Chapter Text
“I’m sorry you like who now?”
“I like Amber- ok?!” A short blonde haired girl banged her head against the table and groaned.
Albedo set his book down and pushed it aside. He raised his arm towards Lisa who was sending the pair a warning glance.
“Let’s- uh…try to keep it down, Lumine. We’re in a library.”
Lumine rolled her head to the side, looking out the giant windows lining the end of the library.. She lazily pulled our her right hand and flipped the finger at the boy.
“Lumine…get up.” Albedo groaned and prodded at her seemingly lifeless body.
“Shut up.” Lumine pulled up the hood of her white hoodie and gently knocked her head against the table in frustration.
“I don’t know how else I’m suppose to assist you if you are just going to lie there and mope.”
“It’s- argh I don’t know! I just wanted to- say it, ok?!” Lumine jolted her head back up, her now blonde fringe and what’s left of her shoulder length hair now messed up, “I know I have almost no chances but I had to tell someone. It’s just- I’m quiet and not as outspoken. I barely get the chance to talk to her because she’s always so busy with her outrider work!”
“And you…come to me….and tell me instead of her?”
“I’m not the talkative type, Albedo. Neither am I as affectionate and good with just- gifts or physical affection. I thought you of all people would understand that.”
In the depths of Albedo’s mind, there was a flash of minty hair. However he managed to retain his ever so calm expression and quickly responded ever so wittily towards the frustrated blonde.
“Well I don’t necessarily have a person in mind to show any outwardly affection.”
“Uhuh- yeah keep telling yourself that.” Lumine rested her cheek on her hand while the other rested down on the table, her fingers drumming gently on the wooden top while giving the other the stink eye.
“I don’t remember turning this conversation onto me, seeing that I’m not the one in a gay panic.”
Lumine rolled her eyes and pointed an accusing finger at Albedo, “You don’t have any gay in you to panic, you basic hetero-“
Pang
Lumine groaned and rubbed the back of her head, turning around ready to 1v1 whoever had the audacity to smack her head with a dam book to find emerald green eyes looking down upon her and a purple figure with a hand on their hip and the other holding a firm grip on a very…thick book.
“Last warning, Lumine! I’d like to have some peace in this library.”
Albedo chuckled as his glance was turned from Lisa back to Lumine, “Let me remind you again that this is the same ‘hetero’ that you’re complaining to.” Earning an immediate piercing glare from the blonde girl.
The pair now had their attention on Lisa who had now approached their table. Lumine instantly began a whispered quarrel with the lady as Albedo was instantly pulled out of the conversation. His attention now turned to the elder woman. She had donned on a purple jumpsuit, floral patterns dotted her one pants sleeve and a matching beret and a red rose tucked onto it. Wrapped around her body was a thick white wooly cardigan reaching just above her ankle.
A librarian indeed she was.
“That’s enough chattering from you, Lumine.”
“I wasn’t that loud!”
“In fact, Lumine, you were that loud.”
“I didn’t mean to! Albedo is being irritating!”
“He isn’t the one screaming now is he.”
“Lisa please- just cut me some slack today!”
Albedo chuckled, earning two dirty looks from the ladies in front of him. He raised his hands in defense, “Alright- ok we’re sorry Lisa. Let me just….calm her down and we’ll leave as soon as possible.”
Lisa regained her composure and nodded. A small satisfied smile spread across her face as she tipped her beret atop of her head and left the duo back to her tray of books.
“Heh…who knew that the ever so quiet Lumine would have such an outburst.”
“Why are you being such a dick today?!”
“Look- we don’t want another book flying here. Just get your feelings out before you get smacked again for yelling.”
“It’s not….necessarily about feelings. It’s about- how I go about it.” Lumine sighed as she crossed her arms and rested her head back on the table as she slumped into her seat.
“And you come to the one person that doesn’t know a thing about relationships?” Albedo chuckled and tugged at her hood, gently tossing it over her head.
