I thought. I’m sorry!”

“I’m teasing you!” Aether laughed. Lyney was fun to mess with. “But you and your sister should come again sometime. I’d love to meet your brother, too.” And an extra commission for bringing in customers wouldn’t hurt…

“We’ll definitely try to! But with the season premiering tomorrow, we’ll be a bit busier.”

“I didn’t know that was tomorrow! You guys are really popular, huh? All my friends are buzzing, trying to find a day that works for everyone. I’ll be there soon, count on it!”

Lyney’s heart lurched. The thought of performing for Aether sent a thrill down his spine. “Um, you should come on a Saturday. It’s the most crowded day, but, between you and me,” he whispered, nudging the blond with his elbow, “it’s also the best one. That’s when Lynette and I do our special act.”

“Special act?”

“The circus operates daily, right? On weekdays, shows run for 90 minutes, including a 15-minute feature by appointed performers.” Lyney’s tone was fiery. You could see the passion in his eyes. “On weekends, however, the show lasts two full hours, culminating with a 30-minute interactive spectacle. The audience becomes part of our trick.”

Before they parted ways, Aether promised he’d come see him on a Saturday. In return, Lyney promised to save him the best seat in the house. And in the quiet of his own thoughts, the magician made another promise to himself: the day Aether walked into that tent, he’d deliver his very best performance. Lyney would make sure those golden eyes stayed on him the entire night.

Maybe I’ll even pull him onstage. Let him hold my hand as the lights blaze... and let the crowd see his bewitching smile just before I make him vanish.

Chapter Text

"I'm not questioning your choice, Father, but... I feel like I'm not the best fit for this task," Freminet mused. In his hands was a huge stack of papers, which were clutched with some trepidation.

As soon as he woke up, Freminet was summoned by Peruere. Usually, he would eat with his siblings before starting the activities, but an order from Father was an order from Father. Especially on the day the performances were set to begin, perhaps it was something essential for the circus's smooth operation — and even if it wasn't, every call from the director was somewhat unsettling, as she was responsible for the performers' well-being. Did anyone get injured during rehearsals? If so, we’ll have to adjust the choreography, and do it quickly…

Upon arriving at the designated office, however, Freminet was informed of the situation's low severity compared to what he had been expecting: the marketing department just needed someone to distribute promotional flyers with the new season’s updated schedule around the city.

"My child, our regrator has already negotiated with the Urban Management Department. He spoke to the Yuheng herself. You have the right to hang the posters on the storefronts, even if the shopkeepers don't like it."

"Right…"

Freminet believed that Lyney was the most suitable for the task, as he could easily convince disgruntled merchants if necessary. But, given his brother's schedule, being the special attraction of the day, Freminet understood why they hadn't picked him instead.  

The boy nodded, accepting the request. As he turned toward the exit, Peruere added: "Don't leave on an empty stomach; have some breakfast first." Freminet nodded again, smiling.  

The schedule said…

Monday: "The Cat in the Hat".

As usual, Lyney had coordinated the acrobats' rehearsal in the morning, then rehearsed his own number in the afternoon.

In the past, this role belonged to Peruere, but the caretaker decided to delegate the function and dedicate herself primarily to the administrative sector once the twins were old enough to perform. Typically, this would be absurd, but it was all they had ever dreamed of, and they certainly had the knack for it.

Lyney always felt euphoric on new season opening days. No matter how many years he had experienced this juncture, his heart always beat as fast as the first time he stepped onto the stage. Never out of nervousness, but out of pure excitement, honestly!

Although the show only started at 7 PM, the circus was already buzzing long before that; at 6, he and Lynette were in their motorhome, putting on their costumes while chatting. They preferred to get ready as late as possible, to mitigate the chances of ruining their outfits, for whatever reason. Freminet was probably assisting backstage, while Foltz was nowhere to be seen.

"Do you think he'll like it?" Lyney asked as he applied hairspray to his sister's bangs, who sat in front of him. They were talking about the plan to include Aether in their interactive act.

"I don't really know him, brother, but he strikes me as the type of person who's up for anything." With her hair done, they swapped places so Lynette could apply his foundation. Pulling the boy's hair back, she eyed him suspiciously. "You didn't moisturize your face beforehand, did you?"

Lyney jumped in his chair. "I did! Is my skin really that dry?!" he questioned, moving closer to the mirror. "I told you, this winter wreaks havoc on me!"

Lynette shrugged. "Be extra careful with the makeup, and let's hope nothing shifts." The magician huffed.

Conveniently, the special act that concluded the opening day was reasonably simple: the twins performed some synchronized tricks on the trapeze, then Lynette went to the tightrope, while Lyney interacted with the spectators, making them apprehensive, as if his sister were about to fall — she, of course, never fell, but the audience, who celebrated in relief whenever the act finished, didn't need to know that.

The makeup was still impeccable at the end of the performance. That's authentic Inazuman products for you.

Tuesday: "The Maiden and the Lady".

Before forming the circus, the veteran performers were actors and, before that, citizens from all corners of Teyvat. In a theater near Zapolyarny Palace, they brought commedia dell'arte characters to life. With the financial crisis Snezhnaya entered after the fall of the last tsar, their Pierro had the idea to form an itinerant troupe, so as not to be at the mercy of any specific nation's economy, keeping the art alive. It was a shot in the dark, but most of the other actors embraced the change, and from that, the Circus of the Hearth was born — incidentally, the most acclaimed on the continent.

Even so many years after the career change, however, it was still difficult for some actors to abandon their old persona; at the end of the day, commedia dell'arte would always be their first home. From this nostalgia emerged the special act "The Maiden and the Lady", starring their Columbina and La Signora, who were now a soprano singer and a fire poi spinner. Realistically, their special act consisted only of a musical performance, but there was something between the maiden's voice and the lady's spins that was hypnotizing, to say the least. It was, without a doubt, the sweetest show in the circus, usually frequented by couples and the elderly.

On that Tuesday, Lyney checked countless times with Lynette and Freminet if the three were absolutely aligned for Saturday's number, which Aether confirmed the day before he would attend. From being questioned so much, the youngest began to wonder if he had misunderstood and they were preparing for an extremely difficult act; his sister had to assure him multiple times that this was not the case, Lyney was just anxious.

Wednesday: "The Cat in the Box".

Freminet's solo performance, included for the first time as a special act. The name was chosen by the twins — the youngest was too shy to even consider calling himself a cat.

In recent years, he had been trying to step out of his older siblings' shadow, aiming to take on a real position in the circus beyond being Lyney's assistant's assistant and an occasional mechanic. He tried to join the acrobats' teams, like Foltz, but, unexpectedly, he lacked grace. Then, thinking he was too rough, he tried to join the freak show team, where he was absurdly more delicate than necessary.

When Freminet started to think there was no place for him in the troupe, Peruere reminded him that the circus was precisely the place for those with no place anywhere else. So her child — who was, by then, almost an adult, even if no one saw him as one — decided to keep trying.

Being ingenious, Freminet thought of joining the ventriloquists' team and even went as far as building a puppet: a penguin named Pers. However, right in his first rehearsal, he was reminded that a ventriloquist's main function isn't operating a puppet, but rather speaking like one... Let's just say speaking wasn't exactly Freminet's forte.

What could he do in the circus, then? Once again, the boy sought advice from Peruere, who told him it wasn't mandatory to join any existing teams — after all, every team started with an individual who knew how to do something others didn't. So the question became: what was Freminet good at? He couldn't really say much. But he always found it curious how the circus, although so big, didn't have any escape artists. Why not be the first?

It didn't take long for Freminet to find his calling in underwater escapism, and his special act then consisted of breaking out of a container full of water, where he'd be chained, before... well, before drowning. When the boy came up with the idea, Lyney got as nervous as when Lynette decided to walk the tightrope, if not even more, but Freminet didn't back down. And now he was debuting in his first season!

It had been a long time since Lyney and Lynette had seen the stage from the audience's point of view — the two even tried to recall the last time they had, but neither could remember, having been too young at the time. On that Wednesday, the twins were spectators like any others, about to witness the unprecedented act of the circus's newest performer, who happened to be their younger brother. Although Lynette didn’t show it, she was as apprehensive as Lyney, who, in turn, was as apprehensive as he had been on the day they debuted in the circus, so many years ago. Freminet, on the other hand, sitting atop the tank in which he would soon be chained, was as serene as the water within it.

"Tonight, we welcome a new performer. Here, we witness the beginning of a story that I have no doubt will be nothing short of magnificent. This stage, this home we built, has always embraced audacious dreams, and now, a new chapter begins. Esteemed audience, I ask for applause and all your best wishes for the first performance of the escape artist Freminet, in his act The Cat in the Box!"

The very instant Peruere finished introducing him, Freminet plummeted into the container, promptly clamping the shackles onto his ankles and the handcuffs onto his wrists. Then, he turned his back to the audience, demonstrating the authenticity of the instruments that bound him, and signaled for the crew to close the hatch of the tank. The boy knew the director was narrating all his actions, but the water in his ears prevented him from hearing her.

Almost mechanically, Freminet began to follow the step-by-step routine he had rigorously rehearsed in the recent months: in the first minute, accessing his relaxation techniques to reduce oxygen consumption; in the second, lock-picking the handcuffs, using a paperclip he carried under his tongue; in the third, having reached the bundle with dozens of keys at the bottom of the container, testing them until he managed to free his left leg; in the fourth, his right; and in the fifth, unlocking the tank's hatch.

Gasping for breath, the boy squeezed through the opening, sitting on the top of the container. It still took a few seconds for his hearing to return and for him to absorb all the audience’s frenzy. As soon as the sounds became clear, Freminet scanned the crowd, looking for his siblings, who were applauding him with unrestrained joy — he could have sworn he saw Lynette screaming. Then, he looked at Peruere, who watched him proudly. The youngest smiled, having succeeded in the performance and, more than that, having found his place in the circus.

Thursday: "Outcasts in Cast".

While Tuesdays were the sweet nostalgia of pre-circus life, Thursdays felt like Halloween nights, whether it was October or not. The special act debuted the freak show performers Thrain, a sword swallower and heavy weightlifter, and Zandik, a fakir, along with the entire contortion team.

On Thursdays, after their non-mandatory participation in the regular show, instead of staying backstage to watch the special act and ensure the technical side was running smoothly, as they usually did, the twins preferred to operate stalls in the circus food court. Lynette baked madeleines to die for, while Lyney prepared the sweetest pâte de fruit in all of Fontaine.

