crescentview | autumn catch-all

autumn catch-all

WHO: Aether and you!
WHAT: Open prompts
WHEN: Throughout autumn
WHERE: Various
WARNINGS: None for now

A. Arco Lunar
[The date with Steinbeck aside, Aether is curious to explore Arco Lunar on his own. You may see him looking at the sea while leaning against the railing, trying out different dishes in the buffet and peeking inside the spa or massage studio.

It's really rare for him to be surrounded by such luxury. He's just a traveler, after all and the best he can usually get is a comfy, but modest room in an inn... or his current home.]

B. The Dulces Sueños Resort
[Obviously, Aether wouldn't be himself if he wasn't curious about the resort. Perhaps you are the one who invited him to go, perhaps the two of you just bumped into each other and now venture into the resort together.

If you use the open bath together with Aether you will pick up that beneath the optimistic demeanour, there's actually a lot of lingering loneliness and exhaustion.

If the two of you end up spending the night in the same room, you will see one of Aether's memories. Was it a good one of fun festivals? Or was a sad memory of something lost?]

C. Chocolates
[Perhaps you are minding your own business, when suddenly someone hugs you. A sheepish voice quickly says:]

Sorry! I didn't really mean that...

[The traveler laughs softly, if not a bit awkwardly and pulls away. The chocolates he received seem to cause the person who has eaten them to want to hug others. Aether wasn't aware of that, of course, so he tried one in the morning and its effect seems to linger for the time being. It's a bit awkward, but he doesn't mind too much.

He may be giving some away depending if you're fine with such an effect or not. Or maybe he'll just decide that you need all the hugs you can get and will gift you one without an explanation.]

D. Wildcard
[If you'd like your own starter, a completely different prompt, etc feel free to contact me at discord Ashka#4609 or plurk (spiritualwhisper)! Or just go for it. Also if you'd like to do something from his bingo that's also fine! :D ]

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[Aether has his eyes closed, golden hair floats around him, completely loose unlike the usual braid. He seems to be relaxing and not expecting anyone to join him. But then he hears steps and his eyes open. He blinks.

Ah.

He's not quite sure what surprises him more: seeing Vanitas here, seeing him only in a towel or seeing the many scars that scatter across his exposed skin. Aether frowns, his heart aching that his roommate had to endure something horrible to have this many scars.

But he says nothing about it. He turns his head away and tries to relax in the bath once more. Or at least look like he's relaxing.]

Why don't you join me? The water is so nice.

[ He's incredibly hesitant to do so, and it shows. After his...rodeo with Amber, he's come to distrust a lot of things about these special locations that pop up.

Something curious, though, is that a bar with a broken heart on one end and a full heart on the other pops up. There are a couple of ticks and a pointer, like it's some sort of meter. When Vanitas looks at Aether, the pointer moves so it's a little past the halfway point between the two hearts. ]

...

[ He doesn't seem to know it's there, floating above his head. But he sighs heavily and moves to join Aether, and only removes his towel after he's submerged. ]

You're here with someone? Or did you come alone?

[Aether peeks at his roommate and suddenly notices that meter that seems to be hovering above the other's head. How curious. The hearts give the traveler an idea what is going on, but he chooses not to comment. Instead, he focuses on the question that Vanitas asked.]

I'm alone.

[A soft smile.]

...Well, not so alone anymore, because you're here with me.

[ Ah... ]

It's not like I came here with anyone, either.

[ Amber's amusing and all, but yeah, he's not ready to face her again.

But he looks straight ahead, not wanting to think about how Aether's perceiving him right now. ]

I'll leave if you ask. All you have to do is say the word.

And why would I want you to leave?

[He really doesn't understand and perhaps, thanks to the water's special properties Vanitas can tell that there are no lies in Aether's words.]

I like spending time with you.

[ Aether may feel Vanitas' own feelings of uncertainty, and something that feels like fear. Yet, there's an underlying feeling of longing, of wanting to be close to Aether. He makes no move to act on this desire, though. ]

Fine, then. I only wanted to see if you desired privacy.

[Those feelings wash over him in a strange, unfamiliar way that at first he's not sure where they came from. Then he slowly realizes it must have something to do with this place. Perhaps it's another way to make them grow closer to each other, like all the other events so far.

Aether isn't sure he likes this. His own emotions must too seep from him and there's so much he has to hide. Right now there's concern for Vanitas, for the current situation. But then there's loneliness, longing - feelings he would rather hide from the world, from himself.

As if to silence his own worries, he decides to focus on Vanitas, on what he's feeling - and he acts, by moving closer to his roommate.]

I... said it before but... I'll be sure to tell you if something is bothering me.

[ He also starts to pick up on some sort of disturbance, like the things he's feeling aren't his own, but he says nothing of it for the time being. He watches as Aether moves in closer, and although he makes no indication that he'll do the same, they're already close enough to where the back of his hand brushes against Aether's. It's accidental, and he instinctively pulls it back.

There's a sentiment that Aether can feel, coming from his roommate.

Don't get too close. It's easier to be alone. ]

I know.

[He can sense that sentiment. The wish to stay alone, not because one wants to but because it's for the best.

Aether could not disagree more. He wants to be closer, to wrap his arms around the other and tell him that everything is okay. That he doesn't have to push anyone away. He wishes so badly for Vanitas to find comfort in his presence and see the future in a brighter light.

You don't have to be alone.

And yet he says nothing at first.]

Let's just... relax. It's nice and quiet in here.

[Perhaps that will help somehow.]

[ A flash of surprise crosses his face when he feels that. He wants to run and get out of here so Aether doesn't have to experience his fear, his vulnerability. But he's frozen in place. The feeling of belonging is powerful.

