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The traveller did it. How? Who actually knows at this point? They’ve defeated gods and save entire nations, so it was both a surprise and not a surprise at all to learn that the Shogun was finally repealing the Sakoku Decree, the one restricting any and all change to enter or leave Inazuma.
To put it lightly, Thoma was very excited. He hadn’t seen his homeland in years, and with the Traveller’s help he could finally return to the place his heart still called home. Of course, that wasn’t without Lord Kamisato literally forcing him to take a vacation to get him to make the trip. The Yashiro Commission wouldn’t completely collapse the moment he stepped out of Inazuma’s borders, or so Ayaka reassured him. He wasn’t fully convinced, but the longing for his friends grew stronger, and since the Traveller knew them it would be easier to reach out again.
The instant the boat had docked in Liyue, Lumine was basically dragging Thoma by the arm to the nearest waypoint. He could see the respect this nation had for her based on the smiles across their faces and a few friends stopping them to say hi for a moment. They knew Lumine had been excited for a long time, knowing how much Thoma missed the place he used to know like the back of his hand, so they didn’t keep the two of them along.
In one moment they were passing by several food stalls in Liyue, and the next Thoma opened his eyes to the city of freedom. Lumine had simply giggled as tears started to form in his eyes without noticing it himself, wiping away the droplets with her sleeves.
“It’s become so much more than I remembered it to be.” he had said fondly, chuckling at his swept up emotions.
“Welcome home, Thoma.” was her reply, short and still sweet. Now he noticed the tears, pulling Lumine into a massive hug.
“I… don’t believe my eye. Is that Thoma, Honorary Knight?” a voice came from behind the two.
The two pulled apart to find one Kaeya Alberich looking at them with wide eyes.
“Kaeya? Is that you?” he asked dumbly, of course it was Kaeya. And yet not at the exact same time.
“Mondstat’s very own Calvary Captain of the Knights of Favonius.” The traveller giggled beside him.
“Wait, Captain?!?! What happened to the shy, couldn’t look a pretty boy in the eyes Kaeya?” Thoma laughed, taking in his now grown friend’s appearance.
“Let’s just say he made some poor choices, but I made it out like I always do. Come here, rascal.” Kaeya had laughed, beyond giddy as he nearly dragged the other into an embrace.
Thoma was beyond ecstatic as he hugged his friend for the first time in far too long.
“We all heard about the crash and assumed the worst… but here you are! House husband for the Kamisato Clan all this time.” the darker man teased, pulling at Thoma’s cheeks.
“House husband?!?! Lumi what on earth have you said about me?” Thoma cried out incredulously.
“Nothing, actually. I wanted this to be a surprise for your friends in Mondstat.” she laughed, noting a peculiar bard in the background.
The two nodded at each other, silently saying Thoma knew who he was. The confirmation had Venti jumping beside Kaeya, scaring the living shit out of him.
“Welcome home, child of the wind.” he said rather fondly. “Mondstat has missed you more than you might imagine.”
Despite the initial confusion, when it clicked Thoma was almost reverent. “Lord Barbatos, it’s an honour to meet you, what a greeting.” he grinned.
Lumine elbowed him gently, a reminder that he went by Venti now.
“I have heard your songs from all this way. I am glad you are able to reunite with loved ones. I hope we meet again soon! Perhaps at Angel’s Share? Master Diluc is bartending and I enjoy riling him up.” the short man giggled.
“Wait… he’s not a knight? That was his biggest ambition…” he turned to Kaeya, who visibly paled.
“The Knights failed to protect someone who gave over their life for Mondstat’s protection, so I left.” another voice interrupted.
Another dramatic spin occurred, letting Thoma take in the sight of Diluc. His heart was beating outside of his chest, years of pent up regrets and longing prevented him from refraining to act on one of the wishes he had prayed to Barbatos for. Thoma basically sprinted to the redhead, almost sending them both tumbling down the stairs that led to the tavern with a bone crushing hug
“Welcome home, Thoma.” Diluc whispered, holding onto the other as tightly as possible. “I am so glad you’re alive… and that you’re still here.”
The vulnerability in the man’s voice was faint, but Thoma knew them like the back of his hand. He discreetly placed a kiss under Diluc’s jaw, a promise of something more to come later.
With a cough, Kaeya interrupted the sweet moment. “I will let Acting Grandmaster Jean that you’re here. I’m sure she’s be delighted to see you.”
“Jean is the Acting Grandmaster?!?! You guys… I am so proud of you! Look at what you’ve accomplished!” Thomas just fucking beamed, looking at the faces, both new and old, that we’re overjoyed to see him within the city’s walls once more.
Diluc was about to comment when a crashing sound came from below the balcony where they stood.
“Thoma?” could just barely be heard by the alchemy station.
With absolutely no hesitation, Thoma lept over the fencing to meet the owner of the voice.
“Sucrose…” he smiled somehow even wider than before.
It took all of two second for Sucrose to embrace their long lost friend, tears already falling from her eyes.
“You’re alive. You’re okay. This isn’t a dream?” They whispered, for any higher in volume would be incomprehensible.
“Sucrose, sugar… oh I’m so sorry.” Thoma replied, just holding her tightly. “I tried to send letters, but the Sakoku Decree happened and I couldn’t get anything through.” he rambled, only to be shushed by his friend.
“Don’t you apologize. Please. I’m just so happy you’re alive and I get to see you again.” she replied, curling right into his chest.
The man was full on crying now, rubbing the alchemist’s ears to hear her purrs, a secret he discovered before he left to visit his father, just to make sure it was real. Without hesitation Sucrose was purring loudly, still clinging to Thoma like her life depended on it, as if he would disappear if they let go.
“Archons, I’ve missed you all.” the man spoke softly, noticing the gathering crowd around them with massive smiles on their faces. The others from before had joined them as well, just so genuinely happy to see someone they thought to be long dead.
Lumine had mentioned the passing of Master Crepus and what she knew of that night, so he knew better than to ask. For now, he was content, embracing his best friend and slitting a very flushed but loving gaze from a certain Wine Tycoon.
He would definitely owe the traveller a meal or something of that kind, for gifting him with the only thing he’d ever wished for.
“Welcome home, Thoma.” Sucrose whispered.
All was right in the world. He could die a very happy man, wait no scratch that, he still has to tell Diluc his feelings, and by the reaction he got, he was almost 100% certain meant it was reciprocated.
He had finally made it home.