#romanticfluff

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Romantic Fluff Masterlist

7 Minutes (ao3) - saraswords

Summary: "Moments, memories, that’s all that Dan had left to relive, but he could only pick a handful. He only had 7 minutes after-all. So…he picked. He chose his favorites, a compilation of small and big moments: lying in bed together, moving in together, slow dancing, life-changing questions, and simple nights.

And what they all had in common, was one person..."

A Different Kind of Philly (ao3) - NiniMeggie

Summary: Dan is getting to an age where he is meant to be looking for a bride from one of the neighbouring kingdoms. After messengers are sent from various kingdoms from both lords and kings offering their daughters’ hands, Dan has a lot to consider. His father sends invites to the interested parties of the top three kingdoms and tells his son to pick whichever filly his heart desires. After meeting them, he thinks the Philly he wants is one his father would not approve of.

all the memories i hold dear (ao3) - Ablissa

Summary: "It's not really our anniversary, though," Dan reasons against his own will.

"It's one of our anniversaries," Phil argues.

Dan snorts. "Yeah, one of like, ten."

"Four," Phil corrects him, fondness seeping from his voice.

--

Nine years after meeting Phil for the first time, Dan thinks it's alright that they'll be spending October 19th apart.

But is it really?

beauty (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: maybe there's something special about ferris wheels.

Bluebells (ao3) - worriedpeach (skeletonflowers)

Summary: Dan just really wants to put flowers in Phil’s hair.

clothes that look cute on you (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: dan works at a clothing store and he helps phil pick out outfits to wear

Dearest, Dearest (ao3) - QuietBubbles

Summary: A collection of love letters written during the Great War between two young soldiers. Hope you enjoy! <3

Here's To Our Story (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan is a bored office worker with a crush on the cute IT guy - Phil.

Naturally Dan decides that the best way to get Phil's attention would be to fabricate a series of technical issues that he has to call Phil to help with. It's just a shame Dan wasn't a little less transparent.

His World (ao3) - Sinninghowlter

Summary: Dan opens the door and before him stands his world.

He's finally home.

Home With A Heartbeat (ao3) - JenCollins, WordsAblaze

Summary: Uni’s hard, so sometimes Dan ends up missing lunch. This time he goes to Phil, who gives him not only worried looks, a meal, and cooking skills, but also a home.

Memories in Manchester (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Dan and Phil feel nostalgic while in Manchester for tour and recall their earliest memories of one another, including their first kiss.

My Shipwrecked Heart (ao3) - outphan

Summary: After his heart gets broken, Dan Howell decides to chase one of his dreams: he enters a competition to go on a Mediterranean cruise! It comes true and along the way, something even better happens.

Pumpkin Pride (ao3) - ThoughtaThought

Summary: Phil's family runs a Pumpkin Patch on the outskirts of a small town. The Howells move into the house next door (but this is the country, so it's like... half a mile away) and Dan grows up hanging out with the Lesters. Each chapter is a moment in their life as they grow up and get together with absolutely zero angst. From 1996-2023.

Ridingstone Hall (ao3) - QuietBubbles

Summary: The turn of the 20th century. Much to his surprise, Daniel, an ordinary orphan, secures a position as tutor to an affluent family in the country. However, this stroke of luck soon runs short as he is thrust into a world eternally on the brink of scandal. Warring parents, unhappy children-and the eldest son, miserably engaged to a socialite, soon begins a beautiful secret scandal of his own…

The Admiral's Birdcage (ao3) - QuietBubbles

Summary: Daniel, an orphaned ward, has never set foot outside the Great House at the top of the High Street. His guardian, the powerful Admiral Malock, grows ever more obsessed with him, and hatches a terrible plan to keep him by his side forever. With Daniel approaching his twenty-first birthday and longing to see the world, Malock will go to any lengths to keep him prisoner. But when Philip, a young clerk, discovers Daniel trapped in his birdcage, a secret friendship leads quickly to love. Though there is danger at every turn, Philip knows he has to set Daniel free… Alternative Victorian England. Old-fashioned romance, fluff, obsession, danger, and smut. Also a cute kitty! Enjoy!

The right people (ao3) - ykari

Summary: Just the fluffy Soulmate AU you're looking for when you're sad and lonely. Dan and Phil live in a world where you get a mark on your arm on your eighteenth birthday with your soulmate's first words to you. Phil is an hopeless romantic and is quite surprised when his mark turns out to be that long.

