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Aether and Paimon decide it's time to head back to Mondstadt to take a break from all their adventuring.

Trigger warning: cursing

Third Person POV

"Traveler, Paimon!" It was Amber. She was waiting at the front gates for Aether and his travel companion. When the two were in view, she started waving and yelling their names. Paimon got exited and flew over to Amber, as Aether watched with a smile plastered on his face. "No time no see Traveler! How has everything been going? Any leads on your sister?" Amber asked. Aether nodded, "Yes actually. Everything has been going okay, and I was able to find some clues. I'll tell you the details later." Amber nodded. "How's Collei? Last time you wrote you mentioned being in Sumeru correct?" They trio started walking into the city. "She's doing better. Her health has been steady and Tighnari has been keeping an eye on her as always. You know how protective he is of her." "Yeah, I'm glad she's doing well. Enough about that, let's go meet the others!" Amber grabbed Aether's arm and started pulling him through the streets. Paimon followed laughing.

They soon arrived at the Knights of Favonius Headquaters. After Headquaters and talking with Acting Grand Master Jean, Amber took Aether to go see Lisa, Kaeya, and a few other friends that they met along the way. Aether liked talking to everyone, it felt nice. Taking a break from his journey and coming back to where it first started. Where he made his first few friends. 

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After hours and hours of walking around Mondstadt and chatting with his old friends, Aether made his way to the Statue of the Seven in Windrise. "Look Aether!" Paimon pointed at the Statue, Aether smiled. "Hello Venti." Venti flew down the tree and landed in front of the Traveler. "Aether! Paimon." "Tone Deaf Bard!" Aether chuckled. He walked up to Venti and gave him a hug. "It's been a while huh Venti?" "Too long dear friend. Come up, we can chat here!" Venti pointed to the base of the tree. Aether agreed. "Well you two can do that, Paimon is going to go find Amber again! She promised Paimon food!" Paimon's mouth started to drool. Aether shook his head sighing, "Okay well here. You it wisely Paimon." Aether handed her a small pouch of Mora. Paimon accepted it and flew off. But she stopped and turned back, "Thanks Traveler!" She gave Aether a hug and left. Aether smiled, "She's a good friend Aether. I'm happy you have such an annoying friend." Venti said as he sat. Aether took a seat next to him. "Me too...Anyways, how has everything been?" Venti sighed, "Boring. But I did have some fun seeing the old man yesterday. It felt, nice." Venti turned to Aether, "How was the journey in Sumeru? Any answers?" "Oh yes let me tell you!" 

Aether spent the rest of the evening telling Venti the details of his journey. Venti listened closely, asking questions and giving all his attention to Aether. Venti was fascinated with his friend's journey. But most of all, he's glad Aether is okay. When he went to Liyue, he ran into Xiao. Xiao stopped him and asked if Aether was doing well. Venti said he didn't know but once he found out he would tell him. Venti started to wonder. Why was Xiao so worried for Aether? He should know better than anyone that Aether is capable of handling himself. But then Venti remembered that one conversation he had with Xiao, that Xiao let his guard down. Ah yes. Xiao likes Aether, love is a better term. Venti stared at Aether. Aether was still going on about his journey. Venti wanted to see, does Traveler reciprocate the same feelings as Xiao? 