Don't get it wrong, though! Uncle Thrain was acclaimed by everyone, and he certainly managed to convey all his strength through his act, whether with the swords he swallowed or the anvils he lifted. As a child, Lyney even believed he possessed some kind of superpower, and sometimes Freminet, the only one who had the stomach to remain backstage on Thursdays, seemed to still believe it. The audience's aversion usually went towards Zandik, who lay on a bed of nails and walked on broken glass as if they were nothing. The siblings knew all the tricks behind the technique, from retractable-point nails to weight distribution per area, but these didn't make the performance any less tense to watch. And the food court always welcomed more stalls, anyway…

If there was one day he could take off, it would be Thursday. While preparing the desserts for sale, Lyney set aside some small cubes for Aether, wondering if he should ask the blond to take Thursdays off as well — or perhaps request Father to move his elective duties from Thursday to Sunday, when Aether was free. Maybe then we could go on more hikes together... or whatever else he might want to do, really.

Friday: "Matryoshka Dolls".

Matryoshka dolls are Snezhnayan wooden toys that fit one inside the other. The set typically consists of an odd number of dolls, with the largest being the mother and the smaller ones, her daughters. As if made to compensate for the oddities of Thursdays, Friday's special act was almost a children's show, starring the ventriloquist Sandrone, with her robotic puppet Mr. Pulonia, and the clown Tartaglia, a character played by Ajax, the last actor to arrive at Zapolyarny Palace before the creation of the itinerant troupe.

The "Matryoshka Dolls" act was the only one in the entire circus that operated differently during a specific season. When in Sumeru, it became "Fukuruma Dolls", featuring a special appearance by Kunikuzushi, who had played Scaramouche during the theater's golden years. Among the original performers, he was the only one who never quite adapted to circus life, eventually leaving to pursue studies at one of Teyvat's most prestigious institutions, the Akademiya. Since 15 minutes a week for 2 months wasn't that much effort, he participated in the special act, though more out of nostalgia for his old persona than any real passion for the performance.

The house was always packed with children for this number, which featured an argument between Mr. Pulonia and Tartaglia. While the puppet vehemently insisted it was a fearsome war machine, the clown desperately tried to convince the audience it was nothing more than a toy, often hurting himself in the process. When Kunikuzushi, a mime, joined in, they attempted to trap the marionette in an invisible box, only to feign despair when the containment failed. The kids howled with laughter every time their overconfidence backfired.

The girl behind the puppet wasn’t the most polite, nor did she interact well with the other performers, but her act as Mr. Pulonia was impeccable. The clowns, on the other hand, were genuinely great with children, even if Kunikuzushi did everything to hide this quality behind a mask of indifference. Ajax was simply a big softie; whenever he saw the children in the audience, he couldn’t help but think of his own younger siblings back in Snezhnaya, and that warmth just slipped through.

On Fridays, Lynette and Freminet handled the special act’s lighting, which shifted the ambiance’s colors based on the mood of Sandrone’s marionette. The children loved the immersion. Meanwhile, Lyney, the most sociable of the siblings, managed the audience, who sometimes got too excited and tried to climb onto the stage. He couldn’t even blame them — watching a puppet as wicked and inconsiderate as Mr. Pulonia, any child, himself included, would’ve been tempted to lunge at it.

The week had been too hectic, but equally rewarding. As previously predicted, the circus's revenue was doing well — the regrator, their old Pantalone, responsible for the financial department, hadn't seemed so healthy and happy since the last time the circus's stay in Mondstadt coincided with the Weinlesefest celebration.

Lyney was also ecstatic, for a number of reasons: the good start to the season, the absence of accidents, the fulfilling work, his brother’s phenomenal debut… who, on the other hand, much like Lynette, was almost completely fed up with the magician obsessing over their interactive act all week. The siblings had lost count of how many times they rehearsed the performance, which didn't even have much to practice, as it depended almost entirely on Lyney's smooth talk to distract the audience while the stage mechanisms did their work. When they finally managed to make the magician understand such absurdity, their obligations shifted from rehearsing to checking all apparatuses every few hours. At least maintenance was less exhausting than going over the same actions again and again.

That Saturday, after morning preparations, the three decided to have lunch at Wanmin Restaurant, as the twins had done a few times during the week. Lyney wanted to give Aether the tickets, having reserved the best seats in the house for him, along with some cubes of his latest pâte de fruit, and Freminet wanted to meet the duo his siblings talked so much about — Lynette, too, seemed to be developing a friendship with Lumine, without even realizing it. Upon arriving at the establishment, however, the young man wasn't there:

"Aether is at Bubu Pharmacy today," said Lumine, as she took the trio's orders. "Baizhu called him in without warning this morning. Qiqi invited one of her friends to go to the circus with them, so he's looking after the two."

Having grown up among actors, Lyney himself was a skilled one, but he wasn't doing a very good job of hiding his disappointment at that moment. "Oh? That must be tough. We almost went crazy with only Freminet to look after, imagine being alone with two kids!"

It wasn't entirely a lie; the youngest, now smiling shyly, had indeed been a mischievous child, a contrast to his quiet and introverted personality. Big imagination in a rather small brain, perhaps.

Lumine checked the amount Lynette had handed her as payment. "Don't feel bad for him. Aether himself was quite a handful as a child; he's merely getting a dose of his own medicine." Finishing her count, she then turned to Freminet, affectionately: "So you're their baby brother, huh? These two never shut up about you, you know that?"

"I could say the same, actually — they never shut up about you and Aether either." Now it was the twins’ turn to look away, flustered.

"Do we really?" Lynette whispered to Lumine, curious. The blonde just laughed, which was enough of an answer. "Um, can we leave the tickets with you, then?"

"Sure!”

Lyney asked his siblings to grab a table while he searched his pockets for the right papers. Once alone with Lumine, the magician passed her the tickets, somewhat hesitant. Pointing to a specific one, he said: "This one’s for Aether, okay? I promised him the best seat, so, erm… Just make sure he sits here, please."

A teasing smile curved her lips as she watched him sideways. "You're up to something."

"I'm not!" — he, in fact, was. Even if his confident tone was persuasive, his flushed cheeks certainly didn't convince the girl. "What are you talking about, Lumine?"

"Alright, alright! I haven't noticed anything, nor do I know anything. Now go! Shenhe will bring your dishes shortly."

And he went to sit, somewhat defeated. What does "nor do I know anything" even mean? While his siblings chatted, Lyney wished he were a telepath, a psychic, a fortune teller, or anything else that would bless him with the gift of clairvoyance, just to know exactly what the girl was thinking. Truth be told, the magician didn’t even understand his own thoughts — the only certainty was that, whatever they were, they revolved around a certain blondie. That golden splendor seemed to have been stuck in his head since the day he first saw him, just over a week ago. Where Aether was the Sun, Lyney's mind was the entire Solar System.

He felt that this curiosity — if that feeling even was curiosity — was atypical. On the only day that week when the magician didn't have lunch at the harbor square, because morning rehearsals extended longer than expected, he spent the rest of the day restless. Lyney wanted to know if Aether had already left the pharmacy and gone to the restaurant, if he had eaten properly, if anything unusual had happened at the inn, if Paimon had gotten into any shenanigans, or whatever else the blond might share. Lyney would probably listen to every word in the world if they came from Aether's mouth.

I just hope he thinks of me as well…

Saturday: "The Cat... Where Is It At?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, children, cats, and all who have graced us with your presence tonight, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you’re having a truly magical evening," he began, stepping toward the edge of the darkened stage. Bathed in a solitary beam of light from the tent’s peak, his voice echoed as the only sound in the amphitheater. "You’ve already seen us earlier, alongside our esteemed acrobat colleagues. I am Lyney, the greatest magician in all of Teyvat, and this is Lynette, my dear sister and assistant. Now, the Circus of the Hearth proudly presents our magic show! Are you ready to be amazed?!”

As the ambient lights brightened, the audience erupted into thunderous applause. On stage, there were only him and Lynette, the latter holding a large red cloth. The amphitheater was packed; Saturday nights were notoriously the busiest, and this one in particular had sold out all tickets, likely because it was the first interactive act of the season.

"Oh, you are, alright!" Hugging himself in an exaggerated sigh, Lyney pouted, as if deeply dismayed. "Unfortunately, I simply cannot share your enthusiasm... It’s quite late, and I’m utterly exhausted! That’s why, for tonight’s number, I shan’t be a magician, no, but a humble narrator. Lynette, too, shall switch professions, from performer to, uh, textile artist?"

It was hard to see the audience beneath the blinding spotlight, but the "narrator" knew exactly where to look. Earlier, during the regular performance, Lyney had made sure to check if Aether was in the designated seat and, more importantly, to whom all the complimentary tickets had been given. The performer recognized a girl he'd once seen talking with Aether in front of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Lumine, Xiangling, and two young men who were friends with the cook. As if that wasn't enough, the group also included two boys and three girls Lyney had never seen before. Ugh, he's too popular!

"I know many of you have graced us with your presence before, and I’m certain the sharpest eyes noticed the special markings on tonight's tickets. Right now, our audience is divided into four sections, each represented by a color. Coincidentally…" Lyney whipped off his top hat, plunging a hand inside with theatrical gusto. He froze. "Ah… one moment!" Then shoved his entire arm in, rummaging wildly. When nothing emerged, the magician flipped the hat upside-down, letting it hover midair. Hearing the audience's gasp, Lyney smirked, giving the hat a condescending pat, and small, color-coded packs tumbled onto the stage. "Coincidentally, I happen to have four sealed decks, each matching a section’s hue!"

His gaze flicked back to Aether’s row. He’d expected Lumine to be sitting beside him, but instead, a stranger occupied the seat — a dark-haired young man with eyes as amber as the blond's, if that was even possible. In fact, his eyes were so vivid they seemed to gleam in the shadows, with a bestial quality. Who the hell is this? All night, Lyney had caught Aether whispering to him whenever something more spectacular happened on stage, yet where the blond's face lit up with childlike wonder, the guy merely nodded, like the jury of some mediocre Fontainian trial. Creepy-eyed oaf.

"Now, I need two volunteers! Let's see..." Earlier, Lyney had also recognized, in another section, the little girl Aether babysat, along with the doctor who’d once treated Freminet and a girl he assumed was the friend Lumine had mentioned. The two kids had shot their hands up, so why not earn some brownie points? "You and you! Perfect." He strode toward them, relishing their dazzled expressions, before draping a hand over his forehead like a fainting aristocrat. "Tonight, you’ll be the magicians, because yours truly is far too tired to work…"

The smile on Aether's face indicated that those points had been earned. The smile on Lumine's face indicated that she really knew whatever it was Lyney was planning. For a brief instant, it felt as if he were trapped in that universal nightmare, standing exposed in front of a crowd, with nowhere to hide.