The Wallflower's Guide to Love (ao3) - Art3misPlayerOne

Summary: Dan is a brilliant but painfully shy and awkward guitar player in a popular local band who prefers to hide from the spotlight. He's content to lose himself in his playing and avoids friendships and emotional attachments, but an accidental run-in with a mystery boy inspires him to reach out to him through anonymous texts.

Too scared that the boy will be disappointed in the real him, Dan doesn't want to reveal his identity and risk losing their surprising connection. When forced to choose between his anonymity and putting his heart on the line, help from an unexpected friendship pushes him far beyond his comfort zone, but will it be too little too late?

watermelon sugar high (ao3) - itsmyusualphannie (itsmyusualweeb)

Summary: Dan is the son of Hades, god of the Underworld, while Phil is the son of Hebe, goddess of youth and vitality. They couldn't be more different, but somehow they're friends (and maybe a little more).

[insomniasymphony]

Killua Zoldyck x Female Reader [Two of the same kind]

Constellation: Killua Zoldyck x Female Reader Wish I got: Reader is stressed and crying and Killua is hesitant and awkward to comfort her. Words I got: Bewildered, Harbour, Blossoming Rating: General Audience Wish made by: @sunnism​    

          ►��If two care too much          It's hard to decide          How to take the next step.◄◄

[Picture is from a card collecting game]

.

Your steps rush up and down far too quickly. There is no goal, no idea in your head, only the steady clatter of wood under your soles, which makes the despair a little greater with every breath.

You are lost. Somewhere between those strange beasts and Kite, you have lost Gon, undecided about which way to go now. He's out there somewhere, threatening to take on the thing that killed Kite, while you can do nothing. You have no plan, no alternative. In those seconds, you seem terribly insignificant in the face of it all.

“We have to do something, Killua!” For what feels like the twentieth time you say it to him and his reaction remains the same. He knows you must do something, but every time he looks at you, his certainty in it seems to crumble. This time, too, his eyes cling to you, unsure of what to say.

His stillness, this silent, wordless argument of nothing that he makes to you, drives you mad. It bewilders you, consumes you, because Gon should be the most important thing to both of you and yet nothing is happening. Nothing with Killua and nothing with you. Yet you could have run through the door of the room more than once to stop or save him.

“Now say something already!” Far too loud, far too upset, you turn to Killua. The wide, blue vastness that his eyes radiate invites oblivion, and yet you think you see the same desperation that hangs inside you.

“I'm sure G-Gon will be fine!” This time the Zoldyck stirs, leaps to his feet and raises a finger as if he has an idea. “Come on, it's Gon. He's simple-minded. He's probably already run into one of the other hunters and he's fine.” With difficulty, he presses a stilted laugh from his lips, and the suspicion that he has lost his mind seems frighteningly close.

All you can offer him is incomprehension. Fear, because Gon has disappeared just like that, and also worry because just like Killua, he is always putting himself in unnecessary danger. To think that the three of you can no longer be together, the very idea of Gon suffocating in his own blood, makes the oxygen stiflingly thick. It steals your breath, drives tears into your eyes that cannot be held. Instead, they chase icy over your heated skin and elicit loose sobs.

This friendship will die.

And it's not even the knowledge that it will kill Gon if you don't find him in time, it's also the fear that builds up behind it. The panic that Killua will break if his best friend and the light of his world fade away all at once. Then he'll only have you, and no matter how you look at it, you probably won't be enough.

You will be nothing but the bitter aftertaste that remains.

You will lose them both.

Teeth clenched tightly, you fix your gaze on the ceiling of the room and try to suppress the tears as Killua's disconnected stuttering in the background drifts into renewed, ugly silence.

“Don't you care?” You can't look at him, can't possibly ask that question while looking into those kind blue eyes that want to experience so much more. He doesn't deserve that question. You know he wants to do something and that he is as clueless as you are. You don't know where to start and you also know that when you go out there, you have to be ready to die. “Gon needs us. He needs his friends. Us. Gon-”

“I know!” The anger in Killua's voice interrupts you before you can even repeat yourself. His exclamation makes you release your gaze from the ceiling and what stares back at you is the same desperation that plagues you – one that threatens to destroy both of you.

