Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Three, two, one–”

Albedo rips the bandage off of Kunimitsu’s cheek and he lets out a curse under his breath. “I told you, I was counting down from three” Albedo reinstates as he shakes his head.

The puppet rolled his eyes as the alchemist grips his face and moves him around. Being compliant with his tender touch. “You still didn’t need to rip it off like that, you know.”

They’re just outside of Aton’s home, having stopped so that their other human companions could rest for just a while longer. Albedo had woken Kunimitsu from his nap a moment prior and set him down to sit on a rock. Right now, the alchemist was checking on his injuries. He’d soon come to the conclusion- Kunimitsu was fine, it’s not like his face was bleeding anymore. But also, he could do practically anything and the puppet would be completely fine with it. In this moment he looked so content that perhaps indeed he could test the waters. But something’s bugging him as he stares at Kunimitsu’s face….

And reaches out his free hand to prod at the chip in his cheek. “You don’t seem to be in any immediate discomfort here… you do seem to be healing slowly..” he’s mostly talking to himself, taking a mental note to continue checking on the wounds as needed. Human injuries don’t behave this way, that much he knows. “Maybe we should cover it again.”

“There’s no need, it’s just going to remain this way.” Kunimitsu insists as Albedo continues gently running a finger along the cracks, barely touching him like he was shattered glass, how nice it was to be handled so gently, so tenderly like his body held meaning, like this vessel was meant to be held with care, he needn’t wonder if he’s failing his life’s only purpose no longer for now, as the alchemist holds him and studies his features, he is deeply admired and respected on levels that the puppet had long since believed impossible. Purpose? Fate? He can’t find it in him to give a shit when he’s so lost in Albedo’s eyes, the tension he’d built up over this journey has melted away and left the heartless being that was hiding deep inside, the prototype he is.

“Words aren’t enough,” Kunimitsu finally says aloud much to Albedo’s bewilderment, his hands placed on either of his shoulders as he continues up with the eye contact. “Yet, they are also too much. There are many things I want- no, need to say to you now that… that only my actions can convey.”

Albedo moves his hand away from the crack splitting down the puppet’s face and cups his cheek, his eyes softening in an all too familiar way. “You only say so because there’s no moon in the sky for you to call beautiful, don’t you?”
“What if i were to say so even if it isn’t?” he jests, earning a chuckle from Albedo before pulling him down into a kiss.

It was moments such as these when they were relatively alone that they could loosen up, to tangle their bodies together like they have no clue what they’re doing until they figure out the perfect spot, the perfect position that allows them the desired view of each other. Without a need for anything else in this moment Kunimitsu had pulled Albedo against himself to where he was almost resting in his lap, his arms wrapped firmly around the alchemist in their intimate time spent together, with the sense they’ve both waited centuries for this, they’re long past awareness of their surroundings as time slows to a near stop. Albedo is the only thing that exists here, Kunimitsu is the only thing that exists here. It’s a freeing moment where they are not any of their titles or people of importance to Sumeru and Mondstadt, they’re not children of the gods, or children of mothers absent for one reason or another. They are not homunculi or puppets. They are just two guys sitting on a rock, sharing a kiss.

Two guys sitting on a rock, sharing a kiss until Kunimitsu lowers his hand and brushes against the shallow wound on Albedo’s side. He jolts and lets out a yelp and Kunimitsu retracts himself.

“Are you alright?” said guy, now the puppet again, letting his hand hover over the spot while Albedo is putting pressure on it. “I shouldn’t have got so carried away with you… does it hurt too much?”

“I’m fine” Albedo grits out anyways as he winces at the pain. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not as if I would have stopped you otherwise, but…”

Kunimitsu places his hand over Albedo’s gently, adding to the pressure and holding him steady. He’s careful with the alchemist as he does so, helping him get into a comfortable position once more and watching him like a hawk. The pain passes as soon as it arrives and he breathes out heavily as he leans against Kunimitsu. Now, Albedo was resting his head against the puppet’s torso as he knelt on the ground in front of him. 

“Can you see clearly?” Kunimitsu asks him, holding him steady by his shoulders now. “You don’t feel faint either do you?”
“Perhaps” he spoke wearily.
“‘Perhaps’ won’t work here.” Kunimitsu retorted, already planning out what to do in his head. “Come, let’s consult Aton and see if he has anything for your wound. I want to make sure it wasn’t opened further.”

Albedo almost wants to protest and simply ask to rest here, but there is the dilemma of him being all too aware of the slash in his side now. He hasn’t checked up on it since that family helped patch him up and with the way Kunimitsu was so trouble he forgot about it entirely. Leaving a wound such as his own the way it was could be grave. 

He doesn’t bother thinking about it, leaning on Kunimitsu’s shoulder as they got up to their feet, picking up their trash to be disposed of later and heading back inside. Kinich and Aether had fallen asleep in chairs at the table, the sight of the two leaning on eachother was almost a little amusing to Kunimitsu, but he then remembered that not only does he not have a kamera with him, but Albedo also still needs his aid. He can always bother them later.

He heads for Aton in the other room, who was busy wiping down the greatsword and dull blade carried by the two humans of their travel group. Something about wanting them to look decent and undergo well maintenance even in an unfavorable situation. 

“Are you busy right now?” Kunimitsu asks, causing Aton’s head to flick up from where he was so focused on cleaning the weapons. “He’s wounded, and i’d like help in making sure it’s not worse than he’s letting on.”

“Right! Gotcha-” Aton prepares the space accordingly by clearing the table (still gentle with the weaponry, the shiny metals are precious!) and helps Kunimitsu set Albedo down. “When did he first get injured? Was it this act, or one in the past??”

“A past act” Albedo concludes on his own. Being fussed over wasn’t his style. “I just need some way to re patch myself really, since it’s not serious…” he’s successful in unbuttoning his shirt but Kunimitsu has him hold still and unwraps the bandages from his torso himself. He’d like to complain he’s capable but doing so would get him a scolding for ever being careless enough to get hurt in the first place. When his wound is revealed, it’s only partly healed over, his skin around it slightly irritated.

“It didn’t bleed too much” Aton notes as he inspects the bandages. Not too soiled in blood, but not clean either. He takes those to be set to the side and gives the two of them a nod. “Okay. wait here for a moment and i’ll bring you some items. Don’t move around too much.”

The alchemist gives him a tired hum and leans on Kunimitsu’s shoulder, allowing the puppet to hold a hand against his wound gently to keep him from bleeding too much. The pressure felt reassuring and he felt safe here as exposed as he was. Kunimitsu supported his weight and kept him held up without question. He wasn’t normally a tender person, Kunimitsu rather thought of himself to be gnarly and unapproachable to most, and he often carried himself in such a way as to avoid interactions. Though right now, Kunimitsu was mirroring how Albedo himself was treating him just moments before, perhaps this care was genuine in its own sense.

