Dreams were painful. One moment you had everything you wanted. Then you woke up. You forgot the dream, forgot you had everything you wanted, and all you had left: a hole.
Aether couldn't remember much after meeting Caribert in the memory. He felt the forgotten memory gnaw his heart. An overwhelming sensation of loss fell over him. A loss that went beyond words. It was the kind of sorrow you couldn't explain but felt like a knife on your chest.
He reached into his pocket where his hand brushed something new.
A photograph that showed him with Lumine.
The hole became a crater. He had a name for this pain now.
Grief.
Ei had been meditating in Euthymia when the Raiden Shogun alerted her to an intruder in Tenshukaku. That Aether man. Ei frowned in perplexity. Why had he come at this hour? She returned her conscience to the puppet. Aether stood before the throne.
He was in a state so miserable it broke her heart. Aether's eyes were bloodshot, like he'd been crying. His hair looked a mess and his whole body shook. Ei immediately went to his side.
"What's wrong?"
He put on a fake smile.
"I'm fine."
Ei embraced him, guiding his face to rest on her shoulder. He cracked. He collapsed into her arms, quivering and trembling.
"It's been over a year since I lost Lumine," he said softly. "I'm still no closer to finding her."
Ei slipped onto the floor with him. He heaved silent, dry tears that shook his whole body. Ei stroked his long yellow hair. More than anything, she wished she could end his misery. Would he only ask, she'd churn up all Teyvat searching for his sister.
But right now, he did not need such promises. He needed comfort.
She paused. "Aether. Can I…tell you something personal?"
He nodded. Ei swallowed.
"As you may have guessed," she said shyly. "You are not my first lover."
She waited for a reaction. Repulsion, disgust, confusion…nothing. He just laid there, his face unchanging. Ei cleared her throat.
"My general Sasayuri."
Still, he said nothing. Ei swallowed.
"When Orobashi destroyed him, I was devastated."
"Ei, I'm sorry. Is that why you…?"
"Locked myself up for 500 years? It was one of many reasons. I never wanted to feel again, not if feeling meant getting hurt."
Ei shook her head.
"Foolish. If I had stayed in Euthymia, perhaps I could have avoided the grief. But I'd never have met you." She smiled.
Ei caressed his cheek.
"You showed me life goes on after tragedy, and despite everything, it is still more than worthwhile. And yes, it does hurt. However, grief is not something we must face alone. I'm here for you. We are all here for you."
He fell silent.
"Ei…please…hold me."
She did. Aether lied in her embrace, shivering with silent tears.
Before long, he slipped into sleep. Ei drew her realm dispatch. Tenshukaku vanished, replaced by the familiar Serenitea Pot mansion.
She picked up Aether and carried him to the front steps where Tubby dozed. As she approached, the adeptus snapped awake. Seeing Ei carrying Aether, she paused. Somehow, Tubby seemed to understand right away. The adeptus asked no questions.
"Tubby," said Ei. "Summon the others."
Tubby quirked an eyebrow. The adeptus probably thought Ei intended to keep him for herself. While the temptation was indeed great, tonight he needed more than just her. Tubby drew the realm dispatch from her sleeve. She fiddled with the indentation and the teapot engraving lit up.
At this hour, Ei imagined most of them would be asleep. Many would likely miss the signal. First, the night owls arrived: Keqing, Layla, Noelle, Ganyu, Amber, Ningguang, Yae Miko, Arlecchino, Rosaria, Kokomi, Charlotte, Eula, and Hu Tao. Then, Shenhe, Navia, Lisa, Ayaka, Furina, Lynette, Yae Miko, Mirror Maiden, Nilou, Katarina, Jeht, Dehya, and Beidou. They all arrived. Every single person.
Tubby floated towards the assembled crowd. "Thank you for coming on short notice," she spoke in a soft whisper that carried across the Teapot. "I'm afraid we have an emergency. Aether is… " She paused, searching for the words.
Ei stepped in. "He is grieving."
Tubby nodded grimly. She returned her attention to the women. Everyone resisted the impulse to rush forward and comfort him.
"I know it's rather sudden, but he needs you. You girls are the brightest part of his life now. Could a few of you spend the night with him?"
"Yes." "Of course." And a chorus of nods. Every woman rushed up the steps. Together, they maneuvered him to the bedroom. Aether was changed into pajamas and tucked under the covers. One by one, they kissed his cheeks. Everyone found a place to sleep beside him.
He had that dream again. The one that left him with a hole in his chest when he woke up. He stared blankly at the ceiling. The hole gnawed his heart.
"Aether," came a voice.
