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Dawn was just breaking in Mondstadt, Albedo was heading up the stairs of the cathedral with a charcoal pencil and sketchbook in hand. His eyes resembled the bright green stones found in Gunyun Forest.
Unbeknownst to him, Kaeya Alberich - Cavalry Captain of Knights of Favonius was also present there at the time. Kaeya didn’t notice the presence of the well renowned alchemist however Albedo noticed Kaeya, and he couldn’t help but admire how stunning Kaeya’s hands truly were.
Albedo wasn’t sure how he never realised earlier but Kaeya’s hands were definitely better than any he had seen before, they were the perfect size and shape. Albedo could almost already imagine how those hands would feel on his body. He blushed at the thought but stopped his fantasies on their tracks.
“No, I shouldn’t” however he couldn’t help but start sketching those very hands he said he should not fantasise of.
Kaeya, finally taking notice of the Chief Alchemist, walked up to him with the usual smug look he wore on his face. But this time it was Albedo who didn’t notice the other, considering he was far too wrapped up in his drawing and overwhelmed at the thought of the beautiful hands he had got the pleasure of seeing earlier.
Kaeya peaked over the other man’s shoulder to see what he was drawing, Albedo - suddenly realising, rushed to cover his sketchbook but alas it was too late and Kaeya had already realised what the other man was drawing.
Kaeya easily noticed that the gloves in the drawing were his, and the famous alchemist was really drawing his hands. Repeatedly, in multiple positions and did he see one small sketch of his hands wrapped around one’s throat?
Kaeya lightly snickered and asked Albedo why he suddenly hid his drawing - “I get nervous when people see me draw!”, he said in a calm yet rushed tone.
“Oh really, well that’s quite unexpected. Word around is that you’re really quite the artist - didn’t know an artist of that level would be practicing drawing hands though~”
“It’s always good to get practice in..”
Kaeya suddenly took the sketchbook from Albedo-
“Hey! Give it back,” Albedo said, finally standing up.
Kaeya held the sketchbook high, right out of Albedo's reach, flipping through it while Albedo frantically tried to get it back.
"These drawings are … beyond splendid, you have quite the interesting range of talents!"
Albedo stopped trying to get the sketchbook back and returned to his usual calm stature, "Thank you, but I would be far more appreciative if you would return it."
"Not just yet~", Kaeya said with a smirk and stopped at the page with the sketches of his hands.
"Just some practice.." Albedo softly said.
"Mymy, what interesting illustrations must you be practicing for if it's … My warm hands? Choking someone? As if I ever would!"
"I'm not implying you would- anyway that's enough! Can I now *please* have my drawings back, Sir Kaeya?"
"Haha~ What if I did?" Kaeya said, pushing the sketchbook towards Albedo with one hand while resting the other on the alchemist's shoulder.
Albedo became almost flustered at such a remark, especially since the remark caused his imagination to run absolutely wild. "I-"
"Haha~ Just messing, of course," Kaeya said before lightly snickering and walking off.
Albedo was left speechless, it wasn't common for him to lose his calm demeanor but that Kaeya.. Couldn't help but fluster him with his 'horrible jokes' and flirty tone.
Albedo stood there, in slight shock, for almost a few seconds before walking off but the other way. He was initially planning to leave the city taking the gate near the Adventurer’s Guild however he decided otherwise since Kaeya had already gone in that direction not too long ago and he would much prefer to not be teased even more than he had already been.
Although the route from the back gate to Starsnatch Cliff was so much longer, Albedo quite enjoyed the journey. He was headed there to get some Cecilias for himself, he found Cecilias to be elegant and they made him feel rather pleasant, for no particular reason. He liked keeping them pressed inside his sketchbooks however he had recently run out thus he wanted to get more, and of course the best place for acquiring Cecilias is Starsnatch Cliff.
Albedo was pretty tired from walking all that way, he realised he ran out of food and drinks but thought “Oh well, I’ll just get my Cecilias and visit Good Hunter when I’m back.”
Bad idea. Albedo may be a genius but he completely fucked up this time - Half way up the cliff, he had gotten too tired till his limbs gave out.. Then he fell.
