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“... It’s naive to believe that everything in life has a fix.” Albedo stated.
“I’m lost, what are we talking about again, ley line—?”
“Life.”
“... right.”
A blockage causes a bright color tinkering between yellow and blue to appear near Dragonspine. It was an easy fix after the monsters that were lured to the site were killed, it all boils down to the remaining energies that need to be cleansed—a one way to put it.
The commission was brought by Iris, patrolling in their area, she noticed a band of hilichurls and monsters alike forming a group before she spotted the cause of it: a ley line disorder. Immediately she sent a letter to Katheryne who relayed her words to him and Albedo happened to be at his side when she did. Aether had no complaints, if anything, doing a commission with Albedo just sounds wonderful. He was never subtle about his crush. Paimon volunteered to be left alone with Amber and Aether let her have her escape of third wheeling him and Albedo.
“It’s only almost gone, I can still feel some remnants of it.” Albedo said, looking up from where he was kneeling next to it. “We should wait for a bit, see if anything will resurface again and it’s very likely,”
“I’ll watch out for the monsters.”
“You are the best for that.”
Aether preens, smiling like he just received a high praise. “You know me so well,”
Albedo is back murmuring to himself again but Aether didn’t mind, it was astonishing to watch Albedo works, his mannerisms shows and the way his expression tightens when he’s either close to reaching a conclusion or is being driven into the wall. Aether will admit he’s just down bad that every time he looks at Albedo, a heart filter will automatically surround his eyes.
“Strange.. Crystalflies are highly attracted to areas with high concentration of elemental energy, naturally ley line disorders execute the same and yet there was none when we arrived..” Albedo flipped the clipboard, the paper was bent and he began writing again. “If there are reasons they don’t..”
Aether left the intelligence and gathering to Albedo, as they always do when paired up together. He was perfectly fine doing all the roles, and had been fine since he was travelling alone with some changes when he met Paimon.
“Maybe the battle earlier chased them off and even before then, Iris did mention in her letter that the outcrop seems bigger than ones usually found.” Aether reasoned. “I didn’t sense anything out of the ordinary, it’s the same as usual every time I encounter it in my travels. Unless you have other ideas?”
Albedo shook his head. “None that is confirmed and just a hunch, noting everything unusual wouldn’t bother us. It might come in handy in the future.”
“Let’s discuss it with Jean later—Ah here comes another bunch,”
It was easy fending off hilichurls when they came in small groups with breaks between their arrival. Aether finds the waiting to be more of an ordeal than the actual fighting, so he changed his main mission into ascertaining that Albedo will remain undisturbed and safe while he does his little nerdy talk, just like earlier.
Dragonspine’s air affected the nearby areas heavily, even standing next to a fire felt a lot colder even when they were out of range. It also makes the surrounding areas to be fogged up, with mist coming out of the bank of some trees and a winter fox meets the other foxes.. Aether is unsure what to address the difference.
“There are probably monsters to come, the ley line will clear itself after the disturbance is eliminated. Seems like it’s been leaking since..” Aether frowns at the stubborn faint light on the ground, it appeared to be tied deep underneath. “At this point we’re making a camp here,”
“That’s not a bad idea. I will start another fire,” Albedo volunteered and kept his notes tucked inside his coat. He looked back and Aether was drawn, following him instinctively. “Leave the gathering of fruits and plants to me, lest you pick up something poisonous and proceed to bite from it out of curiosity.”
Aether grins at the concern for his well being. “You say that as if you haven’t made me ingest some potions out of pure intention to study me.”
“.. there’s a difference between a controlled dose and not.” Albedo defended. “And you’ve never once turned me down, didn’t you?”
“I see no reason to deny you.”
“I’m flattered.”
The remaining of the fire crackles behind him while Aether watches Albedo’s back. He was staring, blatantly so, Albedo is a natural attraction to him. If Paimon was here, Aether was sure his face would be sweating from the constipated look she always has every time he stares at Albedo like a love sick fool.
The sun kissed the sky goodbye when Albedo appeared from the woods, his arms full of everything Aether could imagine. The deep orange cast the ground a golden shadow, the snow does not melt and instead the ground made it seem like it was sparkling with little bright dust. It was mesmerizing though it’s dull in comparison to Albedo’s timeless—Aether felt a shiver and slight shift under his feet, he met Albedo’s eyes and saw the moment it widened in panic.
A shout and then an energy surrounds him before Aether falls into the void.