“You must be exhausted yourself” Kunimitsu thoughtfully pointed out, thinking back to the fights they had been in prior “it makes your strength earlier seem like pure adrenaline. Next time don’t push through the pain. If it was anything like here and now, you could have spoken up and I would have stood beside you then.”

“But you were stressed as it was,” he argued back pointlessly. “I'd nearly gotten injured a number of times and I felt you didn’t need to worry about me when- mmf! ”

Kunimitsu covered his mouth with his free hand and here comes that lecture now! His perceptive gaze unmatchable, Kunimitsu’s voice carried a stern tone. “You and i know thats utter bullshit. For the man who didn’t let me suffer alone, you have no problems leaving yourself in the dark.”

“You may believe yourself capable, and by all accounts you may as well be, but you also forget that if i am not alone, neither are you.” a faint teal hue shimmered in his eyes as he lectured his partner, not once breaking contact with him. “You can only hold yourself up so long. So listen to your body when it’s been tampered with, when you have support you can reach out to it”

Albedo hummed at his words and didn’t bother to lift his head, perhaps he did have a point and that he should reach out when offered support. “Maybe we should both take our own advice before giving it”

“Maybe??”

Aton returns with what looks like some type of bandage and small tools, placing the items out on the free space of the table. Albedo straightens himself out at last and Kunimitsu very slowly removes his hand from his side. He instructs Kunimitsu on what to do and how to do it, do not apply the bandage before cleaning the wound, do not attempt to scrub the wound vigorously should it open further, all practices he’s familiar with. His tender touch made the stinging of sterilization a little more bearable although Albedo winced at every brush of whatever padded cloth he was using.

Everything in the end would pass, Albedo would be used to the stinging quickly, and Kunimitsu would soon be helping him wind a fresh batch of bandages around his torso. He took care in making sure they wouldn’t slide around or chafe against his injury uncomfortably, something he was quite grateful for. All this results in him hopping off the surface of the table with his shirt buttoned back up and his coat not slipping off his shoulders, it hadn’t taken long at all for him to be back on his feet and feeling worlds better than before. He may still not be comfortable with being taken care of against his will, but for now he decides to let it slide.

Nilou was walking through the desert once again with Durin following her closely. He still hung onto the hat and protected it valiantly. She hadn’t discovered any further anomalies like the hole and thus was heading back to regroup with the others. It had been a couple days since she and Durin left and originally her plan was to bring him to Sumeru city and take his mind off things. She noticed how he was still so miserable the entire time they were there and offered to see him back to the group.

“Miss Nilou…” Durin whimpered, his ears drooping just as his tail did. “Do you think we’ll ever find them at all?”

Hearing how sad he was made her heart ache as she reached out and patted his head reassuringly “of course we will! Our archon is strong and smart witted as small as she may be” she watched as his ears lifted a little and smiled hopefully. “And she won’t rest until they’re found!”

“Miss Nilou!” the small dragon cried and fluttered forward and perched on her shoulder. She continued to reassure him all the same.

Upon returning to the site, she’d found a number of different officials had been brought on to the task at hand, and a makeshift campsite had been set up around the area. Scholars and mercenaries alike were conversing about the task at hand. Paimon and Ajaw were zipping around a boulder bickering with each other about Aether and Kinich’s whereabouts while Tighnari had managed to make an appearance and was hanging around Cyno and Nahida. Dehya as well had returned just as she did. Faruzan was likely cluing in the new folks who had joined the cause and educating them on what the general guesses were. To see people coming together to help their friends was truly an empowering sight.

Durin hopped off Nilou’s shoulder and flapped his little wings as fast as he could while she ran behind him. He stopped and settled on the ground next to Nahida who smiled and nodded at him.

“With some more thought, we’ve prepared for all possible outcomes” Nahida explained as Nilou caught up with Durin. The small crowd of people all gathered around to hear her as she spoke. “We know the traveler and the saurian hunter from Natlan have been down there for quite some time. And although I can't quite reach any of them and get a signal in return, I've also not yet sensed that the traveler had disappeared.”

“So,” Tighnari added. “What the plan is, is that we remain stationed here and figure out a secure plan for returning the four of them home. The traveler will be like a form of beacon in this situation telling us wether or not anyone is still in there at all.”

“Traveler..” Durin looked downcasted upon the hole that took his friends, to know two more had gone in after them… he shook the thought from his head and lifted himself back off the ground. “Okay! When do we get them?” 

“As of now we were debating weather someone should be sent down to retrieve them or not… Alhaitham passed by earlier and offered himself for the job but..” Durin watched as Tighnari thought about the offer, his large ears twitch and swivel around. “We don’t know how dangerous it could be to go down there. But this may also be our only chance.”

“What if we shined a light down there instead?” Durin asked, fluttering about near the hole and being careful not to drop the hat down it or get too close. “Maybe we might see something that way?”

“Shine a light…” Nahida echoes. A wishful idea that may as well have been grasping at straws. They don’t know how deep that hole goes, nor do they know if the four of them are still in it…

But with Aether as her beacon, even if the connection is haywire, maybe she could shine a light upon his dreams, granted that he was asleep to begin with. She closes her eyes and extends her reach. ‘Come home, bring them home.’

“Nahida!” Paimon yelled out as she came flying from around a corner with Ajaw chasing her. “Is she asleep??? Hey! Can you hear us???”

“Paimon, she’s fine” Nilou giggled, waving her hand infront of paimon’s face. “I’m sure she just had an idea and is thinking it over.”

“Ah! Hopefully it’s not too dangerous… could it be about traveler?? Is she trying to reach him again?!”
Durin floated by and bumped into Paimon, excitedly grinning at his flying friend. “She can do that?! Then- then she’ll be able to find Mr. Hat Guy, won’t she?!”

Ajaw butted in between the two of them and scoffed. “Fat chance! As long as it’s with Kinich the traveler is doomed! DOOMED I SAY!! For he will n-”

Nilou kindly ushered them all away, sighing. “Okay, let’s give her some space so she may do what she needs to you three..”

Aether is startled awake by a light that causes him to fall over from his chair, dragging Kinich with him to the floor. 

“Aether?..” Kinich looks like he’d been forcefully disturbed from his slumber by Aether’s fall, still blinking the sleep from his eyes when he finds out he's on the floor.

