Archive of Our Own

Three days, twenty-one hours, and fifty-eight minutes.

By the time Albedo had checked in his luggage, it had already been an hour into the three-hour grace period before boarding started. The lady at the check-in had made him unpack his admittedly suspiciously packed knapsacks onto the harbor floor, and Sucrose’s nervous pacing had only made them more insistent on a security check. They pulled out his four beige cardigans, eight paint and fruit juice stained shirts, two cargo pants, and the fifteen jars of various site samples. And the skull.

It was well within his limits to travel with samples like these from the sites he worked at. Usually he would have continued his research at the local laboratory that Lisa would conjure up for him. This time was different though. He had to be home. There were people waiting for him, people who had been waiting for over six months.

“Mr. Albedo, I’m so sorry about this!” Sucrose was panicking. She seemed on the verge of a full meltdown, and Albedo was determined to have this all cleared up before she started groveling at the ground staff.

“Sucrose,” he said, “don’t worry, you have nothing to apologize for. Miss, I can assure you this is perfectly normal for my profession. Here.” He reached into the depths of his coat, pulling out his wallet. From it, he handed her a slip of paper, signed and stamped by the Kanjou Commission, as well as a seal from the Knights of Favonius. “I trust that this is credit enough? I hope we won’t have to delay any longer.”

The lady took his slip, scanning the code and cross-checking the signatures. The second hand on Albedo’s watch ticked away, and each muted tick made the irritable itch under his skin stronger. It felt like an eternity before she tossed the slip back to him, although he knew it had only been twenty-four seconds. She gave them a wane smile, handing out their tickets to Liyue Harbor.

“Come, Sucrose. Let’s go home.”

Three days, and forty-two minutes.

The two of them had finally boarded the ship. The plan had been for Albedo and Sucrose to sail back with Lisa, but since she had somehow convinced Jean to take a break, and had chosen to vacation on the beaches of Watatsumi Island after their research was concluded, she stayed behind waiting for her partner’s arrival. Albedo had heard about her plans to propose with a custom made Sango Pearl ring enough times that he was thoroughly convinced he could paint a commemorative picture for them without ever having to be present.

“I do hope Ms. Lisa will be okay! She was wilting ever so much in the heat at Tatarasuna.” Predictably, Sucrose’s face was green even at port. “It will be several days until Master Jean arrives.”

“You needn’t worry yourself, Sucrose. Lisa is well taken care of on Narukami Island. In fact, it would not be a stretch to say that her presence in the Narukami shrine will be enriching for her, although I do pity those poor shrine maidens.”

Sucrose laughed at this. “Ms. Yae Miko and her certainly are a pair! I do hope they don’t cause too much mischief, or else Master Jean will have a lot of words for her when she gets here.”

The two of them settled into comfortable silence in the booth. The booming droll of the ship’s horn signaled their departure from port, and soon they were cutting through Inazuman waters. Sucrose mumbled a quick apology before stumbling straight for the toilets.

In her absence, Albedo untucked his locket. Gold and shaped in an unassuming oval, four-point stars embossed into the surface. He traced the shapes idly, before popping it open. Inside was a miniature portrait he had done just a few days before he had left. Even at this size, Kaeya’s features remained distinct.

They were in Kaeya’s kitchen. He had been telling Albedo about the tiniest sliver of progress he had made with his brother while prepping his signature skewers for the Recruitment Party in the evening.

“And he even huffed at me, Bedo, “ he’d said, single eye shimmering with happy tears. “Usually he’d just ignore me or send me a scowl, but he actually made a noise!”

“Typically, people would see that as disagreement, you know.”

“Yeah, I know, smartypants.” He turned to level him with rolling eyes, turning around to point at him with a half-finished skewer. “But this is Diluc we’re talking about! Diluc! For him, a huff is like him saying he agrees with me! Or even just knows I’m there! I’m telling you, Bedo, he’s warming back up to me.”

Albedo was inclined to believe him. He barely interacted with the Master of the Dawn Winery, and the few times he had were cordial and completely professional. He knew of the man’s stance on the Knights, and Kaeya had filled him in on the details that few would ever know. He’d also spent many nights talking Kaeya down from fits on the nights he burned with the memory of their falling out, and he knew of the hurt and resentment that had grown between the both of them. If DIluc was willing to acknowledge Kaeya’s wisecracks, it certainly was progress.

