#i just wanted a white's day fic but dainsleif just added so many words

[lazycatmeowsalot]

a lily for you

summary: Aether is searching for white lilies when he comes across Dainsleif, who seems to know where to find them. background: Valentine’s day is celebrated in Teyvat and it’s called Love’s day instead. But there’s no equivalent of White’s day. The theory about Dainsleif traveling with the Abyss twin in the past is used. This is set after the Dainsleif quest.

"I wonder where I can find them,” Aether mutters, having been in the forest for a couple of hours by now. Paimon has stayed with Amber at his request to keep everyone busy, so he can finish his preparations. 

He just never realizes that it’ll be this difficult to gather all the things he needs.

A movement from his left gains his attention and he’s surprised to see the mysterious traveler, who seems to know everything. If he remembers correctly, this person is called—

“Dainsleif?”

The masked man turns to him at calling. “Our paths cross once more, Traveler,” he says without a hint of curiosity or shock. “Do you have a commission in this area?”

The golden-haired man shakes his head and smiles warmly with the tiniest hint of embarrassment, “No. I’m actually looking for something. Something I didn’t know was so rare here but I really need it.”

“It’s March 14 tomorrow and in my place, we have a celebration—“

“I see,” Dainsleif cuts him off, making the smaller male blink. That’s rather sudden interruption. He still has explanation but Aether stares at the stiffness of the other. 

It seems like a bad thing to continue. He finds the the strange guy’s reaction to be weird. Dainsleif seems to have something against the celebration he’s talking but Aether know that there’s no White’s Day here.

“Over there,” the taller man firmly points out a location he hasn’t searched yet and stares at Aether blankly as if seeing something entirely different from the reality now. “You can find white lilies in the field there. They’re perfect gifts for the occasion.”

“Wow, you really know everything.”

Aether has felt that Dainsleif is different since they have first met. It’s a somehow similar feeling he felt encountering Venti and Zongli, but this is something different. He knows that the other isn’t an archon but still, Dainsleif is no ordinary human.

“Are you walking me to that field of white lilies?” the Traveler asks teasingly when he sees the blond man matches his pace. “Thank you.”

“I am also going in the same way,” is the answer given.

Golden eyes soften in warmth and appreciation. As much as the other is suspicion, Aether really thinks that Dainsleif’s kind. Just like—

“You remind me of my sister. Twin sister, exactly. She’s not good at words but her actions always show her kind heart.”

Something flickers in those mysterious azure eyes but it’s too quick for Aether to understand what message it conveys. He wonders if he has imagined it.

The Traveler doesn’t have time to ponder as they reach the direction Dainsleif has point. His eyes widen in amazement at the beauty he’s seeing and he whispers, utterly stunned, “This place is so beautiful and pure.”

He touches one of those white lilies surrounding the area. “That’s right,” he remembers his beloved sibling once more with a nostalgic smile. “White lily is Lumine’s favorite flower.”

Unnoticed by him, the proclaimed ‘Bough Keeper’ tries to reach out to one lily before harshly snapping his hand back to his side. His eyes flash with longing and desperation.

“I know. She told me herself,” Dainsleif whispers for no one to hear his confession.

_linebreak_

Aether promptly gives gratitude to the taller male, “Seriously, you help me a lot. I plan to give many white presents to my friends tomorrow as well as help celebrate Jean’s birthday.”

“The white lily is the last in my long list. I’m glad I was able to find all of them! Lumine always say that the return gifts for White’s Day have to triple the value as what’s given in Valentine’s Day...,” he laughs at the memory before he freezes, completely forgetting himself.

The people in Teyvat has more pleasant than bad company, but Dainsleif is merely an acquaintance. He probably shouldn’t be rambling all day. He immediately asks to get out of the awkward atmosphere, “How did you even know this place?”

A somehow chilling silence answers his question and Aether wonders if he has step on a landmine here. He’s panicking at very minute of lack of exchange when Dainsleif smiles faintly, looking plainly fragile in his golden eyes.

“My previous companion told me about it.”

Aether knows that there’s a story here, but he can never fully comprehend exactly what story it is.

_linebreak_

“These marshmallows are awesome! They melt in my mouth and I love how sweet they are. You’re the best cook, Dain! Oh, but I love white lilies the most! You should really present them to me next White’s Day!”

“I still can’t understand this ‘white’s day’ you speak of, but I’m glad that you like my gift. Next time, I’ll let you see a field of white lilies. It’ll be perfect as that ‘trice the price’, won’t it?”

“How will you even do that? We’ll be too busy to search for something unnecessary like that. You can just give me one lily and it’s perfect.”

“I’m not going to search for one. We’ll build it ourselves together. You have the seeds, right? And I can find time to care for simple matters like this. You say that you love them, so I want you to be able to see them and smile.”

“You’re such a dork, Dain! But I like that idea. Let’s do it!”

“Yes, next year, for certain. I promise that we’ll see it together, Lumine.”

“That promise never did come true, but they happened. I still remember your smile among the lilies you dearly loved. I still hold hope of our promise back then. No matter how many years it will take, I will see it through that I will save you and we will fulfill all those promises.”