Mondstadt's alchemy lab was a sanctuary of silence, save for the bubbling of potions and the soft scribble of quills on parchment. You found yourself there often, seated across from Sucrose as she worked meticulously on her experiments. Her small hums of concentration were oddly soothing, a melody you had come to associate with peace.

"Do you mind handing me the Luminescent Spine?" Sucrose asked, her soft voice barely cutting through the quiet. She looked up at you briefly, her teal eyes filled with focus, and a hint of warmth at your presence.

You reached for the peculiar material on the nearby shelf and handed it to her, your fingers brushing hers for a brief moment. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she pulled back quickly. "Th-thank you," she murmured, her ears twitching slightly under her hood.

The two of you shared a quiet moment, the lab bathed in the golden light of the setting sun filtering through the window. Sucrose fiddled with the edge of her notebook, gathering her courage.