Grounded

16

Este glances to the side.

Albedo is constantly switching between calmly tinkering with something in a vial and writing notes.

Este quickly turns away from him and tries to go back to reading his book. However, Este can recognize when he is distracted, so he puts the book down after a few minutes of staring at the same page.

He leans forwards, his elbow against the table and hand cupping his chin.

Sitting here, calm with only a few occasional sounds of a quill against paper, his thoughts wonder.

Este's eyes shift to the other. Looking at steady hands moving a quill across parchment.

No matter what Albedo tries to claim himself, Este is absolutely certain he holds a petty grudge against Kaeya from their first meeting.

Obviously, the older man had over-reacted, but Este would have though Albedo would have forgiven Kaeya already. It was seemingly some kind of childish spite or whim that kept Albedo from doing so.

Nowadays, Kaeya and Albedo were somewhat less hostile with each other. Albedo held to spite, but tolerated the older for Klee. Kaeya often looked rather helpless when dealing with Albedo, clearly wanting to snap back with insults but holding back to not hurt Klee.

The blond man rarely gets mad, but somehow his conversations with Kaeya had only barely remained civil.

Before Diluc's return to Mond, both Kaeya and Albedo often acted hostile with each other.

It's only because both have impeccable poker faces that it never escalated into a fight.

Este had also been running interference for as long as he had known the Alchemist. He should give himself some credit too, except...

Sometimes it feels like Este's presence and words had only worsened the tension between the cavalry captain and chief alchemist.

Regardless, they have been on more amicable terms since Klee Klee attached to Kaeya.

But that isn't even touching on the tension between Albedo and Diluc.

Seriously, the Ragnvindr brothers just did not want to get along with the Alchemist.

Este sighs and Albedo glances at him from his seat. Este waves his hand at the other, wordlessly telling him not to worry.

Albedo is only a few months younger than Este, yet it sometimes feels like their age gap is a millennia long.

Albedo often gets so absorbed in his research that Este has to dig him out of his books to remind him to sleep and eat.

Other times it feels like Este has thrown a tantrum, as if he was Klee's age and Albedo has to calm him down.

He blows a few strands of his hair out of his face.

Honestly, if Miss Alice hadn't introduced Albedo to Mond when she did, Este could have already been broken.

In the absence of Diluc, Kaeya had also withdrawn.

Barbara was often too busy, and she had her own bullshit to shoulder, Este couldn't possibly add to that pile. Even more so, she had her own pet project of trying to make Rosaria a proper clergywoman.

And Jean and him were never close enough to confide in each other. Este had barely even talked twice to Lisa, whom he knows is close to Jean.

Diluc had been Este's best friend, and when the elder disappeared Este was left alone.

Este found what he was missing in Albedo.

Staring at the other, Este relaxed.

The platinum blonde man was writing something down with a relaxed air around him. From what Este had glimpsed of the writing, the pages scattered around the table were on mutations, particularly whopper flowers and regisvines.

The sound of the quill scratching against paper filled Este's ears. Along with the calm breathing, that was the only sound to be heard.

Este felt himself relax, letting the tension out of his shoulders.

Usually when he thought about Diluc, the negative feelings that came with would usually overwhelm him.

With Albedo here, Este didn't feel as personally responsible for what happened. For not being able to prevent it.

A small cling echoed throughout the room. Este focused again just as Albedo looked up from his work.

Este's eyes met worried turquoise ones.

Este flushed a little as he frowned. He was caught staring into space, and he could see that Albedo was a little worried.

The other had picked up on Este's habits a little too fast, and as such knew that when Este stared at a person for a long time he was absorbed in his thoughts.

Whether those thoughts were negative or positive depended on his mood for the day.

"Este?"

Albedo called out to him gently.

Este flinched, and hurriedly stood up. His chair made a screeching sound as it dragged across the floor and Este waved his hands again.

"I'll go cook something up! You should be getting Klee from the headquarters soon right?" Este kept his sight locked to the kitchen, clearly avoiding Albedo's piercing eyes.

"Estchel." Albedo said his name in a firm tone. It wasn't a question this time, and it commanded his attention.

Este looked at Albedo.

The younger man also stood up, barely coming up at a few centimeters taller than Este.

Este's nervous smile twitched a little, and Albedo's expression warmed up a little. Gone was the icy cold firmness, and in its place was a delicate smile that could ripple as easily as spring water.

"Make something light, but a lot of it, Klee will be hungry after an exhausting day."

Este's nervousness slipped off, and he smiled gently back.

"Ok, maybe some Liyuean cuisine could do the trick?"

Albedo nodded, and walked away from Este.

Este also walked away, heading to the kitchen. He mulled in thought a little, and started to decide on a dish for today-

"Also, Este?"

He froze, and turned his head back, eyes meeting with Albedo's as the younger man stood at the doorway.

"Don't forget about the present. I worry about how much you've recently been stuck with your thoughts."

Este smiled, but he knew it came off a little forced.

Albedo's frown deepened in response.

"I mean it. Mr. Ragnvindr isn't here to take your meaningless apologies for things that are not your fault. If he does demand you be sorry, he is the one in the wrong Estchel."

Albedo holds his gaze.

His blue-green-mint-sea eyes burning intently back at Este's.

It was a little too similar to Diluc.

He chuckled. Everything had recently always gone back to Diluc. He was all Este could think of with the inevitable approaching deadline for canon to begin.

A constant string echoing in his mind. Diluc, Diluc, Diluc.

Este gave Albedo a wry smile.

"I won't, I promise." Este didn't falter as Albedo held his eyes for a little while longer.

At last satisfied, the younger man nodded.

"Then, I'll be getting Klee now."

"Yeah, see you soon."

And with that said Albedo slipped out, and closed the door.

Este turned back to the kitchen, ready to prepare the food for their dinner.