He looked around, realizing he and Ei were no longer alone. Every woman he ever loved stood about the room.
"Aether." It was Keqing who spoke. "You can depend on us. We depend on you too. Understand, you mean so much to us. You're the man I rely on."
Keqing leaned over and kissed his cheek. The Yuheng made away for Ayaka.
"You're my husband," she said, kissing his cheek. Ayaka stepped aside, allowing Nilou to take her place at his side.
"My dance partner," she said. Nilou kissed him like the others. She moved out of the way. Furina took her place. She gently grasped his shoulders, looking at him with all the love she had to give.
"And the one who got me to dance again," she said. Furina kissed him. One by one, the other girls came up.
"The future father of our kids," said Navia.
"And the father of our foster child," added Rosaria.
"My rival," said Amber.
"My cutie," said Lisa.
"And my vengeance," said Eula.
"You're the man who thinks a journalist can be a hero," said Charlotte.
"The man who puts up with my weirdness," said Hu Tao.
"The man who will help me achieve my dream," said Noelle.
"The man who helped me overcome my fears," said Collei.
"My catch," said Yelan.
"My bed buddy," said Cryo Cincin Mage.
"And my bootie call," said Yae Miko with a smirk.
"My lover," said Xianyun.
"My family," said Shenhe.
"And my everything," said Ganyu.
"My study buddy," said Layla.
"My fishing buddy," said Yanfei.
"My rock buddy," said Xinyan.
"My student," said Faruzan.
"And my first mate," added Beidou with a grin.
"You're part of my gang," said Shinobu.
"My best friend," said Aloy.
"My energy recharge," said Kokomi.
"My number one fan," said Barbara
"And my fated love," said Mona.
"My economic lover," said Ningguang.
"My research partner," said Sucrose.
"My culinary crusader," said Xiangling.
"My muse," said Yun Jin.
"My fellow law enforcer," said Chevreuse.
"The consort of the Prinzessin der Verurteilung."
"And my Honorary Knight," added Jean.
"My sparring partner," said Dehya.
"My oasis," said Candace.
"My firework," said Yoimiya
"My inspiration," said Chiori
"My delivery buddy," said Kirara
"And my future boyfriend," said Chlorinde. "Even if you don't know it yet."
As the duelist stepped aside, the Electro Archon knelt beside Aether. She traced the shape of his cheek.
"You, Aether, are my eternity," she said. Ei planted her kiss on his lips, then she moved aside. A tall, blue-veiled woman took her place.
"My redemption," said Mirror Maiden. Once she kissed him, she lay her forehead against his. Behind the veil, a single wet tear rolled down her cheek.
The Mirror Maiden rose. Katarina the cincin mage sat down. Her violet hood had been lowered so he could see her entire face.
"My salvation," she said. Katarina embraced him, as she kissed his cheek. The mage stepped aside, so a desert dweller could take her place. This woman embraced him, digging her fingers into his golden hair.
"You're my reason to live," said Jeht. "My tribe. And my answer to what comes next."
She kissed him. With one last grateful squeeze, she scurried out of the way.
A grey coated woman crossed the room. Crimson eyes, once sharp and severe, regarded him softly. Arlecchino took his hands into hers.
"I couldn't love anyone before you," she said, kissing his forehead. "You're the reason I can. The reason I can live."
Arlecchino kissed his lips. As the Knave joined the others, Aether's heart trembled. Every woman regarded him with so much love. His throat panged, soaking in all their affection. He shook his head, forcing a laugh.
"Thanks," he said. "I…"
"Hold on," said Keqing. "We're not the only ones with something to say."
She grabbed his arm and escorted him out the mansion. His jaw dropped. Countless people lined the Realm Within. A mob of men, women, and children from every corner of the world.
"So?" Keqing called above the crowd. "Who's Aether to all of you?"
"Klee's big brother!"
"Qiqi's special friend."
"The man who will help me bring down the wine industry!"
"The guy who'll help me grow tall."
"A friend to the Melusines," said Sigewinne.
"And a friend to all the adeptus," added Yaoyao.
"My little apprentice," said Dori.
"My brother in arms," said Diluc
"My lupical."
"My numero uno amigo!" said Itto.
"And my one and only teammate," added Bennett.
"I consider you an ally to the Tengu warriors."
"An asset to Bubu Pharmacy."
"You're my fellow soldier," added Gorou.
"And my fellow knight," said Kaeya.
"You are the savior of Fontaine," said Neuvillette.
"The savior of Sumeru," said Alhaitham
"The savior of Inazuma," added Ayato. "And my future brother-in-law."
"The man who freed me from my cage," said Nahida.
