Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

venti added 10 people to the chat

venti: hey yall 😋

xiao: why

venti: quick question, whats the answer to the last question on the english homwork🤔🤔🤔

childe: ofc you would need it with that spelling

aether: i can give them if you really need them, venti?

zhongli: dont fall for his schemes aether.

venti: what schemes??????????????????????????????????????? i am merely checking if my peers also have the correct answers!!!!!😁😁

albedo: 💀

xiao: why did you put a skull? are you injured?

aether: xiao ill teach you satire, check dms!!!!!😁

venti: LMAO

—----------------

aether: and so basically it means like “im dying of laughter” thats why its a skull!

xiao: its weird

aether: its just that texting tones are evolving nowadays

xiao: i suppose

aether: xiao can you send me your top row of most recent emojis

xiao: 😂😐😴😕😠

aether: oh celestia above

Chapter Text

aether: KUNI

scaramouche: dont ever call me that again, you fucking slut

aether: im in the nurse’s office, can you walk me home😥

scaramouche: im omw.
what happened? are you alright?

—----------------

venti: WHAT THE FUCK.

albedo: that was the strangest occurence i have ever seen.

childe: what happened to yall this time 🙄

albedo: scaracoochie was carrying aether out of the nurse’s office, like and not even complaining and shit

venti: @aether !!!
WHY DIDNT YOU CALL ME INSTEAD?

→ replying to albedo
childe: WHAT.

xiao: why did he not call me?

kazuha: excuse me? with SCARAMOUCHE??

kaeya: uh @aether i literally told you i was skipping today too and you didnt call me?

albedo: everyone’s complaining that they weren’t called and shit and i get that me too but like
SCARAMOUCHE was not complaining or making fun of aether for like one god damn second.😰

scaramouche: yall fr jealous jealous 😋 LMFAO

diluc: WHY were YOU walking him, fatui

childe: yall diluc lowkey xenophobic
but gonna have to agree on this one 🤷♂️

zhongli: @aether what happened? why were you in the nurse’s office? where are you now?

scaramouche: he’s at my house rn 🤷♂️

venti: WHTA

zhongli: .

childe: HUH??????

diluc: WHAT.

kaeya: EXCUSE ME

albedo: 😨

xiao: what

kazuha: kys @scaramouche

scaramouche: 😁!!!

venti: @AETHER GET ONLINE RN

aether: sorry, yes?
i was in the bathroom!

kazuha: SCARA’S BATHROOM????????????

aether: yep!

albedo: 😐

kaeya: back read rn aether.

aether: alr😁

venti: screaming, crying, i want aether in MY house😭😭😭

aether: okay so, i was in gym and i toppled over someone right i forgot who, they were tall though. and i fell directly onto something and my head was cut by something and started bleeding a bit, so i went to the nurse and she told me to go home and rest for the day and so i didnt want to bother anyone but i dont have a car still and i knew scara was on his break so i asked him to take me home and he took me to his home instead

kaeya: 🤬

venti: 😡

scaramouche: 😝

Chapter Text

venti: SO UR INVITING ME???

aether: yes?

venti: LIKE ONLY ME TOO??

aether: yeah, but we can invite more people if thats hwat youre asking

venti: NO NO WAY
IM A OKAY WITH ONLY US

aether: great!! I WILL SEE YOU THEN!

venti: YES

—----------------

albedo: @everyone venti is sleeping over at aether’s house

venti: I TOLD YOU NOT TO TAELL ANYONE YOU BITCH

kaeya; what.

xiao: guys its fine, lumine is there this week

diluc: oh shit nvm, have fun venti 😁

→ replying to xiao
venti: why is that such a problem

xiao: 💀

aether: good job, xiao!!

venti: aether what are they talking abt 🥺

aether: im not sure, lumi is the nicest🤬

childe: to you 😭

diluc: once i hugged you goodbye and she punched me

scaramouche: she loves me! 😁

kazuha: sure she does🙄

kaeya: once i WAVED at aether and she came over and said that if i did it again i would never be found

venti:😨

albedo: i came over for a study break and she made us coffee

aether: because she’s the nicest! 😁

albedo: and i leaned over to aether to help him with a question and she POURED THE BIOLING HOT FUCKING COFFEE ON ME

xiao: slay behavior🤩

aether: that was an okay attempt xiao!

kazuha: hate to say this aether, but she sure doesnt sound the nicest….

aether: well you guys just have bad experiences with her, she loves one of our childhood friends

zhongli: who

aether: she even told me that i should date him LMAO

venti: WHTA

childe: is it me 🥺

aether: no she hates you childe, like ur the “worst one” she says

scaramouche: L

venti: ill charm her! and she’ll love me then!!! 🤩

—----------------

venti: GUYS IM IN LOVE

aether: it was barely anything venti

venti: IM HEAD OVER HEELS

aether: it was just a kiss 😰

diluc: what.

kaeya: what.

zhongli: what

kazuha: what.

scaramouche: what.

albedo: what.

xiao: what.

childe: what.

venti: lumine punched me so hard that i got a black eye in front of aether 😁 and he felt super bad and asked what he could do and i said kiss it better AND HE DID he kiss me right on the cheek!!!!!😍😍😍

childe: she hits me too, aether

diluc: she punched me, aether

kaeya: she hurt me too, aether

albedo: i still feel the burn

scaramouche: hey siri search up “how to make women mad at you”

zhongli: she screamed at me and my ears are ringing 😕

kazuha: im hurt too

xiao: L+ratio🤔

aether: nice one, xiao!

Chapter Text

aether: guys!

diluc: yes?

kaeya: yes, sweetheart☺

zhongli: hello

kazuha:☝

venti: how are u 🤩

xiao: you called?

childe: yesyesyes ml😍

albedo: hello 😏

scaramouche: mf didnt even have to @ anyone.😐

aether: did you guys hear abt the school dance!!😨

venti: WHAT

zhongli: aether dms

venti: HE FUKCING BEAT ME TO IT

—----------------

zhongli: would you be interested in going to the dance with me?

aether: 😳
i mean do you want to go with me?

zhongli: i asked, didn’t i?

aether: blushing rn 😝

zhongli: :)

aether: im glad i have such good friends, we should go as a group!

—----------------

childe: ATEHR GO WITH ME

kazuha: FUCKING IGNORE HIM, GO WITH ME

kaeya: ew yall go with me aether

aether: i would if i could!

venti: WDYM

aether: lumine said that i couldnt go with anyone alone :(
so zhongli is gonna go with me, i just need a few more people!

kaeya: lmao zhongli show us ur dms

zhongli: [1 image]

venti: NO FOUL

diluc: he did you wrong 😔💔

xiao: snapped!!😁

aether: nice job, xiao!

Chapter Text

childe: hey guys guess who’s sitting on my lap rn

aether: what im not sitting on it, im LAYING down over it

xiao: WHAT

diluc: kill him aether, his defenses are down

aether: 🤨

venti: aether fuck

aether:🤨

venti: why must you do this to my heart😭

scaramouche: aether, follow diluc’s advice pls!!😁
it would be so helpful!

childe: scara we r roommates you can literally join in rn

scaramouche: i dont want to share him with you

childe: ill let you have his head on UR lap instead of mine ig 🙄 but you have to promise to STOP complaining

scaramouche: omw.

venti: c-c-cc-c–c-c-c-c—can i come?🥺🥺

aether: ofc!

scaramouche: no.

childe: no.

—----------------

scaramouche: hes so cute holy fuck
im gonna fucking kill him
i wanna squeeze the living jesus out of him

childe: wtf why are you like this
but yeah🙄
hes adorable when hes asleep

scaramouche: im gonna kms and everyone else if something happens to him

childe: u called him a slut when you saw him on my lap😭

scaramouche: shut up, dont ever fucking call this slut a slut ever again

childe: 😐

Chapter Text

aether: guys im in love

venti: istg, let me take you out on a date ONCE PLS youll see im the better than whoever😭

kaeya: aether istg im better in bed than whoever it is

→ replying to aether
scaramouche: kys you slut

diluc: aether im literally rich

childe: aether im literally rich too

xiao: im literally right here aether why dont you pick me

zhongli: first i got friendzoned, now this??

→ replying to aether
albedo: im telling lumine to kill this man

kazuha: yall😨

aether: you should’ve seen it, i stayed after school today for writing club and kazuha wrote the most amazing haiku for me

kazuha: ☺
he was blushing so i call that a win, keep up yall!

scaramouche: kys
aether you know i can write, yes?

aether: can you?

venti: aether i can sing, i will write you a SONG

aether: will you😨
yall its just a cute haiku 😭

diluc: are you actually in love with him?

aether: huh
no thats like a thing friends say
like “i fell in love!!” like when you like something someone does

scaramouche: 😐
thats not a normal thing people say, you fucking dumbass

aether: ITS NOT⁉
IM SORRY KAZUHA I IDIDNT MEAN TO MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE OR ANYTHING

kazuha: no no
its fine! :) in fact you should say it more to me

aether: i love you, kazuha 😭

childe: you know what, you should say it more to me too

diluc: ditto

xiao: same

kaeya: yes pls

scaramouche: say it to me you fucking slut

albedo: you can call me darling instead, like a nickname!!🤗

zhongli: my nickname is actually “my love”

venti: YOU CAN CALL ME “my venti” BTW !!

Chapter Text

childe: im gonna fucking kill dottore

scaramouche: same!!😁

aether: its not that big of a deal guys.

diluc: the fuck did that scum do now

childe: he fucking shoved aether into the lockers and said “sorry didn’t see you there, missus.”

scaramouche: btw im the only one allowed to do that 😡

childe: then when aether told him he wasn’t a girl, he said AND I QUOTE “yeah well? you sure look like you’d be my bitch”
gonna fucking stab him🤩

aether: its fine! he does this a lot!

scaramouche: HE DOES? fucking bitch im gonna fucking kill him

→ replying to childe
albedo: like dottore from snezhnaya?

childe: yep

albedo: that fucking asshole, i walked by his little posse once and heard him talking abt aether saying shit like how hot he was and how any of them would be able to get him

aether: what?

venti: no cause ofc he has a crush on aether🙄 someone call lumine rn

kaeya: on it!!😍

aether: guys its really not that big of a deal

venti: @kazuha @childe @diluc @kaeya @zhongli @albedo @xiao @scaramouche we’re gonna go beat up dottore yall in!?!?!?!?!?

aether: guys do notebjbfh3huh

xiao: i got aether so he won’t interrupt you guys.

diluc: okay guys lets rock and roll😁

kaeya: white ppl💀

aether: you guys better nothsuhghah

xiao: took his phone 😁

—----------------

aether: you guys. why did dottore come up and apologize to me with blood running down his head and bruises all over.

kaeya: IDK🤷♂️

scaramouche: wow you should tell him to look out for gangs in the area :(

—----------------

?: hey, aether!

aether: OMG HEY ITS BEEN SO LONG, did lumi give you my number again???

?: yes she did.
im moving back to teyvat high school
hopefully we can rekindle what we had before

aether: oh!
thats great that youre coming back!
i also hope to become best friends with u again!

?:😐

Chapter Text

—
thicky bois gc🥵:

aether: well, i hope you’re fucking happy.

venti: wait aether please !

