The day of the Knight's ball arrived, and Mieko hadn't opened the shop today, instead taking her time getting ready to soothe her bubbling anxiety. It had been worsening, but she assumed it to be her stress from not making rent like she should have been able to. When Albedo came to get her that evening, she couldn't help but admire him. "You look like you stepped out of a fairytale, Albedo." Mieko smiled softly, feeling wholly inadequate, getting to stand next to him. He was wearing a stunning suit that Mieko couldn't help but stare at. "You're absolutely beautiful..." she added, her heart aching a little bit. How could he be so lovely? She didn't hold a candle to him.
"Am I?" He asked. "If that's the case… I believe I have come to escort you, my lady." he chuckled, offering his hand to Mieko. "Shall we, darling?"
"If you insist." She took his hand, letting him lead her to Headquarters. Upon arriving, Jean was there to greet them.
"Mie. Albedo." She bowed. "You both look wonderful."
"You do as well, Jean. It's been a long time since I've seen you dressed up." Mieko replied.
"Thank you. I'm just glad I get to wear your earrings with it. I know I don't wear them daily, so I wanted to show them off."
"Thank you for saying so, Jean. That means a lot." Albedo lead her inside so Jean could greet the other people who had begin arriving. Once in the Ballroom, he sighed. "You shouldn't push yourself." Mieko said, Albedo turning to her.
"But I want to make sure you have a nice evening out."
"Albedo, any evening I spend with you is a nice one." She replied, taking his hand. "You don't have to do this stuff for me. Really."
"Even so… I wanted to also show you off."
"Huh?"
"Mie. You know, I do notice your lack of self confidence… I want to show you off to the Knights, at least. We are dating. Isn't that a part of it? During social events, showing off your partner?"
"Ah, is that what you're doing?" She chuckled. "I'll oblige you, but only because it's you." she replied, Albedo wondering why she looked sad. "Thank you."
"You don't seem very pleased."
"Oh, I'm very pleased. But… You don't know how to Ballroom dance yet, right?" She smiled. "I could lead you, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable either. So I'm the slightest bit sad that we wont get to dance together. But that's fine." She covered for herself, not wanting to worry Albedo.
"Ah… I suppose that would have been prevalent to learn." He pondered.
"Either way, it's alright." She shook her head. "Let's just enjoy the food and drink, and we can return home whenever you're ready. I'm sure though, if you're not usually in attendance, people will want to talk to you."
"You're awfully cute, where are you from honey?" This stranger asked, giving Mieko the elevator eyes. "That's one stunner of a dress, too." She had left the party with Albedo, but they had stopped to get something from Good Hunter. Mieko was sitting on the edge of the fountain when this person walked up to her. She ignored him, all too used to people acting like this because she was usually alone in her shop. "Not gonna answer?"
"Please leave me alone." She replied. "I am waiting for someone." She added, glancing to see if Albedo was still there. He was. But immersed in conversation with Sara.
"Oh? The Reclusive Chief Alchemist? Damn, you're too hot to be with someone like that." He grinned. "He's never taken an interest in women that I've seen… Oh, are you maybe his experiment? What sort of kinky shit does the recluse get up to with you?"
"Please leave me alone." Mieko repeated.
"Oh? Fine. Must be confidential. Then I'll ask about you instead. You into the brainy types?" Mieko stood up and turned to move away.
"I'm asking you to leave me alone." Mieko stated. The man was about to say something, reaching for her arm when he suddenly fell over, Mieko catching a glimpse of something vanishing into the ground. A hand came to rest on her waist and she sighed, looking up to see her partner smiling at her. "Albedo…"
"Mie, darling." he took her hand that was shaking and kissed the back of it. "My apologies for taking so long to return."
"It's alright." she shook her head. "Thank you for coming back for me."
"Of course, dear." He smiled "Darling, are you alright?" Albedo asked, glancing to the man that had fallen down. "Oh, perhaps… This person was bothering you?"
