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Kaeya had fallen in love three times.
He seemed amused with the mysterious Mondstat's alchemist that appeared out of nowhere. One day the man just stood at the front gates, a vision in his hand, looking for a job. Since that day Kaeya watched from afar, as the one called Albedo worked hard enough on his studies that he got past sweet Sucrose. He saw him go to the top, quickly becoming one of the most trusted alchemists in Tevyat. Even when in Liyue on duty he had heard the name; therefore it was no surprise when the knights took him in. There, he impressed everyone. His skills were unmatchable - enough to make Timateus his assistant, instead of a master. So, Kaeya watched him and wondered how.
“Your reputation precedes you.” He said to him one day. He invited him for a walk on their day off, through the flower fields. When Albedo cleared the confusion on his face he nodded. Without prior preparation they went out, not worrying about anything. They stopped beside a cliff, where one could feel the spring breeze.
“I’m just doing my job, Calvary Capitan” He simply stated.
Always so quiet, introverted, Kaeya thought back then. Not easy to talk to. Focuses only on the job and not really on the fun that comes from it. But, Kayea never stopped trying, his interest in Albedo already blooming.
He wasn’t present in the city, Kaeya noticed. He always wondered where he had gone, and he had the chance to find out on one of his expeditions, on the cool day of February.
Dragonspine was especially cold this time of year. Freezing, alone, it stood there, deserted. Kaeya didn’t quite take a liking to the mountain, as he thought it was too depressing. The snow was always so bright and fresh, covering every inch of the ground, with not a flame to find around. There never was a sign of humanity, somebody to break that loneliness. That is why it came as a surprise for him when he found footsteps in the snow.
Without alerting anyone else of the expedition members he followed them, his trusted sword in hand. It seemed to lead to some sort of a lab, a workstation. There, he saw blond hair sticking out behind a counter. Kaeya let his guard down, putting his sword away.
“Mister Head Alchemist.” He guessed, surprised.
“Ah, hello,” Albedo said calmly, now looking at him, “Have you come to visit me?”
Albedo smiled softly and although Kaeya won’t admit it, he made him a little bit nervous.
“I didn’t know you had your workstation here,” He began, eyeing approaching Albedo.
“Everyone has their secrets, mister Calvary Captain.” Stated the blonde, standing eye to eye with the man.
“Kaeya is fine.” He said softly.
“Alright then, sir Kaeya.”
The way his name was spoken,
Kaeya thinks that then, maybe he fell in love with the pretty stranger.
Kaeya has loved his friend for a while now.
He was quite sure of it. He observed Albedo as he always had, and with every nod coming his way, every handshake, every soft-spoken name, he felt helpless. It was because it was him - the mystery, enigma that got to know him. It was because it was him - the calm, collected Albedo. The caring, gentle Albedo that Kaeya had now known and was attracted to. He could laugh about his addiction to sweets, or eating spiders, but it was charming and just that - it was Albedo’s. Kaeya was afraid to face it, but in his mind he had started calling Albedo ‘his’.
Kaeya was acting strange.
“What’s on your mind?” Asked Albedo. They were babysitting Klee, currently watching her as she was searching for the prettiest shells and showing them to her brother and Kaeya.
“Work.” He said without missing a beat. Albedo slowly nodded his head.
“Of course. You are such a busy person, aren’t you? Patrolling the tavern every night.” Kaeya smiled.
“Someone’s got to keep brother’s business thriving.”
“How selfless of you.”
“Albedo! Mister Kaeya!” Klee shouted from the sandy beach, “I got a crab!”
Both Kaeya and Albedo went to the seaside to see the animal caught by the child.
“Look, look!” The girl demanded. She placed the bucket somewhere else on the ground and from the place she had it before came a pink crab. It immediately ventured into the water, “Goodbye mister crab!”
Klee waved the crab goodbye. Kaeya peered at smiling Albedo and his heart ached at the soft look he was giving his sister. Albedo was a caring, responsible person. He looked with love in his eyes. Cold outside, warm at heart.
