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Lumine couldn’t keep the grin off her face. Finally, today was the day. She poured powdered violetgrass and sweet flowers into a cauldron. Well-used, the cauldron had tracks running down the side and congealed globs stuck to it. She hummed as she brushed the last grains from the mortar into the pot.
Yawning, Paimon drifted over. “What’s got you in a good mood so early?”
“Albedo’s coming! When Sucrose told him I passed the expert exam, Albedo said he’d stop by. This is for him.”
While she took a break from traveling in Fontaine, Lumine expected to spend time with Albedo. They’ve been seeing each other for nearly a year and a half, so any time Lumine could she’d come to Mondstadt to be with him. But despite the scores of people visiting her store every day, Albedo hadn’t stopped by yet. Archons, it only took running an international business in his backyard before he took notice.
“Oh… Albedo, huh?” Paimon bit her lip and glanced at the forlorn snowy mountain in the distance. “That would be nice, right? Especially after waiting all this time for him to come over. He’s slower than a Sumpter Beast.”
Lumine turned away, not answering, but she set the mortar down a little too hard. Still humming, she ground out the next batch of flowers with more force than necessary.
Paimon winced. “Yeah, this’ll go well.”
Grinding, Lumine shook a stray lock of hair from her eyes. The air felt cool against her skin. She scanned the horizon. Beyond the store, gentle hills rolled off into the distance, a million different shades of green reflecting the sunlight. Waves rippled across Cider Lake, its waters a deep sapphire blue. Lumine had traveled all over Teyvat, so she could confidently say nothing matched the richness of color in Mondstadt.
Just as Lumine was about to give up on any signs of him and ground the pestle into a nub, she spied a figure walking down a path. “Albedo!” Lumine waved overhead. He raised a hand.
Albedo strolled into the grounds, an easy smile on his face. His uniform and coat were as pristine as ever; only his windswept hair looked out of place. He carried a bundle in one hand.
Lumine jumped over the counter and squeezed him tight. He stiffened, chuckling in surprise. Burying her face into his neck, Lumine held Albedo close. She normally wasn’t so clingy, but in their absence, she’d placed an archon on trial, faced a primordial beast, and defied a prophecy all just to see him again.
Albedo relaxed his stiffness, returning the embrace. Withdrawing, Lumine pecked him on the cheek. She wouldn’t be any more intimate than that with others around. At this hour Lisa was still sleeping so only Freda and a few other knights unloaded crates from a wagon. Albedo generally avoided any public displays of affection like the plague. He was embarrassed easily.
Albedo brushed his fingertips across Lumine’s cheek. “I trust you’re well?” She nodded. “We’ve letters, the teapot, and Alice’s communication devices, but still nothing soothes my heart like seeing you in Mondstadt. And so you can remember Mondstadt wherever you go…” Albedo held up his bundle. It was vaguely shaped like an upside-down pyramid with a thick pole sticking out of it. “This is for you.”
Lumine unwrapped it to reveal a pot of fresh cecelia flowers. “Thank you! These are lovely.” Turning, she placed it on the workshop counter. Paimon, who had been examining the cauldron, jumped like a spooked cat.
Albedo nodded at Paimon. “Thank you for keeping her company on her journeys.”
Breathing hard, Paimon pressed her hands over her chest, trying to calm down from the fright. “Oh, uh… Yeah, of course! Paimon is her travel guide and best friend. Paimon wouldn’t leave her by her lonesome!”
Glancing away, Albedo coughed into his fist. “Yes, my sincerest apologies for my late arrival. I was caught up with experimenting on Dragonspine. I won’t bore you with the details.”
Lumine raised a brow. She had never known him to pass up an opportunity to explain his research, especially when Lumine was one of the few people who could understand.
Albedo continued. “It was my idea to bridge the alchemic knowledge gap between researchers and the populace, but I had hoped Lisa would spearhead the effort. Utilize more of her hidden potential. But I see she’d passed on the responsibility to you. And…” Albedo turned around, admiring the storefront.
Potions gleamed on the shelves. The store across the way was empty now but soon customers would crowd it searching for bargains. Banners billowed in the breeze. The garden’s aroma was so sweet it’d put any lady in Favonius Cathedral to shame. On Lisa’s table lay a mess of papers which charted trends in fads. Lumine left her interior decorator touch with the bunting and ribbons on potions.
Albedo turned back to Lumine with a smile. “And honestly? It’s most fortuitous she did. Your business acumen and alchemic talent were the perfect brew for leading this endeavor. Truly, we are lucky to have you.”
