Aether was laying his head on Furina's thighs as they sat on a cliff in Erinnyes overlooking the sea. Aether closed his eyes as Furina played with his blond locks. Furina had been training Hydro powers with Aether in the forests of Erinnyes. After finishing today, they decided to take a break to enjoy the scenery.

"The strength gained through my own hard work is truly fulfilling. Hehe, thanks for your support." Furina thanked him. Despite not possessing a vision, his insights into the inner workings of Hydro helped her get a clear understanding of how to wield her powers.

"You're welcome, Furina." He said.

A few weeks after their work with Lauwick's troupe, Furina had grown closer to Aether. They would take walks through the city, go to cafes, watch musicals together, and do rather intimate things, which she mostly saw done by couples in novels, plays, and more. But why? Why did she want to spend so much time with him? Why did he want to spend time with her? Sure, for her part, he was her closest friend. But why would he spend time with her? She was just an ordinary girl with nothing special going on.

"You like playing with my hair, don't you?" Aether commented. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Heh, despite being an adventurer, you look like a prince from those opera musicals. Your hair's really soft, too. You've got to tell me your routine." She giggled.

She had never been close to anyone in her five hundred years of life. Sure Neuvillette was there, but she saw them more so as siblings with an amicable relationship. Clorinde had also been by her side, but their relationship in the past had strictly been employer-employee, it was only after her abdication of her role did they become friends.

"Aether…I've been wondering…why are you doing this?"

Aether, who had closed his eyes, trying to enjoy Furina's head massage, opened them to see a hesitant Furina. He wasn't expecting that kind of question. Did he do something wrong?

"What do you mean, Furina?" Aether said as he sat up, still facing her.

Furina stared into the beautiful view of the sea, her breath was slow and heavy.

"You've been nothing but kind and considerate to me. You've always been there for me, a great listener, and my confidant. But I want to know why. You don't owe me any of this…" She looked neither sad nor joyful.

Aether relaxed, so that's what she meant. He stared at the sea view Furina was staring at.

"At first, it was more out of a sense of obligation. A few days after the Flood, no one knew how you were doing. It pained me to see how you were stuck in your room with no purpose, so I wanted to come help you." Aether said.

"I was worried because... I once had a friend who was in a long depression, I thought it was best to leave them alone, but I soon realized that it was my biggest mistake. She suffered alone, and her depression slowly ate her up from the inside, and eventually she…" Aether paused, "I didn't want that to happen to you, too. I wanted you to be happy and live life again"

"Thank you…If it weren't for you…If you hadn't pulled me out of my solitude, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now."

Aether nodded before continuing, "But I guess later on, me spending time with you no longer became a responsibility. It more so became a want - a need even. I love spending time with you, Furina."

Furina smiled. "Ever since the 'Little Oceanid' musical, I've never felt so free and liberated before. I thought I hated performing after my role as Archon, but you've made me realize that performing has always been a passion. Now that I finally played myself on stage, I don't feel any animosity towards performing. It was all thanks to you…" Her voice cracked slightly, as tears started to form. "So…I'm glad. I'm so happy to have met you."

"Furina…" Aether breathed out.

"I can't put it into words…but being with you makes me feel so safe. Your presence always brings me comfort." Furina continued as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I…I…"

Aether wrapped his arms around her shoulder, pulling her in.

"Furina?" Aether turned his head towards her.

"Aether…there's something I've been meaning to say…something that's been festering in my heart for a while now…" Furina took in a larger breath of air, trying to steady her nerves. "It's something I need to say to you…"

Furina lifted her head from his shoulder, her gaze meeting his. "Alright…I'm here." Aether said. He held her hand to comfort her.

"You've been my anchor… my confidant, ever since I left the Palais. You listened to all my troubles and comforted me during my lowest moments. I can't ask for someone better to be by my side…I'm sorry if this sounds sudden. But Aether, I…I love you…" Furina finally said. It felt as if the tight grip on her heart had finally let go, letting it beat as it did once more. She felt bare…like all her walls had collapsed and she was left vulnerable to the wilds.

"I'm sorry for saying that. I'm sure I ruined what we have going right now. I just needed to let that off my chest. You don't have to accept my confession…" She looked away from him.

"Furina…" Aether held her chin and turned her head to face him. "You've made me feel something I've never felt before. Something that no one else has made me feel. Our time together has made me realize how much I needed someone. You've filled something in my heart. A pieceI thought I had lost, I found in you."

Furina was about to say something but was cut off by Aether. "Before you say it, no, I don't care if you're an Archon or just a normal girl. All I care about…is you, Furina. I love you too."

Furina smiled widely. "I see…Thank you, I'm glad you feel that way…" Her eyes teared up.

"So…what do we do now?" Furina asked sheepishly. She felt like she was about to explode from the inside. Her heart was full of something she had never felt before. Is this love?

Aether cupped her cheek before chucking. "Hey, you're the actress here. I'm sure you know what comes next."

"I do…" Furina giggled shyly.

They surrendered to the magnetic pull between them in that vulnerable moment, an unstoppable force pulling them into an intimate dance of desire. They could feel warmth and affection as they claimed each other's lips.

In the delicate touch of their lips, an unsaid comfort came from him to her, a subtle promise that went beyond that of spoken words. His kiss washed away her sorrows and sufferings, a wordless tale that spoke volumes. 'It's alright; everything will be fine,' he whispered with his lips.

The rest of the world melted away, leaving only the two of them frozen in an eternal embrace. The cosmos felt tiny, only fitting the two of them, letting them be in a delicate dance of shared breaths and entwined tongues.

After what felt like centuries, they eventually separated, their breaths heavy.

"That felt…right." Aether said, his face still red.

"It did…" Furina replied, her face flushed with a deep red, matching that of Aether's

The avoided eye contact, embarrassed yet happy at the same time.

"Do you want to go back?" Aether asked.

"No…I want to stay here…with you." Furina gave him a warm smile as she rested her head on him once more.

Aether felt his heart melt. Seeing her smile was all he needed.

AN:

Aerina kiss :3