simp for childe. also chilumi.

“keep your enemies close” (pt. 2)

Lumine truly didn’t know why Childe had requested to meet today. Ever since he so adamantly denied her desire to join the Harbingers, she hadn’t seen or heard from him in weeks—which was odd, considering he always found ways to weasel into her life. 

Obviously at first, Lumine was less than thrilled about him constantly nagging her for fights, or inviting her out to eat, or disrupting her daily commissions and quests; but after not having him around for the past few weeks, she seemed to actually miss the sound of his voice. (Not that she would ever tell him that—then he would never shut up.) 

When she had received his letter asking to meet, there was a rush of something—shock? Excitement? Relief?—that made her practically jump out of bed this morning and rush over to the teahouse to await his arrival. 

“Why are we here so early?” Paimon asked, rubbing tiredly at her eyes. “Paimon thinks we should’ve slept in.”

“Well, you could always go back into your void and sleep,” Lumine suggested. 

“And miss out on free food from Mr. Moneybags? No way!” 

Lumine smiled. “Is there anything else on your mind other than food and money?”

Paimon put her hand up to her chin, thinking. “Hmm….” She then snapped her fingers, coming to an idea. “You!”

“I would hope so: we are always together.” 

“You should be honored! Being up there with food and money on Paimon’s list is a great deal!” 

Lumine gave her a laugh and a shrug of “I guess,” before leaning back, and laying down on the floor. She was exhausted after not sleeping well the night before. Maybe we really should have slept in…

“Hey Lumine?” Paimon piped up.

“Hm?”

Paimon floating above her, looking her right in the eyes. The little fairy’s face was scrunched up in worry. “Are you going to ask to be a Harbinger again?” 

Lumine sighed. “Well, Childe gave me a very firm ‘no’ last time, so I think that route’s gone. But maybe we can find another way in.”

“Paimon doesn’t think that’s a good idea,” the guide said with a frown. “You’ve seen how evil they are! How could we be like that?”

“Paimon, we’ve talked about this: it’s only for convenience; you know how much information they have—could have—about my brother.” Lumine rolled onto her side, looking at her hands.  “And the Tsaritsa…she seems like she may hold the key to this ‘truth’ Aether was talking about. So, I need to speak to her.” 

There was a beat of silence as the despairing thought of Lumine’s twin hung in the air.

“Is there no other way? We have to join the bad guys?” Paimon asked quietly. 

“I don’t know…,” Lumine responded, equally as quiet, as somber. “The Tsaritsa is so hidden away. I can’t think of any other way to get to her.” 

SHH! The door to the room slid open. 

Lumine shot up from the ground to see Childe walking in, a large white box under his arm. 

“Childe!” she said breathlessly. 

“Well, someone is happy to see me,” he responded, a stupid grin plastered on his face. Such a difference from his grim demeanor last time…

“I—You—It’s just been a while since I last saw you.” Lumine found herself oddly flustered, seeing him now, in person. 

He continued smiling. “Good to see you too, comrade.” He sat down, placing his box on the table. “You haven’t ordered anything yet? Waiting for me to eat—I’m flattered.” 

“You’re our wallet, so no, we haven’t ordered anything,” Lumine grumbled, sitting down opposite Childe. 

“You better watch out, Moneybags! Paimon is going to order the most expensive thing for making us get up so early!” Paimon chimed, floating over to Childe’s box. “Ooo, what’s this? A gift for Paimon?” 

“A gift for Lumine,” Childe corrected, putting a hand on the present, and sliding it across the table. “Go on, open it,” he continued, his eyes focused on hers. 

“Oh, uhm, thanks,” she said, that flustered feeling returning to her chest. What could this gift possibly be?

She grabbed the top of the box, carefully opening it up to reveal—

“A coat?” Paimon questioned. 

Lumine grabbed said coat, pulling it out of its case to reveal it fully. 

It was long and heavy—floor length—and white with black and silver accents. The neckline was lined with thick, black fur; the lapels were also black, a faint flower-like pattern embellishing the fabric; silver pins and chains hung off the sides—a large white crystal was attached on the right. 

“It’s beautiful,” Lumine found herself whispering. There was a sort of…chilling darkness emitting from it, but it was elegant and stunning all the same. 

Paimon rubbed the crystal in her small hands. “So pretty…”

“I don’t know if I can wear this,” Lumine continued.

“Oh? Why’s that?” Childe asked. 

The coat felt very expensive: and with the amount of traveling and fighting she did on a daily basis—she would definitely ruin it in no time. In addition, Inazuma’s climate was quite humid, the promise of thunderstorms always looming—not the right place to wear such a heavy garment. Maybe I could wear it if I visit Dragonspine?

“I think I would sweat to death in it here,” Lumine answered. “And I’m heading to Sumeru which is all rainforest and desert so—”

“You’re not going to Sumeru.” 

She looked over the coat at Childe. He was smiling still, but now there was an air of falseness around it—more strained; there was some hint of sadness in his eyes. 

Her brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Yea! You can’t tell us what to do!” Paimon added, crossing her arms. 

Childe took a deep breath in. “You got your wish, girlie. You’re coming with me—to Snezhnaya.”

… What?

Lumine’s eyes slowly widened. “You mean—”

“Yes. You are coming to Snezhnaya to prove yourself to the Tsaritsa—that you are worthy of being one of her loyal Harbingers,” Childe explained. “Which I’m sure you will have no trouble with.”

Her jaw dropped. “A-Already?! I didn’t expect to meet the Tsaritsa so soon!” 

“Well, consider yourself…lucky,” Childe said, eyes finding the window. 

“I—,” Lumine started. She cleared her throat, looking down at the gift—Childe’s present. Warmness filled her chest. “Thank you, Childe. Really.” 

He was silent, as if he didn’t even register her. Lumine looked up at him. “Childe?”

Paimon floated over to him, waving her hands erratically in his face. “Hey! Anybody home?”

Finally, Childe slowly turned his head towards Lumine. “You’re welcome,” he said, monotonously, rehearsed. Then, he turned back to the window. 

A small wave of fear rippled through Lumine’s gut. She knew how he despised the lies and deception his fellow Harbingers committed, and that hatred made Childe a horrible liar himself. 

He was lying to her right now. Or hiding something—something major. And it made her sick to her stomach. I thought we were past all that. 

She would find out, but for now, she needed to take this offer, before anyone was able to change their minds. 

Lumine swallowed down the ever-growing lump in her throat. “When do we leave?”

* * *

From all she had heard about Snezhnaya, Lumine knew it would be cold. What she didn’t expect was to have her teeth chattering the second the wind grazed her face. It was absolutely freezing; Lumine could feel the cold piercing straight through her, right down to her bones. She was glad to have the coat from Childe. Without it, she would have been a frozen ice statue by now. 

Despite the cold, the land was beautiful, in an almost eerie sort of way. The sky was perpetually a hazy gray—snow always flurrying down from the clouds—and the ground was covered in thick blankets of pure white snow. There were spindly trees scattered throughout, branches barren of all leaves. The air was quiet, with only the crunching of frost under boots and a few whistles of wind breaking the silence. It could have been considered quite peaceful, save for the feeling of something…ominous waiting—lying dormant until the right moment came. 

She and Childe were currently traveling through the countryside of Snezhnaya, having yet to reach any towns or cities. Lumine had made the excruciating decision to leave Paimon in Mondstadt with Venti; where she was headed was too dark a place for someone like Paimon—she wouldn’t be happy here, and Lumine knew that. She promised Paimon she would be back as soon as possible. But when that would be—Lumine didn’t know. 

“Lumine,” Childe said, stepping in front of her. “Here.” He unraveled his scarf, wrapping it around her. 

“Wait! What about you?” Lumine exclaimed. Heat crawled up her face unexpectedly. Now I definitely don’t need a scarf.

He chuckled. “I’ve lived here all my life—I’m used to it.” He leaned in a little closer. “You on the other hand were shaking.” 

“Well, I’m fine now,” she grumbled. She nestled her face into the scarf more, her nose filling with Childe’s scent. “Why are we wearing the same coat anyway?”

Childe reached out again pulling the coat’s fur closer around Lumine’s neck. “Well, this is more of a Harbinger thing. A uniform of sorts.”

More heat gathered throughout Lumine’s body at Childe’s proximity. “Oh,” she said. She turned, walking away. What is happening to me?

She heard Childe walking up quickly behind her. “‘Oh?’” he repeated, merrily. “Why? Were you expecting it to be a unique gift just for you?”

“No, why would I care about that?” Lumine retorted quickly, picking up her pace. Truth be told, maybe she was sad that Childe hadn’t specifically picked out this gift to her; maybe that meant he didn’t think of her in any other way than some new coworker—a friend at most. 

Wait. But why do I care if he thinks of me that way?

Suddenly, Lumine was pulled back, air rushing out of her lungs as Childe wrapped his arms around her from behind. 

“Childe! What are you—!”

After a second, he released her from his hold, still keeping a hand on her shoulder. With the other, he pointed at the ground in front of her—well, where it was supposed to be.

Running through the snow covered ground was a colossal fissure, a crack in the earth that seemingly bore down to no end; it was a bottomless pit—a dark abyssal black void of any light.

Lumine’s eyes widened. “What is that?” 

“Entrance to the Abyss,” Childe said, his eyes glazing over, as if remembering something. “They run all over here in Snezhnaya.” 

“That sounds quite dangerous. Don’t people fall in?”

His grip on Lumine’s shoulder tightened, just a bit. “They do. Most of the time they are easy to spot. Sometimes not so much. Or, if you’re not paying attention.” 

“Do…Do people ever get out?” 

Childe looked at Lumine for a second, then gave her a small smile. “Almost never. Unless you’re lucky,” he said, winking at her. He let go of her shoulder, and continued on, around the crevice. 

Lumine blinked. “You fell in, didn’t you?” she stated, piecing it together. “And you got out, somehow.” That would explain…a lot. 

A pause. “Yes. But that was a long time ago.”

“A long time ago? What, like when you were a kid?” Lumine persisted, running up to Childe. 

“Mhm.”

“Archons, Childe…” Her heart broke imagining some small kid all alone in that darkness. “What was even down there? How did you even make it out?”

Childe stopped in his tracks, holding a hand up to her in a ‘stop’ gesture. “We should pick up our pace; we don’t want to be caught out here during the night—that’s when it gets really cold.” With that, he started walking again, away from Lumine.  

He really doesn’t want to talk about it. Frowning, she followed him. 

The rest of the way to the capital city was done in silence, with Lumine traveling a few strides behind Childe, her eyes always on his back, waiting for him to speak.

As the peaks of rooftops started emerging on the horizon, Lumine was surprised to hear little life outside—only the churning of machines and whirring of technologies. 

Well, no one in their right mind would want to be out in this cold for longer than they need to be.

Buildings drew closer, and walkways appeared, and before she knew it, she was walking through the city gates with Childe. 

The Snezhnayan buildings were all stone, gray and smooth, but elaborate, no matter how small. There were carved pillars and spires, domes and archways, and multicolored banners with the Fatui insignia adorning all the architecture. Ice gathered around the corners, making all the buildings glisten like gemstones. 

The only signs of life were the few citizens and Fatui walking briskly through the streets, and the amber glow of flames from windows; giant plumes of hazy smoke arose out chimneys from everyone trying to stay warm inside. 

Lumine didn’t get much of a chance to look around—Childe was still keeping up his quick pace in front of her. As they continued through the cobblestone streets, the people would acknowledge Childe with a slight bow, with some utterances of “Lord Harbinger.”

“Wow,” Lumine found herself saying, “You’re like royalty here.”

Childe shrugged. “You know I don’t really care for all that.” 

Lumine nodded. “Speaking of royalty…what’s the Tsaritsa like?” She was about to face perhaps the most feared out of all The Seven, and she knew virtually nothing about the Cryo Archon. 

Childe gave her a soft smile, maybe the softest she had ever seen. “You’ll see soon enough.” 

She had never seen that kind of expression on his face before. And something about it stirred up a pang in her heart. 

Was that gentleness only reserved for the Tsaritsa? Did the queen of Snezhnaya really have such an effect on her subjects? 

A feeling Lumine couldn’t place her finger on crawled up her throat, and she found herself dreading this meeting with the Cryo Archon now. Perhaps it was uneasiness—uneasiness at the fact that someone could have that much influence to sway even Childe of all people. 

He’s so…loyal to her. Another pang in Lumine’s heart. She clutched at her coat. What is this anxiety I’m feeling? 

She looked up the path, at Childe, then past him, to the giant looming structure rising up in the distance. Zapolyarny Palace: home to the Fatui, the Harbingers, and the ever powerful Tsaritsa—all who, up until now, Lumine considered her enemies. Now, she would have to be their ally. 

The wind picked up, the snow fell down harder, and Lumine wondered if the Tsaritsa had sensed her thoughts. 

Is this a mistake?

* * *

[part 3 coming soon]

note: hello all! thank you so much for all the feedback in the last part!! love you all <3 

i really wish i could make these parts longer and get them out quicker to you guys but my schedule right now is just so busy. im hoping to open up my schedule some more soon though, so hopefully that means more time for writing :p

note: hey y’all. it’s been a while…ehe. sorry for the disappearance–life gets in the way sometimes ya know? anyways, i’ve been wanting to return to genshin for a while, and then that Harbinger reveal video dropped so now i am here HEEHEE. 

I am absolutely not caught up with any of the story/events since the end of the Inazuma arc (around Yae Miko’s release), so some information may be off lol. i am also pretty rusty with writing ;_; 

i know this concept has probably been hashed out a billion times, especially with the release of the new vid, but i just wanted to write itttttttt ;__; and rn i am honestly not too sure how long this will be owo

i hope you all will enjoy!

“keep your enemies close” (pt. 1)

“I want to become a Harbinger.” Of course, Lumine had mulled it over and over again, but she never expected the words to leave her mouth.

Childe stared blankly at her—and for a second, Lumine thought he didn’t hear her correctly—until he burst out laughing: boisterously, holding his sides, and wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. 

“You have such an odd sense of humor,” he said in-between inhales of breath. “It’s a good thing I find you funny.”

Lumine frowned. “It wasn’t a joke, Childe.” 

He blinked, smile falling, the lines of his face becoming taut. “That better be another joke, comrade.”   

“I assure you, it is not,” she reiterated. 

After the events of Inazuma, and witnessing, yet again, the unraveling of Fatui plans, Lumine truly realized how far the Snezhnayan diplomats had sunk their teeth into every single nation. They had the connections and knowledge she needed, everything to find Aether again. She needed them to find out what was this “truth” Aether had spoken of, about the “war” they would have to fight before they could finally leave this world. 

Her brother had told her to continue traveling Teyvat, and with the Fatui established all throughout the land, she could do so easily if she was on their side. Not to mention it was becoming a real pain having the Fatui getting in the way of her travels every single time she moved forward; if she was a Harbinger, they couldn’t bother her any longer. 

And with the death of Signora, seeing how easily the Raiden Shogun disintegrated her with no mercy, Lumine was growing weary of The Seven. How Zhongli could never tell her what she needed to know, despite knowing she was desperate for information. How she always had to step in to help these Archons. These were all-powerful beings that needed a now significantly less powerful Traveler—someone who wasn’t even of their world—to help them with their issues? How could they be expected to look after their own land, their own people? So maybe Lumine could sympathize with the Harbingers’—The Tsaritsa’s—mission: to seize authority from these so-called gods, to take away their power they didn’t deserve. 

“You guys have a vacancy anyways, right?” Lumine continued. 

A glint in his eyes. “With thanks to you,” he said, his voice amused, though still with an underlying seriousness. “But that doesn’t mean you can just come and fill in for Signora.”

“You said once that I should join the Fatui. Why are you against it now?”

“Time changes things.” Childe glanced out the window of the teahouse room they were in. “And you were very adamant about staying away from the Fatui before. Why do you want to join now?” 

“Time changes things,” Lumine echoed. 

Childe looked back at her, his blue eyes twitching in amusement once more. “You do understand that the Harbingers aren’t the greatest fans of yours?”

Lumine scoffed. “I’m sure I would fit right in then. You all never got along in the first place.”

He snorted. “You’re not wrong.” He leaned in, just a bit. “Is this the only reason why you asked to meet?”

“You’re my only connection to the Harbingers, to the Tsaritsa. And we’re somewhat friendly, right?” she responded. “Can you help me?”

He held her gaze for a second. “Somewhat friendly…,” he murmured. Then, he stood up. “I can’t help you.” He started for the door.

“What?” Lumine shot up, rushing to Childe. “Why not?”

He looked down at her, his face uncharacteristically grim. “This wouldn’t end well for you. You don’t know the Harbingers like I do.”

“I can handle myself.”

A small chuckle. “I know.”

