Ice and Gold

by ShamelessPlanking

Eula has left her job as a captain of the knights and decides to join the Traveler in his journeys instead. Her addition to his travels turns Aether's world upside down, but he wouldn't trade it for anything else. Lots of fluff!

4. Chapter 4

Ice and Gold

Chapter 4

---

It was an especially hot day in Fontaine, as the bright sun beamed down onto the streets of the City of Justice, covering the pavement in a scorching warmth. It almost looked like the heat was emanating from the sidewalk. It looked as though it shimmered in the light, almost taking a visible form.

Against the scorching sun and amongst the sea of busy merchants and citizens, a lone figure sat underneath the umbrella of one of the Court of Fontaine's many cafés. Eula took a sip of her bottle of Fonta, feeling a wave of rejuvenation take over her with every drink. While not normally a fan of the frankly unhealthy soft drink, she'd take anything right now just to beat the heat.

Café Lucerne wasn't exactly her first choice when it came to having a refreshing beverage outside, but her purpose for sitting here was mainly because…

"Eula!"

Aether came stumbling forward, appearing from around the corner at lightning speed. The blond looked like he had just gone for a marathon. He wiped away sweat that was pooling at his forehead, as his features visibly brightened at the sight of the light blue-haired girl. His pace slowed as he approached until he sat down right next to her.

But not before greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.

"You're late." Eula deadpanned, "You said you'd be here an hour ago."

With one hand on his nape, Aether offered her an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I got held up. The people at the Palais Mermonia were dead set on keeping me there. I really wasn't expecting it to take that long." Upon seeing his lover's not-so-amused expression, Aether quickly took to holding her hand in his. "I hope you're not too mad?" With a hopeful smile, gently, he ran small circles on her palm.

"Hmph. Well, it's okay. Maybe I should just accompany you next time. I don't mind the wait if it's with you." Aether beamed, nodding enthusiastically. She couldn't stay mad at him. Not when he had such a goofy yet adorable smile on his lips. "However…" At her words, the Traveler broke out in a cold sweat, a complete 180 from the vibrant smile he was showing just moments ago. It had been some time since he last saw such a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You still broke a promise. A grave transgression towards my person. And for that, a punishment is due."

Aether laughed nervously, "Ahaha… and what punishment did you have in mind, my dear mademoiselle?"

And with a smile, Eula pulled out an envelope out of her pockets. Curiously, it had the Knights of Favonius seal on it.

Aether's brows furrowed. It must've been a letter. Perhaps a few rogue knights from the Reconnaissance Company who're still urging her to return? Regardless of who it may be, the blond was already starting to get irritated for her. "Favonius…? I thought they'd stop bothering you about the Captain position already. Should I—"

"Yes, and no." She gave Aether a playful tap on the head with the envelope, "Have patience, dear. The contents are what's important."

With another apologetic smile, Aether threw his hands up in mock-surrender, "Alright, alright. Sorry about that. Didn't mean to interrupt." He urged her with a nod, "Go ahead?"

Eula let a delighted smile grace her lips. The notion that he'd get so easily defensive for her sake gave her a warm feeling. "Such a natural charmer…" She whispered under her breath. And at a moment's notice, she opened the envelope with grace befitting a noble.

Aether didn't even know you could do something so simple as unfurling a letter with such poise, but the Spindrift Knight defied expectations. It seemed as though she could take any mundane action and make it look sophisticated.

It was such a small thing to notice, but he loved watching it all the same.

While Aether was busying himself thinking about his lover's delicate handling of items, Eula cleared her throat, took a sip of the Fonta that was yet to be emptied, and began reading the letter's contents in a loud yet calm tone of voice:

"Dear Ex-Captain Eula,

I am pleased to inform you that our newly appointed captain has been hard at work. Captain Clara has proven to be an incredible leader. She is constantly working for the sake of the Reconnaissance Company, sometimes at the expense of her own health. And… to tell the truth, this is where the problem lies. While she has been an amazing leader, the knights, and I, feel like she's pushing herself too much. We've told her time and time again to take it easy to no avail. I know it is a lot to ask, given your new duties with the Traveler, but we believe you are the only person capable of bringing the captain back to her senses. She holds you in high regard. We don't mean to pressure you to come, but if you are able, we believe it would help the captain a lot.

Mika"

Even before Eula's retirement from her position, one knight made themselves known within her hercompany. Knight Clara was already steadily climbing the ranks of the Reconnaissance Company and had earned enough respect to be recommended by the Spindrift Knight herself, to succeed her as the captain. On occasion she'd even join Aether in his hunts or commissions whenever she encountered the man during reconnaissance, consequently befriending him as well. This all occurred before Eula's announcement of her departure. Suffice to say, it seemed as though Eula picked the correct person for the job - however, she didn't expect her to need help so soon.

She supposed it was just the nature of such an important position as being the captain.

Aether gave a short clap, "Hey, guy's gotten good at writing. Proud of him!" He nodded to himself with a pleased smile, reminiscing of times when Mika struggled to speak as opposed to his confidence now. The Traveler snapped out of his stupor before he delved too deep into his daydreams, "So, what's up, then? Are you going to accept?"

Eula shook her head, "No." She folded the letter into a pocketable size, before sliding it over to his side of the table. "You are."

Aether tilted his head. "Uh, what?"

The blue-haired girl propped her head up on a palm, placing an unfocused gaze towards something not too far from them. "Before I retired from my post, there were already plans for an Acting Captain to be instated if I were out of commission or on vacation. I was asked who I thought would be most deserving of that position." Her eyes met his, "Want to hazard a guess?"

Aether blinked, completely oblivious.

Eula giggled. With her other hand, she poked him in the chest.

"Wha– me?! Come on, a leader position doesn't fit a guy like me, right?"

"Don't sell yourself so short, love. I couldn't think of anyone else who could do my job as efficiently." Her features hardened, as her voice took on a sterner tone. "You're a stellar leader, even if you yourself can't see that."

In response, Aether's face turned a few degrees hotter. Embarrassed, he put on a sloppy grin. "Eheh… I appreciate it, Eula."

She nodded with her own upturned lips. "But I digress. I'm fine with giving a few pointers to the newest captain of the Reconnaissance Company, but… as punishment for breaking a promise," Her tone turned playful as her smile widened the tiniest bit, "you will be the one taking the lead instead of me."

Suddenly, she reeled back, contemplating on her words. "Though, if you aren't too keen on the idea then that's fine as well. I don't want to pressure you on something you don't want to do, Aether." Losing that teasing glint in her eyes, her gaze turned serious. "I just believe you're better suited at this task than I am. You've spoken with Clara before, and she holds you in high regard. And, well…" Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, Eula pursed her lips in embarrassment, "I'm not exactly the best when it comes to encouragement… I believe Clara's jubilant nature will bounce off of your personality much better."

Aether shook his head before giving her a funny smile, "Hey, now it's my turn," He took hold of one of Eula's hands, giving it a small squeeze. "Don't sell yourself so short, too, love. I can't tell you how many times you've pushed me to do my best in my every day. You're great at encouragement, trust me. Your honesty lends itself as your greatest asset in that regard."

A prominent blush creeped its way onto Eula's cheeks. "A-Ah… thank you."

"But, uh… helping out a captain, huh?" Aether struck a thinking pose, "Honestly, this is a bit sudden, but… hey, it's not my first rodeo, right?" He sent a few winks towards the knight's direction, earning a playful roll of the eyes from her. Aether clasped his hands together, "I'll be glad to help."

"Thank you, Aether. This means a lot." She said with a bright smile.

"Hey, anything for you." Aether tucked another stray of hers back, before giving her a quick peck on the forehead. Eula smiled, enjoying how much he was pampering her. "Besides… It's been a while since we've last set foot on Mondstadt, right? It'll be nice to see everyone again."

Eula nodded. "Yes. You're right. I've been… missing my hometown, too." Though she received letters from Amber and the other knights often, she was starting to miss talking to them in person too.

It would be nice to share a cup of tea with them once more…

Suddenly, the blond stood up with a fervor in his step, "Then it's settled. Let's get going as soon as possible!"

"W-Wait, right now?" Almost by instinct, Eula stood up as well.

"I mean, we're burning daylight, aren't we? Come on, let's go!" Aether grabbed Eula's hands and took off, bringing her with him at an exciting speed.

Though initially startled, Eula then shook her head in resignation. "Ah… fine. Let's have a competition then. First to arrive there pays for Paimon's next meal!" Her brows furrowed, as an uncharacteristically smug smile made its way onto her face.

Aether laughed, "You're on! I won't lose this time!" With that, they began their little competition, running and dashing through flocks of people as they made their way to where they were staying: the Fleuve Cendre's hotel that Navia had graciously booked for them. The streets of Fontaine turned the slightest bit more boisterous, as the crowds of people watched the two travelers sprint at nigh inhuman speed.

It's safe to say that this wasn't an everyday sight for the city, as all sorts of cityfolk came out of their establishments to watch. Eula quickly caught up to Aether's pace as they ran in tandem, both having vibrant smiles on their faces. Though, admittedly, Aether's was more of a huge grin than anything else.

And with a hop to their step, they took to packing their luggage as soon as they could, with their next goal being the first aquabus out of Fontaine.

---

The first thing they noticed was the landscape turning a healthy viridescent color. The subtle, yet ever present noise of the nation of freedom's animals made its presence known to them; an oddly comforting sound if you were to ask them. The faint, fragrant smell of wine lingered in the air, setting off a nerve in Eula's mind for a craving for fruity alcohol. However, she resisted the urge, instead set on watching the beautiful scenery of the place she called home. Mondstadt City was only a brief walk away, and its picturesque silhouette — from its homely buildings to the grandiose Favonius Cathedral — was as magnificent as they remembered it to be.

Shortly after and they had arrived, with the sound of horses neighing filling the air as the carriage the two travelers were riding on stopped. When the dust had finally settled, the coachman turned to address the two, saying, "Here we are."

With the help of the coachman, Aether and Eula safely got off the carriage and thanked him for his time. They bid said coachman farewell, but not before Aether gave him quite the tip - three bags worth of Mora, in fact. Originally, their carriage was set to stop right at the gates of Mondstadt, but Eula wanted to take a brisk walk around its outskirts first, as she always liked returning home to the towering yet hospitable gates of her city. Aether, of course, gladly accepted.

Settling into familiar ground, Aether stretched his arms wide and breathed in, "Ah, Mondstadt. Feel that cool breeze!" He gazed into the nostalgic skyline, as he started remembering how much this nation felt like home to him, despite his status as an outlander.

"Indeed. It's been a while since I've felt a breeze so pleasant." Almost immediately, Eula's eyes darted everywhere, an instinct she acquired from years of being the captain of the Reconnaissance Company. "Tranquil. Like always."

They landed just a ways away from Springvale, and while Aether was eager to greet his friends and acquaintances in the quaint little village, both he and Eula figured they should make their presence known to the Knights of Favonius before anything else.

Their walk towards the capital was filled with mundane topics at first, from the food in Fontaine and how it compares to Mondstadt, to even their admittedly crazy adventures in the nation of Justice as well. However, before long, a comfortable silence enveloped the two. Running out of topics wasn't necessarily a bad thing for them, as simply being in the presence of the other was a pleasant experience. They were accompanied by nothing else except for the sounds of nature as they basked in the warm glow of the sun.

In the midst of chirping birds, Aether broke the silence. "You know, now that I think about it…" Aether stopped, chuckling to himself before continuing, "I still would've accepted your request regardless if it was a punishment or not."

Eula hummed, "I know." A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "I just wanted to see your reaction. I just knew it was going to be amusing."

Aether, surprised, blinked a few times. He then audibly recoiled, before dramatically groaning, "My girlfriend is the devil…"

Eula giggled, placing a hand over her mouth as she did. "That's slander. I'm putting that into the tally." Eula had begun tallying every 'transgression' Aether had made towards her ever since a few months ago, and has since been using it as a score to earn rewards. Her vengeance now took on another form - that is, having Aether constantly pamper her, or vice versa if she so demanded it. Eula took it somewhat seriously, while Aether found it incredibly adorable. The very proposal itself surprised him, but when her requests for rewards rolled in, well… let's say he didn't complain too much. "5 more and you'll have to give me a reward as my vengeance. Hmm… how about, let's say, you let me hug you for an hour."

"I'd let you do that regardless."

"I know." Suddenly, she had stopped in her tracks. She slowly looked back towards Aether, and with half-lidded eyes, gave the most dazzling smile he'd seen all week. "I just look forward to it more this way." The crimson hue that was already present on her face visibly darkened, as she quickly faced forwards out of embarrassment.

And with a turn of the heel, she proceeded onwards at a quicker pace than usual, leaving behind a steaming red in the face Aether in her wake. Said Traveler exhaled a breath he didn't even know he was holding, ruffling his hair as he tried to gain a semblance of composure back.

Ugh, how is it possible for her to be more and more cuter every single day?!

---

"EULA! AETHER!"

Without any warning, a red blur pounced onto the two travelers, enveloping them in an intensely tight hug. As their initial surprise wore off, they reciprocated the hug they were receiving from the bundle of energy.

"H-Hey there, Amber..!" Aether grunted out, feeling the air in his lungs escape with every passing second he remained in the Outrider's vice grip.

Eula wasn't faring any better. "A-Amber, hello…"

Luckily, she noticed before either of the two's faces turned purple. "Ah, sorry!" As quickly as she ran towards them did she relent, giving them a sheepish smile. "Welcome back! I was waiting for you guys this whole time!" Amber grinned as she looked towards Eula, "I got your letter. I was wondering when you guys would show up!"

Aether breathed out an amused huff, "Well, someone was excited."

Amber raised an eyebrow in response. "Why, are you not?" With two hands on her hips, the auburn-haired knight puffed up her cheeks in a pout. "It's been so long since we've seen each other, you know!"

"I am, I am, don't you worry. I'm glad to see you again." And with a grin, he gave Amber a light tap on the shoulder.

"I'm super happy to see you guys too! Hee-hee." And in response, he gave Aether an equally bright grin of her own.

"It's the same for me. It's nice to see you again, Amber."

