Work Text:
On the outskirts of Mondstadt, the gentle breeze that passes through the dirt tracks implements the rustling of leaves and the swaying of dry branches.
Albedo works on another sketch at his wooden easel, enjoying the shade of a large tree near the town bridge.
The bristles of the brush weave across the canvas in subtle, almost rhythmic movements. Drawing is a relaxing pastime for the alchemist, but it becomes even more enjoyable when he risks painting anything that catches his eye.
And Kaeya's painting catches your interest at the moment. Somehow, feeling the need to reproduce this man's genuine smile on the papers on your clipboard improves his mood by leaps and bounds throughout the day.
Klee also likes the boy's unfinished sketches, often praising his talent for capturing Kaeya's face in pencil.
Although for a while I had a habit of drawing his portrait with just three lines: a circle for the face, the eye-patch cord, and the eye-patch itself. The result was funny.
In short, Klee's enjoyment of the illustrations became one of the many motivations that led him to draw the cavalry captain on canvas as he does now.
Albedo, on the other hand, has a bad habit of using pretexts involving third parties to hide what he might feel or what he does not understand.
Not that it got in the way of the week's routine, but many times when he should have been concentrating on the lab's research, Sucrose poked him in the arm to snap him out of a daydream.
The pieces of the imaginary puzzle begin to fit together when you understand that the reason for these distractions has a first and last name.
"Not bad." A voice suddenly sounded beside him. "I know I'm handsome, but you have an admirable gift."
Albedo jerked in the same place as he felt a presence a few centimeters away from him and relaxed his shoulders as he recognized the person.
"Mr. Kaeya, it's... a pleasure to see you here," he said between short pauses to greet him.
He was so focused on developing the lines of the drawing that he was oblivious to his surroundings.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." He smiled in his usual spontaneous manner. "That's me in the painting, isn't it?"
The sentence sounds more like a statement than a question. Albedo nods.
"I was interested in drawing you this morning, so yes, this is you." The explanation was cut short briefly to let out a sigh caught in his throat. "Please don't think this is strange, I just felt comfortable doing a sketch of you."
Kaeya lets out a short laugh.
"Don't worry, I won't find it strange."
As he says this, he looks away from the easel.
At a glance, he notices that the brush strokes on certain parts of the face and hair are noticeably fine and delicate.
Albedo hears the Captain's thoughtful humming.
"Really, I can only praise your skill," he adds, turning to stare at his blue irises, similar to the open sky of a summer's day. "Why didn't you ask me to be your model, hm? I bet you could paint me in any position."
A smile graces the alchemist's lips, pleased at the recognition of his work.
"Only if you're willing to go on a date with me." He tried to lighten the mood with the joke, but someone seems to have taken it seriously.
"Okay." He straightened his posture, still looking at his expressionless face. "What time is best? I might be free this afternoon."
"What? Oh, no, I..." He frowned, not sure what to say. Then he placed his brushes and the painting wheel on the easel stand to give his companion his full attention. "It's very kind of you to accept my invitation, though I have no intention of taking up your time so spontaneously."
The man blinks twice before considering whether to respond. There are contradictions in what Albedo says.
"We can talk about schedules another time, but know that I'm willing to spend time with you, Albedo."
Even though it's not the first time you've said his name, you sense an effort to impose a loving tone when you call him.
"If it's alright with you, I'll accept."
Albedo instinctively tucks a handful of unruly strands behind his ear and avoids eye contact when Kaeya flashes an endearing smile at the confirmation.
"I'm glad to hear it." He tilted his head sideways like a curious cat. "It's not every day that you're lucky enough to go out with the great alchemist from Mondstadt. Should I be congratulated?"
Kaeya would probably wink if it weren't for the patch covering one of his eyes.
"It's no big deal," Albedo answers. He wasn't expecting such open praise. "I didn't get a chance to ask you what brings you here, Mr. Kaeya." He took the conversation a step further. "Is there something you need my help with?"
"Oh, don't worry." He waved his hand from side to side in denial. "I just happened to find you. I'm looking for Klee, who disappeared from the detention room a while ago."
"Did she escape again?" He looked at the captain intently, his voice carrying a note of concern that caught the second man's attention. "Well, if that's the case, I can accompany you on the search, I have ideas where Klee might have ended up."
"Haha, this must be my lucky day." Kaeya smiles as he subtly stretches his arms out in front of him.
Albedo tries not to roll his eyes, it's not like him to do that, but the urge to have a partner who is so open about his own thoughts has crossed his mind.
His blue eyes wander to the unfinished painting. He should probably finish it another time, even though he insists on telling himself that a mere brush will not be able to portray all of Kaeya's charm.
And maybe he is relatively right about that.