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“I wasn’t expecting to see you back so soon, missed this place that much?” Wriothesley teased as he looked at the man in front of him.
In front of him was a certain blond haired traveler, who currently faced him with an unimpressed expression.
“It’s not like I wanted to come back so soon. It’s just that things got… complicated.”
“Complicated enough that you have to hide here?”
“…there may have been an incident in his office.”
“Uh huh.”
“Involving a bottle of fancy sparkling water.”
“Uh oh.”
“And a pile of important legal documents.”
“…I think I can get the gist of what happened. Anyways, where is Paimon? She’s usually glued to your side isn’t she?”
“She’s being forced to assist Neuvillette in his office, so I need a place to stay while I wait for her.”
“I’m surprised you chose Meropide of all places to come to.”
“Just a nice change of pace. I’d hate to always rely on the Spina di Rosula’s base all the time for shelter.”
“Hmph, just don’t expect any fancy treatment while staying here,” the Duke huffed as he crossed his arms. “Hey, will you be alright without her? It’s weird to see you apart considering you always rely on one another.”
“Excuse you, I’m pretty sure she’s the one who needs me! You should be more concerned for Fontaine, she might eat up the entire nation while working with Neuvillette!”
“I know you’re joking, but watching that girl eat in the cafeteria, I know she could possibly do so.”
“Anyways, would you mind showing me to a room I can stay in your Grace?”
“Sure, sure. Welcome back, inmate,” Wriothesley commented as he smirked at the other boy, getting a groan in response.
…
“Welcome back Aether!” Sigewinne chimed as she eagerly looked at the traveler.
“Hey Sigewinne! Has everything been going alright at the infirmary?”
“Yes, everybody here has been in good shape! Has everything been going alright in the overworld traveler?”
“Yup, everybody quickly recovered after the prophecy’s flood, although Neuvillette has been swamped with work ever since.”
“Really? I should make time to visit him then. I must make sure he’s been properly taking care of himself!”
“I bet he’ll be happy to see you again.”
“Hehe! I hope so too. Anyways, what brings you here? You’re not feeling sick are you?”
“Nope, I just needed a place to stay while Paimon is serving her time.”
“Paimon’s been imprisoned?!”
“No-no! I mean, she’s currently busy helping Neuvillette because of a blunder she made.”
“Oh. Well she’s in good hands with Neuvillette. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your stay Aether! You’re always welcome to spend time here.”
…
“Care for a cup of tea?” Wriothesley asked as he watched Aether lay upon one of the chairs within his room.
The blonde man was lying on his back, his eyes glued onto the magazine he held into his hands. It was one of the many books the warden kept in his office, something that Sigewinne left to ensure he wouldn’t be bored from sitting all day.
“Sure,” the other man replied as he stood up and sat across Wriothesley. “I didn’t take you for the type to read this kind of stuff.”
“What stuff?”
“Dating columns.”
Wriothesley almost dropped the teapot within his hands at the statement Aether uttered.
“I-I do not know what you’re talking about. That magazine was just something Siegwinne picked up during one of her trips in the overworld.”
“Mhm,” Aether remarked as he made an unconvinced expression. “I’m curious, what’s your type?”
“Er, I guess I never really gave it any thought. Not that it would matter much considering I’m occupied running this place.”
“Alright! Let’s try this out then.”
“Try what out…?”
“A dating quiz!”
Wriothesley made a motion to turn the music louder on his gramophone but was immediately stopped by Aether.
Looking at the other’s excited gaze, the Duke let out a sigh before letting the smaller man have his way.
…
“So compiling all your answers…!” Aether started with a flourish as he pointed at a section within the magazine.
“This is such a waste of time,” Wriothesley groaned as he awaited the man’s response.
“…your type is somebody who is adventurous, patient, understanding, a capable fighter, doesn’t mind a criminal record, can do long-distance relationships, and most importantly…”
“Most importantly?”
“Into single fathers.”
“What kind of magazine is this!?”