Shaking it off, he knelt before the girls with a flourish. "My dear magicians, may I have the honor of your names?"

"I am Qiqi."

"I'm Yaoyao!"

"What beautiful names!" Lyney pressed a hand to his heart. "Now, I have a very important task for you. On the count of three, I want you to shout your favorite colors, louder than a ship’s horn in Liyue Harbor! At the same time, we’ll reveal the audience’s color-coded sections, and the chosen ones will join us in tonight’s act. Agreed?" The girls nodded enthusiastically. He spun toward the crowd, arms wide. "Audience, let’s count together!"

Following Lyney, in unison, the spectators counted aloud, revealing the girls' answers: blue and green, respectively. In parallel, the amphitheater’s lights illuminated the corresponding sections; casually, the one Aether was in and the one directly opposite.

"Splendid! Tonight’s performance shall feature only the blue and green decks." The magician carefully handed the remaining two, red and yellow, to Lynette, who, in turn, tossed them to a random corner of the stage. Lyney gasped, planting his hands on his hips and stomping his foot. The crowd erupted into laughter. "Ahem. As I was saying… I'm going to open both packs in front of you. Observe! Two pristine sets of 52 cards, 104 in total, precisely matching the number of seats in our selected sections."

Lyney fanned out the two decks in his hands, slowly displaying them in all directions. Shuffling both stacks separately, he continued explaining how the trick worked: "Each card is a key tonight. The number? Your row. The suit? Your seat — Clubs, Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, in that order. These are today's special markings, by the way. Check your ticket now if you’d like a sneak peek at your destiny!"

Aether was already digging into his pocket, pulling out his slip with eager curiosity. Lyney felt his heart in his throat, knowing the boy was engaged enough to follow along. The paper in the blond's hands might as well have been the magician's own racing heart.

"Yaoyao, you must pick a card from the green deck and guard it like a treasure! Can't show it to anyone, alright?" The girl nodded, grinning from ear to ear. "Qiqi, you must choose a card from the blue deck and announce it to the entire theater." Seeing the little girl's hesitation, he added: "If you don't want to speak into the microphone, you may appoint a royal herald to speak for you. No problem at all."

With solemn care, the two kids selected their cards. The moment their choices were secured, Lyney snapped his fingers, making both decks vanish in a puff of smoke. Yaoyao, true to her promise, didn't even glance at her card before pressing it firmly against her chest, determined to keep the secret even from herself; Qiqi, meanwhile, handed her card to Baizhu, to whom Lyney extended the microphone, so the doctor could announce the chosen seat: "King of Hearts."

The magician turned to the section in question. "King of Hearts from the Blue Kingdom, let's see... King's row, Hearts seat... Ah, there it is!"

There was no way the lucky one could be anyone other than his golden muse.

Aether was dumbfounded, looking around to confirm if it was truly him, although he had already checked his ticket earlier. Qiqi giggled proudly, delighted that her draw had selected her beloved babysitter. The blond's friends erupted into excited chatter and cheers.

"King of my- I mean… King of Hearts, could you please come to the stage? Be careful not to trip. We wouldn’t want you falling for anything but me!"

Aether rose from his seat, handing his belongings to Lumine before making his way down the stands. When he reached the stage's edge, Lyney offered his hand to steady the blond's ascent. With both now standing on the platform, the performer brought Aether's hand to his lips in a theatrical kiss. "Your Majesty, might I know your name?”

The blond blinked at the sudden gesture. Assuming it was part of the act, he reciprocated with a hand kiss of his own. "I am Aether, Mister Magician.”

"Magician? Oh no, I'm nothing but a humble narrator tonight.” Lyney's eyes sparkled with mischief. "But tell me, Aether... have you ever disappeared before?”

"Not that I recall, Mister Narrator."

"No? Then today shall be your first time! Do not fret, Your Majesty, I'll be gentle.” The crowd chuckled as Aether looked away, equal parts flustered and amused by the innuendo. Didn't he say the shows were appropriate for all ages? A new spotlight snapped on, illuminating a centralized position on stage. "That's where you'll stand. Chop chop!”

As Aether moved to the designated spot, Lyney signaled for Lynette — he'd planned to fetch the red cloth himself, but his legs were still trembling from the hand kiss. Logically, the magician knew that the circus, like the whole of Liyue Harbor, was at sea level, but the air he was breathing seemed rarefied. "Dear sister, would you present His Majesty with the fabric? Aether, is there anything atypical about it?”

The blond examined both sides of the fiber. "Seems perfectly normal to me.”

"That's because our little sorceresses haven't enchanted it yet. Ladies, would you do the honors, please?"

The girls took their task with utmost seriousness. Yaoyao seemed to genuinely know what she was doing, while Qiqi tried her best to replicate whatever her friend was doing. When their "spell" was complete, Lyney swept back to the center of the stage, holding the cloth aloft like a banner.

"As you know, a magician's greatest skill is making things disappear — or appear. The possibilities are endless! In my hands, I hold no ordinary fabric, but a vessel of truly extraordinary wonder. Anyone covered by this cloth, and I guarantee it, will vanish completely, right before your very eyes!"

The twins took position on either side of Aether, stretching the fabric taut above his head. While Lyney explained the King would disappear for only five seconds, they raised and lowered the cloth several times, each showing Aether's distinct silhouette imprinted on the crimson material.

"Liyue Harbor, watch closely!" They lifted the fabric one last time, preparing for the final reveal. "Don't even blink, or you'll miss it!" The amphitheater held its breath. Aether didn't know whether to find Lyney's gaze reassuring or unnerving.

"On three!"

Qiqi's tiny fingers clutched Baizhu's hand, starting to regret the drawing — what if her babysitter really disappeared?!

"One!"

If Xiangling moved one more miserable inch forward, she would topple from her seat.

"Two!"

The chef's two friends, whose names Lyney didn't know, gripped each other's arms, apprehensive.

"Three!"

The cloth cascaded down, meeting empty air. The amphitheater erupted as the fabric fluttered to the stage floor instead of outlining the blond's silhouette. Lynette gracefully released the corners she was holding, allowing Lyney, bathed in acclaim and intoxicated by applause, to spin the cloth like a matador's cape, proving Aether's complete disappearance. Even the skeptical amber-eyed stranger sat straighter, scanning the stage with newfound interest.

The atmosphere shifted abruptly, however, when, after five seconds, the twins lifted the fabric from the floor to its previous height, and Aether failed to reappear. The magician and his assistant exchanged alarmed glances before repeating the movement, their synchronized worry visible even under the stage lights, but again, the young man remained absent. Lyney's face paled notoriously. The audience's growing concern snapped him out of his applause-induced euphoria, leaving him looking faint. His voice, like his hands, was shaky: "I-I don't understand… I told them to check all the props carefully! Lynette..."

She stepped forward decisively before Lyney could finish his distressed, heartbroken plea. Her sudden movement and composed expression immediately captivated the uneasy crowd. "I figured it out. Perhaps, at this late hour, the cloth is as exhausted as you are, brother… And in that case, we'll need a different trick to bring Aether back."

Lyney stared at her as if she'd unraveled the universe's greatest mysteries. The spotlight caught the exact moment hope reignited in his eyes, color returned to his cheeks, his heartbeat steadied. "That's it! Lynette, my brilliant sister, you're a genius!" He scrambled toward the edge of the stage, the audience's curious eyes following his every move. Though the magician stumbled twice in his haste, he paid no mind — there were more pressing matters at hand. His voice cracked with urgency: "Yaoyao! I need you to answer two questions for me!"

The little girl looked scared, but nodded her head. Her shoulders tensed for a brief moment.

"Yaoyao, where's my hat?" Lyney asked, tilting his head with exaggerated curiosity.

She looked up, only then realizing that the magician's top hat had disappeared. The empty space where it once sat seemed to taunt her. He didn't need to look around to sense the audience's confusion. This was Lyney's favorite part of the act — the collective gasp tasted sweeter than his pâte de fruit.

"What? I was sure you'd know that one!" He clapped his hands together, making several audience members jump. "Well, and which card did you draw?"

Yaoyao's hands were still pressing the paper firmly against her torso. Slowly, the little girl moved the paper away and checked it, showing it to Baizhu. The doctor adjusted his glasses as he read the card, then she repeated into the microphone what the man whispered in her ear: "Jack of Diamonds."

"Perfect!" Lyney's voice dripped with playful anticipation. "Shall we check?"

When he turned towards the green segment, most of the audience already understood what was happening, dispelling all previous apprehension. A wave of relieved laughter began to build.

The beam of light centralized on the stage commenced following Lyney's words: "Jack of Diamonds from the Green Kingdom... Jack's row, Diamonds seat... Oh, Aether, you stole my hat!"

There he was, grinning and wearing the vanished top hat, in the illuminated seat. His hair was all messy; Lyney couldn't help but think he looked painfully beautiful. The audience's cheering was deafening.

The twins had already disappeared from the stage, vanishing as mysteriously as their magic, who knows where to, when the exit lights came on. Amidst the audience's uproar, only the microphone's reproduction could be clearly heard — Lyney's disembodied voice seemed to come from everywhere at once: "Thank you so much, everyone! Especially, thank you, Qiqi and Yaoyao, for working in my place, and Aether, for playing along. Good night, Liyue Harbor! Until next time! The Circus of the Hearth awaits you with open arms, as always."

Lynette's practical tone contrasted with her brother's theatrics: "Don't forget to check the stalls at the exits, indicated by the lights on the floor — they are the only official point of sale for the troupe's merchandise. Tomorrow's tickets can already be obtained at the box office. Please, exit the amphitheater within 10 minutes, so the cleaning crew can start their work. Thank you."

Chapter Text

“Can you wait just a little bit before leaving?” Freminet asked, his voice feather-light, like he didn’t want to startle the air itself. His soft tone contrasted with his sudden approach — it was almost as if the boy had materialized out of thin air behind the seat. “I have a feeling Lyney will want to talk to you. He’ll be here any second.”

Aether was still starstruck, sure, but he couldn’t help feeling a flicker of frustration at having missed Freminet slipping through the very same hidden entrance he’d used minutes earlier. That’s it. The whole family’s magic through and through. “Yeah, of course! I was gonna wait anyway, actually. Gotta return his hat, right?”