Amber nodded fairly vigorously, before pumping her fists in unison. "I can't wait to talk to you guys about all sorts of stuff that happened in Mondstadt! And I also want to know how you've guys been. Like what kind of people have you met? What delicious food have you found or cooked? And I've heard all sorts of crazy things happened in Fontaine! Ooh, o-oh, but first…" She grabbed both of their hands in hers, "Come on, everybody's waiting for you at HQ! Let's go!"

And no sooner had they arrived at Mondstadt were they now in front of the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. With that, Amber busted open the doors to the building in an excited manner. "Heeeeey! Eula and Aether are back!"

The typically calm and quiet hallways of the Favonius Headquarters were soon filled with all sorts of clamor from the knights, all of whom were welcoming the two travelers with open arms. All kinds of questions were sent their way, ranging from how the sights of Inazuma looked, to how efficient the Guardemeks are in their job, to even one knight asking if Aether found any cute girls in Fontaine, of which the man that asked that question received a hard, dour glare from Eula herself. However, amidst the crowd of hearty greetings and busybodies was one sly Cavalry Captain, who clapped his hands to garner everyone's attention, "Alright, everyone, don't overwhelm the two lovebirds. They've just arrived, you know? Give 'em some space." At his words, the crowd of knights thinned, and before long they went back to their own duties. Aether put a mental note in his mind to answer all of their questions later on, barring perhaps the last one.

Aether smiled, "Kaeya. How are you doing?"

Kaeya smiled back, "As well as I'll ever be. I'm more curious to know how you two have been." He glanced at Eula, bowing slightly in respect. "Cap'n."

Eula raised a brow, "That's former captain to you, Kaeya."

The navy-blue haired man chuckled, "Yeah, I know. Just rustling your feathers." He earned an unamused stare from the former captain, to which he simply brushed off. Glancing over to his co-worker, he spoke, "Thanks for escorting them here, Amber. I didn't even know that today was the day they were arriving. Good on you for remembering."

Amber beamed, taking the arms of her friends and basically hugging them. "Of course! Anything for my two best friends." Suddenly, the energetic girl's features scrunched up, as though in thought. "Speaking of best friends, where's Paimon?"

Aether laughed as he remembered his companion's exact words, "She said she'd pop out in a while. She's inside the teapot as of the moment. Curiously, the aquabus going out of Fontaine made her sick, when last time she was perfectly fine, so she's resting right now." He recalled the Paimon's face looking a sickly green. Maybe she ate too much before the trip? Aether wasn't sure. He shrugged his shoulders, "The physicality of fairies is a strange thing indeed."

The Crimson Knight balled up her fists as she leaned awfully close towards Aether, her eyes carrying a vibrant spark in them. "Ooh, aquabuses! I've heard of those. They're those fast moving boats, right? All in one lane! Tell me more about them!"

Eula stepped forwards, separating the two in one swift motion. "Alright, you two. Let's talk about that later. Aether and I have not made our presence known yet to Master Jean." She beckoned the two with one hand, motioning them towards the Acting Grandmaster's office.

"Ah, yeah, you're right, you're right… Then tell me all about them later, Aether!"

"We'll tell you, okay?" Eula gave her lover a sideways glance, and if Aether squinted his eyes, he could probably see the tiniest bit of a pout in her expression. "Now, let's go."

Aether nodded, somewhat sheepishly, Kaeya noted. Easily jealous. I recall the Traveler being the same. He thought to himself, amused. It was always a joy watching the two interact. In any case, he followed right behind them, as they headed straight into the Acting Grandmaster's office.

As they opened the door to the Dandelion Knight's office, they were promptly met with three members of the Ordo Favonius. Lisa waved with a smile, "Ah, hello you two."

"Eula. Honorary Knight." Jean stood up from her desk, offering a handshake to the latter, who eagerly shook her hand. Subsequently, she offered the same to Eula, who of course did the same. A small smile graced her lips, "It's great to see you two once again. I trust your trip here was uneventful?"

"It's good to see you two. Mondstadt is as safe as when I last left, which is good to know." Eula nodded. She kept a close eye on her and Aether's surroundings on their trek towards the city, noting nothing out of the unusual.

"Great to see ya as well, Jean, Lisa. I—Whoa!" Aether stumbled, startled at his sudden loss of balance. Looking downwards, he found the source of his uneasy stance tightly hugging his leg.

"Mr. Honorary Knight! I'm super duper glad you're here!" Klee grinned as she released her grip on the Traveler, jumping up and down once she did. She turned around, facing the Spindrift Knight with an equally blinding beam, "Miss Eula, you too! Klee missed you!"

Both Aether and Eula bent down slightly to address the ever-so energetic child. Aether was the first to reply, "I missed you too, Spark Knight! C'mere!" He patted Klee quite playfully, earning a giggle from her.

"Long time no see, Klee. When I have the time, let's play again." Eula smiled, giving Klee a headpat of her own, this time in a less vigorous way.

Klee threw her hands up in the air, smiling as she spoke, "Yay! Let's all go fish blasting together soon!" Then, abruptly, Klee stopped her small celebratory dance, placing a finger on her chin as she gazed upwards. Afterwards, she started to stare at Eula with a curious gaze - wide eyes and all.

Surprised at Klee's sudden change of behavior, Eula asked, "W-What is it, Klee? Is something the matter?"

Klee grabbed the edges of Eula's cape, tugging at it weakly. "Miss Eula… Can you make your super delicious Moon Pie for Klee again…? It was so tasty and you've been gone for so long…" Her pastel red orbs looked like the size of the moon, shimmering with unshed tears, as her mouth formed into a pout. She looked like a lost puppy.

Eula's mind blanked. C-Cute…

"Ah… of course, Klee. I'll make the pies I've adjusted exactly to your taste, just as I remember." Eula smiled, nodding reassuringly. "I'll make anything you want."

Naturally, Klee jumped for joy. "Yay! Miss Eula is the best!" She did a little dance, bouncing all over the room as she did, a huge smile plastered on her face all the while.

Everyone in the room watched as the boundless bundle of joy jumped, hopped and skipped all around the small room. It was a rejuvenating sight for everyone involved, suffice to say.

Jean stood up, clasping her hands together as she addressed the Spark Knight, "That's great, Klee. But do remember, you still have to study up on the Knights of Favonius Handbook first." Though she spoke with an amused smile, her tone of voice indicated that she was serious. "I'll permit you to eat and frolic around with Eula and the Honorary Knight once you're done with that."

"Awh… Do I really have to?" Once more, Klee attempted another round of puppy dog eyes. In addition, she tried to pull off the biggest pout she could.

However, this time it was to no avail. Jean didn't budge, only giving her the same austere look you would commonly associate with the Acting Grandmaster.

Underneath Master Jean's strict gaze, Klee realized she had been defeated. In the end, she relented, blowing a disappointed raspberry in the process. "Okay, fine…" Instead of wallowing in defeat, however, she pumped herself up full of energy as she declared, "Klee will ace the test Master Jean will give her! And then, and then, and then…! And then Ms. Eula will make the biggest Moon Pie ever and we'll throw the big party that everyone was talking—"

"Alright, Klee, all of that sounds great. Now let's get you to your studies!" With one hand on her mouth, Kaeya picked Klee up off her feet and onto his shoulders. With a somewhat awkward toothy smile, he addressed the group, "We'll be going first, then. We'll be seeing you."

"Oh, okay!" Klee grinned, "Bye-bye, Master Jean! Miss Lisa!" She waved her little arms in front of her, "Bye-bye, Amber, Miss Eula, and Honorary Knight! Klee will see you later!"

And with a wave of their own, the group of knights bade the two goodbye as well with a chorus of farewells. Though, curiously in Eula's eyes, everyone seemed oddly… tense after that exchange. "Is… something the matter?" She voiced out.

Suspiciously, Jean shifted the subject. "Ah, right. You're here for Clara, yes?"

Though she found the sudden change of topic peculiar, she nevertheless responded, "Well… yes. Though, more accurately, Aether is."

Jean tilted her head, "Aether?" The other two women in the room raised an equally questioning glance as well.

The aforementioned traveler raised one hand slightly, "Yes, Aether here." Bashfully, he rubbed his nape, "Long story short, but we basically agreed that I'd be the one showing Clara the ropes. Or, at least, give her a bit of advice, since I assume she's way more experienced than I last saw her."

Placing a hand on her chest, Eula asserted, "I believe Aether is more befitting of giving proper advice to Clara than I am." Aether raised a brow at that, and in response Eula added, "And while I do believe I'm equipped to help her, I think that considering Clara's jovial disposition, she'll bounce off Aether's quite well. I've seen the two interact, and have noticed how quickly she's picked up on pointers that he has given. Hence, we came to the conclusion that Aether should be the one to speak to her."

Well, the reason's a bit more than that… But I'm sure saying that this is my 'punishment' for being late to our date wouldn't sound all too professional, Aether thought.

Lisa hummed, "I get what you mean. Clara does seem to like him a lot. I'm sure cutie can do it." She said, ending her sentence by sending a teasing wink towards Aether's direction.

"Lisa." Almost in an instant, Eula's visage darkened, as her once neutral face turned into a faint glower. "What did I say about that nickname?" The air around the room seemed to turn a few degrees lower at her words.

Jean made an awkward laugh, making a passing glance at Aether. He looked equally as uneasy as her, judging from his expression. As for the Outrider, she was moving back and forth, staring at different corners of the ceiling with her hands behind her back. As opposed to the other two spectators, she seemed unfazed with Eula and Lisa's bickering.

The witch chuckled, waving a hand in the air. "Oh, don't be such a sourpuss, Eula. I was only joking." She took a novel out of the bookshelf behind her, directing her gaze at the book as she opened it. "I won't steal little ol' Aether away from you, don't you worry."

Thankfully, the temperature in the air returned to normal at her response. "Hmph." Eula crossed her arms, "As long as you know."

"Now, now, Eula!" Amber gave the blue-haired traveler a light tap on the shoulder, as she addressed her with a hand on her hip. "I'm sure Lisa didn't mean anything by it. You know how she is!"

Aether merely stayed mostly silent, only offering an awkward laugh of his own, "Ahaha…"

Seeing the dilemma the Traveler was in, Jean stepped up to steering the conversation once more. She pitched in her own opinion, "While it's not what I was expecting, I'm sure Aether will do a great job." She gave an inquisitive nod towards the blond, "Right, Honorary Knight?"

Almost immediately, Aether perked up. He straightened his posture and dramatically saluted, "Of course, Acting Grandmaster!"

Amber clapped, "Now that's the spirit!" She grabbed hold of her arm with one hand and positioned it as if she was flexing a muscle, "As expected of the mighty Honorary Knight!"

"You spoil me." Aether jokingly reenacted a dramatic bow, grinning all the while.

Eula gave a short chuckle at her boyfriend's antics. She shook her head, Always a comedian. Though, he is cute whenever he does it…

"Well, if that's all, then, I suppose we should see you to your lodgings?" Jean pulled out a keyring out of her pockets, jingling it in the air. "We kept your home nice and tidy, Eula, just as you liked it." Eula was about to speak in protest at the sudden news, but was promptly stopped with a gesture from Jean. "We know you said it was fine to leave your house be, but Amber insisted on taking care of it."

"Ah, yeah…" Amber pressed her palms together, bowing slightly as she did so. "Eula. I'm really sorry to go against your wishes. It's just that…" She slowly raised her head upwards, giving Eula an apologetic gaze. "I wanted to keep the place spick and span when you guys returned, so… yeah. I mean, I know I'm not the best at cleaning either, so I asked Noelle to help too! You won't believe how clean the place looked after—ah, sorry, I'm rambling now…" The typically jovial girl now looked clearly distraught, mumbling to herself continuously about something Eula couldn't quite hear.

When Jean just moments ago told her of what they were doing, Eula originally wanted to protest. She was simply fine if the house she used to live in were to be abandoned until her return to Mondstadt. She could always clean it by herself or with Aether if need be - she didn't care, as her sights were instead set on revamping the Serenitea Pot's decor.

She more or less considered Aether's home as hers at this point, and to her, decorating and improving her new home was her top priority.

Though, it isn't like she doesn't appreciate the gesture. She glanced at Amber, whose lips pursed at her seemingly stern gaze. While the fact that they went against her wishes was surprising to her, it wasn't as though she was mad about it. "Thank you, Amber. I… truly wasn't expecting this. I said in the past that I would not be bothered even if my previous home was neglected, for I found a new one." She subtly glanced at Aether, who met her small smile with one tenfold of hers. Eula's smile turned the slightest bit larger as she looked back at Amber, "However, the fact that all this time you've actually been caring for my house so dearly is quite the pleasant surprise. I'm grateful. Thank you, really."

"You're not mad…?" Amber's lowered head raised slightly. A reassuring feeling started to take over her nerves, which calmed her greatly.

She was baffled by the very notion, though it was just like her to be so humble about it. Amber has always expressed and done things with good intentions, and this was no exception. It's not like Eula strictly and adamantly requested for no one to touch her former home, anyway. Eula shook her head, "We've been friends for so long. Something like this wouldn't ever make me mad. You've done me a huge favor, Amber. Although…" Eula's face showed the faintest hint of a smirk, an expression you would typically never see on the knight. "I do wish you would have told me sooner. Friends tell each other everything, don't they?"

"Y-Yeah! I forgot. Hehe. Sorry. I'll try to remember next time." Amber giggled. She absolutely knew what she was about to say next.

Eula huffed, crossing her arms and taking on a melodramatic pose as she raised her chin haughtily, "Good. And if you don't remember, then I will. I'll count that as an offense against my person, of which I will strike you down heavily for. So do remember next time, or else…"

"Vengeance will be yours!" Amber wrapped her into another tight hug, laughing as she did. Eula, unsurprisingly, was startled by the action, but reciprocated it all the same. She figured she'd be used to her antics by now. "Hehe. I've missed hearing those kinds of lines!"

When she released her, she gave a big, toothy grin before nodding to herself in satisfaction, "Phew, I'm just glad that you aren't mad."

However hard she tried, Eula couldn't hide the small smile that made its way onto her face.

