A Very Cryo Christmas

The last few months had been absolute bliss for the Ayaka, the bluenette firmly believed she would never be happier than she was with this woman.

Lumine.

The girl of her dreams, and more, had wandered into her life and had become a big part of it. Whether either of them were aware at the time, however, was a very different story. The two had a rocky start, but after much poking and prodding, they realized they were more alike than they had previously thought.

It was obvious to everyone that wasn't Ayaka, and sometimes Lumine, that the two had a thing for each other. Whether it be Ayaka's constant stuttering and tripping over herself, or Lumine flirting uncontrollably, even more so than she had with anyone before Ayaka.

While looking back on it, Ayaka realized the limited times they had hung out made her a much more open, and relaxed person. Thoma had commented on it multiple times, he loved seeing her that way, looser and freer than ever before, she needed the push and Lumine was just the person to do it.

'Speaking of flirting…' Ayak thought idly while she sat on the floor near a fireplace with Lumine, the blonde's head resting in her lap. Leaving Ayaka in a rather precarious situation, either she could move and disturb her, or, she could stay and bask in her wonderful presence.

Ayaka turned her head towards the window, it was getting dark, and the snow was falling heavily outside. The two had decided to get away for the holiday, Thoma promising to cover for her if anyone (Ayato) asked for her whereabouts. Even Paimon didn't know where they had gone, the two opting to get some alone time without any disturbances.

Her thoughts were drawn back to Lumine as she made a small noise, and moved slightly, gaining a small smile from the bluenette.

"You awake sleepyhead?" She teased slightly, she had never been as much of a tease as Ayaka, but being with Lumine for the past few months had definitely changed a bit of how she acted, mostly around Lumine, but still it was a welcome change.

"Mmmh" Lumine made an unintelligible noise, causing Ayaka to laugh and Lumine to shimmy her way out of the shy girl's lap. Sitting up fully and trying to rub the sleep out of her eyes.

"Well hello beautiful, where have you been all my life?" Lumine said groggily, making Ayaka flush slightly.

Lumine still flirted with her daily, even after all this time. She was unsure if it was to fluster her, show her affection, or some unholy combination of both. Regardless, however, Ayaka couldn't say she didn't enjoy the words Lumine threw at her.

"It's Christmas eve and you're already falling asleep? What happened to staying up all night waiting for Santa, hmm?" Ayaka teased Lumine lightly.

Lumine pouted, "I was just joking." She mumbled after setting her head on Ayak's shoulder.

The two sat in a comfortable silence for a while, listening to the crackle of the fireplace.

This was just too perfect for Ayaka, she sometimes questioned if this was real life anymore. She found it so hard to believe that Lumine would even be her friend let alone her-

"Lumine?" Ayaka said.

"Hmm?"

"What… are we exactly?" Ayaka asked hesitantly, not wanting to ruin what they had at that moment, hoping to keep the mood intact.

Lumine sat up straight to look at her, "What makes you ask that?"

"We've been… whatever we are for months, and I just wanted to make sure that…" Ayaka trailed off.

"...Together?" Lumine finished for her, Ayaka nodded.

"Yeah…"

"Did- Did I do something, Ayaka?" Lumine asked, a hint of sadness in her voice that was not uncommon for the blonde, but never usually directed at her.

"NO! No, Lumine, god's no, you're perfect." Ayaka shouted before dialing it back a bit, not wanting to scare her, "It's more of the opposite, I often feel I'm not enough for someone like you, and you're just so perfect, and I feel like I'm not good enough-"

Ayaka was silenced as Lumine pulled her in for a deep hug, her head resting on Lumine's chest, causing no end of embarrassment and blushing for the bluenette.

"You know I hate it when you talk like that Aya'," Lumine ran her hand through Ayakas hair, a calming action she had found rather effective not too long into their friendship. Neither of the two were rather physically showing off their affection for each other, however, they had far more of that than they did when it came to communication.

Ayaka was too afraid of scaring off Lumine with any talk she may need to have with her, while Lumine always felt she would open her mouth and someone else would speak for her, it had a rather hard, albeit hidden, effect on the two teens.

"I- I know but, we haven't talked about this at all since all those months ago and, I want- no, I need to know, Lumine. What are we?"

The two sat in silence for a while, Lumine still running her hand through her hair, and their hug remained unbroken.

"Oh, Ayaka, I'm sorry for not saying anything. I just thought…" Lumine trailed off, not sure how to finish her own sentence, or if she even wanted to.

"No, the fault is mine as well, I shouldn't have waited so long. I was just afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

Ayaka pulled her head back out of Lumine's hug, reluctantly, "What you would say, maybe that this was just some one and done thing, or how you would take a lack of trust… or how anyone else would react to our relationship."

