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There are a lot of things Aether considered as treasures and deemed important enough for safekeeping. In years of travelling there have been many things and gifts that were given to him… all of them were kept in a room, clean and to admire. He doesn’t really play favorites and favors others…
“Keeping Albedo’s gift in our room huh. Why not let it sit with others in the other room?” Paimon peek over his shoulder.
“This one is… fragile.” he reasoned enough, weak if he’s being honest.
“And the others aren’t?”
“Let me be Paimon.” Aether whined, placing the hardened cecilia on top of the desk at his side… really keeping it close. “And this is made of real flowers so I’m not taking chances.”
“Sure sure, whatever floats your boats, whatever.” Paimon crosses her arm. “But could you please cook something before you get lost in your sweet little daydream–”
“Alright! Geez..”
He doesn’t really play favorites, but there’s always an exception. Aether thinks Albedo deserves that privilege for personal reasons.
“Hey, quit it!”
__
Majority of the gifts Albedo keeps on showering him are sketches and painting… of himself, it came to a point that he complains seeing his face too much than his friends, likely true. And what’s making him more flustered is Albedo’s words replying in his head… reminding him that those drawings are how Albedo sees him. Always radiant and rivaling the sun yet keep winning.
“You’re probably the only one who sees me that way,” he admits.
He saw the moment Albedo paused behind the canvas and it made him a bit nervous. Albedo has a frown on his face when he peaks and Aether gulps.
“Albedo?”
Albedo stares some more… not saying anything but just his eyes are intense. After a while he pulled back and returned to painting. Aether breath a sigh of relief but then felt a little disappointed nothing was said–
“I do not place myself above others for talents but this one I can confidently say others have to be blind not to see how radiant you are.”
That has to mean something.
What’s he supposed to say after that?
Albedo never strikes him as someone who would flirt for fun, he compliments because he means it. He kid and jokes but his humor is far from… this. It has to mean something and Aether desperately wanted it to happen.
Paimon calls him dense but he was sure he would be able to tell if Albedo really liked him after all this.. stunt show or whatever they’re doing. Albedo is naturally sweet and caring… he is a very straightforward–
“Your mind is wandering.” a soft voice interrupts him and Aether feels a hand on his chin, tilting his head upward and meeting Albedo’s ocean eyes. “Something on your mind?”
The first thing that registers is Albedo’s scent and that his face is really close. Aether might have crossed eye by it.
“N-Nothing?”
“You’re not good at lying,” Albedo says and withdraws, Aether silently mourns the loss of warmth but Albedo doesn't step away. “We’ve been here for a while, it’s time to take a break. How about we head out and eat?”
Aether modded absentmindedly. Albedo chuckled.
Albedo kept his tools carefully and covered the canvas. They make sure that everything is in place before locking the door, Albedo is very particular in his studio and doesn’t let anyone in so easily without his permission and knowledge.
“Oh and Aether,” Albedo called down the stairs, looking up at him with a slight teasing expression. “It’s a date.”