after rhinedottir brings august home and takes him on as a student, around a year and a half is when everything begins, august starts to become unable to resist the pull he feels toward rhinedottir.

he hides it best he can but truthfully he is not adept at hiding it. rhinedottir knows this and chooses to ignore it as well as her own feelings for him. whatever it is those feelings are she doesn’t care enough to understand, or at least that’s what she convinces herself to believe.

august, so desperate to be seen by her as more than just her student, ends up applying himself to his studies as a means to gain her approval and eventually her affection. he puts his all into it and at one point he thinks he’s about to receive some sort of praise, buf that is not the case.

i expected better

it’s these words that immediately crush august’s spirit. still, after pushing past the shame and disappointment he feels august vows to continue working harder.

he stays up late until his head falls from exhaustion. august does whatever rhinedottir asks without question. he even goes so far as to go out of his way and do nice things for this teacher who is the harshest person he’s ever known.

he’s not used to it.

truthfully, he had a good childhood. his parents were kind and supportive. his mother loved and cherished him just as any good mother would.

august is not used to such cruelness but he presses on. he assumes it’s another wall he has to climb and he wouldn’t be entirely wrong about that. rhine has her barriers but her cold nature is so much more innate than even she realizes.

it’s when august brings rhine a bundle of wildflowers on his way back from gathering supplies, figuring she would appreciate the gesture as any well adjusted person would, that the depth of her heartlessness is revealed to him.

august hands rhinedottir the flowers he hand picked just for her, he is talking about the flowers when she grabs them with impatience and studies it for a few seconds before tossing it onto one side of the crafting table.

perfect. i needed these ingredients anyway.

august feels his heart sink into his stomach. he tries to speak but the words barely come out.

spit it out, i can’t hear you with all that mumbling.

her voice pierces through august's already scarred skin.

those were for you not for.. alchemy.

rhinedottir turns to shoot august a look, not even attempting to hide the disgust she felt towards his natural generosity. it is almost instant the way in which august shrinks down nervously.

for a few moments both of them sit in uncomfortable silence. august holds back tears while rhinedottir reconsiders her kind gesture that was allowing august to stay with her. rhine thinks of all the ways she could rid herself of him.

perhaps she could make some excuse to shake off the responsibility of caring for someone so weak. rhinedottir's mind wanders to harsher ways of disposal but she just sighs and shakes the thought out of her head.

i suppose i could use the extra hands no matter how burdensome they may be, rhinedottir thinks to herself.

rhinedottir does not reach out to touch august nor comfort him. instead, she ushers him to join her at the crafting table and make himself useful. they will use the flowers he supplied for her lesson that day.

he doesn't protest. doesn't cry nor ask a question fueled by his own insecurites. no, he simply joins her and suppresses those feelings.

forcing them down only does so much. there would come a day when everything would spill out and drown everything in its path. august knew this all too well.

and it did.

months following this incident rhine wakes up to the sun just barely rising over the horizon. the air is cool, birds chirp quietly, and there's an unusual air to the home she resides in.

something is off

rhinedottir realizes it is too silent. she assumes it's another childish game of august's, so she scoffs and rolls her eyes but after a half an hour has passed she soon becomes filled with rage.

where is he?

rhine was used to his immaturity so he would not be gone for good. she would make damn sure of that. she quickly enters august's room ready to rifle through his stuff, when she notices a loose floorboard. kneeling down and ripping off the wooden board she finds a tattered bag with a note stuff inside.

it was written vaguely. were it anyone else to find it then august would surely be as good as gone, but it was more than enough for her to track him down. without bothering to even lock the door she charges outside, determined to scour every single nation if she had to. thankfully, that wasn’t necessary.

rhine knew exactly where that he fled to.

petal being hurt when lohen gets too rough with him. they’re in bed together and lohen’s caressing petal’s hair and suggests they try again. that he promises to be more gentle this time. with tears in his eyes petal nods and grips lohen’s hand more tightly.

so they go for another round and it starts out gentle and slow. petal at some point looks into lohen’s eyes and thanks him for being so patient for once, and lohen fondly smiles but soon that smile fades into a sinister grin as he gradually gets rougher.

petal cries, “ow, you’re hurting me. lohen, wai-,” but lohen just covers petal’s mouth and laughs lowly as he tells petal to relax and enjoy it. petal starts to hiccup and sob as he tries to fight him back but lohen only gets meaner and his thrusts get faster as well. leaving petal little room for recovery or preparation.

lohen shushes him. “it’s okay you’ll get used to it after awhile. feels good doesn’t it?”

afterward everything petal moves away feeling uneasy. he feels like he’s gonna throw up. and it’s just when petal is about to leave when lohen kneel’s down in front of petal, rubs at his legs, and suggests that he makes it up to petal by taking a shower together. petal initially rejects lohen and he thinks about going over to the knights of favonius, thinking about a particular knight that he felt safest around. surely, this he would understand, he would protect petal.

but before petal gets the chance lohen kisses his knee and apologizes for his actions as well as the bruises. he confesses he lost control and blacked out, explains how it’s something that happens a lot. petal is ready to stand up for himself, already feeling particularly vulnerable when he looks into lohen’s eyes and is washed over with immediate guilt. he looks so happy. someone that looks that sweetly wouldn’t hurt him like that. no, it must be all in his head, petal insists. he’s just being a baby he convinces himself.

