Chapter Text
It’s a rainy day, unpleasant at best and miserable at worst. As he passes through the covered passage along the edge of Fontaine’s city walls, Aether watches below, seeing citizens scramble from one place of cover to the next. They may be from the nation of hydro, yet they still hold disdain for damp clothing clinging to their skin. Aether himself is no stranger to being exposed to the elements, and simple rain like this is rather calming to him now. Compared to the tempered storms from Inazuma, the frigid peak of Dragonspine, and blistering heat of Sumeru’s desert, a little drizzle does little to.. dampen his mood.
(Somewhere across Teyvat, a General Mahamatra nods in approval..)
“I hope Monsieur Neuvillette is alright.” The lone traveler muses to himself, reminded of the fact that his friends’ tears are occasionally the source of weather like this. With that, he resolves to set out for the Palais Mermonia, and on the way spots various workers rushing to stow away the remaining decorations from the film festival. Whether for the sake of reuse or personal sentiment, Aether can’t tell, instead simply continuing his trek now out from the shelter of the overhang, and into the drizzle.
Thankfully Paimon isn’t accompanying him at the moment, while he may be accustomed to the rain by now, the sogginess it leaves in her clothes rather literally weighs her down. His floating companion is typically not far away, however today she had offered to take the Kamisato siblings and Yoimiya on a personalized tour of Fontaine, and with Aether still having a list of commissions to finish at the time, the two resolved to split up for the evening.
As time passes, the initially faint drizzle increases, threateningly verging into a downpour.
“Okay seriously who made Neuvillette THIS upset?” Walking quicker now, nearly jogging, Aether makes his way over to the underpass just before the Cafe Lucerne, yet above he takes note of something; A light coming from a window. Of course this is nothing out of the ordinary, however Aether recognizes the window in question is that of three siblings who were meant to be out of town.
“Why are they back early? Isn’t it supposed to be one more day? Or did I mix things up?” Aether mutters aloud, “No no it’s definitely tomorrow, today was supposed to be our date I planned before it got cancelled… hmm..” With his inner sleuth itching, and his clothes nearly soaked through by now, he turns on his heel and bounds up the nearby staircase, abruptly halting in front of the door before approaching it and knocking. He waits a few moments, yet receives no answer or sign of a reply.
“Hello? Anyone home? It’s uh kinda wet out here and I was wondering-” he cuts off his sentence as now he hears someone from inside, seemingly with some struggle, make their way to the door. After a drawn out wait the door opens.
“Traveler! What a pleasant surpr- oh archons you are.. absolutely drenched.” Lyney’s greeting is cut off by his realization, and followed by a hurried but concerned tone, “Come inside quickly, no need to find out if it’s even possible for you to get any wetter.” He chuckles, pulling Aether in before giving the latter a chance to respond, and closing the door behind them. “Wait here for one second.” He instructs, before heading out of view, moments later returning to Aether in the doorway, now with a glowing red gem in his hand.
“Hey, sorry to kinda barge in… like this..” Aether mumbles sheepishly, as Lyney wastes no time channeling a gentle heat from his vision to dry off the former.
“Oh please, you should know by now your presence is never any bother, but a gift.” Lyney corrects, as Aether is now sufficiently dry, astonishingly quick. “What brought you to my humble abode this evening?” He adds, leaning his side against the nearby wall.
Hair no longer stuck to his face, Aether is able to notice Lyney’s more… dressed down, compared to normal. More often than not his partner tends to be “presentable” (his words) which implies a selected outfit, hair fitted and overall put together, so no cracks can show. Yet the simple shirt and shorts, undone hair and overall ruffled appearance imply… he’s alone. And the slightly anxious expression reveals he wasn’t expecting that to not be the case.
“Well, I noticed the lights were on in here, and I know you, Lynette, and Freminet were supposed to be gone today so.. I was confused. And by then it was pretty wet out too.” Aether replies nonchalantly with a shrug, choosing not to acknowledge his recent observations.