"I…" Albedo pulled her to him, smiling as she leaned on him and didnt speak further, wrapping his arm around her and gently cradling the back of her head. He didn't want to mess up her hair, after all. He narrowed his eyes at the man that had been harrassing Mieko, smiling dangerously.
"You really shouldn't behave in such a manner, Mister Donnovan." He said, raising his hand to his mouth in a silencing motion. The man froze, the look on Albedo's face darkening, even though he was smiling. "Silence would have been golden, in your case." He added. "Mieko is my darling, after all. If she is made uncomfortable, I will take action against the person who caused her to feel uncomfortable."
"Albedo, it's alright." Mieko said, Albedo letting go so she could pull back a little from leaning on him.
"Is it? I don't think so, darling. You're shaking."
"Really, I'm fine. I just want to go home. Is the food done?"
"Very well, my dear." Albedo chuckled, having been watching the man the whole time. Albedo's face looked incredibly smug, but also something rather dangerous showed in his turquoise eyes. "Go and grab our order, and I'll take you right home. I promise." he kissed her, sending her off to Good Hunter before turning back to the man."Now. What should I do with you?" He asked. "For daring to try and lay your hand on the darling of the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius?"
When Mieko returned a couple of minutes later, she looked around for Albedo. Where had he gone? He came back from around the corner, smiling at her. "Albedo, there you are." She said. "What happened?"
"Nothing, darling. I just had to talk to the person who dared to hit on you. I'm sure by now all of Mondstadt knows we're dating." he added, taking her hand and the food before leading her away from the direction of her shop. "Let's go to my place tonight. I think I'd greatly appreciate getting to draw you in your dress." He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Of course… If you'd allow me, I would also like to-"
"There you go again. Saying things to embarrass me." She muttered, cheeks red. Albedo chuckled, escorting her inside before sitting down and letting her eat. "You aren't hungry?" She asked him.
"Not really. Of course, maybe if you fed me, I'd be inclined to eat a few bites." He teased. Mieko took some food on her fork and offered it to him, Albedo's cheeks tinting pink. He took the bite though, being sure to smile at Mie when he was done chewing. "Thank you, Mie."
"Well, if it gets you to eat. I don't mind at all."
A few weeks later, Mieko found herself up on Dragonspine once again, sitting in Albedo's lab. However… "You're cold?" Albedo asked, pausing as he looked up to see Mieko sitting on the ground, bundled up in a blanket.
"I didn't bring my coat, since I rushed up here." she replied simply. Albedo couldn't help but smile, seeing her wrapped up the way she was.
"Mie." he smiled and got up from where he was working, going over to her with another blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders, making sure to smooth it out so it covered the other blanket up entirely. "You shouldn't rush if you're going to be cold." he added.
"But I was excited to see you." she mumbled, cheeks red and staring up at him. "I had to go and do so much work these past few weeks outside the city, so I haven't been home..." she pouted. Albedo pet her head, leaning over and kissing her forehead. "Oh...?"
"Well, then I'll be sure to stoke the fire so you don't get colder." he said softly. "You're usually so prepared. I wonder... were you trying to earn some attention?"
"N-No, of course not..." She averted her gaze, sinking into the blanket. "It's just cold..."
"Mmhm." he got up to go back to his work, keeping an eye on her though. He caught her staring a few times, but he didn't mind. He was used to her watching him work by now. "Mie?"
"Yes, Albedo?"
"Do I need to come over there and warm you up myself?" he asked, seeing her face flush red. "You seem awfully cold."
"I-I'll be fine." She replied.
"Will you? Then, you don't want me to hold you later?" He heard her make a noise, the whine in her tone made him smile more. "Oh, so you do want me to. Very well." he said, cheerfully working as Mieko sat in the corner, staring at him still.
"You're terrible, Albedo..."
"And yet you always come back for more, my darling Mie." He replied. "Does that mean that, whatever I do, you'll always come back to me?"
