Chapter 4: A Meeting With the One Called Viator
**(Month Later, Wednesday-July 7th; Afternoon)**
Over the next few weeks, Ganyu and Xiao made it a routine to take Lumine out once a week, sometimes two if they could convince their dad that it was good for her. Zhongli was still hesitant and sometimes accompanied them himself, it seemed to make Lumine feel more at ease that he was with them, something the two adopted young adults took notice of. Ganyu saw a blooming relationship and Xiao saw the potential match as well the more Zhongli and Lumine spent time together.
Zhongli hummed as he looked over a letter he held, the name Viator written neatly on the front addressed to him…but what confused him was the fact Tartaglia hand delivered it. Apparently a contact had information but wanted to meet Zhongli in person. What the information was or pertained to was not revealed, Tartaglia merely said that an informant whom he was close to wanted to meet in person and stated Zhongli came alone. At first, Zhongli had been hesitant but from the protective look in Tartaglia's eyes, he knew he needn't worry. Tartaglia would not let him come to harm.
Of course Zhongli still punched him when Tartaglia teasingly requested he see Lumine.
Now, as Zhongli got what he needed and alerted the guards to patrol the mansion while he was gone, he felt a presence behind him. "Mr. Zhongli?" The soft voice of Lumine spoke and he turned around, seeing the blonde was at the doorway to his study, wearing the black dress she bought a month ago that Ganyu adored. To be perfectly honest, he also felt a wave of desire shoot through him, seeing the Geo symbol clipped in the fabric between her breasts. It was actually the symbol he used for his contacts to know a letter was from him.
Not like anyone else really knew that is. Ganyu must've clipped it onto the dress before handing it to Lumine.
"Where are you going?" She asked, gold eyes curious and concerned, yet he smiled to reassure her and the concern left her eyes. "Tartaglia has an informant who wishes to meet, I should not be gone long." Zhongli commented and Lumine frowned at the mention of Tartaglia's name. "I still dislike that man." The blonde commented and Zhongli chuckled, standing before her. "I'm well aware." He responded before seeing Ganyu a little ways behind Lumine, watching with a twinkle in her eye.
Maybe he could put on a show for his daughter.
"I'll try and make the meeting quick." Zhongli said as he brushed a hand along Lumine's cheek and the golden haired girl merely nodded. "I know." She said but went wide eyed when she felt his lips touch her forehead. 'Why does this…feel familiar…?' Lumine wondered, a flash of a boy similar to her flashing in her mind, kissing her forehead to comfort her tears. "Take care while I'm gone." Zhongli said softly, before turning and leaving the mansion. Lumine was rooted to the spot, eyes still wide as she tried to register what happened and why her heart was pounding.
As Zhongli got into the limo, on his way to meet the mysterious Viator, he remembered how Ganyu had been acting the past few days. She knew he felt something for Lumine and Zhongli had not denied nor confirmed he did, yet Ganyu seemed to believe he had confirmed his feelings. She was doing her best to push them together and, if he was honest, it was endearing how willing Ganyu was to accept Lumine as an actual member of the family. Even Xiao hadn't protested the idea, saying it'd be nice to have a mother figure in the mansion.
Now if only he could get Lumine to understand and feel emotions again, he might have a chance.
He arrived outside a normal office-looking building and walked in after the limo parked, making his way to the elevator and going up to the highest floor. As he exited, he saw Tartaglia waiting for him, in which the ginger smiled. "Ah, hey Zhongli, about time." Tartaglia said, standing up to greet his friend in which Zhongli returned the nod before following behind Tartaglia into the room. "Zhongli, meet Viator." Tartaglia said as he introduced the two, going to stand by the desk where a golden haired boy sat.
Zhongli's breath halted, the man's hair was the same color as Lumine's, just a tad more blonde than pale, and he wore an elegant black and white outfit. His hair was long and braided, it would probably reach his waist but was currently resting over his shoulder. When the young man opened his eyes and looked up at Zhongli, the dark haired man almost jolted in surprise. They were the exact same shade, tint and color as Lumine's…but there was more life in them, more energy. Lumine's had a distant, somewhat cold, look to them.
The similarities though…were they related?