A million thoughts rushed through his head.. All his unfinished research, his friends- But also that embarrassing event from earlier today and that would be the last impression he leaves on a certain someone.
However *that certain someone* broke his fall right on time and caught him.. Amazingly huge yet perfect coincidence for the final one on Albedo’s mind to be right there, exactly due to catch him.
“You shouldn’t climb if you’re so worn out,” Kaeya said with a more concerned tone than usual.
“Th..Thank you, thank you so much…” Albedo’s usual calm composure was completely lost, he was genuinely scared that he wouldn’t make it. I mean, he was still hurt of course but nowhere near as much as he would be if Kaeya hadn’t been there to save him, he would’ve been literally dead if that was the case.
Albedo would’ve never expected the same man embarrassing him out of his wits would eventually save his life but.. There they were.
Kaeya gently placed Albedo down and checked for any serious wounds, luckily there were only some scrapes and other light injuries that would get better in pretty much no time (At least that’s what Kaeya hoped).
Kaeya let Albedo place his weight on Kaeya so as to rest, he gently caressed Albedo since - for once, he was showing fully and completely genuine emotions; that being concern for Albedo.
The air around them was quiet, it was peaceful - Sure it was silent, but not at all the awkward type, y’know?
Albedo had fallen into a, much needed, deep slumber on Kaeya’s lap while he braided loose strands of Albedo’s ashy light blonde hair. The atmosphere was so … peaceful, it was almost enchanting or even mystical.
Kaeya let out a light chuckle, “It’s really hilarious that a renowned genius would almost fall, quite literally, to his demise from such a.. Cause.”
Albedo softly grunted and sat up, rubbing his eyes. He straightened his back to bring his face uncomfortably close to Kaeya’s - yet it wasn’t uncomfortable to them - “You know.. I don’t think I’m really a genius, I never chose that title anyway.”
“Hmm.. Aren’t you being quite the modest one then ?”
“No, I’m just stating whatever is known to me as the truth.”
“Heh, I see~”, Kaeya said lightly booping Albedo’s nose. “Alright, are we headed off then?” Kaeya said standing up and reaching out his hand.
“His hand…”, But Albedo knew the man was waiting so he quickly brushed his beyond mortifying thoughts aside and took his left hand in both of his.
The walk back to the city wasn’t even remotely as quiet as the time they had shared on the cliffs, it was filled with playful banter and somewhat flirting from both sides. True, it wasn’t as enchanting or anything but they were both enjoying their time.
Albedo may’ve been known as a genius alchemist (a positive title of course!) but if there were any negative aspects of it, that would be that the title did not make him the most approachable man in Mond.
Which was usually fine since he quite enjoyed his time alone but with Kaeya.. It felt different, sure Kaeya would tease him ever so fucking much but that was the best part. He wasn’t being taken so.. Seriously as he usually would be. He felt at peace with Kaeya, relaxed and joyous.
Thus their journey finally ends at the fountain in Mondstadt, it is time that they both part ways - After all, neither of them are any less busy than the other.
“Before you go.. Can we hold hands, one last time?” - Kaeya does as he was requested.
“You’re making it sound like we’ll never meet again.” He says with a rather freeing laugh.
Albedo looks Kaeya directly in the eyes and says, “Well am I? That truly isn’t my intention at all, I hope to definitely meet you again.”
“Then that would be a promise”.
Albedo looks at the fountain and says almost in a sorrowful tone, “I had gone all that way for Cecilias but never ended up acquiring my desire.”
Kaeya lightly smiles, sure he didn’t have any fresh Cecilias or anything but he did have the next best thing -
Kaeya reached his free arm out towards the fountain and froze the water to resemble the shape of blooming Cecilias.
Albedo wasn’t awestruck, he expected the famed Cavalry Captain to be *this skilled* however he was still pleased and grateful. “I’ll get you real Cecilias in our next meeting,” Kaeya said, kissing Albedo’s hand before letting it go.
Albedo blushed bright red, “I.. suppose I will be looking forward to that.”
They both smile at each other for a little bit before nodding their heads at each other, and heading their separate ways - to carry on with their extremely occupied lives. Yes, it may take a while before they are able to meet again but they both know they surely will.