The trees sway in cold silence. Albedo watched the empty ground—the same spot Aether was standing earlier, looking down at him with mirrored glee and warmth. It happened too fast even though he felt a slight tremor underneath. Aether is nowhere and Albedo is unsure how to begin without worries taking over his mind. Aether was sucked inside a ley line—a phenomenon that while it seems normal nowadays, is still connected to the much bigger and wider roots of Teyvat. To say and assume what will happen to Aether is.. out of his knowledge and Albedo hated it.
He hates to be rendered helpless.
Strange things will sprout and happen with a ley line disorder around but they naturally disappear within a time frame of no more than 24 hours, according to research done to it. Albedo needs to wait and while it is the safest thing to do, it doesn’t mean he dislikes it less.
“Aether—?”
The ley line remained quaint and blinking, a ghost of nothing but troublesome energies. It acts like smoke but cannot be swayed by air nor can anyone touch it physically without experiencing anything abnormal. It is a hazard, a risk and a danger altogether.
Conclusions atop resolves continue to pile inside Albedo’s mind; he did not move away from the spot where Aether was standing earlier. There was nothing special to it, it’s not too far from the ley line yet it’s not too close to be in contact with it—well, until it expanded in a hot second and pulled Aether inside forcefully. Albedo should be thinking of a way to bring Aether back, otherwise he would.. He would worry. Hard.
A faint rustle from the bushes did not go unnoticed despite Albedo’s occupied mind. His sword felt heavy and rock on his palm as he waited, throwing away his previous thought albeit it’s futile. Albedo watched out in a defensive stance until Aether’s figure came out of the bush—he was walking funny and looking silly with dry leaves stuck on his hair and clothes. For a moment Albedo rejoiced, caught himself with a glint of hope until this ‘Aether’ looked up, recognition strong in his eyes while looking up at him fondly. Fondly?
“Albedo—? Wait, Albedo?”
Albedo grips his sword while something in his chest flared. Irritation. Creatures of mimicry will choose anyone just to blend themselves in and take advantage, Albedo is intimately versed in that trope. Seeing someone standing confidently before him with Aether’s face is sending a nerve full of anger at his brain. Albedo wondered if this was how Aether felt before.
“Albedo, what—Hey! Put down your sword actually!” Aether demanded, appearing harmless. “Really what is happening..” Aether murmured to himself, suddenly not feeling affronted by the protective stance Albedo welcomed him.
“Drop the act,” Albedo ordered, tone low and coldness dripping with it.
“I’m not doing anything,” Aether insists and when the silence endures, he raises both his arms in complete act of surrendering. Albedo felt something burn in his stomach. “Here, I’m not armed with anything. You can check,”
It doesn’t sound nearly inviting and provoking but Albedo tightened in case it was an act to make him drop his guard. Perhaps. He fell lightless and Albedo stares at Aether in the same height. Albedo watches the moment Aether caught on the ley line behind and his face morphs into some kind of understanding, then suddenly he is amused.
“Ah, I see.. I think I might have an idea what this is all about. Did your,” Aether gestures vaguely. “Did your Aether disappear suddenly?”
“... he did.” Albedo replied, uncaring of the amusement coloring Aether’s tone. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything! I’m just a victim as well, you see..” Aether gestures at his appearance and Albedo feels blind for a moment when suddenly it’s very noticeable. The crop top that Aether usually wears is replaced by some kind.. of modest clothing of choice. Albedo isn’t sure if he likes how it was, it feels stuffy and stiff. “Well I’m not exactly pertaining to my clothes but I guess it’s obvious, do I look the same?”
“I’m afraid you’re not making any sense,” Albedo lowered his sword though he stubbornly kept it within his grasp.
Aether walks and the absence of his usual long braid puts a churn on Albedo’s stomach until he sees it was still there—long and rich gold strands, only it was tied in a low ponytail.
“What I mean is, did I not age?”
“You told me you stop counting and caring how you look.” Albedo answered pointedly, honestly.
“I did, didn’t I?” Aether laughs. “Nevermind me then, I’ll just explain.”
Albedo stepped back, warily, when Aether strode confidently towards the tinkering ley line. For a second Albedo feels a strong urge to yank Aether back, drag him away until a safe distance. Aether neither touched or made contact with the ley line, easing some nerves on Albedo.
“Don’t get too close to it,” said Albedo instead. “You could get pulled.”
“Okay.” Aether answered all too happily and—sat at the same spot where he disappeared earlier. Albedo itches and he grips at his sword when Aether beckons for him to sit closer. “Are you like this with anyone? Come on, I’m not going to do anything—unless you want me to—better yet I should start explaining what’s happening right?”
