Archive of Our Own

“Wait a little, Klee. Just a little while longer.”

“Nooo, daddy, I want it now!”

Kaeya was sitting at the dinner table, laptop on it charging, house phone against his ear supported by his shoulder, and pen and paper before him to note things down. It was a busy day, late afternoon in autumn.

He works at home making advertisements. He was trying to reach his client, but both them didn’t pick up, and Klee kept tugging at his sleeve.

“Daddyyy!”

Kaeya could feel the frustration building up, all the way in his stomach, spreading to his head. He wished it didn’t, because the next thing that happened was unpredictable.

“Klee, please stop it! Can’t you see I’m busy!”

The frustration was still bubbling in his stomach, especially when he heard the phone beeping again and the voicemail coming on.

He set his phone and pen down, digging his face in his hands. The regret began to seep in when he heard the silence, and a few sniffs after, before his daughter ran away, up the stairs to her room.

-

Kaeya Alberich. 21 years old with a daughter. Not by blood, but in adoption papers it is.

He’s legally her guardian, but little Klee has always seen him as a parental figure. Jean was the single mom first, married to her job, so he had to babysit her a lot. That’s where Klee began to misunderstand that Kaeya was her father.

Both Jean and Kaeya decided to just let it be, as she was too young to understand anyway. Until she is old enough, he will play the role of father.

And it’s not like he minds being called that. It makes him happy in a way. That someone sees him as a father figure.

Sadly, Jean passed away in an accident. Kaeya doesn’t have the heart to tell Klee how exactly, but she is aware she is dead as they went to her funeral.

As he sat there at the table, face in his hands, he heard Klee crying as hard as she did at the funeral.

Fuck.

Kaeya could even feel his tears come up, but decided to gulp them away. He’s too busy to cry. But of course, he was going to make some time to console her.

He pulled his hands off his face and stood up from the table with his hands pressed onto it, closing his laptop and putting the phone in his pocket in case he would get called.

Then he went up the stairs, hesitantly, feeling the guilt spreading all over his body with each heartbeat passing. Each step felt a bit nauseating, but he’s a good father and has to apologize for what he’s done.

As he approached the door, he stood still for a moment, mentally preparing himself for what to say to her.

Sorry, that is what he should say of course. But what more? He can’t make time for her, sadly. This is all a mess...

“Klee?” He knocked on the door with his pointer finger curled. “Klee, can I come in?”

“NO!”

“A-Alright…” Oh god.

He thought for a moment, letting out a small hum to think better. He seriously can’t spend time with her, despite wanting it too badly. Klee wanted to go to the playground together with him today, but he promised after he was done, he would be able to.

God… he needs to look over the notes of class too still. So frustrating. And poor Klee.

Albedo was as kind as to lend him the notes as usual. He needs to work during the week to be able to survive and only goes to tests with the help of Albedo’s notes.

“Why don’t I sign legal guardianship on Klee as well? I think she’s fond of me.” Albedo had offered. Kaeya had immediately refused.

This is his task, alone. He can’t drag his dear friend into it.

He knew Albedo since high school, especially in chemistry class. He had always been nice and helped Kaeya with everything. He can’t let him help him with this too.

“Can I apologize through the door then?”

“NO!”

God… She is at the age that everything he says will be answered with ‘no’ too. This is going to be difficult.

“Do you need space then?”

“NO!”

“What can I do then?”

“NOOOOOOO!”

Kaeya put a hand on his forehead, rubbing his finger between his eyebrows.

What the hell is he supposed to do… He has had multiple small fights before with Klee but has never lashed out at her.

At that moment, he gasped when he felt his phone buzzing, taking the phone out of his pocket quickly and checking who it is. He heard Klee beginning to cry harder at it.

Sorry Klee, if this is my client, I would have to pick up-

But as he looked on his screen, he saw it was Albedo…

Kaeya looked back to the door, before thinking ‘Maybe he can calm her down?’

