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“Aether, c’mon! It should be starting soon!”
Shaking his head in amusement, Aether finished the climb on top of this mountain, a mountain that has a clear view of the skyline near Inazuma City.
Another new year was coming through, marking another year of his being in Teyvat. Every single year that passes by, every nation celebrates in its own way. Aether manages to come by around these celebrations in order to enjoy and reflect upon the experiences that he made with the people that he met along the way.
After all, he knows that he would not make it far if it were not for his friends and acquaintances in all the different places; some went so far as to help them against the battle with a former tyrannical Archon.
“Aether!”
His eyes turned toward someone that was one of the contributors to the successful plot that they had commenced in order for everyone in Inazuma to be freed from the Vision Hunt Decree. It was someone assisted them in distracting the guards long enough to obtain the documents that they needed through a grand firework display.
Someone that seemingly always has a smile on her face and has a good time with anyone she meets.
The Queen of the Summer Festival, Naganohara Yoimiya.
“C’mon beside me already! You don’t want to miss a single one!”
Her excitement was enough for him to go beside her as she was sitting down, looking intently up at the sky. They were here to celebrate the dawn of the New Year by watching all the fireworks that she made all throughout the week fly toward the sky in vast different colors and patterns.
Some of which she made Aether create after a lot of trial and error in learning the craft, especially since he made mention of making some fireworks on one of the events within Liyue.
He was not prepared for the consequences of mentioning that, as Yoimiya definitely made sure that he learned more things about fireworks than anything else did that week.
Aether would be happy just to see any of the fireworks that he made go off to the sky and explode normally if he was going, to be honest.
“This is soooo gonna be so cool!”
Yoimiya’s exclaimed in her usual bouts of excitement that made his smile grow wider. It was never tiring to be with Yoimiya as she seemingly meshes and adapts to anyone that she met and talks to. Whether it was for business matters or playing with the local children, she just has that personality that seems to grow a spark of friendliness and joy within people.
Like the fireworks she made for the people, Aether could hear the reactions of amazement, joy, and admiration every single time that he manages to be within the city for her fireworks displays. Especially when he knows how she works on making these fireworks, pouring her heart and soul into each of them to make sure that everyone has a good time.
It is that attitude that Aether aspires to have from time to time.
“I am sure everything is going to be cool as we did make it after all.”
Aether chimed in, seeing Yoimiya’s lips curve more upwards.
“I know right? I did not think that you would make such good fireworks too! You should have told me when we first met so that we could’ve designed the Irodori Festival fireworks together!”
Aether blinked as he realized what she said, recalling the rules that he had read on the billboard around that time.
“I thought that they didn’t allow fireworks at that time…?”
Yoimiya paused as if she realized that she slipped, before giving off a sheepish smile while rubbing the back of her head.
“Ahaha… I think me and Klee did more than just the book since we took a bit of break from the creative process… yeah…”
Aether connected the dots, remembering the fact that there was a small firework display before Klee and Albedo went back to Monstadt after the Irodori Festival. Especially the one firework literally looked like a Dodoco…
He could still remember amusingly when Kujou Sara face palmed when she heard the report from the guards.
“Did it cause any trouble for you?”
“Luckily, it didn’t as the festival was wrapping up anyways…”
Both exchanged some words as they waited for the fireworks to go off. It was how they usually conversed during the week while making the pyrotechnics, as Aether did not really mind Yoimiya talking about all sorts of things while he chimed in from time to time for a fruitful conversation.
However, once both heard a firework go off, the two went silent as they see every single one start to go off into the sky, coloring the dark night with beautiful colors. Different shapes and patterns briefly mark the sky, as crackles and explosions were heard with every firework fired.
Glancing toward Yoimiya, he can see the proud expression that she was holding. He could fully relate this time around, as he could see some of the fireworks that he made shoot off and do what it was expected of it to do. A sense of pride and relief wavered through his body as he realized that everything he did was fine.
“Heh… we should really make fireworks during the Summer Festival then…”
Aether heard Yoimiya exclaim through the cackle and explosions, making him crack a smile as he returned to look at the display in the sky.
After a while, the set of fireworks slowly died down. Both of them kept looking at the sky as every single one of the fireworks exploded into different colors before not another came. It was spectacular and breathtaking, a great way to signal off another new start for everyone in Teyvat.
