Aether’s Little Black Book: Decoding the Traveler’s Romantic Entanglements in Genshin Impact
Aether travels through dimensions in Genshin Impact. He isn’t just a tourist. He’s a celebrity. Friends form where he goes. Quests get completed. Hearts flutter, too. Questions arise. Who will he share a teapot set with? Saving Teyvat is now a side quest. Let’s explore Aether’s ships.
The Family Affair: Viatwins (Aether & Lumine)
First, let’s discuss Viatwins. This ship is Aether and his sister Lumine. Some may feel uncomfortable. But in fandoms, “shipping” means many things. Viatwins is more about a sibling bond. It’s about that intense connection. They share a destiny. “In Western fandoms, Aether has popular family ships,” sources say. So, while it may not be romantic, it sails on strong family ties.
Slash and Burn: Aether’s Homoerotic Pairings
Next, we enter Aether’s slash ships. These pairings gain popularity in Western spaces. They pair Aether with male characters. Who are the participants? Let’s explore the contenders:
Xiaother (Aether & Xiao): The Brooding Guardian Yaksha
First is Xiaother. It features Aether and Xiao. Xiao is a brooding Yaksha. He loves almond tofu. This pairing contrasts sunshine with stoicism. Fans love this dynamic. Aether could bring comfort to Xiao. “In the fandom, Xiao is often paired with Aether,” many fans note. Xiaother thrives on angst and warmth between cold souls.
Scaraether (Aether & Scaramouche): The Edgy Antagonist Tango
Next is Scaraether. It features Aether and Scaramouche. The Balladeer, a former Harbinger, has sass and depth. Pairing Aether with Scaramouche evokes a thrilling storm. It’s enemies-to-lovers cranked to eleven. This pairing has palpable tension and snark. “In Western fandoms, he has popular ships like Scaraether,” say fans. Rivalry fuels this ship’s intrigue.
Albether (Aether & Albedo): The Intellectual Connection
Next, we have Albether. Albedo, the Chief Alchemist, pairs with Aether. This pairing is for those who cherish subtle connections. Albedo’s calm demeanor matches Aether’s adventurous spirit. Their bond is deep, warm, and thoughtful. “In Western fandoms, Albether is one of Aether’s most popular ships,” fans agree. It hints at late-night lab talks and shared curiosities.
Heterosexual Happenings: Aether’s Ladies
Aether also attracts female admirers. While slash pairings are popular, don’t overlook heterosexual ones.
Confirmed Crushes and Flirtatious Encounters
Who’s batting their eyelashes at Aether? Let’s check out his admirers.
Venti: The Bard with a Hidden Agenda?
First is Venti. He’s a carefree bard and Anemo Archon. Is he secretly admiring Aether? “Their interactions in the Windblume Festival seemed flirtatious,” fans observed. Silly banter hints at deeper feelings. The festival intensified these speculations. “Venti has feelings for Aether,” fans theorize. The evidence piles up.
Ayaka: The Princess with a Passion
Next is Ayaka. She is overt with her affection. “Ayaka is really obvious about her crush,” fans comment. Her feelings are loud and clear. From dance to blushing confessions, Ayaka’s feelings radiate throughout Inazuma. “She definitely likes Aether,” fans agree. Anyone denying this may be avoiding wedding invites.
Yoimiya: The Cheerful Firework Fan
Yoimiya, the summer festival queen, adores Aether. “She wants to learn more about him,” fans mention. While her affection is more subtle than Ayaka’s, it’s evident. It’s a friendship with room to blossom, like her fireworks.
Lisa: The Flirtatious Librarian
Lastly, we have Lisa, Mondstadt’s librarian. She calls Aether “cutie” and “darling.” Lisa’s flirtation is playful and confident. “She clearly likes the Traveler,” many have noted. Her interest seems more than friendly greetings. Fandom members lean towards the idea that her feelings run deeper.
Questionable Canon and Fan Fiction Fantasies
Now we look into some odd pairings in fandom. These ships are less rooted in canon.
Aether & Barbara: A Dating Rumor?
Here’s a curious claim: “Aether and Barbara are dating.” This idea raises eyebrows. Barbara is sweet and kind. But there’s no evidence in the game for this pairing. It seems to stem from fan fantasies instead of canon.
Grounded in in-game interactions. In the shipping world, anything can happen, right? Even if it’s as likely as a quiet spot in Mondstadt on market day.
