Sticky Honey Roast
The sun was hanging low in the sky, and the hunters of Springvale, Monstadt were already going home. With each passing minute, the forest got quieter and quieter, until only the sound of crackling flames and sizzling meat could be heard. In the clearing, a young man with blonde hair was standing at the cooking pot, eyeing its contents with a determined expression. The flames reflected off of the beads of sweat on his forehead as he worked.
Floating over the shoulder of the young man was a small, fairy-like creature. Her eyes were as blue as the lake just east of them. Her hair was as silver as the moon, and she wore strange pink clothes.
"Aether, that smells really good!" Said the fairy.
"Thanks, Paimon! I think I finally got it down," the young man replied. "The secret was cooking the sauce separately and then setting it aside. Then, I'm supposed to sautee the carrots until they're soft, and then add the meat. When the meat becomes juicy and tender, that's when I plate it and add the sauce. I had it all wrong this entire time!"
"Mm, I don't know anything about what you just said, but it sounds delicious!" Paimon cheered.
Once he was finished cooking, Aether removed the cooking pot from its place and set atop a tree stump. With a pair of wooden tongs, he carefully removed the meat and carrots from the pot and put it on a wooden dish. To top it off, he added the sweet honey sauce he'd set aside.
"Hey, Paimon," Aether turned to his companion. "Mind taste testing?"
"Sure!" Paimon agreed and came to his side. With a fork and knife, Aether sliced a small portion of meat, coated it with the sauce, and pierced a piece of carrot with it before handing it over to Paimon.
The fairy carefully takes the fork from his hand, leaning forward to sniff the steaming morsel. Then, without further ado, she blows on it and wolfs it down in a single bite.
"...Mmm! This is shoo good!" Paimon beamed. "It's perfect! It's so much better than all of your last attempts!"
"Well of course!" Aether smiled. "All of those times were just practice. This is the real deal, and I'm glad you like it!"
"Mhm!" Paimon patted her tummy as she floated happily. "Amber's gonna love this!"
"I hope so. Shh! There she is!"
In the distance, a woman with chestnut hair was approaching them. She was clad in red outrider's clothing, as well as her signature red bow that looked like a pair of cute little bunny ears. A warm smile formed on Aether's face when he saw her. That relentless pep in her step, even after a brutal day's work under the sun, was just one of the many things he admired about her.
"Hey, guys!" Amber called out to them as she got close. Although it wasn't long before she caught a whiff of the delicious dinner that Aether had just cooked up.
"Oooh, what's that smell?" Amber asked. Without even knowing it, she already had a drooling smile on her face.
"Thanks for coming, Amber," Aether greeted her with a smile. "I made your favorite"
"Wait!" Amber gasped. "Is that… Sticky Honey Roast!? Did you make that!?"
"Haha, yup! I've already set the table, so dig in!"
They took their seats around the table beside the campfire and had a hearty meal as the sun dipped below the mountains.
"Ahh, that was so nice," Amber gushed as she leaned back on her chair. She looked up at the violet-orange sky and took a deep breath, relishing the cool, crisp air of twilight. "It's almost as good as Good Hunter's."
"Well I can't compete with a long-standing restaurant, but I'm glad you enjoyed it," Aether beamed. He looked over and saw Paimon already asleep from a food coma, laying her little head on the table. Aether reached over and stroked her silver hair. "I know Paimon here did."
"Well, I don't blame her!" Amber laughed. "Thanks for that. I had a really hard day at work, and this was just what I needed. But I wanted to ask…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Why did you…" Amber hesitated for a bit, looking down nervously. "Why did you do all this for me?"
"Well…" Aether paused; he was starting to get nervous as well. "I just wanted to show my appreciation for you, is all. You've been by my side ever since I came here to Monstadt, and you even saved me a couple of times when we were exploring Stormterror's Lair. And aside from Paimon, you… You were my very first friend here in Teyvat."
"I see…" Amber replied. Her nervousness disappeared with the passing breeze, leaving a warm smile and a confident gaze in its wake.
"I still remember the day we met," Aether reminisced. "It feels like such a long time ago, but I can't forget all the moves you showed when I ran into you at Whispering Woods!"