They'd already exchanged a few words under the stage, introducing themselves properly, and had meant to keep chatting while waiting for the magician, but the roar of the crowd flooding out of the amphitheater left little room for conversation. Aether leaned in closer and mouthed something, but the awkward smile Freminet flashed back made it clear he hadn’t caught a single word.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for his friends to catch up. “That was amazing! Best. Performance. EVER!” Xiangling was the first to speak — or rather, shout, if we’re being honest here. “Seriously, what are the odds?! Out of a packed theater, YOU got picked! Talk about luck!”

“You can’t possibly believe he was actually chosen at random…” Xiao countered, crossing his arms. His tone was dull, but the corner of his mouth twitched, amused by her enthusiasm. The chef stared at him like he’d grown a second head. “Still, it was a good act. I’ll give them that.”

Hu Tao slightly jabbed her elbow into the man’s ribs, making him jerk. “Oh, come on! You think this was all staged with Qiqi?! Give me a break! Total coincidence!”

The expression on Xiao's face cycled between disbelief and indignation, as if he'd just heard the most outrageous claim of his life. Aether chuckled, figuring that, despite the skepticism, his friend must have enjoyed the show — otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed till the end.

Were it not for Lyney, Freminet would have vanished backstage the moment the exit lights flickered on. Every second spent waiting for the venue to empty so his brother could appear, while watching Aether's friends badger him for details about the "disappearance", felt like an eternity. But each time the guest laughed off their questions, insisting it was real magic, Freminet felt his shoulders loosen a fraction, understanding a little better what Lyney found so charming about him. He seemed like a good person, fortunately... Maybe even good enough for his brother.

The magician arrived just as the blond repeated for the fifth time that there were no secrets to reveal. The pang in his chest could've been pride, or something he still couldn't quite name. “My dear guests, if you won't believe me, then believe our King...” — said "king" sporting his black-and-magenta top hat like it was a white-gold crown. Lyney looked ready to combust from sheer excitement at any moment.

The demands for explanations and effusive eulogizing soon shifted from Aether to the performer, who kept insisting the credit belonged to the two little sorceresses, certainly not to him, oh no. As the circus emptied, the group dwindled in what seemed like a well-orchestrated yet sincere pattern: thanking Lyney for the free tickets, praising the performance once more, promising to return for another show, waving cheerfully, and departing. Soon enough, from his perspective, the only outsider left in their circle was that aloof, arms-crossed weirdo.

Xiao looked at him as if reading his mind and taking offense at the unspoken jab. “It’s late. We should head out as well.” He turned to Aether, ignoring the others entirely. “Shall we?”

“Wait! We are hosting un pot de l'amitié now if you'd like to join!” Lyney cut in hastily, having practically teleported between them. He couldn't bear such a wonderful night to end so soon. His gaze darted to Aether like a magnet finding true north, adding: “Just a small gathering for drinks and camaraderie, nothing fancy. I would be delighted if you came.”

Freminet’s expression brightened in surprise. If they accepted the invitation, the Family certainly wouldn’t object to their presence, but inviting outsiders wasn’t exactly… usual. In fact, this was the first time he’d seen anyone being invited to the private celebration. This version of Lyney was unfamiliar to him — not necessarily bad, just new. Different.

Aether’s face portrayed hesitation. “So… Lumine, Xiao, what do you think?” He seemed to know the answer in advance, even as he wished for a different one.

Xiao was already gathering his things, straightening his clothes and checking the seats for forgotten belongings. “Next time,” he said flatly. “The walk back to the inn is long, and we’re on foot. We need to leave now.”

Lumine wavered, glancing between Lyney’s heartbroken pout and Aether’s conflicted stare. She bit her lip, exhaled sharply, and finally declared: “But you should go! Unlike us, you don’t work tomorrow, so no curfew! Xiao and I will head back, okay? I’ve got Paimon.”

She locked eyes with Lyney one last time before leaving — a silent exchange he couldn’t decipher but cherished all the same. He’d remember that look. Xiao seemed displeased but had nothing left to say, bidding Aether farewell with a warning to be careful on his way home.

After seeing them off, the trio — that quickly became a duo, given Freminet's vanishing the moment goodbyes were exchanged — headed toward the circus food court. Aether and Lyney were talking about how the entire show really wasn't magic, of course, but illusion.

“Performing arts have always been our passion. It's impossible to grow up among circus folk and not fall in love with some part of it, honestly,” the magician commented. Sporadically, he would wave to fellow cast members who crossed their path, exchanging quick praises for their hard work during the opening week. “The thing is that Lynette and I started in acrobatics very early, but we’ve dabbled in illusions for just as long.”

“And what a show it was!” Aether's voice was tinged with awe. “Every act felt like its own spectacle. My stomach was in knots every time you left the ground!”

So you were looking at me. Lyney’s eyes crinkled with a smile, his cheeks burning as hot as his chest.

Aether’s relaxed expression soon gave way to confusion. “Though, I don’t remember seeing Freminet onstage… Underneath it, sure, but not up there.”

“He usually stays backstage, yes. In fact, tonight’s party is partly for him — he debuted a brand-new act this week. You should come see it!”

The blond wasn’t sure at what point in the walk the crowd around them had shifted from audience members to performers exclusively, but somehow, it was very clear that there were only artists in that food court. Though no stranger to new adventures, he momentarily felt shy, acutely aware he was the sole outsider in a sea of familiar faces.

Most food stalls had been pushed together into an improvised buffet. Had this been a formal dinner, Aether might’ve called it a banquet. He smirked wryly. “Just a ‘small gathering,’ huh?”

Lyney winked. “Believe me when I tell you that this is considered a small thing around here. And if you think about it, with so many of us, it’s more like snacks than a full meal anyway, right?” The magician guided Aether to the nearest stall, pointing to where the plates and cups were arranged. “I'm so sorry, but could you go ahead and serve yourself? I need to find Lynette, got something to tell her. But it'll be quick!”

“Oh, no problem. And no need to rush! I'll wait for you here.”

Lyney lightly squeezed Aether's shoulder, as if to say “I'll be right back!”, and soon disappeared among the other performers. While waiting for his return, the blond took in the scene; he even recognized some faces from the earlier performance, though it would’ve felt invasive to approach them just for that. The decoration didn't seem to have been altered from when the circus was still open, but the lighting seemed softer, less commercial and flashy. Once sufficiently at ease, he picked up a plate and began serving himself.

In one of his quick glances to check on Aether during his absence, Lyney noticed the blond’s eyes lighting up. As much as he desired to know which dish had sparked that longing look, finding his sister took priority.

Spotting Lynette at last, sipping tea by her madeleines, he rushed over, half-panicked at having left Aether alone too long: “Sister, please, find Foltz and ask him to sleep somewhere else tonight! Just tonight! I’ll give him a day off if he agrees. I’ll explain later!”

Lynette sighed, lowering her cup onto its saucer. “So Freminet’s taking your bed?” The question caught Lyney off guard, drawing a sharp exhale as he realized she’d already pieced it together. No explanation needed. “Fine. Aether can stay. I’ll handle the boys.”

“Lynette! Dearest, most wonderful sister, you’re so-”

“Three days off, not one. For both Foltz and me. And we’ll only maintain the apparatuses if Freminet deems it necessary.”

Lyney’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Three?! That’s robbery!” Lynette merely nodded, serenely sipping her tea. However unfair, he couldn’t protest, given the selfishness of his request. But three days?! Seriously? “Ugh, fine! Leave the annex for us, okay? And, uh… maybe don’t wake us tomorrow?”

The moment Lynette assented, Lyney tossed out a hurried thanks and plunged into the crowd, single-minded in his rush back to Aether. When he finally spotted the blond, the vision before his eyes bore the eerie semblance of a fever dream rather than tangible reality: Aether was talking to... Ajax? Why is Aether talking to Ajax? No, what does Ajax even want with Aether?

Lyney slowed his steps, trying to gauge the situation before interrupting. Ajax’s hand lingered on the blond's shoulder a beat too long — since when were they so familiar? But before he could approach, the redhead was already walking away, pulled toward his comrades across the food court.

When Aether turned back to the food stall, Lyney slipped up behind him. “Did you miss me?”

The blond covered his mouth — still chewing — but his smile peeked through. “I did, actually.” Ba-dump, ba-dump. “The troupe is huge… Guess what? I actually know one of your colleagues!”

“Really? Who?” Lyney asked, feigning ignorance despite having just witnessed the exchange.

“Childe! We met through a mutual Inazuman friend. Man, I totally thought she was joking when she called him a clown. This is so funny!”

Again, that foreign feeling consuming his very core. “You're way too popular, you know?” Lyney grabbed two profiteroles, placing one onto Aether’s plate and keeping the other. “I mean, obviously a magician knows a clown, we’re circus family. But since when does a backpacker buddy up with one?”

“Travel enough, and you meet everyone... Plus, by traveling the world, you discover it's much smaller than it seems. Like, there’s this magician I know who somehow knows both my bosses, and they’re in completely different fields. Isn't that kind of crazy?” When Lyney tore his gaze from the pastry to meet Aether’s eyes, the blond added: “I just think it's strange how I’d never seen your circus, even though it’s traveled more than I have, before meeting you. Almost like the universe wanted us to meet now. I wonder why.”

Then Aether casually nibbled his snack, as if the conversation hadn’t abruptly turned into something far more meaningful. Lyney short-circuited, much like a clockwork meka — his thoughts scrambling before he could so much as process a response. There might’ve been an abyss between what was said and what Lyney understood, but who cares? Um… he did, in fact. It was better to clarify.

Just as the magician opened his mouth to ask what exactly Aether meant, the faint sound of a flute wrapped around them. He didn’t need to look in order to know: veteran performers always broke out instruments at these family gatherings. But unlike Lyney’s blasé reaction, the blond's attention snapped toward the court’s center, intrigued. No questions asked; he simply linked their arms and steered Aether toward the music.

The Maiden playing the flute, the Lady dancing, the folds of her dress swirling in silken eddies, like a whirlwind of crimson butterflies fluttering mid-air before gracefully settling back onto her body. The young gathering to dance, the elders strumming instruments to stir hearts rather than mere notes. Aether's eyes sparkled, admiring the scene, while beside him, Lyney's shone just as bright, fixed on a far more personal and captivating view.

“Dance with me?” he asked, extending his hand with a performer's grace.

Knowing actions spoke louder than words, Aether simply took the offered hand and pulled them into the rhythm.

Amidst the crowd, the movement and the noise, they became invisible — or rather, visible only to each other. Perhaps someone paying close attention to their surroundings would have noticed two intertwined souls in tune to the same sound, but everyone was too busy in their own little worlds to do so.