“Then let me in.” 

Childe sighed. “The answer is no. I’m sorry, Lumine.” 

She stood in place, watching Childe exit the teahouse, too shocked to move. 

She had honestly expected him to say yes, to enthusiastically accept, and whisk her off to Snezhnaya straight away to join their ranks. 

Why did he say no? 

* * *

Childe was glad Lumine wasn’t here. 

Well, he was never glad when she wasn’t around.

But staring at his fellow harbingers around him now, feeling the absolute poison radiating from them merely standing there, he was completely convinced his denial of Lumine’s request was the right call. 

All day, all the time, he was surrounded by darkness, deceit, death—and Lumine was none of those. She was like a little light in his life, something he didn’t think he would find in any one other than his family. Maybe that’s why he felt the need to protect her. 

So no, he wouldn’t let her be corrupted, not like he was. She was good, he was bad; and he would keep it that way—

“Tartaglia,” Pierro’s voice boomed, shaking Childe from his thoughts. 

He cleared his throat. “Yes, Pierro?” 

“He had asked you of your findings in Inazuma,” Arlecchino sighed. “We are discussing important matters, and here you are daydreaming.”

“Tch. How incompetent,” Sandrone muttered. Childe narrowed his eyes at her. 

“Enough,” Pierro said. “I did not ask for all this fodder—only for information of The Balladeer’s whereabouts.” 

Childe exhaled his frustration. “Nothing. There isn’t a single trace of him anywhere in Inazuma.” 

“Perhaps he has left Inazuma then,” Capitano suggested. “What could possibly be his goal?”

“He would not have left Inazuma,” Dottore countered. He swished the vial of glowing liquid in his hand. “He had long yearned for the Raiden’s Gnosis. One can only assume he desires to overtake his creator—to become the Electro Archon himself.”

Sandrone rolled her eyes. “Good riddance. We do not need self-serving traitors in our midst.”

Pulcinella cleared his throat. “Even if you did not enjoy his company, we still must find him; he possesses a great asset: a Gnosis our Tsaritsa needs.”

“Shall I go to Inazuma in Tartaglia’s stead?” Columbina nearly sang; a smile stretched across her lips. “I would find Scaramouche in no time.” 

The thought of Columbina coming across Lumine set Childe’s gut ablaze. “No,” he said, perhaps a little too quickly. “I will find him.”

“Do try not to level an entire city this time,” Pantalone interjected. “Your mistakes in Liyue were costly ones, and I may not be so merciful next time.” 

“If Signora had just told me what was happening then maybe that wouldn’t have happened.” Childe’s jaw tightened. “All those lies. And look what it caused,” he added bitterly. 

“You may not agree with Signora’s methods,” Arlecchino glared at Childe, “but she got what she was after—Morax’s Gnosis. You, on the other hand, were too busy being beaten by that Traveler.”

Childe laughed darkly. “Need I remind you that Traveler also bested Signora, who you oh-so admire?” 

There was a moment of silence as each Harbinger thought of Signora’s untimely demise. 

Columbina hummed a small tune, as if in thought. “Hm, she seems to be a real thorn in our side.” Another smile. “I will take care of her, Pierro.” 

Childe’s mouth went dry. “Who? The Traveler?” No no no.

“Who else, you buffoon?” Sandrone scoffed. “You were just speaking of her.”

“I agree,” Capitano said. “She is hindering Her Majesty’s plans. She must be dealt with.” 

NO! Childe’s heart hammered away furiously in his chest. Once it was decided Lumine was to be killed, his comrades would do everything in their power to make it happen. I have to stop this. But how? What can I do—

“Is something the matter, Childe?” Dottore inquired. He had stopped spinning his vial. “Your heart rate seems to have increased significantly.” 

All of the Harbingers had their eyes on Childe. He swore he heard the blood rushing from his head. I need to think of something, ANYTHING.

“I don’t agree.” The words had slipped out of his mouth. His mind was at a loss. I have to protect her.

“So what?” Arlecchino sneered. “Your opinion doesn’t matter. If the rest of us want her dead, then she will be killed—”

“Childe is just as much a Harbinger as you are, Arlecchino,” Pulcinella interrupted. “His opinion does matter.” He turned his gaze to Childe. “Why are you against eliminating this Traveler, Tartaglia?”

There was one way to get out of this. Lumine was right, there was a vacancy in their ranks, and the Tsaritsa was always looking for worthy warriors to serve her. This would save her. Please.

Childe took in a shaky breath. 

“I think the Traveler should become a Harbinger.” 

… 

The room was silent once again. 

…

Then, the Harbingers broke out into a chorus of voices.

“Are you insane? She killed Signora and you want her here?” Arlecchino growled. 

Capitano nodded. “She cannot be trusted.”

“Well, she does seem like a powerful asset to have,” Pantalone mused. 

“And her powers and strength grow with each passing day,” Dottore said. “Somehow…”

“And what makes you think she even wants to join us?” Sandrone questioned. “She considers us her enemies, hence her constantly thwarting our plans.” 

Columbina tilted her head. “The Traveler on our side? How very interesting…”

“Silence,” Pierro commanded. He stared down Childe, his blue eye aglow. “Are you personally recruiting this Traveler? Without the approval of the Tsaritsa?”

“I am. Just like how you recruited Dottore, Pantalone, Signora…and Scaramouche,” Childe said, “Who, as we all know, actually did betray us.”

Even without a change in his expression, Childe knew Pierro was unhappy with his remark. But he needed any leverage he could get, anything to keep Lumine alive. 

“Perhaps we can bring her here. See this Traveler for ourselves,” Pulcinella said. “Grant an audience with her and the Tsaritsa. Her Majesty will know right away if the Traveler is to be trusted.”

“But Pierro’s recruits—” Childe started. 

“Are a different story,” Pulcinella interjected. “None of his recruits had done anything worthy of suspicion at that time. This Traveler, on the other hand, has continuously halted various operations of ours, slain countless Fatui members, and caused the downfall of Signora.” 

“It’s a wonder we let her live this long,” Arlecchino mumbled. 

“Pulcinella is right,” Capitano said. “Her Majesty will know exactly what to do with this Traveler.” 

“Her Majesty knows all,” Pierro echoed. “Tartaglia, you will bring the Traveler here at once—to let her fate be decided by our great Tsaritsa.” 

Childe nodded, suppressing the urge to smile. He did it. Lumine would live to see another day. 

But the worry didn’t subside from his chest. Yes, she would live, but for how much longer? He glanced at his fellow Harbingers—all bloodthirsty in their own ways. How long until they devoured her?

He had bought her some time, but now, Childe would have to bring Lumine to these demons. 

A rabbit straight into a wolf’s den. 

* * *

"you, my enemy"

“I want you to kill the king of Snezhnaya.”

Lumine’s eyes flickered to her client. “King Ajax?”

“There is only one, is there not?” the hooded man responded.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You must have the wrong person,” she said. “I do run-of-the-mill jobs. I don’t murder kings.”

“I was told you were the only mercenary who could do it.”

Lumine slid out of the bar booth. “Find someone else who is insane enough to do that. I value my life.”

The man’s arm shot out, grabbing Lumine by the wrist. She would have sliced it clean off, had the man not taken off his hood.

He had an unmistakable hue of scarlet red hair, with equally fiery eyes to match.

“You’re Diluc,” Lumine said. “The son of the slain King Ragvindr.” It’s never a good idea to get involved with royals.

His face wavered at the mention of his father. “And who was the one who murdered him?”

“King Ajax,” she answered. “That sounds like your own quest for vengeance. Not mine.”

Diluc pulled her closer. “Magic,” he whispered.

Lumine’s blood ran cold. “Magic?” she echoed hollowly.

“I’ve been trying to find the right person to do this for a long time,” he told her. “I had to do my research.”

“What does magic have to do with this?” Lumine asked, trying to keep her voice even.

“You use magic,” Diluc stated. “That’s how you’ve completed every single one of your assignments perfectly.”

Magic had been banished long ago, a witch hunt massacring any and all magic users within the land of Teyvat. Each of the seven kingdoms had decreed it, agreeing that those with magic were too powerful—a threat to the people, all people.

Ever since, the rare few born with magical powers were forced to hide away their abilities for survival. I thought Aether and I hid it well enough.

“You do this, I won’t report you to the authorities,” Diluc continued.

“What about you?” Lumine hissed. “You’re supposed to be dead with the rest of your family.” She shook off his grip. “If I report you to King Ajax, there’s no doubt I’d get a hefty reward, more than you could ever give me for murdering him.”

He pursed his lips into a thin line. “If there’s any suspicion of a magic user, what sort of action do the authorities take?”

You’re killed on the spot—no questions asked. The kingdoms didn’t want to run any risk of magic users rising up, no matter how small of a threat.

“We would be executed at the same time,” Diluc said lowly.

Shit.

Lumine sat back down in the booth, sinking into the seat, gnawing on the side of her cheek. Then, she took a deep breath in.

“You’ll give me every single piece of Mora you have,” she demanded.

Diluc’s face visibly relaxed. “Of course.” He crossed his arms. “The hidden vaults of my family are all yours: every single jewel, Mora, artifact—when you complete the job.”

Lumine’s mouth nearly watered at the prospect of all the riches.

No, she wasn’t greedy. That amount of Mora meant she and her twin brother Aether could retire from this life, this life of scraping by with the money they made from bloody bounties and assassinations. It was the only job they could do, being abandoned as children, having to learn to fend for themselves.

This one job meant she and Aether could have quiet peace until the end of their days.

She held out her hand to Diluc.

“You have a deal.”

* * *

When Lumine arrives in Snezhnaya, she expects impoverished villages, famished citizens, and cold, desecrated lands—all while this merciless, vile king sat on his throne of bones and riches.

However, what she finds are bustling streets of business and cheerful citizens. Children played freely on the streets. The kingdom was thriving.

Is this king truly as evil as the stories say?

It hadn’t been long since King Ajax had begun his crusade of conquering the entirety of Teyvat. It had started with his brutal assassination of his own ruler at the time, the slaying of the late Tsaritsa, quickly followed by his claim to the throne. Then, he had taken over the small country of Mondstadt, and Liyue fell shortly after.

Any who opposed him would face the sharp end of a blade. The stories of him on the battlefield were whispers of blood soaked garments and a wicked smile as he slaughtered soldier after soldier with no remorse.

The image of this bloodthirsty monster faded as Lumine watched these citizens move around care free, as if they were unaware of the atrocities laying under their feet committed by their dear King Ajax.

Glancing up, she could see the distant looming monument, the grandiose castle of the king, looking over the land with a watchful stone eye.

She listened intently to the conversations around her, seeking any information about this Ajax, about how to get close enough to do her job.

She always wanted the most covert way, and now even more so. This was very much her highest profile case, and if she wasn’t careful, she could potentially start wars, with her murder being the first blood.

Perhaps the best way was to become some nondescript maid, someone’s whose presence and subsequent disappearance wouldn’t be questioned by any of the king’s allies. Perhaps as a chef? She could easily poison his food and silently slip away.

How she wished Aether was here with her. He was much more a strategist than she. Unfortunately, he had taken on a different job, far away in Inazuma. They would not see each other until both of their assignments were completed.

Lumine sighed, moving down the street, in search of a bar. Drunk bastards were always the best source of information: they didn’t know how to shut their mouths. In a bar, there were no figures too suspicious, and if there were, they would quickly be forgotten within a few pints of ale.

She pushed past vendors, until she was stopped by a brunette woman in a lavender robe.

“You are not from here,” she said with a breathy smile.

Singled out already? “I’ve only just recently moved here,” Lumine lied.

“Oh? For what reasons?” the woman pressed, her long eyelashes batting as she assessed Lumine head to toe. “Work?”

“No.” What was this woman’s motive? “I’ve heard Snezhnaya is a great country to live in.”

A content, pitched sigh. “Well, since you’ve just moved here, why don’t you come work for me? Outsiders earn a pretty penny.”

Lumine stared at her. “Who are you?”

The woman smiled. “I am Ying’er. I’m in charge of a local performance troupe.” She stepped closer, and Lumine could smell her flowery perfume. “I would love to have you join us.”

“No, thank you,” Lumine told her, inching away. Sounds like a cheap cover for a brothel. “I’m not in need of a job right now.”

Ying’er pouted, but stepped back. “Alright then, sweetie.” She leaned on the doorway of her shop. “I’ll be right here if you decide to come back,” she finished with a wink.

Lumine gave a curt nod before slinking away, back to her search for a bar. She pulled the hood of her cape over her head, sticking to the shadowed walls on her walk. Do I really stick out that much here?

In the distance, she heard the subtle pounding of a drum, and watched, astonished, as the crowded streets parted straight down the middle. An eerie silence filled the previously buzzing plaza. Something was coming.

All the citizens had their heads bowed—Lumine quickly followed suit.

The booming of the drums came closer, and she heard the thunderous marching of armored boots layered into the sound. She glanced up.

There was an entourage of armored soldiers, an assortment of glistening weapons at their sides, escorting a decorated golden carriage.

King Ajax.

What was this? Was there some sort of special occasion taking place?

Much easier to find than expected.

The carriage rolled past. Lumine strained to look at the window while still keeping her head bowed.

Unfortunately, the window was curtained, a velvety red cloth obscuring any view of the king. Lumine wrinkled her nose in disappointment; she had wanted to see what she was up against.

The terrifying rumors of King Ajax never told of what he looked like. Lumine imagined a beastly figure, one with dark shaggy hair and sharp teeth, bones all jutting out in the wrong directions, filleted with raw scars all over.

The carriage continued to move past.

Could she do it? Could she use her magic to take him out right now? There certainly was a large number of people around, and all of them would be suspects; all the easier for her to get away.

However, the guards could easily murder everyone in the plaza if a perpetrator wasn’t found. And, as Ying’er so blatantly pointed out, Lumine didn’t exactly fit in with the Snezhayan citizens.

She would just have to wait. Wait for a better opportunity. Wait to learn more about King Ajax. Wait to plan the best way to kill him.

There was a rustle of murmurs as the citizens returned to their activities, the royal carriage and its guards wheeling out of sight—the air more tense than before.

Taking in a deep breath, she resumed her search.

I need a drink.

* * *

Lumine sat in the corner booth as always, the seat in the bar that could overlook the entire establishment, the place where she could easily see who entered and exited the building.

She sipped at her mug of ale: not enough to become inebriated, but just enough to take some of her stress away. She still listened intently for any utterances about King Ajax.

She kept her eye on a man who was chugging pint after pint of alcohol, complaining about his job, his kids, his wife.

Maybe he’ll complain about his king as well.

“God, I miss Mondstadt,” the man sighed.

Lumine raised a brow. Someone from the conquered land of Mondstadt? He should definitely harbor some resentment for King Ajax.

“Careful there,” the bartender muttered. “The king will have your tongue if you speak ill of him.”

The drunkard scoffed. “The king ain’t here, is he? Too busy with his parties and parades to ever come to a hole-in-the-wall bar.”

The bartender shrugged, silently wiping a glass.

“C’mon,” the man continued. “You don’t think it’s weird how he always invites those performers to the castle? What a dramatic man.” A hiccup. “You think he beds all of them?”

“Probably. Lots of women would want to sleep with the king”

“See, King Ragvindr never did things like that.” He laid his head on the counter. “A modest man. Genuinely cared about his people.”

“King Ajax cares for us. He provides—he’s made Snezhnaya wealthier than ever.”

“Hmph. Is that why he murders people in cold blood? Remember that man that got executed in the street for not bowing to him?”

“Just listen to him, and you’ll be fine.”

Lumine slid out of her booth, making her way to the exit, to a certain brunette woman with a lavender robe.

He likes performers.

A plan started to bubble in her mind as she walked the streets to Ying’er’s shop.

She would slip into the castle with the performance troupe. She would feign illness, seemingly leaving early, when in actuality, she would hide until all the guests had left. King Ajax would retire for the night, alone—and that’s when she would strike.

Lumine smiled, just a bit, confidence coming to her now that she knew what to do.

Her and Aether’s life of freedom felt like a breath away.

* * *

“You’ve certainly improved quite a lot,” Ying’er said, sauntering into Lumine’s quarters.

Lumine set her lyre down. “Guess I’m a quick learner.”

It had been a few weeks since Lumine had arrived in Snezhnaya, and became one of Ying’er performers. She had decided to learn an instrument—the lyre—while staying with Ying’er and the rest of the performers at the hostess’ establishment. She preferred it over becoming a poet or dancer.

Ying’er was right: many people came to watch Lumine sit prettily on stage and play her lyre—her face painted with make-up, and her body adorned with beautiful robes and gowns.

All the while, Lumine anxiously awaited the king’s invitation to their performance troupe. He had invited different groups all over town, though not Ying’er’s yet.