—----------------

aether has left the conversation

childe: WHAT

venti: shit no😭

zhongli: now, what did you do this time venti?

venti: NOTHING, I SWEAR

kazuha: clearly not.

xiao: okay look, let me explain.
aether was showing this new kid around, and that fucking asshole kissed him on the head
aether looked completely taken aback by it too so we went over to him and asked what he thought he was doing and shit
turns out
its aether’s ex and DESPITE aether beforehand telling him to stop doing it in public
but aether still got mad at us for telling him off because he didn’t want hard feelings
and we tried to tell him that hard feelings were better than him fucking harrassing aether

venti: and aether screamed at us like in the school 😭
im literally so sad

scaramouche: he kissed him??? after aether told him not to????

kazuha: oh fucking hell im gonna go apeshit

childe: guys aether clearly does not want us involved in this, and as much as i ABSOLUTELY FUCKING DESPISE THIS GUY we have to respect his wishes

—----------------

aether: but zhongli

zhongli: he kissed you without your permission? and you in fact have told him a multitude of times to stop that correct?

aether: okay yes
but you dont understand hes not a bad guy

zhongli: why did you break up with him?

aether: he cheated

zhongli: please tell me you realize how silly you sound trying to defend him

aether: im sorry, i just
i dont know i dont want ill will between anyone and i

zhongli: some people dont deserve your mercy, my dear aether

aether: thank you, i really am sorry

zhongli: shall i tell the other to “beat his ass”?

aether: well i cant imagine he’d like that

zhongli: 😐

aether: BUT
i would☺
beat his ass!😝

zhongli: as you wish, my dear

aether: and zhongli?

zhongli: yes?

aether: tysm, i love you my love

zhongli: 😧am i dreaming

aether: its like the nickname you told me to call you !! :D

—----------------
thicky bois gc🥵:

aether: and i apologize, i feel so bad that i didnt listen to you guys im in your debt truly
ill owe you both like a thousand favors ill do anything
im really really sorry

xiao: its alright aether, you’re too kindhearted sometimes

venti: YEP!! but while we’re on this topic, my lips really really hurt from sobbing abt you leaving
can you you kiss it better??

aether: oh god im so sorry , ofc i will

xiao: no he wont venti.
aether its okay you dont need to owe us anything

venti: says YOU

—----------------

childe: LMAO HES BROCKEN NOW, his fucking discord status is “i miss him💔” his black and white fucking anime pfp too😭

aether: you guys are the best 😍

albedo: i do have one question though

aether: mhm?

albedo: how did zhongli manage to convince you?

zhongli: [1 image]

scaramouche: AETHER WTF YOU FRIENDZONED HIM LAST TIME NOW UR TALKING ABT UR LOVE>

xiao: im going to commit many felonies 😐

aether: good usage of the emojis xiao!🤩

Chapter Text

→ aether added dainsleif to the chat

xiao: who tf is that💀

kaeya: fugly ass name🤢

dainsleif:😐

→ aether changed dainsleif’s name

dain: thank you my dear🙂

aether: ofc!!

kazuha: woah woah MY dear???

childe: EXCU EM??

scaramouche: so he IS a slut 🤨

zhongli: who is he, aether?

dain: im a person too, you could just ask me😐😐😐

aether: this is dainsleif!! he’s transferring to our school and hes my old childhood friend!! HE’S TALLER THAN ZHONGLI😍😍😍

venti: do u only like tall people😰

xiao: :(

scaramouche: :(

albedo: :(

kazuha: :(

childe: get fucked lmao😍

aether: i dont care abt height, i like you guys!!

venti: YOU DO>???”

xiao: i accept your confession🙂

scaramouche: ofc you would like me🙄

albedo: HAHAHH YES

kazuha: i am very happy rn.

aether: yeah ofc, besties forever!

venti: 😐

xiao: dainsleif, has he always been like this?

dain: yes, but i love him for it

zhongli: join the club 🙄

→ replying to aether
diluc: WOAH AS IN LUMINE WANTS YOU TO DATE HIM CHILDHOOD FRIEND????

aether: YOU REMEMEBRED, YES he is the one!!😁

dain: i knew she always liked me

kaeya: so ur saying… YOU have LUMINE’S approval??

albedo: how😨

dain: i’ll teach you guys my ways 😁

aether: 🤨

Chapter Text

lumine: AND nobody is allowed over, NO dates either, AND no boyfriends.

aether: ur only gonna be gone for the weekend wth💀

lumine: you heard me?>:(

aether: okay, i will not😭

lumine: okay great! shenhe told me to wish you luck alone, shes such a sweetheart:)

aether: talk abt hypocritical🙄 u are allowed to date shenhe but IM not allowed to date any of my crushes

lumine: well, who are your crushes? HMM??

–

aether: guys

scaramouche: yes?

aether: want to have a party at my house!

scaramouche: no, hint hint lumine.

aether: shes not here!!!

scaramouche: okay ill come

kaeya: ditto

diluc: coming!

venti: smae 😁😁

xiao: ill be there

childe: count me in!😍

kazuha: ofc

zhongli: will be there.

dainsleif: i will go, my dear
albedo: get ready to party 😈

Chapter Text

venti: last night was a movie yall🤪🤪

diluc: you made aether drink some shots and he is now currently hung over

kaeya: that’s what happens when the rest of us leave early????

zhongli: how does one get drunk from a few shots?🤨🤨

albedo: so then the texts from him last night, he was merely drunk😰

kazuha: FUCK

scaramouche: gonna kms

diluc: he is still asleep, so you can delete your messages before he wakes up😐

—---------

albedo’s dms -

aether: yoyre sO smart, and hotm plase have my kids

- albedo: i have been waiting for this, my love -
albedo deleted 1 message

—---------

xiao’s dms -

aether: i miss you, come back i NEEd a cudDle

- xiao: i miss you too, come to me whenever you need. -
xiao deleted 1 message

—---------

childe’s dms -

aether: plS i need you sOO baldy Rn

- childe: meet tmr? my house?? -
childe deleted 1 message

—---------

zhongli’s dms -

aether: zONgli plspls you should daTE me

- zhongli: of course, we can go to dinner tomorrow darling? -
zhongli deleted 1 message

—---------

kazuha’s dms -

aether: i neED something in my rn

- kazuha: your wish is my command, aether o7 tmr? -
kazuha deleted 1 message

—---------

scaramouche’s dms -

aether: kuni pls i feel so warm rn, i need yOU

- scaramouche: do you want me to come back for you aether? -
- scaramouche: oh wiat u mean sex -
scaramouche deleted 1 message

—---------

kaeya’s dms -

aether: kaeya i love you

- kaeya: ive have been waiting so long for this. i love you too. -
kaeya deleted 1 message

—---------

aether: dainy will you slEEp with me??

dainsleif: you are drunk aether, but i appreciate the sentiment.

—---------

aether: IM GONNA KMS
IM SORRY
I DIDNT MEAN OT SEND THOSE😭

scaramouche: i wish you did 😐

dain: this is sad that you guys couldnt tell he was drunk 🤭🤭

albedo: stfu im sad

childe: who knew that drunk aether is a romancer ?

aether: i swear im not usually like that when drunk😥

zhongli: then why were you like that this time?🤨

—---------

aether: talk abt hypocritical🙄 u are allowed to date shenhe but IM not allowed to date any of my crushes

lumine: well, who are your crushes? HMM??

aether: i’m not sure… i cant tell who i like…

Chapter Text

aether: who’s gonna audition for the play?

venti: tf i am NOT becoming a theatre kid🤢🤢🤢

scaramouche: ur in band tf are u talking abt 💀

aether: PLEASE GUYS!! yun jin will kill me if she finds out i didnt recruit anyone😥

zhongli: what sort of play is it?

aether: romance i believe? based off of what yun jin has told me

diluc: and who did you try out for?

aether: one of the main characters, he has a girly undertone though so idk if ill get it 😰

albedo: fr? ur doubting that YOU, aether viator, has a girly undertone?🤨

childe: ur so funny sometimes aether

aether: i DONT

scaramouche: 🤨

dain: when i first met you i thought you were a girl, and you didnt even have long hair back then

aether: yeah and you also bullied me for a year too so i dont want your opinion

kazuha: you BULLIED aether!?!???!?!?!?!

dain: i was stupid in kindergarten okay😰
also it was kinda worth it because when he pouts with watery eyes>>>>>>>>>

albedo: aether, can i bully you next?

aether: you guys are already BULLYING ME😡😡😡

xiao: aether, by any chance, is the play called “Entwined”?

aether: yep!!

xiao: and you tried out for the main character?

aether: MHM😁

xiao: i will try out for the other main character too then 🙂

aether: but you do know that there’s a kissing scene between the two of them xiao?

xiao: yes i know

kaeya: WHAT IM TRYING OUT TOO

diluc: SAME AMS

zhongli: i would like to participate😁

albedo: i will too:)

scaramouche: ig i will🙄

childe: IM AUDITIONING!!!

dain: i will try for you too aether

kazuha: gonna be the best other main character there is😎

venti: boutta be a theatre kid😁

aether: i didn’t really think any of you guys were kissing people?

albedo:🤨

aether: like that you guys would like kissing?

xiao: im not, unless its with a specific person 🙂

aether: oooo who’s that?

xiao: 😐

Chapter Text

aether: so proud of u xiao!!😁

xiao: thank you

venti: not fair, not fair at all

kazuha: i hate the director

zhongli: :(

childe: do u guys know who kamisato ayato is???

diluc: 0 idea why?🤨

childe: he’s the understudy for xiao😡

aether: oooo ooo!! i know him!

zhongli: you do?

kaeya: what is he like?

aether: hes soo polite, quite handsome too! and such a gentleman😳😳

albedo: 😧

scaramouche: that douchebag???? hes anything BUT a gentleman🙄

aether: really? hes in the theater club with yun jin, and when i go to the meetings hes so nice😍😍

childe: guys idk but this guy sounds like i would HATE him.😡😡😡😡

diluc: my love, do you have a crush on him?😐

aether: huh
uhhh
ummm
idk how to answer that😁

kaeya: its a yes or no😧

aether:😁
oo! i should add him to the gc!

diluc: no you absolutely should not

dain: do not

childe: dont you dare

→aether added ayato to the chat
→dainsleif removed ayato from the chat

aether: why😕

kaeya: we’ll find out abt him when its our first rehearsal.

aether: im confused why do u guys care sm🤨

scaramouche; ur so stupid🥺🥺

aether: AM NOT.

xiao: i believe that the fatui scum is correct, my love

scaramouche: yall are xenophobic 😕

childe: i feel unwelcome here😕

→replying to xiao
aether: are you practicing for the play already?😁😁

xiao: you have “done me dirty” i believe.😕

Chapter Text

ayato: aether, my love what was that?

aether: oops sorry, ayato my friends were being jerkfaces😡

ayato: it is quite alright, my dear

aether: 😳

—-

okay, aether was dumb, yes. but he wasn’t stupid.
well, he wasn’t socially stupid.

he could tell some of his friends harbored feelings for him (granted, he knew they were just very small crushes), and yes, maybe he did reciprocate.
but, he wouldn't date any of them, because those crushes and feelings would just drift away because of how minuscule they are. and he definitely could not handle that after his last boyfriend.

what if they too decide that he’s not good enough and cheat on him as well?

not to mention, lumine hardly likes any of them. and lumine made it clear that he shouldn’t be dating yet, probably to save him from the heartbreak.

so for now, he’ll just play along.
after all,

the bimbo blonde is a look that aether quite likes.

–

aether; FIRST REHEARSAL IS TMR GUYS😁

scaramouche: we know assface

aether: okay yun jin just wants me to remind all of you because she thinks none of you guys are gonna show up!

kaeya: so little faith😧

venti: ofc im gonna show up, how could i possibly miss xiao and ayato accidentally getting hurt and the role going to me🙂

xiao: uh🤨

Chapter Text

scaramouche: before that bitch says it,
REHEARSAL TODAY 🌺🌺🌺🌺😁😁😁😁😁😁

childe: 🤢 stop that behavior rn young man.

aether: thanks for doing it for me, but 🤬🤬🤬 for that first message🤬

-

scaramouche: i didnt mean it btw

aether: what
i knew that 🤨

scaramouche: oh okay
love u
HATE*****

aether: 😰

-

aether laughed at the dm he received, xiao leaning over his shoulder to read it. his eyes darted around before he pulled back with a huff.

“he doesn’t mean ‘i hate you’ xiao!” aether giggled, xiao rolled his eyes.

“he means the ‘love you’ though?”

“what! no..” then he looked around before lowering his voice and leaning closer to the short man. “i dont think he swings that way.” xiao looked at him like he was the dumbest person on earth before his gaze softens, with a sigh he grabbed aether’s hand.

aether flushed, “x-xiao?”

xiao placed a gentle kiss on the palm of his hand, “i will see you, my prince.”

“r-right!” aether nodded furiously, embarrassed that he thought more of the kiss than just xiao rehearsing. with a confident nod, he smiled, “i will see you for rehearsal, my love.”

he never expected xiao’s reaction to be more flustered than him, the male gave a quick wave and sped down the hallway to his class.

‘strange. maybe i did something wrong.’

-

kaeya: saw xiao in the bathroom, he was practically POURING water on himself

xiao: i was caught off guard

kaeya: by a heatwave or sumn???????😭

xiao: i suppose you could call it that

venti: i think he’s being a flirt indescriptively….

diluc: that not a word😐

Chapter Text

Scaramouche was so over hiding his feelings. He never believed in crushes anyways.

