Read Grim Wolf :: Chapter 2: "Respect."

Right after having fun in the snow, Aether and Eula wanted to spend some time training.

She attacked him elegantly using her sword, while he made quick cuts with his sword.

Both knew how to defend themselves well, and even made use of the snow to trick and baffle the other.

As much as this seemed like "cheating", no one said it was forbidden to use the environment to turn the tables of combat... though it was certainly somewhat annoying.

As soon as they finished, they sit on a tree and breathe slowly.

Eula: Not bad, eh.

Aether: Same here.

Eula: You're almost at my level.

Aether: Don't act proud.

Eula: It's not pride if I'm sure of my strength, and I could clearly see your strength in the flesh.

I can calmly say that you are strong, but you still have a long way to go.

Aether: ... and if I were to say that I've been holding back?

Eula: What makes you think that?

Aether: I did not use elemental energies.

Eula: Hmpf.

Aether: Since you didn't either, I wanted to fight the same way.

I know very well that you excel at fighting by causing physical damage, without relying so much on your Cryo Vision.

Eula: You think so, huh?

Aether: Yes.

Eula: Yeah, well... think again.

Aether: Well, it's not like I'm watching your fighting style all the time.

Eula: Hehe.

Aether: Why are you laughing?

Eula: You claim to be over three millennia old, but with someone your age, you should have experienced thousands of fights.

You would have some ace up your sleeve, or some advice that you always keep in mind when fighting.

Aether: Well, certainly someone young like you, at 29 years old should be able to know how to use a sword and foresee attacks, jsjs.

Eula: O-Hey...!

D-Don't say it like that...!

I know how to fight very well...!

Aether: Well, yeah, hehehe.

Eula: ...and I'll get even for giving me more years than I look like I have.

Aether: Excuse me?

Eula: I'm 26 years old.

Aether: ... how cute you are, jsjsjs.

Eula: D-Don't tease me...!

Aether: Mocking me?

I just said you were tender.

Eula: B-Baka...

Aether: Gosh, you're so sensitive.

Eula: Hmpf!

Aether: *sigh*

He just didn't say anything else.

He looked at the horizon and thought about some things.

Eula: What's wrong with you now?

Aether: Nothing...

Eula: Come on, talk.

Aether: It's just that... no one has congratulated me today...

Eula: Why should they congratulate you?

Aether: ... for my birthday.

Eula: Oh... I'm sorry... I know how it feels.

Aether: ... don't worry, it's still not my birthday today, jsjsjs.

Eula: ...

Aether: *laughs*

Eula: D-Stop teasing me...!

She pushed him off and by a not so careless oversight, she was sitting on him, grabbing him by the wrists.

Aether: Are you comfortable?

Eula *blushing*: E-Eh...?

Aether: Jsjsjs.

Eula: Idiot...!

Like an angry child, she started to bury him in snow.

Until...

Aether: Ouch!

Eula: W-what?

Aether: Something hit me!

Eula realized that in the snow on her hands, there was a not-so-small rock.

Aether: Ouch... my head hurts...

Eula: ... I don't know what you're saying, since I didn't do it.

*discreetly throws the rock*

Aether: Are you sure?

Eula: I wouldn't lie to you.

Aether: Ok...

Eula: Are you okay?

Aether: I guess... I just got a headshot, but I'm still fine, you idiot.

Eula: Jsjs.

Let's see, tell me the alphabet.

Aether: The alphabet.

Eula: ... n-no, you must tell me each of the letters.

Aether: Every single letter.

Eula: ...

Aether: Let's see, try something else.

Eula: Well ... how many fingers do I have?

She shows Aether two fingers, waiting for him to answer "two fingers".

Aether: ...

Eula: Well? How many fingers do I have?

Aether: Twenty.

Eula: ... Are you kidding me?

Aether: ... maybe.

Eula: B-Baka!

She threw a snowball at him point blank.

He just laughed.

Aether: You claim to be 26 years old and you act like a child at times.

Eula: You provoke me, which is different.

Aether: ... I provoke you~?

Eula: N-not like that...!

Aether: What way are you talking about?

Eula: ... D-don't play dumb...!

Aether: Jsjsjs.

Eula: I'm getting out of here.

Aether: W-Wait...

Eula: Now what?

Aether: ... you're under arrest.

Eula: You're arresting me?

Aether: For what?

