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Maybe it was the soft bristle of fabric at his cheeks or gentle shifts between dream and consciousness, but ever since last week, Albedo has been waking up in a euphoric mood.
First, it was a scent of cecilia that mingled with the furrows of his lungs, then the sight of her that truly overtook him. Sucrose lay just inches away from him, curled within his bed, and her lids were shut watching a dream play behind them. Her lips were parted just slightly, and they stirred rosy beneath. A tranquil scene, one that he often felt guilty to disturb.
He pressed his own lips to her forehead.
"Good morning," His voice was still soft from disuse. It surprised him how rough it was right after he awoke.
Sucrose stirred a moment, pulling her blankets up to her face to cover the exposure to daylight. It prowled through the window behind her.
"Mmh-" She grunted, the sound muffled from beneath two layers of cotton. She curled into a ball, burying her head. Albedo chuckled, and he pulled himself underneath the covers as well, finding her tucked into her knees.
She was grumpy in the mornings, but even that made his heart swell. So endearing. He took her into his arms tightly, wrapping his arms around her small frame. She stiffened, as always, but when Albedo circled his thumb around the dip of her shoulder she melted into him, snuggling deeper into his embrace and tucking her head between the space of his neck and chin.
She was just like a tired cat.
"Sucrose?" Albedo whispered in her ear. They fluttered. "It's time for work, love." His lips turned up at the corners against her soft hair.
"Mmph-" She clutched his nightshirt, shaking her head.
"Are you going to speak any actual words this morning?"
"No-"
"There we go," Albedo stroked his hand over her back.
Sucrose sighed. "Can you just... hold me f-for a bit longer?"
"Alright..." And he did so, but after a moment, Albedo pulled away only to press his lips once again to her forehead... then her nose, and her ear...
"H-hey!" Sucrose nudged at him. His lips now traced the bone of her jaw, trailing kisses. Albedo pecked at the hollow of her cheek, and before Sucrose could object again, his lips interlocked with hers, and he spun atop of her.
They intertwined, Albedo pushing his tongue insistently in. Her lips were sweet, like honey, and his heartbeat quickened.
He traveled down to the heat of her neck and kissed playfully there too. But she laughed suddenly.
"A-Albedo!" Albedo watched her try to hold back giggles and fail. She was ticklish there. He kissed her more.
"Ah- I'm s-sorry! I'm sorry! I'll get up!"
"That's my girl-" Albedo relinquished his hold on her. His cheeks warmed.
Sucrose gathered herself, pushing her bangs out of her eyes, and felt for her glasses at the bed table. Albedo found them before she did, and slid the thick frames onto her nose for her. Her pupils grew when she saw him through the magnification, and she blushed deeply. She nuzzled her head against his chest to hide her flush as if he hadn't already noticed.
Against him, she said: "It feels nice to see you first thing in the morning, Albedo." Her voice was tender.
His heartbeat accelerated, and Sucrose pressed her ear to his chest to listen - which only made it beat even more. She traced a circle over his shoulder with her finger.
It was moments like these where even a tight wrap of arms around her, or a deep kiss, didn't seem enough to express the love he felt for her. His heart ached for more, but he wasn't sure what that could be. The words she spoke to him, even so simple, were like the wind - and he was merely a petal upon a tree, loosening more and more until eventually, the time came when he surrendered.
What would become of him then? A petal free of its roots, now tumbling aimlessly but still driven by his ardent love.
A disaster? Or a blessing?
"Sucrose," He cupped her face. "You complete me."
Those words to him were not close to enough, but perhaps that would be safer.
Her cheeks, which were already warm, now were an inferno, supple beneath his hands. He relished the way she swooned when he spoke sweetly to her, and he basked in her reaction, like opening his arms towards beating sunlight.
She gulped. Her voice was so quiet, that Albedo had to strain his ears to hear her.
"I know we would to be late, but... I really want to be kissed by you again." She spoke as if not expecting anything but another quick peck.
And barely a second after those words were uttered, did he kiss her. But for the first time, it felt different. Previously Albedo kissed gently, methodically. Like she was glass beneath him, and too much would cause her to break. But now, it was fueled by that gust of wind she sent through his soul.
The petal was now freed in the air, twirling, tumbling all in accordance to the furrows and flavors of his heart. He didn't hold back. It was a dance between them. She held his jaw, fingers laced around his ears, and he pulled her in further against him.
Her glasses bumped Albedo's nose and he pulled them over her head, casting them aside. He lowered her down to the bed, cradling her as if he would never have to chance to do so again.
She was plush beneath his fingers, and when her hands brushed his neck, his arm, his chest, his blood bloomed from beneath. Their passion buzzed, electric between the two. She spoke his name in hushed breaths every time he found a new place to settle his lips upon, and soon enough he was undone.
When he kissed her cheek, a flush of pink surfaced, and when he moved to her neck, more warmth. She was a painting that he worked upon. With each press of lips, a brushstroke of color arose. The sounds too were like music to him. She gasped and hummed, and he harmonized with her. He spoke her name into her ear occasionally, and the syllables were like honey.
Her arms prickled with gooseflesh. He strived to cause the reactions more.