“Ah yes, apologies again about having to terminate your wonderful plans for today, my prior engagement came up last minute and, as I told you I was not in fact meant to be back yet but… here I am!” Something undeterminable flickers across Lyney’s expression at the end of his sentence, but a comfortable smile takes its place instead. “Would you like to stay a while? It doesn’t appear to be letting up any time soon.” He offers, gesturing to the window in view, the outside distorted and hazy with the ever present rain.
In reply, Aether simply nods, while subsequently Lyney turns sideways, gesturing into the central room, “After you.” Rolling his eyes, amused, Aether passes by and takes a seat on the couch, facing the fireplace. He’s somewhat familiar with the place, having stopped by on occasion over the past few months, however it’s rarely felt so somber. While Lynette and Freminet aren’t loud or chipper, the presence of all three siblings tends to make everything feel like this is a home. Yet, as Aether takes in the space he is reminded that the others are absent, and Lyney is alone.
“So…” Aether begins as Lyney takes a seat on the other end of the couch, and looks over at the sound of Aether’s voice. Truthfully he wants to ask why Lyney is back without his siblings, however he also holds a suspicion it might be a sore spot, so instead he proceeds with, “What came up? That you had to cancel our date?”
Seemingly in response to his question, Lyney chuckles flatly. “I imagine you’ve already come to a pretty accurate conclusion for that question on your own, but I appreciate your attempt to simply ask me instead.” He mutters, flipping a card back and forth between his fingers, seemingly having summoned it from thin air.
“Why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place?” Aether follows, prompting Lyney to flip the card over again.
“I.. it’s unimportant, I simply forgot… to.” He trails off as he glances up at Aether’s expression, a raised eyebrow and somewhat unamused expression. “Okay okay,” Lyney then chuckles, genuinely now, “Nothing ever gets past you huh?” Aether scoots over and tilts his head, encouraging him to continue. “I understand you forgave me.. for everything that occurred when we first met.” He resumes, repeatedly flipping the card, watching it intently, “And that you still actually wanted to go out with me, despite my affiliation… but… I still feel wary bringing it up. It is not a part of myself I enjoy, and I’d rather focus on being just ‘plain Lyney’ when I’m with you.” He pauses, seemingly debating to himself.
“Besides, as much charm as I may wield, and as skilled as I may be at making your cheeks flush, I have next to no knowledge or experience when it comes to a committed romantic relationship with another.” He finishes, looking up again with a hesitant gaze, his expression turning into one of surprise when Aether starts laughing. “Oho? What’s got you so giggly? I thought I just made a pretty heartfelt statement.” Aether waves quickly.
“Nono.. haha.. I appreciate your sincerity, it’s just.. I mean, I have no real experience either y’know.” He explains, slightly flushed.
“Really? You, the renowned traveler of Teyvat, with countless admirers… nothing?”
“I could say the same for you mister, ‘The Greatest Magician in all of Teyvat’ who has women, men, or anyone really, fawning for his attention.”
“Well,” He considers for a moment, “None of those people actually cared about the real me-”
“And neither did mine.” Aether returns, “To conclude, we’re both inexperienced, but we’ll figure it out together.”
“Alright, alright.” Lyney concedes, hands raised in mock surrender, “I do want to apologize again for having to miss our plans, even if it was beyond my control.”
“Well, we're both here now right?” Aether suggests, a smile creeping back onto his face. “You missed the whole film festival because of your… trip?” After a nod in reply, Aether turns and rifles through his bag, a veritable bottomless pit of random items. Lyney leans forward, trying to peer in and get an idea of what Aether might be looking at, aside from the mumbles and mutters. “Ah!” Aether sits back upright, a film reel in his hand.
“You… why do you have an entire movie just- in your bag..?” Lyney snorts, amused by the expression of profound pride on Aether’s face.
“It’s the movie I helped make during the festival! Each of us got our own copy, and I just haven’t dropped mine off at my house yet.” He explains, tracing the rim. “If you have a projector… would you wanna watch it?”
“I’d be honored.”
After some instruction and assistance from Lyney, Aether manages to set up the projector, and sync the audio tape to play in tune with the film. While in the meantime, the former gathers a few snacks from the kitchen, and in due time, the two sit back on the couch together.
