stay with me • albedo

5

[edited,2025] (p.s. real plot will start in the next 2 chapters)

You find yourself waking up from your nap.

Albedo is opposite you, waiting with his arms crossed. He doesn't utter a word, staring at you with malicious intent. You laugh awkwardly, immediately sitting up and straightening your back. You're in campus — and as far as you remember, you were working on your final work before you were out cold. Glancing at the canvas that was leaning against the bench, you see that it is almost sketched finish, and you feel slightly bad for letting Albedo do all the work.

Standing up, you kneel onto the ground and start sketching in the details. Albedo does the same, but you stop him from doing so. "What are you doing?" Albedo asks, slightly confused. You shake your head, pushing his shoulder so that he stumbles back and sits down. "My apology." You say in one breath. Albedo stares at you for a moment before walking off nonchalantly.

You don't react when you find out that he's watching you from a distance.

Switching positions, you're fully seated on the ground, hands all over the canvas. Albedo walks back over, slightly hovering over you as he studies the sketch. You tilt your chin up to study his expression, only for him to push you aside with his knee.

"What was that for?!" You yell as you hit your elbow on the floor from the push, cursing him continuously when he takes the position you were once in. Mouthing vulgarities, you reluctantly move to sit beside him, throwing the pencil on the table.

Albedo pays no mind to your obvious temper, continuing to sketch out the details. "Do you need my help?" You ask, and he shakes his head. Gritting your teeth, you pack your laptop and sling your totebag over your shoulder before walking off.

You come to a stop by a tug on your pants.

Turning around, you see the blonde gripping onto your pants, refusing to let go. You close your eyes, breathing out as calmly as possible. "I said I didn't need your help, but I didn't say that you could go." He pipes, adjusting his glasses so it rests slightly higher on his nose bridge.

Groaning, you let yourself fall limp on the bench. "You sound like my highschool teacher. 'The bell doesn't dismiss you, I do.' type of vibe." You chime, and Albedo laughs in return.

It's 3pm and the sketch is done.

Albedo had asked you to mix a darker shade of red and a light tone of red. You find yourself stirring the paint aimlessly, staring into the distance. The blonde must've noticed your dazed state, he takes a book out of his bag and slams it onto the table as hard as he could. Flinching, you accidentally flick the paintbrush in his direction.

"You.."

You lock eyes with Albedo, a glint of anger in his eyes. You set the paintbrush down almost immediately, running over to his side as fast as you could. "I didn't mean to."  You stutter out, grabbing a tissue from your bag before trying to wipe off the paint.

"It feeks like you did this on pur-"

Albedo stops in his tracks, realising the proximity between you and him. He stumbles back, earning a confused 'hmm?' from you. He clears his throat, pushing up his glasses, and obvious blush appearing on his cheeks.

"Y..You don't have to do that. I can do it myself." Albedo coughs out, and you smirk. 

"Oh?" You walk towards him teasingly. "Why are you all flustered?" He doesn't move a muscle though, covering his mouth so that all you can see is his eyes.