⤷ info: kazuha, albedo, aether, xiao, wanderer x gn!reader || angst, this is based on the prompt “can i hold your hand?” (or “can you hold my hand?”) || wc: 3104
⤷ warnings: death, this is v v angsty
⤷ extra: i wrote this a while ago back on soleillunne and decided that it was too good to be gone forever lmao
kazuha.
The battlefield was strewn with chaos, and amidst the clash of swords and the cries of war, Kazuha fought with all his might, his heart burdened with the weight of the lives at stake. He had hoped that his skills with the blade and mastery of the Anemo vision would be enough to protect those he held dear, but fate had other plans.
As the battle raged on, he caught a glimpse of his lover, a skilled warrior whose presence had always brought him comfort and strength, you. Your eyes met for a fleeting moment, and in that exchange, you understood each other without uttering a word. It was a silent promise that you would find each other amidst the chaos.
But the tide turned against you, and the enemy’s forces seemed endless. Despite your best efforts, the defenders were overwhelmed, and Kazuha found himself standing back-to-back with you, defending against the onslaught.
In the midst of the chaos, an arrow found its mark. Time seemed to slow as the arrow pierced through your chest, and the world around you faded into the background. Kazuha’s heart clenched in horror as he caught you, your strength waning with each passing moment.
“Kazuha,” you gasped, blood staining your lips. “Can I hold your hand?”
Tears welled up in Kazuha’s eyes as he clutched your hand tightly, trying to offer some semblance of comfort amidst the pain. “Yes, of course,” he choked out, his voice trembling with grief.
Your hand trembled in his grasp, and Kazuha could feel your life slipping away like sand through his fingers. He could do nothing but watch helplessly as the light in your eyes began to fade. You smiled weakly at him, a bittersweet expression filled with love and regret.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered, your voice barely audible above the sounds of battle. “I wish… we had more time.”
“Don’t speak like that,” Kazuha pleaded, his voice breaking. “We’ll get through this. I won’t let you go.”
But you knew better, and as your strength waned, you continued to smile at him, your touch growing weaker by the second.
“I love you,” you murmured, your breath becoming shallow. “Always…”
Tears streamed down Kazuha’s cheeks as he held you close, trying to shield you from the harsh reality of the world around you. He wished he could turn back time, rewrite the events that led to this tragic moment, but life was unforgiving in its cruelty.
Your hand in his grew colder, and your breathing ceased. Your life force, once vibrant and strong, slipped away, leaving behind only a lifeless body in Kazuha’s arms.
Kazuha held your hand tightly, unable to let go, as if keeping that connection alive could somehow bring you back. He cried out in anguish, the weight of grief crashing down upon him like an unforgiving storm.
In that moment, amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Kazuha felt an emptiness he had never known before. He had lost not only a lover but a confidant, a soulmate with whom he had shared dreams, laughter, and countless cherished memories.
And as the battle raged on, Kazuha clung to your lifeless hand, lost in sorrow, with a heart that would forever bear the burden of their memory.
albedo.
Albedo’s heart pounded in his chest as he cradled his you in his arms. He was just about to descend from his lab on Dragonspine to meet up with you as he promised, only to see you laying on your own blood at the bottom of the mountain. He had seen you only hours prior, he’d laughed with you, but now, all that remained was a sea of sorrow, the bitter taste of loss overwhelming his senses.
He looked down at the face that he had cherished so dearly, now drained of all warmth and life. Your eyes, once filled with light and love, now stared back at him with a haunting emptiness. Albedo’s hands trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision.
“Can you hold my hand?” a weak voice whispered, barely audible amidst the sounds of grief and despair that surrounded them. Albedo’s heart wrenched at the sound, and he quickly took your freezing hand into his own.
Tears streamed down Albedo’s cheeks as he clutched your hand tightly. “Yes, of course,” he choked out, his voice breaking with pain. “I’ll hold your hand for as long as you need, my love.”
He brought your intertwined hands to his lips and placed a tender kiss on the once-warm skin, now cold and lifeless. Memories of your time together flooded his mind – the laughter you shared, the dreams you nurtured, and the love you built with each passing day. Now, all that was left were shattered hopes and dreams.
“I’m so sorry,” Albedo whispered, his voice filled with regret and guilt. “I couldn’t protect you. I failed.”
You weakly shook your head, mustering a faint smile. “No, don’t blame yourself,” you managed to say. “You… you brought me so much happiness, Albedo. Please, don’t forget that.”
Albedo’s heart ached at the words, realizing that he had to find the strength to carry on without you. But it felt like an impossible task, as if the very essence of his being had been torn apart.
“I don’t know if I can,” he confessed, his voice trembling with sorrow. “You’re my everything.”
You fingers tightened around his hand as if trying to hold on just a little longer. “You’re strong, Albedo. Stronger than you know,” you said, your voice barely audible. “Promise me… you’ll keep going… for both of us.”
Albedo nodded, his tears falling freely now. “I promise,” he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’ll live for the both of us. But it won’t be the same without you.”
Your breaths became shallower, and Albedo knew that your life was slipping away. He leaned closer, trying to memorize every detail of your face, never wanting to forget.
“I love you,” you whispered, your words fading like a gentle breeze. “Always.”
“I love you too,” Albedo replied, his voice choked with emotion. “Always and forever.”
And with those final words, your grip on his hand slowly weakened until it was gone completely. Albedo held onto your hand a moment longer, pressing it against his heart as if trying to keep your love alive within him.
As grief consumed him, Albedo felt a mix of emotions. Sorrow, anger, and a deep longing to see his lover again, even if it were just for a moment. But he knew he had to continue, to honor your memory and the love you shared.
Albedo gently laid your body down, closing your eyes with tender care. He stood, feeling the weight of loss heavy on his shoulders, but also the weight of your love, and your belief in him, pushing him forward. Though his heart was shattered, he would carry your love with him, always.
And as he walked away from that place of sorrow, he knew that the pain would remain, but so would the memories of a love that would never truly fade away.
aether.
Aether’s heart pounded in his chest as he cradled his dying lover in his arms. The battlefield around them had turned into a chaotic canvas of destruction, but his attention was solely focused on the person he held dear. You were slipping away, and he could feel your life force fading like a waning star.
“Can you hold my hand?” you whispered, your voice barely audible amidst the cacophony of war. Aether’s eyes filled with tears, and he gently clasped your frail hand in his own, interlocking your fingers. His touch was warm, providing a sense of comfort amidst the pain.
“I’m here,” he choked out, his voice trembling. “I won’t let go.”
Your breathing was shallow, and your once-bright eyes were now dim, but you managed a faint smile. It was a bittersweet expression, as if you were trying to convey so much in that fleeting moment. Memories of you flooded Aether’s mind, from the first time you met under the starlit sky to the promises you made to each other.
“You have to promise me,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, “that you’ll keep going. That you’ll find happiness again.”
Aether couldn’t find the strength to respond, his throat constricted with grief. He knew that in a world without his lover, life would lose its luster, its purpose. But he understood that you were trying to ease his pain, even in your last breaths.
“No,” he whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks, “I can’t bear to live without you. Please don’t leave. Not you too.”
You smiled again, a mixture of sadness and love in your eyes. “You are strong, Aether, and you will find the strength to carry on. I will always be with you.”
Aether’s heartache intensified, and he leaned down to press his forehead against yours. He wished he could freeze time, to hold you forever, but he knew it was slipping away like grains of sand through his fingers.
“I love you,” you said, their voice fading into a whisper.
“And I love you,” Aether replied, his voice breaking.
Your grip on his hand loosened, and Aether felt the last pulse of life slip away from you. He held onto your hand a moment longer, not wanting to let go, but eventually, he lowered it gently to your chest.
In that moment, as the world around him continued to rage with chaos, Aether felt an overwhelming emptiness inside. His lover was gone, and the pain of your absence consumed him. But he knew he had to honor your last wish—to find a way to live without you, to keep your love alive in his heart.
With tears in his eyes, Aether kissed your forehead one last time before he stood, facing the uncertain future that lay ahead. Your love would forever be his guiding light, and he would cherish every memory, every moment you had shared.
And as the battles raged on and the world continued to turn, Aether vowed to carry your love with him, a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. Though your physical presence was gone, your love would endure, a reminder that even in the face of loss, the power of love could transcend beyond the boundaries of life and death.
heizou.
Heizou knelt on the cold, damp ground, cradling your cold body in his arms. He had just returned home from work, when the last thing he expected to see was see you laying on your own blood in your shared home. He held you closer, your blood staining his hands, mingling with his own tears. His heart felt as though it had been torn apart, and the pain was almost unbearable.
The world seemed to slow down as Heizou stared into the fading eyes of his beloved. Each second felt like an eternity, and yet, it was slipping away all too quickly. He could see the struggle in your gaze, the effort it took to speak those final words.
“Can I hold your hand?” you whispered, your voice getting lower with each word.
Tears streamed down Heizou’s face, and he gently clasped your trembling hand with his own, intertwining your fingers. He felt your warmth slowly waning, and he held on tighter, as if he could somehow will life back into you with the strength of his grip.
“You don’t have to ask,” Heizou choked out, his voice breaking with sorrow. “I’ll hold your hand forever.”
You managed a faint smile, your strength visibly waning. “I… I love you,” you managed to say, your voice barely above a whisper.
“I love you too,” Heizou replied, his voice trembling. “You’re my everything, my reason for living.”
As the commotion outside your shared home began to get louder, the people having noticed the blood stains, Heizou’s focus remained solely on you. The world outside ceased to exist for him, and he poured all his love and energy into holding you, trying to be your anchor in this storm of pain and suffering.
In your last moments, you clung to each other tightly, as if afraid to let go. Heizou’s heart ached as he felt your life slipping away from him, the person who meant more to him than anything else in the world. He wished he could have done something, anything, to save you.
But in the end, all he could do was be there, holding your hand, providing them with comfort in their final moments. Heizou would carry the weight of this loss forever, the memories of you etched into his soul.
Even as people left you two alone and the world moved on, Heizou remained on that cold, damp ground, cradling the body of the one he had loved and lost, his heart forever scarred by the pain of that fateful day.
xiao.
Xiao knelt on the damp ground, his heart pounding with anguish as he cradled your shaking form in his arms. The battlefield around you was silent, the chaos of the battle having retreated, leaving behind only the echoes of suffering and loss.
Your once bright eyes, now dulled by death, stared up at him, and Xiao couldn’t bear to look away. Your hands, once intertwined in a promise of eternity, now lay limp and still. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.
“Can you hold my hand?” your voice was a faint whisper, barely audible amidst the devastation surrounding them.
Xiao’s heart shattered at those words, but he gently took your hand in his own, holding it with all the tenderness and love he had for you. “I will always hold your hand,” he choked out, his voice breaking with grief.
You managed a weak smile, the corners of your lips lifting slightly. “Even in death,” you murmured, your voice barely reaching Xiao’s ears.
“I’ll follow you anywhere, my love,” Xiao vowed, his fingers trembling as he clung tightly to the hand that was growing colder by the second. “Even to the ends of this cruel world.”
Your breathing grew fainter, and your grip on his hand loosened. Xiao felt his heartache intensify, knowing that he couldn’t change the cruel fate that had befallen you.
“Thank you… for loving me,” you whispered, your voice a mere thread of sound.
“Thank you for making my life meaningful,” Xiao replied, his voice choked with emotion. “I’m grateful for every moment we shared.”
