ofmisfortune | ♝ i . c. i n b o x

[Aether allows his hand to be taken. The small kiss against it makes him smile and that expression only warms when he looks at Vincent. It's still embarrassing to know the other wants him this bad, so the traveler's cheek are bright red, but at the same time he admires his companion's loyalty.]

I care about you deeply as well... That's why I came here today, why I offered my blood to you.

[He shifts his hand in Vincent's hold to now bring the other's hand close to his own lips and place a soft kiss to it.]

Don't worry about me. Keeping a promise to the person you love so dearly is far more important.

[A person they both love... Which is why Aether thinks he's okay with it. If the two people he grew to cherish and love so much long to be only with one another, he doesn't want to ruin it. He wants them to be happy.]

[ Having his hand kissed by Aether, in turn, is not something that he’d expected. Perhaps his cheeks may color a bit, too.

Still, Vincent is unsatisfied. He will reach out to pet a hand through Aether’s hair. ]

We will talk. I can’t imagine that either of us wish to keep our affections from you. It’s a promise that predated the night we spent together.

[Ah, that hue of pink looks so nice on Vincent's cheeks. Aether looks at him with fondness and his eyes only close when his hair is petted.]

I see.

[And yet, despite that promise, he was invited to share affections with them as the three made love eventually. Perhaps, it's only fair if it's something that happens only when they are all together. In a way it still hurts him somehow, like he's just an addition, even though he knows that this is not how the other two feel. He tries to push those thoughts away.

He reaches up to Vincent's face, gently stroking his cheek.]

We'll talk. [He repeats.] But for now... why don't we have a nap? [A soft laugh escapes him.] I... do feel kind of tired.

[ Craning into that touch, Vincent closes his eyes with a hum. Briefly, he will place his hand over Aether’s, before he nods. ]

Of course. Yes, I imagine you must be tired.

[ Knowing that the other must still be weak, Vincent scoops an arm beneath his partner’s back, to set him right atop the pillows. Unless he’s stopped from such measures, he will also take the smaller man’s legs onto his lap, to remove his shoes for him. Once the boots are in the floor, he idly runs his hands up along his companion’s calves. ]

I do appreciate it, Aether; looking after me as you have.

[He easily allows it, getting comfortable against the pillows, letting his wings settle by his sides. He doesn't protest when his legs are shifted either, merely finding comfort in the care that Vincent shows him.]

You're always looking after me when I'm weakened and injured... Does that make us even? [He grins, but his expression softens soon afterwards.]

You mean a lot to me, so it's natural I want to look after you.

[He pauses.]

...Maybe because I'm a wandering star. I always seek people I can help somehow.

[ Though smiling, Vincent shifts to stand and busy himself with tucking Aether’s legs under the covers. It’s a difficult concept for him to grasp, and maintaining their gaze might make that much too obvious. ]

Mm… I was impressed that you recalled sharing such a thing with me.

[ It’s his turn to slide beneath the blankets, lying on his side to face the other. ]

Is that truly what you are, then? A star?

[ Once the bedding has been arranged comfortably, he settles his head down beside Aether’s, an arm nestled about the smaller man’s waist. One set of wings hangs off the bed lazily, the other draped across his partner’s form. ]

[He laughs.]

That was something I mumbled when I was tired, right? I wasn't sure if I ever said that... but you called me your "little star". [There's a visible blush on his face when he repeats that nickname.

He observes Vincent until the other settles next to him. Aether shifts to lay on his side, his feathery wings likewise draped across the other's form as the traveler reaches to gently brush strands of hair from his partner's face.]

Hm... not quite literally.

[His expression falls and he looks deep in thought.]

Long, long time ago there was a glorious kingdom. The prince and the princess were supposed to rule over it, but a great calamity happened, destroying the entire world. Neither of the siblings could do anything to save it, but they survived and set off into the stars, visiting many worlds on their long journey, helping those who need it and hoping that one day they can find a place to call "home" once more.

[Aether sighs.]

People of different worlds call them many things: "outlanders", "stars"... "travelers".

[ Nodding with a chuckle, there is fondness in his eyes as they take in the vision of Aether’s flushed face. Seems that they’ve settled on a pet name.

