Chapter Text
The Museum of Teyvat History is usually quite busy.
However, today it's the opposite.
As usual, Albedo sits on His Bench (for that's what the staff had taken to calling it, he had sat there so many days), sketchbook in his lap, reading The Letters and drawing the two lovers depicted in them.
He didn't know when the fascination had begun. He only knew that he was deeply interested in the tragic tale of the two lovers. None knew for sure, but the myth says that two men-- one cursed by the acts he had committed, one doomed to destroy the world-- defied all odds and fell in love by accident. They exchanged letters frequently that told the other how much they were loved and missed. This continued until the death of the doomed man, a death by his own hands-- one to prevent his fate. The other, completely shattered, lived out the rest of his days in the mountains of Liyue, and it's said that even now you can hear the weeping ghost of the man if you stay in the mountains too long.
To Albedo it's all fantasy.
Now he sketches out the weeping man, glancing up every so often to read the letters. He might as well have them memorized by now-- the beginning words were always the same, never changing: 'Beloved and Truly Adored...'
His pencil moves on its own. It sketches the hair, and the facial features, and the eyes-- oh, the eyes-- they were always captivating. He always imagines that they were a bright, curious gold...
He knows the staff will soon ask him if he was alright, as they usually do. He had even become quite close friends with one of them; Mona, the intern. But today Mona wasn't on shift. Perhaps Aether was instead.
As reliant on routines as Albedo is, he's not quite familiar with his friends' shifts at the museum. He has the general gist-- Mona on weekdays, Aether on weekends. But their exact times weren't pinned down in a note on Albedo's phone yet. He'd have to ask.
His pencil stops. He angles the sketchbook up, studying the image it had created. The man seems soft, kind, and... somehow familiar. With a smile he looks back up at The Letters. His Letters.
As he turns back to his sketching, he catches the sound of soft, muffled footprints in front of him.
He hazards a look up.
In front of him stands a hooded figure, wearing a red backpack. The figure shifts its weight as it appears to read the letters.
"Excuse me, but I believe the museum staff requests that no hoods are worn indoors."
The figure turns back to face Albedo as his voice echoes through the hall. He has a black mask pulled up over his nose, and jade-hued chunks of hair fall over his brow.
But what Albedo notices most is the eyes. They're sharp, and knowing-- the thin shape is accentuated by red eyeliner. His golden glare is catlike, darting around and avoiding direct contact.
Is it just him, or has he seen this person before?
"Hello." He sets down his sketchbook. "Pleasure meeting you. Although I can't help but feel we've done so before."
"..." the figure doesn't respond, tugging at his mask.
"Ah, well. I suppose it's just me, then. Albedo. That's-- that's what you can call me."
"...I know," the man mutters
"...Huh?"
"Aether. Told me about you." He avoids eye contact. "You aren't wrong. We must have met before."
"Ah, you know Aether?" He asks. "That's probably where I know you from. May I have your name?"
"...Xiao," he whispers, holding his hands in his pockets. "It's Xiao."
"Hm. It rings a bell, but..." Albedo looks past him towards The Letters.
"Have you read them?"
"Huh?"
"The Lovers' Letters. The ones behind you."
Xiao turns around, scanning them. "Not fully. They're written in Ancient Liyuen-- takes too long to read."
"You can read Ancient Liyuen, too?" Albedo tilts his head. "I thought it was only me."
"No. It's been in my... family for millenia."
"I see. Fascinating." Albedo opens his sketchbook again, to the page he was using. His eyes flit in between Xiao and the weeping man he had drawn.
"Hmph. How strange..." he breathed.
"What?"
"You look almost identical to my portrayal of one of the Lovers."
Xiao draws closer, staring down at the art. "Hm. You're good."
"Why, thank you."
"You're right, too. Maybe you have seen me before."
"If I did, I would have remembered how stunning your eyes are," Albedo comments. "The eyes of the Lover that I drew are too soft. Yours are... sharp."
Xiao seems flushed. "Well. I. Um. Wh-whatever. It's too close for comfort."
"I suppose it is."
Silence once again fills the hall. Acting on impulse Albedo drags Xiao by the hand down to His Bench and pulls a marker from his supply bag. If the green-haired man wasn't flushed before, he certainly is now. Though the tips of his ears are hidden under his hood, they must be a bright scarlet.
He uncaps the Sharpie, pushing up the decorated sleeve of Xiao's jacket, and scrawls something out. A string of numbers, with another number underneath it...? Under it all he writes his name.
"There. Keep in touch, will you? The first is my phone number, the second is my apartment number-- I live in the same building as Aether."
"Mm." Xiao grunts in agreement, pulling his sleeve down.
"I'm often busy with my little sister but I'd be glad to make time for you. For some reason, I can't help but feel as if we were meant to meet. It must be a trick of fate."
