Chapter Text
A face framed by sand-blond hair was fixing him in his place, eyes cold, unyielding, and filled with disgust as he stared him down. He practically reeked of the abyss, the blue veins that ran down his arm and hand indicating that he, as well, was affected by the curse. This man was no doubt a Khaenri'ahn, judging from the eyes alone.
His hand was enveloping his throat, pressing down harder, causing Albedo to choke. His mind blanked, no thoughts running through him as he reacted on instinct. He lifted his hand, smashing it down on the stranger's face.
A pained scream left the man, as an isotoma was blooming right between his eyes. He stumbled backward, hands clasping on his face, scratching to get it off but to no avail. Blood was dripping from the flower down his nose and onto the pavement.
Then, the man did something unexpected.
He started to laugh, loudly, almost manically, as he let his hand slowly sink to his side. A wide grin appeared on his face. ''This won't be the last time, subject one.'' He declared, before opening a portal behind him and stepping into the void, leaving Albedo no time to react properly.
He blinked once, twice, mind slowly returning to him. Letting out a timid breath he didn't know he was holding, he slid down the brick wall, landing on the ground with a silent thud. His hands were shaking as he looked at them, shock still very much apparent in his teal eyes.
Albedo cursed at himself for being so careless. But then again, how should a guy like that enter Mondstadt that easily? He didn't even know who he was.
He only knew that the abyss smell was tainting the man obnoxiously. Albedo suppressed a gag.
The sound of someone landing in front of him, a few feet away was what pulled him out of his thoughts. He still wasn't really present, still not really back, so he reflexively pushed out a hand, golden light coming out of his palm, vision flashing right under his mark dangerously.
However, his movements were sluggish and the person could easily avoid the solar isotoma that was now blooming on the ground. The person was defensively holding out their arms, black cape flowing around them.
''Relax, Albedo'' the person said, a man, and with one swift motion, the person removed his hood and with that also his mask, which was disguising his face, revealing firey hair and evenly crimson red eyes. ''It's me, Diluc.'' The redhead said, voice even, a little on the quieter side, carried by the slight night breeze. Though the clarification wasn't really necessary, his mind eased a little.
''I saw what just happened. Are you okay?'', the man asked, approaching the alchemist slowly, steadily not to accidentally startle him.
His mind was still spinning, the fear still rushing through him, the sheer realization that someone from the abyss was searching for him was still persistent inside his mind, and his turmoil was probably showing in his eyes because Diluc took a step back, signaling hesitation. ''Should I get Kaeya?''
At that, Albedo's head snapped towards the tycoon, shaking it violently, blond hair flying around his face. ''No!'' That caused Diluc to frown, now getting closer to the alchemist again, albeit still being careful. Sensing his confusion, Albedo looked up at him, letting out a sigh. That outburst was uncalled for.
''What I meant, no, please do not get Kaeya. It is better that he does not know about this. Please.'' He added for good measure. Diluc cocked his head to one side, still frowning.
''What happened?'' He asked again, voice now a little more urgent. He was now standing right in front of Albedo, red bangs falling over his eyes as he stared down at him, disguised worry hidden inside them. ''Who was that man?''
The blond shook his head again, eyes averting to which Diluc let out an exasperated exhale. ''Sir Albedo, if there is any danger to Mondstadt's citizens and you are not telling me right now- huh?'' He interrupted himself suddenly, eyes widening. He smelled the air a little, leaning down more toward Albedo. The alchemist leaned back, irritated.
Diluc realized what he was doing, as he stepped back, the tips of his ears growing reddish. ''I probably shouldn't say that, but you smell weird. Like rotten plants.'' He stated quietly.
Fuck, this was bad. He couldn't go back to Kaeya like that. If even Diluc smelled that, Kaeya most definitely will as well. ''Not here.'' He mumbled absently to which the redhead let out a questioning sound.
Albedo exhaled as he looked around him sharply. ''I am telling you what happened, however, not here.'' He now said a little louder, tone carrying a certain urgency within. Diluc relaxed a little, shoulders slackening as he put out a hand to help the blond up.
The alchemist eyed it for a moment, before taking it, letting himself be pulled up. The motion, however, was too fast for his head, and he swayed a little, losing balance. He stumbled over his feet and only Diluc's grip on his hand prevented him from falling back onto the wall again. ''Are you sure, that you're okay?'' He inquired again, eyes fixed on Albedo's scrunched-up face. A hesitant soft nod followed. He let it slide.
Instead, Diluc turned around, signaling the alchemist to follow him. ''Dawn Winery is a little ways back, but the tavern should do. Not a single soul should be in its proximity and if they are, they're probably blackout drunk.''
Albedo nodded though Diluc couldn't see it. ''This should work, yeah.'' He opted to reply before he walked beside the tycoon who was guiding him through the alleyways.
He didn't actually know how much he would reveal. Though Diluc indeed knew a little more about Khaenri'ah now, and the abyss in general, he didn't really know if it was a great idea to actually tell him that a Khaenri'ahn with possible malicious intent had been in Mondstadt searching for him, subject one, Gold's primary creation.
A sting went through the place where his heart should normally lay at that thought, leaving him empty behind and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. He felt the watchful gaze of Diluc gracing him from the side but he didn't acknowledge it.
Diluc knew about Kaeya's background by now. They had talked about it long and detailed, accompanied by crying on both sides and mental breakdowns and laughter and trauma and feelings Albedo couldn't name even if he wanted to.
They were not back to their original brotherly relationship probably, but they were getting better. Though, whenever Kaeya slipped into the khaenri'ahn language due to him working with Albedo on another ancient text, Diluc would often flinch at the sounds that were normally just coming from abyssal creatures.
They mostly went over it but things like that were causing Albedo to ask himself just how much he could actually tell the man beside him.
They came to a halt and Albedo was now facing a tall wooden door. They stood in front of the Angel's share already and he didn't even realize how much time went by.
Diluc held the door open for Albedo and absently, he entered the tavern, the redhead following him swiftly. The man was aiming for one of the bar stools, pointing at an identical one beside him.
Albedo slumped into the chair, arms still enveloping his own body as he didn't really look at Diluc who was inclined to him, one foot on the stanchion of the chair. ''So?'' The redhead urged him.
''What did you see?'', Albedo gulped, opting to analyze what the man knew first. Going from that he still can choose how much to reveal.
''I believe the whole thing?'' Diluc answered truthfully, proceeding to tell him about how he saw Albedo defending himself after he got attacked by the stranger.
So he was basically there for the whole incident, Albedo's mind provided. Which also meant that he had probably heard what the man was saying.
A heavy sigh left his lips as he rubbed a hand over his face, fatigue catching up with him now. ''Well, where should I begin?''