Kaeya’s eye sparkled as he told him more about his first visit back to the Winery since the lifting of his banishment. As the sun set, it seemed to make him shine, the happiness and excitement enveloping him in the most ethereal glow, and Albedo found himself unable to do anything but watch the shadows fall from his boyfriend’s figure as the sun slipped from the sky. When Kaeya left with the five trays of food and a departing kiss, Albedo painted him. And when Klee came home asking why there were five differently sized portraits of his boyfriend in his bedroom, he handed her the recipe for a new Jumpy Dumpty.

Two days, eleven hours, and six minutes.

They were halfway to Liyue by now. Albedo had spent a large portion of this time reviewing his notes from their research at Tatarasuna. The Traveler had told him about the Tatarigami energy they had cleansed when they were first on the island. They had shown Albedo images on their kamera of the phenomenon itself, as well as the odd Fontaine contraption used to contain and cleanse the energy. Almost all the energy had dispersed once the Traveler had dealt with it, although a few pockets remained sealed within spaces in Tatarasuna itself. Albedo had taken Sucrose with him because her Vision was an asset in terms of accessing the higher crevices. Lisa had joined them because she was as curious as he was about the corrupting powers of the Tatarigami.

The Traveler had told him that the Fatui had been involved, and where the Fatui went, there was usually some profound source of power. Albedo was interested in the similarities between the Delusions of the Fatui in relation to Tatarasuna, as the Traveler had also said that once the island had been cleansed, they had used the mines as a base to mass produce Delusions to corrupt the Watatsumi Island ranks during the Sakoku Degree. Albedo’s stake in understanding the Delusion was something he would keep to himself for as long as he could, but the results of his research would greatly aid the Knights of Favonius in their standoff against the Fatui.

The rest of his trip was spent either napping or microdosing Sucrose on potions to keep her seasickness at bay. When he could spare a minute, Albedo would write. He’d spent the last six months exchanging letters with Kaeya, and had gotten into the habit of writing them, even if he knew this last one would be for his eyes alone.

Kaeya told him all about his time in Mondstadt. All his letters start with “Same old, same old”, and yet each week Albedo was gifted with a beautifully concentrated image of the world through his eyes. He told him about the playdates he had with Klee, and one of several instances busting her out of timeout in order to deliver her to Diona to plot the downfall of the wine industry. He shared details about his training with Bennet, and how on the boy’s last adventure, he and his team had returned with only a few superficial cuts and one sprained ankle. Albedo snorted a little at the image he’d attached of him with Bennet, Fischl, and Razor, all clearly sporting blackeyes and severe bruising. Barbara had likely had a meltdown at the sight of them. He also told him about Jean’s obliviousness to Lisa’s plans, and how depressed it made him to not see his best friend get engaged.

Even though he had been gone for so long, Albedo felt like he was living life alongside him. He returned these letters with ones describing Inazuma. Of course, he knew a lot of this already from when he and Klee had come back from the Irodori festival. But on top of all the casual tourism, he described his work. He told Kaeya about the purple tint that stained the air in Tatarasuna, of the giant machine that kept the Tatarigami contained and functional. He described the smell of electrified water, of the sweet lavender melons he would make for the team as snacks. He wrote about meeting the Kamisato siblings, and sent Thoma’s best wishes attached to an open invitation to the estate on Narukami Island. Albedo sent these out every week, hoping that the pieces of his heart he had woven into the words would reach his boyfriend’s ears.

One day, eleven hours, and thirty-seven minutes.

They were almost at port, but Albedo found himself thoroughly engaged in the conversation he was having. It had taken him over a day to figure out that Kaedehara Kazuha was also on board the ship. Not that he could be faulted for it, seeing as the man had chosen to sleep in the rafters instead of in a cabin.

He had been on the way to the kitchens upon Sucrose’s insistence. You’re being too melancholy, Mr. Albedo, we’ll be home soon! She wasn’t wrong, and she kindly pointed out he hadn’t actually eaten since they left Rito. The rocky coral reefs surrounding Guyun Stone Forest made the boat rock with more fervor than the temperamental ocean surrounding Inazuma. Albedo was halfway to the kitchen cabin when the man fell out of the rafters.

Kazuha landed in front of him with light feet, barely swayed by turbulence. His face was flushed, and his clothes smelled strongly of sake and calligraphy ink. “Oh, hello there Mr. Calx. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Hello Mr. Kaedehara.”