One of his hands lifts, seeming to want to reach out to you if you let him, but he's too far away and the hesitation in his movement doesn't make it any easier at any moment. His hand shakes. His shoulders tremble. Everything about him threatens to break and yet he holds all his emotions together with difficulty.

“If you know that, then why are we still here?” you shout at him, groundless and stupid because you are too young to be in this kind of trap. You hardly feel any different from him. The trembling of your body cannot be calmed and the salt of your tears burns on your skin. It is wrong to blame Killua. But the aching throb in your chest makes it easier to collide with someone else than to be honest.

“Because you would die!” Furious, he gives you a look that makes you hold your breath. The tears don't stop and you think you hear your own hiccups, but you can't find any more words. Instead, you watch as Killua comes closer to you and puts your head between his hands. “I don't know what I can do to protect you both. And I don't know what to do to calm you down.”

His eyes gleam with the same brilliance as yours. Moist and yet unable to shed tears, because it is he who is trying to be truly strong between the fronts. Stronger than you and Gon will ever be. In those seconds, he's trying to be the assassin he's not, and his facade crumbles as he rests his forehead against yours. “I'm sorry.”

The coolness of his skin seems to calm you for a moment. Although he doesn't have the slightest bit of security that he's trying to give you in these seconds, he's the one safe harbour where you can come to rest. He is exactly what you usually are to him – a person to cling to when the world threatens to sink.

It only makes your affection for him blossom further, even though neither of you is in a situation where feelings for each other should matter much. Everything in your world should revolve around your best friend Gon and yet, it seems like only Killua exists in these few moments. He and the peace that drapes itself over you like a shroud.

All at once you can hear nothing but his voice and feel nothing more than his nearness, which makes the tingling in your body a little less threatening. You notice only in passing how the trembling is receding from his body and that his hands are also becoming a little calmer with each breath.

“It's not your fault,” you bring your lips together in a whisper as your tongue seems a little lighter and the hiccups barely appear. “I'm sorry I yelled at you.” Your hands settle on his, still resting on your cheeks. “But we have to find Gon. We have to find him and help him.”

It seems Killua's attention turns to you again, but this time gently and understandingly, because you both know what you have to do.

“If we go out there, we could both die. But I don't want to go out there to die, I want to grab Gon and get the hell out of there.” Confidently, you stroke his skin with your thumb. “I want to stay by your side.”

Killua fails at hiding the hope behind his deep breath. His eyes betray him, and the smile he gives you moments later is nothing more than proof that you think of each other even when you shouldn't. “Then we'll go together.”

“No splitting,” you assure, before Killua finally lets go of you and fishes his mobile phone out of a trouser pocket. “What are you doing?”

“I'm calling Morel. He'll be the most likely to know where we can find Gon.”

It's only one step forward. But it's more than you had ten minutes ago. That's the way of the world between you. The walls grow and fall.

They shut you in.

But they don't exclude either of you.

[and555trollsespecial]

New fanfic but short...

Enjoy it!

[mervardent]

Let me braid your hair. Chapter 1

Chapter 2 is here.

Nick on AO3: MervArdent

Ship: Albedo/Aether

Characters: Albedo, Aether, Paimon, Kaeya, Rosaria, Sucrose, mentioned Barbara

Tags: fluff, romantic fluff, emotional hurt/comfort, first love, friends to lovers, fluff and humour

Chapter 1

Dragonspine was cold and dangerous. An obviously obvious statement. And yet, Aether this one time underestimated it a little. A few snowflakes falling from the sky surprisingly fast transformed into a snowstorm which kept getting stronger and stronger.

"P-Paimon doesn’t want to become a flying icicle."

Even though she was right next to him, Aether could barely hear her through the storm.

"Well, technically speaking, at this moment, you’re not flying."

"An unremarkable detail," answered Paimon from under Aether’s coat. The wind would blow her away if she tried to go on her own. "Are we near?"

"I think so, it’s hard to notice anything."

To be honest, he had no idea where they were. All he could see was the whitest whiteness possible, with occasional spots of gray. Was he even walking in one direction, or just kept going round in circles?

Then he noticed something green. It was the weirdest possible color in a place like this, and the most beautiful one at the same time. A whole wall of green! He sped up.

Up close, Aether noticed that said green wall was in fact a densely growing ivy. He could think of only one reason why it was here: someone made it. And he knew someone incredibly good at alchemy who was his only hope in this situation.

"Albedo? Albedo, are you there?"

Silence.

One.

Two.

Three.

