#'why does he have so many names' bedo

[mimi-cee-genshin]

Until You're Convinced - Subject Two x f!reader

Summary: Albedo is struck on Dragonspine and asks Subject Two to get help. But when he runs into you, your warmth causes him to fall for you. He knows your relationship can't last; you've mistaken him for Albedo. Yet, he continues to desire to be by your side, even if the one you long for isn't him.

Other Info: Subject Two/Fake Albedo/ Rubedo x f!reader, Albedo x reader (one-sided); fluff and angst with happy ending; 1.0k; lightly edited

Notes: Felt like sharing what's basically the outline of my Subject Two idea here. I don't think I have time to write this one even those I love this idea. Maybe one day.

*****

You have a crush on Albedo and you see him frantically running around Mondstadt looking for someone. You wonder what's wrong with him. He's actually Subject Two and he's looking for Lumine for help because Albedo is in trouble. He's currently in a sort of hibernation mode in Dragonspine so he won't lose control and destroy Mondstadt in the process.

When Subject Two comes back after finding Lumine, you offer him a meal and a rest after his long search. He's touched by your smile and the care that you give him – before he remembers he needs to pretend to be Albedo.

Your insecurities eat away at your insides. You think that Albedo is in love with Lumine because of how much he sought after her, and with a heavy heart, you admit to (Fake) Albedo that you're in love with him.

After that day, Subject Two runs into you often at the restaurant while he's working with Lumine and some of the Knights to help Albedo. You're still kind and friendly with him, but despite his aloof and slightly cynical personality, he can empathize with your unrequited love for Albedo because of his own unrequited familial love.

He often wants to see you because you radiate a warmth that he never experienced. Yet he knows you treat him this way because you think he's Albedo. As a result, he continues to act kind and friendly like Albedo would.

One day, you tell him you're going on vacation and plan to take a trip to Liyue. Surprisingly, Subject Two asks to come with you. (He tells himself it's not out of character for Albedo to ask this.)

You chat with him as you stroll through the streets of Liyue and you buy little souvenirs for people back in Mondstadt. You ask him when is his birthday, and he tells you he doesn't know, forgetting that he's supposed to be Albedo. You decide you can celebrate his birthday today and buy him a red scarf.

He's surprised you thought to give him a present. But because you misinterpret of his reaction, you ask if you shouldn't give it to him because he likes Lumine. Subject Two recalls how much Albedo talked about you and wouldn't be surprised if Albedo did love you back. He tells you that he likes you too.

From that day on, your relationship with each other grows. He gives you a necklace on your birthday in return for the scarf and you bring him along on your days off to wherever your feet would take you.

But Subject Two continues to deny the fact that he isn't really Albedo. He had pretended to be Albedo before, so why take his identity like he did before?

However, it had been years since he created that cryo whopper flower and he began to have a good relationship with Albedo after that. In fact, Albedo was the one who told Subject Two to pretend to be him while he was locked away on Dragonspine. He didn't want people like Klee to worry. Yet, Subject Two wanted to continue to be by your side, causing the turmoil inside his heart.

Lumine comes to Subject Two, telling him they've found a solution for Albedo. Knowing he can't continue with his relationship with you, he tells you that he needs to break up with you because soon he's going to forget everything that happened with you. You urge him to explain himself but he can't bear to tell you the truth that he wasn't Albedo. You were in love with Albedo, not him.

He disappears on you, telling you to forget him and you are left in despair. When Albedo returns to Mondstadt, he really doesn't know anything that happened between the two of you. But it's too hard for you to pretend as if those times together never existed.

Several months later, Subject Two is at Albedo's camp in Dragonspine. He's been hiding out in the mountain ever since. It's where he always lived anyway.

He opens the trunk full of his belongings, sees the red scarf you gave him and wraps it around his neck. You walk up from behind him and he stuffs the scarf in the trunk and closes it.

You say you recognize him and he admits it's true. He has met you once as Subject Two but he didn't really talk to you.

You say you wanted to see him, but he says you barely knew him. In a sense, it was true you never knew him. He pretended to be Albedo the whole time without showing his true personality. You tell him that you can start to get to know him now. He brushes you off and tells you to do whatever you want.

Little by little, you come to visit him on Dragonspine. And little by little, Subject Two would slip up on things he's not supposed to know about you until you finally tell him, "Albedo, never lost his memory, did he?"

He snaps at you and pretends he doesn't know what you're talking about. But he sees that you're wearing the necklace he gave you, hoping the Albedo you knew would come back. You ask him again if it was him, if he was the one you spent all that time with.

You tell him of all the things you missed about him and it dawns on him that you listed things related to his personality and not Albedo's. More and more of his personality slipped through the more he spent time with you and he didn't even notice.

At this point, Subject Two is still in denial that you'd still choose him over Albedo. "Then why is it that, after only meeting you a few times, I only think about you? You won't leave my mind," you tell him.

He finally gives up and tells you all about who he is. That he was a failed experiment. That he had tried to kill Albedo before. That Albedo was stuck in Mondstadt and asked him to take on his identity.

He doesn't know how to take all of this in. He doesn't understand why you'd want him over Albedo. So you tell him you'll stay by his side until he's convinced that you really do love him.

*****

I hope you liked this even if it's not a full fic like I usually do. Please check out my other fics if you enjoyed this one. :)

[h0ney-mochi]

meowmouche brainrot fr :((

it's midnight and i'm craving chocolate milk & albedo smut. none of which i have yet.

so reader calls him over one day to help test their "experiment" and albedo complies because he's a sweetheart. they start whatever and albedo wonders how this is related to alchemy... and that little "experiment" is actually a dildo, reader wants to try it on him. :)

HONEY IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE

Albedo x reader ;; readers pronouns not mentioned

SMUT/NSFW CONTENT (sub albedo, toy usage (dildo as seen in the ask <3), slight degradation and praise)

Summary: You called for Albedo, so he could help you test an "experiment" and, of course, he agrees! Yet he's confused as to why are you.. holding that and how is it related to this experiment? But he founds out pretty soon!

A/n: craving chocolate milk at midnight sounds pretty painful, if you don't get to drink it </3 hope that you were good in the end though! As for this, IT'S A GOOD IDEA AJDBSNNR- I hope the scenario isn't too bad, still need to get my confidence back >_<

Minor writer, dni if uncomfortable!

When you asked Albedo for his help to test one of your "experiments", he agreed right away. Of course he'll help his dearest in anything. Except when you had.. something that doesn't seem related to alchemy or your experiment.

"My apologies for interrupting, dear, but.. What will- um.." Albedo gazes at the toy in your hand, then back at you, "What usage will that have?" You laugh for a moment, smiling at him right after. He stares at you with a nervous look — your expression being one of your many teasing looks.

"Oh, 'Bedo," you lean closer, "This will be of high usage."

...

His hands grasped at the edge of your table as his head fell back, moans slipping past his lips. You leaned down to kiss his cheek, continuing to thrust the toy inside him. "Tell me," you whisper, "How does it feel?" Albedo nods quickly, about to say something, but another high moan interrupts. "Use your words," you smile slightly, slowing down.

"Don't—! Mmh, don't stop, please," he whines, trying to move to get more of it, "It feels so good,,," You speed the toy up again, also wrapping your hand around his neglected dick. He moans, his hands gripping the edge again, "Fuck, AH- [name], please-! That's too much-!" Albedo thrusts in your hand and you only push the dildo further.

You coo in his ear, "Look at you. You look like a slut, taking my toy so well." He whines, blush on his face more vibrant. "Such a good boy," you say, kissing his neck, "Tell me how good it feels." "Feels so good— fuck, so good, so- ah, shit, so good-!" He says between his noises as you speed your hand on his dick.

It's not long until he's panting and moaning about how he's oh so close with your name on his tongue. You littered a few bites on his neck, spoke few words and you felt him shake in your hands, gasping. You could feel his release on your hand, you slowing down. After a moment you pulled the toy out of him. Albedo head falls on the table as he breathes, still slightly shaking from all of this.

"..Albedo?" You kiss on a mark, "Are you alright?" He mumbles something before turning his head slightly. "Y-yeah, I'm alright, don't worry," he sighs out, small smile on his face. You chuckle, lidding your eyes, "You know this isn't the end of the experiment, right?" His eyes widen slightly as you continue to speak.

"I have a few more things I'd like to try."

[lovelyney]

───────BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT──────

DESC: For this Windblume, the Knights of Favonius decide to hold a grand ball, and Albedo decides to ask you !!

PAIRINGS: Albedo x (F!) Reader

SCENT: Fluff with a hint of hurt/comfort

WARNINGS: Panic attacks, Albert being a creep (don’t worry it isn’t anything too bad.)

FLORIST’S NOTE: I need to stop making empty promises, LMFAO. I’m proud of this piece, ngl; it’s 4,000 words long, which is why it forever to edit. . . Let me know if you want a continuation !!

SONG: I Hear a Symphony, Cody Fry.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯2023 !! #©LOVELYNEY

ALBEDO SAT AT HIS DESK, pen resting between his fingers as he scribbled down some notes from his latest experiment. After meeting the others, he wanted to take some time to himself—the silence bringing him some sense of tranquility.

A soft knock on the door burst the silence like a balloon. “Come in, but please watch your step.” Albedo forewarned, gaze primarily focused on the various papers littered on his desk.

Sucrose walked in, quietly shutting the door behind her. “Um, my—my apologies if I’m interrupting something important, mister Albedo. I just found something that I think you might be interested in,” she said. 

He raised an eyebrow, his interest piquing. “Oh? Does it have to do with that paper you’re holding?”

She slid the flyer she held over to him, a confident look in her eyes. “The Knights of Favonius are holding a ball for Windblume this year! I—I know you don’t really prefer social gatherings, but I remembered you mentioned something about wanting to take (NAME) out somewhere. . . So, I figured this was something you could consider.” She acknowledged.

The gentle tapping of his pen against the desk stopped at the mention of you; you were a popular baker amongst Monstandt and one of a few of Albedo’s close friends. He met you when Klee dragged him to your bakery one day and found himself enchanted with how you carried yourself.

