A/N: Finally got around to writing this fic~ More of a slow burn too compared to my normal multi-chapter smuts too, so there won't be any spiciness this chapter, just fluffiness.
Hopefully this shall help satisfy the Aerina wanters~
Do enjoy~
Wholesoul Love
Chapter 1: Aspectus
Fontaine was a lovely place to visit.
What it was like to live there Aether wasn't entirely sure, but thus far his trip to the water nation had gone swimmingly – pun intended. From dealing with the justice system here to the attacks to the giant whale; his trip had been chaotic but at this point he wasn't surprised. Considering what happened in Liyue, Inazuma and then Sumeru, he wouldn't be surprised if the next nation he walked into arrested him on the spot.
Once all was said and done, however, Fontaine was nice. The beautifully-sculpted white marble statues and fountains, the vast swathes of gardens and ponds, the rivers and the lakes – there was a theme of water unsurprisingly but it accentuated Fontaine's beauty, a sentiment that earned him more than a little delight from the locals who were glad he 'appreciated Fontaine's heart'. Whether they meant that literally or not, he still wasn't sure.
Exhaling Aether slipped his hands behind his head, walking with eyes straying up and peering at the amber sky painted with rolling clouds, night soon to come. He'd promised Chevreuse he would buy her some snacks as payment for her assistance during a quest, and he also had a meeting with Neuvillette to discuss a problem relating to Hilichurls setting up camps near Fontaine, presumably emboldened by the chaos that had taken over the nation as of late... even after everything that had occurred, work was still as plentiful as ever.
He sighed at that, but a fond smile twitched at the corners of his lips anyway. It was hard work, yes, but honest work. He could sleep soundly at night knowing he did everything he could to help those around him.
His aimless walk carried him through a plaza-like area, numerous apartment buildings surrounding the plaza. Few people were out and about at this time; lanterns flickering on as amber turned to amethyst, the sky darkening by the minute, yet he couldn't find it in himself to stop. His heart was light and he savoured the sensation after so much panic, just letting his legs carrying him to wherever fate led him, his eyes on the sky and trusting Paimon to pop up if she saw him about to walk into something.
The rear of two buildings flanked his left and right as he meandered into an alleyway, but he wasn't worried about being mugged. Even discounting the low crime rate in the city of justice, he was more than capable of handling any wayward drunkard or would-be pickpocket. None manifested themselves though, not least because of the fact the alleyway was more than just a simple side-street. Plant pots and flowerbeds lined the rim between trash cans, offering some much-needed life to the back alleys of Fontaine, with a small alcove built into the back of one of the tall apartment building and hosting a small, cosy little garden area.
The marble archway was passed under without issue, the absence of a ceiling allowing the waning light to fall upon the patch of grass. A solitary tree stood in the centre with a couple flowers or plants growing about, a seeming chaos to their growth that spoke of how freely they were allowed to bloom – provided they didn't obstruct any pathways, he noted. The benches were of the older sort and looked in need of replacement, but as his eyes turned right the details of his surroundings became secondary to the woman sat there.
A woman who noticed him at the same time he did her.
''T-Traveler?''
''Furina?''
The ex-Archon flushed; a light dusting of pink colouring her cheeks. She was dressed in the same uniform he'd seen her in so many times before but she looked... less burdened, if he was to put a word to it. Understandable, really; ever since she resigned from being an Archon she no longer had to deal with all the hassles that came with it. She was finally free to live her life as she pleased... even if she didn't really seem to know what to do with said freedom.
''It's good to see you.'' Aether said warmly. ''Sorry for not visiting you lately; been busy doing a bunch of tasks for people.''
''Oh no it's perfectly alright, I um-'' She waved her hands but hesitated, her gloved palms soon resting on her knees. ''It's fine, really. But it's good to see you too! You didn't get injured during any of these 'tasks', did you?''
''Eh, just a little bit, but nothing a good night's sleep couldn't fix.'' Aether brushed off.
''That's no good.'' Furina scolded, though it lacked much in the way of heat. ''You should take me next time, I'll heal you. I-If you'd have me, of course.''
Aether smiled. ''I wouldn't mind that.''
Furina returned the smile shyly, her mismatched eyes soon averting from his own as she twiddled some hair around a finger. The silence that followed was awkward but not entirely unpleasant – the distant sounds of Fontaine, the chirping and caws of birds getting ready to rest for the night, the rushing of water, all of it combined to form a soothing background track. One carried upon a gentle wind that ruffled through his clothes, soothing him with the cool embrace.
