Ice and Gold Side-Story: He's Not Your Partner!

by ShamelessPlanking

Another day on the streets of Fontaine, casually strolling around and sitting in cafés. Eula enjoyed the sights and activities, accompanied by her love, Aether and her friends Paimon and Navia. However, it's come to her attention that Navia may be... a little too handsy with Aether. Surely she doesn't feel that way towards Aether, right? Right? "I have to know." Eula thought.

Ice and Gold Side-Story: He's Not Your Partner!

Takes place after the Fontaine Archon Quests.

---

"Hey, partner!" Yelled the blonde with a grin.

A big, swooping wave of her hand accompanied the sparkle in her gaze, "How've you been, partner?"

"Guess who, partner?" With a giggle, she covered his eyes with her hands.

Partner, partner, partner, partner.

If Eula didn't know any better, she would've figured Navia was into her dear Aether with how affectionately she uses that nickname she has for him.

But of course, the Spindrift Knight knew better. She always had a keen eye, and she knew the blonde didn't carry such feelings for her Aether. She was just… very affectionate with him. Eula had full trust in the energetic girl that she would disclose such feelings if she had them, as Navia was as much a friend to her as she is to Aether. Why, it was only natural—Eula had been by Aether's side all throughout the climax of Fontaine's prophecy. Given how closely entwined Navia was with the ordeal, it only made sense that Eula would grow close to the Spina di Rosula's ever awe-inspiring President.

So of course she could tell that Navia didn't carry any such sentiments. She was just a cheerful and friendly spirit who can get really, really chummy.

…mostly only with Aether.

She of course didn't carry any such feelings of 'like' or any sort of similar thing, not even when she grabbed hold of Aether's arm tightly when they went shopping.

Or not even when they coincidentally met with her on the streets of Fontaine, and she suddenly tackled Aether with a hug, before immediately profusely apologizing to Eula and Paimon when she noticed their presence.

And perhaps not even now, as she held a warm piece of pastry in her hands, the treat slowly inching towards Aether's mouth as he gave a nervous chuckle.

"Here, partner! A freshly baked macaron, just for you. Say 'aaah'!" She beamed when the Traveler gingerly accepted the sweet, his demeanor uncharacteristically meek.

Eula's eye twitched.

Deep breaths. Something like this shouldn't bother you so—

Navia picked up another macaron, waving it in her hand, "Want another?"

Eula suddenly stood up, slamming the table with her hands in the process. "Aether is perfectly capable of feeding himself, Navia!"

…On second thought, perhaps Eula wasn't all too sure.

The blonde blinked. "Oh, I'm sorry! I neglected you. Here, have one for yourself!" With a nod, she placed the pink and yellow colored macaron onto a plate, sliding it on to Eula's side with a smile.

I get a plate while he gets fed… I can't tell anymore…

Eula could swear Navia's innocent smile betrayed her, as she thought she saw an inkling of smugness to it. She couldn't examine her friend's facial features for long however, as their attention was brought back to one other person at their table. Paimon sighed, rubbing her belly with a content expression on her face. "I don't know how you do it, Navia, but your macarons are always the best!"

"Thank you, Paimon!"

Eula sat back down awkwardly, slightly flustered at her outburst. Her eyes glanced at the plate in front of her, and with one hand propping up her head, she took a bite of the sweet. Despite her current grievances, she couldn't deny how delicious the delicacy was. "...This is really good."

Navia smiled.

Eula heard a hum of agreement to her left. She turned and locked eyes with Aether.

He flashed a warm smile at her.

Eula pursed her lips as a warm feeling enveloped her entire being. Even with her mild blush, she still wanted to voice out her frustrations.

Y-You… are you truly unaware or are you just that dense? Eula wanted to level a cold, stark glare at him, but the butterflies in her stomach decided against it. She couldn't blame him for it. She knew Aether could be a bit… clueless at times when it came to love, especially before they started dating.

After all, it was her who confessed to him. Her cheeks flared once more. The day of her confession still brought such embarrassment to her.

Still, Navia's closeness to him was beginning to become from a small, nonchalant thing to a growing concern. In the past, Eula might've thought that this line of thinking for her might be a bit too… clingy. But she eventually concluded that it was only right for her to assert her claim for what is hers.

It was her right as his girlfriend, she thought, nodding to herself.

Of course, that's right. Now, I just have to make certain of Navia's feelings for him. Does she only consider him a friend, or something possibly… more?

I need to know.

Because if she does think of him in that way, then…

I'll just have to let her know that Aether is mine.

And mine alone.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a light clap in front of her. Navia stood up, her hands entwined with one another. She hummed, "Seems like everyone's satisfied with our little tea break. Especially one little missy here," she glanced at Paimon, giggling a bit. "What say we start with that little excursion of ours into Quartier Lyonnais? What was it, erm… souvenirs, you said?"

Aether nodded, standing up as well. "Yeah. We're heading off soon and we were hoping to pick up a few items to give to our friends across Teyvat."

"Well then, no time to waste! Eula, Paimon?" Eula nodded in response, standing up. Paimon groggily floated up from her seat; a slow and languid process. A small bump in her stomach was evident, adding difficulty to her flight. Eula found the sight amusing, a smile passing by her lips. Her amusement was short-lived though, as she witnessed Navia's next set of actions:

The blonde came up to Aether's side, grabbing him by the shoulders with a grin, "Let's go, partner—"

Alarm bells rang inside Eula's head. Not this time.

"Ah, Navia!" Eula hurriedly said. Trying to regain a bit of her usual confidence, she cleared her throat before continuing, "Could I walk with you on the way? I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

Both Navia and Aether titled their heads at the same time, their expressions curious.

Ugh… they even do things in sync! I have to talk to her, now.

Letting go of Aether, Navia gave a small smile as she addressed Eula, "Sure. Let's get going?"

Eula nodded, thankful for the fact that she asked no questions. The blue-haired knight wouldn't have been able to answer them, lest she risk revealing her concerns to the entire group.

Behind them, the Traveler came closer, a clearly excited look on his features. "It's been a while since we've shopped in the streets of Fontaine. Alright then, let's go—"

"Aether." Eula said, leveling a pointed stare at the blond.

"Y-Yes, dear?" The man in question froze, sensing a sort of danger to her tone.

"Navia and I have some… things to discuss. Girl talk. Okay?" She gave a wave of her hand as she and Navia turned, "We'll go ahead first."

Initially surprised by the suggestion, Navia simply shrugged and gave her own wave.

"Oh, okay, sure. Don't get too far behind, you two!"

Aether paused, momentarily mulling over the possible topic of their discussion. He shrugged, ultimately relenting. "Well, alright." He said, still curious but not enough to push the subject. He and Paimon waved back.

With that, Navia and Eula started walking. But before they could make any distance in their step, Eula abruptly turned heel to face Aether. The man in question tilted his head, confused as to her sudden turn.

She stayed silent, unsure herself.

Aether gave her a small smile in response, one of many which always brightened her day. She blushed, turning her head away slightly—a feeble attempt at concealing her flustered state. She looked back with a side glance, and was met with the same warm smile. Aether leaned forward, his grin turning the slightest bit playful. He mouthed, 'What's up?'

Cute. Eula thought.

She laughed. A small, almost unnoticeable laugh. But one that Aether caught. She smiled, and her eyes turned from uncertain to warm. She laughed again, this time more audible. "Sorry, it's nothing. Let's… let's talk later, darling." Content with the small interaction they had, she turned around.

But not before leaving him with a dazzlingly bright smile.

Aether felt like an arrow—no, a barrage of arrows suddenly pierced his heart. The gears in his head had suddenly stopped functioning. An incredible warmth slowly crept up his face, as his features turned a dark shade of vermillion. His head cast down, and one hand covered his face out of sheer embarrassment.

The sight of her sugary sweet smile was one of the million stark reminders of why he fell in love with her.

Blushing like a schoolboy… Man, am I hopeless…

"Ah! You know," The sound of Paimon's voice startled him out of his love-struck reverie, "Paimon thinks we should pay a visit to Chioriya Boutique. Ooh, and there was that fish and chips stall near it, we should go there as well!"

Paimon was about to continue with more recommendations, when she noticed something peculiar about her friend. Paimon squinted her eyes. She started examining his face, much to Aether's embarrassment. She flew around him a few times before placing her face inches away from Aether's. She hummed, "Hmm? Aren't you a little red in the face, Traveler? Are you okay?"

Aether gave an incredibly obvious fake laugh, "A-Ahaha, whatever do you mean? I'm feeling pretty alright. A-Anyway, nevermind about that." Aether cleared his throat in an attempt to dispel any remaining reddening on his face. He released a sigh, before awkwardly diverting the topic with a smile, "What was that, you said? A fish and chips stall?"

"Yeah!"

Aether's expression turned incredulous. "Food, still?" His lips turned upwards into a half-smile, "Didn't you have enough of Navia's macarons?"

Paimon giggled a bashful laugh, scratching her head.

Aether raised an eyebrow, before releasing an amused sigh. Fortunately for the fairy, the blond was always easy to convince when it came to her and food. "Alright, fine. But only one meal! Got that, missy?"

Paimon playfully saluted, "Aye, aye, cap'n! Now, let's go!"

---

Under the bright summer day, a group of four strolled down the Quartier Lyonnais; the most busy street within the Court of Fontaine's commercial district. The streets at this time of day were filled to the brim with the typical hustle and bustle that was expected of Fontaine's capital. The air vibrated with the cacophony of commerce; vendors singing the praises of their wares, shoppers bargaining for the best price, or even the mechanical whirring spurred by Gardemeks shooing pesky customers away. It was as lively as ever.

Eula always found the sight impressive, no matter how many times they passed by this place. She was used to the streets of Mondstadt, which do get hectic at certain times of day, but never once amounted to the clamor that was Fontaine's streets.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" A dignified, polite voice spoke. Navia smiled, her eyes filled with fondness for the cityscape before her. "We never get these kinds of crowds in Poisson or the Fleuve Cendre. Even though I see it almost everyday, it never gets old to see."

"Indeed," Eula replied. "Even Mondstadt never gets this crowded. Though it is quite a spectacle, I admit I'm more partial towards smaller crowds."

"You sound exactly like someone I know." Navia remarked in an amused tone, thinking of Fontaine's very own violet-haired Champion Duelist, "You two should meet sometime. I think you'd enjoy talking with her!"

