Chapter Text
“Lumine!”
“No! No!”
“GIVE ME BACK MY SISTER!”
Aether jack knifed up from where he lay, eyes wide and unseeing as he gasped into awakening.
Another mistake.
He promptly released a choked off cry, collapsing backwards against a worn pillow and weakly kicking at unfamiliar sheets as he fought not to scream. The wounds from before screeched in their anguish, like his wings were being torn from him all over again.
A rough calloused pair of hands grasped at him, and he flinched away, putting up a feeble struggle as they pulled at him, turning him onto his side; easing the white hot agony racing along his spine. Aether squirmed, cold sweat dripping down his face as he fought not to whimper, only soft, pained grunts escaping as he struggled to breathe through gritted teeth. A male voice spoke to him in a soothing rumble, the calloused hands rubbing his forearms soothingly as Aether gripped him back, desperate for something to hold to ground himself to the present.
The angry, furious throbbing of his wounds slowly wore down into burning pangs, and to Aether’s shame, he could feel tears escape the corners of his eyes from the overwhelming agony of it all. He could vaguely hear someone telling him to breathe, placing his shaking hand against a broad chest that was making exaggerated inhales and exhales. He struggled to follow, his own breath hitching and skipping at points, but stubbornly trying to recreate the man’s own efforts. As soon as his breathing was at a more acceptable pace, he slumped against the pillow, his normally neat blonde hair clinging to his face and skin, coated with sweat. .
He slowly opened his eyes, blinking rapidly to clear his blurry vision, to see a man standing over him, a coarse beard covering his face, but his eyes were soft, gazing at him in concern as Aether squinted up at him.
“Take it easy there lad. You took quite a few licks out there, didn’t you?” The man murmured, pointedly not acknowledging the grip Aether still had on his arms.
Aether blinked at him, opening his mouth to speak, only to let out a dry cough.
“Ah, of course.” The man stepped away to pour water from a nearby jug into a small cup, helping Aether sit up to sip from it. The water was cool and soothing against his throat, and he let out a soft exhale as he finished.
“Where…” He rasped, blinking up at the man in exhaustion.
“Near Starfell Beach.” At Aether’s look of confusion, “In Mondstadt…? The country of Freedom?”
Aether merely nodded tiredly, laying his head against the pillow as the man sank into a nearby chair. “How long…?”
“Since I found you? Three days.” At Aether’s look of alarm, he was quick to continue, “You’ve had quite a time of it my lad, you needed the rest.”
“I need to go.” Aether rasped, trying to force himself to sit up, only to let out a sharp pained grunt as his back flared again.
“You’ll do no such thing.” The man countered, carefully placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’re in no state to move. You’ll stay here till you can stay on your own two feet. Until then, you’re free to stay.”
“I can’t impose on you…”
“It’s no imposition. I make a comfortable living, so if you’re worried you’ll be a drain on me, believe me that is not the case. You’re a guest in my home, and I take good care of my guests.” The man tilted his head, some of the concern from before entering his gaze once more. “I must ask though, how did you come to have these injuries?”
Aether tensed, and swallowed; his adams apple bobbing with the motion. “I…. was with my sister. We were…….we were fighting…..someone……and I fell….” He closed his eyes, the image of his sister being torn from him burned into the back of his retinas, haunting him.
“I fell……….” He whispered, his gaze falling to the floor.
There was a long heavy silence, and the man sighed, slowly standing and moving to the door.
“Alright, you just rest my boy. Take all the time you need…”
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It took at least two more weeks before Aether could move with minimal pain.
The man, whose name was Bran, was as patient as a saint. Helping Aether eat and drink, changing his bandages without fuss, not flinching at the blood soaked bandages he had to strip him of day after day.
He was eternally grateful for his lack of acknowledgement of the nightmares Aether suffered through the night, merely assisting in rolling him back onto his side and turning out the light once more in silence.
He helped Aether onto unsteady legs, helping him walk from one end of the room to the other until he could walk under his own power. Stumbling about the cabin like a newborn colt until his steps grew firmer. The faint birdsong and gentle rustling of the trees in the wind were an unfamiliar, but comforting presence as he recovered, staring out at the rolling hills and fields as angry red scabs eased into discolored pink scars; appearing brutal and ragged if the man’s grim expression when he tended to them was any indication.
When Aether expressed his wish the move on, the man merely sighed through his nose, but acquiesced, none the less. He gave Aether a sword, an older one, since he had apparently commissioned a new one recently and was expecting it soon anyhow.
“You’re a determined one, I’ll give you that.” He murmured, as Aether examined the blade; a silver sword engraved with a winged symbol, still reliable despite the worn edge. “I don’t reckon I could stop you if I wanted to. At the very least, you’ll have that to defend yourself, if you get attacked again.”
“Thank you, for helping me….” Aether said, looking up at Bran in gratitude, still feeling the twinge of new star tissue pulling at his back, freshly healed. “How can I repay you?”
“You were a guest, think nothing of it. I wish you luck on your journey, and hope you find your sister soon.” Bran said.
Aether nodded, and with a final glance, stepped out of the man’s cabin, blinking against the glare of the unfamiliar sun.
He had a sister to find.