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The view of Stormbearer peaks is no doubt a pleasant sight, but Albedo can’t help but feel a gnawing emptiness growing inside of him. His paintbrush sways back and forth rhythmically, his creative prowess letting the horizon take shape on his canvas. With every stroke, with every slight of his brush Albedo’s hand urged to hold something else—not to hold the paintbrush but to hold the soft curve of Aether’s jawline, the dip between his stomach and his hip, every rise of knuckle on his hand.
Aether was away, traveling the distant islands of Inazuma. Albedo has heard varied tales from the people of Mondstadt of what Inazuma is like. He’s heard it’s stuck under an unyielding dictatorship, along with no freedom to wield a vision. He can’t help but be concerned for Aether, after all the time they’ve spent together.
Albedo and Aether have taken to a more romantic relationship after their trip to Liyue together—you could even say they were dating. They spent surplus hours together after that trip talking together or just going on fun excursions. Aether was a stubborn, adventurous, and beautiful soul. Albedo thanked the Archons every day that he had the privilege to cherish it.
The Knights had assigned him with harvesting some stock for his projects he was running low on; lizard's tails, frogs, etc. Albedo agreed like he does every time. They always praise him and thank him for being considerate, but what they don’t need to know is that Albedo never goes to collect ingredients without his paintbrush and easel. Was he collecting ingredients at all? Nobody knows.
The Stormbearer peak was clear today, with only a few spotty clouds dotting the cerulean sky. The weather was cooperative, except for the occasional gust of wind that would tousle his hair sporadically and take the lighter paint brushes with it. Albedo stepped back a bit to appreciate his handwork, he tried to add a small amount of blue to the grass for shadow, the color worked well for emphasis.
Albedo would often take aside a spare evening and put his creativity to good work. Aether and Albedo have been building up a habit of sending letters and trinkets they find endearing back and forth. Aether is less of a creative type than Albedo, though he can write a compelling letter. Albedo enjoys penning up a letter for Aether, then adding a small Knick-knack. whether it be a bookmark he hand-painted, a small hairpin he found, or a new novel he thought Aether would enjoy. Aether would always dramatically narrate his adventures in Inazuma and sometimes would give Albedo a trinket to take home.
Each and every letter Albedo kept physically and in his heart. Albedo has never felt longing before, but ever since Aether left it’s been a feeling all too familiar.
-
Albedo opens his newest letter carefully, trying not to completely ruin the envelope. Aether has been gone for months now, and Albedo has been alone for most of his life—but once you’ve gotten a glimpse of what you’ve been missing, it’s hard to return to the way you were. He’s currently taking a break from working at his own laboratory at the Knights Headquarters and decided to take a respite in his Dragonspine camp. The cold and crisp wind blows in, shuffling the paper in his hands. Albedo reads the letter, a small smile on his face. Aethers handwriting is blocky and full of character, every letter could be stacked on the other.
-
Dear Albedo,
What is your opinion of festivals? You know, I’ve always wanted to go to the Windblume Festival with you—they always have good food there, good beer, and good music. We should go! Anyways, yesterday I went to this cool festival on Amakane Island (a tiny island for festivals) with Ayaka. I’ve told you about her before, right? The kind fancy lady?
We got to wear these really cool masks, they were based on kitsune, I think. We walked around the festival together, and a lot of people recognized her. We got some food and then drew our fortune slips. Also, we each got to fill out our own prayer plaques. Ayaka told me it’s an Inazuman tradition—kind of like lantern rite lanterns, where you wish for what you really want. You know, when she said that I thought of two people—you and my sister. I think those are the two people dearest to me…Gosh, I sound so cheesy.
So I drew all three of us on the prayer plaque together, I hope our reunion is soon. When this is all over, I’ll come back to Mondstadt right away.
Let me know what you’ve been up to! Any interesting stories?
I’ve attached the fortune slip I got from the festival for you, just as a small souvenir. :)
Sincerely, Aether
Albedo pulls back from reading with a sigh, feeling the ache in his chest grow. It was heavy and weighed him down like he had a brick stuck in his lungs. He shakes the peculiar symptoms off and glances at the small fortune slip Aether got at the festival; Great fortune from the world , it read.
Albedo hopes to the Archons above that is true, he’s grown awfully attached to Aether. He doesn’t think he could bear to see the other hurt, not without causing himself pain. He carefully tucks the letter away, admiring the surplus amount that he has collected over these past few months.
He takes a moment to think, grabbing a piece of paper and pen. Albedo starts to write, even though it’s always been hard to communicate with others—he finds it easier on paper sometimes.
