"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Aether said. He stepped closer to him and admired the scenery sketch Albedo had been working on just now.

"Can I see?" Aether asked. Albedo nodded and handed his sketchbook to him. Aether browsed through the recent sketches of the cutest Capybaras, Flowfire Birds and Saurians. He had seen Albedo at work, and although the drawings had all been quick, they looked like impressive pieces of artwork. He really was so talented.

Albedo actually wasn't the only one who was invited to join him to Natlan. Of course Aether had tried to bring some other friends from Mondstadt as well, inviting them for a well-deserved vacation they would never forget, but with the long distance and estimated time of the travel and all of their duties in the City of Freedom, no one else agreed to join.

Even Albedo almost refused. He couldn't leave Klee behind, nor give others like Jean, Lisa, Sucrose and Amber extra work of looking after her during the hours when he would usually do it, even when they kindly offered to help despite their busy schedules.

It was unexpected when it worked though; Aether proposed to leave Paimon behind to keep Klee company while they were away. Like, she wasn't Albedo, but she could definitely entertain Klee?

Salty and butthurt to be abandoned at first, Paimon had protested and whined about the suggestion, but when Klee overheard and already appeared very excited that Paimon was going to be in Mondstadt for a while, she eventually submitted.

They both agreed after all: Albedo deserved a holiday, and besides! - as Paimon had chirped: she had seen more than enough of Natlan anyway! Heh, well she may have, but Aether hadn't.

So this resulted in the most special quality time for Aether and Albedo, and even though Aether had already seen most of the places they visited, for him it also felt like a completely new experience now that Albedo was by his side. Thanks to him, he saw Natlan from a different perspective.

During their trip, Aether didn't just discover new things about the nation, but also many things about the creative alchemist. His cute little habit of doodling in his sketchbook before they went to sleep. The way his eyes would sparkle when he gazed into their campfires.

How shy he could be when Aether introduced him to his friends in Natlan and when they had dinner together. His fearlessness when trying out foreign food, but at the same time he had a rather small appetite and ate less than what Paimon would consume for example.

Also his curiosity with everything new he could discover. The way he could ramble on and on about the things he found interesting as soon as they were alone again.

Aether felt like their friendship was not going to be the same after this trip.

"What do you say? Camp or Teapot?"

There was nothing like freedom camping in Natlan's nature, but during some nights it was also more comfortable to retreat into Aether's Serenitea Pot Realm where they had all the space and luxury, and the most comfortable beds to sleep in.

"Camp."

Aether smiled when he heard Albedo's answer. "Good."

Camping also meant they would sleep closer to each other, making it cozier. In his Serenitea Mansions there were plenty of rooms and beds, not giving them a good reason to snuggle in bed together. Aether blushed. Not that he wanted to snuggle or something, but...

He stared at Albedo who was already setting up their tent.

"Aren't you going to help?" he asked kindly. Aether shook his head to cancel the flustering thoughts that flooded his mind and quickly joined.

"Y-yes!"

Another thing he learned about Albedo was that he was a professional camper. Who would've thought. But during their conversations, he learned all about Albedo's earlier journeys through Sumeru, and of course also the time he spent in Dragonspine, the woods in Mondstadt, and various parts of Liyue. The chief alchemist was quite the Traveler himself.

They ate the last of the leftovers from the meals they had received for their trip when they visited Mualani and the People of the Springs, and relaxed and chatted under the starry night sky.

Then they went into their tent and as usual, Albedo scribbled something in his sketchbook while Aether resumed his adventure in Xingqiu's newest novel. But this time, tired from the long walks and hikes and the many impressions, Albedo fell asleep mid-drawing before Aether could even finish one chapter.

"Heh, Albedo..." Aether said fondly. He reached out and gently stroked some of Albedo's hair from his face, before blushing and realizing that was not really a platonic thing to do.

He then gazed at Albedo's sketchbook and noticed two things. It seemed like it was a different sketchbook from the one Aether had seen earlier in the day. It was a little smaller, and also... was that...?

Very carefully, Aether reached out to grab the sketchbook and quietly took it away. Albedo didn't notice and continued to sleep. Holding his breath, Aether studied the drawing Albedo had been working on. This was unmistakably a person, not an animal or any scenery. To be more specific, it looked a lot like...