“I’m tired. Can we go now?” Klee pouted, stood up and clung to the blonde. He took her in his arms and Klee laid on his shoulder.
“Come on,” he nudged Kaeya softly, “It’s getting late. Come sleep at my place.”
And so they started heading to Albedo’s apartment as the sun came down.
Albedo was seemingly tired when he came into the flat. The first thing he did was to leave the sleeping Klee off to his room. Kaeya helped and took care of taking off her boots and coat. Albedo quietly thanked and when he came back to the living room, he immediately sat on the sofa. Kaeya took off his shoes and sat next to his friend.
Their arms touched, noticed Kaeya, but, unlike usual physical contact, Albedo didn’t get away. They stayed like this for a while, until Albedo clung to Kaeya, letting his head come between Kaeya’s jaw and shoulder. Kaeya flinched a bit, but stayed like that. That. Was perfect.
And so he stayed like that,
until sleep took away both of them.
Until he fell in love again, with a friend.
Kaeya has grown to love Albedo more and more every day.
Whether it be something silly, like messing up his words, or something special, like his laughter. Kaeya couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t keep it to himself much longer. That’s why he decided on surprising him, as much as Albedo surprised him in the beginning. The surprise, the amazement was the thing that led him to love.
Kaeya, with the help of Lisa, arranged a beautiful bouquet for Albedo, and then ventured into the mountain.
Kaeya never liked dragonspine. But, he thought that he could start liking it, now that there is a person that keeps the mountain from being lonely.
The man came into his workstation and upon seeing him, his heart skipped a beat. He froze, scanning his soft eyes and silk skin.
“Ah. Kaeya,” Albedo seemed to be slightly surprised at the sight of his friend, “Are those…Cecilias?”
“They’re for you.” He said simply, offering them to the blonde. Albedo came closer to him.
“Snapdragons, too! Such beautiful flowers,” Albedo smiled and put the bouquet on the nearest table, “Thank you.”
Kaeya smiled, too.
“I was wondering…” He began, “If we could walk for a little?”
Albedo nodded his head.
And so they ventured into the cold. Dragonspine’s snow, always so bright and fresh, now was covered by a pair of footsteps, people that didn’t really know how to talk about their feelings.
“Kaeya, I think I need to tell you something.”
Albedo was barely whispering, “I am not so experienced with feelings. I never bothered myself with them, sometimes they were just too much.”
Albedo stopped on his tracks, back facing Kaeya.
“But when I’m with you…” He shifted nervously, “I feel good. I feel as if I’m finally at home…”
The blonde faced him.
“I think that it’s called love.”
Kaeya stood there, in awe. He smiled with such tenderness in his eyes that Albedo could get addicted.
“You never stop surprising me,” Kaeya stepped closer, delicately grabbing the hands of the confused blonde, “I’m also in love with you, Albedo Kreideprinz.”
Albedo stared directly into his deep blue eyes. One could say he could see every single thing in them - all of Kaeya’s secrets, flaws and whatnot. He smiled at it all. He loved him. And Kaeya loved him back, and he thought he could explode right there, right at this moment.
“May I kiss you?” Kaeya whispered. Albedo nodded his head. He didn’t want to break the magical ambience of the mountain.
Albedo slightly closed his eyes and slowly leaned in. Kaeya did the same, only inches apart. He stopped, as if waiting for the other’s permission once again. Albedo smirked and put his lips on Kaeya’s.
Soon enough they couldn’t get enough of each other - one kiss after another, and they deepened every next one. Kaeya was losing his mind. The way Albedo’s lips danced around his so hungrily made him seem like a crazy man. But he didn’t mind. He didn’t mind this crazy, lonesome scientist from the mountains. He didn’t mind having his best friend as his lover. He didn’t mind kissing all of his secrets away, leaving just the two of them.
Kaeya didn’t mind falling in love.
With Albedo,
who was now his.