Your eyes locked for a final time, and in that fleeting moment, a lifetime of love and memories passed between you. Xiao wished he could freeze time, to hold on to this moment forever, but life had other plans.
As the last breath left your lips, Xiao leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead. “Rest now,” he whispered, his voice breaking with sorrow. “I’ll carry you in my heart. Until we meet again.”
He remained there, holding your lifeless hand, as tears streamed down his cheeks, mingling with the blood-stained soil beneath you. Xiao knew that a part of him had died that day with his beloved, but he also knew that your love would live on, eternal and undying, no matter the circumstances.
wanderer.
Wanderer knelt on the ground, his heart pounding in his chest as he cradled you in his arms. The world around you seemed to blur, the noise of battle fading into an eerie silence. The battle had been brutal, and he had fought with all his might to protect the one he loved, but fate had dealt them a cruel hand.
Your once vibrant eyes now glistened with pain, and a weak smile graced your lips. Blood stained your clothing, and Wanderer could feel your life slipping away.
“Hey,” you whispered, your voice barely audible. “I don’t have much time, do I?”
Wanderer choked back a sob, clutching your body tightly. “Don’t talk like that. You’re going to be fine. We’ll get you help.”
A soft chuckle escaped your lips, but it quickly turned into a cough. “You can’t lie to me, my love.” you managed to say, your breath shallow.
Tears finally streamed down Wanderer’s face as he pressed his forehead against yours. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m sorry if I didn’t say it often. I can’t bear to lose you.”
You trembled in his grasp, and gazed into his eyes with a mixture of love and sadness. “Can I hold your hand?” you asked, your voice barely audible.
Wanderer nodded frantically, intertwining his fingers with yours. He held your hand close to his heart, hoping that somehow he could transfer strength to you.
“I’m scared,” you admitted, tears pooling in your eyes. “I don’t want to leave you.”
He brushed a strand of hair away from your face, his touch gentle and full of affection, reserved only for you. “You won’t have to. Just hold on a little longer, and we’ll get you help. We’ll face this together.”
Your grip tightened weakly on his hand. “You’re my light, my love, my everything,” you murmured. “You always have been. Promise me you’ll keep shining, even when I’m gone.”
Wanderer could feel whatever was left of his heart shatter with your words. “I promise,” he choked out. “But you can’t leave me. I can’t do this without you.”
Your breathing grew shallower, and your voice became softer. “You’re strong, my love,” you said. “You’ll find a way. Remember me, but don’t let my memory hold you back. Live your life to the fullest. Find happiness again.”
“I can’t imagine life without you,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “How am I supposed to go on?”
Your only response was a brief smile, and he squeezed your cold hand tightly. “I’ll never let go,” he vowed. “Not even when you’re gone.”
Your breathing slowed, and your eyes locked with his one last time. “I love you,” you whispered, your voice fading away.
“I love you too,” he whispered back, his voice cracking.
And then, with your hand still clasped in his, you were gone.
Wanderer held your lifeless form closer, his tears falling like rain. He knew that life would never be the same again, that a piece of his heart had been taken with you. But he also knew that he had to keep the promise he made. With a heavy heart, he stood, carrying your memory with him as he faced the world without you, knowing that he would always carry your love and light with him.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
@amalythea 2024. | do not re-upload, copy, translate, etc. my works on any form of media.
Hiii! Can I request Aether, Kaeya and Dainsleif (or just one of them!) Angst where they’ve been dismissive of reader for days but then they forget a date reader took a long time planning so they can spend some time together, so reader comes home late to find them there and angrily unloads and breaks up with them and starts trying to leave but they beg for reader to stay (whether reader stays or not can be up to you <3)
*rubbing hands toghether, laughing evily* Hehehe..
Characters Included: Aether; Kaeya; Dainsleif
Content: gender neutral reader; established relationship; angst; hurt/no comfort; breaking up; hurt/comfort; not proofread yet
Word count: 3,9k words
And just to say this from the get go.. THIS IS A STAND ALONE. THERE WON'T BE A PART 2 TO THIS!
With that out of the way... enjoy!
Aether
You were tapping your fingers on the kitchen table. It had a somewhat rhythmical sound to it, yet inside, you were feeling restless and defeated.
The food you had spent almost the entire afternoon preparing and cooking, has already gotten cold in front of you. Keeping hope that Aether might still show up, you had reheated it three separate times. And yet, he never showed up.
He was three hours late at this point and you have lost all hope that he was actually showing up any time soon. Even though he had promised you a hundred times that he would not forget this time.
With a sigh, you stand up from the table, collecting the food and bringing it back to the kitchen. You contemplated wether it would be worth it to keep, but in the end, you just threw it away, thinking that it would be bad from all the reheating you had done.
Cleaning up took you longer than expected, your movements slow as your thoughts contined to drift off all the time. Wandering back to the absence of your boyfriend. How he promised to be here today, with you, since he already missed or had forgotten about other dates in the past.
You understand him, you really do. Travelling the entirety of Teyvat, trying to find his missing sister. But then again, why get into a relationship with you when he knew he would be absent the entire time? Why did you even agree to dating Aether in the first place?
Thoughts like that continued to plague your mind until you were done washing up, putting the damp towel away as you decided to head to bed for the day. A part of you still hoped that he didn't forget, that he was just running late and would burst through the door anytime, apologizing profusely for the delay. You hoped for this the entire time you got changed, brushed your teeth and then tugged yourself in bed.
Yet it never happened.
A single tear ran down your cheek as you turned around and fell asleep, the dissapointment having settled deep within you.
Over the course of the next two days, you contined to hope for Aether to come back, while you were also reevaluating the entirety of your relationship with Aether at this point.
He was gone 90% of the time, and even if he did come back to Mondstadt, he only stayed for a couple of days. And even in those few days, the time you actually got to spend alone with him was very limited, making you feel like you barely even had a relationship with him at all, at this point. He was always so focused on finding his sister and helping others, that there just wasn't any time left for you.
You took your time to thourougly think things over those two days, and in the end, you came to the decision that this whole thing wasn't worth it anymore.
You were done waiting around for him. You were done feeling lonely and isolated, hoping for Aether to come back to you just for him to leave again. You wanted to feel loved and appreciated, like you deserved to.
So, on the third day after he missed yet another date, you pulled through with your decision and packed up all of the things he had left at your place. Which wasn't much since he wasn't around that much. It all fit pretty much into one single backpack.
You were just finishing up when you suddenly heard the sound of the front door unlocking, a sound that you desperately had hoped to hear just a few days ago. A sound that usually sent butterflies flying through your entire body. And a sound that now made your heart sink. You had made the decision to end this relationship, and yet, you didn't feel ready to face Aether just yet. But there was no running away anymore.
"(Name)? I'm back!", you heard his soft voice call out to you as he closed the door behind him gently. You took a deep breath in, trying to put on a tough facade, then grabbed the backpack and headed out of the bedroom to face your still-boyfriend for the final time.
Aether's face lit up into a bright smile upon seeing you, but when he didn't get the same reaction from you, his face dropped a bit.
"What's wrong, (Name)? Did something happen?", he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"It sure did. Remember when you promised to show up for our dinner date three days ago? The one you swore up and down you wouldn't forget this time and actually be there for?", you asked him. Your tone of voice was utterly calm, no hint of accusation found whatsoever.
You could see his face drop in sudden realization and he already opened his mouth to say something, most likely apology after apology, with the promise to do better in the future. Like he always did. But before Aether could get out a single word, you extended the backpack towards him, waiting for him to take it.
"..what's this?", he asked as he hesitantly reached out and took it from your hand.
"All your stuff you had lying around here. I'm breaking up with you, Aether. I'm done with all of this. Please leave."
"Wait, (Name)! I'm sorry, okay! I know this is purely my fault, but please don't do this! I promise this won't happen again! Please, give me a chance to prove myself!", he started begging as soon as the words of breaking up with him left your lips.
Your heart clenched at hearing his words, you wanted to trust him so badly, but it was finally time to prioritize yourself.
"No. I'm sorry, but that's not happening. You've had chance after chance to prove yourself. To prove to me that our relationship actually meant something to you. But time and time again, you only proved to me that you don't care. You only care about finding your sister. And that is fine. But I'm done hoping to become just as important to you when that's never going to happen."
"No, you're wrong! I love you, (Name)! Please, don't do this!", he was begging now, almost falling to his knees when he saw how serious you were in your decision.
A single tear ran down your cheek and you couldn't help the small smile forming. "I love you too, Aether. I do, but this just doesn't work anymore. Maybe, this is just a case of meeting the right person at the wrong time. But regardless, I can't do this anymore. I can't contine to wait around for you when I could be with someone who appreciates me like I deserve to. So please, just.. leave."
He was silent after you said that, staring at you. You could both feel his heart shattering into pieces, tears threatening to fall, but he kept them in. After a moment, he just nodded, gripping the backpack with his stuff close to his chest as he turned around and headed towards the front door.
But before he left, he turned to face you once again. "I really do love you, (Name). But if this is what you want, I won't fight you on it. I honestly wish you the best in life, and that you find happiness."
"...Good luck with finding your sister.", you said after a nod, which he returned. And then, he opened the front door, leaving both your house and your life.
Only then did the reality of it all sink into you and you couldn't hold back the tears anymore. It hurt, but you still thought it to be the right decision.
You'd heal, but it will take some time..
Kaeya
For a few weeks now, your Cavalry Captain boyfriend has been swamped with work, to the point where he spends entire nights at the Knights headquarters to try and finish up, but every time, a new pile of work gets added on, so he just never quite finishes with it.
Thanks to this, your relationship and the time spent with him has suffered quite a lot. You try to be understanding and support him with whatever you can, but it's hard not seeing him at all.
The few times he comes home, he almost instantly gets into bed and falls asleep, only to be gone again when you wake up. Or, when you still used to go visit him to bring him something to eat. But when he yelled at you for distracting him from his work, you also stopped doing that.
You had been feeling neglected for some time now, but every time you bring this up to Kaeya, he brushes you off and tells you that it'll be over soon. That he will be done with his work soon and then everything will go back to the way it has been. You want to believe him so bad, but it's hard.
But after that talk, nothing seemed to change for yet another week, so you decided to try and talk to him again. This time, it seemed to go a lot smoother than last time, and you actually got him to see things from your point of view, which led to the two of you agreeing to just take some time for the relationship again and go on a date, since you haven't been able to do that for some time.
Nothing too fancy, just going out for some nice dinner and having the time to talk to each other again, maybe a walk around the city or outside for a bit before heading home again. You didn't need anything fancy or big, it would be enough just to spend some time with your boyfriend again.
At the night you two settled on, you arrived first and got seated. Since you didn't see any harm in it, you ordered yourself something to drink while waiting for Kaeya to show up.
And wait you did.
After twenty minutes, you ordered some wine.
After another half hour, he still wasn't there, no sign of him ever showing up.
You saw the pityful looks of other patrons and the staff, which only led you to drink even more.
When Kaeya didn't show up after another twenty minutes, you decided to pay and leave. The entire way back to your home, your head hung low and you were fighting the tears that threatened to escape.
Only when the front door was finally shut behind you did you allow the floodgates to open, the tears now freely running down your cheeks as you sank down along the door, hitting the floor and finally breaking down.
The alcohol in your system helped to rile your feelings up and your cried and sobbed for what felt like forever. When the tears finally stopped, you felt like running on autopilot when you got changed and walked into the bedroom.