"Me?" Aether whispered. But not just him. He was... smiling? No, more like laughing. A huge laugh, as if he had heard the funniest joke or something.

Albedo hadn't finished the drawing yet so it was merely Aether's laughing face, but then he looked through the sketchbook at some of the older sketches and he gasped. What....

They were all him. Aether, Aether, and more Aether, and in a very specific situation. He was laughing, sometimes with his arms spread and fingers on his body, other times curling up while fingers seemed to poke his side and tummy - was he getting tickled?

Once he realized this, it was obvious actually, but just so hard to believe. They were all drawings of Aether getting tickled in different positions. Like not even in a lewd way, the Aether in the sketches was properly dressed and just laughing a lot, although one drawing did have his limbs trapped by vines while a pair of anonymous hands tickled him...

He felt his cheeks burn as he studied drawing after drawing. Why was Albedo drawing all this? Was it like a fantasy? Did he just choose this subject randomly and went with it? Hmm. Surely Aether couldn't deny he had some thoughts about Albedo as well, especially now that they were this much alone together.

But these were very specific. To think Albedo had been working on these right under his nose, how bold.

Still completely flustered, Aether checked every drawing while his heart skipped a beat.

"Ugh!" Viktor sighed in frustration and he wiped the blackboard again. He knew that their work always came with ups and downs and yes, their Hextech inventions were already definitely 'getting there', as Mel would say frankly, but it wasn't enough. Maybe all Viktor needed to do right now was turn in for the night and continue tomorrow, less frustrated, less tired.

"I knew it. You're still here."

Viktor froze and turned to see Jayce enter. He sighed in relief, but then shook his head and watched him in confusion.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, eyeing him cautiously. Jayce giggled (?) and held up a bottle. Viktor doubted he took that with permission.

"You didn't want to join the party? Thought I'd bring the party to you! A party for two, just you and me. Let's have some fun," Jayce said.

Viktor felt a tingle, but he quickly looked away again to avoid Jayce's gaze. Judging from the way Jayce was walking and talking, he was a little tipsy like he often was after attending events like this. Viktor understood why; as a scientist among officials and whatnot, he would also feel more at ease after a drink or two, which was why he would choose not to attend such occasions.

"This is no time for parties, Jayce," Viktor said firmly, feeling both flustered and slightly annoyed. Glad that Jayce abandoned the party early to be with him again, annoyed that, well... He was acting like this.

"It's no time for work either," Jayce sang. Pfft. He should hear himself. Jayce was often one to work all night too.

He did a merry walk in Viktor's direction, swaying a little as if he were dancing to some jazzy music, until he stood right next to Viktor. He handed him the bottle.

"Here, you look like you could use a drink. Straight from the bottle."

Viktor glared at him. "No?" There was literally no reason to indulge him right now.

"Are you suuure?" Jayce nudged him with the bottle.

"Yes," Viktor replied stiffly. Jayce nudged him again, this time with his shoulder. When Viktor didn't respond he leaned in, a little too close, begging for attention like a little child, and he mumbled huskily in Viktor's ear: "Last chance."

"I don't want to drink, Jayce."

Jayce hummed. "Boo, alright then. All for me I guess."

Viktor gulped when Jayce brought the bottle to his own mouth. No way he wouldn't. Never mind. He would. Barely spilling any, Jayce drank thirstily. Was he crazy?

For a moment he thought Jayce was pranking him. That couldn't be alcohol in there - but then he noted the familiar smell of wine. Unbelievable. Viktor reached for the bottle to stop him and then paused.

Jayce was an adult, he should know better. If he wanted to get drunk here like a wild irresponsible youngster, was it up to Viktor to play his mom now? Who knows, he might even get some entertainment from it. He had seen Jayce tipsy before, but never drunk.

On the other hand, being drunk could mean several things depending on each person, and he did not have the energy to drag Jayce to bed and potentially clean up his vomit.

It was a decision made quite early on, with no room for him to stay in, he was to crash temporarily in Dan Heng's room, but they and everyone else had grown so accustomed to their roommate situation that it pretty much stayed this way even now.

