Just A Moment

I - Moonlight Beauty

   Pair: Zhongli x Aether
Status: SAFE
Series: Want Series

Recommended song to listen to: Adeptus' Retirement by Mihoyo
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   It's a cold night at Liyue. The waves of the sea sings a song of a lullaby.

   Along with the sea's lullaby, is a hum of a song not from this world. A song which mended and yet also broke the heart of a traveler.

   Under the dark sky, Aether stood near the waters, his barefeet buried on the sand beneath. Warm, yet also cold.

   Aether is stuck in the in-between. Fulfilled yet also empty.

   It has been months since his waking without his twin by his side. No clue, no trace and not a single confirmation that she is still staying in the same world that he is in.

   He stopped his humming and sighed. "Lumine..."

   "Why did you stop?"

   Aether turned and was ready to summon his weapon but when he saw Zhongli, he calmed himself.

   "What is the name of that song?" Zhongli asked.

   "Why are up in this hour, Zhongli?" Aether asked, trying to avert his curiousity away from the song he just sang.

   Zhongli slowly walked down the stairs, towards to where Aether is. "I couldn't fall asleep for some unknown reason." He answered.

   Aether looked at him with concern, "Are you okay?" He asked.

   "Yes, I just came out to have some fresh air." He said, "I take a guess that it's the same for you?" He asked this time.

   The quiet traveler nodded, "Yeah, there is just someone that I wish is here with me." He said.

   As Zhongli stood beside the petit traveler , he caught the sadness reflecting the traveler's eyes for just a moment.

   "Does the song you sang earlier have some connection to this person?"

   Aether chuckled softly, as quiet as it is, it still sounded clearly like a lovely sound to Zhongli. "And here I thought you wouldn't bring that up again." He admitted.

   Zhongli seemed offended, "Only a fool will forget such a lovely song." He said.

   The blonde stared at the horizon. "I wouldn't say only fools will forget this song but yes, it is indeed a lovely one. My sister used to sing it to me when I wake up from nightmares." He finally answered.

   "Your sister?"

   Aether nodded, "Yes, the one I'm looking for."

   Zhongli is confused. "Why is she missing?" He asked.

   Aether turned to him and looked at him straight through his eyes, like he is reading what is Zhongli is thinking. "I guess I could tell you." He muttered.

   "We are mere outsiders of this world and when we wished to leave, a goddess blocked us and she took my sister..." The pain reflecting on his eyes were enough for Zhongli to stop prying further on the subject, however, he cannot stop wondering of one thing.

   "Are you lonely, Aether?" He asked.

   This took Aether a minute to answer. His gaze not tearing away from the sea, he answered genuinely. 

   "Whenever I am with everybody else, I manages to forget such feeling but when I'm alone like this... I just can't help it." He admitted with a soft chuckle.

   The clouds that have been covering the moon finally parted and the moonlight illuminated the look on Aether's face.

   Such beauty, Zhongli thought.

   "Aether."

   "Yes?" He tucked a strand of his hair behind his ears as he turned around to face Zhongli.

   The man took the traveler's hand and placed a chaste kiss on top of it. Aether just stood there frozen and flushed red as Zhongli kneeled to do the gesture.

   He looked up to those gentle amber eyes, "You look beautiful, especially tonight." He said.

   "Zhongli?! W-What are you saying all of a sudden??" Aether panicked, his mind's in such a mess.

   He placed another kiss on Aether's hand, "If I could take you as my spouse tonight, I wouldn't make you feel lonely and I will help you with the search for your sister."

   Another kiss. "I won't leave your side."

   And another one, "And I will hold you tight until your worries are gone."

   He squeezes his hand, "I just can't seem to get enough of this sight." He said as he stares at Aether's face illuminated by the moonlight.

   Aether retrieved his hand and backed away from Zhongli, a step away. "I can't." He said regrettably.

   He looked away from the kneeling man, "You know that I can't." He continued.

   Zhongli continued to stare at Aether, "Yes I know but I will hope, and I will wait." He said.

   "There is nothing to hope for and wait for, Zhongli... My priority is my sister and there's nothing comes after. We will leave this world, and not only will I get my heart torn, yours will too." Aether had to say words that are difficult to say in front of the person you love.

   And I don't want that to happen to you, Aether had thought to himself. "I'm sorry..." He said and headed to the stairs.

   However, Zhongli has more to say. "Aether," He called.

   The blonde only stopped on his tracks, not a word has been spoken.

   Zhongli turned to him, "I will wait here. If you feel lonely... I will be here under the moonlight." He said and watched Aether leave.

   "Aether..."

   He stared up at the sky full of stars. The winds has spoken words of comfort, but he did not need that.

   "The moon is beautiful, isn't it." He muttered under his breath.

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❝ | The last line is
my favourite. I just
have to insert it
somewhere.