The air feels strange, that Albedo was certain. It’s Aether but somehow he feels different from.. Aether. Ironically when it should be the same person but Albedo isn’t convinced, it’s as if he’s missing something big, apparent and perhaps the clue.
Albedo remained standing though he decided to come close, not enough to be too close and enough for him to be able to react should anything happen. “I’m fine standing.”
“Okay, your call.” Aether nodded. “I’m sure you are aware of the strange things that tend to happen or develop whenever there is a ley line disorder around—this case is supposedly the same. And when I mean strange things, you should expect things you thought about very little.”
“I’m aware.”
“Honestly, I’m not remotely doing anything weird for that part. I just woke up from a nap and heard someone knocking at the door so I woke up, but then my vision spiraled and it’s like a blink of an eye I was transported here.” Aether detailed, touching his hair and folding his chest—and doing so, Albedo catches something golden with a star gem sitting atop, glinting around Aether’s ring finger. Ring finger? “I’m not so sure what happened and hey, I could also accuse you of being someone else and kidnapping me, but I didn’t.”
“It’s only natural,”
The custom of wearing a ring on annulary is to symbolize either engagement or marriage. Yet there are cases it was worn as a part of fashion and clothing accessories. Albedo knew that much but somehow he couldn’t be sure. Was Aether ever the type to wear something to appear showy?
“.. and I’m asking if my looks change because, well, I’m basically from the future for that matter. I knew straight away when I see you and Dragonspine, not that it was a bad thing, just very surprising really—”
“Pardon,” Albedo chimed in. “My hearing seems to be affected.”
Aether stops and looks, and Albedo feels exposed to those eyes. “Exactly what I said, though not to worry, everything that ley line disorder had caused will fade soon, its effect is temporary. One way to speed up cleansing is to kill the monsters lured and affected by it, I’m sure you were aware of that method?”
“I am aware.”
Albedo’s stomach flips when Aether graces him with a fond smile. It’s familiar. “Ah, then this is going to be easy, as expected whenever I’m with you. Have I ever told you you are always reliable, Albedo?”
It’s the way Aether said his name that hints something. Albedo is observant by nature and that makes Aether’s apparent affection for him so flattering. Overwhelming. Albedo had lived with a notion of being straightforward and honest, blunt but with careful choice. Yet, somehow, admitting his own unhidden reciprocation of Aether’s feelings has him speechless. It’s quite the predicament and funny, Alice had a hearty laugh when he came to her for honest advice.
“The outbreak last usually depends on whoever, should the monsters become a tad bit difficult to perish then it’s staying for longer. I think Katheryne gave me these commissions on purpose because it’s beneath me, easy.” Aether shrugs, his tone is not arrogant, only telling the truth and Albedo wholly side with him. “By the sound of this, I think I’m only staying for a couple of hours—Ah, now I remember.. since, well, I’m not officially affiliated to Teyvat.”
“A couple of hours?” Albedo asks instead. “What of the Aether in this timeline then?”
“What do you think?”
What do I think? “He is fine.” Albedo stated.
“I am,” Aether said like a confirmation. “Now we get it out of the way..”
Aether stretches, pulling his arms up with a pleasured groan. If Aether is still wearing his old attire, Albedo could watch the toned flatness of his stomach, and see the way it curves and bends to his will. Aether’s hips would peek then just enough, teasing and tempting, just as the dips of his lower back looked utterly inviting—Albedo watches in silence. For once Aether finally wore something fitted for Dragonspine’s weather and Albedo sours because of it.
“What happened to your old clothes?” Albedo can’t silence his curiosity. “Has something happened to it?”
“Ah, this? This is a sentimental piece of clothing to me that’s why I’m wearing it and as for my old clothes, it’s temporarily staying in the closet. New change once in a while can’t hurt, right?” Aether winks and he’s shameless about it. “I think you’ll like to hear how I acquired this clothes then, ask me,”
Albedo detects excitement in Aether’s tone, whether it was for him or other, it’s only a matter of asking. “How then, did you acquire that?”
“I found it intact in my ship, I can’t believe it hasn’t been torn or damaged. I changed into it as soon as I found it.”
Albedo pause. “Ship?”
Aether nods, his eyes twinkling with delighted wonder. “Hm-mn, ship as in spaceship.”
“A spaceship.”
“Yes.”
“You have a spaceship.”
Aether chuckled. “You’re so cute. Yes I do have a spaceship, Albedo.”
The only thing Albedo had imagined was Aether soaring through the sky, leaving the atmosphere and to an endless voyage that seeks meaning. Aether had blended perfectly in Teyvat, and yet Albedo can still feel that pulse of something otherworldly, something that only comes from Aether alone. Unique and magnificent sensations, Aether burns brighter than most, a blazing gold of presence and charming smile, no wonder many were captivated—that brings Albedo again to the matter of the ring, specifically the one wrapped around Aether’s finger.
