Aether ・ Traveler (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
startraveler) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crescentview2023-02-03 09:46 pm
startraveler) wrote in crescentview2023-02-03 09:46 pm
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 ]
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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She said that she wouldn't stop until the Abyss reclaimed their throne. I was under the impression the two of you are on opposing sides of whatever's happening in your world. And yet...all you want to do is return home with her.
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You... you've seen her and me talking...?
[It was that moment, wasn't it? Aether doesn't know what to say, how to react. So he stays in one place, frantically trying to come up with something to say.]
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[ The way Aether reacts reminds him of his own reaction earlier, just severely toned down. He's not afraid if Aether wants to harm him; what actually scares him is the thought that he may be able to fill the loneliness in the Traveler's heart. It's a thought that feels futile, like it couldn't be true, because it's easier to be rejected than it is to be accepted, but regardless...
He pulls back and looks at Aether seriously. ]
You're lonely, Aether. I felt it in the bath. You've been so focused on helping me, but I've realized that you've tried to conceal this since the beginning.
[ He leans forward and puts his arms around the other, finally. He won't say he understands out loud, but he does.
And, once again, he hears Noé's words echo in his head: ]
Stop using all of your concern on me, will you? People want to know your true self. Don't deny them that privilege.
[ He says, like he's not part of that group himself. ]
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He just has no other choice.]
I am a traveler. I don't belong anywhere. I can be a friend, I can help... but eventually I will leave and never come back.
[He takes a deep breath, hand moving up to touch his own heart.]
It's better like this.
[His voice grows quieter.]
There's no need for anyone to worry. When they think about me, I want them to remember the good moments and then tell themselves that I'm away on another journey... just like always. And there should be nothing else to it.
[He doesn't want to cause pain or heartache. He's fine if he's nothing more but a fond memory, never known fully by anyone and yet remembered with a smile.
...Asking for more would be so utterly selfish.]
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Don't be ridiculous.
[ If he sounds annoyed, hurt – sorry, Aether. He is. ]
There's no way you're leaving this place while only leaving such a shallow impression upon people. Do you not realize that people already look at you as someone more than just a simple traveler?
[ His frown deepens. ]
Unless you're telling me that this is how you truly feel about – [ Me, he almost says. ] about those you've encountered here, that they'd [ I'd ] be able to forget about you so easily, at this point. Even if you tried to separate yourself now, you can't erase the impact you've left on other people.
[ ... ]
You want to get your sister back, right.
[ Another pause, then: ]
You're not going to do that alone.
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[He takes another deep breath.]
I don't want to be forgotten. I truly am glad if I can change something in someone's life... but my journey won't end.
[So it's better. It's just better if they don't know where he came from and where he's going.]
...If you know too much about me, if we... are more than just friends and then I'll leave... it will hurt, won't it?
[He's aware how deep his feelings have gotten. It's more than just caring about Vanitas. If it was something so simple, Aether wouldn't be so happy to be so close, to feel his lips upon his own.
...And he knows that Vanitas likes him, too.]
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That's why I'm saying you – you aren't going to look for your sister alone.
[ Ugh. This is so embarrassing, but – ]
I've got things I need to do back at home, but the passage of time flows differently with different places. I've figured that much out since I arrived here after not noticing Noé'd been gone for months. So, if that's – if that's the same thing here, I want to...
[ His arms tighten around Aether, even if he can't look him in the eye. ]
I want to help you. As long as I can go back home and do what I need to do eventually, I can spare some time to help you find your sister.
[ ... ]
If that's not going to work, though, I don't care if it hurts. Okay? For all we know, maybe it'll be the other way around. Doesn't mean I'm going to regret anything that's happened here with you.
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You're so kind... truly.
[Aether doesn't deserve him.]
...But my journey won't end when I'll find my sister. It will only end... when the two of us finally find a place to call home. Somewhere where we would be accepted.
[It's a long, long journey. Far longer than anything Vanitas imagines.]
I... don't even know if I can take you with me.
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With Aether, though, it's different. Vanitas's frown deepens into something that's not frustrated, hurt, but...sad? Idly, he thinks that he should accept what Aether's saying, because he can't save everyone, and he's come to realize that long ago. But he can't bring himself to do that. Aether is clearly suffering more than he realizes, and... ]
...
[ He's not the type for sweet words, but quietly, Vanitas grabs Aether's hand and places it over his chest. ]
You've...always belonged here.
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...Vanitas, I-I...
[What can he possibly say? The other knows well by now that this is a bad idea, that Aether simply can't stay with him.
And yet...]
