Chapter Text
When the rumor that Aether was going to take off and go to Inazuma spread around, things went a little bit to shit.
Not for him though.
See, ever since he stepped a foot into this world, he seemed to have a choke hold, non voluntarily, on everyone who set their eyes on him.
It's not like it wasn't justified, though.
The boy was nothing but ethereal.
With his golden colored hair often tied into a braid, flowing down behind his back, that made people wonder how they felt under their touch.
Not to talk about his body.
It wasn't rare for Aether to make random people slam into poles and walls when he walked around in the streets, or they simply would find themselves stare at him, almost enchanted by him.
They were too invested in the way his crop top showed his toned stomach, leaving them only with their imagination, because they wouldn't get to lay a single finger on it not even in a future life.
Then his legs, those lean but toned legs, beauty only enhanced by the generous behind Aether had on him.
But nothing grabbed people the way his face did.
The elegant and cutting but soft golden eyes, the adorable button nose and those luscious lips.
It seemed like the boy couldn't be nothing but gorgeous even if he tried his hardest.
But of course, that wasn't the only thing that made people fall at his feet.
It was also the way he would go out of his way to help everyone in need, even for the littlest of things, even disregarding his own problem for them.
He was so nice and kind, and some would argue he was maybe too nice for his own good.
And all happened under the attent eyes of his loyal companion, Paimon.
And she had to endure the amount of hungry, almost animalistic stares her friend got on a daily basis, who was so oblivious to it, it was almost unbelievable to watch.
And she didn't know whether to applaud his slowness in understanding what they actually wanted, or to curse it.
Because on one hand, he would be saved from the trauma of knowing that everyone around him wanted to do unspeakable things to him, that Paimon didn't even want to think about it.
But on the other hand, once he actually came to understand, he would still be traumatized knowing that his so called friends wanted to be more than that.
But Paimon would be dead if he ever let one of those vultures get their hands on him.
The main point was, that when everyone heard he was going to go to Inazuma, they were... worried, to say the least.
It wasn't like it wasn't justified considering the rumors surrounding Inazuma, it was just that they were doing a bit too much.
So Aether, as the good boy he was, he made sure that everyone knew he wasn't in any dangerous predicament.
So the 'public' calmed down a little, and all Aether had to do was gather them up in an open space, promise sweet nothings while flashing that blinding and ethereal smile of his.
But they weren't the only ones that were concerned.
He had to reassure every single one of the people he managed to befriend during his adventure in Teyvat.
He received a personal threat from Rosaria, as she began to talk about how he had to promise to her she wouldn't trust the first person that hurried to smile at him, and if he ended up in trouble she wouldn't come to save him as always.
Which Paimon knew it was the biggest of lies, knowing the older woman would tear everything apart if he knew Aether was hurt.
It seemed like the nun hated everybody but the traveler. It was useless to say, Rosaria had been enchanted too.
And that shocked everything under the sky.
Rosaria was known for he deep distrust and dislike for new people, or people in general, so when voice went around that the nun approached the traveler first, and apparently openly flirting with him, people were surprised, but not really.
It seemed that no one could escape Aether.
And also in this situation, Aether used his magical self, managing to end the discussion with a simple hug, which had the woman stiff as a cardboard for a moment, only for her to squish the traveler against her chest, which than translated in Paimon having to tear her away from Aether.
They passed to say bye to Kaeya, and the Knight didn't hesitate to get overly touchy with Aether, while making a dramatically pained expression.
Which Paimon knew to be fake, opposed to Aether, who of course took simpathy in the older, and let him do as he pleased, that being pressing his face in the crook of the traveler's neck, even pressing a couple of kissess.
The man was known to be a flirt with everyone, but with Aether it was a whole different story.
He was always at Aether command, at Aether's mercy almost and although it could've been seen as a little bit weird, everyone could see the love the man held for the traveler.
Well everyone expect for the traveler himself, but those were minor details.
But still, Paimon didn't want to know what the man would've attempted to do if she hasn't pulled the traveler away.
Diluc had stayed a little bit more respectful, merely telling Aether that once he came back he would have to tell him something, all done while he held the traveler hand, pressing a kiss to it.
The pyro vision holder was basically just the same as Kaeya, but more respectful and sweet.
Then they had to deal with two crying children.
Diona refusing to climb off of Aether and Klee trying to get him to stay by offering one of her bombs as a gift.
Aether of course used once again one of his endless charms, singing the two distressed children to sleep.
They went to say bye to Bennet too, and Paimon had to admit, it was a little bit heartbreaking seeing the white haired boy so concerned for the other. But then Aether had the brilliant idea to press a kiss to the boy, leaving starstruck, a raging blush on his cheeks while he stormed inside his home, holding his crotch.