Lumine played with the trim of her hood and slapped Albedo’s hand away, “You really think I’d go to Kaeya for advice?”
“I didn’t say anything about Kaeya.”
“Then what’d you suggest I’d do smartass?”
Albedo pinched the bridge of his nose, “I never claimed to know how you should go about it. As I previously said, I don’t know a thing about relationships. You called me here for a work-study session and here we are- talking about your love life that I never even hinted at.”
“Don’t bring my horrible grades into this.”
“You’re the one that decided to disappear for like a year and get held back. Don’t you know how much your brother panicked because of it?”
“Yes- now shut it, please!”
Lumine sneared at him and hid her face in her arms, while Albedo looked down at her shaking his head, now thoughts turned to her brother at the mention of him, “Why don’t you….talk to Aether about Amber?”
“Fuck no.”
“Jean? Maybe Lisa?”
“No!”
“Then what? Lumine- I don’t know how else to go about this.”
“Just- shut up and say she’ll like me back regardless.”
Lumine earned an eye roll from the boy who could only give in, “She’ll like you back regardless.”
“No she won’t!” Lumine cried and proceeded to hit her head once again against the table.
Yeah….it’s gonna be a long study session
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“I’m sorry- I just…who?”
“She likes Amber, Sucrose. And she wouldn’t stop pestering me the last few weeks because of it.”
Sucrose rubbed her arm as Albedo rested his head on the table in the centre of their lab, his white lab coat lazily casted aside on the chair next to him, “And because she hasn’t told anyone else, I am now-“
Ding!
“Not again…” Albedo groaned and solemnly walked over to his phone now brightly lit and a notification from Lumine popped up.
“Is that Lumine?” The soft spoken assistant asked her mentor as he turned around to lean back on the table, his gaze now stared intently at his phone, busy typing away.
Sucrose watched his ever so gentle face turn into a frown. The slight creases forming on his forehead as his brows furrowed. She had only ever seen this sight whenever he was stumped in another experiment or another specimen gone array.
The specimen in question today being a very angry Lumine.
“She said Amber ran into her at the mall and gave her a wave and she’s freaking out.”
Ding!
The mint haired girl heard the boy groan again and turned his attention back onto his phone, “Now she’s saying she’s outside the la- outside the lab?!”
“Open this dam door Kreideprinz before I kick it down!”
Sucrosed squeaked and jumped back startled as Lumine began to bang on the door to their lab. She watched as Albedo looked over her and gave her an apologetic look before grabbing his coat and walking to the door, quickly putting on the coat and turning the handle.
“You know- you could be a lot more gentle on the door. You just startled Sucrose.”
Sucrose eyes widened and quickly hid her flushed face behind her clipboard attached with her notes and turned to….whatever was on the table that lined the walls. To make her seem like she was busy.
Why did he have to point that out?!
“Shut it and help me!”
“We’re still working he-“
“And I’m in a crisis!”
“If you just talk to other people mayb-“
“I’m not talking to other people!”
“Lumine-“
Sucrose can only stare at the arguing duo, awestruck. It’s not like Lumine to break out in rage, or Albedo to run his fingers through his hair- almost to the brink of pulling its usually neatly kept state out of his scalp. The braid coiled around his shoulder blond hair almost loosened up and the small tuff of hair at the back of his head now coming undone from the hairband holding it together.
“Oh god she was so pretty? Did you know today she tied her hair into a high ponytail? And she was wearing this cute bunny ear headband- oh my god it was so cute, and when she looked at me she smiled oh barbatos she smiled at me it was so prett-“
“Lumine I get it please- but when are you gonna-“
“NO! I’m not gonna tell her- maybe I should let the feelings go away slowly! Oh but the way when she said hello- did you know she said hello to me?! To me! God she was so cute. Oh oh and she apparently bought a new outfit she wore today-“
“Yes yes I’m sure she said hi to you because you two aren’t like- best friends or any- wait you know the outifts she owns?”