It was another year for him to find out what his sibling was doing and to figure out the entire thing that Nahida had talked to him about when he was gathering information…
He let out a small sigh. Seems like his entire journey is going to be more hectic than the last year.
“Aether.”
He shook his head, reclaiming his composure as he heard his name called by Yoimiya. Turning his head in her direction, he can see her looking right back at him with a smile on her face.
“I just want to say that I am thankful for the help you gave this week. I know that this was more so… something that was on the fly like I usually do… and you still came despite how busy you were.”
Yoimiya stood up from where she was sitting with a smile gracing her lips.
“It’s… really nothing. I just came here because I know you’d do something for when the New Year came in and I just wanted to help out with that.”
Aether replied, dusting off some of the dirt from his pants as he stood up.
“Besides, you had given me such a good time for all the time we made those fireworks together… and I can now see why you are proud of those.”
He could see Yoimiya’s expression glow up more before she chuckled.
“Yeah! Now, you should really help me for when the Summer Festival happens, yeah?”
Aether nodded in response, giving her a small smile. He didn’t mind at all as he would probably enjoy that time too, even if it would be another rush to get things done.
“I will. Definitely.”
Her eyes seemingly glowed from what he said, and before he knew it, her arms wrapped around him. This action made him freeze for a moment, as it was something that he did not expect.
“Thank you… but I have more to say.”
Yoimiya said, separating herself from the brief hug that she initiated. Aether felt a little confused about what was happening as he could see her back is turned from where he is looking at her direction.
“Do you remember what I said when I visited your teapot before?”
Aether blinked at the question, as he tried to remember the moment when she had visited.
It was during a time when he was redecorating things and wanted a second opinion. He had Yoimiya come over and she helped with her expertise. It was still a fun moment between the two as they had brief moments of fooling around with the objects like toys, which was definitely chaotic.
Yet, there was a brief period where they had a small heart-to-heart during that visit, which Aether remembered just this moment.
“That… you wanted to explore the nations that I did?”
He could see Yoimiya nod, her head tilting upward, looking toward the sky.
“Yeah... because I wanted to know the people that you met and experiences that you had during those times.”
Then, she sat in the same spot where she was staring at the fireworks earlier. Aether did not move from where he was at as he listened intently, trying to see where this was going.
“Before I really wanted to know about you, remember?”
That statement made Aether nod, remembering that moment at the top of his head.
“All the time that we spent together this week… and the previous times that we had been together for when you called me to help you out or when we somehow manage to meet each other while you were doing things in Inazuma, I just had a realization.”
Aether heard her take a deep breath.
“A realization that… I… well… want to spend time with you more on the next nation that you will end up visiting. Fontaine, right?”
There was a nervous tinge in her voice from when she asked that. A kind of nervousness that he did not expect she‘d display, especially when she is usually upbeat and upfront with him.
Nonetheless, he responded.
“Yeah. You could always join in, y’know? Everyone could if they ever wanted to help out.”
Yoimiya hummed as if she was debating something in her head. It was quite out of the loop in his eyes, not expecting this person in front of him to display shyness and nervousness that he has not seen before from her.
Then, she took another deep breath as she stood up, stretching her arms upward. That action made him confused, thoughts wondering on what was going on ever since the firework display had ended.
After a couple more stretches with Aether looking ever confused, Yoimiya turned around. He could see her lips curved up in a smile.
“Hah…the fireworks always remind me of different things at times. When I made them and how much work I put into them, all the people that would see the fireworks and be amazed, or just the pure joy of seeing the night sky come to light with color and excitement!”
She walked closer to Aether, who stood in attention with his eyes kept at her.
“But this time around, for some reason, the fireworks only… remind me of you.”
Aether could feel his cheeks go red in response, his eyes widened slightly. Yoimiya giggled at his reaction, sporting her own light blush on her cheeks.
“Probably because of the fact that it created new memories that I never thought would ever happen if you weren’t around to do it with me. More stories about your experiences that you told while we were working on those fireworks and I… kind of want to see them with you.”
At this moment, he was not sure what to say nor could he say anything. His brain was still processing what Yoimiya was saying and trying to verify if it was real or if there was something in those fireworks. As if she became quite conscious on him staring at her, she looked away with her hands held together.
“I… I like you, okay? And I want to get to know you more and this brand new year feels like the best time for me to lay it out.”
He saw her looking back towards him, her cheeks redder than before. Before he could get another word in, she spluttered out.