'I wonder if that's your doing, Venti.' He thought wryly. He wouldn't put it past his favourite bard to help him out in such a subtle, light-hearted way. Certainly fit him to a T.
''W-Would you like a seat?'' Furina's shy offer drew him out of his thoughts.
He was almost about to agree – had he not remembered his 'duties' for the night. ''Ah, sorry, I can't stay long. I'm meeting with Neuvillette soon to talk about some things, so I probably shouldn't keep him waiting.''
''Oh.'' The despondence in that single intonation tugged at his heart strings. ''O-Of course, please don't let me keep you.''
Aether glanced about, spying the openings of the alleyway and finding them empty. ''Well when you put it like that, I suppose I could stay for a little bit.''
''You don't have to. Please don't do it out of pity.'' Furina sighed. ''In truth I should be getting to my home too, anyway. I've still got so much to unpack and rearrange, to say nothing of the engagements I promised I'd attend tomorrow and onwards... even if I'm free from my role, I should still make an effort for those closest to me, right?''
Aether hummed, his visage softening as Furina stood and dusted herself off, the motion half-hearted and her expression somewhere between resigned and peppy; trying to lift her spirits in the face of adversity. That adversity being unpacking her own things, apparently... but considering how much stuff she probably had, that might well be a threat impossible to handle alone.
''Want me to help?''
''H-Huh?'' Furina looked taken aback, flustered as she suddenly shook her head. ''No no, I couldn't ask that of you after everything you've done for Fontaine! T-This is a task I can handle by myself!''
''You sure? I don't mind. Really.'' Aether stepped closer and held onto her shoulder. ''You said you'd like to come out on quests with me before, right? Then let me help out with your problems too.''
''...isn't it a bit of a waste though?'' Her query was softly-spoken and her eyes met not his, but the floor. ''The hero of Fontaine spending his day helping the ex-Archon unpack her stuff, rather than... you know, protecting people? Aiding the weak, solving crimes, defeating evildoers – isn't my problem a waste of your time, in comparison?''
Aether mulled that over. Factually, she wasn't wrong. Spending his day, or even multiple days doing basic tasks with her wasn't the best use of his time. It didn't help Fontaine, it didn't help the people of Teyvat, and most of all it didn't help with him in his long-running quest to reunite with Lumine and deal with the Abyss Order. However what was the most efficient, the most coldly correct course of action, wasn't the one he liked to take.
''I don't think so.'' Aether finally responded, his hand falling from her shoulder and catching her hand; giving it a reassuring squeeze. ''If it means making your life even a little bit better, it's worth it. No matter what anyone else says or thinks.''
''You've been through a lot, Furina.'' He lowered his voice, mindful someone could overhear. ''So let me help you out even if a little bit. So long as you're happy, I'm happy, so it's a win-win right?''
Furina's cheeks burned a bright red, eyes wide before she looked away, stammering. The weight of his words hit him a second later and warmth filled his cheeks too, but he didn't let go of her hand, let alone take his words back. He meant them with all of his heart; she deserved the world after everything she'd gone through. He'd do whatever necessary to give her even a little bit of happiness.
He pointed ignored the impulse in his heart, the fathomless need to hug her, to spill forth the feelings in his heart. Now wasn't the time.
''...thank you...'' Came her softly-spoken reply, gaze peeking his way. ''It... it truly means a lot to hear that from you. C-Considering that I... wouldn't mind if you joined me, tomorrow afternoon.''
Smiling back he whispered an agreement. Yet even after the date was set, after the moment should end, it didn't. His hand remained in hers, their faces remained close, and most of all the daring impulses in his heart remained. Perhaps it was them that suggested him closer, his grip on her hand loose even as their noses practically brushed, her exhale felt against his chin and her eyes closing-
''Hey! When are we getting dinner?!''
-when Paimon interrupted the moment.
Aether pulled back immediately, flustered, and it was a small miracle that Paimon had chosen to appear behind him rather than next to him – missing the sight she had interrupted. From the corner of his eye he saw Furina turn away, fanning herself, and felt the urge to do the same. He swallowed, realising what they'd nearly done then. How close he'd been to giving into the little whispers in his heart, to-
''Hello? You're not ignoring me are you?''
Aether was flinched from his thoughts by a whack on the nose, his right hand reflexively covering the sore spot – the culprit being Paimon's tiny fist. ''Alright alright, we'll get some dinner now.''
''As well you should.'' The fairy crossed her arms and huffed, only to then notice Furina. ''Oh hi! Didn't see you there. Ohh... were you two talking about something secret?''