The alchemist skimmed through the flyer’s contents while remaining deep in thought. He couldn’t help but smile at the idea of dancing with you—one of the many things he’s dreamed of doing with you.

His fingers drummed his desk as he sighed; “as much as I would love to take (NAME) to this. I am. . . unaware how she feels about these kinds of events herself.”

Sucrose nodded and held back a giggle, not used to her mentor being so love-stricken. “I considered that as well. . . I believe Timaeus is asking his crush to go with him! So it wouldn’t hurt to ask! I know how long you’ve been wanting to confess to her. . .” The girl encouraged.

A shiver crawled up Albedo’s spine at the contemplation of confessing. There was nothing more he wanted than to be with you romantically, but aside from the notes he documented, he didn’t know a thing about pursuing that kind of relationship. What if he screws it up and hurts you in the process? The thought alone made him want to throw up. But then again, Sucrose proved a point; he wouldn’t know without trying.

He exhaled slowly, “alright, I’ll go and find her when I’m finished up here. Thanks, Sucrose.”

She nodded excitedly. “n—no problem! I’m pretty sure she closes at six today. . . Good luck, mister Albedo!”

The rest of the day seemed to fly by without Albedo noticing. with thoughts of you engraved in his head and his research, he never bothered to peek outside his window or check the time.

After locking up the lab for the day, he peered up at the city’s clock, eyes widening when the time read 6:02. “Was I really working for so long? She should still be cleaning up. . . Hopefully, I’m not too late.” He thought and headed to the bakery. When he reached there, he breathed a sigh of relief at seeing you wiping down the counters.

The sound of the doors opening caused your head to turn. “‘Bedo? What brings you here at this time?” You wondered.

He smiled, “hello, (NAME). My apologies for coming in rather late, but I was hoping I could ask something of you.”

Your lips pressed together as you nodded timidly. You weren’t sure what you could offer him since your guys’ jobs were completely different. “Oh! Of course, what is it?” 

Albedo pulled out the flyer and handed it to you. “The Knights of Favonius are holding a dance for this Windblume. . . If you wouldn’t mind, I would like you to accompany me to it,” he requested blatantly.

You blinked in astonishment, the heat of a volcano suddenly soaking you. “A—Accompany you to the dance? Um. . . are—are you sure you’d want me too?” You doubted, voice hushed. It’s not like you didn’t want to go—far from it, actually.

He tilted his head, carefully studying your expression. “I don’t see why not? Is there perhaps something I’m missing in terms of bringing someone along? Or do you not want to come?” Stewed the alchemist.

Your eyes dilated, feeling your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach at his tone; you’ve never heard him sound so deflated. “Nonono! Of course, I’ll go with you! It’s just that I thought you’d want to bring someone a bit more. . . closer to you.” You interjected and fidgeted with your fingers underneath the table. “I cannot believe I just said that. . . I probably sounded so desperate.”

He quietly sighed in relief, sapphire irises picking up your nervous habits. “Well, (NAME). . . Statistically speaking, I consider you the closest person to me in all of Monstandt,” he laughed heartily.

Oh.

“So shall I see you there?” He asked and tucked the flyer in his jacket pocket, eagerly awaiting your response.

Letting out a quiet breath, you wiped your palms against your pants. “Y—Yeah! I’ll be there. . .” you muttered, the sound of your heartbeat plugging your ears.

Albedo grinned, lightly holding your waist and laying a soft kiss on your forehead. “That’s my girl. . . I’ll see you then. Until then, love.”

“Albedo asked you to the ball? (NAME) That’s adorable!” Amber beamed from the opposite side of the table. 

“Haven’t you had a crush on him for months now? why are you so on edge about going?” Eula piped in and swished her drink around before sipping it.

Blood promptly rushed to your face as you frantically looked around town. “Shushshush! He could be around here, you know!” You spluttered and slapped your hands over your face, embarassed.

Eula and Amber were both good friends of yours and knew of both your anxiety and massive crush on Albedo. With the dance closing in, you asked them to meet you at Good Hunter in hopes of them offering some kind of advice.

You clarified, “it’s not him that worries me, Eula. I’m scared I’m going to get overwhelmed with how many people will be there.”

The outrider’s expression slightly withered, but she nodded sympathetically. “Oh, I see. . . Is there a reason you haven’t mentioned anything about it to him?”

You propped your chin on your palms and sighed; “I don’t think so. . . Albedo is really kind and patient with me, so I don’t think he’d make fun of me for it. It’s simply that what if he finds me a nuisance and doesn’t want to go with me anymore?”

Eula scoffed with a roll of her amber eyes. “If he mentions anything even remotely similar to that, he won’t live to see another day.” She threatened and flashed you a smile. 

Amber smacked her shoulder. “Eula! (NAME), from what I’ve heard, Albedo rarely even makes small talk with people. . . So for him to ask you to the ball, he must trust and care about you a lot! And if it’s any consolation, Eula and I will be there, so we’ll make sure to check on you!” She assured.

The corners of your lips tugged into a half smile, your friends’ words bringing down your anxiety a little. “Thank you, guys. . . I really appreciate it.” You said. “Except there’s one more problem. . .”

“And what might that be...?”

“I have nothing to wear. . .”

After what felt like an eternity of shopping, you finally settled on a white and puffy gown. You rarely dolled yourself up, but Amber and Eula insisted that you go all out for this occasion—with Amber declaring, “we have to secure your chances of Albedo falling in love with you!” You had no clue where she got that idea from. Still, it was nice to think about. . .

“You’re going to look so pretty, (NAME)! I guarantee all eyes will be on you!” Squealed the brunette as you three stepped out of the incredibly costly dress shop.

Eula nodded and ruffled your hair. “I second that. if Albedo won’t dance with you, then I sure as hell will,” she affirmed.

“Oh? Out shopping, are you, (NAME)?” A familiar voice said from behind.

You nearly fainted when you turned and saw Albedo standing there, a smile gracing his lips. “A—Albedo? I wasn’t expecting to see you out here. . .” You commented, your voice growing significantly smaller and quieter.

Amber giggled and stood in front of you so he couldn’t get a glimpse of what was inside your bag. “No, no! You’re not allowed to see yet, Albedo! No peeking!” She gushed.

The alchemist crossed his arms, finding your sudden coyness nothing short of amusing. “Is that so. . . How cute, no wonder (NAME) has turned so shy. . .” He expressed, glacial irises observing you delicately.

As if gasoline coursed through your veins, and he lit the match, your skin engulfed in warmth. “Did he just call me cute? Did I hear that correctly? Barbatos, please give me the strength not to pass out right now. . .”

Eula huffed and pressed you forward. “Yes, yes, we know. She’s cute. Now, come on, (NAME). . . Don’t you know it’s bad luck to see your bride before the day of the wedding?” She teased.

“BRIDE?! E—EULA!”

Albedo chuckled as he watched the spindrift knight drag you away, your face rivaling the color of a ripe apple. “Hopefully, one day, (NAME). . .” he murmured.

Attempting to focus had never been so difficult. . . While Amber excitedly talked to Eula, all you could concentrate on was the excessively deafening music that echoed through the room—well, that and your racing heartbeat. You couldn’t tell if it was because of the crowded room or because it longed to see your date. 

“What if he forgot and I came here for no reason?” You panicked internally and rhythmically tapped your heels against the marble floor, fingers absentmindedly fumbling with the pair of white gloves which adorned them. Truthfully, the ball had barely started yet, so you didn’t really know why you felt so doubtful. 

A small figure wrapped around your legs, forcing you out of your withered thoughts. You looked down, only to smile when you recognized a familiar tuff of light-blonde hair. “Oh! Hello there, Klee!” You smiled and crouched down, letting the girl properly wrap her arms around you.

“Big sis! Klee’s so happy you’re here! Your dress is super pretty!” She bubbled and pulled away, the twinkle in her eyes challenging the stars in the night sky.

You giggled, your worries briefly melting away at the girl’s excitement. “And your braids are super cute!~ Who did them?”

“That would be me. . .”

Startled by the familiar voice, your eyes flew up to confirm who it was. Your heart nearly jumped out of your chest when you saw Albedo dressed in a well-fitted white dress shirt, light blue vest and tie, and black dress pants.

He simpered—his cyan irises sizing you up. “I’m very rarely taken aback, but wow. . . You far exceeded my expectations, (NAME). Your glow far passes the moonlight as if it’s but a cheap imitation of you.” He voiced and helped you to your feet, his lips igniting multiple sparks where they lay on your wrist.

You opened your mouth to speak, only for the words to fizz away on your tongue. Did he drink some kind of potion before coming here? Was this the same Albedo you knew? You couldn’t be too sure. . .

“You’re going to have to forgive her. . . She’s a little starstruck!” Amber disputed and wrapped one of her hands around your arm, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Look at you, Klee! You look so pretty!”

The small elf giggled, her small hand enveloping her brother’s. “Thank you, miss Amber! Oh! Oh! Doesn’t (NAME) look like a princess from a fairytale, Albedo? Klee thinks she looks super pretty!” She bubbled and tugged excitedly on his sleeve.

“Oho, so Klee already approves of you guys? Look at you go, (NAME). I told you you had nothing to worry about!” teased Eula as she walked over, grinning cheekily at you. “She wouldn’t stop talking about you on the way here, Albedo.”

“EULA?!” you screeched and hid behind your other friend. You know, the one who didn’t rat you out. 

Despite your impulsive embarrassment, Albedo bit his lip and chuckled softly, amused by it. He cooed, “really now? I suppose I can only hope her lips are as sweet as she is.” He then walked up to you, grabbing your arm and pulling you closer to him so he could see you. “You know, (NAME). . . Klee’s not wrong, now is she? You certainly do look like a princess straight from a fairy tale. . . You fit that role quite flawlessly.”  

You shuffled through your brain for something to say, struggling with how countless thoughts spilled over. Looking away coyly, you spoke barely above a whisper, “would that make you my prince then. . .?”

