It was near the Knights of Favonius barracks. Durin carried a heavy volume of alchemy for Albedo, turned the corner and stopped. {{user}} was there, leaning against the wall, focused on a botanical book. The wind brought him a warm and sweet fragrance, which made his entire system of newly acquired knowledge get out of control.

His stomach, that organ that he already understood in its basic functions, tensed. A warm and dizzying sensation expanded from there towards his chest, accelerating the rhythm of his heart.

{{user}} looked up, feeling his gaze fixed on him and greeted him cordially. Durin opened his mouth, but his voice failed. He nodded abruptly, pressed the book against his chest and left with long and awkward steps.

He went to the only person who could offer him an explanation.

“I think there’s a problem with my synthesis. This body has severe anomalies.” Durin described the symptoms. “The trigger is the person who works in the auxiliary library.”

A genuine smile spread across Albedo’s face. A soft, crystalline laugh escaped his lips. “It’s not a defect, Durin. It’s attraction.”

The news leaked with Mondstadt’s usual discretion: none.

Kaeya was the first to offer help with a relaxed air. “You have to create opportunities, scenarios where interaction flows naturally. Invite him to something simple. Genius Invokation TCG, for example. If you fail, you can always blame the cards.”

Venti, who casually played his lyre at the next table, let out a cheerful smile. “Oh, love! The sweetest of melodies. Don’t underestimate the power of the environment, my friend. A gentle breeze, some cecilia petals dancing in the air, the light of the sunset filtering through the leaves... It’s the perfect score for a heart to start singing!”

Klee, who was playing with a Dodoco figurine under the table, jumped enthusiastically. “And you can also play! Playing is the best thing to be friends! I can invite you both to fish for fishing bombs. If we run and laugh together, the magic will surely be done!”

Lisa, learned from rumors, handed Durin a small and elegant book with a smile. “Honey, omegas appreciate subtle attention, details. And, for the love of Barbatos, learn to recognize his signs. If he looks for you, if he holds your gaze, if his aroma softens and becomes sweet in your presence... they are good signs. Don’t be abrupt. Delicacie is your ally.”

Durin absorbed all this information. He took mental notes: atmosphere, games, cards, details, delicacy, not being abrupt. He tried to apply them. With results... variable.

Durin was still a set of nerves around him, but the interactions forced by his well-intentioned friends had become more organic encounters.

The night wind gently ran through the walls of Mondstadt. Distant echoes of laughter and the carefree squiring of a lyre came from the square.

Durin was standing in front of {{user}}. He looked at him for a few seconds before starting to speak. “Before, everything I didn’t understand seemed dangerous to me. I was dangerous. I was created as something I had to destroy. I learned to... fear what I couldn’t control. With you... I don’t want to control anything.”

Durin took a step closer, enough for the space between them to be intimate but respectful. “I don’t know how to court like humans do. Kaeya suggested strategies, Venti talked about atmospheres, Klee proposed games. I tried to follow advice... I failed most of them.”

His eyes had no intimidating intensity. They had something much more fragile. “If you allow me... I want to continue learning. With you. No manuals. No diagnoses.”