To your utter surprise, there was Kaeya, fast asleep on the bed, like nothing was wrong. You just stood there, mouth hanging open when you saw him sleeping peacefully.
So, he totally forgot about the date and just went home and to sleep without a care in the world.
You had half a mind to wake him up and confront him, but decided against it, seeing as the alcohol would probably not contribute to you making smart decisions. So, you decided to wait until morning to do so.
When morning rose, you were woken up by Kaeya as he got himself ready for work. Normally, you'd just go back to sleep, but not this time. Instead, you sat up and looked at him, and when he turned to you, he noticed your red and swollen eyes.
"You've been crying? What happened?", he asked you. He was concerned, but while asking you, he continued to get himself ready, only half his attention on you, even when noticing something wasn't right with you. It ticked you off, but you still tried to remain calm for now.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that I got stood up by my own boyfriend yesterday. Maybe the fact that I was worried about something happening to him, only to find out that he totally forgot about our date and just went to sleep without a care in the world.", you said, sarcasm rooted deep within your statement.
Hearing that, a quiet string of curses left Kaeya's mouth before he came facing you again. "Yeah, I totally forgot. Sorry about that. But it's not like it was that important anyways. I had a pretty exhausting day yesterday, I was tired, so I forgot about it."
You were stumped by his words, your eyes widening. "That's it? That's your excuse for not showing up?"
"Relax. It's not like it was a life or death situation. We can have another date at any given time.", he just brushed you off like that, waving his hand like it all didn't mean anything to him.
And you realized at that point that nothing was going to change if you didn't do anything about it.
"I want to break up.", you said, tone cold and controlled, and you finally caught Kaeya's attention with that. He froze in his steps and turned around to face you, now finally putting his full attention on you.
"...What?", he asked, his one eye that wasn't hidden by his eyepatch widening in disbelief, like he couldn't believe those words you just spoke.
"You heard me. I want to break up with you."
"Over that? Because I forgot one date?"
"No. Because I barely get to see you anymore. You're never there to spend time with me anymore. And when you promised me to finally do so and go on a date with me, you stood me up! I know my worth and I know I deserve better than that."
"You know how busy the Knights have been recently! Everyone has to work hard these days!"
"And yet, everyone else still seems to care enough about themselves to leave when work is over and spend some time away, maybe with their families. Except you.
Have you ever considered asking for help with all the work you have? Asking someone else to take over a portion of it for you? Or just going to Jean and telling her to not add anymore for you to do when you haven't even finished your other work?"
You listed off all the things he could have done to handle the work better, and knowing that Kaeya hadn't done anything to ask fo help, he remained silent, averting his eyes as the guilty conscious caught up to him.
"I tried to be understand, and I tried to help you. But I can't keep going like this without anything changing. Your work is becoming more important to you than anything else. And I'm not about to sit back and watch you destroy yourself."
After that, silence ensued between the two of you, where you were staring at Kaeya, waiting for him to say something, while he was intently staring at the floor, thinking over everything that had happened and realising that you were right. He has been neglecting you and the relationship. And because of that, he was about to loose you... He couldn't let that happen!
"You're right..", he said, his voice quiet, but growing stronger with every word he said. "You're right. I was to caught up with everything and I didn't even think to ask for help. I didn't even realize how I was treating you as a result. I'm sorry, (Name).
I.. I know this isn't an excuse for anything, but I promise I'll do better. Just please.. give me a chance to prove it to you. I promise to treat you better from now on, like you deserve to be treated. Please, give me one last chance."
He was walking over to you, as you were still sitting in the bed, and dropped to his knees in front of the bed, taking one of your hand between his hands, holding it close in front of his face, and you could see a single tear run down his cheek from his blue eye that was staring at your intertwined hands.
You wring with yourself, contemplating your choices and wether you wanted to go through with the breakup or not. With bated breath, Kaeya remained where he was, just waiting for your answer. He didn't know if he could accept it if you did decide to break up with him. He never wanted to loose you.. especially not over something like this...
In the end, you let out a sigh as you leaned towards him, lowering your hands so you could look into his eye properly.
"Okay. I'm giving you one chance. One only. If nothing is changing, I'm going through with the breakup. I can't go on feeling like not even a second choice to you."
Relief washed over his face, evident by the first shocked expression, then the smile that soon followed. Kaeya leaning into you as well, putting his forehead against yours, his eye closing as he soaked up the feeling of you so close to him again.
"You're always my first choice, (Name). I'm sorry I made you feel like that wasn't the case. I love you, and I promise I'll do my best to prove it to you from here on out."
Dainsleif
You thought you knew what you were getting yourself into when entering a relationship with Dainsleif. You may not know everything about him or his past, but you didn't need to in order to love him. That's what you had thought, at least...
Now, after some months of dating... you did slowly realize that maybe, love isn't always enough.
How often was it that he was gone, claiming to be searching for something, yet never telling you what it was, aside that it was important and had to do with his past.
How often did you wait for him when he told you he'd be back after a week, only for him to never keep the promise.
How often have you told him how lonely you felt without him, only for him to spend a bit more time with you, before ultimately having to leave again? And every time he left, it hurt more than all the times before.
And now, it seems you've reached a breaking point.
Today was your six month anniversary with him, and although you weren't usually one to celebrate such things, you decided to use it as an excuse to spend some alone time with him again. When you told him about your plans, he seemed excited and promised to be there to celebrate the event with you.
But he never showed up.
You've been waiting the whole day for him, but seeing as it was almost the next day already, you were certain that he wasn't going to show up anymore.
It wasn't even like you had something big planned. You just wanted some nice and quiet alone time with him, to celebrate you staying together for so long. But now, you felt stupid for it.
Why were you even wasting so much time and energy into this when it didn't seem like he was doing the same thing in the first place?
You thought back to the time you asked him about the celebration, and how he seemed excited. Was that for real? Or was he only faking it to appease you? You couldn't tell anymore.
He promised to be there, but here you were, all alone. Like you seem to be almost every day now..
But even then, hope was a traitorous little thing. It made you stay, hoping for him to show up and apologize for making you wait. Only for that hope to be crushed again and again with every day that passed after it.
And yet, you kept hoping and waiting for Dainsleif, for a whole week. And still, he never showed up.
He told you he would only be gone for a short while, that he would be back on time for the celebration.
He promised it... and broke it so easily.
As the week had passed, and you didn't get a single sign of him, all the hope you had left had finally been crushed, with no hope of it ever coming back. You were finally done. You couldn't handle the pain and heartbreak any longer. On the inside, you were done with this relationship. It hardly felt like it even was one to begin with.
You took your time when you were packing up your things, since you didn't think he'd show up now, of all times. And you should be proven right, once again.
Still, you felt bad if you just up and left without a word of explanation, so you decided to write him a little note. Which turned out to be more of a letter that you then left on the kitchen table.
Getting the help of an old friend, you managed to grab all of your stuff in only one trip. You did feel bad for leaving just like that, but it also felt... liberating.
Like you could finally breathe again.
A huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. And although you still loved Dain, you also felt.. happy.
....
It took Dainsleif another whole week until he finally returned back to the small home he shared with you. He couldn't wait to finally see you again, hold you in his arms, feel you against him again. He'd missed you so very much.
He'd wanted to come back for so long, but the Abyss has been relentless in hunting him down, and he couldn't risk to lead them to you, so he had to stay away until he was certain that it was safe to return again.
But, upon entering the home, he immediately knew something was off. It just felt... empty.
He called out your name, but when no response came, he went to search for you. When Dainsleif couldn't find you, panic began to settle in him. He was about to run out and look for you, when some pieces of paper caught his attention.
The letter you wrote for him.
The more he read through it, the more his hands began to shake, crumbling the paper between his fingers.
When he finished reading through its contents, he didn't know what to feel.
There was anger, despair, some resentment, but most of all.. guilt. And longing.
A longing to go out and search for you, to clear things up and, if he had to, beg for you to take him back.
But he couldn't.
You had made it very clear in your letter that you didn't want to see him anymore. And no matter how much it hurt him, Dainsleif had always respected your wishes. To act against them now, would only make him feel worse.
He would honor your wish for now, hoping that, maybe, in the future, you'd seek him out to talk things through with him. Maybe then, he could ask for your forgiveness, and hopefully, another chance.
But until then, he'd make sure that you'd be safe from afar, watching over you and keeping his love for you alive..
Summary🔎: Aether is stressed and wants to talk to you.
Content Warning ⛈️: Me dumping how I feel onto Aether, angst/comfort.
"Aether you okay?" You asked as you sat beside him on the bench, he seemed to be staring off into space. "Hm?" Aether hummed in confusion, not knowing what you said. "I asked if you're okay." You answer. "Oh, yea, I'm fine." Aether says and smiles tiredly. "Really?" You ask, not believing him. "Y-yea of course!" Aether says. "Okay but please just talk to me if you need." You respond before smiling and starting to get up.
"Wait, Y/n?" Aether says and lightly grabs your wrist. "I'd, like to talk.." Aether says, you nodded and sat back down. "I just feel really tired lately.." Aether mutters and starts to pick the skin at his fingers. "And I just feel like everything is getting harder and I feel so inferior..." You held his hand as he continued to stop him from hurting himself.
"I'm sorry for dumping this on you.." Aether says. "It's okay, I offered, please don't feel like that if you can help it." You respond and rub his hand with your thumb. "Thank you, I just feel burnt out." Aether says. "Then you should take a break from everything, I know you need to get your sister but I don't think she'd mind if you took a small break." You say. "Yea, okay, thanks Y/n.." Aether mumbles and lays his head on your shoulder. "It's no problem." You respond and Aether closes his eyes.
: In which the abyss prince visits you on a quiet midnight, after years of you waiting for his presence in vain.
Sequel: Redamancy (to be written)
Relationship(s): abyss prince! aether x reader (romantic)
Tags: angst, secret balcony meetings, reunion after years, established relationship.
The rise of eventide moon,
When all dwellers come to swoon,
The phonograph sweeps your heart attune,
The disk pirouettes to Clair De Lune,
A peaceful evening ensued,
Until a pair of stranger's steps on your balcony tuned,
Sneaking up to that scheming buffoon,
Unaware of fate's plan that takes place soon,
The door swivels open.
The stranger's cape flutters with the wind.
**
"You are—!"
The stranger's harsh eyes shift to bewilderment upon descrying your figure. It was unclear why, whether it was because they have been caught, or was it because they were caught by you, especially.
A closer look was all it took for you to know the answer. Your eyes widen.
"Aether?"
Shock slowly simmers down to indifference. His golden eyes narrow, devoid of any sheen.
His lips part, closes, till he speaks again. His voice is hushed as he says, "I'm—I'm terribly sorry, did I wake you?"
Your heartbeat races, bating out of your ribcage in desperateness to grasp the elusive memory his voice allures.
Memories of that enchanting evening flooded your vision.
A man sat at the balcony's balustrade, clutching your palm and looking intently into your eyes.
You found your heart putty in his hands with every word he let go.
"I will cherish you until all the stars cease to glow."
With your thumb caressing his cheek and him feeling the skin of your waist after admitting you loved him back, the promise he made was sealed with a sloppy kiss.
You met him every midnight thereafter. He would knock gently on your balcony door, a handsome smile etched on his face whilst taking your hand to plant a kiss and whispering, "good evening, my love" before inquiring about your day.