Aether chuckled, "Come on, Amber. Why would she be? What you've done was such a big task to take in addition to your Outrider duties. We weren't even aware you were doing this. And, you know… her home is kinda like my home too, so… thanks." Aether added, gaining a teasing smirk from the Outrider.

"S-Shut up." He swatted her away, feeling an oncoming blush crawl to his cheeks.

"I didn't say anything." Her smirk grew tenfold, now a large grin.

Despite his best attempts at shielding her his eyes from her smile, he could still see parts of it through the cracks in between his fingers. He faked a cough, pretending like he wasn't just blushing madly red just moments ago.

A light bulb switched on inside Aether's head. In an attempt to get back at Amber, he smiled, raising a dubious brow as he spoke, "Ehem… Though… considering that I've seen you do household duties before, I feel like you're downplaying Noelle's role in the cleaning a little here…"

"H-Hey! I cleaned a lot too, okay? I know I spilled a lot of water the last time I cleaned up, but I've improved since then! You should see me with a broom!" With a valiant attempt at a diligent expression, Amber extended her arm in a sweeping motion, her fingers mimicking the movement of a broom as she playfully swiped at an invisible pile on the floor. She emphasized the act with an exaggerated flourish, as if showcasing her exemplary cleaning prowess even further.

Aether snickered, attempting to stifle the laughter bubbling within him. But it was to no avail, as seeing Amber's dumbfounded expression at his attempts let the dam burst free with a hearty, loud laughter resounding in the office. "Okay, okay, I believe you now!" he managed to say amidst the lingering chuckles.

"Hey, you're still making fun of me, aren'tcha?!" Amber pouted, sticking a tongue out right after.

They continued to bicker, teasing and making fun of each other as Eula simply watched them from the sidelines. Though she wouldn't admit it openly, it warmed her heart seeing her best friend and partner tease each other like they were long lost siblings. It was an odd thing, but… it made her feel right at home seeing her closest confidants having a blast. Judging from the stories Aether's told her, she believed that Lumine would have a splendid time interacting with Amber, too. If Lumine were ever to visit Mondstadt, it would be like the blonde siblings reuniting with their third, auburn-haired lost sister.

Maybe, in due time… I could be like a sibling to Lumine too… Eula's mind slowly drifted back to her time in Inazuma, when Chisato and her husband were quick to support Eula and Aether, as the husband and wife couple offered their own blessings for the two travelers to take whenever they were ready to progress their relationship into something more… like marriage.

Eula blinked a few times. As much as the thought pleases me, now's not the time for fantasies, you. She snapped herself out of that daze, hoping that no one noticed the small pink hue that had taken over her face.

"Alright, you two," Lisa said, closing her book shut. Truth be told, she hadn't really been paying attention to it anyway, as her focus was stolen by Aether and Amber's lively squabble instead. "I'm sure Eula and you, Aether, are exhausted, especially after such a long trip. Best we leave it here, no?"

Jean laughed, "Never a dull moment with you two."

"Ah, yeah, you're right…" The both of them exchanged sheepish smiles. Amber laughed awkwardly, evidently flustered. "We got a bit carried away there, heh, sorry!" she admitted, her voice slightly rushed, as her eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and embarrassment.

Aether on the other hand shifted his gaze toward Eula, his expression conveying apology from how it softened. He offered her a funny grin, a familiar gesture she had come to recognize from all the jokes he'd say to her in the past.

Eula waved a dismissive hand, her eyes dancing with amusement. She wouldn't ever mind. In fact, she was having fun watching the two poke fun at each other.

"Ah, shoot!" Amber palmed her fist, a sudden realization dawning on her. "I was so preoccupied waiting for you guys that I forgot… I made a promise to Lynn that I'd attend one of her cooking classes… I'm nearly late!" Amber rushed to the door, stopping herself short as she grabbed its frame before looking back at the group. "Sorry I have to cut our conversation so short - I really, really wanna talk to you guys again but I made a promise…" She cast her gaze downwards, feeling somewhat despondent. Her red bow drooped a little, too, as though the accessory shared her feelings.

She looked disappointed that they couldn't join them for any longer. Amber had a strong sense of responsibility, so she always prioritized the promises she made. That doesn't mean she can't express sadness at the abrupt end to their reunion, especially considering how long the traveling couple have been gone for. Aether, seeing this, offered a gentle smile at the pouting girl, crossing his hands over one another in an X-motion, as if to convey that everything was alright. "We can talk again as soon as we're all done. We'll be busy talking to Clara tomorrow, but the following day we should be completely available. So we can talk as long as we like then. You said you wanted to know about our adventures in Fontaine, right?"

Amber visibly brightened up, her frown immediately turning upside down, "You promise!"

Eula nodded, "We promise."

"Okay! Then, I'll see you guys later!" She waved with both hands goodbye, uttering a final farewell to the other members of the Knights of Favonius, "Lisa, Acting Grandmaster Jean, I'll be seeing you!"

The librarian and Dandelion Knight responded in kind with their own sets of farewells, before the latter addressed the two remaining visitors, "Quite the lively exchange, especially since you've both just arrived." Jean said, an amused smile still playing on her lips.

"That's Amber for you." Lisa added, "You can only wonder where she stores all that energy. It's like she never runs out."

Eula exhaled a soft, merry huff, "She's been that way since we were kids. It's impressive, really."

Jean nodded, acknowledging how long the two friends have known each other. They were like two peas in a pod, just that one often spoke of retribution since she was a child. But she digressed, "Now, then. I suppose you'll be heading off to your abode? We can send a knight over to escort you there if the two of you want."

"No need," Aether slipped his fingers into Eula's, giving her hand a squeeze. "It'd be nice to walk back home again, after all this time."

Not expecting the sudden show of affection, Eula blushed up a scarlet storm. She averted her gaze, finding the carpet on the floor extremely intriguing, "A-Ah, yes. I think I'd like that."

"Alright, then you two are excused. Hope you two enjoy your time in Mondstadt, however long it will be." Jean smiled, and with a respectful nod, sat back down and immediately returned to stacking papers on her table.

Lisa couldn't contain her amusement, adding, "Have a lovely day, you lovebugs." Her tone was teasing, but warm.

Embarrassed, but rightfully proud, Aether was all smiles as he addressed them, "Then, respectfully, we'll take our leave!" He made a salute, once again, this time with an especially dramatic flourish.

Eula giggled, leaning into her boyfriend more as she did. She turned to face her former boss and co-worker, bowing ever so slightly to each, "Acting Grandmaster. Lisa."

And with that, they left the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, hand-in-hand. A few knights glimpsed at the two as they left, smiling and offering kind nods of respect as they passed by.

They took slow and unhurried steps down as they made their way to their old home, which was somewhat hidden away from the main streets of Mondstadt. While typically fast in their movement, this time they took the opportunity to savor the streets of their city while they were within each other's arms.

Eula felt a wave of warmth and nostalgia sweep over her. It reminded her of the first time she had invited Aether over, their hands already intertwined, even though their relationship had only recently begun to blossom back in those days. She remembered how they walked at a leisurely pace, savoring each step as if to prolong the moment.

Just like now.

And at the front of the door, after Aether stayed at her house for a mere few hours — though it only felt like minutes to her, with how much she loved just simply talking and cooking together — he had to go home himself. Before their date was to come to an end, Aether took one step further and…

…took her lips into his, taking her very first kiss.

Though he tried to act cool afterwards by cupping her face and showing off a dangerously seductive smile, she could clearly see how red his ears were at the time.

It was… quite adorable seeing him do his best to look cool for me.

Back to the present, Eula passed a sweeping glance at Aether, who was enjoying taking in the sights of Mondstadt's many windmills. The reminder of his valiant attempts to look cool added by his current child-like enchantment of the city's tall structures made her really want to tease him all of a sudden.

And so she saw an opportunity to phase him while he was distracted, "Hey, Aether."

"Hmm?"

"A while ago… you were really focused on talking to Amber a lot back there." In an attempt to look daunting, she faked a cold gaze as she held in her mirth, "...You even forgot about me, only focusing purely on Amber. Hmm… your ignoring of me won't go unpunished, just so you know."

Aether, gazing straight ahead, leaned in real close to Eula, speaking in almost a whisper, "Yeah, sure. I'll pamper you lots. I'll kiss you and hug you as much as you want. I'll make sure you won't get cold. I'll do all of that when we get there. So, don't feel sad, okay?"

Despite the incredibly out-of-topic response to Eula's fake threat, it was exactly the answer she was looking for.

Aether felt a sudden warmth and tightness on his left arm. Curious at the source of heat, he looked to his side to find the most blinding thing he'd seen all year.

Eula's smile at that moment matched the brilliance of the sun, with flushed cheeks and crimson ears all the way. "Okay," She simply said. She tugged on his arm, pulling him as she overtook his pace, urging him to match her gait. She looked back to meet his gaze once more, "Let's go, darling." There was a noticeably new pep in her step, as though an aura of sheer happiness surrounded her being - her cold exterior replaced by a warmth typically rare for her.

Aether felt like a serving of vanilla ice cream on a hot, summer day. Suffice to say, while her teasing didn't initially result in a red-faced Aether, it sure as hell rendered him speechless now.

They spent the rest of their short walk in comfortable silence, arm-in-arm, with a girl emanating pure joy and affection, and a boy feeling like he could melt at any given moment.

They entered their humble abode, its floors and furnishings shimmering and immaculately clean, yet looking exactly as they remembered it. They sat and relaxed for a while in the living room, chatting about the mundane and of their recent arrival in the city. They unpacked their luggage as the both of them discussed what to say to Clara once the time came, but shortly after realized how late it had gotten.

Time definitely flies when you're having fun, as they say.

Though they wanted to talk for even longer, they couldn't ignore their body's hankering for a good night's sleep. For now, they rushed to rest their weary eyes.

Together, of course, as per Eula's constant urging — despite the fact that Aether would've still joined in even without her asking.

---

The Following Morning

"Love, did you forget anything?"

Aether gave a subtle, almost imperceptible shake of his head, before proceeding it with an animated thumbs up, "Nope, I'm all good. Shall we go?"

"Let's."

The walk towards the Ordo Favonius' Headquarters was mostly uneventful, though Eula and Aether did spot a few shops in the midst of opening up for the morning. Citizens, too, were already bustling about, preparing for the day ahead, their footsteps blending with the rhythmic hum of the waking city. As they neared the entrance, they couldn't help but notice the clang of metal echoing from the training grounds, a clear sign that someone was already engrossed in their morning exercises. She was the only one there, with footwork so elegant you could've sworn she took inspiration from the Spindrift Knight herself. Yet she carried herself a vigor typically unseen for a captain of the Knights of Favonius, as her each and every swing was spirited, yet wholly calculated and graceful.

However, a discerning feature that made the two travelers concerned was one thing - the bags under her eyes. In her stance was a clear sluggish gait, as despite the fiery passion in all of her attacks, they were noticeably languid if you had a keen eye.

Clara, the current Captain of the Reconnaissance Company, was busying herself in the early morning with a rigorous training regiment, one which Aether suspected was not too kind on herself given her tired appearance. She had grayish-white hair that fell gracefully just above her shoulders, contrasting sharply with her turquoise eyes. Adorning her head was a striking black-iron circlet, which accentuated her stalwart role in the company nicely. Surrounding her form was a black and white dress, of which was intricately designed, showing a high degree of craftsmanship befitting that of a knight of the Favonius. Clipped to her hip was her Cryo vision, an accessory she held near and dear to her.

She wiped off the sweat off her brow and settled into her stance, before noticing something in the corner of her eye. Upon seeing the two visitors, Clara's eyes immediately perked up, as she jogged towards them with a noticeable verve in her step, "Captain Eula, Honorary Knight!" She bowed respectfully, "It's good to see you two. I thought you were out of Mondstadt and traveling the world?"

"Hey, Clara!" Aether grinned, "It's been a while since we've seen 'ya, but you're still the same you, seeing you train so early in the morning like this." He gestured at the open field of the training grounds, emphasizing its emptiness and the disciplined routine Clara maintained even in the solitary hours of the early morning.

Eula nodded, a slight smile making its way onto her lips, "It's former captain, but it's good to see you too, Clara. How have you been doing?"

Clara's eyes grew in realization, "Ah, of course! I apologize!" She bowed once more, this time at an even greater incline, "My mistake, miss Eula!"

"It's fine, Clara. Please, at ease." Eula assured her, to which Clara complied, straightening her posture almost immediately.

Aether shared a glance with Eula, silently communicating their mutual understanding. Their lengthy conversation the night prior had spanned various topics, including the matter of advising Clara. They had agreed that gently introducing her to the idea of taking a breather would likely be more effective than an aggressive direct approach.

Facing Clara, Aether spoke in a wistful tone, "Well, we just felt nostalgic, wanting to see the sights of Mondstadt again. Even if I am an outsider, this place definitely feels like… home."

Clara frowned, shaking her head in firm denial, "You're not an outsider in my eyes anymore, Honorary Knight. You're a full fledged citizen of Mondstadt, no matter what anyone says. I mean, for Archon's sake, you aren't the Honorary Knight for nothing." She declared, expressing her admiration in full force without a care in the world.

Aether laughed, pleased at his friend's kind words, "Haha, thanks," He had then leaned in, waving a finger in the air in a dramatic fashion, "But hey, what'd I tell 'ya? Call me Aether. Calling me Honorary Knight too much sounds way too formal. We're friends, y'know?"

The same humble knight that she always admired, to the same degree that she admired Ms. Eula. For Clara, it was good to know that the same people she's always greatly respected were still the same. She nodded, a sparkle in her eyes as she did, "Okay, Aether. You're right! We're friends."

She could almost match Amber with how bright her smiles are. The knights sure do have a lot of bubbly characters, Aether noted, being reminded of a certain fish-blasting knight and a certain Outrider.

And with a subtle shift in discussion, Eula delicately steered the conversation toward the purpose of their visit to Mondstadt, "So, what has my successor been up to these days? Treating herself kindly, I hope?"

A smile tugged at Aether's lips, as he mouthed something along the lines of 'Nice pass!' to Eula.

Clara's unwavering smile twitched, "Ah… well, I'm doing fine. Y-Yeah, never better!" She nodded, more to herself than as a response to Eula.

