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“Give me your hand.” The Wanderer spoke.
Aether looked at the Wanderer completely baffled. This high up and with the guy who tried to kill him a few months ago was already stupid enough. What in the world was this guy thinking about?
Stupid as it was, Aether grabbed the Wanderer’s hand but there didn’t seem to be any catch to it. They were just holding hands. Aether looked around himself, cautious of where the Wanderer could be taking him.
The Wanderer let out a small laugh as he looked over at Aether, “There’s no need to be nervous. I’m just taking you to a vantage point.”
It was already suspicious as if since they got Paimon away from the two. Paimon didn’t trust Aether being alone with the Wanderer but it was the Wanderer’s own persistent to take Aether somewhere for his claimed birthday. Though, when he told the Wanderer he didn’t actually expect much. Perhaps he still didn’t expect anything at all.
The Wanderer led Aether up a hill and uncovering the small trees in front of him. Aether was completely taken back. The view a complete whole of Sumeru city at night, laid there was a blanket on the ground, and a small bouquet of flowers on it. It dawned on Aether; the Wanderer seemed to be planning this for awhile.
“How is it?” The Wanderer said as he looked over at Aether, still holding his hand, and dragging him to sit down. “The scenery here should be quite breathtaking.”
Aether let out a small smile as both of them took a seat. “It’s really pretty. Mhm. This is a really nice way to end the day. Thank you.”
The Wanderer placed his finger down on Aether’s lips and shook his head, “There’s no need to thank me- I see little point in it.” He hummed.
Aether giggled as he looked at the view and then back at the Wanderer. The Wanderer was awfully pretty when he basked in moonlight. Maybe that was the reason he wanted to bring Aether here too. It was a silly thought.
The two of them were hit into silence, an awkward silence. Aether swooped his hair to his shoulder, showing his neck, and removing his scarf. He placed his feet outside of the blanket and started removing his boots.
“What are you doing?” the Wanderer asked as he looked over at Aether.
“Hm? Taking off my shoes. We’re going to sleep together here, correct?” Aether said as he unzipped the boot fully.
The Wanderer paused before laying down. He had no need to object for Aether to get comfortable. Then, another moment of silence. The only sound between them were owls and the occasion sound of bugs. This was fine for Aether but it felt empty. The small gift the Wanderer gave Aether didn’t feel complete to him. No words to say to each other? No other gifts? Nothing? Aether appreciated the small sentiment, he really did, but it felt like more should of happened.
He finished taking off his shoes and placed his feet back on the blanket. In truth, Aether didn’t want the day to end. All of his friends celebrated his so called birthday with him and the Wanderer was with him the whole day. The male didn’t make himself prominent but he still showed up in the shadows. Nahida also might of forced him but he still showed up nonetheless. This was in fact the perfect end gift. Aether didn’t expect anything but this was sweeter than what most people did. Aether could never tell what in the world the Wanderer was thinking.
They’ve been traveling together for quite some time, so it wasn’t like they didn’t get to understand each other. It was like the Wanderer was just unpredictable. The only thing Aether could understand was that the male cared— to an extent. But the way he showed that was the unpredictable part.
“Thanks for being with me on my birthday.” Aether said hesitantly. He wasn’t too sure how to start conversation with the Wanderer. It either happened naturally or they just didn’t talk. Everything felt like a puzzle with the Wanderer.
“Didn’t I say not to thank me? It’s no use.”
Aether nodded. There was no use to talk to the Wanderer. Plus, Paimon would be sure to come find them at any moment. Maybe the silence was the actual gift. But it’d be such a waste if Aether didn’t do more. It was stupid. Everything, logically, would say to not pursue anything from the Wanderer. To let it settle, to be lucky enough that him and the Wanderer aren’t out to kill each other anymore, and finally let it be done with. But, Aether wasn’t logical.
“You’re more romantic than you think.”
The Wanderer sat up as he heard Aether’s claim. His eyebrows furrowed like it was an offence. “What? What’d you say?”
“You make yourself so…” Aether paused. He couldn’t say it in words. He didn’t know how to explain it or where he was even going with this. “You get so close to me. You hold my hand. You try and get us alone so often. What are you even trying to do?”
That awkward silence hit again. Aether glanced over to the Wanderer. Another unpredictable reaction from the Wanderer, a face full of red. His hand completely covering his mouth and reaching for his hat. Straight shot.
Aether looked over at the Wanderer, removing his hand from his mouth. What Aether was about to do was ridiculous, maybe even scandalous you could call it. He grabbed onto the Wanderer’s hands and leaned in for a small kiss. It didn’t take long for the Wanderer to warm up to it. To keep kissing Aether.
Once their short kissed stopped, they looked at each other, like they were both asking each other questions. The gazing look they gave each other answered millions. This is what was missing from Aether’s birthday. This exactly. Like a cherry on top. Something you couldn’t forget. All those looks they gave each other, the feelings, the way it felt so tense anytime they were there with each other, it finally made sense in Aether’s head.