He'd bring a bouquet of flowers with him sometimes. Often, he'd bring a music disk to play on the phonograph for you two to slow dance to as you both stumble, laughter erupting afterwards.
Some nights, he'd simply hold you close.
"Thank you for letting me to love you like this," he'd whisper, brushing his fingers along your hair, a warm kiss making its mark on your forehead.
"I'll see you tomorrow night once more, so please, wait for me."
Simple gestures they were, and yet they had you floating on cloud nine, believing that these secret midnight meetings were tailor made by the kismet—threads of every fleeting moment for sewing memories that would last for eternity.
You loved each other every night as if you would never get to love again by daylight.
Until it was true.
The clock's hand ticked three, mockingly signifying the three hours of waiting you've done in vain.
"How unusual, he's not usually this late." Holding your now-cold drink between palms, you whispered to yourself, "I suppose waiting a little longer won't hurt."
Perhaps it didn't.
One night without him didn't forebode the end of the world. You carried on with your daily life, ambling over the same balcony every moonrise, like a never ending loop.
However, after a month of seeing the sun rise above the mountains and never seeing his blonde hair, you realized something was amiss.
Maybe this time, you would always say. Maybe this time...
But nothing.
The turmoil in your heart grew.
"Aether..."
Winter eventually came around.
Frigid clouds spilled from your breaths, falling snow crystals bedecked your hair—you wished it was his gloved hand draping over your hair instead.
You wished he was here, long finished the hot drink you've prepared that had now gone cold, while telling you of the lovely sights he had seen in his ventures.
You wished he was here greeting you with "good evening, my love" once more, ambling to the comfort of your bed and lips meeting yours.
"He's not here again tonight," you muttered, disappointed, nothing out of the ordinary, looking down the empty road beneath your lonely terrace.
You supposed you had long been aware of it anyway, of the troubles that could possibly arise because you had made your adoration for the Prince of the Abyss known.
Perhaps you were simply in denial, stubbornly refusing to accept the reality laid right before you; or perhaps, it was him that kept you from fully embracing it.
"I will cherish you until all the stars cease to glow."
His promise had never sounded so shallow, senseless and untrue.
You tried to understand. Making enemy of the whole world, you were cognizant of the prospect that he may never return.
But even so, you waited, and waited, and waited again. The morning breeze grew cold after years of disappointment, but the midnight breeze was even colder without his presence gracing your balcony.
You waited nonetheless.
But he never returned.
You lived without him for several years, yet you never managed to fully immerse yourself in that foreign lifestyle. You awaited his arrival every night, but he never came.
But now that he's genuinely in front of you, you're perplexed, your defenses non-existent.
Why just now?
"N-not at all," is all you manage, stricken by incredulity. "Truthfully, I haven't gone to bed yet."
Where have you been?
"I see..." his eyes scatter everywhere but to meet yours. "You're up rather late tonight. May I know what for?"
Huh?
What for? his voice echoed, each repeat resounding a more sardonic tone than the former. What did he mean by 'what for?' Did he not meet you around this time every night before?
The luminous moonlight bathes his entire face, allowing you to catch a glimpse of his golden eyes, which are bereft of the affection you recalled they held.
And that's when you realize.
His eyes carry remnants of a stranger's gaze.
You must look stupid, hopeful eyes contrasting his indifferent expression. Your lips part but what of it when your voice was dead.
You hope that this is all a dream and he'd pull you in for a hug already, assuring that it was all a bad dream, a wicked prank, but you knew he was never one to make such sinister jokes.
It's painful. It hurts so much.
Everything erodes at time's behest. You are not different, not a subject to reality's clemency.
Is there truly no more adoration left in his heart? Is that why he left? What caused him to change?
Despite this, his face remains the same as before. Young, unblemished, a remainder of the man that you once loved, but is now the reason why you are lost.
You still cherish him, even if he doesn't. You treasure him and all of your memories of him.
"I will cherish you until all the stars cease to glow."
He made the promise, how come you were the one who fulfilled it?
"I'll see you tomorrow night once more, so"
"I'm..."
"...please, wait for me."
The moon casts its glow on you.
He hasn't told you straight that he no longer loves you, has he?
Perhaps this was one of your many naive premonitions again. A baseless hope. But if there's even a small possibility that he still cherishes you—
"I was waiting for you," you solemnly confess, "As I have been doing every night for all these years."
—you are willing to put up with a little more years.
Your heartfelt response, unbeknownst to you, tears him apart completely.
Note: Finally done AAAAA. This fic wasn't meant to be this long, I got carried away ueueueue.
Me: Finally done, I can finally post— *remembers that I still have to make his banner* or not. (-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩___-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩)
Oh, and there will be a sequel to this and it's going to be in the same series with the Origin fic I posted about Xiao. Keep an eye out, lovely people (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡
Plot: Aether died in a crash. It broke you. A peice of you went missing when his eye went blank. But little did you know he left several letters for you.
Note: I figured it was a time I faced my grandmother's passing after 2 years and 8 months. This is for those who are struggling to face the reality of a loved one passing. The rant reader gives is a rant I went through as well. Everyone grieves differently.
Notes:angst with some comfort. Everyone is aged up for obvious reasons, mentions of past violence, and disasters
Final note: caelus is the trailblazer name in atar rail, and someone drew something with both caelus and aether in it
'Come closer' He said cupping your cheek.
You did as he said.
'I'm so sorry kit kat know I love you.' He said before kissing your cheek gently. He hand fell on the bed.
You wailed as the light in his eyes went dull. The monitor flat lining. Doctors and nurses rushed to help him. One nurse gently guided you out of the room.
A few minutes he was pronounced dead. You cried as a nurse led you down the hall to a quiet room.
'I'm sorry for your loss' He said as he sat you down. 'IF you want anything just call'
With that he left you alone.
You sobbed for hours. The reality hitting you hard.
Your husband of 25 years was gone. No more making new memories, no more dancing in the living room, spending time in the backyard watching the rain fall, stealing his jacket before work, it was all gone.
There was a knock on the door. You looked up as the same nurse entered the room.
'I know your having a hard time but they were going to throw these out.' He held up aether scarf and jacket. You lunged out of the chair grabbing them.
'What about his wedding ring?' You asked quietly wrapping the scarf around your neck.
'Would you like his jewelry?' The nurse asked.
'Please' you whispered burying your face in the jacket.
'OK. I'll grab it all.' He left.
You started crying again. Keeping your face in the jacket. You wished you had prevented him from leaving this morning.
The nurse returned.
'Hey, I have his earrings and wedding ring' He said holding them out for you.
You took them thanking the nurse before asking where the exit was.
----
The next several days were difficult for you. You were sleeping on the couch, trying to avoid the bedroom. Your fifteen year old daughter Reyna worried sick. Your sister in law calling, trying to get you to get up.
'Hey mom, look what I found' Reyna said. 'Dad left a letter behind'
You looked at her confused. Letter? She held out a lavender envelope. On it in his handwriting was your name. Reaching out slowly you took it and stared.
'Buts he's dead...this is...' You stared at it more before opening the letter up.
Dear kit kat,
So your probably curious as to why I started calling you kit kat. Well remember the incident back in college? The one that landed you in the deans office with a week suspension?
You fought someone over a kit kat bar. We were at a party that night and you had it in your hand. Some guy snatched it out of your hand and ate it in front you.
I've never seen someone so angry over a piece of candy that they curbed stomped their butt. I almost didn't pull you off him but while he did deserve it I couldn't stand to see you in jail so I pulled you off him. Who knew you had it in you to beat someone bloody.
That night we went to my dorm room and hung out. You were crying due to the time of the month. You were in a lot of pain. So i bandaged your hands then gave you a kiss.
Thats when I started calling you kit kat. You remember what I say everytime you asked for one?
'Kit kat for my kit kat?' You roll your eyes every time i say that line.
I should wrap this up. But know I love you so much.
Your prince,
Aether ♡
You sniffed as your daughter fell on the floor laughing.
'You got into a physical fight in college? Over some candy?!' Reyna laughed more
'Hey, when you're on your monthly and craving something only for someone to snatch it out of your hands, you get down to business and beat someone heads!' You glared at her. 'Where did you find this?'
'I was in the kitchen when I opened the spice cabinet.' She said, sitting up. It was taped on the door. Are you doing ok?'
You nodded a small smile appearing.
'Yea I'm doing ok' you hugged the letter close.
'So what's next?' She asked.
'I don't know...I don't know' you trembled slightly.
'Hey well be ok! I promise!' Reyna said trying to cheer you up. 'Oh I have an idea!'
You looked at the child as she ran off.
----
You were cleaning the living room when you stumbled across another letter. Same colored envelope same handwriting.
Dear princess,
What a night huh? Started off with classes ending in the hospital. Why did we agree to that stupid party?
Oh well hope your head feeling better cause we need to shop for a new table since the one we had broke. We also received a noise complaint from the neighbors. That party was ok. I'm just glad we came home. Though I'm curious as what drove you to asking me to do body shots.
Oh God. You remember that night. You two were alone doing body shots which led to an intense make out session. The table broke under the weight of two people. Aether had managed to protect you but you still hit your head against his hard.
I wonder if you remember what you told me last night. You sounded scared of the future. You asked if we would ever break up. I told you no it wouldn't happen. Your to precious to break up with.
All that aside I think we learned our lesson on body shots and tables. Not to say it won't happen again I did enjoy it ;).
Love you,
Aether
You smiled at the letter and the memory.
'I really miss you,' you said out loud. 'I wonder...'
You looked down the hall at the bedroom you shared with him.
'Should i?'
----
'Hey mom?' You looked up from photo album. 'You said dad left something for me?'
You nodded standing up. Walking over to the desk you pulled open the drawer and collected his wedding ring.
'I want you to have this' you held it out.
She looked at the ring before shaking her head no.
'I want you to have that. Can I redeem it for something else instead?' She asked.
You raised an eyebrow as she pointed at the scarf.
'I want dad's scarf. I have more memories with the scarf than the ring.'
You nodded placing the ring back in the drawer.
'Thanks mom' she hugged you. 'Hey wanna go out to the movies? They have some good one right now'
You hugged her back smiling.
'Yea let's go.'
----
'Hi lumine,' you were standing at the front door.
Lumine had shown up at your door. Why? You weren't sure.
'His things are still in the bedroom.' You stepped aside as she entered heading for the room.
'Where's his wedding ring? I want that.'
'No. Your not getting it. That mine.' You said. 'I gave him that not you.'
'Give me the wedding ring' She demanded.
'No'a voice said. You looked over and saw lumine mom. 'The wedding ring holds many memories for her. For archons sake lumine. The ring is hers. Lets go. Y/n dear? I hope you come by soon. We love you' the two left.
'Mom was that grandma I just saw in the drive way?' Reyna asked walking in confused.
You nodded.
'Your friend willing to let you sleep over? I have to work tonight'
She nodded.
'Yea she said her dad kazuha said it was fine.' Reyna looked at you. 'I can go get a job to help with the bills'
'No. Focus on school and friends. Besides work is making some arrangements for me to do it at home. So this situation is almost over.' You looked at her.
'Mom...I know it's been hard since he passed away. I see how bad it affected you.' Reyna approached you. 'You need a break or help. I want my mom back. The fun loving smart sassy mom.'
You watched as she cried going in for a hug. You accepted the hug.