"Give it back," Dan Heng said. He was merely wearing a T-shirt now, and Caelus couldn't help but think he looked cute right now.

"I will give it back later. My coat is getting washed," Caelus said.

Dan Heng stood by his side, and Caelus glanced up at him. "You are literally doing nothing, on my bed, with my coat. At least give the coat back, you don't need it," Dan Heng tried again.

"I'm reading," Caelus said in an offended tone to the doing nothing accusation. "And it's cold here," he added. Hence the coat!

Except that it wasn't that cold. There was actually not really a good reason to keep on irritating Dan Heng now, but there surely were some bad reasons:

Caelus was bored, Dan Heng's coat was fancy and comfy, Caelus was bored, Dan Heng was usually boring and - well yes, Caelus was very bored, wasn't that just the best excuse to mess with his roomie a little? So what was Dan Heng going to do about it?

He was curious and wasn't going to give up now that he finally found a way to get on Dan Heng's nerves. It was always Caelus asking if he could borrow a book, if Dan Heng didn't mind sharing a bed, which wasn't the most comfortable bed, if he could borrow a shirt, blah blah blah, and Dan Heng was fine with everything.

Not the favorite coat, it seemed. Caelus couldn't help but smirk so he quickly put the book in front of his mouth to cover it up and look innocent.

"I ask you once more to give it back to me. I'm heading out," Dan Heng said. Caelus raised his eyebrows. Surely Dan Heng could roam around the Astral Express without his precious coat.

"And what if I don't want to?" Caelus asked. Dan Heng kneeled down by his side.

"Are you sure you're going to be like this?" he asked. Caelus was given many chances, and he wondered if Dan Heng would really give up now, so he nodded.

"I'm going to be like this," he confirmed. Dan Heng sighed and all of a sudden in a flash, Caelus found himself on his stomach with Dan Heng pinning him down on the mattress, his hands tugging at the coat. He wasn't giving up - he was going to take his coat back by force! Now that was something!

"Dan Heng - wah! Why would you- gahh come on! Why can I borrow anything but this? Sharing is caring, you told me yourself! Wah!" Caelus huffed when Dan Heng tried to strip him, but he definitely wasn't cooperating.

"O-oof! Get off me!" He tried to get up but was pinned down again, his head landing right next to the book he was reading just now. He could sniff the pleasant scent of the book pages as he breathed in and out, his arms still wrapped around his own torso to keep Dan Heng from taking the coat off.

"Stop that - so childish!" Caelus whined, fighting against Dan Heng's prying hands. They were both being childish. Dan Heng tried, Caelus resisted, and this continued until all of a sudden, it stopped.

"Heh- giving up already?" Caelus asked, turning his head to look up at him, but all of a sudden instead of trying to take his coat off...

"Uwahaha?!" Caelus barked when Dan Heng clawed at his lower sides, and he spasmed at the sudden sensation.

"Whahahat- are you! Ahahah hehehey thahahat's cheheheating!" he cackled. Dan Heng was tickling him?! Now that was surprising.

"I don't think I'm cheating, I've given you plenty of chances to listen. So.. Are you going to give it back now?" Dan Heng asked. He sounded like such a teacher! Caelus shook his head.

"Nohoho!" Dan Heng's hands climbed up, clawing at his ribs despite Caelus' attempts at covering them with his arms. He squirmed and giggled hysterically, kicking his feet as Dan Heng continued to tickle.

His fingers continued to move up further, and Caelus kind of freaked out in the most ticklish and hysterical way when those sneaky little digits reached his armpits. It woke up a certain strength in him that gave him the opportunity to kick Dan Heng right off him.

"Urgh!" Dan Heng groaned, and Caelus gasped.

"AHh- no way, I'm sorry!" he yelped, still breathless and pitchy, and he stood on shaking legs and moved towards Dan Heng who had fallen on his side.

"You shouldn't tickle a ticklish person you know, it can result in something like thi-this, eh..." Caelus backed away cautiously when Dan Heng got back on his feet as well. He was breathing heavily and looked quite... uh. Was attractive the fitting word? Caelus swallowed nervously.

