crescentview | winter catch-all

[ Vanitas had asked Aether to stay put on dinner. It's early winter, it's cold, but the heat from the stove manages to keep the house a little warmer. Yet, Vanitas himself looks a little jittery and fidgety, even as he puts the last finishing touches on their meal: A chicken-based dish, one for each of them. It smells good.

He's either cold or nervous about something, though. He keeps tapping his foot on the ground and putting his hand into his pocket. Still, looks like dinner's almost ready, with how he goes the extra mile to put some garnish over the food, hand lightly trembling as he does. Hm... ]

[He notices that something is off. Vanitas is trembling so much that Aether can't help, but look at him with visible concern.]

Is everything okay? Did you catch a cold?

[But the more he looks at it, the more he suspects that Vanitas is nervous about something.]

No, I didn't. I'm fine.

[ He says this as he brings Aether's plate over to him. The food looks really good, actually. It's a wonder why Vanitas doesn't cook more often.

He grabs his own meal and takes a seat at the dining table. His seat is right next to where he'd like Aether to sit. He takes in a deep breath and looks at his partner expectantly. ]

Tell me how you like it.

[ A day or two after Aether accepts Vanitas' proposal, wedding preparations are apparently in order -- not that he particularly wants to do them, but here we are -- and there's only one thing that's non-negotiable for him. Loathe as he is to admit it, he will have a best man, and he knows exactly who that's going to be.

He's going to go to Noe's residence -- Lucia's home first, then his and Owen's if he's not at the former -- and gives the door a knock. Vanitas will wait silently on the porch. ]

[Still unconvinced, Aether sits down and looks at the plate presented to him.]

It looks really good, but...

[He turns to his partner and grabs his hands, holding them firmly but gently.]

...I know it's not food that you're so nervous about.

[That would be so silly. There has to be more to it.]

So tell me... What happened?

[ He allows Aether to hold his hands, and he looks down at them; his hands are still gloved, but he can still feel Aether's warmth nevertheless. It's hard to deny him when he's so concerned, and Vanitas looks a little deep in thought. ]

...Aether. You'd like to return home, right?

[ He finally meets Aether's gaze before he takes in a quiet, deep breath. ]

Rather, to where you were before this. You were in search of your sister.

[ It's midday when Vanitas hears a knock at his door. It's pretty cold outside, and Aether isn't home, so he's taken it upon himself to prepare something warm for lunch. The aroma can be smelled from outside of their house; it seems like he's making some sort of soup. It smells good, at least.

He turns off the stove and goes to open the door. Vanitas tends to assume that visitors are here for Aether, given how popular his fiance seems to be, but when he sees who it is... ]

...Oh. Hello, Amber.

[ Vanitas has no idea that she and Aether are acquainted, so he's assuming she's here for business with him specifically. ]

Do you need something?

Oh, hey there! Is Aether home?

( If he isn't, she'll ask him about being the OT3's best man some other time! Even if he's not, she still has a purpose to fill regardless.

She reaches into her pocket and takes two of her wedding invitations out it, handing them over. )

For both of you, by the way!

Aether? No, he stepped out earlier.

[ Hm. The gears are starting to turn in his head as he takes her invitation. He glances at it and reads the text. He's never met Diluc or Kaeya, but he notes that Amber is right there, and...

Hm. The idea of getting married to two others is a new one, and he's not quite sure what to make of it, but he can't help but burst into a small fit of chuckles. ]

Weren't you just telling me about your bad luck in romance? And now, you're getting married! Isn't that something!

[ He doesn't sound like he's trying to be mean, at least. Okay, well, maybe a little, because he's trying to tease her, but that's just Vanitas. But that laughter soon dies down when the realization from earlier hits him. ]

...You're acquainted with him?

Edited 2023-03-05 07:58 (UTC)

Agh! L-Listen...! It is bad luck if you fall in love with someone who's already taken, okay? ( She blushes with embarrassment...! Just a little! )

But I can't say I'm too unlucky because as it turns out ... he wanted to be with me too. Now we're together, all three of us!

( Amber puts her hands on her hips. Did Vanitas not know!? Did he seriously not know-!? )

Uh, yeah?

( How did he not know!!!!!!! )

Aether is one of my best friends! I was the first person he met when he arrived in Teyvat, you know. I'm even the one who taught him how to glide!

Oh.

[ She knows Aether. His fiance. And he's wearing a silver ring on his finger, though she probably has no idea that they're engaged to each other... ]

I see.

[ . ]

He. Doesn't talk about others much. But. That's good to know.

Yeah, he's pretty quiet! Back in Teyvat, he had this floating companion called Paimon who would do 90% of the talking for him. I must admit, it was kind of strange just talking to him without her interpretation!

( What kind of reaction tho??? u ok there, buddy? )

You all good there? That's quite the reaction you had. ( Amber does know Aether likes Vanitas - but the last time she spoke to him, he was convinced it wouldn't work out. Have things changed...? ) I assume you're on good terms, right?

A floating companion. ... How odd.

[ First time he's heard of Paimon, but more importantly, he blushes when Amber asks her question. It's very telling. He lets out a quiet sigh and nods. ]

Of course we are. [ ... ] Wait here.

[ He steps inside and leaves the door open in case Amber wants to come in. But, he'll return with an invitation. It sure has Aether and Vanitas' names on it! ]

Edited 2023-03-05 18:02 (UTC)

( She waits! And happily takes the invitation when he returns. )

Hey, thanks! ( Amber reads the invitation. ) Congratulations, Vanitas! I'm really happy for you ...

( AND AETHER?!? )

Holy moly!!

Wow! You're marrying Aether!

( Amber IS smiling but she still looks pretty surprised - which isn't a bad thing, she promises. )

I guess "good terms" is an understatement, huh! Super huge congratulations to you both! It really is a shame Aether's not here right now, I wish I could give him a huge hug!! This is so great!