'Mom just take a break please, do it for me' she mumbled in your shoulder.
Tears streaked your face.
'Please mom' Reyna asked. 'Please?'
'I can't . When the house is empty I feel alone. It so empty without him.'
'I know mom. I feel the same way but he wouldn't want us to be this way. He'd want us to perk up and have fun. Do you want to know what dad told me?'
You nodded.
'A few years ago I asked him how much he loved you. His response? He'd follow you across time. Everytime he looked at you it was like the first day You met all over again. So let live a happier life. His presence is still around us. Let try ok?'
You sobbed as she spoke. Reyna tightened the hug.
'We'll both do it for him ok?' She cried.
'When did you become a therapist?' You asked.
----
Reyna held the shoe box close. What you didn't know was the aether had given her a bunch of letters. She had counted over thousands of them. It was like he was writing every hour of the day.
....
'Rey?' She looked up as aether walked in.
In his arms was a box.
'I want you to have these.' He held the box out.
'What this dad?' She asked taking the box.
'Believe ot or not those are letters to your mom. Would you believe me if I told you I was writing these since I was twelve years old?'
'What? You told me you met in college!?' Reyna giggled.
'Officially yes but what she doesn't know is that I was the child bully in elementary school. I got my kumpets later for that.'
'You use to make fun of mom?' She asked.
He nodded. 'How did it bite you in the butt?'
'In the form of my sister knocking me out' He said laughing
'You got ko'ed by aunt lumi?' He nodded.
'Say Rey? If you ever fall in love, treat them well, ok?' Aether looked at her '. You never know what can happen.'
'AETHER. DID YOU CAN LUMINE?' You shouted.
'Oh darn I forgot it was date night' He ran out of her room.
....
'OK. I'm gonna hide this one on the couch.' Reyna said.
She did just that. Placing the letter in the couch while you were in the kitchen cooking. You found the letter.
Dear kit kat,
As I write this I can still hear the screams and sobbing. This has been a bad week for us. First the bomb threat then the school shooting now it the hurricane.
The shooting and hurricane were the worst.
I can still hear your screams from the hurricane. My heart sank. I know it was scary for the both of us. Hell I cried with you while we we in the tub during the storm.
To make up for the disasters, I'm going to take you on a week vacation. School is closed for the week. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and well have decent TV shows to watch. I promise you a lot of cuddles and 'cuddles'
Love
Aether ;)
You recalled those events. You and aether hid in the girls bathroom. You were crying terrified of what was going to happen. Aether held you hand over your mouth lips touching your temple constantly, your head against his chest.
During the hurricane you were both hiding in the tub. Aether was indeed crying but he kept silent while you were screaming. You were so terrified. In the end you both fell asleep in said tub. The only warmth you both had was his jacket. He had put it on you to keep you warm. He was the first to wake up checking on you making sure you were ok.
'Hey kit kat, it's over' He said waking you up gently. 'Lets get out of the tub and in an actual bed.'
You smiled at the memory towards the end.
'Thank for the letter prince' you said hugging it to your chest.
Suddenly there was a knock on your door. You went to answer it.
Opening the door you looked at your brother.
'Hiezou?' You looked at him 'why are you here?'
He didn't answer instead opting to hug you. You hugged him back..
'Mom told me what happened. ' He said. 'I'm sorry for your loss'
'Thanks.' You said.
'I also came by to see my neice.' He said.
'HIEZOU' You jumped at Reyna voice.
She ran and crashed into you and him.
'OK. Lemme go. Hiezou how long you staying?' You asked pushing arms off you.
'Awhile. Not sure when.' He said as you got up.
'OK um-' you started.
'I'll take the couch' He said hugging reyna.
Oh. You left the room.
---
It was half past nine and you were staring at the bedroom door. You want to go in but your were panicking. It was becoming too much.
'OK y/n' you whispered. '1...2...3!'
You swung the bedroom door open, taking a deep breath you walked in. Looking around the room was the same. Aether desks clean and organized, your desk slightly messy. One side of the room was filled with stuffed animals. Your wedding photo hug by the bed which was shoved in the corner. Next to it was another picture you in a cheer uniform him in his college volleyball uniform. He had you up in his arms. It was the day you two got engaged.
He had gotten down on one knee after winning a volleyball state championship. You said yes. You recalled him saying you'll marry after graduation.
Walking over to the bed you grabbed the picture hugging it close.
'I hope your in a better place'you whispered before lying down in the bed.
That night Reyna snuck in the room to place a letter under the pillow. She came out only to be caught by hiezou.
'Its a long story if your curious' She said looking at him.
'I love stories so tell me in the living room' He smiled.
----
You groaned as the sun peeked through the window. Turning around you slide your hand under the pillow behind your head. You felt it. Opening your eyes more you pulled the letter from the pillow. Smiling at the letter you opened it.
Dear kitten,
I'm going to kill that guy! He had no right to ask you about your body. And he didnt see the ring?!
I'm sorry he made you insecure. I know you don't want to be touched right now. Maybe we can discuss this tomorrow. I think I'll surprise you with something special.
I'm gonna head to bed soon. Hopefully you'll be up for a hug tomorrow.
Love you,
Aether
Oh that's right. That did happen. Some dude kept asking about your body commenting on your chest and how small it was. You remember crying as aether told him for the hundredth time to stop it. When it came to the comment about your chest aether had socked the guy in the jaw. The guy was out cold on the floor while aether rushed you out. You did not want to be touched after that comment. Aether respected that opting you stay next to you. The next morning he was sleeping in his own bed. So you crawled over to him. He had a small smile on his face as he pulled the comforter over your heads.
'Sleep in kitkat' He said before planting a kiss to your head.
----
'Mom?' You looked at Reyna. 'Can i have dad's jac-'
'No' you said.
'But-' She began
'No.'
'Why? You have his ring.' She said. 'I want his jacket.'
'Too bad I said no' you glared at her.
'I want the jacket mom. You don't even wear it. I want it. Just let me-'
'You have his scarf.'
'So I cant have his jacket too. Why so attached to it?'
'Why are you asking for it?'
'I don't know. Why are you attached to it?'
'Were you the one who was hiding in a girls bathroom when shots were fired? Hurricane causing you to fall asleep with him in the bathtub? Three earthquakes? Two floods? The night I announced we were expecting? When I was giving birth? Oh what about the college dance? He was wearing that jacket during those events. That jacket hold many memories both good and bad.' You glared at her. 'I won't let you have it.'
'Mom it just his volleyball jacket from college'
'Yea and? It holds a lot of memories. You not getting it and that's final' you left the kitchen.
She stood there dumbfounded. Over a piece of clothes? She just wanted it cause why not?
So she decided to do something she never done.
----
You were at work when she took it. Former nurse turned dispatcher. Answering emergency calls.
'Hey y/n?' The trainee asked 'I have someone on the line about to give birth'
You switched over to the line guiding them through the process.
'Oh I did it!' The person said as you heard cries. 'Here babe. You did it.'
You smiled as tear pricked your eyes.
'Ma'am?'You heard the women. 'Do you know any good boy names.'
'Oh no. My husband and I had a daughter. Never got around to having another child.' You said a few tears falling.
'Oh.' The was a pause before she asked. 'What was his name?'
'Aether Caelus' you said.
'Oh.' You heard the male in the background 'those are wonderful names'
'Aether it is' you burst in to sobs at that.
'Are you ok?' Your co worker asked.
You nodded hanging up on the call.
'Its so hard! How do you process a death?! Especially when you were suppose to tell him your were expecting?!'
'I processed my mom's death by writing letters, and going to therapy.' She said. 'How have you been coping?'
'I've been finding letter around the house lately' you sniffed taking off your ear piece 'the dates start from college. I've found four so far.'
'Reading them help?' She asked.
'It just takes me down memory lane' you said.
'Do you feel better after you've read them?' She asked again.
'Yea' you looked at your coworker.
'Start there and go' She smiled. 'It'll get better'
----
'Hey mom...'you looked at Reyna. 'So I did something bad'
.....
She lost the jacket. She took it off. One moment of was on her desk the next it was gone.
Reyna went into full panic mode.
'Reyna? What wrong' tomo asked her.
'I lost my dad's jacket. The one my mom wouldn't let me have' she panicked. 'That jacket hold meaning for my mom'
'What does it look like?' He asked concerned.
'White and gold with the number 4' she began. 'It has dad's last name on it'
'What's his last name'
'In college it was Caelus.'
He nodded.
....
'You took it?' You asked quietly. 'Despite my saying to not?'
She nodded sobbing.
'Fine. Your grounded. One week no tomo' you said.
'What did i-' tomo started
'No Tomo!' You glared at him.
'No Tomo' He left.
'I'm gonna finish dinner. Go do your homework' you said turning back to the stove.
'O-ok'she left.
You finished cooking serving a plate for Reyna. After you called her to eat you went to the bedroom to cry.
Reyna sat at the table looking at the food.
'I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much it meant.' She left the table food untouched. Heizou entered the house the moment she left the kitchen.
'You ok?' He asked her.
'Heizou? How important was dad's jacket to mom? How many memories does it hold for her?' Reyna looked at her.
'Too many to count. The first memory of the jacket happens to be the first time they actully talked. You mother accidentally knocked him out with her baton.' Heizou smiled.
'Huh?'
'Its a long story' He said sitting down 'wanna hear it?'
'Yea' Reyna sat back down.
'Freshman year of college. We were in week two'
....
Aether sighed.
'Lumine why?' He asked her.
'I don't know. Mom said it.' She replied twirling her hair. 'Come. Their about to start the baton twirling.'
'GO ARCHONS!' They looked over at the cheerleaders. They were in a giant pyramid. 'And down. SLOWLY PEOPLE! THAT HOW WE BREAK OUR LEGS'
You were at the top of the pyramid listening to the captain. You looked behind you to see the guy arms out waiting for you. You fell backwards into his arms.
'Thanks' you said getting on your feet.
'OK girls when you have finished disassembling grab a baton.' The captain said helping girls down.
'So why are we here watching this? I have practice in a hour' Aether watched you. 'Is that y/n?'
Lumine looked at him.
'You have hearts for eyes. Yes it her. You saw her last year.' She said rolling her eyes. 'Just go talk to her. She probably forgot about the whole bully situation.'
'I dont like her. And o was making dun of her' He looked at lumine. 'You know how kids pull on girls hair because they like them?'
'Really? So you teased her to the point of crying?' She asked raising and eyebrow.
'OK I'll admit i took it too far but regardless I had still do have the biggest crush on her.' He said staring at you.
'Weird way of showing it' lumine muttered punching his arm.
'Ow what was that for?' Aether asked rubbing his arm.
'Just go talk to her.' Lumine smiled.
'OK girls you can practice tossing and catching. I'm gonna take care a of a few things. Feel free to leave when it's five thirty.' The cheer captain said before leaving.
The squad stayed talking and tossing the batons. Aether sighed before standing up from the bleachers.
'Come on. I need to go talk to the volleyball captain. He said he has my jacket ready.'
Lumine looked at him.
'Yea ok.' She sighed standing up. They retrieved his jacket.
'Oh and don't forget physical' the coach said.
The two started walking from the office. As you had tossed the baton up in the air twirling around.
The next two seconds slowed down for you both. Aether looked up as you stared in horror.
'Look out!' You shouted.
Aether just stood there as the baton hit him.
'Oh my archons I am so sorry!' You ran over to him. 'This is my fault.'