Was this plan a failure? Where was that damned man’s invitation—

“Is that what I think it is?” Lumine asked, eyeing the embellished envelope in her boss’ hand.

Ying’er hummed in affirmation. “The king has finally invited our group to perform at a party tonight.”

Finally. “What an honor,” Lumine said with a smile.

“Very much so.” Ying’er put her hand under Lumine’s chin, examining her face. “Yes...I will have you dressed in our best garments and make-up.”

The woman smiled. “After all, you are our pretty little star.”

* * *

The carriage ride to the castle was filled with the girls’ giggles and whispers, how they wished for the king to whisk them away into a life of riches and royalty, to be his beloved first wife. Lumine kept a hand pressed against her leg—ensuring the dagger hidden under her heavy robes wouldn’t fall out.

She didn’t like to get messy with such a close ranged weapon—she would usually just use her magic from a distance—but she wasn’t going to take a chance if something were to go awry.

As they neared the castle, everyone burst into gasps, admiring the massive stone structure. The excitement doubled as the dozens of other carriages came into view as well.

This is going to be one very extravagant party.

Before she knew it, Lumine was sitting in the great hall, along with the rest of the party goers, awaiting the king’s arrival. She saw the empty throne at the very front of the room, raised on a marble platform, his rightful place above his subjects.

A fanfare of brass instruments blared. The king is here.

The room collectively stood, bowing their heads as the king’s personal guards filed in. Lumine quirked her head to look for King Ajax.

Oh.

The king was not a hideous looking beast at all.

In fact, he was quite the opposite.

He walked in, tall stature carrying an air of importance (and arrogance) on his shoulders with a billowing crimson red cloak, a broad grin plastered on his face. He was young, exactly around Lumine’s age.

He had reddish-brown hair framing his face, locks that glittered like gold in the light of the room, and his eyes were like vortexes—deep whirlpools of the bluest ocean water. All his features were sharp, upturned, like a cunning fox waiting contently to trap its prey.

She watched as he made his way up to his throne, a sickening anxiety spreading through her limbs.

Lumine had never killed anyone so close in age to her—it had always been older men and women. And, of course, she had never found herself attracted to her target.

“Please,” the king spoke, still grinning. “Have a seat.” As he sat on his throne, the rest of the room sat as well.

Lumine swallowed the lump in her throat. His voice was light, playful even.

Was that truly the murderous king of Snezhnaya?

“A toast, to you, my people,” he said, raising a golden goblet. “Let the festivities begin.”

Lumine gulped down her own glass of wine, then shook her head.

I’m here for a job. Not romance.

The room filled with chatter, and Ying’er motioned to Lumine and the rest of the musicians to the corner where they would be performing their music for the night.

Lumine gathered her lyre, shuffling towards her spot in her heavily layered robes. Her mouth was set in a taut line.

A momentary lapse in judgement.

As she played the first few notes, her eyes flickered to the king, who was busy greeting various nobles at his throne. She narrowed her eyes at him, at that sly, sly smile on his face.

It won’t happen again.

* * *

The night seemed to drag on forever. After what seemed like an eternity of playing music for the room—as other patrons ate and danced and conversed—the musicians were finally taking a break.

Lumine delightfully chewed through expensive meats and breads as various actors, dancers, and poets took the floor in front of King Ajax to present their pieces.

The king seemed to be entertained, joining on some of the performances himself.

That drunkard from the bar was right. King Ajax was quite dramatic, inserting himself into the spotlight whenever he so pleased. How pretentious.

The crowd clapped and cheered as another performance was brought to an end, an air of boisterous chatter resuming. Lumine swallowed her last piece of food, making her way to Ying’er.

Time to get started.

“Ying’er,” Lumine called to her boss, clenching her side. “I feel a bit sick.”

The brunette woman raised a brow. “You were looking quite well before.”

“Yes, it was very sudden,” Lumine responded, turning to the exit. “I think I will just head back now.”

“So soon, dear? We haven’t even introduced ourselves to the king yet.”

Lumine was already on her way out. “I’ll see you back at the shop.”

She slipped past the guards patrolling the halls, ducking into the nearest empty room, a storage closet of sorts. Perfect.

She hiked her long robes up, unsheathing her dagger, cutting away at the garments. Sorry, Ying’er. But I can’t fight in this. She threw the discarded fabric in a dark corner, where they would be forgotten about.

She slid the knife back into its sheath, and cracked the door open the tiniest bit—enough to watch the entrance into the great hall.

Now, all she had to do was wait.

* * *

Lumine would have fallen asleep had it not been for the two guards who stopped to converse right outside her door. Within a matter of seconds, Lumine had gone from sleepily nodding off to firmly clenching her weapon in her hand, nerves buzzing on high alert.

“That party dragged on forever,” one of the guards said. “I don’t know how King Ajax does it. Isn’t he exhausted every night?”

“Not sure. He seems to enjoy it.”

“He’s been gone a while now. Should we check on him?”

Lumine tightened her grasp on her dagger. He was gone?

“No. He likes to be alone at night. He’ll kill you if you interrupt him.”

“Oh...Should we just go to the other side of the castle then? So we don’t...interrupt him?”

“...Sounds like a good idea.”

The sound of their footsteps faded, and Lumine dared a peek out the door to scope out the hallway.

There were no other guards, and the boisterous sounds of the party were long gone.

Lumine slid out of the closet, sneaking down the hall, starting her search for King Ajax.

Sounds like he’s still here somewhere. Alone.

This job was getting easier and easier.

Too easy.

* * *

Please be in this room.

There was a great stone door before her, one she had come to after a mind-numbingly exhaustive search through the entirety of the large castle. She pushed on the door, as slowly and as quietly as possible, then looked in.

She nearly cried out in relief.

Sitting in the middle of the room was King Ajax, his back turned to her.

He was completely silent, unmoving, in this empty stone room. Was he asleep? No, it looked more like meditation.

Lumine slinked in, silently, conjuring the elemental energy of the wind in the room.

She would take every bit of air out of his body. Quick, quiet, no mess. It was the method she had always used.

She closed her eyes to focus, feeling the pull of air from his lungs.

He was going to die, and she was going to be free, free with her brother—

WHOOSH!

Lumine opened her eyes just in time to see Ajax rush towards her.

His hand wrapped around her throat, and he slammed her into the ground. All of the breath in her body hissed out of her, and she clawed at his hand.

“Who are you?” he growled.

She stopped prying at his hold, quickly yanking out her dagger, and slashing at his face.

He dodged, forcing him to loosen his grip on her.

She slashed again at his hand, throwing herself away from him as he recoiled in pain. She rubbed at her neck, gasping for breath. The king was looking at the gash across his fingers.

Shitshitshit.

Lumine quickly focused her energy on the earth below, trying to create shackles out of stone to hold him in place, or to just bury him alive.

The ropes of earth sprang out of the ground. His eyes flickered to the coils as they rushed for him.

Yes!

But then a swirling mass of water appeared, engulfing him, destroying the chains in the process.

What—?!

A sharp stream of water shot out from the bubble, coiling around Lumine before she could react. She was pulled to the ground, bound, and unable to move.

The bubble of water dissipated, and Ajax stepped out, eyes ablaze. He approached Lumine.

“Who are you?” he asked again, less angry, more inquisitive.

She strained against the chains of water, her elemental energy unable to rid them. She locked eyes with him. “You’re a magic user.”

He squatted next to her. “You are too,” he responded, the smallest ghost of a smile on his lips. He took her dagger into his hands, weighing it. “Now, why were you trying to kill me?”

Lumine bit her cheek. No, she couldn’t sell Diluc out; he could still get Aether killed.

“That’s how you conquered Mondstadt and Liyue so easily. You used magic,” she pushed, ignoring his question. “That’s forbidden.”

He barked out a laugh, wiping his bloodied hand on her robes. “And yet, here we are, two magic users in one room.” He pointed the dagger at Lumine’s neck. “Tell me why you were trying to kill me, before I make it only one. I won’t ask again.”

“You’re going to kill me anyway,” Lumine said. “I’m a magic user. That threatens your power, doesn’t it?”

Ajax studied her for a second, pulling the dagger back, just a bit. “True.” He tilted his head. “But I’ve never actually met another magic user before.”

She averted his intense gaze. “So what are you going to do? Keep me alive and experiment on me?”

“No.” He stood. “How about this...in exchange for sparing your life, you become my student.”

…

What?

“You mean learn magic from you?” Lumine glared at him. “How do you know I won’t kill you in the future?”

“You won’t,” he said. “This murder attempt? Wasn’t personal—you tried to kill me from a distance. Someone must have sent you.” He closed his eyes, squeezing the hilt of the dagger. After some shaking, it disintegrated into dust.

“Also, you can’t kill me,” he continued, opening his eyes. “You’re severely untrained. You saw how easily I subdued you.” A small smile. “All the more reason to learn from me.”

Maybe this was the gods taking mercy on Lumine. Ajax didn’t kill her right away; she had a chance to live, to get back home to Aether.

“What’s in it for you? This only seems to benefit me,” she said to Ajax.

He hummed, thinking. “A potentially powerful weapon,” he responded, eyes glinting.

Maybe, once she learned more magic, she could overtake him, and complete her job.

She locked eyes with him.

“You have a deal.”

The ghost of those words burned bitter on her tongue.

* * *

Lumine nearly died the next morning.

“You did what?!” she gasped out, after deathly choking on a part of her breakfast.

She was currently sitting across from Ajax in his elegant dining room, who had just informed her that he had announced their marriage.

He leaned back in his chair. “A random new woman living in the king’s castle? Bound to raise many rumors,” he said, nonchalant. “This way, there are no rumors, and we can train without being questioned.”

Lumine worried her lip. He has a point.

“I don’t—We don’t have to...do anything in public, do we?” she asked.

“No.” He smirked. “Unless you want to, pretty girl.”

She grimaced. “No, thank you.” Here for a job, not romance, she reminded herself, no matter how handsome this cocky bastard is. Not to mention, she still planned to kill him.

And so, Lumine’s days were filled with training, pretending to the servants and maids she was King Ajax’s fiancée. She was trapped, as Ajax reminded her many times that if she tried to leave, he would swiftly execute her.

She learned more about him, as much as she didn’t want to. She saw that he did really care for his people, and provided for them as best he could—though he wasn’t above using his power to strike down those in his way, whether it was an enemy or a citizen who simply disrespected his reign.

And that was ultimately what he wanted: power. To have power over everyone in the land of Teyvat. He had endless ambition—Lumine could credit him that much.

Some days, she caught herself imagining it as well: a world she could rule over, have everyone bend to her will, set the laws so people like her and Aether could live without fear, and be provided for. In some ways, she could relate to Ajax’s desires. In some ways, she could justify his methods.

It very much disgusted her, at first. But then, it was liberating. To have someone who could understand the darker sides to her being, understand the blood on her hands.

Even Aether could never fully understand her. How part of her was always glad to be given magical powers to defend herself and those she cared about. How part of her enjoyed her current situation.

After all, she was living lavishly, compared to the impoverished life she had before. She had every meal provided for, luxuriously, and a soft bed to lay in every night. No threat of the authorities finding out about her powers and murdering her.

Could she perhaps bring Aether here?

Ajax had spared her—was it too much of a stretch to believe he would spare her twin as well?

If Aether could be brought here, she wouldn’t have to kill Ajax. She wouldn’t have to kill perhaps the only person in Teyvat that knew who she truly was.

* * *

“If you found another magic user,” she asked Ajax over dinner, “would you train them as well?”

Ajax took a sip of wine from his goblet. “No.”

“...No?”

A small smile, a slight flash of his canines. “I can’t have my weapons outnumbering me, now can I?”

Lumine’s mouth went dry. “If you won’t train them...what would you do with them?”

“Kill them.” He set the cup down. “They would be a threat.”

“I’m not a threat?”

Ajax barked out a laugh. “No, Lumine. No, you are not.”

Ah.

So she and Aether couldn’t be together here. Aether was still in danger of being outed by Diluc.

“Why?” Ajax questioned. “Are you lonely here?”

“I’m trapped in your castle. What do you think?”

He rested his head on his hand. “My bed is open at night, if you’d like.”

Lumine drove her knife through her food. “You’re insufferable.”

“Oh, Lumine, it’s just banter,” he said, chuckling. “You don’t think we’re friends? I quite like your company.”

She pursed her lips, staying silent.

“You don’t have to lie to me.” Ajax stared right at her. “I see you while we train. You like it here. You like becoming more and more powerful.”

He leaned over the table. “You and I are very similar.” He smiled. “There’s a hunger in your eyes. You want exactly what I have.”

Lumine stood abruptly. “We are nothing alike,” she spat uselessly. He sees right through me.

“I told you, you don’t have to lie to me,” Ajax responded, sitting back in his chair. “We are already married. We could rule together—as partners.”

...What?

“I thought I was your weapon.” Her knuckles were white from clutching the edge of the table.

“Partner if you so choose.” His blue eyes narrowed slightly. “Weapon if not.”

What game is he playing? “There has to be some sort of catch.” He was essentially offering her his power as king, even if it was just partially.

“No catch,” he said. “Like I said, if you refuse, you’ll just continue your little life of entrapment, as my weapon.”

“One of these options is obviously better than the other.”

Ajax laughed, genuinely, his expression softening, just a bit. “I guess one is.”

She gave him a look, quizzical, before swiftly leaving the room, his proposal still hanging in the night.

As the guards escorted her back to her room, she played the conversation over and over again in her mind.

Would it be so bad? Would it be so bad as King Ajax’s consort, his companion through his crusade of Teyvat?

He was right: part of her deep down ached for that kind of power.

But joining Ajax meant sacrificing her dear brother.

The aching desire hissed, Is that a sacrifice you are going to make?

* * *

The castle’s stone floors were freezing on Lumine’s feet as she traversed through the halls barefoot. No shoes meant no sound. No sound meant she could surprise the guards, getting the upper hand to take them out. Already, there was a trail of dead guards behind her as she passed through the corridors, the air stripped from their lungs.

Her sheer white nightgown fluttered around her as she dashed about, and in the dim moonlight waning through the windows, she thought herself a ghost, an angel of death. She was on a path she could not stop.

She knew exactly where he was. After spending so many days trapped here, of course she knew where the king’s quarters were.

She knew him like clockwork: what days he would stay up in his study, what days he would retire to his chambers and when. She knew where his guards were, when they would switch patrols, when their protection would be the weakest.

And when it came time, she stood outside of his door, wavering on the spot slightly.

She shook her head, trying the door. Locked.

Taking a breath in, she rapped her knuckles on the hardwood.

She heard rustling beyond the heavy oak door, her heartbeat picking up. She would have to get in there quick, before he looked behind her and saw his guards missing.

The door swung open, a flash of anger on Ajax’s face until he saw who it was.

He gave her a closed-eye smile. “Ah, Lumine, to what do I owe the pleasure—”

Lumine stood on the tips of her toes, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him in for a kiss.

She could feel him go rigid under her touch. She walked him backwards, further into the room, closing the door behind her with her foot.

As the door shut, he broke away from her. “Are you accepting my proposal?” he whispered, his hands clutched around her arms.

Lumine nodded, going for another kiss, arms slinking around his shoulders. This time, he melted into her touch, pulling until he was under her on his bed.

He fell for it.

Pity crept into her heart. From the way he breathed her in, the way he held her in his arms, there was a softness she had never seen from him.

He loved her.

She was his weapon, and now, his greatest weakness.

“I’m sorry,” she said against his lips.

His eyes opened, those ocean eyes on her as she pulled the air from his lungs with ease.

You shouldn’t have trained me.

His hand reached for her throat, but went to his own as he gasped and choked.

She wrapped her own hands around his, pressing down. She slammed her eyes shut. She didn’t want to see his face.

He thrashed wildly, and she repeated I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’msorryimsorry over and over again until he went still under her.

…

…

...

She opened her eyes, the world blurry around her. She wiped away the tears pooling in her vision, and looked down at Ajax.

He was unmoving, eyes glazed over, arms limp at his side.

Lumine reached for his throat, hand shaking, fingers checking for a pulse.

He’s dead.

She scrambled off of him, crumbling into a ball on the floor.

I killed him.

Her breathing was uneven—she was the one gasping for breath now as uncontrollable sobs racked through her body.

I am so sorry, Ajax.

* * *

“Lumi?”

Lumine turned to see Aether looking at her with worry.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

A breeze rustled by. Lumine turned back to look over green fields that stretched as far as she could see.

“I’m okay,” she responded.

“Okay,” he repeated. He smiled a bit, pulling an envelope from his pocket. “Diluc’s hawk came this morning. He sends warm wishes to us both.”