“Light” Aether huffs out with his head in his hand “I saw a weird light, i think it’s a sign…”

Aether’s eyes finally crack open as the two of them sit up, his gaze directly falling upon Kunimitsu standing over them with a more characteristic knowing smirk on his face.

“So you’ve found the waking world, oh weary traveler ” the puppet boasts, placing his hands upon his hips as his expression turns more smug. “I suppose you’re ready to check your map? Aimlessly scroll your inventory for a clue to tell you to ‘get your ass up’?”

Aether sighs depressingly as he helps Kinich up. “I.. see you’re in high spirits once more”

To his comment Kunimitsu scoffs in reply; “Are there ever low spirits with me?”

Aether only finds it in him to stare the puppet down, his facial expression more reminiscent of saying do we really need to go there? He’s aware all kinds of people cope in all manner of ways but for him to just bounce back after nearly escaping being crushed to death was a little too animated for Aether’s liking when he’s just woken up. Better to ignore it, he tells himself as he runs a hand through his hair.

“Where are the other two?” Kinich glanced around the room to notice it really was just the three of them currently. Just Kinich, Aether and Kunimitsu who still has that same smug smile on his face. He looks a little less worn down at least, a bit more put together and less like he could explode at a moments notice. Before he has a chance to ask further questions however, Kunimitsu is already out the front entrance and waving his hand for them to follow.

“The gate” Kunimitsu elaborates as the three of them mosey along. “That’s where they were heading. You guys were out for hours so Albedo and Aton left you in my guidance.”

Aether gives him a skeptical look and he continues on “why no, I’m aware of how to find this gate indeed. Just head in the opposite of the one the hilichurls were flocking to.”

“Are you sure that’s how it works?” Aether laughs nervously. Something about his confident demeanor wasn’t quite trustworthy here…

His eyes travel downwards to notice Kunimitsu was still holding onto that polearm he was using before, half tucked away inside his perpetually hanging down sleeves that he’s refusing to fix up. Actually his whole outfit was sort of falling apart from the adventure, not threatening exposure when the bodysuit he wears never seemed to move. Was it a bodysuit, or a part of him?

The golden feather Kunimitsu was hiding in his sleeve rubbed up against the polearm and fell out of place tumbling out. He precariously balanced the polearm in his hand as he caught the feather in between two fingers. He moves the feather from one hand to the other and inspects it for a moment. Proof of his identity, proof of who he should have been, proof of who cast him aside, to which then led him to the life he lives now.

“If this is where i ended up” he suddenly begins reminiscing to no one in particular “where fate has brought me after all these years, was i ever supposed to be someone else? Could my fate changing have really been apart of it all along?”

“Kunimitsu?-” Aether perks up at his odd statement to be then cut off.

“Just.. thinking to myself is all. Thinking that maybe my role in this world was always going to be this way.”

“...well, you’re okay with this role now aren’t you?”

The puppet takes a moment to pause as he looks at the weather. Partly, he wonders if he could fashion it into an earring of sorts. Now, he chuckles and returns the ornament to the inside of his sleeve again and shakes the ideas out of his head. “I’ll get used to it eventually.” he declares, a sense of hope in his tone. Those days of regret may not be gone, but he’s not obligated to associate with them. Perhaps though he could come to terms with them if he tried hard enough.

“You know, i feel like theres something missing here” Kinich abruptly brought him out of his thoughts. “I don’t know what it is but something about you wielding such a weapon feels off”

“That’s because it’s not his weapon” Aether adds on, he picks up the pace to match Kunimitsu’s strides. “Though if his vision isn’t working yet.. I see why he can't use it.”

Pause. Fucking pause. Kunimitsu searches his sleeve again, then the other sleeve, he pats himself down and looks around. It’s gone! “Oh fuck.”

Aether tilts his head and they all stop.

“Kunimitsu…”

“I dropped it.”

Aton smiled cheerfully as he stared upon the entryway. He proudly displayed it with his hand and held his head high. “this will be your groups last stop! Now, any questions before they arrive?”

Albedo didn’t quite know where to start, as he really did have a lot of actually inquiries. Did that lady in the ice really die? He only remembers she exploded into the wind and snow when Kunimitsu impaled her, but also, if shes not actually dead then does that mean death was not a concept here, or rather does it mean that the lives of those inside these spaces are looped? Well, if not that either than what of the corrupted forest life Veda was dealing with? Was his life in any danger after touching that device? But, the most currently intriguing concept as of now was about the hilichurls appearing here.

“Yes.” Albedo nods “if the hilichurls of Teyvat appeared here as well, yet we haven’t seen them elsewhere… could that mean the hole me and Kunimitsu originally fell into wasn’t the only gateway to these acts?”

“Aha! Perhaps you may be right.” Aton laughed, radiating energy and confidence that Albedo sort of admired. “I remembered a looong time ago when someone passed through. A really smart lady who had asked a bunch of questions along her travels! She said that, yes, outsiders had been sighted in places like this a couple of times, and starting from different… ‘acts’ was it? I mean that lady was told they’re called acts, so… besides the point!” Albedo had been scribbling down shorthand notes in his sketchbook as he ambled on. “With how these creatures appeared, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Although, i don’t think anyone can get out like that either. Once your let in that way you gotta stay in that way.”

“Interesting…” the alchemist hummed, things made a little more sense now, but this also meant that the same fate could befall anyone else… would this mean that they needed to find some way to sever the connection? Or should it be left alone?

They hear the approaching footsteps of a trio– Kunimitsu, Aether and Kinich who stayed behind –and turn their gazes. Two of them look relieved to have made it while one looked antsy, like he was thinking at rapid speeds.

“Great! You guys made it!” Aton smiled as he put his arm around Aether’s shoulder. “‘Ya ready to go? Got plenty of rest now?”

“Ready” Aether cheered back. Kinich only nodded, but he too seemed eager in his own way to go through the gate. Aton turned towards Albedo and Kunimitsu however and immediately noticed the puppet was almost apprehensive to moving on. 

“Is something bothering you?” Albedo asked without thinking, the puppet gaining all of his undivided attention for the moment. 

“I..” what is this? Kunimitsu’s throat doesn’t the words getting out. Why does he feel so ashamed, he just dropped something important, thats all, surely they could look around for it. Does he even remember dropping it at all? He wants to hit his head on a rock, or to scream into a pillow. Neither of these are viable options. Squeezing his vision isn’t going to help him now.

“Kunimitsu,” Albedo says his name, voice steady and smooth as he cups Kunimitsu’s cheek in his hand. Aether watches and lets out a little gasp while Kinich just… isn’t phased by watching the two at all. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, just go ahead and talk to me. I’m not going to laugh.”