Smirking, Lumine crossed her arms. “Well, you haven’t tasted my latest concoction.” She poured the cauldron’s contents into a heart-shaped bottle, tied a bow around the neck, and presented it to Albedo. “Here. This is a constitution and strength potion with enduring effects. It'll keep you energized while working.”
“Ah…” Albedo held the bottle at an arms’ length like one would hold unwashed underwear. Rather than glowing a typical blue red gradient, the liquid was a dull gray. He sniffed it. Beneath the violetgrass and sweet flowers, Albedo smelled the fragrance of a charming potion. With so many contradicting materials it amounted to nothing more than amateurish slop. It was almost as if Lumine was attempting to disguise the charming characteristics.
Albedo froze. This was a love potion.
Thoughts raced through his mind. For Lumine to not directly ask him about a problem, she must have a complete lack of faith in his communication skills. Maybe Albedo wasn’t meeting her needs.
Lumine watched him with wide, expectant eyes. When he didn’t sample the potion, her brows furrowed.
Albedo flashed a tepid smile. He took a sip. Swallowed. Forcing a grin, Albedo held the vial up. “How… how thoughtful of you. I… can feel its effects already.”
Lumine beamed. “Good. Can you stay and help open the shop?”
“Oh, um. Yes, yes, of course.”
Lumine calmly set to work at sorting her orders and ingredients. Albedo, however, was a ball of jitters. He tucked himself in the back by the bookshelf, organizing the books. Whenever Lumine came too close, he’d run off to check the garden or bring crates of vials across to the storefront. She watched him struggle to carry one such crate across the way. After finally coming all this way, Albedo was avoiding her. Jaw clenched, Lumine flipped through a stack of papers with vigor.
Oblivious, Paimon rubbed an eye. She dragged a broom behind her as she floated, sweeping the storefront.
Once Albedo finished moving a crate, Albedo approached the workshop. Sighing extravagantly, he rested his elbows on the workshop counter and leaned against it. He winked. “Anything else you need before opening the shop, babe?”
Lumine dropped her papers. “Excuse me?” Wide-eyed, she studied him. Albedo’s wide smile wobbled under the weight of her gaze. His ears reddened. Chuckling, he shifted his weight to the side, holding himself awkwardly. Lumine raised a brow. “Are you constipated?”
“Wh-what?! No!”
Lumine picked up the pages and handed them to Albedo. “Then can you please help with taking inventory of the new shipments?”
Nodding, Albedo took the pages and left as quickly as he appeared. Lumine shuddered.
In no time, people walked down the path along Cide Lake to see the new wares. Knights assisted customers while Lumine crafted potions with the cauldron under a tent. With the happy bustle, sweet smell of flowers, and decorations, the place came alive like a carnival.
Behind the counter, Lumine crafted a few samples for Diluc’s scented candle project. Albedo worked alongside her, double checking the potions’ compositions. Bored with chores, Paimon pestered customers for snacks. Lumine stirred the caldron, watching the green brew bubble.
Something rubbed against her leg. Albedo’s boot. Albedo had wrapped his foot around Lumine’s leg and rubbed it up and down with his foot. Stunned, Lumine stood still, taking it. Her stomach churned like a hilichurl stew. When she glanced at Albedo, he kept his head down and hummed as he reviewed potions.
Footies. He was playing footies. In boots.
Lumine side stepped out of range. Albedo sidestepped as well, his leg reaching out for hers. Inhaling through her nose, Lumine scooped a vial into the brew then placed it on the counter away from Albedo.
Chuckling, Albedo murmured a “pardon me” and leaned forward, reaching past Lumine for the potion. His arm came close to Lumine’s breasts.
Eyes wide, Lumine went rigid. Albedo’s face reddened to his roots. “M-my apologies. I didn’t intend… I only needed the…”
Nodding, Lumine picked up the potion, handed it to him, and walked off to the garden.
Brows furrowed, Albedo examined the potion he held. Nothing seemed to be making her happy. He had to be more direct.
Lumine trudged back to the workshop tent, flowers gripped so tightly in hand she bent their stems.
Grinning, Albedo turned around to face her, holding up a heart-shaped bottle. “Guess who cares about you?”
Lumine glanced between the vial and his expectant face. Said nothing. Birds chirped.
“Me. I do. I’m the one who… Okay.”
Lumine pointed to a carriage by the shore. “Can you package up the samples for Diluc?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I can do that.”
Sighing, Albedo collected the vials, put them in a crate, and carried it over. Crossing her arms, Lumine watched Albedo as he walked away. He was acting more than a little strange today. Maybe Albedo was running an experiment on her. It wouldn’t be the first time. When they first met, he put Lumine through all kinds of tests, even inane ones like cooking for him. If he asked if Lumine knew he cared about her, maybe Albedo didn’t feel loved enough. He was experimenting to see if Lumine still cared for him.
