Chapter Text
The door to the stables creaked, drawing snorts and whinnies of interest. Kaeya took Albedo’s hand and led him to a tall, midnight black horse, who gazed down at them imperiously.
“This is Cecilia,” said Kaeya, rubbing her nose. “She was a gift from my father when I was very young. We’ve won many competitions together. Haven’t we girl?”
She snorted, nuzzling him affectionately.
Kaeya wrapped his arms around her neck. “She can’t live in the city, so I only get to see her at the winery.”
He turned to Albedo, who was watching from a safe distance. “Come on. Say hi.”
Albedo approached cautiously, clearly nervous. Kaeya took his hand and placed it on her nose. He hesitated, then rubbed it gently.
She huffed and closed her eyes. Albedo looked up at Kaeya, happy.
“I think she likes-”
Cecilia reared her head all of a sudden, neighing loudly. Albedo flinched as the other horses raised their heads to see what the commotion was about.
Kaeya started laughing. Cecilia whinnied and shook her glossy mane, almost as if she were laughing with him.
“She’s angry,” Albedo mumbled from behind him.
“No, you’re alright,” Kaeya chuckled, looking down at him. “She likes playing pranks. She won’t hurt you.”
He leant down and gave Albedo a reassuring kiss. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
He let Cecilia out, showing Albedo how to saddle her up. She stood calmly as he fastened all the buckles, then strapped a basket to her saddle.
Kaeya helped Albedo onto her back, then got on himself.
“Ready?” he asked, taking hold of the reins.
Albedo hugged him tightly from behind. “Yeah.”
He tugged at the reins, and Cecilia trotted out of the stables and past the vineyard. Jean and Diluc were relaxing on the balcony, sharing a cup of tea. Albedo waved as they rode out. They waved back.
The two of them rode through the countryside, past fields dotted with blooming flowers. They had come back to the winery for spring break, and it was absolutely stunning in the gorgeous, mild weather. The vineyard was bursting with juicy, ripe grapes, and the greenery was more vibrant than ever.
Albedo rested his head on Kaeya’s shoulder as they rode, wind ruffling through their hair and the sun beaming on their faces.
Kaeya finally drew Cecilia to a halt near a copse of trees with pink flowers. He slid off easily, then helped Albedo down.
He looped Cecilia’s reins around a tree branch, knowing she was trained enough not to wander off by herself. She settled down in the grass, swishing her tail. The two of them unpacked the basket, setting out a blanket and all the fixtures for a little picnic. Sandwiches, salad, fruit, strawberry cupcakes.
“And two bottles of wine,” said Kaeya, reaching into the basket.
“Hmph. I would hope not.”
He grinned, pulling out a bottle of lemonade. There was no wine. It had simply become an inside joke between them.
Albedo made himself comfortable against Kaeya as they ate. There were a couple of apples for Cecilia, which she crunched up happily.
They ate in companionable silence, listening to the drowsy bees buzzing around. One of them bumped into Albedo’s hair and bumbled away.
“I love it here,” Albedo sighed, as he crumpled up sandwich wrapper. “It’s so serene.”
Kaeya couldn’t agree more. The food had made him sleepy, and he lay down with his head in Albedo’s lap. Albedo, who had been rummaging in the basket, looked down at him curiously.
“I’m going to sleep.”
He held up his notebook. “But I wanted to draw.”
“Lovely idea,” Kaeya mumbled, not moving. “Do proceed.”
Albedo placed his notebook on Kaeya’s face.
Laughter floated into the air.
“Go to sleep.” Albedo leant down and gave him a kiss. “I can hold it up.”
Kaeya wrapped an arm around his waist and snuggled into him. Albedo ran his fingers through his hair, then leant back against the tree, his pencil working away.
Kaeya sighed happily. The afternoon was warm, and Albedo’s lap was comfortable. Spring break stretched ahead of them; lazy days shared with laughter and love.
He closed his eye and drifted off to sleep, content.