From afar the woman’s creation watches and listens as she explains the process of a certain alchemical procedure. Her voice is filled with something stronger than confidence and chills the room upon completion.

“Understood?” Is all the woman asks.

She continues without waiting for a response, something that Petal had grown quite accustomed to. Although this time it seemed that her quiet son had something on his mind for once. Finally she stops, sets her tools down with a quiet sigh and turns to look at him.

“Spit it out.”

He takes a few seconds to gather his words before answering.

“I overheard you and miss Alice discussing something the previous night.”

There was a brief moment of silence.

“That’s none of your business.” His mother replied.

It’s true, he had no reason to pry into either of his mother’s conversation, but curiosity got the best of him one might say. He heard a name, a name that was not one he was hearing for the first time.

“Mother, I would like to meet them. I know you have other children like me.”

“Absolutely not.” Her voice was sharp, the words coming out faster than usual.

Perhaps he should’ve known better than to expect his mother to understand. After all she was still flesh and blood and Petal could never begin to know how that felt. No matter how skilled Rhine may have been she could never hope to perfectly replicate a genuine human being. She certainly made something close enough, it definitely resembled a human, but it would never be as perfectly imperfect as she was.

“Am I not as obedient as him?” He questioned.

“You’re ridiculous.”

But the words ‘yes’ or ‘no’ were never uttered.

“Ridiculous but not untrue.”

Petal would soon regret those words because before he could utter the next sentence Rhine had pounced on him as if he were prey. She grabbed his face, her long dirty nails poking into his plush cheeks.

“I would watch that tongue of yours if I were you. It wouldn’t be so hard to rip it from your mouth and feed it to the riftwolves.” She paused to catch her breath. “I promise, even dismembered I will find many uses for you.“

Petal nodded. “Yes, mother.”

Finally Rhine pulled herself off of him and readjusted her clothes. “Good. Now come help me before your mother comes home. It’d be a shame for her to see this place in such disarray.”

It was not often that you were allowed privacy with your partner. He was the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius after all, and with that came the unfortunate reality that is the eyes of those in Mondstadt often seemed to gravitate towards the two of you. Thankfully, on that particular day you and Albedo had a few hours to yourselves holed up in his office. Truthfully, it wasn’t exactly ideal but you weren’t one to complain when it came to spending time with him.

It was the week before the Windblume festival and every one was more preoccupied with getting any last minute work done as well as some shopping. Master Jean was working on some business out of town and the rest of the knights were following any orders she had left for them to fulfill. As for Albedo, well he was left with an empty week due to him finishing his tasks ahead of schedule. A typical habit of his.

What was not customary was the way you knelt between his legs and rubbed at his thighs, grinning as heat pooled between your legs.

“What are you-“, Albedo murmured with a curious expression.

You hummed as you pressed your nose against his groin, nuzzling your face against his now growing hard on. It didn’t take you having to utter a single word before Albedo got the memo. Still, he had his reservations. Evident by his head quickly jerking towards his office door as two knights walked past the door.

Albedo held the back of your head and rubbed it with his thumb. “Ah, I see.”

He guided your head so that you could look up at him but before he could say another word your hands found their way to his zipper. Eagerly you undid his pants, revealing his hard cock confined in his boxers. Taking your fingers you stroked the lightly colored hair on his abdomen.

Albedo tilts his head as if he wants to ask you something but any questions he had immediately die on his tongue once he feels your hand gently squeeze his cock. He sharply inhales and tightens his grip on your head in the process. Your eyes peer up as you carefully release his cock from its confines. Albedo opens his mouth, you’re not sure whether he wants to stop you or gasp but you continue regardless.

You dip your head down again and press your nose against his stomach, stopping to inhale his familiar scent and then kiss your way down to the base of his cock. As you open your mouth slightly to kiss Albedo’s shaft you stop for a moment as you feel a shiver travel down your spine. At that moment your eyes are no longer on Albedo and instead you have them closed so as to fully bask in the moment.

Feeling his cock jump upon the subtle touch of your lips against his cock, you smile and finally return your gaze to him. Your eyes close halfway as they take in the sight of your blushing partner. Albedo’s hand still gripped the back of your head and you could feel how he held his breath with every purposeful touch you made. Without waiting a second longer you begin to suck and lick at his tip, purring in satisfaction as you hear him let out a startled groan.

“Archons-“, He moans.

You release him with a soft pop but only to shush him, reminding him that you two were not in the safety of your home. Albedo didn’t reply but instead fluttered his eyes as they rolled to the back of his head, and as he does just that his hand twitches, resisting the sudden urge to take complete control.

You peer up at him momentarily and grin. “Good boy.”

