Aether and Paimon opened the Serenitea Pot mansion, hoping to kick up their feet for a bit. As they entered the mansion, the lights flicked on. Streamers popped. Ribbons of confetti fluttered over them.
"Surprise!"
All his girls crowded the foyer, holding presents. Banners hung between columns, proudly declaring "We'll Miss You!" and "Have fun in Natlan!" and "Come Home Soon!"
He permitted himself a smile.
The girls dragged them both in and directed them to the head chairs. They dined on a magnificent spread of sweet madame, rainbow tricolored dango, adeptus temptation, candied nuts, and fonta.
As they dined and made small talk, the girls offered him their farewell gifts and their best wishes. Chiori gave him a sewing kit, along with instructions for home repair. Collei proudly showed them a hand-made tent she built for them.
When Ei came to the table, she offered him a magnificent silver-sheened blade and a whetstone. The sword fitted perfectly in his grasp. As he clasped it, Aether knew that this blade would serve him well.
"Thank you," he said.
Ei smiled softly. "I know you are strong. You will overcome any challenge before you but be careful. Remember your promise to me."
The engagement ring glistened on her finger, electric and warm. He took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips.
"I do. I'll come back to you. I promise."
Xinyan gave him her favorite guitar, Emilie, a bottle of perfume. Navia gave him a recipe book for fifty types of macrons, as well as a peck on the cheek. Faruzan and Xianyun presented him with a machine they made together, explaining could wash his clothes. He kissed them both in gratitude.
Barbara and Jean granted him the blessings of Barbatos. Amber gave him a Baron Bunny, promising this one wouldn't explode. She told him to hug it whenever he felt lonely, and remember she was thinking of him. From Sucrose, he got a book listing various potion recipes.
Then, Arlecchino strode to the table. Reaching into her coat pocket, she drew an envelope stamped in crimson wax with her insignia.
"I'm not sure this will help, but if you run into trouble with Fatui again, show them this. It's a letter of safe passage. Anyone who sees this must welcome you as a friend."
Paimon's eyes widened, "Wow! You mean the Fatui won't bother us anymore?!"
"That's unlikely, even with this," Arlecchino conceded. "The Fatui is a vast organization with varying chains of command. Most will try to kill you on sight. So, be careful."
Her eyes betrayed sweet, tender regard.
Xiangling gave him a portable cooking stove. Her only request: "Bring back all sorts of ingredients and recipes for us to try out, okay?" Yanfei handed him a manual detailing the law of Natlan and a new fishing rod.
Lisa handed him a book. "Yae Miko and I compiled everything you might need to know about Natlan into this. I hope it might prove useful."
From her seat, Miko shot him a wink that made his heart flutter.
Ningguang offered him a generous check for a lot of Mora. She advised him not to spend it all in one place. From Dehya, he got a survival knife, and from Beidou, a compass. Kokomi handed him an ultra-rare, limited-edition Genius Invocation Card.
"I look forward to seeing your new strategies," she said warmly.
Mirror Maiden passed him a box of condoms. She simply said, "Look, I know you're going to get girls no matter what. At least, try not to have sex with them before Tubby approves them?"
Mona gave him a rather expensive-looking pocket watch, telling him not to fret about the expense. Ganyu gave him a beginner's guide to financial accounting, suggesting he mind his spending in the future. From Charlotte, he received a camera; "to capture all the amazing things you'll see," she explained. Shenhe parted his hair and planted a kiss on his forehead.
Red-faced, Ayaka made her way to him.
"Um… I hope you'll accept this," she said, handing him an elegant heron hairpin. He took it gladly and kissed her gently.
He whispered, "Till we see each other again, my dear wife."
Ayaka giggled, fondly remembering their date.
Keqing marched up and handed him a planner, a canteen, bug repellant, and a journal.
"This journal," she explained, "has everything I've ever wanted to tell you written down. If you're ever lonely or in pain, read it and know that wherever you go, I'm with you."
Nilou cheerfully strolled up and gave him a photograph that showed the two of them dancing on their date. The picture captured the exact moment he had dipped her. They stared longingly, enraptured by the moment.
"I'll cherish this memory forever," he promised.
Finally, Furina came up. The former Hydro Archon threw her arms around him. After his initial shock wore off, he hugged her back. Furina brought her lips to his ear.
"Thank you for saving me. Please come and visit when you can."
"I will. I promise."
"Good," she smiled, "I can't wait to meet all the new friends you'll make. I know they'll love you as much as I do."
With one final squeeze, she returned to her chair.
By now, Paimon had gorged herself and fell asleep. They deposited the little fairy on a bed in the side room.
Aether had his fill as well, patting his belly in content. He took in the girls surrounding him—his lovers, his friends, all people he cherished.
His heart twinged at the thought of leaving them, even if temporarily.
"Don't be sad," said Mona. "After all, our reunion is ordained by fate. I know it."
He grinned, knowing they didn't need a scryglass to confirm that augur.
"Well then," said Miko, dabbing a napkin to her chin. "We've got time. Anything you want to do before you go?"
"Yeah, if it's not too much trouble?" he said, more than a little flustered.
With a chuckle, Yae Miko stood up. "Oh, little one. You're never too much trouble."
With that, they all headed to the bedroom and locked the door. Laughter and moans filled the mansion long into the afternoon until nightfall. By then, those sounds were replaced by snores and sleep-talking.
In the hall, Tubby shook her head with amusement. These girls sure were a handful. Honestly though, she thanked Celestia they came into his life. And remarkably, Tubby discovered that she looked forward to his future guests. Perhaps, there'd be hiccups and bumps but that was all par the course when it came to love.
She busied herself cleaning the mansion in anticipation of the ever-expanding family they would continue to make.