“So, mind filling me in on the premise of this astounding film?” Lyney inquires as the countdown flashes against the ‘screen’ (a blank wall) in front of them.
“Have you hea- hey wait, astounding? How would you know, you haven’t even watched it yet.” Aether returns with an fond expression of his own, sensing an incoming idiocy, and turns to notice the teasing glint in his partner’s eyes as he elaborates.
“Well if mon cher helped make something, I know with confidence that said subject will be no less than spectacular.” He pauses for a beat to bump his shoulder fondly against his traveler’s, before letting himself rest there. “It’s a given when it comes to you.” He finishes coyly as the movie starts to play, eliciting a warm giggle from his boyfriend.
With the theatrics concluded Aether resumes his prior explanation, “Have you ever heard of ‘The Two Musketeers’?’”
“Of course, I’m nothing if not a man of culture.”
The two settle into a comfortable quiet as the film begins. Eventually sharing laughs when the story calls for it. The atmosphere regains the warmth that had been notably absent when Aether had first arrived. Like a lit match had been tossed into a lifeless hearth, now hosting a gentle yet steady blaze which thaws the former isolated chill. Soon enough the humor dies down, giving way to the more serious tone of the overall narrative. Laughter quiets and the stillness returns.
Some time passes, and as the plot is about to near its climax, Aether feels a soft weight rest on his shoulder, glancing over, he observes the near-indiscernible flush on Lyney’s face, from where it rests against said shoulder. Despite the simple action the latter still seems to be second guessing his choice.
“Not so confident now huh?” Aether says silently, only to himself. After all this isn’t the time to tease. He can do that later. Instead, he relocates his hand to Lyney’s hair from behind his back, gently running his fingers through the silky strands of ash blonde hair. Lyney, for his part, startles in surprise at first, subtle yet still noticeable; However, it doesn’t take long for the calming strokes and pets to loosen his shoulders, and relax his thoughts, settling further into the former’s side as he leans into the touch.
“Ha. Like a cat.” Aether muses to himself as he turns back to the story unfolding before them. Ayaka and Chevreuse, playing the two musketeer sisters, are currently debating amongst themselves how to go about confronting the man who took everything from them. The scene reminding him of his own companion, who should have arrived home from her tour guide duties by now. “I wonder how Paimon’s doing..” Not wanting to cause his small companion any worry, Aether quietly reaches into his bag beside him, pulling out a pencil and paper;
Paimon,
Sorry I’m late if you’re already back at the teapot, I ran into Lyney by himself as I was finishing up my commissions and now I am keeping him company. I hope I didn’t cause you any worry, and I also want to let you know now I likely won’t be back for a while. I’ll update you when I know more.
-The Best Traveling Buddy
With the note finished, he carefully and quietly digs through his bag once again, attempting to not to jostle his other shoulder as he reaches for his teapot. Cautiously, he lifts up the lid just enough to slip the note inside. If Paimon hasn’t returned yet, he knows Tubby will catch the note and pass it on in his stead. Now with his last concern taken care of, he can finally just focus on the film..
~-*-~
Lyney hadn’t even realized it was happening. The voices of two siblings, not unlike himself and his own twin, fading into silence. The world around him dimming as his eyes slipped closed, and the ever present, soothing touches easing him into an unplanned sleep.
However it must have, as some unknown time later when he groggily blinks his eyes open again, the voices are gone, and credits now roll down the screen, while the comforting touch of his partner’s hand running through his hair remains.
“..Wait.. what happened to the movie? Did I?” He mumbles, half to himself, half a genuine question as he blinks the heavy fatigue from his eyes, realization slowly setting in for him as Aether sits with a simple smile. “Oh gods, I’m so sorry Aether.” He stammers quickly, sitting up suddenly and surprising Aether, who looks at him with a matching expression.
“Whoa hey, why are you apologizing? It’s okay-” He attempts, before being cut off.
“-No, no, you worked hard on this movie, and you wanted to spend time together, and I just slept through it all. After it’s my fault we missed our initial plans in the first place.”