“Well duh? You don’t? Anyway today she-“
“LUMINE- Why the hell do you know the types of outfits she owns?!”
“ISN’T IT NORMAL TO TAKE NOTE EVERY TIME SHE GOES OUT AND DRESSES OF WHAT SHE WEARS AND REMEMBER EVERY ARTICLE OF CLOTHING IN HER WARDROBE?!”
“No! Ok- the first part maybe- but no! It isn’t!”
She wondered if Lumine had barely registered her seeing she’s complaining to Albedo about not wanting anyone else to know about her raging crush when Sucrose was right there- ignoring the fact that Albedo had just told her about it.
“Uh- uhm. If I….If I may?”
The two instantly stopped bickering and turned their attention towards Sucrose. Lumine still seemed to be frustrated but her expression softened when she saw the shy chemist. Albedo’s initial pissed off expression softened the moment Sucrose opened her mouth but of course- she didn’t notice.
“What is it, Sucrose?” Sucrose shivered as Albedo’s gentle voice rang through her ears as they perked up in the air, unbeknownst to her.
“It’s just…uh- oh uhm…why don’t you….want to talk with anyone else?”
“It’s Amber, Sucrose. Amber!” Lumine held her hands out as if she was clutching something in an exaggerated fashion.
“Y-Yes, Amber is a very nice p-“
“And that’s why! Please- I don’t know what else to do.”
“Confess?” Albedo shrugged as he spoke in a tired, blatant tone, earning a glare from the blonde haired girl.
“No!”
“Then how else are you suppose to profess your love to her?”
“Maybe I just- don’t!”
Albedo groaned and slumped into his seat, tossing his phone onto the table and rubbing his temple with his one hand while the other rested on the cold metal top.
“Holding in your feelings…uhm…may not be the best idea, Lumine. One day- you may lose her to….someone else.” Sucrose looked away towards the ground.
If Albedo didn’t know any better, It seemed Sucrose seem to talk from experience. The girl never mentioned having a previous lover or affection towards another person. He felt his fingers once rubbing his forehead curl into a fist as his feet began to twitch slightly.
“But how! Amber is so- Amber! She deserves more than just a ‘Oh hey I like you wanna date?’. She deserves better!”
“Then take her somewhere she’d enjoy. Lumine please-“ Albedo exclaimed in frustration, earning a smack on the back from Lumine.
“That’s it! I’ll take her somewhere she likes and then ask her out.” Lumine’s one hand was still rested on Albedo’s back as she pumped the other into a fist like the gesture of a champion as a flash of determination twinkled in her eyes.
“Oh thank Barbatos- finally!”
Sucrose smiled softly, hoping maybe Lumine has finally come to her senses and would ask Amber out, “That’s great! Now all you have to do is ask her out.”
Lumine’s previous determined smile now forced into a fake grin as she slowly dropped her hands and whipped around in a flash to walk towards the door, “And I will not take her somewhere she likes I will never talk to her again I can’t show my face oh barba-“
“LUMINE PLEASE!”
Sucrose jumped and her ears flexed backwards. Lumine groaned and turned back around, plopping herself down on a seat right by Albedo and sighed.
“I can’t- how?! I can’t just bring her somewhere alone she’ll get suspicious.” The blonde girls was running her fingers through her hair as she rested her arms on the table
Sucrose tried to divert attention away from the pair and took a sip of water and popped a candy in her mouth. Just anything to distract her.
“It’s probably just another girls out to her- Lumine, she’s as oblivious and naive to love as Klee is to destruction.”
At the mention of his little sister’s name, Lumine’s eyes perked as her attention was immediately drawn to the blond, “Hey- why don’t you bring Klee with you and accompany me.”
“When did I say I was accompanying you on your date?”
“Please- I need moral support.”
“You’re already getting it now. You are meant to be alone during the date itself.”
“You don’t have to be alone on a date.”
“I am not following you on your date.”
