Albedo nodded politely to the patrons on the street. Their warm, pleasant smiles, quick waves, and hellos as they continued on with their day always made him feel so comfortable. To know that their lives were as simple as the breeze that blows through the trees, that their futures fluttered endlessly like butterflies dancing between lush flowers. He found them beautiful, inspiring. 

Their life was so different than his own. Was his birth into this world the same as everyone else, or was he destined to live a life on the outside of the hourglass; constantly, forever looking in.  

He let his mind wander and before he knew it, he was standing in front of the door to his home. It was a quiet, small apartment the Knights of Favonius helped him purchase. Of course the Chief Alchemist could have taken the master suite meant for his title, but Albedo never was one for lavish livings. Instead, he found the simplicities of this world more endearing. 

There was a commotion inside, laughter, giggling, a loud shout followed by feet running across the wooden floor. His hand rested on the doorknob as he listened and his eyes were drawn to the small, metal window guard covered in flowering vines. The window was open which allowed the richness of the homes inside to spill onto the street. He took in a breath and hummed at the sweetness of its scent. 

Slowly, as if to not disturb the world beyond the door, he opened the threshold only to feel his heart flip at the sight. A lovely, vibrant young girl with a grin so grand it reached her ears, ran with her arms stretched wide across the living room, trailing endless giggles in her wake. Not far behind her was another energetic being but this one was taller, hunched over with their fingers wiggling after the young girl. They called out to her, laughed as she turned to head down the hall only to disappear into one of the back rooms. 

Albedo lived in this moment for as long as he could. Stepping inside, he began to remove his shoes while his eyes scanned the rest of the living space. There was a mess in the kitchen but it smelled so good he couldn’t be upset by it. Flour littered the floor, bowls and other utensils spread across the island countertop. A ball of dough he was certain wouldn’t rise - the consistency look all wrong, even from this distance. A large, baked pastry rested on stove, steam rising from the surface and reflecting in the light of the sun.

He let his boots rest against the wall and noticed the well organized coats, one of which belong to the restless girl who could be heard talking loudly down the hall. “How lively,” he chuckled to himself as he removed his own jacket and placed it next to the other two. 

The small girl came barreling down the hallway, eyes closed but laughter booming until she was caught by the arms of her pursuer. They both tumbled slightly forward but didn't’ fall. “I got you!” They teased, their face rubbing in the hair of the little girl. 

“Klee could have gotten -- ALBEDO!” Klee’s comment was cut off as she spied the man standing in the door. Her short legs kicking in the air, eyes radiating a joy he was certain only she knew how to create. 

“Oh, hi, Albedo,” you added with a welcoming smile outshined by your radiant laughter. “Welcome home.” 

“WELCOME HOME!” Klee shouted, arms outstretched toward him while you held her in a tender hug. 

Albedo stared at the scene far longer than he intended or, maybe, he just thought he did. His brain snapping the perfect picture of a life he never expected to have, of a world he didn’t imagine he’d be privileged to witness.  

Slowly, he closed the door as if to preserve the world he found himself in, and the family he had found inside of it. “I’m home.”