LUMINE
CHAPTER ONE
He was being strange

Being friends with two good-looking men has its perks.

For instance, Lumine will always have the front seat when they interact with people who visibly show their attraction towards them. Perhaps she was being apathetic toward the feelings of her fellow females, but she was more interested in how her friends would deliver their rejection. The way they both handled it was interesting for its vast difference.

Childe is accommodating and tolerant, almost like a sibling with a younger sister who admires her brother too much. He'd even befriend some, which Lumine understood since it'd be a waste for such affections to be wasted on nothing. It's cruelty in the kindest of ways. It didn't help that he was easy to fall in love with. Childe was tall for his age and exceptionally good-looking; he had the kind of lopsided smile that brought new life to those around him and a strange charm that drew people's gazes. He was also generous, dependable, and fun to be around. Everyone was immediately drawn to his presence once he entered a room. Lumine would have fallen for him herself if her heart hadn't already been spoken for.

Scaramouche, on the other hand, would always keep them at a distance. Nobody notices the difference because it's not like the treatment has changed from how he treated the majority of mankind. But Lumine knew better; it was indeed different. When he knew the feelings were genuine—the words sincere, the actions done out of love—Lumine recognized his hesitation no matter how brief, and his voice has gotten soft even if he doesn't realize it. He didn't like hurting people who were true to him. So, he avoided those with affection for him like the plague and manipulated the ones who claimed the same but were only caught by him through shallow means (which is his looks).

It hadn't been easy being his friend after she realized her feelings.

Aside from his tendency to avoid those who had feelings for him, Scaramouche was a very practical man. He ditched school events when they were unnecessary for his grade. He refused to go out with them to an amusement park, karaoke, and the like. He spent most of his time trying to earn money. To this day, she isn't sure how many part-time jobs he has.

He was dedicated to his plans for the future, and she respected him for that, but it could be frustrating on her part. Perhaps she was being selfish, but she wanted to spend more time with him. Lumine knew in her gut that Scaramouche would be harder to get in touch with once they graduated high school.

Fortunately, Childe felt the same.

They were first years when Lumine discovered that Childe felt the same way she does. At first, it was simple gestures—nothing out of the ordinary—but it was something only you'd do for your best friend, and they are. Scaramouche and Childe had been friends since middle school. But something was different, and Lumine wasn't sure what it was until that one day in their summer class.

It had been a hot morning. Childe bought a bottle of Coke, apple juice, and green tea. He visibly brightened when Scaramouche thanked him, although Lumine thanked him first. The stark contrast in reaction caught her off guard, so Lumine merely watched as Childe urged their friend to choose his drink first.

Scaramouche selected the bottle of green tea and subsequently paid for it. Childe accepted it without a fuss, for he knew their friend didn't like being treated to anything that cost money. Lumine secretly take down his selection in mind, and it appears she wasn't the only one to do so, for she heard Childe muttering beside her.

"I see," Childe studied Scaramouche as he opened his beverage, sounding a little out of it, "so this is what you'd like."

She selected the bottle of coke and thanked Childe again, and the man turned to her after a pause—still a bit distracted but smiling brighter than the sun itself nonetheless. The warmth of his smile would've deceived anyone. Lumine and Childe were often mistaken for a couple. Perhaps it was because he was transparent with his feelings, but then again, people were not aware of the severity of his devotion. Childe will run miles for her, it's true, but he would have moved mountains for Scaramouche.

Lumine smiled back at him, grateful for the drink and the fact that Scaramouche wouldn't entertain anyone romantically. Her hope of having her love repaid was slowly sinking as the day passes, but that's okay. It was fine because she was in the same boat as Childe.

Misery loves company, after all.

xxx

Tevyat Academy was an incredibly prestigious school. The only people allowed to enroll are the children of wealthy families. For those who couldn't afford the tuition, the enrollee has to be incredibly talented or some kind of genius. Both Lumine and Childe came from prestigious families, but they never asked Scaramouche, probably because he wouldn't work as if his life depended on it if he had the financial means in the first place.