Aether: For excess of beauty.

*winks at her*.

Eula: *nervous little tender noises*.

Aether: ...

She was slowly retreating, somewhat embarrassed by what he said.

Aether: Don't go...

Eula: Don't you dare embarrass me....

Aether: It will help to tell you that I love you very much and that I don't want you to go?

Eula: Just like that you say it?

Aren't you going to ask me to dinner first?

Aether: Well, if you say so....

Do you want to go out to dinner with me?

Eula: ... well, I was just kidding...

Aether: I don't.

Eula: Oh, uh-huh...

Aether: ...

Eula: ...

Aether: I need an answer, Eula.

Eula: Y-You're really inviting me...?

Aether: What do you think?

Eula: ... you're kidding.

Aether: You think so?

Eula: Yes...?

Aether: ... think again.

Judging by the look on Aether's face, who was now serious, Eula understood that he was no longer joking.

Aether: So?

Do you want to go out with me?

Eula: ... I don't know...

Aether: Don't worry, it doesn't have to be today.

Eula: It's not that...

Aether: Hm?

Eula: It's just... I've never dated anyone... and I'm kind of shy sometimes....

Aether: You haven't dated anyone?

Aether: Why?

Eula *sarcastic*: I don't know, maybe it has something to do with me being a Lawrence, but okay.

Aether: ...

Eula: ...

She was kind of blushing.

Aether: You could try it.

You can go out with me.

Eula: Are you sure?

Aether: ...if I wasn't, I wouldn't be asking you this.

Eula: *blushes*

Aether: Well, if you don't want to, then -

Eula: I do!

Aether: Oh?

Eula: E-Eh...?

She couldn't help but blush even more at having reacted like that.

Aether: That's nice.

I'll pick you up in the evening.

Eula: O-Ok...

Aether: And I just want to add that... if you don't feel safe... don't do this just to look good to me.

Just tell me you feel uncomfortable doing this, and we'll go home.

Eula: Yeah, yeah...

Aether: Well, I'll leave for now.

He goes home, although he actually took out his Relaxer and went inside.

Eula was puzzled to see that.

Eula: W-what the heck...?

Paimon: Don't let her miss you.

We live inside a teapot.

Eula: ...

Paimon: It may sound illogical, but it's true.

Eula: ...

Paimon: Well, if you want you can come and take a look.

Eula: N-No, thanks... I'm going home.

Paimon: Well, bye.

She walks away, leaving Paimon alone.

Paimon: ... say goodbye next time.

I'll get revenge for this.

~ after a while ~

As the moon set overhead, Aether dressed somewhat formally for the occasion .... basically "fine".

As he was about to go to find Eula, he took some Cecilias and put Anemo energy into them to make them release an emerald green glow.

Aether: How do I look?

Paimon: Thin.

Aether: Thank you.

Will you be okay on your own?

Paimon: As long as I have food, I'll be fine.

Aether: Ok, I'll leave then.

As Paimon closed the door, she looked at the food they had put away, which made her smile like the Grinch, something like this, more or less.

Anyway...

Aether approached the door to Eula's house.

He knocked and waited to be answered by her herself.

As soon as they open the door, he finds Schubert, his uncle.

Aether: H-Hello, honorable Mr. Lawrence...

(Holy shit, this guy doesn't...)

Schubert: We meet again.

Aether: So it seems, hehe... what a fortuitous meeting of fate...

Schubert: I'll just say one thing.

Treat my niece well.

You don't want to look bad to me, do you?

You're talking to someone from an aristocratic family, of high social standing.

Aether: ...

(What do I care about you? That doesn't affect space-time at all, you tasty old man).

Schubert: Is that clear?

Aether: Yes, yes...

Eula: Yeah, man, give it up.

Aether looks at Eula, walking out of the house wearing a beautiful dress.

Aether: ...

(Oh, my god, I went from 180º to 90º, ufffff...)

Eula: Hello.

Aether: H-Hello...

Eula: Ready to go?

Aether: Of course.

Schubert: Oh, and remember that-

Eula: Goodbye, uncle.

Schubert: W-Wait a second, child...!

She ignored him and continued walking with Aether.

Aether: Ok, tell me what you want to do first.

Eula: Um... I'd like to go get something to eat.

I haven't eaten for a while now.

Aether: Yeah.