As you move down to take the rest of his cock Albedo exhales a shaky breath and begins to bob your head up and down. He tries his best to keep some of his composure but it was fruitless, because without a moments notice you force your lips down to the base of his shaft. You gag momentarily, looking up at him with tears in your eyes, giving him a begging look that said everything you wanted without uttering a single syllable.

Albedo breathes heavily as he smiles, gently entangling his fist in your hair. Carefully and slowly he starts to take control and use your mouth aa he pleases. He internally reminds himself how he has to remain quiet but it’s hard with how well you’re taking him. *Archons*, he never knew human pleasures could feel so good.

Had he known just how blissful your mouth would feel wrapped around his length then perhaps he would’ve gone through with it much sooner. While putting all his energy into focusing on his thrusts and the tight way he held your head in place, a million thoughts went through Albedo’s mind. Such as how long was too long? Would you hypothetically like it if he came down your throat? Or would you prefer it on your face? He bites his bottom lip to stop from moaning too loud, while fighting the urge to ask you any and all questions that came to mind. Now was not the time even if the opportunity had perfectly presented itself.

Taking your nails you dug crescents into his thighs which were covered with sheer tights. Something about the feel of that smooth texture made you grind your groin against the heel of your foot, wanting to devour Albedo whole with your eyes alone. If only, if only.

Albedo hisses as he feels you suck harder around his length, his balls tighten as he can feel himself reaching closer towards that bright horizon. His eyes stare holes into yours, intense and magnetic, as he slowly curls his hands underneath your jaw and begins to praise you softly for being so good, so pliant just for him and him alone.

Knowing Albedo you understand all too well that he’s not someone that would give praise too willingly, but he has not exactly sparse with it either. So as tears bud from the corner of your eyes and trail down your warm cheeks you focus only on Albedo and the sound of his voice. He seems unusually well put together for someone so close to the edge. You figured he just needed that small push, or perhaps he truly was hiding—at the very least he tried— his true feelings for whatever reason seemed honest to him at that moment, but you know Albedo and have for quite some time.

This is the man that smiles at you as if you are pure sunshine, and in knowing that you understand that there are absolutely things he keeps to himself out of respect and care for you. Even if one of them is something as minuscule as the way you fluster him ruthlessly, then you decide that you will honor his respect and play along to save him from the act of being known, but only for a little.

Albedo doesn’t tell you he’s close but you can tell by how the tip of his fingers dig into your skin and the breathy way he talks you through it. Sweat glistens on his forehead and drips from his nose. He’s about to cum, you tell yourself and readying yourself you continue a steady pace and speed until Albedo instinctively pushes your head as far down as it will go as he finally releases himself down your throat.

You hear him moan and without realizing your eyes roll to the back of your head as you let out an involuntary moan. Eventually your eyes return to Albedo’s cool blue ones but only after he’s pulled himself from your mouth and placed two gentle hands on each side of your face.

“Hey..” His voice sounds distant regardless of your ability to feel the smoothness of his skin.

Eventually you return to that moment, conscious enough to understand what had transpired but not entirely aware to register the words he was speaking. Until, your eyes flutter before finally resting upon Albedo’s adoring expression.

“Are you alright?” Albedo asks.

It takes you a moment to reply but once you do you feel his body shifting in response to the sudden exhale of relief.

“Y-Yeah, never better.” You smile weakly and give him a slow thumbs up.

He chuckles as he takes out a handkerchief and wipes away any excess fluids painting your face. Albedo takes his time, turning your face left to right, up and down before nodding and giving you a gentle kiss to your forehead.

“How about we head home. Hmm?” Albedo suggests, and you already know there is no room for question.

You smile and nod before wrapping your arms around his waist and giving him a firm kiss on his lips.

Albedo wraps his arms around your waist and hums a familiar tune. His eyes are closed, too. Smiling lovingly he gently sways you side to side, but not before connecting one of his hands with yours while the remaining one gently caresses your thigh.

Somehow in the midst of all the chaos Albedo managed to ease every frustration and stress inducing task you had to complete. Taking your face in his hands he wiped away your tears and encouraged you to take a break in the shower with him. At first you resisted but his gentle voice never failed to convince you.

‘Allow me to take care of you.’

And that was the end of that. Helping you out of your dirty clothes and safely into the shower he followed in after you. Always making sure to stay right behind you in case you fell or grew weak. Not once caring about how you smelled nor how you looked, so long as you were safe in his arms.

‘I’ve got you.’

It was cruel how easily you fell for his every word that he spoke with utter sweetness, but you wouldn’t trade that for the world. How could you? When he kept his focus on you the entire time, monitored your pain level, and treated you with complete care; there was no way you would ever reject his kindness.

So you let him wash you of your worries, wrap you up in a warm towel afterwards, and allowed him to carry you to the welcoming bed of cushions and various soft blankets, where he would caress your cheeks and watch you until your eyelids eventually fell, allowing you to get some much needed rest. Albedo would follow in your footsteps soon after but not before admiring you just a little longer.