Adoration glazed over his eyes, oh how he wished you would look at him; he adored your pretty (COLOR) eyes. “Hm? That depends. . . Would you like me to be? I would be more than honored to have you as my princess.” He crooned.

Eula crossed her arms, staring intently at his hand on your arm. “And this princess is irreplaceable. . . So you’d better handle her as if she’s the most treasured glass statue in all of Teyvat,” she quipped sharply.

Albedo nodded and offered a tranquil smile. “Eula, if we were to play with the idea of fragile pieces of art, then I must admit—(NAME) is more akin to a statue crafted entirely out of the purest diamond as her value is boundless. I believe it was once said that diamond was a symbol of eternal love. I will ensure she’s treated as such.” Reassured the alchemist, his fingers smoothing circles on your wrist.

Amber looked over at you, laughing sympathetically as you kept your lips tightly pressed together. “Alright, let’s give these two some alone time, Eula. . . You come too, Klee!” She butted and beckoned the two to follow behind her. “I’ll come back to check on you, alright, (NICKNAME)? You’ve got this!”

Albedo tilted his head curiously, worry casting over his eyes. He wondered, “hm? Why does she need to check on you? Are you by chance feeling anxious or something of the sort?”

Almost resigned to his accuracy, you let out a sigh, dreading how he could get it so right from just one sentence. You felt vulnerable yet comforted that he could grasp you so effortlessly. “Only a little. . . I tend to get a little overwhelmed in crowded places. I’ll be alright, though!” You informed.

He frowned and pressed his lips to your pulse point. “And you still agreed to accompany me here? Your compassion shows no bounds, (NAME). . . I do wish you would’ve mentioned this earlier; I could’ve created a potion that could help numb those types of feelings. Regardless, make sure to take deep breaths to help ground yourself. I promise you wholeheartedly that I’ll take care of you.” He consoled, voice as smooth as the silk he adorned in that night.

As he finished speaking, a pair of voices shouted for him. “Albedoo ~ Over here!” Venti crowed and waved his hands like a maniac, most likely already intoxicated.

With an exasperated sigh, Albedo kissed your jaw, his heart fluttering when you let out a short laugh. He lamented, “I can never get some time alone with you these days. . . Let me go see what they want, and I’ll be right back, alright, princess?”

“Mhm! I’ll be over here if you need me,” you replied and watched him leave your peripheral vision. Deflated, you strode over to the food table and grabbed a water bottle, hoping a drink of water would help alleviate your nerves. You took a few sips and looked around the room to get your bearings and remind yourself why you agreed to come. Where was Amber when you needed her?

“Excuse me. . .”

Your shoulders tensed as you swung around, an overpowering panic settling in your gut when you saw a male with choppy blonde hair standing there. “Yes? Can I help you?” You gulped and stood stiff as a board; you weren’t comfortable with strangers, and the way this guy stared at you made you feel trapped. The feeling was similar to that of a small animal cornered by a predator, anxiously searching for an escape route but none being available.

He smiled, resting his hand near yours. “I couldn’t help but notice you were standing by yourself and thought you wanted some company. . . The name’s Albert; what’s yours, pretty one?” He hummed and reached to grab your hand

Your water bottle crinkled as you squeezed it, retracting your hand and pressing it to your chest. “I feel like I’m going to throw up.” You thought and frantically looked through the sea of people in search of someone you knew. “I’m fine. My date’s just talking to someone at the moment; please—”

“But it’d be a real shame to leave such a pretty woman alone. I bet I could treat you so much better than whoever you’re with.”

“Judging by how uneasy she is and how unmannered you are, the statistics that you treat my date better than me are meager.” Albedo spoke coldly and shielded you away from him. “To treat women with so little regard is quite the pathetic trait to hold; it’s that same reason why you have not got a date yourself.”

Albert’s eye twitched, his knuckles turning white from how hard he clenched his fists. “Excuse me? Just who do you think you are?” He snarled; his face contorted in rage and teeth bared as he glared at Albedo.

Your heart hammered in your ears as you desperately sought to bring yourself down from an upcoming panic attack. You could feel your breath becoming shallow and your chest tightening as you clenched your fists and reminded yourself to stay in control. It was like trying to battle a tidal wave with a sandcastle—no matter how much you tried to resist, the surge of anxiety was almost staggering.

Through the sea of voices and blur of faces, Albedo’s voice echoed in your thoughts. His steady, soothing voice like a beacon, guiding and leading you through the stormy waves of uncertainty.

“(NAME)? Goodness, you’re trembling. . . Focus on my voice and breathe for me, okay? He’s gone now; he can’t hurt you. . .” The boy muttered and cradled your face in his gentle hands, peppering it in small kisses. “You’re going to be okay, sweet one. . . Come on, breathe with me mhm? In. . . and out.” 

Binding his instructions, you followed his breathing, and the tingling in your fingers gradually decreased. One by one, everyone’s voices filled your ears, and you could see clearly again. “Where—where did he go?”

He shook his head and carefully rested his hand on the small of your back, his thumb tracing circles. “The knights escorted him out, love. They’ll probably have him thrown into confinement; you’re safe.” He assured, gently wiping sweat beads off your forehead. His head lifted when a slow song played on the speakers. With a warm smile, he offered his hand out. “Shall we dance? By focusing your attention on something else, it should distract you from the event that triggered your anxiety.”

Your heart catches in your throat at the proposal, eyes glued to his extended hand. “A—Albedo, I can’t. . . I don’t—”

the dance i had in mind !!

“—know how? You don’t need to, love. All you have to do is follow my lead.” He cajoled and took your hand in his, leading you to the centre of the room. “You don’t mind me being this close, do you?” He murmured right above your ear, his hands enveloping your waist. 

“A—as long as you don’t. . .” you uttered breathlessly, struggling to hold yourself together. His touch was feather light, yet it made your heart ram against your ribcage—his slender fingers drawing shapes on your hips. “What if people think we’re dating. . .”

He spun you around so that you faced him, his eyes—deep pools of glacial blue—glazed over with raw adoration upon meeting your (COLOR) ones. He cooed, “oh? Then let them think that, princess. . . When you are as ravishing as you are, I could not care less who stares. I am rather honored to be your date, and to be perceived as your partner is a rumor that I’m far from concerned about.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, your senses infiltrated by Albedo’s gentle touch; his hands seemed to perfectly fit your figure as if they were made for you. his fingers moved lightly across your body, caressing you with a tenderness that left you speechless. “When did you get so daring, ‘Bedo? I’m so used to you engrossed in your research. . . It’s a little jarring.”

Albedo chuckled. “Daring? Is that what you’d call it? I certainly don’t hear you complaining. . . Teasing aside, I’m only speaking from my heart, love. You’re truly captivating; I know I haven’t been vocal about it until now, but I’ve always thought of you as such.” Hummed the blonde, his words like a steady stream of honey to your ears—sweeter than any melody you could recall. He always seemed to know exactly what to say to get your heart beating louder.

Thinking on your words carefully, you rested your hand on the back of his neck and indistinctively drew him closer. You stood in a moment of contemplation, trying to gauge his reaction and measure the weight of your words. “Hmm. . . and what if I told you I felt the same?”

He couldn’t fight the smile that blossomed on his lips, like a blooming flower that had been touched by the sun or a sudden splash of colour in an otherwise gray landscape. “Well, pretty girl, I’d be truly and utterly flattered that you find me as captivating as I do you. However, I believe you to be the very definition of beautiful, so I don’t think my attractiveness quite matches your own,” he swooned.

“Don’t be so modest, Albedo. . . Kreideprinz literally translates to “chalk prince.” Not only that, but you’re incredibly intelligent,” you said. “Many girls are smitten with you, which is why I’m surprised you chose me out of everyone.”

Albedo quietly tutted and tilted your chin up, biting back his desire when his eyes met yours. “And you call me modest? Oh, princess. . . if only you could look at yourself through my vision. My heart isn’t set on other women but on you. you’ve had my complete attention and devotion since we first met.” He professed, watching your pupils dilate with the very same desire held back. 

Hearing the music slow down, he caved in and placed his forehead against yours, his nose gently nudging yours. He closed his eyes and breathed you in, his hunger for you causing his breath to waver. He was starved of kissing you for months, and holding you so close made him tremble. “F—forgive me for being so brash, but my sense of control slips through my fingers the more you look at me like that. . .” He muttered and thumbed at your bottom lip. “Feel free to call me out if this is inappropriate, but can I kiss you?”

Without skipping a beat, you looped your arms loosely around his neck and pulled him flush against you, brushing your lips against his. Electricity surged through your veins as his hands rested on your hips. You tilted your head and gently deepened the kiss, exploring the contours of his lips.

He responded eagerly, pressing his body against yours and letting out a low growl against your mouth. You tasted of strawberry champagne blended with desire, and it intoxicated him more than any other alcoholic beverage could ever do. Resisting the want to poke his tongue through your parted lips, he reluctantly parted from you—heart whirring with desire at your flushed face and half-lidded eyes.

“I sure do hope that whoever thought they had a chance with you saw that. . . Because as your prince, I hereby declare that you’re mine.”

“THAT’S OUR GIRL! GET IT (NAME)!” “Venti, I believe my prediction was correct. . . Now, as for the payment?” “PLEASE, NOT MY LIMITED EDITION WINE.”

[primofate]

im feeling kinda akward since its my first time requesting,i really really really like your writings and im wondering if you could do some angst for albedo, anything you feel like tbh, but if may i be a little selfish i was thinking on something like he hurt you, so you break up with him or maybe he break up with you and regret later, im in love with the genius and your writings so why not lol, hope you are doing well, xoxoxooxox

Thanks for the request anon. <3 Sorry it took so long, but I’m feeling angst today so here goes. Let me know what you think <3

QUEUED POST

Scenario: Breaking up

Characters: gn! reader x Albedo

Warnings: angst, break ups, regrets, did I say angst?

Categories: angst in Part 1, comfort in Part 2 (It was getting too long so split it into two parts)

Read: (Part 2) (Part 3 - Final)

Albedo

Alone.