They go to a somewhat "formal" restaurant in Mondstadt, with a good view of the region.

She ordered a filet mignon with a salad, while he ordered a large glass of fried shrimp with sauce.

Still, Aether couldn't help but feel that Eula was a bit uncomfortable, so he tried to talk her out of whatever was bothering her.

Aether: What a view, huh...?

I love seeing Mondstadt from these heights.

Eula: Aha...

Aether: Dinner is very delicious.

Eula: I know...

Aether: Would you like some shrimp?

Eula: No, thanks...

He couldn't take it anymore and sighed.

Aether: Is everything all right?

Eula: ...

She looked at him for a moment and continued eating.

Aether: You know you can trust me... is everything all right?

Eula: ... no...

Aether: What's wrong?

She gestures to him, telling him to look at the people sitting at other tables, around them.

Many of them were glaring at Eula, because they knew her and knew that she was a woman who was part of the Lawrence clan.

Aether: Oh...

Eula: I'm sorry...

Aether: Why are you apologizing?

Eula: For being in an awkward situation...

Aether: Hey... you have nothing to apologize for.

You didn't do anything wrong.

You're not to blame for anything.

Eula: ...

Aether: Maybe people are a little stubborn, but they should know that you are not like the people in your clan.

I know you are not bad.

Eula: Eh...?

Aether: I know that you are a very good and sweet person.

Even if you act like a child at times, you are someone tender and good.... of that I am sure.

Eula: ... do you think...?

Aether: Absolutely.

So relax and enjoy your dinner.

She smiled somewhat sheepishly, and continued eating normally.

Aether looked at the people who were glaring at Eula, glaring back at them, as if trying to tell them to be ashamed of what they were doing.

They were uncomfortable seeing Aether's intimidating look, so they decided to focus on their business.

Dinner ended peacefully.

Aether paid for dinner, and walked with Eula through the dark streets of Mondstadt.

Aether: Dinner was delicious.

Eula: Yes, absolutely.

However, again the looks of contempt returned to Eula.

Everyone on the street looked at Eula with hostility.

This obviously made her somewhat sad, and as much as she was used to being the object of scornful looks, this time she felt sad.

Aether, for his part, was not at all happy about this, because he knew why Eula was uncomfortable and sad.

In fact, he already lost his patience.

Aether: Why are they staring at us so much?!

Why don't you focus on your own things and leave us alone!

She's not to blame for anything, so don't always look at her and greet her like this, dammit!

Shame on you!

Eula: ...!

They all looked at Aether somewhat frightened, but still, they understood a little that he was right.

Eula was not to blame for being born into a rather disowned family in Mondstadt, so taking out their frustration and showing rejection on her was completely unfair.

They simply averted their gazes in sorrow, and Aether continued walking with Eula.

Aether: *sigh*

Eula: ...w-why did you do that...?

Aether: Because it makes me so helpless that they keep treating you badly.

I just wasn't going to stand idly by.

Eula: ...

Aether: Ehm... we'd better get out of town, okay?

At least we can get a better view of the full moon.

Eula: ... o-okay...

They walked for a while to the outskirts of Mondstadt.

Aether had brought a blanket for them to sit on and look at the moon, while drinking some good wine.

Certainly, Eula was thinking about what had happened a few minutes ago.

Aether: How are you feeling?

Eula: I-I'm fine...

Aether: Just know that you can rest assured.

I will make sure that people try to accept you as you are, ignoring the fact that you are a Lawrence.

Eula: I appreciate the gesture... but you have nothing to worry about.....

Aether: Not at all.

I want to help.

Eula: ...

She didn't know what to answer.

All she could do was smile.

They simply toasted and continued drinking their wine.

Aether: Ahh~

Eula: ... can I ask you something?

Aether: Yes, sure.

Eula: ... can I hug you just a little?

Aether: ... of course you can.

He comes closer and she hugs him.

She gently slips her arms around his neck, as Aether snuggles into his chest.

Eula: You're so sweet...

Aether: You too...

Eula: ...

(I wish I could never let go...)

And at the moment of returning home, Aether gives the bouquet of flowers to Eula.

She saw that the flowers emitted a very beautiful light, so she hugged Aether again, this time putting her face between her breasts.

She said goodbye by giving him a peck on the cheek and went back to her house.

Aether obviously blushed at that, and smiled, being satisfied that she had enjoyed their first date.