Mortal Chains (Albedo x Aether)

Ch. 11 Who are you?

(3rd Person POV)

With a stretch, groan, and a sigh, Albedo stood up from his bed. His hair ruffled and sticking up every which way. Feet scuffed the hardwood floor as he shuffled down the hallway and into his kitchen to make a lazy breakfast. The loud noises of pans clinking together covered the alchemist's quiet humming. Sucrose had left late in the night, said something about meeting a friend. Albedo didn't question it, why should he?

He decided to make scrambled eggs, then piled them high on a plate, and began to shovel them down at record speed. That day was looking to be a nice one, Albedo wanted to get out and do something sooner rather than later.

Once finished with his breakfast, he tossed on his heavy white coat and left the house. The crisp Autumn air filled his nose as he strolled down Mondstadt's cobbled road. Albedo continued to fill the silence with soft humming. He found himself pulling out his clipboard, new, smooth white paper clipped to it. His pencil tapped lightly against the unblemished paper as he walked, waiting for inspiration to hit.

Within seconds he had an idea. Albedo slowed his movements and leaned against a wall. His pencil quietly scratched at the paper. Entirely oblivious to the world around him.

'Long braided hair. Over his shoulder or behind? Behind I think.' the alchemist's mind blanked for a moment as he stared at the sketch. Aether, with his smooth, soft belly skin uncovered by his croptop. His long fingers sporting calluses from using swords. Albedo could practically see the color of his eyes, despite the sketch being in black and white. He shook the colored image of Aether out of his head and continued the sketch. The traveler was sitting on a rock, holding out a hand for a gentle looking crystalfly.

With a huff, Albedo began detailing the sketch, he erased messy lines and began smoothing out the hand first. Long pale fingers, he kept his nails trimmed and clean. He could remember the feel of Aether's fingertips against his arm, what would it feel like against something more lewd?

'You have a girlfriend you inconsiderate shit- shut up.' Albedo told himself, his face warming to an uncomfortable degree.

He left the sketch as a sketch, shoving the clipboard and pencil into one of his large coat pockets. The alchemist took a steadying breath and continued on his path towards the gates of Mondstadt. A bit of fresh air couldn't hurt.

* * *

Albedo wondered down the pebbled path. Sandy stones crunched under his boots as he walked. He glanced in the direction of the Statue of the Seven. The tree was just behind it, where he caught Venti and Aether.. What? Kissing? It shouldn't matter - Not to you - he reminded himself. Cause of course, he loved Sucrose, loved her pretty, light green hair. Her soft spoken voice as well. They weren't together often, either Albedo was out gathering resources for experiments or Sucrose was doing whatever she does, they didn't get much time together anymore. Oddly enough, Albedo wasn't all that sad about it.

He stopped in his tracks at the sound of voices.

"You can't let them know, can I trust you?" It was an unfamiliar voice. Albedo continued to walk, he shouldn't eavesdrop.

"Yes, I promise I won't tell Aether,"

He stopped once more. That was Sucrose. The alchemist waited for more to be said, his brows furrowing with worry. What secret would Sucrose have to keep from Aether?

"Not just Aether you fool!" The woman spat out bitterly, "you must keep it from your sad little boy pet as well."

Sucrose squeaked in surprise. "P-Pet? What- He's not a--"

"Doesn't matter, you keep it from him too, got it?"

Albedo didn't hear a verbal response but assumed she nodded. He began walking briskly, not wishing to be caught. His walk turned into a jog as he made his way down the path. 'Why would Sucrose do that?' 'Is the woman she was talking to someone I know?' 'Is she someone Aether knows?' Albedo stopped jogging and looked in the direction he had heard the voices. He frowned, this wasn't good.

(Author's note: YAY more drama. Okay so I genuinely had no idea how to seperate Albedo and Sucrose without it seeming shallow so this is what I came up with. This has something to do with the chapter before as well. I think I'll be using third person writing from now on because I got used to reading and writing like that. Thanks for the support besties ;D)