----------
6 p.m. That's when Alice always comes to pick him up from the museum. Typically she has to drag him away from the letters. But today she finds him standing outside.
As he hops into the car, she remarks, "Off schedule today, are we?"
"Hm? Why would you say that?"
"I usually have to drag you away from those blasted letters. But today you were standing outside."
"Hm." He pulls his feet up into the seat, his mind clearly far, far away. "I suppose so."
"'Bedo! We got you some bubble tea!" His little sister, Klee, says from behind him. She hands him the cup that she had no doubt been keeping safe the entire way there. "We got you your favorite-- honeydew tea with the kiwi popping boba."
He smiles. The green hue reminds him of the stranger he had met today, the yellow straw doing not much to help--
"I know it might be somewhat late for something so sugary, but I figured you might need it knowing how often you skip lunch, and then dinner at the museum. You haven't had anything today, have you?"
"I have," Albedo protests. "I had... uh... a granola bar this morning."
"That was almost twelve hours ago," Alice sighs. "I swear, if you don't start taking care of yourself you'll end up in the hospital again." Alice glances over at him, but he isn't paying attention. He stirs the straw around in his tea, looking off in the distance.
Alice sighs again. "Just promise me you'll eat a bowl of fruit or something when we get home."
"Mmhm." He looks down now, feet on the dash.
"Feet down," Alice fusses. "You seemed spaced out. Did something happen?"
"Nothing really. I met one of Aether's friends."
"Oh, really?" Alice raises her brows. "Which one?"
"His name is Xiao," Albedo mutters, taking a small sip of the tea.
"Hm. I don't recall hearing about him."
"Me neither. But... I don't know. There was something about him." He pulls his sketchbook from his bag and opens it to the page he had sketched on. "I can't place it but he seems so familiar, though I've never met him."
Alice smiles. "You know, they say that true soulmates, as soon as they meet, will recognize each other from past lives. Perhaps..."
"No," Albedo says. "I'm too busy to think of silly romantic wives' tales."
"Mm," is all Alice replies with. Klee takes this as a chance to start babbling on about her day.
Albedo's phone pings. Checking it he sees a message:
Unknown Number:
Xiao from museum
He snorts quietly.
Albedo:
That's certainly one way to introduce yourself over text.
Xiao:
Is this the right number
Albedo:
Indeed. This is Albedo.
Xiao:
Ok
Not knowing what to say next, Albedo snaps a quick picture of the sketch and puts his sketchbook away.
Albedo:
[1 attatchment]
I thought you'd like to keep a version of the sketch.
Xiao:
Thank you
I like it
Albedo:
I hope it encourages you to read The Letters. I have a translation PDF that I'm working on currently. If you'd like to read that, it has about half of the letters translated.
Xiao:
Ok
Send
Albedo:
[1 File Attachment]
Xiao:
Cool
With family at the moment will read later
Albedo:
Alright. Feel free to text or call me whenever.
[Read 6:12 p.m.]
He shuts off his phone and crosses his arms, staring out the window.
"Tea. Drink it," Alice insisted. "I don't know whose text is making you smile like an idiot, but it's not more important than your health."
"I am not smiling like an idiot."
Alice smiled. "Of course, if that's what you think."
----------
Almost as soon as Albedo sits down on his couch at home, drawing tablet in his hand, the front door all but slams open.
"Aether," he welcomes his friend, not even looking up. The golden-haired boy had been doing this since freshman year of high school; he had gotten used to it.
Is Alice here? He asks, hanging up his coat. Albedo nods.
Tell her I say hello, Aether insists, his signs looser than they typically are around other people.
"Alice, Aether is here," Albedo yells down the hallway. "He says hello."
"Hello!" She yells back.
Aether pops down on the couch, bouncing a little as he does. What are you doing?
"Drawing," Albedo replies dryly. "As I always am."
Your brace?
Albedo rolls his eyes. "I'm getting better. I don't need it anymore."
Did the doctor say so?
Not one to argue with Aether, Albedo sighs and goes to grab the brace from his room. His carpal tunnel surely must be nearly gone now-- it's been months since the initial diagnosis. But, since his friend insisted... it wouldn't hurt to put it on.
Settling down on the couch again, Albedo pays close attention as Aether goes on about his day. Difficult test here, situation with Paimon at school there, having to bring Lumine lunch only to drop it right before getting it to her... it seems like he really needs a break.
Like fate was trying to stop me, or something, he says, sighing as he sits back. Like I did something to make the universe mad.
"I don't know what that could be, though," Albedo mentions, looking back down at his drawing tablet. "You're about as good as a person can get."
Am not.
"Are too." He sets down the tablet, crossing his arms over his midsection. "You're literally friends with everybody. Speaking of which-- you know someone named Xiao, right?"