''Erm, no, nothing like that!'' Furina laughed nervously, glancing his way. ''I-I'll be going then Traveler, see you tomorrow!''
''Furin-'' And she was gone, all but dashing off. ''...your timing could use some work, Paimon.''
''Huh? What's that supposed to mean?!''
''Nothing, nothing...''
X-x-X
Nightfall fell quickly, and after spending some time with Chevreuse and attending a meeting with Neuvillette, Aether gladly retired to his hotel room for the night.
However despite how fatigued he was after such a long day, sleep did not coming easily to Aether.
Moonlight spilled in through the ajar curtains, the window open to let in a soothing cold wind, yet even that wasn't enough to lull Aether into the land of dreams. Tucked under his bed covers he shifted and squirmed; heels digging into the mattress as he turned one way only to move onto his right side, dozing in-and-out of consciousness before flipping onto his back.
However, after enough restlessness, sleep finally came. It wasn't with a sudden lights-out nor with a gradual, soothing descent into slumber, but an inexplicable feeling of falling backwards. He didn't question it, didn't even think twice about it, he simply leaned back into the sensation and blissfully fell under the current, his mind devoid of thought beyond the low howl of Fontaine's night winds.
Until they too ceased.
And in their place, birds chirped.
'...is it morning already...?'
The thought struck Aether but his mind was heavy; sluggish. He didn't bother opening his eyes despite the rays of sunshine that insistently fell upon his eyelids, trying in vain to get back to sleep. That maybe if he just dozed long enough he could get a couple more hours of sleep and not wake up feeling like crap.
Yet sleep was as elusive as it had been when he fell asleep, and thus with a sigh he opened his eyes-
Only to realise he was no longer in his hotel room.
Aether jerked upright, alarmed as he swept his gaze around him. Lush greenery greeted him – vibrant green grass, tall and neatly-groomed trees of both oak and pine, patches of flowers grew lushly from the ground without any flowerbeds to contain them. It was like he'd been plopped right into the middle of a Mondstadt wilderness, yet so much more peaceful, the birds unseen but certainly heard.
His head felt light and he sat up, then stood, looking about in bafflement. It was only then that he started to notice inconsistencies, his eyes drifting towards the horizon only to find a vast white emptiness. Yet when he looked he felt averse to it, his gaze reflexively dodging the ivory abyss, much like how one would instinctively avoid looking directly into the sun. He knew the void was there, he could see how the lush grass gradually tapered off into nothing, but it wasn't like there was a drop or a yawning abyss – just the cessation of grass and greenery. Like a watercolour painting without borders.
'Am I dreaming?' He'd never had a lucid dream before but knew they were a thing. Was this it? He certainly felt conscious enough.
Drawing in a breath he calmed himself, taking the time to look about more closely. It looked so real. All of it. The wind that brushed over his bare arms, that ruffled his white sleeping vest and shorts, that tickled his ears and brushed over his forehead – it was mild but not cold, refreshing but not chilling. The chirping birds remained unseen but he was certain they were there, like his mind couldn't picture them but only make the sounds he remembered. The bushes and trees were all things he'd seen in the past, primarily in Mondstadt and Fontaine; most curiously leaning more towards the latter.
A fact reinforced by the marble all around. There wasn't much order to it, if anything it looked like marble ruins – there was a pillar off to the left half-embedded in the ground, an archway that led to nowhere, a patch of pavement that started and ended with grass; it was like he'd been teleported into the far future and only the marble remains of Fontaine existed. Maybe it was the future, and this was some prophetic dream of sorts.
Or maybe not. But hey, it was a dream, so who knows what could happen?
It was that sentiment that compelled him to walk, to explore. He moved without direction but found himself admiring all sorts of oddities, from vines wrapping around marble pillars to the tower of three archways one atop the other, somehow remaining balanced despite the uneven-looking load. It was the sound of water though, trickling softly with the wind, that lured him to where he suspected the heart of the dream laid.
The world became more organised with it. Flowers were now in flowerbeds, a fountain or two could be seen next to the pavements, statues of Focalors or other icons were embedded into the grassy plateau – and soon enough he came across a white marble bench, so rigid and stiff looking.
Yet one that held a figure so very familiar.
''F-Furina?!''
'Furina' raised her head and smiled. There was a gentleness to the action that reminded him of Furina but more... mature, perhaps? Her attire was distinct from Furina's too he noticed, more details filtering in as the shock wore off – her long white dress with gold trims, the absence of any shoes, and most noticeably was the more relaxed posture compared to Furina's eternal uncertainty as of late.
