*Disclaimer - I do not own the Genshin Impact characters or copyright.
"Oh, c'mon Eula! Just go ask him!" Amber shouted while encouraging her best friend.
"It's not that simple, Amber," Eula retorted.
"Sure it is! Just go over to his room and knock on the door and ask him what his plans are today" Amber said, crossing her arms with a bright smile on her face.
"Amber… he might be busy, and I wouldn't want to bother him" Eula replied, having a frown on her lips.
"This is Aether we're talking about. He's always ready to help a friend out. Especially if it's their special day. As in their B.I.R.T.H.D.A.Y." Amber said, making finger poses and trying to get her friend to take the initiative.
To get a better idea of what's going on, a day like today was not only beautiful but it happened to be a certain icy maiden's birthday. On this day, Eula Lawrence was welcomed to the world of Teyvat. And the first thing she awoke to this morning was the sight of her best friend Amber holding what appeared to be a big sign that said, "Happy Birthday!"
After that morning shock, Eula and Amber were now residing on the lower level of the teapot house that had become like their second home thanks to the traveler and his trusted fairy companion, Paimon. Which is where we find the two Knights of Favonius arguing with each other about how the blue-haired maiden was going to spend her special day.
Eula's childhood had not been like the other kids and that was something she always wished for in the back of her heart. Instead, it was stuck having to perfect and master the etiquette of aristocracy and formal Lawrence techniques to maintain a so-called prestige appearance. It wasn't until she joined the knights that Eula began to really celebrate her birthday like anyone would. With friends that really did care for her and want to wish her a happy birthday.
In addition, Eula had grown to be more wishful in her birthday wishes. Often wishing for everyone to like her or actually want to be around her. Wishes that seemed to either come true or get cast to the side and ignored. Now however, this birthday was different compared to all the ones before. The reason for that is because there is now someone new to her life. Someone that… she wishes she could spend the whole day with. As selfish as that sounds, that was what Eula wanted so dearly on this special day of her's.
And now that wish was somewhat close to fruition as Amber had an inkling on what the icy maiden truly wanted on her birthday. The brunette girl couldn't help the large smirk that stayed on her face after she found out about Eula's wish. Which is why the two were now arguing in the main hall about going over to Aether's room and asking him what his plans were for the day.
"Just knock on the door and ask if he's in there," Amber said.
"It is still quite early. Maybe he is sleeping in today?" Eula suggested, earning a groan of frustration from Amber.
"Eula! Just knock-on Aether's door. Or better yet just knock on Paimon's door. I'm sure she'll be fine with getting Aether to wake up" Amber stated.
"No… I don't want to bother her either. Look, it's fine. Why don't we go grab a bite to eat over at Good Hunter and then…" Eula didn't get to finish what she was saying as Amber had had enough of her stalling.
Stepping into the role of not only best friend but also matchmaker, Amber headed straight to Aether's door to get ready to knock on it. She had noticed over the past year how much Eula's behavior had changed and how she opened herself to others. Seeing the once stone-cold icy maiden now being surrounded by friends that cared for her, Amber could easily notice how much brighter Eula's face got whenever Aether was around.
And whose mood wouldn't brighten with the traveler around. He may have come off as shy at first, but after getting to know him for quite a while he was someone that you'd always want to have in your corner. His hilarious remarks or his caring attitude to help everyone in need even if he didn't have to. The traveler did so much for everyone, he honestly deserved so much credit and appreciation. In addition, Aether also made Eula smile more than she ever did before.
Coming to know Eula's background and her family history, he never once stopped looking at her any different. And instead, he pushed to get to know the blue-haired girl even more. Wanting to be around her while everyone else that wasn't her friend didn't was what she appreciated from him so much. And overtime Amber knew that her friend saw the traveler in a new light. A romantic light.
Which is why she'll do everything she can to help support her friend today. Even if that means she'll have to be facing vengeance head on from the icy maiden.
"Wait. Amber, what are you doing? Where are you going?" Eula asked, now noticing the direction the brunette girl was heading.