"Al-"

"Come in."

Aether carefully pushed the ivy aside and stepped in. The camp looked exactly like always, except the fact it was now cut off from the world. Even though he could still hear the wind, it was much calmer inside.

"It isn’t wise to stay in the mountains during such weather." Albedo stood with his back to Aether, looking at two bottles with  unidentified contents. Probably he was in the middle of some experiment, like always.

"I could say the same about you."

"But you would be in trouble if I wasn’t here, wouldn’t you?"

"I don’t deny that."

"Look, maybe that’s the reason I’m here – to save the lost wanderers?"

"Both of us know it’s pretty unlikely."

Aether couldn’t see his face, but he’s got the feeling Albedo smiled, at least a little.

"Sit down. I’ll be done with it soon. You’re freezing, I assume."

"And you’re right!" Paimon got out from under Aether’s coat and flew closer to the fire. „It’s a true nightmare outside, NIGHT-MARE."

Nothing was said since then for some time. Tired, Paimon fell asleep on Aether’s lap while he was silently watching precise, smooth movements of Albedo. Sometimes he muttered something under his breath. He was in his own world right now, and Aether definitely didn’t want to be the one who will get him out of it. It was weirdly relaxing to watch him like this. Finally, the alchemist turned around.

"Done. What are you doing on Dragonspine right now, again?"

"Just a commission."

"Just a commission isn’t worth your life."

"The weather was nice most of the time. It got worse after we started going back."

"I see." Albedo sat down next to Aether. „Why are you still wearing the hood?"

"Ah, I’ve completely forgotten!"

The moment Aether took off his hood, Albedo smirked.

"Your hair is a complete mess."

"Well, it was a hard day for them."

"Yes, indeed."

A bit of awkward silence. Crackling fire. Wind noise. Dim light.

"Let me braid your hair."

"Huh?"

"Just like you said: it was a hard day for them. They deserve some love."

"Y-yeah, sure."

Aether let his hair down and turned to Albedo. After a moment, he felt a delicate touch on his head. He shuddered slightly. It was this a little weird yet pleasant feeling when someone was brushing your hair. Kind of electrifying and relaxing. Suddenly a second felt like an hour.

"You have really long hair. I don’t notice it so much when you have them in a braid."

Aether didn’t know what to say, so he was just sitting still.

"It has to be kinda troubling to take care of them, isn’t it?"

"Well, yes, sometimes. To be honest, there was… someone who always was helping me with braiding my hair because it takes me so long to do it myself."

A few seconds of silence.

"Your sister, right?"

"…Yeah."

Thoughts of Aether gone very far away. Even he didn’t know exactly where. To the time when they were travelling together? To their first meeting in Teyvat? To the Abyss? What was she doing right now? Was Enjou with her? Was she safe? Why didn’t she want to be together with his brother, just like in good old times?

"Don’t slouch." Aether would probably have thought up a thousand more questions, but Albedo made him come back to the camp.

"Sorry."

"Don’t apologize."

Albedo was slowly finishing his hair. Aether didn’t know why, but he got the feeling the alchemist was deliberately taking his time with it.

"You know, my master gave me… a rather weird goal. But there must be a reason why, isn’t it? Sometimes we simply cannot develop when we stay forever with the same person. Just as flowers, we need time to grow."

Aether smiled.

"Kinda poetic."

"Maybe." Albedo moved away. Aether immediately felt emptiness. "I finished."

"Thank you."

"No problem."

"No, not for this! I mean… also for this! But for your words, too."

„No problem, I said."

They sat just as before, but now it was more awkward. Out of nowhere, the silence was broken by Paimon’s snoring. They both burst out laughing.

"W-well… Now… Let me braid your hair," said Aether without looking at Albedo.

"But they’re perfectly fine."

"As a thank you!"

"You already thanked me a moment ago."

Aether sighed in frustration.

"Why do need to make everything so complicated, Albedo?"

He smiled. He must have smiled!

"Okay, if you insist so much…"

"I insist."

The roles changed. Aether mentally pleaded his hands not to tremble so much. It was normal. Perfectly normal. Nice and normal. Something all friends do.

Albedo looked up at the ivy. The snowstorm continued. It should be midnight by now.

"It looks like you will have to stay here till the morning."

"Yes, sorry about that."

"No problem." Albedo turned to face Aether. He hesitated about something.

