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Aether had a problem.
Or at least, that's how his sister would describe it.
Normally, being a college student and all, people would assume that meant something classes related. Tests, assignments, old teachers who would think they are better than you in every way just because they are triple your age. Hell, at least money management should be classified as one of his core struggles.
But no, Lumines definition of a problem, includes a pair of captivating and beautiful, teal-blue eyes.
"You are being too obvious you know." she would always say to him at least once a week, her knowing tone always with a touch of amusement.
Aether pretended to not understand what she meant each time from his usual spot by the counter.
For the past month or so, Aether had found himself, coincidentally, in this exact spot every day. The little coffee shop he had claimed as his daily morning stop wasn't anything too fancy. Cosy with plenty of plants, all well trimmed outside, and its white-cream walls on the inside. Prices affordable for any broke college student and most importantly, with free WiFi. The atmosphere was always warming and welcoming, perfect for whenever Aether wanted a place to study that wasn't his crumped-up dorm room.
But Lumine wouldn't have it that any of the reasons above were why he choose this specific place.
"You like it too though!" he complained with a pout, not even pretending to read the book in his hands anymore.
From next to him, Lumine lifted an eyebrow, the drink in her hands finished long ago from now. "Yeah, I do. It's cheap, it's close by. But I haven't been stealing your cookies ever since I learned how to walk to not know when you have a crush on someone."
And here it goes again.
Somehow, Lumine had developed this idea her brother was head over heels with one of the bartenders of this very exact coffee shop. Which was absurd, in Aethers opinion.
Sure, he talks a lot with him whenever Aether has the time to visit during his working hours -which he learned coincidentally-, but that didn't mean he liked him. Aether talks with a lot of people, why would it make him any different?
"It's not a crush."
"Then what is it?"
Like routine, Aether flipped another page, playing ignorance at his sister's accusations.
"I just want to be friends with him."
"Him," the smug smile on Lumines lips could never mean good."So you have someone in mind."
Aether stopped his movements, staring dumbfounded at the girl next to him, looking like a deer caught in streetlights as he blinked with his mouth slightly agape.
"That's cheating. You have asked the exact thing about Albedo before," he complained with a whine.
"And yet I never clarified name nor gender."
"I don't like this game."
As Lumine gave her signature giggle of victory, Aether found his focus shifting away from the conversation. Sure, he acted upset and all, but he couldn't deny that it was as if this conversation ran on loop for the past few weeks. Except today, something seemed to be missing.
For the better or the worse, Lumine had noticed it too.
"Haven't seen your knight in white armour yet?" she peered at Aether's troubled expression, the teasing glint in her eye never leaving.
"He is not-"
"Ah right, you probably see him more as a prince. You always wanted to be the knight."
"I'm never buying you coffee again."
"But then you will run out of excuses to come here."
Not giving Lumine the satisfaction of a response, Aether sighed, slugging against the counter in defeat when he couldn't find the blond bartender anywhere.
"You can just ask the other workers here. His name was Albedo, right?" Lumine decided to show some pity, trying to help Aether as she began looking around as well.
"It's fine. We should probably get going for classes anyways." he tried not to sound too bumped out as he slowly packed his bag. They already have been there for two hours. Despite his exaggerated responses from before, he could admit at the very least that not seeing Albedo kicked down his mood ever so slightly. There was a feeling in the back of his mind that something important was today ever since this morning.
"They are in one hour." Lumine shifted from her seat, confusion written all over her as she watched her brother stand up.
"It's alright. Besides, mister Zhongli shows up earlier than he should most of the time anyway." With a shrug of a shoulder, Aether began his way out, head lost in thought as he tried to understand what this odd feeling he had ever since this morning might be.
ding ding
Aether barely had the time to react before he walked head first on something firm, recoiling back from the impact. With a quiet wince of pain, he quickly tried to stand upright, a hand rubbing the dull ache now thumping in his head.
"So sorry-" Aether's began before his words died in his tongue as soon as he glanced up. A pair of familiar blue eyes meeting golden.
"Albedo?"
The man in question gave an awkward wave.
"Hello, Aether." Albedo spoke with an apologetic smile, collecting himself from where he almost fell from the collision between them. He didn't look upset at all thankfully, which relaxed Aethers nerves tremendously.
But this situation led to some other dilemmas.
"I didn't think I would run into you. Literally." Aether tried to joke with a light chuckle, feeling his cheeks heating up from the odd situation.
