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*Splash*
"Heh. That makes number ten. Momma's eating good tonight."
"I take it you're going to want a fishy buffet tonight?"
Feeling a smile wrap around the corners of her mouth, Yelan slowly turned her head and saw a familiar-looking face. Only this time, there was something different about him.
"I was wondering how long it'd take for you to get here. It's not nice to keep a girl waiting. And might I say, blue is a very good color on you~."
Offering his own smile, Aether walked up to the blue-haired beauty and took a seat right next to her. He was also happy to see that she liked his new outfit. Making this closeness feel natural and comfortable at the same time.
"Thank you, and sorry about that. I wasn't sure what kind of fishing you were talking about. Your letter is filled with some depth to it."
"Oh? Have I finally caught the ever-famous Traveler off guard?"
"Nope. You're going to have to try harder, Yelan."
"That's what I like to hear."
"But…"
"But?"
"I won't lie… it did leave Paimon and me beyond confused for a good minute."
Yelan's calm and suave persona cracked immediately, leaving her to start laughing at the blonde's mishap. Instantly, she could just imagine the traveling duo staring at one another in confusion and asking each other if Yelan meant one thing or another.
"Heehee. I can already imagine it. But I assume that with you here, you knew what I meant, right?"
"Nope. I took a chance. Besides, I know you. I know that you meant both things. Getting caught up in some kind of situation with either the Fatui or some wannabe bad guys and leaving some bait for them to take. As well as… well, you are fishing right now," Aether said, referring to the fishing rod in her hand.
"Just like I taught you. Such a good boy."
"I learned from the best."
"That you did. I'm glad you've taken those detective skills to heart as well as kept up with them," Yelan remarked with a proud smile.
The Traveler could not help but feel smug at being praised, especially by the birthday girl.
"Well, I'll give Paimon some credit. She's also started thinking about things on a complex level. Keeping a close eye on suspicious behavior or having her ears perked open in case she hears something that sounds off."
"Atta girl. She's learning. Most don't pick up on keen insight even after experiencing it firsthand. However, being able to keep up with it and put it to use while going through various experiences is something you two have that others don't."
"Well, we did have an amazing teacher."
Yelan raised her brow while also flashing the boy a special kind of smile.
"Flattery will get you everything, hero."
Aether's only response was to smile warmly at her, which managed to surpass anything he might have said as a witty comeback.
"Huh… Speaking of Paimon, where is she? I don't see her."
"She's back at the teapot enlisting the help from a few of our Liyue friends, as well as some new faces from Nod-Krai."
"Is that so? Planning a surprise party for yours truly."
"It's not really a surprise if I'm telling you about it."
"Touche. Well, I suppose I can take a break from fishing."
"Don't worry. You're good to keep fishing for a bit. Before I left, everyone was beginning to cook the food they had prepared. That's going to give us an hour or two before everything is done," Aether explained.
A curious thought ran through Yelan's head as she eyed the boy carefully and began to discern the deeper meaning of what he was saying.
"Hmm. I see. It sounds like you decided to slip away from the chaos in the kitchen to come spend time with me and me alone. Am I wrong?"
Waving his hands in the air, Aether was caught.
"You got me."
"Ha. Seems like this informant of yours still has her place with you."
"You'll always have a place with me. Whether that's a home, a friendship, or… maybe something more."
The look on Yelan's face morphed into something that she was not expecting.
"...Those are some bold words, Aether. I hope you know the weight behind them."
"I do. I wouldn't have said them unless I meant it. And I do mean it."
Feeling her cheeks warm up, Yelan shifted her head so that she was facing the body of water in front of her while her fishing line remained unmoving. This feeling was something she wasn't entirely used to and had to do her best to remain composed.
"Mm. You picked a hell of a day to say all this."
"Well, a lot has happened in Nod-Krai. We haven't really had a chance to sit down and talk about everything. Even the brief chat we had after Paimon and I found you chatting business with Nefer doesn't come close to all that we have to share."
"I remember that day vividly. Nefer is quite the business partner. I pity the day that we will be forced to go against one another."
Aether couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Yelan and Nefer caught up in an ordeal against one another. On one hand, it would be an interesting situation, but on the other, it could prove to be troubling.
"Well, it seemed like you two got along from what I saw."
"Then we did a good job of masking the conversation."
"Hahah…. That's somewhat scary to think about."