Exhaling, Lumine set her hands on her hips. Albedo was the one who waited to come visit her, not the other way around. If it meant stopping his weird advances, Lumine could swallow her pride.
Albedo returned to the workshop, Paimon flying and twirling in tow. She giggled. “So many people had treats on them and shared them with Paimon! But Paimon’s still hungry. When’s lunch?”
Albedo looked over his shoulder at the carriage. “Freda told me that she’ll take over responsibility for packing Diluc’s samples.”
Gasping, Lumine raised her hands before slapping her knees. She leaned forward, giving a better view of her chest. “Like, thank you sooooo much! It’s so nice to have a big, strong man—ugh.” She grimaced. “I mean, a capable helper around. I appreciate it, ehe!”
Albedo froze, body tensing like a bowstring. “I… Uh, um… uh. It’s just my Vision enhancing my strength really…” Chin in the air, Albedo puffed out his chest. “I-I mean, I’d do anything for you, pookie bear!”
Lumine giggled. He could start by never calling her that again.
They both laughed too loudly. Paimon glanced back and forth between the two. She floated back silently.
A few hours later, Lumine and Albedo were neck deep in fulfilling a bulk order, when Donna approached them. She was flanked by a couple of other girls who wore identical uniforms of a white top, corset, and skirt. “U-um, Honorary Knight? I was wondering if you could help me place a… special order.” The girls behind her giggled.
Lumine was bending over to fix empty vials that had been knocked over. Wiping sweat off her brow, she straightened up. Nodded.
“I’d like some kind of extra potent charming potion to help get the Darknight Hero.”
Humming, Lumine slid her gaze over to Albedo. “Huuuuh. That’s a hard one. Gosh, I think a love potion would be more direct.” When Albedo didn’t look up from stirring the cauldron, Lumine asked, “Am I right, Albedo?”
“Hm? What?” Hand over his heart, Albedo smiled at her. “Oh, um, like a guiding star, you could never lead me astray or let any falsehoods fall from your lips.”
Lumine resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She pressed a fingertip to a pouting lip, frowning as though thinking especially hard. “It’s hard to, like, love someone from afar, you know? The heart hurts and stuff.”
Albedo paused before raising a shoulder in a shrug. “No matter the distance, they’re still under the same sky.”
Lumine fully turned to him, hand on her hip. Eyes narrowed, she leaned forward. “Apart, you’d miss each other’s company.”
Albedo went rigid, his voice becoming frosty. “And a simple charming potion can band-aid it? Giving a charming love potion when the person of your affection is right there is cruel.”
“You’re right. Just their presence would be enough. If they were there.”
The two glared daggers at each other, their faces mere inches apart.
Donna squealed, “Ahhh, tension is so thick! Just kiss each other senseless already!”
Blushing, Lumine and Albedo flew apart from each other. One of Donna’s friends said, “Aww, Donna, you ruined the fun.”
As Donna apologized, Lumine exhaled and shook her head. She whipped about and strode out from the tent.
Raising a hand, Albedo cried, “Wait, Lumine! I—!”
Donna asked, “So how did you manage to catch the eye of a hero, Captain Albedo? Any tips for me?”
“Tell us the whole story!”
“Oh, this’ll be great; I can’t wait!”
Albedo flinched back, hands raised in front of him. “I… um…”
Scarf billowing, Lumine crossed the grass heading towards the garden. A familiar broad man dressed in green stood under a pole. He turned, revealing the unmistakable blond beard and monocle of Cyrus. A grin split his face in two upon seeing her.
“Why, it’s the Honorary Knight in the flesh! Looks like you’re faring well. Very well, indeed, giving just how packed it is! All this business you’re drumming up for Mondstadt—it’s wonderful. Very wonderful. In fact, I came here to buy some potions for my own adventurers—”
Lumine jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “Albedo can take your order. He’d love to hear just how much potions are helping out the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“That’s a fine idea, Honorary Knight! I haven’t spoken with him in ages, thank you. I’ll catch up with you later.” After clapping her shoulder, Cyrus headed over towards the workshop tent. Arms out as if asking for a hug, Cyrus called, “Captain Albedo! How are you, my boy?”
Albedo gaped. He looked like he wanted to disappear through the ground.
Seeing it, Lumine smiled, but her smile quickly dropped. Shaking her head, she turned away to tend the garden.