He picked up the phone with a press on the button, bringing it to his ear, his eyebrows frowned.

“Hi, Kaeya." Oh was he glad to hear him. "I just called to remind you of your test soon. I wouldn’t mind taking care of Klee then.”

Kaeya chuckled, but it sounded more lost than a real chuckle.

“Hey, Albedo… Can we talk about it later? I need your help with something.”

He could hear a television program playing in the background of Albedo’s call on his side but heard it turn off after.

“Yeah, sure, what’s up?”

“It’s about Klee…” Kaeya walked away from the door, sitting down on the upper step of the stairs. “As you could probably hear in the background, she’s crying.”

“Yeah… I figured you had things in your control, so I didn’t comment on it.”

“Haha. In reality, I don’t have anything in my control at the moment at all.”

“Oh… I’ll head right over.”

“Yes, thank you.” Albedo was always one who would come right away, even when he was in the middle of something important. “But wait, are you not busy?”

“It can wait. I was on my break from studying anyway, watching television.”

He heard some shuffling on the other end of the phone. He probably stood up and went to put his shoes on.

“Hah… So, what happened is, I’m too busy with work and school and… Klee kept tugging at my arm, wanting to go to a playground and… I lashed out at her.”

“I get it. I’ll bring her so you can work in peace." Albedo sounds hurried. "Seriously, Kaeya, why did you not call me before? You know you can always call me for help.”

“I can’t bother you too much. I won’t allow myself to.”

“You’re only destroying yourself and Klee in the process.” And with that, Albedo hung up the phone. Another characteristic of him, he hangs up as soon as he’s done getting ready. He says it will distract him if he walks and calls at the same time.

Kaeya lowered his arm, sighing deeply. Klee was still crying, though a little softer because she got tired. He sighed deeper, bringing his eyes down to the height of the stairs as a distraction.

All he can do is wait for him to come.

-

Not too long later, Kaeya opened the door for him.

He greeted him with a hug, a hug that always gave him butterflies… He wrote it off as being glad he’s here.

“She’s upstairs in her room. I think she stopped crying, but she may be hiding under her bedsheets…”

“Don’t worry, Kaeya. I’ll handle it.”

And so, Albedo put his shoes off after the hug was over, removing his jacket and hanging it up after.

Kaeya watched as he walked up the stairs, and later knocks could be heard when he was fully upstairs.

“Dad, go away!!”

He sighed again, preparing himself for the crying again. He walked over to the table, sat down, and opened his laptop as a distraction.

“It’s just me, Albedo.”

And with that, he heard the door open slightly. He tried to shake it off, focusing his eyes on the laptop. Wow… such interesting files… Sarcasm.

“Papa!”

It’s not the first time he has heard Klee calling him that. But it did immediately make his attention shift to his ears, his body tensing up.

But not in a bad way, it strangely made him feel something in his stomach… Something positive.

Then he heard some talking he couldn’t make out, maybe some whispering…

Anyway, it’s not important, he should focus on his work and school and…

Albedo came downstairs with Klee. His heart began pounding harder, thinking about seeing her tear-stained face. But when they made eye contact, to which he didn’t even think it would happen, she did cry her eyes out but the tears were gone.

“Hi, Klee.” Kaeya chuckled. She turned her head away.

Albedo gave a small pet over her head before she went to get her shoes, then he approached him.

“Klee is still a little upset. But she does understand what you’re going through. I told her you were busy and everything piled up, which lead to shouting. I’m sure she will apologize later.”

Kaeya nodded, voice caught up in his throat by guilt.

“Papa, come, hurry!”

“Oh, she’s calling for me. Good luck.” He came closer and seemed to lean his face in. Kaeya wondered what was going on, but felt his stomach go crazy when he was so close.

Instead, Albedo looked over at his laptop, before innocently looking over to the other.

“What exactly are you busy with? Maybe I can help after bringing Klee back home again.”