Vincent’s lashes flutter under the other’s touch, breathing a quiet sigh of content as he listens to his companion speak. ]

A star prince… My. [ Despite his gently teasing tone, he scoops Aether nearer. ] I can see, now, why you go to such great lengths to help those in need. [ And he will kiss the other’s forehead. ] About how long ago would you say this was?

[Aether still looks somewhat embarrassed.]

W-well... I'm hardly worth any such titles. [They don't matter anymore either.

He closes his eyes when Vincent kisses his forehead.]

I... don't really remember. Many places have different time flows. I've seen births and deaths of stars, worlds doomed and those who were grasping for hope... And when I arrived in Teyvat, five hundred years passed after I was separate from my sister. I was put to sleep by a god, so I hardly felt that passage of time, but my sister... she was awake whole that time.

[There's regret in his tone as he recalls that.]

[ Palms embracing the other’s back, his thumbs carefully draw beneath Aether’s wings to massage the skin there. A small comfort, which hopefully shouldn’t distract too much. Vincent is quite intent to hear this story - to learn more about him.

It’s daunting, to think of the life that his companion has faced. Stars exist for, what, a few million years? Such a realization leads his brow to raise with a hum. ]

I can’t imagine the burden it must be, to experience so much. [ Yet, there is fascination in his eyes. ] It seems to me that you don’t realize how simple it would have been for contempt to cloud your perception, your heart grown cold. Instead, you’ve found comfort in relieving others of their suffering, rather than adding to it. How is that unworthy?

Edited 2025-10-27 16:02 (UTC)

[He's quiet, just listening to Vincent's voice, finding comfort in his touch.]

At first everything seemed like it has nothing to do with me, with the two of us. But I met many kind people during my journey. They were warm and welcoming, showing kindness to a traveler that belonged nowhere... Helping out in exchange for the help - that's a fair trade, isn't it?

[He looks at Vincent.]

But people aren't meant to live alone. I wanted to get to know them better, make friends, listen to their worries...

[Be a part of that world, even if just for a moment.]

...And then keep them in my memories, so they're always with me, no matter where I go.

[ That isn’t what people are like at all, in Vincent’s experience. No, they’re fearful, violent, and inherently selfish. He and his brother had once been wanderers, too, and they suffered by the hands of others wherever they fled. The only warmth they found had been in the beds of the damned. The homes of the greedy.

Of course, he’d never been welcome in that world, either. A curiosity at best, an omen at worst. ]

It must be your light which attracts the good in others, little star.

[ An empty smile, as he leans in to rest his forehead against Aether’s, lashes low. ]

Your sister, Lumine… What happened to her?

Not all of them. [He says with an equally empty smile.] I met many who wished to use me, manipulate my actions, harm me or my friends... But I would always keep in mind those who helped me and showed me kindness.

[His friends made this tiring journey feel worth it.

He sighs against Vincent, when the man lines their foreheads together.]

My sister... She was taken by a god, whose name I still don't know. That's how we were separated. The god locked our powers away and... I think sent her back to Teyvat? While I was thrown in a dream... seeing nightmares for five hundred years until I woke up to a world completely changed.

[His form curls a little, like a child seeking protection.]

[ Now, that he can understand, and his hum might say as much. Lightly, he massages along the base of Aether’s wings, in hopes of providing him comfort while his tone darkens. It hardly seems enough, especially as his partner pulls back to draw in on himself…

And so, Vincent cups his cheek, fingers brushing aside his fringe, so that he may place a kiss upon his forehead. Another, on the bridge of his nose. When that doesn’t work still, he will gently take hold of the Aether’s chin, coaxing it upward so that he may softly embrace his lips, darting his tongue between the other’s just so.

Now, he can taste it; centuries of dread. A breathless sigh escapes him, as he delves his tongue deeper, seeking to claim it all. ]

[He would argue that it's not getting to him too much, that it's all perfectly fine, but the comfort he finds in Vincent's soft gestures is nice, making him want to lean closer to the man.

Then his lips are claimed and any darkness that was swirling right beneath the light of his heart feels like it's being drained out of him, replaced with peace, with calm. He lets Vincent in, lips parting in a warm welcome, as if asking his partner to take as much as he wants, claim his worries, his fears, give him the hope that he so desperately seeks.

He moans into the affection, his hand settling in the other's hair as they kiss, his body closer, legs tangling together.

