From the Serenitea Pot, inside the sole house at the centre of the Adepti Realm, a lone adventurer writes on the sheet on top of his study. Writing his thoughts on the sheet of paper in front of him. Every sentence he writes, he begins to be more meticulous. Making sure it sounds exactly how he wants it.

Aether: "Despite not being mortal, a fact that would make most people chortle." Chortle…? Tsk. I'll probably have to rewrite that line…

The blonde outlander's thoughts are interrupted as the door in his room suddenly opens. He turns towards the sound and outsteps his floating, food-crazed companion. Eagerness spread across her round features.

Paimon: Hey, Aether! I was wondering if–Oh! Are you still working on that poem?

The blonde warrior reached up and rubbed a hand against his forehead. He lets out a tired sigh.

Aether: …Yeah.

Paimon: You've been working on that love poem for over a week now.

A week has passed? Is that how long Aether has been working on this? How many nights spent just trying to write out how much…

Aether: I know, Paimon…

Paimon: If you're having a hard time making it sound right, Paimon suggests getting Xingqiu–

Aether: NO! No… I can't let him or anyone else know what I'm doing. It's a personal matter.

Aether knows that Xingqiu is better at expressing his words on paper (despite his horrendous handwriting) than he could ever do. Hu Tao as well, of course.

He was never the talker between him and his sister nor was he great at expressing himself either. But for once, if he could just find the words to tell Hu Tao how he feels–

Paimon: Paimon thinks you're thinking too hard about confessing to Hu Tao. Paimon is beginning to worry about you. I know that you've been spending most nights trying how to–

Aether: I'm fine. It will be fine once I get everything I want to say on this damn sheet. Tch. Easier said than done…

The Traveler turns away from Paimon, closing his eyes, and he begins to take one deep breath in and steadily let it out. He opens his eyes. Still not looking at his companion, Aether gazes on the paper under him. However, after a moment longer, he did give out a response.

Aether: I was never the outgoing one between me and Lumine. She was the one who liked interacting with others and socializing. I was the person who enjoyed the peace and quiet without someone coming up to you and asking about your past or how much of a "hero" you are to them.

Aether pauses to recollect his thoughts. Thinking about what he wants to say before giving out his response.

Aether: I want to tell Hu Tao how much she means to me. How every moment with her encourages me to value and enjoy life here with everyone. In a way that I never thought I did before. I wanted some way I want to express that. She values the way she lives her life more than I could ever do. All with a smile, a laugh, some bad puns, and a little scare.

The Traveler pauses briefly once again.

Aether: My life would most likely continue when she eventually dies, but I just want to tell her before…

Aether wasn't human. He never was and never will be. He will continue to live over the people he has met thus far into his journey of Teyvat. Seeing the people around him age while he remains the same as when they first met him. The Traveler can play the role of "knight" or "detective" but never the role of being "human." No matter how much he tries.

Confessing his feelings to a mortal human might be just his biggest sin. Watching the person he's grown to care for slowly age in front of you while you remain "young" and "youthful" is already the biggest punishment one can ever imagine for Aether.

There was this part of him that didn't want to do what he intended to do. He could save him and Hu Tao from the emotional rollercoaster. Save both of them the drama. All Aether has to do is scrap the paper housing his confession down the garbage, never bring it up again, and act as if he never had feelings for the eccentric woman beyond friendship.

Aether: …

But why can't he…?!

He can feel his negative thoughts stir around him. Consuming him. More of these horrid thoughts continue to rack inside him. Maybe that's what he deserves.

He shouldn't be attached to this world, yet he did. And he doesn't regret it one bit. If only he were human. If only he and his sister were born in Teyvat. If only–

Paimon: …Then Paimon will help you.

As if he were in a trance Paimon's voice breaks through Aether's inner conflict. Allowing him to once again face in the direction of his silver-haired fairy friend. His eyes looked up at Paimon in surprise. Her face is etched with a serious demeanour. Something that had Aether blinking in disbelief.

Aether: Are you sure…?

His silver companion gave nothing but a firm nod.

Paimon: Yes! If Hu Tao is the person who makes you happy, then Paimon would do everything to make sure it stays that way!

At first, Paimon wasn't sure why Aether would fall in love with someone whose bizarre behaviour would rub people off the wrong way. Especially how she always talked about death. But, what she did know is that Aether almost always warmly welcomed Hu Tao whenever they ran into each other.

Her friend, never known for his words, always made sure he diverted his attention to the Funeral Director, focusing his body toward her whenever she was speaking with him, never letting his eyes drift off. Paimon can tell that he enjoys being with her. Hu Tao sometimes drags Aether out to hang out with her, participating in pulling pranks (much to the dismay of their friends), and getting him to help advertise the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. With limited success, of course…

Never a dull moment with her, indeed.

Hu Tao does manage to make Aether break out a smile. A bit, a small one. But no matter how much her antics can get on Paimon's nerves, the "Goddess of Protection" appreciates how much Hu Tao is trying to get him to cheer him up.

She had a feeling that the Wangsheng Funeral Director knew something was up with the blonde-haired traveller but never outright once asked him out front what was bothering him. As if Hu Tao was waiting for Aether to be the one to tell her what was bothering him once he was ready. Hopefully, once Aether and Paimon sort out his poem, he can finally open up without being judged. Someone who won't treat him any differently from anyone else. A thing that the two mutually liked about one another.

Aether: Paimon… I appreciate it, you floating puffball. Thanks.

Paimon: Now, let's see what you have written down.

Paimon picks up the poem reading through it. A minute or two passes by before she responds. She chuckles.

Paimon: Wow, you are just one big sappy puppy, huh, Aether?

Suddenly, Aether felt one of his blood vessels burst in his head.

Aether: And just what the hell is "sappy puppy" supposed to mean?