The ship's deck was empty save for the night watch, a grizzled sailor who'd nodded at Albedo before returning his attention to the stars.
The planks were still warm from the day's sun, and the ocean stretched out in every direction—black water beneath black sky, separated only by the seam of the horizon.
Klee sat with her legs dangling through the railing, Dodoco in her lap. She'd tried to sleep in the cabin she shared with Paimon, but every time she closed her eyes, she saw Yoimiya getting smaller and smaller on the dock.
Footsteps, soft and measured. Albedo settled beside her, his coat pulled close against the sea breeze. He didn't say anything at first, just looked out at the same endless dark.
"Couldn't sleep?" he finally asked.
Klee shook her head. The crystal pendant rested against her collarbone, warm as a coal. She'd tucked it under her shirt, but even hidden, she could feel its pulse.
Above them, the moon hung fat and silver, painting everything in shades of gray and white. The sails snapped and billowed. Somewhere below deck, someone was snoring—probably Paimon.
"I'm glad I brought you," Albedo said.
Klee looked up at him, surprised.
He was still watching the water, his profile sharp in the moonlight. "To Inazuma. I debated it, you know. It's a long journey. The political situation was still... uncertain. And Master Jean wasn't entirely convinced it was appropriate." His lips quirked. "She used the word 'harebrained,' if I recall."
"Master Jean always worries about me," Klee said loyally.
"She does. It's her job." Albedo's gaze shifted to the moon. "But I'm glad I didn't listen. You deserved to see it—the festivals, the culture, the fireworks. You deserved to meet someone like Yoimiya."
The warmth in Klee's chest had nothing to do with the necklace. "Really?"
"Really." He looked down at her now, and his usual reserve softened into something that might have been a smile. "You were happy.
Genuinely happy. Not just excited about explosions or proud of a successful fish-blasting expedition. You were... you."
Klee hugged Dodoco tighter. "Yoimiya's really cool."
"She is."
"And she didn't think I was too little to help with the big fireworks."
"No. She didn't."
"And she promised—" Klee's voice caught. "She promised we'd do it again. Bigger next time."
Albedo put his arm around her, and she leaned into his side. He was warm and solid and smelled like the chalk he used for his alchemy. Safe. Home.
"Then you will," he said quietly. "Yoimiya strikes me as someone who keeps her promises."
The ship rocked gently. A wave broke against the hull with a soft crash. The night watch called something to the helmsman, too far away to make out the words.
Klee's hand found the crystal at her throat. Through her shirt, it pulsed against her palm. Steady. Rhythmic. Like a second heart.
"Brother Albedo?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think... do you think Yoimiya's looking at the moon too?"
Albedo tilted his head back, studying the silver disk above them. "It's possible. It's the same moon, after all. Same sky. Just different horizons."
"That's nice," Klee murmured. "That we can see the same thing even when we're far apart."
"Yes," Albedo agreed. "That is nice."
They sat together in the moonlight, neither speaking, listening to the ocean breathe.
---
Half a world away, Yoimiya climbed onto the roof of the Naganohara Fireworks shop the way she'd done a thousand times before—hand on the window frame, foot on the decorative molding, push up and over. The tiles were still warm from the day's heat, and Hanamizaka spread below her in a patchwork of lantern-light and shadow.
She sat with her knees drawn up, chin resting on her crossed arms, and stared at the moon.
It was stupid, really. Klee had been in Inazuma for barely a week. They'd known each other for what, five days? Six? That wasn't enough time to miss someone this much. That wasn't—
But she did.
The necklace hung heavy around her neck. She pulled it out from under her clothes, letting it catch the moonlight. The crystal heart gleamed red-gold, and deep inside, those ember-like sparks danced and flickered.
"Keep them close," Yae Miko had said. "They're yours and yours alone."
Yoimiya turned the pendant between her fingers. It was beautiful, she'd give the Guuji that. The craftsmanship was incredible—she couldn't even see a seam where the crystal had been set into the silver. It looked grown rather than made, organic, like someone had crystallized a drop of fire.
And it was warm. Not uncomfortably so, but noticeably. Like holding her hand near a candle flame.
Below, someone laughed—probably old man Fujiwara stumbling home from the izakaya. A cat yowled. Wind chimes sang from someone's porch.
Home. Her neighborhood. Her people.
So why did it feel like something was missing?
"You're being ridiculous," Yoimiya told herself firmly. "She's a kid. You're an adult. Well, sort of an adult. Adult-adjacent. You're just used to having someone to show fireworks stuff to, that's all. You'll write letters. It'll be fine."
The crystal pulsed against her palm.
"It will be fine," she repeated, quieter.
The moon didn't answer. Neither did the crystal. But when she closed her eyes, she could almost see Klee's face—that huge grin, those bright red eyes, the way she'd jumped up and down when the biggest firework had burst into gold and crimson flowers across the sky.
"THAT WAS AMAZING!" Klee had shrieked, loud enough that half of Inazuma City probably heard. "Can we do it again? Can we? Please?"
And Yoimiya had laughed and said yes, they absolutely could, they'd do one even bigger next time—
Next time.