Kaeya chuckled.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle. Please, just go, I don’t want to make Klee wait any longer.”

“On it.”

Kaeya held his breath a little during the time the other was close to him, even tensed up more when he felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

When was the time these feelings first began…?

-

Back in high school, Kaeya was seated next to Albedo in class. They were opposite, yet when he asked him to join the football tournament, they ended up closer.

Albedo was way more athletic than he imagined. And with winning against the opposite team, they celebrated and eventually became friends.

Once they were in college, they kept sticking together. This was before Kaeya became a legal guardian.

Drinking on the weekends, studying together, and just in general, having fun.

Albedo even got to meet Jean. Only for a short period, but enough to get to know her as a person.

He was there at the funeral to support both of them. Especially Klee.

He is great with children, Kaeya had noticed. Though he’s always so quiet, he often does what Klee wants, meaning he’s very well-liked by her.

Almost like a grandparent spoiling a child. Instead, it was just Kaeya’s… friend.

Kaeya started to have unfamiliar feelings for the man after the funeral had passed, and he had seen how caring he is for the both of them.

Albedo would often call him up, just to check in on them. He would come over and do stuff at their home, before asking to use his room to study if he had to stay over.

It made Kaeya feel incredibly guilty, but seeing Albedo help him so much made him feel better too. To think that he’s not alone in this…

Adopting Klee was not a regret at all. He loves her, but he does regret the fact that he is barely anything compared to Jean, who seemed to have her shit together.

Kaeya, however, let his love for her make his decision. He didn't think about everything he had to do, because he loves her too much, he took her in.

Maybe Klee could’ve been in a better home, where she would get more attention and love.

But he wouldn’t trust anybody else but himself to take care of her either.

So this was a dilemma. But it was already too late if he wanted to change his mind about taking care of her, which he wouldn’t want. Because Klee became his world, everything he has to work for. And he will do anything for her.

Albedo was like another parent to her, maybe… a better parent too. It’s no wonder why Klee would want to call him ‘papa’.

A family with him… sounds oddly nice. But yet again, he can’t be a burden on him!

“Kaeya. I truly am willing to become a legal guardian. If it means I get to spend more time with you two.”

And yet again, those feelings popped up.

“I miss you, Kaeya.”

He misses both his little daughter and his friend, very much, actually.

-

Kaeya placed his cheek onto the table, sighing deeply.

Klee was now playing with Albedo in the playground. He hopes they’re having fun. It’s been a while since she did something fun together with someone other than her friends in school.

Should he accept Albedo’s offer? If it still stands, of course.

The client still hadn’t called, his laptop couldn’t do anything unless the client was here… Pen and paper were useless as well.

He decided to just study for his test then.

But as he opened up the file for it, suddenly the lights went out.

Kaeya looked up at the lightbulb, wondering what was going on until he realized the power had gone out.

The only light right now was the PC in his face, and he was sure it would stop working too as it had a low battery. The charger won't work without electricity.

Kaeya got up from his seat, his smartphone was in his bedroom. But first, he would need to light up some candles to see. He’s not going to walk up the stairs in the darkness.

He used the light of the house telephone for walking, until he reached the kitchen, opened the cabinet for candles, and plucked some tiny ones out. Then grabbed the lighter next to it, and began to light some.

“Hah… I wanted to keep these for a romantic night.” He shrugged. It had to do for now. He looked at the red color after he lit one. It was a beautiful, red color that melted into pink. A heart-shaped one.

He chuckled at the thought of showing Albedo once he was back. A bit cheesy, maybe? But thinking about sitting on the couch together with him, only the candlelights lighting up the room…

He tried to shake the thought. Kaeya Alberich, you are way too busy for this!

But… How is he supposed to work when the power is off? His laptop is going to die on him anytime soon.

He sighed deeply and grabbed a plate to put the candles on when they melt, returning to the table. He made sure to place it on the small table near the couch, thinking Klee and Albedo can relax there together if they would like.

