Chapter Text
He notices the littlest things about her—the way her ears twitch when she gets the slightest bit excited as she scribbles down notes on her clipboard, how she slightly sways to her quiet humming whenever she thinks she’s alone, and how she— well frankly how she seems to always catch his attention.
Today, he takes special note of how far her eyes widen and how her cheeks warm up when she realizes he had snuck up on her while she was too engrossed in her work.
"Hard at work, I see..." Albedo says in wonder as he watches over her shoulder.
"Mister Albedo!" She hugs her clipboard and turns to look at him, panicked and red-faced. "I didn't hear you come in."
"I didn't want to disturb," He states before giving a slightly lop-sided grin. "I'm sorry if I gave you a fright."
"No... It's alright! I just didn't expect you to be back so soon." It was true. Albedo wasn't expected to be back till the 18th moon of the month, but he needed to retrieve more equipment for his research in Dragonspine.
"Don't worry, I'll be leaving by sundown." Albedo briefly presses his hand on her shoulder before moving to her side.
"Ah not that I don't appreciate your company, Mister Albedo, b-but... I mean... what I mean to say is, how was your trip back?" Sucrose manages to stutter out.
"I miss the warmth. Mondstadt's winds carry a scent that's more like home." But more than that, he misses the company of his apprentice. Her mannerisms endlessly entertained him, but he will never confess those little details in fear she would never return to work out of sheer embarrassment.
Albedo hums and brings a finger to one of her plants and admires her work.
"Is... Is there anything I can help with?" Sucrose breaks his line of thought with a slight bob of her head as she asks, quite inclined to be helpful in any way she could.
"That's not necessary, Sucrose. I am just enjoying the company." He turns to look at her. He likes the way Sucrose pushes her large, round glasses up as an excuse to cover her embarrassment.
"If my presence is ever necessary, please let me know! I'll be on my way to Dragonspine as soon as I can. I'll have someone cover me here... though I doubt their daily observations will be as thorough, but it will be a sacrifice I can make. I'll start considering who can replace me now—"
Albedo likes the way she blabbers on and on till she realizes how long she's been blabbering and apologizes. In fact, he has never once interrupted her. He likes how she waves her hands in the air with her arms close to her sides to supplement her thoughts with motion.
Albedo could only think of small fluffy herbivores to describe Sucrose's impression on him. Not like the ones they bred for consumption, but one that he wanted to protect and pamper. Since the moment they met, he was always curious to know more about her ears. He catches himself tempted to reach for them when she is preoccupied, but that would be a breach of their work relationship and an error in his profession as the chief alchemist.
He didn't play favorites, but if he could, Sucrose would be his.
"Um... Mister Albedo? Are you okay?" He hadn't realized that Sucrose had already finished her erratic response to his compliment.
"I apologize." Albedo's eyes dart to the side for a quick second. "I must be a bit tired."
"Oh, please do not let me stop you! I am sure you are quite busy, Mister Albedo, especially if you want to return by sunset. I will resume my work if that is alright?" Sucrose spoke with a bit more confidence. She becomes like this when the topic of conversation holds more certainty. He did say he was going to leave, but being here has made him realize how much he has missed her voice.
But Albedo does nothing but nod. She offers a smile before returning to her small garden of plants. He listens to her mumble for a bit before brushing his hand through his hair.
The silence is enough.
They said what they needed to say and that was something they both understood... yet Albedo still feels compelled to speak. He doesn't quite know the words to say yet, but he knows they are there, so he quietly leaves.
They part once again and Albedo keeps himself company with the lonely fire of his camp and the icy winds of Dragonspine.