Which translated in a confused Aether and a horrified Paimon.
And Paimon flew away before the traveler had a chance to ask about it.
They luckily found Venti on their way back, the archon seemed to take it pretty well, before dramatically bursting into tears, as he threw himself into Aether's arms, who quickly got him back to his usual self with a quick peck to his cheek.
It seemed that Aether's charm was effective even on Gods.
Once again, Paimon dragged the other away once he noticed the archon hands slip a little to low for her liking.
They found Razor too, hunting whit his pack. Everyone knew the wolf 'little' crush on Aether, and it was probably the only one Paimon didn't mind.
It was actually quite adorable with how Razor looked at the traveler like he hung all the stars in the damn sky, and how he would blush at even a simple smile from the other.
Although, Paimon was surprised, when the wolf boy gave a generous kiss on the other's lips, deeming it as a lucky charm, all done with a proud but innocent smile.
Then they went to Lisa, knowing that if Aether disappeared without warning her, she would bring half of Teyvat down just to make sure he was still alive.
A little extreme, but the librarian went a little off the rocket when it came to him.
Lastly they went to Jean, who seemed to be the one who kept it more respectful out of the ones they had met.
Kind of.
She merely made Aether promise he would call for her if he ever needed help, then proceeded to press him against her generous breasts.
And Paimon had to witness Aether blush a furious red, while trying to move his head away of her chest, only to be squeezed further between her breasts everytime.
He was only saved by Paimon, who mumbled something about how they had to go urgently.
And then it was time for his companions in Liyue.
The first one they went to, of course was Xiao.
They couldn't risk to have him freak out just because they hadn't told him Aether was going away.
The man would most likely think the traveler was in trouble, resulting in a not so stable Xiao, which was never good.
Aether even went out of his ways to make Xiao favorite dish, he used as a diversion while telling him that he was leaving, which may or may not have triggered Xiao to let out a few sniffles.
The man sure didn't forget to make him promise to say his name if he ever needed help.
The second one they said goodbye to was Xinyan, as they found her basking in the streets, consequently dedicating him a song.
They went to Xingqiu next, and got back with a special book that Xingqiu had apparently written for Aether, and Paimon didn't want to imagine the other book Xingqiu had about the traveler.
They found Keqing with Katheryne, and she was actually looking for him.
She had a gift for him, the gift being a expensive-looking white sword, proceeding to ramble about facts about the object .
And after making he flustered with his that angelic ass smile of his and an adorable 'thank you!' she ran away.
After that, Zhongli actually came to them.
And of course he managed to make te traveler flush with his overly sweet and cheesy words, which by the way, Paimon found absolutely disgusting.
But apparently Aether liked them.
What Paimon did like though, was the huge bag of Mora Zhongli gifted them.
And with a kiss to Aether's hands, he walked away.
¯—_—¯—_—¯
"Did we forgot someone?", Aether stopped, looking at Paimon with a tired look.
They had been running around all day, and Aether was exhausted, he couldn't wait to go eat the dinner that Xiangling promised to prepare him and then, just get to bed.
"Mhm, let Paimon think...", she put one of her tiny fingers on her chin, thinking and thinking.
And then someone actually came up, but she wasn't too sure about what Aether was going to say.
"We forgot to say bye to Childe."
And maybe Aether subconsciously knew they forgot about him, and maybe he wanted to forget him.
They hadn't talked from their fight at the Golden House, and Aether was still hurt, disappointed and angry.
Although he knew the other had no choice, he still couldn't help but feel betrayed, considering that he saw him as a friend, a companion, a peculiar one, but still.
Childe had tried to contact him on several occasions, trying to say sorry, but Aether could not bear to face him.
But the other didn't deserve this type of treatment, he at least deserved a goodbye.
"Aether, are you alright?", Paimon flew in front of him, a concerned expression on her tiny face.
"Yes, i-, uhm," he swallowed, "let's go to Childe."
"A-alright-", Paimon eyed the traveler with a concerned look, hurrying to catch up with him.
Of course the first place they went to, was the Golden House, as it seemed that the Harbinger was always in there.
And not much to their surprise, Childe was there, sparring with what looked like a bunch of Fatui members.
And, almost as he sensed their presence, Childe eyes snapped to them.
His eyes widening in surprise, clearly shocked in seeing him there, as he continued to stared at Aether's unreadable face.
"Uh- session's over everyone, you can go," Childe quickly dismissed, not even looking at them, uncertain eyes still on Aether.
