Journey | Albedo's Descent Book 3

Part 1: DOWN The Stairs, Ch 1: Self Care Day

  "Thank you again, Lisa," Albedo smiled.
  "No problem!" She handed him a small pouch of dried flowers, "and I wanted to give you some of these as well! Just sprinkle them in the tub and you'll smell extra great when you're done!"
  Albedo's smile grew, "Lisa... now you're just spoiling me..."
  Lisa shook her finger at him, "let me spoil you once in a while! Plus, I'm sure everyone else will enjoy it, too!"
  He tilted his head.
  "Who doesn't want to be around someone who smells nice?! I'm sure Kaeya will pass out once you smell just like the pretty flower you are!"
  "But... but I'm not a flower..." Albedo's cheeks grew pink.
  Lisa giggled, "I certainly think so. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Anyways, have fun relaxing!"
  Albedo sighed with a smile, he was finally having that "self-care day" that Lisa had been bugging him about. He closed his door and started running the water for his bath.
  He set out the different products Lisa had brought him in a cute little basket along the bathroom counter. He was surprised she had so much. When did she find the time to make it all? Then Albedo remembered that she was never as busy as he was.
  Albedo started taking his hair out, wondering how long he should sit in the bath for. Probably not an hour, that seemed too long. Now that he thought about it, did he get prune-y like other people? He had always assumed so, but never really gave it much thought.
  Albedo turned the water off after it got to the proper height. He started dumping in all of Lisa's in-bath products, which included pink bath salts, a lather enhancer, and, of course, the dried flowers Lisa had gifted him.
  Albedo realized as he was undressing that he didn't have a clock in his bathroom...
  He shrugged. It wasn't like he had a horrible sense of time... And Lisa had made sure Albedo had cleared his schedule so nothing would get in the way.
  He spent a good five minutes — at least — just soaking in the warm water. It had been a long time since he just laid down and breathed. Then, he got to using what Lisa called "the fun stuff."
  The rosemary scented shampoo and conditioner he had picked out so long ago. He smiled to himself, glad things were normal again.
  Albedo didn't think bathing could be so enjoyable. But this was very relaxing. He wondered if Lisa had made all her products with magic in them in order to make it so relaxing. It seemed like something she would do.
  After what he assumed was a good half an hour he drained the tub and got out.
  He sighed contentedly as he opened the door and let the steam roll out into his bedroom.
  Albedo had already dressed but was still drying his hair. He glanced over at the clock to find he was pretty accurate with the time. It had been a little closer to forty-five minutes than thirty.
  It had been a nice morning so far. It was just about lunch time. He wondered what to do. He had never taken a self-care day before. He got the idea it was just supposed to be relaxing. Maybe he would take a nap and try to catch up on his lost sleep.
  Then he sat down at his desk, deciding that his nap could wait until the afternoon. He wanted to start on a draft sketch for the painting he had been wanting to do. He ended up deciding that he wanted to make it a series of paintings using different people. He couldn't decide on just one! Everyone was so unique in their own ways...
  Albedo had only finished his portrait of Jean for her office a few days ago. Everyone had been surprised at how big the canvas was and that he had painted in such great detail. He had shrugged and said it was nothing. Then, they all gasped at him as if he had started speaking Hillichurl-ian.
  Albedo chuckled to himself as he sharpened his pencil. People were so easy to impress sometimes.
  He took a deep breath before getting started. Rosemary was such a nice scent... Albedo was glad he had picked it.

  "Big brother Albedo!" Klee ran up to him and threw her arms around him, "where have you been all day?!"
  Albedo smiled, having just stepped out of his room, "I was just having some alone time."
  "Alone time?! That sound horrible!!"
  Albedo chuckled, crouching down to her level, "don't worry, it's nothing like solitary confinement."
  Klee looked relived, "good! Because Albedo is not allowed to be in trouble!"
  "And why is that?" Albedo tilted his head.
  "Because then Kaeya would be sad!"
  Albedo blinked, "oh, I guess that's true."
  Klee looked offended, "it's like you forget he exists sometimes!"
  Albedo faltered, "I don't forget he exists..."
  Klee put her hands on her hips, "then how come you rarely spend time with him?!"