“Please! Maybe bring a date with you as well- ya know get out there. If you don’t want to bring Klee that is-“
“I know what you’re doing and it’s not gonna work, Lumine.”
“Oh come on-“
“Lumine no…”
“We can make it a double date or something!”
“No.”
“Pleeaaaase!”
“No.”
“Oh come on- at least I’m not dragging you to just third wheel me and Amber.”
“I’ll end up third wheeling anyway because I don’t have a date.”
“You can bring Sucrose on a double date.”
Sucrose, who was taking a few sips of water did a spit take and was reduced to a coughing fit while Albedo had instantly shot his head up straight, his body now fully facing the blonde girl.
“I- j…huh? Wait-“
The usually composed, well kept chemist was now a blubbering mess as Lumine’s words began to sink in. His face flushed to match the minty haired girl who had turned attention to her vials.
“I said you c-“
“I heard you the first time! But what gives you the idea that we would follow you?!”
“Aw come on Bedo! You can take the chance to….you know.” Lumine was now reduced to whispers as she sent a wink towards Albedo. He narrowed his eyes, piercing Lumine’s comedic written face.
“Besides- it’ll help me a lot! Maybe I’ll finally….get the courage to ask her out.”
Sucrose’s ear nearest to Lumine perked up and she slowly turned her head to look over at the girl. Her mouth was open but she dared not speak as she began to contemplate. It took her a brief moment before she could finally say something.
“M-Maybe…we ca- we can just….assist Lumine for now, Mr Albedo. And Klee will be able to spend some time….outside of her confinement.”
Albedo was silent. His thoughts turned towards his sister. Always making a mess of the Favonius headquarters and causing a ruckus at the nearby Library where Lisa worked. Heck- even his lab wasn’t safe from the antics of his little sister.
But Lumine’s words had now fully sunken in. The word ‘date’ was enough to make his brain go haywire. As much as Albedo was known for his smarts, he wasn’t exactly known for his common sense when it comes to relationships.
To treat the outing as a double date, both chemist were now a flustered mess. Sucrose’s ears now flushed with her hair and Albedo’s own burning bright red.
Lumine could sense the tension in the air. Taking a moment to realise the two and their now blushing state, a smirk formed on her face.
“So~….are you guys in?”
Albedo’s gazed wandered to the girl as he sighed and got up from his chair.
“You have two days.”
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“A-Are you sure you’re okay with putting off work, Mr Albedo?”
Albedo sighed as the pair made their way down the stone sidewalk, kicking left over road debris onto the lawn as he sighed, “It’s….I don’t know.”
“It’s just….not like you to just put off work like that.”
The older chemist groaned at the mention of work and his seemingly off putting behaviour for releasing both of them from work for 2 whole days. Sucrose squeaked and looked away at the ground mumbling a sorry.
The pair seemed more awkward as they were now taken out of their work environment just to hang out. Something the pair had obviously never done before despite the amount of time they have spent together.
It was- odd to say the least seeing the two not covered in a white lab coat. Their now ‘nerdy’ fashion sense exposed to the world. At least that’s what Sucrose would think. The poor girl seemed a lot more self conscious as she had donned on a more covered look, a thin white sweater and a long blue dress to match the blue beret on top of her head, barely covering her own ears.
Meanwhile Albedo seemed to wear what he would always wear to work, a black short sleeved button up shirt left open with a blue shirt underneath, black shorts and shoes to match. She could only sigh at the lack of thought that went into his outfit, because at least she tried since they were meeting a friend.
However his mind is usually always on work- not on outfits which is why the girl seemed to confused as to why there was a sudden change in heart to let them off.
“I-I mean….It’s not any- anything bad it’s just…..you don’t usually take an off for that long.”
Albedo looked to the girl as his eyes softened, looking back at his reaction earlier he breathed out a sigh, “No- I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to….give you the cold shoulder. It’s just Lumine has been pestering me for 2 weeks straight over this, and now she’s bothering you too,”
Sucrose nodded as Albedo began his rant, he clutched his fist and extended out a hand in frustration, “I hadn’t intended on dragging you into this. Not to mention she’s been crushing on Amber way longer than just that. 2 years even.”
