katsu

Under the moon, stars, and darkness that enveloped the sky, Albedo, Kreideprinz of the Knights of Favonius, and Astrologist Mona Megistus, stand over the top of Starsnatch Cliff.

Albedo was painting, whilst Mona watched him from the rock she was sitting on.

After a while, she was getting bored. But she lights up with a small plan in mind. So, she stood up from where she was sitting and took off her hat.

Walking over to Albedo, Mona softly placed her hat on his head with a grin. The action startled Albedo, “Mona--”

“Shut up.” She says, cutting him off with a back hug as she nuzzled her face on the crook of his neck, the round ends of her hat tickling her face. She didn’t mind, it was Albedo she’s hugging after all.

Albedo softened, “You could’ve asked, you know.” he sighs, putting down the paintbrush he was holding on the easel. “Be thankful I love you.” he says chuckling, turning around and throwing the hat that was once on his head to the ground.

Mona grunts, slightly pulling back, which Albedo only replied with a soft grip on her forearm to pull her closer. “Ah, ah, ah~ You started this, Megistus.” He teased as he pushed their foreheads together. 

 Trust me, Albedo isn’t always like this… But for Mona? Mona Megistus?

 Heh, it isn’t even a question for Albedo, because he would. He always would.

Albedo gave quick pecks on her forehead, her eyes, her cheeks, her nose, her chin and-- he pulled away, a smirk tugging on his lips with a cheeky glint in his eyes as he let go of Mona's forearm.

Hat and painting forgotten, Mona whines at the loss of touch, “Albedo, you do this every time!” huffing she looked away with crossed arms, sulking.

“How cute. I was only joking, darling.” he held her jaw to face him properly which made Mona’s eyes widen in shock.

Albedo only smiled, admiring how the moonlight shone on her features, “S-Stop looking at me like that!”

“Quiet down. I know you love it.” he whispers, tucking Mona’s hair behind her ear with fond eyes.

Barbatos sake! He’s not like this I swear! Mona internally screams, her cheeks tinged pink.

Staring at her eyes, Albedo is mesmerized. Ethereal.

Mona stares back, still flushed.

And they were there, looking at each other with nothing but love.

Albedo exhales as he finally, finally closes the gap between him and Mona.

They kissed with bright smiles under the moonlight.

Mona was the first to pull away, catching her breath. She abruptly faced Albedo, to only see him still smiling with one of his arms resting on her shoulder while the other held her waist. “C-Can you stop smiling it’s making me--”

“Feel things…? Surely, the Mona Megistus isn’t that shy, now, is she?”

“Shut up!” She exclaimed whilst trying to push Albedo away, but to no avail.

“If you’re trying to push me, then it’s not working.” He huffs a chuckle, swiftly pecking Mona’s nose.

Mona grumbles which Albedo raises an eyebrow to, “Hmm?”

She only replies with a kiss once more. The stars whisper in her ears in jealousy which makes her fingers twitch in bewilderment, but felt pride bubble up inside her. Yes, be jealous. He’s mine, as always.

And they both pull away once more, a string of saliva following their lips.

They both pant to catch their breath, “Hah… How bold.” Albedo rasps.

“Don’t say that as if you didn’t start the kissing!” Mona complained, rolling her eyes as she wiped away the saliva by her lips.

Albedo did the same as he stared at her incredulously. “Now don’t say that as if you didn’t start all of this.” he says, twisting Mona’s words against her.

“Hmph.”

How cute. And I thought I would be able to finish painting by tonight, but I guess not. A smirk tugs on Albedo’s lips this time, “I suggest we go home. We have things to discuss, after all.”

Mona only eyed him curiously with a raised eyebrow, her hair out of her usual pigtails flowed against the nightly breeze.

But she just sighs with a pout that Albedo loves so much, “Alright…”. Though, she suddenly stands straight, “But your painting? Are you not going to finish it?”

“Oh, Miss Megistus, I have much more important things to do,” Albedo exhales in amusement.

“And that is you.”

Mona flushes once more, burying her face on Albedo’s shoulder. “Right...”

As they head back out to Mona’s apartment back in Mondstadt, Albedo chuckles out of nowhere.

“Hm? What are you chuckling and giggling about?” Mona questions, tilting her head, her hat back in place as to how Albedo is holding his canvas, easel, and painting materials.

“When I held you then, it looked as if you were competing with the stars and moon.”

“Heh, you flatter me.” Mona says, looking to the front.

“A lot, I assume?” Albedo teases.

 “You’re not wrong there, Sir Albedo.” She didn’t refuse it because it’s true anyways.

 But really, Albedo never knew he could hold the moon with his hands until he held Mona.

“Hey,”

“Hm?”

“I love you.” Albedo blurts out with fond eyes, looking at the sky to only end up looking at Mona with a grin.

A blue-haired woman who wore a long sky blue cape walked over to the juniors— to her juniors I mean.

“Miss Mona and her juniors will be joining us in our expeditions and training sessions from now on.” ‒Eula explained, the Spindrift Sorceress of Teyvat International. She is also one of the Top 3 students!

