Work Text:
The traveler really is popular.
“Sorry… got held up on the way.” Aether arrives with quick breaths and sweaty forehead. Like he’d run the distance between Natlan and Mondstadt.
He put his notebook down… the sketch he’d been doing is nothing anyway. He walked towards Aether and saw his flushed face. “Did you run a marathon?”
Aether shakes his head before laughing. “I wished for what I really did…”
“Come here.” he guides him inside while Aether willingly goes with him… trusting.
Seeing people in Mondstadt fawn over Aether is nothing new… after all most of them witnessed and heard what he did for the city. When Aether got to Liyue… things were chaotic and worrying at first but Albedo was relieved that everything ended with Aether regarded as a hero. Then the cycle continues… It's like every nation has a goal to make Aether solve a national crisis and reward him with a name… as for Aether’s part, Albedo could only think that he doesn’t see it as a big deal which is both impressive and terrifying. Aether just doesn’t see how much power he holds now.
So it wasn't surprising when he got to the rest of the nations.
He watched many eyes set on Aether… eyeing him and some even tried their best at direct approach but Aether evaded like an expert and Albedo wouldn’t admit it openly but he was pleased with that… that Aether entertains nothing of his… admirers? Albedo had seen women and men alike flirt with Aether on a daily basis… It's like part of my routine now. And at first he would frown at their way because obviously… Aether is dating him and vice versa. He thought that by showing their affection to each other would be the best move… but it only did a few things.
“What are you thinking about and you’re frowning?”
Maybe to some Aether is equivalent to a god… fairy… a star that was better off being admired from a distance, he knew because he thought of it that way too… until he realized that putting Aether on a pedestal is simply wrong.
“You.” he replied and watched Aether stare at him.
Aether tried and failed to stop his smile. “If I’m not sweating I would’ve jumped at you this instant.”
“Don’t worry I’m good at evading.”
Aether throws him a dirty look before laughing.
Most of the questions he gets from their friends are asking if he ever feels jealous. Albedo answered yes at the beginning but changed it as he grew. They can only try anyway… They can flirt and hope but in the end it was him that Aether kisses and embraces every night.
“Why don’t we take a shower together?” he suggested and chuckled when Aether eagerly stood beside him.
See… this intimacy was only meant for him alone.
“Just shower Aether.”
“Of course.”
… though maybe if throwing someone is inevitable… he would still do it.