Journey | Albedo's Descent Book 3

Chapter 5: A Good Day and A Good Night

Kaeya wore a smile as he sat down next to Rosaria, "evening."
She looked him up and down, "you seem... happy..." She reluctantly poured him a glass.
"I just happened to have a good day. Is that so wrong?"
"It is if your happiness is from causing trouble," Diluc pulled up a stool opposite them both.
Kaeya wasn't so sure he wanted Diluc listening in on them to become a normal thing. He did still deeply care for Diluc but... his pessimism wasn't exactly charming.
"Did you take my advice or throw it out a window?" Diluc asked as he swished his glass, not once looking up at the Cavalry Captain.
Kaeya found it a bit rude how he never made eye contact when he spoke with anyone. He sighed, "I'll have you know that I don't throw people's advice out windows. And I did, in fact, act upon your suggestion. Thank you," he said to Rosaria who handed him a glass.
"Well? How'd it go?"
Kaeya smiled a little bit, "we worked it out. He said that he would 'refrain from disappearing in Dragonspine for more than a week at a time'."
Rosaria rolled her eyes, "and that helps how?"
"It means he'll be spending less time freezing to death and more time here in Mondstadt. That gives me time to talk to him about the painting and about..."
Diluc got the impression Kaeya didn't want to say whatever it was in front of him. He just sipped his glass, not caring in the least. But... he was surprised Kaeya had actually listened to him. Even when they were young Diluc remembered Kaeya always ignoring his warnings and getting himself hurt. Kaeya seemed to have no self-preservation whatsoever.
Rosaria nodded, "yeah, I guess. But what about the communication problem?"
"We're working on it," Kaeya took a drink, ". . . Rosaria, what is this?"
"Ugh," Diluc rolled his eyes with a scoff, "I don't know how you stomach that."
"Hey, it's been a long day for me. Barbara was stalking me everywhere and pestering me about choir practice again."
"Come on, Rosaria. Why don't you share your melodious voice with the world?" Kaeya teased.
She shook her head with a sly smile, "the world just isn't ready for it."

Albedo lit the candles hesitantly. He could work on those sketches instead of sleeping...
No. He shook his head. Kaeya wouldn't want him to stay up all night. Especially not after Lisa had given him these candles anyways.
Albedo blew out the match and put on some jammies. He chuckled, remembering how outraged Klee had been that morning. He wondered if she was even asleep yet... He certainly hoped so. Klee was not fun to be around when she was cranky...
He sat down on the edge of his bed, not feeling the least bit tired. He could smell the scent of the candles, a nice peppermint-like smell, but he didn't feel sleepy yet.
The candles had worked much faster the night before... He sighed quietly as he laid down and watched the small flames flickering.
He pulled the blankets over himself, covering himself in their warmth. It felt like a nice, well-earned hug. He paused to think for a moment. He'd never really thought about hugging as a positive thing... maybe Kaeya had changed his perspective a bit...
Finally feeling his eyes grow heavy, he reached over and snuffed out the candles.

Albedo was awoken by the sound of knocking. He shook himself and blinked, trying to get rid of his sleepiness. He looked over at the clock as he sat up.
How did he keep accidentally sleeping in?! These candles seemed to work a little too well.
The door slid open and a voice rang out, "I hope you're decent!"
Albedo snorted, "well good morning to you, too."
Kaeya chuckled, "morning."
Albedo yawned, "I guess I forgot to lock the door last night."
"You are so lucky that Mondstadt is safe right now." Kaeya walked over to him and pulled him up.
The alchemist sighed through his nose, "I don't feel like moving..."
"Is there anything important you need to do today?"
Albedo groaned softly as he leaned into Kaeya, "I don't want to think... . . . You smell really nice..."
Kaeya laughed, "you are so weird when you're tired."
Albedo pushed him away, grumbling, "then don't barge in in the morning." He started tiredly going through drawers to find clothes.
Kaeya gazed around the room, "is it usually so messy?"
Albedo looked around, feeling a bit more awake. "Oh... I wanted to go to sleep before I got distracted... I guess I forgot about that, too."
Kaeya didn't say anything as he continued to survey the room.
Albedo quickly dressed in the bathroom. As he emerged he spoke, "I need to help Sucrose with a few of her experiments, but who knows how long that will take."
"Albedo," Kaeya smiled as he walked up to him, "you've buttoned your shirt wrong."
"Dang it," Albedo muttered to himself as he re-buttoned his shirt properly. "I didn't want to make you wait, so-"
Kaeya chuckled, "stop worrying so much. You said you needed to help Sucrose? Was there anything else?"
"I don't think so, why? Is there something you wanted to do?"
"Ah, well... Rosaria is out of town and I'm not doing anything for Jean right now..." Kaeya's face grew a bit pink, "and I just wanted to know if you needed me for your painting?"
Albedo's lips split into a smile, "for right now I'm just drafting a few sketches, I won't need you to actually model for a while."
"Right," Kaeya seemed rather embarrassed.
Albedo's smile became a smirk, "what is it Kaeya? Does the idea of modeling for me make you nervous?"
"Yes, quite frankly," Kaeya folded his arms, "and- don't you have somewhere to be?"
Albedo chuckled as he headed out the door, "I didn't think you would be so easy to tease~"
"Albedo..."
If Kaeya said anything else Albedo didn't hear it. He smiled to himself as he started down the hallway. It wasn't very often that Albedo got the upper hand like that.
The embarrassment and exasperation on Kaeya's face was absolutely priceless!
Maybe he should sketch that, too...
He cleared his mind. Time to go help Sucrose.

"Ah, Mr. Albedo! You're here! I was starting to worry," she blinked a few times at him. "Uhm... what... what took you so long?..."
"Just got a little turned around is all," he gave her a smile.
Sucrose could feel something was off. Albedo seemed shaken up, sort of... She couldn't exactly tell.
"What did you need my help with?" He asked.
"Oh, right!" Sucrose cleared a space on the table, "I know this is a very simple procedure, but I would still appreciate your opinion and help..."
"Of course," Albedo walked over to one of the shelves, already knowing exactly what she needed.
... wasn't it a bit odd that Albedo had gotten lost when he didn't need to leave the building?...