Genshin Oneshot Collection ☆

Warmth. (Albedo x Reader)

[ inspired by: "dancing with albedo under the starry sky | a playlist + voiceovers" @ ventiffin on YT ]

[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISdYCDmd53g ]

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"Are you cold? We can head down from here to Mondstadt if you'd like." He says, puffs of his warm breath escaping from his lips to float into the breezy night air.
"No worries, I'm just fine." you lied. Even though you felt like your frigid fingers were going to fall off from your palms, and your cold cheeks were going to be frosted with a layer of ice, you didn't want to leave the alchemist's side and disturb his work.
Seated next to a campfire underneath the tent, you warmed your hands to rid of the feeling and curled in to preserve any remaining traces of warmth left in your body.

Today, the alchemist had decided to make his usual trip up the towering mountain to continue researching about a new species of exotic bloom which he discovered recently in his Mondstadt affairs. He found himself much more focused and comfortable in his favorite personal research camp, and he asked if you wanted to tag along to just have small talk beforehand. It wasn't often for the two of you to meet due to other businesses in other regions, so you welcomingly accepted his offer and decided to follow suit.
Although you didn't come to adventure in the snowy region as much as you trekked the golden nation and the free land, it didn't hurt to finally visit the place once in a while.

Albedo sighed suddenly, interrupting your train of thought. He sets down his flasks and clipboard to the side of the table, and proceeds to take off his equipment.

"Are you alright, Albedo?" you asked, wondering why he had paused his work so suddenly. It wasn't like him to stop his research, as he's the type of person who heavily commits to the task and doesn't dare to take even a second to breathe in between.
"Yes, I'm doing well." he replies. "I just, would like to take a moment to have some time with you."
His reason was definitely a surprise, but a welcoming and thoughtful one. How sweet of him to check in with you in the middle of his studies.
You made some room to the side to allow some space for Albedo to sit next to you by the campfire, motioning with your hand by patting the soft dirt next to you.

"Actually, I have a better idea." He offers as he lets out his firm hand to you.
You blinked in question. "Oh, is that so?"
He nods, with that genuine, sweet smile and those welcoming, sparkling eyes that he wore on his face. The image in front of you caused your cheeks to warm up slightly and your heart beat rapidly. How unintentionally charming he was as usual.

You took his hand wholeheartedly, standing up from the camp to follow him as he trekked up the trail to the mountain, the campsite becoming more and more distant as the elevation increased. He was walking rather far, you realized. What does this curious scientist have to offer to you?

"Albedo, where are we going exactly?" you asked, several minutes having passed since the two of you had retreated from the comforting warmth of his camp. The temperature seemed to continue dropping further, and you couldn't help but shiver from the endless winds and snowfall.
"We're almost there, just hang in there." he responds, not saying another word.You nodded, and continued to bare with the cold until you've finally reached another campsite that was already set up.

The setting was absolutely breathtaking. From the peak of your location, you could see the entirety and grandness of the noble lands of Mondstadt, the familiar architecture peaking from below your nose. The midnight sky above your heads glimmered brightly with thousands of blinking stars, the moonlight reflecting and beaming onto your faces. Far away, you could also see the remains of Stormterror's Lair, the beaming blue light piercing through the blanket of darkness and the temples standing lone tall.

Albedo, still holding onto your hand, grabs onto your other and pulls in closer to your body.
"W.. What's the meaning of all this, Mister Albedo?" you asked, taken aback by the amount of effort that must've been put in to create such an ideal location.
He grabs your hands tighter, leaning into your face. The ashy locks of his hair almost grazing your shoulders, and the closeness diminishing the coldness around your bodies. You could feel your cheeks heat up again, and your mouth was unable to form a coherent sentence, only capable of being able to look back into those charming stars in his eyes.

"May I," he begins, "..have this dance with you?"

Looking back into his eyes with an indescribable happiness of being in this moment, you smiled back at him lovingly.

"Of course."

Smiling back with the same enthusiasm, he guides your movements to follow along with his own. The sound of the fresh snow crunching underneath your shoes filled the air, the wispy winds circling around your bodies and encasing them to create a welcoming atmosphere. The fire from the campfire crackled and popped from behind, the small flames radiating warmth and lighting the surrounding objects with an orange-yellow hue.
His gentle hand on your hip and the other on your shoulder, the two of you just went back and forth at circling around each other and passing on subtle movements. The way those eyes looked into your own so warmly and genuinely was enough to make your heart melt inside, and you couldn't help but give back the same energy.

"Isn't the sky lovely tonight?" he asked, still guiding you through the dance.You stopped your movements suddenly to take your hand and place it on his cheek, tracing it down lovingly and admiring the beautiful features that graced his face. He couldn't help but beam in response to your gentleness.
"It certainly is, Albedo." you responded.

"Can we stay here forever?" you asked, not wanting this rare moment to ever end.
He chuckles, puffs of air surrounding your faces. "Aren't you worried we'll freeze to death?"
You laughed in response. "I won't mind the cold, so long as I have you by my side."

He nods, and takes your hand from his face and kisses the back of it sweetly, giving you that same mellow expression.

"You certainly have a way of keeping me distracted from my work, don't you?" he teases.

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