"Mr. Zhongli, I presume?" The man asked, he seemed no older than Lumine either from his looks and voice. "Yes." Zhongli responded, when Viator pointed to the seat before them. "Please, take a seat." He said politely and Zhongli did, seeing the approval in Tartaglia's eyes. Apparently the ginger held this boy in high regard. Once Zhongli was situated and comfortable, crossing his legs and arms, the dark haired man leaned back. "May I ask what this meeting is for? I do not believe we have met before." Zhongli stated and Viator nodded, grinning a bit.
"A man who gets straight to the point, I like that." Tartaglia frowned a bit, an eyebrow twitching and Zhongli resisted the urge to laugh. Did these two have something between them? "I simply need something confirmed and, when Tartaglia here showed me 'her' picture, I had to confirm if it were true." So, Tartaglia showed Viator Lumine's picture? What did he need to confirm? "First, is her name Lumine?" Viator asked and Zhongli tensed, cor lapis narrowing and glowing slightly as his defenses raised. "If it is?" Zhongli tested.
The younger man relaxed. "Is it or is it not? I need confirmation, Zhongli." The boy was being somewhat submissive, showing he wouldn't do anything but desperately wanting this information. Zhongli relented, losing some tension as well but still guarded. "It is." He confirmed and the way the younger man's shoulder sagged in relief made Zhongli raise a brow. Did he know Lumine? "Gold hair and gold eyes?" Viator questioned. "Yes." Zhongli confirmed and the boy seemed to sag more in relief. "Scars?" He asked and Zhongli came up short on that.
Seeing his confusion, Viator sighed. "Does she not have scars?" He asked, yet Zhongli sighed. "If she does, she keeps them covered. Ganyu would know that more than I do." Zhongli commented and Viator hummed, looking thoughtful. "It is of no concern at the moment. I guess I should explain why I asked." Viator said as he leaned back, hands interlacing as he crossed them on his lap. Zhongli nodded. It would be nice to have an explanation.
The male took a deep breath, before speaking. "My true name is Aether Auroras. Viator is a cover name I use to keep myself hidden from…certain people." Viator, truly known as Aether, explained. "Lumine Auroras is my twin sister." Zhongli jolted, eyes going wide. He had been trying to find familial matches but had come up empty. Seems Tartaglia had actually found one and was close to him as well. "Imagine my surprise when I found out they were related as well." Tartaglia commented and Zhongli nodded, glad to know she did have a family. "However, we are all the other has left." Aether explained, eyes dark as he recalled his past.
"Me and my sister were taken from our parents when we were young, our mother and father killed trying to protect us. We were only three at the time and someone removed us from the system so we couldn't be tracked." Aether explained, rubbing the space between his eyes. "We were smuggled into some underground area and kept there, being used for multiple purposes. We weren't the only people these scum had taken, there were many other young children. Though most were older than us, the man in charge said we were his greatest treasure due to our unique looks." Aether still had a sour taste in his mouth, recalling his past.
"Me and my sister were usually kept together, being forced to clean and even taught to do common stuff. If we failed, we were whipped or beaten, my sister endured worse than I did." Aether rolled the sleeve of his shirt up, revealing a healing wrist. The skin around it was dark and thick, as though chafed against something that bound his wrists. "We were chained and bound often, multiple people around us enduring the same treatment." Aether rolled his sleeve down, folding his hands on the table.
"When we entered our teen years…that's when things changed." Aether clenched his teeth and Tartaglia rested a hand on Aether's shoulders. He leaned down, whispering something in the golden haired man's ear and he nodded, shoulders relaxing. Taking a deep breath, Aether continued. "We kept getting separated, used for…different work than that as a slave." The quiver in the younger man told Zhongli he didn't want to know. "What work?" Aether's gold eyes were dark as he clenched his teeth. "Sexual pleasure." He hissed venomously.
Tartaglia's hands tensed on Aether's shoulder, teeth clenched and even Zhongli's eyes tightened in fury, hands gripping his arms tighter. "Both me and my sister were the most prized ones used often, we're not virgins." He shook his head to get rid of the memories. "Sometimes we were separated, sometimes we were bought by the same person. It was always for a limited time though, never a buy-and-keep with us. We were bought, used and then given back when they were done." Aether breathed deeply, trying to keep himself in check.