Lumine is in Mondstadt's Class, Childe is in Liyue's, and Scaramouche is in Sumeru's. Even though the three of them are in different sections, they share some of their classes, but Monday is the only day where they could walk home together.

The streets gleamed as the snow melted on the pavement, and teemed with the crowd of students who streamed along, walking towards their own homes. It was a good, nostalgic afternoon. Childe was telling them about his upcoming tournament in archery. Eligible participants can compete for individual and national team championships, and this will be the first chance for Childe to join a regional competition.

"I would very much prefer to have the both of you cheer for me," Childe told them. His smile was charming, but his eyes were enigmatic, and yet Lumine could read him without difficulty. He was nervous, uncertain, and kind of scared. She understood his feelings so well.

"You don't have to worry about me." Lumine enthused, "Of course I'd be there, loudly embarrassing you in public, if not else."

Childe grinned in delight, thankful that she had started the conversation on a positive note. They both know she will attend beforehand. In fact, this charade was to pressure their friend to finally attend an event that meant a lot to Childe.

They both looked at Scaramouche, waiting for his answer.

Against his pale skin, his dark hair moved in the spring breeze under his cap. It was cold enough for some to be in winter jackets still, but Scaramouche made no motion to suggest he even felt it. On his feet were worn-out black Adidas that he got himself from his first paycheck when he was thirteen. On his left hand is a book titled 'About Law' by Tony Honoré.

His lovely features were blank when he turned towards Childe.

"I'm afraid I must disappoint you," Scaramouche said, and Childe quickly deflated, like a balloon struck by a needle. "That day was a major sale. I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Their plan didn't work at all. Childe caught her worried gaze, and at that moment, as if he didn't want to feel the misery by himself, he muttered in a loud voice, "By the way, Lumine said she misses you at judo club."

What the heck, Childe? She threw him an annoyed look. He only flashed her a winning smile. What a traitor.

Scaramouche sighed. He heard of this sentiment before from Lumine herself; that's why it's embarrassing for her to discuss the same topic again.

"It's a waste of time and energy." Scaramouche simply says, "I know the skill already; there's no need to practice it every day."

"But you're so good at it." Lumine protested despite her embarrassment, and it was the truth. He was truly good at it. So good, in fact, that he was the first person she ever lost to, even if the match wasn't counted. To begin with, his skill was the very reason why he got her attention.

"And she also missed pulling you close by your shirt."

Discreetly, she kicked Childe in the shin. He didn't dodge her attack and only smiled at her. This masochistic traitor.

Lumine was about to step on his feet this time, but Childe wasn't paying attention. He made her slow to a stop when he realized Scaramouche wasn't walking along with them anymore. Lumine stopped, albeit confused at this sudden standstill.

Their friend has stopped a couple of steps behind them, unmoving, eyes glassy.

Scaramouche blinked and glanced up at his friends. He watched them from afar, shocked and heavy-eyed, suddenly looking worse for wear.

"I'm back." He muttered; his voice almost close to a whisper. Scaramouche laughed a weak, surprised laugh that turned quickly into a brief, hysterical sob. He covered his mouth, physically holding himself back from letting out a whimper.

Lumine and Childe exchange quick looks.

"What do you mean you're back?" Lumine asked, beginning to worry for him, but Childe was being dismissive; he snickered mockingly beside her.

"Back to being a decent human being, I hope?" Childe joked, being a bit mean for getting rejected, but his playful snide remark was forgotten when Scaramouche crossed the gap between them in three quick strides and suddenly wrapped his arms around both of them.

Lumine almost lost her balance, but his hold was secure. His embrace was undeniably tight, almost absurdly intimate. She thought her heart had stopped. She knew her brain did.