These days you found yourself alone in your shared home. It had been nearly a year since the two of you decided to live together. Maybe that was a bad idea.

You were smitten. He was such an intelligent man, and truth be told you loved how his mind worked. He was silent and mostly kept to himself at first, but with you, there were subtle touches, fleeting kisses. Oh and his eyes, the way his eyes brightened or the way his lips turned up at the sight of you. The way he held you close at nights, up until the morning.

Gone were those days. 

He was hardly home. The intelligent man you had fallen in love with, was also a workaholic. Perhaps you should’ve seen it coming. There were so many signs.

Maybe he changed. Maybe you changed. But the little things weren’t enough anymore. He came home just to sleep and wake up, and he was off again. 

“Bedo, have you got some time off on the weekend? We haven’t been up to Starsnatch Cliff in a while,” you had prodded him a few days ago, wondering if the problem would be solved if you made the first move. 

“Sorry, Y/N, we’re just about to discover more about the properties of electro crystals... It’ll be useful if we want to sustain higher energy concentrations on...” and just like that he had gone off a tangent explaining the whole thing. You smiled a little, it was still endearing how excited he got discussing those things. 

But you couldn’t help but be lonely at how he seemed to love his research more than you. 

‘Maybe I just need to be more proactive. That’s it! I’ll go and visit him at the lab today!’ Surprising him was one of the things that you had always wanted to do. But not a lot of things got past Albedo. He was observant like that. You made a quick run to the bakery, getting him some croissants and welcomed yourself into the Favonius Headquarters. 

You looked up at the sign on his laboratory door. That sign was always there though, Klee had told you about it, and Sucrose had also talked about it once or twice before, telling you that it wouldn’t be a good idea to go in if the sign was up. But when was it ever down? So, you shrugged, and pushed the door open with a wide smile.

“What are you doing here?!” There’s a wild look in Albedo’s eyes the moment you step in. He didn’t appreciate being disturbed. You tilted your head a little at his reaction, you weren’t expecting that.

“Oh, since you’ve been so busy these days I just thought I’d drop by and give you something to--”

“Y/N, did you not see the sign on the door? No disturbances, even from you,”

“I’ll just be quick, I’m just dropping this off,” you lift the paper bag from the bakery and lay it down on the nearest table. Albedo closes his eyes with a sigh. 

“...We’re working on something dangerous right now, I don’t have time to eat. Please take it back,”

Surprisingly, you obey quite quickly, and take the paper bag back into your hands. Annoyance start to pulse in your veins. “Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

Sucrose had been standing there the whole time, and you can see the slight wince on her face at your cold statement... But Albedo had returned it ten fold, snapping an answer back. “Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

You didn’t expect how much it would sting. Your shoulders slump downwards at the realization that this... had gone too far. You couldn’t take it anymore. Sucrose opens her mouth, but doesn’t know what to say looking back and forth between you and Albedo. 

The Kreideprinz had continued with his task as if nothing had happened at all, but he knew what he said. He didn’t want any interferences nor accidents happening in the lab and that was the only thing he cared about at the moment. 

Your foot moves to step back, but your eyes are glued to Albedo. You can only see his back. His hair tied up neatly, the shoulders that you loved to wrap your arms around and his hands that were always gentle. You took a good look, drinking the whole scene in like you hadn’t had a drop of water in days. 

This was the last time you would lay eyes on him and it broke you into so many pieces. You turned away without another word, Sucrose staring at the door, before she decided that she needed to follow you. “I-I’ll be back, Master Albedo,” she rarely ever abandoned an experiment, but she knew that you needed a friend right now. 

Ironic, because it should have been Albedo running after you, but instead the green-haired girl caught up to you just as you reached the fountain in the middle of Mondstadt. “Y/N!” she jogs, and stops when you do as you hear your name.

Tears prickled your cheeks, but they were more of frustration than sadness. You stand there for a moment, drying your tears and turning around towards Sucrose, gaze on the pavement. “Y/N...” Sucrose approaches carefully, hand resting on your shoulder.

“...I don’t know anything other than Albedo, Sucrose,” you start, a curtain of memories flashing through your mind. “...Without him, there isn’t much reason for me to stay in Mondstadt,” Sucrose shakes her head rather hastily. “H-He’s just... a little occupied right now, Y/N, I’m sure he doesn’t mean what he said,” You close your eyes, the scene repeating in your head.

“Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

“Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

A hard lump forms on your throat at how hard you try not to sob. How hard you try to keep yourself together and Sucrose sees it from the way your lips tremble. “Sucrose, please watch over him,” and that is also the last that Sucrose sees of you. 

That night, Albedo arrives home exhausted, just as he always does. But now that he was home, he could at least expect a warm meal and a warm hug. A soft smile tugs on his lips at the thought.

When he turned the lights on, he was met with a strange stillness instead. His hand stays on the switch as his eyes scan the living room. It was...quiet. There were no plates on the table, and there were no sounds from the kitchen.

Deep in the pits of his stomach there’s an anxiety that starts bubbling up. He brushes it off, opting instead to check the kitchen. “Y/N?”

Empty. 

His footsteps hasten as he opens the bedroom door, expecting you to be curled up there, asleep. 

Empty.

Albedo takes in a shaky breath. You were probably just out in town, doing some late night shopping. Yeah, that’s it, perhaps you just didn’t have enough ingredients for dinner today and--his eyes land on the bedside table.

The photo frame is gone. The photo of the two of you standing side by side together with comfortable smiles on your faces, his hand on your waist, and the house on the background. 

He throws open the closet doors. Your clothes are gone. Your shoes are gone. Even your scent seemed to have disappeared. The anxiety that was once a small bubble in his stomach had started to claw it’s way out, wrenching his heart in places that he didn’t know could hurt. The tears pooling in his eyes were so foreign that he didn’t even know what was happening until he hears himself gasp back a sob.

You’re gone. 

Suddenly it was so hard to breathe, but he pulls himself up and out the door. There’s no way. Where would you go? Perhaps you were just around Mondstadt, trying to get a breath of fresh air to calm your nerves. He searches everywhere. The church, the tavern, the Good Hunter and even atop the rooftop of the Favonius Headquarters. There was a decent view of the city there, and his eyes roam the streets, just to get a glimpse of you.

“...Please...” There’s another lump in his throat, his eyes dart around looking for any small sign of you. 

“Albedo? Tired?” you ask as he returns home one day. He merely lets out a small “Mm,” and pulls a chair out from the dining table to sit on. You walk into the kitchen to fetch him a cup of tea, and he snatches your hand to press a soft kiss on the back of it. “Thank you, love,” 

“...Please!” his grip on the stone walls of the rooftop tighten. His vision blurs.

“Al! Don’t do that!” you try to swat his hand away from the pot, a short laugh coming off of your lips at how mischievous he could be sometimes, trying to dip his finger into the sauce. He has a grin on his face as he successfully tastes the sauce off his finger, making a sound of approval as he draws you in for a light kiss on your forehead, “It’s good, as always,” 

His legs buckle, and he finds himself on his knees, hands fisted upon the cold stone wall. “At least tell me where you've gone! I can’t--” he doesn’t know when the last time he cried was, but whenever it was, he doesn’t remember it to be this bad. The pain was unlike any injury he had, it grasped so tightly at his heart.

“Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

“Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

He furiously shakes his head because he knows that it was his fault. “I didn’t mean it, please give them back,” as if there was someone else who took you away. As if there was a God listening to him right now. 

He realizes that the worst of it was not that you had left, but that you had left no traces of you behind. No photo. Not a piece of clothing. Not a trace of your existence.

Nothing for him to hold on to.

That night, he dragged himself back home. Face flushed and hot from the tears he had shed and the ones he was attempting to hold back.

That night, he painfully got into bed.

Alone.

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[luvyumemi]

꒷꒦ˑ ֗ ִ  T○UCH 

Serving size- 1.4k

Nutritional facts- Gn! Reader + Harbinger!Reader (scara’s part) + established relationship (childe & Sara's part)

Allergy warning- Daggers, attempted assault?? (nothing too serious)

Overview-  Reader has a very good sense of touch + Reader is very strong + love confession (bedo's part) 

Contents- albedo, childe, scara 

Instructions- best read in any mode

Formula- headcanons + fast fic (300 words )

Art credits-@Orange627 twt , stalva on pixiv

“Event master list” “Main master list” “Next"

Albedo

 ▸🧼 absolutely amazed by your enhanced sense, he asks questions about it all this time. Did you inherit it? Were you just born with it? Was it something you acquired overtime? He just wants all the answers! (And maybe it is a little excuse to talk to you a bit more)

▸🧼 He worries about you when got out on commission, because of your enhanced feelings pain would feel way worse and he really just doesn't want you to push yourself that hard.

▸🧼 250 words

"(Name), what's the extent of your 5th sense?"

The question wasn't out of the blue, especially from Bedo, but the time was a bit off. You both were supposed to be on a trip just to hang out. I guess this is what bedo views as hanging out.

"Hm, well generally speaking I can feel stuff through walls, rocks or even people so that's really cool, the bad thing is thought high fives hurt a bit "

"does this also mean that simple forms of contact are more intimate for you?" 

" oh, well yeah I guess you could put it like that!"

He stared at you for quite a while almost as I'd he was looking for something to ask you.

"Can I hug you then?"

"Sure you can!"

His sudden figure holding himself around you with a comforting warmth, you wonder why all of a sudden he was being so intimate for a second, maybe a new experiment?

"Aw is this a new experiment of yours?"

"A little but mostly just because I love you."

You could feel his heart beating faster the more you stared, not even that but his face had the faintest rosy tone. 

"My apologies, it wasn't my intention to make you uncomf-"

Albedo's words were cut off by the feeling of your lips lingering on his, he was hoping for a good outcome but this is much better than anything he could have imagined.

"Can we stay like this for a bit longer?"

Childe

▸🧼 This man has tried to sneak up on you many times and failed, failed so hard. He could be in a whole different room and you'd still be able to sense his presences.