"Do you know how many people like us exist? Same sex attraction is not common anywhere in Teyvat, How would brother react? How would anyone else? I'm just so afraid of what the news would bring upon you."

"Well who cares what they think?"

"I do!" Ayaka stood up, walking over to the window, "Your whole reputation could be ruined! This is real life, and I couldn't forgive myself if I hurt you!"

Lumine walked over to her, placing a hesitant hand on her shoulder, "I don't care, Ayaka, I love you much more than I care about what anyone else thinks."

"I love you, Ayaka, and there's nothing that would ever change how I feel, no matter who or what you are." Lumine said, a small smile on her face as she inched ever closer to the girl.

"Love is love Ayaka, it doesn't matter who you find it in, and if people can't understand that… well, then you make them, or you shove it in their face that you're much happier than they are." Lumine said, which in turn got a stare from Ayaka, which quickly morphed into a choked laugh, which transitioned into tears as Ayaka hugged the blonde.

Ayaka had never felt the way she felt now before, even when she and Lumine had first kissed, she was so happy. Lumine wanted to be with her, she wouldn't have to worry about her just up and leaving her, like she was some kind of second fiddle. It filled Ayaka with so much warmth to hear her say the things she had said, to know she would be able to hear her voice for a long, long time.

"I love you so much, Lumine, I don't deserve you." Ayaka mumbled into her shoulder, getting another smile from the blonde.

"No more of that now." Said Lumine sternly.

"What-"

"None of the 'self-depreciation', this 'I'm not worthy' talk, you're not worthless, and I love you, Ok?" Lumine said while looking Ayaka directly in the eyes.

"I- Ok, I'll try, for you." Ayaka said while smiling weakly.

"Good, good, now, I think I should do this properly this time-" Lumine walked over to the kitchen before walking back with a very tiny box, opening it she pulled out a very tiny ring with a- was that a piece of candy?- attached to the top of it.

"Ayaka, will you be my girlfriend?" Lumine said, holding out the very strange ring to Ayaka.

Ayaka for one, couldn't help it when she burst out laughing at her girlfriends antics. This was just so very, very Lumine, and yes, her mind was already made up, "Of course, Lumine."

Ayaka took the ring and put it on her hand, still laughing at the absolute absurdity of her girlfriend.

Ah, girlfriend, that sounds so nice.

"Well, Ayaka, looks like I'm all yours. Would this be a good time to tell you I'm Asexual or should I wait until the wedding?"

"If you thought that was a surprise, then let me tell you, you aren't very good at hiding it." Ayaka snarked, but a very, very crimson like blush had made its way onto her face at the comment of 'wedding'.

"Not really sure I was trying to." Lumine said simply, "Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'm missing my pillow and the fireplace seems quite nice currently, so can we pleaseeee go back over there?" Lumine said, looking at Ayaka with her puppy dog eyes, even though they didn't work on her. In fact, it was quite the opposite between the two.

"This pillow wouldn't happen to be my lap, would it?" Ayaka asked, already making her way over to the fireplace with her girlfriend.

"...maybe?"

"I suppose it can't be helped, c'mere. Might as well get comfortable, we're gonna be here all night."

To say Lumine didn't cheer would be a lie, and Ayaka didn't like lying. So when Ayaka told Thoma about it later, (and Ayato much, much later,) he believed her whole heartedly. The two enjoyed the rest of the night comfortably in each other's presence. Not a word needed to be said as the two quickly fell asleep.

It's said that the next few days of their vacation where spent with Lumine trying to buy Ayaka copious amounts of thing, only for Ayaka to turn them all down, not only did she dislike people buying gifts for her, (Although she did for many, many people) but she told Lumine that all she needed for Christmas was the blonde herself.

Which of course sent the blonde into a blushing storm, and causing her to try and get Lumine more things.

Eventually, Ayaka let Lumine get her one thing, a small silver flower necklace. It reminded Ayaka of Lumine's own nickname for her, and to say it brought a small tear to her eye would be quite true.

And if the two fell further and further into each other's love and embrace during their stay away.

Well…

No one had to know.

This story goes out to my sisters, my best friends, my brothers, to everyone who finds themselves on the out, to those who feel they aren't loved, or an outcast, or misunderstood. That feel like no one can understand them, or that no one will ever love them. I want you all to know you are loved, there will be someone who will understand you, who will love you.

It's really hard, whether it be different attraction, whether you be Gay, Bisexual, or any of the above. Asexual, or non-binary, or genderfluid. Or even a disability, it's hard. Just know that you're perfect as you are, there's no need to form yourself for society to like you, find those who like you for you.

And trust me when I say I would know.

A Merry Christmas from yours truly, The Genderfluid, Asexual Dredgen. Have a good one guys, I love you all.