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After an eventful day involving stowaway bards, stolen novels, and cryptic poems, Albedo prepares to get some well-needed rest in his room at Ritou Inn. Klee is dutifully asleep next door, totally knocked out after having had an equally exciting day herself (thankfully not involving explosions). Just as Albedo is about to settle himself into bed, a soft knock on his screen door calls for his attention.
“Yes?” he answers. An unknown visitor. He isn’t sure who would be looking for him at this hour. Perhaps someone from Yae Publishing House?
“It’s me,” a familiar voice answers, and a head of golden hair pokes into the room as the door slides open. Aether gives him a sunny grin as he invites himself into Albedo’s room, a certain floating fairy conspicuously absent. “Hey,” the traveler greets. Albedo doesn’t miss the way Aether takes a second to let his golden eyes roam up and down the alchemist’s figure as he takes in the sight of him in Inazuman robes.
Albedo can’t help but feel a little flustered at the traveler openly checking him out like this, the action bringing a faint blush upon his cheek. However, he has to admit Aether himself looks dazzling as well. The traveler also elected to dress in traditional garb, the white and gold of the traveler’s robes perfectly complimenting his eyes and hair, making him look even more otherworldly. The obi tied loosely around his waist also helps accentuate his slim figure, and does no good for Albedo’s imagination.
“What brings you here at this time of day, Aether?” Albedo asks plainly, gesturing for the other man to make himself comfortable. “I’m sure you are a very busy person.”
Aether takes a seat on the tatami next to Albedo. He snorts at Albedo’s overly polite response. “It’s the middle of the night, Albedo. What business do I have at this time?”
Albedo shrugs. “I’m sure there’s always a troubled citizen somewhere that requires your help.” It was probably true, anyway.
Aether rolls his eyes. “What if I just want to see my favorite chief alchemist?” He looks at Albedo with a sly smile.
Albedo scoffs. He stares right back at Aether, pointedly meeting the traveler’s teasing gaze. “You saw him plenty today, I recall.”
Albedo has a sudden memory of an interaction from earlier today. “Miss me?”
Aether laughs lowly. He scoots closer to Albedo, leaning in and sticking his face in close. The alchemist is still resolutely staring at the traveler, now only inches away. “Sure I did, but what if I wanted to see him in private? What if I wanted some time with him all to myself?”
Albedo huffs, pretending to act indifferent and failing miserably. “Then I guess you now have what you want.” Truthfully, he had missed the traveler dearly ever since he had left for Inazuma. It had taken him all his willpower not to embrace Aether as soon as he stepped off the ship.
Aether’s face is only inches from his own, and Albedo can feel his breath lightly brushing his skin. His eyes meet Aether’s, and they’re so close Albedo feels that if he looks any longer, he might drown in liquid gold. Albedo brings his hand up to cup the side of the traveler’s face, and closes the distance.
Their lips meet for the first time in a long time, and Albedo relishes in the sensation. Aether tastes sweet like he remembers, but with a hint of something foreign. Nevertheless, Albedo thinks he could savor it for hours.
Their kiss is long and languid. Aether brings his hands up to bury them in the alchemist’s hair. He tugs on his braid, and Albedo can't help but groan, heat shooting up his stomach. In turn, Albedo presses himself closer to the traveler as if any distance is too much. They stay like that, basking in the sensation of each other until they run out of breath.
“I really, really, missed you,” Aether sighs into Albedo’s mouth when he pulls apart.
“Aether, not a day goes by where I don’t think about you,” Albedo says earnestly, gently repositioning them so Aether’s back is pressed against the woven bamboo floor. He means it, too. Ever since Aether had visited him for the first time on the frigid mountainside of Dragonspine, Albedo has found himself insatiable for the traveler’s presence. Aether was extraordinary, a star from another world, and Albedo had never in his life felt so drawn towards anyone or anything like this. At first it was pure fascination, a desire to figure out the unknown through experimentation and research, but over time it had grown into something more.