It's all making him dizzy once more, but he doesn't want to stop.]

[ The more which he consumes, Vincent can feel the traveler’s burdens sinking into his very soul. It’s a sense not unfamiliar to him, though not enough his own that he should buckle under its weight. Rather, it’s cathartic, being able to relieve one who he believes to be undeserving of such sorrow; while for Vincent, it could be but a small taste of retribution for the sorrow he’s caused. It’s a twisted taste of satisfaction, an indescribable wholeness, as his weeks of hunger wanes.

Leaning into Aether, his fingers tangle into those wispy gold locks, knee pressing into bedding between the smaller man’s legs. Tongues entwined, his sated groan rumbles deep from his throat, yet it’s difficult to pull himself away from savoring the other’s flavor, even once run dry.

When their mouths part, his breath is ragged, cheeks hot, arousal apparent. Petting back Aether’s hair, however, he takes the other’s lips just once more; a gentle apology that he cannot go further. ]

[More moans resound from him, his body weak but longing for the other's warmth. No worries or burdens claim his soul, no fears cloud his mind. There's only a need to have Vincent close, to love him, to cherish him.

When they finally part from the kiss, Aether struggles to catch his breath. His head leans back, his face completely red and it's obvious he's also aroused from the experience. As the realization hits him, the traveler grows ashamed of himself more than anything else.

...What are they doing? They shouldn't--

His thoughts are silenced by a kiss much gentler than before, but one that does nothing to calm his needy heart.]

Vince, I-- [He stutters, breathing still uneven and he quickly covers his face with his hands.]

I need a moment.

[ Shifting back to his side, Vincent tucks an arm beneath his pillow while the other settles between them, fingertips just shy of touching Aether’s stomach. ]

I hope you’ll forgive me. I couldn’t bear to leave you hurting, it seems…

[ Hopefully, Vanitas would understand that much; a single kiss with their partner, regardless. ]

[He sighs, then slowly removes the hands from his face to settle close to Vincent.]

...I feel much lighter now. Like everything I ever worried about was taken away from me.

[He doesn't look at the other, face still red.]

Is that what you need then? Not blood, but... negative emotions?

[ Well, he will take that as his opportunity to slip that hand over Aether’s waist, allowing himself the pleasure of enjoying the bare flesh there, at least. ]

Your blood was surely satiating, but… your spirits even moreso, yes.

[ Petting along that softened skin, Vincent merely admires the other’s flush fully, while he’s distracted. ]

They’re truly gone? How fascinating…

[The noise that escapes him is like a mix of pleasured moan and a whine of protest. He grabs the other's hand to keep it still.]

Vince, don't. You're making it harder on me.

[He honestly doesn't get a break when Vincent is close.]

...But. Yes... Gone for now, at least. [He breathes in and out.] Despite everything, I feel more at peace. It's... strange.

[When was the last time he felt this way?]

[ Well, that only makes Vincent’s smile coil tighter, instigating that predatory nature of his. Unlike Aether, he quite likes the sense it brings; that madness of yearning. ]

Apologies. [ Even so, he will comply by slipping his fingers between his partner’s, instead. ] I hope that’s alright with you. You deserve only the sort of light which you bring me, my little star.

[He can see that smile!! So unfair! But at least Vincent has mercy on his poor soul. Aether sighs with relief as their fingers intertwine.]

Thanks... [He closes his eyes.]

It's... I'm just not used to feeling this much at peace. It's nice.

[ Ah, hearing that almost seems to make Vincent appear content in the way he smiles, now. ]

Good.

[ Gathering Aether against his chest, head head safely beneath his chin, he simply holds the other’s hand while running fingers through his hair, rubbing at his scalp.

A moment passes, allowing them to enjoy their closeness in silence. Peaceful, indeed. ]

I’m pleased that you’ve allowed me to know more about you. You can’t imagine how curious I’ve been. [ A faint chuckle. ]

[He lets the other pull him closer, enjoying the warmth that envelopes him as well as the soft touches against his hair. Aether wraps his arms around Vincent and relaxes into the peaceful moment.

Despite the teasing his companion loves so much, he also seems to always know how to treat Aether in the gentlest of ways.]

...You told me about your past, too. I wanted to repay you with the same, especially that... I really do appreciate you and I really wish to stay by your side.

♝ i . c. i n b o x

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