"AGHHH! Come on, Aetherrrr! Paimon thinks we should stop, we've been searching for them for DAYS!!"
The flying Pixie was aggravated to say the least, having spent hours in the blazing heat just today traveling unmarked locations in the middle of who knows where. She swore they discovered at the very least four new species of bugs, the creepy crawlies popping up out of nowhere when they least expected it.
Aether only sent a quick glance before ignoring the exaggerating child with a roll of his eyes, continuing to walk in favor of continuing his search. Each step he took sunk lightly into the sand as he travelled along what looked to be a small beach at the border of Mondstadt. His long, golden braided hair swung back and forth with every step he took, his hand shooting up to wipe sweat gathering at his eyebrow, because this heat was no joke-- the sun feeling as if it were boiling them alive.
If Aether had to describe the person they were looking for in one word, it would be reckless. Whenever by chance they would happen to cross paths, they would always be in some unexplainable dangerous situation, always needing saving from Paimon and Aether. He couldn't help but worry, as it had been a while since they had last seen each other, and he just hoped they were okay.
"Maybe they don't want to be found! Paimon thinks that they aren't worth all this trouble, we can find someone so much cooler than that coward loser (Y/N)!" Paimon continued to complain as she puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms across her chest, kicking her feet wildly as she flew beside her companion.
Aether swore the sound of the seagulls squawking sounded exactly like Paimon as insult after insult flew out of her mouth, his eyebrow lightly twitching in irritation. He knew the two didn't get along much because of how much (good natured) teasing the person they were currently searching for liked to do to Paimon, and it didn't help that Paimon was just as feisty and sent insults back.
"Why can't we have someone nicer like Amber! Why, why, WHY did you choose that... that..." Paimon spouted angrily, although her voice started to dial down little by little, her flying coming to a halt but since Aether was already ignoring her, he kept moving forward, not noticing.
"That..." Her head tilted to the side and she lifted up a shaky finger slowly, blinking repeatedly. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she stared, trying to comprehend what she saw at the corner of her eye earlier, confirming that she wasn't just seeing things as she looked directly at it.
Her hands flew up to cup her cheeks and her eyes widened in complete horror, her bottom lip shaking briefly before her lips parted slightly.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Paimon screeched and began flying like a frantic person opposite from the ocean and to the right of where they were walking.
Aether jumped slightly from the shrill yell and summoned his sword instinctively, jumping around to see if Paimon was in trouble, but was confused to see a dust cloud where she once stood. He rushed forward and waved his hand around, his head shooting towards the direction he heard Paimon scream once again.
"THEY'RE MAKING (Y/N) INTO STICKY HONEY ROAST!!!!" She screamed, alerting the whole camp of hilichurls she was staring at earlier.
Two that were dancing around a fire stopped their ritual and immediately clambered around to grab their makeshift weapons. Another two were holding a long stick, one hilichurl at each end of the stick. They both froze and stared at the incoming bullet-like pixie in horror, her blood curdling scream ruining their celebratory atmosphere.
"DROP THEM DROP THEM DROP THEM!" Paimon chanted as she banged her small fists against the mask of one of the hilichurls that held the long stick. It made noises of irritation and shook its head back and forth, its rough hands flying up instinctively to protect its face making it drop the stick. Just as Paimon had ordered it, the hilichurl had dropped the long stick holding their big catch of the week.
And attached to the long stick, hands and legs bound by rope, the big catch the hilichurls were looking forward to eating... was none other than (Y/N). The person Aether and Paimon had spent days searching for, mere minutes away from death.
(Y/N) roughly face planted against the sand, angered complaints aimed at the hilichurl muffled as they ate a mouthful of sand. Their legs were quick to plop on the ground after as the other hilichurl let go of its end of the stick to give its friend backup.
"Eh? What're you doing here Paimon?" (Y/N) questioned and blinked repeatedly after they spat out the sand that had gotten into their mouth, their cheek leaning against the hot grains as they looked up at the familiar face with a stupid looking grin.