Their breath mingled, and their bodies grew hot, enough to ward off winter for another week. He panted against her collarbone, and moisture gathered. She sighed softly, and it sent him over the edge.
"I love you-" He said against her. He furrowed his brow. "I love you, I love you."
Maybe if he said it enough times, the unbearable fire would douse. But it seemed to only feed it further. She took his head into her arms, hushing him, letting him rest upon her. Pressing her lips to his hair she responded.
"I love you... - it isn't enough for what I feel right now." She mumbled to him.
"I feel the same, Sucrose. But I don't know what else to do."
She laughed. "What a dilemma we have here."
Albedo flipped off of Sucrose over to his side, pulling her against his chest and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He wanted to be able to see her face.
"We're both... very new at this. So I suppose we should be patient. If alchemy takes time, surely something even more alien to us should take longer. But, we will work together." Albedo concluded.
Then an idea surfaced.
"I'm calling out from work today, we can send a letter to Jean. We've both caught a terrible sickness."
Sucrose giggled, biting her lip. "Do you mean lovesickness?"
"Yes - but that part should be left out."
He kissed her hand that was curled beneath her chin. "I'll send the note around lunchtime. But as for now..." He looked into her eyes. They gleamed carnelian. "I have some unfinished experimentation." Sucrose laughed again, but it was cut off by Albedo's kisses once more. He searched for new methods to express his love to her, and she did the same.
* * *
Albedo set his plate down on the quaint table, it was filled with toast, eggs, and roasted apples. Albedo had cooked the eggs sunny-side-up style, while Sucrose was in charge of the fruits. She seemed excited about her new recipes, so Albedo encouraged her to make it for their brunch. Their toast was jammed with Sucrose's new sweet flower concoction. It was fresh, and it melted in his mouth when he ate.
"You're a great cook, Albedo." Sucrose pressed her hand to her cheek as she munched. "Mostly, I just eat the vegetables from my house... so this is a nice change."
"You shouldn't only eat greens, Sucrose. Not enough nutrients. You out of anyone should know that." Albedo took another forkful into his mouth.
"It's not that though! I - I just don't have the same kind of ingredients that you have in your kitchen..."
"Oh, I see. Well, you could just always have breakfast at my place then." Albedo said. "But of course, you would probably have to sleep over too..."
"Oh! - I didn't mean to insinuate that's what I was asking-!"
"No, no, I really wouldn't mind." Albedo stopped her. He looked up from his plate. "...I want you here more."
Sucrose covered her cheeks in another flustered episode. "Albedo... You - you..."
"Do you happen to remember this morning, Sucrose?" Albedo laughed. "How is it my simple flirtatious comment could possibly make you more embarrassed?"
She smiled beneath her palms. "I was... still embarrassed during this morning though... But well... I-" She let out a sharp breath and shook her head. “I’ve never been kissed like that before…”
Albedo was smiling so much at this girl. She was so precious, so adorable. And it intoxicated him. He laughed more, and she laughed with him.
When their laughing simmered, Albedo spoke.
"But, I was being serious, you know."
Sucrose reached for a strand of hair at her neck. It was still down from her usual hairstyle.
"Well... I would really like to - I mean, it is a wonderful feeling to see you, but what would happen to all of my plants? And I have too many alchemical supplies to leave behind."
"Bring it all here."
"R-really? But it's just such a mess. And I know how much you value organization..."
"I love the atmosphere of your apartment. I've never seen it as a mess. Instead... it's like I can see into what you're thinking. To live in something like that, would make me feel happy."
"Oh..." Sucrose looked down at her plate, she was almost finished. "That means a lot, Albedo."
"If you'd rather not stay here, though, that's alright too." He reached over to hold her hand on the table.
"No. I'd love to." She beamed, and he did so in return.
* * *
They trailed the riverside, and Albedo watched the water glimmer from the sinking sun. Petals floated over it, and they glided in dance when a gust would stir the current. It was lovely this afternoon.
It's been a while since Albedo walked the river, but he used to do it a lot with Klee a year ago. Although, it was never so serene. He mostly had to worry about keeping Klee out of any trouble, so his attention never made its way to the scenic view that this location provided.
Just before their walk, Albedo and Sucrose collected a couple of flowers near Windrise. Now it was in a pile in the wagon near the Mondstadt entrance. He would have to remember to fetch them when they made their way back to his apartment. He'd like to put them in a vase.
"Often, I try to remember what it was like before I became your assistant two years ago." Sucrose said.
Albedo lifted his gaze to her.
"And..." She continued. "It's hard to think of how alone I felt. Before then, I was locked in my house most days and only left for food and supplies. Working with you... well, I like to think it changed my life. I feel more sure of myself, I'm happier... And - I'm not sure why I hadn't told you this before."
He looked into her eyes. Silent.
"Albedo?"
