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Xiao does not know how he ended up listening to Klee go on about how Albedo didn't come out of their room for days, but he was listening to her attentively anyways. he has noticed how Albedo was nowhere to be seen these past few days, but he trusts them to call his name if they needed assistance, whatever it was.
"mister Albedo has been in their room for days, Klee doesn't know what to do to get them to come out.." the little mage spoke, Xiao held her in his arms, carrying her as they strolled around Mondstadt.
Xiao thought about it for a moment, this was Albedo they were talking about, the genius alchemist of Mondstadt tends to become foolish when it comes to their own health, despite always insisting Klee on taking care of her own health.
"that seems likely for your brother, do you want to go pay him a visit?" Xiao offered, to which Klee shook her head.
"Klee's sure mister Albedo would appreciate mister Xiao's visit more! and Klee has a playdate with Diona today" she replied, earning a hum of understanding from Xiao, he decides that he'll drop Klee off at the cats tail before visitting his mess.
Albedo huffed, they were seated in an uncomfortable position. they put their head down ontop of their right arm, laying on it as their fatigue got to them.
"sore.."
the proclaimed genius had a habit of talking to themselves, which they didn't question since no one else knew anyways, that is until a voice replied to them;
"it is a sign for you to take care of yourself better, alchemist" it was their favourite Adeptus, they quickly lifted their head to the direction of the voice, low and behold. there he was, their partner, Xiao.
Xiao had an amused smile on his face, his hands were crossed, as one would expect of him. Albedo was ecstatic about their partners appearance, however, having little energy to move was a downside. Albedo smiled subtly at him, turning his chair around to fully face Xiao. and Xiao, being the understanding partner he was, took it as a sign to carry Albedo onto their bed. once Xiao picked Albedo up in his arms, Albedo let out a thrilled noise of satisfaction, closing their eyes, it looked like they were on the verge of sleeping in Xiao's arms.
"I wasn't informed that you were visiting.." the blonde murmured quietly, they were breathing, which Xiao learned was a sign amongst two things, they felt anxious, or they were doing it because they felt comfort, he guessed it was the latter.
"I don't need permission to see my alchemist, do I?" the adeptus remarked, a teasing smile on his face when he saw the pale cheeks of the alchemist slowly turn a soft pink colour, followed by an embarrassed whine. something no one, not even the traveler knew about the adeptus was that he was an absolute tease. Albedo almost pitied people who would never get to see this side of Xiao, but they were glad, in a way.
after what felt like centuries, Albedo was set down on the bed, covered immediately with a blanket. this earned a noise of complaint from Albedo, who freed themselves from the blanket and grabbed Xiao's wrist quickly, tugging on it as some sort of plead.
"now, now. Kred, you know I am unable to understand you unless you use your words, yes?"
Albedo furrowed their eyebrows at this, and Xiao, again, understood.
"ah, you do not feel like communicating verbally?" this earned a positive nod from Albedo, Xiao stood there for a while, before prying Albedo's hand away from his wrist, which made Albedo whimper in protest, wanting to keep holding onto Xiao but having no energy left to move.
"starlight, patience" and oh how that nickname did wonders to Albedo, they laid down quietly on the bed, waiting for Xiao. their face was a brighter shade of pink at this point. Xiao was a menace to them, they knew all the right things to say to make Albedo fall for him more each time, they didn't hate it, though.
Xiao left for a good five minutes, when he came back, Albedo clinged onto him immediately, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around them to support their weight, not that Albedo was heavy, infact; Xiao thinks he's lighter than most mortals he's had to carry.
"I asked the inn keeper for something sweet before I left, I just picked it up, would you like me to feed you?" Xiao's words almost didn't register in Albedo's head since they were mostly asleep anyways, they shook their head.
"later, please. attention.."
"my attention was always yours to begin with"
oh, Xiao's words did something to them. they lightly hit Xiao's arm, earning a chuckle from Xiao. he climbed on the bed and let Albedo lay ontop of him, he could sense that Albedo wanted something, with the way they were nervously fidgeting with Xiao's sleeve, if they weren't going to get what they want, they might cry.
"yes, Kred?" he asked, gently. which Albedo smiled to in response, they gestured to Xiao's throat, pleading at him.
"you want me to talk? you want to fall asleep to my voice?" Albedo nodded vigorously, Xiao smiled fondly at them, before beginning to speak about the lord of Geo, Liyue, its history and its people, Albedo listened carefully until they couldn't anymore, their eyes felt droopy and they nuzzled closert onto Xiao, as Xiao continued speaking, he covered both of them with a blanket, he heard Albedo sigh in content, which comforted him.
he adored this sight of Albedo, he was so peaceful, so calm, so gentle. he hopes Albedo would call him more often, seeing this is how cute they are when they're tired, he wanted Albedo to be clingy with him, he'd savour this before he had to go back to Liyue, this is for his Albedo afterall.
"rest now, Kred. I will watch over you, and I will be here when you wake up"
".. love you"
"sleep well, my starlight. 我愛你"