Work Text:
The sun was setting over Dragonspine, and Aether still had two hams left to drop off. He sighed. Trudging back down the mountain in the dark wasn’t something he wanted to do, so Aether took a chance and glided over the broken bridge leading to Albedo’s camp. There was a faint light coming from the cave.
Albedo seemed absorbed in whatever was happening inside a bubbling flask. Aether coughed to catch his attention. What would Albedo have done if Aether had been a hilichurl instead?
“Hi,” Aether said. “How’s the experiment going?”
“I was making some pigment. What’s under your arm?”
“Hams.”
“Would you like to warm up by the fire?” Albedo asked.
Aether nodded and put the hams down by an array of beakers before taking a seat. He shivered, suddenly colder now that he was close to some warmth. Then he felt something cover his shoulders—Albedo’s coat. Aether looked up to see Albedo in just his blue shirt. It was a little odd seeing Albedo without his coat; his shoulders and waist both looked very narrow with the fit of his clothing. The fire covered up Aether’s blush. Albedo was so covered up all the time that, apparently, just taking off his coat was enough to make Aether flustered. Aether drew the coat closer around himself, finding it odd that it didn’t seem to have been warmed by Albedo’s body at all.
“I’m not that cold,” Aether lied. “You should take your coat back.”
“No. Cold doesn’t bother me, but it affects you,” Albedo said. “You’re not dressed for Dragonspine.”
“I don’t normally come up here,” Aether replied, holding back that when he did come, it was usually to visit Albedo.
“What brought you to my camp today?”
“Putting out hams for lost adventurers,” Aether said. “What kind of pigment are you making?”
“A pigment called emerald green. It’s highly toxic, but don’t worry—it’s contained in the flask. I’m trying to find a way to make it safe for others. It’s really a beautiful color. I’d planned to draw a little today, then I got too absorbed in my work and missed the right lighting.”
Aether nodded. “Yeah, you can’t draw this late.”
“Not unless I chose you as my subject. Firelight would suit you.”
There was a tense pause. Aether wondered if drawing him meant that Albedo particularly liked to look at him, which was silly. Albedo liked to draw lots of things.
“We could look at the stars,” Albedo said. “If you’re interested.”
“Sure!” Aether replied. Aether stood up and held out Albedo’s coat for him.
“You should put it on properly; we’re going back out into the cold.”
Aether put on the coat, feeling his cheeks flush again. Albedo took a device from the back of the laboratory and went a little ways up the slope with Aether behind him. The device was on a tripod like a Kamera and resembled a giant spyglass.
“This is a telescope,” Albedo said. “It’s able to magnify things to many times their size.” He adjusted the lens in front. “But you won’t need too much of that right now, since we’ll be looking at constellations.”
“I don’t know any of the constellations on this planet,” Aether admitted.
“That’s fine. Here, I’ll focus it on Viator, the Traveler.” Albedo bent slightly so he could look through the eyepiece and adjust the angle before he straightened up again. “You can look through now. I’ll hold it in the right place.”
Aether leaned over so he could see through the eyepiece. He just saw a cluster of bright stars—no constellation. “I can’t really see anything.”
“Hmm. Perhaps an easier one. Allow me to look through again.” Albedo adjusted the telescope and gestured for Aether to look. “Tempus Fugit, Time Flies. It’s an hourglass.”
“Found it,” Aether said.
“Now move a little to your left, and you’ll see Carmen Dei, Divine Song. It looks like someone holding a lyre.”
Aether did as he was told. But he didn’t see anything resembling what Albedo had described. “I can’t find it.”
“Maybe an Inazuman constellation, since you’ll be departing soon. Taurus Iracundus, the Raging Bull. Adjust the eyepiece farther left.”
“Nothing.”
“I’m explaining poorly.”
Suddenly, Aether felt Albedo’s gloved hand between his shoulders. Aether just barely kept himself from tensing up. Albedo steered Aether’s gaze to the left, and Aether finally saw the outline of a bull. The back of Aether’s neck felt hot. Albedo directed him to other constellations with his hand staying gently on Aether’s back.
Aether had always thought Albedo was good teacher—he was very patient, and never made Aether feel slow to learn—but being physically guided into seeing the constellations while Albedo described their shapes and gave their histories was a lot to take in. Aether didn’t have to voice a question before Albedo answered it. It reminded Aether of being with Albedo in battle, where he could feel Albedo’s ability channeling through him with every blow. Aether never had to say a word for Albedo to know what was needed.
