Work Text:
Tick-Tock
Tick-Tock
Albedo had grown restless. He found himself not able to focus on work, lacking sleep, and constantly looking at Inazuma through the snow of Dragonspine.
He was worried.
He was scared.
News had spread of the Honorary Knight fighting the Raiden Shogun herself. The Raiden Shogun. An archon. One of the Seven.
And Albedo didn’t know if Aether was safe.
He had told him to use the waypoints and come back home for safety should anything go wrong. Albedo would be here for him, treat him, keep him healthy. But that was exactly the problem. Albedo hadn’t seen Aether since he left, hadn’t heard anything about his condition since the rumor spread, and hadn't even received a message from him. Thoughts raced through Albedo's head like the very storms Aether was facing in Inazuma.
What if he doesn’t like me?
What if he’s leaving me?
What if he’s hurt?
What if he’s dead?
What if--
The thoughts swirling through his head became all too much, and all he sensed before he blacked out was the feeling of his body hitting the floor and a collection of footsteps running towards him.
“What….quaint….creation.”
“Free….-purities.”
Albedo’s eyes opened, staring at Rhinedottir inspecting one of his isotomas. This was...familiar. A memory he had never forgotten.
“It’s perfect, Albedo. I think you’re finally ready for our final assignment.” She switched her gaze from the flower to Albedo and offered a familiar smile. “Come, let’s test this in the field, shall we?”
In the blink of an eye, the world had changed around them. Albedo and Rhinedottir were standing on the corpse of a god. Naberius, to be specific. This was a sight he knew all too well. Rhinedotter inspected the chess piece in her hand, content with the mission they had just accomplished. Albedo had seen it. He knew what was coming next, and he wasn’t prepared to relive it again.
His mouth felt like it was taped shut, unable to respond to whatever was going on around him. He wanted to scream, so, so badly. Don’t leave me. Not again, please. Please…
Rhinedottir spared him a passing glance.
“Albedo,”
His limbs were paralyzed, he was left only to watch the scene unfold before him despite how badly he wanted to scratch at the walls of his consciousness and change the outcome of this nightmare.
In a flash, Rhinedottir disappeared before his eyes. All that was left was the letter he knew all too well.
Your final assignment: Show me the truth and meaning of this world.
He awoke in a cold sweat in his room at the Knights of Favonius HQ, the sun setting outside and the last person he wanted to see sitting beside his bed
.”Oh my Archons, Albedo!”
Aether wrapped his arms around Albedo before he could even process what was happening.
“You were screaming and tossing around in your sleep, I was so worried about what you must’ve been dreaming about.” Aether’s grip tightened, but Albedo hadn’t forgotten. He pushed Aether off of him and kept his distance, barely even looking at the man.
“Albedo? Is… something wrong?” Aether’s voice softened in a way Albedo could never ignore. He could already see the puppy dog eyes forming on his face. Albedo weighed his options, finally deciding that shutting Aether out would only hurt both of them more.
“...Are you hurt?” Albedo turned to Aether and spoke up. The anger dissipated and replaced itself with the worrisome thoughts he had before he passed out.
“W-what?” Aether was shocked, with the inquiry of his condition coming out of nowhere.
“The Shogun. Did she hurt you?” Albedo repeated himself.
“Well, a little. Nothing I can’t fix though.” Aether responded. “B-but this isn’t about me! The knights found you passed out in your lab, and once news got out I promised myself I’d come to check on you the moment I had resolved the issue in Inazuma. I should be the one asking if you’re okay. Are you?” Aether shifted in his seat so he could look at Albedo clearly.
“Of course not. You had me worried sick, Aether. You were fighting the Raiden Shogun. One of the Seven.” Tears started to form in Albedo’s eyes. “Do you know how many she’s killed?” His voice started to crack and he began to stutter. “You could’ve gotten seriously hurt. You could’ve died ! And the worst part about it all is I wouldn’t have been able to see you before it happened. I-I wouldn’t have been able to say goodbye.” At this point, Albedo had broken. “I would’ve been left alone again, without the only light in my life and the only person who makes me feel real , Aether. Don’t you understand?” All Albedo could do now was throw himself into Aether’s arms and cry into his shoulder, left to be comforted by the one person who had made him feel safe.
Albedo felt arms wrap around him in a tight hug.
“Albedo.. I’m so, so sorry. I should’ve been more careful, but I couldn’t stand by and let the people of Inazuma suffer. You understand, right? I love you, so so much, and I’m sorry I made you worry about me. I should’ve come back, and I should’ve kept in touch. I never wanted to make you feel this way. I’m sorry.” Aether was practically squeezing Albedo at this point, but neither of them minded. They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the comfort of each others presence.
“Albedo?” Aether broke the silence.
“Mm?” Albedo hummed in response.
“What were you having a nightmare about, by the way?” Albedo had completely forgotten about the nightmare he had just a while ago, but having it back at the forefront of his mind wasn’t the best. He supposed now was a better time than anything, anyway.
“I’ve...told you about Rhinedottir right?” Aether nodded in response. “It was a nightmare about her. She...left me. Right before I came to Mondstadt. She was never that kind to me, though she was my only family. It… stung… but I’ve tried to forget about it. Guess that didn’t really work, huh?” Albedo laughed nervously, tears fighting to escape once more.
He felt Aether squeeze his hand.
“Hey Albedo, it’s alright. I mean, you have Alice and Klee now, right? You have me! We’re your family now, don’t ever forget that.” He looked at Albedo and cupped his face, Albedo leaning into his touch. Albedo was silent for a moment, before resting his head on Aether’s shoulder and continuing.
“You remind me a lot of her, you know that? Your golden eyes, your flowing hair.” He chuckled. “Even Paimon reminds me of her sometimes. You never really act like her, but sometimes, when I watch you fight for the people of Teyvat, it reminds me of how determined she was in completing her mission.” Albedo spoke softly, looking out of the window as the stars began to come out.
“Promise you’ll never leave me, Aether.” Albedo had spoken, voice cracking.
Aether hesitated for a moment. “Promise.”