"Haha, oh really?" Amber giggled. "I'm glad! I was trying really hard to make a good impression that day."
"Well, you definitely nailed it," Aether agreed. "You know… I came here from really far away, but being around you just makes me feel at home somehow."
"Oh, really?" Amber perked up.
"Yeah! It's weird, and I can't really explain it. But as I got to know you, it feels as if I've been here in Monstadt my whole life. To be honest, if you hadn't come along, I probably wouldn't have stayed here as long as I have."
Amber listened intently to his words, the crackling flames of the nearby campfire illuminating her face.
"When Paimon led me to the city, I wanted to be in and out as quickly as possible. Even after meeting you, I still felt that way sometimes, especially when Jean roped me into being the 'Hero of Monstadt'. I hate that title, by the way."
"Hey, go easy on her!" Amber objected. "And how come you hate being called a hero? I know many of my colleagues would be honored to have a title like that."
"I know, I know," Aether tried to calm her down. "I guess Jean had no other choice but to rope me in. I wouldn't know what being the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius would be like, nor do I want to, given the fact that every time I see her she's stressed out. That's kind of why I hate being called a 'hero'. Everyone's looking up to me to solve all their problems now, but they forget that I'm just as frail and human as they are."
Amber pursed her lips as she pondered his words. Then, she spoke. "But there's no mistaking all of the exploits you've made."
"Amber, those are exploits that we've made. Not just me," Aether rebutted.
Amber smiled and nodded. "Right."
"I can't do much by myself. That's why I need you," Aether added. But it only took a second for him to realize how that sounded. "Oh! A-Ahh…"
"It's okay," Amber winked at him, a wide grin on her face. "I know what you mean."
Aether recollected himself and smiled at her. "Thanks."
"I should be thanking you for the meal," Amber shot back. Then, she stood up and opened her arms. "Come here!"
Aether got up from his seat and accepted her embrace. His heart leaped in his chest when she gripped him tightly, resting her chin on his shoulder. The wild smell of pine cones, dandelions, and burnt grass in her hair invaded Aether's nostrils, but it comforted him.
"I'm so glad that I met you," Amber gushed as she relished in his warmth. He responded by returning her hug, wrapping his arms around her as she swayed him gently.
But after a while, a certain fairy spoke up. "So… Are you guys gonna kiss, or what?"
Aether's body jolted violently at Paimon's sudden words as if he'd just been struck by lightning.
"Paimon, you were awake!?" He shouted at her.
"Paimon always has been!" The fairy shot back. "Paimon's been waiting for you to make your move this whole time, but you're so slow! What are you, a chicken?"
"Oh, is that why you cooked for me?" Amber teased him.
"Well… no," Aether blushed, looking at the ground and scratching the back of his head in a way that made Amber giggle. "I mainly cooked for you because I wanted to show my appreciation for you. But yes, I do also have feelings for you. I love how peppy you are, even when things look bleak. I love the passion you have for your friends and what you do. I love that cheerful smile you always have, even after the toughest days. I love that cute little bow you're always wearing, and how it bounces every time you jog. I just think that you're such a beautiful, feisty, and amazing girl, Amber. But… if you don't have the same feelings as I do, that's okay. You being my friend is already more than enough for me."
"Aww, Aether… You're so sweet!" A pink streak painted itself over Amber's face as she covered her mouth in shock. She could feel her heart melting at his words. A fuzzy warmth spread throughout her entire body as she pondered what her next words would be.
"Let me tell you something…" Amber started. "Even though I have my dream job of being the Outrider for the Knights, it's really difficult most days, if I'm being honest."
Aether listened intently, wondering where she was going with this.
"You see, the Outrider division was something my grandfather created. In its prime, it was a respected division of bow-wielding scouts. But ever since he suddenly disappeared years ago, the division just gradually faded. I joined to keep it from dying out completely, but I'm the only one. Even though I love what I do… It's hard when a lot of my colleagues don't believe in me."
Aether's heart broke hearing the sadness in her voice. But the girl smiled again, determined not to frown for too long. Looking up once more, Amber stared deeply into his eyes as her face reddened.