But mostly it reminded Aether that Albedo was touching him. He stood up straight and Albedo withdrew his hand. Aether wanted to say something, though he had no idea what. The full moon was bright enough that Aether could see Albedo well; the silvery light suited Albedo’s fine features and pale eyes. There was a seemingly fond look on Albedo’s face. Did that mean Albedo liked Aether, or was Aether just seeing what he wanted to see?
Aether wanted to be more than friends. He wasn’t just nervous around Albedo because Albedo was handsome—Aether was nervous because he really liked Albedo.
But Aether still had to go. He shouldn’t say anything. Albedo probably wasn’t even interested in him in that way. At least Albedo had promised to write to him.
Aether,
I wish you luck with meeting the Shogun and finding your sister again. I almost want to go with you—Inazuma is an interesting place. But my work keeps me here in Mondstadt, and especially in Dragonspine.
Lately, I have been interested in the adaptive properties of mint. It grows everywhere in truly great profusion. The only place I can think of where it doesn’t grow is in the heights of Jueyun Karst, where it is outcompeted by qingxin. Mint can even grow in Dragonspine. I have been using the spare Kamera you gave me; I still prefer to draw my observations, but the Kamera is good for when I do not have the time. I have included a photo of the mint I found growing near the Cryo Hypostasis. Even the sheer cold cannot detract mint from growing. Would you please let me know if you find mint in Inazuma? If it’s there, I’m sure it will be underfoot.
Something else that I have been curious about is onikabuto. I hear that Inazumans make them fight? I’ve never seen any alive—just a few preserved specimens that made their way to Mondstadt. I would love to see a living specimen, if you could bring one upon your return? If you do return. Your travels may take you farther away than Inazuma.
Besides mint and onikabuto, I look towards your safety. I know you are already well-aware of the dangers awaiting you. There was a time in my life when I used to travel widely, and there were always unpredicted perils on the road. I’m sure you will be able to handle them.
Please send my good wishes to Paimon as well.
Warm regards,
Albedo
Dear Albedo,
I nearly missed getting your letter—I’m leaving for Inazuma tomorrow and was just checking with Katheryne to make sure there were no commissions popping up when she handed your letter to me. I can keep an eye out for mint! As for the onikabuto, you’re probably right about mailing them (alive). I’ll make sure to bring some in person. Hopefully Paimon won’t eat them.
I’m still thinking about when you showed me the stars. Liyue Harbor is very bright at night, so it’s hard for me to find any of the constellations you pointed out to me. That, and I think I’m just bad at seeing them. The sky in Dragonspine was so clear. You’re a great teacher, too. Maybe Beidou or Kazuha—those are other friends of mine—could help me find the constellations again, since they’re both sailors.
I promise to return to Mondstadt safely even if it’s only to say goodbye. I got your Kamera photo. It’s certainly a mint! I hope you didn’t go too close to the Cryo cube. I know you can take care of yourself, but it’s hard to break that shield without Pyro and the fruits really hurt when they hit you. Ask me how I know.
Maybe you could send another photo but with you in it? I like seeing your face. Sorry if that sounds weird!
Kazuha took a Kamera picture of me on the Alcor—don’t I look dashing? I can send more photos when I get to Inazuma. Of the country, not just me.
Paimon was really happy that you thought of her, and asked for me to send some hawthorn candies. Hope you like them!
Sincerely,
Aether
Aether,
You do look dashing. I’m keeping the photo in my laboratory on Dragonspine; I like seeing your face too, and I’d be very pleased if you sent me photos from Inazuma.
There’s not much going on without you here. Your bard friend has been banned from the Angel’s Share. Sucrose nearly hybridized a Dendro slime with a Pyro one, but the results went up in flames. What else? Klee misses you and says that you’re better than me at imitating Dodoco. She’s right. I’ve come up with a new game where she blows up increasingly small targets, which she’s very proud of, and a good diversion from her otherwise larger scale arson.
I tried to draw you from memory, which didn’t go very well. Thank you for the photo—having a reference helped me create a much better drawing afterwards. Your eyes are a challenge to get exactly right. I had to completely start over with them several times, but it made for a good meditative exercise.
A merchant from Fontaine told me that dango is very good. Perhaps Paimon will like it when you get to Inazuma. The hawthorn candies were delicious.
Warm regards,
Albedo
Albedo,
I made it to Inazuma! Things are more complicated here than I’d thought.
But first off, I found mint right away. There’s some growing on the way to the statue of the Electro Archon in Ritou. Ritou is the port where we docked. I’m currently stuck here because of the Sakoku Decree—I need a travel permit before I can go anywhere. I met someone helpful named Thoma but now I’m in the middle of a taxation dispute? How were they going to resolve this for themselves before I got here?
