Aether emerged from the cave into a sparkling oasis. Sitting by the sand, a tall Eremite wearing a crimson bandana chucked some wood into a makeshift campfire. Her gray-brown hair hung in a braid down her lithe form.

"Food's ready," she called. "Come on."

He went over to the campfire and sat beside her. Tadhla offered him a roasted skewer and took one for herself.

"How've you been, Aether?" she asked as she chewed out a chunk of meat.

He told her all about his adventures in Fontaine and Natlan. They ate and talked, as though nothing had really changed.

"I was in a war. A lot of people died."

"Sorry."

"Well, we did win in the end, but it wasn't easy."

Tadhla lowered her bandana, revealing light aquamarine eyes that contrasted sharply with her tanned complexion. She took him in with a smile.

"Your lovers are something else. Jeht and that Fatui searched the Ley Lines for weeks, hoping to find some fragment of my consciousness they could capture a short while."

Tadhla tossed another log into the black flame. Embers sprung forth, shooting out into the cold desert night. They watched the embers flicker along the winds, which carried them beyond the white sands.

"I have to go soon," she said. "Sorry I can't stay longer."

"I'm glad we got to talk again," he replied. "I miss you."

"I know. Perhaps one day, I'll find my way back. I love you, Aether. And I won't stop fighting to come back to you somehow. But if I can't, then…"

"Then this is goodbye."

"Yes. We never did say goodbye. Did we?"

Her hand found his, gently squeezing his. She studied the black flame, with a dim smile.

"Goodbye, Aether."

"Goodbye, Tadhla."

The Falcon Eremite stood up. She gave him one last smile. Tadhla padded into the night. Her form melted into the sand, disappearing into the desert wind, and traveling up the currents into the boundless sky. His heart throbbed and ached. But it was good kind of pain. This time, they parted on their own terms with a gentle farewell.

Aether turned his gaze into the fires. He felt another person sit down beside him. Aether offered her a meat skewer, but she declined. They stared into the black flame which crackled atop the logs.

"Thank you," he said.

The tall woman beside him laced her blackened fingers into his. She didn't speak, but then she didn't have to. She understood better than anyone how much it hurt to lose someone you loved without saying goodbye.

"Peruere," he said. "I love you so much."

"And," she said, "I lo—."

The words died in her throat. Even now, she couldn't say it.

"I know," he said.

As the fire became an ember, Aether laid his head against her shoulder. They cuddled in silent commiseration, lamenting all they had lost, and celebrating all they had found.

The last spark faded out. They were alone beneath the vast night sky.

Arlecchino shifted awkwardly, biting the corner of her lip.

"Aether," she said. "Can we…?"

He cut her off by cupping her chin and bringing her in for a kiss. The desert vanished, replaced by a bedroom. They sat on a queen-sized bed, kissing each other gently.

He threw aside his scarf, gloves, and took off his shirt. Peruere slipped out of her vest and shirt, revealing her lacy black bra. They studied one another.

She averted her eyes, folding her arms across her chest to hide her burns and scars. He pried them apart, placing her palms atop his chest. His heart hammered in his chest, riddled with excitement. Feeling that, Peruere smiled warmly. She guided his hand to her own chest and let him feel her own racing heart.

Touching one another's hearts, they rested their foreheads together. He waited for her signal to continue. With some trepidation, Peruere cocked her head and closed her eyes. She was still scared, no matter how many times they did this. He touched her chin, brought her lips into his, and kissed.

Peruere slowly grew bolder, opening her mouth so they could tongue kiss. Her red nails dug through his hair, caressing him with slow, tender warmth. He responded by caressing her waist. Her stomach was muscular and hard, but wherever he touched her milky white skin got goosebumps.

"It's okay," he whispered. "I'm not going to hurt you."

He positioned her on his lap. Peruere threw her arms around his neck and deepened their kiss. His hands reached searchingly along her backside, coming to the clasp holding up her bra.

"May I?" he asked. She nodded. He opened the clasp and gently pulled off the bra.

Aether soaked in her upper body. Peruere's breasts weren't large, but they had this girth that always impressed him. The nipples were a bright pink, aroused into adorable little nubs he wanted to suckle.

"Do you… like them?"

He looked at her as he had that day when they first made love.

"You're beautiful," he said. "Thank you."

She smiled shyly. Seeing her like this—all flustered and nervous—was beyond cute. Beneath her fearsome reputation, Peruere was a woman. A woman who had been through so much and now sought only to live to the fullest. It made him proud seeing her happy.

They stripped off their pants. Kneeling opposite one another, they studied the other's naked body. Peruere had an hourglass figure with solid abbs. Her belly button went inward (which he always thought was adorable). Taut, firm buttocks curved into powerful thighs. Framed by her gray hair, she was a moonlit goddess.

"How should we do it tonight?" he asked.

"Facing each other," she said. "I…I want to look at you this time while we cum. I want to kiss you."

"Are you sure? You've never done it like that before."

"I have to," she replied. "Please."

Her voice quavered a bit. He realized just how much she wanted this. Aether guided her into his lap. Taking his shaft in her hand, she guided him towards her entrance. He went in. She bobbed up and down, rubbing him deep inside her, while their lips danced.

"Aether," she whispered. "I lo—"

Aether caressed her back, reassuring her.

"I lo—," she clasped his face in her hands, staring at him. "Love you." Tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks.

Peruere orgasmed. Eyes rolling back into her head, she screamed, "I love you, Aether!"

She slumped forward, resting her chin on his shoulder. As she rode the high down, Aether hugged her, stroking her back while he planted kisses along her neck.

"Aether," she said through a croaky voice. "I want to spend every night with you in my arms. I want to raise kids with you. I want… I want you."

"I want you too, Perry."

She squeezed him so tightly it hurt. A stream of confessions and promises came flooding out of her lips. All those things she wanted but could never share: dancing in the moonlight, kissing on the beach, starting her own family. He listened to every single dream until she ran out of breath.

"We'll do it all, Perry," he said. "I promise. Starting with your first request."

He rolled his wrist, producing a silver wedding ring encrusted with a dark ruby. Aether slipped it onto her finger and Peruere gave him the most wonderful smile. She took his face in her hands and kissed him full on the lips.

In her arms, Aether's own grief melted away.

They spent the rest of the dream making love and sharing their dreams for the future. By the end of it, Aether was so grateful he ended up in Teyvat with Peruere. On this journey, he'd gained so much. He would cherish her and her willingness to open up her heart to him until his final days.