After what must have felt like hours, Donna, her friends, and Cyrus left the workshop tent. When Lumine returned, Albedo barely spared her a glance. He set his back to her, fiddling with a concoction he made. Lumine opened her mouth to apologize, but, sighing, she turned away as well to grind the flowers. She had just lost herself in the rhythm of grinding when Albedo came up behind her. He massaged her neck with a hand.
“Ugh, stop—I can’t take it anymore! Why are you like this?!” Lumine shrugged off his hand and glared at him.
Albedo withdrew his hand, his expression closing off like window shutters. “You’re the one who wanted this.”
“No, this is your experiment on me! I never asked for anything.”
“My experiment?” Albedo scoffed. “You’re experimenting on me.”
“What?”
“The love potion. The one you gifted me this morning. Your constitution and enduring characteristics couldn’t disguise the charming effects underneath.”
Lumine’s mind drew to a complete halt. Blinking, she placed one hand on the counter and the other on her hip. “Charming characteristics? I didn’t… I remember thinking it looked strange when I gave it to you…” She gasped. “Paimon.”
“Paimon? Of course.” Exhaling, Albedo pinched the bridge of his nose. Tension wound through his body from his clenched jaw and drawn shoulders.
When Lumine called for Paimon, she floated over. “Hey, guys! Have you guys stopped acting weird yet or not?”
Arms crossed, Lumine stared down Paimon. Albedo didn’t move, still pinching his nose.
“Well, okay then. Oh, yeah, Lumine! Amber stopped by earlier, and she said she’d treat us to some sticky honey roast the next time we run into each other! Isn’t that great?”
Silence. Paimon glanced between the two. She pressed her index fingers together. “W-well, Paimon thinks it’s cool… Why are you looking at Paimon like that? It’s not like Paimon did anything wrong, hahaha…”
Albedo crossed his arms as well, and stared at her, the heat of his gaze equal to a volcano.
“Okay, okay! Paimon added some charming ingredients to Lumine’s potion! But Paimon only did it because she was worried about you two. It’s been forever since we visited Mondstadt and then Albedo didn’t show up.” Sniffing, she shrunk into herself. “Paimon wondered if you two were mad at each other, or worse, losing interest in each other. Paimon just wanted help…”
They stilled. Lumine hung her head, bangs overshadowing her eyes.
After a moment, Albedo looked away and mumbled, “It’s all right, Paimon. You may have meddled into our relationship, but that doesn’t justify the way we’ve treated…”
This silence took a heavier weight like a bog. The wind ruffled through the tent, chilling them.
“Paimon… is going to go now. Paimon’s sorry.” She dematerialized.
Clearing her throat, Lumine busied herself with straightening various vials on the counter. Eyes on her work, Lumine spoke with a tight, brisk voice. “I’ll close up the shop and then be in the teapot. You can stay or go.”
The sound of clinking glass filled the tent. Lumine swallowed. She took a deep breath to steady her shaking hands as she worked.
Boots crunching in the dirt, Albedo turned and left.
Hours. Two whole hours passed with no word from Albedo.
Lumine sat on a plush armchair in the Serenitea pot. Beside her the fireplace lay cold. Dust coated the bookcases. From her armchair, the front door was perfectly in view.
Lumine held a book in her hands but couldn’t read a word; the day’s events kept circling in her head like fish in a barrel. Earlier Paimon asked what dinner was, but Lumine only vaguely gestured to the kitchen door behind her. Sighing, Paimon rummaged around the kitchen, came out with leftovers, then disappeared upstairs. The house creaking was Lumine’s only company.
Someone knocked on the front door. Albedo stepped out from behind the door. “Lumine?” He scanned the surroundings. The open floor plan included a dining hall and living room with a bar in the back. Lumine sat in the small living room space in the coldest, most withdrawn corner. Seeing him, she gripped her book tighter. Albedo walked over, his movements slow and small as if approaching a spooked animal. His boots echoed on the parquet wooden flooring.
Albedo inhaled a breath. “I owe you an apology for not visiting earlier and for how I acted today. I intended to see you much earlier, and every time Sucrose told me you passed a test served as a reminder to come, but I let myself get lost in experimenting.”
Swallowing, Lumine lowered her book. She gripped the arm rest. “So experimenting is more important to you than me?”
“No! No, of course not. Experimenting… was just an excuse I told myself to mask the true reason.” Lumine raised a brow. Sighing, Albedo looked away. His stomach festered as if he’d eaten spoiled food. “In truth, I’m not completely sure why. I was… angry—No, I resented how long you’d been away from Mondstadt. It’s been months. Hearing of your arrival, I felt this self-righteous indignation filled me and thought, ‘Well, now she can wait on me.’ I knew it was cruel of me!” blurted Albedo. Face falling, he whispered, “But I kept you waiting regardless. And no paltry gesture of cecilia flowers could amend that. I’m sorry.”