Amber turned around and looked at her with a sweet smile before swiftly making her way to Aether's room and knocking on his door. Eula went pale faced as she started swearing under her breath and tried rushing to stop Amber but was too late.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Hello? Aether. Are you in there?" Amber asked, waiting for a response.
"Amber!"
A few seconds passed with no sound coming from the traveler's room. Amber waited another second before knocking again to see if he was in there.
"Maybe he is a heavy sleeper?"
Amber then was about to knock on the door again but stopped when she heard a voice behind her.
"Uh… Amber. What are you doing?"
Turning around to find the source of the voice, Amber and Eula were met with a surprised looking traveler standing there carrying a neatly wrapped blue box with Paimon floating right next to him holding what appeared to be a small bag of cookies.
"A-Aether!" Eula peeped.
"Huh? I thought you would still be in bed" Amber asked.
"And sleep in on a day like today? How could I? It's a certain someone's birthday today and Paimon and I had some stuff to finish preparing" Aether said, having a friendly smile on his face while Paimon floated up to Amber.
"Yep! Paimon wanted to make sure she perfected the cookies that she would ea… I mean give to Eula as a birthday present. Eheheh!" Paimon said, while not so obviously hiding her true intentions.
"I see… though I'm surprised neither Amber nor I heard you two leave this morning" Eula said, eyeing the gift Aether had in his hands.
"Well, we woke up pretty early to get our gifts ready," Aether said which earned a giggle from Paimon who was munching on a cookie.
"And without further ado…" Aether then turned his body to look directly right into Eula's eyes. He then offered her one of the brightest smiles she had ever seen from him. "Happy Birthday, Eula!"
Eula couldn't really say anything at the moment and looked at the present being presented in front of her. The traveler looked so happy and cheerful with the gift he had in his hands that Eula could feel the warmth and effort and even something else put into the gift. She shook her head back and forth and composed herself before responding.
"Aether, you shouldn't have…"
"Of course, I did. I would never miss any of my friend's birthdays. Especially for someone I care for quite a lot" Aether said with no hesitation, which earned a pink tint to appear on Eula's face.
Amber and Paimon gave each other a knowing smirk as they both knew exactly what was going on and the deeper meaning behind the traveler's words.
"Aether… thank you" Eula said, feeling her heartbeat speed up as she carefully picked up Aether's gift.
"You might want to wait to open that up for later. We still have a whole lot of stuff to do today" Aether said, offering his hand to the blue-haired maiden.
"Oh? What exactly do you mean by that?" Eula asked, not sure what he meant.
"Well…" Ruffling the back of his head, Aether couldn't help the smirk appearing on his face. "It's a surprise!"
Eula raised her eyebrow at what the traveler had just said but didn't say anything else as Amber piped into the conversation.
"And on that note, Paimon and I will get a head start. We'll catch you two later!" Amber said while shooting Paimon a look.
This resulted in the fairy companion nodding her head while still stuffing her mouth full of cookies. The two then began to make their way out of the house while Eula realized something instantly.
"...Amber! You tricked me! You knew exactly what was going on" Eula said while pointing her gloved hand at the baron bunny user.
Amber could only sweetly smile while waving back at her friend.
"I hope that you know this transgression will not go unpunished" Eula stated, having an obvious smile on her face.
"Yep! Vengeance is heading my way. Ahaha! See you two later!" Amber said, opening the door for Paimon who waved goodbye before she closed the house door leaving the two alone together.
"Well, shall we get going then, birthday girl" Aether said, offering his arm for the girl to take.
The day had only begun but Eula knew deep down that this birthday was going to be one that she will never forget. And from the looks of things, her wish was coming true.
Eula could only nod her head while having the purest smile on her face that Aether had ever seen. This was her day, and he would do everything he could to make her smile like that all day and the days to come after. After all, her wish had been granted.
*A/N - Eula's birthday is today and I figured why not get a short story out for one of the best girls in all Genshin. Till next time.