"Really now?" Eula crossed her arms, a doubtful expression flickering across her face, "That doesn't sound right, judging from what I've heard from the other knights."

"A-A captain's responsibilities are different from those of the rank and file. They're working really hard for everyone's sake, so I… I have to do better. They… they don't understand," A hopeful look crossed Clara's eyes, "But you do, right, miss Eula?"

"No, we don't," Aether took one step closer, "You've been overexerting yourself, haven't you?"

"...I don't know what you're talking about." Clara averted her eyes, her hands clutching each other tightly in a display of nervousness.

Aether exhaled and crouched down to meet Clara's gaze, who gazed back somewhat reluctantly at him. A gentle expression washed over his features, as he offered her an encouraging smile, "I'll be honest with you, Clara," he began, "We heard about it from everyone. We came here because we're worried. It's okay. Talk to us." With a reassuring tilt of his head, he hoped to encourage her to open up.

Clara's features scrunched up as she bit her lip. She started twiddling with her thumbs, a sign of her growing anxiety. She didn't want to admit how absolutely exhausted she was to her idols, not now. Her feet felt like giving way to her body's fatigue, but through sheer willpower she was still standing. She gulped, ashamed at herself for appearing so weak in front of the very people that she held so highly in regard.

But…

She glanced at Aether's countenance once more. That same reassuring smile still etched onto his face. A warm feeling was starting to surge within her, as each passing second she was starting to feel more and more comfortable opening up.

The final straw was when she glanced at Eula, who while not as expressive as Aether at that moment, gave her a small smile, her encouragement reflected in the blue-haired knight's softer gaze.

…

"...I'm sure they have the best of intentions for me, but… I just don't think they get it," She rubbed her other arm anxiously as she spoke her next words, "I have to work hard. Otherwise, how will I match up to their efforts? How will I match up to the legacy of you guys, the legacy of the Spindrift Knight and the Honorary Knight?" She closed her eyes shut. She let go of her other arm, as her hands balled up into fists, "I have to. I have to live up to their expectations. I have to bring justice to the title of being the Captain of the Reconnaissance Company. I… I must work hard."

Aether stood up, slapping his knees lightly as he did before placing a hand on the white-haired knight's shoulder, "And I'm telling you that you don't," He looked back at Eula, who nodded. He returned his gaze to Clara, his bright smile still unwavering, "Even the Spindrift Knight took breaks, you know. I took breaks, too. We didn't work ourselves to death. What if you faint on the job? Lose focus due to lack of sleep? You can't keep doing this to yourself. If you do, then you'd be harming not just yourself, but the entire Reconnaissance Company, too. You're their captain, and that carries with it its own responsibilities… one of which is the responsibility of taking care of yourself for your company."

Clara stepped back, causing Aether's hand to slip from her shoulder, "...Then I simply won't faint. I won't lose focus. I will be strong." She looked up and gave the Traveler a tenacious look, a fire roaring in her gaze that challenged his advice, "I have to be strong."

Aether tapped his foot on the pavement as he placed his hands on his hip, "Strong, huh?" He stared at Clara for a few seconds, before nodding, "Alright, you're strong, then. If you're so strong, and if words can't get through to you…" With a grin, he pointed a thumb at himself, "then maybe my sword will. What do you say to a duel?"

Eula blinked, "A-Aether?"

"A duel?" Clara asked.

"Yeah. You win this duel, and you can do whatever you want. You can operate as the captain of your company however you want, we won't meddle. But if I win…" In a flash of light, Aether materialized his sword out of thin air, slashing downwards as he assumed his usual battle stance, "...then you pace yourself. You stop pushing yourself to your limits. You can train, but not to the point of overexertion. There's a limit to everyone, and I'm about to show you what it is."

Eula blocked his line of sight with a frown, "Aether, we didn't talk about this. What's all this about a duel, now? Weren't we just going to convince her?"

"You know how competitive she can get. Words aren't getting through to her, so I'm gonna convince her the only other way I know how," He whispered, "I know I look like an idiot right now, but trust me. I have this." He pinched her cheek, earning him a pout from her.

"...Fine. But if you hurt her in any way, I won't speak to you."

"That's my nightmare come true," He shook his head with a smile, "Don't worry. This'll all turn out well. That, I can promise."

Clara, who had remained silent all this time while contemplating his challenge, abruptly interrupted their conversation, "A duel, huh..?" Her once nervous visage now leveled a glare against Aether. She took one step forward and spoke, "I know you're the Honorary Knight and all, but I've improved a lot since you've last seen me. Don't underestimate me."

She dashed backwards, putting quite the considerable distance between them in just one jump. Similarly to how Aether materialized his weapon, crystallized cold blue particles constructed themselves into a polearm, one that Clara held firmly in her hands. She positioned the weapon straight downwards; with every muscle in her body taut, and her arms and legs positioned carefully for maximum efficiency in battle, it was a stance that showed her rigorous training that she undertook everyday, "I accept your duel. I'll show you the fruits of my labor, and just why I push myself everyday!"

Aether made one last glance at Eula, who gave him a faint smile. Suddenly, she grabbed him by the scarf, giving him a chaste peck on the lips before separating as quickly as she grabbed him. "I trust you. Good luck." she said, walking a few meters away to give way for the upcoming battle.

Aether, whose eyes had widened to the size of the moon, briefly touched his lips as he savored the brevity of his love's kiss. It was like his mind blanked for a few seconds, the gears in his head turning as he tried to process what just happened. Filled with a newfound determination, he pumped his fists as he suddenly jumped, yelling, "WHOOOO! Now I'm fired up!"

Eula's cheeks turned an intense hue of scarlet, cupping them in her hands as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

This idiot… So early in the morning, too...!

Clara's stunned reaction made her grip on her polearm loosen, taking a step back as she did, "W-Wha?!" Her glare intensified, as she stomped one foot onto the ground, "Take this seriously!"

"I am! I just got an energy boost, that's all!" As his raised spirits started to calm, he took on his own stance again, with his sword pointing straight at Clara. "That's why, give me your all, Clara! If you really are so certain of your methods, then come at me!"

"You don't have to ask!" Clara slammed her foot into the ground, creating a path of ice towards Aether. She jumped onto the crystal-cool path, which immediately sent her barreling straight towards Aether at an alarming speed. In a matter of seconds they were face-to-face, and as soon as she could, Clara attempted a strike at Aether's chest.

Fortunately for him, he was able to parry the strike almost effortlessly, as he moved to the side immediately after. "Is that all you've got?" He taunted, an annoying smirk on his face.

"Huh? D-Don't you mock me, Honorary Knight!" She waved her polearm around, as flakes of snow danced around her. The snow whirled and whirled around her figure, until it all gathered onto the tip of her weapon, encasing it into a lethal, frosty blade. She pointed it straight at him, "Your punishment starts now!"

She spun the bladed weapon around her, leaving a frigid trail in its wake as she maintained its spin. Before long and she slammed the polearm onto the ground, using it as a pivot to spin herself around the haft of the stationary spear. In the midst of her spin, she pulled the polearm right off the ground as she landed back onto her feet, slashing right at Aether. The sheer force of the strike created a wave of Cryo that was traveling straight towards the Traveler at a frightening speed, threatening to cut him to shreds.

Amazed, the Traveler could only dodge at the last second, barely managing to avoid a cut on his cheek from the slash. But he had no time to recuperate, as Clara sent slashes after slashes of waves of pure crystalline ice towards him. He managed to evade one, cut another into pieces, and apply a Superconduct reaction on another, making the structure of the wave explode. He switched to Electro at just the right time before the last one could hit him, to which he was thankful he had good reflexes.

"Stay still!" She threw another slash, before realizing that her strategy wasn't working, so she attempted another dash at Aether. Clang! Their blades echoed in the empty courtyard, locked in a fierce stalemate, each refusing to yield to the other's force. Sparks startled to fly as the blades of their weapons started to dull, and with gritted teeth, Clara managed to huff something out, "I have to… I have to win! I'll prove to you that I will never lose, especially not after everything I've done to maintain this strength!"

"And what is strength without anything to support it? Without allowing that strength to grow in between practice?" Aether grunted, "What is that strength without the people around you?"

Aether shut his eyes closed, exhaling deeply. Despite their weapons currently at a stalemate, in the midst of such intensity, he looked awfully composed. Abruptly, he opened his eyes, fixing her a dauntless, resolute gaze, "I'll show you what it is."

Clara racked her mind for what was to come; what was his next move going to be? Her muscles tensed, fully prepared to take on whatever attack he was going to use against her. What she didn't expect, however…

…was him releasing his grip on his sword.

Her polearm swung at air, as she steadily started to lose her balance. She tried correcting her pose as much as possible before her head hit the pavement, but for some reason, she couldn't muster the strength to do so. Her legs felt like jelly. Her arms released her spear, the tense muscles giving way to tired, aching thews. Her whole body hurt. Her mind shut down, as her eyelids started to droop. Months upon months of harsh training without rest, the negative results of which all crashing down at once.

All she could think of at that very moment was the sweet embrace of slumber.

I'm so tired…

And so she fell, face first onto the ground.

---

The first thing she saw was an immaculate, white ceiling.

Her eyes lazily opened, her blurry vision slowly refocusing until all she could see was white. Her memory was foggy - she recalled that she was doing her usual extensive training in the early morning, when something—

"Kgh!" A searing pain soared through her right leg, attacking her without warning. She held her leg with both hands, hoping it would at least alleviate the pain. She then realized how much her muscles ached when she moved her arms - in fact, they ached when she did nothing at all.

Ah, that's right. I remember now.

I lost.

A minute or so later and the pain had subsided, something she was incredibly grateful for. Though it still hurt when she moved it, the pain was almost negligible compared to the torture she experienced just moments ago.

With nothing to feel but aching muscles, her mind drifted to the duel she had lost. She wondered how long it had already been since her failure. Minutes? Hours? Perhaps even days? She didn't know. All she could think about was her humiliating defeat. She mulled over how she could've lost to the Honorary Knight, thinking over her attack patterns and strategies - perhaps she was too lax in her attacks or too predictable, or maybe her strategies needed refining. She didn't know. Nothing came to mind. She recalled doing her utmost best there. She spent a good few minutes contemplating what she could've done to win, when she realized something important.

Her loss wasn't because of something analytical like a mishap in her attack patterns or a faulty strategy, no - her loss was the result of her irresponsibility.

The door to the room opened with a creak, and in came a blond traveler, accompanied by his blue-haired partner. "Ah, you're awake."

Slowly,Clara attempted to sit up in her bed, only to be met with the stinging sensation of her exhausted muscles. Aether and Eula quickly moved to her side, gently holding her down as the blond spoke, "Whoa, easy there. You just woke up."

"...How long have I been out for?"

Aether hummed thoughtfully, swaying his head from side to side, "Hmm, about the entire day, give or take. It's… what time is it, honey?"

"5 PM. Love, there's a clock on the wall just to your right." Eula said with a faint smile, thoroughly amused by her boyfriend's oversight.

Aether flung his head to his right, locating the exact item Eula mentioned. 5 PM, right on the dot. He didn't know if he just had bad eyesight or was distracted, but regardless he returned his gaze to Eula with a funny smile, "Whoops. You're right, sorry about that," Facing Clara, he dragged one of the many chairs by her bedside and sat it closer, settling into it as he asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Awful. I feel like an anvil is laying on top of me."

Aether shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah, I get that. I've felt the same before," He nodded, sympathizing with her woes wholeheartedly. Only the Archons know how many battles he's been in that resulted in him being in a similar state to Clara right now. He continued, "You're in the Favonius Headquarters' infirmary right now. Barbara swung by earlier, just so you know. She healed some of your wounds in your muscles, but a lot of your tissues were slowly torn throughout the duration of a few months. She said they were impossible to heal immediately with her Vision, and that rest is your only viable option to make a complete recovery. Oh, right! She estimated that you'll be able to recover in one to two weeks tops, given no strenuous activity."

"W-What?" Clara panicked, attempting to sit back up again, "I-I can't be out of commission for that long. The… the knights need me! Let me just—"

"Clara." A cool, steely voice from her left stopped Clara dead in her tracks. Glancing to her left, she found the Spindrift Knight leveling a stern, unwavering gaze at her, "You need to rest."

"But—"

Aether chimed in, "You need to listen, Clara. Everyone's worried about you. Your subordinates, the other captains in the Knights of Favonius, hell, even the citizens have started talking about how much you're pushing yourself," With furrowed brows and his drawn in a straight line, his expression was etched with a deep concern, "We're worried about you."

"I… I…" She stuttered, finding it suddenly difficult to speak. Her breath hitched, words piling up in her throat but unable to come out. She so desperately wanted to refute their words, staying adamant in her ideology. Why wouldn't she? She saw how all captains of the Knights of Favonius conducted themselves. They looked nigh flawless in every capacity, looking exemplary in both battle and in leadership. She wanted to achieve that same kind of perfection, to push her body and mind to that degree of mastery. In the mornings and afternoons she trained extensively, while in the evenings she would study theory until the sun rose, to further enhance her techniques.

She felt so close to achieving the great heights the captains of the Knights of Favonius have risen to, so why would she give up now? Her principles were ironclad, so why…

…Why did her body ache like so?

Why couldn't she absorb the texts she read at the dead of night?

Why did her training stagnate, her physicality not improving any further?

…

With the aching in her body somewhat subsiding, she slowly sat up, aided by Aether and Eula as they supported her, "I…" She stopped for a moment, recollecting herself as she breathed in, and out. Aether nodded with a reassuring smile, as if silently affirming her. Clara appreciated the gesture, as her nerves slowly started to disappear. Once she felt more composed, she continued, "If… If I don't push myself… then how could I ever hope to match their expectations? How could I ever hope… to be a good captain like Albedo, or Kaeya, or, or… like the Spindrift Knight?"