Also, he never was quite good at hiding them.

“Aether, come sit with me today.” Scaramouche ordered, knowing the sweet Aether would follow along with a giggle or a smile.

“Yeah.. uh- of course.” Aether sat, looking a bit troubled, worrying Scaramouche a bit. But only a little bit.

“Ugh, what’s wrong? You’re acting like a child.”

Aether turned to him, his eyes watery as if guilty, “Do you think I made Xiao uncomfortable?”

“You’ve gotta be kidding.”

“I’m not! Okay, look—” the blonde started rambling, Scaramouche couldn’t give less of a shit about Xiao’s flirting, his gaze just followed the way Aether’s expressions changed with each sentence, how Aether moved his hands to exaggerate his points.

And Scaramouche swore he fell in love a little bit more. But only a little bit.

“Aether, just shut up please.” Scaramouche begged, “He loves you, everyone does.” Aether giggled, thinking Scaramouche was just joking around.

The blonde smiled, “Are you included, Kuni?”

“Of course,” Scaramouche felt a warm smile bless his face, he was a little dazed from his admiration of Aether still but he quickly pulled himself together and added, “you slut.” Aether blushed.

Which made his face flush a little bit. But only a little bit.

—--------------------

albedo: stupid fucking scaramouche is so out of it today it sucks
almost died from his dazing

venti: YEAH
he kept on dropping our experiment (DUMBASS BEHAVIOR‼‼‼)

aether: weird
he was dazed with me today as well🤨

kaeya: maybe he’s just like xiao?

aether: oh gods whats wrong with xiao😰

kaeya: horny

→replying to aether
xiao: you dont have to worry about me aether, you did nothing wrong

→replying to kaeya
xiao: kys

scaramouche: stealing my slang just like i stole your crush's heart😋

Chapter Text

Albedo practically ran out of his chemistry class, having enough of the lovestruck boy ruining his project.

In his rush, he didn’t notice the blonde making his way down the hallway until too late.

They made impact with each other but luckily, nothing too bad.

“Sorry, Aether. I just really had to get out of that classroom.”

“I heard. Is everything okay with Scaramouche? I hope he’s not angry at me…”

“Trust me, he is not angry at you.” The ashy blonde rolled his eyes, “May you walk me to class, Aether?”

Aether giggled, and bowed, “Of course!”

“Ah, chivalry is not dead after all.”

They began to walk to Albedo’s next class, Art, as Aether rants about how he hates the teacher.

“It’s just like- he doesn’t have any humor! And he was weirdly obsessed with MY art specifically, ‘make it more surreal’ what the fuck does that mean!” Aether groaned, “It’s like he was expecting everyone to be a genuine artist when most of the people just joined for an easy A!” Albedo chuckled.

“I think YOU joined for the supposedly easy A.” Aether looked like he’d just been caught in the act, Albedo smiled, “Though, I would hate it if you never tried to further your knowledge of art because of some horrid teacher. Why don’t we have a painting date?”

Aether’s face brightened, “Ooo, sounds like fun! Plus, you’ve got to be better than that stupid old man.”

“Maybe this weekend then.” Albedo kissed him on the cheek, as a goodbye Aether supposed, but Aether still freaked out.

And he quickly ran away with a shout, “Y-Yeah, b-bye, algebra-Albedo!!”

—---------------------------------

albedo: got a date yall
pick up the pace🥱

xiao: what.

scaramouche: actually kys

aether: i didnt mean to call you algebra i'm sorry😭

kaeya: its fine he deserves to not have his name remembered

diluc: i agree

Chapter Text

3 more hours until the first rehearsal.

Aether was fine. He was fine.

Yes, it was nerve-wracking. Yes, he felt like he was gonna throw up.

But it wasn’t because of the rehearsal.

He groaned, lucky that Kaeya seemed to be actually paying attention in class.

How was he gonna pull this off?

This was way out of his comfort zone.

“Everything alright, Storm?” Kaeya had finally noticed his turmoil.

“Oh… yes! Just, you know, nervous.”

“You’ll do great.” Kaeya placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, “Aether, everytime you’re not confident in something you always manage to rise above it and amaze us all.” He winked, “Especially me.”

“You’re so nice, Kaeya!” Aether wrapped his arms around him, “I love you!”

Kaeya’s face darkened a smidge, and he seemed to cough out a mumbled answer that Aether didn’t hear.

“But, the play isn’t what I was talking about.”

“Hm?” Kaeya calmed down a bit just to question the blonde, “what did you mean then, dear?”

“Well…” Aether blushed, “Can you promise not to tell anyone?”

“Of course, I’d never betray your trust.”

“So… Okay.”

“I haven’t had my first kiss yet…”

Chapter Text

aether: guyyyysss rehearsal😨

venti: terrified😱😱

xiao: very.

→replying to xiao
diluc: shut up u got what everyone wanted😐

scaramouche: kys

kaeya: hope you trip and hit ur head

dain: get a concussion pls🙏

kazuha: ope u get piosoned😒

zhongli: hope u fall off the stage accidentally!

childe: hope u get cursed with years of bad luck, yeah you’ll keep the part but this play will forever alter you and ur perception of reality, hope it drastically changes ur life so much so u can never come back from it and you become a shallow shell of a person!!😘😘

aether: ohhh idek there were this many versions of break a leg !!😃

—-
dms - aether/lumine

aether sent an attachment

lumine: u are such an idiot why r u acting so stupid

aether: i like being a ditzy blonde

lumine: u have all As 😑

aether: so
they dont need to know that
plus if i start acting smart theyll all stop liking me

lumine: ill kill them all
rn
even if they didnt do anything the fact that they arent reassuring u enough
😡

aether: love u lumi

—-
dms - aether/dainsleif

yesterday, 2:15 p.m

dainsleif: u would think it was b right, but it was all a trick

aether: huhhh i def got that wrong😨

dainsleif: you’ll be fine, dear its merely a point

aether: can i bffr with u😕

dainsleif: yes? is everything alright?

aether: im so bad at this unit😭 my grade is gonna PLUMMET.

dainsleif: oh
you’ll be fine im sure
and if u need help im always here
a grade above so i already know everything🤭

aether: ♥

today, 8:39 p.m

aether: DAIN. DAIN.

dainsleif: yes?

aether: 1. i got an A on the exam for that unit♥ tysm ily
2. r u ready for rehearsals🙏🙏🙏

dainsleif: I am very proud of you dear sunshine.
I am very excited to see you act, though I wish there were some cast changes.

aether: TYTY UR SO NICE
my acting is garbage pls dont expect much tho, YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY SEE XIAO ACT THO
HE IS SO MEEK IRL BUT THEN 🤭🤭🤭
hes like a really good actor dain

dainsleif: sure…

—-
dms - aether/xiao

yesterday, 3:14 p.m

xiao: i think i left my ruler at ur house

aether: yes u did😭
ill bring it to you tmr?
btw thanks for studying with me!!

xiao: anything for you, lovely
do you understand the unit more?

aether: a bit, terrified for the exam tmr tho🤢

xiao: i will be there to walk you to class before and after
I can help you study as we walk there.

aether: sounds perfect😍
u should come over more often, i miss ur face🥺

xiao: you do?

aether: oh but ig we’ll practically see eachother everyday since rehearsals😁

xiao: ah yes.

today, 4:57 p.m

aether: ahhhh xiao im so nervous🤢
legit might puke

xiao: it’s alright aether, its only our first rehearsal.
she will most likely just give us our scripts and introduce us to each other
please do not fret, you can always rely on me

aether: you always know when to say the right thing ilysm you’ll make someone rly happy one day…

xiao: 😑

—-

dms - aether/kaeya

aether: kaeya… you glorious bastard!
how do u not have a gf yet???
aether sent an attachment

kaeya: you think im gorgeous
ahh even screenshotting my instagram posts i see😏

aether: its unfair, leave some hotness for the rest of us

kaeya: yk aether my sweet? i do not swing that way

aether: UR GAY?

kaeya: for one person specifically, other than him no one interests me

aether: omg who
who is ur crush
who makes u think u cant love anyone else
wow
this
is like an actual romance
u should write novels

kaeya: my sweet, it’s 12 and we have school tmr, i will answer your questions tomorrow.

aether: night night love u!

kaeya: have splendid dreams, i love you, dear aether.

—-

dms - aether/childe

yesterday, 1:46 p.m

aether: U R THE CAPTAIN OF THE ARCHERY CLUB?

yesterday, 2:03 p.m

aether: ARE U, STINKY??? I WANNA KNOW NOW

yesterday, 2:39 p.m

aether: we r divorcing as friends mr active on spotify but cant text aether back
u r a fart face go die🤬

yesterday, 4:13 p.m

aether: childe? r u ok?

childe: i was retaking a test my love plssssssssssssssssssssssssssss dont break up with em😭😭

aether: I THOUGHT U WERE NGRY AT ME YOU ASSHOLE

childe: im sorryyyyyyy next time i swearrrrrrrrrrrr ill tell u next time ok😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

today, 7:18 a.m

childe: good luck on ur exam, im here if u need to work in some extra study time!!

aether: love u, so compassionate always remembering when im abt to take a test♥♥♥

childe: but u dont for me ok then😒

aether: shut rhe fuck up

—-

dms - aether/scaramouche

yesterday, 9:12 p.m

aether: heard you weren’t feeling well? i’m coming over with some dinner for you

scaramouche: thank you, it’s a little late, i’ll drive you back to your house afterward

aether: dont mind, ur sick let ME take care of YOU
i also am bringing the homework you missed!😁

scaramouche: always a motive. kys😐

today, 8:17 a.m

aether: feeling any better? ur not at school 😕

scaramouche: getting there slowly
ill be there to watch you act
but dont get too close, you might get the cold

aether: just a cold? no fever? thank goodness
and im def still hugging u when i see you

scaramouche: whatever you dirty whore.

—-

dms - aether/venti

aether: uhhhhhhh
idk how to say this to u
how long have we known each other?

venti: like most of our lives why
are you alright?
is this a confession😱😱😱
OMG

aether: pls stop texting until i'm done
this is so embarrassing
😭
ok

venti: i will stop i swear, i didn’t realize we were being serious!!

aether: yeah so we’ve known each other most of our lives and so ur the one i feel most comfortable asking this too
even tho its still uncomfortable
uh
pls promise this wont ruin everything between us?
or else i wont have the guts to say it

venti: aether, are you alright? you have me seriously worried.
nothing can make me think less of you my love
you can rely on me for anything

aether: ive never kissed anyone before
and i need to before the play
so will you pls be my first kiss venti..

venti is typing…

—------ new message —------

venti: what time should we meet up?

Chapter Text

Aether slapped his face.

It was just a kiss, it was whatever…

And it was done with so now Venti doesn’t want anything to do with him.

But that didn’t stop the way his heart pounded when he got a text from said boy.

-

venti: this stays between us or can i brag to the gc 🤨

aether: DO NPT BRAG
stays here

venti: ofc dearest anything you need
wouldn’t mind doing it again too😍😍

-

Aether’s face grew warm.

—-----

kaeya: is it just me or is venti acting strange

zhongli: not just you, he’s acting like he’s just accomplished something😕

diluc: WOAH VENTI??? ACCOMPLISHING SOMETHING? nah something IS strange

venti: stfu diluc, pee urself🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

—-----

Aether entered the theater and saw most of his friends mingling, but saw one he wanted to see since the start of the day.

“Kuni!” He ran over, throwing his arms around the man.

“Aether!” Scaramouche rasped, “I’m still sick.”

The blonde pulled back, “So? I haven’t seen you in AGES.”

“You saw me like yesterday.” Scaramouche chuckled, “But I’m glad you like me that much.”

Scaramouche quickly noticed a few lingering eyes at the pair, his face heating up, “U-Uhm, you whore.” and he quickly escaped Aether’s grasp. The blonde giggled before seeing Xiao and quickly said his goodbyes to the ravennette.

Xiao nodded, “Good afternoon, Aether.”

Skipping the greetings Aether asked, “Are you nervous?” the boy practically shook with excitement while he asked Xiao.

“A little, but you look a lot less nervous than beforehand.”