"DONT ACT SO NONCHALANT!" Paimon shouted as tears welled up in her eyes. (Y/N) was unable to see Paimon fully as they were still tied up and pressed against the ground, no hopes of getting out without someone cutting or un-tying the ropes.
The one hilichurl Paimon was pounding her fists on started swatting at her more frantically while its companion bent down to pick up some rocks on the ground. The ones that were dancing by the fire were already prepping themselves for a fight, one rushing over with a flaming mace, the other holding a flimsy wooden bow, readying an arrow to shoot.
Paimon's eyes shot wide open as she realized the situation she was in, all of the creature's hostile eyes focused on her for stepping in their territory and ruining their party mood.
The whistle of an arrow shooting out and soaring towards Paimon's direction made her squeeze her eyes tightly shut, bracing for the impact and maybe even her impending doom. She was too distracted with saving (Y/N), she forgot she had arrived with her best friend and travel companion.
Paimon was tackled out of the air as Aether held the small girl to his chest, his arms wrapping around her protectively. The arrow whizzed past and snagged a small strand of his hair, though none of that mattered as top priority was everyone's safety.
He rolled once against the ground, unable to stop himself as he had practically leaped off from the ground to get to Paimon in time. Sand flew up behind him as he skidded to a stop, his knees slightly bent and one of his legs coming into contact with the ground, resulting in him landing in a kneeling position. Paimon opened her eyes and gasped, tears pricking the corner of them as she smiled brightly up at the boy who just saved her.
"Aether! Aether, they're going to roast (Y/N)! Look by the pot, there's seasoning and everything!" Paimon shouted as she pointed, and just as she said, there were leaves with salts and other spices on them as well as plants and fruits sizzling in the pot.
Aether sent her a quick reassuring smile before letting her free from his hold, Paimon steadying herself in the air quickly and gathering back her composure. He held his hand out to the side and summoned his sword, looking up and narrowing his eyes at the four hilichurls who were readying up another attack.
He dashed forward and the soft teal color of his clothing began to glow as he activated the anemo power that was granted to him. He made quick work of the hilichurl that Paimon was beating up, making an upward slice as he gripped his sword with two hands.
"HYAH!" He shouted, the mask falling off the monsters face and splitting in two, blood immediately spurting out of the wound before the creature dissipated into nothing.
He looked down to see (Y/N), who was cheering him on while dramatic tears flew down their face along with snot coming out of their nose as they shouted to 'beat their asses' for trying to hurt Paimon.
Aether gave a brief nod before looking at the next hilichurl, who was pathetically readying to throw a rock. He readied his sword before lifting it up and slicing it rapidly three times in a row, his earring glowing bright as gusts of wind shot from his blade, three strikes of anemo slicing up the creature making it stumble back.
He swiftly turned his body as one of the hilichurls had come running at him with a flaming mace, swinging it repeatedly as flames licked its hands, though it didn't seem to notice. The flames were eventually put out with the sporadic waving of the weapon, and while the creature was regaining its breath so it could charge again, Aether didn't hesitate to end its life there. He stabbed it right in the back and it lurched forward with a cry, dissipating as its last two brethren had done.
Only one remained and Aether could feel the energy swirling throughout his weapon. He would focus everything he had on this last move on the final hilichurl, the hilichurl that once again pulled back the string of its bow to shoot an arrow.
He narrowed his eyes, anger evident on the way his eyebrows creased together. The thought of what could have happened if he had arrived even a second later only further urged him to use his ultimate move despite there only being one opponent.
"Disappear!" He shouted as he sliced his sword horizontally, a large amount of energy pooling at the sharp ends of his sword. The energy exploded all at once and from that emerged a rough and uncaring swirl of wind, destroying everything in its path. The hilichurl stood no chance as the tornado gruesomely ripped its body to shreds, the reality quite cruel to a creature that was just protecting its territory. Along with the hilichurl left the spices and firepit, all being taken away and leaving a pile of ashes when the tornado died out.
