Authors note:
I return! I know I haven't written anything in FOREVER, but I've come across my new hyper-fixation: genshin impact. You can probably tell, but Bennett is one of my favorite characters (he deserves the world!) and after doing his hang out event I felt the dire need to write this fic. So SPOILERS for Bennett's hang out event, if you haven't played through all the endings yet, do so before reading this. As always; please enjoy!
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The day hadn't gone exactly as planned. After meeting Bennett at the adventures guild, Aether didn't hesitate for a second when he asked to go on an adventure with him. Bennett's positive energy was just so strong and endearing that he couldn't possibly wait a second to head to the newly discovered dungeon. Aether even decided to skip out on preparing food, as he was so eager to head out. It would be a quick trip: get in, get the treasure, get out.
Unfortunately, that may have cost them in the long run. Once they had gotten to the dungeon they rushed right in to figure out the first puzzle. Aether didn't stop to think about Bennett's luck at all, instead letting him go for it and choose a device to activate. That was probably their biggest mistake, as the moment Bennett activated one of the devices the whole system seemed to shut down and the entrance closed behind them.
Now, stuck in the temple with no food, they would have to wait to be rescued. As far as situations go, this was definitely not an ideal one. Aether wasn't too worried though, after all, he was sure that one of the knights would notice his absence and send someone soon. Bennett, however, seemed much more upset.
This wasn't the first time his bad luck had ruined an adventure, in fact it was a rather common occurrence, but today he had hopped, just this once, he would have fortune smile upon him. He wasn't on any adventure, he was on an adventure with Aether, the great traveler that had been spoken of so often within the adventures guild, his idol even. He thought that his chance meeting with Aether was a sign, a sign that today would finally be a good day. But it seemed his small bit of luck had run out, and run out quick.
Aether noticed that the boy had been much more quiet then usual since they came to the conclusion that they would have to wait to be rescued. They had just been sitting upon the steps in silence. This wasn't the same happy go lucky boy he had met that morning, Bennett seemed like a totally different person, and it broke Aether's heart.
"Hey," he gently said, "are you okay?"
Bennett gave a sad sigh. "No. I mean I guess? I mean- I'm sorry."
Aether felt his heart sink. "You don't have to be sorry, Bennett."
Bennett just gave a slight huff. "Of course you say that. You've been nothing but nice to me even though I got us into this situation."
"No, I mean it Bennett. I new exactly what I was signing up for. You made it clear that this might not end with us finding the treasure, and you know what? I wanted to go with you anyway. I don't care if it was your bad luck or a bad day or whatever, I wanted to come do this with you. Not just for the adventure, just to hang out and get to know you."
Bennett was taken aback at this. He stared at the traveler, dumbfounded.
"Really? You really just wanted to get to know me, and hang out and stuff?"
"Of course!" Aether exclaimed. "The moment I talked to you I could feel your enthusiasm for adventuring practically radiate from you. It was contagious! I knew I wanted to be friends with you from the moment we meet. And sure I wanted to go on an adventure with you, but adventures are all about getting to know the people you're with."
Bennett's face flushed as he finally gave a small smile. "Aw shucks, you're really pulling the "the adventure isn't about the destination" on me?"
