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It started off as a happy mistake.
Klee had somehow gotten into his office again and broke one of his test tubes this time. Quite a shame, really. It’s not that they’re irreplaceable, far from it actually. It’s just that it meant he had to personally go out of the house in the middle of a very busy week during this semester in college, and he didn’t have the time for that.
“Just buy online.” He remembered his roommate, Kaeya, mentioning it offhandedly.
“I doubt people sell test tubes there.”
“You’d be surprised by the amount of crazy shit being sold there, boomer.”
“I’m guessing your eyepatch is one of them.”
“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it.”
And so he did. He downloaded the first e-commerce application he saw, registered his personal details and searched for some test tubes. The quickest and easiest way to let big corporations steal your data for their own profit, yes, he detests giving his personal information for free — but god forbid, there was somewhat an unlimited stock of test tubes of different varieties, ready to be purchased without him having to leave the comfort of his home.
As per Kaeya’s advice, he chose the brand with the highest ratings with a cheap price tag and ordered for next day delivery at a higher price, and so far, it was really convenient for him. Maybe a little too convenient. But then again, the system of it all farmed consumer information for leech-sucking capitalists.
It was supposed to be a one-time thing that wasn’t supposed to happen again to avoid giving more information about himself as a customer and a person, but it seems like the capitalists had already found him, studied him and learned more about him than he ever knew himself because when he opened the front door to receive his parcel, a cute delivery guy about his age was waiting for him on his front porch.
He had long honey-gold braided hair that seemed to make him glow more as the rays of sunset shone like a beacon that made his warm amber eyes appear lighter — and his eyelashes even longer.
“Good afternoon, sir. Is Mr. Kreideprinz home?” The boy waved his hand in front of Albedo’s face before remembering where he was.
Albedo blinked. “‘Albedo’ is fine.”
The cute delivery guy grinned. “Glad to know he’s doing alright but I’m here to deliver a package for him.”
“Oh,” Albedo pursed his lips. “I meant please call me Albedo.”
“Sounds fitting for someone who ordered test tubes. Well then, you can call me Aether.” The delivery guy – Aether – said, and Albedo couldn’t help but appreciate how his name suited him.
“Is there something wrong with ordering test tubes?”
“Never said there was. It’s rather… refreshing, if you will. This is my first time delivering test tubes.” Aether explained, “Before I forget, please sign here to receive your package.” He handed him a tablet from behind.
After Albedo signed, he gave back the tablet in exchange for his parcel. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” Aether tilted his cap and gave him a wink before leaving his front porch.
Albedo might be a novice when it comes to online shopping, but he was certain that wasn’t a normal thing people usually do. Not that he minded. Not really.
Was addressing your delivery guy by his first name a norm for receiving online deliveries?
Maybe he was staring a bit longer than what’s considered to be normal when receiving a package. Not that he would know. It was his first time ordering online, and probably would not the last time like he had originally anticipated. The capitalists were probably laughing at him right now because they knew what his type was and they delivered. Literally.
So he closed his front door and clutched the box with his life, wondering if this was the first and last time he’d get to have Aether as a delivery person again.
On his second time around, Albedo learned that his neighborhood had been assigned with the same delivery person. That did nothing to discourage him from continuing his endeavors.
“Another package for the one and only Mr. Kreideprinz in this neighborhood.”
“I can’t be the only one with that surname.”
Aether squinted his eyes at the paper attached to the box. “It’s your third order of test tubes this week and it’s only Saturday.”
“My little sister loves breaking them.” Albedo said instead. Aether didn’t need to know that Klee only broke a test tube once, which prompted his first order. It’s not his fault he can’t stop ordering them in case Klee breaks another one. One can never be too sure.
“That must be very unfortunate for you.”
“It is indeed.”
“Looking forward to giving you another set next week.” Aether chuckled as Albedo signed off his package.
“That’s most likely going to be the case.”
And he was going to make sure it would be. Another set of test tubes from the same store was already pending on his cart, waiting to be processed.
Maybe discovering the beauty of online shopping was a mistake. Even more so when he has the same cute delivery guy knocking on his door with his parcel at hand, without fail.
“This is getting ridiculous. You know that, right?” He heard Kaeya say as he carried the box of test tubes down the hall.
“Which part of it is?”
“The part where you’re not asking him out on a date yet when he clearly has you on a chokehold already.” Kaeya explained, prompting Albedo to scoff at such an accusation. Him? On a chokehold? Such an outlandish thought.
“That, my friend, is a very baseless and unfounded theory. What makes you think I’m into him?” Albedo challenged, but clearly that wasn’t the correct thing to do because Kaeya raised an eyebrow in amusement. His lips pulled into a smirk as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Kaeya nudged his head towards the direction of the box on Albedo’s arms. The gesture only made Albedo suddenly hug it a little more protectively.
“Ordering test tubes online is not a good basis of assumption.”
Kaeya only sighed. “You don’t even need the test tubes. Admit it, you’re only ordering them because you like seeing the attractive delivery guy three times a week.”
