Experimental Genshin Oneshots

Midnight Comfort (Ayather)

She's become used to waking up in the arms of her beloved. Maybe he'll whisper a few sweet nothings in her ear, or they might even exchange a kiss or two.

 
Today wasn't those days however.

  
Rarely does Ayaka wake up during times of midnight, but now was different. She awoke to find her room still covered in darkness, only the bright light of the moon giving her a little bit of vision. Enough for her to realize that he wasn't there, on the side of the bed like always.

It wasn't uncommon for him to suddenly disappear before morning, but he never left without leaving at least some kind of message. A sense of dread began to fill her mind, but that very same feeling was intensified when she heard a noise, coming from the main hall. Worried for her beloved's safety, she got out of bed, and ventured into the main hall.

Unexpectedly, there he was, sitting on the sofa. However something was not right. His back was facing her, yet he didn't seem to realize that she entered the room. Approaching him closer however, revealed a sight that made her heart ache.

It was still his beloved Aether, but it's as if what was on the sofa was a mere vessel of what he was. His once golden eyes were now dull and colorless, and his face seems to be wet. Perhaps he was crying? He also didn't seem to realize that she was in front of him.

Either way, it hurt her to see him like this. To see the one who changed her life like this, she wasn't going to accept that. With that, she tried to snap him out of it.

"Aether?" She said, her voice barely audible. Despite that, it seemed to be enough, as he jolted in surprise.

Aether turned to face her, but she was again met with silence. For a moment, she thought he was confused. Almost as if he didn't recognize her, but that thought instantly shattered when he broke into a small smile.

"A-Ayaka. Did i wake you up?" He asked, while trying to wipe off the wet marks on his face.

"I just woke up actually. What are you doing here though?"

"Well, i was just getting some fresh air. What about you?" He said. An easily see through lie, but he didn't want to worry her.

"You're a terrible liar, dear. What's actually wrong?" She asked, seeing through the lie easily. Aether looked away, as if he was embarrassed.

"I've just been thinking about things. Everything really." He said, voice barely audible. It was obvious something was beating him up inside his mind, and she was going to stop it.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She said, while taking a seat next to her. He wanted to object, not to worry her. However a firm grip on his hand and a stern glare from her one and only convinced him otherwise. Tightening the grip he had on her hand, he started talking.

"I've just been wondering, why am I still here? I've gone through the conflicts of 4 nations, yet I'm nowhere close to my sister. I've gone through hell and back, just to get almost nothing in return. Is there even a point to my journey?! Why am I still trying?!"

He kept on going, letting all of his frustrations out. Hearing each and every word that came out of Aether made her heart sink. Never did she even think that deep down, he's still human, he misses his only family, and he too can get exhausted.

He was at the point of breaking. His voice was slowly sounding hoarser and hoarser. The stream of tears that were falling out of his eyes could even rival the tallest of waterfalls. All she could do was sit there, and wait for him to finish.

At last, he stopped. Yet the sobbing didn't. It didn't even seem like it thought about stopping. At least, before he felt a pair of arms circling his body. It was Ayaka, giving him a warm embrace.

"A-Ayaka...?"

"Shh..."

He decided to keep shut, and embraced her back. After a moment of silence, she said her piece.

"I'm sorry. I never thought you felt this way. However, i need you to know this Aether. Even if it seems like there's no end in sight, know that I'll be there with you every step of the way. Know that i will always be grateful to you for changing my life, for thawing out my once frozen heart. And know Aether, that i will always love you, no matter what."

  
Aether carefully listened to every word that came out of her mouth. He knew that what she was saying was true, and he was happy. She got a good look at her beloved, no longer crying. The dull and colorless eyes had finally been given life again. His face now looked full of life, and ready to take on anything. She couldn't resist stealing a kiss from him, to which he happily reciprocated. They sat in another comforting silence, before he broke it.

"I suppose there has been one good thing from my journey." He said.

"Oh? And what may that be?" She asked, curiously.

"It's how I met you. I love you too, Ayaka." He said, prompting a sudden shift in color on her face. From bright white to flushed red. Yet she couldn't help but feel giddy inside due to how happy she was that he said that.

She simply said nothing, and just tightened her already tight embrace on her beloved. They once again enjoyed the calming silence, before she concluded that they should go back to bed.

"Come on Aether. Let's go back to bed."

"..."

"Aether?"

Surprisingly, he still had a grip tight on her. Yet the difference was that his eyes were now closed, his breathing was slow, yet rhythmic. A part of her thought about waking him up, to take him to a more comfortable place to sleep. Yet when she saw how peaceful he was, and the soft but subtle smile on his face, she didn't have the heart to do it.

She decides to lay Aether down on the sofa, with her beside him. It was a bit troublesome, since Aether didn't seem to have any intention of letting go, but she managed. She once again embraced her beloved, and slowly melted into the world of slumber. Not before finally saying one more thing.

"I love you Aether..."

  
"...ove you too..."

 
Hopefully, she can wake up in the morning just the way she liked it. In his arms.