That sounded familiar to Eula. But before Navia could get a chance to explain, their conversation was suddenly cut short by a loud conversation, with two familiar voices in the mix. Trailing behind them a few steps were Aether and Paimon, who were engaged in fervent discussion about food. Aether's eyebrows scrunched up into a frown, as Paimon kept apologizing to the man over and over. It seemed like their fairy friend had a bit too much to order, judging by the stacked containers of food they left by a trash bin.

A small smile played on Eula's lips. To her right, she heard Navia giggle. The blonde faced her with a grin of her own, "Always a troublemaker, that girl." Eula nodded in agreement. Navia then took two steps forwards, nodding in the direction of the stalls. "Why don't we start? I have a feeling those two will be bickering for a while."

A lightbulb lit up in Eula's head. The perfect opportunity. Here's my chance.

Eula gestured, "Lead the way."

The two began walking amongst the stalls and throngs of people, side-eyeing any trinket or item they figured might be decent as a souvenir. Unfortunately, none were up to their standards. As they went about window shopping, Eula at multiple times attempted a conversation with Navia, specifically with that topic in mind. However, as though the blonde read her mind, time and time again she interrupted her with a comment or a question—such as if the dress she was holding was adequate as a souvenir, or if the little bobbleheads she was eyeing would suffice. The Spindrift Knight was not one to make callous comments, so she would carefully consider each and every question Navia threw at her.

"Ah, how about this one?" Navia picked something off a stall's showcase, dangling the accessory in her hand. It was a bracelet, fashioned with red and silver coloring. What joined the metal together was an endearing illustration of a small, white bunny. "It's so pretty. I love the colors!"

"Here, take a look," With a grin, Navia handed the bracelet over to Eula, whose interest was immediately piqued upon seeing the accessory. She traced a finger along the smooth metal links, admiring the simple yet detailed craftsmanship that adorned the bracelet. The striking image of the item reminded Eula of a certain Outrider from Mondstadt.

Navia chimed in with her own thoughts, "You told me about a friend of yours who had a penchant for bunnies. Hey, maybe this'll be a good pick for her?"

Eula nodded, as a slight smile adorned her face. "You certainly have an eye when it comes to jewelry. It definitely looks… well, cute."

"Right?" Navia's smile grew tenfold.

"I'll take it," Eula said, turning her gaze towards the man behind the stall. Initially occupied with other customers, the vendor's attention swiftly shifted to her as soon as she spoke those words. His eyes met Eula's, and a grin spread across his face at the prospect of another sale.

After a quick transaction, Eula delicately took a thin, wrapped gift box from the vendor. Satisfied with the purchase, the knight dematerialized the object into thin air, storing it for safekeeping. "Thank you for the suggestion, by the way."

"No problem! I've got a keen eye for this, you know!" Navia elegantly clapped her hands in glee and exclaimed, "More importantly, I'm glad you found a gift. Are you planning on buying another for anyone else?"

"I suppose I'll get to that when we meet back up with Aether. He's usually better at this than me," Eula looked back, spotting Aether emptying his wallet of Mora, a flustered Paimon to his side. "Though, from the looks of it, it may take a while before he can get here."

Navia chuckled. "Heh, yeah," As her bout of giggling faded, she started to mull over their recent purchase, liking the idea of giving a gift to friends. She glanced at the trinkets and items displayed on nearby stalls, with some sparking her interest. Her expression then morphed from one of contemplation to realization, with her eyes shimmering with a newfound zeal, "Ooh, you know what, since you've said that, I should buy some gifts myself! Perhaps Lady Furina would like one of these Ball Octopus plushies…?"

Eula glanced at the ever so bubbly girl beside her, who was completely enamored by a few stuffed animals on the stall over. Given how Navia's rapid-fire questions and comments seemed to have simmered down, Eula figured this would be the most opportune time to do what she originally sought to do.

Navia was on the verge of hopping over to another stall, when the sound of Eula's voice caught her attention. "Navia?"

"Hm?" Navia hummed, her head tilting in curiosity.

The blonde's innocuous staring almost made Eula hesitate, but she powered through the uncertainty nonetheless.

I have to know.

Eula sighed, pointing a serious look at Navia. "...I'll get straight to the point. When you call Aether your 'partner,' what do you mean by that, exactly?"

"Hm? Oh, uh… well, this is a bit sudden…" Navia's demeanor turned demure, her hands clasping together as she averted her gaze from Eula's. A faint blush started to dye her cheeks red, as a nervous giggle came out of her, "...I mean, he's my partner. Always has been. I can't really imagine that not being the case, I guess."

The air around Eula grew colder. "...and what kind of partner is he to you?"

"A-Ah, sorry! I guess I didn't really elaborate, huh?" Her blush deepened into a flush of self-consciousness. "But… well, it's kind of embarrassing…"

"Please, go on. I don't mind."

Navia offered a flustered smile, her hand absently rubbing her elbow. Abruptly, she fell silent, averting her gaze once more. Her head was slightly cast down, bangs obscuring her eyes. She spoke, her voice a meager volume in contrast to her usual animated self, "He's… been with me through a lot. Helped me through a lot. Whenever I felt things were hopeless, he was right there with me."

Navia lifted her head, her eyes shining with resolve. Her brow furrowed, and this time she spoke with a conviction she didn't know she had. "He means a lot to me."

…

I know exactly what she means.

The way he gives support to others—always patient, never rushing. Always by your side, never willing to let go. The way he sees the good in every person. The good in you, despite how much you think otherwise. The way he takes care of your every need, whether that be cooking breakfast or giving comfort. The way that his presence latches constantly on your mind, unwilling to give you any reprieve. The way he can make you feel—annoyance. Nervousness. Joy. Warmth.

Love.

…That's what it is.

Navia broke the silence with a timid faux cough. She managed a smile, albeit a strained one. She lowered her head and spoke, her voice still sheepish, "Sorry for bringing the mood down like that. H-How about we get back to—"

"I see," The cold air grew still, the temperature lowering down to the previously summer breeze. Eula's features relaxed—her previously tense countenance melting away for one of understanding. Yet despite how gentle she looked, Navia couldn't help but notice how her somber tone of voice betrayed her expression.

The knight shook her head, offering a small smile, "No, no. It's quite alright. In fact, I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry if my questions stirred up any unpleasant memories for you. It wasn't my intention." She spoke with her normal cadence, completely losing the almost sorrowful tone from earlier.

Navia blinked, surprised by the change of tone. She stayed silent, stunned. When she realized she hadn't responded yet, she panickedly stammered out a hurried sentence, "O-Oh, no, no, it's absolutely fine! No harm done!"

The pair heard a few whispers as they spoke. Curious, they looked around. It appeared that their conversation had drawn the attention of a few bystanders, who were watching them with keen interest. Upon meeting the two girls' gazes, the onlookers immediately went back to what they were doing, resuming their own affairs as if nothing had occurred.

Navia giggled, "I guess we attracted quite a bit of attention for ourselves."

Eula's stern glare sent more of them packing, as a cold aura seemed to emanate from her once again. She returned her gaze back to Navia, her eyes settling into a gentle look, "How about a little break? There's that café just a ways from here." Eula pointed at a coffee shop just a few steps away, conveniently tucked inside a corner of the street. "Let's just meet back up with Aether once they've started. We should be able to see them strolling by if we took a seat outside."

"That sounds delightful! Let's go, then!" Out of excitement, Navia jovially walked towards the café first. Eula followed, and just as she arrived the blonde had already settled into a chair, placing her umbrella on a table underneath a parasol. "Excuse me, waiter!"

As Eula took her own seat, she took another glance at the girl before her. Her demeanor was of a cheerful, excitable young girl, albeit carrying a refined and elegant air around her. In many ways the two were different, yet in many ways they were similar as well.

…perhaps in their taste for men, as well.

A waiter came to give them complimentary glasses of water, to which both of them graciously accepted. He took their orders and not long after swiftly made his way back into the café. With their orders taken, they settled into their seats comfortably, a peaceful silence enveloping the two. Navia took to people watching, observing the masses of people with only a mild interest as a way to pass the time. She wondered what her partner and Paimon were doing, who were taking an awfully long time with their business.

To Navia, the silence between the two was a comforting respite to the usually chaotic adventures they took.

In contrast, the silence weighed heavily on Eula's mind. Her throat felt unexpectedly dry, despite the fact that she just took a swig of the water in front of her. Another gulp did little to ease the parched sensation. Her palms started to feel clammy, prompting her to clasp them together in a futile attempt to calm herself. Unfocused, her eyes lingered on the wooden tabletop, unable to shake off the one thing that remained prevalent in her mind.

Navia is in love with Aether.

My Aether.

The fact hit her across the face like an aquabus slamming onto a dock at full force. She felt a migraine threatening to burst through just from the notion of it. She bit her inner cheek as a hefty sigh was released from her lips.

Navia, my… friend, is in love with…

I'm not sure how I should react. Shouldn't I be staking my claim on Aether? I boldly proclaimed all those promises to myself, yet here I am, hesitating… Or maybe I'm just misinterpreting things? Maybe she really doesn't—No, but she said all of that…

"Eula?" The sound of a soft, tender voice broke her out of her trance. Eula looked up, finding the concerned expression of one Navia. "Are you okay? You don't look like you're doing well."

Ah. I didn't notice… Eula shook her head, feigning composure. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Navia scooted closer to the table, her brow scrunching up even deeper.

"Yes, I'm certain. Don't mind me."

Navia was unconvinced. She had noticed the expression on Eula's face earlier—a rare glimpse of unease on the typically stoic Spindrift Knight. Navia knew something was bothering her. From what she recalled, whenever Aether felt like Eula was bothered by something, he always persistently—yet gently—prodded and tried to get underneath her ice-cold shell. Never forcing her to say what's on her mind, but only giving her small words of reassurance and understanding, helping her to open up when she was ready. And as Eula's friend, Navia knew it was also her duty to do the same.

"Eula…" Navia started, a warm tone in her voice. "I'm your friend. I know something's bothering you."

Eula flinched. Right on the money, Navia thought.

"No matter what it is, you can tell me, okay?" A warm smile graced her lips, easing Eula's nerves somewhat. "You can always trust in me."

Eula simply stared at the girl in front of her, carefully considering the blonde's words. She exhaled a sigh she didn't know she was holding in, and closed her eyes shut as she started to immerse herself in her own thoughts.