Eula sat down, her posture as elegant as you'd expect from her. In her eyes, a gentle concern now replaced the stern expression she had worn just moments before. She spoke, her voice a softer tone than usual, "Because you don't have to be like me. You simply… do it how you would. Not by pushing yourself to your very limits, but pacing yourself to what you can accomplish. I've seen what you can do, Clara. It's impressive. And I've heard a lot of your achievements from a myriad of knights through countless letters. Your leadership is one of a kind; the way that you effortlessly handle combat, resource management, and issue orders with absolute clarity all at the same time is a clear demonstration of your skills as a leader. However… if you keep exerting yourself like this, then one day you may not be able to do any of that, at all. You continue like this and your body will fail you, even if your mind has not. And how will you continue being their captain when that happens?"

Amidst her emotional spiel, Eula did something that utterly startled the fledgling captain - Eula reached out and grasped Clara's hand into both of hers, a rare display of warmth and vulnerability usually unseen from the typically stoic knight.

She continued, "If you think that none of the captains ever take breaks, then you're mistaken. We're able to perform our duties because we're mindful of our limits. If we weren't, then the Knights of Favonius would not be standing today. Believe in my words, believe in Aether, too. But most importantly… believe in your knights. You need to listen to them, and they're telling you to pace yourself," And with a subtle smile, Eula gradually released the gentle hold she had on Clara's hand, asking her one last question, "Because what is a captain without the knights who support her?"

Clara stayed silent, mulling over her idol's words. In the back of her mind she's always had thoughts about whether or not her methods were the correct way to conduct herself as captain of the Reconnaissance Company - to push herself to her limits to achieve what she believed was expected of her. She simply rejected the notion that perhaps she was wrong, for she believed strength was always what a true leader should strive for. Well, she couldn't deny it any further, especially not after Eula's fervent advice. The aching in her muscles and the exhaustion that was ever-so present still in her body was clear evidence against her beliefs. The amount of times her subordinates had pleaded to her to stop and relax, even for just a moment, echoed in her mind; a stark reminder of her ignorance towards her knights' good-will.

It took all this time to realize that. She bit the inner of her cheek, as she gripped the sheets of her bed tightly. Embarrassed, she had nothing else to do but look away. I was such an idiot…

Eula could only watch as an internal struggle took place within Clara's mind. She wrestled with the idea of saying more, but ultimately decided against it, feeling it would be best for Clara to deal with her inner turmoil after all was said and done. In her eyes, people may be able to push you in the right direction, but in the end it is, at heart, up to the individual to pacify their own inner conflicts. It was something she was all too familiar with, especially thinking back as to how she often dealt with her own problems before, oftentimes inside the walls of a tavern.

Nowadays her closest confidant was no longer the bottom of a mug of alcohol, but the shoulder of a certain blond traveler.

As Clara continued combating her own personal dilemma, Eula couldn't help but notice a certain someone staring holes into her. She took a glance at the source, of whom was smiling at her, exuding an aura of pride. Aether was concerned for Clara, as he felt like his duel with her didn't do much to convince her. It had helped, but not enough to make her see the error in her ways, it seemed. And that's when Eula swooped in, saying all the right words to help Clara. To think she once said that she wasn't good at encouragement, when she just absolutely demolished that notion now. His eyes sparkled in admiration at his partner's words, proud for her and her heartfelt, inspiring advice. Aether mouthed something along the lines of 'Thank you,' before returning his gaze back to Clara, intent on staying silent in respect for her, who was still mulling over the former captain's words.

Eula's face turned a blazing crimson, as she realized just why exactly Aether was grinning at her. While she didn't truly mind looking so vulnerable, as it was for the sake of her friend, Clara, just the fact that Aether was silently parading his pride for her impassioned spiel caused the cheeks on her face to flush a vibrant red hue. Despite initially deciding to not speak, her embarrassment eventually pushed her to hastily add, "T-That is… if you're willing to take advice from the descendant of a depraved dynasty. You don't need to take it, if you don't want to. N-Nobody is forcing you. It is ultimately your choice." With a harrumph, Eula raised her chin as she crossed her arms, an obvious tell of her flustered state.

With wide eyes, Clara blinked, the sheer ridiculousness of Eula's addendum temporarily stunning her. She spent a good few seconds staring at Eula, who awkwardly shifted her stance and relented in her faux-haughty pose upon seeing Clara's pointed gaze. Suddenly, Clara's shoulders shook, as they heard what sounded like a snicker coming from her. Her entire body jolted, as she gradually started laughing, first with a small chuckle, before finally belting out a loud chorus of cackles, most likely heard from even outside the infirmary. She clutched her stomach with two hands, as a wide grin replaced her previously scowling face, "Y-You… You… Hahaha!"

Eula blushed, surprised at the sudden laughter from the previously downtrodden girl. She turned her head to face her partner, who didn't fare any better. Aether was holding in a laugh of his own, attempting to hide the amused grin that was creeping its way onto his lips. With puffed up cheeks and a pout, Eula glared at Aether with all her might, something which only incited further amusement from the blond.

After a few minutes or so, the laughter had died down, leaving a smiling Clara in its wake. She wiped a stray tear from her eye, settling into a comfortable silence. Taking a moment to compose herself, she glanced at Eula and Aether before finally speaking, "...Thank you. Really. I didn't realize how stupid I was, making everyone worry like that…"

"Hey now, come on," Aether interjected at her self-deprecation, a gentle tone in his voice, "No captain is perfect. That's why, a captain can only do their best when she's with her company. You're learning, too, and that's what's important."

Clara nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude, "Yeah, you're right." She released a relieved sigh, before refocusing her attention on Eula, who gave her a reassuring smile. She reciprocated the gesture with one of her own, just tenfold brighter, "Really, thank you guys."

"Ow." An ache in her back suddenly flared. Despite the epiphany, she would have to live with the consequences of her thoroughly destructive training for at least a week or two. Being in a much better mood, she found a perfect opportunity to poke fun at Aether, "I'm starting to think you were a little too harsh with me in our duel…"

Aether caught on, releasing an amused huff, "Hey, maybe your memory's foggy, but I didn't place a single finger on you, alright?"

"Well that just makes me sound like a bad fighter…"

"Train and come back in ten years if you want to defeat me, young knight," Aether stood up, imitating a cartoonish villain as he dramatically pointed at Clara whilst his other hand hid his face from view. It reminded Clara of a certain blonde-haired adventurer obsessed with fantasies. Abruptly, Aether jolted in place, remembering something integral as he spoke with an anxious expression, "A-Although, make sure your training doesn't make you drop dead tired like today, okay?"

It seemed like all the anxiety that filled her had all but disappeared, as Clara giggled, "Don't worry. I won't. I've learned my lesson."

All of a sudden, the door to the infirmary burst open, outpouring a few knights of the Reconnaissance Company. Among them, one immediately vocalized their concerns, "Captain Clara! Are you alright?" It was Mika, surveyor and cartographer of the company.

"M-Mika. Everyone…" Startled at their sudden appearance, Clara found it difficult to muster up words to say to them; it was like her anxieties had all come crashing down onto her once again at their arrival. She wasn't expecting to see them so soon - but perhaps she should've, considering the company's captain was sent to the infirmary, which would send alarm bells to any subordinate. She felt ashamed at their presence, being reminded of how much she ignored their pleas for her to take breaks. But she knew she had to be brave. She had to face them now, for if not now, then when? "I-I'm fine, thank you." She replied, a tinge of nervousness in her tone.

"Thank goodness. We just returned from an expedition when we heard you passed out during a duel. We came as soon as we could." Mika responded, relief carved onto his features.

"Yeah, I…" Once again, her breath hitched. Unbeknownst to her, her eyes started to moisten from unshed tears. When she had finally noticed, she tried her damndest in holding them back as she choked out words that were piling up in her throat, "Everyone… I'm sorry… I'm so, so, sorry! I should've listened to you guys...!" But her efforts were in vain, as the dam to her tears burst free. She cried her heart out, uncaring of how messy she would have looked at that moment.

"Captain Clara!" A knight from the back called out, walking towards her as he shook his head, "It's okay! We're just glad you're okay."

"Yeah, that's all that matters!"

"Absolutely!"

Mika glanced at Eula and Aether, both of whom gave him encouraging nods. With a newfound resolve, Mika joined his fellow knights, "Captain Clara," In the midst of sniffles and tears still streaming down her eyes, the captain met his gaze. Mika continued, "It's great to see you're fine. When you do your next duel, make sure to tell us."

He gave an affectionate smile, "We wouldn't miss it for the world."

A warmth filled her heart, as she felt another round of tears burst forth, "M-Mika...! Everyone...!"

She wept, wiping her eyes as her company comforted her. Yet, despite her cries, she didn't feel sad.

The only thing she felt at that moment was gratitude. For her fellow knights, and for the traveling duo she respected as her idols.

Before long and her crying visage was replaced by a tear-stricken smile, as she laughed and cheered with her subordinates throughout the rest of the evening.

---

With everything settled, the two travelers had made promises to meet up with Clara again soon in the foreseeable future, perhaps after she's had enough rest. The silver-haired captain toyed with the notion of a repeat of their duel, to truly test Clara's mettle against Aether, to which the blond heartily agreed. But for now, she'll have to take it easy as she recovers. With Clara's situation concluding on a happy note, and with night steadily approaching, the couple returned home.

They slammed the door to their home shut with a gentle push, as Aether headed straight for the living room's couch, an unceremonious 'pomf' being heard as his face met the comfortable clutches of a pillow. He rolled around in it, spotting Eula giving him an amused look. She sat beside him - much more gracefully than he did, Aether noted. With an inviting smile, Eula patted her lap.

Aether immediately obliged, finding the warmth of her thighs much better than those of a mere pillow, "Thanks, love."

In exchange for the lap pillow, Eula ruffled his hair with one hand, playing around with his fluffy blond tufts as a form of compensation, "Think of this as a reward. You did a good job out there."

Aether hummed, "You'd let me do this regardless."

"That I do." She pulled back a stray strand of hair from his features, coming face-to-face with his mesmerizing golden orbs. From Aether's view, Eula practically towered over him, obscuring his vision to anything else that wasn't his partner. Her smile was hypnotizing, so he made his best attempt at averting his gaze, despite how much his eyes magnetized to hers.

"I'm glad Clara's doing okay now. It looked like her subordinates were able to knock some sense into her, too."

"She'll do great. She's a strong girl. She'll guide her knights well, and so will they to her." Eula's gaze drew upwards, as she envisioned a future of Clara leaning on and being leaned upon by the same knights she led.

Aether chuckled, finding her wistful mien amusing, "You're like a mother hen talking about her chicks," Though, the more he stared at her, the more his mind wandered into… other territories. His daydreams took him to a wayside house, perhaps by the sea near Mondstadt. In it, he was chasing and playing around with a small child, of blonde hair and heterochromatic eyes. In the distance he saw his wife, relaxing in a chair, donning a warm smile, watching her child and husband chase each other by the beach. Aether heaved out a pleasant sigh, snapping out of his stupor as he kept staring at his partner's beauty, "...You'd be a wonderful mother."

Ah. I let that one slip out.

Aether's eyes widened, cursing himself under his breath for his slip of the tongue.

Eula suddenly jerked in place, feeling stiff as a board within seconds. Her hands, which were gently stroking Aether's hair, had abruptly stopped as well. Curious at the shift in posture,, Aether peered at her countenance. Unfortunately, he couldn't see her eyes very clearly, as they were mostly obscured by her bangs.

And then she spoke, in a much lower register than Aether was used to. With a husky grunt, she whispered, "...Really?"

"A-Ah… yeah," He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I really think so."

It was like a switch turned on in Eula's mind, as she suddenly moved on autopilot.

"I see," Eula loomed over Aether, her eyes in clear view once more. Aether gulped at the stunning sight before him. He didn't have to look at her mouth to know she was over the moon — her eyes pouring a waterfall of warm affection with only a glance — but he did it anyway. Her glowing smile was so bright that it could light up the entire room, as it most certainly did to Aether, especially with his face a healthy red glow. He couldn't help but have his breath taken away, stunned at the sheer power of her loving gaze and vibrant smile combined. "Hehe. I'm glad."

At her words, Aether's heart felt like it was racing at lightspeed, threatening to burst out of his chest as its pace started ramping up further and further.

"I'm… really, really glad," Suddenly, he felt himself being pushed over to the other side of the couch. Eula was on top of him, sporting a healthy red glow herself. With half-lidded eyes and pursed lips, her appearance set his mind ablaze. Aether had then jolted, feeling an intensely soft sensation dig into his legs. Aether's face exploded into a shade of ruby at the feeling. Locating the source of the softness, he found Eula moving even closer, her thighs now fully pinning down the blond. She cupped his cheeks as she drew even closer. With a slow, breathy voice, she asked, "...Then, you'd be a wonderful father, too?"

Despite how red he looked, he felt no embarrassment when he responded with a confident: "Of course. Nothing less." His eyes sharpened, his mouth in a straight, unperturbed line. His expression turned completely serious, with the only exception being his mantling face.

A knowing smile tugged at her lips, as a warm look washed over her features, "I know." She poked her chest in an attempt at teasing him, "Hmm… you didn't answer quick enough, though. That's a personal transgression against me, you know?"

"And for such a crime… you'll have to take a thousand years' worth of my vengeance," She brought her other hand back up, cupping his cheeks once more, before whispering in a sultry tone, "All of it."

She neared Aether steadily, making sure she wasn't too rough with her approach. Their faces were now mere inches to one another, as Aether could feel her warm breath on his face. She closed her eyes, and her lips crashed onto his, enveloping him in her everything. She poured all of her feelings for Aether in one kiss, one that she was holding onto for the last few days, especially considering how busy they were. Aether, momentarily startled, relaxed his tense muscles and soon after returned Eula's affection with his own, cupping her cheeks as well, eliciting a subdued 'Mmph!' from her. They melted into one another, embracing the other so tightly as though one of them would disappear if they ever thought to let go.

Had a minute passed? Two, perhaps even longer? They didn't keep track. It felt like an eternity for them. However long or pleasant it felt, they unfortunately had to deal with the human need to breathe. Gasping for air, they reluctantly separated, much to their chagrin. They faced one another, cheeks flushed with a healthy red glow. Panting from the lack of oxygen, they simply remained silent as they stared at the other; each passing second only heightening their awareness of the intensity of their recent affectionate exchange. With wide eyes and pursed lips, they found themselves strangely fixated on different parts of their home, unable to meet the other's gaze lest they melt in a puddle of embarrassment. Though they were more than used to this kind of intimate exchange of affection behind closed doors, there was no doubt about how utterly inexperienced the both of them still were.

