Mieko sat outside of the Dawn Winery, painting. Diluc had commissioned her to make him something, so she went right to work on it. It took her a couple of days, and she was debating about what to do next, since she'd been away from the shop for a bit. She looked up and her eyes went wide to see Albedo standing in front of her. "Albedo…?" She blinked.

"He came looking for you." Diluc stated from nearby, Mieko glancing at her friend.

"Ah, I did say I would be returning soon." She said, smiling a little. Albedo seemed… Anxious? "Is something bothering you, Albedo?" She asked, tilting her head at him.

"Mieko. I was hoping… Perhaps, you would like to come to Liyue with me?"

"To… To Liyue?" She asked, shocked. He explained that he was going for his work as an artist, and that Klee was currently occupied with Jean and Barbara. "I-I'd love to, but the shop…" she saw Albedo's expression fall a little, her heart sinking.

"I think it would be a good idea for you to take a vacation." Diluc stated. "You have always wanted to go and see the Lantern Rite. It happens to be soon, doesn't it?" He stated.

"Well, yes, but Diluc I can't afford to-"

"If you don't take a break, and you end up burning out, you'll be out of work for more than just a 2 week travel and vacation." he stated.

"I have plenty of mora saved up, so I can very easily pay for us both for the whole trip." he retorts to her mention of not being able to afford it.

"I made you come all the way out here to take a break from the city, Mie. But I believe Albedo is better suited to making you relax, isn't he?" Diluc questioned her knowingly. Even without telling him, he knew when she was comfortable around someone.

"I agree. And…. I would greatly enjoy your companionship." He agrees with Diluc's insistence. Mieko was completely defeated, smiling and chuckling.

"Oh, alright." She said softly, taking Albedo's hand as he helped her up.

"Then, go with Albedo to Liyue." He essentially ordered in his deadpan voice, Mieko smiling at him.

"Yes, Master Diluc." She replied, handing him her completed painting.

"Your payment for the commission will be waiting here for you, so stop in for a meal and that before you go." He insisted, heading back to the building with her work. She turned to Albedo, smiling at him.

"Shall we take a walk first?" She asked, taking his hand and walking around the winery with him. "I used to come here as a teenager, when my grandfather was still training me." She stated. "It's still a very peaceful place."

"I can see that. You were so relaxed I almost didn't want to interrupt you." Albedo replied. "But I am glad I did."

"I am too." She smiled at him. "So, let's go inside and then we'll go?" she walked with him happily, enjoying their leisurely pace.

"You there, the traveling couple." the girl in the large brimmed hat said, pointing at them. "Your future looks bright. Shall I tell your fortune?"

"Um… Our fortune…?" Mieko tilted her head. "Why are you telling fortunes all the way out here in the middle of nowhere?" This question caught the woman off guard, Mieko smiling.

"N-No particular reason." she replied. Mieko turned to Albedo, tilting her head.

"Want your fortune told, Albedo? Or shall we just go?" she asked. Clearly this young lady was hoping Mieko was the type to want a love fortune or something, judging by the dismay on her face when she asked Albedo if they should go. He shook his head. "There's no need, sorry my dear." Mieko said to Mona. As they were about to leave, though, Mieko heard a growling noise. She stopped, turning to look at Mona holding her stomach. "Goodness. Hungry?"

"I… N-No. I just-"

"Don't be shy." Mieko chuckled. "It's about time for dinner. Shall we stop for the night, Albedo? We can continue in the morning."

"Very well, Mie." Albedo replied. The two made camp and started the food, the younger woman's stomach growling louder.

"It's almost done, don't worry." Mieko said cheerfully. When the food was ready, Mieko dished up a bowl for the girl before giving Albedo his, then taking hers last. Mona polished off the bowl quickly, Mieko giving her another serving. "Don't eat too fast." She advised, Albedo watching her. After they were done, they began to have a conversation.

"I'm Mona… And you are…?" She asked Albedo, since Mieko was cleaning her knife.

"My name is Albedo." he replied, shaking her hand. "And this is my partner. Mieko."

"You can call me Mie."

"Thank you for the meal… I… I'm sorry I don't have anything to pay you with."

"You can repay us in information." Albedo stated, asking Mona questions about her craft. Then about her teacher. "That must be B."

"You know of the hag??" Mona questioned. "Are you perhaps the student or relative of one of the others???"

"I might be." He chuckled. Mieko got up to stretch, Albedo turning to her. "Are you alright?"

"Ah, don't mind me." She replied. "You two keep talking." She said, smiling at Albedo before walking over to a rock and climbing up onto it. She stared at the sky, tilting her head to the side. Albedo though, excused himself from talking with Mona and walked over to her.

"Something is bothering you." He told her once he was on top of the rock with her.

"I just want to give you some space to talk to someone your age." Albedo looked up at her, sighing softly.

"Mie. Dear." he said, taking her hand. "You know if something makes you uncomfortable, I want you to tell me."