Albedo was silent for a moment, pondering at his friend’s words. He furrowed his eyebrows and squinted his eyes at his roommate.
“So you find him attractive?” He asked, surprising himself with how low his voice got.
“Oh my fucking god.” Kaeya covered his face with his own hands and groaned. “Just ask him out. Trust me, it will save you a lot of money.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Albedo said with a voice on a normal octave before he climbed up the stairs.
He needed the test tubes, yes. He’s not that into Aether as of the moment. So what if he’s cute and quite the charmer? Definitely not into him. Definitely.
Albedo continued his mental mantra as he walked up to his office, ready to add another addition to his collection, only to see his shelf filled with rows and rows of unused and definitely unbroken test tubes no longer had the capacity to accommodate his new set of order.
Maybe Kaeya was onto something. Maybe he should stop this madness. His little happy crush on the cute delivery guy was getting out of hand.
But then again, was he truly willing to give up seeing those warm pair of amber eyes and charming smile — whose owner consistently brightens up his day with a short chat about his unhealthy fixation on test tubes? Okay, maybe he wasn’t ready to give up online shopping just yet. Not ready to give up his few minutes with Aether just yet.
Might as well make the most out of deliberately letting the capitalists steal his information right underneath his nose.
“A new shelf?” Aether asked as he carefully lifted the DIY shelf and placed it by the door frame.
“I thought a little redecorating was needed.” Albedo shrugged while looking at the huge box like it was the most amusing thing he’s seen the whole day. Otherwise his traitorous brain would’ve wondered how toned Aether’s arms are right now underneath that uniform when he was lifting the shelf. His stature might be average but damn the man can lift—
“No longer a fan of test tubes, I see.” Aether’s voice interrupted him, making Albedo look down to avoid his eyes like he was caught red-handed with sudden thoughts.
He hummed in contemplation after gathering his wits back. “They’re still on my cart.” He chose to say. With the new shelf, he now had the space needed to welcome his new sets of test tubes in the future.
“Do you need help carrying it inside?”
“Only if you’re not busy.”
“Don’t worry about my schedule. This is my last delivery for the day.” Aether, the angel, gave him a gleeful smile too bright for Albedo’s poor little traitorous heart to handle.
“Alright.” He simply replied as he pondered over a simple yet valuable piece of information from their conversation.
Late afternoon was the most convenient time for Aether. Maybe he would take note of that for future purposes. Date purposes, hopefully.
“Need help?” Kaeya’s voice rang in the hall with an annoying grin on his stupid face.
“We’re all good, thank you.” Albedo pressed because no way he was letting Kaeya ruin this for him. Thankfully, that was enough to get rid of Kaeya, but not without his signature annoying look on his face.
“Sorry about my roommate.” Albedo said as Aether readied to pick the other end of the box.
“S’alright.” Aether said as they carried the surprisingly heavy box into the house.
“We can put it here for the meantime. I’ll make my roommate carry it to my room later.” Albedo said as he brought the box down on the floor, placing it in front of the staircase.
Aether let out a small chuckle that Albedo indulged himself to listen to. “We can save your roommate the trouble by carrying it to your room together, if you want.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll manage.” Albedo said. The last thing he needed was for Aether to see the test tubes he had unintentionally collected. That, and he also didn’t want to bother Aether any longer with physically demanding tasks such as carrying heavy boxes with him. Not that he’d be opposed to doing other physically demanding activities with him.
“If you insist.” Aether said with a small smile directed towards Albedo.
He didn’t know where his sudden infatuation on Aether looking happy and cheerful came from, but he was willing to take it as a sign to heed Kaeya’s words by asking Aether out.
“Thank you for the package. And for helping me carry it inside.”
“Of course. Anything for you.” Aether said, prompting Albedo’s heart to swell.
“Aether, you mentioned that you’re done for today. I mean, done delivering your packages for today.” Albedo cleared his throat before scratching the back of his neck. “I was wondering if you’d want to… maybe have dinner. With me, I mean. Tonight. Just the two of us, like a date. Well, not a date date, I mean, you don’t have to, but... you know, since you’re technically off duty right now because you’ve delivered your daily packages and I figured—” His rambling mouth was stopped when he felt Aether’s hands wrap around his wrists.
Albedo stared at them before looking at the face of their owner. Like a sun, Aether’s smile shone bright and warmly at him, making him practically melt on his feet as he stared at his eyes.
“I’d love to go on a date with you tonight.” Aether whispered. “But only if you stop ordering test tubes.”
Something clicked in Albedo’s brain, telling him that Aether knew all along why he was ordering an ungodly amount of test tubes the whole time.
The way Aether gazed at him confirmed his suspicion.
“You drive a hard bargain.” Albedo sighed. “But that can be arranged.”
He had to say goodbye to the test tubes at some point — more so now that Aether saw right through him, — but it didn’t mean that he’s completely banned from online shopping. After all, he still needed an excuse to see Aether during his shift.
Maybe he should buy Kaeya an eyepatch online as a form of thanks.