The idea of them cuddling while relaxing, however, made his heart clench in cuteness and happiness. His two most loved people, together…

He tried to shake that thought from his mind as well. Stop it! Busy man, remember!

He lit the other candles, bringing one with him to the dinner table.

There, he spent the rest of the remaining time on his laptop trying to study, though it was hard with all the guilt in his body, begging for him to go to them at the playground.

And when his laptop decided to give up on him, he rubbed a finger between his eyebrows and sighed, getting up from his seat and making his way to the couch. A few minutes of closing his eyes wouldn’t hurt, right?

But then he remembered his smartphone in his room. He quickly went to fetch it upstairs, as tired as he was, before plopping down onto the couch, pulling the blanket on it over himself, and closing his eyes.

-

He got shocked awake by the sound of the front door opening. He quickly looked at the candles, wondering if there wasn’t a fire starting or anything. He mentally facepalmed himself for forgetting, too tired to have thought about it.

Then he quickly got up from his seat, running over to the front door, only to see Albedo opening it with the spare key.

“God, I thought you were a burglar or something…” Kaeya sighed in relief.

“Stealing your heart maybe?” There was a playful grin on Albedo's face, as they stepped into the home, wiping their feet on the welcome mat.

“Haha, funny.”

Kaeya looked down at Klee, who was sucking on her thumb, staring up at him. He went through his knees to kneel, to look at her eye to eye. Albedo closed the door behind them.

“Hi, Klee, did you have fun?”

“...Maybe.”

Albedo sighed deeply, giving a pet over her hair. “Klee, what did you promise to do after we returned home?”

“I don’t know.” She glanced at Albedo, before looking down to the floor.

“Klee.” His voice was more strict.

Kaeya looked up at Albedo curiously, wondering what they were talking about.

“Okay, okay!” She put the thumb out of her mouth, pouting instead. “I’m… I’m sorry. For… not listening to your boundaries.”

Kaeya blinked a few times, unsure of what he just heard.

"A-Ah… You're apologizing?" Despite Kaeya was the one who lashed out at her? "There's no need!"

"Daddy has been very tired, hasn't he? And set boundaries that he would like to play later." Albedo winked at him.

"Well… Daddy is also very sorry for lashing out at you, Klee. It was not my intention."

Klee glanced at him, before looking down to the floor again. He should definitely spend some time with her another time to make up for it.

"I forgive you."

"And I forgive you too."

Kaeya smiled lightly, taking a look a few moments longer. Damn did he miss her adorable little face.

He held his hand out for her to lay hers into, to which she did. Then he rubbed his thumb onto the back of her hand. Klee looked at him fully relaxed.

“And what do we do now, Klee?” Kaeya looked up to Albedo, who was talking to her.

“I go to bed…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Kaeya stood up, giving her a pet on the head now as he looked with widened eyes at Albedo “How did you manage her to?”

“Klee is a good kid. We just made a deal.”

“And that is?”

“I get to go fishing with him when you’re going to your test!”

Fishing could only mean…

Kaeya sighed. But this was Albedo’s responsibility now, not his.

“Just… be careful, please.” He first looked at the other adult, before looking down at Klee.

Klee looked away.

“Look at me, please.”

She looked at him, a pout on her face. “Yes. I will be careful, dad.”

“Good.”

They entered. Kaeya went back inside after hugging Albedo, a hug that yet again made his entire body feel weird.

Albedo and Klee removed their shoes, while Kaeya was meanwhile folding up the blanket so that it could be used later again.

“Why is it so dark inside?” Albedo said as he stepped more into the house.

“Power went out.”

“Oh… And, did you manage to finish work?”

Kaeya chuckled. Klee came to join to stand next to Albedo, a bit afraid of the dark. The man laid a hand on her head.

“No. I needed my laptop, which is now out of battery.”