"The man who named me," said Wanderer.
"And the man who saved Collei," said Tighnari.
"You are the purveyor of justice for everyone, even the convicted," added Wriothsly
"You kept my friend's dream alive," said Kazuha.
"You avenged my mentor Cesar," said Lyney.
"You helped me reconcile with my dad," said Gaming.
"You made Hermanubis whole," said Sethos. "You helped grandpa rest."
"And you helped me deal with that imposter," said Albedo.
"You brought peace to Inazuma," said Thoma. "You're a hero."
"My ally in justice," said Xinqiu.
"My comrade!"
"My fellow exorcist," said Chongyun.
"And my fellow sleuth," said Heizou.
"You're someone I can talk to," said Freminet.
"Someone I don't feel nervous around," said Mika.
"Someone I trust," said Xiao.
"Someone who gives me perspective," said Kaveh.
"Someone who appreciates a good joke," said Cyno.
"Someone who can really sing and dance," chimed Venti
"And someone I share a special contract with," said Zhongli.
The Geo Archon smiled amicably. As Aether tried taking this all in, a new group of people stepped up.
"You gave me my life back," said Dunyezard.
"You showed me King Deshret considered the Dendro Archon his friend," said Rahman.
"You saved Chunyu Vale," said Fujin.
"You saved Fujin," said Lingyuan.
"You saved me," said Nikolay, "even though I'm a Fatui."
"And you helped countless students with their research projects!"
"You're my vision," said Rana.
"My Yasnapati," said Sorush
"My dad," said Shuyu.
"My favorite customer," said Liben.
"And mine," barked Wagner in his gruff voice.
"You are a human One considers worthy of the adeptus' respect," said Mountain Carver.
"A human worthy to battle alongside the adeptus," said Mountain Shaper.
"And, a human who has earned our friendship," said Madame Ping.
"My fellow alchemist," said Timaeus.
"My Genius Invocation protégé," meowed Prince.
"My perfect delivery guy," said Sara of Good Hunter.
"My teacher," said Elin.
"My favorite aquebus passanger," said Aeval.
"My stand-in chef," said Smiley Yanxiao.
"You saved Zubyr Theater," said Sheikh Zubyr.
"And the Feline Fortress!"
"Not to mention, the Veluriyam Mirage," said Idiya.
"You helped me move on," said Zuria Destree.
Old Finch smiled. "You let me see my beloved fairy one last time."
"You helped let go of my hate for Fungi," said Hanniyah.
"You helped us with the Mikawa Flower Festival," said Hitotsume Kozou, Youko, and Kappa.
"You helped me get over my illness," said Anna.
"I couldn't have organized those music festivals without you," said Dvorak.
"The Two Muskateers would've been a flop without you," said Xavier.
"Faissole and I only got married because you saved us," said Avice.
"Seymour got fixed because of you," said Mamare.
"I found my true identity, thanks to you," said Caterpillar.
"I found Mary Ann thanks to you," said Ann.
"My shrine stands strong and proud thanks to you," said Neko.
More people sounded off. The entire Melusine village and all the Aranara sang his praises. The residents of Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, and Fontaine voiced their gratitude. Even Scylla, Andrius, and Dvalin had shown up to tell him thanks. It was all too much. Aether's voice failed him.
Keqing then glanced at the remaining two figures who had yet to speak. They floated over to Aether, with nothing but love in their eyes.
"You," said Tubby, "restored the Realm Within. You are my master and the person I respect most of all."
Tubby smiled. The final person darted right up to him.
"You're Paimon's bestest friend in the whole, wide world!" The little fairy floated over to Aether. "Don't ever forget, we're all here for you."
Aether hugged his buddy.
"I know," he said. Turning to the crowd, he raised his voice, "Thanks everyone. I'm sorry I worried you all."
"Everyone," he said, "thank you."
"No," said Venti. "Thank you."
"You're the one who saved us, you know?" said Nahida.
"And should you ever wish to confide in someone," said Zhongli, "we are all here for you."
"Until the end of time," said Ei.
"You'll never be alone, Aether," said Furina. "Never."
He took in the sea of people. They flooded the Realm Within, occupying every corner and cranny. Countless smiling faces, all here just for him. Ei laid her hand upon his shoulder. Paimon joined the archon. One by one, the other girls found their way to his side.
Behind him, the women he loved. Before him, the people he saved. His throat tightened. Aether rubbed his eyes, fighting back tears. When he could hold back any longer, when he fell into sobbing fits, countless kind voices comforted him.
He cried. Nothing would fix this hole.
But now? It didn't hurt so much anymore.