Confession

Kaeya never thought that he’s actually fall for someone.

Sure, he’d flirted with a bunch of girls and a handful of boys in his school. Occasionally, they’d sneak off into a dark corner or the bathroom to hook up. But, they were all just for fun. Kaeya had never felt anything more.

And then, he’d met Albedo. Albedo, the smartest student in their grade. Albedo, who was happy to help anyone who wanted help with studies. Albedo, who was a good big brother to his little sister, Klee. Albedo, who was shy, but still a nice person. And, that was when Kaeya knew he was in love.

He’d spoken to Albedo about ten times. Mostly, it was Albedo apologising for bumping into Kaeya by accident. The other times, it was when Kaeya was asking Albedo if he could borrow some stationary from him. That was literally it.

Kaeya knew he would be making a fool of himself if he ever tried telling Albedo how he felt about him. Many times have boys and girls asked Albedo out. All the times Albedo had politely declined. Kaeya did not want to feel disappointment and sadness again. He had felt that too many times, after he and Diluc had a big argument years ago, which separated them even more. That was why Kaeya kept his feelings to himself. He has never told anyone else that he liked Albedo, too. That was for the best. What if they told Albedo? Kaeya would die.

Kaeya sighed, watching Albedo from his seat at the back of History class. Albedo was talking to a girl named Sucrose. They seemed to be in deep discussion. Kaeya watched how Albedo twirled a strand of his ash-blonde hair around his index finger. He’d observed Albedo close enough that he knew it was a habit of his. He found his eyes travel to Albedo’s lips. Oh, how he wanted to taste those lips so badly…

“Hey, Kaeya, my bro!” Kaeya heard someone yell into his ear from behind him.

Kaeya jumped, whirling around in his seat to see Itto. Next to him was Kuki Shinobu, Itto’s sister, shaking her head, and Childe. Kaeya wondered if they’d noticed him admiring Albedo.

“Hey, Itto.” Kaeya grinned as he fist-bumped Itto.

Shinobu sighed. “I’ll be at my seat if you need me, Brother,” she muttered to Itto before walking away.

Childe smirked and elbowed Kaeya. “So, I caught you looking at that Albedo. You into him or something?” he teased.

Kaeya hid a blush. “Of course not, Childe,” he replied. “Besides, you have no room to talk, seeing how you practically drool over Mister Zhongli during History.”

Childe let out a dramatic sigh. “It’s such a shame that Mister Zhongli isn’t here yet,” he said, ignoring Kaeya.

Kaeya rolled his eyes. “Like I said, he’s Mister Zhongli’s simp,” he told Itto.

Itto nodded vigorously. “For sure, dude!!”

“Shut up, Kaeya! I do NOT simp for Mister Zhongli!!” Childe yelled.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.” Kaeya snickered.

And that was when Mister Zhongli entered the class. Itto ran to his seat. Childe, however, went to Mister Zhongli’s side and asked if he needed help with distributing some worksheets to the class. Kaeya stifled a laugh. He truly was a simp.

For the whole of History, Kaeya tuned out Zhongli and stared at Albedo. He looked so pretty. Kaeya wanted him so badly that words couldn’t describe how much he wanted him.

After what seemed like eons to Kaeya, the last lesson of the day was over. Kaeya took his time to pack up his things, not wanting to be home at all. He listened to Childe be a little suck-up to Zhongli, flirting with him. Unfortunately for Childe, Zhongli was completely oblivious to his flirting. That was why Kaeya met up with a pouting Childe outside of class.

“Man, Mister Zhongli didn’t pick up on any of my attempts at asking him out,” Childe complained to Kaeya as they left the school. It was their routine to spend some time at the mall together until six in the evening. They’d have lunch together and go shopping. It was kind of lame, Kaeya had to admit, but it was better than having to hang out with Diluc in awkward silence. Yes, they had already forgiven each other after Diluc’s father had died, but it was still weird when they were alone together.

“So, where are we gonna eat?” Kaeya asked Childe, since it was the gingerhead’s turn to pick where they ate lunch.