"I would always wait for my sister, just as she did me, depending on if we were separated or not. We relied on one another to keep our sanity intact." He muttered, they were the other's anchor. Aether held his head in his hands, a heavy sigh escaping him. "Sadly, Lumine started breaking, going numb and unable to feel emotions. One of the buyers had used her for more than sexual pleasure." Aether explained, hands tightening in his hair slightly. "We never got the buyer again, I heard one of the men hired the Fatui to get rid of him." The blonde stated.
Tartaglia jolted, eyes going wide, that had to have been a few years ago then. He doesn't remember anything like that being mentioned when he was with them and something like that would have been bragged about. "Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and planned to break out with a few others." A deep breath. "When I succeeded, I tried to grab my sister but I realized she wasn't even there." Aether looked up at Zhongli again and the dark haired male nearly flinched at the sadness in those eyes.
It was obvious Aether longed to be with his twin sister but the inability to locate her…how long had he been searching?
"She had been bought by someone who hadn't been interested in buying me, thus I couldn't escape with her. I tried finding out who had her but the men I beat to death had no information." Aether explained once more, rubbing the back of his neck. "At least you're out of there now." Tartaglia responded, rubbing Aether's shoulder in which the younger man nodded. "She's currently in my care with amnesia." Zhongli explained softly with care, knowing it would hurt. Aether's face tightened in sadness and pain. "I guess it was too good to hope she'd remember. How bad is it?" Aether asked, yet Zhongli shrugged.
"She hardly speaks about her past if she does remember anything. She doesn't talk much." The darker haired man explained, Aether clicked his tongue. "Part of the conditioning they put Lumine through. She was always disobeying the people who held us, something I admired about her but…" Aether shook his head. "They would end up torturing her into submission if they thought it would 'fix' her." Aether's voice was heavy with anger. Zhongli felt his protective instincts kicking in. "What were you two put through?" When Aether raised a brow, Zhongli gave a sick smirk. "Something I can count off as I torture those I find. Each thing I do as revenge for what was done to you and your sister." Aether glanced at Tartaglia, who was wearing a satisfied smirk and the blonde internally groaned, wondering how the hell he was supposed to deal with two overprotective men.
"Well, we were often forced to watch what others were doing so we could copy that act." Some of the others there did try and help them out. "As children, we did what we were told…but around about twelve to thirteen, we started to disobey as we felt something wasn't right." The blonde explained, leaning back a bit. "We were beaten heavily, aside from threats of a beating, we were threatened with sexual harassment. Some of the 'grunts' as we called them got handsy and said if we said anything, we'd regret having been allowed to live." Aether shivered, still remembering the feeling of one of the grunt's hands going between his thighs and stroking him.
"The 'merchandise' wasn't to be messed with except by the buyers, though having one of their 'products' beaten apparently didn't count as messing with." Aether ran a hand through his hair, trying to remember everything. "Lumine and I were forcibly separated sometimes since we were each other's rock, they didn't like that and said they needed to 'break' Lumine since she was always standing up to them. I kept my mouth shut, acted like a good little boy so I wouldn't be hurt." Aether still remembers her kicking and screaming at them to let her go, that they couldn't treat a human like this as he reached for her, trying to get some strength to protect her.
He was the older twin dammit! He should've protected her!
"We were malnourished a few times, not having enough and it's only before we were sold that we would be fed more so that we were more 'appealing' but that also resulted in shock collars." Tartaglia's and Zhongli's eyes went wide, making Aether sigh and pull his collar down, showing the same scars he had along his wrist were along his neck but were worse. It was still dark, looking like it wasn't healing like it should but it wasn't infected. There was a jagged scar running from what looked like a previous gash from the neck to his chest, stopping over his heart. "The shock collar malfunctioned on me and cut me open, a result of beatings combined with the intensity they had my collar at as it malfunctioned…it nearly killed me. Lumine refused to leave my side and fought like a wild animal if someone tried to pull her away from me." They let the twins be when Aether was healing, mostly because Lumine was so violent she was of no use until Aether healed.