"I'm finally back," Scaramouche muttered against her ear, uncharacteristically undeterred by their intimacy. He sounded beyond relieved. Laughter was apparent in his voice.

His words barely registered though. Her mind was painstakingly occupied with taking him in. Scaramouche felt as she'd always imagined he would. Slender, firm, and warm. Slowly and carefully, she pulled her hands free and pressed them lightly against his back.

Lumine didn't think too much of it at first. Scaramouche was acting strange, but he also usually goes through this extreme change of emotions now and then, so this much wasn't a surprise. Although his tears were, and the faint trembling in his voice against her ear sent alarming bells through her mind, he exuded such unadulterated happiness; his body was trembling against hers.

At that moment, his arms around her squeezed a fraction tighter, and Lumine breathed more slowly, her body melting against him as its tension melted into the spring air. Concern won over her initial surprise. She fought to pull her raw emotions back in line after her sudden intimacy with her unrequited first love. There are more important matters to think about at the moment.

What on earth happened to Scaramouche?

xxx

Lumine expected such a strange event would entail something different in their routine, but the three of them just went their usual way home. Nothing was said afterward. She wanted to contact Childe regarding their friend's unusual behavior, but she recalled the way Childe stiffened against him and concluded that he probably has no clue where this sudden gesture of affection is coming from either.

She almost entirely forgot the incident the next day as she walked to school with a barely awake mind—that is until she saw Scaramouche waiting for her at the intersection near their school.

Lumine just stood there, taking in the sight of him. Most of his features were hidden by his dark blue cap, but he somehow managed to look regal with his stance alone. His back was straight, and his uniform was immaculate. It was as if he had a glass wall surrounding him—thin, ice-cold, and impenetrable.

She walked toward him. His trust in her allowed Lumine to get closer than most. But she was also painfully aware that he had built a second line of defense that kept even his friends at a distance.

Her steps slowed to a stop when she reached him.

"Were you waiting for me?" She couldn't help but ask.

He gazes at her through his bangs, unfazed by her interrogation. "Does it look like I am?"

"Yeah, it looks like you are." A hint of a bite was apparent in her response. She couldn't help it. The mere fact that he waited for her so they could go to school together speaks volumes. Childe would probably die of jealousy if she ever told him.

Scaramouche only looked amused by her impatience.

"Then you're probably right."

His quick relent was so out of character that she looked at him funny for it.

"What?"

"You're creeping me out."

He frowned at her; it was the first real emotion she saw on his face that reminded her that he was still Scaramouche regardless of his strange actions as of late.

"Your sense of time is what creeps me out." He glances briefly at his watch. "Seriously, Lumine? 30 minutes before the first period?"

"It's not that late, and you're the one who waited," she mumbled lamely, "like a weirdo, I might add." They started walking. The morning sun was forgivable against their skin. There weren't a lot of people who lived the same way as she does, so it was a quiet walk. She peered at him cheerfully. "So do I have to wait before you tell me why you waited for me, or do I have to annoy it out of you as Childe does?"

"I have a question for you."

"Was it a multiple-choice type of question or the essay type?"

"More like the essay type."

"Oh, shoot. Okay." She wasn't sure if she was ready for whatever it was since he could've texted her, but he chose not to. Was it about yesterday's incident? Or perhaps he caught on to her secret admiration upon her reaction to his embrace? Or maybe he finally realizes Childe's obsession wasn't exactly healthy? Gah. Whatever it was, it was making her downright nervous. Prolonging it wasn't doing her heart any good either. Lumine took a deep breath and turned back at him, willing to just get over whatever the issue was as soon as possible. "I'm ready for it. Bring it on."

A hint of a smile played on his lips as he watched her.

"Why do you sound like I'm about to hit you in the face?"

The mirth in his voice stole her breath. There's fondness in his eyes. Such warmth.

"Well, I—" Lumine quickly looked away, confused, oddly embarrassed. "Just ask me the question, Scaramouche."