The slower steps reminded Lyney of his homeland's Icewind Suite, and in the silence of his thoughts, he yearned for an eternal waltz of their own. The faster steps brought to Aether's mind the eremite dances of Sumeru, wondering how different his and his sister's lives might have been if every troupe welcomed strangers as warmly as this one.

Neither was counting nor cared, so who knows how many songs they danced before deciding to grab something to drink and recharge. Lyney poured Aether a glass of Fonta, which he gulped down like a parched adventurer at an oasis, before pouring one for himself.

As the crowd thinned, the blond grew self-conscious, wondering if he wasn't overstaying his welcome. “I should probably head out now,” he said, setting his cup on the buffet table.

“You should probably stay the night.”

“No way! I couldn't possibly impose.”

“You would never impose. There's a spare bed in our annex and...” Scanning Aether up and down, as if he hadn't done this analysis a million times before, Lyney continued: “We're about the same size. I'll lend you sleepwear.”

“I don't know...”

“And I still owe you that pâte de fruit — since someone skipped our restaurant rendezvous today.”

Aether laughed, tilting his head slightly. He soon yawned, a bit sleepy. “You've really thought of everything, haven't you, Mister?”

“I want you... to, uh, want you to experience everything the circus has to offer. That's all.”

“Alright, alright,” the blond sighed, rubbing his neck. “I'll stay.”

It didn’t take long for the gathering to officially wind down. The aftermath of the buffet and the chaos in the food court would be dealt with tomorrow, once those currently drunk had sobered up and could help clean. Fair was fair; everyone should tidy up their own mess.

Lyney led Aether to the parking lot, knocking on his motorhome door before stepping inside. Lynette and Freminet were already settled in the main segment, and the four exchanged quick stories about the day’s events as they chatted. Before long, the magician and his guest slipped away into the annexed trailer. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Lyney’s pulse spiked; they had the entire space to themselves.

Well, technically, his siblings were just meters away, but a solid wall stood between them. That counted for something!

Lyney pulled out the spare clothes for Aether, then ducked into the tiny washroom to brush his teeth. In the mirror’s reflection, he tracked every movement the blond, currently turned away and oblivious to the attention, made. Aether was far from muscular, but the clean-cut of his deltoids, hidden under the sort of cropped top he usually wore, betrayed an active lifestyle. Lost in the contours of his back, Lyney couldn't help but wonder if they really played for the same team.

When Aether loosened his belt, Lyney leaned over the sink to rinse his mouth, only straightening up when the blond asked where that spare toothbrush was. He wasn't a degenerate.

Once properly prepped for bed, Aether took Foltz’s while Lyney claimed his brother’s, each pressed against opposite walls. Lights off, they lay facing one another, trading whispers until sleep crept in.

Lyney was in the middle of a sentence when he heard a soft, nasal exhale — the blond had dozed off, not “listening, just resting his eyes” at all. With anyone else, the magician would have been miffed at the interruption. But this was Aether. The moment wasn’t rude; it was tender, absurdly domestic.

He drifted off soon after, murmuring a “Goodnight” doomed to be lost to time, never answered.

Lyney woke in the dead of night to a hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently. He groaned — being roused from deep sleep at an ungodly hour was a cruel pain — and slowly cracked one eye open, rubbing the other with his fist. His vision took a few seconds to adjust, but all drowsiness evaporated when he realized the one waking him up was Aether, sitting on the edge of his bed.

“Did something happen? Are you okay?” Lyney asked, voice thick with concern. Though the trailer was dark, and the world outside even darker, he could just make out the soft smile on the blond’s face.

Aether said nothing, simply leaning in. Lyney instinctively scooted toward the wall, making space for him to lie down. Now sharing a pillow, covered by the same blanket, their faces inches apart, Aether looked perfectly at ease, as if this were the most natural thing in the world, while Lyney had already embraced the certainty that he wouldn't be able to sleep that night or the following ones, too busy reliving the current moment to do so. However, the lack of a reply made him overflow with anxiety.

“Something did happen, yes, but I’m okay,” he finally answered. True to form, the vague reply did nothing to calm the magician's racing thoughts — though in this scenario, nothing short of divine intervention would have. “Why did you call me ‘king of your heart’?”

Lyney’s eyes flew wide, the heart in question now lodged in his throat. “I never said that!”

“But you meant to...” Despite the cornering, Aether’s voice was unbearably fond. “And you tell me sweet nothings every now and then, like I wouldn't notice. Why?”

Lyney pouted. The urge to confess everything and nothing at all was unfamiliar and unnerving. Usually, turmoil like this stayed locked away, channeled into the frayed edges of his fingernails, picked raw from constant fidgeting. But the burning in his chest was just as unfamiliar, just as unnerving. How was someone like him supposed to reconcile so many new feelings into such an old routine? Lyney wasn’t crazy — not most of the time, and definitely not about most things, at least. He knew he could ruin something barely tangible now, only to shatter it for good just over a month later, when it was time to pack his bags, like he should also pack his feelings.

But honestly? Staring into those eyes so unlike his own, so much more loved and so much more loving, Lyney decided to let logic take a backseat. “I think… I like you.”

“You think?”

“I like you.”

No playful teasing now. Aether smiled, inching closer. Lyney, already pressed flush against the wall, had nowhere to run — not that he wanted to run, of course not.

“How much?”

“A little?”

Aether moved a little closer.

“How much?”

“Uh, a lot.”

He moved closer again. Lyney’s gaze darted over every part of Aether’s face, everywhere but his eyes, the very feature the blond knew the other adored. Countless were the times he had caught the magician staring at them, as if lost in the depth of the windows of his soul. Even facing a pristine mirror, Aether could never quite see what Lyney seemed to find so effortlessly.

“Give me a real answer. How much?”

“A little... more…”

“I’m not asking how much closer you want me to get, you know…”

Chuckling softly, Aether cupped Lyney’s face, thumb brushing his cheek. When their eyes met again, one of his hands slid into the magician’s hair. Lyney melted into the touch like a needy cat finally shown affection. Emboldened, he shifted forward, peeling himself from the cold wall. Now, each could feel on their faces a breath that wasn't their own.

“I have feelings for you, Aether.” Lyney’s voice wavered. “I-I keep seeing you in the Sun… radiant, glowing, dazzling… breathtaking.” He paused, as if hearing the truth of his own words for the first time. His brows knit together, desperate. “Painfully breathtaking, actually — so much it aches, my heart stutters. Did you know I see your eyes when I close my eyes?”

And, as if to demonstrate, Lyney shut his eyes. He felt Aether’s hand leave his hair to settle at his lower back, pulling him closer; knee to knee, thigh to thigh. The other hand abandoned his cheek to cradle his nape, where he was certain every hair stood on end, as shivers had been racing down his spine since the moment he’d woken. Aether’s chest pressed against his, Lyney felt embarrassed, thinking it was now impossible for the blond not to notice his heart hammering against his ribs. But maybe that was better — at this distance, pretense was impossible.

Then the warmth of Aether’s breath left his face, trailing down to his neck. The tip of the blond's nose traced Lyney’s jaw until his lips found a collarbone, planting a kiss that burned like a brand. Tangling his fingers in Aether’s hair, Lyney was torn between stroking it or yanking him closer, deeper into his embrace, his control. That mouth mapped his throat, his Adam’s apple, the soft hollow beneath his chin… then paused. Abruptly. And the longer that pause stretched, the more it fueled frustration rather than desire.

When Lyney, confused, opened his eyes, Aether lay just as he had been when they closed. Motionless, untouched, almost immaculate, on Foltz’s bed, meters away from Freminet's. The pillow beneath the magician's head bore no indentation, and given the narrow size of the mattress, it was hard to believe anyone could have lain beside him and still left enough space for him to shift all the way to the wall.

Lyney felt like crying. His eyes burned. Anger, frustration, grief, and, worst of all, longing for something that simply never happened. He wanted to scream, to claw the emotions lodged in his throat, but refused to disturb Aether’s rest. Instead, the magician dragged icy palms over his face, pressing them to his fevered forehead, in a futile attempt to balance the uncomfortably disparate temperatures.

Lyney turned to the blond and no longer knew how long he had watched him sleep. The rest of the night was spent on self-loathing and delusion, between finding himself pathetic and finding himself romantic, sometimes both at the same time. But always, always, finding the man in his eyes, the same man stuck in his throat, the most beautiful thing in existence.

Aether’s eyelashes, fanned like golden wheat, reminded Lyney of the most majestic field he’d ever crossed, as if the blond, ever a muse, were the kind of beauty Mother Nature herself had sketched in a moment of distraction. If the stars allowed it, if Lyney deserved it, this would only be the first of countless nights spent watching his dream dream.

Of all the dreams I could have… He snorted, quiet laughter tinged with hysteria. I’ve lost my mind.

Chapter Text

Lyney wasn't particularly good at math — of the three of them, Freminet was undoubtedly the one with a knack for the exact sciences — so the precision of his count was dubious at best. Nevertheless, if his calculations were correct, his fragmented periods of sleep throughout the night added up to roughly two hours by the time Aether began to stir. Lyney still considered himself lucky to be awake at the precise moment to witness the blond opening his eyes, slowly assimilating the new day, where he was, and why he was there. As awareness dawned, Aether turned his head toward the other corner of the room, seeking the gaze that had lingered on him for quite some time, but the brightness from the window forced his eyes shut once more.

Perhaps it was his upbringing, or simply his circus persona, that made Lyney associate almost everything with felines. But he could have sworn that the way the blond yawned, stretched, and nestled back into the bedding was unmistakably catlike. Had Lyney gotten thirty minutes less sleep, he might have even hallucinated a soft purr.

“Good morning, Sunshine,” the magician said, a smile in his voice. Unlike his eyelids, which betrayed his exhaustion by twitching in brief spasms every few seconds, his smile was perfectly crafted, conveying only the warmth he intended.

Aether pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the mattress, rubbing his eyes with his fists. As the soles of his feet met the rug, he seemed to ground himself further in reality. “Good morning…” he mumbled. Yet as wakefulness truly settled and his gaze fell upon Lyney, the drowsy softness of his features quickly shifted into concern. “Are you okay?! Didn’t sleep well?”

Now that the greetings were out of the way, the magician, who had been propped up on his elbow, let himself collapse back onto the bed. His eyes fell shut the moment his head met the pillow. “A bit of insomnia, don’t worry about it. You slept like a rock, though, didn’t you?”

“Shouldn’t I have?” Aether retorted, his tone playful. Lyney managed a tired chuckle, uttering something that sounded like confirmation. “I’ll get going now. Lumine is probably worried that I never came home last night.” Another vague sound of assent drifted from the bed.