Klee hugged Albedo’s leg, thumb in her mouth again. Kaeya came to kneel before her again, smiling softly. She looked at him with a bit sparkling afraid eyes, before she let go of the leg to hug her father.

She placed her face in the crook of his neck. “Daddy… is still going to be busy?”

“Yeah. Daddy will try to fix everything tomorrow. For now, you should listen to p-...” He found it hard to say, not because he didn’t like it… He liked it too much. “papa and go to bed, okay?”

“Okay…”

Kaeya pressed a kiss to her cheek, before rubbing a few times on her back. He could feel her relaxing in his hold before he felt her slump a little.

“Oh…” Albedo whispered, and the other glanced up at him, giving a nod.

Klee was already beginning to fall asleep.

“Let’s bring her upstairs?” He whispered again.

Kaeya gave another nod, and carefully picked her up. Hand under her butt, and a hand resting on her back. Her chin came to rest on his shoulder. "Let's let her sleep until dinner."

Albedo nodded as he carefully took a candle off the table, gesturing towards the stairs. They walked on over and held their breath as Albedo placed his foot onto the first step, it creaking. Klee, however, did not react to it luckily.

As they exhaled in relief, they walked as quietly as they could up the stairs. The girl was getting heavier, which was a good sign.

When they reached her room, he gently laid her into her bed, changing her quietly into her pajamas. He hopes this nap until dinner makes her process what happened before.

After, he softly laid the blanket onto her. Then carefully placed his hands next to her head, leaning in and giving a kiss on her forehead as softly as he could. She seemed to be in dreamland already by how she wasn’t even reacting to it. She must've been so tired.

Kaeya looked to the other after he pulled back, who carried a soft look as well.

“Let’s go.” He mouthed without a noise. And so, both men went out of the door, Kaeya closing the door quietly behind him.

“I’m sure she exhausted herself by crying. Her battery seems to be fully empty.” Albedo whispered, leaning against the wall next to the door.

“Yeah… I guess it costs a lot of energy for her. I’m sure once I’m done with everything, I will spend time with her.” Kaeya chuckled, crossing his arms over each other as he averted his eyes, sighing.

“Allow me to fill that space for the time being, then.”

He wanted to protest, but Albedo was right. She does need more attention.

“She is going to love you more than me.” He carefully looked back at Albedo. The candlelight's light was flickering over his face, and it made his heart beat a little louder and excitement go through his body. He wrote it off as being excited to see him because he missed him. Not because the candle is making him beautiful or anything. Neither is this romantic at all!

“We are equals, Kaeya. She will love us both equally, but in different ways to express it.”

He hummed, eyes trailing down to the ground as he felt his face burning. Seriously, Albedo is trying to comfort him but he's more focused on how pretty he is.

"Thank you, Albedo. You always know the right thing to say."

He gestured towards the stairs, to which the other nodded. After they approached the stairs, Albedo was the first to walk again. Kaeya hoped he wouldn't fall, but seeing the other not even shivering, he figured everything will be alright.

They went down carefully, Albedo let the candle join the others on the plate when they reached the table. Kaeya lit the unlit ones and took in the sight.

E-Even more romantic, huh…

“Sit down, sit down.” He gestured towards the couch and smiled. “You must be tired as well!”

Albedo smiled back lightly, his eyes lighting along. It made it look really sweet. “I am. But being around you always fills up my battery a little.”

Kaeya laughed a little. Quiet because he doesn't want to wake his daughter, but clear enough to hear.

“Despite being an introvert?”

The other went on over, glancing over to the candles with that same sweet smile.

“Well,” Albedo sat down onto the couch, hands in his lap and back straight. “I guess it’s because you’re my favorite person.”

Kaeya came to join next to him, leaning back against the back of the couch. Quite close together.

He began to feel a bit nervous by his words, but all in a good way. He tried to act casual about it.

“Wow… I thought Klee was your favorite person?”

His eyes were focused on the candles flickering, but his heart was beating loudly in his chest, slowly making its way up to his throat.