You started running a mental checklist.
'He conked out.' You brought your phone out calling heizou.
Heizou came and with his help you managed to get him in the car. Heizou threw a fit when aether woke up throwing up.
'NOT MY CAR!' Heizou shrieked.
'Oh shut up.' You replied smacking his shoulder. 'We both own this car. I'm the one paying the insurance. Mom and dad gave it to both of us for college. Shut your gay ass up and PAY ATTENTION! YOU IDIOT!'
Heizou swerved to avoid a crash. Aether whimpered at the movement before blacking out.
'Hey its ok' you said quietly rubbing his head.
'How do you know im gay?' He asked.
'Were twins. Trust me I've known since we were 12' you replied. 'Plus your crush on the next door neighbor kazuha'
---
'OK so he has a concussion. Luckily it's a mild one. All you need to do is make sure he's getting rest.' The nurse said.
You nodded.
'OK here a list of mods he can take to help with a headache' you took the paper. 'You two have a great day.'
The nurse left.
'Your pretty' Aether said.
'Thanks. Let's go back to campus. Heizou took the car so I'll order a rideshare' you smiled at him before unlocking your phone.
......
'What other memories?' She asked.
'Well I think she and your dad had their first kiss at a theater. From what I saw he had given her the jacket cause it was cold. There the shooting that happened. Now that was scary. Um earthquakes, hurricanes, proposal, day of your birth, school dance, the fight,'
'Fight?' Reyna asked.
'Your dad got into a fist fight with someone at a bar and landed in jail for it. Your mom bailed him out. He was very protective of your mom. To the point that he got suspended three times.'
'What was the fight about?' Reyna looked at him curious.
'Remember what we're always teaching you? About being safe whem drinking?' He asked smiling.
'Yea, im not an adult though'She replied confused.
'Ah ah ah. What's the rule?' He gave her a look.
'Any thing I drink can be spiked soda, water. If i suspect its been apiked report it.' She sighed. 'So?'
'Someone spiked your moms drink on thier third year anniversary while they were at a bar. Aether noticed she was acting out of sorts and tracked down the person after he got her to the hospital. That fight got him a two week suspension jail and off the court for one game' heizou looked at reyna. 'He was serious about her safety.'
'I see'reyna looked at the floor. 'I see why the jacket is important.'
'Want help finding it' He asked.
'Please.'
-----
You were sleeping when heizou snuck in.
'Hey sis' He whispered 'I found it. Had to pay up money for it.'
Heizou placed the jacket on the bed.
'I know your hurting and trying to hold on to what you can. And that's fine but I think his death is taking you down. Mom says you haven't been to visit her. She say your throwing yourself into your work.'
You stirred slightly adjusting your position. Heizou went quiet as you mumbled.
'Aether...I miscarried' a few tears escape. 'I'm sorry'
Heizou took a deep breath.
'We should sit down and talk about it' He sighed quietly leaving the bedroom.
Reyna snuck in after him placing a letter on the jacket.
---
You woke up the next morning tears streaming down your face. The dream you had felt real. You were talking to him, telling him.you miscarried. The kiss felt real.
But the kiss wasn't. Sitting up you looked around before spotting the letter and jacket. You lunged for the items. Hugging the jacket you looked at the letter. Putting the jacket down you opened the letter carefully.
Dear princess,
I know your feeling really depressed. I did research on postpartum depression and pulled a plan for us. What your going through breaks my heart. I see how it affecting you. It's why I helped you bathe. I know you were embarrassed about the whole thing but I don't care. I just want my precious wife to be happy.
I'm going to ask my sister to take Reyna for a few days. I think we could use some time alone. Maybe catch up on sleep, watch some TV. That one Kdrama you haven't watched for a while released a new season. If you want we can also go out to eat.
I know I can't experience what your going through but I do know you need support. I'll be that support.
Love,
Aether
You smiled going down memory lane.
.....
'Hey kit kat can you come with me?'Aether asked.
You had just put Reyna down for her nap. Your face was stained with tear streaks. You nodded following him.
Aether took your hand guiding to the bathroom. The shower was running. You cried embarrassed for letting yourself go.
'Hey don't cry' He cupped your cheek. 'I want to do this. Come on. Let undress.'
Aether kissed your cheek as he helped you in the shower.
You guys were out an hour later. Aether was Towel drying your hair.
'You want to braid it? Curl it?' He asked as he ran his hand through your hair.
It was mostly dry now.
'Curl it please' you said quielty.
'OK. Let me get the hair dryer and curler.' Aether planted a gentle kiss on your head.
He climbed off the bed and went in the bathroom to retrieve said items among a few other things.
Aether had a hair routine that you occasionally followed. Returning back he went behind you and started the routine. After running the dryer he started curling it.
'Hey princess. What do you want to do tonight?' He pulled at the newly made curl gently, making it fluffy.
'I want take out and sleep.' You replied enjoying the warmth from the curling iron. 'When did you learn to use a curling iron?'
'Watching you' Aether pinched your cheek gently. 'We can do take out.'
You hummed in response as aether continued. After awhile he finished your hair.
'There all done. How does my pretty girl feel now?' He asked unplugging the curling iron.
'I feel somewhat alright.' You said as aether put everything away.
'That better than not being ok' Aether turned off the bathroom light. 'Anything in particular sound good?'
You shook your head no.
'OK I'll choose food. ' He grabbed his phone. 'You rest. I'll be back. Kiss.'
You gave him a kiss as you pulled the blankets up to your neck.
'Thanks Ae' you looked at him.
'Your very welcome princess.' He smiled before you closed your eyes.
....
'Thanks for that' you whispered hugging the letter.
You sighed quietly, slipping the letter in the drawer next to the bed. You got off the bed, walking over to the door.
Heizou opened it.
'Can we talk?'He asked.
'Sure. What happened?' You looked at him.
'Its about aether and his death' heizou looked at you 'moms worried, our cousin is worried, lumines worried'
You scoffed at lumines name.
'She sure seems worried. She wanted the wedding ring. I don't know what she took'
'She wanted the ring because she wanted to do something for you. She knew how much aether meant to you. She said she had his volleyball ring, high school graduation ring. Not the point though. It's about how your handling it. So start talking' He gave you a look.
You sighed.
'Fine wanna hear me rant?' You asked. 'I'll rant. I'm mad that I didn't stop him from leaving that morning. I'm mad at him cause now I have to raise Reyna by myself, he broke the promise to always be together. I'm upset the doctors gave up on him,'
Heizou listened as you started rasing your voice. You were turning red. He knew what you were going through.
Suddenly you started crying
'Im alone, raising a 15 year old daughter. I had a miscarriage and wasn't able to tell him, he's going to miss Reyna important life events, no more midnight walks, everything is gone' you looked at him tears streaming down your face.
'He may be gone but he's still in your heart. A part of him is in Reyna as well.' Heizou pulled you forward wrapping his arms around you. 'I know it's been difficult. Everyone watched you two as the love you guys had bloomed. While I know I don't understand his death, I do understand how bad it affected you. But you need help.'
You nodded.
'And as your older brother-'
'You ten seconds older' you said.
'As your older brother I demand we go to therapy' He said.
You thought about it before nodding.
'Ok.'
'Good cause my therapist wants to see you today' He said.
----
'So you two are twins' the therapist said. 'Ok, y/n?'
You nodded.
'Lets dive into aether death.' She said as the session began.
You talked. Heizou was in the lobby so he didn't see the scene.
'Ever since he died letters have been showing up' you looked at her.
'Tell me about these letters' you pulled out a letter as she asked.
'There letters from him. The dates are different. But each letter talks about a different event. This one talks about the affects after giving birth to our daughter' you held it out.
The therapist took the letter.
'May I read it?' You nodded.
'How do you feel about these letters?' She looked up from the letter.
'Honestly...it helps. I like that i can see what his thoughts were on some things.' You held your hand out for the letter. 'I can go back to the past in a way'
She handed you the letter.
'Ok' you watched as she wrote something down. 'Well continue this in two week's. Send in your brother. He's next'
You nodded standing up.
----
You waited in the lobby as heizou talked to the therapist. You were scrolling through your phone looking at photos and videos. You stopped at one vidoe and looked at it. You hit play.
'Hey aether?' You asked. 'You promise we'll have an eternity together?'
Aether looked at the camera.
'I promise. Celestia can't tear us apart' he said. 'No matter what'
'Swear?'
He was nodding.
'Cool! Bet you can't poke your tongue out cross your eyes and look down at the same time?' You said giggling.
He did that causing you to laugh.
'Hey that's not fair!' He whined.
The vidoe ended as you smiled.
'Ready to go?' Heizou asked.
You looked up nodding.
'OK. Lets go. Reyna still at school right?' You nodded. 'OK wanna go hang out? It's been year since we did sibling stuff. We can go to the mall, movies, whatever you want'
You gave it some thought.
'Mall sounds nice.' You said standing up. 'Lets go'
He smiled as you both left the building.
----
'Seriously? I thought I his it really well' hiezou said.
You laughed.
'It was obvious. The way you stared at him made it clear.' You said. 'That how I knew you were gay. But I love you as you are gay or not.'
'How come you never outed me?' He asked.
'Wasn't my place. ' You looked at him. 'But the day you came out to our parents was terrifying'
Heizou nodded. Your parents had kicked him out at 16. You panicked and managed to make arrangements with some friendly cousins to house him. You were forbidden from talking to him.
You said screw that rule. Heizou was your twin, brother and best friend. You weren't loosing him because of his preference. Your mom eventually came around to accepting his sexuality while your dad was dead set against it.
'Thanks for making those arrangements. Don't know where I'd be.'
'Anything for my brother. Besides your stuck with me for ever. Even if your ten seconds older.' You smiled opening your arms for a hug.
'Thanks' He hugged you.
'Your welcome' you said.
---
That night you returned home and walked into the bedroom. You sat down at aether desk and looked at it. Looking over the desk you spotted his phones.
Miraculously it survived the crash. You touched the phone gently.
Aether always let you on his phone. Sometimes your take it out of his hands to take random pictures, videos ect. In return he would take your phone as well. It was a fun thing you guys had and honestly you learned more about 3ach other this way.
Popping the phone on the charger you watched as the screen came to life. You took a deep breath before swiping up to unlock it.
You tried the wedding date as the pin. It worked.
'You did always use the same pass for everything.' You smiled as you began to scroll through his phone.
You opened the gallery on his phone. You looked at the pictures smiling going over the memories.
'I love you' You said turning the phone off.
Getting ready tonsleep you crawled in the bed looking at the phone one last time.
'I think...I think...I think I can start healing.' You said nodding off.
----
Over the next six months you found several more letters from him. Each letter talked about a different event that happened, he talked a out his feeling in that moments, exclaimed his love for you.
You kept all letter you found. Currently you were making dinner when heizou came home with reyna.
'Welcome back you two.'You said setting the lid down. 'Reyna how was the sleep over with tomo?'
'It was great!' She put her bag on the couch. 'What's for dinner?'
'Golden shrimp balls' you slapped heizou hand. 'Keep away from the food I'm not done.'
'But im hungry!' He put his hand yo his chest in a dramatic way.
You rolled your eyes at him.
'Drama queen' heizou gasped.
'I'm telling mom!' He whined.
You giggled as you finished making the food.
'Dinner is served.' You grabbed plates and handed one to heizou. 'Now you may eat'
'Hey mom?' Rey watched 'how come you and heizou are really close?'
