Chapter Text
Well, this certainly was an impression. Aether and Paimon's eyes grew wide, jaws slacked, as the body of Rex Lapis fell from the sky with a rumbling thud. Bits of rock and concrete flew in all directions, and suddenly, the place was surrounded by guards.
"We have to get out of here- quickly…" Paimon said, disappearing into her personal void.
This certainly wasn't the first time Aether had to do a stealth mission. Honestly, he was surprised when he was more or less Scot-free after going into the water and swam across. No, that didn't attract attention to him at all.
It was the sound of him stepping on a random broken vase that attracted the guards.
"Run for it!!" Shouted Paimon within Aether's head. The blond didn't need to be told twice.
He sprints down the flight of stairs, only to be stopped by the reinforcements from below. Both sides blocked, Aether quickly tries to find an escape route. When nothing obvious came to view, a new voice filled his ears.
"Hey, buddy- Hold still."
A flurry of hydro arrows flew past, knocking out the guards around Aether and Paimon. There's a blur of grey, the sound of water taking shape and a couple more thuds as the rest of the guards were down. The stranger was now beside them.
He turned to the traveler and companion, jerking his head to the side, "Come with me."
It might have been the adrenaline that still ran through his veins, but Aether sharply nods and follows right behind this stranger. They stopped within the middle of the harbor. Aether's legs burned from the running, but it was a nice kind of burn, he will admit. Finally able to catch his breath, he took in the appearance of his savior.
Fair skin, messy orange-red hair, and those eyes… They were as blue as the deep sea. He was quite tall as well- the top of Aether's head just barely up to this stranger's shoulders. The traveler gulped soundlessly, now able to picture what had happened moments ago with a face in mind. The arrows, the hydro blades- he couldn't help but feel a little heated.
"Helloooo?? Teyvat to Aether!!" A familiar high-pitched voice caused Aether to shake his head back into reality. He blinked, suddenly needing to process the other in front of him. Wait, why is his vision placed there-?
Paimon hovered close to his shoulder, eyeing the taller man suspiciously, "Um, thank you for helping us. Who are you exactly?"
The man huffed, a pleasant smile on his face. The hydro vision on his belt swung slightly as he shifts his weight, “Just call me Childe.”
“Childe?” Paimon asked, tilting her head. Ever the more talkative one of the duo, she continued, “What? Are we supposed to dote on you?”
“Haha, no, no. It’s just an alias of sorts,” the man, Childe, replied.
Aether swore that little laugh was one of, if not, the greatest thing he’s ever heard. The only thing keeping him from spacing out again was the sound of Paimon’s voice keeping the conversation going. Though, he wouldn’t mind just listening more from Childe-
“By the way,” began the hydro user, “I suppose you’ve met with a Signora during your time in Mondstadt, correct?”
What?
Aether and Paimon suddenly tense at the question. The fairy-like companion let her mouth run.
“Signora… Childe…” Her sparkling eyes widened as realization dawned on her. She pointed a finger, “You’re Fatui! One of the harbingers!”
Out of instinct, the traveler reached for the side, ready to pull out his sword from his personal pocket dimension. Childe raised his arms in a surrender gesture.
“Now, now! I’m not here for trouble. I’m not a bad guy-” he paused, quickly rethinking his statement, “Okay, perhaps I am kind of a bad guy. But I’m not going to cause trouble for you.”
Aether and Paimon exchanged glances at each other, subtly communicating. The blond sighed as he relaxed, keeping his sword sheathed within the pocket dimension. The awkward smile from the harbinger made his eyebrows furrow.
“Look. All I want from you is a bit of help.”
“...Help?”
The traveler trailed off, the gears turning in his head. This guy is part of the Fatui- a Harbinger at that! He kept his gaze at that face. Childe returned the stare with a lopsided smile and pleading blue eyes. Aether scowled, his chest tightening.
He really shouldn’t help the enemy. He…
Really…
Shouldn’t...
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Did he really have to have such pretty features? Aether thought to himself the entire time after agreeing to help out. He stretched his arms up, feeling the joints of his back give a satisfying pop. Finally, after being given a Sigil of Permission from Childe, he and Paimon had journeyed to each adepti they needed to inform. It took quite a bit out of him having to do this. But, if it’s to try and find the true assassin of Rex Lapis, there was nothing to complain about.