(He would never forget the first time they kissed. They were at Albedo's camp in Dragonspine, Aether having stopped by to warm up while hunting monsters in the area. Albedo had taken this chance to ask the traveler for some more experiments, and Aether had graciously agreed.
Aether was seated at the fire, seemingly engaging in a conversation with Paimon, and Albedo was turned away from him, preparing the concoction he wanted Aether to drink. He couldn't help but occasionally glance at the traveler, noticing how Aether still managed to look beautiful and otherworldly even when his hair was damp from the snow. He chastised himself mentally and returned to his work.
A few minutes later, Albedo still concentrating on his boiling flask when he heard the rustle of clothes behind him. "Albedo."
Aether's voice was awfully close, and the traveler's hand brushed Albedo's where it lay at his side. "Yes, Aether?" Albedo questioned, his voice calm but his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't turn around to face the traveler, not wanting him to see the flush making its way up his face.
"Albedo, can you turn around?"
Albedo did, and he was met with the traveler's face. Aether looked embarrassed and unsure about something, but he cleared his throat and there was a resolute glint in his golden eyes. Paimon had seemingly disappeared to… wherever she went when she disappeared. "I'm gonna do something now, and I want you to stop me if you don't like it."
"Aether, what-" Lips were on his before he could finish his sentence.
It wasn't the best kiss in history, but to be kissed by Aether felt like finally getting a taste of the sun and stars.
It was seemingly such a mundane setting, but the traveler had kissed him, and in all the years of his artificial life, it just felt so right.)
Propping himself up with his elbows, he peppers kisses down Aether’s neck with a newfound surge of affection, brimming with satisfaction when the traveler squirms under his touch. “You’re truly a jeopardy to my work.”
“H-ha,” Aether counters, albeit a bit weakly. “I think about you every day, too, if it wasn’t already obvious.”
Albedo doesn’t doubt that; he saw how the traveler kept stealing glances at him all throughout their investigation during the day, and even more so now that they were alone. However, he thinks it would be fun to tease him a little.
“Really?” Albedo asks skeptically. His hands coax the traveler down so that his head is resting in Albedo’s lap. Aether makes a noise of contentment as the alchemist starts stroking his hair. “It is of little secret that the infamous traveler has garnered a fair share of admirers during his journey in Teyvat. I wouldn’t blame you if someone else has caught your eye.”
“Of course not!” The traveler flushes red and whines indignantly, offended that Albedo would even dare to voice such a notion. “While it is true there have been some—ahem—more obvious attraction towards me from certain people, you’re the only one I want.” Aether stares up at Albedo through his long lashes, golden hair perfectly framing his large starry eyes.
Albedo only hums contemplatively, hand moving on its own as he tucks a strand of hair behind Aether’s ear. He struggles to keep a smile off his face, seeing the traveler so defensive about his love for him.
“It’s true!” Aether huffs. He notices Albedo’s growing smile and his eyes widen. “You’re just teasing me now!”
Albedo can only feign ignorance. “I would never, dear Aether.”
“You’re terrible,” Aether groans, and moves himself away from Albedo’s lap, huffing. Albedo is jarred by the sudden lack of warmth.
“No, wait,” he calls out. Albedo grabs the traveler’s arm as the other begins to stand up, attempting to stop him from leaving. Aether relaxes at the skin contact, pliant as he allows Albedo to pull him down so they’re both laying on their sides on the soft mat facing each other. “I don’t mean it, truly. But you are fun to tease.”
Aether only pouts, and what else can a weak man like Albedo do but kiss it off his pretty face?
The way Aether’s hair slightly glows in the dim-lit hotel room reminds Albedo that the traveler is truly one of a kind, and he feels so lucky to have him in his arms, and only his.
—
Much later, when their robes are strewn haphazardly across the floor and their limbs tangled together, Albedo’s fingers delicately and reverently trace the scars adorning Aether's bare chest, accumulated through countless battles. The object of his admiration sighs in content, eyelids fluttering. Albedo's artificial heart has never ached like this.
“Stay the night?” Albedo asks softly.
The traveler says nothing, but as he feels the press of soft lips to the mark on his throat, he knows the answer.