“Tevyat’s #1 Quiz for Single Mothers or Desperate People Who Are Seeking Companionship in a Romantic-Sense.”
“…what kind of publishing company would make this nonsense?”
“It’s from Inazuma.”
“Ah.”
Dropping the current topic, Wriothesley found his sight drifting towards the traveler.
The other man had a cheery smirk on his face, his honey gold eyes almost sparkling as he eagerly flipped through the gaudy magazine in his hands.
He had an excited look on his face like Sigewinne when he drank her milkshake for the first time.
He was cute.
“So what’s your type then Aether, since we’re on the topic,” the taller man chimed, a grin on his face as his cerulean eyes bored into Aether’s own.
“O-oh I, uh, I suddenly can’t recall!”
“It’s not fair I’m the only one answering that questionnaire. Come on, you’re not gonna leave me hanging, right?”
Despite teasing the other man, Wriothesley could see the blond boy sweating. He hadn’t meant to come off as imposing, but he didn’t find himself minding.
“T-this feels almost like an interrogation,” Aether muttered as his eyes darted towards anywhere except the man in front of him.
“It only is one if you don’t comply.”
“…f-fine! My type is someone uh… mature,” Aether muttered, his face feeling hot from the sudden attention.
“Oh? Into the mature types?” The Duke repeated as he grasped the magazine from the traveler’s hand. “Let me guess, you also like them, presumably older, taller, caring, and… commanding?” He whispered in a husky tone, causing Aether’s face to flush a brilliant crimson.
The other man had no response, but the flustered state Wriothesley left him in was all the answer he needed.
“All right that’s enough teasing, make sure to drink your tea before it gets too cold,” the warden commanded as he set the magazine down and resumed drinking.
He originally had no interest in dating others but…
When the opportunity arrived at his very fingertips, with a smile of gold and a flush of scarlet, who was he to decline?
…
“Sigewinne, can I ask for a favor?” Wriothesley spoke as he walked into Meropide’s infirmary.
“Your Grace! Of course you can, how can I help you?” Sigewinne replied as she eagerly approached the other man.
“I… archons, this is embarrassing, but I need help with courting.”
“Court-ing? I think that’d be more of Neuvilette’s speciality, but I’d be happy to help nonetheless!”
“No courting. Like you know, in the romantic sense.”
“Oh… oh!” The nurse exclaimed as her face contorted into one of disbelief. “Have you come down with something your Grace?!”
“No need to give me a face like that! I’m not sick or anything, I’d just, like to give it a try, that's all.”
“Well, I’m sure whoever the lucky person you’re trying to date will be happy to have you!”
“So any tips? You are the one who buys those tacky magazines from the overworld.”
Taking a moment to ponder, the Melusine put a finger onto her chin.
“Hm… human relationships aren’t really my forte, but you could try gift giving. Why don’t you make him something, oh like a lunchbox or something! I’ll even give you a recipe to make!” Sigewinne chirped as her eyes were colored with excitement at the very plan.
“A lunch huh? Not a bad idea, thanks Sigewinne.”
“Mhm! Oh, and add a note too! Something that’ll really charm him.”
“What should I write on it? I’m not exactly the best with words. I’m used to sending work letters not love letters.”
“Hmm, maybe reassure him about something? He did say he was on a journey to find his sister so maybe remind him that he’s never alone!”
“Sounds good to me. Thanks Sigewinne!”
“Always happy to help your Grace! Tell me how it goes!”
Before departing, the smaller girl ran up to him and gave him a quick hug.
“What was that for?” Wriothesley questioned at the random embrace, not that he had particularly minded.
“For good luck!” Sigewinne replied with a tender smile, hiding the fact she took the opportunity to place a sticker on his back.
…
Walking to the cafeteria, Aether approached the staff to order lunch for the day.
He could’ve asked Wriothesley for a better lunch instead of taking the gamble, but he hadn’t wanted to impose on the man anymore than he needed to.