Eula cupped her cheeks, Ah… I couldn't help it… We were so busy the last few days and I just… Her features flared a shade darker as she hid her face behind her hands.

Archons above… That was—something… Similarly to his better half, he hid his scarlet visage with one arm, still very much unwilling to meet her gaze after that sparring match.

Taking up the courage to speak after he calmed down somewhat, Aether broke the silence with a full-hearted smile, "You're… really gutsy today."

Eula met his gaze with a meek nod, tucking a strand of her hair behind, a clear sign of her embarrassment. "...We didn't really have time recently. I wanted to make up for it."

Aether laughed, losing any semblance of his flustered state from earlier. Wanting to spoil her after such a cute statement, he beckoned to her, "Needy girl. Come here." With outstretched hands, he shifted onto his side of the couch and motioned for her to come closer.

The full blown scarlet hue on her cheeks had now lessened to a soft rosiness, as she immediately obliged to Aether's request. Feeling much more composed, she leaned into him, her back fully flat against his chest. She sat comfortably snug, basking in his warmth as she allowed herself to sink deep into the cozy embrace of his arms. She looked upwards to meet Aether's eyes, something she rarely could ever do due to their height difference, but loved the feeling all the same.

Aether reciprocated her tender gaze with a smile, "Well… it's not like I don't love it."

Eula hummed, pleased. With her face still maintaining that faint blooming pink, she doled out a wave of affection, "I love you, Aether."

Aether gave a chaste peck on her forehead, grinning. He reciprocated, "I love you too, Eula."

She beamed, settling into the crook of his neck afterwards.

In the comfort of their home, accompanied by only the sound of a clock slowly ticking by, the two remained still for what felt like hours, simply indulging in one another's warmth in the dead of night. Eula was even close to dozing off, snuggling deeper into the comforts of her lover's arms as she wrapped them around herself like a blanket. She was shaken awake, however, by a loud chime resounding within the previously quiet room. She looked around to locate the source of the noise, finding that it came from the grandfather clock on her wall.

"I thought I tuned that last night… maybe it needs fixing. Aether, do you think you could take a look at it sometime?" Eula arched her head to face Aether, giving him a pleading look. While Eula was no slacker when it came to machinery, she's seen Aether work his magic before inside their teapot, building all sorts of mechanical doodads and whatnot throughout her time there.

"Sure!" He nodded, a cheerful aura practically spilling over from him due to Eula's cute gaze. However, his disposition suddenly turned awkward, as the chime from the noisy clock reminded him of something… urgent, something that was especially relevant to Eula. He needed to stand up to do this certain important thing, but he knew she would be upset at his 'punishment' being cut short. Readying himself to ask her, his sitting position shifted awkwardly, a change in demeanor that was fairly noticeable to the girl sitting on top of him, "Ah… Eula? Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?"

He scratched his cheek as he chuckled awkwardly, "Well, I… have to stand up. I've, uh… got something to show you." Hoping she wasn't too upset, he beamed, "Something important."

As expected, Eula pouted. She wouldn't budge at first, opting to level a cute glare at him, but something about Aether's earnest smile made her comply. She got off with a 'harrumph,' scooting over to the other side of the couch as she crossed her arms, "Well, I suppose it's okay." She raised her chin as she spoke, as though acting in defiance despite how easily she agreed to his request. It reminded Aether of a pouty, sassy child, something that amused him greatly. "What's on your mind? What did you want to show me?"

Relieved, Aether grinned, "Just you wait. It's a little something I've been working on for a few months now." He placed his hands on his knees and hopped off the couch, recoiling like a spring on landing. Eula watched with keen interest as her partner scurried off to a corner of the house, unveiling a chest that he dragged into the center of the living room.

"Eh?" Astonished, Eula could only tilt her head. It baffled her that she hadn't noticed such a large chest sitting in the corner of her home. A faint memory tugged at the back of her mind, recalling their arrival the day before. Aether had been quick to volunteer unpacking their luggage while she went ahead into the bathroom to draw their baths before they slept. That might've been when he pulled this chest out from wherever he stored it, she mulled.

"I hope you'll like it!" The blond grunted out as he opened the chest, revealing its contents to Eula. Inside was another smaller box that emanated a cool aura, and next to it was a tablecloth and a… wand?

"What are you planning…?" Eula leaned forward from her position on the couch, her interest piqued as she watched Aether unpack the items within the chest, placing them on the coffee table just in front of the couch. He moved the old trunk to the side, obscuring it from view.

"Patience is a virtue, my love, now watch and behold!" With a theatrical wave of his wand, a cloud of smoke appeared around Aether. Amidst the smoke an indistinct figure moved about, seemingly putting some clothes on, Eula noted. Before long the smoke had dissipated, revealing Aether striking a dynamic pose. Eula released an amused huff as she found two new accessories on his person - a black, shimmering top hat adorning his head and a smooth, flowing cape at his back. "Ta-da!"

Inhaling deeply, Aether then exhaled with a resounding roar that could have awakened their neighbors. "Eula! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" With a broad grin, he tipped his top hat and bowed dramatically. "Your present is a magic show, from yours truly!"

Eula was silent for a moment, mulling over his words. Not even two seconds later and her features scrunched up in realization, "Birthday… I had completely forgotten that my birthday was nearing…"

Aether's shoulders drooped, "Wait, don't tell me you forgot again?"

"I-I… Well, it's not a big deal, okay?" Eula crossed her arms, raising her chin in an effort to avert her gaze. "It's… not that important… I mean, I remember yours…"

"Eula…" Aether took off his top hat, setting it down on the table as he approached Eula, stopping right in front of her. He kneeled down, taking her hands into his. "Come on, love, look at me."

Slowly, Eula returned his gaze with a pout. Aether's expression was warm, soft, tender, and every other word that could describe how much he could ease her worries with a single look. It gave her butterflies in the stomach. He smiled, giving her hands a light squeeze, "Don't say that. It is a big deal. It is important. Your birthday will always be important. It's your cherished day that should always be celebrated," He moved closer, with one hand withdrawing from hers to hold her cheek. "It's… it's important to me too, you know…? 'Cause, y-you're important to me."

He ended with a blush, cursing himself internally for stammering.

His words seemed to have a great effect on its recipient, however, as Eula was rendered as red as a tomato. "I-I get it already. I'm important to you. So I'll… I'll keep your words in mind. I-I'll remember next time." She paused for a second, before continuing with slightly puffed cheeks. "Because your words are important to me as well. Y-You're… important to me, too."

Overjoyed at her answer, he grinned. In one swift move, Aether's other hand cupped her other cheek as he gave a quick peck on her forehead. Eula touched the spot he kissed, still carrying with her a heavy blush as he stood up with a bounce.

"Now, then…" He walked back to his 'magic' station, a noticeable exaggerated change in his gait. Picking up the hat he left on the table, he placed it on his head carefully before he spun around. As he twirled, his cape billowed gracefully behind him, finishing off with another dramatic pose. "Once again, happy birthday, Eula!"

Eula giggled, before giving his performance a short round of applause, "Thank you, Aether."

"Alright! As part of your birthday celebration, it's now time for… magic!" He grabbed the hem of his cape and threw it behind him, despite the cape already being on his back. Eula released a quiet laugh, one that Aether didn't catch. He simply carried on with the show, as he took off his hat, now holding it upside down. He waved his wand around, then circling the rim of the hat with it. "As part of your wondrous birthday, I will now reveal to you… your greatest desires! This, my darling, is my gift to you!"

Eula smiled, leaning forward as she started to watch Aether's over-the-top show with keen interest.

"Abra—" With a tap of his wand, Aether then put his hand inside of the top hat, digging around the inside of it. "—cadabra!" He pulled something out, the item bursting out of the hat with an explosion of icy petals. It was a bouquet of Mist Flowers, still emanating an aura of cold despite how much time had passed when they were first harvested. Its petals were not cracked nor blemished, a clear sign of a professional picking each and every flower with the most delicate hands possible.

"I know you don't usually use these flowers as decoration or for set pieces, and they're more so for practical use, but… I figured you'd still appreciate their beauty." He handed off the bouquet to Eula, who gingerly accepted it. She looked up and down the various flowers, admiring their cold feel and lovely appearance.

"No, no, I love it, Aether." She smiled, holding the posies close to her chest. "...It's beautiful."

Aether then pulled one out of the bouquet, which snapped Eula out of her dreamlike reverie for the flowers. His fingers brushed against Eula's ear as he placed one of the flowers into her hair, just beside her four-pointed hairpin.

Aether stepped back, his eyes widening in genuine awe. "Woah. You look even prettier than I thought with it." He murmured, his voice laced with a newfound admiration. The simple addition of a Mist Flower had transformed her appearance, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to her already radiant presence. "You look amazing."

Eula's cheeks tinged with a faint blush, her fingers fidgeting with a loose strand of hair as she feigned a cough, "E-Ehem. Thank you. I-I'll just put these here." She said, placing the flowers gently into a flower pot conveniently positioned by the couch's side. She couldn't recall ever seeing the pot there before. Most likely—she assumed—that Aether had put it there in preparation for his magic show.

Aether hummed, "Ha, but that's not all! The magic show is far from over, my dear princess!" He grasped her hand like a knight would to royalty, bowing before twirling around back to his station. Eula could only wonder if he wasn't sick from all the spinning yet. "Now, for my next trick…"

Aether put his hat back on, adjusting it slightly so that it fit his head better. He sat his wand down before he did a few tugs on both ends of his gloves. Then, he folded his hands towards him, hiding what seemed to be a food item behind his palms. "Now then, dear audience member, what oh so mysterious item do you think I'm hiding behind my hands?"

"A… wolfhook?" Eula guessed.

"You'd be right!" He opened his left hand to reveal the indigo-colored fruit, placing it down on the table below him. With his other right hand, he tugged yet again at his other glove's end. He put on a frustrated look, grunting in between tugs, "Something—urgh—seems to be stuck inside my glove, I wonder, agh, what it is—" He took a step back as he pulled something out. Unexpectedly, it was not anything small or flat that could fit within a glove, instead it was a bright, medium-sized sunsettia that was currently sitting on top of Aether's palms.

Aether's showmanship drew a soft chuckle from Eula, "Immaculate acting, love. Just what I'd expect from someone of your caliber." Despite how silly his exaggerated actions were, she thought she was already a natural at this. She wouldn't be surprised if one day she were to attend Opera Epiclese and see Aether performing on the same stage with Lyney and Lynette.

Aether grinned, bowing in an exaggerated manner to an invisible audience - barring the presence of one blue-haired knight, "Thank you, thank you - I'll be here all night!" Placing the sunsettia down, he clapped before he extended his hands outwards with a flourish, his palms open in a display of enthusiasm and flair. "I'm sure you already know, but we might as well - do you know what I'll be making with these two magical ingredients here?"

"A drink, perhaps?" She paused, her index finger tapping her chin lightly in contemplation, "Judging from the ingredients so far… I believe you'll be making a Fruits of the Festival. Am I correct?"

"Just what I expect from the Spindrift Knight!" He took his hat off once more, flipping it as he pulled a glass from within its seemingly bottomless depths. He gently placed the cup next to the fruits before addressing his sole audience member, "During the last harvest season, I noticed you took a particular fondness for this cool little refreshment. You seemed to like it a lot, so I figured you might enjoy a refreshing cold drink of it before the night ends."

"I-I didn't even know about that. I admit, I do find the beverage quite refreshing, but I wasn't aware I drank it so much to the point of people noticing…"

Aether shook his head, "Don't worry. It wasn't like it was super obvious. I just… liked looking at you a lot, that's all…" His voice grew meeker as he neared the end of his sentence, hoping Eula didn't catch any of what he said. Unfortunately for him, Eula let out a quiet giggle at his admission of adoration. Feigning composure, Aether continued on with his magic trick. With a quick exhale to calm his nerves, he smiled as he then rubbed his palms together for a few seconds, before shaking them around as though he was about to roll dice. Clasped within his hands were two ice cubes, of which he threw right at the glass in the center of the table, landing precisely without so much as a slight movement of the cup.

"Don't worry. I made sure my gloves were clean before I did that. Your ice cubes are perfect, I assure 'ya!" With a smile, Aether had then taken both fruits into his hands. Much to Eula's surprise, he began to juggle them, his movements fluid and precise. A sparkle flickered in her heterochromatic orbs as she watched the mesmerizing display. With one graceful maneuver, he ended the juggling act by tossing both fruits into the air. And in a single blink, they turned into their liquid form mid-flight. As quick as a flash of lightning did he grab the glass off the table and timed it so that both streams landed perfectly into it, settling into the glass without even a splash of liquid spilling over.

Astonished, Eula's composure faltered for a moment, her posture straightening in awe, "Incredible," she murmured, her eyes dancing in amazement, "How did you do that?"

Rarely did Aether see her get this excited for something, and to know that it was because of the magic tricks he's practiced so hard for gladdened him to no end. "A lot of nights of practice, believe me."

With a thrilled smile, she gave a short clap of admiration, "I would say that practice has not been for naught, then. That was remarkable."

"Ah, but we're not done yet." He swirled the liquid in the glass playfully, before carefully setting it down on the table. He pulled an item out from his pockets, being a container brimming with sugar, of which he threw two cubes into the mixture for good measure. With a flick of his wrists, two items magically appeared on both of his hands. One was a delicate pinwheel-like accessory, with cyan-hued vanes spinning gently on its thin stick. On the other hand was a straw with a stereotypical spiral red and white design. He placed both items within the beverage, finally finishing off his showy, but admittedly spectacular second magic trick. He slid the glass onto Eula's end of the table, and with a grin he said, "It's no Berry & Mint Punch, and it's not exactly the right season for it, but… I have full faith that you'll still love it!"

