Chapter Text
The chalk prince frowns his eyebrows as he watches the clock in his office, he will be late if he doesn't leave his office right now. He knows that Klee is having a good time with the Cavalry Captain but he misses her and doesn't want her to be disappointed, so he starts cleaning up the room a bit, getting ready to leave.
As he closes the door, a raindrop falls in his face, leaving a watery train across his cheek. He lets out a sight, rain is not something he enjoys and it shows in his face through all the walk to Kaeya’s house.
The Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius is an interesting person for Albedo, trying to understand him through his filtry facade is almost a challenge for the chalk prince. He hasn't made a solid opinion of the one-eyed man yet but lately they have been meeting more than expected, which, honestly, is not that bad. There are obvious reasons for Albedo to not be called “the sociable prince”, but the Cavalry Captain’s company is not as exhausting as he thought when they first met. There’s something about him that charms Albedo, but he can’t really tell what it is exactly…
Suddenly, Albedo is aware of himself thinking about the navy haired man again so he tries to shut his mind in embarrassment, it’s not likely for him to be thinking about anyone with that enthusiasm, and that person being Kaeya is certainly interesting.
While wandering through his thoughts he gets to Kaeya’s door. He hears a sweet laugh inside which he identifies as Klee’s and a soft smile appears on his face. He knocks twice into the door and when he’s about to make it three, a rushed Kaeya opens the door, looking hilarious as ever. Klee had all the Captain’s hair for herself and she, of course, didn’t miss the occasion.
“Well, that look is… unexpected at least” Kaeya strokes his now long braid in response, “Oh, don’t you like it?” He says, a small pout forming in his lips.
“I don’t think I ever said that” Albedo looks intensely at the Cavalry Captain, which makes Kaeya feel somehow flustered.
“It fits you well, you look even pret-” Albedo curses himself, he’s not saying that outloud. “You look, hm… graceful?” Kaeya looks amused by the nervous speech, “Graceful, you say? Hm… I guess I should try these kinds of looks more often then.”
His smirk disappears when he looks down to Albedo, he completely forgot it was raining outside and now the chalk prince is even wetter, water slipping down his hair and clothes. He moves quickly from the doorframe, leaving some space for the alchemist to enter the house. Albedo felt a bit confused for a second, he also forgot the rain; the Captain is indeed charming after all.
“Welcome” Kaeya says, followed by a soft laugh that makes the alchemist's factions brighten. How can someone’s laugh provoke such a reaction in him?
“We need to get you dry right now, or else you will catch a cold” Kaeya starts to look for his dryer, “Man, things always disappear the moment you need them.” Seeing Kaeya so frustrated makes Albedo let out a small laugh, “I don’t think I am able to get sick in the first place, however, it would be great if I stopped wetting everything.”
After a few minutes, Kaeya comes out of his room carrying a dryer and some clothes for Albedo. “You can change in my room, I won’t enter. Promised” He says the whole thing smirking but for some reason Albedo trusts him wholeheartedly.
The captain gives him a beige turtleneck jersey (his most comfortable piece of clothing, I must add) and some brown pants that are supposed to be tight even if Albedo had to roll up the bottoms. While he’s drying his hair he becomes self-conscious. What is he doing in Kaeya’s house? Why is wearing Kaeya’s clothes?
Kaeya is in the kitchen working on his special dish. He’s so focused that Albedo doesn’t even dare to breathe. Navy strands of hair cascade in his shoulder while his hands move quickly, cutting the mushrooms steadily.
“Are you going to remain silent?” Kaeya’s voice makes Albedo jump out of surprise, people don’t usually notice his presence. He’s about to articulate a response when a red swirl starts running all over the kitchen, stopping right behind his legs. “Big brother Albedo !!!”, she jumps in excitement, “I missed you so, so much!!! Big bro Kaeya and I made a lot of stuff today. See the mushrooms? I helped him collect them!”, the proud voice tone she has is enough to make Albedo smile. “I missed you too, Klee”, he says, laughing while hugging his sister. At the sight, the Captain's cold heart melts; he has never seen Albedo so happy. “Sorry to interrupt the family meeting but dinner is ready”, the word family still gives him a bittersweet feeling inside.
Albedo sits in the round, oak table, it’s big enough for more than three people and the mental image of the Captain eating here all alone feels a bit off, “It must feel lonely” He whispers while examining the table. When he realizes he said that out loud it’s too late, his eyes meet Kaeya’s, who quickly looks away, pretending he didn’t hear anything. He was waiting for a filtry response from that sharp mouth of his but instead he got a vague response. He certainly feels lonely then. But it’s not like Albedo cares about him that much.
Klee falls asleep almost automatically when they finish eating, Kaeya notices and carries her to the couch, covering her with a thin blanket. The rain is pouring even harder now, leaving a consistent melody; which is accompanied by the fireplace.
Albedo feels tired too, and it makes it harder and harder for him to concentrate on whatever Kaeya is telling him, his mind focusing on the trails being drawn by the raindrops. “Is our chalk prince tired?” Kaeya says in a mocking tone while placing a hand on his shoulder to get some attention. Albedo hums in response, too tired to articulate a response.
Kaeya chuckles softly, “You both can stay the night here, I don’t have any problem with sleeping on the couch…” Albedo gets ready to disagree, he doesn’t want to abuse the captain’s kindness “... plus, I don’t want to be alone tonight. Having some company from time to time is… comforting”
Albedo is too tired to assimilate the words, to examine Kaeya’s expression, but he understands and nods, he also thinks Kaeya’s company is comforting after all.