“I dropped it somewhere” Kunimitsu murmurs barely above his own breath. For emphasis he displays not only his vision and the large ring, but also the polearm and the golden feather. All items hes been carrying, except for one bell . 

Albedo gets it instantly. He knows theres a level of significance in the item, although Kunimitsu insists he doesn’t mind leaving it around places. It was something he just happened to carry around even long before gaining his vision. Albedo smiles softly, openly.

“We won’t leave it” he states. “Perhaps we can look for it first, or before we leave the final act.”

Kunimitsu, a bumbling fool whos very unaware of his surroundings, who should maybe attach hooks or bands in his sleeves to hold things securely or somewhere else on her person, averts his gaze to the ground. “I wasn’t being very careful..”

“And sometimes accidents happen” affirms the alchemist as he takes the puppet’s hand. “We’ll just retrace our steps and do some searching together. Do you remember when you had it last?”

“You guys lost something?” Aton questions them, though judging by the way Kunimitsu seems so disappointed in himself as he hides behind Albedo he can pretty much assume for certain that was the case. “Well, lets all start looking around then! And meet back at my place later!”

Albedo gives Kunimitsu a nudge and smiles at Aton “if it’s alright with you all, that sounds like a plan.”

“I can search up above,” Kinich put in his two cents for their conversation, leaving would have to wait if they were all in agreement. “And if anybody finds anything they can just holler and i’ll send a message for them.”

“I’ll go west” Aether offers, “Actually though, i think i could search that battle field too. Cover more ground, you know?”

“Look at that, see? No skin off our backs!” Aton’s joyus voice fills the air, “Let’s find your lost things and get you guys closer to home!”

Kunimitsu felt better reassured knowing this odd group of misfits had his back, though he would never let that show. He felt less like a fool for ruining their plans of escape.

To search the act was a search that seemed futile. The more corners they would turn, the more directions they would run off in and the more times they’d send Kinich flying across the act with messages well, the more they found their search had them turning up empty handed.

When Kunimitsu was heading back to Aton’s residence to regroup with the others he had all but accepted that they just had to move on and leave. He wasn’t too thrilled about this but he also understood it was necessary. He could figure something out after all or consult Kusanali about the matters and ask for guidance on what to do. For someone so small she was so wise beyond her years. Was he still upset? Yes, he wasn’t by any means happy about the circumstances, but he was ready to accept it.

“You too?” Aton asked as he walked up, equally as dejected as the puppet. “Oh, Kuni.. I’m sorry we couldn’t find it.”

Kunimitsu shrugged and found his spot beside Albedo who was sitting on the same rock they had been at previously. At least, the alchemist’s presence made him feel at ease. “It’s just how things are. Though i hoped I would find it perhaps things aren’t meant to be… I’ll still manage.”

Aether scoffed at this. “You think we’re done??”

“We couldn’t find it here” Kunimitsu simply states.
“So let’s go back to the other acts!”

Albedo made room for Kunimitsu to sit down beside him on the rock and pat his shoulder. Aether didn’t seem to be taking it when he said he was willing to accept what’s happened.

“We can always keep moving backwards! That bell was an important part of you and how your vision operates, so we’re not giving up just yet!” Aether’s resolve stood strong, even when it really shouldn’t. “So, i’m going back to the cobble village.”

“Why??” Kunimitsu questioned him, to go backwards when they should move forwards… is Aether actually being sentimental or is this leading elsewhere?? “I’ve said already that it’s fine. If things have to go this way then so be it.”

Aether smiles, “Why?? You’d look weird without it!” 

Aton was laughing at their banter while Kinich remained quiet as normal, and Albedo… Albedo was trying hard not to laugh. Weird?

Kunimitsu stood up even with Albedo leaning against him, letting the alchemist fall back on the rock. “Weird?! I’m not the guy who fights in a crop top!”

“Then I challenge you!” he protests and steps forward, jabbing a finger at the puppet’s chest. “First one of us to find that bell gets taken out by the others for food of their choice”

Kunimitsu stared at him seriously. To be proven right… or to find his missing item and be taken out for food later. Well he’s not too fond of food and would normally argue back that he doesn’t need to eat, that he doesn’t want to go out to a crowded restaurant or tavern, but then he glances at Albedo. Albedo, despite having a relatively similar situation enjoys all manner of food and drinks.

He’s not going to win this challenge for himself. He’s going to win for Albedo. Kunimitsu laughs and smirks at him. “I accept your challenge!”

Aton clapped and cheered, deciding to get a head start into leading them on the path. “Oh! Okay great! To the inner gates everyone!” 

Albedo and Kinich exchanged glances as the three of them ran off, before following after them readily.

Round one took place in the desolate snow covered plains. Albedo knew they might not find anything there but he still wanted to check it anyway because he had a theory of his own to test.

As the snow crunched underfoot, the atmosphere felt a little brighter. It was cold as balls, but it was still nice in a way. Where Aether complained and Kinich feigned indifference as Kunimitsu scolded the both of them for their fashion choices, Albedo split away from the group and walked further ahead.

The last time he was here there was a lady in a glacier who tried to physically freeze him to death, but this time as he approached the same spot as before he found that there was no glacier, and no lady.

Instead there was a small single person cabin and a trail of footsteps leading away from it. He hummed in thought and followed the trail into a cluster of ice spikes that rose from the ground like trees. It wasn't hard to find his way. Having no idea if the others were following him he kept going until he heard the sound of someone humming a distant tune.

The lady who once tried to kill him was resting upon the stump of a dead tree humming a quiet tune. She looked so alone there.

“Ma’am” Albedo called as he slowly approached her, and when she turned to face him with a newfound light in her eyes he was almost surprised.

“Were you the one who broke my curse?” She asked him in a soft and gentle voice. Although he shook his head no. She understood anyway and got up from her seat. “Well, send my regards to whoever… tell me, do you need anything?”

“We’re looking for an item my partner dropped” Albedo spoke calmly, there was no danger to be found. “It’s.. I guess you could say it’s a bell of some sort. Have you seen one?”

She tilted her head and thought for a moment. It’s only when he’s staring does Albedo notice that she looks more put together, healthier, then she did the last time their paths crossed. She looked happy to an extent. 

“I don’t think I have. I’m terribly sorry.” the lady sighed, “you may leave now if you must, it was nice to meet you.”

Knowing that he didn’t have any further questions for her to ask right now. Albedo nodded his head and turned around to leave. 

“I wish you well, stay safe traveler” she called out once more to his disappearing figure as he waved.

And when he returned to his group he found Kunimitsu and Aether had gotten into a snowball fight, while Kinich was watching them intently. It was a funny sight to watch the two go at it by themselves with snow flying everywhere. He whistled to get their attention but neither of them responded so he stopped by Kinich.

