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It's simply ridiculous.
How is Kaeya able to do it so easily? He does it like it's as simple as breathing; under the dim lights of the hallways, the shade of the tree at Windrise, the night sky as they stargaze on Starsnatch Cliff. Albedo wishes that he can understand how the knight dares to do such a thing at the most random of times.
Kissing… isn't exactly his strong suit.
Neither is anything that involves touching. He has his own personal bubble, standing at a (more than) reasonable distance from someone he isn't familiar with. It's a little safe space for him, and only a selected few have the pleasure of breaching it.
Except for Kaeya. Kaeya has no sense of personal space whatsoever.
Fortunately, Albedo is young and hopelessly smitten, so he isn't bothered about the comfort zone that Kaeya deems nonexistent being invaded day after day. He is, however, extremely troubled by the fact that he still isn't able to initiate a kiss.
"This is hindering my thought process," the blond mumbled to himself, his hair crumpled by his gloved hands as he makes an expression of pure distress, which is no different from his usual demeanour. He stares blankly at his clipboard, filled with papers of experiments he can't be bothered with at the moment. His head drops onto it, a loud thud and a groan follow suit.
"Think, Albedo. Thinking is your job and expertise," he sighs to himself in defeat. The only thought that comes to mind is how sweet Kaeya's lips are, like sweet flowers and grape, and how they're as soft as his hair, both so addicting and lovely.
The sudden sound of the lab door opening startles the alchemist. Kaeya peeks his head in, looking around until his gaze lands on Albedo. He's quick to put on a soft smile as he closes the door and walks over to the other.
"Hello," Kaeya greets. Before Albedo can form a reply, the knight lowers his head and places a quick kiss on his forehead. The alchemist is at a loss for words, mouth agape as his brain momentarily short-circuits.
Kaeya raises an eyebrow at the random reaction. "What is it?"
"Nothing," the other quickly dismisses, averting his eyes to the paperwork that has suddenly felt so interesting to him. He grabs a nearby pen and begins writing something down, mostly muscle memory and months of repeated words making it seem like he's doing work.
A hand rests on Albedo's shoulder, making him tense up. "Albedo, is something wrong?" Kaeya asks, his voice quiet despite them being the only ones here.
"No, I'm just a little… just thinking," well it's not exactly a lie, right?
The knight seems hesitant but decides not to pry any further. Kaeya's hand moves to brush away the messy strands of hair that hide Albedo's face, then looks at him fondly. "Alright, my dear. Don't overthink it," is all he says before he goes for another kiss, this time on Albedo's lips—it's brief, gentle and makes him feel giddy.
Kaeya grabs a chair and seats himself next to Albedo, asking about his day and moving on as if he can't see the latter's current dilemma. Well, it's not that Albedo wants it to be an issue; he's just curious, that's all.
Yeah, that is definitely all.
Albedo figures that maybe he should just come clean.
Kaeya would surely understand his worries, maybe he'd even help.
Alas, as the two of them stand next to each other near Albedo's workspace, Kaeya seems to have different intentions. The alchemist can barely form a string of words to voice his thoughts before he's smothered by featherlight kisses—on his cheek, his hands, even the tip of his nose.
"Don't kiss me while we're at work—" he pleads in between such kisses.
Kaeya, of course, doesn't listen and continues to do so anyway. "You needn't worry, starlight," he whispered, smiling at him ever so innocently. "I told you, it's already nearing midnight, though I suppose you were too busy to listen."
Well, it wasn't that far from the truth. Busy? Definitely. With what exactly? Albedo still refuses to say. "You're right, my apologies. You can say that I've been particularly… preoccupied."
The knight doesn't comment any further on it, instead, he gently cups Albedo's face with his hands and lovingly stares at him. "I know," he simply says, "that's why kissing you as a distraction is quite rewarding," he adds with another kiss on the forehead.
Albedo's hand rises to stroke the other's cheek—a gesture he finds himself doing more often than not. His mouth opens as he thinks about saying something, but when he catches Kaeya's gaze, then stares at his lips, his throat suddenly feels dry. He looks away in a hurry.
If his actions seem suspicious, the knight still doesn't question it. He removes his hands from Albedo's face and heads towards the door. "I'll let you finish up and we'll head back for the day," he said, his warmth regrettably fading away. "I'll be right outside if you need me," he adds with another gentle smile.
The door shuts, the sound of the impact echoing throughout the now empty lab. Albedo shuffles in place, both hands covering his face as the feeling of Kaeya's kiss continues to ghost over the places they ventured.
"This distraction is much welcomed," he whispers to himself. His eyes fall onto his desk, scattered papers and misplaced items all over it; messy and unorganized, just like his thoughts.
It's a bustling and sunny afternoon when Albedo finds himself at the Ordo's library.
"I'm afraid we have no such books about that, Albedo," Lisa looks at him with an apologetic smile. She hadn't even hesitated to answer when faced with the request, which could only mean that she was certain.