“Lyney-”
“And now I’ve ruined another of our get-togethers, all because I just couldn’t keep my eyes open for one film-” He’s rambling by now-
“LYNEY.” Aether grabs the other's face and gently shakes him. “Snap out of it, I’m not upset, okay!?”
“Well of course you’re not, you-” Lyney’s argument is cut short by a hand covering his mouth, silencing him.
“No, it's my turn now.” Aether notes firmly before resuming, “I’m not upset because there’s nothing to be upset about.” He clarifies, “So what if you fell asleep during the movie, I still got to be here with you. I just missed you.”
He exhales, loosening his grip, “Also, I know you. I know there is no world where you’d ever return home from any mission without your siblings unless you weren’t given a choice. If you weren’t given a choice, something must have happened to you which meant you needed to go back home… like an injury?” Aether then prompts hesitantly, and oh, why must his traveler be so smart?
Conceding, Lyney nods beneath Aether’s hand, who frowns. “Would you like to explain to me what’s going on?”
Instead of speaking, Lyney simply lifts his shirt, wordlessly, to reveal a massive bandage wrapped around his lower torso. With a deep magenta colored stain inking out from a jagged shape along his side. The sight of which causes Aether to wince.
“What..?”
“Rifthounds.” Lyney replies quietly, “Me and Lynette had been on a mission in Elynas. However, we were lured into an area that for some reason was home to a horde of the monsters. In the fight, one lunged for Lynette and well, I wasn’t going to stand there and watch her get sliced open so..”
“So you decided you could just get sliced instead.” Aether finishes knowingly with a morose expression. He knows his boyfriend’s self-sacrificing tendencies fairly well by now after all.
“Well I had to do something.” Eliciting a sigh from Aether.
“I know, I know. I honestly probably would’ve done the same.” He concedes, glancing back at the wound. “Has it healed at all?”
“Slightly, but it’s had this bruise that keeps.. spreading..” Biting his lip, he lifts up the bandages and grimaces immediately from the discomfort as Aether notices the unnatural purple discoloration around the barely healed gash.
“Oh.. that’s.. that’s abyssal contamination. It’s.. not great.” Aether says in a wary tone. “But, I do know a way to help with that.. If you’ll let me?” Upon receiving a silent nod as confirmation, and recalling his previous experience with Dvalin’s tears three years ago, Aether extricates the poison, dissipating the dark energy and hastily re-dressing the wound with supplies from his bag.
“Okay, that should be better now. Just give it some time to heal.. again.”
“Thanks.” Lyney mumbles in reply, pulling his shirt back down into place. Taking note of the still melancholy expression of his partner, Aether moves his hands to gently hold Lyney’s face, turning it so they’re face to face.
“Hey, Listen to me for a sec, okay? There’s one more thing I wanted to say.”
Lyney’s gaze flickers back up to meet his Traveler’s, a gaze so timelessly warm and inviting, he finds himself fully present.
“Sure.”
“I know we both have responsibilities, and lives in general that will have sudden changes and that’s okay. I was mostly sad our date got cancelled because I really wanted to show you a good time.” Lyney notices one of Aether’s thumbs has begun to, perhaps unconsciously, swipe up and down his cheek, “You always do such an amazing job arranging dates and quality time for us, all I wanted was to finally be able to do the same for you. I’m the one who’s sorry that you haven’t gotten to be spoiled by me yet the way I’m spoiled by you.” Then he flashes one of his perfect lopsided smiles, and there goes the last of Lyney’s resolve.
“Okay.” He chuckles quietly, then looking up to meet Aether’s gaze with a goofy smile of his own. “I greatly look forward to whatever you have planned, I know it’ll be perfect.” Lyney finishes sincerely, tapping Aether’s nose to further convey his feelings. Eliciting a bright laugh from the latter.
“It will, believe me, I’m not allowing anything less for my turn to be the one that sweeps you off your feet for a change.” He returns, leaning into Lyney’s side with a smug smile. Aether’s smile then grows as Lyney’s face betrays him, a small blush creeping onto his face.
