Finding The Real You - Kaebedo

Chapter IV - Breakfast Date?

Kaeya stared down at his plate, thinking of what to say, or just what he should do. Should he say anything? The silence wasn't uncomfortable but he wouldn't call it comfortable. The only reason it felt so awkward on his end was because his brain kept on calling this friendly meetup between colleagues a 'date', but on Albedo's side it was a little different.

For Albedo, nothing was rushing around in his mind. He almost forgot that Kaeya was even there, he just viewed this as a usual breakfast, maybe a little treat as he didn't eat breakfast often. Well, did he even need it? He could be working right now, but he wasn't overdue on anything, apart from finding 'the truth to this world', but that was his whole purpose, so why rush? And he did care for Kaeya at least a little more than the others, he was a mysterious person, and he wanted to uncover that mystery. That too, was his purpose, wasn't it?

He dug his fork into his pancake, he enjoyed sweet things so why not just order more pancakes? Cold ones really weren't that appetizing. He started thinking about work again, but just as he started overthinking about what he could be missing, Kaeya started speaking.

"So, Albedo, what was the actual reason you came here? We barely know each other and the simple explanation of "I heard about why you never work on this day, and I came to express my condolences." doesn't really cut it for me. What was the real reason? Just like how you questioned me about ulterior motives, I want to know the 'true' reason you came here. Did Jean send you to tell me that I, in fact, was drowning in work and I didn't know?"

Albedo seemed to giggle at this, Kaeya smiled knowing that they were growing at least a little closer, well, Albedo actually showed emotion for once.

"Not at all, Sir Kaeya. I was entirely honest in my reasoning, Jean notified me about your, uh, circumstances. Almost as if she wanted me to come see you.. But I'm sure she was just worried about how you were doing and sent me since she couldn't come today."

Albedo spoke in a light tone, clearly a little happier than usual.

"Mm, it's a little weird that Jean sent you though, I would've thought that she'd send someone who appeared a little closer to me though. I'm not saying that I don't enjoy your company, quite the contrary actually, but we don't speak as much as Rosaria and I do, and Jean could easily get Barbara to fetch her Rosaria. Also, just Kaeya please. Our relationship isn't that professional, is it?"

"Ah, okay Kaeya. We haven't exactly spoken on a personal level before yesterday, so I'm also not quite sure why she'd send me. Perhaps that could be our topic of discussion for this meal? Even if we are half done."

"Well I see no problem with it, so, do you have any ideas?

Albedo hummed in thought, knowing what someone else could be thinking is quite a challenge, even for a genius like him.

"If we start with the motivation, it could be linked to what happened yesterday. But how would she know what happened yesterday? Did you perhaps tell her?"

Kaeya also looked down, thinking about it. He was putting much more effort into this than his usual work, and that was saying a lot.

"Not that I know of, maybe Diluc told her? They are somewhat close, even if not in the way he wanted it to be." He mumbled the last bit, mirroring what Albedo once did.

Albedo heard what he said, but ignored it, choosing to think about the newfound information that he was just given.

"Well, was there any prior information? Anything to say that we were linked?"

Kaeya thought back to one of the 'self care' nights he had with Jean, feeling the heat once again rise up his neck and paint his cheeks a beautiful pink. Once he had mentioned his feelings toward Albedo, and Jean teased him throughout the night, word somehow also got to Lisa about it, and now she mentions it every time they meet. Unless, of course, Albedo is around. In that case she just gives him a knowing stare. He knew that was probably the reason she sent Albedo of all people, but how would he put that in words while speaking to the person?

"Not that I know of, perhaps the others were just busy? It's not that unlikely that people had work to do, I mean, the traveler's already left, only coming back to do commissions. I think he said that Mondstadt's were the easiest?"

Kaeya tried to cover up his obvious embarrassment, choosing a more closed off position, opposite the open position he originally had facing Albedo. Albedo took notice of this, but again, decided not to say anything. Body language can tell a lot about a person, so Albedo decided to study it. But the way Kaeya was acting.. And his body language towards him.. It was sending mixed signals, he always seemed so nervous for no reason. Wanting to stare at him but also avoiding it, trying to look confident but not being confident enough to do it so he just hides away, faltering at the sight of any reaction he didn't expect.. It was almost as if he was in love with him, but that couldn't possibly be the correct answer. Was he sick? 

Albedo stayed silent for a while, causing Kaeya to falter just as expected. Kaeya tried to start backtracking but what was there to backtrack on? Nothing he said was a lie, and he couldn't think of any other conclusions, so he also just stayed silent.

An awkward air filled the room, Kaeya found it uncomfortable, Albedo just studied it. Nothing else really was to be said, well, was there anything else they could say? They both just decided to leave it at that, getting up to wash their plates and returning to the living room, searching for another thing to speak about, one maybe less embarrassing for Kaeya this time.

:)

This chapter was kinda fun to write, but the two days I gave myself before today to write it were filled with nothing so I did all this today, which probably wasn't the best idea. Have a great day and I wish you all the best

Word count: 1036