With dainty hands, Eula picked up the drink and brought it close to her lips. As she tilted it delicately, the straw grazed the rim of the glass, seamlessly blending the vibrant hues of the Wolkhook and Sunsettia juices into one eye-catching gradient. She briefly admired its simple beauty, being taken back to when she drank cups and cups of the refreshment during last year's festival. In hindsight, it really did seem like she drank a lot of it. Nevertheless, she went ahead and took a slow, careful sip, allowing its flavors to dance within the stage that was her taste buds. It was cool, refreshing, and masterfully made despite the theatrics Aether performed on the ingredients. Her expression immediately relaxed, with her shoulders being completely rid of tension as well. Her eyes gleamed joy as the cool, sweet flavors caressed her palate, prompting her to take another eager sip. The rejuvenating blend of Wolfhook and Sunsettia juices left a lingering, delightful sensation that compelled her to continue drinking more and more of it, as Eula quickly found its taste rather addicting.

With a smug air about him, Aether asked, "Well?"

As her lips parted from the straw, she stared at the cool beverage for a moment before her gaze met Aether's. Her lips remained neutral yet her eyes absolutely enamored, "...The great balance between the flavors, the cooler temperature that it has, the masterful handling of the ingredients… I'll admit, I think this might be better than the one in last year's Weinlesefest." Her irises glittered like the stars in the sky as she eagerly drank more of the vibrantly colored drink, its contents getting emptier and emptier with each passing second.. She released a pleased noise, inadvertently holding her cheek as though to soothe her sweet tooth.

Surprisingly, while Eula favored the tastes of simpler food like chilled tomatoes or a light dish of pancakes, she also held quite the fondness for all things sweet. Be it cold drinks or confections, Aether was sure to find the rarest thing of all in the companionship of these delicacies: that is, the sight of one Eula Lawrence with the most adorable expressions ever perceived by man, all simply caused by the existence of desserts.

In this way, this wasn't just a gift for Eula, but for Aether, too.

Another instance of Eula's adorable charm was being forever imprinted into his thoughts, aided by the fact that it was his drink that he made that caused such cute reactions. He was practically on cloud nine at this point. He only jolted out of his Eula-filled reverie by the sound of her finishing her drink. Aether pumped his fists, even more enthused at the sight of an empty glass in her hands, "I'm glad you like it so much. Feeling a swell of pride burst forth from his chest, his hands grazed the tip of his nose in a gesture of confidence, "Heh, I suppose that's just the Aether special for you!"

"I knew you weren't only good at cooking, but to think you were this skilled at mixing drinks… this was delicious, Aether." She beamed, infusing Aether with an additional dose of warmth on top of already having been stunned by her cuteness. "I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. You did do barkeeping once and you've taken on-and-off jobs for Café Lucerne. It's only natural that you'd be able to make something as amazing as this."

"Thanks! But, uh, well…" He scratched the back of his head, giving her a sheepish smile, "I can't take all the credit. You remember Georg from the festival? He helped me a lot with perfecting it. So I'd say he deserves most of the praise."

"Then, I'd like to thank Georg as well." Though she said that, Eula shook her head before she leveled a determined look at Aether, "But you were the one who made this drink. You've had help because everyone does. It does not change the fact that it was you who made this - you, who perfected it, after Archons know how long you practiced it."

Placing the cup on the table, she settled into her seat with a gentle, relaxed expression directed at Aether. It carried no tension with it, nor could you derive any emotions from it at first glance. Yet, at the same time, a small smile played on her lips. Her eyes, glinting with joy and admiration as a faint rosiness took on her cheeks.

Despite how subtle it was, Aether could tell that she was immensely proud of him.

"You should be more proud of it. You did well."

Feeling bashful, Aether could only let out an embarrassed chuckle, "Heh, thanks, love. That really means a lot." His mouth made way for a grin, as his face held the slightest dusting of crimson. However, he managed to compose himself before long with a snap of his fingers, grabbing his wand and top hat in the process. Though inwardly he was still very much flustered at Eula's words, he now went back to his showy magician personality, fully intent on continuing the show. "Ehem… Now, then… Our fabulous show for the most beautiful lady Eula Lawrence is soon coming to an end. But do not fret! For we have one last act that'll blow your minds!"

Eula crossed her legs, her attention once again grabbed by Aether's loud showmanship. With a shift in her sitting posture, she awaited the next part of his magic act with bated breath.

With a confident smile, Aether clapped his hands and flourished his cape back with a dramatic sweep, twirling it behind him. Before the cape settled, he placed his hands within it, pulling something out of its mysteriously voluminous void. Aether splayed four of his fingers out on each hand, with each gap in between the fingers holding what looked to be red gilded sticks.

Eula blinked, "Are those…" She leaned forward to inspect the stubby little sticks, only to jolt back in surprise upon realization of what they were, "Fireworks?! Aether, what are you doing?"

He laughed, which only served to deepen Eula's frown. In an attempt to relieve her worries, Aether assured, "I know it looks like I'm about to start a house fire, but trust me, I've practiced for this!" He moved his hands around in a dramatic, circular fashion, ending the odd action by obscuring his face with the fireworks. It reminded Eula of a certain eccentric blonde girl from the Adventurer's Guild, though that was neither here nor there to Aether's upcoming magic trick. "I assure you, mademoiselle, I've taken great caution in ensuring the safety of this trick."

Eula sighed, ultimately relenting in her worries. Partly because she didn't have the heart to complain, but partly because she was also curious. She nodded, tilting her head as she gave Aether an uncertain look, "Okay, go ahead. But if you burn anything down I will enact vengeance upon you, got that?"

"Aye, aye." Aether replied with a confident smirk, undeterred by Eula's warning. She gave him an amused shake of the head. "Then, with your express permission, I shall continue! Onwards with the show!" With a swift wave of his hands, the fireworks vanished without a trace. Eula's soft giggles filled the room as she watched his animated display: his hands dancing wildly, as though imitating some sort of ancient lost martial art. Eula found it comical, but equally entertaining as well. As already evident by his previous magic tricks, Aether was going for an over-the-top theme to his magic show, and she reveled in its playful nature. Meanwhile, Aether extended his hand, revealing the three small fireworks nestled between his fingers. Propelling one upward, it soared, nearly hitting the wooden ceiling before it started plummeting back down. Aether's grin widened as he directed his gaze at the descending firework, and with a snap of his fingers it exploded into a burst of vivid hues, painting the air with a kaleidoscope of colors. Gradually, its hazy features started to form into a crystal clear image, leaving Eula utterly spellbound. The smoke and ash of the pyrotechnics faded, unveiling the image within.

"Is that… a tower?" Eula asked herself. The sparks of flame turned a beautiful shade of indigo, and formed into some sort of tall structure, with a spiral staircase around it. Atop was what looked to be a brazier. All of which was encased inside an intricate frame.

It's vague, but… I've patrolled there countless times before. Didn't I meet—

Eula's line of thought was swiftly interrupted by the sound of more small explosions - Aether had thrown three more into the air, each bursting into their own sets of brilliant colors.

A flurry of cyan, next to the tower. Eula could instantly recognize what it formed into, being that of the Knights of Favonius' coat of arms.

Another, a burst of viridescent flames. A massive tree, its roots pouring out its detailed frame. A familiar locale in her nation that any citizen would be able to recognize.

Lastly, a warm orange hue. It took the shape of a teapot she was very much familiar with. It was home.

"And now, last but not least - the grand finale!" Aether twirled the last two of the fireworks in his hands - one for each hand. He tossed them in the air like he was doing a coin flip. His arms crossed one another in a choreographed motion and as the fireworks reached the apex of their flight, Aether snapped his fingers. His left hand, pointing at the firework to the right, with his right hand pointing at the firework to the left. He looked like a rockstar on stage as the fireworks beside him erupted into a symphony of light and sound that filled the room with a dazzling, intertwined spectacle. The sparks and flames formed into what looked to be a message:

'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EULA!'

With the images from the left and right accompanying the warm greeting, Aether spun and kneeled as his arms extended outwards, fingers splayed and shaking with an exuberant energy, a gleeful grin lighting up his face.

Eula stood up, momentarily overwhelmed. So much had happened in so little time, and with Aether's theatrics accompanied by the radiant lights of the imagery she couldn't help but be absolutely awestruck. "I… I don't know what to say." "That was… simply put, wonderful. That was amazing!"

The lights behind Aether gradually faded away as he steadily stood up. Eula quickly came to his side to lend him support, holding onto his arm as he regained balance. He offered a simple 'thank you' as he dusted any dust that could've possibly accumulated on his pants. Eula's smile was bright, her hands still on his as she refused to let go of his arm. Aether chuckled, "I'm glad. I worked really hard on that." He heaved out a relieved sigh. He had toiled and worried over this for many months now, all in preparation for her birthday. It was a great, soothing feeling to know that she enjoyed it.

"How did you even manage to spell out words like that…? It's frankly astonishing. I can't imagine how long that took you. And the fireworks that came before that; the imagery, it was all things or places I could recognize. So intricately detailed despite how small the fireworks looked. Your performance, too, made it all the more wondrous. Amazing." Eula continued at length, her eyes sparkling a childlike wonder as she stared at the space that used to host the vibrant fireworks.

Aether cheerfully nodded, "I knew you'd be able to catch that! I'm glad I worked so hard on those - the tower was especially painful to make." His grin grew tenfold at her shower of praises. It was slightly embarrassing listening to her list off the details and intricacies he poured into the performance, but he was happy all the same. He was happy not only because his work had paid off, but because she was happy.

And truthfully, that mattered more than anything at this very moment to him.

Her demeanor all of a sudden had turned bashful, lowering her head in the process. With a tug on his arm she spoke, "And… I think I know what those images mean, besides just locations I know." A faint dash of red was present on her cheeks, as she slowly raised her head to meet his gaze. "That tower… it's the one by Stormbearer Mountains, right? I haven't been there in a while but I used to pass by that place everyday in my patrols. I can recognize its figure from miles away. I remember it… vividly. We fought a small group of Fatui there."

Her hands drew lower, grasping his hand. An ethereal glow was present on her visage that Aether wouldn't dare avert his eyes from. His gaze gravitated towards her pink lips, which slowly parted to make way for a whisper, "It was the first time we met."

Aether chuckled, "That was the day we became arch-enemies. To this day you've sworn vengeance upon me."

Eula covered her mouth as she stifled a soft laugh. It sounded like hot chocolate on a cold, winter day. He felt like he could melt any moment now. "I remember that. You stole my targets, so it's only natural that I should rain retribution on you."

Aether snickered, remembering how bewildered he was on his first exposure to her… unique personality. Of course, he now knows that it's one of greatest and cutest things that's a part of her charm. In the midst of his laughter, Eula contemplated the rest of the vibrant imagery with her brows scrunched up in thought. She continued, "Then, the Knights of Favonius' coat of arms, that was…"

"Favonius Headquarters. We've met and talked a lot there, but there was one occasion in particular that was important… for me at least. H-Hopefully for you, too, heh." Aether awkwardly laughed, rubbing the back of his head.

Eula simply raised a brow, "Any time spent with you is important, of course." She stated matter-of-factly.

A tincture of a blush punctuated his embarrassed expression. He faux coughed as he carried on with his train of thought, "R-Right. Speaking about the occasion, that's… well, it was the day we threw a celebration for you, for all the hard work you've done."

Eula paused for a second, pondering his words. Then, the realization came crashing down on her like a tidal wave, and all of a sudden, she turned a maddeningly intense vermillion. It felt like steam could come out of her ears any second now. Her grip on Aether's hand tightened, "T-That celebration…? That was when…"

"Yeah," he nodded, feeling equally as flustered as her. A small smile tugged at the edges of his lips, "I found you on the rooftop, alone. And then we…"

We confessed to each other with a kiss.

"S-Say no more." Eula's lips pursed as she averted her eyes, unwilling to meet Aether's own. She drew closer as she leaned into his shoulder, mumbling a threat to his life as her face smothered his arm, "I-I-I'm going to kill you if you do."

"The way you confessed to me was awfully cute. I still remember it vividly to this day."

"A-Aether, you swine!" Eula pouted, glaring razor sharp daggers at her partner.

Aether smiled a toothy grin, "I kid, I kid. I'm sorry, Eula!" He tried soothing her temper by gently rubbing her shoulder. Surprisingly, it alleviated her anger somewhat as her frown faltered. He shrugged, remembering how his confession went as well, "Hey, it's not like you were the only one that was a stuttering mess that evening."

"...Hmph. Good that you know." She puffed up her cheeks at that. The residual warmth from her immense blushing state just moments ago had gradually subsided, as she had now recovered a semblance of composure. Her eyes were drawn back to the space where the fireworks burst into a flurry of colors, as she dwelled on the meaning of the imagery once more. After a brief moment, she came to another realization, "Wait, then… that image of Windrise, I rarely ever went near that place in my patrols. Then, it must be… we had a date there only once. You took me out for a picnic. It was when I told you… how I planned to leave the Knights of Favonius. To join you."

"My idea was that it was all places that were important to you. Or at least, life changing, considering the gravity of that decision," He chuckled awkwardly, as his eyes shone with a touch of amusement at himself, "I know, it's kinda… cheesy, but hey, what do you expect from me, right?"

Eula couldn't disagree with that statement. She giggled, giving his shoulder a light slap. He always is such a romantic. Case in point: his extravagantly prepared magic show solely just for her.

"That's why the last firework was of home. Ours." He gently cupped her cheek with a smile. On instinct, Eula nestled into the palm of his hand, savoring the warmth of his touch. He added, "And Paimon's too, of course."

"Mm." A serene look glazed by her eyes. Overcome with a peaceful joy, she nuzzled herself against his hand. With her gaze half-lidded and a content smile gracing her lips, she couldn't contain her delight, "A magic show. I never would've thought I'd watch one on my birthday. You never cease to amaze me, Aether."

"This has been wonderful." She huffed out a breathy exhale. Her eyes spelled a warm gaze, as suddenly, she pulled him into a loving embrace. She dug herself into the crook of his neck, fully enveloping Aether in her warmth. She held onto him as tightly as she could. He felt the gentle rise and fall of her breath, the soft fragrance of her hair, and the weight of her affectionate hold. Aether reciprocated the hug almost instantly, his fingertips tracing gentle, soothing patterns along her back. She pulled him in even closer as she mumbled something into his neck, her voice a sweet whisper, "I love you. I love you so much."