  "Because, Klee... I'm the leader of two devisions... and I'm in Dragonspine a lot... It's difficult to make time..." Albedo did feel bad for not being with Kaeya super often. But since he was here, it would probably be a good opportunity to go see him.
  Was he allowed to do that on his self-care day? Kaeya cared about him right?... Basically the same thing?...
  "That's just an excuse!"
  Albedo stood up, "why don't we go pay Kaeya a visit then?"
  "YAY!!!"
  Klee grabbed his arm and started running towards the front doors of the building. Albedo laughed at how excited she was, "don't you see the Captain all the time?"
  "I like seeing him! He's nice to look at!" She giggled, "Miss Lisa even thinks he's pretty!"
  Albedo rolled his eyes, "Lisa thinks everyone is pretty."
  "Not true!" Klee stopped in front of the doors.
  "Then, who-"
  "Miss Lisa thinks Jean is Beautiful!" She wore a sly smile.
  Albedo chuckled, "alright, you win."
  Klee giggled to herself as she pushed through the doors, "Klee noticed she's never seen Lisa and Jean kiss!"
  Albedo blinked, "that's because their relationship isn't very public..."
  "Why not?! Klee thinks they are adorable!"
  Albedo sighed, "Jean just isn't ready, I guess..."
  "But Albedo is never ready but Kaeya is always all lovey-dovey with you in public!"
  Albedo felt his face get warm, "Klee, that's just how he is..." He lowered his voice, "I'm sure he sees me like some sort of trophy. He's probably just showing off..."
  Klee stopped and Albedo almost ran into her. She turned around, "my big brother is not a trophy! But if you were, then... you'd probably be on a shelf somewhere..."
  Albedo was sure she was trying to say that he wasn't an object, but Klee wasn't the best with words. He smiled as he pat her head, "I know, Klee. It was just an observation."
  "Good! Because if you were on a shelf, Klee wouldn't be able to reach!"
  Albedo smiled, "well, I'm glad I'm not on a shelf. I don't think that would be very beneficial."
  "Klee doesn't know what that means, but Klee needs to reach Albedo to give hugs!" She grabbed onto him and held on tight.
  He chuckled, "okay, Klee. But we should hurry and find Kaeya before someone drags him off."
  Klee nodded as she took his hand and started running again.
  Eventually they found Kaeya. He was in the middle training Bennet.
  "Uh, like this?" Bennet held a wooden sword in his hand and was using it very clumsily.
  Kaeya pat him on the shoulder, "you're getting closer... baby steps, Bennet."
  He sighed heavily, "I know... I just want to be good already..."
  "Don't worry, you're a faster learner than I had expected," Kaeya smiled reassuringly.
  "Kaeya!!!" Klee ran forward towards him, letting go of Albedo.
  Albedo gave Bennet a polite wave as he continued walking.
  "Klee!" Kaeya hoisted her up and spun her around, "I was wondering when you would come pay me a visit!"
  Klee giggled, "and I brought Big Brother Albedo, too!"
  Kaeya looked to where she was pointing and his smile doubled in size, "I see that." He set Klee down.
  Bennet scratched the back of his head, "uh, hi?"
  Klee waved excitedly, "do you want to go blow up Timmie's birds?!"
  "Ha- WHA?!"
  "Yeah!"
  Bennet's eyes were bulging out of his head, "that- that doesn't sound very nice!"
  Klee laughed, "or maybe Klee will blow you up!"
  Bennet backed away, "uh... HAHA! I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to meet up with Razor! Uh- BYE MR. KAEYA!!!" He sped off very, very quickly.
  Albedo gave Klee a stern look, "what did I say about threatening people like that?"
  Klee sighed in an annoyed way as she dropped her hands and leaned forward, "not to threaten to blow people up!"
  Albedo sighed, "why would you threaten poor Bennet in the first place?"
  Kaeya put his arms around Albedo, who absently hugged him back, his attention on his problem-causing little sister.
  Klee rolled her eyes, "it's obvious! Kaeya wouldn't kiss Albedo if Bennet were here!"
  "What?"
  Klee frowned, "do you need new ears?!"
  "No, I just... Klee..." Albedo stared at her with a confused expression.