“I am, I think I’ve managed to gain some-” Aether was cut off when he was harshly tugged from Xiao.

“Venti?” Aether whispered, heat already rushing to his face.

“Hello, my love!” Venti gushed, “you haven’t yet greeted me!”

He giggled, “Hello, Venti. Been too long.”

“Of course! Any amount of time away from me is too long.”

—-----

albedo: WHY is venti hogging aether😐

kazuha: exactly istg they’re inseparable rn

venti: i smell JEALOSY🙄🙄

scaramouche: we could clearly never be jealous of your spelling ability.😒

Chapter Text

diluc: did you guys do the extra review packet for chemistry?

venti: erm what the sigma
what are we studying for 😓

aether: for chemistry?🤔

venti: erm why😓

aether: for the finals?

venti: 🤯

scaramouche: blud didn’t know about the final exams 💀💀💀
couldn’t help but remember that aether said he likes smart people🤔

venti: WHAT

albedo: aw shucks aether you can just confess already

aether: to what? not liking dimwits?🤨

albedo: :(

venti: DUDE???

childe: its so over for you venti 😭🙏

venti: guys ive decided im turning a new leaf….
what finals do we have?😁

kaeya: every class? thats kinda how finals work🤨

venti: nvm…………………………………..

aether: venti if u need help dwdw, u can come over any time ok?

venti: okay 😍😍😍😻😻😻😻😻😻

albedo: gods, im struggling so hard…. what is a chemical?🤔

kaeya: how does water turn into… ice🫨

diluc: wait a sec, ur telling me theres a science studying the properties and behavior of matter?🤔

scaramouche: bro CANNOT play dumb 💀🙏

kazuha: wait a second…. chemistry???

aether: mhm

kazuha: is that not the thing between you and i?😼

scaramouche: kys
actually no
that was so bad someone kill me

aether: i kinda liked it 🥰

scaramouche: are you made of copper and tellurium? because u r CuTe

aether: thats a good one

zhongli: do you have 11 protons? because ur sodium fine…😏

aether: 😳😳

dainsleif: u must be made out of uranium and iodine because all i can see is U and I together.

aether: dain are you even in chemistry?🤨

xiao: i think dain should kill himself for being a liar ☝️

aether: ur really grasping the ironic concept xiao
a little too well

xiao: im not being sarcastic

Chapter Text

venti’s dms -

aether: tell me how you got straight As in all ur subjects?🤨
im gonna report u for cheating just in case!

venti: I DID NOT CHEAT.
i told you im turning a new leaf duh????

aether: wow thats actually really impressive
ur not a dimwit after all

venti: im gonna ignore the second part of that message😍
are you proud aether?

aether: extremely 💞

venti: BARK BARK WOOF WOOF AETHER SENT HEART RUFF 🐶

aether: stop that rn.

venti: anything u say 🐕‍🦺

aether: 😨

—----------------

albedo’s dms -

albedo: ur secretly extremely smart hm?

aether: haha
must’ve just been luck🙏

albedo: well, you worked hard didn’t you?
endlessly proud

aether: aw shucks 😳😳😳😳

—----------------

lumine’s dms -

lumine: so whats the damage?

aether: A* in physics, A* in chemistry, A* in history, A in literature, A* in teyvat’s common tongue, A* in calculus :/

lumine: …

aether: ik :( i don’t know why i did badly in literature, ig my work wasn’t that good
maybe i should ask venti and kazuha to help me next time?

lumine: percentages?

aether: 100%, 99%, 98%, 96%,100%, 100%

lumine: you basically got an A* in literature
ur insane aether

aether: thank you but i dont need stupid pity
i got lower than what i expected
im messing around too much in my freetime
need to start studying again

lumine: i do NOT condone this
ur doing perfectly fine
in fact i’d say ur school and personal life balance is perfect

aether: ty but im just gonna add an hour or two after school

—---------

scaramouche: what were everybody’s grades😏

diluc: why not just take it one class at a time?

aether: what if i dont want to share my grades 😢

albedo: aether you got a 99% in chemistry….

aether: yeha but i got lower in other things its embarrassing 😓

scaramouche: now im even MORE curious
what was ur average then?

aether: NO IM NOT SHARING!! 😭😭😭

kazuha: did smth go wrong aether?

zhongli: we’re here to help if you need any
study wise or just some emotional support

aether: no its fine i dont want to make a big deal out of it 😭

kaeya: how about everyone js shares their highest grades?

scaramouche: 🥱🥱🥱 99 in history
easy dub

zhongli: 100% in history

scaramouche: jump off of a bridge

kaeya: 97% in calc

albedo: 100% in chemistry

xiao: 99 in literature 😒

childe: what the fuck
87 in pre calc

scaramouche: ur still in pre calc?
sped😒

childe: why are you all like geniuses

diluc: 100 in chemistry 🥱🥱🥱

dainsleif: 98 in physics 😓

aether: wowowow guys thats incredible

kaeya: what about you?

aether: i have a tie for highest but i dont wanna say

diluc: how about you just say what classes?

aether: physics, teyvat’s common tongue, and calculus

albedo: sometimes i forget that ur not fluent

aether: yeah well 😒😒

venti: 100 in literature :)

kazuha: same for me

aether: both of you can kill yourselves 😭😭😭😭😭

kazuha: oh? is that what you got bad on?

aether: yeah 😐

venti: DONT WORRY AETHER, YOU HELPED ME WITH CHEM
SO I WILL HELP YOU WITH LITERATURE!!!!!

kazuha: thats not really that fair since this isnt ur native language…:/

aether: ugh i cant really complain, i js have to do better next time

—-------------------

kazuha’s dms -

kazuha: here, lets be in a private setting for this
how can i help you?

aether: ur too nice kazuha, i feel like i should at least pay you if ur gonna help

kazuha: you need not owe me a penny aether, my dear

aether: 😳

kazuha: i hope you dont mind me asking but what was your grade?
just so i can have a basis
you dont need to tell me if you really dont want to

aether: alright well
dont laugh

kazuha: i wouldnt dream of it

aether: it was a 96 😓

kazuha: are you fucking kidding me

Chapter Text

kaeya: on a scale of 1-10 how attractive am i?

aether: ?
obvs a 10, you don’t need me to tell u that 🤨

kaeya: let’s say
hypothetically…

aether: 🤨

kaeya: ur getting married right
and this perosn is like ur dream person
but they’re lowk a
6/10
could i steal you at the altar

aether: are we basing this hypothetical solely on ur looks or do i know you and your personality in this universe as well

kaeya: solely on looks

aether: yeah no
idc that they’re 6/10
if they’re my dream person
and they’ll make me happy

kaeya: ☹️
not how i expected this to go at all

aether: BUTT
if it wasn’t just based on your looks
but also your personality

kaeya: omg stop🥴🥴

aether: i still wouldn’t leave them
cause they’re my dream person

kaeya: what if that was me reaching out for help cause i was on the ledge of a building

aether: 😨

kaeya: i bet that if i was on the side of the road begging for water and you had a full water bottle, you’d guzzle it all in front of me and leave me for dead

aether: ITS A HYPOTHETICAL
THAT YOU MADE UP.

——-

childe: can you stop being racist in the DM’s pls and ty diluc

diluc: stop this nonsense rn.

childe: diluc told me to go back to my country

venti: DILUC!! STOP BEING RACIST,,

diluc: I DID NOT SAY THAT

childe: screenshotted, sent to every corporation, every college, every family member.

diluc: I DIDNT SAY THAT

aether: guys leave diluc alone 😡

scaramouche: get yo corny ahh outta here lil bro 😭🙏
“stop guys this isn’t you🥺” ahh

aether: that was really mean, I’m blocking you

scaramouche: WHAT

kaeya: guys forget abt diluc’s racism for a sec

diluc: IM NOT RACIST

kaeya: aether was just so mean to me in the DM’s

zhongli: aether’s never mean to me, must be something wrong with you….

aether: IT WAS MY DREAM PERSON.
OFC I DONT CARE IF YOU OR QUITE FRANKLY ANYONE TRIES TO STEAL ME FROM THE ALTAR
IM IN LOVE WITH THEM
I DONT CARE THAT THEYRE A 6/10

xiao: dream person???

zhongli: what the hell

childe: r u kidding me

scaramouche: first he blocks me, now he’s yapping abt some dream person… yeah I’m js gonna kms

albedo: 😦

diluc: this is the worst news I’ve heard all day

childe: ok racist

venti: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE AETHER ONE CHANCE IM BETTER I SWEAR 😫😫😫

dain: this years were wasted….🫤

kazuha: after all we’ve been through….

kaeya: ruh roh….. might’ve started smth

aether: @kaeya

kaeya: yes my dearest little storm

aether: KILL YOURSELF!!

zhongli: 😯

venti: 😮

xiao: 😦

albedo: 😲

diluc: 😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂🤣🤣

scaramouche: 😟

kazuha: 🫢

dain: 😦

childe: 😬

aether: it was a HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION!!!
I HAVENT MET MY DREAM PERSON YET!

kaeya: I’ll take the blame for the last one but you dug urself into this one

childe: YOU HAVENT???

venti: my day is RUINED

kazuha: hello??? Never met them???? IM RIGHT HERE 😭😭

zhongli: clearly he’s not thinking straight

albedo: my final straw

dain: he just pointed a gun to my head, said just kidding, and then pulled the trigger

diluc: ill never die peacefully

scaramouche: YOU STUPID WHORE

aether: did you guys hear kuni say anything, hmmm…. must’ve been the wind

scaramouche: pls unblock me

xiao: pls don’t do this to me aether…..

aether: omg guys you are the MOST OVERDRAMATIC PEOPLE IVE EVER MET!!!
i love you all
so don’t get ur panties twisted 😒😒

childe: ILL TWIST MY PANTIES FOR YOU ANYDAY 😫😫
JUST SAY THE WORD…

aether: 😟

diluc: can someone pls shut this fatui up

childe: stop being racist pls 😭😭😭

diluc: IM NOT BEING RACIST

—————

venti: i was abt to say…
you didn’t meet ur dream man but you already shared a kiss with me ?🤔

aether: ahhhh stop it

venti: i was actually considering smth…

aether: 🧐

venti: wanna maybe recreate that sometime soon

aether: 😳

venti: whaddya say

—————-

scaramouche: i was just joking aether
you know i would never say that with any real intention

aether: yawn….. 😒

scaramouche: I’m being serious.

aether: i know kuni, don’t get ur panties in a knot too 😒

scaramouche: if saying that makes you genuinely upset ill stop

aether: kuni

scaramouche: ?

aether: i love you js the way you are
i was js messing around 😋

scaramouche: yeah thanks
i guess i love you the way you are too or whatever

———-

aether: bruh stop tryna act nonchalant
“whaddya say” ahh😭🙏

venti: ☹️

aether: I’d love to 😘
js lmk when you’d wanna do it

venti: YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY🥳🥳🥳🥳

Chapter Text

albedo: so 2 works for everyone?

venti: yayayay we haven’t hung out in soo long I’m so exicted

diluc: I’m concerned about how you managed to get good grades on ur exams….

aether: hey guys, ik this is last minute but I can’t make it :(

childe: what why

zhongli: we haven’t hung out in so long, surely you can briefly stop by?

aether: I’m really really sorry
Something came up

albedo: don’t sweat it, sweetheart
you can always join us next time

scaramouche: sweetheart?🤨

xiao: it’s not gonna be the same without aether

aether: itll still be fun

xiao: not as much as it would’ve been with you 😉

aether: when did you learn all this 🤨

———-

today, 3:04pm —-
diluc: zhongli and I were chatting and we’re gonna go to a cafe after school
Anyone want to join us?

albedo: sure

venti: ill come

childe: gladly

kaeya: I could use some coffee after today

scaramouche: all u unemployed asses 😑

kazuha: i have a club but if you’re still there afterwards ill meet up with you guys

dain: ill join you guys too

xiao: why not

zhongli: @aether?

scaramouche: the slut’s not gonna respond, he’s riding his bike home

diluc: already? school ended like 2 seconds ago

scaramouche: 🤷‍♂️
he was up and outta here before the bell even finished ringing

zhongli: when you do look at ur phone aether: just call us and let us know if you wanna come

today, 6:37pm —-
aether: hey guys, so sorry I couldn’t make it😕

venti: ur telling me ur ass didn’t look at ur phone once since u got home
I aspire to be this locked in….💔

aether: im so so sorry

zhongli: don’t be, aether
it’s alright if you had hw
it’s hard to focus around all of us

childe: why would it be hard to focus around us 😠

diluc: cause ur ass can’t read a page of a text book without sighing at least once

aether: cause it’s just hard to focus with all these attractive men around me 💔

zhongli: 😳

diluc: nvm that’s a better answer…

——

Aether smiled as he look at the messages flooding in from his friends, he knew that they would appreciate the compliment.

