Work Text:
8/10/25
The microscope lens focused on the tiny mint leaf. It had a faint, cold yellow sheen to it, making it stand out against any other common mint leaf. Sucrose continued to study the leaf meticulously, taking careful notes on its structure and overall details. She couldn't help but wonder if this mint was truly unique to Dragonspine, or if it could be found elsewhere.
As she examined the leaf, the sounds of the outside world silenced and she continued her research.
As Sucrose continued to study the mint leaf using the microscope, she became increasingly immersed in her research. The more she observed, the more she noticed the subtle differences between this mint leaf and the common variety. The shape of the leaf, the pattern of veins on its surface, and even the arrangement of its cells seemed to be unique.
She jotted down her observations in her notebook, making note of any physical characteristics that seemed to set this mint leaf apart from the others. She also considered the possibility of testing its chemical properties.
Sucrose decided the next step would be to test the chemical properties of the mint leaf. She carefully extracted a small portion of the leaf, making sure not to damage it in the process. She then prepared a solution and began to conduct a series of chemical tests to see if any new compounds could be identified.
As she waited for the results of the tests, she began to wonder about the potential uses for this new variety of mint. Could it have medicinal properties? Or perhaps it could be used in cooking for a unique flavour?
With excitement buzzing in her mind, Sucrose couldn't help but let her mind venture off into possible theories. She started jotting down her ideas in her notebook.
"First and foremost," she scribbled, "is the possibility of medicinal properties. Perhaps this version of mint could have unique properties unmatched by any other in terms of healing? The fact that it's only been found in Dragonspine also brings up questions about it."
She paused, tapping her pen against her chin in thought.
"Alternatively," Sucrose continued writing, "it could have culinary potentials. The distinct yellow sheen to the leaf could indicate the presence of a unique chemical compound, perhaps a different variant of chlorophyll than what is present in regular mint. This could potentially lead to a new flavour profile."
She started writing again, lost in her thoughts as more and more ideas filled her mind.
…
Sucrose's concentration was broken as a small voice called out for her. At first, it was faint, but it gradually grew louder until it snapped her out of her trance-like state. Startled, she looked up from her notebook to see a blurry vision of Albedo, holding her glasses in his hand up high.
"Earth to Sucrose," Albedo teased, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You seemed deep in thought again."
Sucrose blushed in embarrassment, realizing she had been so absorbed in her work that she hadn't even noticed Albedo's approach. She reached out to retrieve her glasses from him.
"Oh, uh, sorry Mister Albedo. I was just...lost in thought," she replied sheepishly. "I was examining the mint leaf and brainstorming potential theories."
Albedo took a step back, his expression betraying a playful hint as he moved out of reach. "Oh? Have you now." He teased, maintaining a distance Sucrose was close to yet couldn’t reach him as he spoke.
Sucrose's eyes widened as Albedo stepped back, keeping her glasses just out of reach. She tried stretching her arm as far as she could, but to no avail. It also didn’t help that she couldn’t see; her vision blurry.
"M-Mister Albedo, please give me back my glasses!" she protested, "I need to finish my notes, but most importantly, I can’t see!"
Albedo’s expression shifted to one of mild annoyance as he reminded her, "I thought I told you to call me just Albedo." He stepped forward, reaching out to tuck her glasses into his chest pocket. In response, Sucrose let out a squeak and took a cautious step back, her nervousness palpable as she recoiled from his approach.
Sucrose's nervousness increased as Albedo stepped forward, clearly displeased at her not using his proper name. She winced as he tucked her glasses into his chest pocket, making them even more out of reach.
She took a step back, her back hitting the table behind her, and a squeak escaped her lips. She felt anxious not knowing what he planned to do next, trapped without her glasses to see properly.
"I-I'm sorry," Sucrose stuttered, "I'll call you Albedo from now on. Please, can I have my glasses back?"
Albedo's stern expression softened slightly at her apologetic tone. He noticed her nervous demeanor and the way she was backed against the table, and a small sense of guilt prickled at him.
He let out a sigh, his hand resting on the pocket where her glasses were safely tucked in.
"I appreciate your apology, Sucrose," he replied, his voice mellower. "But I want you to do something for me, for.. an experiment."
"Oh- of course M— Albedo. What is it—"
Sucrose’s words were cut off as Albedo leaned down, trapping her between his arms. She could feel his breath ghost lightly over her face as he gently placed her glasses back on her face.
And then, without warning, Albedo captured her lips in a tender kiss. Sucrose’s eyes shut, her heart skipping a beat at their closeness. Albedo’s kiss was tender yet firm, a mix of gentleness and control that was just- Albedo sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
Albedo’s cheeks held a subtle flush, a hint of embarrassment visible in his expression. He cleared his throat, mumbling a soft “Thank you” before quickly straightening his jacket. Ignoring the flustered state he had left Sucrose in, Albedo composed himself and turned to leave, leaving the girl to process the unexpected and tender moment they had just shared.
ꔛ
Albedo grabbed his notebook, the lingering fluster still evident on his face. With a slight tinge of pink still warming his cheeks, he began to record the events that had just transpired between him and Sucrose.
Each stroke of his pen was deliberate and precise, capturing the moment with the same methodical attention to detail he applied to all his studies. As the pen danced across the page, Albedo’s thoughts flitted from the sensation of Sucrose’s lips.
8/16/XX
Subject: Experiment No. 520
Today, I conducted an experiment involving sensory deprivation and its effects on cognitive function. The test subject was Sucrose.
As part of the experiment, I took her glasses away temporarily to simulate a state of reduced visual input. However, it heightened her anxiety and I lessened my actions to not put subject No. 520 off.
Eventually, I gave subject No. 520’s glasses back and requested to conduct an experiment on her to which we had lip-to-lip contact. I find myself having an accelerated heartbeat and the blood flowing to areas of my face, specifically my cheeks.
I must conduct more experiments regarding this.