Chapter 4 – About us: Dating
Aether's thoughts about Navia
It feels almost surreal, like a dream I never knew I had but am now living. Being with her—it's unlike anything I've experienced before. We've spent countless days walking through unfamiliar cities, sharing quiet conversations over the hum of bustling streets, and yet, every moment feels new when she's beside me. There's a warmth in her presence, something I didn't realize I craved until she became a constant in my life.
At first, I wasn't sure what this was. How could I, someone always moving forward, chasing after fragments of the past, be worthy of something as simple and profound as love? But with her, everything makes sense. She doesn't need grand gestures or promises of forever; she's content with the now, with the moments we steal between our duties. And I've come to realize—so am I.
Our dates, if you can call them that, are never extravagant. Sometimes it's just a quiet evening by the water in Fontaine, watching the sun set over the city as we sit side by side. Other times, we end up in small cafés, sharing stories, trading smiles that speak more than words ever could. I've fought in battles, faced creatures of legend, but nothing compares to the thrill of hearing her laugh at one of my jokes or feeling her hand brush against mine as we walk.
She's opened up a part of me I thought I had buried, a side that wants more than just to complete a mission. With her, I want to pause—to stay, to live, to be present. And it's not that I've given up on finding Lumine, or that I've forgotten my path, but with her, I'm reminded that there's more to life than the journey. There's the joy of simply being, of sharing quiet moments with someone who understands me in ways I didn't think possible.
Every time I look at her, I find myself thinking, This is what it feels like to belong. Not to a place or a purpose, but to someone. And for the first time in a long time, I'm not afraid of what comes next. Because as long as we're together, I know we'll figure it out.
Navia's thoughts about Aether
There's a certain magic in the simplicity of it all. It's not the grand declarations of love or the elaborate dates that make my heart flutter. It's the way he looks at me when we're sitting in a quiet corner of the city, like I'm the only person in the world. It's the small things—like how he always listens, really listens, even when I'm talking about the most mundane parts of my day. And it's in those moments I realize how deeply I've fallen for him.
We don't need extravagant outings or fancy dinners to feel close. Just walking through the streets of Fontaine, feeling his presence beside me, is enough. Sometimes we'll stop by a street vendor, sharing a pastry or two, and it feels perfect. He doesn't need to try to impress me—he's already everything I've ever wanted. Every moment with him, no matter how simple, feels like it's wrapped in something special, something uniquely ours.
I used to think dating meant grand adventures or proving your love through some extravagant means. But with him, it's the quiet that's most profound. When we sit by the water, our hands lightly touching, saying nothing but understanding everything—it's in those moments I feel the weight of his affection. And I'm certain he feels mine, too.
There's something grounding about being with him. Aether's always been someone people look to as a hero, a traveler with endless stories and countless burdens. But with me, I think he allows himself to just be. And I treasure that. Because in those moments, it's not about what he's done or where he's been. It's about the here and now—about the two of us, sharing a small piece of time that belongs only to us.
I never thought love could feel like this—so gentle, so real. And while I know we both have our paths to follow, I can't help but think that, for now, this is exactly where I want to be. By his side, sharing these fleeting, beautiful moments together.