startraveler

[Being grateful is definitely something he can accepted, especially when he also feels this way. A part of him wants to offer for them to finally find shelter. It really won't do them any good to stay in the rain like this.

...But the other part of him is dazed, longing for the warmth that is between them. And his breath catches when Ayato leans closer. Their lips meet and Aether's eyes close. Without thinking he gives in to the moment, responding with a gentle press of his own lips. It feels so good and warm.

His heart beats faster in his chest and it takes a moment for him to even realize what he's - what they are doing. He breathes shakily when they part from the kiss, golden eyes looking wide up at the other while his face burns bright red.

First Thoma, now Ayato... he also kissed Ayaka on the hand. How is he going to walk into their house without burning bright red?!]

T-this rain... is really dangerous... [He's trying so badly to ignore what just happened and stay calm!!]

{ it's strange how it feels the air stills for a moment--even with the rain pouring down around them--as time seems to stand still. it takes a moment to register that he's even pulled back, but even then the only thing that greets aether is a smile. he may or may not find it incredibly amusing how red in the face the other goes after the action, while ayato looks completely unaffected. }

And here I thought you'd spent all this time hoping for it. Not to worry, we can keep it our little secret. { he glances up after, frowning at the rain. } It does seem as though our walk will have to be cut short, however.

Hoping for...

[Is that how he looked like?! He didn't even realize, but the teasing makes him blush all the more. Even the tips of his ears burn red and he can feel that.

The fact that Ayato does not seem affected by what just happened in any way adds up to Aether's embarrassment, but he's trying to ignore it.]

Let's go find some shelter from the rain...

[He wishes so badly to hide somewhere right now.]

{ the smile on his face only widens as the blushing only gets worse. }

Likely a good idea, otherwi-- { and then he's turning his head away to sneeze } otherwise it will likely not end well.

{ he gestures towards the path towards the teleporter, already stepping to head off that way. }

I'd expected this would have stopped by now.

[Aether can tell that Ayato is quite amused by this turn of events. Which only makes the redness in the traveler's cheeks all the brighter.

But Aether looks worried when Ayato sneezes.]

Let's go. Ayaka and Thoma won't be happy if you get sick because of me.

[Leaving as fast as possible it is!]

{ he sighs in response to that }

I doubt they'd blame you for it. After all, I've forgotten an umbrella fairly often.

{ the few days megumi spent with them and nagged him about it he'd started to remember, but he's been awfully forgetful of small things like this lately. it's a wonder he has his phone with him half the time. }

We both forgot it today. They have all the right to get angry.

[But he smiles. He doesn't think either Ayaka or Thoma would truly blame him or Ayato for anything. Still, he doesn't want them to worry. Or Ayato to actually get sick here.]

We're close to the teleporter now.

[Thankfully.]

I doubt either of them would be angry.

{ it takes a lot for that to happen, aether please. }

But I would much rather not get sick.

{ he won't mention he'd had to call on thoma a couple of days ago to fetch him an umbrella as he got caught in the exact same park -- so maybe out of the two of them thoma would have more reason to be exasperated with him. }

You're right though, as soon as we're in the city it should be safer.

[He know, he knows!]

Still... I wanted you to take a break, but the rain completely spoiled it.

[He's definitely disappointed, but then his face gets a little red again. Ah, memories returning in the right moment.

Thankfully, they will be out of the rain soon and right into a drier place.]

I think the city should have some warnings for this kind of weather.

[It would've been nice if they did!]

It's a shame, it wasn't like this at all last month. I was rather looking forward to our walk, though-- { his head tilts to look down towards him, and he blinks, seeming sad } Was it really that bad?

{ of course, his act would be more convincing if another sneeze didn't make itself known, and he has to twist to sneeze into his arm. }

I was looking forward to our walk, too. Especially, that we probably won't get too much time to hang out, since you're busy...

[Then he looks up and catches that sadness in Ayato's eyes. Is it really there or is it just more teasing?!]

Ah, i-it wasn't--

[Before he gets to answer Ayato sneezes and Aether reaches out to him.]

We really should get somewhere warm and dry as soon as possible!

We can rearrange it for anoth- { and another sneeze, followed by a small sniffle. } another time. Sadly there isn't much shelter in the area, so we'll just need to head back.

Do you have a change of clothes yet, or do you still only have your clothes from home?

[If those sneezes continue, Aether will really start worrying that Ayato is going to be sick because of him.]

Alright. We better move fast.

[As for the clothes...]

Well, I made plans to go shopping with Lumine...

[Which means he does not have any spare clothes yet. So many other things were on his mind!]

Oh? That's good to hear. { he smiles. } I went with Ayaka not long after we arrived. Actually, she picked out these clothes for me.

{ he isn't bothered he didn't pick any out for himself, he hadn't had the patience to at the time. he definitely needs to go again at some point though. }

My clothes may be a little big for you, but I may have something that could work. It wouldn't be good for you to get warm only to be stuck without anything to wear.

[His eyes soften.]

I see. I'm looking forward to shopping with my sister... [He smiles, nostalgic.] It feels like we haven't done that in ages.

