Chapter Text
The weather was warm and stuffy, with only a soft breeze swaying the many dandelions that decorated the entrance to the city. The Chief Alchemist looked up at the bricks on the wall absently, approaching his ‘home’, already missing the cool and peaceful climate of Dragonspine.
Albedo walked calmly through the towering gates of Mondstadt, nodding in greeting towards the guards, the two men addressing him with respect and greetings of their own. Passing the threshold of the city, the blond let out a depleted sigh. He was, quite frankly, rather annoyed about the purpose of his return.
Looking around he was met with well-known to him people, tending to flowers or sweeping the street before their homes, they paid him no mind, so Albedo was quick to look back ahead as well. He could just barely make out his destination, the many buildings of the city blocking his view. He needed to see Jean at the Headquarters.
For the past few days, the blond’s shoulder has been aching. Pulsating violently at seemingly random intervals or during times of strain (which often involved no more than reaching for ingredients on his shelves), threatening to hinder experiments so much so that Sucrose advised his return to Mond.
Although this wasn't ideal, having personal work to complete- work set by Jean often completed weeks in advance (which meant the alchemist had plenty of time to conduct his own experiments), Albedo was well aware that the situation has impeded their alchemical research. Not wanting to argue with his green-haired apprentice, the blond decided to take a break. Even if for a short while.
And so, after a few days of travel, Albedo made it back to the city of freedom. Walking up the many steps the same way he did when he had first arrived- recommendation letter in hand, except this time the letter was an ask for leave. A strange lump of nervousness began to form at the back of his throat, he really hoped Jean wouldn't blow the situation out of proportion.
He wasn't human, trivial things such as health didn't bother him, but Albedo did have to admit that the worsening condition of his left limb was... Mildly concerning.
He was able to ignore the discomfort that often came with the use of his vision, a simple massage and application of cooling balm a sure way of relieving the tension in his muscles, but it has gotten worse- to the point sharp pain would rippled through his body, often rendered him powerless.
To put it simply, if it wasn't for his natural healing ability, his body would have been littered with scars by now. Why wouldn’t the shoulder heal? Well, that's something he hoped to find out during his ‘break’.
Albedo approached the door of the headquarters, nodding politely at yet another Knight, before attempting to push the door open. Said attempt was futile, sending a jolt of pain up his arm making the blond grimace, quickly retracting his left hand as though it had been burned.
The alchemist saw the Knight by the door look over with a concerned expression, but before he had a chance to ask if the blond was alright, Albedo pushed the door open with his right hand instead.
With a soft click behind him, the blond was inside.
“My, to what do we owe the pleasure? I didn't expect you back until next month, Albedo.” a smooth voice spoke from Albedo’s left, the blond looking in the direction of the sound on instinct. Kaeya Alberich, the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, was leaning against a wall by the grandmaster's office, holding a few sheets of (presumed) paperwork.
A signature sly smile decorated his soft lips, his uncovered eye glimmered in dangerous curiosity as it locked onto the blond- no doubt the most interesting thing in the empty hall.
“Kaeya.” Albedo greeted in acknowledgement, his tone level and unbothered as he made his way towards the taller man, “I have matters to speak about with Grandmaster Jean.” he supplied, not wanting to get into the nature of his visit with the Captain. He stopped and stood to Kaeya’s left, unlike the Captain, not quite leaning on the wall.
“‘Matters’ you say? Care to elaborate?” the bluenette positioned himself in a way that just barely counted as facing the blond, looking down at the alchemist with a dark, yet somewhat excited, eye.
“No. It is nothing to concern yourself over.” Albedo dismissed, looking into Kaeya’s eye only briefly before looking down at his letter of inquiry, feeling a strange weight under the captain’s gaze.
“Oh? Is that a polite way of saying it's ‘none of my business’?” Kaeya laughed quietly at his own joke, fanning himself lightly with the papers he held. Now that Albedo thought about it, it was a lot warmer inside than out.
“Those are your words, not mine.” the blond spoke back, glancing up to the taller man again only to be met with an even sharper and more amused expression, another small chuckle escaped Kaeya’s pointed lips before he readjusted his position to rest his back fully on the wall again, sighing almost contently.
A silence befell the two as they awaited Jean’s blessing to enter, the blond quickly concluding that the navy-haired man was also waiting for the Grandmaster to be done with whatever matters she was currently tending to.
The silence was by no means uncomfortable, the two men often finding themselves in similar predicaments. Albedo noticed that the cryo vision of the other pulsated in a comforting cold- reminding the blond of his master and subsequently Dragonspine. Kaeya in general did- much like his vision radiating cold, the taller man radiated... Comfort.
Even when Kaeya was a mysterious man.
Not that Albedo was any better, though.
Another few minutes passed and the door of the office opened, Lisa left the room with unusually hurried steps, quickly entering the library. Strange. The two men by the door spared each other a glance but otherwise left the odd behaviour unquestioned.
“You may come in, Kaeya.” Jean sounded tired. Very tired, making Albedo sigh knowingly before even seeing the woman.
“Seems it's no longer only me.” Kaeya laughed as he entered the room, suddenly pulling Albedo’s wrist (left-hand wrist no less) to showcase him to the Grandmaster, like a proud cat after catching an elusive mouse.
Albedo bit his tongue at the dangerous throb of his arm, desperately trying to remain silent as to not arouse any concern. Thankfully his wrist was dropped the second he was in Jean’s view.
“Oh- Chief Albedo, has something happened in Dragonspine?” Jean furrowed her brows worryingly, Albedo tried desperately not to focus on the obvious dark circles that now surrounded the blond woman’s eyes.