Lyney’s heavy-lidded eyes tracked the blond to the bathroom. He blinked, and Aether was suddenly back, touching his shoulder. It wasn’t that the man was impossibly fast; rather, the magician had succumbed to a micro-nap.

Aether let out a soft chuckle. “I’m off!”

“Apologies!” Lyney rubbed his face, almost in disbelief. He prided himself on being a more gracious host than this. “Let me walk you out.”

The magician began to push himself up, but was gently pressed back into the pillows. “Don’t bother, I remember the way. You should try to get some sleep, you’re exhausted.”

There was no arguing with that… Still, it felt strange to just let him leave like this, without any of their usual fanfare. “Are you sure you don’t want to grab something to eat before you go?”

Aether was already heading toward the door to the main segment. “I’ll eat with Lumine at the harbor. Is it fine to open this? Do you know if your siblings are still asleep?” Lyney confirmed they were surely long gone by now. With one hand on the door, the blond added, “Go to sleep! I’ll see you later!”

Click. The door closed. Lyney took a few seconds to absorb everything that had happened. With a deep breath, he fumbled on Freminet’s nightstand until his fingers closed around a pocket watch. If breakfast was skipped, he could squeeze in another hour and a half of sleep before rehearsal.

…Would I even be able to sleep, though?

Considering the image burned behind his eyelids, the answer seemed painfully obvious. And so, he decided to get up and strip the annex beds, returning them to their owners as tidy as he had found them. With dragging steps, Lyney embarked on the chore: he gathered his own bedding from Freminet’s mattress, carried it to the main segment, swapped it with his brother’s coverings, returned to the annex to remake the bed, and finally let his gaze fall upon Aether’s bedding on Foltz’s mattress.

It didn’t feel right to put it in the laundry basket — it had only been used once. It also didn’t feel right to simply put it away, for the very same reason. And it felt even more wrong to leave it there, since Foltz had nothing to do with it. But it felt slightly right to approach the bed and, um, bury his face in the pillow. And suddenly, it felt very right to put his own week-old bedding in the basket and place Aether’s on his bed instead. Because, perhaps more psychologically than physically, everything the blond touched seemed imbued with an inebriating quality — a lingering torpor that was undeniably addictive.

When the entire motorhome seemed sufficiently tidy, Lyney decided to skip breakfast after all. His bed had never felt so comfortable, whether due to the sheer weight of his exhaustion or the ghost of the one who had rested on that very sheet, that very pillowcase. It was almost revolting how the threads of that fabric knew the strands of Aether’s hair, carrying a faint scent of almonds, better than his own fingers.

Every trace Lyney found of him made his chest throb — and though it was a good kind of pain, it was precisely the one thing keeping him awake.

Days later, as Liyue’s winter began to make fingertips ache even beneath thick gloves, Aether, acting as a carrier pigeon, brought the performers an invitation to breakfast from the Heyu Tea House. Yun Jin said that the ceramic bowl full of lotus seed and bird egg soup would be piping hot to the touch, a welcome relief for cold hands, as the lively chatter around the table was guaranteed to warm their voices.

While the invitation had been a foregone conclusion the moment Aether was put in charge of speaking with Lyney, the meal served a purpose beyond the practical: it was a gesture to affirm the companionship between two of the premier artistic ensembles in Liyue — the circus and the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. And the children of the Hearth knew the importance of good networking.

“Shouldn’t we bring something?” Freminet asked, peeking through the crack in the door at his siblings. Once confirmed they were both ready, he opened it fully and stepped into the main segment. “It feels impolite to show up empty-handed…”

Lyney’s gaze followed the youngest in the mirror’s reflection. “I said the same thing to Aether, actually. He assured me the tea house would provide everything.” Turning to face his siblings, he rubbed the back of his neck. “But it does feel strange, doesn’t it? We really should have prepared something.”

Lynette stared at them both for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. “I did prepare something.” She crouched down and retrieved a paper bag from the foot of her bed, presenting it. “Father suggested we bring oolong tea.”

Lyney swept the girl into a hug, showering her with praise. Lynette only nodded, saying it was time to leave — the subtle smile, however, never left her face. Freminet, uncharacteristically leading the way, seemed the most animated of the three; although the meeting wasn’t a direct order from Father, he was clearly eager to represent their family with the utmost propriety.

Their walk to the appointment was only briefly interrupted in the main square, where they had arranged to meet Aether. A wave of almost irrational desperation washed over Lyney the moment he saw the blond dressed in clothes far too light for the winter cold. The act of taking off his own scarf and wrapping it around the other’s neck was as unconscious as breathing, and maybe as involuntary as pumping blood.

“No, no need… I’m not that cold,” he tried to argue, but was completely ignored. If even Freminet, who aspired to his own independence, hadn’t managed to escape the clash between Lyney and the biting cold, what chance did his precious muse have?

Once the scarf was neatly in place, the magician stared directly into Aether’s eyes. “Don’t you dare say we’ll be going inside soon, I know the Heyu Tea House is outdoors.” The blond answered with nothing but a puckish smile.

Yun Jin had been among the guests to whom Aether had given complimentary tickets, though the post-performance crowd left no chance for a proper conversation that evening. So, upon spotting the group on the Feiyun Slope staircase, she approached without hesitation, leading the party to their table.

“We appreciate the invitation, Miss Yun Jin,” Lynette said, bowing her head and extending the gift. “It is an honor for the entire circus to meet the Yun-Han Opera Troupe.”

Lyney followed suit with a bow of his own. “It truly is. We’ve been admirers of your work since our very first visit to Liyue.”

Aether watched the scene, thoroughly impressed. It didn’t happen often, but every now and then it dawned on him that he was friends with some reasonably important people. Witnessing Freminet — who usually seemed on the verge of imploding whenever placed outside his comfort zone — now formally greeting Yun Jin sparked one of those moments. “Wow, I’m surrounded by big shots. Should I be nervous?” he joked.

“Not at all,” the singer replied, covering a light laugh with her hand, then returning the siblings’ greeting. “As the saying goes, you never truly know someone until you meet them in person, and at long last, I finally have the great honor of meeting you today.”

Cloud-shrouded jade and oolong tea proved to be a great combination, as did the opera troupe and the magic troupe. Aether, who had initially been called in to break any potential ice, found his services hardly needed; the entire meal felt like a gathering among friends. He hadn’t considered it before, but watching them interact made him realize just how similar Yun Jin and the siblings truly were, from their lifelong devotion to their art to their prominent roles within their respective scenes. Aether thrived whenever he managed to connect distinct corners of his vast world.

All in all, the meal was quick, as weekday breakfasts usually are. Once everyone had finished, Yun Jin thanked them for coming to their brief encounter and asked to be excused, since she needed to start the troupe’s rehearsals. Lyney chuckled, explaining that, as it happened, they were headed to do the very same thing.

Aether, however, was on his way to Bubu Pharmacy; Baizhu’s appointments would be starting soon, and Qiqi was surely noticing his absence by now. Because their paths lay in opposite directions, their descent down the Feiyun Slope staircase was filled with farewells — until an untimely subject came up:

“You won’t be here for the Lantern Rite?!” Aether asked, incredulous. He stopped mid-step to stare at the trio.

Freminet, confused, exchanged a glance with Lyney, who looked disappointed, even though no one was at fault — he knew the boy certainly wouldn’t have said they were sorry about not attending Yun Jin’s festival performance had he known it might be a sensitive topic. It wasn’t as if Aether didn’t know their stay was temporary, after all.

“The circus’s itinerary rarely aligns with the festival, unfortunately,” Lynette remarked as the group began moving down again. “We leave on the 3rd. This year’s Rite starts on the 5th, if memory serves me correctly.”

“So it really is ‘no more, no less’ than two months… I hadn’t done the math.” When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Aether took off the scarf and wrapped it around Lyney’s neck. The magician made to protest, but the blond insisted, saying he really would be indoors soon. “That’s a shame. I would’ve loved to celebrate with you. Maybe next year?”

Lyney adjusted the fabric, catching the faint, lingering scent of the young man’s perfume — something between snapdragons and horsetails, he couldn’t quite place it. The magician then rested a hand over his chest, though it was unclear whether he was smoothing the scarf or soothing his heart. “Maybe.”

Aether glanced back a few times, watching the siblings retreat from the commercial street toward the circus — the place they always returned to, no matter where they went. But this time, a peculiar unease settled in him as they grew distant. “Haunting” was perhaps too strong a word, yet Lyney’s answer echoed in his mind over and over, like the tolling of a bell he hadn’t rung but heard all the same.

And every time he saw the performers after that, the unsolicited bell in his mind seemed to toll again. One quiet afternoon, while working at Wanmin Restaurant, Aether spotted the magician approaching alone — by then, he’d been having lunch there almost daily. When his siblings didn't accompany him, it was usually because they had grown tired of the seasoning and decided to visit Xinyue Kiosk instead. But Lyney, for some reason, never seemed to tire of the same dish; the waiter even had the impression that he grew more excited to have lunch there with each visit.

The magician had just finished greeting Lumine and was about to order his usual fish when Aether impulsively cut in: "Why don't you try the new recipe Xiangling is developing?"

Lyney tilted his head, surprised, but curious. "I could... What's in it?"

Aether opened his mouth to reply, but Lumine raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. She answered instead: "It's a secret! You'll have to taste it to find out."

The magician tried to back out, wary of being used as a guinea pig, but the cashier had already confirmed the order. Noticing Lyney's apprehension, Aether offered to put the dish on his personal tab, making it on the house. When Xiangling found out she had a tester for her newest creation, she was euphoric, adding another rule to the trial: not only would Lyney not know the ingredients, he also couldn't see the dish until he tasted it. Her theory was that, by removing any visual prejudice from its presentation, the sensory experience would be heightened by the aromatic profile.

The chef quickly ushered Lyney to a seat where he couldn't see the plating over the counter. With the lunch rush over and Shenhe attending to the only other customers, Aether accompanied him to the side alley of the establishment.

"I'm sure you'll like it," he said, sitting across from the magician in an attempt to soothe his visible apprehension. "Trust me. At this point, it would be strange if I hadn't memorized your preferences, right?"

A teasing smile instantly played on Lyney's lips as he reached for Aether's hands across the table. "Ooh, so you do notice me?"

"How could I not?" The blond laughed, glancing away. "You literally come here every day!"

