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Smiling, Lumine ran a finger around her sake cup. After a day of preparing for the Irodori Festival, Venti suggested he, Lumine, and Albedo should find an inn to share a drink. Albedo offered his room at the International Trade Association. The traditional Inazuma room was outfitted with tatami flooring and cushions. An alcove had a calligraphy banner which read “peace”. Beneath it a vase of dendrobiums rested on a low table. Albedo’s and Klee’s bags sat in the corner, clothes and paint supplies spilling out.
Lumine closed her eyes. Listened. Klee snored softly behind a flower-patterned folding screen. To Lumine’s right, Venti slept on the ground, hugging a bottle to his chest. “Mm… need more…” Venti put the bottle to his lips much like a baby with a pacifier. He sighed contently.
Albedo sat across from Lumine at the table. He raised his brow at Venti. “He consumed a frightening amount of alcohol. I sincerely hope he’ll be all right come the morning.”
Lumine giggled. Arm on the table, Lumine considered Albedo. Having drunk and eaten, Albedo sat back on a hand, posture loose and open. The usual crinkle between his brows had disappeared. Lumine asked in a low tone. “It’s been a while. How have you been since… that imposter incident? Have you been all right?”
Albedo tensed. Sitting up straight, Albedo looked away. “As well as to be expected, I suppose. I’ve been occupying my time with work as usual. However, I find myself making trips to Mondstadt more frequently. Given there are more Knightly patrols on Dragonspine now, I feel at ease doing so.”
Lumine frowned. “Patrols? Doesn’t Jean trust your report that the incident was resolved?”
“I think it’s less a matter of trust and more a matter that Jean and Kaeya have no desire of being caught off guard again. A concern I can certainly relate to.” Albedo lowered the cup he held and bowed his head. “Nights on Dragonspine I can feel this chill running down my spine. When I forage for resources, I find myself checking over my shoulder, looking for shadows.” Eyes narrowed, Albedo gripped his cup. “If Klee had gotten involved…” After a moment, Albedo shook his head. “Receiving an invitation to Inazuma was honestly more of a relief than I’d like to admit.”
Lumine waved a hand. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a vacation! After everything you’ve been through, you deserve it.”
Albedo nodded. “Thank you. And you? How fares the search for your brother?”
Frowning, Lumine looked down at her sake cup. “Tiring. I… I discovered more about what he’s been up to but…” Memories replayed in her mind: Aether determined to forcibly remove the curse from the former Khaenri'ahs. Hilichurls writhing in pain as they died. “None of it is good. I’ve been trying to mentally prepare myself for facing him, but…” Eyes screwed shut, Lumine clenched her fists. “I honestly don’t know what to do.”
Albedo reached across the table. Placed his hand over hers. Smiling, Lumine overturned her hand and gave Albedo’s hand a squeeze. She studied him. His face bore a healthy flush thanks to the sake. Fluffy flaxen-colored hair spilled onto his shoulders. In the lantern light, he steadily gazed at her with turquoise eyes that almost seemed to glow on their own. For once, his thin lips curled in a slight smile.
Elbow on the table, Lumine rested her chin on her palm. She smirked. “Are you only going to stare at me or what?”
Albedo’s eyes widened. Blushing, he withdrew his hand. Looking away, Albedo tucked a strand of hair behind an ear. “Well, well. I didn’t expect alcohol to have that kind of effect on you.” Sighing, Albedo closed his eyes. “Vacations offer sorely needed reprieve, but…” Albedo glanced at the folding screen. They could just make out the top of Klee’s sleeping form, her arm stretched overhead. “…then our responsibilities return.”
Lumine stilled. Hung her head. City bustle echoed from outside. The lantern candle flickered. Venti murmured something. Exhaling, Lumine sat back on her hands and gazed up at the ceiling. “As someone who has lived longer than you, can I give you some advice?”
Albedo blinked. “Yes, of course.”
“You can’t go through this long life alone. You’ll only erode into a shell of yourself. Romantic relationships aside, if you don’t make time for friends, you won’t have any.” Lumine sat up, a hand to her heart. Her golden eyes bore into Albedo. “So please, cherish Klee and the other Knights. Keep them close.”
