"Aether," Albedo greets him as he sits next to him on the root. "Have you been well?"

Aether nods, and the two fall into an uneasy silence. For all the claims of Albedo being a closed-off, stoic person, he might as well be wearing his heart on his sleeve for anyone observant enough to take note of his body language. Currently, Albedo is sitting with a slight hunch, hands between his legs and ankles intertwined.

"Are you alright?" Aether asks, taking these signs as a warning. Is Albedo still worrying over Klee's sudden sickness?

When Albedo doesn't respond, Aether sighs and shifts his gaze to where Klee and the others are playing. Though it's only been a few days, Albedo hasn't invited him back for more tests on his physiology. He usually does right before Aether departs, but last time, Albedo seemed preoccupied by something and barely waved them goodbye. Aether suspects the tests are nothing more than an excuse, but he doesn't mind. If anything, today's invitation was a nice change of pace, since Albedo organised a get-together without having to use alchemy as an excuse, even if the rest of the knights were invited as well.

Something shifts out of the corner of his eye. Aether looks back at his companion, only to face the full force of Albedo's gaze.

Aether stares back, confused. Albedo's gaze doesn't look inquisitive. Nor is it his people-watching stare either. Aether's noticed he avoids looking people in the eye, but that pattern has now been broken, as Aether's eyes seem to be the only part Albedo is interested in. He's even turned his body to face Aether, slightly leaning towards him.

Albedo's very close. Close enough for Aether to be able to blow his bangs away, to see the strange, endearing sparkle in his eyes. Close enough to notice his atypical skin texture, more resembling smooth stone than flawless skin. Any closer and–

"You'll stay for a few days in Mondstadt, won't you?" Albedo eventually asks, his breath tickling Aether's skin.

"Yes," Aether numbly responds. Is this another invitation…?

Under the shade, where the light filters through layers and layers of swaying leaves, the shadows make it seem like there are heavy bags under Albedo's eyes. "Good."

Before Aether can respond to his cryptic response, Albedo's gloved hand ends up over his.

"Thank you for seeing me through this journey."

And again, before Aether can say anything, Albedo gets up and walks to the river, Klee greeting him with a splash of water which he reciprocates.