Kaeya knew that Childe loved Liyuen cuisine and he always picked Liyuen restaurants to eat at, like Wanmin Restaurant and Xinyue Kiosk. They went to the same Liyuen restaurants many times to the point where the staff of the restaurants had memorised their names. They usually went to Wanmin Restaurant, though, because Childe liked to converse with Xiangling, one of their fellow classmates who was a chef there.

That was why Kaeya was surprised when Childe said, “Let’s go to Good Hunter for lunch!”

Kaeya raised a brow. “Why the sudden change?” he questioned.

Childe shrugged. “No reason.”

Okay, that was…a bit suspicious.

Still, Kaeya nodded along. He would find out what Childe was up to sooner or later anyway. “Fine.”

Childe grinned.

Good Hunter was on the second floor of the spacious mall. They’d never gone to Good Hunter before, no joke. That was because both of them weren’t big fans of food from Mondstadt. Kaeya usually picked food from Inazuma and Fontaine when it was his turn to pick where they would be eating lunch.

The two were greeted by a waitress named Sara at the entrance. “Welcome to Good Hunter!” she said cheerily. “Table for two?”

Childe nodded. “Yes, thank you very much, Miss Sara,” he said with a flirtatious smile. Despite being older than Childe and Kaeya, Sara blushed.

She cleared her throat. “Of course. Follow me,” she said, regaining her composure. Taking two menus, she lead them into the restaurant.

The restaurant was packed. People were chattering happily. Kaeya watched a father tickle his child. The child squealed with joy. Kaeya felt a pang at his heart. How he longed for just one more moment with his real father. Or, Diluc’s father. Either way, he just wanted more time with them. Kaeya shook his head.

Childe looked at him. “What is it?” he asked.

Kaeya shook his head again. “Nothing.”

“Then, why did you shake your head?’

“Just a stupid thought.”

“Oh.” Childe didn’t sound convinced but left it at that. Kaeya secretly felt grateful for that.

Sara stopped at a table next to a window. She gently placed the menus on the table. “You two boys can sit here,” she told Kaeya and Childe.

“Thanks, Miss,” Kaeya said, grinning.

“Just doing my job,” Sara said, smiling back. “Now I have to get back to cooking,” she muttered under her breath as she hurried away.

Childe settled down opposite Kaeya. He opened up a menu. “So, what do you feel like getting?” he asked.

Kaeya paused, thinking of when he had lived in Mondstadt with Diluc and Diluc’s father. He remembered a dish that he had loved. He flipped through the menu to see if it was available. Sure enough, he saw it.

“Chicken-Mushroom Skewer,” he said.

Childe looked up from his menu. “Yeah, okay. I don’t really know what to get, so I’ll get the same as you.”

“Why did you even come to this restaurant if you don’t know what to get?” Kaeya said, hiding a look of confusion.

Childe smirked. Okay, that wasn’t good. “You’ll see, you’ll see,” he answered. He raised a hand to get a waiter’s attention. He got the attention of one, a familiar looking one…

Kaeya’s eye that wasn’t hidden by an eyepatch widened. No. Fucking. Way.

He must’ve said that aloud as Childe said, “Yes fucking way.”

Albedo approached the table, a small pad of paper and a black pen in hand. He blinked at the sight of Kaeya and Childe but didn’t mention anything. “May I have your order?” he asked, keeping his tone flat.

Childe shot him a grin. “Yeah, of course.” He looked at Kaeya. “Why don’t you tell him our orders?”

Kaeya nearly choked. He cleared his throat. “Oh, I have forgotten our orders.” He gave Childe a glare. “Could you tell him, Childe?”

Childe stood up. “Ah, excuse me, but I have to go to the bathroom. Kaeya, tell him our orders.” He left before Kaeya could open his mouth to argue.

Kaeya silently cursed Childe. He looked up at a patiently waiting Albedo. “Haha, well, I’ll try to recall what is it that we ordered.”