However, upon approaching the cafeteria’s front worker, a pastel pink and blue box was shoved within his hands.
“I-is this for me?” The traveler asked with a befuddled expression.
The worker only nodded before attending to the line that was quickly forming behind Aether.
Sitting down at a table, Aether eyed the mysterious container he held.
It was hardly different from the normal lunch boxes, but was decorated with a frilly ribbon and colored in a manner that eerily resembled Sigewinne.
However, his thoughts would be interrupted by the growl of his stomach. Against his better thoughts, he opened the box.
There, his eyes were faced with a bizarrely violet dish. Staggeringly similar to the meal Sigewinne had once tried to cook for him and Paimon. However, instead of a scentless aroma, he was met with the scent of barbecue, which only made the dish even more unpalatable. Next to the questionable entity that could be considered food was a plain notecard.
Lifting the card, he read the message.
‘I have my eye on Aether. You’ll never be alone again. You’ll be in my sight forever.”
Aether immediately stood up and tossed the lunch in the nearest garbage bin.
…
“I may have been too forward with the note,” the Duke groaned as he placed a hand to cover his face in shame.
“Really? I thought it was quite nice! It was very passionate and honest,” the nurse chimed as she gave the taller man a pitiful look.
“…I forget that you don’t really understand the basics of human relationships.”
“Hey!”
“And also that recipe you gave me turned out so… unique. Just how is all your food purple?”
“I ensure it’s nutritious!”
“Anyways, what should I do next?”
“Erm… I don’t know, maybe you should try asking somebody else?”
“And who on Tevyat could I possibly ask in this prison?”
“My! It seems like the Duke is having trouble on a certain issue. Care for my help?" A booming voice resounded as a blonde haired woman entered the office.
“Navia! I haven’t seen you in a while,” Sigewinne remarked as she eagerly walked up to the other woman.
“Sigewinne! It’s been far too long since our last tea party, I trust you’ve been taking care since our last meeting?”
“Mhm! Right now I’m just helping his Grace with lov-“
“Sigewinne!” Wriothesley reprimanded as he immediately covered the other girl’s mouth.
“Ah, there’s no need to be ashamed your Grace! Love is a wonderful thing, I’m sure the lucky person you’re trying to court will be ecstatic to have you!” Navia commented as she gazed at the Duke with a thrilled expression.
“Thanks, but I’m just having trouble deciding on how to tell them. Any thoughts?”
“Well my recommendation is that your gesture should be grandiose and elegant! Make this confession unforgettable, and the one you want will surely fall for you in that very instant!”
“Unforgettable huh?” Wriothesley muttered as an idea formed within him.
…
Aether was heading to Wriothesley’s office for the evening to relax after another day of exploring Fontaine’s vast ocean.
What he hadn’t expected was to be serenaded the moment he entered the prison. And he hadn’t expected most of all was the very warden of the prison he stayed at to be singing as well.
In fact, the usually monotone and reserved Duke was now singing brilliantly and passionately, even if his face burned slightly with the tips of his ears the shade of his collar.
Ending his song, the black haired man took a sharp breath, settling his nerves and facing the traveler directly. Taking out a bouquet of rainbow roses from his back, he thrusted them towards the golden traveler.
“I like you,” he spoke, his throat raspy from the amount of singing he had done earlier.
The blond man only stared at him in awe, his golden eyes processing the other man’s confession.
However, the black haired man only received an applause rather than an actual response from the other boy.
“Bravo! Bravo your Grace! Your singing was truly amazing!” Aether cheered as he continued to clap for the other.
“Thanks? So uh, what’s your answer then?”
“My answer? Isn’t this a performance?” Aether questioned, tilting his head in confusion at the other’s antics.
“Performance?”
“Yeah? It’s like the musical me and Paimon watched the other week at Opera Epiclese. The protagonist, a former convict, and his friends he met in prison worked together to serenade his love interest as a way of confessing his love! I originally wanted to invite you but the tickets had sold out too quickly.”