And also it was easier to ignore the other notifications that kept ringing his phone.

After a long while of staring at the other boys’ messages, the blonde put his phone down despite the constant ‘ding’ from the one person he didn’t want to hear from.

——

today, 4:07pm —-
venti: PARTY AT MY HOUSE HAPY FRIDAY🥳🥳🥳

diluc: eugh 😟

venti: everyone already confirmed so u don’t have to come if u don’t want diluc 🥰

diluc: kys

venti: @aether
r u gonna join us………
it’s been too long

today, 5:23pm —-
venti: is he coming or not🤨

childe: @aether
everything ok?

albedo: probably not I guess
he seemed a bit tired today at school so maybe he’s resting

venti: that’s valid
@aether js lmk when you see this
we’re probably gonna be up late anyways so feel free to join!!

——
venti’s dms—

yesterday, 7:54pm
hey lovely!! abt that meetup, are you free anytime this week?

today, 6:06pm
venti: everything good, sweetheart?
—-seen 15m ago

——
zhongli’s dms—

yesterday,
missed call from zhongli

today 6:12pm,
missed call from zhongli

zhongli: hey my sweet, if something is bothering you just let me know, im here for you
—-seen 12m ago

——
diluc’s dms—
yesterday, 12:08am
diluc: aether? why are you up, are you okay?

today, 6:31pm
diluc: hey, ae? everything okay?
—-seen 10m ago

——
kazuha’s dms—-

two days ago,
kazuha: no one’s upset at you for you not being there don’t worry about it🙂

today, 6:45pm
kazuha: aether, we’re getting concerned. You’re reading everybody’s messages but not responding, please at least assure us that you’re okay?
—-seen 3m ago

——

Frantic knocks on Aether’s door pulls him out of his phone, he hastily gets up from his bed to answer it, briefly hearing the conversation outside.

“If Lumine’s here, we’re cooked!” One of them cries.

The other responds with a groan, “Ugh, don’t say ‘cooked’ in real life.”

Another person interrupts their feud with a shivering sigh, “It’s colder than the Tsaritsa’s asshole out here, if he doesn’t open the door we’ll freeze to death.”

Aether stares blankly at the heavy wooden door with wide eyes, a hard knock causes him to flinch back.

What would happen if he didn't respond? Maybe Dainsleif would call Lumine and then it would be made into a bigger deal than necessary…

Taking a deep sigh inwards, Aether wiped the remnants of tears from his face, quickly trying to collect himself before the men outside made an assumption.

He shakily unlocked the latch on the door and pulled it ajar, meeting eye to eye with all of his friends gathered in a small group outside of his house.

“Hey guys…” He stares at their feet, terrified at what their reactions would be.

Diluc seems to take the lead as he gently pushes the door further open and looks down at Aether with worry, “Is everything okay? You haven’t been responding to us.”

Aether‘s gaze was locked downwards, completely unmoving despite the conversation, “Yeah, sorry. My phone’s been acting up recently.”

With extreme caution, Diluc lightly grasps Aether’s chin and leads his eyes upwards. “Is that also why you’ve been crying?”

He’s been caught.

Chapter Text

He’s been caught.

Aether twists his face out of Diluc’s hand and steps out of the door frame, “Why don’t you make yourself at home? Lumine’s not here, so don’t worry about that.” He could feel his friends’ anxiety wash through him, and he sought out any excuse to go freshen up before they got a good look at him. “I’ll go make some tea.”

Aether rapidly made his way into his kitchen before any of the other men could voice their feelings, Diluc shared a blank stare with Zhongli before the group sat down on Aether’s large couch.

“Crying?” Venti questioned with disbelief only for Diluc to nod his head.

Diluc gazed at the kitchen longingly, “Sounds like there’s something bigger than a broken phone to me.”

Kazuha abruptly stood up, “If I may?” He gestured towards the hallway, where the bathroom was. Where Aether’s room was. The men exchanged a guilty look, but they all conceded with a nod.

Kazuha quietly snuck to the bathroom but when he reached his destination, with a final gaze at the distracted Aether, he slipped past it and into Aether’s room.

His room emanated the same amount of warmth that his person did, with shades of yellow, orange, and brown complimenting each nook and cranny. Albeit a bit untidy, there was a distinct charm from the hectic nature. The location of Aether’s phone was easy enough to find as it was highlighted by his desk lamp glowing dimly against the dark of his room. Sneakily, Kazuha picked up the phone and read Aether’s notifications.

Messages 7:09pm
dain ☄️
we are coming to your house, aether
+3 more messages

Messages 7:00pm
albedo🍀
aether, please respond to everyone. we’re worried
+2 more messages

Messages 6:56pm
xiao👹
hello, aether. I am getting extremely worried, I really hope you contact us soon.
+1 more message

Messages 7:00pm
venti🎻
hey, ae. if this is about the kissing thing, please let me know. i would never want to make you feel…
+3 more messages

Kazuha’s eyes widened in shock. He stored the information away for later.

Messages 6:23pm
Unknown Number
Aether. You need to respond.

Jackpot. Kazuha’s eyes narrowed as he saw the text message and, with as much guilt that his body could possibly feel, he typed in Aether’s password. He scrolled all the way backwards until the beginning of Aether’s conversation with the number, which was suspiciously not that far.

Unknown Number: Hello, Aether. It’s Asmoday.

Aether: How’d you get my number?

Unknown Number: Ouch. Guess I deserve that.

Aether: Why are you contacting me?

Unknown Number: I just wanted to reach out for some closure, you know?

Aether: You need closure? Are you kidding me?

Unknown Number: I just want to tie any loose ends I have from Celestia High, I’m graduating.

Aether: So?

Unknown Number: I just think we should talk it out instead of leaving things to fester.

Aether: I don’t want to talk it out.

Unknown Number: Ugh. You were always so stubborn. Will you just hear me out?

Aether: No, I don’t want any form of contact with you. You’re not good for me.

Unknown Number: We weren’t good for each other, I get it.

Aether: Putting the blame on both of us proves to me that you don’t get it. Please stop contacting me, there’s a reason I moved away and a reason I don’t contact anyone from that godforsaken place.

Unknown Number: Can you quit being selfish? Maybe the wounds are too fresh for you, but I don’t want to be contacting you either, it’s better for us to talk it out.

Aether: Don’t make it seem like we’re on equal terms here, Asmoday. I don’t think it’s smart for me to be contacting you, please just leave me alone.

Unknown Number: Aether, I know where you go to school now. We still have mutual friends, if you don’t want to talk to me through text: fine. We can talk it out in person.

Aether: Please just leave me alone, Asmoday. You’re doing the exact same thing that you used to do to me, I’m not scared of you now. I’ve moved on so please leave me be.

Unknown Number: I haven’t yet. I’ll visit you at school if need be.

Aether: I’ll get the authorities involved if you follow me to school.

Unknown Number: Yeah? And what will you tell them?
read at 6:57pm

—- new message —-
Unknown Number: Exactly.

Kazuha’s eyes widened at the utter horror of these texts. Why didn’t Aether block this person when he could? What were they doing threatening him? The sound of discussion pulled him away from his snooping as he pocketed Aether’s phone.

“Kazuha?” Aether called out.

Rushing down the darkened hallway, Kazuha apologized, “Sorry, dearest. I had to use the restroom.” Aether’s eyes were sunken in with an apparent lack of sleep, his usually flushed skin was pale, and he had obvious tear stains on his cheeks with irritated red eyes and nose to emphasize them. Kazuha looked at him gently before resuming his position on the couch as Aether served everyone tea.

It was awkwardly silent in the room of usually loud individuals.

Aether was entirely too focused on the tea he was pouring, despite the apparent misery that adorned his face.

“It’s just green tea.” Aether said, placing the pot on a coaster after he finished preparing everyone’s teas, he squatted near the center of the coffee table, looking about ready to face his trial as the rest of the group sat around him on the U-shaped couch, “I didn’t have anything else. If I knew you guys were coming over, I would’ve prepared something ahead of time.“

Zhongli was the one to address the elephant in the room, “Why weren’t you responding to our texts? You’ve made us extremely worried.”

Aether stared at the teapot with guilt, idly admiring the steam rising from it, “My phone has been buggy lately. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t make this worse and start lying to us now, storm.” Kaeya coerced gently, they all knew that Aether wasn’t telling the truth.

Abruptly, tears gathered in Aether’s eyes. Just as quickly as they appeared, they began pouring out with no end in sight. Aether held his hand up to his face and mumbled a miserable, “Don’t look at me.” Before he started crying properly, his shoulders shook with each breath he took as they rapidly increased in intervals.

Dainsleif hastily stood up and made his way to the crouched blonde, his form looking entirely too small, he soothingly rubbed his hand up and down before asking Aether, “My dear, we’re not upset. We’re worried for you, we want to know what’s wrong.”

It took a couple more minutes until Aether was seemingly calmed down enough to speak, “I just have been having a tough time recently.” Kazuha knew that was true, but it wasn’t the entire truth. “I’m sorry I haven’t been responding and I haven’t been hanging out, really I'm sorry.” Aether desperately tried to wipe away his endless tears as he spoke, his face stained a blotchy red from his sobs, “I'm sorry I made you worry.”

Dainsleif rubbed his back gently, “There’s no need to be sorry Aether.” With a sharp look from Dain, the rest of the group voiced their agreement, Aether released a wet chuckle.

Aether smiled sadly before he solemnly requested, “Can you guys stay with me for tonight?” The group was more than enthusiastic to agree to his plea.

Zhongli agreed, “I don’t think it would be wise to leave you alone in this state, either way.”

Chapter Text

— venti renamed the group chat to detective boys gc🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♂️

venti: so detective kaedehara….
what did you find 🧐

kazuha: it’s a bit of a cause for concern….
I think we might need to keep a closer eye on aether

zhongli: is this as worrying as it sounds?

kazuha: yeah
basically some person from his old school was im guessing wicked to him cause I’ve never seen him act as downright defensive as he was being
either way, they threatened to come like find him…
it was a nasty and really mainpulative conversation
I understand why he’s been so distraught over it
looks like whatever his past was at his old school is coming back

childe: someone’s threatening him??? Okay which of my lawyers do I need to call up🤨

scaramouche: do you have a team or something

kazuha: it wasn’t inherently illegal, but it was definitely odd
I wanna contact lumine and see if she knows what’s up

dainsleif: I should probably do that part
others should focus aether’s attention away from this whole ordeal

————

dainsleif: hello lumine

lumine: dain?
is everything alright muchacho

dainsleif: where are you right now?

lumine: 🤨
im in natlan

dainsleif: what for?

lumine: business stuff yk😑😑
if ur planning on sneaking in with aether I’ll know

dainsleif: no, but I have a few questions
Aether been extremely upset lately

lumine: did one of those shitheads do something to him?

dainsleif: no, but someone else did

lumine: he didn’t tell me about anything and when I left it seemed like everything was fine
who?

dainsleif: this person named Asmoday.
read at 10:26am

—- incoming call from lumine —-

——-

aether: does anyone know where dainsleif is
he usually walks me to physics😕

venti: hmmmmm eenie meenie minie mo….
ILL WALK YOU TO PHYSICS!!!!!!!!!

aether: r u sure?? u don’t have a class ur missing?

venti: it’s just music 😉 and the teacher loves me
im a prodigy after all

aether: alrighty, meet u by room 212

venti: ON MY WAY 🦮🦮🦮

aether: knock it off

——-

“That bitch!” Lumine started. “Way to cut no contact! Our fucking family put a restraining order on her, she’s not allowed anywhere near Aether, you hear me?”

“Roger… but why?”

“Look, I’ll put it plainly.” Her rage could be felt through the phone and Dainsleif thanked every god that it wasn’t directed towards him, “Aether had a hard time at our last school. Like, really hard. He had some friends and one boyfriend a little before we left the school, right?