“Please, no need to be so formal. After all, I would call us at the very least acquaintances, wouldn’t you say?” He hiccupped softly into his sleeve. “Call me Kazuha.”

Albedo didn’t know much about the wandering samurai, but seeing him drunk was not what he expected from him for some reason. Despite his inebriation, however, Kazuha held himself with near dignified poise and solemnity that he recalled from the festival. “Then you may call me Albedo.”

“Yes, so I’ve heard. The Traveler has spoken most fondly of you. They mentioned that you were the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, correct? I must apologize for the state I am in,” Kazuha said. “I made the egregious mistake of stopping by the Grand Narukami Shrine on a favor for Mr. Kamisato. She gifted me a bottle of sakura sake, and I underestimated its potency.”

“That is correct, and it’s quite alright. I’m sure the liquor was not meant for mere humans.”

Kazuha laughed. “You may certainly be right about that.” He paused for a moment, pinching his brow. “If it isn’t too impolite to ask, what are you doing on a ship from Inazuma?”

The two of them had been making their way slowly to the kitchen cabin, Albedo stumbling against the sway of the boat while Kazuha remained relatively unfazed. He thought perhaps the ronin was using his Vision to stabilize himself, yet it truly seemed like his balance was built into his very bones. If Albedo had more time, he would have asked to study the man’s physique; surely some study could help him develop a potion to help those as green at sea as his assistant.

Albedo told the man about his work on Inazuma, and Kazuha listened with wandering attention, eyes focusing and unfocusing intermittently. He asked questions, and Albedo answered them as best as he could.

Eventually, they lapsed into a brief silence, and Albedo could see the silhouette of Liyue Harbor from one of the windows.

“You smell of sakura sake.”

Albedo was snapped back to the man sitting across from him. Kazuha had his chin resting on folded arms, leaning into his elbow.

“I’m sorry?”

“You smell of longing. It’s similar to the smell of sakura sake. Sakura’s symbolize optimism and renewal, and the fermentation of it makes it bitter.” Kazuha hiccupped again, eyes closing. Albedo thought he had gone to sleep, and was reaching across for him when he said, “Sakura sake still stays sweet, but it is laced with the stringent alcohol that makes it quite bitter as well. Bittersweet longing. Your aura smells like cold sakura sake.”

With that, Kazuha started to snore lightly. Albedo sat with his arm almost at his shoulder, puzzling over his words. The ship horn bellowed, announcing their arrival in Liyue and interrupting his train of thought

“Mr. Albedo, there you are!” Sucrose came stumbling into the cabin, face as green as her hair and holding onto their knapsacks for dear life. “We’ve reached!”

Albedo gave her a small smile. “It seems we have. Take care of those while I help my friend here.”

Twenty-two hours, and fifty-seven minutes.

Zhenyu, or Xingqiu as he had asked to be called, had offered to host the two of them at the Feiyun Commerce Guild. At Albedo’s insistence, however, he had instead gifted them a carriage to the Mondstadt border, along with far too much food for two. Think of it as thanks for all your hard work, he’d said at the wharf. The boy had also assured him that Kazuha would be taken care of, and that the ronin would always have a place to stay in Liyue. Of course, that was between the two of them to discuss. Albedo was already thinking of what he could paint for his commissioner in return for his kindness.

Despite their time on land, Sucrose had suffered more extensively from their travels. Although she insisted she was fine, by the time the Stone Gate was behind them, she had built up a fever, and her breathing was shallow. Since she refused to go back, Albedo had asked one of the Feiyun Guild envoies to ride ahead and request permission to stay at the Dawn Winery for a while.

When they reached the true border between Liyue and Mondstadt, Albedo could see another escort team waiting on Winery lands. The carriage halted in front of them, and Albedo stepped out to look up at Elzer.

“We received your envoy, Mr. Albedo,” he said, motioning for the staff to help with Sucrose and their luggage. “Master Diluc welcomes you into his home.”

Albedo nodded, and waited as Hillie helped Sucrose up onto their fast-running horse. He moved to pick up their bags, but some of the other staff got to it before him, and promptly turned to walk back to the manor.

“You needn’t worry yourself with that,” said Elzer, “we will make sure to handle it with great care.”