Wriothesley only looked at Aether with a dumbfounded expression.
“Also, who would actually ask somebody out in person by breaking out into song? I think I’d actually die from second-hand embarrassment,” the traveler remarked with a soft chuckle, causing the larger man to sweat.
“You know what, yeah it was a performance Aether. You got me,” Wriothesley lied as he ignored the sudden heat that flared within his entire body.
“I called it! Wow, you were amazing your Grace! I should tell Neuvillette to allow you guys to perform at Opera Epiclese!”
“Let’s not.”
…
“You look like you’ve seen better days your Grace!” A perky voice resounded as a platinum haired male entered Wriothesley’s office.
“Is something the matter Lyney? I don’t recall you being imprisoned currently,” the Duke responded as he continued to look at the document in his hand, ignoring the other male.
“Nothing is the matter at all! I just came to visit our dear traveler. But, it seems I’ve found you in quite the rut. Trouble in paradise it seems?”
“It’s a prison, not paradise, but yes you could say I’m having trouble.”
Wriothesley immediately regretted saying those words, but his last two attempts ended in complete disaster.
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
“Say no more! I know a way to get you and you-know-who together.”
“And how do you know what my current predicament is?”
“Never underestimate a magician,” Lyney snickered as he shot the man a wink, only earning a groan in response.
…
“Oh Wriothesley, I’ve never been more lucky to be with you,” Lyney said as his hand wrapped around the warden’s, intertwining their fingers.
The taller man wanted nothing more than to use his gloves to knock the magician back into the House of the Hearth.
“And I… feel the same way,” Wriothesley grunted out as he attempted to stop his eyes from rolling.
The magician had told him that fake-dating was sure to get Aether’s attention onto him.
But the outcome that resulted was… far from ideal.
“Oh. I didn’t know you two were dating? Congratulations!” Aether cheered as he looked at the pair with an excited expression.
“Yup! We’re dating, and we’re so happy, can’t you tell?” Lyney chimed as he continued to play with the Duke’s fingers.
“Mhm. So happy,” Wriothesley muttered as he looked to the side, attempting his best to feign his feelings of utter repulse.
Lyney immediately kicked Wriothesley on the back of his leg.
“So happy!”
“Haha! You two look so happy together, I knew you’d find somebody your Grace.”
Blue eyes met violet eyes, the plan was obviously not working.
Snaking his arm to Wriothesley’s back, the magician spoke aloud.
“Yup! And I totally won’t break up with him soon and leave my dear Wriothesley heart broken and alone, desperately longing for someone to fill that void in his heart!” Lyney improvised as he winked at Aether, allowing his hand to roam freely the Duke’s body.
Wriothesley understood that Lyney was trying to make Aether jealous, but all the Duke saw was that his urge to arrest Lyney was only growing stronger by the moment.
“Uh… okay?” Aether responded while raising his eyebrow at the ominous statement. “So when exactly did the two of you fall in love?”
“When we met at the prison.”
“At one of my magic shows!”
The two looked at one another, the warden masking his displeasure with a business smile and Lyney only maintaining his unbothered facade.
“I mean, at one of his magic shows!” The Duke lied with a cough.
“And during our time here!” Lyney smoothly added.
“Didn’t you want to kill him Lyney…?”
“The heart wants what it wants Aether!”
Wriothesley only forced a smile as fought against the urge to toss the magician by his side into the deepest cellar of the Fortress of Meropide.
…
“You’ve come to me for advice?” A proper voice asked as Neuvillette stared at Wriothesley.
“Yeah. I’m looking for ways to confess to a person,” Wriothesley responded as he scratched the back of his head.
He was here as a favor for Paimon, the small girl having sent a letter begging for “non-water based” foods. Since he was here, he took the occasion to ask the Iudex for help.
“And you’re asking me?” Neuvillette reaffirmed as he gazed at Wriothesley with a confused expression.
“Exactly.”