After the assassination of King Ajax, Lumine decreed Snezhnaya a freed country, a country with no ruler, and returned the lands of Mondstadt and Liyue back to their rightful heirs. Diluc, now the restored king of Mondstadt, gave Lumine and Aether the riches he promised, and a home deep in the countryside for the peaceful life they so desperately wanted.

But sometimes Lumine had nightmares of Ajax.

She would be sitting next to him, on their thrones as the King and Queen of Snezhnaya. Sometimes, little princes and princesses of theirs would be running around as well.

They would have conjured all of Teyvat together.

They would have loved each other.

Lumine would wake up, tears in her eyes, heart heavy with desire for that life.

* * *

“new arrivals”

Lumine hated Childe. Well, she hated Childe sometimes. She loved him, she really did, but in this moment, she hated him.

“Just because I am pregnant, doesn’t mean I can’t walk,” she nearly growled at him.

With a sheepish smile, Childe removed his hands from her arms. “Sorry, sorry. Your waddling makes me nervous.”

Lumine scoffed. “Of course I have to waddle.” She patted her swollen belly. “How else can I get around with this thing in me?”

Almost as if in retaliation, Lumine felt a kick inside her—don’t call me ‘thing.’

Instantly, Childe’s hand were resting on her bump, eagerly awaiting their baby’s movements. It truly amazed Lumine at how natural Childe’s paternal instincts were.

Their weekly spars had turned into nightly meetings, and nightly meetings had turned into...Well. Their current situation. It hadn’t been planned, obviously, it had just happened.

It had taken Lumine a whole week of nauseous morning after nauseous morning before Childe finally convinced her to visit Bubu Pharmacy where they both received the shock of their lives. Baizhu had been very compassionate, ensuring the confidentiality of the pregnancy as they left.

Childe had been the first one to get over the shock. For Childe, who had spent his life surrounded by family and younger siblings, he had easily grown accustomed to the idea of his own family—especially one with Lumine.

Lumine, on the other hand, took much, much longer. She hadn’t ever given it a thought: her own family?

She was on a quest to find her brother, of course. To regain her powers, defeat the Unknown God, and leave this world with Aether. She couldn’t just settle down and start a family.

Weeks passed, Lumine’s stomach growing, as she slipped into a dark place, thoughts of failure filling her mind—I’m never going to leave now.

Childe had spent all of his time, taking care of Lumine as she looked after herself less and less. Slowly, he was giving up his duties as a Harbinger; the Tsaritsa and his comrades were growing suspicious. Childe knew if they found out, it would only end in violence. A child between one of their strongest Harbingers and the all-powerful Outlander? They would surely want it as a pawn on their side, if they weren’t going to kill it first.

Childe found them a tiny cottage secluded in the vast mountain ranges of Liyue, with help from Zhongli, who was, of course, the most familiar with the lay of the land. He practically had to carry Lumine there, who was still deep in her depressive state, who spent her days laying in bed, staring blankly at the walls of her inn room, unwilling to move.

Once they were in the cottage, Childe again took care of her as she continued to contemplate her fate, unmoving; he made sure she ate, he cleaned her, and was always there to hold her at night, telling her that he would be with her no matter what she decided to do.

Her love for him only deepened as she saw how selflessly he helped her, how loyal he was. Because of him and his love and devotion, she slowly came to terms with their situation.

The more she thought about it, the more she wanted this life: some secluded home in the mountains with Childe and a bouncing baby on her hip. A slow, peaceful life; it would be such a luxury from what her life was before. But, there was always that pang of guilt that settled in the back of her throat: the anxious thoughts that she was abandoning Aether, her twin brother, for this.

And perhaps it was that guilt that blocked Lumine from having any real connection with the life growing inside her. She hadn’t envisioned whether it would be a son or daughter, whether it would have her hair or Childe’s eyes—she hadn’t even thought of a name. Thinking of this baby only drew up a blank slate, a missing void.

Now nearing the end of her pregnancy, she felt a lot of movement inside. She knew that those moments were supposed to be special, that mothers cherished those feelings, but Lumine’s body registered them more as just...foreign movements.

There was also the fear. The fear of not being able to be a mother in the first place. She envied Childe and his ease with parenthood: knowing all the things to prepare, the foods she should be eating, the first lessons to teach. Lumine had no clue what to say or do.

She and Aether had been abandoned, left to fend for themselves, from a very young age. She never had a solid parental figure in her life.

How am I ever going to be a good mother?

A soft touch to her cheek pulled Lumine from her ruminations.

Childe gave her a smile. “Need anything, Lumi?”

Lumine put her hand over his. “Hm, I am a bit hungry,” she said.

A light chuckle. “How about some sticky honey roast?” His hand slid down from her cheek, his thumb on the corner of her lips. “You’re drooling already.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Shouldn’t you be hurrying up then?”

Childe laughed, then kissed her forehead. “I’ll come get you when it’s ready,” he told her, exiting to the kitchen.

Lumine turned, looking out the open window, into their little garden. The earthly scent wafted through the window, the warm sunshine adding an extra tang to the air. Through the window she counted the growing vegetables, taking note of those ready to harvest.

Humming quietly to herself, she made her way to the kitchen, standing in the doorway to watch Childe flutter about the room, pulling various pots, pans, and utensils out from the shelves.

Archons, he was going to be such a good father.

!!!

There was another movement in her womb, this time sharper, a bit more painful. She let out a tiny gasp.

Childe turned, and immediately went to her, brows furrowed. “You okay?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “There’s been a lot of movement lately.”

There was a long pause before Childe spoke. “Must mean it’s nearly time.”

She locked eyes with him. “Already?”

He reached out and soothed out her hair. “Hey, no worries. I will be right here with you—always.” He smiled softly. “We’ll get through it together.”

Lumine nodded, her throat drying. “I’ll be in the garden for a bit.”

“Okay. Can you get some carrots while you’re there? We’re running a bit low.”

She nodded again, leaving the house while Childe returned to his preparations.

She walked through the tall grass, pushing open the wooden fence leading into the garden, her slippers thudding quietly against the little cobblestone path. Finding the patch of carrots, she slowly knelt down, beginning to pull the orange vegetables from the earth.

Birds tweeted, insects chirped, and Lumine again found herself in the vortex of anxiety as she thought about the coming days. Any day from now, she was going to birth a whole new life into the world—a tiny, little, helpless life she was going to have to raise, look after. Can I do it?

She shook her head.

She had helped countless lives, people of all ages and backgrounds, during her time in Teyvat. She had even formed special bonds with so many of them, this child being a result of one of those special bonds. So, surely she would find her way to loving this new life, to caring for it with all her heart, right?

And she would still search for Aether. Aether wouldn’t be angry. He would love a niece or nephew to look after. She was sure her child would love their uncle right back. So, she would have to find Aether for her child and—

BZZT.

Lumine blinked. Was that a bug?

“Found you.”

Lumine looked over her shoulder, finding a familiar blue-haired boy standing behind her. Scaramouche.

“What an annoyance it’s been looking for you,” he said, the ball of electricity crackling dangerously in his hand.

Anxiety pooled into Lumine’s veins. She wouldn’t be able to fight him, not like this. I can’t even stand up quickly right now.

!!!

Another painful movement ripped through Lumine’s body. She bit the side of her cheek in to keep quiet in front of Scaramouche.

“Not going to say anything?” he taunted, taking steps closer to her. “Not even going to raise your weapon at me?”

She dug her nails into the dirt, trying to make the pain go away.

“C’mon. What happened to the almighty Outlander?” His voice continued to drop in annoyance. Lumine could feel the electricity sparking directly behind her now.

“What do you want?” she strained out.

A sardonic laugh rippled through the air as he yanked her up by her hair.

“What I’ve been ordered to do.” He brought the electricity closer to her throat. “To kill—”

He froze, tiny flickers of Electro energy pricking Lumine’s skin. He let her go, stepping around her as she collapsed back onto the ground.

“How...interesting,” he breathed, eyes cast down at Lumine’s pregnant body. “So this is why you’ve hid all this time.” His eyes twitched, calculating what to do with the new information.

Lumine rubbed at her neck. “Are you still going to kill me? Or take me back to your Tsaritsa?”

“Who’s the father?” Violet-blue eyes met amber. “Don’t tell me…” He let out a cynical laugh, eyes growing wide with hysteria. “That idiot? Of course! Why didn’t we see it before? The two of you did disappear around the same time…”

He leaned down, bringing the Electro energy back near Lumine’s face. “Tartaglia’s nearby, isn’t he?”

Lumine glared at him. I can just pull my sword out right now. He was close enough for her to throw a quick jab at. Maybe she could disarm him and get away.

It had been so long since she had last fought, since she last materialized her sword. It was going to take some time to do it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she finally answered. She focused her energy to her palm, searching through the void for her weapon.

“Playing dumb’s not going to work.” There was a surge of power through the ball of electricity. “You should just tell me before I kill you and find out for myself.”

“You don’t even want the child? You’re just going to kill a potentially powerful weapon?” she tried to bargain. She needed more time. She could feel her sword’s particles slowly returning to her.

Scaramouche paused for a brief second to consider. “Sounds like a liability.” He glanced up at the sky. “The Tsaritsa has all she needs. I’d rather not run the risk of another filthy betrayer.”

SHING!

Lumine’s sword appeared in her hand.

Without hesitation, she stabbed up at Scaramouche, forcing all the elemental energy in her body through the weapon.

Anemo and Geo energy struck the Harbinger in his chest, sending him flying across the garden.

Lumine struggled to stand, stumbling her way back to the house, energy already quickly draining from her heavy body. She glanced back at Scaramouche.

He was standing up, his eyes twitching with rage. “You—” He launched an Electro attack directly at her.

She raised her hand, trying to charge her counter attack as fast as she could.

I can’t get it in time—!

A shield of Hydro formed in front of her, dissipating Scaramouche’s attack.

Relief washed over Lumine as she turned around. Childe—

“Mona?!” she blurted.

The twin-tailed astrologist gave her a small smile. “Didn’t expect to see you here,” she said. Her eyes flickered to Lumine’s belly. “And with child?”

“What are you doing here?!”

Mona threw up a Hydro shield as Scaramouche fired another sphere of Electro.

“The Hydro witch again,” he snarled. “You’re really getting on my nerves.”

Scaramouche charged an arc of lightning straight at them.

Mona casted a large bubble of water to surround them, wincing as the lightning collided with the shield, burning sparks deflecting all over.

The lightning didn’t disappear upon collision, instead continuously barraging against the water. Mona closed her eyes in concentration, brows furrowing with each passing second.

Scaramouche twisted his arm, amping the lightning with more energy, the Electro glow brightening.

CRACK!

Mona let out a sharp gasp; a fine line had splintered in the bubble.

Lumine raised her hands, straining her muscles, and mustering any energy in her body to charge a barrier of her own to help her friend.

!!!

She groaned as she collapsed back onto her knees, a horrible, throbbing pain rippling through her abdomen. Her eyes widened, feeling water trickle down the side of her leg.

No, no, no...not now!

“Lumine!” Mona breathed out. “What’s wrong?”

The blonde cried out as her body underwent another contraction. “I—the baby…,” was all she managed to get out before letting out another cry of pain. The baby is coming!

Mona cursed, another line fracturing in her shield.

“It’s over!” Scaramouche yelled. “There’s no use delaying your deaths!”

A smattering of blue Hydro energy rushed past the women, heading directly for the Harbinger. Just as quickly, Scaramouche withdrew his arc of lightning at Mona and Lumine, blocking the oncoming attack.

Childe locked his daggers with Scaramouche’s Electro shield. His face was twisted in a snarl, a dark, evil expression Lumine had never seen before.

“I’m going to kill you,” he said to Scaramouche, voice gravelly, but plain, as if it were just a simple fact being stated.

The blue-haired boy barked out a laugh. “You can’t. You were always the weakest one of us all.”

Childe mimicked the laughter. “I never did like you, Scaramouche.” His ocean eyes narrowed. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

There was an explosion of Hydro, engulfing the two Harbingers. The two struck each other with ultimate speed and precision, only brief glimpses of their fight visible, disembodied clashes of weapons and elements.

Mona let down her own barrier, short of breath, and knelt next to Lumine.

“I’ll teleport us out of here—to safety,” she said.

Lumine reached out, grasping onto her friend’s arm. “No,” she heaved. “Not...without him.” She looked up, eyes tracking Childe. I’m not going to leave you.

“The father?” the mage asked. She worried her lip as she stared ahead, lost in thought. Then, “Wait here,” she said.

The witch shimmered into thin air with a torrent of water, reappearing next to Childe. Both Scaramouche and Childe immediately turned their weapons at her, which she deflected.

She leapt and grabbed Childe by the shoulder, disappearing yet again, rematerializing next to Lumine. Childe and Scaramouche both let out curses as Mona grabbed Lumine’s arm.

WHOOSH!

Lumine blinked, and the three of them were in a thick forest: a distance aways from where they were before.

Mona cried out as Childe knocked her to the ground, foot pinning her arm, dagger at her face.

“Who are you?” he growled.

“Friend!” Lumine croaked out. “She’s my friend!”

Childe turned towards Lumine. He released his weapons, rushing to Lumine’s side. “Are you hurt?” he asked, gently examining her.

“It’s coming,” Lumine whispered.

She felt his muscles tense against her. “Right now?” Upon her nod, he clenched his jaw. He turned back to Mona. “Do you know anything about childbirth?”

Mona glared at him slightly, rubbing at her bruised arm. “No. I’m an astrologist, not a doctor.”

Childe returned the expression. “Could you get us to Liyue Harbor? To BuBu Pharmacy?”

A shake of the head. “It takes a lot of energy to teleport. I won’t be able to do it for a while, unfortunately.”

!!!

Another contraction pulsed through Lumine’s body. “Now,” she groaned. “It has to be now.” It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming. Tears gathered in her eyes, from the pain, from the fear barraging her mind.

“Okay, okay,” Childe said, tender. He stroked Lumine’s hair. “You’re going to have the baby right here, okay?”

He yanked off his jacket, laying it under Lumine. He motioned at Mona. “You are going to have to hold her leg.”

Mona came to Lumine’s side, face slightly pale, then took off her cape and folded it into a makeshift pillow under the blonde’s head. “You’re a doctor?”

Childe shook his head. His face was taut. “Lots of younger siblings. I’ve seen my mother deliver before.” He grabbed Lumine’s hand softly. “It’s mostly going to be you from here,” he said. He squeezed her hand. “And I know you’re going to do great. Like you always do.”

I can’t.

All her battles combined didn’t come close to the excruciating pain radiating throughout her body now. Her mind was fleeting, blurred—all of her previous anxieties crashing back; she was senseless, she couldn’t fight them off.

“I can’t,” she finally whispered. “I can’t do this; I can’t be a mother.”

Childe tucked her hair back, leaning in close, lips nestled on her forehead. “There is absolutely no one in this world that compares to you,” he whispered back. “It’s terrifying, I know, but if there’s anyone that can be an amazing mother, it’s you.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve seen you defeat armies of men, monsters, and gods—”

“Childe, that’s different—”

“—and I’ve seen how brilliantly resilient you are. You would stop at nothing for those you love.”

“Ahem,” Mona coughed awkwardly.

Lumine and Childe looked at her.

She looked away, bashful. “You have this strange ability to have patience, and to care for everyone,” Mona said. “Even when they’re difficult and stubborn...like me.” She finally looked back at Lumine. “I think...I think anyone would be lucky to have you as their mother, Lumine.”

Lumine sniffled loudly. “Mona…”

“Now, now,” the mage interrupted. “Let’s get this on the way. I suppose being an aunt would be fun…”

“She’s right,” Childe added. “I thank the stars everyday that I’m going to be able to love and cherish this child with you. There’s no one else that could ever come close to you, Lumi.”

Tears fully rained from Lumine’s eyes. Slowly, she began to nod.

They were right. She knew herself more than capable. And she wasn’t going to be alone. Even with her fears, she had her loved ones there to support her. Together, they would be strong enough for anything.

I...I can do this.

“Thank you, both,” she breathed. She reached out, putting her hand in Childe’s. “I love you.”

He smiled at her. “I love you too.” He kissed her before kneeling by her feet.

“Deep breathes,” Childe told her. “Then push, okay?”

She nodded, taking in a lungful of air.

Breathe, Lumine, breathe.

Breathe.

PUSH.

Lumine let out a sharp cry, pushing with every ounce of strength left in her body, nerves excruciatingly igniting all over. The trees swayed as the wind picked up around the three.

Pleasepleaseplease—

“Lumine,” Mona murmured, glancing up at the leaves. “Your energy is leaking out.”

Lumine stopped pushing for a second, forehead slick with sweat. “Wha-What does that mean?”

Mona pointed at swirls of Anemo energy forming above, leaves and branches beginning to snap off. “It may very well mean you might level this entire forest.”