Intricacy is only one of the factors that describe an engagement ring while simplicity is often tied to after the wedding. The ring design. Albedo never subjected himself to jewelry and expensive trinkets, a material luxury yet he can tell it means something to Aether.
Albedo has many questions of the future and its possibilities but Aether’s hand snagged his attention the most.
“.. I never get sick, I’ll only feel tired at most but never to the point I’ll be sniffing with a cold. It was already established—Ah, yesterday, well, in my own timeline, I remember cleaning up a ley line disturbance too but I didn’t feel anything while fighting.. I wonder if it’s somehow connected to why I was yanked to the past.” Aether grips his coat, adjusting it over his shoulder.
Albedo finds himself fixated on the flashy ring around Aether’s finger again and Albedo’s heart threatens to fall every time. A part of him sings and wanted to assume, but feelings are finicky, who’s to say Aether remained into him? There’s nothing more complicated than a heart.
Aether’s eyes naturally find him, never looking away. It’s impressive how much Aether can convey through a single look, containing many words to interpret as if a galaxy was not enough to fill. It’s the same eyes that have graced him with the utmost fondness. Albedo is not blind nor dense, there are just measly things that he refused to feign interest, some may deem it both arrogance and ignorance when it’s only just honesty.
The sword diminishes and Albedo watches Aether’s eyes as it dances with amusement. His fingers felt rather light.
“The effects of ley line disorder is temporary, that concluded that everything that has transpired between us with the exception of Aether’s disappearance, will fade soon as well. As if nothing happened,” Albedo confirmed but he felt the need to say once more. “In that case, the ring on your finger, that’s an engagement ring isn’t it?”
Aether isn’t a bit surprised, almost as if he was expecting it. Something rumbles in Albedo’s stomach, the thought of Aether knowing him so well to be able to read what’s plaguing his mind is exhilarating.
“Ever so forward. Up to finally interrogate me?”
“This is hardly an interrogation.” Albedo defended. “I’m only asking.”
“And if I don’t want to tell?”
“Then I’m going to assume you are to be wed to someone confidential.” not quite the true reason but Albedo isn’t lying either. “There can only be a few reasons why you wouldn’t want to tell nor am I forcing it out of you—and we both know that I’ll forget it as soon as you leave.”
“Mn.. that’s true, but then are you going to be satisfied if I went and told you just like that?”
“You made it sound as if I enjoy complicated matters.”
“You like procuring results through your experiments, many times.” Aether shrugged.
“You’d rather keep me guessing?”
Aether chuckled and the more it drew the more Albedo grew hesitant about his assumption. Disappointment only happens when one sets an expectation, something he learned in his early days. Unmet expectations happen after all, but Aether is a different case.
If it wasn’t him then who is it?
“I can hear the gears on your head turning,” Aether seems to enjoy his internal conflict. “Are you jealous?”
“Curious.”
“Then do you want to take a closer look at my ring, it’s so pretty—”
“Aether.”
Albedo only heard a cackle.
Nights in Dragonspine seem to span longer than normal. Despite its intricately cold weather, it has its charms with how visible and bright the stars seem to appear in the sky. Even when camping out was never ideal given the combination of terrain and monsters, the breathtaking look of clear sky made it worthwhile, to someone that appreciates stargazing.
“I think I’m going to leave before the sun rises, it doesn’t need to be completely 24 hours before the outbreak disappears.” Aether was looking where the sun had set. “Besides, from the looks of everything here most of the monsters have been killed. I can feel it though I can’t really explain,”
“Before sunrise then.”
“Yes and now that we established I’m not some imposter, won’t you come here and sit down? You can argue you have the ability and endurance to stand but it’s more comfortable to be sitting while having a conversation.” Aether taps the space next to him, inviting. “Let’s start more fire first, I’m getting cold.”
Aether snapped his finger and the fire crackled loudly, Albedo shut his lips then. “You’ve finally acquired the blessing of pyro then.”
“Cool right?”
“Not that you weren’t before.”
Aether patted the seat next to him again and Albedo’s skin prickled. The ley line is still partly active in the distance, faint but its energy still causes some uneasiness. Aether didn’t waste a chance to press himself closer, nearly snuggling shamelessly. It’s Aether’s actions and words that’s confusing, what his mouth says is the complete opposite of how he acts around him. More familiar, more natural and playful as if he’d gotten better at teasing him. If it wasn’t enough evidence then what else? Then there was a recoil that came from the idea of Aether with someone else, someone that is not him. Albedo’s mind made an abrupt image of attending the wedding through the eyes of a guest, not the one across Aether in the altar.