"Hey, I didn’t fini-"

He came closer. And closer. And then their faces were as close to each other as possible.

Snow. Wind. Dancing shadows. Perfect silence.

[eijun-enjoyer]

by Mysticmayze

The story of the five bloodlines.

The kims- the family that blindly ruled over the people with some many secrets

The Mins- the missing family with a twisted past

The Jungs- the broken family

The parks- the mysterious family with no past

The jeons- the half blood phenomenons

Words: 2006, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: 방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys | BTS

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Kim Namjoon | RM, Kim Seokjin | Jin, Kim Taehyung | V, Min Yoongi | Suga, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin (BTS), Jeon Jungkook, Mark Tuan, Jackson Wang, Lee Minhyuk (Monsta X), Yoo Kihyun

Relationships: Kim Taehyung | V/Min Yoongi | Suga, Jung Hoseok | J-Hope/Kim Seokjin | Jin, Jeon Jungkook/Kim Seokjin | Jin/Park Jimin, Jung Hoseok | J-Hope/Kim Namjoon | RM

Additional Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Omega Kim Taehyung | V, Omega Kim Seokjin | Jin, Alpha Kim Namjoon | RM, Beta Jung Hoseok | J-Hope, Alpha Min Yoongi | Suga, Hybrids, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Mating Bond, Mating Bites, Wolves, Foxes, Angst, Drama, Romance, Fluff, Alpha wangJackson, Alpha Mark Tuan, omega minhyuk, Alpha kihyun, Mystery, Lies, Truth, happiness, Sadness, Memories, romanticfluff, Child Kim Taehyung, Child Kim seokjin, child min yoongi, Child Park Jimin, Child Jeon Jungkook, Child Hoseok, Child Kim Namjoon, Backstory, taegi - Freeform

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Romantic Fluff (2) Masterlist

part one

adapt (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: this is the story of how dan grew to love neon lights

Back In Time (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan and Phil go back to Manchester and relive the first time they met.

Behind The Emojis (ao3) - The_First_Trashed_Reject

Summary: During PINOF 8 when Dan and Phil are looking at their most recently used emojis to describe their arse and Phil gets sparkling, sleepy, and asleep. While Dan gets the eyes looking sideways, the guy with the sunglasses, and the money bag...

box boys (ao3) - Mikayuushipper1

Summary: Dan and Phil build a box fort inside their apartment. that's it. that is the fic.

Castles and Roses (ao3) - thesassykels66

Summary: Dan and Phil take a walk through a flower garden in Edinburgh

Distracting Boyfriends and Sleepy Kisses (ao3) - ElleF

Summary: Phil just wants his boyfriend to pay attention to him.

His World (ao3) - Sinninghowlter

Summary: Dan opens the door and before him stands his world..

He's finally home.

isn't it lovely (ao3) - silentdescant

Summary: Dan and Phil get stuck at the top of the London Eye.

La Dolce Vita (ao3) - CrushingMagnolias

Summary: Phil plans a surprise engagement during their vegas trip at the Bellagio hotel.

Dan is head over heels, smitten, Phil Trash #1

let's save up for something new (ao3) - deletable_bird

Summary: Phil wakes up shivering the morning of October 19th, 2009. Today is the day he meets Dan. Fluff, 3.5k

little by little (ao3) - deletable_bird

Summary: Dan's voice is voice relaxed and liquid, his posture much the same. He’s draped over the arm of the couch, looking at Phil upside down, the rim of a half-full wine glass clasped in the fingertips of his right hand. “You’re drunk, you arse,” Phil tells him, skirting the coffee table and sitting down at his feet.

Love Of My Life (Phan Fluff) (ao3) - thegirlwholikestowrite

Summary: I suck at summaries. Three words; Phan, fluff, coffeshop.

Mind and Heart (ao3) - fringesandcringes

Summary: Phil has his heart. Dan has his mind. It works most times.

never too much (ao3) - bloodyscarab

Summary: oh, my love

a thousand kisses from you is never too much

Phil Returns (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Phil comes back from holiday and Dan's missed him a lot.

Sleep, love (ao3) - mani_txt

Summary: dan tends to overwork himself a lot and phil is not having any of it.

The Edge (ao3) -Japhan2024

Summary: Dan is restless about his future... but then he decides.

True Soulmates (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: A mutual crush that is never acted on. It can't be. It won't be.

Weirdo (ao3) - maybeformepersonally

Summary: Phil’s always been weird.

