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“Let’s end this,” Aether said, his voice quivering. “You deserve more than what I can give you.”
He was met with silence, the alchemist staring back at him with wide eyes. It hurt to see the pain in his eyes, so he bowed his head to stare at the ground. He heard the alchemist shuffle away from his work desk, light footsteps padding towards where he stood.
“Aether, look at me,” he said.
When the traveler made no move to do so, Albedo reached up to cup his face with both hands, forcing Aether to look into his cerulean eyes.
“It’s alright, Aether,” he said, stroking his cheek with his thumb, “I’ve told you before, you don’t have to worry about me. Use me as you wish.”
The tenderness and affection he was presented with made Aether’s chest hurt. He swallowed down the lump in his throat as his eyes stung with tears. His resolve was crumbling. Without another word, Albedo pulled him into an embrace, letting the traveler rest his head on his shoulder.
Silently, Aether wondered if this was truly fine. Was it really okay for him to take advantage of Albedo like that? He knew that Albedo couldn’t leave Mondstadt, but Aether himself couldn’t stay. He had to find his sister. As much as Aether wished he could cherish him the way he deserved, he just couldn’t. He’d be lying if he said he could give everything up to stay with him.
Albedo had said that he was fine with it on more than one occasion. He’d said it again even now. He knew where Aether’s priorities lay, and he was happy with as much as the traveler was willing to give, even if that meant only a few days every few months-- sometimes only just a few hours in between travels.
Aether knew the best choice for them both was to end it. He wouldn’t feel suffocated by the weight of Albedo’s feelings, and Albedo wouldn’t have to waste any more time waiting for someone who might not even stick around once he finds who he's looking for. It would hurt, but it would hurt more the longer they kept this up.
But he couldn’t bring himself to end it. Albedo was the one thing that remained constant in his life. No matter how pained and tired he was from his discoveries, Albedo was always ready to welcome Aether with open arms and shower him with sweet words and tender kisses.
He was a home Aether could always come back to, no matter what.
Aether closed his eyes, returning the embrace. He didn't want to think about it anymore.
This is fine, he told himself, This is fine.