Work Text:
After completing a painting, I like to take it out from time to time to admire the work.
People say that the purpose of a painting is to capture the beauty of a moment for eternity. But even the highest quality paints will crack with time, and that moment's beauty will long have begun to fade.
However, I don't mind this change at all.
When I find that the paint has begun to dry and flake, I will often brush over the fissures with new strokes, and the new piece thus created is one I can continue to cherish.
Just as people enjoy regular gatherings, seeing the wrinkles left by long years of hardships, worries and lament of one another's faces thickens the bonds between friends.
Or perhaps for a painting, time itself is a kind of pigment.
Should you have time to come for one such gathering, we will be able to add a few more brushstrokes to the painting called
" You and I. "
Y/n had received this letter on September 13, while she was having breakfast on the terrace of a Fontaine’s café. This letter was unsigned, as always. This did not prevent her from quickly understanding who was the person who had sent it. A sweet smirk took place on her lips. She called the waiter, paid for her order and was on her way instantly. Her graceful flight amazed the whole place.
Almost as quickly as Aether with his teleportation, she arrived at her destination: The Seaside Village. Once settled, she fixed her hair and looked for the emissary of the letter. Her eyes landed on a blond boy whose grace was matched only by his beauty. Any passerby could have mistaken him for a nobleman or a prince from a distant land. His almost translucent blue eyes were attentively placed on the canvas in front of him. The colorful paint seemed worn by time, but kept a certain magnificence.
Arriving alongside the young man, y/n greeted him in a soft and teasing voice. We travel together. Do you really think it’s still necessary to send me letters on your birthday, Albedo?
Hearing the young woman's voice, a gentle smile appeared on his lips, but he did not take his eyes off his painting. Simply responding in the same tone. I didn't have the heart to let such a beautiful tradition go to waste. Moreover… I know you keep them all in a corner of your office. I love knowing that you cherish them.
Y/n's cheeks turned a little red when she found out he knew about her secret hiding place. She pretended to be more interested in the painting than by his sentence. Let's just say you know how to write in a pretty way.
A small laugh escaped the blond lips. It was a very dishonest way to respond to his teasing, but it was adorable enough for him to let it pass. How did you find me? I didn't give you any instructions... and, to be honest, I thought I'd have time to finish my painting before your arrival.
She tilted her head to better observe the brush strokes on the painting. Maybe I found a way to track you wherever you are...
You wouldn't be able to invent such technology on your own. Say Albedo, reproducing the same posture.
They looked like two adorable idiots with their heads tilted like that. y/n let out a soft but honest laugh. That's true, but I still have my powers. She manifested a small breeze which moved the rebellious locks of the alchemist. What did Venti say? May the Wind bless you?
That would be a very poetic explanation… but still a lie.
A silence settled. Silence, during which Albedo added new colors to his old painting, as if he wanted to prolong its life a few more moments. As he rinsed his brush, y/n spoke in a somewhat shy tone.
I saw that you looked at this painting carefully when we were shopping together last time... With the content of your letter, the rest was easy to guess.
This confession admitted that she observed the alchemist attentively. From the corner of her eye, she watched his reaction. His gaze was still focused on his painting, he dipped his brush in a new color and added it to the painting in a precise gesture. His face was unfazed, as always. y/n couldn't guess what he might be thinking.
This explanation also contains… a form of poetry. He turned his attention to the young woman, and when their eyes met, her cheeks grew a little red. Am I wrong if I conclude that you seem to have a special interest in me, Y/n?
For some strange reason, y/n felt that the atmosphere between them today was… special. Was it possible that Albedo was trying...to seduce her? The thought made her already crimson cheeks blush even more. Her heart skipped a beat. What was she supposed to say in response to that? Yes, Albedo interested her. Since the first moment she had seen him in his laboratory at Dragonspine, his face had never left her mind. He represented an inexhaustible source of interest for her. His talent for painting and alchemy, his endless knowledge of the secrets of this world, his unreal beauty... Each of his actions, his words, represented an enigma for her. A mystery she wanted to solve. It was now almost two years since they start traveled together with Aether. They had explored the countless islands of Inazuma, crossed the furthest reaches of Sumeru and discovered Fontaine's technologies. They lived together, shared the same meals, spent whole nights discussing the world and his secrets... However, Albedo was always like a book written in a forbidden language she could not decipher. Predicting his next words, his thoughts, the image he might have of her was completely impossible. So, what she could possibly say to him?
What about you, do you have any interest in me? She asked quietly. She reflected the image of a calm and confident person. In truth, she was just copying the behaviors of her interlocutor.
Albedo turned his attention back to the painting. His clear eyes seemed to be searching for an answer in the lines he had placed on the canvas. After a few moments, he smiled, and that smile amazed the young woman. You are a never-ending source of interest for me. Like a thousand-color painting. If I understood humans better, I could have made a watercolor painting of your emotions. With the whole range of emotions that I had the opportunity to see on your features. It would be a magnificent painting... He turned his attention back to her. But I don't think it would be equal to the reality.
Everything about that moment was magical. The sunlight reflecting on his hair, the colors of nature around them, the softness of the sea breeze... His eyes so blue and piercing. It was like seeing a painting in reality. Albedo had this talent for making everything unreal. Through his words, the tone of his voice, his gestures... As if he was manipulating the world around him to create the perfect atmosphere and timing. Anybody could only be amazed by a man like him. He was perfection brought to life. And this perfection took all the words from her lips. At this moment, y/n understands the true meaning of “being mesmerized by someone”.
I wonder what color I could add in your fissures. He said softly, placing a hand on her cheek.
You already add one… Every time I saw you, it's like I discover a new color of my own emotions. She said with eyes full of love, devotion and fascination.
I’m glad to hear it. He said while bringing her face closer. It’s something really mysterious for me. What I feel for you. I always thought I could not really feel emotions. Only expressing myself through arts… But when I’m with you, I sometimes wonder if I am not, perhaps, a human. He kissed her with a gentle passion. I really like the painting you had done of me…
A painting I can call You and I.