"Lumine might have worse scars around her neck from the shock collars. She was always trying to tear them off before she started breaking." Aether explained, pulling his collar back up. "When I find out where these people are, I will kill them." Zhongli hissed, nearly growling as he thought of how to inflect torture on these men without being caught. Aether sighed, laying his head on his hands. "Good luck. I went back there with a few men under my employee and the men that, specifically, took me and my sister were nowhere to be found. From what one of the captives also told me, my sister had been bought by a high ranking Harbinger." Tartaglia stiffened, eyes going wide. A FATUI BOUGHT HER?!
"But they hadn't seen her since then." Aether opened a file he had and narrowed his eyes. "That was over two years ago." When Aether stormed the facility two years ago, it could have been very likely the Harbinger just never returned her or the kidnappers took her to a different facility after Aether stormed the one they were originally kept at. "I've been checking off each facility I hit. Been trying to get rid of the human trafficking ring that's been going on." Those captured were often transferred between facilities for different buyers, so it was hard to destroy the huge ring.
"I destroyed the ones in Mondstadt and then made my way here. Inazuma, Sumeru, Natlan and Fontaine have their own as does Snezhnaya." Aether explained, leaning forward. "I encountered Tartaglia when I saw him show some trusted associates of mine," Tartaglia groaned, they were also trusted associates of HIS! "A picture of Lumine. I cornered him and got him to show me the actual picture after I earned his trust. After that, I started trying to figure out how to contact you to set up a meeting." He patted Tartaglia's arm, making the ginger smile fondly at Aether.
"In the end, I just had Tartaglia hand-deliver the letter." Tartaglia ruffled his hair. "Don't know why you were so embarrassed about it. I wouldn't have turned your request down." The ginger said fondly. Aether blushed heavily. "That's for me to know and you to never find out." Aether muttered under his breath. Zhongli smirked, before a thoughtful look crossed his face. "Do you wish for me to reunite you with your sister?" Zhongli asked, knowing it had to be the one thing Aether wanted the most. Aether stilled, eyes filled with longing before he clenched his teeth and shook his head, though the movement was jerky, hesitant. "N-no, not yet." He rasped out, confusing both Tartaglia and Zhongli.
Why refuse?
"Until I destroy the human trafficking ring, she's not safe within reach of me." The blonde explained, yet his tone was full of pain. "Your estate is probably the safest place for her and, if she can't remember the torture she's gone through, I'd rather not reveal myself to her." It hurt him to say this but he wanted the reveal to be careful. "Until she starts remembering parts of her past, a sudden visit from me could cause the trauma she's forgotten to come back and force her into shock." The blonde explained softly. Zhongli frowned, that was true. Aether and Lumine endured the trauma together and, if Aether was suddenly within Lumine's sights, it could force her mind to remember everything she went through as she tried to remember him.
The ensuring memories who send her into shock, or even worse; a coma.
"I request this of you," Zhongli looked up at Aether, "keep her safe and, when mentioning me, do not mention my real name. Simply call me Viator." Zhongli nodded as Aether sighed, pleased. "Also, when outside in the presence of eyes and ears everywhere, call Lumine, Viatrix." Zhongli raised a brow and Aether smirked. "Me and my sister had one buyer who treated us as if we were her own children. She was a weird one, in that she simply 'bought' us so we could act as her children. She called us Viator and Viatrix. I figured they would be good aliases should the need arise." Zhongli nodded, that was fair. After making plans to be a contact to destroy the human trafficking in Liyue, Zhongli left, Tartaglia following him.
"Is there something going on between the two of you?" Zhongli asked Tartaglia with a smirk, in which the ginger sighed. "I wish. He's cute and I won't deny, I've admired that lean body of his when I can." Zhongli chuckled, Tartaglia was an open book at points when it came to feelings. "At least I can safely say that Aether and Lumine are, at least, in good hands. Lumine with you and Aether with me." The ginger said softly. Zhongli quirked a brow. "You are going to pursue?" The dark haired man questioned. Tartaglia scoffed. "Just because he's not a virgin doesn't mean he's less attractive. Should he accept me, I'll make it like it's actually his first time." Tartaglia swung both ways, rather it be male or female, Tartaglia didn't care. If he was attracted to someone, he was attracted to them and he made it well known.