“…”
“Look, I know it’s awkward having the person you put into jail ask you for romantic advice, but I really have nobody else better to ask.”
“No it’s not that. It’s just, I have no experience with the matter of love. It’s foreign to myself.”
“Ah. Well that makes sense, you seem to be too occupied to engage in those sort of activities.”
“Yes… I am too busy for those activities,” the judge agreed, not wanting to explain that he had little understanding of human emotion due to being a dragon dragged out of the sea 400 years ago. “What if you gave him something to remember you by?”
“Remember?”
“Give him something he'll cherish. Perhaps it’ll cause him to think of you more fondly. Or at the very least, it’ll be a keepsake for him to remember you by.”
“This sounds as if I’m giving him a memento.”
“Is it perhaps too solemn of a gift? I apologize, I’m not very experienced with the romantic gesture of hu- I mean, people.”
“No, I think it’ll work,” Wriothesley commented as he chose to ignore the Iudex’s slip-up. “He is a traveler after all, I can’t expect him to stay here.”
Looking down at his palms, the Duke wondered to himself if his actions were in vain.
After all, his feelings meant nothing if Aether was bound to leave him.
“Wriothesley,” Neuvillette stated, causing the warden to exit his moment of contemplation.
“Yes?”
“I don’t have much experience regarding love but, I believe it’s best to tell him while you can. Letting him go without telling him will only cause you more regret than telling him.”
“…you’re right Neuvillette. Thank you for the advice.”
…
Aether woke up and found a pair of handcuffs on a table next to him.
Immediately he felt alarmed considering the strange events that have been occurring to him lately. However, he knew that it was most likely nothing too dangerous considering the Fortress of Meropide was under Wriothesley’s watchful eye.
And yet…
Was he getting arrested or something?!
…
“I think you left this in my room your Grace,” Aether asked as he found the other man patrolling the prison.
“Hm? I don’t think I forgot anything in your room,” the taller man remarked.
“These handcuffs were in my room this morning. I’m pretty sure you need these to, you know, arrest somebody!” Aether replied back with an unimpressed expression.
“I wanted you to have them.”
“And why?”
“It’s how I feel about you.”
“Oh.”
“These handcuffs are special. Only I have the key to them so in a way, I want you to have something that nobody else can ever have.”
“Your Grace I…”
“Don’t look at me like that, it’s nothing too special. I just wanted to let you know how important you are to me,” Wriothesley said as he looked to the side, avoiding direct eye contact.
This had to express his intentions to Aether, there’s no possible other way he could interpret his feelings.
“I’m so happy that you regard me as a close friend!“ Aether remarked as he smiled softly at the other man, in stark contrast to the handcuffs that were in his hand.
Wriothesley once again was left agar at the other man’s bizarre reaction. Was everything a gesture of friendship to this man?
“So does this mean I’m your favorite prisoner or something?”
Wriothesley immediately fell to his knees.
…
Romance was dead.
That, or Aether was so amazingly oblivious to any form of confession that Wriothelelsy might’ve had more a greater chance of finishing one of Sigewinne’s milkshakes than actually getting his feelings across.
“Your Grace, is something the matter?” A calm voice resounded at the Duke’s back.
“Clorinde. I hadn’t expected your arrival. Is something up?” Wriothesley responded as whipped his back and feigned an unbothered expression at the random woman who spawned in his office.
He hadn’t asked for assistance at all today, the other woman had literally just appeared out of nowhere.
“Not really. I came to visit the traveler after Neuvillette asked me to deliver something here,” the duelist replied coolly.
“Ah, well he’s probably in his dormitory or the cafeteria.”
“Got it.”
“…”
“So-“
“Let me cut to the chase - you’re trying to flirt with Aether aren’t you?” Clorinde spat out as she crossed her arms.
“Navia told you?” Wriothesley asked as his hands once again covered his face.
“Don’t beat around the bush. Tell him outright.”
“And if he doesn’t return my feelings?”