[ Amber...please...he's so embarrassed. He doesn't have in him to say thank you or anything like that, so he just ends up averting his gaze as his hands go in his pockets. ]

Yes, yes. He should be back soon. I'm sure he'd love to see you attend.

[ Little does he know that Amber will do more than just attend their wedding... ]

...I had no idea the two of you knew each other.

[ Which, given everything, explains why he's freaking out a little right now. ]

[He's silent for a moment, before squeezing Vanitas' hands a little tighter.]

I want to find my sister... but I don't want to leave you.

[He looks very serious.]

It's fine! Time is something... I have a lot of.

[ Oh.

He's a little surprised when Aether says that. All this time, he'd thought that the traveler had more important things to attend to, which is why...

... ]

You don't deserve to be stuck here for much longer. Your journey is far too meaningful for that.

[ His voice is quiet. It seems like he's choosing his words carefully.

He releases one of Aether's hands so he can reach into his pocket. He pulls out a pair of silver rings. Vanitas doesn't get down on one knee, but he will look at Aether with sincerity. He's pink, clearly still nervous, but he's going to continue on anyway. ]

Even so, that's not the only reason why I'd like to do this. [ He sets the rings on the table next to him and reaches for Aether's hand again. ] ... I've made up my mind. There's no one else that I'll feel this way about. I can't let this opportunity pass by while I still have it.

If I'm allowed to have a future...I'd like it to be with you, even if we end up being worlds apart.

Edited 2023-03-05 23:18 (UTC)

[His breath catches and Aether stares first at Vanitas, then at the silver rings that are presented to him. His cheeks grow warmer, but concern quickly overtakes his expression. Is his partner trying to sacrifice what they have for him?

Aether hesitates only for a moment, before leaning forward and pulling the other close into his arms.]

Don't be silly... I...!

[He presses himself closer to Vanitas.]

I told you already, I have a lot of time! And I want to stay with you for as long as I can!

[His hands tremble a little, but he only clings to the other more.]

...So let me be with you. Please...

He'd never hear the end of it from me if I didn't!

( Of course there's no way she'd expect the Traveller to not invite her to his wedding. No way! )

Haha - wow! I'm honestly surprised! I've spent quite a lot of time with him here!

[ He's surprised by how powerful Aether's reaction is. It hits him right in the heart, reminds him that Aether is just as serious about their relationship as he is. Vanitas takes in a deep, audible breath as his arms wrap around the traveler. There's guilt that settles in his chest when he realizes that Aether probably has much more time left than he does.

He may as well come out with it. Aether deserves to know what he's getting into. ]

...I don't have...as much as time as you do, Aether. I can't even tell you how much longer I have left to live. [ The blue marks on his arm aren't for nothing, after all. ] But...if you're still okay with that, I'll stay with you.

[ His breathing gets a little shaky. ]

Let's get married. I don't care where we end up going. I'll follow you.

[When Vanitas confesses that he doesn't have as much time, at first Aether thinks that it's because he's just an ordinary human. In that case, of course, he wouldn't live for as long as Aether has. But then his partner continues and realization hits the traveler that the time they have to enjoy each other's company will be cruelly short.]

Vanitas...

[How unfair. The other deserves a nice, long life of happiness! Aether's embrace becomes much more protective as he holds his partner close.]

In that case... that's all the more reason for me to never let go of you. [He whispers, pressing a small kiss to the side of Vanitas' head.] I'll make sure you're happy and I'll be always by your side.

[No matter where they end up going.]

...So yes. Let's get married.

[ His hold on Aether tightens a little more. He'd always thought that Aether could have, should have loved someone else, because it'd be better that way. Now, however, is the moment in which Vanitas realizes that he'll probably be with him for the remainder of his life. He makes a note to talk to Noé about that. It's overwhelming, but he'll endure feeling that way if it means being...happy.

Yeah. He's happy.

Vanitas forces himself to pull away from Aether. He grabs one of the rings and takes Aether's hand to slip it on his finger. ]

Thank you.

[ And after that's done, he'll touch his fingers to his partner's cheek, and lean in for a lingering kiss. ]

As I said, he doesn't talk about other people very much, let alone himself.

[ Even so, they've learned a lot about each other during their short time here. Enough to get them to this point, anyway. Vanitas is usually pretty good about keeping tabs on people, but somehow, Aether and Amber's comeraderie managed to escape his line of sight. ]

Are you telling me he's kept you in the dark about our...arrangement?

[ His tone is more curious than offended. ]

Well ... no, he didn't keep me in the dark about anything. I knew about you both. It was the engagement that surprised me. ( Because Aether was worried and Amber told him to pursue Vanitas anyway, if it's what his heart desires. Looks like he did! )

But, still! I'm really happy that you're both together.

Edited 2023-03-08 14:49 (UTC)

[ This wouldn't be so strange if his date with Amber didn't happen. He'll get over it, but y'know. New revelations and all. Vanitas figures he won't ask Amber if she said anything about their date, because chances are, Aether doesn't know. Even if he did, it doesn't matter, in the end. ]

It was recent. You didn't miss much.

[ ... ]

I'll send him your regards. The invitation to your own ceremony will be appreciated, I'm sure.

Still! Recent or not, it's wonderful news. I'm so happy for you both.

( Aether doesn't know about the date, either. But that was just a one time thing! It's all good. )

Oh, uh ... there's actually something else I wanted to ask him in person. We were wondering ... and by "we" I mean Diluc, Kaeya and I .... were wondering if Aether would like to be the best man at our wedding. And if he'd walk me down the aisle to hand me over to my grooms ... but I'll go look for him and ask.

winter catch-all

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