They trudged up the slopes of the vineyard, the smell of sun-soaked grapes cooling in the night air waiting out from the vines. Lampgrass dotted the pathway, their iridescence providing enough light in the spaces between the lampposts. As they crested the mini hill, the Dawn Winery came into view. Its true name was the Ragnvindr Manor, but Master Crepus had changed it long before Diluc was born. Albedo suspected that the Winery’s current Master found solace in its name.

When Kaeya described his childhood with Diluc, the Winery was always painted with the warmest colors. The regal maroons and creams may have intimidated others, but the laughter and joy that echoed through the halls in his memory made everything vibrant. Kaeya spoke of the Winery the way others spoke of a good meal: warm, fulfilling, and made with love.

To Albedo, the place had always felt somber. During the day, the Winery was open to guests on the first floor, catering to clientele much like any in the Angel Share, but with a certain degree of decorum the sister location lacked. At night, the doors stayed closed, keeping the solitude their Master wished to contain.

“Mr. Albedo.”

Diluc descended the vanity staircase, fixing the gloves on his hands. His hair billowed about his shoulders, loose in a way that made it look like a gentle flame.

“Master Diluc. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Of course. I have sent your assistant to one of the guest rooms. Adelinde will take care of her.”

“I give you my thanks.”

Diluc dipped his head in acknowledgement, before gesturing to the grand table. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes I have,” Albedo said.

“Well, if there is anything you require, you need only ask.” He walked past Albedo to take his cloak off the rack. “I have business to attend to in Mondsadt, but I will be back before Dawn. Your rooms are right next to your assistant’s. Please take this time to rest. Goodbye.”

And with that, he left. Albedo almost made after him, but the weariness from his travel had finally settled in, and while he truly couldn’t wait to be back in Mondstadt, he preferred not collapsing on his way back. He made his way up the staircase, and at the end of the corridor, he saw the open door that would likely be Sucrose’s home for a while. Albedo suspected that with all their activity during their research coupled with her sea sickness, Sucrose had overworked herself as usual. A few days rest was usually enough to get her back on her feet, but he made a note to visit the Cathedral to request Barbara’s help if things drew on for longer.

The Dawn Winery hallways were lined with paintings, all covered with drapes. Kaeya had told him that most of the paintings in the manor were family portraits, but at some point after acquiring the manor, Master Crepus had started hanging up paintings of his own. Albedo itched to look under the drapes, curious to see the style Diluc’s father had used, to see if there was anything he could learn.

Forcing the itch down, he entered the room left of Sucrose. Both of their knapsacks lay on the bed, and Albedo went through them just to make sure all of their samples were safe. Placing them gently on the ground, Albedo collapsed onto the bed fully clothed and passed out.

Four hours, and two minutes.

Albedo woke up half an hour before the sun rose. Looking out the window, he could see the pale orange of dawn creeping up from the hills around the Winery. He took a moment to admire the view, briefly understanding why so many wished to stay even a single night in these hallowed halls.

The creak of the floorboard outside drew his attention away from the rising sun, and as he looked out his door, he watched a wisp of red disappear around the corner. Albedo hurriedly freshened up in the ensuite bathroom, then headed to Diluc’s study. The door was already open, and the man himself sat at his desk, a steaming mug of coffee at his elbow as he poured over documents. He didn’t look up as he said “Ah, Mr. Albedo. Please, join me.”

Albedo sat on the foreignly comfortable chair on the other side of Diluc’s desk. He took a moment to take the room in. The wall on his left was covered by a floor to ceiling bookcase crammed full with books. Albedo picked out the titles of Teyvat history books and religious texts amongst the well-worn spines of fables and poetry. Diluc’s desk itself had a considerable stack of books, the dark wood covered in every inch by parchment.

The dresser on the opposite wall was what caught Albedo’s eye. Not the dresser itself, but rather the vase sitting on top of it. It felt out of place in a way similar to the one Diluc displayed in his dining hall. The gaudy mosaic pattern clashed with everything else in the room.

“Every year he gives me one of those.”

Diluc hadn’t looked up once from his work. From under his fringe, Albedo could see dark circles, and the faint, tangy scent of blood seemed to stick to him.

“Vases?”

“Vases. He used to love painting unfired pots in the kiln. Sometimes I wonder if he makes them himself. I keep the excess in a separate storeroom.”