Her friend hesitated, but his reluctance was too fleeting for her flustered state to recognize.

"Do you still want to be a firefighter?" He asked her.

"What do you mean by 'Still'?" She clarified, peering at him in confusion, "I always wanted to be one."

"Is that so? But you didn't. . ." He muttered softly, looking kind of thoughtful; his mind seemed to be a million miles away.

There was a pause.

"I didn't . . .?" She asked, idly wondering what he thought about when he had the look.

He stared into the distance.

"I'm just curious why you wanted to be a firefighter is all."

Seriously?

"Was that all?" Lumine hadn't realized she was holding her breath until she let out a huge exhale out of sheer relief. She runs her fingers through her hair, laughing a little at herself. "You're making me nervous for nothing here."

"Nervous?" He turned to her, looking genuinely confused. "Why did I make you nervous?"

"You waited for me to walk me to school just to ask a stupid question, that's all." She said, quickly deflecting the topic. "And anyway, I think you're going to laugh when you know the reason why I wanted to be a firefighter."

"You think I'd laugh at you?" He was frowning again.

"Well. . . you're kind of a jerk." She admitted honestly.

He considers it for a moment then slowly nods his head in agreement, undeterred by her admission.

"That's fair enough."

"So why do you want to know?" she asked him.

"I realized I never really asked you why." He admitted without hesitation.

She playfully pouts, "It's because you didn't ask, you dummy."

"I realize that too; that's why I'm asking you now."

She dropped her playful charade and studied him with a predator's unwavering attention. Lumine was grateful for his interest, but it was so out of the blue, she was honestly afraid of what this sudden concern entails. Then there was also the strange event that happened:

"Did something happen to you yesterday?" She asked, voicing her thoughts out loud instead of answering him.

Scaramouche looked at her with dull, resigned eyes. Lumine gets the impression he's holding himself back from telling her something. It takes him a moment to speak, and he shakes his head first to clear it.

"No, nothing happened."

"Really?" She pressed; her voice low but insistent.

"Really." He echoed, holding her gaze. His expression was now controlled, carefully blank.

She stopped him from walking. Lumine couldn't figure him out, and his indifferent answer gave her no clues. He didn't say a word, but he watched her, just watched her with vague curiosity. Lumine stared at him right in the face, gritting her teeth. She has to make sure—have to be certain.

"Are you sure?" She cocked an eyebrow at him and said, "Because it's out of character of you to cry like that yesterday all of a sudden, y'know?"

"Did I cry yesterday?" He asked her, his tone feigning ignorance.

Her sneer was all teeth. "You think I'm blind?"

"Sometimes, I do. Yes." Scaramouche quickly agreed, and he had the audacity to smile back at her—that smug little smile he had when she walked right into his trap. "You're actually self-aware?"

She frowned at his response.

"How about this? Do you honestly think I would not ask you?" She flung her arms wildly around, gesturing at the air like it was their not-physically present friend. "Or how about Childe? Do you think he wouldn't hate himself if he discovered that he could've changed the outcome of whatever hard thing you're going through right now if only he knew?"

Scaramouche pressed his lips tightly together until they were nothing but a fine line on his face.

"Well, your answer was loud indeed."

"Can you just answer me since I asked you first?" He pleaded with her, sounding uncharacteristically frustrated.

She walked with him again, surprised at the depth of her disappointment.

"Alright. But don't be relieved just yet. This discussion isn't over."

He raised his hands in silence, indicating his surrender. The gesture had no right to look so damn adorable.

As they walked, Lumine took her time to ponder over her answer. It's been a while since someone asked her that question. "Why I wanted to be a firefighter, huh?" She throws a quick glance at Scaramouche as she thinks and almost laughs when she sees how sullen he is. "Alright, I'm sorry. I still can't believe you asked me a question like that. Are you even Scaramouche, or are you like a skinwalker of some sort?"

"Are you an idiot?" His right eye twitched in annoyance.