“Then accept it,” she stated without an ounce of remorse. “You can’t know if he’ll like you back unless you ask.”
“Harsh, but straight to the matter as always, Clorinde.”
“Hmph, Navia has been awaiting your response for days now. Let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint,” the dark blue haired woman stated as she began to exit the office. “Oh, and one more thing.”
“Hm?”
“A real hunter knows when to let their prey come to them.”
…
“I like you Aether,” Wriothesley confessed as he gazed at the traveler across from him in his office.
Today was the last day of Aether’s stay at the Fortress of Meropide, it was now or never.
“I like you too your Grace!” Aether responded casually.
“Call me Wriothesley when it’s just the two of us Aether, I think we’re behind the point of the needed formalities.”
“Okay, then I like you too Wriothesley!”
The taller man’s heart skipped a beat from hearing the other man say that. The lack of hesitation and sincerity of his voiced enthralled Wriothesley, making the warden even more desiring of the man.
Taking a deep breath, the Duke relieved his nerves and continued to speak.
“I really like you Aether!” Wriothesley proclaimed, his cheeks now tinted a sweet shade of pink.
“And I really like you too Wriothesley!” Aether responded back with the same vigor, although still maintaining his casual expression.
It was like talking to the world’s most adorable brick wall of the world at this point.
“By the archons you’re really gonna make me spell it out for you huh? I lo-“
Wriothesley paused, he spent the entire week confessing to Aether, had his advances rejected at every opportunity unknowingly, and was given the title of a dear friend yesterday.
Was it worth throwing it all away just because of his so-called feelings for the other man?
He didn’t even know if Aether had even liked him back.
“Lo-?” The traveler questioned as he wondered why Wriothesley had paused all of a sudden.
“No, it’s nothing. Pay it no mind, alright?” The Duke stated as he shook his head, ready to end the current topic.
He didn’t know how to flirt, let alone tell another person about his true feelings.
However, the blond man looked at his face expectantly, leaning closer to the warden.
“Is it… really nothing?” The traveler questioned, his hand roping its way around the other man’s, his usual cheery expression replaced with a surprised look.
And yet, beneath those eyes laid an emotion Wriothesley knew all too well.
Desire.
Aether wanted him to respond so badly, he couldn’t handle being left on a precipice, with only his imagination leaving him an answer.
“Yeah, it’s nothing,” the Duke stated with a shake of his head. “Not until you drop the oblivious act you keep up around me.”
“Oblivious act? I don’t know what you-“
“Don’t try to fool me Aether, I’ve seen through better bluffs and lies than you could ever imagine,” Wriothesley admitted with a dark expression on his face, unrelenting against the traveler’s persona.
Clorinde was right, a true hunter knows when to let their prey come to them.
And Aether was all too eager to keep up his charade.
“…”
“Done playing the role of an oblivious recipient? Look, you almost fooled me. But the moment you looked at me with those needy eyes, begging for an answer, you knew you slipped up.”
The traveler only looked at the taller man with an affronted expression, which soon dissolved into a smirk as he placed his hand on his hip.
“Haha! Alright, you’ve seen through me Wriothesley. I could tell you we’re trying to flirt with me the entire time. Baiting me out with your own feelings, you’re quite cunning you know?” Aether laughed as he glanced into the Duke’s visage, warm honey meeting icy azure.
“A warden has to use any tool he has to pry the information he needs out of others. And, I had a feeling that your inability to take a hint was a ruse. Nobody could be that oblivious to somebody’s countless confessions.”
“Well, it did actually take me a while to understand what you were doing at first,” Aether admitted. “I thought the lunch was a death threat from a tasteless stalker.”
“That was my bad.”
“And the serenade and bouquet being practiced for a musical considering you’re the last person I would ever imagine singing for me in front of an audience.”
“I literally told you I liked you at the end!”
“The handcuffs also being a sincere present as an expression of our newfound friendship.”
“They are. And they’re something even more important, only if you think so too.”