▸🧼 Brags about your skills to the other harbingers all the time, They probably have your name memorized by this point. They value your skills to be honest, they even tried to get you to join the harbingers at one point. Childe was so against the whole idea, talked you out of it even though you weren't going to take the position anyway.

▸🧼 400 words

It's been awhile, childe said he was going to be here soon and know you're sitting at the harbingers base with a mad man who experiments on kids, a sad widow who hates everything and a whiney purple haired brat.

"So your the ginger freaks spouse? I'm so sorry. A shame you have to live with that thing."

Ugh now the purple one is speaking could childe please hurry up with his mission. But I mean the man is waiting for a response, maybe he'll shut up if you give him one.

"Yes childe is my husband, and he's not as intolerable as you make him seem."

"Blinded by your so-called love I see? And here I thought you were a better one."

Better one? Thankfully you could sense childe was in the building, although it felt like something was off with his movements you ignored it.

Strangely enough all the harbingers started starting at you, is there something wrong? I mean yeah childe's standing behind you trying and emphasis on trying to scare you but this wasn't irregular behavior for him at all he tried to sneak up on you at least once a week, his efforts always went to waste though.

"Boo!"

Childe came from behind you now standing in front of you staring at him with a blank expression on your face and a rather disappointed look on his, his attempts to scare you were futile again I see.

"Aww why aren't you scared?"

"Childe I knew you were here since you stepped in the building."

"Did you all hear that? Isn't my lover so impressive!"

They all looked at you with a 'it's the third time this week, we get it your in love' type of look, but there was the purple one who looked as if he had something else to say.

"(Name), have you ever thought about joining the fatui I'm sure I could find some use for your skills."

"No than-"

"No no no! They are not joining I prohibit it, never ever will that happen!"

"Now when since did you have supreme authority over (name)? I never thought of you as the controlling type now."

"What do you mean dear mouchey? I'm not controlling I'm looking out for them, tell him (name)!"

"It's fine scaramouche . I was going to deny the position either way."

"Disappointing."

"Don't listen to him love, he has no idea what he's talking about, ok?"

 

Scaramouche

▸🧼 would never admit but he truly is impressed by your ability, he's never meet someone like you. He compares his subordinates to you alot.

"If (name) can do it with ease then why can't you? I swear everyone in this facility is illiterate!"

▸🧼 he's so scared of you holding his hand not only because he's very awkward around physical affection but also because he's scared his hand are too cold for you to touch and on top of your ability, it would take a lot of convincing. Don't worry he'll eventually come around to the idea, just be a bit patient with him!

▸🧼 the amount of times his man has thrown bottles,books daggers, weapons basically anything in his vicinity at you is astonishing. He says "it's just to keep your skills sharp". You always catch them though, no worries! Also keeps track of how long it takes you to catch things.

"You caught it 3.7% times faster than average, good job keep it up."

▸🧼 god does he wish you weren't a harbinger, yes he's aware you can hold your own and even better but what if, just what if. You'll have to assure him that you're staying with him forever. 

▸🧼 if you and childe are friends he gets soo jealous, why can't you leave the carrot haired thing alone.

▸🧼 300 words 

 

You were sitting in your office wondering about how your were going to go about stealing the hydro archons vision not as if you could barge in the place and- 

You sensed an object coming your way, seeing as how the pointed object was thrown it was probably scaramouche. Looking up from your notes about the hydro archon swiftly grabbing the blade, why was your husband so adamant on throwing things at you was beyond you.

"that was 0.7% times slower than average, have you been slacking?"

"Its not that, somethings bothering me!"

"What a pitiful excuse…"

He stared at you waiting for an answer as to what was the matter, although your husband would not admit it verbally he would cease anything or person that dared to bother you and your workflow, you had to to admit it was pretty cute.

"The hydro archon, I still don't know how I'm going to go about retrieving it."

"Leave it to someone else, you got the dendro and pyro archons gnosis, the Tsaritsa needs to understand the concept of being overworked anyway."

"But I know I can do this, I just need a little time!"

"I'm fully aware of your skills, but there this thing called self preservation or are you dumb to grasp the concept?"

You simply gave no answer and rolled your eyes in annoyance, you truly did love the man but if he could be a little bit less suffocating with his overprotective personality that would be great. You'd have to admit it was pretty cute though.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Oh nothing your just very pretty."

As the words came from your mouth you could the the reddish tint on his face.he's blushing that's so cute, you have no idea how people could see him as ruthless he's just a little stubborn.

"I'm not, stop with your foolish words."

"scara can I tell you something?"

"Make it quick."

You got up from your desk now standing in front of him with a small smile on your face, planting you lips on his, making him even more red than he already was, you could see the cogs turning in his head after what you just did.

"I love you!"

[sunii-is-typing]

beautiful

summary ; blind is the painter who does not look away. he should’ve painted the eyes.

character ; albedo

cw ; angst : hurt no comfort : hanahaki disease : unrequited love : obsessive behavior : manipulation : xiao’s bad writing

you’re beautiful.

you’re many things, but that’s the first thing he can think of. and it is surprisingly difficult to think of anything but that; you’re beautiful, you’re beautiful.

he doesn’t know why his chest feels tight. he does not have a heart, nor lungs, but he feels something ache from within.

he’s never seen you before. you’re likely a traveler.

and so, he approaches you.

your figure is kissed by the sun and the archons that control its cycles. sunlight brandishing hands caress your face and squeeze your cheeks, and he is too aware of the aura that rolls off of you.

too aware, he is, but he doesn’t dwell on it. there’s no reason to do so.

just an observation. that’s all it is. alchemists always make observations, especially with strangers.

beautiful, he thinks again, as he manages a small smile and introduces himself. beautiful, you’re beautiful.

“my name is albedo, chief alchemist of the knights of favonius. and you?”

you smile. your eyes crinkle with the movement and he thinks that human emotions are a bit trivial when it comes to meeting new people.

“my name is—“

a flower blooms in his chest later that evening. he pays it no mind.

a figurative thing, it is. after all, he is made of chalk, and chalk cannot nourish such life.

sucrose sheepishly comments on how happier he looks today.

he pays it no mind. he pays it no mind.

albedo wonders if you’d like the windblume festival. he wonders if you’d go there with him, even though you’ve only been in mondstadt for..

he counts the days on his fingers, then in his head.

fifteen days, fifteen days. he has known you for fifteen days, and has not grown tired of you. not yet, not yet.

how thrilling.

he stares down at your wandering figure—taking in the sights, you are, as he drinks in the intricate design that is you.

you’d be a wonderful muse, he finds himself thinking. and he stops, still, before smiling at the thought.

for once, he would not mind that. until then, he will stay in dragonspine, watching you.

this is fine. perfectly fine, perfectly normal. the alchemist is entitled to do as he pleases in the city of freedom, so why would this be wrong?

the flower has roots, he thinks, staring at the star on his neck. he traces it with a gloved finger, dragging it down to his chest where another lay.

he presses down on it. something throbs.

something tugs.

something aches.

when he looks in the mirror, he sees his heart laid bare before him. it is decayed and limp, but it is a heart.

he presses down on it.

albedo wonders how he tastes.

perhaps like charcoal and poisonous fumes; like chalk and blood.

the taste of something that is not human. something that is beyond human, yet below all the same.

he wonders.

kaeya had once draped an arm around him and, with the scent of wine on his lips, whispered his nonsensical romance ramblings once more. yet, that time, the alchemist listened.

kisses have a distinct.. taste to them, kaeya slurred. everyone has a preference, ‘bedo. i wonder, what would be yours?

albedo wonders how you taste.

perhaps like sweets and candies. things that he likes, things that he sometimes watches you pop into your mouth; like the sweet flower buds that sucrose gifts you.

he wonders.

he licks his lips. he wishes they were yours.

he wonders if you wish the same.

you probably do.

the flower has grown to be comfortable. sometimes, he does not notice it. sometimes, he does not press and poke at the stars on his body.

other times, he does. it makes no difference. he does not feel anything.

one day, klee pokes the star on his chest.

he throws up. 

someone screams. it’s not him.

100 days.

you have been in mondstadt for 100 days.

you met albedo, the chief alchemist of the knights of favonius, 100 days ago.

he stares up at your still visage. you sit, bathed in robes, eyes shut. just as he’d instructed.

and, for a moment, he lets himself stare. you have no problems with him staring. he is the artist drawing his muse and he is allowed to stare for as long as he wishes.

his chest tightens.

he dips his brush into another dye. he begins painting the robe that adorns your figure with a hand steadier than usual.

you do not open your eyes. you’re not supposed to, anyways. good, good.

just as he’d instructed. just as he’d instructed.

you’re amazing at following orders.

beautiful and obedient.

a good test subject.

“are you almost done?” your voice is gentle, a breeze in the wind. albedo nearly snaps his brush in half. “it’s a little stuffy out here.”

albedo does not breathe. he cannot.

“almost,” he lies, and you hum. “just a little more, then it’ll be complete.”

the flower is too comfortable. its roots wind around a dormant heart, one made of flayed flesh and animal carcass.

would it be considered pollution if he were to tear it from his chest, to rid himself of these ghastly pains?

he misses feeling nothing.

he stares at you from afar. you’re talking to diluc today.

you’ve talked to diluc five times this week.

something churns. something aches.

something yearns.

he wants to throw up.

windblume is 8 days away. he has been counting.

152 days. you have been in mondstadt for 152 days.

“could you not do that, please?”

you notice his ‘staring problem’ after 152 days. is he that good at blending in? maybe you not think of him as he thinks of you?

aching. he is aching. the roots are reaching for you, yet are shy of your skin. they cannot taint you.

he cannot taint you.

he wants to, though.

albedo tilts his head. his eyes remain rounded, naive—he betrays no emotion. he is incapable of being vulnerable, not when he’s around you.

he wants to be. he’d like to lay in your arms and be vulnerable.

“not do what?” and you grimace a little, as if doubting yourself, and he fights a smile. “have i done something wrong?”