The Wanderer slowly pressed Aether down onto the blankets, crawling in between the blond’s thighs, and kiss him again. This kiss was more harsher— more prominent. Aether could feel how hesitant the Wanderer was but covering it up with being rough. It was reassuring in a way.
One kiss. Two kisses. And then three. Aether placed his hand on the Wanderer’s cheek, feeling the strands of his purple hair fall into the blond’s own hands. The Wanderer gripped onto Aether’s waist and trailed kisses down the blond’s neck.
“Aether.” The Wanderer mumbled. Aether’s cheeks turned pink at the small name. The Wanderer usually never called Aether by his actual name— he liked having insults as Aether’s nicknames. “You’re so beautiful.”
Aether almost choked. The Wanderer was kissing and biting his neck, maybe lost in the moment, yet he said something so genuine. It was the only nicest thing the Wanderer has said between them on their journey together. Normally, Aether would accept the compliment, move on, it’s just an average compliment. But the way the Wanderer whispered it onto, into, Aether and his lips delicately touching Aether’s skin.
“Hey-!”
A large sting went into the crescent of Aether’s neck. Of course. Nothing was ever sweet with the Wanderer to an extent. The male bit into Aether’s neck with his surprisingly sharp teeth for a puppet. A small whine came out of Aether’s mouth as the Wanderer licked the wound and then pecking Aether’s lip a stained red.
“You thought I’d be that nice to you?” The Wanderer laughed as he leaned his face into Aether’s as he licked the blood off his own lips.
Aether scoffed as he pouted up at the male. He could just sense the man mocking him later about this. He glared at the Wanderer’s devious grin.
“You’re the one who has a thing for me.” Aether said as he leaned towards the Wanderer’s face.
“You kissed me.” He said, still smirking.
“And you kissed back.” Aether grinned as they slowly leaned into another kiss.
They both did a small laugh into the kiss but soon interrupted.
“Hey, you two!! Paimon’s been looking for you everywhere! How could you have just dropped Paimon off like that!!”
The two quickly pulled back from the short kiss. Aether getting his head banged back onto the floor and the Wanderer getting accidentally knee’d in the stomach by Aether from the surprise visitor. Both let out a grunt of pain as both of them looked genuinely annoyed at being interrupted.
Aether saw how the Wanderer reached for his hat the moment he saw Paimon. It made the blond giggle how the Wanderer didn’t feel the need to hide his emotions with Aether. Comforting even.
“We were just talking pip squeak.” The Wanderer said as he made some room away from Aether.
“You could have told Paimon! I was worried for the Traveller!” She said, floating over to Aether and squeezing his head. “Hey! He’s hurt! What happened?”
Aether held back a small laugh as he knew exactly what Paimon was talking about. He knew the Wanderer couldn’t come up with a good excuse without outing himself. The predicament was really laughable.
Aether covered the mark with his hand, rubbing it a little, and looked over at the other male, “I was bitten by a feisty and rabid beast but luckily, I think it was pretty easy to tame after awhile. There’s no need to worry.” Aether laughed knowing exactly who he directed it to.
The Wanderer rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue at Aether. Aether really couldn’t help but to laugh. It was silly, it really was, but as of this moment, maybe, he could finally fall asleep next to the Wanderer.
The Wanderer didn’t seem too sleep all that much anyways, so it was scary sleeping next to him, especially after all that happened with them. Aether was so vulnerable in his sleep, and so was Paimon, so if the Wanderer did hold Aether at any resentment, he could get rid of Aether while sleeping so easily. But now? Maybe just for the night, Aether can sleep in peace with the other male around.
“Paimon’s exhausted! I was spending all night looking for you two!” Paimon yawned as she stopped floating and actually laid in Aether’s lap.
He let out a small hum and then glanced back at the Wanderer. They wanted to ask each other things now that the heat of the moment faded but Aether was hesitant to ask anything. To say anything. He liked what they had going on for now. The Wanderer always had trouble with emotions so the whole conversation would end in a mess. To be fair, Aether didn’t want that heavy of a conversation to ruin how the day has been going so far.
He nodded towards the Wanderer and laid himself down onto the blanket. Paimon was already completely out, it’s funny how she can sleep so easily but can’t get up easy. Aether laid there once again, feeling like something was missing, except on his part this time.
Aether moved his head over and onto the Wanderer’s much more comfortable lap. He turned his head up and planted a small kiss on the male’s cheek.
“Goodnight.” Aether said speaking the name that he gave the Wanderer at the end.
Aether laid his head back down quickly, and closing his eyes as he Paimon laid on his arm like a pillow. Perhaps, the Wanderer needed time to think about today rather than Aether. That’d be the better ideal in the end. For the Wanderer to think about it, rather for it to be completely ignored. Though, Aether decided he’d deal with the Wanderer when morning comes.
After all that, Aether loved his claimed birthday. A special gift went such a long way and maybe there was more to come the more him and the Wanderer got closer.
Though, Aether should probably start planning for the Wanderer’s birthday too.