Oh no… “I-I can’t control it right now,” Lumine said.

“Can you form a seal of some sort?” Childe asked.

The astrologist bit her lip. “I can certainly try.” She grabbed Lumine’s hand then nodded.

Taking in another deep breath, Lumine started pushing again. Both her and Mona winced as Lumine squeezed their hands together. A blue glow emitted lightly from her body—Mona’s magic—and she felt her elemental energy rattling in her veins.

“You’re doing great, Lumi,” Childe said over her panting. “You’re almost there.”

Almost...there!

Lumine screamed as she felt a final wave of pain, and the intense release of pressure.

Then, a cry.

Not hers, however. The pitched wailing of a baby.

She relaxed back, just listening to the crying as Childe and Mona shuffled around, checking on the baby.

It’s here.

She looked down at her feet where Childe was wrapping the baby in his gray jacket. He was smiling, his blue eyes blissfully aglow.

He carried the bundle to Lumine. “A son,” he told her. The baby was placed in her arms.

For the first time ever, Lumine looked down at her son.

My son.

“He’s so small,” she said, smoothing down his head of light hair. She held him close to her heart, and the crying quieted down. His tiny eyes opened, bleary blue hues taking in the world.

Her heart ached as it swelled with overwhelming emotion. Seeing this tiny creature, this life she carried for many months—a product of her and Childe’s love and passion—she knew she already loved him, that yes, she would give her all to protect him: her new family.

Childe wrapped his arms around her shoulders, looking down at their son as well. “You did it,” he murmured, kissing her forehead.

“Congratulations,” Mona said. “The battle isn’t over quite yet.”

Lumine looked up at her friend. “What do you mean?”

Mona raised a brow. “There is another child, isn’t there?”

…

What?

Both Lumine and Childe stared at the astrologist blankly.

“How do you know?” Childe asked.

“Oh, Archons, you really didn’t know,” Mona responded, panicked. “When I was using my magic to seal away Lumine’s elemental energy, I felt the two different life forms—it’s twins.”

!!!

Lumine felt her muscles tense as her body prepared for another delivery. She let out a gasp, looking up at Childe to confirm, yes, there is another baby.

“Hold the baby,” he said to Mona, moving back down to Lumine’s feet.

Mona gently took the baby into her arms, a look of uncertainty scrawled on her face.

BOOM!

There was a thunderous strike of lightning right next to the group; as the dust settled, Scaramouche stepped out of the fog, purple electricity crackling all over his body.

“Would you look at that,” he growled, eyes narrowing in on the newborn. “Another body to dispose of.” A wicked grin pulled at his lips. “I was going to kill you all quickly, but now I think I’m going to make it slow. And tortuous.”

Childe stood, eyes dark. “Mona, keep Lumine safe.”

Then, he launched towards the other Harbinger, becoming engulfed in electricity as well. The two impacted, an explosion resonating around them, and Childe stepped out from the smoke, his Foul Legacy transformation completed.

Over the deafening sounds of blades crashing, Mona took the cape from under Lumine’s head, laying it under her body. She spoke to Lumine, “Are you ready to start pushing?”

Lumine shook her head feverishly. “I can’t.” Not without Childe.

“You must,” her friend said. “You can’t help him until you do.”

Lumine’s body locked up in pain with another contraction. “Okay,” she strained out.

Mona nodded, conjuring a glob of water, then placing Lumine’s child on it. “It’s the only bassinet I can make right now.”

“Can you still help seal my energy?”

“Of course.” Mona knelt by Lumine’s feet. “Are you ready?”

Lumine swallowed hard, then nodded. After taking in many deep breaths, she mustered all the remaining strength in her body to push.

A labored cry exhaled from her body, every fiber in her body praying for it all to stop.

“It’s almost out,” Mona encouraged. “Just a bit more!”

The edges of her mind blurred. She imagined her and Childe, living their lives peacefully with their two children, watching lovingly as they skipped around in fields of flowers. Aether would walk up, greeting his little nieces and nephews, waving joyfully at Lumine. Her friends—Mona, Xiangling, Zhongli, and countless others—would take turns coming to visit, to see them and their happy little family in their happy little home.

It was such a lovely dream.

Tears ran down her face, and Lumine pushed just one last time.

…

The familiar sound of a newborn’s cries filled the air once more. Lumine fell back, laying down in the dirt, the sight of tangled tree canopies above returning to her vision.

“A girl,” Mona said, carefully wrapping her cape around the baby. She stood, carrying the little girl to Lumine.

BOOM!

The two women snapped their attention back to the fight, watching as Childe’s armor shattered around him. He fell, kneeling, and gasping for breath.

Despite her exhausted body, Lumine scrambled up. “Childe!”

“You’ve grown so weak, Tartaglia,” Scaramouche spat. “You’re out of practice. Too focused on your meaningless family,” he mocked.

“Run,” Childe gasped out weakly to Lumine.

Scaramouche slammed his foot into Childe’s head, cackling as the Eleventh Harbinger fell down.

Something stirred in Lumine’s body.

“I think,” Scaramouche said, turning to Lumine, “I’m going to kill your children first. Right in front of you. How does that sound?”

Something old, ancient—something she hadn’t felt in a long, long time.

“Shield everyone,” Lumine said lowly to Mona. In response, Mona gave a small nod, grabbing the two children, and making her way to Childe inconspicuously.

Scaramouche stalked closer to Lumine. “Are you going to try and fight me?” Another cackle. “You’re even weaker than Tartaglia, especially after what you just went through.”

“You threatened my family,” Lumine nearly growled. “You hurt my family.” She raised her arm, materializing her blade. Quicker than before.

“And you’re going to pay for that,” she finished, her veins ignited with ancient energy.

He smirked. “I’d like to see you try.”

There was an overwhelming ringing in Lumine’s ears as she felt the liquid power coarse through her body. The sensation extended through her back, bursting outwards, until...a pair of wings had formed. Her pair of wings.

Her skin was aglow, a golden haze enveloping her, her wings, and her sword.

It was her old power.

Her powers had come back.

“What is the meaning of this?” Scaramouche sneered.

Lumine glanced over at Mona, the two babies in her arms, hovering over Childe, who was stirring awake. A faint blue glow surrounded them—Mona’s barrier.

She turned her attention back to Scaramouche, who was charging up an Electro attack of his own.

“It’s no use,” Lumine said, echoing his words back to him. She leapt up into the air, flying far above him as he cursed below.

She closed her eyes, thinking of her friends, of Aether, her children, her one true love, Childe—her family.

The sword illuminated, crackling with golden arcs of energy. Then, she plunged down.

A sonic boom erupted around her as she landed, acres of dirt and trees uprooting in the explosion. The mountains shook, the clouds parted, and Lumine used the last bit of her energy to blast the dust away.

Laying before her, lifeless, was Scaramouche.

I did it.

She quickly looked around for her family, crying in relief seeing Mona, Childe, and the babies safely protected.

She felt her ancient power drain from her, and she collapsed on her knees as the pain and exhaustion funneled back into her body.

“Lumine!” she heard Childe shout.

“Childe…,” she responded, voice thin.

Then, her vision went black.

* * *

There was the crying of a baby. No, two babies. It sounded so familiar, yet foreign to Lumine.

She was in a black void, looking around for the source of the crying. Whoever they were, she knew they needed her. And she needed to protect them.

Lumine groggily opened her eyes, the black void from her dreams dissipating. Her vision adjusted, and she realized she was laying in her and Childe’s bed, back at their mountain cottage. Muffled through the walls, she heard the crying of her children, and the voice of Childe trying to calm them.

She slowly sat up, the bed creaking under her. At the sound of movement, Mona stirred awake from the corner.

“You’re awake!” she shouted. She went to the door, throwing it open, and yelling, “She’s awake, she’s awake!”

Lumine blinked at her, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, while Mona came to her side.

“How are you feeling?” her friend asked.

Lumine stretched a bit. “Very sore.”

“Hmph. I would expect so; you really did level that forest.” Mona looked out the window. “After exerting that kind of power, you should most certainly be dead.” She bit her lip. “But I am glad you are not.”

“Thank you, Mona. For all your help,” Lumine said with a small smile.

The astrologist flung her blue hair over her shoulder. “You are very welcome,” she said, returning the smile.

“You never did tell me why you were here of all places.”

“Ah, yes, that.” She folded her arms across her chest. “After our encounter with that Harbinger, I decided to track his movements—just to make sure he wouldn’t cause any more trouble.” She opened her hydromancy chart, looking over the sigils. “As fate would have it, I followed him here, to you.”

The wailing of the newborns drew closer, and Childe appeared in the doorway, two wriggling bundles in his arms.

His hair was rustled, dark bags under his eyes, and his usual pressed attire was wrinkled and disheveled.

Archons, Lumine loved him.

It was obvious to her that while she was knocked out cold, he had been taking care of their newborn children all on his own. Which was probably the furthest thing from easy...

He gave her a smile, tired at the edges, but filled with love all the same—and she gave him the same smile, yearning to embrace him and their new family.

Mona mumbled something about going to observe the sky for a while, and slipped out of the room as Childe sat on the edge of the bed.

Wordlessly, he placed the two babies in Lumine’s arms, and their cries were instantly quelled.

“Now that’s something I haven’t heard in forever,” he sighed. “Silence.”

“I hope it wasn’t unbearable.” She looked down at her babies, gently smoothing their little light hairs. It would never cease to amaze her, the overwhelming love and joy she felt looking at her twins. Looking at their tiny hands, their tiny feet, seeing their little breaths—any anxiety or fears she had felt before disappeared into thin air.

Childe wrapped his arm around Lumine, looking down at their children as well. “The only thing that was unbearable was not having you around,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Lumine nodded. “I couldn’t imagine doing this without you.” She leaned into Childe’s chest. “I’ll always be around,” she assured.

“And I’ll always be with you,” he answered. “Our little family.”

Lumine smiled, the happiest of tears coming to her eyes.

“Our little family.”

the president and the troublemaker (part 14)

Lumine woke up to the hazy morning sunlight streaming in the window. She grudgingly opened her eyes; her fingers were intertwined with Childe’s, who was asleep, chest rising and falling silently. 

Her face lightly flushed, remembering how sweet their kisses were the night before, how lovingly he had held her as the two of them fell asleep to each other’s heartbeats. So different from the turbulent start to their relationship together. 

Looking at him now, the light glow of the morning sun haloing him, there was a certain innocence, a softness, that wasn’t present when he was awake. He always seemed so carefree, confident, but Lumine now saw how guarded he truly was—just like her. 

Looking at him now, she was mesmerized. Never before did she think herself capable of these feelings, nor did she think anyone capable of loving her the same way. 

She had always believed herself too difficult, too high maintenance, having too much emotional baggage—but Childe had matched her every step of the way. He took care of her, he looked after her, genuinely. 

She reached for him with her free hand, setting it atop his chest, near the scar, just like the night before. 

Childe awoke with a jolt, grabbing Lumine’s hand, and holding it in place.

His eyes met with hers, and he immediately relaxed, loosening his hold of her. 

“Did I scare you?” she asked, slightly wide-eyed. 

A light chuckle. “Never,” he said. “Just...bad memories.” 

Lumine hummed out her sympathy, and the two laid in a silence for a bit, Childe’s thumb rubbing circles on the back of her hand. 

She glanced over at the clock. “We should probably get downstairs soon. Ninguang said they’d be coming around this time.” 

Childe propped himself up on his elbow, staring directly into Lumine’s eyes. “And what of Venti?” 

That’s right. She had finally made her decision, and Venti had no idea. 

“I’m sure he’ll understand,” she said aloud. “He’s a good friend.” 

“It’s going to break his heart.”

Lumine drew in a long, anxious breath. “I know.”

* * *

“Will you wait for Ninguang outside?” Lumine asked Childe as the two of them descended the stairs to the lobby. “I’ll wait for Venti here. To talk to him.” 

Childe’s hand brushed hers as he walked besides her. “And after?” 

“What do you mean ‘after?’”

“And what of us?” he asked, ignoring her question with a tilt of the head. “What are we now?”

The two stood before the front desk, ready to turn in their room keys. 

“I don’t know,” Lumine mumbled. “What do you think we are?” 

Childe’s lips quirked into a tiny smirk as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Tut-tut, Lumi; I asked you first.” 

Before she could respond, there was a metallic clattering behind her. She turned to see Venti, frozen, his room key on the floor, staring straight at her hand—the hand with the same exact room key as Childe. 

“Ah, s-sorry,” Venti stumbled out, walking away swiftly. 

“Wait, Venti!” Lumine dashed after him without a second thought. It didn’t take long for her to catch him by the arm. 

“It’s okay,” he said, back still to her. His voice was wavering. “I...I should’ve known.” He took in a shuddering breath. “All my friends in the countryside thought I was crazy for coming back here, to you. They told me you were probably…” He let out a deprecating laugh. “You were probably already in love with someone else.” 

Biting her inner cheek, Lumine stepped directly in front of him. His eyes were red, rimmed with tears. 

She clasped both her hands on either side of his face, just like how she would do when she was younger, when she needed to tell him something important, when she needed him to listen. 

“You were one of my greatest friends growing up, and nothing can ever change that, Venti,” she said to him. “I...I was always a difficult person. But you were always there with me, always with a smile no matter what.” Her hands moved to hold his. “And you coming back reminded me of how much happiness you used to bring me, how you can always the good in everything, and how I should learn from that. And that you are still that amazing friend, even after all these years apart.” 

Venti stared down at their hands, uncharacteristically quiet, still. 

The weighty burn of fear crept into Lumine’s gut as each silent second ticked by; her mind frantically projected blurred visions of Venti dropping her hands and walking away, mercilessly shattering their friendship into a thousand glass pieces. 

Please, Venti... 

But then he slowly pulled her in, and embraced her in a hug.

“I’m always in awe of how much you teach me, every single day,” he said quietly. He hugged her even tighter. “But...I need to move on, like you...and keep getting stronger.” He pulled back, teal eyes glistening. “You’ll always be my first love, Lumine, and one of my greatest friends.” 

A smile broke out across Lumine’s face, and she turned to press her lips against Venti’s cheek, her relief uncontrollable. “I know,” she said. Then, she whispered, “Maybe in another world, you would have been my first love as well.” I hope you’re happy in that world, Venti—truly. 

Venti pulled back, arms crossed in front of him; his usual cheerful smile returned, though now a touch melancholic. “Maybe.” 

As Lumine smiled back at him, she felt herself being lifted off the ground, thrown over someone’s shoulder. Had she not seen the flash of ginger hair, she would have maniacally attacked her perpetrator. 

“Childe, what are you doing?!” she hissed. “Put me down right now.” She knew he and Venti were probably having a staredown of sorts, but she wasn’t able to see—she was facing the other way over Childe’s shoulder. 

She heard Venti’s laugh, soft, innocent. “Take care of her, okay?” he said.

Her arm tensed, waiting to hit Childe in retaliation for any rude insult he was about to throw at Venti. 

“I will,” Childe answered back. 

Lumine relaxed her arm, surprised. Are they...Are they okay now?

Then, Childe was moving. He turned towards the entrance, with Lumine now facing Venti. His eyes were cast down at the floor, unmoving, with that small, sad smile on his face. 

She wriggled in Childe’s hold, trying to get set down; he didn’t budge. 

“Let me down,” she demanded. “I can walk on my own.” 

He hummed out a tone of disapproval. “Not until I get an answer.”

“An answer to what?” She thought for a moment, to their conversation before Venti had arrived. “About w-what we are? I don’t know,” she said, exasperated. 

There was a slight pause. ...Is he just going to keep teasing me?

“Alright,” Childe said, his voice no longer teasing. 

He set her down, and she saw his face—disappointed? upset?—as he turned away. 

Her hand shot out and grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. Her heart hammered in her chest, just like the night before. 

“I-I don’t know what we are or what we’re going to be,” she rambled, the words blurting from her thundering heart. “I just know that...that I want to be with you and that I get lonely when you’re not around and you affect me like no one else and—”

“Oh, Lumine,” Childe said quietly as he crouched down and met her eyes. His hand caressed her cheek. “Your face is all red.” 

“Yours is too, idiot,” she said, her own hand mimicking his and caressing his cheek. 

“What can I say? You also affect me like no one else.”

“Shut up,” she retorted before they sealed their lips in a kiss. 

Unlike before, this kiss wasn’t just an expression of their love for each other, but rather a promise of being together—the sealing of a bond between two souls that had finally found their solace in one another.

…

“Ah, Miss Lumine,” Ninguang’s voice rang out. “And Mister Childe.”

The two jumped apart, turning to find not only their principal looking at them—expression full of amusement—but the rest of the trip’s participants as well: the administration, the teachers, the students, the student council, Lumine’s twin brother. 