All I want to do is find Lumine. I like helping people, I really do, but it feels like I never stop doing errands for others long enough to do anything for myself. Anyway, Paimon helped me take some photos around Ritou. Nothing likely to interest you… there’s not much nature here. There’s a maple in the center of town where the locals hang wooden plaques with their prayers on it that you might like? I put up a plaque for my sister.
Time to look into the mystery of overpriced Crystal Marrow! Please don’t worry about my safety. The worst I think I’ll be facing here are bureaucrats (horrible).
Best wishes (from me and Paimon, who likes dango a lot),
Aether
Aether,
I hope that by the time this letter reaches you, you will have some answers about your sister, or at least a travel permit. Thank you for sending pressed mint along with your letter. I’ve analyzed its properties and found it unsurprising, except for a mild infusion of Electro. I enjoyed the photos of yourself with the maples.
The people here are a little aimless without you around. Marjorie had to search for her cat herself, though she did try to recruit me into doing it when I dropped by the alchemy table. I’ve been feeling aimless as well lately, but it doesn’t matter too much. I have my research to focus on.
I showed Klee how to use the Kamera and told her that you wanted pictures of me. Klee misheard it as “pictures from Klee,” so she was very excited and used up the entire film on things she liked, but fortunately, that also includes me. I’ve ordered more film from Fontaine and hopefully it won’t take too long to arrive.
Have you found any beetles? Don’t let Paimon eat them—they might be toxic.
Warm regards,
Albedo
Albedo,
I was trying to get you a beetle and I got stabbed. I’m fine now but this is about the tenth time I’ve been stabbed lately. There are these tall guys here called Nobushi who can’t be thrown back with Anemo or staggered at all and I’m so sick of them. They zoom around everywhere (stabbing me).
Paimon took a photo of me fighting a Nobushi and I don’t think I turned out looking very cool, but she really wanted me to send it, so here you go. Let her know what you think—she’s really proud of it. Tell Klee I loved the photo she took!
I decided to take a break just outside the city so I could write to you before going in. Thoma’s impatient for me to meet the Shirasagi Himegimi and I expect that I might not have the chance to write to you again anytime soon. Whenever I meet the Shogun, it won’t be easy to get what I need from a tyrant.
I don’t know how I should sign off on my letters. Everything feels a little fake since I have to write so many.
Aether
Aether,
Please forget about the beetles now that you’ve gotten injured trying to get them. I wonder if the Nobushi are somehow similar to the Fatui soldiers? I thought their size might be due to Snezhnayan diet and environment, but if the Nobushi are the same…
Tell Paimon that the composition of the photo you sent was very good—she has an artist’s eye. I think that I would like to leave Dragonspine for a little bit and see Inazuma after all, if the Sakoku Decree is ever lifted. I could look for the onikabuto myself. If you haven’t moved on yet, would you be willing to show me around?
I’ve installed a timer in the Kamera so that it’s easier for me to take photos of myself. I hope you like this one.
Something exciting has happened with the mint you sent. I had saved some of it in one of my books, and a few days ago, I found living leaves peeping out from just above the spine. I potted the mint and it took root immediately. With vigor, in fact. There is now mint growing in several dark corners of my lab, as if photosynthesis was just something other plants did and mint didn’t need to bother with. It’s fascinating. I wish I could share with you what’s happened with your Inazuman mint.
I hope this letter reaches you. I can predict only chaos coming from Inazuma.
Warm regards,
Albedo
The mints were overwhelming the cave. Albedo had taken to yanking some of them out and burning them, otherwise they would somehow return from dehydrated death. At least they had yet to escape the cave and overtake the rest of Dragonspine. Perhaps the mints needed heat, or were drawing some sort of power from the various substances in the laboratory? Albedo dared not re-expose the mints to Electro. He’d hate for a mint to adapt itself into a Regisvine or a Whopperflower.
Aether being gone was harder on Albedo than he’d thought it would be. Albedo had many acquaintances, but no one he considered a friend, other than Aether. They were both alike in being alien to the natural order of Teyvat. One day, Albedo could imagine telling Aether about his origins. Aether probably wouldn’t mind.
No letters had arrived in two weeks. It was unsurprising that a letter might not have made it through the Sakoku Decree, or that Aether had become absorbed in Inazuman politics. Perhaps Aether was simply preoccupied with other people, the new friends he was surely making in Inazuma. Albedo could not expect to be prioritized when he was so far away.
