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“Jean's mentioned in her letters that you're so diligent, it's almost.. abnormal.”— Aether heard an almost quiet cough as soon as Varka let out those words. He didn’t react when clearly, Albedo is hiding his presence very well.
Aether could almost see the shadow as soon as Varka disappeared in the hallway, not long enough and Albedo is striding towards him with ease. His expression is calm but with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Oh– Hey Albedo! What are you doing here? Varka was just talking about something—”
“I was wondering,” Albedo cuts Paimon off, flicking his wrist to a direction. “If you’d still be up for some.. late night snacks. Durin had taken a liking to sweets and so we indulged for a bit, but then it was too late before we realized that we bought too much.”
Aether barely hides his snort and masks it by coughing stiffly into his palm. Albedo sure had a way with words and knew what would catch Paimon like a fish to a bait. And from the looks of his companion.. it’s most certainly effective.
“We were hoping to invite you and come eat with us.”
Paimon instantly had a star in her eyes. “Sweets?! Desserts?! Snacks?! Tell me where your and Durin’s room is– quick!”
Albedo points at the door and barely hears Paimon zooming towards the said room. “Aether and I will follow, I still need.. oh, well that is certainly quick.”
This time Aether couldn’t help laughing openly with mist in his eyes.
“You knew what you were.. doing,” he said between his laughter while Albedo watched him. “I hope the snacks are real.”
“It is, lying to her would only make her come back in haste and interrupt us wouldn’t we?”
“And what..”
Albedo closes in the distance between them and a hand cradles his cheek. Aether breathes evenly, closing his eyes for a while and grabbing the said hand on his cheek— only to be interrupted by a loud cough in the background.
“Apologies, let’s continue inside.” Aether heard Albedo say and then he was pulled back inside the room, the bolt clicked and locked behind. Aether found himself trapped between Albedo’s body and door— also not too long when he found himself being kissed. Albedo held him in place, positioning his head and angling his lips, Aether surrendered to a familiar feeling of getting lost to this.
Albedo brushes his lower lips before leaving a peck one last time and finally looking at him. Aether felt a tug to see the same teal eyes almost towering over him and watching him whole.
“What.. a romantic.” Aether pants but he could see Albedo’s smile mirroring his. He felt light and happy despite the impending mission they were about to do. “Did you just come here to smooch me?”
“I came to say hello,” Albedo said and looked earnest. “It was true that finding you doesn’t take too much effort but getting you all alone and all to myself is certainly the hardest part. You’re just so bright that everyone is getting lured to be close to you.”
Aether groaned but blush, hitting Albedo lightly on the shoulder with no real force. Pouting when he dares to look at the Alchemist’s eyes again.
“Stop it,” he huffs while Albedo merely grins. “I hope you’re not teaching Durin this flowery words.”
“What do you think?”
Aether lets himself be pulled and Albedo drags him towards the bed. Shamelessly, Albedo sat him on his lap and almost wrapped himself around his figure. Soon Albedo settled, fiddling with the clasp of his cape on his back.
“What is this, recharging?” he asks, grinning teasingly down at Albedo’s almost stoic face. “Did you miss me?”
“Inredibly so.” Albedo admits. “You were the only one who occupied my mind while I’m on the boat on the way here.”
“That much?”
“Not seeing you nearly for months and only hearing from you through letters certainly did something to me. Especially when you spoil me with your attention before you leave.” Albedo said, hands going through under his crop. “When the Grand Master sent his words, you can guess how and why I came here on a moment's notice.”
Aether nodded, squirming when Albedo made his way to his bare shoulders inside his crop and unclasping the clip that holds the cape, successfully removing it. It was placed at the foot.
“I.. certainly didn’t expect to see you here, much more Durin.” Aether said with a pause when Albedo moved to his next target, removing his scarf.
“Even if the Grand Master didn’t send a letter asking for.. reinforcement, I would still come just by knowing how grave the situation is here.” Albedo hummed, focused on undressing his neck and shoulder, sighing in satisfaction when the scarf was put with the cape. “Not even Jean would stop me, nor the others. The Captains are busy with whatever is left back in Mondstadt, a new official letter from the Grand Master nearly startled everyone.”
Aether can imagine, but then maybe Mika is still on his way back from Nod-Krai if the letters arrive before him. Feeling the warmth spreading on his chest, Aether squishes Albedo’s face with his palms, chuckling how it makes his lips pouty before giving in for a quick kiss.
“Thank you,”
“I worry because I care for you deeply, there’s no need to thank me for.”
Aether almost rolled his eyes if he wasn’t feeling tingly and impossibly happy. “I miss you too.”
Both of them reach closer than before. The impending danger was forgotten for a while, too busy in their own bubble of happiness, allowing themselves to escape for the meantime. Aether didn’t care how long he and Albedo had been kissing so he was suddenly flipped, laying on his back while Albedo settled on top of him. It was a sight he hadn’t seen in long that now he suddenly yearns for it.
Their kisses grew more with want and eagerness yet Aether can’t feel the heat. It was purely intimate, the intimacy almost melting him right there on the bed. He doesn’t know how he survived without Albedo’s kiss and touch to lull him every night. Or even just hearing his voice and feeling his presence in the room. Albedo’s appearance earlier had come off as the greatest surprise he needed amidst the chaos. It was as if he hadn't been comforted in a long while.
“Would it be too much if I stay the night here?” Albedo asks, pulling away with full red lips, shining with spit. Aether blush as he unconsciously licks his own before answering, mesmerized.
“Uh.. I wouldn’t mind and so does Paimon, we’ve had plenty of sleepovers before.” he replied, he can feel Albedo’s heart beating rapidly against his own. “But how about Durin? Who’s going to stay with him?”
“Well..” Albedo prompts and laces their hand together, bringing it close to his lips and kissing the back of his hand. It was the tenderness behind such action that had him flustered yet again. “They can sleep together, Paimon’s natural extroverted nature could be a big aid in helping Durin settle.”
It sounds plausible to his ears but Aether can’t help but squint his eyes, though no refusal came from him.
“Shouldn’t you tell them now..” Aether’s words faded and blurred with Albedo leaning in closer.
“Later,” Albedo whispered hotly to his ears, sending shivers as he nipped his ear. “I believe we still have something to do here..” Albedo paused, looking at him directly. “Alone.”