Children of the Future

Chapter 23

The stove is still on boys! This time, we have a nice heart to heart between Shenhe and Aether. 

On other news, I will be awaiting Raiden's banner to try for her weapon. It'll do me good so I can give the catch to Xiangling unless I'm using EM Raiden. Best of luck to everyone's pulls.

Now, onto the story!

Shenhe was at a loss for words. What did he just say?

"What?"

"I wanted to know if you wanted to join me for a little while. Just the two of us."

"I..." she was conflicted. While she did want to, the guilt in her heart made her hesitate.

"Don't let what happened in the past influence your choice. Follow what your heart wants," he encouraged her.

"What my heart wants," she looked deep within herself and expressed her true feelings. "I... would like to join you..."

Aether smiled, "There you go!"

He grabbed her hand, much to her surprise, and guided her along. She wondered where he was taking her and it was going to be all around the harbor. They explored there as well as places where they first met. Aether laughed remembering how Shenhe was being bothered by two guys and nearly smashed their heads in. 

"Good thing we found you or the Millelith would have had some cleaning up to do."

Shenhe blushed, "I-I'm learning to control my violent tendencies. Master thinks I'm getting better but the thoughts still cross my mind."

"I know you'll get the hang of it someday," he smiled cheerfully at her.

They also went to the docks to look out to the sea where they fought Beisht together. 

"I remember that fight. I... got knocked onto my butt which... wasn't my best moment," Aether blushed lightly.

"I know. You had me worried after you fell from that cliff."

"Yeah and then you froze an entire tidal wave which saved the harbor! That was pretty amazing if you ask me," he smiled.

Shenhe blushed, "I just... I was trying to protect you. It's also why I jumped into the ocean after it."

"We still make a good team together. All of us managed to defeat it and save Liyue Harbor. Even Ningguang recognized your efforts."

She nodded, "Yes, she was very nice about it. I still think I have a long way to go before I can fit in with everyone here."

"Don't worry. You're working hard and I know you'll be able to find your place here."

Aether held her hand in his and kept a firm grip. Shenhe appreciated the assurance that gave her.

"So, where are we going next?" she asked him.

"We- ?!" Aether stumbled causing Shenhe to catch him.

"Aether? What's wrong?"

"I... I'm... not sure," he felt drowsy. Tired. Very, very tired. Then he remembered something. Sucrose told him the side-effects of the tonic she gave him. Nausea, drowsiness, itching. "Crud... I guess that's a side-effect of the potion.

"Side-effect? Is it serious?" Shenhe asked worriedly.

"N-Not really *yawn* it's inconvenient though. I wanted... to keep going with you but now... I feel really... sleepy."

Shenhe nodded and threw him on her back.

"What are you-"

"No need to worry. I'll bring you somewhere to rest," Shenhe told him before she began jumping up the nearby mountains. Once there, she arrived at the top of one overlooking the harbor and laid him down on some grass, the warm sun glowing over them.