Children of the Future

Chapter 10

Sen here once more for another chapter. This time, the spice gets spicier. Also, while  I was very busy the last few days irl, I decided to take a little break before going back into this story. Anyway, here is the next part for whenever this drops.

Aether and Yoimiya took their sweet time getting back. No words were said, just them enjoying each other's company. Upon arriving once more, they were let in but met an unfortunate guest in the yard as they entered. It was Yae Miko who was playing with Hibiki there. She was going to say hi to them before noticing their clasped hands and smirked.

"My my. Did I miss something good?"

The two of them stammered before hearing the fox-lady chuckle.

"Oh, I'm just having a little fun. You don't have to say if you don't want to."

"A-Actually, I wanted to speak with everyone over dinner about my next move," Aether told her.

Yae held her hand over her mouth, "Your next move? Goodness, which lady are you planning to woo next? Is it Ayaka or Ei or... could it be? Me?"

Aether blushed, "That is NOT what I meant and you know that!"

"Hahaha! Sorry sorry. I'll be sure to keep an open mind for whatever you have to say."

He thanked her before he and Yoimiya entered the main house. 

Ayaka welcomed them inside, "Welcome back, Aether. Oh and Yoimiya too. Perfect because Thoma and I just finished making food for everyone. Don't worry Aether, we made sure to make enough for everyone."

Aether sighed in relief at that because he hoped she wasn't underestimating the kids, Ei or Paimon. 

They entered and sat around the table with everyone else. Some like Ayaka noticed the way Aether and Yoimiya glanced at each other before looking away. Her intuition told her something was up. After some peace, Aether decided to inform everyone about his plan.

"Guys, I think I know what I'm going to do next."

Everyone looked up and turned to him.

"That being?" Thoma asked.

"I think I'll be heading to Liyue in the next few days. Maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. The sooner we get to the bottom of this the sooner the kids can get back home."

"So you'll be looking for their Geo Archon then? Perhaps he would know how to help. I'm only sorry I couldn't do more for you," Ei apologized.

"You don't have to be sorry, Ei. Even for Archons, I can't expect you to know anything about time travel. This was also an accident. Everyone looking after our kid in the meantime is more than I could ask," Aether smiled.

Meanwhile, Paimon sulked in her seat while stuck in bandages, "Paimon wishes they'd do a better job at it. Paimon was nearly fried to a crisp!"

"They'll get you next time," Maki warned her. Paimon felt a shiver as the small kids eyed her in hunger. 

"Tell Paimon something, Aether was supposed to have several kids and wives all over Teyvat?" she asked Ayame.

"Yes, why?" Ayame answered her.

"Paimon thought so. Sorry Aether but Paimon is going to have to stop you from having kids. Her life is going to be in more danger than it already is."

Yae chuckled, "Good luck with that given how thirsty some of the ladies here are."

Said ladies blushed with Yoimiya being the heaviest blushes among them. 

Aether continued after the awkward pause, "A-Anyways, that's my plan for the moment. I'll finish the rest of my business here then head for Liyue."

"What do you plan to do if nothing comes up in Liyue?" Sara asked him.

"I'll go to Mondstadt. I still have friends to visit there anyway," Aether said with a smile, imagining how everyone there was doing."

"You say that but Paimon knows you're just as eager to see the your lady friends in Liyue and Mondstadt," Paimon said while giving him the side eye. Aether proceeded to blush afterwards.

"H-Hey!!"

"Hehe. Looks like someone's been busy plating their seeds all over Teyvat," Yae got Aether to blush harder as she laughed. 

"W-Well, I still think you ought to spend your last day here, buddy. We have to do one last hot pot game before you leave," Thoma said to try and ease the awkwardness. Aether smiled, appreciating his input.

After that, Sango and Miya perked up, "Papa! You'll still come and visit, right?"

"Right? Right?"

He smiled, "Of course! I'll be back to visit everyone after a few days to catch you all up. We're all in this together now."

The ladies were relieved to hear that they wouldn't be waiting too long to see him again. As everyone finished eating, several of the little ones were falling asleep so they put them in their rooms. Meanwhile, the adults were having some fun in the early evening hours.

"So, I think it's about time you two explain earlier when I found you," Yae Miko eyed Aether and Yoimiya. They looked at each other, wondering what she meant before remembering how they came in. The two proceeded to blush making everyone else curious.

"What is she talking about?" Ei asked curiously.

The two stammered a bit which made Ayaka's intuition go into overdrive. 

"Did they?" she had a good feeling about what they were about to say.

Aether decided to go all in seeing as how there wasn't much point in hiding it. He grabbed Yoimiya's hand and she looked away, embarrassed and with a bright red face.

"We started dating," he told everyone.

Aether expected a few things but he wasn't prepared for everyone to applaud him and Yoimiya. Even Yoimiya was surprised to see the happy face of Ayaka.

"Y-You're ok with this?" she asked her.

"You won fair and square. Besides, we all get to be with him in the future. I want our moment to be special like yours undoubtably was," Ayaka smiled. Yoimiya blushed remembering what happened hours ago. Everyone congratulated the new couple as they began heading off for bed.

As Aether was preparing to head to his room, Yoimiya grabbed his sleeve and looked away sheepishly.

"What's wrong?" Aether asked her.

"I-I... c-can I go with you?" she felt her face steam as she asked to sleep with him. Aether blushed but ultimately nodded. 

What neither of them knew was that everything that happened today would still be fresh in their minds. As such, cuddling turned into a makeout session which turned into a sleepless night for a few of the women there. The kids slept soundly since they all were used to this kind of thing by now.

A/N

And that concludes this chapter. Sorry again for the long delay. I was taking a break along with enjoying the holidays. 

The next chapters may not be actual chapters. I was also tinkering with some ai art to give better visuals of the kids since I can't draw to save myself. That and I'll also drop a prelude to the first part of the Liyue arc that's coming up in the future. So yeah, expect those in the future.

That's about it from me. Thanks again for reading. I do appreciate all your guys' love and support. Feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts and I'll see you next time.

Ayaka - Ayame 14

Ei - Hikari 7

Yae Miko - Hibiki 5

Kokomi -Sango 6, Miya 6

Sara - Maki 13

Yoimiya - Ihatsu 14, Nihatsu 14, Mihatsu 14, Shikihatsu 14, Itsuhatsu 14

Shinobu - Kiki 12

Jean - Carolyn 8

Lisa - Amanda 8

Amber - Adler 7

Sen out!