The sword felt light having all of its elemental energy released out of it. Aether looked around with narrowed eyes before he tossed his weapon into the air, the sword disappearing as it would wait to be called to arms once again. He let out a breath of relief as he turned around and saw (Y/N) was still on the ground and bound to the long stick, squirming around like a worm.
He walked towards them and looked down, staring with his hands on his hips and a deadpan expression, as if it to say, 'Really? Again?'.
"Heeeey! Don't look at me like that, Aether~" They whined, twisting their wrists around and smiling big at the familiar face. Aether was not amused in the slightest, and he made sure to show his displeasure by shaking his head slightly.
"Heh..." (Y/N) chuckled awkwardly at the tenseness surrounding the both of them, the ropes beginning to hurt their wrists a lot, but not as much as when it was all they were being held by while attached to the stick.
"Could you... help me out here? I'm kinda... tied up!" They exclaimed, trying to convince the boy to lend them a hand. He did fully intend to help them out, but he also wanted an explanation and a reason first.
"NO! Don't help that dummy, Paimon says we take them like this, it would be safer for all of us, you trouble attracting magnet!" Paimon yelled as she flew in their direction upon hearing what they said, levitating besides Aether and looking down at the reckless adventurer with him.
"WAH--?" (Y/N) questioned as their eyes shot wide open, appalled at what Paimon had said about them and at hearing her intentions.
"YOU'RE KIDNAPPING ME?! I KNEW YOU WERE A DEVIL!" (Y/N) shouted while tears dramatically began to flow down their face in fear as they yelled that Paimon and Aether were going to 'sell them to a group of treasure hoarders'.
"PAIMON IS NOT A DEVIL! LET'S LEAVE THEM TO ROAST IN THE SUN, AETHER!" Paimon shouted back as she turned around and crossed her arms across her chest, her back facing the dramatic display going down on the sand below.
"Alright, that's enough you two." Aether finally spoke, bending down and un-tying the ragged ropes attached to (Y/N)'s arms. They tried to turn to make eye contact with Aether as they once again broke into a goofy grin, but turning when in that position just hurt their neck.
"Woo-hoo! Aether you're the best. Man, I would have at least lost an arm or something if you hadn't arrived sooner." (Y/N) complained, a visible shiver going down their spine as they pondered what it was like to be eaten.
"ATLEAST?! YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SEASONED AND EATEN! YOU'D PROBABLY TASTE NASTY!" Paimon once again shouted, quick to look back at (Y/N) and point an accusatory finger in their direction.
A tic mark grew at the corner of (Y/N)'s head, and as Aether moved to untie their ankles, (Y/N) was suddenly out of his reach as they crawled against the ground trying to grab at Paimon.
"C'MERE YOU-" They shouted as they lifted themselves up as much as they could and swiped trying to get the floating child down.
"I BET I TASTE BETTER THAN YOU EVER WILL!"
And again started their immature arguing. Aether swears he's never seen two people fight as much as these two, but that was just their relationship. It wasn't that they hated each other, in fact they were both really fond of one another if all the stained tears on their faces was anything to go by. He would even call them best buds according to many other occasions he had witnessed. It was scary when the two of them ganged up on him or another person since they were on the same wave-length most of the time.
"EEEEEEK! THEY'RE TRYING TO EAT ME!" Paimon screeched in horror as (Y/N) listed all the ways they could serve Paimon.
...He swears, they're really close. Just trust him on this.
"NO I'M NOT! AETHER, DON'T LISTEN TO HER!" (Y/N) defended themselves, though he heard the threats loud and clear so he didn't believe them in the slightest.
Aether grabbed onto the flowy part of (Y/N)'s attire, pulling it harshly making them faceplant into the sand once again. They groaned as they ate another mouthful of sand, not a very fun taste by the way. Aether was quick to untie their ankles from the stick and toss the wood aside, (Y/N) finally free from their bounds.
"...Sorry Paimon." (Y/N) whispered as they made a sour face and turned to look away from the both of them. Paimon looked over shocked at first before grinning evilly and cupping one of her small hands around her ear.