Turning over his admission in her mind, Lumine closed the book. “I… knew you were acting weird today, that something must have been bothering you. But I was upset that you hadn’t visited earlier, so I let you play the fool.” And then, so had Lumine.
She gazed at the collection of photos hanging around the fireplace. Pictures of friends, foreign landscapes, and Paimon and Lumine goofing off covered the walls. Above the mantle framed in gold was a photo of Albedo and Lumine dancing at Windblume. It had been a little over a year since they’d seen each other in person outside of the teapot. Lumine’s wanderlust consumed her full attention to Albedo’s neglect.
Lumine’s throat went dry. “I still have to search for my brother so… where does that leave us?”
“Oh, Lumine.” Albedo moved in front of her and bent down to her level. He squeezed her hand. “You are my star, the light of my life. My world would be dark without you.”
Flushing, Lumine ducked her head. She exhaled a laugh. “You’re much better when you’re not forcing it.”
“Hm?”
Lumine waved a hand in dismissal.
Albedo sat on an armchair catty corner to the couch. “While I like to think I can read you well, I recognize how terrible I am at noticing social cues in general. If something is upsetting you, and I don’t realize it, would you tell me plainly?”
Lumine nodded. Biting her lip, she gazed down at her hands. “I can be petty and superficial.” Many of the people Lumine helped along the way, she mostly did so because they paid with mora. “I hope I can become as genuinely kind and caring as you are, Albedo. Can you be patient as I try?”
“You already are.”
Huffing, Lumine straightened and smoothed out her dress. Her gaze lingered on the photos of her travels. “I can’t promise I can come back to Mondstadt more often.”
“I know. Your task is of vital importance, and you often get entangled in national matters.” Humming, Albedo crossed his arms. “I could join you on your journey—I’m accustomed to performing my Knightly duties from a distance on Dragonspine—but that would mean leaving Klee behind. Nor is she ready for such dangerous adventures. Although when we traveled Inazuma after the Irodori festival, her battle prowess exceeded my expectations. I can train her as well. Maybe one day we could join you on your travels, even if just for shorter periods of time.”
Lumine smiled, a warmth blooming her chest. Albedo had put so much thought into it already. Eyes closed, Lumine drew her hands to her chest. “Then at the end of the journey, I’ll settle down in Mondstadt with you.”
Albedo gasped. He went as pale as a sheet. “Is that…? Is that a…?”
Lumine blinked. Gasping, she rose to her feet, waving her hands in front of her. “No! No, no, no! That wasn’t a…”
“Oh. Oh, okay. Hahaha…”
A heavy silence fell. The house groaned. Paimon banged around upstairs.
Clearing his throat, Albedo rose. He didn’t meet her gaze. “Well, it’s getting late, and I’ve imposed on you long enough. I’m sure after today’s… events you want to retire early. I’ll take my leave—”
“Let’s go on a date.”
Agape, Albedo stared at her. “R-really? After all that… you still…?”
“We just wanted to spend more time together. So.” She raised a shoulder in a shrug. Albedo only continued to stare. Smiling, Lumine nudged him with her shoulder. “Soon we’ll look back on this and laugh.”
Eyes downcast, Albedo said, “I’m sorry—”
Lumine pressed a finger to his lips. Quirked up an eyebrow.
Smiling, Albedo wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her, long and slow. After they withdrew, Lumine rested her head on his shoulder. Closed her eyes and sighed. The tension straining her shoulders all day eased. As Albedo stroked the small her back with his thumb, Lumine breathed in the smell of paint from his coat. Soaked in his warmth. How Lumine had longed for this.
Albedo asked, “Now, let’s be off, shall we? While there’s still light in the day.”
Lumine nodded.
After telling Paimon they were heading out, Lumine and Albedo left the teapot and materialized in Mondstadt’s main square. At this late hour, only a few people milled about the stores for last minute shopping. A pink and red blush colored the sky.
Holding hands, they walked ahead, heading wherever their feet led them. Lumine snuck a glance up at him as they walked. “Hm?” went Albedo.
“If… if I gave you a truth potion, would you tell me if you wanted that to be a proposal?”
“Would the truth potion be dandelion wine?”
Lumine laughed.
Eyes crinkling, Albedo chuckled along with her. Gazing out into the distance, he heaved a sigh. “I don’t know, Lumine. That will have to be a question for another day.”
Lumine smiled up at him. “I look forward to it.”
Smiling, they pressed their foreheads together. Lumine rested her head on Albedo’s shoulders. As they strolled through the streets, they held each other’s hands tight.