Just Enough Intimacy
a/n: heyhey, so it’s apparently albether week (but idk if it’s true) and it’s @danibby ’s birthday so why not kill two birds with one stone by writing an albether fic hehe :)
word count: 1.4k
-----
aether grumbled in frustration, kicking the rocks underneath him. paimon had left him to go get food elsewhere, leaving him alone with his thoughts. he had just finished a domain when paimon bolted away. he was tired, he was sore, and he just wanted to see his boyfriend and relax with him.
but that opened another thought. would albedo relax with him? cuddle with him? sure, they were boyfriends but they had never gone beyond long hugs and handholding. aether wanted to be.. coupley, more intimate, but he wasn’t sure he was ready for... that yet.
he pondered for a while before an idea arose in his head, the best way to get intimate but not too intimate. all his previous exhaustion dissipated in a moment as he grew excited to try it out on albedo, already making his way towards dragonspine. it was late so he should be finishing up his work soon.
after what seemed like ages to aether, he finally could see albedo’s camp and his step became just a little bit bouncier and a little bit quicker. he caught sight of his boyfriend who was organizing some files, smiling fondly at his concentrated stare.
“hi, albedo.” aether greeted, quietly as to not disturb or cause albedo to lose focus. he gave a gentle and small wave, watching as the alchemist turned his head.
“aether...” albedo whispered, letting a warm smile fall onto his face as aether walks over to him. “what brings you here, my love?”
aether blushed a little at the nickname. albedo has begun using it a while ago, since they began dating, but it never calmed down the warmth in aether’s chest whenever he was called that. nonetheless, he couldn’t dwell on it and shook his head. he has a mission.
“i just wanted to see you. i missed you.” aether replied, as albedo stood up. aether was slightly shorter than the alchemist, so he had to turn his gaze upwards to look him in the eyes.
aether held his arms out, hinting that he wanted a hug. albedo understood immediately, not noticing the mischievious grin on aether’s face as he was about to implement his master plan.
they finally made contact and aether stopped for a moment. what would happen if it backfired? what if albedo wasn’t ticklish? that would be really embarrassing... but he pushed those thoughts away, deciding there was no better way to find out than trying it out himself. so he curled his fingers around albedo’s ribs, since that’s where his fingers were closest to.
he heard a light gasp and a failed supressed giggle, and aether felt a burst of confidence, grinning excitedly. it had worked! albedo was ticklish! the monotone seemingly emotionless alchemist was... ticklish! aether started giving out more vicious attacks on his ribs, relishing in albedo’s poor attempt to contain his giggles.
“a-aether! whahahat ahahare you d-doing?!” he manages to cough out and aether hummed, happily.
“i want us to get closer! we’ve been a couple for a few months but haven’t done anything intimate at all! so, come on, albedo, laugh!” aether explains, somewhat hastily. albedo’s eyes widen before he stops supressing his giggles, letting airy and carefree laughter escape his lips.
while aether was poking and prodding at his ribs, he decided to start lightly squeezing at his ride rib and his tummy. if albedo was loud before, he was way louder now as he cackled.
“a-aehehehether! ah-aHAHAHahAHA!” he howled and aether chuckled along with him, though for different reasons. aether enjoyed this, and he hoped his boyfriend did too, seeing as he wasn’t exactly resisting.
“you’re a lot more ticklish than i thought. it’s pretty shocking~” aether noted, aloud, not missing albedo’s blushing face both from the tickling and at what aether just said. hm, it’s nice to learn albedo became flustered at teases.
“AHAHAHA AEHEHEHETHER!” albedo gasped, unable to stop the panicked cackles and laughter. his squirming increased, but the alchemist tried to limit it so he wouldn’t accidentally hurt aether.
aether kept going at those two spots. they already had large reactions, so he was sure they had to be some of his worsts. so he kept his focus, barely adjusting his fingers. until a soft hiccup left albedo’s lips and aether almost stopped, surprised. aether’s face grew red and all he could think about was how cute that was.
however, that was a mistake because as he was distracted, albedo used it to his advantage to turn him and cause him to fall back onto the chair albedo was sitting on earlier.
“ah! albedo? what are you doiNG?!” he started before he felt a tight poke at his sides and he yelps.
“what? did you think you could get away with ticking me?” albedo asked, grinning slightly and aether felt a flash of fear course through his body at the mischivious and evil glint in the alchemist’s eye.
“nohohoho!” aether cried, trying to escape but found that he was too weak to. he wrapped his hands around albedo’s wrists, but it didn’t stop the ticklish onslaught.
“you said this was to get closer, no? then, shouldn’t you get a turn, as well?” albedo let a small smirk slip onto his face.
“w-wahahait! i wahahas j-just gonnahaha tickle you!” aether sputtered, giggles pouring from his lips. he twisted, trying to stand from the chair but albedo caved around him, leaving no room to escape.
albedo, who was still squeezing at his sides, starts gliding his fingers up to aether’s tummy. aether’s eyes widen, throwing his head back. he tried to pry the alchemist’s hands off his sensitive torso but before he could, albedo had begun raking his fingers in random patterns all around his stomach.
aether screamed. loudly. god, why did he have to be so ticklish? albedo flinched at aether’s reaction, nearly stopping his attack.
“what a reaction. it is interesting how sensitive you are.” he observes, both in a teasing but curious manner. aether blushed, his face feeling even hotter than it already was.
“I a-aM NOT SEHEHENSITIVE!” aether defends himself despite knowing very well that he was definitely contradicting himself.
“oh? is that so? can you prove it?” albedo finally let a full smirk show on his face. he began teasingly circling aether’s navel, slowly. he watched as aether’s loud laughter became frantic giggles, anticipating what was going to come next.
“a-albEDOHOhoho!” aether ignored albedo’s mocking words, only able to focus on the finger dangerously close to his bellybutton. he could tell that he was going to be tickled there soon. he was both excited and terrified. how would he be able to handle it?
after a few moments, though, albedo kept repeating the same movement, lightly dragging his fingertips. he chuckled inwardly at aether’s embarrassment and confusion. he was waiting for aether to let his guard down and attack when least expected.
and after a bit, he did. while aether still giggled a lot, the frantic tone calmed down. albedo mad a hmph sound, before digging in.
the alchemist pressed his finger inside aether’s navel, scratching the inside of it at a terrifyingly fast rate. aether’s back arched and he bucked his hips, not expecting the sudden movement. he flailed around trying to find an exit to the ticklish sensation.
“WAHAHA A-ALBEHEHEDO! W-WAHAHAIT!” aether struggled with his words. he was unable to think and at this point, he was only acting on reflexes. he was deathly ticklish in his navel and even after just a few seconds, he wasn’t sure how long he could take.
“STAHAHAP!” he shrieked out, and luckily, albedo did. he leaned on the table beside them, leaving aether a panting mess in the chair.
“are you okay?” albedo asked, genuinely. he was sure aether was, but he wanted to make sure. he smiled at aether’s small nod. “and do you feel closer to me? that was your original goal, correct?”
“i do.” aether nodded again, still trying to regain his breath. the two watched each other in silence before the alchemist broke it.
“you look very happy like this. i think i’ll sketch it.” albedo said to himself, already pulling out his sketchbook. he ignored his boyfriend’s returning reddening face, even though he had just gotten it to go away.
“w-what?!” aether stuttered, before sighing when he realized how determined albedo was to do this.
aether really did feel closer to the alchemist after the tickle session, though. maybe they would get closer over time and perform more intimate activities, but for now, he was satisfied. aether was happy. he was really happy.