Albedo would not consider that Aether had come to harm. Better to be forgotten about. Albedo yanked a mint from where it had grown behind a bookcase and sat down to write another letter, just in case Aether was still sending letters as well and they weren’t making it through.
Maybe it didn’t matter if Aether was getting Albedo’s letters or not. Albedo enjoyed writing them—Aether could leave them unopened if he preferred.
Albedo,
I’ve gotten involved in the rebellion against the Vision Hunt Decree. People keep calling on me to help even though I can’t fix everyone’s problems. I feel like I should, though—at least it’s something I’m good at. I’ve made no progress in finding my sister. Maybe if someone else wanted me to do it, if someone else cared, I’d have better luck. Paimon keeps trying to cheer me up, mostly with snacks. I’m sick of mochi but eating them anyway so Paimon doesn’t get sad.
Anyway, I can’t write much today. A priestess has me training to defeat the Shogun with a device that mainly just electrocutes me and my hands hurt. I thought I knew how to dodge, but looks like I can’t!
I really wish you were here. You’d know better than I do how to fix everything. Don’t worry about responding to my letters anymore. I guess I’m just sending them to make myself feel better.
Aether
Dear Albedo,
I got through to the Shogun. The Vision Hunt Decree was withdrawn, and now I have the same reputation in Inazuma that I got in Liyue and Mondstadt. But the Shogun had nothing to tell me about my sister, so I just wasted my time. The priestess from earlier is looking into it, at least. I’ll probably have to go to Sumeru next. Do you want me to stop by Mondstadt before I go?
Sorry to be sending you so many letters when you might not even be getting them. It’s OK if you got them and haven’t answered though—you’re always so busy and my last letter was pathetic anyway so I get not replying. Not much you can say to all that. Everyone else gets to see a hero and you’re stuck with the mess.
I’m on Watatsumi Island now. They worship a dead serpent god named Orobashi instead of one of the Seven. I didn’t even know that there were still nations that didn’t follow the Seven around, after what happened to Khaenri’ah. You’d probably love Watatsumi—there’s these little jellyfish-like things floating in the air and everything is in pink and blue hues. There’s another island where everything is purple that you might like too. Well, if you like purple. Inazuma’s not great in general if you don’t like purple.
I don’t know if I should keep sending these letters. I don’t want to bother you.
Bye,
Aether
Albedo had had to make an herbicide to deal with the mint. It was either that, or lose his laboratory to invasive greenery. There was only the original Inazuman mint plant, locked behind glass and kept under a dark cloth. Albedo would’ve burned it if it hadn’t been a gift. He still had some of the hawthorn candies, too, and of course all the photos. Albedo had framed the photo of Aether standing on the deck of the Alcor, with a genuine smile on his handsome face. Aether had been heading towards dangerous waters without a trace of fear.
The news of Aether taking on the Shogun had reached Albedo a few days ago. Had Aether been frightened? Had he gotten hurt at all? And how much longer would Aether stay in Inazuma? If Aether had uncovered any news about Lumine, Albedo was certain that Aether would follow the trail without hesitation. Albedo was unlikely to get any answers about how Aether was faring without a single letter. With Inazuma now at peace, surely Albedo would’ve gotten some, if they’d been sent?
Maybe Albedo should ask Amber about Aether—she was probably Aether’s closest friend in Mondstadt and could contribute more to a friendship than a request for mint and beetles. Just for Albedo’s own peace of mind.
Albedo would send one last letter and be done with it.
Aether was sitting around in Chinju Forest to think. He’d gone to Tsurumi Island hoping to do something good with his time while waiting for Yae Miko and that had turned out… like it had. At least Ruu was at peace now. Paimon appeared over his shoulder.
“You’re always like this after you check the mail,” Paimon said. She crossed her arms. “It’s Albedo, isn’t it?”
Exposed by his emergency food. “How do you know it’s Albedo?”
“Because you had Paimon take all those photos for him!”
“I’d do that for any of my friends,” Aether lied.
“Hmph, you would not. You wouldn’t go looking for onikabuto for just anyone, either! Remember how many times you got stabbed and zapped?”
“How could I forget?”
Paimon lifted her chin and looked ready to stamp her feet if Aether kept denying it.
“OK, it’s Albedo,” Aether said. “I don’t think he’s cared to reply to my letters.”
Maybe Albedo just thought Aether was an interesting subject to experiment on, rather than someone he really wanted to talk to.
“Paimon’s sure that’s not what’s going on. Albedo is just busy.”
“For over a month?”
“The Sakoku Decree…” Paimon trailed off.
“I got Xiangling’s letters just fine.”
Paimon flew closer and looked about to say something else when Thoma walked down the forest path. He waved.
