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TRAVAILS OF TEYVAT: Princeps Cretaceus
Tentative
Albedo had grown incredibly fond of Sucrose. While his own research and ambitions were carried out in accordance to his beliefs, she provided a fresher perspective seldom challenging his own. It was amusing to see such a flustered response when he hummed to her lengthy arguments that were often punctuated with wild gesticulations and pacing. Warmth coiled in his chest at the wide-eyed gobsmacked looks she’d give him upon catching herself mid rant.
If anyone were to ask Albedo, endearing would be the word he’d use to describe her.
Yet, it was usually after such a passionate display that the less flattering habits she withheld would show. Her ears, hidden carefully beneath pale green locks would twitch and flatten against her head until their pink was hidden in the teal green ombre. Her gaze flicked to the floor, shoulders drawn and hands pressed firmly together at the knuckle. Albedo knew this tactic far too well for his comfort. Often seeing exhibitions of it in terrified children stammering apologies for mistakes too minuscule to warrant punishment.
Their behavior reminiscent of one on the resulting end of severe mistreatment, or worse, reprimanded for even the faintest slight. His stomach turned at the connection.
While he was aware of her childhood - simple, ordinary, rather uneventful - a blessing in juxtaposition to those in the lower quarters of Mondstadt’s sprawling labyrinth, he knew even a blessing could be a curse in disguise.
Suffering was not a monolith.
There was no monopoly on it either, despite its abundance, and as she shied away from him as if attempting to disappear between the towering bookcases lining the observatory’s walls - only one question remained.
Who was it that hurt this child?
Albedo forced his lips to curl into some semblance of a smile, hands buried deep in his coat pockets curled into tight fists. Later, he would have to slip on his gloves quickly to avoid her noticing the roseate crescent moons pressed into his palms. For now, he beckoned to Sucrose with a slight incline of the head toward their workbench and the half-finished project she’d been showing him before their discussions began. When she didn't even budge, his heart sank further. Saffron-colored eyes shifted warily behind circular, wood-framed spectacles, darting down toward dark wooden floorboards creaking lightly beneath shifting heels.
“Sucrose,” he sighed, careful to keep his voice scarcely above a whisper. The subtlest flinch twitched her shoulders before her gaze returned to him. She was quite a few centimeters taller than him but with the magicite backlighting him, his shadow loomed over her in a way that made her seem so small. “… When you asked me to take you on as an apprentice, I believed it was fortune at work..”
Her ears twitched, chin lifted slightly, reminding him of a frightened animal peering from its hiding place. His hands curled tighter and his smile softened further until he was sure his cheeks would ache from the strain of holding back a scowl. Not for Sucrose - never for her - but to whoever inspired ludicrous ideals of unworthiness when she spoke her mind wholeheartedly.
“You always remind me of my own ignorance..” Albedo admitted, relinquishing half-formed ideals of righteousness with a sigh. “There’s much I could stand to learn from you as well.”
Light reflected off her lenses, glossing over her eyes with an ephemeral shimmer he only belatedly realized was tears. Panic arose in a tidal wave and crashed against his ribs. Then, her lips hesitantly curled at the corners and Albedo allowed himself to breathe.
Because as long as he was there, no one would harm her again.