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It was late—long past the last show, when even the city’s laughter had faded into yawns and yawns into silence.
Aether had meant to go straight back to the hotel. He was tired, his cape smelled faintly of travel and wind, and Paimon had already turned in for the night.
But as he crossed one of Fontaine’s quiet bridges, he noticed something.
A figure leaning over the stone railing, still and alone, with the red-purple hues of night reflected in his pale hair. That signature feathered hat rested beside him, forgotten. Even from a distance, Aether could tell—
Lyney.
Aether slowed. He debated saying nothing, giving him space. But then he saw the magician fidget with one of his cards, flipping it between his fingers, not performing, just… thinking.
So Aether walked over.
“You’ll drop that,” he said quietly.
Lyney turned, startled. The card slipped out of his hand immediately and fluttered toward the water.
“I wasn’t—!” He stopped, then gave a sheepish chuckle. “Okay, fair enough.”
“You alright?” Aether asked, stepping beside him. “Didn’t expect to see you out here alone.”
Lyney shrugged one shoulder, like it was nothing. “Just needed air. No stage, no clapping, no cameras. Just… quiet.”
Aether smiled. “Same.”
They stood together for a moment longer before Lyney tilted his head toward the rooftops above the opera house. “Want a better view?”
Aether followed him up the winding stairs, boots soft on old stone, until they reached the top—where the world looked smaller, the stars closer, and the city below swam in gold.
They sat on the edge together, sharing a quiet tart from a street vendor, legs swinging gently, warmth growing between them like a secret neither was ready to name.
Aether’s laugh eventually broke the silence as he told a ridiculous tale about Paimon falling into a pond during a mission in Inazuma. Lyney tried to follow along, but honestly? He barely heard the story. He was too focused on the curve of Aether’s grin, the way his golden eyes lit up when he talked, and how close their knees had become.
“You’re beautiful when you smile like that,” Lyney murmured before he could stop himself.
Aether blinked at him, startled. “Hm?”
“Nothing,” Lyney said quickly, looking away. But the damage was done—his heart was fluttering madly in his chest, and Aether was still smiling.
That same silence returned, soft and full. They weren’t teasing, not performing, not pretending. Just breathing. Closer than they should be. Hearts too loud. Shoulders too warm.
Lyney turned to say something—but so did Aether.
Their words caught somewhere between breath and thought.
They froze.
Their eyes locked.
Neither smiled. Neither moved. But something shifted in the silence—the air between them stretched tight like a string pulled taut. Aether’s gaze flicked down for the briefest second. Lyney’s breath hitched. Neither of them looked away.
Slowly, without meaning to, they leaned closer.
No words. No rush. Just quiet, aching tension.
Their foreheads nearly brushed. Then their noses. Lyney’s lashes fluttered—Aether’s fingers twitched slightly at his side. And just before either of them could think their way out of it —
Their lips met.
Soft.
Careful.
Warm.
It was brief. Not planned. Not dramatic. Just real. Like a secret that slipped out when no one was watching.
Lyney jerked back a second later, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. “Wait—I— That wasn’t—! I didn’t mean to—!”
Aether’s eyes were just as wide, but softer. He blinked once, then reached out and gently pressed two fingers against Lyney’s lips.
“Don’t apologize,” he said, voice quiet but firm. “I don’t mind it..”
Lyney’s face flushed red. Not just a blush—fireworks. He stammered, something like “I—uh—but—”, then stood up so fast he nearly tripped over his own hat.
“I—I need to—uh—go feed Freminet’s chicken!” he blurted out.
Aether raised an eyebrow. “He doesn’t have a chicken..”
“He might! Someday!”
And with that, Lyney turned on his boots , cape swirling dramatically behind him as he dashed toward the edge of the rooftop, leapt to the next building like a startled cat, and vanished into the night.
Aether blinked.
Then, slowly, he smiled
“…He’s cute,” he whispered.
Aether’s golden eyes softened, a faint blush warming his cheeks. A small, shy smile curved his lips as he lightly brushed his fingers over them, still tingling from the kiss.
He paused, breath steady, then let out a small sigh, lips curving into a pout that barely hid the warmth in his eyes, and whispered—almost like a secret to the night
“…He beat me to it.”
Meanwhile, Lyney:
Curled up in bed, face buried in a pillow, kicking his feet.
“WHAT DID I DO—WHY DID I RUN—WE COULD’VE KISSED MOREAJSHSJSNSJ—”
From across the room, Lynette sighed.
“…Shut up and let me sleep.”