—
Dearest Aether,
A festival alongside you would indeed be a most welcome experience.
I apologize for not writing sooner, I became busier than expected. The Knights have assigned me to a lengthy project investigating the ley line monoliths. It’s been curious, the monsters that spawn within them seem to have a sort of corruption to them. I’ll have to do more research.
Anyhow, Klee has been keeping me busy recently. She wanted to know how her bombs would react to a fountain, let’s just say she had to stay in solitary confinement for longer than usual. I’ll have to find some other way to keep her preoccupied. Sucrose has been helpful as ever. I’ve been working on making her prescription better, her vision has gotten more impaired. Timaeus has been well, even though he’s been asking me insistently to help him find a date—I declined. The rest of the Knights are doing well, they miss you.
There was a small wildfire recently near Springvale, it started because somebody forgot to put out their fire properly. Did you know dandelions are ruderals? Meaning they are the first plants to pioneer new growth after a fire or similar disaster; I went to the scene of the fire and found many dandelions starting to sprout up. That made me happy, I’ve actually enclosed a small packet of dandelion seeds I harvested from the flowers. Maybe you could plant them in Inazuma for me?
My opinion on festivals is neutral, I think I would enjoy them more than I have in your company. One year during the Windblume festival Sucrose, Timaeus and I set up a small alchemy table. It had sample potions for small things like heating you up or cooling you. It was mostly their idea, I wasn’t easily convinced.
Thank you for writing on the prayer plaque, that metaphorically touches my heart. I’m glad you’re making new friends there, I didn’t want you to be lonely. You shouldn’t push yourself, you still have to confront the Shogun. Anyways, keep me posted on any updates regarding your fight with the Shogun. Don’t be too hasty, we have all the time in the world.
Please be safe, Aether.
Ever yours, Albedo
—
When Aether returns, Albedo’s heart rejoices, of course, his mind tries to stay sane. They said they would meet at the entrance of the Knights Headquarters, an homage to all the memories they’ve made together there. The sky is bustling with clouds, ones that hang low to the ground and move swiftly. The yellow sunlight reflects off of their pillowy hills, mixing with the white to create a color similar to the stars you see in the sky. Albedo thought the clouds this afternoon looked more painted than a painting itself.
Albedo waits by the entrance, feeling antsy to see Aether again. How much had he changed? Did he still harbor feelings for Albedo?
Those questions were swiftly put aside as Albedo saw a familiar head of blonde hair walk up the staircase to the pavilion housing the Knights Headquarters. Albedo’s heart starts, and without thinking he strides over to Aether and wraps the other in a tight embrace. He didn’t get a chance to properly look at the other, too preoccupied with the flood of emotions that crashed over him.
Aether smells different when Albedo embraces him, he smells like rain instead of the sun. He smells like new soil, new adventures. His hair is tousled and messy, Albedo notices it grew even longer while he was away. Albedo can’t help but notice the many new scars sustained from Inazuma, he wants to interrogate Aether about each one and wants to hear the whole story. But that can wait because Aether is in his arms. He is real, he is warm, and he is in Albedo’s arms.
“You’ve lost some of your freckles,” Albedo says as he pulls away slightly, usually Aether had a myriad spread across his cheeks.
“Inazuma is really rainy, that's a good and a bad thing. Less sunburn. You’re always nagging me about sunscreen.” Aether says, he smiles from ear to ear and ducks his head into the crook of Albedo’s neck.
Albedo runs his hand through Aether's bangs, “They were a part of you.”
Aether looks up curiously to Albedo, “It doesn’t matter, I’m still the same.”
“Sort of. Little things change but the whole continues to be,” He observes Aether’s face, tilting it slightly like precious pottery, “I liked finding new ones whenever they sprung up.”
Albedo can’t help but notice the dark circles that have made home under Aether’s eyes, an ugly color of soot smeared under his typically bright eyes. Albedo rubs a finger over them, as if wiping them away. Aether grabs Albedo’s hand that was caressing his face and turns it slightly, giving Albedo’s palm a featherlight kiss.
“Hey, that means less of you poking my cheeks.” Aether jokes.
Albedo returns the sentiment by squishing Aether’s cheeks together with one hand, “You’ll get more, and I’ll be there to see them. I’ll deduce where you got them and what you were doing,”
Aether scoffs, raising his head, “Weird,” He looked into Albedo’s eyes, “Anyways, I’m home.”
“Yes,” Albedo says, then he kisses Aether’s cheek, making him laugh, “You’re home.”