“Good afternoon to you all, I am Miss Mona Megistus and these are my juniors. I hope we all get along.” ‒Mona Megistus, an Astrological type of sorceress. She was formerly Eula’s classmate and is also one of the Top 3 students in the academia.

The young students mingled with each other. Big grins on their faces as most of them made new friends.

“Oh youth,” Mona sighed with a small smile, “It feels like I was just their age yesterday… everything goes by with just a blur.”

“We’re still young Mona,” Eula chuckled lightly, a hand on Mona’s shoulder as she looked over their students mingling with each other. “But you aren’t wrong about how everything goes by with a blur though.”

"What're you reading there Xingqiu?" Chongyun, one of Eula's juniors, asked his amber-eyed friend.

Xingqiu, one of Mona's juniors, flinched. "It's nothing really! Haha!" he laughed, hiding the book behind him.

Eula caught a glimpse of the book, "How to Not Get Friendzoned by Kaeya Alberich…" she muttered. "Haha! How cute of the boy."

"Weird. Sir Kaeya usually never hands those kinds of books to children… But oh well, they do them I guess." Mona says.

"It was just like the time you wanted to confess to me~" Eula teased, a sly grin in her face.

Flustered and flushed pink, Mona tried to avoid the teasing. "W-We're already together anyways…" She turns around still warm in the cheeks, "Ahem! Let’s get going, we need to arrive at the training house by sunset.”

“Haha! Alright, alright." Eula chuckled, a sweet smile gracing her face, making Mona fall for her even more.

…

“Get ready to hike kids! We’re walking to the training house!” The Eula announced loudly, getting the attention of all the juniors.

“Yes, Miss Eula!” The juniors replied, fixing their cloaks and weapons. The juniors wore cloaks to cover themselves up from the freezing cold. They brought their own weapons for them to practice with when they reach the training house.

And with that, they all hiked up a hill, some whispering, and chatting as they hiked.

…

Eula and Mona chatted about the academia’s requirements and its upcoming events. While Chongyun and Xingqiu talked about how they admire their seniors, Qiqi and Diona, who are both Eula’s students, drank hot chocolate (made by Eula of course) as they hiked beside each other. Even Mimi and Barbara chatted together!

…

Eula sighs, "I'm thankful for Ganyu and Ayaka. They made this small training camp possible."

"Truly. Even Tartaglia wanted to help… How strange." Mona voiced out.

"I… I forgot we have senior exams coming up…" The blue-haired woman realized, sweatdropping.

"We still have a week before it though. We can still study in that time since this small training camp of ours will just last for 3 days." Mona reminded her girlfriend, closing the book that was in her hands.

Eula frowned, "You are right… but I just can't help but worry."

...

Chongyun really admires Eula. He admires how she can carry one of the heaviest staffs of the academia, he admires how she can make spells with just a snap of her fingers… He admires her to the point he wants to be just like her!

"Miss Eula carries one of the heaviest staffs in the academia! I heard from the other seniors no one else can wield it but her!" Chongyun rambles on quietly, "I want to be just like Miss Eula when I grow up! Yup! That's a goal!"

While Xingqiu listens to him ramble on about all that, his eyes stick to the not-so-really novel on "How to Not Get Friendzoned" by Kaeya Alberich...

Xingqiu may not show it, but he looks up to Mona a lot. And if I say a lot, I mean a lot . He even wishes to read the books she reads!

'Miss Mona writes right…? I wonder what her published books are… I'll go buy them later!'

...

"Barbara you're so cool! I heard many great things about you!" Mimi, Mona's junior, pestered her fellow junior, Barbara.

"Ah! U-Um thank you for the compliment! I'm not really that cool, as you put it…" Barbara softly thanked her.

"Oh don't be like that! I think— No ! I just know you are an amazing and cool person!" Mimi exclaimed, stars in her eyes as she held Barbara's hands close.

Barbara, flustered, she blurted out a "Thank you!" as she hugged Mimi.

…

Moments later…

“We’re almost there…” Mona mutters with a smile as she looked around the forest they entered.

"We're almost near, yes!" Mimi exclaimed, a grin on her face.

As they walked deeper into the forest, Chongyun got startled.

“Ah! So much water!” Chongyun shouts, frightened at the wet trees and the water dripping onto his cloak.

“Calm your horses, Chongyun. This is part of the entrance to the training house.” Eula explained, waving her staff in front of her.

With that, ice starts to envelop the water and turn into solid, making a pathway to a door.

“Armin… I’m sorry…”

 It’s funny don’t you think? It’s funny how the way your first love and now ex-lover in a relationship with someone she loved in the past when you both were only children.

Yeah, Armin wasn’t Annie’s first love… It had always been Bertholdt… from the start until the end.

 “I thought I caught a glimpse of me and you… you know, in my kitchen where we baked your favorite food?” Armin starts, resting his chin on his palm as he stared at the dimly lit streets on his balcony.

