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The first time Kaeya realizes how much people love Aether is when they are all celebrating together in the Angel’s Share after the defeat of Dvalin.At first, he doesn’t really get it. Of course the people of Mondstadt are crowding him, trying to buy him Dandelion Wine and shots, or hit on him in a very indiscreet manner. It makes sense—Aether was physically fit and good-looking, and he had just saved Monstadt from a terrible fate. Kaeya himself has experienced treatment like that after a particularly rough fight or after thwarting the Fatui once more. People are bound to love a hero, and that was what Aether was, in all his golden-haired, angelic glory.But his first hint that the Traveler was something more than that—that Aether was holding a place in people’s heart that was more than just an everyday hero—was through Diluc. Though Aether wasn’t completely sure of his age and had no means of ID to prove anything, Diluc had been the first to lean across the bar with a gentle smile and offer him a glass, on the house. Diluc never gave anything on the house. And more than that, Diluc spent the next ten minutes engaged in honest-to-archons proper conversation with him.The people of Mondstadt might have been prone to hero worship, but Diluc certainly wasn’t. Kaeya knew how much stock Diluc put into a person’s character (had been on the receiving end of losing that trust), and Kaeya was well aware of the stellar kind of person one had to be in order to pass Diluc’s test. If Aether had been able to gain Diluc’s trust in such a short period of time, there had to be something pretty special about him.Kaeya regarded the Traveler from his end of the bar with a new sense of interest, and off-handedly thought about how lucky whoever ended up dating him would be. He seemed like he’d be a good partner, and with the added plus that Diluc already approved of him. Though they didn’t talk much anymore, Kaeya was still keenly cognizant of his brother’s approval and cared about it. If Aether was his—Whoa. Kaeya shook his head a couple times and blinked. What a crazy thought. He must have had too many drinks.oOoThe second time Kaeya is shocked by the Traveler, it’s when they’re sent on a commission together. It’s to clear out a couple of Treasure Hoarders from where they’ve set up camp in Wolvendom, but Kaeya hates these kind of tasks. They’re menial and boring, and definitely didn’t require two skilled fighters on it. The only reason they were both going was because Kaeya needed to interrogate them on behalf of the Knights and Aether needed the commission Mora.“Treasure Hoarders,” Kaeya complained, as they picked their way through the field. “My talents are wasted on the Knights. Maybe I should defect and join the Fatui.”Aether turned his head and laughed at the sight of Kaeya’s expression, and for some odd reason, Kaeya’s stomach swooped.“They definitely do have fewer rules there. Who knows, you might thrive. Maybe even work your way up to Harbinger.”Kaeya theatrically shuddered. “But then what would you do without me?”“I’m sure I’d manage,” Aether rolled his eyes. His eyes cut across the field, then narrowed. “There they are. The one in the red bandana is Toriel, the leader.”“Slippery snake, that one,” Kaeya frowned. “He won’t respond to usual interrogation tactics. We’re going to have to take him separately.”Aether nodded, and together, they advanced like a well-oiled machine. One thing about Aether was that he always seemed to know when to protect Kaeya’s flank and when he needed help. They always fought well together. Once they had the Treasure Hoarders groaning on the ground and restrained, Kaeya kicked the leader with his boot.“Up,” he said curtly, a half-baked plan slowly starting to form in his head as he finally realized where they were. There were wolfhook berries on the ground and a clearing in the trees just up ahead which meant… “Come on, Toriel, get moving.”He saw Aether shoot him a curious glance, but he kept moving, his excitement starting to take grasp of him. This was one way to make a boring commission a hell of a lot more fun. Jean would disapprove of him going against protocol and moving Toriel instead of taking him back to headquarters, but Kaeya’s way would be way more effective.Kaeya dragged Toriel into the middle of - large white arena—the arena where the Wolf of the North lived. Toriel didn’t know that yet but he would in 3, 2, 1–there it was. The wolf materialized into the circle, teeth bared.Kaeya looked back at Aether, expecting to see a look of hesitation in the Traveler’s eyes. He’s used to it—revels in it even, when his men take a split second to decide if they should fight or run, that moment of fear before they cover it up.But Aether didn’t even flinch. He dropped down next to Kaeya, drew his sword, and simply said “Fun,” before charging into the work. Archons, Kaeya could kiss him. Never before had he worked with someone who reacted the same way he did, worked the same way he liked to. It was hot as hell, and not for the first time, Kaeya found himself cursing whoever would be lucky enough to end up as Aether’s permanent fighting partner.The wolf let out an ear-splitting howl and Kaeya shook himself out of his trance.“Alright,” Kaeya drawled, pressing the tip of his sword into Toriel’s neck. “In a few seconds, this wolf is going to charge, and it’s all up to you and what you say if you survive this or not. If you tell me about your little trafficking ring, maybe I’ll be lenient and pull you out of his way. If not… “He swore he could see Aether smirk.oOoAether had defeated a Harbinger. Aether had defeated a Harbinger.Kaeya had spent the morning after learning of the news pacing around and muttering together himself, half in anger that he wasn’t the one to take such a fun fight, and half in absolute aww of the Traveler. Not only had he defeated a Harbinger, but he’d helped thwart a massive Fatui plan and a humongous primordial being. And he had managed to charm the Tianquan of the Qixing. Ningguang had written Jean a letter wondering if his title of Honorary Knight would stop him from being able to take on a role in the Qixing, because Aether was “one of the most fierce warriors she had seen in years.” A job offer and a compliment from the Tianquan? When Kaeya had visited for a diplomatic meeting, she’d barely paid him a glance. Kaeya was just so alternately jealous and impressed of Aether that he wanted to throw up.