Everyone had just seen her and Childe. Everyone. 

Lumine could only stare at everyone, eyes widened, heart leaping into her throat, choking her. Everyone stared back, whispering, awaiting her response. 

Aether stepped forward, his face mirroring hers. “Lumi...what’s going on?” he asked lowly, his eyes not even glancing towards Childe. 

Xianling was the next to step forward. “Childe?! What the hell happened between now and yesterday?” she tried to question in a whisper, though her voice still carried around the entire courtyard. “I thought it was you and Venti?”

“I hope this wasn’t all just a ploy to spend time with your boyfriend, Miss Lumine,” Ninguang said, still amused, though with a hint of reprimand underlying it.

I’m going to pass out. 

Lumine felt herself swaying on the spot. A hand grabbed hers, grounding her. Childe. 

She swallowed the dry lump in her throat. She couldn’t just...not say anything. 

I...I’m going to have to explain everything. 

She looked at all her friends gathered, her student body, her mentors: everyone who looked up to her; all those souls she had been scared to embarrass, scared to disappoint: all those who put their trust in her. 

I have to explain everything.

Her eyes found Childe’s. His blue eyes twinkled as he gave her a soft smile—a smile only reserved for her—and nodded. Her heart swelled with confidence, and with love. 

Childe, Venti, Aether. Weren’t they all living proof that no matter what she did, they still loved her? That she was still herself—that she was still strong, independent, courageous—in everything that she did?

I...will explain everything.

She was ready to be herself, wholly and unapologetically. 

Thank you, Aether. 

Thank you, Venti. 

Thank you, Childe.

Lumine took a deep breath in, and smiled. 

“Hello, everyone. I have something to tell you.” 

* * *

~*~*~*~

* * *

[the end]

* * *

the president and the troublemaker (part 13)

“I’m a professional fighter,” Lumine said to Venti. 

Venti stared at her for a long second, before slowly raising one of his brows. “What are you talking about, LuLu?” 

She bit her lip. “You know, like the UFC. That’s my job. I’m a MMA fighter.” 

Again, Venti stared at her, then glanced between her and the unconscious men on the floor. 

Lumine braced herself for him to laugh, to ridicule her, or even shy away in fear—how terrifying it was that she was powerful enough to do all that and even more. He would be disappointed, a bright student like her getting involved with the activities of delinquents. 

“That’s…,” Venti started. Then, he went to Lumine, grabbing her hands, eyes bright. “So cool!”

Lumine looked at him, silent with shock. 

“Wow, I would have never guessed!” he went on. “But I should have known. You’ve always been so strong.” 

“So you’re not...disappointed?” she asked. 

“Of course not. I would never be disappointed in you,” he said, giving her a soft smile. 

Lumine’s eyes stung. From relief? From gratefulness? “Thank you, Venti.” 

His smile widened. “Just wait until everyone at school hears about this! They’re gonna think you’re so cool, and you’re gonna get so popular, and—”

Lumine pulled her hand away from his, a trembling panic overtaking her nerves. “Venti, no one can find out about this,” she blurted. 

His brows furrowed. “Why not? You should be proud of what you do.”

Lumine stood in silence, ruminating. Proud of what I do? 

Venti started reaching out towards her when there was an audible THUMP from the ground. 

Childe stood from where he had hit one of the men on the floor. “He was waking up,” he said after taking in Venti and Lumine’s worried looks. “We should leave now.” 

Lumine let her gaze linger on Venti—his brows furrowed from either confusion or frustration or both—before turning to Childe. 

“Yeah…let’s go back the way we came and try to backtrack,” she suggested. She and Childe started to make their way back.

Venti didn’t budge. “How does Childe know?” 

“What?” Lumine answered. 

“You said you don’t want anyone to know.” His teal green eyes narrowed, ever so slightly, at Childe. “So he’s an exception?” 

“He found out on his own,” Lumine said. Why is he doing this right now? We need to go—

“And I’m her coach,” Childe said, crossing his arms. There was the tiniest curve of a smile on his lips.

Venti let out a meek laugh. “He’s your coach? So do you spend a lot of time together?” 

She threw a glare at Childe. “Yes—Well, I don’t know. I guess.” She shook her head. “This isn’t the time to be talking about this. Let’s go.” She marched off without another word.

As she walked back the direction they came from, she heard the two boys footsteps behind her. She kept her pace up, however, not wanting to speak to either of them at the moment. Any time either of them entered her peripheral vision, she sped up away from them. Stupid boys and their stupid jealously. 

Eventually, after trying to navigate the twists and turns of the alleyways, the group had somehow ended up in a completely new location. 

Lumine first noticed when the scent of salty sea waves hit her nose. Then, was the shuddering of ocean waves lapping against the shore line, and the groaning of metal ships floating in the water.

“Looks like we’re at a dock,” Childe remarked. 

“How did we even get here?” Venti wondered. 

Lumine rubbed at her forehead. “How do we get out?”

The three of them stood silently, thinking, watching as a group of fishermen unloaded from a large docked ship, and funneled into a nearby building—tall and silvery sleek. 

Childe murmured something to himself before heading towards the building himself. “Follow me,” he said to Lumine and Venti. 

The two shared a questioning look, before following Childe forward. 

They all entered the building, finding themselves in a large lobby, business men and women scooting past. Childe instructed Venti and Lumine to wait in the corner as he went alone to approach the receptionist. 

Lumine watched curiously as the receptionist looked at Childe, a mix of wary and annoyance. Childe started saying something to the lady, his face lifted in confidence. The longer he went on, the receptionist’s expression shifted to disbelief, slowly picking up the telephone and making a call. 

The receptionist kept her eyes on Childe while talking on the phone, with Childe smiling right back at her. As the phone call went on, her face stretched into shock, eventually handing the phone right to Childe with wide eyes. 

Lumine furrowed her brows as Childe took the phone, turning away so she no longer saw his face. What in the world is he doing?

When he finished his conversation, Childe turned back to the receptionist, but kept hold on the phone. He gestured to Lumine, and after a nod from the receptionist, he waved her over. 

Lumine awkwardly walked up to the desk, ignoring Venti’s whispered questions behind her. Upon reaching Childe, he held out the phone to her. 

“All yours,” he said. There was something in his expression Lumine hadn’t quite seen before—a sheepishness of sorts, a humbled look that didn’t seem possible for him. 

She hesitantly took the phone, eyes looking to the receptionist who placed the receiver towards her with a smile—much different than her initial standoffish disposition. 

Lumine looked down at the keypad, her fingers already pressing the only number she could remember in the moment. The phone barely rang once before someone immediately picked up.

“Hello?” Aether’s panicked voice crackled on the other end. 

Lumine let out a shaky sigh of relief. “Aether, it’s me—”

“LUMINE!” he interrupted. “Are you okay? Where are you?” 

The slew of Aether’s worried questions bombarded her ear, and she almost laughed. “I’m fine,” she enunciated over his questioning. “I’m safe here with Childe. And Venti.”

“God, you two…,” Aether murmured. “Where are you?”

“Where are we?” Lumine repeated, looking up at the receptionist. The lady quickly pulled out a business card, the address of the building clearly printed; Lumine repeated the address to Aether. “We wound up here because I chased after some asshole who stole all our stuff.” 

There was shuffling on Aether’s end, and she heard him talking to someone in the background. The line crinkled as he returned to the phone. “Okay, I just told Miss Ninguang,” he said. “She wants to talk to you.” 

Lumine swallowed the lump in her throat. The school principal. Oh, I’m definitely in trouble… 

“Miss Lumine?” Ninguang asked. 

“Yes, hello, Miss Ninguang,” Lumine answered. “I am so sorry for the inconvenience; I—”

“Please, do not worry yourself,” Ninguang said, her voice reassuringly mellow. “I am just glad to hear you and your friends are safe.” A chuckle. “We were really quite besides ourselves at your disappearance.” 

Lumine nearly cried in relief. “We-We’re not in trouble?”

“Of course not,” the principal said. “We just want to make sure to get you back safely.” 

“Thank you. Thank you, Miss Ninguang.” 

There was a pause, and Lumine could imagine Ninguang’s small smile. “Now, for the safety of everyone, we’ll meet back up in the morning. For now, it would be best for everyone to rest for the night.”

The night? Lumine glanced out of the large office windows, and blinked at the darkened sky in disbelief. Have we really been lost that long?! 

“From the address Aether gave me, there should be an inn within walking distance from where the three of you are. Stay there for the night, and we will be there to pick you up in the morning.” 

“Stay in the inn for the night? Miss Ninguang, I’m so sorry, but all of our money was stolen—”

“Do not worry. We will call them and make the reservation for you. Please, just rest up. I am sure it has been a stressful day for you.” 

“Th-Thank you, Miss Ninguang.” 

“I trust you. Stay safe.” Then, the line clicked off. 

Lumine slowly handed the phone back to the receptionist, legs shaky from the relief flooding her body. Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel… 

“Well?” Childe asked. “What’s the plan?”

Lumine relayed the information about the nearby inn. 

“Will you be needing a car ride there, Mister Ajax?” the receptionist asked Childe. 

Lumine’s eyes flashed to him. Ajax?

“No, thank you,” he quickly said. “We’d better get going now.” He sauntered away from the desk.

Lumine jogged up to him. “Ajax?” she questioned. 

She saw his body lock up. “It’s nothing,” he said.

A scoff. “Obviously not. How did you—”

“What’s going on?” Venti asked, skipping over to them. He looked over at the receptionist desk. “What was that all about?”   

“We’ve got rooms at a nearby inn thanks to Lady Ninguang,” Childe said. “Let’s get there quickly before the night gets even darker.” He rushed out of the building. 

Venti shot Lumine a confused look. “Uh, what’s wrong with him?”

“Who knows?” Lumine muttered. 

Childe had always been very straightforward with her, rarely hiding any secrets. 

So why was he hiding something now?

* * *

The inn—Wangshu Inn—was a quaint wooden building lit up with glowing lanterns and paintings plastered along the walls. The lobby and outdoor restaurant had a few groups strewn about, a diverse grouping of travelers. Thankfully, Lumine, Childe, and Venti didn’t look too out of place. 

The three approached the lady at the front desk, a woman named Verr Goldet, with Lumine asking about their reservation. 

“Yes, we just received that phone call about your situation,” she said kindly. “We have the last two rooms ready for you.” 

“Oh,” Lumine uttered. She had assumed there would be three rooms, one for each of them. “I guess Venti and Childe can share a room—”

“I am not sharing a room with him,” Childe said. 

“Ehe, I wasn’t going to say anything, but I will not be sharing a room with the likes of him either,” Venti retorted. 

“Oh, I am so sorry,” Verr Goldet interrupted. “I didn’t realize there are three of you! The last two rooms are single bed only.” 

Lumine’s jaw barely had time to drop before Venti was pulling on her arm. “Let’s have a sleepover like when we were younger, LuLu! We can build forts, watch movies—”

Childe’s hand slid down Lumine’s arm, shoving’s Venti’s hands away. “The only way that’s happening is in your dreams, buddy.”

Lumine shrugged off both of the boys, leaning in towards Verr Goldet. “There are absolutely no other rooms available?” Any combination of the three of them would surely result in a dead body in the morning. 

Verr Goldet started typing away at her computer. “I’ll double check for you!” 

The sound of Childe and Venti hissing insults at each other made Lumine snap around. “Just. Go to the rooms. I will figure where I’m staying for the night. Alone,” she said definitively, pulling the two keys off the counter and holding them out in front of her. 

There was a pause as the two of them stared at the keys. Childe was the first to grab one. 

“Guess this is goodnight then,” he said. He pressed a swift kiss to Lumine’s forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning, Lumi.” Just as quickly, he left, disappearing into the elevator, leaving Lumine’s forehead (along with the rest of her face) to melt with boiling heat. 

Before she had time to process that, Venti’s cheeks puffed, and he planted a kiss on the side of Lumine’s face. “Goodnight, LuLu. If you still want to pig out on junk food, you know where to find me,” he said, jingling his room key. He quickly disappeared into the elevator as well.

Stupid boys. Stupid boys. Stupid boys. Lumine’s mind buzzed. And who was causing this sensation? 

“I am so sorry, ma’am,” Verr Goldet said, bringing Lumine back to reality. “On such short notice we truly gave you the last two rooms.” She clicked around on the computer a little more. “I can find another inn for you to stay at if you’d like.”

Lumine took a deep breath in. Her body was already feeling weighty with fatigue, and she didn’t want to complicate the situation even more. “No, that’s alright. I’ll just...stay in one of the rooms.” 

Verr Goldet nodded. “Which room would you like a key to?”

* * * 

Standing outside the door, Lumine suddenly felt a pang of anxiety burn in her gut. Was she really about to do this? Was it a completely idiotic choice of hers? It wasn’t too late: she could turn right back around and take Verr Goldet’s offer of staying at a separate inn. 

But it wasn’t like she could avoid this choice forever, lest the two boys kept fighting for eternity.

And this was the right choice. She knew it in her heart, no matter how much pain it would cause the other one. She cared for them both, deeply. But in different ways. One as a good friend, the other...something more. 

She started to push the key into the lock, but stopped herself as images of her walking in someone changing brought blood rushing to her head. 

She cleared her throat and knocked on the door instead. 

Seconds passed, and Lumine’s heartbeat picked up, just a bit. Was it anticipation? 

The door opened, and Childe stood there, fully clothed, thankfully. 

He stared at her in silence, as if in disbelief, not sure if she was really there. 

“Move,” was all Lumine could say, feeling heat creep up her spine.

He blinked, and stood to the side, still silent. Lumine stepped through the doorway, moving her way to the corner of the room, and plopping herself on the armchair. Wordlessly, she yanked a blanket from the bed, and wrapped herself in it, then closing her eyes. 

Maybe neither of them would speak. Maybe it would make the situation more bearable. Childe, please, don’t say anything—

“Take the bed,” he said, pulling the blanket off of her. “I’m not having you sleep in an armchair for the night.” 

She tried pulling the blanket back. “It’s fine. You take the bed.” 

A tsk. “Why are you always so difficult?” 

“I am not diff—”

Childe picked her up from the waist, tossing her on the bed. Then he tossed the blanket on top of her. “There. Just sleep now.” 

Her chest fluttered as her breath shortened under the blanket. “And you say I’m the difficult one,” she grumbled. She kept the blanket over her face for as long as she could, not wanting to make eye contact with Childe. 

After a while, she peeled it off for air, and couldn’t help but glance over to the armchair where Childe was sitting, eyes closed. It was obvious he was uncomfortable, his lanky legs crossed awkwardly, and his neck looking oddly stiff. 

Lumine let out a disgruntled groan, and turned on her side so her back was to Childe. “Sleep in the bed before you break your neck in your sleep,” she said. “Just...stay on your side.” 

A long pause. Lumine thought he had fallen asleep. 

“Are you sure about that, Lumi?” he asked. 

“Do it before I change my mind and make you sleep in the bathtub instead.” 

He chuckled lightly. The bed weighed down as he climbed on. Lumine glanced over her shoulder, finding Childe’s back turned to her. 

“I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to do, Lumi,” he said, as if sensing her eyes on his back. 

She quickly turned her head back, heat flushing into her cheeks. “Good. Because I’d beat you up.”

“I know you would.” 

They laid there in silence, in the dark for a while, backs to each other. 

Lumine couldn’t fall asleep. And she was sure Childe couldn’t either. 

“Why’d that lady call you Ajax?” Lumine asked quietly. 

“Curious about me? I’m flattered.” 

“Nevermind. Goodnight.” 

“It’s my birth name,” he said. “And that place is actually owned by my father.” 

Images of his luxurious mansion flashed in Lumine’s mind. 

“That entire dock, actually, is mostly his. He, uh, runs a very big fishing company. Very famous. Very rich.” 

“Oh,” was all Lumine could utter. That amount of wealth was something she could only dream about. “And you don’t tell anyone because...?”

“We all have our secrets, don’t we, Pres?” he reminded. “People are greedy. If anyone truly knew who I was, all I’d ever be used for is my money.” 

“That’s...very true,” she responded. How...sad. “Is there a reason why you’re not at some big fancy boarding school then?” 

Childe laughed. “Can you imagine me in that kind of environment? I’m not interested in that at all.” 

The bed shifted as Childe moved around. Lumine glanced over her shoulder again, finding Childe laying on his back, eyes open and staring at the ceiling.

“Besides,” he continued. “If I had gone to one of those schools, I wouldn’t have met you.”

Lumine turned onto her back as well. “You would’ve met me anyways,” she murmured. “You ran into me at the arena, remember?” 

“You think so?”

“Our paths would’ve crossed eventually...right?” 

A beat of silence. Fluttering of breaths. 