She's… right. Throughout my time here in Fontaine, not only has Aether been with me, but Navia as well. And as her friend… I have a right to know.

I wasn't thinking straight. Despite everything she's said, there was still no foolproof confirmation of her feelings. So, I need to confirm them.

And if she does have those sentiments…

…Then I'll just have to reaffirm just how much Aether means to me.

More than the entirety of Teyvat.

"If you're so sure, then…"

Eula nodded to herself, regaining her confidence in no time. It prompted her to straighten her posture. Her eyes regained their usual fervor, the uncertainty that clouded them mere seconds ago vanished. She placed her hands firmly on the table, intertwining her fingers as she leaned forward slightly.

"It's about Aether. You elaborated plenty earlier, but I feel it was... insufficient. I just need confirmation for one thing."

"Oh, um, yes…?" Navia smiled, her expression a blend of encouragement and uncertainty. "What do you need confirmation of?"

"Do you…"

A pause.

Eula's gaze was piercing. Navia felt the air tense up, thickening with anticipation as each moment stretched taut with the lingering silence, leaving every second without continuation feeling like an eternity.

An inhale from Navia.

An exhale from Eula.

"...love Aether?"

I need to hear it come from you.

Navia jolted in place, momentarily taken aback, "S-Sorry, what? C-Could you repeat your question? I don't think I heard you properly."

This time, she made herself loud and clear. "Do you love Aether? Earlier you told me of how you felt for him. And… I found myself sharing your own sentiments. So I just wanted to know—was that confirmation that you hold… special feelings for him?"

Believing Navia to be a straightforward person, Eula thought she would receive an instant response. Perhaps it would be met with some state of flusteredness and a bright blush, but an immediate reply nonetheless. What she didn't expect, however, was Navia blankly staring at her. The sight unnerved the knight slightly, but her gaze didn't ever falter.

Then, Navia's eyes started to wander. Darting from her shoes, to the tabletop, to her hands. It looked like she was lost in thought, perhaps in a daze. All of a sudden, her eyes lit up like fireworks in Inazuma, like she had just come to an epiphany. She then faced Eula, meeting her orbs with a similarly steely gaze.

In a low, hushed voice, she whispered. Not too quiet where it would be indecipherable, but just loud enough for only Eula to hear. "...Would it bother you, if that were the case?"

Eula's breath hitched. Her expression hardened, and her hands clenched into fists. She pointed a fierce gaze at Navia and as if inviting a challenge, she declared, "I… I won't hand him over to you. No matter what kind of partner he is to you… he's not your partner! He's…"

With her fiery declaration painting her cheeks the deepest crimson, she asserted with even greater conviction, "He's mine!" With her final assertion, her face radiated an even more brilliant vermillion hue. Yet despite the reddening of her cheeks, there was no embarrassment to be found in her words.

Her sincerity was palpable. She spoke those last two words with such authority and confidence that it felt like the parasol over their heads shook from the intensity of such a declaration.

Eula, however, didn't realize that in the midst of her impassioned statements she had stood up, and slammed her palms onto the wooden tabletop.

"Ah."

Noticing the curious gazes of nearby customers, she sat back down unceremoniously, crossing her arms in one swift motion. "Hmph."

Taking a glance at Navia, she found the girl simply staring at her, an oddly smug air about her. Navia wore a grin that went from ear-to-ear, her expression radiating a sense of satisfaction.

"W-What is it?"

Navia's eyes widened, realizing that her silence could have been interpreted as something malicious, "Oh, sorry. It's just that…"

A soft laughter filled the air, "...you really love him, don't you?" She asked, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and warmth.

In response, Eula's countenance immediately flushed several shades of red darker as her lips pursed and her posture stiffened. Her gaze flitted away from Navia's as she sighed, a way to alleviate her flusteredness.

She took measured, deep breaths. Slowly, her expression turned back to cool and composed. Her features were drained of its red hue, regaining its typical pale white skin. The tense stiffness that had momentarily gripped her had now dissipated. She then spoke without a shred of any previous embarrassment, "Of course. That much is obvious."

Eula's response sent Navia into a fit of giggling. She was enjoying how quickly the blue-haired knight's expressions darted from being flustered and red to calm and unperturbed. "Pfft… h-hahaha!"

Incredulous, Eula shifted in her seat, "Are you taunting me?"

In between bouts of laughter and stifled giggling, Navia managed to string together a reply, "N-No, no definitely… pfft… not! Definitely not! I-I'm sorry, it's just… you're too adorable, Eula!"

"H-Huh?"

Navia wiped a tear away as her laughter started to die down, "Oh dear, heheh… what was I going to… ah, right!" She snapped her fingers and just like that, she was back to her normal peppy and energetic self. "I apologize, Eula! I was only teasing."

"You… were?"

Navia nodded, "I don't look at him in that way, you know. I'm really sorry if I ever came off like I did. I don't see Aether like that, he's just a good friend! One of my closest confidants, in fact. Just like… well, you!"

"I-I see. I appreciate the sentiment, I think of you as a close friend as well." Eula awkwardly smiled, her expression tinged with bewilderment, "But… that still doesn't explain the way you act with him, that…" She trailed off, her brow knit as she tried to comprehend the incongruity between Navia's actions and her words.

Navia squinted her eyes, her eyebrows drawing together as she tried to understand Eula's incomplete sentences. The blonde wasn't sure what she was talking about. She racked her brain for an answer, delving deep into the nooks crannies of her mind until finally, something lit up inside her mind.

How I… act with him…

"Oh," Navia replied, her voice deadpan. Despite Eula's faltering words, Navia had now caught the essence of her confusion to a tee. Slowly but surely, a realization dawned on her. A silent contemplation was sparked within the President of the Spina di Rosula, as she thought back on the numerous interactions she's had with the Traveler.

Simply meeting him out of pure coincidence.

"Partner, how are 'ya!" With a tackle, Navia enveloped Aether with a warm hug, squishing his entire body tight.

"I-I'm fine!" Aether responded, his voice muffled by the embrace.

Suddenly, both the Traveler and the blonde felt themselves separated. Eula smiled, yet her eyes showed no emotion. "Navia, how are you doing?"

"Oh, well I'm doing great!" She grinned.

Eating out at a café.

"You got a little something on your face there, partner…" Pulling out a handkerchief from her pockets, she started wiping off the smear of cream from the corner of Aether's mouth.

"I can do it, Navia." Eula smiled, grabbing her own handkerchief as she patted Aether's mouth clean as well.

Smothered by two handkerchiefs at once, Aether could barely mumble out a response, "U-Uh, I can manage by myself just fine, girls…!"

At a festival together.

In the midst of a sea of people, Aether suddenly felt a warm sensation on his hand. He looked to see the source of it, finding Navia's hand entangled with his. She winked, "Just so we don't get lost."

He felt another sensation to his right, this time with a much firmer grip. He felt a tug in that direction, almost like his arm was a rope to be pulled along. Eula frowned, evidently upset. "Yes, you're right. Let's not get lost, shall we?"

Aether immediately let go of Navia's hand, producing an incredibly fake laugh as he did, "A-Ahaha! Oh, we should go check out what those stalls have to offer, r-right?" He said, pulling Eula elsewhere as the blue-haired knight's expression turned a complete 180, a warmth in her eyes in contrast to her previously gloomy appearance.

Navia blinked, unsure what just happened.

Or even just recently…

Navia picked up another macaron, waving it in her hand, "Want another?"

Eula suddenly stood up, slamming the table with her hands in the process. "Aether is perfectly capable of feeding himself, Navia!"

A barely visible pink tint crawled its way up Navia's face. The puzzle pieces in her head had finally clicked in place. As the blonde sat there in hindsight, slowly but surely that small pink hue on her features turned all the way to a full-blown scarlet. She covered her face with her hands as the embarrassment finally catched up to her.

The knight was dumbfounded, seeing the typically animated girl act so flustered. Eula knew that realization had finally set in for Navia, but she didn't know what to do—was she to place a hand on her shoulder, and give her comforting words? No, that would not make sense. Or was she to let her think on her actions on her own? She didn't have to think too much as Navia had then withdrawn her face from her hands, taking a peek at the Spindrift Knight with a conflicted expression.

"Eula…" Navia, looking awfully glum, poured her entire heart out with two words, "I'm sorry! I-I had no idea! I didn't know I acted so… flirtatiously with Aether! I thought I was just being friendly… Oh, you have every right to be mad at me!" She said, hands on her cheeks as she twisted and turned in worry.

Among all the responses from Navia, this was one that Eula was not expecting. It was like a complete reversal—one moment she was reveling in teasing laughter and the next she was comically whipping her head back and forth, anxiously apologizing. Eula figured that Navia's bout of laughter at the start would lead to an admission of love for Aether, and a declaration of rivalry, but to think it would end like this…

"N-No, I'm not mad at you," Eula said, her eyes shifting away as she reconsidered her words. "...well, perhaps at times I could get a bit annoyed. But never did I outright hate you."

"Really?" Navia said, a hopeful twinkle in her golden orbs.

"Really."

Navia released a relieved sigh, "That's a relief… I wouldn't know what I would do if you hated me."

"I would never hate you. You're my friend, Navia. Even if it turned out you did actually harbor feelings for him, I would never hate you." Eula then placed her hands on her hips, lifting her head up high, looking awfully smug, "It wouldn't matter, anyway. I would win any rivalry in love, even if it were with a friend."

"Thanks, Eula." Navia leaned back in her chair, her expression finally relaxing after such a tense exchange. It was not for long, however, as her eyes widened to the size of the moon all of a sudden, "...wait, really?"

Navia blinked, staring at Eula innocuously, "So, you weren't afraid I was going to snatch him away? Take him for myself?"

Eula's lip trembled, as a bright flush overtook her features once again. She pointed an accusatory finger at the blonde, "You…! Was that apology all an act? I'll… I'll remember this!"

Navia waved her hands in front of her as she failed to suppress a laugh. "H-Hahaha! No, no, I still stand by what I said. I don't mean to tease." She smiled warmly, her eyes softening as her voice adopted an affectionate tone. "Your love for him is admirable. It reminds me a lot of Aether, actually. You know, he often does that actually—he talks about you all the time, gushing and reminiscing like you two only just got together the other day. The fact that the both of you are like that… heh, that's just great!"

"...He does?" Eula's face burst into an even healthier scarlet glow.

