Work Text:
“I'd like to paint you.”
Ah… of course.
Making art was one of Albedo's favorite activities, so no wonder he suggested it just days after they became a couple. Lumine could only be happy he didn't offer alchemical experiments on her right away.
Well… he had done it before, when they barely knew each other.
“Sure,” she answered, snuggling her face into the crook of his neck. It was unbelievable she was able to do it anytime she wanted. Just like being together with Albedo was only a pleasant dream.
They were laying on a couch in her mansion in Serenitea Pot, holding each other in their arms and just enjoying their presence. No one was in the realm beside them and Tubby, but the adepti knew better than to interrupt the new couple. Even Paimon was somewhere in Mondstadt, giving them time to figure each other out.
After all, the first few weeks of the relationship were very important. They had to agree on many issues, such as who would sleep on which side of the bed and what ingredients should be added to a stew. Although Lumine didn't expect to have trouble resolving such minor disputes with Albedo. He seemed to nod at most of her ideas and had his head occupied with more important matters than what to have for dinner. Like the truth of the world, for example.
“Would you like to do it here?” asked Lumine, raising her head to look at Albedo’s face.
His teal eyes gazed lazily around the room.
“No,” he decided after a moment. “The light here is too dull to turn out properly on your portrait. Let's go outdoors.”
Albedo had no such insights when they painted Paimon's portrait on a dark cloudy night on Dragonspine. The light back then was terrible. Another evidence that the alchemist paid more mind to the things he was interested in and cared about.
The couple left the mansion, informing Tubby about the plan of going for a longer walk. The adepti wished them a good time, looking behind them until they disappeared from her sight.
Hand in hand, they moved slowly, as if reaching the destination didn't matter as much as the presence of each other. Lumine smiled under her breath at the memory of Albedo complaining he never had enough time. Apparently, he was finding it just for her, which made her happy.
Finally, Albedo stopped, staring at a clearing with lots of small flowers. A tall tree shielded it from the bright sun, and a nearby waterfall gave freshness to the air.
“It looks like a fine place,” he said, shifting his eyes to Lumine. “Could you…”
She immediately understood what he meant. She nodded with a smile and, after a moment, an easel with a blank canvas and a set of painting materials appeared in front of him.
Serenitea Pot was very comfortable in this regard. They didn't have to carry anything with them, just using blueprints to get access to the things they needed at any moment.
Albedo murmured with appreciation and began mixing paints. Lumine, in the meantime, stood in a place that seemed suitable for a portrait.
“Should I sit down?” she asked.
The man raised his eyes from the paint palette and smirked.
“You will have to maintain the chosen pose for a long time, so I suggest making it as comfortable as possible. To me, you can even lie down.” He squinted his eyes slightly. “Just be aware sleeping models on portraits don't look as good as awake ones.”
Lumine snorted. Of course, he had to tease her. That was a part of his personality that didn't fit his image of a genius prince, but she loved it regardless. Or perhaps it was exactly what charmed her about him - something unexpected, catching attention in that predictable world. But she wasn't sure if that was the case after knowing him for so long.
She just didn't like the fact that it was usually her who was teased.
This time he would get a taste of his own medicine!
Did he say playfully she could lie down? Fine, then she will listen to him. And he will deeply regret it.
Lumine laid her back on the grass, taking a relaxed position in which she gently bent her knees, and settled her hands near her face.
In the process, her dress folded up, revealing her shapely thighs and an attractive butt.
She didn’t have her usual bloomers. Her well-visible ass was covered only by a white thong tied at the sides with a thin string.
She didn’t fix her dress.
“I’m ready,” she said, impatient for Albedo’s reaction.
The man raised his eyes again at her and froze. His eyes widened as if he saw her for the first time in his life.
It was her turn to put on a teasing smirk.
“What do you say about this pose?” she asked.
Albedo cleared his throat before answering.
“It’s definitely… unexpected,” he said hesitantly. “I thought you would choose something more… typical for a first portrait.”
“I'm not known for typical things,” replied Lumine, trying to look unashamed. She felt weirdly naked, with a gentle breeze caressing her exposed skin.
“Won't you be embarrassed to show this painting to others?” asked Albedo, staring at her carefully.
“Do I have to show it to anyone?” Lumine looked him in the eyes.
The man hesitated.
“Well… no…”
“In that case, I don't see a problem. It will be our secret.” The woman smiled sweetly and waved her eyelashes. “Unless you're worried that you can't make it? This perspective can be a bit difficult to paint…”
Lumine just wanted to tease him a little more before he would tell her to stop goofing around and pose properly. Because there was no way he would agree to paint her like that.
But after her words, Albedo immediately became more focused, examining the sight with a cool analytical eye.
“No, it should be fine,” he said after a moment. “The lying position allows capturing most of the surrounding flowers. The light coming through the leaves gives an aesthetic shadow over your entire silhouette. Hands around your face are naturally shifting attention to its beauty. Well done, Lumine.” He smirked at her and focused on the canvas in front of him.
Lumine cursed in her mind. He wasn't supposed to applaud her! She expected him to drool and blush and babble in embarrassment, and then tell her how to pose!
And Albedo didn't even seem to be attracted to her half-naked body! He was looking at her as if she was the unusual hilichurl he once painted! What a tremendous failure!
She wanted to groan into her hands, but Albedo stopped her.
“Please don’t move. I’ve already started drafting your silhouette.”
Oh…
So there was no escape…
Her first portrait by Albedo would also be a shameless one…
And the worst part was she had done it to herself.
***
Albedo, hidden behind the easel, covered his face with his free hand. The skin of his cheeks seemed to be on fire as he tried calming the rapid beating of his heart.
Looking at Lumine, which was necessary to make progress with the painting, only made it worse. She was so breathtakingly beautiful that focusing was almost impossible.
It was good he was already painting her. He would like to keep that sight in his memories for eternity anyway.