“But what really tipped me off was that genuinely awful performance between you and Lyney. You had this disgusted scowl on your face the entire time Lyney was teasing you with his hands. Even I had to stop myself from breaking out in a laughing fit!” Aether commented with a giggle, amused at the memory of Wriothesley enduring being hit on.
“That’s what made you realize I was into you? Hmph, I didn’t expect you to be the sadistic sort,” Wriothesley commented with a smirk, uncaring of the other’s true nature.
“I don’t want to hear that from the man who made me a purple lunch and gave me handcuffs as a present!”
“And yet, here you are asking me for my feelings about you.”
“I-I was not!” Aether exclaimed embarrassingly at the idea of being read so easily.
“Yes you were! You can’t deny it, you’ve fallen for the man who gave you handcuffs and made you purple lunch.”
Wriothesley only watched the other man squirm in a flustered manner, taking joy at seeing the calm and aloof traveler in a panicked manner over him.
“…Fine! I admit it, I was flattered by the attempts you made. Nobody has ever embarrassed themselves so much in an attempt to woo me,” the blonde man admitted, his cheeks rosy as he covered his mouth.
“So, what’s your answer then Aether?” Wriothesley asked as he took a step closer to the traveler.
“You know what it is!”
“Nope. Now it’s your turn to tell me outright!” The Warden teased as he enjoyed the annoyed expression forming on Aether’s face.
His genuine pouty expression was a sharp contrast from the cool, relaxed face that he always wore.
It was Aether truly bared out for him to witness, and Wriothesley loved every moment of it.
“…I like you Wriothesley. Even if you can’t flirt for your life,” Aether muttered, his eyes looking away from the other man, his face flushed from the Duke’s advances.
“And I like you too Aether. Even if you can’t take a hint for your life,” Wriothesley chucked, taking in the sight of the unraveled traveler.
“You’re so petty, you know that?!”
“Haha! I think you had it coming for what you put me through.”
“Fair enough.”
Perhaps from the adrenaline of having his confession accepted, or being the one confessed to, Wriothesley immediately swept the shorter man into his arms.
“H-hey! What was that for?” Aether yelped as he let himself get carried.
He’d never say it, but he enjoyed the feeling of being embraced by the Warden much more than he’d ever like to admit.
“I’m just excited that’s all,” the black haired male remarked with a fond expression.
“Excited?”
“Yeah. Just got confessed to by the cutest man in all over Tevyat.”
“You’re so shameless you know that?” Aether grumbled as he hid his face into the Duke’s chest, his cheeks slightly puffed out and his complexion stained a deep shade of crimson.
…
“…you do know, I will have to leave you one day right?” Aether muttered as he laid upon Wriothesley’s bed.
“I know,” Wriothesley responded as he let his hand travel through the blond boy’s hair.
“Do you truly want to be together knowing so?”
Wriothesley only responded by holding onto the other boy’s hand.
“Aether,” he stated, his pupils firmly directed towards the other man.
“Yes Wriothesley?”
“I’ve lived countless years of my life here away from the overworld because of the choices I’ve made. Not once did I regret any of them.”
Pressing a kiss onto the hand he held onto his own; uncalloused and gentle unlike his own, Wriothesley spoke.
“But if I ever have to live with a choice that will bring me regret. Then that choice will be letting you go, knowing that I got to be with you for however long we have left.”
“…it’s not fair that I can’t think of anything to say back to you at this very moment,” Aether responded in a quiet tone, tender and minuscule. His eyes were slightly teared up, yet his hold onto Wriothesley’s hand was even tighter than the Duke’s own.
“You could do something else for me.”
Placing a finger on Aether’s chin, Wriothesley adjusted the traveler’s face upwards. The blond man only flushed in response, closing his eyes and awaiting what would happen next.
Letting a small chuckle out, Wriothesley leaned forward, pressing a kiss onto the boy’s lips.
He had no promises for the future, but what he did have was this moment beneath the tide with the man who outshone all the stars of Tevyat.