When would that be? A year? Two? Longer?
"Stop it," Yoimiya muttered. She tucked the necklace back under her shirt, where it settled warm against her skin. "You're being weird. Go to sleep."
But she stayed on the roof for a long time, watching the moon arc across the sky, one hand pressed over her heart where the crystal pulsed its steady rhythm.
---
Two days later, Dornman Port appeared on the horizon like a child's drawing—simple shapes in brown and gray, smoke rising from chimneys, the Mondstadt flag snapping in the wind.
Klee was at the railing before the ship had even fully docked, bouncing on her toes. "We're home! We're home! Dodoco, look, we're home!"
"Yes, yes, very exciting." Paimon floated beside her, looking distinctly green. "Can we please get OFF this horrible floaty torture device?"
The Traveler patted Paimon's head sympathetically.
Albedo gathered their bags—two for him, one small pack for Klee that was mostly bombs and Dodoco. Xingqiu had already disembarked, heading for Liyue with a cheerful wave and a promise to send Albedo his notes on Inazuman literature.
The dock was busy with afternoon trade. Merchants shouted prices. Dockworkers heaved crates. A bard was playing somewhere, the music tinny and bright.
Klee breathed in deep. Mondstadt air. It smelled different from Inazuma—less salt, more pine, with a hint of wine from the nearby tavern.
"Come on," Albedo said, shouldering his bags. "It's a few hours' walk to the city. We should arrive before dinner."
They took the main road, packed dirt worn smooth by countless caravans. Rolling hills stretched in every direction, dotted with windmills and lamp grass and the occasional hilichurl camp (which Albedo steered them well clear of). The wind was constant, playful, tugging at Klee's hat and making the grass bow and wave.
The crystal against her chest swung with each step, warm as always.
Klee chattered as they walked—about the ship, about Paimon's seasickness, about how Xingqiu had let her look at his book and the pictures were really pretty but there weren't enough explosions. Albedo made appropriate listening noises, occasionally interjecting with questions that showed he was actually paying attention, not just humoring her.
---
The sun was painting the sky orange and pink when Mondstadt's walls came into view.
Klee's heart leaped. The city rose against the hillside, all steep roofs and tall towers, the cathedral's spire reaching toward the clouds. The statue of Barbatos spread his wings above the gate, and the sweet shop would be open, and her room in the Knights' headquarters would have her bed and her books and—
"Home," she breathed.
Albedo's hand found her shoulder, squeezed once. "Home."
They approached the main gate as the lamplighters were making their rounds. The shadows were long and purple. A merchant's cart rattled past them, heading for the tavern stables.
The two guards at the gate straightened when they spotted Albedo's distinctive coat.
"Captain Albedo!" Lawrence, the taller guard, brought his fist to his chest in salute. "Welcome back, sir!"
Swan, the stockier one, echoed the gesture. "And Miss Klee! How was your—"
He froze mid-sentence.
Klee waved cheerfully. "Hi, Mr. Swan! Hi, Mr. Lawrence! We went to Inazuma and I got to use REALLY BIG fireworks and—"
"That's—" Swan's voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "That's wonderful, Miss Klee. Truly. We're so glad you're back safe."
Something was wrong with his face. His smile looked like it hurt.
Lawrence wasn't smiling at all. He was staring at Klee with an expression she couldn't quite read—something between relief and horror, like he'd just watched her walk away from a burning building.
"Lawrence?" Albedo's tone had gone flat. Analytical. "Is there something—"
"No, sir!" Lawrence snapped to attention so fast his armor rattled. "Nothing at all, sir! Everything's perfectly fine! The Acting Grand Master will be pleased to see you've returned!"
"Very pleased," Swan added, too quickly. "Very, very pleased. Definitely pleased."
"...Right." Albedo's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press. "We'll report to headquarters immediately."
"Yes, sir! Of course, sir!" Lawrence stepped aside so quickly he nearly tripped over his own spear.
Klee looked back as they passed through the gate. Both guards were watching them go, and Swan had his hand pressed over his mouth like he was holding something in. Lawrence's knuckles were white on his spear.
"Brother Albedo?" Klee tugged his coat. "Why were they acting weird?"
"I don't know," Albedo said quietly. "But I intend to find out."
The city embraced them—familiar stone streets, familiar flower boxes, familiar voices calling greetings from windows and doorways. The Angel's Share was doing brisk business. Flora waved from her flower stand. A cat darted across their path, something limp and unfortunate in its jaws.
The Knights of Favonius headquarters rose before them, solid and imposing, the flag rippling against the darkening sky.
Albedo pushed open the main doors.
The entrance hall was busy with the end-of-day shift change. Knights in armor clustered around the mission board. Someone was arguing about patrol schedules. The air smelled like coffee and metal polish and old paper.
"KLEE!"
Amber materialized out of nowhere, or that's what it felt like. She swept Klee up in a hug that lifted her clean off the ground, spinning once before setting her down. "You're back! You're finally back! Oh thank Barbatos, you're back!"
"Amber, I can't breathe—"
"Sorry! Sorry." Amber released her, but kept her hands on Klee's shoulders, looking her over like she was checking for injuries. "You're okay? You're really okay?"
