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There were two things that were always present at The Windblume Festival: sweethearts and drunkards. The taverns saw a rise in patrons and you couldn’t go a day without seeing someone making a confession or seeing a couple holding hands near the fountain. The former never bothered you much. Mondstadt is a city with a booming wine industry, drinking was as much of a pastime as any other hobby around here. The latter usually never bothered you either.
Keyword: usually. These days the overflowing love of the city felt sour. Mostly due to the fact that your own lover wasn’t anywhere within the city walls.
You were in the Knights of Favonius’ HQ, looking down at the plaza as couples go to and fro. Some holding hands. Some nose to nose, in their own little world. Truth be told you yearned to do the same. It was your first Windblume Festival and when Lisa filled you in on what it was all about you perked up with interest, excitement thrumming through your veins as you thought of how Albedo naturally made normal spectacles seem incredible with his descriptions. While he wasn’t a casanova like the resident Calvary Captain, he showed affection in his own special ways. So surely he would do something for you, right?
Or so you thought.
You didn’t know he was gone until you mentioned not seeing him for a while and Sucrose told you he went to Dragonspine to do some drawing. You felt a little silly being so upset over something so minuscule. Albedo loved you and you knew that very well, so why was the disappointment in your heart so heavy?
You spent the day internally conflicted, jumping between being upset and being indifferent. It was a bit after the sun set and the stars came into view that you accepted that you were sad. Sucrose, bless her heart, tried her best to comfort you when she noticed you were a bit down, but she was shy, awkward, and didn’t know exactly how to go about it. Her attempt did put a smile on your face though, so she counts it as a win.
However, that was hours ago and now you were alone in the lab. Sucrose and Timeaus had called it a night an hour ago after you convinced them you’d be fine alone. The breeze coming in from the open window was gentle and caressed your face as your eyes drift from the couples and settle on the stars above. You were so into your own mind that you didn’t hear the door open, or the sound of a sketchpad being placed on a desk.
“Oh? You’re still here?”
You blink once, then twice, before turning to see the very man who was plaguing your thoughts. He looked effortlessly flawless as always, not a hair on his head misplaced.
“Yeah.” You reply softly, watching him take off his coat and set it on the back of a chair, “Just...hanging out. Watching the crowds.”
Albedo hums in acknowledgment as he begins walking over to you.
“Mondstadt isn’t usually this lively so late, even with its apparent alcohol problem. It is quite bothersome but I was able to make it back without running into any drunkards.”
He leans on the wall next to the windowsill you were sitting on. You hum in response as some movement in the corner of your eye catches your attention. When you glance out the window again, you see a girl running up the stairs and barreling into the arms of another girl. The two hug for a moment before the taller one presents a Windwheel Aster to the shorter one. That forlorn feeling returns to you full force and you decide you’re gonna bring up your disappointment to Albedo. He’d understand, right?
However before you can open your mouth to speak, Albedo turns and starts walking away, “I almost forgot. I have something for you.”
You close your mouth and watch curiously as he goes back to his desk and reaches into one of his coat pockets. The dimness of the room works against you because you can’t see what Albedo has in his hand as he makes his way back to you. You try to not get your hopes up too much but you can’t help the sudden quickening pace of your heart.
What Albedo presents you is nothing short of the prettiest flower you’ve ever seen. It resembled a rose except the petals looked like they were made of transparent crystallized snow. It also has a soft blue glow to it like most plants in Dragonspine did. You’ve never seen anything like it before. You take it from his hands gingerly as if it could shatter from the slightest rough treatment. Everything you wanted to say completely left your mind as you looked at the flower with awe. Thankfully Albedo filled the silence.
“I was finishing up a painting when I heard some adventurers talking about a flower that had sprouted into existence out of the blue it seems. Naturally, I needed to investigate it for myself, but the problem was it only grew at the summit and the adventurers mentioned it being a difficult journey.” Albedo pauses to sit next to you on the windowsill, amused by how your eyes still haven’t left the flower currently in your grasp.
“I went. It wasn’t hard, but it was long. The view from up there was breathtaking as well, so I spent some time sketching. Next thing I knew the sun had set. Time got away from me, that’s my fault. For that, I apologize.”
Albedo gingerly places two fingers on your jaw and turns your head so you’re looking him in the eye. There’s a rare smile on his face as he leans down and kisses your forehead.
“Happy Windblume, darling.”
With those words, Albedo turns on his heels and goes back to his coat, slipping it on.
“Are you tired? If so, we can reconvene tomorrow and do whatever you like. If not, we could go for a walk. The breeze is especially pleasant tonight.” He suggests, picking up his sketchbook and looking at you.
You finally tear your gaze from the flower to look at your boyfriend. The one who you were so sure forgot about the festival and about spending time with you or simply didn’t care.
Albedo was unlike any partner you’ve had before. He showed affection in unusual, weird, and sometimes blunt ways. Yet that’s precisely why you were so head over heels for him in the first place.
“Yeah...I’d like to go on a walk.” You agree as you hop off the windowsill.
Albedo waits patiently while you close the window and gather your things, offering his arm before you both headed out of the building for a night of long talks about everything under the sun and soft, stolen kisses in dark corners of the city.