"Huh? What was that? I couldn't hear you, you'll have to speak a little louder!" Paimon teased as she flew down near (Y/N) who just pouted and swatted at her once.
"You little brat!" (Y/N) Immediately retorted on instinct before shaking their head and grabbing onto Paimon's cape.
"WAH-" Paimon shouted as her cape was pulled, tugging her downwards. She was then met with the warm embrace of a hug as (Y/N) trapped her in their arms.
"I said I was sorry. My foolishness almost got you hurt, don't scare me like that again, okay?" (Y/N) lectured as they apologized, the apologetic look also being sent Aether's way to which he sent an appreciative nod of his head along with a soft smile.
"Y-Y-YOU'RE ONE TO TALK!" Paimon shouted as her eyes began to water, her small fists hitting at (Y/N)'s collarbone making them laugh lightly.
——————♡——————
The three travelers sat around the warm pile of burning wood, soaking in the heat to avoid the cool air of the night. Three fish were stabbed through with small sticks and placed so that they could slowly cook over the fire, Paimon drooling at the smell that wafted around them. Aether and (Y/N) were discussing the whole reason he was on such a search for them, informing them of the invitation to live with him and a few others in the serenitea pot, (though they can come and go at anytime).
(Y/N) blinked repeatedly and pointed at themself in confusion, even going as far to look around them for another person.
"You want me?" (Y/N) made sure what they were hearing was correct as they thrusted a finger at themself and blinked repeatedly in disbelief.
Their finger then found its way at Aether, pointing right in between his eyes like he was being accused of something.
"To move into your teapot?" They asked hoping for some solid confirmation.
"Yes." Aether simply answered with a nod of his head, knowing he wouldn't want anyone else, and it wasn't just because he already prepared a room specifically designed for them.
"Like, no lie? But, you must have met so many other people on your adventures, surely there were better choices." (Y/N) was quick to interrogate, as they knew of the many people Paimon and Aether have met when the two would tell them stories of their adventures.
"Paimon and Aether thinks you're really cool, plus you're our friend so of course we would like to have you!" Paimon interjected into the conversation, the smell of the food cooking making her stomach growl loudly. Her hand flew to rub the back of her neck and she chuckled, a small blush coming to her face from embarrassment.
(Y/N) smiled largely as they reached over and grabbed one of the long sticks, tugging the end out of the ground and handing it over to Paimon. The fish looked perfectly cooked all around since they would occasionally flip it around while it roasted above the fire.
"If you'll have me... I'd love to join you." (Y/N) said and Paimon was quick to grab the fish and spin in the air once out of happiness.
Aether watched the two with a smile, taking a moment to appreciate the people he met in this world that he wanted so desperately to leave the moment he finds his sister.
He had the teapot with him, so they all could go in and eat inside at any time, but Aether decided to enjoy the moment with the three of them as the atmosphere really was quite lovely.
——————♡——————
Aether's eyes trailed over to the carefree traveler, the foolish person acting as if they hadn't almost lost their life earlier in the day. He hadn't even realized he was staring, only to snap out of it when they sent a large smile and a wave of their hand, simultaneously stuffing fish in Paimon's mouth to shut her up.
Aether reciprocated the smile with one of his own, but quickly went back to losing himself within his thoughts as he chewed on a piece of fish, the other two having another argument over who knows what.
Aether thought (Y/N) was... strange.
Very strange, and it intrigues him a whole lot. Although they were the last of the seven to be invited to the teapot, they were the first to come to mind to live there when he decided he would invite people in.
There was so much he didn't know about them, but they really had a strong personality that you just couldn't forget. He found that (Y/N) was in no way a serious person and was rather carefree-- too carefree at times.
Aether felt there was something more demented hidden behind that carefree nature. There was something that (Y/N) wasn't showing them, and he only briefly suspected that when he took note of how uncaring they were during life and death situations. He would be lying if he said he wasn't curious to know what they were hiding.
By (Y/N) living with them, not only will he be able to keep an eye on them and keep them out of trouble, he will be able to get to know them more and become better friends, while figuring out exactly what they were hiding to satiate his curiosity.