Aether sighed, walking through the red gate of Liyue Harbor. He and Paimon had finished speaking back at Wangshu Inn. A very...mysterious Adeptus, that man was. He was kind of off-putting, Aether will admit, but he could understand why to an extent.
“Alright, we’re finally done with all of them!” Paimon exclaimed, relief dripping from her voice. She huffed, floating a bit in front of Aether’s line of sight, “Paimon’s very hungry now after dealing with all of that! Come on! Let’s get some food!”
For once, the sound of having his stomach filled took hold of Aether. He would forget to eat for a time. Usually, it was Lumine who would be the one to remind them to eat during their travels. But…
The rumbling of his stomach snapped Aether back to reality before his mood went down south. As he was spacing out, his legs went into autopilot, taking him to Wanmin Restaurant. As he came close, Paimon popped out from beyond her personal void, waving in greeting, “Good afternoon, Chef Mao! Hope you’re ready- because Paimon is starving!”
Aether sighed, placing his head in his hand, suddenly remembering why he didn’t often order food from others. Paimon’s apparent bottomless stomach not only ate up food- but also mora. Lots...and lots...of mora. His pockets hurt every time.
“Uhm, I think I’ll just have a grilled tiger fish, please.”
Paimon turned to Aether, looking at him incredulously, “Huh?! Just that?! You didn’t even eat breakfast today! You need to eat more, you know!”
Before Aether could retaliate, a sudden voice cuts him off, “Buddy, you’re back!”
It was as if a rush of water came crashing down on Aether’s back. But in a...weirdly relieved sort of feeling. He thinks… Was his chest supposed to feel this tight just by the sound of another’s voice?
The thought bubbles of the traveler quickly dissipate as Childe walked up to him and his floating companion. The smile he flashed practically took hold of Aether’s heart within milliseconds.
“Glad to see you’re okay!” Childe said, “How was your journey to Jueyun Karst?”
‘...He’s glad I’m back?’
Paimon glanced at Aether, who was spacing out yet again. She sighed, turning her attention to Childe, and in her companion’s place, she started to explain. Aether, on the other hand…
‘Was he worried about me?’ That line of thought should not make him feel this warm. He absentmindedly held his order of grilled tigerfish as Paimon gave her summary to Childe. Aether’s mind was running a mile a minute. He was practically getting dizzy, ‘Did he want to follow to make sure we were safe? No, no, that’s too unbelievable. He’s an enemy! Pull yourself together, Aether!’
“Aether!!” Paimon shouted, making said blond jerk in surprise. She placed her hands on her hips, her voice now scolding, “Geez, what’s with you and daydreaming lately? You’re making Paimon worried!”
“Indeed, I may have to ask the same question,” said Childe. He reached out, his hand gently pressing against the blond’s forehead, “You didn’t catch something during your travels, I hope?”
The gloved hand against his skin made his face bloom with red. A cough forced itself out of his chest, Aether covering his mouth with his forearm. Childe quickly pulled his hand away, his features now adorning worry and concern. Aether waved him off, his cough dying down. Huh. He cleared his throat,
“No comment.”
Childe didn’t look all convinced. Neither did Paimon. However, before his floating companion could say something, Childe beats her to it.
“Well, as long as you can still understand us, I suppose it’s fine. Now then,” he flashed a smile, "There is someone I want you to meet. I'm sure he'll be of great help!"
That smile. That damned smile… Aether fears he's gone a bit too deep. It was pathetic to himself, considering he's only known this guy for a few days. Archons… This sucks.
He took a bite of his meal, finally letting his stomach be filled with food. Perhaps he should order a drink as well to help with this rise of body temperature. Suddenly, he furrowed his eyebrows. Aether prided himself on his inhuman immune system. Such a thing was necessary to have when you travel from world to world. Can never be too careful after all!
...So why is he having trouble breathing?
"When and where do you want us to meet?" Paimon asked as Aether's mouth was still full of his bite.
Childe nodded, gesturing to a certain direction, "Liyue Pavilion, which is right down there. Please, do join us for dinner. My treat!"