“They’ve been at it since you walked off.” Kinich explained with his arms crossed. “One thing led to another it seems, they’re like a pack of saurians i see playing at the stadium together.”

“You didn’t want to join them?” Albedo chuckled as he watched Aether pelt Kunimitsu with some larger snowballs than before.

“Conserve my energy” is all Kinich tells him. He doesn’t give him any remark.

The alchemist shrugs at this and decides to get in on the action, balling up some snow in his hands and tossing it at Aether who laughs it off and throws one back at him. 

Kinich still chooses to stay out of it as the three of them go at it, but he does have a smile on his face as he watches them all. Everyones happy and laughing in their company.

Their second round was spent in the village with the fountain. Kunimitsu had perched atop a building in the midst of their little game and was scouring the place. There were actual townspeople now, the place was brimming with life! He stopped gawking for a moment to continue on as he hopped over to another roof. People were pointing him out, some in cheers of admiration or encouragement while others feared for his safety. No need for that! As he gives some of the crowd a prideful grin and finally hops down onto the stone pathways. He’s heading for the center of town to retrace his steps from there as the others search in the area. 

Out of the corner of his eye he spots the boy who he gave the voice to, still with the cat by the fountain. He was blabbing on some nonsense about a traveler who came and went with the waves of the ocean. Kunimitsu stopped to listen in on this story.

“Over the mountain!” the boy articulated, with the wave of his hand. “He bounded and leapt like an acrobat i tell you! The waves carried him all the way down here and he returned my sound! I tell these tales today because of him!”

Kunimitsu chuckled and slipped through the crowd, not yet ready to say goodbye again he heads all the way up the mountain. Maybe he’d be unlucky, and not find anything at the top. Maybe that old well up there is dried up, no longer holding all the voices that have been returned to the village, but hey! The view was nice, so that counts to something.

Round three brought them back to the warrior’s battlefield. However the warrior was asleep where they were sitting. 

Aether poked them, but got no response while the others were snooping around. It was somewhat odd to think a warrior on high alert was asleep like this. He stood there in thought before taking out a piece of paper and a pencil he borrowed from Albedo earlier, writing down a message and leaving it for them before walking away to continue searching.

Aether wandered into the strange building with all the pillars and began searching it, although it was no more than an empty space. So empty in fact he could call out “hello” and his voice would yell back to him. Up and down, left and right he looked but there wasn’t a sign of that bell anywhere, it was beginning to dawn on him that his challenge from earlier might actually fall flat.

He thinks about it though, how Kunimitsu was beginning to have a good time, he was laughing and grinning from ear to ear during that snowball fight at least at to Aether that counted towards something. He looked pretty bummed before this little outing, and something about it made him feel kind of hopeless. To see the puppet with something other than red rimmed eyes or a solemn expression now was refreshing…

He came across a dead end and suddenly realized he was lost. He turned around to notice Kinich had followed him this far and smiled sheepishly. “I don’t suppose you know which way to go?”

“I’d like to talk first of all…” Kinich shrugs, standing still as ever. “How have you been faring?”

“Hm? Oh i’ve been doing well.”

With his concerns cleared, Kinich leads the way out of the corridor. “Your friends are quite lively as of recent. You’d think we were in some sort of party with the way they are.”

Aether chuckled “well they’re in quite high spirits after all. I am too! I feel like we’ll be home before we know it already..” Paimon’s excitement upon seeing him again fills him with the desire to move forward. He wants- no he needs to get them all out of here. “We’re all eager to get out, aren’t we?”

“As am i, even if i don’t show it” Kinich responds. Aether nudges him by his shoulder and he nudges back, it feels like they’ve been down here for days or maybe even longer. Who knows how much time has passed in teyvat when time here feels like a blur. But for now, it felt like they would be just fine, they’d find a way out sooner rather than later.

When they return to the entrance the warrior has awoken and waits patiently outside for them. As they exit Aether approaches them determined.

“You saw my note.” he says, more confirms it for himself.

“You wrote the note.” the warrior confirms as well, nodding. “To answer your question, i have not yet seen such a bell as the one you sketched. But i’d like still to see you all off if you’re going elsewhere.”

Aether smiles and gladly accepts so, standing tall as he looks them in the eyes. “And i wish you well in remaining here. Take care of yourself.”

Round four was spent within the lush forests Veda watched over. Kinich was already off exploring the forest by himself while the others were off who knows where. The forest was dense but he was good at traversing the terrain, and that bell could be anywhere.

As he looks around he spots the glowing energy source and the long dead and deactivated one buried in the dirt nearby. The energy source is obnoxiously bright, bringing life to the surrounding vegetation with its glow. He looks around and his eyes land on a little critter with an indescribable appearance that was by his feet. It hopped about like it was trying to show him something before darting off and he followed it.

“Are you taking me somewhere dangerous?” he asked, but the critter didn’t reply, much to his lack of surprise. He was brought to a clearing where more of these critters were skulking about and saw a golden object in the middle of their gathering. Could it have been…

The small critter wiggled its way through the crowd as Kinich followed it carefully to avoid stepping on anyone, there that damn bell was being held by them! He managed to pick it up and pat the critter’s… head? Before quietly walking away and wiping some sludge off the item.

While Aether and Albedo were still searching Kinich slipped by them and headed to the house nearby, where Kunimitsu was inside talking with Veda, once again cleaning up the cracks on his face. 

“Really?! I expected you had quite the trek ahead, but there were that many acts??” Veda gasped excitedly.

“That there were, and… a lot of interesting characters.”

Kinich watched them as they were talking and neither of them seemed to notice him there, completely lost in a little world of their own. He looked at the bell and then back up at the pair.

“We’ve come looking for something… I think I dropped something important to me so we decided to come back here. You didn’t happen across a bell have you?”

“Like the one you had when you first appeared?” Veda asked as he nodded, and without missing another beat she pointed out Kinich. “So, that one?”

“Huh??” Kunimitsu turned his head and saw Kinich holding out the bell. His dull eyes lit up and sparkled for the first time in what felt like days as he stood up. “Holy shit, you found it”

“The creatures had it” Kinich let out a quiet huff of a chuckle as Kunimitsu gingerly took the item from his hands. “I think with this now, we can leave.”

“Yes.. thank you, really. Challenge aside I’m-” and now his throat tightens again, but Kusanali would scold him if he didn’t thank the guy! Embarrassed as he was, as incompetent as he felt he smiled slightly. “I’m grateful, really.”