“Hmm, I guess I’ll have to wait and see.” He mumbles in reply, only then noticing the cleared sky from beyond Aether’s shoulders, the moonlight now traces along the carpet from where it pokes through dispersing clouds. “Ah, it seems the weather has finally let up.” Lyney notes, turning back to Aether with a smile, “I won’t keep you any longer from the duties that I’m sure you had before nature's forces got in your way.”
To Lyney’s surprise, he notices Aether’s expression fall slightly, a gaze of almost.. remorse.. taking the place of his previously radiant smile. “Oh. Right..” He mumbles, glancing to the window himself. Watching his partner’s somber profile, and hating every moment his boyfriend’s features host a frown of any kind, Lyney gets an idea..
“No, no it’s stupid. Why would he say yes? But what’s the harm in asking? After all..”
He then takes a deep breath before speaking, his voice coming out far more quiet and nervous than he would’ve liked, “Well.. I mean..it’s getting pretty late.. y-you could.. stay over..” Aether turns back with an unreadable expression, “I-If you want to that is.. so you don’t have to- uh.. to save you the trip..”
A silence creeps into the empty space that remains; After all, they both know Aether has a magical portable teapot house he can enter at any given moment from any location. This is a different offer, an offer to take things a step further together. Each step thus far has been a delicate yet awkward dance. When to step forward, when to step back, or try a new spin, it’s hard to tell. Neither wants to step on the other’s toes after all.
“Oh.. I..” Aether hesitantly begins, and Lyney’s heart drops, and he pipes up, quickly backtracking.
“Ah nevermind, it was silly of me anyway-” He stops himself when he hears quiet giggles coming from his partner, again. “What’s so funny now?” This time lacking earlier’s bravado, his voice cracks at the end and he winces at himself, thankfully it seems Aether didn’t notice, as the latter clears his throat to reply.
“Sorry… just..” He pauses for a few moments, his voice laced with uncertainty as well, “..I was going to say.. I would… like that..” Aether finishes quietly, voice just above a mumble as he rubs his neck as light crimson traces from there up to his face.
The two sit there silently for a few moments, processing the situation they’ve found themselves in before Lyney suddenly pipes up hastily.
“I-I have some spare pajamas in the closet down the hall-”
“- Thanks I’ll.. uh- I’ll go get changed,” Aether, equally flushed, scrambles up and hurries off in the direction Lyney indicated.
Both now red-faced and sweaty palmed like a couple of teenagers; Lyney sits on the couch, holding his face in his hands, taking deep breaths in an attempt to regain some semblance of normalcy, while Aether tries to silence his own racing thoughts as he ducks into the bathroom and changes into clothes that aren’t his and more specifically belong to a romantic partner.
Eventually exhausted from his own thoughts, Lyney gets up from the couch and, at a brisk pace, travels to his room to change himself. While swapping shirts, he winces, expecting the sharp pain of the slice in his side to arrive as he raises his arms.. yet it doesn’t. Glancing down and lifting the bandage slightly, his eyes widen in surprise. The deep purple bruise that surrounded the wound earlier is hardly visible anymore, with a pale mauve shade now in its place. He can’t help but be amazed by the sight.
“Is there anything you can’t do? Honestly.” He chuckles, and promptly exits his room only to find Aether making himself comfortable on the couch. In his clothes, on his couch- He hastily clears his throat, interrupting his own thoughts and Aether’s movements.
“Whatcha doing over there?” He asks calmly, as if he wasn’t getting caught up in the simple sight of his boyfriend sporting a loose ponytail in the place of his usual braid, or the fact he’s wearing Lyney’s own clothes (A white shirt sporting a small Grin-Malkin cat insignia, and checkered bruise and shorts) that fit the Traveler just a bit tighter due to his slightly more muscular build-
“Just setting up my spot to sleep.” Aether replies, cutting off Lyney’s second set of spiraling thoughts, “Unless you have a guest room I don’t know of?”
“I-I…. You-” Lyney sputters, still shaking off his train of thought before taking another deep breath and mumbling, “I meant that you could stay in my room. Unless you’re opposed.”