“I….see. I guess- I can see why your so upset now.”
Albedo smiled at her softly as he lowered his hand and looked towards the road ahead, seeing the Mondstat park not far ahead, “It’s- also about time I spent some time with Klee. Ever since her mother went overseas for work she’s been so lonely. And regrettably- even as her older brother, I haven’t always been around to be her older brother.”
Sucrose watched as Albedo’s face turned sour at the thought of him being an uncaring brother- at least that’s what he thought, “I don’t think it’s….that bad. Everyone just- needs a reminder sometimes to take a break.”
“I could say the same about you, Sucrose.” Albedo chuckled.
“I-…but there’s so much-“
“And I have always said it’s alright to relax a bit- take a few days off even. And you still refuse. I probably won’t be able to cover your overtime at this rate.”
Sucrose let out a small gasped and snapped her head towards her mentor, “N-No it’s- I don’t require overtime payment. It’s just there’s so much-….so that’s where the money ca- oh my…Mr Albedo!”
The girl was now in a mess of her own words as she tried to piece her sentences together, Albedo’s small smile returning on his face as he watched his assistant slowly quieten down, seeing that her mentor was amused at her distressed state.
“Do- Don’t laugh, Mr Albedo- please!”
“My apologies, Sucrose. It’s just amusing to see you like this. I guess we both needed this break then- huh?”
“I- but…w-wait, Mr Albedo you can’t just-“
“Sucrose it’s alright- please, just drop the misters.”
Sucrosed let out an exasperated sigh as her ears had sunken down into her hair, her lips pouted down as she looked away once again. He laughed once again.
“Mr Albedo p-please- stop laughing at me.”
“Apologies again, Sucrose. I just find it….adorable.”
Sucrose ears perked up again as her heart began to race. Her full attention was now on the taller chemist who had continued to wake his way towards the entrance of the park. She had only come to a brief stop before running up to catch up with him.
What she had failed to notice was his own ears turning bright red.
“Finally! You’re here!” Lumine looked up from her phone and plucked out something out of her ear, got up from the bench and placed her hands on her hips as the chemist both raised their hands to wave at her.
The pair noticed Lumine shoving down her earpieces into the pocket of her light blue jogging pants and her sweaty white tank top.
“Tell me again why you’ve called us over here? At 8am in the morning no less.”
“D-Don’t mind Mr Albedo. He isn’t really a morning person.”
Sucrose stifled a chuckle as Albedo motioned for Lumine to carry on, “I just hadn’t have any coffee. Please, explain why we’re here.”
“I can go get you so-“
“That’s alright, Sucrose.”
Lumine giggled and rested a hand on the youngest’s shoulder, “You can relax, Sucrose. You’re not working anymore so you don’t have to always care for this lazy ass.”
“I am not lazy!”
“Yes you are! You know you should join me in my morning jogs more often. You’d probably be more lively then, party pooper.”
“It hasn’t even been a minute and I’m already shitting on a non-existent party?”
“L-Language, Mr Albedo!” The girls both turned to the tired Albedo, one caught completely off guard while the other could only stare at him with a deadpanned face.
“We ignore this idiot. So for now- let me explain why I asked you two to come down here at dawn, as you two are to assist me in my endeavours and pursuit of my undying love for a girl with a name that has the likings of saffron and honey.”
“You know I’m here right? I can hear you mocking me- which is also highly inaccurate.”
Lumine wrapped an arm around the mint haired girl and gestured her to walk forward leaving behind a very tired Albedo, “Do you hear anything, Sucrose? I don’t.”
Sucrose let out a small laugh and turned her head slightly to wave her mentor over. He could only do so much as smile back and catch up with the girls.
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“I’m not wearing that!”