"I will." She replied almost too quickly. Albedo put down his work, turning to see her staring at him, now standing very close. So close that they were almost touching. He smiled as she opened her arms for a hug, leaning into her and letting her envelop him in the blankets. "Always, Albedo."
"Mm... You're so warm..." he whispered, closing his eyes. "Now don't tell me you were waiting for an opportunity to approach me..."
"I was... You know I don't like touching while you're working." She replied, Albedo chuckling as she continued to hold him. "You... Also seemed lonely..."
"I never feel lonely in your company." he replied.
"And yet, you still crave the contact?" She asked, playing with his hair. Albedo smiled, pulling back a bit and looking up at her. "I don't know how I know, before you ask."
"You really do read my mind, Mie..." he reached up to cup her cheek. "I need to study you more."
"I'm fine with that." she smiled. "So long as you're alright with my needing to hold you." she added, the two smiling as they stood there. "It's cold." Albedo nuzzled into her arms, about to say something when she looked up. "Again…"
"What's wrong, Mie?"
"I keep feeling like someone's watching." She replied. "I can't be so stressed out that I'm hallucinating, can I?"
"You're stressed?"
"I… Rent is becoming harder and harder to pay… Business isn't very good."
"I see. I can always assist you, if you'd like me to."
"No, you have enough to do as it is." She nuzzled him, trying to relax. "I'm old enough to take care of myself." They stood in silence for a bit before Albedo leaned in to kiss her, to help settle her nerves. "Speaking of age though." She looked a little apprehensive. "You know how old I am… But all I know is that you're old enough to drink."
"Ah, yes… Well, it's been long enough. Let's have a seat. I'll tell you over some dessert." he said, knowing she would have asked eventually. He felt his chest tighten a little, not wanting to scare her away. He sat down with her and they ate their dessert before he began talking about his past, about how old he really was, and about what he was. He did his best to leave her room to move away, expecting the worst reaction possible. But Mieko just sat there listening, nodding every now and again.
"Ah, that's why you're so calm and collected, despite how young you look." She said with a smile.
"It… Doesn't bother you?" he asked.
"Nope. It clears up a lot of assumptions though. At least now I don't think you're some sort of fairy~" She chuckled, hugging onto him and rubbing his back comfortingly, Albedo immediately clinging to her in relief. "Thank you for being brave and telling me, Albedo." She kissed his cheek, and nuzzled him a few more times. "I… I love you."
"Mie…" Albedo pulled her into a kiss, tangling his fingers in her hair. "That… Please say it again."
"O-Oh? Alright… I… I love you, Albedo." The smile that came to his face made Mie feel like she was floating. It was so pure.
"Mie… My Mie…" he said softly, pulling her as close as he could. She let him hold her, feeling her anxiety fading away little by little. Having him call her his made her feel safe. "Thank you, for staying." Mieko laid down with Albedo and did her best to relax. But somehow the feeling of being watched wouldn't go away. She had him lay with his back facing the entrance to camp so she could keep watch, feeling like someone was right there the entire night. But by morning, with no signs of another person, Mieko still felt incredibly tense. As Albedo woke, he noticed immediately. Her grip on him was stronger than normal, and it was clear she hadn't slept. "Again, darling?"
"I'm sorry, Albedo. I really did try." She smiled at him. "I'll be alright." She added, seeing how concerned he was for her.
"I'll make you something to eat, along with some coffee. Try and close your eyes for a bit." He got up, kissing her forehead and nuzzling her before he went to make them breakfast. Mieko curled back up, taking a few deep breaths before she slowly began to close her eyes. But the sleep was light, so when Albedo began pouring the coffee, she woke right up. "Perhaps I should make you some more potion?"
"Ah, perhaps another time. I have much to do for the upcoming weeks." she replied. "Thank you though, for the coffee."
"Of course, Mie. Whatever you need."
((Is it the insomnia? Or something more?
-Winter Cheshire))