“She is in my top 3, yeah.”

How nice. He really loves her, huh. But that means…

“Wow. Haha, so I guess I’m number 1 at the moment?"

Albedo looked at him with the blankest face when he took a glance.

“No, that’s chemistry.”

Kaeya laughed again, a grin on his face. “Thought so. Number 2 is fine by me too.”

The other leaned back as well, his eyes focused on the other. The eye contact was too much to handle, so Kaeya focused on the candlelight again.

“It truly has been a long while since we have been friends, huh…” He then looked at his lap, fiddling with his hands as a distraction from the fact of how close they are. He could almost feel his breath against his skin.

“Yeah, it has been.”

The air was filled with the scent of candles, it smelled pleasant. And it felt very relaxing, just sitting here on the couch with him.

“And all those years flew by. I guess we are what you call ‘close friends’?” Kaeya hummed.

“As close as we can be… as friends.”

Kaeya blinked a few times, moving his eyes to him slowly. Albedo was now looking at the candle, his lip between his teeth lightly.

The heartbeat has reached his ears by now. O-Oh? What does he mean?

“Hm? Would you like to be closer, Albedo?”

The man's eyes focused on the fire of the candle, flickering around, and lighting up the room. Kaeya saw the way how friend tensed up a little.

“In a way, yes.”

“Oh… Then, let’s work on getting even closer… When I’m less busy.” He chuckled. Work and school get in the way all the time, huh. So annoying.

“And when will that be?”

“I’m… not sure.”

Albedo nodded, exhaling softly through his mouth. The lip was let go for a moment before it was back between his teeth. It looked like he was in thought.

Well, he should indeed maybe spend more time with the other. He's been abandoning his relationships with people… The guilt started filling him, before the other spoke up again, making him surprised.

“Have you thought about my offer of becoming a legal guardian?”

The request felt so bold, yet it’s exactly what he wanted to hear right now.

Despite refusing in the past, the offer felt attractive. He can't give Klee a childhood without someone to spend all their energy on her.

Still, the guilt you feel and the trust you have to have in people.

“Uhm… I have thought about it, yeah. But, she will stay my child. I don’t want to burden you too much.”

Albedo looked back at him, a serious expression in his eyes. “You’re never a burden. Neither is she.”

“I get it but… You can just babysit her whenever you’re free already, why be a legal guardian too?”

“Because…” Albedo took a deep breath in, holding it. His eyes went from the other's shoes, his lips, his eye, before exhaling it. “I would like to be closer, like that.”

“Oh, is that what you meant?”

His eyes averted once again. “Not fully, no.”

“Then, what is it?”

Albedo held his breath in again, and Kaeya could feel the adrenaline of nervousness come into his stomach.

“We can become… Dad and papa.” Exhaling the words softly.

It seemed like Albedo was not speaking honestly about what was on his mind, it made the other frown his eyebrows.

“Is that all?”

Albedo shook his head again.

“You can tell me, we have been friends for years. I won’t judge you for whatever you want to say.”

Albedo’s hand got lifted, laying it down next to the other's hip.

“Kaeya.”

He shifted even closer. Kaeya got too nervous, so he focused on the light of the candles again. Yet his heart and stomach got crazy with… excitement? At having Albedo so close.

“Kaeya, look at me.”

“A-Ah, yes…” Kaeya turned his eyes back, slow with a shaky exhale.

Albedo's lips were pressed onto each other tightly, scanning his facial expression. Then he opened his mouth slightly.

“I want us to be Kaeya and Albedo. Dad and papa.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.” Though there was a part that was slowly beginning to click. But not fully.

“Kaeya. What I mean is…” Albedo looked down to the other's hand, slowly coming to join the hand of his own. It made him create a smile on his face. “What I mean is…”

“Yes?”

“I want us. Kaeya and Albedo, dad and papa, to become a couple.”