"Yep!"

"Oh, uh…" She looked down, awkwardly looking at anything as a means of distraction, finding the stone floor extremely intriguing. Her blush had crept its way up to her ears at this point, and as she fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, she whispered a barely audible sentence, "That's good to hear…"

He… brags about me like that, does he…?

…

I'll make sure to enact proper vengeance on him later.

Seeing Eula turn into such a meek version of herself once again, Navia's grin grew even larger.

Eula caught her smug smirk from the corner of her eyes. She exclaimed, "Navia!"

"Oh! Our orders!" An interruption arrived in the form of two cups of tea. Accompanying their refreshments were their chosen delicacies. Navia had opted for a sweet, frosted cake, while Eula's order, on the other hand, was a simple Fontaine Aspic.

Eula had almost completely forgotten about their orders, due to how engrossed she was in her and Navia's conversation. Unbeknownst to her, their orders were already long done for quite some time. The waiter in charge of them was just waiting for an opportune moment to squeeze into their discussion with their orders—not wanting to interrupt the most captivating dialogue he's heard all week.

"Ooh, how delectable!" Navia squealed, her mouth watering simply from the sight of the food in front of her. "Let's dig in first! Wouldn't want food to go stale, not when they look so delicious like this!"

While Eula wanted to continue the conversation for a bit longer, she felt that there was no reason to disagree with the blonde. Ultimately, she picked up a fork and dug in herself. "Ah, well… you're right. Let's eat."

Not too long after and they were half-way done with their respective meals. Navia was a bit slower in finishing hers—savoring each and every bite, beaming all the while. The sight reminded Eula of their small fairy friend, humorously enough. While the blonde was busy entertaining her mouthwatering sweet, Eula was busying herself with one thought in particular. She placed down the fork she had been using on her plate, deciding to voice her thoughts out, "Navia?"

The girl looked up from her dessert, her sweet-based trance broken.

"I'm glad we talked, and I'm glad you were honest with me. However, admittedly, one thing has remained on my mind." Eula shifted slightly in her seat, her expression earnest. "Do you promise you won't act that… handsy with Aether? As his girlfriend, I won't lie and say that it doesn't bother me."

"A-Ah, of course!" Navia vigorously nodded. Though, right after her eyes looked upwards in thought before continuing with an awkward smile, "...although, it may take a while to shake off the habit, hehe. But I'll do my best!" She concluded with a pump of her fist, getting a skeptical look from Eula in response.

The Spindrift Knight simply shook her head, resigned to the fact that at the very least, Navia was always sincere in her words. "...Well, I suppose that's good enough." She smiled, "Thank you."

Navia smiled in response as well. Eula was just about to pick up her fork to continue eating when Navia spoke, "I just wanted to say that, I guess… he was really special to me." That got Eula's attention. "Maybe that prompted how differently I acted with him. But again, I promise I don't have any feelings for him or anything! You don't have to worry about that or feel jealous."

Now that really got Eula's attention. Another blush covered her cheeks, this time a lot more subtle. She put on an air of confidence, crossing her arms. Unfortunately for her, she stammered, "J-Jealous? Preposterous. I, Eula Lawrence, jealous? I've never been. I've had no reason to be."

Navia tilted her head, clearly skeptical.

Eula pursed her lips. She wanted to stay unfaltering in the face of such an unconvinced expression from the blonde, so she remained just like that—head held high with her eyes closed. She took a peek at Navia, only to find her with the same exact look from before: completely and entirely doubtful. Eula's tensed shoulders relaxed as her head lowered. There was no fooling this girl, was there? She sighed, "...Perhaps I was a little jealous. Maybe."

Navia beamed. She could get used to this cuter side of Eula, she thought.

"Only maybe, okay?" Eula insisted, her cheeks still tinged with a blush.

"Hey, you two!" A familiar voice rang out. A blonde and a flying fairy approached their table, an exhausted look on the former while the latter looked as energetic as ever. Aether and Paimon's arrival perked up the two girls' as their expressions visibly lit up. The Traveler spoke, in a languid manner, Eula noted. "We were looking for you two. So this is where you guys holed up, huh? Sorry for the wait."

"Sorry!" Paimon chimed in, rubbing the back of her head bashfully.

"Took you long enough!" Navia stood up, ushering the two to their seats. "Come, come. Have a seat!"

Aether laughed, "Yeah, sorry again. It's just that Paimon over here kinda ordered too much…"

"H-Hey! Paimon already said sorry! But… sorry again, Aether! Paimon will make sure she doesn't order too much next time!" Paimon said, puffing out her cheeks in a pout before breaking into a sheepish grin. She hovered closer to Aether, giving him an exaggerated salute.

Aether chuckled, patting Paimon on the head. "It's alright, Paimon. Just try to be a bit more mindful next time."

Paimon nodded enthusiastically, her playful demeanor quickly returning as she eyed the remaining treats on the table.

"Paimon…" Aether trailed off, placing a hand on his hip as he leveled a pointed look at the fairy.

"Okay, okay… Paimon won't need to eat any more food! O-Oh…" A rumbling that sounded like a distant thunderstorm came from Paimon's stomach. The girl turned pale upon hearing such a catastrophe emitted by her own gut, "Y-You're right… Paimon will hold off for now…"

Only for now? Eula thought.

Navia heartily giggled. She led Paimon to her seat, and subsequently showed Aether his. Eula observed the two in close detail, eyeing mostly Navia, who once again seemed a bit too close for comfort. Her hand hovered dangerously close to Aether's bicep, as her other hand brushed past Aether's as she led him. Her face was mere inches from his, but both seemed utterly oblivious to this fact, however.

Eula faked a cough, placing a deadpan look on Navia.

"A-Ah, right!" The president immediately separated from Aether at almost lightning speed, awkwardly smiling all the while. "Sorry about that. Here, Aether, just sit down over here." She said, patting his chair as she took a seat of her own. Navia mouthed another apology in the form of a 'sorry' at Eula, shyly bowing as she did.

Eula simply shook her head, responding with a whispered "It's fine."

As Aether watched the two, he felt curious at that odd interaction they had. Come to think of it, they seemed well invested into a conversation before the pair arrived. As he took his own seat, he leaned forward and asked, "Sorry about what? Did we miss something while we were gone?"

As if their minds were synchronized, both Eula and Navia replied at the same time with a swift, "Nothing."

A brief silence lingered in the atmosphere, the simultaneous response from Eula and Navia leaving Aether and Paimon exchanging surprised glances. The Traveler found the response odd, but he shrugged it off with a bemused smile, "Well, if you say so," he replied, deciding not to dwell on it.

"W-Wha…? Really? You're just gonna leave it like that?" Paimon exclaimed.

He simply shrugged, "Yeah. I'm not really that curious about it."

Ooh… but Paimon is!" Paimon huffed, crossing her arms as she stomped her small feet in the air, "You two better make sure to tell Paimon later, okay?"

"We'll be sure, Paimon." Navia said as she nodded. She glanced at Eula, discreetly giggling as she did.

Eula gave her an amused smile of her own.

…I suppose his denseness can come handy at times.

"Ah." To Aether's right was Eula, who looked at him with a warm gaze. Her gaze had suddenly turned cold, however, as she not-so-subtly placed her hand near his on the tabletop. Aether smiled, finding her—as always—incredibly adorable. He placed his hand over hers, giving it a squeeze. "Sorry for being so late, love. Hope you have it in you to forgive me," he said playfully.

The blue-haired girl whipped her head to the other direction, puffing out her cheeks as she huffed out a "Hmph."

"Oh, right!" Aether chuckled, his small smile turning into a toothy grin, "How could I forget?"

As quickly as he said that, he leaned over to Eula's side and gave her a swift peck on the cheek. He couldn't see her expression, but seeing her ears bloom a slight rosy red made him smile. He cooed, "Sorry. Thanks for the reminder, love."

She slowly moved her head to look at him. Eula's face was an ocean of crimson, completely covering every inch of her face in a radiant glow. She shyly glanced up at him. The cold, fierce glare had now made way for a mellow, warm gaze.

It was the spitting image of a maiden in love.

She lowered her head as she spoke in a hushed tone, "...It's good that you remembered."

Aether smiled. A small blush tinged his face as well, "Of course. I'd always remember." He offered a grin, "Anything for my love, you know."

The two were lost in their own world for a moment, stuck mesmerized by one another's eyes. Heterochromatic orbs meeting golden ones, intertwined in such a manner that it would be nigh impossible to separate them. The realization that they were not alone quickly dawned on them, however. They glanced back at the other two seated at the table. Navia and Paimon had similar expressions—sparkling eyes and wide grins, they looked absolutely enamored with the sight before them.

Navia squealed, giddy as she held her hands together, "Blushing from a single kiss on the cheek… ooh, now this is a romance novel in action! This is sweeter than any dessert I could have right now!"

The fairy nodded, pumping her fists up and down repeatedly, "Paimon agrees! I feel full just watching them!"

"You two…! I forgot, uhm, uh…" Eula fumbled over her words, embarrassed by the fact that she was seen in what she would call an unsightly manner. She fixed her posture, and as much as she tried to compose herself, one couldn't help but notice the still present flush on her cheeks. She spoke, her tone poised and graceful, "I apologize if I appeared… unseemly. It was not done deliberately."

"No, no, go on! It's quite okay." Navia shook her head, "In fact, it's really fun watching you two interact. Both of you are precious!"

Urk…! Eula bit the inner of her cheek. She felt a new wave of embarrassment wash over her from Navia's barrage of adoration. Eula attempted a stern look, only for it to come out as an even more endearing appearance for her, much to Paimon and Navia's joy and the knight's chagrin.

Aether chuckled, "Alright, alright. Don't tease her too much." In response to that, Eula pouted, crossing her arms in a display of irritation. She leveled another cute glare, this time aimed at Aether, which he only replied to with an amused smile. He took one of her hands and squeezed it once again, appeasing Eula's spirits somewhat. Content with his actions, she let Aether continue, "I think, at the very least we'll order some drinks for myself and Paimon while you two finish your meals. After we're all done, we can do what we intended to do from the very start. Does that sound good?"

"It would be nice to accomplish what we originally planned, so I'm fine with that." Eula said in a nonchalant tone. Despite her composed demeanor, she had subtly scooted closer to Aether, her hand now firmly grasping his with their fingers entwined together. It was a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Aether, who adored her small showcases of affection.