He never brought them into his line of work and he kept them secret from those he worked with. It would be different since Aether was already in their line of work but at least he was safe from the Fatui with Tartaglia at his side working with him. Zhongli nodded, Tartaglia was exhibiting the same protective aura that Zhongli, himself, gave off when it concerned Lumine. The ginger pulled out his phone, saying; "We'll get security measures in place more at your mansion and I'll also start getting some more set up here and at Aether's safe house." Tartaglia started going through his contacts. "You get your men together and set up a meeting, explain very little and give minimal details." Zhongli nodded, he understood the protocols. After they spoke a bit more in detail about the safety, Zhongli headed back to the mansion.
He desperately wanted to see Lumine.
XXX
Lumine hummed as she put her book away, having finished it and she skimmed the other titles, reading the back of the books to glean some information. Most didn't catch her attention but from what Xiao and Ganyu said, reading books was a common thing to do. Lumine left the library, entering the foyer and looked at the clock. Zhongli should be home soon, at least she hoped soon. Xiao and Ganyu had left earlier for their jobs, thus leaving Lumine alone. Lumine sighed, rubbing her arms…before freezing as she felt a chill run down her spine, turning her blood to ice.
What…what was this feeling?
She felt the sudden urge to look out one of the windows in the foyer, eyes going wide in a mixture of horror and surprise as she saw someone outside the mansion in a tree. They had a camera, the lens pointed right at her through the window. It was one of the more advanced cameras, meant for stealth but able to take great pictures despite the distance. She processed this in a matter of seconds before self-perseverance kicked in and she moved! Lumine rushed to the windows and yanked the curtains shut! The feeling of fear swirled in her gut and she held her head, feeling it pound as she tried to rationalize why this was all so familiar.
Suddenly the window shattered and Lumine gave a shriek of horror, gold eyes wide as she turned on her heel, bolting! She didn't stay long to see if the person watching broke the window or if it was something else. Zhongli's office! She had to get to Zhongli's office! She would be safe there! She got into the office and used the spare key above the door to get in, slamming the door shut and locking the door. Lumine dove for the desk and sat in the small space made for the legs, closing her eyes tightly and clasping hands over her ears. The burn of tears gathered, leaving streaks down her face as fear pounded in her heart, making it hard for her to breathe. She wanted Zhongli back now!
So lost in her fear, she lost track of time. She didn't know how much time had passed, fear clouding her senses that she didn't hear the door open and fast footsteps making their way to where she sat when the chair suddenly moved aside. She screamed in terror only to see concern cor lapis eyes looking at her in concern, a deep worry within his eyes. "Lumine." The dark haired man said softly as they knelt and Lumine felt the tears gather more. "Mr. Zhongli?" She reached for him, hand shaking in her terror and he pulled her close to him, embracing her. He should've called to alert the guards to keep an eye on her as he wished to see her when he returned…he wished he had.
Okay, so this is what I meant but it gets real dark, REAL quick.
Lumine and Aether, in this story, were part of a underground human trafficking ring. Now that will come into play later, so keep that in mind. Aether was able to escape but Lumine was not until recently, but how did she escape and get into Zhongli's care? Remember when he found her bloodied in an alley? That does get explained later and the person who was watching her? Oh, he works for a certain someone. Anyways, the reason I used Viator and Viatrix as their alias names is because of their constellations. I thought what would be a nice touch AND no one would know its them! XD
Also, I am of the headcanon that Aether is the older twin between the two AND I adore the overprotective brother trope, I truly do. (Probably because I'm actually used to it now when, for the longest time, both of my brother's weren't super overprotective of me...so...yeah...) Also, I do ship Aether x Tartaglia, so they are together in this story. The only females I ship with Aether are Keqing and Mona (and even with Mona its meh). I mean, yeah Ayaka x Aether is cute, but I ship Ayaka with Thoma more, so...meh. But my overall favorite ship with Aether is Tartaglia, while my overall favorite ship with Lumine is Zhongli. (Though I do ship Xiao, Neuvillette and Alhaitham with her as well.)
Anyways, this is where things begin picking up as we see that there is something going on behind the scenes and it seems Lumine may not be safe, even with Zhongli.