As Aether finished, Venti was in awe. "So you were able to rescue Nahida and changed the Balladeer? That is impressive. And the fact that Irminsul possesses such power...To erase someone from existence. That is truly remarkable, but also terrifying. And the fact that your twin is in the memory of Irminsul. That's a lot." Venti pretended to act dizzy. Aether nodded, "It is a lot. And I'm glad you believed me about the erasing part. I felt like I was going mad not being to tell anyone about it. Even Paimon..." Venti patted the Blonde's shoulder. "I understand. I mean this isn't something you can tell any ordinary person. Well, why don't we change the subject? Get our heads out of the past mess." "I agree. What should we talk about?" Venti smirked. Aether didn't like it when he smirked like that, it meant Venti was up to something. Aether started to get nervous. "Does our dear Traveler have a lover~?" Aether flushed red. He started waving his hand around, "A-Absolutely not! Why would you ask such a thing?" "What about a crush?" "N-No!" Venti raised his eyebrow, "Are you sure about that? You're awfully red Aether." "Well yeah that's an embarrassing question! What about you Venti? Anything?" "How about. I tell you my crush and you tell me yours? Deal~?" Aether regretted asking Venti that question. He was really curious if his friend had a lover or crush. He was too curious that he agreed to Venti's terms. "Okay deal! Now tell me!" Venti chuckled, "Master Diluc." Aether's jaw dropped. "THERE'S NO FUCKING WAY!" "You're right." "HUH?" Venti laughed at Aether's expression. He held his stomach, "I-I'm just messing wi-with you! Haha! You look speechless!" "Ventiii!" "Okay okay! I'm sorrry!" It took Venti a few moments to calm down. Once he was ready he spoke. "Okay truthfully I don't have a crush nor lover." Aether pouted. "Boring." "Hehe, now tell me your's. Do you love anyone?" Aether looked away and stared up at the moon. Xiao. He blushed as a memory of Xiao flashed through his mind. It was a memory of Xiao smiling, a very rare moment. Venti looked up at the moon as well. Admiring how beautiful it looked. "It's better to just rip the bandage off." Aether took a deep breath, "Xiao." Venti choked, "Yeah put that bandage back on!" "VENTI!" Venti started laughing. "Okay Okay I'm sorry!" "Yeah you should be!" Venti's laughed calmed down, and for a few moments he turned quiet. Aether watched, confused at the scene in front of him. "You should tell him." "I could never..." 

"Tell who what?" Venti and Aether both screamed and jumped. They turned around. It was Xiao. "XIAO WHAT THE FUCK? DON'T DO THAT!" Venti yelled, clearly surprised. "XIAO!" Aether yelled, he held his chest breathing deeply. "I think I almost had a heart attack." "I definitely almost pissed myself." "Venti!" "I'm being serious!" 

After the two calmed down, Xiao watched. Clearly unamused. "Well you called my name so I assumed you were in trouble...I like it when you call me my name." Xiao whispered the last part, too embarrassed to tell Aether. "Well we were just talking!" Aether said nervously. Venti had an idea. "Yeah we were talking about how much Aether likes you and all! And how he needs to confess! Right Buddy!" Aether looked at Venti. Venti quickly regretted his decision. Aether looked at him, "I'm going to kill you." Venti started backing away, "Hehe look at the time I really must go! Bye!" "Venti you little!" Before Aether could catch him Venti summoned a breeze and flew with the wind. Soon he was gone. 

The tension was thick, Aether and Xiao couldn't make eye contact. Both were too embarrassed to say anything. 'What should I do? Should I just tell him? I-I don't know. I-' Aether's thoughts were cut off by the sound of Xiao's voice. "Hey, Traveler, is what Venti said true? Do you have feelings for me?" Aether looked at Xiao. The adeptus' face was bright red, he clearly wasn't use to these types of situations. Aether couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the scene in front of him. "H-Hey don't laugh." "I'm sorry I couldn't help it!" The tension was slowly going away and the two boys felt more comfortable. "Hey Xiao?" "Yes?" "I love you." Xiao's face turned beet red and Aether smiled at him. He moved closer and hugged the other male. "I-I do too..." Xiao replied minutes later. "Let's stay here and watch the stars, hm?" "Yes I would like that. The night is beautiful and I don't remember the last time I looked at the stars here in Mondstadt." Aether softly pulled Xiao down to the grass, cuddling up next to him. Xiao held Aether close. Here in this moment he will be able to protect his Traveler. He must cherish this moment before he can't hold Aether close anymore, at least for a while...Xiao has never felt this feeling before, but, he's happy. Truly happy. 

'Lumine...I found the one...When we reunite I will tell you all about him...'

Lumine watched, a far distance away. The abyss mage looked confused, wondering what the Princess was looking at. Lumine couldn't help but smile. No matter how different their views of the world were, Aether was still her brother and she loved him. So, no matter what happens, she will always support him and his choices. Lumine turned her back and walked away. 'Dear brother, I'm so happy for you...'

The End <3