Everybody quickly exited, even Paimon took it upon herself and left, giving the two some more space.
And soon enough, the two were left alone.
Aether blank eyes still locked onto Childe almost timid ones.
"I thought you were leaving for Inazuma", Childe said, a genuinely confused frown on his face.
"I am leaving, but i wanted to say bye to everyone first."
Childe tilted his head, his confused frown not leaving his face, "Why?"
"Why what?"
Childe licked his lips, before huffing out a frustrated sigh, his fist clenching at his side, "Why did you came to me too?"
Aether finally showed some kind of emotion, matching the one on Childe's face.
He narrow his eyes at him, "I- because i did not want to leave without telling you goodbye, is it that hard to understand?"
"No, i mean-", Childe dragged his hand on his face, tiredness taking over his face, "I thought you hated me."
And at that, Aether didn't know how to respond, getting caught off guard.
He eyed the taller, furrowing his eyebrows, but before he had the chance to open his mouth, Childe spoke again.
"After we fought here, it was like you completely forgot i even existed, which i understand-" the harbinger eyes were getting glassy and Aether didn't know if he could handle it, "-you have every right to be m-mad at me for doing that to you, but i would've tried to explain to you why i did that-", Childe's voice broke, making Aether's heart do the same, "-but you didn't give me the chance."
A tear slipped from Childe's eye, making Aether's eyes widen,"And then i hear you're heading to Inazuma, and i try to make peace with the fact that you would just hate me to death for the rest of you life, but t-then you show up here out of nowhere-", Childe took a deep breath, "-So excuse me if i am little taken aback."
Aether took a few seconds to take in everything the other said, before he sighed, closing his eyes.
He stepped forward, taking Childe's face in his hands.
The Harbinger's eyes widened, as he stared, almost scared and with an uncanny innocence in his eyes.
It made Aether's heart jump in his chest.
"Childe i-, i never really hated you."
The shock in Childe's eyes grew, almost comically, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I tried to hate you for going behind my back, but not matter how hard i tried, i just couldn't-", Aether took a moment to look into Childe's eyes, still glossy with tears, but they weren't spilling anymore.
"And i am sorry for treating you like that, it was childish, and i know you had your reason-"
"I was forced to! They would've went after my f-family if i didn't follow their orders!"
Childe broken whisper did nothing but made him further feel like shit.
"But you have to b-believe me, i wouldn't have done that to you. Hurting you was the last thing i wanted to do-"
"Childe!"
The single word was able to stop Childe's sobbing, who was left staring at Aether with those innocent, glassy eyes.
"I know that, i just- i have a hard time forgiving people who wrong me, or go behind my back, it's-", Aether gave the other a sad smile, sparking concern in Childe, "-it happened one to many times."
Childe's tears had stopped, just a questioning and curious, but concerned look in his eyes, to which Aether just shook his head.
"Don't worry about it, just know- it always didn't end well for me-", Aether stared into Childe's eyes, to which the taller startled.
There was a sudden change in Aether's expression, a stoic, blank and cold look taking over his usual angelic face.
The traveler slender, rough fingers twitched against his face.
"And it surely didn't end well for them."
Childe didn't know what to do.
He wasn't used to seeing this side of Aether.
The traveler was known to be the most patient, kind and gentle person to be around.
This Aether was different.
He looked and felt different.
Childe usually felt safe, comfortable, relaxed when Aether was around.
Now he couldn't help but feel... intimated.
Out of place, cold, uncomfortable, almost inferior in the other's hold.
It was like the air around was restricted, frozen.
He had seen this side of Aether just one other time.
And that was when he revealed himself to him, when they were fighting.
But even then he didn't feel this threatened.
This was just wrong.
He wasn't supposed to feel like this.
"Uhm, A-aether?", he tried, seeing the older eyes were still freakishly blank, seemingly staring into nothing.
Almost like he was reminiscing something.
And the he seemed to snap out of it, shaking his head, dazed eyes focusing onto Childe.
"I'm sorry, i tend to space out a lot," he added a chuckle, but it didn't feel genuine.
"Anyways, as i was saying, don't be sorry, i was being an idiot, so my apologies for that."
But Childe didn't like how Aether was trying to almost dismiss everything, but he didn't make it in time to open his mouth, one of those spender finger going on his mouth.
Aether gave him a teasing look,"You up for a last fight?"
Childe could already feel the air around them change, as he felt more and more as he usually did around him, and although he still had so many questions, he didn't want to pry.
He quickly wiped his eyes, trying to look his usual though and cocky self, responding with a smirk of his own, "Bring it on, comrade."