  "Go on! Kiss!"
  "Klee-"
  "Pleaseeee?!?!"
  Kaeya chuckled, "she did ask nicely..."
  "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" she began to chant.
  Albedo sighed, "I... Honestly, I have no words for this..."
  Kaeya nuzzled the top of his head, "don't think about it so much. You're supposed to be relaxing today, after all."
  "Lisa told you?"
  "Of course Lisa told me," he laughed, "you know she can't keep her mouth shut with stuff like that."
  "Klee doesn't see any kissing happening!"
  "Klee... that's such a weird thing to ask for..." Albedo continued to look at her in confusion.
  "Is not! Klee knows miss Lisa wants you guys to kiss, too!"
  Kaeya snorted, "well Lisa is a little weird herself."
  Klee puffed out her cheeks, "Kaeya and Albedo are just too scared to kiss!"
  "Calm down, Klee," Kaeya giggled, "Albedo's still waking up."
  "I've been up for a few hours..."
  "Exactly," Kaeya put his arm around Albedo's waist.
  Albedo sighed, why was everyone so confusing? He opened his eyes again to find that Kaeya had moved in front of him. He was lifting his hand to Albedo's chin.
  Albedo blinked. He was sure he would have noticed if Kaeya had moved while so close to him...
  Klee was giggling to herself as she moved to get a better view.
  "She did ask nicely," Kaeya smiled, his face getting red.
  Albedo looked to the side, "yes, but... she's a child..."
  "So? She hangs around Lisa. What did you expect?" he chuckled.
  Albedo smiled, closing his eyes, "that is very true. I don't know why I expect so much from her."
  "Klee is right here!" she stamped her foot on the ground.
  The adults laughed and Kaeya hugged Albedo close. The Alchemist smiled, "Klee, when you grow up you can kiss your significant other whenever you want."
  Klee gave him an angry glare.
  "Oh?" Kaeya's teasing voice caused Albedo to look back at him. "Because I'm all grown up that means I can kiss my significant other whenever I want?"
  Albedo blinked, "I see now how I should have been a bit more detailed in my explanation."
  Kaeya chuckled, "do you really hate my kisses that much?"
  Klee gasped as if she were reading a drama story and the villain had just been revealed to be one of the secondary characters.
  "No," Albedo averted his eyes, "I just don't like when other people watch..."
  The small girl raised her hand high, "Klee likes watching!!!"
  "That's a... very strange sentence..." Kaeya laughed, "you're so silly Klee."
  "Just kiss already, PLEASE!"
  Kaeya laughed before leaning in and placing a kiss against Albedo's lips. Albedo was far too embarrassed to do anything but pray that Klee would run off and leave him alone.
  Thankfully, that's exactly what she did. She squealed and ran off, yelling something about telling Miss Lisa.
  Kaeya chuckled as he held Albedo close, "what are we going to do with her?"
  Albedo sighed, "I have no idea..."
  "Walk with me," Kaeya put his arm around Albedo's shoulder and started leading him along.
  "Is there something you wanted to speak with me about?" Albedo asked.
  "Not particularly," he smiled, "maybe about how your self care day has been?"
  Albedo paused, "well... I don't have anything to compare it to... but I have been enjoying it. It isn't very often that I get to do nothing."
  Kaeya squeezed his shoulder, "I'm glad you're finally taking time for yourself. I always worry that you're going to overwork yourself..."
  Albedo looked up at him, "you do?"
  "Yes!" Kaeya seemed very surprised that Albedo would question that, "I love you, Albedo! Of course I worry!"
  Albedo's eyes drifted away, "oh. . ."
  Kaeya sighed heavily, "for being a genius, sometimes you are really oblivious..."
  Albedo hesitated before speaking again, "I just didn't think you were the kind of person to worry so much..."
  Kaeya gripped Albedo's upper arm tightly, "I might not be as anxious as Sucrose, but I worry about the things I care about."
  Albedo nodded, "yes, but-"
  "And I care about you a lot, Albedo." Kaeya stopped before the Knights of Favonious Headquarters, "so I worry about you more than anything else."
  "I wouldn't overwork myself so much that it would become a problem," Albedo looked up at him.
  Kaeya met his eyes, "how much overworking do you consider a problem?"