"I'm fine," Dan Heng reassured. "But you won't be if you don't give back the coat right now."

Wow! Talk about vengeful!

"Not a competition you said, hm? Satan? Then why are you trying so hard?" Lucifer sounded very smug despite taking part in such a silly joint tickle attack, making you the victim of all people.

"Tch, I only said you suck at tickling and you're the one who needed to demonstrate it immediately. So who's trying so hard, huh?" Satan's speech was emphasized with some really ticklish things he did to your ribs, and you struggled despite their grip on you and you kicked your legs.

"Whaha-hehehey! Not thehehere- agyahhaha!"

It was actually Lucifer who started it, he was being sneaky and thought to tickle you and make you giggle when no one was looking. But your laugh was a little too loud, resulting in Satan overhearing.

What happened after that was as they just said: Satan called Lucifer out for being a sucker when it came to tickling, which lead to Lucifer tickling you even more, asking Satan what part of this was him not doing it right, which invited Satan to join in and show Lucifer he was better at it and...

Well yeah. The rest was history. You were simply laughing your head off now and the only two who could make it stop were these two bickering demons, or anyone who would come to your aid, but you were aware the others knew better than to interfere with any argument between Lucifer and Satan, no matter how silly.

"AHAha nohoho! Stahahahap you bohohoth!" you cackled hysterically. Lucifer and Satan both looked at you.

Lucifer nodded, finally paying attention to you. You, the person laughing at his mercy.

"Oh we will eventually." Eventually!

"But you'll need to tell Satan he chose to challenge the wrong person," Lucifer continued, staying true to his title: Avatar of Pride. One of his hands was still wearing its glove, the other was already bare and spidering its fingers all over your poor ticklish tummy.

"WAHahahat?!" you laughed, trying to pull free, but Lucifer and Satan didn't need a lot of teamwork to keep you pinned down and helpless to their mischievous fingers.

"I didn't challenge anyone. Remember, it's not a competition. But! When I do ask you which one of us is better at tickle fights, I assume you know there's only one answer? And that is?" Satan asked, sounding a little bit out of breath as he continued to tickle you ruthlessly.

These two, really! Their fingers slowed down, making it clear to you they seriously did long to hear an answer to that question, and you gasped for air and shook your head tiredly.

"Well?" Lucifer asked. Even him! They really wanted you to tell them who was better at... tickling?!

Lyney stretched his legs and crossed them at his ankles, looking way too comfortable.

"What are you doing here? Did you... cuff yourself?" Wriothesley asked, walking closer and reaching out for his hands, but Lyney turned away and flashed him the cutest and flirtiest little grin.

"I came to play, obviously. You don't come to me, so I come to you. Simple." He shook his hips seductively to make his point. Woah.

He came to play. He came to seduce him, to be naughty, convince him to take time off work while indulging in pleasure, the little minx he was. Wriothesley smirked. That was also what he loved about him.

Still... He sighed and gazed at the time. In just 15 minutes if not less, Neuvillette was going to be here for an appointment. There was barely any room for some sweet quality time. He clicked his tongue. The timing of Lyney's moment of mischief couldn't be worse.

"What, don't like what you see? I'm all yours~" Lyney licked his lips and writhed in Wriothesley's seat, displaying how helplessly tied he was. Thank the Seven he was still properly dressed. But yes. Of course he liked it.

Wriothesley was shamefully aware that it had been exactly 13 days since the last time they were intimate. All because work just sometimes took too much of his time and energy. He had hardly been home, and Lyney didn't exactly have an empty schedule either.

"Lyney..." He was burning with temptation and desire to just devour Lyney right then and there. But... 15 minutes had become 14 minutes already. Just 14 minutes until his appointment with Neuvillette. Still, was he going to tell Lyney 'no' in his pretty face when he was being this naughty, confident and playful, and make him leave in shame?

"I'm not going anywhere you know~" Lyney sang. The little brat. Wriothesley rolled his eyes fondly and grabbed his arm. He should really throw him out, but he couldn't.

"Is that right?" he asked, lifting Lyney off the chair with ease, and he sat down and pulled him down on his lap.