“staring,” you blurt, as if the words pain you. “could you stop.. staring, please?”

he wonders, do they? do your words pain him like the roots make him ache?

he’d like to research the flowers that fall from his chest and neck whenever he’s hugged by klee.

klee can no longer hug him. she gives him pebbles and cool rocks instead.

the flowers may look different on you. he wants to see them. he’s sure they’ll be beautiful, too.

“i don’t recall staring. perhaps you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

albedo drinks in the worry that etches itself on your features. beautiful, so beautiful.

you’re beautiful.

he wants to taint you.

“right,” you whisper, and he fights another smile. “right, right; my apologies, albedo.”

he closes his eyes and takes your hand in his. he kisses your knuckles.

“no worries. you can apologize by giving me some of your time.” one eye opens.

you look mortified. you look as if this has happened once before.

he does not read the look in your eyes. knowledgeable, knowing. he does not read it.

albedo relishes in your gaze nonetheless. you’re staring at him; that’s all that matters.

“perhaps i could treat you to dinner?”

he will taint you. these roots will become yours to ache with.

blood stains his work desk. is it truly his own, or the muted, rotted blood of whatever was used to craft him?

it smells like rats. scurrying, crawling rats that chew through his chalk-infested body.

was he made from rat blood? was he made from chalk and the blood of rodents? was he nothing better than a diseased rat?

klee stands in his doorway. she drops her toys, trembles and screams for sucrose.

sucrose, too, screams. footsteps reach his ears.

the flower is too comfortable. it is too comfortable.

he can feel the roots in his eyes. everything is falling apart. 

he is falling apart.

his head hits the desk, and he drenches his face in his blood. people are screaming.

it hurts. it aches.

windblume is quiet. it is solemn, as it’s been for the past few years. over and over again.

all because of the same person.

barbara holds sucrose’s hands and tells her things will be okay. after all, the church has the best healers, herself included. vomiting blood wasn’t out of the ordinary for adventures.

albedo is not an adventurer.

the church reeks.

you stare at albedo, wary. his eyes are trained on you, even as a cecilia crawls out of his neck. 

its petals are reaching for you, just as you’d seen them do before. you’ve come to hate flowers.

the alchemist smiles. you do not.

“you’re staring,” he says, voice serene, as if he is not crumbling apart. as if flowers are not rolling out of his body, which is shattered like a piece of glass.

“you’re staring,” you echo, voice firm. you’re growing tired of this.

he continues to smile.

you know what he’s been doing. but you are looking at him. that’s all that matters to him.

sick, you think, frowning. the alchemist is so, so sick.

and you are a disease that thrives off of his sickness.

one day, you will stop. one day.

barbara scurries into the room, followed by some other sisters, before ushering you out of the locale and beginning the process.

160 days.

the day of the windblume festival; the day you finally look at him.

the day the aching stops.

you feel diseased today. this is the final year.

an alchemist peers at you with inquisitive eyes, head tilted. he smiles a little.

he’s never seen you around before. maybe you’re a traveler.

“my name is albedo, chief alchemist of the knights of favonius. and you?”

you pretend you do not know him. you pretend you will not be his undoing for the umpteenth time. 

you smile. you radiate warmth.

“my name is—“

day 161. 

albedo meets a stranger.

he thinks they’re beautiful.

[kass-storycorner]

*cough* so i really love your work!! i love everything your put out so far however i’m now going to request for angst mwehehrh. Feel free to reject this if you aren’t comfortable!!

archon x albedo but they break up with him because they still haven’t moved on from their past lover that was slaughtered and felt it would be unfair if they stayed with albedo if they still loved someone else? Thankyou!!!

don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry

I'm so sorry that it took this long, I have been working a lot the past month and I've not been well mentally soooo yeah, but I'm glad I finally finished it! I was suprised myself at what I wrote, I only had to write an ending for this so ouch haha

thank you so much for your kind words I’m- ahhh I’m so happy that you love what I shared ( ˙꒳​˙ )

I’m so insecure with my writing so it’s reassuring to hear such kind words!

about the request: ooooOOOH I love this!!! And honestly my mind went directly into thousand different directions to make it even MORE angsty ahaha poor Albedo ( ╥ω╥ )

Genre: Angst, Hurt, no comfort, a bit fluff in between but it's more bittersweet

Rating: SFW

Content Warnings: mention of Khaenri`ah, mention of blood

Word count: 1,811 words

Characters: Albedo, gn!dendro Archon reader

Format: Text

Fic is under the cut!

“-and I think it is best to go separate ways from now on.” Ah, how peculiar. What is this strange feeling in Albedo’s chest? It feels like there is no air in his lungs anymore, an unsettling feeling spreading from his stomach through his whole body. Feverously he searched his mind for a reason for your words. Go separate ways? He heard what you said, but at the same time he did not understand the meaning of your words. Albedo stood there in your shared bedroom, stiff as a board his eyes pierced through you, no longer looking at you. It was as if you weren’t there.

“Albedo?”, your head peaked through the door of his office, sending him a smile. He peaked up from the work on his desk, strands of blond hair falling in front of his eyes. “Ah, (Y/N), hello,” curling his lips into a small smile at your sight. You stepped into the office, walking around the table, and leaning on it right beside him. His eyes were fixed on you. “Busy?” you asked as you brushed the strands of hair back behind his ear. A faint blush crept unto his face; you wouldn’t have noticed if it weren’t for how close you were to him. Clearing his throat he looked back down on the papers in front of him, answering your question. “Umm, well yes. The next expedition to the Dragonspine and my experiments need to be organised, though the formalities of filling out the forms for Jean is nothing that I am interested in.” He heard you chuckle at his words, wondering what was so funny about them. “I wonder”, you began, leaning down to him, so close the tips of your noses nearly were touching, “if is there something here that might interest you more.” “I supposed, there is,” he said and closed the distance between the two of you with a kiss.

“Albedo?”, your concerned voice pulled him out the pleasant memory that crossed his mind. He had been quite for a while now, it worried you. You weren’t sure how he’d take it, you asking to break off your relationship. It had been quite pleasant so far, the last few months with him. There weren’t any quarrels between the two of you nor reasons for the heartbreak Albedo felt right in this moment. You both were always honest to each other, about who and what each of you were. And because of this honesty each of you valued you had to break his heart. “I-“, his voice was hoarse, it had more emotions in it than he liked it to. “I need to ask you this… why?”. He finally looked at you, his cerulean eyes filled with pain. Ah, the dreadful question you knew he would ask, but you hoped he wouldn’t. There was no use in lying to him now, to not share the true reason for why you’re breaking up with him. Though you secretly wished that you could spare him the truth.

You sat under the shadows of a tree, eyes closed and feeling the warm summer breeze on your skin. “Please, don’t move.” At that you opened your eyes, looking at Albedo sitting across of you with his sketchbook and a pencil in his hands, sketching a portrait of you. “You quick with your hands, I doubt my small movements would change anything that you draw,” you said in a teasing tone, earning a raised brow from him, but no comment. There you were, the two of you. Sitting in the shadow, a comfortable silence surrounding the both of you. You watched the way Albedo furrowed his brows, looking up to you and then down to the paper, for him to sigh in frustration and starting a new sketch. “Somethings wrong?”, it has been the fourth piece of paper he rips out of the book and tosses aside. “I seem not to be able to capture your features correctly, something always is a bit off.” “Let me see,” you lean forward trying to grab one of the sketches he tossed away, but Albedo was quicker to snatch them away. “Don’t,” he says, hiding the pieces of paper behind his back. “Oh, come on, Bedo. I wanna see, I can’t look that bad” you joke, moving closer to him hoping to get a peak at his fifth sketch. Before you could even come close to taking a look he closed the sketchbook, denying you access to it. “No matter how often I try to draw you, it never does you justice”, he sighs, pinching the bride of his nose. You were close enough to him now to lean your head on his shoulder. “You know, it is quite the challenge to get the godly features of me right,” taking his hand, intertwining your fingers with his. “But I’m sure in all of the centuries I’ve lived through you might be the first one to succeed at it.”

You took a deep breath, dreading the answer you were going to give him. There was no way to sugar coat it and you were sure Albedo wouldn’t want to hear a long winded explanation if it wasn’t needed. Like a bandaid that needs to get ripped off you decided to do it as quickly as possible. “I don’t love you. I’m sorry, Albedo.” At your words Albedos heart was shattering into thousand small pieces. He swallowed hard, trying to suppress the tears that were trying to fall from his eyes… still, he had so many questions for you. His mind was racing, but all he could bring out was again the same question as before. “Why?”

“Albedo, please believe me when I say I wish I could. I wish I would love you, the way you deserve it. The way I want to, the way I still love them. You mean a great deal to me, please believe this. The time we spend together was time I enjoyed and that’s why I feel the need to be honest with you now. I hadn’t said anything before because I believed I could open my heart again, open it up for you. However it seems it’s impossible for me and I am so sorry for it. I shouldn’t have led you on like this…”

Blood curling screams were filling the streets of a small city that did not exist anymore. War was always present in Teyvat, there have been the past thousand years without it, but before that? The land was filled with the blood of mortals and god alike, the first ones killing each other in the names of the second ones. The reasons for most of the wars were laughable. One started them out of hurt pride, the other to broaden their territory and a third just out of sheer boredom. Not caring a bit about the humans that were caught in the crossfire of the gods. So when the Archon War began, similar to the ones before but just the scales were so different. There you were, a small deity. The god of the woods as they called you. You never liked the blood shed, it poisoned the earth so that no plant was able to grow. Before you were able to just avoid the wars, this time around you had no choice. And in the middle of this war you met someone astonishing. Until this day you couldn’t say if it was a curse or a blessing that they made their way into your life and your heart. All you know now is just the deep grief that is always there with you since they are gone. In the middle of bloodshed and darkness that the Archon War brought with it you found someone who made you forget the horrors of it, who made the burden of the crown easier when you rose to the position of the Dendro Archon after it - a position you didn't want at first, it falling into your hands by mere coincidence. After that you spend some marvelous years with that one person by your side, but even those who aren't entirely human are mortal, even gods can be killed. With another War that came, they left your side, wanting to protect you, to protect Sumeru. Brutally slaughtered by the hands of an enemy that envied your position, your power. Now all what remains of them is the dry earth. The massive woods of Sumeru turned into deserts, a consequence of your grief. And when the day came for another war, more blood and destruction at Khaenri`ah you decided to leave. To cut all ties with Celestia and give up the seat you never wanted in the first place.

