He was terrified of how Eula would ravage him in the dream world, but he never expected this. Aether went to bed, fully expecting to wake up in chains, BDSM gear, a ball gag, and nipple clamps in some dank dungeon while Eula pegged him. That wasn't what he saw.
A fireplace lay before him beneath a coat of arms. Its light warmed up the apartment nicely. Around him, there were portraits of Mondstadt and little knickknacks. He sat on a red leather couch beside a tall woman who wore little more than a light blue nightgown. Hands in her lap, Eula stared solemnly into the flickering light.
He kept waiting for his clothes to explode, but nothing happened.
Then he took a good look at her and knew something was wrong. Eula wore an expression of utter defeat. She seemed so small and scared.
"Someone trashed my apartment," she said softly.
At first, he was shocked, then he grew enraged. How dare anyone do this to his Eula?
Eula trembled. The rage vanished, replaced by a desperate urge to comfort. He embraced her. For once, she offered no resistance or protest. He stroked little circles across her back. Eula surrendered, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Jean found the man who did it and punished him. Don't bother."
"Who—?"
"Does it even matter? He wasn't the first, and he won't be the last," she choked on the words. "I can't do this anymore."
"Don't say that," he chided. "You're Eula, the Spindrift Knight. Everyone who knows you knows you're a good person."
"You don't get it," she said sadly. "I can't do this anymore. I can't be with you."
"Eula, you don't mean that. It's just your sadness talking."
"No, don't you see, Aether? I can't do this."
"Why not?"
"Because…! What if we got married? I couldn't bring kids into a world like this. It's too cruel…"
"Eula," he whispered softly. "Our kids will be loved. They'll have us, and they'll have all our friends. They won't want for nothing, I promise."
Her trembling intensified. Aether's heart broke as Eula's eyes welled up. She collapsed into his embrace. Aether stroked her hair. He rocked her gently, whispering sweet nothings as he kissed her cheek. He hugged her with every inch of love he had to give her. It was all he could do not to break along with her.
So, he told her all the things he loved about her and admired: her body, her gentle heart, her eloquence, her intellect, her strong will, her pride…Eula listened. Her tears subsided, replaced by a glowing, tender smile. Once his heart had been laid bare, he squeezed her again.
"I'm sorry," he said. "We'll get through this together. So please, don't say you can't do this. We've already come this far. Okay?"
"I will have vengeance."
"That's my girl. Now, what can I do to make it better?"
"Please," she said between sniffles, "I don't care about dominating you. I just want you right now."
Aether angled his face towards her, bent over, and kissed her lips. Eula returned the kiss. They embraced, separated by nothing more than their clothes. Then, those, too, fell across the floor.
He guided Eula onto her back. They made love, always kissing, never letting go, again and again, with everything they had. He told her how much he loved her when their lips weren't connected. Eula dug her nails into his back, begging him to take her in deeper.
"Aether," she whispered between kisses. "I never thought I could have something like this with anyone. I always thought I'd be alone."
"You'll never be alone," he said while kissing along her neck. "Mark my words, I'll never let go."
She locked her legs around his waist. His warmth washed over her and poured inside of her. She lost herself in him, getting drunk off his sex and kisses. They made love well into the dawn.