"I know." She replied. "I promise. It's nothing." She stated. Albedo didn't let go of her hand, standing there with her.

"Reassurance makes you feel better, right?" He asked.

"You remembered." Mieko smiled sweetly at him.

"I do my best to remember things that will be a comfort to you." He smiled back.

Meanwhile, Mona stared at them, watching them with a smile on her face. Even from this distance, she felt so warm and fuzzy watching them. She curled up and closed her eyes to give them some privacy.

The next morning, Mieko opened her bag and gave Mona some of the Mora from her payment for Dilucs's commission, wraped in a pouch along with their leftover breakfast. "It isn't much, but you can have that." she smiled. "It would be smart of you not to approach the way you do. Be gentler." She stated. "And don't make assumptions like you did with me." She added. She turned to Albedo and walked away with him, Mona still stunned by the food, eyes widening further at the little pouch of Mora she'd also been given.

"You didn't have to give her Mora." Albedo reminded Mieko.

"She seemed like a good soul, even though she didn't seem to have much tact." She smiled.

"But aren't you saving for your shop rent?"

"Nn, it was just enough for her to buy a substantial little meal, so I don't mind. I gave up a little of my personal Mora for a good cause." She told him. "I don't like seeing young ones suffer." She added.

"You aren't that much older, Mie."

"Even so. She's a baby in that respect." She added. "Now, where shall we go once we're in the harbor?" She asked. "I'm keeping to whatever schedule you have, Albedo." She added.

They have a pleasant first day in Liyue, Albedo not meeting his author until the next day. But now, after a string of events and having been gifted a dress by a strange young man, Mieko stood in front of Albedo. He was strangely nervous for once. It wasn't a huge difference from normal, but it had become obvious to Mieko. She listened attentively, as always when he talked about something. He wasn't at a loss for words but also not as articulate as he was normally. "I know it is difficult for you leave your shop behind… I… I thought a respite would be nice, but you don't seem to be enjoying yourself." Mieko found it adorable that he was worrying about her, and that he was even a bit worried that she wasn't enjoying herself. When he stopped talking, she walked closer to him, offering her hand.

"Albedo." She smiled. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want your company… and I don't mind at all, if that's what you want from our time together." She added, gently caressing the back of his hand with her thumb through his glove.

"I have been feeling… trepidatious, thanks to my past… I always feel like if I let myself be too happy, I'll lose someone." She said softly.

"You… Are afraid to be happy?" he asked, sounding surprised.

"I am terrified." She smiled at him. "But with you… I cannot help myself. And I feel like, maybe… Just maybe, I can pretend for a little while to be happy."

"Mie…"

"I lost 3 people when my happiness was more than just the everyday sort of contentment… I don't want to lose anyone else… Especially not you, Albedo… I've grown too fond of you. If anything happened to you, I'd… Well, I don't know really, what I'd do…" she said in a whisper.

"I… I am still… I have had a lot on my mind, for quite some time." he replied. She stared back, lost in his turquoise eyes as he stared.

"And what exactly… Is on that beautiful mind of yours, Albedo? What do you want of me?" She asked. She barely even felt nervous at this point. Something about his eyes stirred feelings she didn't know she could have. She reached up with her other hand, caressing his cheek gently, smiling as he leaned into it a little. "Does that feel alright? I'm sorry if my hand is a bit cold." She added.

"It's… There's a lot. Including urges." he whispers. He leans into her hand as she cups his cheek. "Yes. It… I…" he begins, leaning in to close the gap between them and tentatively touching his lips to hers, just barely, as if he wasn't entirely sure of what to do regarding kissing. Rather than pulling away, she leaned into his kiss before she smiled and pulled back.

"First time kissing?" She asked as he nodded numbly in response, stunned. "It's okay, I'm not very experienced either." She smiled. "But I can at least make your second one a little more… profound. If you'd like to do it again." She said, cheeks red. Every fiber of her being screamed for him, begged for more of his touch, of the feeling of his lips on hers. All she wanted was Albedo, and she would do anything to get more. When he leaned in again, she cupped both his cheeks and kissed him slowly, lovingly, pouring her very little experience kissing into what she and Albedo were doing. He melted into her touch, eyes sliding shut and arms going around her. She adored the warmth from his lips, from the way he leaned into her, and from his hands on her. She craved more when they pulled apart, cheeks flushed and heart pounding in her ears. "Was that alright…?"

"I've… I have no basis for comparison. Having never experienced that before… But I would like to do it again." He added quickly.

