A warming embrace

Freezing cold

Aether's POV:

The winds of Dragonspine always were rough and cold, no birds singing could be heard across the snow. Every sound except the howling storm swallowed in the deepest snow.

Aether pulled his scarf tighter around his neck, buried his face into the warmth. Normally he could rest shortly next to warming seelies or teleporters but here, in the depths of Dragonspine, was no such thing. The mountain had a small opening, which was hidden by snow, sometimes Aether really hated that he haven't been to Natlan yet and that no pyro user accompanied him. Why didn't he ask Diluc, Hu Tao or Lyney? Hell, even Tartaglia, though he had a hydro vision, he was used to the cold of Sznechnaya.

Now Aether digged a hole into the snow, wetting his gloves. Once again he used elemental sight, making sure he was on the right track. The opening glowed purple and to be honest was extremily narrow.

Aether took a deep breath before he slid through it, into the darkness on the other side. He fell, not far but his back still hurt as Aether put himself on shaking legs. One hand held his sword, the other supported him on the wall. The stone felt smooth, too smooth as that it was natural. Was he already in the abyss order's hideout? Had he reached his destination already?

Aether took another step, wincing at the echo. Step after step he left the small opening behind him until the last light disappeard. After Aether wandered around in complete darkness for a while he bumped into a wall.

„Aw, really", Aether mumbled as he rubbed his forehad, „I have to get further."

He pressed his hands against the wall, a deafening crack filled the cave as the wall started moving.

Blinding lights embraced the Traveler, he was thrown to the ground, someone trapped him under a foot.

„Traveler, finally we encounter each other. The hero of Liyue, Honorary Knight of Mondstadt stumbled right into this little hideout, where you will serve us, the Abyss Order", an Abyss Herald grapped Aether's chin, tilted it upwards until it hurt.

Fury bloomed in Aether's chest, he called the howling winds of Dragon Spine, the rock under his palm. Aether screamed, pushed the herald from his back, summoned his five elements. Several mages and heralds appeared, stormed forward, one after one fell as Aether slammed them against the walls, crushed them under rocks or shocked them.

Still, more and more were coming, pushing Aether deeper into the cave. He was exhausted from the cold and the sheer amount of enemies he had to fight.

His lungs burned as a Herald grabbed his neck, trapped his hands on the ground.

„You will soon enough serve your purpose", was the Herald said before he used his powers to make Aether passed out.

Kaeya's POV:

Days spend with Albedo were always the best, maybe it was because they were so rare and Kaeya hated climbing all the way up to Albedo's lap. That definitely was one of the reasons why these days were so rare.

Kaeya groaned, burying his face in Albedo's neck: „Good morning, love, I'm going to make breakfast, rest a little bit more."

Albedo snuggled deeper into the soft blankets, looked at Kaeya through almost closed eyes: „I'm not tired and you don't make me spiders."

„How could I fall in love with such an idiot", Kaeya shook his head, starting to make fishersmann's toast.

Not long after he started Albedo fought himself up, hugged his boyfriend from behind: „Smells good. I should visit Mondstadt more often but the spiders aren't tasty there."

„You and your spiders, perhaps you should go to the winery. These spiders are huuuuge", Kaeya chuckled, placed two toasts on each plate, pushed Albedo to the table.

As Albedo started eating facing Kaeya, his hands started shaking, dropping the fork.

„Is it that bad?", Kaeya joked, concern grew on his face as Albedo's eyes zoned out, „Albedo?"

„They are here, Aether ... what is happening", Albedo summoned his swords, „Kaeya, come with me, send word to your brother, something's wrong, we have to investigate."

„Are you sure we should go alone? If it is affecting you?", Kaeya hurried to grab his sword, already checking their equipment.

„There's no time, come on."

As they stepped out of Albedo's lab Kaeya thought that the winds were colder than usual and he hoped that Aether at least picked warmer clothes than his usual attire.

Kaeya followed his boyfriend through the snow, dodging the icycles crashing down. Soon he had to rest next to a warming seelie. Albedo turned around, waiting patiently until the blue haired man wasn't freezing anymore.

„I have the feeling that Aether is near and he isn't alone, there are enemies, be prepared", Albedo grabbed Kaeya's hand, „Stay behind me. No matter what."

Kaeya gave Albedo's hand a reassuring squeeze before the Kreideprinz summoned his geo power, tearing the wall made out of stone open.

Behind the wall was a huge room, no lights were shining and Albedo handed Kaeya a lantern, where crystalflies were trapped in: „Be careful. I can feel the enemies presence. Aether is weak."

„If were save and out of here you have a lot to explain", joked Kaeya, drawing his sword, his eyes flicking around. There was movement on the right side, just in time he stopped the attack: „Seems we found them."

Albedo was already fighting on his own several feet apart, stabbing heralds with his sword, crushing mages under rocks.

Almost Kaeya missed the whimper coming from the corner, he froze a herald, sending him flying against the wall. He crouched down, placed the lantern on the ground: „Hey there, Aether, were here."

The boys blond hair was dirty and matted, several cuts were still bleeding but the thing Kaeya was the most concerned about was how cold he was to the touch. Kaeya wrapped Aether in his blue coat, hoisting him up.

Albedo stood next to him: „More are coming, we have to leave Dragonspine. Aether is injured."

„To the winery, it's the safest place right now and not too far away", Kaeya answered, eyeing the limp body in his arms.