Fortunately for the easily flustered Spindrift Knight, it was an action that was unseen by the other two at the table.

"That sounds good to me," Navia replied with a nod.

Paimon grinned, "Yeah-yeah! Ooh, what drink should I get…?"

Navia's eyes had then widened, as an eager expression passed by her face. She snapped her fingers as she faced Paimon, "Oh, you know, they're serving this new drink they recently advertised. It's got this sweet, fruity flavor with a hint of mint in it. I think you'd like it, Paimon!"

"Ooh, let me try, let me try!"

Their banter continued as they went through their meals and drinks, the lively conversation adding a pleasant end to their café visit. After settling the bill, they stepped out once again into the streets, ready to continue with their original plan of strolling through the many shops of Quartier Lyonnais.

Amidst their shopping spree, Navia found Eula inspecting an immaculate white sundress. She tapped the knight on the shoulder, prompting the blue-haired girl to look back to face at her. "Is that for you? I have to say, it looks positively enchanting! It would definitely suit you." Navia said.

"Ah, no," Eula's eyes looked back at the sundress, running a hand through the smooth cotton texture of the outfit. "I'd like to buy this one for Grandmaster Jean. She used to be my superior, and I believe I overheard her once about how she loved dresses like these."

"Well, it looks lovely, regardless! I imagine she would adore such a gift." Navia radiantly beamed. Her attention was quickly taken by another article of clothing on display, just behind Eula—a sun hat, pearly-white in design and adorned with a navy blue ribbon that encircled the brim. "Wow… just look at this… how pretty!"

She pushed the hat onto Eula's hands, "If you're going to get her a gift, I recommend you pair it with this. I guarantee she'll love it!"

She stared at her for a moment, mulling over her words. Her eyes gazed at the dress tenderly, before they shone with a newfound enthusiasm. "...you know what, I changed my mind. I'll trust your judgment, but I'll get Grandmaster Jean another one."

"Oh, okay then. That's quite fine, as well!"

Eula smiled with a nod, before waving over to the man behind the counter, "Excuse me…"

After another quick purchase, Eula expressed her gratitude to Navia with a heartfelt "thank you." With another gift secured and no other item piquing her interest, she resolved to find her beloved amongst the rows of people. Her eyes squinted, she leaned forward, and she stood on her toes. She mumbled, "Now, where did Aether say he was again…?"

A gentle voice took Eula's attention back, "Say… listen, Eula," She looked at the source of the voice, finding Navia with an earnestness worn on her face. "Sorry, I know you were about to go looking for Aether, but… I just had to say this, I guess…" She sighed, her eyes reflecting a hint of anxiety. Closing her eyes briefly, she took a deep breath, and shook her head rapidly. When she opened her eyes again, they were filled with determination.

With that, she continued, her voice louder than before. "I've said this to Aether and Paimon, and it came to me that I haven't told you this yet, so… I just wanted to say… thanks. Thanks for being my friend."

Eula's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the sincerity in Navia's tone. She opened her mouth to respond, but Navia continued, her gaze unwavering. "Sometimes we butt heads or don't see eye-to-eye on some things, but one thing's for certain: you've stuck with me through thick and thin throughout these last few hectic months. For that, you'll always be a dear friend to me."

As if realizing something, the blonde froze in place, an awkward smile slowly spreading across her features, "Oh! Um… sorry for the sudden serious topic. I just felt like I had to say that to you… so, there's that." She ended with a grin.

…

A friend, huh?

"...Thank you, for being my friend too." A small, subtle smile graced her lips. "And thank you for… today. For understanding my circumstances."

"Ah, it's no biggie! Of course, it's only right, after all!" Navia leaned forward with a smirk, "You are his love, after all."

As expected, Eula's cheeks turned red in almost an instant. "R-Right," she stuttered. "Right." She calmly said.

She nodded, poised and cool, not a semblance of redness present in her face. Once again, it amazed Navia how quickly she could switch gears. "Of course. That is undisputed. We're partners, he and I. There is no one else." Eula's eyes narrowed, as a pointed look passed by her eyes, "Right?"

Holding in her laughter, Navia simply nodded. "Right you are, don't worry!" She made a mental note in her head to tease Aether as well. She was sure he'd make expressions as entertaining as Eula's. Hell, perhaps those reactions would be even more amusing than hers. She wasn't expecting to be an observer to a real-time love story in action before she met the two, but she wasn't complaining now.

It's almost like I don't have to watch any stage plays at the Opera Epiclese any longer, not when I can watch these two, hehe. Navia thought.

Navia giggled to herself at the notion of a Eula-Aether stage play centered on their romance. If given the opportunity, she would purchase tickets for that play if the idea ever took off. While she was entertained by her musings, her attention was suddenly taken by something glittering in the distance. Her gaze slowly magnetized towards another stall, as her golden orbs started to sparkle, "Oh my, is that… no way! That's a limited time, exclusive tea set that I thought was no longer available. I—" Breaking out of her excited trance, she looked back at Eula, who looked amused by her momentary stupor. "S-Sorry, I got a little carried away there, heh."

Eula simply waved with a smile, "Pay me no mind. Go ahead."

"Ah, alright!" She smiled, that same glimmer in her eyes returning as soon as she said that. Thrilled, Navia nodded and waved back, "I'll just take a gander and see if the price for the set is reasonable. Let's meet back up where Aether is, in let's say… five minutes?"

Eula nodded, "That's fine by me. I'll be with him when you get back."

"Then, I'll see you in a bit! Let's talk more later!" She waved one last time, before turning around and yelling out, "It was nice talking to you! Let's talk more later on the way back home!" She grinned as she turned around, jovially skipping off to a nearby stall. Just like that, gone with the wind.

With Navia announcing her departure, Eula found herself in silence once more, save for the chattering from the neighboring stalls. As her eyes passed by the different trinkets and items displayed, she found herself inadvertently smiling.

Hm.

Friends. I never thought I would ever get one outside of Mondstadt… much less in Mondstadt, either. I was content just by being at Aether's and Paimon's side. But I suppose…

…having a new friend to talk to is good, as well.

Thank you, Navia.

---

The afternoon sun now bathed the city of Fontaine in a warm glow, casting an orange hue over the once bustling streets. The city looked almost magical at this time of day; The vibrant, golden rays of sunlight beaming down on the group had now mellowed out for a softer copper shine, enveloping the roads and alleys they crossed in a soothing, relaxing aura. It made for a pleasant trek back to their lodgings. The party of four had just about finished their tour for souvenirs, amassing quite a haul with their purchases—some of which will go to their other friends in Fontaine, while others for friends around the world.

The day was soon coming to a close. The warm amber light of the sunset began to deepen into shades of indigo and violet. The city's glow gradually faded, replaced by the cool, tranquil colors of evening. The four walked on, their path lit by the first twinkling stars and the soft glow of street lamps. Stalls were being closed shut and stores were retiring for the night as townsfolk started heading back to the warm comfort of their own homes. Yet despite what seemed to be the city quieting down, the four noticed people coming out of hotels, taverns, and shops to enter other venues of entertainment. There were quite a few cafés and inns that remained open or were starting to open, in anticipation of Fontaine's very own night owls. It seemed like this city never truly sleeps, and the sight was reminiscent of the streets of Liyue for the travelers.

Well, except for the local President of the Spina di Rosula, of course, given the fact that she had never yet been to the Harbor.

Speaking of the blonde, she paused in her steps. "Ah, I think this is where I stop." She halted right in front of a ramp descending towards a gate. From memory, Aether remembered it was the entrance into Fleuve Cendre, "I have a few more errands to do here after our little excursion, so I thought I would retire here for the night as well."

"Wow… we've been outside for that long, huh? Paimon didn't even notice that it was night time!" Paimon exclaimed.

That earned her a chuckle from the Traveler, "Well, they do say that time flies when you're having fun."

A warm smile spread across Navia's face, "Right they do, partner. And today certainly was fun! Thank you for today, everyone." Her eyes lit up all of a sudden, as she snapped her fingers, "Oh, right! I almost forgot."

Paimon tilted her head, while Aether nodded, an inquisitive gleam in his eyes.

"Verut's birthday is coming up soon. Aurelle, Lovi, and all the other kids will be there. I overheard him saying he'd be super happy if he could see you three at the party, so it would be really nice if you guys could come."

Aether grinned a toothy smile as he gave a thumbs-up, "Wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll bring my own cooking!"

Eula raised an eyebrow at that. "Really, now? Then, I'll bring my own, as well. Let's see whose food Verut and his friends prefer."

"Oh, is that how it is?" Aether laughed heartily, "You're on, love. I'll show you who's the greatest chef around here!"

A small smile played on Eula's lips, as she crossed her arms. "Oh? You think you can best me? Mark my words, you will regret this."

"A competition… that sounds amazing! Ooh, Paimon can't wait for Verut's birthday! You two better make a loooot of food, okay?"

Navia clapped her hands, "Then it's settled! I should bring my own macarons to the party, too!"

"This keeps getting better and better, hehehe…" Paimon murmured, a drop of drool almost escaping her lips, before quickly being removed as Aether patted her mouth dry with a handkerchief.

A soft giggle escaped from Navia's mouth, amused at her flying friend's daze. She glanced at Eula, who herself had a slight smile. It dawned on Navia that there was still one thing that she wanted to say to Eula before the day ended. She tapped her on the shoulder, prompting the knight to face her, "Oh, actually. Eula?"

"Hm? What is it?"

Aether and Paimon looked at the two, curious expressions on their faces.

Navia blinked, unsure of what to say to the other two. What she was going to say next was only meant solely for 'the girls.' Ultimately, she settled on echoing Eula's earlier sentiment. With a playful wink, she remarked, "Girl talk, hehe."

"Paimon's a girl! Let Paimon in, too!" Paimon grumbled out, pouting.

Navia glanced at Eula, whose expression was nonchalant. The president shrugged, looking back towards Paimon with a nod, "Sure, Paimon! We did promise you earlier, after all." The fairy yelled out an excited 'yay' in response, before floating over to the two tall girls' side.

That left Aether by himself, who could only ponder at what their conversation was going to be. "I sure feel left out a lot today," he jokingly complained with an exaggerated sigh.

Eula couldn't help but release a laugh. It was loud, and her cheeks were tinted red, atypical of her usual short, small bursts of laughter. She ended with a soft giggle, one hand raised to hide her growing grin.

