everlasting lament | Aether

005

Standing at the balcony, the wind around you swirls as you're face to face with Aether and his flying fairy at his side.

Xiao had left to go to perform his usual duties while you stayed behind due to Aether looking for you.

You spoke nothing to him as he approaches you, wrapping his arms around you but you stand there, unable to return the gesture. You listen to his words but you're not moved by them at all but you try your best to comfort him.

"[Y/n], you changed so much." You look down at him as he holds your face from each side, "I almost didn't recognize you." He smiles at you but you could see in his eyes, he was lying.

He didn't recognize you at all, after all, you were only an empty shell of what you used to be. Your eyes no longer held the same warmth you always gave him but you muster a smile.

"When we find Lumine, we can leave like we always have." He rambles on but your gaze went through him, you see through his actions.

"We can get married like you always dreamt of." Your eye twitches at this as you continue to muster your smile.

"Such a childish thought." You blurt out causing him to stop what he was doing, he was getting too close for your liking. "We're adults, aren't we? We should reconsider that bold statement and think it out as mature people." You give him a closed-eyed smile, you didn't miss the change of expression on his face at this.

You knew the type of person Aether is, he hasn't changed one bit but that's understandable. He had just woken up a year before this moment.

His hand reached out to your different color eye and gently touches it, he doesn't say anything.

"Um, Paimon is still wondering who she is."

Ah, the flying fairy, you had almost forgotten about her.

Backing away from Aether's touch, you move to the side and approach her with a smile.

Cupping your hands together, you awe at the sight of her. "Are you a princess?" You ask and she shakes her head. "No, Paimon is just Paimon." She answers.

Tilting your head, your face glooms a bit before going back to its curious state. "Really? I thought you were a princess, you look like one!" You say excitedly.

Paimon smile at this, "awe. Well, I'm flattered you think like that."

You pat her head carefully, it wasn't every day you come across a cute being like this. You had almost forgotten Aether was also here until he grabbed a hold of your hand.

Pulling you back, you look back at him to see him pulling you down as he leans in and closes the distance between you two.

You let him have his way with you for now as you raise a hand out to stop Xiao who just arrived to witness this. You could tell he was trembling with anger at just the sight of you near Aether.

"What are you doing too...Jingwei?" You feel him pulling you back and away from Aether who is confused.

Wiping your lips with your sleeve just as Paimon points a finger at the two of you.

"Wait! You're Jingwei?!" She yells as Xiao yells at her back, "Show some respect!" He grits her teeth before he calms down at your touch.

"Xiao, calm down." You softly say, placing a hand on his shoulder which he nods in response. "My apologies for stepping out of line."

"You have nothing to apologize for." You tell him, reassuring him that you weren't going to scold him for something like this.

You look at Paimon who is still shocked, her eyes wide as saucers. Placing a hand on your chest, you look dead in the eyes, "yes, I am Jingwei and I have been going by that name for the last 500 hundred years." You explain to them, feeling Xiao tug on your hand, making you smile before wrapping things up.

"Now, if you excuse me. I have an important meeting with Xiao."

Letting the shorter male pull you away, you both enter the Inn and are greeted by the woman in charge.

"Lady Jingwei!" She greets you formally. "I've brought what Xiao ordered!" She hands you a pile of neat, folded clothes.

"Please, you can just call me [Y/n], Verr. No need for formality." You tell mad she nods her head before going back downstairs to greet more customers.

"Wait! [Y/n]!" You hear Aether shout as you had your way to change out of your clothes when you turn back to see him standing a bit further behind you.

You could see his face held a serious look but you brush it off with a smile.

"Let's us go," Xiao nods silently as he follows behind as Aether walks after the two of you.

He keeps calling out for you until the door is shut on his face, the two you were in your room while Aether stayed outside.

"Don't worry, I won't take long." You say, resurging him that everything is fine.

You hear Aether sigh and walk away as Paimon voice is heard until it fades.

Dropping your smile, you flop onto the bed and groan. "Why now? I was so close." Xiao pats you on the back as you kick your legs in frustration.

"I was hoping we would meet a little later and not now, my plan had yet to begin." You sigh as you mess up your hair from its ponytail, letting it fall on your shoulders.

"But," you sit up, "his presence won't change anything, either way, I've planned this for the last 500 years."

You look at Xiao, "soon, project phoenix will seize control and power to stop the abyss order."

You open the window, letting the wind in as your hair flows with it and you look back at Xiao.

Expending your hand to him, you smile at him.

"Will you join us, Xiao?"