"I work here?" Albedo asked a little confused, his eyebrow lifting ever so slightly as he now faced the other boy properly.
"Oh! I mean-" Aether could feel embarrassment starting to creep up under his skin even more. "You are not wearing your uniform?"
His statement ended more as a question, but Albedo didn't seem to mind. His confusion turned into a small amused smile, and Aether had to internally smack himself before he ended up staring at Albedo's soft and gentle expression a minute too long.
"The manager wanted to give me the day off."
"Albedo!" As if on cue, a new voice cut the others explanation short. A taller woman storming from the kitchen, displeasure written on her face as she walked over to the duo.
"I told you no working on your birthday. Why are you here?" Aether felt himself stand at attention at the strict tone, the aura of authority coming out of the woman making him feel like he is in school all over again. Carefully, he glanced over at Albedo, who seemed completely calm despite the strong tone used to address him. Surely the bartender couldn't get in trouble for something like this?
Wait, birthday? Then the feeling Aether this morning had was right?
"Don't worry, Miss Jean. I'm coming as a customer."
It was as if Jeans body language hit a switch at the simple sentence.
"Oh." She spoke quietly, giving the two a remorseful smile, her shoulders relaxing to a more friendly stance. Dazed by the immediate change, Aether could only follow quietly as she signalled the duo to a free table. "Then it's on the house. What would you two like?"
"Me?" Aether asked flustered, a bit taken aback by the offer. Did Jean assume they were-
"A strawberry parfait and a slice of chocolate cake." Albedo didn't miss a beat as he placed his order, looking over at Aether with a tilt of his head. "Unless if you want something else?"
"Uh..." Aether glanced between the two blonds, looking almost bashful as he grinned. "Yeah, that sounds good."
"Right on it!" and with that, the woman disappeared once more into the back.
And with that, the two boys were left alone.
"I hope you didn't eat already." Albedo broke the silence after a long moment, granting Aether the luxury of his full attention, something very unusual considering how busy his job was.
But Aether was puzzled by something else to focus on that.
"You remember my favourite?"
Albedo seemed surprised by the question, averting his gaze for a split second. "Of course. You may have ordered it only twice but you seemed to be very open about your tastes."
Aether could only smile, "Thank you." he said, feeling honoured that Albedo managed to catch something as simple as that.
"And happy birthday! Sorry, I haven't brought you anything."
The other waved off his apology immediately. "I would be more surprised if you did. I don't think I mentioned it before."
"Although," Albedo hummed after thinking for a moment. "I do have an idea, if you would like to and if you have the time, of course."
Eager to please, Aether immediately nodded, "Sure! What is it?"
"Would you go on a date with me?"
Oh.
Oh.
"Wait you want to go on a date? With me." Aether felt could feel the blush from earlier return in full swing, although this time, it wasn't from embarrassment.
Albedo, the handsome and popular Albedo, whose voice could make anyone calm down just with a few words and ash-blond haired that made him look like a prince straight from a fairy tale, wanted to go on a date with him?
To say Aether was surprised, it would be an understatement.
Albedo must have taken his sock as uneasiness, the sudden strike of confidence dying down as concern reflected his eyes.
"Yes?" He asked, unsure. "Of course, if you don't want to-"
"I would love to." Aether blurted out immediately, not wanting an opportunity like this to pass him by. "I've actually been fancying you for a while."
Albedo sighed in relief.
"Good to know it's mutual then," Albedo chuckled lightly as he smiled once more, and Aether could feel the last of his worries melting away.
"Would five pm work for you? We can meet outside of the coffee shop."
"Sounds good," Aether spoke once more without a second thought. Even if he did have something, Aether wasn't about to let a month of pinning go to waste just because of some class he hardly cared about. What Albedo didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
"Two sweets coming right up!" a familiar voice took the duo's attention, the same woman as before, Jean, serving them their sweets before swiftly leaving to give them some privacy.
And if she gave them both a knowing look, neither of them pretended to see it.
Aether is not sure how long he was there chatting with Albedo, today's schedule long forgotten. He could only hope that Lumine didn't mind leaving by herself.
Judging by the message that met his eyes when he got back home to prepare for the official date, he didn't have to worry too much.
you owe me a pastry. have fun on your date and remember to use protection <3
Of course Lumine would eavesdrop.
i hate you
love ya too!
Despite himself, Aether beamed brightly at the messages.
Maybe breaking routine isn't bad after all.