'I dont know' you both said.
'Dad says you two were crazy back in college' She giggled.
'He's not wrong' you replied. 'At the bar in the middle of the dance floor shaking our butt to shake senora, screaming lyric to whatever song played during a car ride.'
Heizou nodded as he sat down.
'Your dad didn't get mad or anything he just rolled his eyes' you said giggling.
'Weird' Rey said.
'Weird?' You raised an eye brow 'that's coming from the girl who still smacks jello with a spatula, and made yogurt art on my kitchen wall'
'Huh?' Heizou looked confused.
'MOM!' Reyna looked away embarrassed.
'As I thought' you said smiling.
'I told you it just something funny' she said. 'I'm gonna go eat dinner in my room. I'll do homework then I'm heading off to tomos again.'
You nodded. Handing her a plate she left for her room.
'Explain the jello thing' heizou demanded.
You sighed and launched into the story.
'She was four'
-----
You watched as aether placed the plate on top of the bowl flipping it over.
'Thanks for that ' you said.
'No worries kit kat' He smiled. 'Now I'm gonna take a shower. Please join?'
'Sure' you had placed the jello on the table. 'Shell be fine while we shower right? She's only four'
Aether gave it some thought enfore walking over to the frigde. He grabbed a couple yogurt packets setting them on the table.
For a four year old Reyna was tall. At this time she was also getting sassy and bossy. Wonder who it came from. But over all she was the sweetest person you gave birth too.
'OK. Up you go' He said sweeping you off your feet.
'Hey!' You laughed as he made a dash toward your master bathroom.
----
'How does-' heizou started but you shushed him.
-----
During the shower Reyna had come out of her room. She was allowed in the kitchen juat not the fridge. So everytimw you and aether showered you left out something for her to eat.
Entering the kitchen she spotted the yogurt. Climbing the chair she began to open them when her four year old mind had an idea. Taking the dairy treat she threw it at the wall multiple times. After she was satisfied she spotted the jello. She spotted a spatula. Grabbing it she started smacking the jello making noises.
You remember part clearly as while aether was washing your hair you guys heard a scream. You and aether had rushed out of the shower only to find Reyna giggling as she smacked the jello. The scream? One of Joy.
Aether sighed.
'Last time I leave jello out' you said. 'Come on let's go finish our shower. That'll keep her entertained'
You started laughing as you and h returned to finish the shower.
----
'After that I cleaned it up.' You watched as heizou laughed.
'So that why you called her jello smack' He said.
'Hey, aether and i wanted a shower. At least we got a laugh out of it' you smiled sitting at the table. 'But the after math wasn't fun. Aether cleaned the mess while I gave her a bath.'
He smiled.
'You know what? I think I can learn to move past this.' You said looking at your brother.
'Think you'll go back out in the sea of dating?' He asked.
'No. I know I already found the one. I've always known that. I don't want to date again.'
Heizou smiled as he nodded.
----
As the years passed you watched as you kept finding the letters reading them, saving them. You got to watch Reyna big events, her milestones.
Your time came when you were in your sixties. Reyna had accepted that fact. She knew you wouldn't come back. So she revealed what she was doing. Her lover tomo behind her.
'I suspected. But I'm glad you did it.'you smiled before closing your eyes one last time.
'So...what's next?' Tomo asked as he squeezed Reyna hand.
'We live' She smiled.
---
The star in teyvat had you place. You remwber waking up in a sea full of weird gold orbs.
'Where am i?' You asked as you felt a breeze.
'Oh your here!' You heard a familiar voice. 'I've been waiting for you kitkat.'
You felt a pair of arm wrap around you. You looked at the arms. They looker familiar. So you turned to look at the source of the voice.
'Aether?' You looked at him.
'Rwmwber the saying?' He asked.
'The stars in teyvat has a place for you' You said. 'Oh dear I must look like I'm in my sixties....why do you look like your 24?'
'You'd still look beautiful.' He said pointing down at the floor.
You looked down. You saw yourself. You looked 24.
'Come on.' He held his hand out. 'We can walk among the stars now.'
You smiled taking his hand. As you stood up a small white dress appeared on your body.
⤷ warnings: mentions of death (not reader), v sad thoughts, i tried to keep traveler themselves as gn as possible too but please do tell me if i missed something, writing for traveler actually killed my braincells
⤷ extra: i used the prompt xiv. “she’s talking to angels, counting the stars.” from @thexianzhoujade 's personal memoires (of the dearly beloved) event!!
kazuha.
In the tranquil solitude of the night, beneath the vast expanse of stars, you sat on the ground, your silhouette outlined by the gentle glow of moonlight as you gazed up at the stars above. Your heart ached with the weight of loss, your thoughts consumed by memories of your one love Kazuha.
Once, he had been the light of your life, his laughter like music to your ears, his gentle touch a source of comfort in times of need. But now, he was gone, taken from you by a cruel twist of fate, leaving behind only the echo of his presence and a void that seemed impossible to fill.
Every night, you would come to this secluded spot, the one you used to visit together, where the stars seemed to shine just a little brighter. It was here that you had shared your dreams, your hopes, and your love. And it was here that you felt closest to him, as if his spirit lingered among the celestial canvas above.
With a heavy heart, you whispered Kazuha's name into the stillness of the night, your voice barely louder than a breath. "Kazuha," you murmured, your eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Do you see the stars, my love? Are you watching over me from beyond the veil of the heavens?"
You closed your eyes, letting the memories wash over you like a gentle tide. You remembered the way Kazuha would hold your hand as you sat together beneath the night sky, his words a soothing balm to your troubled soul. And you remembered the promise you had made, to always be together, even when the world conspired to tear you apart.
But now, that promise lay shattered, scattered by the winds of fate. Kazuha was gone, his laughter silenced, his touch but a distant memory. And yet, you could not bring yourself to believe that he was truly lost forever.
For in the depths of your grief, there was a glimmer of hope, a belief that somehow, someway, Kazuha had found peace in the afterlife. You imagined him reunited with his dear friend, the two of them laughing and reminiscing beneath the eternal light of the stars.
And so, each night, you would come to this sacred place, your heart heavy with sorrow yet warm with the belief that Kazuha was watching over you, his love a guiding beacon in the darkness. And as you gazed up at the heavens above, you felt a sense of peace wash over you, knowing that wherever Kazuha was, he was not truly gone.
For as long as the stars continued to shine, so too would the memory of your love burn bright, illuminating the darkest corners of your soul and reminding you that even in death, your bond would never be broken.
traveler.
In Teyvat, where the winds whisper secrets and the stars tell tales of heroes, there once was a traveler from a distant world. This traveler had been searching for their sibling, and in the midst of their search had found someone else they cared for: you.
Your love knew no boundaries, spanning across the nations and beyond the reach of time itself. But fate, like a capricious deity, had other plans. Your lover, in their quest to protect the fragile balance of Teyvat, met their end in a valiant battle against a formidable foe. And as their spirit ascended, leaving behind a world engulfed in sorrow, you were left to wander Teyvat alone.
Every night, as the sky painted itself with the luminescence of countless stars, you would go up to the highest peak you could find. There, beneath the blanket of twinkling lights, you would sit, your heart heavy with longing, your eyes searching the heavens for a glimpse of your lover.
"They're among them," you would whisper to the ethereal void, your voice carrying both sorrow and hope. "My love, shining bright among the stars."
In those moments, you would feel a familiar warmth wrap around you, a fleeting sensation that whispered of your lover's enduring presence. You imagined them traversing the celestial expanse, a celestial wanderer among the constellations, watching over you with tender affection.
As time unfurled its tapestry, you found solace in your nightly ritual. The stars became your confidants, the silent witnesses to your whispered prayers and tearful confessions. And though your lover's physical form had departed, their essence lingered in the gentle caress of the night breeze and the shimmering radiance of the cosmos.
And as you gazed upon the heavens each night, your faith unshaken, you found solace in the belief that your lover had returned to their celestial home among the stars, finishing their search at last.
venti.
In Mondstadt, where the winds sing their eternal melodies and the stars dance in the night sky,
Venti, the mischievous bard of Mondstadt, was known for his jovial spirit and melodious songs that enchanted the hearts of all who listened. But amidst his carefree nature, there was one whose heart he held dearer than any other – his lover, a gentle soul whose love for Venti burned like the brightest star in the night sky.
Your love was as boundless as the vast expanse of the heavens, and together, you would spend countless nights beneath the vast expanse of the sky, nestled in each other's arms as you gazed up at the twinkling stars. Venti would weave tales of ancient myths and celestial wonders, his voice carrying across the night like a gentle breeze.
But fate, like the ever-changing winds, can be unpredictable.
One fateful day, Venti's song was silenced, his laughter stilled. News of his passing spread like wildfire, leaving behind a trail of sorrow that even the wind could not carry away. Your heart shattered into a million pieces, each shard a painful reminder of the void left by your beloved bard.
In the wake of Venti's passing, you found solace in the memories you had shared under the starlit sky. You would sit by the edge of the cliff overlooking Mondstadt, watching as the stars sparkled like fragments of Venti's soul scattered across the heavens.
In the quiet solitude of those nights, you would recall his words, spoken with a whimsical smile and a twinkle in his eyes. "If ever I should depart from this world," he had said, "fear not, for I shall join the stars themselves, and from there, I shall watch over you always."
And so, as you gazed up at the luminous tapestry above, you couldn't help but smile through your tears, for you believed with all your heart that Venti was among those celestial beings, guiding you with his eternal light.
Though the ache of loss never truly faded, you found comfort in the belief that Venti's spirit lived on in the stars, a constant reminder that your love was as infinite as the universe itself. And so, you continued to watch the stars every night, knowing that somewhere up there, Venti was watching over you, his laughter echoing in the celestial chorus that danced across the night sky.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
@amalythea 2024. | do not re-upload, copy, translate, etc. my works on any form of media.
Summary: For all the Abyss prince's work, he still lost everything. Including his sister, and most of all, including you.
Warnings: death, blood, war, inaccurate depictios of the inner abyss due to lack of canon depictions available
"I'm sorry Aether... I didn't want it to come to this!"
Lumine stood above her brother, the Abyss crumbling around them.
Creatures of the abyss lay dead, the structures surrounding them crumbling.
Lumine show one last look at her brother- for she knew she would not ever see him again- and left the collapsing domain.
She had done it. She stopped the Abyss and found her brother.
It's just a shame that over her journey, her loyalty towards teyvat outweighed her loyalty to her kin.
Maybe if it weren't so, Aether wouldn't be laying on the ground with his sister's elemental infused sword stuck through his chest.
Aether stared at the sealing of the Abyss
"So.... It's all for nothing."
Aether thought back on the 500 years of work he put into crushing the archons... the work he put into making them pay
Only to have it all blown back in his face.
Aether refused to cry in his final moments, but he could already feel the semblence of hot tears in the corners of his eyes.
It was all... for nothing!
The experiments, the traps, the years of watching the Khaenri'ahns turn into monsters, yearss of watching the final descendants go mad!
For nothing!
Years of careful planning to persuade his sister to see the right path and join him, only for his plan to be thrown by a stupid talkative little fairy and the archons- again!
Aether could no longer fight the sobs.
He not only lost his hard work, he lost his people, his followers, his nation, his sister!
And he lost...
You-!
Where were you?!
Aether groaned as he pulled out his sisters' sword, blood pooling on the ground.