You're... sure about this? [His heart trembles in his chest, his voice shakes. He's both moved and afraid that this is a mistake, that Vanitas will only regret it.]
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At the same time, though, he's never felt so sure about anything in his entire life. He looks away for a moment, debating if he should confirm this, but he ends up nodding. Unfortunately, the heart wants what the heart wants.
His eyes look back at Aether's, and he lets Aether's hand fall back to his side. Vanitas reaches up to cup the traveler's cheek, and he leans in close. He waits, like before, to see what Aether will do. ]
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...No, that's not true. It's not sudden at all. Vanitas has been dear to his heart ever since they started talking more. At first Aether thought he just wanted to make the other happier, drive away whatever was bothering him, but a different feeling was born in his heart.
Now he can't lie to himself anymore.
Vanitas accepts him and Aether's eyes shine a little, feeling wet under his eyelids.]
I... I honestly can't believe this.
[He tries to smile, laugh, but it all sounds so forced.
He takes a deep breath and just leans in, letting their lips touch. It's not the first time, but it feels special somehow, different, better.
Aether wraps his arms around Vanitas. Even if just for a little bit, even if it'll hurt eventually, he wants these feelings to last.]
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He tucks a lock of Aether's hair behind his ear just before their lips touch. Vanitas has a hint of a smile as he kisses the traveler, and his other hand pulls Aether closer. His heart beats steadily in his chest, and he's never felt warmer in his chest than he does now.
Vanitas pulls away, just slightly. ]
How do you think I feel? You...you really are something else.
[ He leans in for another kiss, one that's more certain and far less tentative than the other ones they've shared. ]
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The kiss continues with more confidence, but still tender affection. His heart beats fast in his chest. And once they part, Aether lets a slow content breath, before smiling again.]
...I want to... always be with you.
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Vanitas lifts a hand and uses it to lightly ruffle Aether's hair. He can't help but let out a little laugh. ]
I thought love was reprehensible, that the idea of anyone caring about me this much was appalling.
[ He grins as color rises to his cheeks, and he lowers his hand to pull Aether close again. The smile he's wearing is shockingly genuine, one that probably even Noé hasn't seen on him before. Affection used to be difficult, but he remembers how a certain someone from his past told him to not close his heart off towards the right person – and Aether's just that. It's a gamble, but it's one he's willing to take, and he can't help but let his feelings slip through the cracks in the barriers he's held up for so long.
Moonlight shines through their bedroom window, and he leans in to brush his lips against Aether's again, chastely. ]
...But being with you doesn't seem so bad, anymore.
[ Which is his way of saying that yes, he wants to be with Aether, too. ]
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The soft, chaste kiss strikes him to the core, making his heart flutter in his chest. If this isn't love, then what is it then? This warm feeling seems to be spreading through his entire being and Aether can only think about how grateful he is.
He hugs Vanitas close.]
I'm glad... I'm really so glad.
[He sounds almost relieved.]
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He takes Aether's hand and gestures towards the bed. ]
If you'd like to get more comfortable.
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He actually blushes when Vanitas motions the bed and takes his hand like this.]
...Sure.
[But he doesn't mind. His heart beats faster, his cheeks may be red, but he wants to be by the other's side.]
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Well? Join me?
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But he joins Vanitas on the bed and lies on his side. His doesn't meet the other's gaze, blush still present on his face.
Why does this feel so different now? He was fine earlier!]
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Vanitas joins Aether and rolls onto his side. He places a hand on the small of Aether's back to pull him close, and he's got something that's a mix of a smirk and a smile on his lips. ]
Feeling alright? Or do you need a moment?
[ He's teasing a little. It's in his nature, sorry, Aether! ]
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He notices the teasing, too.]
I'll be fine... [He lets his nose brush against Vanitas' ever so lightly.] My heart just can't seem to calm down.
[He knows perfectly well why.]
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Vanitas isn't expecting the gentle gesture or Aether to say that. His own heart picks up speed, too, but he's still smiling. ]
I wonder why.
[ He leans in to kiss Aether's cheek. ]
Could it be because we're so close?
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[He pretends to think about it, before leaning to kiss Vanitas' cheek in return.]
Maybe. Or maybe... it's because we're close in a different way now.
[It feels so good, if he were to be honest.]
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...I...guess so.
[ Which is his way of agreeing.
He looks away as his cheeks turn red again. ]
So that means...no more speeches at the next auction, okay? Unless – unless you're fighting over me, or something.
[ He's so fussy! And embarrassed! ]
Not like it'd be a contest in the first place. I'd have dropped all my coins on you if I knew things would turn out this way.
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