To which Kinich shrugs, a little embarrassed he's being thanked himself. “It’s okay if words um.. Aren’t your strength. I’m glad i could help either way.”

And just like that they’re left in awkward silence. Kunimitsu thanks Veda for her (nagging) assistance and they walk out to regroup with the others.

“Oh! You guys found it!” Aether smiled upon seeing them, and Albedo looked on in relief knowing the puppet wouldn’t feel as down about leaving as earlier. “Right then, who's picking the outing?”

Kunimitsu turned to Kinich who spoke up; “Dinner, we can check out a vendor at the stadium.”

All in agreement, they head off again to make one final stop before returning to Aton.

And it’s in this final stop, where Kunimitsu sighs and stares at the polearm he was still carrying. They’re back near the estate again. They would have to go in the building once more to access the proper gate but… was it even open? Would they be allowed in?

Was Kunimitsu good to go back in? Albedo held his hand as they walked out to the village first to meet that family. Alot of the guards from the estate had gone to their homes in some sort of celebration. Despite his previous experience, Kunimitsu seemed a little more settled this time. Or perhaps that was a product of Albedo holding his hand.

“So you guys know somebody here?” Aether asked the two, they’re all walking through the village together.

“A family, they helped us out last time” the alchemist reiterated once more as Kunimitsu nodded in agreement. He was munching on… a leaf, for whatever reason while Aether was giving him confused judgemental glances. Albedo finally decided to acknowledge this and turned to look at Kunimitsu.

“What?” the puppet questions, the leaf now gone. “Just because i don’t often get hungry doesn’t mean I won't eat.”

Aether stared at him, his mouth agape. “Dude that was a leaf.”

“Falling leaf.” he clarifies.

“Well did it taste, like, magical or some shit?”

Albedo rolled his eyes at their back and forth comments and decided to ignore it again. He’s caught more odd or questionable behaviors from people before, and to him eating a leaf wasn’t the strangest thing a being could do. As odd as his partner’s tastes were, he would’ve eaten weird things. 

They come across the family from before, the mother and father with their three children. Sugiura and Suzuki were both home and enjoying a meal with them outside their home. The four of them strode up to the family and the youngest girl jumped up, greeting Albedo and Kunimitsu with a tight hug. 

“Welcome back!” she yelled cheerfully, “How are your travels?! Oh, you made friends too, that’s so cool! Come, sit sit!” 

Albedo looks between Suzuki and Kunimitsu and contemplates on it. “I’m not sure if we have the time… we may also be intruding on your family as well.”

The girl instead shakes her head and drags the two over to sit down, Kinich and Aether follow them by default and now they’re all sitting together. 

The mother– a kind woman who Kunimitsu will refer to with nothing but respect in comparison to his own mother –sets them all up with dishes for a meal, one that Kunimitsu cannot refuse this time.

“You ate a leaf” Aether brings up when he tries to refuse, Suzuki chortles across the table. “You should eat an actual meal now while we're here.”

Kunimitsu turns to Albedo who shakes his head. “You’re not slipping me anything either, I've got my own.”

Accepting defeat, he decides to have some different things spread out along the long table. Some miso, an unagi filet, make it two actually. The food is good, and there’s a lot going on. He’s been told to try the steak too since he’s enjoying the meat. Whoever cooked up the steak did an impressive job. Nothing was unbearably sweet either.

“Have your injuries held up well?” a man, the father, asks Albedo. Kunimitsu listens in on their exchange while chewing a bite of his food.

“Mostly.” he surmised, also enjoying his own meal as he spoke in between bites. “I ran into a uh… complication earlier, but I was fine after some rest.”

“Hah! Well you've got quite a lot of energy if you were already up and running afterwards!”

Albedo chuckled at the comment but he didn’t engage further. Everyone was lost in conversation with each other for various reasons, all except for Kunimitsu who was just quietly enjoying his food, and even Suzuki across the table was quiet. Hell, even Kinich was at least speaking a word to Aether occasionally, those two were just completely silent. In moments of pause, this became more noticeable, but nobody attempted to force either of them to speak. 

But like all things, a good meal spent in good company ends eventually and the four of them get seen off by Sugiura and Suzuki in the large room housing the gate. The place has faced a little wear and tear from Kunimitsu and Suzuki getting into the previous scuffle, but it looks a little neater now especially with no unconscious people on the floor.

Suzuki pulls Kunimitsu aside before they leave, attempting to apologize to him per her sister’s request.

“Listen,” she starts off, not enjoying the fact she has to say what she's about to say. “Sugiura said.. That i was acting out of line, accusing you baselessly for crimes you hadn’t committed. Although I believe you entering the estate unannounced was a criminal act of its own..” she looks down upon him and he does little more than stare blankly back at her as if he was looking at a mirror, twisting around the polearm in his hand. “But, you fought well. And my attempts on that boy’s life were highly uncalled for even if I was aiming for your head. I’ve agreed to make an attempt to reconcile with you, though I expect nothing in return.”

Kunimitsu doesn’t bother to hear her out any further before lodging the spearhead of the polearm into the floorboards, leaving it in the space between them. Formalities meant nothing, apologies meant nothing because he does not need an apology from Suzuki, nor does he need one from another woman who he is not ready to forgive. Though they’re hostile towards each other, neither of them pick a direct fight. Kunimitsu doesn’t even bother to nod or bow his head and turns his back on Suzuki, returning to Albedo’s side. He says nothing, shows her no amount of recognition, and now he wants nothing to do with his stolen weapon.

“If I ever see you again, neither him nor my sister and her betrothed will come to save you.” Suzuki emparts on him this final message as she raises the polearm from the ground and claims it her own. “May none of you return.”

Kunimitsu recognizes this not as an insult, but as an indirect send off, of which he shares his own indirect parting in throwing up a middle finger at her. Lesser lord Kusanali is not here to clobber him over the head and demand he  be civil, nor is she in his head telling him what to say. As Kinich and Aether have gone on through the entryway it’s now just him and Albedo, who hardly gives attention to his behavior aside from giving him the stink eye for being rude.

“Let’s go.” Albedo reminds him pulling Kunimitsu along as he lets his hand drop. “The least you could do is thank them for the food.”
“I thanked the parents. Good enough.” Kunimitsu retorted, though he’s squeezing Albedo’s hand in his own.

There’s unspoken words in the way they hold on, unspoken praises for not causing a scene as well as comfort for returning back without complaint and unspoken vows to continue to support eachother as they head on into the final act.