Kaeya could only stare with wide eyes, blinking rapidly. The hand on the other's was beginning to burn up.

“C-...”

“Couple yeah. You and me.” Albedo bit his lip softly. “Kaeya, I…”

Kaeya shifted his hand more onto his. He watched as a look of fear washed over the other's eyes, but Albedo relaxed when he saw he just wanted to hold him better.

“Y-Yes?”

“I’ve been dreaming of asking you out for years. First, prom in high school… Then at the start of college… And now, I can’t keep my feelings hidden anymore.”

Kaeya could feel his breath being taken away. And the warm feeling flooded over himself along with relief in a way.

To think that Albedo has been feeling like this for a while…

“What… Why didn’t I know this before?” A stupid smile came to his face without noticing.

“Because… You did not accept me as a legal guardian. I thought, maybe I wouldn’t be a good enough boyfriend who can help take care of Klee with you and…”

He blinked a few more times before he let out a chuckle, the stupid smile faltered when he noticed it.

“Albedo, seriously… I did that because I did not want to burden you!”

The other shifted closer, leaning his face in slowly. To make sure Kaeya hears him clearly and loud enough so that he will realize.

Kaeya, however, tensed up slightly because of it. And the butterflies in his stomach went crazy, his heartbeat fastened up and a silly smile came onto his lips again.

Hold on, is this a kiss or…?

“Kaeya. You never ever burden me. I love you, and every moment I spend time with you and Klee, my heart goes crazy and my entire body is filled with warmth. I want you, Kaeya.”

Kaeya could feel his breath on his face, clenching his hand onto the others by the tension. “A-Ah…”

Albedo immediately backed off, sensing something was wrong by the look on his face.

They stayed for a moment, catching breaths and staring at each other with wide eyes. Trying to process what happened. “Oh god, I’m sorry. I was selfish and…”

“No, no, not at all!” Kaeya was the one shuffling closer to him now after blinking the haziness out of his thoughts. God… he's so happy. “Haha… I guess you chose this moment to confess since it’s pretty romantic here with the candles, am I right?”

Albedo looked down at their hands, unable to look him in the eyes anymore.

“Y-Yes. Ah, the words just left my mouth by itself…”

Kaeya chuckled at it and then heard the other let out a small chuckle as well. Something lighthearted in a tense moment like this.

“I get it." He gulped. "I… uh. I wasn’t ready to confess to you. But I feel like I’m ready now that you confess to me.”

Albedo let out a small ‘oh’, a small smile coming onto his face but still an unsure one.

“Uh… So. My offer to your offer is…” Kaeya continued.

Albedo carefully glanced back at him.

“Why don’t we, papa and dad, and little Klee… go on a family day and see how it goes? Then when everything goes well, I can sign you up as a fellow legal guardian and you would officially be my partner.”

Albedo’s eyes began to smile along, the smile getting wider. It was almost like you could see the stars in there, glittering all over, shining even brighter than the candles.

“Really?”

Kaeya laughed softly in happiness, his eye smiling along too.

“Yes." His hand rubbed over the others. "Honestly, I’ve had feelings for quite a while too, and…”

Before he got to finish the sentence, Albedo wriggled his hand out and wrapped his arms around the other. Eyes closed and face in the crook of his neck.

Kaeya, unsure what to do, held his hands in the air a little, hovering near his back. But what he was sure about were the feelings blooming all across his body, like flowers blooming in spring, like the sun shining on your skin, and the nice air of summer.

“Thank you, Kaeya. I will make sure to take great care of you both.” There was a happy shiver in his voice.

And so, gentle hands were laid onto his back, feeling him dig his face deeper.

As Kaeya looked at the clock, seeing it was already too late to go home. He decided to let him stay over.

…It wasn’t like he wanted to bathe in this moment a bit longer!

And so. Kaeya Alberich and Albedo Kreideprinz became legal guardians after their family date.

And maybe one day, Albedo could become an Alberich too.