"Ah, then you too…" she leaned her forehead against his, smiling. "I hope this isn't too fast… but let's keep going for a while…" she said. "Something tells me you'll end up being better at this than I am by the end of the night. Kissing, I mean." She smiled sweetly at him. "You pick up everything so fast." They spent a while just getting comfortable back in their lodgings, touching one another slowly, playing with each other's hair as they kissed and in the aftermath. Mieko had never felt so safe, so content… so happy. Albedo liked her enough to do this, to allow for this. She nuzzled him between kisses, whispering to him how beautiful she thought he was, embarrassed but clearly enjoying herself. She would say his name lovingly and kiss him softly on the cheeks between the longer, more affectionate and passionate kisses on the lips, enjoying every second. Mieko laid next to Albedo, watching him as he stared at her, nearly asleep. "Get some rest, Albedo. You're obviously tired." she said softly. As he fell asleep, she kissed the top of his head gently. She wanted to protect him, love on him, make him stop thinking. Showering him in sweet, gentle love and affection seemed to work wonders for this. She did her best to settle her heart down, soon falling asleep as well.

After having a pleasant Lantern Rite and getting more comfortable showing one another affection, they returned to Mondstadt, and after a few months more it was almost time for Albedo's birthday. "Are you two doing anything special?" Lisa teased Mieko as she sat with them for afternoon tea. "Going to dinner? Oh, are you maybe cooking for him before you get into it?"

"Hm?" Mieko tilted her head. "I don't know. I'm probably going to make him some Sunshine Sprat."

"Is that all? Goodness, you two aren't going to have more fun???"

"Lisa, hush." Jean scolded her. "You know Mie would never move that fast."

"But Jean, aside from that one ex of hers, she's never-"

"Lisa." Mieko's tone was sharp for once with her friend. "I don't need you telling me how to pursue my relationship with Albedo."

"Oh… Yes, yes, I'm sorry Mie." She replied, smiling. "Forgive me."

Once Mieko left, she felt listless, taking a deep breath. She hadn't seen Albedo since they returned to the city. She put a hand to her heart, feeling lonely. "Damn it, Mieko. You're supposed to be able to detach… You can't rely on him to always mitigate your loneliness. It isn't his job." She mumbled to herself. She walked to her home, eyes widening to see Albedo standing there at her door. "A-Albedo?"

"Oh, Mie." He said, smiling once he turned to her. "I was about to come and find you." He walked over, offering a single Cecilia Blossom to her. "Would you… Mind accompanying me for a bit?"

"Not at all." She smiled, following him out of the city and up the path to Dragonspine. "Are we… Going to perform an experiment?" She asked him.

"You could say that." He replied. They walked in silence to his camp, Mieko finally speaking up once there.

"You're nervous again." She said as she sat down. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing, really…"

"Albedo." She looked up at him as he stood next to her. "Please, tell me?" she asked, taking his hand. "I'll do anything to help, if I can." she added.

"I… Well, you see…" he sat down next to her. "I was hoping to ask you for something…"

"Of course, whatever you need. Is it for your birthday?" She asked, smiling as his cheeks tinted pink. "Ah, did I guess correctly?"

"I really need to study how you do that."

"No, don't change the subject, Albedo." She teased. She reached up and cupped his cheeks, smiling. "Tell me? Please?" She asked sweetly.

"I… Was hoping… If you don't mind, of course… Could we try and be a bit more… Intimate? For my birthday?" he asked. "Perhaps we could try and hold one another while we sleep…? Or if you wouldn't mind, we could try…?"

"Try?"

"Fornicating." Mieko's eyes went wide when he said that, cheeks red. She stared at Albedo, stunned that he suggested it. They sat in silence, Albedo anticipating rejection, or for her to laugh. But she just stared, unmoving. Both of their heartbeats were almost audible in the silence of the mountain, the only other sound being the soft crackles of the fire and the slight breeze rustling the trees. "If you would prefer not to, I will ask for something else." he said finally.

"N-No, it's fine but…" She stared. "You… Want to take it that far with me…?" She asked. "I'm not very much to look at, I… I didn't think that would interest you, either." She replied, cheeks burning.

"Well… If there was anyone I would be interested in testing the parameters with, it would be you." he replied. "You've never once turned down my experiment requests… And you willingly allowed me to experiment with a relationship with you…" he said in response. "So I thought, perhaps, you would be amiable to the idea… Was my assumption incorrect? Or perhaps, you are saving yourself for marriage?"

"Ah, no, nothing like that." she shook her head. "I've had sex before, once or twice. But…" She sighed. "I don't think I'm good enough at it to give you a proper data set…"

"Well, the data is still pertaining to you, Mieko. So… It would be proper for what I'm testing."

"Oh? You're… Testing me, then?"

"In a sense, yes." He nodded. "I have experimented with it before, but only ever watching. I have never touched someone else." He stated. "I… Wish to attempt it."

"Ah, so we don't have to go all the way? That's fine." She said, embarrassed about the thought. She was almost relieved.

"I only wish to go as far as you are comfortable with. After all, I would hate to upset you. You might be upset enough to call off the experiment."

"I see…" She smiled. "Well, if that's what you want for your birthday, I'll oblige. However…"

"However?"

"Please remember to uphold Your end of the bargain. And don't toy with my heart."

((Catching feelings? Catching feelings. Mieko fell first, everyone. Clear as day.

-Winter Cheshire))