  Albedo held his mouth closed, his eyes drifting away again.
  "Exactly," Kaeya smiled as he pushed the doors open, "I'm allowed to worry because I know you don't care about yourself enough. I care about you enough for the both of us, I guess."
  Albedo mumbled to himself, "I care about myself..."
  The library door opened and a very excited Klee stepped out with Lisa, "and then! Then, Kaeya held Albedo all close and-"
  Lisa laughed, seeing the two boys in the lobby. Klee stared at them, "Uhm... Klee was telling Miss Lisa a totally true and not-at-all exaggerated story of what just happened."
  Kaeya laughed, "I'm sure that if it was important Lisa would ask us afterwards."
  Albedo sighed quietly, it seemed Klee would never stop obsessing over her achievement of getting Albedo someone to care for him.
  "You, mister, are not supposed to be out right now," Lisa narrowed her eyes at Albedo, "it's your self care day."
  "But... Kaeya cares about me," Albedo reasoned.
  Lisa snorted, "okay, very funny. But that's not what that means."
  Albedo blinked, "then..." he didn't know what to ask.
  Lisa giggled into her hand, "you're supposed to be caring about you. But it's your day so, I guess you could do whatever you want..."
  Albedo leaned into Kaeya slightly, "then it should be fine..."
  Kaeya rubbed his arm, "see, now no one is in trouble."
  "I hope it stays that way." Jean said, walking over from her office.
  Klee scrambled behind Lisa's legs, "Klee hasn't threatened anyone today!"
  Jean smiled, "have you been enjoying your day, Albedo?"
  He nodded, "yes. Though, I think you need and deserve a self care day more than I do."
  Jean sighed, "maybe when I have time..."
  Lisa rolled her eyes, "then it'll never happen."
  Jean nodded, "probably."
  "You aren't supposed to agree with that!" Lisa became exasperated as she took Jean's hands and started scolding her.
  Kaeya began walking again, pulling Albedo along.
  "Where are we going?" Albedo asked.
  "To my space. I have something for you," Kaeya's smile expanded as he started ascending the stairs.
  (Within the Knights of Favonious headquarters were lodgings for all the knights and members. Of course, many of them had homes outside as well.)
  Albedo wondered what in the world Kaeya might have for him.
  Kaeya kept smiling over at him excitedly. Albedo could tell he was very proud of whatever he had done. He chuckled a little bit, it wasn't often that the captain was so giddy about something.
  "Kaeya, what is it?"
  "It's a surprise," Kaeya smiled, "it wouldn't be so fun if I told you now."
  Albedo closed his eyes for a moment, "alright."
Kaeya pulled him down the hallway and to his door. He pushed it open and let go of Albedo's hand. "Wait right here." He rushed inside and closed the door.
  Albedo folded his arms loosely. He figured that Kaeya had made him something rather than bought him something. Kaeya seemed far too excited... Albedo wondered how long he had spent on it.
  Momentarily, the door swung back open. Kaeya presented to Albedo a beautiful array of flowers neatly put together.
  Albedo blinked, staring at it, "Kaeya..." he didn't know hat to say.
  "I can't take credit for all of it," Kaeya rubbed the back of his neck, "I had some help from Flora..."
  Albedo smiled as he accepted the gift, "thank you... but I don't have anything for you-"
  "No, no, no!" Kaeya hurriedly shushed him, "this is your day."
  Albedo chuckled, "it isn't my birthday..."
  "For all I know it could be," Kaeya pouted.
  Albedo shook his head with a smile, "it isn't. ... I do appreciate this. I'm sure Sucrose will too."
  "Hm?"
  "I plan on putting it in our experimentation room. One, so Klee doesn't wreck it. Two, because something this pretty needs to be seen."
  Kaeya grew red, "it isn't that amazing... it's only some flowers..."
  "Well I think it's wonderful," Albedo smiled warmly, "thank you again."
  Kaeya shook his head, "you don't have to thank me..."
  "But I am," Albedo smiled as he turned and headed back towards the stairs.
  Kaeya drummed his fingers over the doorframe, unsure what to do. He still couldn't ask Albedo what he kept meaning to... he didn't want to sound pushy...