The Aether in his timeline just wrapped up his matter in Sumeru, deciding to linger for a while before finally sailing off to Fontaine.
“We can still see the stars here but stargazing on the summit is inimitable.. ah, too bad the northern sky had vanished then.”
“I’ve had the privilege of sketching it before.”
“I know,” Aether answered, his smile relentless. “I haven’t started pestering you about opening an art exhibition but I really think you should instead of letting your painting pile up somewhere. Except the ones you willingly gave as a gift,”
“I don’t doubt many curious lookers will come but organizing it costs a lot of manpower, plus the added strain of budgeting, not that it would be a problem. The process is surely exhausting.” Albedo frowned at the thought. “Do you fully expect me to entertain the visitors all day?”
“You can choose not to, they will come because of your arts in the first place.”
“That is still a lot to think about.”
“You can leave the planning to Jean and venue to the Knights, we can do it at Windrise and it’ll be extravagant. I will offer to be a mascot,” Aether nudges their shoulders. “Not to sound arrogant but I do have a lot of connections, networking is an important skill.”
Albedo decided to tease. “I heard the Jade Chamber is considered the most prestigious and honorable stage in Liyue.”
“Do you want to go there?”
“No. While it certainly holds a name, it can’t possibly cater to many people and let alone host a hundred of it. It will be like testing its limits.”
“So where do you want it?”
Albedo hardly turns to his side, Aether is warm and pressing closely against him, slightly shivering. “I haven’t given a word that I agree with.”
“Yeah, but the fact we’re still talking about it means you are considering. Am I very persuasive?”
“Hardly.”
Aether takes it positively. He pressed on again and Albedo gladly accepted the proximity until the cold press of Aether’s hand touched his skin, no, the ring had gotten colder too and the mere feeling of it brought Albedo the thoughts he had earlier. Why won't Aether tell? Is it to spare his feelings for inevitable heartbreak or keeping the surprise? Either way is not settling Albedo’s heart at ease.
Albedo felt Aether yawns and the night delved deeper— “Ah, I think I’m getting ready to leave.”
Already?
“That didn’t take long, do you think I caused so much havoc that the ley line wants to return me now?”
“The ley line isn’t sentient.”
“I know.”
The ley line releases a pulsing energy, staggering between harmless and risk. The nearby grass swayed along the wind and just then Albedo did feel Aether was about to leave. Has it been that long? They’ve only been sitting for what felt like an hour and there was nowhere a hint of the sun rising.
Aether’s hair dulled in darkness though other parts of him glow, even the tie around his hair let out a tiny shimmer of light while his clothes leave a speck of glittering stardust in his wake, trailing after him. Albedo itches to draw, to immortalize what he’d seen, as if the endless pile of paintings dedicated to Aether isn’t enough. It always seems not enough. A canvas that can capture Aether in whole hasn’t been painted on yet, Albedo tried many times to create and many times he wasn’t as satisfied.
Albedo read the unmistakable glee on Aether’s face and then he was cradling his head until their lips nearly smashed on each other. Albedo wasn’t able to quiet the surprise gasp that left his throat, caught in the moment while feeling the pair of cold fingers at his nape. He didn’t pull away. Aether seems to get what he wants, and when he never did, and deepen their kiss even for a short while. Albedo was certain his cheeks were on flame when they parted and the look of complete adoration and fool etched on his face until Aether disappeared into void.
The kiss lingered and so was the warmth, Albedo heard a yelp and Aether barreling into his arms with surprise.
“Albedo!”
It’s nearly homecoming.
The ley line ceased to exist behind, leaving no traces on the ground as if it never sprouted.
Aether feels solid in his arms and Albedo catches his breath, only noticing the small light that is starting to peek. Sunrise.
“Welcome back,”
“You won’t believe what I see—” Aether stopped short, his lips thinning until he frowned. “What I see.. wait, I feel like..”
Quietly, Albedo pulled Aether close, his lips felt tingly and kissed the side of his mouth until his own mind forgot as well.
_______
Extra:
“Honorary Knight are you alright?”
There was nothing to smile about the case study presented to him but Albedo did so, his mouth curling in a reserved smile. Along with the line of ‘field’ and ‘energy’, the more Aether’s eyes burn at him. Albedo can still feel the tightness of his collar earlier, how Aether lunged at him with a very concerned expression and fiery passion about the ring on his finger.
“Why do you ask, I feel dandy.”