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As soon as Aether takes one step into Mondstadt, he’s letting out a yelp of surprise as he’s tackled to the ground by a bard.
Not just any bard, of course. The only bard that’s also a god, and…
Aether hesitates at that thought, strained, shaky arms coming up to return the hug he’s being given.
A god had almost killed him in Inazuma, and something tells Aether that Venti knows it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be on the ground like this, being held like he would disappear if he was let go.
“I couldn’t reach you, I’m so sorry.” Venti whispers out finally, separating from the hug and immediately checking over the blonde. “Are you hurt anywhere? What did she do to you? Why did you stop breathing-”
“Venti,” Aether’s voice sounds dry, like he could really use some water. That didn’t matter right now. “I’m okay. Unhurt, I mean. I’ve healed.”
“But you died,” Venti stresses, “The winds- I couldn’t, I couldn’t hear your heart.”
Aether feels his heart burn at those words in remembrance, and he lets his head fall onto Venti’s shoulder. The bard startles for a moment, but arms are quickly thrown back around him in a tight, secure hold. “I’m sorry for scaring you.” Aether breathes out, voice shaky. “...I just want my sister back and no one is telling me anything. And if I try to ask, I get killed for it.” He says with his breath hitching, “I know you care Venti, it shows, but I can’t help but feel like you and everyone else I have put my trust into is hiding something. Zhongli even admitted to it before, and my sister herself finally revealed herself only to tell me to back off. My own sister won’t tell me a thing. I’m-” Aether lets out a single sob, that is met with a hand being placed on his head in a comforting matter. “I’m sorry.”
“..Don’t apologize, none of this is your fault.” Venti’s voice carries something angry in it, but it’s not directed at Aether. “I… Have no secrets that would be of use to you, I promise. Just memories that I’m not so fond of that put your sister in.. A not so great of a light. You can more than likely put two and two together if you’ve seen her already. An abyss princess with a vendetta against the gods…” Venti laughs, but with no real humor to it. “...This is all I can say, I’m truly sorry.”
Aether’s grip tightens on Venti, “I appreciate it.” He whispers to the bard, “I wish you told me earlier, but I.. Understand why you didn’t- I’m just.. Please don’t turn out like everyone else. I can’t take any more secrets.”
Venti’s eyes dim lightly when a not so pleasant memory intrudes his mind, “Aether…” He runs his hand through the blonde hair, “No more secrets.” He agrees, “So as long as you promise to call for me before you decide to fight a god. I can’t..” Venti exhales shakily, “I can’t lose you too.”
Aether freezes at that, Venti’s friend he heard the bard speak fondly about enters his mind.
That only made him feel guilty for worrying Venti like this. It wasn’t his fault, but he still felt awful.
Call for Venti…
That just serves to remind him of the promise Xiao gave him. Xiao… There… Were at least some who have never kept a secret from him. He…
He brings up a hand to poke Venti lightly on the cheek. The bard makes a noise of confusion that makes Aether smile gently.
He was thankful Venti could be on that list of people.
“I’ll call for you… Though you may have to fight a certain Adeptus who offered the same thing on that.” Aether hums, only being a little bit serious.
“Ohohoho, you mean Xiao?” Venti questions, quickly sensing the change in tone and separating from Aether in order to look at the blonde’s face. He mindlessly wipes away at any stray tears making their way down the traveler's cheeks, and smiles real wide. “He’ll simply have to deal with me helping out! Double the wind the better after all! We’ll blow them away for you.”
Aether snorts at that, poking Venti on his nose with his tongue sticking out. But then he’s yawning real wide and bringing up a hand to rub at his eyes. It makes the bard hum in thought, and then he’s lifting Aether off the ground and making him utterly confused.
“We’re going to lay by the Windrise tree and rest, then maybe visit Diluc for some fresh wine! Or well, apple juice for you. Because you’re definitely far too young for something like alcohol.” Venti snickers out, only earning a huff from Aether in return.
Seems like the blonde was done talking for the day.
Venti doesn’t blame him.
“To windrise! I’ll even play a tune so you can fall asleep far easier.” Venti says cheerily, starting his dash across the grass fields while holding Aether tightly.
When they reach the tree, Venti stops his running and instead takes a large leap using the wind so he and Aether go flying into the tall grass, rolling gracefully into the field. Aether lets out a surprised yelp, but then he’s letting out a laugh and giggling when Venti stands over him with an amused grin.
“Your smile is as bright as ever, golden flower.” Venti giggles back, “I simply had to see it again. I apologize for the sudden trip into the fields.”
Aether just shakes his head fondly, but then lets out an ‘oof’ when Venti falls onto him and pulls him over until they roll a few times again down a small bit of hill.
The world feels less heavy like this, Aether thinks in the back of his mind as he laughs breathlessly.
And moments later when he falls asleep to a familiar song,
He feels a little less alone.