When the cold drew near, she never really had anything to fear. Dangers were less likely to lurk because of the dropping tempratures. Mondstadt never got anywhere near freezing weather outside of the frigid cold of Dragonspine. When the seasons did change, however, people found themselves indoors more often. The animals in the forests disappeared. Cryo slime sightings increased in number. Even the hilichurls kept to themselves. The part about the colder seasons that (y/n) liked most though were chances like these.

        Aether was in her kitchen preparing a snack for them to share. It was not yet cold enough for her to have a fire going, but she sat on the couch facing the unlit furnace anyway. There she waited with a blanket large enough to engulf the entire couch. Already she could smell the fresh scent of newly prepared food, and she tried to guess what it was based on the scent it gave off.

        She wasn't sure, but it smelled very suspiciously like a specialty that a certain Wolvendom resident liked to gift to Aether. (Y/n) noticed that many of Aether's friends liked to gift him food or flowers. He had made many connections with people during his travels, but he always gave her special attention. She was not just his friend afterall.

        "All done!" Aether announced. He made his way towards her with a plate of hash browns.

        "Looks like I was right," (y/n) exclaimed. She moved her blanket aside and made room for Aether to take his place next to her. "I'll hold this. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable." She held the plate while he pulled the blanket around the both of them and snuggled in close to her. (Y/n) placed the plate onto the blanket between them, but kept a hand on it so that it didn't fall. "Thanks, Aether."

        "I should be thanking you instead," he spoke. "It's already so warm here. I don't ever want to leave from this spot." He grinned at her before picking a hash brown and taking a bite.

        "You can stay for as long as you'd like. For the entire winter, up until summer, or even forever if you'd like. I wouldn't mind." He gave a thoughtful hum as if he were seriously considering such. It was cute seeing him give her such thoughtful look while he munched on the treat he had made for them. (Y/n) finally tasted it for herself and found that it was absolutely divine. The heated snack was perfect in both taste and texture.

        "Is there anything you can't cook??" she praised. Sure, hash browns were relatively simple and commonplace in Mondstadt, but (y/n) had seen the dishes that Aether flawlessly cooked. She had sampled the various flavors that he had come across in his travels. He was a master chef, so much so that it sometimes baffled her at how well he did.

        "I'm glad you like it." Aether couldn't even hide his prideful stare. "I can make more. Do you want more?" He seemed eager to get back into the kitchen to cook and see her reaction to his masterpieces.

        "You can cook as much as you want later." She was glad that he was already done eating. "I want you to stay right here for now. Just like you said, this spot is so perfect." She leaned over onto him, closing her eyes as she did so. "You're my pillow now." She could feel the slow rise and fall of his chest. It would have been nice if things had stayed that way, but the plate in her hand slipped from her hold. She had forgotten that it was even there for a moment.

        Before she realized it, Aether had quickly moved to catch the dish before it dropped to the floor. His speed caught her off guard for he also had brought her along with him just enough to reach the falling plate.

        "Be careful," he softly warned. Still holding her towards him, Aether leaned over to place the dish down onto the floor. It was a temporary solution since he didn't wish to move from the couch.

        "That scared me," (y/n) admitted with an awkward laugh. She was still trapped in Aether's hold while she spoke. Although his outward appearance didn't immediately give it away, Aether was incredibly strong and agile. "I didn't mean to get so distracted."

        "Good to know that I can distract you." (Y/n) didn't fail to notice the smug look that he briefly displayed. "You're just as equally distracting though. Did you know that?" He pulled her with him as he leaned backwards towards the arm of the chair. "So very distracting...in a way that I can never grow tired of." He was beginning to blink more often, fighting to keep himself awake. Food coupled with a comfortable place to remain was the perfect recipe for a nap.

        "Is that so?" (Y/n) could see the admiration present in his gaze even as Aether's eyes began to flutter closed.

        "I'm sorry," he said. "I know you wanted to spend some time with me, but I'm sort of tired all of a sudden. Can I take a nap right here with you? Just for a moment?" His eyes were still closed, but he tightened his hold around her ever so slightly.

        "Of course you can. Mondstadt's hero deserves to take a nice long nap. I'll be right here when you're awake again and well rested." It was a win for her either way. What better way to fend off the cold than to take a nap with someone she dearly cherished? "Hm?" She hadn't realized that he had already fallen asleep. "Sleep well," (y/n) murmured to him before placing a kiss on his cheek and resting against him. She decided to take a nap with him as well. Whatever they'd do after that would be left up to fate.
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I felt like this one was a little too short, but I didn't want to ruin it by adding in unnecessary things. Until next time you spectacular readers!