[The petting is nice, so much so that he almost misses the request. Though once it registers, his ear prick forward curiously.]
I can, if you so wish it.
[Stepping off Aether's lap so he won't put too much weight on him when he shifts back into his human form, he changes back with much more ease than the first couple of times he practiced doing so. Though he's still in a rather cat-like pose, with hands resting on his crossed legs as he peers at Aether.]
[Aether watches him shift back into a more human form, then closes the distance between them once more, gently coaxing Vanitas to lie on his back, while the traveler brushes some hair away from his cheek and looks him deep in the eye.]
No matter what kind of chaos will accompany you, I will always believe in you. Not because I want you to be weighted down by expectations... I understand all too well how that feels. [He's carrying so many hopes and wishes on his shoulders sometimes. It's difficult, he knows. He doesn't want to fail people he cares about either.]
I believe in you, because I know you mean well.
[Despite everything, he's seen the care Vanitas has for those around him, going as far as to wishing to sacrifice himself to save them from pain.
He just wishes Vanitas would see it, too. That he's a far better person that he desperately tries to seem.]
[It doesn't take much to get Vanitas sprawled out on his back; he trusts Aether not to be more than he can handle, to not push him beyond his limits, be it teasingly or seriously. Though he can't help fidgeting a bit under that unwavering gaze, heart starting to pound a little harder.]
I'm sure you do... If anyone could, it would be someone like you who's had so much asked of them by so many. [Having been around all of Teyvat means that Aether has supported and gained the admiration of many. Perhaps too much so. It's unfair that he has such a huge burden placed upon him. In some ways Vanitas is glad that he's free of such a burden here.]
...Aether...
[He hates being perceived, yet maybe this once it's not so bad having someone know how much he really cares, despite the aloof attitude he tries to present to all.
Sighing softly, he reaches up to touch Aether's cheek... then lightly pinches it. Just because.]
[He isn't sure how to feel about someone understanding that part of him. It's new. Many people noticed in the past that Aether was tired, but he rarely ever explained why. With Vanitas he doesn't have to explain at all.
He isn't planning to push his lover, his gaze quickly softening. He leans into the other's touch... then his eyes widen in surprise when his cheek is pinched. A chuckle breaks out of him soon afterwards. It's a clear sound and he can't help but bump his nose against Vanitas' affectionately, settling on top of him like a lazy cat would.
He understands! No more of this!
As long as his love knows how much he truly is cherished.]
[Having expectations heaped upon you, for good or bad, is like being crushed by a great weight. While most of what people expected of Vanitas was negative, it still took its toll upon him. He can only imagine how painful it must be for people to pin their hopes on Aether.
Noé did, once, and had a brutal wake-up call when Vanitas couldn't save a young vampire girl. So he knows that, perhaps at least once, Aether must have experienced a similar 'failure.'
Hence the pinch. A teasing, gentle way of reminding his lover that things don't have to be so heavy between them; he understands. That's why he happily wraps his arms around the blond, hands petting over his feathered wings.
Yes, he's cherished indeed. As is Aether. They're both special to one another, and will remain so.]
[This quiet understanding between them is another wonderful thing. Words help sometimes, but what helps Aether the most is the sense of rightness when he shares a quiet moment like this with Vanitas.
It's true that he's experienced moments of failure back in Teyvat but also here. He's eager not to dwell on it, though, and enjoy the moment with his lover instead. His wings flutter lightly at the touch as he shifts them a little closer for more petting.
They're both cherished and as if to prove that further, he presses a tender kiss to Vanitas' lips, nice and slow as always. A kind of kiss that warms one's heart and makes the world seem all the brighter. He carefully deepens it eventually, before pulling away with a small sigh.]
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no subject
So it's our little secret... but I would want people to know how kind you truly are.
[He really cherishes this side of Vanitas.]
Don't worry, though. I'm not planning to tell people if that's not what you want.
no subject
Good. The more people believe in you, the harder it is to meet those expectations.
[And he knows he's a miserable little shit, who would only disappoint folks in the end.]
There's no need for anyone to know. They wouldn't understand.
no subject
Vanitas... can you turn back to your normal form?
[This may seem like a random request, not connected to their conversation, but he has something in mind.]
no subject
I can, if you so wish it.
[Stepping off Aether's lap so he won't put too much weight on him when he shifts back into his human form, he changes back with much more ease than the first couple of times he practiced doing so. Though he's still in a rather cat-like pose, with hands resting on his crossed legs as he peers at Aether.]
What is it?
no subject
No matter what kind of chaos will accompany you, I will always believe in you. Not because I want you to be weighted down by expectations... I understand all too well how that feels. [He's carrying so many hopes and wishes on his shoulders sometimes. It's difficult, he knows. He doesn't want to fail people he cares about either.]
I believe in you, because I know you mean well.
[Despite everything, he's seen the care Vanitas has for those around him, going as far as to wishing to sacrifice himself to save them from pain.
He just wishes Vanitas would see it, too. That he's a far better person that he desperately tries to seem.]
no subject
I'm sure you do... If anyone could, it would be someone like you who's had so much asked of them by so many. [Having been around all of Teyvat means that Aether has supported and gained the admiration of many. Perhaps too much so. It's unfair that he has such a huge burden placed upon him. In some ways Vanitas is glad that he's free of such a burden here.]
...Aether...
[He hates being perceived, yet maybe this once it's not so bad having someone know how much he really cares, despite the aloof attitude he tries to present to all.
Sighing softly, he reaches up to touch Aether's cheek... then lightly pinches it. Just because.]
no subject
He isn't planning to push his lover, his gaze quickly softening. He leans into the other's touch... then his eyes widen in surprise when his cheek is pinched. A chuckle breaks out of him soon afterwards. It's a clear sound and he can't help but bump his nose against Vanitas' affectionately, settling on top of him like a lazy cat would.
He understands! No more of this!
As long as his love knows how much he truly is cherished.]
no subject
Noé did, once, and had a brutal wake-up call when Vanitas couldn't save a young vampire girl. So he knows that, perhaps at least once, Aether must have experienced a similar 'failure.'
Hence the pinch. A teasing, gentle way of reminding his lover that things don't have to be so heavy between them; he understands. That's why he happily wraps his arms around the blond, hands petting over his feathered wings.
Yes, he's cherished indeed. As is Aether. They're both special to one another, and will remain so.]
no subject
It's true that he's experienced moments of failure back in Teyvat but also here. He's eager not to dwell on it, though, and enjoy the moment with his lover instead. His wings flutter lightly at the touch as he shifts them a little closer for more petting.
They're both cherished and as if to prove that further, he presses a tender kiss to Vanitas' lips, nice and slow as always. A kind of kiss that warms one's heart and makes the world seem all the brighter. He carefully deepens it eventually, before pulling away with a small sigh.]