Just then, they noticed Xiangling emerging from the kitchen with Lumine strategically positioned in front of her to block the dish. Aether stood up, circled the table, and settled himself behind Lyney. Without a word of prompting, the magician felt the young man's fingers on his face, gently sweeping his fringe back before his hands came down to cover his eyes.

"Here we go!" Xiangling announced, carefully placing the dish in front of Lyney. She had been testing the recipe for weeks and had only felt truly satisfied with it three days ago. This was the official debut.

Lumine set an implement into the magician's hand, the gesture catching him off guard. He could only focus on the heat in his face — the top half warmed by the cover of Aether's hands, the bottom half by the steam rising from the dish. Perhaps the tachycardia was also pumping more blood to his cheeks, but the blond's palms mercifully concealed the flush, as if they weren't the very cause of what they were hiding.

When Lyney lowered the utensil and felt it touch the plate — which he now realized was a bowl, meaning the object in his hand was likely a spoon — Xiangling interrupted him: "Wait! First, what scent are you picking up?"

Aether's almond hand moisturizer, he thought. "Um... meat? With... ginger?"

"We do have meat, and we also have ginger..." Lumine's tone was gently encouraging, which somehow made him think he was far off from the dish's main ingredient.

Aether leaned forward, his head coming to rest beside Lyney's ear, his hands still a blindfold. "But what else?"

A shiver ran down the magician's spine. "Sorry, I can only smell those two, really."

"No, no problem! Go ahead and taste it now."

Lyney nodded in the direction of Xiangling's voice and resumed his attempt to navigate the bowl. It took a few tries to successfully scoop the broth onto the spoon and guide it to his mouth. When he finally succeeded, all his apprehension melted away, replaced by pure satisfaction — it was one of the most delicious stews he had ever tasted.

"Xiangling, this is delectable. I'm afraid you've once again outdone yourself." As the chef cheered, Lyney felt Aether's hands leave his face, finally allowing him to see the dish. Yet, even with his sight restored, he could still only identify meat and ginger. "But, my dear friend, what in the world is this?"

"Golden Loach Stew, straight from Dihua Marsh!"

Lyney recognized the name, but the creature his mind conjured didn't look remotely edible. So it didn't hurt to ask: "It's not 'Golden Loach' as in the golden loach little… reptiles, is it?"

Laughter enveloped him from both sides — Lumine's in front of him, Aether's right behind. "It is!" she exclaimed, gleefully.

"They're technically amphibians," the blond man corrected, stepping around the table to his sister's side.

Lumine only laughed harder. "And does that matter?! I thought they were poisonous!"

"Poisonous?!" Lyney's eyes widened. He could already feel his tongue tingling, his breath catching. Aether was now laughing as euphorically as his sister.

"She thought they were! Of course they're not!" Xiangling placed her hands on her hips, glaring at the twins before turning to the magician. "Do you really think I'd serve you something poisonous?!"

"Well... you did serve me lizards..."

"Amphibians, Lyney."

"Comrade, Aether is here!" Childe's voice echoed from somewhere in the amphitheater. The magician glanced back and, sure enough, Aether was there, accompanied by the ginger.

The acrobats had just begun the day's rehearsal and were still in their warm-ups. Lyney asked Lynette to keep leading the exercises while he went to check what had brought the duo for a visit. She nodded, offering the guests a quick wave before immediately resuming the session.

As he approached, Lyney greeted both with a nod. He'd assumed Ajax would leave promptly, but the man stayed put. "Hey! What brings you here?"

"I came to watch the rehearsal! You mentioned a while back that I could if I wanted to... Is the offer still good?"

Lyney broke into a grin from ear to ear, drawing Aether in for a quick, one-armed embrace. "Of course it is! The greatest magician in all Teyvat would never turn down a dear spectator." Stepping back to include Ajax in his gaze, he added, "Sit anywhere you like. We’ve literally just started."

The blond thanked him, and Lyney quickly returned to the stage, picking up where Lynette had left off. A glance toward the duo confirmed they’d chosen two seats in the second row. A few exercises later, when he looked again, Freminet had materialized beside them from goodness knows where.

Watching the three chatting as they observed the warm-ups, a peculiar feeling settled in Lyney’s chest. It was his first time seeing his family and the one he liked interacting without his mediation — the convergence of the two best parts of his world... and Ajax, for some reason.

"They look like they’re made of rubber," the ginger commented, a little distraught. Lyney was holding a pike stretch, his forehead effortlessly resting on his shins. Childe shuddered. "I feel like I’m going to break in half just watching them."

Freminet, accustomed to his siblings’ rehearsals, was far less impressed. He remembered his own brief attempt at acrobatics and chuckled quietly. "I pulled a stomach muscle once... Look, they’re about to do that king pigeon pose I told you about."

Aether was mesmerized. He’d had the thought weeks ago, while watching their show for the first time, but it now returned with renewed force: that level of flexibility would be incredibly useful for his travels. He remembered a time in Natlan, navigating the Teticpac canyons, when a narrow rock formation had forced him and Lumine to contort their bodies to squeeze through. She had managed it with ease, while he took twice, almost thrice the time, because his body simply refused to bend as needed. It wouldn’t have been a huge problem if time hadn’t been so limited; the delay caused them to miss the final check-in at their intended inn. The night ended with Lumine on the couch and Aether on the floor of Kinich’s living room — which also wouldn’t have been a huge problem if he didn’t own the most devilish, skittish cat in the world, Ajaw. Paimon, who couldn’t hurt a fly, had been terrorized by the miscreant all night long.

Aether didn’t even know the name of the pose Lyney was holding now, only that the magician’s form was perfect — extremely flexible and stronger than he looked, even if his stamina wasn't the best, as evidenced by their hike in Lisha. It was high time Aether began working on his own flexibility, and a personalized training plan from Lyney seemed like the perfect place to start.

After the long stretching session, a hybrid of yoga and ballet, the acrobats began to run through the choreography for their next special act. They no longer even rehearsed their daily show’s routine, which they could perform on autopilot after so many years. Aether felt a little opportunistic, practically getting a free preview of their next show. Then again, I watched the last one for free too… oops.

"You're all dismissed! Thank you for coming, everyone! See you tonight," Lyney announced, positioning himself in front of the group to conclude the session. A chorus of “thank yous” filled the air as the acrobat team dispersed.

While making their way toward the trio, Lynette stepped up to her brother. "Good rehearsal today," she praised, giving his shoulder a light squeeze. Lyney smiled in acknowledgment, briefly covering her hand with his own. He had gone to special lengths today, of course — putting on a show for Aether.

"We’d typically head to Wanmin right now," the magician said to the group once they reached the second row. "Feel like changing plans and having lunch here instead?"

And so they did. The circus food court wasn’t open yet, but the “mess hall” always had a handful of people. The sparse attendance was easily explained: most performers preferred to eat out or cook in their own motorhomes. The reason was simple — if you paid close enough attention, you’d notice the hall always smelled of beef, chicken, pork, and fish all at once, no matter what was on the menu. Pay even closer attention, and you’d detect spices that, under normal circumstances, should never coexist in a single meal. It was the circus’s greatest mystery, and not every performer was keen on playing detective.

Today, the kitchen was serving crispy roasts. Based on past experience, the siblings defined it as a form of culinary Snezhnayan roulette: one in every six portions would be slightly salty, slightly bland, not so crispy, or not so roasted. So, in their group of five, Lyney could only pray that the unlucky portion had gone to the previous customer, the next one, Ajax, or, in the worst-case scenario, himself. Or really, anyone but Aether. He wanted to preserve the circus’s perfect image for as long as possible.

After everyone had received their portions, taken a bite without grimacing, and the performer served before them got up to buy a drink, the siblings exchanged a glance and burst out laughing; the odds never failed! Aether and Childe could only stare at them, bewildered. The lunch — theirs, at least — was delicious all the same.

In the afternoon, the clown finally decided to leave them, as he needed to run through his own number. In fact, everyone dispersed, since it was the time when performers generally rehearsed their solo acts. Because Aether had asked for a session and Freminet had already done maintenance on the stage a few days prior, the magician skipped rehearsing his own presentation to coach the blond instead.

They were behind his motorhome, under the side awning. It was a surprisingly private spot, with a view facing one of Tianheng’s slopes, while the parking lot was blocked by the vehicle itself. Lyney spread out some rubber mats on the ground to provide a stable surface for the exercises. Aether was excited; there had been few occasions in his life when he’d had a personal trainer.

"I doubt you’re as bad as you say you are," the acrobat remarked, finishing putting on the non-slip socks he always used for stretching. The blond was doing the same with a borrowed pair.

"I swear I am... It wasn’t so bad when I practiced martial arts, but that was years ago."

That was a scene the magician would vividly imagine later. At the present moment, his focus was on discovering the limits of the other’s flexibility to recommend relevant exercises. Both now sitting on the mats, Lyney asked Aether to stretch his legs out straight in front of him.

"The goal is to eventually grab the soles of your feet," the acrobat explained. As he spoke, he demonstrated — folding his torso over his legs until his forehead rested against his knees. The fluidity of the movement was poetry. Lyney turned his face to look at the blond, who seemed apprehensive, and then smoothly returned to an upright position. "Obviously, it won’t happen right away. Just try to fold forward as far as you can, no matter how small the movement."

Aether moved with the caution of someone handling glass, yet the tips of his fingers barely reached his ankles, let alone the soles of his feet. His face contorted in a mix of concentration and frustration.

“Relax, Aether. It’s just you and your body. Feel the stretch in the back of your thighs, in your glutes, in your lower back…” Lyney slowly approached, placing a gentle, guiding pressure on the man’s lumbar region. The blond let out a low groan. “You’re doing great! Now, try to keep your spine long. Imagine you’re growing forward over your legs, not curling into a ball.”

The touch was strictly professional, necessary, but the magician would be lying if he claimed he didn’t seize the chance to study Aether’s body with his fingers, to learn more about what fascinated him. Following the instructions, the blond gained a few more inches, finally reaching the arches of his feet. Lyney celebrated: “That’s it! Can you feel the stretch in your leg?” He slid his fingers from the lower back to the young man’s hamstring, feeling the fiber, the latent strength contained there. “This is the muscle we’re trying to calm down. It gets very tense from the impact of walking and climbing.”

Aether let out a breathy laugh, surprised by the accuracy. “That’s exactly where it hurts when I jog,” he admitted, exhaling deeply as Lyney gave him permission to release the position and rest.