“It might be all of a sudden! I know that, especially when you have many things in mind. However, I want you to know that I’d let you have time to process it as I don’t want to be that person that just… wants to get the answer because of the timing, y’know?”
She let out a sigh of relief before giving a small smile.
“I just want to let it out after all. It is not my thing to keep things from anyone, especially you. You already did so many things for me and the nation that I live in and… yeah…”
Yoimiya rubbed her left cheek with her index finger, her smile turning sheepish.
“…I do hope I am not making this too awkward.”
Finally, after not getting to talk for so long, Aether coughed to clear his throat, trying to retain his composure. He could still feel the blood rushing through his cheeks like no tomorrow, feeling his face hot as if he was exposed close to a firework.
“I... I do want to say that like… uh…”
He scratched his cheek, looking away for a brief moment as embarrassment that he did not know had filled his veins. He was not sure how to approach this situation, yet he knows what he feels about it.
Yoimiya has been a positive reinforcement in his life. She is someone that he knows would do a lot to make people happy. It shows in all the actions that she had done for the nation with all the fireworks and the time that she gives for the people around her, especially the children of the nation.
Romantically, Aether can admit that she is attractive and very nice. She is someone that gives him the inspiration to continue helping people as much as he could. Yet, he feels that if he would accept her confession like this, it would felt forced, as his feelings are not there yet.
Aether knows that things will change if she is around him, especially if they spend more time together.
“I…I would want to try us out.”
He saw Yoimiya’s eyes widen as he heard her breath hitched, but he extended a hand forward with his palm extended, giving the motion to let him explain.
“I wouldn’t say that I feel the same way as you do toward me right now, as that would be lying. But… I am open to at least explore this, explore what it would mean for us… to be… well… us.”
He rubbed the back of his head, giving her a small smile.
“I think you are attractive and very nice. Someone that I know I could rely on. But I just don’t want to say I like you too because of it, as I want to get to know you more if you want to explore the next nation with me.”
Aether took a deep breath, closing his eyes, anticipating on what would happen as he said his piece. He knows that is not a satisfying answer to anyone, but he is not the type to lie about these kinds of things.
Especially not to Yoimiya.
It was a tense moment. He could feel him before he felt her arms wrapped around him.
“I’ll accept that!”
Yoimiya exclaimed happily, bringing him closer to the hug. Aether could not help to let his lips curve upwards into a smile, reciprocating the hug with his own.
“Are you sure?”
He asked, trying to confirm if what he heard was true, even if he already knew it was in his heart.
“I am. I wouldn’t lie that it is not what I expected… but it is better than closing the door and pretending nothing happened, right? Besides, I’d still go with you on that trip to Fontaine even if what I wanted isn’t there as I want to be with you when you get the answers to find your sibling.”
Yoimiya explained, before loosening the hug to meet him face to face. Her eyes seemingly glow a strange sort of determination and demand that he couldn’t seem to pinpoint why.
“But! You have to give me something first if you let me do so.”
Aether blinked for a moment, looking straight at her in the eye.
“Which is – “
Hers covered his lips before he even finished the sentence.
A kiss felt like fireworks fired through the background. A magical feeling that was similar to those visual novels he read from the Yae Publishing House described, except it felt more. It felt spontaneous and impatient, yet filled with emotions at the same time.
If he could mark down those feelings during the kiss, he knows that it came from Yoimiya.
The kiss continued as Yoimiya wrapped her arm around his neck, the lip contact becoming more intense. Aether reciprocated her effort with his own, wrapping his arms around her waist as the lip lock continued, elevating their experience altogether.
It took another moment for them to separate, both taking a couple of short breaths, staring at each other directly in their eyes. Silently gazing at each other like the fireworks display earlier, it took another moment before Yoimiya separated herself from the hug that they were in, her face fully red from what they just did.
Yet, it seems like she didn’t regret what she had done, giving him a smile.
“Hehe, I’ll make sure that it is an experience that both of us will not forget, Aether!”
She exclaimed before running off, leaving him standing dumbfounded at what just happened. He touched his lips with his own fingers as if trying to verify if it actually happened despite knowing that he kissed back, before shaking his head. A smile graced his lips as he looked toward the sky once more.
“Things are definitely going to be different this year.”
If there was one object that he could define Yoimiya as fireworks were definitely would be the first thing in his mind.