...He was not going to take the bait, but it wouldn't hurt to play a little at least. Well, maybe in a different way than Lyney intended. Lyney immediately arched his back and leaned against him in a flirty and sexy way, allowing Wriothesley to kiss his neck and ear from behind. Lyney really thought they were going to get all hot and steamy here, while in fact...

"HWAhhah?" Lyney let out a cute squeaky giggle and jolted when Wriothesley had made a claw of his hand and wiggled his fingers big and wide on his tiny and vulnerable tummy.

"What's wrong?" Wriothesley hummed seductively in his ear, and he wiggled his fingers some more, now adding another hand which he positioned at his hip. He squeezed his hipbone and enjoyed a little too much how he jerked in his lap.

"W-whahahat are you d-doihihing?" Lyney whined, squirming on top of him when Wriothesley used his two big hands to tickle him with.

"You wanted to play, didn't you?" he mumbled, taking Lyney's earlobe in between his teeth and nibbling and suckling on it. Suddenly when it wasn't meant in a sexy way but just to tickle him, Lyney wasn't being the flirty beast from earlier. No moan or sigh came from his lips. He was giggling his head off, and Wriothesley was enjoying every second of it.

"Nohoho not like thihihis! W-Wrio-ahahaha!" Lyney struggled and squirmed, but his hands that were stuck behind his back were becoming quite the disadvantage.

"What's wrong, Mr. Lyney? Are the handcuffs in your way? What happened to your magic?"

Wriothesley was a little mean to ask these things when Lyney had long lost the ability to speak. He lay helplessly in Wriothesley's lap and squealed as the Duke had lost every little bit of control and wrecked his cheeky boyfriend with all ten fingers.

"AHAha- wheheheeh Wria-hahahah! Naha-ehehe!" Lyney laughed and squealed breathlessly, and Wriothesley eyed the clock on his desk again. Still 10 more minutes, so he was going to enjoy tickling Lyney for every single one of them. And he really did.

He recalled how easily ticklish his sides were. The kitty-like mewl sounds he would make when he merely touched his thighs without even the intention to tickle them. And even in this position, he could wriggle his fingers under his arms and make him shriek by tickling those deliciously sensitive armpits.

"Pleh-plehehease Wriotheslehehey!" Lyney bucked on top of him when Wriothesley had at last moved to playing his ribs like an instrument.

He clawed and wiggled his fingers around, digging in and scratching occasionally, enjoying the kind of music it made. By kicking his legs, Lyney made quite the dance moves to go with his sweet melodious laughter, and Wriothesley couldn't help but smile as he admired the performance.

"Thank you, Lyney. I really appreciate that you came to play," he mumbled in his ear, then kissed and blew on his neck to tickle him there too. Lyney cried out and shook his head hysterically.

"You're so-aahahahaha!" Wriothesley was so 'ahaha', he knew that of course. Smirking, he continued the playful assault. Surely Lyney didn't know this was only because they only had very few minutes of private time left. Not enough for the fastest quickie, no, Wriothesley would want it to take forever. However the more he tickled Lyney, the more he started to regret this particular decision as well.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Wriothesley asked, trying to tease him while he started to suffer at the realization that he had to send Lyney out of his office really soon. He wished he could keep on tickling him like this minutes longer, hours even and - .... click.

His heart sank at the sound of the door downstairs. Then slow, quiet yet reconizable footsteps could be heard, coming up the stairs.

"Wriothesley? I am here."

Neuvillette. His fingers on Lyney's body froze, and he held his breath.

"W-Wrio? Who's...?" Why Lyney was so surprised he was expecting a visitor, he had no idea. However, Neuvillette was two minutes early, and Wriothesley had lost track of time after all.

He hastily looked at Lyney, all blushy and breathless in his lap, and considered what he should do. It was no secret to Neuvillette that they were a couple, but they always kept work and private matters separated like professionals.

He would also feel bad if he were to get caught like this, since it was the request of his own that Neuvillette, busy as always, should come down here for their meeting.

Now that he was already here, it was also too late to send Lyney away, so...