Yes. Why? Aether seems to be paying closer attention now.
"Well, I met him today. At the museum."
Aether holds his hand to his chin. Why the museum? He's not usually there.
Albedo shrugs. "I don't know. But we talked a bit."
Did anything else happen? Aether seems smug now.
"Well, I gave him my number--"
Aether stops him, waving his hands excitedly. His signs become slurred with excitement. You did? Really?
"Yes--"
He doesn't make friends easily, and doesn't really like to be touched, either-- you're going to get along great!
"Oh." Albedo feels a bit guilty for dragging the poor man by his hand, and then writing on him without permission.
Alice makes her way down the hallway, apparently having finished whatever she was working on in her office. "Good evening, Aether. Nice to see you."
You too, Aunt Alice.
She smiles. "'Bedo, would you two like a late dinner?"
"Yes, ma'am. Just a bowl of fruit for me. I'm sure Aether would enjoy something a bit more substantial though."
Aether nods his head fervently, and Alice laughs. As she begins to cook, Klee comes down the hallway, holding her tablet in her hand. Her bare feet, nearly covered by her pajama pants, barely make a sound as she pushes her way onto the couch and snuggles up beside Aether.
Hello Klee, Aether says. How was your day?
Klee hesitates for a moment, before setting the tablet down and signing something back to him slowly. Very good.
Aether smiles, signing back Yay! and Good job! Klee wraps her arms around him, smiling as well. Albedo gives them a sideways glance.
"It's almost like you're her brother, not me," Albedo says, putting down the drawing tablet.
Jealous? Aether smiles, pulling his phone out. Klee tugs on his sleeve.
"Can we play the game?" She holds up her tablet. "I need help."
Aether nods, signing something to Albedo (knowing Klee won't understand it).
"He wants to know what you need help with."
"The water cube guy. I don't have any good guys to fight it with..."
Aether makes a little 'oh' motion with his mouth. He nods and turns his phone sideways.
"What even is that game, Aether?" Albedo asks.
Jenshin Impact, he replies quickly. I'm surprised you don't play it. One of the heroes is based on that Lover guy you talk about.
"Oh, really?"
All of the characters are from old Teyvat history. Or mythology, I guess. It's probably not super correct but I think it's pretty close.
"Maybe I'll have to join you then."
"Noooo!" Klee yells, throwing her head back into the couch as she does. "It's me and Aether's game!"
"Now, now; Klee," Alice tuts from the kitchen, "if your brother wants to play with you, he can."
Klee pouts. Aether smiles and pats her on the head.
Albedo's phone chimes.
Xiao
Are you at home
He tilts his head a little, then responds.
Albedo
Yes. Why?
Xiao
Just wanted to make sure you got home okay
Albedo
Yes. My mother and sister picked me up. But thank you, that's sweet.
Xiao
How old is your sister
Albedo
She's seven. Why?
Xiao
My youngest sister is 8
I was just wondering
Maybe they could be friends or something
Albedo
Ha, are you just saying that to try to get to see me more often?
Xiao
No
Maybe
I don't know
Albedo
Well, no need to use your sister as an excuse. You can just come over any time.
Xiao
If I do I know I won't hear the end of it from my older sister
Albedo
How many siblings do you have?
Xiao
Just 3
The youngest is 8, the second is 16, and the oldest is 25
Albedo
And you're nineteen, I'm guessing. As am I.
Xiao
Yeah
Albedo
Do you attend college as well?
Xiao
Online yeah
Dont like going to in person classes
Rather stay home
Albedo
Well, then; that must be why I haven't seen you around campus.
Xiao
Yeah
My sisters kind of need me here
If I weren't here all day Ganyu would have to take care of everything herself and she's already stressed enough
So really I'm helping
Albedo
If you don't mind my prying, why is she so stressed?
Xiao
She's the secretary for the president of some important company
Oh and she's also planning a wedding
Albedo
Oh. Congratulations.
Xiao
I guess
Albedo
Are you not fond of her fiancé?
Xiao
Shes kind of scary
But I deal with it to make Ganyu happy
Albedo
How thoughtful. You seem like a good brother.
Xiao
I try
Speaking of which, I just got home
Talk with you later
Albedo
Alright, Xiao. Take care.
----------
"Alice, Aether would like to know if he can spend the night." Albedo sets the dishes from their late dinner in the sink. "He's already told his sister."
"Well, if she knows where he is, then he's welcome," she smiles. Klee went to bed a while ago-- she always gets tired so early.
Thanks, Aunt Alice.
"Don't mention it; you're always great company. And you know how lonely our dear Albedo gets at night," she teases. Albedo flusters.
Aether shakes his head in disagreement. You're always trying to set me up with him, he complained. But if he--
"No," Albedo covers Aether's hands with his. "No. You can stop right there."