"But you believed in me when no one else did. Even when I missed a hilichurl's head when he was standing still with his back turned, you encouraged me to try again. You never berated me for my failures as other people did. You were always there to encourage me whenever I felt down."
Amber's eyes softened as she prepared this last part of her speech.
"I think that's why, over our adventures together… I grew to really love you," she smiled brightly at Aether, the moon shining directly behind her with its mysterious silver glow.
The young man's heart leaped at Aether's confession.
"Amber…"
"I love you!" Amber burst, unable to hold herself back any longer. She lunged forward, whipping her arms around his neck.
"Ah!" Aether yelped. The force of her tackle-hug was enough to topple him, and both of them fell down onto the grass. But when he came to, he could feel Amber's lips securely pressing against his. He stared at her, wide-eyed, while she lay on top of him, conveying all of her passion and love with a fiery kiss.
"Whooaaaa!" Paimon cheered, raising her tiny fist to the sky. "Get him, Amber!"
Chu!
After pulling away, Amber giggled brightly as she looked down at his dazed expression. She adjusted her position so that she straddled him properly. She stroked his chin with her hand, causing him to jolt slightly, before bending down to touch the tips of their noses.
"A-Amber…" Aether muttered after a long period of silence. "I never knew you had that in you."
"Me either until I felt your lips on mine… " She drew close with a devious smile on her face. "Makes me want to go back for more."
"Yippee!" Paimon squeaked as flew away in excitement. "Mission accomplished! Paimon will go now to give you two some space!"
"Ahahaha!" Amber laughed, watching the fairy fly about like a fireworks rocket. "Thank you, Paimon!"
Amber looked back down at him and smiled softly. "Since we're a couple now, how about we have a little competition? See who's the better kisser?"
"H-How do you determine that?" Aether asked nervously.
"By whose kisses are more passionate, obviously," Amber huffed. She then gripped him by the collar and dragged him up from the grass. Then, she pinned him against a tree and locked lips with him.
"You're so cute…" Amber whispered as she kissed him hungrily. "And sweet… And soft…"
Aether closed his eyes as Amber washed over him like a tidal wave. He did his best to match Amber's kisses, but she was clearly the one on top. She knew it, too, which gave her the confidence to hold Aether's wrists against the tree as she kissed him.
Aether couldn't believe how feisty she was. Even though he knew Amber's personality, he never expected her to take the lead so aggressively. But he didn't mind that at all. In fact, it more than made up for his shyness when it comes to romance. He added that to the list of things that he loved about her.
They locked lips for a few more intense minutes until they were both out of breath, panting, and red-faced. Aether hung his head as he struggled to refill his lungs with air. Meanwhile, Amber looked down at him with a triumphant expression.
"Looks like I win," Amber gloated to him.
"No fair!" Aether laughed. "You pinned me and caught me off guard!"
"Hey, that's totally legal!" Amber joked. "Plus, it's your fault for being so cute. You got me riled up with how shy you were being!"
"You're so brutal…" Aether laughed in defeat.
"Sorry, sorry~" Amber hugged him.
"You don't sound sorry," the blonde accepted her hug, finding himself at ease in her warmth.
"I'm really not, hehe!" Amber admitted. "Once I tasted the Sticky Honey Roast on your lips, I couldn't stop myself."
"It's okay. I still love you," Aether comforted her, rubbing her back softly.
Amber smiled when he finally returned her "I love you." After a while, Amber broke the hug and sat beside him, her back against the willow tree. She gestured for Aether to lay on her, and he followed. He sat between her legs, resting his head on her shoulder.
"You know… I've always wanted to hold someone like this," Amber mused as she slowly ran her fingers through his hair. It was silky and soft to the touch, fitting for someone like him. "But I never really liked anyone in Monstadt."
"How come?" Aether asked.
"Well… I guess it's because I'm just surrounded by the same old thing. It gets boring, you know? That's part of why I wanted to be an Outrider for the Knights of Favonius. I'd stay near the city I grew up in, but I also get to explore the wilds and maybe see something new!"
Aether beamed at her answer, feeling the passion in her words.
"And one day… I did see something new." Amber smiled as she planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Aether closed his eyes and purred when he felt the warm touch of her lips, accompanied by the sensation of her fingers running through his hair. Amber held him there until the winds started to get chilly.