They meet up with Aton at last for one final goodbye at the outer gateway. A great many feelings come about; determination, exhaustion, sorrow. Aton could be found embracing Aether and crying, sad to see his friends leave although he’d ‘feel even sadder if they had to stay’. He makes his rounds around the entire group, for Kinich it was telling him to keep everyone in check, for Albedo it was scolding him lightheartedly about not further irritating his wound, and finally with Kunimitsu…

“I don’t know what to tell you” Aton sighs, he’s completely stumped. “I’m… ok, look, I-” and when the words still don’t come out he switches to his next best option and goes in for a hug, one that the puppet accepts willingly, and speaks quietly so that only he may hear it. “Stay out of trouble. Don’t go pushing yourself into overthinking where you’re heading, because that’s just no fun.”

Kunimitsu bites back a gasp of bewilderment. Could he have been crying loud enough for anyone else to hear him? Does that mean Kinich and Aether heard him. Aton pulls back from him and smiles.

“Well! That’s all from me. Go on now, don’t let the door hit you on the way out!”

“Will you be okay on your own Aton?” Aether runs up to hug him again, even though he’s hardly known him the kid has grown to be someone he thinks of highly as a friend. Aton doesn’t look in his direction or anyone else's for that matter, he lets Aether hug him but that’s it as once he lets go Aton is walking away.

“Just get going!” he calls out again on the verge of tears. “Don’t make me change my mind!”

“Aton…”

Kunimitsu huffs, eyes watering be damned he will not cry again. “You heard him, lets go!” he turns toward the gateway and bolts through ahead of everyone else if only to have that space to himself, to be ahead of them so that they don’t catch him wiping the stray tears from his eyes. Although Albedo is hot on his tail, and Kinich and Aether soon follow. This corridor is dark, the only light being that of glowing visions accompanied by the lights on Aether’s clothes. They all hope the best for Aton, as he does for them…

Nahida blinks her eyes open after what feels like ages of her standing there. 

All eyes turn towards her and Durin flutters by.

“Did you find them?!” the little dragon squaked as he flew happily around her. 

“Whats the verdict?” Cyno came back over, having his interest piqued as well.

Nahida looked up at both of them hopefully, nodding her head in confirmation that yes, the four lost souls were coming back to them. The light she shone into the traveler’s dreams reached him for a second long enough for her to tell–

“Everyone’s safe” Nahida proclaimed “And they’re coming back.”

The crowd of scholars and mercenaries cheered amongst themselves. Their archon had confirmed that not another soul had to be sent into that hole. Durin cried tears of joy and did flips in the air, Paimon jumping up beside him ecstatically while Ajaw grumbled to himself about Kinich not having kicked the bucket. He supposes it's fine the other guys lived, but he missed an opportunity here! Now how will he take over the world?!

“THANK YOU!” Durin happily cried as he flew straight into Nahida and almost knocked her over. “Thank you, thank you! I was so worried! Miss Faruzan! Did you hear her!” just as quickly as he was attempting to hug Nahida with his wings he flew off again as she laughed and watched him tumble into Faruzan unexpectedly. 

Having taken long enough reminiscing it was time to leave. The band of explorers found themselves at a windy cliffside, the final act they needed to traverse.

“We should stick together.” Kinich warns, looking down one of the cliffs he sees nothing but clouds. “And don’t go over the edge, we don’t know what’s down there.

Aether completely disregards this as he holds his arms out to the wind. “Isn’t the breeze nice?? It feels so good!” as he turns back around at them he notices the content look on Kunimitsu’s face and smiles. “At least some of us think so!”

Kunimitsu hums in acknowledgement but does not respond further, the wind feels so good on his skin, and the feeling of his hair sweeping back he missed so dearly. His vision thrums slightly, like it’s agreeing for him that he was indeed enjoying it. It’s almost an unnoticeable change, but Albedo picks up on it even still. The way he carries himself changes once more.

He feels free.

“Even so, we can’t go careening off of cliffs.” Kinich spoke up again, “Make sure you three watch your step cause I'm not sure if even I’ll be able to help you then.”

“Fine, since you insist” Aether laughed, walking ahead of them all as they continued exploring.

It was quiet, all except for the wind. It was quiet, all except for the atmosphere being alive. Kunimitsu allowed himself to get lost in the feeling as he closed his eyes, feeling himself be refreshed. He’s held down in reality by Albedo holding his hand but he feels like he’s flying again, a concept that as of late has almost become foreign to him. How he misses his ability to fly, how he misses Durin and Nahida, Tighnari and Kaveh and Faruzan. Collie’s boundless spirit and curiosity, her many random questions and how she highly regards the outrider from Mondstadt. Damn it he misses all of Sumeru, and the round trips he had been making to see Albedo in Dragonspine. He misses the false sky of teyvat, its stars that shine brightly at night… he misses being home. Unable to bear the thought of yet shedding more tears he opens his eyes once more and instead focuses on the scenery around him and wills these desires to disappear from behind his eyelids. Even if Albedo knows he doesn’t mention it and continues to hold his hand all the same. It would be over soon, as they all hoped.

They’re walking for what seems like an eternity until they come across a tall looking fellow sitting upon the large branch of a tree and gazing thoughtfully at the clouds around the cliffs. Albedo tilts his head, could this be another one of the keepers in all the other acts?

“Welcome” the afofrmentioned tall fellow raised his voice, they all stopped to watch him as he turned his back to the edge of the cliff. “My, look at that you’ve all survived.”

His eyes lock with Kunimitsu’s, and he softens up, though the puppet is put on edge by his stare alone. Something about those eyes… 

“You’re the last ones to leave. Nobody else is trapped here.” he proclaims as he jumps down from the tree and walks up to them in languid strides. “I’d congratulate you but I know that’s not what you’re here for. You want to leave don’t you?”

Kunimitsu gives him a little nod and tightens his grip on Albedo’s hand, yet the alchemist remained planted firmly on the ground, proving there wasn’t anything to be afraid of. So he too stood his ground and held himself up. “How do we do that? And how do i regain the use of my vision?”

“My, how forward friend!” the tall fellow chuckles, before stepping forward and pushing his pointer finger against Kunimitsu’s forehead. “You should’ve noticed by now, yes? That’s your vision after all, I can’t ‘give’ you back your power, you have to take it back yourself!” Kunimitsu didn’t seem to back down so he kept pushing. “And if it’s your vision you would know by now, that its working.”

For a moment the puppet appears stunned as he looks down at the gem fastened within that ring. When he places his hand upon it it hums familiarly with teal light. To feel the wind gather at his hand like that is all he needs for a sign. It’s all finally fucking over.

In what seems like mere seconds Kunimitsu’s eyes spark with that same teal light, the rings above his head become tangible and his bodysuit glows as he lifts a very surprised Albedo from the ground. He can use his vision and fly, he has his powers back. He takes Albedo up higher and holds him tight, laughter escaping from somewhere deep in his core.

