The Experiment [Build a Boyfriend Series Part 2]

10

"You hurt Brother Albedo's feelings!" Klee stood on top of the bar's counter with her hands on her hips. She glared down at Kaeya.

"Who might you be?" Kaeya crossed his arms, staring up at her. Who was this small child and what was she doing in a bar?

"Why did you hurt Brother Albedo's feelings?!" 

"What are you talking about?" Kaeya glanced at the other customers, very disturbed by the scene. 

"He has been sad and it's all your fault!" Klee jumped down beside Kaeya and hit him with her fists. She wasn't very strong but the sentiment was there. She fully intended to beat Kaeya up for breaking Albedo's heart. Even though Kaeya had no idea that's what he'd done. 

"Are you going to tell me what's going on, little lady?" Kaeya knelt down to make eye contact with her. 

"Brother Albedo likes you," she sobbed, crying into her hands, feeling as if she didn't do anything to help Albedo. "You hurt his feelings!" 

"He...what?" 

"You left him..." she wiped her tears. "Why did you go bye bye?" 

Kaeya, not having a clue what was going on, connected some of the dots. At least, for his own emotions. His feelings for Diluc didn't vanish but they were definitely not the same. He found someone he liked far more, and who might just return his sentiment based upon what this strange girl had to say. 

"Please stop making noise in my bar," Diluc rolled his eyes. 

"Sorry, darling brother," Kaeya placed his arm on Diluc's shoulder and gave him a thumbs up. "It seems that my nurse routine shall have to cease here. Don't miss me too much," he winked...although...with an eye-patch a wink just looks like a blink.

"I told you I didn't need your help anyway," Diluc frowned, brushing Kaeya's hand off of him. 

"Good for you," he waved, walking out the door. 

"What am I supposed to do with you?" Diluc sighed, staring down at Klee. 

...

Albedo heard the bell ring from the lowest level of his three floors but didn't feel inclined to answer it. The ringing didn't cease, however, so he had no choice but to get out of bed. With his hair going in every which direction, he put on some slippers and made the descent. 

Opening the door, he froze. Kaeya grabbed the door before he could close it and forced his way in. "You look absolutely horrendous," he observed. "Have you been crying?" he held Albedo's cheek and brushed his thumb under his eye, over the swollen mess. Albedo moved his hand away. 

"What are you doing here?" he asked, too tired to refute anything. 

"Will you go out with me?" 

"Are you being serious right now?" Albedo's heart twisted over and over into itself. 

"Yes." 

"Then I politely decline." 

"You weren't lying back then...I figured you would say that," Kaeya pushed Albedo up against the wall. "I'm in love with you, Albedo," he grabbed his chin. 

"You love your brother," Albedo replied. 

"I'm in love with you, Albedo, go out with me," Kaeya repeated. 

"Please don't make me repeat myself," Albedo's voice wavered slightly. "I am not going to date you only to be tossed aside when your feelings for your brother take over." 

"I have been focused on Diluc for my entire life. You can understand why. He helped me when I was most vulnerable and I looked up to him as a hero mistaking it for love. I've been attached to him in a way I can't explain but you make me feel very different. I want to hold you, touch you, make you smile, spend all of my time with you. I love you, Albedo, please go out with me." 

"Can I...trust that?" Albedo asked, grabbing Kaeya's shirt tightly. "Do you really mean what you're saying right now?" 

"How do you want me to prove it to you?" Kaeya cupped Albedo's face in both his hands. "What do you want me to do?" 

"Let's test your hypothesis then," Albedo pushed Kaeya away and tripped him, causing him to fall on the ground. He hovered over him and stared, "with an experiment." 

"Albedo?" Kaeya stared. 

"But first, I need to sleep," he replied, falling on top of Kaeya and instantly sleeping. Kaeya picked him up and carried him to the nearest bed. He took off his shirt and got into the bed next to him. Albedo scooted closer to him and hugged him as he slept. 

"I wonder if he will kiss my neck again," Kaeya stared at the ceiling. "This is not how I expected a confession of feelings to go."