Work Text:
“I would like to study you some more,” Albedo said, head craning up to look Kaeya in the eye.
“Oh? Then study me all you like,” Kaeya responded, mirth in his voice. There was a glimmer in his eye, signaling an open invitation for whatever Albedo desired to do. Not that he had expected much too exciting, considering Albedo’s penchant for his work could nearly rival Jean’s, but the prospect of spending time with this adorably mysterious man made warmth bloom in his chest.
Albedo gave him a small smile and led him by the hand further into his camp. The traveler was currently busy fending off various monsters and men scattered around the mountain, leaving just the two of them alone in the cluttered campsite.
“Would you rather not follow the traveler and fight? You’re quite an interesting one, Sir Kaeya.” Albedo gently pushed Kaeya into the chair. His neck was beginning to strain a bit from looking up so much.
“I’d much rather stay here. It’s warm and I can enjoy a nice drink with a beautiful man,” Kaeya said, blowing Albedo a kiss. Of course, it was bullshit; Kaeya loved the cold - thrived in it. But, he’d let his own preferences take a backseat when he had the chance to fluster one so seemingly immaculate. He wasn’t sure how Albedo would respond to his flirtations, but maybe he was secretly hoping he would blush (if he could even do so), or perhaps chuckle a little. A splash of color on that pale face would add to his boyish charm, he was certain.
Albedo did not blush. But, if he breathed like everyone else, perhaps his breath would have hitched. He used his arm to clear the myriad books in their vicinity, and then leaned in, bending enough so that their eyes were level with each other. He carefully set his hands on Kaeya’s shoulders and shuffled forward even closer. “May I?”
At such a close distance, all Kaeya could focus on were his wide pupils and parted lips. For some reason, Albedo reminded him of a cat. He gave him a lopsided smirk in response. “Did I not say you could study me all you like?”
Albedo immediately looped his arms around Kaeya’s neck and dropped into his lap, straddling him. Even from this position, he was forced to look up at Kaeya. That was thrilling, somehow. He moved his arms from Kaeya’s neck to the back of his head, gripping the soft blue hair, and brought his head down to meet his own lips.
Kaeya’s hands flew to Albedo’s hips, dragging the alchemist closer to him and lifting him a bit to adjust the position on his lap. Albedo is so light, he thought. He kissed back, teeth grazing over Albedo’s bottom lip. Then, he gathered the soft flesh between his teeth and sucked. Maybe he can’t blush, but will the marks I leave show on his skin?
Albedo groaned, and he broke the kiss, his own transient, forced air intermingling with Kaeya’s warm, condensed breaths. His lip bloomed red where Kaeya had bitten, and his gaze appeared uncharacteristically dazed and unfocused.
“This feeling… is new to me. But I would like to explore it further, if that is alright with you,” Albedo said, moving his hands to Kaeya’s firm, exposed chest.
“Of course it is, darling. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you,” Kaeya responded, whispering in his ear. He mouthed kisses down Albedo’s jaw and relished in the silent gasps of a man who didn’t need to breathe. His lips trailed down, sucking marks into the crevice of his neck, until his lips reached the yellow diamond at the center of Albedo’s throat. He was suddenly filled with the inexplicable need to ruin this mark - to stake his claim upon the one who may have previously put it here. It reminded him so much of himself, for whatever reason. That just couldn’t be. Kaeya bit down, using more force than he had previously, and swirled his tongue to trace the edges of the mark.
“A-ah, Sir Kaeya…” Albedo said, voice low and wanting.
Albedo’s carefully put together composure was beginning to slip, and Kaeya longed to undo it even further. Kaeya lifted Albedo, light as a feather, and stood up to move them to the desk.
“Just… Just push all of those books and papers aside. It’s fine.”
“Sure.” Kaeya did as he asked, briefly setting Albedo down at the edge of the desk, and then pushed down on top of him after the surface was clear.
Kaeya’s long ponytail tickled Albedo’s shoulder, and Albedo couldn’t help but run the soft strands through his fingers as if he were studying it. “Beautiful, like clear water. One day I would like to truly capture your essence through my artwork.”
Kaeya laughed. “I think you’re the beautiful one here.” He stroked Albedo’s cheek with his thumb. “So perfect, immaculate, and talented.”
“It’s the alchemy talking, I’m sure.”
Albedo’s teasing smile made Kaeya’s heart flutter in his chest. He groaned and shoved his face into Albedo’s collar before the alchemist could see his own blush creep up his neck. “Would… would you like to do more?” Kaeya asked into the crook of his neck.
Albedo thought for a moment. “These are all very novel sensations. I think… I would like to stay like this for now.”
“Your wish is my command.” He placed a soft kiss to Albedo’s mouth, who in return wrapped his arms around Kaeya’s back, clinging tightly.
This time, Albedo forgoed the distance he often kept between himself and others. Sometimes he felt alone. Other times he longed for the touch of another, yet could never allow himself to indulge due to the complicated nature of relationships. Yet, with Kaeya, he felt a strange kinship - similar to his bond with the traveler, yet more… familiar. Like they shared a common culture.
They separated after what felt like hours. Maybe time really does run differently for those of abyssal origins, Albedo mused. “Maybe next time, we could meet at my residence in Mondstadt. I do have some potions I would like to try out, if you would be willing to indulge me.”
“Then, I eagerly await your invitation.” Potions? Did he mean, like, aphrodisiac kind of potions? Holy shit.
Albedo lightly pressed on the bruises Kaeya had littered on his neck, trying to commit the feel and ache of them to his memory. Then, with one snap of his fingers, the bruises slowly faded away.
“I did very much enjoy our time together, but it’s about time for the traveler to return. I urge you to make my neck your canvas the next we meet.” Albedo sat up on his forearms and glanced at the entrance of his camp. “Thank you for keeping me company.”
Kaeya felt a little bit of disappointment run up his spine as the marks he so eagerly made disappeared into nothing, but the promise of a next time did well to assuage his feelings.
“Why, thank you for having me. The offer for a drink with a beautiful man still stands though.” Kaeya sat back on the floor, leaning against the desk, and materialized a bottle of Death After Noon and two cups out of thin air. He poured a glass and held it out to Albedo. “A toast to us?”
Albedo laughed lightly, taking the cup. “Sure. A toast to us.”