"I'm sorry you ever had to feel that way - because I know exactly what you mean." His eyes trailed back to the river. "I didn't speak to anyone like this before I met you. Those late nights in the lab, when we were tired but still talked of things that were bubbling in our heads. I cherished them. And they felt so strange in the beginning. Harmful, even. Why was I confiding in someone? Letting them see into my mind? But I couldn't stop myself. And, to learn more about you too, was so valuable to me." He caught her gaze again, and he caressed the side of her cheek with his thumb."For once in my life, I was fascinated by someone else, and I craved to understand you. I would spend sleepless nights thinking about you, thinking about the force in my life that was missing. What is the true meaning of this world?" He took a moment, thinking of the right words to express himself. He looked at his feet, the beat of their step."There were times back then when I had things in my heart that I wanted to say, but couldn't find the words for them. This morning even, I told you that: 'you complete me'. That wasn't enough. But I believe these words are. Sucrose, you made me human. You, are my true meaning."
He felt a burning sensation behind his eyes, and before he knew it wetness was streaming down his cheeks. He had to stop walking. When Albedo looked back to Sucrose, she had a hand cupped over her mouth. She looked surprised to see him in this state of emotion. She wrapped her arms around him, tucking her head into his shoulder and he felt moisture seep into his clothes. Was she crying? And... he crying as well?
"Albedo..." She murmured sniffling between words. "How - how did I end up so lucky to have met you?" She said the next more to herself. "What did I do to deserve such beautiful words?"
Everything, he thought in response.
He stroked her hair and she tilted her head back to face him. Then she wiped his... tears? She cried even more. Albedo wiped her tears as well.
* * *
When Albedo and Sucrose made dinner, it pained them both to even be separated for just a moment. While Albedo chopped the vegetables, Sucrose watched him, tugging at his sleeve. When Sucrose steeped tea leaves, Albedo kissed her ears. This made preparations go by twice as slow, and by the time they sat down to eat, the sun was long beneath the horizon. It was a good dinner. Seasoned chicken, asparagus, and carrots. The tea was qingxin petals with citrus notes. And both didn't speak much during the meal. There was an occasional remark about the food, but otherwise, Albedo and Sucrose's eyes just stayed interlocked and their hands intertwined. Albedo circled her palm with his thumb.
After they finished eating and washed their plates, they retired to Albedo's bedroom, where Albedo lit a few candles. They let the room glow a dim orange.
"Can I see some of your drawings?" Sucrose asked when they were tucked under the blankets. It hit Albedo that he had never shown her any before. He hesitated for a moment but decided he should show her.
"Of course, but I hope you're prepared..." He reached over to his bed table and pulled from beneath it, his sketchbook. It was leatherbound and battered with years of use.
"What do you mean-" She said. Albedo handed her the book.
She flipped through the first few pages, smiling at them.
"Wow! You truly are so skilled, Albedo." She traced her fingers over simple a portrait of Klee. She was smiling wide and lifting her hands up in the air enthusiastically. "It looks just like her..."
She kept on flipping, passing still-life, and more portraits, and eventually when she reached the halfway point of the book, she came across the first portrait of herself. That was when he started to think about her more frequently. These pages were like looking at windows to the past.
"Oh - gosh. T-This is lovely, Albedo." It was just Sucrose bent over her notes. If she thought this was enough to cause embarrassment, Albedo reconsidered his decision to let her continue. He wrapped an arm around her and she rested her head on his chest.
She kept flipping, and the amount portraits of her grew more and more saturated. Eventually, it was just pages and pages of her, in different duties of the lab, or smiling, or blushing. There were pictures of her feeling down, or when her anger flared. Some were the flowers she grew or the bones she analyzed. Anything she could have possibly done was documented over these pages. And she fell silent, cheeks now crimson.
She shook her head in disbelief. Albedo watched her.
"I thought you should see for yourself the sleepless night I spoke of before." Albedo chuckled softly. Although it was an embarrassed one. "It took a bit of courage to let you see this. But I'm glad you did." He tightened his arm around her. She didn't respond. "Sucrose?"
She turned around to face him, closing the sketchbook and letting it slide to the edge of the bed. Her face was bright red still, but her expression was unwavering - a bit different.
"Albedo, can I tell you the exact moment I thought I loved you?"
He swallowed, nodding.
"It was the second night we both stayed past our dismissal time in the lab. You told me not to worry about my bio-alchemical progress because in the end, what truly matters is my own satisfaction. You said that I should follow my own passions no matter what anyone else says. To 'search for the answer to my own burning question, and solve other's second'." Sucrose reached her hand over to cup his cheeks. Her eyes glittered in the writhing candlelight. "W-when I told you earlier today that you changed my life, that's how. You changed my perception of life. And I - I love you for it. S-So, so much."
Their faces were now inches apart from one another, and time seemed to pause. The air thickened, the crickets outside hushed, and all that could be heard was their breath.
Sucrose closed the space this time and their lips were gentle upon one another's. It was sentimental and intricate. Like the deliberate budding of a flower. When it bloomed, it grew passionate, and they held each other like they had this morning.
Through their lips, Sucrose stuttered. "A-Albedo - Bedo, t-thank you for everything." Albedo hushed her with more pressure. If she continued, he might not be able to handle it. "I-" Sucrose tried to say against his movement. "I truly love you."
He felt tears come again, and he pulled from her. He held her tightly, pressing her against his chest.
"I love you so much."