Albedo knew most of this. He knew who you are, he knew of your nature before you made him fall in love with you. You never just told him about your past lover, too much did their loss still hurt and, what you were ashamed of admitting, too much did Albedo resemble them. In the silence of the shared room you finally told him what orginally drew you to him - how much you really wished you were able to love him for himself and while yes, you liked him very much, it was someone else you saw in him when you kissed. Someone else you wished he was. At first you didn't knew it yourself, in the beginning you really believed it was possible for you to find new love... but you still wished most days they were with you. It was time to be honest with him, to speak the truth, no matter how much you hurt him. "Albedo...", you began slowley, your voice drifting to him, but what sounded like a sweet melody just hours before now makes him feel sick. "Don't." he interrupted you. "I thank you for your honesty and for telling me the truth, but I don't need to hear more." With that he left the room, making his way towards his lab on Dragonspine. Not one person in Mondstadt would think of Albedo as a dumb person, everyone says how they are impressed with how smart he his... so why does he feel so stupid right now? He was a fool to believe that he was loveable, that someone saw him for who and what he was, not what they wanted him to be. For now he just wants to be alone again, surround himself with his work and ignore these feelings in his chest. The heartbreak, the betrayel... but also the feeling of relief. Albedo did wonder how much it would've pained you if he ever loses control, but now this is not a concern anymore. And still, as he made his way up Dragonspine he couldn't help the frozen tears coming spilling from his eyes.

[tiramisiyu]

【未定事件簿】  Tears of Themis: Xia Yan Personal Story 4-4 Translation

Translation Masterlist | Xia Yan Masterlist | Video

Chapter 4: 4-1 / 4-2 / 4-4 / 4-5 / 4-6 / 4-7 / 4-9 / 4-10 / 4-11 / 4-12 / 4-13 / 4-14 / 4-16

North District

Ji Xiaoyu and older sister Ji Xiaoqing originally lived in a two-bedroom apartment in the north district, left by their parents.

After that apartment was forcibly seized by the loan company, the sisters started to rent an apartment.

Xia Yan and I came to the place that Ji Xiaoyu was now renting, according to the address Sphinx gave. However, we waited for a long time, during which Ji Xiaoyu never showed up.

Xia Yan: According to Sphinx, Ji Xiaoyu took on three to four part-time jobs at the same time after Qian Yi’s death.

Xia Yan: Within a few months, she took on a severely high workload from morning to night. Typically, she returns home at around 11:30 at night.

Xia Yan: However, she suddenly left all her jobs two days ago.

MC: Could she be engaging a lawyer for a lawsuit? To repurchase her parents’ real estate?

MC: She’s saved enough money now and needs to focus on the case, so she left her jobs?

Xia Yan: Possibly.

MC: Then I could probably provide her legal assistance to talk to her, right? Perhaps she’ll be more willing to communicate with us then.

Xia Yan: Okay. I’ll say that I received a commission to investigate the Bedo Loan Company trap loan issue, and that I’m preparing to help my client file for a civil compensation lawsuit.

Xia Yan: If she wants to file for a civil lawsuit, she’ll probably be willing to talk to us.

Xia Yan and I were in the middle of talking when we heard faraway footsteps – it just happened to be Ji Xiaoyu.

In the video Xia Yan and I had seen in the afternoon, Ji Xiaoyu’s condition could be called “haggard” or “fragile”.

But now… she was basically skin and bones, surrounded by an air as heavy as death, and her face was completely frozen.

--

START INSPECTION

⊳ Box and leaflet

MC: (A casket and a cemetery leaflet…)

MC: (So she worked hard to accumulate money to buy a place in the cemetery for her sister?)

MC: (The casket looks newly bought. She’s probably selected a place at the cemetery and is preparing to bury it…)

 What are the injuries on her right wrist?

⊳ Wrist slit injuries ⊳ Scrapes

MC: (Injuries layered on top of each other… she must have attempted suicide many times.)

MC: (Though they look like old injuries, she really doesn’t look like she’s come around…)

 ⊳ Clothes

MC: (Her clothes are splitting at the seams, yet there was no attempt to fix them… it looks like she doesn’t care about herself.)

 ⊳ Eyes

MC: (Such severe dark circles. She must not have slept in a long time…)

--

MC: (Ji Xiaoyu’s condition does not look good at all. I should carefully observe some more and think cautiously first.)

 END INSPECTION

MC: Xia Yan, Ji Xiaoyu…

Xia Yan: Mhmm, I know. We have to find out what’s going on with her as soon as possible.

Xia Yan and I walked towards Ji Xiaoyu. However, she walked past us expressionlessly, without even giving us a single glance, as if we did not exist.

We could only double back a few steps and block her with outstretched hands.

Xia Yan: Hello, you must be Miss Ji Xiaoyu?

Ji Xiaoyu: …

Xia Yan: I am a private detective who’s received a commission to investigate the case of Bedo Loan Company’s trap loans.

Xia Yan: This case will open trial soon. My client plans to collect evidence to file for civil litigation.

Xia Yan: Miss Ji, may I ask you a few questions?

Xia Yan: With your clues, I might be able to find a few new investigative directions.

MC: Miss Ji, I am Lawyer MC.

MC: If needed, I can provide legal assistance for you and help you file for a civil compensation lawsuit.

Xia Yan and I handed her our own namecards, but Ji Xiaoyu did not take them.

She searched up the employers indicated on Xia Yan’s and my namecards, only stopping when she saw news that involved my legal defense.

She lifted those lifeless eyes slightly.

Ji Xiaoyu: What do you want to know? Do you want me to serve as a witness or write a testimony?

Ji Xiaoyu: I’m fine with it all. Only… my sister will be buried within a few days. Please do not give me trouble during this time.

MC: Understood, we will be careful.

Xia Yan: My apologies, Miss Ji, but we have a request right now.

Xia Yan: Can we speak with you about the progression of events for this matter? Of course… I understand that this will make you remember unhappy matters.

Ji Xiaoyu’s expression remained as numb as ever. Only her lips pursed slightly.

Ji Xiaoyu: … Come with me.

--

Ji Xiaoyu’s Residence

We followed Ji Xiaoyu into the place she was now renting.

That was a room of a mere ten square meters. The room was filled with a musty smell, as if no air had circulated here in a long time.

Miscellaneous items were piled in the corner of the room. Only the two boxes of corrugated cardboard near the door were uniquely neat and tidy.

Ji Xiaoyu: I’m guessing that you wanted to ask why I ended up in that trap loan?

Xia Yan: We do have some questions about that.

Ji Xiaoyu: Because I wanted to buy something, but was short by two thousand dollars.

Ji Xiaoyu did not wait for us to continue asking and began to speak.

Her tone as she spoke was completely emotionless and smooth, as familiar and indifferent as if she had repeated it many times.

Ji Xiaoyu: I feared being criticized by my classmates if I bought something so expensive suddenly, so I did not borrow from them.

Ji Xiaoyu: Back then, I thought that I would be able to repay it the month after, when I received my wages.

Ji Xiaoyu: I never thought that I would end up trapped.

Ji Xiaoyu: Because I could not pay back the money, they said that if I agreed to take a nude photograph, they would extend the time I had. Otherwise, they would tell my sister and school immediately.

Ji Xiaoyu: Foolishly, I took the photos.

Ji Xiaoyu: So after, I was even more scared of telling my sister, and I didn’t dare call the police. And for my reputation, my sister could only bear the humiliation and not call the police.

She narrated until the end, a heavy self-mocking gradually settling itself into her voice.

MC: (Miss Ji…)

Ji Xiaoyu: What else do you want to ask?

--

START QUESTIONING

⊳ Qian Yi

Xia Yan: Miss Ji, you once accused Qian Yi and Bedo Loan Company of being related. But the police concluded that evidence was insufficient after investigation.

Xia Yan: What did Qian Yi do during the case?

When this name was brought up, Ji Xiaoyu’s frozen face suddenly distorted as she clenched her fist.

Ji Xiaoyu: He never came to collect debts with that loan company before.

Ji Xiaoyu: He merely kept providing me and my sister’s whereabouts to those people.

MC: Providing your whereabouts?

Ji Xiaoyu: After Bedo Loan Company took away me and my sister’s house, we thought everything was over.

Ji Xiaoyu: But they refused to release us, saying that I still owed them money, pushing me to work at a karaoke bar to return the money.

Ji Xiaoyu: Otherwise, they would reveal that photo to all the people around me and my sister.

MC: …

Ji Xiaoyu: Sister moved houses with me several times to hide, but he kept finding us very quickly.

Xia Yan: After finding you, what did he do?

Ji Xiaoyu let out a strange laugh.

Ji Xiaoyu: Nothing at all.

MC: Nothing at all?

Ji Xiaoyu: He merely appeared near our rental location and smiled at us smugly.

Ji Xiaoyu: After, the scoundrels from the loan company would come to our door.

Ji Xiaoyu: Once, big sister couldn’t bear it anymore and begged him to let us go, but…

--

[Flashback]

Qian Yi: You say that I’m following you and revealing your locations to Bedo Loan Company. Then… “where’s the evidence”?

Qian Yi: Under the clear heavens, all is balanced. You cannot slander others based on nothing.

Qian Yi: I simply just… somehow always manage to run into you. Maybe this is some sort of destiny?

Qian Yi: Then, I just happened to bring you two up with those that I know.

Ji Xiaoqing: Then… what will it take for you to stop bringing us up?

Ji Xiaoqing: You all have already taken all our money—

Qian Yi: Miss Ji, people are also a sort of financial property.

Qian Yi: According to what I know, Miss Ji, you just hopped to a big company with a pretty decent annual salary?