“Oh come on you’ll look great!”
“Lumine- you havent even decided where you want to go, or asked Amber out. Why are you going outfit shopping and shopping for me?!”
Lumine had in her a complete set of outfits ready to hand to Albedo. A brown sweater vest with a white collared under shirt attached, a brown coat with matching pants to the vest.
“Please- it’ll look so good on you!”
“I can choose my own outfits, Lumine. I’m not a toddler.”
“Oh puh-lease your fashion sense is as dull as you.”
“At least I wear reasonable clothing unlike some other people!”
“Don’t you want to impress Sucrose? It’ll look great please! I’ll even pay!”
Lumine said in a rushed whisper, shoving the clothes into Albedo’s hand and nudging him towards the changing room.
“There’s no….impressing Sucro- wait Lumine!”
“Bye!” Lumine immediately skipped away to the other ends of the store and out of sight leaving Albedo with no choice but to put on the clothes he was forcefully asked to try on.
Meanwhile Lumine had already grabbed another pair of matching clothes colours and all for Sucrose. She let out a low evil chuckle and ran around looking for the minty haired girl who had been staring at a couple of mannequins wearing a couple of berets and running her hand down a sweater piece similar to what Lumine grabbed.
“You really do like wearing those hats, huh?”
“O-Oh! Sorry Lumine, I didn’t notice you approaching. Ye- Yeah uhm…I do.”
Sucrose patted down her ears and adjusted her hat, “Do you uh- need something?”
“Nah- I was just thinking if you’d like to try on this!” Lumine held out the outfit she grabbed in front of Sucrose.
Sucrose was at a lost for words as she hesitantly reached out a hand and took the outfit out of Lumine’s hand, “If you’re worried about the price, don’t worry- I’ll be paying!”
“I can’t- I can’t possibly just-“
“I insist, Sucrose! It’ll look absolutely stunning on you.”
“It’s…a beautiful outfit combination, I will admit. And the fabric chosen is of high quality but,” Sucrose gently caressed the carefully chosen clothing in her arms, “I don’t think you’ve even seen the prices-“
“Sucrose don’t worry about it, please!”
“B-But I-“
“No ‘buts’ off to the changing room!” Lumine whipped Sucrose around and pushed her towards the same changing room she shoved Albedo and into one of the cubicles.
“L-Lumine!”
“Just at least try it on, Sucrose.”
Sucrose looked at the eldest one last time, caving in the moment she saw how earnest Lumine was with her bright toothy smile shinning like she hadn’t seen before.
Just as Sucrose disappeared behind the curtains, Albedo emerged with the coat slung over his arm, “I didn’t want to wear the coat.”
Lumine turned around to get a good look at the chemist, “Oh come on- please!”
“It’s not- but…”
“It’s the trends, Albedo! Fall season? Wouldn’t think you’d know since your always cooped up in the lab.”
Albedo sighed and unraveled the brown coat and swung it over his head, quickly jerking his shoulders forward and smoothening down the coat down his stomach.
“You look perfect!”
“I don’t see any reason as to why I’m the one dressing up.”
Lumine blew a raspberry and flopped her wrist limped, “Just take it as a gift for helping me out.”
Albedo looked to the mirror in front of him and carefully grabbed the lapels of the coat gently lifting it to reveal his top, the hem of his inner white shirt just covering the waistband of his dress pants.
“I….see why you chose this for me now.”
“See,” Lumine tapped her head with her finger, “I’m not that bad.”
“I-I’m done.”
Catching the attention of Lumine and Albedo, the two looked to the cubicle and see a now newly dressed Sucrose. While their outfits are not exact to a tea, Albedo could still clearly see the match that, he would assume, was intentionally done by the blonde girl.
Sucrose’s top was that of the same to Albedo except for the long sleeved sweater. The hem of her undershirt sticking out and untucked. The same brown dress pants and instead of a coat, a white beret in place of her previous blue one.