The sound was like warm honey on a cold Sunday morning.

It elicited a blush from Aether, his features exploding into a flurry of red within seconds. "I'll only be for a moment," she said.

The smile on her lips was almost ethereal, possessing Aether briefly before he realized that he hadn't responded yet, "A-Ah, yeah. Sure, go ahead." He stuttered out.

Navia and Paimon exchanged amused smirks. They pulled Eula away as Paimon spoke, "Yeah, she's right! We'll only be gone for a second, lover boy, don't worry!" She ended her sentence by imitating an exaggerated mock kiss, which only fueled Aether's embarrassment even further.

Once they were a bit of distance away, curiosity got the best of Eula as she asked, "So, what was it you wanted to say?"

"Paimon wants to know, too!"

"Well, it's nothing too serious…" Navia glanced at Eula, an earnest look on her features. She nodded with a gentle smile, "After that talk we had, I feel like I've gotten to know you and Aether better."

Eula mirrored her sincerity with a smile of her own, "It was enlightening, to say the least. I learned a lot about you, too."

"Talk you guys had? Do tell!" Paimon shook her fists up and down, a glimmer of excitement sparkling in her eyes.

Navia looked to Eula, as though asking for confirmation to tell the story. Despite some hesitation, Eula relented with a curt nod. Navia smiled and turned back to Paimon, "Well, to keep things short… Eula here had a little misunderstanding." With a subtle motion of her head she gestured towards Aether, "She thought I was in love with our dear Traveler over there."

"Eh? No way, haha! That's too funny!" Paimon hid her mouth as she snickered, only to catch the pointed, cold look Eula shot her way. An uncomfortable shiver ran down her spine, prompting her to hastily correct herself, "P-Paimon meant that that's understandable. A girlfriend has a right to do those sorts of things, for sure!"

Eula gave a slight, indignant huff, her expression tightening into a pout. Navia, on the other hand, simply nodded in response, "Yes, well, you're right, Paimon! Luckily, we've resolved that issue, which is great." She then turned to face Eula fully, "Anyway, I just wanted to say… and this is only just a reminder, okay—to take things slow with him, like you've always had. Don't rush into things too much."

"Oh, well, yes…"

Navia was giddy with excitement at the notion of sharing love advice, something she never had a chance to do before. She nodded enthusiastically, "I read about this on the Steambird's love advice column, and this apparently works really well, you know!"

"Advice from… a newspaper column." Eula replied. Despite how much Navia teased and prodded, at heart it seemed she was an innocent girl when it came to love. She looked completely sincere, too. Eula shook her head, before giving the heartfelt blonde a smile, "Well, I… I'll keep that in mind."

Not like I know any better. I'm still… new to romance, anyway.

"Hmm..." Navia took a glance at Aether, giving him an odd look. She looked back at Eula, giving her the same peculiar expression. She squinted her eyes slightly at Eula, as though deep in thought. She then leaned forward, and she spoke, her voice low and hushed, "Buuut… if you're really, really eager and can't wait, and you ever need a, well… private place just for you two, I'm sure the Spina di Rosula can arrange for something. Perhaps a room?"

Paimon squealed, "Wah! How saucy!"

Within only a fraction of a second, Eula's face exploded into an intense hue of scarlet. "T-That won't be necessary! We have our own home, and—no, that isn't what I mean!" Utterly embarrassed by her slip-up, she bit her lip in frustration. She closed her eyes shut before opening them wide not long after, glaring at the blonde with the full force of a brewing storm. "You! You've been teasing me this entire day! I swear to you, I will rain down a thousand years' worth of retribution onto you if you continue!"

I take back everything I've said about this girl! There was nothing innocent in that… that insinuation!

Unfortunately for the blue-haired girl, Navia was unfazed. In fact, she instead looked ecstatic. Navia giggled, "Okay, I get it, heh! I didn't mean to tease, I swear it was a genuine offer. Sorry!" She relented with a cheeky show of her tongue, giving the girls some space. As she did, her eyes glanced at the sky, noticing the evening nearly setting in. She turned back to her friends. Paimon looked awfully smug, smiling at Eula, as the latter turned her back to the fairy, her cheeks subtly puffed to form a small pout.

Navia laughed at the sight. With a warm smile, she addressed the two, "Alright, hey guys. I think it's about time for me to head out."

Paimon's shoulders slumped, "Ah, right… Paimon's gonna miss you, Navia! Let's meet up soon!"

"Of course, Paimon. Verut's birthday is on the 28th, okay? Let's meet up then!"

Paimon grinned, "It's a promise!"

"Eula?"

The knight squared her shoulders, a hint of defiance battling the lingering flush on her cheeks. "...Yes?"

Navia's lips curved up into a faint smile, a bit of amusement dancing in her eyes. She nodded, her expression warm. "I'll see you around."

Eula stared at the girl for a brief moment, a blank look on her face. Navia almost thought she did something wrong, until a flicker of a smile appeared on Eula. "...Until next time."

Internally, the blue haired girl sighed. She couldn't stay mad at her, not when she had such a sincere look to her.

I didn't figure myself a softie… though, perhaps Aether had a hand in that. Eula thought to herself, amused more than anything.

The blonde's eyes lit up, and her smile grew tenfold. She nodded once again, this time with a lot more verve into it. She then turned around, and with a deep inhale, yelled, "Aether!" The man in question jolted in place, broken out of his own reverie. It seemed he was deep in thought. When he looked at the source of the voice, he found Navia waving at him, her smile as bright as the setting sun.

Aether jogged to where the three were, stopping right in front of Navia. A tinge of a wistful tone was present in the president's voice as she spoke, "We just finished our little talk, you see. And, well… I'll be leaving now. Let's meet up again, partner."

The Traveler looked up to the sky, only now noticing how dark it had gotten. "Oh, I didn't even notice… Then, I'll be seeing you. Let's meet up soon, Navia! Anytime you need us or just want to hang out, just send us a message."

"Anytime, huh? Hehe… well, then!" Navia then turned around, and with a grin, she dashed towards the gate leading to Fleuve Cendre. Right as she arrived in front of it, she spun back around, giving them a big wave. "Once again, thank you for this day! Aether, Paimon, Eula, thank you!"

The three waved back, matching Navia's energy to varying degrees. Notably, Aether and Paimon waved with as much enthusiasm as they could muster, whereas Eula gave a small wave. Before long Navia's figure disappeared behind the gate, leaving the group in a comfortable silence.

"So uh…" Aether started, eyebrows raised in curiosity, "About that talk. I assume I can't know—"

"No."

Aether could've sworn he saw the faintest tint of pink on her cheeks, but he found nothing upon closer inspection. Either way, he flashed a toothy, mischievous grin. He spun his hand dramatically in a flourish, before bowing theatrically, "Your wish is my command."

A loud yawn interrupted Aether's playful antics, bringing the two's attention to their white-haired friend. Paimon stretched her little hands up high, her eyelids drooping slightly as she huffed out a tired sigh, "Paimon's a bit sleepy after all that… if you guys don't mind, let's go to the hotel already."

Aether gestured to the path ahead with an open palm, "Lead the way, Paimon."

"Okaaay…" Another yawn from Paimon echoed in the air, followed by the comical sight of her tiny body floating limply towards the hotel, arms and legs swinging loosely all the while.

After watching the fairy slowly lead the way, Aether's gaze flitted back to Eula's. He gave her a tender smile as he offered his hand, "Shall we get going, then?"

Eula's fingers slipped seamlessly into his, as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. With half-lidded eyes, she gazed at their entwined hands with a soft, tender expression that spelled just how much she missed the gentle pressure of the simple act. No spoken reply was given to Aether, but the meaning behind her actions made her thoughts crystal clear.

Against the backdrop of Fontaine draped in a moonlight glow, the two walked hand-in-hand through the dimly lit streets—the warmth of their clasped hands a comforting presence in the chilly night air. They took slow, patient steps, their eyes following the figure of their fairy friend floating in the distance. As they neared their destination, they encountered a flight of stairs that plunged downwards into darkness. With no working street light in the vicinity, it was especially difficult to see, even for seasoned adventurers like them.

Aether squinted his eyes as they descended, but it was to no avail. It seemed like they were nearly at the base of the stairs, but it was hard to tell. He sighed in frustration, "It's a bit dark here… Man, I thought they got this fixed last week—whoa!"

Suddenly, the Traveler lost his footing. He put his right foot down, only for it to be met by nothing solid. Startled, his hand lost its grip on Eula's as he felt gravity take hold of him for a moment, before his descent was abruptly stopped.

"I got you." It was Eula, whose other hand grabbed hold of his in the nick of time. As though kismet itself intervened, the street lights all at once came on, illuminating the Spindrift Knight's countenance in the darkness. Her expression showed a mixture of amusement and concern. She smiled, pulling him up to his feet as she did, "Seriously. Despite how adventurous you are, you can be so clumsy sometimes."

A bubble of laughter came from his lips, both at her comment and the unexpected light show, "Heh, yeah. I can't deny that." His assumptions were right; they were nearly at the foot of the stairs. He took a few more steps down, touching down on the cobblestone street, before he turned to face the knight. A teasing glint in his eyes was present as he cheerfully grinned, "Thanks, Eula. Always such a prince, huh?"

Eula descended the final steps with a steady rhythm, the click of her boots echoing on the stone pavement. Reaching the bottom, Aether expected either a snarky response from her or a teasing one. Instead, her expression seemed… distant. Contemplative, perhaps. "I'm no prince," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. Her gaze flickered away from Aether, her features strained.

This immediately set alarm bells ringing inside Aether's head. That was a complete 180 from her previous expression. Did he say something to make her mad? Or did she remember something… unpleasant? Whatever it is, what mattered right now was to be by her side. His brow creased in concern, and with a gentle hand on her shoulder he asked, "Eula…? You okay?"

Her back was turned to his. A subtle tremor ran through Eula's shoulders as he heard her inhale. She spoke, her voice barely a whisper, "...Because, would a prince do this?" Suddenly, she spun around, grabbing his hand in a tight grip. With a gentle tug that quickly turned firm, she urged him towards a nearby alley, away from the bright lights and the open street.