“No no, Dragonspine is fine, I've come regarding other matters.” As Albedo spoke, Kaeya quietly placed the paper he was holding onto the grandmaster’s desk, the woman glancing at him in acknowledgement.
“That is a relief. But then what might be the subject of your visit?” the woman asked, somehow sounding even more worried despite the ‘relief’ she had mentioned.
Albedo, almost warily, looked over towards the lingering Captain. The taller man flashed the shorter blond an innocent smile, as though unaware of the fact he's staying put only to hear the reason for Albedo’s arrival. The alchemist narrowed his eyes at the other man briefly, before walking up to the Grandmaster’s desk, placing the document he carried down gently before the woman.
“I must request a sick leave.” the shorter man spoke, his voice void of any indication of illness or strain, features perfect like any other day.
Kaeya’s expression turned inquisitive while Jean furrowed her brows, picking up and looking over the document. The Cavalry Captain didn't so much as hide the fact he leaned over Jean’s shoulder to inspect it himself. So much for not making it a big deal.
“‘Sustained serious and/or possibly irreversible shoulder damage’?” the woman grimaced as she read the words out, looking up at the Chief investigator with sorrowful eyes. Albedo felt rather guilty for putting more strain on the woman.
“Yes. It has been a reoccurring problem for a long while, it had simply worsened these last few weeks.”
“Why didn't you seek help before it got to this point then?” the blond woman gently lowered the paper back onto the desk, looking directly into Albedo’s cyan eyes. Even Kaeya looked somewhat disapproving. “Barbara would be more than happy to assist with recovery.”
“I have not anticipated it getting worse. Barbara had already provided me with balm which procured relief, what it is now was a sudden change.” Albedo responded honestly, feeling as though he was being scolded by a parent. Not that he really knew what that'd be like.
“Well, your leave is granted, however, I’d like the first thing you do to be visiting Barbara.”
“Understood. Thank you, Grandmaster Jean.” and the blond turned, taking a couple steps towards the door, but as Albedo was about to leave he felt a weight on his shoulders, a sudden, firm squeeze sent a wave of pain down his back, making the short blond jump away from the touch, whimpering pitifully and closing his eyes.
“Kaeya-!” Jean’s panicked voice was all Albedo could hear over the sudden ringing, the alchemist could feel his knees hit the ground as he clutched onto his shoulder, the pain akin to that he felt on dragonspine, again, rendering him useless.
This... Wasn't Kaeya’s fault. The man likely triggered a small jolt right as the shoulder decided to throb. Albedo couldn't quite pinpoint why he wished to assure the other man as opposed to focusing on the agonising pain.
The blond felt a hand on his back, large as it rubbed reassuringly and gently against the fabric of his coat.
After a few agonising seconds, a minute at most, Albedo began to open his eyes again, one at a time, the sound of the world slowly returning back to him.
“-do-! Albedo, are you ok?!” the first thing he heard was a panicked Jean, she was the first thing he saw too, crouched before him with terrified eyes.
“I-’m fine.” The alchemist managed to choke out, coming back to his senses as the pain began to dull. Persistently he got up, with only a bit of struggle, letting go of his shoulder warily.
There was still a hand on his back, guiding him upwards, but he didn't quite register it yet.
“Why did you grab his shoulders-?!” Jean directed her gaze somewhere behind Albedo, likely at Keaya, clear distress in her voice. The blond looked behind him too, seeing an uncharacteristically worried Cavalry Captain, his hand still pressed delicately against Albedo’s spine.
But as Kaeya opened his mouth, likely to apologise, Albedo shook his head at the both of them, returning to look up at Jean, his composure back almost completely,
“It was not Kaeya’s fault. His action was simply unfortunately timed.” the blond spoke up, leaning out of the blunette’s supporting touch to signal that he was alright now, hearing the other’s hand fall to his side with a brush against fabric.
“I- how long has this been going on? Is it a common occurrence?” Jean got up from her crouching position, towering somewhat over the alchemist. The blond man shook his head,
“About two weeks, these ‘attacks’ tend to happen periodically- I have not yet deciphered their pattern... if there is one.”
What followed was a semi-tense silence, Jean's worried eyes scanning the now-composed man before her, again looking behind him with knowing eyes, likely locking them with the man with the eye-patch.
Albedo sighed.
“Do not worry, I plan to study the condition and what its cause may be, I will also be sure to consult Barbara when I need to.” The alchemist attempted to lift the spirit and assure the Grandmaster, hoping his words would be enough to grant him freedom from the room.
No such luck, though.
“I understand but... What if you experience another attack when alone in your lab?” Jean was worried all the same. Rightfully so, honestly.
“I’ll find someone to assist me, then.”
And there was some more silence. Jean’s expression thoughtful as she folded her arms over her chest, clearly trying to come up with a suitable ‘assistant’ for the alchemist herself.
“Hm. I fail to see the problem.” Kaeya suddenly spoke up, granting him the attention of the two blonds, his smile charismatic yet surprisingly coy as he soon locked his eye with the shorter man.
Albedo had a hard time bringing himself to look away, the man’s features so handsomely defined and alluring, deserving of all the attention he gets in the street.
Deserving of being painted.
The star in the Captain's eye almost shone, his smile bright and reassuring, features having softened the second they landed on the alchemist.
Jean made a questioning noise, ushering her childhood friend to speak his mind. And he did.
“I can take care of Albedo.” and the shorter man recognised a shift in his eyes, no longer innocent as they gleamed with mischief.
Something told Albedo that Kaeya had ulterior motives.
But all he could do was agree.