After a moment, Albedo nodded. “I will. Thank you.”
A few days later, Lumine walked the streets of Ritou, the festival in full swing. People swarmed around the main plaza to glimpse Calx’s paintings. Strings of lanterns hung overhead. Vendors cried to passersby to buy figurines. Authors manned tables, signing light novel copies to lines of waiting fans. Lumine closed her eyes. Breathed in the smell of crisp leaves and the ocean.
“Ah, Lumine, hello.”
Albedo stood next to a store selling Inazuma souvenirs. Back to them, Klee gushed over a kitsune plushie on the counter. He waved. “How fortunate it is to see you. I was wondering if I could speak with you? There’s something—”
“Mr. Calx!”
Two fans dashed up to Albedo, copies of A Legend of Sword in hand. “Could we get your autograph?”
Eyes narrowed, Albedo placed a hand over his mouth. “Um, ah… No. I’m not doing any autographs; my apologies.”
Smiling, Lumine grabbed Albedo’s arm. “What he means to say is that he’s leaving to meet his editor-in-chief right now and can’t. If you happen to catch him behind the booth with Xingqiu then he can!”
“Oh, okay, thanks! We’ll wait for you.” Waving, they left.
Lumine released him. “Sorry, I just assumed that you would be avoiding the booth.”
“Thank you, and yes, you surmise rightly. Let’s retreat to somewhere more private, shall we?” Over his shoulder, Albedo said, “Don’t wander too far, okay, Klee?”
They ducked into a narrow alleyway between two houses. A dusty barrel stood at the end. Albedo crossed his arms. “I’ve been contemplating your advice from the night we shared drinks. Hearing your advice, enjoying the pleasure of your and everyone’s company as we investigated the Five Kasen, learning about the rift between the ancestors of the Kaedehara family… There indeed is truth in your words. Relationships are important. Those whom we are close with should be cherished.”
Albedo placed a hand on his chest. “Before coming to Ritou, I was already planning on exploring Inazuma with Klee after the festivities. I’d have to ask if it’s all right with Klee, but would you want to join us?” Albedo slipped his hand into Lumine’s hand. Intertwined their fingers. He smiled at her. “We could also explore a relationship between us because I cherish you deeply.”
“Albedo…”
Leaning in close, Albedo tucked a strand of Lumine’s hair behind an ear. Trailed his fingers down her cheek and chin. Eyes closed, Lumine lifted her chin. Pressed her lips to his. When she withdrew, Albedo chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes. Let me ask Klee.”
They found Klee in the corner of the plaza, spinning around with her newly purchased kitsune plush. She beamed. “Miss Honorary Knight! Are you busy? Klee wants to enjoy the festival with you!”
Albedo and Lumine traded glances. “Actually, Klee, there was something I wanted to ask of you. How would you feel about the idea of Lumine joining us as we travel through Inazuma? You can be honest. I know it was intended to be a family—”
Klee gasped. “You mean big brother finally confessed his feelings?”
“Wh-what?”
Lumine raised a brow. “Oh? What’s this?”
Klee hugged her kitsune plush to her chest, turning side to side. “Oh, big brother loves you lots and lots! His sketchbooks are filled with doodles of you, he’s always asking Katherine if she’s heard from you, and all his bedtime stories have princesses or travelers but they’re clearly you, heeheehee.”
Blushing crimson, Albedo held his face with his hands. “Klee, that’s… that’s enough, thank you.”
Smirking, Lumine knelt down to Klee’s height. “I would love to hear all about this as we travel together.”
“Okay! I got waaay more to tell you.”
Albedo covered his face completely with his hands, groaning. Giggling, Klee pumped her fist. “But first I wanna check out the festival.” Holding Lumine’s hand, Klee led her down the street. “I want to get copies of my ‘Let's Go, Dodoco!’ story and give it to Kaeya and Jean and Razor and everybody back home…”
Lumine glanced at Albedo. Seeing her gaze, Albedo flushed slightly before shaking his head, smile on his face.
Lumine laughed. She gazed up at the sky, the sun beaming down on them. The wind ruffled her hair. Seems like we’re going to be making quite a lot of time with each other.