“Of course, I wouldn’t forget that. Donuts had always been my favori—” Annie was only cut off by Armin, “If I’m being honest, I was a fool.” He sighs with a small smile.

Annie only let him continue. She won’t ever understand his pain no matter how she tried. Because she will never get to experience Armin’s pain now that she’s with someone she loves more. A someone who she would devote herself to.

“If you’re not okay… just say the word and I’ll be there for you.” He said, facing Annie with a pained smile. The smile Annie hated the most. The smile that was shown when Armin’s aching inside.

“You’re just a ball of laughter, wild and chill.” He laughed, “Your goal is set in stone to accomplishing every dream and possibility your father laid out for you. Oh, and you’re more than I could ever be.” He added in the end, a fond look adorning his face even though his lip trembled and his eyes stung. He wanted to be strong, not letting a mere break-up hurt him so much.

“No—Armin— you’re more than I could ever be.” Armin only continued, “I hope he treats you better than I ever could, because you deserve the world x2.” Armin couldn’t help it, and so he let the waterworks do their thing.

“… Just don’t forget our fun Friday nights and simple Sunday afternoons.” He sniffed, ruffling his hair with a chuckle.

  Unexpectedly, Annie hugged her past lover from behind, “Armin…” she hugged tighter, “I would never forget those days… You will always have a special place in my heart—”

“A heart that’s full of him?”

Annie’s eyes widened, looking up at Armin with sad eyes.

“I hope he’s home for you, even though I had to lose you for you to find who fills your heart properly…” he whispers to her as he patted her hair gently, laying a kiss on her forehead whilst a tear slipped from his eye to his chin.

It was sundown on a Saturday and Armin just finished his work for the day. Yes, he’s a very busy person but he manages his time wisely.

The blonde sighed as he stood up from his desk, smiling sadly at a framed picture of his past lover and him. Even though Annie wasn’t there with him anymore, he still put-up pictures of both of them in his office.

While fixing his things, Armin remembered that he had to go and buy groceries since it was Sunday tomorrow (the day when his local grocery store would close). He sighed once again as he left his office, car keys in hand, and a wallet snugly put inside his jean pocket.

  He closed the door behind him and locked it swiftly. He then walked over to his car, unlocking it, and then finally got inside to start the ignition. Armin put on his seat belt, adjusting the rear-view mirror a bit to check for any cars or people nearby, and then finally hitting the pedals.

As Armin drove to his local grocery store, he couldn’t help but reminisce the times when he and Annie would go to the same store and buy pies and donuts for a movie night every Friday. Oh, how he wished she was still alive, living and breathing as they ignored their surroundings to only hear one another.

 But the reality is reality…

 She will never come back. Armin thought, but he shook his head lightly and chuckled as a single tear dropped from his eye to his white polo shirt.

  Locking the car, Armin walked over to the grocery store’s transparent doors, a small smile adorning his face. He entered the store greeting the workers and the people nearby. “Good afternoon, Sir Arlert!” greeted a staff worker who is carrying boxes, “Good afternoon, Luka.” Armin replied with a nod.

Walking further inside the store, Armin picked up a basket and carried on to buy the things he needed.

   A few moments inside the store and Armin already wants to breakdown. He couldn’t help it; he just suddenly remembers all the times he had with Annie in the familiar aisles he’s seen for the past 7 years.

The way Annie’s eyes would light up when her favorite flavored donuts were available, when she started laughing because of an embarrassing moment at school or even when she bought Armin’s favorite foods just to cheer him up from a bad day.

Oh my god, he just misses her so much.

Armin ruffled his hair and exhaled, Get over it, Armin. Her death was years ago.

But he couldn’t. She was his angel.

“We’re going to be together forever, right, Armin?” A young Annie asked, tilting her head to the side cutely.

“Of course!” The shorter blonde, Armin, replied with a grin and a thumbs up.

  Armin drove back home… well, not until he turned a corner.

Why was he so pressed at the moment? His dead Fiancé that’s what. Annie Leonhardt.

Even if it’s just for a bit, Armin wants to see his old home with her. The home where they used to live in and go home to. The home they belonged in before everything went downhill that night.

 He pulls up somewhere far from the currently occupied house but it is still visible for him to see it in its glory.

 With that, Armin finally broke down. A hand over his face as he cried, “Annie, will we ever see each other again? I miss you so much!”

 Armin sobbed until he quieted down, a neutral expression on his face as he imaged the stargazing family that occupied their old home with himself, Annie and a child.

 Both of them talked a lot about their future together, so it was normal for him to think they would have a child.

  “How about Anna for a girl? How does that sound?” Armin asked his lover as they sat under the stars.

“Ooh, ooh. And Louis for a boy.” Annie added, “Or maybe Jonas…” she thought.

“If you can’t decide then let’s have three children,” Armin blurted out bluntly then blushed immensely after he realized what he said. “W-wait—I d-didn—” he was cut off by a laugh.

The angelic laugh he grew to love and know, “Of course, Armin. We can have as many children you want.”

 However, those dreams are nothing but “could’ve”s and  “would’ve”s now.