My Warmth Is Yours

Chapter 13: The Gift of Warmth

Aether twirled a finger through his hair. He'd gone and asked some friends he knew in Liyue about Dragonspine's history, in case the neighbouring nation had anything to say about it, but unfortunately he'd come up with a blank on the prince's name. However, he had gained a lot of details on what it was like in its prime, so he'd written them all down in case it helped his friend's memory. He actually wasn't sure what he'd been doing in the meantime, he'd left him alone with Paimon. Now it was later than he'd anticipated- he was supposed to be back by afternoon but Zhongli started rambling and he couldn't escape, and now he'd have to cook dinner the moment he got through the door. He at least hoped they'd had lunch, he knew Paimon could cook some things.

He opened the doors to a surprising scent. Spiced meat and vegetables being cooked. From the smell of it, it was something too complicated for Paimon to cook- he'd only taught her a few things, and none of them smelled quite like that.

He followed his nose to the kitchen, and was quite surprised to see his housemate standing by the stove, mixing vegetables and what looked like some kind of tomato paste around in a pan. So that's what the smell was. He's cooking something. Aether was distracted by the fact that he wasn't wearing his heavy coat- it was hung over the back of a chair. He looked different without it on, more at home. Which was surprising, considering the circumstances.

Looking over his shoulder, the Kriedeprinz acknowledged Aether's entrance with a nod. He poured the vegetables into a pot, which must have had the meat in it, and covered it to let it simmer. Aether didn't realise he was staring until he caught sight of the smug little smile on his friend's face.

"Are you going to stay standing there, or do you want to sit down while you stare at me?" Aether had faced his fair share of smug faces in his time, Paimon's included, but the prince's piercing gaze paired with his slightly upturned lips hit differently. He'd looked good while he was working, with his hair pulled back and shimmering with condensed steam, but the smile on his face added just that little bit more to it. With all the steam in the air and the afternoon sun making streaks through it, he looked like the subject of a painting. Almost ethereal. And ridiculously hot.

Aether quickly turned away to sit down, trying to cover the fact that his face was red.

"Sorry. You're just. Really hot."

He smacked his forehead on the table. Why, why, why did I say that??? I mean it's not a lie, but why couldn't I just have kept that to myself? Luckily, the other didn't seem to be offended.

"I was waiting for you. By the way, Paimon's already gone to bed, if you were wondering. I thought I would get started on our dinner, since you're so late. I figured you'd be tired from whatever's kept you so long."

Aether laughed bitterly.

"Yeah, you got that one right… I almost wish I'd never thought to talk to Zhongli, he rambles on for hours… old man." He straightened up again, leaning back in his chair. "I guess it was a little useful, though. He's probably the only guy in Liyue Harbour who actually paid attention to the mountain at any point in history." He pulled the paper containing the list of details out of his pocket. "I didn't manage to find your name, but… I got this." He slid it across the table to his housemate, who at some point had sat across from him. "Wait, aren't you supposed to be cooking?"

"This particular recipe requires it to simmer for one and a half hours; I really should have started earlier. It's all right." He took the paper, reading down the list. Aether watched his expression change as he read each one, shifting from a soft smile to a dark eye roll to a surprised little gasp- clearly something he'd forgotten, or perhaps never knew from the start. Eventually he gave the list back to Aether, his face reforming into the regular blank, emotionless slate. "Thank you."

The Traveler simply smiled in return.

"You're welcome. Honestly, as long as you're happy, I don't mind what I do. I like seeing you smile. And hey, if it helps jog your memory a little, then it's even better, yeah?"

The remark seemed to surprise the prince. Aether was ready to kick himself for saying something weird for the second time in less than ten minutes when the prince suddenly lowered his head.

"Thank you. I… shall endeavour to make you smile, too." What Aether couldn't see was the soft blush coating the young man's cheeks.

They stayed there for a while, exchanging small stories. Aether told of his travels- but of the little things he remembered, his conversions with Paimon and the little errands he'd run for people and the sarcastic arguments with Childe or friendly banters with Shikanoin Heizou. Delivering flowers to Alfred, who played his lyre for his daughter's grave each night. He told the tale of Childish Jiang and of Shenhe, of the Irodori Festival and Hanachirusato. He talked of Neko, the cat priestess, and of Glory and Godwin. From tales of the Chasm Exploration Team to the afterimage Ema and her books, the Traveler lived up to his name, filling the air with stories from all across Teyvat.

In return, the Kriedeprinz told him of the people of Sal Vindagnyr. The festivals they held, and their weekly markets. The way they seemed so similar to the people of Mondstadt, welcoming any unfamiliar faces or newcomers- whether they be travelers braving the fierce blizzards in Mondstadt or newborn children with a smile. The way, despite there being a heirachy, the people had a talent for inviting any person in, to join their family at the dinner table. Yes, the young man now facing Aether was a prince, but the people he served had such compassion for their neighbours that he had as many stories of the ordinary folk as he did of the mountainside palace and the temple at the peak.

At one point, he got up to check the food, but simply added some things to the pot, stoked the fire and left it again. He explained how the dish was an old one from his home, a warm soup that was perfect for cold winter nights and days when the outside blizzards had crept into the mountain a little further than usual. Aether listened intently to his soft voice as he recalled it being one of the last things he remembered in the days and hours before he'd been sealed, with the storms and snow getting only colder in those last few days. Aether himself recognised the dish as Goulash, when it was served, though this appeared to be the original, and not the modified version a man at the Dragonspine base camp had written for him. It was hot, and tasted wonderful, but also nostalgic, in a way- it reminded Aether of nights spent with his sister Lumine in countless different places and different worlds, finding ways to be comfortable in the most unorthodox of places. Having a good meal with friends and family, in an inn or a tent or wherever there was room for a fire and a pot.

They would stay there, exchanging stories and remembering details, until the sun was fully set and the dishes were done.

In the gentle, glowing light of the star-shaped lamps around and in the corners of the rooms, Aether stayed close to the side of his friend, his heart skipping a beat to match pulses. Eventually, they curled up by the fireplace together, Aether pulling a stray blanket over the two of them. Together, bathed in the warmth of the fire, the two drifted off to sleep, both feeling truly at home for the first time in a long time.