That’s where Asmoday comes in, that bitch was so popular and Aether thought she was so cool. Not to mention, she was older than him as well. Asmoday essentially made Aether believe that she’d be his friend and she kinda was, they got pretty close. Until progressively, it was ‘Ugh, I can’t believe you're friends with her after what she did to me’ and Aether would drop them or ‘he’s so weird, why do you talk to him?’ and Aether would stop talking to them. Until she basically controlled every aspect of Aether’s life, his boyfriend? Cheated on him with her. His group of friends? Completely lost all contact.

She loved playing with Aether, his entire life was like a game to her, and he was so nice to her and the most obedient of all her friends. And the worst part of it is, Aether thought she was right. She put it in such a way where Aether thought he was doing the right thing by being near her. Even after the cheating, he still forgave her and she was back to being in control of his life.

Until… at a party, right? Aether got a bit drunk and then Asmoday thought she could start yapping to him about how ‘in control’ she was of him and reasonably, he got uncomfortable and did not appreciate being talked to in that way. But he ended up not doing anything about it and just letting it go, the party ended and he came home super fast and went straight home.

He didn’t tell me he was going to a party before so I was waiting for him in the living room, pissed, but when he came home he was sobbing, he could barely breathe, he slammed the door shut and immediately slid down onto the floor. I tried to comfort him but he wouldn’t let me touch him, not even a pat on the shoulder. He was extremely disheveled, his face was a bit red from drinking I could only assume. I just sat down next to him for like hours until he calmed down.

Then, in the most miserable voice you could imagine, he just meekly said, ‘Asmoday did something really bad.’ And I asked what it was, he was so upset, and I was so worried. But he just shook his head, he didn’t want to tell me. Needless to say, he stayed home the next couple of days while I tried to figure out what happened.

I asked around and nobody could give me a straight answer. Until one of Aether's old friends from before Asmoday approached me. She was extremely concerned for Aether and asked me how he was doing after that. I asked her what she meant.

Dainsleif. Asmoday assaulted Aether.”

———

dainsleif: surely you can get in contact with all your lawyers now Childe

childe: what happened

dainsleif: the girl is disobeying a restraining order

childe: ON IT, ON IT🫡🫡🫡

diluc: what the hell? what restraining order??? Who is she???

dainsleif: I don't really feel comfortable sharing it, it’s not good at all. Aether will tell us when he’s ready to, but this girl needs to be out of the picture first.

venti: uh oh….

kazuha: this doesn’t really feel like rescuing the day huh

dainsleif: we couldn’t rescue him from this, all we can do now is help him after

zhongli: there’s still the issue of him not blocking and deleting the number

xiao: maybe kazuha should steal it again?

kazuha: i fear that would be a little too suspicious….

dainsleif: I don’t think he’ll be talking to her anymore once lumine gets back
she’s probably the most pissed

Chapter Text

Aether looked up from the couch when the door began to unlock.

He greeted, “Lumi!” But the woman just stomped over and held out her hand.

“Give me your phone.” Aether’s smile dropped.

“What?”

“Give it.” Lumine was not going to back down, “Those stupid men you’re friends with called me saying you were acting weird, so give me your phone.”

“Lumine, why?” Aether abruptly stood up, obviously on the defensive, “I'm not a child, you don’t need to go through my phone.”

“You would’ve given it to me if you had nothing to hide.” Lumine crossed her arms, “So, what is it?”

Aether looked like a deer in headlights, “It’s nothing! You’re overreacting.”

“It’s Asmoday, right?”

Aether’s response died on his tongue, he stared at her silently.

“It is.” Lumine shook her head, “I'm calling mom and dad to contact our lawyers.”

“Lumine! Don’t make this a big deal, please.” Aether grasped onto her shoulders, “It’s nothing, I’m fine. I don’t know why they told you that, it’s none of their business really—“

“Aether, you’re getting mad at the wrong people.” Lumine shrugged his hands off of her, “Don’t ever think you have to shy away out of fear for her. And… ugh, I hate to say this— but your friends can and will gladly help.”

Aether stared at her for a while before nodding sadly. In all honesty, he wanted the help. He didn’t want to see her again but he didn’t want to talk about it with anyone either.

Surely they won’t still like him after finding out what happened to him in his past.

—-

lumine: that’s what happened😑

venti: THAT MEGA BITHC 🤬🤬🤬

lumine: either way, I figured you guys have a lot of connections all around Teyvat so surely you could idk do smth???

scaramouche: Gladly.

diluc: I was already planning on it.

lumine: ew I have never seen you guys so locked in
thank god he was sent to a rich preppy school

childe: we’ll contact you if anything happens.

——

scaramouche: childe wants to do a hangout at our place
btw, attendance is mandatory
@aether

aether: why am I specifically getting called out 😟

childe: I think u know why……..

aether: ok well I might be busy 😒
when is it

childe: what could u possibly be busy with
friday
the most free day of all days
finals are over
it’s MANDATORY.

aether: mandatory for what being friends w u guys 🤨
might as well not show up, shake some dead weight off

venti: ZAMN! WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO AETHER BRUH

childe: I KNOW U DONT MEAN THAT 😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😢😭😭😢😢😢

diluc: good on him for getting rid of the fatui scraps…

scaramouche: okay we all know how u feel abt immigrants diluc…..

diluc: WHAT

scaramouche: slut if u don’t show up u want all inazumans and snezhnayans to be killed and go back to their own countries 💔

aether: WHAT???
ok fine if you’re forcing me to come you want all descenders to leave teyvat…

childe: that’s okay, u don’t have to be a descender anymore
I’ll give you a snezhnayan citizenship in one simple step 😛

aether: why did freak master ten thousand sneak out……..

scaramouche: why ar r you being such an asshole abt this slut
JUST SHOW UP

aether: not gonna cause of that comment

childe: I hope you know that text just made him start freaking out irl
I bet if you asked him to beg you he would

aether: i know ur ass would too who r u kidding 💔

Kaeya: WHY IS HE BEING RUTHLESS TDY🥀

diluc: at least it’s not directed at anybody important

scaramouche: ok we get it were degenerates and should all be bred out…. 😓

diluc: u just make things up don’t u

aether: who’s actually goin* to that fuck ass hangout @everyone…..

kaeya: def not

diluc: wouldn’t even conceive the thought

albedo: count me out

venti: if aether not going Im not either 🐶🐶

aether: stop this behavior right this instant

dain: i fear i cannot make it

Zhongli: i have other issues to attend to

xiao: sorr6 Im employed

kazuha: Im gonna be sick on friday…..:/

aether: well now i just feel bad
ig I’ll come

kaeya: yeah i was js jk!

diluc: gotta make sure aether’s okay, I’ll be there

albedo: count me in!

venti: if aether’s going I am! 🐶

aether: pls stop ppl will think im into pet play or smth💔

dain: i can make it actually!

Zhongli: I’ll move some things around!

xiao: yeah i quit, i can make it

kazuha: actually, im in prime condition on friday!

scaramouche: YOU ARE ALL UNDER SPELLS
THINK FOR URSELF!!!
I KNOW HES HOT BUT HES EVIL

Chapter Text

aether: guys student council elections are approaching…

xiao: the social hierarchy returns

scaramouche: “the social hierarchy” get yo corny ass outta here 💔

aether: kaz weren’t u just secretary r u running again?

kazuha: indeed i was, indeed i am😋

aether: it looks good for universities 😕😕
should i run for smth

diluc: why not
literally everyone would vote you
the entire school loves you

aether: but that’s actually horrifying if I lose

dain: what would you run for

aether: prez 🧐

venti: I SAY GO FOR IT🥳🥳🤩🥳🥳

kazuha: I’ll be sure to endorse you in my speech ❤️

scaramouche: he doesn’t even need the endorsement
i bet if he was running against your dumbass he’d win

aether: kazuha’s extremely popular too
ur really projecting 💔

kazuha: you think im popular 😍

aether: yeah…
ur president of writing club, stuco secretary, and you’re just overall a charming guy

kazuha: i think my heart just melted

aether: what

scaramouche: do u actually only like popular ppl…..

aether: ur charming in ur own way kuni
even if everyone hates u❤️

diluc: yeah ig I’ll run for smth too

scaramouche: my ass isn’t moving on from that stray i just caught…

aether: OH YEAH SOMEONE SHOULD BE MY VP!!!

childe: finally
a comp i can win with my popularity
I don’t have to rely on fuckass acting classes

aether: did u actually take classes for the auditions…😧
how were u still so bad
u were like the same as kuni and he didn’t take anything

scaramouche: WHY AM I CATCHING STRAYS..😭

dain: aether as much as I love you
I’ve heard some rumors among the seniors
there is another running for president
he’s a new student from fontaine
He’s grown quite the reputation
his chances aren’t too terrible

aether: well well well
may the best man win

venti: yeah I know who my ass is voting for….

aether: if anyone here betrays me
itll be my final straw

xiao: pls do not joke abt this 😕

albedo: obviously everyone is gonna vote for u anyway

——

yun jin’s dms—

aether: yun jinnnn
😇😇😇

yun jin: uh oh
what happened this time

aether: what would ever lead u to the assumption that I did smth 🧐

yun jin: out with it🤨🤨🤨

aether: what do u know abt the new student running for stuco

yun jin: huhhhh
oh
yes he’s quite the flamboyant one
everyone loves him in theater
I was gonna pass off the presidency to him

aether: WHAT

yun jin: he’s just really got that charisma yk
like no doubt he’d rule the school very well

aether: UR GONNA VOTE FOR HIM 💔

yun jin: oh ur running? 😨
whoops
we’ll see how the campaigns turn out…

aether: WHAT WHAT WHAT

yun jin: if it helps
he’s asked me the same thing abt u
you’ve caught his eye for a while and he basically already predicted u were gonna run

aether: who tf is this guy….

yun jin: apparently his father is the hotshot of snezhnaya
he comes from money yk 😋
if it’s any reparation, I told him basically what I told you

aether: and what is that 🤨

yun jin: that you’re extremely popular and I don’t have a doubt that you’d run the school effectively
then I told him the same thing
I’ll see how the campaigns turn out😏

aether: ur fake af💔

——

kazuha’s dms—

aether: OH BIY
IM SO NERVOUS NOW
I FIGURED NO ONE WOULD BE RUNNING BESIDES THOSE SELF OBSESSED SENIORS…

kazuha: why would you be nervous
no doubt you’ll win
you know all the seniors and you have connections with all of us and every club which has basically every grade covered
you’re winning for sure

aether: that’s right
but what abt all the unemployed freshies 💔
they aren’t in like any clubs
a majority of our school isn’t in any club
how will I reach them

kazuha: just campaign extremely well!
and either way if it goes awry you get to be vp and can run again next year!

aether: but I want to be PRESIDENT
the vp doesn’t do shit😒😒😒

———-

???’s dms—
?: hello, dear aether! i heard through the grapevine that you’re running for student council President.

aether: yeah and was the grapevine named yun jin😒

?: 😇
just to let you know, i intend to treat my vp with the utmost respect throughout our year together! if you’re scared that I’ll push all the work onto you don’t be afraid, ill let you handle all the simple tasks!

aether: oh ur rage baiting 🤬🤬🤬
WHEN i win ur ass is grass mf🙏

?: well well well
how do you intend to do that?
——seen 12 minutes ago

Chapter Text

aether: with my very own personality

?: why, that’s extremely endearing
however, popularity and connections matter more in this game
you might have all of your grade and the grades above
but you’ve failed to enrapture the younger grades
who make up exactly 56% of the total student population

aether: okay newbie
ur new to this school
so enlighten me
how do you intend to win over the younger grades

?: well, i simply don’t need to
I’ve already won them

aether: oh?