[Not wrong.

At the mention of the clothes, Aether laughs softly.]

Anything will be fine, really. I just appreciate the gesture. And truth to be told, I got stuck in the rain with Thoma like this before and he had to leant me some of his clothes as well--

[Suddenly, Aether trails off, his eyes widen and his cheeks grow bright red.

He kissed with Thoma, too. Then Thoma borrowed him some clothes to change... Is this going to be a pattern?!]

I imagine it has been a long time, if you both remember going as far as Sumeru, that is?

{ at least the last he knew lumine had been headed there. since aether knew him and the others, they've clearly both made it as far as there. }

Oh?

{ the way he flushes and cuts himself off is rather telling of some of what he's thinking.

and it's a little alarming when he feels a small stabbing feeling of jealousy, even if he shouldn't because he knows the same just happened here. }

I can't say I'm surprised. He wouldn't want you to get sick either.

{ once they're at the teleporter he'll hit the keys to get them back }

[He nods.]

I've been to Sumeru, too, before appearing here.

[So Ayato is definitely right. It has been a long time even counting from the beginning of Aether's journey through Teyvat. Even if many questions are still left unanswered, the traveler wishes to enjoy his and his sister's reunion for as long as it may last.

...But then there's the way Aether blushes, along with his own words. Ayato must know what it means and the boy is almost surprised to not hear some teasing.]

Thoma is very kind. [He says quietly. Honestly, there's no lie in that. Thoma is incredibly kind and warm, and Aether appreciates that with his entire heart.

But just as much, he also cherishes Ayato's kindness. So he follows the other easily, happy to be out of the rain.]

It's incredibly curious how this works.

{ but he won't push for more information, they'll tell him what he needs to know -or at least he hopes so given the state of things.

and no teasing will come on the subject, as he struggles with himself over that awful feeling that rushed through him at the comment. }

That he is. { aether is not imagining it that his words are a little more clipped. not unfriendly, just as though he's distracted--thinking about something else. as soon as they see the apartment block ahead, he'll make a beeline for it, indicating for aether to keep up. }

[He's observing Ayato with a small crease of his brow. Something he said impacted the other but he's not quite sure how or why. His friend appears to be oddly distracted, but Aether follows him nonetheless.

After a moment, he has to ask thought.]

Did I... say something wrong?

[Is it... about Thoma?]

Ah? { he blinks, pulling himself from his thoughts again, only to smile at aether. }

It isn't your fault, don't worry. Something just occurred to me, that is all.

{ he's never really had that feeling before. protectiveness? of course. but this is another level he hadn't expected, and since he's pretty much done the same it definitely seems silly to let that feeling continue, it's more analysing what it felt like and the connotations of it more than anything else. }

[Aether gives his companion a long look as if studying his smile, the way he blinked, the way he speaks those words.]

...It's about Thoma, isn't it?

[Maybe it's just a hunch, but at the same time he can't really think of anything else. The change happened when he mentioned Thoma and blushed remembering their encounter in the rain.

Then it hits him.

Is Ayato bothered about Thoma and Aether kissing? But... the other wasn't bothered when he kissed the traveler? So maybe this isn't it?]

Dear me, either you're much more observant than your sister or I'm becoming much worse at hiding anything now. Hopefully the former.

{ he sighs, glancing away. they need to keep walking though, even if they've come out the other side now. the rain isn't here, but they're already wet from it. }

It is though, yes. About Thoma, I mean. { his gaze stays fixed ahead, looking down the street they need to travel down towards the apartments. } I'm rational to know the rain is at fault, Aether, so you needn't worry about it. It was just interesting to feel jealousy in this context.

[They need to keep walking, it's true. The rain was quite merciless, leaving them soaked to the bone and Aether is aware that this may cause trouble for them again. He doesn't want any awkwardness to linger, even if he's more than sure Ayato wouldn't be bothered by whatever his actions could be. The other would likely use them to tease the traveler though...

A soft sigh escapes Aether's lips.]

Your expression changed when I talked about Thoma... and then you gave me a pretty distant answer when I talked about him again. It got me thinking.

[But now that he has his suspicions confirmed, and moreover, Ayato mentions feeling jealousy, this leads Aether to another conclusion - that there is something more between Ayato and Thoma than he initially thought. Maybe this is exactly why Ayato was so bothered by being from a different version of Teyvat than Thoma is.

A frown settles on Aether's face. The fact that he shared a kiss with Thoma suddenly makes him feel really bad. He knows it wasn't their fault that it happened and yet it still doesn't sit well with him.]

I can't say I enjoy this place. [He says.] People should be able to reserve their kisses for those they care about the most.

I was thinking. { he does huff out a laugh at that. } You really shouldn't keep frowning like that though, I already said I understand the situation. The rain is what it is. { and since he's pretty much said it without literally saying it, he'll clarify it now: } The change to our relationship is relatively new, so feeling that way caught me off guard as well. I don't want you to feel guilty for something you can't help. Besides, I just kissed you as well, didn't I?

At least it was a fairly innocent kiss.

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