“I don’t think he has the talent to make one of these himself.”

Diluc set his pen down and looked up at him. He turned to look at the vase. “You’re probably right.”

He stayed like that for a moment, and Albedo watched him. People said that Diluc was unreadable, and that his permanent scowl revealed the severity of his nature. Kaeya’s stories from their childhood told him otherwise, and watching the distant look of regret fog Diluc’s eyes made him inclined to agree.

“Why keep them?”

He was so still, Albedo wasn’t sure he heard him. They continued to sit in silence, until the sun was well over the horizon and Diluc’s drink was cold. Albedo got up. “I’m going to check on Sucrose, then I’m on my way back. Once again, thank you for your hospitality.”

Before Albedo was out the door, Diluc said, “I have many regrets. That he cannot live here is one of them.” Diluc rose from his seat, joining Albedo at the entrance to his study, before he started to walk towards Albedo’s room. “That is my fault, but even as I’ve lifted his banishment, he will no longer call this place home the way he did when we were younger.”

They stopped outside the room, and Albedo quickly collected his things. Albedo paused for a moment outside the bedroom, debating if he should check in on Sucrose. He argued that if anyone would take care of her away from Mondstadt City, it would be the staff at the Dawn Winery. He turned around, and they continued to walk down the hallways of covered portraits.

“I cannot stand to look at them anymore. I cannot throw them out. One day, I hope I will be able to look at them again.”

They reached the bottom of the staircase, and Diluc turned to look at him. “Are you rested enough to travel back?”

“You needn’t worry for me, Master Diluc. I will make it back with time to spare.”

“Alright. I need to make sure, or I will find that the relationship I am rebuilding with my brother will come crashing down in the form of his ill prepared boyfriend.”

Albedo smiled at that. For Diluc to take the initiative in calling Kaeya his brother, that certainly was progress. He made for the doors, taking his coat front he rack.

“Albedo?”

Albedo turned to look at him.

“Make sure he’s taking care of himself.”

Thirty minutes.

Albedo met Eula and Amber on his way out from Springvale. The two of them were walking in his direction from Mondstadt City, hand in hand. Albedo had known the two of them had been seeing each other for a while; Amber was almost as much of a chatterbox and Lisa, if not more. They hadn’t told anyone officially, and from the blush on Eula’s face and her quiet smile, he was sure they hadn’t seen him yet. Before he could get out of their way to give them some space, however, Amber spotted him.

“Albedo! You’re back!”

Eula’s face slipped into her practiced stoicism as Amber dragged her towards him in a jog. “It’s so good to finally see you,” she said, rushing in for a hug. “The lab has been so quiet without you. Timaeus rarely makes anything as outlandish as you or Sucrose, and Klee doesn’t visit if you’re not there.” She stopped for a second, looking around. “By the way, where is Sucrose?”

“Oh, she came down with a fever on our way back. She’s resting at the Dawn Winery.”

Amber’s eyebrows shot up, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Archons, I hope she’s okay! But Master Diluc knows his stuff, she’ll be up and about in no time!”

“Yes, quite so.”

Amber moved back into Eula’s side, and slipped her hand back into hers. “Are you on your way back to Mondsadt?” She alway seemed to bounce when she talked.

“Yes, I am.”

“Good thing too,” Amber said, “Kaeya’s swamped with all the work Jean has given him.”

“And he’s been a mopey mess,” Eula added, not looking at him. “If he goes one more day sobbing at your staff portrait every time he walks by, I will skewer him on the spot.”

“Now don’t say that, love. Wouldn’t you miss me if I was gone that long?”

Eula looked at Amber with a level glare, unable to keep the blush from her face. “Hmph.”

“Well, we won’t keep you any longer. There’s a band of hilichurls out west from here, and Eula graciously offered to help me clear out the camps!” They started to walk off, and Albedo continued on his way. “See you later, Albedo,” she called back waving. Eula gave him a brief nod before turning to listen to whatever else Amber had to say to her.

Ten seconds.

His walk from the gates to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters was arguably more exhausting than any other part of his journey home. Albedo was known for being reclusive, yet six months away from the city was apparently more than its people could handle. Within minutes of being in the plaza, Timaeus had run up to him sobbing, garbled sentences about undying slime and aggressive elemental flowers spilling out as fast as his tears. It took an age to pry him off and assure him he would be back to help him, but by the time he had, a large circle of people had walled him into Timaeus’ worksop with greetings and well-wishes. By the good graces of Marjorie and Sarah, the crowd dispersed, and Albedo was finally able to make it into the building.