When the Tattoo Meets the Flower (ao3) - BigRedEnergy

Summary: Florist!Dan wears pastel clothing. One day he decides he wants to get a tattoo. He goes to the tattoo parlor across the street and meets Punk!Phil. Phil awkwardly flirts with Dan and Dan thinks he might like the odd tattoo artist.

What I Thought Was Real (ao3) - darkhearthowell

Summary: Everything Dan thought was real starts to fall apart...

When the Tattoo Meets the Flower (ao3) - BigRedEnergy

Summary: Florist!Dan wears pastel clothing. One day he decides he wants to get a tattoo. He goes to the tattoo parlor across the street and meets Punk!Phil. Phil awkwardly flirts with Dan and Dan thinks he might like the odd tattoo artist.

You'll Be Okay (ao3) - ineffabledaniel

Summary: Dan tends to think a lot. These thoughts take a certain turn when Phil's away in Florida with his family. Queue Phil coming home to a very sad and anxious Dan.

You mean the world to me (ao3) - ironicallyrad (snakedolls)

Summary: Dan is having his late night thoughts but tonight it's different. He is proud of himself for everything he's accomplished and specially thankful to have phil in his life

[insomniasymphony]

“Y-Yoo!” She sounded stiff, out of place, somehow from the wrong planet, and yet Kongming turned to her and put on one of those gentle, friendly, almost charming smiles. “Good morning, Eiko-san.” She unintentionally blew a blonde strand out of her face before she put her hands on her hips and nodded. She had no words, no idea what to say. The only thing she noticed was the distant hint of sadness behind Kongming’s facade. Ever since she had once misjudged him, only to be taught better, she had been paying close attention to his every action. Maybe she wasn’t smart enough to fully understand him, but this time she could see him. She could clearly perceive the feeling in his eyes. It gave her confidence that she was on the right path. A little courage, but no words. “Eiko-san? Are you all right?” Zhuge’s head tilted. “You are a little pale” “E-everything’s fine!” Hastily she waved it off, smiled, opened her mouth once more, but remained silent. What did someone say to somebody whose heart they wanted to win over? Whose suffering they wanted to feel, to be just a bit closer to them?

Paripi Koumei! Fanfiction “A Song of War and Understanding”

[mervardent]

Let me braid your hair. Chapter 2 (and the last one)

Chapter 1 is here.

Nick on AO3: MervArdent

Ship: Albedo/Aether

Characters: Albedo, Aether, Paimon, Kaeya, Rosaria, Sucrose, mentioned Barbara

Tags: fluff, romantic fluff, emotional hurt/comfort, first love, friends to lovers, fluff and humour

Chapter 2

"You’re strangely quiet today."

Aether and Paimon were going down the Dragonspine. Albedo stayed in his camp. He said there’s some work he needs to finish.

"Is it really this strange? I don’t really talk a lot."

"Today you’re quiet even for your standards! Are you sure everything’s okay?" Paimon sounded worried.

"Yes, I’m just tired after yesterday, no problem. Thank you for asking."

"But you’re all red from this cold! Oh, Paimon hopes you won’t be sick."

"Yeah, me… me neither."

Aether definitely didn’t want Paimon to know what’s the true reason of this blush. The more he tried to think about anything else, the clearier he was seeing that moment from yesterday when Albedo leaned over him. What was his facial expression? It was hard to read someone like him. If Aether needed to describe it, the dominant emotion on his face was motivation, like he made an important decision. But beside this focused expression was some hesitation. It all took three seconds, but the Traveler was sure Albedo stopped moving for a brief moment, as if reconsidering all the pros and cons. Then he placed his hands on his cheeks, leaned in even more and-

"Finally some grass! We should go eat something warm!"

"Sure," answered Aether after a moment of trying to remember where he actually was right now. To be honest, he didn't even notice when they came down from the  mountain, and as soon as they headed towards Mondstadt, he thought back to the last night.

Aether had a total void in his head back then. He could feel and see every little thing, but he was completely unable to reflect on anything. Albedo’s fluffy hair tickling his neck. His surprisingly warm hands. Fast heartbeat. His lips on Aether’s lips.

And then… everything stopped. Albedo stepped back, looked at him for a moment and said it’s time to sleep. In the morning, Paimon talked for all three of them and Aether couldn’t explain anything. And Albedo staying there… why Aether felt as if he was avoiding conversation? Why, oh why he needed to be so mysterious?

