𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆 ✦ 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 ⁽ᴹᵃˡᵉ ᵛᵉʳ⁾

𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁

"IT IS YOUR CLOTHES OR YOUR LIFE! CHOOSE WISELY YOU PIECE OF TRASH!"

Aether watched in concern as m/n repeatedly kicked a Fatui Pyro Agent that he'd just defeated, yelling at the poor guy.

He wanted a change of clothes and he decided the Fatui member's clothes were cool. If the fatui can hurt Venti then m/n can definitely steal their clothes.

"Should we stop him?" Aether asked Paimon who was also watching.

"Nah, Paimon wants to see if that agent will actually give m/n his clothes." Paimon replied and Aether sighed heavily.

M/n had literally just woken up and he was already acting crazy again. He didn't seem to feel sick anymore, especially since the trio were now in an open area.

Maybe Paimon was right. About Liyue Harbor being overwhelming for the boy.

Aether guessed he needed time to get used to all the new scents and sounds.

'Next time, we'll wait outside a bit before we go to the harbor.' Aether thought to himself and blinked when m/n marched over with his old clothes tucked under his arm, now wearing the Fatui Agent's clothes.

"You actually did it." Aether said in disbelief.

"What? You thought I was kidding?" m/n asked then grinned, "Nah, the clothes looked real comfortable. And I was right! I look pretty hot, do I not?"

Aether shook his head, exhaling through his nose as m/n returned his old clothes to his inventory because ᵍᵉⁿˢʰᶦⁿ ˡᵒᵍᶦᶜ.

"Where to?" m/n asked.

"Well, we need to go to the Wangshu Inn. Had you been awake thirty minutes ago, we could've been there by now." Aether replied.

Exactly thirty minutes ago, Aether had to carry a sleeping m/n while also running away from four ruin guards.

He honestly thought he was going to die and the entire time, m/n was sleeping.

"Alright then! To the Inn we go!" m/n declared, "Uh... why are we going?"

"Right. He was asleep." Paimon sighed.

•••

"We should've taken the stairs." Aether murmured as m/n clung to him like a terrified cat, shaking quite violently.

"M/n have you never been in an elevator before?" Paimon inquired then smiled cheekily, "You know what? Don't answer that. Paimon can tell just from your behavior."

"Shut up." m/n replied and yelped, burying his face in Aether's neck when the elevator shook, coming to a stop.

"We're here." Aether told the boy and sighed when m/n still clung to him tightly.

That was how he ended up walking out of the elevator with m/n on his back, hiding his face in the male's neck.

"For someone who loves fighting so much, you're awfully scared of closed spaces." Paimon commented.

"Trauma." m/n replied.

"Oh." Paimon and Aether said in unison.

As the trio wandered into the Inn, m/n took notice of the kitchen and his eyes sparkled at the sight of all the yummy food there.

Getting off of Aether's back, somehow without him noticing, he casually walked over to the kitchen with the intent to steal.

"Hey, Aether? Where did m/n go?" Paimon asked a few minutes later upon noticing m/n's absence, "Wasn't he on your back just a second ago?"

"Huh? He's not there anymore?" Aether inquired then began to panic, "How long was he even gone? We need to find him, quickly!"

"Calm down! He'll be fine!" Paimon assured the blond.

"I'm not worried about him." Aether informed the pixie and she paused.

"Oh yeah, I see why-"

"Aether, Paimon!"

The duo looked over and saw m/n strolling towards them, carrying stolen food.

"Look! Food!" he chirped and Aether's heart dropped in his chest.

"Did you steal that?"

"Uh... yee!"

"No! Stealing is bad! Go return it!" Aether snapped and m/n's happy look quickly reverted back to his usual scowl.

"You think I don't know stealing is bad?" he questioned, "Look me in the eyes. As you can see, I don't really care."

His happy smile returned, 'Paimon! Take as much as you'd like!"

"Yes!" the pixie exclaimed, "Sorry Aether! Food always comes first!"

'Why. Why me of all people?' Aether wondered as Paimon and m/n ate stolen food together.