Beautiful sunny days are a rarity on Dragonspine.
A pale light washed over the thick blankets of snow, reflecting through the windows of Albedo’s laboratory in cold, shimmering streaks. Inside the quiet room, there was only the rhythmic scratch of a pen and the faint, sharp scent of chemical reagents.
He sat at his workbench, his ash-blonde hair falling softly over his shoulders, teal eyes fixed intently on the chemical reaction swirling within a test tube.
Meanwhile, you were sprawled across the sofa behind him, rolling back and forth out of sheer boredom.
“Are you even listening to me?”
“I am,” he replied instantly. “Your heart rate spikes slightly every time you begin to complain of boredom.”
You bolted upright, glaring at him.
“Stop analyzing me like one of your experiments!”
Albedo tilted his head slightly, his gaze radiating pure innocence.
“But that is how I understand the world.”
“You belong to the world as well.”
The answer was so natural that it left you speechless for a few seconds.
That was Albedo for you. He could say things that made your face flush with a completely composed expression.
You rested your chin on your hand, watching him for a long while. Albedo was always like this—intelligent, rational, always viewing everything through a scientific lens. Even when the two of you first started seeing each other, he once said:
“Human emotion is a very fascinating biological reaction.”
You had stayed mad at him for three days because of that sentence.
But eventually, you realized that for Albedo, that was his way of being gentle.
A sudden thought struck you.
“If I turned into a worm, would you still love me?”
The pen in his hand came to a halt.
For the first time today, Albedo was silent.
You grinned triumphantly, propping yourself up.
“Can’t answer that, can you?”
“Your question contains too many variables.”
“How did you turn into a worm? Is it only a physical change, or does your consciousness change as well? Do you retain your memories? Are you capable of communication? What is the lifespan of this particular species? If—”
“Stop, stop, stop!” You burst out laughing. “Why are you being so serious?”
Albedo looked at you for a few seconds, then slowly set his pen down.
“Because you are the one asking me.”
“And I want to provide an accurate answer.”
He stood up from his desk and walked over to you. His pale teal eyes reflected the light from the window, as still as a frozen lake.
“If you turned into a worm but remained you…” he said softly, “then I believe I would still love you.”
Albedo tilted his head, pondering.
“I do not believe that affection is built solely upon outward form.” He lightly touched your forehead. “Humans perceive an individual through memories, habits, words, and reactions… not just the body.”
“So even if I were a worm—”
“I would craft a small, warm box for you.”
“Perhaps add a few soft leaves,” he continued with total sincerity. “And research ways to extend a worm's lifespan.”
You stared at him for a few seconds before laughing until your stomach hurt.
“Albedo, you are so adorable.”
“I don’t think that word suits me.”
“It suits you perfectly.”
He watched you silently as you curled up on the sofa, laughing, a very faint trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Days on Dragonspine were always quiet like this.
You often brought food to the lab for Albedo, but he caught you every single time before you even reached the door.
“Why are you hiding a pastry behind your back?”
“Your gait becomes more cautious when you are carrying something hot.”
“No,” Albedo replied calmly. “I simply understand you.”
There was one time you dragged him down to Mondstadt for a festival.
In the middle of the crowded plaza, you excitedly ran to an accessory stall and bought Albedo a flower-shaped hairclip.
“I have no need for accessories.”
Five minutes later, he was still wearing it.
You laughed as you pulled him through the crowds, and Albedo let you lead him around as if it wasn't a bother at all.
“Doesn’t it annoy you?” you asked.
“Even though I’m dragging you all over the place?”
The answer was so simple it made your heart skip a beat.
Albedo wasn't the type to whisper sweet nothings frequently.
But he always remembered your favorite foods; he always walked on the street side of the path; he always handed you his coat before you even had the chance to say you were cold.
Albedo’s love was like the snow.
But by the time you noticed it, it had already covered everything around you.
One night, you were slumped over the table while Albedo was still deep in his research.
Half-asleep, you murmured:
“What if I disappeared one day?”
The tip of his pen faltered.
You didn't see the look in Albedo’s eyes at that moment.
Silence stretched on for a long time.
Then, you felt his coat being gently draped over your shoulders.
“I would find you,” his voice was very soft. “No matter how long it took.”
You peeked at him through half-closed eyes.
“Even if I turned into a worm?”
“What if I turned into a slime?”
“I would learn the calls to make a bird return.”
You let out a sleepy laugh.
Albedo looked at you and replied calmly:
Then he leaned down, pressing a kiss to your forehead, as light as falling snow.
“But that is an exception reserved only for you.”