"I'm fine!" Klee laughed. "Why wouldn't I be fine?"
Something complicated crossed Amber's face. "Right. Of course. You're fine. That's—that's great."
"Outrider Amber." Albedo's voice could have frozen wine. "What's going on?"
"Nothing! Nothing's going on!" Amber's smile was so bright it could have lit the room. "Master Jean just wants to see you both. Right away. In her office. She's been waiting. Very patiently. So patiently."
"I see." Albedo's hand settled on Klee's head. "Then we shouldn't keep her waiting."
They moved through the headquarters like a small parade. Knights stopped what they were doing to stare. Hertha, manning the reception desk, dropped her pen. Someone's coffee mug hit the floor with a ceramic crack.
Eula was descending the stairs, probably heading home after her shift. She stopped mid-step when she saw them.
"Chief Alchemist. Spark Knight." Her voice was perfectly controlled, but her hand had gone to the sword at her hip. Not drawing it. Just... touching it. "You've returned."
"Lady Eula," Albedo said carefully. "Yes. We have."
"Good." She continued down the stairs, each step precise. When she reached them, she looked at Klee for a long moment. "I trust your journey was... uneventful?"
"It was great!" Klee beamed. "I met lots of new people and we did fireworks and I made a new friend and—"
"Wonderful." Eula's expression didn't change. "That's wonderful. Truly." She looked at Albedo. "Master Jean is waiting for you. I suggest you don't delay."
She swept past them, out into the evening, leaving only the faint chill of her Cryo Vision in her wake.
"Okay, everyone's acting really weird," Klee announced.
"Agreed," Albedo murmured.
They climbed to the second floor. Lisa was in the library, visible through the open door, but for once she wasn't lounging with a book. She was standing at the window, arms crossed, staring out at nothing. When she heard footsteps, she turned.
"Oh." Her smile was soft and sad. "You're back. Thank the Anemo Archon."
"Lisa—" Albedo started.
"Jean's waiting, cutie. You should go." Lisa's voice was gentle. Too gentle. "Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine."
Somehow, that was the least reassuring thing anyone had said.
Jean's office door was closed. Albedo knocked twice.
"Enter."
The Acting Grand Master sat behind her desk, hands folded, posture perfect. She'd probably been sitting like that for hours—Jean never slouched, never relaxed, not when she was in uniform.
"Master Jean!" Klee ran forward. "We're back! I have so much to tell you about Inazuma! They have these really cool fireworks and—"
"Klee." Jean's voice was soft. "I'm very glad you're home. I've missed you."
"I missed you too!" Klee bounced on her toes. "So can I tell you about—"
"First, I need you to do something for me." Jean's smile was warm, but her eyes were something else entirely. Something heavy. "I need you to go to your room. Get settled in. Lisa will bring you dinner. And tomorrow, you can tell me all about your trip. All right?"
Klee's face fell. "But I just got back..."
"I know. And I promise, tomorrow we'll have all the time in the world." Jean stood, moved around her desk, and crouched down to Klee's level. She cupped Klee's face in her hands, gentle but firm. "But right now, I need to talk to Albedo. Boring adult things. You understand?"
"...Okay," Klee said, small.
"Good girl." Jean kissed her forehead, lingering just a moment too long. When she pulled back, her expression was perfectly composed. "Off you go. Your room's exactly as you left it."
Klee trudged to the door, Dodoco dragging from one hand. She looked back once—Albedo gave her a small nod—then disappeared into the hallway.
The door clicked shut.
Jean didn't move, didn't speak. She just looked at Albedo, and in the lamplight, her eyes were glacial.
"Start talking," she said quietly. "And don't you dare lie to me."
Klee's room was exactly as she'd left it: bed made with military precision (Lisa's work), books stacked neatly (also Lisa's work), and her collection of bombs arranged on the shelf by size (definitely her own work, and definitely against regulations).
She set Dodoco on the pillow, unpacked her small bag, and changed into her nightclothes even though it wasn't that late yet.
The crystal necklace caught her eye as she pulled her shirt over her head. She held it up, watching it catch the lamplight. Still warm. Still pulsing that steady, quiet rhythm.
"Keep them close," Yae Miko had said. "They're yours and yours alone."
Klee fastened it back around her neck, tucking it under her nightshirt.
Through the door, she could hear voices. Not words, just tones—Jean's, sharp and angry. Albedo's, calm and measured. Someone else had joined them. Maybe Amber. Maybe Eula.
Something was wrong. She didn't know what, but everyone had been acting strange since they'd passed through the gate. Looking at her like she was fragile. Like she might break.
Klee pressed her hand against the crystal. Warm. Steady. Real.
In Inazuma, she thought, Yoimiya was probably setting up for tonight's fireworks. Or having dinner with her father. Or playing with the neighborhood kids.
Was she wearing her necklace too?
Did it feel warm for her?
Did she wonder what Klee was doing, the same way Klee was wondering about her?
Klee curled up on her bed, Dodoco tucked under her chin, and tried not to listen to the shouting coming from Jean's office.
The crystal pulsed against her heart, steady as a promise.