“Hmm…how about this, Sucrose.” Lumine walked over to the girl who had still failed to take notice of Albedo hidden behind the tallest of the trio.
Sucrose watched Lumine tuck in the front of her sweater shirt into her now revealed to be a pegged high waist pants and folding over the excess to hide the waistband. The blonde fixed the girls collar and turned to face Albedo, revealing the newly matched outfits to the other.
“You matched us?!” Both exclaimed. Sucrose more in surprise and embarrassed tone while Albedo, not as surprised but still surprised?
Eh not even he could give an answer.
“You…uhm- I mean you uh…you look nice, Mr….Albedo.”
“I uh- you…too.”
Lumine placed a hand on Sucrose’s back and looked over at Albedo with a disgruntled look, “Really? ‘You too’ That’s all you have to say?” Lumine pushed Sucrose forward gently towards Albedo.
“I….”
Albedo looked over at his assistant. In his head, all that occupied his thoughts was the image of Sucrose in the matching outfit, “You- I mean yes, look nice. I erh,” He coughed and rubbed the nape of his neck, “You genuinely do look- very nice, Sucrose. It’s just….”
Albedo looked over Sucrose’s shoulder to Lumine who had her arms crossed and a satisfied grin painting her face, “What’s with the outfits?”
“It’s a date, Albedo. You need to at least look the part.”
“A date for you.”
“So you don’t like the idea of matching with Sucrose?”
“It’s not that! I mean I- it’s more of that….it’s not….”
“I-It’s….alright, Mr Albedo,” Sucrose gave him a shy smile and rubbed her arm, “I uh- it doesn’t have….to mean much.”
Albedo didn’t really know why his heart felt heavy as soon as she said that. His face turned down slightly and his hand that once rested on his hip now shoved into the coats of his pockets as he tensed up slightly, looking away.
“Y-Yes. You’re right I uh- so I assume you are alright with….the outfits then.”
Sucrose nodded and smiled, letting go of her arm in a sign that she was comfortable.
“Perfect now let’s go pa-“
“Not so fast, Lumine. You still need an outfit. This date is for you, after all. Not….Sucrose and I.” Albedo quickly grabbed Lumine’s shoulder as the girl headed for the exit of the changing room.
“Haha- whatdoyoumeanidontknowwha-“
“Lumine!”
“Okok- you guys go change back….I’ll go find…..something.”
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After finally settling on a simple fall outfit similar to what Albedo had in an alternate colour, the trio finally settled down for lunch at the mall food court.
“Finally! Sorry it took so long.” Lumine set her tray down on the table.
“I told you that the Inazuman cuisine stall always has a long line.” Albedo shoved a mouthful of Sunshine Sprat in his mouth.
“Like you would know, you stupid ele-“
“I do know, because you took 30 minutes to get your food while Sucrose and I are already halfway done through our own meals.”
“Tsk- not even the decency to wait for me.”
“A-Apologies Lumine, I had suggested we wait but Mr Albedo insisted on eating ahead.” Sucrose immediately set her utensils down as Lumine finally settled into her chair, moving forward slightly.
“Albedo! How could you?” The blonde held a hand over her heart and clutched it like one would after a heartbreak. Meanwhile Albedo was unfazed, simply taking another bite of his food.
“Sucrose’s mouth was practically watering the moment she set her sights on her food. So I suggested eating ahead since someone decided that they would choose exquisite food over their own hunger.”
“At least I have taste you hetero ass mot-“
“Ah ah- keep your mouth shut or else I might just decide to take back my offer and head back to the lab.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“Then shut up and eat.”
Lumine sighed in defeat and began to dig in to their meal, the rest of it being eaten in silence. Of course with how hungry Lumine was she finished her food the same time the chemists had finished their own.
“You should slow down, Lumine. You might choke on your food.” Albedo set down his utensil as soon as he finished his last mouthful of food.
“Shut up, I’m hungry!” Lumine had already slumped into her chair, hand rested over her stomach as the two chemist stared in awe at her emptied plate.