[Flashback end]

--

Ji Xiaoyu: Sister originally wanted to move out of the city, but my student enrollment is within Stellis.

Ji Xiaoyu: Which is why we’ve always stayed here.

Ji Xiaoyu: Bedo Loan Company and Qian Yi were basically two colluding villains.

Ji Xiaoyu: But in the end, the police said that there was no evidence and they could only let him go.

Ji Xiaoyu let out a mocking laugh.

Ji Xiaoyu: I’ve heard people call this “procedural justice”. What is justice, then…

Xia Yan: …

MC: …

 ⊳ Relationship to Qian Yi’s death

Xia Yan: Miss Ji, according to my investigations, you bought a restricted blade the day before Qian Yi’s death.

Xia Yan: That day, you were given a violation ticket from police for carrying prohibited items, and the blade was confiscated.

Xia Yan: After Qian Yi’s death by cardiac arrest, the police also investigated you.

Xia Yan: Back then, a police officer testified for you, saying that he had been keeping an eye on you secretly, and that you did not have the time to commit the crime.

Xia Yan: But if I’ve guessed right, you were following Qian Yi back then, correct?

Ji Xiaoyu: Is how that human scum died that important to you?

MC: It’s like this, Miss Ji. Qian Yi just might be linked to another case that we’re investigating.

MC: So we wanted to ask you whether you noticed if Qian Yi was acting unusually at any point.

Ji Xiaoyu: No need to explain. He’s dead anyways, and I don’t care why you’re investigating him.

Ji Xiaoyu: But you came for nothing.

Ji Xiaoyu: I did follow him for a few days, but didn’t notice anything unusual about him.

Ji Xiaoyu: Even if someone did kill him, they would have just been “enforcing justice for the heavens”.

 ⊳ Ji Xiaoqing

MC: Miss Ji, we… have a few questions about your sister Ji Xiaoqing…

Ji Xiaoyu: No need to be so hesitant. Go ahead and ask what you want.

Xia Yan: Miss Ji, according to what we know, your sister found out about everything only when Bedo Loan Company seized your real estate.

Xia Yan: After, she was always low-spirited, and then ended up getting into an accident due to drunkenness.

Xia Yan: I’d like to ask you about the details when your sister found out about the trap loans.

Xia Yan: Did she make any unusual actions?

Ji Xiaoyu: Unusual? Under those circumstances, what sort of actions wouldn’t be unusual?

MC: …Could you tell us about where she was different from before then?

Ji Xiaoyu: My sister had always been a very hardworking, motivated person, both in work and life.

Ji Xiaoyu: The year my parents passed just happened to be the one where she was testing for university.

Ji Xiaoyu: Because of limited money and to take care of me, sister gave up on the famous university she’d set her heart on and went to a typical university.

Ji Xiaoyu: Without the halo of a famous school, she worked harder than anyone when it came to studying and work.

Ji Xiaoyu: A few months before Bedo Loan Company found my sister, she had just job-hopped to a very famous company.

Ji Xiaoyu: When Bedo Loan Company had just come knocking, sister still pretended to be lively as she went to work…

Ji Xiaoyu stopped for a moment.

Ji Xiaoyu: But when the police were investigating my sister’s cause of death, they found the people from her company. Only then did I find out…

Ji Xiaoyu: Those scoundrels knew that sister was working at a big company, so they often went to harass her, to make her hand her earnings to them…

Ji Xiaoyu: Sister refused, so those people handed out flyers insulting us at the company…

Ji Xiaoyu: Sister’s mistakes increased in frequency at the company. After, she resigned.

Xia Yan: But you just said that she would pretend to be lively at work? So she went out to…?

Ji Xiaoyu: I don’t know why sister pretended to go to work in the days after.

Ji Xiaoyu: I’m guessing that she just didn’t want to see me at home and think of sorrowful things…

MC: Have you ever secretly followed your sister?

Ji Xiaoyu: … What right do I have to follow my sister?

Ji Xiaoyu: It makes perfect sense for her to want to avoid me, to have time and space to herself.

Ji Xiaoyu: I harmed her so much. Should I not even give her this bit of space?

MC: Miss Ji…

Ji Xiaoyu: But you’re also right. I should have followed my sister.

Ji Xiaoyu: If I watched over her more and worried over her, then at least, I could’ve brought her home after she got drunk, and she wouldn’t have gotten into an accident.

Ji Xiaoyu: But back then, I was only worried about my own sadness and shame. I never thought once for her.

 ⊳ Other people she’s interacted with

Xia Yan: Miss Ji, may I ask, has anyone found you after you told the police about the trap loan?

Ji Xiaoyu: After sister passed, I dropped out of school.

Ji Xiaoyu: After teachers at school found out, they came to see me a few times.

Ji Xiaoyu: The rest were a few reporters who came to interview me and take pictures for news.

Ji Xiaoyu: After attention on this matter subsided, no one else came.

 ⊳ Civil compensation

MC: Miss Ji, Bedo Loan Company will begin trial for a case soon.

MC: I read the case details – the real estate that your parents left behind were defrauded away by the company using a fake lawsuit.

MC: After the court comes out with a criminal case verdict on Bedo Loan company, I can help you file for civil litigation.

MC: This way, what your parents left, as well as your assets that were defrauded from you, can be taken back.

Ji Xiaoyu: No need. I don’t need compensation.

Ji Xiaoyu: It’s already pointless…

END QUESTIONING

 Ji Xiaoyu: Are there no other questions?

Ji Xiaoyu finished answering all of Xia Yan’s and my questions.

I originally thought that asking these would poke at her emotional wounds, but the whole time, her voice was expressionless, unusually indifferent.

Xia Yan and I locked eyes for a moment, seeing the same confusion and worry in each other’s eyes.

Xia Yan observed the items in the room again, looking at those two cardboard boxes near the door.

Xia Yan: The things in these boxes are…?

Though we could guess what was in it, Xia Yan still acted with caution, avoiding saying anything along the lines of “things left by the dead”.

Ji Xiaoyu: They’re my sister’s things.

Xia Yan: Can we take a look?

Ji Xiaoyu nodded slightly, then opened the cardboard box.

We first saw a journal with Ji Xiaoqing’s name on the cover.

Xia Yan flipped through the diary, giving it a few flip-throughs. The handwriting was beautiful and organized, and the contents focused on work and the comfortable times spent with her little sister.

Xia Yan: Your sister had a habit of writing in a diary, yet she didn’t write anything after finding out about the trap loan?

Ji Xiaoyu: She did. Several times, I saw her writing things in a black leather notebook.

Ji Xiaoyu: I don’t know what she wrote in there. Every time she saw me come over, she would immediately hide the notebook away.

Ji Xiaoyu: She probably wrote a lot about hating me…

Ji Xiaoyu: She clearly should’ve blown up at me, beat me, cursed me, and thrown me away so she could live in another city… but she still put on a strong face in front of me, every day.

Ji Xiaoyu: She also needed to vent, so I didn’t sneak any peeks.

MC: (Miss Ji…)

Xia Yan: Is that black leather notebook still around?

Ji Xiaoyu: I couldn’t find it. Maybe she tossed it away after she finished writing in it, or maybe it dropped somewhere on the day of the accident.

Just when Xia Yan and I were planning to look at some of Ji Xiaoqing’s other items, Ji Xiaoyu brought up a suggestion.

Ji Xiaoyu: You can take these boxes away and take your time going through them.

MC: Can we? These things…

Ji Xiaoyu: I’ll be preparing to bury my sister tomorrow, so I’m very busy. I need to rest right now, and I can’t wait for you.

Xia Yan: I understand – we’ll take these away for now, then. Don’t worry, we’ll examine them carefully and won’t break them.

Ji Xiaoyu: …

Ji Xiaoyu: I’d like to let you know that after my sister’s accident, the police also examined them. But they didn’t notice anything.

After hearing Ji Xiaoyu’s words, Xia Yan and I picked up the boxes with Ji Xiaoqing’s items and prepared to leave.

Ji Xiaoyu: Wait.

MC: Miss Ji, is there anything else you need?

Ji Xiaoyu: Why… why are you treating me like this!

Right when we were about to leave, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly became agitated.

MC: I’m so sorry, Miss Ji. If we have offended you in any way—

Ji Xiaoyu: Why aren’t you condemning me!

Ji Xiaoyu: It’s because I got too greedy and wanted to buy something expensive that I borrowed the money! It’s all because I wasn’t cautious enough that I ended up in the trap loan!

Ji Xiaoyu: It’s because I was a coward who was too scared to tell my sister or call the police that I kept sinking deeper!

Ji Xiaoyu: It’s all because of me… that my parents’ house ended up being defrauded away and that my sister died…

Ji Xiaoyu: You asked me so much, but why didn’t you scold me…

Ji Xiaoyu: Why… did you speak to me so sympathetically… when I committed so many unforgivable mistakes…

MC: …

Xia Yan: …

For a moment, I wasn’t quite sure of how to respond.

Xia Yan: Miss Ji, though this issue started because of you, you were not the one to cause all the misfortune.

Ji Xiaoyu: Have you not heard of the phrase, “flies don’t bite eggs without cracks”? Those who are pitiful must have a hateful side…

Xia Yan: But those who did evil are ultimately those “flies”.

Xia Yan: Whether pitiful or hateful, I have never thought that the focal point of a case should be whether the victim is perfect.

Xia Yan: You’ve already condemned yourself enough.

Ji Xiaoyu: …

Xia Yan: Even if you’ve already bought your sister’s resting place, don’t rush to do anything foolish.

Xia Yan: At least wait for our investigation to end.

Ji Xiaoyu: W-what do you mean?

Xia Yan: I feel like we might be able to find your sister’s black leather notebook.

Xia Yan: No matter how much you just pretended to not care, you must actually want to know what your sister was thinking and doing during that period of time.

Ji Xiaoyu was silent as tears rolled nonstop down her face.

Ji Xiaoyu: If you really find any clue that my sister left behind…

Ji Xiaoyu: No matter what it is… no matter how angrily she cursed… please tell it all to me.

Xia Yan: We will.