The Experiment [Build a Boyfriend Series Part 2]

3

"You need to get your own place," Diluc crossed his arms and stared at Kaeya, currently hungover and lying on his couch. 

"Ugh, why?" Kaeya groaned. Diluc was speaking too loudly. 

"You can't keep staying here and not even contributing to the rent," Diluc tapped his foot. "Either get yourself together and stop drinking or get a job and find your own place." 

"Ehhh?" Kaeya ran his hand down his face. "That sounds like too much work." 

"That's what adults do, Kaeya, they work. Now get off my couch," Diluc grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. He stumbled, falling into Diluc's arms. Diluc caught him and Kaeya rested his forehead on Diluc's shoulder. 

"You're going to kick your darling Kaeya out? That's so mean," Kaeya whined. 

"Start acting your age," Diluc dropped Kaeya and took a step back. "You have until this weekend before I kick you to the curb." 

Kaeya sighed and rolled over onto his side, refusing to get up from the floor. He stared at the business card that had fallen under the table. "Hm..." he picked it up and squinted, trying to read it through his painful headache. He thought for a moment, thinking about everything in his life up until this point. Maybe this experience could be cathartic for him and he'd be able to move on from these feelings once and for all. Diluc wasn't the type to joke. He most certainly would kick Kaeya to the curb without remorse. 

Taking out his phone, Kaeya typed in the number and sent one single message. Yes. 

From the other side of the screen, Albedo stared at the message and leaned up against the arm of his chair. He looked at his phone, not expecting a response this quickly. He typed a reply. To be a subject for data collection in my experiment, I will need to be able to observe you at all hours of the day. This would require you to live with me for a set period of time so that I can better ascertain your personality and what makes you tick. I still require honest answers to my questions as well. Do you have an issue with these terms? Of course, a bed and food will be provided as well as payment for your services. 

"So, free food and a place to stay? For being honest?" Kaeya muttered. "This is going to be the most difficult job in history..." he forced a laugh. "I have no other options though." 

...

"This is where you live?" Kaeya stared in awe at the building. 

"Yes," Albedo replied, guiding Kaeya through the many floors to get to the top three (the ones Albedo owned in this apartment complex on the expensive side of town). 

"I had no idea you could make so much money from researching how people work..." Kaeya stared, completely dumbfounded, following Albedo. 

"Normally the money comes from elsewhere but I had a good idea and ran with it so now I can fund myself," Albedo opened the door. "This entire floor is where you will be staying for the duration of this experiment. Although, to be more accurate it's more like an observational study of behavior." Albedo continued walking. "There is a bedroom, a kitchen, and a lounge area. Please tell me if you're going out or if you need anything in particular. There are also cameras so I can observe your actions. Don't worry, there are none in the bathrooms and I am going to pay you handsomely for this but if you feel at all like your privacy is being too constricted upon, we can change the terms of our agreement." Albedo stopped walking. "The floor above this one is mine and the one above that is my lab. I can also print out a full disclosure of how this works if you feel the need. I will also need to spend at least one hour in your physical proximity every day to get a feel for your personality. Observations of behavior aren't very good without interactions with outside sources." 

"This is all very..." Kaeya looked around. 

"Intimidating?" 

"I was going to say 'well thought out' but that word also applies," he forced a smile. 

"Please try your best not to do that." 

"Do what?" 

"Make expressions to put me at ease," Albedo turned on his heel and kept walking. "I need to understand your most authentic self, not the mask you've been wearing all this time. Fake smiles and gestures are not going to help me understand anything." 

"Is that so?" Kaeya felt the sweat build upon his neck. He hadn't met someone that saw through him like this before. 

"That as well," Albedo sighed. "Asking rhetorical questions to avoid the subject is not beneficial. If you don't want to answer something or don't have a response do not feel the need to fill the gap in conversation with idle answers." 

"You say that but..." Kaeya placed his hand on his face and closed his eyes. "I've been doing this my whole life. This is not going to be an easy behavior to avoid." He leaned up against the wall and sighed. Albedo turned around and stood directly in front of him. 

"Hm," he looked up at Kaeya's face and placed his hand on his own chin, staring at him. "Please try your best, I realize this is likely overwhelming." He stood up straight and folded his hands behind his back. "I won't take up too much more of your time tonight. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you need anything from me, please text instead of call." 

"Alright, well, a pleasure to work with you?" Kaeya wasn't sure what to say. Albedo didn't reply and walked to his own living arrangement.