Dragonspine
One calm, peaceful day in Mondstadt, Markus walks by the Alchemy Lab. As he walks by, he feels like he hears someone muttering in his direction.

Markus: "Huh?"

He turns his head, but doesn't see anyone behind him.

Markus: "... That was weird."

As he gazes straight ahead however, he hears the muttering a second time.

"E-e-excuse me..."

He turns his head again. And... nothing. Again.

Markus: "Am I imagining things?"

He sighs, looking straight ahead (again).

Markus: "Or maybe the wind's just playing tricks on me..."

"P-pardon me..." Markus hears a bit less faintly this time.

He quickly shifts his attention back to the Alchemy Lab, noticing a soft, green pointed ear poking out from behind it.

Markus: "U-uh... Okay, so it wasn't just my imagination..." He thinks to himself. "But... who even is that? Should I say something, or pretend I didn't hear anything and walk away?"

He decides on the former, hesitatingly turning back towards the lab.

Markus: "U-um... were you trying to get my attention just now...?"

An unfamiliar face steps out in front of him, adjusting her glasses as her ears wiggle nervously.

"Y-yes, I was. I'm sorry..."

Markus: "T-that's okay. Uh, so... who are you?"

"Sucrose. I-I work in this lab with Master Albedo..."

Markus: "Ohhh...! So you're Sucrose!" He lets out a relieved exhale once he realizes who she is. "Albedo's told me about you. I'm..."

Sucrose: "Markus, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius."

Markus: "U-um, yes. That's right. And..."

Sucrose: "... Master Albedo's closest friend!"

Markus: "W-wha... what?" He blushes lightly in embarrassment.

Sucrose: "You are close with Master Albedo, right?"

Markus: "U-u-um... I guess? But surely you and even Timaeus are closer to Albedo than I am. You work with him, after all."

Sucrose: "Not at all! He's much more friendly with you than with either us."

Markus: "Is... that so?"

Sucrose: "Truly, the only one incredible enough to befriend Master Albedo in such a way is you, Sir Markus!"

Markus: "'Incredible'...? W-where'd you hear that from?! And don't call me 'Sir', please..."

Sucrose: "I don't think it's an exaggeration. I've heard of your many great feats from passersby in the city."

Markus: "Honestly, what's with the folks of Mond and their love of gossip...?" He groans. "I bet all the things they said was total nonsense..."

Sucrose: "Please, tell me your secrets!" She pleads desperately. "I... want to be closer with him, too!"

Markus: "H-huh?!"

Sucrose suddenly panics, looking down in shame.

Sucrose: "I-I apologize! That was a pretentious thing to ask, wasn't it?"

Markus: "No, it's fine... Since you work alongside him so much, it's natural to want to get to know him better, right?"

Sucrose: "... Is it?"

Markus: "Of course!" He says with a smile.

Sucrose: "It's no trouble for you?"

Markus: "Don't worry, I've got some free time right now."

Sucrose: "N-no, I mean... I was worried, because... I-I've heard some people say you're close enough with him, that you wouldn't want to share him with anyone else..."

Markus: "Just what kind of things are they saying about me, anyway?!" He shakes his head in disbelief. "I mean, you just want to be his friend, don't you? Of course that's not a big deal. To... me, or otherwise..."

Sucrose: "F-f-friend?!" She stammers. "N-no, simply being acquaintances with him is more than enough. Enough to just... maybe c-chat with him every once in a while...?"

Markus: "Are you not already acquaintances, at least? Jeez Albedo, just how do you treat your coworkers?" Markus places a hand to his forehead, sighing. "Do you know when Albedo will be by? Want me to help you talk to him about it?"

Sucrose: "N-no, I... would just like some advice..."

Markus: "Well, if we're talking about Albedo... I'm not sure if simply offering you 'advice' will be enough..."

Suddenly, Sucrose's ears bolt up, before she retreats into the lab.

Markus: "Huh?"

"Markus? Were you looking for me?"

Markus turns around, and sees Albedo arrive, as calm and collected as ever.

Markus: "Speak of the alchemist... You're here."

Albedo: "Oh? Were you talking to yourself about me? Do you do so often while standing outside of the Alchemy Lab?"

Markus: "Yeah, totally, it's my favorite pastime..." He shrugs.

Albedo: "Is that so?"

Markus: "I was joking."

Albedo: "Were you now?"

Markus: "Sheesh..." He groans. "Albedo... Mind if I ask you a rather blunt question?"

Albedo: "Are you not always blunt with me?"

Markus: "Shush. Anyway, would you consider the two of us to be... close friends?"

Albedo: "Do you?"

Markus: "H-hey, don't deflect the question back to me!" He blushes in embarrassment.

Albedo: "Give your answer first, and then I'll give you mine."

Markus: "F-f-fine..." He stammers, his face reddening even more. "I-I guess I consider you... a close friend. I g-guess..."

Albedo: "I see. In that case, my answer is the same as yours."

Markus: "N-no fair! You can't just copy my answer!"

Albedo: "With two less 'I guess'es." He follows up with a smirk.

Markus: "Ugh, whatever." He groans, shrugging. "Anyway, do you have any... other friends?"

Albedo: "Hm?" He raises an eyebrow, genuinely not expecting Markus to say that. "What do you mean?"

Markus: "Well, when we first met, you told me you didn't have any need for close friends... Do you still feel that way now?"

Albedo places a hand to his chin, thinking about it.

Albedo: "I suppose... it's not something I've thought much about, after meeting you..."

Markus: "What about Sucrose and Timaeus? Do you consider them friends?"

Albedo: "They are both colleagues with similar interests in alchemy. I'm not sure the term 'friend' is appropriate for them, at least when compared to you. But... why bring them up?"

Markus: "U-uh...!"

Albedo: "There's no need to worry. My relationship with you is special in a different manner than with them. I have no intention on replacing you, Markus."

Markus: "T-that's not what I was getting at!" He blushes again. "So, there really isn't anyone else? You're only friends with me?"

Albedo: "There's no need to worry. I have no intention on replacing yo-..."

Markus: "I-I already told you that's not it! Jeez!" He crosses his arms, pouting.

Albedo: "Very well then. Your line of questioning was for someone else's sake, not yours, correct?"

Markus: "If you knew from the start, you could've laid off the teasing..."

Albedo: "Did they request for you to ask on their behalf?"

Markus: "E-erm, not exactly..."

Albedo: "So, you're just being needlessly nosey, as usual..."

Markus: "What do you mean 'as usual'?!"

Albedo: "Who is this person, Markus?"

Markus: "U-um... I don't know if I should say. It might be better if they talk to you about it themselves first, at least..."

"Good afternoon, Markus. Albedo."

Kaeya greets them both casually as he passes by.

Markus: "Oh, hi."

Albedo: "Is it him?"

Markus: "Pfft, no." He scoffs at the thought. "No offense, Kaeya."

Kaeya: "Hey now, you can't just say 'Pfft, no' to me, and expect me not to get offended. That isn't very nice."

Markus: "Fine, fine... I'm sorry..." His head droops down guility.

Kaeya: "Anyway, would you both happen to be talking about 'the certain individual' that wants to get closer to Albedo?"

Markus: "How did you even...?!"

Albedo: "So you know who it is?"

Kaeya: "Of course I do. I'm surprised you don't, honestly."