"You don't have to force it, Collei." Aether said, being reasonable.
"B-But I wanna at least try!" Collei argued.
Aether and Collei are sitting alone together in Tighnari's hut currently in Gandharva Ville, Avidya Forest, for something Collei asked for.
Ever since their first meeting together, Aether and Collei were really close friends not just because of their friendship with Amber, but also because they had bad run-ins with the Fatui many times. Or in Collei's case, the one time that left her permanently scarred with a disease.
Collei found it hard to be in close contact with people because of Eleazar sickness, and was very afraid that would lead to freak outs in the past.
But meeting Aether made Collei feel something warm and comforting; almost like "love".
Collei truly has romantic feelings for the Traveler, but her fear of being touched made it likely impossible for her to experience that. Even after having her disease cured for good from the erasure of the Irminsul's forbidden knowledge and sadly Greater Lord Rukkhadevata by Nahida, which only Aether remembers, still has reservations of touching him.
So, she decided once and for all to take the initiative and conquer her doubts: by asking him to hold hands in private. Aether, caught a little off guard at first, agreed to this because he really wants to help Collei feel the touch of another person again.
Aether decided to help along by leaving his left hand out in the open for Collei's touch. She gulped from being nervous, but the young Forest Ranger swore to herself to be brave.
"I can do this! I can do this!" Collei thought, repeating the same words in her mind.
She slowly slid her fingers on his with the first two touching the top of his hand, feeling like she wanted to flinch. But she felt odd. Nothing bad ever happened and wanting to keep going, slowly putting her hand on top of his bit-by-bit, and then, slid her hand underneath to grip his, which the Traveler kindly returned and gently gripped her hand together, thus enabling the two to hold hands.
Collei was totally beside herself with joy while Aether smiled, seeing Collei get past her doubts.
"I-I'm doing it! I'm really holding your hand!" Collei hollered.
"That's great, Collei." Aether commented.
Collei was suddenly staring at Aether and not saying a word. She was mesmerized by his handsome face and piercing golden eyes, almost in a trance.
"Uh, Collei?" Aether asked.
Collei suddenly leaned in and kissed Aether on the lips, taking him by surprise for a second or two.
Aether chose to give in and return the kiss passionately, lasting for a whole minute before releasing.
Both were blushing, but Collei's face was crimson red from embarrassment.
"OhmygodI'msosorry!" Collei cried, completely shocked by what she just did, with her hands covering her face in shame.
Aether chuckled and patted Collei's green hair, catching her attention to show her face.
"I think that was another step for you, my dear." Aether commented, in a flirty manner.
Collei managed to smile despite her flushed face, then leaning her head on his shoulder with both her hands now holding his together.
Watching from outside the residence were a smirking Paimon, Tighnari, and even Amber and Eula (both whom came by to visit Collei), proud of Collei finding not only comfort in touching another person, but also finding love.
I think of this ship to be cute and Collei is a truly wholesome character that deserves all the love and attention after the trauma she suffered. Plus, with the Traveler being close to Amber, it makes sense to be in love with another archer that loves the wilderness.
Also, Happy Thanksgiving to you all!