''Hmhm. Your budding suspicions are correct, O' Traveler.'' 'Furina' greeted him with narrowed eyes, mirth accentuating her visage. ''I am not Furina. Not as you know her, anyway.''
''What's that supposed to mean?''
The woman shook her head, seemingly amused by his uncertainty. ''Allow me to introduce myself properly, then. I am Focalors, Hydro Archon... or rather, former Hydro Archon, as it stands. For all intents and purposes you may consider me to be Furina's other half – her 'divinity', compared to her 'humanity'.''
Aether frowned. ''I... see? But didn't she lose her divinity – and why are you here in my dream?''
Focalors hummed and reclined in her marble seat. ''That is a question I find myself having too. By all rights, I should be dead. No, I am dead – but some small part of me has lived on. Not in Furina, not in Neuvillette, not even in the waters of Fontaine, but instead in you. An outsider, a traveller... a friend, to Furina.''
The ex-Archon stood then and crossed the few steps between them, coming to a stop right before him. Despite looking so much like Furina, enough to pass as her twin sister, there was something distinctly divine about Focalors. The way she held herself, the grace and humility, the wistful smile that twitched at her lips – it was distinct enough from Furina he could separate the two in his mind, Yet even then, the similarity was fascinating.
''Why did I become attached to you.'' Focalors said suddenly, her tone soft and contemplative. ''Not that I mind of course. I paid my debt with my life – what I have now is little more than a fragment of my being, a whisper of a soul. My powers are all but gone, my ability to influence the world is limited even in this dreamscape, and I am, for all intents and purposes, at your complete and utter mercy.''
''So what will you do with me?'' She said then, tilting her head. ''Will you ignore me and sentence me to isolation in this false heaven? Will you grant me your time during slumber, to give me the joy my destined task could not allow? Or will you use my powerlessness against me, to make me a puppet for your-''
''Stop.''
Focalors obliged, but her knowing smile told that she knew full well what effect her words had.
''I won't do anything like that.'' Aether firmly stated. ''I'm not going to use you to gain inside knowledge on Fontaine or anything, let alone make you suffer.''
His eyes left hers and went to the scenery around him. ''...that said, I wouldn't mind visiting you when I sleep.''
''You're much too kind.'' Focalors pinched her dress and did a slow curtsy. ''You'll have to forgive me if I overstep any bounds; it's been so long since I have communed, it feels almost foreign. Let alone from a position of inferiority.''
''I don't consider you inferior to me.'' Aether scolded.
''But I do.'' Was her counter, mirthfully-spoken as it was. ''I am but a fragment attached to your soul through means unknown. Should you pursue it, you likely could purge me from you, whereas I could not hope to do the same to you even if I wanted to. Therefore I take up the position of the lesser, and you the greater.''
It felt like an argument he wouldn't be winning anytime soon so he let it drop. ''Right... so, what do you wanna do?''
Focalors hummed and turned, her gait graceful as she led him down the aimless path. He followed just a half-step behind, curious as she let the silence linger. It was a pleasant quiet he felt, between the invisible birds that sung and the distant trickling of water, it culminated in a dreamlike experience akin to dozing on a warm summer's day. Perhaps that was why this dreamscape looked that way; it was a little heaven, taking on both his preferences and things he'd seen before. While Liyue, Inazuma and Sumeru were all gorgeous places, they just didn't have the same sunny vibe that Mondstadt and Fontaine had.
''You are close to Furina, are you not?'' Focalors broke the silence.
''I guess so.'' He shrugged.
The goddess tittered. ''You guess, but we both know your heart yearns for more than friendship.''
He was taken off-guard. ''I-I'm not sure what you mean?''
''Don't play the fool, O' Traveler. I might not be as wise nor as powerful as I once was, but you wear your heart on your sleeve.'' Focalors teased, smiling back at him. ''It's obvious to those of keen eyes that you hold affections for Furina, and from what I can garner, she too yearns for you.''
Furina yearned for him – or to put it more bluntly, had feelings for him? He wasn't sure how to react. Some childish part of him wanted to cheer, almost, but more than that was the relief that settled in on his shoulders. ''How can you be sure?''
''My connection to her.'' Was Focalors's answer. ''Though it is strained – nay, it is barely there after I severed it – I can still gather feelings through it. I will never again be able to manifest myself to her, even as a reflection or as a voice in her mind, but I can at least sense what she feels if the emotion is strong enough. And when you speak with her and she with you, that yearning is at its greatest – she yearns for you, undoubtedly so.''
