#it takes a lot for this lil floaty gal. he has to make her an offer that she fant refuse

[sunflowers-and-cecilias]

overworked -> aether x reader

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in which aether needs to learn to take better care of himself.

> no warnings!! just fluff involving a sick aether

> not my proudest work, i will say, but i just wanted to write something stake-free after the break i took. whoo!

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in your time traveling with Aether, you've learned a handful of things:

1. he is the doting type. be it in regards to his sister, the people he assists with the guild, you, he is unstoppably affectionate. he genuinely wants to help and it makes him shine brighter than the sun in the sky.

2. he's very expressive. poker face? what is that...? Aether's eyes express emotions that you didn't even know existed, and it never fails to pull your heartstrings. you feel his joy, his sorrow, his rage, everything. all it takes is a look.

3. he's incredibly accomplished. skilled in every sense of the word, be it in the bit of forgery he's picked up, the alchemy, his combat prowessー he's a pretty decent cook too. you can't help but feel like you can rely on him, and neither can everyone else who comes into contact with him.

the list continues to grow every millisecond you spend with him. perhaps you're particularly attentive to him, even more so after establishing an intimate relationship with him... or maybe he's so captivating that you simply cannot help but to notice more and more when he walks by.

Aether is a lot of things, hardworking is one of them.

...correction, Aether is a lot of things, downright foolish is one of them. he's got tunnel vision on his tasks more often than not, and while he's good at them, you'd have to be blind to not think that he's a little in over his head.

you're so used to it that you barely notice it at first. but this time, you're traveling in Liyue, trying to find some materials for a commission. today alone, you've cleared out three treasure hoarder camps, four hillichurl camps, and fought a total of six abyss mages. it's only just turning evening. Aether is charging ahead as if nothing can stop him. you believe him.

you took a break a bit ago, so you think it's fine, but the way he swings his sword is just a bit more sluggish than normal.

you're fighting a pyro regisvine when Aether briefly mentions feeling a chillー

...you look at him for a solid three seconds and take in something you didn't notice.

his eyes are sunken, dark circles slowly climbing under his sunny orbs, his face is red. in all honesty, you just thought it was because you haven't been able to keep your eyes off of him, and he does have a habit of getting embarrassed and looking away. as he has been doing all day. you realize that he might, and just theoretically might, be ashamed rather than startled by your gaze. you decide to test your theory-

you stride over to him as the flower falls onto the ground, and place your hand on his forehead without a word.

" [n-name]...? what are you- "

" you're sick. you're burning up. "

" what? no... no i'm not? "

you're closer now, so you see more.

his speech is slightly slurred, his eyes are glassy and he fights a sneeze while he backs away from your gaze.

" you so are. "

" ... "

" why didn't you say something? come on, we're going to lay you down right now. there's a waypoint nearby, we'll go to the inn from there. "

he's barely listening to you, his mind foggy. he's been like this for a while, but... he figured it wasn't so bad. it'd go away within the hour. it did not. continued overexertion made it worse. he's too stubborn and determined to stop.

you continue to drag him away despite his quiet, jumbled protests.

you're quick to pull a slightly wobbly Aether into the inn, offering Verr Goldet a smile with furrowed brows before fishing just enough mora out of your bag for a two-or-so night stay. she tosses you a knowing look, and leads the two of you to an empty room. she offers to bring some soup and water. you start to say you can get it yourself, but... Aether sends you a pout with a look in his eyes that might as well say, " you dragged me here, you can't just leave me! "

it's quiet for a moment after she leaves. you sigh into your hands. Aether has trouble making eye contact.

" ...can we- save the lecture for later-?"

" maybe. "

" come on i... really didn't think it'd get this bad. "  all you do is huff in response.

" and why didn't Paimon say anything? where even is she-? "

" ... "

" ... "

" Good Hunter. "

" you didn't pay her off. don't tell me you did that. "

" i-i didn't think it'd get this bad! "

that elicits another groan. you resolve to deal with your boyfriend when he doesn't need the damp towel on his forehead. with a grumble, you pick up his nearby hand. he slowly turns to look at you, confusion crossing his face.

" don't worry me like that. "

" it's fine, rea- "

you cut him off with a squeeze, unable to stop your thumb from oh so slightly digging into his palm.

" please? "

he can't compete with the concern in your eyes and voice. he just nods. you continue, attempting to be brief. though, you can't keep yourself from worrying.

" you should take better care of yourself, you know? you can't keep running on steam and not stopping for water... "

he's asleep in the middle of your speech, and all you can do is let out what feels like your eight-hundredth sigh of the day. you give his cheek a peck before starting to stand. the second you start to loosen your grip on his hand, however, he's quietly mumbling a "don't go." and who are you to deny his wish?

#please dont tell it's just a little cold #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact imagines #aether x reader #genshin impact aether #aether bribing paimon is so funny he goes and she is So Suspicious of him #he has to bribe her to stay away #she does Not swear not to tell #it takes a lot for this lil floaty gal. he has to make her an offer that she fant refuse #curse those negotiations in liyue #a bouquet from ren