He turned away, thoughts entering his mind. What was Albedo doing here?? Well, he must be working part-time at Good Hunter, dumb shit. Did Childe know that he liked Albedo? Yeah, no shit. Why else would he bring you here? Ugh, Kaeya hated Childe. He hoped Childe would go to Hell-

Someone cleared his throat. Kaeya turned back to look at Albedo. “Kaeya? I-Is there something wrong?” the blonde asked, looking shy.

Kaeya regained his composure. “Yes, there is. The thing that is wrong is why someone cute like you is working at a place like this? I heard the pay for part-time workers is low,” he said, smiling flirtatiously.

Albedo turned away, pink tinting his face. “O-Oh. Well, this is the only job that would accept me, and I need the money to take care of my little sister, no matter how little the money is.” He took a deep breath. “Your order?”

“Ah, of course. Well, I’d like two servings of the Chicken-Mushroom Skewer and a glass of water.”

Albedo quickly scribbled down the order. “Anything else?” he said, not looking Kaeya in the eye.

“Well, now that I think about it…” Kaeya grinned. “Could I maybe order you?”

He watched as Albedo’s face turned a crimson red. Albedo coughed. “I presume t-that is all.” He grabbed the menus and practically ran away after that.

Kaeya chuckled. Cute, he thought.

Two seconds later, Childe slid back into his seat. “I’m back, bitch.”

Kaeya kicked Childe under the table, receiving a satisfying “Ouch!!” from the gingerhead. “What the actual fuck, Childe??” he demanded.

Childe winced. “What? I didn’t do anything,” he said innocently, smiling.

Kaeya kicked him again. This time, Childe didn’t react. “Quit the act, simp. I know what you were doing.”

Childe smirked. “So, you caught on. In my defence, I was trying to help you to get the balls to ask Albedo out.”

At this, Kaeya actually choked. He coughed and sputtered. Childe snickered.

“How do you know that??” Kaeya nearly yelled, then remembered that he was in public.

Childe rolled his ocean blue eyes. “Dude, are you shitting me? It’s damn obvious. You always stare at him every lesson you share with him. Itto and Cyno have noticed it as well. We know that you like Albedo.”

Kaeya groaned. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yes.” Childe laughed, to Kaeya’s annoyance. “So, when are you gonna ask him out?”

Kaeya sighed. “Are you stupid? Don’t you know that he has rejected everyone that has asked him out?”

“Don’t be everyone then! Dude, you gotta ask him out!! Or, at least confess how you feel about him!”

“Yeah, why don’t you confess to Mister Zhongli first?” Kaeya countered.

“B-But, that’s different!!” Childe protested. “And, don’t change the subject!”

Kaeya sighed. “I don’t know…”

It was then that Albedo arrived with two plates full of Chicken-Mushroom Skewers. He placed them on the table. “Enjoy,” he said, turning away. Childe tapped him on the arm before he could walk away. Albedo spun around, face still blank. “Yes?” Albedo asked.

Childe handed him a small piece of paper. “Hey, could you give my stupid friend, Kaeya, your number?” He flashed him his signature smile. The one that made girls go red in the face when he shot them that smile.

Albedo turned to Kaeya. He flushed.

Kaeya pretended to go along. He winked. “Come on, don’t be shy,” he urged.

Eventually, Albedo took out a pen from his pocket and scribbled down his number on the piece of paper. He gave the paper to Kaeya. “H-Here,” he muttered.

“Looking forward to talking to you, dear,” Kaeya replied.

“Me too,” Albedo said before walking away.

Once Albedo was out of earshot, Kaeya turned to Childe. “I hope you kill yourself,” he stated, digging into his Chicken-Mushroom Skewers.

Childe grinned. “Love you, too,” he joked.

*

“So, who was that?” Mona asked Albedo as they sat at a table reserved for employers for their lunch break. She was talking about Albedo’s interaction with Kaeya.

Albedo blushed again. “It’s…someone from my school,” he replied.

