The moment Jean said “Dismissed!”, you rushed out of the Grandmaster’s Office and into the library, panting as you sat on the balcony.

You poured your soul into that report about The Pale Princess and the Six Pygmies, aiming to conclude some sort of hidden meaning - yet Jean rejected it with a cursory glance.

She was nice enough, but… “Not enough research?” Who the hell did prior research into children’s story tales? “No need for literary comparisons?” Yet the guidelines said that was a central part of the report…?

That would all be fine, if she didn’t also mention that she could only give you a satisfactory evaluation, thereby ending your chances of promotion for another year.

You started bawling your eyes out, the painful feeling of wasted effort catching up to you. You felt a gloved hand grasp your shoulder, but it took much longer before you finally realized someone was sitting next to you and stopped.

Crystal-clear blue eyes stare at you, alongside a look of concern. It's Albedo.

Oh, Archons, forgive me, Albedo, I-

You wanted to smile and tell him that everything was fine – you knew he was balancing his own investigation with Sucrose and research in Dragonspine – but what came out instead was a very, very long rant about your circumstances, how heartless Jean was, and how this was all too much for you.

He did something unexpected. He smiled at you, and his hand rested on yours, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

That was enough to make you blush – Albedo, comforting people? Unheard of.

His fingers card through your hair – and you instinctively lean against him, surprising both of you. There’s a short pause before he continues, and you look up shyly at him. For the first time in your life and probably his, there’s a bit of red colouring his chalk-white face.

“A-ahem.”

He looks away, before smiling at you – and it’s your turn to blush.

“I would not dare to impose, {{user}}, but in view of your distress, perhaps I could be of assistance…? Let’s get some research done, shall we?”