''My query then is what you intend to do with that yearning.'' Was the goddess's inquiry, curiously spoken as it was. ''Mind that this is not mine interfering, but merely a curiosity that must be sated. Will you hold back these diresome wants, or will you espouse them for her to hear? Will you act in passion and share it with her, or flow like a river and erode at the barriers of her heart?''
It was tricky to decode her fanciful manner of speaking, but he managed. Easier than listening to Neuvillette say Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale five times in one sentence without imagining a beat to go along with it, at least.
''I'm... not sure to be honest.'' Aether tentatively said, glancing down as he stepped over a stray chunk of marble. ''You're part of her, right?''
''Was, but yes.'' Focalors nodded along.
''How do you think she'd react then, if I told her?'' Aether inquired uncertainly. ''Is it even right for me to ask? After everything she's been through, is it right for me to just... lump that on her? Make her decide right now?''
''A better question would be 'is it right for you to leave her waiting'.'' Focalors retorted with a hum, stopping and plucking a clump of dirt from the ground. ''The future is always uncertain, O' Traveler. You may perish to a Slime tomorrow, or Furina might slip on a banana peel and fall into a pit, never to be seen again. The illogical and random have a terrible way of bringing themselves to bear, and it's imperative to remember that – that at any moment, the future you so badly want can be taken away from you.''
''Of course even then, illogical means don't need to occur, do they?'' She looked at him, her mirth gone. ''An assassin could kill her tomorrow night. A drunkard could crack you over the head with a bottle and end you then and there. Someone could kidnap Furina and make her suffer for perceived crimes, or in turn punish you to get back at her. The gears of fate are many and if you find yourself caught between them...''
She pinched her fingers, crushing the clump of dirt into pieces. ''...you'll be ground up into dust.''
''So my question lies there.'' Focalors finished, turning to face him fully. ''Will you abstain, and keep these feelings of yours to yourself, even if it risks hurting both you and Furina more? Or will you abandon your fear and pave a path to the future, one where both you and Furina can live happily? And so that even if tragedy or error befall you, you can both live knowing you lived to your fullest?''
Her piece said Focalors turned and continued to walk, and with nothing to say Aether could only follow, ruminating on her words.
The silence must've lasted minutes, possibly into the tens of minutes. Focalors said nothing and he didn't probe her to speak, too busy debating in his own mind. Considering Focalors was essentially the other half of Furina, was it wrong then to doubt her? No, he shouldn't be doubting her at all. She was giving solid advice and seemed to genuinely care about Furina, at least her happiness, and had little to gain by lying.
Yet his heart quaked at the thought of confessing. Fighting was easy, diplomacy less so, but confessing? How did you even do that? He was pretty sure just going up to her and telling him he had feelings of her was too blunt an approach, and just thinking about it left his throat tight and stomach uneasy. Did he wait for the right moment to say it – a lull or a pause? But if so, what that never came, and by the end of their meeting tomorrow he was no closer to it?
Should he just leave a love letter or something? No, Furina might think it a prank, and it felt rude to just drop that on her via a letter. If he was going to confess, he was going to do it to her face. Tomorrow would be the best time – she said it herself, she had future engagements and meetings with friends. He himself had his fair share of missions and quests that needed doing too, to say nothing of eventually heading to the Pyro nation Natlan. If he delayed tomorrow, he might not get another chance for a while.
Aether sighed then. ''Alright. I'll do it.''
''I'm glad to hear that.'' Focalors smiled back at him.
Their path finally changed too, as if by fate. A pond laid just around the corner; a short white-brick wall left in ruins and with moss covering it, though hardly high enough to hide the glimmering clear waters. Marble steps dipped down into the clear liquid and the sun shone across its surface majestically. Coupled with the sporadic placement of plants around the rim, islands of marble or butterflies fluttering about, and it looked like true heaven.
''This is where we part ways for the night.'' Focalors said, her back to him. ''I hope you will fulfil your promise. Should you do so... I'll have a surprise waiting for you here, hehe~''
The little giggle left his cheeks warm .''R-Right.''
A warm sigh, and Focalors spun to face him. ''Till we meet again, O' Traveler from beyond the starry skies.''
And then with a snap of her fingers, he knew darkness, then light.
The cosy quarters of his bedroom lit by the morning sun.
''...haah...'' Aether tensed, then let it bleed away with a deep exhale.
One hell of a dream.
But one that felt all too real.
'...even if it was just a weird dream, I'll keep my promise. For Furina, for myself...'
'...and for you, Focalors.'
[END]
A/N: Also as a disclaimer, I don't play nor read about Genshin, so apologies in advance for any plot holes lore-wise~