He hurried down the hallway, peeping into Jean’s office. The room was empty, her desk clear of documents, which was odd for Jean. Albedo assumed that AKeya had simply taken all of their paperwork up to his office, and so he rushed for the stairs. He was almost entirely down the hallway when he heard laughter.

“Now what do we think about that, huh?”

“Hehehe I love it! Oh Kaeya, I love it so much!”

“Well, I’m glad you do, dynamite.”

“Do you think Mr. Albedo will like it too?”

“Well, you’re just gonna find out won’t you?”

Kaeya’s voice was as sweet as he remembered. It lilted and dipped in all the right ways to make it sound like honey. Even without looking at him, Albedo could tell that he was smiling. Very few people could tell Kaeya’s real smile from his professional one, but Albedo knew the crinkles around his eyes were as deep as canyons.

And Klee. Her voice was cracking again. Alice had told him it would do that for several years while she was growing up. Her bright joy spilled from the room in bounds, and while Albedo ached to see them both, he was almost tempted to just sit and listen to the two of them talk, heart filling with fondness.

With each step he took, Albedo could feel the loneliness he felt for those six months build up inside him. He had tried his best to distract himself with work and the letters, not taking too much time to sit with his feelings of homesickness. To him, he only started to feel restless once they left Rito, and now all that aching, all that longing. All of it was filling him up to bursting, and he finally took the last step into the doorway of KAeya’s office.

The two of them were at Kaeya’s desk, with his boyfriend in his chair and his sister in his lap. Klee was holding on to a vase very similarly shaped as the ones treasured in the Dawn Winery rooms. He couldn’t make out the pattern, as they were both turned away from the doorway. Albedo stood there, taking them in with a smile. He had missed them. More than he had let himself feel.

Klee spotted him first. “Mr. Albedo,” she yelled, hopping off Kaeya’s lap. She spent a split second deciding what to do with the vase in her hand, before opting to place it precariously on the edge of the desk, running up to hug him tightly around his waist. “You’re back, you’re back, you’re back!”

Albedo bent down to pick her up, holding her close. “Yes, Klee, I’m back.”

“Oh Mr. Albedo,” she said, “I missed you so much!”

“And I missed you too, Klee,” he said, stroking her hair.

“Ahem, Ahem.”

Albedo looked up at the man he loved. Kaeya was watching them with a soft smile, hip propped up against the desk. He had moved the vase - which Albedo could now see was decorated with both of their handprints - to a less precarious position.

“Ms. Klee, may I borrow a few seconds from your reunion?”

Klee giggled, wriggling out of Albedo’s arms. Before running back to the desk.

Kaeya stepped forward, and he was barely a breath away. They stared at each other, taking each other in. Albedo was certain that somehow, Kaeya had grown taller. Impossible for a man of his age, but still. His uncovered eye shook, the same bluish-purple he remembered. The seconds ticked away on his watch, and then he felt the air leave his lungs as they surged towards each other. Kaeya pressed him into his chest, and Albedo gripped the fabric on his back with an intensity that left his joints sore. They stood like that for a while, and all Albedo could focus on was the way aeya smelled. All the tension that built in him from the corridor seemed to melt at his touch. When they pulled away, Kaeya cupped his face, pulling him into a gentle kiss. They had kissed before, but this one felt like their first. It was sweet and chaste and full of so many stories waiting to be told.

Albedo felt a tug at his pants, and looked down to see Klee holding the vase up to him, a toothy grin reaching all the way up to her eyes.

“Do you like it? Kaeya and I made it ourselves!”

Albedo took the vase from her, turning it around to see the grooves left behind by Kaeya’s blue handprint and Klee’s red ones. Klee had painted on what he assumed to be Dodocos in the negative spaces, the color bleeding out of shape. On the base was a small stick figure drawing of the three of them with a big heart around them. “I love it, Klee, thank you.”

He felt the laugh leave Kaeya’s lips, and looked up to see the fondness spilling from his face. He pulled Albedo back into his chest, reaching down to pull Klee into their hug. He placed a kiss onto the drown of his head and said, “Welcome home, Bedo.”

“I’m glad to be home."