Sucrose gently took a hold of her cold drink and took the straw in her mouth, carefully sipping on it as Lumine slowly recovered.
“So- are you going you ask Amber out now?”
“You’re very straight to be point, aren’t you Albedo.”
“The sooner you finish this, the sooner I can go back to sleep.”
Sucrose giggled as Lumine once again gave Albedo her dramatic heartbroken look as her hand found its way back, clutching her chest, “How could you- It’s because of me you guys are finally taking a break.”
“Ask her out before I take your phone and ask her instead.”
Lumine immediately grabbed her phone that sat nicely next to her tray with a sigh, “Fine!”
Her thumbs immediately started typing away, the pair stared at her questioning how easy it was to actually persuade her as they heard the click of her phone turning off.
“Did it!”
“Show me your phone.”
“No.”
“Lumine.”
“I already asked her! Don’t you trust me?”
Albedo discreetly grabbed her phone and swiped, unlocking the phone immediately, “I don’t see anything here, Lumine.”
“NooOOO! Albedo please- just…maybe….”
“Lumine….”
Lumine folded her arms and slid deeper into her chair pouting, “I don’t even know where to take her….”
“M-Maybe somewhere she really likes?” Sucrose set down her drink and shyly muttered, “S-Sorry….I uh- I’m not very experienced with this but- I remember mentioning it before.”
“It’s not a bad idea, Lumine. Where does Amber like to hang out?”
Lumine propped herself back up on her chair and nudged it forward, “The outrider headquarters.”
The chemist fell silent for a moment, exchanging a glance, “Uh- anywhere…else?”
“…I….don’t know.”
“You’re her best friend- how can you not know?!”
“She’s in love with her work- she rarely has time to go out and hang!”
“Not even- maybe somewhere she’d wish to go if she were on break?”
“I-….she probably mentioned it but I was too busy just…uh-“
“Staring…yes. Gods- Lumine!”
This was really harder than the trio would have thought. They spent the next 30 minutes brainstorming, disregarding majority of the basic first date locations Lumine would dismiss as boring. It was an agonising 30 minutes with Lumine proceeding the bang her head on the table again, Albedo at the brink of a breakdown and Sucrose just shifting awkwardly in her seat, playing with her fingers.
“Look why not just think of places you like?”
Lumine placed an arm on the table and pushed her head up to look at the blond, “Albedo….even if I could give you one none would be ideal for a date. I could go from the dam library to fucking Chinju Forest in Inazuma- which mind you….is a very pretty area actually. It’s like Wuwang Hill’s nicer twin sister, you know actual-”
“I don’t care about your travel recommendations- just pick a date location.”
“I cAN’T!” Lumine cried and crumpled into her seat earning a few suspicious glances.
“L-Lumine- what about just choosing…something simple but maybe you’d enjoy? Maybe even try to introduce Amber to like it as well?”
Lumine currently had her hands over her eyes as she dramtically fake cried into her seat, lifted a finger and peaked at Sucrose. She gave herself a moment to think before immediately jumping back from her seat and pointing at Sucrose, “That’s it! Oh my gods, Sucrose you’re the best.”
”I just said that-“
“I uhm- well it was just a…uhm a suggestion but I’m glad I could he-“
“Oh gods what should I take her to? Maybe the li- yeah no. Or uh….café- no thats basic.”
“It’s like I don’t exist- Can’t you just take basic and ask her already?!” Albedo groaned with his hand holding his head up.
“It needs to be something I’d like and that she’d like as well!”
“I’m sure….she’ll love a café as long as there’s Sticky Honey Roast.”
Lumine scoffed, “Tch I might as well cook one and invite her to my place- which I will not!”
And once again Lumine had plunged into another brain fart and breakdown as the trio are brought back to square one.
It took another hour for her to decide on a location and get Lumine to finally text Amber.
The chemists- however, had no clue of where they were headed to next.