ofmisfortune | ♝ i . c. i n b o x

[ 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.

Mn, I couldn’t see why you would…

[ Vincent’s teasing tone might indicate that is precisely what he’s means — that he teases Aether ruthlessly, and that he can’t see how the other appreciates it; however, he won’t specify. Instead, he merely tilts his cheek to rest atop his partner’s head, instead. ]

Though, it does offer me some joy that you should. I’d treasure you for as long as you’ll have me.

[He lets a soft "hmm" noise.]

You tease me, that's true. [He laughs softly.] But you also look after me when I'm hurt. And... [He pauses.] When we're like this, I feel at peace.

[Does he need more reasons to appreciate Vincent?]

You keep your word. And you tried talking to Gil when I asked you to do it.

[He can see the efforts!]

[ Such Talk about himself will only lead the blond’s brows to knit, but he’ll attempt to play that off with a chuckle! ]

You’d only do the same for me, I think - and more, if today has been any indication.

[ Nuzzling into the softness of the other’s hair, he hums with some content. ]

I do sometimes feel that I could be better around you, however. That much is true.

[He has to laugh a little.]

For a moment there you looked like you don't believe me.

[He nuzzles into Vincent, before pressing a soft kiss to his neck.]

I would do the same, you're right. And I do believe that you can move on from your past. [He smiles.] If you need a guide, then a wandering star may prove useful. [Another soft laugh.] Of course if you can accept that stars aren't perfect either. They get carried by emotions, they make mistakes and they can be selfish in many ways.

[But isn't that also what makes him human?]

[ Beneath Aether’s lips, Vincent breathes a sigh of ease. ]

No, I don’t doubt you, little star. Nor do I believe that those qualities make you any less. [ Absentmindedly, he wraps some of those wispy strands around his fingers. ] Merely multifaceted, and that makes your glimmer all the brighter.

[He presses one more kiss to the other's neck, gliding his lips down to the shoulder.]

That's good. [He smiles against Vincent's skin.]

As long as you see me this way... I don't think I need to change.

[ With a gentle groan, Vincent would trail his fingertips down the back of his partner’s neck then, gently massaging along his spine. ]

I’m pleased to hear it. You ought to be appreciated as you are, I know that I certainly do.

♝ i . c. i n b o x

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