Seemingly holding her tongue from saying anything ridiculous, Yelan could not stop the pink tint that grew along her cheeks. This was a feeling that she did not want to dismiss completely.
"…Aether, going back to what you just said…"
"I know. I'm not the best when it comes to timing a surprise, but it's the truth. That is how I really feel about you."
A kind smile appeared on the boy's face as he continued to let his heart speak.
"Besides, there's no way I could ever forget about you. There will never be another Yelan. There's only one you."
"Heh… You truly have a way with words. I hope you're not like this with every girl you meet."
"I- "
Right before Aether could say another word, Yelan's fishing line began to be tugged.
"Gotcha! Mind helping me with this, hero?"
Smirking widely, the Traveler did not waste another second.
"I'm here to help! What do you need?"
"Grab that net. This one's a fighter!"
Quickly grabbing the net next to her, Aether flung it toward the water and held it at the ready. He then glanced at Yelan, who had a concentrated look on her face. This expression seemed to appear on her face whenever things became serious.
*Splash*
"Whoa!"
"Yep. He's a big one. Hrgh! Come to momma!"
Emerging from the water's surface, Aether was utterly shocked at the size of the fish that was being reeled in from Yelan's pole. It had to be twice Paimon's size and was putting up quite the fight.
"Now!?"
"Not yet!"
*Splash*
"Yelan!"
"Now!"
*WHOOSH*
With impeccable swiftness, Aether managed to swing the net right along the side of the fish and pull it up, leaving Yelan to shuffle right next to him and help bring the creature in.
"He's huge!"
"We're eating good tonight!"
"Ngh!"
"Hrah!"
*WHISH*
Within a split second, Aether had flung himself backward, landing right into Yelan, forcing him to land in quite a dramatic position.
"Eh!?"
"A-Aether!"
He could feel how close his body was to hers, and a small part of him didn't want to move.
However, this was soon forgotten as he felt something heavy slap his leg, causing him to yelp.
"Wha! What the- "
"Now that's a prize! Pull him in!"
Now seeing the massive fish barely fitting inside the net, Aether lunged at the net's handle and pulled as hard as he could.
"Grah!"
"Together!"
Using their bodies altogether, Yelan and Aether managed to bring the massive catch further onto land. This allowed Yelan to land the finishing blow and stop the rampaging fish.
"There. That should do it. Mmph. This one is definitely going to be a story to share."
"Even the part where we slammed into each other?" Aether asked with a grin.
"I'll be sure to include it. Maybe not every detail, but it'll be mentioned," Yelan said as she flashed the boy a playful look. "Can't have everyone know about our moment~."
Smiling widely, Aether stood up and offered his hand to help her up. She gladly took it and was now standing mere inches from him. Having the two be this close allowed the two of them to notice small details about each other that weren't obvious or really paid attention to.
"Thank you for the help."
"You're welcome. I'm sure you didn't need my help."
"Mm. True. But I'll gladly take it anytime it's given."
Hearing his heartbeat loudly in his ears, Aether decided to ask the question currently expanding in his head. If he held onto it any longer, there was no telling what might happen.
"Yelan…"
"Aether…"
"About my- "
"Hah… Do you seriously need me to answer that?" She asked with a raised brow.
"I really prefer direct answers. I'm not the brightest."
Flashing the Traveler with a look that simply said too many things to be processed, Yelan leaned forward and captured his breath. Leaving him to stiffen up while enjoying the sensation he was currently feeling.
"…"
"…"
After staying locked together for a while longer, Yelan was the first to break apart and gave him a starved look.
"Best present I could have asked for."
"Ehehe… So, I'm a better present than the fish?" Aether questioned with a dorky smile, highlighting his face.
"You dork."
"I'll take that as a yes!"
Shaking her head with a smirk, Yelan rested a hand on her hip while gesturing down at the caught fish.
"Be a dear and help me get this guy cut up. We can take him to the teapot and add to the assortment of food that'll be there. Hopefully, some snacks and tea are ready because I'm starving."
"Of course, milady."
"You're lucky I like you."
"And I like you too. Happy Birthday, Yelan!"
Together, the new couple began to cut the fish up into parts before heading to the teapot. A party would be held tonight, all in celebration of her, but Yelan only needed one thing.
And that one thing happened to be a one-in-a-million kind of treasure.