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Albedo was comforting you. Sympathizing with you. It didn't matter if he was horrible at it. It didn't matter if he had to take a moment to carefully craft his sentences. To the point they were almost scripted. None of that mattered.
What mattered is that he was trying. Albedo cared enough to want to try. He would step out of his comfort zone just for that chance it would help you.
And that's what made you feel better.
Albedo was a blunt man. He saw no appeal in holding his thoughts in. Holding back the truth. Lying. Often times he'd come across cruel or cross, misinterpreting his naivety of social norms for arrogance. Not one to bite his tongue.
To see him carefully pick his words and let them fall from his mouth like dew drops in spring gave you a whole new feeling. Enjoying the breeze of his thoughts put into words. The way his words trickled into your ears eased the pain. Made you want to sit here and just watch him speak. About anything. His voice like a flowing creek you couldn't, nor wished to drown out.
Everything came to a still when you felt a foreign touch. His hand resting on your head. His fingers indulging in the strands of your hair. You stared up at him. You must've been very open about how puzzled you were as he muttered
"I remember my master doing the same to me in times such as these. She said it was a custom amongst humans to show appreciation. Specifically in moments of emotional turmoil. Please let me know if it disturbs you."
And suddenly you found yourself drowning in him. Whether it be the light circular motions of his fingers. The way his eyes averted from you, looking off to who knows where. How his hair perfectly framed his face and the wind doing him a favor as just a few strands flew free amongst his cheeks. Not even affected by the cold. You were indulging in the rapids of Albedo Kreideprinz and before you could even stop yourself you silently breathed out
"You're beautiful."
He turned his gaze to you, his lips slightly parted. Not giving a verbal response but merely staring at you. You gave him the same treatment in confusion until you suddenly realized what had just happened. You felt your face heat up and you immediately turned your attention to the cold ground you two had been sitting on.
"I'm sorry- I,, I wasn't meaning for that to come out like that. You can just ignore it. Not that you aren't, obviously. But, I don't want to ruin right now or make you uncomfor-"
"It's okay."
He retracted his hand from your head, placing it amongst the stone beneath beneath the both of you. You both stared in opposite directions. Avoiding each other's gaze. As if one of you had just spilled out a confession or dirty secret. You felt shame build in your stomach. He was just trying to do something kind for you and your foolish heart took it for granted and jumped ahead of your brain. All felt lost until you heard him clear his throat and speak up.
"I appreciate the compliment. Although I am not one to dwell on. appearance I am glad I do not leave behind feelings of disgust.
...and as someone greatly unskilled in the art of beauty, I find you to be a more than suitable example one might strive for in such field."
You turned back to him in awe. At a lost for words. He'd only spoke of beauty in regards to the subjects of his paintings or sketches. And while it was a jumble of words, it still left your heart blazing. Enough to keep the two of you warm in this weather. Even if he didn't need it.
"...Did you just call me beautiful?" You questioned, needing an answer so you could quench the doubt in your head.
He gave out a sigh, not of annoyance. But rather, something else you couldn't quite put your finger on.
"I believe I did." He stated, still staring away from you. You weren't sure how to respond but you could sense the uncomfortable state Albedo was in. You were back at the start. Once again was he leaping out of his comfort zone to bring you a sense of peace. Many would disagree but it was blatantly obvious to you that Albedo was undeniably thoughtful. Adorably caring as well. And the only thing you could think to do was lift your hand and place it upon his head. Resting it into his nest of hair. Which elicited a rare sound of laughter from the boy. And while short lived you wouldn't stop it from repeating over and over in your head. A sound of verbatim. And before it could drive you mad with how often it had already been playing, he cut you off with a small.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better"
You couldn't help but smile at him and he finally turned to you. Responding with a soft smile of his own. Just the corner of his lips turning up. Like birds over the horizon migrating to a new season. You brought your attention to his mouth. Feeling entranced by the muscle. So much so that the thought simply couldn't escape your mind. And unlike your previous blunder, this one was very much intended.
"Can I kiss you?" You stared up at him, pushing your weight in just a little bit closer to his. Once again he was caught speechless and at your mercy. Not a place Albedo found himself to be in often. He looked at you quizzically.
"You can say no" you averted your gaze from him and looked to your side hoping to catch a glimpse of anything but his rejection.
"It is not that. My apologies if I came across surprised. It is just..." Albedo attempted to find the proper words to say it to you. You would wait for centuries if you had to. You just wished to know.
"...I am not experienced nor am I knowledgeable in romantic gestures. It is a possibility it might not be enjoyable and I wouldn't want that to...offend you."
You felt your brain turn to mush. He was horrible at expressing himself. So awful at reading people. And yet when he managed to do so he always blew it out of the water. You could feel your pulse practically dancing in your chest. He was embarrassed. Embarrassed he would disappoint. And the melody of it all sent you into overdrive. The tune of him trying to express his feelings to you.
"However, if you still wish to do so I have no intentions of stopping you."
Bringing your attention back to his face. You stared at each other for a minute. Him understanding if you wanted to back out. And you simply pondering how he could ever begin to think he'd let you down. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of matched and unmatched breathing between silence, you leaned into him fully. Your skin on his. Melting into the moment. Every other sense was drowned out as you submerged yourself into his touch. Neither of you seemed to want to break away. But for your safety of breathing he eventually pulled back, just a little.
"You could never disappoint me." You whispered against his lips, your eyes closed and still wrapped up in this feeling of closeness. Everything practically euphoric.
"I am glad to know that. I would have to say the same to you."
And this time it was Albedo,
who was melting into you.