“I wasn’t sure where you’d be,” Thoma said.
Aether’s eyes focused on the stack of letters in Thoma’s hand. “What are those?”
Thoma glanced down at the letters, as if they might have turned into something else. “Mail from Mondstadt. Apparently, none of it was making its way here during the rebellion and a guy just dumped them all off at once.”
Aether refused to get his hopes up. It was probably just a bunch of letters from Marjorie asking him to find her cat. Thoma handed the letters over and sure enough, the first one was from Marjorie. Aether thumbed through the rest of them. More and more errands. Then he saw a letter addressed from Albedo. Then another one. And another one. Aether grinned.
“Got a sweetheart back in Mondstadt?” Thoma asked.
Aether protectively held the letters to his chest. “None of your business. Shoo—I need to read.”
“Definitely a sweetheart,” Thoma said, turning around to start walking off. “Have fun.”
As Aether opened up the first letter, he felt abruptly nervous. What if Albedo had sent replies to Aether’s terrible letters? Aether hoped the last one he’d sent was floating somewhere in the ocean instead of in Albedo’s laboratory. The one before that hadn’t exactly been better either. Aether had poured his heart out and Albedo probably felt awkward about the whole thing.
Being embarrassed and worrying about it wasn’t going to stop Aether from devouring the letters, though. He quickly realized that Albedo hadn’t been getting Aether’s letters at all—they’d been having a one-sided conversation over the ocean. When he got to the last one, Aether realized he had to go back to Mondstadt.
Immediately. Yae Miko knew how to contact him.
Dear Aether,
I hope that you are safe and well after your encounter with the Electro Archon. The news I received of it was patchy, and probably inaccurate, though everyone thinks you were brave. I’m very proud of you for helping when you didn’t have to—as you so often do. Is all of Inazuma open to you now? Exploring every island must be an adventure. You should take all the time that you want with it.
There is nothing more for you to find out about your sister here in Mondstadt, so I sincerely wish that Inazuma has given you something more. I haven’t received any letters from you since the alarming one about the beetles. Hopefully, my letters detailing my experiments and the unimportant things happening in Mondstadt were not unwelcome. I have been keeping myself busy looking after your mint.
It was good to have your company in Dragonspine. You made things a little less cold, though I’ve never minded cold.
Albedo
Mondstadt was exactly as Aether remembered leaving it: a city at peace, with a cool breeze coming from Cider Lake. When he looked to the south, Aether saw the Skyfrost Nail floating high above Dragonspine. Was Albedo in his laboratory? Aether wanted to run off to Dragonspine immediately, but he ought to check in at the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius first. And, if Aether was honest with himself, he was a little nervous about seeing Albedo again, despite Albedo saying that he’d enjoyed Aether’s company. Maybe Albedo had just been politely cutting things off and Aether had leapt to the wrong conclusion.
Definitely going to the Knights of Favonius first. Aether let himself into the building and headed to Jean’s office. At Aether’s knock, Jean said to come in.
Everyone was gathered around Jean’s desk looking over a map with her. Kaeya, Eula, Lisa, Amber, and… Albedo. Thoughtfully holding his hand to his chin, Albedo was talking about weather patterns. He looked up to see Aether.
“Hello,” Albedo said, as if they were continuing the conversation they’d been having across the ocean.
“Albedo!” Paimon called out, waving. “We missed you!”
The other Knights greeted Aether warmly, but none of that registered. He was already rushing forward. Aether didn’t know what he was going to do. Shake Albedo’s hand? Pretend he just really wanted to see the map? Aether hugged Albedo, who raised his hands to Aether’s upper arms, but didn’t push him away. But there wasn’t any time for Aether to feel relieved, because he’d been too eager and pushed Albedo too far back. They were falling over, right in front of the rest of the Knights of Favonius. Aether tried to bear the brunt of the fall and put his hand against the back of Albedo’s head so he wouldn’t get hurt.
Albedo looked up at Aether with a surprised expression. His eyes skimmed over the other Knights of Favonius—Kaeya and Lisa were muffling laughter—and then focused back on Aether. An apology couldn’t seem to make its way out of Aether’s mouth, because apparently it was possible to be too embarrassed to speak. Albedo was warm underneath Aether; when was Albedo going to throw Aether off? Why wasn’t he throwing Aether off? Aether should move, if Albedo was too shocked to do it.
“I missed you too,” Albedo said.
Then Albedo gently returned Aether’s embrace. As if no one else was there, Aether pressed his lips to Albedo’s in a brief kiss.
Albedo’s smile was the only reply that Aether needed.