And the worst of all of it was that Aether himself had no idea how to feel about it. Like... why? Just why.

He didn’t object when Paimon led him to the Good Hunter first to eat something warm – what he ordered, again? – or when she said it would be good to relax at Angel’s Share. He just performed all activities mechanically.

"Okay, are you really sure you didn’t hit your head? You had so many opportunities to call Paimon emergency food and didn’t use even one!"

"I can call you it, if you want."

"Of course Paimon doesn’t want to! But it’s not like you!"

He didn’t answer, just ordered something to drink and sat downat the table.

"Isn’t it my favorite traveler?"

Aether flinched as Kaeya showed up before him.

"Why the sad face? You’re not happy to see your friend?"

"Of course… I am."

"He’s like this since we’ve returned from Drangonspine!" stated Paimon, gesturing vividly.

"Oh? Why so?" Kaeya sat down in front of them, and this was the moment when Aether knew it will be a long and awkward conversation. He needed to think of a way to escape.

"Why are you here everytime I feel like drinking something?"

"Your cold words hurt my heart, my dear."

Forget it. He won’t escape. Just like Kaeya, Rosaria appeared out of a sudden. Thankfully, she looked at the cavalry captain, so maybe she didn’t notice him ye-

"You, on the other hand, are a surprise to some extent. What were you talking about?"

It really wasn’t his day.

"Nothing, just some greetings."

"Aether has a problem," said Kaeya, resting his chin on his joined hands.

"What problem?" Rosaria raised her eyebrow.

"That’s what he was about to say. Wanna hear it?" Kaeya took the mug from her hands and set it on the table, encouraging her to sit down next to him.

She rolled her eyes and did as he wanted.

"Whatever. At least I’ll can say Barbara I was doing sister’s duties by helping a person. So, what is it, Traveler? Someone needs to disapear?"

"N-no, nobody needs to… disapear." Aether shook his head, not knowing what to say. "I’m just tired after the commision…"

Paimon, Kaeya, Rosaria – nobody was buying it, and Aether knew he really needed to come up with something.

"…and… and my friend has a problem, and I don’t know how to help him, that’s all!"

The worst excuse possible. But what’s said can’t be unsaid, so he could as well go with it.

"Well, maybe we will know how to help your friend. Three heads are better than one." Kaeya said it without stammering, as if he really believed Aether’s lie.

"Four heads! Don’t forget Paimon!"

"Why this accusing me of bad will? I forgot to count myself." Kaeya smiled mischievously. "So, Aether? What problem has your friend?"

"Well… This friend of mine has another friend. He really likes this friend, enjoys spending time together, he loses track of time when they talk with each other."

"Sounds pretty nice. Right, Rosaria?" Kaeya looked at the nun.

„Don’t get me involved in this. I’m trying to enjoy my wine."

Aether braided his fingers, then looked on the table. Awkward. So awkward.

"So… everything is good between them. Or rather… my friend thought so. But sometimes he feels… different. Sick when he isn’t sick. He has this weird feeling in his chest. Especially since his friend did something… unexpected. Since then, my friend doesn’t really know what to think about it anymore. And he-"

"Lord Bartobas, I can’t take it anymore. You’re in love, you idiot!" Rosaria slammed her mug on the table.

"Shh, don’t be too harsh, it’s his first time, he’s pure and innocent. Continue, my dear, continue." Kaeya definitely enjoyed all of it, but was hiding it quite well.

"I said it’s about my friend!"

"Yes, yes, of course it is. Continue."

"Well…" Why he needed to blush so much? Why he needed to blush at all? Stupid cheeks, stupid blood. „That’s all, really. My friend isn’t sure what to do with his friendship, and how he feels about it."

"So, your friend likes this other friend, right?" Kaeya's gaze was piercing through him.

"Yeah."

"How much?"

"Well, very much, I guess."

"Did your friend told this other friend all these things he said to you and then you to us?"

"…I don’t think so."

"Friends should be honest with each other, don’t they? Your friend should tell his friend how he feels."

"I think… you’re right. I…" Aether stood up. "I will give him your advice… now. Thanks, you two! Bye!"

"Hey! Wait for Paimon!"

Kaeya slowly drank his drink as Aether run out of the tavern, followed by the fairy trying to catch up with him. To be honest, he was a little surprised how fast could move someone so short. Maybe magic of friendship?