?: you see, im sure if you had a sister who was older than you who still attended the school, that would be extremely beneficial to your campaign
yet you do not
i have two younger siblings who have controlled the younger grades votes
checkmate dear

aether: …

——

lumine’s dms—

aether: im going to crash out…..
51-49 i was so close

lumine: he got you with the younger grades
you shouldn’t doubt yourself
this is simply a learning experience
you have to be networking constantly ae
younger grades and all

aether: ok ms business
fuck
now im gonna have to be his vp for the rest of the year
THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING

lumine: why don’t you just give the position to the senior who lost and got 0%?
dottore or whatever?

aether: even worse than this humiliation
stars above i do not want to see his face

lumine: do you even know the guy?
lyney? first im hearing of him

aether: 0 clue who he is
I’ve never seen him in theater or school
guess we have different classes

——

lyney’s dms—

lyney: i look forward to our partnership this year ^^

aether: stars above ur rage baiting so hard

lyney: stars above? you’re not from teyvat?

aether: descender
why…….

lyney: im from snezhnaya
say, I haven’t seen you around school much
what subjects do you take

aether: teyvat’s common tongue, literature, chemistry, calculus, history, and physics

lyney: well, aren’t you a little studious
doesn’t really match with your cutesy demeanor

aether: how do u know my demeanor 🤨
I have never seen ur ass ONCE

lyney: I’ve seen you in the hallways, you’ve always been one to catch others attentions, I can tell by the way your fanboys gush over you all the time
well, I cnat say they’re wrong for that

aether: my fanboys? 🧐

lyney: I take fontainian, theater, biology, business, philosophy, and algebra

aether: dumbass
and I see you ignoring my question

lyney: still sore about the loss?
I’ve already said I will treat you well

aether: ughhhh U MAKE ME SO ANGRY

lyney: it’s my specialty
the headmaster said we should aim to start planning out the year ahead
let’s meet up at Wanmin for some discussions

aether: a really fancy restaurant to talk about student council 🤨

lyney: on me of course! I want to get to know my Vice president a bit more

aether: ur ass didn’t even try to phrase it as a question

lyney: I usually get what I want with my demands.

aether: ok freaky 🤢
ur not getting it this time

lyney: our car to the restaurant will be here at 3:05 sharp, please don’t be late

aether: no means NO!

lyney: see you then! xx

——

dain: you really deserved that spot aether

albedo: yeah don’t be upset you tried your best after all

venti: yeah like actually who is that rando 🤨🤨🤨

aether: [sent an attachment]
that rando is currently on his phone
so when I mentioned his fanboys and he claimed he didn’t know who I was talking about he was being a liar hm
sounds like my vp has a bad streak

childe: this is horrific 😨

scaramouche: why tf is he out with you

albedo: ARE WE IGNORING THE “MY” CLAIM???

aether: just out on a little get to know you trip at Wanmin

diluc: im fuming

zhongli: how and why do you even have his phone?

aether: oh does he not trust you usually? I suppose I’ve worked my way into his heart already

kaeya: omgomgomgomg

kazuha: SILENCE! Restrain thy tongue and hold your honor, for ceaseless chatter doth disturb the tranquility of one’s mind! 😭😭😭

scaramouche: welcome back shakespearre 🙏 be kind to him world

aether: guys sorry
idk why tf lyney was on here

dain: PLEASE MY DEAREST WHY ARE YOU OUT WITH HIM

diluc: HES CORRUPTING YOU

venti: ITS A FULLY CORRUPT STUCO CABINET 😭😭😭😭

aether: stars….
we’re planning the year
we’re gonna do some really cool things
idm that he won anymore
he has great ideas
BUTTT
his self satisfaction is too much to bear and his apparent fondness for power play gives me major heebie jeebies
it doesn’t mean im not running next year, im just passive to the result this year
you bet your asses I will win those freshmen and sophomores over so hard😤😤😤

dain: well I mean at least you’re not upset over it

venti: I AM ON UR BEHALF MY GOD 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

aether: PLEASE don’t call me that

xiao: im glad that you’re feeling okay about the situation

aether: what kind words

xiao: unfortunately, lyney is at the top of my hitlist and he will be the first name crossed out 😕
pre planned as well, so there’s no going back im afraid

aether: I don’t even question whether you’ve grasped the satirical concept anymore, I just hope and pray 😭🙏

Chapter Text

aether: [sent (1) file attachment]

lyney: plans for the spirit week?

aether: yepyep, the next four quarters, one week for each at the end, not a single repeating theme🫡

lyney: well done
you’re not just a pretty face

aether: you’ve gotta learn that some things just aren’t compliments

lyney: ?
it was a compliment

aether: eugh
feel bad for the next girl you try that one on

lyney: girl? NEXT?
it’s only you 😢

aether: I don’t know what you mean by that but I’m just gonna assume to take offense
😡😡😡

lyney: did it hurt your feelings? I wouldn’t want that

aether: nono it’s whatever

—-

xiao’s dms—
aether: do you think im pretty

xiao: of course, i would think that’s a well established fact

aether: do u think im smart

xiao: ??
did someone say something to you?
just let me know, I will deal with them
I thought we talked about this after your ex boyfriend

aether: nono it’s fine
im just wondering

——
Zhongli’s dms—

aether: zhongli do u think im pretty

zhongli: as pretty as the sun setting on mount aocang

aether: you think im smart?

Zhongli: did you not receive a 99 in chemistry during finals?
You’re extremely smart
is something wrong?🤔

aether: nono all good

——

albedo’s dms—

aether: albedo

albedo: yes I would still love you if you were a worm, I’d peel your Orange for you, I’d walk on the traffic side of the sidewalk, I’ll carry all the bags at the airport while you hold the baby, ill walk on the grass if there’s only space for one person on the path, and YES, I will love you forever

aether: ok
not what I was gonna ask

albedo: none of it?

aether: yeah

albedo: damnit😣

——
scaramouche’s dms—

aether: kuni do u think im pretty

scaramouche: gods no

aether: do u at least think im smart

scaramouche: 🤨
what happened
should I come over?

aether: DO YOU?

scaramouche: obviously
this isn’t even a question
maybe ur socially a bit not all there but academically your pretty locked in

aether: ok wow😒

——

venti: aether
what ab5 the kiss PLEASEEE 😭😭😭😭

aether: maybe beg and ill do it

venti: PLEASE OLEASE
PLAEASE
— missed call from venti —

aether: leave me alone or im filing a harassment complaint 😒

——-

—detective boys gc🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♂️

xiao: did aether seem upset today or was that js me

zhongli: he dmed a very peculiar question the other day

albedo: oh yeah he was asking me a question too

scaramouche: same here

venti: what did he ask yall
he only said he was filing a harassment complaint against me 😪😪

kazuha: after the whole kissing thing?

venti: what kissing thing

kazuha: let’s save that for the DMs :)

scaramouche: this has piqued my interest 🤨🤨

childe: can we get back on aether’s questioning pls and ty
I don’t want him to be upset 🙁

dain: there’s only two likely candidates for anything stressing aether out

diluc: lyney and that bitch asmoday

dain: but didn’t you, scaramouche, childe, venti, zhongli, and I all send our lawyers after her?
would she really pop back up?

kaeya: well how would we know if she ever left?

childe: KAZUHAA 🥺🥺🥺

kazuha: i will not invade aether’s privacy again

venti: obviously you did more than just invade it last time as well.

kazuha: i thought this was a matter best handled in the DMs ?

venti: oh please

diluc: i have literally never seen venti this upset before

venti: im upset because kazuha did PLENTY more than what we asked him to do on aether’s phone
like snooping through other people’s messages

childe: WHAT

diluc: excuse me

zhongli: kazuha?

kazuha: it is truthful, i was not entirely innocent in my mission
i saw some messages that others sent to aether

dain: oh my gods

scaramouche: ermmmm could you possibly describe what u saw 😨

kazuha: like i said before, perhaps these are all matters best discussed in private.

xiao: i have a more important question
what kissing thing with venti?
this sounds like a discussion all of us should have

venti: look, it’s not important to what’s happening right now

kazuha: but it was important enough that you had to question him on whether you were the one causing him this sadness?

venti: okay that’s it.
i can take your yapping abt random shit that you don’t know about
but when you start accusing me of things I DIDNT do, it pisses me off to no bounds

kazuha: well why can’t you explain yourself then?

venti: maybe because it was a private matter between aether and me and I wouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place if you hadn’t completely ignored aether’s boundaries

kazuha: we all agreed to go through aether’s phone and he’s better off for it

venti: im glad you’ve decided that after doing more then what we agreed upon

dain: both of you need to calm down
I think this could easil6 be solved with some communication

——> venti left the group chat

kazuha: gods above, he’s being dramatic over nothing

zhongli: that still doesn’t make you entirely innocent kazuha
snooping through aether’s phone?

——> kazuha left the group chat

childe: holy shit why’d this escalate

xiao: they were like the most easygoing people ever how’d they get into a fight

scaramouche: well yk the saying
all’s fair in love and war
or wtv

albedo: well someone needs to deal with it
and as stressed as aether is right now
he’s the most worthy candidate for the position

diluc: I’ll let him know then 😕

——

diluc’s dms—

diluc: aether my beloved

aether: woah coming on strong there pal

diluc: pal???😨

aether: bud?

diluc: 😰

aether: master ragnivindr

diluc: just settle for diluc, I don’t even care for a pet name atp

aether: okay
then what do you need dear diluc 😇

diluc: there’s been a bit of a crisis
and yk how your really good at
crisis management

aether: ?

diluc: kazuha and venti had
a BIG fight

aether: huhhhh how do u know😨
that’s hard to believe given their personalities

diluc: I get that, it was hard to watch too
they just started accusing each other of things
and maybe it would be best for them to say it to u themselves cause I don’t want to frame it in any particular way that sways you

aether: that’s sweet
ig
should I just make a gc
be a mediator?

diluc: it kinda involves you
so maybe do a bit more then mediate?

aethe: INVOLVES ME?
WHAT HAPPENED
DID I DO AMTH??

diluc: no
never
even if you did
they would never be angry at your
if you could, could you hear them out?

——

——> aether created a groupchat
——> aether renamed group chat to ‘wth happened’

aether: well well well
I awake from a nap on my lovely Saturday evening
to get bombard with demands from diluc to help sort out whatever happened between the two of you
so one of you guys better start talking

venti: kazuha snooped thru your phone when we went over to check on you and he saw the texts about the whole kissing thing

aether: WHTA
HUH

kazuha: excuse me, that is taken wildly out of context
you see, everyone agreed to look through your phone because of the way you had been acting recently
and I just happened upon those texts between you and venti

aether: woah woah what
you guys went through my phone?

kazuha: yes
but you’re better off for it

aether: what did you see?

kazuha: nothing much
besides the whole venti kissing thing

aether: you’re lying
stars above, are you kidding me?
what did you find?

kazuha: the whole thing with the girl asmoday

aether: holy shit
holy shit fuck
and you told everyone

kazuha: yes

aether: and venti you knew too?

venti: I cannot deny that it was a group plan, so yes, i did hear about it

aether: are you kidding me?
fuck

——> aether left the group chat

kazuha: perhaps we just should’ve handled this in the dms

venti: yeah yeah I get it
now we have to deal with this before it highkey spirals

——

dain: anyone finished the report in physics?

aether: nope 😋

kaeya: don’t submit it yet, otherwise we’re all gonna have to finish it 😭

scaramouche: physics students are never locked in tf 😒

— new message
——> aether left the groupchat

diluc: venti.
kazuha.
what did you do

kazuha: it might have went the opposite of well

venti: but hey! kaz and I made up!

childe: but you’ve somehow managed to toss away all our rapport with aether in the process???????

scaramouche: holy shit I might puke

albedo: guys is it just mine or can you guys not send him any dms either?

dain: are you kiddding???

xiao: shit

zhongli: he blocked us.

——
lyney’s dms—

aether: lyney, can you come over to my house
i kinda just need someone right now
it feels like i have no one else to go to

lyney: of course, im on my way

Chapter Text

lyney’s dms—

lyney: you poor soul, suffering through all that
your kindness knows no bounds aether
im extremely sorry that happened to you
i hope you start feeling more yourself
and im here if you need anything

——

Aether looked at Lyney’s message with sore, tired eyes. He missed his friends, like a lot.

He enjoyed Lyney’s company and also considered the boy to be fairly attractive. But there was a deep hole in his heart where everyone else used to fill.

He feels the same as how he felt when the whole Asmoday thing happened.

He doesn’t want to go to school, he doesn’t even want to leave his room, and he for sure doesn’t know where he fits in now.

—

dain: lumine

lumine: oh stars what happened this time

dain: remember how we stole aether’s phone and found out abt asmoday and we tried to deal with everything under the table?

lumine: don’t tell me😐

dain: yeah he found out
every single one of us is blocked
we can’t contact him

lumine: ill deal with it
but you guys owe me big time
like if I ask anything from u guys you ave to do it.

dain: ok weirdo

lumine: im literally repairing your relationship with aether
you owe me

——

A faint knock on the door pulled him from his spiraling, laying in a starfish position on his bed he called out, “Come in.”