He looks at Aether, and a surge of warmth is sent throughout the room. He ends up leaning in towards Aether, like he wants to brush their lips together again...

But he stops halfway and looks away. He's afraid. Anymore of this, and he'll get too attached. Those fuzzy feelings have abruptly become more detached again. ]

[Aether's eyes widen as the swirl of emotions hits him. There's so much warmth in there, but it's stifled by fear. Just why is Vanitas so afraid? What did he go through? There are so many question bubbling in the traveler's mind and yet he doesn't know where to find answers to them. He doubts his roommate wants to talk about it.

So he does the next best thing he can think of.

He moves closer, raising a bit from the water, his golden hair dripping, sticking to his shoulders, but it's okay. His arms warp around Vanitas and Aether places a soft kiss to the top of the other's head.

He cares about him so much and wants nothing more but happiness for him. They may not know each other long, but it doesn't change much. The tender feeling in Aether's heart is genuine.]

[ And just like that, the kiss to the top of his head turns the water warm again. The feeling is comforting, longing, like he's been wanting something so gentle for so long.

The notch on his affection meter moves up. He leans forward and rests his forehead on Aether's shoulder, and leaves it there for a few long moments. Eventually, he raises an arm and wraps it around Aether's waist.

It's a small, quiet exchange. ]

[The moment is quiet and the warm affection easily seeps from both of them. Aether closes his eyes and softly brushes Vanitas' hair with his gentle fingers. If this is all the other needed, then the traveler is content to give him all the tender attention.

He's completely silent, too, feeling that words are unnecessary now and could only ruin the moment.]

[ He feels Aether's gentle touch, the way his fingers brush against his hair. It's reminiscent of another time in which the affection he received was so caring and kind. This is different by nature, though, because he's starting to feel those butterflies Gaku talked so fondly about before.

He doesn't like it. ]

...You keep treating me like this, lately.

[ A deep breath. There's no indication in the water that Vanitas particularly hates Aether's touch or anything, at least. ]

Why?

And why shouldn't I?

[It's simple, really. He has a lot of heart to give and Vanitas seems to need it. Aether is happy to offer him soft attention and reassure him that he is worth the gentle treatment.]

I can stop if it's bothering you.

[There's a lot of care beaming from Aether and he can pick up that Vanitas doesn't seem to hate his touch. But he still asks.]

It's fine.

[ He closes his eyes and relaxes a little. He's not sure if he likes the ambiguity of Aether's answer, but it's easier to stomach than something closer to the truth. ]

Sit back down, will you?

Sure...

[Without any protests, Aether lets go of his roommate and sits down, sinking into water.

Yet, he remains close.]

[ His arm lightly brushes against Aether's as he shifts his weight, and places his head on Aether's shoulder. His eyes are closed, and he's a little flushed in the face. But...this is fine, and makes sense of his request.

It's relaxed. Vanitas hasn't been so relaxed in a while. ]

[Aether smiles when he sees his roommate get so comfortable against him. There's relief emanating from him, along with fondness.

He stays silent, his own eyes closing. They can't stay in the water all day, but Aether too enjoys the closeness. It helps chase away the loneliness that gnaws at the core of his heart.]

[ Vanitas feels some of that loneliness radiating from his roommate, and he's not sure what to do with this information. He understands it. He, too, is lonely and has so much that he has hidden away from the rest of the world. He's gone too long without a family, without companionship to keep him grounded, and took on so much by himself prior to Noé entering his life. And even then, opening up to Noé took a lot.

Needless to say, it's hard to open up to Aether more than he already has, but even so, feeling that loneliness is uncomfortable. It makes him realize that there's more to Aether than what meets the eye, and a part of him wants to know more and, perhaps, fill more of the hollowness that Aether's experiencing beneath all of his affection.

Strange, that. He's always been the type to not want others to get hurt because of him, but wanting to more than just that is beyond his comprehension. He's not sure how to express this, nor does he know if he should. Still, the back of his hand nudges against Aether's wrist. ]

Are we done in here?

[Aether thinks that he can hide it. That for as long as he stays positive and caring he can chase away the loneliness in his heart and the exhaustion that lingers. He isn't aware how in vain his attempts are, but he, too, feels that staying in the water for too long may not be a good idea.

The moment Vanitas touches his writs, Aether stirs and gives his roommate a soft smile.]

Oh... sure.

[He turns around to grab a towel, before pushing himself up from the water and wrapping the towel around himself. His hair is dripping, but he'll take care of that a little later.]

I think... I'm a little tired. Want to find a room and get some rest?

[It's already so late, they may as well spent the night in the resort and use this opportunity to the fullest.]

Alright.

[ He glances away when Aether rises, and quickly puts a towel around his own waist. At Aether's suggestion, he turns a little pink, but it should be fine. They can just sleep, and it'll pass. Never mind that he's been thinking about sleeping next to his roommate for a while, now.

He goes to get dressed, and waits for Aether. When Aether's ready, Vanitas will fall to his side and walk to one of the rooms.

There's only one bed. ]

[Aether dries his hair and gets dressed. But once they search for a room for tonight hm... there is only one bed in this room.

He glances at his roommate, a soft, albeit a bit awkward smile on his face.]

I don't mind... but if you're not comfortable then we can look for a different room?

...

[ Before, he may have wanted a different room. But now? ]

I don't mind.

[That's not the kind of answer he thought he'd hear, but Aether nods and smiles softly.]

If you're sure... then okay.

[And the tired traveler lets a small yawn, stretching a bit before he removes the pieces of his clothing that would get in the way of his rest and lies down on the bed.]

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