Aether started to cough again, making Paimon yelp. Dinner?? Oh, Archons...
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Aether tried his best to hide his laugh at the sight of Childe struggling to use his chopsticks. Keyword: tried. There was something endearing about a harbinger, a feared being of the Fatui, being bested by a pair of sticks.
"Hah...these chopsticks are so tricky to use…" The redhead exhaled, a down-hearted smile on his lips.
Aether took a sip of his tea, the corners of his lips stuck turned upwards. His golden eyes kept themselves to Childe's hand, observing. He would offer some guidance on how to use chopsticks but...perhaps that was a bit too on the nose as of right now. Or as of anytime.
...Those hands were larger than his, Aether noticed-
"Ahem! Pay attention!" Paimon's voice rang through Aether's left ear. She scowled, "Geez!!"
"Something the matter, traveler?" Zhongli asked with a cup of tea in hand.
Aether shook his head before a cough erupted from his chest. He covered his mouth with a napkin. He spoke, his voice muffled by the disposable cloth, "I just have a cough today. I'm sorry."
"Yeah, and a bad case of daydreaming too!" Said his companion, "Do we need to get that head of yours checked later?"
Honestly? Perhaps that should be arranged… But also- he is not about to be called out for having symptoms of having a little...harmless...crush…
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This was not a little, harmless crush. From the charming smile to even the generosity of handing them his mora. Aether’s mind was just filled with unreasonably domestic fantasies. Of a fucking harbinger. A harbinger. He would borrow the stove in Wanmin Restaurant, and suddenly his mind goes haywire.
‘Does he like cooking? I wonder what kind of recipes he knows. What would be his favorite food, honestly…?’
Why was he thinking about all of this? Why does it make him feel all warm and tingly? It shouldn’t. It really shouldn’t. But he just can’t help himself now apparently. Aether felt something every time Childe invaded his mind, making his face go scarlet.
Yet, at the same time, the pain in his chest gradually became more painful with each thought of the harbinger. His coughs were becoming more frequent, and the intensity of them was now concerning. Aether would imagine Childe trying to comfort him, maybe rubbing his back in an attempt to comfort him. While that made him crave, it also made him hurt . His chest was tight as if his lungs were being constricted from the inside.
What is with this damned cough…?
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“How strange…” Said Zhongli, holding up the small vial of purple liquid, “Not even this remedy could help?”
Aether shook his head, face full of discomfort. He took small sips of the tea the other had brewed for him. That purple liquid was so bitter…
Paimon voiced, “I would’ve thought whatever you caught a few days ago would be gone by now.” She brought her index finger and thumb up to her chin, “But obviously, it’s becoming more serious. You’re getting paler too, and at night, you had trouble breathing.”
“This is certainly most distressing, traveler.” Zhongli poured more tea into Aether’s cup with careful grace, “If I heard this correctly, this has been a problem for a few days?”
“About a week, give or take?” The blond confirmed. Zhongli nodded in acknowledgment.
The trio was currently inside Liyue Pavilion once again. Apparently, Childe had arranged this place to be their ideal space of conversation, letting them know everything is on his tab. Whether it was fortunate or un fortunate, said harbinger was not with them at this time.
“Is it only a cough?” Zhongli asked, “Certainly, there is more to it if it has lasted this long, correct?”
Aether shrugged, his hand idly playing with his chopsticks, “Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing… Chest pains…”
The consultant hummed, “This is most peculiar then- if it is still with expected symptoms. When exactly did this start?”
Before Aether could answer, a violent cough erupted from his chest once more. Oh, this- this was- oh this was searing. He hacked up his lungs uncontrollably, covering his mouth in a desperate attempt to muffle himself.
“Hey, hey, don’t die on me now!” Paimon shrieked her tiny hand on Aether’s back.
“Traveler...” Zhongli stood from his seat hastily, reaching out in worry.
Aether couldn’t answer- not when his lungs burned and throat ached. After one last cough, he felt something stick itself to the palm of his hand that covered his mouth. He pulled his hand away, gasping for much-needed air. He focused on his hand, and his golden eyes widened. The other two followed his gaze, and silence fell upon the private room.
A bloodied petal of a blue flower.