Chapter Text
(A month ago)
“May I ask as to why you’re suddenly grabbing my leg and taking my boots off?” Albedo asked.
He looks amused more than surprised when Aether kneels in front of him.
“We are usually in a different setting when you kneel for me–”
“Albedo!” Aether cuts him off though he’s already blushing. “I’m trying to be sweet!”
“By taking my boots off.” Albedo answered back. “Are we doing a roleplay where I am unaware I’m being taken advantage of?”
Aether pinched Albedo’s calf and heard a small laughter from his boyfriend. If he runs outside and tells everyone that Albedo just told him a dirty joke (not entirely a joke) the people of Mondstadt will probably look at him as if he succumbed to madness. Albedo is their dainty, little strong and cold hearted but good looking Chief Alchemist.
To be fair he was only planning to take Albedo’s shoe size for something. He knew he could just look at the size of Albedo’s boots but he knew it had extensions and heels, not really reliable. And he wanted to make something that’ll fit Albedo perfectly. He didn’t think much of anything when he ran to the lab in the headquarters and found Albedo sitting in his little corner he calls the office
“But what are you really doing, my star?”
Aether feels a hand on his hair, softly caressing his bangs and his left ear where his earring is dangling. It glows in bright red.
“I need to get the actual size of your foot. I’m going to make you something.”
“A new pair of shoes?” Albedo asks and logically it is what anyone would think so at first.
“Perhaps.” Aether said and wrote down everything he needed and began pulling Albedo’s boots up when done. “Thank you for cooperating.”
Albedo only laughs at him and pulls him into his lap, peppering his face with kisses. “What are you planning?”
Aether giggles but doesn't pull away from the sweet assault and catches Albedo’s lips with his as he tries to deepen the kiss a little. He was smiling widely when they pulled away.
“Well our third anniversary is coming up next month so I thought I’ll prepare something for us.” he admits and loops his arms around Albedo’s neck, feeling the arms snaking around his bare waist.
“I could just have you and it’ll be the best type of celebration.”
“You can have me anytime but I’m thinking of something more special.” he says. “And please you’re insatiable, we practically do it almost everyday.”
“Because I want it everyday.”
“Shut up,” he says weakly but lets Albedo pull him in a trap anyway.
*
(Present)
Aether inspected the camp the fatui left after they ran and found it to be so fortunate. Their tent is sturdy and has a metal thing in the middle that is probably used to make adjustments. It is wide and spacious, maybe four people would fit inside.
He originally planned to leave after checking the pond and clearing the area when he found a small and deeper cave, perfect to make a base and sleep on if the snow starts to become too much. He decided to clear that too, killing the fatui guarding and found some chest.
His surprise started on the right and Aether was pleased.
Aether asked Eula earlier for a big help, he means freezing an entire pond is a heavy task. She scolded him at first but then came with him secretly on Dragonspine to actually do it. Now the same pond where one of Albedo’s experiments took place is frozen, the ice is thick and won’t break so easily. Eula made sure of that.
Aether plans for him and Albedo to skate. To start, he customized skates for Albedo.
This outskirts of Dragonspine has more visible stars at night and they can even see the distant land of Liyue, the tree in Wangshu Inn and the Sal Terrae a bit on the right. There are rocks and walls surrounding most of the area and there are no monsters nearby. Aether deemed it a perfect place rather than the river on Wyrmrest Valley swimming with fatui and monsters. Not to mention the privacy.
He does one last round around the area before placing a protective barrier with wind and leaves to find Albedo.
*
Albedo didn’t make him search for hours and he actually finds him looking for him as well. They meet halfway.
“By the look on your face your surprise for me is done.” Albedo greeted with a hug. “I also happen to have quite a surprise for you but I want to see yours first.”
“That’s fine by me though you get me excited for that.” Aether giggled.
Albedo holds his hand as they walk. “Not as much as yours. I remember you starting it a month before this.”
Aether led them towards the site and he couldn’t help the stroke on his pride when he heard Albedo’s small gasp and his eyes widened comically at the sight. He supposed he has everyone to thank for it, they help him decorated around the pond and put lights on trees. It reminds him of a holiday in another world.
“Well then, shall we?” He gestured for Albedo and assisted him as they walked down.
Aether leads Albedo towards the tent where they place their things and answer Albedo’s rapid questions of wonder. Aether is smiling the whole, his excitement is just hiking up the more he sees Albedo’s face.
“Alright as for the gift,” Aether started.
“Isn’t this whole place already your gift?” Albedo asked, his voice a little surprised.
Aether giggled. “I need you to sit here. I’ll tie it to you.”
“Tie what?”
Albedo followed his instruction and sat on a small stool. Aether quickly takes the box and shows it to him.
“Let’s hope your feet didn’t suddenly grow an inch, otherwise I would be embarrassed if this didn’t fit you.” Aether opens the box. “I figured I would make a customized skates for you that matches mine. Your blade is silver while mine is gold, your flower was imprinted on the side heel of the boots just like mine with a star.”
Explaining all that is already making his face blush in absolute madness, it sounds cool when he rehearsed it but saying it in front of Albedo sounded too cheesy suddenly.
Albedo reaches for the box and Aether lets him hold one of the pairs with wonder.
“It’s, it’s pretty. My star, just how long did this take you to finish?”
Aether scratches his cheeks, feeling abashed. “I mean I finished it on time, maybe almost a month?”
He wasn’t sure either but Aether remembers working in madness for that.
Albedo stared at him before leaning down the stool and cupping his face in a gentle manner. Aether felt Albedo’s lips on his and the smile that came with it.
“I adore you so much.” Albedo whispers when they pull away. “Help me wear them? I’m afraid I’ve never worn one before. Is this an idea from another world?”
Aether laughs as he helps him. His heart soars.
*
Finally going out maybe Aether overlooked a bit of the important factor. Albedo had never worn skates before so it basically equates that he won’t know how to balance on them, much less on the blade.
“I can do it. Just.. just don’t let my hand go. I can walk, I can..” Albedo insists when they try to cross the very short distance of the tent to the pond.
“Okay.”
Albedo’s legs wobble unsteady but Aether manages to keep him from falling and hurting himself. He admits it’s amusing and refreshing to watch Albedo, he’s like a newborn learning how to walk.
“I’m happy you find my predicament entertaining rather than embarrassing.” Albedo quips and Aether can’t help the laugh that escapes fully.
“Sorry you’re just so cute.”
Albedo huffs.
“Okay. Sit here while I wear mine.”
Aether makes a quick movement of removing his boots and tying his skates. Then he follows Albedo on the side and removes the skate guards, the blades finally touching the ice.
He heard Albedo gasp. “Is that.. are we supposed to remove the protective layer?”
Aether but his lips as he nods.
“But the blade is thin.” Albedo reasoned out.
As if to demonstrate, Aether stood and skated on the frozen pond smoothly. The stillness of the area allows them to hear the blade as it cuts through the ice when he slides, spinning in a slow circle. When done he stops in front of Albedo and holds out a hand.
“I promise I’ll guide you.”
Albedo gapes at him. “That’s impossible.”
“Words that I never thought I’ll hear from you. Come on, I’ll hold you.”
Albedo removed the skate guards slowly and reluctantly put his legs on ice. The skate slides easily and it’s as if Albedo’s centuries of life flash through his eyes.
“I’ll be your partner in this dance. You trust me do you?” Aether prompts.
“Always.”