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It was a lovely spring day, the wind gently weaving in between newly-green leaves, the scent of many blooming flowers in the air. It was a perfect day to get outside, get away from responsibilities and work, and simply spend time with those near to your heart.
And that’s exactly what a certain Cavalry Captain and Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius were doing.
“C’mon ‘Bedo, catch up!” Kaeya threw a cocky grin over his shoulder as he glanced back at his boyfriend, who was a few paces behind him, having been taken off guard by the impromptu race Kaeya had initiated.
“Kaeya- I’m carrying things!” Albedo sighed, slightly out of breath as he finally reached Kaeya’s side, the both of them having stopped under the large oak tree in the middle of Windrise.
“That was quite an unfair race. You clearly had a head start, and as well, I’m carrying my sketchbook and pencils, hindering my ability to chase after you-”
Albedo was cut off by a quick kiss to his lips by the taller man, who pulled away with a smile.
“Apologies, my prince, I’ll be sure to make it up to you soon. But for now”- he gestured to the air around them, pulling Albedo down to sit with him, backs against the tree- “Let us enjoy the truly beautiful day today!”
Albedo leaned his head back against the tree, closed his eyes, and sighed. “It really is lovely out today, the air feels wonderful after being stuck in my lab the past few days.”
“Exactly! You’ve been overworking yourself, so I took it upon myself to arrange this break for you.” As Albedo opened his eyes, Kaeya handed him a Cecilia, Albedo’s favorite flower. Cecilias didn’t grow around the Windrise area, only Windwheel Asters, leaving Albedo to conclude Kaeya must have gone out of his way to get it for him, as a surprise. “For you, my love.”
Albedo gave Kaeya a soft smile and tucked the flower behind his ear. “Thank you Kaeya… for all of this, truly. Going out of your way to arrange this, I really do appreciate it.”
Kaeya pulled Albedo into a hug, the alchemist taking the opportunity to bury his face in the crook of Kaeya’s neck. He smelled like calla lilies, honey, and warmth, if warmth were to have a smell. Albedo never felt safer than when he was with him.
The wind gently ruffled both of their hair, and yet they stayed pressed against each other, neither one wanting to move. It had been far too long since they last got a day like this, all to themselves. Lately, they had both been so busy, most of their contact had just been hasty kisses in the shadows of the hallways, or short talks during the day as Kaeya dropped off paperwork from the Acting Grand Master. Having a day like this, where they had no obligations, no work, and simply got to exist in each other's presence, meant more to both of them then they would ever say out loud.
Kaeya gently kissed the star-shaped mark on Albedo’s neck, Albedo shivering as the pleasant sensation ran down his back. Albedo squeezed Kaeya’s hand in response, then gently attempted to untangle his limbs from Kaeya’s. As Kaeya slightly pulled away as well, Albedo reached for his sketchbook, which had been discarded on the grass some time ago. He opened it, and flipped to a clean page, settling back against the tree and taking his pencil in his hand, beginning to sketch the scenery around them. Kaeya settled next to Albedo, their legs touching. He would’ve liked to say he spent most of his time looking at the scenery around him, but truly, his eyes were fixed on Albedo.
The alchemist looked to be almost glowing, the filtered sunlight under the leaves giving his pale skin an illuminated effect. His eyes were firmly trained on the paper below him, glancing up every so often in order to look at the landscape. His white hair blew gently in the breeze, but Albedo paid it no mind, simply reaching up to push a few strands out of his face when needed.
Kaeya thought he was the prettiest person he had ever seen.
Albedo gently tapped Kaeya’s leg, startling him slightly, but bringing him back to reality. “I’ve finished, if you’d like to see?”
Kaeya took the sketchbook Albedo handed him, gazing at the page, then looking back up at Albedo.
“It looks beautiful, Albedo, though I must confess, not nearly as beautiful as you.”
Albedo’s cheeks flushed a pale red as he shook his head. “You have such cheesy pick-up lines-”
“-But they always work on you, isn’t that right?” Kaeya teased, delighting in the way Albedo’s cheeks flushed further.
Rolling his eyes in mock annoyance, Albedo reached to grab his sketchbook back, as the wind, having picked up, flipped some of the pages over. Kaeya grabbed Albedo’s hand, pulling it out of the way as he glanced at the drawing the pages had landed on, curiosity overtaking him.
“Kaeya-”
“Is this… me?” Kaeya had asked the question, but he already knew the answer. Albedo was a talented artist, and the likeness was uncanny. Kaeya couldn’t help but find that the way Albedo drew him was much more beautiful than his true self, as if looking in a sort of glamorized mirror, hiding all his flaws.
Albedo nodded, flipping the page to reveal another drawing. “For all of your observance, Mr. Cavalry Captain, I find you never seem to notice when I sketch you, despite how obvious you would think it is.” It was Albedo’s turn to have a teasing tone to his voice.
“There’s even a drawing Klee did of you, if I can find it… ah! Here it is.” Albedo flipped to a page in the back of the book, and Kaeya couldn’t help but smile at the scribbled figures on the page, one blue and tall, and one much shorter and red next to it.
“They’re lovely, Albedo… all of your drawings… and of course Klee’s as well!”
Albedo smiled, taking the sketchbook back and leaning against Kaeya’s shoulder. “You’ll have to tell her when we get back, I know she’ll appreciate it.”
Kaeya pressed a soft kiss to the top of Albedo’s head. “Why, of course I will.”
Some time passed, with the pair simply sitting in comfortable silence, not wanting any more than to be next to each other. Finally, Albedo spoke up.
“Kaeya?”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
It wasn’t something new, the two had been dating for months now, and certainly said those words many times. However, it was usually Kaeya saying them. While Kaeya preferred to express his emotions through words, constantly using them to remind Albedo how much he cared for them, Albedo was somewhat of an opposite. He preferred to use touch, and actions, to show his affection. He didn’t say I love you often, although Kaeya had never doubted that the words were true. They were different in those ways, but they complimented each other, and they knew that they were cared for.
Kaeya squeezed Albedo’s hand.
“I love you too, my prince.”
Spring days certainly were beautiful times to spend with the people you loved, and as flower petals blew through the air, dancing on the breeze, the pair under the tree leaned into each other, never wanting to leave the other’s side.