From Fontaine almost all of Aether's friends were here, which was quite surprising. Even Neuvillette, and Wriothesley - but then again, even the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide wouldn't miss a chance to enter the Traveler's infamous Teapot realm and enjoy a cup of the finest tea.

From other nations there were people like the very loud Harbinger Childe, Venti the Bard from Mondstadt, Arataki Itto from Inazuma, Hu Tao from Liyue, just all those personalities combined made it quite lively, loud, chaotic and energetic, so he understood why Freminet and Lynette were a little overwhelmed by it all.

"Maybe we can join them?" Lyney suggested, pointing at the Sumeru table where a few people were playing cards, but Lynette shook her head.

"I'm fine. I drink tea," she said stiffly. Wriothesley, at the same quiet tea-table, nodded proudly.

"It's good tea," he said. Neuvillette merely nodded. Lyney shrugged. He would feel bad to leave them alone so awkwardly, even though he felt a little more tempted to engage with the others, to learn more about their nations, their friendship with Aether, maybe to show them more of his magic tricks and- oh.

A trick. Maybe he could get Freminet and Lynette to open up if they helped him with a trick! Not just a trick. The secret magic trick.

"Guys, do you remember my secret magic trick?" he asked Lynette and Freminet. Freminet shook his head.

"What secret trick?" Lynette asked.

"The one that makes people laugh. Even you, it made you laugh," Lyney said, and he winked. Lynette blushed.

"Oh. That one." She clearly remembered, and Freminet did too since he made a little squeak noise.

"You wouldn't," he said.

"You've got my attention. I am curious now, right Neuvillette?" Wriothesley said. Neuvillette nodded again.

Lyney hummed and gazed around the crowded space. "Well, the secret trick needs a person to try it on. It's a magical trick to make someone laugh, so..." he explained, while he considered the perfect victim. Not anyone from the Fontaine group, the chance was they had seen the trick, heard of it, or witnessed him playing it on people in Fontaine. It was quite popular and effective after all.

So...

His eyes fell on Gaming who was still gathering compliments after his show. He seemed like an easy target, a sweet bubbly and curious person who would definitely want to try it out.

Lyney then stared at Childe, the Eleventh of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. Very tempting, but being a member of the Fatui as well, he would meet him a little more than others perhaps, and besides, Childe was clever. This scheme could backfire, but at the same time, if he would succeed... Lyney would feel more triumphant than ever.

"NOOOOOOOO!" Lyney almost fell over when a deafening yell could be heard from the Oni, Arataki Itto, who had just lost an Onikabuto battle against the Yashiro Commissioner, Kamisato Ayato. Itto looked like someone who would enjoy a trick like that, and he would most definitely fall for it.

While the Yashiro Commissioner and his sister looked quite elegant in a way that didn't really invite Lyney to trick them, at the same table sat a kind looking guy. Lyney knew he was called Thoma. He looked like he would accept and fall for it... perhaps?

The Mondstadt people were all too busy admiring Furina on stage, and the Sumeru group seemed very invested in their card game, however... Lyney noted the blond guy who seemed a little distracted.

"Kaveh? It's your turn," the fox guy said to him. Kaveh. Hm... Maybe him, but it was a question whether he would accept.

Lastly, Lyney glanced at Aether who was also staring at Furina's show at this moment. He had cute sparkles in his eyes. He was the perfect victim, but honestly, he was also the most dangerous. Lyney would definitely get his ass handed right back to him afterwards, but it could be worth it.

"Well? Who will it be?" Lynette asked, and Lyney smiled when he noticed she actually looked forward to this. Freminet seemed eager too.

With so many people together he was sure they would attract some attention soon, so he had only one chance to perform the prank- er, trick successfully.

Xiao: Precious Xiao would've been the perfect person to ask, sitting awkwardly to the side. Might have needed some Aether influence to be convinced into joining. His own polearm could've been used to spread his arms and *wiggle fingers* poor thing. I would've let Venti join in for sure.

Tighnari: Very curious to try the trick. Definitely a lot of Cyno in it as well. Also very flustered and having some adorable reactions.

Scaramouche: What trick? He is above this. This would've been very funny now that I recall this option, oof.

Bennett: Unlucky boy would've been a great target. Razor would've been in this version.