“Oh..” Aether’s face then blooms into a scarlet rivaling Lyney’s vision, “OH. Oh I mean- if you wanna do that kinda stuff we can I just figured-” He coughs, standing abruptly and as Lyney recognizes the implication his face heats up to match the one before him.
“N-NO! No! I.. I didn’t mean-” He cuts himself off with an abrupt laugh, “I didn’t mean anything like that. To be honest I’m not really interested in that sort of thing to begin with. But certainly not during your first stay-over, even if I was.”
“Wait hold on, you’re not?” Aether prompts with a puzzled expression and another cough, fighting off the sheepishness of his misunderstanding.
“Not exactly? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it but.. well.. After what happened to Lynette when we were kids, I had been confused why she and other young girls like her would have been locked in an older man’s basement. Upon joining the House, I asked Father and she actually explained it to me… Even though I was rather young she was honest with me, and I’m grateful she didn’t hold back. But that’s how I learned what sex was.”
Aether’s brow furrows but Lyney continues;
“As you can imagine I was put off by that introduction to the concept; And even now over a decade later while I understand it’s meant to be an act of love and symbolic of a deep connection between people.. I can’t help but be reminded of what horrors were nearly inflicted on my own sister.” He finishes solemnly, his gaze meeting Aether’s. The other looking back with an expression of sympathy etched across his features. After a stretch of quiet that feels agonizingly too long to Lyney, Aether finally speaks.
“That’s completely understandable. Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed, especially knowing what happened back then.”
“Don’t be. Who knows? I may end up changing my mind and be unable to resist your charms.” Lyney replies with a wink, causing a slight frown to tug on Aether’s expression.
“Well, please don’t feel as if you owe me any of that.” He assures, stepping over and gently taking Lyney’s hand into his own. “All I want is to be with you, whether that sort of thing is ever something you end up wanting I don’t care, as long as you’re comfortable. It’ll be your call, so please promise me you won’t do anything if you aren’t ready or willing.” He says simply, yet that simple affirmation, no hesitation or reservation, means everything.
Lyney suddenly pulls Aether into a tight hug, evoking a surprised noise from the latter before he seemingly regains his bearings, and returns the embrace. “I promise.” Lyney then affirms quietly, and the two stand there for some time, just appreciating the other’s company before Lyney pulls back, and with their still interlocked hands, he leads his partner to his room.
After flicking off the lights, both climb into the bed on opposite sides. Yet still being unsure of what exactly to do next, they both just lay there staring at the ceiling. That same bashful awkwardness from earlier permeating through the air until fond words cut through it like a knife.
“Thank you for keeping me company. I hope you know that it’s been a great help, and means quite a lot.” Lyney turns his head and the small yet impossibly genuine smile he flashes to Aether means more than the words possibly could’ve.
With a matching smile Aether scoots over, and now lacking his previously nervous energy, wraps his arm (albeit cautiously due to the still healing wound) around his partner’s side, pulling him into a half hug. “I’m glad.” The room falls quiet, and just as he feels himself begin to drift off, Aether’s alerted again.
“Hey, Mon Soleil?”
“Mmh?”
“You’ve uh.. Got something in your hair.”
Grumbling, but not willing to open his eyes again Aether blindly reaches up towards his head to locate the cause of the disturbance. Upon finding it, his eyes snap open, locking onto Lyney’s in front of him, and taking in the satisfied smile growing on his face.
“How.” Aether finally manages, flabbergasted as he retrieves a Rainbow Rose from where it had somehow been tucked into his hair tie, despite both of his boyfriend’s hands being preoccupied holding Aether himself.
“Uh uh uh. You should know by now, a magician-
“-Never reveals his secrets I know I know.” Aether finishes preemptively, reaching back with an exasperated sigh to rest the flower on the end table. “One of these days I’ll figure out how you do it. Mark my words.” He huffs as he settles back into the hug.
“When it’s you, I have no doubt you’ll find a way.” Lyney mumbles back, his own eyes slipping closed as well.
As the moon finally shines in full, with the previous rainclouds fully scattered, the two fall asleep at last for what will be their first night spent like this, of many more to come.