"We should go…" said Amber as she rubbed her arms. "But the city is kind of far."
"Hm… I'm fine with setting up camp and sleeping here. But if you're not, we can walk together."
"Oh no, I'd love to camp out. I often do that on my night shifts anyway," Amber laughed. "Tonight's weather is perfect for it, too. It's cold, but the skies are as clear as crystal."
"Well, then that settles it," Aether turned to see the used cooking pot and dishes still lying there. "Oh, I gotta clean up."
"I'll do it," Amber offered.
"No, I'll do it," Aether protested. "The lake is only a stone's throw away."
Amber sighed and let him go. "Come back soon, okay?"
He nodded, carrying the dirty dishes to the lakeside on a wooden cart and washing them in the tide. When he returned, Amber had already set up a tent with a sleeping mat inside. Aether was about to go to his travel pack when suddenly a hand gripped his wrist. It startled him, but Aether turned around only to be met with Amber's chocolate-brown eyes.
"Aether…" She called out to him.
"Y-Yes?" He shuddered at her tone.
"Would you… mind sleeping in my tent? W-With me?" Amber proposed nervously. "After all that's happened tonight, I really don't want to be alone right now."
Aether steeled himself and smiled. "Of course."
He followed her into her tent, which was rather spacious for one person. There was a sleeping mat on the floor of the tent, and her little Baron Bunny was sitting off to the side.
Aether was the first to lie down, he soon found himself being spooned by his peppy, chestnut-haired crush.
"Ahh, so warm and soft…" Amber gushed.
"Is this why you wanted to cuddle with me?" Aether laughed.
"Don't you know? Cold weather is the perfect time to cuddle. I usually cuddle with Baron Bunny, but it's so much better hugging you…"
The boy smiled hearing her words, relaxing in her arms as her warmth spread through his body. But after a while, he let out a sigh.
"I owe Paimon so much," said Aether.
"Oh?"
"She drilled me until I got the Sticky Honey Roast just right. You may not know it, but that little fairy is a brutal food critic. She also pushed me to confess when she realized I was getting too skittish. I owe her a lot."
"So do I," concurred Amber. "After you gave your confession, that made me bold enough to give mine."
"Yeah, you got bold alright," Aether agreed with a laugh. "I didn't think pinning me down was something you were capable of."
"Don't tempt me," Amber grinned. "But I guess we both have to treat Paimon now, huh. Another Sticky Honey Roast?"
"Yes!"
"Of course!" Amber giggled. "Maybe next week. Too much of it is bad, you know. Even if it is home-made. You're cooking, by the way."
"That's okay. You did say that you'd blow up the kitchen, so I'll do it."
"Hahaha, I did, didn't I?" Amber laughed. "Thanks, I appreciate that."
"It's a date then," Aether concluded.
Suddenly, she turned him around so that he faced her, and she hugged him tightly.
"Mmm!" He grunted. A mad blush formed in his face when he felt Amber's boobs squishing against his face. "A-Amber…"
"Hm? What's the problem?" She asked innocently.
"Y-Your chest…"
"Oh, quit fussing," Amber scolded him lightly. "Just let me hold you."
"O-Okay…" Aether muttered. As the nervous feeling went away, he realized how comfortable it was to be held against her chest like this. It made him feel calm, and at peace.
"Ah…" He yawned. "This is so relaxing…"
Amber chuckled, elated by how he enjoyed her touch. "Good night, Aether," she whispered to him.
Aether hugged Amber tightly, nuzzling her breast as he let out another relaxing sigh.
"Good night," he said quietly before falling asleep. Amber chuckled when she heard his light snoring from below. After curling her arm around his neck, she bent down and buried her nose into his hair. It smelled like fresh air, trees, and wildflowers, reminding her of all the places they'd been together. As she cuddled him against her chest, she reminisced about all the adventures they had while also hoping for new ones. She stayed awake for a long while, caressing Aether's hair and occasionally planting a kiss on his forehead. As she looked out of her tent at the stars, she closed her eyes and thanked the winds for giving her such a strange beautiful boy to hold in her arms.
Finally, she was lulled to sleep by her pleasant thoughts and Aether's gentle warmth.