He knew he would die quicker this way, but he had to find you.
All his hard work was gone, but maybe you weren't.
You, who stood by the prince during all his hard moments, you who reasured him that Lumine would see the truth eventually- although it seems this "eventually" you spoke of came too late.
You who last he remembers-
Was... fighting off Lumine at the entrence of the Abyss.
Aether was so caught up in his engagment with his sister that he didn't stop to think
If Lumine made it to the throne room where Aether was
What happened to you..?
Aether dragged himself in the direction of the domain's entry.
His vision was fading, his chest ached with the pain of despair, betrayal and impending death.
No!
He had to find you! He had to know you were ok! He had to-
...
It was all for nothing.
Aether saw your body slumped on the ground.
Blood pooling from a gash on your head and a grisly cut on your neck.
Aether hurried his crawl, coughing blood in his panic and disarray.
He huffed in exhaustion, vision continuing to swirl as he pulled your limp head into his lap.
He wish he could say you looked peaceful
Your face was contorted in pain- not physical, but emotional.
Your lips are pulled in a frown, and tear stains line your cheek.
Aether hates to think that your final moments were spent blaming yourself for the fall of the Abyss.
Aether cries as he gently cradles your face.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry.."
He really has lost everything.
Lowering himself beside you, gritting his teeth as his movements jostle his wound, he pulls you into him.
He can only pray to whatever forsaken power of the damned world will hear him, that your spirit can feel his love in whatever afterlife you've gone to.
It was all for nothing.
The last Prince of the Abyss died on that cold floor of the shadowed domain, reeking of despair.
His once powerful, strong willed kingdom was reduced to corpses, tears and blood by the hands of the one he once trusted more than his own sense.
His hard work, his people, his followers, his nation, his sister, his life.
His love.
He lost it all.
And no one will remain to remember.
@rainswept here you are pookie
this- isn't what was originally planned but ya know slay ig
tags: mild angst, character death, horseman of the apocalypse, death! aether
— in which death followed you. and somehow, the scent of home was wherever he was.
***
You saw them every day. The people of this village were all familiar faces.
The village had been quaint, barely populated, and settled on a pine forest at the far outskirts of a gilded empire. It reeked of petrichor on most days—it rained as often as the overgrown greenery caused housing problems (no, we will not talk about that one day you awoke to a bunch of insects on your bed). The other days were suffused with the stench of decaying wood and pine resin.
The forest land was barren, unable to procure vegetation, for all its deceptively rich-colored plains. And even in the presence of the sun, the cold never wavered. You had the trees and grass to thank, or maybe curse, for it all.
"We’re like a gathering of exiled citizens," you once joked over a fireplace assembly. Flames crackling tinder to the hearth. Its warmth had been salvation to your iced hands kissed by the neverending cold.
It elicited a laugh from some, mainly the younger adults and older teens, but the elders glared at you in mild bemusement.
“Oh shut up, [Name].”
“Leave them all alone, they’re telling the truth. Just admit that the empire only cares for us when the other kingdoms covet the land we walk on.”
"Shh, enough of that! Let's all eat in peace and quiet please."
“Klee doesn’t understand what that means, but…” a little girl — Klee, she had been named — enthusiastically placed her hands on your leg in curiosity and… regrettably, trust. “[Name], is it true that His Majesty doesn’t care about us anymore?”
The answer you gave her that day faded in recesses of memories. All you remember were the illuminated stars in her adorably round eyes as she listened, and when she said–
“It doesn’t matter. We have each other! We’ll be the rulers of this land and fight off the bad guys on our own!”
You clapped, whooed and laughed it off, letting the child inside you run amuck. She whooed back and stretched her hands in the air. The village people, your family, couldn't help but join in on your contagious joy.
“I’ll have to do my best to protect this lovely princess then.”
You were carefree like this, running your hand through the tresses of a young girl you considered to be your own daughter, for what she saw in you was a family she could depend on and you accepted it without requisite.
This was all you ever wanted. She did not want it to end either.
But you were no longer young. Not like her.
Your mind held the kind of wisdom unbefitting for such wishful thinking.
In the depths of your soul, you knew, it was imminent.
You wished upon the stars it would happen when she was old enough to know it had been something ordained by fate, and neither you nor her should hold anyone accountable for the anguish of what’s to come.
Perhaps–
You should have also wished it happened when you were strong enough to endure the pain it left in its wake.
Because this was it. This was divine punishment if you had ever felt it.
“Klee?”
Her hand went limp in your hold. The plague stole her away.
Your mind barely registered the screaming, the crying, and the panic, and onslaught of medics.
A knife twisted itself deep and you could not bring yourself to remove it, for all the pain it came with remembering her, the thought of her fading from your memories had been akin to blood leaving your body.
It hurt even more.
And it hurt even more to know your soul would never heal from such a meteor strike. She had been that, color to a bleak world, and she would never set the world alight again.
Death watched as your soul perished that day.
You must have been delirious. You were, truthfully. It was a wonder how you hadn’t been put in an ethylic coma for all the bottles you’ve downed.
It had been a hazy recollection of a tavern visit, of the stench of alcohol and hard gin burning your throat until the owner sweatdropped upon seeing your wretched state. You brought it upon yourself to be thrown out.
Then, you ambled wobbly through the throng, and the people cared not for the drunkard wallowing in their midst.
There were all kinds of people that night, all unfamiliar faces of people who lived inside the kingdom. Some boasted lavish jewelry, some were draped in ragged cloth, but in honesty, it was difficult to tell which of them were real and which weren’t.
One person looked familiar, in a red dress and pearl accessories. You swore it was Grandmother Tang from home who used to scold you for making unfunny, borderline worrying jokes. You almost approached her, had you not been overcome with memories of her passing out next to a river, and the next thing, she had been dead not long after showing symptoms of the plague, and the stranger in front appraised you with a scathing look.
You walked away, hand clutching your heart and with ragged breaths.
Ha… just stop beating already.
When you finally gathered the strength to look up once more, you concluded that the person across you must also be a part of your ongoing delusion. Everyone passed him by as though he was a ghost. But he was not, because you could see him.
It was startling. He seemed familiar in a way you’d know him without sight—from the overwhelming scent that came from him, of petrichor and decaying wood.
Curiously, he smelled like the pine trees from home. You longed, ached to inch closer.
You’d caught him watching over you many times, all encounters after she passed away. You'd joke he was death biding his time to take you away, but his presence had been too comforting, too much like an immovable object in a world that moved on too fast.
He, who wore a long white robe, tattered at the bottom and discolored as though he’d walked the ends of the earth. His head was enshrouded by a large hood. A white veil covered the bottom half of his face, and a fog shrouded the upper half with two glowing circles that gave the impression of eyes, perfectly complementing his flowing blonde braid.
In his right hand was always a rope tied to an intimidating, almost looming pale stallion horse.
And you stared at him for the longest time.
People walked past in a blur. Their idle chatter barely registered in your mind.
Then he looked back at you.
With his hand slowly reaching out.
Until you blinked once, the world resumed its flow and everything was as it was. And he was gone.
You met him again sooner than you expected. Or perhaps, you had already lost track of the flow of time. Either way, it had been outside of your realm of possibilities—having already accepted he was a mere figment of your imagination, born from gnawing loneliness.
The last you saw him had been at a night market swarming with people coming out for leisure and shopping. The next, it had been this, with your back against the bark of a tree, hand calloused from wielding a blade, and blood dripping from your side.
An unparalleled entity who went by the alias Horseman of Conquest raided the lands. You had become a warrior outside of your will. They had all said it was necessary for the protection of this empire’s people.
Do it for honor, do it to protect.
But you had no one to protect. Not anymore.
“Why do you live on?” he asked, coldly. The first time he spoke to you. It reminded you of the frigid weather of a pine forest. Once again, you shivered at the way he brought you the feeling of home so easily.
“I don’t know,” you answered, truthfully. “I am still searching for an answer to that question myself.”
“Is seeking the meaning of life worth the anguish brought by the lack of it?”
“Maybe it does. Maybe it will, for me, or it won't…”
You paused, breathing heavily as you remembered Klee’s words.
“Even if it does not, I must live, even just for the sake of fulfilling the promise I made to a little girl decades ago.”
"At the cost of your decay?"
"At the cost of my decay and future incarnations."
Silence followed in a deafening echo.
He chuckled. "A noble will, of course, how befitting," was what he said. It was hard to find a smile in a face so shrouded, but your instincts told you he wore one, for his voice softened as if he recalled a fond memory.
"You never told me your name. You have… been watching me all this time. It almost feels paramount that I at least know your name, wouldn't you agree?"
"No, that is not necessary, however…"
He stared at you for a time, as though contemplating on an act. Then he knelt until your foreheads leveled. Your hands curled up in a fist.
It was utterly confounding. You had a sudden urge to wrap your arms around his neck and pull him close until you wore his smell, engraved it into your mind. He was so close and the prospect was so, so tempting. He smelled like an oasis for a dehydrated man. He seemed so warm, so divine in white that you wondered if he bled, would ichor spill?
What was this feeling?
"You will know in due time."
Hoping was setting yourself up for the worse, you uttered to yourself once upon a time. You couldn't force yourself to believe that, not this time, however. Your feelings were reciprocated the moment he lifted his hand, hesitating, until he solidified the courage to lift your arm by the wrist.
Archons, his gloved hands were rough from the teared leather. It felt so right to be held like this. Temptation's whispers exacerbated each second that passed by.
"This One will wait for you. To the ends of earth, until the end of time."
A kiss through veiled lips reached your bloodied palm.
And just like that, the warmth vanished once more. He was gone.
You couldn't wait to see him again.
In the next encounter, you swore you would not hold back. You had no reason to.
You just weren't expecting yourself to find him, rather than he found you.
You had condemned your life and future incarnations the moment you prayed to the heavens you'd lay your life to give the people you loved a second chance at life out of grief, never again will you live on as a human.
Death watched from the sidelines, waiting and waiting and waiting, if you would change your mind. You never did. Death eventually found you in a cave suffering from blood loss, cursing the divine.
He ended your despair with a single thrust of his blade.
And now…
"Let us get moving. There is no more time left to waste."
You turned your head to look at his face. He looked as divine as you envisioned, with eyes that could rival the sun.
It was just the two of you traveling across a grassy plain, long had he foregone the shrouds of his face in your presence.
You sighed. "This One is following."
"This One knows you are, although you should maintain a pace closer to This One's periphery," he said. "The world might turn upside down if you disappeared from This One's sight."
You heaved a bigger sigh, letting a laugh break through. This guy… he can never gather the courage to tell you what you already know, can't he?
You pulled the reins until your black horse caught up with his own.
The sun set for the silhouettes of two horse riders that day.
No one will ever live to tell their tale, nor will they know the tale of how Death waited for Famine.
Perhaps he did not, perhaps he found them by chance. The only time he had been pitied by the divine.
Perhaps, Famine faded as time went on. They would be reborn again and he would wait once more for their return. Maybe they disappeared forever, leaving Death in his own eventual oblivion.
Maybe they never died, and for all eternity, they remained by Death's side.
That would make a happy ending, wouldn't it?
this is my apology post for the people who are still waiting for the abyss aether fic sequel TT i've been falling out from the genshin fandom for months and only recently did i have an influx of ideas for it. i'm at 3k word count and still nowhere near the end. but something's happening!! and i am getting bolder!! (hehe)