"Ahhhh. . . There's my Scaramouche."

He sighed. A very deep, exaggerated sigh. "Please just answer my question, you exasperating human."

"Promise me you won't laugh, though. Seriously, it will break my heart."

"I won't ask in the first place if I think it's stupid."

"Actually, it was, uh—" she let out an embarrassed laugh, "a little stupid, so kindly keep the mocking to a minimum or I'd resort to violence."

"Alright, no expectations, or I'll be suffering from a concussion. Got it; you may proceed."

"It might sound stupid, but . . . y'know, Aether, right?" He nodded. "Well, my twin wanted to be a policeman since we were little. He wishes to implement justice for all and all that, and I share the same principles as well . . . although mine's kind of different. I wanted to protect the peace, but, um, not exactly with a gun. To be honest, I didn't actually want to protect, but more like I wanted to save people from disasters. I think that's actually way cooler, soot and all."

It was stupid, but halfway through her explanation, she couldn't look him in the eye anymore, and she started rambling, feeling rather foolish for feeling so vulnerable under his scrutiny, "And, uh, I like the uniform. I dig the sort of superhero in space kind of look. Stupid dream, isn't it?" She laughs a little to mock herself to save the conversation; it was bleak, and he didn't join her. She bit her lip in trepidation, stealing a glance at his expression after a beat. ". . . So, when are you going to laugh?"

The look he gave her would have any other person down on their knees, begging for forgiveness.

"I admit others would call it childish, but it's not stupid, Lumine. Never call it that. Don't even consider it. Ever."

Lumine was surprised by the gravity of his reaction, but she was moved nonetheless. ". . . Alright, I guess I'll keep that in mind."

"You better do."

Scaramouche takes things seriously in life. If a hardworking person like him considers her dream as something, perhaps the idea of enrolling in a university for the profession she wanted instead of seeking a course with a job that will offer her more money wasn't entirely idealistic after all.

Lumine was so into her thoughts that she wasn't physically present. She tripped, but before she could fall, Scaramouche grabbed her arm to steady her.

"Tripping by your own feet, though, is definitely on the tier list of stupidity."

"Ugh." At least she didn't fall on her face. That would have been embarrassing.

"You should watch where you're going."

"Maybe you should hold my hand so I wouldn't trip again." She mumbled sarcastically.

"Alright."

"Huh?" What? He agreed? What?

Before Lumine could embarrass herself by freaking out, Scaramouche was already reaching for her hand.

She made herself look at him. The light was pearly with the dawn. Behind him, the eastern sky was the color of pale-yellow flowers. His eyes were on hers—very direct and unwavering. Still majestically beautiful. He looked unbothered by their skin contact as if he were used to holding her hand.

His hand wasn't soft, but it was smooth. After recuperating from her initial shock, Lumine enjoyed his hand, which was a little bigger compared to hers. She always likes his hands. Childe told her it was similar to a pianist's hands—thin, long, elegant—and she couldn't agree more. Scaramouche lets her flex his fingers, but after a while, he intertwines their fingers together to make her stop playing with his hand, and Lumine almost gasps at the intimacy of it all.

She wasn't sure what brought on this sudden openness to skin contact, but what she was certain is Childe will kill her for taking this rare opportunity; but not like he'd blame her for it or anything; honestly, she was sure he would've done the same.

He'd still throw a mean tantrum over it, though, that was for sure.

Lumine take advantage of the moment and squeezed his hand. After a while, Scaramouche squeezed back. Her heart melted.

She doesn't mind Childe complaining one bit. Lumine can only agree that this type of hand-holding is definitely unfair to their truce.

A/N: This took an embarrassingly long time but I would've really hated it if any of their interaction were too OOC. I hope I managed to pull this one off. Any guesses of the plot at this point are extremely welcome! I will appreciate any feedback and opinions as well.

Hope you enjoyed reading this fic!

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