“Do you regret meeting me?” 

Something about his words, the way he said them, made Lumine’s entire body seize up. It was almost the quietest she had ever heard Childe speak, the tiniest tinge of fear, like his heart had hissed it out before he even really knew what he was saying. 

“No,” she answered, just as quiet, her heart responding to his. 

Another slight pause. Then a small exhale from Childe, breath lilting in a soft laugh. 

“You know. It’s been quite a lonely existence. Before you,” he said. 

Lumine looked over at him. His hand was resting on his chest—right where that huge scar was. 

It was rare to see him so vulnerable, and her to be just as such. Her past self wouldn’t have been able to fathom this happening with Childe of all people.

But just like she said, she didn’t regret it. 

He understood her, better than herself sometimes. And there wasn’t anyone in Childe’s life who came close to knowing who he really was. They both wore facades of sorts, but not around each other. Not anymore. 

Her hand started reaching out without thought. It was the right thing to do, to comfort him, to connect with him. 

Lumine’s hand sat atop Childe’s. “You’re not so lonely anymore, right?”

She felt his hand flex under hers, hesitant. Then, he relaxed, and his fingers intertwined with hers. “Of course not.” 

The warmth from their hold sparked something in her. The warmth of a promise she had made.

She finally turned onto her side, completely facing him. “Did I do it?” Her amber eyes met with his. “Did I save you?” 

He stared at her, gaze lost in gaze. He smiled, small, but real, genuine, from the heart. “Yes.” He brought her hand to his lips, lips brushing over her knuckles. “You saved me, Lumine.” 

She stared at him, wide-eyed with anticipation, heart beating in a frenzy. She swore her chest was going to burst. 

“I love you,” she said. 

…

Childe was frozen, speechless for once.

He’s surprised. He was never surprised. He was always so calm and collected. 

Should I have even said it? No, she had to. She was going to explode otherwise.

“Lumi, are you serious—”

“Yes, I’m serious. I can’t explain it; I just do and I know it sounds crazy, but you—”

He pulled her close and kissed her. 

He kissed her, and this time, she kissed him back. 

* * *

* * * 

the president and the troublemaker (part 12)

“The winner gets to go on a date with Lumine,” Venti said.

“Sounds like a deal,” Childe agreed. 

“Hold on!” Lumine interjected sternly. “I haven’t agreed to any of this.” 

Venti and Childe both turned towards her—Venti much more scared, embarrassed, Childe much more amused, inquisitive. 

“I’m not going to be fought over like some stupid carnival prize,” Lumine seethed. 

“Ah...sorry, LuLu…,” Venti said quietly. 

Childe regarded Lumine for a second. “Okay,” he said, turning to Venti. “How about just a regular competition then? No prize.” His blue eyes glinted. “Except pride of course.” 

Lumine rubbed at her growing headache. Why is he so dramatic? “You two do whatever you want. Just don’t make me a part of it,” she told them, sitting down on a nearby bench to spectate. 

Venti also glanced at Lumine, before nodding to Childe. “Okay. Pride it is.” 

“Highest score after...six arrows?” Childe suggested, examining one of the arrows. 

Venti nocked an arrow on the bowstring. “How about only three?” 

Childe scoffed. “Getting a little confident, are we?” 

The bard drew back his arrow, and fired. The arrow sliced through the air, implanting into one of the gold rings on the target—the ring just outside the bullseye. 

“I’m not confident without reason,” Venti said with an all-knowing laugh. 

Childe looked at Venti’s score, a slight twitch of a smile on his lips. “Not bad. A challenge—I like it.” 

“Childe,” Lumine said, brows furrowed, “since when did you do archery?” 

“Since never,” he answered, nocking an arrow, then drawing it back. Even with no knowledge of archery, Lumine could tell his posture was all wrong, the tilt of the bow too slouched—compared to Venti’s refined stance. 

“There’s always a good time to start,” Childe finished. He fired the arrow, the arrow landing in the black ring near the edge. Venti held back a snort, and Lumine’s eyes flickered to Childe’s face. 

His eyes were slightly narrowed, focused on the arrow. She expected them to be void of light, as they were when he was deeply serious, however there was a sharp glint now—the promise of struggle. 

She knew he loved competitions (why else would he be pursuing the same career as her?) but he hated anything that came too easily. He found solace in turmoil. He found solace in coming out on top after a dark, bloody battle. 

“How about we call this a practice round?” Venti said with a cheeky grin. 

A smile from Childe while his eyes remained unmoving. “Where’s the fun in that?” He turned to Venti. “Your turn.” 

The bard blinked warily at him a few times, before prepping for his second shot. This time, the arrow landed further from the center, planted into the middle blue zone. 

“Drats,” the blue-hair boy hissed. 

Instantaneously, Childe fired his second arrow, finding it in the same blue zone. He tilted his head, shifting the bow around in his hands, inspecting it. 

“Your turn,” Childe said again, still examining the bow in his hands. 

Venti wordlessly raised his bow, one eye closed for precise aiming. He took longer lining up this final arrow.

Is he actually worried Childe’s going to beat him? Lumine wondered. There was no way, right? Venti had training while this was Childe’s first time handling the weapon. 

Venti fired the arrow, completely still as they all watched it soar through the air. 

It landed in the blue. 

He let out a sheepish laugh. “Seems like I’m a bit rusty,” he said. After a moment, he shook his head, setting the bow down. “No worries, LuLu. Childe has no way of beating me,” he whispered to her. 

She nodded; that’s what was expected, wasn’t it? Then why do I feel disappointed?

Childe stepped up to the line, bow and final arrow in hand, rolling his shoulder. Then, he threw the arrow at the target. 

He threw the arrow at the target. No bow used. Just his hands. Like a javelin. 

Venti and Lumine’s eyes widened as the arrow slammed into the gold circle—the same gold circle Venti had hit earlier. 

Childe looked at the board briefly, an obvious look of pride on his face as he turned back towards the two. 

“What do you think of that, Pres?” he asked. 

Lumine huffed and rolled her eyes. “Very impressive,” she said sarcastically. “Only you would think of doing something like that.” 

“I must say,” Venti said, “Though unorthodox, you picked it up quite quickly.” He smiled and held out his hand. “A good game, sir!” 

Childe raised a brow, a tiny smile at his lips as well. “Good game,” he echoed, accepting the handshake. 

Well, that went better than expected. Honestly, she had expected Childe to sock Venti in the face, and she was glad this was the outcome instead.  

“How about another game?” Venti suggested. 

“Watch out,” Childe said. “You might end up being the loser next round.”

“At least I wasn’t the loser this round,” Venti retorted with a stuck-out tongue. 

Lumine sighed. And there they were, back to bickering. “I need to check the time. We’ve got to get back to the bus at some point,” she told them, standing up to head back to the lockers. 

She stopped in her tracks. 

Even from across the arcade, she could see a man pulling out her white messenger bag from her locker. And he already had Childe’s and Venti’s belongings under his arm. 

Without a second thought, Lumine lunged, sprinting across the building. 

“Wait, LuLu! Where are you going?!” Venti shouted behind her. 

At the sound of Venti’s yelling, the thief’s head snapped up, and he immediately noticed Lumine running at him. His eyes widened, and he booked it out of the arcade with all their belongings, and disappeared from sight. 

Lumine made it to the front of the building, stopping to look down the streets for a sign of the thief. 

Behind her, she heard Childe and Venti catch up, panting. 

“What’s wrong?” Childe asked. 

“Thief,” she spat. “Took all our stuff.” Her eyes scanned the streets.

A flash of white in an alleyway. Her bag. 

Without a word, she dashed towards the alley, Childe and Venti following her lead. 

Turning into the alley, she saw the thief, still running. The thief had slowed down, just a bit, but seeing the three students barreling towards him, he picked up speed, turning a corner down another narrow alley. 

He led them through a maze of narrow alleyways, crossing them through street after street. 

Lumine’s lungs were on fire, as were her legs—every alarm in her body screaming to stop—but she needed to catch that thief. Her hearing was all tuned out, save for the pulsating rush of blood in her ears, and her eyes tunneled in on the thief. I have to catch him. I have to catch him. Ihavetocatch—

Someone grabbed her arm from behind, yanking her to a stop. 

!!!

With the adrenaline coursing through her veins, she immediately used the momentum to swing around, leading with a powerful punch. 

Childe easily deflected her punch with his forearm, and—before she could try to kick—he swept his own leg under hers, knocking her off her feet. 

She felt like she was falling backwards in slow motion, watching panickedly as Childe let go of her arms. Her mind was bewildered at the notion that Childe would purposefully let her fall like this—he had always saved her so what was he doing?

But then he scooped his arms under her, catching her in a princess carry, one knee on the ground. 

The air rushed from Lumine’s lungs, and she let out hoarsely, “Why did you do that?” 

There was a slight frown tugging at his lips. “Lumi, you were about to run into an intersection.”

Lumine blinked, and the world filled in around her. 

The thief had in fact led them to a bustling intersection, and only now did she hear the WHOOSH of speeding cars rush past them. She glanced around; if Childe hadn’t stopped her on the sidewalk where they were, she would’ve run straight into oncoming traffic. 

“You didn’t have to do all this,” Lumine grumbled, climbing out of his hold. 

“You didn’t have to punch me,” he replied, one hand still on the small of her back. 

Venti jogged up to them from the alley, out of breath. “Wha-Why are we stopped?” he managed to get out. 

“Unless you want to become roadkill, the chase ends here,” Childe said, pointing at the street. 

Lumine bit the side of her cheek, eyes still searching the area for any sign of the thief. There was nothing. 

“Uhm, quick question guys,” Venti said. “Where are we exactly?” 

The three of them looked around. 

The area was completely unrecognizable. In their desperate chase, the thief had led them far away from where they had started, with no way of knowing how to get back. 

Lumine cursed. “Did any of you keep your phones or wallets on you?” The two guys shook their heads, and Lumine let out a frustrated groan. “How are we going to get back?” 

“We could ask around for help?” Venti suggested. 

“Not going to happen, unless you know how to speak Chinese,” Childe countered. 

“It’s worth a shot,” Lumine said with a sigh. She started walking down the sidewalk, looking for any passing civilian or store. 

They seemed to be in a more residential area, more run-down than modern. It definitely looks like a sketchy part of town...

After some time, they reached a small stretch of commercial buildings. However, the buildings were even more run-down than the previous houses, and dark figures were huddled around the vicinity. 

A group of three men stood outside of a rusty pharmacy, eyeing the students as they approached. They all donned a sort of bandana masking their faces, and arm guards wrapped their wrists. A treacherous aura surrounded them. 

Maybe we shouldn’t ask here…, Lumine thought. Before she could turn them all around, Venti stepped forward towards the men.  

“Hello, gentlemen! Could you guys show us the way to the Stone Gate?” he said, completely oblivious of the situation. 

The men looked at each other, and the tallest one with a sleeveless blue vest, stepped forward. “Are you kids lost?” he asked. 

“Oh, Archons! You fellas speak English!” Venti cheered. “Yes, we got separated from our school field trip.” 

Lumine glanced at the other two men, hearing a whisper of, “Look at their school uniforms. They must be rich.” 

She looked over at Childe. He was also assessing the group, and she noticed him subtly stretching. He was preparing for something.

Childe looked at Lumine, and she nodded at him, already reading his expression. He nodded back at her, turning to the group. 

The two men in the back were obviously beginning to size up the three of them, while the leader was still speaking with Venti, stalling. 

Venti...always too trusting of people. 

“So, you kids are on a school trip?” the leader asked. “Long way from home, right? You bring a lot of cash with you?”

Venti sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. “Oh, yeah, I guess. But funny thing is—”

The man pulled out a knife. “Okay, so here’s what you all are going to do. You’re going to give us anything of value on you, and we will send you on your way to the Stone Gate...unharmed.” 

The two other men pulled out weapons as well, one with a sharp broken bottle, the other a hammer rusted with dried blood. 

Venti took a step back, gulping audibly. 

“Or,” Childe said, raising his fists. “How about you leave us be, and you escape...unharmed?” 

The men laughed boisterously. “Look at this kid. Trying to be tough—how cute,” one of them mocked. 

“LuLu, we have to run,” Venti whispered to her, eyes darting back the way they came. 

That would have been the sensible option. The men had weapons, they were older, they were crueler. 

But seeing these men reminded her of her painful past, the very past that fueled her through her entire life. Because these men, that thief, were exactly like her father. Putting others in pain while they got off without consequence. 

Not today. 

Lumine raised her fists also, standing alongside Childe. “Last warning,” she said lowly. 

The men burst out in laughter again. “Wow, these kids are funny!” 

“What are you guys doing?!” Venti hissed. 

“Don’t hold back, girlie,” Childe murmured. 

“Never,” she said. “Big one together.”

Childe nodded. 

The two of them crouched. Then, they sprang forward. 

Catching them off-guard, the two of them focused on the leader first. Lumine threw out a high kick, hitting the leader right in his knuckles, while Childe slammed his knee into the man’s gut. 

The man dropped to his knees, his knife clattering to the floor, before his crew even registered what happened. They cried out in surprise, and Lumine kicked the knife far away. Childe applied a swift hit to the back of the leader’s head, registering him unconscious.

Childe and Lumine turned to the two other men. 

“Well?” Lumine asked them. 

“Are you two still up for the challenge?” Childe said.

The one with the bottle growled. “Damn kids need to be put in their place.” He charged at them, the one with a hammer following suit. 

Glass bottle slashed at Lumine. She quickly jumped back, and he jabbed forward towards her. Too slow. She ducked, and he slammed into her shoulder. She then wrapped her arms around his waist, squatting to utilize her lower center of gravity, and easily lifted him with the strength of her legs. She threw him back over her shoulder, letting his head crash into the ground. He went limp in her arms, unconscious just like his boss, and she let his body fall to the floor.

She turned to Childe just in time to see him uppercutting Hammer. Hammer stumbled back, cradling his jaw. But he still lifted his weapon, ready to throw it right at Childe’s head. Lumine started to jump towards him, rushing to disarm the man. 

Then something whistled by her ear, and collided with Hammer’s hand, and the weapon clattered to the floor. A sizable rock fell next to it.

Lumine turned to see Venti holding a similar rock, aiming, and ready to throw. Of course Venti hit with that much precision. 

“There’s more where that came from!” he shouted. 

In Hammer’s stunned state, Childe easily threw a powerful punch at his face, and the last member was knocked unconscious.

The three of them stood still for a second, all panting into the otherwise silent street. 

After a while, Venti’s eyes flickered between Lumine and Childe.

“So…,” he breathed. “You two...want to explain what just happened?”

Lumine’s own breath hitched as the realization dawned on her. 

Venti had just witnessed her fighting. Her secret side. Shitshitshit—

“You can do crazy things when your body is pumped full of adrenaline,” Childe said, massaging his hand. 

She nodded, eyes sending a silent Thank You to Childe. “I needed to protect you, Venti,” she said. “My body just went on auto-pilot I guess.” 

Venti dropped the rock in his hands, a frown now visible. “No...that looked...coordinated. Trained. Not just some random street moves.” 

Lumine swallowed the lump in her throat. She glanced at Childe, who was only silently observing her now. 

She knew what Childe was doing. He was watching to see what she was going to do. Was she going to lie to her dear childhood friend? Or was this childhood friend so precious that she couldn’t do that? 

Venti devoted so much of himself to her—he loved her. He was always that shining beacon of optimism for her. He believed in her. 

She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t lie to him. 

Lumine stood up straight, looking Venti in the eyes. 

“I’m a professional fighter.”

* * *

* * *

the president and the troublemaker (part 11)

Lumine felt like a mountain had been lifted off her shoulders the second she saw the large charter buses pull up to the school. The class trip to Liyue was moments from starting.

Amber let out a huge yawn next to her. “Finally, the hard part is over,” she said. “Time to relax.”

Noelle handed each of the girls a paper coffee cup. “I hear Liyue is a beautiful city.” 

Lumine took a grateful sip of her drink, the early morning air crisp in her senses. It was tranquil: the low purr of the vehicles with the muted murmur of the students loading into the buses was almost pleasant enough to put her back to sleep. 

It had been a stressful (sleepless) few nights leading up to today. Lumine was thankful the bus ride was long enough for her to catch up on some much needed rest. 

“LuLu~!” 

Lumine started to turn around. “Hello, Venti—”

Immediately, the bard hugged her with a giggle. “So, where are we sitting?” 

She peeled him off with a raised brow. “You can sit anywhere you want. I’ve got to sit near the front.” 

A cheeky grin. “Then I shall sit at the front as well!” He pulled his ukulele out. “Let’s write a song together!” 

Lumine found herself smiling at Venti. His cheerful disposition definitely put her more at ease, his joy contagious. “Okay, sure,” she agreed. 