Alice giggles. "Aether, 'Bedo's got some old t-shirts that are far too big on him in the spare room. You can change into one of those. And you two, don't stay up very late."
"Yes, ma'am." Albedo gets up, leaving his friend at the table.
Once Aether is changed, he sits down on the bed next to Albedo (who's changed into a sweatshirt and a pair of shorts).
You're always quick to brush off romance in general, Albedo, Aether notes, facing the ceiling.
"That's because I don't care for it."
Your novel collection says otherwise. Oh, and those texts you send me every time a new fictional character captures your heart.
Albedo flusters. "Well-- well, fiction is seperate from reality. I just-- I don't think romance is for me, is all."
Which would be fine, Aether agrees. But that's not true for you, is it?
"... You scare me."
That's my job. Now answe the damn question.
"...I don't know," Albedo confides. "I don't know anything about romance and it scares me. I don't know who or what I find attractive-- I don't even have a label, unlike you... How do you always know what you want, Aether? I might have overcome the gender struggle-- but I have no idea where that leaves me now."
Aether smiles. It's fine to not know. Do you think that everyone knows who they are as soon as they're born? It takes years, and years, and years to find out what works. I've been all over the place, literally and romantically-- and I just recently figured out what feels right. But until that happens for you, don't worry about it. Let your feelings guide you, not your logic.
"And what if Alice thinks it's strange?"
Albedo, as much as I love you, and as smart as you are-- He flicks him on the side of the head-- she literally gave you the money you needed for your top surgery for your eighteenth birthday, and bought you your flag. She even tries to set you up with me. Do you really think she'd reject you?
"...I see." He shakes his head. "I guess mistrust is built into me, yeah?"
Aether rolls his eyes. Please, O EdgeLord, spare me your soliloquy. Now, can we shut up and go to sleep?
"If you want." Albedo turns off the lights. "Sleep well."
----------
The air is cold, and snow is drifting from the sky; but for whatever reason, Albedo has no coat.
Albedo often sees the snow-covered mountains in his dreams. He dreams of a warm workshop, with a fire blazing in the midst...
But tonight, the dream is different.
He struggles his way through the thick white snow, blinded by the flurry. Why was he out here? What was he doing?
"You're going to freeze if you keep this up," a familiar voice says from behind.
He spins.
Words not his own tumble from his mouth. "Darling, there you are. I was searching for you."
The man(?) crosses his arms, smiling. "You need but call me. I've told you this before."
"I did call you, and then you didn't show up."
"Perhaps I was busy."
"You asshole."
"Regardless--" the man takes Albedo casually by the waist, sending a strange sensation up his spine. "You really shouldn't be out here in the weather, without your coat no less."
Again, as if he was but a mannequin, he speaks: "Why don't you stay and keep me warm?"
The man pulls his polearm from thin air. "While that sounds so fascinating, I must decline. Zhongli and I already agreed to meet today. I will certainly be back later, though."
"Fine..."
With a dark flash, the two appear back at the campsite he so often dreams of.
In the light of the fire, Albedo gets a better look at the person. His jade hair falls over his brow, and his angular cat-like eyes were alight with amusement.
Xiao...?
Weirded out by this revelation, Albedo attempts to move backward-- but as if he was not in control of his body, he does not move. "Will you at least say goodbye? I get so lonely up here, surely you know."
Xiao smiles now, a beautiful and sweet sight. "I have better decorum than that."
He gets closer, and closer, till Albedo can feel his warm breath on his face--
----------
Albedo jolts awake, startled by a noise in the kitchen. The place beside him was empty-- Aether must be getting something to drink.
He notices now how... unnervingly warm he felt. What was Xiao doing in his dream? And why had they addressed each other so warmly, as if they were...
...Was he genuinely going crazy, or maybe he was just thinking about The Letters too much...
His stomach seems to do flips as he pulls out his phone. It's one in the morning-- was Xiao a night owl, maybe? Perhaps he should--
No. That's weird. That's not something people do. 'Hey, person I just met! Guess what? I had a dream, and you kissed me in it! How crazy is that?'
He opens the Notes app, and quickly jots down the dream.
Xiao (Museum guy) found me in a snowstorm. Somehow ended up at usual campsite. He kissed me?
Albedo's life completely revolves on routine. He had never been one to dream journal, but when something broke the routine this much... well...
Aether comes back into the room, holding a cup. He sets it down on the nightstand. Sorry. Thirsty. Are you okay? You were trembling.
"It's nothing," Albedo whispers. "Everything's under control."
Aether shrugs, sitting back on the bed and tucking himself back in. Within moments, he was asleep again.
Albedo turns to his side. Eventually, his mind (and heart) stop racing, and he allows himself to fall asleep once more.