Mona sighed, “Ah, I miss school. The high school romance! What I would do to go back to school…”

Mona was the same age as Albedo, seventeen, but she had been forced to drop out a year ago due to the fact that she didn’t have enough Mora to go to school. Albedo has always felt bad for her. She had a lot of potential. It was a shame that she wasn’t financially stable enough to get into college and university.

Mona stabbed a carrot with her fork. She put the vegetable in her mouth. “So, do you like him or something?” she questioned.

Albedo shook his head in denial. “No, no. I-I don’t.”

“Mhm…” Mona smiled teasingly.

“Mona! I don’t like him!” Albedo protested. Though, he wasn’t so sure of that. From what he knew, Kaeya was a nice person, though he could be flirtatious. Plus, Albedo has heard of the rumours about Kaeya hooking up with other students. Still, Albedo knew that Kaeya cared deeply about those close to him. He could see it. He also knew that Kaeya was good with children. Klee had once told him that Kaeya and his class had gone over to her school to spend time with the kindergarteners. All of the kindergarteners liked Kaeya, including Klee.

“Klee likes Mister Kaeya very, very much!” Klee had exclaimed to Albedo that day as she played with their pet dog, Dodoco.

There was also Kaeya’s looks. Take a look at Kaeya and tell him that he wasn’t hot. Kaeya had light blue eyes (or so Albedo assumed both his eyes were blue) and a nice smile. He showed off his chest with a chest window. Albedo has been caught looking at his chest by Sucrose many times.

So, that got Albedo thinking: Did he like Kaeya?

“Awh, but you two would look really cute together!” Mona said. “Additionally, Virgo and Sagittarius are compatible! You two would be a good couple!”

“Mona, I don’t like him. You can’t force me to,” Albedo said.

“I know, I know…” Mona changed the topic and started talking about Astrology. Albedo tuned her out and stared at Kaeya converse with Childe. That was how he’d spend his lunch time.

*

Kaeya stared at Albedo’s number. He fidgited with his bedsheets, suddenly nervous. He wondered if it would be a good idea to text Albedo.

Outside his room, he could hear Diluc talking to Jean and Lisa, his friends. They were talking about Diluc wanting to own a winery or something like that.

Kaeya turned his focus back to Albedo. Once again, he pondered about it. Then, he stood up from his bed and went outside.

Lisa smiled at him as he entered the apartment’s living room. “Why, hello, Kaeya,” she said with a small giggle.

Jean waved. “Hi, Kaeya,” she said.

Kaeya grinned at the two girls. “Hey.” He turned to Diluc. “Can I talk to you? In private, of course.”

Diluc raised an eyebrow but nodded, Muttering an “excuse me” to Jean and Lisa, he followed Kaeya into Kaeya’s room. Once they were both inside, Kaeya closed and locked the door behind them. Diluc sat down on Kaeya’s bed, crossing his arms.

“What?” he asked.

“So,” Kaeya began. “There is this…boy I like.” He paused. “Albedo Kreideprinz. You know him?”

Diluc nodded. “Yes, I do. You like him?”

“Yeah, no shit. I just said that.”

“If you’re going to be like this, I’m going to leave right now.”

“Ah- wait, Diluc!!” Kaeya protested as Diluc began to sit down. “I need your help! I swear on Lord Barbatos that I won’t be like that!!”

Diluc sighed. “Fine.” He sat back down again. “So, I’m guessing that you need help on deciding if you should confess your love to Albedo?”

Kaeya nodded. “Yeah,” he answered.

Diluc went silent, thinking. Kaeya waited impatiently, tapping his food on the linoleum flooring. What was taking Diluc so long?

At last, DIluc said, “I think you should.”

“Okay. And, why?”

“You see…would you rather have the chance to be with him or know that you never tried?”

Kaeya was confused. “Huh?”

Diluc sighed, massaging his temples. “If you confess your feelings to him, even if he doesn’t feel the same way, at least you got that weight off your chest. And, there is a chance that he likes you back. If you don’t try, you will never get to know if he likes you back. That feeling will haunt you to the day you die. So, in my opinion, you should tell him.”

