124 » what i chose ain't really gonna work out

[ironwind]

[Truthfully, Aether's not entirely surprised that it didn't work out.

It had been a bit of a surprise when Lumine pulled this Dainsleif from — from somewhere and then introduced him to Aether as her boyfriend. Naturally, Aether had been suspicious and cynical. He could never really get the picture of how they met, whether it was at school or work or somewhere else; he could never really get a sense of Dainsleif's history, of where he worked or what the man did before he met Lumine and became her lover. But the skepticism had worn off in the end, because it soon became quite obvious that Dainsleif, past his stoic and slightly awkward demeanor, loved Lumine. He worshipped her like a goddess. He would have done anything for her.

And so, in the end, Aether approved.

But then again, that was just the problem, wasn't it?

Lumine was never going to be satisfied with the kind of man who agreed with her every decision like an obedient pup. Aether loves his sister, loves everything about her — but, to put it very cynically, she didn't need from a boyfriend the kind of behavior she could get from her twin brother. Someone pliant, someone loving, someone who would do everything she asked, fetch her a blade of grass from Inazuma or a single berry from the wilds of Sumeru if she so much as mentioned a whim for one... Lumine didn't need someone like that when she had grown up with that kind of behavior by her side in Aether.

And so, in the end...]

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[500mora]

[ This end to a relationship has been amicable — there were no arguments in the preceding weeks, there was no final clash. Lumine didn't order Dainsleif to pack his things and get out, nor did she tell him never to contact her again. She was kind about it, from start to finish. She presented her case, and he listened, and he agreed to respect her wishes.

All in all, they are parting on good terms. Yes, their relationship's end is merely a natural full-stop after a neatly-structured paragraph in which little took place. If Lumine craves more than peaceful domesticity, more than unwavering devotion, that is her right.

Her honesty should be commended — better to feel its sting now than to learn too late that she was unhappy, unfulfilled.

Every one of these considerations is rational. Lumine is not in the wrong. Feelings may change as time passes.

Why, then, is it so difficult to mark items off on a mental checklist of moving out? Dainsleif's belongings fill a single suitcase; he has no furniture that he needs to take with him. His workplace will assist him with the arrangements for another apartment. He has already returned the copy of this apartment's key that had been his to use during his stay here at Lumine's side.

Once he leaves, he won't return. The memories lingering in the corners of these rooms will remain there, left to fade.

The doorbell startles him. He stirs as if shaken out of a daze, opens the door. Lumine's brother — Aether — stands there, on the other side. Dainsleif blinks. Subtly, some tension settles over his features, pulling his brows lower.

Aether is golden-hued, like a warm sunset to behold, where Lumine's paler coloring ever reminded Dainsleif of a pristine winter landscape. And yet, there are similarities, here and there...

He blinks once more, stepping aside to clear the doorway, distantly surprised to realize that his fingers are tense on the edge of the opened door. Averting his gaze from Aether's sympathetic expression, he nods to indicate his suitcase. ]

...There isn't much, unless Lumine has items to discard. [ He pauses for a second before glancing back at Aether. ] I appreciate it.

[ironwind]

[Somewhat flabbergasted, Aether looks down at Dainsleif's single suitcase, uncomprehending for all of one moment before it finally sinks in that the man is well and truly serious. All his worldly possessions fit in that one, solitary travelling-case.]

Oh.

[There it is. Everything he owns, or at least everything he chose to keep for himself.

Aether knows he shouldn't say it, but it's slipped out before he can stop himself:]

Th-That's it?

[The young man winces visibly after the words leave his lips. He doesn't step inside, despite Dainsleif's vague attempt to welcome him in. Of course he didn't mean to imply that Dainsleif was somehow disappointing, or that his embrace of a minimalist lifestyle was anything to be scoffed at. Naturally, he didn't mean to suggest anything like the idea that Dainsleif was somehow lacking without Lumine's presence in his life. And yet, well... it's hard not to worry about the sad, handsome man his sister has decided she doesn't need in his life, standing in the doorway with only a single suitcase to his name when Aether had some prepared to move furniture, boxes, a whole piano if need be.]

I mean — where are you going? You're not moving into a bare flat, are you?

[500mora]

[ Aether's reaction is only to be expected. It's clear that he regrets it, the instant that it hangs between them, but it's honest, too, and who could blame him for finding the situation strange? Perhaps he feels pity, but Dainsleif came to collect precious moments together with Lumine, few of which remain as tangible things to take from this apartment. Photos don't require the assistance of a second person to move from one location to another — least of all in this day and age of fewer physical albums and picture frames.

Dainsleif's gaze drops to the suitcase again, away from the sunset-warmth of Aether's appearance. Beyond that, he stands still. ]

Yes. That's it.

[ Pity, concern, whatever the case, Aether is here out of kindness. No doubt it would have been easier to proceed as planned, were there boxes filled with objects to carry to a car. Now, faced with a single suitcase, what is there to do? ]

I'll have a roof over my head, which will include furnished rooms. The necessities will be enough.

[ Dainsleif looks up. The preparations are underway — until then, a wait of a brief handful of days, he has booked temporary lodgings. ]

Given that you've come to help, if you'd like to see my interim solution for yourself, I won't turn you away.

[ Though it relegates Aether to the uncomfortable position of keeping his sister's ex-boyfriend company in the immediate aftermath of their separation, with no practical task to serve as a diversion, doesn't it? ]

[ironwind]

I — well, it's not...

[Aether falters a little awkwardly for a moment, largely because he doesn't quite know what to make of Dainsleif's personality; he'd expected the man to be cold and blunt, perhaps a bit standoffish, but... as it turns out, his sister's ex is quite a lot more direct and to-the-point than he looks. Caught off-guard, Aether rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.

No point in hiding anything if Dain is going to be this open-booked. Twisting his lips into a wry smile, the young man decides honesty is the best policy.]

I'm just worried about you, that's all. [A humorless little laugh.] Sorry. I know it's not really my place...

[Well — Dainsleif hardly needs Aether to take his single suitcase, but Aether takes it all the same, hefting it a little in his hands, though he doesn't seem to have issues handling the new burden. (Really, he's just impressed — and a little depressed — over how light it is.) Mustering his best, most sunny smile, he lowers it back to a normal carrying position and rests his other hand very casually in his pocket, as though affecting a businessman's nonchalant air.]

I'll go with you. Just to... make sure. [Make sure of what? He doesn't elaborate. Make sure Dainsleif isn't living in a hovel, maybe.] Hey, if the new place is drafty, I'll knit you a sweater. One of my friends has been teaching me how.

[He's joking! ...But maybe he's not. Thoma would certainly be up to the challenge.]