“Will Aether be joining us?” Venti asked. 

Lumine shook her head. “All the council members have their own bus to help supervise. He’s with Mr. Zhongli.” She pointed at a few buses over, where Aether waved back at them. 

Venti had gone home with her one day, playing catch up with both her and her brother. Initially, Lumine had been very wary of Venti. But as they recalled old memories together late into the night, she warmed up to him, now remembering their long forgotten bond (though she was still getting used to his...clinginess. And of course the fact he kept reiterating how much he loved her.).

He reminded her of happier times, times when the stress of the world hadn’t been placed on her just yet, and all they had to worry about was what game to play next. 

“LuLu, come on!” Venti said, pulling her onto the bus. He started settling into the seat next to Lumine as the rest of the bus filled up. Lumine settled her belongings as well, in addition to checking off her list of students on the bus, ensuring no student was left behind. 

Just as her finger traced over Childe’s name, there was a loud commotion coming up the stairs. 

“Let go of me, please!” Bennett’s voice. “What did I do wrong?” 

Childe sauntered onto the bus, hand gripping Bennett’s collar and dragging the poor council reporter down the aisle.

Lumine immediately stepped into the aisle, face furrowed. “What the hell are you doing, Childe?” She pried Childe’s hands off Bennett. 

“Making friends,” the tall ginger replied.

Bennett stopped rubbing at his neck, and looked up at Childe, eyes glistening. “Wait, really?” 

“Bennett, go back to your bus,” Lumine ordered. After her reporter dashed off the bus, she turned back to Childe, waiting for an answer. 

He shrugged. “I told you, I was making friends.” A tilt of the head, eyes flickering to Venti. “Too long of a bus ride to spend alone.” 

Lumine glared at him. “Just go find a seat, Childe. You’re one of the last students to arrive.” 

Childe’s eyes lingered on her for a second, before turning around, and making his way to the back of the bus. Lumine only sat back down when she saw him disappear into the seats. She let out a loud sigh. 

“Wow,” Venti said. “He certainly keeps your hands full.”

Lumine gave a strained laugh. “You don’t know the half of it.” She closed her eyes, leaning into her chair and relaxing—

BAM!

Shouts erupted from the back of the bus. 

The muscles in Lumine’s jaw clenched as she slowly opened her eyes and stood up, attention zeroing in on noise. And just as she thought, Childe stood in the aisle, his hands balled into fists, towering over a student on the ground. When he noticed her looking, he smiled. 

Marching to the back, she ignored Childe as she helped the student on the ground, blood seeping through his fingers as he cradled his nose, groaning in pain. 

“Oh my!” a different student exclaimed behind her. Lumine recognized her as Barbara, leader of the music club and occasional volunteer at the nurse’s office. Thank god. 

“Can you help take care of him?” Lumine asked quickly. 

Barbara nodded, gently helping Lumine carry the student to a nearby seat. 

Lumine turned and glared at Childe. “Making friends again?” 

He shrugged, still smiling, and wiped the blood off his knuckles. 

Lumine groaned, rubbing her forehead. “Just...You’re going to sit at the front. With me. So I can make sure you don’t cause anymore trouble.” She shuffled to the front of the bus, Childe in tow behind her. 

“So, what was going on…,” Venti started, sentence trailing off as his gaze landed on Childe. A twitch of a smile. “Aha, him again?”

“Yes,” Lumine said with a sigh. “I’m sorry, Venti; we’ll have to sit together on the way back or something. I’ve got to keep an eye on him.” 

Her friend gave a small smile, a nod of understanding, before scooting out of the seat. As his arm brushed past Childe’s, he stopped and looked at the tall troublemaker, opening his mouth to say something, then closed it. 

“See you later, LuLu,” Venti ended up saying, a sadden edge to his voice. He made his way to the back where Childe’s original seat was. Part of Lumine panged at seeing her friend upset. 

“Well, LuLu?” Childe said, already sitting near the window, legs crossed, head resting on his hands. “Are you going to sit down?”

“So sorry I’m late, dearies!” their faculty chaperone, Lisa—the school’s librarian—said as she walked onto the bus. She smiled at Lumine. “Ah, President Lumine! I trust you’ve accounted for all the students on our bus?”

“Yes, Ms. Lisa,” Lumine responded. “We’re good to go whenever.” 

Lisa nodded, leaning over to tell the bus driver, then plopping herself in the very first row, a few rows ahead of Lumine’s seat. The front of the bus was nearly vacant, with only Lumine, Childe, and Lisa sitting there; the rest of the students congregated towards the middle and back.

The doors to the bus hissed closed, and Lumine finally sat down, facing forward, head turned very obviously away from Childe. 

“Aw, are you mad at me, LuLu?” Childe asked. 

“Don’t call me that.” 

“Oh, but Venti can?” 

“Why did you hit that student?” Lumine crossed her arms as the bus jolted forward. “You were doing good for so long.” 

“So you only like me when I behave?”

“You are acting up way more than usual today. Is someone a little cranky?” Lumine mocked. 

“You look like the cranky one,” Childe said, swiping at the bags under her eyes. 

Lumine pushed his hand away. “I told you. It’s been a busy, stressful time for the council.”

“Well the trip is finally happening, so you can relax now,” he said. “Take a nap, we’ve got a long drive ahead, don’t we?”

Lumine slammed her eyes shut and turned her head away from Childe. “Yes, I was hoping for a quiet, pleasant bus ride to catch up on sleep, then someone decided to start a fight.”

“Had to, Pres. Couldn’t let the new kid sit next to you.” Then, his hand was on the side of her head, and he pulled her head to rest on his shoulder. “Sleep,” he whispered. “I promise I won’t cause any more trouble, okay?”

“What’s wrong with Venti?” Lumine said, heat creeping from Childe’s shoulder to her temple. She didn’t move, however, her body feeling heavier with exhaustion—and Childe made an alright pillow.

Childe gently smoothed out her hair from where his hand still resided. “He loves you.” 

“So do you,” Lumine grumbled, eyes fluttering closed. So tired...

“And that’s the problem, now isn’t it?” Childe muttered. “That makes him my rival.” 

“Don’t be stupid.” “Oh? And whose shoulder would you be sleeping on if I hadn’t gotten in trouble?”

So he’s...jealous? Lumine started to sit up. “You punched that kid just so you could sit next to me?”

Childe pulled her back. “You should sleep before you get sick. Remember how we first met?”

Lumine hummed out a response, eyelids feeling heavier than ever, adjusting her head on Childe’s shoulder without even thinking about it. 

As the sounds of the bus started to drown out of Lumine’s hearing, she felt Childe rest his head atop hers, his cheek pressed against the top of her head. His hand on her head thumbed circles in her hair, while he took his other hand and slipped his fingers through hers. It was a comforting, warm, caring touch—safe.

And she fell asleep in no time. 

* * *

Lumine groggily opened her eyes, moving to stretch her sore muscles. She tried stretching her arms upwards, but realized her fingers were still intertwined with Childe’s. She glanced over at him. 

He was asleep, head leaning against the window. It felt odd to see him like this—so still and quiet. His face was slightly furrowed, as if he was dreaming about something mildly unpleasant. 

His body did look quite uncomfortable, sleeping upright like that, and Lumine felt the cricks in her neck and back from sleeping similarly. It’s probably worse since he’s taller...

Lumine let out a huff of embarrassment as she moved his head to rest on her lap. He immediately adjusted a bit, then visibly relaxed.

Lumine couldn’t help but smile a bit, at him looking so...vulnerable. Usually he was so puffed up with his strength and ego; it was cute to see him sound asleep. 

Her hand moved to soothe out his hair. It was much softer than she had expected, like a cat or fox’s fur, and she found herself running her hand through his hair repeatedly. Each time, his face seemingly relaxed. 

It’s nice. This is...nice. 

The moment didn’t last too long, the bus halting to a stop shortly after. Glancing out the window, Lumine saw they had pulled into a city on the outskirts of Liyue for their lunch stop. 

As she heard the students on the bus starting to gather their things, moving to exit the bus, a small panic formed in Lumine’s gut. She still had Childe in her lap. 

She quickly lifted his head up, pushing him off of her, perhaps a little too forcefully. His limp body smacked against the window with a THUNK! 

Childe jolted awake as Lumine clasped a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh. He squinted at her through bleary eyes while rubbing at the side of his head. 

“Did you just hit me?” he asked, confused.

“No. Yes. Sorry, it was an accident,” she answered, still trying to hold back her laughter.

He blinked at her, then reached over, pinching the sides of her face and pulled at her cheeks. “Is this you wanting to start a fight?” He laughed. “I’d be happy to oblige; we never did finish our fight at the beach, did we?” 

“I’d win for sure,” Lumine managed to get out as she tried prying his hands from her cheeks. 

Suddenly, a ukulele descended into her view. She looked up and saw Venti standing behind her, in the aisle, holding the ukulele between her and Childe. 

“LuLu, is this guy giving you trouble?” Venti asked, a fake smile plastered on his face. “I’d be happy to bash a few strings over his head if you want.” 

Childe let go of Lumine’s face, an equally fake smile spreading on his lips. “I’d like to see you try.” 

“Okay!” Lumine interjected, standing up abruptly, and joining Venti in the aisle. “Let’s go eat.” 

“Okay!” Venti echoed, the hostility disappearing from his voice. He took hold of Lumine’s hand, and pulled her towards the exit. “C’mon, LuLu; we’re the last ones off the bus!” 

Before they moved too far, however, Childe clamped a hand down on Lumine’s shoulder, halting them in place. 

“Now, now, Pres—don’t forget your responsibilities,” Childe said, his faux smile still in place. “You’ve got to keep an eye on me, remember? Otherwise, who knows what trouble I’ll stir up?” 

Ah, shit. Lumine bit the side of her cheek, thinking of another innocent student’s bloody nose. “He’s right, Venti,” she said. “I’ve got to keep an eye on him for now.” 

“Oh,” Venti uttered. His face stilled. 

There it is again, that expression…, Lumine thought. What was it? Sadness? Yearning?

Lumine lightly squeezed his hand. “Venti—?”

“Well, the more the merrier, right?” he suddenly exclaimed, his usual, bright demeanor returning. 

And just like when they were younger, Lumine felt the need to look after him. Something was bothering him, and she wanted to patch him up—patch him up like the countless skinned knees she treated for him in their childhood. He was always so optimistic, and it was painful to see him otherwise.  

“Yeah,” Lumine agreed softly. “Why don’t you pick where we eat, Venti?” 

The bard nodded, and started pulling her along again, this time his grip tighter than before. As they walked forward, Lumine felt Childe’s hand on her shoulder slip off, and she glanced back at him. 

He was still following her and Venti, though much further behind now, his hands in his pockets, his eyes cast out the windows. 

She remembered, he was jealous of Venti, though she still didn’t completely understand why. Venti was an old friend, and Childe was...entirely in his own category. 

And yet, somehow, stepping towards one of them left the other in pain. 

What am I going to do?

* * *

The city was bustling with life as students roamed around looking for different restaurants to eat at. They had a few hours break for lunch, and the students were free to walk around after eating until it was time to resume the journey to Liyue Harbor. 

Lumine had texted Aether asking where he was, and he (with the rest of the student council) were already eating elsewhere. So, Venti dragged Lumine and Childe far away until they found a small restaurant near an arcade. “So we can have some fun together after eating, LuLu!” he told her. 

Currently, the three of them sat at a circular table, the waitress setting down their food before them—an almond tofu for Venti, Jueyun chili chicken for Childe, and jade parcels for Lumine. 

“My first time trying Liyue cuisine…,” Venti said, taking in a breath of his food’s aroma. “Smells delicious!” 

The sugary sweet scent of his almond tofu wafted towards Lumine, and she smiled. “Even now, you still have a sweet tooth,” she noted.

Venti returned her smile. “Well, of course! Remember that grape juice you always made for me and Aether? Oh, and those apples your mom used to cut up for us! The ones that looked like little bunnies?” he reminisced as he started to eat his tofu.

Lumine snorted slightly, biting in her jade parcels as well. “I don’t know how we never got sick of that horrid grape juice. It was basically just sugar water.”

“You made it—so of course we had to drink it. It was special,” he replied. “Oh, I remember how cute you were, so diligent and hardworking as a kid. You’ve gotten even more cute over the years~!” 

Lumine’s cheeks warmed. “You’re still the same as ever, blowing off classes whenever you feel like it, just to go off and write songs. I remember when—”

Childe’s foot tapped hers.  

“Ah, sorry about that,” he said, his blue eyes gazing directly into Lumine’s. “Don’t mind me.”

Huh? 

She could only hold his gaze for a brief second, before she averted it, finding it too intense. She chose to look down at his food instead—his completely untouched food.

“Why aren’t you eating?” she asked. Was he on a diet for training?

The corner of his lips twitched, and he mustered a smile. “It seems like chopsticks are harder to use than anticipated.” 

…

“Pffft—” Lumine couldn’t stop herself from laughing. 

“Haha, yes, very funny,” Childe said, his voice bordering on sheepishness. “You seem to have no trouble with it.” 

“No trouble at all,” she said, finger wiping at the corners of her eyes. “Look.” 

She scooted closer to him, showing him how she held her chopsticks in her hand. He mimicked her as best he could, but the positioning of his fingers was still a bit off. 

“Here,” Lumine said, setting her own utensils down. She reached over, her hand over Childe’s, moving his fingers to the correct positioning. “Try to pick up some food.” 

She saw his eyes narrow on a piece of chicken, hand steadily moving towards it like a target, concentration straining his face. She almost burst out laughing again. He’s so serious about it…

He slowly picked up the chicken, hovering it in mid-air, face relaxing in triumph. “Look, Lumi, I got it!” 

She raised her eyebrows, a slight smile on her face. “Wow, yeah you—”

“Hey.” 

The two of them stopped and looked at Venti. His eyes were focused on Childe, his cheerfulness nowhere to be found. 

“Do you like Lumine?” he asked Childe. 

Oh no. Lumine opened her mouth, ready to switch to another subject. But then—

“Yes,” Childe answered, his smile gone as well. He set down his chopsticks. “What are you going to do about it?”

Lumine froze, her jaw still open. Disbelief. Disbelief was the only thing running through her mind as she watched Childe and Venti before her, speechless. 

A sharp laugh. “Well, looks like we’ve got ourselves a good old-fashioned love triangle,” Venti said. “You should know I fought really hard to get back here, to Lumine.”

“And you should know I never lose,” Childe retorted. 

Venti grinned. “There’s a first time for everything.” 

Lumine slammed her hand on the table, hand gripping her chopsticks furiously. “How about we all just be quiet and eat?” Were these two idiots starting to fight over her? 

Anger bubbled in her gut, at Childe for revealing more of their secret. She was also angry at Venti for provoking Childe even further. Not to mention the two seemed to ignore her completely as they quipped at each other.

It was also two people she cared about, now at ends with each other. There is no way this is going to end well...

Childe and Venti sent each other a final glare before returning to their lunch, the rest of the time in silence. As soon as everyone was finished and paid for, Lumine left. 

“Let’s get back to the bus,” she said, not wanting Venti and Childe around each other any longer. 

“Wait!” Venti grabbed her hand, pointing down the road. “We still have an hour; let’s go to that arcade! Please?” 

Lumine looked at her phone. What Venti said was true, and what were they going to do on the bus for an hour? 

“Fine,” she conceded with a sigh. 

“Does Childe have to come too?” Venti asked, eyeing the tall ginger as he walked beside them. 

“Yes, I do,” Childe answered loudly. “I’m under Lumine’s watch, remember?” 

“Is he really?” Venti asked.

“Yes,” Lumine said. “If I don’t keep an eye on him, he’ll throw hands with the first person he sees.”

“Hmph. Sounds like an untrained dog if you ask me.”

Childe scoffed. “You’re the one who’s like an incessant yapping chihuahua.”

Venti blew a raspberry at him as they entered the building. A headache was mounting in Lumine’s head. 

Upon entering, they were instructed to leave their belongings in a locker. After doing so, they entered the arcade where bright neon machines flashed and the electronic noises of games chimed. 

Venti gasped, and started running ahead, forcing Lumine and Childe to follow close behind. He led them to the back, where there was a small archery range set up. 

“LuLu! I actually learned archery while I was away in the countryside,” Venti said excitedly. “Let me show you my amazing skills!”

“Why don’t we make it a little competition?” Childe said, already stepping up to one of the bows, picking it up and turning it over in his hands. 

Venti tilted his head, his eyes gleaming. “Okay,” he agreed, stepping up as well. He was deep in thought as he picked up the other bow. 

Then, Venti smiled, a true Cheshire grin. “The winner gets to go on a date with Lumine.” 

…

Wait. 

WHAT?!

* * *