#aaaaand that's a wrap <3 would have loved to finish with a doodle but scvjavcjha some other day I guess

[crystalflygeo]

Even through the fog on uncertainty and confusion The little doe finds her way and gets home to give this story a satisfying conclusion

Crys stares at the man in front of her, much taller than her, elegant, with a regal air to him and something that calls to her. "You... I know you." Crys whispers. There are flashes of moments in her mind, he was there but his name... his name...

Her heart beats fast in her chest, her breath catches and her cheeks feel slightly warm.

He chuckles. "I would surely hope so."

He places a hand at her cheek and she feels compelled to nuzzle into his warmth. He smells like... mate. Her mate, safe.

"I heard about your... predicament." His eyes soften. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. You were never in any real danger at least, but if I had noticed sooner..." He sighs. "No matter, all is well now. Welcome home, my dear Crystalfly (Jīngdié)" He murmurs lovingly in Liyuen.

Crys' eyes widen. "Jīngdié... T-That is...!"

It's like everything falls back into place, like her world flips on it's axe and she spins, her head pounds and she shuts her eyes tightly, stumbling back. Strong arms catch her and she gasps, taking a few moments to compose herself back again.

Oh this past week was a nightmare.

She looks up at the handsome man holding her. Her archon, her lord, her beloved, her mate.

Over 400 years and she still blushes like a teenager.

"Zhongliiii..." She whines, her eyes watering. "I was so scared!!" She clings to him, sobbing.

"Oh dear." He pats her softly, rubbing circles on her back to comfort her.

---

"Thank you SO much Kazuha." She nods at him, immensely grateful. "I don't think I could've kept my cool and found my way back so fast without you."

"No need to worry about that, I'm glad."

"You have my gratitude as well, young man." Zhongli adds. His amber eyes glint in interest, perhaps he catches something special about the ronin.

"Hm, as I said, I'm happy to meet and help a new friend." Kazuha inhales deeply and smiles, maybe catching something particular in the air.

"Oh! Rinrin, what are you and Alhaitham doing here? Are you on vacation?" Crys turns to her friend, now excited to see her again.

"We were worried about you. I tried contacting you multiple times but... nothing worked, we knew something must have happened." She exchanges a look with her husband. "Alhaitham wanted some help with a little project of his on ancient Liyue scriptures or dialects or something of the like hehe."

"I see, sure I can try to help! But right now I'm so tired... I want to sleep for a full day or more." She groans. And cuddles, she definitely wants cuddles. "Hm, I should probably send a letter to Palais Mermonia... Oh, and the Grand Narukami Shrine, I wonder if I can recover whatever belongings I left or lost at Inazuma." She sighs in defeat.

"One thing at a time, dear."

Meirin nods. "Rest is important. Ah, but now I'm wondering... what kind of youkai could do something like that, and how did they even get your name?"

"Actually I think I do know the answer myself." Crys says, she turns to Zhongli. "I recall getting a letter from you shortly before my returning date and you happened to address me as 'my dear crystalfly' as usual didn't you?"

"Oh. That is correct." So it was his fault?

Crys huffs. "Next time I go to Inazuma I will hunt down the youkai who did this." Her eyes narrow, hands at her hips.

"Woah, rare instance of Spring Bringer being violent."

It was good to be back...

~End <3