The magician observed the easy smile on his face, a sight he had come to cherish. Yet a familiar, gnawing doubt coiled within his chest. Lyney knew most people didn’t share these kinds of quiet, vulnerable moments with just anybody. He desperately wanted to know how valuable this was for Aether, what their burgeoning relationship truly meant to him. A silent, fearful thought surfaced: What if this scorching heat in my heart is merely a tepid feeling to him? As Aether caught his breath, Lyney couldn’t help but wonder… just how special is this moment, truly, for him?

He shook his head.

For the next exercise, the acrobat positioned himself beside the blond so he could demonstrate from the same perspective. “I want to assess your hip mobility. Let’s do the pigeon pose; it’s excellent for the flexors. Watch closely.”

From all fours, Lyney brought his right knee forward near his wrist and stretched his left leg back. He would never laugh at an eager student, but Aether’s imitation was an almost comical sight — that was no pigeon; at best, a holiday turkey. Not even Freminet is this clumsy, the acrobat thought. The blond’s hip hovered far from the ground, making him wobble precariously.

“That is a… distinctive kind of pigeon. Unique, even.” Lyney approached, unable to hide his teasing smile. Placing both hands on Aether’s hips in a grip firm enough to feel the contour of the man’s pelvis, he applied a soft, constant downward pressure. The blond groaned audibly this time. “I know, I know… but hold on just a little longer. You’re doing so well! The secret is to let your hip sink toward the floor. Relax and breathe deeply for me.”

Inhale. Lyney felt the intoxicating heat radiating from the other’s body. Pressing on his waist felt divine against his palms, but it was torture for his mind. Aether felt an intense pull in his inner thighs and hip flexors; it was almost painful, yet the release felt more liberating than anything.

Exhale. Lyney slowly lessened the pressure, allowing the blond to return safely to the original position. Aether felt a control over his muscles he hadn’t experienced in a long time, not since he and Lumine had traded adrenaline for stability.

When given permission, the blond collapsed onto the mat, breathless. Sweat streamed down his temples, tracing the line of his jaw. “That’s so much harder than it looks,” he panted, looking up at Lyney with a smile. His gaze held a mixture of respect and affection. “You really are magic. I feel incredible.”

“It’s all a matter of practice,” the performer replied, stepping away to grab the two water bottles they’d set aside. He handed one to Aether. “Your body’s already strong, it just needs to learn a new language.”

Once the young man had caught his breath, Lyney suggested one final pose to help him cool down and fully relax. He folded forward, resting his forehead on the mat with his arms stretched out in front. Aether imitated him — his movements still slightly awkward but carried out with newfound confidence. The magician was pleased to see the muscles in the man’s shoulders and back finally beginning to soften and release.

Lyney then outlined a short routine of exercises for Aether to practice daily, tailored to what he had observed during their session. If the blond thanked him ten times, it was a conservative estimate. Before they knew it, it was time for the performer to start preparing for the evening show. The group had agreed during lunch that Aether would have a solo seat in the audience for the standard presentation, after which they would all join him to watch the special act. While the acrobats got ready, Childe, whose part came later, and Freminet, who remained backstage, kept Aether company elsewhere in the circus.

In the motorhome, only Lyney and Lynette were present, as was customary, helping each other get ready. She sat at the vanity while he stood beside her. The girl noticed the tension in his expression as he drew the characteristic star under her left eye with a steady hand. “Something’s worrying you, brother. What is it?”

Lyney huffed a quiet laugh, unsure why he’d thought something like that would escape her notice. He finished the star, capped the eyeliner, and leaned back against the vanity with his arms crossed.

After a deep breath, he admitted, “I really like him.” When Lynette showed no reaction, Lyney chuckled softly. “Note that I’m not telling you I like him, because I’m sure you already know that. I’m telling you I really like him.”

“I know that too,” she said simply, “and so does Freminet.”

Lynette gestured for them to switch places so she could draw his tear.

“What do I do, sister?”

“Do you think he knows?” Lyney shook his head, the movement almost smudging the fresh ink. Lynette shot him a sideways glance, earning an apologetic smile. “Then the power is all yours. What would you like to do?”

He fell silent for a few seconds — a rarity in itself. The question had caught him off guard. Lyney usually thought about what he could or should do, not what he wanted to.

“I could handle the distance for him. We could exchange letters. I could ask for a few days off every season to visit. And he could visit me too. I’d like all of that.” When she finished drawing his tear, he spun the seat to face her, eyes searching hers. “It’s possible, isn’t it? To have both without giving up either?”

“It’s possible. It’s also possible to be struck by lightning, but that’s never happened to you.” Despite the reality check, a gentle smile softened the girl’s doll-like face. “Brother… You know we’ll support you regardless of your choice. If it works, we’ll celebrate with you, and if it doesn’t, we’ll be there for you. But in the end, your life is yours — not ours, and definitely not The Hearth’s.”

He stood to hug her tightly. As long as he had that, all the world’s problems felt easier to solve.

“I’m going to tell him before we leave.”

Lynette nodded against his shoulder. They continued getting ready, drifting to lighter, less turbulent topics. It was the sound of the spotlights clicking off in unison and the single beam that was left illuminating the stage that told them the show was beginning.

From the stands, Aether was just as captivated as he had been the first time. In fact, this new perspective made him appreciate the last one even more. The seats they'd secured at the last minute proved Lyney had truly gotten them the best in the house before. Not that his current view was awful, definitely not, but the difference was so pronounced that he knew he was missing the finest details of the performance.

It wasn't long before the twins graced the stage, flowing into place alongside the other acrobats. It was incredible to see the parallel between the disjointed movements he'd seen rehearsed and the seamless, intrinsically connected choreography unfolding before him. But the true marvel was watching the maestros of that orchestrated chaos, the same people who, in such a short time, had become so important to him. They were the central reason for the conversation he'd started with Freminet that morning — a conversation about to resume as the boy slipped into the seat beside him even before the main show concluded.

"What?" Aether asked, half-rhetorically, as Freminet settled in. "Shouldn't you be backstage?"

Even with the noise of the audience and the stage swelling around them, Freminet kept his voice to a soft, cautious murmur, just in case some unlikely soul was listening. "I asked the tech crew to cover for me." If Aether didn't know him better, he'd have thought the small smile on the boy's face was every bit as mischievous as one of Lyney's.

"What a naughty boy," Aether teased. When Freminet didn't protest, offering only a quiet chuckle in return, Aether pressed on in a mock-stern tone, "You're too young to be skipping work, you know. It's not a good habit to build."

"Just this once, and it's for a good reason," Freminet insisted, his expression turning earnest. "We need to talk about that."

"Oh."

That was the subject they'd broached earlier that day, while the twins were leading the acrobats' rehearsal. Aether had mentioned how he couldn't believe the circus's departure was so near and that he'd like to arrange a proper farewell for his new friends. Freminet had then revealed, almost casually, that their last day also happened to be the twins' twenty-second birthday. The two had looked at each other, the same thought crystallizing between them: combining the two occasions into one would create the perfect opportunity for a surprise party.

Now, under the cover of the ongoing performance, the duo exchanged hushed whispers, aligning their grand ideas with the constraints of reality. Freminet dreamed of a place with spectacular scenery, more magical than a fantasy novel; conveniently, Aether lived at an inn renowned for its magnificent view. Aether, in turn, wanted a feast filled with the twins' favorite foods, as lavish celebrations seemed to be a circus tradition; Freminet, fortunately, knew the exact menu to make that happen.

Childe was the first to join them in the stands, having finished the portion of the show that required his assistance. Lyney and Lynette arrived not long after. The moment Freminet spotted his brother approaching, he vacated the seat beside Aether, a silent gesture of courtesy. The magician appreciated the thought, but his satisfaction was short-lived as he immediately noticed Ajax firmly planted on Aether's other side — a detail he was powerless to change.

When the names of the performers for the special act were announced and a troupe of costumed kittens began parading onto the stage, Aether was certain he’d finally gone insane. Yet as he looked around and saw everyone in the group watching as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world, disbelief gave way to outrage. His so-called friends had known about this cat performance and hadn’t said a word? Unthinkable. He wasn’t surrounded by friends at all, only enemies in disguise.

The special Sunday act, “The Cat Is on the Stage!”, was led by Peruere. The most superficial fact about the woman was that she loved felines; this was evident in her pets, the decoration of her office, the ambiance of the circus sets, the performance themes, and even her children.

On the few occasions when she spoke of her childhood, Peruere recounted that, many years ago, before the practice began to be questioned, her mother, Crucabena, had been a lion tamer in a long-defunct amusement park. At the time, the public saw these performances as demonstrations of courage, discipline, and human power over wild nature; in her eyes, however, the abuse the animals suffered was always very clear. Over time, and miraculously, it also became evident to the public that confinement in small cages, stress, sedation, and unnatural behaviors could not be good for the lions, which led to the end of the classic lion tamer figure. Nevertheless, Peruere knew her mother would always carry that intrinsic malice in her heart, and it was because of that malice that, once she came of age and left Crucabena’s dominion, she never looked back.

Aether was amazed — as he was getting used to being by now. Every jump the kittens made melted a different part of his heart. Lyney, of course, was amazed by Aether’s delight, and every time the blond’s face lit up with excitement, a different part of his heart melted.

Peruere was leading a kind of march with some of the kittens, all walking in sync. “She’s incredible,” the blond whispered, finally noticing the magician’s gaze.

“Isn’t she? Father fought hard for the circus to be what it is.” Lyney leaned on Aether’s shoulder, using the excuse that this way he could whisper more quietly and the blond could still hear. “Though you told me once that my whole family is magical, so of course our mother would be too, right?”

Aether abruptly turned to Lyney, almost touching noses with him, who was already glued to his side. The magician recoiled, embarrassed, but the blond didn’t even notice, too stunned by another fact: “Your mother?” He pointed at the stage, as if they could be talking about anyone else. “Is that your mother?!”

Lyney laughed, recovering from his own fluster and revelling in the other’s shock. “Yes!”

“No way.” Aether straightened up in his chair, returning to watch the performance. A few seconds later, he leaned his head toward Lyney to whisper again: “So I guess this counts as having met your family, huh?”

That comparison to relationship milestones was not the best thing for his heart. “Practically,” he managed to reply.

At the end of the night, Childe, aiming to catch up, walked Aether to the restaurant, where he would meet his sister to go home together. At the same time, Freminet, chatting with Foltz, tried to feign normalcy while his mind was far from their conversation, thinking about how he would keep the secret of the surprise party from his siblings. In the next room, as Lynette outlined her idea for the acrobatic team’s next choreography, Lyney silently rehearsed for the hundredth time the speech he would give when confessing his feelings. And yet, beyond their warmth and worries alike, Liyue’s winter remained unyielding.