Kaeya paused, digesting Diluc’s words. He supposed that he was right. But, he wouldn’t admit it aloud, so he said, “Awh, Big Brother Diluc is being nice for once!” He snickered as Diluc punched him in the shoulder.

“Shut up, Kaeya. Go to Hell.” Diluc stood up and walked to Kaeya’s door. As he opened it, he turned back to Kaeya again. “By the way, I hope that Albedo likes you back,” he said genuinely.

Kaeya grinned. “Thanks.”

*

Kaeya :): Hello, Albedo :D

Albedo: Hello, may I know who this is?

Kaeya :): It’s Kaeya Alberich.

Albedo: Oh

Kaeya :): Why, not happy to see me?

Albedo: No, no, not at all. I’m quite delighted, in fact.

Albedo: Was there anything that you needed?

Kaeya :): Well

Kaeya :): Can we meet up at the park tomorrow, after school?

Albedo: Okay. My mother is going to look after Klee tomorrow.

Albedo: I’ll be waiting.

*

“You’re for real going to tell Albedo how you feel??” Childe exclaimed excitedly, dropping his fork in his plate.

“Shut up, Childe! You’re so damn loud!!” Kaeya screeched. He looked around the cafeteria. Luckily, everyone else was too busy wrapped up in their own business to have overheard Childe.

Childe giggled like those popular girls in school. Kaeya watched him, annoyed. Childe finally sobered. “But, seriously, good for you,” he said, taking a sip of his apple juice.

Kaeya rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right.”

“No, I’m serious,” Childe stated, a smile on his face.

Kaeya couldn’t help but smile back. “Thanks. Good luck on asking Mister Zhongli out.”

Childe sighed, leaning back on his chair. “Yeah. I know I’ll need all the luck for that. Stupid hot guy is damn oblivious. Never met anyone like him.”

Kaeya grinned. “One day, I hope I’ll be your best man at your wedding. And, I’m gonna talk shit about you.”

Childe groaned loudly. “Fuck you!!” he yelled.

“Love you, too, bro,” Kaeya joked.

*

The park was filled with sounds that Kaeya could not make out. He walked past Lumine and Aether, who were walking their cat, Paimon. He waved at them. They grinned and waved back. Paimon let out a little “meow”.

Kaeya walked to the bench that was closest to the pond in the middle of the park. Kaeya prayed that there wouldn’t be any monitor lizards around. He didn’t want Albedo to get hurt.

To Kaeya’s surprise, he was really early, for once. He sat down on the left side of the bench and looked around the park to cure his boredom.

There was a group of kids inline skating, shrieking with laughter. An adult, Kaeya guessed she was their teacher, ordered them to quieten down. A couple walking their dog steered clear of them, probably afraid of getting hurt. The man put an arm around the lady. They shared a smile.

Kaeya wished that he and Albedo would be able to be like that couple; taking care of each other, one making sure the other wouldn’t get hurt; sharing smiles.

In his train of wistful thoughts, Kaeya didn’t notice that Albedo had arrived and had sat down next to him until the shorter one tapped him on his shoulder. Kaeya turned around.

Holy shit.

Albedo looked so hot. That was the only word that Kaeya could think of that fit Albedo’s description. Usually in a ponytail, only some of Albedo’s hair was tied up. The rest touched his shoulders, Albedo wore a dark blue turtleneck and jeans, along with a brown belt to accentuate his small waist. He had on sneakers.

Kaeya was practically drooling over Albedo. Now he knew what Childe felt whenever the simp saw his favourite teacher. He cleared his throat. “Hey, Albedo,” he said with a smile.

Albedo smiled faintly. “Hello, Kaeya. What did you need from me?”

Ah, shit. Albedo had gone straight to the point. Kaeya had wished that he could delay that for a bit.

“Haha, so, about that…” Kaeya wanted to punch himself. Why was he so nervous?? Just remember what you had memorised on the walk to the park!!

Albedo tilted his head to the side, waiting for Kaeya to get the guts to say what he wanted to say.

The words were lodged in Kaeya’s throat. He opened his mouth. He closed it again. Damn it, he was looking like a fool!