His sister pushed her way into his room. She looked at him, intent unknown, and released a deep sigh.

“Alright. Get up. We’re having a serious conversation.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him up into sitting.

“I really don’t wanna deal with anything serious right now, Lumi…” His golden eyes were dull, and the edges were stained red, his face was blotchy, and his nose was already running. Yikes, he probably looked horrible.

“Well, too bad.” Lumine crossed her arms, her gaze sharpening, “Dainsleif contacted me.”

Aether abruptly stood up, sadness forgotten and his anger at the forefront of his mind, “Don’t believe anything that they say, Lumine!” Aether lightly grabbed his sister’s forearms, “You wouldn’t believe how they’ve betrayed me.”

“Aether.” Lumine interrupted, “I know what they did. I helped.” The blonde man's eyes widened as his expression soured, betrayed. His grip on his sister’s arms loosened until his arms fell back to his side.

“What?”

“Aether. I’ll tell you one time, and then I expect you to unblock your friends, you don’t have to forgive them immediately but you shouldn’t villainize them like you have been, they deserve more than just radio silence.” Lumine looked into Aether’s eyes earnestly and he expressed his willingness to hear her out with a nod, “They are not Asmoday. They care for you so much and trust you so blindly it almost pisses me off. Everything they do, they do in your best interest. I helped them uncover the whole Asmoday plot, and I'm sorry that you weren’t able to tell them yourself, but they would never, ever hate you or think anything less of you because of that. If there’s one thing I like about those guys, it’s that they don’t do everything you say… they do what’s best for you. That’s all you can ask for in any type of relationship. Those guys they’re worth, ugh I can’t believe I’m saying this, but they’re worth a thousand friends. You should give them the benefit of the doubt.”

Aether looked downwards, solemnly, “They went through my things and private affairs, after I’ve trusted them with so much.” He gripped the ends of his shirt until his knuckles turned white.

“To help you. Aether, I would’ve done it too. In a heartbeat.” Lumine gently wrapped her hands around his, softly persuading them to release their violent grasp, “You would’ve done it for them. Why don’t you believe you deserve the same standards?” Aether’s lips thinned as fat teardrops began sliding down his face again.

He shakily voiced, “And they don’t care that I was… that Asmoday-?”

“Never.” Lumine collected him in her embrace and the two shared a silent moment, interrupted only by Aether’s sobbing breaths and Lumine’s murmurs of affirmation.

——
Aether nervously tapped at his desk. Sunday night.

If things didn’t go smoothly, he’d have no one in school the next day. Suddenly, he felt sick to the stomach. Closing his eyes, he quickly tapped the call button on Dainsleif”s (newly unblocked) contact.

The phone dialed once. Then twice. Then Aether felt like he was about to puke after the third. Were they really upset at him?

Before the fifth tone could sound, Dainsleif picked up.

“Aether!” Dain exclaimed, he sounded both relieved and nervous simultaneously, “Oh my dearest, beloved, the stars that shine in the night. I am so sorry for everything that’s happened over the past couple of weeks.”

Immediately overwhelmed with the thoughtful declaration, Aether froze, “Uh… yes, um…”

Stars, what did he want to say again?

“I am with everyone else at the moment.” Dainsleif interrupted, “They want to speak to you too.” Suddenly Aether thought he bit off more than he could chew. They all met up without him?

He quickly begged, “Wait.” But he already heard the phone switch to speaker. Multiple shouts of his name and various pet names sounded from the phone. “Hello… everyone.”

Dain sighed, “I know we owe you an explanation for everything-“

“No, you don’t.” The line went silent, “I talked with Lumine. I was being a bit dramatic, I would’ve done the same to you guys if something similar was happening. It's just… I really didn’t want you guys to know about Asmoday, I didn’t want everyone to all of the sudden feel bad for me, I didn’t want people to know that I was-… y’know.” He can never bring himself to say it.

“You weren’t being dramatic Aether, don’t dismiss your own feelings like that.” Zhongli chimed in.

“Yeah well…” Aether shook his head, even though he knew they couldn’t see him, “It’s fine. It’s water under the bridge. I don’t really want to continue talking about it.”

Diluc’s voice then sounded out, “We are sorry for how we went about this, but you should know that if anything is wrong, you can tell us in a heartbeat Aether.”

Aether’s upper body crumpled on top of his arms, laying his head sideways, he responded with a muffled, “Yeah, I know.”

“I do think there’s still one thing to discuss though…” Kaeya’s voice had a cheeky tone. “What about that kiss with Venti?”

Aether launched up from his desk, grabbing his phone in his hands, his face burned with embarrassment, “Nothing! It was nothing!”

Giggles sounded in the phone all, at his misery, while Venti stubbornly said, “It was NOT nothing!”

———

—> dainsleif added aether to the groupchat

scaramouche: 😛

aether: ew
I ought to leave again
that is not what I want to see right when I get back

scaramouche: PLEASE DONT IM SORRY

Childe: ur genuinely freaking him out😭

————-

lyney’s dms
aether: we’ve figured it out 🥳

lyney: im very glad to hear that dear
then, everything is alright with you now?

aether: fo sho🤗

lyney: let’s grab a celebratory dinner together

aether: it’s sunday
school tmr…..😒

lyney: well be quick

aether: once again, no asking
this is an abusive relationship

lyney: im omw to pick you up!

aether: the gall 😠

Chapter Text

—>aether added lyney to the groupchat

scaramouche: first he leaves, then he just invites twink boy McGee in without asking
betrayal upon betrayal

aether: kys

lyney: this is not how a Vice President should treat the student population 🤨

scaramouche: yeah slut… im so hurt… I can’t even begin to trust the student government

aether: this was a bad idea
im removing twink boy mcgee

lyney: please don’t let this nickname catch on

childe: hello Mr President 🫡

diluc: ur speech during assembly last week was lackluster

lyney: 😭???

zhongli: I must say I agree as well
In order to properly lead the student body, one must unite the grade levels…

lyney: I was just setting up some rivalry
Yk
For the upcoming sports festival
Grade vs grade

kaeya: bozo… like anyone cares about that

scaramouche: LAME

venti: im getting so old and yet still to this day the student government sucks

aether: I for one think it’s a sick idea!

venti: yk what it’s not all that corrupt

scaramouche: perhaps I could possess some school spirit

kaeya: yay ❤️ sports ❤️

lyney: do you all just follow along with whatever aether says?

dain: do u not🤨

kaeya: I call for an impeachment!

lyney: I have my own opinions, that’s probably why he likes me the best

aether: yeah slow down there cowboy
I enjoy a bit of obedience 😒

venti: RUFF RUFF BARK 🐕🐕🐕

aether: not venti’s

xiao: liked it enough to kiss him

aether: stop bringing that up😭🙏💔

diluc: it’s ok aether we all have moments of weakness

venti: HELLO????

lyney: why,,, I was under the belief that my dear vp was single, is that not the case 🧐

venti: yeah sorry chump🙏❤️
ya snooze ya lose ya digg

aether: BARF!
no we’re not dating

lyney: well now im starting to be a bit jealous of all the affection placed on venti, SHOULDNT your president share some of the love

aether: ya sure

scaramouche: driest text known to man 😒

childe: WHADDYA MEAN YA SURE????

aether: I wouldn’t mind kissing any of you🤷

kazuha: 😮

diluc: ty mr President for opening this avenue

lyney: it’s my humble duty

Chapter Text

aether: guys can we do smth this week
im bored 😢 we haven’t hung out in so long

scaramouche: hmmm who’s fault is that 🧐

aether: please

zhongli: there’s no need to beg sweetheart
of course we can hang out
what day

aether: maybe saturday?🧐

scaramouche: im still invited right

aether: no

lyney: now now dear vp, you always seem to be picking on poor old scaramouche

aether: lowk can u blame me 💔
hangout at my house
everyone can come except lyney, scaramouche, and venti

venti: I DIDNT EVEN DO ANYTHING?????????
WHY AM I ALWAYS CATCHING STRAYS 😭💔💔

xiao: I believe it’s deserved

aether: someone gets me

xiao: I don’t get why you kissed him

aether: why are u always the one bringing it up 🫩

venti: yk what im just gonna embrace it
I KISSED EITHER
CRY ABT IT
NONEEEEE OF U HAVE KISSED AETHER

diluc: Siri how to become insufferable so aether kisses me as well🤨

childe: why’s he flaunting like aether isn’t ashamed that he kissed him🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

venti: this gc REEKS of jealousy

aether: ya can we stop talking about my past mistakes now

venti: MISTAK???
actually im done w THIS
HEARYE HEARYE!!
AETHER ASKED ME TO KISS HIM BTW🤗🤗🤗

aether: 😦

kazuha: there’s no way

albedo: lying will get you cursed to the abyss btw

diluc: why would he ever do that

childe: GUYS im sure he was just drunk, or depressed, or pranking him or sumn

scaramouche: yo why would u ever beg to kiss VENTI…

aether: ok let’s get this straight…. I DIID NOT BEG HIM
I just asked😒

kaeya: WHY😭😭😭

aether: 😒

lyney: better question, why him?

aether: oh hush up new boy

lyney: my dear vp is getting ahead of themselves 🤨

aether: remember how u guys snuck thru my phone….

kaeya: OKKK now we’re playing the blame game over here

aether: password is changed btw
NONE of you will ever get it AGAIN
ESPECIALLY THE EVILEST KAZUHA

kazuha: 🙁
they told me to

aether: hangout at my house saturday
but only diluc, zhongli, dain, xiao, albedo and ykw what the hell childe can come along too

childe: I MADE THE CUT 😁😁😁😁😁

kaeya: yo im not as bad as scaramouche and venti pls

scaramouche: i never make the cut🙄

xiao: idk how u guys never make it ,,, its quite easy

venti: btw ur banning the guy you begged to kiss

aether: u mention it one more time my fist is gonna kiss ur face
AND I DID NOT BEG.

kazuha: surely you could only ban scaramouche, lyney, and venti pls

aether: NOPE u dug ur own hole kazuha

lyney: don’t worry I’ll be there anyway! ☝️

aether: top ten things I don’t like about lyney: number one, he doesn’t care for consent 😕

lyney: pls don’t phrase it like that 💔

albedo: being aether’s favorite is so easy
i didn’t even talk and i got invited
yay❤️

aether: don’t make me ban u
don’t speak again kitten 😏

albedo: 🤐

Chapter Text

kaeya: aether’s new Instagram post 🤤

childe: hello SAILOR 😍😍😍

zhongli: @aether you’re looking quite exquisite

aether: yo why do u guys have to be strange in the comments

venti: just cause we are in love with u doesn’t mean we’re strange

aether: “who up gooning to aether rn🤤” ?
vro 💔

venti: i was ☝️

childe: i will be in two seconds

aether: this is actually horrific…

kaeya: aether im almost there keep calling us gross…..

aether: 😟???

lyney: i must say, you looked mighty delicious my dear

aether: yo lowk this gc is purgatory 💔
@dain im blocking u

dain: why are you taking this out on me

aether: “the photo is better if you imagine him looking at you that way” 🙁
guys like actually castrate yourselves
turn to the gods or the stars
anything

Chapter Text

scaramouche: btw we’re playing spin the bottle at aether’s house
but only aether spins

aether: btw no we’re not
btw you’re not even invited

diluc: i will bring some of ragnvindr’s best

venti: 😛😛
free wine
drunk aether
kissing aether
sounds like my kinda party

aether: ur not even invited vro🫩
and no drunk aether
Im not gonna get wine drunk dafuq

diluc: this is the same man that had two shots then texted everyone that he wanted to get pregnant with their kids 💔

aether: this gc is like a public humiliation hell

lyney: my
drunk actions are sober thoughts

aether: don’t u dare put that in their heads

lyney: im excited to see how he is drunk

aether: yo lowk why are lyney, venti, and kuni acting like they’re even invited 🧐

——-
venti’s dms -

venti: im gonna kiss u on the lips again if u don’t invite me
and im gonna do it again if you do invite me as well
so really
pucker up baddie

aether: 🫩
this place is like hell