That feeling...

Streets of Cour-de-Fontaine were emptier with every passed second. People were coming home from work, to their families, pets or rarely to quiet and lonely houses. Sun was already hidden from their eyes, stars and full moon were lighting up the dark sky though. Calm wind was flying between houses, carrying leaves with it, leaving them at roofs or windowsills, then picking up another ones. Lights were turning off one by one letting darkness spread through the town and send it to sleep. Lights in Lyney's window were still shining, he was patiently waiting for his younger brother. Sound of closed door and footsteps came out of the hallway. Lyney put his cards down and walked out of his room. Freminet wasn't in the hallway or living room... So the magician went to see his brother in his bedroom. He knocked at the door and after a moment slowly opened it. "Hi, little one! You're home so late... And you didn't even let me know you returned. That's not how things work, you know, I was worried." Lyney gazed at his brother, Freminet just came into the room, he was standing near the table, looking out of the window at the city shrouded in darkness and silence. The boy put his diving helmet on the table and turned his head toward his older brother. After a moment of thinking through what he was going to say, the boy finally spoke up in quiet tone of voice. "I'm sorry, Lyney. I didn't mean to come home this lately. It just turned out this way. I got lost in time while diving, you know... I'm a bit lost today..." "Huh..." Lyney's expression slightly changed to more curious, as he was trying to analyse Freminet's body language. That is os the best way to figure out what's on the young man's mind and heart, since he speaks only a little, hiding himself from others behind the calm and slightly cold expression of his. Freminet's eyes were looking down, his arms were crossed on his chest and he held on his sleeves tightly. Lyney knows Freminet better than anyone else, it was clear as day to him- something was off... Something was going on in his brother's head. He took a few steps toward Freminet, looking at his face closer. "Hey... Is something bothering you, Freminet? Or did something happen?" The youngest bowed his head down, thinking of an answer. He let out a sigh and raised his head again. "Maybe... A little bit." "Oh? What is it? You know you can talk to me if you want to" "Actually, if you could help me with an advice, I would really appreciate it" Lyney's eyes lit up as he heard those words. Freminet isn't used to talk about his problems most of the time, the magician was glad he'll share it with him this time. "Yeah, sure. I can help you, what's the matter?" "Uhm... Can we maybe sit down and talk, if you're not busy and stuff." "I'm totally free right now, yeah. So let's talk. I can make us some tea, would you like that?" Freminet looked up at his brother's face, while the oldest one was smiling softly at him. He nodded his head and sat on his bed, leaving space for his brother to sit down. Lyney pulled out two cards with a cup print on them, with a slight movement of his hand, he took out two mugs of warm tea from the cards. Freminet took one of them and looked in the cup, seeing his barely visible reflection in the light brown warm liquid. The scent of herbs and honey filled his room. The boy took a small sip of tea, at first an uncomfortable feeling slightly burned his lips and tongue, but then pleasant warmth went through his body helping him relax a bit and he was able to process the sweet taste of the tea. Lyney sat next to Freminet holding his cup as he broke the silence. "So... What is bothering you, Frem?" The youngest took a deep breath, calming himself and preparing to speak genuinely. "You know how Aether left and went to Natlan recently?" "Well... Yeah... All of us were there to say goodbye." "Yeah... It is weird... I don't know how to explain, just... I have some sort of unpleasing feelings. Not pain, but something deep inside. It is quite the new feeling for me." Lyney was listening closely to his brother's words, they made him worry... He frowned a little and asked quieter than before: "What kind of feeling? Could you describe it maybe, please?.." "I... It's like I miss him, but not like I miss you, Lynette or "Father", for example. It's completely different thing." Freminet went quiet for a second. He felt a wave of unease wash over him, his heart became heavier and his mind went empty... There was only one thing he managed to find in that void of his consciousness, Aether. Those thoughts made the boy smile slightly, even though it hurt inside. He continued: "You know... For the last month we, I mean, Aether and I, became a bit closer. I don't think he considers me as more special friend among all of his acquaintances all over Teyvat, but we spend quite the time together. I was just diving, as usual searching for romarins, that's when he approached me. He asked me to help him with exploration, said he found some sort of drowned monument, but he needed a second person to open gates and solve riddles. I was nervous at first... I thought, maybe I should decline, I was scared of messing up, but the way he said those word didn't let me to say no to him. As we were exploring the temple we had a nice chat. You know how I am not quite the one for small talks and such, but he... The way he was carefully with his questions, with his words... I saw that he put quite an effort to not offend me, since he knows how insecure I might be with others. He didn't rush me, he didn't try to dig into my personal things, he was so polite