“Ugh, just say it,” Kaeya mumbled under his breath.

“Did you say something?” Albedo asked.

“Yes- I mean, no.” Kaeya sighed. Whatever. He’d just say it.

“I like you, Albedo,” he blurted out.

Albedo’s turquoise eyes widened. A blush spread across his pale face. He bit down on his bottom lip. Kaeya wanted to taste it so badly that it was crazy.

Kaeya gently took Albedo’s hands, stroking his palm in small circles. He continued, “Albedo, I don’t know how, but you have me falling head over heels for you. I can’t describe how much I yearn for you in words. I like everything about you, even your flaws. I might sound insane, I know, and you might not like me back, but I just wanted to tell you this. I’d rather know that I tried ti be with you then never try.” He cupped Albedo’s cheeks with his cold hands. He could feel the warmth of Albedo’s skin underneath the cold exterior. “Albedo,” he stated. “I love you.”

Albedo’s eyes met Kaeya’s one eye. “It must be your lucky day,” he muttered. “Because, I think I like you back.”

“‘Think’?” Kaeya teased.

Albedo’s face was practically burning. “Okay, I’ll admit it. I like you back.”

Kaeya started to lean in, but paused. “Do you wanna…?”

Albedo chuckled. Oh, Lord Barbatos, that sound was like music to Kaeya’s ears. “Of course.”

Their lips met. Kaeya finally got what he desired. Whenever he and a girl would hook up, their kisses were urgent and a bit sloppy. With Albedo, it was sweet and soft. Kaeya loved it. Never did he think that this was all he wanted in his life. Albedo was the one thing that he didn’t have. But, now, in Albedo’s arms, he finally got him.

They heard a ‘click!’. Surprised, Kaeya and Albedo pulled away. They whired around to see Venti, Xiao, and Childe, hiding behind a bush. Venti, Klee and Childe were giggling their asses off. Xiao was murmuring, “Shit, Venti, my love, we got caught.”

Kaeya stared at them, appalled. “Childe, Venti, Xiao, and Klee(?!) what in the name of Celestia??” he demanded. Albedo was covering his face, seemingly embarrassed.

Klee grinned innocemtly. “Ooh! So, does Big Brother Albedo like Mister Kaeya?” she asked.

Venti giggled. “Of course, young one!” he replied.

Klee did a little happy dance on the spot. “Yay!!”

“Delete that right now, Venti Dei,” Kaeya stated, giving Venti a glare.

“Hehe, nope!” Venti replied, blowing a raspberry. That was what Venti would hold over Kaeya’s head for years to come. Kaeya would be teased mercilessly, and so would Albedo.

Childe grinned. “Hey, congrats bro,” he told Kaeya.

“Urgh, shut up. I hope Zhongli falls off the stairs.”

“W-WHAT?? No, my bro, I’m sorry!!” Childe begged. Venti and Klee snickered.

Xiao nodded towards Albedo. “Congratulations,” he said simply, looking shy. Albedo nodded in reply.

“So,” Kaeya said to Albedo. “Are you free this Friday? Maybe at seven in the evening? I’d like to take you out, my love.”

Albedo turned away, face still red. “I’ll ask Mother if she can babysit Klee again.” He turned to Klee. “Speaking of which, why are you here??”

Klee smiled. “Mama Alice allowed me to meet up with Big Brother Childe and Venti to spy on you,” she answered.

Albedo sighed. “Of course.”

“Anyway, we’re gonna go bring Klee back to her home now. We promised Miss Alice we’d take her back,” Venti said. “Bye-bye!”

Kaeya and Albedo waved as the four walked away, Klee holding Venti and Childe’s hands and singing a nursery rhyme.

Kaeya gave Albedo a small peck on the lips. “So, what do you want to do now, Starlight?”

“Walk around the park?” Albedo suggested.

“Hmm, okay. Whatever you say.”

The couple stood up, hand-in-hand. They walked off in silence, enjoying each other’s company.

Kaeya knew he’d be doing this again in the future.