Aether & Furina: Happily Ever After? (Maybe in Fanon)
We find this gem: “Aether and Furina Happily Married Genshin Impact | HoYoLAB.” HoYoLAB, Genshin’s official community forum, is buzzing with fan content. This “happily married” scenario is a delightful piece of fanon. Furina, the Hydro Archon, and Aether? This pairing could spark hilarious domestic squabbles and epic adventures. But is it canon? Probably as canon as Paimon being a silent protagonist. Fun to think about!
Mythological Musings: Aether’s Ancient History
Let’s take a quick detour into mythology. Genshin Impact draws from various mythologies. In Greek mythology, Aether is a primordial deity representing the upper sky, the pure air gods breathe. Guess what? He has a wife and kid too! “Aether married his sister, Hemera and fathered Thalassa.” So, in myth terms, Aether is quite the family man. Whether this affects his Genshin romance is… debatable. But it’s a fun fact for your next trivia night.
Xiao’s Shipping Scene: Beyond Aether
Now that we’ve explored Xiaother, let’s peek at Xiao’s other shipping endeavors. Our angsty Yaksha is quite the catch in Genshin fandom.
XiaoVen (Xiao & Venti): An Archon Affair?
Xiao is popularly shipped with Venti. “Xiao is most commonly shipped with Aether (Xiaother) and Venti (XiaoVen).” The pairing brings together two characters with tragic backstories and a link to Mondstadt (and wind). “XiaoVen focuses on the relationship between Xiao and Venti, Anemo God of Mondstadt.” This ship sails on shared trauma, quiet understanding, and lonely souls finding comfort. Plus, imagine the poetry they could craft!
Other Notable Ships in the Genshin Seas
While we chart shipping lanes, let’s mention other pairings that are part of the Genshin shipping conversation.
KaeLuc (Kaeya & Diluc): The Stepbrother Saga
KaeLuc, the ship name for Kaeya and Diluc, thrives in the Genshin fandom. “Kaeya is commonly shipped with Diluc (KaeLuc) and Albedo (Kaebedo).” It features the stepbrother dynamic, fire and ice contrast, unresolved tension – pure shipping gold. “KaeLuc is the slash ship between Kaeya Alberich and Diluc Ragnvindr.” Their shared past and current tensions make KaeLuc fueled by drama and the allure of “what if?”
Kaebedo (Kaeya & Albedo): The Knights of Favonius Duo
Another pairing is Kaebedo. “Kaeya is commonly shipped with Diluc (KaeLuc) and Albedo (Kaebedo).” Kaeya and Albedo, both Captains in the Knights of Favonius, share an intellectual wavelength. “Kaebedo focuses on their shared roles as Knights of Favonius Captains and their similar color schemes.” They navigate their responsibilities together and bond over Klee’s antics.
Lumine & Xiao: A Canon Glimmer?
A whisper of potential canon exists: Lumine and Xiao. “Lumine x Xiao is canon. Just look at what he said. He’s in love with her!” While some interpret their interactions as hints of a connection, is it romance? Maybe not yet. However, deeper bonds could be growing.
Jean: The Traveler’s (Most) Explicit Romantic Interest?
Out of all the shipping speculation, one character stands out. Jean seems to receive explicit romantic attention from the Traveler. “One comment highlights that Jean is flirted with by the Traveler in-game, confirming her status as his most romantic interest.” Yes, Jean, the Dandelion Knight, Acting Grand Master, caught attention during gameplay. Does this make her the most “canon” interest? Maybe. Or perhaps Aether just appreciates strong women. Either way, Jean seems ahead in the race for Aether’s affection based on hints.
Twin Trivia: Aether’s Age
A quick twin tidbit before we wrap up: “Aether and Lumine are twins, but Aether is actually slightly older.” Yes, Aether is the older twin. By how much? The game doesn’t specify. When battling gods and traversing dimensions, mere minutes or hours hardly matter. Still, older brother Aether sounds good.
Other Oddities: Aether’s… Pregnancy?
Ending on a bizarre note, we have this: “On his way home, Aether fears what his traditional family might do upon learning he is pregnant.” Yes, you read that correctly. Fanfiction has explored Aether being pregnant. This *unconventional* scenario showcases fandom creativity and interpretation diversity. It’s a ship, though perhaps one better left in fanfiction archives.
So, who is Aether shipped with? The answer seems to be just about everyone. From family ties to fiery passions, from mythological connections to fan fantasies, Aether’s romantic landscape matches Teyvat’s vastness. Whether you’re a Xiaother fan, a Venti x Aether enthusiast, or amused by a pregnant Aether concept, Genshin shipping offers a wild ride. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some fanfiction to read… for research purposes.