Aether cheers from below and waves at them, signaling for the pair to return to solid ground. Kunimitsu sets Albedo down gently and ruffles his hair but chooses to remain in flight for a while longer. 

“Does this mean we can go??” Aether llooks toward the tall fellow expectantly, and he pretends to think it over just to mess with him.

He holds up two fingers and smoothly slides in between their group. “Your choices are! You can challenge me, and i can let you go the safe way. Or, you can take the dangerous way and get off easy.”

This statement doesn’t sit well with Kinich, who looks at him puzzled. “If it’s so dangerous, why is it easy?”

“Because fighting me is worse than taking a leap of faith down there.” the tall fellow jests as he points to the clouds below the cliff. Although, if he was saying it then it likely wasn’t a joke. “Well, one of you can fly at least so i doubt you’d be in any actual danger if you fell. It would just take some good depth perception and spatial awareness my friend. So, what will it be?

Kunimitsu himself was all for a fight, but he wanted to leave it to the others instead. Aether, Kinich and Albedo look between each other and share various thoughts.

“Should we take the risk?”
“That depends on which risk it is.”

“Seems we have quite the decision on our hands. What's to say we do take any sort of risk here, should we plan accordingly.”

“I think we’ll be fine.” Aether says while looking directly at Kunimitsu, who shrugs as if to say ‘no promises’. He then looks to the tall fellow and smiles. “I think we can deal on our own now. Thank you for pointing us in the right direction.”

He sighs and turns around to return to his tree. “Haah, very well. Safe trip everyone.”

Kinich watches him climb back into the tree before he’s the first to get closer to the edge of the cliff. He extends a line out with power from his vision and waits for a few seconds before it snags and is pulled taut. “There’s definitely something solid down there..”

“So you guys are taking that leap of faith blindly then?” Kunimitsu asks him as he floats over to the edge. “You don’t seem afraid of it.”

“I can’t be afraid to take my chance.” Kinich shrugs, taking Aether’s hand when he walks over. “It might just be the only chance to leave after all. As you were, gentlemen.”

Kinich lets the line pull and it yanks him and Aether off the cliff and into the clouds below. When their forms break through Kunimitsu can catch a glimpse of the deserts of Sumeru below them. He watches them swiftly recede until they’re too far away for him to make out properly, and the anticipation has his nonexistent heart pounding, his vision displaying so by varying it’s light all too similarly to the beat of a heart. Albedo stands beside him on the cliff and looks down there amazed, how they were so high up he had no clue.

He turns his back partly to the edge and looks at Kunimitsu. “In the amount of time we’ve spent here I got to see you at a lot of points.”

“Albedo?”

“Your best, your worst, your ‘strangest’. It’s funny people think eating a leaf is that strange.” the alchemist continued speaking. “I’ve seen you do some strange things myself. I’ve heard you say things that have made me wonder, and things that have made me wish i could just rewrite history itself. The way you spoke then made me wonder if I could rewrite whatever atrocities were committed against you, and do something to make you suffer less. Kunimitsu, you gave me the highest honor of seeing you at a low point, and for that I feel lucky.”

Kunimitsu’s eyes widened, “You… Quit it, you’re scaring me.”

Albedo smiles sadly, stepping back and letting his heel off the edge. “Sorry, I guess I’m just scared myself. Will you come to catch me if I go down too fast?”

Kunimitsu reached forward and slung an arm around Albedo’s waist, bringing him in close and kissing him once, for what they both could only pray wasn’t the last time. His vision reacted in kind and began to glow madly like a racing heart, until they pulled away.  Albedo wrapped his arms around his neck and his weight pulled them down, until the puppet gave in and let them fall.

“You’re crazy,” Albedo tells him above the wind. “And everything about you makes me feels a little more sane”

Kunimitsu didn’t notice it at first as the tears left his eyes, he didn’t notice the tears he was letting go of, but he saw Albedo crying , a smile permanent on his face. “Hah!? You’re the one pulling us off a cliff!”

Albedo laughed this time, pulling the puppet closer and fully embracing him as the air whips by. His hair is a mess and it's all come undone, but as of now he can’t do anything about it. He pulls Kunimitsu in for one more kiss as they plummet. And mirrors the way he was held before, how Kunimitsu held him so tightly as he tried to protect them on their way down the hole. They’ve long since broken through the clouds that have now disappeared from view, and now they’re finally free. 

In the nick of time Kunimitsu catches them before they can fall too rapidly to the earth, although its such a drastic change he sways and almost loses his grip on Albedo who yelps and hangs onto him tighter. They take a moment longer to stop and get their bearings as they scan their eyes over the sand. There's a large group out on the ground somewhere, and a teeny little dragon barreling towards them from below. 

“That’s durin!” Kunimitsu yells and picks up speed to meet him halfway, his grip on Albedo tightened. “Over here!”

“MISTER HAT GUY!” Durin’s eyes burst with tears as he yelled out, toppling into Kunimitsu and Albedo who open their arms together. “And mister Albedo too!! You’re both okay! I watched your hat the entire time, I did! I knew something good would happen if I held onto it!”

Kunimitsu lowered them all to the ground and landed on his knees, holding both Durin and Albedo tightly as his bodysuit stopped glowing and his hat landed atop his head. He wasn’t ready to be swarmed by people yet as tears still streamed from his eyes. He was back in Sumeru, Durin and Albedo were here yet he couldn’t stop it. He was exhausted most of all and wanted to rest.

“We made it out” Albedo grinned tearfully as he hugged the two of them. “Oh honey, I’m home!”

“Shut up!” Kunimitsu laughed and pressed his forehead against Albedo’s.

He had a point though, they were home. As half the crowds of people were running to greet them, he knew they were home. Kinich and Aether seemed to have survived the fall as well, already being treated by some on site doctors somewhere nearby.

Nahida ran up ahead of the crowd and her pointed ears lifted up slightly as she bounded over dodging the many people who weren’t stopping or giving her room. 

“Kunimitsu!” She called out, stopping before them. To see Kunimitsu actually cry tears of joy was a new thing. She’s seen him cry before but this… “Hey… what happened?? Are you okay?”

Kunimitsu registered her voice and held out his arm, reaching out. He wanted a hug. Nahida smiled and made the leap forward crashing into their embrace with a smile and hugged him like he was her own flesh and blood. Anybody could have asked so, and she would have told them so, that Kunimitsu to her was her own flesh and blood. As such, he deserved to be held as such. Now he didn't care that he was crying anymore, because maybe it was alright to let it go.