Elements of Love II Albedo x Sucrose

The Morning After

Blinking, Sucrose woke up to a ray of sunshine across her eyes. She gave a small groan and pulled the blankets closer, trying to catch a bit more sleep. Slowly, Sucrose became aware of a comforting presence across her abdomen.

With a start, Sucrose realized Albedo's arm was draped across her midsection, tucking her into his chest. The tip of his nose grazed her neck ever so slightly, causing Sucrose to flush bright pink.

It was warm, even comfortable tucked under Albedo's arm. Sucrose could get used to this, waking up in his embrace, arms and legs tangled together. She turned around and buried her face in Albedo's chest, still half-asleep. 

Albedo was really warm, and he smelled nice. A little bit like lavender soap and oil paint, Sucrose thought to herself. 

"Sucrose," Albedo murmured, tilting his head downwards slightly. 

What was Sucrose doing? She couldn't be with Albedo like this, not a few nights ago he had said he didn't want to be with her like that. Or something.

"Eek!" Sucrose yelped, sitting up, still trying not to wake Albedo. She scooted to the edge of the bed and turned to look at Albedo, still sleeping peacefully.

The blanket had gathered lower, pooling at the edge of his pants, exposing Albedo's lean body. Sucrose blushed furiously and reached out, to do what, she didn't know. 

One fingertip drew along Albedo's hairline, softly, as to not wake him up. Sucrose brushed a lock of blonde hair that had fallen in his eyes off his forehead, in an almost fond gesture. 

Sighing, Sucrose made to get up, when she felt a hand encircle her wrist, pulling her backwards. Surprised, Sucrose turned around.

"Sucrose," Albedo mumbled, his eyes fluttering open. Sucrose thought he looked like a prince, beautiful among the bedsheets. "Stay a little longer."

Albedo tugged on her wrist a little harder, and Sucrose knew that if he asked again, she would cave to her inner emotions and say yes. So she had to stop that from happening, because Albedo was her mentor, and Sucrose was his student and traveling partner.

 Nothing more.

"No, Mr. Albedo." Sucrose insisted, quietly. "I have to go get ready and pack our bags."

Gently, she removed her hand from his grasp, even though it pained her to do so. If Sucrose had her way, she would have remained in Albedo's embrace forever.

Carefully and quietly, Sucrose changed clothing in the bathroom, feeling very aware of her state of undress, and Albedo in the room next door. Her whole skin buzzed bright with the knowledge. She emerged, blushing heavily, to find Albedo awake and watching the sunrise.

"Ah!" Sucrose yelped, assuming he had still been asleep. "Mr. Albedo, you- you're awake!" 

"I am." Albedo turned around, still in his nightclothes. Sucrose carefully averted her eyes, otherwise the sight of him might cause unexpected reactions in Sucrose, ones she wanted but could not allow. "And please, just call me Albedo."

"But, Mr. Albedo, you're my mentor." Sucrose insisted. "It would be a sign of disrespect to address you so casually." She clasped her hands together, fiddling with the fingers of her gloves.

"Is that how you see me?" Albedo asked, quietly, but gently. "As your mentor, you, my student, and nothing else?" He strode forward, eyes fixed on Sucrose in an unnerving manner.

"Well, you are my mentor, and I your student." Sucrose said nervously, turning her head slightly to the side. Albedo's gaze was becoming a bit heavy, making her blush.

"Hmm." Albedo paused a moment in front of Sucrose, his hand outstretched, halfway to Sucrose. "Y-yes, I will go change now."

Albedo turned around abruptly and disappeared into the bathroom. Sucrose let out a sigh. Perhaps when this was all over, Sucrose would have to visit Mona for some time, and suppress her feelings, get them back under control. She knew the astrologer wouldn't mind, as Albedo and Sucrose were both close friends of hers.

Sucrose began packing things aimlessly, cleaning the room off of habit. She had just picked up her discarded copy of Heart of Clear Springs III, when the door to the bathroom opened again, and Albedo walked out, back in his normal clothing, thank goodness. 

"Are you ready to go?" Sucrose asked, pushing the clasp closed. 

"Ah-almost." Albedo looked suddenly shy, although for what reason Sucrose couldn't discern. "Could you, ah, re-do my hair? It's fine if you don't want to, I'm just not very good at it myself, and usually Klee likes to do it, so-"

"Alright." Sucrose agreed, cutting off Albedo's rambling. She knew how to braid, and she was only doing a favor for her mentor, that was all. 

Cautiously, Sucrose stepped closer, Albedo moving to sit on the edge of the bed. She took the thin elastics from Albedo's hand, trying desperately not to touch the palm of his hand. It was alright, really. Sucrose was just helping Albedo fix his hair.

Sucrose gathered the longer pieces of Albedo's hair, draped along the side of his face, and started braiding it, the elastic clamped between her lips. Focused on her fingers knotting his hair, Sucrose saw Albedo's eyes flick to her on the side, and then dart away when he caught her looking.

There. The first braid was done, so Sucrose moved on to the second. Her fingertips brushed the side of Albedo's neck, lightly enough to send tingles down her hand. She pulled her hand away and started the braid on the other side, trying to avoid thinking about touching Albedo.

Sucrose brought the two braids together and tied them with the elastic, stepping away in finality. She smiled, proud of her work.

"All done!" Sucrose declared. Albedo stood up and pivoted around, his face suddenly very close to Sucrose. He grasped her hand, palm warm, and smiled down at Sucrose.

Sucrose's knees wobbled dangerously, she was overcome by the force of Albedo's smile and his hand touching hers, their faces close enough to touch, to kiss.

"Thanks, Sucrose." Albedo said, a half-smile on his face. 

"N-no problem, Mr. Albedo." Sucrose said, and then realized her mistake. "I mean, um, Albedo."

Albedo smiled at Sucrose, his eyes sparkling in the rising sunlight trickling in through the window. "It's alright."

If doing that earned Sucrose a smile every time, she would call him Albedo from now on.