“So he used his Delusion? Aether was able to beat him in all forms? By himself? And then he fought in the final battle against Osial? Is he really that good with a sword?”He had been badgering Jean for accounts of the fight ever since she’d gotten the letter and the news. He’d tried to convince himself that it was for Monstadt, that it was the duty of the Cavalry Captain to know what happened in other nations, but he knew that he was really only interested because it was Aether.“Why are you so obsessed with the exact details of the fight?” Jean laughs. “You’re in too deep with the Traveler, Kaeya, I can tell.”Kaeya scowled. “I’m not in too deep, Jean, What the hell? It’s just an interesting story.”Jean raised her hands in mock surrender. “Whatever you say Kaeya, but all I know is that patrols started 45 minutes ago and you’re still here, yapping my head off about a certain golden-haired traveler.”…. shit.oOoThe elderly folk of Mondstadt have somehow uniformly decided that Kaeya is the best candidate for grandson-in-law. Kaeya didn’t know that being kind to old people could have drawbacks, but it most certainly could, apparently. Everywhere he went, elderly grandmas and grandpas who he previously thought were his friends, tried to pull him over and introduce him to their child. More often than not, that child turns out to be someone Kaeya had already flirted with (and maybe led on a bit), which made for very awkward conversation.After he’d managed to pull himself out of yet another one of these situations, he found himself slumped next to a billboard, hidden away in the side streets and far from prying elderly eyes.It wasn’t that he didn’t want to settle down… he just… couldn’t have someone trusting him and then realizing that they couldn’t after all, and leaving him. He didn’t want to invite in that kind of heartbreak—better to be a silly flirt than be hurt in that way.He sighed and shifted, and a poster tacked behind fell and fluttered down from the board. Kaeya picked it up, and his heart started to beat a little faster.It wasn’t Aether—it was a missing poster of his sister, Lumine, but for a split second Kaeya had seen Aether’s face there instead. He suddenly felt an aching loneliness for the both of them, both outsiders with lost siblings trying to find their place in the world… and just for a moment, Kaeya thought that maybe inviting in heartbreak would be worth it if it were Aether.oOo“Kaeya! Hey!”Paimon’s high-pitched voice rang out from across the town square. Kaeya turned slowly, not trusting his ears. Because if the loud-mouthed, perpetually hungry sidekick was there, that meant—“Hey Kaeya! It’s been awhile!”There he was, striding towards Kaeya without a care in the world, perfectly oblivious to the fact that Kaeya had been spending so many nights stressing over him.“Miss me?” Kaeya quickly tried to gather himself, but he took a second too long and he could see Aether cock his head curiously. Damn the perceptive golden-haired traveler.“I did, actually,” Aether said softly, and Kaeya’s heart skipped a beat. He watched, barely breathing, as Aether sent Paimon off with an obscene amount of Mora to the Good Hunter.“Let’s take a walk?” Aether suggested. They proceed in silence through Mondstadt, stopping when they’re right in front of the massive statue of Barbatos.“You game?” Aether cocked his head towards the top of the statue, where the two hands made a perfect sitting spot with a great view of the city. Kaeya hadn’t climbed that statue since him and Diluc were young, but he’d hate to pass up the glint of a challenge in Aether’s eyes. They raced each other up, Kaeya just barely beating Aether to the hands (and that might have been because of a conveniently placed, slippery spot of ice right near Aether’s grip).Aether did not seem to miffed about losing, though. He sat with his head on his knees, watching the sun set over the city of Mondstadt almost sadly. The sun reflected of Aether’s golden eyes as Kaeya waited for him to say something. He was gearing up to something, he could tell.“Mondstadt was the first place I really considered my home,” Aether said softly. “Liyue, maybe to an extent. But I always come back here after a long journey. The streets… the architecture… it’s all so familiar.” He laughed once, short and sweet. “I even come back here when I need to craft something, even if I have to talk to Timaeus. How stupid is that? I have a crafting bench in my own teapot.” He sighed, nostalgic. “But there’s just something about this place… “He turned fully to face Kaeya. “Or maybe it’s someone.”Kaeya can’t speak. In all his years of living, he’s never been rendered so speechless as right this moment, as the sun sets over the golden-haired traveler.“I’m almost at the end of my journey in Teyvat, Kaeya,” Aether spoke slowly then, almost contemplatively. “I don’t know what the end will hold for me. I don’t… know what my sister will want from me. But I know what I want. And I think it’s time for me to put myself first for once.” He exhaled quickly. “Kaeya, it took me a long time to understand why I kept coming back to Mondstadt—why this place felt like home. I wanted to come back to you. And now that I have to leave again, I don’t want to take this journey alone. I know…. I know that it’s a lot to ask. I know you have friends and a job and everything here in Mondstadt. But… I wanted to ask.. I wanted to know if you might come with me for the last leg of my journey?”And Kaeya is scared, because as soon as those words came out of his mouth, he knew he would say yes, there was no contest about it. He’s maybe a little terrified, because he might (is) completely in love with the Traveler and probably has been for months and months now. And his self-destructing mind wants him to sabotage himself and stop him from getting hurt prematurely, but then there’s Aether’s little smile which short-circuits his stupid self-hating brain completely, to the point where all Kaeya can do is smile back—and say yes.