"W-Whoa! Eula, where are you taking me—"

"—Oof!" Aether had barely enough time to react when he felt his back make impact with the cool brick of the alley wall. A moment of dazed confusion washed over him, his head swirling slightly as he shook it off. Aether realized he was pinned to a wall by his partner, but for what reason, he didn't know. He was about to voice his growing curiosity, when he felt a sudden warmth enveloping him. He found Eula, head buried in the crook of his neck, arms wrapping around him in an intense embrace. Her hands snaked around his back with a desperate clinging, as if afraid of letting him go.

"E-Eula?"

She couldn't hear Aether, as the only thing on her mind was the feel of his body pressing firmly against hers. It was a wave of relief for her, that warm comfort of his relieving the tension present in her shoulders, that was especially prevalent after such a long day. "Mrm…" she mumbled, nuzzling even deeper into his neck. A jolt of electricity shot through Aether as he felt her murmurs reverberate through his body, stunning him with a bright blush.

With a deep sigh, she spoke, her voice a soft whisper that tickled Aether's ear, "You know… I always told you I would always be honest. So I will." Aether felt her grip on him tighten, "...I was quite jealous today."

She shifted her weight, her hold on him loosening up as she pulled away slightly. Her heterochromatic orbs, anxious and uncertain, met his golden ones. "You cozied up too much to Navia today."

"For that… I'll have my vengeance." A tremor ran through Eula's body. Her breath became labored, her pupils dilated and unfocused, and a vibrant flush on her face matched Aether's own scarlet countenance.

Suddenly, Aether felt a soft, fleeting sensation touch his lips.

The blood on his cheeks burned even brighter, as realization dawned on him.

Eula quickly pulled back. Even under the twilight sky, Aether could still make out the intense, crimson bloom present on her visage. Her eyebrows were knit together. Her lips were pursed. There was an almost feral look to her eyes as her grip on him tightened.

"...For making me feel jealous."

She pulled him in closer. She pressed hers against his, and this time, she savored it.

His lips held a hint of a subtle bitterness. The drink he had back at the café.

The taste was intoxicating.

A lack of oxygen made her pull back once more, much to her chagrin. She leaned into his ear, her proximity making it even more difficult for Aether's mind to process.

"For making me so nervous."

He could feel her breath, warm and sweet, teasing the tip of his nose. Her eyes, alight with a tender, affectionate gaze that took all the breath in his lungs away. He couldn't focus on anything else—the sight of his surroundings, the alley that was so vivid to him earlier was now such a blur. Her labored breathing quickened, its pace a rapid rhythm, in tandem with his heartbeat. Her hands, slender and delicate, placed themselves on his shoulders. Her dainty fingers reached up, slowly snaking their way up his neck, tracing a path along his jaws all the way up to his cheeks.

"You know, he often does that actually—he talks about you all the time, gushing and reminiscing like you two only just got together the other day. The fact that the both of you are like that… heh, that's just great!"

…

A soft, small smile etched itself onto her lips. She cupped his face in her hands as she whispered, "For… loving me like so."

She moved his head closer to his, and in one swift motion, jumped at him, capturing his lips once again. She separated as quickly as she lunged at him, much to Aether's momentary disappointment, before her next set of actions quickly changed his mind. She started peppering him with kisses, trailing all the way from the edge of his lips all the way to his neck. It was a barrage of soft, loving pecks; almost like a flurry of affectionate punches that incapacitated him, rendering him unable to move as the gears in his brain started working on hyperdrive.

Aether suddenly felt a sharp pain on his neck.

Did she just…

He heard a gasp, and abruptly, he watched a blue blur step away from him at lightning speed.

She finally relented, her own mind entangled in a daze. She felt dizzy from the heat, despite the cold atmosphere permeating in the air. She stumbled in her step as she separated from him. Her right hand reached up, clutching her chest as the rapid beating of her heart persisted. She had her back turned to him, her face a blazing crimson she didn't want Aether to see.

Aether was no better. In his embarrassment, he held one hand up to obscure his features, despite the obvious red hue that blanketed the entirety of his face. A dull ache throbbed on his neck, pulling his attention away from the aftermath of her attack. His hand tentatively reached up, trying to find that earlier source of pain. His fingers brushed past a tender bump, and his cheeks flared up in heat once again. He breathed out a deep sigh in an attempt to calm himself. In a way, he was relieved at the fact that he finally had some sort of breather from that affectionate assault she doled out.

…Though, he couldn't lie. He was somewhat disappointed it ended so quickly. In his heart, he didn't mind that sort of… aggressiveness from Eula. It was not something she would typically display. While she was a lot more receptive to his approaches now, it usually was him that had to break her out of her icy shell. However, he'd never admit that to her, lest he be teased relentlessly from both the blue-haired knight and Paimon.

"I…" That shook Aether out of his stupor. Eula sighed, still recovering from her own flustered haze. Eula looked at him from the corner of her eyes, still too bashful to face him directly. Her breath trembled as she stuttered, "I-I apologize. I got too carried away…"

Aether was quick to retort, waving his hands dismissively as he took two steps forward, "No, no, that's okay…! It's, uh… well, it's better than okay, actually." He said, his voice transforming into a whisper the longer he spoke.

"W… What?"

"N-Nothing!" His mouth formed an awkward smile, a feeble attempt at hiding his embarrassment. With an audible gulp, Aether nervously laughed, the sound echoing in the empty backstreet. His forced laughter soon faltered, and the atmosphere that followed descended into a thick silence. Aether kept parting his lips to speak, but no words came out. Eula's gaze darted away, her fingers nervously fiddling with a loose thread on her glove. It was deafening—both parties wanted to say something, but the threat of an awkward exchange loomed over their heads. There was a tinge of redness that was left on both of their faces, a remnant of their… heated interaction just moments ago.

Eula replayed the memory of her passionate outburst over and over, the faint tint of scarlet on her face burning hotter as each fleeting image passed by in her mind. Aether, oblivious to her internal turmoil, slowly started recuperating in the aftermath of her affectionate assault. With one hand clutching his head, his breathing calmed, the frantic rhythm replaced by a gentle pace. As he composed himself, he allowed his thoughts ample respite. Frankly, he was still dazed and confused from the entire ordeal. He breathed out a sigh, and in an attempt to understand Eula's actions, his thoughts had drifted back to the exchange they had earlier. This time, focusing on her words.

"For making me nervous."

His forehead scrunched up, a sudden, heavy weight making its presence known.

"...For making me jealous."

His hands started to feel clammy. The crushing pressure on his chest tightened its hold.

"For that… I'll have my vengeance."

His gaze turned unfocused, his expression a full scowl at this point.

"You cozied up too much to Navia today."

And with that one sentence, everything else started to click.

In contrast to the warmth he felt from her loving barrage, there was now a pervasive sense of guilt that enveloped his entire body.

I can't believe I… I was that stupid.

He was aware that he could be… dense, at times. But for this, he had no excuse. A shower of affection accompanied her frustrations, but that didn't mean those concerns of hers were invalid.

He should've spoken about it sooner. Talked to Eula sooner.

That conflicted expression that Eula wore, just before she pulled him into this alley, branded itself into his mind.

That crestfallen look made his heart sink.

…He hated making her feel like this.

After what felt like an eternity, Aether mustered enough courage to be the first to break the heavy air. "Eula," The girl looked up at him slowly, the image of his still-flustered face a grand reminder of her actions from before. Swallowing the embarrassment lumped in her throat, she leveled a serious gaze at him. He continued, his voice tinged with remorse, "I'm… I'm sorry I made you jealous. I… I should've considered your feelings more. I may be… stupid at times, and I don't figure things out too quickly, but… that's not the point. I should've understood, and I should've made my stance clear from the very start. I shouldn't have let Navia get that close. I should've told her. I made you feel upset, uncomfortable, and… I made you feel awful. I'm sorry, Eula."

There was no response from her. At least, not immediately. Judging from her unresponsiveness, Aether thought she was mad, furious even. It only made sense, especially with how long it took for him to address a problem that was prevalent for what was weeks at this point. He understood if she was angry. She had every right to be. With a hand rubbing his nape absently, he sought to apologize once more, when the sound of her voice broke the silence.

"...up to me." A low, hushed tone. Barely audible. Her hands were balled up to fists, her gaze hidden behind her bangs.

"S-Sorry, love, what was that?"

She jerked her head up to look at him. Her eyes now burned bright with a fierce gaze, and all of it was pointed right at him. With a stomp of her foot and her chin raised, she yelled, "I said, make it up to me!"

"Oh," Aether blinked rapidly, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. That was not her asking—that was a demand. He mulled on it for a moment, eventually settling on something. There was a certain request she kept suggesting multiple times. It only went unfulfilled due to how busy they were, and how often they met with other people. Perhaps with their schedule less hectic now, he could propose the idea again. With a hesitant cough, he gingerly offered, "Then, it's a… date?"

Fortunately for him, it was exactly what she wanted to hear. With a hand on her cheek, Eula managed a confident nod, "Vasari Passage. Near the fountain. Tomorrow, 9 o' clock. I want us to meet separately, because…" That composed air of hers remained, but a flicker of shyness peeked through. She sighed, the sound punctuated by a nervous flutter in her chest. "I… I bought a new dress earlier today," she confessed, her voice dropping a touch as a blush crept up her cheeks. "I want to show it to you."

"I-I see. That's—that's good. I mean, that's great! I'm really happy to hear that." With how awkwardly he delivered that, Aether wanted to punch himself right then and there. Ridding himself of that sort of self-deprecation with a shake of his head, he managed a smile, "Then, it's a date. I'm looking forward to it."

As relief washed over him, Aether suddenly grabbed hold of Eula's hands, painting the girl's cheeks a deeper coat of red. He nodded, and with it came an infectious enthusiasm that colored his voice, "I'll make it up to you, I swear it! I'll take you to a lot of places tomorrow, just you wait!"

Eula giggled. Her fingers, nimble and quick, wove between his, gently taking control so that it was now her who was holding his hands. With a playful tilt of her head, she smiled, "I'll hold you to that, then."

"Oh, and… I guess we'd have to tell Paimon about it. We need to find some way to appease her." Aether snickered, "You know how rowdy she gets when she's not invited."

"Paimon will understand. My own cooking should be enough consolation for leaving her alone for a day. If it isn't, well…" A shadow crossed Eula's features, yet a small smile tugged at her lips, betraying her apparent faux-cold appearance, "I'll give her a stern talking to. I'm sure she'll understand then."