"Though, perhaps I could be of help?" she suggested, winking at the blond in a teasing manner. She continues her task of arranging the books on a random shelf nonchalantly. "It's not every day I get asked about a book about kissing, after all."
Albedo drops his gaze onto the floor in an attempt to hide the growing blush on his cheeks, but of course, nothing escapes Lisa's perceptive eye. "I just… wanted to know how to… initiate a kiss," he admits eventually, surrendering to the librarian's gaze. Lisa tries her hardest to suppress her laughter by putting a hand over her mouth; Albedo only grows more embarrassed.
After a few moments, the woman finally composes herself and gives the alchemist a genuine smile. "I can't say much else, except to simply tell Kaeya the truth," she said, putting a finger over her lips. "But don't worry, he won't mind. You two have been together for what, near 7 months? I have yet to hear him complain about you."
The woman giggles again when Albedo blushes, but before she can tease him about it, the blond is already thanking her and walking out the door.
"Ah, to be young," Lisa sighs fondly. She takes a seat at her desk and resumes with work, determined to finish it quickly so she can pay her beloved a visit.
As per Lisa's advice, Albedo decides to tell Kaeya his problem.
Although, this was not the turnout that he expected…
"Go on," Kaeya stares at him as he lies on the alchemist's desk, his reddening face betraying the smirk that lies on his lips. How exactly did this end up with Albedo pinning the knight on his desk, fully looking down at him with a dumbfounded expression, was a question he'd rather answer another day.
It's the dead of night, or at least, that's what Albedo thinks as he stares out the sole window of the laboratory. "Kaeya…" Albedo tries his best to avert his gaze from the knight's, but it's proving to be quite difficult when they're in such a position. "Isn't there a much… better approach to this?"
"Nope," Kaeya wraps an arm behind the other's neck, successfully pulling them closer. Albedo is forced to look at him now, with how close their faces are that he can count the knight's eyelashes, or the strands of hair that cover his face. "Kiss me, Albedo," he whispers, somewhat impatiently. "Or do you plan on making me beg?"
Albedo's face burns hot as he moves his gaze to Kaeya's lips; they're pulled into a teasing smirk that irks him, urging him to just kiss it off. But yet they look soft, faintly smelling of apple cider, intoxicating him.
Kaeya suddenly hooks a leg on his waist and traps him. "You're quite the tease, Albedo dear," he plays with the blond's hair, twisting and turning the strands playfully. "Archons, it's taking everything in me to not kiss you myself," he hooks his other arm around Albedo's neck, the look in his eyes growing more desperate.
"Is it?" Albedo teases, though he's also losing composure. He leans down, ghosting over Kaeya's lips and smiles when he hears a whine coming from him.
"Archons, please just—"
The alchemist cuts him off as he finally joins their lips together. He lets out a shaky breath, slowly closing his eyes. A quiet moan escapes Kaeya as he pulls Albedo close to him, his fingers slotting under the blond locks, making them messier than they already were.
"Wait, Alb—" the knight's attempt to say something proves to be useless as Albedo suddenly licks his lips, then slides his tongue into Kaeya's without further warning. Their breathing becomes quick and rickety, and suddenly there's a hand travelling down Kaeya's chest.
It's warm, hot even, Albedo realizes. Kaeya tastes like wine and some dish with honey that he can't be bothered to think about now, not when kissing Kaeya feels so good that it feels addicting. When the alchemist tries to move away even an inch, the knight is quick to pull him down and lock their lips together once more, hungry and yearning for more.
It goes on for minutes. Albedo soon rests his body on the other's, his hands roaming across the knight's slim body and squeezing his tiny waist. Kaeya's legs hastily wrap around him, preventing him from leaving—as if Albedo would dare think to do so. It's not enough, he wants more; more touches, more kisses, more of Kaeya.
Eventually, the two reluctantly break apart for a moment to catch their breaths. They're both panting, mouths agape as they stare at each other's flushed faces. Kaeya's lips that are red and shiny turn into a wrecked smile, looking at the other through half-lidded eyes. "I could kiss you forever," he said, his voice sounding hoarse enough to make Albedo feel a touch of triumph.
"We have forever," the blond replies. He combs the strands of hair that block Kaeya's face with his fingers, then gives a quick peck on the exposed skin. The knight smiles into the kiss, cupping Albedo's cheeks as soft giggles escape him.
"We should do this more often," Kaeya whispers.
Albedo playfully rolls his eyes. "In my office or yours?" he joked, but the way Kaeya's eye lights up at the suggestion makes him quickly regret it.
"My office has a really nice window."
"No."
"But you said—"
Albedo stops his lover from going on by sealing their lips together again. It's brief, like the chaste kind of kiss that they'd try to sneak in during rush hour, where nobody would pay attention to them. He giggles, feeling the initial tension and anxiety slowly leaving him as the action suddenly feels natural. Like a cog that was just waiting to be put in, and now it all flows out smoothly. Sometimes their kisses are soft, sometimes passionate, but it all feels right.
What Kaeya said sounds true; it really feels like they could just stay like this forever.