encounter | genshin impact one shots ✓

ㅤㅤaether ❁ someone you used to know

:: this part is connected to diluc ; edge of glory

You stared in horror as you see the once you loved, alive in front of you. But something was different about him, he wasn't the same Aether unlike before. He was someone different, like a sinister being took over his body.

Aether coldly looked at you, his eyes bore onto your very soul.

"You left me." he disgustingly said, "Did you think I wasn't watching your every move throughout your travel?"

He boredly looked at you and swung his sword. He clicked his tongue and ran his fingers through his blonde hair while his eyes travel from your head to toe.

"Though I'm proud of you getting this far.. tell me, are you trying to save me?" Aether grinned halfheartedly but it soon wavered into a glare. "Why would you even pursue to save someone whom you replaced with?"

"I didn't replace you, I could never replace you!" You cried out, gripping onto your weapon. "I've been searching for you all this time, I've been trying to seek help from every nation all over Teyvat"

The blonde boy tilted his head and made a face that seems to be mocking you. "It was great that I got Dainsleif to watch over you. At first I wanted to see if you're safe from harm, but as time passes.. I realized that you have gotten closer to that one citizen from Mondstadt"

"Did you even know.. how much suffering I went through?" Aether mumbled, "The abyss order forced me to side with them. They told me they wouldn't kill you throughout your journey"

He grinned and turned to you, "Why don't we have a spar right here and now? Tell me your travel while we're at it, I'm dying to know how it went!"

Aether lunged forward, raising his sword up high. Fortunately you blocked the blow with your own sword, for once you got a closeup look of his eyes. The eyes mirror the true feelings of the beholder, and it was if telling you that he was broken inside.

The impact had made you both sent backwards for a good few meters. Aether did a cast a skill but it was a skill that you haven't seen before. But it sent you a bad feeling about it.

To be honest, Aether was wondering why had to end like this. Maybe because he had enough and his feelings just bursted out after seeing his one true love in front of him after a few years. A mixture of happiness, sorrow and anger is what he felt.

"Aether stop!" You counter attacked his skills which surprisingly worked. "I had never ever replaced you with someone. Diluc was just a friend who helped me in Mondstadt. Nothing more, nothing less!"

"Lies"

Aether wanted to stop himself from trying to hurt you. But it was like someone else was controlling his body making him unable to do so. He was struggling to stop himself as he was seeing you trying your best to dodge the skills he's casting.

Eventually he did stopped. He was breathing heavily, he felt that his energy was almost out as casting the skills require a huge amount.

You cautiously walked towards Aether, he looked up and narrowed his eyes. But before you could give him a chance to speak, you quickly threw your arms around him, tackling Aether on the ground.

He let his weapon go due to the surprise and impact of you. You were on top of him, hugging the life out of your loved one.

Aether took a moment to process before wrapping his arms around you. Tears were spilling in his eyes, happiness was overcoming his feelings. For once, he felt happy again.

"DONT ever think that I replaced you ever again!" You mumbled on the crook of his neck. You pulled away and Aether took this chance to sit up. "I missed you.."

The boy placed a quick kiss on your lips, "I miss you too. Very much... but.."

"(Y/n) I'm still bounded with the abyss. It's hard to unbind, I tried doing it countless of times but they kept on threatening me. They don't want me to return to our normal lives.." he looked down.

You pursed your lips and gently cupped his cheeks. You lifted his face and placed a kiss on his lips but this time.. it was longer than what he gave. He was frozen with the kids but he soon melted and kissed back.

"We'll face the abyss together. I won't let you facei it alone for I will be by your side and will never ever leave you" you muttered and hugged Aether tightly as if your life was depending on it.