With a heart overflowing with joy, he closed his eyes as he replied in a warm whisper of his own:

"I love you too, Eula."

And for what felt like an hour or even more, they remained like that: completely still, yet their intertwined hearts were not. Blushing scarlet as they held onto one another, they basked in each other's presence until Eula had her fill of hugs with Aether for the time being.

---

"Ah, that one goes over here." Aether pushed the chest with his foot, motioning towards its contents with a subtle tilt of his head.

After Aether's grand magic show had ended, they soon took to cleaning the living room of its post-magic mess. Fortunately, Aether had performed quite cleanly and safely, as he originally promised. Even still, there were still fragments of fireworks or misplaced items strewn about, so there was still much work to be done.

Originally, Aether had volunteered to do the cleaning all by himself, telling Eula to rest easy and relax as it was her birthday. However, Eula shook her head and insisted on helping. And when she insists, there's no way Aether could ever refuse. Despite his hesitancy at first, it seemed they were finishing up quicker than if he were to do it on his own, so he was thankful for that.

"Say, since you threw a party for me," Eula stopped dusting off Aether's top hat as she paused, placing it to the side. A thought popped up in her head, "Yesterday, when Klee was really excited about all of us spending time together again, she mentioned what I heard was a party. Then, Kaeya was quick to shush her. Was that because…"

"I was hoping you forgot about that…" Aether swayed his head from side-to-side, an uneasy smile on his face. He awkwardly laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Welp, I guess the cat's out of the bag! No use hiding it. Tomorrow, we were going to throw you a huge birthday party at the Knights of Favonius' Headquarters. Everyone's attending. Even Clara. So, uh… surprise!" He spread his arms wide in a playful gesture as a resigned smile was plastered on his face.

"Hmph. Well, I'm sure everyone worked hard on it. I'll be certain to act surprised when the time comes. I don't want them to feel disappointed, after all." Eula's gaze turned pointed, her smile having a smug air about it, "Thank you for telling me. I'll be sure to thank everyone tomorrow, as well."

"Your senses are too sharp…" He mumbled in an amused tone.

Eula took a broom out of the corner, its well-worn bristles sweeping at the dust on the wooden floor. Her movements were deliberate and meticulous, her focused gaze matching her strict tone. Yet, it sounded caring all the same, "If I wasn't, then you would have kept getting into a lot of trouble in so many different scenarios. I can't count the amount of times you've almost gotten hurt. You're too careless, I keep telling you." She shook her head, leveling a stern gaze at her partner.

Aether snickered, his posture relaxed as he wiped the table he used for the magic show clean. A teasing lilt was in his voice as he spoke, "I'm only like that since you're around. Ah, my girlfriend is such a saint…" He drooped his shoulders dramatically, almost in a comical manner.

Eula giggled, "I suppose I've been spoiling you too much." A soft, upbeat smile was left on her lips as she continued cleaning. A peaceful silence quietly descended upon them, which Aether basked in. It was moments like these that he appreciated the most - just spending time with her, not even needing to say any words. Just the fact that she's in his presence is comforting to him.

Glancing at Eula, he noticed that she stopped sweeping at the floor. A quick glimpse at her face showed that despite her relatively composed expression, her ears were burning with a vibrant crimson. Eula paused, twirling a strand of hair in her fingers as she caught sight of Aether's gaze. "But, well… you do the same for me."

She gently laid the broom by the couch's side, approaching Aether with an earnest look in her eyes. She clasped her hands together as her expression turned bashful, "I'm afraid I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but… really. Thank you, Aether. I haven't had so much fun before on my birthday."

"Hey, it was all worth it to see you smile. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much." A warm smile graced his lips, the sight of which caused Eula's ears to turn an even darker shade of red. Aether tapped at the table playfully, as though he were playing a drum. He stood up, dusting off his hands as Eula muttered something under her breath.

"You're no fair…" Saying such smooth lines like that with ease… you really are such a smooth-talker.

"Hm? Sorry, did you say anything?" Aether tilted his head, a curious look in his eyes.

"N-Nothing." Eula shook her head fairly vigorously, an unusual sight for the typically composed knight. Thinking up an excuse, she swiftly redirected the conversation back to Aether's magic show, her tone softening, "I-It's just that… you mentioned that you practiced a lot for this. That must've taken a lot of dedication, and time. While all your tricks were fascinating, I found the last one to be especially mesmerizing."

Eula nodded, her composure mostly regained by now. "I'm curious… your magic was quite practiced. did you train under a certain pair of twins from Fontaine? The fireworks display was also masterful. Perhaps under the Naganohara girl, too…?"

"A master magician never tells his secrets!" Aether bellowed out an exaggerated laugh, placing a finger over his lips. When his laughter had died down, he came near Eula's side as a cheeky expression crossed his features, "...except for when it comes to their beloved, heh. Yeah, Lyney and Lynette taught me a lot. I tried learning their tricks as you seemed especially enamored by their performances before, well… you know, the trial."

Eula's eyes widened at his casual confession, "I-I wasn't aware you were looking at me so closely back then…"

"I pay attention to everything my partner likes. If I don't, then I'm a pretty bad boyfriend, wouldn't you say?" He replied nonchalantly with a shrug.

Aether remembered it quite vividly. Eula's eyes sparkled with such vibrancy at their magic show, completely and fully enchanted by their theatrics that she didn't even notice Aether looking at her. Hell, he didn't even notice it himself. He only realized when the crowd started getting noisier. He snapped out of his daze at that time, flustered, thankful that the lighting in the Opera Epiclese was too dark for anyone to see his bright red blush.

"I-I see. Still, you do some really embarrassing things…"

Aether suddenly spoke in a booming, unabashed voice, pumping his fist in the air as he declared, "It's not embarrassing if it's for my girlfriend!" He chuckled as he saw the expression on Eula's face, which once again bloomed with a faint pink hue.

"But, on another note… yeah, I picked up a lot from Yoimiya as well. That one time when she visited our teapot, you seem to have really liked the fireworks she made."

Whenever Yoimiya had the time, she always swung by their teapot to hang around. Eula was quick to take a liking to her as she did remind her of a certain Outrider from Mondstadt. If they weren't playing board games or chatting about their day, Yoimiya would be presenting them with her newest batch of fireworks. Like with magic, Eula adored the bright lights, even if she wouldn't openly admit how much she loved it back then. While Aether was of course equally enamored with the vibrant displays, he always was more focused on watching the subtle hints of a smile teetering on her lips, and the way her pupils ever so slightly expanded as each firework exploded.

In an attempt to hide her flushed cheeks, Eula covered her mouth with a hand. "Even noticing that… you really are…" Her heart fluttered. She didn't realize how closely he was watching her. A soft warmth spread through her, making her feel both lighthearted and… cherished. Just the notion that he was so enraptured by her sent her mind into a flustered daze. In an attempt to recompose herself, she exhaled a large, overjoyed sigh. With another quick, inward breath, she steadied herself and continued her train of thought, "...Well, I can't deny that they were a beautiful sight. I don't believe anyone wouldn't be amazed at such fine craftsmanship."

"Absolutely," He smiled, leaning onto the couch's frame as he reminisced of his training, "Her and her dad taught me a lot on how to make fireworks. You really appreciate the art when you get to study it. Something that takes so many hours like crafting such intricate images into what only lasts a few seconds… there's such an ephemeral beauty to it, no?"

A pensive, nostalgic look passed by Eula's eyes, "There's definitely something special about them. So transient, yet the memory of the images remain imprinted on your mind for a long time." At this point, the two had completely foregone all notion of cleaning up the place, as their conversation instead took center stage. Taking one step forward, Eula continued, "Your dedication to it - to your work, is just… impressive. And that dedication…"

Aether's small smile looked absolutely stunning at that very moment. His every feature hypnotized her. The slow, casual upturn of his lips that formed his ever so charming smile, the way his eyes lit up at her words. The way his cheeks turned a rosy color whenever she praised him.

She took another step forward. Her attempts at recomposing herself earlier were for naught, as once again a bright, blooming blush spread to her cheeks in no time.

I wonder how long you've been working towards this day.

Another step. Her features formed a serious expression, one you would typically see from her on an average afternoon if not for crimson face.

Just for this day.

Her pace quickened, as did her heartbeat. She took two steps forward.

Just for my birthday.

Three steps forward.

Just… for me.

A final step. She was right in front of Aether. He wasn't dense - he could clearly see the mantling of her face even if she were a mile away. Wondering about the sudden silence, he inquired with a stutter, "Y-Yeah…?"

Eula released a short laugh, adoring her lover's little stutter. "I just wanted you to know that what you've done for me today cannot be understated. Nobody's… ever done something like this for me before."

Aether grinned, sending Eula's mind further into a flurry, "Plenty more to come, Eula. I'll make sure each and every birthday will be as pleasant as the last. That's why, look forward to them, okay?"

As long as it's with you, I'll always look forward to it.

"...Mm. I will. I'm sure my birthdays will be livelier now that I get to spend them with you. I've… never really loved celebrating my birthday. Sure, I've accepted gifts from subordinates and fellow captains, and Amber has always tried to get me out of my house whenever the day came. I appreciated the gesture, but… I've never truly loved the notion of celebrating it."

She took another step further. Just like before, their faces were mere inches from one another. "But now…" She smiled, before intertwining Aether's hand with hers. With one finger, she raised Aether's chin to meet her gaze, before cupping his cheek. "I suppose there's one new reason to love them now."

With a scarlet visage that matched Eula's, Aether managed to stammer out a response in the midst of his embarrassment, "Y-You're awfully clingy today, aren't you?"

Eula's cool, seductive air faltered a bit, as Aether's brazen words messed with her flow. "N-Now whose fault do you think that is?"

Despite his flustered state, his countenance managed to turn smug as he grinned, "I love you too, Eula."

Eula's eyes widened greatly. Her lips trembled as her face burst into 15 different shades of scarlet. Her eyebrows furrowed as she cupped both of his cheeks in her hands, "D-Damn it! I love you too!"

And with that, their lips met - this time, it was soft, gentle, quick. But its brevity all the more made it matter.

Aether tasted a hint of Wolfhook on her lips.

As they separated, Eula immediately took to covering her mouth behind a hand. She spoke in between breaths, "Why… did you have to tease me like that… I'll have you know, I will have my vengeance…"

All the same, Aether touched the area where his lips met hers, still hung up on the feeling. When he looked back at Eula, he could only muster up a light laugh, "Y-You were being really cheesy."

Slowly, as Eula attempted to compose herself, she leveled a pointed stare at Aether, who raised his hands up as though he were guilty. She exhaled, managing to recollect herself. She pouted, wanting payback. She teased, "...Well, I only take pointers from the best."

"Wha—what does that mean?!"

Eula suppressed a giggle at his outburst, before exploding into a series of laughter, unable to hold it in just from the sheer ridiculousness of his flabbergasted expression. Aether, seeing his love succumb to laughter, managed a small snicker as well. Before long his snickering had transformed into genuine, unrestrained laughter that echoed throughout the room. The sound of their shared laughter created a warm atmosphere, one that enveloped them both in a moment of pure happiness.

Gradually, their chuckling died down, leaving only small smiles etched on their faces. Eula offered her hand to Aether, who eagerly took it, intertwining their fingers with a firm yet gentle grip. Returning the gesture, she squeezed his hand lightly, her voice soft and inviting, "It's been a long day. Let's take a bath."

"Together?" Aether asked, looking awfully expectant.

"...What do you think?"

"Alright, let's go!" Grinning cheekily, Aether led the way, pulling Eula along with a tug of her hand. Amused, Eula could only laugh softly at his bubbling excitement, matching his pace as Eula's mind drifted to even more thoughts of him.

Heh. Aether, you goofball.

…

…Thank you.

This was a wonderful birthday present. I'll be expecting more surprises from you, so I'll be eagerly waiting.

Hehe. I'll make sure your birthday is as equally amazing as mine. Just you wait. Vengeance will be mine.

That night, Eula had the most pleasant dreams she ever had. It was the most comforting sleep she had ever had in a long time. Snuggling up to Aether, she dug herself into his chest as she mumbled, "...Love you… Aether…"

Aether tucked a strand of hair away from her face, whispering softly with a chuckle before he drifted off to a good night's sleep.

"I love you too, Eula. Sweet dreams."

---

A/N: Hello. It's been a while.

I've taken an extended break from writing to focus on my studies and other hobbies. Returning with a 23k word chapter was definitely not the best way to do it, so if I ever do write again in the near future I'll focus on shorter stuff - sorry about that, you might have to wait a bit longer on the bigger fics.

I originally wanted to publish this on October 25th, Eula's birthday. But as I made an overview of the script it just kept getting longer and longer. Hopefully, despite how extremely late I am, that you still enjoyed reading through this!

Clara is an OC as I couldn't find any fitting existing Mondstadt characters to be a substitute for Eula as the Captain of the Reconnaissance Company, so I just made one up. I originally thought of making Mika the captain, but he didn't really feel like he had enough experience under his belt to do so. I hope it wasn't too odd and that Clara fit well into the world of Genshin, all things considered. I'm not a big fan of writing OCs that are prominently featured (I've written some before but only in minor roles, not supporting ones) so I tried my hardest in keeping her similar to how Genshin characters are. I modeled her appearance after allegedly/supposedly the "original" main character of Genshin, before Aether or Lumine was in the scene: Kate Kaslana. So if you were confused as to her appearance just imagine that character but slightly taller and more high fantasy (she has some odd arm bracers that look kind of futuristic, which I feel like doesn't really fit the aesthetic of Genshin).

Other than that, I'm not really knowledgeable on magic. I don't even know if half the stuff Aether performed could even be possible. Let's just say that 'Teyvat has its own laws.'

I hope everything flows well and you enjoyed reading through it. I'm a bit rusty so I may not be at my best as of writing this, so if you see any errors or anything odd please feel free to tell me. I'll do my best to quickly change them.

I finished this work with my finals coming up soon, so I'm really glad to have published this for you all to read before I start tackling some of the really hard stuff. Regardless, enough of my rambling. I hope you all enjoyed and I thank you for reading through my work. It means a lot to me that people still read my stuff. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments if you have any, and until next time!