Aether's shoulders shook, as another bout of laughter filled the air. Eula, her lips still curved in a playful smile, watched him for a moment. It was a boisterous sound, by all accounts bothersome and rowdy. Yet to her, it was a pleasant noise to her ears—comforting, even. It was no surprise, then, that a soft chuckle escaped Eula's lips, before it too blossomed into a string of melodic laughs.

Their laughter died down in gentle waves, leaving a comfortable silence in its wake. Aether wiped a stray tear from his eye, heaving out a pleased sigh. In the quiet space between them, he took a glance at her. Eula had a warm smile etched on her face, content in the simple joy of watching the Traveler laugh.

Pretty.

I really am lucky to have someone like her, huh?

Aether's gaze dipped to the ground, his hand self-consciously reaching up to ruffle his hair. His foot nudged a loose stone on the path, sending it skittering across the cracks. A warmth crept up his neck, painting his cheeks a faint pink. Slowly, he looked up, a meek grin on his face.

"...Thank you, Eula."

Eula shook her head, "It's no problem. I'm just glad you understand. Although…" She trailed off, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Perhaps I do spoil you a little too often, wouldn't you say?" Aether's expression comically immediately drooped, looking as though he had been hit by the worst news he could've ever heard. Another soft bout of giggles came from Eula, "I'm only joking, okay? You look like you've just been struck by lightning, you know."

"You got me there…" Aether sighed, a strained chuckle escaping his lips. On instinct, his hand flew to his neck, a nervous habit whenever his nerves got to him. However, as he did, his fingers brushed past what felt like a familiar bump. His eyes widened, as slowly, realization set in. The Traveler sputtered out a cough as heat flooded his features almost instantly.

Eula, who had been sporting a smug expression just a moment ago, mirrored the vibrant red of Aether's face as she saw where his hand was. "S-Sorry. I was too rough. I didn't—well…" She squirmed underneath Aether's own flustered gaze, before a stomp of her foot startled Aether. Abruptly, she shifted in her stance, taking on a confident pose. Eula squared her shoulders, hands planted firmly on her hips. Her eyebrows drew together as she attempted a fierce look, and with a slight tremble to her lip she spoke, "I-If you must know, well, given how close Navia was to you, I wanted to… w-wanted to mark you! That was what was going through my head, of course…" Her voice drew closer and closer to a murmur by the end of the sentence, ending with pursed lips and a look that was shy more than anything else.

Aether squinted hard, barely making out the red tint that crawled all the way up to her ears.

"...You aren't selling me anything, you know." He said, all accompanied by a cheeky grin.

"S-Shut up!"

The unconvincing glare in her eyes did nothing to quell Aether's amusement. Aether snickered, bowing his head over and over, "Sorry, sorry!" Before Eula could even have a chance to retort, a whirlwind of gold darted forward, her breath caught as she felt a sudden warmth envelop her. Aether scooped her up into an embrace, donning a grin all the while. She initially wanted to protest; to avert her gaze with a whip of her head and a pout. Her instincts told her to pull away, to maintain this facade of defiance.

Yet, as Aether's hold tightened, and the comforting scent of his clothes washed over her, it began dispelling what little annoyance was still lingering. What replaced it was a small fluttering in her chest, one she was so dearly familiar with.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Eula's shoulders slumped, her arms eventually finding their way around Aether's back. She buried her face in the depths of his golden hair, letting out a soft sigh. Aether chuckled, the sound a warm rumble against her ear.

The tender hold she had on him spurred a thought in Aether's head. It placed a funny smile on him as he recalled. Whispers always followed Eula back after every mission, thrown around by bandits who were taken into custody. What weaknesses could the Spindrift Knight possibly have—was it her preference for style over practicality in battle? Perhaps the heft of her swings made her vulnerable at specific angles? None were truly the case, as she felled foe after foe with incredible ease time and time again.

Another deep sigh escaped Eula's lips, the warmth of her breath sending loving tingles down Aether's spine. Her hold on him tightened even further.

"Ack!" Aether felt all the breath in his lungs escape. He gently tapped Eula's arms, "A bit too tight, love…"

"S-Sorry."

If only they knew what the Spindrift Knight's true weakness was.

After a minute or so of their embrace, the two separated—notably slowly, with how hesitant Eula was in letting go.

A silence descended on them. It was neither uncomfortable nor was it pleasant, but either way Aether didn't want a repeat of their awkward staring contest just moments ago. "I, uh… I'm not gonna bother you about it, but…" He pointed at his neck with a grin, "Next time, tell me if you're gonna do something like that, heh."

Eula had almost forgotten about the imprint she made on him. Seeing it once again sent a surge of heat crawling up her face, but she powered through the embarrassment by loudly clearing her throat. As she swallowed her flusteredness down, with one hand on her hip, she spoke, her voice coming out in a low murmur, "...Okay. But mark my words." A strong, determined look passed by her eyes, her lips a straight line as she declared, "You're mine. With or without that… that mark on your neck. And I'll make sure everyone understands that."

A string of melodic laughter came out of him. With his left hand playfully placed on his chest and his right hand giving an exaggerated twirl, he bowed with a grin, "No arguments here, ma'am. I'm all yours, now and forever."

She crossed her arms, "Hmph. It's good that you know."

Clink. Clank. The couple whipped their heads at a frightening speed to the source of the sound. It was a Gardemek, stiffly walking by in the street adjacent to them. Their tense postures relaxed, dropping the fighting stance.

Eula glanced at a nearby lamp, its light blinking erratically. Her gaze then drew to the sky, noting how incredibly dark it was. "I believe we should be getting back by now."

"Ah, Paimon must've been waiting for us. I guess we spent a pretty long time here." He shook his head, amused. He paused in his movement, before leveling a sly gaze at the blue-haired girl, "Long time, indeed. Huh… maybe you're right. Maybe you do spoil me too often."

Her brow scrunched up and, expectedly, a blush bloomed on her face. "Zip your mouth and hold my hand, Aether."

Aether's smile grew tenfold. "As you say, your majesty. Let us depart!" Deftly, his fingers slipped in between hers, entwining their hands together.

They walked out of the dim alleyway and back into the well-lit main street. No words were exchanged, as none were needed. In the quiet space between their breaths, the two found comfort simply in each other's presence.

They spotted their hotel in the distance, and at its front doors was a panicking fairy. Her eyes kept darting from building to building, trying to spot any semblance of a blue or golden color. Upon seeing this, Eula and Aether picked up the pace of their walk. They felt a little guilty, seeing the usually so jovial girl look so frightened.

Paimon's frantic gaze went to and fro along the street, her tiny fists clenched in worry. Just as her imagination conjured up a terrifying scenario involving Fatui agents and suspicious back alleys, two familiar figures emerged from the shadows at the end of the street. Relief washed over her like a tidal wave, causing her to deflate dramatically. "A-Aether? Eula?"

"Hey, Paimon…" Aether gulped. He wasn't sure what exactly to say. He couldn't just… start describing in detail why they were late, after all. He scratched the back of his head, bowing slightly, "Sorry we're so late. We, uh…" He looked to his partner, who fortunately looked calm.

"We were caught up in something. We apologize, but… I suppose it was mostly my fault." Eula said.

"Hey…" Aether said softly, his eyes warming with concern as they met hers. "Don't blame yourself too much. I'm partly to blame as well, you know."

"I suppose so, yes." The knight smiled, giving Aether's hand a gentle squeeze.

Paimon, on the other hand, looked deathly tired, that expression on her face the very definition of upset. "Oh…!" With a pout, Paimon stomped her feet in the air, "Paimon kept wondering where you two went! Paimon was so worried! Where did you two even go—"

Ruffled, messy hair on both of them. Their clothes, disheveled and wrinkled. Eula's tie was crooked, and Aether's scarf unclasped. Their expressions, carrying a subtle pinkish hue. There was a radiant glow about the two, and Paimon felt like she could most likely figure out why. The fairy's eyes wandered around even more, before finally spotting the coup de grace for her brief investigation.

Her gaze landed on one, very specific location, right above his collarbone.

Ah.

Paimon sighed, and despite exhaustion clinging to every fiber of her being, she couldn't help the grin that stretched across her face.

Paimon already knows. And Paimon shouldn't ask.

Paimon will give you this, just this one time.

"Let's just go inside, you two." The fairy turned around, opening the door to the hotel with little fanfare or energy.

The couple exchanged glances, sharing an amused look before Aether simply replied, "Yes, Paimon."

"Thank you, Paimon." Eula added.

With the sound of the hotel lobby's door chime ringing, their day had finally come to a close. As they ascended the stairs leading to their room, Aether paused, turning to look at Eula.

Their gazes locked, and a silent conversation was shared between the two. Aether laughed, already knowing what that eager look on Eula's eyes meant. Slowly, he leaned in, his hand cupping her cheek.

The kiss was brief; gentle. It was exactly what they needed before a good night's rest.

"That was for earlier." He whispered.

She cracked a smile, "Just go inside, playboy."

He snickered, "Ladies first!"

Aether opened the door to their room with a gallant, playful bow. With a chuckle, Eula graciously accepted his offer, entering the room first. As the door closed behind them, both the traveler and the knight shared only one thing in their mind:

I can't wait for tomorrow's date.

END

---

A/N: Thank you for reading. I had some difficulties in writing this, but in the end it was also fun to write.

If you couldn't tell, it's because I really, really, really like Eula, by the way.

I wanted to create a story with Navia, as I really liked her character, and conjured up this story involving her as a sort-of spinoff to Ice and Gold, as I couldn't find a way to put this into the main story. I'd like to make a fic with her some day, too.

I've been busy recently, hence why I've slowed down considerably in my writing. My last work was in November! That's a pretty long time. Unfortunately life gets you like that, and now I'm in my final years of college. Things are really hectic now. I have drafts made for The Puppet is in Love's final chapter and an entire script and outline created for Chapter 3 of Nii-Chan Has an Astonishing Amount of Interests, but given how busy life has been recently I'm afraid I don't know when I can come back to those stories. I know people have waited a long time for updates on those, and for that I apologize. I have to announce that I intend to take a break from writing to focus on my studies, but hopefully I'll be able to return soon.

As always, please tell me if there are any errors whether that be spelling or grammatical. Help is always appreciated. Thank you for your support all this time. I may not respond a lot but I read each and every comment and they are all dear to me. Thank you! And I hope you enjoyed reading through this side-story!