THIS IS THE LAST TIME, I PROMISE. No more reupdating chapters, no more rewrites. I am 100% sure about these two chapters – the story can now move along. So now, without further ado, behold – the one-shot that is now not a one-shot that took me a year (and now a few months) to release.
September 20, 2020
It was in the late days of September when they met again – half a decade later. It was at the Cat's Tail bar – the same bar they'd never thought to enter before. Around them was a sea of sentimental toasts and nostalgic snapshots, all in the glory of the sign that hung on the front door: 'Reserved for Class of '15 Reunion'.
His hair had gotten longer; it was yet in braids, and stylish, as was his outfit. Someone certainly taught him how to dress during the time they weren't together. A deep gold had settled within his irises, and his gaze – through some inconceivable feat – had become warmer still.
It was as refreshing as morning dew.
"Hey... Amber," he greeted her. His face had blocked out the harsh light and replaced it with a smile. Pinching seemed to indicate it was not an illusion.
"A-Aether," she replied, her voice tight; words were a little difficult in her predicament. In a wavering tone, she asked, "How've you been?"
Aether's face softened. "I've been good," he responded, "You?"
She nodded, her gaze not leaving his. The sudden pounding of Amber's heart overpowered the roar of the crowd and the music – except his voice. Amber clenched her trembling fists as she visibly swallowed.
"Yeah, I've been good," she confirmed.
She hadn't lied.
But things had been better.
"So, what's been keeping you?" he asked, sitting beside her; Amber's nerves were stressed tenfold. Instead of directly meeting his gaze, she focused on the varnished wood of the bar and the light that starkly hit it.
"Just been here and there," she decided to say, pursing her lips.
"So what, you're unemployed or something?"
"No," she bluntly replied, smacking the joke aside. Amber noticed the ends of Aether's lips falter just a tad. "I work in the city – just a quick train ride away, remember?"
"Wouldn't forget it," he nodded. Aether gazed at space as his eyes gradually grew glossy in the past. In a soft, steady voice, he continued, "Do you remember that crêpe shop between the station and the city square?"
A vague memory presented itself to her – a memory of him, of their first date. Of course, it was faded and unclear.
"Oh, yeah," she muttered, "I remember."
He continued, "We used to sit by the window and talk. About... stuff." Aether clasped his hands together, settling his weight on the bar. For just a second, Amber dared to steal a peek at his face – his bittersweet smile, his lowered gaze.
The music played on, and silence dominated for some moment.
Amber's shoulders tensed up, a low rumble rising in her throat. "They've got a lot more customers now," she blurted out, "...School kids, mainly; now I'm afraid to even go there."
He chuckled, shifting onto his elbow. "I'd bet you are."
"Now, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing," Aether laughed, brushing off her dubious stare. "But it's so bizarre if you think about it," he continued after a pause, "because it wasn't so long ago that we were those school kids."
Unintentionally, a smirk took hold of Amber's face. "Five years, Aether; that's pretty long."
"Well, I don't know," he murmured, deep in thought as he crossed his arms, "because the older you get, the faster the years pass by."
For just a split second, in that comically serious pose, Amber saw him be that eighteen-year-old boy she'd spent seven wonderful years of her life with. The tension on her face flew like the spring wind – and mischievousness glinted in her eyes.
"So what," Amber grinned, "you're an old man?"
Aether froze like a deer in headlights, as if lightning had struck just millimetres before him.
And then... the cheeriest smile brought his cheeks up like the sunrise.
"You know what I mean," he guffawed, rolling his eyes.
Amber sat a tad closer, leaning her chin on her hand. Five minutes ago, it would've been an action never to take place in her wildest dreams – but reason seemed to have lost its strict control on her. Maybe it was the alcohol she had some time prior; maybe it was him.
His every laugh – every smile, every word, every glance – began to intoxicate her. There was no need to think of the past, or the future.
"How's Lumine?" Amber asked with a sweet smile. She imagined her living her best life.
"She's in Snezhnaya, actually."
"Knew it," she smirked, in awe of her success. Amber couldn't help but let envy seep into her words. By the looks of it, Aether probably felt the same.
"Yep – took the job a year ago," he chuckled. As an afterthought, he added, "A guy, too."
Amber's mouth rolled to the edge of the universe and back. "The Lumine... is dating?"
"Think he's called Ajax... or something. Not sure."
"That is crazy," she laughed, imagining a million men that could potentially fit the name.
"Crazy it is," Aether nodded.
Amber checked her wristwatch for the time. It was almost midnight, and the reunion party would be ending then. Suddenly, with a dash of enthusiasm, Amber turned back to Aether and asked – perhaps a bit loudly, "Um! Since when did you get back from Sumeru?"
A little startled, he chuckled. "Just today, actually."
"Then... how long are you staying in the country?" Subconsciously, her fingers crossed in a desperate wish.
"I got transferred to a Mondstadt branch, so this is permanent."
"Oh." Fireworks burst in Amber's mind. Trying to not come off as overeager, she cleared her throat before asking, "Do you mind giving me your num–"
A soft nudge on the back cut her short. A pair of two slender arms wrapped seductively around her before a pair of blonde twintails tickled her cheeks.
"Hey, sweetie."
"Barbara," she replied.
"Hey, Aether," Barbara beamed, giving a small wink. "Just thought I'd say hi."
Aether's face turned red as a beetroot. "Hi," he uttered, a little speechless.
"I didn't realize you came to the party," she continued with noticeable glee. Her eyes flitted across his body with a cat's curiosity.
"Yeah – just in time."
Amber lightly tugged at Barbara's sleeve and pouted, beckoning her attention.
"Why, what's wrong?" Barbara asked, coming in close.
"You interrupted a very important moment!" she hissed, "I was about to ask for his–!"
That was precisely when a truckload of reality hit Amber like she was roadkill on a motorway. She was flustered – flustered past all explanations; her brows tightly knit together as she bit her lip – and Aether clearly noticed.
"Amber?" he cocked his head, "What's wrong?"
"Uh, I need to go," Amber mumbled, pushing past Barbara. She stood from her seat and stepped away. "Um... good luck on the job." Swiftly, she rushed to the exit, catching stares on her way out.
"Wait...!"
Amber's cheeks flushed bright red as she stumbled out of the bar; her legs brought her into a short sprint until she could no longer hear the music, her trembling breath turning to mist.
The midnight air swept past her cheeks and crept along her spine in waves, goosebumps crawling along her skin. With every step Amber took, the overbearing shame that gripped her cooling heart clutched tighter and tighter.
At some point, she had to stop.
"The hell's wrong with me..." Amber murmured, her head downcast. Her legs gave way to the pavement. Only the swaying fields and the crickets within witnessed her spectacular collapse.
As if attempting to stow herself away from the rest of the world, Amber draped her hair upon her face like a pair of curtains. "I'll just tell Barbs I left early."
It was in the late days of September when they met again – half a decade later – and perhaps, she should have left the moment she saw him.