Frostbite (Albedo x fem reader)

Chapter 5

Though everything around you, such as the soft twinkling of the cryo crystalflies and the shimmering icicles, were beautiful, you couldn't enjoy your experience at all. You were dreading returning to Mondstadt and admitting to Katheryne that you couldn't handle a tough commission. In fact, it shouldn't have been as difficult as it turned out to be; you were just too cocky for your own good and didn't prepare in advance.

Albedo noticed you trailing behind, deep in thought and slowed down to match his pace with yours.

with a soft smile he said "You look a bit worried"

you snapped from your mental prison

"Oh, I'm sorry! I was just thinking.."

You were trying to think of conversation topics when you noticed the collar of his shirt emanated a warm glow

"So, you're a vision holder?" you asked, glancing up at him.

Unfazed, he nodded in response.

Baffled by the blond's indifferent response, you replied "How could you be so calm about that? People dream about having a vision! heck, even i do!" 

"It's really nothing special. People make them seem more important than they actually are." he responded

"You are aware that holding a vision means you were personally acknowledged by the Archons, right?

"If the Archons recognized me, that's even more of a reason why i don't need a vision."

You gazed at him in a mixture of awe and confusion

he picked up on this and quickly responded

"Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm ungrateful. I just feel as if it's more of a tool to help me with my research, much like a beaker. Although, I must say I'm curious on their origins. That may be just a proxy of my occupation though."

You raised an eyebrow in confusion 

"Their.. origins?" you asked

"I mean, think about it," he began. "I wasn't particularly interested in receiving a vision, however, I still earned one. Whereas people seek out obtaining a vision, even making it their one goal in life, and yet, they never receive one. What makes someone like me more worthy than someone like them?"

Looking up in thought, you couldn't determine an answer.

He's got a point

"I guess you're right, I hadn't really thought about it that way" you responded, still thinking how you would respond

"Ah- my intention wasn't to change your view on things," he responded, shaking his head. "Often in my attempt to understand things, I tend to go on tangents."

"No need to apologize, I do the same at times, although it's typically me overthinking things." you gave him a closed eye smile. 

"Also, i suppose this is a bit late, but your job; are you some type of scholar or something?"

"I'm an alchemist actually. I find life fascinating, and I hope that through my research I'll finally be able to understand everything. At least academically, that is. Human nature will always be a wonder to me.." his voice became a bit quieter at the end.

Should I ask, or would that be rude of me?

Aw what the heck, i'll go for it

"What's confusing about human nature to you, if you don't mind me asking"

He quickly adverted his gaze from you

crap did i say something wrong??

After looking upwards for a short while, he responded while looking at you;

"Science always has direct answers. But with people, there are certain... variables that make me unsure about my response"