ALBEDO "the way i loved you"

chapter eighteen

it was devastating to hear her brother say those words without even batting an eye — like he really meant all of it — like they weren't blood related — like she was a stranger to his eyes — like she wasn't even part of his world.

the heavy rain finally poured — the droplets were like knives to her skin but they didn't match the feeling of betrayal and sadness within her. people finally left and she was alone in the park, sitting in the swing like some sort of stray kitten.

she closed her eyes as tears streaked down. ella was right; he would choose her over his very own sister. she had to chuckle painfully at the thought, she suddenly felt like an idiot for being sure that he'd side with his sister.

ah, ella. that little bitch lied through her teeth in order to do that. that's right — she didn't even tell her brother the truth and made herself the victim when in fact everything that's happening right now was her scheme.

"hey.."

the pounding of her heart matched the heavy rain. first, she saw shoes in front of her and when she finally looked up — she saw albedo.

her lips trembled, feeling emotional once again. she couldn't answer because she knew her voice would break like earlier, she's so vulnerable right now. the rain wasn't hitting her anymore — he's blocking it with his umbrella.

"what are you doing here?"

the cold wind swirled across the park. "i won the regional, we were celebrating."

"really? that's...great."

"you? what are you doing here?"

she looked away. "i wanted t-to enjoy the rain..."

"crying?" he implied, "you want to enjoy the rain while crying?"

"why? do i look pitiful to you?"

"no." albedo answered, his hand gently cupped her chin to make her look at him. then, her eyes teared up again. "it's okay to cry when there's too much in your mind and if you cannot contain it anymore... i can listen to you."

he kneeled in front of her, "y/n, what happened?"

his voice was soothing, there was comfort in it and that — that alone made her broke down in tears.

he listened, he stayed, and he comforted her.

he didn't judge her.

and she felt so safe around him.

she felt comforted...and loved.

"thank you..." she whispered.

"can i give you a hug?"

she shook her head, "i'm soaked in water. you'll get sick."

albedo bit the side of his cheek, his ears red. "wanna get sick together?"

y/n bursted out laughing, "help yourself."

albedo pulled her towards him, he could feel himself slowly becoming soaked in water. he dropped the umbrella and hugged her — his hand gently tapping her back like he was assuring her that everything would be fine.

his hug...was like a warm blanket being wrapped around her when she was a child during a cold winter night. 

"you're...insane.." she whispered, unable to process what he did but nevertheless chuckled in amusement.

albedo laughed, his hands holding the side of her shoulders now. he looked at her and softly mumbled, "yeah, i'm definitely insane."