and gentle. So caring..." With each word Lyney was more and more confused. It wasn't common for Freminet to talk like this about someone. He's surprised Freminet even thinks about that day he spent with The Traveler. "Freminet... I don't really understand the core of the problem... You two became a bit closer... And you miss him... Like... You miss exploring temples with someone? Or conversations like you had with him?" "Maybe that too... Just... We've explored the sea and even land together for couple of weeks. It was... Nice. It was kinda nice to have him around. He always evoked such a strange, incomprehensible, but pleasant feeling... It was calm, comfortable, cozy, and at the same time somehow... enlivening, I would say." At those words Lyney's expression changed. His eyes widen slightly, his body tensed as he was looking at his younger brother with realization... "Uhm... Freminet... You find Aether to be nice and like being around him, right? Maybe you can share what specifically you like about him so much?" "Well... It is hard to tell... He is kind and friendly, strong and clever. And... Kinda pretty." "Pretty... Oh... Anyways, let's return to that strange feeling of yours." "Yeah, right..." Slightly blush appeared on Freminet's cheeks as he smiled faintly again. "He makes me feel some sort of... Heat... He makes me feel something here..." Freminet placed his hand on his chest, where the heart is. Realization hit Lyney, he was staring at the boy with confusion, surprise and some sort if pity. "Freminet... I think I know what the problem is..." "Huh?" Freminet titled his head to the side as he looked at his brother with curiosity. "What is it then?" "Have you ever been in love?" Lyney asked hesitantly, as he tried to keep his voice gentle and soothing. After hearing his brother's question Freminet's eyes widen in surprise, lately, in realization. He's never been in love before... As he thought of the possibility of him having feelings for Aether his heart started racing, beating like crazy, his hands twitched as well as his breath. Colour appeared on his cheeks making them slightly pinkish. After a moment of thoughts and silence the youngest shook his head in disbelief. "Oh no no... I didn't fell in love, did I. say I didn't, please..." "Hey, why are you so worried about this...? Love isn't a bad feeling. If you really fell in love it is awesome! A whole new feeling that will fill your life with new colours and motivations!" "No... Lyney, I... I thought I might like him before too, you know" "Then why didn't you tell him before he left?.." Freminet bowed his head down. He looked down at his reflection in the cup of tea as he placed it on the shelf next to him. He hugged his own shoulder and pulled his knees up to his body. Thinking about the answer wasn't pleasant, in fact, it was torturing. He understood why Lyney is so confused, he understood that he let Aether slip through his fingers and go. That was the worst part of it, he let that happen. His eyes became wet as he spoke up. "I just... I was just scared. Scared of the new feeling. Why if it isn't right? I decided to not think about and just try to prove myself that I don't like him at all... But then the weird feeling appeared... And now, as you asked, it starts to become clearer" "Oh... Fear is natural in this kind of situation, you know. No need to be ashamed of" "I am just... Regretting it. If I wouldn't let myself fall in love I wouldn't feel this way." "No no no, don't say that! Feeling are good thing." Freminet raised his head and looked at his brother's face. Tear escaped from those light blue eyes of his. "Then why does it hurt so much?.." Seeing his younger brother crying was unbearable for Lyney. He embraced the boy and pulled him closer, trying to provide him comfort. Freminet wasn't used to cry in front of someone, he usually kept his calm and quiet nature, but this feeling just hurt, hurt and that's it. As he imagined getting rid of this feeling it was a huge relief, but it hurt as hell. When he imagined getting rid of Aether in his life his brain said yes, but he couldn't handle the simple image of it in his head. This feeling was so strong, it stabbed him right in his heart, then pulled out the knife and tried to heal him. It repeated over and over again, stab, heal, stab, heal, stab, heal... Quiet sob escaped from the youngest, he clung on his brother, feeling desperate and helpless. Lyney gently stroke his blonde hair, processing the information, the problem, any possible solution... Any possible way to make his brother feel better. Before Lyney could came up with something Freminet continued. "I didn't want to get rid of him... I didn't... But he left... And I... I was there, similar to everyone else, just saying goodbye. When I had so much to tell him... I was afraid. I am still afraid. But he is far away from here, I don't even know where..." Hearing his brother speaking about his pain out of his heart Lyney felt a wave of sadness wash over him. He hated seeing his brother like this, he wanted Freminet to smile and be happy, at least a tiny bit. He kept stroking Freminet's hair as he whispered in his ear. "He will come back." "He will come back...." Freminet repeated his brother's words quietly, trying to make himself believe in it. Lyney looked down at Freminet's face and smiles warmly. "Thought it will take a while." "A while..." "But you will see him again and you will be prepared to take the risk and confess your love to him" "Confess my love to him..." "Yes. Confess your love to him... As he comes back" "As he comes back... As he comes back to me..."