The captain put down his mug.

"If I remember correctly, our conversation with Albedo took place on Wednesday, and it’s Tuesday today. It’s less than a week, my dear. I won."

Rosaria mumbled something as she started to looking for some mora.

"Almost. I must admit, I underestimated this alchemist. But it was a stroke of luck." She looked at him while giving the agreed amount of money.

"If you want to think so."

 Meanwhile, Aether escaped Paimon and headed towards Albedo’s lab. He had just a slight idea of what he was doing, but was sure he should go there now when he still had enough courage. In the worst case… well, he can cange his identity and go to Fountaine, Natlan or wherever people from Mondstadt wouldn’t fidn him. Especially Albedo.

"It’s stupid, so stupid… Oh, Sucrose!" He stopped abruptly. Sucrose squealed as she squeezed the files of documents tighter. "I-I’m sorry for scaring you! Could you tell me if Albedo is still there?" He pointed at the door to the lab, which she had just closed behind her.

"No problem, I am the one who should be more careful!" The files were the only thing that was stopping her from gesticulating." And yes, master Albedo is still there. To be honest, he came back from Dragonspine just an hour ago and now is organizing the results of- Oh, right, he can tell you it himself." She looked worried at him. "Did something happen?"

"Not at all, I just… I just want to talk to him, that’s all."

"Oh, okay." Sucrose smiled. "In this case, I think my lunch can take a little longer than usual."

"You’re the best."

"O-of course I’m not!" She walked away briskly, unskillfully hiding her face red as the reddest tomato.

Aether took a deep breath. He needed to open this door. Sucrose saw him. She could say Albedo he was there. Albedo… Albedo would know he chickened out. No, no turning back.

He entered the lab. After a moment, he noticed Albedo.

It didn’t look like Albedo noticed him, though.

Breathe in. Breathe out. You can do it.

He walked over to him. Sucrose was right – Albedo looked at a lot of sheets of paper with drawings, calculations and a lot of text that didn’t make any sense to Aether.

"Hi-"

"Wait a moment."

So he waited. One minute. Two minutes. He looked down at Albedo's focused face involuntarily. At the lock of hair on his forehead. At his narrowed eyes, carefully studying the files. Were his eyelashes always so long?

"Done, at least for now. You wanted to say something?" Albedo raised his head.

"Right. So… It’s about yesterday." Aether couldn’t read anything from his face, but continued. There was no turning back. "Why did you do this?"

Albedo raised his eyebrow.

"Did what?"

The Traveler blinked in confusion. Terrified, he doubted everything ... No, he remembered the star on Albedo's neck perfectly well. No chance.

"Well, when I… you… Remember when I braided your hair?"

"I do. And? What’s about it?"

He had to be joking.

"Well…" Aether felt how his cheeks were getting warmer. Think of something! "I didn’t finish, remember? And… and your hair are really a mess right now!"

Thankfully for him, it was true. Albedo could really forget about the whole world when something caught his attention, including himself.

"Sure. I have a few minutes, after all."

Seconds later, both of them were sitting just like last night, as if they returned to this moment and everything between was just some filler. Aether was brushing Albedo’s hair, not sure what to say. Maybe the alchemist thought kissing someone was just like hugging them or shaking hands? No, no way. It didn’t make any sense.

"Do you hate me?"

Aether stopped, thinking he misheard. But no, Albedo definitely waited for an answer, and the tension was hanging in the air like the heaviest hammer in the world.

"Why would I?"

"For kissing you."

Aether has never been so happy before that someone couldn’t see his face.

"So you knew what I was talking about!"

"Yes, I did."

The Traveler resumed brushing the hair of the alchemist.

"No, I don’t hate you. But I would like to know why you did it."

"I like you. More than anyone I’ve met before. No, that’s incorrect. Probably there are some people I like or liked just as much, but in a different way. Yes, a totally different way. But I shouldn’t do something like this without asking you. I’m… sorry."

"No problem. To be honest, today I came to a conclusion I can also like you like this." Aether started braiding Albedo’s hair.

"Is that so? And… what do you want to do with it?"

"No idea, but I would like to find out it together with you. What about you?"

Aether was sure Albedo smiled. Sometimes you could feel things like this.

"I’m in."

Later, neither of them was sure how to explain to Sucrose and Paimon the origin of the red marks on their necks.